AFriendlyFace

Hey Cody! Welcome to the forum! Yes you should DEFINITELY read The Log Way! and The Ordinary Us as soon as possible. The spirit of James is great too, and of course it's the right time of the year . Anyway I hope you like it here. AFriendlyFace (Kevin)

Hey Viv! I just read your story, I love it!! It's really great, I can't wait till chapter 6 comes out! BTW didn't you say you recently sent a new chapter in? Shows the newest post as Nov. 30th, does it take a couple of days to post or something? Anyway really looking forward to the next, great job Kevin

So here's the thing. (YEAH it's gonna be a long thing just to warn you guys) I currently attend college about 70 or 80 miles away from the small city in which I grew up. I attended a very preppy private high school, and loved it. I have no complaints worth making about my childhood. BUT here's the thing. It's true what they say about the gossip factor. And given that my high school/city/circle or whatever is fairly small, everyone really is in everyone elses buisness. I don't have issues with my sexuality, nor do I feel the need to apologize for anything. BUT at the same time some of my closest friends and some members of my family just plain could never comfortably accept it. I don't blame them in the least, nor does it really bother me. They're simply a product of their background and culture (Deep, conservative South). They don't understand it, and never will. And I really don't care, I don't doubt for a minute that these people love me and care about me. Which actually means that it'll be really hurtful and confusing for them. I have certain friends that I just could never imagine "hating me" for it, but at the same time could never like, accept, or even really tolerate it. SO it's not an issue in that I don't need their approval, and I'm also a fairly "compartmentalized" person, I share some stuff with some people, and other stuff with other people, and no just because I don't share this with some people I DON'T feel like I"m living a lie, or like I'm not really close to them. I can understand other people feeling that way, but it isn't the way I feel. Everything we talk about and do is real, I just avoid the topic altogether. Besides this isn't everyone, I probably have as many close friends/family members that could deal with as that couldn't, it's just I'm not willing to hurt the ones that couldn't. Anyway the thing is literally the majority of my high school class came to school here. So even though I don't see many of them that much anymore, and could probably just level with the ones I've kept up with. It would still eventually get back to my home town. Which I think would be even worse than if I'd just come out to everyone. So basically I've never felt comfortable trying to date here. I wouldn't want to/be willing to "hide" a relationship, and it really wouldn't be fair either. Well actually that wasn't so much of a problem until a few months ago. Until then I'd pretty much been totally disillusioned by the whole romance/love thing anyway, BUT I reassed my priorities, sorted alot of junk out, and came out of the whole thing with a kind of bubbley idealistic enthusiasm which I hadn't really experienced in quite sometime. I mean I've always been a fairly happy, optimistic, cheerful person. But I'd always tinged it a little with a grimmer, cynical, more realistic side especially where romance concerned (and no I never had a really bad experience or anything, I just gradually got disillusioned seeing once happy couples split up). I pretty much decided "screw it, I want to be happy and enthusastic about life. I want to just see the good." and so I went ahead and let my more negative, cynical qualities fade away. Anyway point is now I'm really into the whole romance thing, and actually pretty darn optimistic about my chances of finding some terrific guy to spend the rest of my life with. Add this to the fact that I graduate in May and plan to move somewhere new for grad. school, and you'd think everything was looking up, and mostly problem free. I mean all I have to do is bide my time a few months longer right? Well it's not quite that simple. For starters I'm majoring in psychology/sociology, and now pretty much think I don't want to do anything with either. I'd always wanted to be a psychologist, but I don't think I'd be able to keep enough "distance". I mean I think I'd just want to get up and hug the person and be their friend, which may not exactly be the best thing for a therapist. As for sociology, well all I could do with basically is teach sociology, which wouldn't be that bad, but probably not THAT fulfilling either. So anyway I'd always fancied myself a writer anyway. I really enjoy the whole creative process. So I thought "ok, I'll go to grad school for English or creative writing or something, get a degree, get a job which uses it, and write recreationally on the side". The only problem is deadlines are coming up REALLY fast and I need to have some stuff written to send in, and what I make up for in creativity, I more than lose in discipline. Simply put I've got tons of ideas, but not enough attention span/work ethic to actually turn them into anything substantial. Which of course makes me doubt rather I'd ever be suited as a writer anyway, but more imminently is likely to keep me from completing something within the deadlines. Anyway, the way I was planing to sort this out was. I'd still move to my city of choice, sit out a year and just work, hopefully find time to write on the side with less pressure, and VERY hopefully find a good relationship while I"m at it. Well this is almost perfect. There's just one snag really; I'll feel horribly guilty about it. See my immediate family consists of my mom, grandma and grandpa (the three of whom raised me), and my aunt and cousin. Well my grandparents are getting up there, 80 and 84. And my grandmother has alzhiemer's (wish I knew how to spell that, someone feel free to correct me), which is very difficult for my mom, and grandfather (who literally still has a better memory than me) to have to put up with. Then there's the issue of my Aunt and cousin. My aunt kinda slipped into this like lowgrade (I think lowgrade,,,,maybe not ) depression a few years back, and basically quit working and lived off of her credit cards all this time. Well now it's catching up to her, and while my grandparents offer occasional support, she's too proud to actually let them know the extent of her troubles, and as such could become homeless at any time. Then there's the fact that my cousin won't go anywhere near my grandmother, because a few years ago (yes YEARS ago) my grandmother said something insulting to her and she's never gotten over it. And of course her mom uses that as an excuse to also stay away from my grandmother, since she always gives her a hard time about the whole economic situation. So basically my family's got a lot of problems/potential problems, and I hate to run out on them. Plus most all the burden will fall to my mother to look after everyone. So today I talked to her about it (not about all this, just the general fact that I was planning to move). Just casually like "I wanna go visit the state over the break and maybe try to pick out an apartment". Anyway I never really expected her to try to "stop me" I mean she hasn't really tried to stop me from doing anything since before high school, I just expected her to mention reasons why I shouldn't. Or maybe even lay on a slight guilt trip (which wouldn't have been hard). But instead she was like "yeah that's a good idea", and words to that effect. SO basically I'm thinking the only reason she's saying that is because she's already pretty much figured the samethings I figured, and thinks it's the best thing for me. Which really just makes me feel guiltier. Plus I really think if anyone's going to get my cousin to quit being such a spoiled brat about this, it'll have to be me. We used to be really close as kids, more like brother/sister in some ways than cousins. So I think I might have to just sit her down and tell her to "pull her head out" and get on with life. But on the other hand it's risky in that she doesn't take criticism well, and obviously is good at holding a grudge, I really don't want to alienate her. Especially since she's the only other person in my family I'd be likely to come out to anytime soon. Either way I'm just going to have to try to talk to her about it before I move. Anyway sorry this was such a long one. I guess I just wanted to rant a little. Have a great day everyone and take care! Kevin

Of course it's about the best interests of the child and not about being popular. BUT Rory's 16, not 6. And if he feels trapped, like he has no control or input in his life, he CAN move out and do whatever he wants in less than 2 years. I doubt he'll be making good decisions if he's still in a bad, resentful place in his life. The "because I said so" thing might work for pre-teens, and maybe even early teens, but after that I think it's an insult to their intelligence. Sure you can MAKE them, but at some point good decisions have to come from within. Rory isn't going to just say "well I guess Eddie knows what's best for me", even if he DOES. The normal reaction we could expect anyone to have here is "where the heck do you get off talking about what's best for me when you've known me less than 2 months?" I don't disagree for a minute that Arizona is a better place for Rory, or that Eddie and company could do a better job giving him the support and guidence he needs, I just think it's imperative that Rory recognizes this himself. If you want to pysco-analyize him, he's already shown himself to be weak willed and easily led, especially in his interactions with Aaron, but more broadily in his utter inability to take any initiative whatsoever in most all aspects of his life. Could this be a result of the "do as I say, no room for argument" way he's been treated of late? (which if course further proves he's better off in Arizona) I think it's clearly time Rory learns to make some decisions on his own. If not now, then when? What Eddie needs to do is supply Rory with as much support, love, encouragement, and guidence as he can. He needs to make it clear to Rory that he'll always have a place to go, and he'll always have someone to go to, to talk about things. In this regard I think Eddie's actually doing pretty well. I totally agreed with the way he handled the matter when it came up at the movie theater in the last chapter. I do think he should give Rory some gentle encouragement to stay though. Perhaps by helping him reason it out. He might subtly point out that Rory's emerging friendships here with Luke, Dave etc. are already as good or better than the ones he had back home. He could also mention the fact that here he's already well on his way to being accepted for who he is, whereas at home he's locked in the closet. And yes he could point out that while he and Grandma Alice love each other very much, perhaps they aren't exactly compatible "roommates". Finally I don't think this is really an issue at all anyway. I get the impression Rory's getting closer and closer to making the decision to stay on his own anyway. And I don't see how anyone could argue that it isn't healthier for him to make this decision himself. Take care all, AFriendlyFace/Kevin

