AFriendlyFace

LOLOL Rob!! Those sound like so much fun. I could especially see myself doing number two since I'm really not a very good dancer. LOL number 1 would be quite fun too, but I'd probably be afraid to do it if I were somewhere I might be returning too...hmmm might be fun for my last time out before I move though! LOL number 3 I'm just not sure I could pull off! LOL thanks for the tips Have an awesome day and take care Kevin

I like this one, but I've been told I'm just a tad blunt. Michael's given some good tips and any should work for most situations. Saying 'no' is an important skill to learn, otherwise, you'll end up like my sister who had to go to therapy to learn how to say 'no' to our Mother. Sharon Hey Sharon! LOL I'm lousy at being blunt. I seldom manage to pull it off, but on the bright side when I do people are usually so surprised it works quite well. I remember a few years ago I got into an argument with a friend of mine and told him exactly what I thought. He was stunned! Said something like, "I can't believe you're acting like this, you never act like this", and I said something like, "yeah, took a page from your book". **Sigh** but that was a very isolated incident, and I felt guilty afterwards. By the way, I love your signature: "Good girls go to heaven, bad girls go everywhere" Take care and have an awesome day! Kevin

Hey Michael Thanks! That's some really good advice. I guess I definitely could see myself using the first excuse, since it's true and all. Two sounds great, but I'm not sure I could be that blunt (even though it is polite). I'm always scared the person will get that hurt look you know. The others do sound really good, I'd just be worried if I stayed and started talking to someone I was interested in, the first person would see and be hurt. You're definitely right, it would be easier with a friend. It's just that I'd worry that would create it's own complications. Like people might mistake my friend for a S.O. and not approach at all, or think I was being shady if I went up to them. Plus the biggest problem: once I move to Houston, at least initially I won't know anyone. I guess I'll make new friends though (well I certainly hope so). Actually ideally I'd like to figure out a way to befriend those "nice people I'm just not interested in dating". I mean how would I say to the guy, "I don't think we'd click as a couple, but I'd like to get to know you as a friend"? I mean I guess I could just say THAT, but wouldn't most people think I was feeding them some sort of line? Anyway thanks for the tips .....I'm definitely going to give some of those a try, take care and have an awesome day! Kevin

Hey Zarcie, That's exactly how I feel! Especially with work related stuff. I might try to hint that I don't want to do it, but if the person keeps pressing I can't seem to just say no. I know exactly what you mean about having to work extra shifts etc. It seems like I'm always covering people shifts/coming in on my day off. I don't really mind that much but sometimes I do wish I could just say "no, I don't really want to" and leave it at that. I had a similar problem a few weeks ago. I got a new credit card and called to activate it, and the guy on the phone was trying to convince me to sign up for some special program. And I was like "well thanks, but I don't think I need that.", and he was like "well yes but with this plan you get ___ ___ and ___, all I need is your authorization and I'll sign you up", "well that sounds great but I don't think I'm going to use it.", "yes but again you get all these wonderful features at a low cost, so what do you say", " **sigh** umm ok" (it worked out though I just called back and cancelled it when the information package arrived a few days later) Lol if I figure anything out I'll let you know! Good luck and have an awesome day Kevin

Ok, WOW! I LOVED that chapter, David! I really enjoyed the first two, but that last one was just amazing! Definitely my favourite of the three . I know I shouldn't whine and you'll release the next chapter next week, but I just can't wait to see what happens next. Pleeeease Also I've definitely decided I'm rooting for Ryan/connor now! But I am curious about this Mikey too...hmmmm. Anyway, I'm in Ryan's corner now . Thanks for posting it for us, can't wait for the next chapter **hint hint** , just kidding release when you're ready, but don't "hold yourself back" if you don't want to Have an awesome day everyone and take care, Kevin

