octave

Just a suggestion which would also include your interest in aviation

Just thinking about the idea that men require a simple defined role in life I would say that speaking personally (and perhaps I am odd) following a stereotype of manliness would have detracted from the quality of my life. Of course, we can't scientifically compare different scenarios. Perhaps I would have been deliriously happy out there competing in the manscape and coming home and mansplaining my day to my devoted housewife (seems unlikely). When I decided to become effeminate an raise my baby son (that's sarcastic by the way) my workmates (I was in the RAAF at the time) had varying opinions. The opinions ranged from "that's gay" yes that was actually said to being called "Mr Mom" (a movie of that era) to an appropriate level of respect and beyond to an over-the-top super hero attitude which was just as irritating. Why am I relating this story? Because it makes me wonder why I was not a lost soul because I chose my own path. I accept that some are unable to do this and it is probably not a fault but to do with upbringing. Because I did this (picture taken while at home with my son by the woman next door who frankly was a bit of a hotty) In later life, I was repaid with this.... (vanity note - I lost 12 kg since this picture!!) If men are struggling then I am sympathetic but I do tend to think that accepting and adapting to the modern world is the way to succeed and be reasonably happy. Knocking a woman over the head with a club and dragging her back to your cave is in the past and is not coming back.

I mean is there anything this man wouldn't do to raise money?😃

This is the video I mentioned. It is quite long but does canvas different opinions. There is an opinion in here for everyone (but try not to cherry-pick.) I have never been one to need norms to decide the direction of my life. In my marriage, neither of us ended up burnt out either by work or child rearing. Whatever the social norms were at the time (mixed positive and negative as I remember it) it just seemed like the rational thing to do, As the world changes some skills become less valuable to society and some things become more valuable. I am using exaggerated language here but once upon a time leaping onto a bison and wrestling it to the ground and slashing its throat was an extremely important highly valued skill but times do change and they always will. Being flexible is a valuable skill. My son is great at art and empathetic but can also rebuild a car engine. The problem with having set roles is that people are forced into areas that they are not suited for. During high school, I wanted to quit music and play football not because I really wanted to or had an aptitude for sport but quite honestly I thought that music wasn't masculine enough. Thank goodness someone talked me out of it and I had an enjoyable career in music.

I feel that much too much is made of traditional roles. If it is a man's place to financially provide for a family and a woman's place to raise children, what does this say about me. My wife and I have shared the job of providing financially and at times it has been one or the other of us working full-time. I stayed at home with my son for the first 18 months while my wife worked full-time. Whilst back then this was not common it was not confusing for me in terms of being a man. I feel sorry for those more traditional men who don't feel this is an option. I saw a great video with a pannel discussing this very subject (will see if I can find it again) It seems that the men who are struggling are those who adhere to traditional roles whilst progressive men are thriving. To me, it is very liberating not to have to adhere to a strict model. My son 34 is a modern man, he is emotionally intelligent, empathetic happy and successful.

AI Trump

its OK as long as you agree on a "safe word"

My post was not directed at you but at men generally. In any conflict, it is rarely a case of fault just on one side.

If your partner is not interested in sex then perhaps a little self-analysis might be required. If your idea of foreplay is saying "brace yourself I'm coming aboard" and if the act consists of ploughing the mrs for 3 minutes and then going to sleep then it is no wonder interest is lost. It amazes me how many men can tune a carburettor but can't locate the G spot.

When I moved into this place it had an old-style fuse board with ceramic fuse holders. When I got an aircon installed the installer also upgraded the fuse board to code. Not too expensive and much safer.

I haven't paid an electricity bill for a couple of months now. My latest bill was $104 in credit. This is due to my woke solar panels.

Here is a picture of the barista from the cafe that recently opened about 300 metres from where I live. When you and I look at this picture I think we are seeing very different things. Because my wife and I are coffee hobbyists to the extent that we buy green raw beans and roast them and blend them ourselves we have little need for a cafe so close to home. We do go once a week partly to support a new business but mainly because we love chatting to this guy and his partner. He is fascinated with our home roaster and we are going to invite him around to watch a roasting. He also has a lot of knowledge that he is happy to share with us. You could not hope to meet a friendlier person. I don't know why he has many tattoos and I don't really care. Tattoos are probably the least interesting thing about him. When I walk down the street I don't need to approve of everybody's dress or grooming. It seems kind of arrogant to have this expectation that everyone should look how I want them to. I do wonder if being less concerned about this kind of thing leads to a happier life. Also, you may be happy to read this article. Are tattoos about to become uncool? Soon many young people will know them as something their parents have

I am not sure whether I want to think about your old fella in the mirror, no offence!

Have you looked in the mirror lately?

Gilbert and Sullivan is great for re-wording. Here is Tom Lehrer. I do tend to judge people on whether they know and appreciate Tom Lehrer.

I have played in the orchestra for many G&S productions. The trouble is in the orchestra pit you can't see what is happening on the stage

I know someone who is disgusted by fat people. they hate seeing them and they resent them and believe they soak up too much of the health budget. I disagree, I think people make choices good and bad but none of us are perfect. I prefer to be tolerant and empathetic partly I suppose for selfish reasons. I am not spending my days being angry about what others do unless it is directly negatively affecting me. This helps me stave off depression and anger.

These pictures represent the most extreme cases and I have never come across individuals like this I would suspect that they are a rarity. Picture 3 is one I don't find challenging at all and in fact I can understand the aesthetic choice here. If that were some kind of lacey sleeve no one would care. As for the others I would find them challenging if I came face to face with them (which I haven't) I would file it under a person I don't quite understand and I would move on. We do live in times when people are probably too easily offended.

My son employs someone who has transitioned. They are a valued talented employee and as far as I can see happy. What we have both done here is cherry pick a single case to make a case either way. These days gender characteristics are more fluid. I am presently on the Melbourne Geelong train and in the seat in front of me is a man dressed as a man but with long fingernails with glossy blue nail polish. It is just an observation and makes no difference to me. I would not care if they wore a dress or had had hormones or surgery. It simply is none of my business and has zero effect on my life.

Millions long for immortality who don't know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Susan Ertz

Nomadpete I accept my body as it is also, however I have no problem with people who can't and choose to do something about it. I simply don't see it as any business of mine what a person and their doctor decides to do. OME I think it is a bit of an old fashioned notion that gay couples split into masculine and feminine roles. My sister and her partner don't have discernable roles and most gay friends I have do not indeed a large proportion of hetero couples don't either. Throughout my marriage, roles have varied. I have worked full-time whilst my wife worked part-time and visa versa. In fact I would think if we totalled up work hours she would have done more than me. After the birth of my son I stayed home full-time with my son for the first year. This was fantastic and I now have a closer relationship with my son. The traditional old male female roles in a relationship are much less prescribed than they used to be and this is definately a good thing.

The thing with electricity is the there are many ways if producing it. You can produce electricity from coal or gas, solar hydro nuclear. Even those who who are suspicious of EVs surely must admit that using our own source of fuel has to be better than importing oil. I know some people do experiment with producing fuel from cooking oil etc but generally refining your own fuel is not possible. I have done a bit of modelling and I could easily provide enough solar to drive 14000km and that is from a relatively small solar system.

Do you mean the price of electricity?

Not bad, but as Mrs Octave said it is not exactly the Orient Express but quite a nice way to travel. We will probably do it again.