AFriendlyFace

Yes, I would agree with that. Interesting article, but apart from the last section about egalitarian relationships - the aspect of homosexuality which has always most appealed to me - I didn't think the majority of the arguments were particularly compelling. Probably, because as the author points out, they're the same benefits which straight people could reap. I was rather hoping for an article about the virtue intrinsic exclusively in homosexual relationships. Thanks for sharing though, good read -Kevin

Hey Mike! Awww, that's sweet of you to say! Thanks You're a pretty awesome friend yourself Yeah, I thought it was pretty sweet! Thanks! I hope you have a fantastic day too! Take care, Kevin

awwww, you poor thing Hope you feel better soon! -Kevin

That is so cool! Wish I could speak all those! -Kevin

LOL, like the others I too thought your "A" referred to classwork! Nice job on the quiz though! I got a 10/10 too Have an awesome day and take care! Kevin

Vic's right, summers are usually slower where new chapters are concerned whilst winters seem to feature more frequent updates. LOL, welcome to the forum Mystery! It's great to have you, even if you are already soliciting Menzo's mouth This also seems to be cyclic. In fact the first summer Dom that was hosted here and the chapters trickled to a stop I was one of the newbies to join! **hands Liddy his eye patch** I'm convinced! Is it from TLW? I seem to remember it being said to one of Dennis's asshole friends...or maybe to Dennis lol Hmm, I was thinking it was something Taylor or Bree said from TOU. If it's from TLW I'm betting on Ryan having said it. Does sound familiar, but I can't place it for sure. Take care all and have a fantastic day! Kevin

LOL, Rick I should think

Welcome to the forum, Leo! Welcome to the forum, Trav! It's awesome having two new Domaholics to bounce ideas and scenarios off of! I agree that Lyle is pretty reprehensible. Leo, I don't mind so much. In fact I quite liked him in TLW and from his perspective he's not really doing anything wrong. I would like to see he and Dennis "make up" or at least come to some kind of terms, but I'm not sure if that's realistic or not. I agree with Leo - the member not the character - that some things are pretty hard to get past and perhaps even "unforgivable"...actually I'm sure Leo the character would probably say that too. So yeah, I agree with the Leo's -Kevin, the forgiving Virgo

This is excellent, and quite sad! My favourite part was the last line: Excellent!

I wonder if there's a chart somewhere that gives a break down of debt by country. I looked but couldn't find one. It would be interesting to see.

Just to play Devil's advocate: I used to do a job in which I had to act cheery, and ask people how they were doing - not to mention responding with a smile that I was doing just fine, if asked - regardless of whether or not I actually cared and despite how stressed out and I tired I might have been. Often things weren't so bad. I would be in a good mood, the customer would be in a good mood. Every thing was fine. Sometimes one or both of us wasn't in a good mood. Anyway point is the owners and managers like for the employees to behave this way because the majority of customer do appreciate it. I had a coworker who I frequently saw react in exactly the same way the guy in your story did. He'd say "well that doesn't tell me how you're doing" or something like that, before he went on with their order. Anyway, I don't think it's alot to ask to have the customer be politely responsive (a "fine" is usually sufficient), and if someone had responded to my coworker in that fashion I'd have probably finished up for him and glared as well. Just my thoughts, lol but I'm probably not being particularly nice either Take care and have a great day! Kevin

My all time favourite Sci-Fi show is Blake's 7. It was made in the UK in the late 70s/early 80s and featured a handful of "criminals" attempting to escape from - and eventually attempting to destroy - an evil, corrupt Federation (sorta like the "empire" from the Star Wars movies). It was really good because it was dark and realistic - the good guys didn't always win. I loved Minority Report! Haven't seen Children of Men. A good point well said, Graeme! -Kevin

Welcome Yuys! It's awesome having ya here! HAHA!

