Nope. It's spot on.

You're hilarious. The Brat Boy retard has the linguistic control of an autistic pre-teen (a comparison for which I apologize to autistic pre-teens everywhere). I'm baffled by his "appeal."

And you're right - he does look like a slave to tina.

Alright, I had to post another comment because I just read that inane post he did on immigration. It was painful - not because I disagreed with him but because it was like picking up a paper I wrote in 8th grade. Can he be any less intelligent or any shittier as a writer? And notice his comments. He posted on what should be taken as a serious issue and all of his readers talked about were his body and how that guy Landon from the Real World is hot. Who are these people?

It's too harsh. And too easy. Excoriating a self-obsessed, soft-core-porn blog like Brat Boy School is like shooting fish in a can of tuna. How much less time did you spend on this post than on your mostly excellent night-before-Wednesday post about binge drinking? I'm not saying that BBS doesn't deserve your scorn, but are blog awards something real enough to merit concern over? Are they important enough for you to even worry about what you'd wear to the awards ceremony? I think that it all goes back to, "If you don't like a blog, don't read it."

Classic VividBlurry! What I like best are the Dictionary.com links to any four syllable words. Such reserved cattiness... love it!

Is this too much? Honey, you're clearly holding back. But as the real blogger, it's your job to show that what's not said can be as important as what is said. And how about this little thing called 'flow'? You know - beginning/middle/end? Swear to god, I think I need a Ritalin to get thru one of Ethan's entries.

Any wagers on whether Ethan finally ditches his blog next year in favor of something more appropriate (like seancody)?

Well said.

He has shit for brains. His immigration piece is hilarious. Don't mean to sound snobby, but where the fuck did he go to school?

It's sad to see older, smarter bloggers like Boifromtroy and the Malcontent promoting him. They're like sad old gay dudes paying for tricks.

He has little to say. And, worse, he says it badly.

I can't believe I just read this. If I want scintillating commentary on world affairs and the state of being gay I read Andrew Sullivan. I love your blog Toby, but sorry you're way more in the BBS league than the Sullivan one. Just because you've given up on posting pics of yourself and talk a little less about your alcohol abuse and sex doesn't suddenly make you the New Yorker.

Get over yourself.

Toby, you're an excellent writer, but this is petty even by your standards. The bitter queen shtick generally doesn't arrive until someone hits their 30's. At 22, why engage in a sprint for it? The raging jealousy is palpable.

Ken - Ethan and I are roughly the same age. So much for your theory.

How I wish that the entire Typepad universe hadn't collapsed in on itself, rolling our posts back five or six days, so that you could see my response last night to your previous malevolent and unprovoked attack on a decent guy.

You are a patronizing asshole, a hack and a has-been.

Ken: I think I'm pretty hot as 35-year-olds go. (Yes, even gays must age.) And my husband is even hotter, thank you. I have no desire whatsoever to have sex with anyone else. Zero. So go project somewhere else, fucknuts.

You suck, I'm hot! Is this really what it has come to in the gay blog world? Toby's site has matured with him and been an enjoyable read because he knows how to write. That's a skill that way too many homos don't have and one I appreciate by coming back to read this blog regularly.

Posting pics of your 'hot bod' only interests me for a fleeting moment; being interesting keeps me around.

I can't believe I'm defending Toby, but hell...

Vividblurry isn't what I normally read. I generally prefer current events and other wonkish stuff (malcontent, towleroad, even sully sometimes). Coming from that perspective, it's easy to 'look down' on blogs like this one. I will admit that, superficially, Toby seems like bitchy cunt of a lush. But nonetheless - this boy can write. He has taken that cuntiness and elevated it into an art form (well, almost). He's creative, well-spoken and original. I've got a good feeling that he's gonna be around well after BBS fades to black.

And Mal, come on, you just posted a 'blind item' about how some tv personality was showing off his shrinkydink at a UES bathhouse. How is that not petty?

Is Toby a better writer than Ethan? You're damn right he is. Did the stupid "Best Blog" contest have the word "Shakespeare" anywhere in its name? No, it didn't.

Ethan is a good guy and doesn't deserve an attack like that. For Toby to question Ethan's looks is just so ridiculous as to beggar belief.

So Ethan wanted to win a silly blog contest -- big flippin' deal. He's new to blogging, and it would have been a real feather in his cap.

Anyone who looks at his site would realize he's not a drunken tramp like Toby has had a history of admitting to -- quite the opposite, in fact. Showing a little skin does not a whore make. So Toby's unwarranted attack just smacks of a faded, boozy Catskills insult comic who attacks just because he likes the look of his talons.

And it's not my fault if Doug Wilson is getting sucked off publicly in seedy Manhattan bars.

