I found a crow's foot around my right eye.

[xmas74]

I cried for a little bit(and didn't care when a customer saw me do it). I then called my best friend, waking up both her and her husband. She swears it's from stress and lack of sleep. She also says that maybe if I can get a day off we can get rid of my dark circles and undereye puffiness (which was there before the crying jag).
Two days ago I find another white streak in my hair and now this! This sucks!

[Wetzelbill]

1. awwww I'm sure you're a beautiful woman

So were you born on xmas 1974? I've always been curious at that.

Anyway, I get gray hairs once in a while. I just pluck them, lol. Since I've started to relax more they haven't come back. :)

You'll be fine though, just try to not get stressed out and sleep more, that's what's doing it. Your friend is right. :)

[xmas74]

2. I can't sleep very well-there isn't enough time.

I work two jobs right now and one of the jobs is increasing my hours. I got exactly one hour of sleep today before my daughter woke up (I work all night).
As to my name: I was due on Xmas 74 but was actually born 2 days later. xmas74 is a little bit catchier than December 27,1974.
And the hair: it's not a simple grey hair (I can get rid of that). It looks more like a skunk streak. Remember in the movie The Sixth Sense the little boy had a streak of white in his hair? It looks like that. It's the second one to appear in 4 months. It showed up overnight, just out of nowhere. And I know from experience w/ the first one that you really can't dye them (they eat all the dye, look much lighter than the rest of your hair and about a week later that streak is white all over again).
I'm just really frustrated right now. I never should have looked in the mirror tonight.

[Wetzelbill]

5. damn that's tough

having to work so hard. You do have to find some way to relax though. It's no use putting yourself through all that stress when you have a family that needs you. Just do try your best to take a little time for yourself, ok? A good thing to do, and I learned this as an athlete, is to try to seize rest opportunities, it sounds weird I know. But, in order for your body to recover from stress, in my case the stress of an athlete which is very hard on your body, it has to find rest and recovery time. So, what I would do, is just close my eyes and relax here and there. Even if you go on a bathroom break, sit down and zonk out for two minutes if you can. Try to eat lunch relatively quickly and kick back for a minute or two. When you wake up in the morning grab your coffee or whatever and try to sit down for two minutes just to enjoy yourself and relax. Find something everyday to enjoy. Even something little. If it's taking a few minutes to read to your daughter or something so be it, just find a moment or two to be happy just for yourself. It all sounds odd but it will do wonders. I promise.

BTW, I was born right around Thanksgiving 1974, so I got you by a month -November 25 - and I guarantee that you look better than me anyday. :) Take care and just try to think about what I said. :)

[xmas74]

7. I'm trying to find some time.

I'm just tired of these 16 hour work days that they are nailing me w/ right now.

And it sounds like between me, you and Beastman 1974 was a good year.

[Wetzelbill]

9. it sure was

:)

[xmas74]

17. Well, Nixon left office.

That had to have made it a very good year (though we both missed it by a couple of months).

[Wetzelbill]

23. yup, by a few

I just missed history dammit. Not that I'd remember it. :)

[xmas74]

116. Neither would I

but at least I can say that something happened the year I was born.

[Mutley]

20. 1979 was better

:P

[Wetzelbill]

22. Psh... yeah the Iranian Revolution and Soviets invaded Afghanistan

and Mutley was born. Big deal.:P

Although, you are adorable. :)

[Robeson]

26. In retrospect, we should have let the Soviets taken Afghanistan....

...because if they did, we might not have to be dealing with a little thing of our creation....Al Qaeda.

It reminds me of the movie "Three Days of the Condor" when John Houseman said, and I paraphrase, "It was at least a lot simpler then", in reference to knowing who your enemies were, and weren't.

[Wetzelbill]

28. great movie

I love that film.

[Mutley]

27. Hey, me being born more than makes up for all the bad things that happened

that year. And yes, I am adorable. :D Plus, 1979 has it's own song! I don't know any songs about 1974. :P

[Wetzelbill]

29. hey I agree

:)

[Mutley]

30. Are you online all night?

Weird hours.

[Wetzelbill]

31. yup, I'm a bad insomniac

the only way I can get on a decent schedule is when I have something to do all the time. And, right now, I'm waiting to go back to school and don't really have much to do for the next few weeks etc, so I'm up all night and so on.

[Mutley]

32. Pfft. I was in bed at 11 last night.

Oh yeah. I am a party animal.

[Wetzelbill]

34. Quagmire! Nice!

I just heard his voice when I read that too.

I bet you're still lots of fun. I go to bed as early as possible too when I have stuff going on. I never go anywhere nowadays either. I'm 30 going on 65 I think.

[Mutley]

35. I've always been ahead of my actual age.

I started partying at 12, and started acting like an adult at 22. Oh yeah. Well, mostly like a adult.

[Wetzelbill]

72. you don't still party a lot do you?

I did almost that same thing. I didn't start partying that early, but I did quite a bit from the time I was 19 to 22. In high school I did my share of it outside of wrestling season, but not too much. But once I was 19 I did a lot. When I turned 21 I was a pretty much a drunk for a while. Then I stopped stone cold at 22 one day and didn't touch a drop for a year and a half. Since then I only sporadically have drank. Maybe only a few times a year, only a few drinks at a time. Not too bad. I'm kinda boring nowadays. :)

[Mutley]

77. Nah. Not too much anymore.

The most I usually do is hang out with some friends at TGIFridays. Have a few beers, eat some food, get home and in bed by midnight. And this is only maybe two or three times a month. Between lack of time and lack of money I don't get out much.

Yeah, I started partying pretty early. Between my sister (who was a bad influence on me) and some of my friends (who were also bad influences on me... I USED to be a good kid) I got started pretty early.

[Wetzelbill]

84. that's not too bad

at least you go out every once in a while. Nowadays, I'm a hermit. :)

When I get back to class though, I'll be big pimpin' it up again though. (not really) :) I'd party with you one of these days, but you and I together, they might have to call out the National Guard beforehand just to keep us in line. You do not want a tall person and a short person to go wild. Not at all. :)

[Mutley]

88. I think that would be fun!

There are some cool places to go around Bmore.

