How appliances keep my life going - hopefully a heartwarming story

[Designgeek]

Exactly. Nothing is risk-free, one just chooses one's risks.

Many nonsmokers say that pipe smoke is the only tobacco smoke that either doesn't bother them or that they find pleasant. Including myself before I started smoking a pipe. And very often it's "that reminds me of (someone they like, a family member or friend)."

IMHO it's another one of those oldschool things that ought to make a comeback. Tends to go along with a slower pace of life too. The usual "entry barriers" are that good pipes aren't cheap, there is a huge range of tobacco for every taste, and there are a few minor things to learn (packing the bowl, getting it lit, keeping it lit, etc.), but one can always buy a corn-cob ($5) and a pouch of Captain Black (most popular blend) just to check it out.

Cigarette smokers have to retrain themselves to not inhale, but after a while they get the hang of it and often switch entirely, and quit the cigarettes in favor of the pipe. (And then you can go spend $50 on a good briar, or two or three...!

 

[jasonl]

The JasonL story

OK, I've been reading this thread for a while and I'm gonna speak up now.

I was born with a rare disease called Moebius Syndrome. It affects the nerves and muscles in my face are paralyzed. That means I cannot smile or make any facial expressions. Why did God pick me for this? I don't know. Anyway, I was teased, laughed at, and made fun of at school. I had a very low self-esteem about myself. I was afraid of almost everybody except my family. I didn't have a girlfriend in high school. Didn't go to the proms. In fact, I didn't do anything social. I had very few friends, consisting of a few of the other outcasts. I was a computer nerd but even the OTHER NERDS wouldn't accept me. This has affected my life tremendously and it's still affecting me. I have very little confidence in what I do. I don't handle confrontations well. I don't do well working with the public. I have gotten better at being social, not much.

Anyway, the few things that kept my sanity was my faith in Christ, music and appliances. I was one of the chosen to grow up with a vintage Kenmore. Wash day was very special to me. I'd stay there and watch every load go into that washer. The sight, sounds and smells were very calming to me.

In my 20s, things were no better. I was depressed, couldn't get a date to save my life, and the few women I met on the internet would immediately drop me when I told them about my imperfection. There was ONE girl who broke through all that and I thought SHE was the one. Yeah baby and she was hot too. Unfortunately she had her own issues and left town without even telling me. Well that took me even further down the downward spiral. This was REAL depression now. Anxiety, panic attacks, horrible dreams at night and everything. Again, only by the grace of God that I'm still here because if not for Him I'd have blown my brains out.

In recent years, things have gotten alot better. I finally moved out of the house. I got in a church that I can actually say that I'm being accepted. I dunno, I just 'got better'. I was still lonely and had NOBODY but at least I was enjoying life. I was getting out more. I was flying to Pennsylvania and other states to ride roller coasters and in 2002 I got to meet alot of you all at the convention. I can honestly say that I'm enjoying life for the very first time.

Last year my mom got breast cancer. She had a masectomy and fortunately, it didn't spread so she just takes hormone therapy to prevent it from coming back. Also, on the very day before her surgery I met a very nice young lady on the internet. She gave me her phone # and we talked for hours that night. Turns out she has Cerebral Palsy and is in a wheelchair. We have so much in common it's freaky. She was teased in school. Had only 1 or 2 boyfriends but got rejected alot because of her handicap. We hit it off the very first day. After 16 years of trying to find a mate I finally find her at age 34.

Well, in a few weeks, Brianne is coming to New Orleans to visit and she's gonna go back to Massachusetts with a diamond engagement ring on her finger. And in the months to come I'm gonna leave the Land Of Rust for MA to get a house and make Brianne my wife.

So I guess my life is gonna end up good afterall.

 

[retromom]

Congrats and many blessings

Jason:

God bless you and Brianne for a wonderful future together! I can't wait to meet you in Omaha!

Venus

 

[jasonl]

You got to admire a woman whose name is Venus. Far out.

 

[DADoES]

YAY for Jason!!!! It was a most serious pleasure to meet you in MD. Now I have to go run that fabulous video again this evening.

 

[bethann]

Jason

Congrads to you and Brianne! Sometimes things just take time to happen. I didn't get married until I was thirty. Thank God, If I would have married anyone from my past I would have been divorced! Unfortunately several friends have gone through that and it wasn't pleasant. Just be thankful that you have found a wonderful mate. There are so many that still haven't found their's yet!

 

[Designgeek]

Wow, Jason...! Congratulations and best wishes to you & Brianne.

The dominant culture puts too much emphasis on superficial details. What matters is to find someone you can connect with heart-to-heart. Looks like patience is rewarded, and now you're on your way.