AFriendlyFace

This sounds like a really fun game! I don't think I have time to start playing it right now, but I definitely want to check it out in the future! Actually I much prefer simplistic graphics in games. It was when video games improved their graphics that I lost interest. Thus, SuperNintendo was as advanced as I liked, I tried some of the later incarnations, but they all felt like they had too many bells and whistles. Same with computer games. Anyway thanks for posting this for us, I hope to check it out soon Kevin

I believe it started with Desert Dropping though. There was a huge debate over whether or not Rory should end up with Aaron or Luke, then finally whether it would be Luke or Seth.

Hey Sharon! WOW! That sure sounds like a fun vacation! You know actually I'm inclined to agree with you about the beach thing! I like going too...but yeah I don't like actually being on the beach as much. For the most part I agree with you about the sand, except that SOMETIMES I do like to play in. I can't really swim in general, but while I do like to play in water, ocean water is really gross! Also, I'm chronically afraid of sun exposure; it's really bad for the skin and aging, and taking care of my skin and slowing aging are two of my favourite pastimes. Besides I get my vitamin D and my tan from bottles Anyway I'm really glad you went and had fun good luck with everything and I hope the house there works out! Kevin

Oh my gosh that's so cool!! Do you get a discount?

Hey Raz!! An imaginary all expenses paid vacation of your destination! LOL, they may be straight, or maybe they're just really closeted (even to themselves?) I have Ohhh, I'd like to check that out, I like those three people! What's it about? Take care and have an awesome day!! Kevin