[Wetzelbill]

89. I actually may end up in DC one of these days too

That's all in the vicinity right? I bet Baltimore is cool. I always wanted to go to Camden Yards for some reason. Plus, I always found the idea of checking that whole area out interesting. I've never really been back east. I was in Dulles for about 30 minutes coming back from Bulgaria like twelve years ago, but that's about it.

Yeah, we'd have a blast. I guarantee it. :)

[Mutley]

90. Yeah, DC is only about 45 minutes away.

Balitmore as a whole is okay. I'm not a really big fan of it. Camden Yards is pretty cool. I'm actually going to a game there in September to watch my beloved Orioles lose again :cry: DullASS is the worst airport in the history of airports.

Yeah, come east! Join us mid-atlanticans for some fun!

[Wetzelbill]

98. I will do my best to be there

And, if you end up being a psycho or a deranged truck driver who wants to do me harm well, I'm going to be mighty disappointed at you lying about who you were. :)

[Mutley]

101. Well... I could be psycho, but not a murderous psycho.

You should actually come down for the Setp 25 meetup in DC. Theres a link in my sigline with info. Thats far enough ahead to make arrangements. And its on a weekend so you won't miss any school. Plus, there will be lots of other DUers there so you won't have to worry about me being crazy :crazy:

[Wetzelbill]

103. I may try to do so

It depends, I have to go to Seattle one weekend in September and then LA too. I just don't know what weeks. The one in LA is cool, because my friend who I used to go to college with has been nominated for two Emmys, so he gets to go to the technical awards show, not the big one, but it's still cool. So I have a couple friends who direct and produce movies -nothing big mainly short films as of now - and we all went to school together and might go meet up. So I just have to find out when all of this is and see if I can make it or not.

It's alright though, I can handle craziness. (try jumping on a bull, you need to be nuts) But, yeah, I'll try to work something out. Us poor college students don't have enough money for one thing. We should get paid just to finish school as bad as it sucks sometimes. :)

[Mutley]

105. No kidding.

I haven't left the state of Maryland (except to go see my parents in Delaware) since a month after 9-11 when I went with my parents to Florida. If I wasn't within driving distance of DC I'm sure I wouldn't be going to the meetup.

[Wetzelbill]

108. See I would drive but

I can't reach the pedals and see over the dashboard at the same time.... oh wait, the height convo was somewhere else....I'm even getting that mixed up now... (and you told me to get lifts in my shoes?)

I may have to go to bed. I'm tired. I can't hardly type. You totally charmed me all night, damn you! :)

[Mutley]

110. Thats right!

You're usually in bed much earlier than this. And you could always sit on a coupla phone books in the car. :P

[Wetzelbill]

112. phone books

thats good...

Remind me to tell you a driving story later on. I have a good one for you. I better crash out. Take it easy. :loveya:

[Mutley]

113. Nite!

See ya tomorrow. Or tonight. :hi:

[Bassic]

69. Yeah lets root for 1979 :)

[Wetzelbill]

74. Boo! 1974 Rulz!

[xmas74]

135. '74 does rule!

[Mutley]

78. 1979 is the BEST BABY!

Oh yeah.

[Wetzelbill]

83. And, we're supposed to be adults, psh

:)

[Mutley]

87. "Supposed to be" is the defining phrase there.

:P

[Bassic]

172. Adults? What's that?

:D

[MercutioATC]

6. 1974?!??! You're a baby!

Hell, I still consider myself pretty young and I was born in 1967.

Don't sweat the aging stuff. It's very true that any facial lines (including crow's feet) can be caused by stress, and there are many ways to get rid of them (sleep, cold water, moisturizer, Preparation H...take your pick). But hell, you're 30. You're not SUPPOSED to look like a teenager. Unless you're intent on picking up 20-year-old guys, you're right where you should be. Some of us find it creepy when 30-something women look like kids.

[xmas74]

11. The rest of my face is still very young looking.

I look about 22 when I am well-rested. I have a round shaped face and it tends to make me look younger than I really am.
The grey hair I can handle. I want to hurry that up and just have the rest of my hair turn white(I think it would look really cool and I'd look good w/ a tan). But I hate the thought of a line right now. It hurts my pride.
BTW-didn't date 20-somethings when I was a 20-something so that part doesn't matter. And thanks for calling me a baby! You are now my buddy.

[MercutioATC]

15. Then don't sweat it...

Little things like a line here and there really don't mean anything. They certainly don't detract from your attractiveness, at least not to anybody who matters.



:)

[xmas74]

18. I know.

It's just those first signs of aging that make you flip out for a minute or, in my case, for the next month or two.
I'll be alright. At least I didn't hide in a closet and cry into a telephone for two days straight like I did when I found my first grey hair. Must be a sign of maturity.

[Wetzelbill]

24. they don't matter honesty

Women who look a little mature have a gorgeous class to them. Young women are cute, mature women are beautiful. Remember that.

[wellstone dem]

63. A little mature yes, but what about

us women that look a lot mature. Do we have a gorgeous class or do we have an old class to us.

[xmas74]

133. I've always thought that

but then I live in a state w/ hot summers and I have to look at all the really young girls running around in sexy, skimpy outfits.
Makes me wish I could still get away w/ that.

[WCGreen]

56. I have the white hair thing going

and if does look cool......

If I must say so...

[Wetzelbill]

60. hell yeah

you looked all pimped out in that pic I saw. Smoooooth.

[xmas74]

117. If it goes 50% white

I'll quit dying it. Until then it just looks funny.

[Wetzelbill]

12. what if you're a 30 year old guy trying to pick up 20 year old women?

uh....

Hypothetically, I should say....

Or do I mean pathetically? :)

[MercutioATC]

14. I think you DO mean pathetically...

at least in most cases.

