AFriendlyFace

*waves* Hey dude Good to see you back, glad you've mostly been well, but sorry things have been so hectic for you! I hope you have a fun birthday! Sounds like a cool deal they're doing for you -Kevin

I noticed that too! And that, lol Very informative, CJ! Much of that was new or forgotten information for me, so I'm pleased to broaden my knowledge! Good Job Kevin

Well I'd certainly like to visit Canada!

What's really twisted, and something I've often read about, is when women get sown back up tighter for their husbands I think people should do whatever it is they decide they want/need to do as long as it doesn't adversely impact anyone else. As such if that's how they wanna roll then good for them. Personally I'm against the idea, but it isn't really any of my business. The whole concept of 'virginity' as evidenced by the hymen is a little shaky anyway. Some women's break on their own through other activities (activities not necessarily sexual either). On the other hand, some women's are less inclined to break and can do things you wouldn't expect and remain 'in tact'. So really the whole notion is stupid and unfair in my personal opinion. But of course they don't consult me on these things -Kevin

I remember this from Jamie's blog I think. It is good advice

Hey Jamie, I shall be careful with my words because I think you need to be in the place you are right now and the last thing I want to do is make it any worse. I would like to point out a couple of things though that are my opinion and life experiences: Unfortunately that's really the only evidence that matters in the first place. Without memory and emotion things are just things. You can get rid of something that reminds you of him, and that may even help a bit, but just look at the word 'reminds'. The object itself holds no objective significance about you, him, or your relationship with him. It only reminds you of him, and as long as he's in your memory and heart all your doing is trying to 'hide' him or shove him to the side. Personally speaking I like to keep things 'to remember someone by', but I only like to keep the happy things, because happy times are always worth remembering. I've done my share of ridding myself of objects that hold exclusively negative memories, but really those are few and far between. Why let the bad times pollute the good? You might say it's unavoidable, but personally (or perhaps just for me I'll concede) I don't think it is. I want to remember the time I cuddled on the couch with my ex boyfriend for hours, making out and talking. It was nice. It was a happy time. It didn't work out between us, but that doesn't poison the happy memory. This I would disagree with most of all. I've developed VERY close friendships with people from several different, distant geographic areas. I still love them and I still consider them among my closest friends. Often I only talk to them one the phone for a few minutes once or twice a month. Actually that's an overestimate. Sometimes it's two or three months, or longer, without communication shared between us, but there have been times in our lives, mine and theirs, when we've needed each other and we've been there. Sometimes driving long distances because we were physically needed for a hug or just the comfort of presence, sometimes talking on the phone for many hours each day for several days. Whatever it was I've often experienced needing them and turning to them, and I've often dropped what I was doing to be there for them when I suddenly hear from them out the blue. Friends don't have to be proximally close, they don't even have to be frequent communicators; they just have to be people who mutually care about each other and will 'be there' as needed for each other. How very beautifully and powerfully put. Unfortunately I'm not sure if you can ever count on that. For my part I can't think of a single person I know whom I would recognize and not react to. Off-hand I can't think of anyone I would at least smile and nod with; however, I can imagine not wanting to see someone and trying to avoid them, or force myself not to acknowledge them, but either way they still have an affect on me. I can't imagine thinking 'or I know this person' and then neither looking away nor toward them. I can't imagine merely looking straight forward because it honestly doesn't occur to me to give them acknowledgment as opposed to forcing myself to do that because I know it's for the best for one/both of us. Perhaps we mightn't acknowledge each other for this reason, but I don't think that indicates that the person is insignificant; indeed I think it acknowledges that the person is so significant you must act in a very deliberate, conscious way. Again, the only remedy would be to not recognizing the person; the only remedy would be to truly forget. If there's one thing I've never been able to do it is to forget something on command. There is much in my life that I've forgotten, but I don't remember it. Anyway, I'm proud of you for making the decision to move on and for holding together. As I said, I'm sure you need to go be where you are right now, so I don't mean to question, and certainly not to criticise, your stance. Only to give you more to think about. You're an amazing and beautiful person, Jamie, and I know you'll be just fine. -Kevin

LOL, thanks guys. My break was quite long, over two hours (it was a full class, plus lunch so about 2hours 15 min), and I was TRYING to leave early so that I'd have time to stop somewhere and eat lunch and still get back in plenty of time. Needless to say that other stuff didn't happen, but at least I made it

Good for him!

