Questionmas: Answers

[Anonymous LJ friend asks:I'm uncertain... there are a few names that get bandied about randomly and I'm curious... are you partnered? I've often wondered about a few names that recur often enough that either there are good, long term friends or partners/lovers/something else.

I am partnered. I've been in a relationship with my partner, Bill for about 8.5 years now. While I can't say it's been all sunshine and roses, at the moment, things are really good. We've both grown considerably over that time, and we're in a good place.

The other fellow I talk about on LJ is (in Kevin Smith-speak) my 'hetero lifemate' Michael. He and I first met in the late 90s, and aside from one rather painful incident which is behind us both, we've been tight friends. He's the fellow I have a death clause with… If I die, he goes into my house, and destroys all my data. I'll do the same for him.


[An anonymous reader] asks: You obviously put a lot of work into your body. What is the most gratifying thing you get out of all that work?

That's an interesting question. I don't think I would have used the term 'gratifying' when trying to describe what I get out of my workouts. I work out because if I didn't, I'd get fat. Awhile back, my metabolism slowed down significantly, and I found I was also getting far less physical exercise than I used to. I don't think I've really answered this question, but I am not sure how to do so. I really don't get anything out of them (with regard to gratification). I simply do it as a matter of course.

In a similar matter, another [Anonymous LJ Friend] asks: You put in a lot of effort to keep your body in amazing condition. Are you happy with it now, have you ever been 100% happy with it or do you think you ever will be completely satisfied?

This was partially described above, but I don't know if 'happy' enters the picture. Upon further thought, perhaps it does (aside from the endorphins one gets from working out). As I mentioned, I work out to prevent my middle from expanding more than it should. As my middle is pretty under control, I could say I am on some level 'happy' because my efforts have the desired effect. Continuing with this notion, as long as I keep working out, and my middle doesn't expand, I will be 'satisfied' in that regard.

With all that said, I'm also a gamer at heart. I often play "I did x last time, let's see if I can do x++". Some days I can. Others I can't. There are limits to the human body, and they come from a variety of factors. Some I can control, some less so. I don't fret too much if I slide down a bit, or if I don't advance. I just keep doing it.

Questionmas: Answers

[Anonymous LJ friend asks:I'm uncertain... there are a few names that get bandied about randomly and I'm curious... are you partnered? I've often wondered about a few names that recur often enough that either there are good, long term friends or partners/lovers/something else.

I am partnered. I've been in a relationship with my partner, Bill for about 8.5 years now. While I can't say it's been all sunshine and roses, at the moment, things are really good. We've both grown considerably over that time, and we're in a good place.

The other fellow I talk about on LJ is (in Kevin Smith-speak) my 'hetero lifemate' Michael. He and I first met in the late 90s, and aside from one rather painful incident which is behind us both, we've been tight friends. He's the fellow I have a death clause with… If I die, he goes into my house, and destroys all my data. I'll do the same for him.


[An anonymous reader] asks: You obviously put a lot of work into your body. What is the most gratifying thing you get out of all that work?

That's an interesting question. I don't think I would have used the term 'gratifying' when trying to describe what I get out of my workouts. I work out because if I didn't, I'd get fat. Awhile back, my metabolism slowed down significantly, and I found I was also getting far less physical exercise than I used to. I don't think I've really answered this question, but I am not sure how to do so. I really don't get anything out of them (with regard to gratification). I simply do it as a matter of course.

In a similar matter, another [Anonymous LJ Friend] asks: You put in a lot of effort to keep your body in amazing condition. Are you happy with it now, have you ever been 100% happy with it or do you think you ever will be completely satisfied?

This was partially described above, but I don't know if 'happy' enters the picture. Upon further thought, perhaps it does (aside from the endorphins one gets from working out). As I mentioned, I work out to prevent my middle from expanding more than it should. As my middle is pretty under control, I could say I am on some level 'happy' because my efforts have the desired effect. Continuing with this notion, as long as I keep working out, and my middle doesn't expand, I will be 'satisfied' in that regard.

With all that said, I'm also a gamer at heart. I often play "I did x last time, let's see if I can do x++". Some days I can. Others I can't. There are limits to the human body, and they come from a variety of factors. Some I can control, some less so. I don't fret too much if I slide down a bit, or if I don't advance. I just keep doing it.

Questionmas Answers

erstexman asks: Do you like cinema? Is there a film you have seen that has moved you profoundly? If not, how about a book. Really just curious, but those kinds of answers from people always fascinate me.

I love film. These days however, I loathe the cinema. Our society has grown so ADD/OCD-tastic that we simply can't sit quietly in a room and collectively watch what is on the big screen. Instead, we're overly focused on the small screen… texting, IMing, even talking on the phone. I do my share of multitasking, but never in the cinema, or other places where a large group of people have paid to experience something and my actions could disrupt their enjoyment. As for a film that has moved me… there are so many. A few that come to mind without even thinking are: Almost Famous/Untitled, Krzysztof Kieslowski's Tricolour series (Blue and Red specifically), Rashômon, Star Wars (A New Hope), and Hitchcock's 'Rope'. Some I like for their story, others for their technical nature (cinematography and CGI), others… prettymuch everything!

