AFriendlyFace

I'm so sorry, Tim

I agree with CR! While I was reading I was thinking that more than likely Pete would fall off the wagon at least a few times before the story is through. Awesome chapter, Tiff! Really moving and deep. Definitely seems like one of the most important chapters thus far! I can't wait to read more -Kevin

Well, I must say I was pleased that the AFA offered a link to the chairman of Hallmark's email address. I used it to send him a pleasant email thanking him for his company's continued dedication to equality and sensitivity.

*giggles* I rather recall telling you so as well I'm really happy for you, Robbie! Debbie

That's what I was thinking too! Or at least that it was another interpretation. Fascinating chapter, it looks like the Men In Black are on to the general! I can't wait to see what happens at their meeting!

Hey Old Bob Yeah, I'm afraid you're right about this being a habit I'm actually feeling better now though Thanks for the support! -Kevin

ANNNNNDDDD? LOL, how did she take it, dude? I'm super proud of you and I hope it went really well! -Kevin

Just wanted to wish a very happy and special birthday to SonoLuminus Have a great one and take care -Kevin

Thanks, Tim! Glad you got a kick out of it Thanks very much ya'll! I really was worried that it might have interrupted the flow of the chapter, so I'm relieved that it didn't I confess that up until now I have kept Ben fairly enigmatic. I hope I've offered some hints about him though. I will say that it's my hope and intention that by the end of the story Ben will be quite well-developed, but still have some mystery to him. Thanks! I remember watching an interview of the creators of Friends and one of them said something to the effect of: "When you're young and in the city your friends are your family." OK, maybe Houston isn't "The City" but it's a large city and I think Aaron and Ben both fall into that 'young' and 'friends as family' category pretty well. This is of course further demonstrated in shows like QAF, and it's almost a cliche' now that for many gay people their friends do become their 'extended family.' Indeed the whole 'family' euphemism emphasizes this point. As for my personal experiences I'll definitely say that my friends matter to me more than the people I've dated up until now. This largely seems to be the case for most of my friends too. Our boyfriends have come and gone but we've pretty much stuck together. Even when we've been angry with each other and had a lot of conflict and drama, we've still somehow remained in each others' lives and more or less found a way to re-work things or start over. As I've said many times, "Boyfriends come and go, but friends are forever." Of course this is indicative of where I am in my life right now. I'm open to settling down if the 'right guy' comes along, but I'm not dying to by any means. I'm enjoying the single life and casual dating and light relationships quite a bit. Yes, I'm fine with it turning it to more if it feels right, but it's not my priority. Anyway, with all that said it's probably quite apparent that, yes, in this story Aaron's friends and Ben's friends will definitely play a major role in all of this. In fact the next chapter touches on this to some extent. I also think now is a good time to release the next chapter name. Right now I'm halfway through writing chapter 5, and I'll say that this coming chapter if probably my favourite of the five chapters (and Coffee) so far. It's called: A Cosmo Mixer Anyone care to speculate as to what it's about?

Happy Birthday, Ian I hope you have a truly fantastic day and a blissfully amazing year Take care, dude! -Kevin

I agree, great recent pics, you guys! By the way, for those who are unaware of the feature, I would also encourage many of you to create Galleries, and to check out other people's Galleries!

I agree; Beasty has some beautiful banners. I want to once again thank Dion for helping me with mine! I think it's going to come out awesome LOL, Word, Excel, and Powerpoint are probably the only 'widely used' programs that I'm very proficient in. Even there, unfortunately I haven't used Powerpoint to any great extent for several years so it would probably take me awhile to get used to the new version.

Wow! Really? Awesome thanks! I really appreciate that! I hate to take advantage and I do want to learn...but I probably will take you up on your offer if you're sure and add learning to my long-term 'things to do' list Thanks very much! I'll think on what I want and PM you! -Kevin

Oh wow! That's really cool, Dion! I'd love to learn how to do something like that! Unfortunately I don't think I have photoshop...I know I've never added such a program, but maybe if my computer came with it *shrug* *sigh* Unfortunately when it comes to most computer (and technology in general) related things I don't even try to learn unless someone sits with me and takes me through it. I usually don't have any trouble learning and once I've got a foundation I can usually figure out the more complicated aspects on my own. But I'm really unlikely to just get a program, take it home, and figure out how to use it. I'm trying to get better though I think it's more motivation and laziness than inability. I've gotten fairly proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Image Ready...I imagine I could probably make something in illustrator and format it if necessary in Image Ready? I've never used either program for my personal use, only for work-related tasks, but I think I could do that...might check into it. I suppose it's just something I've got to set aside the time to do and make a point of trying. Thanks for the suggestions! I'll check out the link, search my computer for relevant programs, and do some research and stuff

Woo HOOO!! Welcome to Gay Authors, dude! Awesome that you plan to hang around for a while! I'm looking forward to checking out you story! Take care and have a fantastic day! Kevin

What a wonderful article and story! Thank you so much for posting it, Graeme! It made me very happy to hear about Mac and Geoff -Kevin

Oh my gosh! That was just hilarious! That blond guy on the left was cute too Yes, I think you're definitely right! Hmmm, personally I just can't understand that....but maybe that's the point. Well, I think you're right, but personally I'm still inclined to think that a major motivating factor in the bullying of those who express emotional intimacy is jealousy itself. I guess I could see it from a different angle if I could understand how someone might consciously choose to be emotionally distant as a means of finding happiness and then acquire some measure of success in this. Oh, sorry about that. I really didn't mean to pick on the straight guys.

Great pic, dude!

Oh wow, Viv! Sounds hectic I'm glad to see you back around and blogging though and I hope things get bright and stay bright for you! -Kevin

Oh wow, Steph, I really like this suggestion. At first I thought, "Well I'd feel silly doing that!"....but the more I think about it the more I think it really might help....especially on 'the day'. So I think that's a great suggestion. Even if I do feel a bit silly at first. It's interesting that you said that, because I kept comparing this year to last year and the year before...when I really did feel like I'd made more accomplishments, but I guess there's always that tendency to think you were doing better before. The whole 'good old days' thing I suppose. Anyway, I'm really going to give this a try! Thanks -Kevin

Wow again! LOL, I really am surprised that so many others can relate! Yeah, practically everything you said is similar to what I mean and a lot of it is what I've gone through. I'm glad you did enjoy the blog...I was actually about to delete it last night! But then Gabe and Dion posted responses and I thought how nice and felt a bit better so I left it up. Glad I did now Thanks for the support, Tiff! -Kevin

Wow! Thanks Steve! That made me feel much better. It really does often seem like I'm one of the few people who has issues with it. I'm glad that you and others can relate, and I'm happy if we can all manage to get over it every year and go on Thanks very much for the kind words! Kevin

LOL! What a clever way to test your friend, Tim! Well I hope he does remember then Thanks for the encouragement! -Kevin

Hey Celia, You know, that happens to me too! It sounds like you have a really good approach to handling it and I'm going to have to give that a shot as well. I'm sorry for your friend too of course, but it is nice to know I'm not totally alone on this. It seems like most people in this age bracket don't really care about getting older. It has been a pleasure, take care and thanks -Kevin

Awww Thanks Dion! I really appreciate your kind words. In fact I read them right before I went to bed last night and they cheered me up considerably I'm glad someone can relate and I think you're just nifty as you are too btw -Kevin