AFriendlyFace

Chapter 4: The Eyes Have It Why is it that people open the fridge knowing full well that there isn’t anything they want in it? Is it some kind of unconscious drive to be disappointed? Or do they think that perhaps the ‘grocery elves’ might have come and gone while they were out? It’s Sunday evening and I’ve just gotten back from my torture session…errr shopping/salon day with Amanda and Ronnie, and now I’m hungry! As I’m pondering the mysteries of human behavior as they relate to fridge fora

Chapter 3: Make Over Madness “Mick, you’ve had a manicure before right?” I inquire as I sit down on the couch and pour some milk into my Cap’n Crunch. Mick is sitting on the opposite end of the couch with one leg up on the coffee table and the other crossed underneath him. His hair is doing a serious cow lick thing in the back, and he’s only wearing a pair of boxers, the fly of which is partially open due to his positioning. I’m pretty sure he’s slightly aware of all this and the effect i

Chapter 2: One for Later “Your boyfriend’s hot,” someone says as they nudge my shoulder. I look up from my notes. “Cosmo!” “No thanks, Hun, I already have one,” and he does. “Uh, sorry,” I pause and glance back at my notes. “Dave” “Were you calling me ‘Cosmo’?” Cosmo/Dave asks. There’s no irritation or accusation in his voice, only curiosity. “Yeah,” I admit embarrassedly. “Huh!” Cosmo exclaims as he takes a big gulp, finishing his namesake. “I was jus-” “Another one?

“Looks like Bmad’s got another one.” Have you ever heard the phrase ‘hot mess’? Bmad is a hot mess. I know this because I heard Daisy call him that last weekend. Thus it must either be a cool new term, or else Daisy was just pretending to have a personality. But I’m getting ahead of myself. First, let me bring you up to speed. It’s Friday night, a little after midnight, and I’m doing what I do every Friday and Saturday night. I’m leaning against the back bar in Bender’s talking to Jake – p

Reflections Over Coffee: Part 1 To be read between chapters six and seven One of the myriad reasons why I so dreaded last Sunday’s shopping and make over madness was because I have my own little routine for Sundays, especially Sunday mornings. See, every Sunday I wake up between 10:00 and 10:30, have a quick shower, pop down stairs (we live in a small, townhouse style apartment), pour myself some Cap N’ Crunch, and chill with Mick while he finishes his breakfast. Then we go our separate wa

James has finally had enough. He has decided, at long last, to take action, but, yet again, circumstances interfere.

If No One Notices By AFriendlyFace ‘Kenny can’t stand a mess,’ James thought as he began loading the dirty dishes into the dishwasher then proceeded to wipe down the stove, taking extra care to remove the grease stains between the burners. Once he’d finished that he used a damp cloth to clean the crumbs off their small kitchen table, and then went into living room, tidied their coffee table, and made sure all the furniture was at the angles Kenny liked. ‘That should pass the inspection,’

Greg and Trevor reflect on the nature of their relationship and come to a somewhat surprising decision.

Giving Up By AFriendlyFace “I give up,” Greg said with a sated sigh as he finished cleaning himself off and tossed the tissue into the wastebasket near the bed. “Give up?” Trevor asked with confusion as he settled in on the opposite side of the bed. “Yeah, the sex is just too good. We’ll have to stay together,” Greg responded with a smirk as he curled up on his side of the bed facing Trevor. “So we’re back together again?” Trevor asked casually for confirmation. “Of cours

Lee isn't a queer. Audrey doesn't drink. Andrew is having a tough time. Joyce loves her son.

"Your principal paid me a visit today,” Audrey stated as she finished serving herself the potatoes and passed the casserole dish to her son. Her voice was emotionless and she kept her eyes carefully focused on her meal instead of her son. “Really?” Lee inquired in a hoarse voice as his appetite abandoned him. “Is it true?” Audrey questioned through clinched teeth as she channeled her frustration into the pot roast she was cutting. “Is what true?” Lee responded evasively. “Do you

It's a bit trite but I've always thought that was a lovely way to end a story. Things have been very, VERY good with Richard. It hasn't quite been four months yet, so I know that's a bit premature to pin that particular ending to our story, but I truly do believe that'll be the last line. Things have been great in general. All my personal and professional relationships seem to be going exceptionally well for this particular period of my life. I'm quite optimistic about the future, even by my rosy standards. I'm just taking things one day at a time, but assuming things continue on their present trajectory, I expect them to, I foresee marriage, a couple kids, a dog and a few cats, a close circle of friends, and a satisfying professional career. Sounds boring doesn't it? Oh well, I think I'll enjoy it nevertheless. Now let's see if I can write that ending.

