How can you tell when you’ve become too self involved? Is it when you forget the birthday of every single person in your life, including your parents and best friends? Is it when you can’t remember the names or locations of your approx. 9 nieces and nephews?

For me personally, I think I realized that I’m just a tad too self-involved this weekend when my brother called to inform me of his upcoming Corrections Officer training camp that he was driving to Albany, NY to attend. He informed me at the start of the conversation that once again (yes, he used those words) I had forgotten my father’s birthday and that I should call. (Better late than never…) The reason I realized that I might be a tad bit too self involved was when I was more interested in the porn I was viewing on my computer as we talked.

Other things I’ve learned this week.

Read the labels BEFORE you purchase. Sure, I read the labels when I’m grabbing an item off the shelf, however it seems that the item I chose miraculously morphs into something different between the shelf and the check out stand. Since I am not aware of this morphing, it is often not until I get home that I realize the miracle that has taken place. For instance, I recently purchased several packages of new bright white t-shirts, since I realized that my old t-shirts were faded and rather dingy. Ok really dingy. I came home, opened the packages and dumped them into the hamper to be washed before wearing, as stated on the instructions on the packaging. It wasn’t until I was folding them at the Laundromat that I realized the 3 packages of t-shirts were all V-neck. I despise V-neck t-shirts, but since they were out of the packaging and had been laundered, what was I to do? I couldn’t take them back, because you cannot return underwear (or so I’ve always been led to believe.)

Another instance of this phenomenon happened when I purchased a package of new boxer briefs. (Again, the underwear thing). I was shopping at Costco and came across a stack of Champion brand(R) boxer brief in sport colors. I wanted to try them out as I’ve never tried Champion Brand(R) underwear. I carefully chose the package from the stack and tossed it into the cart. Upon my arrival to my new apartment, which is fabulous, thank you all for asking, I realized that the package I picked was sized XL. Now I’m a big boy, but I’ve always worn no larger than L.

I waited a week and a half to try on a pair for fear that they fit better. I’m wearing them now, and I’m not telling you if the do or don’t.

So read the packaging before you leave the store. It’ll save you weeks of wondering.