........ My 2 Cents Worth .... Depression is NOT a joke !.............

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I swear to G-d - If I hear one more normal person say "Oh I am so depressed I want to kill myself!" - I am going to go POSTAL !!!

These people have NO clue what depression actually is ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

OK haters - THIS is a negative post !!

Let me tell you what REAL depression is like.

There is a fatigue that robs you of ALL energy - you seriously feel like you have weights attached to your legs, arms and body and it is an effort to simply move !

You FIGHT to get out of bed. NOT because you are a slob or are lazy - but because you are SO mentally drained that you find it almost impossible to find a reason to get out of bed.

You find NO joy in anything - ANYTHING !!! - it almost seems like life is purposefully pushing you down just because it can. OF COURSE it isn't but that is what it feels like.

Depression is not some sort of dreamed up way of getting out of work - it is a SERIOUS mental and physical affliction that can not only prevent you enjoying life - but can literally rob you of the will to live.

Whilst my Depressive episodes these days are only a general sense of fatigue and sadness, there was once a time where I would spend DAYS in bed - FEARFUL of going outside my door.

I once had to leave a dance party - a New Years Eve dance party because I was so scared of the people around me due to my depression resulting in an episode that resulted in me leaving the party, sitting on a bench in a public park and crying uncontrollably for THREE HOURS STRAIGHT!!

THIS is depression.

Your favourite Idol singer getting voted off is NOT depression.

You having a bad day at work is NOT depression.

Please - get over yourself and remember that one in twenty battle depression and your stupid announcements not only decry my very serious medical condition for which I am medicated like you would not believe - but it ALSO makes you look like a total DICKHEAD!!!

Surf over to Wikipedia and do some research you MORON!!!!

That's my 2 Cents Worth and if someone wants to challenge me on this then BRING IT ON BITCH !!!

I've faced suicide ideation and friends dumping me coz it was too hard for THEM (Yeah coz MY depression is hard on THEM - bitches!! ) - so your petty little comments about how hard life is for YOU give me the butthole itch of the century.

Grow some character and FUCK off out of my headspace !!!

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2 Cents Worth Competition !!! .................

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Okay - here it is - our inaugural 2 Cents Worth Competition.

Underneath is my 8th grade school photo - the first reader who correctly spots me gets a prize to be announced :)

Get your thinking caps on and put your guesses in the comments.

Have fun all :)

Damien


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..........Fitness Tip of the Week....

(Q) A lot of people who get onto a fitness regime and diet notice that although they are losing weight and gaining some muscle, their stomach doesn't change. This is something that I myself have noticed.

Why is this? Is there something that can be done? Is it a matter of more ab crunches?

What are the issues / options regarding this?



A - Good question

There is no quick answer for this, but the stomach is an area in males and females which tends to carry a bit more fatty tissue than other areas of the body. Especially as you get older, and have had a very sedentary lifestyle.

In my opinion it is not a matter of doing more abdominal crunches, but a combination of healthy eating, regular exercise, and being aware of your posture(engaging those core muscles throughout your day).

I have personally found cutting alcohol out of my diet and doing regular cardiovascular exercise has helped this area immensely.

Another reason you may not see change in this area is because the rest of the body may be stealing the limelight, meaning the stomach area may be changing but just not as rapidly as the rest of the body. Hope this helps

Cheers

Nathan Martin
Les Mills Body trainer

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I've uploaded a piece of my music.......

It's at the top of the sidebar on the left called "Sweet".

Click the link - click Download - choose "Open File with" - and listen to the lovely music.

And yes - this music is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in whole or part without permission (US & The World - Library of Congress)

Enjoy - let me know what you think :)

Damien.

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..... My little house .........

I love my new house - even if it's a rental.

It's a converted railway workers cottage.

Just gorgeous - with a fantastic yard and view.

Enjoy.

Damien.




















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A visual thank you from me......

Profile ... the VERY fair Sue from FAIR VIEW SUE.....

Today on 2 Cents we continue our profile of the bloggers behind the blogs.

Today it's Sue from Fair View Sue (link in sidebar). I love how the world of blogging opens us up to all sorts of interesting people and Sue is definitely one of those.

I've only been reading Sue for a short while, but I find it completely engaging.

So here we go - and please if you haven't already, hop on over to Sue and say Damien sent ya :)

(Q) Welcome to the blog Sue. How are you doing today?

Okay I guess. I am looking forward to a bright new day and I have many plans.

Today I am going to put 3 new bluebird boxes up on my property to make up for the one that my neighbor took down that was occupied. I don't think she was aware that it had bluebirds living in it when she took it down.