So I saw this in Viv's and Steven's blog and thought it looked like fun SO: TEN EMOTIONS. 1. are you missing someone right now?: no 2. are you happy? Yes, very 3. are you talking to anyone right now?: No, I don't try to talk and write (even blog entries) at the same time. 4. are you bored?: Virtually never. 5. are you German?: Yes, more than anything actually 6 are you Irish?: Probably a little bit, and people always think I am since I'm fair complected and often red-headed 7. are you French?: Yes 8. are you Italian?: No 9. are your parents still married?: Nope, they divorced when I was a toddler 10. do you like someone right now?: I like almost everyone all the time TEN FAVORITES. 1. store: Totally unfair to ask that! Umm, I'll go with Abercrombie and Fitch or else Express for Men. 2. flowers: I'm not really interested interested in flowers. 3. color: BLUE!!!! 4. sport: To play? Definitely Soccer! But I like play lotsa sports. To watch? I'd always rather play than watch. 5. mall: Yes, please 6. movie: Hmm, I dunno. I'll go with Rent, but I like lots of movies. 8. season: Whichever one is currently happening. So Spring/Summer I guess 9. animal: Cats, Dogs, and Squirrels are my favourites. 10. state: I dunno, I really wanna go to Cali and NY, but I'm enjoying Texas, and I guess La was okay. TEN FACTS. 1. hometown: Born in Blacksburg, VA, grew up near Lafayette, Louisiana. 2. hair color: What kind of a question is that!? LOL, it's currently a slightly reddish blonde. It's naturally a light brown/dirty blonde. It's usually some shade of red or blonde. It's been every natural (and a couple of unnatural) colours imaginable. 3. Birthday: August 27th 4. hair style: I recently cut it somewhat short, and have been gel-ing/spiking up the top/front. Blah, it's the standard gay boy haircut. 5. eye color: Blue. Sometimes dark blue, sometimes light blue, sometimes grayish 6. best friend: Hmm Megan and Jesse are my best friends in Houston, but I've got some other ones too. 7. mood: Cheerful and perky 8. skin color: White, but I've been getting a tan from a bottle. 9. available: Ready and willing 10. left/right-handed: Right, but I can do a buncha stuff with my left as well TEN THINGS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE. 1. have you ever been in love?: REAL love? Probably not 2. do you believe in love: Yes 3. why did your last relationship fail: I just didn't feel the same way 4. have you ever been heartbroken: define "heartbroken" 5. have you ever broken someone's heart?: possibly, I hope not. 6. have you ever fallen for one of your best friends: Yes 7. have you ever liked someone but never told them: Yes 8. are you afraid of commitment: I don't think so 9. has someone ever kissed your hand: Not that I can recall, but that's totally going on my list of things I hope happen to me. 10. have you ever had a secret admirer: Yes TEN THINGS: THIS OR THAT. 1. love or trust: Both please 2. hard liquor or beer: I prefer wine or mixed drinks (like mudslides or margaritas). If I HAVE to pick between those two, then beer I guess. 3. night or day: I love the night life 4. one night stands or relationships: Relationships 5. television or internet: I don't watch TV at all whereas I'm an internet junkie. 6. pepsi or coke?: I don't drink any sodas or any caffeinated beverages. When I was a kid and used to I preferred Dr. Pepper, but of those two, Pepsi. 7. wild night out or romantic night in: Well both; it depends on the circumstances. 8. chocolate or vanilla: Do you really need to ask? 9. phone or in person: In person 10. Love or Lust: Love, but if we're talking about relationships can I have a side of Lust with that? TEN HAVE Y0U EVER 1. have you ever been caught sneaking out?: I never had to sneak out 2. have you ever skinny dipped: Yes 3. have you ever done something you regret: As far as the isolated incident goes, sure, but I don't regret my past in general since it got me here. 4. have you ever sky dived: No, but I wanna. 5. have you ever been on a house boat: I'm not sure, probably not 6. have you ever finished an entire jaw breaker: yeah, of course 7. have you ever liked someone so badly it hurt?: Yes 9. have you ever danced in the rain?: Yes 10. have you ever had a hang over?: Nope, I seem to be immune. I think it's all the water. WHO 1. Who was the last person you laughed with? Rachel at work a little while ago. 2. Who can cheer you up instantly?: Virtually anyone who tries. 3. Who do you think will make you smile tomorrow: You mean first? Anyone of my coworkers, and later I'm meeting friends, so I'm sure I'll have lotsa opportunities to smile. 4. Who is making the world a more terrible place to live in: What a dreadful question! 5. Who dominates the family: Well I rarely see my family nowadays, but I suppose my grandmother did when I was growing up. 6. Who is like a brother/sister to you: My cousin Katie 7. Who is the youngest person you know: I have no idea! 8. Who makes the best dinner: I cook pretty well, I think. At least I like my food. 9. Who needs to chill: This guy at work. WHAT 1. What do you hope will happen next week: I hope I find a new job and get most of my packing finished. 2. What would you name a newborn puppy: Benji 3. What relaxes you: ALOT of stuff. Um, I'll go with a nice, long, hot bubble bath with some soft music playing a glass of wine. 4. What is the most difficult decision you had to make: I guess coming out. 6. What's your style: I have quite a few. Clothes, and dressing up in new styles, is kinda a hobby of mine. 7. What is your number one priority: Helping people 8. What is the worst movie you've ever seen: I'm really not that hard on movies, and if I think I'll hate them that much I don't watch in the first place. I guess I'll go with anything by Will Ferrel except "Bewitched" and "Stranger Than Fiction", which were both somewhat decent. 