My first cousin, now in his late 40's, with a Master's Degree from Brown University...very intelligent, motivated, articulate and sharp. He has been a screenwriter for about 15 years now. He started off his career in advertising. He has sold some work, but he is still waiting for his big break. He has a really exciting project in the works that may be accepted by HBO, and if so, he says he will make his first million! My cousin had a project that was on the table, but never made it due to "the nature of the business" issues, (would have starred Selma Hayak). My cousin has met many Hollywood celebrities, (Nicole Kidman, Selma Hayak, Tom Cruise, etc). I just find this so exciting, and i hope he gets his break soon. I would love to have a celebrity in the family! My cousin is married with 3 kids and lives in NYC. Despite the difficulty of his career choice, he loves his life! My advice is try both. He did. He was a writer (won a Harry Truman award and scholarship in High School) and moved on to screenwriting later. If i could do both well, i would pick films! good luck whatever you choose, you are entering a very competitive business!

Maybe Spats wasn't raised to be concerned about others? I know whenever i'm out with a friend or family member, we always call each other to make sure we got home safely. It's natural to want to make sure your people are safe. However, if i went on a date with someone i didn't enjoy, i wouldn't call them to see if they got home safely

I saw this earlier today on my VHI email. Very sad news about the loss of Billy Powell. I still have the Circus Magazine article that was printed when that horrible plane crash took the precious lives of Ronnie, Steve and Cassie. I was a new, but very loving fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd back in 77'. I did have the good fortune of seeing Rossington/Collins band in the early 80's. ................................................................................ ............................. Who's Lynyrd Skynyrd? Associated Press article & picture, just after plane crash in October 1977 "We like to call ours "Southern Raunchy Roll" Ronnie Van Zant once said of his musical group Lynyrd Skynyrd. "The other bands are just as bad, but we go to jail more". Van Zant and his fightin' Southern band prided themselves on that battling image and a hard driving blaring sound which they rode to sold out concert tours and million selling albums. ................................................................................ ............................... Another great loss to the wonderful world of classic rock music, RIP Billy.

Well my associates are mostly Medical Professionals since i work in a hospital, so many are intelligent, imo. My friends and family are intelligent people, but i have never and will never consider "myself" a superior individual...though i'm pretty damn great. If what you say is true, that the vast majority don't allow themselves to be informed (especially at a critical time like choosing who will run their country) then it makes sense how Bush ever got elected. I don't think it takes more than an hour, maybe two, every couple days, to stay on the ball. If people don't care, this is what happens to our country (pick any problem we currently face). As for your quotes, i have said my peace. When you distort and add things people didn't say to a quote that has their name on it, you have shown deceit. What you highlight or color on your own posts is your prerogative.

I thought it was pretty funny myself and wonder what percentage of women think like that. Still there are some good pointers that would impress a girl you are interested in, if you are the "persuer"... i know that doesn't pertain to you Spats So did you ever call her back?

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I don't think the American perception of our Economy, our ongoing and ongoing and ongoing War, our rate of Unemployment, Uninsured, poorly Educated...Environmental concerns... the way the rest of the World views us...to name a few... is misconception. Bush did a lousy job (to put it nicely) and now we are paying dearly for it. I don't understand why you think it's all Liberals giving their opinion in those polls. It's obvious by the very low rating that plenty of Conservatives have spoken as well. As for people being unable to make their own decisions, that may be true of the people you know. I know plenty of people who formulate their own opinions based on all the information and their own mind. If you are saying the media tells people what to think, the Conservatives are just as brain washed as the Liberals... imo, much more. As for your fun and games with quoting people with your own words, it's something a douchbag does. I'm not the only person to call you on it. It's the same a lying.

