AFriendlyFace

Wow! I do feel like a scrooge! Since I moved out on my own (about 6 years now) I've never put out holiday decorations of any type! On the other hand we barely put any out when I was a kid too, so I guess I never got conditioned to do it lol. -Kevin (who still can't imagine Valentine's day decorations!)

LOL, perhaps you should ask advice regarding your need to please Joe

Hi everyone, So this is something I've been curious about for a long time. Often I hear and see this sort of thing and sometimes it's not a big deal, the person figures their partner's feelings must just be different toward that gender, or that it "doesn't really count" or something like that. Other times it much worse and the other person feels more threatened and hurt, more betrayed. For me it wouldn't matter. I'm very firm on fidelity in my relationships and either way I'm pretty sure I'd show the person the door. However, I really don't think the gender of who they were screwing around with would make a difference. The only things I can imagine that might make it worse or better would be the specific person they did it with. Obviously I'd be much more hurt if it were with someone I cared about and trusted myself. I might feel a little less hurt if it were an ex-lover or something. Like I said, either way I'd expect to kick them out (fortunately I've never been cheated on so this is all just hypothetical as far as I'm concerned), but I really don't think it would matter. I understand from talking to friends that often these feelings arise because the cheated on person feels like it's somehow a reflection on them. I don't think this is how I would feel. I'd pretty much assume that if my boyfriend were screwing around he's the messed up prick, not me, and the relationship would end because I would no longer feel able to trust him. However, if I tried to imagine thinking about it in terms of myself versus him, then I suppose I would feel better if it were a girl. That would imply to me that he simply had some exploring he needed to do, or some confused feelings, or just plain a desire for something I couldn't give him (and I wouldn't feel inadequate about that because it would be something too fundamental). From this point of view I definitely think I'd feel worse if he were cheating on me with another guy. However, I like I said above I really don't think I would feel like this in the first place. His cheating would be about him not me. Unless I really was being grossly negligent in our relationship I don't think I would see it as a reflection on me at all, and even if I did conclude that it happened because he felt unsatisfied I think I would still feel as though it were his responsibility to talk to me about that before it got to the point of screwing around. Anyway, that's just my perspective on things from my point of view. I'm not saying that people that cheat are fundamentally messed up or untrustworthy, just that I would have trouble once again trusting someone who cheated on me. Also, I get that for different relationships it's not a big deal at all, and I think that's fine. It's all about how the people involved define their relationships. Anyway, I've long been curious to get a general consensus on this because it seems like something which people vary on so much! Also would you feel more or less guilty if you cheated with someone of the "atypical gender"? Again I don't think it would matter to me. Take care all and have a great day! Kevin

Commas are such lovely things though. I can't really imagine why anyone would write the sentence: My brother max took the train or The man who rode the bus hated gays Indeed appositives are one of the great joys of punctuation! Also, the way I see it, as you so aptly pointed out, "The man, who rode the bus, hated gays" allows for the possibility that there may or may not be another man - perhaps driving, pushing, or being run over by said bus - who doesn't hate gays. In any case, setting off the phrase "who rode the bus" is perfectly acceptable and, in my opinion, looks much more complete and polished. I can't stand a sparsity of commas, even if the sentence is acceptable without them. The only possible function then of writing the sentence: My brother max took the train would be to specifically tell the reader that the sentence's author has only one brother...but that's a ridiculous way to do it! Why not include the phrase "my only brother..." Or just have a second sentence, "Max is my only brother"? The majority of people probably aren't going to take the time to stop and think about it carefully enough to discern that there is only brother (personally I'd be too fixated on the missing commas to think much about Max at all ). For clarity's sake it makes more sense to say that Max is the only brother. The only semi-decent argument I've ever heard for a minimalist approach to (appropriately placed) commas is that they may interrupt the flow of the sentence for the reader. However, in my personal experience as a reader I find that claim typically baseless. I'm can remember a precious few instances in which I was irritated by a "correct" comma. Conversely I can remember quite a few times when the lack of a comma confused and/or annoyed me. For example a sentence like this: Donald, in my opinion, Patrick, who is an honourable man, should be trusted. is definitely comma heavy and all around bulky, but even in this case I'd hate to part with any of these commas. (obviously it's best to rewrite the sentence completely). Anyway just my opinion, -Kevin (who quite likes his commas in abundance)

Hey Vincent! I really agree with these points! I do sit around and talk about my feelings. I mean like you said it's not like I'll call someone up and say "Hey, let's get together so we can sit around and discuss our feelings", but these conversations come up and basically all that's happening is that we're doing just that. In fact the phrase "How do you feel about that?" often comes up. Sorry about the ex by the way Good points! Take care and have a great day! -Kevin

He's amazing! I just didn't think that was the best picture of him.

Perhaps I was being overly sensitive. Sorry.

