Ok, let's bring each other up to date on what's been going on in our lives since this thread was started! Since Feb. '03, my life has been forever changed by a brief, but lovely, long-distance friendship/relationship. We have both since moved on, but we will both cherish the time we spent together. I have since had another grandson, been back to school, dropped out of school, gained 7 pounds, fallen in love/lust again, made some good changes and some not-so-good changes. I have a lot more gray hairs and have, overall, mellowed with age. I have learned, thanks to my dear friend, Michael, to not take things so seriously - we won't get out alive, anyway! I have learned to take rumors with a grain of salt, live my own life, and be happy with what I have. Since Michael came into my life, I have been able to give love as well as get love - to be loved, one has to love. I have learned to leave it all up to God - all things happen for a reason - things usually turn out for the best. I have come to realize that I am exactly where I am supposed to be in this life, at this moment, and to RELAX! OK, who will be next?

Bunnyman: Well, I lived in Michigan for about a year when I was 5. Does that count? :) Not really, I guess, because I then spent the next 13 years in central Ohio, and I still root for the Buckeyes! Not so easy to catch them on tv down here unless I drive into town and go to a sports bar. You'll hear plenty from me about Texas and herding. We had a gorgeous weekend last weekend -- it was sunny and in the low 80's. Generally not very remarkable for Texas in the spring time, but it rained for the 6 prior weekends, so people were starting to get a bit twitchy. :) Texans have *no* concept of cabin fever. I learned very quickly that the only people down here who know how to play board games (I'm a huge Trivial Pursuit fan), are non-natives. Of course, non-natives are the only ones who know how to drive when there's ice on the roads too. ;) Herding is starting to pick up. I teach/evaluate beginning herding dogs once a month for my club. Mostly I get suburbanites who just want to know if their dog has any instinct, but this past weekend I actually had a couple of people who had some livestock. While their dogs did not necessarily do better, they understood more of what I was trying to do with their dogs. The best one in the lot was a 5 month old Kelpie puppy. He's going to be awesome if his owner handles him right. CarrieB: What on earth is a Harm Reduction agency? I have never come across that term before. Glad to hear that the relationship is going well. So, now that I've rambled on a bit. What do you all do for fun?

Here's a fun game to play when it's a small group. Depending on how long you want the game to go on, give each person 5 pennies (or 10 for a longer game). Each person will take a turn saying something about themselves or some experience they had and put one penny into a container (bowl or small jar). The idea is to say something that most likely others in the group might not have experienced because the person that gets rid of all their pennies first wins! (BTW, we had a couple of cheap gifts for whoever won, but you don't have to.) For example, during your turn, if you say something like you were in the military and someone else has been as well that other person gets to put in one penny too. Hope I've explained it clearly. Just know that it's loads of fun and you get to know stuff about others that you never knew before.

No, Tinmantu, you are not wierd. You are very much like my brother. He is very polite and respectful to all people and he opens doors for everyone. I do the same thing. When I first started dating Robby, many moons ago, we were going into a restaurant. He was in front of me and opened the door to the restaurant. I heard a noise and looked back, but I kept walking and ran right into the CLOSED door! He didn't keep it open for me! He died laughing from the other side of the door, with greasy nose print on the glass. LOL I think it's just thoughtful and respectful to open doors for each other--a simple act of common courtesy. And it takes very little effort. Tardiness is a bad sign too. I'm always punctual and I hate having a date or meeting with someone and they're late. I have a friend who is constantly late for our lunch dates, so I rarely go to lunch with her anymore. I arrive on time and she's 30 minutes late. Did I mention phones? Mobile phones are good--for emergencies. But I hate to be out with someone and they're talking on the phone instead of being with me. It's just annoying. When I was growing up, if we had company and the phone rang, Mom would answer the phone. But she'd tell the other party, "I have company right now. Let me call you back later." Then she'd visit with her company and return the call when company had left. Tinmantu, and you other guys out there, what are turn offs for you when dating? Clue us gals in on some do's and don'ts. Casper