AFriendlyFace

Hey Graeme! That is how I view myself actually. awww Thanks! Once again you've made an astute observation that's made me re-evaluate things and alter my opinion. Thanks, that is a very likely motivation and it's certainly a kinder more charitable conclusion than the one I'd drawn. I do appreciate you calling me out on that, thanks. Aww Thanks! That's an awesome thing to say Yes, I do hope things will evolve as such. Thanks for giving me an example of how it might be I definitely will! I need to start turning on my messenger more often, currently I only do that about once a month on my own, and sometimes more if someone specifically says "Turn it on now" lol Thank you for the good advise and for being a good friend! Take care and have an awesome day! Kevin

Hey Ieshwar! You're definitely right! I always do regret wasting my time being negative and worrying about things. It definitely is far better to seize the day and get out there and enjoy your life! Thank you very much for reminding me of this, Ieshwar haha, now that I can get on board with! Thanks! I appreciate your thoughtfulness You're super-terrific!! Have an awesome day and take care, Kevin

Aww, WOW, Camy! Thanks! LOL, that actually did make me feel better You're aces in my book Take care and have an awesome day!!! Kevin

Hey Tob! :wacko: Awww, that's Tob!! That was a really sweet and wonderful thing to say Take care and have an awesome day! Thank you for the kind words! -Kevin

Awww WOW you guys! That was so sweet and awesome of you all to post with your kind words and warm wishes! I'm deeply touched. Thank you! Thanks everyone! Ya'll are the best Kevin

HAHA, I loved that too! LOL, when I first read that I thought you meant you laughed so hard you peed yourself My gosh! That does sound beautiful! Now I want to go there and see if I can meet my own Swiss prince Charming I have a few thoughts on Ian and Benji''s posts since, as on most matters, I seem to find myself somewhere in the middle of the two extremes. I won't quote the standard way because I'd hit the limit, but please correct me if I take anything out of context. First Ian's: the US is so f*cked up beyond repair its not even funny. It's my opinion that countries, like people, are never "F*cked up beyond repair", things can always get better, especially if individuals don't give up but instead work to improve things. Maybe for a select few who get help, but what about the other 40 million living in poverty? People look at Ethiopia as a third world country, WAKE UP DUMB ASS!!! THIS, is a third world country. A strong rhetorical argument, however, I would disagree nonetheless. It is better to be poor in America (or any first world nation) versus being poor in a third world country. Yeah, it still sucks, but you can usually find running water, basic sanitation, and a modicum of nourishment. Now, i live in the nice suburbs of one of the richest cities in America (has the highest income per capita in the US), and ya know what? You walk two blocks down the wrong way and your in one of the poorest cities in America right now. How F*CKED up is that? It depends on how you look at it. Yes, the disparity between the quality of life for these communities is pretty crumby, however, many would argue that just the fact that the two groups coexist in such a close proximity is a sign of hope for ultimate inclusion and resources for the poorer one. This country also has an addiction to violence for some reason, every time i turn on the news its not "oh, yes we're out here int he freezing cold helping stray kittens," its always "Oh my lord. Breaking news people. Im sorry for interrupting the kitten segment but i just got word that 3 people died in a car crash that is never going to help you in your daily life by knowing the details of." An interesting observation, and one I can't help but agree with. I've always thought it a pity that the emphasis is always on the bad news, and I also agree that personally I'd rather not know about the plight of someone whom I'm not connected with and can't help. Don't get me wrong, if it's someone I can help, even if it's only with emotional support, I do want to know, but if it truly is some anonymous, sucky event then yes I would indeed much rather live in blissful ignorance. In fact I choose to do just that. I don't watch TV, yet alone the news, I don't read the papers or any news websites, and the nearest I even come to finding out "what's going on" is reading Newsweek and Reader's Digest (and this forum). I did once read somewhere that the fact that a bad event is reported at all is a good sign. It means that the event is "newsworthy" and thus uncommon enough to take note of. Although, i do recognize that the US does have the most freedoms and i do know the positives of the US. But honestly, as soon as i get the chance, its either California or f*ckin Canada my friends, i cant take much more of this savage bullshit im being fed by this country's golden spoon of bullshit. It would be extremely hypocritical of me to fault this attitude since in all truthfulness I've always viewed California and Canada (as well as NYC) to be kind of "promised lands" myself. However, I really don't think it's all that dire, I think it's extremely easy to be very happy and content in any geographic region of the U.S., I just personally think that my own personality, and philosophies would make me better suited to a more socially liberal, urban area (I also agree that you probably would be too). And Benji's: If I don't like the TV channel I'm watching I switch channels. I don't like the political views of a certain candidate, I vote elsewhere. Don't like the country, leave! Well said! Not enjoying TV quite literally made me switch it off. It's also very true that one shouldn't simply sit around complaining about something, but should instead take steps to remedy the situation or else remove themselves from it. I grew up in poverty with my 5 brothers and one sister, my widowed mother raised us to believe that there were no handouts to be given, that we had to work for what we wanted to get out of life, and that we did. Have you ever been to a third world country? I've been to several, in Singapore I was invited to watch canings of criminals whose crimes wouldn't even merit a ticket here in the States. Besides western nations, what country would you pick to be gay in? I certainly can't fault this line of thinking either. I'm a vietnam vet and proud to say that I fought the good fight so you can spew your opinion. Thank you, Benji. I've always thought it wonderful how some people join the army and defend our nation. I'm deeply indebted to you all. All the more because I know it's not something I ever could, or would, do. I see that it needs doing and as I said I appreciate those that do it, but I'd quite literally rather desert than be in the army, yet alone think about actually fighting. For better or worse pretty much all aspects of my temperament are ill-suited to military life. For one thing I value, and am stronger in, individuality over uniformity, and certainly conformity. I couldn't possibly take orders blindly, and first and foremost I'm a pacifist. I readily recognize that my ideology and lifestyle are only made possible through the efforts of men and women like you, and for that I am very grateful. Hopefully I can give back to the world in other ways. Old Bob and Ieshwar, as always you both speak with an overwhelming amount of kindness, clarity, and wisdom rooted in a desire to heal divisiveness and soothe hurt! Well said you two! GA, and the world, is lucky to have you! So, do you think I would be happy there, Coley? Oh my gosh, that sounds so cool! A whole town named after you! Actually my mother's side of the family is from Germany too. It would be really fun to go and visit! Let's try to return to the positive, fun tone in which the thread was created; I must say I was thoroughly enjoying hearing about where everyone's from and having them describe their local scenery and culture. Have an awesome day all and take care Kevin

