I Am Andropausal!

Warning, this post has an adult theme. If you’re male, you’re probably too immature to proceed onward! And that’s exactly why you’re going to anyway!

My wife emailed this article to me saying that she thinks I am going through andropause.

Not Such a Myth: Male Menopause

By Yvonne Fulbright

He’s feeling hot flashes -- and they have nothing to do with desire. Like a woman, his body is letting him know it’s going through “male menopause.” Far from being a myth, this hotly debated experience really does exist. Yet few people know about the condition more formally known as andropause.

“Hotly debated”, nice pun! All this time since I started running on the treadmill again, sweating like a pig in heat, it wasn’t my body overheating from exhaustion, it was just good ole “male menopause”!

Even fewer people know that, like female menopause, male menopause can affect every part of a man's life, including his sex life. With all men experiencing a decline in their testosterone levels with age, what’s going on when it comes to andropause?

I don’t know, let’s read and learn!

It’s perfectly normal for men to experience a decrease in testosterone beginning around age 30, with your average Joe’s testosterone lessening about 10 percent every decade. While these hormonal changes occur over years, by around age 70, a male’s testosterone level could be at half the level he had in his late teens/early 20s.

Yikes, I’m turning into a woman! No wonder I’ve had the urge to buy new shoes lately…

As if this weren’t enough, for an estimated 25 million American males, ages 40-55, it involves a whole lot more.

So what’s going on? As a man’s testosterone declines, his levels of sex-hormone-binding-globulin (SHBG) increase. This “traps” a great deal of the remaining testosterone, making it inaccessible to his body’s cells. With both of these experiences, an estimated 20-30 percent of men experience the dramatic change of andropause, typically by their 50s.

I’m in my late 40’s, I guess for once in my life I'm finally ahead of the game at something... Who would’ve thunk that increased SHBG (sex-hormone-binding-globulin) would be a bad thing??? And why is it that when I finally make it to the top 20-30 percent of something, it’s a bad thing?

Hence andropause, also known as testosterone deficiency, androgen deficiency of the aging male, and late-onset hypogonadism, often makes a difficult time in a man’s life even harder. With testosterone impacting almost every bodily process, andropause can impact his feelings, health, and mood.

No argument that mind vs. testosterone clearly has the latter superseding the former in “every bodily process” heretofore...

When it comes to his sexual functioning, changes include:

Add to this the lethargy, increased irritability, memory problems, depression, bone and muscle mass loss, less beard growth, sleep disturbances, hair loss, and/or increased fat a male can experience, and he can feel like a mess.

How do these relate to “sexual functioning” again (that would be interesting reading…)? I attributed lethargy, increased irritability, memory problems and depression to working 60-70 hours a week making what would seem like a decent amount of money and yet I still have to ask permission to buy a new pair of shoes on clearance 50% off. I attributed bone and muscle mass loss and increased fat to eating large portions of everything and too much ice cream (I have acquired a love for food) and sitting at a desk too many hours. I attributed challenges of beard growth and hair loss to genetics (either that, or I’ve been androgen deficient since puberty, umm, I don’t think so). I attributed recent sleep disturbances to recent changes in work schedule where I no longer work double shifts on Saturdays and 3^rd shift graveyard duty on Sunday-Monday. Instead I burn the candle at both ends 3 days a week doing doubles on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The change to an earlier bed time on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday has been somewhat of an adjustment, especially when I come back all wired with adrenaline from YMCA athletic exertions, and past my new bed time at that. This definitely tends to disturb my sleep... On top of all this, my andropause is making me “feel like a mess”!

Ultimately, he feels less motivated and confident when it comes to sex (huh? Is it possible for women to have andropause???). This, in itself, can increase experiences like decreased energy levels and depression. In some cases, a man might plummet into what’s been coined his “midlife crisis.”

I know it can’t have anything to do with having a total car obsession since I was 5 years old and with preferring to drive this, instead of this. It can’t have anything to do with having to buy these (weekly) and paying to fix gobs of these semi-annually instead of being able to buy toys like these for my new this. I’m not complaining, I made my choices and I’m very happy with them (I think). I’m just saying that just about anything in my life could trigger a “midlife crisis”. It’s called, trying to hold onto your identity as a man, regardless of how shameless or pathetic that might be. Men want to be kind, compassionate, humble and all the things the good book teaches us to be. Interestingly, a woman's nature tends to align more naturally with these attributes, and men recognize this and they really don't want to be viewed as womanly. The more mature (and trained by our spouses - henpecked) we become, the more womanly we become... The midlife crisis is nothing more than a lash-back at this transformation. I yield, I will become more womanly, just let me at least have my midlife crisis! I wanna be a man!