:)

[Wetzelbill]

21. in most cases

Actually, I suppose it would depend. Love is love, you know? But if some guy is just a sleazeball trying to pick up young women to get some well, that guy truly is pathetic. :)

[MercutioATC]

47. My thoughts exactly.

Sometimes it's real, but a lot of times it's not.

[WCGreen]

166. I feel young and I was born in 1957

[LaurenG]

13. It's Ok

We all get those. Go get some highlights in your hair, and try to get some rest. It's time for you to have a massage and a vacation. :hug:

[xmas74]

19. That would be wonderful!

I just feel like I'm getting old before my time. You see the standards that we are supposed to measure up to and no one(not even the models) can. Yet so many of the men that I have dated expect us to exceed those standards.
I'm just so tired of feeling old and unattractive.

[Wetzelbill]

25. oh the hell with that

Women have to deal with a harsh feminine ideal and it's all bullshit. If someone expects you to be absolutely perfect get rid of them. You don't need that, nobody does, because nobody is perfect. Find somebody who loves you for you, don't worry about meeting some unreal standard. I find most women attractive for reasons other than looks myself. Sure, I think most women are pretty good looking anyway, but your average woman has traits that make them special, and I'm sure you have them in abundance. You sound like an intelligent, hard working mother who loves her daughter, that's pretty special if you ask me. Somebody will see that in you too. I guarantee it. :)

[LaurenG]

33. oh my

Are you a are real person? How utterly refreshing. My husband has that same philosophy. I didn't know there were "others". This has got to be Wetzelbill week just for that kind, humane, real, compasionate comment.:hi: :loveya: :headbang: :yourock: :woohoo: :applause:

[Wetzelbill]

37. well, I'm full of surprises when I'm not cracking crude jokes

:)

Yeah, that's how I feel and I am a real person, at least when my batteries are charged up.

My problem with this subject isn't that women aren't attractive, it's just that they are expected to live up to an impossible standard. I heard women say that they go into certain stores and they can't buy certain cute clothes that they want because they are impossibly tiny. And, I mean women who are in pretty perfect physical condition. I don't like that. And, not only that, but women get discriminated against because of their looks. Or weight, for that matter. Did you know, that women get discriminated against for their weight, but men don't? In the workplace especially. That to me is something we need to rectify. When society starts bridging out double standards like that enough is enough. Michigan is the only state in the country that has a law against weight discrimination, no surprise they have a woman Governor too. It's really just to protect women, and rightly so. That's why -shameless plug - when I run for state senate for '06 in Montana, if I get elected one of my first pieces of legislation will be to write in a Michigan type weight discrimination law. I believe in that.

Have you ever noticed on tv shows, you have a Joe Sixpack guy with a beer belly and he has a skinny sexy young looking wife? Jim Belushi on his show and Kevin James on King of Queens stand out. It's BS. Women are taught to be nearly neurotic about their looks and men aren't. Something needs to be done about that, as much as possible.

Now that was a rant, sorry. Glad you liked my comments though. :)

[Mutley]

38. That is the source of emotional problems in a lot of women, including

myself. I grew up looking at all the teen magazines and feeling bad about myself because I didn't look as skinny as them. I know now that I had an average body, but at the time I just considered myself fat. Odd, how now when I actually should lose some weight, I feel better about myself then when I was the perfect weight for my bone structure.

[Wetzelbill]

43. yeah, I find that frightening

A good example, well, two good examples recently were Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Ritchie. Both were attractive women, who we in healthy physical condition, they looked good and looked healthy. Well, a few months ago both of them each lost a lot of weight and are now ultra-thin. It just doesn't look good. It may be en vogue with a certain crowd, but I don't think it is all that attractive and it certainly isn't healthy. It's not something I would want one of my loved ones to do to themselves that's for sure. It bothers me to see people do that to themselves. As a wrestler I used to lose 14 or so pounds in five days to make weight and I was in absolutely perfect condition too. I would look like death when I would make weight. But, I was a well-trained athlete who mainly lost water weight for a few days. I wasn't anorexic or anything. Although, I did have a friend who became anorexic from dieting, but that's another story altogether. I lost my weight in a relatively healthy way and would recover from it fast. Some women literally starve themselves for most of their lives. That's something awful and I can't comprehend that. It's sad.

[Mutley]

48. I got over the diet obsession.

I would like to lose 15lbs or so, but that would just get me to normal. I don't want to be super skinny, I think that would just look terrible on someone as tall as I am. I would look sick.

[Wetzelbill]

55. so.....

how tall are you then?

Somewhere along the way I developed a spare tire. I'd like to lose thirty pounds or so and I'd be in perfect condition, if I lost 15 I'd look pretty good I suppose. I had a back injury a few years ago, so I haven't been in a weight room since and really haven't worked out as much as I always have in my life.

A good thing for you to do is to get a dog or something and take regular walks. For twenty minutes or so 3 or 4 times a week. Build up a little and just take it slow. Eat a little bit healthier too. You'd drop 10 pounds in no time and the next 5 would follow pretty easy.

It's really about a lifestyle change not a diet or anything. I wish I could buckle down and just make a lifestyle change like that instead of dieting for a month or something. Blah....

[Mutley]

57. I'm 5'10"

And I do have a dog. Two actually. I take it you've never looked at my sigline. :rofl: Yeah, I don't eat too much junk food (some, but not too much) but I have to work extra hard to lose weight because fat runs in my family and my metabolism is looooowwwwwww. I've done it a couple times. It's just tough during school when I'm uber busy to eat right.

[Wetzelbill]

58. I always look at your sig line too

duh.... It doesn't show up when you're on the reply screen so I just spaced out.

5'10! Holy wow, you are tall! That's cool though. I'm short. I will not say unless you ask, either. :) Way shorter than you are.

My metabolism isn't bad it's just that my diet is awful and I eat a lot. Like I eat more than anybody I have ever met in my life. I always have. So back when I was a workout machine it didn't matter. But now it does. I need to get back to doing all that again though. For me it was mental, after I was injured, I sorta never mentally felt ready to lift weights and stuff again for fear of getting hurt.