Great pic, dude I have the same problem, Jamie! My eyes are a vivid blue, but they always look dark, or red, in photos

I think we should do it in New York! Mostly because I want to go to New York anyway...on the other hand I didn't even make it when it was only one large city away, so halfway across the country might not bode well for my attendance either

Yep, she ran off and left me with only a handful of one and two syllable (except for that one) words until she gets back Thus, to my readers out there, expect Aaron to speak alot of Cavemanese in the next chapter As am I! It must be a an ironic joke of mother nature's to throw out gay boys when a family/blood line is about to end Personally speaking I think a gay child is slightly better off being raised with gay adoptive/foster parents (assuming these parents are safe, respectable, competent individuals, but then one hopes this about ALL adoptive/foster parents). I know that may be a controversial statement, and I in no way mean to imply that straight adoptive/foster parents couldn't do an excellent job raising a gay child as well, and of course in an ideal world there would be no need for adoptive/foster parents in the first place and everyone would live happily ever after regardless of parent or child's orientation, but of course we don't live in that world, and I do think that, on average (as I said, not barring exceptional straight parents by any means or assuming any gay jerk would do well), a gay foster/adoptive parent might have extra skills, insights, and experiences that would benefit a gay child. Personally speaking while I'll love and be happy with any child, I would like to have a gay or lesbian one. If it's possible for me to purposely adopt one I probably will. Well I don't think this question is off-topic since it deals with adoptions laws. Why would need to adopt him after he turns 18? Just for various legal reasons regarding estate, inheritance, and/or next of kin? I was only vaguely aware that it was even possible to adopt someone of majority age (I think I knew that, but I could have been convinced otherwise pretty easily). Forgive my ignorance, but adoption laws aren't my area of knowledge at all. Take care all and have a great day Kevin

My gosh! I thought myself well-versed in safe sex procedures and tools, but I have to say I'm also learning about spray on condoms for the first time as well! Like Tim I'd be pretty reluctant to try these. I'd like to try them just as a lark, but of course since safe sex isn't something I do for fun (well I mean it is, but not the SAFE part of it; I'm serious about that ). So the only way I'd try these would probably be if I were in a really serious, long-term, monogamous relationship with someone I trusted. Which of course in many ways defeats the purpose of these since I'm assuming they're not meant to be a novelty. Perhaps it's just that I don't know much about them, proper procedure, or efficacy. Well said, Gary!

Woo Hoo!! That's awesome, Tim! I'm so excited for you! It definitely sounds like everything is starting to fall into place! -Kevin

I actually didn't know that either, Jamie, thank you

Awww, that's sweet There is that to consider. Personally I'd only raise my kids in as liberal, accepting an environment as possible, and get them into a private school or something where, hopefully things would be as rough. Apart from which I don't expect this to happen for a good ten years (plus 5 more or so before the oldest would be ready to start school), so hopefully things will get even more accepting and stuff by then. Good luck Awww, yay! Well said, Old Bob

Ohh, didn't see that

I voted, but it would completely destroy the concept of the secret ballot if I told you I thought it must be Shadowgod who added the cliffy and that we must save Eric at all costs, so I won't be telling you that

