John Doe

Eat Cake. Be Merry.

Cake and candlesticks!

Good thing you don't live where I live. I work downtown (my parking is paid for my company) but the rates are worst than yours. It's free the first half hour but every hour after that is $3.00 up to six dollars. After that, the rate jumps to $4.00 dollars an hour. An all day parking is $18.00. Thankfully I don't pay for my monthly pass, which is about 600 dollars from what I was told. I've worked retail for some time. Coupons aren't usually in the system. Most of the time we - experienced cashiers - would just manually input and deduct the coupon price from the item. Though most stores have a limit, say 50 cents is the limit a cashier can do... so you have to wait for authorization from a higher up or senior cashier. It's to prevent fraud and family/friend "service." But like I said most coupons aren't in system, so when you scan the barcode an error is usally given, thus it becomes a process. Checks these days are just like running debit cards. More and more places you get your check back, don't even have to fill it out. My own pet peeve : talkers/whispers -whether it be to the person next to them or on the phone - (which reminds me texters too) in a theatre, movie or play. Once I actually turned around and told the guys behind me to shut up. They kicked the back of my seat for the next 15 minutes. I got up and called them out in front of everyone and then proceeded to walk out and grab a manager. I was refunded my money and the guys got kicked out. I have no patience for folks like that. I didn't pay 15 bucks (movie) or $40 plus (plays and showcases) to hear stupid side comments or about the screwed up life one has been given or how bad someone's day was.

Haha I'm right there with ya. Us poor to middle class folks version of a nice hotel: Hilton Suite. When I was driving across country by myself a few months ago, I had to sleep in hotels. I was so grossed out by the super 8s and comfort inns I decided to stay in the hilton suites and whatever their other chain branch is. Very nice compared to the cheapies. I too don't like using any of their stuff (cosmetic/hygenic wise), only the bar of soap at the sink to wash my hands. When I went to Japan, a few of the people I went with stole the robes at one of the hotel we stayed at. They were geneiune yukatas provided by the hotel and we had a discount rate and it was like a 4 or 5 star hotel with a complementary hot breakfeast buffet with western food too. It was very very nice. The yukata robes were also very very nice. Hence some folks stole them. Some of them were charged for the thief and others weren't. (I bought 2 sets of Yukata wear from a little mom and pop store a few days later). Years before in my freshmen year of college when I did a little bit of traveling I did take the bottles and empty them out for my own soap and shampoo.... but they sell those for 99 cents or a dollar at stores now so even I don't steal the bottles anymore and the ones at the store are a bit larger too but not too large. I did take about 12 on one of my trips for a project I needed them for and wasn't willing to fork over 12 bucks to buy some at the store since I was staying in hotels anyway. I was a poor kid then.

I hear ya... though sometimes its nice to read those types of stories... my qualm (< spelling?... too lazy to check) is they are written sub par. I'm not saying I'm the best writer out there, but I do like a sense of setting and direction of character movment at times rather than lines of dialogue and the paragraphs of movement and then the lines and lines of dialogue. Why not intermix the two? I would suggest reading Nephy's as she has suggested and maybe even my story of Get There. It's does have white peoples in it.... Asian peoples too... and they aren't wealthy, rather middle class, there's no sex in the story, or it shouldn't as I edited out those scenes (scenes after i had two or three email complaints of no sex.... then when I put them in the story sounded rotten to me so I took them back out a few days later...so they should have no sex scenes).... For your third point umm my story has no sex? The BF isn't straight he's gay, he just happens to love one person and one person only... clumber I'm more with ya. I like my fantasy, paranormal romances (with more paranormal and less romance or an equal of both but done well and not dragged pointlessly over the romance part, unless its done well). Although I do like reading about charcters falling in love rather than instant love (hence my rather starnge and long definition just now). When a book starts off with a couple, I kind of lose interest as I want to find out how and why they work well together and for me, personally, I find it more interesting to see a beginning. So that's how I'm writing my stories too. But I like action in my stories too. Not just fluff action but some real action (no I'm not talking about sex). I just got done writing a fight scene and it was rather intense... haha I remember liking Comicality's work. Along with DomLuka. I don't remember the details of most of them. Some of their stories aren't infested with your complaints if i recall correctly. I read too much and too many and my memories get clouded. Though most of my online reading was done years ago when I was a teen, Nowadays I focus a lot on my own writings.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/kentucky-church-bans-interracial-marriage-150009470.html Unfortunately, I have family members who (vast majority) believes in specific (your own race) race marriages... and a bad experience as a witness to someone who broke this "rule." Unfortunately, this just shows gay marriage stills got bounds of time and length to cover too be fully accepted or tolerated if interracial marriage is still a problem... Not meant to be a political discussion as I'm sure every one of us (or is certain majority of us) are in the same boat for ours and others marriage equality. I just wanted to share this appalling news to everyone. Honestly, I would have thought it'd happen in Mississippi, but Kentucky ain't a bad guess either.

