W_L

Happy Bday Girl!!!! :D

You know in Chinese mythology, ghost are represented by the yin energy or feminine energy and only those with especially strong yin energy can perceive them. Women are usually more spiritually aware than men in eastern tradition, unless the men were capable of yin energy production. Usually men or yang partner represent masculine energy and they are supposed to balance out the woman or yin partner. During normal hetero-sex, the highest concentration of masculine energy is given off. Homosexuality is opposite though in mythology, so it opens interesting ideas. Hmmm....Just remembered that myth, but if you add gay guys seeing ghost during their moment of intimacy some one might be a bit to fem in the relationship, hehe!

Darn I thought you were going to search for intelligent life in the Universe with that set up!

Thanks Myr, Now Let's all find ways to enjoy this new forum by having a forum opening party!

Here's one of the biggest "what if" of the era, what if the US had been successful in the Canadian campaign? A unified North American continent. During the American Revolution and War of 1812; the colonist were not just fighting purely defensive wars, but they had their own mini-offensives in Canada. There is even a historical interpretation of the war of 1812 as being a war for the conquest of Canada by the US. Originally, Ohio and Michigan was part of Canadian territory before the wars and negotiations for the land during the Paris peace conference, interesting since they are the home of the US auto industry. Happy independence Day Canada, the first nation to defeat US expansionist dreams.

Actually in the US, one thing many people fail to do when cashing a lottery ticket is to structure the transaction before you cash it. It is true that first off 30%-35% of the sum received will be withheld under "state and federal law" in the US, but if you can structure your deductions and transfer the winnings in good form, there are ways to work with it. I should have been more specific, when looking for a tax accountant make sure they have a background in state and local taxation. For instance, I have some experiences and studied under Massachusetts, California, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Texas (Why must Texans be so odd? Anyone doing business in Texas know what I mean), and New York state taxes (Not to be confused with NY City taxes). The reason is jurisdiction's provide special deductions and exemptions for taxing purposes. Thus, try getting someone, who knows state taxes to structure your lottery winnings in application to each jurisdiction. People sometimes think tax accountants and financial planners are interchangeable, but we do have specialties that work in different situations. As for the Aussie lottery, if you are an American, don't think you will not be taxed just cause they don't tax you. The provisions of international taxation for non-national winners of foreign lotteries are based off similar levels to transfers in property between nations. There is one plus side that is going to fade soon; in the past, if you had won let's say 106 million Australian dollars, then you might be able to apply for lower long capital tax gain treatment, i.e. 15% capped. Under President Obama's new budget, he is reverting the rate back up to 20% for both individuals and corporations. Still lesser than average ordinary gains.

If any of you guys win, I will help you structure the money. It is not widely remembered until it happens, but most lottery winners go bankrupt due to poor tax planning afterward in the US. The reason is multi-state taxation. Powerball, Mega millions, Mega bucks, and other lotteries with over 10 million are usually set up by multiple states each having jurisdiction to tax your income gain as the lottery may go. Get a good tax accountant to re-allocate your winnings before you even cash the check. I might even advise placing the winnings within a trust that could act as a buffer between you and the states. Additional stuff like charitable deductions and exemptions can be played with. If you do not heed my warning and spend without consulting a good tax accountant or financial planner, you will probably be paying 60-70 million of the winnings in taxes. As for me, I would probably do a couple things with the money: First off, I would pay off all my outstanding student loans and buy a nice house to offset part of my gains. Second, I would do some low level venture capitalist funding to help some new inventors on the marketplace with good ideas. Eventually, I would go into "Angel" investing aspect of venture capital funding, basically a second stage form of funding for start-ups. Most small time inventors will not be successful, so I will deal with losses along the way, but if lightning strikes, then I can turn into a powerful billionaire or possibly a Bill Gate/Walton major shareholder of a trillion dollar corporation. Third, I would set up my own political action organization with the goal of creating an international movement for gay rights. I might hate lobbyists with a passion, but I know that without a good group of them, then certain things will never occur. I will not go into the details of what this organization shall do, but let's just say, I have my sights set extremely high. Fourth, this will be a side project if everything else is settled, I will get myself a trip to the international space station. It would be nice to visit space and see the world literally in one view.

Not that far off from what some of us write, I remember in Dan's Do-Over original, Brian was into a uniform fetish, too. However, a 9 yr old, who's gay is something out of the Rainbow Boy series by Alex Sanchez, possible just very hard to tell at that age.

Here's a slight question that I just came across: Should I go to a Bath house while I am in Toronto? There are no bath houses in Boston, (Our last one closed down in the 70's and there are still laws against such establishments). I know the risk associated with bath houses and anonymous sex. I've just never been to a place like that and I want to try it out, but I am worried about the risks of HIV and other problems.

I hope his pain will stop soon.

I do like having female friends, just don't expect to change me, hehe. This topic is interesting, how can you really ascribe "straight acting" anymore? Metro-sexual fashions have overridden the effeminate connection with gay guys. Since the people emulating the style like feminine characteristics, but they are straight; I can't see a real line of difference. They might not wear wigs or dresses as it is not part of the style, but I can count a few metro-sexual guys that would make you doubt their sexuality based on their mannerism. As for preferences, I agree that everyone has their own preference and straight guys are sexy to me, because they are the guys that I can not have. The captain of the diving team in high school was one of my first straight crushes; I knew he was straight due to his numerous infidelities with his girlfriends (ah high school). I would make the forbidden fruit argument that the guys, you cannot have, are the ones wanted most. There are other preferences people have: Twinks, Studs, bears, Daddies (Scary thought), Fems, and others. I might like Twinks and studs, but other people might prefer bears for their own reasons, so it is really the individual.

