AFriendlyFace

Hello David, Your cats sound as though they are behaving very much like my Timmy did. Of course I ended up solving the problem by sending him to live with my mom . Actually that worked out perfectly though. He's much happier in his new home, and my family is really enjoying having him around. So it all ended well Incidentally he started acting that way right after I moved, so I suspect that is part of it. The boredom factor might be as well. You were probably spending more time with them before. Anyway I'm assuming you don't want to get rid of your kitties. I think Vance and James offered excellent suggestions for the cabinets. As for the trash can I'd suggest getting one big enough, or stable enough, that they can't tip over. For example something tall and verticle is easy to tip over, as is something small. I use a large cylindrical trash can and it would be very difficult for my Lucky to tip over. Even if she cat managed to apply enough force to move it it would be much more inclined to simply slide around upright rather than tipping over. Indeed I often roughly shove it around the kitchen when it gets in my way and I'm yet to tip it over. LOL, well personally I think he sounds like just your type! I think you should just have fun and take things as they come. Have a nice day Kevin

hmm, no. Here's a link to one that's somewhat similar. Actually not really though. Mine's a dark gray instead, it's a little less wide and a little bit taller, and the strap is slightly different, but it's sorta that general style...well actually I think it's made out of something different too...LOL, but the overall structure and the way it's carried are the same. LOL that's totally me! But I like the bag because I don't like to put anything in my pockets, at least not my front pockets. LOL basically if my pants are loose enough that I can easily put something in the front pocket, they're too loose! So I tend to keep my wallet, cell phone, and keys in one of the back pockets if I can, or else I tend to just carry them around and yeah I'm sure to put them down and walk off . LOL, when I was a teen it was so bad that my friends would joke that if I've been somewhere I've probably left my keys there. The bigger the object though the less likely I am to leave it mostly because 1) it's easier to see and notice when you get up/walk away and 2) I'll miss it sooner and 3) if I'm not visibly carrying it I know that I do need to go back (whereas with my keys for example I'd probably just assume they were in a pocket.

