For years I have pondered how to define love; there was even a point in my life in which I felt as if its ineffable mysteries were but a mere heartbeat away. Alas I was yet again deceived.

To this point I am still to unravel its tangled webs, yet feel as if I grow ever-nearer only to have it painstakingly jerked awry.

Moments have passed as of late that work to convince me of love's ardor through time spent with another who seems to be rather significant, yet such moments defy the inner workings of time for they flee vivaciously when our hearts are in close proximity, and drag by relative to the distance we are apart.

And so I question my knowledge of what love has become to me, for all prior workings seem dated and irrelevant.

Love, as it seems, is no more than a virus - forever in flux and always one wily step ahead of the cure. But perhaps its desire to maintain is the key to its cunning. Perhaps it is I who holds the key.

Despite its innate resolution to bring misery to its faithful, therein lies a silver lining. For you see the tragedy of love is that for it to be truly cherished, one must be fully willing to see it on its way.

Perhaps though love is not to be defined, for defining it would cause its irreverence. Perhaps its purpose is to be soaked in, such as does a leaf soak in the sunlight that surrounds it, the nutrients pushing it onward and upward. Love, in its essence, forever driving, pulling and tearing at my heart.

And so it seems as if love is not as tangible as I once had hoped, but rather a series of moments to be soaked in, so be it like a leaf in autumn's eve. Her smile; Her laugh; Her breath on my neck, driving me along the edge of [in]sanity.

And when I wilt and fall to the ground, one day again, I too shall rise to the glorious warmth that love has unscrupulously bestowed upon me.

This isn't ending well for me.

Metro (met-ro) –noun
The underground electric railway of Paris, France, Montreal, Canada, Washington, D.C., and other cities.

Hmmm...curious.

Sexual (sex-u-al) -adjective
1. Of, pertaining to, or for sex: sexual matters; sexual aids.
2. Occurring between or involving the sexes: sexual relations.
3. Having sexual organs or reproducing by processes involving both sexes.

My astute powers of seduction, er DEduction, then led me to this definition of metrosexual:

Metrosexual (met-ro-sex-u-al) -noun
An underground electric railway that also likes to have sexual relations with humans, specifically, male humans who enjoy the finer points of pampering, like facials, hot stone massage, and 1,000 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets.

Curiouser and curiouser...

I gotta be honest, I think using the term “metrosexual” to describe some dude who uses hair gel and gets manicures is--like the definition above--pretty ridiculous. I don’t like labels for the sake of labels just because people can’t be comfortable with blurred sexual lines, e.g. “THESE are my HOMOSEXUALS and THESE are my NOT HOMOSEXUALS.”

To wit, here’s the evolution of the metrosexual in the American mind:

“Wholesome” Television and Theater Era: America sort of knew there were men who loved other men. They didn’t want to necessarily see or know these men in person. Scary times.

Pre-Basic Cable Era: Gay men began appearing more and more in mainstream media. The most famous ones were nearly always portrayed as flamboyant, slightly feminine, and obsessed with grooming, hair, nails, etc.

Basic Cable (Pre-Brokeback Mountain) Era: America began accepting this feminine, groomed version of the gay male. They could handle this gay male. He was non-threatening, and more like a crazy older sister, rather than some dude who liked to jump other dudes’ bones. This gay male was a caricature, sure, but an acceptable one, at least.

Bravo Era: Straight dudes start caring about their appearance in a more open way. Modern, “I-like-to-spit-and-scratch-myself” males are confused by this behavior. Manly men don’t use lotion! What is this “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” television programming? Change my sheets? I’ll change your face...with my man fist!

Modern Day Era: America’s mind explodes because they discover that men can both love lotion and ladies, but they can’t handle this kind of person being categorized as a “normal” person, so they label him, “Metrosexual.”

Look, you can like nice lotion, manicures, pedicures and a hot shave and still be straight. You can like your collars popped, your shoes European, and your socks silk and like ladies. You can be an outright slob and be gay. You can like feathers and boas and high heels, and like all genders. WHO CARES. I mean, really, who cares? What you do with your outer appearance has little to no bearing on your actual sexual orientation (though I don’t deny that some sexual sub-cultures have a style of dress. High five to you Furries out there). Stereotypes are belittling and limiting, so let’s not, mkay?

(Just...dudes...please, for the love of all that is holy, please, please groom your business. It doesn’t make you gay to groom your business. It doesn’t make you “metrosexual” to groom your business. It’s just nice, dammit.)

