AFriendlyFace

I completely agree with Trebs' spoiler! Which by the way I was quite delighted to figure out how to read! I feel like I just deciphered a dead language or something. Anyway I really loved that chapter. I was so ticked off when I found out how much time had passed since the events of chapter 4 without Ryan and Connor discussing it. I also really want to give Connor a good talking to! I mean I can understand his feelings, and I realize he's new to all this, but he's just being stupid rejecting Toby, Mikie, and the other. PLUS if he stayed friends with the group he'd stand a much better chance of making up with Ryan since they'd be around each other a bunch, and he could gradually worm his way back into Ryan's good graces (if he has in fact fallen from them). Anyway I really hope in the next chapter we see him start to open up to his perspective friends. I'm REALLY enjoying this story, David, thanks so much for posting it for us I can't wait to find out what happens next (I really can't,,,,so maybe you should post it early ) Have an awesome day everyone and take care, Kevin

I've never seen this place

Hey guys, Good luck on your surgery Green, and make sure to go back to the doc FREQUENTLY for follow ups, if they do come back they shouldn't be too big a deal if caught early, but you don't want to let it get out of hand. You might want to go slow there. Chaz's twin (Mike?) may not be ready. No strike that. He's not read- please encourage him to go slow in the romance department. -JS I agree James, was about to say the same thing It's probably best for him to come to terms with everything first and then get his feet wet slowly, but as Michael said at least he has the benefit of more experienced people he can turn to. best of luck and take care, Kevin

Hey Ronnie I'm sorry to hear about Justin, that's awful! I mostly agree with you about meds. (for myself anyway). I tend to try to stay off of everything as much as possible. Only if I get really sick do I take anything, but perhaps the meds will help him. I agree that he should try to deal with the problem and not just mask the symptoms, but maybe the drugs will enable him to handle whatever issues and stresses he's dealing with. Anyway I hope everything turns out ok. Really cool about your friend Meghan! Have an awesome day and take care Kevin

what's wrong Mikie?

Thanks Innoce!

LOL!

I agree Dennis. Besides sometimes life can seem "contrived" if you didn't know better. I mean weird coincidences really do happen. But you're right, whether it's likely or not, the point is the deeper truth and meaning it conveys. BTW did you mean TLW is your favourite and Owen is a fascinating character, or TOU is your favourite and Quinn is a fascinating character....or was that just two random statements stuck together? Anyway I love them both! ALOT, but I think TLW is my favourite. Welcome Gandalf! and that's a really good idea about stopping halfway through... I don't think I'd have the willpower though. Anyway I'm glad you posted, look forward to seeing more of you I completely agree with all that, Nick. Except I don't think anything was up with Dave and Luke, I'm more inclined to agree with Wep about the humourous role reversal, lol but of course all literature is open to the reader's interpretation, and since we can't refute it LOL well remember Luke lived with Rory for awhile without realizing he was gay too. Let's face it when it comes to gaydar it seems Aaron and Seth got a double serving and Rory and Luke were left out cold. I just wonder how long it took Luke to work out that Eddie and Jase were gay when he moved in Awww, I'm not bashing your opinion by any means, but I am curious. What didn't you like about Seth? Personally speaking I couldn't stand the kid for the first several chapters he was in. In fact I completely disliked him until the night he drove Rory home from that party and said his "walking you to the door" line. Anyway I must say this was quite a ride! Have an awesome day everyone, and once again way to go Dom! Kevin

Oh Viv thanks! I'm so touched Awww That is really scary about your friend. Poor thing. I really hope this pregnancy goes well and her baby is healthy. I just checked out that Mary J. Blige song, I do like it I'm so excited to hear that your next chapter might be out soon! I can't wait! I'm tempted to try to write something for the Spring Anthology, but all I've got is several "ideas" and a few notes for one of them. I just don't seem to have the discipline to sit down and write something out. Anyway have a really awesome evening! I you completely made my day with that heart! Thanks Take care, Kevin