I like alliteration; can you tell? So today totally rocked! First off I was doing the evening/night shift at work so I got to sleep really late (2:00pmish). Secondly, I'm well!!! WOO HOO, I was sick for a little more than a week and it totally sucked! Plus I hadn't been sick in awhile so I guess that made it seem extra less than fun. So anyway I went into work, and I was running late because it was rainy and traffic was bad. Which seems like that wouldn't be a good thing, but it totally was because I just called and told them I'd be about 10 minutes late because of the rain - which they were fine with - and I was actually really enjoying the drive and the radio station I was listening too! So then I got to work and yeah it was so much fun tonight! I had a nice chat with the scheduling manager when I got there - he's such a nice guy - and I told him how I wouldn't be able to work Thursdays and Fridays anymore 'cause I wanna do that sub. teaching thing. Then I didn't get any tables right away so I was having this lovely chat with one of my co-workers, Mia. She's so hot! There's like 5 or 6 really hot guys that work there (more on one of them later), and her. Anyway, I was SO stunned because we were talking and she mentioned her girlfriend! She totally didn't seem like the lesbian type! And I've usually got really good "lesbiandar". So were were talking about clubs and stuff, which gave me the perfect opportunity to make sure she knew I was gay too because I brought up a couple of gay clubs. It was really funny because it was totally one of those situations where we were each very subtly coming out to the other person, but each trying to act like we already knew when were really excited to find out...if that makes any sense. LOL, anyway it would have made a very fascinating social study **Puts on his sociologist hat**. So yeah you'd think that since I was actually kinda attracted to the girl I'd be disappointed if anything about her turning out to be a lesbian...but no, I was actually really happy and excited about it. I guess because I knew nothing was ever going to happen anyway. Besides I love lesbians! They're so awesome! Anyway she said she'd call me next time she and her girlfriend went to this cool lesbian club she was talking about. She said some guys do go too, which yeah hopefully, but whatever, if anything I'll have a really good time because I love hanging out with lesbians . I've often thought that I'm like the opposite of a "fag hag"...I guess I'm a "dyke dude" (obviously I saw that with the utmost amount of respect and affection). So yeah speaking of cool lesbians I also had fun chatting with my friend Melissa, BUT on the downside she told me that Megan was sick . So yeah I sent her a text message after work and I'll call her tomorrow. Megan is the friend from the GLBT group that got me the job in the first place. She's so super-nifty . OHH guess what?! Well I'll just tell you so I don't get a bunch of comments that just say "what?" She and Jesse are getting married (or commitment ceremonied) this summer! YAY! I'm so happy for them! And guess what else?! (well again I'll just tell ya ) they won this free honeymoon package from the bridal shop! Okay so anyway work itself was pretty nice too! It was slow tonight, but I still did pretty well for tips and I really liked all my people tonight. I had the nicest chat with this one lady! OHHH and best of all, I flirted a bunch with the guy I like...okay like I said there's like 5 really adorable guys at work. But two of them are straight...well one of them is definitely straight, the other one I just have no reason to assume he's gay, one of them I just can't figure out (Eric from my last blog, the one that no one seems to know about lol), one of them already has a boyfriend, and that leaves this guy, Brandon. He's really cute and he's ALWAYS smiling, which I just think is super-adorable. So yeah we've been flirting back and forth the last several times we've worked together. It's really fun I think I might ask him out soon(ish). We just need to have at least one more really good, fairly long, conversation first. Which is tough because in the past we haven't been working in the same area, so really just the fact that we've talked AT ALL is a good sign, but hopefully soon he'll be my partner. HAHA okay, so that sounds way different than I mean it. See they call the person that works in the same section as you your "partner", and of course you get more time to talk to your actual partner. LOL so hopefully he'll be my partner . Anyway I feel really good about this. So after I was done with my shift I decided I'd actually eat an employee meal (my first time). We get 50% off which is a really nice deal, but I've been trying to eat healthy. I figured I might as well splurge though so I got my favourite (from when I used to come in as a customer at the ones in Lafayette and Baton Rouge), the stuffed chicken Marsala with the Tuscana soup and a slice of black tie mousse cake for desert! YUM! It was awesome! Now normally a bunch of servers are all eating around the same time because general several people decide to eat after their shifts, but unfortunately tonight everyone that got off just went straight home. However, on the bright side my favourite manager, not the one I mentioned earlier a diferent one (yeah it's really kinda confusing), decided to keep my company while I ate, so we had a nice chat. I must say I got quite a surprise though! I always thought he was gay (it seriously seems like there's about a 50-50 gay/straight split there), but we were chatting and I was talking about how I wanted to go to the university of Houston next fall for grad. school and he said "oh yeah, my girlfriend is getting her master's there". Of course I was totally stunned and my first thought was "Whoa! You mean you're straight?! ", but fortunately I didn't say that and instead came up with the fairly generic "how does she like it there?". Also, I never realized how useful it was to be eating when someone gives you surprising news! If your mouth drops open all you have to do is stick some food in it and they're none the wiser! Anyway I guess I'd better stop flirting with him! Okay so then I left work, and went to Blockbuster to return a couple of movies. I'd rented the latest Star Wars movie, Revenge of the Sith, which was, IMO, by far the best of the new movies. I'd seen it in theaters and been wanting to see it again. It made me sad though, and I usually like it when movies make me sad, but this was more of a bad, unfulfilled kinda sad, but anyway I still enjoyed the movie. I also rented "Another Gay Movie", which oh my gosh you guys totally need to see! It was SOOOO funny. It's basically a gay parody of "American Pie", with some parodying of "Trick" and "Broken Hearts Club", it was just so outrageous, and fun. It was also really raunchy, and the guys in it are really hot so yeah that was fun too Anyway, while I was there I thought "hey, I think I'll get one of those monthly membership thingies where you can rent an unlimited amount of movies". So I did. I was really upfront with the guy too; I told him I basically just wanted to watch as many movies as I could in a month and then not continue the membership . Anyway he suggested I do the online membership because they were having a free month's trial , I also got the in store membership too though, because you have to wait for the other movies to come in the mail and I felt bad not paying for ANYTHING, plus I'd only have been able to get one movie tonight with JUST the online membership (because they want you to get them by mail), but by getting the in store membership too I was able to get 3 (one from the online thing and 2 from the in store thing). Anyway it's really nifty because there's no time limit on any of the stuff, but you can't get more movies till you return the old ones. So anyway I WANTED to get "Love Actually", because a bunch of people have been telling me how good it is, but it was already checked out (it was last time too , but blah if anything I'll order from online ). So anyway I ended up getting "Imagine Me & You" which is a movie about a woman who falls in love with this other woman on her wedding day (I told you I love lesbians so I'm sure I"ll enjoy this), I also got "John Tucker Must Die" because I remember seeing the previews and thinking it'd be funny, and lastly I checked out the first three episodes of "Queer As Folk". I've never seen a single episode, in fact the extent of my experience with the show is the time someone from here (and darnit I can't remember who , sorry) put that link to the Lifehouse song "Everything" that was played to a video of clips from the show. Anyway everyone says it's really good, and I figure it's a semi-important part of modern gay culture so I guess I should see what it's all about. OHH GRRRRR, I just realized that it turns out instead of getting the first three episodes OF SEASON ONE, I accidently got the first three episodes of season four . And I HATE watching stuff out of order.....GRRR, now I'm tempted to just not watch it and take it back and get the right season tomorrow, after all I have the other two movies and this didn't really cost me anything anyway since I have that membership thingy. I guess I'll watch the other two first and see if I still feel like staying up and watching QAF. One really cool thing is that since this Blockbuster is located right in the middle of Houston's gay center it's got a large selection of gay and lesbian movies. I'm enjoying getting up to speed on our culture's film and TV past/present. So tomorrow's my day off! YAY! I'm kinda thinking I may go get my hair done. I'm tempted to get it cut fairly short (for me), and dyed red. I wanted to wait and do that for Valentine's day like I did last year, but I don't think I'm going to be able to hold out that long. Anyway, I know I was probably overly bubbly and irritating in this blog post, so 5,000 bonus points to anyone who got all the way through it Have an awesome day all! Kevin

