GayWay - the gay and lesbian discussion (aka. Any Gays here?)

[scem0]

I think that clubbing is a lot like tai chi. Very healthy mentally and physically. It satisfies me on so many different levels, so I''m in full support for you to go clubbing Dodgy .

_Emerson

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Tai Chi will help you in so many ways. I think it's one of the most healthy physical activities that you can do. Actually, it's so much more than a physical activity. It's moving meditation. It'll help you be more centered mentally. It's just an all around great thing to do.

Your doctor sounds very good .

_Emerson

And that is the other reason he is suggesting that I get in to it. And one of the reasons I would love to live in a city and not the burbs. So many more inviting Tia-Chia "classes" in the city. The burbs seem to be all about the "money" for the classes.

It may be a bias on my part, but I would rather participate in Tai-Chia with a Chinese leader and disciples. Years ago I lived not far from Chinatown in DC. I used to pass a Tai-Chia session in one of the parks on my way to work. It was just soothing to stop and watch them for a few minutes each morning.

Yes, my doctor is very good. The second good one in a row! Damn these healthcare plans that make it difficult to keep doctors that you know, and know you!

My doctor is an internist by practice. But what I have learned he is willing to take on patients that are willing to be an active part in the process. He is well respected in the HIV/Herpes medical community. It was his connection to Herpes research that I was referred to him because of my Bell's Palsy earlier this year.

It was due to his "bedside" manner that I inquired if he did "general pratice" under my insurance plan. Yes he did. And the rest is history as they say.

 

[MontyZ]

Some of my favorites:

• Alanis Morissette
• Alicia Keys
• Andrea Boccelli
• Andrew Lloyd Webber
• Billie Holiday *
• Bjork *
• Christina Aguilera
• Coldplay
• Dashboard Confessional
• Ella Fitz *
• Emiliana Torrini
• Enya
• Erykah Badu
• Fiona Apple*
• The Fugees
• India Arie
• Jack Johnson
• Jamie Cullum
• Jason Mraz
• Jewel
• Lauryn Hill *
• Maria Callas
• Mariah Carey *
• Mates of State *
• Nina Simone
• Norah Jones
• Rent, the play
• Rilo Kiley
• Sade *
• Tori Amos *
• Tracy Chapman *
• Yma Sumac
• Chet Baker*

Do you know Pinback? I've been listening to a lot of their music for the past several months now. There are also some very cool songs on Imogen Heap's and Robbie Williams' new albums. I also love Jason Mraz, just got a few more songs of his from iTunes tonight, actually. Which Mariah songs are you listening to? I only got a few from her Mimi album (like the one with her and Snoop Dog). Not as good as Butterfly, but better than the last several crap CDs she put out.

 

[Grey Beard]

A friend just sent me an episode of 30 Days (Straight-Gay). Very moving. It dealt with a 24yo conservative Christian guy moving in to the Castro with a Gay roommate.

For those that might have seen, how do you think you would deal with living, socializing, and working in a Red State Christian community?

I'll save my comments for a bit...

Chip, I think I've missed the point. What country was this set in? Though it does sound a little like the America that y'all live in.
Kevin
Dazed and confused - confused for days.
aka Grey Beard

 

[gekko513]

There's this commercial running in Norway that I just find hilarious, so I recorded it in EyeTV to keep it. I just watched it now and realised that a lot of the lines are in "English", so I started wondering what an English speaker would make of it.

See it here.

 

[scem0]

Do you know Pinback? I've been listening to a lot of their music for the past several months now. There are also some very cool songs on Imogen Heap's and Robbie Williams' new albums. I also love Jason Mraz, just got a few more songs of his from iTunes tonight, actually. Which Mariah songs are you listening to? I only got a few from her Mimi album (like the one with her and Snoop Dog). Not as good as Butterfly, but better than the last several crap CDs she put out.

Nope, haven't heard of Pinback.

Which Mraz songs did you get? If you haven't heard Absolutely Zero, Mr. Curiosity, Plane, and Life is Wonderful, then you should get those as well .

As for Mariah, I don't like the new album. The only good song is Circles, IMO.

