i remember whenitwas hoppin in the day...maybee bring back the old forum as it was" breast freedom" never understood why it was ever changed...just a thought

Well "fooze" it's dead because people like you aren't posting. It changed because BFF had deteriorated into a constant flame war.

it always does. Brief stretches with no posts and then there are times when a hot topic comes and there are frequest posts.

As for me . . I've not been feeling too well physically, a bit stressed, and then I always get caught up in football season and posting on sports forums. As soon as I feel better, I will be back posting more. I check here almost daily to see if there is something new.

We see an occasional new poster, but few that keep posting. Wonder why that is?

Sorry to hear you're not feeling well Bob. Sure hope it's not that Swine flu everyone is talking about.

I think the problem with Potpourri is first it's hard to find- nobody googles for "potpourri"- and there are so many general conversation forums around- many with more modern graphic-rich looks. But I thought it would do better than it has because even when we were Breasts Freedom Forum we talked about many other things. And I think that brief move to the mindsprings site cost us several regular posters- like John Bayko who has never posted since.

I am seeing a new doctor today and hopefully will learn what I need to do to feel better. My blood pressure has been elevated lately, and it wasn't before, and I have this troubling pain on one side of my head. I sure don't want to become incapacitated.

As for this forum, I agree with what you say. I can't say that I miss Bayko though. I wasn't exactly Merry Sunshine either, but I have little tolerance for people who think they are smarter than anyone, demeaning others' posts in the process. Obviously, the guy is intelligent and educated, and I would ordinarily welcome hearing an educated point of view. But he was just so condescending that I would think it turns off anyone from wanting to consider his points. That, and he was so anti-American. I think most Americans will acknowledge our country's mistakes, but to have every aspect of U.S. misinterpreted such that we haven't ever done anything worthwhile or good . . what person wants to read such inaccurate drivel about their own country? He obviously didn't care for my comments critical of Canada and asking, "What has your country of 40 million people done?" It is so much harder to try to lead than to sit on the sidelines and spit.

Until such time as we have more people posting, I would welcome having those that come here share their current activities, plans and other things from their daily lives. I have done some of that, as you have, and it makes this more personal than merely debating topics.

Well just having a few more posters would really help. It doesn't take a lot- even 4 or 5 regulars can keep a pretty good conversation going but we don't even have that lately.

In any case I hope you get to feeling better soon Bob. Hypertension could be causing your headaches and it does tend to rise with age. Mine started pretty early- around 40 and but it's pretty well controlled now with Norvasc and Atenolol. But different drugs work for different people so it takes some experimenting to find whats best for you.

The new doc is starting me on medication to control hypertension (I suggested improving diet, more exercise and dropping weight might be sufficient, but he doesn't think so). I will be having CT scan of my head, just to rule out anything serious. Actually the scan concerns me a bit, as I feel some apprehension of what might be found. This year, a younger cousin was diagnosed with cancer that had already spread to his brain and is terminal. His first inkling of anything wrong was pain in his head. He is not a bio-cousin to me, but to be so young and now dying is scary to think about.

Well I certainly hope it's nothing serious Bob- and probably isn't. But I'm that way myself- think that every minor thing is the start of something serious. This has only gotten worse since I got on the wrong side of 60. 60 is a traumatic experience. It should just be one more year- but psychologically it seems so much more. It seems like the start of being old. It's all in the head I know- physically I feel no different than before- but I know there's a lot more days that are gone than are left and I wonder where they all went.

Ironically I've been especially conscious of this lately since I got a photo scanner and have begun the arduous project of coverting our family photos- at least the better ones- to digital format. I plan to give all my kids CDs so each will have a copy of the family photos. Having them digital is so much better in so many ways- I just wish I had had a digital camera 35 years ago- I'd have a lot more pictures and better pictures than I do now. The best I can do at this point is work with what I've got- and it's amazing how much you can improved old photos with a photo editor- but still you can only do so much. And you sure can't do anything about all the pictures that were never taken because those old film cameras seem too much bother and expense to fool with. And back then you think the kids will be kids forever and life will just go on as it is.

. . aint no joke! I told the nurse at the doctor's office that I have always taken good health for granted, but that is starting to change. It is not just the aches and reduced stamina . . I also don't have enthusiasm for doing things I used to do. Like working on the car. I always did my own oil changes, tune-ups and minor body repairs, but now I just take it to a mechanic. No longer have enthusiasm for lying on the ground, busting my knuckles when the wrench slips, getting dirty. Or painting. I still paint the rental property myself (I fact it is just me, as what help I used to get has moved away or got busy with other things). I used to get some satisfaction from getting work done, but now it is just a pain to do it. The past year, I hired a handyman to do some things I just didn't want to bother with. I watch those commercials for retirement communities, showing the old guy fed up with scrapping and painting and yard work, and now he smiles while walking the beautiful grounds of his retirement community and I think, "I'm years away from retiring, but I'd be smiling too buddy!" Last week I spent 4 hours raking leaves, while a good friend with a fraction as much to rake told me, "Excuse me, I have to pay the guy that is raking my leaves." I used to think of that as just laziness, but feeling my sore muscles I thought my friend had a point! Yet, I see guys old enough to be my father, and they are still doing things that I do and looking fit. So, I think I will keep trying to do as much as I can and hope it pays health dividends.

