AFriendlyFace

Thanks Coley!! I did have a great time! I hope you're having an excellent weekend too, Kevin

LOL!

Hey Tim! Well I ended up skipping the walk/run thing. I got home late and I just didn't want to go two days in a row skimping on sleep. Hehe and I think I'll do a blog post about last night's events Take care! Kevin

Hey Luigi! Thanks for the advice, but Grrr I'd already left before I got a chance to read it . I ended up being a bit over-dressed but not too badly. I wore a dressy black button down shirt, untucked (thus no belt ), with my dressiest looking pair of blue jeans (and also one of my tightest pairs...hehehe had to cover my bases ) and my favourite pair of black shoes. ....most people were in jeans and a t-shirt. A few people also had on button down shirts though. Anyway it was really fun! Thanks and take care, Kevin

LOL, Nick, I found that very amusing! As for your other points. I've only been to the story announcement page 3 or 4 times EVER. I was here for months before I knew it exisited. Found it, and discovered I just wasn't that interested in it. I check the author forums and blogs pretty often so I figured I'll find out that way. So anyway I don't have much of an opinion about the story announcement thing. When it comes to the new lay out at the top, I think I agree that it's more confusing, but perhaps it's just because I'm not used to it yet. Anyway have a great day! Kevin

OKAY, how come I wasn't notified about this!? ****checks his desk**** nope, no memo! YAY!!!!! Go Viv!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited.....and I just can't hide it! Kevin

