Dodger

Wow, never thought about that, but you may be right. Just don't expect it every time. I would like to say that everything's going to be swell from now on, but you know that I would be lying, so hang on in there. Thank you for the comment, Randy.

Well, you know, nothing is achieved without sacrifice, but I draw the line at Maple Leafs, they just look ridiculous!

I'm not sure if Albertan's (if that's what they call themselves) are rednecks. I have to be careful what I say here though because I have friends and some family in Calgary and friends in the South (US). Let's just say that Canada has its fair share of homophobic, racist bigots and a lot of them funny enough (like Don) seem to originate from other countries. Not saying that he's one of them though. You're right about Sue because I don't see her allowing the boys that kind of freedom again in the near future, although they may be able to see a bit more of each other and stop having to lie all the time. They just have to keep their clothes on.

Well yeah, how could I not allow Sue to redeem herself. She's annoying; you're right about that, but she has shown in the past that she cares and there has been nothing to suggest that she's homophobic in any way. Robbie tends to overthink everything and worry about problems that aren't there, but we still have the two males in the family to contend with and that should be interesting. Thanks, Tim.

Does 'we' mean Don as well? I can't say for sure. Don has his own agenda, but there hasn't been a lot so far to suggest that he will fly off the handle. I think that he will have a lot of opposition in the family if he does, but we'll have to wait and see. Thanks for the comment.

I think that Robbie was looking/expecting Sue to say something. He was already pushing it as far as he could but you're right the doughnut bit was as blatant as it gets. It's a shame that he couldn't quite get up the courage, in the end, to actually come out and tell her straight that he was gay, but I think that he was ready. Thanks for the comment.

Of course not and I didn't have to do any research for this either but I guess it would be kinda hilarious!

It was obvious from the beginning that being in a relationship with Nathan wasn’t going to be easy, and perhaps our biggest problem was finding somewhere to be alone. Most of our personal conversations happened on the phone or by text and since our one and only date, we had been presented with precious few genuine opportunities to be intimate with each other. It was rare for us to find sufficient time alone even to talk, let alone indulge in anything more physical, yet suddenly, without any real

Thank you so much for the links, Lisa. Very helpful sites, especially the growth charts. I think that he's going to be a big dog! He seems to have had a good reception here and completely unaware of course, that he has become a mini-celebrity on a gay website.

Good chapter, I'm a bit behind as usual but I'm enjoying it. Cornelius is cool.

"I am keeping my presence in the Forums to a minimum, and will focus on the thing that originally brought me here- reading great stories." It's the best thing you can do, believe me. It's what I've always done. I've seen some of the crap that's been going down here lately and I'm not interested in bitching or pulling hair, it's a drag and a total waste of my time. You will never see me attack anyone on this site in public or spread gossip, that's not the way I do it. I've been through that stage as a kid and it doesn't do anything for me anymore. Looking at some of these forums, well, I have to be honest, I've had better times watching paint dry! Having said that, I have participated, when I happen to see something that I find funny, interesting or educational. You are one of the few that fits into all three of those categories and a big asset to the site and other members. You're definitely one of the guys that I enjoy seeing here and reading what you have to say. I try to get along with most of the people here and the really cool ones like you, respond, but the ones that don't, well, that's their loss. I'm glad that you decided to stay Drew because quite frankly, it's a lot better place with you in it.

Great advert, ours are so boring compared to the Scandinavian ads. I would definitely have this guy on speed dial and he would get a generous tip!

This is very true and you make an interesting point. Of course nowadays, if you go to Tim Hortons with five bucks you're lucky to come out with any change at all, but that's inflation for you. It was wrong of her to put pressure on you to donate, but I know that's what they do. There are many reasons why people choose to give or not to give to certain charities and people shouldn't feel the need to explain their decision to complete strangers who are, after all, asking them for money. Most people have a charity that for whatever reason, is particularly close to their heart and they will do whatever they can to help, but giving is very personal and these people should recognise this fact. Also, it was a bit cheeky of her to say 'even just a dollar is fine'. I don't know what the value of a dollar twenty years ago, would be today, but it's definitely more money than anyone should be expected to put into a random collection box in Tim Hortons.

You're right. I will keep the name (Banjo). It kind of suits him anyway. He's only 5 months old and not neutered yet, but he's already doubled in size from the photos that I posted. Not sure how long they remain puppies though or when they stop growing?

Thanks, William, I really appreciate your comment. I'm nowhere near confident enough to have ever tried my hand at stand-up comedy. Those people amaze me; I don't know how they do it. It's got to be a lot easier sitting on your own in front of a computer than standing in front of thousands of people expecting you to make them laugh. I would be lucky to get out alive. All credit to those people. I'll keep you updated with Banjo's progress and my attempt at becoming a pet owner.

No, they're not for me. It's hard to imagine anyone looking good in them. I wear shorts a lot but these are not good and they don't look comfortable. It's a bad idea, what are they trying to do, put an end to shirtless guys in the summer?

Thanks, Lisa. I'm glad you enjoyed it. You're right, the bottom line is a bit misleading and I may have to edit or remove it before my sister sees it. She is actually my sister by adoption but was originally my first cousin, if that makes any sense. I was adopted by my uncle who is her dad. The dog's real name is Banjo, although I didn't name him. I'm rambling again sorry, but thank you so much for reading and taking an interest.

Nailed it!

So here’s what’s new. I’ve got a dog. A golden doodle or is it a labradoodle, I’m not sure, but my sister told me that it was big and hard and she must have known that I wouldn’t turn that down. I wasn’t looking for a pet, but he was looking for a home to destroy and I just happened to have one available. The alternative for this poor creature was the pound but like the fool that I am, I didn’t ask why. My sister; love her, talked me into it but forgot to mention to me that he was very hairy, very young and not yet housetrained. It’s a familiar pattern; most of the males that enter her house are the same way, but when I pointed this out, I knew exactly what to expect and although our little battles have become much tamer over the years, I rarely win. She has far too much sensitive info on me to ever be vulnerable; it’s enough to put Edward Snowdon in the shade, so I have to be careful about what I say. I’m only joking, of course, I’ve been a good boy and she loves me. She told me so. Once. At the end of a hen night that she doesn’t remember and I definitely shouldn’t have been invited too. Come on, it was a night out, I was bored and there were male strippers, although I didn’t know that or I would’ve worn my glasses. Whatever, I’m easy going and I look at it as a valuable lesson learned. Never go out on the razzle with your sister or any other member of your immediate family, and if you do, stay the f**k away from tequila and anyone who plays the bongos and goes by the name of Stardust! It’s a dangerous combination, and although admittedly rare, it’s designed specifically to trip-up complete idiots such as yours truly. Luckily, I regained my sense of morality—or survival instinct kicked in—and I was able to give Stardust the slip long before he could show me his proud collection of Vietnam War memorabilia. My sister doesn’t believe me though, and the fact that he still sends me the occasional text adds some credibility to her well-worn jibes. I don’t reply to them, but I know that I will never be able to sit through another re-run of ‘Full Metal Jacket’ without thinking about this dude. I got sidetracked; this wasn’t the reason why I decided—in one of my all too frequent moments of insanity—to give a home to this crazed animal, who was able to pull off one of the greatest impersonations of all time. For the fifteen minutes that it took to drive him from my sister’s house to mine, he successfully masqueraded as a playful, cute, quiet, adorable little puppy, the type that you see on television adverts. I was ready to find him an agent and rake in the dosh, but those dollar signs quickly disappeared along with the sofa and almost anything else that he could fit his vice-like jaws around. I’ve always been a sucker for puppy dog eyes and partial to a little playful biting every now and then, but this guy was soon taking lumps out of me the size of golf balls. My sister said it would be therapeutic, good company for me while I recovered from a recent health issue, but my stress level went through the roof and my clean orderly life fell apart. She could have given me an alligator instead; at least I would have been better prepared. Now, let's make this clear. I would never hurt the little guy or mistreat him in any way. I am way too scared of him to attempt anything that foolish. It’s been a challenge though, and one that I have now begrudgingly accepted if only to prove the family wrong. They think that I’m a drama queen and maybe there is a little truth in that sweeping statement, but walking around my house in the morning can be like strolling through a minefield and taking him out for a walk is traumatic at best. I’m no stranger to dog collars, but anyone who gets that excited at the prospect of being attached to a leash and paraded around the neighbourhood isn’t exactly stable in my book. I was told by a helpful buddy of mine, who doesn’t really know me that well, that a cute dog is a babe magnet and it’s true, but it depends on which side of the road you choose to walk down. He didn’t get my vague metaphor, but he was right, and now I’m fairly certain that I’m being stalked by the lady a few doors along from me. She has a golden retriever and when my dog takes me for a walk, I always seem to bump into her. They’re both females and overly friendly, and it’s got to the stage where I’m checking to see if the coast is clear before setting foot outside and choosing increasingly odd hours to exercise my hound. So far, it hasn’t worked and she’s managed to collar me more times than not. She’s even caught me hiding behind the recycling, or rather my dog gave me away. He doesn’t exactly help by trying to jump her pouch at every opportunity, even though it happens to be twice his age and three times his size. It’s embarrassing but as flattering as it is, if her owner thinks that I’m going to try to follow his example in any way, then she’s definitely barking up the wrong tree. Who knows, maybe there’s a nice fit, good-looking, masculine, dog owner in the neighbourhood who’s up for a little playful biting, and doesn’t mind being jumped on, licked and drooled over occasionally, plus whatever the dog does to him. In the meantime, it’s just me and my dog and despite all my misgivings, moans and the fact that he has single-handedly destroyed my life, he’s become my best friend, and I truly love him to bits. My rapid evolution into a responsible pet owner—the type that I would always ridicule in my younger years—has somewhat surprised my family. I guess that they never saw me in this role, and neither did I. The only thing that they don’t understand is why I called him ‘Stardust’. My overly protective older sister thinks she knows, but she would never tell anyone anyway. They say that dogs look like their owners or vice versa, but honestly, I can only wish I was that cute! Take a look at the pictures below.

I remember Roger Moore as Bond but only because they re-run these movies so many times. I think the first Bond that I saw at the cinema (new release) was Brosnan, but my favourite film is still 'Live and Let Die' with Moore.

Nice chapter Tim. Their conversation was very real and engaging. I agree with Litlover; Rob's advice is good.

Yeah, shame about the Gunners!

There are always fireworks on Canada Day, maybe a few more than usual on this occasion though!

At times Robbie wants to fight the world, but he doesn't need to because, as you point out, they were all there for him. He doesn't need to be so defensive.

At last some justification. I knew at the time that the Fran chapters would likely receive a mixed reaction and a lot of people voiced their displeasure. Maybe that part of the story was a bit too long but I wanted to show exactly what you pointed out. A gay teenager not only hiding but trying to deny his sexuality and almost convincing himself that it was a matter of choice and that the only way for him to fit into his new life and family was to be straight. Fran was perfect for him; she even dressed like a boy and in many ways, she was more masculine than Nathan, but of course, it was doomed to fail. Whether or not Robbie was deliberately using Fran is a matter of opinion. Thank you for your comment.