AFriendlyFace

WOW! I must say I thought this was an excellent story! It was filled with excitement, humour and romance! Once again Camy's exceptional skill at characterization shines through. I got a huge kick out of the way this story started with Davey not realizing he was naked! It was really amusing. I also loved how the early reference to Nifty that was thrown in, it could almost have been GA for that matter lol! Then in the next scene change to Jack I found this particularly amusing:

I loved the way this story was told alternating between Micah (which I've always thought was a sexy name), and Trevor's perspective. I don't want to give anything away but it certainly had some unexpected twists and turns.

Well as you know I too completely hate driving 9/10 times. I think it's because basically I consider it an essentially dangerous activity. On the other hand I like learning new skills so I was pleased to learn how to drive one. Definitely true! After awhile you really won't "think" about it at all. me too, Tim! Drives me crazy looking for clutches that aren't there There's definitely a difference of oppinion about the best way to learn and the best way to take off in general. For me speed of take off is of absolutely no priority. I almost never accelerate quickly. I'll top off at the speed limit (or maybe a tad faster ), but I always take my sweet time getting there. I also stop and slow down very gradually. I like to use both the accelerator and the brake as little as possible, and I've always driven this way regardless of what type of vehicle I've driven. As such unless I'm on an incline I don't use the accelerator at all when I take off. I just very gradually release the clutch. So rest assured it's completely possible to take off without using the accelerator at all. It can even be done in 2nd gear as long as you're on level ground and you let it out slowly. When I was first learning people always told me to depress the accelerator as I slowly released the clutch; however, like you I found this to be a rather difficult exercise in pediatic coordination. So I preferred to just focus on the clutch. I think it's also more wear on the clutch if you "floor it" while releasing it too. On the other hand it is true that the faster you've got the engine running the less likely you are to die out though so that may be worth considering. Anyway Matty bottom line I think, like me, you need a boy who's willing to drive all the time -Kevin

Well it's not like these are the first people to use sex appeal as a marketing tool

I loved this story! I think what I found most appealing about it was how original and different it seemed (both different from Viv's other stories and from the typical story around GA). I particularly found her depiction of the feelings and behaviour associated with (perceived) unrequited love to be very compelling. I think most of us can identify with the way Christian was feeling and I also think the desire to be like Alex and "have it all together" is another universal. Also, like Viv's other work, this story is not only well-written and engrossing, but it also contained her usual themes of romance and positive, life-affirming experiences. Another thoroughly enjoyable story by a very talented writer! Kevin

I loved this chapter! I was so nervous for Stephen when I realized he was going to come out to the whole school!! That kind of thing definitely took a lot of courage and I'm really proud of him. I bet it was extremely overwhelming (in a good way) for Jesse too. I mean Jesse's already out and for Stephen, one of the most popular guys at school, to do that is probably only going to be positive for him. But for Stephen it was a big risk and took quite a bit of guts! This was definitely a thoroughly moving and romantic chapter! It really feels like all the pieces in Stephen's life are falling into place! I look forward to finding out what happens next!! Awesome job, Viv! Kevin

I usually try to get a solid 7-9 hours (no laughs from certain people out there! ) The person below me just accomplished something signficant and wants to tell us all about it.

Happy Birthday Jas!!!! I hope it was an awesome one Kevin

Happy Birthday, Anthony!! I hope you had a truly amazing day and may your year be filled with much joy and happiness! all the best, Kevin

Hey Ronnie, Well first I want to give you a . I'm mostly inclined to agree with Vic. It's good to hope for the best, but it's also prudent to be prepared for the worst. You should tell her when YOU'RE ready, and not just to get it over with. I'm not saying you should necessarily put it off either if you're sure the time is right. I'm just saying be careful. I'd also recommend that you tell the "easy" people first. I mean maybe you have a casual friend who you know for a fact would be cool with it (and keep it to his/herself). True their reaction might not be that important to you, but it's still useful for getting comfortable with the whole process and gaining some confidence. The first person I ever came out to was this cool like hippy lesbian I was really close with. So I mean it's not like I was really sweating how she'd take it Are you at all friends with any gay people or people openly supportive of gays? Anyway in the end I think it'll have to be something you decide on your own, all I can do is offer you my best wishes! Good luck, let us know what happens, and remember we're here for you as much as possible. Kevin

aww thanks glomph! I actually thought you were here BEFORE me, so clearly you did too lol. Happy almost anniversary! Have a fantastic day and take care Kevin