During this time, everything about him is affected – the hormonal, psychological, spiritual, interpersonal, social, and sexual. It’s no wonder that divorce after 20-30 years of marriage actually appears to be connected with andropause, with Brazil reporting such in the International Encyclopedia of Sexuality.

I guess I never really thought of my spirituality being tied to my testosterone levels… I wonder, does more or less cause increased spirituality? I’m sure that menopause and/or lacking the desire to endure more than 20-30 years of that joyous monthly “Cyclone” ride (a.k.a PMS) have little to do with divorce statistics, it's clear that this andropause is the root of all the problems... Is it just me or does anyone else find it ironic that the author of this article is female? Somehow you'd think these claims would be more credible coming from a male. Kind of like a male OBGYN who claims to know more about a woman's reproduction system than a mother of 9, because he has read a lot of books and got his PhD.

Whether you suspect andropause or are experiencing any symptoms, get examined by your physician, and ask for a blood test to check your hormone levels. Even if you don’t have andropause, another medical condition, like thyroid problems could be affecting your health and require treatment.

Oh, I'm sure it's andropause, my wife says I have all the symptoms... It could be the thyroid (why not, the thyroid gets blamed for everything). But I still have my suspicions that it could probably be the ice cream, lack of sleep, too much work (and not enough play), never enough money, never ending PMS and dare I mention the extreme differences (24x365 vs. 2-3 ovulation days/month) in sexual drives between Mars and Venus that are probably the more likely culprits… That's an inferior male's assessment any way.

At the same time, make sure that your doctor isn’t treating you for the symptoms of a medical condition you may not have, for example, Viagra for erectile dysfunction, and is treating andropause if it’s the culprit. Despite the first andropause study having been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association back in the 1940s, only recently has the medical community in the U.S. started to take it seriously.

I'd bet money that this medical community in the US that is starting to take this seriously is made up of women, transgenders and gay men.

If you do have low testosterone levels, your situation may possibly be helped with testosterone replacement therapy. Just be sure to weigh the costs versus benefits with your doctor, especially in light of your age.

I’d rather grow man-boobs than consider a testosterone transfusion (that’s probably just the homophobe in me talking) since I don’t really know how “testosterone replacement therapy” works exactly, and I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know...

While you can’t treat low testosterone on your own, be sure to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to get psychological help if you’re feeling down. Equally important, nurture your sexual relationship in ways that aren’t reliant upon your sexual functioning or performance (huh?). After all, there’s a lot more to your sexuality – and to expressing it – than what testosterone should determine .

Reading this article has inspired me to exercise more, eat less ice cream, seek the help of a whole team of psychiatrists, and get in touch with my femininity. NOT! This sounds a lot like a Venus conspiracy to convince Mars that Mars is really nothing more than Venus, with a penis… At least that's what they'd have us believe. I'm not buying it!

Trestles at San Onofre - Changes Eminent - A Favorite Childhood Surf Spot

Sorry, this is a long post. If you are from So. CA and grew up surfing San Onofre (Upper and Lower Trestles, Middle, Churches, Bluffs/Trails, Cottons) like I did, this article would spark a little nostalgia in you. Many an early morning I would be out there surfing with best friends and amongst the dolphins (ironically I observed that they also loved to surf the waves) and even with an occasional pilot whale. I had never had the pleasure of co-mingling with such creatures at any of the other So. CA beaches that I surfed, these experiences were unique to San Onofre. The gulls would stretch their wings out along the forming and breaking waves too as though they were air surfing, exactly what I'd be doing if I could fly. It was always incredible and fascinating to watch and so peaceful. It was a time of tranquility, to reflect quietly on life and the beauty of nature and man's desire and ability to tame it, and be a part of it. These were such awesome memories, the kind to cherish for a life time.

