Rano

First, ta stax for sharing of the sudden splurge of creative efforts from our author, Coms Second, re this specific story: I get HIGHLY frustrated with some of the characters (not only in this story, heh heh) but I think there is much more behind the motivation for writing and sharing this. Rory is a wonderful vehicle to teach an important fact/lesson re. our personal sojourn through this experience we call Life, and this is, IMO, when it comes to such personal levels in close relationship, that the relationship does not revolve per se around getting your rocks off and everything that goes with that. It goes so much deeper than the proverbial six inches, and these stories, although highly stimulating on a physical level, can also be highly educational for the youngest to the oldest of the readers thereof. Again, ta stax from the depths for all your selfless efforts in sharing this with us

Hmmm, I also thought old prof. Strawn (?) was rather imbecilic to choose Catherine's ex as dinner conversation, but then again, Catherine did qualify that the old lad was one of those who should not have more than "one martini" heh heh heh. What was outstanding for me, is the candid, yet civil way Cameron handled the whole situation. Actually I didn't mean to comment as yet; just caught Daithi's remark whilst I was trying to figure how on earth to pull all chapter reviews in one shot? Anyway, Don H, I'm thoroughly enjoying this story (as well as Working It Out) - but that one I've just pushed temporarily on the back burner due to me just having to first finish this rather interesting and multi-nuanced/faceted tale that is absolutely engrossing. High FIVE, Mister --

First, Trebs, ta stax for posting comicfan's blog article. Much appreciated. Second, comicfan, You are SO right regarding all of what you've said. I for one am in total agreement with what you've shared - but then again, let me congratulate myself I don't think I'm guilty

On Sunday eve's, at 7 pm, we have an actuality program discussing interfaith issues on our Afrikaans radio station. Last night the topic was TERRORISM and had the thrilling experience to hear a renowned South African Muslim Sjeik joining the conversation and using the KORAN, showing how wrong these actions actually are... Now, just how do you get some of these radicals to listen to one of their own faith, using their own Holy Scriptures, denouncing what they're doing? I feel sooo helpless when considering these things... Thanks for this Blog post, W_L

Jissis! I always thought I’m imagining it, but there really are more REBECCA’S out there! (Makes my lil village the safest place NOT to move from hehehe) This was once again a very good chapter/read. You really are a creator of atmosphere. This Karaoke/Bar scène especially. I can see, smell, taste, hear and even feel it all whilst enjoying this installment I’m going to miss this group of friends if there’re only two more installments to go. Maybe I should start practicing an online puppy-hung-face already – WHO’S with me?! Great pièce of work you’ve done thus far, Tony.

I love your humour and I just LOVE “Hi Cameron ... you’re...extremely hot” I want a cup like that, and while I’m at the ‘wantings’, I can do with a cuzzy like Tommy (they’re really far and few between). What moved me into emo mood was Mark wasted at the Juke Box...and Tristan being the real friend! (I hope Cameron has noticed this...) You balance hilarity and pathos well.

Tony, I SO enjoy your imagery. Just have to restate once again what a breath of fresh air this tale about Tristan and Co. happens to be to me. As always the morning shower did the trick and he twirled out of the walk-in shower like a ballerina. The move was so gay and it's a wonder that anyone in their right mind thought he was straight. Ha! How many of us have not done this before? Heh heh as a matter of fact just did that in front of the stove earlier this evening Mark admonishing Tristan not to wave his rainbow flag at him – CLASSIC. Everything you relay plays vividly off in front of my own flat-screen in my minds eye! And I appreciate your attempts at illustrating this story for us – especially likes the tweet one: “up bright and early – meeting at work” – it is all so crazy and it works so well and it fits...this roller-coaster story to the T And a massive GRRRRR to Jess...I can see what he’s up to...NYARRRR Your characters are so well thought out, Tony, and LIFE-like. Just Love you for this brilliant read...(SIGH)

xTony...you've got a new follower And you've got Fishy [fishwings] to thank for this. I've needed something like this for a looooong time. Absolutely REFRESHING

