Does anyone know what the difference is between the National Geographic Adventure and Traveler magazines?

Does Anyone Else Hate Talking to (A lot of) People who are also in their 20's?

• Okay, first off, you are never going to click with everyone you come in contact with, I know that much... But, I am 23 years old, have a house, am pretty confident, have been in a steady relationship for over 4 years, am financially stable, smart with money, and overall just enjoy a pretty fulfilling existence doing the small things in life, like cleaning the house, running errands, cooking good food, and just spending time with relatives and friends. I'd also like to add that I am extremely sensitive and caring about other feelings, and am probably one of the nicest people someone could hope to meet. (There are a lot of jerks, out there in the world!) But, online with Myspace/Facebook, I'll sometimes get a message from an old acquaintance, usually someone I graduated with or went to high school with asking me something like, "How are you doing?" When I tell them pretty much all the above about myself, they usually flake out and never respond or talk to me online again despite me asking them in my response, something like, "So what's new with you?" If you are afraid of the answer or have the potential to become weird about the answer to the question, simply... DON'T ASK! Or I'll be walking in public places like the mall, and my girlfriend stops and talks with some other 20 something we knew from somewhere and we haven't talked to them in forever (And there's usually a reason for that!) and that person will ramble on, or more like brag, about how they are working here, are going to school for this, BLAH BLAH BLAH... Or complain about being single. Example: Here's a conversation, my girlfriend engaged in with one such person recently: Girlfriend: " I work (here.) Other Girl: " I work at (here). So you are doing better than me. ~What I was thinking...Dummy, you get a paycheck, so who cares where it comes from?!? Other Girl:" You guys should be married already." ~ My thoughts"umm...what?! I'm getting relationship advice from someone without a boyfriend?!?" (Like Dr. Evil said it in the second Austin Powers movie), "Right......" I find most of this chit chat dull and boring as heck. For the most part, these people seem have the emo personality of Zach Braffe on "Scrubs" or just about any of his other movies, where he's "trying to figure out what it all means in the grand scheme of things." Some adults today are just utterly useless. Whatever happened to being over 18, taking responsibility for your own life and handling things like, well...an adult?!? Ever see the episode of "The Simpsons" where the Simpsons are at the Apple Cider place, and Ned Flanders starts talking to Homer about a rhyme to tell the difference between apple juice and apple cider, and Homer starts nodding his head, and then his brain says, "You can stay here, but I'm out of here!" Homer's brain, now see thru, floats away from Homer's head, and he's left standing and nodding to Ned, until he falls over? That's me in most of those situations... Also, a lot of 20 somethings like to go drinking (or do drugs) and to me, that's a crappy hobby to have. I think it's an image thing, like this is what TV and magazines tell us young attractive people do, so we do it, but me? If you're going to drink stay home. It's cheaper and you don't get DUI's or DWI's that way. Also, despite what's seen in movies or on TV, bars and clubs usually suck to be in in real life. As an interesting side observation of mine, the public's idea of a stable life consisting of a spouse (kids optional) and a home is seen as boring... I don't get it. Anyway, to bring this thing home, most of these other 20 something's ask you how you are doing, but in reality they usually could care less about what's going on in your life, they just want to see who's doing better. And that folks, is lame to me and a complete waste of time. Compete with others when you're in elementary to high school gym class. As an adult stand on your own two feet. Stop worrying about what others are doing, and take care of your own business. Don't get me wrong, I run into people I went to school with or know from somewhere who have made good lives for themselves and are happy that I am doing well. I love talking to and catching up with those people, it's just that they are very few compared to the number of flakes I run into.

• Answer:

  That was a long *** read. damn. Anyway, I'm not in my 20's yet, but I don't think that the majority of people you come in contact with are going to see how you are doing just to compare themselves to you financially or what have you. I mean you'll never be able to tell exactly what their motive was to contact you in the first place unless they tell you, but just see it as a chance to catch up and take pride in the fact that you have made a good life for yourself. As for society's views on a stable life...having a spouse, a home, and a well-paying job might be considered boring by many, but it is also considered successful. Anything is boring if you compare it to the media. But that's not reality. And that's a major reason why like you said, so many young adults party and live a fast life. Having your sh*t straight is definately good, and it sounds like you obviously have your priorities in order so just try to enjoy talking to old friends and not worry about why exactly they are talking to you.