The Naked Redhead

The Naked Redhead and Trey once shared a steamy moment on camera for a photo shoot. It lasted but a few brief seconds, though it changed both their lives forever. When TNR is not mooning over their captured moment, she’s writing up a storm on aptly named website, The Naked Redhead.com. She likes when people are honest, when things are funny, and when communities get together to do the Right Thing.

For more wit and lies about her enjoying my company, click this stupidly large text:

Still not good enough you say? Fine.

I have a strong affinity for women who are older than I am. Whether it be by one year or by twenty, there is undeniably something about them that drives me absolutely insane.

Perhaps it's me growing older and maturing my taste in women, or perhaps it's the old tale that women who have had more opportunity to experience life tend to know what they want, how they want it, and are certainly not afraid to go after it; and whatever it is, it's incredibly sexy.

And so today I was reminded of what some would surely call my perversion when I met the beautiful and talented Sarah McLachlan. I would like to note that I am not one who is starstruck by celebrities or musicians. I've met my fair share and none have fazed me to this point, but when it comes to physical attraction, it becomes a whole new ballgame.

So as I spent the morning photographing Sarah as she performed an acoustic set at my day job, I felt a strong infatuation festering within. Each striking note of "Angel" tugged at my heart, and in more than one way. It could have simply been because I was watching a legendary musician perform one of her greatest hits five feet from where I was sitting, or it could have been the blossoming of a true love; far be it for me to say which it was, as I fear I'll never know.

Just know this, at 42 years young, she is a woman that I wouldn't be afraid to call my love.

I feel like I'm coming out of some sort of proverbial closet here. Whatever. Cougars, take your best shot. I'm officially game.

Pictures from Sarah McLachlan's Acoustic Performance

Can you guess which picture is my favorite? Hint: I'm not in it.

Comment below!

With this, a new me was born. This was a me who was wise enough to know that the world around him would grant him no favors yet naive enough to think that it was only he and no one else that the world was after. I truly became an enraged, angry and mad wordsmith. Words became my vice, and they were all I had.

I mention this today, because today is truly a monumental day, for this very blog post makes TreyKauffman.com my most active blog of all time! With a mind-blowing nine whole posts to boast about, I have no intention of discontinuing my good word. This is a feat that is unprecedented, and for someone who fancies himself a writer, it is one that really, truly should not be bragged about.

Perhaps I just get bored with the same-old same-old, or perhaps it's due to personal growth like the above suggests, but regardless, up until now my old outlet housed my personal record of eight blog entries on a single domain. To celebrate the legacy of my previous love, I'd like to [re]share with you my most cherished and under-appreciated posting from MadWordsmith.com.

Objectivity is Dead

This is a post that was inspired by a dream and a dream girl. The day leading up to the dream, a dream that I won't likely forget in this lifetime, I had auditioned a most fantastic female singer to play the role of Cadence in a film that I wrote titled LUCKY.

Needless to say, I wanted no one else for this role, or for my love.

[Chapter 6] Dreaming.

To dream is to bestow obscurity, for dreaming is not intended to exuviate perspective. Dreams encrypt our psyche while unequivocally embellishing our deepest reveries. The primer, hidden deep within our subconscious, is the quintessential missing link.

.:.

My gaze is transfixed. Paralysis has clinched victory over myself and my body reeks of insecurity and unease. I try to look away, to look away before she senses my ineptitude. Staples clasp my eyelids to my brow. A droplet of blood trickles down the posterior of my nostril, crying freedom as it drops into a blissful oblivion.

I’m elevated, not floating, merely elevated. My stomach wrenches, either infinitely or finitely, I’m unable to tell as I prepare to become one with the earth. The earth rudely evades me. A lonely gray surrounds me; #999999 in its consummate essence. I’m only able to sense the earth floating below me as vertigo waits to settle in for the evening.

What a treat it is to see that Death has come rapping upon my chamber door, only to dash my pessimistic hopes and prayers once more.

“But why not me?” I implore.

“After you I am not, it is Her you are for.” Death responds as the shrouded black hole sanctimoniously diverts its stare thievishly upward.

Her chestnut locks compliment Her hazel eyes. Floating graciously above me, she stares ostentatiously through me. I want to look away, to close my eyes; crimson tints my vision.

