And so it's time to move on
We were really close
But it wasn't meant to be
When there's magic in the making
And something there worth taking
The curtain always lowers over the stage
That might seem sad
It might be discouraging
But we really wouldn't want it any other way

You'll think I'm speaking in metaphors
But you're a goddam metaphor
And I'm not supposed to say goddam anymore

Look at your hands, your reflection
You've told yourself
You're not that important
You tell yourself
And you believe it
Because it helps you to bury your light
Way down deep
It makes it seem okay

That might be true sometimes
There are the dead moments
The downtimes
The disconnection
The Sleep
But what a miracle you are
There are times when your hands ring
Full of every stretch of the infinite mind
There are moments when you are all that is
And you're being is perfect in its oneness
You are eternity

We can live forever
I am convinced.
Space and time
stitched together in loops
Where there are loops
There are loopholes
Together
We can slip through
Together
Because who wants to face eternity alone?

Take the exit door
I'll follow you out
and I'll dive back in
Again and again
To catch you
To find you
Wherever you fall

Love your fear and be bold
You cannot fall
Eternity stretches out
Forever
Trace the folds
And go where you want to

A popular xangan has let it be known that she will be writing negative posts about members of her friends list that don't visit often enough. As I think this is quite ridiculous, I'm choosing to note it here and now and move on. Drama of this nature is simply ridiculous and I don't care to wallow in it.

The original post was by restlessbutterfly and this was my response:

"1. I've enjoyed being a sporadic visitor here, but the simple reality of it is, I don't know you as well as I know some others and so it works out I'm not around as much. It's nothing intentional, it's just the nature of the beast. I am never offended when anyone wants to delete me, as I sometimes delete others if there has been no activity going either way.

2. Was it really necessary to threaten people for not visiting you often enough? I'm offended by the way you've put this and feel that this is an attempt to blackmail comments,eprops, recs, what have you. I'm disappointed and I won't be coming around anymore."


It's sad that I have to return from a period of inactivity with a post like this. I apologize for the drama and won't bring it up again.

Yes, this post is about...ALCOHOL.

I was just reading a post by flipguy31o that brings up some really good questions. I figure since I often talk about drinking, it might be good to talk about RESPONSIBLE drinking. Of course, this isn't directed at folks my age and older, or anyone who already has issues with alcohol. I just thought some of the younger people could benefit from the experience of those who have been drinking without problem for a long time. (Anyone who wants to chime in with a comment or their own advice is more than welcome.)

I'm not sure if I would say alcoholism runs in my family, but I am related to my share of alcoholics, including those who have died prematurely because of the disease. Becoming dependent on drink concerns me. Because I did not come from a nuclear family that drank, when I started to drink, I was less than sure about the ground rules.

For some time now, I've had a concept of how much to drink and when. Sort of a mental checklist, to avoid any dangers of dependence. 

When you're young, setting limits can be very difficult, especially if you're always out with different friends. One group wants to drink one night, another the next. My personal advice is, if you're going to drink heavily, confine it to the weekend. Try to always be in a process of tapering back a little, rather than progressively drinking more. If you notice a pattern to your drinking, try to throw a hitch in it. If you're not in the mood to drink, don't drink just because alcohol is available. You may be drinking a lot the first year or two after you hit twenty-one, but your body is not going to want to keep that pace up forever. Keep that in mind as you decide how often and how much to drink. Try to exercise some self-control and become the adult that society has deemed that you are.

It's easier when you have kids, because getting completely bombed out of your head is rarely, if ever, a good idea. Now that I'm in my early thirties, I don't drink regularly, so it only takes 1-3 beers to get me nicely buzzed. Most of the time, I'm not even shooting for a buzz. I'm looking for taste/refreshment and a mild aid to relaxation. If I can remember the last time I was inebriated, it's too soon to let myself get drunk again. Unless I've had an exceptionally stressful day or it is a very special occasion, I still only drink on the weekends (not counting the occasional sample of wine at the local Olive Garden). If I've had a few beers the past couple of weekends in a row, I skip a weekend. Or two. Or three. (It's really kind of a cool thing when you forget alcohol even exists, then give yourself a little reintroduction.) If I am in a highly emotional state (angry, sad, agitated, etc.), I try not to drink. If I do partake when I'm feeling that way, it will be very limited, just enough to take the edge off. Even then, though, it's a pretty bad idea to drink when you're actively upset.

Finally, yes, while it's true that it's always five-o-clock somewhere, I do find it best to confine drinking to the evening hours.

There's no surefire way to foolproof yourself against alcoholism. Recognizing the dangers and being aware of what you're doing is a pretty good step in the right direction. IMO.

So what would you say to young people about handling alcohol responsibly?