So lest you guys think there's a new guy in my life I'd better reveal now that the he in question is my adorable cat, Timmy. He's out like a light! wiggling his tail, twitching his paws etc. This is the second afternoon in a row he's chosen the same spot to take a very serious nap! It's a bit unfortunate since I'm planning to buy a filing cabinet to go right there, but I'm sure he'll adapt.....actually he'll whine and be upset like he always is . Speaking of a new guy in my life I'm planning to attend this...event tonight. It's pride month, and despite my personal opinions about the whole "pride" thing per se ( Sexuality: I just don't care , 8th paragraph for my precise views on the issue) , I have absolutely no qualms about participating in the social aspects of it. It'll be fun and a great chance to meet new people. Anyway I was checking out this website with a calandar of events and it turns out that tonights there's some poolside cocktail party thing at this swanky hotel. Anyway it sounds fun, admission is only $10 and there's appetizers and an open bar. I'm just a little confused about what to wear. The first place I read about it (I later found another site referring to it when I was searching for more info) made it sound really formal, it even described it as a "black tie event", but it did stress that you were free to come as casually or formally as you pleased. So based on that I was going to dress up alot. Then this last place referred to it as a "casual party", used the word casual several times and never mentioned it being formal at all . So blah, I dunno. Unfortunately there's no number to call so I can't like call and ask. I think I'll try to dress somewhere in the nexus of formal and casual. I mean heck it's a bunch of gay guys they'll probably be more concerned with how I look in the clothes than the clothes themselves anyway .....oh wait that's straight guys about women, gay guys do care about clothes don't they? :wacko: Anyway I guess I'm a bit nervous about it. I'm worried it'll be alot of older guys and I'll look like a silly kid. But it's always fun meeting new people, and I really want to go. So.... I'm also a bit concerned because it'll be kinda late before it's over, plus I'm half thinking of going out afterwards, but there's this 5k walk/run thing that I really want to do! It's also part of the "pride" thing. And I see that maybe being my target demographic. There's even a 20-25 age bracket. But it starts really early Saturday, so it may not be a great idea to stay our really late, then get up early the next day for a 5 mile walk. **sigh** to top it off I forgot to register for it, and no one answered when I called the information number. So I'm sorta just going to have to show up and hope they can get me signed up on the spot. I'm also really tired today anyway, I stayed up WAY too late last night (4:30, and got up at 6:00). It sucked! I'm usually (well lately) good about getting enough sleep too, but last night I just kept getting distracted with stuff. Like you ever decide, "well I'm going to clean up ___", then "well while I'm at it I'll do ___", then "well now I might as well do ___ too". Well that happened to me. But on the plus side I got ALOT done. My washer hose finally showed up yesterday, I've been waiting for it for a long time so I could do some laundry. That's the good news. The bad news is it won't work . At least not by itself. It's a "fill" hose and I need a fill/drain hose. IF I could get a drain hose too, maybe there's some kinda way I could connect them and make it work, but I can't do anything with what I've got now. I thought the part I ordered would be the combo...but no . There's another part in the book, so in a bit I'm gonna call and see if maybe THAT'S the drain hose, and hopefully it'll also come with some kinda kit to connect the two. But actually I'm not too optimistic about this, in fact I'm frickin really mad and frustrated! I'm down to one towel!! ONE TOWEL! How crazy is that??? Even if there is some way to order the part I really do need it'll take a good week (or 2 to 2.5) to get here. I'm just going to have to take my laundry to the wash room GRRRR. I've only used a wash room once and I didn't particularly care for it. Oh well, maybe this time will be better. I'm actually pretty okay with everything but towels. I have such a clothes addiction that I can go a long time before I run out of stuff to wear. In fact I'm positive I could go another 2 and a half weeks easily before I run out of anything else. It's just the towel situation that's dire. Speaking of clothes, belts seem to be my new addiction. It's crazy, last year I had either 2 or 3. This year I have 10. In fact I bought 3 in one day, Wednesday. I love the ones I got though! I can't wait to wear them! I got a pretty good variety too, I got this brown one with metal spikes, this funky black one with like a bunch of colours running through the middle, and this brown leather one with birds and stuff stitched into it....okay so they all sound really weird writing about them, but I really like them! It's very embarrassing though, I feel like I've been way too materialistic lately. Actually this feeling prompted a whole quest for deep introspection and spiritual fulfillment. I spent an entire day last week analyizing all the junk in my head. I started with a nice walk in the park, and wrote some in this notebook I had. Then it started to rain so I went to the aqaurium and wrote ALOT more. I even condensed my results into a blog entry...then I decided not to post it because I was literally talking about my deepest secrets and fears, and all my worst issues and problems...so yeah made me feel a little too vulnerable , but just writing it helped alot. And I'm definitely planning to do it again soon. Mostly the first time I touched on emotional/psychological stuff. I want to do it again and just focus on spirituality. In other news work's going pretty well. At least they tell me it's going pretty well. I'm still doing the training stuff, but I've been getting a bunch of praise and positive attention from the people over me. Well I say the people over me, but it's actually a really weird (to me) situation. Technically I'll be "self-employed", just sort of an independent agent for the company. Basically they'll provide me with materials and "leads" to call, but everything else is completely up to me. There's no salary at all everything is purely commissions, bonuses, and stock in the company. It's a little scary that I could just not make anything, but they keep reinforcing that it all depends on how much time and effort you put in. And actually it really doesn't look that hard, I was a little skeptical but it seems okay. And anyway I can just leave if I don't like it. The nice thing is that apart from meetings on Friday I can do whatever I want the rest of the week (well once training and testing is over that is). They don't care when you work...they don't even really care IF you work, you just won't get paid if you don't . So that's delightfully flexible, and it should fit really nicely with my personal life. If I'm busy with other stuff, but okay for money (which I'm so not right now ....I literally haven't been this broke in the last 5 years) I'll just cut back on working, if I need the cash I can just work extra hard. LOL and the awesome thing is that I can decide what days I want to work. So yay! Once I actually start doing stuff (which will still be another couple of weeks ), I'll let you guys know how it's going. Anyway this is definitely a long enough entry so I'll stop here. I just want to add (HA! you thought I was stopping for real didn't you ), that I'm sorry I haven't been on much and haven't been too active in the forums or blogs, or leaving feedback in the efiction section. Stuff's just been hectic, but I hope to catch up on everything soon. LOL and eventually I want to start going back into chat . Anyway take care everyone and have an awesome day!! Kevin

