I have to pass on the Wheaties with beer. Ugh.

But getting back to the original question - I just posted a story like that myself. And I admit that I hesitated for the same reason - no real sex. But it turned me on, so I figured it might do the same for others.

I agree with you, CQ. I don't think it's about guilt, though. No reason why the past should threaten the present. The opposite, in fact - if we are able to love today, it's because we've learned how (often the hard way).

But it is harder to share it, perhaps, because it is so deeply personal. It's not easy to lay yourself open like that - first loves are full of false hopes, dashed expectations, and ultimate disappointments. Unless you are one of the lucky few who find yourselves celebrating your 50th wedding anniversary with your childhod sweetheart.

Well reasoned, Pam. Aside from the moral issues, Lush certainly needs to protect itself legally, or no one will benefit.

About the drinking and driving ages (even though this was not exactly the initial subject here) - here in Israel, kids can drive at 17, and drink beer (not hard liquor) at 18. They are also drafted at 18, and serve for a minimum of three years (two for women). The worst road accidents occur after midnite on weekends, generally boys home on weekend leave, driving way too fast after drinking too much beer. It is a serious problem.

You can argue the merits of handing an 18 year old a gun, although this does NOT seem to be a significant problem - the army successfully manages to inculcate in them the necessary training for safe handling of weapons and there are few accidents or incidents of misuse. Drinking and driving, however, seems to be another story, despite all the efforts to educate.

Pornography does not kill. But the combination of alcohol and automobiles certainly does. As far as allowing under-18 kids free reign at a site like this - I have my hesitations as well. There are some truly nice people here, but there is also plenty of opportunity for misuse.

His actions speak for themselves. And even though he surely sees it differently, he has done you a big favor. Get some good legal advice, and make sure you don't allow him to somehow creep back into your life.

Rocco -

Ian Anderson is amazing. He has the energy of a 20 year old. His voice also seems to have held up well with time. And his music is still as different from anthing else as it ever was.

I generally hesitate when old rockers come to town - too much chance to be disappointed. I'd rather have the "original" stay fresh in my mind. But I made an exception here, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

I'm afraid that I can't say that I've ever been as "close" to the scene as some of you guys here, but over the years I've had the privilege to see and hear:

Crosby & Nash (after the CSN&Y breakup, before the reunion, after the etc.)
Gordon Lightfoot
Jethro Tull (in the 80's) and Ian Anderson (just last year - he is still amazing)
Simon & Garfunkel (not nearly as good live as they were in the studio, apparently)
Joan Armatrading (at Carnegie Mellon in the late 70's)
Eric Clapton (absolutely phenomenal)
Sting (OK, but slightly disappointing)
Peter, Paul and Mary (OK, I'm REALLY dating myself here...)
Garbage (surprisingly good live)

Do:
- Encourage me when I do something right (most women don't come with a user's manual).
- Look me in the eyes when you are aroused.
- Feel free to make noises; it's a turn-on for me as well.

Don't:
- Switch positions every two minutes; if it's working for you, then savor it.
- Wring my member like a washcloth (either during or after).
- Be afraid to sweat; it's extraordinarily sexy.
- Worry about whether I'm enjoying it; I promise you I am.

Oh, and I second the finger thing as well - it's highly overrated.

Regarding the initial questions, my answers would be:
1. Do you think there is more to life than just what we live on earth? Yes

2. Do you think there is an afterlife of some sort? Unlikely

3. Do you think there is a God who created us and has a purpose for us? Yes

4. Or do you think that we are here on earth to just enjoy life, Yes

5. help people and do what we can to make the world better? Yes (or did you mean to imply that #4 and #5 should somehow be mutually exclusive?)

Regarding the issue of free will and fate, there is no real contradiction, as long as we realize that God (or whomever) is above time as well as space. Free will - by definition - can only be exercized by someone acting IN time. Past, present, and future are all one for a God who is not limited by time. So just because God "knows" what will happen (because it has always happened that way) doesn't mean that we are not acting on our own free will at the moment of decision.

I would only add - as long as we are talking about beliefs - that while I believe that God exists, I also believe that the vast majority of those who claim to speak for God, or to know God's mind, don't really have a clue as to what they are talking about.

I hope you won't take this the wrong way, but...... this may be the most entertaining thread I've seen here yet! (*laughing*)

All this, and educational as well. Thanks, Mara!

It's a bit difficult to cover all of the past forum questions to be sure that this has never come up, but at the risk of being redundant (and realizing that this is perhaps not the most burning issue of the day):

I can understand applying lipstick to go out somewhere. But if you're expecting any action, it seems to me like it just gets in the way. Does anyone think that applying lipstick makes lips more (rather than less) kissable?

Modern physics textbooks refer to four fundamental forces – the strong and weak nuclear forces, the electromagnetic force, and gravity. It is surmised that these forces are all related in a fundamental way. The scientific equivalent of the Holy Grail is to find the set of equations which will combine all of these forces into one Unified Field Theory. However, it is a little-published...

Added 01 Nov 2010 | Category Voyeur | Votes 6 | Avg Score 4.67 | Views 1,276 | 2 Comments

We meet at our favorite spot.   The days are still long, but are now starting to get shorter.   And the weather is still warm by day – even hot – but the evenings are getting cooler.  We are both tired from our busy work days.   But as we see each other approaching from afar, the tension and fatigue melt away, and our hearts beat just a little bit faster in anticipation.   We meet,...

Added 04 Sep 2009 | Category Love Stories | Votes 12 | Avg Score 4.42 | Views 1,553 | 4 Comments

Her face floats above me.   The flickering candlelight provides the only illumination in the room, highlighting her beautiful pale skin and creating sharp contrasts with her dark red lips and flushed cheeks.   The shadows of her curves compete with the sheen of light as it glistens from the thin film of sweat covering her delicious body.   She sits astride me as I lie flat on...

Added 26 Jul 2009 | Category Love Stories | Votes 8 | Avg Score 4.63 | Views 1,341 | 2 Comments

He :   By the time my plane landed, I had answered my own question. There was no doubt in my mind that, if the opportunity arose, I would definitely want to see Trina again.   Assuming of course that I hadn’t freaked her out with my last words, which had just popped out of my head without thinking.   When I got back to work the next day, there was a friendly little...

Added 10 Jun 2009 | Category Straight Sex | Votes 8 | Avg Score 4.5 | Views 2,129 | 1 Comment

This was also written as a tag-team effort, with a remarkable woman named Trixie:   He:   I stepped out from the elevator into the hotel lobby.   I had no idea why I was even there, except that I knew that if I didn't do it, I would regret it the rest of my life.   It all started out so innocently.   I had read a story on Lush...

Added 25 May 2009 | Category Straight Sex | Votes 20 | Avg Score 4.83 | Views 3,582 | 3 Comments

This story was written as a tag-team effort, in collaboration with a certain "bitsie", who is the most unusual muse that I could imagine.   Him :   Hal dragged the last suitcase out of the back of the van and over to the curb, where the porter was waiting with the rest of the luggage. "That's the last of them," he grunted as he dropped the...

Added 16 Apr 2009 | Category Straight Sex | Votes 4 | Avg Score 4.5 | Views 1,611 | 2 Comments

I realize this is purely a male fantasy, so with my apologies to women everywhere : ***** Dory's bachelorette party was in full swing .   Her best friend Sue had gone to a lot of effort to put together the kind of party that would make her remember forever the joys of being single. It was an all-girl affair, though - she didn't want any guys spoiling the fun with their...

Added 06 Apr 2009 | Category Lesbian | Votes 40 | Avg Score 4.81 | Views 8,767 | 5 Comments