So I've had a great many very interesting experiences in the last few months that I haven't recounted in my blog due to lack of free-time and/or poor motivation. Tonight I felt like writing up a quick blog, so I've decided to share one particularly harrowing event which occurred about a month ago. It was a typical enough day. I was sitting in class (as teacher not student, unlike any current 'I was sitting in class' stories) and I decided that since I had so much to do it would be good to make a list. So I come up with a very long list of chores for myself...then they announce that I won't be getting an off period because they're short-handed Naturally, I was seriously ticked off, especially since I'd just spent all that time coming up with the list! Well on my scheduled off period I show up in the office to find out where I'm supposed to go and lo and behold they don't need me after all! What good news I thought. So I dash home, have a very fast lunch and get to work on all the things I need to do. lots of cleaning, put away some laundry, took out all my trash, changed Lucky's litter, refilled her food and water, general tidying up. Well at last it's time to go and I realize there's only one more thing to do: I need to clean my toilets and drop in those little bleach tablets. Well the first toilet upstairs goes off without a hitch. So I come down, carrying my toilet brush and toilet tablet and clean the second one. So far so good. Then I decide it's time to drop the tablet in...that's where everything went awry. As I picked up the lid to the tank, while attempting to hang on to the toilet brush and bleach tablet, it slipped out of my hand! Unfortunately I went right into the toilet tank on it's end. In other words instead of horizontal, which would have made it rest on the top of the tank, it turned vertical and went into the tank, slamming into the bottom of it...and SHATTERING it completely. So water gushed everywhere and my toilet was essentially destroyed BUT the problems don't end there. The actual water filling mechanism is undamaged (unfortunately), which means that it's still attempting to fill up a now destroyed tank. So I quickly grab the little floaty thing (I know EWWW right, but I'm already doused in toilet water anyway ) and hold it up to keep more water from further flooding the place. So of course I realize that I need to turn the water off to the toilet (I'm not a total idiot and I actually know my way around plumbing pretty well) and I even remembered that there's always a handy little valve that goes to toilets and sinks so that you can turn the water off and work on them. Unfortunately my little valve wasn't so handy. In fact my little handy was unable to turn the little valvey. It had evidently rusted into place after years of presumable disuse. So I'm standing there in toilet water, contorting myself into all sorts of weird positions as I try to hold the floaty thing with one hand and yank on the valve with the other. I grabbed a towel, the reaching of which was no easy feat, and attempted to use that to get a better grip on the valve...no luck. I contorted myself still further so that I could hold onto the floaty with my left hand and use my right on the valve, hoping that I was stronger in my right hand...I'm evidently not. At last I had the bright idea of rigging up a way to prop the toilet brush against the remains of the toilet and the floaty thing and hold it up that way, thus freeing me from my plumbing prison. I quickly ran upstairs and grabbed a wrench and made quick work of the accursed valve :mace: Then I used what few dirty towels I had (just did laundry remember), plus a few previously clean ones, to clean up my soaked floor. Then I added 'laundry' back onto my to do list, cleaned myself up, called maintenance to replace the tank (I'm actually pretty sure I could have picked one up at Home Depot and done it myself, but I wasn't particularly inclined to undertake that little endeavor) and somehow STILL miraculously managed to arrive back to work before my break was over. Oh yeah, and I honestly managed to avoid saying any bad words or getting angry/frustrated during that whole little battle. I think it must have been the adrenaline or something.

Glad you had fun, Gabe!

LOL, the "said her prayers" part gave it away for me I love it, Viv! Thanks

Oh my gosh, Gary! That's wonderful! Congrats! That's how I feel. Having the child be genetically mine, despite the fact that I think I've got good genes, is really low on my list of priorities. I definitely want kids, so I suppose that's one option, but the most likely would probably be adoption. Ideally it would be nice to have the child/children with a partner, but it isn't obligatory to me. I'm thinking when I feel 'ready' regardless of my relationship status (unless I'm in a serious relationship with someone that wants them but wants to wait) I'll do whatever is necessary to begin adoption proceedings. I'm rather counting on it being legal for gay people to adopt by then, but if not I'd be willing to leave the country (don't really expect to live here all my life anyway), or at least adopt from another country (the ethnicity and race of the child are equally unimportant to me). Another option I would have, but would feel guilty utilizing, is a surrogate mother. I have a couple of close female friends who've offered (unprompted, they just know how much it means to me). So that's another possibility too. I suppose in a weird, everything works out, movie sorta way it would be very ideal if I did have a partner and we made an arrangement with a lesbian couple (again I'm close with several) for each couple to have 2 kids (4 total) and then each family unit would have a biological child by each of the two parents. Continuing this lovely little fairy tale we'd live near each other and remain involved in the other kids' lives as well. But yeah, I don't need the fairytale. I'm an independent person; one way or another I'll handle it on my own. (Assuming my health and economic status are adequate when I decide it's the right time. I personally wouldn't want to purposely bring a child into a situation of having a parent - especially a single parent - who wasn't healthy or financially stable enough to take proper care of him/her.) I also want two kids ideally, but am willing to have as few as one or as many as three. I want at least one and failing some sort of twin situation or a death which results in my guardianship I'll stop at three for sure (and probably only go up to three if my partner wants more than two. If I'm a single parent I'll probably stop at one.). Right, I agree. That's why I said I'd be hesitant to utilize the surrogate mother option. Good thread, Procyon Take care all, Kevin

