shadows

Oh god... I think I'd give up the Net before I returned to 56k. I cannot live without high speed net access anymore. Oh, and I love Rodney Dangerfield especially "Back To School." "Kurt Vonnegut doesn't understand Kurt Vonnegut!" *grin* Thanks James. //shadows

Journey - Open Arms! (Don't ask...) And I agree with you completely, I hate that companies gain market share through monopolistic practices or through shady dealings. Then again I'm an Apple fan so I really should keep my mouth shut //shadows

Of course it's a dream, he takes his meds right before he goes to sleep and gets a really disturbing dream to talk about with his therapist. Right? Right? Good chapter //shadows

If you're a Buddha-pest all I can say is that I'm Hung(a)ry for more! //shadows

My current laptop was bought in Taiwan ... and has the Chinese version of Windows installed. So at the very least, it'll give me a nice reminder of Taiwan when I'm back home (even though Windows pisses me off). I'll probably pick up an iPod, too, since they're cheaper here than in the States. I'll have to check into cell phones and find one that'll work in the States. The cell phones here are great, and they're a generation ahead of the ones you can find in the West. As for you hunting me down and making me suffer ... you can do that to me anytime you want! lol *grin* iPods are cheaper in TW? No WAY! *grrr* it's an American product, wtf is it cheaper in Taiwan? *grumble grumble* A note on the cell phones; make sure you can use them in the States by swapping out the chip, there's different standards and if you get the wrong kind then you may as well be talking into a tin can And sorry, that kind of suffering is given only to those within a two year age range. Sorry I'm sure you can find someone else to play with though. //shadows

Wow... I'd never imagined trying to outwit a landlady would require so much effort. I've never been there so I'm afraid I can't offer any good advice. It sounds like doing nice things is your key to getting her to give you the money. If she's a decent person she should give you the money. I think it's interesting you should mention the facade you see and attribute it solely to the Taiwanese. I get that feeling a lot in SoCal. I think the more people are forced to live up to a stereotype or a common goal the more they feel compelled to display such false emotions. Be you bleached, beach, blondes or Taiwanese landlords peer pressure is everywhere Hmm, about the supermarkets. I think you may have developed a romanticized view of American shopping. Minus the restocking the local Safeway (West Coast Supermarket) is exactly like that every time I go there during the weekend. Actually, I'd stock up on tech stuff. I was flipping through the "Taipei Walker" (not sure if you're familiar with it, but it's sort of an advertisement for things to do in Taiwan with lots of ads). The phones available there are so much nicer than what we have in the States. I'm jealous... That and the Windows laptops are so much nicer.... And lastly, SOOTB is good. Don't worry about topping it, just think about what you want to write and what you enjoy writing and the rest will come. You don't have to pump stories out, you can take breaks. Remember, you're providing your services for free. You call the shots! If there's a ten year wait we'll just have to suffer. (Though if it's ten years I might hunt you down and make you suffer... ) //shadows

It was suggested I re-post this (from LB's Blog) so here you all are. Though it's probably unnecessary by now. "Yeah, reading the latest chapter of SOOTB was an odd experience. It seemed like Connor was a different character and I thought your writing had slipped (too much fantasy) until I realized that... drugs can make you do that. Not that I'd know or anything... *blush* They were legal, I swear!" //shadows

Don't you love beauracracy? And rules and regulations? Glad to see things are progressing relatively smoothly on your return to the states. And that He who I share a name with is getting better. Yeah, reading the latest chapter of SOOTB was an odd experience. It seemed like Connor was a different character and I thought your writing had slipped (too much fantasy) until I realized that... drugs can make you do that. Not that I'd know or anything... *blush* They were legal, I swear! And hurrah for a short story! I can't believe you waited so long to start writing fiction! I'm just glad you didn't wait any longer. Best of luck on everything. //shadows

Happy Birthday! Hope Kat doesn't prank you too badly //shadows

Congratulations!

I'm so sorry...

*Lets out deep sigh* Thank you. I can breathe again. To all those who gave up SOOTB, this chapter may undo some of the damage from the scarring. Maybe. How far do you plan on taking this LB? Are we nearing the end? //shadows

I think 52tech has the right idea for the first girl. You don't want to damage your already existing "friendship." The second girl... well, it would be fun to have some amusement with her. Say yes to sex on the condition that there's a threesome with her boyfriend? And by threesome, you mean she can watch while you and her boyfriend have fun. I don't know if you're out, but this is still a good answer, because it's so proposterous it doesn't matter what your sexuality is. As to your "why me?" the answer is because you're remote, you're distant. Some girls are attracted to the "hard to catch."

