[We picked this title for the edition because it's a sacrament of sorts. What does the protypical Jewish mother, or the Italian mother ("Mangia!") say when family is gathered together? Even more, when have you invited an enemy to break bread with you? Eating together is the final test of familiarity. So eat with us this week. It was a long hard road coming back to you. -- RA]

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NEW YORK, NY, USA - Famous writer and occasional curmudgeon H.L. Mencken tried personally responding to all the letters he received regarding his articles. However once his popularity grew he found this to be nearly an impossible task. He then figured out a response that would satisfy everybody who commented on his articles. He would write, "Upon further consideration, you may be right." I have reviewed H.L.'s response and just don't think I'm ready to go there yet.

This past week I received a few responses to an article I wrote many months ago that showed how ridiculous these websites were that promoted Anorexia and Bulimia otherwise known today and Ana and Mia. It's not like I was taking a risky position by saying encouraging eating disorders is wrong. (What's next? An article that says crime is bad). So I never expected much response from this article. However the eating disorder mafia (I didn't know there was one either until I wrote the article) has consistently attacked me because I dare make fun of these websites. I have tried to be nice in a few of my responses but it does not seem to help. So now I think it's time for the writer to strike back against a few of the responses I received this week.... MORE





by MATTIE LENNON

DUBLIN, IRELAND - I haven't ever been described as the black sheep of the family ... and that's simply because I am an only child.

Do my traits, foibles and way of living reflect the fact that that I was reared as an only child?

In the late nineteenth century, Alfred Adler, the founder of Individual Psychology, indicated the importance of a child's position in the "family constellation".

According to present day experts here are some common personality traits of "only children":

• Confident: Only children are usually not afraid to make decisions and are comfortable with their opinions.
• Pays Attention to Detail: They like things to be organized and are often on time.
• Good in School: Onlies tend to read a lot and have a good memory for facts and figures.
• It's MINE!: Only children might have difficulty sharing or going second because they have always been first in line for everything

MARIETTA, OH, USA - If you've read this column with any frequency over the years of its existence, you know my love for the music of Rosemary Clooney, as for the woman herself, who counts in my ledger as one of the nicest people ever involved in show business. With Rosemary's death in 2002, it's not surprising that her record company for the last 25 years of her life has brought forward a superb collection of her best work for the Concord Records label.

The story is an old one, but for those whose memories don't include the Clooney story, she was a major recording star in the 1950s, suffered a major breakdown after the murder of Robert Kennedy and seemed to have retired from show business. Thankfully for all of us who appreciate brilliant singing and one of the most sincere attitudes in the history of show business, Rosemary made a comeback...MORE





by YOU

THE WORLD - From Tashira L., New York, NY, USA:

SUBJECT: Pro Ana/Mia Column

First let me introduce myself. My name is Tashira, age 20, and a supporter of the Pro Ana/Mia sites.

Now for my comment:
A) First of all, it did infact sound like you were making fun of Ana/Mia sites for the purpose of ridicule.
B) Second of all, if you have never been diagnosed with an ED, I really don't see as to why you would even think of commenting on the subject.

Persons with ED's have infact recovered from these Pro Ana/Mia sites. If you were to go into one of them for a brief moment, that will indeed become apparent. Of course there may be some posts supporting these diseases, but not of fault of the moderators, only members (such as I), who have decided they are not ready for "recovery".

These sites are not for encouraging ED's, they are for support on how to COPE with it by communicating with others from around the world and giving personal opinions on the subject.

A person such as yourself would lack the mentality of understanding such a thing, for I assume you have never had an ED (please feel free to correct me if I am wrong), and with that I conclude with the ever-so-obvious fact that it may not be pretty, but Pro Ana/Mia sites are our place of comfort.

Sincerely,
BronxBeauty8...MORE





by ROD AMIS

NEW ORLEANS - 3 November, 2003: I found out what Superman did today. Apparently, after I went home on Saturday, he decided to go out without me. He took my money, though. He went to a bar. He ignored my many friends who were there. As far as he was concerned, the only people in the crowded room were he and the bartender. He sat there for three hours and the only words he uttered, repeatedly, were "Uno mas." He never said anything else. He just drank. Then he left.

When I learned this, I was quite bitter. It seems that when I blacked out and the other character took over all it wanted to do was go deeper toward oblivion. It didn't socialize, it didn't cause a scene, it just retreated into some private darkness ...

When I was allowed to re-emerge, after some hours of sleep, it was only to wonder what had occurred. No broken bones or dishes, no unrecognizable bedmate, just a silence.

I am left to wonder what Superman was thinking for those three hours and why he did not share those thoughts with me. The people who told me about his journey said he never uttered a single word. When greeted, he would simply nod and then look back with a distant stare at the mirror behind the bar. "You weren't rude," I was told, "just distant."

Dark night of the soul. ... MORE


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OTHER EDITIONS

THE PREVIOUS ISSUE: REVELATIONS CHAPTER
(M.H. AHSAN interviews Bollywood drama queen Kareena Kapoor in G21 ASIA; MATTIE LENNON reports on an historic Gaelic football match this month at IRISH EYES; and much more!)

G21 TODAY!

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