Gefelte Fish.... I just love saying it

Cheers... MORE WINE!!!

I'm not sure I understand all of that, but it sure has validity.

Thanks for the insight. Let me think on this a bit.





BTW, those are some of the most beautiful graphics I've seen!!

Wow JB,

You just scared the hell out of me.

You've looked into that window to my soul.

My, aren't we cheerful??

Boy do I hear that!!! Been through reems of paper and have a file a foot thick.

JB, I am not looking for a knight in shining armor to save me... that is not my way. I always have and still will stand on my own and don't need a man to validate me. I am diligently searching for new opportunities in the job market... daily... and it IS my main focus. But I would also like to meet someone with whom I can build a relationship and I fail to see why my current slump should have any bearing on that.

If a man can't accept me when the chips are down, then what confidence would I have in him (our relationship) if the chips are down again sometime in the future? I never have and do not ever intend to take money or financial assistance from a man in my life. But some warmth and affection and compassion would be a nice and welcome change. I would be there for my man if he were in that slump, so it's not too much to ask that a man overlook my temporary situation and see the beauty beyond that.

And as far as my saying I was a victim of circumstance, that is exactly what it is. That is not to say that I feel downtrodden or victimized... but it was not my choice to endure this fate. I will persevere. I would just like to meet someone who can recognize that and not judge me based on my current predicament. I've been single for a while now, and always focused on my career. Now that I have been forced to take a break from that career, I have much time on my hands and I feel the impact of what is missing in my life a little more.

THANK YOU to all those who have offered words of hope and encouragement. I truly appreciate it. I always have been and will continue to be strong, resourceful and a true survivor. It would just be nice to meet someone along the way.

Me personally, I click on "Maybe" when I feel I need more info about the person... profile is vague, or something they said needed more clarification in my book.

To me, it means, I'm interested, but need more info to consider a relationship.

Just look at how many people start out disliking each other and eventually come together and form a uniquely strong bond. First impressions can be wrong and not everyone has marketing talent, so we can't always base a life decision simply on a poorly written profile.

It's much like looking at a pool of water, we won't know what the temp is until we test the water. It may look refreshing and clean, but until we test the water, we won't know for sure.

JMO

Maybe we could just have a status like: "Single and Armed"? That might work.

I just need a hug...

I think the difference is that those of you who've been laid off are most likely drawing Unemployment benefits. I have been forced to appeal because of a stubborn boss who has a history of fighting every claim as though it were coming out of his own pocket. He has postponed the appeal hearing repeatedly.

I was laid off in May 3 weeks after signing a new lease. I found a job within 5 weeks, but was forced to quit due to a terribly abusive and micromanaging boss with a history of forcing people to quit. I oulasted all others in my position, but because I left voluntarily (because the stress was having negative health affects on me), I've been denied further benefits... That was in August.

I managed to keep my head above water until about October when things began to get out of hand. I had to move out of my newly rented home and now the landlord is suing me for breaking the lease.

Not having income has catapulted me into financial ruin and I believe that I've lost the lustre that usually attracted men to me... and that was the degree of my success and positive attitude, self-reliance and ability to succeed.

Those traits are still there, along with a good sense of humor. But I guess I just lack the financial foundation that once attracted them.

I am not needy or desperate, but I think they may fear that I am or soon will be. Perhaps because the economy is especially bad here in Florida, it seems harder to find guys who aren't teetering on the brink of ruin themselves. I don't know.

I met someone with whom I meshed well. We hit it off great and talked for hours everyday, usually by his calling me. We were set to meet next week and we had become so close and comfortable with each other that I felt I could be honest about my situation. I never asked for his help or money, or anything like that. And I often made light of things so as not to be a burden. It was nice that he seemed to understand and he was very compassionate.

Then today I got an email from him that said, I'll make this very short, you have tooooo much drama in your life and it would never work out. (He knows my situation is only temporary and I will be back on top when I can get a handle on things.) But he said he did not want me to call him or even respond to his email. He wished me well in my life and signed his name. Never made a comment about enjoying the time and conversations we did share. Never said he was sorry or even Goodbye.

I was shocked, to say the least, as I thought things were progressing well and was looking forward to meeting and actually having a small vacation away from the daily stress and problems.

Bubble burst... and I'm stunned.

It seems unfair that those of us who have baggage or drama in our lives through no fault of our own are being abandoned in the dating pool.

I have never really had baggage or drama in my life as I've always had a handle on things and moved on when life threw me a curve I couldn't catch. I'm a survivor and I don't drag the past into new relationships.

My situation is that I have been laid off from a fairly lucrative career position, and with our spiraling economy am having much difficulty getting back in to the employed status.

As a result, I have had to deal with what some may call "drama", as the ripple effect of losing my job has taken its toll on my financial stability and lifestyle.

What is unfair is that people like me still need love and companionship, maybe a little more now than ever. But it seems people don't want to be bothered with anyone who may have some temporary issues to deal with. I would never involve a person I was dating with my personal problems. I will get back on my feet, but it will take a little time -- perhaps longer now than any other time in my life due to the shape our country is in. But I wouldn't burden them with my problems, aside from maybe talking about it like two compassionate, caring human beings.

I have yet to meet any other human being who does not have some issues, problems, concerns, (whatever you wish to call them) that they are forced to deal with. It's called "LIFE".

It seems that those who do not wish to deal with this type of "drama" are expecting to find people who have it all together... I have yet to meet anyone who has not one single problem in his/her life.

This is not drama that I have clung to or brought on myself. I am a victim of circumstance. But my being honest about my situation seems to be a turn off to some. If I were to hide the issues or lie, I would then be labeled something much worse. So what is the solution?

Do I wait until my life is back on track (and remain feeling more isolated and alone) simply because others don't wish to deal with it?

I'm serious about this question. I understand being turned off by someone's self-inflicted drama, wallowing in self-pity, constantly complaining about it, etc. But I remain as upbeat and positive as I can. I try to poke fun and look at life with a sense of humor. So do I have baggage or drama? Or is it an acceptable version of it??? What are your thoughts without tearing me a new one???

Who said that? I didn't say that? It was the one-armed man... actually, that truly is a song... a very old song, but a song nevertheless.

Why do they keep saying I look like I'm holding an action figure?

"Cold as Ice" BTS

"Hotblooded" BTS

"My Dingaling" BTS

"Slow Hand" BTS


I'm on a roll... sorry it got away from me there.

Proceed.

"Hit me with your best shot" BTS

I've seen you in the threads here, Mark... and I like you... you are good people. Too bad you are so far away.

I guess we gals could say, "Love is an excuse for guys to expect sex on the first date, and some without so much as a cup of coffee on the date... lets just go to your place or mine... or do it in the car."

Even though either statement may be true of some of the more shallow individuals, it does not speak for the norm... so it is unfair and rather obnoxious to make such a statement about "Men" or "Women"... or as you so sleezily call them, "chicks".