I'm all about her old ballads. Her songs from her early career are just amazing. I love her first album, Mariah Carey. Emotions was pretty good. Daydream is my favorite record, I like pretty much every song on Daydream sans Long Ago. Music Box was good. Rainbow was where she started to go to the dark side, but it wasn't all that bad. The same goes for Butterfly. Two of my favorite songs are from Butterfly - My All and Outside. As for Glitter, I think it's severely underrated, but it doesn't compare to her prior albums. One of her most vocally impressive tracks is on Glitter (Lead the Way). Charmbracelet was no good. Emancipation of Mimi is a step forward, but it is still bad, IMO. I wish hip-hop had never influenced her .

_Emerson

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Chip, I think I've missed the point. What country was this set in? Though it does sound a little like the America that y'all live in.
Kevin
Dazed and confused - confused for days.
aka Grey Beard

It is the US. The turning point for the Str8 guy, was when he met with members of PFLAG, talking of their sons and daughters...

 

[scem0]

I started wondering what an English speaker would make of it.

This just about sums up how I feel:



_Emerson

For those that might have seen, how do you think you would deal with living, socializing, and working in a Red State Christian community?

I'd be so ****ing loud about being gay, I'd make sure that everyone knew that I was gay. And I'd welcome any criticism, it'd be so amusing to see them stumble over their own lack of logic.

_Emerson

 

[Grey Beard]

I'd be so ****ing loud about being gay, I'd make sure that everyone knew that I was gay. And I'd welcome any criticism, it'd be so amusing to see them stumble over their own lack of logic.

_Emerson

OK, now I see where Chip's thoughts were now. I'd love to be able to do as you, but I think it'd only be really possible in a new city. I couldn't see me doing it in my home town.
Kevin
aka Grey Beard

 

[gekko513]

This just about sums up how I feel:



_Emerson

Haahaha ... well, not a big shocker, I suppose. Maybe I should offer a translation:
Left: No
Right: No
Left: Like seriously, where are the diet pages in this magazine?
Right: Yeah, and body mass index?
Left: Seriously
Right: Like, how many calories is it in chewing gum, or lip gloss?
Left: Lip gloss?
Right: Yeah, "you do get in your mouth".
Left: Not if you do like this. *pout*
Right: Ah, this is, like, a be-yourself thing, right, who wants to be themselves, I don't want to be myself, I want to be Paris.
Left: Yes!
Left: This magazine is quite cosy, but cosy is just so last year.
Right: It is, like, yesterday's news.
Left: Seriously
Right: Seriously
Left: Regular magazine for regular people. You know, that just gives me the creeps.
Right: Seriously, me too, the major creeps, big major creeps.

Right: Are those kind of cool?
Left: !

Some of the expression are hard to translate, so the ridiculousness of it all is somewhat lost in translation.

 

[Zaid]

I'd be so ****ing loud about being gay, I'd make sure that everyone knew that I was gay. And I'd welcome any criticism, it'd be so amusing to see them stumble over their own lack of logic.

_Emerson

Um... who said logic would have anything to do with it mate?

They'd just bring out the sticks, pitchforks and torches and chase you out of town on a dark stormy night.

 

[scem0]

Precisely my point. They could hurt me all they want physically, but I would have something they lack, a brain that I use.

_Emerson

 

[Zaid]

Zaid, if I remember correctly, you brought up a similar issue. I'm trying to find the post, but I'm failing. Maybe you have some further insights on this.

Yeh very similar situation gekko. And i'm going to slightly disagree with some of the other advice you've received.

some of my work colleagues are my amongst my best friends. We often go
out together outside of work. We often get drunk together and we've been on lads weekends out together. We've become friends first and colleagues second. And I think that's fine, it certainly makes going to work in the morning more fun.

Now my colleagues all know that i'm gay. We've been in countless locker room type situations. Hell after one night of heavy drinking i woke up in my mates bed with him spooning me. (he's actually quite the big boy )We were in our underwear! Turns out I was very very drunk the night before and so was he. We has managed to get to his place (which was closer to the pub) and drank some more. Then i don't remember. Apparently he stripped me and put me to bed and then did the same. The spooning was just some unconscious thing Anyway that is now a huge joke between us.

