AFriendlyFace

***Warning Possible Spoilers Ahead. Read the Story First*** Like Viv

***Warning Possible Spoilers Ahead. Read the Story First*** Untitled WOW! What can I say except that this was such a beautiful and poignant poem! I made me just want to cry and hug everyone who

***Warning Possible Spoilers Ahead. Read the Story First*** First of all I have to say I was really impressed with the way Nick was able to effectively take on the perspective of a straight guy. It was really enjoyable watching Trevor gradually come to the conclusion that Jeremy was okay and a cool guy. It felt a lot like I was reading about the gradual acceptance of a straight guy. I must say I was also really pleased with the relationship between Trevor and Micah. It felt really sweet and romantic. Micah also seemed like such a cool person! I did feel a little frustrated with Trevor's father, but I was so proud of his mother at the end! I also felt optimistic about how his father woud handle the latest situation, especially since this time Trevor didn't get suspended. The assistant principle was so annoying and I was really pleased when Trevor went over his head to the principle. It was a horrible injustice to punish the victim along with the perpetrator. It got me thinking about how often this really happens at schools. I mean are victims often punished along with their persecutors because they too were

***Warning Possible Spoilers Ahead. Read the Story First*** This was such a fun story to read! I loved watching the way JJ

***Warning Possible Spoilers Ahead. Read the Story First*** I really liked the idea for this story. It was very creative to have the whole thing told as a journal entry. I also have to say I was really impressed by the way Julian subtly infused the story with positive, factual information about homosexuality. This would be an extremely good story for straight people to read because it not only presents the information in an informative, educational way, but it also shows the power supportive friends can have, and the struggles and pain that many gay people go through as a result of homophobia. I was especially moved by the part where Mark described how Marty had come out to him and he

***Warning Possible Spoilers Ahead. Read the Story First*** I loved this story! I thought it was really well-written, and sweet. I was so touched by the accepting nature of John

***Warning Possible Spoilers Ahead. Read the Story First*** I really enjoyed this story. It was definitely nice to see the focus of "acceptance for all" emphasized more here. I really liked some of the ambiguities too. For example I assumed the "mystery boy" was gay and that was his motive for the Day of Silence, whereas I wasn't sure about Gabe and assumed his main motive was in furthering the acceptance of deaf people. However, was he also gay? And maybe into the mystery boy? (Probably not is what my gut tells me) Personally I had a lot of questions about Patricia. What made her someone that "no one would sit by". And was Gabe sitting by her to encourage her to be more accepting. OR was he sitting by her in a display of his acceptance of her? I'm assuming Gabe was the more stigmatized; however, if "no one sat by Patricia" perhaps she had her own stigma. I also really loved how the mittens kept playing into the story! I was such a creative idea to give mittens to the deaf and mute Gabe, his own expression of silence! Then we handed them to Dan at the end it was such a beautiful expression of inclusion, as well as being practical since Dan too could sign. Anyway great story! -Kevin

***Warning Possible Spoilers Ahead. Read the Story First*** Wow! This was a very dark and moving entry. I liked how it was both the factious autographical account of nameless narrator while at the same time served as a poignant expression of the pain of the other characters in the story. The depiction of the pain of the narrator was elaborated on through hearing how the innocent kitten suffered, the alcoholism of the father, the abuse of the mother, the tragic, loveless plight of the stepbrother, the drug addiction and self-worth issues of the friend. Indeed this brief, dark narration does an excellent job of showing just how messed up life, and the people who live it, can become. I think it

Hey Viv! I LOVED your entry! In fact I'm working on putting together my comments and thoughts on all the stories and posting them here. You guys did such a wonderful job you definitely deserve the feedback! Yours was the first one I read and it was the one that made me decide to try this "day of Silence" thing! Anyway I really need to get on that writing about my thoughts on the stories thing. Your story was so teriffic and moving All the best Kevin

Good Luck, Nick! I hope it all works out. Just make sure to take care of yourself and get enough sleep Kevin

Actually I didn't think that was strange at all given that they were in a parenting class. To the best of my knowledge passing out babies of that sort is beginning to be an almost universal feature of parenting classes in the US. I didn't take a parenting class in high school, but I know for a fact that the babies were there. They were also present at the other high school in my town and I've met several other people around my age from various places that also had them. If they were taking a parenting class I think chances are they would get babies like these. I'm inclined to agree with you, Jay. That's how I see it too. I think you mean even Nelson's brother dislikes Jame. This may be true but if you can use the argument "just because Milo likes him doesn't mean he's a good guy", then I think it stands to reason that you can say, "Just because Chad doesn't like him doesn't mean he's a bad guy". Besides this feud with Caleb has been going on since they were kids. Chad's only human; I'm sure knowing that Caleb (and to some extent Nelson) hated Jame so much coloured his opinion of him. Yep I agree. It seems significant that both Milo and Ronnie like Jame. It sort of seems like forshadowing to me. If Nelson and Caleb want to be with Milo and Ronnie they're going to need to get past the Jame thing. I read that as groping It was a very good chapter, I'm looking forward to the next.

I'd say that makes sense Alfred Hitchcock also used to do cameos in his movies I think

Good for you!

