lookin

He has been a little quiet lately. You don't suppose he's off organizing something in the Middle East?

RA1, that's a very good question and one that's been on my mind for at least the past two years. I'd be interested in what others have to say. Personally, I'm very comfortable in confrontations about issues and ideas, but I'm not comfortable in personal confrontations, especially when folks are belittled or demeaned. But just because I'm uncomfortable with something doesn't mean I wouldn't do it if there were a good reason. I just haven't yet been able to find a good reason for negative personal confrontations. If there's someone I don't care for, it's been very easy for me to just ignore him, especially on an anonymous message center. What I'm trying to figure out is why I so strongly feel one way and others seem to feel a different way entirely. What is it that they understand that I don't? Or what is it that gives them a payout that seems to elude me? One thing I'm pretty sure of is that there must be some kind of a payout in ad hominem attacks, or people wouldn't do it. (Unless, of course, there's some form of mental illness involved; but those percentages are quite low in our society and certainly wouldn't account for the number of personal confrontations seen on some bulletin boards.) By the way, I'm not directing this question at RockHard, in either Edition, although I'd certainly appreciate any thoughts he may care to share. I'm asking anyone who has given this issue some thought to weigh in. Any insights would be most welcome. Last but certainly not least, my apologies to lurkerspeaks for the highjack. He started a terrific heartfelt thread and has provided a wonderful example of how to become involved and help nurture a healthy social group. My thanks to him and to all who make it so.

It does appear that some guys are able to pull it off.

Not to mention having it rub against a metal filling. (Oops! Have I shared too much? )

I would gladly resin their bows any day! (Don't fret, MsGuy, no strings attached. )

Same here. I'd also like to add my thanks for the gracious email I got this morning from the MER Team. One click and I'm in! This truly is an exceptional site. . . . and a brief side note to those who were hoping for fewer posts now that I've scored the big one . . .

He was a very brave man. Thanks for the links.

Very true. And even when there's the occasional difference of opinion, it usually gets worked out. (Not to highjack my own post, but I think this makes twenty-five. )

All very delightful pleasures, no doubt, but they seem a bit tame to feel guilty about. I was expecting something a little . . . I don't know. Juicier.

He probably figures everybody knows about that.

You are blessed to have so much good food at your fingertips. I used to like the local Fresh Choice, but now the nearest one is a half-hour away. Maybe tomorrow.

I think and hope you're right, TO. His views spawn public debate, if nothing else. I agree with most of them, although he's annoying to watch for more than a few minutes at a time. If his voice disappears from the landscape, I think we'll be the worse for it. Well, some of us anyway.

I'm sorry, AdamSmith, for my poor attempt at humor earlier. I didn't realize how close you felt to this man. I should have. You've mentioned other men you've studied and bonded with. My science and engineering professors typically held forth from a raised platform and were dry as dust. It must have been a blessing for you to sit with these talented creative men and swap life stories. I apologize for not being more aware of what the experience must have been like. Thanks for the links. I found this interview too. He sounds like a good guy to spend time with. . . . . . INTERVIEWER: So you have people being charming and roguish and loving with one another. PRICE: I think ideally we're constantly involved in a kind of benign seduction of one another. This ties in with my notion that we're partly here to entertain one another, certainly to make one another's passage as interesting, suspenseful, and painless as we possibly can.

He meant Lucky, surely?

What a relief. I was worried you might have gone all Stonewall on us and ended up a political prisoner in Pattaya. Glad to hear you're back in Bangkok where you will also be kneaded.

All too true. Still, I may nip out later this afternoon and have my galoshes re-vulcanized.

Sounds like a really healthy diet, ihpguy. I could see myself eating like that if I had someone to cook it for me. I'm not good about committing hours in the kitchen every day, and haven't learned any really fast ways of cooking fish, chicken, and veggies. You're in Brazil right? Is it easy to find tasty, healthy restaurant food at reasonable prices? I can usually get two out of three in the Bay Area, but not often do I find them all in one place.

Good gosh! Have you really been gone that long? Seems like only yesterday you were just settling in for your Welcome Dinner with Kjun. Gotta say, I'm really loving the updates. First, it's a way to vicariously enjoy all the giant Thai choads hanging from one end of the country to the other and, second, it's a reminder of how small the internet has made our world when a favorite poster can pop in for a daily chat even though he's halfway around the world. For anyone else following Lucky's doings with the same high level of interest, I think I figgered out that Bangkok is twelve hours ahead of New York. If correct, right now I'm picturing Our Intrepid Traveler sound asleep snuggled amongst the handful of well-endowed Thai guys who followed him back to the hotel last night. Or was it the night before last?

It's outrageous. If the ACLU can keep the Courts honest, we stand a chance. If not, it seems Congress is willing to piss our civil rights away without so much as a backward glance. I contrast this with Charlie's story of bending over backwards to protect a student's civil rights in what could easily have been a dangerous situation. As a society, we appear to be moving in the wrong direction.

Fascinating. Thanks for posting. Kennedy and Eisenhower discuss the Soviets shooting those things off (nuclear weapons) as if they're talking about firecrackers. Kennedy chuckles as Eisenhower bets against it, but cautions Kennedy to keep his people alert and 'hang on tight'. Cool, calm, and collected, all of them. Also had to smile listening to Kennedy calling (Presidential Advisor John) McCloy back from Frankfurt to 'sustain', 'stiffen', and 'support' Adlai (Stevenson) at the U. N.

A 'versatile' poster, I'd like to think, but lately more of an 'onanist'. By the way, you may recall that Dorothy Parker named her canary Onan because 'he spilled his seed upon the ground'.

Is it time to consider renaming the 'Today's Top Posters' box? As someone who has worked diligently to expand my repertoire, among other things, I sometimes feel a bit disingenuous when I see my name on the list.

Forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Sorry to hear of all the turbulence before you even got off the ground. Especially the insurers. I'd be tempted to ask them for a copy of their disclosure policy on exclusions so you can forward it to the state insurance commissioner. Maybe they'll send you a check instead. As to the delay itself, it may well be for the best. You may cross paths with someone you'd have missed otherwise. The weather may be nicer. Your original king-size bed may have had bugs. Often these things happen for a reason, or so I've come to believe. A few months ago, a friend of mine was walking to his watering hole, along his usual route, when he came upon a huge tree lying across the sidewalk. It had fallen two minutes before. He was running a bit late that morning and, had he been on time, he'd never have arrived at all. I hope you will look back on this experience in a few days and smile as a new friend welcomes you as his first client and soothes you with sweet-scented oil everywhere that needs it.

Haven't been doing much fast food until a couple months ago when a friend mentioned KFC's Double Down. I've been back twice and am ready again. Coleslaw and milk make it my big meal of the day. If I lived in Memphis or Austin or Kansas City I'm sure I'd eat barbecue every day, Thankgiving and Christmas included. I don't know of any good barbecue in Northern California. And deep dish pizza when in Chicago. And Philly cheese steaks! I wonder if this was the best thread for me to be reading just after the evening bowl and right before dinner.