Well, I guess it's reassuring to know that moving is a pain wherever you are. Can't you get some help? Hire a few local (strapping) teenagers to pack things for you? Or call on some friends? Have some sort of moving party and pay them off in food? "But... but... it's fun to pack boxes!" Ummm. Saturday evening your time? Or Eastern/Pacific Standard time? Cause I think you're a day ahead of us? Of course, your hinting that things aren't going to get better hasn't made the wait easier... Will we at least have some breathing ground? Or is it going to be another torturous cliffhanger? Just thinking of poor Connor makes me feel upset. Oh, I don't think I mentioned this, but I enjoyed Seeking Nirvana. It was interesting.... especially after a friend of mine just told me about a Buddhist funeral ceremony in which he'd participated. //shadows

Cripes, two minutes left! Happy Birthday Kurt! Being 16 rocks... So far it's been my favorite of being a teenager. Hope that today was great for you as is the rest of the year. //shadows

*golf clap*

Oh.... wow. That was intense. Probably the most emotionally gripping thing I've read since Bigger slammed the brick into Bessie's head. Stepping back from an un-emotional perspective, that was incredibly well executed. You should be proud of yourself. Emotionally, WTF!!! ARGH NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS HOW COULD YOU DO THIS ARGGH@!!O@#(%U#*$T *nonsensical screaming* I remember back when I thought SOOTB was going to be a short happy story where the only place Connor could go was up. It was a nice alternative to Dom's turbulent Desert Dropping. No longer... //shadows P.S. For the plane ride over to Taiwan, all of us going LittleBuddha hunting (irony) should see if we can't get some sort of group rate. Or I could just send my contacts in Taiwan over there... hmm *digs out cell phone*

I can definitely see Chaz's perspective. What if something happens to the kid? What if his parents decide they want him back for re-education? What if he steals something (I know, unlikely but still...) It's no small deal to bring a teenager into your house, it may be the right thing, but can you afford to? Is it practical? This sounds cold calloused and I feel like slapping myself for saying these things but they are important. Did you at least consult Chaz? Or did you make this decision on your own? I think that may be the root of the problem. As a couple you should make decisions jointly and not consulting him on one as important as this is insulting to the relationship. I doubt Chaz is honestly upset about you helping this teenager; he's probably more upset with the way you handled his entrance to your house. I'm just hazarding guesses here. I do hope some reconciliation occurs though. It might be a good idea to send him to your moms house so you can chat without him having to fear being kicked out again. If you're going to try for reconciliation through an intermediary don't do it through friends, it sounds like lines have already been drawn. Try and choose someone whom you both respect but is unlikely to choose sides based on favorites. Here's to hoping that the best occurs for everyone involved! //shadows

Both Firefox and Opera crash when I use livechat. I think it has something to do with my version of Java though both IBM's and Sun's versions crash X when I try to use them. Ah... the joys of linux. //shadows

You'd make a great counselor, you always find something positive to say about everyone. It seems so obvious that's what you'd do. I agree with you on the science part. ick. If my results aren't falsifiable, I don't want to do it //shadows

Fixed it for you. Need I say that classes will be segregated by gender? //shadows

Hmm, Adrien Brody? I found myself thinking he was kind of hot for parts of the movie, but his heterosexuality and the fact he was too old finally got to me. He's not overly attractive but he has character... And I tend to laugh at violnce too. I do it more to horrify other people than anything. It's fun to watch people react in horror, it's not as though I find misfortune that amusing. Then again... And no I've never stayed up late to do a load of laundry (that's what the parents are for!), but I have panicked that I left the washer on. I worried throughout the entire length of Sahara (forgettable movie) whether or not I'd left the durned thing on. Apparently it shuts itself off... heh. //shadows

The sex scene was hot. Very very hot. I think I'd go to Tobey for sex before Ryan though... he would seem more fun? Though Ryan probably is the better guy for relationships. I like them both. And thanks for posting early, it helped make my day! //shadows

Good luck guys! I hope everything goes well, and that there's a big open sign up soon! //shadows

Out of town guests. That's so exciting! I do hope they've moved off yoru lawn as dead grass can be pretty ugly. Plus then where would you send your ten year old daughter to play? Hmm, I can't wait to see the new story, it's not that surprising that you like it. A fresh outlook and new events can grip us in ways that old familiar ones do not. I'm sure they'll both be well-received though Oh, and send the ten year old daughter away for some time with Aunt Bette... I know my parents will be doing the same to me sometime after I graduate. //shadows