The Manly Arts!

[Toadstool]

As much as I would like to argue otherwise that is pretty much true. Sure there can be circumstances that would make such pain stay with you than longer than you would like or even want and I sure as hell can't seem to be able to do it, but it is up to each individual to do so.

I feel that one of the attributes of a real man is that he is in control of his emotions at all times. That isn't to say he doesn't become vulnerable or feel sadness, but he doesn't let these things control him.
If you're still of the mindset that your mother or your ex or whomever is "making" you feel a certain way (whether good or bad) then you are not in control of yourself and are not taking responsibility for your feelings.

I had a run in with this just the other week. I thought I was all high and mighty because I was in control of my emotions. No one could make me feel bad. Then this girl walks into my life and she starts "making" me feel good. She starts saying things like how awesome I am, how she's quickly falling for me, she repetitively told me all the things that any guy would love to hear. She was essentially pushing my feel-good buttons. I had to put a stop to that as soon as I became aware of it.
That isn't to say I don't enjoy her company but I don't want her to be in control of when I'm feeling good about myself, or when I'm feeling bad. She says one thing, I'm up. She says another, I'm down. Why should I give anyone that kind of power over me?

 

[Dontrike]

I feel that one of the attributes of a real man is that he is in control of his emotions at all times. That isn't to say he doesn't become vulnerable or feel sadness, but he doesn't let these things control him.
If you're still of the mindset that your mother or your ex or whomever is "making" you feel a certain way (whether good or bad) then you are not in control of yourself and are not taking responsibility for your feelings.

It depends on how much you gave those people really. In my case I gave 12 years taking care of my mother and in the end all I got was her lying that I was abusing her and having the cops talk to me before the state took her away, so I am going to have the emotional/mental baggage equal to that of the lost and found of an airport. As for an ex doing that I would love for that to not have as much power over me, but can't seem to be able to get out of that, possibly because I still talk to her and she is probably my best friend, which is both sad and great at the same time. In the end though each person will have someone, or something, that gets under their skin or burrows into their thoughts so deep that even when you think it is over you forgot to tear the roots out and it came right back.

I had a run in with this just the other week. I thought I was all high and mighty because I was in control of my emotions. No one could make me feel bad. Then this girl walks into my life and she starts "making" me feel good. She starts saying things like how awesome I am, how she's quickly falling for me, she repetitively told me all the things that any guy would love to hear. She was essentially pushing my feel-good buttons. I had to put a stop to that as soon as I became aware of it.
That isn't to say I don't enjoy her company but I don't want her to be in control of when I'm feeling good about myself, or when I'm feeling bad. She says one thing, I'm up. She says another, I'm down. Why should I give anyone that kind of power over me?

Everyone gives that power over to someone or something. Your family pet when you grew up made you happy, you may even have a pet that does that for you now. If you have kids the same thing is easily true as well. Friends can easily get under your skin or cheer you up and the same can be true with family or the other half of the couple you are a part of.

Throughout our whole lives we are divvying up pieces of ourselves, deciding what and who makes us happy or angry, the difference is how much we give out to each person or thing. Sometimes we give too much to one person or thing, maybe because we were being to dependent on them or perhaps that person or thing was what caused a dramatic change, for the better or worse, and it just naturally stuck to you. There will always be something that makes you lose control in some way.

No one is 100% in control of their feelings.

 

[McDick]

She says one thing, I'm up. She says another, I'm down. Why should I give anyone that kind of power over me?

It's called being human. When you were a kid your parents had the same effect on you, at least I would hope...unless you're some kind of sociopath it's natural. I think you may be trying a bit too hard at whatever it is you want to prove to yourself. Instead of looking at it as "giving anyone that kind of power over me" you should be looking at it for what it is...valuing the opinion of somebody you have let close enough into your life to give you positive and negative feedback. Whether you feel up or down is completely up to you.

 

[Pirate]

Good points gentlemen.
The trick, methinks, is to chose wisely those whose opinions we really care about.

 

[Toadstool]

It's called being human. When you were a kid your parents had the same effect on you, at least I would hope...unless you're some kind of sociopath it's natural. I think you may be trying a bit too hard at whatever it is you want to prove to yourself. Instead of looking at it as "giving anyone that kind of power over me" you should be looking at it for what it is...valuing the opinion of somebody you have let close enough into your life to give you positive and negative feedback. Whether you feel up or down is completely up to you.

i didn't mention anything about opinions or valuing people. I was talking about being in control of myself, my emotions. You and I do agree.

 

[goodfellow]

Tip: When walking with a female along a road, always walk between her and the traffic. You don't need to make a big deal about it, just do it. She will notice and appreciate it.

