AFriendlyFace

Oh no! So how'd everything turn out? Whoa! Talk about rejection! Hope everything else works out -Kevin

I'm glad you're in a good mood and having fun! Yay on Juanita's second (third?) lease on life! -Kevin

LOL! At least your husband had the decency to call instead of just screaming at the top of his (reduced capacity) lungs! I love that shirt your daughter described! Where can I get one for myself? How fortunate for your boss that you don't keep rat poison in your desk. Have fun on your trip! It sounds like your dad has an amusing outlook on life! Have a great day! -Kevin

Well, I definitely can't directly relate. My general approach to handling a vehicle is to treat it like crap until I drive it to its grave, then to move on to a new victim. As is often the case with long, painful, drawn-out deaths, by the time the end comes it's usually a bit of a relief Nevertheless, I'm sure this is a pretty big turning point for you, and I know it must be tough Good luck with the new car, and let us hope your car's new owner doesn't share my approach to auto maintenance -Kevin

I think that's really well put! I certainly don't I'm always a fan of a good discussion, and most discussions are only "good" due to some degree of difference in opinion. I definitely see your point. I personally think though, that in the case of this poem, the ambiguity in this regard serves a purpose since it allows for a greater degree of relevance and identification for more people. Perhaps many of us haven't experienced the same type of existential issues and duality of identity as Beasty has, but I think many of us can attest to some existential, dual identity issue in our own lives. For Beasty maybe it's being a supporter of gay rights and yet closeted, for another person maybe it's being a free spirited person yet being forced to work in a very structured environment. Maybe it's being a mother, yet still feeling more like a daughter. Maybe it's being respected for your integrity while struggling with your own personal demons. It could be anything precisely because it isn't spelled out. However, as I said, I definitely see your point and I even agree that exploring the conflicts directly could have made for an extremely powerful piece. I think what it comes down to is largely what the objective of the poet is. Did Beasty want to write a poem that could resonate with a wide array of people, or did he instead want to write an intense piece for a more targeted demographic? Anyway, great point LOL! I know what you mean; I often forget about threads I like as well. Perhaps we should take advantage more of the "track this topic" feature. Haha, I know I should! It's most definitely appreciated, Beasty, and I'm looking forward to reading the next one! Take care all Kevin

I believe that people can heal the damage, with or without the other person's assistance. I may be wrong though, or - more likely - perhaps it depends on the particular person and the specific damage involved. In any case, this poem definitely does a good job in expressing the feelings that occur when the damage is fresh, or even when the damage is more scabbed over but still unhealed. Oddly enough, if I were going to change anything about this piece it would be to move the first stanza to the very end and move the third stanza to the very beginning. I think I feel that way because to me the unparallel nature of the last line of the first stanza with respect to the last line of every other stanza would make a stronger impact as the last line of the poem. It would sort of sum things up and deliver that final punch. I also like the third stanza, but something about it's current placement feels a little off, like it decreases a bit in intensity instead of building to that powerful finish. It also actually seems fairly introductory to me. So all in all I'd personally prefer it at the beginning instead. Of course, poetry is a deeply personal thing, and this is an excellent piece, and if it communicates your feelings as is, then it should definitely be left alone Great job, Krista! Thanks for sharing this with us, -Kevin

LOL, well I like it! Good pic, dude

LOL! Used to way back when, but I'm a born again Post Virgin now

I am shocked to hear of this! How ever will CJ be able to and I can't imagine him writing a chapter without Looks like this chapter is going to be a nailbitter!

Speaking of posting, I thought now might be a good time to clarify one of the forum posting policies Technically speaking it's against our spamming policy for members to make multiple, consecutive posts within the same thread. It tends to make the threads more unwieldy and confusing, especially over time and with everyone doing it. However, responding to other posters' points is definitely encouraged! A good option then when you have multiple people to whom you would like to respond, is to go through and click the "quote' button below each person's post. The button will become red to let you know that it is selected. Once you're done, just click "Add Reply" at the bottom of the page and you'll be able to respond to everyone in one post! Actually, there's a ten quote limit (built into the software and board settings), so it'll give you an error message if you try to quote more than 10 posts. If that occurs, then by all means go ahead and make a consecutive post with the remaining quotes. We'll definitely turn a blind eye to that (assuming of course that posts are productive and appropriate in the first place, which I'm sure would be the case ) Just a little tip since you are new to the community. Regarding your general objection to the term "Newbie", personally I'm inclined to agree with you in that I don't like the term and connotations it implies either. I'd personally prefer the longer term "New Member." However, "Newbie" is quite common and accepted, and not meant maliciously, so I think our objections are more personal and strictly semantic in nature Anyway, I'm fortunate; they rarely refer to me as a newbie around here anymore Congrats on your first ten posts, Kaanya, and welcome to the board! -Kevin

I think that's a wonderful strategy!

Corvus, I love this poem! It's haunting and all around beautiful. It has a very lovely flow and rhythm to it. I agree with Maria on these points. When I got to the part about the Louvre it somewhat broke the spell for me and made me pause and think, "what's this doing here?" The ending is excellent though. For me my favourite part is pretty much the entire first Stanza, especially the first part of the first stanza. It has a great ending though, which in my opinion is one of the most essential aspects of a good poem, and it very nicely leaves the reader with a sad, aching feeling. Terrific job! -Kevin

This is by far my favourite stanza of the poem. It really speaks of both the relative nature of power and of beauty. Thanks

I agree, I think this poem could be "performed" quite well. It has a very satisfying rhythm to it!

