SCarlin

A "Fictory" of life, love and loss in Gay New York 1980-2000.

DANCING WITH FANS By S Carlin Long Brent & Jack Gabriel had introduced him to Jack and Brent at The Eagle. From its opening in 1970, the Eagle’s Nest Bar became the definitive leather/Levi gay bar in New York City. At 21stStreetand 11thAvenue, located in a building previously a longshoreman’s pub called Eagle Open Kitchen (1931-1970), this prototype of the pants-pocket dark, cigars smoke-choked, excitingly masculine and enticingly creepy Eagles which would pop up all over the

Really? A list? Take a survey of successful relationships and ask "Knew it on first sight," vs. "Never in a million years." My money is on the latter winning. Seventeen year in, I personally, "thank god for unanswered prayers." Peace.

Wow. Well, as I read through your post, my thoughts refelcted, for the most part, those of others who have responded. That is, until I read your little throw-away statement that, imagining being with guys, "stirrs more emotion from me." OK, so at 23, having had moderate sexual experience with women and minimal with men, I considered myself a bisexual. I could respond and function sexually with either sex and was spending WAY too much time trying to convince myself that this was, after all, the best and most natural of sexual orientations. Actually I was an absolutely "confus-ed" sexual and once I realized that while I was an equal opporunity copulator, my emotional response was to men, my path cleared and I began the journey to self-acceptance as a Gay man. Granted, I was single and had not spawned. I don't share the opinion that this can be handled lile any other extra-marital attraction, but regardless, I do believe that you need to share whatever it is you're going through with your spouse. Over the last 30 years, I have known couples in this situation who have chosen to stay together, living separate sexual lives and I have known couples that split. But in both instances, they had the maturity to work it out, realizing their responsibility to and for their children and now, with enough time passed to evaluate, they did a good job. You're so young! It won't be easy, but it most likely won't just "go away," and will only get more difficult and damaging to all concerned the longer it stays hidden. So there it is, an opinion - a judgement even. Well, I'm old

It's not a phrase, but: Enjoy. It may be the result of too much time in the hospitality industry, but I can no longer find any appropriate use for this word.

Being Scottish,I would have to agree with certain American Southern drawls, but not all of them - definitely never Texan - and not all drawls fit all individuals. I prefer the Georgian wholeness on a man, but find it hard to resist a woman with that Carolinian honey-drawl.

Quite possibly because of where I am in the story I am writing, but I like these old, trite lyrics: “And now I'm glad Ididn't know the way it all would end, the way it all would go. Our lives are betterleft to chance. I could have missed thepain, but I'd of had to miss the dance.” Garth Brooks,The Dance