Today my lunchtime was passed in the company of a group of females from differing generations. The luncheon was not a planned occasion, not in the formal sense of the word, more an opportune one. At this little assemblage I managed to have any appetite for gossip sated--thank you Lillith, but also have my eyes opened to the fact that there are still females that regard me as being somewhat near the lowest rung on the ladder of life success simply because at the age of 26 I still had not married nor reproduced. Even though I have successfully negotiated my way through business opportunities (part ownership in a cabinet making business and half ownership in a beauty products company) and have done so since the age of 23, have, on my own, overseen financial plans for my future security, carved out a not too dull social existence, have many and varied hobbies, and find myself for the most part contented with who I am (looks in the mirror at herself...does my bum look fat in these? ;p). I am still below par because there is no husband and progeny? Puh-leeze, I find this more than a little sad, if not slightly disturbing.

How do you measure success in life? I believe no matter what your circumstance, if you are happy with who and where you are or have been in life, then you are sitting on the top rung of the life ladder.

All of which in a round-about way leads me into the pondering of this particular female gathering--overall not the most stimulating of experiences. The conversation was intelligent and diverse enough, however their sense of humour was glaring in its absence or perhaps my idea of humour just varies greatly to theirs...However that might be, I had to resist the urge to duck out of the eatery, find the nearest book store and purchase a copy of the Oxford dictionary.

joke (jōk)
n.
1. Something said or done to evoke laughter or amusement, especially an amusing story with a punch line.
2. A mischievous trick; a prank.
3. An amusing or ludicrous incident or situation.
4. Informal.
a. Something not to be taken seriously; a triviality: The accident was no joke.
b. An object of amusement or laughter; a laughingstock: His loud tie was the joke of the office.

What is intelligence if it does not come partnered with the ability to laugh at either oneself or life in general?