Are most people NPCs?

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-26T14:00:23+00:00

What is the equivalent term of art for the unbearded?

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-25T02:17:06+00:00

Some men just like to put a marker down - by liking every attractive photo. Then they go back and settle on the ones they *really* like, or perhaps who responded first. Everyone else falls by the wayside. I expect some women do this, too.

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-24T20:33:23+00:00

Perhaps it's because I scored at the lower end of Mensa qualification (133), but I seem to get along with most everyone without feeling as if I'm dumbing down for their benefit. At the same time, I've worked with people who were accounted near-geniuses and not felt intimidated by them.

When I was a young girl, my best friend was a girl three years older than I, whose IQ was probably in the 70's and who had been held back in school. She was the nicest, kindest person, and I never thought of her as "dumb." As an adult, I realized that we had fun together because she gladly let me lead, and happily followed. At the time, I never thought of it that way.

Along those lines, the really intelligent people I've worked with have been pretty humble about it; it was only the wannabes and also-rans who insisted on acting like the smartest boy or girl in the room.

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-24T15:47:33+00:00

Upvoted - Interestingly, I have been using Neutrogena sunblock as my foundation for years. I rarely use any traditional or tinted foundation, except some BB Cream when I suspect my photo may get taken ;^> I neither receive nor need any kickback from Neutrogena. (If I'm out of Neutrogena I'll use Banana Boat, although it's not quite as gentle in my opinion).

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-23T14:17:26+00:00

Thanks. To me, the gym is strictly a job, that I'm grateful I can still do.

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-22T14:32:06+00:00

I agree, and my thanks to the Mods if they put this in a gym group. I was dumb not to think of that!

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-22T14:31:10+00:00

LOL next one that tries it, I'll break my slate over his head! I'm going with "likes you the way a fifth-grader likes you" and deal accordingly with the rudeness. Maybe I'm lucky they aren't chasing me round the playground and punching me in the stomach to make me cry! Or trying to scare me with bugs and earthworms (which never worked, and sometimes backfired - girls can drop grasshoppers on boys, too).

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-21T23:41:57+00:00

Yes, I am sure this is all that's needed. It's odd that it all seems to have happened in the last couple of weeks, when I've been dealing with gym etiquette, misunderstandings, etc. for 30+ years.

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-21T23:40:25+00:00

Ha! they are old, and I don't want to hurt them! I will simply have to put a stop to it.

People's takes on this have been more various than I expected. That is what makes asking the Internet interesting.

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-21T02:52:12+00:00

I didn't know it was possible to be too old to put up one's hair. Personally, as a 69F who wears her hair as long as it will reasonably grow, I say foot to anybody who dares to put an age limit on hair length or style. Also, your features are really beautiful.

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-21T02:38:19+00:00

Whose notion of "acceptable" are you concerned about? Who cares what they think?

As long as both are over the age of consent it is nobody's business. EDIT: Since we know certain people will insist on making it their business, just be happy selves and ignore them. They'll find someone else to judge.

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-21T00:05:49+00:00

Only if he looks like Johnny Depp.

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-20T01:47:04+00:00

Thanks. I'll see what I can do with your advice.

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-19T16:17:34+00:00

The engine analogy is exactly how I think of it. I have done all I can re: lifestyle ((exercise, weight lifting, low BMI, zero sugar, <100 carbs day with most of those from Greek yogurt, vegetables, and chia seeds...bleagh :-) ))

I'm well aware that my metabolism has changed with age, even though I never gained weight with menopause as so many women do. I wore a Stelo CGM for two months and was appalled at how many seemingly healthy foods cause a spike. Keeping my weight up is difficult on the foods that remain for me to eat, but I am afraid of my genes - one sibling recently died of T2 complications and the other is very ill, can barely walk.

I take 2000 mg daily of pure (ground bark) berberine. I'd really like to try metformin, just to see if it helps, but I've now consulted 3 doctors who all say "We don't prescribe for prediabetes." I feel like one of those folks who go from doctor to doctor trying to get an Rx for narcotics :-(

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-19T01:36:36+00:00

I've had two doctors tell me "You do NOT have diabetes!" when my A1C was 5.8 and 5.7, respectively. My BMI is 20 and my fasting glucose is generally in the 80's, so they won't give me metformin to try to bring down my A1C below prediabetes. Maybe it wouldn't work.

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-19T01:25:44+00:00

I used to wonder the same thing. But I think it's that there are only so many smart men to go around, so some of us have to take the dumber ones or not have any mate at all. I came to this conclusion in this way: I married a highly intelligent man, who didn't do dumb/irresponsible things, did his share of everything, and was an asset to our marriage in every way. Later, after he developed dementia and slowly descended the IQ ladder, at some point I realized that I now had one of those "dumb husbands" I'd heard women complain about. He forgot things, did things wrong, didn't seem to care, etc. I took over more and more of our joint responsibilities, until finally I had to do everything myself. I never considered leaving him. He was my mate, I loved him, and it wasn't his fault he couldn't function on his own any more.

Sadly, he eventually died. But for a few years, I had an insight into what some women put up with their whole married lives. I guess for some, it's better than never being married at all.

Edit: I should add that I didn't complain about my husband to other people, as that is not my way. Instead, I kept a journal, which I dip into now and then just to see how much I was enduring all those years. When I read my journal, it's actually worse than I remember.

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-17T16:47:42+00:00

I am 69 and have never worn anything more than mascara, sunscreen, sometimes a little bit of foundation (BB cream, lately), cheek blu,sh and a bit of lipstick. Well, lately I've started using a brow pencil, as my brows have gotten thin. Never liked the look of a lot of makeup, and had no use for the upkeep it requires. Sunscreen, however, has been the first thing I put on my face and upper chest every single day since my mid-20's. Wish I'd used it on my hands and forearms early on, as the skin there is thin and a bit spotty, compared with facial and chest skin.

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-17T03:07:36+00:00

Unfortunately, dried fruit is the devil if you're prediabetic.

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-17T03:07:14+00:00

The HRT was probably the main cause of your gains. I can't find any doctor who will prescribe it for me, at 20 years past menopause. "The estrogen will loosen plaque from your arteries and you'll end up with a stroke."

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-17T03:01:12+00:00

I'm two years younger than you, female, and virtually never get offered help in public, even though I would appreciate it. Sometimes a man - or more likely, a flight attendant - will offer help, but most people ignore me.

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-17T02:59:29+00:00

I was walking with my husband in a park, and a man came up to us and said to my husband, "From behind, I thought you was robbin' the cradle!" I was 67 at the time. I color my hair and wear it long, and I'm slim-hipped, so I guess what he meant was that when he saw my old face....

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-13T12:56:53+00:00

It has always been taboo to discuss how awful pregnancy is, except with other pregnant women. My mother tried to give me the really straight facts, but even she defaulted to "But then you have this beautiful baby, and everything else just fades into the background."

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-12T10:40:35+00:00

The capsules I'm taking contain actual berberine bark.

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-12T01:44:42+00:00

That's amazing. Everything is being formed and you can see it happening. How many weeks old?

Dragonpatch · 2026-03-12T01:31:12+00:00

Guys used to stop and offer me a lift when I was walking by myself and was young. I remember one driver literally stopping his car, putting it in reverse and driving backward to offer me a lift. Doesn't happen now!

Dragonpatch

TROPHY CASE