AFriendlyFace

That sounds so cute! I'm not much of a holiday celebrator. In fact my Easter ended up being exactly like any other Sunday - not that every Sunday is the same in the first place, but I mean I didn't do anything special or Easter related. My best friend freaked out thinking it was a crime that I didn't have Easter plans and wasn't planning to do anything special, but my attitude is, what's really so special about a particular day? Shouldn't all days be special? Anyway, I hope everyone had a great time Kevin

I'm celebrating the completion of my first story. Normally I only write a few chapters and then get distracted and lose interest (hence why I don't post stuff), but this time I actually finished one! (hence why I eventually will be )

I like to think so I'm a very very absent-minded person when it comes to mundane things. I can keep track of information, conversations, social facts, history, etc. really really well, but when it comes down to every day things I have no head for it. As such the only real resource I have at my disposal is organization and tidiness. If my keys, wallet, and phone are always in a specific place I don't have to go looking for them and as such I never loose them around the house. When I visit people, if it's somewhere I go often I'll put my stuff in the exact same place so that I don't lose it. The problem is when I'm somewhere new and I don't have a routine. When that happens I have no idea where to look for things I may have brought with me. Thus, yes, I do keep things very tidy and organized around the house, but it's only as a coping strategy for my extreme ditsy, spaced out personality. -Kevin

I'm working on a story now about a guy whose boyfriend is struggling with a drug addiction and I was very inspired by Jimmy Eat World's "Drugs or Me" JIMMY EAT WORLD "Drugs Or Me" Stay with me You're the one I need You make the hardest things Seem easy Keep my heart Somewhere drugs don't go Where the sunshine slows Always keep me close If only you could see The stranger next to me You promise you promise that you're done But i cant tell you from the drugs Don't let go We'll dig a great big hole Down an endless hole We'll both go You're so blind! You can't save me this time Hope comes from inside And I feel so low tonight If only you could see The stranger next to me You promise you promise that you're done But I can't tell you from the drugs I wish you could see This face in front of me You're sorry you swear it you're done But I can't tell you from the drugs (Ohhhh) (Ohhhh) (take me) I need your help (so far away) To pull me up take the wheel (take me) Out from me (so far away) Out from me (Take me) If only you could see (I need your help) (So far away) The stranger next to me (To pull me up take the pain) (Take me) You promise you promise that you're done (Out from me) (So far away) But I can't tell you from the drugs (Out from me) (Take me) I wish that you could see (I need your help) (So far away) This face in front of me (To pull me up take the wheel) (Take me) You're sorry you swear it you're done (Out from me) (So far away) But I can't tell you from the drugs (Out from me) Keep my heart somewhere drugs don't go Where the sunshine slows always keep me close Edit: Here's a link to a youtube video in case anyone wants to hear the song. Obviously the video isn't really spot on since it's not about young gay lovers...but let's pretend.

Hey Michael! Awesome interview, very interesting! To answer your question, The Lounge is a pretty good place for this topic. The only place that might possibly be better would probably be the Story Cafe. I'll leave it here (as it is pretty much appropriate) or move it at your request -Kevin

May I ask a really stupid question? What's the difference between Anime and Manga? I mean like generally, I know there are specific themes and types for each like Yaoi, but just real broadly what's the difference between them?

JIMMY EAT WORLD "Drugs Or Me" Stay with me You're the one I need You make the hardest things Seem easy Keep my heart Somewhere drugs don't go Where the sunshine slows Always keep me close If only you could see The stranger next to me You promise you promise that you're done But i cant tell you from the drugs Don't let go We'll dig a great big hole Down an endless hole We'll both go You're so blind! You can't save me this time Hope comes from inside And I feel so low tonight If only you could see The stranger next to me You promise you promise that you're done But I can't tell you from the drugs I wish you could see This face in front of me You're sorry you swear it you're done But I can't tell you from the drugs (Ohhhh) (Ohhhh) (take me) I need your help (so far away) To pull me up take the wheel (take me) Out from me (so far away) Out from me (Take me) If only you could see (I need your help) (So far away) The stranger next to me (To pull me up take the pain) (Take me) You promise you promise that you're done (Out from me) (So far away) But I can't tell you from the drugs (Out from me) (Take me) I wish that you could see (I need your help) (So far away) This face in front of me (To pull me up take the wheel) (Take me) You're sorry you swear it you're done (Out from me) (So far away) But I can't tell you from the drugs (Out from me) Keep my heart somewhere drugs don't go Where the sunshine slows always keep me close

Oh that's pretty nifty! Thanks, Luigi Should one really have to work to enjoy something? I love Launch! So, I think I may have already suggested them to you Gary, but I can't emphasize "Three Days Grace" enough. Very angry, very euphonic.