I love it, dude! I was already thinking how cool it was prior to reading about it in this thread

Aww I'm so sorry to hear that

Hi all, I was just wondering what people's general status was in terms of being out at work. For many people the decision of whether or not to be out in a professional setting can be a major issue. Indeed for GLBT people whether or not one is "out at work" is often used as a major criterion in the coming out process. My answers: I answered the first question - Are you out as a GLBT person at you current job? - as "Yes, completely." I work for a small company but I am completely out to all of my coworkers. Shortly after I began working there as soon as a gay issue arose naturally in conversation I took the opportunity to say "well, as a gay person I think..." It was fairly easy and non-threatening actually, since I could tell from the tone of the conversation that my coworkers weren't homophobic. I answered questions two and three as "not applicable" since I do currently have a job. In terms of the past, I've been out at my last three jobs, but was closeted prior to that. I answered question four - Are you out/will you be out/were you are as a supporter of GLBT equality at work? - as "Yes, completely." When the opportunities arise naturally I always speak up in favour of GLBT equality. I'm also fortunate enough to be able to field questions about GLBT issues and culture from my coworkers. I answered the final question - Do you work with any other GLBT/GLBT friendly people? - as "Yes." I'm very fortunate in that my coworkers are GLBT friendly and supportive. So what are your answers? Any experiences are thoughts to share with us? I'm looking forward to hearing more about this from everyone! -Kevin

You So you're more of the ilk who believes in action whether than words?

Aww What beautiful kitties! You know, I don't think anyone's told Hopkins or Jade that they are strays yet

Well I know I'm a bit late to the party (and never mind that I drank the wine before I left the house), but I hope you'll forgive me for the bump. I will agree with Graeme as far as the whole "if you don't call attention to it they might not even notice" thing, but I'll disagree with him about "redundant alternatives." In general I think that if the dialogue and story is engaging readers will be so eager to read on that they won't pay much attention to the boring mechanical structure that said tags create. Similarly, in that way, I'm not bothered by those sorts of "unnecessary" tags that Graeme pointed out. If the character is quite obviously thinking, or agreeing, then yes, adding the tag "pondered" or "agreed" isn't really necessary, but so what? It's just as functional as "said" and it does create a little more variety. If it doesn't really add anything to the story most readers won't be bothered by it or pay much attention to it anyway, so why not mix it up and at least have them subconsciously reading a variety of words? I actually would prefer a variety of redundant tags than reading "said" over and over again. Either way I'll more or less ignore them if the story is engaging me, but this way it'll be easier to ignore while still providing that functional structure. My only problem with this is that it's an odd place for him to nod. I would personally have had him nod and then have the dialogue, rather than interrupting the dialogue with the action. The way it's written he says something, nods, and then continues, but if you look at the words, I would have expected him to have said it all together, without a break. I'm sure it's a matter of taste, but I completely disagree. When I read that line I don't imagine Frank saying something, pausing to nod, and then continuing (even if that's how it might literally read). What I do imagine is Frank subtly nodding while he's saying the whole line in general. IMO that does add to the story and it also does the structural job quite nicely. I agree that no one can literally hiss "I hate you!", but I'm still not bothered by it. Assuming the scene was a good one I wouldn't have tried to read it literally in the first place. I think it can, theoretically, add to the story as well. "John hissed" is quite a different way to express anger than, "John growled" or "John screamed." It actually does tell me what sort of person John is, and how he expresses his anger. At least it does assuming the author uses it wisely. I'd rather gain that extra layer than have another repetitive "John said." Just my thoughts -Kevin

I would like to add, Lugh, that you have a real knack for creating imaginative, believable, and realistic alternative worlds for your characters. This story is certainly no exception

It's interesting how names are more relevant for introductions than for sex

Informative and enjoyable explanation, Jovian! Of everything you mentioned, this point rings truest and most relevant to me Well I thought boyfriend. Well I certainly think so. Thanks for sharing this with us -Kevin

Gay Teens and young adults are among the most rapidly rising segment of the population with regards to HIV infection. The theory of course is that they're too young to remember/have seen the effects of HIV/AIDS combined with the general feelings of invincibility that is fairly common in youth. There's also a perception that HIV isn't a 'big deal' anymore or that it is more or less inevitable. I saw a documentary awhile back which drew parallels between unwed, teen mothers in impoverished communities and HIV+ teens in the gay community. In both there was a general sentiment of having done it so that the man would love them. Combined with a general feeling of powerlessness to ask for protection, and finally, and most tellingly, a general lack of expectation for a future. There was even a sense of "well now I'll get sympathy and people will help take care of me." As long as people feel disenfranchised and powerless to take an active role in their futures they're going to continue making self-destructive decisions because they don't feel like they have any options and/or that there's no point in trying. If you are dependent on another human being (emotionally or economically) then it's much harder to demand safer sex. Education is a very powerful tool, but it's only part of the solution. Another big chunk of the solution comes from getting people to care enough - about themselves, their partner, and their future - to actually put that knowledge to use. Terry clearly didn't care about himself, his sex partners, or his future. Nor did he truly care enough even about Lawrence. I think Tiff's depiction of the character was extremely dead on. -Kevin