AFriendlyFace

YAY for vacations!!! You deserve an extra long, extra amazing one! -Kevin

I'm with Mark on this one. I particularly felt sorry for her when you mentioned that you had no way of letting her know you were working on getting her out. Poor thing mush have been really scared and sad not knowing what was going on. So is she out yet?

LOL, can I critique please? (the clothes) Half those outfits were hot; the other half need to be thrown in the furnace. My thoughts: 1) Fabulous! Too over the top to actually get much wear out of, but very eye catching. I'd take a pair. 2)OMG! Did he seriously leave the house like that? :nuke: And seriously, what's with the clunky purse? 3) I'd love this outfit without the sequins. The pants and belt are hot, and the jacket itself is great. The bling makes it jump the shark big time though. It's still adorable, but it just looks tacky. 4) AWESOME! Best outfit in the whole show in my opinion! "Breathtaking" springs to mind; indeed I think I did gasp a bit when I saw it. The vest is gorgeous, the shirt is beautiful and he's wearing it perfectly the way it's rolled up his sleeves, and open almost to the vest. The pants are just terrific! I'd kill for a pair! The belt and bag go wonderfully together and both fit the tone of the outfit to a T. The watch finishes the whole thing off. Throw this outfit on a cute, clean cut looking guy (as they did) and you have the ultimate perfect preppy look! 5) Seriously? I'd have trouble not laughing at this guy if I saw him in real life. The bag looks like an actual shopping bag, and I'd advise him to put the rest of the outfit in it and take the horrid thing back. 6) Kinda a nice cowboy classy look. I'd most definitely wear that outfit to my favourite gay Country and Western bar. The purse needs to go though. It does look nice with belt, but seriously, he could fend off a gay basher with that thing (and he'd probably need to). 7) To me this outfit says, "I'm halfway through my transition and the hormones are making me angry" In this case the bag and belt are the only things that aren't trainwrecks. Put them with a proper outfit, but throw the rest in the insinuator ASAP. 8) This works great for the beach or other stripped down occasion. The bow over his package is cute and ironic. 9) Gorgeous for a fun (albeit it somewhat kinky) night out! I know a few places where I'd be delighted to wear this. I really love the neck and the model definitely has the arms, body, and general look for this outfit. 10) Eugh, not so much. This outfit does not work as a vest ensemble. The shoes are fabulous though! 11) This is better, but I still don't like trying to throw a vest in the mix. The boy is gorgeous though and actually can pull this off. Most people would look comical in this outfit though. 12) Oh my Gosh! I don't know where to start, this thing is a disaster. The coat drags it down from "close your eyes bad" to "roll in the isles laughing." I'd be grimacing if I were walking around looking like that too. 13) Well, I like the actual sleeves a great deal. I think the one on the right would be a cute, fun look completely closed and with the addition of one more button a bit lower. The one on the left is all wrong. It would be cute if it were opening on top and closed on the bottom. As is though, both outfits - far from accenting the models' bodies - are making them look like they just a buffet and couldn't resist popping open a few buttons for some breathing room 14) Very daring, and very good. The neck jewelry really set this outfit off and the guy has the right body and look for it. I feel like I should hate this, but I don't. Actually, I think I'd wear this myself. 15) I think this is actually cute, but it looks too "ahead of its time." It still looks silly by today's standards, but give it some time and I think it'll be really classy. I suppose it already looks hot in fashion hot spots like Milan, but I don't think rest of the world is quite ready for it. 16) Very gorgeous! My only criticism is the undershirt and it's ok but doesn't live up to its full potential IMO. Everything else looks great. He looks like he just stepped off the plane for a classy summer vacation. 17) Eh, I think this would be okay without the silly coat. Save it for the next rainstorm (as an actual raincoat it would be fabulous). 18) This is a lovely dress...for a classy young woman. It kinda looks like he just sneaked into his fashionista sister's wardrobe. I'm totally cool with it, but he should add a nice clutch and some cute heels. 19) How did this guy get out of the 80s? All of those pieces might be okay combined with other, more subtle items, but as an ensemble it looks like a horrible, albeit high fashion, retro nightmare. 20) Oh God! It looks like those tassels are leeches trying to suck the ugly off. 21) "Sun smart" says the caption...looks more like "stupid rainstorm came out of nowhere and ruined my new clothes." 22) Well he looks about as good as one can in a plastic parka. 23) VERY classy! This guy looks like a very successful, high powered executive. 24) I think this outfit is just too much as it is. The red v-neck is cute and could go with tons of things. The jacket might even be a fun addition for some occasions. I just can't see a time when anyone should wear those pants though. The only slightly appropriate time is with a silly suit like this, but it's just...too much, yeah I'm going to go with "too much." 25) Sleek! Hot! I love it! Major props all around! 26) Terrific winter threads! Stylish instead of sloppy layers! Warm and adorable! 27) I think this general look is silly and I wouldn't wear it, but it's well executed and as stupid as I think it looks it really "works" for what they're going for. If this is the sort of style someone likes then it's perfect. 28) This look is hot, but it kinda depends on where he's going and what he's doing. If it's something sporty and that bag is carrying his gear then it's great! 29) Oh God, I know I should hate this, but I frickin love it! It feels like a major guilty pleasure, but I would love to walk around in this! even if it is the red suit's blue twin. 30) Two outta three ain't bad. The first two look hot, stylish, and all around smokin'. The third guy looks like their dorky brother. 31) "Smooth Suit" indeed! Nothing daring or experimental, but classic elegance at its best. 32) Maybe it's the angle, but kinda looks like he's walking around in windpants. Assuming they aren't, and if they fit a bit better, then everything but silly jacket is cute. It would look really adorable in a baby blue or other more muted color. 33) Yeah, that's pretty hot if they're hangin' poolside. All in all very cute and classy. 34) OK, and that really about sums it up. 35) I think those look silly as shorts outfits. Different tops or different bottoms, but please not together! 36) & 37) The guy on the right looks terrific! The guy on the left looks silly and overdone. It is kinda cute, but totally overdone. 38) It looks like his closet threw up on him. He looks a bit nauseated too. Cute guy though, I'd love to take him out of those cloths and rub his tummy. 39) Amazing! This guy is perfect for this outfit and he looks like a million bucks! He just looks so sharp and hot! 40) So outrageous and fun. I do hate it...but I also kinda love it. That was fun -Kevin