[Mutley]

62. So, how tall are you?

How did you get injured anyway?

[Wetzelbill]

66. well injured from

probably years of rough activity. Lifing weights, wrestling, riding bulls etc. I had a herniated disc in my back, it became aggravated during finals week when I was seated at a computer for hours on end writing papers. I think it all was degenerative though, over time. Not one thing hurt it, in particular.

Well, I am a strapping and vertically challenged, 5'1. Although, it's weird because most people think I'm taller. I'm sort of stocky and I have a bigger presence, so most people, especially women, think I'm a little taller. But, nope, I measured many times, I am 5'1.

Funny thing, some tall women really like me. I went out with a woman your height once. But then again, I am kind of smooth, huh? :) Actually, it's mainly the sense of humor I think. :)

[Mutley]

67. Herniated disk. Ouch!

And bull riding? Thats impressive to a city girl like me. I would probably kill myself if I tried to do that.

I've known a few guys who are around your height, and they all have Napoleon complexes. I say who cares? Either find a girl who doesn't mind shorter guys, or find a short girl. It wasn't always fun being so tall. I think until 10th grade I was the tallest kid of my age in my school. Only when all the guys started sprouting did I lose that title.

I know a girl who is three inches taller then me, but weighs nearly 30lbs less than I do, and she just looks anorexic, even though she's not. She eats like a horse.

[Wetzelbill]

70. I nearly did kill myself

then I got smart and didn't do it anymore. Writing novels, screenplays and poetry is much easier then getting stomped by 2000 pound animals.

I never have noticed I was all that short until the last few years. Never bothered me or anything. But, nowadays I'm much less likely to go after a taller woman then I maybe would have been in the past. I'm just more conscious of it. I usually prefer women my height, but some of that is because they are more willing to date someone who is of my height too. I do like taller women as well, I would never rule out anything. Plus, say like if I went out on a date with you. You could reach the top shelf at Blockbuster or in my apartment or a grocery store for me. It would open up a whole new world for me. Finally, I could rent the movie on the top shelf. Great!

Tall women often feel like they are all gangly and stuff. It's not easy when you are young and sensitive about those things. You usually grow out of it. Well, I didn't grow out of anything obviously, but you know what I mean. :)

[Mutley]

71. I'm always the top shelf getter.

When I worked at Toys R Us, other employees would call me just to help them get something from overstock because I could do it without getting a ladder (the ladders were about 500lbs and we avoided using them whenever possible). One of the reasons I had to quit.

You know, you could always start wearing platform shoes and give yourself another few inches.

[Wetzelbill]

73. I could I suppose

But it would just feel too fake to do so you know?

Toys R Us? Is that how you got your name? I'd like to know the story behind that. I always thought that was a really cute name. Mutley.... I like that... I should write a character in my novel named Mutley. It would work out well. :)

[Mutley]

79. The second half, yes.

the R_Us is for the R_Us in Toys R Us. I started using the nic while I was still working there. It came from a joke we all had about being part of the "R" Us Family. :rofl: Which was funny because we were more like indentured servants than family members. The Mutley part is from one of my favorite cartoon characters (see avatar) and my dogs, who are both mutts. Plus, I'm a bit of a Mutley as well, being descended from several different ethnicities.

[Wetzelbill]

91. ohhhhh thats a cute and creative way to come up with your name

So what ethnicities are you?

I'm three different kinds of American Indian - enrolled Blackfeet - german, maybe scottish, and I think maybe a little French, the last one depends on the origin of my mom's maiden name though. But, I need to ask my younger brother, he's the authority on all of that in our family, he knows all our history etc.

[Mutley]

95. Lets see.

My grandfather did our family tree before he died. Some of it is speculation, as in we don't really know for sure if some of those people were really related to us or just happened to have one of the family names. And there were apparently a lot of extra-marital activities going on before the family emigrated to America in the 1600s, so some people could have been missed.

Irish is the biggest part, then there's Scottish, English, French, maybe a little German (we're not sure), maybe a little Dutch (not sure about that one either), and my mother claims some Cherokee on her side, but I don't know how true that is.

My grandfather also tried to make a connection between our family and Ethan Allen, a revolutionary war hero, but it looks tenuous at best. If anything it's through marriage only, though there are a few Allens in the family.

I actually met a guy at work once who was directly related to the Allens and we used to joke that it was a good thing we never dated because we were 15th cousins or something.

[Wetzelbill]

99. yeah, kissing cousins would not be a good thing

we may be a little Irish too, maybe. I'll have to ask my brother like I said. That's interesting, you have quite the eclectic mix.

I like how we have had like 4 different convos in all these different places for like 3 hours or so, haha. At least, we find each other interesting. Or just not boring anyway. :)

[Mutley]

100. I was thinking that too when I looked at My Posts.

I said to myself, "I am currently having three conversations with Bill in three different places." :D

[Wetzelbill]

102. all brilliant ones too

[Mutley]

106. And they've been all over the place too.

We've talked about everything from weight problems, to height problems, to geneology, to the DU meetup. :rofl:

[Wetzelbill]

107. hey I don't have a height problem!

Unless you were referring to yourself, and I already said, I won't hold that against you. :)

I don't even know that thread this is or what the op is about right now. :rofl:

[Mutley]

111. At this point I think we should combine all conversations into one

probably on a seperate thread. We've completely hijacked this one.

[LaurenG]

45. Yea well I had BARBIE... nt

[Wetzelbill]

46. oh Barbie, don't even get me started

For a woman to be built to Barbie's proportions she'd have to be over 7 feet tall. If that isn't impossible expectations I don't know what is. :)

[Mutley]

50. The barbie didn't get me as much as the magazines did.

I guess I figured Barbie and Ken were unrealistic because they weren't, em, anatomically correct.

[Mutley]

49. me too!