My gosh it's a whole other site! And it looks similar to this one in format. I tell you I learn something new everyday!....Ok so I've been up almost 24 hours now and I think I'm getting a little silly, but am I allowed to join this other site too? LOL this is quite a great story by the way! Nick's been leaving us wanting more so that we all jump, and cheer when the next chapter finally comes out! Good Night everyone, Kevin

So I've been wanting to write an entry about this since Valentine's day, but I kept getting distracted with other things. If you happened to read my pre-Valentine's day blog, "A dozen long-stem Artichokes", you'll know that my plans for Valentine's day included hitting a gay club in a nearby city. So I did. It was fun, I'd been to this particular one, one other time, and there were definitely alot more people there this 2nd time. So I walked in and started hanging around by the bar. Soon I spotted this really cute blonde with spikey hair. So I meander over and stop a couple of feet away from the group he's with, intending to catch his eye and initiate a conversation. Well just as he looks up and I smile, this other guy comes up from my left and taps me on the shoulder. Now I'm sure everyone knows how difficult it is to hear anyone in any kind of club, so in order to hear what he was saying I had to lean in very close. Of course while this guy was "attempting" to have a conversation with me (I still couldn't hear 60% of what he was saying)I'm sure it looked like we were "together", and about a minute later my cute blonde walked past us. He did smile and sorta brush against my shoulder though, so that made me happy. Anyway I didn't see him again for the rest of the night. Well this over guy was perfectly nice, and I'm sure he didn't intend to thwart my plans so of course I was friendly to him. Unfortunately he really wasn't my type. I felt awful, here's this perfectly nice guy hitting on me, and I'm just not interested. Anyway after a bit I said I needed to make a phone call and stepped into the back area, and eventually onto the balcony. Well I'd hardly turned around when I saw him again, seems he'd followed me from inside. By now he knows I'm unattached because he asked "who'd you call, your boyfriend?" and I responded that I didn't have one and it was just a friend. Anyway I really didn't know what to do, I wasn't interested but he really did seem like a nice guy, I couldn't just reject him. So I kept chatting with him. Now the thing about me is, I like to have conversations, and I smile alot, and I guess it could even be said that I've got a naturally flirty personality. So even though I realized it was probably a bad idea to keep talking to him, and thus leading him on, I didn't know how to just "walk away", and even though I really was just trying to have a pleasant, non-flirtatious conversation, I clearly sent the wrong signals. The next thing I know he's being really sweet and telling me how handsome I am, and what a great smile I have....which of course only elicited more smiles, and a few "payback compliments" (I couldn't help it ) So by now I stop and put myself in his shoes, and realize that I would definitely think this was going well, and that I'm just making it worse when I finally do leave. SOOOO.....I faked a phone call from a phony ex-boyfriend, pretended to have a very upset, emotional conversation, and then hung up dejectedly. I said it was the same guy I had to call earlier, and that we'd broken up recently, and how he was all upset because he was alone for Valentine's day. I said I was worried about him and had to go. Which he seemed to buy, he tried to convince me that I shouldn't worry about him (fake exboyfriend) anymore, and that I should worry about myself, but I said I still cared for the guy and had to make sure he was ok. So then I left. And what really sucks is, I really did leave, I mean I couldn't stay at that club obviously, and even though there were a couple others around it, I didn't want to risk him seeing me. So I went home. But I guess it's for the best anyway, as I said I don't want to start a relationship now when I'm about to move, and I wasn't looking for a hook-up. All I really wanted that evening was some fun, and yes flirting, which I did get. So all in all I have no complaints I guess. The problem is though, that I need to figure out how to avoid these types of situations. I need to be able to just not get entangled with people I'm not interested in. I mean I feel bad even saying that, it makes me sound awful and superficial, but really there was nothing wrong with the guy, he just wasn't my type. Besides it's not just guys, girls too. A few weeks ago at work this new girl started and she was very candid with her intent, and I still found myself flirting back with her. I don't know what my problem is. I mean I know on the one hand I just like a little harmless flirting, and most of the time it is harmless, but every now and then I realize I may really be getting the other person's hopes up. Then on the other hand, I know I also don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. It's like if someone's nice enough to flirt with me I feel like I should flirt back...I dunno it's messed up I suppose. So this girl had quite a few piercings, and she said: "all together I have 14 piercings", and before I could stop myself I was smiling, raising my brows and saying "well you'll have to tell me where they all are sometime." I was kicking myself as soon as I said it, but at least I was able to get away with the pretense of having more work to do (and I was really glad that at least I hadn't said " show me where they all are sometime"). Anyway in her case it worked out because she ended up getting fired within the first week and a half, but it was getting to the point that I almost felt like the only decent thing would be to ask her out so she didn't feel rejected. Of course I know that would have only made it worse too; that's the problem I keep digging myself deeper and deeper in because I don't want to offend anyone, ....but then I just keep getting deeper and deeper in The first time I went to that particular club was almost as bad. The first guy was giving me his number before I could leave (and while I felt bad I did manage to not give him mine), then later on I was....ehh propositioned . I really don't blame myself for this at all. All I did was look at this drunk guy and smile briefly (I smile at everyone if they make eye contact with me), and he just brazenly walks/stumbles up to me, and while alternatively puffing smoke in my face and swigging alcohol, flat out tells me he wants to suck my...well you know....Anyway I was scandalized, but could I just act indignantly outraged and storm off? Nope, instead I found myself trying to gently tell him I wasn't interested in casual sex (I left out the part about "if he were the last drunk, chainsmoker on earth" ). So basically I want to be able to freely pursue the people I want to pursue and gently let the others down. Ummm HOW? What do you do if your approached by someone you're not interested in at a bar? I mean how do you just walk away from somone who's trying to hit on you? Anyway if anyone has some advice I'd really appreciate it. I'm chronically bad at saying no. Not just with stuff like this but in general. On the bright side I really think my cold is getting better. I'm still congested, but my throat doesn't hurt anymore....My voice is doing that weird sick thing though, but I kinda like it so it's all good Anyway take care everyone and have an awesome day! Kevin

