Phillipe

I think this is a fantastic philosophy - so true, so bitingly true. If You Don't Cry by The Magnetic Fields If you don't cry, it isn't love If you don't cry, then you just don't feel it deep enough Dying all day in thousands of little ways dancing alone and drinking a lot closing the clubs and haunting the cabarets looking for what? Another five years off your life.

You've got great stuff, Claire. And yeah - this is me, being serious.

One can only hope...

Personally I believe that words only have the power you grant to them. I feel that I am not responsible for how you interpret what I say; I do not, except in cases of close friends and loved ones, really care how you interpret them; and I am too busy living my life to worry much about misinterpretations. Of course, this also hails back in part to issues of self-esteem and one of the current buzzwords, "empowerment". That being said, yes, words can have untold power - if you let them. As a writer, I could not say otherwise. But often I find that instead of taking the meaning of a word or phrase at face value, especially in a place like this, I should look deeper and find the intent of the speaker/writer. It sounds like a good plan, but it isn't always easy - sort of a work-in-progress.

Said the man, "Oh, dear puss..."

Yes, no restrictions Yes, no restrictions Yes Of course there will always be circumstances that would move me to, say, try to save the life of a suicide attempt, or attempt to talk a loved one into seeking counseling. But generally we are able to do whatever we wish as long as the repercussions of the action do not effect others - which is fairly tough to pull off, if you think about it - everything we do creates ripples...

Having been in East LA for a few months, I can appreciate it. Nicely done, Q!

I agree totally with Samuron's replies. The tough part I think is getting away from that group-think energy - not letting it sway your decisions. It often means becoming an outcast in your town, church, clique, etc. but I still see it as being worth it. It's your body, your child and your life - do what you have to do to preserve them all, and just ignore the ones carrying those tacky banners all around...

Very true. My ex- had our first child "naturally" - as natural as being in a hospital can be. Actually, that was the plan...like Bill Cosby once said, when I told her to breathe, she grabbed my lower lip and pulled it over my head... Second one was turning like a Ferris wheel, so she (we) elected C-section. Both times, I bowed to her wishes. It was HER pain; SHE was the judge of what was too much. "But...but...honey! I DID cut the cord!!!"

I guess it's all perception - I never saw childbearing as an act of "convenience"...

Sorry - out of synch today - I added a comment to my last reply.

...and I've yet to see a woman who understands what it's like to carry around "lower luggage" all day - but that's just women - they wouldn't understand... Yes, I get what you're saying, but a fairly competent mind can often imagine what something is like without actually experiencing it. Not always...but often...

"You're a man, so you wouldn't understand"? Isn't that kind of stereotyping an entire gender? If I said "You're a woman, you wouldn't understand", the PC'ers would be all over me! Love the quote!

Wow - talk about sexist roles... I enjoyed it, BTW.

Beautifully wrought and delivered, my Queen! And, Preacher Bob is quite correct - who cares?

And my apologies for not inquiring as to the audience you had in mind. I made the mother of all mess-ups - I assumed.

No, I think your consideration is yours and yours alone - whatever we say here is ultimately meaningless when compared to one's own thoughts and views. As Samadhi said, "If you plant fear, fear will grow. If you plant confidence, confidence will grow..". The world can be a nasty place, but it can also be a beautiful one - it's all in your perception. MY perception tends to be darker than many but not as dark as some. I've been through many rotten times, yet I'm still capable of being...hopeful, I suppose you'd call it. Leaving life is easy - staying and making a difference is hard. How do you want to be remembered?

Nice! Dark and well-done, just the way I like them!

Ooh - thanks. The same could be said of in-laws, politicians and religious leaders...

I always thought the ultimate purpose of a conventional donut was to illustrate the circularity of the universe, coupled of course with the Zen-like emptiness at the center. The glaze offers us a look at the illusory coatings of happiness that we attempt to slather onto our lives while the creme-filled-center varieties endeavor to fill that central void with saccharine substitutes, all the while avoiding the TRUE nature of the universe. A choice...a choice...old-school donut or cutting-edge cruller? Upon entering the humble yet provocative pastry emporium, our heads reel with the smells and sights offered up. Only through self-discipline and knowledge of one's Path can one ever hope to steer a steady course through the wasteland that is Donut. In the end? Enlightenment. The final burst of gooey filling, achieved only long after the outer substance of the donut has been conquered, mirrors the sudden elevation of consciousness that comes only after prolonged and often-painful self-denial and introspection. ... ...or maybe not.

...and oh, does she ever churn...

:lol: No, I got rid of the wife. ...she was stealing all my donuts.

Depends on the donut, I would think... A lot of people in these parts go ga-ga for Krispy Kremes. Personally, I think they're too much of a good thing. Overpowering. Dunkin Donuts is alright, I suppose. Forget most pre-packaged brands - a donut isn't a donut unless it's fresh. I prefer fresh croissants, which my maid then proceeds to slather with fresh-churned butter.

Sorry, folks - it begged to be done...

Mmmmm-mmmm! Guess what I'M having for breakfast today...