Conner

Funny story, Nick. I think it's time Taylor started making applications as village idiot. He should get several offers. Btw, Nick, you don't need permission to chill. Hoping you have a kick-ass 2008! Conner

Whatever happened to tic-tac-toe!

If you could give me the name of the wire service on this sheep story, I would appreciate it. Frankly, if there isn't a body, this whole story takes a big dive. Conner

I have no difficulty saying that I consistently prefer happy endings. Getting to that happy ending has to be realistic. I've noticed more stories offering a mixed ending of late. Or the story starts with a trajedy. Conner

I haven't voted and don't intend to. This whole thing is just too upsetting. What I can't get past is that the story came from a wire service. Wire services make their money when a city newspaper (or anyone in the media for that matter) picks up the story and prints it or broadcasts it. That tends to make them very cautious in getting a story right the first time. The only way around that would be if the local authorities misidentified the body and passed on the incorrect information to a journalist. There is going to be a body one way or another. Conner

I've already had my Christmas goose, thank you very much! This thread is really going to gross out the teens here at GA. Conner (who's a little past 50)

Ok, so if CJ wants to live...intact, that is, he's going to have to pull a rabbit out of his sunglasses. For CJ's sake, I hope he's been taking magic lessons. :2hands: I'm convinced that CJ would not kill off one of the 3 brothers. It doesn't matter which one, he'll be on a skewer regardless. It would also seem that the death of one of the guys would result in a cancellation of the tour. That would mess up the two storylines from merging in Australia. So I'm going to meander around what facts/clues we might have. Generally, the wire services are quite reliable...like AP (associated press). They don't like to be wrong, especially in reporting a death. It also makes sense that if Barbra was monitoring/searching wire services, it would be the more legitimate and reliable ones. Neither Barbra nor Helen make any adverse comment on the source of the fatality story...again, this points to a reliable wire service. Then again, the story contains the victim's name....now this is unusual unless the next-of-kin have been contacted. There doesn't seem to have been enough time for that. Helen certainly wasn't contacted. This also raises the issue of why didn't one of the guys call Helen....at least before the story hit the wire services. Yes, Helen's phone was off (another curiosity given the note left by Jon saying they were going rock climbing), but it strikes me that the guys would have contacted the hotel management and gotten a message to her to call back. So this also points to the story being incorrect. What exactly did Eric figure out anyway? This is what he said to Wilde,

Happy B-Day, Jack! Conner

There's evil...then, there's evil. Any of Steve's crimes pale in comparison to this dastardly evil chapter. It's like Bambi meets Godzilla. It's obvious to me that CJ wants to be King and Queen of evilest cliffhangers. Greedy, don't you think? I have called for an emergency meeting of the Goat Sub-Group Committee on Literary Merit. At the very least, CJ will be given the red carpet treatment. Well, it'll be red once we're done with him. :chris: Conner

It couldn't have been me in your dream. I am in my mid-50's (sort of) and stocky (definitely). I still have my hair though. Thank god for tender mercies. I'm also tall...certainly much taller than Danny Devito. It's obvious to me that you have issues with authority figures. As for the half-naked dude, that's just lust...pure unadulterated sock-it-to-me lust. Please send me all the details in a private PM. I'll be sure to respond in greater depth......and girth. Good on ya for the marks you're getting! Kicking ass at Christmas! Conner

It was this sentence with which you choked the English language. Btw, there are thousands of francophones/Quebecquois living in other provinces. They particularly like BC. Who wouldn't love lotusland? Our weed is the best. Conner

I want old bob!

For Christmas, Graeme, I've asked Santa to uncomplicate you!! Conner

New Members! Bah! Humbug! Ok, so I just finished watching A Christmas Carol....the one with Alister Sims, made in 1951. Scrooge is one of my favourite Christmas characters. Conner

Happy B-day, Nerotorb!!! As your birthday treat, here are the lyrirs from the song "18 'til I die" by Bryan Adams (a Canadian, I should add) I wanna be young the rest of my life never say no - try anything twice til the angels come and ask me to fly I'm gonna be 18 til I die - 18 til I die can't live forever that's wishful thinkin' who ever said that must of bin' drinkin' don't wanna grow up I don't see why I couldn't care less if time flies by 18 til I die - gonna be 18 til I die it sure feels good to be alive someday I'll be 18 goin' on 55! - 18 til I die anyway - I just wanna say why bother with what happened yesterday it's not my style I live for the minute if ya wanna stay young get both feet in it - 18 til I die a 'lil bit of this - a 'lil bit of that 'lil bit of everything - gotta get on track it's not how ya look, it's what ya feel inside I don't care when - I don't need ta know why 18 til I die - gonna be 18 til I die ya it sure feels good to be alive someday I'll be 18 goin' on 55! - 18 til I die ya there's one thing for sure - I'm sure gonna try don't worry 'bout the future - forget about the past gonna have a ball - ya we're gonna have a blast gonna make it last - 18 til I die

