I am a collector of souls. The noble I keep. The unemployable, socialist, faux pirate, stumbledrunk tosspots I discard.

After some rest and relaxation, I returned to the site. This place is still over-run with trolls, harassers, sexual abusers, imposters and all sorts of creeps - but there are good people here too, and they make it all worthwhile.

I am not taking new challenges at the moment. I am awaiting the birth of our first grandchild, and am away from home. Need to reduce my game-load.

For what it is worth, I am in my 50s, I have been married to a great guy for over 30 years. I have four grown children.

If you are looking for sex chats, forget it! I use my block list liberally.

(Tried for a sex chat - permanently blocked)

About friend invites ... if you are a team mate, and not a total dunderhead, I will accept your invitation. If you have been an opponent over the board, I will accept your invitation (just remind me of the game[s]). If you are no one I know, and send a generic invite, it will likely be rejected. I actually do interact with my friends here.

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.

And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

From, "The Desiderata"

"The Lady in the Tuti Frutti Hat" by Carmen Miranda, from the Busby Berkeley musical, "The Gang's All Here" (1943)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLsTUN1wVrc

JamieDelarosa