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Dogdoc
Member
09-29-2001
| Monday, May 29, 2006 - 2:33 pm
I want to confess what I did today. I went up early to the parade route to get a good spot for the Memorial Day parade. As I was walking, there was a man walking in front of me smoking a cigarette and he was holding it down. The smoke kept blowing back on me. I kept thinking that I wished he weren't there. I started walking faster so I could pass him. I got my chance when he stopped to talk to some people. With relief, I went around him and saw the front of his jacket. He was a Viet Nam vet. I feel bad now that all I saw was a cigarette and not a fellow human, one who I was supposed to be honoring today. Thank you to all you veterans and military service personell.
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Newman
Member
09-25-2004
| Monday, May 29, 2006 - 3:14 pm
Did he then throw the cigarette butt on our beautiful ground, treating it like his own personal garbage dump? Stick to your first thought, Dogdoc. Smoking is a repulsive habit, stupid, expensive, and it harms others. I don't care if it was Abraham Lincoln walking in front of me smkoking, or Jesus Christ, or Buddha... When I'm driving and people are smoking in the car in front of me, and then they throw out their butt onto the street, I want so badly to blare my horn. But I figure they probably have a gun inside their car and might go school yard on me; so I just steam and stew and return to Al Franken or Big Eddie Schultz...
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Chewpito
Member
01-04-2004
| Monday, May 29, 2006 - 3:14 pm
thanks for sharing that Dogdoc, Ive done simular things- and kicked my self later.. But I will say-- cig smoke is not my favorite eather so I can understand how you felt. How was the parade..here, where we live we have a small parade and a "speaking by vets" at the cemetary...very moving.
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Slinkydog
Member
11-30-2005
| Monday, May 29, 2006 - 4:44 pm
I love that Newman, the mailman, calls it going "school yard" instead of going "postal."
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Dogdoc
Member
09-29-2001
| Monday, May 29, 2006 - 5:23 pm
Chewpito, the parade was good. The memorial service afterwards was kind of strange. There was a 15 minute tribute that wasn't listed in the program to some couple.I still have no idea who the people were. Our state senator then gave a moving tribute to the armed services and it was followed by a wreath laying, Amazing Grace by a bagpiper, a gun salute and taps.
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Brenda1966
Member
07-03-2002
| Monday, May 29, 2006 - 6:06 pm
Glad to see this thread picking up steam again. I think we are all thrilled when people think like we do, understand why we feel some way, and really "get it". It is frustrating when people process the same information but come out with a different conclusion. I just expect it to be this way. Then, when they DO agree with me, it is a pleasant surprise! Then I can conclude that they are as smart as me. LOL. I have no problem doing things alone as well. Actually sometimes I prefer to. Recently went to the museum with my sister to see Body Worlds and she rushed right through and I felt like I had to rush through as well. I would have liked to go at my own pace. I like going to the movies by myself -- I get to pick the film, sit where I want, and I don't have to worry about someone trying to talk to me during the film. But I have had lonely times in my life and I found that I just had to get out there, take classes, invite myself along to things, and eventually I found myself back in the swing of things.
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Newman
Member
09-25-2004
| Monday, May 29, 2006 - 6:20 pm
Slinky, I'm glad you caught that. Since Columbine I've been trying to shift the phrase away from "going postal". Brenda, how was that Body Works exhibit? I hate being rushed at a museum. The last time was when I visited Dallas and my older son and naturally wanted to see Dealy Plaza where JFK was murdered. I wanted to read everything, take in the atmosphere, it was November too, and try to imagine what it must have been like. My son wanted out of there! Bored. I know what you mean about movies. When I go with my group my pal always wants to talk to me, as if we're in his living room or something. Once in awhile is ok, but... However, I do like the group chatter afterwards. That's where I don't mind hearing views other than mine. I might have missed something or someone might have a different take on the same scene.
