LittleBuddhaTW

So, I've already shipped two big boxes of books back home, and I never thought sending them by surface mail would be so friggin' expensive. I had a third box to mail today, which was considerably heavier than the previous two (I have some massive dictionaries and reference books). It was a miracle that I even managed to get it to the post office without throwing out my back. And so I get there, and they tell me it's overweight (maximum weight is 30kg), and to go home and re-pack it into two separate boxes. I told them in no uncertain terms I was not lugging that thing back home and redoing it, and they'd better give me another box and let me do it right there ... I think they were surprised at how ... uhhh ... "forceful" the 'stupid foreigner' was able to speak to them in their own language (the Chinese and Taiwanese believe that all non-Chinese races are barbarians ... they'll *say* they don't, but they do ... they constantly go on and on about their '5,000 years of glorious civilization' ... bleh) ... well, actually languageS, since I used a few choice words in the local dialect (Taiwanese) to get my point across. So, I finally ended up shipping two boxes of books, both heavy as f***, and got a migraine from the whole experience. Not exactly a pleasant outing ... and I still have quite a few more boxes to ship, and it's getting expensive. Surface mail is supposed to be CHEAP, that's why you have to wait 50-60 days to get your package, but it's like US$70 per 20kg box. I'm sooo NOT happy right now. In other news, my M.A. thesis is DONE. All of the corrections have been made and it's all printed out. I just need to take it to the printer to make bound copies next week, then turn it in to the Chinese department and wait for them to call me and tell me when I need to take the oral exam. SOOTB Ch. 11 was posted, and yes, it was not a "happy" chapter. Kitty and I both knew that it would elicit a very emotional response, hence the reason we decided (well, Kitty decided, I just do whatever she tells me! lol) to post Ch. 12 shortly thereafter. So Ch. 12 will be posted on Saturday evening, so for everyone who's having a fit about the ending of Ch. 11, just RELAX, take a few breaths, and wait for Ch. 12 to come out. In other story news, I'm working on Ch. 15 now and it's coming along well. I think once I've gotten through Ch. 16, I might try writing another short story. And a big thank you to all of you who have stopped by my new discussion forum. It's really taken off, and I'm very pleased with it. The number of postings, replies, and hits have already surpassed a number of forums that have been here for a while, so that's been a really nice surprise. I never expected SOOTB to be so popular, and I've enjoyed all of the comments and the whole writing-editing-posting process. I'd never thought of writing fiction before, but I can now safely say that I've found a new hobby that I really enjoy. I just hope the next serial I decide to do can live up to SOOTB ... it'll be hard to do. Somehow Dom seems to do it, but I am certainly no Dom Luka. *sigh* Anyway, I need a stiff drink and a nap right now. It's been a rough day!

Let the chapter speak for itself before judging. Everything that is written is in service of the narrative. I don't go randomly causing pain to the characters for the sheer pleasure of it (except in the chapter of "Service" that I wrote ... but that's a special exception). Chapter 12 will be out soon, so just relax.

That's absolutely horrible news. My thoughts and prayers go out to Green and David for a speedy recovery, and to Chaz, who must be absolutely devastated.

I didn't say it would make everything from Chapter 11 all better, though ... maybe you should hold off on the rejoicing until you read the chapter ... Buddha

You're pretty harsh there, Kurtie! You haven't even given poor Cody a chance to explain himself ...

LOL, Dan you really are evil! hehe But never fear, Chapter 12 should be up in less than 48 hours!

The symbol of "water" in literature is a fascinating topic, representing both "cleansing" and the "feminine," among other things. I like that kind of deep imagery in writing. I think Lugh makes excellent use of symbolism and imagery in his work. As for typos, we all have them ... Kitty goes over my stuff twice, and I re-read each chapter/story several times in addition to that, and I frequently still find a typo here or there after I've posted. It happens to all of us, and it even happens frequently in officially published writings.

