Removing the Kosher Pickle from My Ass

My friend Swank, from Shmeckles, just dropped by with four new CD's for me of some of her favorite indie bands.  She's actually a really awesome person.  I was kind of put off by her a few days ago when I took her out for dinner for her birthday.  We were talking about our weeks and I mentioned that I spent my day off exhausted and feeling kind of funky and wound up watching a ridiculous amount of Friends episodes and she responded by saying "that's kind of gross."  Then later I was telling her about my financial situation and how I need to get out of debt before I can take out anymore loans for this restaurant idea that I have and she started laughing and said, "what are you gonna do, just work at Shmeckles for the next 10 years until you get it paid off!!!???" 

I know she didn't mean any harm by it, but I couldn't help but feel a little insulted.  I sometimes forget that I'm dealing with a woman who's still in her 20's, who's family helped her through school so she doesn't have to deal with debt and who can now quit her job and focus on her dream of being a potter as a direct result of some rich relatives.  I think I'm too hard on people sometimes, especially those that are younger than I am.  I forget that our 20's are meant for cockiness, the belief that anything is possible, and the feeling that your way is the only way to live.   I was always so caught up in my own self-doubt I think I missed out on that a little, but why ruin it for the rest of them.  It's a time I would never go back to but it's also a time for learning and humility.  The human experience is so diverse and interesting, nobody deserves to be put in their place or told what they're doing is wrong, it doesn't work anyways.  The more I've taken that route the more alienated from those around me I've become.  Why dismiss a dear friend because of a few petty insults?  Plus, I think she was right about both matters, slothfully watching Friends when I could be writing or making music and trapping myself into the belief that my only option and path to happiness involves another 5-10 years at a job I hate is unproductive.  Maybe I could use some of that 24 year old spunk and moxie.  I'm starting to think I may have a few full sour, Kosher Shmeckles pickles lodged up my ass somewhere, perhaps it's time to get those dam things out.