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Well I'm not half-baked, at least not at the moment, but I have had a few cocktails so I figure I'm equal to the task. I don't know if I can live up to Half-Baked's level of comic relief, but I'll do my best!
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Say you hear some gossip, is it better to be discrete and not repeat it, or to blab everything over dubies and munchies?
For example, say you find out some acquaintances (a hot gay couple) are swingers, should you tell your favourite hot gay couple about it so they can get in on the action, or not?
a) is it better to let them find out for themselves, or
b) blab this gossip or
c) have a martini party and invite them both so you can make sexual comments and/or circle jerk jokes until they clue in?
C sounds more fun! (So are you in?)
—Fully Baked
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Unless you KNOW that there is some sort of mutual attraction there, and that both couples are into team sports, you could be landing yourself in some very hot water indeed. It's great to be the guy or gal who helped hook up some friends—right up until the moment that their relationship goes sour. I realize that you're talking about good ol' fashion lovin' here but that's still rife with complication. I say option C is your best bet but maybe hold off on the sexual hints. If there is a common ground between these two couples they'll certainly figure it out themselves. If there's not, you'll just make everyone uncomfortable, which will make you a party pooper and nobody wants that.
What do you think about Social Media? This being sites like: Facebook, Twitter, or blogs, photosharing sites, Wikis, sharepoint sites, etc... Or more affectionately called Web 2-point-0? The internet's a-changin' and I predict that either it's going to flourish or take a terrible face plant. Any thoughts from your side?
—Bluebird |
Social media my ass. Personally I think we all need to get out more and the less media we allow ourselves to be subjected to the better. But you're absolutely right, the internet is a-changin'. I have to say though, I'm less concerned with the future of the internet than I am with the future of our social mechanisms, how we meet and interact with others.
I love the fact that I can hop online and message friends and family who are abroad, but it wasn't all that long ago that such communication was done by post. When you've only got a postcard's worth of message to send, every word counts. Nowadays folks can spew any amount of garbage (and do so) with the click of a button and no real accountability. There's a high level of anonymity which is both good and bad. On the one hand, you can say what you really mean, but on the other, you don't have to be accountable for what you say or promote to others—which doesn't really fit into my whole kindergarten philosophy of interpersonal relations.
I do have to confess (that's my game after all) that I was a crack-book addict when the application first hit the web, much to the frustration of my partner at the time who couldn't understand how I could spend hours reading profiles of people I didn't really even know or like. Nuff said.
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You sound like a level headed guy so I'm hoping you can help me with something. I have known this guy for a few years now and we have talked about becoming "more than friends" for a while. I was hesitant because I have never had what I would consider a healthy relationship and was pretty much resigned to living the single life from here on in. However, we recently took the big step and I am quite happy with how things are progressing. Now here's the problem. Christmas is coming up and I want to get him something significant but not overly personal. It's too early for jewelry but we're too close now for a gift certificate to suffice. Any suggestions? Thanks for all your great (and humorous) advice.
—Sincerely, Newly Coupled
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I have to ask though, why not something personal? It says that you pay enough attention to know who he is and what he cares about. It doesn't have to be something ridiculously extravagant but it should be thoughtful.
I'm a huge fan of the gift basket, filled with all the things that make the giftee tick. Spoil him with inspiration and experience. If he's interested in art or photography or theatre or music, then take him to a show or buy him a magazine subscription focused on his area of interest. If there's something that he's always wanted to learn how to do then give him a class. If he's an amateur artist/hobbyist/enthusiast then include a magazine subscription for a related topic and some supplies.
Try not to buy a gift based on your 'girlfriend/boyfriend' status. You said that this was a friend that you've known for a while so think about what he would REALLY like and then go get it.
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What's your spin on the homeless being given permission to camp in our public parks? I am a tax paying member of our society who uses Beacon Hill park for jogging, walking my dog, taking the kids to the playground and enjoying the spectacular scenery. I resent that these people are using this beautiful public space as their own personal toilet. I understand that some people, due to mental illness and/or drug addiction, have found themselves in a very unfortunate situation but taking away from us to give to them seems to be creating more animosity than is necessary. There has to be a better way to help ease the suffering of the homeless than to punish those of us that obey the rules of our society and contribute. Am I insensitive? Class-ist? Am I a bad person for resenting the homeless? Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide.
—Tax-Paying-Victorian
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I understand your frustration, it's hard to watch the city change so dramatically over the years but let's put things in perspective. There are many places in the world where people literally shit on the street and live in boxes, a level of poverty completely beyond what any average Victorian could imagine. I know that isn't much consolation in the context of what you are witnessing around you but it's true and I think that we tend to forget that fact.
I know there are some folks living on the streets of our fair city who are simply not willing to help themselves but I think that they are the minority. From what I see, a lot of the less fortunate are simply not able to help themselves. I think it's important that we ask WHY there are so many folks in this position though. It's fine to say that the government doesn't care about poor people or addicts or the mentally ill, but ultimately we elected our government and we allow our government to maintain the status quo. If you really want your tax dollars to be spent on rehabilitative social programs or housing support for people with multiple barriers, then I suggest you call your local man or woman in office and have a little chat about the direction we're heading in.
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I like the way you think when you are under the influence. Who's your dealer?
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Absolut Pear Vodka with a splash of peach juice!
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