Ian Rowland is a Friendly Guy

[Clancie]

Ian Rowland is on his trip out West. His website posts his itinerary and follows up with this (re-posted here in case anyone feels like taking him up on any of it):

YOU CAN GET IN TOUCH JUST TO SAY 'HI!' AND HANG OUT!

If you want to just meet up, hang out, chat (about magic or cold reading or anything else), play Tour Guide, explain baseball to me, have a drink, have dinner, or do anything else in the 'fun, interesting and legal' category, please feel free to get in touch. I'm pretty easy to get along with, fairly harmless, and I enjoy meeting just about everyone. If you can save me any money re transport or accommodation, I'd love to hear from you. Here's the email link again. My principal interests are: eating really good fajitas, magic, eating at Koo-Koo-Roo, stand-up comedy, the performing arts generally, art and galleries and cultural stuff, sightseeing, weird stuff, stunning scenery, great architecture, guitars and guitarists, famous landmarks, anything that's cool and fun and different.

[/B]

 

[RC]

I'd be happy to show Rowland the sights of San Francisco. I'll send him an email.

 

[Mr. Skinny]

I've seen a few posts by Ian over at the Straight Dope Message Board.

Seems like a genuine and nice individual.

Take him to see a bluegrass band RC!

 

[neofight]

Yes, he sure is, Clancie! lol If RC is serious, I'd be interested to know if he would take RC up on his offer. Why do I get the impression that he's looking to hook up with one, or several, of his attractive female fans? lol ....neo

 

[RC]

Hmm, maybe I could go in drag? He'll never know the difference.

 

[renata]

Re: Re: Ian Rowland is a Friendly Guy

Yes, he sure is, Clancie! lol If RC is serious, I'd be interested to know if he would take RC up on his offer. Why do I get the impression that he's looking to hook up with one, or several, of his attractive female fans? lol ....neo

Neo, do tell what gives you that impression? Do you know Ian Rowland? Has he hit on you? Has he hit on any woman on the board, to your knowledge? Why exactly do you assume he is looking to hook up?

 

[hgc]

Hmm, maybe I could go in drag? He'll never know the difference.

Never know the difference?

 

[Clancie]

Lol, neo.
I think there's a bit of that in there, yes. (renata, have you visited Ian's website? Last time I did he had a "Photo Gallery" with "my friends" or something...all women, different looks, lots and lots, with captions making it clear that...yes, he likes women! Nothing wrong with that. And he also made it clear, imho, from something he posted there that he has a girl friend but is still looking and available if the right person should come along). I'm sure he would love to meet some of his attractive fans (if this means RC in drag, so be it! lol)

Also, neo and I have exchanged emails with him. He's very nice, a tiny bit flirtatious even online (in an appropriate way)--and her comment was intended as an inside joke with me, not as a dig at Ian. We both like him and, as I titled this thread, think he seems (from his writing, and online pronouncements) like--as I said--a nice guy. (And a very attractive one, too )

 

[richardm]

a nice guy. (And a very attractive one, too )

He looks a lot like Steve Martin, in the flesh. At least, he does now that he's fixed his hair.

 

[renata]

Lol, neo.
I think there's a bit of that in there, yes. (renata, have you visited his website? Last time I did he had a "Photo Gallery" with "my friends" or something...all women, different looks, lots and lots, with captions making it clear that...he likes women! (And he also made it clear from something he posted there, imo, that he has a girl friend but is still looking and available if the right person should come along). I'm sure he would love to meet some of his attractive fans (if this means RC in drag, so be it! lol)

Also, neo and I have exchanged emails with him. He's very nice, a tiny bit flirtatious (in an appropriate way)--and her comment was intended as an inside joke with me, not as a dig at Ian. We both like him and, as I titled this thread, think he seems (from his writing, and online pronouncements) like--as I said--a nice guy. (And very attractive, too )

Well, has he tried to hook up with you, then?

You see, Clancie, you complained before about dismissive comments from posters here. This is just the kind of drive by character joke that I suspect you strenuously object to.

Reverse roles here, for a second, imagine the comment was about JE. Would you not be offended, demand evidence, claim that is character assassination?

Being friendly and flirtateous is fine, but Neo publicly suggested he is just trying to hook with females on board. I do not think it is funny, I think it is insulting.

 

[Clancie]

From renata

Reverse roles here, for a second, imagine the comment was about JE. Would you not be offended, demand evidence, claim that is character assassination?

Well, JE is married to start with. Ian isn't (and his website gives the impression he's available).

Being friendly and flirtateous is fine

I think so, too.

From renata
...but Neo publicly suggested he is just trying to hook with females on board. I do not think it is funny, I think it is insulting

Sure you're not still irritated with us from other topics? I don't think Ian would be offended by what neo said at all. I would be surprised if he wasn't hoping that some of the people who respond to his nice offer are attractive, available females.

