Bleu

Very nice little story. I agree with the previous reviewers: this deserves a sequel.

Thanks, Bob, for showing me my boss' perspective. I understand what he expects from me, and I think I will start looking elsewhere next year or the year after, once I climb another rung of the ladder.

You're very right about the need to redefine goals. Your latest anthology story made me think about that too. And thanks for your support

"Someone"? I promise that if he's not good to me I'll come running to you so you can fix things.

Thanks. I'm focusing on one particular endeavour right now

Hehe, thanks Maria

:2hands: I will use all legal weapons :sword: and magic tricks in the book to go and sweep him off to a cosy place, though it might be quite a long adventure full of perils and traps before it happens.

That looks like an amazing amount of words. I've read some of your anthology submissions but far from everything you've written. *adds to list* Keep up the good work.

Erm... I cried through the first reading, and the second and third still brought tears to my eyes. I really like the way things are... though I can see one major point of improvement

The past few weeks have been full of contrasted events. In the list of failures I have to include my last marathon race. This time, I wasn't able to train as well as I did last year because my ankle never fully recovered from last summer's fracture. I only managed to run about 45 to 50km a week instead of the 60-70 I should have done. Despite that, I thought I would be able to finish it. Well, I had to give up around mile 18. It's the first time I can't complete a marathon. I made mistakes in the way I ate and drank both before and during the race. Basically, I did not eat enough solid food, and ended up with very painful intestinal cramps. After a few forced stops, my mental stamina was dwindling and every time I stopped my ankle would freeze up and I had to hobble for a few hundred yards until the ankle was warm again. It could only last for so long... It's disappointing because I could have done better and because I felt very good at the start. I passed the semi-marathon mark in 1hr37' which is slightly disappointing but not completely awful. What's even more annoying is that if I had ran as well as last year, I would have made it to the 16th place (it's a small marathon of only 650 runners, with no national-level runners). What's more worrying is that my ankle might be screwed for good. It looks like it can handle up to a half-marathon but no more. Another disappointment is work related. First, I was supposed to write an article for a professional journal, but soon realised I wasn't familiar enough with the topic. I tried to enlist the help of a colleague but it didn't work out for either of us, so in the end, after procrastinating and missing the deadline I told the editor I couldn't do it. Not good! Now I bet they won't ask me for another contribution for some time. Otherwise, I am fine with what I do at work but I find the red tape really annoying. And my boss would like me to get more involved with that kind of crap because he would like me to take on more responsibilities next year. I'd rather keep doing what I do now. But if I want a promotion, I should go with what he wants, not what I want. That would mean more hours at work, etc. Meh.... Among the more positive events that recently occurred are the fact that I'm more confident with being seen as gay or bi. Last week I went to a gay pride in a city an hour from where my parents live. I have a gay friend there, who belongs to the local LGBT association. I joined the group for the pre-pride dinner, and marched with them the next day. I bumped into one of my cousins during the pride, who also happens to be a friend of my friend. I looked the part of the straight friend supporting his gay friend... but I don't want to be doing that for too long. By the way, there was a group of skinheads and right-wings extremists who tried to block the parade. They got booed and had to retreat. The police was there to keep things cool. I also went to the Paris pride yesterday. I met up with a group of Anglo-Saxon expats I joined a few months ago. I expected to see some of the guys I met some weeks back, but funny enough I found myself the only guy with 9 lesbians. I was the only one carrying a rainbow flag until two of the girls bought theirs and then we started marching. It was a huge event, like last year. The police say we were 36,000, which is a ridiculous number, seeing we were much closer to 500,000. But since gay marriage was rejected by the French Parliament last week (that was another —largely expected— disappointment), the current government wants to minimize our importance. I can't wait for next year's election. If the candidate for the Left wins I expect we will get gay marriage within two years. Another victory was being able to speak with my parents about being at the parade, and about the debate over gay marriage. We've hardly spoken about my love life since I came out to them almost a year ago. They still had hopes for me to go to the straight side of my bi personality, and I've been reluctant to throw my dating experience of the last few months in their faces. Let's just say they're getting the picture now that I told them bits of my summer plans, the London GA meetup being the least shocking revelation. Of course, this being more "proud" of who I am is bolstered by the major victory I cling to: I'm in love . Even though I was in a long-term loving relationship before (more than 10 years), I don't pretend to know how love works. But I think I can tell when I'm not in love, and this isn't one of those times. I want to shout everywhere the name of the man who makes me so happy. It is tough to remain in control while wanting to dive into the feelings of happiness..., tough to find the right balance between enjoying the moment for what it is and thinking about a possible future. The obvious obstacles to our relationship (distance, culture, language, etc.) make it very fragile. I'm sure the image is corny, but I was trained as a library curator, so I hope you'll forgive me. I feel like I was given this very delicate historical piece to handle, and it is way too precious to break, so I'm holding my breath until I can carry it to a safer place. Telling people about the man I care for means more work on the coming-out front: first, my best friend from high school next week-end (that should be a breeze); then, at the end of the summer I can see a more difficult coming-out looming: that to my late wife's family. I have no idea what to expect from them, so it's a bit worrying as I don't want this new development on my side to affect the way they see the past 15 years. Whatever happens, they can't get in the way of the relationship I have at the moment nor change how I intend to develop and strengthen it.

