Yes, I am truly willing to listen, for I know that sometimes that's the best thing we can offer. If someone has had bad health or bad times, they might need to talk. Why can't I give them that opportunity...those few minutes... to let them get it out? Yes, if I ask, I want to know.
Speaking only for me, and not for women as a whole (WHOLE, dammit...not hole!)... I would say to just be straight up. Don't bs, don't try to be someone you are not, for the truth will always out. Like yourself first, be comfortable with who you are, feel free to disagree, laugh often, and just be the man that you want to be. Not all women will go for this...but, likely, the right woman will.
Hi, Bobby...I'm here. OK, so I know that this is not what you seek...but it's a start, right? We all want this. We all want to find that special someone. Yeah, the search is on for all of us here, basically. But don't give up hope. There may indeed be a diamond in the rough.
Awwwww, Harry, what a can of worms you have opened! Trust. I trust very few. I don't put myself out there to many, for I know that if I do, I am susceptible to their interpretations of who I am. Sadly, dear Harry, I am one who would say that trust is something that takes years, not minutes or days or weeks or months. I've been burned enough times to know that trust is not something that you can verbally give to another....you must earn it, show it, mean it, commit to it. Not many do this.
I'm a writer. Poetry, stories, descriptive emails to friends and family. I write. I sing...or, I used to. My 2 sons have amazing artistic talent. One is a post-grad art student who has done some incredible work and has had solo art shows in Los Angeles and San Francisco, the other is now touring Europe with his band. Art is life. I am so proud of my sons.
Oh, yes, Y2K...remember it well...people stocking up on supplies, generators, water, toilet paper, etc. It's all a bunch of hooey. Crap. Doomsday? I don't buy it for a minute. And, yet, if I am wrong, that one minute will bring me to my demise. And, so what? I'll die when I die, I'll live as long as I will live. I don't buy into doomsday prophecies. This is not how our history has proven to be. We die from wars, disease, old age, accidents, natural catastrophes...we die when it is our time. I can't control it anymore than you can. When it is my time, I shall close my eyes for one last time and there's no changing it. Why should I worry about when it will be? It will happen when it is time.
I'm a proud and old veteran. I remember the time that we (my unit) were ready and waiting to be deployed...to a place unknown, basically. Got the call, grabbed the bag, and waited by the flightline. The year was 1979. Our mission was to have been towards the freedom of our hostages in Iran. There I was, in my fatigues and combat boots, duffel bag by my side...waiting for the command to board up. It never came, for someone higher up the chain of command called the mission off that night. Yes, I'm a veteran...and it still brings me pride.
There are a couple of different rules of writing that can be applied here.
First of all....if the child protection conference had that exact name, you would write something like this:
The Child Protection Conference that was held on Monday at the UNICEF office was attended by over 300 people.
You wouldn't say "A" Child Protection Conference because it is THE Child Protection Conference....only one, right?
You do not need to capitalize all letters, but you do need to capitalize the first letter of each word in the conference name (except for the very small words such as "a" or "the" or "of", for example).
In this example you gave -- 1. A conference titled "Rights of Children Must be Protected" (just an example) took place last week at -- you were correct to use quotes because of the beginning, where you used the word "titled" ...actually, that should be "entitled", but that's another matter.
And, your last one was also correct because you are not naming the conference specifically, you are only generally mentioning that a conference took place....no need for caps or quotes.
Here's another example of what you could write:
You are cordially invited to participate in the 51st International Economic Forum on Monday, November 9th.
I don't know what you're facing, Betty...I don't always catch all the various posts and threads here. Whatever you are dealing with, I wish you the very best in your care, treatment, and recovery.
Or perhaps enjoying a hot fudge sundae? Or Mexican food? Oooh, how I miss good Mexican food. If anyone would like to watch me "self-satisfy", please arrange for me to have some chips with lots of salsa, guacamole, and cheese dip....followed by a combination plate with an enchilada, taco, rice and beans....and of course, a good Margarita.
Seriously, his email warrants absolutely no response.
