That is very complementary , but it is a poor description of the relationship I want to have with XO.
No matter that I often disagree with him , I see him as a senior and as an expert in some fields in which I have interest , but little experience .
Every now and then XO gets generous with his experiences and I am delighted because I love a good story.
When I learn something interesting about language and share it here , I am not surprised at all that a language professional knows the facts already , but that he then can further elucidate is great.
When I bounce a political idea that I am quite sure he won't agree with , the point is not to irritate him , but to see how he bounces it back! Playing that sort of hand ball is a thing I enjoy .
Usually I don't change his mind , I expect this to be just as rare for him as it is for me.
Rather, it opens the world to see and understand a POV that I do not share , without his help I might not understand it at all, coming to agreement is really beside the point for me.
I like you also SIRS, even though we agree to much to have many serious arguments, I can ask you to be another friend even so.
