podga

I live here, so I guess I didn't count it, but you're right!

Hmmm. Let's see: Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Lichtenstein, Monaco, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Vatican, San Marino, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, FYROM, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Malta, Cyprus, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Martinique, Colombia, Chile.

Thanks, lilansui!

Kobi, I thought Xtro had responded to you on a previous post? Not sure if you saw it and got in touch with him already.

Love and Affection - Joan Armatrading Love of my Life - Queen Still the One - Orleans In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel

Happy Birthday, Dark!

Hope it was a great day, Brian! Best wishes.

I ran out of likes halfway through. Thank you all for your thoughts and wishes! I had a great day, and if I could, I'd share my birthday cake with you guys (but I can't so I'm forced to eat it all myself ) Zombie, unfortunately the SO won't let me keep your birthday present, even though I promised to regift him after a few months

Thank you, Tranqy!

Срећан рођендан! (and I sure hope that means Happy Birthday, Tranqy!)

Happy Birthday, Cyn!

Just a few thoughts on this topic: 1. If I, as an author, am to be discouraged by a "bad" review, surely I would be just as discouraged if I received it by PM. In fact, if it's by PM, all it can do is fester, because there is nobody else to see it and either frame it more positively (if it has a basis) or contradict it (if it doesn't). 2. This is a community made up of writers and readers. Just as the writers are not professionals, neither are the readers. For a reader to feel comfortable enough to leave an honest review, he/she has to feel that his/her opinion is just as valid as everybody else's, even if it's a negative or critical one. You don't accomplish that by telling them to PM the negative reviews. What you do accomplish is that sooner or later they stop bothering with reviews at all, because they don't believe you value them. 3. I see reviews as being there for other readers, as well, and not only for writers. I don't have an unlimited amount of time and I need to pick what I read. If every single story just shows good reviews, those reviews become little more than the advertising blurb on the jacket of a book. I stop trusting them. And that is unfair to the genuinely good writers. That being said, there are stories that I've read and enjoyed precisely because of a "negative" review that added some substance to the sea of "I loved it, write more!" that while nice, didn't say much at all. 4. While I might not be professional, when I post a story, I am in essence asking people to read it and react to it. I'm asking them to devote time, to think about what they've read, to open up to me and to my characters. In fact, I'm asking more of them than they ever asked of me. So now I'm also going to place rules on how they are allowed to respond to me? I think that's more than a little presumptuous.

At first, I missed the word "dental" and thought, heck no, too Gordon Gekko. Then I realized you weren't asking about suspenders.

Happy Birthday, Rob! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!

Happy Birthday!

Patrick has no control over his feelings about Ben or his reactions to him. At least, he isn't kidding himself that he does. I can understand his behavior, as well as his rationalizations. The trouble is, knowing you should have known better, saying to hell with it, I'll take a chance, when you know you shouldn't, is pretty cold comfort the next morning. Ben's motivation is less obvious to me. If he regretted certain choices, why didn't he pursue contact with Patrick more vigorously after the divorce? Why now? Is he having problems with Rob, and looking for a time when everything was more innocent? Was he trying to re-establish the comfort of the relationship with Patrick, and was then swept along by Patrick's obvious feelings for him? Has he thought any of this through? Your writing and story makes me feel so close to Patrick, that I'm all twisted along with him. The only way to know Ben is through Patrick's eyes, and you've done a great job portraying somebody who might be a user and, then again, might not. It makes the whole drama more realistic, than if it were someone obviously good or bad. *sighs* Now I suppose I have to wait for chapter 5 like everybody else.

It looks as if Rob is being a dog in the manger. The question is, who is he trying to protect? Patrick? Ben? Emily? Himself? Somehow, though, I don't think Patrick will only see him this once, or that Rob won't have some influence on developments. I continue to like the pacing on this, the extra details that bring everything together. Great job!

Louis has been promoting your story, Randomness, and I'm glad he has. I don't know why I didn't notice this when it first came out, but I'm hooked from the first chapter. And I guess the positive part is that I get to read four chapters at once, without having to wait! I like that there's a history to these characters, that they're older, but even more, I like how you're introducing them, how seamlessly you fit Patrick's thoughts and memories into the action, your smooth descriptions of those randomn little moments that speak of more (like when their eyes meet in the mirror). I have a feeling I'm going to love this!

My ophthalmologist once remarked that he was astounded at the number of people he saw, who spent hours and days researching what clothes or shoes to buy, but didn't even know what brand contact lenses or solution they used. It drove home how casually many of us have come to treat contact lenses. The risks of swimming or showering in them is a new one on me, though. And the convenience of wearing lenses (in any sport) is unsurpassed for those of us that can't correct our vision with other means. Corrective goggles are a good option for the pool, but not much else. After this article, I'll be checking with my ophthalmologist on further ways to reduce risk as much as possible. Thanks for the heads-up, Zombie!

Beautifully written, Dark. Loved the setting, loved the mix of old and new, loved the characters, loved their story and their history and the hints as to their future. I even loved what you left unsaid, and the transitions from one point of view to the other. Thank you for a great story.

Oh! I thought the previous chapter was the end. But I was glad to see this; I liked the slow moving together, how Tibial was finally ready to take the final step and how Chad had the chance to prove himself. I enjoyed the story very much. Thanks, Cassie!

Yes.

I agree with Mike, MJ. You have a right to access state and federal benefits, so don't give up on that. It''s not like they'll give you a moratorium on paying taxes, once you find your new job! Good luck!

Hello, Jake! Welcome to GA. Hope you have a good and interesting time here!

Happy Birthday, Foops!