Congrats on your first anniversary, Beasty! Post whore is such a vulgar term. Instead, I think of you, CJ and Kevin as being prolifically proactive! Thanks for your substantial contribution to GA! Conner

I guess I have a more liberal outlook on this incident. Providing there was full consent on the part of the minor. I really don't see this as criminal behaviour. Were they stupid and careless? For sure. Amazingly enough, the age of consent across Canada is 14. There's an important exception for adults who are in a position of authority or trust in relation to the minor in the age range 14 to 17, e.g. police, bosses, teachers, etc. In practice, there's a double standard around gender that often comes into play when the minor is male and the adult is a woman. Conner

Yes, I prefer my faggots porked, too!! Conner

Greg, you are truly the voice of reason. Ok, I have an idea. Let's all imagine (that means you make pictures in your head) Jamie in perfect health and fitness. Here we go. The sit-ups have caused Jamie's abs to adopt an ebb and flow look. Yes, just like that washboard my mother use to use. His shoulders are broader. When he gives a high-five to a buddy, I notice the tone in his forearm and bicep. His tee moves up sligtly showing a flat stomach with a hint of pec development in his chest. I catch a short glimpse of his treasure trail....... Excuse me, I have to go now...

I agree. There are a lot of words out there in public use that offend someone, somwhere. Censorship is not the answer. I know that. It's always been a double edged sword anyway. If I can censor others, others can censor me. Frankly, I'm not going on about censorship. I believe in freedom of speech. I wouldn't touch it if I could. With censorship, we'd all be "tip-toeing through the tulips." It may be peaceful, but it'll definitely be boring to say the least. Where does that leave us? One step might be to grow a thicker shin and develop come-back lines. I believe many of us have done that. What I don't want to see is gay men developing a complacency around words that are derogatory to us. The word "faggot" is derogatory to gay men no matter what context in which it is used. So let's not go off on imaginary tangents such as "artistic freedom". Yes, they can say it, they can sing it, they can sky-write it. But let's not pretend it's artistic. Let's not pretend it's anything more than what it is....and that's vulgarity. Now, vulgarity sells. I know that too. Gratuitous vulgarity sells even better because that way we can pretend that the vulgarity is directed somewhere else and not at us. That's the stuff rose-coloured glasses are made of. If we were to take offence to it, we might actually have to stand up and say something. Then again, maybe I need to take a chill pill. Conner

Wisdom, like many other things, is in the eye of the beholder. I agree that playing a censored version of the song was a poor decision on the part of BBC 1. If they were truly interested in being a principle-centered broadcaster, their decision should have been not to play the song at all. Had they done that, then the following question begs an answer, "Does being a public corpoation disqualify the BBC from making principle-centered decisions? I have no difficulty what so ever in BBC 1 being called to task on such a decision. Conner

I'm quite disappointed that the BBC radio 1 reversed itself. If you're going to take a stand on moral grounds, then stick with it. They just lost all credibility in my eyes. Their new motto should be "We here at BBC 1 have moral standards....subject to public opinion, that is." So some of you are saying that use of the word "faggot" in the context of this song is part of the creative process? Really? Some of you are saying that use of the word "faggot" in the context of this song isn't an insult to homosexuals. Really? Aren't the Emperor's clothes lovely. Conner

You're not anorexic, Jamie. Anorexics have a severely distorted body image. You're quoting acceptable weight ranges. Sorry, you don't qualify. Nice try though. You've lost 20 lbs since September. w00t! w00t! That is no easy task, let me tell you. I get that you're motivated. You have every reason to be motivated......just turned 18, first year uni, good looking dude, on your own away from mom, exploring who you are, looking for some kind of relationship. Damn right you're losing weight. Sounds to me like your head is screwed on just right. As you've been dealing with weight issues since late childhood, you no doubt have beliefs or paradigms around your physical appearance. Something like "I'm a fat person" or "I'll always be fat" or "Fat runs in my family" or whatever it is for you. Vic's advice to ask a trusted friend who'll be totally honest with you is excellent. (I hate agreeing with Vic. ). There are likely "professionals" (probably kinesiology majors) employed ay the uni's gym. They'll also give you good advice. It's all about diet (nutrition) and exercice. A little muscle toning is never a bad idea. <removes drool from chin> If only I were you! Conner

Been there, done that! I think that applies to about 99% of us... the fear of rejection and all that psycho-babble. Why is it that we humans have this overwhelming need to "fix" our friends...make them feel better...and all that. Yes, it's human, I know, but usually unproductive. I keep thinking, "Maybe it'll work this time!" So, in that context, I'm going to make two suggestions. Go alone to the bar sometimes (or wherever). If you get rejected, it won't be in front of your friends. I know for me, when friends are egging me on, I dig my heels in even deeper. Being alone may encourage some dude to approach you as well. The other thing is to have a "canned" line or three ready to go in case of rejection. Something like, "I feel like a member of the javelin throwing team and it's my turn to catch." Humour lessons the blow. Conner

If I go to hell, I'm getting there early enough to get a suite, not a seat.....so I can entertain all the 'hot' gay dudes.