Well ... that was ... ummm ... honest ... *shrugs*

I am, three. Especially you and Kurt, who have just come roaring out of the closet like gang-busters ... something it took me until age 21 to have the guts to do. You guys are great! Keep being brave, but be safe too! *Hugz* Buddha

Dan, how scandalous!!! He's only 15! :wacko:

Very insightful, Dan. I had a somewhat similar reaction when writing this chapter of SOOTB and then later the chapter of "Service." Both were very disturbing, but "Service," for some reason, was easier to write than this. And for those of you who were disturbed by what happened, it was probably more disturbing for me to actually write it. As other authors can attest to, you tend to become "attached" to your characters when you write about them over a period of time, and "Connor," even though he isn't real, has certainly had an effect on me, and it's difficult to have to be the one that inflicts the kind of pain on him that he's had to go through so far. It's also been difficult for Kitty ... I recall that this one and Chapter 5 made her particularly emotional. I'm hoping she'll have a comment on this chapter from her perspective, both as a reader and an editor.

I don't mind at all ... I'm glad someone's started a topic besides me! lol And no, it won't sway me at all ... in fact, I think Kitty even already knows who Toby will end up with, so she'd better not vote in the poll or it wouldn't be very fair! lol Buddha

LOL ... it wasn't that bad! hehe

Thanks! But my thesis is done ... all printed out and will be on its way to the testing committee next week. So ... plenty of time for writing! hehe

Ok, ok ... I decided to be nice and post a little early ... http://members.gayauthors.org/littlebuddhatw/SOOTB11.html This is an intense chapter, so I hope there will be some good discussion ... lots of comments and discussion means Ch. 12 will be posted faster ... hehe ENJOY! *Hugz* Buddha

For anyone who hasn't read it yet, "My Coming Out Story" (yes, it's totally true) is also posted on my web site, so feel free to read it (it's not long), and I'd love to hear what you think: http://members.gayauthors.org/littlebuddhatw/coming_out.html Maybe then everyone will understand why I adore Elton John as much as I do. Please forgive any editorial goofs, since this one didn't get Kitty's magic touch, but it'll also let you see how important Kitty is to the finished product of my writing! LBTW

Hehe ... that would be Thursday evening Eastern time (US), which would be early Friday morning my time. If you happen to have a copy of Elton John's 1976 album Blue Moves, I would suggest getting it out and putting it on while you read this chapter ... But ... according to Dan, Chapter 9 of "Service: Vampire Jarred 2" will be posted this evening (Wednesday night, Eastern US time), so you can all read that to keep yourselves occupied. That's what I'll be doing! hehe

