Timothy M.

I though Zach was supposed to be clever. But for all his ability to manipulate other people he sure falls hook, line and sinker for the great manipulator (ED). Idiot I'm not sure Will calling in the heavy guns was a good idea, but it certainly ups the drama.

When you invented it of course...

That's an even better explanation! Oh and I'm out of official likes, so have a Kitt like ® :

Oh we all have issues and insecurities, but sometimes they pale compared to what other people experience - and that is a healthy realization. So even though I'm ashamed to say it, you make me feel lucky, because I know I have an easy life compared to a lot of other people. But the good side of that selfish admission is it makes me more determined to be supportive and tolerant and caring and understanding - and it's somehow easier to achieve too. I don't know why... Never worry about venting or complaining to me, by PM or otherwise (and that goes for all my GA friends). I may try to offer logical and useless advice, I might try to cheer you up in my tactless Danish way, and I may say insensitive stuff because I'm not good with emotions or reading between the lines. If you want me to know what's going on, you'll have to be blunt. But I'm loyal and I don't give up on friends. I'm all for giving space and time, and I'm not one to take the initiative to ask how you are (sorry), but I'll be here waiting and ready to take up where we left, the moment you want us to. I'm in your corner, always.

Yeah, I agree with AC, you've done well with the changes and additions, even if our ch 5 reviews come across as weird as a result. Sad to hear about their dads, but I guess that explains why Micah never met his father, and I was all ready to hate the guy for that. Even if you split up with your kid's mother there is no excuse for not keeping in touch. Except for this one - and I hope Micah and Kev will get their revenge. Please don't let us wait too long for the next chapter, I really want to see how Micah develops.

I had to force myself to read this chapter again, AC. and even knowing what was to come didn't help the terrible cenching of my guts and the heart ache from reading. But I guess it's a tribute to your abilities as a writer that you can call forth such emotions: We brighten a bit with the fun between the brothers even as we worry about the shared Christmas memory that has them apologizing to each other. Like Lnc we don't want to visit that place, but like him we cannot help it, we must know what happened. We wrinkle our noses in disgust at the smell of rum - did you know that surveys show that kids can be emotionally scarred by their parents being drunk, mainly because it takes away the feeling of being safe and cared for, which all kids need. So even if teh parents are not violent or aggressive, small kids still get scared to see them lose control and do stupid stuff. And bigger kids who are forced to take care of their drunk parents, grow up too soon and lose out on the childhood they should have. We gasp in horror as the ornament slips and shatters - and our trust in the Holiday spirit of Christmas shatters along with our hearts breaking for Linc and Jackson and the destruction of their hope of having their parents' love. We wince at the awkward scene in the hospital: the uncomfortably bright light, the false cheer of Dr. K., the realization that his authority as a doctor is what brought the sibs here - and perhaps the knowledge that Mrs Shaw would NEVER forgive them, if they did not get tested as donors. After all, their shared genes make the sibs the most likely candidates, even if we'd prefer a total stranger to be the savior of Jack, rather than them. The small respite of the snowglobe moment soon dissolves into more discomfort as Jack confronts Christie on the matter of impersonal gifts from strangers versus well-considered gifts from loved ones. And so the scene is set for the next bout of unpleasant gut-wrenching and urge to rant and punch someone. We cringe at the sharing of gifts, and even the small moments of fun and caring cannot be enjoyed because of the blight of the sibs. Yet my favorite image comes from that part: a sea of torn wrapping paper roiling under a tangle of seaweed ribbon. We applaud Mrs Shaw for her retaliation: if the sibs cannot give personal gifts out of love, then they don't deserve to receive them either. We also applaud Jack for not ignoring the elephant in the room, even if the reaction of Hamish is 'an arctic blast' that makes us shudder and wilt and freezes the last remains of sympathy for them - even if Christie seems to be experiencing a bout of doubt and regret. Finally they leave, and Jack is surrounded only by those who have the best for him in mind. Was it intentional that this chapter was built in exact reverse of the previous one? There we had beauty and warmth all the way until you hit us with the shock - here we have uncomfort and dislike most of the time until you give us the sweet ending of love and togetherness and make us wonder whether there is still a proper Christmas spirit to be found. The two half hearts fitting together made me think of this quote: Therefore they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.

