AFriendlyFace

"It's all over but the crying" - Garbage

Happy 22nd, dude! For what it's worth that was one of the best birthdays and best years of my life I'm sure you'll enjoy it! It's been a pleasure briefly getting to know you and interacting with you around the forum. I hope you hang around for awhile and help us all understand the enigma All the best, Kevin

**picks jaw up off the floor** WOW! I had no idea there would be a sequel! How exciting!!

I have a tech savvy friend who is similarly disposed...most be a common thing LOL, personally speaking I'm a bit of a lazy computer owner. My general strategy is to just leave it the hell alone until it breaks beyond repair and then go buy a new one. It's similar really...you can't do anything without a decent hard drive. WOOO HOOOO! Congrats, CJ!

Thanks! That is what I was trying to remember, and in that case it is good that they're going to Madison Square Garden

Well he could do the laundry and a bit of tidying up for you...but few intruders are so inclined so I think most people would see your actions as justifiable under the law. Eeek! Who told you that? And I must remember not to tick that person off! On a serious note, might that not get you into considerably more trouble if some how balistically they determine that their was an original back wound? Or another gun shot? Makes perfect sense to me. You know come to think of it, I think a cow perched on a tree (even without a machine gun) is dangerous anyway...at least if you happen to be standing under the tree. So, now that 41 is up who's thinking the body is probably Mario? I must point out that it still isn't necessarily Mario. I'm inclined to think it was too, but all we really know is that Helen in the boys can't identify the body, Demitri is still alive, and Demitri assumes that Mario has been killed. In some weird, wacky universe perhaps Mario similarly aborted his attack and hid when another AK-47 wielding intruder was gunned down by the bikers. *shrug* Take care all, Kevin

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the general send the squad to Madison Square Garden while the bomb is in fact in Grand Central Station (no wait, that's not right either...it's that other station that would really be grander than grand central). Great points! Especially about the shotgun. That's probably why that was mentioned in the chapter with the first explosion in which Vladimir decided to hurl his wrench at it. Well done, Mike! ...or bikers I'm not sure if Dimitri will call Jerry. I suspect at this point it might be a bit harder to do that logistically without divulging security related details. Granted I'm sure Dimitri has some means of communicating with Jerry, but it's probably going to be more difficult now that he's stuck on foot without the Suburban. Is he? We don't actually know that for sure. Don't get me wrong, I actually think so too, but let me just point out that all we really know is that Helen and the boys can't identify the body, Dimitri is alive, and Dimitri assumes that Mario is dead. For all the people proposing that it's some mysterious, unknown 3rd entity it still theoretically could be, and maybe CJ will shock us all by starting the next chapter by focusing on Mario crouched behind a different set of bushes. As I said, I don't believe it either, but I'm just pointing out that nothing is absolutely conclusive on the point yet. Ya know, we really should taken that whole "Dimitri has access to a Nuke" thing into consideration when trying to decide who'd been killed. In terms of plot/story development it made it much less likely that it was Dimitri. Anyway, great chapter, CJ I very much enjoyed it, Kevin

LOL, exactly! That sort of thing happens to me sometimes. The most extreme example I can think of was once several years ago when I went into a Subway Sandwich Shop and ordered a sandwich. I got to the condiments section and clear as day said, "Extra Mayo please!" Only to immediately throw my arms up and blurt out, "Wait! I hate mayo!" The last thing I wanted to order was extra mayo. In fact I was probably thinking more along the lines of "everything but mayo" or "plenty of mustard, but no mayo". My only excuse is that I must have somehow been thinking wouldn't it be awful if I got..."extra mayo" LOL, it's doing that to me too! I should be focusing on my own classes instead! YAY! Thanks, Hedi! And welcome to GA! I'm glad you're enjoying the story! -Kevin

Because, among other things (humour being a part of the equation) having it be two good looking guys would have been offensive. The reason it wasn't offensive, IMO, is because it was obviously a joke. It was a very unlikely pairing and it was played up and presented in a cheesy way. If they had presented two guys that looked like they might really be a couple, presented their 'romance' in non-hyperbolic ways, and THEN turned it around at the end...well that would have been offensive. That would have been saying that despite the guys seeming well-matched and having what looked like meaningful encounters/experiences it was still ridiculous to assume that they were a couple. I wouldn't have appreciated that at all. This, on the other hand, was clearly a joke about people being an unlikely pair. The more disgusting and socially inept one of the people was, and the more ridiculous their romance, the less offensive it becomes.

Green Day - Misery

Hey Celia!! I didn't realize you'd never wandered by this thread! LOL, obviously it's great to have you and I'm enjoying our discussions Wonderful to have you, Ben! I look forward to interacting with you in the forums and getting to know you better! Take care all and have an awesome day! Kevin

Green Day - Hitchin A Ride

That's cute!

Those are exactly the reasons I shy away from the whole 'friends with benefits' or 'F-buddy' thing. If it's going to be a repeated thing it best be with a boyfriend or else it just gets....complicated.

Good point.

