I am(among other things, Irish-American...to my knowledge, I should say, because we are weirdo Irish-Americans who do not know what part of the Emerald Isle spawned us...which is so rare in my experience that there might be something odd about it.) But I'm also a sick fucker, too.

{{{Shir}}}

In my opinion, while you're still financially dependant on your parents you sometimes have to compromise your ideals (like remaining closeted if they'd disown you if they found out you're gay.)

Oh Shir, I cannot even imagine.

One of my dearest friends growing up had a major change of heart between our youth and now and lives on a settlement. We never discuss it and it STILL hangs in the air. I cannot begin to fathom what you must be going through.

How much longer do you think you'll live with your folks? Is it an "until graduation" kind of thing?

Thanks, all.

How much longer do you think you'll live with your folks? Is it an "until graduation" kind of thing?

Yeah. I'm planning studying for M.A. abroad.

I just really, really hope that another option which won't include living in a settlement will come up, and FAST.

My remember reading, or hearing in one of my family education classes that Ireland has the highest rate of mental illness of any Western nation. I'd have to research the souce.

I don't think it's because of my Irish heritage

Honestly, I don't either but it does, unfortunately, fit into some widely held stereotypes. I guess it just makes me sad in general, much less in the ways that my family has been viewed by others in the past.

But, you know, congrats on the non-mental illenss having.

Wow. I sincerely hope you did not take my comment personally Nora. That could not possibly have been further from my intent and it would be pretty rich, for ME to snark about mental illness or addiction. My comment came from a 'there but for the grace go I' place. It could so easily be me and I have tremendous compassion (and no small amount of educational and professional understanding) of both.

{{{Shir}}}

Oh Shir, how awful. This is one of those 'life challenges' that boggles the mind. Living with conviction and 'real world constraints' can be so, very difficult.

I'll pray for that third option coming your way soon and for peace of mind that, whatever the outcome, the purity of your heart will not be compromised by your external requirements.

{{{ Shir }}} That is not an easy thing. I have no real advice to offer, as my knowledge of the situation is passing at best. So I offer a suggestion with tongue in cheek. Tell your dad that you, as a left leaning person, can not abide by that, and in protest, are moving to Dallas, TX! Since your father associates this city with a single November day in 1963, let him leap to conclusions. {{{ Shir }}}

As for lineage. Non royal that I'm aware of, even though I have Kingly Names (Brian was the first king of Ireland, and there were a ton of King Charles all over the place). But on my mothers, fathers, mothers, mothers, mothers, etc-maternal sides of the tree, Antonín Dvořák was a grandfather.

On my fathers side of the family, his mothers side, there is a town & lake in upstate NY near the Canadian border that is the family name. It being on the maternal sides a few generations back, I forget what it is.

A little closer to my generation, both my Grandfathers had interesting moments in history. My mothers father played for the Philadelphia Eagles in their second season. Nose Guard. No pads. Leather helmet (optional). My fathers father was a rum runner during prohibition. Worked for the mob, driving through the (then) backwoods of NY to get the booze to the city. After the repeal, he kept the liquor contacts and opened a liquor store.

As for colleges. I wasn't the first to go, but am the only in the family to have a Masters Degree! Woot. Which means I had student debt for longer than anyone else in my family.

{{Shir}}. That is awful. I would say if you are financial dependent on your parents you are not responsible for where you live. You'll live there while you have to and move out as soon as practical and hopefully find a way to not beat yourself up over it.

Oh, if I could COMM a non-Buffista. A friend Facebook Status from last night:

Don't get me wrong, I really like Obama. But watching Congressional addresses always makes me think of two things as they do that stand up/sit down thing: Catholic Mass and Whack-a-mole.