I too have often contemplated this. A few people on here have my address and/or phone number; I suppose they would eventually be able to find out and let everyone else know. It is rather morbid I suppose, but I guess you never know what tomorrow will hold.

WOOO HOOO! Happy Birthday, Grant! I hope your day is filled with joy and happiness! Take care Kevin

Hey Viv! Yay for days off! They rock! Birthday! Davey, did you go and have a birthday without telling me?! well I hope it was an awesome one! Awww, my pleasure, Viv Thank YOU for getting the info to me Take care and have a really awesome week! Kevin

I've been asking this same question since I was a small child! It's just frickin practical! Despite always thinking it was a good idea it's only recently (the last month in fact) that I finally broke down and got one of those trendy, metro (well I guess in my case it is just "gay") bags for guys. Probably because like Matt pointed out while you're still in college (or before) you can get by with just carrying a backpack. Now that I'm not in school I just got desperate! LOL since everyone else is listing their contents here's my unique list of "must haves": -Hand lotion -SPF 30/moiturizing lotion -Blistex -Concealer (no wisecracks! I hardly ever use it but it's good to have for "emergencies") -A hairbrush -A Comb -A mirror -Hand Sanitizer -Napkins -Gloves with a matching -Wool beanie hat thing (well it is winter and I hate to be cold, at least I don't carry the scarf around too ) -3 bottles of water (major must have) -My keys* -My cell phone* -Pens and -A little pad of paper -The latest issue of Reader's Digest -Random Mail -My checkbook* And since Jack brought it up -Condoms -Lube *denotes items that are only in the bag when I'm actually carrying the bag which isn't always. For example if I'm literally just running to the store or something. Having read this though I think I might add: -Scissors -A toothbrush -Toothpaste -Fingernail trimmers -A deck of cards -Body Spray and/or Cologne -A pocket pack of kleenex Maybe it's just a really big bag This happened to me once! The ripping my pants and having my butt hanging out part that is. Unfortunately I did not have the safety pins. *sigh* I guess that's what I get for always wearing tight pants and moving around rambunctiously. LOL, I must say I'm surprised at the sheer volume of posters in this thread that carry around the screwdriver! LOL It wouldn't have even occurred to me and now I'm thinking I might need one in there too Have an awesome, accessory-filled day everyone Kevin

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Hey Alex aww thanks HAHAHA! Well I suppose it depends on what sort of a Christian he is

awww sorry I'm a bit late on this, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I hope your day was filled with good things! May your year be awesome and your future always bright Take care! Kevin

Hey CJ! Thanks, I guess it'll be okay. It's kinda fun apartment shopping. I'm just hoping I can find something I like in my price range (unlikely since I'm getting progressively pickier , but I'll certainly give it my best shot!) aww thanks! WOW! Really? thanks! Have an awesome day and take care!! Kevin

Hey Anthony!! Awww thanks! You seem like the type of guy who comes out on top too Awww thanks!!!! Have an awesome day and take care! Kevin

Hey Luigi!! Awww thanks Luigi I love reading yours too! I think you're right about the current trend. Personally that's (mostly) my type, although I like toned and defined too. Just not "big". Actually maybe the fact that you're not into the walking skeletons ( ) will help. I mean this way at least there won't be dozens of people lining up to date the guy you want. It'll probably shift over again anyway, most trends seem to. Anyway take care and have an awesome day!! Kevin

Hey Dio! Yeah, I really wanna go there! I've often thought it would be a great place to live after I retire. yeah Thanks!! Take care and have an awesome day! Kevin