There is romance between myself and Jian, I have long been his biggest fan. Is it love? It might. Keeping him in my sight Has indeed been part of my master plan. Am I really just a sad prude? Should I attempt to be more lewd? Beware what you wish for! That's how I was before... With this silly limerick ends our tame prelude.

Nephy. Like Bob said, sometimes morphine is a must. And of course it will make you sleep and feel wonky but the trade-off it worth it. Is your GP planning to gradually decrease the dosage already?

The discussion has started in the group opened by Johnathan Colourfield. Get in touch with him if you want to be part of the meet. Only 2 and a half months to plan everything... so come and give us your ideas and schedules.

I guess we can start off with a picnic on the Saturday. But since the weather might not agree with our plan, we should have a plan B. And don't worry, John, there were no pictures posted in February. At this point, if several people are not quite ok with Facebook, why doesn't someone create a closed Yahoo or Google group? Does anyone have some experience with this? A group would be easier than an email I think.

Happy birthday Vic

Well, at the pre-meetup in Manchester in February, we mostly had lunch and dinner together. We also wandered around the city and went to a bookstore. It was cold and rainy so the choices were limited, but London in August might provide more opportunities (picnic in a park anyone?). Also, it spans a few days because not everyone is free at the same time. So that way, we're hoping that those who can stay for the whole bank holiday week-end will get to meet everyone. Last time, Italian food and a steak house got the most votes. Don't worry, there is plenty of places in and around Soho. Personally I always go and eat Indonesian food when I go there, but it's not to everyone's taste.

Joyeux anniversaire, Bob!

Train and hotel are booked, so... I'll be there. If all goes well, I should be quite jet-lagged so you'll have to cut me some slack Edit: I agree with the restaurant side room reservation. I also agree with the closed group for detailed discussion. Would a closed Facebook group, like we did last time, be convenient for everyone?

Happy birthday Stuart!

Douw, Your life has changed quite dramatically in the past year. Try to keep positive about the future. There will be things that you won't be able to change and others that you will have some leverage with. Focus on what you can do, write down all the possible options and, like Nephy said, be ready for opportunities. You don't need to burn all the bridges at once, but you can't let people (especially family members, who should be protecting you) walk all over you for ever. *Sending strength*

When it rains, it pours, doesn't it? You will soon be back on track, with the Universe pulling you forward rather than putting obstacles in your path. *Hugs*

Ummm, wow, that does sound like a lot. You can't possibly have any fat left in your body, so no wonder you're gaining muscle mass.

Argghh... there is way too much bitter and not enough sweet here Poor Coop, torn apart between his love and his desire to shelter the one he loves from danger. *sigh* I hope that the end of the chapter proves that he will listen to his heart more than his mind. And poor Mich, feeling abandoned and miserable. Next chapter quick, please

Nice video! I'm happily surprised at the customers being so vocal. Special wow to the guy who wrote the note. I wonder what the reaction would be if the kids weren't there to complete the family picture, though. I am not surprised, however, that Southern hospitality beats New York anonymity. The sense of community in a town is much greater than in a city.

Awww Nephy.... We will miss you for sure if you can't make it, and in the meantime we will keep our fingers crossed that a job finds its way to you before the end of August, and that you can come to the meet. My summer vacation is getting organised. I will be arriving in London on the Saturday morning and leaving on the Monday night. I won't be driving. And I still need to get the hotel booked, but I will get to that soon.