"Tom's Diner" - Suzanne Vega (mother of the MP3)

LOL Robbie, you know getting dressed doesn't necessarily mean that one is homosexual Seriously? Well, it's for pretty much the same reason that straight girls wear tight jeans: guys tend to like to check out the backsides of people in whom they might be interested. Also, gay guys (and straight women) tend to be more aware of their bodies and either want to dress to accentuate their best assets, or else just want to dress to feel more attractive. This often translates to snugger, more form fitting clothing. Hmm, well based on your observations, and the details that you have reported to us, I'm able to reach a conclusion which I can stand behind 100%. YOU are not completely straight Does it count if you call them to go shopping? Take care and have a fantastic day Kevin

No, but coincidentally right now I happen to be wearing my costume from last year. The person below me is curious about that remark.

LOL! What a funny story! Don't feel stupid though, I've got some pretty crazy stories about how ditsy I can be too! A comment though: Please stop doing this! They may not melt outright, but they break down a little bit and drip toxins into your food or beverage. You should also never microwave something with cellophane. It too breaks down slightly and drips it's toxins into the food its covering. I had a friend who accidentally went swimming with his wallet in his pocket, then decided it would dry it out if he put it in the microwave...didn't work. I like to have tea occasionally, however, I live alone so often times I don't want to make a whole pot. Thus, what I usually do is fill a mug with water, drop in a tea bag, and stick in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Usually works fine, only it turns out it's very important to remember to put in the water Once I forgot to do this and after hearing a loud shattering noise found my tea bag in the microwave surrounded by quite a few bits of broken mug. Actually, after hearing the shattering and realizing that the mug had broken I was relieved to discover that I'd forgotten to put in the water, since cleaning up the broken glass + water would have been a bigger mess. Of course after I realized that it only broke because I forgot to put in the water I felt a bit silly. My grandmother once ruined her microwave by attempting to use it empty as a timer. Apparently, they're not designed to be run empty and she melted the thingy that makes it turn. Unfortunately I've been using the microwave more again recently. For a long time I essentially boycotted it because it's not really very good for you, AND I don't like the way it makes the food taste. However, lately I've been lazy again and using it. Anyway take care and have an awesome day! Kevin

Eughh, can you imagine the cost of shipping though!

LOL! This is amusing!

Wow, interesting! That does sound like a good explanation. LOL I'd been thinking it sounded a lot like the plot of the recent movie Invasion.

I would say human rights! You're right, this does seem to be the case. LOL, I didn't choose that one! LOL, good for you, Old Bob!!

