Make things better by looking ahead....

[sage]

OK, here's a glass half-full view. Perhaps he's having a crappy day for whatever reason, and calls you to cheer himself up. This sounds in line with what you described. Sage, don't be so damn negative all the time!

Goodness help me that never would have occurred to me in a million years. Seriously. Thank you for the 2x4 whack -- why AM I so negative? Of course I can be a day brightener! Of course I can be the "cheerer-upper". Why did I ever think differently?

I had been feeling a bit proud of myself for the "as if" and not getting mired in the phone-call-negativity. NOW, I'm going to try to really believe the positive spin.

Thanks again, Jim.

Sage