I believe in Chapter 17, when Aaron was finally having a real conversation with Rory, he stated that his parents were furious when they found out he'd been with Luke the night of the car theft, BUT that he said Luke picked HIM up, and already had the car. He said they would have been more angry had they known that it was him that approached Luke and not the other way around. As for Eddie demanding that Rory stay in Arizona I think that would be a huge mistake. Father or not I agree that it isn't Eddie's place to make that decision. Like her not Alice is much closer to a real parent for Rory than Eddie is. I agree that Rory SHOULD stay in Arizona, and that he is better off given his lack of close relationships back home, and the fact that the whole gay thing won't be as big an issue in Arizona, but good for him or not, it has to be something he wants or he's going to Sabotage it. How long could he be resentful and rebellious? Depends on what kinda person he is, anywhere from a day or two to the rest of his life. And he isn't in any kind of danger back home. It would be one thing if Eddie HAD to act to prevent Rory from falling into danger or something. He may be HAPPIER in AZ in the long run, but there's no reason to think he'd be miserable back home either. Sure his grandmother can be alot, but she really does have his best interests at heart, and he's had a lifetime to learn how to deal with her. Besides even though they're bickering now, it's clear they care about each other. I of course hope he does stay in Arizona, and I can't believe he was so dense he didn't realize that it upset Eddie when he talked about going home, but in the long run it's got to be his decision. I know some have said he might take Aaron back, and I don't know why I'd give him any credit, but still I get the impression he's done with Aaron (romantically anyway). I also agree that as he is, he isn't good enough for Luke, but perhaps he'll get better. What frustrates me about Rory isn't so much his blind self-centeredness, it's his rude, jerkish behavior when he realizes someone he's uncomfortable with is being nice to him. The early scenes with Eddie at the airport, and when Eddie askes Rory if he wants to drive for the first time ("you want it wrecked?"). THAT there just isn''t an excuse for, it even said he realized Eddie was trying to be nice. Then in this chapter at the end when Seth's being nice to him, it mentions how surprised he is, then he proceeds to be the biggest jerk he can be. I can forgive him running out to sit on a cactus because he's upset and not thinking clearly. But when he IS thinking clearly and consciously decides to be mean....well that's just wrong IMO. One more thing did anyone notice in the last chapter, when they pull into the driveway Rory begins to open his door before the truck's even stopped. But then when he gets to the front of it he "find's Seth waiting for him". Now how could Seth has stopped the truck, taken it out of gear, put on the park break, turned it off, opened his door and gotten out, walked to the front, and be WAITING for Rory, when Rory was already halfway out the door before Seth started doing any of these things? LOL Seth musta really been scrambling

Thanks Libbonobo! LOL I often do eat desert first I'm so sorry your sister had so much trouble, Michael, it's awesome that you now have a little niece and nephew though!

