March 22, 2001

Dear Blabby,

I'm not really writing in regards to a problem, just kinda want your opinion on something.

Recently a good friend of mine were chatting back and forth and got into the discussion of happiness. His statement was that happiness is just a state of mind, it isn't something we need to strive for but all exists within our own minds. Explaining the difference between those who have a positive outlook on life versus the negative outlookers. What do you think Blabby? Is happiness simply a state of mind and does that also make depression nothing more than a state of mind that we are all in control of?

Do you think that if your in control of your life you can indeed find the happiness one strives for? Knowing that happiness means different things to different people, how do I achieve happiness?

Dear Looking for Happiness,

You just asked the golden question, child!! What is happiness for one would not be for others. I don't think happiness is a state of mind all it's own. It's something you must work to achieve, but it shouldn't be THAT hard to work at. Much of it is a state of mind, but there are many reasons why some don't have it.

For some, they're in a situation that they either can't get out of, or don't want to due to the hassles it may bring. So then it becomes a personal choice, NOT whether or not you're in control of your life. In some instances, things may snowball to such a grandiose scale that depression just naturally occurs.

For some, happiness is simple things. Good friends. Good family. Strong home and marriage. For others, it's money, nice cars, jewelry, a stock portfolio.

Me, I just enjoy my '73 T-bird, my 3 grandkids, and my bridge club friends. Some of us down at the senior center have begun those Tae-Bo tapes. I'm starting to feel like a young whippersnapper again! Granted, we about need oxygen after only 15 minutes, but we're building our stamina! Don't you worry about ole Blabster.

You sound like a sweet young thing, no doubt being chased by countless men or women (whatever your gender may be). You find yourself a good mate and settle down. See how much more satisfied you become in life. No one could replace my dear Henry, but lawdy child, a woman does so get lonely!! If'n you meet someone 60'ish and they likes blue hair...by jiminy you send him Blabby's email address, ok?

Thanks for writing honey, and remember...when life looks shabby, reach out for Blabby!

Sincerely,

Dear Blabby

March 21, 2001

Dear Blabby:

I've been acroing for some time now and the 30 Somethings rooms, and I have a few questions that I've always wanted to know the answers to, but am afraid to ask. You seem to know about everyone, so I thought I'd ask you!

A. Why is it considered poor manners to leave during face-off?

B. Does HugeAss really exist? Or is he just a snert-blocker?

C. Is SlickeyP expecting a boy or a girl?

D. Is Gr8st really the greatest? Or is that just his nick?

E. Does Waste O' DNA, Q, MsAnthopy, MsOgeny etc... have split personalities? Why do people use 100 names?

F. Is Libbie Lobster related to Maine Lobster?

G. I hear that some are on teams. What are they? Can anyone join? Are their teams that have more than one from our rooms? Who are they?

H. Cake and Freebeer: Are they really married? Aren't they worried about calories?

I. Does Dreamingman hit on everything that has an e-skirt?

J. If the #2 room is full, is it ok to play in the other rooms?

Thanks for your helpful column!

confuddle

Dear confuddle,

Lawdy, woman!! I'll bet your report cards from when you were younger all read like this: "Dear ______, your child ________ is a very inquisitive child" (meaning she asks a lot of questions and is a P.I.T.A). Didn't they? Admit it, it's ok!

You bring up a LOT of great questions though, so I will try to answer them in a short and sweet fashion.

A. Why is it considered poor manners to leave during face-off?

I Never pay attention to the rights and wrongs of acro. You go when you want to go honey!! But I would think it poor manners because someone is trying to win those precious flips, and if you leave your vote won't count.

B. Does HugeAss really exist? Or is he just a snert-blocker?

I've actually seen him play...once. We go toobing with him a lot though.

C. Is SlickeyP expecting a boy or a girl?

This is news to me honey!! When you get the dirt, you let ol' Blabster know, will ya??

D. Is Gr8st really the greatest? Or is that just his nick?

He's a great player, don't get me wrong. But it's pretty much in his own mind. We'll come back to him later in this reply. Personally, I think HE believes he's all that AND the whole bag of Fritos. Mr. Preppie holding onto his youth. I think he has a vintage Corvette, and he only dresses in Hilfigers and Polos. I'm waiting for him to change his name to Tommy H. OMG, and what is up with that hair?? Oh yeah, I forgot, he WANTS to look like the Gr8AmericanHero...or the guy from the show. That's where the nick comes from.

E. Does Waste O' DNA, Q, MsAnthopy, MsOgeny etc... have split personalities? Why do people use 100 names?

I don't know of whom you speak dear. I've seen Waste once. I don't know why anyone would have multiple personalities. Well...other than that ONE acro player whom I believe is schizo. We won't go into that though.

F. Is Libbie Lobster related to Maine Lobster?

Not that I know of. She looks much better than him, even at her age.

G. I hear that some are on teams. What are they? Can anyone join? Are their teams that have more than one from our rooms? Who are they?

Teams are made up of anyone who has the desire and time to play for an hour and a half, approximately. You have to be invited to play by one of the team captains. I don't play team games, as most of my time is taken up by crocheting afghans for my dear grandchildren.

H. Cake and Freebeer: Are they really married? Aren't they worried about calories?

Yes, they are married. None of us have seen them though, so if they look like Calista Flockhart (damn that woman! I'd kill for her hips!) then I suppose they don't care about calories.