[wellstone dem]

64. Where in Montana

My daughter may be in school there next year, if you keep this up I may have to try to get her to vote in Montana rather than absentee at home.

[Wetzelbill]

75. Well where I will be

running is Glacier county, and up around Glacier National park across almost to Missoula. Not a populated district, decent sized though, mostly covered by the Blackfeet and Flathead Indian Reservations. She probably wouldn't get to vote for me unless she happened to stay on one of those reservations or in Cut Bank which is my hometown.

So where is she going to school at? I'm moving back to run for office, but I'm also going to just transfer and finish my degree at the University of Montana in Missoula. I would be honored if she could vote for me though.

BTW, I almost got to intern with Paul Wellstone. He had a staff member call my house in MT to ask me to intern for him after he read an e-mail I sent to him. I didn't do it right away because I was moving down to Arizona to go to the University of Arizona, and was planning to do so.... well... after he got re-elected. :cry: Biggest mistake of my life not choosing to intern with him right away. So, if you want to really know what I'm like, all you really need to know is Paul Wellstone is one of my heroes and I pattern myself after him as much as possible. Not that I can live up to that, but I try. That great man is sorely missed, that's for sure. :) I heard him speak at the Key Arena in Seattle, Washington during the WTO. I went back and called my Uncle who used to be the Bureau of Indian Affairs Area Director in Minnesota, and asked him about this short, crazy Senator who said outlandish things about actually helping the common man. And, my uncle told me all about Paul and how they were friends and Senator Wellstone always took an interest in fighting for Indians -which I am - and the regular people in general. I was hooked. That's why I want to run for office, because one cold rainy night in Seattle a small town farm hick from an Indian reservation in MT heard the great Paul Wellstone speak and it changed his life forever. So there you go. That's my story. :)

[wellstone dem]

96. She is looking

at the University of Montana in Missoula, but it sounds like that isn't close enough to vote for you. But she might be close enough to do some work on the campaign. If she ends up going to school there, I'll tell her to search out the campaign.

Paul Wellstone was an amazing man. I was on a panel discussion with him once before he became a senator. We were talking about hunger and the inadequacy of programs designed to meet that need. Many years later, when he was a senator, I met him again. He remembered me, which was astonishing to me. We were at a dinner honoring my boss. At the dinner, Paul introduced himself to everyone, and I do mean everyone. Each waiter or waitress got a handshake, he went into the kitchen to thank the cookstaff and to introduce himeself.

I will never forgot the day he died. I had gone home for lunch at noon. I called my mom to let her know, and when she answered the phone in tears (before she knew who was calling) I knew she had already heard.

The day after the election, (after we had been through the death, and the funeral, and the debacle of having Norm Coleman replace Paul Wellstone) I was driving through western Minnesota. There was a flag flying at half-staff at the entrance of a farm, and it was upside down the signal of distress.

[Wetzelbill]

97. no she wouldn't be

but the district ends not too far out of Missoula, so I'd be glad to have do some work in one of the nearby areas. Be good experience and everything. I'll be announcing here pretty soon so I'll keep you informed. Missoula is probably the best place in MT to live, it's very nice there. Most liberal city in the state by far, too.

Yeah, Senator Wellstone was an amazing man. I really hate the fact that a bootheel licker like Norm Coleman is sitting in that great man's seat.

That flag part gave me chills when I read it. I actually got chills writing my previous post to you. Sometimes I really feel that it's my duty to help carry on the same fights Paul always did, since I didn't get the chance to intern with him. Thanks for sharing all that with me.

[Mutley]

36. Why can't all men be like you?

:swoon:

[Wetzelbill]

40. oh stop it

you know you're too good for a clown like me anyway. :)

[Mutley]

42. Nah. It's probably the other way around.

:P

[Wetzelbill]

44. no way, you're a special woman

I'm lucky that I was able to get back on your good side so I can bask in all your glory. :)

[Mutley]

51. Lol.

Sometimes I get a little emotional a little too easily. But at least I can forgive just as easily and I don't hold grudges.

And glory! Pshaw!

[Wetzelbill]

53. oh I was being a fool

Sometimes my clowning unintentionally strikes a nerve and gets me in trouble. But, yeah, you came around pretty easily. Now, you're one of my favorite DU people ever!

[Mutley]

54. Yay!

You're one of my favorites too. :hug: :bounce:

[xmas74]

134. Thank you.

I just need to get used to it. I see the kind of women these men around here seem to go for. Some of them look like they have spent too much time in the tanning booths. And most of them are planning out their different eye lifts, lipo, etc. I've never wanted to be that woman.
It was just the shock of seeing one and then having that split second thought of "If I had the money, I could fix this." That made me rather angry w/ myself afterward. I got caught up in the crap and then I became mad because I let myself think those thoughts.

[Wetzelbill]

158. don't worry about it

We all have those moments when we would like to change something about ourselves. It's human nature to be your own worst critic sometimes. Lots of stuff about me I would change, but then I really wouldn't be me, you know? You're a good woman, don't let it all get you down.

Sorry Mutley and I hijacked your thread, we got bs'ing back and forth on all kinds of stuff. I didn't mean to do that. But, you take care. :)

[xmas74]

170. I don't mind people hijacking threads.

Miss Honeychurch and I used to hijack many threads.
I need to start a "Talk Amongst Yourselves" thread again some night. I've had a few hundred responses on those, most of them from people hijacking for private conversations.

And thank you.

[Wetzelbill]

171. you're welcome

:)

[Sugar Smack]

80. But that's so sexy, though! Like the bad girl in Josie & the

Pussycats. Every gray hair I have I feel I've earned, and I will never dye over them. Frankly, I would love to have a skunk streak!

[xmas74]

118. I want it in the front-towards the crown.

Right now the two streaks are in the back where I cannot appreciate them. If I get a good one in front I'm going to dye the rest of my hair a dark color-maybe a dark auburn (since I love being a redhead). The auburn will make it look even darker.

[Robeson]

3. Hey, they're just wisdom lines. Also, try a CoQ10 lotion on them...

...it helps.