So I’m not taking sides on this, since I haven’t really heavily read all of the blogs in these competitions, and I have no vested interest in any of this.

But…this sounds like the core of your argument: “I remember when blogging was about creativity and personal expression, a soundboard for those desperately seeking someone - anyone - who'd listen.”

Sums a lot up.
There's still that going on, and alot of the other stuff too.

I’m not saying that Ethan’s place isn’t deep. I'll go read it and judge for myself. I'll probably keep it to myself, though =)

You’re stuff is so different from your beginnings which were really raw and open, it’s really striking. But the undercurrent is still there. That’s the thread of honesty that seems to run through all the word games you play.

That’s probably why people stick around.

Mal: I think I'm pretty hot as 35-year-olds go [...] And my husband is even hotter, thank you. I have no desire whatsoever to have sex with anyone else. Zero. So go project somewhere else, fucknuts.

(stepping back) ... ooookay ... clearly touched a nerve here ... everyone's pretty, everyone's beautiful ... now if we can all just calm down ...

Embrace the Pettiness!

This was excellent indeed. There is nothing like hyped up homosexual drama over absolutely nothing of remote signifigance!

THIS is why I waste approximately 6.3 minutes of my day reading your site. keep it up!

Now this is entertainment.

Toby, it's too easy and you know it. Still, can't disagree.

Lay off the kid. He's blond.

And, personally I nwouldn;t mind seeing more of your body. But that's just me.

Since you did ask, Toby, yes, it's too harsh. But this is your blog and it's your right (as always) to be so.

I did campaign for Ethan, and I'll tell you why: He's trying to do or make something for himself. He hasn't had an easy life, so I'd like to think we could cut the kid a break.

And you're right; you don't post photos like that *anymore*. People's blogs mature, as yours has. Just my three cents. Have a good weekend, Toby.

Mal - I'm sure bratboy is the sweetest little crack baby to come out of the trailer park. But that's beside the point. This is about blogging... which last I checked had something to do with writing. We're not asking for Shakespeare (Shakespeare would've dropped the blogosphere for a three picture deal with Paramount by now), but the stuff your friend is coming out with is just god awful writing. Maybe all this heat will encourage him to improve. Think positive!

Does anybody deserve to be blown to bits (as Toby did so equisitely)? Debateable - Plastering the internet with those damn ads (over a two bit blog contest) and screaming desperately at readers to "Vote Bratboy!" sure seems like a open invitation to ridicule. More to the point - so some random stranger on the internet insults you. Whoopdefuckingdoo. Grow some balls, for chrissakes.

Cheers, Toby!!

If blogging is about writing, someone's going to have to contact a few hundred thousand photo-blogs and break the news that they're not "real" bloggers.

Blogs are whatever we make of them, each with their own purpose and focus. So Toby doesn't like what Ethan's blog is about. No bother.

But then, Ethan isn't exactly blogging to please people like Toby, is he?

This whole business is uncalled for. For the record, Ethan isn't the one who placed the advertisements. In fact, he had no knowledge of them until they appeared on websites. People are making awfully big assumptions about him when they have very little knowledge of things at all.

Then again, it is the blogosphere, and since when has anyone in it been shy about advertising their rank ignorance of what they're talking about?

We don't need another hero, but you're mine now, anyway.

"Don't mean to sound snobby, but where the fuck did he go to school?"

Like, duh. Brat Boy School! He didn't just GO there, he taught (and teaches) there. In a way it's lot like homeschooling except science class isn't about the Bible; it's about sunless tanner, meth, and peroxide.

You're kidding, right? You must have meant that to be ironic. Because your website adds new meaning to the word vapid.

i agree with kenneth your my hero now. hope u didnt mind but we linked u on our blog. keep up the good work.

Nice! lol, if you need more material; how about the post ethan made about him making pasta (you can find it in the "cooking" section, just between fucking and retard) an yes! he is butt-naked there are pics and all or maybe the very "deep" and "well-thought" post about immigration, in summary fuck everyone and build a berlin-type wall in the borders (yeah, i know). I'm telling you T, we have a smart one among us in the blog scene so watch out. LOL

Toby,

Thank you for clarifying why I love and hate Ethan's blog. His campaign has been a little too contrived but essentially style before substance. But yet I supported him rather than Pam. Was it the promise of more than a teasingly low bed sheet that made me do it? And is that why I visit still… I am not sure but I’m glad to have you in my favourites so keep me thinking!

Leave Toby alone. His landlord is a fucking bitch.

No really. Toby, that was really mean. I think you should apologize.

While all of us love Toby's fabulous bod, we keep hanging around because of his brains.

