ColumbusGuy

Very seldom I have much to say, but twice in one day? I do go on! Sending a note to AC Benus just now reminded me of some of the fun things from childhood--things which due to an over-protective government now, kids will no longer be able to experience. Our children are being robbed of adventurous times and attempts to learn confidence by a schizophrenic society: overly-permissive in some areas, overly-protective in things which should not concern them. For those who grew up before 1980, you may remember this: That could have so been me on the box cover in '65! Using intense heat to melt plastic sheets, then a vacuum to form it into toy cars, planes and any number of available molds--or any small object that would fit and withstand the heat long enough to form the shape! Not to mentionthe awesome Easy-Bake ovens then--not the lame light-bulb powered later versoins! By the way, the chocolate cakes those early ones made were great--I had one of those too! Maybe I'll check ebay for one, though the plastic sheets are probably illegal now too.

Okay, first off, thanks for all the positive replies to my first entry! I must be getting sentimental in my old age, but it means a lot to me that those who are/have been perfect strangers can find something in my scribblings to comment on. I'm not the sort of person who stands out in a crowd, and don't want to. I let others be the centers of attention while I sit back and watch--not from detachment or lack of interest--but because it's who I am. Last year I found a copy of my high-school yearbook on ebay and bought it, thinking there might be a picture of me in there--there wasn't. For the life of me, I don't know how I never got a senior picture, or one in the only club I was in--Art Club for four years. I think the last school pictures I have copies of were from 8th grade...and some polaroids my sister took of graduation day with me, my best friend, and the German exchange student I got to be friends with. I won't even bother getting a copy of my college one, as I know there won't be any pictures in there. If there was a This Is Your Life episode on me, it would run about five minutes, tops. I have friends, yes--and they are very good ones, but not numerous: the adage 'quality over quantity' applies to me in that respect. I was surprised to find a homepage on Facebook about my home town, and one of the people there told me that my 1st Grade teacher still remembers me and speaks nicely of me! She was probably my favorite teacher of all time. Some other people there I knew also, and it was nice to find them again, but I won't go to a high-school reunion because the few I was close to won't be there due to distance or alas, being no longer with us. I guess this is just a melancholy weekend for me--inadvertantly started by a chapter I wrote in Jay & Miles, but then continued by stumbling across two other writers: rustle and jkeele, who both have written about losing partners, and a new friend--magicstate--who found me, but with the same emotions. Finally, pmdacey's latest chapter brought things to a head with his protagonist's coming to grips with the loss of his mother and finding a way out--or so I hope! With all this, I shed tears, thought about the things I read, and can take comfort in them, and deal a little better with my own losses. I still won't like my birthday since that is when I lost my mother in '07, and my oldest sister this year. But now, the good memories can outweigh the loss.

Oh my god--it sounds trite, but that's what my reaction was at the end. I feel so sorry for Jay...and I hope that he will realize that the way out of being 'broken' is to confide in friends like Scott and his grandmother. This has been a weekend of remembrances for me, of people I've lost (particularly my s.o. in 'o7) brought on by several authors I found by chance but each touched something deep inside. And now, pm, you have capped it off with this wonderful chapter! That was a bad year for me, losing my mom five days after my birthday, two cousins that summer, and my s.o. on 1st September. In the past year, I lost my oldest sister two days before my birthday--I hate March 6th now--another cousin and my favorite aunt. It sucks being the youngest--two cousins left I used to hang out with, and two sisters left. I understand Jay so much better than I would have otherwise...and I believe that he can be 'fixed' if he just finds a way to trust those close to him. Bring on the next chapter pm...I'm anxious to read it!

A very nice poem, Magic...it makes me feel good about my own loss. After seven years, losing Kevin still hurts--but he couldn't take the bad luck life had dished out to him anymore, or the uncaring controlling parents he was given. I have to hope he's happier now and that we'll meet again over the Bridge.

Okay, a great chapter as usual Mark...but a half-hearted 'ditto' for Gary's post. Nice to see Wade can be emotional, but that he would ask Alex out as a ploy to make Matt jealous seemed too quick for him. It was nice too that it gave Alex a chance to express his intentions toward JJ--but it still makes me uneasy: he won't intentionally hurt JJ, but he is operating without regard to his family obligations. Though JJ is aware of those, he is still going to get hurt. Conclusion jumping here, but I was concerned about your mentioning that major drama was still to come--and I have the feeling that it is going to be Zach and Will; you gave us a minor scare with Wade/Matt, Brad doesn't really face personal drama so far, and JJ/Alex have no issues between them yet--so that leaves Z?W with the most potential trouble to unfold, possibly from Parnell, and you've been putting them sort of on the back burner a bit lately. So, what form it will take and when is up for grabs, but I think our hogh-school couple are going to be the targets--I hope I'm wrong, because Will seems to have found the man he needs...but it is just open to potential drama. Eager for the next round--hopefully (with trepidatioin) a look-in on the Will channel!