How soon you forget. It was a long time ago, but i will tread lightly with you, since i know not to trust you, Mr. quote changer. So anyway, the President ran the country and the President is responsible for his decisions. Nice try, but you can't blame his actions on anyone else. He not only divided our country, but he turned much of the (or should i say most)world against us. But you already know all this. Look at his approval rating upon leaving office. Says it all. I tried, but couldn't resist posting this: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/20...d=news-col-blog A Bush Legacy Bounce? Will former President Bush's poll numbers ever bounce back? Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images When George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, took off from the Capitol in a Marine helicopter and soared over the site where President Barack Obama had been sworn in moments before, thousands of people joyously waved goodbye to a presidency that many consider the worst in modern history. Of the scene, New Yorker editor David Remnick wrote: "Marine One climbed and climbed--slowly, though like an old man getting up in the morning, and then, having reached sufficient altitude, the chopper flattened out and the former President, unsuccessful and unadored, sped off to Andrews Air Force Base and then connected on to Dallas, never to be quite forgotten." Now that Bush is officially a part of history, the question of his legacy will be debated in earnest. Will Bush benefit -- as have most modern presidents -- from the dim light of history under which voters tend to forget the sharp edges of their former leaders and remember only the softer side? Or will he be excepted from this warming trend of public opinion due to events like the war in Iraq and Hurricane Katrina that could haunt his legacy-building for years to come? "I think some passage of time will allow people to consider President Bush's efforts with less political emotion and more focus on what the results of his policies have been," said Terry Nelson, who served as national political director during the former president's 2004 reelection campaign. "As time passes, the views on his administration will also be less partisan. This happens with every president, and will happen with this one as well." While that may well be true, a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll suggests Bush has a VERY high hill to climb. Just one in three voters approved of how Bush had handled his job while 66 percent disapproved -- including a whopping 51 percent who "strongly" disapproved of how Bush did his job. Bush's 33 percent job approval rating was slightly higher than the 29 percent he averaged during the final year of his term in the Post/ABC but far below the 51 percent approval rating he averaged during his entire presidency -- a number that soared in the immediate aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001 but remained mired in lows 30s for much of the final years of his Administration. This compares unfavorably to Post polling for past presidents on their way out the door. Bill Clinton had a 65 percent approval rating at the end of his term and averaged 57 percent for his eight years. George H.W. Bush left office (involuntarily) with a 56 percent approval rating and a career average of 63 percent. Ronald Reagan stood at 64 percent in the final Post poll and averaged 57 percent for his eight years in office. (A BIG thank you to Post polling director -- and all-around good guy -- Jon Cohen for these numbers.) The early read-about regarding Bush's legacy also casts doubt on his ability to bounce back from his current job ratings. Asked how history would remember Bush's presidency, just 16 percent said either "outstanding" (4 percent) or "above average" (11 percent) while 58 percent said the Bush Administration would be remembered as "below average" (22 percent) or "poor" (36 percent). Twenty-six percent said he would be remembered as an "average" president. Again, those legacy numbers lag well behind recent past presidents. Forty-seven percent of those polled in early January 2001 said that Bill Clinton would be remembered as an "outstanding" (15 percent) or "above average" (32 percent); roughly one in three (36 percent) said former President George H.W. Bush would be remembered as a "outstanding" (six percent) or "above average" (30 percent) president. One possible benefit for Bush is that it's hard to imagine his numbers will sink much lower than where they stand today. And, judging from the past history, Bush is almost certain to see a rise in his numbers as his presidency moves further and further into the rear view mirror of voters. Much will hinge on how Americans ultimately judge Bush's reaction to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the subsequent war in Iraq. The more favorably the war is seen in the long view of history, the better Bush's numbers (and legacy) will look. If in the final judgment the war is seen as a failure, it's hard to imagine Bush's numbers perking up in any significant way. Fred Davis, a Republican media consultant who oversaw ad strategy for John McCain's presidential campaign, said he believed the former scenario would play out. "Eventually Americans always only remember the good," said Davis. "He'll eventually be fine. He kept America safe, he set his vision and never wavered." Jim Innocenzi, a partner in the Republican media firm Sandler-Innocenzi, was far less certain that Bush's legacy would benefit as time passes. "Yes, America hasn't been attacked since 9/11 and we owe him a debt of gratitude for that," Innocenzi said of the former president. "But the fact remains, the terrible troika of the economy, Iraq and Katrina will be this man's lasting legacy for years to come." By Chris Cillizza | January 21, 2009; 2:41 PM ET | Category: White House Previous: Inauguration Day: "In the Moment"

