i think
you got me.

damn.

how is it the circumstances always seem to point me in your direction?

you know what though? i'm doing the best i can.

correction. i'm trying to do the best i can. so the effort is there, the execution... not so much.

could you stop doing that?

here i sit thinking i've got to exhaust my options, as if that determines my next big step. i'm starting to believe that thinking this through, at least at this point, is the best (meaning worst) thing i can do.

so what do you think i'm doing right......... now?

i think i should do this.

not so much because i want to
or because it seems like the time to
or because it's the only thing left

no. i need to clean up the mess of my world.

you first.

this may take a while... or no time at all... but in the meantime, i've got some other priorities long since charred on my back burner.

and to spite you, i'm gonna say it's your fault.

have i been knocked on the head too many times today? this is nonsense... irrational...

completely typical.

if you'd let me, i could talk you out of your faults.

or, if i'm willing to let this drag out a bit longer, you could convince me that this is all part of the plan.

whatever that is.

stalemate.