Toby's the total package!

Yet another gay blogger struggling for relevance by ranting about a trivial web "award". Smooth......

Robbie hit the nail on the head! Ethan's blog is his business, if you don't like him don't read it.

Hmmm... quite a surprise from the blogger that inspired me to write my own rambling rants on the web... but as usual, I enjoyed reading it.

I created a number of ads for Ethan which I posted on my site and encouraged other bloggers to use on their sites. I happily promoted him in the contest for best blog simply because he's a great guy (and the only blogger I read on the list).

Personally I think any blogging award is a waste of time and nothing more than a popularity contest. If you blog, blog for the love of expression and yourself. *wink*

Toby, thanks for this spot on post. The only thing more entertaining then your post itself was the comments of BBS defenders like the Malcontent. Pathetic to the point of hilarious. "no no I REALLY am hot, and my boyfriend is even HOTTER, and I REALLY dont want to sleep with anyone else, and my blog is SOOO important." Seriously funny stuff, even if the tools from The Malcontent didnt intend for it to be funny.

I for one am fed up with the high school-ish Brat Boy webpage. Every day for a week, all we got was "vote for me, vote for me". I mean, say it once and let your readers decide. Otherwise, go run for prom queen or something. The whole thing smacks of some sort of club at someone's treehouse.

I for one do not care for the personal half-nude pics that are posted throughout the BBS web page. I have not thoroughly read BBS's blogs because I find the posted pics distracts readers like me from reading "wise" postings. The same goes with Wannabeleader, I have no problem with his blog. I find Wannabeleader more interesting to read although he has been behind recently.

But the point is, I agree with your letter. BBS and Wannabeleader can do what they want, but they have something you don't, sex appeal. In your case, you don't need it because I find your blog interesting by reading your insights on the world without a political agenda.

You write eloquently and thoughtfully, that is the only reason why I come back to read for more.

I also think of you as a Class Act because instead of creating a campaign to win a petty award, you advise us to vote for others. You are selfless, which is one quality that attracts me to your blog.

That's "husband," not "boyfriend." Dick.

... and that's "whiney douchebag", not "gay republican." Jackass.

Name calling is fun!

You have a decent blog. Too bad about the manners.

Thanks for exposing that the emperor has no clothes. Although I appreciate the soft porn blogs for what they are -- something to jerk off to before bedtime -- I'm so glad that folks like you are around to keep things in perspective, and for recognizing that there is more to existence than an orgasm and a cute butt. One thing about the gay community -- for purposes of generalizing -- it's so damn anti-intellectual, and heaven forbid someone like yourself reminds us that all truth and experience cannot be found in the bulge of one's pants. Unfortunately the gay community seems to degenerate itself in defining itself by the lowest common denominator. Remember the good old days when Isherwood, E.M. Forster and Auden defined gay values? And notwithstanding their intellectual greatness they still somehow managed to have some sexual fun in the process. These days it seems that only the sex is what our community wants to retain in defining itself. Keep blogging, man . . . there's a powerful need for your voice.

E.M. Forster? Ew gross. I just hate nasty old trolls, don't you?

;)

Toby wrote a post (or two) and had no comebacks to defend himself.

He's made his point (relevant, or not, in the eyes of others) and moved on.

Shouldn't we?

like i said in Toby's latest blog post about this, i don't see why this is such an issue? i mean, some of you guys are just being so nasty to eachother--and for what? some guy you don't even know/barely know's web endeavor? i mean, it's the f*cking internet. do whatever you want. some people will think all of us vividblurry readers are mad cows just as some think BBS readers are.

personally, i don't dig BBS as a site. however, it's alot more sh*t than i'm doing online right now and atleast Ethan's got something to say for himself and--nomatter what i personally feel about his site--SOMEONE's gonna appreciate him saying what he's gotta say.

...plus, he's got all them softcore duuuurtay pics on there. haha

no, it's not too harsh... ethan, imo, is a fake. i would like to know more 'dirt' on him, his past, what he does for a living, etc. i've 'heard' of drugs and escorting in the past... does anyone know if there is any truth to these rumors??? tia
jay

If Ethan's not a fake, he's doing a damn good impersonation of JEAN TEASDALE from the Oignon, non?

P.S. I don't read gay blogs, Their stupid. Its it's own reward.