LOL, I just knew about Ouroboros from Red Dwarf Good point, I don't use my supporter tag either. I agree with Rilbur that we should shoot for 269

Well, for me sex scenes are...irrelevant I guess you could say. I love reading a good, hot sex scene (of course since "good sex" itself is subjective so too is a "good, hot sex scene"); however, I certainly don't have to have them to enjoy a story. If the author doesn't care to go into detail about it then that's certainly their prerogative and I'm not going to be particularly bothered by it. I would rather the author not write a scene, any type of scene, that he/she is not comfortable with than to force himself/herself to do it and have it come out lousy and thereby taint the story in general. By and large, my attitude toward sex can be summed up quite simply: I think people make way too big a deal about it and fixate on it far too much. This very much goes for people who stray toward the "prudish" side of the spectrum, and people who stray toward the "slutty" side of the spectrum. I think sex is just a part of a relationship and a part of life and I think it should be treated as such without being this massive, scandalous thing that everyone either fixates on or goes red in the face and tries to avoid. I've written a fair number of sex scenes in my stories and like every scene I write I do so because I think it adds something to the characterization and development of the story. I do like to include scenes that I think are "fun" to read and write, and that would definitely include a lot of non-sexual scenes as well as some sexual ones. I hope that these "fun" scenes (sexual or not) do add something to the story in terms of characterization and development, but I also don't mind if they have a healthy degree of simple, good ol' entertainment value. By and large I'm not really a plot driven author; I'm a character driven author. For me the plot is primarily there to facilitate the development of my characters. I generally tend to think of my stories not so much as being about a series of events so much as being about particular character and/or as a way to explore a particular idea or theme. As such, my main concern is "does this scene help expand on the character, feeling, idea, or tone that I'm trying to convey?" I think a lot of authors write because they feel they have a "story" inside of them that they need to get it, I tend to write because I have an idea I want to express or perhaps a character I want to create and shape. I also admit, that to me writing is very very much about feeling and experience. I write to convey that emotion or idea. I want my readers to think and feel a certain way. I love taking my readers on a journey through happiness, sadness, hilarity, shock, revulsion, excitement, and yes, often through lust and arousal as well. I'll generally start more with my emotional or intellectual objective in mind and then think about how I can shape a plot or scene that will evoke those feelings or ideas. Maybe I want my readers to get a strong sense that these two characters deeply love each other (or perhaps deeply hate each other). Maybe I want my readers to evaluate their position on a certain topic or to question their attitudes and values about something. That tends to be how I think of my stories; the plot is just there to accomplish these other goals. Anyway, my feelings as a reader is very similar to my feelings as a writer. I read to analyze characters, ponders new ideas, take an emotional ride, or evaluate my thoughts and feelings about something. I liked the scene between Eric and Jansen, and I thought that it did convey a lot about them as characters and it was also very enjoyable to read. As such, as a reader, I was completely satisfied with it. Just my thoughts Kevin

