Round 1 – There’s just something about…

“Did you ever notice that there’s just something about toothpaste when it’s fresh from the tube?”

The bartender rolled her eyes. He didn’t care. He knew these lines were stupid, but he usually didn’t end the night alone.

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Round 2 – Certain weakness / looking for

She knew that she had a certain weakness for blonde athletic guys, but she couldn’t help herself. When you’re only looking for excitement, you have to accept a little heartbreak.

Or, a lot.

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Round 3 – Playing to type / exploring new roles

His dream was always to explore new roles, but after his huge success the only roles he was offered was playing to type.

After years of frustration, he settled on a new role: Artist.

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Round 4 – Carefully crafted persona / honest quirks

When you look at someone like Gary Busey…

Is it a carefully crafted persona, or are they honest quirks?

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Round 5 – Social skills / attention to detail

One of the greatest paradoxes of modern times is the inverse relationship between social skills and attention to detail in the technology field.

Translation: You don’t want your best programmers talking to your clients.

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Round 6 – Genuine / feigned

She always faced the accusation that she feigned ignorance when asked an uncomfortable question. Unfortunately, this obvious misdirection made her genuine pronouncements harder to believe.

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Round 7 – Misdirection / obvious reply

You know that someone is well-practiced at the art of BS when their attempts at misdirection are actually an obvious reply.

Is there any hope for a return to rationality?

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Round 8 – Hot to cold / just like that

I can turn a woman from hot to cold in seconds.

Just like that.

I am a magician.

My magic depresses me.

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Round 9 – Public display / private pain

She was determined that no one would ever see her private pain. The men with the strings demanded a public display of calm, steady leadership.

The only clue they had was in the note she left.

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Round 10 – Focus of attention / ghosted

People wonder why someone can be the complete focus of attention and ghosted the next. They think it’s a new phenomenon.

It’s a story as old as the hills, but with new technology. As David Lee Roth once said, “Here today, gone later today.”

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Encore Round 1 – When it becomes an obsession

Love is a wonderful thing. Balance is key.

The guys in the padded truck are always on call when it becomes an obsession.

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Encore Round 2 – Buried in sarcasm / implied

Her words implied a withering hatred. Every statement cut like a knife. Eventually, no one wanted to be around her.

Dead girl walking. She had buried herself in sarcasm.

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Encore Round 3 – Acting possessive / hanging on every word

“I hate it when you are acting possessive. I feel smothered!”

He listened to his lady’s protests, hanging on every word. Her words did not have the desired effect. There’s only so much you can do with your hands tied behind your back.

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Encore Round 4 – Creeping / lurking on the edges

My desire is strong.

But I know you will reject me.

So I’m lurking on the edges.

Creeping closer…

And then I strike.

“Is your wife…a goer? Eh? Eh? Know what I mean? Nudge nudge…”

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Encore Round 5 – Confusing confidence with arrogance / turn offs

There is no excuse for confusing confidence with arrogance. There is a distinct difference.

Confidence is believing in yourself. Arrogance is believing you’re better than others.

You decide which one is the turn-off.

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Encore Round 6 – Tried & true methods / doing something different

“Here you are again, alone at the bar. Your tried and true methods don’t appear to be working.”

“I can’t be doing something different, mate. I have a reputation to uphold.”

A reputation as an insincere jerk isn’t something to protect.

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Encore Round 7 – Seeking attention / trying to avoid

He thinks that the secret to seeking attention is trying to avoid seeking attention. He soon finds that his true intentions shine through, and the attention turns to isolation.

And he’ll never know why.

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Encore Round 8 – Expectation rarely meets reality / first impressions

They waited in the rain for hours to get an autograph, or just a wave. The star rushed by the waiting crowd. The only chance he had to make a first impression, and it was bad.

Another case of expectation rarely meeting reality.

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Encore Round 9 – Getting played / lessons learned

Waiting at the coffee shop. He’s an hour late. Am I getting played again?

Lesson learned: If you think you are, you are…

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Encore Round 10 – For all the world to see / getting noticed

Getting noticed became somewhat of an obsession to her. She had no education or real talent.

“Thank God for OnlyFans,” she thought to herself. She could earn a living by presenting herself for all the world to see.

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