(Q) Now - the big question - you are a heterosexual woman married to a loverly man correct?

That is correct. We will have been married for 24 years this June and we lived together, in sin, for three years before that. It is true love and I consider myself very lucky indeed. I knew he was the one the first time I laid eyes on him.

We were introduced at work where I was an analytical chemist and Safety Director and he as an Architect, and I was to give him a tour of the new wing I had a hand in designing the safety features of. So, I was giving him the tour, and there was a mannequin in front of a chemical fume hood with a sampling tube taped to her nose. She was completely naked underneath her lab coat and had a red wig. He asked if they rented her out on weekends. Right away that confirmed for me that he was my kind of guy.

One day my Dad came to visit and I introduced him to everyone that worked at the small company. Afterwards when he was in the parking lot, I asked if remembered Sean. He didn't though. I said that that was too bad, because I was going to marry him. He asked if we were dating. I replied that we were not. He just looked skeptical. But I knew!

(Q) How did Fair View Sue come about and please - let us in on your interest in gay porn?

This is a long story. I used to work a pharmaceutical company on drugs to treat AIDS and its related diseases. In 2004, I became disabled due to a brain aneurysm that hemorrhaged in 1999. Frankly, I missed my interaction with my gay and lesbian colleagues, visiting AIDS clinics and doing good works in general.

Meanwhile, I had taken to watching garbage television. I was watching a show called Manhunt: The Search for the Americas Most Gorgeous Male Model. Maybe you remember it. Anyhow, I had the hots for Hunter Daniel and wanted to know more about him. So, I went to my computer and searched and discovered BLOGS! I never knew what they were before. The first one I saw was Joe.My.God. He had a piece that said that Hunted was a stripper in Atlanta! I was scandalized! Oh no! Not my Hunter!

All my life I have been keen on writing and doing artwork. I have been looking to publish my writing. Through finding blogs, I made a shortlist of those I followed daily, since I wasn't burdened with working. One of those was Aussielicious. I began to correspond with Brenton and over time he convinced me to begin my own blog; in essence he is my blog sire. I owe him a lot.

My interest in gay porn is very simple. Gay men and I have something in common: we both like cock! My theory is the more the better! With gay porn I get to look at two men, two cocks! With a threesome you can triple that! It is so wonderful! What is not to like? I get hot just thinking about it!!!

(Q) How does your husband feel about your interest in men doing naughty things to other men with their naughty bits?

He understands my need for porn as he understands the all too human need for porn. And he is a huge supporter of my blog because he sees how happy it makes me and how I come to it each day as if it is a job. The blog also keeps me writing and doing artwork.

(Q) Now, you recently met your favourite twosome - Francesco D'Macho and Damien Crosse - in the flesh. What sort of guys are they like off screen?

First let me say that it was an experience I will never forget - I was so excited and high the time with them just flew by. I couldn't believe they were real. I just wanted to paw at them, and not in a sexual way, but to verify that they were really there.

Francesco, a.k.a. my secret porn crush, struck me as extremely business like and can even be reserved. His eyes don't seem to miss a thing. He loves getting presents though and receives them with grace. He is charismatic, powerful, self deprecating and doesn't put up with any shit. He assesses you quickly. He has the cutest little lisp and the most beautiful blue eyes. His beard stubble is soft when he kisses you.

Sigh. My crush continues.

Damien is like your best girlfriend that you feel you can confide in. He sits really close and will tell you deep dark secrets meant for only your ears. He licks you when you are not looking and it just cracks you up! What a sense of humor that kid has! He has the most gorgeous eye lashes; they are so long and dark. Then he'll tell you that he's not wearing any underware and show you the hole in his jeans and say "See!" But you can't underestimate him. He is totally smart. Francesco wouldn't be with him if he wasn't.

They are so in love!

(Q) Have you met any others in person?

Not yet. But I am ever hopeful.

(Q) Now we heard Pedro and Daniel split - any goss on that? Was it amicable?

What a tragedy that was! I have no idea if it was amicable or not. I heard a rumor about it long ago. You know it is one of those things where you hear a rumor and hope like anything it is not true and that they will work things out even if you don't know the circumstances.



How awful for them both. Now there is this third guy. I still hope they get back together. Like many people I really loved them because of the romance of their relationship which really added to their films. I think that everyone should support both of them as much now as they did before, if not more.

(Q) Do you think its harder for Adult Actors to have a relationship?

I really have no idea. I would imagine it could be because their job requires them to have sex with other people outside of the relationship. But, then again, that could be understood.

(Q) Porn has changed significantly over the last decade, its a HUGE part of the mainstream now. Why do you think this is?

