AFriendlyFace

LOL, since there seems to be so much debate about this in the threads I thought we'd might as well make it a poll! To me the evidence seems to point to Dennis bottoming. LOL, I'm too lazy to look up the relevant bits in the text right now though. What does everyone else think? -Kevin

Hmm, well ergonomic sounds pretentious all in all the right ways but since I've never used one I'll have to stay standard. dead batteries or burned out lightbulbs?

I most certainly AM NOT! I can't remember the last time I was this irritated over frequent rain. GRRRR, it would coincide with the week that I want to either go swimming, jogging, or walking every day I'm pleased for you though, Graeme! The person below me needs a new umbrella.

Well I don't watch TV anymore, and haven't for about 5 years now. I suppose the newest "favourite show" would be Queer as Folk, which may end up going down on my "forever" list. My forever list could be QUITE long, but since most people only put three so will I: 1)Friends 2)Fraiser 3)Are You Being Served? Seinfeld is also pretty much right there. Same here, Luc. I loved Dick Van Kyke! Oh my gosh! I loved To The Manor Born too! And oddly enough I was just thinking about it this morning! Blah, I'll cheat and throw in one more Red Dwarf

Personally speaking I tend to prefer one-on-one (or perhaps chats with 3-5 people) the most. It's probably because I feel like I need to be responding to and listening to everyone, and that's difficult to do with large groups. In real life I usually prefer groups of 2-5 as well. It's fine if there's more people, but then inevitably people tend to break into...groups of 2-5 to have their conversations, which is fine if they're far enough from whatever little group I'm in that I don't really "notice", but if they're like right next to me then I feel like I'm either ignoring or being ignored...LOL, I suppose I have issues too I did quite enjoy GA chats last spring/summer when I used to participate fairly regularly, but that was mostly because it sort of was possible to participate in all the little side conversations going on at once...just difficult. In any case I formed several friendships from the experience myself. Ultimately I preferred to talk to these people one on one, but I definitely "owe it" to the chatroom that I met them at all. SO I suppose I'm sorry too, even though I haven't participated actively in over a year now. Anyway, Luc, I remember being quite pleased when I got your MSN because I've always thought you seemed like a delightfully interesting person to talk to, and I was/am also thoroughly disappointed to discover that my MSN never properly added your SN (yours and several others). Undoubtedly it's because of some issue my out of date version of MSN, or my out of date computer, is having. Tragically, knowing myself I realize and accept that I'm unlikely to actively update either until they're completely unusable. Still, if you ever see ME on MSN (which is in itself a rarity these days) I'd be quite pleased to talk to you if you IM me, and don't worry about not being good at holding the conversation; I'm pretty good at that as long as you're at least semi-receptive Anyway, I don't think it's an overstatement at all to say that you "made friends" with chat. I certainly did, and while I definitely view my "cyber friends" as somewhat different from my "real life" friends I certainly don't view them as unreal. Indeed in many ways I think the internet opens up the chance to be friends with people, and really get to know people, that you otherwise wouldn't have been able to, and I DON'T just mean because of geographic location, but instead because of the different ways in which people tend to conduct themselves online. Anyway take care and have an awesome day! Kevin

"Why me?" Nope, not something I've ever particularly wandered either. I've always tended to stand out a bit in one way or another. I've seldom ever considered, and never wanted to consider, myself "ordinary", "typical", or even "normal" in any given circumstance. As I've said before, in that regard being gay fit delightfully well with my objective of being "unique". So I suppose my answer to "why me?" would be "just lucky I guess". Anyway finding myself in smaller subgroups or generally "beating the odds" really doesn't seem THAT unusal to me. I know it is, but I am just a lucky person. Still, I am undoubtedly one of the "lucky ones". Being different has always been a condition fairly positively recieved in the environments I've been in (whether it was with regards to myself or others). I've never felt a very high degree of pressure to "conform", and individuality was always placed at a premium. Further, I didn't really have the "option" to regard being gay as something negative. Long before I ever identified as such I'd reached the conclusion that it was perfectly okay. Indeed it was fairly highly internalized, almost to the extent that "stealing and hitting people are bad", "sharing is good", etc. etc. were. "It's okay to be different", was just an accepted truth. Again before I'd even worked out that I was gay, I'd known, liked, and accepted other gay people, and seen them generally positively recieved by others. SO, I suppose I'd have felt like an awful hypocrite if I'd had a major problem with myself being gay. Don't get me wrong, when I worked it all out it was a pretty emotional time, and I did have fears and concerns, but ultimately I'd have been disappointed in myself if I'd ever "hated" it. Personally speaking one of the internal attributes I value the most in myself is my willingness, and commitment to being able to "go anywhere in my head". I'm not always willing to share my innermost thoughts and feelings with others, but I make a point of acknowledging, and exploring them. I think you're right And how sad it is that most people view it as a bad thing when they discover it. Thadda boy!! Once again I find myself heartened by your well-adjusted, confident, positive attitude, Colin! I'm very pleased to think that you (and a few others around here) represent the "emerging face of gay youth". Take care all and have an awesome day! Kevin