glad you're here Greg! I wish I'd gone to the soapbox. It was still here for a pretty good while after I joined, but I was so slow in exploring the site that I literally didn't check it out until about 2 or 3 days before it was closed. Good point Xandra, I know I was concerned about saying something foolish at first, but I say foolish things all the time so I've gotten used to it so glad you're here Tim I'm still mostly in the closet right now too. You're right some people aren't really ready to face some of their stuff. Actually, while I'd mostly dealt with my sexuality already, I hadn't really dealt with the implications. I mean I was pretty much disillusioned and wasn't really "going to do anything about it". Reading TOU and TLW really inspired me to get out there and find myself an Aiden or a Jude! And ever since I've been gradually working my way out of the closet. First I told one of my closest friends (a lesbian), and her girlfriend/friends, then my mom, then a gay coworker and his friends. And now I'm strongly considering telling a couple more "safe" friends. So I know I'm not doing that great, I mean up till now I've stuck with completely safe people, but I guess it's a start. And I have gone out to gay clubs a couple of times, so obviously everyone knew there, and if I think I'm "picking up vibes" from a guy I'll flirt with him (if he's my type ). Mostly though I'm thinking I'll solve the whole thing by just never being "in" when I move to a new city in a couple months. What I'm getting at though is that I owe ALOT to the inspiration I got from the stories here, and an immeasuable amount to the support and friendship I've gotten here......Ok before I get all weepy eyed, hugs all around First off: I didn't get a welcome email when I joined! (LOL J/K I don't really mind ) Was it just too long ago and before the program had started or something? When I got here it was from reading TOU over at Nifty, it had only been updated up to like chapter 10 or 11, then I saw the link for Dom's page. There I found that it was up to chapter 13 (which ended with the marshmellow scene). While waiting for updates I read all of TLW. It was then that I decided to join because I just had to comment on what I thought about TLW. So I joined and made my first post the night I finished TLW, and from there very gradually branched out. But I completely agree Tim, it was months before I ever wandered over from Dom's forum to this one, mostly because I didn't know how to navigate the site and was content sticking with the familar. Similarly I missed out on the soapbox completely (which I bet I'd have liked), and I'm still discovering new features here on a regular basis; of course that I blame on myself, I really should just do some "exploring" instead of stick with the beaten path. See until the other day I didn't know there was an "announcements forum" or anything about update notifications lol. So now for something really surprising: I actually used to help run a forum on MSN's boards. It was for a card game I used to play. Anyway I actually used to email everyone who joined welcoming them in too, and encouraging them to let me know if they had any questions. I found that even a surprising number of people who responded to my email still never posted. I think everyone is very correct in saying that it's because people are intimidated by it. But I also think that ultimately the people who want to post will, and a good portion of the people who never do really never intended too. The only worrying aspect is the people who want/need to post and become involved here, who need to feel like they "belong", yet don't And Vic's right, we just seem tight knit (and I really am crazy about you guys ), but we're really not in that anyone and everyone is welcome! And people do come and go. So please guys, if you want to say something go ahead! and get involved in whatever way is most comfortable for you. You may prefer to post here, or a subforum. Maybe livechat appeals more to you. Perhaps you'd be most comfortable just leaving comments on the blogs at first, or PM-ing (another feature I didn't know about until someone did it!). Anyway if you can't jump right in, ease on in All the best and have an awesome day EVERYONE (yes, you there in the shadows! ) Kevin