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Yesitsme
Member
08-24-2004
| Monday, May 29, 2006 - 6:20 pm
Well, I went to visit my parents all by myself this weekend. I usually go there by myself, though, because it's just easier than having to be concerned with someone else's good time (I think I have said before that I tend to be a selfish vacationer.) They live at the beach and my mom, who has never lived by hersef or spent much time at all by herself, is always mystified (and I think a bit horrified) that I go out to the beach alone. I love that time....this weekend I walked about an hour and a half on the beach each morning, then would lay on the beach reading, watching people and listening to the waves. I'd go back to my parent's house for lunch, and let my mom spoil me with great food. One night I drove about an hour and a half a way to my college roommate's parent's house....she and her husband were visiting. Her mom fixed all of our favorites (and I mean all.) Then last night I met other friends for dinner halfway between their place and my parent's (abut 45 minutes.) I had a great time. I enjoy going to movies by myself. I have been there several times where I was the only one in the theatre and I especially love that. Makes me feel like I am getting a private screening. I always wonder if they would have still run the movie if I hadn't been there...it seems like they run it regardless. I will say, though, that I have on occasion felt awkward if a lot of people are around and I am there by myself. At least, if anyone I know sees me. I hate that about myself. Oh, and Newman, I bought your shoes for you. I will have to wear them for you, though, because they are cute black high heeled sandals that are also very comfortable. A real find. And I have more than four other pairs of sandals, but still...I needed them.
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Monday, May 29, 2006 - 6:40 pm
Yes, I once confirmed that they do run the movie even if no tickets are sold for that screening. I was at a huge place on a slow drowsy weekday, went to a movie and then wandered into another one and was the only one there. And my ticket wasn't for that movie, and I did wonder, but it showed. It is all computer driven it seems. At that place even the employees would admit that the only time they care that much about you having the ticket for an exact movie is when they are first run and popular, then they sell out, or close, and they do check the tickets, but otherwise if you stay in the theatre longer you are more likely to spend money on food and they make good money on the food. Of course other theatres feel differently. I certainly prefer no chatter with a movie although I used to go to lots of movies with a friend (and sometimes one or both of her daughters) and they were all multilingual and sometimes they'd be laughing at the bad subtitles and be able to explain something (they were Romanian, spoke Romanian, French, Italian, understood Spanish, Russian, Czech... These days since I pay for cable and premium channels, I pretty much wait for movies to show up there.
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Jeep
Member
10-17-2001
| Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 6:25 am
It's good to see everyone back here again! Sorry to see you're so down, Newman. I didn't do so well myself this weekend. I wish I could just shake everything off, but it's hard. I took Friday off work to make a long holiday and get some things done around the house. Pffft! Dream land. The memorial place called and said they had engraved the date of death on mom's headstone (downer #1) so I drove by to make sure it was OK. My Dad died May 30th (downer #2) seven years ago, so not much of a holiday for me. I put new flowers and flags in the vases for them both. And the 29th was the ex's 49th birthday (downer #3). It's hard to forget dates when they've been stored in your mind for so long. So, for most of the weekend, I just moped around the house and the only person I talked to was my brother, once. I did watch the final episode of Lost that I had taped earlier. I turned down an invite to a birthday dinner on Saturday. Didn't want to do the make-up and dress-up things. It was at a fancy place. So, my living room didn't get painted, the weeds are taking over my flower beds and brick walk-ways and the cats got to kill a mouse that came into the family room (they loved it) because I didn't re-set the traps in the garage (I hate doing that). Being alone can sometimes suck big time. Geesh! I think I need a swift kick......
