octave

The internet is a poor representation of the real world. The internet is driven by clicks and controversy. I would suggest that people who post are likely to not be a representative sample of the community. Are your female friends b****? is your daughter a b****? Do have any female friends? The internet is great at presenting absolute. All Aborigines are this or all Asians are that. This does not represent actual; relationships between real people. None women I know are accusing me of bad behaviour,

Not in my world. I think I probably have as many female friends as male friends. I don't believe my female friends believe me to be toxic but I treat them the same way I treat my male friends. I don't believe there are many women out there declaring all men toxic but I think that many men are quite sensitive and believe criticism of some men equates to criticism of all men.

I did get a call about it from a detective. This does relate to a longer-term problem which I will relate on this forum (along with some pretty cool video footage) once the situation has been fully taken care of. We have reported instances that have resulted in arrests (which we also have on video)

I think it can be easy to jump to one cause of domestic violence. Whilst there has been a recent uptick in domestic murders it is hardly a new problem. In fact, whilst acknowledging the recent spike I believe the overall rate has decreased. The domestic homicide victimisation rate decreased from 0.8 to 0.3 per 100,000 people from 1989–90 to 2020–21 in the NHMP Of course this does not diminish the horror of the recent spike. I am just not convinced that we can point the finger primarily at drug use. There are some conservative cultures where drugs and alcohol are less prevalent or even prohibited but still there is family violence. My father's father used bash my grandmother apparently until he left. This was in the late 30s and is probably most notable because she would not put up with it as many did. I think back then it wasn't acknowledged as it is today, people mostly just put up with it. During my airforce days I had a female colleague who I was (and still) quite good friends with. She was a week away from getting married and approached me with a question. Her intended had said to her that he believed the man should be the decision maker in the relationship. I suspect this might have been from the religious "man as head and woman as helpmate" BS. This friend asked me what I did in my marriage. I really wanted to say "don't go through with it" I did suggest that it sounded a little problematic. Whilst in the airforce band there was a lot of socialising after gigs. This often took place at the venue. He expected her to drive to all the jobs so she could leave ASAP. I remember him coming to my house one day and saying that he thought it was obvious she was having an affair (she wasn't to my knowledge) He then suggested that I might be having an affair with her (untrue) Later my other work colleagues said that they had had the same experience. This man's problem was not drugs or alcohol but jealousy and wanting to control her. Not long after this when she got home later than expected he hit her and to her credit she left him immediatly. I do think there are a proportion of men who want to be in control and who can not take no for an answer. I know in my marriage (which is fine thanks for asking) I can say something critical of my wife and she will talk about it. I have learned to do this also but if I am honest I am much quicker to take offence. Luckily I don't deal with this with aggression but I do tend to get quiet and sulky for a few hours. Of course, alcohol and drugs act as a disinhibitors making it more likely for people to act on their rage. In my opinion, we need to rethink how we raise our children. Might isn't necessarily right and winning is not everything. I think a problem with violence of any kind is a lack of empathy. Recently I recorded a disgusting act of violence on my doorbell cam. Luckily for me, I was not home at the time so I did not have a dilemma as to whether or not I should intervene. I did however report this incident to the police and this man's number plate. I don't know what happened but I certainly hope there were consequences. I would post the video here but I guess it could become part of a court case. Whilst I think the problem is complex, I do believe that good men must call out and not jump to the defence of bad men.

Ah this brings back memories. When I was growing up my parents were in amateur (and a couple of professional) musicals. They were in most of the usual musicals but they also did a couple of shows that were just bits and pieces from various shows and other musical bits. I remember my dad did this song. I totally agree. Whilst we can look back and think maybe it was funny at the time, its time has passed. Humour often lampoons society but once society has changed it does get a little tired.

registered and microchipped

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.