LOL alliteration rocks! And I'm sure you're royalty in your own right; you're king of the castle, lord of the manor, a benevolant ruler to the impoverished....well I bet so anyway BTW I LOVE your sig.

Well OK...I wanted to do some shopping anyway Good Luck on finishing everything up and getting accepted into the Ph.D. program, I'm sure you will I'm going to go read the latest chapter of your story now Take care, and have a teriffic day! Kevin

My gosh! Everyone's blogs are making me want to go shopping! Fortunately it's approaching midnight and the mall is long closed...but I do have a whole day off tomorrow Annemarie does sound adorable! So she's in first grade now? Anyway have an awesome evening, Viv, and take care Kevin

I don't think Quinn and Jude ever said it. I kept waiting but I don't think they ever did LOL well I think the list goes like this for gay people in TLW: Owen Aiden Tony Jake Ben Leo Riley (he was outted at school, more or less admitted to being in love with Aiden, and much was made about how Adam was being nice to him, so I think it's safe to say he was gay). So that's 7, plus however Dennis falls. I guess that is a large over-representation, but on the other hand you can look at it like Jake, Ben, and Leo aren't "coincedentally" gay, I mean they're friends/bf's with the other characters and presumably only met because they were gay. Like if I walk into a gay club and meet 7 guys, it's not really a "coincedence" if all 7 of them are gay. I think there's some sort of stat. which says the chances of one brother being gay increases a bit if another is gay, so that might reduce a little more of the "coincedence" factor. The big coincedences are that Owen's next door neighbour/crush (Aiden) is gay, and that the new kid at school (Riley) is gay.....the others Owen mostly knows because he's gay.

So I really loved this chapter. Two lines in particular made an impression: LOL how much fun would it have been for Nels to look at Milo and say: "so would you like to be my partner?" ....(he sorta indirectly did that at the end anyway though ) and then: That just confused me! Going from "car running" to "hood" I kept thinking: "why on earth would he open his hood before he went into the house??"....I mean what a weird time to check your oil! Finally clicked though And I'm still betting on the eventual Jame/Haily pairing! I didn't see Caleb falling in love though AWESOME chapter I can't wait for the next one! Take care all and have a pleasant day, Kevin

