let me pretext this by saying that this is in no way a complaint thread...I have enjoyed getting older but I possess a mindset now that I never thought I would...and quite honestly, I couldn't be happier about it...

I was born & raised in south Georgia...I still live here and figure I will probably live out the rest of my life here...as much as I love where I'm from, it's not exactly a hotbed for social acceptance or open mindedness...admittedly, I shared much of this attitude for years...there was a time when I bought into every preconceived notion about anyone different than me...whether it be race, sexual orientation or political view, I subscribed to ignorant ways of thinking...

then I grew up...

I can't pinpoint what caused a shift in my thinking...I don't think it can be attributed to a certain event or person but it was more like a gradual eye opening...a realization over time that life would be a lot less complicated if folks would just share a bit of mutual respect and tolerance for one another...


basically, I'm finding that I've become more liberal as I've gotten older...I'm not sure how that works everywhere else...but down here -amongst people I know or grew up with- it tends to be just the opposite with people becoming more conservative with age...the list of things that bother me has grown shorter...the only thing that absolutely bugs me is stupidity...stupidity is a pretty broad statement, I know...but I think you get the point...I now know that different isn't bad...that disagreement doesn't have to lead to dislike....that acceptance leads to understanding...

I was on the phone yesterday with a guy I've known for many years...he's in the same business I am, so our paths cross fairly regularly...he went into a tirade yesterday that doesn't bear repeating...but it was some straight racist bullshit and I just hung up on him...he called back, I explained how I didn't care to hear his thoughts and that we should keep any communication between us strictly professional...he was smug and pissy and half heartedly apologized...I've thought about that alot since yesterday...I kinda see him as a reflection of what I could have been...I've always heard that you shouldn't think you're better than anybody...that may be true but I know for a fact that I'm better than him...I'm better than the countless closeminded people I deal with on a day to day basis...and I'm certainly a better person for gettting know people that otherwise I would have shut out of my life just because of our differences...

I have no real reason for posting this...I'm not looking for for an 'atta boy or a pat on the back...I think the life I'm leading is it's own reward for my way of thinking...I'm without a doubt at the happiest point of my existence...and it's hard for me to imagine that I could be any happier with my approach towards life...
[Edited 2/20/10 19:21pm]

That's a lot to read. I'm getting the sense you want to 'come out'?


Either way, I know your journey is filled with delights.


GROUP. HUG.

TheVoid said:

you're the best test for tolerance I know...

thejason said:

God, I lurve you!

OK, I'm going to chime in here since I grew up in the deep south and trust me when I say this.... I KNOW... I just KNOW... what you're surrounded by.

I was always 'white enough' by some more moderate racists to be admitted into their circles so long as I talked and 'thought' like they did.


Interesting enough, my move towards a more liberal mindset actually took place in Alabama when I moved into the city out of the suburbs. Even in southern cities, tolerances for differences are higher.


Anyways, what I would imagine you feeling is sometimes isolating because it's not like where you live is a mecca of tolerance. It's certain much better than it was in the 80's I'm imagining, but that doesn't mean that you have people who are all like minded to you surrounding you every day.

This means, you can exist in a world were you feel just a little ... irritated and isolated.

I can only imagine the org is like an oasis of insanity.

When I lived in Florida and expressed my liberal views on any occasion that I could, I was told by many "older" ppl that I would get more conservative as I grew up.

You get out of the world what you put into it.

Oh...and Phil wants to know if you have finally grown up enough realise that turning left isn't a sport?

MrsMdiver said:

I'm proud to say I've helped to convert 3 friends and 1 family member to the left.

It's not like joining a football team to root for in my case--it's very personal.

But I wouldn't actually place me in the 'left' side of the world. I find abortion absolutely horrifying (though I support it), and I'm not 100% opposed to the death penalty. THere's more issues that muddy the water for me, but overall, I lean left. Basically, I think laws, etc. etc. should benefit everyone and not just one type of citizen--from that standpoint, I base most of my decisions. We're all in this together so to speak.

MrsMdiver said:

OMG, if Phil keeps posting on here through you as a proxy I'm going to beg ben to ban you!

Or I'm going to go on facebook and ban him myself! Oh my gawwwwwd.


Val, you're American! It's time you learned him a thing or two about proper home trainin'

MrsMdiver said:

ask that fucker if motorcylces turn left too....or in his case, do they just lay down and crash...

TheVoid said:

Don't make me say it.

thejason said:

He is always telling me "If you are not falling off then you are not trying hard enough".
or some shit like that.

btw...

I am proud of you for being a cool, open-minded Southerner.

Life is to short to be hung up on the things that in the end don't matter. We get out of life what we put into it and are capable of getting everything we need or want. When we judge or close ourselves off to things we really don't allow for ourselves to experience what life has to show us.

thejason said:

I grew up in Iowa, and I'm always surprised by the diversity of opinions (progressive and not progressive there). I know I'm related to lots of people who don't think the way I do, and it bugs me a lot sometimes. Other times, I just let it go and forget about it, but I've had arguments similar to what you did with your longtime acquaintance. And then I've noticed a wonderful acceptance and forward-thinking in my hometown that really makes me happy.

Also, I now live in Harlem and I've had plenty of what I consider to be offensive comments made to me out here, by white New Yorkers. It just proves that both progressive thinking and backward thinking are all over, everywhere. And also, I hope it shows that there are people all over the world who are wiling to have their minds changed.

Those of us who are "different" than you and you might have shut out are very lucky folk too.

I must say though, that a picture of your penis would've made your point just fine.

Jason, I have so much respect and love for you for bearing your soul here in such a way. Sometimes the world can be an unforgiving place but because you have changed, I can believe in a bit of good in the world. I am so glad you did change because now I have you as a friend.

Vendetta1 said:

thanks Ivy...
and you know what else, it's a good thing I changed because it would have been a fucking shame for people to never have had the chance to experience my overwhelming charm...

Your feeble attempts to be my first morsel of white meat are not working

. . . or so I keep telling myself

SCNDLS said:

I'm wearing you down, lil' by lil'...at this rate, I'll even have you enthusiastically calling it a "cock"...

thejason said:

Fuckin' crackers . . .

. . . and their cocks

SCNDLS said:

that's the spirit....

thejason said:

This thread got all kinds of wrong real quick.

Vendetta1 said:

Awwwww, thanks . . .

thejason said:

like by about 500% at least