RhondaLea

My mother is one of the finest game cooks living--for the last 50 years, in fact. She had no choice. Trust me when I tell you that I can tell the difference no matter how fine a chef you are. I do not hate hunting--I will kill and clean and cook--but I WILL NOT EAT GAME. Ick, ick, ick. I don't even eat lamb (much less beefalo) because it's too strongly flavored for my taste. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

Deer are fast becoming the roaches of the mammal world. We encroach on their territory, and then we wonder why they go through plate glass windows downtown. When I lived in New Jersey, the Princeton population was having a deer crisis of major proportion, but the locals couldn't bear to murder Bambi, so they looked into birth control for the deer. Say what?! I don't like venison, but a lot of people do, and deer hunting is a time-honored tradition, be it with a bow or a gun. We need to let hunters do what they do best, and forget about deer research. There are many more productive ways to spend money. Deer are prey. Four-legged food factories. Let them be eaten. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

What the fuck is that for your avatar? Don't encourage him. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

Was it you? If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

I work for a law firm, and my official title is "estate planning paralegal." In addition to wills and trusts, we counsel clients about such things as health care surrogates (medical powers of attorney) and living wills (collectively "advance directives"). Part of what we discuss is that if the client has reached an end-stage condition, calling in hospice is the way to guarantee that quality of life will be maintained to the extent possible without resort to machinery and complicated procedures. Hospice focuses on dying with dignity. It's an overused phrase these days, but all you ever need is one experience with someone who has no expectation of recovery being tied to life support, and you'll know how valuable it is. I wouldn't worry about the counseling aspect. Hospice doesn't shove anything down anyone's throat. That's the whole point. Back before we developed all kinds of ways to keep people alive, they died at home when the time came. That wasn't always ideal, because they often died in pain. With hospice, pain is alleviated to the extent possible, essential care is provided, and death is allowed to take its course. I'm very sorry about your father. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

Dude, you are making TOO much sense. Prepare to get flamed. . As for me, I date people. People who attract me, enchant me, inspire me. Love isn't about how a person looks, it's about who s/he is inside. Maybe that sounds idealistic, but it is the way I live. Oftentimes, I get to know people online before I ever meet them face-to-face. It's a risk if one is wed to appearances, but there are a lot of people in the world who are incredibly beautiful after you get to know them, even if, at first glance, you wouldn't say so at all. (The converse is also true: I know some very pretty people who are actually quite ugly in my view.) This applies to all characteristics, including those of race. My daughter is better about this. She was raised in a multicultural environment, and she was old enough to know better when she finally came in contact with racists. When she was little, she told everyone who asked about her mommy and daddy, "My mommy is black, and my daddy is white." She didn't realize that those labels did not apply to haircolor. In my own mind, the world would be much better if we looked at people as individuals instead of as representations of one thing or another, whether for ill or nil. IMO, the rejection of someone on the basis of appearance alone is a form of narcissism. If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

"All the same," said the Scarecrow, "I shall ask for brains instead of a heart; for a fool would not know what to do with a heart if he had one." "I shall take the heart," returned the Tin Woodman; "for brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world." The Tin Woodman knew very well he had no heart, and therefore he took great care never to be cruel or unkind to anything. "You people with hearts," he said, "have something to guide you, and need never do wrong; but I have no heart, and so I must be very careful. When Oz gives me a heart of course I needn't mind so much." If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

Google says that this is an marketing website that sells adventure sport gift packages. Doesn't look like it's related to SkyRide at all. Someone else had the best advice: call CrossKeys and ask. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

1. Wildlife rehabilitator 2. Herbalist 3. Research librarian 4. Goddess 5. Kept woman If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

There are herbal options for pain relief (such as ginger and capsaicin--1000-1500 mg. of ginger for pain relief; capsaicin comes as cream, nasal spray and capsules), but it seems that for such pain as you describe you need something more. There are meditation techniques. I don't know how to teach them, because I happened upon them as a child entirely by accident, and I don't know how to explain what I do. Having discussed it with a therapist, however, I am aware that it can be taught, and it does provide total cessation from most pain. Besides seeing a chiropractor, I'd also check the message board at your local health food store to see what's offered. Hang in there. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

If lawyers could ever get to the point, US law would be a lot less complicated and annoying. But's it's based on the English system, and you know how the English love to natter on. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

Maybe she gives good head Aaaaaghh!!!! The image of a retirement age woman giving head is burning in my head! I need bleach, stat!! Does this mean that when you're old, you no longer want to get head? rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

No, actually she is arguing stuff she doesn't even know about and it pisses him off to no end. I do not underestimate the value of a legal secretary since that is part of my job repitoire as well. In that case, he needs to fire her. Quickly. Why does he put up with it? rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