9. What do you want for Christmas: My two front teeth? I dunno, maybe gift cards to various stores. WHEN 1. When is it a good time to be truthful: 5:27PM on the third Tuesday of every month. 2. When was your last break-up: Depends on how you define break-up. 3. When do you take time for yourself: Probably much more often than most people. 4. When is the next time you'll see your best friend: Depends on which "best friend" you mean. Tommorow I guess. 5. When will world hunger end: It won't 6. When was your last bad hair day: About a week ago, which is why I cut it all off and got a shorter style 7. When do you usually take a shower: I always take one shortly after I get up. I often take a shower or bath before bed, and sometimes I catch one sometime in the middle. 8. When are you going to go on your next date: Grr, the boy I kinda liked just started seeing someone else. So no telling. 9. When will emo kids grow up: Depends on the emo kid in question. 10. When did you first learn about sex: Define "learn about". I mean I guess I always sorta knew it happened. I guess I learned details around 10 or so. In general I'm sure there's more to "learn about", just as there is with all of life's activities. WHY 1. Why do you feel the way you do right now: Just lucky I guess 2.Why are teenagers becoming more apathetic: Who says they are? 3. Why did you say the meanest thing you've ever said: I can't remember the meanest thing I ever said. 4. Why can't perfection exist: Just can't, but let's all keep trying anyway. 5. Why is gay marriage illegal: People are silly. 6. Why, in your opinion, are some countries more privileged than others: It's partly culture, largely history and circumstance, largely natural resources, mostly luck and coincidence. 7. Why is your father the way he is: Shouldn't you ask him? 8. Why do bad things feel so good: Do they? Are they bad? Who says they're bad? Who says they feel good? 9. Why would you hurt someone, if you ever did: I really regret ever hurting people. I guess it's happened most often because I couldn't divide my attention and resources among everyone. 10. Why did you go online today: It's one of my main sources of entertainment. SPILL YOUR GUTS Q. First thing you did this morning?: Excercised for 20 minutes on my elipitical machine! (boy did you pick a good day to ask!) Q. The last thing you ate?: A massive salad! Q. What's something you look forward to most in the next 6 weeks?: Settling into my new place, finding a new job, my best friends' wedding, meeting Matty in person, lotsa other stuff too. Q. What's annoying you right now?: Nothing really. I guess the way time just keeps on moving when it would be nice if it stopped for a bit. Q. What's the last movie you saw?: Hedwig and the Angry Inch, last Thursday at gay movie night. Q. Do you believe in long distance relationships?: Believe? Well, I'm sure they exist. As far as whether or not I think they're advisable, I don't think there's a simple answer and of course it depends on the people involved. Q Where is the last place you went?: The bathroom. Q: Who is the last person you called?: My Mom Q: Been cheated on?: No Q: Do you think that someone is thinking about you right now?: I have no idea. Given the sheer number of people I know, compounded by the sheer number of thoughts they might have I suppose it's possible. Q: Do you wish on stars?: uh huh Q: Did it work?: So far it always has. Q: Do you untie your shoes every time you take them off?: Depends on the shoes. I have to untie many pairs or I won't be able to get them off. The ones I don't have to untie I usually don't. Q: When did you last cry?: Geez, it's been weeks; I need to do that! Q: Do you like your handwriting?: Well of course not! It's hideous and barely legible. Sometimes it's fun to play with though. Q: Are you a friendly person?: Yes, very Q: Are you keeping a secret from the world?: Nope Q: Who's bed did you sleep in last night?: Mine , better luck tomorrow night right? Q: What color shirt are you wearing?: Yellow Q: Do you have any pets?: My baby girl, Lucky Q: What is the color of your bedsheets?: I have several sets, most are a shade of blue Q: What were you doing at 9 last night?: Hanging out with my friend Brian and playing Chess. Q: Last person you talked to: Myself Q: When is the last time you saw your dad?: Gosh! It's been years. UM, maybe 2001, or 2002, I'm pretty sure it's been this millenium. We talked the day of the VT shooting of course, but yeah haven't physically seen him in a long time. Q: Look to your left: My glass of water, my left knee, my printer Q: Ever cried yourself to sleep?: Yes Q: Ever cried on your friends shoulder?: Yes Q: Song that makes you cry?: Hmm, usually the song loses it's ability to make me cry after I've heard it a few times. "My One True Friend", "Alone Again Naturally", "Tears in Heaven", "Concrete Angel", that popular song about Jesus that I can't remember the name of off-hand, and lots, LOTS of other songs have had a pretty emotional impact on me. Q: Are you a normally happy person?: Unusually so 1. Smoked a cigarette: About 4 or 5 EVER, the last one was almost 6 months ago. 2. Smoked a cigar: Nope 3. Drank so much you threw up: LOL, oh my gosh yes! I used to do that alot, but I usually threw up on purpose before bed. The last time I threw up from drinking was about 5 or 6 months ago. 4. Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back: Yes 5. Been arrested: No 6. Gone on a blind date: Define "blind date". I've had a date with someone whom I couldn't remember what he looked like, but not in the conventional sense. Although a friend of mine at work wants to set me up with a friend of hers. 7. Skipped school: Yes, quite a bit actually 8. Seen someone die: No, never in person thankfully. 9. Been to Canada: No, but I totally wanna die there someday. 10. Been to Mexico: No, but I'd like to check the place out 11. Been on a plane: Yes 12. Been lost: As I always like to say "You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going". Most of the time I allow myself to get "lost" I'm just wandering around exploring anyway, so yeah, I can't exactly "get lost" in the first place. 13. Been on the opposite side of the country: I'm from the middle, southern bit of the country. I've been to the east cost before, haven't been to the west cost yet though. 14. Swam in the ocean: If you can call what I do swimming. 15. Felt like dying: I've never wanted to die. I've been so sick I felt like I was going to though. 17. Played cops and robbers: Yes, of course 18. Recently colored with crayons: Try dry erase markers. 19. Sang karaoke: Yes, it's fun! 20. Paid for a meal with only coins: Most of my meals cost way too much for that nowadays. I've probably done that with cheaper food when I was a kid though. 21. Done something you told yourself you wouldn't: Well yeah, but I didn't believe myself in the first place. 22. Made prank phone calls: Only to friends. 23. Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose: Yes 24. Caught a snowflake on your tongue: I've only seen snow like three times in my whole life, and I don't think I've ever seen an actual snowflake. 26. Written a letter to Santa Clause: Yes 27. Been kissed under the mistletoe: No, but that's going on my list too. 29. Blown bubbles: Of course 30. Made a bonfire on the beach: Not the beach, but several other places. 31. Crashed a party: Define "crashed" 32. Gone roller-skating: Oh yeah, lotsa times! Personal questions to know you better: 1. Nicknames? Kev, Kevvy (but ya gotta be pretty special to call me that), K-Red, cool-aid (both those two are work nicknames relating to my hair), KK, and then lotsa derivatives of various screen names. 2. Mother's name? Sharon 3. What is your favorite drink? Water by far! 4. Tattoos? NO, I'd never get a tattoo, I couldn't possibly commit to having something on my body that long. 5. Body piercing? I have issues with cuts/scars/wounds and while they often would have fit well with my "look" I can't get past the fact that it's a hole in my body. 6. How much do you love your job? I really like my job, and I love my coworkers, but nevertheless I really want a new one. 7. Birthplace: Haven't we covered this already? 8. Favorite vacation spot? Geez, I wouldn't know a vacation if it bit me, but I'd probably enjoy myself almost anywhere. Right now in this moment I'm thinking a ski vacation on some mountain, in a beautiful log cabin would be fun. 9. Ever been to Africa? No, and I'd prefer to go to Europe and Asia first, but I'd like to go everywhere so Africa would be good. 10. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? Nope, I've definitely had unhealthy, "fun" food for dinner, but I'm not that wild about cookies. Try cheese fries and something insanely chocolately (like cake, pie, or sundaes, not cookies). 11. Ever been on TV? Local TV when I was a kid, but I really wanna be on TV, TV! Like as an actor or something. 12. Ever stole any traffic signs? No way. 13. Ever been in a car accident? Yeah, but I was never driving 14. Was it your fault? You weren't paying attention now were you? 15. 2 doors or 4? On a car? 4 In general? one is usually sufficient. 16. Favorite salad dressing? Ranch 17. Favorite pie? Anything ultra rich and chocolately. 18. Favorite number? FOUR!!!!!!! FOUR!!!!! FOUR!!!!! FOUR!!!! 20. Favorite holiday? Christmas I suppose, but I have alota fun with Halloween. 21. Favorite dessert? Okay since you're trying to nail me down on "ultra rich and chocolately", I'll go with a chocolate fudge cake, with extra thick chocolate icing, a scope of ice cream, covered in chocolate syrup/hot fudge, LOTS of heavy whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry. Happy now?...I AM 22. Favorite food? Artichokes, Leeks, any kind of fresh veggie in general 23. Favorite day of the week? Lately? Thursday 24. Favorite brand of body soap? Well I don't really use "body soap", I have a bunch of different kinds of body washes, most of which purport to do something magical to the skin. I really like the way this one from "The Body Shop" makes me feel though. I can't remember the name though, but it's in a red bottle. 25. Favorite TV show? I don't watch TV, but I guess Queer as Folk, or Friends (I downloaded them) 26. Favorite Toothpaste? Moonlight Night, Vivid Night Whitening, by Crest. 27. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I could literally be almost anywhere with almost anyone doing almost anything, and I'm pleased about that. 28. What do you do when you are bored? The only times I've been bored in the last several years have all been at work or school, I never get bored when I have time to myself. In those scenarios I usually just try to throw myself into whatever is going on. If nothing's going on and I can't chat with anyone, then I happily get lost in my head. ************************** So long little quiz thingy, but it was fun! In other news I'm getting ready to move and looking for a new job will be on very little for the next three weeks. Take care all and have an awesome day! Kevin