I really don't know how it has changed over the last decade, as I have only been watching for the last couple of years. But if it is becoming mainstream, that is a good thing because porn is LEGAL.

(Q) Do you think that America is FINALLY starting to overcome its global reputation as a prude?

No. We have a long ways to go yet. Even though we have a cool President, we can't just snap our fingers and be cool. We will have to see much more nudity on television and movies to be as open as our counterparts in the EU.

(Q) Recently I commented on the religious right in America. Whats your take on that?

I don't understand them at all. What gives them the right to tell the rest of us how to live our lives? They need to ask themselves "What would Jesus do?", before they make their next move. I don't think Jesus would try to force people to his own ways. Or murder people trying to get abortions. Or prevent gay marriages. Or toss gays from the military. I just can't picture him doing those things.

They need to listen to their own preaching and turn the other cheek a little more.

(Q) President Obama has been in office a few months now. How do you think he's doing?

I am thrilled with him. I awake each morning and can't wait to see what new and wonderful thing he has done.

Recently he has decided: that there will be no Federal raids for medical marijuana and this has signalled states to allow medical marijuana usage again, the government will again support stem cell research, the government will study global warming, he will close Guantanamo in a year, he will work to lower vehicle emissions, he will end and expose torture, he will sign the UN Gay Rights Declaration, and he will get us out of Iraq. I am sure that he will fix the economy if given time and resources.

I love that they are planting a veggie garden at the White House.

(Q) I have to say as someone who is part American - I am MUCH happier he is in office than McCain.

We were thinking of moving to Costa Rica or Curacao if McCain won the election.

(Q) Now - lets some skinny on the beauty that is Sue.....

Favourite Drink...

Well, since my medical troubles I cannot drink alcohol... so before it was a single malt scotch such as Glenlivet neat. But now it is San Peligrino with a twist of lime.

Favourite Breakfast dish...

Eggs Benedict.

Red or White wine ...

Right now I favor a good Saint Emilion.

Mayo or Mustard...

Blech! Neither.

Favourite Television Show...

This one is a tough call... Law & Order [Original, SVU, CI]

Favourite Book...

Currently - Agincourt by Bernard Cornwell. Now I am in love with all of his books and writing. He wrote the Sharpe series that was on British television and starred Sean Bean. I have read his Saxon Chronicles about Uhtred, who is the son of an Earl, kidnapped by Vikings and raised as one. Now I am in love with Vikings! I can't wait for the next book to be published next year. No one tells a tale as well as Benard Cornwell can!

Favourite Color...

Green

Favourite part of a man...

Well furred chest

Hugs or Kisses...

Kisses

Stubble or Clean-Shaven...

Stubble

Favourite feature on 2 Cents Worth...

Interviews

(Q) It has been a TRUE honour having you here Sue - any last words? Up to come back eventually for a part 2?

It has been my pleasure! Absolutely!

(D) Now - isn't she just lovely :) - I wish I was closer to meet Sue - what a doll!

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Profile - A leatherboy lets us into his world................Part 2...

Well today is Part 2 of our profile of Leather Boy Ben who certainly generated some interest last time he was here.

I love these insights into others and their lives.

For more on ben - Visit his blog - link in sidebar.

So with a huge thank you to Ben for putting himself out there again. Here is Part 2.

Enjoy.

PS Aint he just the cutest little boy :)

(Q) As people, we seem to be almost voyeuristically interested in what other people do, even if it’s something that we ourselves don’t get into. Do your friends know about your interest in bondage and submission? Are they into this type of play or are they more vanilla? Do they pepper you with questions?

All of my friends know about my sexual interests: gay, straight, men, women, all of them. I have always been very open about it. Part of it is the belief that I allow myself to get much closer to people when I am honest about the things I do/want. The other part is my desire to make BDSM less taboo. I don’t want people thinking they need to be ashamed or speak only in whispers. The more we all talk about it casually, the less taboo it becomes, and the more comfortable others feel in exploring their curiosities.

Having said, yeah I get peppered with questions all the time. Not only from my immediate friends, but also people I barely know. I am fairly well known among DC’s young gay community as the resident kinkster, and people send me messages on facebook all the time asking me about types of play, asking advice, etc… It’s always from vanilla people, which I think makes it all the more important I answer as best as I can. Most want to try, but some of my closer friends just ask because they want to understand what is important to me. And though, in many ways, they will never truly understand…it means the world to me that they try.


(Q) Are your current experiences in submission / bondage and leather play something that will be important to you in a relationship? Is a non-submissive relationship something that appeals to you?