Well said Camy! I really enjoyed chapter 3. I'm so glad you're updating so quickly. I look forward to the next chapter! Kevin

So first off I should probably warn you not to read this until you've read DD 36. I just finished it; the most moving part for me was definitely the hospital scene with Aaron explaining what happened:

WOW! What a chapter! LOL it normally takes me about 2 hours to read a chapter (I re-read almost all the paragraphs, stop and think about/analyze stuff, and of course get up 15 times for more water and to go to the bathroom ). This took me over 4 hours! What an awesome chapter! I definitely feel like everything was sorted out. Aaron, poor Aaron, mostly got "redeemed" as I had always hoped. Still sucks for him though . We got to see even more of what a great guy Seth is, as well as what a great family he comes from. We heard about the success of Rory/Seth and Dave/Angela's relationship. Luke started dating again. And most importantly Rory and the gang are in a very "family" place. So woo hoo! Of course one of my absolute favourite outcomes is Luke forgiving Aaron The only two downers that I could possible think of was 1) as someone pointed out, I'd hoped Rory and Seth would say those "magic words" before the end. But on the other hand that really wasn't what this story was about anyway, and they're still going strong so yay anyway. 2) We didn't get to see Jason and Nathan's reaction to Rory coming out. But again that probably isn't that relevant to the story either. So anyway I completely loved this story and I loved the ending! I expected to cry a little more, but only did at the part with Aaron in the hospital talking about what happened "he wouldn't stop" Although a few other parts were rather emotional too. I'd definitely say for me the two most emotional chapters were the one where Rory opens the stuff from his mom and hears the tapes etc. and chapter 35. But actually it's probably good that this chapter wasn't a "big cryer", gave me the chance to really focus on what was going on and not get completely swept away. So way to go Dom! Awesome job , I enjoyed every moment of this story Very well said David! And I can certainly attest to the fact that he'll reach a larger (and more crucial) audience here. To be honest I've never even seen a "Published gay book", I guess I assumed they existed but I've never actually heard of one. I hope eventually Dom can get published and reach a large audience, but you're right there's something about the anonymity of the internet which makes it more likely he'll reach the people most vulnerable and in need of hope. Perhaps it's different in other cities but I really don't think there IS a bookstore in mine that carries gay-themed fiction books (informational books perhaps, but not fiction). Anyway have an awesome evening everyone and take care, Kevin Thanks again Dom, DD was unbelievably good!

Hey Kaiten! LOL I'm glad I'm not the only one who knows the value of extra rest on exam weeks! and you're definitely right about guys; they're just complicated! I've had an awesome week so far! I hope you have a fantastic one too Take care and keep resting Kevin Hey Luigi! LOL "interesting" is the adjective I use when I'm not so favourably inclined towards them. That they definitely are! Anyway I hope you have a teriffic day and good luck with everything! Kevin Hey Nick! LOL it's so funny you should say that. Sometimes when I'm in the store and about to buy something really silly/pointless (like that blue plate I bought that I didn't need but wanted because it was blue!), I kinda laugh and say to myself "I can buy whatever I want, 'cause I'm a big boy now!" Actually my classes aren't so bad. All and all I really don't think college was particularly tough. The only classes I've found very difficult were the ones I was required to take and wasn't very interested in, like a few for my general education requirements, and a couple ho-hummers in my major(s). But really for the most part it isn't bad. I did about 3x the amount of school work for High School and I'm really not exaggerating. Of course in High School I had really good grades (all A's), went to class every day, and studied a bunch. In college my grades are kinda blah (about a 3.2), I skip almost as many classes as I go to , and I usually just study for maybe an hour or two tops right before a test. LOL but don't let me lead you into expecting a really easy time of it, my major just happens to be something I find easy and am pretty good at, and actually I have alot less free time in general now. Since there's work (I work just under 40 hours a week), laundry, cooking, shopping (the fun part), and other household junk . Anyway have an awesome day and take care, Nick! Kevin

I loved the first two chapters Camy! I'm eagerly anticipating the 3rd. Have an awesome day and take care! Kevin