Hey Guys! Well it wasn't so much cramps, I just felt like I was trying to "relearn" it or something, I don't think I did it fast enough to get cramps. I guess I should like practice or something, the last time I actually sat down and tried to write much was when I was doing it with my left hand trying to learn to be ambidextrous, which I did kinda pull off, I can eat and brush my teeth and other such things almost as well left-handed. The writing is horrible, but then as I was saying, it's bad right-handed too lol! Anyway I'm glad to be back to my keyboard! Have a fantastic week! Kevin

Hmmm, maybe it's time to start sucking up? Let's not forget the long and proud tradition this country, nay the world, has with regards to the old "butt kissing" game. Never forget the value of a plastic smile and a well-place compliment. Heck I'd say 3/4 of everyone we've ever heard of wouldn't have been someone we'd ever have heard of if they hadn't tried it a little at strategic times LOL ok so I am mostly being sarcastic here

Hey Viv! Oh my that sounds so scary with the cut on your son's forehead. Is he less likely to scar with stitches or without? I'd probably go with whichever is least likely. Way to go to him (and you) for staying so calm. I think I'm going to be one of those uptight, hyper-vigilant parents no one can stand. "what you broke a fingernail! Quick to the emergency room!" :wacko: LOL who knows maybe we'll all be lucky and I'll mellow out. oh man, good luck with "the talk", I hope she goes for the being in on a secret thing. Let us know how it goes! Have a great day Kevin

***lines up behind Trebs for his serving of crow*** OK so I was REALLY wrong about Aaron too. For a second there I thought it was going to turn into some kind of awful rape scene, glad Rory found a way to "crush" Aaron's advances Yeah yeah, ok so maybe I was wrong That line would have ticked me off to no end too! Yep sounds good, maybe a LONG walk will clear Aaron's head. What's OTP? And yes, as much as I'd been leary of Seth that was totally adorable. LOL Aaron's not necessarily a lush (A jerk yes, a Lush MAYBE, but we can't tell yet), it's only the first time in the story he's been drunk, think about TLW and TOU, the characters in there were drunk much more often. And I totally agree with your evaluation of Luke and Rory's relationship That's a very good supposition. I hadn't thought of that. It would also be a tidy little way to remove one of the main reasons I still have for not liking Seth a whole lot. Boy! Isn't he though!

Goodness you'd think they could bake some more every once in awhile! Speaking as a (very liberal, non-traditional) Catholic myself, I don't really mind the mass. My only problem is actually staying focused instead of letting my mind wander off (Someday I just know it's going to forget how to get home). As to your other observation. No I seldom become fixated on a straight guy, I'll check them out, or may think a friend or someone else I see on a regular basis would be really cool to date if he were gay, but I don't dwell on things that aren't going to happen (well pretty much only in this realm though). Yes and No, I more have the opposite problem, I think of like 3 or 4 titles and have to choose. And as far as books and stuff go, sometimes I just come up with titles that sound cool and then think "Now all I have to do is write the book." But yeah I definitely feel pressured to come up with a good, appropriate title, and that can be frustrating. Awesome! Have a great day!