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 6:29 am
<kick>
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 7:42 am
Being alone can sometimes suck big time. Sometimes, yes. Other times, I am SO glad I'm alone! I can take off the old bra (I wear breast prostheses after bilateral mastectomies), and sit here all flat-chested and comfortable. Those prostheses are HOT! I understand your difficulties with the dates and the yearly reminders of unpleasant things. My father passed on May 10, 1988 and on the 4th of July that same year, my Grandmother passed. The 4th used to be one of my favorite holidays, but it is a yearly reminder of losing her. When she passed, my mother put a memorial in the local newspaper saying that the 4th of July was so very fitting for my Grandmother...she was very independent, and also a real firecracker! I try to remember that and enjoy the fireworks. I know that wherever she is, she is wanting me/us to enjoy our lives.
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Brenda1966
Member
07-03-2002
| Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 9:21 am
Newman, I recommend Body Worlds -- it's really interesting and amazing and with how active you are and into being healthy and fit, I think you'd enjoy it. Go alone so you can take your time. LOL. I was lucky enough to tour Dealy Plaza by myself on a business trip. It was so surreal being in a place I had studied in school and seen on TV so many times. I was glad I was able to take my time. "selfish vacationer" that describes me as well Yesitsme. Once I started taking short business trips for work in my early 20's I realized just how fun it was to play tourist by myself and do exactly what I wanted to do.
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Jeep
Member
10-17-2001
| Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 10:09 am
Ouch! Mocha, good kick! Hukd, it's a curse (sometimes) to have a good memory. It's served me well in my work, but it also keeps me from forgetting all the bad stuff, too. That's a nice story about the 4th of July. I've always said it was fitting for dad to die on Memorial Day. He was so proud of his service in WWII. I wish he had lived long enough to go see the memorial in DC. He would have loved it and would have talked the ears off any other vet that would listen LOL! And I don't have your problem with the prostheses (so far all benign), but I don't like bras either. So, being alone now means I can take it all off, throw on an oversized t-shirt and let it all hang down to where ever! And just pray the doorbell doesn't ring. It'll be my luck the man of my dreams will show up at my door on the day I'm in my t-shirt with no makeup on while I'm scooping out the cat litter. He'll run screaming from the door........
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 10:15 am
Rofl!!!
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Native_texan
Member
08-24-2004
| Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 11:31 am
I actually prefer going places by myself. I can take my time, come and go as I please and I don't have to worry about someone else. This past weekend, my son and I went to Port Arthur for my niece's wedding on Saturday. Sunday morning I woke up and decided I would take Travis to the Johnson Space Center in Houston on our way home. Then we stopped at Sam Houston's statue and dawdled there. We were able to do just what we wanted without having to worry about anyone else. What I would really like is to take a vacation somewhere by myself.
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Yankee_in_ca
Member
08-01-2000
| Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 11:51 am
Some of the convo here brings me to one of my favorite Cowboy Junkies songs, "Sun Comes Up, It's Tuesday Morning." I LOVE how the song blends the melancholy of finding yourself ALONE with the new-found pleasure of being FREE. In my experience, a realistic double-edged sword. I've bolded my favorite lines, and excerpted the song down a bit for length. Sun comes up, it's Tuesday morning hits me straight in the eye guess you forgot to close the blind last night Oh, that's right, I forgot, it was me I sure do miss the smell of black coffee in the morning, the sound of water splashing all over the bathroom, the kiss that you would give me even though I was sleeping, but I kind of like the feel of this extra few feet in my bed Telephone rings but I don't answer it Cause everybody knows, good news always sleeps till noon [...] Lunchtime. I start to dial your number then I remember so I reach for something to smoke and anyways I'd rather listen to Coltrane than go through all that shit again There's something about an afternoon spent doing nothing Just listening to records and watching the sun falling Thinking of things that don't have to add up to something and this spell won't be broken by the sound of keys scraping in the lock Maybe tonight it's a movie with plenty of room for elbows and knees a bag of popcorn all to myself, black and white with a strong female lead and if I don't like it, no debate, I'll leave Here comes that feeling that I'd forgotten how strange these streets feel when you're alone on them Each pair of eyes just filled with suggestion So I lower my head, make a beeline for home Seething inside Funny, I'd never noticed the sound the streetcars make as they pass my window Which reminds me that I forgot to close the blind again Yeah, sure I'll admit there are times when I miss you Especially like now when I need someone to hold me but there are some things that can never be forgiven and I just gotta tell you that I kinda like this extra few feet in my bed
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 11:58 am
I like that Yanks.