I mean it! I love people! They're definitely one of my all time favourite things. So I had a very nice day. I got up at 6am this morning so that I could study for my anthropology test, because I usually elect to just go to bed when I should probably study instea. Yeah it's like the exact opposite of how most college students behave, but if I've got homework, a project, or a test, I think, "well this is the perfect excuse to go to bed early!" So I do, then I just get up and do it the next morning (well usually ). Yeah it's midterm week, so that means I'll be getting plenty of rest . Anyway I hadn't studied at all for the Anth. test, and to top things off I'd skipped more classes than I'd attended. BUT this is the part where I mention that the class is insanely easy! On the first test (the time period before which I only attended slightly more classes), I got a 104. This test was pretty darn easy too and I'm definitely thinking another A, so yay . Anyway it was fun going to class. I made a couple friends in that class, so it was nice visiting before the test. I actually really think the guy is gay and into me, but I'm not positive. Anyway he's really not my type at all....and he tends to have bad breath I'd quite like to offer him a mint or something, but I don't want to offend, and anyway he's really sweet. So then I had Latin; we got back our tests from last week. I got another high B! I'm so happy! (and shocked!) Anyway there's 3 more tests, but I crunched a few numbers and it looks like I could make in the 40s and 50s on them and still pull out a D in the class. So WOO HOO looks like I've finally vanquished the nasty beast that is Latin. (Of course I'd prefer to score a little higher than a D, but I'd seriously take it and smile). So then I had lunch, broccoli and cheese casserole, MMMMM. Oh that reminds me, I gave up chocolate *gasp* and meat that isn't fish/shellfish for Lent (yep I do my vegetarianism the Catholic way - "what? Fish are vegetables, silly!" ). Anyway the meat thing isn't hard at all, the only meat I have much interest in besides fish is chicken, and I gave that up a couple Lents ago so I know I can do it. Anyway then I got in a nice really long walk (well actually 4 nice really long walks since I elected to walk from home to school and back, and then to work and back) Fun stuff . Anyway work was great, Mondays are my favourite day to work. It's my shortest work day and the people I work with on that day are some of my closest work friends. So then (you ever notice I start all my paragraphs, or at least the ones in this entry, "so then" or "anyway" ) I had dinner with a friend, and then we went out for (non-chocolate) ice cream afterwards. Actually I've been meaning to do a whole blog just about this friend, but I'll save that for another time. Needless to say I almost outed myself to her because the guy making the ice cream was just adorable! Not only could I not stop staring (well not in a creepy way), but I had to bite my lip to keep from blirting out "you are so cute!" while he was making my ice cream. On a side note isn't it ashame you can't just say that to people? I mean I like to say nice things to people when I mean it, I wish I could just randomly go around giving strangers compliments. Anyway (see what I mean) then I got home and someone had emailed me the notes for our big sociology test tomorrow! Yeah I kinda had the same problem with that class I did with Anthropology - I kept skipping alot, but this is our first test so I really don't know how hard it's going to be, I actually expect it to be pretty tough, but not that I have the notes . YAY! So this and two other incidents lead me to the conclusion that people are just teriffic! See I don't even know this girl, I'd just sent out an email to people in my class asking if anyone had notes they wouldn't mind giving me, and SHE DID , they look quite comprehensive too. One of the other two incidents was when I ran into this guy from high school the other day. Actually he saw me. I was strolling along and all of a sudden I heard someone behind me say "hey Kevin!", so I turn around and there's Michael, so we proceed to have a nice conversation on the way to our respective classes. Now I guess this doesn't sound so odd, except that this is really only the second conversation we've EVER had. The first was my freshman year of high school. I can't remember why but I was having this really lousy day and was kinda down. Anyway it was last period and that year I had a very lax teacher for last period so it was always quite easy to get out of class. So anyway again I don't remember what exactly I was doing out of class, but I went to my locker and up walks this cute guy I hadn't met yet. Now I'm normally pretty friendly but I just wasn't in the mood that day, so I just kept minding my own business. But he stops me and introduces himself and we have this really nice chat, and he really cheers me up! Anyway we never had a class together, and ran in different circles, but he was always friendly if I'd see him, and once again he initated our (second) conversation. This last time I was in a perfectly good mood, but it still made me even happier chatting with him. He's not as cute as he was in High School...or maybe my taste changed, but he's still a really nice guy. The third incident was one of my about monthly conversations with Philip (yes, he spells his name with one L). We were fairly good friends in High school. Actually we could have been really great friends except that the boy was so completely hot, sweet, funny, nice, "good", and all around amazing that I tried to keep my distance so that I wouldn't fall utterly in love lol. He was also completely straight, I know this because I was one of his favourite people to confide in about his "love life". Not sex life mind you because he really was a "good" boy, stunningly well-behaved. He didn't drink, smoke, or do drugs and he was just so.....sweet. UM anyway so yeah we've lost touch but occasionally I see him online and he always makes me happy. I kinda feel a tad guilty, I always got the impression he wanted to be much closer friends,,,,but like I said I tried to keep my distance a little (without hurting him, I was always careful never to blow him off or hurt his feelings), he was just too cute for his own good . Anyway so people rock, and I'm going to have a shower and go to bed so I can get up early and study those notes, before the test. Have an amazing day everyone and take care! Kevin