Happy Birthday, Jalaki! I hope it was just as wonderful as you deserve, and that's very wonderful indeed May the coming year bring you the joy of a thousand happy days (a difficult feat given that there's only 365 of them, but may it happen anyway) All the best, Kevin

Happy birthday, dude!! I hope it was really awesome and you got all the things you were hoping for Take care and have a fantastic year! Kevin

Happy Rakshabandhan!! Sorry I'm late to this thread. I think this is a wonderful tradition! I wish they had something like that here! So tell me is there a corresponding holiday for two brothers or two sisters? All the best! Kevin

Sorry I'm late to this thread, but I'd like to offer my congrats and well-wishes to my three Indian friends, as well as to India and it's people as a whole! Here's to another 60 years of Independence, and may the coming years be prosperous, peaceful times for the nation! I didn't know that, old Bob! Thank you for telling me that fact Here's to a great deal of continued peace and prosperity for Switzerland as well! Take care everyone and may you all find yourself surrounded by peace and freedom! Kevin

WOO HOO! I'm so relieved that you're out and doing better!! Take care of yourself Kevin

I was just going to suggest this, although I've personally never used Netflix I would highly recommend the BlockBuster.com service. They have a ton of movies (even hard to find gay ones), it's really easy to use, they ship back and forth pretty quickly, and it was extremely well priced. In fact when I signed up they had a special going and the first month was free, and since there was no contract or anything, I found that after the first month I'd watched all the movies I wanted to watch and canceled (hey, they literally told me to feel free to do that when I signed up!) He was also adorable with his "evil" hairstyle, and I'd never found him especially attractive before (or after).

