Ever think one thing and say another? Of course, we all do. When someone inadvertantly does something annoying, we think some vile thing (because we're annoyed) but say something harmless (because we're polite).

But more specifically, have you ever censored your thoughts when you're having a personal conversation? Of course, we all do that too. Even in the midst of a heart- to-heart chat, there are things you think that might not be a good idea to say.

This is especially true when you're afraid your feelings for someone are unwanted or overwhelming [see Love and Obsession for more on that subject]. So you think one thing and say another.

It can get worse -- suppose you're online, and the person you're chatting with can only see what you type. Then you can really get going: think one thing, say another, and type a third.

For example:

them>    Hi.
think:   "It's her!"
whisper: "Yay!"
type:    Hi.

them>    How's it going?
think:   "I've missed you horribly!"
whisper: "sweetie!"
type:    'bout the same.  You?

them>    Pretty good.  Just finished dinner.
think:   "Maybe I could have had dinner with her!"
whisper: "food"
type:    Oh?  What'd ya have?

them>    We had chick pea curry and rice.  And ice cream for dessert!
think:   "We?"
whisper: "uh-oh"
type:    Did you go out?

them>    Yeah, I picked Jen up from dance practice, then we stopped
         at the kebab palace on the way home.
think:   "Just the room-mate."
whisper: "whew!"
type:    Yummie.  I had mac and cheese earlier.

them>    Jen said she's gonna need more room for her books, so she's
         putting together a bookshelf in the living room.
think:   "Shut up about yer room-mate, I wanna hear about you!"
whisper: "I miss you"
type:    She can't put it in her room?

them>    Her room is even littler than mine, and I have to keep my
         dresser out here.
think:   "You dress in the living room?"
whisper: "you're gorgeous nude"
type:    Oh, right.  I helped you move it.

them>    The whole layout here is bogus.  The living room is like three
         times the size of my bedroom.  Cut it in half and make that
         the bedrooms.  Our rooms would be nice closets.
think:   "Come live with me!"
whisper: "gorgeous"
type:    Probably were closets once.

them>    Yeah, I think this was a single-family house once.  Now there
         are three teeny apartments on this floor alone!
think:   "You're adorable when you rant."
whisper: "I adore you"
type:    Wanna go see a movie some night this week?

them>    I have to close Tuesday and Thursday, and I have class Friday.
think:   "Gaak.  Already down to Wednesday."
whisper: "I love you"
type:    Wednesday then?

them>    Aren't you helping Bob with the lights that night?
think:   "Oh bother.  I wonder how early I can be done with that."
whisper: "I love you"
type:    Maybe a 9:30 showing?

them>    No, I have an early class on Thursday, and Jen has the car.
think:   "Blast!  A whole week shot already!"
whisper: "eh"
type:    Oh right.  You have to walk that day.  I could give you a ride.

them>    Yeah, right.  You, awake in the morning?  That'll be the day.
think:   "She's got a point."
whisper: "erf"
type:    Aw, c'mon.  Breakfast in bed?

them>    Hey, the if the weather's nice, we could go ride in the park
         this weekend.
think:   "Woo!  That has possibilities."
whisper: *kiss*
type:    Okay, no breakfast.  Picnic?

them>    That's a great idea!  Maybe Pam and Tad can come.
think:   "Oh, great.  Now I'll never get her alone."
whisper: "waah"
type:    You'll probably see Tad at the store, you could ask him then.

them>    Yeah.  Or I can email 'em.  Oh!  There's green bug on the window!
think:   "She gets distracted by the cutest things!"
whisper: "I adore you"
type:    Big bug?  Little bug?

them>    It's shaped like a little shield, about the size of my fingernail.
think:   "I like her teeny little fingernails."
whisper: "I love you"
type:    What do you wanna do if it rains this weekend?

them>    I dunno.  Maybe curl up on the couch and watch videos in our PJs.
think:   "Yes!"
whisper: "I love you"
type:    Works for me, as long as Jen won't mind.

them>    Oh, she's going skiing in Colorado this weekend.
think:   "Yes!"
whisper: "I want you"
type:    Wide open spaces.  Do her good to get out of that closet she
         lives in.

them>    *giggle*
think:   "I love it when she giggles"
whisper: "I love you"
type:    Bug still there?

them>    Nah, it left.  Maybe it saw the spiderweb.
think:   "I love it when she watches bugs"
whisper: "I love you"
type:    I guess the weather will decide.

them>    Yep.  Oh, I gotta go.  I need to do homework, and Jen needs the phone.
think:   "Don't go away!"
whisper: "I love you"
type:    Oh okay.  Say hi to her for me.

them>    Done.  Bye, sweetie!  *hug*
think:   "Sweetie!"
whisper: "I love you"
type:    nini *hug*