[xmas74]

4. I'll try to get some on my next payday.

But I have to worry about my daughter's school supplies first.
It is a small, shallow line that isn't noticeable from a distance-but I know it's there!

[Old_Fart]

8. If it makes you feel any better

I am wearing an ostrich foot on my face.

[Wetzelbill]

10. LOL

that's a good one....
:rofl: :yourock:

[xmas74]

16. That does make me feel better!

[Lefta Dissenter]

39. Oh you ALL are a bunch of babies!

I was born in '57, and have plenty of wrinkles on my forehead and elsewhere. No grey yet, but my mom didn't start to grey until she was almost 60. Men still seem to find me reasonably attractive - and not just old codgers, either.

BUT!!! The important thing to do is to hold out until you find a man whose strongest desire is to kiss each and every wrinkle. If you obsess over getting RID of your lines as they appear, you'll never be happy. You want to look like YOU, with the experience, wisdom and fun that you've had in your life. Laughing and smiling (which I happen to do a lot of) can enhance your lines. Do you really want to give up those activities? People will be attracted to smiles and laughter much more readily than by a botoxed face that shows no emotion.

Enjoy those lines, be proud of them, revel in them - you'll be amazed at how uplifting just that change in attitude can be!

:hi:

[xmas74]

119. My grandfather didn't begin to go grey until he was

almost 80 so it's disappointing that I didn't get those genes. Jet black hair until he was 79-can you even imagine.
I think it's just the shock right now of finding lines. I'll get used to it over time.

[In_The_Wind]

41. smile lines ... not crow's feet

have you thought about highlighting your hair to work with the white streaks ... just add a little color

[Left_Winger]

52. smile lines ... not crow's feet (I like that term)

Right on Joan!

[In_The_Wind]

61. thanks Left_Winger

they all have memories that I would never try to erase


:hug:

[Left_Winger]

65. You are more than welcome

and a warm :hug: right back to you too.

[WCGreen]

68. I must be smiling an awful lot.....

Cause I got lines Barry Manalow could snort with that big snoz of his....

[In_The_Wind]

76. sometimes that's the way it is

you have quite a way with imagery Mr. WCGreen

[xmas74]

120. If I get a good white streak up front

I'll darken my hair to make the white pop out. I just hate the back streaking up-it looks like crap. And it doesn't dye very well. I've thought about highlights but I have to worry about school clothes and supplies for my daughter first.

[cmd]

59. Crows have been trampling my face

My hair is grey, my skin is thinning. I am having the best time of my life. With aging comes a freedom to do and say things that I never had the courage to do and say when I was young. There will come a time when you, too, will celebrate those lines and hairs. Meanwhile, live your life to the fullest.

[proud2BlibKansan]

85. That is so true

With age comes wisdom and you get a litle more respect from people also. Wrinkles and gray hairs are a small price to pay for these benefits.

[xmas74]

121. I know.

Just the shock of finding my first line.

[Hugin]

81. Awe, xmas74...

If it helps at all... I'm right there with you.

:hug:

[xmas74]

124. Thank you.

:hug:

[proud2BlibKansan]

82. You'll live

But if it really bothers you that much, give it to me. It will be right at home on my face. :)

[zanne]

93. Is it vanity or fear of old age?

Maybe you should ask yourself that question. Aging is not a disease and crow's feet are not a tragedy. Cancer is a tragedy. Hunger is a tragedy. But a few gray hairs? Suck it up!

[proud2BlibKansan]

94. Getting older can be challenging

but I have found the benefits far outweigh the negative aspects.

[xmas74]

137. It's a symbol of missed opportunities.

Finding one made me think of what I haven't done yet. It made me realize that everything will get a little bit harder to accomplish every year and that I need to reevaluate what I want from life. I need to make a plan and figure out how to stick to it.

[zanne]

141. Everybody has missed opportunities.

I don't know of any older adult who's completely, 100% satisfied with what they've done with their lives so far. Just as we see the future as being full of promise and potential, we see the past as full of unfulfilled promiste and potential. Because neither the past or the present are ours to manage at this moment, it's tempting to think of what might be, or what might have been. There's an old AA saying I love; "the future's a mystery and the past is history".

[xmas74]

142. That is what upset me about finding a line.

It's a symbol of missed opportunities. And, w/ the way my life is right now, I don't see any promise or potential in the near future.

[xmas74]

125. Don't you wish you could pass on something like that?

I've got hips I'd certainly like to share w/ my cousin (she's too skinny)

[proud2BlibKansan]

147. Okay you can have my hips

if I can have your face. :)

[xmas74]

150. I've got enough hips of my own.

I've got two cousins who can have both of our hips. They both weigh less than 100 lbs and are 5'6 and 5'7, respectively.

[unhappycamper]

86. I don't have much to add to the conversation, but

I like a woman with facial character. I saw Cindy Sheehan Thursday evening at a forum on Cape Cod, and she just blew me away. It's all about what's inside of you; it leaks out and makes you beautiful. Be yourself - you'll have more beauty than every oil and ointment counter in every department store in the entire country.

[xmas74]

126. Thank you.

[Nikia]

92. I did too after I broke my glasses

I am even a few years younger than you and thought that I looked young. I went from thinking that my face looked awful because of my glasses to thinking that I looked awful because I had some lines around my eyes, which the glasses had been covering up.
I bought eb5, which is sold at JC Penny's. I have been using it for a couple months now. Most of the lines are gone. There might be cheaper alternatives out there. This has been the first anti aging cream specific to the eye area that I have used.
I do get circles under my eyes too, but have found that using foundation and putting it on that area too makes them pretty much not noticeable.
You shouldn't feel old. A beauty book which I skimmed in Barnes and Noble said that they usually do appear between the ages of 25-30 even if you do take all the advice that it gives you in the book for skin care. The eye area is more vunerable to that then the rest of your face. If it makes you feel any better, I have noticed eye lines on women in their early twenties.