For your poetic pleasure I'd like to point you toward The Poetry Forum -Kevin

I'm grateful for: -having finished the story I was writing. -Discovering a delicious new wine that I love. -Discovering a delicious new cracker which when paired with cheese goes excellently with the wine. -My close friend finally telling me something I already knew but needed to hear from him. -Being okay with it

A spoon! Why didn't I think of that?! The only diet soda I've had much experience with was diet Dr. Pepper, way way back when I was a kid. It turned out though that I only liked the Diet Dr. Pepper caffeine free (and this was way back before I ever started avoiding caffeine). I just liked the taste better without the caffeine in it.

Sorry to mislead you, Tim. I definitely agree that it would be short sighted and just stupid to avoid something simply because society teaches it as an ideal. I'm certainly not going to be a contrarian simply for the sake of doing it. I just meant that I similarly wasn't going to be a conformist simply for the sake of doing it. In this case, having considered the matter (the point was mostly to consider it in the first place), I've decided the possibility is something I'm open to, and will likely (continue) to actively pursue. Well for me 'life' is the part that goes without saying, is so much as, I'd be even less likely to give much thought to having a string of temporary partners. I mean I suppose that's a viable long-term option, but it doesn't really require very much effort or commitment, so it's a less serious thing - in my opinion - to carefully ponder. I think I'm actually the exact opposite. Extroverted, but a natural, skilled, and happy loner. That's an excellent point, and at some point I agree that it's important to remember you don't have to stay. Indeed there are several things in a relationship that I would consider to be immediate, and permanent deal-breakers, but while it is an ideal and not a straitjacket, I guess what I was wondering is whether or not I should even invest in the ideal. Or instead either throw my hands up in the air and enter a never-ending string of casual (or semi-casual) relationships, or just swear off romance and dating all together (or maybe take the two in turn). Again, the question wasn't really "Why stay with a (life) partner", but simply why buy into the idea of having one. That's sort of where I see myself, only not quite to the same extent. I do occasionally actively date and I purposely put myself in situations where romance and dating can pop up, but I definitely don't see it as a big priority or consuming need. I would expect nothing less. Anyway, thanks for the comments everyone! As I said I have decide to be open to the idea. In fact I'd decided that even before starting the thread. I guess I just wanted (and still want) your opinions on why this is something you want/do/would want. Take care all Kevin