Oops, it seems I've reached my share of positive votes for the day Ta stax, Renee, for sharing your compilation with us, and same to all of you who have commented and shared your personal points of view. Once again I've gained some better insight into what makes some of us tick - especially here at GA. There is not a day that goes by that I'm not at least checking in once at this wonderful GA community. Actually, GA is the site that I frequent the most (I visit FB about twice, or at the most, thrice a month )...and just LOVE scrolling and exploring around this massive *playground*, getting to know people and marvel at the numbers and extent of it all. You guys and girls gives me the courage to maybe, well just maybe sometime to dare to post my first one

What a really cool read, Mann. And a feel good one on top of it. I can but only agree with all the reviewers. Not so far fetched at all...realistic characters heh heh I can fall in love with a guy like Artie. Well done, Mann

Fishwings, thank you so much for this wonderful read. Your characters are well rounded and I love the names given them, Callen and Sage. Lots of food for thought. And your imagery is pretty cool as well: On cue, a million images flitted into his brain. Hê could hear the sound, like the amplified flapping of countless butterflies with glowing abdomens ascending into the air. A face in his mind stirred. Pale wit a keen jaw and shining irises. Face eclipsed in a shadow cast by a baseball cap. Slight smile and prominent canines. Go from strength to strength

Totally absorbed by this soapy...and ever learning more and more about horses and horsemanship as well as relationships. Have come to love each character, but that Ace, well, he really is one Ace Can't wait for Devon to arive ... seems to me this addition to our tribe is gonna pan out in a rather interesting way... And the Nanny? She's also on her way in...Never married or having kids of her own and been in the military? Well, that can only spell one thing: F.U.N. (this is for Max'ies sake ) Good job, Andrew, although I have to read with a fam-tree-graph that I've drawn up out of necessity, next to me

A very atmospheric, goth-like dream. Did send a shiver down the spine heh. Cleverly tied in with Kyle’s sketch. You’ve got a way to describe a scène, Andrew The whole picking-up, inspecting of and describing the forlorn lil speedo – well done. I was able to actually take an interest and curiosity in the object. This whole chapter creates a fine, realistic backdrop against which Jake’s inner thoughts are revealed. An element of tactility to this whole solo shower scène. Jake is portrayed as quite an intuitive lad that also makes it in a strange way easy to relate to him. All in all you’ve done great with this whole bathroom and bedroom scène. Hmmm...The mother really is another kind; quite a character and slightly difficult to get a handle on right now... I enjoy reading the bonding scenes between Jake and Matthew, especially Matthew’s childlike confidence in his elder brother, the questions asked and observations shared, ja, the whole vibe between the two. Matt is a very well developed lil character already. Ta stax for this eventful and jam-packed chapter – and hey!, I loved the typing-lesson

This chapter has been constructed very well. Could almost be a story on its own

By sheer luck I happened on this story, i.e. a Google Alert for GayAuthors ... This is a great first chapter – just the way I personally appreciate a long-long tale to start off. And I am of the opinion that your choice of third-person omniscient POV is also just right for this story. Allows one to get to know Zak as well as his Mom’s motivations very well. Interesting thought: while describing Zak, involuntarily the image of Kevin Warhol popped into my mind Enjoyed the humour as well, i.e. “Well, it’s a horse ranch so I would imagine there will be a shovel in your future.” Doesn’t need a gypsy-of-a-mom to work that one out J And, “While they were chasing the girls, all Zak could think about was chasing them.” While the following is a real gem, “They might spend a lot of time in the media telling you ‘It Gets Beter’, but you had to survive ‘It’ first.” How true! Hehehe Well, after Ember and Dusty have been introduced, I’m hooked and looking forward to a looong and entertaining read. BTW, what on earth is a “wife beater” – some kind of belt, maybe?

Ta stax for sharing your thoughts and grieve. I can only affirm joann414's wise words that it's just not possible to save each and everyone, "but if you just save one, it is worth the effort." Just recently our local community had to say farewell to another teen who has just recently graduated from high school and worked at our local hardware store...what a pleasant and beautiful young man he was. Unfortunately he couldn't cope and wouldn't spoke, although a few of us knew about his struggle. Sad that parents in such an "enlightened" era as ours are at times instrumental in such fatal decisions. Take heart, Bud. Some of us know whereof you speak. Warm Hugz.

Ta stax so much for sharing The Greatest Speech Ever Made - moved me no small way ... and I think I comprehend something on a different level

Ta stax for reminding me of this one again. Just BRILLIANT. And, ja, as Renee has said, the reader really don't know (well, I for one also did not) where Coms is luring one to ... but, dang, if you do go, you're in for a treat

KBTS: "Though it may not make a whole lot of sense—especially in the case of song lyrics, where quoting almost seems like free advertising—this is the way the world currently works. Exactly what I was thinking as I read this blog-article, but knows better now Strange so-called mod society we're living in, eh? Ta stax for this info, KBTS.

My dear Billy I’m addressing this letter to you in the hope that you will, for a change, find some positive direction in your miserable and stuffed-up adolescent life. In the same breath allow me to share not only mine, but so many other girls and guys here at GA, as well as way back at the Shack, our devotion and interest in your journey through young adulthood. Should you care to go read the replies that some of your staunch supporters have deemed it worthy of their time to share with you, you cannot but realise how much all of us are rooting for you J Let me tell you, for me to have followed the vicissitudes of your life up and into Book 7, should tell you just how much some of us appreciate your sharing with us. But when you start to display an almost unstoppable spoilt, brattish, and ego-induced, selfish approach towards all those around you, when you just don’t seem to get a grip on yourself, when you just go on using and abusing those around you, I just feel that it is time for the captain to call ‘time-out’ and have a few lil words with you aside. You know what really got at me and made me furious with your low-down and despicable behaviour, Billy? The uncontrolled jealousy that you’ve exhibited towards such a fine guy as Trace. Shame on you, Billy, for snubbing him when all he was doing was trying to do was to share his and Mikey’s newfound security and bond with your father. I mean, who was it that arranged the whole setup in the first place? And as much as I’d like to, I find it really difficult to find any real motivation for your horrible, and may I say ‘uncalled’ for, attitude towards Trace when all he was trying to do was to share with you something that he apparently never before had the privilege of experiencing: a real and wholesome father-son relationship. As far as I am concerned you can go take a few chapters out of Trace’s book, ’K? I mean, look at your own words, Billy: “I'm like, ‘Dude...don't fucking talk about my family. What's the matter with you?’ “Trace's eyes widened. He said, ‘Whoah...Billy, you got me all wrong, man...’ “But I said, ‘Whatever. I don't like you discussing me and my life behind my back. You keep my mom and dad's relationship out of your head. It doesn't belong there. Got it?’ He was speechless for a moment, and to be totally honest, Trace has probably been in a lot more fights than I have...” And you know what, Billy? Something dark inside of me wanted him to give you such a hard smack that even I cringe at the mere thought of it. You have a lot to account for in this situation – you should go ‘kiss and make up’ with Trace. Sheeeesh! Then you have the audacity to justify this loathsome behaviour with the following: “Trace did apologize and said that he didn't mean anything by it, but I only accepted his apology because I didn't want to talk about it anymore. I'm already under enough pressure as it is these days without having to factor in yet another insecurity problem. Sighhhh....” No, Billy, me thinx some of us are doing the sighing and shaking our heads at your fucked-up way of reasoning. Why the heck should Trace apologize to you? You’re the one in the wrong here. Just goes to show again the inner strength and real character in that boy Trace – something you somehow desperately lack at this moment of your diary-writing... Howbeit and anyway, I just wanted you to know that I’m MAD at your behaviour, Billy. Whatever happened to our lil hero and buddy? Please get a grip on yourself soon, ’K? And do know that I’m still one of your ardent admirers and am rooting for you...just try and get back on track, already, will you? And take the following to heart, Billy-boy: I will be following your whereabouts with eagle eyes and will not hesitate to try advising you to get back into line – Till next time, buddy...

Appreciates this blog-post of yours, Rob...loaded with some real 'pitkos' [food for thought] allowing a lot to reflect upon. Glad I've decided to investigate your blog and pleasantly surprised

Warning: For those terrified of spoilers...please don’t read the following submission... I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter J The manner in which the three protagonists are introduced by one of them caught my attention (think: differing POVs). Appreciates the way the loving bond that exists specifically from Jacob's side, towards his kid brother, Matthew, as well as admiration for his younger sibling, is revealed, i.e. “Also, if I may, he’s very cute for his age; or at least I think he is...” Cool – leaves the reader without any doubt about the affectionate bond between the two sibs. Ah yes, as well as where Jake walks into the kitchen only clad only in his ‘blue undies’, “Matthew stopped singing immediately and Jacob could see as the blood seemingly rush right for his cheeks in embarrassment. Jacob simply smiled and dug into his food.” I mean, Jake could so easily have ragged lil Matt, but he didn’t…again emphasizing the brotherly bond. I like that The scène where Matthew is singing, close-eyed, along with some kind of MP3-player [my imagination here running wild], captures an image of this youngster very well. The way in which Jacob introduces Kyle, is very interesting, angst-ridden and just wants me to get to know these guys so much better… Back to the POVs employed thus far in this chapter: I find it quite remarkable. Jacob introduces himself, Matt, and Kyle from his personal perspective, which gives the reader Jacob’s viewpoint, where after the author switches to the omniscient POV. Initially I wondered why, but actually appreciates this “ploy” – makes sense to me because from here on we gain insights into Matt and Kyle that are not possible for Jacob to reveal to us. Jacob has made himself known to us as a guy who is drawing our attention to his life journey specifically and it seems to me he wants us to follow him what/whosoever happens along his personal journey. Also interesting to me was how Jacob’s “exhaustion” runs through this chapter as some kind of leitmotiv, and not without any reason either, ‘cause we are kept well informed exactly why he is so tired hehe. Locker #69 – good choice! Heh. And the way he chooses T-shirts to complement his mood; well, I can relate to that. And the way the 14 year old consciousness is so well described when said, “…fear permeates his being…” and how he studies Kyle whilst at the same time so scared that he may be caught in action. (Its observations like these that make me personally relate so well with this story. I mean, been there, experienced that ) And I appreciate the effort made by podiumdavis for allowing us to gain a very clear understanding and perspective about Jacob’s deep yearning and emotions towards Kyle. The description here left me without any doubt about his deep-seated devotion/obsession towards his ‘object of affection’. Who cannot but relate with Jacob being ‘consumed’ with/by Kyle, [indulge me:] “… he walked into his first period class and took his seat right behind his beloved Kyle. To Jacob, this was the best spot in the entire class; at least for him it was. He got to be around Kyle, which meant a great deal to him, even though he always had a hard time getting his lips to utter something coherent, especially when around Kyle, who he always had trouble speaking to. So most of the time, Jacob simply stared at the back of Kyle’s head and let his mind wander and daydream about how much he really (and I do mean really) wanted him. How much he wanted to hold Kyle’s firm body, having him nestled deep within his arms and be able to kiss him with the love and the passion that he truly felt for him. Jacob honestly didn’t understand why he loved him so much, but he just did, it was as if it were fate being shown to him through his heart. If you only knew how…” And yes, the three terms employed to refer to what the vast majority will call “private” are as far as I’m concerned rather well chosen in this first chapter, i.e. boyhood, groin, and crotch – perfect! Nothing too lewd heh Jacob’s internal dialogues are well written, to say the least, and those few words “...rhythmic motion of his little heart...” does something for me… Lastly, just want to make a final comment re. ch. 1, as to how well structured I find this tale. Recall the following from Kyle, ““Uh, yeah sure, whatever you like. But um, I’m just not able to give them to you right this second [the notes]. How about after school? I could always come over to your house, or you could come to mine and copy them. Sound good?” Kyle inquired. Although the reader does not know it yet, this is actualy quite revealing about Kyle. Being a clever lie…although we don’t know that as yet. Ta stax for a great introduction that hooked me good and solid

Dark and sad, sure. What can I say? Only those who've been there, will ever understand, eh? ...and I'm also one who understand... Ta stax for sharing this

heheh Ta stax added spice to my pastoral morning

and as per usual, Lem, you are as fresh as ALWAYS