Well they seem like quite rational thoughts to me rather than
   irrational.* I'm in surprising agreement with a lot of those by
   the way.* P* The 1st on the list is a thought I keep secretly
   much of the time; which probably drives my need to explain stuff
   so much.* I go through over a pot of coffee a day and my
   happiness quotient is directly related to coffee consumption.
   (and cigarettes - I'm supposed to feel guilty about nicotene I
   think, so I don't usually mention it :P ) Like you I'm a bit in
   the fatalist camp; also keeping half-a-toe on the "you can
   change your destiny" camp; because, well, unless you've gone
   through a horrendous brain-washing experience (well we all have;
   school ) - there's still the I / me / myself factor,* no matter
   what the circumstances are; That gives me a sense (if perhaps
   delusional by some standard out there) of control; a hope of
   being able to modify my environment but not an expectation of
   complete fulfillment of my every wish. Besides, I can fulfill my
   hopes in my mind; that's good enough.* The rest of the world is
   gonna do what the rest of the world does; I'd not want to end up
   like a young Bride trying to make The Perfect Wedding that she
   dreamed of when she was 4 years old; driving everybody batty as
   she desperately attempts to have Complete Domination over her
   environment.* Meh.* Not my style.