Short Answers

 BY JEFF JOHNSON AND PAUL FORMAN

Not all Internet geniuses are Bill or Mark

Dear Short Answers: My son is an Internet genius or at least that’s the way it seems to me. He’s decided that he wants to join a start-up Internet firm that pays less than nothing but could be a fortune in stock if it succeeds. But to do this, he has decided NOT to go to college and claims that half the Internet millionaires in the world never went to college and for his career, it’s a huge waste of time. I disagree but maybe I’m out of touch and old-fashioned. What do you think? Worried

Dear Worried: Good for both of you! Good for him for being up for the risk — and good for you for worrying about the downside. We are crazy committed to higher education but if he doesn’t want to go, it surely is a waste, now. Stop arguing and get him to agree to a serious review of his options in a year’s time.

WHERE WERE YOU, BACK IN THE DAY?

Dear Short Answers: Now that it seems like you can have sex with just about anybody you want, I’m beginning to question whether I made the right decision about marrying my husband. I had never experimented sexually and was a virgin when we got married. After 17 years of marriage, do you think it’s too late to find out if the “grass is greener” someplace else? Restless

Dear Restless: Sorry, darling, sex has been available for all takers for half a century. NOW, you are looking at your options? OK … but the learning curve is steep and possibly as treacherous as it is exciting.  Here are a few things to think about: Are you going to dump your marriage or just risk it? Those of us who have been out there know free love is rarely free, and love and sex only occasionally co-habitate.  And P.S. — it’s never too late.

ARE YOU KIDDING?

Dear Short Answers: If you go to a dinner party and the food is really bad, I mean REALLY, REALLY bad. How do you handle it when you get invited over again? Do you eat before and pretend you’re not hungry? Or make up an excuse not to go. Because trust me, there is no way that I’m putting that food in my mouth again!!! Won’t Eat It

Dear Won’t: We think dinner parties are entirely about the PARTY. If you think it’s about the food — we suggest you skip the invites. Everyone will be relieved.

SHARING THE LOAD

Dear Short Answers: I dropped out of college 4 years ago after only one year so that I could get married.  I desperately want my degree but my wife says that I need to stay home with her and the baby and that I can’t go to night school.  She says I am selfish.  Should I just do it? College Bound

Dear College: Going to school while holding down a job and participating in your family is tough duty.  Your wife will need to share the burden — one way or the other.  Perhaps she can get a job and you can work less, but share the childcare responsibilities.  Try to help her to understand that a college degree will enhance your career opportunities and that will benefit her and your baby as well.

LIFE SKILLS 101

Dear Short Answers: What is happiness? JOB

Dear JOB: Happiness is the capacity to be open to the joy around us. Extra Happiness is the willingness to sustain those moments.

Life is complicated.  “Short Answers” isn’t.

Send a question about whatever is bothering you to [email protected] or go to www.shortanswers.net and a psychologist and sociologist will answer.  A selection of the best questions will be printed every week in KonkLife.

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