Hi all Yep, there was one notable study conducted in the 1970s in which researchers interviewed Seattle prostitutes, drug addicts, and institutionalized gay people and found instances of some guys reporting more than 3,000 sexual partners. 700 may indeed be some kind of "average" from that number, or simply some number that's been adjusted in an attempt to make it more believable and counter-balance the initial subject pool (which it obviously still doesn't do). In any case, chances are the research does indeed come from a sampling of prostitutes, drug addicts, or the mentally ill. OKAY, sorry but I personally think that math just doesn't hold up! The key term to remember here is different partners. IMO, that may indeed be a perfectly legitimate way to estimate Johnny Queer's number of sexual encounters (though it still seems high to me unless he's at least periodically in a relationship), but I find it highly unlikely that he would be able to find 260 different partners by the time he's 30 unless finding new sexual partners was one of his main focuses in life (in which case he obviously wouldn't represent the average, modern queer). First off, almost everyone who's "out" and "active" enough in the gay scene to be picking up that many partners is going to have at least a few relationships over that period of time. I know alot of gay people under 30 and the overwhelming majority have had at least one, "mostly monogamous" relationship (rather one or both parties ended up cheating, or even if it was an "open" relationship, it was at least monogamous to the point that the members wouldn't have been having sex with outside parties to the extent you described above). The few individuals in my age bracket that I do know of who haven't ever been involved in a gay relationship have all had comparatively very little gay sex/sexual encounters in general. So if Johnny Queer represents the average, modern day American queer, then he's not average unless he's involved in at least a couple of relationships by the time he's 30, and unless these relationships have at least briefly destracted him from his pursuit of anonymous sex. Now let's pretend that Johnny Queer really is avoiding all romantic relationships and instead just having casual sex. Even in that scenario it seems pretty likely that if Johnny wants to have that much sex he's going to have to have a couple of "FBs" or at least occasionally go home with the same person more than once, in which case he is of course not finding that many different partners. The inherent problem with all this reasoning is that Johnny Queer is constrained by the population in which he lives and the methods he chooses to find his tricks. Let's suppose he frequents gay clubs. I can tell you first hand that it's generally the same crowd the frequents the same clubs. Not completely of course, but generally and overall. I go out to a gay club about once a month, perhaps a little less (certainly less than Johnny Queer in the above example), yet I still see the same guys over and over. Sure I usually see mostly new ones, but chances are if I were there every weekend I'd see remarkably few fresh faces, and I live in one of the largest cities in the United States. Presumably Johnny Queer does not live in a city as large as the one I do. In which case he's likely to have many fewer gay clubs/bars, in which case there's likely to be even fewer fresh faces every weekend. Let's suppose Johnny is instead getting his tricks from visiting gay hook-up sites, or other local listings. Even in this case, that does readily facilitate anonymous sex, it's more or less the same core group of people that are always prowling (and again this would be even more true if the local area were even smaller and less densely populated). We've also got to remember that if Johnny Queer is indeed a typical gay guy, then chances are several of the people who hit on him won't interest him, and at least some of the people he wants to have sex with won't be interested.