I agree with the negative criticism surrounding Ethan--particularly Toby’s--from that self-infatuated pseudo-porn-woe-is-me Brat Boy School. I have waited for some time now for another Blogger to take on this one man self-absorbed cottage industry, to challenge and expose his relentless adolescent guilt-mongering. Other Blogs have substance and intellectual fodder; Brat Boy School is an utterly boring show. Ethan’s posts make me laugh because they remind me of a twelve-year-old on the brink of puberty. Ethan means well, but he succeeds in talking to one audience--himself. He advocates the practice of ethical and moral behavior—all those posts about what good person he is and the good deeds he does for colleagues and other people; he shuns anything or anyone who is superficial, and he manipulates his audience to feel sorry for him on almost every post. Poor narcissist: we are constantly being reminded that his mother kicked him out of the house after his prom or his high school graduation; that his only family consists of his close friends; that he never has any money and is thus on a budget; that his car breaks down every other day; and that he has stalkers at the gym and at work, which he loves to share with us, by the way. Self-infatuated Ethan even re-enacts his encounters with these “stalkers” on his Blogs by providing us with the actual dialogue that occurs. That is so hysterical it astounds. He could publish a play entitled “My Stalkers” if he wishes.
Oh, and did I mention that he is as conservative as his acceptance of a self-imposed stereotyped 80s Gay identity? Poor guy, and amidst all this he throws us a hit-or-miss guide to [his] half-naked masturbatory-promoting pornographic body shots while cooking, cleaning, in the shower, while brushing his teeth, at the park, at a high school, looking into a mirror, gazing intently into a camera, or in bed with his stuffed animals or colorful bedspreads. Remarkably, rather than addressing his detractors in an intellectual manner, Ethan’s response is that of a typical twelve year old girl—he can’t argue or defend himself, and he throws in a tacky “I Am Not Giving Up” poem that his teacher or mother taught him to say when he was being picked on in the playground. The acute embarrassment generated by Ethan’s Blogs could possibly be regarded as naiveté, but they frequently register as one of many reasons why, despite some progress, we still have the all too 80’s stereotypes of Gay men pervading our media: young gay men who are still trapped in adolescence, who exhibit contradictory ideas and impulses, who are mindless and obsessed with being cute and adorable, and most frightening of all, who have nothing to contribute to this world because they are insignificant sex toys. It’s difficult to know what is more disturbing, these images themselves or Ethan’s complicity in willfully embodying the very images he claims to negate.

Hawke

For Whom Ethan Reynolds Tolls: Voyeurism and Blogosphere Prostitution

Congratulations to Mr. Reynolds for creating a new genre: Blogosphere Prostitution. Ethan’s latest drama revolves around him, of course, and a poorly-written incoherent summary of a joke about President Bush The Washington Post mentioned. Once again this self-proclaimed model is doubly damned by his own prostition-esque discourse. As usual, he cannot offer a rebuttal to his detractors. Yet Ethan doesn’t ignore them. Indeed, his line of defense is to project more images of his body, which only confirms the logic—or lack thereof—that traps him: self-indulgent drivel. Ethan supports—even promotes—our president and the military establishment. Perhaps he should join the trenches so that he could realize that he is not special, and that he would not be exempt from homophobic violence and the possibility of being burned at the stake—just as any openly gay male would. We all know that he cannot comment on social issues without being exposed as thinking like a seventh grade student. But then it is never in the expectation of beautiful writing or subtly nuanced analysis that we turn to Ethan Reynolds. Given the commentary his fans post about him, he does a fine job of soliciting voyeurism, fantasies, empathy, and compliments. Ironically, when he is “hit on” in person at the gym--as he claims--and treated like the prostitute that he projects himself to be, he deems himself a victim and solicits empathy from his target audience.
What is particularly astonishing—if not deliriously frightening--about Brat Boy School is than Ethan believes that he is part of a serious Blogging Community. On the contrary, rather than extending inquiries into the discursive possibilities posited by Blogging, such as polished dialogue and commentary on just about anything, Ethan Reynolds misuses his status as an alleged “Blogger” by projecting his internal sense of emptiness and shallowness. In fact, much like a prostitute, Mr. Reynolds’s self-esteem can only reconfigure itself around the intended voyeurism he constructs. Walking around and cooking while showing off his uncut, chubby body and knowing that he has his own passive, celebratory audience (much like him and whom he manipulates) that worships him is how he achieves self-worth. Perhaps he should be honest and admit all this, but that would defeat the purpose of Brat Boy School.
Ethan Reynolds is not a Blogger; he is an Internet prostitute—simple as that. Gracing the cover of an unknown, laughably brainless magazine does not translate into model status. Real models do not run scamming sites like Brat Boy Schools because they are too busy doing what they do best--modeling. And if they do run websites, they do not use them as narcissistic, self-indulgent engines to achieve self-esteem and self-worth; that would be too humiliating. However, on a positive note, Ethan’s consistently self-indulgent Blogs has at least two distinct registers, the disarmingly playful and the overwhelmingly comical.

Hawke