Hey Trace! Thanks Very true, thanks Yep, excellent point I'm not even entirely sure I think there are people that are perfect for other people. I think it's just a matter of being more compatible and both people working to stay together, communicate, and make the relationship work. Thanks, you too!! Have an awesome day! Kevin

Hey Drew! LOL, well I've only COMPLETELY run out of gas once Just been really close several times (including the other day on my way to work! ) Well I guess there are belligerent vegetarians (and Christians), but I've had good luck with them Take care and have a great day Kevin

Anyone know that song from the Chicago soundtrack? I love that soundtrack! This one's actually one of my least favourite songs, but the title fits nicely for this entry. About 4 years ago I was freaking out about moving. Leaving my first apartment, my first "home" away from my family. I didn't want to change the dynamic I had with my roommates. I was freaked out about the new job I was about to start. My new classes...Life in general. The year before that I clearly remember my two best friends ticking me off when they insisted that I had to live with them in college so they could look after me. They wanted to go to a different university that was nearer to home - and wanted me to go there too. I didn't though. I guess it was nice that they wanted me to stay with them, and it was definitely nice that they wanted to look after me. My whole little "click" in high school always looked after me. I was known for being impractical, flightly, strongly possessed with "book smarts" but lacking in common sense. I didn't know how to do dishes, laundry, cook, clean, remember to fill up my vehicle , or keep track of where I needed to be. I'd never worked before. I sorta believed them. I was pissed that they'd outright said I couldn't manage on my own in a new city, but it still irritated me that they thought that. So I leaned heavily on my roommates and friends from high school that did go to the same university. Then a funny thing happened. One day when no one wanted to go to the restaurant I had in mind I decided to go by myself. Next I went shopping on my own. Soon I was undertaking the dishes and even basic cooking without supervision or advice. Eventually I learned how to do laundry and clean. Amazingly I actually realized I had a rather good sense of direction when instead of letting someone else drive me I drove myself (and thus paid attention). Then I *gasp* started working, and it turned out I WASN'T the workplace ditz, instead I quickly found myself in a leadership position. The next year I decided to live alone. A strange thing had started happening, new people who met me still thought I was a bit quirky/eccentric, but SENSIBLE, responsible even. I became known for being a really GOOD cook and keeping a tidy, well-organized home. I found that many of the things I'd been afraid of - driving, cheesegraters , change in general - were actually...fun and a bit exciting. The next time I moved (to Houston), I didn't dread it, in fact I embraced it. Nevermind that I'd only been there once and I literally didn't know a soul there. I found that it was quite a bit of fun making new friends and learning my way around the new city. And my old friends back home? The sensible, independent, practical folks (whom I really do love )...well most of them ended up dropping out and/or moving back to our home town. It's all so...traditional. The ones that did graduated without transferring closer to home first (with only a few exceptions) STILL ended up returning to the same area afterwards. They're marrying (often to other people we grew up with/around), having kids, taking over/working in family businesses. They are the next generation of that town. Me? Not so much. I'm not going back, that much I'm sure of. Oh I'll visit occasionally (lol, though I probably don't get back as often as I should), I'll never live there again though (well I guess you can never say never, but I find it highly unlikely). I don't even plan to ever live in Baton Rouge (where I was quite happy throughout college) again. And Houston? It's slightly possible I'll stay here long-term, but if I had to guess I'd say I'll be here no more than 3 or 4 years. I don't really know where I'll end up...right now I don't even plan to "end up" at all. Being in a completely new environment every half decade or so looks really good at this point in my life. It's difficult with relationships though. When I realized I'd be leaving Baton Rouge I actively avoided getting in a relationship. Now that I'm here, and I really will be here for the next couple of years at least, it's still tempting to be on my own. I've dated casually since I've been here, been with a couple of guys I could have had a relationship with. They didn't seem quite right though...granted I'm way too picky though. Things almost developed with the English boy. He was cute, and fun as hell. Too fun though. That is possible. I couldn't have seen being too "serious" with him. Our whole relationship was sorta based on everything being light and fun. Besides he drank a bit more than I'd have liked (even though I tended to match him drink for drink when we were together ). It was fun, but it's something I like 2 or 3 times a month...something he liked nearly every day. And he smoked, ALOT. I'm really anti-smoking. So yeah...wouldn't have worked...still might not be completely over though There's a good handfull of other guys I'm interested in too. I'm seriously attracted to two of the guys in my apartment complex. I keep getting mixed signals from both though. I'm not even sure they're gay - though it seems like everyone in my life suddenly is. I think I want the one that lives catacorner from me the most. He's so adorable. Sweet as syrup too. And he's a Christian boy (always wears a cross), that's a HUGE turn on for me. Christian boys and punk/emo guys have always been a huge fetish of mine. I think it's because in my experience they tend to be nicer and more emotionally in tuned than "regular" guys, even if they're straight. Blah, that probably won't be a very popular proclivity around here, but I've always had good luck with them personally. Anyway I think this guy really might be gay. He's definitely seemed to be checking me out on more than one occasion. He also looks really good. I mean he seems very aware of his appearance and he dresses well. My other "neighbour" is pretty cute too. He's also a lot of fun to talk to. I always thought he was straight because he lives with this girl, so naturally I assumed it was a girlfriend or something, but the more I get to know him the less likely that seems. Also, this is a really "gay" apartment complex and area. We're right outside the "gay center" of Houston. So it just makes everything seem more likely. There's this cute guy at work I've been having fun talking to too. Now there's quite a few gay people at work (including my two awesome lesbian friends ). It's a very gay friendly place. In fact they DO have a special provision in their policies that specifically provide for protection against descrimination based on sexual orientation. This guy though, while obviously "cool" with gay people (he's gets along great with several of the "obviously gay" people), is a little more difficult to tell about. I even asked my friend Megan (the lesbian that helped me get the job), and she was like "yeah, no one really knows for sure either way". Finally there's this guy in the GLBT group I joined that's just a huge intellectual turn on. He's completely fluent in Spanish and sign language (and of course English ), and if not completely fluent he's REALLY advanced in Chinease, and moving along quite nicely in Japanese. He's also got a really good sense of humour and a good set of morals/integrity. He recently broke up with his boyfriend of over two years - whom he still cared about and was attracted to - because they other guy started getting into drugs and other destructive behaviour (and couldn't/wouldn't stop). Plus he's a vegetarian (vegetarians and Canadians also sorta make that list of random groups of people I find very attractive). Hehe, anyway I flirted with him all evening Thursday when we were all hanging out. So yeah as far as guys go there's a bunch I'm interested in and several "possibilities". Here's the sorta depressing thing though: as much as I find the idea of a very serious, very committed, permanent relationship appealing...I don't think I'm ready just yet. Intuitively I hate the idea of something casual and temporary. I hate not knowing who I'll end up with...and yet I'm having a good time with life in general and getting to know all these new people. None of them feel quite right just yet...so I guess I can give myself permission to "play the field" a bit longer. Also as irritated as I was about having to move (they're tearing down my complex to make it some sort of luxury highrise at the end of May ), the truth is I'm kinda already looking forward to it. I'm also looking forward to finding out if any of these guys really are "Mr. Right". Or perhaps the next guy I meet will be. And my job? Well that's very temporary. I absolutely love it, but I'm already planning to start looking for something new by February. And school? I actually really can't wait to go back. I'm excited about my life right now, and I'm really having fun. Hopefully eventually I'll find the perfect guy, the perfect place to live, the perfect job, and I'll settle down, do the whole traditional, pickett fence thing like I always wanted. But for now? Well... I just move on.