Very true! My family raised beef cattle. LOL, there was NO WAY it would have been an efficient, effective course of action to try to use them for milk. I suspect retired dairy cows would not taste nearly as good as beef cows either. Indeed, for beef cows you want to butcher your younger bulls and heifers, and keep an older bull and several older cows around for the purpose of breeding. Once they're 'worn out' they usually are butchered, but the meat is considered inferior to the younger, standardly butchered animals. You'd also be more likely to use this sort of meat for dishes that required lower grade meat, like hamburgers, or stews or something. People don't want to eat a steak from a twelve year old cow (and even worse a twelve year old bull! :nuke: ).

Really Tim! Expecting your poor girlfriend to do all vacuuming! I'm disappointed *tisk tisk* Well I certainly don't think there's anything wrong with that opinion at all, especially if you have integrated your sexuality comfortably into your life anyway (and you have ). So I think it's okay if you just feel like "this is the way it is, and I'm fine with that, but I'd prefer something else." As I said, it's not quite the way I feel about this particular subject, but it's certainly your prerogative I certainly think the older generation has impacted this, and I further agree with you that it's probably a little more likely that the younger generation is more comfortable and optimistic about this than the older one. In twenty years time I expect, and very much hope, that gay kids growing up will have a completely different experience than myself and the others here, and that it will be even more of a non-issue. This is indeed further evidence of personal and generational experiences! I am inclined to attribute much of this to the GLBT/allies who came before us. I think you're right that the politicians and churches are shifting their focus, but I think this is in large part due to the efforts of these activists of yesteryear. Happy almost birthday! This horrifies me too!! Indeed I briefly discussed how I felt about this more in the thread "A Gay "Switch" " Take care all, Kevin

There ya go, James! I just PM-d it to you. I know how annoying it can be to read half of something and always wonder how it ends. If I were in the middle of reading someone's blog and it disappeared I'd be curious myself! I think the beach will be fun...except I have to be up in like 5 hours now so that we can leave early and avoid the traffic! Grrr, better head to bed! Take care and have a great night, Kevin

Wow, you guys sure do know how to make a guy blush, but feel happy and touched! Thanks Richie, I agree with that I'm so so sorry you've had to go through that, Nick. I'm really really proud of you though and very impressed! Nick already responded to this, but I can assure you if there's one thing I know about Nick it's that he isn't ashamed of who he is and he'd never back down from something or hide from it just because it was easier than facing it! Wow Nick thanks! You know you helped give me the courage and inspiration to do that. And I think anyone would do well to strive to live their life with the same degree of integrity, strength, and firm sense of right and wrong which you make look so natural and inherent. I don't think it's the wrong gender per se. I'm sure she's just as she's meant to be and I'm sure Nick loves her just the way she is. I was really proud of Nick when I found out he was being honest about his feelings and dating a girl! Personally, I don't think that was at all the 'easier' choice for him. Just as it would be MUCH harder for me to date a girl right now than it would be to date a guy. I'd have to completely change my lifestyle AND deal with everyone questioning my motives and feelings while also remaining suspicious and prejudice. I suspect Nick's had to go through a lot of that too. Thanks, Gary I appreciate that! I'm a bit surprised you would think I would ever want to be anything but gay. Celia's answer sums up my feelings and thoughts on this pretty well. Basically being gay has been a really major and really positive thing in my life. No, it hasn't always been easy, but the rewards have been innumerable and immeasurable. It has completely shaped the way I view world and the life I've led, and I'm very very happy with my world view, sense of morality, and life experiences. I would never want to risk them being any different. On a simple level nearly all my close friends are GLBT, I've made efforts and continue making efforts to reach out to members of the straight community (especially family, old friends, and co-workers), my major life objectives and career goals all include working with and for the GLBT community and civil rights in general (including women's rights, racial/ethnic rights, and religious tolerance), much of my educational experience AND my future educational aspirations include studying issues related to the GLBT community, my hobbies (GA and writing for example) and my social life are focused around or heavily influenced by the GLBT community. Being gay has had a huge impact on how I view other minorities and differences in people. In a nutshell, I would definitely not want to loose all that! I said I'd also rather be bisexual or a lesbian because first off I know, care about, and respect quite a few lesbians or bisexuals. Also, frankly I simply understand it better and am more comfortable with it; it would be more like what I've got. I would assume that my chances of having many of the same experiences and state of mind/perspective would be a bit better as a lesbian or bisexual, and as I said, I simply wouldn't want to trade what I've got. I'm also heavily aligned with the lesbian and bisexual communities, probably much more so that the average gay guy, so it would be something I would understand and could identify with. Apart from which there are a ton of things about lesbian relationships which I really respect and admire anyway and would definitely enjoy experiencing first hand. Obviously I love being a gay guy (that's kinda what this whole post is about), but some of the best relationships I've seen have been lesbian. Also, let me say as seriously as possible that despite the seeming paradox, I would love to experience 'lesbian sex' as a guy and with a guy. I say this because I think it has very little to do with pure anatomy and much more to do with sensuality, frame of mind, emotion, trust, etc. In that way I'm sure a lot of gay males and male/female couples can and do have 'lesbian sex', but I do classify it as 'lesbian sex' because what I'm talking about seems to come most frequently and most naturally to lesbians. Apart from all that, I'll admit there's also a 'less noble' streak in me that simply enjoys standing out and being a bit counter-cultural. That's secondary to all the other stuff, but it's a delightful added bonus. Given the choice I'd rather be 'different' than 'the same' or 'stand out' rather than simply 'blend in' anyway. So for all those reasons I'd much rather be gay than straight. Really it's not contest for me. Not to over-simplify things, and as I said I'm really proud of you with as well as you're already doing and as far and quickly as you've come, but if you won't know because you won't be there anyway...would it matter? Take care and have an awesome day all Kevin