The gent should actually keep the lady on his right hand side, even though it makes sense to shield her from any danger from the road. The point of that, was to ensure he was able to draw his sword without things getting in his way.

 

[Pirate]

The gent should actually keep the lady on his right hand side, even though it makes sense to shield her from any danger from the road. The point of that, was to ensure he was able to draw his sword without things getting in his way.

An interesting point!
Personally, I carry enough armament that she won't be in my way, where ever she is.

 

[Pirate]

Do what you think will make the world a better place. If doing something won't make the world a better place, don't do it.

 

[Pirate]

Learn how to wet shave using a safety razor
The Ten Minute Traditional Wet Shave - YouTube
You will save a billion doubloons per year.

 

[anonymity]

Thank you for sharing this with the boys Pirate. By the way guys, he's on to something with this, so check it out.

 

[Robberman]

Knowing how to dress is easy. Know the measurements of your chest, waist and inner leg. Baggy is no good unless you're playing hockey

 

[BigRooster]

Learn how to wet shave using a safety razor
The Ten Minute Traditional Wet Shave - YouTube
You will save a billion doubloons per year.

And you get just as good, if not a better shave. I say I say I mean to tell ya YARR!

 

[Pirate]

Knowing how to dress is easy. Know the measurements of your chest, waist and inner leg. Baggy is no good unless you're playing hockey

Neck, too.

 

[Pirate]

Consider getting a handful of shirts tailor made. They aren't that expensive, look great on you (since they fit), and will last a long time. If that is too expensive for you, buy some new shirts a little big from a men's store and take them to a tailor. I did this recently and, for $7 a shirt, got bargain store shirts that actually fit my bronzed, middle aged, sun god body.

 

[Pirate]

I saw a dad in church yesterday. He and his lovely bride were wrangling 5 kids, ages 0 to 6+/-, and do a most admirable job of it too! (They lasted at least 20 minutes!)
Anyway, when he turned around, I noticed the little "X", on the tails of his sports-coat....
Gentlemen, when you buy an off the rack suit of dress jacket, frequently, the pockets will by sewn shut to maintain the lines of the garment during transport while it hangs on a hanger. Similarly, the tails will be sewn together, right at the bottom, with a small X.
At purchase, ask the salesperson/tailor/etc. to open the pockets and loose the tails, or do it yourself when you get home.
Yarrrr!

 

[Pirate]

Went to a dinner with family and friends. There was one rambunctious toddler there and he took a liking to a specific teenage boy. The teenager, though uncomfortable, did the right thing and paid attention to the little boy (picked him up, carried him around, read him a book, and played with his toys) and, very quickly, the two found themselves the center of attention of ALL OF THE FEMALES present.
There is a valuable lesson in this...........

 

[SW_CO]

Tip: Girls only like guys with skills. Like bow staff skills, Nunchuck skills, computer hacking skills....

Bow staff? NunChuk? You've been spending way too much time watching movies and playing games. Neither term is correct.

It's bo, not bow, and bo is Japanese for staff. A bow staff is a warped piece of wood that is no good for its intended use. A bo staff is simply being redundant.

And it's Nunchaku, not nunchuk.

Which brings me to- women appreciate a man that is honest about what he knows and what he doesn't instead of trying to blow smoke up her skirt.

 

[AnneBonneyPirette]

Always playing the role of Daddy-mentor Pirate...well, some women are not so easily impressed by a man, or man-boy in this case, playing with a toddler...your spelling is even less impressive.

 

[TheGreatDivider]

Just ther other day I bought 4 solid dress shirts (white, blue, red, purple) and 2 solid ties (red, white) instead of the clothes I really wanted (like something from Spencers). I thought it was a better idea to dress up a like man than to dress like a teenager. I ended up liking my appearance in a shirt and tie that I decided to make it stick. So I gathered up every shirt I shouldn't be wearing and all but one pair of big jeans and dedicated them to charity. I'm going to wash and give them to the VA homeless program on Monday.

 

[Dontrike]

Just ther other day I bought 4 solid dress shirts (white, blue, red, purple) and 2 solid ties (red, white) instead of the clothes I really wanted (like something from Spencers). I thought it was a better idea to dress up a like man than to dress like a teenager. I ended up liking my appearance in a shirt and tie that I decided to make it stick. So I gathered up every shirt I shouldn't be wearing and all but one pair of big jeans and dedicated them to charity. I'm going to wash and give them to the VA homeless program on Monday.

I don't think I could ever do this. Not that my wardrobe is the usual teenage fair, as all of my shirts are plain black, it it is that nicer stuff annoys me greatly. That stuff is so constricting.

As a piece of advice I wouldn't get rid of all of it, as you may need something for just lounging around or when you need to do something a bit more physical or dirty that you don't mind getting ruined.