I'm sorry I just discovered this...I'd only just joined GA when you write it, so wasn't aware of much...it's just over seven years now since my boyfriend did the very same thing...I can feel every single emotion you are putting into this, much better than I could have. I hope this is helping you cope, and I also hope that it can help me after all this time. It's something I just locked away, along with a couple other things too painful to recall.

I am SO waiting for the next chapter! This hit me on two levels: the suicide and the kitten both. My last s.o. killed himself, and prior to that, I had two siamese siblings, one a well-behaved girl, while her brother was into everything. If he could jump it even as a kitten, he'd try. That's how I lost half my cat figurine collection--he tried jumping onto the fireplace mantel, but couldn't quite reach it, but he did grab onto the cloth covering it--I managed to reach him in a second to stop the whole thing hitting the hearth tiles, but couldn't catch them all and the kitten too!

Only been canoeing once--senior class high school trip--that taught me to never do it again! The trip itself wasn't so bad, except for the mosquitoes, the hot sun and the massive sunburn Other classmates got a barrel of laughs out of tipping people over at a couple points in the river...pretty scary for a kid who can't swim! I'll stick to walks on dry land, or a larger boat with a motor. Please write some more--you are really good at spooky atmospheres!

Wow Russ...I checked this out after seeing you 'friended' me. I'd not have found it otherwise--but I'm glad I did. Only two stories in four years? With a talent like this, I'd love to read more...just try not to make me cry again.

Not my usual stuff, but I'm gonna give it a try. The 'australian' tag caught my eye and so I looked in. Sounds like this might be a scary ride. You certainly paint a picture with few words!

***Sextus invites Memnoch to move into Green Acres, much to Hylas’ dismay; in Pompeii, Giton moves into Philon’s house since his ‘keeper’ threw him out--a message arrives for Philandros, and he takes it to Green Acres.*** Philandros twisted around in the pool, taking hold of Hylas' hands. He looked into the boy's eyes and saw deep emotion there...anger--and hatred? He kissed the clenched fists until he felt Hylas relax a bit, then leaned in so that their faces were cheek to cheek. He nuzzled t

What a great chapter! I was so afraid that Jay was going to run completely away from Scott...and I'm glad that he has a person to confide in--if he will allow it. I'm sorry to say, that at the moment, I don't like Devon or Dani...they both seem too superficial and Devon also strikes me as being a fake. Jay needs something else in his life right now, and I hope Scott will be the one to provide it. Being a rock may feel safe, but it will get awfully lonely...Jay needs to see that he has a second chance here, where no one knows his past, and he has a grandmother who loves him. That could be more obvious to him if she would attempt to pry a little more, but some people just aren't the type to do that.

I plan on my next post being more about the 'aftermath' of Miles' experience, but not quite sure wht's going to happen, or where. Jay was so worried about Miles that I don't think he realizes what else went on that afternoon at home.

I plan on my next post being more about the 'aftermath' of Miles' experience, but not quite sure wht's going to happen, or where. Jay was so worried about Miles that I don't think he realizes what else went on that afternoon at home.

Wonderful prompt Kitt--I was expecting just what the boys were--butI laughed out loud when the end came!

What a wonderfully sad story, Valkyrie. Just enough detail that I could see it happening, and evoke true sympathy for Mark, who doesn't even appear except on paper.

A great chapter, pm...I'll wager that Devon doesn't remember the night, but Jay will drive himself nuts anyway. Can't wait for the next one!!

POV: Jay, Jay Why is today of all days, turning into the day from hell? I was so happy when I woke up--I was going to spend the evening with Mikey--we’d eat pizza, goof around some...then maybe, I’d get to kiss him! I couldn’t help thinking back to Wednesday when I drove him home: I had been angry when he didn’t show up by the bridge the night before...when I tried to ask at lunch, he just looked down at his tray and said he’d tell me later. In Miss Jones’ art class, he said he had h

Mid-50s cars had no safety features. This is long before breakable dashboards--she had a dark grey metal monster with loads of chrome and a massive steering wheel--in a wreck, the other car might do some damage, but you had an equal risk of your own car doing you in. While the first scenario is most likely due to automatic processes, there is a third option for rescue.

You hit it exactly Tim. Greg is more open, but does that mean he just wants sex, or is he also looking for something more? We know very well what Miles wants, but will he recognise the real thing?

Was it, or wasn't it? Only Kurt knows for sure.

I received several such calls in high school--believe me, they were a shock to me too! It was weird with one because I picked up the phone in my parents' room--didn't have my own phone until later. That one didn't go over too well!

Life seems to like throwing obstacles in the way, whether real or in our heads...we can hope.

We were so lucky in a way back then, you only had to worry about kids in your own little circle. And in my town, that was a pretty small group.

All is not lost--the next chapter will be up sometime Wednesday! We don't quite know why he is so vulnerable, but I'd wager his vision problems play a big part in that. He is honest, caring and intelligent--just the right mix to be really hurt by others actions whether they are intentionally malicious or not.