I. Does Dreamingman hit on everything that has an e-skirt?

I told you I'd come back to Gr8st later in this reply. Here it is. You can add Gr8 and Burgh to this question as well. Both tried to hit on me within 5 minutes of entering the 30's 2 room for the first time, and let me tell you!!! I put them in their place right quick! I made it clear I don't put up with no shenanigans and monkeyshine! I think Dreaming did at one time have something going with a certain acroer, but this ain't the place for rumors.

J. If the #2 room is full, is it ok to play in the other rooms?

You play where you darn well want to!! Don't you let anyone pressure you into playing ONLY in the 30's 2 room. By golly, you've got yerself a brain...use it! And if someone tries to make you feel guilty about it, they don't seem much like a friend to me, and you tell them to "KMA!" Oh my...did I just say that?? Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. What would my long-lost Henry think of that potty-mouth?

I hope this helps clear up some of that fuddlement, confuddled. I know I enjoyed responding to your questions. It allowed me to get some things off of my poor, old, heavily-bosumed chest. Remember: when life looks shabby, turn to Blabby!

Sincerely,

Dear Blabby

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March 20, 2001

Peej? If you read this, you know my situation at work.

Well, after I went to the boss because of a misunderstanding, she retaliated. And now I could possibly lose my job, if we can't communicate to our expectations.

So with that being said, I am strongly considering if possible going to night shift. That means I would work 12 hour nights 7:00PM to 7:00Am. One week I would work 36 hours the next 48. I would have every other weekend off, and I would have days off during the week.

The other benifit with my possiblity of moving, I would make more money working nights because of shift differential. The down side, I might not be able to play acro at night as much. But the upside it would be less stressful, and if I can switch now before there are more problems, it won't look so bad for me now.

Also, an ex co-worker is moving back in May, or June, that is the other thing. I have a feeling that is why this whole thing has been blown up.

If you can help that would be great. Oh, did I mention I do like nights better. But I would have to work something out because I play for church early Sunday mornings.

Thanks,

Stuck at Work

Dear Stuck,

I feel your pain. I really do. Working for Libbie and Peej, while it has many upsides, they always expect this old woman to bring in cookies, brownies, and various cakes. They threaten firing if I can't keep up with baked good production. Luckily I like them.

But back to your problem. I'm not certain as to why you think Peej is involved in the creation of my article. I am the Blabster...the one and only...not our dear editor. Give me the credit where it's due and leave that Peej woman out of this.

I'm not sure you HAVE a problem, other than missing playing at church. I realize that's an important aspect of a person's well-being and I respect you more for attending weekly. But if you're happier working nights, and it's less stressful...where's the conflict?

So you miss playing acro. Play days...you'll meet a whole new group of people and there's no guarantee you'll lose touch with your nighttime playing friends.

And you say the pay is better. Being a night person (prunes keep me up, along with my double shot of Metamucil) I say go for the night shift!!

Hope I was of some help to you Stuck. Good luck with your decision and remember...if life looks shabby, reach out to Blabby!!

Signed,

The Blabster

March 19, 2001

Dear Blabby,

I'm a potential player in the 30 Somethings 2 room, having just made it past my 30th birthday. I was playing in the 20 Somethings room before that. I'm concerned about meeting new people in the 30's rooms, and hope you can answer a couple of questions for me?

1. Is smut acceptable in the rooms? It sure is in the 20 Somethings rooms, indeed, it seems to be a requirement!

2. Do snerts often attack the rooms? I.justcan't.Stand.it-when-snerts-start.breakingup the room.

3. Are the people friendly? I'm awfully shy, and know few people there. I think someone named cupcake said hello to me once, but that might have been the rooms "GreetingBot", as she said hello to everyone.

4. Any good acroer's I should watch out for? Perhaps I can learn to improve my skills, even if I find that I can't make friends.

I'm sure glad someone told me about your column, I was despairing of every having anyone answer my concerns about maturing in acro.

Signed,

Acrodope


Dear Acrodope,

The smut that is acceptable in the 30's room is FAR classier than the infantile trash you will find in the 20's rooms. There is a better class of people in the 30's rooms (from my experience anyway). And usually it is hilarious smut you find in the 30's rooms. So laugh and go with it!

There does seem to be an increasing number of snerts in the 30's rooms...a sure sign we are getting too lenient on our entrance requirements. Luckily we can go toobing when it gets to be too much. While most of the players remain lovable, cute, and fluffy, there does seem to be those odd few who like to ruin the fun for the rest of us. At my age, my tolerance levels have lowered and I go toobing often.

The people in the 30's rooms are very friendly. Cupcake being one of the friendliest, but there are many worth mentioning. These are the regulars you'll find in there. They are ALL good players. VIZZ and his "anal" humor, Peej the walking encyclopedia, SlickeyP and her own personal brand of smut, Wind Dancer and her romantic notions, Gr8stAmHero is a very competent competitor, as is jeffpsu whom I think has a secret crush on VIZZ and Gr8st, and Machiabelly the all-knowing, all-seeing PEI inhabitant. Some other notables are jebridan, CrazyKanuck, Kaanjo, goofytrooper, Libbie, and phowle. They're all pretty smart and can easily take the acro crown when their "A game" is on.

We're glad you've been coming in to play with us. We hope you continue to visit!

Sincerely,

Dear Blabby