Hey Jamie Glad you liked the blog I'm sure ya do smell great , I got that the other day when someone hugged me too. Maybe gay people are just naturally more pleasing to the nose Have an awesome day!

Awwww, you're just so adorable, Vancey OHHH, I remember you telling me about this annual shopping trip. I'm sorry you guys had to postpone it but I guess it's for the best HAHAHA! Maybe you can sneak over to the next town where they won't be on to you Oh my gosh!! That's so crazy! I can't believe the cops there go after people with late library books! ohhh, I know what story I want you to do next! hehe, I won't say 'cause I don't want to get people's hopes up, but I can't wait to see how it ends up! Awwww, no way! Anyway you're probably reading this in the morning and I probably won't be around to chat with ya, so I hope you have an awesome day! take care and I'll catch ya soon! Kevin

take care, Luc. I hope everything works out

Happy Birthday!! I hope it's an awesome one -Kevin

Happy Birthday!!!! I hope you have a teriffic day and an awesome year -Kevin

I've really enjoyed working with you on the team, James I think you're right about change and definitely about burn out. I certainly don't think you were at that point, but of course you're the best gage of that and it's good that you knew before you became to exhausted . I only hope I can tell when it's my time to step away too. I look forward to reading more of your work take care and have an awesome day! Kevin

Hey Everyone! please follow this link to the discussion in the archive suggestion forum and let us know what new (or improved) features you'd like to see! Thanks and have a great day Kevin