unicorn

You hit the nail on the head. One can only wonder how things would have gone if Biden hadn't developed dementia, but one of the most terrible aspects of dementia is that most often the person with dementia doesn't understand his cognitive loss. We're seeing it again in Trump. I suspect the country will be in a shitty spot by the time of the next US Presidential Election. I also suspect whoever the Republican candidate is will have better answers as to how he'd have done things differently from Trump.

You tell 'em! 😉

Yet at no point, I suspect, did @Suckrates ask himself if he was the one being rude... 😉

You're hallucinating. I had only one (relatively young--he was 25 when we first met) Latin lover--the lyin' Paraguayan. You need a reality check. I didn't start this string. The original poster specifically asked other posters to summarize their last year (and listed his year, as did other responders). If you're not interested, don't read the responses (and shut up about it). And, for the record, I didn't feel taken advantage of (although he did lie to me). We had some great times together, and I don't regret our time together (though I won't put up with being lied to). When other posters recounted being ghosted after those posters showed the young men kindness, I offered my support and words of encouragement. I don't see any other explanation for your disagreeable comments, other than jealousy. You're the one starting things up with nasty comments, then comment on my demeanor?

While most Americans probably don't understand the reality of trans people as of this time, the overwhelming majority of Americans understand the reality of same-sex marriage at this point: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_opinion_of_same-sex_marriage_in_the_United_States "...A 2023 New York Times/Siena poll found that 70% of Americans support same-sex marriage and 22% oppose it. Younger generations report higher approval; in the 2022 General Social Survey, almost 80% of 18–34 year olds either agreed or strongly agreed that same-sex couples should have the right to marry. Garretson (2018) writes: "The transformation of America's response to homosexuality has been — and continues to be — one of the most rapid and sustained shifts in mass attitudes since the start of public polling...". Degree of public support for same-sex marriage by state in 2024:[1] 80–81% 70–79% 60–69% 50–59% Had the SCOTUS reversed its previous ruling, I think this would have further inflamed the bulk of the American public against the GOP. Yes, I suspect Thomas and Alito probably would have like to reverse the ruling. However, the other three conservative justices probably saw the wisdom in not shaking the hornets' nest. While there were few significant elections in this last round, most voters have shown significant displeasure at the far-right swing from the 2024 elections. It will probably take another decade, maybe two, for Americans to understand trans people. Trans people in the public eye will probably be important drivers for public understanding.

While one can certainly extend the trip for touring before and/or after, the conferences I go to run from 7:45 AM to 5:30 PM. None of the costs are tax deductible for me (transportation, hotels, meals, conference fee).

January: Quiet month! February: medical conference in Fort Lauderdale Late March-April: Belgium & Paris May: Cruise--Barcelona, Toulon, Cinque Terre, Rome, Capri, Valletta, Messina/Taormina, Palma de Mallorca, Cartagena, Granada (Alhambra), Portimao, Lisbon, further travel to Sintra, Batalha, Tomar, and Alcobaça. June: fabulous Flag Day party at my place! July: Saugatuck Michigan, Grand Rapids, Mackinac Island. August: fabulous party at my place! September: quiet month! October: Sensational New England leaf peeping tour, including the easternmost point in the Continental US/closest place in the US to Africa (West Quoddy Head, Maine), topped by a medical conference in Providence RI November: just finished a quick trip to Las Vegas, preparing family dinner for Thansgiving December: Antarctic Cruise, with extension in Santiago

I owe, I owe, so off to work I go... 😉

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That was what my mother (who grew up with wealthy parents) taught me. When she'd see someone pass by wearing designer logos, she'd tell me privately "How vulgar!". Really classy people dress modestly. They don't need to try to dress to impress. My brother's wife was the CEO of a major corporation, and she took the subway every day from their place in the upper east side to her work downtown. Brother Day might want to consider investing more in his youth. A wise investment at age 23 goes a long way!

Time will tell, but the few clues we have from this last election suggest swing voters have had enough of Trump and his antics. Virginia is a swing state, which can easily vote for either party in statewide elections. Elections in that state are usually close, either way. The Democratic candidate for governor won with a 15% margin over her opponent. The Attorney General vote went to the Democrat by 5.5%, despite texts he sent in 2002: “Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, hitler, and pol pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head,” the text reads in part, referring to Gilbert and the two dictators. (Gilbert was the Republican Speaker of the [Virginia] House at the time) https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/04/politics/virginia-democratic-nominee-attorney-general-facing-pressure For Lieutenant Governor, Ghazala Hashmi won by an over 10% margin--the first Muslim woman in the nation to win statewide office. Every single one of those 3 positions was previously held by a Republican. https://www.cnn.com/election/2025/results/virginia In New Jersey, the only other state with a governor's race, the Democrat won by an almost 14% margin. https://www.cnn.com/election/2025/results/new-jersey A Muslim also won New York City's mayoral race, with 9% more than his closest opponent (and 43% more than the Republican), even though Jews make up 12% of the city's population. Zohran Mamdani won every borough except Staten Island. https://www.cnn.com/election/2025/results/new-york-city-mayor In California, an election to abandon nonpartisan commissions' role in drawing US Congressional districts (in response to similar moves in Republican states) won by an almost 2:1 margin, even though only 45.3% of California's voters are registered as Democrats: https://electionresults.sos.ca.gov/returns/maps/ballot-measures/prop/50 https://www.ppic.org/publication/california-voter-and-party-profiles/ Elections are decided by swing voters. I believe we know what swing voters are thinking at this time. Where possible, Republicans are doing what they can to dilute votes from Democrats, and lawmakers in several states, such as Texas, have been successful in doing that. We were touring Maine last month, and Republicans had put forth a measure to make it more difficult to vote absentee/by mail. We saw plenty of "Yes on 1" yard signs throughout the trip (much more than no signs), and were worried. Maine is another swing state, with one Republican US Senator and one Independent. That ballot measure was trounced, by an almost 30% margin. (Also a gun control measure won handily). https://ballotpedia.org/Maine_Question_1,_Require_Voter_Photo_ID_and_Change_Absentee_Ballot_and_Drop_Box_Rules_Initiative_(2025) Much can change in 1 year, and Republicans continue their shenanigans where they can (without direct voter involvement). I think that independent voters now have a dim view of Republican misdeeds, at least as of this time, however.