Did you see the story on Oprah this week about the woman whose face and hands got ripped off by that chimpanzee? She is blind, horribly disfigured and was told she is not a candidate for artificial hands (due to her blindness). She can never live alone again and is dependent upon others. Her teenage daughter is a Senior in HS and must live apart from her mother. Yet this woman has a wonderful attitude about life. She looks forward to future surgeries to give her some semblance of a face. She looks forward to the rest of her life. Oprah put it well -- "I have no problems!" If that woman can be optimistic, I sure ought to be!

Yes, I too have notice a considerable loss for "do it yourself" stuff in recent years. And I don't know any physical reason really- except for an occasional back problem I really don't have any physical issues limiting what I do- I simply lack the enthusiasm to do things that I once was eager to do. It was something that use to bug me about the older guys I worked with when I was a eager young whipper-snapper who thought everything needed to be done- and just now- and just right- and they seem content to let well enough be. And now I feel I've become one of them.

As for the chimpanzee victim- no, I don't watch Oprah, but I remember reading about that when it happened- as well as a similar case where a man visiting a wildlife refuge was badly injured (actually castrated) by an attacking chimpanzee. People assume because these animals are cute and "people-like" that they are harmless but I've heard many times that chimps are very unpredictable and can even turn on their owner. You even hear of domestic animals like dogs and cats doing this. Hell even people can turn violent so I guess the moral is never let your guard down.

Besides Nat and Bob, there's me, Marseil and Cool Beans Boi and sometimes Jean-Ives.

It would be nice to have about 3 or 4 more regular posters and then Potpourri could be an interesting discussion site.

I wonder if there are many lurkers who read, but don't ever post?

Well I appreciate your participation Brandon, but the last time you or Cool beans posted was October 27, Marseil September 25, and Jean-Ives September 2.

As for how many lurkers there are- I have no idea but it doesn't matter as they don't do a dam bit of good.

Well, Nat, you must be right, I don't post as often as I did before. However, I do read Pot Pourri (along with TFF and nude sleepers forum) every day or almost every day. And I'm very happy to read the ongoing exchange, even if I don't always participate. Every time I get a family or close friends feeling getting to know better Nat, Bob, Brandon, and other posters.

I don't post as much as Bob, or Nat, as it requires an extra effort for me: you know English is not my mother tongue, and even if I type in english all day long, I still have to think a bit more than you to put into words feelings, emotions, opinions, etc.... Also, I'm more busy this year, which means I spend more time working, but not that I make more money, than before, so free time is becoming scarce and has to be allocated according to priorities. At day time, going for a hike in Les Calanques http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calanques) or for a swim in the Mediterranean has always higher priority then typing on a computer.

Another reason why I don't post as much as before, is that many subjects started by Bob and Nat are either very American centric, or getting back on issues we have already talked about and I know we will never agree. For instance:
. health Insurance and Gender - there's room here for a complete philosophical / political discussion on solidarity, insurance, etc. I didn't have time to put my thoughts together in something consistent to get into the discussion
. Tyler Perry - never hear of this guy.
. Contrast - Don't know anything about "Orah Winfrey Show", but I could / should have contributed on considerations about values in raising kids in various places.
. DWI in a Recliner - totally American centric. I've nothing to say.
. Pan Am Flight 103 - American centric exchange about immigration. I'm afraid we will never agree here.
. The retroactive soothsayer - American centric, we don't watch the same old movies
. Overhearing Conversations - When I click on the link in the post, I get a message saying "nous sommes désolés ce contenu n'est pas disponible pour votre pays" or "We're sorry. This content is not available in your country". Can't see it, can't comment.
. Swine Flu - Yes! there would be a lot to say on this.
. For Marseil -- Son's Saga - Of course, I answered. And I'd be happy to get more recent news and to know if Bob's son is doing alright in France.
. Human Statue of Liberty - Amazing pic. I did post.
. Ant & Grasshopper - Full of US-centric references. I can't understand it.
. So much for health insurance reform - US centric subject. But I'm happy yo contribute to this one. The limit is I can only contribute on principles level. As soon as the discussion gets into details and implementation, it becomes very technical and I don't have a sufficient understanding on how the US system works to contribute to the discussion.
. Lost and found - why is this funny? There must be something I don't catch here....
. Mt. Wilson Fire - I should have contributed and post about forest fires here and in the US, and the measures that have been taken here against them. However, Jean Yves did.
. Ten fattest states - I did contribute
etc. etc. etc.

So I'll try and post more.... but don't blame me if I don't post on subjects I don't understand

Marseil.

