Ron

Clearly Mr. Fry is not a professional interviewer. This first episode would have been more effective were he, or had he, taken along a neutral, experienced interviewer and Mr. Fry had reserved his thoughts for comments or the odd interjection. As it is, the episode is a bit jokey even when it needs to be serious with the people that affect the lives and well being of many. In fact these people in power may be the cause of the murder of countless innocent people. Relying on emotion alone does not make this show effective. It tugs at the heart to be sure but it is not necessarily more informative than anything else one can get through various news venues. The odd thing I find about this was the 'star' interviews. Elton John and his husband offered almost nothing beyond personal anecdotes. Neil Patrick Harris was maybe slightly more informative but only as to issue of gays playing straight roles. He was quite balanced in his remarks but both 'stars' live in a rarefied position. And let's not forget that each of these famous people had a following before they came out. They are far removed from your average non-hetero individual. Quite frankly, I almost turned it off before the show moved to the US segment. What is the reason for this show? Or, at least this first episode? I ask myself this as I watched and I really couldn't come up with an answer that satisfied me. edit: by innocent, I include those who actually are non-hetero because there is nothing wrong with them and those that are falsely accused, guilty by association or for political convenience.

It is very easy to be negative when you have options. Without them, whether it's a real lack or an imagined one, it is very difficult to be optimistic or move forward. Sandy, no one needs to tell you what to do with this man that you're in love with because I think that logically you know what you should be doing. There is no doubt that it can be extremely difficult when the head has to over-rule the heart. Unfortunately this is one of those necessary times. I wish you well.

My choice of cocktail is a Sezerac. This is how I make them: US measurements 2 oz rye whiskey - I use Rye 1 because I cannot find Sezerac rye in Boston 3 dashes Peychaud's bitters 2 dashes Regan's orange bitters 1 tsp simple syrup - I use equivalent sugar substitute 1 tsp absinthe Mix the rye whiskey, bitters and sugar or sugar substitute in a glass. Add ice cubes, stir 30 seconds and remove ice cubes. Add absinthe and twist of lemon, swirl and discard lemon twist. Drink Gin and tonic in the summer. Occasional gin martini (double olives) in the winter. Red wine for dinner anytime.

There are problems even in the most gay friendly areas of cities. I live in the South End area of Boston which is perhaps one of the most gay friendly areas of a city that is pretty tolerant as a whole. Yet we have gay folks walking home from the bars or just leaving a friends house getting attacked every so often. It has been because of nothing more outward than holding hands. Suddenly a car pulls over and people get out and beat the couple up, sometimes causing very bad injuries, and calling them all kinds of awful names as they beat them. This has happened and it was perpetrated by people who came into the city for a little fun and they were on their way home when they saw the couple. That was the reason, they thought it would be fun! Some have been followed after a nut job saw them come out of a neighborhood gay bar and have been sucker punched in the head or hit with a brick or pipe that happened to be lying on the sidewalk. The victims have reported that they were told why the person assaulted them by the assailants themselves so that's how we know the reason why. It's shitty, it doesn't happen all of the time but when it does, it scares the crap of you when you think, that could have been me. Living in a known gay friendly area can be it's own problem. People looking to hate, know where to go if they feel like doing some damage. There is no rhyme or reason to the victims.

I would like to think that I look better than a true zombie, if only a little. There is also the issue of the lack of zombie chatter other than the odd grunt or moan. Which I am not entirely sure wouldn't be better for us on certain days in our interactions with other people. Then we have the whole zombies always bumping into each other thing. If it weren't for their attacks upon the unwary or slow people they wouldn't have any other source but the bumping and the moaning for interaction. I much prefer the human touch and in the end I think we are quite lucky, aside from the drudgery of course.

There is a lot of confrontation in this chapter and not a whole lot of resolution to offset it. I hope that's on offer in the next chapter and a quick wrap up with this story-line is on offer soon to connect it back with the main story. I'm real glad to see that you have Cal pushing back a little at Cody after he tells Cal that he's falling in love. That is a peeve of mine, people falling in love at first sight that is. It's not a very realistic thing to have happen. So, good job with that.

Thanks for the note. It's perfectly understandable, I'm happy to wait too. Cheers.

Even if this is not your usual story telling style, it is a lovely tale. Although, we have haven't heard the end of the story really, only the beginning. It could all end horribly after all but I don't think that would make anyone happy. Including you. Cheers, well done!

Now this just made me both sad and happy in turn. I feel sorry for Jacob and the meaningless sexual engagements, one after another till he meets up with a situation that gives him a bit of a shock. He really doesn't have an easy time of it letting himself be loved, does he. I like a feel good chapter as much as anyone else, as long as it isn't too feel good. There is enough angst, uncertainty and humorous moments to keep this and them from falling into the latter direction. Still, it is a testament to your writing of these amazingly difficult and complex characters that I may or may not have dropped a couple of tears in happiness for them. Cheers!

It was interesting, learning the reasons for and why Marcus' marriage didn't work. We could certainly speculate for both and probably be fairly certain of being correct, especially for the latter but it is nice that you fleshed that out. And, who hasn't made the odd, drunken phone call? It was well done giving us the opportunity to hear in Marcus' own words what we had previously been informed of through narration alone. That humanistic touch was a plus. The ending was sweet and I enjoyed Jacob's confession of love, even the damned cursing was sweetly done.

Happy Birthday Ghostboy Chris!

belated. Happy Birthday Kitt

You wrapped this up nice and neat. There certainly was room to embellish the story and create more chapters but it is very nice as it stands. You gave me a few chills and a shiver. What more do I want or need in a Halloween tale. It was a great little story, Bill. Thanks.

If you were to combine where I grew up with where I live now, you would get a: Cornhole Marathon! <- well that's something

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Rustle!

I couldn't get past the finish of chapter two of the Swimming Pool Library. Curiously uninvolving is a good description.

I am glad to here that the issue with your Grandmother's housing is straitened out.

I'm pretty sure I did not get the faintly coded message in the cartoon, Sasha. Perhaps the faintly coded message below is easier to understand. Ride a save a horse!

Umm... a, yeah... yeah, sure

I wondered who was behind that Spartan.

Well that was just a bit of bliss, wasn't it. These two are like magnets floating along on their uncertainty until they get close enough and BAM they align and slam into one another, then lose their polarity and float just long enough for a little tenderness, regain polarity and slam into one another again. Thorn, this was brilliantly written. Marcus and Jacob have aged well and yet retain so much of themselves.

Between Lisa's review and your reply I find myself at a loss to add too much of anything constructive. Perhaps an observation wouldn't go amiss. This background story leads me to re-examine everything I thought I knew or had figured out about Marcus and his behavior. I have never been able to make a true connection as to why Marcus behaves as Marcus behaves. Sure home-life, experiences growing up and where you live all have a reflection in whom each of us becomes as an adult but these are all supposed things. We attach them willy-nilly to anyone that exhibits ant-social behavior. There is an underlying reality in this chapter of his life. Marcus is so very vulnerable on the inside. Everything outside of this is defense mechanism. All of it carefully, perhaps unconsciously and rationally crafted, or constructed if you will, to protect that vulnerability. After all, if nothing can get in… I accept this to be my conjecture, that this may not be your intent to portray Marcus in such a light but this is what I draw out of this chapter. Well done once again, Thorn.

Here is an interview with the director. There was an awful lot of work that went into this movie. I have not and most likely will not see this movie in the theater, it does not sound that great from reviews but it isn't hard to admire the technical details. http://www.wired.com/underwire/2013/10/center_of_gravity/

Happy Birthday!