corvus

I'm glad you're entertained, old bob. lol, actually this comparison isn't so surprising. In the eastern US at least, I think there's a very interesting relationship between Jews and gays. It reminds me of a quote from the novel At Swim, Two Boys, which centers on Irish-homosexual identity. One of the characters is asked: "Are you bent?" to which he replies, "If you mean I'm Irish, then I am." I think they left Mississippi.

Hey Kevin... sounds like the date with Ryan went well. I'm glad. It's probably a good idea to let things just grow or develop at their own pace. You might find yourself getting closer to him, or you might find that he's just good as a friend or an acquaintance. This, of course, is all theoretical -- I have no experience whatsoever -- but yeah. Good luck and have fun.

Engrossing... I think you should finish it anyway and submit it for the anniversary anthology. Or just as a short story.

You're the most reliable person ever. Haha. Anyway, I think the outside-ness is what I like about being gay. I mean, there's a downside to that as well, i.e. being an outsider; but I am more aware of the movement and behavior of the rest of the herd, and can judge it more objectively. *shrug*

*shrug* He gave me a glowing review, I can't complain...

We all know that being gay = hiding, lying, persecution, angst, AIDS, etc. etc.... What's one thing that you actually *like* about being gay? (Apart from the hot man- . If applicable.) I'll answer after someone else answers. Dang, can't think of anything right now, being gay is just too depressing.... jk. PS As usual, I looked through previous threads, and I don't think this is a repeat. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Hey, welcome aboard, knight! I'm sure you'll enjoy GA's supply of said brilliant men, brilliant stories, brilliant women, and some ... not so brilliant men as well.

I'd say keep going... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I thought that sort of thing only existed in sappy gay stories. I guess I'm wrong. Good for you guys, and I think it'd be very difficult to top what you guys had.

I agree with clumber in his most basic assertion, that nobody -- bi or gay or lesbian or whatnot -- has any responsibility to come out. That's not to say people of different sexualities should remain in the closet. But IMO, sexuality should be a complete non-issue. That is to say, when you meet someone, you shouldn't assume that person is straight -- you should have enough respect for non-straight sexualities to actually consider otherwise. Therefore, sexuality shouldn't *need* to be mentioned. I mean, it's nobody else's business, really. If you were in a close and, particularly, romantic relationship with someone, then it should be mentioned, as it's certainly one of those things that the SO is entitled to know... Also, I agree with Kevin that everyone is bisexual.

Dude, take care of yourself! Remember -- "early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." Also, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." Although, since you're a vegetarian and probably eat ten times more fruits than I do, I guess I'd be a hypocrite to be reminding you.

Happy birthday! The gay online writing community wouldn't be the same without you...

Happy birthday, and many happy returns.

Danke, danke, aber ich habe nicht Zeit zu schrieben. (Sorry, Germans out there, for butchering your language!) And thanks, Kevin and Steph!

Interestingly I have a family friend whose son, about my age, is a bit retarded. Or mentally handicapped, whatever the PC term is. His mom once told my mom, in those private mother-to-mother discussions that mothers have, that she thought it's because the kid didn't get fed *any* meat when he was a baby. The parents had thought that would be super-healthy or something. Of course, it might have nothing to do with it, but meat is good -- fat for your brain and lipid bilayers, essential amino acids, lots of iron... I like meat. Sometimes I love it. Unlike quite a few people here, I really like pork. Tragically, my university's dining halls serve very little pork -- probably to cater to the Muslim students that abound. Whenever they *do* have pork -- usually in the form of some faux-Chinese food with tons of MSG and zero authenticity -- I always stock up. Tehehe. I also like lamb. Just so you guys know...

I haven't read such a story on GA, but I have read such stories. Check out the best of nifty page on Awesomedude. I remember one or two stories that fit your criteria. Happy reading!

1. I think it's generally a case of the signs being obvious but being overlooked. You can generally never tell except in hindsight. And because people are so different, I don't think you can really come up with reliable "red flags" that'd apply to everyone. So no: I think it'd be very hard to tell from observation alone. 2. I think gay people just tend to be in positions that make them more vulnerable to depression than straight people. In general, straight people don't have to deal with hiding, rejection, oppression, etc. etc. nearly as much. Whether there's a physical -- by this I would hazard to say "genetic" -- basis or not probably hinges on a completely answer to the question of, what makes people gay? So yes, gay people are intrinsically more likely to get depressed because of the nature of their situation, but not due to physical/genetic factors. 3. Hmm. Don't think so. Deep questions these are. No good answers there are. Interesting responses these are.

Ever heard of the Darwin Awards? They're given to select individuals who have generously removed themselves from the gene pool. They're amusing to read for the first thirty minutes or so, and then one begins to feel that maybe the Neanderthals would've been better occupants of the planet.

This is totally sniff-inducing. You should be proud of yourself for getting everyone through.

Kevin, you can't be there for everyone! The world isn't your responsibility, and from your blog and the amaaazing amount of posts you pour into the forums, you're doing more than your share. I know what you mean about being able to sympathize and understand intellectually while being unable to empathize -- I think, as a whole, there are more things in the world of this category than in the category of things with which I have enough common experience to actually empathize with. And I think it's enough to recognize your limitations. Only God -- if you believe that way -- should have the capacity to truly empathize and love, etc, everybody.

Yeah, sure I like muscle/older guys -- just not too muscled, and not too much older. As Cleobulus said, "Moderation is impeccable."

I've dropped Don Delillo. Life is too short to waste on writers who suck, no matter what Harold Bloom says. Although it's not *that* bad. It's certainly interesting, and it has moments that make me really think. Still, I want to enjoy what I'm reading. So I've picked up Oscar and Lucinda. It's much more enjoyable. I'm about a third way through.

Antigone is like the opposite of Hamlet -- she knew what she had to do, and did it even though it might've been stupid and/or futile. And yes. Hamlet was a whiny bitch. But he was an existentialist whiny bitch (as existentialist as you can get in the 1500s), and not as whiny as Holden Caulfield. That was a whiny bitch, right there. He didn't even end up killing anyone. I totally agree with you about Beloved. Even now (I read it four years ago), I can't think of a single book that is as ... perfect. Haha. I'm glad it's not just me... I attended a reading she did of the new book she was working on, and I was caught between thinking 'OMG Toni Morrison is reading to me!' and 'the story is really... bald.' But judging from the way she read, I think I have a better idea of how she'd like the reader to *read* it. I guess she's still playing with style too. Or maybe she's just lazier.

I can't wait to celebrate the end of all my problem sets this semester! Sadly, I have to do the last one first.

Glad you're with us, Dravenn! I'm liking what I've read of your work so far. Good luck with that novel! Is that what you're uploading?