rustle

This story was a fun ride. Maybe the most fun of any of this author's work. I'll give a buck to anybody who can make KC blush. (Sorry, dude, I couldn't resist.)

Congratulations and thanks to the winners.

Congratulations, Sharon, and thanks for getting me involved with editing on this site. It's given me more than you can imagine, and introduced me to some really fine folks.

Hi Graeme. First off, congrats on the measured response and the relationship you have with your son. It sounds like you're doing something very right, and working pretty hard at it. I like the fact that you offered to block the site in question, and did so with your kid's permission/agreement, and your reasoning. When someone mentions the word addiction, it's a quiet plea for help. Like most parents who give a damn, you're looking for guidance, some hard-and-fast rule to rely on. I can promise you that if you find one, it'll be dead wrong. You're going to always have to rely on your own judgment, and motives. You know what? So are your kids. If you can impart a sound process, you'll be successful as a parent. We learn the most and best when we don't even know we're learning, though. As your kids develop and mature, you're going to need to express more trust in them. By the time they're 17, they'll expect more privacy online than they have now. But you already know that. Trust your gut, and be honest with yourself. If your motives are good, chances are, you'll do ok. Gotta say, I like this thread.

nekkid

What a bitch. To dismiss someone's writing without having read it is prideful ignorance. Rowling's crime novel was published under a pen name, and its author's name was revealed by a law firm which apologized and offered a substantial charitable donation as recompense. Otherwise, we might have never known it was hers. Speaking of charity, Rowling has proven herself extremely generous. Has the author of this article ever done anything for anyone else? JK Rowling has earned her following. She should not squander it. Besides, if you're going to compete for a place in this world, should you not compete with the best?

And thanks to all who were nominated, and those who weren't, for the fine reading material.

I followed an author from Nifty. I can't remember which one. I'd gotten kinda burned out with gratuitous sex, and was looking for something else, something more. To be honest, I finally joined so I could post in The Soapbox. I still miss it at times, but my blood pressure's back down. I volunteered to do some editing, and Sharon introduced me to that damn muppet! He even forced (forced, I tell you ) me to write a couple of stories, including my first fiction.

necking

WOOF!

When will the winners be announced?

So tell me about your father. I see you're chewing on him now.

I celebrate her personal journey in coming out, and believe it takes some courage. Perhaps more in her private life than her public one, since gay actors have been an open secret for hundreds of years, and are tolerated in their careers. This was not groundbreaking, but it helps the 'gay cause' somewhat, in that numbers of openly gay persons help desensitize society and make this less of an issue. Since it was not groundbreaking, and since her professional risk is not so great as Michael Sam's, for example, it may be valid to label it grandstanding. Unlike Tom Daley's public coming out, this was not an attempt to set the record straight (I couldn't find a better way to say this, despite the obvious pun. Sorry.). Not sure it merited a speech. It certainly didn't merit the media attention, IMO. But I've never seen Juno, and don't know the woman's work at all. All things considered, this event is less than. Media coverage became the real story, rather like the exchanges in this forum.

love you too, darlin'

Redneck only translates to 'mercan.

This is one of those ads that doesn't really advertise the product directly. But it associates the product with a number of virtues, and does it sentimentally. Brilliant marketing angle. How else would you advertise the product directly? Clinically? Graphically? On its face, the ad can only be objectionable because 2 guys embrace. One is an active duty soldier, so objecting is a bit, I guess, unpatriotic? If they advertised the product's merits, would we have copy like, "It's slicker than snot on a doorknob, and won't dry out or get sticky"? Jeff Foxworthy, talking about a similar product, stated, "With this stuff, you can park a Cadillac in a doghouse."* * Paraphrasing, here

I honestly like to see a broader variety of characters across the board - gay, straight, male, female, trans, you name it, with all types of character traits, and relationships. It better reflects real life in today's society in most places. Who among us interacts with only one type of person? It's easy to limit ourselves, and not just to character cliches. One POV I can't say I've seen is coming out as witnessed by a straight person, like a friend or parent. Anybody know of such? Anybody want to try it?

Howdy, and welcome!

Howdy, Aaron. If you don't see the type of challenge you're thinking of, create your own. Chances are, you'll find someone who wants to participate. Maybe somebody who'd never considered it before. If you're intimidated because you feel your writing could use some help, there are plenty of folks who can help. Most are harmless, but there's this one little dang blue bear... give a shout if you need, somebody's bound to answer rusty

Welcome home.

Sorry, I'll just have a Twinkie. I don't like to cook THAT much.

Hi newbies, and welcome. If you have any questions, find a forum and ask. Lots of folks here willing to help. Or pop into chat, PM somebody, whatever, just don't sit by yourself on the sidelines (unless that's what you want). peace, y'all rusty

Often, when we lose something, we get something in return. What did we get in exchange for our innocence?

Here's something I just found of some of his early work. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr9FP93o8Ro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDBtrzka2X4

A life well-lived. Not just a giant in music, but a tireless activist all his long life. PBS airs a documentary of his life from time to time. If you get the chance to watch it, it's worth the time.