[xmas74]

127. some of it might be from eye strain.

I wear glasses too and I notice that sometimes I still squint, especially after a night of staring at a computer screen at work. The lighting is awful at work.

[WCGreen]

104. To bad it wasn't your left eye....

You could match up with that hooker over on the other thread....

And I Hear TLC is looking for a replacement...

You've seen the lifestyle from the inside, you'd take no Shit Biaacth

All you have to do, as far as I can see, is frown, point your fingers in the gang way and kinda do some aerobic dancing.....


Don't go chasing waterfalls......

Adn you got the rappin name, XmaSS

peace out, hrmmmpph

[xmas74]

128. Silly!

[WCGreen]

136. Isn't that the point....

You are probably a great looking lady, and the lines just amke you more attractive....

[xmas74]

138. I don't know about more attractive...

but it makes me look older. I notice that my makeup gets caught in the crease now. That's how I found it last night. I was retouching my makeup, notice it looked caked around my eye and went in for a deeper inspection.

[WCGreen]

139. Did you wear your mine goggles.....

[xmas74]

143. Nope.

[khashka]

109. You cried over this, babe?

Don't!

OK, I haven't had to deal with any wrinkles yet, but the white hair is coming in like crazy. I love it!

Think of it as souvenirs of a life well-lived or the battle scars of a seasoned warrior.

Something to be proud of not cry over :)

Khash.

[xmas74]

129. I think it was just a realization of not being as young

as I used to. It just makes me think of all the things that I haven't done yet.

[khashka]

140. Yeah I know (sigh)

I really relate to Courtney Love's lyric "I'm too young to be this old."

But old ladies are cool, old men just smell bad. So which of us is looking at a more dire situation?

Ok, case in point. First person I ever had sex with was a major hot 55 year old lady. I was 16. We did it in Union Square Park and got busted by the cops. Seriously good fun. She didn't think she was too old. You shouldn't either.

You are only as old as you think you are.

So rock on, girl!

Khash.

[xmas74]

144. Thanks!

But, in regards to sexiness, women are considered to be hags as they get older while men become "distinguished". It's a double standard. Many women will gladly date an older man while most men will not date an older woman. The men in my age group tend to want a 22 year old who's hot to trot, not a 30 year old single mom.
That's ok-I've just opened up my age border, though it sucks when I see 50 year old men putting an age limit of 27 on a woman that they will date.

[Seabiscuit]

114. Was it attached to a crow's leg?

Which was attached to a crow?

If not, no sweat. :)

By now a whole flock of crows is pecking away at what remains of my facial skin.:yoiks:

[xmas74]

130. I'm taking care of my skin now.

I don't want my skin to look leathery or ashy. I want it to still look good.

[Democracy White]

115. To age gracefully...

Grey hairs are the sign of wisdom.. it is sad that today's society doesn't seem to think so. What with all of the hair and beauty care products out there that "guarantee" a woman the fountain of youth.
I am looking forward to the day that I get grey hairs so that I can feel that I am accomplishing whatever it is that I am doing by knowing that I am living a long and productive life.

I dont' worry too much about aging, it's natural and to against it is not....

There are too many standards on women (and men) to appear beautiful at all times, what with the shaving (read my thread.. "Who the hell made it mandatory for women...) and hair dying and the make-up, all we are doing is portraying false, societal ideals of our selves.

You are becoming a Crone, embrace it sister...

Dee

[no name no slogan]

122. wimmin who look their age == muy caliente

nothing wrong with looking 'normal' imho. i encourage more people to do it!

[xmas74]

131. It dawned on me that I wasn't as young as I used to be.

Lots of looking back at what I haven't accomplished yet.

[Lars39]

123. You mean "laugh wrinkles"?

I've grown to accept mine. They show I love life and am more than just a
2-dimensional nitwit. To have no signs of maturity or living on one's
face is a character flaw, imo; it just ain't natural. :hi:

[xmas74]

132. True.

It was just rather surprising to find one.

[Lefta Dissenter]

145. and furthermore...

(I can't remember which post of yours in this thread I was going to reply to here, so I'll go with the OP),

Despite those wrinkles that I've told you about, and my eye bags, I have started a new career at 47 years old, and I'm immensely happy in it, and in my life. Missed opportunities??? Of course, circumstances change, so you might not have some of the same opportunities that you had when you were 19 years old, but the new opportunities can be even better and more exciting! There's no way I would have started this new job, or been as good at it as I am, without the years of experience behind me - just dealing with life and with people.

ENJOY LIFE and don't be afraid to live it! :bounce:

[xmas74]

146. Just a little depressed right now.

The line that I found just brought all those feelings outfront all at once.
I know that eventually, things will get better. Most of my stress seems to come from the economy right now and how poorly I've been doing financially (and the lack of social life doesn't help either. I work seven days a week so there is no time for one right now). I'll get over it.

[Kali]

148. sorry your feeling down

Lots of good thinking in this thread. (and I agree with the other poster who thought the white streak would be COOL - I am a dirty blond but I remember a girl in High school who had a streak and I always thought it was so interesting.

Someone just sent this to me in an e-mail (supposed to be from Andy Rooney but its probably just a usual cyberspace little junkmailer thing - anyway it seems appropriate.)

As I grow in age, I value women who are over 40 most of all. Here are
just a few reasons why:

A woman over 40 will not lie next to you in bed and ask, "What are you thinking?" She doesn't care what you think.

--If a woman over 40 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit
around whining about it. She does something she wants to do. And it's usually something more interesting.

--A woman over 40 knows herself well enough to be assured in who she
is, what she is, and what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of 40 give a damn what you might think about her or what she's doing.

--Women over 40 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you.

--Older women are generous with praise, even undeserved praise. They
know what it's like to be unappreciated.

--A woman over 40 has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn't trust the guy with other women.

--Women over 40 couldn't care less if you're attracted to her friends because she knows her friends won't betray her.

---Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins
to a woman over 40. They always know.