Yay!! I'm so happy for you Adrian!! That does sound like a major turning point in your friendship! If you can have that level of openness and disclosure there's a really good chance the friendship is destined to be very long-term I wish you the best and I'm proud of you!! Yes, it does...probably why I tend to like "chick flicks"

Did they actually ask you to supply a number, Conner? Personally speaking I never considered it sinful in the first place and thus didn't bother to confess it. But in my experience with Catholic confession the priest never asked "how many times?" with regards to any sin. LOL, probably realized if they did they'd likely get a lot of "umm, gee, I dunno, a bunch?" answers YAY! More for me!!

Happy Birthday, Rob!!! I hope your day is filled with lotsa fun stuff! Take care and have an awesome year -Kevin

But pirates I'm sure could remain happily pamper-free. Welcome to GA, Eliot! It's a pleasure to have you here! I'm sure you'll enjoy it and undoubtedly we'll all be richer for having had the benefit of your presence Take care and have an awesome day! Kevin

Depends on the job Orange Juice or Cranberry Juice

Hmm, I know I've taken this test before too...thought I also posted my results. Seems I didn't. I may retake it and post then, but I don't feel like it right now. If I remember correctly I was "well balenced" between the sexes. LOL, twinks are definitely my preferred type too. I also like shorter, more "slight" guys. LOL, I wouldn't worry about someone not being able to make up their mind. Those are all traits I personally find very useful and valuable. LOL, best to keep your options open I'll retake/post later Have an awesome day all, Kevin

Mattyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!! Happy Birthday!!!!!! I'm glad to hear you had a fun time on your birthday, and may each day of the coming year only get better and better!! You're a super-nifty person and I'm really honoured and pleased to call you my friend Kevin

Hi Viv I would describe myself as an optimist, and an idealist for sure. I would definitely not describe myself as a pessimist and generally not as a realist. I definitely do have "faith", but it depends one what we're discussing. Just my thoughts, Take care and have an awesome day!! Kevin

Oh Luc, you are such a beautiful, IMPORTANT person.

It was a great chapter! I'm eager to see what happens with Owen, Travis, and Dennis all hanging out! I suspect Kyle is thoroughly ticked off at Travis. I somehow get the impression that perhaps Travis will get into trouble for "borrowing" that car. Best line:

Personally, I take great care to avoid blaming individuals. As others have pointed out it's mostly pointless. After the fact the best thing you can do is just deal with it. It's also divisive and causes hurt feelings and defensiveness, all things you don't want if you have to continue dealing with the person. Finally, even excluding the fact that it does nothing to resolve the situation, and ticks off the people being blamed, it also seldom actually works as a means of making yourself look better. Most people either don't believe you, still think it's your fault, and also now think you're childish, grumpy, whiney, or whatever for attempting to blame someone else. About a month ago I was getting together with a large group of friends and we were supposed to watch movies. The friend who was organizing the event was in a bad mood, and the first thing she said was "X forgot to bring the movies". Someone else even commented, jokingly, but undoubtedly with an underlying truth "aww, that's harsh. You could have just said 'we don't have the movies'". Later it even came up again in conversation with someone pointing out how moody she's been lately and once again referencing the "X forgot to bring the movies" comment. So clearly blaming someone else, DID NOT make her look better. This has been my general observation over and over again in situations like this. As far as me personally, as I said I'm unlikely to blame an individual. I like to vent and I may very well blame general bad luck, the universe, or whatever. I'm also willing to blame large groups of people. I may say that "Our abysmal healthcare system is the fault of the government." I would NOT say "Our abysmal healthcare system is president Bush's (or any other one or two individual's) fault." I also believe in taking responsibility for my own actions. Indeed I tend to try to accept more blame than I'm actually reasonably responsible for in most cases. LOL, you mean sorta like, "It's all his fault for being so hot!"? j/k yes, exactly! I completely agree, and in general I try to take a "well what's done is done" attitude about things and just deal with them from there. LOL the first time I saw that warning my reactions was: "The contents BETTER be hot!". Take care all and have an awesome day (and remember it's up to YOU )! -Kevin

Happy Birthday, Nate!! I hope your day and year are both fantastic and filled with much joy and happiness!! -Kevin

Hey Nick! Nope, I didn't. LOL, after the events of the previous day though I think I took it pretty well. My first thought was "oh well, at least it was the one I didn't like as much". Plus, I actually kinda like the way the place is arranged without it. Who knows maybe I'd have felt too cluttered if I hadn't lost it. take care and have an awesome day! Kevin

Hey Graeme! Yeah, moves are awful! Whether or not one has moved within the last year is actually considered a factor in predicting health and the likelihood of becoming sick! (since stress is a known factor and moving is considered such a huge stress) Thanks! I actually have a job interview tomorrow morning! take care and have an awesome day! Kevin

