Lisa Arbitrary - AttentionIsArbitrary M/M Blog’s Comments (group member since Sep 11, 2012)

Lisa Arbitrary - AttentionIsArbitrary M/M Blog’s comments from the Brandon Shire Fan Group group.

Oooh, I love this thread, great idea guys!

Street-raw is pretty descriptive. Hm, now I wonder why I didn't think he was maybe more grungy than I did. Maybe because I knew he was a high-end prostitute, I just assumed he wasn't smelly. Idk.

I just took that scene as Dillon wanting to be fresher, ya know, to wash off the day. It didn't strike me that he was particularly icky or anything.

Let's try this out.

Sex smells like money. The tang, the sleaze, the power.
(This might have everything to do with the male prostitution book I'm reading).




Chocolate and sex just really has a whole different connotation to me.

Plus, I should like chocolate covered strawberries but I don't, really.

Brandon used pungent and biological.

I used pungent and primordial. Interesting.

Mushrooms? Yeah, I can see that. Very earthy and dirty, in fact, but a clean dirt.

Raunchy sex smells of hotel sheets, sweat, frantic-leather and moldy paint.

The song was done by Marcy Playground. I looked at that Nirvana link first too Brandon.

I always took that song as a dude seeing a young, nubile, girl (the candy) and, of course, his desire to have sex with her.

Maybe sex smells like platform, double suede.

Isn't apple pie an American Pie movie reference?

Sex smells unique. Indescribable yet undeniable.

It is basic and essence and primordial.

It can be aroma, odor or fragrance.

It surrounds, embraces and claims.

From a pungent intrusion to a whispering hint.

Or in the immortal words of Marcy Playground:

"I smell sex and candy."

Then again, it can really just smell like latex.

0_o

Obviously it was here. Brandon replied to it. GR makes me crazy sometimes. I was starting to think that I had read it somewhere else maybe.

I really liked what you had said Shirley. Sorry.

The insight on same sex in Puerto Rico was surprising. I had no idea it was so strongly denied there.

What happened to Shirley's post???

I wanted to respond to it this morning, it was great. Ugh!

Brandon, in short, I'll just say, I think you will find that those happy HEA's will lead "some" to search for deeper understanding. That's exactly what they did for me (and Shirley, from what I read). There will, of course, be those who will chose to only seek out the 'happy' books. Just like there are those who only choose to listen to one genre of music and don't have any interest in diversifying.

But, if it wasn't for the 'happy' books I wouldn't have come across your work. Think of them as a gateway drug to the more fulfilling, complex works that actually have a message.

Do the 'happy' books cloud the reality? In a way, but I don't think it's the end of the story. Take a look at this poll (most of you here have probably answered it). I find the answers very encouraging and surprising. The comments from women about how they got to m/m and how their understanding has developed is fascinating. The poll is here:

http://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/71...

But here are the results so far:

Why Do YOU Read M/M Romance Books? Why Straight Women Love Gay Romance

I love reading about acceptance. Two men in love are just beautiful.

31 votes, 25.4%

* A combination of reasons, I'll explain below.

24 votes, 19.7%

The authors are AWESOME and these are some of the best books I've ever read.

18 votes, 14.8%

I got tired of repetitive m/f books. I like the variety.

17 votes, 13.9%

Angst baby, angst. These guys really know how to rip my heart out.

10 votes, 8.2%

Because 2 C*cks are better than one. The hot sex scenes just turn me on!

10 votes, 8.2%

Reading about vulnerable men is just so sweet.

4 votes, 3.3%

I don't read m/m books.

3 votes, 2.5%

Because I believe in Equality and reading m/m romance drives my activism.

2 votes, 1.6%

To understand my husband/wife/ son/daughter, etc., better.

1 vote, 0.8%

To better understand a world I don't understand.

1 vote, 0.8%

To feel like I belong.

1 vote, 0.8%
__________

122 votes

The #1 answer is acceptance. Even if that doesn't result in action Brandon, it is so, so much better than intolerance.

One last thing. I got to m/m from Paranormal Romance, as did many, many of the respondents. There can't be anything more clouded than PNR, right? And yet, it lead me here, to eventually discover your writing and the beginnings of a much deeper comprehension and compassion.

Your part in the cloud is to make sure there is literature that can reach us at the next level. To hold our interest and to teach us.

Oh Silver, Afflicted is really something special. Do let us all know when you get to reading it.

And, Welcome!!!!!!!!!

I know Susan, same here. Then, at the same time the many positive comments of support and encouragement really are uplifting. But damn, how 1 idiot can cause so much pain...is sad.

This OT here but since you brought up issues of prejudice I wanted to share this. Brandon linked to it yesterday on Twitter. It relates to hate mail and Goodreads, surprisingly. Take a look:

http://2boysinlove.blogspot.com/2012/...

I'm not even 20% in yet Susan, but I'm liking so far. Thanks for the rec.

:)

Baba, just right click on him and choose "copy image location" and then you'll have the link :D

Aww Jodi, you must be why we call it the sunshine state.

OH lOOk Baba, he has a friend:

@Baba - creepy.

Hey Shirley!!! Glad you're here. You've listed a couple of books there that I really want to get to. Plus, Gold Digger is out tonight!!!! Wheeeeee.

Ohhh, thanks Brandon.

And, Congratulations!!!!

Thanks for that ^^^ Brandon. I think I'm okay with learning more at this point, but I'm steeling myself.