Eh, why us it I never seem to blog anymore unless it's about my romantic life? Regardless here's another one.... So a few weeks ago one of my best friends introduced me to a friend of his, Richard. Obviously everyone sees where this is going. We hung out in a big group a couple more times...then a smaller group...then the last few days we've been just hanging out one on one and we've decided that yes, let's see what happens, but let's take it slow. I think this is terrific! I always feel like the relationships I'm in happen like overnight and one day I'm single the next I'm like half of a team or something. So I think the whole taking it slow thing is a great idea. I guess it's normal that there are different dynamics and...objectives in every relationship. I mean I've generally wanted the same thing in all of my relationships, but with different mixtures and focal points. This one is definitely an "I really REALLY want to make him happy" relationship. I've wanted everyone I've ever been with to be happy, but with Richard it's like an overwhelming desire to see good things happen to him. I felt very similar in a different relationship I had awhile back, but with him it was more of a protective thing. Not that I don't really want to protect Richard from bad stuff too, but it feels more...equal I guess. Like protecting him isn't my main job. More like I want to work together with him to make him happy. I'm really optimistic about how things are going. We have an amazing amount of things in common emotionally and I really feel like we "get" each other. I also naturally seem to trust him a lot. I'm generally a pretty open, trusting person anyway, but I've told him stuff I've never told anyone else so soon after meeting them. I dunno, all I know is that if I hurt him I'm going to feel like the biggest f**king asshole in the world. I don't even care if he hurts me, of course I usually don't care if they hurt me because I'm pretty confident in my recuperative powers. I just hope that if it doesn't work out - or hopefully if it does, but if there are some rough spots - that I'm the one who takes most of the emotional blows. Sounds dark I suppose, already anticipating hurting each other, but I do have a dark realistic side, and I know that if it ends there's a good chance one of us will get hurt, and if it doesn't end then it's pretty much definite that we'll both get hurt a few times over the course of time. Anyway, I just really want him to be happy. So yeah, not much point to this blog post, but I wanted to channel my feelings. Be well all!

