Michael -- thanks for the JW link -- I'll definitely take a look.

But -- I just *CAN'T* bring myself to subscribe to the 'set your goals low, so/and you won't/can't be disappointed' philosophy.

That IS the-glass-is-half-empty, no matter how you slice it.

One could argue that it's 'realistic' -- but that's merely how all people who have given up on optimism 'couch' (disguise, rationalize) their jaded world view.

I refuse (blindly, perhaps) to, in the lyrics of "The Boss," 'end up like a dog who's been beat too much.'

I believe hope springs eternal -- and that's a good thing, not a laughable one.

But perhaps you're right, and blindly running towards the hopeful end of the spectrum just (ironically) leads one to the opposite end, and vice versa.

Maybe the cure IS the disease -- and vice versa. Who knows.

-- TW