It sounds rather like being hit by a bus. So several people have commented on my word choice. I did phrase it like that for a reason. I could have said: What's the point of a life partner? But that wouldn't exactly express what I had in mind. I'm well aware of the objective benefits (and costs) of having a permanent mate. I was looking for personal reasons why people here enjoy or would enjoy such a relationship. I might have said: Why have a life partner? But that implies more passivity in the situation than I wanted to express. That's inviting people who have them already to sit there and justify why they should have this person in their life. That's sort of like asking, why should you have the particular car that you drive? Approached from that angle people are likely to justify their situation. Well it gets good gas mileage. It was the most economical choice at the time. It's easy to park. etc. Those are fine reasons, but they all operate under the assumption that the status quo is more or less going to be maintained. Again I was going more for personal and active reasons for wanting this situation. I'm well aware that saying, "Ok, now I'm going to take a life partner" won't immediately precede running out and selecting the most appropriate candidate. I know you can't make someone love you, and I know you can't really chose whom you love or why. But the question didn't really have anything to do with "having" or "getting" a life partner, only with the emotion behind coming to the decision that one might be nice to have. I also agree that while very often if/when that special person comes along they may indeed take you by surprise, but I disagree that all this requires is standing there waiting. I think it necessitates at least being open to the idea of a partner. Of at least thinking I may want to share my life with someone. If you're completely closed off to the idea it isn't going to happen regardless of how ideally suited you might be with the person. If I'm just not going to ask him out, or be receptive to his advances, it just ain't happening. I suppose part of this difference in perception, is that most people likely grow up thinking it's the way it's supposed to work. Even if they're not necessarily actively looking, or actively thinking it will happen to them there's probably still this thought in the back of their mind that someday Mr or Mrs right may come along and if he/she does then they'll go from there. For my part I try very very hard to live my life without any preconceived constructs of how things ought to be. When I catch myself mindlessly following a social mindset about something I try very hard to stop and analyze if it's really something I want to be motivated by. It doesn't matter how ridiculous it is, like "why shouldn't I walk away from my life with nothing but the clothes on my back and just stand at an intersection and try to beg enough money for food every day?" I've concluded that this isn't something that would make me happy, but I'd be completely ashamed of myself if I were only not doing it because it's socially frowned on and people aren't raised to view it as a viable option. Anyway, basically I just hate to blindly follow the status quo in any matter. I've tried to completely destroy all my ideas about life, religion, morality, philosophy, knowledge, and perception, and then rebuild them according to how I personally think, feel, and reason. I'm not advocating this approach by any means, it doesn't normally work that way for a reason (too much energy involved and potentially dangerous results), but for me personally it's important to know that I don't think or feel something because I've been told, taught, indoctrinated, or subliminally conditioned to think or feel that way. I also know that I still have a long way to go in this regard, that I haven't succeeded in destroying and rebuilding all these notions, but I'm working on it and the results are very satisfying and fulfilling. The concept of a mate is something which exists in all cultures across time and also appears in the animal world...but 'univeral' or not it doesn't mean I want to assume that I should follow (or be opening to following) this path as well. In this case I am open to the idea of a life partner. I've concluded that it's very far behind other life goals, like having children for example, and that I shall probably be just fine without a life partner. But I've decided that if the right person comes along I'll be open to the idea of something developing, and that perhaps as the mood strikes me I may actively look into finding one or pursuing something with someone. I think this is a prerequisite to having a life partner. Just my thoughts, and even if they don't make sense or seem relevant to anyone, I'm grateful for having expounded on them. Take care all and have a great day (assuming you've decided that being well and enjoying your day are worthwhile things for you to experience) -Kevin

Wow...I know this isn't really what the article is about...but it reminds me of my lesbian girlfriends! Like in freakish detail actually! And yeah...one in particular. LOL, I recommend everyone get at least one close friend they could never possibly have a romantic relationship with. It works phenomenally!

Happy Holi, everyone! Thanks for telling us about, Beasty

Woo HOOO! Welcome to GA, Julia! It's really awesome having you here; I'm glad you finally took the plunge! Yep, now you can lay to rest that pesky, "but am I going to get bitten if I join?" fear This is true. I had to follow him around for a week just to clean up the mess! Welcome again! Let us know if you have any questions or anything -Kevin

Finally turned 100 huh? I hope you have a very fantastic and happy birthday, Camy!!! May the coming year bring you all the happiness and peace you deserve -Kevin

I have some thoughts on this. Like all aspects of interpersonal dynamics experience and length of time are only one among many factors. It's logical that you'll experience more things overall, both emotionally and tangibly, if the relationship is longer. However, there are so many other factors that come into play such as: -How intense the relationship is -How much time you spend with the person -To what degree you "naturally click" -The context and intensity of the events around it Obviously there quite a few more, but that's just a few. Just to make mention of the last though, they've done studies and determined that the intensity of emotions experienced relating to a separate event then in tandem effect how you feel about the people with whom you related during that time. For example if you are going through a war or other disaster you WILL be more bonded with the people around you. Of course it needn't be a war, it could be anything dramatic or even anything very intensely good. In any case these other factors are going to influence the relationship. I think the second point, "how much time you spend with the person" is another major factor. You can know someone for years, but if you only see them once or twice a week for an hour or so, it's going to be considerably different from someone you spend the majority of your days with for several months. So really, while I would say that there's some correlation between length of time and what you experience emotionally etc. there's just too many other factors to say out right that there will always be an effect. I think also, the major thing that's actually being explored here is trust. Trust often takes a long time to form, but it will also be impacted significantly by those others factors. I'm sure that you can, and I'm very sorry that this happened to you and Gary Fortunately for myself, I don't think I can say that I've ever regretted a relationship, romantic or platonic. I've had some that ended up on unfortunate footing, and several people the idea of re-establishing those bonds, especially to the same degree, is wholly unappealing. Nevertheless, I'm still grateful for the good times we had together, and despite how cruddy things might have finished up I don't regret having those experiences. LOL, I hate to point this out, but unless you're counting Jason and Sas as a single unit or something, I think your math may be a bit off Take care all Kevin