Well, I'm certainly not adverse to a party here and there, but personally speaking I never once had a wild spring break. LOL, in my book weekends are for partying (and the occasional weeknight I suppose ), significant time off is for MAJOR relaxing, which to me actually translates into relatively quiet time alone or only with close friends/family. HAHA, maybe it just means I do go out too much. When I have a break I want an actual break from all my routine life, including 'partying'

She sure does! Do you have that CD? It's really good IMO. My favourite is probably "Long way to happy" It's My Life - No Doubt

I think that's a very good point! The only comment I'll make is that even though this is NOT what we were talking about and not what Jamie was referencing...if anything does 'happen'...uuhh, make sure it happens safely okay

Oh my gosh! I love that song! I just put it in this thread the other day! Is that where you heard about it or had you heard it before anyway? Green Day - Fashion Victim

LOL, you need to tell me all about your birthday and catch me up in general! Talk to ya soon

Hey everyone! For everyone who saw my last blog entry and is wondering where it went, I set it as a draft (invisible). It was basically just me bitching about a friend of mine (no one at GA) who kinda wore me out and ticked me off. I did mean what I said, but I mostly just needed to vent and just writing it out made me feel better, so I decided not to leave it up just in case he, or a different mutual friend who knows him or something, ever happened across it somehow. I wouldn't want to hurt his feelings or anything, and as I said, I feel better now Mods and Admin can still see the entry, and that's fine I don't care. like I said I just decided I didn't want it out there for the whole world. Anyway, a few paragraphs of the blog were fairly informative and not ranty so here's a recap of those: In other news, my date with Ryan went wonderfully. Between our packed schedules the next time we'd get a chance to hang out is late Tuesday night, so *shrug* maybe we will. Dunno yet, but the date was alota fun. I actually can't really figure out how I feel about him. I've decided the best course of action is simply to keep an open mind and go out with him again. Regardless, it was fun so it's not like I'd have any regrets even if it didn't work out. Also, FF (former friend if you'll remember) has been acting really weird. By weird I mean really nice and friendly and interested in what's going on in my life. Of course I've been acting weird too...basically doing the exact same thing. I'm going to chalk it up to us being two nice people (I never said he wasn't) who still care about each other. It was weird though, I was asking Scott about his job interview, and he was asking Luke about my date, and then when we saw each other we actually asked in person, and seemed legitimately happy for the other. So yeah. LOL, he also got a very subtle joke I made that no one else picked up on, but then he was always good at that too. Anyway, as I've said many times I don't want to be close with him again, at least not any time in the foreseeable future, but I guess I like where our relationship has evolved to now. Scott and I are going with William and a friend of his to the beach tomorrow. That'll be really nice. I really love hanging out with William and just haven't been able to spend as much time with him recently. The good thing about William is that everything is so delightfully simple. He's very drama free. It just rolls right off his shoulders, he doesn't go out of his way to take stuff personally or to get upset for nothing, and he very quickly gets over anything. I just don't have to wonder with William. He likes me. I like him. We're friends. That's enough, we just behave accordingly and everything's cool. No crazy, unreasonable expectations, or insecurities, or jealousy, or anything else. Just friendship. It's great; he's definitely my simplest friend. If/when I do have a serious boyfriend I'd very VERY much like to model my relationship with him after what William and I have going. Anyway, to go into a bit more detail about Ryan, we met up at the Mall, chatted and walked around for awhile, then we had dinner, caught a movie, played some pool, and then hung out at my place for awhile. It was nice, I had a really fund time, and it felt almost like the 'classic' date. As I said, I still don't really know how I feel about him or what I want, which is why, like I said, I'm just going to go out with him a few more times and see what happens. It's so cute, he's so 'straight'. Not really obviously, but he only came out a year ago (he's my age for the record), and he doesn't have any gay friends, so he's still sorta like a straight guy, lol. Doesn't kiss like one though Anyway, I know alota gays guys like 'straight acting' guys, but really that's not my thing. I'm not saying it's a huge turn-off or anything, indeed I'm pretty neutral about for the most part, but yeah it's definitely not something I look for at all. I do feel a bit like we're from two very different worlds, not just the gay/straight thing (well he is gay!), but alota other things too. Still, it might be fun. I like to go to new worlds anyway