The downside of this particular break, if you're not military that is, was the hike from where you parked, it was far. This was always painful when you could see huge waves from the highway and were so anxious to get down there and get your share of waves in before the mobs of yahoos did. It was common to skateboard or bike on the long paved trail (always risked getting your skateboard/bike stolen while you surfed though as surfers are known to be thieving low life scum) and then run on the dirt trail to the best breaking spot. The rock bottom conditions were always hard on the feet, always wondering what lurked below, not to mention navigating around the huge beds of kelp and pondering what might live within. There were rarely any bikini babes because this wasn't a place the young ladies would choose to go get a tan (too much work and effort to get there, too many rocks, too much seaweed, etc.). San Onofre is known for its consistency, producing a constant feed of fun-riding waves. The break usually offered an incredibly long and enjoyable ride, mild enough to shred away attempting whatever stunts you desired. San Onofre was really the only spot you could surf when the waves got to be descent-sized because of the gentle rolling grade, unlike the insane powerful bone crushing hollowed tubes of San Clemente (204 - tubular-0-4), Newport Beach or Huntington Beach. And if even San Onofre got too hairy on those really really big swells, there was always good ole Doheny State park beach (Boneyard, 2nd spot and River Mouth), the easiest break in So. CA. These were the beaches of my youth, where many of my friends and I learned to surf. Good times...

A last wave for Trestles

Most of the old wooden bridge, a storied landmark linked to one of the West Coast's best surf breaks, will soon be replaced by concrete.

For generations, the pathway under the bridge has been the route to the surf at San Onofre State Beach. Many long-time surfers oppose plans to replace it. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times / September 3, 2009)

By Mike Anton (Los Angeles Times)
September 6, 2009

One of Southern California's most storied bridges isn't much to look at. Built in 1941, it's a mess of rusty bolts and rotting wood that is marred with graffiti and scorched by fire. The surface of its beams is as soft as balsa, and when a commuter train zooms across, the deck flexes ever so slightly, releasing a light shower of dirt. But the hundreds of mighty timbers driven deep into the ground move not a muscle.

The old man still has sturdy legs.

Officially, its name is Bridge 207.6. But it's commonly known simply as Trestles -- the bridge that serves as a doorway to one of the world's most famous surf breaks, which shares its name.


Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times / September 3, 2009 From a dune above the trestle bridge that gives this beach its name, surfers scan the shoreline, taking in white sand and sculpted waves.

Trestles and its white sand beach at the San Diego-Orange County line are a time machine to an uncrowded, less complicated California that has all but disappeared. A birthplace of Southern California's surf culture, Trestles has changed relatively little since 1963, when the Beach Boys immortalized it in "Surfin' U.S.A."

But change is coming this fall. That's when work is expected to begin on a $9.6-million project that will replace most of what's left of the 68-year-old wooden trestle with a concrete span.

Devotees of Trestles are fiercely protective of the place. The pioneers of modern surfing dodged Marine Corps patrols before President Nixon, whose West Coast home overlooked Trestles, ordered a slice of Camp Pendleton turned over to California for what became San Onofre State Beach.

More recently, the Save Trestles campaign spearheaded by the San Clemente-based Surfrider Foundation played a big role in scuttling plans for a toll road that would have skirted the area and threatened its tranquillity.

Go to Trestles, walk under the 558-foot long portion of the bridge that frames the beach like a plein-air painting, and it's easy to find people who see beauty in this worn-out piece of California history.

"I'd like to keep it. I don't like this place changing at all," said Eric Fredrickson, 39, hauling his surfboard up a long pathway for the 20-minute walk back to his car. (There is no parking at Trestles, one of its charms.)

"All that concrete will ruin the aesthetics, the beauty of the place," he said.

"This place is the same as it was 40 years ago," added beachgoer Ryan Ward, 37. "It's like walking into the same joint 40 years later. Who the hell wants to see concrete down here? Concrete?"


Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times / September 3, 2009 Todd Shimp, left, Alec Deryckere and Duncan Depew, all from La Jolla, head for the waves at San Onofre State Beach, home of the bridge and surf break named Trestles. The bridge is costly to maintain, the state says.

Transportation officials say they have no choice. Although it is structurally sound, Bridge 207.6 is expensive to maintain -- $250,000 in just the last few years.

Trains slow as they cross to ease the stress on its geriatric bones.


Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times / September 3, 2009 A commuter train crosses Trestles. The railway bridge over San Mateo Creek was built in 1941.
"We love that bridge too. It's a cool-looking bridge," said Jim Linthicum, director of engineering and construction for the San Diego Assn. of Governments, which is overseeing the project. "It's just wearing out."

The reconstruction, which won't be finished until early 2011, will still allow public access to the beach and will have minimal effect on train traffic on the busy route between Los Angeles and San Diego, Linthicum said. The new span -- with piers sunk more than 50 feet into the ground -- will essentially be built around the existing bridge.

