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It is never personal, you're not the protagonist

It's so easy to become offended. It actually comes pretty natural. Someone says something.  You feel it's directed at you Strong reaction follows No need to react, it's got nothing to do with you as a person Imagine some remarks about academic work versus manual one, a bit dismissive about the latter. You don't have a degree and never wanted one. You know very well it takes years of experience and training to do what you're doing. Talent is involved too, as some people do have "two left hands".  You still feel you should add something to the conversation, but not sure if it is going to be well-received. No need to enlighten the other party right now Most people think in terms of opposites. If it's not this, it's that and it can't be anything else. Certainty of one's convictions is also a form of self-reassurance that everything is stable in one's world. Other points of view cannot be allowed because they are disruptive. Cognitive disrup
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Forget after viewing

 Life’s too short for bad photos, true. Still, it’s not always possible to avoid mediocrity. Take mobile phone cameras, for instance.

          

Zooming does bad things to pixels and the end result is more of a failed attempt, bravely exhibited.

The owl above is such a good example. There it was perching on a cold metal bar, minding its own business.

I approached it, mobile at the ready. Took a pic and turned round, in search of other subjects.

All of its glorious owlish looks survived on my retina and somewhere between two brain folds.

Sorry. 

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