The Girl is still grumpy about my online picture apparently not looking anything like me.

I'll be writing a paper on photography, and attachment of value/truth to the final product. All this to say: pictures are really, really tricky, and there's a good reason why we "don't look like ourselves".

Congrats on soon-to-be new nephew, sj!

In the meanwhile, I talked with some good, funny, intelligent people. I feel like wanting to be alive, again.

And some empathy to Sean. Not that I can relate, but still, it's some sort of empathy, or something I can't really put to words now.

Catching up:

Some of these discussions - Jon and Kate, for example - make me glad I don't have cable.

Yay for askye! (just a little advice - if you do decide to get married in Florida check the calendar; don't schedule a wedding at spring break time. Also inquire about other things going on in the area - my friend (who, Nora will be glad to hear, was half-joking about collecting on all the weddings and showers she's attended) once spent her vacation on Key West trying to avoid the filming of Girls Gone Wild).

I've never tried any of the online dating sites ... not sure if I'm too wary of what kind of people I might come across online or what.

Mini Meara

Of course, I look at the history of marriage, and know, it is a legal contract to pass along things to heirs. Used to unite in peace warring families/towns/kingdoms. Days of the dowry have slipped away in 1st world countries (afaik). And slowly marriage has turned into a thing of love, not property.

I hear this all the time, and I'm sure it is to some extent true. But it really sounds like an upper or middle (to the extent that there was a middle) class approach. Your average peasant (i.e. the bulk of the world) didn't have much in the way of propterty, etc. to worry about. I suspect that in large swaths of the world young people have always followed their hearts/nads, paired up, and raised families.

Why on earth did they agree to do this in front of the cameras?

They think they matter THAT MUCH. It's like movie stars or musicians prattling on about politics or alternative health cures. Sure some of them have causes they'd be devoted to even if they were working at Micky Ds, but most of them are pretty sure that if there is a microphone near them and they have an opionion then everyone should hear it. Which isn't really that different then all of us opining on a posting board -- but I don't think we have any illusions that its important that we do so. Well, not many.

Some of these discussions - Jon and Kate, for example - make me glad I don't have cable.

I have cable, but fortunately not enough time to be tempted to tune in.

On-line dating options weren't around when I was dating. In theory it sounds good to me. I found my mates the old fashioned way. In school, at parties.

Shit I Didn't Say:

"Is it poor socialization, Asperger's, or are you just an asshole?"

From eons ago, my father went to Mickve Israel (the Gothic synagogue in Savannah) while growing up, and my grandmother was a docent for years. I dunno about the church story, I might have to ask. (3rd oldest reform congregation in the US, btw).

I've had okay results with Match, although whether you agree with that may depend on your opinion of KBD. Heck, my opinion of him is in flux.

Yay for askye and SLNRLBF!

Uh-oh, Steph. How are you feeling today, BTW?

who, Nora will be glad to hear, was half-joking about collecting on all the weddings and showers she's attended

Heh. I am sure she was, if she is a friend of yours. Sadly, I hear that kind of talk in all seriousness.

Ugh, I stupidly got sunburned on my back on Monday. I thought I sprayed on sunscreen, but I didn't pay that much attention. Now, I've got some sort of rash spreading on my front/non-burned half.

Yay, askye!!!

Nervous today...should hear back from a job interview that I really really want. Feeling very anxious.

Stephanie, when my skin has been irritated by something (like poison ivy) I'll sometimes get a random contact dermatitis rash somewhere else (usually on my belly).