At this point in my life, I don’t want to work with people I don’t like. For me, “like” covers a lot of ground, but fundamentally I have to trust and respect them.

So I see three different concepts in here. I also don't want to work with people I don't like, but am willing to make exceptions if necessary. I also don't want to work with people I don't "respect" (broad word), but am willing to make exceptions if necessary. I will not work with people I do not trust, no exceptions.

I then implement my own filter which I call the “fuck me over once rule.” Everyone gets to fuck me over once. When I find myself in a fucked over position, I confront the person. If we reconcile, there’s one more chance. If not, we are done.

One of the concepts I've been thinking about is whether the trust established anew after a "fucked over" situation can be stronger than the original bond. Ie, does the rupture, if reconciled, actually strengthen the long-term prospects of the relationship. Many say that even if you re-build, it can never be the same. I tend to think that sometimes going through a low point, a trust-breaking point, can be a long-term net gain in some cases.

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In other news, not a cloud in the sky and sunny here in Southern Cal. <g>

But I do miss my Colorado snow. Never will I forget waking up in Boulder, looking out my window, seeing white stuff fall, and thinking, "Holy christ. I'm fucked."

Now Seth, don't let your modesty prevent you from talking about how you like to DANCE to 80's music. Disco, baby, disco.

A great example of how "every cold call can be warm" - a concept I've blogged about a couple times: http://ben.casnocha.com/2007/11/every-cold-call.h...