I can't just take your word for this, much as I would like to. I will have to sample the goods first and then make my decision afterwards. I'm confident that my earlier statement will still stand, but I am a willing negotiator. Send in your best specimens (one would not be enough for a valid test sampling...I would need quite a few). I'll give them a trial run and will get back to you when I'm done with them all.
We like our ouzo and raki, Poland. We're all set with our booze needs. (But you and I might make a little deal under the table....I'm more partial towards vodka, personally, so I would be willing to discuss a side venture with you, Monia...just between you and me. It won't help your country, but you and your loved ones will be ok. But you must never divulge this arrangement. If you do so, I will deny it completely and cut off your water supply immediately. I can live with the ouzo instead of the vodka, but you need my water. Do we have a deal?)
Ocee, you have struck a very ancient nerve....good play, Sir. We brought the Olympic Games to the world. We would not want to see them come to an end. We like your Gatorade. We will work a deal with you, Sir.
Are you self-sufficient with your crops and your livestock? Do you import more than you are able to produce? If so, will you be able to afford the prices that will surely skyrocket as demand outgrows supply across the globe...as crops and animals die from lack of water? If you stop importing, are you able to take care of your people and manage also to provide enough of the desalinated water to nourish the plants and animals that you will need to feed your people? Will you be able to afford this, Malta? Our research tells us that large-scale desalination typically uses extremely large amounts of energy as well as specialized, expensive infrastructure, making it very costly compared to the use of fresh water from rivers or groundwater. Can you, dear Malta, take on the economic burden?
Sorry, Taino...perhaps I misunderstood earlier, but I believe we were offered "the LAST orchid, tulip, or daffodil". Greece doesn't need flowers, as we have beautiful bouganvelia and hibiscus and geraniums and roses and....well, many beautiful plants and colorful, aromatic flowers. But we would not wish to see any species die out for lack of some of our water. We offered to save the last of those flowers. As we hold the last of the world's reserve of fresh water, it's understandable that many plants and flowers worldwide are suffering. The last orchids are in the Netherlands, as we have learned. Sadly, Trinidad and Tobago have no more of the orchids to offer. They are gone now.
Remember, all....you have no more fresh water. We have the only supplies left....that includes you, Malta.
We are not greedy people, but we must consider our own people first. We have 10 million people, we have livestock and plants to take care of. Our water is abundant, but we realize that the rest of the world is becoming desperate. We want to work with you, but we must ensure our own preservation. We are the birthplace of civilization and we shall be the last to perish.
We aren't prepared to sit at this bargaining table much longer. We're getting thirsty....a nice cold bottle of water to quench our thirst might be in order....unless you have something of value to hold our attention.
Now we have something to consider. The last orchid, tulip or daffodil? The last of such beauty should not be wasted or ignored. Better, though, if you keep them where they are rooted and tell us that these are the last, unless they receive some of the fresh water supply that we are keeping. I believe we have our first recipient of some of our reserves. Congratulations, Netherlands. A ship is enroute.
Though our land may appear to be less than fertile, we are a Mediterranean nation and we enjoy the fruits, vegetables, and meats indigenous to our land. Our lemons, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, bread, lamb, eggplant, octopus, fish, etc....well, they will sustain us more than adequately.
I know how horrible it feels when you are helpless to relieve the pain of someone you love. When my son broke his arm and wrist while skateboarding when he was 14, he was being treated and the attending doctor glanced over at me and told his nurse to come to me....apparently I had gone quite pale and I nearly passed out. I simply couldn't bear seeing my son in such pain and it physically made me ill. So, I get it. But it's a different thing, as I'm sure you know, with childbirth. Of course it's tremendous pain for the woman, but she would need you there with her. When your time comes, be there. Just be there for her. You'll be glad you did.
One should never assume that a pregnant woman is either physically capable or incapable...advised to carry on as normal or advised to reduce physical activity or lifting and carrying and such. To answer your first question, I think the man was a bit of a swine. But if she was fine with it, then we can only assume that everything was ok.
As for the second question (should "wimmin" be allowed to get away....etc.), it once again depends on the circumstances. Is this a high-risk pregnancy? Was there trouble conceiving? Has she previously miscarried? Is she of an age that puts the pregnancy at greater risk? Too many variables and one simply cannot make black-and-white statements. But every pregnancy requires a certain amount of exercise....primarily, exercising common sense, exercising caution, exercising good judgment.
