Ron

He should have done a creepy ride.

My sister said she turned around and walked back inside afterwards and that was it. Later she worried that something might come of it but apparently no noticed and no said anything. She didn't brag about it at work. She was just pissed off when she told me. We are close so that's why I heard of it. edited to correct spoonerism, I keep writing no as know today for some dam reason.

That was trashy if it was the real reason and well... trashy if they were making excuses to avoid a tip as well. My sister used to waitress and people were awful with their tips. She tells of one particular group of what she described as five middle age women. They arrived at the beginning of the lunch crowd and held the table socializing for nearly two hours. The entire time they were there she was kept running for more this or more that and could you do this and oh, honey would be a dear and... My sister did not have just their table to wait on, not mention the table should have turned over twice at a minimum during the time. They ran her ragged and at the end, she ended up with a two dollar tip. She was so pissed off that she ran outside and handed the money back to the woman who took the bill and said, "Here, you must need this more than I do." This happened at one of those family style sit down restaurants so at the time this happened, the check would probably be around a $100. Luckily, the women didn't make a fuss and complain about it.

I'll take the Kleenex suggestion under advisement, Lisa. I'm so very glad that you found my story moving. What nice things you say. Thank you for your review.

I see that I did miss the welcome of Voleuse and Con. I've seen your avatars around. Glad you could join us. Ricky, I hope you aren't slipping at the ripe old age of 54. Remember that little friend request you made?

Welcome to the fold, A.Morell. It's a good group of people you'll find here. Who doesn't like a good romance?

Elbow Grease!

I had an interesting conversation with a couple of young gay men in their early twenties a few weeks ago. They both work in a local coffee shop a short distance from where I live, in what has now essentially become an ex-gayborhood known as the Southend. First a little general background notes on my neighborhood. The Southend was once upon a time, not such a nice place to live in. In fact the city of Boston once tore down a huge swath of it in the name of urban renewal and yet it remains the largest extent area of Victorian architecture in the US today. During the 60's it began it's journey into gentrification and gay men and women were among the first to set the pace. It became a draw for other gay folks and soon enough it was a neighborhood very similar to any large gay population in other cities of it's time if smaller than some. Sex was easy and there were so many men and yet even with different tastes, they managed to create a community and a culture that was theirs. They knew that it was us against them and they stuck together and stuck out because of it. Of course AIDS came along and cut down another huge swath of Boston, only this time it was in lives. This began a change in the human architecture of the Southend. With the loss of so many and gentrification already well on its way, more straight people began buying up properties and prices began to rise even more and more quickly. Young gay people and those less educated with the jobs to match could less and less afford to live here and moved away. One could say that the downward spiral was well on its way for the gay community, but also the old culture. By the time that me and my partner moved to the Southend at the end of 1999, prices for condos were outrages and for what we had to pay then, you could have bought 5 or 6 entire townhouses in the 60's and early 70's. Just a few short months prior to our move the last bathhouse in Boston had closed and the new Southend gay culture was becoming one of wealth and internet hookups. Which brings me back to the two fellas in the coffee shop. In the course of our conversation, they lamented the fact that the gay men that lived in the Southend all dressed well and behaved a certain way. I can see how they might come to that conclusion, that somehow the gay culture has become somewhat exclusive. That you have to dress a certain way or behave a certain way in order to fit in where as before that wasn't the case and from the outside it may look like just that. It is true that guys tend to dress well in my Southend but it is also a reflection of their socioeconomic status, you can't have a bad job or be poor and live here well. The gay men that live in the Southend can afford to live here and they are often well educated and not necessarily super young. Those young gay men are just starting out and for them the future of gaydom, at least when exemplified by those in the Southend, doesn't look very bright. While that may be the case, it is also a reflection of what it takes to live nowadays in a city. Gay culture has changed, there is no doubt about it. There isn't the need for community that there used to be. You no longer need to go out and meet new people to get laid even if you have the time to do it. If you do go out it's probably to network job opportunities or socialize with friends. Feeling sexually frustrated?, hop on the internet and you've just ordered home delivery of whatever flavor you like. Another way our culture has changed is that we no longer see ourselves the way we used to. People can poo poo gay pride all they want but it has made a difference. We very well may not need a gay culture anymore, but I for one will lament its loss and the community that it provided. edited to correct a spelling mistake.

