If there are no STI’s involved, I fail to see how it’s anyone else’s business. Unless your partner decides to willingly divulge this info, of course.

I meant the type of event where nudity is present and expected.

There is always a social media propaganda campaign going on. On just about any subject you can think of. Is this really the first time you’re noticing? You do know that governments, political parties and corporations employ people whose only job is to study and manipulate social media trends, right? What do you think a social media ‘influencer’ is?

People with a highly metaphysical worldview are easier to deceive and manipulate because their normal logic barriers have already been broken down - ie, if you already believe that the earth and everything on it was created by an omnipotent superbeing in six days, it’s not much of a further leap to believe that demons are making you horny.

Sure, at some point we all have to realize that our actions may attract unwanted attention and take appropriate precautions. That being said, no means no. If a lady is obviously uncomfortable by your presence, put on the big boy pants and move on - don’t try to argue your case or convince her of anything. Just move on and leave her the hell alone.

I’ve been to a few ‘clothing optional’ events in my time - and this is how I have successfully navigated those events:

• Don’t talk to a naked woman unless SHE initiates the conversation.
• Don’t make ANY comments about a naked woman’s appearance unless SHE comments about yours FIRST.
• Keep your eyes on a naked woman’s FACE.

Is this stupid and unfair? Yes. Have I ever been asked to leave one of these events, or gotten into any trouble? No. If you can’t handle it, don’t go to these types of events.

Stories are medicine.

It’s one healthy way for our brains to process situations, dreams, aspirations, fears and experience. And it works.

This site has helped me discover lots of new artists I never would have found otherwise: https://www.music-map.com/

ACLU and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

You make perfect sense, and I’m inclined to agree with you. I think an argument can be made that the internet, for all it’s positive aspects, has made our society worse in a lot of ways. I would love to go back, even though I know it’s not possible.

I’m thinking either Finland or Norway. But the only way I could ever emigrate to either of those countries would be as an asylum seeker. I don’t make enough money, nor do I have any skills they want. I’ve got plenty of skills…just not any that are in ‘high demand’.

It doesn’t help that our culture - especially internet culture - loooooooves self-deprecating ‘humor’. We even put ourselves down for putting ourselves down! I’ve had a lot of success with trying to focus more on my triumphs than my failures. It’s all about the language I use with myself, I’ve found. When I have a victory (even a small one), I say “Good job! You nailed it!”. When I fail, I say “Well, that sucked…but you’ll get it next time. Keep trying!”. Most of us don’t have our own personal cheerleaders, so we have to become our own. :)

Emulate honorable people instead of popular people.

Never use ‘telling the truth’ as an excuse to speak without thought or compassion.

You are 100% responsible for what you say and what you do. Own your shit.

If someone is trying, but struggling - encourage them. If someone is struggling, but not really trying - encourage them.

Don’t waste your time trying to ‘be a leader’ or climb any corporate ladders. Just do your job and be kind, generous, truthful and compassionate. What is meant for you will be for you.

Read. A lot. From actual books. As many as you can get your hands on.

Stop putting yourself down. Seriously, it’s not fucking helping you. AT ALL.

Cooties.

‘Christmas Shoes’. Google it.

I will stay my Hammer of Vengeance just this once…and agree that he is a very accomplished and talented actor…who just happens to be Gandalf, not Ian McKellan. ;)

While he did a decent job with Magneto, I would say that his Gandalf is far more recognized.

True, but I would argue that none are as widely recognized as Gandalf.

Screaming into my boss’ face during a heated and un-warranted argument that my co-worker initiated. In all honesty, my boss was in the right in this particular instance. Co-worker never did apologize, to my knowledge. All I can say is my boss has a lot of patience…

Ian McKellan is Gandalf, and I will fight anyone to the death who disagrees.