Reason 194

Honesty. Unless my truths reveal me to be certifiable or will scar someone for life, I generally believe honesty is the best policy. When people ask me how I am I rarely reply with the requisite "fine," instead telling them how I actually feel, which is generally tired, hungry or super awesome. If a dear friend (or complete stranger, I guess) offers me a penny for my thoughts I willingly offer up whatever random information I am mulling over at the moment, even if there is potential embarrassment involved. I remember quite distinctly driving around town in high school with Claire, my best friend at the time, and having her ask me what I was thinking about (perhaps I was looking extremely pensive). Without skipping a beat I replied "Richard Simmons," which was the honest truth. Of course, both of us immediately cracked up because sixteen year old girls devoting think-time to a sweaty man in short shorts who visits the tanning booth way too often is a little odd, but I still believe putting a glaring spotlight on my freakishness was much better than whipping up some mundane response about the weather or traffic or the twin boys who lived in our neighborhood whom we pined for on a rotating basis. Based on what I know about you, Jason, you are a great believer in honesty as well, especially when it comes to information about yourself. You aren't ashamed to tell the world you weep uncontrollably when you watch Whale Rider or that as a young lad you pretended to be a cat who mistook your bed for a litter box on a daily basis as a way to punish your parents for the birth of your younger sister. When interviewers ask about your love life you unflinchingly dole out mortifying stories about naked breakups, awkward puppet makeout sessions, and drunken serenades, even though these tales paint you as a tad insane. I appreciate your honesty, Jason, and once we're friends I will fully support you telling me the truth (as long as it doesn't cause irreparable harm - I'm fragile enough as it is).