Congrats, dude! That's really awesome Robbie, you know I always do that anyway On another note, I can't imagine wanting my car to make noise. Like it seems to me you'd want it to be as silent as possible...I would anyway.

I have that one too!! LOL, well I certainly am not pregnant...I may very well be hormonal though! :wacko:

Good chapter Well, making him a slightly more fashionable, hotter goth can't hurt

I'm actually talking about food here. I bought a bunch of fresh fruit the other day when I went to the supermarket. Like a really big variety of only fruit I like. However, I ate all the oranges first. Like whenever I'm thinking "fruit would be nice", I almost always crazy oranges. I love mangos, plums, apples, bananas, grapes, strawberries, kiwi, and the list just goes on and on. But I seldom crave them. I just can't figure out why, because I really don't think I like oranges better. I also don't think it's like a level of difficulty thing. Like pomegranates are good, but they're just a pain to try to eat. A lot of other fruits are actually much easier and more convenient than the orange. Yet the orange is the fruit I want. I also don't think it's a matter of habit or routine because as much as I regret it it's actually much more rare that I have fresh fruit on hand than that I don't, and when I do (like now) I never really buy more oranges than other types of fruits. So if it's not taste or practicality or habit...what is it? Anyone else experience something similar? -Kevin P.S. I realize the irony that I'm comparing apples and oranges, and please also refrain from the obvious remarks about "fruits" that one might think of in this forum.

Well I'm not going to have a serious reaction to this article. I just think it's delightfully amusing!

Hi everyone, So I've been reading this story not at GA, and I was really enjoying it. I was really invested in the characters, etc. Well the story was quite long, and over its course the characters have evolved considerably. It mostly works. I mean it's very well written, and as they've changed the author has add events to their backstories and stuff and made it at least...consistent for the most part. The trouble is with the addition of all these things the characters themselves are behaving in ways that are...well very unexpected. Also, while the backstories are added to, or revealed to have been false and what not, I can't help but think, "OH, so we're just now finding out that this major event happened 5 years ago?!". When the character's history has already been pretty thoroughly explored and something as major as this would have been mentioned or at least hinted at by the other characters. Anyway, the point is, I was actually quite disappointed in some of the things that happened. They were at least mostly plausible and very well written, but they weren't consistent with what used to be the central elements and key aspects of the characters and story. The story itself was written over the span of several years, so it's understandable that the author would want to explore new things. I also believe that an author always has the complete and total right to do whatever they like with their story and characters. I guess my "bone to pick" is that I think at some point the story should have stopped, and a new story with new characters should have explored and experienced the things that the author wanted. It really would have made several excellent stories, but as a single story with the same characters it was just too meandering and inconsistent. As I said though, that's the author's right, and I'm not going to flame them or anything like that. I also recognize that the main reason I was upset about the events of the story is because it was so good and the characters were so compelling. Anyway point is have any of you guys ever experienced something similar? Where you felt like the story and characters wandered too far from their starting point. Or where things just got weird after awhile? Please do not post any specifics or enough details for anyone to guess which story and/or author you're talking about, particularly if they're affiliated in anyway with this site. I was mostly just curious about whether this was a common feeling that readers get sometimes and what they think about it? -Kevin

There was so much collateral damage that many couples who had been going out passed away and several of their pets had to be put to sleep.