The folks on the game I play predict that game is gonna flop. Most of them were excited for it too until they got the beta. Makes me wonder what hardcore gamers really want in a game.

Though the reason of practice of Advent Calender makes sense... it seemed to have strayed from original intent some... probably explains why my parents didn't pick it up as tradition...

Ah a white people thing.... I didn't know what an advent calender was... had to look it up to be certain... (wikipedia!) My family is too Asian for stuff like that though we are Christians and celebrate Christmas.... nothing of that sort in our house though. No santa either. I finally convinced my parents to decorate the outside of the house with lights and such a two years ago barely. This year I'm introduing the pleasure of holiday baking! Cookies and cookies and chocolate stuff galore. My dad still says its too much unnecessary work and white folks are crazy for doing such things (as a joke of course). Holiday tradition for us is the tree, presents under the tree, and then Christmas Eve and Christmas hang out with the family. And I mean FAMILY. The cousins, aunts, uncles, grands, all come over to one person's house and the 40 plus of us all cram together in the house and hang out. We have piles and piles of food, from turkey, ham, fried spring rolls, fresh spring rolls, fried rice, mashed/smashed potato, sushi, bulgogi, noddle stuffed wings, cassaroles (green bean and amoung others), cornbread, fried chicken, etc. But no Advent calender, or money calender, or lottery calender, or any other type of calender...

I liked to see a few more years on him.... say like Ryan Reynolds.... or Bradley Cooper.... or Chris Evans.... yeah... He's cute... but a bit young.... (though I guess I'm not one to talk since everyone says I look like I'm 16)...

I attended one of the largest universities in the United States.... and I lived in a suite of 10 guys including myself, and shared a room with one of them and we all shared a same common room and bathroom. My family doesn't know about me, and all my highschool friends chose colleges near the west cost and mine was on the east... so I was in a new place thousands of miles from friends and home. I came out to my suite mates about a month in (I told one two weeks in because I felt like I was lying to them all and couldn't handle it well) and they all took it with grace. Not surprisingly, I was the only gay guy of the group. My roommate was gone for the first half of the year hanging with this highschool friends who lived 3 floors below.... and he found out later... initially he was creeped out because we slept in the same room, but he was never mean or cruel or rude to me. A few weeks later we hung out like we were friends from high school. Though they have told me it was easier for them to take cause I'm not flamboyant, which I can understand. (I'm not uber masculine too... I occasionally worked out, played video games but sucked at it... I was more so the talkative to my friends but quiet when strangers are around who reads lots of books, talks about anything kind of guy). There was one guy would believed that I told them I was gay just to get a rise out of him. (He also believed that gay people were invented by the media to incite fear and hysteria....) Anyway, long story short, due to circumstances... I petitioned my dorm office to be moved to a different room and all my suitemates stole my paperwork and threw them away and we had a huge fight about me leaving. (I can't remember why I wanted to leave now that I think about it) So yeah we all became kinda close. (Hmm suddenyl all sorts of crazy stories that happened here ome to mind.... time to FB and relived our past!) I transfered to another big football school and this second univiersity was in a very much more conservative state and city. I lived in a 7 suite room, we all had our own rooms. Again I waited about a month before I told them, just to get a feel for their personalities. Most of them took it with ease. We went out to clubs and bars... ate together and went to movies. Talked about all sorts thing and they even wanted to get my perspective (usually more so when its something sexual... so yeah Tet... for some reason straight guys are very interested in gay sex...human curiosity, I guess). But there was someone or maybe even two or three people who left me homophobic messages on my door's whiteboard. I even got a book on "How to be a better Christian" (as that's my faith) and "Steps to cleanse homosexuality from my soul" and "The guide on how to not engage in the sins of homosexuality" on my door or my suite box addressed to me. I found out some of these were from a girl down the hall who I thought was my friend... and one of the suitemate was responsible for the others.... I had a feeling another suitemate was involved. There was a degree of "sides" and battle lines. Eventually I got a job and moved off campus so I didn't have to deal with that anymore. Here at this school, a few of our football players were gay. No issues from what I hear/know. I would say the schools name, but I'm a private person. But if I were to say the names of the school you all would know. They are big football schools. So it's just luck. Most people leave ya alone. There are few who do suck at life. And I also learned that the most hateful persons are not only just guys but unsuspecting cute girls down the hall who pretends to be your friend. I learned to judge people's character by just looking at them and the way they act and now I'm 99.9 % right in my assumptions of people when I first initially meet them, but I also have a good intuition of people to begin with.

