AFriendlyFace

LOL Margret does get a bit snippy if I ignore her. She has a delicious, long-suffering, exasperated quality to her voice as she says "recalculating". Honestly I use her for everything, even trips for which I absolutely DO NOT need directions (like going from home to work or visa versa - it's only two miles away and I do it about four times a day 5 days a week). I mainly do this because she calculates my estimated time of arrival. I love this feature. It's also nice because sometimes I do zone out so it is nice to have someone say "Turn Left in 500 ft" even if I do know I need to do that, it gives me a heads up. I also enjoy bitching back at her Last year when I first got her I was in the car on the phone with a friend who was unaware of Margret's existence. Margret started getting loud and insistent about something or other and it was irritating me, so I blurted out in a very frustrated, angry voice, "Shut up, Margret! I'm trying to talk!". To my friend it just sounded like a muffled voice in the background and then me snapping very angrily and rudely. So she awkwardly offered, "I can call you back later if now isn't a good time"

I think one of the best ways to find a good one is getting a referral from a trusted friend. I'm not sure if you have a trusted friend who might have a referral, but if you do know anyone who sees one whom you also like, respect, and feel at least marginally similar to, it might be a good idea to consult with them for recommendations.

Have a wonderful and safe trip, Celia!! I must second John's request for pictures when you get back

You're right, Tarin! I find that we have a very intelligent group of people on the boards. If we didn't I'd probably have wandered off by now in all honesty. My hypothesis is that it's because this is a literary site. So at the very least most of our members can string together a decent sentence Yours are another I eagerly enjoy reading, Kit! No, no one has officially or rudely complained or remarked on my typical post length, but I've had jokes and kidding remarks made about it since I first joined! Indeed, I may be wrong, but I think Vic and Snowy were among the first to ever comment on my verbosity. I don't take these comments to heart (obviously! ) because I don't think many people are really bothered by it and because it's always been expressed in a playful, lighthearted way. However, there's obviously some truth in it, and I thought it made for a good discussion (or perhaps even a 'meta-discussion' ).

Well I've dated (and broken up with) another Asian since this thread first came around.

Good for you, Tim! Aww, sorry to hear that, Dion. Don't give up on psychologists though; there are a lot of good ones out there. I've met several of them first-hand (I've never actually been as a patient - though would be comfortable going if I needed to - but it was my major in school).

Gigs and Ram are about as far as my computer knowledge goes, and even there I only know that more is generally better. I am aware that my own computer is running out of space, I've even had to start deleting stuff. I'm not worried though. *whispers* I'm quite sure my computer doesn't have very long left. When it dies for good I'll go get another and it'll probably have more space (and certainly less junk on it ). On another note, if I disappear for a few days there's a good chance it's that. It's already refused to come on more than once, but thus far it's eventually complied.

That's my Margret! (I call her that) She's a Garmin Nuvi, but I only use her as a GPS. I knew she was brilliant with directions but I had no idea she could read as well! I wonder if she's the wrong model or something...really seems like I would know if she could read. For instance I'm well aware of her proficiency as an MP3 player.

Thank you very much for your thoughtful words, Celia Thanks G! I'm incredibly flattered that mine was the first you read I hope you'll check out my other story, BMAD, as well if you get a chance. Take care all have a great day Kevin

I can't stand repetitive "rhythmic" music! It drives me right up the wall! I had to work directly with my boss the other day and he had some repetitious album playing. After a few minutes I was clamping my mouth shut to keep from snapping "My God! This is awful, please make it stop!" Poor listeners also grate on my nerves! If you're not going to listen when I talk to you (and vice versa of course) I'd rather be doing something other than having a pseudo-conversation with you! That's actually the main reason I don't do chatting or IMs much. I can't stand the divided-attention, I'll-respond-in-a-bit nature of it. I know it's just the way it is and not an affront, but I still don't like subjecting myself to it. When I communicate with someone I expect their attention, otherwise I'm perfectly content to quit communicating altogether.

Wonderful to be working with you, albeit a tad indirectly, Eric

Very Cool! I love the Beatles I'll be checking it out soon

It's wonderful that you're able to be so sensible and practical about the whole thing! I'm happy for you and proud of you! Sounds like you've got your priorities right

Awww Thanks, Steph! That is what I try to do with the questions/polls I post, because I know ridiculously long first posts may kill the thread before it even starts. Hey! You're not allowed to ignore my typing; you're my editor! Yuppers, I've seen you with quite a few long ones, Robbie. I always get excited when I see that you've got a long one for us. I think I would have noticed that anyway Awww thanks guys! BTW, I really didn't create this thread so I could make a bunch of innuendos and double entendres...that was just an unexpected bonus In any case, I feel like I've gotten some good advice take care all -Kevin (BTW, do posts with lots of quotes count? I'm kinda notorious for using up my 10 quotes, but in cases like this all my responses to each were fairly concise)

Awww, now we're just being negative assuming it was a bunch of spammers and bots! I just reviewed my blog archive, which is always a good way for me to recall approximately what I was doing at that time, and it seems that it was during one of my extended hiatuses from the site (my most recent long-term one in fact, I dropped out of sight briefly again in the later months of 07, but not as much). So regrettably it seems I wasn't one of those users either.

Errr, well I confess most of that went right over my head (so high in fact that I didn't even feel the breeze). Nevertheless, I think the gist is that you were having computer trouble but have largely resolved the matter. So yay for you, Robbie!

Happy Birthday, Steven I hope you have a fantastic day and an awesome year! -Kevin

I just wanted to wish a very warm, happy, and special birthday to Movie Guy! I hope it's a great one -Kevin

Well, in all honesty I spend virtually all of my 'internet time' here (big surprise eh?). If I'm online I'm probably here doing something. So no, I don't go to the other sites very often. I've been before of course, but not very often. I did however read all of Graeme's New Brother at Awesomedude, and now that I think of it that and JFinn's Human Condition are the only two complete, multi-chapter 'gay stories' I've ever read at another site. That doesn't count Nifty though. I've read many things at nifty (and no, not all naughty things), but I don't really 'count' that for some reason. Good question, Old Bob -Kevin

Happy Birthday

LOL, I was going to mention that I created a thread for the Kindle several months ago and link to it...but I shan't bother with that in then. I vaguely recall hearing good things about Apple's i-book e-book reader (I think that's what it's called).

Oh dear, I'm so sad to hear this... My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family. I wish something I could say or do would help, but I'm aware that it will not My deepest condolences, -Kevin

I do this (case in point) Thanks Celia And I think I can speak for most other authors when I say that we like and appreciate this very much! I will try this more in the future. In fact I think I'm not too bad about being concise most much SOME of the time, but when I do get on a topic I care about or finding interesting I do tend to plug along for quite awhile. Thanks Tiff! I agree with you here as well LOL, my posts my long, but I do know how to ehh 'package' them to make them appealing Thanks dude, I do try to do this. Out of curiosity do you often have that problem with my long posts? I try to structure them fairly sensibly and I also take pride in being fairly clear with what I mean. Anyway thanks for thoughts and replies guys -Kevin

Here's an excellent one I adore filled with beautiful people:

Great Chapter, CJ! I didn't see The Scar's ultimate demise coming at all. It was fitting though, also took care of the issue of that dangerous material. Great job! -Kevin