DP Tool Club 12/CD_ASCQ_12_0294.iso/vrac/sun9402.zip/QUES

Text File | 1994-01-29 | 19KB | 409 lines

The Question and Answers Session
Copyright (c) 1994, Joe DeRouen
All rights reserved


Each month, we'll ask a (hopefully) interesting question to users on
various nets and BBS's across the world and include the best answers
we get in this column.

This month's question: "What's the most romantic thing that you've ever
done?" (Or ever had done for you or had happen to you)

February is the month of St. Valentine's Day, so what better question to
ask then that?

The original message and responses are reproduced here in their
entirety, (Minus some quoting of the original question) with the
permission of the people involved.


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STTS Magazine readers,

The question for the QUESTION AND ANSWERS column in the Feb. issue of
STTS Magazine is:

"What's the most romantic thing that you've ever done?" (Or ever had
done for you or had happen to you)

As always, good answers will be printed in the Feb. issue of the
magazine. They may be edited for clarity (ie: quotes of this message
taken out) but will otherwise remain intact. By answering this message,
you give permission for STTS to publish your letter.

Thanks, and keep reading!

Joe DeRouen

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<PUBLIC><ECHO><RECEIVED>
Number  : 554    of    554       Date : 01-05-94 22:48
Reply To: 550
Confer  : Poetry & Prose <WME>
From    : Tommy Van Hook
To      : Joe Derouen
Subject : Feb. Question
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The most romantic thing that has ever happened to me:  I had just
gotten off of work (it was Spring Break '84, my Senior Year in
High School) and my girlfriend had just come to pick me up and
bring me back to her place (she was a Junior at LSU-Shreveport)
for the night.  I was expecting a quiet, dark apartment where I
could crash and sleep for a couple of hours, since we were
planning on going to the Rocky Horror Picture Show at 2 a.m.  We
walked in the door and on the table was a (now cold) home-cooked
meal.  In the center of the table was a rose in a vase.  Tied to
the vase was a heart-shaped balloon that read "Happy Anniversary
Sweetheart".  We had been dating for one year at that point, and
it had totally slipped my mind.
---
 ■ MegaMail 2.10 #0:Sometimes I wonder if you are who I am.

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<PUBLIC><RECEIVED>
Number  : 39     of     43       Date : 01/06/94 07:25
Reply To: 36
Confer  : STTS On-Line Magazine
From    : Grant Guenther
To      : Joe Derouen
Subject : Feb. Question
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The most romantic thing I've ever done...well...i never really had the
chance to be truly romantic (see girlfriend for more details) but I
think that the most romantic thing I did was make up the story of the
red and white rose and tell it to her after Homecoming night.
  The story goes similar to this:  two yellow roses (there were only
yellow roses then) really loved each other, one became deathly ill, the
other tore out its pedals and bled over it (in the right words it's
romantic) so that the dying rose would live.  And it did--it became
saturated in blood and turned red and lived eternal.  The other became
white (because is lost all of its blood) but lived eternal, too,
because it was willing to sacrifice its life for its love.
  --that's the long and short of the story...

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<PUBLIC><RECEIVED>
Number  : 42     of     44       Date : 01/06/94 14:28
Reply To: 36
Confer  : STTS On-Line Magazine
From    : Lisa Tamara
To      : Joe Derouen
Subject : Feb. Question
------------------------------------------------------------------------

I remember a evening that my lover and I set aside just for the two of
us.....we'd been dating for quite a while at the point and knew all the
little details that made life special......we shopped for days ahead of
time looking for our favorites foods , set aside the whole evening,
turned the phone off....There was one particular dress I had that he
really loved.....We even made a compilation tape of some wonderfully
romantic music and played it while we dined.....by candlelight...

Everything was slow and easy.....hours were whiled away in
conversation, massage, making love and more conversation....we didnt
have to rush because we knew it was our time....

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<PRIVATE><ECHO><RECEIVED>
Number  : 8      of      8       Date : 01/07/94 01:36
Confer  : Coregroup <P&BNet>
From    : Lucia Chambers
To      : Joe Derouen
Subject : Question and Answers
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Most Romantic Event:  there have been so many Joe, it's hard to
choose which was the Most.  A close second would be the time I was out
with a friend on his boat, and after some Long Island Bay navigational
disasters, we found ourselves in Zach's Bay - a very secluded area of
shallow water and many tiny, sandy islands.  We ate the most delicious
crab salad off each other's stomachs and arms, and then washed up by
going skinnydipping....  Perhaps the Most Romantic event was when my
husband proposed for the fifth time, on his knees and in the middle of
Montauk Highway; later we toasted our future by drinking champagne and
feeding each other strawberries during a bubblebath by candlelight.

If these are too racy to print, let me know. There are others
which are almost as romantic but much more "proper."  <g>

---
 * Pen and Brush * [phone]
 * PostLink(tm) v1.11  PANDB (#1742) : P&BNet(tm)

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<PUBLIC><ECHO><RECEIVED>
Number  : 16689  of  16782       Date : 01/07/94 11:01
Reply To: 16391
Confer  : Writers <P&BNet>
From    : Robert Mckay
To      : Joe Derouen
Subject : Feb. Question
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bought flowers for my wife on occasion - or was it my arranging for a
church wedding (finally!) to be performed on our most recent
anniversary?  Neither of us are terribly romantic in the usual sense of
the word.