---A woman over 40 looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not true of younger women or drag queens. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 40 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

--Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk and if you are acting like one! You don't ever have to worry where you stand with her.

--Yes, we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons.
Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed hot woman of 40+, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year-old waitress. Ladies, I apologize.

--For all those men who say, "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free." Here's an update for you: Nowadays, 80% of women are
against marriage, why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage.

[xmas74]

I like that.

Thank you!
And my daughter is a Callie (instead of your spelling of Kali). I thought about that spelling of her name too.

[xmas74]

dupe

[xmas74]

152. darn dupe!

[MrScorpio]

149. You're still super fine

Tops in my book!

:hug:

[xmas74]

153. Thank you!

I'll have to-nevermind. I was going to say something dirty but I need to quit locking threads!

[Jamastiene]

151. OMG, don't let him fly off with it...

How'd he get there, btw? You need your right eye, don't you? :evilgrin:

Cheer up. It doesn't really matter. True beauty comes from within. And you have it. :pals:

[xmas74]

154. Thank you.

I hope that things are going well over there right now.

[Jamastiene]

155. Yeah, had to have my gall bladder removed.

Feeling much better. Am taking Zoloft and seem to be doing much better with the depression or whatever it is I have. I'm actually more hopeful than I once was. I'm working toward getting an AAS Degree in Computer Engineering right now. Still trying to save money despite the setback with the emergency room visit and the gall bladder removal. I'm still not sure what they expect me to pay them. They had said I would be covered by the charity fund they have for non insured people. Still got an eleven thousand bill from the hospital and a 900 dollar bill from the anesthesiologist. I hope that's a mistake. I never expected to get those two bills when I was supposed to be covered.

Other than that, I'm doing much better. I can eat without doubling over with pain now. That's a good sign. I am enjoying food once again. Yippee!

[xmas74]

157. I had gallstones once.

They hurt like hell! I had to take Actigal for quite a while since my insurance decided that removal was unnecessary.
Hopefully the bill will be covered. I have had hospitals send me bills before even though they were covered by my insurance. It's just a matter of course. Don't worry too much until they send additional notices.
And I am so glad that you will be keeping up w/ school! Good luck!

[Jamastiene]

159. Yes, they do hurt like

hell. They "attack" you when they are trying to move. It made me double over in pain. Oh, that hurt like nothing else. At first, I thought it was another stomach ulcer, then when it started hurting in my back too and got so bad I couldn't stand it, I had to go to the ER. I don't have insurance at all, so I had to beg the hospital to dig into their "charity fund" to cover it. I sure couldn't afford it. Thanks for the encouragement. It means a lot to me. I'm trying as hard as I can to make it through school and finally escape this town one day within the next 5 years or so hopefully. I at least want to get out of here before it sucks my zest for life completely away, but I am doing much better now with dealing/coping with it.

[xmas74]

160. You'll make it.

I have complete faith in you.

[Jamastiene]

161. Thanks.

I am chugging along the best I can. That's for sure. You shouldn't worry about crows, btw. I really mean it. They show character. It makes a person look distinguished. At least, that's my take on it.

[xmas74]

164. Thank you for the encouragement.

[sagesnow]

156. Did anyone call the ASPCA

to have it humanely removed?
:hide:

[BedRock]

162. Be Proud!

At 57, I can assure you that wrinkles are a part of life. I was not to happy either when I found my first gray hair or wrinkle.

Look at it this way: Wrinkles and gray hair are Badges of Courage. They are signs and scars of battles fought. Some won, some lost.

So I look at the creases and remember working 60 hours a week. And that batch of gray is trying to get my degree in chemistry at 35 years old. AND those big wrinkles between the eye brows were created within the last 9 years of asking (demanding) WTF?! when the Repugs open their mouths and/or vote.

So be proud. They show that you have Lived!

[xmas74]

168. I work 60+ hours right now.

I don't mind the line I just mind what it stands for. It means that life is going on and I can't stop it from happening. Someone else thought I was silly but when you think of it that way, it's not a silly thing to be upset about.
I think that everyone comes to terms w/ aging in their own way. This is my first push to come to terms w/ how my life is right now and that the time for change is now.

And, btw-Welcome to DU!

[BedRock]

173. Change!

No kidding! Working 60 hrs if OK for the young, if they want and if they can handle it. But, damn..life is much to priceless to spend it working 60 hours! I know it took a big chunk out of me when I was in my late 30's and 40's....so my advice is to Prioritize!

I don't mind getting older, except for one major thing. I can't do as I did when I was in my 20's. And that is no biggie....Priortize again! lol

And thanks very much for the welcome! I love it here, although it took me a while to "test the waters, so to speak."

[Thtwudbeme]

163. I hope this post is a joke

and that you really aren't that upset over something as silly as that.

Stephanie

[xmas74]

167. Upset more over the realization of lost opportunities.

It's not a joke. Seeing that line made me realize that I am not as young as I used to be and that there are so many things I haven't done as of yet. It made me realize that I don't have all the time in the world to accomplish everything that I want and that I can't expect to sit and wait for things to happen.
It was actually a quick wake-up call for me. It made me face facts. Maybe it sounds silly and superficial to you but when you think about it is a sign. It's a sign that I will never be as young as I used to be and that opportunities are passing me by. It's a sign that I need to get off my ass and make things happen, instead of thinking "I can wait until tomorrow".
When you are young you think that everything can wait. It can't. You need to make a plan and stick to it, instead of putting it off. That silly little line on my face made me realize that I have to do something w/ my life or life will pass me by and I'll be sitting at that same job (since I noticed it at work)in the same spot many years from now and wonder why I didn't do something w/ my life.
Everyone has a wake-up call in life sooner or later. For each person something different triggers it off. I'm the girl who people have always called "cute". Cute is a term for the young. That line made me realize that I won't be young forever. It's a good lesson to learn.

[Algorem]

165. You probably have a hole in one of your screens.

[xmas74]

169. Patched those up last spring.

I wish that's all it was.