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wildone

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  1. wildone
    Hi Everyone, a little late today as I was sleeping on the job Renee has taken some much deserved time off and will be back later.
     
    This week in the GA News Blog we had a couple of different posters.
     
    Monday started off the week with Cia announcing the May CSR Feature, London and Love By Carringtonrj. The invite is out to all to read and then review and discuss this 45K story later on in the month. Make sure to add it to your reading lists for this month.
     
    Wednesday, I made a special appearance on the Blog to discuss new guidelines regarding the posting of images and links to the site. Due to recent events GA has to change and enforce these to ensure our revenue stream continues to make the site nearly 100% free to Members and Guests.
     
    Friday the Weekly Prompts were missed for a week for a big announcement. AJ let us know that Cole Matthews is now a Signature Author!! Congrats to Cole and make sure you visit this blog post or his forum post to ensure you pass on the congrats to this much deserving Author.
     
    Anthology Announcements:
     
    ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team**
    2016 Summer Anthology: Wicked Games - Due May 26th, 2016 2016 Fall Anthology: Blindsided - Due August 26th, 2016 2016 Winter Anthology: The Forgotten - Due November 26th, 2016 All Pre-2016 Anthology Themes - Due December 14, 2016

    Premium Updates:
     

    Journey's End by M.A. Church; Book 2 of The Harvest *Premium*
     
    Signature Updates:
     
    No Flash by Cia
     
    Innocence & Carnality by Mann Ramblings
     
    From the Cup of the Worthless by Cynus
     
    The Best Year by Krista
     
    Black Widow by Mark Arbour; Book 16 of Chronicles Of An Academic Predator (CAP)
     
    The Secret Life Of Billy Chase 9 by Comicality; Book 9 of The Secret Life Of Billy Chase
     
    GA Writing Prompts by Dolores Esteban
     
    Leopards Leap by Graeme; Book 3 of The Lilydale Leopards
     
    Promising Updates:
     
    Morningstar: The Malaise by Headstall
     
    Falling Apart by craftingmom
     
    Gay Metal by carringtonrj
     
    One Hundred and Fifty-Five Sonnets AC Benus; Book 5 of Verse
     
    ...And All Shall Fade To Black by layla
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  2. wildone

    Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

    By wildone,


    News Archive
    On the site for the last while there have been discussions with the members on the public forums as well as privately in our Staff forum about the use of pictures and what is allowed on GA and what isn’t.
     
    As a site we strive very much on keeping most of GA free for all our members and guests. Our main revenue streams are Premium Membership and ad revenue from Google Ad Sense. Our Premium members contribute monthly or yearly to help defray the server costs as well as the helping to run the popular contests as well as soliciting Premium works. Google Ad Sense is applied to the site needs the same way. The staff are all 100% voluntary, giving generously of their time.
     
    We have been evolving as a free webpage over the years, from our early beginnings to our current format which will be updated even more in the near future. One of the aspects of the site that is very popular is the Gallery Bar at the top (if you haven’t closed it) of the Forums page. Those pinned images also take visitors to the public member galleries with personal albums where there are even more pictures.
     
    Recently an active topic started up in the Lounge where we got down to what constitutes a copyrighted image and what kind of images are allowed on the site. If you haven’t seen that topic or would like to read it again, it can be found here. Mentioned in that topic is that Google Ad Sense has some certain rules regarding what images can be allowed when shared with a Google Ad on the same page. If you click through our pages, you most likely will see a Google Ad at the top or bottom of the page. This helps create the revenue to keep the site free.
     
    Google Ad Sense rules are what we, the Administrators of the Site, have used as guidelines to protect our ability to use their program. They are:
     
    Not allowed:
    Nudity Strategically covered nudity (eg: arms and legs covering genitals or breasts) Sheer or see-through clothing Lewd or provocative poses Close-ups of breasts (women), buttocks, or crotches Partially clothed underage persons (below 18 years of age)

    There will always be images that push those boundaries, and we, as a site, will now be more proactive in monitoring these basic rules. These will be for images posted to our galleries, images in member Avatars, Blogs, and also but not least, images linked in stories or topics. We included the last rule because as a site we strongly discourage minors from posting images of themselves. This is a basic internet safety precaution and we will continue to stress this. These images won’t be banned, but we ask that underage members take into consideration their own personal internet safety by not posting searchable images of themselves or friends who haven’t given permission for their image to be on site.
     

    Going forward, you will be notified of these rules when uploading pictures in the Gallery and on your profile for your avatar. The no links rule will be upon the individual members to police themselves and, if reported, the Forum Moderation Team will investigate. In the past the FMT hasn't really leveled warnings as there was a grey line on what was allowed. Hopefully with these clearer rules, we won't have to investigate more because members will understand our reasoning and adhere to the rules. Please also understand that we know you can turn on any major sports channel and see male divers/swimmers in their ever revealing speedos, but this does not constitute what normal dress is. If you want to post a picture of shirtless male, we don't want to see him in either his underwear or his speedos.
  3. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    So have you woken up today with a candy hangover? Or worse, for those of age, a real hangover from partying too much? Well time to pack away the ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and drama queens (like that will happen ).
     
