Reading a rather heated comment thread in a friend's journal, I got myself wondering....

There are "things" that should be disclosed to potential romantic partners, yes? I'm guessing that for some of those things, there is disagreement on *when* those things should be disclosed. There are other things that most of us can probably generally agree when they should be disclosed. (Example: STD Status should be disclosed prior to a sexual encounter, yes?)

To the person whose LJ this came from, I'm not picking on you, this just got my wheels a-turnin'.


My question to you, LJ friends, is what information do you believe should be disclosed prior to a first date?


Also, if there are items that would be a deal-breaker, for even just a first date, whose responsibility is it to determine whether or not those items are a factor for the potential date? For example, if I would absolutely never ever even consider a first date with a Catholic, should it be my responsibility to ask potential dates their religion? Or should all people, knowing that for some people, religion is a deal breaker, automatically disclose that to potential dates?

Ok. Go.

I recently posted a poll, inquiring first, whether or not people feel it is acceptable for parents to lie to their children, and second, whether or not people feel that telling children Santa exists is lying to them.

I was fairly surprised that the answers to the first question were pretty evenly divided. 14 people voted that it is acceptable for parents to lie to their children, 16 people voted that it is not acceptable. The answers to the second questions weren't quite as close, with 17 people voting that Santa is a lie, and 12 people voting that Santa is not a lie.

I haven't responded to the comments left in the entry, but found them very interesting to read. I appreciate all of the comments left. Not surprisingly, there were a handful of people commenting to justify the lie of Santa. And several comments from parents who discussed the types of lies they feel it is acceptable to tell their children. I very much appreciate the input from people who are parents. I am not yet a parent myself, so surely there are situations that may occur that I cannot predict how I might handle.

Oh. For the record? I do not feel that it is acceptable for parents to lie to their children, and I do think that telling them that a man named Santa brings them presents is a lie.

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Overall, I had a pretty nice weekend. Friday night was mostly a night to myself, with a stop over to my sister's new house. Saturday, Emily and I had Nika (of the crazy farm) give us haircuts (and heavenly head massages, omg. I think I'm in love with Nika now.) After our little pampering session, we headed out to the crazy farm for a couple of hours of relaxation, after which I returned home to make dinner for me & Ed. We also watched the movie "Broken Flowers", and I want my two hours back. :p

Sunday I was all domestic and stuff until Ryan returned from his gig-filled weekend away, and then we just chilled for the rest of the evening and I got to hear all about his (rather unpleasant, with little sprinkles of goodness) weekend.

Normally, hanging out at the crazy farm is pure bliss, but this time, I saw something that disturbed me. When I walked into the house, a woman who I'd never met before was breastfeeding. And I was disturbed. Not because she was breastfeeding, because I think that nursing is a beautiful, natural thing and I support it, and do not find it offensive in the least. So...why was I disturbed? Well....here....take my poll:


Poll #882447 Speak up?
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

You see a woman breastfeeding. As her child is nursing, you witness her taking sips of beer, and smoking from a pipe full of marijuana that is being passed around. What do you do?

On Tuesday, November 7th, Wisconsin will vote on whether or not to add a proposed amendment to our state's constitution.

The proposal reads as follows:

"Marriage. Shall section 13 of article XIII of the constitution be created to provide that only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as marriage in this state and that legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state?"

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Last night, the hubby and I got into a discussion about circumcision. (Which, as you probably know, is the surgical removal of some or all of the foreskin of the penis.) A note-that link may not be safe for work, as it contains photographs of both flaccid and erect circumcised and un-circumcised penises.

Now, let me start by saying that at this time, I consider myself neither anti-circumsion, nor pro-circumcision, but I lean towards "anti". Let me also say that I am aware that circumcision is a religious rite in certain religions, and that I know there are people of said religions on my friends list. I am not judging the religious practice, and mean no disrespect to those people or their religions.

The main reason I don't have a super-solid position on this is that, as a woman, I do not possess the anatomy affected by circumcision. As such, I am unclear what sort of stigma is attached to having, or not having, foreskin on one's penis, and how it might affect a young male growing up. (To the men reading, I encourage you to weigh in on this.)

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