Aww gosh, now I'm startin' to feel like I did too good a job in selecting special gifts for everyone! (Ieshwar how is Denmark working out for you anyway? ) At least I didn't get them gift wrapped! Hehe, well that's okay! Just post when you can and read when ya can't! We'll leave the light on for ya Oh my! That does sound like a mess good luck with everything! Take care all and have an awesome day! -Kevin

But Texas is fun!! Oh do let's make it in Canada! I've been itching to go there for as long as I can remember!! Our very own Clumber is working to make that happen! 2008 UK get-together? Have an awesome day everyone! -Kevin

That's a good way to describe it I suppose. LOL, I won't say it's "beautiful" but perhaps accurate!

Well that is nifty! Congrats CJ! And just think, this prime number's a tad larger than "1"

I didn't know that, Jack! That's awesome! Congrats to you as well

LOL, what's that? Is it a special day devoted to the sport?

Not all lesbians are misogynistic, in fact the majority aren't.

That is a good one! Bleed like me - Garbage

**points at himself** Benji's away as well! LOL these two facts, and Ieshwar's more infrequent presence is probably a large aspect. Oh no! I'm so sorry, CJ! I was thinking/hoping that was it! Well you definitely have Graeme and the others to thank for that, since prior to about that time I'd dropped off the net a bit myself. They did do a great job! Ohh, good luck with the story and classes! LOL, as for the shopping...well I can help you there if it becomes overwhelming Have an awesome day all! Kevin

...well, it worked out in the end anyway Well it doesn't exist around me if it knows what's good for it

Then clearly you haven't read the latest research on caffeine -Kevin (who likes the occasional Starbucks treat, but has never viewed the show in question)

Hi everyone, So I'm probably not the best person to give advice to others, but I am feeling pretty cheerful/content right now, despite all the junk life's been throwing at me recently. So anyway here's a few things I have opinions on. If nothing else it'll be nice for me to have them written down somewhere. My Approach to Life: -Learn how to be happy alone; if you don't enjoy your company why should anyone else? -Always accept people's help and support, but always try to give more than you take. -Don't freak out or be embarrassed when you don't know something; find out. -Embrace people and things you don't understand; they're the ones you'll learn from. -No one can make a fool of you, but you. -Whenever you meet someone new assume you'll like them. If you don't it won't be your fault. -Listen to people's advice. Make your own decisions. -Things are fun: collect them, play with them, use them, but don't let them control you. -Everyone has slightly different values and morals; that's fine. -Confidence is the most attractive thing a person can wear; arrogance is the least. -Don't let anyone intimidate you. Hold your head high when you walk. You know who you are; they don't. -Trust people; they'll rarely let you down. -Forgive them and get over it when they do. -Take care of yourself; you're all you've got. -Laugh -Most offenses can be overcome with a smile and an apology. -Be happy even if your circumstances try to dictate otherwise. -Don't be afraid to cry; it makes you stronger. -Never hold back a compliment. -If they don't want you: leave. You can do better. -Make a joke; make a friend -In the words of Sheryl Crow: "If it makes you happy, it can't be that bad" -If it doesn't make sense, turn it over and look again. -Don't burn a bridge; just build a raft. -If you don't like something, change it. -If they don't like something...well that's really not your problem. -Honesty is great; kindness is better. -Don't expect too much. -Hope for a great deal. -People's intentions matter. -Don't view things as absolute; it's all relative. -Things get better and even when they don't new things come along to replace them. -Don't give up, but don't be stubborn -If it hurts deal with it, then learn from it. -Be spontaneous; you can't get lost if you don't know where you're going.

Well, I'm curious to see it now! LOL, I'll never have this problem. My hair hasn't been its natural colour since I was about 17, and honestly I don't have any intention of having it go back anytime soon. So as I always say, I'll have absolutely no idea when my hair does decide to go gray. Apart from that my family takes forever to get gray hair anyway. My mom is 57 and doesn't have a single one, and my grandmother is 82 and only has the salt and pepper thing going. Unfortunately baldness does run in my family But if necessary I'll get hair plugs or something. Or perhaps several wigs, I could have a lot of fun with a completely different colour and style every day! Usually I only do that once or twice a month Anyway, I'm sure it is serious, and goodness knows I have my issues with aging. In all seriousness I'd recommend looking into colouring options, if you get it professionally done it can be very gentle on the hair and look GREAT. Take care and have a great day! Kevin

A very happy birthday too: -Max03, -lustful_orcs

Happy 16th Birthday, Grant!! I hope you have a really fantastic day today and may the coming year bring you lots of happiness and joy! -Kevin

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! - Garth Brooks

....I'm just trying to figure out why Jamie got on a galactic battleship -Kevin

LOL, well I certainly wouldn't want to have a riled up echidna on my hands! I noticed it's been frighteningly slow today too! I did chalk it up to the holidays, but it's definitely been quiet! So what has everyone been up to? I cleaned my whole house top to bottom today! It was all cold and rainy out so I figured while I was stuck inside all day anyway I'd might as well get something useful done! Take care all and I expect to see some posts too! An angry echidna is one thing, but I'm sure none of you want to face an irate reformed pirate -Kevin