That same link had a list for woman, but you will hate that list even more, lol. In general, i think alot of what the etiquette states would help you with women. BUT, i know you are not the least bit interested. Lets face it, you are destined to not find love. You are making your bed and you are going to be the only one sleeping in it.

Read this for an example of dating etiquette for men. If you go down to the bottom you will see what is "expected" financially, of you! http://www.topdatingtips.com/dating-etiquette.htm

Yeah, i was so bummed! I had to give my best friend my Kinks ticket to sell at the show. I told her if you want to, just give it away (my guess is at that time the ticket cost either $6.50/$7.50 or $8.50, lol) because that was what ticket prices were back in 1979. So some lucky person got to see the show for free!

I know what you meant. Okay, even if they buy you a drink, most will expect you to do the same. If they go out on a date with you, i believe most will expect you to pay (though some may be fine with splitting the bill). The traditional man pays for woman is still alive and well...and to get back to your original thought, i would say even more so with Southern women.

I Missed Again...Phil Collins

Well people's inhibitions are lower and judgement may be clouded under the influence. Most people shouldn't be that way when they are sober, although some people are nicer humans when they are drinking It comes down to tradition and what most women were raised to feel is proper. I have never been traditional, although my mother feels she raised me to be

I think so.

Something I Can Never Have...Nine Inch Nails

Whether or not your theory that the Democratic party wanted Bush to fail is true, really means nothing. The fact of the matter remains that eight years of "Bush" Administration and "Bush" policies are the reason for "Bush" failiing. IF he was ever a uniter, he became a great divider under his very long, very destructive Presidency. I hope i kept that short enough so you can't distort anything i said.

Sorry Spats, but even if the girls are doing the approaching, my guess is, they feel if you are interested, you will buy "them" a drink. Plus, in clubs it's not unusual for girls to approach guys, no matter where the location is. The effects of alcohol, you know

Do you mean in Canada or the U.S. (which is where i thought you meant)? It's my understanding that Southern girls (like most girls) expect to be asked out, the date paid for, and treated like a lady at every turn. In addition, i would bet most southern women want to get married and raise a family. I believe tradition (and religion) rule in South more than where i live.

Women in the South may be friendlier than where you live, but they are going to expect to be treated the opposite of how you want to treat them.

That's why i like pictures of tropical places, especially in the winter months! I got the pic on google images, i don't know where this particular one was taken. However, if you are looking for a warm getaway, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, or Southwest to Southeast Florida (anywhere between Naples and Sarasota) are some great choices! I am dying to take a warm weather vacation, but don't know if finances will allow it before the winter ends.

How can you have buddies who have so much luck with women and not pick up on how to do it yourself? Heres an example from this board. Dzldoc went out to dinner alone, saw an attractive lady sitting alone, and asked her to join him. Maybe gutsy, but taking a chance to meet someone you want to get to know is the only way to do it. You can hope for woman to be the aggressor, but you may continue to be lonely into old age. You like this girl, you either make a move or move on. Call her or forget about it.

Again, another hilarious post from you, lol

This i totally agree with. It's a disgrace how women are still used, in 2009, as sex objects. Seems to me even more than ever before. Makes you wonder how far has women's lib brought us? I think society has led women to want to dress this way and act this way, and that is very sad. I pray my daughter won't turn out that way (if i have any control over things she won't).

If you could do an accurate study of how many women in the world go after men for their money versus how many men in the world have children they don't support (financially or in any other way), i believe the results would be dramatically in favor of the men being the losers.