Hey Thl,<P>I have been sitting here this morning,and I thought that you would be the perfect one that might be able to help.<P>More and more since I have been here,I have come to the realization that if I want to someday find a man to be my partner,I am really going to have to be able to put more into the relationship than just being great in bed and having fun,(recreational companionship.)<P>As we all know I can't even come to close to be in the same Conversational league as some of you all here!<P>I want to change that!!!<P>I want to know what it is that I can do?<BR>What subjects that men (35-45)like to disscus??......I don't care wether it be sports or Philosophy,Religion,Politics and so on!(I am willing to learn.)<P>I love a challenge and more than that I want to grow more as a person!<P>Maybe you could recomend some books that I could read.I love reading.I could read some that you suggest and than maybe we could converse about them.<P>I am open to any suggestions that you might have.<P>I value your opinion and any other male that is out there that could help me to "Expand my Harizons"! <P>Thank You. <P>Gina <P>------------------<BR>"If we deny love that is given to us,if we refuse to give love because we fear pain or loss,then our lives will be empty,our loss greater!"-----Anonymous----

Gina,<P>Good Luck and God Bless<BR>bwilling<p>[This message has been edited by bwilling (edited July 07, 2000).]

Gina,<P>Great question! Thanks for asking me!<P>I think the easiest way is to read the<BR>local/regional newspaper everyday. But the trick is to read as much of it as you can, not just the interesting sections. That will keep you informed of the most current events in your area, as well as the region, the US and the world.<P>That way, when someone mentions a non technical topic, such as the stock market, sports, the presidential race, who will you vote for in town, the upcoming weather, the latest on elian, you will be able to say,<P>"I just read about that, isn't that great/awful!" Or you can start a conversation with, "why would you ever want to vote for Gore after the ####### inquisition?"<P>Or to the finance people of the world, "The market has been down lately, how have you been doing? I just read about a possible summer rally?"<P>And the finance type will say, "WOW! you follow the market?" and Gina, the intelligent blonde, will say, "I follow everything, what's on your mind?" And the finance type will say, "Hey, lets talk about this over lunch?" and gina will say, "Sure, I know of a great place where they serve ######, but I haven't been there yet. About when would you like to pick me up?" and the finance type says, . . . . . <P>OK, you get the drift. The paper takes about 1/2 - 1 hour to read a day.<BR>Also there should be things to do/places to go see, etc where you might get ideas.<P>No textbooks, no grad school topics, just be familiar with your surroundings, and you will be able to hang with most guys on some topic. Maybe not like Karenna and I on spatial aptitude , but that stuff can get boring after 5 minutes also. And you probably won't be hanging around with high level spatial aptitude guys either (they would rather go out and do something by themselves or on the computer than sit and chat!)<P>So check back with me in one week, and let me know how your doing with it.<P>see, its not that hard! I trained my STBX with this, and so now she can converse easily with her new friends instead of me! <P>Actually, I am not that interested in local, town news, too much like peyton place, whereas she is involved with it on a day to day level, like peyton place.<P>thl<P><p>[This message has been edited by WhenIfindthetime (edited June 23, 2000).]

Thanks for the vital info.<P>It makes perfectly logical sense. I can do that. People are always amazed at how much trivia I know. Now I guess I can turn to more important stuff. It's easy enough.<P>Sargent and Eunice (Kennedy) Shriver used to expect their children to come to dinner at night prepared to discuss two or three news things at dinner. They expected their children to be globally educated. From what I've heard about the Kennedy family the children of this couple have made some truly significant contributions. <P>Too bad my local paper is pretty weak. But we have only one local paper so everyone is stuck with it. <BR>

Order a regional paper from a larger city nearby. Make sure it has enough content to satisfy your curiousity about the world.<P>SAme to you Gina, order it, and the delivery may be delayed, but it is the depth of coverage that counts. Maybe order a paper from the capital of your state, if there is not enough depth in the local paper.<P>thl

Thl,<P>Thank You!! <P>That makes so much sence!<P>Let me ask you this.Could I get all of the same info off of like the USA Today internet site?? Would it have everything that is in the paper?<P>Our paper here in NW Arkansas really stinks!<P>I do know that the Dallas Morning News has a great paper.Maybe that one?..That is pretty close to us.<P>Thank you so much! <P>I will start tonight!<P>I appreciate your thoughts and your time!<P>Gina <P><P>------------------<BR>"If we deny love that is given to us,if we refuse to give love because we fear pain or loss,then our lives will be empty,our loss greater!"-----Anonymous----