Building a new wooden bridge would have been prohibitively expensive and would have required a change in the railroad's alignment.

"That would have an incredible environmental impact," Linthicum said.

A bridge has spanned the estuary of San Mateo Creek since the late 1800s, when the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway laid track along the coast. When a 200-foot section of the span was damaged during 1998's El Niño storms, it was replaced with concrete.

A 100-foot stretch of wood bridge will remain for a time on the south side of the creek, but that will eventually be replaced too.

Because the timbers are treated with creosote, they'll be handled as hazardous waste when they're hauled away.

"I'm sure there will be an opportunity for scavengers to grab a piece," said Steve Long, who worked as a lifeguard and administrator at San Clemente State Beach for 30 years and is still active in the San Onofre Foundation, a park support group. "But I guess you'd want to encase it in glass. . . . It is toxic."

One thing won't change at Trestles, however: Surfers will still get their first glimpse of its perfectly shaped waves and pristine beach from under a railroad bridge.

"I can understand some people's sense of loss," said Mark Rauscher, assistant environmental director for the Surfrider Foundation.

"But I don't think the material that's used is what's key. It's still technically a trestle whether it's made out of concrete or wood."



mike.anton@latimes.com

Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times

Almost Mine - 1999 M Coupe

I came very close to buying this car this summer. I talked myself out of it because it was more than I wanted to pay for a 2 seater play car, Cathleen helped talk me out of it too :(.



But it was in perfect condition (41K miles) with lot's of good mods (coil-overs, reinforced suspension and subframe, wheels/tires, etc.) I love the M Coupe, but it wasn't meant to be (sold before I could talk myself back into it). These are very rare and so they don't come around that often, especially in this condition.

Eat More Chicken Day - Chick-Fil-A

I love CHICK-FIL-A, their people are always so cheery, always so polite, they are all about the customer! I love that they are closed on Sunday, I applaud this. I would love to own a Chick-Fil-A store (or several). This company is about public service, they are about goodness. You don't have to endure rap music or whatever the choice of the employees is for background music. They treat people with respect and with a smile. I will pay their prices and gladly eat at their stores. I am honored to have this post on my blog. The free meals for a year program is just another example of how awesome Chick-Fil-A is. And the party/camping through the night was pretty cool! I encourage you to read this article (not sure how long the link will be good, so go there soon).



I didn't do much blogging over the summer but one event that happened back on July 10 was worthy of a blog post. Gregory had heard from friends at work that the Chick Fil A near Lowe's (Gregory's work) was doing a promotional thing where if you were one of the first 100 people in the store (this would be a Friday morning), you'd get free chicken sandwich meals weekly for a year (52 free meals). One catch was that you had to dress up like a cow of sorts.



Gregory met his buddies over there and took our small tent and sleeping bag, etc. and they were in line easily at around the 50th person mark (Chick-Fil-A gave you a ticket representing your place in line). I decided that I like Chick-Fil-A a whole bunch, and even more when it's free. So I meandered over after midnight and was still like only the 76th person there (they never got a full 100, they only got to a few beyond me - saw my next door neighbors there too). I didn't have a tent but slept under the stars. It was cool and damp and I didn't sleep well because they were doing games and events with loud speakers until like 2am. They had a gigantic screen projected video game going on at one area, pie eating contests and just all sorts of games. Families were there (only 18 and older qualify for free meals), it was kind of fun, kind of crazy. The restaurant remained open for use of the bathrooms. Most people actually went to sleep after 2am and it was quiet. But that wake up call came quickly. They needed everyone packed up and out of there before opening at 7am.



They woke us up a good 30 minutes early (5:30am) to get us to pack up/put our stuff away and to clear out of their parking lot promptly. At 6am they walked us up a stage to receive our 52 free meals and then served us a free breakfast, chicken breast (of course), a muffin, potatoes, gravy over everything and coffee. We were even on the local radio station. The person at position number 1 actually was there for like 48 hours. He was pretty much as red neck as they get. He's the one they interviewed on the radio, somewhat illiterate sounding. I was embarrassed to have him represent Fredericksburg like that (I think he was actually from somewhere else)... Isn't that so wrong of me? In any case, it was a grand time and I would definitely do it again :)

EAT MORE CHICKEN!

I Keep My Toothbrush In The Living Room Now!

For those of us who thought we knew everything...

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The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for

Blood plasma.

