What? Who?

No, I'm just kidding myself. There's plenty of topics I could attack. Sports. Politics. Entertainment. But I limit myself because I might offend someone. I know what type of security measures are in place, and one wrong word can ruin your life.

There's also a matter of truth. I wouldn't say that I've put up a facade. I just restrain myself at different levels according to the company present. The way I normally talk is for those such as family, and friends that I don't share much with. But I only describe it as 'normal' because I use it most of the time. When I feel comfortable with someone, I really let loose.

The biggest problem is that I choose one of these 'settings' very early in a friendship or relationship. If it matches that person, I keep it. For instance, when I met my group for my Computer Architecture project, I got a feel for each member. At first, they were very proper and didn't talk out of turn. So I matched their level. However, after one class where the prof really sucked, the group started to use profanity and such. It was early enough that I was able to readjust, and I fit in once again. In fact, I felt more relaxed once they let their guard down.

It's a weird thing, really. Some people that I've known for 10 or more years only see the polite and mindful Andy. Some people that I've know for far less time get the 'no-regards-for-anyone' Andy. Example: I've known Pat for nearly 12 or so years. And while he cusses, drinks, and smokes, I still restrain myself. Even though I'm much older now, and I know plenty more, I still don't change my language or actions.

It transfers over to how I write as well. My text messages and emails vary according to the receipient. In fact, for some of my friends, I put together messages that would impress English professors. For this blog, I hold back. I check my grammar twice depending on the time. I'll look up information on parentheses to make sure I'm doing it right. But I also write exactly what I think, so some sentences are definitely fragments. It all depends.

By the way, when did "suck" become a bad word? It was censored on Around The Horn, it was mentioned on Red Eye, and it has asterisks on iTunes. When will "blow" become a bad word? What about "crap?" So, the next time I talk about the Spurs, I'll have to say, "Man, they play the sport of basketball poorly. They are really inept at putting the ball through the metal circle. That referee misjudged that play." (Translation: Man, the Spurs suck. Ginobili blows. That ref is full of crap.)