Dear FleaFollow

I find the people to be the most redeeming characteristics of this town. I advise joining organizations that interest you, taking up a sport or hobby, or joining a fun organization like www.highlifeadventures.com.
Oh, and quit with the Lebowski for a bit. Expand your horizons. Make your life well-rounded and fulfilling and you'll attract interest naturally.

You're on this site, right? Try for a couple of sentences a day in your journal, or open up a window with a Google doc and do some stream of consciousnesses. Once you have a couple of ideas, you'll re-read them and want to expand. Start with 15 mins a day, or try between commercials. Figure out a short timespan, but try to do it every day.

It's not. It's only perceived that way because most of the people the feel that way are raging alcoholics.

Dear Flea -
An old acquaintance that you haven't heard from in quite some time pops in still wearing the same drabby t-shirt you last saw him in. Do you point out the obvious need for an update or allow him to continue to meander through life blissfully ignorant to the advent of shopping for clothes?

Cheers,
Moe

/hugglez

I give fashion advice only if solicited and you look great to me, kid. Throw us a bone when you can, y'hear?

Have you considered a career in consulting? You get to do what you love, but set your own hours. It might be a good step-down from full-time employment.
If you balk at that, take a sabbatical and see how you feel. Your children won't begrudge you the rest, but retirement wears quickly on some. In either case, decide based upon what makes you happy. Your kids will make their own way.

Dear Flea,

To spare you a long story, I'm 15. Sometimes I lay there or am sitting, just in a somewhat depressed mood, and feel the need for an other. A girlfriend. I get incredibly lonely sometimes, yearning for someone meaningful. There is a girl at my high school that I adore, and we do seem to make a good pair. I never remember my dreams at night, but I have daydreamed about her before.

Sparing you and the forum another long story, I have not dated before. I have low self esteem, despite knowing I'm not an awful person. I fear being bold and courageous and talking to people about emotional things. Is it time for me to ask her out, to have a girlfriend? Will the feelings of isolation and loneliness pass, or is it time to begin my first relationship? How should I ask her, or present the idea, if I do decide to try and date her?

Well, it's official. You're an agony aunt, Flea.

I hope you know crotchet.

You're next. I'll answer this when I get home tonight.

Wow, I'm sorry Stubs.

Dear Flea,

Why don't you love me any more?

In tears,
DF

15's as good a time as any to tell you something you won't want to hear, but is the single most important lesson of your life: Don't depend on others for your happiness.

If you find that you're sad more often than not, if you can't find pleasure in things that used to fulfill you, etc then consider going to a therapist and being treated for depression. Talk to them about your self-esteem issues.

If you make this girl the solution to all your problems you'll only set yourself up for failure, since neither you or she are emotionally mature enough for a long-term relationship, and the heartbreak you'll experience at the inevitable end might just tip you over.

This isn't to say you aren't deserving of love. We all are, but you won't be happy and proud of yourself (which will in turn attract the right kind of partner for you) until you deal with your own issues first.