Hey Dom, Well I definitely don't mean to criticize anyone else's decisions, and indeed that decision was made regarding many of our pets when I was growing up, but personally speaking I don't really go in for euthanasia. It's a very complicated issue as far as I'm concerned. I'm big into animal (and human) rights. I mostly think that if someone (person or animal) is suffering alot and is beyond hope of recovery, then yes they should have the right to decide if they want to die. Therefore I mostly don't take exception with euthanasia for people as long as (1)There's virtually no chance of recovery (2)They are suffering and (3)They're mentally sound and able to make the decision themselves. When those three conditions aren't met everything gets very hazy. Obviously animals can never make the decision themselves, and as their guardians it falls to us. I would never ever presume to question someone's decision to put a beloved pet down, or to remove a family member from lifesupport. In the end you have to do what your heart and mind tell you are correct. My personal views are that I find it unlikely I'd ever make the decision to voluntarily end my life. I consider myself an active, energetic, intelligent person and I get quite alot out of life. But I think even if I lost most of my mobility there'd still be tons of things I'd enjoy doing. Reading, talking, movies, music, games. I mean it would suck not being able to run around but I'd still have a reason to go on. Suffering is such a complicated concept. What's unendurable for some is quite tolerable for others. If we're talking pure pain factor, and again just for myself, I'd say chances are I'd just chose to take large doses of a powerful med. and/or try to distract myself from it. Of course I've never been in that position so I don't really know, and I would honour and be very supportive if a close friend or family member made that decision. Across the board though I think it should be the same for animals as it is for people. If it's legal for animals it should be legal for people (and while I'm reluctant about both I believe the right should exist). Anyway I think you're right about your dog. If she seems to still be enjoying her life you should let her continue to live it. I know I'd be ticked off if I were an old man who couldn't climb the staires anymore and someone just decided for me that it was "my time". I agree with the consensus; you'll know when(and if) you ever need to do it. All the best, Kevin p.s. I haven't read WT 4 yet, I'm really looking forward to it, just going to grab some dinner first

Hey Nick! Well speaking as someone who actually posted on that thread, I'd have to say I did enjoy it. I can definitely see how it could be construed as boring though, but it's just the sort of thing I like doing. I tend to be very (over) analytical. But the truth is you've definitely got a point, some of the best and simplest pleasures in life are ruined by people over-analyzing them. I've often found myself missing the bigger picture or the simple enjoyment in something as I've picked apart the details. I also agree with you; it's unlikely Dom was thinking any of that. It's unlikely most authors are thinking what people project onto them. The first time I took a course about reviewing/analyzing literature my instructor made a point of telling us that in most cases the author would be a fool to definitively confirm or reject people's interpretations. This is because the truly great thing about good writing is that it's very subjective and open to interpretation. People can always find deeper, hidden meanings if they look for them, even if the author didn't intend to put them in. But as somone else (can't remember who) stated, once a writer shares his work it ceases to be completely his. And in some regards you own individual interpertation of something is really the only one that matters. I'm definitely looking forward to your story starting up again! But of course I understand and appreciate the time off you took for editing. I was very sorry to hear about your big papu . I remember him from the earlier chapters of your story. I know it must be very difficult, but you seem to be doing an excellent job of seeing the good times and keeping a positive perspective. Warm wishes and prayers to you and the family. Awesome about having 6 new outfits! That's definitely not a problem I mind having either . In fact a few months ago I came to the conclusion that I was happiest if there was at least a few things in my closet that I've never worn. Even though I tend to stick with my favourites anyway, it's just fun to one day wake up and say "well I'm going to wear something I've never worn before!" Goodness I already was in the mood for shopping, this line of thinking definitely isn't helping I just realized this reply has gone on quite long.....I hope this isn't the most boring reply you've ever read Anyway have an awesome day and take care! Kevin