Watch Salo, you will be unhappily surprised at how deep human depravity can go. Not historically accurate, but I think the visceral and psychological shock value makes it a great film.

RIP Michael He might have been a bit different, but I will miss him. You don't know what you lose until it is gone.

Aliens movie series was frightening even if they are dated now. I love psychological horror. Hitchcock movies are scary and fun, since they leave things to your mind to create. It is not just the psycho in Psycho that scares you, but the slow build up. As for horror moments upon revelation, there are scary scenes in things like Outer Limits and Twilight Zone that were great. My favorite scene of shock goes to Twilight Zone "To Serve Man": "Mr. Chambers! Don't get on that ship! The rest of the book, "To Serve Man", it's... it's a cookbook! " Best line ever!

I hope he will get better and come back soon.

Christians do not believe in Reincarnation Interesting, most Christians believe in an eternal soul, but they do not believe in reincarnation. The examiner article is interesting. I remember some one saying that believing in ghosts means you accept the paranormal or spiritual concepts of life, but what does believing in reincarnation mean if spiritualist reject the concept.

My 22nd Birthday is tomorrow, so I am thinking on the ideas of eternity. The quote highlights a Taoist principle of reincarnation under certain interpretations, but it also poses interesting ideas on the nature of one's existence and life. If your birth does not begin your life, then could you trace your life story back to the previous generation's action culmination in your creation. If death is not the end, then can you interpret into the future what your actions will create. A look backwards and a look forward into the future is a deep concept about life that extends beyond one person's lifetime and one person's desires. A reason why I appreciate certain German philosophies over the English or French is the intrinsic need to look backwards and forwards upon the nature of human actions, which is similar in line to the Far Eastern view and it creates a bridge between existence and life, which neither English or French philosophy creates. Well, just be lucky, I don't have a mid-life crisis yet; the existential issues might force me to form a new ideal altogether.

They need Ron Moore and Ira Behr for DS9, ignore Berman and Braga. For all its flaws, the 4400 under Ira Behr had a great concept and was number #1 TV show for a good reason. I mean he is one of the conceptual writers for TNG "Best of Both Worlds", the pinnacle of Star Trek series.

You know the other question now is who will play the Next Generation crew after TOS has run its course. Versatility wise and cool bald headed Picard choice for me would be Michael Rosenbaum. I know he might seem young right now, but age him a decade and I can see Jean Luc. If Sylar can be Spock, why can't Lex Luthor be Picard? For Riker, I would pick Ashton Kutcher for his rugged looks. I can't think of any good actors for Worf off the top of my head, Michael Dorn was really good in that role for both TNG and DS9. Though, I had a crush on Wesley, I would pass on recreating that character. Data should be the Mac guy, Justin Long. I want our favorite android to be represented by Mac rather than PC. Geordi is going to be hard as another LaVar Burton will be hard to find. Perhaps, Denzel Whitaker after he ages a few years. That's basically the male crew members for the Next Gen. DS9 has to be done by Denzel Washington as the lead Benjamin Sisko, there are few African American Actor that have his great range. Forrest Whitaker is good at drama, but he lacks something in the seriousness factor. Morgan Freeman is great too, but he can't take the role due to age; he might be a good Father Sisko. Anyone has ideas about future cast ideas.

Well, I am staying at the Sheraton in Toronto, right next door to the Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame and a few blocks from the gay district of Church/Wellesley St. This trip is my attempt to have some fun as working around state politics is very monotonous and dull on the lower levels. One good thing about working for government is the amount of Vacation time.

It was excellent work from all of you boys, girls, and girlish boys or boyish girls, hehe!

Jack Frost- I just get a bit nervous if I am going to ask for directions to cool gay places from a stranger. Graeme- Thanks for the Travel magazine suggestion, I need to invest in one Nephylim- I would love visiting Wales and Cardiff Bay. If I go to England, I will try o visit as much as I can and maybe take the tram to cross the channel.

I love traveling and I enjoy learning about new places. However, I have never been to the gay scene at any of the travel destination I go to. I've been to New York, Montreal, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Chicago, Charleston, Memphis, and other spots in continental North America a few times, but I did not visit any of gay areas on my travel. I want to go, but I am not sure how you should ask a stranger about the best gay part of their city. The internet offerings are cool, but they tend to focus too much on the fashionable crowd of metrosexual looking gay clubs that I find kind of off putting. Does anyone have good hints for gay travel? Fun stories about places that are cool to go to?

Chase, you are my favorite Absurdist. Sorry to hear your grandma passed away, but if you need some one to handle your inheritance taxes just call me. Hmm, I got a strange thought: If both are true Death= Certainty and Taxes= Certainty Then, this must be true: Death= Taxes Since I am equal to this: Me= Taxes Thus: Me= Death :lol: I am Death.

Well, it's my first time in Toronto, It's for the Blink 182 Reunion show, which has sold out in my area and I need a weekend show.