So I'd been dating that guy from my last entry until tonight. Tomorrow would have been three weeks and I knew I just wasn't seeing it as a long term thing so we broke up tonight. I'm actually pretty proud of myself. I'm getting better at breaking up with people. I was kind but firm. In the past I haven't been blunt enough and things have been apt to drag on. I did fumble a bit though. I decided to approach it from the angle of, "now seems like a good time to evaluate where this is going, doesn't it?" From there I was going to lead into, "And I just don't think this is going to work long-term." Unfortunately after I broached the subject he said, "yeah, I was thinking maybe we should get more serious." Not what I was expecting. Made it suckier to go ahead with the break up too. He took it pretty well though. The problem was the conversation...there wasn't much. It seemed like all we ever did was make small talk. Personally, I'm one for long, in-depth conversations, and that just wasn't happening. Unfortunately he was the only one who didn't see the break up coming. I kinda suspected it was going to be a brief thing from the start, and all of my friends reacted with things like, "yeah, I kinda figured you'd break up" or "that's what I thought." or something like that. Indeed, he was the only one who didn't seem to know it wasn't working for me. He was hella cute, and we had some fun, but I just don't think there was enough common ground. One of my friends even made the implication, albeit quite nicely, that I was only dating him because he was hot. That's not entirely true. I was also dating him because he was really sweet, and quite well-adjusted. In the end those things didn't seem like enough though. In other news one of my good friends seems to be suffering from acute depression and I'm at a loss for how to help her. I've already suggested therapy and/or medication and she's been very resistant to both ideas. "Therapists don't tell me anything I don't already know or can't figure out." "Medication takes so long to start working that there's no point, and I don't want the side effects." I don't want to pry or push, and I already feel like she's pulling away. Over the past two weeks I called her three or four times and texted her a good five or six. Got no response at all until yesterday when she texted me apologizing for being a bad friend and confessing that all she does is stay at home crying. I'm torn between giving her some space and letting her work things out for herself with the knowledge that I'm there to help if she needs me (my current approach) and trying to do some sort of pushy, tough love thing where I barge in unannounced or something and drag her out of the house. Meh, the latter option just isn't really me. I have already tried everything else I can think of to cheer her up in the preceding few weeks/months and I really think she needs professional help and/or medication. I think I'm pretty good at being a supportive friend, but I think she needs an unbiased, detached professional. Hmm, what else? I'm frickin hating this damn weather we're having. I live in Texas; it's supposed to be warm damnit! If I wanted to live somewhere with a colder climate I'd have damn well moved there instead of here. I swear I get less able to cope with the cold/gloom/winter every year. Actually, I think that's her problem too. IMO, she has several symptoms of Seasonal Affect Disorder which is unfortunately coinciding with a bout of situational depression. I think I probably have borderline SAD too, but mine is pretty manageable and I'm functioning pretty well. Was downright euphoric and chipper until the last week when it got really cold and rainy. All in all I think that, emotionally, I'm handling this winter pretty well so far, but I just really hope we have a warm, sunny spell soon. I even forced myself to make plans for tomorrow and Saturday even though, truth be told all I feel up to is staying in doors. I'm not really depressed in an emotional sense though, more of an energy sense. I just haven't been able to muster any energy or enthusiasm the last few days, but I'm not actually unhappy emotionally. Actually I'd have to describe my mood as quietly content. Still, I could really use some warmth and sunshine soon. Thank God I do live in the South instead of anywhere colder and drearier!

I really like Lifehouse, and that is an excellent song

My personal recommendation would be to simply be supportive, praise all of her good qualities to the hilt, express confidence that she'll find someone, and carefully avoiding becoming involved in their troubles. It's up to her to bounce back, just be there for her, but don't get too involved

*nods*

Happy Birthday

Thanks everyone! I'm really glad you guys enjoyed it. I really enjoyed writing it...and living it

Just wanted to check in and say hi to everyone. Things for me are going delightfully well. In many ways I sort of feel like my life is one long vacation. I tend to just bounce around from one pleasant activity to the next. I've been quite bouncy lately. I have a date Friday, a proper one, not just an excuse to...anyway, I enjoy those sorts of "dates" too, but this is a proper date. I'm quite excited about this boy. So far he seems ridiculously sweet and adorable. It was quiet day at work today, which is a good thing since we texted each other almost non-stop for four hours. Anyway, he's fun to talk to. I have no doubt we'll have mad fun Friday. I often tend to droop a little in the winter. I don't do quite as well in dreary weather. I've worked out a way to get through this winter though, even when it's cloudy and gray. I'll keep the sunshine on the inside Anyway, off to bed. May everyone reading this be mauled ruthlessly by happiness and good fortune!

Yes, and in Houston no less As I've tried to explain to people, I actually feel cooler in a lightweight hoodie in the summer. With the sun bearing down on my skin I get very hot very fast (not to mention sunburned), in a lightweight hoodie it acts as a sort of insulation and I find it easier to regular my temperature. I can't stand the sun actually. I enjoy sunny weather, but I refuse to put my bare skin in it. The hotter and sunnier it is the more I want to make sure I'm covered! LOL, then again I have very little pigment so I suppose that's why Needless to say, I would only walk around in "skimpy" clothes - or nude - indoors or else in the evening/overcast. Great point, Frosty

Hello Tim, I have some thoughts. I think the question then is which one of these "different people" do you want to be? Or does it work best to keep these two people separate and different? If so why? I'm usually not so blatant but all I can think in response to that is, "STOP!" Screw other people's approval! If you aren't happy with yourself then it's truly pointless. I haven't always approved of your actions and behaviours. It doesn't really matter though; I haven't expected to. I still accept you for yourself and while I do in fact like you and enjoy your presence even if I didn't, even I truly hated you (quite unlikely), it wouldn't change your worth whatsoever and it really wouldn't matter much in the greater scheme of things. You don't have to please me, or Nephylim, or Mark, or Lacy, or Hoskins, or Deadsnake, or anyone else! Don't be selfish and self-involved, and certainly don't be needlessly belligerent, but follow your own values and codes of behaviour. You don't need to impress or please anyone and you are really the only person you're ultimately responsible to. Seek your approval; forget mine and everyone else's. Of course you don't want to be hated; that's normal. However, what you really need to ask yourself is whether or not other people "have a point." They might in which case 'reforming' your behaviour would be in order. Not for them but for yourself. Or maybe the 'problem' is merely one of presentation. Perhaps your values and beliefs are ultimately in line with everyone else's but the way you're presenting them isn't coming across properly. In that case constructive feedback is another opportunity for growth. Of course another possibility is that there's nothing (or very little) wrong with your behaviour and perspectives and that they don't need modifying. It's all really up to you to figure out, but do it for yourself not for anyone else. Is your concern really that we might be tired of you, or are you simply tired of us? It's all relative and subjective really. I'd get over it if you weren't around anymore; however, I would be sorry to see you go and I would miss you. No one is irreplaceable, not me, not you, not anyone else. The vast majority of the rest of the people here could continue to function just fine if any given member left, and that's how it should be, IMO. Just as in life we love our friends and family, but ultimately when they pass away, or simply go away, we usually continue to soldier on one way or another. It isn't always easy, often we'll miss them, but we shouldn't let our lives end from their absence, no true friend would have wanted it as such anyway. If/when I eventually cease to be around here I hope everyone else will be just fine. I hope they'll smile at my memory and look back fondly on something I may have said and done. I do not hope they'll cry about my absence or spend their time longing hopelessly for my return. I've thoroughly enjoyed your company, Tim. You've gone through periods of increased and decreased activity and presence around here - as have I - and I've always been pleased to note your return. I hope you'll stick around for much longer. I like and respect you. If you find that it's in your best interest to do something else, then I can respect that. If on the other hand you're looking for a reason to stay then I can't help you. Only you can supply that. You don't need my approval. Or anyone else's. Take care, buddy, and I personally hope you do stick around. -Kevin

Cruddy situation. I agree that it's not your place to tell the husband. Nor is it your place to cover for the adulterous wife. Basically, she has two honourable options: she can suck it up and make her marriage work, or she can end it with her husband and make a go of it with her affair or simply by herself. What isn't an honourable option is screwing around, regardless of the circumstances. I'd tell her that you are not going to cover for her and further encourage her to come clean with her husband and/or end her affair for good. If she refuses to do that then I'd make it clear that you're not going to cover for her. I wouldn't tell her husband, but if he asks I'd encourage him to direct his queries toward his wife. DON'T GET INVOLVED! Stay as far away from the situation as possible. Eh, just my advice. It is a cruddy situation and there is no good answer. Someone, probably multiple someones are going to get hurt. Good luck, Kevin

Well...I think being a parent is about having to do difficult things sometimes.

How fascinating, Old Bob! I'm really not that much of a flower person. At least not for the sake of them. I think they're a sort of idealized version of romance. As such, they can still be a powerful gesture. However, as with many things they can become less meaningful and more routine over time. I would be pleased if someone I was dating gave me flowers pretty much specifically because "it's the thought that counts" and it's a romantic gesture. The actual flower itself probably wouldn't mean all that much to me in its own right. If someone were to give me flowers my preference would definitely be long stemmed red roses. Perhaps because this is indeed a sort of "iconic" version of romance. Although I do think they're rather pretty as well. I'm all for giving someone flowers. I'm a big fan of doing romantic things, especially if I know it'll please the other person. So if I thought giving him/her flowers would mean a lot I would definitely go for it. Funny story, I gave one of my exes flowers once while we were dating. I had carefully figured out how to find out his favourite type of flower casually several weeks in advance so that he wouldn't expect it. Well, I searched all over town and couldn't find the damn things! I finally settled on an assortment that I thought was pretty and they still went over quite well. Later, I confessed that I'd asked at several flower shops for his favourite flower (regrettably I no longer remember the name) and that they had all said that they either didn't have it or hadn't even heard of it. He laughed and informed me that that's because it's a type of shrub. -Kevin