That's awesome! Fantastic pics!

Well personally I completely and totally agree with you! I think the term is very offensive. I think the attitude that tends to go with it is pretty offensive too. Certainly it's fine to prefer a particular type of guy, but I think it's better to describe what you want instead of throwing around vague, insulting terms. For example I have seen listings that said something to the effect of, "I'm looking for a guy I can chill with, have a few beers, watch the game, and see what happens from there." I don't find that offensive in the least. I also think it's generally better because it lets the other person know right away what sorts of things they can expect. "Straight acting?" Does that mean we're going to go cruising for girls before we hook up? Anyway, apart from all that, I'm just not interested in straight guys or these "straight acting" guys. Honestly I think I'd get really frustrated and annoyed with a "straight acting" boyfriend. I'd certainly be annoyed if he were closeted and always trying to prove his masculinity. Even if he's more chill about it the type of guys I like aren't overly "masculine" in the traditional way. I don't generally like facial or body hair. I prefer a guy with a smaller build. I also strongly value open, honest communication and expression of feelings and thoughts. I also generally appreciate a guy who "takes care of himself." All in all, I want a gay guy. Of course that's just my preference and I'm fine with people having other preferences, but I completely agree that throwing out terms like "straight acting" is really offensive. I think there's a really big cultural/generational thing here. Actually, I would have expected JJ's age group to be more ambivalent about the expression. It's barely acceptable for some people in my general age bracket to say it, so I would think that it's mildly more acceptable for people a few years younger. Regardless, I think that most people who are any older than me are going to have a very different reaction than people your age. I've thought about it a great deal because I'm generally extremely fascinated by culture and society and how various groups express themselves. I don't think it is offensive for you to say it. I don't even think it's necessarily offensive for a straight person your age to say it. I do think think it's offensive for a straight 40 year old to say it. That's because it means something very different in your culture versus his/hers. By the same token, I think - depending on how it's done - that it's okay for gay people to use what would generally be considered gay offensive language with each other. A simple example is that I can easily get away with laughing and calling one of my friends a "queen" or a "flamer" or even a "F**" because I'm gay and because there's the obvious understanding that I'm joking, that I like the person, and that I don't have negative feelings toward gays in general. By "gay" here I do mean "culturally gay" versus simply "homosexual." For example I think it's okay for a "fag hag" or other straight ally to do the same thing. Again this is because the person has explicitly stood up for gay rights in the past, is saying it jokingly to someone they like, and is obviously not harboring negative feelings towards gays. I think that in that way straight allies can be "culturally gay" to some extent and certainly to the extent that they should be able to say and do things that "gay negative" or even "gay neutral" people can't and shouldn't. By the same token, I think that it isn't necessarily okay for a "homosexual" but non "culturally gay" person to say and do those same things. This person might be a big closet case who looks down his nose at gays and has tons of homophobic feelings and negative attitudes toward gays and gay culture. If that sort of homosexual person used a gay expletive then I'd be pissed, even if they did try to play it off. Simply put if I were aware of their negative feelings and outlook on gays, then regardless of their own sexuality I don't think they have the right to joke about it or try to make light of the situation. Obviously they can say whatever they like since it's a free country, but I would find it offensive, would not want to associate with them further, and would probably express my disapproval. Also, let me be clarify that I don't think simply being in the closet makes someone homophobic and negative toward gays. Certainly there are some out homosexuals who still have negative feelings toward gays and would similarly incur my wrath. I guess all I'm really saying is that before someone jokes about it, I think it's important that they "own it" and belong to the group and do something for it. Their actual sexuality is irrelevant; it's their feelings, attitudes, and motivation.

