rustle

Hey Maxx! Happy Happy and all that. Good luck tomorrow.

I'm honored to be your first step, and I hope it won't be your last. BTW, welcome to GA.

Thanks, folks. The party continues. Today's the 24th anniversary of our 2nd date. (We can never agree on when the 1st one was.)

what they said

Mark Twain is supposed to have said, "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."

Each day, when I get to work, I pass a metal column, and have to rap it with a back fist. It rings nicely. I know I've done this at least 35 years, no matter where I worked, I've back fisted a column each day on arrival at work. Wooden, metal, concrete, doesn't matter. Not only must food be segregated on the dinner plate, but I eat one thing at a time until it's all gone, then move on to the next. I don't drink while I'm eating, but when I finish, I'll drain the glass in a heartbeat. In a restaurant, I'll ask the waitress for more tea when I near the end of the food. I usually get an odd look, since the glass is full. Sometimes, I get an objection. Every time, though, by the time she gets back, my glass is empty. This is really funny when the glass is 32 oz.. I fire a gun right handed, and shoot a bow left handed. I fence with a light blade left handed; with a broadsword, I'm right handed. I carve wood right handed, but write left handed, unless I'm at a chalkboard or white board- then I use my right. I use chopsticks with either hand equally well. People can always tell when I'm mad. Normally, I have the vocabulary of a well-educated sailor, but when I'm mad, I don't ever curse. Instead, folks run for a dictionary to find out what I just said. I murmur jokes in my sleep. In Vietnamese.

Dang it! Late for another party! I don't suppose anybody left any cake crumbs, did they? Happy Birthday, Totes. Just think of this as an excuse to keep the party going.

We always put used oil in a container, like a wine bottle, and stick it in the freezer. It congeals, and travels safely to the trash bin for pickup as a solid.

Dave Dude, all the best. Make it a day to remember.

Imma guess this is a reference to gnomenreigen, dance of the gnomes.

Dear Sin Eater, When you fell in love and married, you forsook all others. Just the same as a straight person should upon getting married. You are living an authentic and honest life, true to yourself. To openly declare same-sex attraction would be nothing but hurtful to others. I think I'd be pleased and proud to have you as an uncle. r

Hey Allan. Welcome to GA, a place that's been called so friendly, it's scary. Hope you enjoy the reads and the community. If you ever have any questions, just ask, and I can promise you'll get a good answer.

Standard disclaimer. There's no "right" way. Here are my thoughts. First and foremost, stay safe. Look for clues to a likely reaction. Listen for comments on gays, same-sex marriage. Does somebody's lip curl in disgust or a smile when 2 guys are holding hands? There's a risk to coming out and being out. There's an honesty and freedom in being out. Weigh the risks and rewards. Assuming your nephew decides to come out, how would he feel most comfortable and secure? On neutral ground, with support, one parent at a time? Since we're talking about absolute honesty here, the more relaxed it is, the better. The more he understands about his own journey to this point, and can explain it, the more likelihood of acceptance. Parents who don't react well tend to act as if being gay is a mantle you can put on or take of, not an innate characteristic. They see a "change" in little Johnny, and not the same boy they've known all his life. When did he first start to wonder? Has he ever dated girls or kissed one? Has he ever wanted to? Did he notice when his classmates began to be interested in girls? How did he feel about that? I live in Texas, where there's a good chance of encountering drama, hostility, or anger. But if I were 15 and gay today, I would hope for the courage to talk to my folks, to be honest with them, and to have an adult relationship with them. If both parents were kinda close/cool, I'd talk to both at once. "You know, a lot of things have changed recently, but a lot of things haven't. I love you two; you've always provided for me, protected me, done what you thought was best for me. I really want to thank you. I'll always love you, and I always want to be able to be honest with you. When I was five...; when I was 11 and went into middle school, I saw the older kids starting to notice each other. I saw my classmates start to notice. My friends started to talk about girls. I started to expect it to happen to me, but it never did." But that's me. If your nephew knows you're gay, why don't you let him read this thread? I'm sure there will be some thoughtful responses. edited to add: Since I started writing this, sure enough, James posted his thoughts. Beautifully.

I'm glad you liked it. I hope to talk again soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipR1FkdSYvA Pick up your pen again, my friend.

make something

Most drugs probably won't make you go out and kill somebody, but they'll make you complacent at times when you could do something more productive. Sometimes, it isn't about being happy. It's about making your time on this planet worthwhile.

You've made a transition from school, where you saw the same people day after day, year after year. From this point on in life, you'll never have the same daily structure. People will move, find new jobs, get married, and be on a different schedule from each other. Right now, you're responsible for your own happiness, your own life. You have to define your traditions from now on, as you have to define your family and yourself. The old definitions aren't going to fit. Take a deep breath of freedom, Matt. You aren't bound by the past. Don't worry. Nature abhors a vacuum. This feeling will pass. You'll fill in the blanks. Roan had a Dr. Seuss quote on his profile: Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. The older you get, the more you'll have to smile about.

Try a little cinnamon in the grounds.

Vodka before 10:00 a.m.? I think not.

16 oz. of ice water with a twist, followed by 2 cups of Colombian coffee or tequila it's all good

Welcome to GA, by the way.

The most tactful way to educate someone is by example. Live a good life in plain sight. Quite often, a single voice of reason at the right moment will silence a roomful. Most people are easily led, and will follow the stronger leader.

Hi Starblind, and welcome. I hope you like it here. If you need any help, just shout. I guarantee someone will answer. rusty

After accumulating (I won't say hoarding) for years, I had a major purge a couple years ago, but I don't recommend the method. Still, there is a definite lightening of the load. Stuff is a responsibility. Gotta store it, protect it, maintain it, use it once in a while. I hope this clearing and cleaning helps shake off some cobwebs, Wayne.