Percy

Fun and clever! So glad you posted this.

Brilliant Mark! Such a creative, vivid scene. You paced the suspense just right and the ending had just the right tone. I enjoyed this very much.

You provided a fascinating, dark and provocative dialogue in this story. I've often thought if homosexuality was shown to be biological, the science would be treated in the same way that the science of evolution or global warming is treated. In this story, the potential for an emergence of eugenics and blackballing from organizations is only a breath away from the world in which we live today. Very interesting and well told.

A great love story. Two good people who needed each other and deserved the happiness of finding one another.

I have nothing to add execept that any job that involves being on the lookout for new music must be a dream job.

Some of the lines made me catch my breath. Beautiful farewells that you've shared. Glad you posted this.

Troubling. He had so little power in his situation yet he found what he had and used it to help himself. A good read.

Great, great short story. A whole range of emotions, a little magic, a little introspection, a little romance. Loved it.

Wow, what an interesting story! I was struck by how the beginning of the relationship was so similar to any first time teen-age relationship. Figuring out that they like each other, figuring out sex. Hiding the relationship due to parental disapproval though in their case they fear the disapproval due to being gay. Then you delve into some complicated issues of being out and self-expression and all from a teen's point of view. Nicely told. I'm a fan.

Thanks for a very interesting story. The set up as to how the world arrived at the future in which the characters were making their choices was quite believable. I couldn't help thinking that this post war world bore similarity to the middle ages what with the mortality rate, reduced world population and a lack of scientific knowledge. Humans screwed things up and had to go back a few centuries and start over again.

The detail in your story telling pulls the reader right in to the moment with the character. The scene is so vivid, it's like being inside a movie. The melancholy in the memories is quite moving.

Sorry to hear about the rough times, especially with your dad and then missing out on something you've been looking forward to. Sounds like you're use to putting others first. Do take time to care for yourself too, especially when it come to blood pressure issues. Best, Percy

I think I'd hook this person up with an agent who could get the kid doing the round of morning talk shows and the like. Maybe negotiate some sort of reality TV show that follows him around the first couple years of his new life and track his new experiences. A book deal and a ghost writer wouldn't be a bad idea. I figure this will give him some income and a group of people in his life that provide structure, dubious as it may be. An agent and producers will make sure he's eating, has shelter. They'll provide some basic needs to ensure he remains profitable for them as long as possible. Yes, he's open to manipulation and being taken advantage of but hopefully he'll eventually gain enough social skills and resources to extract himself from the situation and live independently. In a best case scenario, he'll meet people who resonate with him and with his story. Maybe it wasn't his choice, but he put himself out there. He's visible to others. There will be people who want to share their stories and experiences in return. That's where he'll start to build some emotional connections and friendships. He'll make some mistakes in judgment. He'll get burned. But that's not going to be 100% of his experience. He'll make good choices too. He'll make good friends, and not every friend has to be forever and ever. You can be very close to someone for mere weeks or months and then drift apart. That's OK. Some friendships are formed because two people are going through a very specific experience that draws them together. I guess another piece of advice I would give him is to not to sweat the mistakes. We all make them and sometimes we make really big ones. The only thing he can do is deal with the situation at hand. Face it, as unpleasant as it may be, and start the work of fixing it and moving on. In the midst os that, he should be sure to remind himself of all the things he's done right. We're all a mix of good decisions and bad decisions. If he only focuses on his good decisions and never acknowledges the bad, he'll turn into a pompous jackass. If he only focuses on his bad decisions and not his good, he'll be mired in misery. He should strive to see both sides of himself. I guess the other way it could go...if the whole Hollywood agent thing doesn't work out...is ending up on the streets (assuming he's in the U.S.). He will most certainly be manipulated and taken advantage of there. From the streets, He'll likely end up in the criminal justice system. Jail would also provide the basic needs of food and shelter. He'd be set up on a revolving door of jail/streets/jail/streets - a cycle that's extremely difficult to break.

Wise words well said.

Body is the sum total of a person - each of us is a 'body of work'. Body encompasses not only our corporeal selfhood but the spirit and soul. Beauty shines through, finds its expression, no matter the physical characteristics of a person. So does beauty's opposite.

Very sweet tale. Glad to see life turned around for Ross after a rocky start. He was lucky to find some adults to advocate for him. Nice arc to the story from beginning to end.

So interesting. Thanks for sharing. I envy you the fresh food, especially the farm raised pigs and chickens. I never knew how different, and good, meat could taste until I ate some from hand raised animals. Oh, and I once ordered pigeon in a French restaurant...thought I was on a culinary adventure at the time.

I liked the story...people/characters who are driven by a particular interest are always interesting. I was hoping you'd include another merman in this story though. ;-) Good job!

Hello Bob, I’ve been one of the readers enjoying your memoirs. 61 years with your wife is something to be celebrated! You’re a skilled writer, and your life experiences have been very interesting to follow. You ask whether you should write about your "hot" bi encounters? Not if you're reluctant. Those memories are yours! There are themes, however, that never fail to interest me as a reader of both fiction and non-fiction. I am always curious about a person’s process of self-discovery, self-acceptance or rejection of self. Can self-acceptance be traced back to early experiences, upbringing, a significant relationship, or was acceptance a gradual process over the years? You had some connection to the film industry in Europe as well as membership in the more conservative societies for engineers and architects. Was there more acknowledgment of bisexuality or homosexuality, even if it was unspoken or underground, by those with whom you associated in the arts as opposed to your contemporaries in the industrial occupations? Your business ventures took you to several countries over the years. Your most recent chapter mentioned both Algeria and France (Paris) and the relative ease or difficulty of pursuing sexual relations in those countries. The observations on how sexuality (straight or gay) is experienced in different countries is very interesting. As I read your memoirs, I am reminded that your generation experienced a huge change in society’s sexual mores, again both straight and gay. Please don't feel obligated to answer any of these questions. Whatever you choose to write about, you definitely found a loyal reader in me! I enjoy historical accounts, particularly biographies and memoirs. Thanks for sharing yours. -Percy

As much as it pains me to post this, I don't think the Sharks are getting past round 1. Eastern Conference: New York Boston Florida Pittsburgh Western Conference: Vancouver Detroit Phoenix St. Louis Eastern Conference: New York Boston Western Conference: Vancouver St. Louis Eastern Conference: Boston Western Conference: Vancouver Champion: Boston

This just made me love peeps even more. Fascinating what humans can do to make food or "food."

Very enjoyable, well-written story. Tension, drama perfectly delivered. Thanks for giving it a happy ending.

Very absorbing. I'm already rooting for Caleb. I like how you've introduced us to several characters and we have a good sense of Caleb's world and how he views it. I hope you post regularly.

Good start. I am definitely drawn in. Hope you keep going.

Sure. Count me in.