1) Open conflict is great. I'm all for it. Sauf exceptions, I'm generally pretty decent at reading people. I can tell pretty quickly when they have a bug up their asses about me and it gets under my skin. I never bring it up because, well, its not what I do but it certainly is a great relief when they finally come out with it. Not matter how severe, its wonderful not to feel that pressure building up. And, really, laying all the cards on the table is the best way to either fix things or have a clean break. But, lets be honest, open conflict is rare. People are afraid of it so they take potshots from the shadows, as it were.

2) People don't like to admit that there are parts of them that are fucking dark cesspools. Which, ironically, is why I think they suck. Having flaws doesn't make you a terrible person. Being willfully blind towards them does make you a terrible person. Or, at the very least, a person I don't have time for.

3) Could be either. I really don't know. What I do know is that the standards to which I try to hold myself are invariably much higher than those I hold others to. I fail pretty regularly but I don't see that as a reason to hold the bar any lower.

4) Or I unexpectedly found myself with very little to do at work on a friday afternoon. I could get used to this working only 40 hours a week thing. Its practically a vacation. ;)

5)*fingerscrossed* I'll be in Paris over Christmas and through the New Year so you'll have some time to catch up. ;)