Nice to see another Milos fan. I had a conversation with him back at the beginning of August. He said that 'Lem' was emotionally draining for him but that he was hoping to get back to editing the original work which was posted on Nifty, though perhaps in a rougher form. I've not been able to make myself read the nifty postings as I would prefer to read what the author considers his best version. Private Tim is right. 'Lem' is a great story, although Lem and Mattie are just reaching the cusp of adulthood the subject matter is very mature. KC Grimm's story 'Pour Me Another' is another great story that is in process and once you catch up you can follow along with the rest of us, and not everyone is gay in it either. Though I hesitate to mention a story that is unfinished, I will say that Viv's story 'Underneath This Big Ol' Sky' covers both youths and adults, gay and straight. Even if the end never appears, which is a sad thought, it is absolutely worth the reading.

It's unfortunate that the sad parts of the story seem to take precedence over Devon's great artistic triumph. I'm glad that you gave him a chance to shine at the beginning, Andrew. Something nice needed to come from this chapter.

Thanks, Joann. I appreciate your words.

I'm very happy that you like the story, Podiumdavis. Thank you so much for the review.

Stephen, thank you. You're so nice to keep reading.

I'm perfectly happy to let you win. It's all about where the words take you. Thank you for your review, Knotme.

Sandbox By RL Hunter Thomas Aaron Gage or Tag as known by his initials is six years and one week old today. If you asked him what the highlight of his birthday was, he would tell you that it was the video call that he got from his daddy. It was the bestest day ever according to Tag. Today like most days during summer vacation, Tag woke up earlier than his mommy did. Dragging his teddy bear, Mr. Winkles down the stairs a thumpa, thumpidy, thump, he made his way to the kitchen f

First impression - There are a lot of insecure young men in this video.

Yes. Yes they are. Thank you for commenting, Colin.

I'm sorry? Thank you for reviewing, Aditus.

Glad I could help, Joann. Thanks for the review.

I tackled Prompt 276 as well. Here you will find 'Affection'.

Affection By RL Hunter Mark sat alone in the sunroom looking out at his back yard and feeling sorry for himself. If he were not at work, he would prefer to be out having fun in the city somewhere with his boyfriend. Instead, on a beautiful sunny day he was sitting on his wicker couch with his leg propped up with several pillows on the coffee table. His friend David had left to pick up some ibuprofen at the drugstore a minute or so earlier after helping him prop up his leg and opening s

Nor should anyone want to take away your albums. There is enjoyment in vinyl to be sure and the album artwork can be fantastic. Keep in mind that they can also be transferred to digital and that is great if they are unattainable on CD and you want to listen to them on the fly when you are not at home.

Just so you know, 28 months after posting, you still have readers for this story. I finished 'The List' in 4 sessions and it was an interesting adventure. At first the sex stuck out like a itch that needs a scratch and it was highly arousing. But just like watching too much porn, over a few chapters the sex became... well, not boring but another facet of the story. Then I realize the story had been leaking in all along even though the sex could be misconstrued to be the thrust of it at the beginning. You tell the story in a exciting and lively manner that doesn't bog down when it gets a bit heavy. That is truly a sign of a good craftsmen and story teller.

I used to rent a lot and Blockbuster was one of the places I rented from. Now like a few of you I use Netflix and a bit of Amazon Prime but I mostly buy the BluRay disc of the movies and older TV series. It's cheaper to buy a movie for two people and watch it at home than to watch it in the theater. It's a trade off for screen size but I can go to the bathroom anytime I want and not miss a thing. Additionally most movies include a digital copy nowadays so I can pretty much watch movies anywhere I want. I do occasionally buy or rent a movie or TV series from Apple iTunes as well. It's curious that some have mentioned cutting cable TV. I attempted to do that this summer with Comcast Cable. Unfortunately, my internet cost would have increased. It seems that my internet comes at a subsidized price as long as I maintain the basic TV portion whether I use it or not. Internet + Basic Cable TV (includes HDTV channels) = $60.00 Internet alone = $69.00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! KC