Ashi

I spotted a guy wearing black Speedos (and a pair of flip flops) once in Santa Cruz. He was quite visible in the crowd, walking by himself, though most people didn't stare (it's not polite to stare! ). I was too afraid to take a photo of him (that would be creepy). His body was really nothing to be ashamed of (swimmer type with great muscle definition). Most Californian dudes wear board shorts. That's a shame. Plenty of them are quite handsome. If they can wear them low, why not wear them short?

Matt, you're doing fine!!! Just like Jo Ann said, you did everything properly, and Mann and Cia all gave wonderful advice. You should be given a plaque for being a model first-time author. Here is a list of right things you did (as I see it), so you know exactly what you did are right: You announced your story (in status, in forum, and in chat). You encouraged readers interaction (to review and to discuss your story). You showed you care about your story (why should anyone care about the story if the author him/herself doesn't seem to care?). You followed GA guidelines and utilized all the nice resources GA provided for you (i.e., editors, beta readers, promotional tools). You did all of the above with a positive attitude. And with this post, you showed you want to be successful, and I believe you will (not just as an author, but as a person). It's easier to repeat a mistake than to replicate success, so to me, number one thing is to review this: what did I do right?. I hope this helps. Sometimes it isn't so obvious, perhaps it's because it's so natural to you, but they are nevertheless important. Just be patient. You're on the right track and success doesn't come overnight, so just keep doing a good job. I believe in you.

And we have no water this Winter..., and it's raining season in California this time of the year....

I saw the short. It was absolutely adorable and marvelous. Can't wait to see the full version.

This might be too radical for some, maybe you have watched it.... But it's still mesmerizing.

Don't get angry. Sometimes they just don't know what to say to you, so they compliment on your look, because you're (apparently) a nice looking person. Just learn to tune it out until it's nothing more than people asking "how's the weather?"

It's funny and tackle on the gay stereotype at the same time.

So..., which one of them is the top gun?

You guys stole the the ones I know.... How about Virginia Wolfe?

It's going to be a happy new year Jo Ann.

Things like this happens. I remember I read a blog you wrote a while ago about the loss of a friend. Is that the same person? Like Cia said, life must go on. I've always thought death is more cruel for the living, but you must go on. I know it's easier said than done, especially if that person occupies a very important space in your heart. I don't know if you still remember the story about the Guardian of Golden Gate Bridge, the guy who prevented many suicides attempts in that famous suicide Mecca. But somehow your story reminds me of that one. You did all you could do. Don't be too hard on yourself.

You did an excellent job, Krysztof! You did a great job capturing the spirit of an immigration story. I think the part that hits home for me is the initial optimism part, that you were escaping from a grey Polish reality, but only realized the lawn isn't always greener. I still remember similar stories from classmates back when I just immigrated to the U.S. when I was a kid, that they were coming to this country because of the bad situation in their homeland. People should be more compassionate. And just say no to drug! A lot of times being gay and being an immigrant are very similar, because we're seen as outcast of the society. And I imagine it must be worse for you (I didn't have to face both issue at the same time). I admit I had to check your profile to see if you're gay or not, because your story is very griping on its own without touching on the gay part. That's very good! Oh, before I forget, could you spell out some of the abbreviations like what's a CV, and terms like Gumtrees for those of us who aren't familiar with those terms? Thanks. Great first story!

Have you watched The Mudge Boy? You might like it if you like a guy in white dress (or maybe not, since it's kinda sad in that movie). Joke aside, I am glad you like the story and somehow you feel connected to it. I feel accomplished. Thanks.

Sis! I could write like a girl. lol

Mmmkay. LOL. Thanks!

Thanks Jo Ann! Hope the weather gets better for you! I'm going to release another story (I'm still editing it myself and iron out the wrinkles).

Oh, I am not saying early 2000's had no good music. It's just mid-2000's music is more of my thing. Now I think of it, back in early 2000's I was mostly a classical/jazz listener. Now I include all sort of genres on my listening list. Cool lists you've been compiling, by the way. Very laudable effort. I can't remember this much goodies!

I was searching through my tracks (I don't remember their release dates) only then I realized how much of my tracks are from mid-2000 period. 2002 I have just Norah Jones, "Seven Years" (from her Come Away with Me Album). I wasn't a big listener of music back then (and I am somewhat slow on the trend). Can't wait for 2004-2005 when we have The Killers, Jimmy Eat World, Coldplay, Keane, James Blunt, etc. EDIT: Oh, and 2002 has Damien Rice (Cannonballs). Though I am not sure I enjoy it as much nowadays, but it's from that time and some people may want to remember that hit.

Winter Barren Eww my Winter barren, how I wish you be caressed by the breath of Southern breeze, revitalized with restless turning, and intermezzo of tenderness deepened the yearning then succumbed to the sweet dew of passion. Bloom. Is it hard to be re-liberated by the remembrance of wildflower, which once covered the field? But emptiness ensues.

Well..., when one needs to be cuddled....

I wish he came to senses before the performance, not after, or worse..., during. Hey now, I wish I would find a guy my own age and also a virgin, so we could experience the same tender and innocent first love as the young 'uns. In private, of course.

I am still watching the BBC version. I'll watch this once I finished that, so don't spoil it for me!!!

I hope he completely lost it.... It's still kind of freaky thought though. Why did you revive this thread. Ugh....

Man, I was just watching Before Sunrise (featuring Ethan Hawke). Then I made the comment which greatly offended my own brother, "This is chick flix," and then finished it with "Ethan Hawke is a hipster." There is nothing offensive about being a hipster, of course. There is only the much imitated, but never replicated historical hipster (beat generation) that I recognize. If there were such group as "hipster" then it must be a secret society that people could only wish to be in. And I repeat, there is no such thing as a hipster. Anyways, I think I'll check out the movie! Looks like a great coming-of-age genre semi-documentary in the style of the director's Before triology. I also like little details in movies. Ethan Hawke did his semi-impromptu stuff well. (off-tangent: he was such an emo when he published his first novel; so much agony). Through arithmatics, I was 26 in 2004, and 35 3/4 currently. I acted younger than my age, though I doubt it would make much difference in my enjoyment of the movie. I like The Catcher in the Rye and I am not Holden's contempolary (for chrissake, ). EDIT: I also came across Daft Punk Lately and love Coldplay.... What's wrong with collective consciousness lately, or is it Google Analytics at work? And I hate you, Matt, for being younger now than I was in 2004.

Happy Birthday. :-)