B1ue

I don't think you understand how traumatic even mild East Coast winters are for us Californians. We had 80 degree temps this last week. I have a tan once again. One thing that I never quite got is if Matt moved back east to be near Wade, why would he live in a different city, where he wouldn't go home every night. I know the high profile, high important jobs are in NYC, but it's not like DC is a barren wasteland for the financial market. Well, now it might be, but there are jobs in venture capitalism everywhere, which seems to be his idea of a good time.

I was never quite sure what chingar meant. I suppose I could have just asked my dad,. but where's the fun in that?

As I often do, I find myself returning to my favorite author for an example of how families can work. This passage is from Lois McMaster Bujold's Mirror Dance. For context, Mark and Miles did not meet until only a couple years before this. Miles, in fact, did not know about Mark's existence, though Mark knew about Miles for reasons that are not germane. For now, I can simplifiy it as saying Mark was raised with different parents than the insanely privileged and rich Miles.

Small minds aren't only found in small towns, you know. I've dealt with a lot more racism and homophobia now that I live in a city than when I lived in a town with a population of 2000. This is mostly because, when in the small town, I was one of their own, and they had a tendency to take me on my own merits rather than place me in a category. She may have been cooler to, say, Stef or Wade on their own, especially if she saw him flirting with Gathan, but Robbie is family. You mentioned earlier that people from 1985/6 are closer to those younger than older. Doesn't that depend on who we hung out with and the relative age of our siblings? Personally, I have quite a bit more in common with people born in the 70's, because that's when my sisters were born and I forever tagged along with them. Most of their musical tastes (though I'm the sole country music fan in my family, they all like it but it's my favorite) and pop-cultural touchstones rubbed off. Growing up where I did may have something to do with that as well, trends being a couple years behind and all that.

I knew this would, word for word, be your reaction. Not that I disagree in the slightest.

2007 Anthology

He circled me, stumbling only a little, suspicion writ across his every feature. Finally, he paused, looked me square in the eyes, and said, "Daddy?" I laughed. Fortunately, we Barats tend to be gentle laughers. If I had roared, no doubt the kid would have run panicked behind his mother again. "No, Simon, I'm your Uncle Khayyam. I haven't seen you since you were born." Clearly, I'd said too much, for by his expression his head was close to exploding. "Not-Daddy?" "That'll do I suppose.

This poem is dedicated to those who live their lives fighting from one trench or another

Start with crimson. An angered declaration shouting, "Bleed us, burn us, we will still be here, and one day we will be equals." Orange is a bittersweet line, pill bottles by the dozen, the tang of condoms and that awful sunrise that ended night too soon. Next is Apprehension Yellow. The color of missed chance bile, and letters lost to time. Through these, far far too many still view the world.

2007 Anthology

March was already gently lambing its way towards April when I realized my little brother had fallen in love. And not with me. I know, I was shocked too. I didn't notice until I counted and realized it'd been fifteen days without Satar crawling into my bed or shower, which was the longest time I had gone unmolested since he'd broken up with his first boyfriend three years ago. Not that the relationship had lasted all that long, but it was the first time anyone was aware that Satar swung both ways

As sort of a reply to both of your above posts, just because there's not much going on in the world doesn't mean there won't be a ton going on in their lives. And, just because there's a ton going on in the world doesn't necessarily reflect on them. I read the stories because I find their family and the dynamics within fascinating. Mark could completely make up the historical background, and I'd still read it. So for me, I'd not ask what happened in the world in 2007, but what's going to happen to them that hasn't necessarily been explored yet? Is JJ going to think about retiring in 2007, maybe going to college finally? And how will that dynamic work out with Will halfway to almost through, and getting more and more popular within his sport? Darius is going to be in the middle of law school, and for perhaps the first time in his life really stretching his mind. Matt and Wade may decide all this baby stuff is kind of awesome, and look into either having a surrogate or adopting a sprog of their own,a nd what impact will that have on their careers? And speaking of their careers, if Wade really does decide to go for politics, is it possible that during an appointment hearing or pre-election start-up Matt's rather...enthusiastic past comes out? Matt's an acknowledged slut, as much as Cody and Stef were, but they made it work for them. Could it be a liability for Matt? Anyways, I trust Mark to find something interesting no matter the year, is where I'm going with this. The historical events that puncuate the narrative are interesting as background, but with a few exceptions don't really drive the story.

