then you'd have to use ENERGY to iron out the wrinkels. A quick toss in the dryer tosses out the wrinkles so you don't have to USE ENERGY ironing them. You don't have to dry til 100% dry, just enough to get the wrinkles out so you don't have to USE ENERGY ironing.

lol, you just made that up just to further your arguement. Actually dryers don't use a lot of kilowatt hours, particulary since you only use them for 1/2 hour once a week. A refridgerator, on the other hand, IS the top energy user in a household. IT uses A LOT of kilowatt hours of energy and is ON 24/7. TVs use A LOT of energy, especially since they now stay ON in sleep mode even when OFF. Some new TVs use the SAME amount of energy when in resting mode as when turned ON. Same for desktop computers. The sleep mode uses a lot of energy when the machine is turned off but plugged in. Cable set top box? Sucking up energy all day long 24/7 even if you're not watching TV or recording a show. Do a little research before you make up statistics to support your extremism.

When the need to conserve energy in your house is considered, then the focus should be mainly on heating and cooling processes. They are the major uses of energy. Hot water heating is also a sizable use of energy. The use of energy by a refrigerator is significant, and the lighting process for a whole house becomes a significant energy use. Electronic appliances on the whole use a small amount of energy, and are not a major part of energy conservation initiatives. USE THE DRYER.

this is an older guy living off the system. He's able to walk, use the computer, he could get a job, but he's perfected how to use the system and he's perfected how to use people so he gets free food, cigarettes, alcohol, cable and internet access. He's a user and he won't respond to etiquette, if he respected that, he wouldn't be taking advantage of you.

Don't open the door. When you see him the next day in the hall, just say "we're going to bed earlier."

He like a stray cat: stop giving him free stuff and he'll stop coming along. At least the stray cat has no other options and doesn't know better. This guy does, he's just working you.

I always told freinds "I don't answer my door after 9 if you don't call first." Some folks laughed at first and didn't respect that. But I didn't open the door, repeated my mantra, and folks started calling before they came over.

When they called, I'd either accept or decline, depending on my mood. "sure, come on over, but I've got to get to bed early tonight so I have to end it at 10." or "Sorry, I'm wiped out and going to bed early. Catch you later in the week."

Or just stop after the first time and close the door.

Why are you waitng for his permission to end the conversation?

Why would you maintian a two continent relationship for THREE years? Folks do it when circumstances are unavoidable and work towards reuniting. After 3 years, why bother? Seems like you don't really want to be together. Either be together or don't be together, but the long term long distance relationship isn't a relationship, it's a theoretical relationship.

why would you be wiht someone you don't want to be with? Moving to another continent When you have a choice indicates you don't want to physically be with him. So why be with him emotionally?

oh really? He eventually came around to it? You had to beg him to agree to some day maybe get engaged? Trust me, He's NOT into you.

You did NOT give him an ultimatun, for if you had, you'd BE engaged right now and buying a ticket to his country. Instead, he bought more time with his manipulative excuses and promises. He learned that you'll back down from your 'ultimatums' and he can fast talk whatever he wants.

I guarantee you he is already cheating on you and if you should be able to pressure him into marrying you, he'll cheat on you after you're married too. He's just a manipulative cheating rationalizing sort of guy.

that Trisha wrote:

"Sorry, it's tough to face, but you are not hearing what he is saying."

if LW thought it was OK to lie about believing in god to get governement approval to authorize a marriage for her siter, than she should be OK with this request--authorizing a marriage both parties want even though YOU don't know they're ready.

you are immature in both years and maturity. You aren't ready to marry because you are too self-centered. Spend a few years becoming self-sufficient and you'll respect other people more. You are selfish and don't want to be in a cooperative partnership, you just want to be the center of everything. These are you BF's people. Respect them. Funny thing is, as 'backwards' as you *think* they are, no doubt they are far more mature, tolerant, kind, understand and patient that you since they put up with you snobby attitude all the time. GROW UP.

I think the idea that the fiance is being "controlling" by insisting on equal consideration for himself and his parents is offensive.

Due to LW's clear self-centered worldview, I'm sure FIL is not as "controlling" as she says. In her world, anyone who doesn't do exact as MISS QUEEN wants IS controlling! He choses the route cuz he's driving and it's HIS neighborhood. He knows where the potholes are (you grew up on the other side of town and have been gone for 4 years). Remember the moody teen who screams at every parental comment "you can't tell me what to do!!!"? That is what LW does when FIL says "it's raining outside, you might want a heavier coat."