---
 ■ QMPro 1.01 11-1111 ■ The Point of Know Return   ──Kansas
 * Pen and Brush * [phone]
 * PostLink(tm) v1.11  PANDB (#1742) : P&BNet(tm)

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<PUBLIC><ECHO><RECEIVED>
Number  : 17144  of  17185       Date : 01/09/94 09:12
Confer  : Writers <P&BNet>
From    : Sylvia Ramsey
To      : Joe Derouen
Subject : Feb. Question
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Joe,
   My husband and I just celebrated 34 years of marriage.  We were both
youngsters when we married.  We had a whirlwind courtship and eloped
because we knew my parents would say no.  Ten years and two
children later, we decided to celebrate our anniversary by getting
married again! We did.  Only this time, we had a church wedding.  Long
gown, tux, the whole ball of wax including a reception.  Our two sons
were part of the wedding party.  It was funny because my husband was
more nervous than he had been when we had eloped.  His best man had to
help him dress because all his fingers became thumbs.  Later, when our
youngest was in the third grade and they were talking about family in
class, he informed them that he knew his parents were married because he
was there.  I often wonder what that teacher thought; but, the boys
thought it was fantastic and that was all that mattered.  Years later
when my son married, he and his bride chose to be married in the same
little chapel for the ceremony.  I thought that was quite a compliment.
This may not be the kind of romantic story you're looking for; but, in
my book it ranks right up there in the top ten!

----Sylvia
---
 ■ QMPro 1.50 42-7046 ■ A hug warms the day and puts a smile in the heart.
 ■ TNet 3.90 ≈ P&BNet - The Imperial Palace 706-592-1344

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<PUBLIC><ECHO><RECEIVED>
Number  : 7579   of   7673       Date : 01/07/94 17:36
Confer  : Net Chat <WME>
From    : Glenda Blackwell
To      : Joe Derouen
Subject : romance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey there Joe:

Here is my answer for romance:


Sitting in front of a warm fire, with a cold bottle of champagne and
enjoying love just looking at each other and gentle touches.
Scented Candles burning, and slow soft music playing is all anyone needs
for a wonderful romantic evening!

                                           Glenda

 * OLX 2.1 TD * The best way to appreciate something is to be without it!
---
 ■ TriNet: Rising Star * Jacksboro,Tenn * 615-566-9778

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<PUBLIC><ECHO><RECEIVED>
Number  : 17498  of  17573       Date : 01/13/94 17:46
Reply To: 17144
Confer  : Writers <P&BNet>
From    : Lyn Rust
To      : Joe Derouen
Subject : Feb. Question
------------------------------------------------------------------------

This isn't so romantic as it is sexy.  And you have to understand
that a day without onions is for me like a day without oranges is
(was) for Anita Bryant.  ('Anybody here remember her?  Never
mind.)

When I was young and sexy and living single in Chicago, it was a
tradition that I spend New Year's with my longtime girlfriend,
Jeanne in Ann Arbor (whom I've mentioned before on here).  I'd
take the Amtrak train in the afternoon and it was a pleasant and
often adventurous 5-hour ride.

One New Year's Eve afternoon, I met a cute fellow on the train
and we began talking.  He was *very* cute.  He was so cute that
during the course of our conversation, he told me he worked as a
model for Playboy Magazine in their fashion layouts.  That's how
cute he was.

We were getting along pretty well (attracted to each other,
actually) and I learned that he was going to his hometown to
spend New Year's Eve with his family and didn't have any other
plans for the night.  It turned out that he was getting off the
train either one stop before or one stop after--I don't remember
anymore--Ann Arbor, certainly within easy driving distance of
Jeanne's house, so I gave him her phone number and asked him to
call after I'd cleared it with Jeanne for this stranger (he could
have been an ax murderer!) to come over to her house.

Jeanne and her then-husband, Richard, the U of M professor, had
been invited to a New Year's Eve party and had been planning to
take me along.  But Jeanne, she of the "so-many-men-so-little-
time" mindset, was delighted with my changed plans.  Before
departing for the party, she busied herself making a fire in the
fireplace, turning the lights low, putting on some lushly
romantic music, and creating a wonderfully appealing tray of hors
d'oeuvre.  I must mention here that Jeanne is Scandanavian, and
she is exceptionally creative when it comes to serving what I
call "snackies" or hors d'oeuvre.  She can make the most tired
leftovers look like a Gourmet Magazine illustration.  The tray
she placed on the coffeetable in front of the fireplace was
beautiful.

