Rabble_Rouser

I think it's interesting that she had to "out" Albus because the script for the next movie made reference to him having a romantic interest of the opposite sex... given the length of her books, you'd think that they wouldn't be looking to add anything to the plot line! I also got a chuckle at the description of her saying that it would give the Christian Right another reason to hate her books. Steve

I'm eagerly waiting for the Pheonix concert as I figure CJ has a good opportunity to create some conflict but adding a warmup band with a member who knows about Brandon and already has it in for him only adds to the mix. Another reason I say "poor Brandon". Steve

Poor Brandon!!! Every time he thinks things are finally going smooth, a certain goat-who-must-not-be-named, throws a twist in that only causes Brandon more anquish. It's hard to believe after the last few chapters that Eric & Jon are the older brothers! Steve

Hey CJ, Have a good vacation (I'll try to keep the negative thoughts about being stuck in cold, wet Ottawa while you're in Europe to a minimum ). Thanks for leaving us one (or two) chapters to tide us over until you get back. Any cliffies might cause the thread on goat recipies to re-surface! Steve

Hhhmmmm.... let's see... CJ can have Brandon go along with Jon's plan which will cause (Mt. St.) Helen to erupt in a further chapter when it blows up and\or have Chase catch them in the act and set back their relationship or Brandon can go to Helen and\or Chase and a solution can be found and the romance grows and we move further into the story and find out what the hell terrorists have to do with a rock band... I guess I better keep my calendar open for when the band hits Montreal since all the big bands play Montreal, Toronto and then Vancouver.... Ottawa only gets 2nd tier talent. Steve #2

Here's the link so you don't have to touch the keyboard... Ch11 - Wild Wild Night Steve

I think that's one of the benefits of a lower drinking age. I grew up in a Canadian province with a drinking age of 19 but grew up in a small border town, I could be in the province of Quebec where the drinking age was 18 in 3 minutes, so I started drinking when I was 18 (at least that's what I told my parents...). My parents had some effective measures to make sure I drank responsibly. If I went out and I was driving I couldn't drink anything but that wasn't a problem as my firends took turns being the DD. My parents would "suggest" what time was appropriate for me to get home. If I came home drunk or late, they would wake me up at an ungodly hour and have me do the worst chores they could think of (though if I came home early and not wasted I could practically sleep until noon). The later or drunker I was the earlier and harder I would have to work... I soon caught on. When I went to university near Toronto, I had been drinking for a few years and would shake my head at my friends whose first experiences with alcohol was in freshman year and many binge drank and had no idea how to moderate their drinking habits. Some never did figure out when to limit their drinking and some were even invited by the university to take a year off and consider whether they really wanted to go to university... Steve

I'm a little late to the thread for this chapter but I couldn't let this one go by... from CJ Apparently Goats don't have a healthy fear of lightning for telling such blantant lies. I fully expect that CJ will throw in a few more roadblocks to our favourite two gay musicians getting together... such as having to babysit their drunk bandmates for the night to keep them out of trouble... Steve

Be nice to CJ... it's always tough when you realize the herd is fickle and could turn against you. He may have occassionally used a cliffy in a story once or twice but at least he posts regularily so there's no need to break out the favourite family goat recipes yet! Steve #3

I quite (again) in January. The only times I miss it are when I've had a few drinks or on days like today... nothing was nicer than starting the morning sitting on my terrace with the paper, a cup of coffee and a cigarette... Otherwise, I feel better, sleep better and smell better! Where I live, the province banned smoking anywhere except in private residences years ago... even some streets you aren't allowed to smoke on. I can't fathom what it was like when I'm told by some of the older workers at the office that there used to be an ashtray on everyone's desk. In a city like Ottawa, having to go outside to have a smoke on a windy January day where it's -36C (-33F) and wind makes it feel like -45C (-49F) is a powerful incentive to quit! Steve