It's your word choices and structure. Plain and simple. Why even mention that fact that he was 21 and live in the Uk. By saying that you were what?..... giving yourself a qualification? So what if he's 21 and from the UK.... your mention of his age and place of origin has nothing to do with what your were saying. You were discussing something... something that had nothing to do with age and place. "Fortunately I do" as if you were the only one "fortunate" to experience such things. You could have just started out by saying... I have experience ... then explained your life experiences, it's relevance. What you experienced I would not considered to be fortunate. Again, tone. You did dismiss him: "If that is the case, you don't know what you are really talking about." You justififed this comment by remarking on his age and country and by doing so it makes it relevant somehow that what he has to say is useless. Your word choices and structure speaks and says things for you too. I too have experienced similar thing as you have and I'm 25 and half your age. Four years older than the 21 year old man. A guy was beat into unconsciouness and stumbled into our school office bloodied as hell because the fact that he was gay. Authorities and school officials pressured the young guy to recant his "accusations" and I was forefront as a member on the school committee of student affairs. I talked to our VP of student affairs that I felt it was unfair how he was being pressured to do this. The pressure form the authority figures were so much the boy did recant his police report and transfered to a different school. The made a statement that he was a targeted because of his "personality." When I brought it up again in a later meeting, it was said the boy made his decision with his own mind. It was his choice. It was hardly his choice. Is safety afforded to us gay folks? It's not found everywhere yet. Kids are still depressed and commiting suicide time and time again because of their envioroment. Physical harm has gone down some, but the mental and psychological assaults are still there. I would agree, that your time and our times are different. But the burdens we carry are still the same. Just because one stepping stone has been over step does not mean the next is easier. Some of us still fight to survive every day. Others have found that content medium (live-able, but not necessarily comepletely happy) as others have in your time era. By mentioning his age, it suggested that you thought he was too young to understand what happened to you. That you were "fortunate" to experience such things alluded that we younger folks (age) couldn't sympathize with you becuase we were unfortunate to experience such things. Some of us still live in fear. I was not grace with your bigger build and athletics. I'm sorry you had to go through all that. It's not something I wish upon anyone. You were fortunate to come out better than some folks from then, but not fortunate to experience such things. To hide yourself and not be able to be relaxed and live comfortably... it's unfortunate. I know the feeling. I'm sure others do to and we still live with that fear. The same fear you have experienced. I am not an out gay man. I probably won't ever be. Because I have fears that I may never be able to over come. So I choose and is very self conscious of the clothing I buy, the words I say, and my mannerisms. When your cousin is beaten badly because she chose to date a white guy, my "punishment" could only be worst. So I too fear for my life. With experience from that boy who stumbled into our office and my cousin, not only do I fear for my life with strangers, but with my family too. There's a tone in what we say, in person and internet wise. And yes that person who made those comments were very insensitive. Though you were addressing that one person, there are other people on this forum. People who are 21 and from the UK (and elsewhere). I'm just trying to say that our word choices and structure of what we write gives what we type and say another tone. Whether its passive or unknowingly. I wasn't accusing you of not having willing ears and open heart... I was saying what you have written could cause that in others. I was accusing of what you have written as overly self-righteous. You do have experience for to be somewhat self righteous, but there's no need to be combative. You said you were correct, and yes your answers does read that way, but it also read (intones) that what you said and experienced can only be possibly experience by you and anyone else wouldn't be able to sympathize with. Starting out a discussion by being immediately defensive does not create an opening atmosphere to have a proper discussion.

You can always have a discussion. But here's what I was addressing. This immediately dismissed who ever was commenting to something that was said. It's a very self important phrasing, as if you are the sole experiencer. What you had to say was important, but do you know of that other's person's experience? So what if he's 21 and lives in the UK, he could be subjected to things you could only imagine. There's a saying out there that says something to the like: "You aren't the only person in the world who has experienced suffering and pain." You had very relevant and important things to say. But speak like someone who cares and not like someone who thinks they are better than everyone else or a certain someone else. I'm not attacking you personally rather just using you as an example. Even I sometimes don't pay attention to what I say when it's something I care passionately about. You could always have discussions, but willing ears and open hearts and attitudes are hard to find when you come off as self-rightous and what one has to say is more important than anything that anyone else has to say.

