rustle

Thanks, Columbus. I have something in the mill, but it may not ever see the light of day if I don't get some more done on it.

What do you mean, date? Dinner and talk to catch up? Probably, if we parted on good terms. Meet up to enjoy a common interest? Maybe. But you can't go back in time. We're no longer together for a reason, and since I just celebrated my 24th anniversary, I'm not throwing that away to chase a shadow of a memory.

Hi Newbies. Welcome to GA. Whether you like reading, writing, editing, or participating in a community, I think you'll find something to like. If you have any questions or problems, feel free to bring them up. Pretty much guarantee you'll find help.

Radio Shack sells dumb phones. A friend just replaced his Motorola flip phone with another brand. It cost him $10. Both of us use prepaid phones that cost us about $10/month. I can wait until I get home to get online. Folks can either wait for me to answer an email, or call me. For that matter, get a goose quill and an ink pot with ferrous oxide ink, and burn the letters into a parchment.

We sat through about 4 minutes, and got drunk spins. Old or not, the movie is crap.

Zombie, it's funny, but you and I are opposite sides of the same coin here. I'd be more likely to research cultural attitudes in general than legality of sex acts. But I live in Texas. where things are a bit backward. What I've read about the story leads me to believe he was a sex tourist, even if he only had one partner in mind. His son's comments sounded as if the guy's family was surprised by his actions.

happy birthday, Dark.

happy birthday I hope it's a great one.

For a start, before going to a foreign country, a little online research on gay rights in the country might be well advised. If gay sex is illegal there, you might consider meeting up someplace else. You might also consider NOT recording video of an illegal act.

"Sod it, if I'm not willing to be proud of myself, how on earth do I expect anyone else to be." It's tempting to have that tattooed on my butt.

Boy, lots of birthdays recently. I hope you have a great day and a year to match, bud.

Hey 'Lijah, Happy Birthday! Make it one to remember.

Hey Maxx! Happy Happy and all that. Good luck tomorrow.

I'm honored to be your first step, and I hope it won't be your last. BTW, welcome to GA.

Thanks, folks. The party continues. Today's the 24th anniversary of our 2nd date. (We can never agree on when the 1st one was.)

what they said

Mark Twain is supposed to have said, "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."

Each day, when I get to work, I pass a metal column, and have to rap it with a back fist. It rings nicely. I know I've done this at least 35 years, no matter where I worked, I've back fisted a column each day on arrival at work. Wooden, metal, concrete, doesn't matter. Not only must food be segregated on the dinner plate, but I eat one thing at a time until it's all gone, then move on to the next. I don't drink while I'm eating, but when I finish, I'll drain the glass in a heartbeat. In a restaurant, I'll ask the waitress for more tea when I near the end of the food. I usually get an odd look, since the glass is full. Sometimes, I get an objection. Every time, though, by the time she gets back, my glass is empty. This is really funny when the glass is 32 oz.. I fire a gun right handed, and shoot a bow left handed. I fence with a light blade left handed; with a broadsword, I'm right handed. I carve wood right handed, but write left handed, unless I'm at a chalkboard or white board- then I use my right. I use chopsticks with either hand equally well. People can always tell when I'm mad. Normally, I have the vocabulary of a well-educated sailor, but when I'm mad, I don't ever curse. Instead, folks run for a dictionary to find out what I just said. I murmur jokes in my sleep. In Vietnamese.

Dang it! Late for another party! I don't suppose anybody left any cake crumbs, did they? Happy Birthday, Totes. Just think of this as an excuse to keep the party going.

We always put used oil in a container, like a wine bottle, and stick it in the freezer. It congeals, and travels safely to the trash bin for pickup as a solid.

Dave Dude, all the best. Make it a day to remember.

Imma guess this is a reference to gnomenreigen, dance of the gnomes.

Dear Sin Eater, When you fell in love and married, you forsook all others. Just the same as a straight person should upon getting married. You are living an authentic and honest life, true to yourself. To openly declare same-sex attraction would be nothing but hurtful to others. I think I'd be pleased and proud to have you as an uncle. r

Hey Allan. Welcome to GA, a place that's been called so friendly, it's scary. Hope you enjoy the reads and the community. If you ever have any questions, just ask, and I can promise you'll get a good answer.

Standard disclaimer. There's no "right" way. Here are my thoughts. First and foremost, stay safe. Look for clues to a likely reaction. Listen for comments on gays, same-sex marriage. Does somebody's lip curl in disgust or a smile when 2 guys are holding hands? There's a risk to coming out and being out. There's an honesty and freedom in being out. Weigh the risks and rewards. Assuming your nephew decides to come out, how would he feel most comfortable and secure? On neutral ground, with support, one parent at a time? Since we're talking about absolute honesty here, the more relaxed it is, the better. The more he understands about his own journey to this point, and can explain it, the more likelihood of acceptance. Parents who don't react well tend to act as if being gay is a mantle you can put on or take of, not an innate characteristic. They see a "change" in little Johnny, and not the same boy they've known all his life. When did he first start to wonder? Has he ever dated girls or kissed one? Has he ever wanted to? Did he notice when his classmates began to be interested in girls? How did he feel about that? I live in Texas, where there's a good chance of encountering drama, hostility, or anger. But if I were 15 and gay today, I would hope for the courage to talk to my folks, to be honest with them, and to have an adult relationship with them. If both parents were kinda close/cool, I'd talk to both at once. "You know, a lot of things have changed recently, but a lot of things haven't. I love you two; you've always provided for me, protected me, done what you thought was best for me. I really want to thank you. I'll always love you, and I always want to be able to be honest with you. When I was five...; when I was 11 and went into middle school, I saw the older kids starting to notice each other. I saw my classmates start to notice. My friends started to talk about girls. I started to expect it to happen to me, but it never did." But that's me. If your nephew knows you're gay, why don't you let him read this thread? I'm sure there will be some thoughtful responses. edited to add: Since I started writing this, sure enough, James posted his thoughts. Beautifully.