Oh poor thing That still sounds so rough! I'm so glad he's able to keep his spirits up! I'm not sure if you know, but what's the general long-term prognosis? Any estimate on when he'll be able to leave the hospital and how much/how long he'll need in physical therapy? I guess it might be too soon to know those sorts of things, but that's always what I'm most curious about in times like this. Take care, Steve, and keep your spirits high! -Kevin

When you're good at something there's no reason not to keep doing it

Welcome to the forum, Kavika! It's awesome to have ya here! I can't wait to interact with you more around the forums. BTW, if you want to quote and respond to multiple people in the same post you can always click the "quote" button below each person's post (it'll turn red), and then click "Add Reply" (not "Fast Reply") at the bottom of the screen. All your quotes will be waiting for you in the response screen All the best, Kevin

Or maybe he couldn't see it from where he was! Cool pic, Eric! -Kevin

Happy Birthday, dude!!!! I hope it's the best ever and may next year's totally blow this one out of the water Have a fantastic day and an awesome year -Kevin

Happy Birthday, Greg!!! I hope it's as wonderful as you are -Kevin

Oh no! How shocking and unexpected. Poor thing that's awful! Thank goodness it wasn't more serious and he's already on the road to recovery. I'm so very sorry to hear this though Take care, Steve, and get well and back to us as quickly as possible! Thanks for letting us know, Viv, and please do keep us informed. Also, big thanks to his sister for passing along the message. All the best, Kevin

He was kinda cute...in all honesty though she did more for me. LOL, she kinda hit my bisexual side a bit Oh my gosh yes!!! I remember when this video first came out I was lusting over him every time I saw it! On another note, that is also one of my all time favourite videos and I absolutely love the concept. The gorgeous guys is pure bonus; it's a brilliant video anyway. That link doesn't seem to be working, at least not for me anyway. Try this: Saving Me

Hmm, well I would point out that some of the "negatives" listed aren't likely to match up to those types for me. For example, my concept of "The Stud" wouldn't likely be the sort of guy who could be a closet case. Simply put, I tend to like guys who look gay. I'm not really interested in "straight" or even "straight looking" guys. So a guy I found very attractive would probably be pretty easy to pick out as gay. For the "Average Guy," I don't place very much emphasis on career/success so I doubt I'd feel that the "negatives" listed were truly negative. Actually, it sounds more like he has his priorities straight. I think relationships, family, and general personal happiness are much more important that work related success. I will say that the "Rich Guy" description held pretty true to what I've come in contact with though

Have a very happy and special second birthday!

Congrats!

Just under thirty hours ago my grandfather passed away. It was shocking. He'd been ill for the past month but his condition seemed stabilized. To explain the significance of this event let me clarify that my grandfather has always been my primary male, parental figure. We've always been very close and gotten along really well. I just can't begin to explain the shock and incomprehension that I am experiencing as I realize that I'll never hear his voice again. I've never lost a close family member before. This is completely uncharted territory for me. Had my actual father passed away I'd have known how to handle it. I'd have been warm and conciliatory to my family members on that side of the family and I'd have dressed up and done my "family duty." This...well this is just really shocking and painful. I know I'm not exactly a child anymore, but it's damn scary and painful losing a parental figure. I can't begin to describe the regret I feel for not traveling back home to visit last weekend. I also feel so helpless. I've been crying a lot. It's strange what will set me off. It's the random things which hold special significance, which, I guess that isn't so strange after all. I found a note he'd written me a few hours ago. I was looking up my actual father's address so that I could mail him a card and I keep all my cards and letters in the same place and I came across it. It wasn't really a momentous note or anything, but it was very him. Warm, caring, playful. It was the sort of person he was. Always in a good mood, always boisterous and friendly. Always such a good provider, always looking after other people. I think we had a much better relationship than I could ever have had with my actual father. It was sort of the perfect blend of parent/grandparent relationship. I mean all the problems and heavier stuff my mom handled. With him we always just enjoyed each other's company. He knew I loved him, and I definitely knew he loved me, and I guess that's what matters the most. Some sort of goodbye would have been nice though. I went to visit a few weeks ago. It wasn't easy. He just looks so frail. That wasn't how I ever thought of him. He was always so strong and hardy. It was so hard seeing him confined to a bed. I had to excuse myself and pretend I needed the restroom. Really I was just overcome and needed to regain my composure. I guess in many ways it would have been harder seeing him during his absolute final days. Maybe that would have been harder. I do feel a bit like a child though. Everyone's treating me like I'm made of glass...and really appreciate it. I feel a bit fragile. I'm not though. All in all I think I'm damn good at coping with my emotions and sorting out how I feel. I think I'm supposed to feel pretty shitty right now, but I'm sure I'll bounce back. He wouldn't have wanted me to fall to irreparable pieces. The pieces I've got now I can put back together. I'm really so proud of my mom. She's really holding everything and everyone together. I'm really grateful to my friends too. I've gotten so many warm, supportive calls and texts. I'm also really lucky that my boss told me to take as much time off as I needed and has also been really sympathetic. All in all I couldn't ask for better conditions under which to grieve. So I guess I will just grieve and cherish all the countless happy memories I have to look back on.

