AFriendlyFace

HAHA, I gotta agree with you there, Vic. great to see ya How delightfully dirty of you, Drew! I guess we all know what theory Drew holds with regards to who bottomed. I can't wait for the next chapter...well I suppose I can, but I'd rather not! Have an awesome day and Take care (unregistered) all -Kevin

So for anyone who might be wondering how my move went, and more specifically what I've been up to for the past three weeks. Here's the deal: Thursday, May 3rd: My move in date is set for Friday May 11th. However, I find out that it's a friend's graduation on that day so I call the new apartment complex to see if I can move in on the 10th instead. "Fine", they say. I set up my utilities to be turned in at the new place on the 9th. Saturday, May 5th: I call to confirm the move in date. "Oh wait", they say "the guy that was supposed to have already moved out hasn't. So you can't move into that apartment, how bout you take a differen't one?" "Sure", I say. They give me my new address. I call the new utility company to request that they turn on the service in the new place instead. "We can't do that", they say. "It's already been scheduled. We'll have to turn on the service as planned. Then turn it off again. Then charge you a termination fee. Then turn it on in the new place."......"WHAT?!?!?!", I say. 40 minutes and a heated conversation with the floor manager later I decide to pay they're termination fee and take my business elsewhere, you know to a sane company. Monday, May 7th: I call a bazillion credit card, bank, magazine and other random business people as well as a ton of family and friends to give them my new, new address. I confirm plans with like six people to help me move on the 11th (I'm moving in on the 10th, but I'm just taking the little stuff and getting everything in order by myself the first day, then after my friend's graduation the plan is to get a bunch of people together and go move all the furniture). Wednesday, May 9th: I wake up after a full night's sleep, and have breakfast and lunch. Wednesday evening/night I spend frantically packing. Thursday, May 10th: I take load after load of boxes and small furniture to the new place. I eat nothing and don't sleep at all, all day. Late Thursday night/friday morning I get stuck in an incredibly strong rain storm while unloading my final load of the day and end up moving the last load drenched to the bone. Friday, May 11th: Still no sleep or food for going on 48 hours. I finally catch a quick meal after my friend's graduation at the celebritory lunch. It turns out that ALL the people except my friend Brian end up NOT being able to help me move for various reasons (unexpect graduation plans, unexpect birthday plans, unexpected getting called into work plans, unexpected "hey wait, I've gotta move outta my dorm on the same day too" plans. :wacko: ). To make matters worse given the graduation plans, and other festivities, and because I don't say no to friends, I end up fairying carless friends from activity to activity Finally, Brian and I go to pick up the U-haul, and I leave my truck parked on a side street. We load everything up, take it to the new place and...oh wait, I have covered parking and the truck's to big to fit. There are no other spots, I MUST park it along the fence, illegally, while we go get food (Brian's hungry, and darn it if that one meal at lunch hadn't piqued my appetite for dinner). So we get back and guess what? The U-haul WON'T START. Won't even TRY to start. I ask three people for a jump. Two don't have jumper cables (mine are burried in some box). The third tries to give me a jump only to discover that the batteries aren't compatible or something *shrug*. He suggests a call U-Haul and have them come and fix it. A fine idea...only I can't find my renting contract. Brian suggest looking on the truck for a number to call. After several minutes we find said number on dashboard. I call U-Haul..."oh, you won't the info found on my renting contract." After a lot of barganing and hoop-jumping they agree to send someone the next day at 8:30 am. We unload a bit more and decide to walk to the nearest convenience store (about a mile or so away), for toothpaste, since after all Brian is stranded for the night and as it turns out my toothpaste is still at the old apartment. We return, decide to take in another load but..."oh wait! The U-haul is GONE" Aparently they get ticked off and tow you if you park illegally...even if there is NO WHERE else to park AND you can't move the F*#()&^% think anyway since it won't start. I call the towing people, they have the truck, but they won't release it to me without a hefty fee and of course the...yeah you guessed it...RENTAL CONTRACT. So as it stands I have no transportation to get to the towing place, they won't let me pay the fee to get the stupid thing out without the rental contract that I don't have...AND assuming I could work all this other stuff out, the truck presumably STILL won't start. Oh yeah and half my stuff is still trapped in the truck. Can you say pile of exhausted, wreckage curled up on the floor? Saturday, May 12th: After alot of stress, money, time, and effort I get these problems resolved, we unload the rest of the stuff, have lunch, and I take Brian home. Now all I have to do is take the final load of stuff over in the back of my truck. Sounds simple right? Well it got even simpler since I loaded TWO end tables and unloaded only ONE. The other one disappeared somewhere in transit. SO, Saturday night I do what any sensible person would do: take an incredibly long bath and get drunk out of my mind. Sunday, May 13th AKA Mother's Day: Turns out in all the confusion and chaos I completely lost track of the days and guess what? I was supposed to be at work. Didn't go obviously since I didn't even realize it was Sunday and I was supposed to be there until after my shift would have ended. Monday, May 14th: I go into work and learn that two other people have already gotten fired for not showing up the day before. I tell my story. I don't get fired, or even officially repremanded. Yay for sympathy, favouritism, and special treatment! Wednesday, May 16th: I agree to go with some co-workers to an underwear party at this club. I get drunk, and by sheer will-power resist the urge to try to seduce my equally drunk, completely adorable and sweet, but sadly straight, co-worker (AKA a desire to see him in just his boxers is the reason I agreed to go out tonight...and I certainly wasn't disappointed ). Thursday, May 17th: It's one of my closest friends' birthday, so me and her girlfriend show up at work with gifts to surprise her. I finish all my unpacking/putting away. Friday, May 18th: I get to meet Matty (GA's very own Matthew) at the airport during his lay over in Houston. . We meant to take pictures...didn't. Had fun strolling around a still closed mall, chatting, and grabbing brunch. Saturday, May 19th: I'm supposed to meet with birthday friend from last week for a belated birthday celebration. I can't because I have to work. Sunday, May 20th: Given all the stress from the previous weeks, I'm plain worn-out, and a tad...sad. A coworker comments that I "look tired". I realize that it's the uncharacteristic, deflated, low-level sadness that characterizes my face that's actually being commented on since actually I'm not "tired" in the literal sense. Monday, May 21st: I finish all my backed up laundry, excercise ALOT, think ALOT, hang out with friends and play board games, and all around feel better. Tuesday, May 22nd: I leave work very early, recieve two tentative leads for a new job (something I really want!), catch up with a couple of old friends, and all around return to normal. I also get a mysterious text message from an unknown number, respond to said message explaining that I don't have this number and Lo and Behold if it isn't my old friend, FIRST Houston friend, Brad, whom, I lost touch with after he moved to Dallas for school and then my phone died and I lost all my numbers. We're gonna hang out sometime soon while he's in town And there you have it, what I've been up to since my last update.