He didn't, however, say, "Only contact me if you are a single, attractive female; others need not apply." Nor did neo imply that. Hence, the title of my thread, as opposed to something else. He seems like a nice, friendly guy who's not shy to make it known he's hetereosexual and available. Personally, I think his openness to meeting all kinds of new people and having random experiences with them when he travels is amazing...great, if you've got the guts for it. (Appparently he is also far from being a "control freak") Really, I think you're making too much of her comment.

 

[renata]

[[/B]
Sure you're not still irritated with us from other topics? I don't think Ian would be offended by what neo said at all. I would be surprised if he wasn't hoping that some of the people who respond to his nice offer are attractive, available females.

He didn't, however, say, "Only contact me if you are a single, attractive female; others need not apply." Nor did neo imply that. Hence, the title of my thread, as opposed to something else. He seems like a nice, friendly guy who's not shy to make it known he's hetereosexual and available. Personally, I think his openness to meeting all kinds of new people and having random experiences with them when he travels is amazing...great, if you've got the guts for it. (Appparently he is also far from being a "control freak") Really, I think you're making too much of her comment. [/B]

It is possible that I am irritated by your defensive implications in my Windmill thread and lack of apology for repeatedly assuming things about my posts that were far from the truth.

But that is water under the proverbial bridge.

If I wrote Ian right now and quoted what you and Neo said, what do you think he would say? Recall that neo implied RC may not meet Ian because RC is male, and that Ian is looking to "hook up" ( which I interpret have one night stand sex) with female posters.

JE is married, so why is an allegation of infidelity worse than an allegation of promiscuity? Or feigning interest in women so that he could have sex while ignoring the men? Because that logically follows from Neo's comment.

I also think it is great he wants to meet new people. The man is interesting and appears to be delightful.


You think I am making too much of Neo's comment. So do you then agree with her that Ian wants to f*** several female posters and will avoid the men?


This is a double standard, and that is why I am bringing it to your attention. I guarantee if Claus said a similar thing about JE, you would be all over it.

 

[Clancie]

Recall that neo implied RC may not meet Ian because RC is male, and that Ian is looking to "hook up" ( which I interpret have one night stand sex) with female posters.

"hook up" means one night stand sex? Really? I thought it meant what he says, "hang out with".

JE is married, so why is an allegation of infidelity worse than an allegation of promiscuity? Or feigning interest in women so that he could have sex while ignoring the men?

Wow, renata. We're on totally different wavelengths with this one. I didn't see neo say any of that.

Because that logically follows from Neo's comment.

Not in terms of how I took it. In no way did I think she was saying his suggestion is all about casual sex. That isn't what "hook up" means to me. (Is that a common term for it? I thought it meant "connect with" or "hang out" or even "meet and have fun".)

From renata

You think I am making too much of Neo's comment. So do you then agree with her that Ian wants to f*** several female posters and will avoid the men?

No, renata. I don't think that's what she meant at all. Maybe I'm naive (at my age that would be embarrassing), but it never even occurred to me that was what she was saying. (Uh...neo?)

From renata
This is a double standard, and that is why I am bringing it to your attention. I guarantee if Claus said a similar thing about JE, you would be all over it.

Claus? JE? How'd they get into it?

If I wrote Ian right now and quoted what you and Neo said, what do you think he would say?

Well, if you just QUOTED what we said, exactly as put forward here, the entire thread, including yours and all subsequent posts, I think he'd laugh (and probably also be very flattered to be the object of all this speculation).

neo hasn't weighed in yet, but...why not try it and see what he thinks? I'd be surprised if he'd be the least bit offended.

 

[renata]

"hook up" means one night stand sex? Really? I thought it meant what he says, "hang out with".

Every time I have seen it used it meant to have sex, casual one night stand.

If Neo has meant hang out, why did she thing he would want to hang out with female more than men?

Well, if you just QUOTED what we said, exactly as put forward, including yours and all subsequent posts, I think he'd laugh (and probably also be very flattered to be the object of all this speculation).

Can you point me to the place on his website where he says he is looking if something else came along? I can not locate that, and I do hope Neo or you are not revealing anything from provate correspondence.

It is possible he will laugh, of course. But did Neo ask his permission to post that assertion here? What if I said- Sure, Clancie is swell- she just wants to get some! Oh, you interpreted get some sexually? I meant get some in a friendly way, get some interesting conversation.

What Neo posted is at best ambiguous. However, if she would like to clarify what she meant, I would welcome that.

 

[RC]

Renata, for someone who blasted Clancie yesterday because she chose to (in your words) make a big deal out of something that you found not to be germane to the thread topic, you sure don't practice what you preach!

Get over yourself! You're a total control freak who alternates between trying to shut down and minimize those who disagree with you and then stir the pot on issues you care about. I've been reading your posts carefully this week and grow less and less impressed.

This thread is about what a neat guy Ian Rowland is and how we'd like to do something with him. Neo likes Rowland and her comments are light-hearted and based on her own interactions with him.