WOW! Thanks Rob!! I am extremely touched! I'd also like to take the opportunity to tell you what a wonderful, positive difference I think you make around here too! I'm always really excited when I see one of your posts because I know I have an insightful, thought-provoking, and thoroughly enjoyable post to read. This place definitely wouldn't be the same without YOU either! You're not only a very talented writer, but also a great member, and I'm very honoured to be able to count you among my online friends All the best and thanks again for your teriffic comment, it meant alot to me! Kevin

YES, I completely agree! Only time (and Vance) will tell exactly why Kyle is upset. well yes, that of course would be nice...but it does work both ways. What about warm, accepting parents who raise bigoted, ignorant, and stupid children? But yes, I'd prefer to think people will make their own decisions for better or worse. I'm still reserving judgement about the reason he's angry, but I definitely agree that he had no business gossiping about it. EVEN if he does have a problem with Cam's sexuality itself I would have expected him to at least be mature and keep it to himself. I hope so too! And when he does I'm going to take a big bite out of the most chocolatey part just to punish him for his tell-tale ways. Ohhh yay!! I'm so glad to see you here with us, and I'm very glad if this story is inspiring you with regards to your own parental relationships I can relate to this Dom's The Ordinary Us was a large contributing factor in my decision to come out to my mom. I would have done it eventually anyway, but it served as a positive catalyst. Anyway we're glad to have you and wishing you the best! Yes, as I said I too was disturbed about the blabbing. Perhaps it was something less malicious. Like maybe he was really upset and needed to talk to someone so he confided in his girlfriend. It seems like he would have impressed upon her the need for secrecy. On the other hand maybe he was just too upset to really think about it. Or maybe she's just awful at keeping secrets **shrugs** Anyway I'm eager to see what happens next! Awesome chapter, Vance!! Take care everyone and have a fantastic day! Kevin

Lesbians DO rule!! Not me; I haven't been a lesbian since last Thrusday. True, think of Carol and Ross from Friends Seriously though I'm sure a wife's lesbianism is very likely to create marital strain. It may be a tad fanciful, but I'm still allowing for the possibility that she's a lesbian too. I just think it's ashame she left Christine for Mary only to discover that Mary was really a fugitive drug overlord. -Kevin

Hey everyone! I know I'm late, but better late than never right? I'd love to hear what Mrs. Harris has to say too; however, if you'll remember Mr. Harris made the decision to take Cameron in all on his own. In fact I think there was some tension from Mrs. Harris as a result and I believe it was discussed in the forum. Anyway I agree that Mr. Harris SHOULD be consulting his wife in these matters, but making this decision all on his own is certainly keeping with his other actions. Welcome to the forum JK! I hope you enjoy it here and it's great to have you Hey Steve, I'm glad to hear you're enjoying your time back in the states! A big welcome to you as well Ginge! I hope you enjoy it here! I don't quite agree with your interpretation that Mr. Harris is primarily angry with Cameron about the deception (regarding the reason for his weekly visit with Cole), BUT I definitely think that's a part of it. Sort of like adding insult to injury. I think he is mainly upset about the homosexuality, but the lies probably make him feel stupid and used...no one likes that. I agree with you Maya. It's still difficult to tell even after this last chapter, but I hope it's something like that too. Anyway just my (late) thoughts on the matter! Have an awesome day everyone and take care! Kevin

Yay! Welcome Al It's great to have you! The site just got a little bit more teriffic

***pulls up a seat*** I'd like an answer to this one too!

I'm sorry David, I didn't specifically mean to criticize Connor. I was just making a general observation about society in general. LOTS of people are guilty of this, not just Connor. Besides I was moody when I wrote that lol. I'm sorry, David. I didn't mean to cause any offense. Of course no one can really no how they'd react to something unless it happened to them. Sorry if I hurt you. Yes, you're right; the intent of the person saying the words does make a big difference. Exactly! Anyway take care everyone and have a great day! I'm sorry if I accidently posted my last post twice, my computer was being funky. It never did show it posted at all :wacko: Kevin