Not only is my leather lifestyle (a term I am using to encompass EVERYTHING (sex, play, submission, etc…)) important to a relationship, it is crucial. I don’t want a boyfriend. I want a Sir. I need a man who can compliment and satisfy my emotional need to submit, as well as my sexual need to be Dominated.

I know a lot of times people get swept up with someone and end up in a relationship that doesn’t fulfil those needs, and I am not saying that will never happen to me. However, I can say that I don’t want that to happen to me. I know what I need, and a vanilla relationship could never satisfy those needs. I could go on, but it really is as simple as that.



(Q) WHen you first started exploring the scene, did you find yourself besiged by offers due to the lack of other younger guys in the scene?

When I first started? Hell, I still do!

Actually, when I FIRST started exploring the scene I was rather unpopular. I mean I was 14, so not many guys were beating down my door. Once I turned 18 and moved to DC is when things really picked up. Ever since then I always have a steady stream of guys messaging me, in large part because I am young.

I talk to a lot of young boys (and tops for that matter) who experience the same thing and complain. To be honest though, I take each message as a compliment. Even if I have absolutely no interest in having any sort of sex with the guy, I always send a message back thanking them for their kind words and for their offer. I can’t stand when young guys are bitchy and rude to older men who aren’t so good looking. It actually really pisses me off and I have gotten in fights with a few of my friends over it.

(Q) There doesnt seem - at least in my experience - a lot of younger guys into the leather / BDSM scene, why do you think that is?

Honestly it’s a question I don’t really know the answer to myself. A lot of guys don’t get into BDSM or kink until later in life. At least that’s what people tell me. I got into it when I was 11, so I don’t understand it myself. Everyone is different though. And I guess for most people, it takes longer to explore this.



(Q) Do you like dating? Is romance something you enjoy? Some seem to think that if you like a bit of kink or leather, one isnt into romance.

Haha, have you read the blog!? I LOVE ROMANCE. I am such a helpless romantic. I have very few experiences with men who are very romantic at all (though Greg certainly is, which is a fun new adventure all in itself), but I have always injected the relationship with romance from my side.

What I really love is being sweet, and showing a man just how much he means to me. For me, this has never been hard to reconcile with my leather identity. Quite the contrary, I use my fetishes to complement my sweetness.

This example should sum it all up. Back when I was still with (not actually together, but you know) David, I really wanted to do something sweet for him and being that he was such a hot Daddy…what better day than on “Daddy’s Day”? hehe. Obviously this is my bastardization of father’s day, but given the context of our relationship I thought it worked really well. So I stole one of his paddles when he wasn’t paying attention one night, and had it engraved with the mirror image of his initials. That way, when he spanked me his initials would show up on my bum. I also made him a card that was a perfect blend of innocence and kink. The front said, “To the world’s best Daddy”. On the inside I taped in my old driver’s license (because he always loved the picture) and wrote: “Who else could take care of such a cock sucking, sock sniffing, piss drinking, cum guzzling, nasty boy like this?”. On Daddy’s day I got dressed in my new boy scout uniform that I had bought just for him, and took the subway down to his place. I knocked on his door, and when he answered, greeted him with “HAPPY DADDY’S DAY SIR!” Suffice to say…he was a very happy Daddy that day.

Maybe that isn’t standard romance, but its what works for me.


(Q) How goes the feedback from the blog? Are you surprised by the feedback or is it the type of feedback you were expecting? Or did you not have any preexisting idea of what would happen?

I don’t get much, to be honest. Which is a shame because I really love getting feedback. Tony Buff and his boy both got a lot of emails in reaction to my blog when I was featured on Tony’s… but no one emailed me hahaha. I don’t know why.

The feedback I do get is all positive which is nice. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting anything one way or the other. Still, I am learning that I really love hearing from my readers. So much so that today I posted a brief blog entry encouraging people to leave feedback or email me. I even decided to start posting open thread discussions. So we will see.



(Q) One last question, tell us one thing about boy Ben that would surprise us :)

Hrmmm… that’s hard to say. I will say, when I am not out being a good leather boy, I am a total geek! I love reading comic books, reading video games, watching anime. To give you a brief idea of just how geeky I am:

I am the DC area’s reigning Buffy Trivia Champion. I won a tournament at Fantom Comic’s two years ago and haven’t lost since.

Last Friday I went to a finale viewing party for Battlestar Galactica. It was epic.

Last night my boyfriend on my favorite anime died and I literally cried for ten minutes. He was a big, beefy, bearded daddy type; and I was (and remain) rather distraught over his passing.
So yeah, boy ben is a big geek.