Her mouth opens as if to scream, but instead a stereo of heavenly melodies is exuberated into the air about me. She sings. Oh does she sing! To say that Her aria brings warmth to my soul would be to belittle each striking note. My pain is diminished and my gray incubus gives way to a blessing dressed in the bluest of skies.

As swiftly as bliss rises, bliss sets.

Men from all angles are drawn. They are drawn from thin air, from above, and from sides all around. Doctors, lawyers, architects, and stockbrokers; they surround Her. They approach from above me. I try to fly but I am grounded. I outstretch my arms, but the length of my reach falls short by a distance that would otherwise be deemed negligible.

Silence.

She stares at me. I stare at Her. A moment of understanding. Is this emotion that she bequeaths? Longing? For fear I will never know, as she is engulfed by the offspring of everlasting dreams.

I’m falling; Death has granted my wish. Whether ‘twas a moment or an eternity, ‘tis not for me to know. Purgatory has relinquished my soul.

My blue is trumped by my gray which gives way to my familiar black. Hope of waking is confused with that of dying.

---
Trey -AKA- The Mad Wordsmith

For more and to see the original posting

Check out http://MadWordsmith.com

Throughout high school I followed anyone who had a shadow that I could walk in. I constantly attached myself to "the populars" with hopes of becoming part of their clique. It wasn't a question of whether or not I enjoyed being around people of the sort, I didn't, it was a matter of whether or not I could be perceived as someone with worth and value. Looking back it seems that growing up isn't only accomplished by growing older or moving through various levels of education, but rather it's discovering who you are as a person.

There's a term that I was turned onto in college that I had never given a thought to beforehand. It's a term that is deep-rooted in philosophical history, and one that may be simple enough to understand on the surface, but not always easy to understand when put into practice. I discovered self-awareness soon after finding myself as a writer. It was with my writing that I began questioning not simply the thought processes of others, but more importantly my own.

As I moved through these years in a perpetual attempt to grow as a person, there was a song that always held fast my vision of who I wanted to become as a man. The song is titled "Normal Life" and it was written by the Cincinnati alternative rock band, July for Kings.

July for Kings wrote:
Now I just want to live a normal life
Get a fast car and a pretty wife
We could have children of our own
Settle down here until they're grown
We could buy a house out on the beach
And just die there, out of reach

I used to obsess over these lyrics and was often reduced to tears when facing a tough breakup and using this song as my clutch. I feared that I had lost my pretty wife and subsequently the fast car and our house out on the beach as a result. For the longest time, I wanted nothing more than to live my very own normal life.

And so again I find myself sitting here addressing my aspirations for stardom, and as I consider living this life I realize that it's not a normal life that I want to live at all. To you this may be no surprise, but to me it came as a shock and a revelation, for all of these intrinsic pieces to my happiness puzzle have seemingly been wiped away.

I could say that my parents divorcing destroyed any security in my own personal relationships, but I overcame that naivety not long after I discovered what being self-aware had in store. No, rather than place blame where it isn't due, I have discovered that me growing as a person has changed where I would like to end up. And so instead of dreading the loss of a seemingly normal life, I can thank July for Kings for helping me to understand the extraordinary life that I have set in my sight.

Does this mean I will stop listening to the song? Absolutely not, because it's a damn good song. Besides, they've got fast cars and beaches in LA .

July for Kings - Normal Life

With an overwhelming response, I picked the best of the best to share:

Let me start by saying that, if I had to be honest, I didn't appreciate the 'Like' on that last comment. Now surely there's nothing wrong with being a metrosexual, but by the definitions of my peers, it just isn't me (at least I don't think it is).

For instance, I could have sworn teal and aqua were synonymous, but I was of course proven otherwise. You learn something new everyday -- or is that not what the kids say?

I'd also like to note that I absolutely freaking HATE going to the mall, for so many reasons.

• I hate teenagers
• I wouldn't be caught dead wearing the garbage (yes garbage) stores like Hollister, American Eagle or J.Crew sell
• Why would I spend $80 on a pair of jeans when I can get a pair for $20 at Kohls?
• Malls have a tendency to reek of pretentiousness in that their patrons have an overwhelming and unjustified sense of fashion and trend
• I--freaking--hate--teenagers

When asked by friends what my definition of a metrosexual is, I found "iced tips" to be the first phrase out of my mouth, to which they responded, "Just because you know what iced tips are Trey, that makes you a metro."

Awesome.

