I second (third?) that emotion -- I like Broadsheet and check it daily. Keep it up!

And Rachel F., you are right on the money about all of the trolls who come here simply to bash the column. They presume to speak for all men in a way that should raise the ire of the men who sincerely read and post re: Broadsheet articles and feminist issues.

Wordy McWord, Lynx.

Brightstar, are you a serial troll?

Snarlingcoyote, please don't speak for all women. Not all of us want either to wear a white dress or to have a big, traditional wedding (or any wedding at all).

Not that I don't support my friends and family who do want these things - but it's good to know where these traditions are from. And frankly, few people look good in bright white satin.

And a butt bow is NEVER a good choice. Step away from the butt bow.

All of the smoking-while-typing-while-drinking-cosmos and so much else was an homage (if you can call it that) to Sex in the City. Except Carrie got splashed by a bus, not John Hodgeman.

My sisters and I have long talked about the words we hate - only for their sound, I believe, not for meaning. Not surprisingly, moist tops the list. The others are slacks, meal and purse. After a few drinks, we can creep each other out by using all four in one sentence. "The moist snack cake leftover from my afternoon meal soaked through my purse, staining my slacks."

Re: the Patersons

Say it with me - "They were on a break!"

As I recall, the Tacoma house was a rental that was empty of renters, and the Craigslist posting stated that it would be torn down and so was open for salvage. Much more legit-looking that a, wha?, no-host garage sale?

As I recall, the Tacoma house was a rental that was empty of renters, and the Craigslist posting stated that it would be torn down and so was open for salvage. Much more legit-looking that a, wha?, no-host garage sale?

I seem to recall that there was a TAL show on testosterone recently, and for one story the producers & staff of TAL all had their testosterone tested to see whose was highest/lowest, etc. And, the results were totally not what was expected - I believe the highest in the men was Gay, and of the women, the highest score was for a laid-back relaxed woman. Whatevs - not scientific, but neither is making huge conclusive jumps from (a) testosterone levels affecting gender in cattle to (b) personality traits held by women based on testosterone levels. While (a) may be scientifically proven, (b) is loaded with subjectivity, and I do not believe was even part of this study.

And on the subjectivity front, my mother has five daughters and you wouldn't want to meet her in a dark alley.

If there were a best-post-for-boobs contest here at Salon, that explanation of body mod v. silicone would get you a pair of c-cups at least.

LW, I went through a similar experience in college, but on the other side. My friend made a ton of friends and had a great time in college, meanwhile, I was working two jobs, had horrible roommates, and was sliding into depression. Our friendship hung on for a year of that, until my friend abandoned me, no excuse or explanation. I had supported her through her parents divorce, dad's remarriage (and new baby) with the affair-woman, through my friend's first love and a million other things. But, I asked for her support when she was having a good time, and it was too much for her. It's twenty years later, and I've got an awesome life, with a great twelve-year relationship and a large circle of wine-in-elevators friends. From this distance, I can recognize that her failure and rejection had to do with her immaturity, with being in college, and a million other things. I still wish her well, and would love it if she tried to get in touch. While I wouldn't trust her immediately, I would want to hear what she had to say, to know about her life.

If you can step back and look from a distance, and you recognize any part of yourself in my ex-friend, I hope you will give your friend a chance, and see if you can create some new, adult relationship together.

"Whatever you fear, if it is not happening today, then perhaps you can find some peace of mind and just for today let your fears subside."

Thanks Cary - that's exactly what I needed to hear.