Hey Viv! That sounds like such an awesome idea about releasing the 20th chapter on the 20th! It's like you're getting all of us a present for your birthday Take care and have an amazing week! Kevin

oh no David! You poor thing. Did you go to the doctor? You should, you never know if perhaps it isn't fractured or something. That's completely understandable, and it's good to work through your feelings, but: Try not to do that. Just let go of the anger; we all know it isn't good for you. It's not going to help the situation, it's not even going to make the person responsible feel any worse, it's just going to hurt you and dampen the time you have remaining. To put a spin a pop culture question: "What would the Dali Lama do?" As far as hit and runs go here's a pretty ironic one. Several years ago I was coming home one night and had car trouble. So I called my mom to come and pick me up. She'd hardly gotten out of the neighbourhood when this car ran a red light, hit her, and kept going. She was fine, but the car was pretty messed up. Plus it was just so ironic that she was coming to get me because my vehicle was out of commission and hers suffered a similar fate in the process. I hope you feel better, take care of yourself. Kevin

I'm sorry, Nick . Sounds like you had a bad day . This is going to sound cheesy, but I always like to remember this quote in times like that: "Every passing moment is another chance to turn it all around." Sophia said it in Vanila Sky. Anyway it's really true, whatever is going on with your life, whatever problems you have every passing moment is another chance to turn it around and start making progress to fix it. Similarly even if it's just uncontrollable bad circumstances every passing moment might be the one in which they turn around. Anyway I hope you feel better, take care and let us know what happens with the vacation. Kevin

Happy Birthday Snowy!!!!! You're welcome I hope you have an amazing year, Snowy, Take care! Kevin

Welcome back, Bao . It's great to see you again YUP YUP again.

Ohhh that would be fun! There were quite a few I thought, "grrr! that is so me, but someone else answered already." The Person Below Me Has Something Unusal In Their Fridge.

I'm so glad your day went well, David! LOL I've been wanting to use that title for one of my blog entries for awhile now! LOL but I don't mind that you beat me to it . Anyway good luck with tomorrow, congrats again on your hosting, and I hope you enjoy your restful Wed. and Thurs. Take care! Kevin

I vote for that too! I can't wait to read your new story, Nick! And I love that idea you and Taylor had! Have an awesome day! Kevin

I agree! Shane's my favourite too! He just overcame so much and went on to be in such a good place in his life. You have to admire that! Not to mention being really sweet! (okay so I guess I did mention it )

Exactly!

Well I feel like mine has been gradually getting better. I think it comes down to paying attention and knowing what to look for. I think in part ANYONE could do it, I just think it's traditionally something other gay people are more likely to do. I mean if you're gay and especially if you're gay and "looking", you're going to be interested in trying to figure out if this new person might also be gay. Whereas your average straight person probably doesn't really care, and already assumes the person is straight. It's sort of like if you want to figure out if someone is a big music fan (bad example but I'm going to go with it). You'll be looking for specific clothes and styles that might give them away: a T-shirt, wrist band, earring (I've seen someone with a guitar pick on their keys) etc. You'll also be looking for anything in the conversation that might possibly indicate a devotion to music, a musical reference, an analogy (gosh I'm using one of those ), or a general tendency to bring up something related to music. However, someone who isn't much of a music fan, or simply isn't interested in finding out if others are, might not pick up on these things. They might be too focused on whatever their own hobbies or interests are. Another aspect, I think, is a familiarity which makes it easier to know what to look for even with regards to the subtler things. I hate to use this as an example, but I'm sure many people have heard the old stereotypical expression about not being able to describe someone of another race because "they all look the same to me". Assuming for a second that this isn't just a racist remark it could make sense in that the speaker simply hasn't be exposed to many people of that race and isn't able to take note of the subtle distinguishing characteristics (which aren't subtle at all to someone who's always been able to do it). To use myself as an example when I a small child I couldn't tell anyone from other races apart. As I got older I spent more time with race A and had many friends of this race and now I'm good at it, and confident that I can do it. More recently I've been exposed to race B and while I don't feel I have the same level of proficiency with race B that I do with race A or my own race, I feel pretty good about it. Then there's race C, I've known very few people of race C and had no close contact. I'm still poor at distinguishing (but eager and trying) the (to me) subtle differences in appearance. Gay people, typically, spend longer periods of time with other gay people and know more gay people than your typical straight person. Your typical straight person can MAYBE name a few people they know are gay and spend time with regularly, another gay person can often make a list (and for those of you about to say, "not me", being here counts since you're still being exposed to the intricacies of gay culture and personality - and a quick for our straight friends! ). For further example I initially had more contact with lesbians than other gay guys, and I had better "lesbiandar" than "gayguydar". Another aspect is that gay people ofter are trying to figure out if someone else is gay and depending on their perceptions they may respond by doing/saying something subtle which might give the other person a hint (if that person were already looking), that person may respond in kind and before you know it, it escalates and both people are reasonably sure they're dealing with "family". I think this is almost always going on below the level of awareness of the participants though. I don't think either person is consciously trying to give hints, and may not even be consciously looking for them. I just think it naturally happens (in a way similar to body language, people send out cues with their body language that they're unaware of and other people often read these cues without being conscious of the fact that they're even there. You ever just get the feeling someone was nervous? Sad? Scared? Angry? or Lying?). Mostly though I think gaydar just comes down to looking for something and having the experience necessary to recognize it. (but I really do think it's often exaggerated) Anyway just my thoughts, take care and have a great day everyone! Kevin