Now, perhaps it's true that I like to look nice when I go out. It may also be true that more often than not you'll see me sporting a blazer in homage to the great Hank Moody, but that doesn't mean that I'm a metrosexual, does it? I don't read New York Magazine, I've never gotten a manicure or pedicure (nor will I ever), and I have no aspirations of being gay. I won't compare myself to other men in their 'women getting,' but I can say that I do well enough for myself.

As mush as I hate to admit it, this all seems rather inconclusive. Of course I take pride in how I look, but give me a break, my aspirations lay in acting. Acting in films. That are seen. By people. I want to look good! It's a self esteem thing.

So, against my better judgment, I'll once again leave the decision making in the hands of you. Take a second, scroll down and click in a vote. Don't be too cruel.

Just remember...

Final Question

Do you know anyone else who puts themselves out there like this? Tell me in the comment thing below.

Some Shameless Promotion

Dear Lucy is new!

The only thing I know for certain is that until tonight, until I read your previous letter for the second, third and fourth times, I never realized how alike we truly are. You and I have both certainly romanticized our overseas relationship for going on the better part of 2010, but that was [to me] due in part to our vivid imaginations and lack of acceptance of the state of the world that we live in.

Click this stupidly large button:

Lastly

I have been given orders by the International Coalition of End-of-the-World Affairs to plan the biggest party this planet has ever seen. Official details can be found here.

Be sure to RSVP and invite your friends to a truly apocalyptic party!

So, a lot of things have been going on as of late, and rather than ramble about a bunch of crap that you'd probably rather not read about, I'll make a truncated list that I may readdress at a later time.

• I shot my first fashion spread for the digital magazine, Joie (will update when spread is published)
• My childhood best friend got married
• The Westboro Baptist Church protested the lives of gays and sinners on Ohio State's campus causing me to make some over-generalized comments and upset a friend or two (sorry Jackie)
• I haven't finished writing my next Dear Lucy yet (sorry Lucy), but I soon will!
• I keep having the same recurring dream (is that redundant?), and it's on an ever-increasing basis

While at some point I'd like to broach a few of those above bullet points, right now I'd like to share a brief story concerning the last on the list.

My college career was never a walk in the park. I spent nearly six years and more money than I care to think about for the opportunity to walk across a stage in front of an auditorium full of people and be handed a piece of paper saying that I'm now an eligible recipient of the respect of others.

I began a computer science major and ended up with a communications degree. There were also two other failed majors sandwiched in between. However it wasn't necessarily a lack of understanding of the coursework, rather it was my recognizing early on that practical experience was far more valuable than getting an 'A' on exam after exam. And thus, my studying took a backseat to my work at the campus radio station, my work at the campus newspaper, my administrative work for Kent State Student Media, and not to mention my film work.

Needless to say, loose ends may have somewhere slipped between the cracks, which brings me to a dream that has been haunting me since not long after my day of graduation. The setting varies from dream to dream, but the plot elements remain the same.

I find myself in the last semester of my college career. I am taking a normal course load and seem to be doing quite well. However hanging over my head is a feeling of dread, which I find to be an interesting sensation to feel such a weight on my conscience whilst in a dream.

This dread I feel stems from the fact that I haven't gone to one of my classes, a music class of all things, in several weeks. The semester nears a close and I panic at the notion that should I not pass the class, I will not graduate and will have to continue on in my already extended college career.

Now, it wouldn't be permissible for me to say that the above dream sequence doesn't stem from an element of truth, not if I want at least a bit of amateur psychotherapeutic help that is. However I don't want to be too honest so as to not shape any theories that you might be willing to share.

My thoughts? From a purely psychological standpoint, I feel that my subconscious may be striving to tell me there is a past emotion or agenda that I have left unresolved, but I'm far from a dream expert.

Your thoughts? Share them below. I've received Twitter feedback, Facebook feedback and word-of-mouth feedback regarding this beautiful new blog of mine, but I'm yet to receive any actual WordPress comments! They are open to everyone! And now I'm begging. Thanks for that.

Next time I'll be talking about the Fraternal Order of Saints.

I am abhorred with myself for the lack of postings as of late. Due to my being deathly sick [hyperbole], I haven't found much motivation to do anything other than sleep and eat when my body informs me that I must. For this, I apologize.

While my postings may have retarded a bit, my life experiences certainly have not, and thus I bring you today's posting in 2 parts.

