Ron

There is a reason they call an orgasm the 'little death.' Some people are just wiped out after an orgasm. I'm thinking you have a better understanding of what that saying means than you used to. And maybe a greater appreciation for your skills, W_L.

Nope, glittery, you're not the only caffeinated person here. I drink four to five cups of coffee a day on average. Usually, I make it myself using an aeropress and 16 grams of finely ground (though not Turkish fine) beans for hot and 17 grams for cold -- there is usually more water involved when icing coffee. No milk is added because milk adds another dimension to coffee beyond its inherent sweetness that isn't always desired, beyond the occasional foray into some of Starbucks offerings. I do add artificial sweetener to cut coffee's bitterness. I drink Diet Pepsi during the day, too. All of this changes after 6pm, no caffeine after that, I sleep to lightly otherwise. For every article that I have read (I read all that I spot on the subject), one will be negative for every ten that reads more positively about coffee and caffeine. Cheers.

I agree with you that having a place to go can be comforting. I wish more people had those places, too. Now, you're ten years older than me, you have a different perspective than I do. That perspective covers not only years but geography as well, and then there is the additional difference of self defined sexuality. What do L.G.T.B. spaces mean to you personally. If comfort alone is your answer, I think it a fine response. If you'd care to offer further insight toward the topic, it would be most welcome. In any event, I have no desire to pressure you or anyone else. Thank you for your response, Bill.

A recent New York Times article titled “Finding ‘My Most Authentic Self’: What L.G.B.T. Spaces Mean to You” posed a question. I thought it a good question to ask and I took time to think of just what answer to offer, if only for myself. Then again, I thought that it was a good question to ask here on GA as well. WHAT DO L.G.B.T. SPACES MEAN TO YOU? I grew up in a small town in Ohio during the 60’s and 70’s, and what I knew about being gay amounted to very little. What I did know was only what I heard, mostly overheard, from family members who often had gained the knowledge from someone else. All of the information had a scandalous quality, which, to a young boy, made it very interesting and made for big eyes, an occasional hand over mouth moment, and called for lots of giggles. And not much other thought. It was when I grew into my teenage years that things changed for me (as it does for so many) and by then I knew that what I was feeling wasn’t something that could be shared. I did the girlfriend thing, it wasn’t difficult; I liked them; they were fine. I learned how to kiss. I learned how to kiss well, so I’ve been told. The few fumbling acts of actual sex with a female convinced me that this was not for me. What’s a boy to do? I was twenty-one when I stepped into my first gay bar, my first L.G.B.T. space. The bar happened to be located in our county seat which was only a thirty-five minute drive away. Lambda Bar was located in the ground floor of one of the downtown city buildings. The entrance was a single, nondescript door and every window (storefront size) was boarded up halfway and blacked out. The sign was a pink triangle having the bar name above it, not too big. I drove past the place during the day. I came back one night and parked, watched the place, and for the people that might come and go. Finally, one night after building up the courage, I walked in the front door of my first gay bar. I walked directly into what might generously be called a closet (no pun intended). When the door closed behind me I was standing in a small square space with a sliding glass window in front of me and having a locked second door to my right. The window slid open. An older woman, in her late 40’s I later learned, stood behind the window. She looked me up and down before asking ‘You know this is a gay bar, right?’ I think there may have been a gulping sound heard coming from me, certainly a hard knot went down as I swallowed before nervously nodding my head, yes, and paying the cover charge of two dollars to get in. I didn’t care what those two dollars bought for me, I wanted out of that closet. I wanted something bigger. What I found inside of that bar was something bigger than I had ever imagined. The bar itself wasn’t bigger than any of the local bars in my hometown. From the front you could easily see all of the way to the back where the dance floor and a raised deejay booth was located. What was most different was that the place was packed wall to wall with people. I remember feeling overwhelmed, not a little awestruck, by the loudness of the music and even of those people that were dancing and socializing like it was the most normal thing in the world. Gravitating to the quietest corner seemed like the best move ever and there is to where I made my way. There, in the quietest corner, is where I knowingly met the first man who was just like me. My kind! I went back to that bar, again and again, for years. It was in Lambda Bar's second location (a few buildings away) that I met the first man I was to fall deeply in love with. I branched out and visited other bars and clubs in other cities. Every single one of those places offered me the same thing. I could be me; no hiding. What do L.G.B.T. spaces mean to me? Freedom! Every time, I'm free.

Oh, the drama! Nicely done. I like how you start with a little relationship angst, move on to evasion with family and friend and add mystery into the fold, and then follow through with a full-blown drama. Exciting!

I offer a different take for comparison's sake. Force yourself to write out of your comfort zone. You'll write differently, sure, but perhaps not as poorly as you think. In addition, you might find yourself paying closer attention to the page than you normally would—not a bad thing. As a result of these efforts, you may create something unexpected and wonderful.

I'm thinking that worries about popularity and readership regarding sexual quantity on Nifty isn't really worth your time—but to each their own. You can always write two versions. Sexual acts in a story aren't necessarily a death knell. You can include a sexual act or scene just fine if it's integral to the story or the needs of the characters. Of course, you can also write sex peripherally, that is, by acknowledging that the act took place but not delving into detail. Sex is a part of life, whether that be included as part of a space opera, drama, or detective story, etc. The point, as it were, is not making the sexual act the point of the story, or, in fact, the specific scene—but another facet of the whole—you see? Sorry your get-together was a no-go.

Yes, I'll watch it if/when it shows up on Netflix and I'm bored.

