Shame

I have come to realize that the luxuries that I enjoy come at the expense of the suffering of a third party. An obvious example: when I drive my dad's Mercedes, I am using oil that has been secured via an illegal war. When an Iraqi civilian dies or an American soldier falls, I personally have blood on my hands. Very true. The Irish like to think of themselves as being politically neutral. Yet, Iraqi fighter planes stop at Shannon airport to refuel. Guilt on my behalf ensues.

One of my very best friends has left college for the big city. This marks the end of an era. I partnered well with this person and I am a less effective man as a result of the departure. I am not an independent entity hence any form of change is upsetting. Now that my sidekick is gone, I question how much of myself is me and how much is derived from codependency.

On a more positive note, I went to London this weekend and met my friends from Omagh (County Tyrone) as well as my sister. I had a great time. It is hard to beat the company of your friends from home. We understand each other since we know where each of us has come from.