Did I Do The Right Thing?

[Keith_Hixson]

Well, guys I may have blown it big time today. I had the opportunity of a lifetime and I think I blew it. I know Sid, LT, Gimpy, Packo, Exlrrp, and even Griz will have to admit I had an opportunity of a lifetime and blew it. Andy, I'm sure you'll never speak to me again.

My wife is the office manager for a retreat, conference, and camping center up in the Mountains outside of Ellensburg. I occassionally go up to the Center and have lunch with her. They serve pretty good food in the cafeteria and I can get out of town and see deer, turkey and do a little trout fishing.

Well the state rented the conference center for the week. The Dept. of Social Health Services had all its specialist from all over the state for a conference on domestic violence. So here I am eating lunch in a cafeteria full Domestic Violence experts for the State of Washington. They were all women, not a man among them.

Now, here is the problem. There were all kinds of things I could have said to get a little excitement going.

Like: "Any good 'ole' boy worth his salt knows he should beat his wife at least two or three times a month."

"I hit my first wife too hard, she's buried in the basement of my first home."

My wife looked at me and said, "Dear, if you know what is good for you, you won't embarrass me or the staff here at the center."

Somehow and someway after thirtyfive years of marriage she knows when my warped humor may go into over drive. I didn't embarrass anyone, or get a heated argument going. I behaved myself.

On the 12 mile drive back to town I thought to myself. What would the gang at the East Coast Campout have done. And, then I felt like a total failure.

The one good thing was: I'm still married to a wonderful woman and I do cherish my marriage.

Keith

P.S. What would you guys have done?

[sn-e3]

Well keith You know me. I have a tendancy to speak first and think later. I would probably be in the Ellensberg hospital in full body traction. but I would still be smurking thru my broken teeth. Keith thats why your our theripest you can still control yourself...chris

[Keith_Hixson]

How often do you have such an opportunity in life? I blew it! I'll be guilt ridden for the rest of my life. I know you and the East Coast guys would have never let such an opportunity get away.

Keith

[sn-e3]

Keith I'll send you some of my meds, in a few days you won't care about missed opprotunities even the mailman who brings your bills will bring a smile to your face. you never know this could be just the thing to test the real mantle of your convictions. I think you passed.

[catman]

Keith...some among us must retain honor. I figure the rest of us do so many stupid things during the year, we need at least one good "living" example of how to act. But than again, there is always guilt by association!

Trav

[darrels joy]

If I had been there, I too would have been tempted to comment.

"Are women the only experts on domestic violence? "

Men are also victims of domestic violence.

Joy

[MORTARDUDE]

Keith :

Just wondering..how many of these female "experts" were there ?
Any idea why no men ? Since most domestic violence victims are women, I guess it makes sense...You did the right thing by keeping quiet. Not a subject to make jokes about.

Larry

[Keith_Hixson]

Larry,

I know better than most the seriousness of the subject. My temptation was to start a riot and sneak out the side door amid the havoc. Joy, 10% - 15% of domestic violence is by women against men. I just know the guys back east wouldn't have missed the oportunity.

Keith

[Andy]

While at a domestic violence conference several years ago I got a bit annoyed. The third speaker, like the first two, was obviously a very thinly veiled man hater. So, I raised my hand and said, ?There is an old Polish proverb that says, The more you beat the wife, the better the soup tastes, would you care to comment on that?? Got a great laugh from the mixed sex audience but, for whatever reason, the speaker seemed a tad annoyed. Of course Keith you know, knowing proverbs is a good thing.

You didn?t let us down. You acted as the gentleman that you are, just as I acted like the smart a$$ that I am.

Stay healthy,
Andy

[Dragon Lady]

Keith,

One question for you...When did you stop beating your wife?



About 6 years ago, my husband and I were still dating at the time and we were rough housing around in the bedroom. He picked me up and flipped me onto the bed. Unfortunately the ceilings were low in that house and my foot came close to the light. He stopped in midair and so did I. I crashed down onto the bed and landed on my neck. He thought he killed me. I thought he broke my neck. I layed there for about 20 minutes before I tried to move. It was painful but I could move. That was until the next morning. I couldnt turn my neck to see over my shoulder for driving. Poor George had to take me into the hospital to get checked out. The xray tech was obviously a man hater and by law had to ask me if I was being abused. I don't need to tell you how tempted I was, being the smart ass that I am. But I didn't, I behaved myself. She wouldn't quit asking me until I threatened to turn her in for harrassment. I doubt if she would ever believe my story.
I walked around for two weeks with a neck brace and told all our friends that he beat me. No one believed me though. Some even asked if I was the attacker and he was protecting himself.

can you imagine?

DL