CuriousByNature

I hope you're not suggesting that people who become actors/actresses in adult entertainment do so to support pre-existing addictions, and that the alternative would be a violent life of crime.

The year his grandparents got married? ?

Glad you had such a great time! Solo travel is so liberating

I'm not sure, but perhaps the second shot is more of a booster? Some studies indicate that a second shot may not be needed for those who already had covid antibodies, so in those cases the first shot acts as a booster. But I don't know if those studies have been peer-reviewed.

Parts of Canada are spreading them by 90+ days to ensure the highest number of people get their first shot as soon as possible. I understand that Pfizer provides 92% protection after the first, and the second raises that modestly to 94%, so that plan makes sense to me. We haven't had the same access to the vaccine as the US, with supply problems and logistical challenges.

Exactly!

I find this really sad... hopefully he gets on a better track.

That's very kind of you to say, and I appreciate it. However, I've never started looking, and have grown quite accustomed to being alone and not anticipating any romantic connections. It's not a bad thing, just different from most people's experience. I have wondered what it might be like to experience that level of connection, but thinking of myself in any type of romantic relationship is like thinking of myself as being from another planet - a completely foreign concept.

Mine were married for 43 years, and I think it was codependence rather than love that held the marriage together. My mother was a dominant and self-centred person, while my father was bitter and angry. Nevertheless my siblings each got married, and seemingly happily. But I knew at an early age that I did not want to end up in a similar situation as my parents, so never went down any route that could potentially lead to courtship, dating or eventually marriage. This wasn't difficult because from an early age I was taught that I was nothing special, so when my friends were all starting to date, I had already concluded that nobody would be interested, and the fear of rejection and humiliation paralyzed me. I often wonder if my parents had been more loving with each other, whether or not my own view of marriage might have been different. Other traumas certainly had an effect on shaping my solitary existence, but perhaps things could have been different. Anyway, time cannot be turned back.

I've always considered ice cream to be a balm that can soothe many aches.

Both incidents were uncalled-for and unnecessary. The first seems to be an attempt to inflict pain by hitting a person where it would generally hurt the most. The second seems to be an example of the lack of respect many younger people seem to demonstrate these days. People who were taught by their parents to freely express themselves without having an awareness for anyone but themselves. Self-centred spoiled brats.

Reminds me of one of Cliff Claven's little known 'factoids' on Cheers - that the Minute Men were very small individuals and the word 'minute' had been mispronounced as the word for 60 seconds, rather than the word for tiny...

Norwegian is a mid-range cruise line that has freestyle cruising where you don't need to wear dressy clothes and it's open seating if you wish. Some higher-end lines like Azamara only require 'resort casual' at dinner, if I'm not mistaken. I try to travel outside of holiday times to avoid kids everywhere, but most lines have kid's clubs and activities that keep the rugrats from getting under foot.

Yes, Azamara is highly-rated. I haven't done one yet because I have to pay more than the regular fare as a solo traveler, and haven't been willing to splurge on a luxury line. I think it is owned by Celebrity, which I have done before. Awesome food on Celebrity, and they have just started including gratuities, alcohol, and internet in their cruise fares.

They can be good - haven't done a Mediterranean one yet.

L Lots of cruise lines stop in Livorno for excursions to Florence and other parts of Tuscany. Its less than 60 miles from Livorno to Florence, so an easy tour bus ride away for thousands of excited cruisers.

As I said, complete assholes. Lol.

Even though I am Canadian, I absolutely hate Canada geese. They are loud, obnoxious, ill-tempered and messy. I have been chased by one on several occassions. They aren't very 'Canadian' in character or temperment...lol. They're complete assholes and should have been named Demon geese.

All that before the first courses arrived? Yikes!

That would be an abomination! Lol.

Nothing like a good English brekkie... especially the black pudding and fried mushrooms IMHO.

No need to pivot - always appreciate the feedback

I should mention that I once grew an heirloom tomato, but strangely enough, it didn't last long enough for me to bequeath it to anyone in my Will. ?

No one is suggesting that sex can be made 100% risk free, or that a person shouldn't engage in such activities unless it is 100% risk free. It's about mitigating that risk to a level that is comfortable for the individual and their partner. For some, it may be intercourse with no protection whatsoever, while for others it may be abstinance. It ultimately comes down to finding the most appropriate balance between the value a person places on sex, and the level of risk they are willing to assume.

I knew a family who used to visit Gisborne quite often. Is it a nice place, that you know of?