I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes

[enthusiastick]

A few months back I was chatting with Abby on AIM, as I often do. We were discussing Love Actually, a movie I love unreservedly. I would go so far as to say I lurve it. And we were discussing in particular the scene involving Andrew Lincoln holding up a series of cue cards for Keira Knightly. "But for now, let me say," he tells her silently, "without hope or agenda, just because its Christmas -- and at Christmas, you tell the truth -- to me, you are perfect."

"Yeah," sighed Abby cynically. "But nobody actually does that."

That conversation has been percolating in my brain ever since, and a while back I resolved to change the situation, if only for myself. And so it is with great pleasure (and more than a little trepidation) that I announce the first annual At Christmas You Tell The Truth project. I've even given you two weeks warning, so you can get your thoughts in order.

At Christmas You Tell The Truth: For 10 days, between 12:01 AM on Yule (December 21st) and 11:59 PM New Year's Eve (December 31st), I hereby pledge to tell the truth, if I'm asked. I don't mean I'll tell it non-stop; I know better than to imagine that the little white lies that lubricate socialization can be done away with completely for that long a stretch. But during that interval of time if you ask me something, anything you think is important (and perhaps prod me a little if I seem to have forgotten), I promise an honest answer. If you've ever been unable to get a straight answer from me about something, this will officially be the time to ask.

Hopefully this won't end disastrously for me, and I can make an annual thing out of it. I don't necessarily expect anyone to join me in this ill-advised little pledge, but I want to make it clear that you're all more than welcome to. And if you want to get all meme-like about it, feel free to copy & paste the italicized text above into your own livejournal or blog or what-have-you.

Love actually is all around.

Comments

[bobbler.livejournal.com]

... Is telling the truth such a rare occurance for you?
This kind of stuff truly boggles my mind.

Pretty fly for a white lie

[adampb.livejournal.com]

I know better than to imagine that the little white lies that lubricate socialization can be done away with completely for that long a stretch.

You'd be surprised.

Six or seven years ago I decided to dispense with vast categories of what I consider acceptable in the 'little white lie' category. This increase in uncompromising honesty has led to an awkward situation or two, to be certain, but provides a certain sensation of freedom and release.

At the same time, I agree that it is best to operate on the ask-me-anything philosophy, rather than, say, the path of "hay guys lets say blunt things to each other i'll start lol". Heh, heh, heh.

[pooka-madness.livejournal.com]

No.

I don't want to give the impression that I'm a pathological liar, or anything like that. But its fair to say that I do my share of being cagey and avoiding questions, for one thing; and in the process of not wanting to hurt people's feelings, or wanting to give the best possible impression of myself, I tell a few half-truths here and there as well.

Let's be clear about this: I'm not expecting a deluge of responses, or even necessarily any at all, although I would welcome them if I got them. I'm just going to attempt to be especially honest with myself and others, for those 10 days, as a social experiment.

If you're really that truthful, full-time (and from what I know of you, you might be) then good on you. I'm in a slightly grayer area, is all I'm saying.

[pooka-madness.livejournal.com]

I don't tell that many. I aim for just enough to get by, though I probably fall short.

an interesting concept

[(Anonymous)]

you probably won't be surprised to learn that i have zero recollection of that conversation. sorry. also does it just burn your britches that you can't have a little LJ link with my little LJ name next to it because I have no LJ? ah, eben! ah, humanity!

Re: an interesting concept

[adampb.livejournal.com]

ah, eben! ah, humanity!

I could have sworn I was the only person left on Earth who'd read "Bartleby the Scrivener".

Re: an interesting concept

[(Anonymous)]

no way dude. 10th grade english class will always be in the back of my head. it's reason #309 why eben loves me, he just doesn't know it.

[pooka-madness.livejournal.com]

Your list is definitely numbered differently than mine.

[(Anonymous)]

i was gonna make a Lever 2000 joke (remember those ads?), but i'll restrain myself.

Rob is a funky robot

[thablueguy.livejournal.com]

And funky robots
are surely incapable
of telling you lies

I agree with Rob,
is it often the case that
you are dishonest?

I, obviously
lie rarely, perhaps never
to those I call friends

do you, Eben Lowe
often offer falsehoods when
asked about your thoughts?

since you seem honest
when talking about yourself
if not at all times

any dishonest
statements you have ever made
to me, anyway

seem probably just
to be the products of a
quick, casual response

and not an intent
to deceive those around you
you know what I mean?

Nonetheless Eben
one question does jump to mind
so: "don't you hate pants?"


-Death comes to my foes

[http://users.livejournal.com/_ash_leigh_/]

hi.
i came across your journal completely randomly though google when looking for the words on the cards in love actually.
i definately love the challenge that you put up (i borrowed it, i hope you dont mind).
just wanted to say that i read the rest of your journal and throroughly loved your writing.
have an excellent day.
ashleigh

ps i'm friending you...