So I just got home from taking one of my finals. As I start to take it one thought keeps running through my mind "oh Wow this is HARD!" The final? no, the physical process of writing. It was awful I could barely scrawl out what I wanted to say. I guess I should explain. When I first learned to write as a kid, I sucked at it. I mean I was always known for having the worst handwritting in the class. In grade school we'd always pass our papers to the person behind us to grade. Well it was always a huge accomplishment when the kid behind me would finally be able to exclaim: "I've learned to read Kevin's handwriting!" And indeed this was quite an accomplishment as I could only do it myself half the time. Well when I finally learned to type I took to it like a fish to water. For many of our assignments in high school they said we could either type them or handwrite them. Well of course I typed mine. But the thing is in high school I COULD still write by hand. I could write at a normal pace it would just come out messy. If I sped up it would get even messier, if I slowed down alot I could even make it look half decent. But now forget writting quickly at all, that just isn't possible. Everything I write takes forever and still comes out looking awful. Writing has become an extremely unnatural action for me. It doesn't occur automatically at all. I actually have to think about each movement involved. So for the test just now, which was very unusual in the realm of college tests; a written short answer/essay exam, it was pure torture. When I got to the essay, which I had quite a bit to say about, I became extremly frustrated. I'd have like the next 5 sentences in my head and a rough idea of what I was going to cover in the next paragraph, and I was stuck laboriously scribbling T. H. E. I really did get to the point where I left out things that would have made the essay better simply because I didn't think they were worth the trouble to write. I know I could have typed the stupid thing at LEAST 5 or 6 times faster than it took to write it out, and I would have included everything I wanted. As much as I was trying to do a good job with it, I still got impatient and started leaving out articles and some prepositions as well as abbreviating like mad and just using a + sign to indicate "and". Plus I still had to be really careful since my thoughts were so much further along than what I had down I kept skipping relevant words. And to make matters worse I know I'll be lucky if she can understand half of what I put down. A mouse or keyboard feel like natural extensions of my body, but put a pencil in my hand and my gut reaction is more along the lines of staring at it stupidly and saying "huh, what's this for??" Still I just can't believe how "unnatural" it's gotten. I mean it seems like the kind of thing you'd never forget, like walking, riding a bike, or skating. But this I really do seem to have effectively forgotten. I guess I shouldn't be surprised writing (by hand) is something I do very rarely. Often I don't phsycially write a word all day, with the exception of maybe my signature. And when I do actually write words it'll be like one or two at a time "bread, milk, soap" on a list or something. Oh well everything's going computerized anyway right? And at least on this stupid final I never had to sit there and try to think of something to say, lol more like sit there and think "ok wait! one word at a time" Anyway take care everyone and have a really REALLY awesome day! Kevin

That was a very touching chapter Nick! I know it must have been extremely difficult to write while you were reliving it, but it was definitely one of the best, and very well written. I must say I felt very sorry for James myself as I was reading the chapter. You know you've done a good job if people can identify with the characters. I sure hope everything ended happily for James, and I agree with your last paragraph, you guys are very lucky to have each other and such a great family. Have an excellent week and take care. Kevin

I agree with you one those two points Matt. I think Seth will be instrumental in revealing to Rory Aaron's misguided ways. Yes I know I always defend Aaron, but he's definitely misguided and if he's going to change he and Rory BOTH need to realize this. And as much as I distrust the little creep, perhaps he can help in some way with this. Also as far as Luke is concerned I was thinking the same thing. Do any of us really believe that Luke could be so naive that he wouldn't realize what effect his behavior would have on Rory? I mean it's one thing to stroll around naked when Rory's sexuality was still up in the air. But now that he knows Rory is gay could he really think that stripping in front of him, then parading to the shower in the buff, then emerging DRIPPING would not get Rory's eyes and mind wandering? I think Luke hasn't fully given up on turning Rory's head as it were. And though I don't think this is fair or appropriate considering that Rory's already got a boyfriend,,,,I'm still pulling for him lol Anyway take care all! Kevin

Thanks for the tip Xeran, I tried the baking soda and vinegar too, but again no luck . I did have a good time making the fizzy reaction though! I think I might have to start playing with that stuff more often! LOL I've stained mine with red koolaid before too, Nick! Last time I think it just faded away on it's own.....I really need to be more careful lol. BTW Which do you like better the cherry or the tropical punch? I think I like the tropical punch better Thanks Eric, Unfortunately I didn't have much luck with either the stain OR the paper . I'm going to go work on the paper somemore now though (I think the stain's a lost cause lol). Anyway thanks, and you guys take care and have an awesome day! Kevin

Thanks Kitty and Bev, I tried the Hydrogen peroxide by itself and had no luck. Then I tried it with the baking soda and let it sit awhile, and darnit still no luck! I'm scared I did exactly what Bev warned me against and set the stain by using a bleach product on it when it first happened. Did not know that could happen! Grrr, I wish I'd just been taking a supplement for it like you mentioned Kitty! Oh and you'll be happy to know Bev, that I did wear a glove when trying to clean it up Thanks for the tips anyway though! Take care and have a great day! Kevin