Yes, except for the part about the guilt and shame adding up. Since he's a sociopath, I doubt he feels any guilt or shame. 😉It took a long time, but I think the swing voters are finally realizing that they elected a lifelong con-man: a smooth-talker who lies with every breath.

I can think of few things more unkind that ghosting someone who's shown nothing but kindness himself. All we can do in such circumstances is remind oneself that we were the ones being kind, and especially that we did nothing wrong. Clearly, the men @KeepItReal and @PeterRS were helping wanted to move onto a new chapter their lives. It wouldn't have taken but a modicum of decency for them to simply explain that. But that's simply on them. All one can do is cherish the good memories. Just remember that you did nothing but good, and had some happy times while doing it.

Obviously, not the norm for me either, hence the question.

You must be a brilliant conversationalist at parties... 😉

According to recent reports, openly gay 38 year-old Rob Jetten has won the Dutch election for Prime Minister. He's engaged to marry Nicolás Santiago Keenan, a 28 year-old field hockey player and Olympic athlete from Argentina. Yow! https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20251103-dutch-centrist-jetten-set-to-be-youngest-ever-pm-after-narrow-election-win "Dutch centrist leader Rob Jetten on Monday clinched a razor-thin election win over far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders, taking a historically slim lead of 28,455 votes with all the ballots finally counted. Jetten had already declared victory on Friday after local news agency ANP, which tallies and publishes the results, had said Wilders could not overtake his lead....". https://www.outsports.com/2024/11/26/24104515/nico-keenan-rob-keenan-engaged-paris-olympics-hockey-gay-lgbtq-bisexual/ "One of the 20 out male athletes who formed part of Team LGBTQ at the Paris Olympics is celebrating his engagement to his boyfriend. Nico Keenan competed at the second Games of his career for Argentina in field hockey. The 27-year-old started the Olympic tournament as a reserve but was elevated into the squad with whom he reached the quarterfinals. Watching on from the stands at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir was Keenan’s boyfriend, Rob Jetten who is the leader of Dutch political party D66. (In the October 2025 elections, Jetten’s party did well enough that he might be the next prime minister.)...". Talk about a power couple! Hubba, hubba:

First of all, while I wouldn't throw him out of bed, he's not what I would describe as "my type" (he is cute, though). Secondly, My hubby and have an understanding that we can only have sex out of wedlock with strangers (not someone either of us knows--typically while traveling), and that once the deed is done, we'll never see that person again (no keeping contact information, for example). With those guidelines, there's no need for jealousy.

That reminds me of one of the episodes on Drag Race México, when one of the queens confided in the other that he was pansexual. The other queen responded with "¿De verdad te gusta tanto el pan?" (Do you really enjoy bread that much?). 😄

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Thank you for your kind comments. He may have been rude, but at least he wasn't a liar. Here he is performing at the Magic Castle. Unlike what was suggested by another poster, the club doesn't perform for fellow magicians, but rather for the public. Any guest at the hotel, for example, can book a show at the castle. However, since the venue is small, non-hotel guests must be invited by a member. It's certainly expected that members will invite guests, as this is how the place makes money. Asking magicians, even casually for an invitation, is one of the primary ways they do business. If you ask Reddit how to get an invitation, some have even suggested bumping into someone at a magic store, for example. Casually asking a magician one has just met is apparently a common and accepted way to obtain an invitation. After all, they can't count on only the hotel guests. Go to the Magic Apple store in Studio City and ask. 8 u/botolo avatar botolo • 1y ago This! While they don’t have invites, I always found a magician there buying their stuff and they invited me. 9 u/mus3man42 avatar mus3man42 • 1y ago This is what I always say. Just go meet a magician! They’re not hard to find and they are often very friendly and charismatic people! Another response: Wise-Bee5966 • 1y ago Black Rabbit Rose Magic is the magic/jazz bar that the magicians perform and hang at as well, so if you go in the evening, usually on Thursdays, the magician will come to you and ask if you want to see a trick…or get an invite to the Magic Castle. So asking a magician, even one which one has merely bumped into at a store, is not considered gauche. I wouldn't be surprised if the magicians even get a cut on what the guests spend, though I don't suppose Day would have snapped at me if that were the case.