Happy Birthday Dio

Oh Chaz, there is nothing I can I say I wish I could make you and everyone else feel better, but I can't . Take care of yourself and take the time you need. Still thinking of you guys and keeping you in my prayers -Kevin

I think what it comes down to is what's the most salient. We see our pets on a daily bases so we feed them and look after them. We see ourselves and our families on a daily bases so again we feed them and look after them. We don't see strangers hundreds of miles away. So despite the fact that intellectually we know they're there and we do feel bad for them, we just don't think to do anything. Here's another example of what I mean. Everday I come in and read people's blogs, or go the message board, or visit with people in chat. I really do care what happens to these people. I really am upset about the bad things and happy for the good things. Two years ago these same people were still going on with their lives, still feeling the misery and joy...and I didn't (personally) care. Out there in the world right now someone's unhappy or elated, but I haven't met them yet, so I don't share in the experience with them. In a few months perhaps they'll be at this forum, or living next to me, or working in the same building...and suddenly I will care. My personal acquaintanceship with them doesn't change their experiences, nor does it change the fact that the may be wonderful people worthy of every amount of sympathy or vicarious joy. But I still need to meet them, see them, personally interact with them first. There are people in the world suffering right now, and if I think about it and see the opportunity maybe I will donate a few dollars. Maybe I'll even donate a little time if it fits nicely with my schedule and it seems "worthy". But to REALLY care and REALLY make the effort to fix it I'm going to need to know the personal details. My cat's hungry, I'll feed him. My coworker is hungry, I'll buy him lunch. Someone starving in a poverty stricken country? Well I want to help but...

OH poor thing Unfortunately you're definitely right there Take care, Kevin

Hey David I bet you're brilliant at that! I didn't know it was out! **skips around and claps his hands** I don't have time to read it tonight, but it's nice to know it's there! Good luck getting everything taken care of and saving money. I was about to suggest a few things you could do to take away the boredom,,,but they'd probably require money (hmm unless instead of shopping you're game for "shoplifting"! ) hey, so no pressue, but when can we expect the next chapter of SOOTB? **hopeful look** (don't make me use my puppy dog face! ) hehehe, I'm sure it'll be great whenever it arrives though Anyway take care, have a fun and productive week....and wear a helmet Kevin

I'm so glad it worked out! Hey Luc! Don't worry I bet Cubby will be fine! Some cats really do have much better maternal instincts that others. When I was a kid we had this old cat, Tabitha, and she had a daughter, Dusky. Anyway one time they both had kittens within days of each other. So we set them up in neighbouring boxes. Well Tabitha, loved kittens, and Dusky was an inexperienced mom (it was her first litter), so grandma decided to step in an raise them ALL. The next thing we knew she had 11 kittens in the box with her! :wacko: We also did end up raising one or two from a bottle. The first one lived to be 15 years old (he just passed away not quite a year ago ). Anyway there's lots of chances for Cubby, and we're all rooting for him! Take care, Kevin

Hey Dom Glad to hear you're doing well. Don't worry about us, just write at your own pace and we'll happily devour what ever you give us whenever you give it to us Take care and have a good day, Kevin

I really enjoyed this story. It was definitely nice to see the focus of "acceptance for all" emphasized more here. I really liked some of the ambiguities. For example I assumed the "mystery boy" was gay and that was his motive for the Day of Silence, whereas I wasn't sure about Gabe and assumed his main motive was in furthering the acceptance of deaf people. However, was he also gay? And maybe into the mystery boy? (Probably not is what my gut tells me) I guess I'd have liked to know more about Patricia. What made her someone that "no one would sit by". And was Gabe sitting by her to encourage her to be more accepting. OR was he sitting by her in a display of his acceptance of her? I'm assuming Gabe was the more stigmatized; however, if "no one sat by Patricia" perhaps she had her own stigma. Anyway great story! -Kevin

Hey Nick I really liked Obligation to Myself . You did a great job taking on the P.O.V. of the straight Jock, way to go I'd say your work just keeps getting better and better. I'm sure some day you'll fulfill all your aspirations. It's awesome that you're going to stay and keep sharing your writing with us! Thank You. Take care and have a great week Kevin

Happy Birthday, Reaper! I hope you've been well. Have an awesome birthday and a teriffic day! Kevin

Like these fine people I refer to it as a "soft drink". Like Kitty (I wasn't that far from N.O.) it was not uncommon to hear it referred to as a "cold drink" or just a "Coke", though personally I don't think I ever called it anything but a "soft drink". I wouldn't like burst out laughing or anything if someone called it a, "soda", "pop", "soda pop", "cold drink", or "Coke", but I probably wouldn't naturally describe it that way myself. I might use one of the other terms to be silly, but never just naturally in conversation Of course it's mostly irrelevant for me anyway, regardless of what you call them I don't drink them Take care and have a refreshing day everyone Kevin

EVERYONE is a sexual being, RK. It's fine if you're not sexually active, but don't make yourself into a symbolic eunuch. I think you should go along at your own pace, and not do anything until you're ready, just try not to deny your feelings or think of yourself as someone who would "never have sex" (even with someone you were in love with). Take care and have a great day Kevin