Further developments.

For the past couple of days, I've felt guilty about this post, because I learned soon after posting it that the guy was joking. Well, sort of. I guess his sense of humor just didn't sit well with me, because I, obviously, was offended.

I sometimes wonder if there are certain senses of humor which are simply incompatible. I know that Lana has had this experience, because I've witnessed it. I remember watching her make a joke to a professor of ours, and then watching that professor make a joke in reply, and neither of them could see the other's joke for what it was. It led to lots of misunderstandings and awkward moments.

Maybe that's what that moment was. A misunderstanding.

I think that the harshness of my response (and my coining of Neville's new favorite phrase, "judgmental ass") comes from the personal nature of the subject. I put everything I could into something, and it felt like the person who was teasing me just couldn't understand that this is something I care about. Something I can't live without. Something I love.

Plus, I have this unbelievably strong urge to protect Floyd. I want to correct people's negative opinions of him, because I feel like they haven't been given a chance to get to know him like I have, as an observer and as a fan. I want them to know that he's funny and smart and clever. I want people to see him as a passionate person who cares about doing the right thing, whose personality would never sit well with cheating. I don't want anyone to see him as a dishonest, bumbling individual, because I don't think he's either of those things. I adore Floyd Landis, and I want to keep him safe from other people's bad thoughts.

So let's put it this way: if you criticize him and don't let me know that you're joking, I might get a little defensive and shout about you on my blog. I apologize.

The rest of you, though? You've been warned.