Perception is 99% of Somebody's Reality

Last week, as I was talking about putting in a veggie garden, my two closest co-workers (geographically) responded in shock. They were surprised that I would have a garden, as I don't seem like the outdoors type. I was equally shocked as I am very much an outside person. Admittedly, I do not hunt, fish or camp, which I guess around here is a disqualification for being an "outdoors" person. Of course, the here people who do those things tell it, I am as in touch with nature at my desk at work than they are while they do them. Fishing from a $20,000 fishing boat that only sees water once a week, "camping" in an air conditioned trailer parked at a camp ground next to a public restroom, and "hunting" 200 yards off a public road covered in designer camouflaged that costs more than the rifle. Maybe I am a purest, but that seems pretty far from what I would consider outdoorsy. Of course, that is my perception.

And that is my point. For example, my sister-in-law has a boyfriend, her first. He will soon be 19, and he may be a hell of a guy, but my impression of him is that he is about as mature as she is, nearly 5 years his junior. The wife likes him, obviously the sister-in-law likes him, but I find myself resentful that he is breathing my air everytime I am around him. I know nothing concrete about him, just my impression of him. In time, as I know more factual things about him I may warm to him, he may be stuck in an awkward time where he is between a man and a boy and may bloom into quite the boy-o.... although I doubt it.

Another good example would be a friend of my sister's that I met. All I ready know about here is that she is a school teacher, a red-head, quite pretty, and has a lotion smoothed hand shake. I assume that she is more Bree than Lynette, but again I am swayed by the performance I saw here give.

So to all this I say to not take someone at your first impression or be disappointed when they are different that you anticipate... unless they are very irritating teenage boys.