Misanthropy and Bike Marathons

With regard to relationships, I've learned only one thing, which is pretty embarrassing if you think about it. But I think this is a valuable lesson: you've got to take chances on people. Everyone is interesting in their own way, even if it isn't immediately obvious.

For example:

A kid who I've basically always regarded as being a schmoozing peacock invited me to go on a bike ride with him in celebration of memorial day. I acquired a bike and happily accepted. Little did I know that by 'bike ride' he meant a six-and-a-half hour long journey across 35 miles on highways, backroads, trailpaths, and construction zones.

Fifteen years ago, people were friends with their neighbors regardless of political views or common interests because those people were all they had. Today, we have so much more freedom when it comes to friendships because we can easily keep in contact with friends all over the world. We have friends online who we may never actually have met in person. These friendships are no less valid, but I wonder if we have become less tolerant as a society, if our ability to interact and enjoy the company of different people has atrophied somewhat.

Just something to think about.