I want you to know I finally cracked and bought this version of the song. I'd heard this one before, but the combination of the video linked and this new connotation made me buy it. That and comparing this to the Bananarama version...she blows them away.

I voted no, because of the possible ramifications Bob mentioned. Its interesting that as of now, with 12 votes in, they are completely split among the 4 choices.

Wow. Hit on the straight guy back. You're right that it likely won't go anywhere, but at least it'll shut him up. Maybe. Some straight guys get off on thinking they turn other guys on.

It's good to hear you're doing so well. I know it isn't as well as you'd hoped, but know you're competing at a completely different level than undergrad. 3.66 is quite an achievement.

The busiest time of year for my job is over. I did wind up accepting the promotion I mentioned last entry, temporarily though. I like to think I did well at it, at least, as well as can be expected with my immediate subordinate sulking for a month straight because I got the job he wanted, but I'm mostly happy to be stepping back to my old job. I say mostly because I'm going to be saddled with the laziest of the bosses, meaning I'm going to have to do my work plus hers. While I'm not unfamiliar with the problem, they could not have found a better way to punish me for not taking the promotion permanently if they'd founded a study. To which I say, well played schedulers. Well played. At least I get a trainee to help carry the load, unless they cut back again and he gets kicked to the curb. I discovered a early Christmas present today. Someone new moved into the apartment next to me. He's young, hot, and muscular. He also has a good looking girlfriend, but I can still look. At least, I assume he's the one moving in. I suppose it could be her, but he didn't glare at me the first time he saw me, and what guy would just nod/acknowledge the guy that lives next to his girlfriend? Had to crack and put that in writing somewhere, and the walls are too thin for me to make such comments over the phone.

2008 Spring Anthology

“The Slaying of Lydia Syanto” By B1ue Nine Things Californians Need to Know About Shades 1. It is a fact that California has a higher than average number of Shades within its borders. You likely pass by several every day; one may even be a friend or neighbor. However, for all but a fraction, you will never notice anything different about them, and they will pose no immediate threat. I tracked Lydia Syanto down to one of those hideously trendy shops that threatened to do

“Little Kay was quite blue with cold, indeed almost black, but he did not feel it; for the Snow Queen had kissed away the icy shiverings, and his heart was already a lump of ice.” –Hans Christian Anderson, “The Snow Queen”.

"Um, Khayyam, I have a question to ask you," Satar stated from the open doorway of my room. My internal alarms immediately went off. This was Satar, my two years younger brother who was about two times as self-assured and outgoing compared to me. He was also like a billion times hornier than me, so I suppose it is to a purpose. That might seem beside the point, but it worried me that the same person who has at least once a week tried to talk me into his bed felt nervous asking about anything.

I'm never going to be a fan of Brad's, but I prefer to dislike him for the things he actually did. Do you really think that in close to twenty years together that Robbie would have stayed if Brad intimidated him that thoroughly? That Frank, Greg, Stef, Isiodore, and JP would not have been on his side if he wanted out, really out, and Robbie was afraid of Brad's reaction? Actually, I suppose that would depend on the circumstances, i.e., if Robbie had another lover on the side they would not be amused. Jeanine I think would have left with Robbie either way, with the kids of course. You might point to the stereotypical battered housewife as a counter to that point, but the situations are not parallel. Robbie is not totally Dependant on Brad, he's wealthy in his own right, with contacts, friends, and an entire industry where Brad is the outsider and he the insider.

Lucky By B1ue Yesterday, I'd have thought the next few minutes would be the most terrifying of my life. That was yesterday. Ding – Dong “I’ll be right there!” I heard Ronnie say. After a second, a girl’s quiet footfalls came towards the door, and she started talking again even as she opened. “Sorry about that! I was--“ Shock wiped away her words and expression. Shock at seeing me, after so long. I decided to take it as a good reaction. Shock wasn’t joy, but it wasn’t ang

Cyanide Torres has lived his entire life in the same town with the same two best friends. But now they’ve both moved away and moved on with their lives, and now Cyan has his own departure to prepare.

Right then. Native Californian, and I mean that in both senses of the phrase. My dad's side is from Mexico, and my mom's techinically is as well. California was Mexico before becoming part of the US, and we more or less came with the state. There's actually a minority group in Mexico that still speaks Nahuatl, the native Aztec language. But your point is well taken.