Gina,<P>I had the internet version in my response at one point, but removed it because it is does not cover a broad enough number of topics, such as Learning, Home, Metro Region, Worldwide, etc.<P>Looking at the map, I would suggest papers from Little Rock, or Fort Smith, or Tulsa, OK, or even Dallas.<P>Dallas would probably be the best, but don't forget a good local paper for keeping up with the local stuff that locals talk about. Although it may not be important to me, doesn't mean it isn't important to the person you will meet.<P>take care, and great question, keep those brain cells thinking, and pretty soon, you will be able to trade your F Female for a T female, those rare beings that I find so attractive, yet so elusive.<P>thl

OK,Gina,<BR> I have an assignment for you.<BR> Please order a subscription to these magazines ASAP:<BR> <BR> Newsweek<BR> Time<BR> Popular Mechanics<BR> Popular Science<BR> Money Magazine<BR> Nat'l Geographic <BR> Kiplinger's<BR> Playboy<BR> Car Craft<BR> Travel&Leisure<BR> Forbes<BR> Wall St Journal<BR> People Magazine<BR> The Nat'l Enquirer<BR> Golf Digest<BR> Yachting<P> Now you are required to read these every month.Pretty soon,you'll be able to talk to a man about anything,even the latest 5.7 LT1 FI engine in his Corvette!<P> You can thank me later.You better get to reading. <P> --Murph

Oh,Murphy/Mel..........<P>You just kill me!!.....LOL<P>Do you really think that it is important to have all of those????<P>Let me ask you this.<P>Do you think that if a women didn't know about some of these subjects but knew that it was important to you.I can be a very good listener and by than just listening/talking/asking Q that that would be just as important as "Knowing it all"???<P>Interested in what you think.<P>Thanks for the response! <P>Hey where is that Medic?....(w/his cats?) <P>Take it easy!<P>Gina <P><P>------------------<BR>"If we deny love that is given to us,if we refuse to give love because we fear pain or loss,then our lives will be empty,our loss greater!"-----Anonymous----

Hey Gina/Marilyn,<BR> You posted at the exact same time as I did on The Thread That Would Not Die!<BR> No,you really don't have to know everything,just like I don't know all the things a woman is interested in(you know,cooking,cleaning,etc.)<BR> But I think the important thing is to be interested(at least try)in the things that are important to him.And that goes without saying if the relationship is going to survive,that has got to work both ways.<BR> I remember dragging my stbx around carshows,even though she'd rather been somewhere else.But then I'd take her to the Flower&Garden shows,or other things she liked to do.<BR> There's nothing worse than being somewhere with someone,and having them look like they're bored to tears.<BR> So I think being interested is probably more important that being an Einstein.<BR> By the way,there's this car show coming up............<P> --Murph

Murph/Mel,<P>Do you honestly think that little comment about women's interests slipped by ME??? Not hardly! Cooking and cleaning??? Interesting??? NOT! Don't like to do either! LOL LOL<P>Gina,<BR>Just be yourself. You seem to have a great personality and a great sense of humor! <P>Mitz

Murph,and Mitz,<P>You guys just kill me!<P>Thank you Murph! <P>You always know how to put a smile on my face <P>I do agree w/you and trying to make compromises in what you do together.<BR>It does/or should go both ways!<P>BTW......I would much rather get my power tools out and do some manly home improvement work any day over the cooking and cleaning!!!LOL!<P>A car show,HUH?.........well,how about I go w/you to that if you go w/me to a Home Decorating Party?.....(you know all that girlie house decorating stuff?)...LMAO!!!<P>I know!!... I can bring the pix of showing you doing your "Yard Work"......oh,all the women will just love that! <P>Mitz,<P>Thank you!......I do appreciate that!<BR>(I just have been w/my stbx for my whole adult life and I would like to think that I could contribute more than just a great lay!)<BR>I know that you know what I mean!<P>I am a pretty confident person,and know that I do have a lot to offer,it is just I think that the closer that I get to this being done it is my insecurities coming out.<BR>(and I usually don't have any!!)<P>Oh,just as a reminder I do need to have those pix that you have of (M)I need to take them w/me to a party! <P>BBAAaaaaa aaaaaa aaaaaaaa!!!LOL...LOL<P>Take it easy!<P>Gina <BR><P>------------------<BR>"If we deny love that is given to us,if we refuse to give love because we fear pain or loss,then our lives will be empty,our loss greater!"-----Anonymous----

Gina,<P>Hey! Ya know what my H had the b***s to say when he left?? That I wasn't even a great lay!!!! LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL<BR>He actually thought he could hurt me by saying that! LOL WRONG!!! <P>When me and Butterfly get done stalking Murph, I'll send the pictures! <P>Hey Murph! We can see you!!! <P>Mitzi