Ok so you guys remember my friend and coworker from earlier posts, Amber, the one who'd taken up the strict ideas about appropriate male/female interaction? Well anyway like I was saying in another recent post, while things aren't quite as close as they were with us, we're doing pretty well again. Well this morning we're working alone together (till about 10 when someone else joined us), and she's says "I want to tell you a secret" So I say "OK, I promise I won't say anything" And that's when she reveals that she's pregnant! I'm so excited and happy for her!! The last time she went to they gynocologist he told her that she had some sort of problem and most likely wouldn't be able to get pregnant (I can't remember what it was, I want to say a poorly aligned uterus if that makes any sense). Anyway so I'm thinking that's why she wasn't using birth control in the first place, but regardless she's really excited because she was worried she'd never be able to have children. Of course I'm super excited because I LOVE babies! Heck I'm going to have a baby someday even if I have to move somewhere else to adopt one! Anyway she's going to the doc. tomorrow to make sure everything's ok (since there's a good chance given her "problems" she won't be able to carry the baby to full term). I know perhaps I should be more realistic and think about all the potential problems for her. Like the fact that she's just a Soph. in College, she's unmarried, she's in an interracial relationship in a very "redneck" part of the country, and she's got a good chance of misscarrying. BUT instead I'm just really happy for she and Kelvin. I think they'll make terrific parents! And I know this is something they both really want, even if the timing and circumstances aren't perfect. I also really think she'll be able to make everything work with school and work. I'm just sorry that the baby won't likely come until the end of July or beginning of August, and I'm moving in May . I'm really sorry I won't get to be like "uncle Kevin" But I promised I'd visit whenever I came back to visit family anyway. And she can send pictures and stuff. Let's see also today I had a really revelation. I was going next door to the coffeehouse to buy one of those insanely chocolately deserts I like so much, when all of a sudden I realized I was "Patrick". Patrick was the day manager when I started. He was this openly gay, really skinny, super friendly guy with dyed red hair. He had an huge addiction to sweets and was always running next door to buy coffee or something and add like 12 packs of sugar. He was also often a few minutes late. Well as I was walking over there I realized here I was now the day manager, also gay, rather thin (not like him, he was like the skinnest guy I've ever seen, but I wear like 30 inch pants, and slip into 29s when I...uh wanna be noticed ), also friendly, and also with dyed red hair (mine's more of a strawberry blonde though, definitely more blonde than red, but still). Anyway add to that my HUGE addiction to chocolate over the past several months (I've had like a BIG chocolate desert everyday straight for the past 3 weeks or so), AND I was a couple of minutes late this morning. It was really freaky! Perhaps his spirit still haunts us or something :wacko: Anyway I finished my first paper last night, but can't seem to get very far on the 2nd, harder one. I went to the Library and darnit if they didn't have most of the articles I needed. I really don't get why their database pulls th em up at all if they don't have them! It's like "oh look! that article's perfect" **Demonical laugh** "well you can't have it! Anyway to top it all off this one article I found at the library said it was available online, so I figured I'd just wait and print it at home for free. Well it turns out it's only available AT the library online, otherwise you have to have some kinda subscription to this site. I'm so ticked! I really want it, but I don't feel like dressing and going back out there, and I did manage to find enough articles without it, they're just mostly crudy and not that helpful. You guys think Garfield pajama pants and a T-shirt is too informal to go back to the library in? Anyway, I hope you all have a fantastic day! And BE SAFE! Kevin

Hey Viv! Well it sounds like apart from getting the Christmas lights up you didn't deviate from the plan that much, lol just broadened it a little. It's good that you got to see the little girl again, I'm sorry she and her mother don't have a very good relationship . It's good of you to help out where you can. LOL I'm kinda proud of myself, I only have about 3 things left to buy then I'm done with my Christmas shopping, and while I haven't filled out and mailed the cards yet, I have at least bought them......A couple of years ago it was Christmas Eve, Eve and I hadn't done ANY of my shopping. LOL It was not fun going to the mall two days before Christmas (OK actually it kinda was, but it really shouldn't have been ). It is quite sad how some parents don't give their kids proper supervision. I hope the children are safe. Anyway have a great day! Kevin

