I have a work colleague with whom I have become good friends.
asserted
I → have → whom
We have the same thoughts on everything, from parenting to ice cream, same taste in TV shows and books and same ideas on what looks good — and what doesn’t — on our fellow officemates.
asserted
what → have → officemates
And it’s not just that our tastes are the same, it’s our value system as well, especially when it comes to our children.
asserted
it → ’ → children
Recently, however, she said something about supporting a political candidate I vehemently oppose and I just can’t get this bad taste out of my mouth.
asserted
taste → say → mouth
Now I can’t even look at her without thinking how incredibly different we are.
asserted
we → look → her
I’m trying to pull away as quickly as possible without her noticing.
asserted
her → try → ?
I’m constantly making excuses to get out of potential plans.
asserted
I → make → plans
I just don’t know what else to do but I just can’t reconcile these two people, as in, the one I thought was just like me and this other believer.
asserted
I → know → me
Isn’t it strange how you can be so similar and yet, so entirely different …. when it comes to politics, people’s views can be so polar opposite even close family members become estranged.
asserted
members → come → politics
You may decide you are doing the right thing, for you, by pulling away.
uncertain
you → decide → you
The last thing you want is to get into a heated debate with this person over your opposing viewpoints.
asserted
you → want → viewpoints
And I understand why you can’t see past it and why you want to end the friendship.
asserted
you → understand → friendship
I can also see why you don’t want to make a scene about it.
asserted
you → see → it
Can’t you share core values while disagreeing on politics?
asserted
you → share → politics
Wouldn’t it be the more mature thing to do to explain to her why you’ve been pulling away, and to perhaps try to rework your friendship and professional partnership so that you avoid all things politics?
asserted
you → do → politics
I understand this might not work, or be sustainable long term, but I think your friendship is worth giving it a try.
uncertain
friendship → understand → try
My daughter is turning 15 and is desperate for a quinceañera party.
asserted
daughter → turn → party
She and her Abuela have talked about it ever since she was a very little girl.
asserted
she → talk → it
The problem is we don’t have the kind of money necessary to throw a party like that for her in this country.
asserted
we → have → country
For starters, we don’t have a space that can hold that many people.
asserted
that → have → people
At home, where I was born, it’s always warm enough to host people outdoors.
asserted
it → bear → people
Also, back home, everyone in the family pitches in and cooks masses and masses of food.
asserted
everyone → pitch → food
We don’t have family here to help and there’s just no way I can cook for so many people.
asserted
I → have → people
At home, people grow a lot of their food, including the beef or chicken.
asserted
people → grow → beef
I feel so sad to have to disappoint my daughter, especially since my mother-in-law has become quite ill and may not be with us much longer.
uncertain
law → feel → us
What do you suggest?
asserted
you → suggest → What
Is it possible to postpone her celebration until the summer?
asserted
it → postpone → summer
If so, you could then invite everyone to the park, or if someone you know has a big backyard.
uncertain
you → invite → backyard
That would solve the venue issue.
asserted
That → solve → issue
As for the food, you could ask your friends and neighbours to help you cook, and you could start batch cooking a month in advance and freeze everything.
uncertain
you → ask → everything
You could wait until there are sales and buy in bulk from Costco or a similar grocery outlet.
uncertain
You → wait → Costco
If you’re worried about the health of your daughter’s grandmother, you could do a special, private intimate family dinner on your daughter’s birthday to ensure your mother-in-law attends.
uncertain
law → ’re → birthday
And hopefully she’ll be able to participate in the big event when the weather turns warmer.
asserted
weather → participate → event
I understand not everything is the same there as it is here, but we must figure out solutions to adapt to new surroundings and circumstances.
asserted
we → understand → surroundings
Standard Ontario Boating Rules dictate 30 metres from shore the speed is max 10 km/h.”
asserted
speed → dictate → shore
Reader 2: “Whether an area is a ‘No Wake Zone’ or not, any damage caused by the wake of your vessel is your responsibility.”
asserted
damage → cause → vessel
Reader: “I enjoy your column but didn’t agree with your advice to the husband whose mother ghosted him.
asserted
mother → enjoy → him
I think his mother is selfish, childish and behaving like a spoiled teenager.
asserted
mother → think → teenager
I don’t think she should be rewarded with flowers or cookies for her childish behaviour.
asserted
she → think → behaviour
“While I believe the family should try and solve their differences as adults and make amends, this can be difficult but likely rewarding in the long run.
asserted
this → believe → run
…and 1 more, not listed.
The Aporia