My main objection to all of this is why any Parnell out for revenge would go for Zach?? And the same if we're talking Black Widow in the shape of Mrs Danfield or any of Brad's enemies. Or even Stef's or JP's enemies. How would threathening to ruin Zach's football career and or his relationship with Will be revenge on the older generation ? Stef and Brad are rich enough to buy their own F...... football team and make it a condition that gay players including Zach would have to be accepted. I know that would fly in the face of history, but my point is that at least Elizabeth Danfield would not waste time on such a silly plot. I think this Parnell guy is a red herring. And anyway he was with Zach's old team and not where he is now.

I guess I haven't thought about it, because blonds are the norm here. All kinds of blonds, though, not just the stereotype white-blond. Hmm, maybe I should suggest for Mark to tour Scandinavia ?

I liked all the preparations, including the plans to have Jim's parents stay with Neil's parents. I hope they tell Mary and Phil how they were disappointed in Jim lying to his girlfriend and breaking her heart but they were OK about him being gay, even if they might have been sad about him not being able to tell them before now. I'm still waiting for someone to realize that Phil has been laid off due to his reactions in May; Neil obviously didn't catch on to the fact that Tony visited during a time when Phil would normally have been at work. On the other hand, Tony was expecting to see Phil, so perhaps what I'm saying is wrong? In any case I can see Jim's parents asking Phil about his job, so it may all come out there. I also think taking Ty and Karen is a great idea, perhaps Ty can tell Neil and his parents and Karen what it's like to have a real nasty bastard as a father. I think Ty needs to talk about it, but on the other hand we don't want him to get too upset the day before the grand final. I laughed about Clarissa having to admit she was still working on finding common grounds with Deon, but I guess the question is academic if they stop dating when Deon gets drafted. I can't help hoping Jarrod and Mary give it another try. They are both so young that they can work on finding mutual interests. Now if they come from very different backgrounds, it might be harder. Mary would fit in well with the other girlfriends, I think her and Stacey might find common ground, and Karen would help too. Great stuff about the Lilydale community rallying behind the Club and I simply love Matt and Gary. They are the kind of sponsors all clubs must dream about having. I hope the Leopards can give them the reward everyone deserves, even if I did feel a twinge of worry when Matt said they'd won the most important battle, even if they lost the final. None of that please ! Great chapter and I'll even take another one building the anticipation before the main event.

Oh Benny ! I don't know whether to smack you for being an idiot or hug you because you must be feeling so bad ! Such a terrible mistake... And we still don't know if Benny will be able to convince Calvin to forgive him and be his (boy)friend. Please hurry up with the next chapter, CG. Thank you for Linda's POV - but what happened to the Psycho shower scene?

Ahh, yes, so it was. and Brian got shot in the back of his head while being fucked just after he'd come. somehow I got them mixed up - perhaps because they looked alike (small blond guys)

No, I'm quite flattered that you manage to forget most of the time - in spite of my profile pic.

Tillykke med fødselsdagen lots of Danish birthday flag waving and cheering

Ehm, as far as I recall Brian was wanking in a motel room and just as he came (reached his peak), the sniper shot him between the eyes. (not in the back of his head). But I'll go check in Millenium when I have time. He well deserved it, he was evil (outed Matt to his parents, plotted with Brad's enemies etc) - and he was one of JP's weak spots, ie caused him to make faulty decisions.

Didn't a sniper shoot him just as he reached his peak? Or was that someone else?

Michael being so bored he decided to fix Candy's vacuum cleaner and tidy up her apartment made me chuckle. And luckily it played perfectly along with the game Kendall was developing. He played all his strengths indeed: his compassion, his intelligence and logical mind, his decency and honesty, the attention to details while still keeping the main goal in mind. And they were rewarded by winning the whole pot: Getting the papers signed and having Candy realize that she would gain more by playing nicely along. Perhaps she can see that having M&K acting as friendly acquaintances is a lot more advantageous than having them as enemies. And I'm sure Janine will do her best to reinforce that impression. Everything seems to be falling into place and we all sigh in relief. But we still want to see all the loose ends tied up. Eg how the hockey team and other friends of M&K react to them being a couple, more interaction with Chet and Arron, perhaps another visit to Kendall's parents, as I'd love to have them meet Carson's partner. And of course you know what else I want to read...

Well, HAHA is what I'd say in Danish, so it looks perfectly fine to me.

Somehow I know she is purring in cat heaven to thank you for all the love and care - and for not letting her suffer. You did the right thing, and though it hurts I know you'd always put her needs before your own. To me that is what defines a perfect pet owner. Any cat will be lucky to have a place in your Home and Heart.