It's almost easy to believe that not much time has passed for these two characters. We all know how easy it is in the beginning, how impossible it is, to not be able to get enough of one another. Yet, here we are and a considerable amount of time has passed and the same can be said: they can't get enough of each other. This chapter sort of, kind of, is where the jello begins to set, for me. This is where the bond—the cohesion—if you follow the metaphor, really locks into place. These two are in for it, now, no doubt. Though sex might have seemed the glue, I didn't find that to be the case. It is a fine testament to your writing that the sex was proof rather than reason. Well done!

So... your characters have a way with words, do they? Thorn Wilde has a way with words, too! These characters are certainly unlikely lovers, as yet, but you manage to humanize them in such splendid fashion that I buy into them. What more can a reader ask for?

I find it inexplicable that I hadn't hit the like-button on this chapter already, nevertheless it gave me the opportunity to do so this second time around—and to comment, too. Yippie! This beginning chapter is quirky but enjoyable. That you've managed to bring together two fair disparate characters in a semi-vague way and then go on to make their second meeting appear plausible is remarkable.

In 1980, the gay guys I was hanging with were using Aramis and Drakkar Noir for the most part. Those two fragrances seemed quite popular among those that wore perfume. Personally, my go to fragrance was Paco Rabanne, at the time—I avoided guys who wore perfume (cologne is perfume, guys)—but even wearing that was short lived. Don't forget that even amongst the fragrant crowd, there will always be those that refuse to wear fragrances, and more power to them, I say. So what I'm saying, additionally, is that it's okay to have a character that doesn't indulge in perfumery, and mentioning that your character has made that choice is just as revealing, if not more so, than saying your character uses this or that fragrance. It's a bold statement, of a sort, so don't be afraid to use it. I will add that it's nearly impossible to avoid scent in antiperspirants—believe me when I say that I have tried—so it's very likely that your male characters will end up smelling like something, however light that scent may be. In the morning that scent may be strong-ish but later in the day, less so. It's all good though because even this can be used to an author's advantage.

Don't cross your eyes or one day they'll stay like that.

Yes, some people are irresponsible on a frequent basis and are cavalier with their sexual practices, but let's remember, too, that infection can be just one mistake away. Perhaps you drank too much, partied a little too much recreationally or maybe somebody worked very hard to get you that way. Forced rape is also a possible cause. Then there is the path of intravenous drug users sharing needles. The truth of the matter is that we shouldn't play guessing games and people in the field of medicine should definitely not being playing this game.

That's so your lips don't slide off, Drew.

Find out just where your birthday falls in p. Insert your six digit date (monthdateyear) to find out. Mine falls at the 1,940,060 digit mark. Does that make me way out there? Wait, don’t answer that! My p Day Edit to add: I just found that the pi symbol shows with Chrome but not with Safari. That means some of you not using Chrome might just be looking at the letter P.

I used to play that game at a local pizza joint. What brought that up?

The story does raise a question. Ryan is attracted to Brady, that much is clear, but a young gay man is not likely going to be that clear about his intentions with a jock figure unless given some hint of mutual interest. Yes, I've read deeper into the story than is mentioned, but the question remains: What is it about Brady that gives Ryan reason to believe something's there? I like your story, Craftingmom. I think you've captured what it is like to place someone you look up to, in this case a father, so high that you fear to do anything that will disappoint, even if that means not being true to who you are. Being the one looking up puts you in a very difficult position and I'm glad there was no easy answer for Brady in this short tale.

I liked your story, Parker. You've managed to tell a fictional tale of life that is much more complex in reality than most would care to witness, let alone live through, and you delivered in an admirable way.

I can see the numbers but that doesn't mean they have any real significance. Just as with any "unofficial" study, the parameters (if any) aren't stated. What sort of comment is considered anti-gay or -black, by the way? A question that doesn't seem to be given consideration. Also, there could be a certain number of people who consistently (and vehemently) make derisive comments about gays. The same can be said for some bigots who are vociferous about their hate. Are these comments counted as one for each person, or is each tweet counted individually? Drpaladin writes that the study was based on origin, which indicates location only and which is a very good measure for the purpose of this study. Because, I say, overeaching was the study aim, and for that reason, it is spot on in its purpose. I see no good reason here to pass judgment on entire cities, no good reason, at all.

I convinced a good friend to go out and eat at Mario Batali's restaurant Babbo Pizzeria e Enoteca in South Boston for lunch. I said, "Hey, it might not be inexpensive but this day only comes around every four years. Let's go for it." The food was delicious and well worth the expense and the headache of finding a parking space.

Congratulations on your promotion, Cynus.

Nice review, Tim. I think you have captured quite a bit about what makes this story such an interest keeping and entertaining read. I know I looked forward to getting the notification for each new chapter as the story was being written. This story is one of those I would like to have on my Kindle. (Hint-Hint)

From the practical and realistic view, consider your future based on economic demand. If you look at the US infrastructure—falling apart and/or failing—structural engineers may soon be in high demand. That is (though a seemingly slim chance) if our elected government officials can get their collective greed under control, but I digress to some extent. I'm guessing this would also be a rewarding career personally. Imagine looking at the finished product, a bridge say, and think of the sense of accomplishment and pride in having had a hand in building something like that. Wow! I imagine the money isn't bad either. Another way, also practical and realistic, is to look at everything based on financial impact alone. Not as rewarding personally, I think, but you may see it differently. If you can find a way that combines the two, both professional and personal reward, you may find the Holy Grail of careers—at least for you. At the end of the day, though, there has to be demand for what you do, and this brings us back to my original thought. That is my two bits.

In every obituary I've read, those that list Alan Rickman's accomplishments do not mention the movie Galaxy Quest. Mr. Rickman played the character of Sir Alexander Dane playing the character of Dr. Lazarus. By Grabthar's Hammer ... what an actor. Anyone who enjoys a satirical Science Fiction romp will appreciate the acting delivered by each of the cast members but Mr. Rickman's delivery of droll humor and dry wit is exceptional.