LOL not true Vic, Aaron isn't even really my "type" (Now LUKE!!! ) And I'd never take such garbage from someone I was dating. I just think he's got the possibility to turn out not so bad and should be given a chance, but yeah objectively I definitely don't think he's good for Rory and that Rory should move on (to maybe his blonde housemate )

Ok I've got one, I read it a few years ago and remembered it as soon as Xan started talking about poems which send shivers down one's spine. So here it is. Pizza, A Party and A Moonlight Ride Author Unknown Jenny was so happy about the house they had found. For once in her life it was the right side of town. She unpacked her things with such great ease As she watched her new curtains blow in the breeze. How wonderful it was to have her own room. School would be starting, she'd have friends soon. There'd be sleep-overs, and parties, she was so happy. It's just the way she wanted her life to be. On the first day of school, everything went great, She made new friends and even got a date! She thought "I want to be popular and I'm going to be, Because I just got a date with the star of the team!" To be known in this school you had to have a clout And dating this guy would sure help her out. There was only one problem stopping her fate. Her parents had said she was too young to date. "Well, I just won't tell them the entire truth. They won't know the difference, what's there to lose?" Jenny asked to stay with her friends that night. Her parents frowned but said "All right." Excited, she got ready for the big event, But as she rushed around like she had no sense. She began to feel guilty about all the lies, But what's a pizza, a party, and a moonlight ride? Well, the pizza was good, and the party was great, But the moonlight ride would have to wait. For Jeff was half drunk by this time, But he kissed her and said that he was just fine. Then the room filled with smoke and Jeff took a puff. Jenny couldn't believe he was smoking that stuff. Now Jeff was ready to ride to the point, But only after he'd smoked another joint. They jumped in the car for the moonlight ride, Not thinking that he was too drunk to drive. They finally made it to the point at last, And Jeff started trying to make a pass. A pass is not what Jenny wanted at all, (And by a pass, I don't mean playing football). "Perhaps my parents were right... maybe I am too young. Boy, how could I ever, ever be so dumb." With all of her might, she pushed Jeff away. "Please take me home, I don't want to stay." Jeff cranked up the engine and floored the gas, In a matter of seconds they were going too fast. As Jeff drove on in a fit of wild anger, Jenny knew that her life was in danger. She begged and pleaded for him to slow down, But he just got faster as they neared the town. "Just let me get home! I'll confess that I lied. I really went out for a moonlight ride." Then all of a sudden, she saw a big flash. "Oh God, please help us! We're going to crash!" She doesn't remember the force of impact. Just that everything all of a sudden went black. She felt someone remove her from the twisted rubble, And heard "Call an ambulance! These kids are in trouble!" Voices she heard... a few words at best, But she knew there were two cars involved in the wreck. Then wondered to herself if Jeff was all right, And if the people in the other car were alive. She awoke in the hospital to faces so sad, "You've been in a wreck and it looks pretty bad." These voices echoed inside her head As they gently told her that Jeff was dead. They said "Jenny, we've done all we can do, But it looks as if we'll lose you, too." "But the people in the other car!?" Jenny cried. "We're sorry, Jenny, they also died." Jenny prayed, "God, forgive me for what I've done. I only wanted to have just one night of fun." "Tell those people's family, I've made their lives dim, And wish I could return their families to them." "Tell Mom and Dad I'm sorry I lied, And that it's my fault so many have died. Oh, nurse, won't you please tell them that for me?" The nurse just stood there, she never agreed. But took Jenny's hand with tears in her eyes And a few moments later Jenny died. A man asked the nurse, "Why didn't you do your best To bid that girl, her one last request?" She looked at the man with eyes so sad, "Because the people in the other car were her Mom and Dad." This story is sad and unpleasant, but true, So young people take heed, it could have been you. I hope you guys liked that poem, it's my favorite against drunk driving. Please do take heed of the poem's message. Don't ever drive drunk, high, or tired, or ride with anyone who is. Take care everyone, and best wishes! Kevin

