A:  How did it go last night?
B:  I was upset playing 'Magic The Gathering'.  I don't like playing that game anymore with one of the
     players.  He takes too long on his turns, and he throws off my rhythm.  Also, he has all the time in the
     world.  He has invented the ten minute turn, where me and my other friend just have to sit there while
     he makes a decision.  There are other things I could be doing with my time, like making art.
A:  So, how does it make you feel?
B:  The whole thing makes me feel terrible.  Now I am writing about it.  I just don't feel like there is any
     point in playing this stupid card game anymore.  My friend and I used to get in six or seven games in
     a session; now, we are lucky to get in three or four with Mr. Slow Poke.  Then, in addition, he always
     has to tell us how sad everything is if something doesn't go his way.
A:  What are you going to do about all this?
B:  I'm going to quit, or at least limit my playing to one or two games until I can't take it anymore.  Plus,
     he doesn't like art, doesn't like what I do, and is basically condescending towards me as a person.
     I don't need that crap.  The game isn't about having fun anymore for me.  Also, he plays the same cards
     week after week with this power deck of his, and it gets so tedious.  It makes me feel like I am done,
     completely done.
A:  I see.
B:  Then, it puts me in a bad mood for the rest of the night as I try to regain my sense of self.  It's not fun.
A:  So what happened after you played your card game?
B:  Then a couple of other friends showed up.  One guy was sloshed and insulting my good friend, and that
      was not fun, either.  He was talking too much while I was trying to paint, and he actually said, "I'm sorry,
      I'm a negative person.  He wasn't kidding, and I didn't need his negative vibe around me.
A:  So....
B:  So the rest of the night went pretty well, and I calmed down.  I don't need another person to hang out
     with most of the time.  I just need to have my own table, and paint.  Doing this allows me to sell my art,
     which I can't do enough of, since I always need money.  But wait...aw, damn....the bad drummer across
     the hall is practicing his drums.  That sucks.  I wish he was a better player.  I actually like the sound of
     drums, but this guy's chops aren't very good.  He can't just do a steady beat.  He tries to get all speedy,
     and be like Kieth Moon, but he doesn't have the talent or the skill.  At least the sound is muffled some-
     what, so I'll survive it.
A:  Anything else you want to talk about?
B:  Not right now.  I can't think of much else that I want to get off my chest.
A:  Okay, that will be $100.
B:  You're not cheap.  I had to make and sell twenty napkin arts just to talk to you.  Damn.
A:  If you want the best, you have to cough up the cash.


* * * * *

A:  Damn, I just talked to my therapist.  He charged me a hundred dollars.  There are better things I can do
      with that kind of money.
B:  Yeah, it sucks.
A:  I do feel better, though.  The events of last night really bothered me.  I didn't even tell him everything.
B:  What didn't you tell him?
A:  About this woman who talks too much, and how I feel traumatized by her.
B:  Really?
A:  Yeah, there is no polite way to escape her once she starts talking.  Then she gets mad if you excuse your-
      self from the conversation.  She is a one way street as it is, so it isn't really a conversation in the first
      place.  It's like, she talks, and you listen, but you have to nod your head in agreement at key points,
     and say a couple of encouraging words to vindicate what she is talking about.  It is like being held
     hostage is what it feels like, and I don't like it.
B:  It sounds awful.
A:  It is.  She is a heavy alcoholic, and it pains me to even listen to her.  She drones on for hours.  She does
      have some charm, though...I mean, she isn't completely boring.  She does have things to say about
     various topics.  And she is a forgiving person, she lets bygones be bygones.  That part of her is really
     good...but I really enjoy and prefer the silence.  Actually, I just want to hear the music from the stereo
     and jam out with my art work.  It works really good, to paint alongside the music.  I always get inter-
     rupted from being able to do that.  There is always someone talking loud, usually at the table next to
     mine.  It is really bothersome.
B:  That is the price of doing business.
A:  Yeah, I guess so.
B:  Always look at the bright side of life.
A:  Yeah, but it ain't always easy, brother.
B:  I know, but at least try.
A:  Okay.
B:  I got to go take a piss.
A:  That is way too much information right now.

* * * * *

A:  I did get to eat some home-made brownies last night, and I sold an art piece, so that was good.
B:  I'm glad.
A:  So the night wasn't a total loss.
B:  That is good.
A:  It is just that things happen, and I get so affected.  I'm hyper-sensitive about everything.  I can't help it.
     I'm an artist.  I feel everything, and it gets to be too much sometimes.
B:  I know what you mean.  It is like you are trying to carry the world on your shoulders, and that is impos-
     sible.
A:  Yeah, I know...I tried that for years, and it didn't work at all.  It was way too much.  So I gave up on
     that.  Sometimes you have to let things slip by the wayside.
B:  Yup.
A:  I still feel this tremendous responsibility, though, to be more than what I am.  It's hard to have this kind of
     pressure.
B:  I know what you mean.
A:  Okay, well, I got to get out of here...I got some things to do and take care of.
B:  Okay, I will talk to you later.
A:  Okay, bye.
B:  Bye.