Oh my gosh, that does sound awful.....If you get to pick any one of those side effects though - go with euphoria . I hope whatever it is you're taking it for (or not taking it for) isn't too bad. And I hope you feel better soon! Take care, Kevin

WTG Nick! I'll have to check that site out. I loved the first chapter of your new story, I hadn't realized it was originally going to be for the anthology. Anyway take care and have a great day! Kevin

Go with the flow? Have fun with it and see where it takes you? All of a sudden I'm hearing Peter, Paul, and Mary singing, "to every thing ... there is a season ... turn, turn, turn ... and a time for every purpose under heaven." (that's taken from Ecclesiastes, BTW.) Kitty Was that Peter, Paul, and Mary? I was thinking it was the Byrds. Anyway it doesn't matter, it's a great song and excellent advice! You know I had no idea it was taken from Ecclesiastes until my graduation ceremony from High School! It was a Catholic School so we were having a mass, and one of the girls I was graduating with got up to read that passage, it was funny. I was mostly listening all along, but very "casually", all of a sudden she started saying those words and I thought, "what's going on? Why is she quoting a song instead of reading the Bible?" Then I realized it was IN the Bible, but I kept getting thrown off expecting the next lyrics instead of the actual Verse. Anyway thanks for the advice Kitty! I will just try to go with the flow . LOL thanks for the trip down memory lane too Have a fantastic day and take care! Kevin

Hey James! Aww thanks I think I'm doing a little better with change. I used to resist it as much as possible, but lately I've been trying to just go with it, and even enjoy it. It's still a little sad to think about how some things can just never be the way they used to be. But I guess that doesn't mean new things can't be just as good in their own way. I realized a few years ago that it's the process of change that I tend to resist, once the change is complete I tend to like it and go with it. So this time I'm just going to keep reminding myself I'll probably be happy with the outcome in the long run Anyway thanks! and have a really amazing day! Take care, Kevin

Hey Glomph LOL it's so funny you guys should bring MTM up! I almost quoted Mary and Rhoda in that blog I made recently about not knowing how to let some down easily. That one episode where Mary's trying to get out of meeting with someone: (I'm paraphrasing but I think it went like this) Mary: "yeah I guess I could tell him I'm going out of town, I mean that's not a lie" Rhoda: "how is that not a lie?" Mary: "I'll go!" Rhoda: "Gee Mary, you're the only person I know who'd rather leave town than lie." LOL I was going to use it since I ended up having to leave the town. Anyway have a great day and take care, and you're right; I think I will make it after all Kevin

