AFriendlyFace

I've had those before, and still do on a semi-regular basis, but I still think Cosmos are better, lol.

Welcome to Procyon (I've really been enjoying interacting with you around the forums! ) And welcome back to Bitterephipany, I recall your old names as well, good to see you again

OH wow, that's so sad

Aww, thanks! You too. I like that song, I shall listen to it now. "Luckiest" by Ben Folds! I think it's my new favourite song.

Well that's fascinating! It seems to me more like their orientation did change. I.E. from an attraction to guys to an attraction to girls. To me when it comes to sexual orientation, the gender of one's attraction is more relevant than the fact that it's same or opposite from your own gender. I'm truly amazed by this! Thanks for sharing!

"The Scientist" - Cold Play

Err, I know you put it in quote marks, but I still think 'different' is a better choice of words than 'wrong'. That's all very true, but I think what it really comes down to is an issue of denial. Some people are very good at denying their true sexuality, and almost undoubtedly the same would hold for gender. Certainly they would be expressing it subtly anyway, and the signs would be there, but for someone adamant about ignoring them it could be done. The same would hold true for this person's spouse/partner. Upon reflection they could probably see the signs, but if they were dead set on ignoring it prior to the revelation that could probably done. People have an amazing capacity for selectively seeing and believing what they want. You mean for example if I were dating a gay guy and he realized he was transgendered and went through the process of becoming a woman, and then realized that she was still homosexual and thus a lesbian interested in dating other women? I guess that's plausible, but it's not my understanding of how it works. I've personally known four transexual people fairly well, three of whom who have already for the most part undergone the switch and one who is still in the process, and each was attracted (or certain that they would be attracted) to same gender before and after, regardless of 'sexuality' before the transition. To me it seems more like regardless of your gender you're either attracted to males or females (or both) and altering your physical gender should be independent of that. At least that's how I see it.

Oh, I love that song! Avenue Q - My Girlfriend Who Lives in Canada

I agree that there isn't really anything biologically amazing about all this, but it could be a fairly significant step societally. I think it's important that people get over the notion that a 'family' is a man, a woman, and a kid/kids. Families come in all different varieties and important for us as a society to realize that. So if transgendered people having kids is going to help carry that torch then I'm certainly behind it, even more so than I would be on a strictly personal level (obviously regardless of any other agendas I want people to be able have kids and start families if that's what they want).

Welcome back, dude! I hope all has been well with you! Do you want us to get rid of your old account?

Well as someone who wants very very much to become a father I'm a bit saddened by the fact that majority of responders seem to have the most trouble saying it to dads/step-dads/father figures! I really hope my kids won't have a problem saying it to me! I know that really in any relationship, especially as the individuals get older, this is a two-way street, but in many ways I feel like it's primarily the responsibility of the parent/older person to make sure the younger person knows they are loved. So maybe as long as I make sure to say it to my kids and make sure they know it, it'll be less of a problem. I hope so anyway.

I agree, but it's best to just make a cosmo

I would disagree. Many people don't even work out for sure that they're gay until later than that. I think the issue of transexuality would take even longer to figure out. Especially if it were a MTF in a gay male relationship. Chances are he might have incorrectly assumed that his feeling of being different or out of place stemmed from the far more common experience of being homosexual than being transgendered. Don't get me wrong, a lot of people who are transgendered figure it out right away and always sort of 'know', but I think it's easy to misidentify given the right circumstances and background. I would be very interested in some stats on this! Yep, definitely answers my question

"Dance, Dance" - Fall Out Boy

Yes, I love that song! "A Little Less Sixteen Candles" by Fall Out Boy

The Dark of the Matinee - Franz Ferdinand

I agree, there is much bi-phobia in the world. On the other hand bi people who refuse to have relationships with one gender contribute to it. I have an unorthodox suggestion that may or may not work, and I suppose it has the potential to hurt you so take it with a grain of salt. Why not do relationship like stuff with him? Like you said you guys had fun hanging out before right? Well keep hanging out and start acting more and more like you're already his boyfriend. Without being possessive or very overt with it that is, since that would probably put him off. Just keep flirting and having fun, and spending time together, and if it's something you both want maybe you guys could 'do stuff'. After awhile it'll basically be like you're dating anyway. Which will give you both a chance to see if you like it. If you do, at some point you can have 'the talk' about where things are going and what you each want. At that point it might not be as intimidating to him if it is something he wants because he'll realize it's basically something he's already doing and all that would happen is that it would become 'official'. Anyway, that's my advice, keep it light and non-serious, but similar to dating and when it feels right see if you both want to take it to the next, official level. I know that does have the potential to get you a broken heart, but really what relationship doesn't? Anyway that's why I urge you to keep it light and non-serious until it is official. Just have fun, don't go too fast, and only do stuff you both want to do. Just a suggestion. I hope it all works out Kevin