Most emphatically!!! Of the top three messengers (MSN, AIM, and Yahoo) I definitely like Yahoo the least! Especially since MSN and AIM both now have features similar to the only two early features that I preferred in Yahoo (sending someone messages while they were offline, and showing yourself as offline/invisible while communicating). Still, I rarely use messengers these days. The person below me needs a new pen.

Hmm, I'm not sure I understand. Are the options: "A guy who has never smoked and has never drunk alcohol" "A guy who knows the value of life" and finally "a guy who has never enjoyed life" In which case I would definitely go with "a guy who knows the value of life", since it seems to be the best whereas the 3rd option certainly seems like the least appealing (although perhaps I'd gain joy in helping him to "experience" life and be happy for the first time), and the first option is largely irrelevant to me although I'd definitely be pleased that he wasn't addicted to these things, and non-smokers are a big plus for me, but if he took it to the point of being "preachy" and "closed-minded" I'd probably find the overall idiology off-putting. OR is it A guy who has never smoked and has never drunk alcohol, and thus knows the value of life OR A guy who has never enjoyed life In which case I'd go with the first option once again since this person "knows the value of life". Although fundamentally I'm in complete agreement that not smoking does indicate a respect of one's life and health, I'm in disagreement that it's impossible to drink alcohol and still respect your health and life, since I definitly think it is possible to do so in moderation and actually recieve health benefits, and once again I'd be concerned that the individual was going to be too closed-minded/preachy. Anyway just my thoughts. Cotton or Wool

Ohhh, you work at a Panera! OMG! I love the "mozzarella and portobello"!! (<--- Vegetarian). I'd never heard of this place until I moved to Houston, now I'm crazy about it! LOL, that's all that really matters anyway! Actually there's an incredibly adorable waiter at the Chili's I occasionally go to. He is gay (obviously), but darn if I've only had him once I ate a large lunch around 3:00pm, so I doubt if I'm going to have another meal. I may have some baby carrots as a snack in a couple of hours, but that's probably about it. My favourite meal is of course whipping up a large, fancy salad filled with lots of fresh and diverse ingredients.