Hey Nick! Wow poor Taylor, I'm glad he's okay. Hope you guys had some extra blankets or something too. Anyway apart from the hypothermia risk it sounds like a really fun trip. I've hung out in coffee houses myself on occasion. Personally I think it's everyone's secret desire to mimic their favorite Friends character which drives them to it. LOL on the other hand I had a pretty good time in the past when I did it. It all really depends on who you're with, and what interesting people you run into. Of course now that I don't drink caffiene I'm a little more out of place at a coffee house. BUT I make an exception with hot chocolate, and they usually have some delightful desert as well . Anyway glad you guys had fun and are okay. Take care and have an awesome day! Kevin

What have I spotted you may ask? Simple, my kitchen counter, and I'm not at all happy about it. :wacko: It looks awful. A year or so ago my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzhiemer's, and since then my grandfather has taken to looking for food, drinks, and other natural remedies which may help her (she is taking her meds too , though often goes through periods where she refuses to). Anyway one of the things he found out was that turmeric may help. Turmeric is the ingrediant which makes mustard yellow, and also makes the curries common in Indian food, yellow. Incidentally India supposedly has the highest turmeric consumption, and the lowest Alzhiemer's incidence rate. So anyway turmeric can be purchased in the spice/herb section of most stores, and is, you guessed it a YELLOW powder. Well I decided that it couldn't hurt to get myself some, since it clearly wasn't going to do any harm, and may help me in the long run. I mean I'm already very forgetful and scattered I need all the early intervention I can get. So anyway I took to occasionally sprinkling it on my food (when I didn't mind turning whatever I was eating yellow). Well a few evenings ago I was in a hurry and didn't bother turning on the light when I went into the kitchen, I just grabbed the stuff and shook a little over my food. Well it seems I SHOULD have turned on the light because apparently I got it all over the counter too. and it WILL NOT come off, it seems the countertop has absorbed it or something. I've already tried conventional cleaners, as well as a whitening toothpaste paste (gee that sounds redundant) which someone suggested would help. LOL no luck. If anyone has any tips I'm all ears. So I also had the day off to work on my papers and stuff today. Well I slept in, I figured I might as well be well rested for this undertaking. Then I actually did successfully knock out the one that's due Monday, unfortunately I made very little to no progress on the one due early Tuesday morning. And I do have work all day Sunday and Monday, and of course it's due so early on Tuesday I really do need to at least make a good start tonight. Plus I have to study for the final which will occur at the same time the paper is due. Grrr, it sucks. At least after Tuesday I'll only have two left, and while they're actually in the two classes I have the lowest grade in, it'll be simple straight forward studying. Anyway I can't find any resources for this stupid paper. It's on "gender differences in ADD/ADHD" I actually picked this topic myself thinking it would be interesting. Also thinking it might give me some insight into why my own mind/body seem hyperactive at times. But unfortunately I seem to have branched off from traditional psychology and sociology with this one, and none of the tips my prof. gave us for finding articles is working. Mostly because I think I'm searching in sociology stuff when I need to be searching in medical stuff. Anyway I've decided that my best course of action is to go to the Library, approach the first friendly, knowledgeable looking librarian I see, and give them my best "I'm so confused and really need help look", and hope that they can walk me through this. Anyway wish me luck (it's already past midnight, but I'm sure the library is open 24 hours for finals week, and at least I did get PLENTY of sleep today) Take care everyone! Kevin

Thanks for the concern Michael, I'm glad the chicken soup is helping, and hope you feel better soon. Also I really don't blame my coworker, or myself, it was both of us and the bad pattern we often fall into. At least this time I think our tension will be limited to that one day (as opposed to a couple of weeks last time). LOL Bev, reminds me of a few years ago when a friend and I were trying to decide where to go for lunch. My friend turns to me and says "hey why don't we go to that Lesbian restaurant you like". LOL he too meant LEBANESE. But you know I've known several lesbians who were excellent cooks . Thanks for the advice on just graciously accepting my coworker's help, that's pretty much what I ended up doing and I definitely did need the break Also you'll both be glad to know my late night walk, while fun and relaxing, was uneventful , lOL and I did bring my phone

Yes cigarettes are bad, your story was good though......so maybe that balances out somehow....I dunno though cigarettes are pretty bad!