on reading my twin brother's blog

I read my brother's blog yesterday. The topic was real estate in Mexico, which is his line of work. As I read it, I could almost hear my own voice in it. He had a decent number of people who comment, because the style is so casual and personal; even introspective.

I kept thinking, "his verbiage is the same as mine." Lately, we've read many of the same books, but never based upon recommendation. He just finished "Stumbling on Happiness" and is now reading "Predictably Irrational."

In high school, we carved out our niches. He would be funny, popular and athletic. I would be geeky, into social justice and artistic. In college, I worked at a faith-based non-profit and earned a degree in education; while he earned a degree in business. Even now, I go to a church started by a bunch of hippies and he goes to the megachurch with the theatre seating and the free bumper stickers.

Despite that, we are actually growing more alike. I now live the suburban life I once mocked. We both stay up on business news and read books on economics, sociology and history. I now lift weights (small, wimpy weights that do little to build mass) and he uses his artistic side for things like landscaping and interior decorating. (No, he's not gay. But he's got a slight metro streak.)

We're still really distant, though he lives only a few miles away. The economic difference creates a wedge between us. Yet, he is becoming the kind of guy I would go have a beer with. Despite that sentiment, it feels weird to ask him and so we have this uncommunicated awkwardness that keeps us apart.