instant messaging is a horrible form of communication. it's funny, i was just talking to people about this the other day... but only yesterday did i realize this truth. IM is completely absent of non-verbal cues and subtle (or any) vocal intonations. no one can tell when i'm joking, being sarcastic, innocently teasing... what's worse is that i have no way of determining if the recipient is taking my comments in the appropriate way. in real life i can take a hint... i'm self-taught to adjust my words/actions when i'm sitting in front of a tight smile or furrowed brows. but when typeface and color choice are the only representations of a person, miscommunication is inevitable.

but i'm not blaming everything on this flawed form of expression. i've been struggling for control over my tongue for years now (that sounds weird). i want to build people up with my words; i want them to be a source of life and comfort; i want them to be used for good and not evil. yet somehow, i manage to insert my entire foot-- infected toe and all-- directly into my pie hole.

if you're ever a witness to-- or God forbid, recipient of-- my verbal diarrhea, please feel free to pinch me. i need to be conditioned.

My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long.
- psalm 35:28