Since Helen mentioned that she got the hotel to close the pool for the photo shoot, I'm thinking that she's going to maximum sex appeal and she's got something less reserved than board shorts for Brandon to wear... As for how exactly the Goat is going to tie together the two plot threads, I'm still trying to figure that one out. Steve

The cliff hanger and the picture confirm's it.... You're Satan's Goat! Steve

Here's a pic of the downtown core of Ottawa, Canada... Steve

I live in Canada (the national capital to be specific) in the province of Ontario which is in the middle of the country. It's a big mix of dense urban areas in the south along the US border and big forests in the north. And here's a useless bit of trivia for you... 90% of the population of Canada lives within 100KM (62 miles) of the US border. The summer's are nice but can get very hot and the winter can get "chipping your dog off the fire hydrant" cold! If I could, I'd live on the Canadian atlantic coast (I'm going there for 2 weeks on Friday... ) but I've always want to visit the UK, Scandanvia, France and the Aussie's (if I thought I could survive the 17+ hours flight). When I get around to doing that I might change my mind on the "if I could live anywhere" part... Steve

Hope your friends help make the day memorable (or the night out something you wish you could remember ) Steve #3

Hhhmmmm..., what to pick, what to pick... Now: Daily Show Jericho Stargate Atlantis NCIS Amazing Race Forever: Dead Like Me (easily the top of the list!) Third Watch Keeping Up Appearances QAF

Happy Birthday Bard!!!

I can't disagree with any of the previous post' suggestions. I wouldn't wait to make your decision to make sure you are safe and away from the tenuous situation you're in. I can't say what's available in your area but you should see if there are any resources you can access for help and support. Where I live the local GLBT association has a hotline for info and support and they do deal with issues of partner abuse and the police also have a GLBT unit that deals with spousal/partner abuse. Please remember that your safety is more important than your bf or your possessions. You sound like you're in a situation that is going downhill and won't have a happy ending unless you look after your own safety. From the sounds of things hitch hiking to your Grandma's would be safer but I would contact her or another family member or friend who could help you get away. Another thing you could do AFTER you get out, is contact the police and let them know that you've left and your bf has threatened suicide and they can check on him and get him help if needed. Take care of yourself and stay safe! Steve

I was kind of wondering what name would be on his uniform since I know the royals use one of the names of their peerages as their last names... I suppose I should know this since he is 3rd in line to be Canada's King... they usually leave us Canadians alone except for the occasional visit to make sure we haven't changed the locks while they've been gone... Steve

Yep, and getting some of the pre-bomb history helps in figuring out some of the stuff I've been scratching my head about...

Kurt, One more baking tip that will make your life easier... Pick up some Parchment paper (it'll be right beside the wax paper) and put that on the baking sheet... nothing will stick to it and it makes washing the cookie sheet a snap! Steve

I'm another one who doesn't make New Year's resolutions so that I won't be disappointed when I break them... As for the whole plane versus the train debate it depends on where you are. Here in Canada the two major airlines are just about done modernizing their fleets but the train system is still using 1960's diesel technology... plus for me to travel to the west coast would be 5 hours and $498 by plane and 4.5 days and $1200 by train!

Hey Dom! I haven't read your Blog in a while and I'm sorry to read about all the crap you've been going thru lately. I'd don't have much more to add than has already been said other than thanks for all the enjoyment you've created for us and it's genuinely appreciated! Enjoy some time off (both from writing and work) and I'm hoping that someday the writing bug will hit you again and we'll see something that will exceed the already high bar you've set. Steve

I like the new Internet Explorer v7... it has many of the features people like of other browsers. I will give the disclaimer that professionally I have reasons for preferring IE (I work in computer security so I'll leave it at that). I think it's a fallacy that there's a best browser as they all have advantages and disadvantages and you just have to decide what things you are expecting out of a browser and go with the one that meets most of them. Steve

That was a great video! The english translation would be roughly "Live a long time to find the good. AIDS Protect Yourself" I don't think this is a Canadian ad since AIDS is usually refered to as SIDA in French here. Steve