They recently outlawed smoking in bars, restaurants, and clubs in Houston. Personally I really like this law, and am pleased to not be around the smoking people. I readily agree that it wasn't that hard for me to simply ask for "non-smoking" and that if I were at a bar or club I should just accept that people will smoke, but nonetheless it makes my life more convenient and pleasant, and while I'm not a raving anti-smoking activist, I still do believe that people are better off not smoking so I'm simply not going to get upset about it. Basically it's in my best interest, and and even if the smokers don't like it I personally think it's in their best interest as well so I'm just not that upset on their behalf. However, personally I do think it's ridiculous to prohibit smoking in bars and clubs (in restaurants I think it's sensible). People should definitely be allowed to smoke in bars and clubs, it's only natural, logical, and traditional. Again, I'm glad that they can't, because I really don't like being in smokey environments, and on several occasions I really did decide not to go to one of these establishments simply because I didn't want to deal with the smoke. So I'm fine with it being illegal, and it makes my life better, but I do think it's stupid. As a gambler I'm also very very happy if smoking is illegal in casinos. I've often been stuck sitting next to a smoker whilst playing cards at a table or playing the slots. Sure I could just get up, and often I did, but it sucks to have to leave and go somewhere else when you're having fun with those people/machines. Again, I think it's very stupid to not be able to smoke in a casino though. People should be allowed to smoke in a casino. I'm glad if they can't. But they should be able to. Some places it's reasonable to expect smoking, some places it's not. Bars, casinos, and clubs should be fine to smoke in. Churches, business offices, and movie theaters should be smoking prohibited. These are natural expectations for the respective localities. Well both obesity and smoking cause a huge financial burden on society which we all pay for. Also, while obese people are much better off loosing weight and smokers are much better off stopping, in many cases they've both done some irrevocable damage to their bodies. I agree that obesity and smoking are different, but actually there are similarities. IMO. Oh my gosh! Caffeine is so toxic! LOL, do not get me started! As for the smoking at work issue...I actually think it depends on the work. In the typical examples cited - bars, taverns, diners, etc. - I actually think it's fine if some of them allow smoking and disregard an employees non-smoking status, because jobs of that nature aren't usually very difficult to find, and as long as some establishments are smoke free I think it's fine to place the burden on the employee to go work at one of those if he/she doesn't like the smoking. I think office buildings, and work places for specialty workers are a different story. Often these are people's "careers", and these jobs are more difficult to come by and to replace, so protecting the workers at these locations makes sense. Not to be elitist - and keep in mind that I used to be a waiter - but if you're a non-smoking waiter at a smoking restaurant (and if non-smoking restaurants exist), then just suck it up or go find a job at another restaurant. If you're an accountant, however, it is unfair for your firm to expect you to just move along if you don't like the smoking. Anyway, that probably does seem snotty and elitist and probably indicates a double standard, but I think the key thing here is how widely available the job in question is, and how easily it can be replaced. As far as the government restricting social liberties, well certainly this is completely against everything I believe in. However, as I said before, this just isn't my cause, and I truly do think the people in question are better off not smoking. So even though I may disagree in principle and think it's unfair...I'm fine with it and kinda like it. Call me a hypocrite if you like. Also, I personally don't see this eroding civil liberties that are dear to me personally, or that I do think are completely innocent and non-harmful to others. In general it seems to me that with regards to gender, age, race, religious, and sexuality rights (the issues I hold nearest my heart, and which I think are almost universally "good") the government is moving toward being more liberal and tolerant. So if they want to stop people from doing something that I really do think is bad for themselves and others, then even if I do think it's unfair (and I do), I'm fine with it. I just don't see the trend moving toward those other issues (I know I might be wrong, and if I am you can all say "I toldja so" ). Just my selfish, biased opinions -Kevin Edit: I hope I haven't offended or alienated any smokers. You guys know I still love ya Indeed I'm kinda on your side in principle, just not in personal application.

LOL, I think many do indeed! On the other hand I think quite a few are completely oblivious and end up becoming unwitting "beards". -Kevin

