I can't give a man's perspective on independence, but I can give mine as an independent woman...

I think the difference between want and need sums it up nicely. I don't NEED a man. Sure, I'd like one in my life, but I don't rely on a man to help me financially, to boost my self esteem, to give meaning to my life, or make me feel complete. I'm just fine on my own.

If I had a date that was constantly texting, I would text him with a short sweet message... "You're an idiot. Look up and you'll notice I'm leaving. Don't follow."

Of course I may be a bit prejudice due to the fact that I'm a rabid Sox and Bruins fan!

Good luck on here. Join in the forums and have fun.

Ha! I fit into that category and I dare say I don't fear intimacy. I just need a reason to have it! I certainly don't look for reasons NOT to have it, but I'd rather go without for years than compromise the standards I have that would allow it.

I also think sex and intimacy are two different things. You can certainly have one without the other.

Do what you must...stop posting if you want... but know that you are withholding a gift to those you touch with your words. Talent like yours should not be bottled up, unshared and hidden like a dark secret, only for you to embrace.

Ah Plastic. How I've missed reading your [redacted]!

Nice to see you're still pouring out your feelings so superbly. Told ya once and I'll tell ya again, you got it kid! Whatever you do, don't stop writing...it will take you where you need to go.

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Great question? Top 3 fundamentals in the house I grew up in, and the one I raised my son in, and how I still live now...

1. We were taught to live life by this famous saying...

American Little League Motto:

"I TRUST IN GOD I LOVE MY COUNTRY AND WILL RESPECT ITS LAWS I WILL PLAY FAIR AND TRY STRIVE TO WIN BUT WIN OR LOSE I WILL ALWAYS DO MY BEST"

2. Follow the Golden Rule.

3. Take responsibility for your actions, good or bad, because only you make the decisions that will affect your future. Be the best you you can be!

Definitely take passion!

I don't think it's healthy for a relationship if a person doesn't have passion for their partner AND for something else as well, even if the other person doesn't share that passion. It's great to have some passions in common so you can enjoy them together, but I think it's important to follow your passions no matter what.

So what if he likes football and wants to watch every Sunday and Monday night? Why feel neglected just because it's not your cup of tea? If you're passionate about reading and he only reads the sports section, then you read a book while he's watching football. I think the idea is to find the balance between shared and separate passions.

Just existing without passion for anything isn't really living. Sounds instead like just dying a little more everyday. Not appealing to me at all!

Although I can't speak from experience, I wouldn't imagine that camming could qualify as a physical relationship. Mutual masturbation might get the job done but it's definitely not the same thing as getting between the sheets with someone! End result might be identical but the journey is definitely different! Or so I'd surmise.

Count your blessings. Two choices is better than none!

As long as you're just talking to both of them at this point, I don't think that's a problem. I think that's called dating.

If you start having a physical or emotional relationship with either, you will most likely have to make a choice for the one that's a better fit for you. Good luck.

Hmmm. Now I'm confused. I would think that having a lover would entail some kind of physical relationship. A strictly online romance could possibly develop into love on an emotional level I suppose, but I don't think you can be lovers without actually touching one another. Maybe I'm old fashioned?!

I miss my head on his chest, his arm draped around me, listening to his heart beat and the sound of his breathing as he sleeps peacefully beside me. Waking up in the morning to a kiss, a soft touch, making love and then collapsing in exhaustion!

I miss saying "I love you" and meaning it with all my heart.

Too funny John! I could maybe see painting my face Red Sox red but no way in hell are the nipples getting it!

Florida's awesome. Loving the sunshine.

Even swam with the sharks for the first time ever, and I do mean I actually saw one in the water beside me. He didn't take a chunk out of me though so I'm still here and enjoying myself.

Hope all is well with you back up north.

"A hungry closed mouth will never get fed."

That's one of my favorite quotes. If I want something, I make it known. Most of the time I get approached first but if I see someone I would like to get to know, I have no problem making the first move. I think it probably has to do with your confidence level on whether you do or don't initiate contact.

Hell no! If my boss expected me to sleep with him to move up in the company, I'd probably leave the company, become successful somewhere else... then I'd buy the former company and fire his ***! Take that you SOB!

Sex should only be had for pleasure, not for monetary gain, IMHO.

Military, police, fire fighter, baseball, football, hockey...

...anything but a prison uniform!

A shot of Goldschlager, water back please!

On that note, I'm off like a prom dress. The band starts in twenty minutes and I've got some dancing to do!

I'm free to go anywhere my little heart desires!

As long as I can take my dog, doesn't matter where I rest my head. My son is grown and on his own back in Vermont. I relocated to South Florida just shy of a year ago so I could soak up a whole lotta sunshine. Mission accomplished! Who knows how long I'll stay or where I'll head off to next?!

Would I move for a man? He'd have to be worth it!

That only works for the gold diggers!

Now in my case if you threw a couple of Sox-Yankee green monster tickets down and asked for directions to Fenway Park...in like Flynn baby!