Well, from my point of view as a versatile person I would say that I've never really thought of them as roles per se, at least not for me personally. Instead I see being a top and being a bottom as simple continuations and further aspects of sexual activity. For example few people would say that oral sex precludes mutual masturbation. Erotic message, Making out, and body contact are also distinct sexual activities. Obviously there are tons more too. However, I simply see being a top and being a bottom as separate sexual activities, not as my role. Indeed my best sexual activities have been very versatile in that I both topped and bottomed. By the same token, those same very good sexual experiences also include a wide array of other activities besides just those two. I like variety when it comes to sexual experiences. I don't want to stay in the same position the whole time and I don't want us to just do one or two activities. I like to keep things moving and make sex a whole body experience. Being a top is very different from being a bottom. Just as the sensations involved with other sexual activities are different. As it happens, I enjoy both the activity of being a bottom and of being a top. Occasionally I end up locked into one or the other, but that is very comparable to how some people just don't like certain things so you don't really do them with that person. By the same token, occasionally I am more in the mood for one or the other just as I'm occasionally in the mood for random other sexual activity Y, but not X - even though by and large I might enjoy both Y and X. Anyway, I guess my simple answer is that I just don't see it as an either/or situation. I like both, so I choose both. I do end up being a top a good bit more often though, but that isn't so much out of a particular activity preference so much as it is from a particular person preference. In a purely physical, emotional, and relational way (completely unrelated to actual sex) I tend to be much more attracted to guys who turn out to be "bottoms" so what am I to expect? -Kevin

Awwww

Like I said, opening another browser screen is what I usually grudging end up doing. The primary time more tabs would come in handy is at work. I always keep 3 separate FF window open for 3 separate on-going tasks that I have. At least one of them (and occasionally the other two) usually requires a lot of tabs though. If I can't keep it under 12 I usually do give in and open another screen, but then I'm invariably clicking on the wrong window all day or getting mixed up about where something is. Apart from that, besides the 3 FF windows, I usually have an IE window a Safari window, and quite a few other programs running. I hate adding to the clutter with more FF screens than the minimum 3 that I pretty much have to have. Anyway, to answer the other part of your question, I don't need to see what's on them because I open them in a very specific order and I know what's there, apart from which I usually go through them in order and close them out as I complete my tasks (so it's helpful to have them all there to give me an idea of how much is left, but unnecessary to hop around that much within that same FF window). Eh, I'm just a bit hyper-organized when it comes to some things, and having the scrolling tabs or being forced to open extra windows really screws with my system. Even for personal, home use it's helpful though. For example I might like to have one browser window that is nothing but GA tabs, but very often I've wanted to have more than 12 GA tabs open at once, and I don't really want to open another browser window because again I'm apt to keep "misplacing it" on my computer's taskbar and continually open the wrong window. The same goes for YouTube; I've often wanted to have more than 12 YouTube tabs open, but I only want one "YouTube" window. I agree with you completely on Safari! I kinda have to run at least 3 separate browsers for work so that I can log into the same places with different settings and info, but I really can't stand the Safari interface at all. Actually I do like Opera much better and should make that my third browser instead, but I'm lazy and I.E. and Safari were already on the computer.

glad you're getting into familiar territory at least!

Woo Hoo! Congrats, Eric!!

I just wanted to take a moment to wish Dion a very special and happy birthday! Dion is a talented writer, insightful poster, creative artist, and all around terrific person! May your birthday bring you all the joy and happiness which you deserve, Dion, and may the coming year be the best yet! -Kevin