Perspective

Kyle & I took the two-hour bus back to Belfast, went home to dump luggage, then out to lunch at the Dirty Duck, which overlooks Belfast Lough. Then for a long walk on the Coastal Path, then into town to meet David for a few drinks in the Cathedral Quarter.

I never tire of talking to Kyle because she brings a fresh perspective to everything we discuss. Topics covered include: ancient history (literally), dissertation-me, being an entrepreneur-her, doing something meaningful with our lives, marriage, children (specifically raising three boys--her gargantuan task), Irish politics, feminism, comedy, parents, European politics, land development policies, Baltimore, and lots of other stuff. She is well informed, creative, generally positive, insightful, and generous in her take on the other side. I, meanwhile, can be quite angry in my views of the other side (whether that is loyalists in Belfast or austerity proponents or the Tea Party). Talking to someone who has a critical view but has a more productive way of seeing things is so refreshing, like eating a meal that's good for you instead of junk food.
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