I've finished tweaking the set list for Connor's performance in Ch. 11 ... the songs he plays are very important to me ... hehe So ... Ch. 11 should be up on Thursday evening, and Ch. 12 by the end of the weekend.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KURTIE-POOH!!!!! And, as a special present for you ... ------------------------------ I was kind of surprised at getting an invite to perform at a birthday party, and I can't say that I was exactly thrilled, although getting paid to do it made the decision a little easier. The idea of a room full of rowdy teenagers wasn't really my idea of a good time, though. The parents had insisted that I play "Happy Birthday" for their son, Kurt, who was apparently turning sixteen. But I wasn't some performing clown, I was a real musician, dammit! So, of course, I would sing whatever the hell I damn well pleased. When I got to the small banquet hall that had been rented for the party, I was pleased to see that this kid's parents had acquiesed to my demands and rented a Roland RD-1000 digital piano, and it had already been hooked up to the amplifiers, and the microphone installed as well. It was positioned in the front of the room (or at least I took it to be the front), and a large "Happy Birthday, Kurt!" banner was hanging above it. People were already filing in and sitting down at the numerous round tables that were scattered around the room, so I figured I'd better go change into my "stage clothes" and get ready. I found a small room where I could get dressed, and put on the new outfit that Ryan had bought for me at the mall the previous week. It was an all-black suit, much nicer quality than my old one, and had a Medusa image made out of rhinestones on the back. I finished off my ensemble with a pair of plain black sunglasses. Just as I was stepping out of the changing room, the woman who had identified herself as "Kurt's mother" told me that it was time to go on, so she quickly led me back into the banquet room, where by now all the seats had been filled. She told me to wait at the side of the room until she made a little introduction, and then it would be time for me to go on. "Everyone, can I have your attention, please?" the woman said. "I'm so happy, and a little sad, too, that my baby boy is growing up so fast." The boy standing next to her, who I assumed to be Kurt, looked like he was about to die from embarrassment. Poor kid, I thought. But instead of being the jerk I expected him to be (I tended to think everyone was a jerk until they proved otherwise), he looked like one of the sweetest kids I'd ever seen. He had kind of curly blond hair, really big, beautiful eyes, and a very genuine smile. The blush was certainly cute, too. After giving Kurt a kiss on the cheek, his mom motioned for me to go over to the piano. As I sat down on the piano bench and adjusted the microphone, I suddenly decided that my previous choice of playing Elton John's "The Bitch is Back" wouldn't be so appropriate for someone who looked as sweet and innocent as Kurt. So, I made some quick adjustments to the digital piano to provide for some soft synthesized string sounds, and switched it into 'regular piano' mode. My choice was going to be Stevie Nicks' "Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You." As I began to play the opening bars of the classic ballad, I made it a point to quickly lower my sunglasses and give Kurt a wink and a big smile -- I was always the consummate showman! Has anyone ever written anything for you In all your darkest hours Have you ever heard me sing Listen to me now You know I'd rather be alone Than be without you Don't you know Has anyone ever given anything to you In your darkest hours Did you ever give it back Well, I have I have given that to you If it's all I ever do This is your song And the rain comes down There's no pain and there's no doubt It was easy to say I believed in you everyday If not for me Then do it for the world Has anyone ever written anything for you In your darkest sorrow Did you ever hear me sing Listen to me now You know I'd rather be alone Than be without you Don't you know So, if not for me, then Do it for yourself If not for me then Do it for the world Poet...priest of nothing ... legend ... Poet...priest of nothing ... legend ... "Happy Birthday, Kurt," I said into the microphone as I played the final few chords. As the audience applauded politely, I got up quickly to leave. As I was leaving, however, I noticed a really attractive boy with kind of dark, curly hair walk over to Kurt and give him a hug, and a kiss on the cheek that seemed to linger just a bit too long. "Happy birthday, Kurt," I heard the boy say. "Thanks, Tom," Kurt said with his adorable smile. THE END ----------------------------- Happy Sweet Sixteen, Kurt! *Hugz* Buddha

D.C./Northern Virginia doesn't have gambling ... you could move there ... And I really like the name "Cody" for some reason ... you definitely need to go back to that restaurant, and BE AGGRESSIVE!!! BE AGGRESSIVE!! Work those hips, honey! You may be moving soon, but a little romp in the hay wouldn't hurt anything! Much love as always, Buddha

I certainly don't have writer's block, so you can check out my stories, too ... "Someday Out Of the Blue" (serial) and "Seeking Nirvana" (short story): http://members.gayauthors.org/littlebuddhatw/index.html Ch. 11 will be posted this week, with Ch. 12 a couple days later ... so I won't make ya wait! hehe (Now that was a really horrible shameless self-plug ... )

Perhaps they could go to a Tantric sex (learning how to achieve enlightenment through sexual ritual) camp next? That would certainly keep with the whole "spirituality" theme ... Just kidding! LOL ...... I think ... LBTW

Haha ... Dan has been a good friend. And he convinced me that baseball uniforms can be really hot! lol Maybe I should have made Ryan a baseball player instead ...

Yeah, but it hasn't even been posted yet ... :wacko:

Heheh ... it will be out by Thursday evening at the latest, I promise ... there's actually one little part that I'm still tinkering with to get just right. But it still would be great if Xandra_kitee could do that logo for me by then (hint, hint )