Ohhhh thank you so much!! That was driving me crazy! That was the word I was looking for, and now that I've heard it I don't think their is an equivalent for lesbians. I did realize this is what you meant, and I agree. I don't really care if they're doing it knowingly either, though as you said it's not how I would choose to live my life. Whoaa! What a funny story! I'm glad you told us that! Actually, while I don't think I'd choose it for myself, I can see how a situation like that could arise. I have a lesbian friend whom I have a very complicated relationship with. Throughout high school we basically were each others "covers", though without even intending to be, we were just really close friends and people made assumptions (which we did deny). Though at one point earlier on in our friendship she later confided she was in love with me. And truthfully at one point after this (thankfully our timing never was right, or it could have gotten seriously weird) I was in love with her. Well I guess we weren't really in love more like a crush or something. But it is strange I suppose. I am physically attracted to women occasionally (but not that often), however, in almost all cases the attraction is purely physical and I couldn't imagine any sort of relationship forming. I feel like I couldn't have the "romantic" connection. YET, in this instance I just referenced it was almost the opposite, I don't think I ever was particularly attracted to her on a physical level, but I definitely felt a romantic/emotional connection. ***shrugs*** people and their attractions are odd things, this is why I'm firmly resolved to pursuing anyone (unattached) that I "fall for" (in a complete way and who could have feelings for me), regardless of any demographic information (as long as they're of legal age of course). I'm just fairly certain that person is likely to be another guy around my age. Anyway I'm definitely glad it never did work out with my friend and I because I think we both deserve a more "complete" relationship, but I can see how something like that could happen. ohhhh I wanna play!! ***frolics over to the lounge*** All the best, Kevin

Excellent point! I'm surprised to say I did too! I have no recollection of that paragraph, and I tend to read the stories here very carefully, often reading sections 2 or 3 times....so I can't imagine how I missed it....perhaps I really am losing it :wacko: Take care all and have a great day! Kevin

Okay NOW I see the changes to your page and you being on the main page!!! WTG AWESOME! And also YAY for Viv and Rob!!

