And despite all my feelings, despite my understanding, despite my caring and forgiving, I end up being walked away from. I guess they're right... nice guys do finish last...
Unknown "simply wonderful" Playful - 16 years, 5 months, 24 days ago

To my darling girlfriend...

You know, hun, when I post things here or on your profile, it's not to win you. This is not a contest, and you are not a prize to be won. You've already shown me how you feel and hopefully continue to feel. And this is my small way of telling you, and the world, just how much I care for you.

When I compliment you, or wish you well, it's because I truly want the best for you, and I want you to know how I feel. It's not to prove anything to anyone else, although I do want to tell the world how wonderful you are; it's an expression of my feelings for you.

Since we met some 4 months ago, I have fallen under your spell. Yes, we have had our problems, mainly not of our own devising, but I have tried to always be there for you. For in you, I see a caring, loving heart, who gives so much of herself, freely and without hesitation.

So, here is but a small token of my love for you. My commitment to you and what's best for you. And my support, understanding and caring, whatever life may throw at us. If we meet it together, work to solve it together, always stand firm and always be true to each other, then we will prevail, no matter what life throws our way.
Unknown "simply wonderful" Playful - 16 years, 5 months, 26 days ago

You know, sometimes life throws hardships at you. And not just in one lump, but over a period of time. One hit after another, after another. And I think that the way that you react to such really says a lot about the "real person" that you are. In normal times, stress free times, many of us can appear nice. But it's when the chips are down, when life throws hardships at you, that's what defines what sort of person you are.

Do you react calmly? Do you react nicely? Do you get angry? Do you lash out? Do you get petulant and childish? Do you get aggressive and threatening? I have seen the opposites over the last few months. And it tells me a LOT about the people involved.

Everyone has a breaking point. Everyone gets hurt. Everyone gets angry. Everyone gets worn down and depressed. But it's the way that we react under such circumstances that proves who we are.

And what we are worth.
Unknown "simply wonderful" Playful - 16 years, 6 months ago

Had a great day yesterday, taking my lovely young lady and her niece and nephew down to the Easter Show. It's funny, but kids make it so much more exciting, as you get to see the joy and wonder on their faces. From feeding animals in the petting area, to taking the kids on rides, to the drawn out process that was choosing showbags. It was all good fun.

And to see my girlfriend with her niece and nephew just reinforced how lovely and special she is. And how having a job for the last 17 years where you sit down the majority of the time really makes you unused to standing up for 11 hours straight, lol.

I wouldn't change a thing though. :)
Unknown "simply wonderful" Playful - 16 years, 9 months, 3 days ago

----(Part 1)----

For those that don't know, I have a disabled brother. He has a condition known as Fragile X syndrome, a genetic disorder that comes about from a mutation to the FMR1 gene. This from the Fragilex.org site...

Our bodies are made up of about 60 trillion cells. Each of those cells manufactures proteins. The kinds of proteins the cell makes, determine the cell's particular characteristics and create the characteristics of the entire body.

The instructions for making these proteins are stored in the DNA which is organized into chromosomes. Genetic differences (mutations) in that stored information establish our individual differences and lead to inherited diseases.

People who do not have fragile X syndrome, make FMRP (fragile X mental retardation protein) in some of their cells. Those cells that do make FMRP are regulated as to when they make it, so that it is present when needed in the places where it is needed.

A person with fragile X syndrome has a mutation in the FMR1 (fragile X mental retardation 1) gene in the DNA that makes up the X chromosome. That mutation causes the cell to methylate a regulatory region of the FMR1 gene. The methylation turns off the FMR1 gene. Since the gene is turned off, the person doesn't make FMRP. That lack of a specific protein triggers fragile X syndrome.

The DNA is made up of a chain of nucleotides which differ in their bases. Adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine (A, T, G, and C) are the four bases present in DNA. We can write out the genetic information in DNA in the form of a sequence of letters such as AATGACCCGTAG. This genetic information codes for the different proteins which result in our genetic differences from each other and from other living things.

Within the DNA, it is common to have a repeating triplet such as CGG CGG CGG CGG. All combinations of triplets (AGG, ACC, etc.) occur but CGG and CAG are more common than others. These sequences are a normal part of our DNA and may play a variety of regulatory roles.
Unknown "simply wonderful" Playful - 16 years, 9 months, 4 days ago