((Brian's Note: With this blog, Stone Kelly becomes the first "Two Time" guest blogger for this column. Stone is a guy I encountered 15 years ago when I worked at KCCQ Radio in Ames, Iowa. He is a writer, thinker and broadcaster.))

 I know a lot of times, Brian will write in this column about overcoming obstacles and believing in the better nature of people. He can have his opinion and I'm glad he does.

 That being said, I think most people are just an absolute waste of space. I have found through many years of research, primarily the living of my life, that people are petty and will lie, cheat, steal and stomp on anyone they believe will get in their way. People are selfish and I'm not talking about self-preservation. I get that. Everyone wants to survive and no one wants to die. I mean selfish in the worst, most disgusting, way.

 I really don't belong to any type of organized religion. I believe in a higher power and pray to God often. I just don't go to Church. When people ask me why I tell them it's because I don't want to be disappointed by those around me. I don't want to see the blue-haired women shooting snotty looks at people with crying kids. I don't want to hear people gossip about the person two pews over because they did this or that. I don't want to see the people doing EVERYTHING during the sermon but LISTENING. I don't want to see people get up and rush out of church before the pastor/priest has left. People are selfish even when they are supposed to be living the "Golden Rule" while sitting in a house of God.

 You see if every day when you drive: the person who cuts you off to get ahead or races around you because they think you're going too slow. The looks you get if you take too long at the grocery store check out line. The way people comment about the way someone is dressed or speaks or acts or looks. Every day in every way these things happen around you and me. Where is the "better nature"? Where is the living of the Golden Rule? i try to be nice to strangers every day and I am met with coldness. I am sick of saying "HI" to people in passing and being ignored. Brian always asks why I never include a picture when I guest blog. It's because i know someone will look at picture and say I'm too fat or too skinny. My hair to too long or not long ehough. I am tired of arbitrarial judgments. I am tired of being nice and patient and kind. I am tired of people who tell me kindness could go around the world but it has to begin with me (sorry Brian). In short, I am really tired of people. Which is why most nights, if I have some free time, I walk in the park listening to the radio or I go to a library and read in slience and solitude. It's pretty hard for me to offend myself; others do that to/for me on a daily basis.

((Brian's Note: Feel free to leave me a comment below or send me an e-mail by clicking here.))