OH Vance!! You know how crazy I am about you and how much I love you! I miss you like crazy! PLEASE get well soon and let me know how you're doing -Kevin

So my hair has been alot of different colours in the past few years. In fact it's been practically every semi-natural (and a few unnatural ) colours. However, it's most typically been some shade of red or blonde. Well it was blonde till last week, quite an understated blonde at that. Well I thought, "why not liven it up?". Of course I can no longer do really wacky colours with the job I have, so naturally I went with red. Red with blonde hi-lites actually, and when I fix it up properly it sort of looks like something you'd see on an anime character. I quite like it. Unfortunately things have been pretty cruddy since I did it. I think it's my birthday that's doing it. I mean true enough things at work have been kinda sucky lately...very sucky actually, but I think the over-riding thing has mostly just been my attitude, and I know that's related to the birthday thing. I hate, hate, hate getting older. I hate the passing of time in general. It really irks me when time seems to "fly". Days go by far to quickly, as do weeks and months for that matter, but a whole year? GRRRRRRR! My birthday always pretty much symbolizes a new year for me. Much more than New Year's. New Year's has never really seemed like the start of a new year. It goes back to when I was a kid. To me as a school kid each grade was a new year. It seemed absurd that the new year would try to start right in the middle of the proper school year. No, a new year always began on the day I went back to school, and it always finished up the day before I started a new year at school. And of course having a birthday at the end of August always meant that my birthday tended to happen right at the start of a new year (indeed several of the schools around here are starting tomorrow on my birthday). As I got older it still made more sense for my birthday to be the new year. For one thing in college, school still tended to start around my birthday, and anyway it just makes sense to define things in terms of your own life, which is marked by a birthday. So anyway, my birthday symbolizes me getting older ( ) and the passing of time in general ( ). Unfortunately these two things also pretty much come to symbolize absolutely every personal failure - real or perceived - that I can imagine. "It's a whole year later and I'm a whole year older and I still haven't done X, Y, and Z, and I'm still dealing with A, B, and C". I mean I think everyone - well maybe not everyone, maybe it is just me - has those moments where they just stop and think about all the things they haven't accomplished in their lives that they thought they would have by now, where they sort of realize "well, my dream to do ___ is looking pretty unrealistic now". So let's sum up: my birthday symbolizes aging (something I feel so strongly negative about I won't even begin to go into right now), the passing of time in general, and all my failures and dashed dreams. It also symbolizes loneliness. I'm still not seeing anyone romantically and the majority of my close friends live in other states, and my closest Houston friend actually discussed suicide with me last night as a means of remedying getting older (he wasn't advising it, just coldly and rationally enumerating my options, but still...) Anyone remember that episode of Queer As Folk when Brian was suicidal on his birthday and Michael finally shouted at him "You'll always be young and you'll always be beautiful!" It was a really awesome moment IMO. That's exactly what I'd like to hear. Well exactly what I'd like to believe. Only I wouldn't believe it. I mean it's obviously a lie. Everyone gets older, and most 90 year olds just aren't as hot as they were when they were 20. So I don't think anyone could ever really "always be young and always be beautiful". Don't get me wrong, I realize that what is probably implied here is that there's some sort of inner youth and beauty that will never go away, and I hope that's the case for me...but I'd still feel better if it were true in the superficial, literal way. You know what else irritates me? The "So you seeing anyone?" question from people that haven't talked with you recently. I hate that question, I don't hate it as much as "How old are you?", but it's right up there with questions I'd happily never like to be asked again. I've always hated both questions. Literally for as long as I can remember I never taken kindly to people just bluntly asking me those questions. I think it's because I've never wanted to be viewed in terms of an age, and if I have to be viewed in terms of an age, that age would be 22 and I only got to be that age once in my life, so every other time in my life when someone's asked me how old I am I haven't particularly wanted to tell them. Similarly I don't need someone to "complete me" and I certainly don't need someone to complete me socially so I'm sick of that particular matter being one of the first ones people like to "politely" discuss. I have no trouble telling people things about myself if I want to, so if I wanted someone to know how old I was I would steer the conversation in that direction. Same with having a significant other. I don't so much mind people asking those questions if it is semi-appropriate. Like tomorrow if people wish me Happy Birthday I accept that "How old are you?" will be a logical question (yet another reason to hate birthdays), but it really grates on me if we're discussing something completely differently and the next thing I know I'm fielding inquires about my age or dating status. An old friend called me a couple of nights ago. We were friends in grade school, then we went to different high schools, lived in different towns, and went in completely different directions with our lives. Anyway we have very little in common. In fact we're fundamentally different kinds of people, and I think the chances of us striking up a friendship if we met as stranger now would be pretty much nil. Anyway, he's getting married now, I'm happy for him...although a bit concerned that he might ask me to be the best man. That would just be...ridiculous. I've never even met his bride-to-be, in fact I can't even recall her name. I haven't seen him in person in 3 or 4 years, and then it was only once, and we haven't stayed in touch at all. Does playing video games together ten years ago really count as a reason to ask someone to be your best man? Anyway if he asks...I'll accept graciously and attempt to throw him a fun bachelor party and be on hand for any support and advice that might be needed. *shrug* Anyway, reason I brought it up was that of course during the course of the conversation he asked "So you seeing some little lady?" (no, I never bothered coming out to him, and why on earth should I have come out to him? Our friendship had basically ended long before I ever worked out my sexuality). Isn't that rude anyway? I mean calling to tell someone you're engaged and then prying into their romantic lives. It's a bit like calling to tell someone you've won the lottery and then asking "So you rich yet?". Fortunately he already knows how old I am so I know I'll dodge that question. My dad called yesterday too. As far as conversations with my dad go it was a rip-roaring success. Actually I'm a terrible son where he's concerned. I'm a good son where my mother's concerned, but I'm a little S.O.B. where my dad's concerned. I know this. I feel guilty about this. I can't seem to help it. I don't really know why. I mean I certainly don't care that my parent's split up, I was too young to remember it and I had a very happy childhood, and by losing a close relationship with my father I gained TWO equally if not closer relationships with my grandparents. I don't think he's ever missed a birthday or Christmas. He hasn't really pried excessively, always made it known that he was available should I want to talk or even come and visit, and he's "reached out" in countless small ways. But, I've just never really been interested in having a relationship with him. I've just sort of taken all his efforts for granted and never given anything back. Anyway during the course of the conversation he of course asked "So are you seeing anyone special?". He always asks this. Actually, as much as I still hate the question I recognize that he probably has a better reason than most to ask it. He always asks it right along with his questions of what I've been doing for fun, and if I've made enough friends in whatever new environment I tend to find myself in during our tri-annual talks (my birthday, his birthday, and Christmas, sometimes a random 3rd or 4th holiday). Anyway as someone with a degree in psychology I'm quite certain that he's primarily trying to make sure that I'm happy and not isolated. I am happy and not isolated, pity I've never told him that in so many words. I've never come out to him either (again just someone from my past who isn't a very large part of my life anymore), but I think he must suspect judging by his choice of words, and and while I've never overtly come out to him I've certainly never tried to lead his thinking in the other direction. Anyway, I suppose he'd probably be okay with it. Just a hunch. In any case I don't think I care much either way...and he probably knows that as well. Anyway, it is my birthday now, and I've probably rambled long enough. Feel free to wish me happy birthday; I won't bite your head off. Please don't tell me I'm still young, or that I've got nothing to complain about etc. It doesn't matter how young I am, I'm still getting older and I hate it, and I fully expect to only hate it more with each passing year. Actually I suspect I'll hate it less after about age 65 or so...you know, when I've given up completely on being young and beautiful (in the literal sense). I also realize I'm being a spoiled, self-centered, superficial, snotty brat. Oh well: my blog, my birthday, my business Also, don't worry about me. I recognize that getting older is an unavoidable disappointment, but whenever anything bad happens my attitude is to go into damage control mode and then basically just to move on. And I will. I'll resolve to fight for my youth, health, and looks for as long as possible and I'll just go on. Take care everyone, and may you all be young and beautiful forever, Kevin