Hmm, I'm probably out of line for suggesting this, but perhaps you would find a great deal of happiness and contentment if you somehow let your world invade the outside world, instead of merely taking steps to prevent the outside world's invasion of your own. LOL, of course it confuses you and makes sense to us...isn't that how you said it worked Actually it makes a lot of sense to me. It's often invaluable to get someone else's input on matters relating to yourself. First and foremost I think one's own opinions and decisions are paramount; however there's certainly no substitute for a fresh, outside perspective. And we mustn't forget the old adage of not being able to see the forest for the trees. Ahh the old "bitter and sweet", "no good without the bad" analogy. It's compelling, and quite logical, and yet to me it doesn't really hold true. Do I need to experience (my own) death to gain insights into (my own) life [one could easily say that it is necessary to experience death in general in order to better understand life, but that's not what I mean]? Is it necessary to taste something nasty in order to appreciate something delectable? Is there pleasure without pain? Light without darkness? Basically happiness without misery? Many would easily answer "no, it is necessary to experience these other things to understand their antitheses". I, however, would disagree. There is goodness without bad, light without darkness. It's simpler, more pure even. People are the ones who over-think it. Something is good or bad in its own right. I say this as a complete and total relativist, who holds firmly behind the idea that nothing is black and white and who also believes that all experiences have an intrinsic value. Certainly the "bad" increases one's appreciation, and PERHAPS one's understanding of the "good", but I definitely don't think they facilitate its very existance or the capacity to enjoy it. Then again you did say "better enjoy" and not simply "enjoy", so I suppose we're in complete agreement on this one.

Thank you for raising this discussion, Gary. It's a subject I have many thoughts on and one with which I never seem to grow weary. Your friend sounds like a very admirable, open-minded person, and I strongly embrace his philosophy. I wouldn't exactly use the label of "sexual", but I suspect the meaning of the label he created would readily apply to myself. I view myself as "gay", but the quotation marks aren't simply for the purpose of this discussion. I'm not gay. I'm "gay". In other words you can go ahead and use the simple straightforward definition of it if you like, but I put the quotation marks/air quotes/tone of voice there to indicate that "hang on there's a footnote". I'm "gay", but I'm absolutely, completely unattracted in quite a few large classes of guys. Similarly there are a few classes of girls that I am attracted to. Sexually I'm overwhelming attracted more to guys than to girls both in terms of the duration of the attraction and in terms of intensity; however, I often do have sexual feelings for girls. In terms of "romantic/relationship" feelings I'm almost exclusively attracted to guys (thus as dreadful as it sounds to say I could see myself "hooking-up" with a girl, but would be much less likely to "date" her). In terms of friendship I thoroughly enjoy the company of both genders, but overwhelming seem to prefer the company of gay males, or females of either orientation (and actually I'm probably most comfortable of all in friendships with lesbians). I would never "rule out" a relationship with anyone of any gender, race, orientation, or religion because in so doing I would consider myself horribly closed-minded; however, there are definitely subsets which interest me more than others. To conclude I'm "gay", because other people need a label and that seems to be the most applicable and favourable one for me to take. I have a strong personal, positive bias toward bisexuality. It's a loaded term and means different things to different people. It's also often derided in both the gay and straight communities. Thus, I don't use the label myself (apart from which by my own interpretation of it I don't quite meet the standards); however, according to my view/interpretation of it I personally would view it as the most favourable option (not only in terms of relationships/sex, but in terms of society, religion, and business) for humanity as a whole. However, paradoxically I could never actually attach more value to any of the traditional three lables (gay, straight, bi). Actually same here. Socially I overwhelmingly spend more time with gays and lesbians. Indeed I couldn't help but find it a tad odd last week when I went to a straight club and saw men and women dancing with each other. Still, despite my recent, deep, almost exclusive immersion into the gay community I definitely am not opposed to, or disconcerted by, the straight community. I merely view this period in my life as a necessary, valuable, and fun counterbalence to my years of being almost exclusively surrended by "straight" people, institutions, and things. Thank you, Graeme! That sums up my feelings and motives very well. Always loved the character of Cody (I think he was my favourite), and that particular quote! Excellent point, Raz!! Oh my gosh! All I can say is: "THANK YOU!" for saying that! I usually feel like a complete alien, for espousing that view point in the gay community. Check out my blog entry on "The F-Word" for a more detailed account of how I feel on this issue. Well said! That's pretty much exactly how I feel as well. awwww Yay for you! I hope you and Doug had an awesome time! Quite right, I think self-perception is often just as important - if not more so on some occasions - than actual reality. And I suppose I could almost fit that example, except I'd have a different subset of women lol. Fascination subject, and excellent thoughts and comments raised by all! Take care all and have a fantastic day! Kevin

Welcome to GA, Gary! I look forward to reading more of your blogs and getting to know you better. Take care and have an awesome day! Kevin

WOW! That must have been some awful place to work! Glad you two left it! WOW! Now that's pretty far "north"! It's no wonder you guys lost touch!