Hey Guys,<P>You know I tried my best to talk to Val about current events, what's going on in her life and the sort.<P>She had no clue what was going on outside her little world. Usually my son and I would take over the conversation debating topics. I would ask her how work was or what she did today. "Teeth" Ok, how do you expand on that?<P>Hey, Murph, you forgot Cat World in your list. The kittys are doing fine. My son left yesterday with the FXW to go to Salem MA. No wonder it's quiet here today.<P>The house is a mess and he was supposed to help clean up. Do you know how hard it is to get two cats in the washing machine? Damn kid! Opps, just heard it's time to put them in the dryer. Back in a bit. This should hurt. <P>Zippy the Pinhead

Gina,<P>how about to start with, just read most of the Sunday paper from Tulsa, or Dallas or Little Rock. That would be easier than<BR>everyday.<P>Hmmmm, you know how to use power tools? that's pretty Maybe spending time creating a really customized house would be away to spend time, and maybe get up a good conversation with people at the Home Depot or wherever you get your supplies and equipment.<P>Just a suggestion, I know the finance type does not live too close.<P>keep thinking, showing your growth!<P>thl

Gina,<BR> Ok,you got a deal.But when we go to the car show,I get to show off the pix of you standing over the street grate with your Marilyn dress blowing up! <BR>I'll pick you up in my Ferrari....<BR> <BR>Medic,<BR> Those cats dry faster in the microwave. <P> --Murph/Tom S.

when i read the first post, i was going to say, "im not a man, but...read the paper!"<BR>funny enough, my H is VERY in to cars, and he's got me so interested, im seriously thinking about training for an exciting career in car sales (sounds corny, but i have a real mind for details, so i wouldn't look stupid when a guy asks me about car specs).<BR>anyway, ive found newsweek and the weekend car shows give me enough info to talk with most men i meet..<BR>by the way, murph, i, too, am not letting you get away with that 'women are interested in cooking and cleaning' slam. blech!!!

Hey Murph,<P>Thanks for the tip. How long do you put them in for? My Nuke only has a few settings and cats aren't one of them.<P>I am so glad you shared that with me. You have no idea how aggravating it gets hearing them bounce around in the dryer. Gads, like it hurts or something. I'd love to be put in the dryer and spin around for awhile. I just can't hit the button with the door closed.<BR><P>------------------<BR>"It's not over till we say it's over! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? H*ll no!" Blutto...Animal House 1984<P>Wishing us all the Best.<P>Medic

Murph and Gina!<P>If you think that by planning your little get together over here, that you are hiding from me, You got another thing coming! LOL LOL LOL <BR>Murph, I'm heartbroken! <BR> <BR>Tim, <BR>I thought we spoke about the cats before. Leave the poor critters alone! <P>Mitzi <BR>

<B>Thl,</B><P>Thanks,I think that I will get the Little R.Paper,and we will see how that goes!<P>Yes........I love power tools!.......<BR>When I took down our paneling we put dry wall,and I went and rented one of those texture spray machines........<P>It was kinda funny bc I am so short/little,the guys there were like,looking at me like are going to do this?...can we help you caring it out to your car?......I said oh,yes I am doing this by my self thanks!.......BBaaaaa,bbbaaa.LOL<P>It was a blast it really was a lot of fun!<BR>It is great bc no one can tell that those walls were just done they blend right in w/the rest of the house that was built in the 70's!<P>I would love someday to have my own wood working shop!....that would be cool!<P><B>Murph,</B><P>Ok,you have a deal!.......Although we will have to swing by and pick up Mitz,she found us out.........and I wouldn't want her to be left out!.......Oh,do you think that we will all fit in your Ferrari?...that is ok!You can let me drive(weeeee,varrroomm,varrooomm!)<BR>and Mitz can sit on your lap!!!!! (Hey,Yo,Mitz,hope you don't mind that girl ....just trying to help out <P><B>LWB,</B><P>Hey girl!.....I think that is a great idea!<BR>You go!.......if that is what you are interested in than why not?.........good luck!.... <P><B>Tim,</B><P>I just have to say that once again,you just kill me!.........I love the way you think!<BR>You have such a great sence of humor!(in a sick but great way!)I always look forward to your comments!...(you,Murph,and Mitz have made my day so many times I can't even begin to tell you how great it is to laugh again!!) Thanks!<P><B>Mitz,</B><P>Hey girl!.....dang,you caught us!...LOL,you know that is ok,I told Murph that you were coming along,I am going to drive and you will sit on his lap! ..........Ha!LOL.....<BR>(oh,no,no,no,that's ok,you can thank me later!) <P>Gina <P>------------------<BR>"If we deny love that is given to us,if we refuse to give love because we fear pain or loss,then our lives will be empty,our loss greater!"-----Anonymous----