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No piece of paper can be folded in half

more than seven (7) times. Oh go ahead...I'll wait...

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Donkeys kill more people annually

than planecrashes or shark attacks.

(So, watch your Arse )

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You burn more calories sleeping

than you do watching television.

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Oak trees do not produce acorns until they are fifty (50) years of age or older.

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The first product to have a bar code

was Wrigley 's gum.

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The King of Hearts is the only king

WITHOUT A MOUSTACHE

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American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one (1) olive

from each salad served in first-class.

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Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise.

(Since Venus is normally associated with women, what does this tell you ?)

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Apples, not caffeine,

are more efficient at waking you up in the morning .

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Most dust particles in your house are made from

DEAD SKIN !

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The first owner of the Marlboro Company died of lung cancer.

So did the first 'Marlboro Man'.

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Walt Disney was afraid of

MICE!

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Pearls Dissolve in

VINEGAR !

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It is possible to lead a cow upstairs...

but, not downstairs.

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A duck's quack doesn't echo,

and no one knows why.

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Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least six (6) feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush.

******************************************

And the best for last....

Turtles can breathe through their butts.

(I know some people like that too)

So......................

Remember, knowledge is everything...

Now go move your toothbrush!

Another Virus Alert

If your computer does this when copying a file



You KNOW it has been infected with some serious dooh dooh!

TBYS (Think Before You Speak)

I heard this in a Sacrament meeting talk today and it touched a nerve because I have been both the offender and the victim of the violation of each these rules. Recognition of my wrong-doings in this regard makes me deeply remorseful... I hope to be more wise going forward.

Words are very powerful. We use them every day, sometimes without giving it much thought. With words we can accidentally or intentionally hurt others. Words can change a situation from bad to good or from good to bad. This must be why God has so much to say about our words, our lips and what comes out of them. I was listening to a very prominent teacher not long ago and he gave an acronym to remember so that you wouldn’t forget to mind your tongue and guard against saying things that don’t edify. It’s a very catchy acronym. Before you utter a word you should T.H.I.N.K. Think about what you are going to say.

The first letter “T” stands for True. Is what you are saying true? If it is not, you should not repeat it. If you aren’t sure then you shouldn’t say it. How many lives have been turned upside down because someone repeated something that they thought was true but didn’t know for sure. Words can hurt. Words can tear down. We have to be careful to be truthful.

Proverbs 12:17, “A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies.

Are you truthful? Remember the first test of whether you should say something is, is it true. By the way, even if it is true doesn’t mean that you have to say it. The next few parts of the acronym will illustrate that for us

The second letter is H. “H” stands for helpful. Is what you are going to say helpful? Will it help whomever you are going to tell this to? Will it bring them much needed aid or do the reverse.

The scripture I found to illustrate this point is Proverbs 12:18. It says, “Reckless words pierce like a sword but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

Will your words bring healing? If not, don’t say them…even if they meet the first test of being true, if they aren’t helpful in some way, maybe you shouldn’t say them.

The third letter is “I” for inspirational. Will the words inspire? Will they cause someone to be inspired or create an inspirational atmosphere?

Proverbs 12:23 says, “A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly.”

A prudent person does not need to tell all they know. They have quiet confidence. An insecure person has something to prove and will eagerly try to prove him or herself by telling all they know. While people do not notice a quiet humble person right away, they will respect them later. But we aren’t trying to be recognized by people anyway. The only recognition we should seek should be that of our Father in heaven. We should not seek to be seen by others. If we do, we are off track. It is so discouraging when I am with friends and a husband or wife says something to make their partner look inferior or otherwise silly in a crowd. Usually this makes everyone else uncomfortable. You feel for the partner that has been berated. As Christians we should only say things that are inspirational to others about our spouses. Take your husband or wife’s inadequacies to your father in heaven. He is the only one that has the power to make changes. God is NOT pleased when we choose to berate our husbands. His kingdom is not glorified nor does He get any glory.

The next letter “N” stands for necessary. Is it really necessary for you to say what you are going to say? Do you really NEED to say it, or do you simply want to say it? Many times things we say are not necessary but we choose to say them anyway. We need to learn to keep silent at times when our words aren’t necessary, inspirational, or helpful. We need to guard our lips against idle unproductive verbiage.

Proverbs 13:2 says, “From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful have a craving for violence. He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.”