So Joe Blow or whatever his name was (I don't remember that
anymore either) arrived, introductions were made, and Jeanne and
Richard left for their party, Jeanne giving me an "'atta girl!"
wink as she left, eager to hear all the details later.  So "Joe"
and I commenced our evening and I could see that he was very
appreciative of the hors d'oeuvres.  I was too, and while eyeing
longingly several 1/4-inch thick slices of perfect white onion, I
uncharacteristically disciplined myself to ignore them.  (I can
eat an onion the way most people eat an apple, and I do so nearly
everyday.)  After all, who knew what might happen later in the
evening?, and I didn't want to olfactorily offend my would-be
lover.

At some point in our conversation and snacking by the fire, Joe
bent his body forward over the coffeetable, and with such grace
and elegance rarely seen in a man's movements, in the middle of a
sentence, exquisitely casually reached with his fingers for one
of the onion slices, and pausing momentarily between his words,
took a perfectly round semicircle bite out of it (his teeth were
as gorgeous as the rest of him!) chewed blissfully for a moment,
then blithely continued talking.

I had been thinking all along, "Will we or won't we?  Should I or
shouldn't I?"  When I saw him eat that onion, I think my G-spot
started vibrating.  That was foreplay enough for me!  I happily
joined him in eating several slices of the onion, then later
happily joined him in bed.

The next morning, Joe shared a most amiable breakfast with Jeanne
and Richard and me, then went back to his family, and I never saw
him again.  But I can tell you--onions and men brave enough to
eat them in front of a pretty woman are a great combination!

BTW, I met my husband of 20 years, B, over an onion . . . but
that's another story.

:)
---
 ■ SLMR 2.0 ■ Look out!  I've got a V.32 bis and I know how to use it!
 * InfoMat BBS [phone] -=- READROOM & Exhibit A Support
 * PostLink(tm) v1.11  EXHIBITA (#1153) : P&BNet(tm)

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<PUBLIC><ECHO><RECEIVED>
Number  : 572    of    577       Date : 01/15/94 15:42
Confer  : Poetry & Prose <WME>
From    : Tim Russ
To      : Joe Derouen
Subject : Feb. Question
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Joe,
    Several years ago my wife shared with me that she had a need for
more romance in our marriage.  I thought I was romantic enough already.
I honestly couldn't understand what she wanted.
    Being the logical computer oriented type I asked for a definition of
romance.  The entire conversation fell apart at that point because the
terminology she used was based in emotions while the terminology I
understood was based in logic.  She finally just sighed and said,
"That's ok, honey.  I love you and it really isn't killing me.  You are
somewhat romantic already."
    I knew that she was hurt.  I could see it in her eyes and that
really bothered me.  So, privately, I began asking friends, associates
and co-workers for a good definition of romance.  This went on for
nearly three weeks.  Poor ole Tim looking for a logical way to
understand one of the most emotional things in life.
    Everyone that knew me thought that this was sad.  The ladies became
frustrated because they couldn't seem to define romance.  Most of the
guys thought I was an idiot for even trying to be romantic.  But I
couldn't give up.  My wife had a need!
    Finally I found an answer from a very unexpected source.  One of the
ladies I worked with was a bitter old alcoholic prune.  She kept to
herself and argued with everyone.  She was one of the most cantankerous
people I have ever met.  I had avoided asking her because I *knew* she
would not be able to give me an answer.
    I asked another co-worker for a definition of romance when she
happened to be in the office.  When the other lady couldn't answer the
question she piped up.  "Romance is nothing more than putting your
feelings into action."  I couldn't believe it.  And it was so simple
too!
    I went home that night and hugged my wife.  I told her that I was
going to take her out to dinner and we would paint the town red.  She
just smiled and told me it wasn't necessary.  Three weeks I had been
trying to figure out what she needed!  Didn't she understand what I had
gone through?!
    She laughed when she saw the look on my face.  It seems that she had
heard about my quest for understanding and had been keeping track of my
progress.  To her, she said, that quest was the essence of romance and
her life was now much happier.

Tim

 * QMPro 1.51 * Be patient with everyone, but above all, with yourself!
---
 ■ TriNet: TriNet: North Central BBS: [phone]: Marion, In.

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As always, I'll now attempt to answer my own question . . .

One day in 1990, my wife and I were feeling depressed about something
or other. We decided not to let it get us down, and decided to go do
something we've always wanted to do - visit the local wildlife park.

We hopped in the car and went. The park (closed now, so I won't mention
it's name) was in Grand Prairie, at the outskirts of town. The ride
there was pleasant, and we talked and enjoyed one another's company.

We bought some feed from the caretakers (after paying our way in) and
set out to visit the animals. It was great! Antelopes, deer, monkeys,
giraffes. Certainly nothing like visiting the zoo, but these animals
were all free and out in the open, able to do as they please.

We fed several animals, and my wife managed to fed a giraffe who somehow
got his neck down to our car window. The whole day brought us closer
together and let whatever troubles we were experiencing fall away for a
while. I still remember that day. The park is gone now, but the memories
are forever ours.

A close second would be when, around Christmas time, I came home from my
first day at a new job to find my wife waiting for me wearing nothing
but a big red bow. <Grin> But that's a story for another time . . .

Happy Valentine's and thanks for reading!