Finally, you said something in a follow-on comment about the woman being able to FEEL it and to live it (the pregnancy) or something along those lines. There was an implied envy...she gets to live the pregnancy, the man gets only the role of doing more to help her and take care of her for those 9 months. OK. Fair enough....a bit of envy here is understandable, I think. To go along with this, I do hope you envy our monthly periods and cramps (severe, for many) for approximately 35-40 years of our lives; I hope you envy our stretch marks and, oh yes, let's not forget the labor itself; I hope you envy our hot flashes, insomnia, and loss of bone density when menopause rears its ugly head.
There is an element of danger for me on a daily basis, and I don't mean from driving or possibly being hit by a bus as I cross a street. I mean from my job. I've been in both Iraq and Afghanistan, I've been in "duck and cover" mode more than once, hearing "This is NOT a drill....I say again...this is NOT a drill" over a loudspeaker. I've heard the incoming and I've heard it hit in the not-so-far-distance. The desk where I sit now is approximately 6 feet from where an RPG struck 2 years ago. It was early in the morning and I was still in bed, but...had it been an hour and a half later, and if I was at my desk then, I might not be typing this now. Having said all of this, I don't walk in fear. I go about my life the same I would if I lived in Smalltown, USA. I don't think about it, other than to be aware of my circumstances and to use my head. I recognize that my job carries more risk than many, but I don't dwell on it. I would leave my job if I had a sense of doom hanging over me all the time.
I love my sons with all my heart and soul, and I love being their Mom...but I am not on Connecting Singles to be a "mummy" to anyone! How about if we forget the "Mom" stuff for now, ok?
Thank you all...I know that I am blessed with such a relationship with my son(s)...and I do appreciate the input. I shall read it all again tomorrow. I like to absorb things a bit.
I drive a Mercedes A-190. I bought it because I got one hell of a deal on it from someone who was leaving the country and had to sell it quickly. How do I drive it? Cautiously, among the heavy traffic here. On the mountain roads, I drive it like it's meant to be driven...hugging the curves.
I love dogwoods! Pink blooms or white, they are lovely. Living overseas for so long, sometimes I forget about some of the plants and trees that I don't see anymore. I do so love the colorful blooms of trees and flowers in the spring. Enjoy the scenery!
Today I received a very long and very heartfelt email from my 24-year old son. We have a very close relationship and share our thoughts and feelings in an open and frank way, and have done so for years. He wrote some things that resonated what many of us older singles wonder as well. Here is a bit of what he shared (and I apologize for the length, but I think it's worth it):
..."So this is where it gets complicated and the reason I wonder if you have some advice or words of wisdom as you so often do. And also where at the risk of sounding like a jerk or egotistical- I have to be frank becuase my head is a little mixed up now. Well....basically, I dont have a lot of trouble finding a date and have dated a lot--and am proud that I have been with such intelligent beautiful women--that most guys would be a fool to let go. But mostly it is me who lets them go. And I do feel like a fool...that is, until I meet another incredible person-- until i feel like a fool again. That is how I see it- never as a fling or 'just someone to date', but very special, meaningful moments with someone on our meandering paths through life. The thing is, that after a few years, it does start to feel a little meaningless. Yeah I have these great moments around the world with great people, but everything is always fleeting- nothing to hold on to for very long. The futility is suffocating. I am not a womanizer so much as a spontaneous romantic. I really cherish those memories, and am always very honest, respectable and never a cheat or anything like that. But there is an emotional wake that affects these other people and definitely takes a toll on me. I guess I just wonder what it all means--if anything. Is it just a part of being young in my twenties or have I let THE ONE I love slip through my hands? Big questions I know...and I realize you've had some big shifts in your love life, but also some retrospect and self-reliance. I generally internalize my emotions and they build up, but you're the one person I can let it out to....so I apologize for the flood of information, but you've always helped in the past."
Believe me, I do understand. It's very hard. Allow yourself to step away when you need to. All you can do is your best, and you are doing just that. You do need to take care of yourself and your needs, as well....I get it, I really do.
What a lovely message, Coca. I agree with this, Rusty. It's not easy to deal with, but I'm sure you know that she isn't doing this intentionally...she can't help it, for whatever reason. It was one year ago yesterday that I lost my father. I'd love nothing more than to hear him scream right now.
Well, both of my legs just happen to be the same length, so one height would work fine for me. Are you thinking that my imaginary lover would be shaving his legs, too? Only if he's on an Olympic swim team!
RE: IF CS WAS THE UN
I can't just take your word for this, much as I would like to. I will have to sample the goods first and then make my decision afterwards. I'm confident that my earlier statement will still stand, but I am a willing negotiator. Send in your best specimens (one would not be enough for a valid test sampling...I would need quite a few). I'll give them a trial run and will get back to you when I'm done with them all.