Happy 18th birthday, Adam! I hope you have a fantastic birthday and an awesome year! If you get a chance please drop by and let us know how you're doing All the best, Kevin

That's how I eventually decided to become a vegetarian. It didn't really have anything to do with cost. My family raises beef, I've always had unlimited free access to as much as I want, and the rest aren't particularly expensive. I just don't really like meat. Ever since I was a kid I'd always be way more into the sides at any meal. So once I moved out on my own I often didn't bother having any because I simply didn't want it. After awhile I realized that I was only eating meat as you said, once or twice a week, and I really didn't want it. So I decided to take the plunge and go vegetarian. It's not a particularly big sacrifice for me anyway

Actually that's the other half of my question. Is it harder for males to say 'I love you' to another male? Especially a straight male? Not to pry, but Tracy you said it wasn't a problem saying it to your brother. Is he younger? (I would guess it's easier to say it to younger males). Beasty, you said you didn't like saying it to your dad because it would likely be over the phone. Do you think that's the only reason? Could you say it to your mom over the phone? Personally, my grandfather is really the only straight male I'm close with. My dad and I have a perfectly pleasant relationship, but my parents divorced when I was very young and he's always lived very far away, so we've just never had a close relationship, so I would expect it to be difficult to say regardless. It's very easy for me to express affection with my gay friends, and say it when appropriate, but we have a really close relationship, and I expect it's different with other gay males. Didn't you tell us once that saying 'I love you' was very common and prevalent in your society? Or is there a different phrase with a more serious meaning? I guess it would be! Take care all, Kevin

That's not my perception at all. I consider smoking much more dangerous. That is assuming the people drinking are doing so responsibly. There's really no way to smoke 'responsibly' if you ask me. Just my opinion though. Haha, I'm sure we'd have a grand time I'm sure we would, lol! I hear there's a trip happening in a couple of months Oh I like that! Caffeine is toxic! I know I'm always going on about this, but, especially in large quantities, it's really bad for you! However, please don't try to quit/cut back significantly right now because it'll make not smoking a lot harder Anyway, you're right. Some of my only bad experiences with alcohol have involved vodka. Discussions of marijuana and other illegal substances aren't really well-suited to the forums. They're very controversial and can easily lead to things getting out of hand. However, you do make some really good points with regards to the legalization as well as the social trends. Might I suggest we continue the conversation in the Soap Box? We already have a thread, Cannabis debate that would probably be suitable. It's a little easier to discuss difficult issues there. Alcohol is great with meals! The majority of the time I have wine it's with some kind of meal or snack. Occasionally I drink it by itself but not often (unless I've already finished the food and just want to have another glass). Margaritas are also incredible with food! So are coffee/alcohol combinations and mudslides. Beer is even quite tasty with certain types of food. It's really all about knowing how to pair them effectively Anyway, my favourite alcoholic beverage at the moment would probably be a cosmopolitan and I have to admit I do much prefer drinking it on its own, but most of the others are okay with certain types of food. Of course I'm not one of those people that mixes alcohol with soda, I just don't like it that way (well I don't like soda), so maybe that would taste bad with food, I wouldn't really know. I also don't drink beer very often, only once in a great while, and I don't think I would like it with very many foods, but it is good with some (you haven't lived if you haven't had a good, ice-cold budlight and a plate of spicy, boiled crawfish!) Kevin

Wake Up Alone - Amy Winehouse

But what if they only worked out that they were transgendered while you were in the relationship with them?

Wooo HOOOO!!! Congrats on 2,000 Benji!!! It's been a great pleasure reading your posts and I look forward to what you have to say with the next 2,000! -Kevin

Hi all, I was wondering what your experiences were saying 'I love you' to people. Not necessarily significant others, but the people you love in general. Do you say it easily and often? Is it difficult for you to say? Do you reserve it for special occasions? My own experience is that I never have trouble saying it back to people whom I do love, and I occasionally initiate it if it's someone I'm very close with and say it to often. The only problem I seem to have is saying it to my grandfather. I love him very much and he was the main father figure in my life, but it always feels a bit weird to say it and I very rarely do. Apart from that I don't seem to have a problem saying it although I also don't throw it around casually. ? Personally, with him I know it's there and mutual, and I'd like to say it, and I know I'd have no problem saying it back...but I dunno, I just never manage to initiate it. Apart from that I like to think I'm quite good at appropriately expressing affection, so I'm not sure what the deal is. What do you folks think about this? Is it important to say it or is it more important to show it? Or are they equally important and you really need to do both? Anyway, take care all and have an awesome day Kevin