A deranged perfectionist Whilst in Canada, I did not have a lot to do, so I decided to attend a couple of sessions with a psychologist. Although my attitude to all those "head shrinkers" had always been at least quite sceptical - this time I was finally pleased. She was a charming young lady of about my age. I guess, that's why our conversations were held so lightly and words flowed with ease. Something I'd call "a perfect match". But back to our subject. My problem is shamefully banal: I've got two individuals living inside of me. Two incredibly different individuals. One of them is a beautiful, clever, active, longing for communication, self-confident, charismatic human being. A real spoilt child of fortune. The other one is supposed to get cynically murdered for being hesitant, lazy, self-contained, and, in every way, - a sociopathic misanthropic moron (if not to say worse). Below is the example of a dialogue between my psychologist and that "Number Two" in me: - ... but your proficiency in English language can also be regarded with your achievements! - No, it cannot. I've never been studying it on purpose - therefore it cannot be considered as an achievement. - Anyway... you do speak very good English, don't you? (Here, my splendid "Number One" brightens with pleasure as he really thinks he does, but my abysmal "Number Two" simply won't be prevailed so easily): - No, I don't, - he says triumphantly. - ?! - I still cannot master that British Standard pronunciation, so we should exclude English from my skills. - Have you gone mad?! - How do you know that?! I desperately hope that one day I'd manage to get rid of this perfectionistic stinker once and for all. Until then... let's pretend this isn't happening. _________________________________________________________________________ Please correct.

To those who have online blogs We all love to share our thoughts on different topics. Politics, religion, art - whatever it is. But let us suppose that there is a certain burning issue, a highly disputable one, which you'd like to disclose on your private blog. You've got something to say - that happens to you sometimes. But again, let us assume that there is one or several very close friends of yours, who's got perfectly opposite view on a theme you'd like to talk about. You're quite certain that if you reveal your opinion - those friends of yours would not only be objecting to, but would be offended as well. To be more precise - they might even get wound in their deepest affections. A simple discussion of such themes may also lead to a quarrel. Unfortunately, such themes do exist and we all know that. So, my question is: can all mentioned above be a sufficient reason to leave your thoughts to yourself? And, in case if you do so, don't you think that you are capable of taking your friends as they are, and they are not? And don't you think that, under these circumstances, it is you who's got the right to take offence? ________________________________________________________ Please improve.

Think about/think of I got used to say "think about". But reading books, listening to music and watching films, I've noticed that it is quite often said "think of". I can't see the difference. Is it significant? Could you please enlighten me.

What was the very first book you read in English?

Mine was "Romeo and Juliet"  - quite a common choice, as I've heard. 

I wonder If no one, for the whole hour, improves your entry - should your entry be considered perfect? Or maybe nobody cares - as we can often see it on the Internet?

Hello Sorry, I guess, I should have said "Hello" to all of you before asking to correct my notes. So... Hello! My name is Lena, I'm from Moscow and my mother tongue is Russian. I study English, Chinese (traditional) and French (a beginner). Your every improvement of my notes will be very much appreciated. Don't hesitate to ask me about Russian - this will be my pleasure to help you.

A confusion It often seems to me that my brain and I are two different... well, how should I put this... people? Persons? In general, I think, we do not make a pair. Which means that I am being separated and he's being separated. My thoughts and reflections never depend on my brain. Moreover, we're not just by ourselves - we're antagonists. I'm good and he's evil. I wouldn't "follow" him, if you know what I mean. And by the way, he wouldn't "add me as a friend" either. He controls my body and I feel nervous that he was entrusted with such a great responsibility. (It's getting harder and harder to explain.) He's a conductor and I'm in the orchestra. He waves his baton, makes frightful eyes at me and I purposely play missing the notes, immersing myself in deep improvisation. And if in moments when I manage to relax his vigilance - I'm being nice, friendly and well-intentioned, then as soon as he wakes up - I start to turn into an unbearable arsehole. My frank confession is over.