Hey Michael! Thank you so much for the great advice. I think you're right, it will be a fun adventure in the coming months. And I guess it is true that this is a chance for me to start over, but retain the knowledge and experience I already have. I'm definitely looking forward to the move. It's just the getting there that's the tricky part. There are so many little things I have to take care of first, plus all the packing and unpacking, but I think you're right; I should face it with the best attitude possible and hope for the best. I'd love to have my cousin come stay for a few days sometime, but I'm still really not sure at all about the lesbian thing. It's just speculation on my part. I think I've only even met her friend(?) 3 or 4 times, and not for long intervals, so it's haven't gotten to see them interact much. It's just something I thought based on other circumstantial evidence and the way she talks about her. I do miss her, we used to be very close as kids, now I see her maybe 3 or 4 times a year. hmmm, I think I'll call her and try to arrange a little lunch get together sometime soon, really that is the only time we visit . The last two times we've gotten together it was when I decided it was time we met for lunch. Of course that's not her fault, she doesn't drive (isn't it silly that she's 20 and can't drive!?....but that's another topic), and lives an hour away. Anyway thank you very much for the kind words and good advice Have a teriffic day, and take care Kevin

Hey Camy You're right, I did feel better in the morning. I try really hard not to regret my past or long too much for the future, but sometimes it is difficult. I mean I've actually really enjoyed my life and I have no complaints. But every now and then I stop and think how I could have had even more fun then if I'd done things a little differently. Like I wish I'd actually tried to learn French in High School instead of just studying for the test and forgetting everything 5 min. later (it was insanely easy but I probably coulda still learned and retained stuff if I'd put forth the effort). I wish I'd focused more on my personal life and less on my school/work life that second year I was in college. and just other random stuff. Mostly I guess I can't say I'd really want to "change" anything, because everything led me to where I am now, and dispite my whiney last blog, I really am happy with where I am now Oh one other thing, have you checked out "do over" and "redo" by dkstories? I haven't started redo yet because I'm sorta waiting until it's all there so I don't have to face the cliffhangers, but do over was excellent and it was very much along those lines (changing your past). Anyway take care, Camy, and have a really wonderful day Kevin

Hey Rob! Thanks for the words of wisdom. I think you've really got a point; sometimes people are only really compatible as friends at one particular stage in their lives . I guess I just am in a much different place than alot of my old friends now. Heck half of them are getting married and/or having kids, and while I'd like to do the settling down thing, obviously I'm not there yet. It's also so true what you said about just not feeling like going out and meeting people when you get home! It seems like half the nights I get home all I do is change into some comfy clothes, whip up a little dinner, and then just lounge around until bed. I actually promised myself that once I moved I'd get out at least 3 nights during the week and hopefully weekends. I'm hoping maybe with just having work and not school as well I'll feel more like some excitement. And anyway sometimes I do WANT to go out and can't because I really ought to stay home and take care of school junk . LOL you're definitely right though, the internet is the easiest way to stay in touch with people! Thank you so much for your kind words Rob, I really appreciate it , and I hope now that they realize how much work you've been doing all along they treat you much better for your remaining time! Have a really awesome day and take care! Kevin

Hey Kaiten! Thanks for your warm post . I'm sorry if my blog brought ya down . I am feeling much better now, I'm sure a good part of it was that I hadn't gotten enough sleep the night before, it was starting to get late, and I was just grumpy lol. That sucks about your friend who moved away . Have you read the latest chapter of DD? LOL reminded me of that with hating goodbyes. I'm glad to hear you've settled in so well in your town . You know those are really good tips! I've really been wanting to play a little baseball and soccer the last couple of months. I wonder if I could find a non-competitive league. That pottery idea sounds like quite a bit of fun too. A few weeks ago I had the weirdest urge to stick my hands in something mushy and gunky and just try to create something, but I didn't really know where to go for that, so I think I just did some cooking instead . LOL actually I kinda feel like this site is my "book club" I did have a good weekend, thanks Nothing too exciting but it was restful and pleasant. I hope yours went great too! On my day off last week I just slept really late then did some shopping, came home and cooked a little. It was nice Anyway thanks for the reply and have an awesome day! Kevin