I would have said something back. Someting that would have struck them down a notch.... nothing mean but something around, "I wasn't intentially watching, but you are in public and I admire that fact that you could do that. So sorry this fat old bastrad was feeling happy for you and that I hope one day you can grow up to ralize the beauty in the simple things like a kiss in public with someone you care about." They may be too mentally young to grasp that, but it would have stayed in their minds, because you said something and maybe one day they'll reflect on it and feel guilty. Yes, it's totally about guilt tripping them. I agree with Aximili.... people are so eager and willing to be defensive rather than open. I would have smiled at you if it was me, but alas it couldn't have been because I'm single. So... I'm a SAM LF SWM.... Cheer up, mentally young folks only think about themselves at that mental age.

I know right! I 'm a total dork and is rewatching it multiple times. And Charlize Theron's name keeps chanting in my head.

As I read this I can hear and understand where everyone is coming from... but think about it. Through this discussion, there were ideas of what a stereotype was. Fact of the matter is, they exist because there is some truth to it. It's a trait that society has grabbed, keeping a tight hold, saying this is the trait that protrays <insert character here>. They're real. The stereotype of the <insert character here> has evolved over the years. Look through out media/entertainment history, and you'll see prime examples of the what a gay man was/is. Effeminate gay men exists. Butch lesbains exists. Smart nerdy Asians exists. Stupid bimboo blondes exists. Terrorist muslims exists. We all know this and we all know that its not a fact of life that every single person belonging to that stereotype is like the stereotype. But people need to make sense of the world around them. When something happens they need to reaffrim or disallude themselves as to why something happen and they revert to stereotypes... hence thats why there's such a bad connotation with stereotypes. Asians eat rice, Mexicans eat tortillas, and white people eat bread. Is that a stereotype or fact of culture? I have a cousin who hates rice, family says he's been brain washed by white folks. So is that a stereotype? When is something "culture" and the other is "stereotype"? The lines blur because they are both. Stereotypes just so happened to be the fad belief of what people can easily identitfy to what a person is... and for sitcoms like "Modern Family" they have to have stereotypes. Comedic sitcoms/TV shows are all about catching the viewer for that one episode to catch their interest. There isn't a complex arching story line that can trap the viewer...so they have to rely on "stereotypes" to draw their characters. I know the point of this thread is saying that it is "wrong" ... but I have to wonder... is it? Why would it be wrong? Because it paints a picture of what a gay man is? It paints a picture of what a gay man is for that character. The problem people seem to have is this notion that stereotypes are describing them... that it is attacking/representing them personally. Get over yourself. People say the only way for people to overcome stereotypes is for people to stop using them. I disagree. I believe the way to get over stereotypes is to distance yourself from them. Acknowledge them for what they are, know and understand that what's being said isn't a statement about you (again get over yourself) and move on. You can't erase stereotypes because they are interlinked with a certain culture, a fabric of life within that culture. If you want to erase stereotypes by removing them completely you should start removing the people who "portrays" them in real life too. I suggest reading Hilter's book. It might give a few ideas (*orgeface* aka *trollface*). The issue is that people don't pull that distance; they won't allow themselves the knowledge that what being said is just a small characterization of a culture that can be found in a percentage of members belonging to that culture. But that's not what a gay man is?! Really? It's not? NO! Well then by all means, you can tell my flamboyant and effeminate gay friends that.... I'm sure they would love to hear that they are in fact not gay (I don't have any effeminate/flamboyant gay friends btw, but still if I did...) It paints a bad picture of a gay man. Ahem read above and get over yourself. It's not about you. It's about us. If you too worried about how someone might think about you based of a certain protrayed characteristic, then I suggest a confidence therapist might be needed. I like to say: Stereotypes don't define me, I define stereotypes. (Okay I don't really say that.) I'll give another two cent: some people may argue that these <sitcom characters> aren't round. I hate when people say this about any character - books, tv show, and/or movies. Or when they say they aren't three dimensional. I know for a fact folks in TV shows like Modern Family and whatever shows you can think of that has "flat" characters that those "flat" characters has more depth to them than the viewers watching them. They showcase a variety of feelings and thoughts and they're entertaining which is more than I can say about most of the viewers watching the show (at least entertain more folks than the ones watching them and complaining that they are flat). People confuse the inability to sympathize with a character as being flat. Just because you can't relate to a character doesn't mean he/she is flat. (Though I do have to say...yes there are (many) characters who are truely flat, but I've seen it said too many times for decent molded charcters and I know it's just based on that feact that the viewer/reader disagrees with characters actions or fail to understand a character and ignorantly says the character is flat). Whew...soapbox was been washed and cleaned. For the moment. I'm a few years from 30. And I've been 30 the day I turned 22. So eh. Plus athletic men in their 30s are so much hotter than frat boys and gym pups (who are usually in their twenties... yeah I'm stereotyping. It happens.) And just because someone is 21 and lives in the UK doesn't mean his thoughts aren't worth as much as yours. I could careless about when and where you grew up. (actually I care a lot, but I mean to say it doesn't immediately demerits someone else). I still know/ known folks in their 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and days next to their death beds who still make/made stupid irresponsible decisions and are still ignorant to the world in which they live in and lacks a grasp on the realities of the world and the poeple around them. And I've known children, folks younger than myself who spoke wiser words than my grandparents and - I know this is really hard to believe - myself. Don't throw your age around like its your proof that what you say is more important. Gosh its like having a degree right now. And you know what degrees are worth, right now? Nothing. Sure it may give you small insight to something but that doesn't make anyone else thoughts or insight worthless. (Though I do have to say, the person should have spoken with more clairity and intellgence... but still even in this day and age people still suffer from backlash. It ain't paradise yet. You'll never know what circumstance belongs to whom (grammer patrol I probs used whom wrong, and I don't care!)).