Transformers did rock! Incidentally I did take a date to that movie. He didn't like it; I did. *shrug* I think the absolute best summer movie was by far Spiderman 3! It completely ruled! I really think the movies in that particular franchise are getting progressively better with this last one really blowing the other two out of the water. Krista, go watch Evening, NOW! It was great, IMO!! As a "chick flick" fan myself, I do agree with you overall though: there really wasn't a breakaway hit this year (although like I said Evening rocked even if it wasn't a hot commodity). The most recent really popular chick flick was probably Notes on a Scandal. Of course I do feel it necessary to point out that the poll is targeting "summer movies". Summer Movies are almost by definition going to be big brand sequels are flashy first installments of an epic/action movie...or more disgustingly the sort of drivel err "work" comedians like Will Ferrel put out :nuke: The only Will Ferrel movie I've ever found enjoyable was Stranger Than Fiction, and it's undoubtedly no coincidence that it was nearer drama than comedy. I also found Bewitched "watchable", but again that was only because 1) It had Nicole Kidman in it! 2) The TV series is an old favourite of mine. And anyway he still annoyed me in that movie. I will say I actually thought he was good in Stranger Than Fiction though. I had hopes that he'd pull a "Jim Carry" and become a pretty decent actor by steering toward more serious work...doesn't look like he's going to any time soon though. Oh in the recent chick flick movie realm, I did enjoy Because I Said So well enough. It wasn't awesome, but it wasn't a disappointment. I'd agree with that. I really didn't dislike it, but yeah it really wasn't that good. They just had too many balls in the air. I also saw and enjoyed the most recent installment of Harry Potter. It wasn't much better than the last one (which IMO was probably the weakest link so far), and I've enjoyed all of them (even the one I just sorta dissed ), but I don't think it was as stand out good as Spidey 3 or Transformers. -Kevin

