Joe

I understand they are authorized, but I don't get the why part. Where does the desire to wear a uniform item that is a unit patch from another branch come from? I was on active duty in the Corps from '82-'86. And I can't grasp why soldiers would want a patch that is from a Marine unit?

O.K. Instead of criticizing the governor, I'm going to ask those of you who support him straight out: What is Governor Romney's plan for our economy? He has said that he will: lower taxes, expand the military, create 12 million jobs, increase domestic energy production, and in addition to the tax cuts and the 2 trillion in increased military expenditures he claims he will cut the deficit. But he hasn't defined how, at least as far as I can tell. So here is an opportunity for those of you who support him to explain it to us.

One request: please do not flame here and criticize either candidate. This is a straight up question and I would like straight up answers.

I'm not a new rider. I got a permit a few times, and I have experience riding, but I've never owned my own scooter. I spent a whole summer riding a Yamaha 650 when a guy I worked with was in rehab for alcoholism (his bike), but that was a few years ago. During that summer, I probably rode 50 miles a day for a 5 month period. I never dumped it and I rode it in traffic, on the highway, just about every street condition possible including getting caught in the rain (which I actually managed while on the interstate). Anyway, it's time to buy.

I've ridden Harley's a few times and love 'em. I'm planning on taking the MSF course just so I can take the road test under instructor conditions, not to mention the insurance break. I'm pretty sure I can handle a Dyna, as I've handled Sportsters OK. My only reservation is I have yet to go down, in spite of having 5 or 6 thousand miles behind me.

I don't think I should sacrifice what I want just because I haven't dumped yet, and whatever I buy, I'm not going to ride thinking that it's inevitable, because that seems to be self defeating.

Thoughts?

I was in law school. I met this woman who was 15 years younger than me. She was brilliant, warm, intelligent, witty, and beautiful. She always went out of her way to talk to me and be nice. She invited me to a school function. When I got off the escalator to meet her, she was standing there talking to some of our other classmates. She was wearing a "little black dress" and was so beautiful that I felt a jolt run through me like a bolt of lightning. We attended and had a great time. But, I kept telling myself there was no way she was interested, because she was 15 years younger than me.

By the time I worked up the guts to confide in one of our fellow students (a year later) who was in our close circle of students, she told me that my dream girl was with someone else. That was 3 years ago.

I know that time is supposed to heal all wounds. But every day I regret this. I keep thinking that if I had some guts and just WENT FOR IT, I'd either be with her, or know she wasn't interested. Either way, at least I wouldn't have the pain.

I'm a pretty strong guy, emotionally and mentally. But every experience I've had has left me unprepared for this. And believe me, if she was still single, I wouldn't be typing this on Yahoo. I'd tell her and let the chips fall. But she is married now.

Has anyone ever felt this way or experienced this and if you have, how did you get past it?