Okay I'm super excited about this movie! Snow White and the Huntsman. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11Wn-_uyT48 Anyway are there any up coming movies that gets your blood boiling? And yes I know.... Kirsten Stewart is lead... and I hoping she redeems herself in this movie... but I LOVE Charlize Theron and she's the evil Queen and in the trailer she sounds so badass. *gushes* I love her. I really want to see this movie because the villian seems so awesome and cool, hopefully it doesn't disappoint.

My job I have now... man the interview process was something... do as the others have said and I want to make a note of body language too. Be relax, don't sit too stiff and rigid. Be yourself, but don't be too comfortable. The job I have now had 20 candidates. (I've only worked there since September as a fresh graduate too!) I was told 5 of the candidates were from ivy league schools after I was hired (no names though just a word of passing)... anyway I came from a state school and that surprised me. But I was told, it was my demeanor and relaxed feel that I gave off that they instantly liked me. They felt I was easy to talk to and that I was talkative and responsive. I made the mental note to sit relaxed in a straight position and never fold my arms. Open posure and arms = friendly nature. I had a smile on... really I just pretended it was a conversation with one of my friends about a very serious topic. So be yourself and be aware. Don't be too nervous... everyone is nervous and if the interviewers aren't nervous why should you be. I had my first interview on an early Monday morning with the Hiring manager. When the interview was done, she asked me if I had time for a second interview. I said yes. Not realising she meant right then. As in directly after her interview. Of course not having a job, where else was I going to go? So I had a second interview and it was with two managers within the department I was going to work for and I maintained the friendly, calm, and polite demeanor... and got an instant third interview in which I was interviewed by my peers (another two folks of whom I would now be sharing the same postion). They all said it was my relaxed and yet confident attitude, but I was nervous as heck! I just kept mentally telling myself calm down, speak from experience. Lace in a relevant story from personal experience and I wowed them. Yes, asking questions about the company or firm you're going to join helps a lot. I did that and two of my questions I asked, my interviewers didn't have an answer to off the top of their heads, which they said impressed them. Don't be too arrogant though. Just be confident and smile. A lot. A friendly face is much better than a stressed, blank, panic-strickened, or arrogant face.

you could always make a thread and use that thread.... and if the thread becomes long enough maybe all yall will get a forum section.... though I know a thread is too much of a singularity for the wide array of sports...

The third one...

This is stuck in my head.... these three songs.... they are on repeat.... haha... and I'm not the bit embarassed.

I'm not a troll I'm an Orge.

I used to love anime. But these days not so much.... but I do watch it and there are some I love. And can watch over and over again, but those are usually whimsical in nature and kinda serious in nature. So basically anything by Hayao Miyazaki. I love all his work. Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Castle in the Sky.... are my favorites. Yes all Miyazaki films. If anyone who dislikes anime should check those out. I think you'll like these, if you like other types of animation. They aren't your typical otaku type anime. I especially love Princess Mononoke. The characters and the lore were wonderful.

City of Heroes/Villians is the only video game I play.... it's part of the reason why I don't update as much as I should.... but I'm getting better from separating myself from it.... and its not like I'm an addict of that game because I have to level my characters, but reather because I feel like there's nothing to do and I don't feel like writing (but I do I just have to force myself to write and then I write forever.... I just need to force myself more and stop trying to be lazy)....

Stateside.... they wouldn't survive out here. Boy bands are over and done with over here. Unless they are punkish and/or alternative in nature. I'm talking about the pop scene as that's where I would place them and unfortunately (or maybe very fortunately?) us Americans left boy bands back in the 90s.