That's way, way deep. Sorry to hear about your hard time. My father died of cancer when I was 15. The silver lining in my situation (if you can call it that) was he abused basically everyone in my family and was kind of a terrorist to my childhood. I was actually kind of relieved when he finally died. So I guess, I'm not sure how one would deal with that. Like any other form of sadness, I'm sure it takes a lot of time.

When I was a kid, I gamed every free second I had. Mostly online (competitively). From 15-22 that was my world. I always thought it was the strangest thing when someone would drop off the planet. They would just give up on gaming, usually around that time. It did not compute at all.

Now, at 28, I understand. I still game on occasion, but I buy a few new ones a year instead of 20. I no longer have any desire to play someone online.

What changed? Am I too busy? No, I don't think that's it. I'm an entrepreneur and have started 3 software companies (sold 2). I have all the time in the world. However something about gaining success outside of video games kind of messed up my ability to play them. The stress, the highs, the lows, the dopamine release...all the things you used to get from gaming you get from your real world. After managing a business, dealing with the girlfriend, and working out you feel fulfilled. As such, when you sit down for the night a lot of times even starting up the PlayStation seems like a chore. You have nothing left in the tank mentally. And since my whole life gaming was an investment, it's nearly impossible to do it casually anymore and get the highs I used to know.

@korvus:

Interesting, then you have a lot more reserve than I. Actually in most cases it's the female falling for me, not vice-versa. At the end of the day it's a double edged sword. If you pick someone you're not attracted to physically with whom to be friends, that means you are probably more attractive than them. In that case, they fall for you. That's why I don't think it works a lot of times. I guess both people would have to have your mentality about it.

@korvus:

Yeah, that's my point. I think the problem is attraction plus friendship. I'm not attracted to men at all, which is why it's easy to spend time with men without wanting their genitals.

The only way I've ever been able to separate out attraction completely is when it's one of my employees. Mentally it becomes like family, not potential 'partners'.

I am a "taster", so I've been picky most my life. However I've forced myself to acquire most tastes via brute force. The only things I cannot force myself to like are raw onions and cottage cheese. For some reason no matter how much I eat those, they are not my friends.

There are some that can pull this off. Personally, I've found it never to work. Eventually one develops feelings for the other (assuming they are both straight, of course). Think of it this way...if you like someone enough to spend time with them, it's only natural you'd want to date them if you're also attracted to them.

I am more than satisfied with my Razr Maxx HD. With normal use the battery lasts 3-5 days. Never had any issues. My old HTC Thunderbolt...now that was a crappy phone.

I am both intelligent (and by that, I assume you mean logical), and creative.

I can't draw for anything, but I am a very good creative writer. And my day job is a CIO of multiple companies, which implies logic/intelligence.

So, it does happen. But I don't think you can broaden intelligence or creativity to include every different genre.

The people that did this should offer themselves up freely for research in the animals' steads. That would be the only humane thing to do at this point.

Besides micro-brews, I have always been a huge fan of Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat. It's a brand every store has, but is mighty tasty.