[mark12_30]

The obligatory two kopecks:

I'm a tomboy. Tea parties don't interest me much. Dolls gag me or scare me; sometimes both. Riding through the wild, though, in a tattered old cloak, and singing songs-- now that's a good time. Tiptoeing quietly through the woods unheard, or invisible, and meeting elves and dragons is even better.

Having said all that-- Fordim, I can't help you much, because when I consider your diilemma I scratch my head and wonder, <<begin brief rant>> what is WRONG with you chicks? Can't you see beyond the gender of the participants into the abstraction of what is going on? Does it HAVE to be about skirts versus pants to make it interesting? How about right versus wrong, truth versus lies, life versus death???

Sorry. I'll get off of my soap box now. <<End rant.>> Good luck, Fordie. Let us know how it goes.

PS. My fourth grade teacher read it to the class. Big hit. She also read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlotte's Web, The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe, James and the Giant Peach... I've forgotten a few others. Cool teacher.

PPS. Rereading this post makes me laugh. I've been trying to have a (hobbit-style?) tea- party for, oh, ten years now. Never happens. Somehow I'd rather go hiking or mountain-biking. Not that I don't love my girlfriends; oh no. But how about a bike ride instead of the social scene? See you at the trailhead...