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.