Born Again: Born Again Virgins, Born Again Rocketeers, Born Again Briners.......

My friend Carol leans over to me. "Hey, do you see that woman there?" "She's a born-again virgin.".

We were having a coffee together in a plaza. I was just about to doze off in the mild sun but was instantly awake. "She's what?" I said. Carol leaned over so that our heads almost touched and explained.

Now, I do understand the concept of being something or believing in something first, then not, and then being something and believing in that again. I'm nothing if not flexible in my thinking. Trends might come and go, but I'm usually aware of them. But I'd missed this one completely, it seems.

Apparently sex is no longer considered "Trendy" by legions of people. This train of thought didn't happen overnight, of course. And this group of "Born-Again-Virgins" (or BAV's as they're called; easier on the texting to use an abbreviation) is split in two, as far as I gather from my research.

One group did have relationships, but after the relationship broke up decided that it was too much hassle to date. This was decided after extensive dating, not overnight. So this group has nearly given up.

The other group does not have relationships at all, but can't be bothered anyway, and presumably also stays at home on a Friday night, probably in front of the TV-set.

Both groups say that they're not worried at all: the women (the research involved only women) say they are not Lesbians, call each other Sister and say that if the "right man" shows up they'll look into it.

I was intrigued by the "Born Again"-bit. Can you be a Born Again Something else? And amazingly, you could be one!

1. Born Again Christians: Most people know what that means: first you were a Christian. Then for whatever reason, you steered away. Only to become one again.

2. Born Again Birdwatchers: Again: These folks were avid birdwatchers once but stopped peering through binoculars on early Saturday mornings because of urgent other family commitments like helping out the Boys Scouts. Only to pick up the same binoculars 20 years later again to look at seagulls on the beach.

3. Born Again Democrats: These are a crowd of unhappy Republicans who turned Democrats.