Cute, but if you had said "T-minus real close to blast off!" I would have reached through the internet and slapped you. ;)

And that's why I sell delicious crispy cheese for a living. Somehow, it's thought appropriate for stage actors to work for free, or even pay monthly dues to a theatre company. For many, the hope is that, one night, sitting out in the audience, will be an agent or producer that saves them and makes them a star. For others, like me, the love of performing far outweighs the resentment that sets in when you realize that everyone else is getting paid. Stage manager, lighting and sound, set design, director, even the friggin' house manager. Sad thing is, stand up for yourself and there's a never ending line of actors standing behind you who will gladly step into your role. We are, as a whole, a needy and insecure bunch, all too aware that we are easily replaceable, and that a reputation as a whiner precedes you. I've left one theatre company (The Knightsbridge) for demanding monthly dues. Glendale Center Theater at least pays a small stipend, 10 or 20 bucks a performance. It's a small measure of respect. Unfortunately, I haven't done a show in 2 years, because I've been occupied with growing my business to the point where it will support my free acting habit. Every actor I know has a "real" job, which is a shame when you know how much hard work goes into putting on a show.

This is a rant that has been simmering for a while. I love doing theatre, it's what I do best, and it's where I'm happiest. I hate that it doesn't pay.

Wanna buy some cheese?

Many perhaps, but not all.

Likely in jest ... but it reminds me. I've always wondered why gay men aren't afraid to find women beautiful, but straight men cannot find it in themselves to admit to another man being attractive (even if not attractive to them, per se).

It's a pathetic fear.



Sorry ... carry on.

Now, I know what your response is going to be, but...

I myself can appreciate the looks of a man. Some I even find downright hot (I share my wife's enjoyment of Dean Cain's chest for example).

But you're right; most straight men are too insecure to be able to say that another man looks good.

Not all straight men. I know many straight men who can admit to seeing another man as being attractive.
:)

I can acknowledge that another man is attractive. In fact, I often dress in drag as a handsome man myself (if drag is defined as dressing as the gender you prefer not to sleep with).

Somewhat more seriously, I do sometimes question how much of the gay drag stuff one sees is actually a tribute to the ladies and how much is mocking.

Honestly, I have no problem saying a man is attractive. However, none of them are attractive (sexually) to me so at best I am making a guess at what other people will find attractive and that is something of a crap shoot.

Brad Pitt (particularly a decade ago) is easy. George Clooney is easy (and I've admitted many times that he's an attractive man, he makes me want to wear nice clothes). But Viggo Mortensen in the LotR movies? Johnny Depp? All the ugly men that get drooled over simply because they have well cut torso muscles?

When I offer my opinion that none of them are attractive, it isn't because I'm scared to do so. I honestly just don't see it.

Because sometimes there is a difference between "attractive" and "OMFG... That's HOT!". Normally, I don't find Viggo Mortensen attractive, but in LOTR he was damn sexy.

Viggo in LotR = hot. Viggo otherwise? Not so much. But I love the scruffy look. It does surprise me that I like his long hair since I'm more of a short hair on guys type of gal ;)

Johnny in some things is hot and others, not so much. I never found him attractive in 21 Jump Street, but as he got older he became more attractive. Brad Pitt now is hot. Several years ago? Not so much. George Clooney gets hotter as he gets older too.

I can also admit when I find a woman attractive. It doesn't mean I want to do her, just means she's attractive. I think for men, finding a woman hot equates with wanting to sleep with them. So if they find a man hot they may be concerned that others will think they want to sleep with said man.