I don’t know how surprising that is.

(D) Its actually very surprising - and somewhat endearing :)

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Happy Birthday to my wonderful Husband :)

My wonderful other half celebrates his birthday today and I have been loving him, tending him and spoiling him all day long.

He is DEFINITELY the better half and I thank G-d that he was brought into my life.

I am a very lucky man to have this Peurto Rican Angel in my life.

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Fitness Tip of the Week

Nathan - the fitness demi-god - is back with another tip for us.

This is one that I myself am battling with a little bit at the moment (although part of it is I know my diet is the biggest challenge for me ) - Don't worry Nathan - I promise I'm working on it dude.

(Q) For many people when they start a structured training program, they lose weight tone up and see results quite quickly - but then the results often plataeu. For many this is often quite disappointing and can really impact enthusiasm.

Why does this plateau happen and what are some strategies to continue the good results?

(A) - Hi Damien

The plateau can occur because the body has adapted as much as it can with the current exercise / nutrition regime.

To minimise this effect you need to vary your training e.g., types of exercise / intensity / reps / sets / rests this will keep the body guessing and having to adapt.

A change is recommended every 4-8 weeks on average

Nathan Martin
Les Mills Body trainer

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..... Straight guys - and Curious guys - talk to me !!!....

Seriously.....

One of you has already emailed and its completely cool.

So the rest of you - get clicking and tap tap tapping away on those keyboards - Damo has questions :)

damientc@xtra.co.nz

Cheers all

Damien

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...My 2 Cents - Rap Music .... PLEASE EXPLAIN THIS!!! ...

Now - the little Princess Haters out there might take this as a negative post, but there is serious curiosity here.

I'm a bit of a lover of music - and I write my own - there are many music styles that I don't like but can appreciate for what they are.

Country music is not my thing neither is Gospel - but, if I listen to it, I can appreciate the style of music for what it is. But with Rap and Hip Hop, I have no clue.

My mother - G-d bless her - refers to Rap Music as that music style where everyone shouts to a beat.

Is this true? Is that all rap is - an updated version of Spoken Word? If so..... then why do these people get 50million dollars a contract?

Or is there something else that I am truly missing. For example, Kanye West. Now, his ego and posturing aside (me-thinks there is some internal homophobia going on there) but I dont see how he is this super star that everyone says he is. He can not sing. He raps against the beat and out of tempo. I dont get it. Genuinely dont get it.

Now take Britney for example. I liked the original Britney because it was mindless pop that you could clean the house to and it was inoffensive and bubble-gummish - the new Britney is a sad attempt to take herself seriously when no one else does..... but Kanye West - I'm agog.

From what I can tell scrolling through page after page on Wikipedia... rap music and the hip hop genre in general had its roots with the Griots who were travelling musicians and poets. Now - I look at 50 Cent - Bow Wow - Kanye - Ja Rule et al and I don't see poets.

I see African American men who seem to want to promote a stereotype of mysognistic homophobia that is mind blowing. Women are objects without merit - except for tits and ass jiggling. Gays are to be vilified and white people are these supposed 21st century Nazi's who want black people to be kept down.

Now - whilst I agree there is always going to be a racist element in society - a young Serbian man in Melbourne pulled his car over one day when I was walking with my yarmulke on and screeched epithets at me - I do not believe that the majority of people ARE racist these days.

I do not believe that White America wants Black America to stay in ghettos nor do I believe that Arab America can not get along with Jewish America - if they number interfaith initiatives are anything to go by, America is ridiculously engaged to the point of total wonder.

Rap / Hip Hop is the only music style I can not fathom. It eludes me and that's something that drives me crazy.

I don't think I'm any high intellectual but I do like to understand and explore the world around me. When I try to explore Rap - I find myself offended, bored and - sometimes - appalled by this genre.

I reiterate that this is not a RANT - as a hater would say - but I am genuinely confused and disturbed by this.

I welcome every and all insights, thoughts, comments, et al re this.

Thanks all.

That's my 2 Cents - and it's seriously confused.

Damien.

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...RIP - Jade Goody - 27years young.

June 5th 1981 - March 22nd 2008

Now I was never a fan of this reality TV person - but NO ONE deserves to leave us at far too young an age.

Ladies - please - get a cervical smear done and get the HPV vaccine.

She is survived by her husband and two young sons - so sad.

Profile - Brenton from Aussielicious - Part 2 .....

Well - how lucky are WE!!!

Brenton was OH so kind enough to pop back for a wee chat.

Brenton and I had a somewhat acrimonious interaction when I first started reading his blog a couple of years ago. At the time I made the fatal mistake of SKIMMING the blog without READING the blog .............. hang on........... that sounds familiar.

