Dabeagle

I was actually on Tyson's side on this one, though not always. If you have a patient who is known to be a hothead, you don't provoke him. He's there because he was self-harming, not because he called someone a bad name. Tyson is there because he needs help, not deliberate provocation from someone on a power trip who seems to have not worked in mental health or with kids before.

That was an extremely unique chapter. For me I started to move past the bold text of song lyrics, but I can't imagine having your attention pulled in so many directions without having kids doing that to you, like mine do to me. At least I can send them to their rooms. Vlad is a tragic character. It makes you wonder if Tyson can keep his promise - if he can be the lighthouse.

A really unique look at that kind of world, great job!

That was beautiful. Well done.

I personally believe, and I think science is backing me up over time, that people are born gay. This TED talk offers some very interesting food for thought. See it here

We do have another Brit - Pedro, who writes the Seagull stories and who started with The Tourist has also contributed. It adds a unique flavor to have people with different experiences adding to a town, stretches it toward a more truly multi-cultural experience.

Fun. Is there a prize if the author evades being guessed? Or for the reader should they guess correctly? Might be neat for a button or something.

I'm enjoying the continuing character development and the reveal of the private lives of each. I think Tyson's internal dialogue is portrayed very well as he maintains that idea of superiority, though I was surprised that he noted he ahdn't ever 'even cooked noodles' for himself. That almost feels like a comment someone else would make about him. Reading this while copy/pasting things into Google translate was a little annoying, though. I mean, we would want to know what they are saying, but I'm not sure how many of us can actually read that. I'm kind of impressed it rendered the language - although after the eldest swore, the translation for the single word was 'pretty' and that confused me. Was that the intent? That word, I mean? Not confusing me, that doesn't take much 😁

A thread of hope, yet I have a sense it will be snuffed out. I'm not much for tragedies, as my friend would attest. Right @Cynus?

It's interesting to me how Vlad can ask the right questions, but because of who is asking, Tyson is able to respond. It's dangerous, of course, to place the value of one's life around a single person, but perhaps it's worse to not have that single bridge back to the land of the living.

I'm fascinated. Good job!

It's tragic and beautiful all at once. Interesting beginning. You have my attention!

I meant to make it a second book so that the readers who were following the first would be notified of it, but it didn't work quite the way I planned - maybe because I'd never tried it before.

Spectrum in NY has been giving me issues like that with a few things - I think that's why NY gave Spectrum notice to divest and get out of the state.

The problem is there is no real consensus. One person thinks a good make out can happen anywhere whilst others do not. Some think breast feeding in public is just as reasonable and some think it's akin to porn. My philosophy is that it isn't hurting anyone. And besides, if a kid saw it and wondered about putting ones tongue in another's mouth, how much of a hypocrite will we be that day and say 'we don't do that!' I know, I know, time and place - but who gets to decide that? And who is given the authority to go tell someone 'Hey, you can't kiss like that here!' No, no thank you.

I don't understand why others get so offended by a couple kissing, even if deeply. It's not for me, but if they have clothes on and aren't groping then what's the harm? I mean, really?

I disagree, to a point. Martin was a cesspool of angst and handled himself badly both in the movie and the book. One of the difficult things with 'villain's' is making them sympathetic, reflecting the shades of gray that are part of our reality. Martin couldn't see the damage he was doing because of his focus on Simon's friend, with whom he thought he was in love. The focus of the story wasn't Martin and his development and that this wasn't tied up with a bow by having him prosecuted or something similar didn't detract from the story for me. In telling the story, would it have been relevant to tack on a scene with a police officer visiting and leading Martin off in cuffs? Setting aside whether or not the character did wring (he did), how did it advance the central plot which was Simon and Blue? I think it would have been an unnecessary extension of the story that would have provided little in value to the overall work. Instead we see some contrition, in the movie, of him offering up his final ticket to extend Simon's opportunity for one more revolution on the wheel. Perhaps one of use would have 'headbutted and denied', but who knows what anyone would really do in a given situation? I think the hope that we'd do the right thing is universal, and some may even be convinced that they would do what they think is right rather than lock up or be manipulated by the situation. People will react differently to different situations, and this was how Simon reacted as a scared, closeted person who didn't rationally examine things, but reacted with emotion and fear. I think it was a good story that examined how things get out of control - from Martin and his blackmail to Simon's interpretation/response to Blue's fear of being found out and how he reacted as well. Adults have often inexplicable reactions; to see a high school kid do so is far more normal, in my opinion.

I think maybe it comes back to the choices. What does it mean to be part of the community? I know i went to the clubs to find others like me - we (Jesus I'm about to sound old) didn't have cell phones and apps to do that part for us.

I guess I misunderstood the choices. I'm guessing you're in a large city, where I am not. I did the bar scene when I came out at 27. I still do the parades and I got married to a man and we have three kids. I think my available reality of what is a gay community and what yours is may be two different things. I also didn't feel like I was just a guy who has sex with a guy. We have a Gay Community Center, but we don't have the time or money to be very involved.

True, but you have some options. First is the Heirloom gear that speeds up your leveling. Second, transfer a main character. Or three play a little to see if you like it still - with the cross-realm groups you can play with others who aren't on your server, but you can't help the guild along.

We'll keep a space open for you, Sam 😉

The new Battle For Azeroth expansion drops next month - so if anyone is thinking of coming back to the game or if your guild has given up - Luck in the Shadows on Proudmoore is waiting for you! If you play and don't want to move, feel free to add me as a friend - Jaketull#1733. I mostly do 5 man content, some lfr with the occasional raid. I enjoy hitting up the older achievements and mounts, etc. If you've earned an Allied Race character on another server, come level up with us!

You know what's funny about this to me.... Every time I see a thread where someone is looking for an old story, I look. Not because there is a chance I'll remember a story - I can't remember what I had for breakfast. But I always hope it's one of mine. Yay! It's one of mine!

I work full time and have three kids, so time can be a problem. I'm a night owl, so I end up writing when the kids go to bed. When I have to travel for work, much of my time is spent lost in thought and I usually develop characters or stories in my head when that happens. I'm not the type who can force myself to write, but it happens more easily when I have an idea and feel compelled.

A deleted scene, quite powerful. We didn't see it in the movie because the scene that precedes it and sets it up wasn't included, either. https://www.buzzfeed.com/krystieyandoli/this-love-simon-deleted-scene-will-make-you-feel-all-your?utm_term=.mqAMv3MWV#.qyjG4WGoR