Have you spoken rashly to your children, husband, wife or friend? I have blown it many times. I have gotten better but it takes a conscious and diligent effort not to say things that immediately come to my mind. It’s a struggle but I’m determined to do better. My goal is to please the Lord in everything I do. I thank God for always giving me another chance. My speech is very important and says a lot about who I am as a person. What does your speech say about you? Have you spoken words of love and peace or have you spoken harshly and recklessly?

Finally the “K” stands for kind. Is what you are going to say kind?

Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted forgiving one another as God in Christ has forgiven you.”

Are you a kind person? Does your speech reflect kindness? Would your co-workers, neighbors, church members, friends and family characterize you as a kind person? Kindness is also one of the fruit of the spirit. (Galatians 5:16) Are you exhibiting that fruit today? If not, what are you exhibiting? You have to make up your mind. Either you want to please God with your life or you don’t. Yes, you will mess up, you will lose it at times and not say the right things but ultimately, it is your responsibility to fix your errors by going to God and repenting. When you repent, you turn from your sins. If you turn from it, you should not turn back to it. Our mistakes are used for our growth. We should continue to learn from our mistakes and get better!

So before you say something to someone today, THINK! Is it true, helpful, inspirational, necessary and kind? If it is, you can feel free to say it. If it’s not, you probably shouldn’t say it at all. I am reminded of Ancient Greek philosopher, Plato’s very profound words when contemplating the necessity of a statement:

“Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.

Words can either hurt or heal. What did yours do today?

I Googled "Think before you Speak" when I got home and what I've pasted above is what I found: By Cheryl Hudson July 22, 2009 6:00 am. This is essentially what the speaker, brother Bytheway based his entire talk on.

Birthday Party Fun and Kissing Rugby!

We threw a party for Tory on Friday June 5th to celebrate her 18th birthday. There were approximately 15 boys and 15 girls, a pretty even ratio which made it more fun. Pizza and sandwiches were provided, along with plenty of snacks, drinks and sides. Board games were set up in the basement, there was humanity everywhere doing whatever.



At about 8:00pm, Cathleen and I arranged for an old BYU favorite party game to be passed on to the next generation, "Kissing Rugby". The kids played this a good long time, laughed a lot, got a good work out, got gnarly rug burns but essentially everyone had a super fun time.

Kissing Rugby Instructions:

Each guy gets assigned a number.

Each girl gets assigned a letter.

Everyone sits in a big circle, one person is in the middle and calls out a letter and a number. The person in the middle should call the same gender’s letter/number first because it is a race of sorts and usually there tends to be gender loyalty in this competitive game.

The objective: opposite gender to the caller tries to kiss the caller (person in the middle) somewhere on the face (some rules say that ears are OK, others say this makes it too easy). Meanwhile, same gender to the caller takes a somewhat protector role to the caller as he/she has the similar objective of kissing opposite gender on the face before he/she kisses caller on the face..

Note: Despite the suggestive name, this is not an inappropriate game since the intent is not to kiss on the lips. It is more a contest of wills and battle of the sexes, not public display of affection… Keeping score might make it a little more competitive, but at the same time competitiveness engenders aggression, roughness, black eyes and broken bones, which is not what fun games are about :)

Here's and example: Girl is in the middle, she calls out a letter/number combination (i.e. D-5). Boy-5 tries to attack and kiss girl in the middle somewhere on the face while Girl-D tries to kiss Boy-5 on the face. Girl in the middle usually tries to evade the kiss (but no fair leaving the circle), working in conjunction with Girl-D to “win” the round. Loser between Girl-D and Boy-5 has to stay in the middle and call the next combination. If Boy is in the middle, he should call number first and then letter (i.e. 2-F).

It is strongly recommended that long pants be worn as rug-burns are eminent. The game should in reality be called “Kissing Rug-burn”. If you have wrestling mats, use them!

After a fill of KR, we broke for cake and singing festivities/rituals.



Later for those hanging around past 10:30pm we started a movie "Hitch" while some played other games like Twister, foosball and Apples to Apples.

The funniest moment of the evening was when during Kissing Rugby Charli Crandell was the caller in the middle and called for Kristen Wolf and Chris Petriello. Chris, without thinking first was excited to get the jump off the line on Kristen and comically went straight for Kristen instead of Charli. He kissed Kristen on the cheek even as she protested and yet she quickly took the advantage and kissed him right back on the cheek and laughed at him as he tried to sort out why that seemed so effortless and even more confusing, why he ended up in the loser's circle... (see below).