Woo HOOO!! Happy Birthday Vic!!! It's been my great pleasure to get to know you and interact with you over the last 3 years here at GA and I've thoroughly enjoyed your humourous, kind, insightful, and thoughtful posts! As the original and official Domaholic you've kept our spirits and hopes up for more chapters while also helping us get adjusted to general GA life. Thanks! May you enjoy your special day and find much peace, happiness, love, joy, and fulfillment in the coming year! Have an awesome day and be well! (Just 'cause it's your birthday thread I won't say 'take care' ) -Kevin

Happy Birthday, dude

Thanks, Procyon! I think you're right too and it does make me feel a bit better

Me? HAHA, no way! On the other hand I will admit that the next chapter of BMAD has the nearest thing to a cliffhanger that there's been up to this point, but it certainly isn't a cliffhanger. Certainly not compared to this! That's like comparing a baseball to Jupiter CJ's already mentioned it, but I didn't think it was odd at all. It's not like they've had time to sit down and work out the logic. The WHOLE THING since Dimitri entered the house has lasted what? 30 seconds? Dimitri is trained for this sort of thing and they're not. I agree that much depends on the AF investigator. Good point, there's been no mention of Jon. So either he's dead, CJ is planning to use him as a tool in the next chapter...or CJ just didn't feel like mentioning him. Exactly, it seems fairly certain to me that Dimitri will not make it out of that house alive (unless maybe he gives himself up and they take him into custody or something, but unlikely). The bikers must be on their way now. A good point. OK here's my theory, help is on the way, and I suspect it was ALREADY on the way. CJ said that the AF guy walked west while on the phone...not sure why west, but the point is we didn't hear the end of his conversation. It's possible he's still on the phone (indeed it seems a bit likely that he either is or that he's just finished up and is on his way back to the house since he's not IN the house), but there's a good chance after giving the initial part of his report the general ordered someone back to the house to pick him back up, or maybe to pick up the others (or any combination of them, maybe just Joe). So I think they may already be on their way anyway, and they'll probably have some sort of emergency first aid kit (plus the choppers to life the wounded away). Yeah, that does seem reasonable. "The Boss" At least I think that's what Dimitri said it meant. Dimitri has one grenade in his pocket that he isn't planning on using because he needs both his hands where he has them. The other 3 are still in the truck. Graeme said (out of quotes): Anyone who believes that those four paragraphs will make any difference to how they feel about the ending of this chapter should go back through ALL the old chapter discussion threads. I can't remember which one it was, but CJ made this offer once before, and it turned out to not help. In that case, the opening paragraphs of the next chapter were to do with The Scar and his plotting, and nothing to do with the situation that had everyone concerned. LOL, exactly what I was thinking at first, but this time he did specify that it resolved the scene we were on. So I think it's 'on the level'. One final observation that I'm shocked that no one's made The chapter title "Dead Man's Hand" obviously refers (perhaps among other things) to Eric's Ace's and 8's in the poker game. That is known as the "dead man's hand". So it maybe just be a reference to what's already going on...or it may perhaps foreshadow his fate. Looking forward to reading the next four paragraphs, lol! Take care all, Kevin