Ron

Eleven plus two = 13 Twelve plus one = 13 The thirteen letters that spell 'eleven plus two' when rearranged will also spell 'twelve plus one.' That is one crazy factoid!

This is helpful not only for locating stories to read but also deciding which category one's own story might land in (or not land at all).

I was just poking fun because the Sunday blog had been up for several days. Not for any other reason, Bill. I hadn't seen anything that had to do with Cia at that point. But thanks for including that information.

Hmm! I may not be one of the 'originals' that you mention but I've been here a good long time (I've followed {informally} your post(s) as offered). Despite my attempt at yanking your chain, it's good to find you chiming in.

Ahem. Excuse me... It's nearly Tuesday. As pleasant as skinny dipping can be might there be something new ready for posting? What?!!! No? Somebody must have something -- please!

Why, yes, Steve I have been skinny dipping. Thanks for asking. Once upon a time in a far, far away place called Lorain, Ohio there was a Gay bar called Lambda Bar (I know, how original). This was the first Gay bar I ever set foot into. As time and distance works its magic I have lost touch with all of the people I met and used to hang with, including the so-called boyfriends (one lasted for 5 years). Now, back to the topic of skinny dipping: Occasionally on the weekends, during the summer, a group of inebriated Gay men would get into their various vehicles and drive 8.5 miles and park across from the Ford plant in Avon. There we had to traverse railroad tracks to get to a sandy beach on Lake Erie. Then all involved would shuck our clothing and dip into the lake, drunk. In hind sight it was not in our best interests. The po-po (that's police jargon) could have stopped and arrested all of us -- for trespassing (railroad ownership); drunk driving; and skinny dipping. I'm unsure which would have been the greater offense (I mean some of us were not in good shape what with this being back in the 80's before gym culture took hold ). Anyhoo, we never got caught and nobody drowned, so I'd call that having had a good time.

So... Science Fiction it is! This genre seems to meet most of the suggestions presented above with a minor adjustment or two or three to fit the 'needs' of whichever audience you intend to reach. I suppose it's a good thing I'm working on... well, I don't want to give it away just yet.

I assume it's much more nefarious. When you don't see the adds you breath a sigh of relief. Then the adds pop up again and think 'Oh!'. Then it's rinse and repeat.

As children my brother and I were taken camping several times each summer. We had a state park just outside of our village where one rented camping spots, and there was water and electric hookups for camper-trailers. Yes, the bathrooms were outhouse style but there were urinals and three toilets where your 'business' would land in a soupy swamp below. There were outdoor showers and then there was the lake and a sandy-shored swimming area, with lifeguard. This was back in the 1960's and sounds so much more glamorous than @wildone's style of camping. So, as kids it was fun as a lot of various family members on my father's side would also go camping with us. I haven't been camping since I entered my teenage years [Note: my sister arrived when I was nine-years-old and we didn't camp when she was little so I suppose that was actually the end of camping]. I do not miss it as an adult. Not one bit.

Just what the Dr. ordered for a Saturday night ... Adam Lambert has a new release out simply named: Adam. Here for your entertainment is EAT U ALIVE (yes, every song is all caps on this one).

Like others I found GA through a story on Nifty that mentioned it. I was a read only person for a couple of years until I read a story I really wanted to comment on. So, I joined up, made my commentary and then I ended up writing a few things. I've just had my thirteenth anniversary as a member last month.

Here's a good Wednesday song ... Without the lingo.

I had not heard of this. Frankly, as much as I do like the Stargate franchise I'd rather Amazon backtracked and continued The Wheel of Time series. I would prefer something new. I say that after having read the complete WoT series more than once. Amazon changed a lot and compressed a great many events and while that might not have seemed good to many of us who read the books it became rather good.

Ugh! I just saw a Facebook reel by 'someone' that the franchise was jettisoning the current directors and motivators, moving toward the original ideals of Star Trek, and doing away with the 'exemplars' of recent series. Sounds like a plan.

I've been considering buying seasons of the most recent Star Trek programs. Disc give the best picture and sound! Can any of you make the case for the newer shows? Or give me a solid recommendation for one over another? Something, anything to convince me? I have the complete original series along with Star Trek Enterprise, and I even have the cartoon series. I've watched Captain Picard (Patrick Steward) and Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) lead their crews a great many times already. Let's not forget Deep Space Nine which I've watched many times as well. And, let's not forget the movies of which I have all of them (I'm not a Trekie, seriously).

I wasn't suggesting that every story requires such a broadcast. The author is not speaking about dozens of works but one stand alone story that they are not sure will gain a broad audience. Why not vary one's options for such a story?

Why hem and haw about where to post? Just post it on all of those various venues that you have considered. What have you got to lose?!

Was it something on the order 'woke up like a douche and rolling in the night?'

Years ago when listening to this song on the radio in my car I always thought the background singers were singing 'requesting silence' on repeat, and I would sing along. I just now listened to this song with very good headphones and now I feel silly. It turns out the background singers are singing 'big boys don't cry' on repeat. I'm sure that I am not alone in making up my own words to songs, and not just this one, especially when the lyrics weren't clear.

If you're considering reading this story but find yourself put off by the sports aspect you will find this story is more about the people in it than baseball itself. This is more sport-light with baseball as a background setting than it is a heavy hitter (pun intended). This sets the stage for a grown man's realization that his world is full of contradiction and that is the main focus. How he comes to grip with the contradictions he grew up with and has been led to believe is sometimes a rollercoaster, but in the end we all come to a soft and meaningful landing. This is a good read and I highly recommend it.

Well, a happy third-time read for me. I know the author isn't responding to comments but just so you know I binge-read this today. Some say familiarity breads contempt but if you wait twelve years to read a story again ... Not so much. It would be nice to read something new from you. I'm going out on a limb and guessing you have more to offer. It's been a long time for me posting something new, but I feel I have it in me to do so. Fingers crossed for both of us.

I know you're not here anymore but that's a very good point being made.

I agree with 'Former Member' Cal's about face behavior was abrupt.

If you're into well done Sci-Fi where the science part appears as highly plausible and includes an Australia connection no-less, may I suggest reading @Palantir's writing -- begin with Attunga, I highly recommend it.

Authors are a creative people. Otherwise, we'd have no fiction to read. That creative nature isn't always limited to writing alone. In this world using your actual name on a piece of Gay literature could be used against you in a manner most people don't want to think about. So why not use that same creativity one uses to write in order to come up with a name for themselves. But, really, does any pen name actually affect an author's legitimacy. Perish the thought! History is rife with famous people using a pen name for their work. Could you be one of them one day Luca E.?