I agree completely. However, according to Mark, Ryan already knew about Zach. But I have to admit it seems less than plausible to me, and I wonder why none of his betas / editors questioned it. Oh well, I guess I'll have to accept Ryan as trustworthy, even if I dislike him. LOL

So Will now outed Zach to Ryan as well? He's being rather lax about keeping his lover's secret. Or did Ryan know already in spite of them not being close for months? Oh well, at least Ryan has his own shit to take care off, and I'm glad Wil could dump him on Jeff.

I'm sort of breathless right now, after this whirlwind of a relationship and emotional rollercoaster. Wow, that was intense. I wonder what will happen next.

Nope, nothing about that so far.

Ooops, sorry your presents almost made me forget I prefers blonds. Almost... (I need to get back to Rob. And Jacob. And Peter )

So many interesting things in this chapter. I'm beginning to like Brendan and Isaac a lot, and I'm still at how events conspire to keep them clueless about Ty's change of character. Although I almost feel sorry for them, they'll be so annoyed when they realize after the Blues pick Ty as a first round draft. They'll be almost as surprised as him. But of course there is still time for the whole secret to unravel, but I sure you'l come up with new fun smokescreens. Their talk about Dave was good to hear, both for the fact that the team doctors are keeping matters conficential and in relation to the support offered by the mental heath organization. Oh and the guess by Isaac was spot on, but I was impressed with the way he deat with it. But it shows that Dave's secret may not last - and the scandal loving muck media and other cockroaches may pop up at the most inconvenient time. Fingers crossed that it will be after the grand final. The discussion between Deon and Clarissa was great, she laid out the rules, but at the same time she told Deon he was important enough for her to include in her decisions. They are very good for each other, and I think Deon will be a lot more successful as a football player with Clarissa by his side. Any chance she might want to move to Sydney? She could share a flat (apartment) with Liam. Or both couples could share. I'm sure both Liam and Neil's parents would feel much better if Clarissa was there to boss the boys around. I agree with lux, being with the brat was a great way to let us follow the game. I enjoyed Peter's instructions too, he really is a great coach, and I hope he ends with a well-deserved win. Of course all of them deserves this - and one of the benefits will also be that the stupid sponsor who left at the end of last season hopefully regrets his decision. I hope the radio station tells their listeners to turn out in droves to support the Leopards, and I'd like to see some Purple Bombers too. It' going to be soooo exciting !! Peter's chat with the brat about the Mum nickname was cool. Of course we know why he does not want Julie's authority undermined in any way, but his reasoning woud apply even if he didn't hope Julie will become the head coach after him. And these kind of talks help Ty mature as a person and as a vice-captain. We tend to forget he's still young and impulsive, but that's OK as long as his heart is in the right place. Did I forget anything? Oh well, that's what the forum is for. Ahh, yes: Great chapter, Graeme, I can't wait for next Saturday.

Aww, CG, I love your passion and I can see your point. Now I hate shopping, but Dawn and Jackson almost had me like the experience, and it was sweet to see Dawn soften towards the eager boy. But still, I wasn't as immersed in the holiday spirit as you, so the shattering of it by the news didn't hit me as badly. But the irony of them buying Christmas presents for Hamish and Christie on behalf of Jack Anyway, I'm wondering what motivates Hamish and Christie: are they doing it, because they want the spotlight? Does Hamish want to get back at Lincoln for hitting him and callng him a bully? Do they do it from anger against their mother who valued Linc and the relationship of Jack and Linc above them at the Thanksgiving dinner? Is Christie furious about the humiliation of walking in on Jack and Linc due to her own mistake and the way her Mom refused to agree with her disgust? Or are they simpy hateful and stupid? Are they winding each other up, unable to see their bigoted views and lack of compassion for Jack for what it is: the childish payback for both actual and perceived slights, and confirming their actions as 'right and proper' rather than a blatant act of spite and a declaration of war? I did have some sympathy for Jack's siblings, because I felt that Mrs. Shaw had wronged them, but nothing excuses this move. Nothing ! In a way I think this will hit Mrs. Shaw harder than Jack. He already knows his sibs hate him, but she has refused to acknowledge it and deal with it (other than scolding them and telling them to be nice). Oh, and we still have to find out whether they named Lincoln publicly.