I think what i'm getting at is that as long as it remains friendship it's fine and can be a good thing. If you find yourself getting romantically hung up on them then it's not such a good idea. It will only lead to problems.

Also make sure that you have some gay friends as well as your str8 mates from work. (I'm only working this out now.)

Precisely my point. They could hurt me all they want physically, but I would have something they lack, a brain that I use.

_Emerson

I just try and stay clear of those types of people as much as possible. I don't need that kind of aggravation in my life. Arguing with them doesn't help. It is very difficult to argue an idea out of someone that wasn't argued into them. When it's held as an article of faith, well then you may as well just give up. Or kill them, that works too.

 

[scem0]

I totally agree with Zaid.

As for romance in the workplace, I'm all for it. I'd never deny an attraction of mine, especially a mutual once, because we worked for the same company.

_Emerson

I just try and stay clear of those types of people as much as possible. I don't need that kind of aggravation in my life. Arguing with them doesn't help. It is very difficult to argue an idea out of someone that wasn't argued into them. When it's held as an article of faith, well then you may as well just give up. Or kill them, that works too.

Yeah, I probably wouldn't argue with people too much, I'd just make them super-ucomfortable by being super-homo .

_Emerson

 

[gekko513]

Thanks Zaid. I appreciate the advice from all of you.

I've decided to not worry about it much anymore. Not unless I actually get to a point where I'm romantically hung up.

 

[Zaid]

I totally agree with Zaid.

As for romance in the workplace, I'm all for it. I'd never deny an attraction of mine, especially a mutual once, because we worked for the same company.

_Emerson

Problem with romance in the office is that if it doesn't work out you still have to work with the person. That can be very difficult. One night stands are definitely out of the question with colleagues for the same reason. Don't dip your pen in company ink!

That said our office has spawned five relationships 4 of which have ended in marriage and the fifth will probably get there soon.

I think if i met mr right in our office i'd go for it, just because the office has such a good track record
Pity that the other gay guy in the office is totally effeminate, totally in the closet (though just about everyone has guessed) and totally not my type

Yeah, I probably wouldn't argue with people too much, I'd just make them super-ucomfortable by being super-homo .

_Emerson

Super-hom0 is that like some kind of new queer super hero. In pink spandex i think. With a queer ray that can turn cute straight boys gay?

gekko, no probs mate.

 

[scem0]

I could understand there being awkwardness there, but I'd just talk to my colleague about it and get over the awkward feelings via a good old-fashioned conversation. That's a gross simplification, but I don't think awkwardness has to be there between ex's. I hope there won't be for me. Hopefully I'll never have any to be awkward about .

_Emerson

Super-hom0 is that like some kind of new queer super hero. In pink spandex i think. With a queer ray that can turn cute straight boys gay?

gekko, no probs mate.

Yeah, sumthin' like that .

_Emerson

 

[Zaid]

I could understand there being awkwardness there, but I'd just talk to my colleague about it and get over the awkward feelings via a good old-fashioned conversation. That's a gross simplification, but I don't think awkwardness has to be there between ex's. I hope there won't be for me. Hopefully I'll never have any to be awkward about .

_Emerson

Except that it involves two people em, if they don't want to talk it through or if they feel like being vindictive and spreading rumours etc, well then there is nothing a conversation will accomplish.

When emotion gets involved reason often takes a back seat.


PS Did you know that an Em is a unit of measurement in typography equal to the width of a capital M in a typeface Some useless info for you there em

 

[Orlando Furioso]

Yeah, I probably wouldn't argue with people too much, I'd just make them super-ucomfortable by being super-homo .

_Emerson

just a thought.... I understand you are at that age where you feel you are indestructible (and impulse usually wins). However, you alluded earlier about having a "brain" and i guess logic. Anyway, have you considered how these people you readily annoy, make uncomfortable (etc.), by being "super-homo", will react to other (less comfortable, confident) gay men? What about young gay teens not mentally (or even physically) ready to protect themselves?