Part 1. As [hopefully] many of you are aware, along with my inglorious rantings on TreyKauffman.com, a great friend of mine (who is currently hailing from the ever-so-dreary London in the UK) and I have started a project in which we share on a pseudo weekly basis the musings of two 20 somethings exploring the intrigues and pitfalls of life. Call us, if you will, pen pals of the 21st century.

Here's a sampling of Lucy's first posting:

But whatever you or anybody else might say, I need to believe that I'm right on this one. I need to believe because for the last couple of years I fear there is nothing left where my heart used to be. Then I start to think about if I should go and ask The Wizard of Oz if he can spot me a new ticker, right before I remember the Wizard is just the man behind the curtain, and if I can't find my heart on my own, nobody can do it for me. Not even a wizard.

You can view her full posting on Dear Trey.

A free spirit whose strength and motivation in life rivals my own. One day I will embrace the heart of another, as will my dear friend Lucy; but until that day arrives, the two of us will continue to walk about this broken world with a hope and a dream. This is our faith. This is our driving spirit. Divided by a world of land and sea, nothing can drive us apart.

If you'd like to contact Lucy, you can e-mail her at Lucy@Slantics.com.

Part 2. My Twitter background sucks.

I beg you to help me remedy this. I know there are a lot of you artistic types of folk out there who love doing things like this. You see, this is as artistically inclined as I get when it comes to images and graphics. Writing is more my flavor, with a dash of acting here and there.

And so I ask you, beg you, should you find it in your heart to devote an hour of your time to an updated and cleaner presence for my Twitter home, I will repay you in whatever way you so should choose barring that it doesn't cost me a great deal of money. Get creative! In both the design of the background and my repayment to you.

If you are interested in helping out, please let me know by contacting me via any of the links to the right. Or you can just e-mail me here: Trey@Slantics.com.

If I don't hear from any of you --

Best wishes my friends.

I was 16. I was 16 the first time I was ever told that I look like the famous Justin Timberlake. Don't get me wrong, I've been gladly accepting that compliment for years now; and for an ugly and awkward 16 year old, there was no better self-esteem booster.

As a matter of fact, two years ago I was walking down the Las Vegas Strip when a little girl ran up to me screaming, "Justin! Justin!" She told me how much she loved my... his... music. After a smile and a nod, she ran away the happiest she had ever been. Surely she'll one day tell her kids about meeting the exemplary Justin Timberlake in the middle of Nevada.

Surmise it to say, I don't see it. I'll go along with it any day of the week, but this is one bandwagon I will not be boarding. So the time has come to put this matter to rest.

Do I, Trey Kauffman, look like, or in any way resemble Justin Timberlake? Am I bringing sexy back or should I leave it at home? Please cast your votes and the option with the most votes by the end of whenever I feel like will be the final decision.

Make sure you post your additional thoughts in the thingy below. I've opened comments to anyone and everyone. Have at it.

D'aww. They just grow up so darn fast.

For anyone who's got an ear within a hundred miles of the social media underground, you have surely been awaiting this day, September the 14th, for quite some time. And like hounds, we all drooled over Twitter's much-anticipated announcement today at Twitter HQ.

Rather than rehash what TechCrunch and Mashable have surely pointed out, I merely want to take a quick swim in the philosophical nature of this -- dare I say it -- rebirth.

Amongst Twitter's reinventions in its second coming is a fully integrated media panel in your right sidebar. As you can tell from the video below, your greatly cherished videos, pictures and various other media will now be less than a click away. That's right, you can now control your Twitter account with your mind! (Don't quote me on that.)

To boot, Twitter has also added unlimited scrolling, which Facebook has all but truthfully attempted to do in both their home pages and profile pages. I'm sure these aren't all of the goodies that the guys over at Twitter have packed into our baggies, but what kind of show would it be without a grand finale? We, of course, shall wait and see.

There has already been some early speculation as to whether or not Twitter's users will welcome this upgrade with open arms or whether or not they'll see a revolt, such as Facebook has seen with --oooh, every upgrade they've ever rolled out. What I hypothesize is that not only will it be welcomed with open arms, but it will be one of the most talked about, blogged about, drooled over web/technology/social media events of the year.

I call foul! I think Twitter is playing dirty. Certainly Facebook made announcements about their upgrades before they happened! Oh wait. Well, Facebook definitely had a good PR campaign surrounding--hmm, no. Pictures? Blogs? Hype? Screenshots?

Well played Twitter, well played.