I had a strange encounter at the YMCA with a woman who is not a friend,merely a gym acquaintance. She was discussing her on again, off again relationship, when all of a sudden, she whips out her cell phone (I hate it when people lug their cell phone with them while they work out), and says, “look what Irv sent me.” Leading the sheltered life that I do, it at first resembled a Thanksgiving turkey, until I studied it (it took me awhile) and realized Irv, while apparently lying around stark naked, had decided to send off a picture of his pretty impressive erection to his, I’m guessing, on again ladylove. After the slide show (yes, there were a few of these) she assured me that “everyone” does this, and it’s not in the least unusual. I want to be open minded, and I think I am, but, geez, if that’s what you want to do, fine, but it should just be kept between the two of you. Nevertheless, I have never met Irv, but he’ll always hold a soft spot (so to speak) in my heart.

Thanks, Elaine, I needed to hear that. Stay warm…..

That’s so true!

Lucky you, Elaine. I have always said (jokingly, but I believe it) what if the love of my life is in New Zealand or somewhere where we would never get a chance to meet. How sad … well, maybe in another life.

I heard that interview, too, and I was just amazed that someone could be so deluded. She kept going on about how she would have been out of the business years ago without surgery. Has she looked in a mirror lately? I kept waiting for the interviewer to subtly ask her if she thinks you can take it too far, but he didn’t go there.

EKA ~~~ I think you have a new career ahead of you as a red carpet reporter! I did not get a chance to see the show, so thanks for the review.

Well, Carmel, I’m sorry to have had any part of this mud wrestling event. I guess it’s expected for women with passionate beliefs to have vastly different points of view, but this has all gotten so personal and junior high that I’m beginning to suffer from PTSD. I could just see certain groups of men reading through this s*** and high fiving one another that we didn’t end up with a woman president. And most of us are post menopausal, so we can’t blame PMS.

I feel exactly the same, Elaine. The past couple of days I have been either amazed or laughing at the hypocrisy of it all. Now, somehow, it’s o.k. to trash your religious beliefs because you don’t see a problem with the Obamas staying at a five star hotel for a couple of weeks. Truthfully, I hardly remember what the point of these threads were; it’s almost inconsequential at this point. I’m more interested in the absolute, one track tunnel vision of all these highly evolved women.

I am absolutely stunned by how low these women have sunk the past few days. Elaine, you did nothing but give your opinion on the subject of this thread, and somehow that gives this woman free rein to call you hateful and tell you you need help. And yesterday having to put up with really snarky comments on your photo and career. And all this being done by the so-called “anti-tacky, hateful, low-class contingent.” Hey, I’m starting to really respect white trash.

Marjorie, isn’t that the truth? I read “America’s Queen” last summer; a biography of Jackie. She pretty much made a deal with the devil by marrying JFK because she was looking for a rich husband, and a lot of her closest friends tried to change her mind because of his bad reputation. He made Bill Clinton look like an altar boy and she wanted out even before he became president, but father Kennedy made her feel it was her responsibility to stick with him. She was certainly a fascinating and classy woman, but most of her decisions seem to have been made with regard to money first and foremost.

And here I always thought that stood for “what would Jesus do?”

Just want to say thanks to you, Lucinda, for a simple voice of reason and sensibility. After reading through that AC thread, I was taken back in time and felt like I was in junior high again; with the popular cheerleader types picking on the last kids picked for volleyball or something. I mean, these are women who have, at times, intimidated me with their intellect, and facts and figures, actually insulting one another about their looks and age, etc. And the funniest part of this is that a certain woman who seems to feel she is the epitome of everything class and ladylike is the one slipping and sliding through the sleaze. I am definitely what she would call “low class and uneducated,” but I’m not stupid, and I’m sure that people living on Nob Hill, let alone precious Jackie O, would not go around mudslinging as she has done. But some things never change. The popular kid can say anything and get away with it, which would explain why her “low class” put down of Laura Bush is prominently displayed, minus the “Texas hick,” if I’m not mistaken. Life cracks me up.

Thanks for your reply, Lizzie. This morning I saw a leather coat that had been inadvertently slung over a chair for a day pretty much torn apart, and there she was, cuddled up on my bed looking at me with that sweet lion face. So I seriously think it’s time to just get her declawed before she gets any older. I have an older cat who is not declawed so I hope that doesn’t cause a problem; but thanks for telling me that it never bothered your guy.

Hi Lizzie ~~~ now I know why I get warm and fuzzy every time I see your little guy. I have a tabby cat and sort of inherited a main coon last year. She is the cutest thing ever, but so bad. She’s destroyed my furniture and is always looking for some kind of trouble to get into. This is the second year I didn’t put up a tree because I knew it would be a disaster. I have read that they’re really playful, but jeez. I’m seriously thinking about getting her declawed, even though I don’t really believe in it. What’s been your main coon experience?

You ladies are so incredibly lucky (not that you need me to tell you that.) I came home from work to find a message on the machine from my “husband,” telling me he’s going to a friend’s house to play poker and will see us tomorrow. That’s o.k., but I think it’s sad that I’ll probably never experience real love and companionship like so many of you women have. I’ll indulge in a little trip on the pity pot and then concentrate on all the blessings in my life. Onward 2009 (different year, same s***.)