LOL thanks Rob I'll see what I can do about bottling the attitude for you . I think I'm starting to get better, I'm still congested but my throat doesn't hurt today, and I seem to be breathing a little better. The biggest down side is that tomorrow is Mardi Gras (which is a huge celebration in this part of the country), but I'd be a fool to go out in that environment while sick . I guess it'll be a good chance to get back to studying Spanish though, I've been neglecting it the last week. Anyway have an awesome day and take care! Kevin (BTW I hope your shoulder's better now )

Does this mean you're going to give up chocolate? I guess not, if he kept getting people's orders wrong. kitty Hey Kitty LOL well I am going to try to give up chocolate for 40 days LOL yes I do wonder if perhaps he just kept messing people's orders up....goodness knows I wasn't going to complain though .... reminds me of that first season episode of Friends when Chandler got stuck in the bank vestibule with the model, Jill Goodacre, and he was kicking himself for turning down a piece of gum: "Note to self, if Jill Goodacre offers you gum, you take it! If Jill Goodacre offers you rotten animal carcass, you take it!"

Hey Kaiten! Yep it can definitely get "interesting"....lol it can get kinda boring sometimes too though Yes I am looking forward to moving on to new things. I guess it'll be sorta sad when I go, but honestly I've been there so long that it feels like a completely different place anyway. I mean I know it sounds cheesey but I can look back on the "good old days". Anyway I did have a great weekend, hope you did too! Take care and have a fantastic day Kevin

Hey Michael Yes you're right, I doubt Pam would have been particularly nice had she known . I don't mean to defend her actions only point out that she did have a good side. I think Patrick preferred to handle it on his own. I'm still not sure if she ever did say or do something specific that was finally "enough", but maybe I can find out next time we get the chance for a chat. I think in the end it was just her bad attitude that was her undoing. She'd ticked off almost EVERYONE else too. She just wasn't a very good "team player". Glad you liked my previous entry as well . I do try to stay cheerful Anyway I hope you have an awesome day, and take care Kevin

Chocolate?? Chocolate can cause nosebleeds? Well goodness that could be the problem there!

Hiya Camy! I'm Kevin. I'm sure you'll enjoy it here I suppose the first entry is the hardest, especially since it feels obligatory to give some sort of background. Subsequent entries will be easier though since you can more or less write about whatever's on your mind. Personally I find the first sentence of every entry to be the hardest. In much the same way that the trickiest part of telling a verbal story is how to begin it. That's why I do it much the same as I would if I were speaking to someone and wanted to change the subject..."So I saw ..." or "So I was having a walk when..." Anyway beginnings can be tough, endings can be sad, and middles can be complicated; and you can be whatever you like Have a teriffic day and take care, Kevin