I realize that the ADD thing is just a much hotter issue for Ryan, but frankly if someone told me they hated me, wished they'd never met me, and further hoped I would (theoretically) spend an enternity of unbelievable pain and suffering....well I'd be more upset about that than someone intimating I was stupid as well as ADD. I say this as someone who, though never diagnosed with ADD and fully functional, can only be charitably described as ditzy, flakey, spacey, and generally lacking the ability to focus. I do understand that these other things are said more often and people are desensitized to them, but I think this in itself is symptomatic of one of the problems with society. If you actually HATE someone and wish you'd never met them then surely this shouldn't be glossed over. Especially in the case of Connor who had a horrible life until he met Ryan. If he'd truly trade back for that and never have to meet Ryan then surely this is a very powerful insult! Then there's the whole wishing the person went to hell. Whether you believe in it or not hell is by definition the absolute most horrible thing that could happen to someone. If Connor REALLY wanted Ryan to experience unbelievable pain FOREVER, then I don't see how that's comparable to a jab about his ADD. Don't get me wrong I think the ADD remark was incredibly mean and hurtful and I'm not trivalizing it nor am I defending it. I'm just saying as far as mean things go if you take each one at face value the previous ones were much worse. Obviously Connor's other remarks weren't even true. If he truly hated Ryan THAT much he wouldn't have felt guilty at the end. He'd also have to be completely insane to prefer his previous life without Ryan to his current life with him. However, just because his other words weren't true and were only said in anger doesn't really give him the right to say them. They were horrible things and people should think before they go flippantly saying them. Words are a very powerful weapon and shouldn't be taken lightly. If someone says those things to me I'm going to take it seriously (even if I know they don't mean it I'm going to be hurt and I'm going to make a big deal about it), and if I say those things to someone (which I haven't since before my teens) then it's safe to assume I'm much closer to meaning them in the literal sense than most people (I couldn't imagine actually meaning them, but then I couldn't imagine saying them either). Random insults aren't so bad IMO. F*** you is something that would hardly faze me (I mean literally what are you saying? "I hope you fornicate" *gasp*). Jerk, Pr***, Bast***, Bi***, idiot, etc. Those types of things are very specific, purely "angry" terms, and much less hurtful (to me anyway). But expressions of hate and ill wishes is just crossing a line. Don't get me wrong I completely understand why Ryan was so upset about the ADD remark, and there are indeed other specifics things you could say to me that would hurt MORE than the things I pointed out, simply because as everyone understands they're not generally actually meant and the other things are usually known by someone intimate to be a sensitive subject and therefore are worse. So I'm not criticising that or blaming Ryan for being more hurt at that. I'm just pointing out how absurd it really is that most of us will more or less let those other things be water under the bridge (even I would if you said it once in ignorance w/o realizing that that itself is a "hot" button for me), whereas something seemingly more minor is focused upon. So what was the point of my post in general? Nothing really other than that taking/using negative words and phrases casually is something that bothers me so I felt the need to rant about it a bit Anyway take care and have an awesome day everyone! Kevin (who, as always, got distracted quite a few times while writing this )

awww thanks everyone!! You're kind words really made me happy and I was smiling all day Take care everyone, you guys are the greatest! Kevin

Oh my gosh, Ronnie, that's incredible! I'm seriously impressed. You also earned about 1 trillion extra points in my book for being super sweet! How did you come up with that reciepe anyway? James is right, Xander is lucky to have you! BTW I hope YOU have an awesome birthday too!!! LOL, and I bet your cake will be yummy as well! Take care Kevin

Hey Vancey! Your story is great and I'll...I'll give very dirty looks to anyone who says otherwise! You have nothing to worry about it's fantastic! I'm really proud of you and how good you've been with your blood pressure! Also, I'm sure it'll cool down soon....well eventually. Have a teriffic day and take care Kevin

Hey Ronnie! You're a really sweet, wonderful person and I hope your year is filled with every happiness! Take care and have a fantastic birthday! Kevin

Woo HOO Happy Birthday, Eric! You're truly one of the most teriffic people ever, and I wish you much happiness and (good) excitement for your birthday! And WOW how awesome is it that you get to do it in another country! All the best for a wonderful year! Kevin

In about three hours it'll be my one year anniversary here at GA. As such I thought now was as good a time as any to compare how things are different now than they were a year ago. Especially how this site has impacted my life. I'm not sure so much what I want to say. I've typed several paragraphs and deleted each one. I guess what I'd basically like to say is thank you. It's exactly a year ago that I finished reading TLW and joined GA. I used to keep a Livejournal and I've just gone back and reviewed what I wrote (I actually had two entries from the 19th). There's no doubt about it: I'm in a much better place emotionally and psychologically. Of course EXACTLY a year ago was when I was in the midst of a boarderline emotional breakdown (stemming from LOTS of things relating to my future all coming up at once), but even that now withstanding I think I'm better off. I also think that it's because of GA and all of you guys that I am. You all have been a wonderful bunch of friends and it seems I found you all just when I needed you the most . I can't imagine what the last year would have been like without you guys, but I'd bet any amount of money that I wouldn't be as stable, happy, healthy, and productive without your support and advice. Looking around I see that most of the major things in my life are all different. Even my likes and dislikes, and interests are very different. I don't think they were so bad before, but I like the way things are now. So thank you, all of you. You've all brought many positive things to my life Take care and I look forward to spending another year with you all. Kevin