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Glenn
Member
07-05-2003
| Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 9:25 pm
I like a extra two feet in my bed. It had to be a special extra two feet. It took time and it took effort. Nothing comes easy and you have to earn what you receive. Everything has a price. Patience and perserverance goes a long way.
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Zachsmom
Member
07-13-2000
| Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 9:38 pm
I take my bra off whether I am home alone or not!
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 9:49 pm
Must be yours don't hang low, wobble to and fro, and you can't tie 'em in a knot or tie 'em in a bow... I don't have any, and it's just embarrassing to be answering the door and having the eyes jump right down to my flatness 
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Baby
Member
01-08-2006
| Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 10:00 pm
Well, Huk, you can still have a large and ample chest and after a certain age, everything can go totally flat, too! And then there would be nothing but good old flatness!!! At least you don't have to deal with the backaches from all of the weight!!! (I would put a smily face here but can't cause of webtv. So just pretend it is here)
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Chewpito
Member
01-04-2004
| Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 10:03 pm
well ive had flatness all my life and have never wanted big ones.. and I hate bras, never wear one- but really dont need one eather. How long since your breast cancer Huk, my sister inlaw is 5yrs cancer free,she also lost both breasts and it was such a hard time.. she is doing fine now but takes so much medication because of what all the chemo and treatment she recieved did to other parts of her body... Im happy to here your doing well not knowing that you had gone thru all of that.. You allways seem so happy and fun that I think you must be doing great.
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Zachsmom
Member
07-13-2000
| Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 10:07 pm
Huk, I am an A almost B. Always have been. I was stoked when I was pregnant and bought my first C bra. Then the milk came in and I went to a size D!!!! I wore a bra (one size smaller) every second of the day for 6 months. Now, they are not as perky as they used to be, but being a size A almost B you really cannot sag too much. I don't think? I don't notice any difference through the years.
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 3:38 am
It has been a bit over 5 years since my breast cancer. I AM a happy person, Chew! I actually only cried when I first got the phone call. After that...it was, "what do I need to do to get better?" The second breast had a number of suspicious lumps as well, but biopsies didn't reveal cancer as in the other side. I made the "brave" (according to my oncologist) decision to have that breast removed as well. I just didn't want any chance of having it have hidden cancer that they just didn't reach with biopsies, and told them "well, if I don't have a breast there, I can't get breast cancer, right?" I did have to fight with the insurance company and then they sent me to a psychiatrist to verify that I knew clearly what I was doing. I have NO regrets about getting rid of a lumpy, possibly cancer filled boob. I'd rather have both sides flat and healthy! I've also had my thyroid removed and currently have T-cell lymphoma (which was supposed to kill me by 1999). So much for cancer! I am a firm believer in putting a diagnosis in it's rightful place and moving forward. When I was first diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma in 1996, I told the MD's at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo (it's one of the top 10 cancer centers in the country) that I wanted to hit it hard. I self-injected interferon for 3 years. It has been in sort of a remission since then and I currently have no treatment whatsoever. I think we are all given challenges while we're here on earth, and it is our job to make good choices about what we're going to do about them. Our "reward" is good health and our responsibility is to do good with what we've learned. I can't even tell you how many patients were referred to me by various doctors who told me that my attitude amazed them and is probably the reason I keep beating everything. Lots of women have talked to me and want to know my "secret" for surviving. It is really difficult to explain to people what just comes naturally to me. Fight, fight, fight, and be informed about all of your choices. You are your ONLY advocate, and in the end, it is just you and God or whatever higher power you believe in. Doctors, family, and friends, are there with you of course, but the ultimate decisions are made between you and your higher power. Cool...
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