I also read a great deal. While I enjoy film, both fiction and non, I tend to read non-fiction exclusively. I read to learn. That isn't to say I can't learn from fiction — quite the contrary. I've read many a fiction novel that has spurred my creative side into implementing something in the real-world. My house is so full of bookshelves stuffed with books, we have an entire wing in the attic of house dedicated to the storage of books that we can't keep on display. The last book I read was the Oxford Companion to English Literature. It's not meant to be read from cover to cover, but I did. I also read in parallel. While reading that, I was also reading several other books.

Questionmas Answers

erstexman asks: Do you like cinema? Is there a film you have seen that has moved you profoundly? If not, how about a book. Really just curious, but those kinds of answers from people always fascinate me.

I love film. These days however, I loathe the cinema. Our society has grown so ADD/OCD-tastic that we simply can't sit quietly in a room and collectively watch what is on the big screen. Instead, we're overly focused on the small screen… texting, IMing, even talking on the phone. I do my share of multitasking, but never in the cinema, or other places where a large group of people have paid to experience something and my actions could disrupt their enjoyment. As for a film that has moved me… there are so many. A few that come to mind without even thinking are: Almost Famous/Untitled, Krzysztof Kieslowski's Tricolour series (Blue and Red specifically), Rashômon, Star Wars (A New Hope), and Hitchcock's 'Rope'. Some I like for their story, others for their technical nature (cinematography and CGI), others… prettymuch everything!

I also read a great deal. While I enjoy film, both fiction and non, I tend to read non-fiction exclusively. I read to learn. That isn't to say I can't learn from fiction — quite the contrary. I've read many a fiction novel that has spurred my creative side into implementing something in the real-world. My house is so full of bookshelves stuffed with books, we have an entire wing in the attic of house dedicated to the storage of books that we can't keep on display. The last book I read was the Oxford Companion to English Literature. It's not meant to be read from cover to cover, but I did. I also read in parallel. While reading that, I was also reading several other books.

Questionmas Answers

[Anonymous LJ Friend] asks: Are you an open or closed relationship kind of guy?

I'm currently in an open relationship. I'm prettymuch of the "everything is cool as long as we're not hiding things" mindset. If everyone is aware of what's going on, there are no surprises. That isn't to say that people can't get hurt — they can. It is however, easier to talk about things when there is a level of transparency. I believe in the concept of 'open relationship' (as I define it) because I think sex is a healthy recreational activity, akin to tennis, or pinochle.



[Anonymous LJ Friend] asks: How old were you when you started working out and what tips would you share?

I started working out about a decade or so ago. Maybe a bit less. I noticed I wasn't getting any exercise, as my job involved sitting in front of a computer (at home no less!). I also noticed my previously hyper-kenetic metabolism slowed to a crawl. My apartment had a fully staffed gym (free to residents, but open to anyone). I knew most of the staff from living in the building, so we were familial. The first thing the manager said to me after receiving my application was "You mean you've lived here 5 years, and you haven't signed up until now?!" We both laughed, and I've been going e'er since. Now it's at a (few) new gyms, but it is still verymuch a part of my life.

As far as tips… hmm… really the best tip I can give is to go, and continue to go. Showing up is 80% of the effort. Most people go for awhile, then stop when they reach an obstacle. They then get upset, and never change their habits. I'm a creature of habit. If I do something often enough, it just becomes a part of me.

Another tip is to change your routine every 6 weeks or so. Your body will start thinking your routines are a normal state, and start compensating for that. Changing the routine keeps the body in flux, which keeps you progressing.

Questionmas Answers

[Anonymous LJ Friend] asks: Are you an open or closed relationship kind of guy?

I'm currently in an open relationship. I'm prettymuch of the "everything is cool as long as we're not hiding things" mindset. If everyone is aware of what's going on, there are no surprises. That isn't to say that people can't get hurt — they can. It is however, easier to talk about things when there is a level of transparency. I believe in the concept of 'open relationship' (as I define it) because I think sex is a healthy recreational activity, akin to tennis, or pinochle.



[Anonymous LJ Friend] asks: How old were you when you started working out and what tips would you share?

I started working out about a decade or so ago. Maybe a bit less. I noticed I wasn't getting any exercise, as my job involved sitting in front of a computer (at home no less!). I also noticed my previously hyper-kenetic metabolism slowed to a crawl. My apartment had a fully staffed gym (free to residents, but open to anyone). I knew most of the staff from living in the building, so we were familial. The first thing the manager said to me after receiving my application was "You mean you've lived here 5 years, and you haven't signed up until now?!" We both laughed, and I've been going e'er since. Now it's at a (few) new gyms, but it is still verymuch a part of my life.

As far as tips… hmm… really the best tip I can give is to go, and continue to go. Showing up is 80% of the effort. Most people go for awhile, then stop when they reach an obstacle. They then get upset, and never change their habits. I'm a creature of habit. If I do something often enough, it just becomes a part of me.

Another tip is to change your routine every 6 weeks or so. Your body will start thinking your routines are a normal state, and start compensating for that. Changing the routine keeps the body in flux, which keeps you progressing.