So I was in the shower the other day when all of a sudden my nose started bleeding. Which really isn't a big deal. Ever since I was a young child I've had nosebleeds when sick. So I mean it doesn't really phase me at all. I hate it because it's messy and gross, but it doesn't upset me at all. Anyway it's been better the last few years and as I said I almost never get them unless I'm sick. And when I do it usually does happen randomly in the shower. I guess it's the heat and humidity, I don't know. Of course I guess that's a good place to make a mess anyway. So, getting back to the point, I was suprised it happend because I was thinking, "how odd! I'm not even sick"....then the next day I started feeling stuffy, and it's just gotten worse since . I guess my nose saw it coming (which is a very odd image). Still I think I'm doing well all things considered. I was even still pretty energetic today. Last night I went and got some Tylenol Cold, and it seems to be helping. While I was there I debated getting this new OTC med. which is supposed to be a really great expectorant -- which of course reminded me of a joke. I read it in Reader's Digest's My Planet column (I love that column!), anyway it went like this (roughly): "When you walk down the cold medicene isle it's easy to be overwhelmed by all the options. They have "cold relief" medicene for people with stuffy noses, and then a little further down they have "nasal decongestants" for stuffy people with stuffy noses." ....it was much funnier the way that she (Mary Roach) had phrased it. Anyway I got this awesome brownie sundae on the way home! I've decided to give up chocolate for lent! (wish me luck) So I figured I'd splurge a little before it's too late . It was SOOO good. And my favorite girl was working. She's really nice and she makes them so well, always just the way I like it! And she's really friendly we always have a nice chat when I go in. She's friends with that gorgeous red-headed guy that I kinda thought was gay but wasn't sure, so I didn't flirt with him, then later I saw him with a boyfriend. Anyway she's great. The other person who usually works there is this older lady, who isn't as great (though I think she may actually be the owner). Anyway she's like never in a good mood. And I try to chat with her and she talks but she just makes me feel like an idiot for even trying. Plus she doesn't make the sundae's as well! She doesn't put enough toppings, she seldom bothers to warm up the brownies, and she puts the ice cream in an order I don't like as much. And I know it sounds like I'm being silly about it, but I often go with Coressa (a friend from work), or she'll go on her own, and she agrees with me! In fact she doesn't even go in sometimes if it's that lady working. One time when I went there was this adorable blonde boy working. He was so hot! And very friendly, and just really cute and cool. He was literally like running back and forth across the store -- and there wasn't a crowd so it's not like he was hurrying, he was just lively-- anyway I like exuberant people. I was having this awesome time flirting with him, and I really think he was flirting back too. Anyway that day I'd ordered a blueberry snowcone, but when he gave it to me it was PURPLE, which I thought was odd, but I was so distracted by HIM that I didn't really consciously process it. Anyway I went home and as I was taking like the last bite of it, it finally hit me: "This is grape!". And I know he knew what I ordered, I mean we were talking the whole time he was making it, and at one point I'm pretty sure he said "blueberry right", so after I thought about it somemore I was thinking that I was probably supposed to come back and be like "hey I think you made me the wrong flavour", I mean it woulda been a pretty good way to get me to come back right away so we coulda talked more...plus it was purple; I mean isn't that like some sort of discrete hint or something?? Anyway it didn't work because I'm such a space cadet! Of course it's his fault too for being so cute . It sucks though I NEVER saw him in there again....I guess he didn't work there very long. Anyway my mom bought me the extended verison/special collectors edition thingy of Chicago last night. And there's supposed to be a deleted musical number on it! So I'm going to go watch that and have an early night. Take care everyone and have a really awesome night! Kevin