LOL, SLITE sounds good to me! I liked Luke and Seth a little better than Rory anyway

Oh dear, I seem to have missed another birthday I hope it was super special, Kurt! May this year find you in a constant state of wondering about which pleasant happenstance shall befall you next. Take care Kevin

This is so true! This is among the advice that sleep specialists often give their patients! Hmmm, my French is exceedingly poor and rusty, but I'll have a crack at it Il faut faire vite ce qui ne presse pas pour pouvoir faire lentement ce qui presse = It is necessary to quickly do something that isn't pressing so that that which is pressing may be done slowly. OHhh, I'll take care of this one for ya, Jamie! -Kevin

Errr, I'm gonna echo that sentiment. So sorry I'm late, Birds, but I hope your birthday was fantastic and may your year be the best yet!! Kevin

Well, this chapter certainly did cement the TDITE inclinations I was already having. It definitely looks like there's going to be something there! I'm happy about this. PLUS, this way when Owen and Adien get back together they can all double date! I think Dennis' dad poses one of the biggest challenges for both the reader (and I'm totally speculating here based on how I'd feel if I were writing him) and for Dom. John Gordon is supposed to be pretty reprehensible. He used to beat Dennis, and did all kinds of bad things to his pysche. He's not supposed to be a character that the readers "like". Yet, he is getting to be more and more of a sympathetic character, both based on how he interacts with Travis and based on the junk he's going through with his wife. I could speculate that he had some kind of "minor conversion" after Dennis moved out, in which he realized the error of his ways (which would also account for his statement to Lyle), but while I definitely think that Dennis' departure, as well as the break up of his marriage, were certainly turning points for him. I suppose the real answer is just that, like everyone else, he has good and bad points, and he's a complicated individual. In any case it's fascinating to see where Dom will take him next! It was pretty cute! However, on another note, I had a completely different thought when I read that section. In the previous section we see Aiden warming up to Travis and flirting with him. Then in this scene Owen's suggesting that Dennis bring him around so they can all "hang out". Does anyone else think this is a little suspicious given Aiden and Owen's argument about Travis in the last chapter? It looks to me like they're both playing games and using Travis as a sort of pawn in their war. Well, we never really found out just to what extent Dennis was involved. All we know is that he called Ben, had him come over so they could talk, and then Ben got jumped by Lyle. My interpretation is that Dennis did call Ben so they could work some stuff out, and Lyle just happened to show up with his friends and jump Ben. I don't really think Dennis was involved at all beyond just standing there froozen in fear/confusion/general mixed emotions. He probably still blames himself and feels quite guilty for not helping Ben, and arguably Ben and Leo are justified in treating Dennis the way they do for this reason, but personally I think Dennis' "crime" had to do with inaction not taking malicious action. Just my thoughts, Great chapter, Dom! I can't wait to read the next one!! Have a fantastic day all and take care! Kevin

LOL whether than try to be eloquent I'll just post my initial reaction to reading this blog: "Well go you!"

LOL, I've been doing the vegetarian thing for the last five months. Personally it's been really easy for me. I've never been that big a fan of meat. I've always loved vegetables, and "sides" in general. When I was a kid I would always finish everything else on my plate and leave the meat. I've always thought pork was just plain disgusting, and after having such an abundant supply of beef growing up (my family raised beef cows), by the time I reached college I was more than tired of beef and red meat in general. Thus, prior to about five months ago I pretty much only ate chicken anyway. Days would pass and all of a sudden I'd realize, "Hey, you haven't had any meat in a while". SO a few months ago I finally decided, "what the heck, I'll do the vegetarian thing for awhile". Like I say, it's been easy for me. Of course I'm like the lowest level, least strict vegetarian. I'm a lacto, ovo, pesco which means I eat dairy products, eggs (although hardly ever anyway, I much prefer the taste and nutrition in the "Egg beaters"), and fish/seafood. Since I still eat the fish/seafood, I kinda don't even feel like a vegetarian and don't like to say I am around the "real" vegetarians , but it's a recognized level anyway lol. I love seafood! I'm sure I could also give it up, and indeed I may eventually in the future (in the same way that chicken was the last of the "regular" meats to go), but I'm not ready just yet. Besides, I really like seafood, and it's much healthier than regular meats. It's also convenient since I can still go to practically any restaurant and just order off the seafood menu regardless of what vegetarian options they have. Awesome job with the anthology reviews! I know that meant alot to the authors! Take care and have a fantastic day! Kevin

Hey Sharon!