Im not suggesting you change your behavior, be who you are first and foremost. However, I would advice you stop and think about what you are doing before you proceed to aggravate someone already uncomfortable with gay people/isues. Is making the situation worse helping anything? Is it just to amuse yourself? Is it worth someone else's well-being?

PS Did you know that an Em is a unit of measurement in typography equal to the width of a capital M in a typeface Some useless info for you there em

Zaid, em-dash "—".

Em-dash "—", Zaid.

You've now been properly introduced. Er, afterthought, you probably already knew that.

 

[Zaid]

Zaid, em-dash "—".

Em-dash "—", Zaid.

You've now been properly introduced. Er, afterthought, you probably already knew that.

Actually an em-dash is a dash that is one Em long. It can also be used as a measurement of white space.

Similarly an en-dash is a dash one en long

 

[Grey Beard]

When emotion gets involved reason often takes a back seat.

PS Did you know that an Em is a unit of measurement in typography equal to the width of a capital M in a typeface Some useless info for you there em

I guess you also know that Emerson, is naturally enough "The son of Emery" and that in german it means something like "work master"

On the workplace romances, they can be somewhat tempestuous and volatile but they can be very intense also. I've had two, and both had problem endings. The first I got fired, the second I did an overdose. Would I do it again ? Damn Right !!!
**Not the overdose though**

Kevin
aka Grey Beard

 

[scem0]

just a thought.... I understand you are at that age where you feel you are indestructible

I hardly feel this way.

Anyway, have you considered how these people you readily annoy, make uncomfortable (etc.), by being "super-homo", will react to other (less comfortable, confident) gay men? What about young gay teens not mentally (or even physically) ready to protect themselves?

I suppose they would react the same to all gay men.

Im not suggesting you change your behavior, be who you are first and foremost. However, I would advice you stop and think about what you are doing before you proceed to aggravate someone already uncomfortable with gay people/isues. Is making the situation worse helping anything? Is it just to amuse yourself? Is it worth someone else's well-being?

I really don't think I'd be endangering other gay men, only myself, and very willingly. I'd just be forcing the close minded to confront their insecurities. If they were to try to harm me physically for that, I'd not like it, but it would make my message a thousand more times potent. if they killed me, I'd die a winner. You're right, it's a bad situation - but sitting meekly to the side isn't going to help anyone.

_Emerson

Except that it involves two people em, if they don't want to talk it through or if they feel like being vindictive and spreading rumours etc, well then there is nothing a conversation will accomplish.

When emotion gets involved reason often takes a back seat.


PS Did you know that an Em is a unit of measurement in typography equal to the width of a capital M in a typeface Some useless info for you there em

I'd tie 'em down if that's what I needed to do. Plus, I doubt I'd get involved with anyone who is afraid of words.

And I do know about ems and ens and all that good stuff .

_Emerson

 

[Zaid]

I guess you also know that Emerson, is naturally enough "The son of Emery" and that in german it means something like "work master"
On the workplace romances, they can be somewhat tempestuous and volatile but they can be very intense also. I've had two, and both had problem endings. The first I got fired, the second I did an overdose. Would I do it again ? Damn Right !!!

Kevin
aka Grey Beard

Work master huh?
No didn't know that Is that in connection with his role as super-hom0

 

[Grey Beard]

Chip, and any others interested. I've just read an article on self mutilation being the sincerest form of flattery in today's NYTimes. Worth a skim.
Kevin
aka Grey Beard

 

[Grey Beard]

I really don't think I'd be endangering other gay men, only myself, and very willingly. I'd just be forcing the close minded to confront their insecurities. If they were to try to harm me physically for that, I'd not like it, but it would make my message a thousand more times potent. if they killed me, I'd die a winner. You're right, it's a bad situation - but sitting meekly to the side isn't going to help anyone.

_Emerson

If enough people were a little more militant and overt it would begin to make a difference. Not so really in your face, more 'gay open and proud' I would not like to see anyone truly physically abused to lead to permanent injury including the most uber permanent.
Kevin
aka Grey Beard