Since then - not only is B's blog one of my must read daily web visits - but he is a really sweet guy with whom I have all sorts of interesting conversations.

He's smart ........ He's handsome ......... and.... He's back with ANOTHER 2 Cents Worth.

Enjoy :)

(Q) Hey Brenton - welcome back. How was Mardi Gras this year?

A - It was a fantastic parade, once again. I didn't do any of the parties but I thought the third time around doing the parade might not be as fun, but it definitely was.

(Q) So I hear that Matty Mitcham finally has Telstra as a sponsor? Are you seeing ads or marketing with his face yet?

A - Not that I've seen yet. It shouldn't be long though surely. He's a very marketable thing.

(Q) Joan Rivers was part of the parade? Did she perform as part of the festival?

A - I believe she did do a few gigs. Sadly I wasn't lucky enough to see any of them. She does look like a tiny drag queen doesn't she!?

(Q) The Lifesavers seem to be quickly becoming a fixture in the parade - are any of your straight brethren joining you in marching yet?

A - It's funny but I think we are getting less and less percentage of straight people in the float. The first year, I would say we had almost 25% straights in the float, giving us fantastic support. This year I'd say it was about 10%

(Q) You recently had a photography session with 4 VERY hot strippers :) and profiled it on Aussielicious TV - How lucky are you? How was it?


A - It was a great shoot. Being strippers, they are very comfortable with being seen. Sadly 3 of them weren't photographed nude. Had I known they weren't going to do nudes, I would have briefed them more fully on underwear choice. How do straight girls put up with them? They were very good to work with and a heap of fun. Clearly, I'm not going to complain about looking at those bodies either.

(Q) Now you play up your "amateur" status as a photographer - but I have to say I thought the results were VERY impressive and not at all amateurish. What's to come on the photography front?

A - Actually, this Friday I'm shooting another hot guy who has messaged me through the blog. He's a 21 year old bi guy I believe. Hot body, hot face. We are going to an ocean pool in the middle of the night and doing some very moody nudes. They will hopefully be on the blog next weekend.

(Q) BTW - I just love Aussielicious TV - what a great idea. Hows the feedback for it been? Did you find a soundtrack?

A - The feedback for Aussielicious TV has been great. It's been something I've been thinking of doing for a long time now, but only just got around to doing. The trouble is finding events and things I'm doing that are suitable and able to film. Not everyone wants to be splashed over the internet. Thankfully, the strippers didn't mind at all! Sadly, no one responded to the call for music, or at least, they haven't yet.

(Q) Any nude adventures the punters should know about? How is the new flatmate working out btw?

A - I spent a lovely couple of hours on the beach today nude with the flatmate and a couple of other friends. It was nice. He's a bubbly little thing. The polar opposite to the cranky mute hermit that moved out, we can't shut him up! It's a nice change.

(Q) And how are you doing B? Are you well? Happy?

A - I am indeed happy. Work is going well, the job seems secure which is nice in this environment. I'm feeling pretty good these days. I wouldn't mind holding someone special's hand down the road in life but it's not the overwhelming concern it has been in the past. A work in progress.

(Q) Well, thanks again for stopping by and feel more than free to stop by anytime :) Last words?

A - Not much else to add, but a thanks for your support and cyber friendship. I've got a couple of ideas for future Aussielicious TV episodes that I'm working on. I'll keep you posted.



***Check out that lower body strength gents :) ***

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........4 Straight guys.... and .....3 curious guys .........

..... have visited my site!!

Wow - I would LOVE you guys to email me so I can get your take on things.

All confidential - all totally discreet.

damientc@xtra.co.nz

So totally awesome.... I am speechless.

The hater would be happy LOL :)

Damien

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WTF - A question for our American readers ..... the Christian Right..... my 2 cents...

..... WTF???????

When I moved to Orlando, Florida be with my partner in October 2002, I went on a work trip with him and we drove down to Miami. On the way, I started seeing all these bizarre billboards about abortion - including some pretty horrendous shots of babies that should NEVER be shown in public.

Now - abortion is a topic for an entirely different post - but how the hell did the religious right in my second country get so powerful?? Especially with the supposed separation of church and state ?!?!?

Now - these people aren't getting heard because they are out there 7 days a week manning soup kitchens, or conducting pastoral care in hospitals or even because they are celebrating community based interfaith initiatives - they are being heard because they are vocal encourages of hate!!!

