Just walk away

On rare occasion only, thank God, it gets to me when someone doesn't believe me, and then they go off on me like I'm obviously mistaken and deserve no hearing. I don't mind being mistaken, but I do mind when stuff like this happens:

I told someone I care about (still do) some years ago that I'd seen a bald eagle. (Would YOU have believed me?) When this person didn't believe me and explained to me so many reasons why I could not have possibly seen a bald eagle, well ("Keep calm, Bert."), I tried to change this person's mind. But this was not a give and take exchange of information. This was me talking and my friend sneering and smirking and head shaking. This was someone who, for reasons unknown, decided that whatever I said was irrelevant. I was swimming in shock and hurt and bordering on outrage. You're probably wondering why I didn't just pop out a pic and prove it. I've only been shooting for some 5 years. But even if I'd had a photo, I don't think it would have mattered. The shot would have been inadmissible because I then wouldn't be able to prove that I took it! (Ever argued with a conspiracy theorist?) 

 I realize I could have misidentified the giant dark brown bird with a bright white head and tail that flew right in front of me. But do the math. It's simple. Statistically, would you bet on a mechanic or non-mechanic in a debate over mechanics? (This may be the stupidest thing I've ever written!)

So what did I do? I made an oath with myself to love that person for the rest of my life AND to never mention or discuss birds with that person for the rest of my life!

I'm still keeping that oath, too. What's up with that? I'm not 100% sure. I can take a lot, but I have this sort of limit. Thank God it rarely happens. It hits a nerve when people with little or no knowledge have the audacity and arrogance to controvert with disdain anyone with actual experience and expertise. Nine times out of ten I get over it and forget. But there are those very special people whom I love within my oath-established limits. My "Lenten confession" for the week, I guess. 2/23/18 ---Bert

P.S. An open letter to astronaut Buzz Aldrin (Yes, it's an important part of this ridiculous blog entry.):

Dear Buzz,

You graduated 3rd in your class earning a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from West Point, then a Doctor of Science degree from MIT. Your doctoral thesis, Line-of-Sight Guidance Techniques for Manned Orbital Rendezvous, paved the way for NASA. You flew 66 combat missions over Korea becoming a highly decorated US Air Force fighter pilot, and you taught at the Air Force Academy. You have 3 rocket science patents and 8 published books. You were one of our first astronauts, you piloted Gemini 12, you pioneered space walking, spending 8 hours outside of your capsules, you were an Apollo Command Pilot, you were the Lunar Module Pilot on Apollo 11, you were the 2nd of only 12 humans to have ever walked on another celestial world, you logged 12 days in outer space, AND as a Boy Scout you earned the rank of Tenderfoot.

Buzz, you're one of my heroes, and I am glad you are on this planet.

Sincerely,

Bert

P.S. Here's some advice from a guy who can't always practice what he preaches either. If a moon-landing truther harasses you, just walk away. Or maybe not: