SCREW EUPHEMISM

I know I'm guilty. Guilty as any and more than most: after all, I teach people how to speak within euphemisms.

Generally, this doesn't bother me.

But tonight, I was watching the news and saw a modern mother describing her teen-age son (Ari, who seemed like a decent sort underneath it all) and his descent into alcoholism as 'a process'. And, of course, she was engaged in her own process of learning and exploration of his process.

Then, a nattering 'expert' appeared, telling me that it can be hard to distinguish 'normal teen-age exploration' from 'poor lifestyle choices'.

I have a problem with this.

No, actually I don't have a problem with this. Actually, I want to puke.

Yes, it literally makes me want to vomit.

I'm sorry, but 'fucking up your life' is 'fucking up your life', regardless of the words used to describe it. And maybe - just maybe - if somebody had told young Ari that he was fucking up his life a little bit earlier, he might have listened.

Or maybe not.

But sugar-coating things, divorcing reality from truth, doesn't help anybody. Certainly not Ari, who's busy making his poor lifestyle choices.

And the worst part is that I'm going to go to work on Monday, adjust my collar, and slide back into double-speak.

Am I talking about Ari? Or me? You make the call.