LOL I initially took that to be a question as to whether or not I preferred to jog in the morning or the evening. Upon reflection I suspect that you're discussing how close my actual arrival time matches my expected/promised arrival time. In the case of the jogging, mentally I'd prefer to do it in the morning and get it over with, but practically I find it easier in the evening In the case of when I arrive, I'd prefer to be very early if I could still do something fun and/or productive while I wait, otherwise I'd prefer to be a tad late. In actual terms I tend to be more likely slightly late than very early. Bus or Train

Last year I participated as a spectator. This year I may participate as a member of the parade, but we'll have to see. The person below me can't find their socks.

Of course they do. Even if intelligence is not contingent upon wisdom and knowledge, wisdom and knowledge are most certainly contingent upon intelligence (try teaching someone who's dumb as a brick anything). In any case I do most definitely agree with your assertion that intelligence itself reflects a seperate, innate capacity/ability. However, to my understanding, that was most certainly not the "intelligence" being discussed above. It seems to me that thus far this discussion has focused more on "wisdom" and/or "knowledge" and/or "skill". I readily admit that these may not be "intelligence" in the strictest sense, but since they were being used as a handy substitute for the term I was/am happy to go along with it. Obviously "intelligence" is neither increasing nor decreasing unless something like more radiation is causing stupider children (birth defects) or better nutrition is causing smater ones (or some other random, unlikely possibility). Rates of pure "intelligence" in the strictest sense almost certainly remain stable over time.

I have some thoughts on this matter, all just my opinion of course. First off, I would speculate that the GA population in general is smarter than your average random sampling of people. We're a literary community after all. It requires at least some degree of proficiency, creativity, and focus to be able to read and enjoy the stories, then come and discuss them here in the forums. Many of our members are also writers, or at least interested in writing in some way, this also likely bodes well for their intelligence. That said, the "younger generation" that is here, is not only naturally likely to be part of the "smarter than the general population" sample, but also is probably a highly competent, insightful group of people from among their age brackett, since they've already spent considerable time and thought dealing with their sexuality, coming to terms with it, and then actively seeking to engage in the society/culture in a positive way. That all speaks positively about them both in terms of life experiences and natural predilections. So basically, what I'd conclude based on those two theories is that if you're observing GA youth and concluding that they're smarter than the previous generation, what you're most likely dealing with is a sampling error. As far as young people in general seeming more intelligent I've got some theories on that as well. First off "young people" are still in high school/college and thus are still learning, or have been learning quite recently. If they can produce some kind of scientific/historic/literary knowledge that makes you pause and say to yourself: "WOW! I didn't know that, or I'm certainly surprised that someone so young did." IMO, it's most likely do to the fact that they're currently learning about said topic, or recently have. Knowledge is forgotten over time. I used to know lots of things when I was in school that I don't remember anymore. The other day I heard a child that couldn't have been more than 7 or 8 telling his dad what the difference between a centaur and a minotaur is. Now I undoubtedly used to know that, and I probably still should, but I simply don't deal with centaur/minotaur related mythology in my day to day life and I'd completely forgotten. Sure it's easy to say "What a smart kid!", but if you get right down to it, let's wait 20 years and ask the same young man again what the difference between a centaur and a minotaur is and see if he remembers. Secondly, and this pretty much identically mirrors Ian's comments, the "younger generation" simply has different knowledge than the previous generation. It's easiest to learn something, and the knowledge/skill is most enduring, if you learn it when you're young. Thus computers, ipods, video games, etc. are all 2nd nature to kids, but confound adults because 1) they likely haven't taken the time to learn and 2) even if they have it simply will be harder for them to learn it as thoroughly. Undoubtedly there was just as many things that each generation learned in their youth that their parents didn't, or didn't learn as well. It's like reading, the first generation that was mostly literate seemed wildly intelligent to their parents, but it was simply because they had the time, and opportunity to learn at the right age. So each generation has different knowledge, and it often falls such that the youngest generation's knowledge is the most current. Finally, "knowledge" is simply one component of intelligence. Another huge factor is wisdom, skill, and general life experience, and those things are only gained through time and...experience. So that's my thoughts on it anyway, but yes, I definitely think the GA youth are very bright Take care all and have an awesome day! Kevin Edited to add: I crossed posted with Graeme, Raz, and Menzo, and obviously we share many of the same view points

LOL, NO, that wasn't what I was suggesting. You said that you feel most like yourself when you're alone, doing and thinking whatever you please. Thus, presumably the reason you don't feel as much like yourself with others is because you're letting their presence effect your thoughts, behaviour, and words. I guess in simplest terms I was suggesting that you try to "be yourself" around others as well. It's not always easy, and few people ever get there completely, but it can be quite nice ...and if that doesn't work show them your underpants