 

[renata]

Renata, for someone who blasted Clancie yesterday because she chose to (in your words) make a big deal out of something that you found not to be germane to the thread topic, you sure don't practice what you preach!

Get over yourself! You're a total control freak who alternates between trying to shut down and minimize those who disagree with you and then stir the pot on issues you care about. I've been reading your posts carefully this week and grow less and less impressed.

This thread is about what a neat guy Ian Rowland is and how we'd like to do something with him. Neo likes Rowland and her comments are light-hearted and based on her own interactions with him.

Had to quote that for posterity

I am glad to see you write in such a warm, considerate manner. Funny how when a mirror is shown to some people, they freak out.


I am waiting for your apology on the Windmill thread, also, by the way. Or is it only OK to demand apologies from skeptics?

 

[Clancie]

From renata

It is possible that I am irritated by your defensive implications in my Windmill thread and lack of apology for repeatedly assuming things about my posts that were far from the truth.

Well, renata, I looked over that thread again and feel I made a perfectly valid point about what you posted (backed up by a direct quote from you). Naturally, you were free to disagree with or dispute it (as you did) however you wanted to.

I feel no apology is warranted for anything I wrote there. It was a perfectly legitimate discussion point based on something you wrote that I took exception to.

You may not like the points I made there, but I don't agree with all of yours either...Oh well.

 

[Ian Rowland]

Why do I get the impression that he's looking to hook up with one, or several, of his attractive female fans? lol ....neo

Hi Neofight.

I appreciate that this comment was probably meant in a perfectly friendly and harmless way, but please don't say things like this. It can be very misleading, and it can start ugly and ill-founded rumours. It's also a little disrespectful not only to myself, although I couldn't care less, but to the many very kind, helpful and wonderful people who DO get in touch with me when I visit faraway places and whom it is a pleasure and a privilege for me to meet.

There is absolutely nothing even remotely seductive or nefarious about me, about any of the content on my website, or about the fact that when I'm setting off on my various travels I tend to announce the fact, just so that any interested parties may get in touch if they wish to do so. If anyone thinks otherwise, well, all I can offer is that sometimes these things are in the eye of the beholder.

Clancie said that there's something on my website which says I am 'looking and available if the right person comes along'. This is news to me. If anyone can help me locate this reference, I will be happy to delete it or correct it as soon as I get back home and can edit my website.

As for the phorase 'hook up with', it's just a term which I, as a Brit, have picked up from my American friends. As far as I'm aware, it means to meet, to spend time together socially, to make friends. I was not aware it had any other connotation, and it certainly doesn't when I use it.

I have faults and failings by the truck load, no doubt, but being a creepy, seductive middle-aged lounge lizard is not one of them, and the idea is entirely absurd to anyone who knows me.

Peace to you all. I just thought it might be nice to correct misunderstandings BEFORE they get out of hand, you know what I mean?

Oh, and for those of you who HAVE said assorted nice things about me in this thread or anywhere else, well, thank you. I am flattered, gratified and pleasantly surprised!

 

[RC]

I find it ironic that Renata found Neo's comments to be insulting, but has nothing to say about the "Gorgon" insult. Actually, no one had anything to say about that except for me. Oh...but that was Claus who said Gorgon.

Transparent, anyone?

 

[Clancie]

Hi Ian,

I'm glad renata got your attention, but would like to clear up any misunderstanding. As you can see, I started this thread a week ago, mainly because I was impressed and surprised by your friendly travel invitation and thought some Californians might like to take you up on it. The thread kind of sat here (I'm not sure how many JREF-ers are in California anyway), until the recent controversy.

From Ian Rowland

As for the phrase 'hook up with', it's just a term which I, as a Brit, have picked up from my American friends. As far as I'm aware, it means to meet, to spend time together socially, to make friends. I was not aware it had any other connotation, and it certainly doesn't when I use it.

That was exactly my point, and I'm sure just what neo had in mind, too. I've never seen it mean any of the things that renata mentioned and, knowing neo (who has a lot of class, imo), I know she would not say any of that about anyone.

From Ian Rowland

I have faults and failings by the truck load, no doubt, but being a creepy, seductive middle-aged lounge lizard is not one of them, and the idea is entirely absurd to anyone who knows me.

Lol, I'm sorry if the discussion sounds like that to you, but I really don't think anyone was suggesting that.

From Ian Rowland

Clancie said that there's something on my website which says I am 'looking and available if the right person comes along'. This is news to me. If anyone can help me locate this reference, I will be happy to delete it or correct it as soon as I get back home and can edit my website.

You know, I was relying on memory from looking at your site several months ago. I thought you had a resume-type thing posted for people interested in hiring you, including a category like: "Marital Status" and the answer: "Committed, but available" -- or something like that. Am I wrong? There wasn't anything ever like that posted there?

If so, I'm sorry for the misrepresentation. And thanks for taking the time to clarify it all.

P.S. You really didn't laugh at this discussion and really weren't flattered by it as I told renata I thought you'd be? Really? I guess my "psychic abilities" aren't that good after all.