Happy Birthday! I hope you had a fantastic day -Kevin

Happy Birthday, Dude! I hope it rocked -Kevin

Oh no! I'm so very sorry to hear this! If it's not too intrusive of us to ask, and not of a personal nature, what's wrong with him? Any idea when they'll be releasing him? I hope he feels much better really soon! Thanks for letting us know, Viv. Please tell him I'm thinking of him and wishing him the very best for a speedy recovery -Kevin

Happy Birthday, Ian I hope it was delightful and may the coming year bring you much happiness! All the best, Kevin

I most assuredly wouldn't have thought you shallow, since coincidentally last week I, myself, just dropped QUITE a bit of money on my hair and eyebrows as well. LOL, it took four people (two colour-specialists, a stylist, and an eyebrow specialist) three hours, and it probably cost more than most people - certainly guys - spend in in a year on their hair, but I must say I'm thoroughly pleased with the results. -Kevin

I feel ya, Jamie. My inability to focus on one thing is undoubtedly the reason I'm so "absent-minded" when it comes to what I was going to do or say, or where I left something, etc. Everyone always comments on how exceptional my memory is when it comes to remembering details, facts, names, and specific conversations. I also never have any trouble learning and remembering something, so I'm quite sure that my flaky, oops-I've-walked-out-of-the-house-without-my-keys behaviour is due to inattention rather than a mental defect. (still I'm probably biased toward thinking I don't have a mental defect ). I would wonder though, do we have any evidence that this is what's going on with Quinn? Oh he definitely seemed locked in his own head for most of the story, but I'm not sure we can rule out self-centeredness over a high volume of racing thoughts. This is true, we probably should try to make more concrete, textually supported arguments for our conclusions, and if I get around to it I'll go back and cite reasons why I think Milo sucks. On the other hand, I think the majority of literary reviews are always going to reveal more about the reviewer than the literature. So who's your least favourite character, Conner? And why? Take care all and have a terrific day! Kevin

Perhaps you could go shopping.

Welcome to the site, s0x!! It's a pleasure to have you here! I'm sure you'll thoroughly enjoy the place I hope you'll become a regular member as well Ieshwar, I just wanted to tell you I love your new signature!!

For me the decision is easy: Milo Trust! He's just so boring, arrogant, rude, and all around jerky. I agree with Menzo on this one. They were both extremely self-centered, and annoying, but yeah Rory should be given alot more "slack" IMO. Plus, even taking all that into consideration I don't think he was quite as bad as Quinn. Aww, Seth wasn't so bad, and speaking as someone who often dresses up vanilla, trust me, it's all about where you put the chocolate syrup and whipped cream LOL, you know that really isn't going to help them get over their issues. "No one likes me " "Yep, you're right, I sure don't" Ouch! Have an awesome day all Kevin