LOL, but then HE'D be like 7 years older. LOL, did anyone else think poor Colin might have gotten a very unpleasant surprise? Just kidding, that must have been quite awful, I'm so sorry. I'll come up with one later. Have a great day all, Kevin

YAY! Have fun!

Travis was indeed nifty in this chapter.

I have some thoughts on this. The main one is that everyone is over-simplifying their characterizations of him. Of course it's ridiculous to say he was "evil" and leave it at that. It's just as ridiculous to say he was "good" and stop there. "Good" and "Evil" seldom, if ever, exist in pure forms in every day life. Regardless of how politically correct/popular, or how maligned someone is, the truth is if they were that successful, chances are they'd grown to believe their own message. I have little doubt that Hitler and Bin Laden and any other name you care to mention did/do believe that they were/are accomplishing some good. Of course I don't agree with them, and of course I and, most people it seems, think that they're very wrong, but that's all irrelevant. The point is they probably believe(d) it. You're not evil (by any definition I'd use anyway) if you believe your actions to be at least partly good. Thus I'd never presume anyone past, present, or future "evil" with the exception of Satan. I'd believe this regardless of a religious belief system. The point, in my mind, is that morality is not objective, and nothing is ever black and white, it is instead objective and relative. Anyway my purpose is not to compare Falwell to Hitler or any other traditionally percieved "evil" person, but to instead point out that I think it's a jump to label anyone as evil, and certainly a jump to label someone who so obviously had powerful beliefs about the goodness of his mission (regardless of whether or not it was actually "good") as "evil". That said however, he was an extremist, and extremists of any kind are generally subject to both more praise and more castigation. Personally I find extremism and absolutism to be highly dangerous as well as distasteful. I of course happen to think that his rhetoric on gays and equal rights was completely screwed up and awful. I agree that much of the "bad" that happened can indeed be linked to his words. I also happen to think that in order for society to advance (at least in the direction that I want it to) people like him definitely do need to die off. Indeed as soon as I found out about his passing I pondered the very same thing "good, that whole closed-minded, absolutist bunch need to die out so that gradually their message will be silenced." That's not to say that I think any of them are "evil". All I'm willing to say is that I disagree with them and that I'm pulling for me and my side. Thus, from a purely logical, cold, rational stand point of course I want them removed one way or the other, and I certainly won't cry if they go out peacefully of natural causes at an advanced age. I'd have thought it distasteful to go around rejoicing too, but make no mistake I'm glad that one more hinderence has been removed from my agenda. With regards to Falwell I'm (very slightly) conflicted anyway. As Nick pointed out he led many people to God, and my personal beliefs are in line with seeing that as a good thing. However, I find that (according to my view) his social positions were much more destructive and the "good" he did could have been accomplished in a different way or by someone else entirely. Who's to say my opinions, beliefs, and agenda are "good"? Well I am of course, but from a detached perspective I certainly wouldn't think it fair for me to use my own opinion as support for the virtue of...my own opinion. "Good" and "evil" just aren't boxes you can neatly place people in. However, Falwell was an enemy to my views and while I wouldn't be so condescending as to assume that, from a detached perspective, my views are any more or less noble than his, I definitely am glad that one more enemy is gone. Yes, exactly! Of course he and his family couldn't care less what a bunch of gays think, in the same way that I couldn't care less what a bunch of socially conservative, fundamentalists think. To me their whole view on life is so alien, and disagreeable that frankly their opinion just doesn't matter. And I have no doubt that they feel the same about us. I'd also like to point out that I think it's a bit unlikely that they're even recieving a very notable amount of flax (and as I said the opinions of those saying it shouldn't matter to them in the first place). I would think that their congregation is flocking around them and offering plenty of support, and that the majority of detractors are being tasteful and keeping their mouths shut. Besides, lets face it for all their frequent cries of being persecuted the conservative, Christian movement is alot larger, stronger, and more cohesive than the gay community. Exactly again! Regardless of whether or not I agree with the criticism or the way it's vented, and for the record I definitely disagree with the majority of the criticism I've read on here and similar sources, I definitely think that it comes with the territory plain and simple. If you're going to be a very public, very adament extremist of any kind you're GOING to recieve harsh, often inaccurate criticism, and while I think it's unfair and tasteless, and won't be doing it myself, I definitely think that comes with the game. SO: -I don't think he was "evil" -I think he meant well and did some "good" -I strongly disagreed with his social stances -I'm glad his threat is gone -I do think it's tasteless to rejoice and won't be doing it myself -I don't think our opinions do, or should, matter to him (if he were still alive) or his family -I think it's perfectly acceptable and expectable that some people WILL be harsh, mean, and tasteless given the extreme and public nature of his character. Just my long-winded opinion Take care and have a great day all, Kevin P.S. I really respected the way you presented your opinions, Nick. I thought it was extremely sensible, and very kind and compassionate. It's a great pity that others aren't as thoughtful and caring.

HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA!

Happy Birthday menzoberranzen May your day be bright and happy and may each moment of the passing year bring you something new and enjoyable -Kevin

Hmm, oddly enough I agree with absolutely everything you just said to the pint that I could practically have written it myself. LOL, so I suppose there's almost very little point in me chiming in further. -Kevin

You mean with regards to sinfulness or with regards to a fun Sunday afternoon? Personally of all the seven deadly sins I've always found these two particularly difficult to condemn. I mostly think it's one's own business. I'd rather engage in Sloth and I suppose if I have to pick one as particularly bad I'd go with Gluttony. Cable or Satellite?

I didn't realize that it was out, but I'll watch it sometime and let you know The person below me thinks too much

Woo Hoo!!! Yay for Graeme's birthday!! I hope you have a fantastic day filled with all the joy and happiness that you deserve, and may the coming year be bright and happy Take care Kevin

Well, I'll venture forth with a slightly different opinion. To me I'm just plain sick of everyone obsessing over celebrities and their "bad behaviour", and then expecting them to be held to the same standard as everyone else. If Jane Doe from down the road were arrested for drunk driving no one outside of her immediate sphere would be particularly concerned, yet alone posting about it. If we all seem to think Paris deserves special treatment when it comes to the attention she gets for her behaviour then IMO it's just ridiculous to assume that she be held to the same standard in other affairs. Either she's a "special case" or she's not. So if we're all content to eat up the celebrity gossip I think we should cut her (and Lindsey and Brittney) a break. I'm by no means saying they're "above the law" nor do I think they're above typical social expectations. I just think it's silly for us to give them special attention and consideration and then wonder why they get special attention and consideration. Personally I couldn't care less what any of them are doing. -Kevin

That sums everything up nicely for me as well. Something I've often considered (as discussed in my blog entry "Sometimes I wish for a mistake") Which is ultimately what I decided. EXACTLY! Hmm, so I wouldn't change anything because my beliefs about life do reflect the "Butterfly Effect" and I wouldn't want to change my current situation drastically. Still assuming I could somehow change things in my past without really changing my future I suppose I would: 1) Have come out, at least to some people, in high school 2) Have been much more supportive and vigilant with regards to one particular gay friend who's having a rough time of it. 3) Have been more supportive of a different friend who had other issues. What's the worst decision I've ever made? Hmm, lol give me some credit, I'm young yet, I'm sure I can make lots more horrible decisions. What have I learned? -Always give people the benefit of the doubt. Every time I finally decide to dislike someone, or that so and so is just bad, they always do something to pleasantly surprise me and I just end up feeling guilty, or unperceptive. -Whatever it is, it just isn't that big a deal; life goes on, just get over it. -"Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened." What's the best decision I've ever made? As with the "Worst decision" I suppose I'll answer by quoting "No such thing" by John Mayer. "I'd like to think the best of me, is still hiding up my sleeve." Still as far as the best decision I've made to date...I guess that would be to take care of myself. To get plenty of sleep, and exercise, and to eat a healthy diet. -Kevin

Oh dear, I'm late for the Bard's birthday I hope it was fantastic and may the coming your be absolutely wonderful Take care and have an awesome day, my friend Kevin

Sorry I'm so late on this. I hope your birthday was awesome, Tom! Have a terrific year! -Kevin

Oh how tragic My thoughts and prayers will be with Johnny and his family. -Kevin

Oh Joe I'm so sorry. Everything's going to be okay. I promise. Take care and feel better, Kevin