23 June 2008

I do not think that word means what you think it means.

In the past, I have been accused of being a lot of negative things. I have been called relentless, crazy, psychotic, strange, bitchy, immoral, and unfaithful (among others). And, I would agree that I have most likely been at least a few of the aforementioned words. In high school, I actively pursued a guy for 3 YEARS! We were friends – but I was 'in love'. I sent him letters and cards and gifts. His family adored me – he tolerated me. It was a learning experience. In college, I made out with a married man. Granted, they were separated, and he was filing for divorce; but, it could still be construed as unethical.

I take responsibility for those situations. However; lately, it appears that the new "IN" word to use as an insult is 'clingy'. The definition of 'clingy' is as follows:

cling (klĭng) Pronunciation Key
intr.v. clung (klŭng), cling•ing, clings

1. To hold fast or adhere to something, as by grasping, sticking, embracing, or entwining: [clung to the rope to keep from falling; fabrics that cling to the body.]
2. To remain close; resist separation: [We clung together in the storm.]
3. To remain emotionally attached; hold on: [clinging to outdated customs.]

n. Botany
A clingstone.

[Middle English clingen, from Old English clingan.]

cling'er n., cling'y adj.

I would like to share with you a text conversation where this word was used as an adjective to describe me. I would love your opinion on where the conversation went off roading.

Me: Do you want to go to the dog park this week?
Eejit: I am not interested tho
Me: Not interested in being my friend or in going to the dog park?
Eejit: Jillian. Relax. UR being clingy.
Me: No. I was not being clingy. I am not even into you. I know few people here and am rather bored with so few friends.

The Eejit did not respond. Which did not come as a big shocker to me! I must have destroyed his sensibilities with my 'clinginess'.

Now, I'd like to examine each line individually –

Me: Do you want to go to the dog park this week?
(no hidden meaning here. Just looking for someone to go to the dog park with Elizabeth and me)
Eejit: I am not interested tho
(did his words get cut off? Has he completed a thought? Is he talking to me?)
Me: Not interested in being my friend or in going to the dog park?
(I have not said or done anything to give him the impression that I am interested in him beyond the dog park, so I was not sure what he wasn't interested in and truly needed clarification)
Eejit: Jillian. Relax. UR being clingy.
(First off, the little arrogant prick couldn't even spell out "you are" when insulting me. Second, I was not tense in any way. So, confused as to why I should "relax". Lastly, he used the word CLINGY!)

Which definition of the word 'clingy' was I guilty of?

Since it was via text – I could not have been guilty of definition number
1. To hold fast or adhere to something, as by grasping, sticking, embracing, or entwining:
Now, had I been in his presence, tying myself to him with twine or taffy or duct tape, he would have a case.

Could it be definition number 2?
2. To remain close; resist separation:
Was I resisting separation by wanting to go to the dog park together? The problem is, we have never been close. I barely know the guy.

That leaves definition 3.
3. To remain emotionally attached; hold on:
Okay. This entails that I give a flying fuck about this guy. I do not develop emotional attachments with boys under the age of 25. Actually, I'll go as far as to say under the age of 30. And, I can categorically say that I have not said one thing to this kid that should have given him the impression that I want to pursue an emotional bonding experience with him. I have only been in his physical presence 4 times in my entire life.

And I don't understand the botanist definition.
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There are plenty of people who have earned the right to call me 'clingy'. But, in this particular case, I believe it is unwarranted. I am not stalking the 24 year old boy who still lives at home with mommy and daddy! Bloody Hell!

Why do I find all the nut jobs? I am so sick of the crazies. I do not want drama – yet it rides on my back.

PERSONAL NOTE: Make the bad man stop.

Eidetic Vision

Main Entry: ei·det·ic Pronunciation: I-'det-ik Function: adjective : marked by or involving extraordinarily accurate and vivid recall especially of visual images - an eidetic memory Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.