Currently dating a much younger man. And the problem is with me, not with him. I have a great time with him, I desire him, and he shows me that he feels the same. But, DAMN!!! Again, it's with me...I wish I was younger. Or that he was older. I'm a realist, and I know that this is temporary...but I also see every relationship as temporary, unless proven otherwise. If I could take this man and shape him differently, I wouldn't do a thing. He's hot, he's fun, he's intelligent, he's so many things that I want in a man. But he's too damned young!! Yes, we see the age difference. And we know that we can't form something lasting (at least, I know this). Just ask yourself this...and, believe me, I do this often....could you bring her home to meet Mom? Oh, HELL, NO! I hate our age difference, but it is what it is and I am destined to be the one to put all the cards on the table and call it as I see it. And, as I see it, it's not meant to last....but it IS meant to be enjoyed, to be appreciated for however long it might be. Yeah, age is just a number...but it affects the older one as much, if not more so, than the younger.
Some of your responses came in while I was sleeping. Thank you, all. There were some very good replies. Another thing with me....I shouldn't start any threads that have anything to do with emotions on a Sunday evening. For some reason, Sundays tend to be my more "thoughtful" days and they are when I am most likely to have a bit of the blues. Don't know why, but I've noticed the pattern. As for what I'm going to do about this.... I guess the seatbelt is fastened securely enough and I do intend to enjoy the ride! And, Big John....I'm waiting for you to bring the drinks!
I'm trying, Solstice...I'm trying. I think it's because it's Sunday evening and, I believe, a full moon at that! I tend to get a bit of the blues on Sunday evenings, for some unknown reason. I typically stay at home on Sundays and relax, preparing for a busy work week ahead. And I think. And think some more. LOL. Not a good thing, apparently!
As for children, that ship has definitely sailed for me. As for him...he does not know if he wants the package dream that most of us have. He is quite content with his life as is and, at this point, is neither anxious to have children nor opposed to the idea. He's a bit ambivalent about it, for now.
I know it sounds a bit bizarre to say that I find it a bit depressing at times....depressing may be too strong a word....but I do have moments when I think, "Why?? Why does this man have so many wonderful qualities and be so ultimately NOT right for the long run?"
Why do I do this to myself? I have been dating someone for a little over a month now...and he is wonderful and fun and smart and good-looking and tall and...etc. And completely wrong for me, for anything long term. We just sort of fell into this relationship, in a way, after finding ourselves seated next to each other at a gathering in our local bar one night. After hours of conversation and laughter, we found we were both quite drawn to the other. And so it began. I see him often, I always enjoy being with him, and I look forward to the next. So, what's the problem?? It's a topic of frequent discussion here. He's a good deal younger than me. Not so young to be icky, but young enough that I see no potential for long-term. I really do like this man, and from the way things are going, he must feel the same. And I find it a little bit depressing, while at the same time incredibly enjoyable. I know it has a limited shelf life...an expiration date, though I don't know when the date is. So I feel extremely good and happy and wonderful with him, and saddened by its inevitable demise.
Any thoughts? I don't want to stop seeing him. Must I?
Oh, and please don't use the word "cougar"....please. To me, that implies that an older woman sights in on a young man as prey for her fancies. This is not the case here.
Well, I happen to believe that past relationships DO affect future ones, but this is not necessarily a negative thing. We learn from experiences, hopefully, and we learn from poor choices we may have made in the past. If not, we are doomed and destined to repeat those mistakes. We mature, we grow, we become more in tune with ourselves, and we remember the things that have had an impact on our lives...the good and the bad, we take it all in. It's what we do with it, however, that is the key to moving on. If we consider our past experiences to be lessons, not albatrosses around our necks, we can move forward successfully. But beware the albatross. We cannot erase the past, but we can use it to our benefit. And, lastly, I remember a lot of good that came from past relationships...not all memories are bad ones, even if the relationship no longer exists. These good memories serve to remind me of what can be wonderful and beautiful...and they are the reason that I still have hope for love again some day.
Thalassa Forum Posts (2,410)
RE: Do You Really Want To Know?
Yes, I am truly willing to listen, for I know that sometimes that's the best thing we can offer.If someone has had bad health or bad times, they might need to talk. Why can't I give them that opportunity...those few minutes... to let them get it out?
Yes, if I ask, I want to know.