MikeL

Twins! Can you say instant family? I'm sure Mike will do just fine. Probably you too. You do know that children add to the complexity of relationships. Right now there's you and Mike; that's one relationship. Add one baby and you have three relationships. Add two babies and you have six relationships. Don't worry. We had four children...no twins...and we survived. Of course, I never had time to figure out how many relationships that was.

Facebook continues to get bad press. It's the Los Angeles Times again that points out how what you post on Facebook can be used against you. The latest article, Insurers are scouring social media for evidence of fraud, should give you reason to pause every time you post a comment, status update, or picture on your Facebook page and every time you click one of those ubiquitous "Like" buttons. If you are receiving long term disability benefits, don't post pictures of your latest skiing trip. Think twice before "liking" a cancer support group. Very few of us would consider perpetrating a fraud, but insurers can mine social media to find reasons for increasing premiums or denying claims. I urge you to read the story. If you haven't already, please vote in the poll at the top of this page.

Sam, a most intriguing and unusual story. Is escape his objective or is Zax displaying that he is a paragon himself?

Twins? What great news! You will both be great dads. It's only a matter of time now.

Death is a part of life. We should always be prepared for it...the death of others and our own. Shedding tears is a part of the grieving process, but fearing death is of no value to the living.

Happy Birthday, Joey!

That is very true. I live on the "third coast". We have one thing the west coast doesn't have...seasons.

Beautiful! This is a very well-crafted poem. You have a real talent, Danny.

Excellent poem, Danny. It has an honest, heartfelt quality. Keep up the good work.

Screeve.org has some very good stories, most of them by British authors. It also contains some of what you might consider pornography, but you can read the stories without looking at the pictures.

Now here's an idea. Those seeking to reach the 500 level could post their jokes in the Soapbox forum. Would anyone notice?

Thanks, Andy. I didn't know there was a distinction between the two types of posts. You'll reach 500 soon...post away.

Now that you've bought up the issue of number of posts, I'm trying to figure out just how many I have. My profile says I have 3,176 (before this one), but when I look at one of my posts it says the total is 2,754. I wonder which is right or if the Admin folks know of a glitch.

Hopefully you went to Cafe du Monde for coffee/chickory and beignets. If not, an early return trip is required.

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The Associated Press has an interesting article out today titled Student tracking finds limited learning in college. I know there is a significant difference among colleges. There are top flight institutions in the US which really challenge students in critical thinking, complex reasoning, and articulate writing. But a recent study discloses that 45% of undergraduate students show no significant improvement in these skills beyond the level reached at the time they graduated from high school. I see examples of poor language skills everyday. They can be seen here at GA, in your local newspaper, and in radio and television newscasts. People who have the greatest influence on how we use the language regularly say "snuck" instead of "sneaked", "bust" when they should say "burst", and "less" when referring to numbers rather than "fewer". And, what is the value of a college degree in a person's adult life? That's a hard question to grapple with during times of economic distress and high unemployment. College enrollments are mushrooming at a time when many institutions, especially state universities, are hurting for the necessary funding. The lack of jobs for high school graduates and state lottery scholarships are prompting college enrollments. I have to look no further than my own family for examples that call the value of a college education into doubt. One son has a master's degree, but drives a delivery truck. One of his brothers, with less than two years of college credit is a well-paid sales executive with a prominent company. My own father rose to a prominent place in local government service without ever attending a single college class. My answer to the question I have posed is yes. A college education is worth the time and effort. Just make sure you select the best college you can possibly afford. Enroll in honors programs and foreign study opportunities and make the most of every class. Be socially active, be involved in campus life, and take part in political activities if they appeal to you. Just make sure you make the most of the education opportunities you have. Don't expect the professors to do more than their share, but do hold them to a high standard.

Privacy interferes with the revenue stream. They don't give your personal imformation away free of charge.

You may already know of my strong aversion to Facebook and the fact that I booted it out of my life several months ago when I found a picture of one of my grandsons in a place where it should not have been. Today's Los Angeles Times contains an article Facebook grants developers access to user addresses and phone numbers. The change was made without any announcement to the 600 million Facebook users. Users will have an option to deny access to their information, but without any notice, the majority will never even consider opting out. What are your thoughts about Facebook? Please participate in the poll at the beginning of this forum topic.

I was raised in Memphis and still lived there when Dr. King was assassinated. It was a shock to the entire community. If you are ever in Memphis, be sure to visit the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel. It is one of the most impressive memorials I have ever seen. I previously published a poem, Dystopia, here on GA about the civil rights and gay rights movements.

I have never believed in astrology, horoscopes, or fortune telling. I was a lion, but am now a crab. How absurd!

Happy Birthday, Robbie!

Mike, look to the right, it is the 'random image' shown on the right hand column. Right now there are no other photo's in the gallery so that is what appears, like i said it ain't much to see - it's a 5 day old embryo - well two actually Right hand column? What page?

Can't find the gallery entry. Can you supply a link. Do they look like you?

You are entirely too romantic. Reminds me of The Glass Menagerie. Better to enjoy the food and music.

Get well soon, Bubba Goat! Here is some advice from a veterinarian: