>:::The following added 1996/05/31 01:56 by CNEWTON                             
>:: The Admiral                        Teller of tales, both tall and true      
                                                                                
I've finally figured it out.                                                    
                                                                                
My God.  Was it so simple?                                                      
                                                                                
The riddle that the nice guy spends his whole life trying to answer is          
"Why did you go out with a jerk in the first place?  You complain that          
the last guy treated you like crap, and eventually you dumped him.  I           
asked you out, and you said: 'I'd hate to ruin the friendship.'  Then           
you went out with another jerk--  who's worse than the first guy.  And          
I'm still here listening to your problems, and I'm not a jerk.  Why?"           
                                                                                
Brother, I think I have an answer.  You, friend, are too safe.  No              
danger.  Too predictable.  You presented no challenge.  You were, in            
her eyes, more important as a repair facility.  Martyr.  Nice guy.              
                                                                                
Damn.  That's what is different about the assholes.  (Besides the               
fact that they are, by definition, assholes.)  Nice guys listen.  All           
the time.  Assholes don't.                                                      
                                                                                
I'll be damned.  Who knew?