OKAY, I'm seriously confused now, and for once I'm not enjoying it! What's all this about a new website? Where is this new website? I at first took it to mean that David was going to become a full hosted author, and I was extremely pleased about this! However, it doesn't seem like this has happened?? He's not on the main page, and I still accessed his page by going through the shared author section. The page itself looks the same to me too. Am I just missing something (and I did click on the link provided)? Me too! I was scared Mikey wouldn't get much more attention, but I should have realized David was too fine an author to leave things unresolved. I agree Nick! Hmmmm, I didn't get this impression. I was strongly of the belief that Ryan's treatment of Toby was due to a feeling of helplessness which consequently led to denial. So I was very surprised to see that this attitude carried over to Mikey as well. However, I still don't see it having anything much to do with Connor (unless he eventually gets jealous of Connor's closeness with Toby and Mikey, but I see this more as being jealous that he (Connor) is close with them instead of himself (as a result of pulling away from Toby and Mikey for whatever reason). ) I just can't fathom why Ryan would behave that way towards Mikey, unless perhaps this whole thing with Toby has caused a major emotional crisis which is now carrying over to all of his relationships (except with Connor). I kind of wish when Ryan said: Connor had said something like, "ohh yeah, you're right. I mean he was just talking about suicide, but he's a big boy, I'll just show him where the sleeping pills are and leave him to it" That might have gotten Ryan's attention, but I guess it would have been severely out of character for Connor. Now a little speculation about Toby. I find it distressing that he's pulling away from Cody. I had thought briefly when Mikey showed up that this would end up being, in part, a plot device to get Mikey and Toby back together (yes I'm still a "TMite" when it comes down to it ). Something along the lines of Mikey having to stay there for a few days, Cody and Toby breaking up because of Toby's pride, and Mikey spending a good bit of time taking care of Toby. However, much of this speculation went out the window when at the end Maggie talked to Mikey's parents and took him home. So I don't know, but I'm still worried Toby and Cody's relationship is in danger (and if it is going to end then I hope at least Mikey eventually usurps Cody's position). Also what did everyone thing about the whole Mikey thing? I was stunned that Mikey's parents turned on him so quickly. I know we hadn't heard much about them, and what we had heard wasn't particularly encouraging, but I still found it surprising that they so callously turned him out on a cold and rainy night. I also really don't see how Maggie could have fixed such an ugly situation with one phone call. I mean I'm sure she's a very persuasive woman, but even if she could convince them to give Mikey the physical/material support he needs could she really have persuaded them to give him the emotional support? Not to mention work towards repairing the damage their relationship suffered the night before?? Well I hope she pulled this off, I just don't see how she did, and it doesn't seem like her to ignore the emotional/pyschological aspect of it and just take Mikey home because they'll physically allow him back into their lives. I can't wait to see how this works out! And finally: Kudos to our Connor! He did such an excellent job this chapter taking care of Mikey and Toby! Mikey's right, he's really evolved quite a bit! He's now fully capable of handling other people's emotions and offering his support; I'm so proud of him! I'm also proud of him for standing up for himself against Trent, and equally proud of him for realizing that he crossed the line a little and for feeling guilty about it (and agreeing to work on his anger problem). All are excellent developments, IMO! It was also good that he brought up the whole "burden" thing with Mikey and assured him that he (Mikey) wouldn't be a burden, and thus by implication accepted that he himself was also not a burden. Indeed I think Connor is now proving himself to be quite a boon around the McCormack household. Not only has he brought much happiness and joy to Ryan (and I'm thinking he's going to help Ryan with his issues), but he's also been invaluable to Toby in his time of illness and has thus helped ameliorate the burden on Maggie (not to mention doing all those chores while he was suspended). Way to go Connor!! AWESOME chapter, David! I don't know how you consistently surpass the already extremely high expectations I have for your writing. Take care everyone and have an amazing day! Kevin

....umm how come I never posted on this thread or voted a long time ago?? I REALLY thought I had. But I guess not since it just let me vote, and since I obviously don't have an old post. Hmmm, did you make it while I was gone, David? lol you sneaky thing! Welcome to the forum, Birds! It's great to have you here . I hope you also check out the other parts of the site and some of the other talented authors. I agree with your analysis too: most readers probably don't ever get to the forum, and waiting till the end wouldn't catch the ones who'll leave once the story is over Darn people who don't vote! ***shakes his head*** I mean how hard is it to remember to come in here and click a button? The first time I (hallucinated) voting, I voted for Ryan, for many of these reasons. I also think your use of the word "discovered" is particularly apt. Normally I'd say someone, "came to terms with", or "accepted" their sexuality, but for Ryan it really does seem like an actual "discovery". Sort of an "ohhhhhhhh", "well how about that!" experience. Anyway as I said I (thought) I voted for Ryan the first time, but now my vote is for Connor. This last chapter especially has made me realize just how far he's come and how much progress he's made! He's doing really great now....whereas our Ryan seems to be floundering a bit...of course hopefully this is temporary and I guess it's not really fair to base my vote on that anyway. Have an awesome day everyone and take care! Kevin

Hang on! Let me get in on this too! LOL Vance is definitely adorable!