As a frequent visitor to the states I think you are qualified to speak on many topics here- and I value your European perspective as it is not tainted by US politics. The fact is that a forum like this depends 100% on it's posters to supply contents- and if there is no posting- there is nothing to read or even a reason to check the forum. We had a pretty successful forum when we had 5 or 6 regular posters but a forum just can't maintain any fluency with less than that- which is the the problem we have now. And don't worry about your English- it's better than most Americans and I never have a problem reading your posts.

I'd agree that Marseil's English is excellent. You would never guess it is not his native tongue.

Lack of time is the main reason I don't post here more often, although if there were more topics and more posters I'd probably contribute more.

Marseil:
Your struggles with English turn out very well, as I have no problem following your writing. I can tell you that if I had to post in any language but English, I would soon give it up!

The American-centric point has come up before and I know must make it more difficult for people trying to comment who reside outside U.S. You aren't as familiar with some things American, including some of our slang and references, and as an American I know even less about things in France or other countries. That latter fact makes it even harder for people from other countries to post topics here, as most Americans would struggle to know how to respond. I guess we should just ask questions as needed.

The "Lost and Found" item shows a poster asking if anyone has seen a lost "cat". But the photos are of a opossum -- don't know if you have those in France -- its a larger rat-like creature, a wild animal. Apparently (from the poster) someone has a pet that is a opossum but they think it is a cat (I had read a news item years ago, where American children living in an inner city slum made pets of the rats that infested their building). Would not occur to me to have a rat or a opposum for a pet, or to think someone would not know the difference from a cat.

Part of my posting has been the personal day-to-day stuff of my life. I know not everyone is comfortable posting personal information -- and maybe aren't interested in that and would rather debate topics. But, to me, my personal stuff is most of what I care about and attend to. I am also interested in knowing if others have faced similar situations and how they felt and responded to them (sometimes advice has been good also, as Marseil was helpful in allaying some of my fears when my son first visited France).

Speaking of personal, I received results from the CT scan of my head (done due to pain I was having). Scan came out normal. They saw no abnormalities (take that Bayko! other than the deviated nasal septum I have from having had my nose broken twice. I get a full physical exam Nov. 30th, but so far the news is good.

First Bob, let me say I'm very glad to hear your CT scan came out good. This eliminates your most serious concern.

As for the "Lost and found"- I will add that opossums- or "possums" as they are called around here have a nasty disposition. When we first built our house this was a pretty rural area with a lot of wild critters around. I made the mistake of leaving my garage door up and a possum snuck in and took up residence in the laundry room. I didn't even know he was there for a long time- except that we kept see mysterious "turds" on the floor. He stayed behind the washer and dryer during day making it impossible to reach- and would hiss and growl and bare his teeth if you tried.

But I have to think the guy who put up this poster did it as a joke because I can't believe anyone could be so stupid as to mistake this ornery rat-like animal for a cat.

"Speaking of personal, I received results from the CT scan of my head (done due to pain I was having). Scan came out normal. "

That's the best news, and the most important!

BUt, again, CT must be an American acronym..... I've got no idea what it stands for in the context of head scanners.....

Marseil

Marseil, "CT" is short of "Computed Tomography"- a process where they take three-dimensional xrays of the body.
See-http://encyclopedia.tfd.com/Computed+tomography.

Thanks Bob for these explanations.

I must say I just read the text on this 'lost and found' post and did not pay any attention to the photo. Also, I'm very bad at identifying animals and ^plants. I can hardly recognize elephants from mice.

Also when you check herehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opposum the fist sentence reads: "Didelphimorphia (pronounced /dadlfmrfi./) is the order of common opossums of the Western Hemisphere. " We don't get these here.....


I don't post much about my day to day life, as I think it would be very boring to most.

Marseil.

I think we'd find your life more interesting than you think, Marseil- especially your visits to the U.S.
Unlike Bob, I don't think our way is always the best and I think we could learn things from other countries.

I think all the problems we have today indicate that the way we are doing things is not working too well.

In any case- posting about anything is better than no posting at all. At least it suggests topics for further discussion.

Nat, when did I say that everything Americans do is always right or better? I just like that each country/culture can do its own thing and have its own ways. I don't think the French should give up their language or holidays, or system of measurements. I don't think Americans should give up ours either. I think we can learn from each other, yet maintain our unique ways. How might the French say this: Viva la difference!

I agree with Nat on this much: I think Marseil must live a more interesting life, given his travels and his desire to explore. Boring would be the person who comes home after work and plops down in front of the TV.

Re my health: The past 27 hours, I have come down with some sort of respiratory illness. No fever, just sore throat, cough and head/chest congestion. Hoping this doesn't postpone my physical exam scheduled for 11/30

First I hope your malady is nothing serious Bob. A cold or even the flu may be uncomfortable but it is much preferable than some things.

As for learning from other countries- I saw a survey a while back showing that people in European and Scandinavian countries are more content and happier with their lives than Americans. And it's my observation that so many Americans are unhappy now- they don't like their jobs, the divorce rate is high, crime and violence is high, job security is low and people in general are just not happy with the way things are going.

This tells me that we must be doing something wrong and we should look around and see why people in other countries are happier with their lives.