MikeL

Just who are you calling "young"?

Wait for me, James! It appears the only interest in the cruise comes from a couple of gals in their 40s.

Bummer, Eric. I hope you got the Microshaft software at the student discount price. Even then, it's still overpriced.

Guys, still unsure of your sexuality? Here's a unique opportunity for you to satisfy your curiosity with experienced women. It's the Cougar Cruise.

I would guess (and it is a guess) that some gay men think that the essence of being gay is the feminine aspect. If you are gay, then you are not a man and should not pretend to be one. Effeminate behavior plays directly to the stereotype that most straights - especially the bashers and haters - have of gays. The majority of gays are masculine and have no doubts about their masculinity. For what it's worth, straights are more likely to accept masculine gays. For the flashy, flamboyant, effeminate gays who wear dresses, the word drag really is appropriate...they are a drag on the gay movement. Please don't misunderstand me. Effeminate gays must be accepted by "straight acting" gays. Otherwise we have no right to expect acceptance for anyone.

Gee, Vic, you must have to go to bed at what? 7 p.m.? If your running buddy does introduce you to his gay friend, you won't be available for a date. You'll have to give up running and gain 30 pounds. Then where will you be?

The internet attracts a lot of stable people who like to keep tabs on the crazies.

A human. I waited a decent interval to allow someone else to answer the riddle.

Nothing

There have been objections to reading Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain in schools here because it contains the "N" word.

Certainly not! As stated earlier: Certificates are awarded only for complete stories. If Changing Lanes had ended with chpater 45, it would never qualify for a certificate. Indeed, the officers of the Amphibian Anti-Cliffhanger League would never call the committee into a secret conclave to deliberate on a story which clearly does not merit consideration.

Happy Birthday, Robert!

Huggles, dude.

It's just good to hear from you, Dom. Work on whatever story you care to and stay out of the line of fire.

John, I think your idea of speaking only when spoken to is fair given the situation. At other times just be pleasant unless that comes to annoy her too. And, if you feel like tidying up, do it when she can't see you. Come to think of it, if you can find the right balance so that she is only mildly annoyed and doesn't snap at you, go for it. As for Lacey, I think he's lucky. He had best hug Chris and conceal any annoyance.

Happy Birthday, Drew!

Free trade really works well in this situation. Company-to-company relationships are stronger than country-to-country because the politicians, with all their baggage and restrictions, are bypassed. A mutually beneficial arrangement is negotiated rather than one-upsmanship in the negotiations being the end game.

http://video.yahoo.c...913052/13085644 In tough economic times, it's good to see that some Youtube posts that can poke fun at our misfortunes. The above tongue-in-check news reporting is good for a laugh. Unfortunately, it is true. I know of several high volume, personal tax return preparers, including respected CPA firms, who outsource tax return preparation to accountants in India. The Indians are very knowledgeable on US tax law and produce excellent work. A US CPA can scan a client's documents, e-mail them to India, and receive a completed return the next morning. There's no midnight oil for the US accountant, great earnings for his Asian "back office", and fast service for the client. It's a win-win-win for all involved and, as long as there is a shortage of qualified accountants in the US, no one is hurt.

Some are stranger than others.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof? Tennessee Williams? No memorable songs there. It wouldn't be a very cheerful song given the subject matter...morphine for example: ~ Big Daddy Pollitt

For the record, the committee members were not permitted to vote until all had taken and passed a breathalyzer test. The legal limit in Tennessee is 0.8. We also moved to a nearby, untainted pond to ensure no backsliding. All this activity necessitated a lengthy delay in the voting. It should be understood that, as a careful reading of the certificate itself will reveal, an Amphibian Certification is awarded in recognition of an author's reaching a cliffhanger-free status at the conclusion of a story. It does not absolve any responsibility for cliffhangers which may be found in the work at any interim point nor does it apply to any other works of the author cited. A certificate is an ad hoc, purpose built document pertinent to the within named work.

Fiddler on the Roof (Tradition, If I Were a Rich Man, etc.) On the rooftop (that rainy night) ~ Mariah Carey Rain on the Roof ~ The Lovin' Spoonful

Young guys in their teens and twenties have no idea how much the world has changed in fifty years. I understand you still have to be careful and you can still be embarrassed or humiliated by someone's reaction upon learning that you are gay. But even that is an improvement. My whole life, prior to graduating from high school at 17, I new only one openly gay guy. He was shunned or worse by everyone. I mean everyone; straights, homophobes and other gays. Closeted gays could not risk being outed. They had to stay carefully hidden away. Anyone who describes homosexuality as a lifestyle choice would choke if they knew how things used to be. There was no choice then. You had to be straight or appear to be. We've come so far in liberalizing the public opinion and reaction to gays, why to we have to be hung up ourselves on age difference? Wen, yours is a battle between the heart and the brain. Use both in liberal measure and make your own wise decision. We cannot do it for you.

I've always heard that the Japanese people are rather xenophobic. See: http://en.wikipedia...._in_Showa_Japan and http://www.letsjapan...phobia-now.html. The latter article includes a few indicators for modern day Japan, including several proposals on how Japan may recruit foreign workers to supplement its declining work force: The Japanese seem to be afraid of foreigners and don't want to encourage immigration. That said, there is no reason why you can't have a successful year of study there and be well rewarded for your efforts. You just have to accept that the Japanese will be wary of you. As soon as you master some of the culture and become more relaxed, you will probably find more acceptance. It's not unusual for Americans to stare at people who seem "strange". I found myself doing that a few days ago when I crossed paths in a parking lot with a man who was walking along talking to himself. I don't know why such a thing still prompts that response in me. It's not unusual to me since both of my parents suffered from dementia in their last years. I can only suggest you work to get comfortable with the Japanese way; they will then no longer see you as stupid. Have a great year in your studies. Relax and have fun.