I've been exchanging emails with my ex-coworker (he was laid off 3-4 years ago.) We always send each other birthday emails (his is the day after mine) and then lose touch until the next or something major happens.

But we've been going back and forth since the latest, and man, I miss him. He was the best officemate ever: a good friend.

Hey, how's the jaw?

Doing pretty good. Not 100% but paranoia is way down. I still can't open all the way without ache and I've got a lump on the second injection site, but that's not a new thing. Crown tooth is still not perfect, but isn't alarming me the way it was last night. OK, the way it was TOTALLY FREAKING ME OUT last night. I was a little unhinged, frankly. I guess the toothache from before was kinda traumatizing.

Happy birthday juliana

So tonight I was in the grocery store. I crossed paths several times with a guy and his wife about my parents' age. I smiled and acknowledged them each time. The last time I encountered him, he stopped me "I'm not trying to be creepy, but you are really beautiful and have a wonderful smile that lights everything up." His wife added in "He's right!"

It was sweet. I was wearing a shirt that I felt was unflattering these days, my bras aren't fitting right, I felt bloated and lumpy and I was sweaty and just tired and feeling like ass.

Kinda made me feel less lumpy and sweaty and bloated. Kinda made me like peoples a wee bit. Cause they can just make a nice gesture, unwarranted.

So nice!

The free newspaper guy I walk by every morning has complimented the same skirt twice now, so I think maybe he actually likes it, and hasn't just picked me at random to compliment. (He has a running patter like, "Only one more day to get through! Make it beautiful! You can do it!") I like it!

you are really beautiful and have a wonderful smile that lights everything up

So true!

"I'm not trying to be creepy, but you are really beautiful and have a wonderful smile that lights everything up." His wife added in "He's right!"

Awww, that is the sweetest thing. I love that story. And I'm glad your jaw is feeling better.

Aw, thanks. I was just doing my perfunctory smile. Cause when there isn't reason not to be, why not be pleasant and friendly (barring sketchy sitchs. In my own 'hood shopping, I go with friendly.) Lord knows when it is time to deliver a smackdown, I do that too.

It's something I've debated, with a feminist slant. Smile is disarming, but also vulnerable and a common ingrained girlthang. I'd also like to not approach the world with anger. And my time in the south, oh that taught me about the polite slam. And about polite polite and polite FUCK THE HELL OFF and not-so-polite leave me alone. I'm a master of the invisible neon LEAVEMALONE sign, I like being able to use the others as warranted.

So I smile at times. Because I can. And because I think I can knock it down if I want (not physically, but emo/verbal? Uh, yeah.)

I wish for a world where friendly!= vulnerable.

Well you are beautiful sarameg and you do have a great smile, but yeah, I love the random compliment. Anything that makes the world a slightly nicer place is a good thing.