So first off, wow that Killers concert rocked! I had such an awesome time! A band called "Romance Fantasy" opened for them, then the group called "Louis XIV" played. Now actually I had heard of "Louis XIV" before, but I don't think I was familiar with their work. They were pretty good though! The Killers were awesome! They played all their popular songs (obviously), and it was really fun because everyone sang along and stuff! There was also this adorable gay couple sitting in the row in front of us. It was really cute, they were like really affectionate without being gross with the PDA. I thought it was cool because I'm thinking they were only like 18 or 19 and they just seemed like a good couple. I guess I do have more of a soft spot for "young love" than regular, older people (this is true even for straight people , there was also a cute, young straight couple a few rows away). Anyway, I did find it heartening that they were just out there together having fun. It was also cool that no one really did care or give them a second look. It's very promising for society. I mean I guess it's not that shocking, or different from what I'm used to. I mean the vast majority of times I go out (including that night), I'm with my gay friends and we're just hanging out being ourselves. And it's not like I haven't been out on dates in mainstream, "heterosexual places" myself. But I really wasn't doing that when I was their age. So anyway, it made me happy even if it did make me feel old for doing the whole "look at the healthy, well-adjusted gay youth" thing. Anyway, that was Saturday. Sunday was a nice and interesting day. I slept late, worked from home, then around 9:30 made plans to hang out with my friend Brian. Anyway, he lives on the other side of town so naturally I had to get gas before I could go over there. So I'm at the gas station filling up, when this girl in an odd costume walks by and suddenly stops and says: "Kevin!?!" Now my eyesight isn't that great from a distance. In fact I'm supposed to wear glasses ( ), so naturally I couldn't recognize (I can virtually never recognize someone form a distance, even if it's people I see often). So I was confused at first, but when she got closer I realized that it was a girl I used to work with at Olive Garden. So this girl is quite an interesting case. She's the sort of person who's always got drama going on, and always has these fantastic, albeit hard to believe, stories to tell. I could tell quite a few, but I it would seem pointless and kinda bitchy to do that. Anyway, I do quite like her and it was good to see her again. So it turns out she was working at the strip club a few blocks away (thus the costume). Now this didn't surprise me, because shortly after I left there was a mass exodus of O.G. girls getting jobs at this particular strip club (one got a job there then essentially talked it up and got all the others to go too). Anyway, apparently she had quit working at the club but was back doing it tonight because she needed the money, because after quitting for the first time she'd moved to Dallas to start her own photography business, come back to Houston to look after her little brother who was suicidal because their parents were splitting up, then her car blew up (literally, the story is that it erupted into flames one afternoon shortly after she and her brother had vacated it), and so she was stuck in Houston with no way to get back to Dallas living with her parents and working at the strip club again to try to save up money to buy another car. On top of this she and her fiance broke up because he developed a drinking problem, but then she pretended to be a lesbian to make him jealous or something ( ). Anyway, naturally I offered her a ride home. Which turned out to be about 25 miles away in one of Houston's suburbs...apparently she was planning to walk all the way. So anyway, I'm glad I gave her a ride, but man, it sucked that it was that far in the opposite direction from where I was going. I didn't get to my friend's place until after 11:00 (when I said I'd be there at 9:30! I called of course). Well anyway we hung out for a few hours then I went home and stayed up a couple more hours. Didn't finally get to bed until about 4:30. Then I had to be up at 7:00 to get to a 9:00 o'clock appointment on the other side of town (Houston's HUGE, it has quite a few other side of towns ). Well I get there right on time and...darn if the lady wasn't home! Which actually happens quite a bit , but I was thoroughly ticked because 1) I coulda slept another 3 hours if I hadn't been planning to meet her, and 2) this was like the 3rd time she's done this to me! So then I get to the office, and the first thing that happens is that they give me my transmittal from last week, which lists all the business I turned in and stuff, and breaks down how I'm getting paid. Well my check was almost $500 less than it was supposed to be!! So I was like "hey what's the deal?", and my sales manager looked at it, and was thoroughly confused and also couldn't figure out why it was so much lower than it shoulda been. Nor could any of the other people in our agency figure it out. So finally after taking it up with the accounting department it turns out that it's because of a very unusual exception to how a very rare circumstance is paid out when it arises. Anyway, basically it meant that my production for the week was about $200 in annualized premium less than I thought it was, which knocked me into a much lower pay bracket, and made me lose two bonuses Next, we had a little meeting for our sub-agency in which we basically got fussed at for having lousy production for the last two weeks. I'm also pretty sure that this essentially throws a wrench into my plans to go to the SF convention. See our agency is leaving the main office to go start a new office on the other side of town (I should just start abbreviating that OTOSOT ). Which is actually really good for me, because for once this OTOSOT is on the OTOSOT from the main office, BUT it's like right next to my side of town (MSOT). So at least when it opens I won't have far to commute anymore. Anyway, point is that the time table has the new office opening right around the middle of October, which means that things will be really hectic right around the beginning of November. Plus, we're under even more pressure, because as I just said, our production has been down lately. So we have like a lot to prove or whatever Anyway, I'm thinking they won't jump up and down and say "yeah!!! You should totally take some time off then". So then the rest of my day pretty much sucked too! All my appointments had randomly lousy things come up and I worked my butt off and didn't make a single sale all day Not to mention driving from so many OTOSOT's that I used a whole tank of gas up On another note, as part of my cruddy day I saw this one guy who was uninsurable because he has colon cancer. So I was talking to one of my friends/coworkers on the phone and mentioned that and she was like "Oh man, what bad luck! That sucks for you!", and I was like "yeah...but it sucks much worse for him. Anyway, that sorta gave me some perspective. I mean it does suck much worse for him, and even my crappy day could have been much worse. So I'm thinking tomorrow will be better. Yep, definitely going to stay positive about tomorrow. Anyway, take care all and have an awesome day! Kevin

Thanks! It was awesome!!