So I get to work today and notice that a women I work with, Pam, isn't there. Well I didn't think that was very odd because the last time I worked (on Tuesday, Wednesday was my day off) she was sick. So my boss is there so I greet him and say "So Pam's still sick huh?" and he looks flustered for a second and then responds: "No, I had to let her go. She kept giving Patrick a hard time about being gay.", then he added "but that wasn't the only reason anyway." So a little background. Patrick is my gay coworker, the one who's recently been questioning his sexuality (because lately he's found himself attracted to girls). Patrick was pretty much the first person my boss hired when he started his buisness. I'm next as far as having been there the longest, and Pam started a few weeks after me. Well Patrick and I both stayed at the original location in the beginning, whereas Pam's hiring coincided with the opening of the newer location; so she'd always worked there. Well about a year and a half or so ago Patrick transferred to that location, and he and Pam's arguments and disagreements were well-known. Pam is not tolerant of homosexuality, nor is she an especially tactful, mannerly person. Anyway I'd always gotten along fine with her for the most part. I mean I didn't approve of her attitude, nor was she really one of my favourite people, and I always sympathized with Patrick, but she did have a good side. I mean I really think she was just ignorant and conservative etc. But she could be quite nice, and she was almost always (until the last week or so) very nice to me (as far as she knew I was straight,,,and I actually often got the impression she was flirting with me). So I mostly just minded my own buisness. She and Patrick even developed an odd sort of working relationship. They argued all the time, and she really did say dreadful things to him at time, but he's a really sweet guy and nice to everyone. And like I said she could be quite nice too. So they were often very pleasent toward each other, she'd occasionally give him a ride home, he'd bring her some candy or other treat that she liked, and in a strange sort of way they almost seemed like friends. Of course that was only about a quarter of the time, the rest of the time she couldn't handle the fact that he was gay and would get quite rude, and he'd purposely push her buttons, and on bad days I spent the whole time listening to them complain about each other. Of course I personally sided with Patrick most of the time, and always made it clear that I didn't have a problem his sexuality, but for the most part I just stayed out of it. So anyway I transferred there at the beginning of the semester because my school schedule is really crazy this time and I can barely work enough hours, and I'm only available at weird times. I dare say if I hadn't been there so long, and wasn't one of his favourites, my boss wouldn't have been as helpful and flexible with my schedule. So anyway I wasn't too thrilled with working there because even though I mostly stayed out of it, I wasn't too comfortable around the homophobia. Also, while I still had no intention of coming out at work, I was no longer really "in" either. Well about a week or so ago Patrick commented how cute this guy that had just come in was (Patrick knows I'm attracted to guys), so naturally I went and checked him out Well it seems Pam noticed, and while I'm not entirely sure it wasn't just me being paranoid, it didn't seem like she was being quite as nice to me anymore. So I was getting a little tense around her as well. So Tuesday she was sick, but apparently Wednesday she was back and on a "rampage". On her bad days she's a little Bit*&Y to everyone. Well it looks like my boss had had enough, he'd always been fond of both she and Patrick, but clearly was on Patrick's side. However, Patrick had always made it a point NOT to complain, and to keep it personal between them. So I don't know if she finally crossed a line or what, but apparently it was enough. And according to a seperate co-worker quite an ugly confrontation went down with Pam and Patrick and our boss (and to a lesser extent the other co-worker as well; it seems Pam was trying to bring everyone into it). So anyway naturally the rumour mill was running in over-drive. And while I'm not sure I'd put too much faith in it, I heard that Pam actually had a gay son she'd disowned, and when anyone asked her, she'd say she didn't have any kids. Which of course totally sucks if it's true . I probably would have had alot more time even putting up with her before if I'd heard that Another rumour which was once again voiced is that our boss' daughter is a lesbian and that's why he tends to be so supportive of GLBT's. In fact I'd say we've definitely had more than the normal percentage work at the store. We've had 2 gay guys for sure (and at least 2 others that people wondered about), 3 lesbians (2 of which were a couple at the time ), at least 2 bisexuals, and one transgendered. In fact a couple of years ago I was working with one of my favourite co-workers, Jeff. And we were having this conversation: Me: you know that girl that always comes in, Nicki? Jeff: Yeah Me: she tells me she just applied to work here? Jeff: Oh really, she's very nice, kinda cute too. Me: Yeah she is, but you know I think she's a lesbian Jeff: OH,... well that'll probably help her chances of getting hired! She did get offered the job too by the way, but ended up taking something else. Anyway I'm really not sure about the rumour about our boss' daughter. I'm somewhat inclinded to believe it though, I've met her a few times and it seems possible, also a couple of the friends she was with when I met her were clearly gay. So it's definitely a possibility, but then our boss really is a nice guy and whatever his flaws, prejudice doesn't appear to be one of them. Anyway it's ashame that we spent most of the day gossiping, but I guess it was bound to happen (...and it was fun, lol). On the bright side, as selfish as it sounds, it's one less thing for me to worry about. I still don't plan on "coming out" at work, I mean there's really no point I'm leaving in less than three months and I wouldn't even start dating anyone before I go anyway. So I just don't think it's particularly relevant, especially to some of them that I'm not even as close with. But at least there's no one left who'd I'd expect a bad reaction from. LOL and I can check out whomever I'd like now without worrying about it. Anyway take care all and have an awesome day!

LOL that's kinda cute. I mean just think about it, you guys basically would have been doing that stuff for the last 10 years or so if you'd lived together! It's funny that you two did it anyway. LOL so brotherly! And of course you won, you're the big brother ;-)