Now - I know a little bit about extreme right religious views - there was a Hasidic family who lived on my street. The youngest son of the 14 children (yes - you heard it right - that poor woman was pregnant for fifteen years straight) if he saw me would point and shout "FAGELAH !!! " - Now I'm not a mincing queen so I was curious as to how he knew (I didnt exactly go outside in a harness after all ) - eventually I found out that the eldest son knew one of the guys that went to my Shule and gossip travelling faster than light in the Jewish community - they knew.

What I don't get about the religious right in America - and their extreme elements - is how these people continue to be sanctioned - not matter how implicity - by their government?!?!?!?!?

Yes - I know there is freedom of speech and religious pluralism - but how can this sanction not just hatred - but the ACTIVE ENCOURAGEMENT AND INCITEMENT TO HATE!!! - Often resulting in violence that truly turns the stomach.

Now I cherish my religious freedom - and I am keenly interested in other religions and how they operate - but I have to say - and I am saddened to say this - I understand the Militant Islamists better than I do the Christian Right in America.

Jesus - whether divine or not - was a good guy. He helped the poor. Took a hooker under his roof and saw the good in her that no one else did. He helped the sick. And yet, in his name, these jokers bomb medical clinics, picket the funerals of dead soldiers who did nothing wrong but served their country with distinction - something these right wing nuts would NEVER do, and spend hundreds of millions of dollars to elect other right wing nuts who, rather than doing the GOOD thing, use their congressional power to further the RIGHT wing.

How is this allowed???

Why isn't there tort reform in my second country to stop this?

Why isn't there someone in the Capitol that will stand up and say - "Look - worship how you will, but incitement to hate is a bad thing and I think you'll be SERIOUSLY surprised when on your Judgement Day, you get bitch-slapped around the room by the big J.C."

I love America. I truly do. I was the happiest I have ever been in my life whilst I lived there. I travelled most of the eastern seaboard and have to say the vast majority of Americans I met were sensible people whose sole aim in life was to live, pay their bills and do so in a manner that did not hurt others.

Which is why the religious right totally scrambles my eggs - it doesn't fit with what *MY* experiences with Americans have been.

Please - do comment and if you wish to, send your comments to me @ damientc@xtra.co.nz - I hope that I will get enough to basically put them in a follow up post so that it can encourage some further debate.

That's my 2 Cents Worth - and I am very, very confused.

Damien

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I'M-A COMIN'!!!!!!!!!

Hey all.

Well, we have finally moved into the new house (pics to come).

Regular blogging will resume over the next few days when stuff is more organised and settled.

Hope you guys are all good.

Cheers

Damien

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On a lighter note................ and what is to come.

It's been pointed out to me that at first skimming of this blog, it seems negative.

Well, I would actually point out that whilst it may not be very polite at times I don't think it's necessarily negative, but it's an interesting observation.

What I would say is that I am commenting on things that to me are very negative - smoking, talentless people whose mediocrity is being celebrated, misplaced societal priorities. To me, these are things worth commenting on.

Unfortunately, due to the not so positive nature of these things, my comments can't be positive.

So, why do I choose to comment on these things.

I think we should. Sadly, as a society we seemed to have embraced mediocrity. If we look at the generic actor / singer / celebrity, we are confronted by those people who really aren't worth the cost of a movie ticket / CD / i-tune / event ticket.

So why do we put up this? When it comes to politicians we don't. We vote them out.

I wish we could do this culturally. We wouldn't have Lohan or Sandler or any of the others who seriously do not deserve the ridiculous sums of money paid to them.

After all - If a man suddenly discovered the cure for cancer, do you realise that he would have to wait in line behind Lindsay Lohan at the Ivy in Los Angeles simply because she is Lindsay Lohan?? And yet, this is precisely what would happen to a leading world scientist if he/she went to the Ivy.

This is why I comment on pop culture. That's why there are many blogs that comment on popular culture - because it's seriously fucked up.

It is by challenging the popular norm that constructive change can occur.

Derek's comment on my hate mail DID help me realise the blog HAS been a bit negative of late, mainly because I have been in a somewhat negative mind set lately.

So.... thank you Derek. YOUR comment was thought provoking.

The hate mail was simply silly.

Okay all - coming up on the blog will be some new profiles, my first foray into amateur photography as I play with my new camera, yes - more commentary on popular culture, and a whole lot more.

So remember to check back now and then because you never know just WHAT might be here :)

Thanks all

Damien.

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....HE'S BACK !!! ......

Little Miss Hater is back :)

I ***know*** I probably shouldn't be giving this guy so much attention - it's exactly what the haters love - but it's like passing an accident on the road, you can't help yourself.

Here's the latest.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "My First Hate Mail :)...............":

I think the point was......

