Far to many people go by whether or not their being "nice" or being "angry" ... especially us classic conflict-avoiders.
Starsky
I too was always a conflict avoider, and even used MJD's "Brett & Stella" example you referred to in my first thread to justify a 180 I did when I let loose on W! As I posted in that thread, W did seem to respect me more afterwards.
Now I don't reccomend starting fights of course, but I do try to not hold in any discontent any longer. I also "choose my battles" wisely.
M: A really long time. Crisis: 5 years. She's still worth it.
Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose. -Viktor Frankl