Hey Jamie!! WOW! I'm so flattered!! thanks!! I think you're super-nifty too! Have a fantastiac day and take care! Kevin

Hey Graeme! I have little doubt that your stories already have lead to similar results in the lives of other people! I definitely view New Brother as one of the quintessial stories in the internet gay stories genre! Take care and have an awesome day!! Kevin

It didn't rain, but I probably wouldn't have been happy about it if it had...so I guess that's two no's or a double negative...so clearly I AM happy about the rain that didn't happen yesterday that wouldn't have made me happy if it had. The person below me has no paperclips.

I'm procrastinating about going to sleep :wacko: LOL no more though! I'm going to stop surfing GA and go now!!! Take care all and have an awesome day! (today!!) -Kevin

On your special day I wish I could give you many things. I'd like to give you all the money one could ever earn. I'd like to give you all the sweets and special treats that the finest ten chefs in the world could prepare. I'd like to give you all the peace of a hundred sunsets on the beach. I'd like to give you all the laughter of a thousand comedy routines. I'd like to give you all the hope that ten thousand happy days could bring. I'd like to give you all the hugs that a million special people might give. But I know that even if I gave you all these things They could never match the friendship you give to me. Happy Birthday, Vancey -Kevin

Well here are my thoughts and opinions on the questions posed so far: Bard's questions: Will Travis ever meet Allan again? Wrath's response: I agree with Bard's 2nd response on this one. I think that all that line meant was that: up until now that was the last time Travis saw his brother. It's like if I said "after I graduated high school I never saw my friend Stephan again". This is a true statement at this time and if I were telling a story I might very well use it. However, that doesn't mean that at some point in the future our paths won't cross again. Will Owen and Aiden get back together? of course Is Nicky and Owen still tight, or have they finally drifted from the original split back in

I dunno, personally I have a hunch that they'll at least kiss before the end of the story. Although I definately don't want that to happen since I'm one of the ones "forbidding" Aiden and Owen from seeing other people

YAY for you!! Way to go!

Hi all! Actually, a friend of mine is a teacher and had planned on participating. He even worked out things he could have his class do. Then he realized that the day fell right in the middle of some important state testing and he HAS to speak. Ultimately I think he did decide to do as some other suggested and remain as silent as possible. Personally speaking I don't really plan to participate in the silence part of the day this year. I gave it a shot last year and...well it didn't work out . I tend to be both extremely absent-minded, and chatty. Thus I kept forgetting I was supposed to be silent and talking to people. Then I'd say (to myself) "Oops, OKAY, I won't talk ANYMORE"...then I'd forget and start the whole process over again. After the first few hours of the day I just gave up since I obviously wasn't "getting it". That's what I'm doing! I'm throwing a party tomorrow evening with the theme being "Night of Noise", after all the silence. And I'm sure we will all share our experiences etc. An excellent idea! And there really were some awesome entries!! Take care all and have a great - if silent - day!! Kevin

Hi all, Well, my dad is actually a professor at Virginia Tech. He's fine; I talked with him last night. He's quite upset (understandably) about the whole thing though, and also worried because he had a lot of friends who worked in the building where most of the stuff went down. I'll probably do a blog eventually about my own thoughts and feelings about all this, but I have to say: I definitely strongly agree with what Nick's said. Chances are if you'd asked each one of those dead/wounded people a week ago whether or not they'd try to fight back/take a gunman down, the majority would have said "of course". No one knows who had what chance, or how they're bodies and emotions were reacting at the time. Anyway take care all, Kevin