...Dulcemio:You got that right, Dig. I'm so sorry to hear about this tragic loss in your family. Hopefully your brother has a good support system. It's so true, that this sort of loss is something people don't truly ever get over. And I'm sure a parent's feeling of guilt is normal, even if it is irrational. Because children have to live their lives, parents have to work, and the world is an unpredictable place. Nothing is permanant and so much is out of our control.Dear Dulcemio, I have sometimes wondered about your signature, elsewhere, "Rage, rage against the dying of that light ..."and it expresses a feeling of helplessness as we get older. That is a beautiful poem.The older we get, the shorter the good days become.

...Did you see my reply to this BN post over there?I am posting with a yellow flower avatar and the user name Ursula.I went out on the defense of PARFUMO and as well praised what is good on BASENOTES.It is easy for me to post (as a guest to the websites) in the spirit of the song, "WE ARE THE WORLD"but technical and/or commercial reasons prevent that all owner/managers can really and easily cooperate with one another.

...I hear you, Sorceress. A while ago, in Florida, I lived in a Gated Community with so many seniors. Everything was slow, the conversations turned around doctor visits, poodle grooming, and events in the Clubhouse. The men enjoyed Golfing every morning, the women chatted around the Community Pool.Looking back, it was not exactly Hell, but "out of place". Although I matched them in the age group, the mentality was too confined with old age concerns.Now, in much less glamorous circumstances, I feel good. (Home is where the heart is.)

...Congratulations, Sorceress. You must be in seventh heaven. My family is still waiting for baby to be born. Due date of November 5th came and went. Maybe this weekend? That would be convenient. Except that the busses run on weekend schedule and I must hurry to be there at the Hospital ... The expectant mom says, "he's like his dad ... being late" and dad said, "Yeah, I would like to say at work, sorry, I am late, I am not born yet."

...Fair enough. I often write before I have thoroughly thought about the matter.Sorry.

...I am not arguing either. For the past week I had a good time on the renewed BASENOTES boards. Things are coming together over there.That does not limit or change my involvement, love and respect for PARFUMO. There is nothing wrong with enjoying oneself on more than one website - there is something wrong with badmouthing them. Why should one be declared "better" than the other?To me the internet travels feel like a college campus, go from one building to the other and listen and learn and get your education.

...Meanwhile the OFF TOPIC area has been "reinstalled" for the ones who want to chat. Just go to either the General Fragrance Discussion Section or gather in the Scent of the Day topics.People want to chat, and chat they will, and chat they now can.

...I have been admiring you for that. True to your signature, you know on what discussion group.

..."Vepres Siciliennes" by MDCI ParisThey come in very pricey bottles with a statue. Mine is a humble 10 ml decant from a nice member.But the scent, oh the scent. Absolutely exquisite. The opera "Les Vepres Siciliennes" by Verdi is quite convoluted and on YouTube too lengthy for me to follow. But, since often in this corner here sexy guys are admired, let me bring the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w9HyZc54lUNice voice, nice face. Huh?

...Not for me. I am so disappointed about "Krasnaya Moskva". I will not write a negative review at the perfume page because I don't have the polite words. (The last time when I ripped the "Black Afgano" at the German site, I ruffled too many feathers.) Maybe it is my nose, maybe it is the fact that it is not the extract. It smells terribly old-fashioned. There is something heavy and grassy in it. Oakmoss is not listed, but seems to raise its head. I was never good at notes. All I know is that it was a mistake. If I cannot jump up and down in happiness about a perfume, it has to go. Go it will and find a patron at the Public Library. I got a pile of perfume oils at Alkemia and those are skin friendly, cuddly and cozy.This here is some strange alien hovering grassy scent.

...@ Flavorite - well, you are a princess and threw your pearls to the pigs. Remain a princess nonetheless, it is worth it.

...@ HayvenI have been informed of your professional progress on LinkedIn. Your face looks as beautiful as ever.

...@ Cincy - I have been reading and wish you good luck with that "stupid" elbow hitting that "stupid" shelf. Can your fingers still type? Looking forward to your posts.

...Ha ha ha ha ... that is so funny, Cincy, you said it well. *********************************************You may think, "what is it with her, make up your mind" but ... I can see this up close and involved and I can see this from a distance, remote, just like a camera focuses in and out.

...I am not affiliated with SMALLFLOWERS but have shopped there. Especially about the VANILLE Eau de Toilette I have heard good comments.There are quite a few (German) goodies in that shop. (Like "Badedas" gel and soap "FA".)

...Why? Why throw up? I was over there for the past two days and all I can see is that they are struggling. Data need to be moved, the crowd is impatient, nothing is fast enough. For the ones who are NOT RUNNING THE SHOW, it would behoove them to "shut up". How do people (members) think that it is THEIR living room???One good thing which is currently being tested, is the addition of the LIKE and OBJECT buttons.So LIKEs are being collected (similar to Facebook) and show up in the Profile Page of the member who did the post. The other members' names show. Fine and good.The OBJECTIONS are also being shown but no name, instead the notation "HIDDEN CONTENT". I said, "Am I to guess who HIDDEN CONTENT is?" Yes. It will not be revealed because it would just lead to 12 round arguments.As a tool, I believe, it is a good idea. Straight away, discontent can be voiced.When many OBJECTIONS begin to accumulate, Moderators will decide to then hide that particular post.This is a method to "nip it in the bud", I think that is good.

...There you go, Yves Rocher has several good perfumes.I remember "Rose Absolue" when it was introduced and blind-bought the small version. Later, full bottle. One really good Rose scent.

...Well, when talking about inexpensive perfumes, let's not forget the perfume oils.I have not tried out POSSETS, but tested a few of ALKEMIA.There is a long topic over at Fragrantica where the members discuss at length the various ALKEMIA perfume oils. You may be able to use Google search and find that thread. "Ambre III: Naiad" is very nice and spicy. I just ordered "L'Encens a la Vanille" to give the vanilla oil a sniff, after the very expensive "Tihota" was beautiful but over my budget. Those oils come in 6 ml brown bottles and last forever because you use so little.

...Cheapies - I will listen up. So, I ordered "Krasnaya Moskva" just now on Amazon. Not expensive at all, plus - open a store card and get $10. off immediately. I am curious about the "Russian Chanel No. 5" - the notes are to my liking. It is supposed to be heavy but dries down mild, we shall see. Yep, there may be some gems in those less familiar perfume countries, too.

...I suppose that BN "Scent of the Day" will be the only place for chit-chat. Like, "I am wearing XXXXX and I am off to do such and such."Management seems to think that it is enough for that crowd. (It resembles Parfumo's "I have been" topic. Or, Fragrantica's "Say Anything".) With such a large crowd at BN, there ought to be an Off TOPIC area, because such a tiny "Scent of the Day" chit-chat opportunity is not enough.People want to socialize, too. Not having that opportunity, makes the place "cut and dry". There was the suspicion that some BN members just want to run up their post count with one-liners ... well, it would be easy to establish that posts in OFF TOPIC are not counted towards the post count, and voila, problem solved. *******Update: I suggested to run a POLL to find out how many BN members want an OFF TOPIC section for socializing and chit-chatting.