If the shoe fits... If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

Ya think? The History of 'Fuck' If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

If she does that and gets away with it, it is because he values her input. And it may be that she's saved his reputation a time or two by doing so. Never underestimate the power of a good legal secretary. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

Sincere motives generally follow an underlying pattern. A diversion from the basic pattern is apologized for. A post is just electronic dots. Anybody can write anything. Just because an apology exists, does not mean that it has value. People usually take advantage of others through their virtues (their kindness or acceptance for example). Trolls hone this to an art. The cycle is abuse, forgiveness, abuse. Jesus may forgive them, I don't have to. I don't know why trolls choose skydiving forums. Why can't they go to a board where people are as unhappy as they are to begin with? Wasn't I in an argument with you once? Why, I wonder? Silly me. You're extremely bright and perceptive. My mistake. Most people don't understand the cycle of abusive behavior because they want to buy the idea that "he didn't mean it." He did mean it. That's why he said it. What's so hard to understand about that? "Can't you take a joke?" is the hallmark phrase of abusers, with "you're too sensitive" running a close second. Edited to add: Most people don't seem to understand patterns of behavior either. The apologies I like the least are those intended to manipulate. I see that in this thread. Defensiveness didn't work. Distraction didn't work. The next thing is the "apology that isn't." I recently had a guy apologize to me for something that happened some time ago. He was very specific about what part of our clash he was apologizing for, he was obviously sincere, and even though he and I have a lot we continue to disagree about, it was obvious to me that he felt bad about what he'd written. I appreciate people like that, because no matter what else they may be, they're not full of shit. On the other hand, I really and truly resent someone who treats me as if I'm stupid enough not to see through their manipulation. This has been a nice thread for me personally--regardless of the intent--because of a few posts that were unexpectedly kind, but other than that, I've never seen this sort of thing as anything but an "I'm going to fuck with you" tactic. Spin is not reality. People who confuse the two are...confused. The people I choose to have in my life don't do spin and they aren't confused about what's real. They also have a finely honed wit, and they don't have to rely on outright cruelty in the stead of humor. I probably shouldn't have replied to any of this, but I have some pretty strong feelings on the subjects I've chosen to address--all bought by bitter experience--and while I don't feel compelled these days to respond to cheap shots aimed at me, I still have a somewhat protective instinct about those who effectively mistake a coral snake for a scarlet king. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

That's almost exactly how I'd feel. I've known a few women with whom I'd not be averse to having sex, but the men in my life at such times were more than adequate to keep me on the straight and narrow. Given the choice between a bunch of loser guys and a not-a-loser woman, however, I think I'd pick the woman. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

There are people in this world who make their way by repeatedly convincing one or two others to give them the "benefit of the doubt." Unfortunately, if you trace their path through life, you find a trail of carnage. So, the question is: "what doubt do you have?" Even the truly evil have moments of apparent kindness, after all. Ian was given every opportunity to make an apology; instead he has justified, excused and otherwise defended his own behavior, all the while trying to find someone who would buy into his idea of humor. I have seen this kind of behavior before, and I have fallen victim to my own stupidity by giving people who behave this way the benefit of the doubt. It never fails to backfire when one is dealing with someone who lacks empathy for the pain of others. Humor can be healing. But when ones humor is misplaced and ill-received, there's only one way to deal with it if one gives a shit about the pain one has caused. Ian has chosen not to give a shit. Now that you've allowed him to win you over, please feel free to live with the consequences. The way I figure, there are a lot of really wonderful people in the world, and I don't have time for all of them, so why would I make time for someone who has nothing to recommend him but mean-spiritedness and cruelty masquerading as humor? rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

I once saw someone take a one second delay off a sofa. Does that count? rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

I've already got a date this weekend. There's something to be said for......never mind... I'm out of here. I have miles to go before I sleep, and I need to be alert when I get there. Cya. If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

Older than you, sonny boy. Mind your manners and show some respect for your elders. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

I guess I'm old, but if I'm going to have sex with someone, it's not going to be only oral sex. rl You don't know what "old" is, RL. Men age more slowly, John. On the relative scale, I'm your grandmother. But I'll never be too old to put out (just to keep it kinda on-topic). rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

The appreciation of irony is a learned skill. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

Dear Jenn, In all the peripheral nonsense surrounding this thread, I have not told you how sorry I am about Sam. I understand how painful it is to lose an animal family member, and I feel very badly for you that you have to go through this. The only comfort I can offer is that you gave Sam a good and happy life in a world where many animals are left to suffer without having even their most basic needs for food and shelter met. By loving and caring for Sam all these years, you have done a good and kind act, and you've been blessed with the unconditional love that our furry friends return to us in bountiful measure. Take care. I'm sorry for your loss. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb