I was reading an article in Newsweek talking about the almost insatible libido of the Russian empress Catherine the Great, who reportedly had a small army of lovers, soldiers, mostly, according to the article. I guess when an autocratic form of government prevails, nobody's going to have the guts to question the boss; considering that Russia in this period also lacked little things like freedom of speech, and expression generally, the notion of decorum takes on a much more urgent meaning. At any rate, the article was also talking about the disparity in our times between men's and women's, erm, indiscretions, shall we say? Women, particularly women of prominence, are about three times as likely to be eternally damned in the eyes of the world if it's found they're involved in a love triangle of some ilk. Branded with the metaphorical "scarlet letter," and Hester Prynned into reclusiveness, or at least forced to "remake" themselves (I guess we have Madonna to thank for that, although I'm guessing at her age, even that act is tough to sell. Having kids particularly has a way of doing that to you.) Youth are truly the up-and-comers in society, especially now. The Baby Boomers, ex-hippies or not, are all at least pushing 50 with a broom, and probably discovering at this point in their lives how resounding their loss as a culture really was. They went from being hip, to needing a hip replaced, just like their parents. The perception of such acts by men pretty much tends to be an extension (pardon the pun,) of the old adage about "boys will be boys." All unrighteous, and dramatically unfair, (and yes, I know what I always say about "fair," thank you very much.) but begging the question in my mind, at least, what does this say about us as humans generally? Has the world become so complex, complicated and enticing around every corner that we couldn't conceivably stop ourselves, even for a moment, in the eternal quest for pleasure? "Lower" forms of animals than humans mate for life, and we regard it as noble character when they do. Species of Eagles do, and by it we can almost overlook the fact that they snatch fish straight from the water, and feed their young on a regurgitated nutrient bouillabaise. Yum. The notion still is, that when you're doing well, making genuine progress on things emotional and physical in your life, you're "soaring with Eagles." Free your mind. Infidelity, and other such moral tansgressions, should all be colored the same in anyone's book, man or woman; and it shouldn't be a particularly pretty color. I suppose I say some of this with a lashing smugness, knowing of the "transgressions" perpetrated by my ex-wife. And Shelby, now 13, shows signs of, dare I say it, trusting me, and being probably about as honest as I could expect her to be, even more so if she happens to forget herself for a moment and spill out with how attractive, unattractive, hip or un-hip some person seems to be to her. I had asked to be one of her "friends" on her MyYearbook page, and she said, "it's bad enough mama wants to be my friend, you, too?!" I left it at that. I can grant her that much space, and have at least some faith that she's not gonna do something stupid, frankly I think she's as embarassed by her mother's presence in her life as she has ever been by mine. And she is my child, after all; it oughta say something about her ability to be intelligent and right-thinking. When she and Sydne both had friends over at Cheryl's house not long ago, it wasn't long after they walked in the door that they had tracked me down and introduced me, probably as properly as I could ever expect fom any 13-year-old and her friends. And they still all played games, read books, played with me, and did all the things one might hope a child would endeavor to do. Including wanting to have some discretion, and some ability to be private about their interactions with the opposite sex. Not total honesty, there are things even about my own child I do not want to have all the details about. Overall, she's swimming in that middle between reclusiveness and gory openness, which I take as having a good ability to judge, at least for her own needs. Judge not, lest ye be judged, don'tcha know?!