If you don't like said performer's music, the actor's movies, the reality star's programs, the media coverage of any socialite....don't listen to it, don't buy it, don't watch it, don't read it...are you following this? DON'T SPEND YOUR MONEY ON THEIR LESS THAN QUALITY PRODUCTS.

Complaining about them when they have EVERY right to do what they are doing, when you yourself have the choice to spend your money elsewhere, just makes you look like another bitter loser with a blog.

Happy Birthday, go eat some more cake.

P.S. What is even funnier than your blog is that you are criticizing American celebrities on a blog from New Zeland!! How about your focus on your own media shit stains........oh wait......you cant.....YOU DON'T HAVE ANY. The pop culture in your country is imported almost entirely from the U.S. Now that is what I call funny........kisses.

I love the total absence of spell check but that's okay.

The really funny thing is he ticked the "post follow up comments" box AND came back to see if i said anything LOL.

I am ALMOST convinced it's kicked-link blog ... but could it be that I got my first D-Lister reading the blog? He came from a reading a blog that I know a few D, C & B celebs do visit..

Oh - And being part American I will criticise whoever the hell I want to :)

So ...... will there be a THIRD comment???? LMAO.

This is better than comedy....

***UPDATE*** - yes he came back. But he won't be coming back any more - I'll miss him. I thought we really had something starting there *tear*.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "My First Hate Mail :)...............":

And I will follow my own advice by not reading this cheesy blog. It was suggested that I check it out in the first place.

I've read 5th grade term papers that were more interesting, more thought out, more informative than anything I've seen here.

kisses x 2


PS Regular blogging will resume later today - still moving house. Plus I wouldnt DREAM of raining on haters parade by relegating him to second post for a while. :)

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My First Hate Mail :)...............

Here's a comment someone left this morning.....................

Anonymous has left a new comment on the post "WTF - Please .... can these people go away... just...":

Seems like you are just a bit angry there buddy-as if you are someone who can speak from any authority in telling others to get lost. What nerve you have I mean who the fuck are YOU dude? A big fat NOBODY that's who...can you actually deny this?

And as a first time visitor here I find your blog to be pretty LAME and generally uninteresting at best. But you keep trying there sophmore, practice makes perfect and maybe you'll have a blog that is worth reading someday...

That will show me to follow links....ugh!

Wow - what can one say to something like this???? Lets give it a go shall we.

Firstly - It's my blog - I can do / say / be whatever I wish. ***pokes tongue out mirroring mature view of above mentioned comment***

Secondly - I'm a fat nobody - not a BIG fat nobody - no real need to use both descriptors there buddy. One's enough.

Thirdly - as someone who pays to see movies, pays to buys CD's, purchases music online - yeah... I can tell these no talent fucktards to get lost - I want to spend my money on quality.

Fourthly - It's my blog :)

Lastly - You appear to be just another poorly educated bitter individual who hides behind the safety of the "Anonymous" tag knowing that they can say whatever they choose to and never be challenged by it. PS Where's your blog mate?

Yeah I'm a sophomore (correct spelling) and yeah my blog has a long way to go - but guess what - it isn't for you - it's for me - and given the positive feedback I get - I'm going to keep going with this - if for no other reason than to giggle at you Mr Anonymous.

Hate mail - it's what you get when they can't form constructive criticism.

And that's Mr Anonymous' 2 Cents Worth - welcome to the wonderful world of blogging :)

PS - I wonder if Mr Anonymous is behind the blog-link that I took off the other day? Hmmm.....

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Priceless.......

Totally stole this from Apteryx over at Life is a Sexually Transmitted Disease - newest link in the side bar - check him out :)

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My birthday is off to a LOVELY start. :)

My bubby took me to a lover-ly birthday breakfast at a local cafe.

There have been LOTS of kisses.

He bought me a new digital camera.

AND he got me chocolates :)

***sigh***

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It's my birthday tomorrow :))

Well - I turn 37 tomorrow night.

My 30's have been the best time of my life.

I can honestly say that it is in my thirties that I have truly known who I am - what I can do - and what is important in life to me.

So - I will be moving house on my birthday so spare a thought for me - my celebration will happen later in the week.

OH!!! - and if you want to give me a gift - haha - there is a wish list in the side bar - HOWEVER I would MUCH more appreciate you visiting my store and buying a little something.

http://www.cafepress.com/Damiens2Cents

The 2 Cents Mugs are awfully cute :)



















Thanks all

Damien

PS If you would like a shout out on my blog for your birthday - just email me with your birth date and I will dedicate an entire post to you :) - Please include a photo.
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