    We had a little different week here at the GA news blog for this most festive weeks of the year.
     
    Monday saw our monthly CSR Discussion Day. This month we not only had 1, not 2, but 3 stories, hahahaha (done in my best Count voice). Three stories were up for the month to be read and commented on. Gee Whillickers, Cynus and Bill W were our featured Authors. Cia asked all 3 some questions about their own experience with Halloween and how it played into their stories.
     
    Wednesday was a very, very, very special treat with Renee giving us our 4th Word Search. If just the thought of doing a word search hadn't scared you away, then the fact that she scrambled up the words that you had to find must have sent everyone screaming and pulling their hair out. If you didn't get it all figured out, here at least is the unscrambled words:
     
    Ghost, Pumpkin, Happy Halloween, Candy, Costumes, Bats, Spiders, Spooky, Trick or Treat, Scare, Jack-o-lantern, Haunted, Mummy, October, Witch, Vampire, Skeleton, Boo, Haunted House, Candy Corn, Monsters, Werewolf, Goblin
     
    Friday was the most skariest Prompt Me! in a long, long, long time, as I had to do it for the first time. Actually it wasn't too bad as I took a couple of Comicfan's previous prompts from a couple of years ago. Both were creative ones, the first being a First Line of "Because, I'm leaving you". The second was using a Tag of 'Murder'. There may have been some insinuation that I may be eliminating certain staff here at GA, but I'm totally innocent . We also looked at prompts from the previous week by JohnAR, jamesavik and albertnothlit.
     
    Anthology Announcements:
     
    ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team**
    2015 Winter Anthology: Blackout - Due December 3rd

    By our Promoted Authors:
     

    The Degan Paradox by Rob Colton; Book 3 of Galactic Conspiracies *Premium*
     
    The Holly and the Ivy by aditus; Book 1 of The King's Mate
     
    Reece's Choice by Renee Stevens
     
    GFD 12: Blood Ties by Comicality; Book 12 of Gone From Daylight
     
    Sword of Kings: Tempered by Fate by Bill W; Book 3 of Sword of Kings
     
    The Caretaker by Rob Colton
     
    Fortitude by Cia
     
    Innocence & Carnality by Mann Ramblings
     
    Avery & Matt shorts by craftingmom
     
    Aber Zombie and Finch by Graeme
     
    Veil of Shadow by Stellar; Book 2 of unnamed
     
    PIERRE and the AMBIGUITIES – A Filmscript by AC Benus; Book 7 of The Secret Melville
     
    Toy Soldiers by Dabeagle
     
    Grip by Topher_Lydon
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  4. wildone
    Hi Everyone
     
    Turns out that I'm helping out in a pinch with this weeks Prompt Me! blog entry. Our prompt guru Wayne, aka Comicfan, and Renee are shall we say 'indisposed' for now.
     
    Since I'm not an expert here, I thought I would copy a Prompt Me! that was originally posted on October 17, 2013 by Comicfan. I thought why not give this another go to share your Spooktacular writing skills with all!
     
    Prompt 270 – Creative
    Tag – First Line
    “Because, I’m leaving you.”
     
    Prompt 271 – Creative
    Tag – The Murder
    You had been invited for a vacation, and happy to get away from your daily life quickly took it. Once you were dropped off at the island, you found you were one of only four people there. All of you had been invited, but none of you seemed to know the host, and you all seemed to be stuck with no way off. There was the fully stocked house, a pool, and all sorts of luxuries, but no phone service and no way off till the boat came back. That first day was great until the storm hit, knocking out the power. You went in search of everyone else, the group of you all came upon the body of one of the other guests. Who committed the murder and why? Will you survive to get off the island?
     
    And no, I did not murder Renee or Wayne or Cia......yet
     
    Last week there were 3 responses to the two prompts given, lets take a look at all 3.
     
    Prompt 457 Creative: "To say you loath spiders would be a gross understatement. However, you woke this morning and couldn’t see out your window, there were spider webs as thick as a curtain just outside your window. As you make your way around the house you see them everywhere outside. What is going on that you have so many spiders at your house?"
     
    We have this Halloween themed story by albertnothlit called The Pact
     
    Prompt 456 Creative: “How did I forget his birthday again?”
     
    First was an entry by JohnAR in his 41st entry in Metaprompts
     


     

    Second was an entry by jamesavik which is a continuation of Cadet Cruise
     

    Remember the prompts are here to help you write, explore new ideas, and try things you might not otherwise attempt. For our readers we ask that you comment on any story you might read, hit that like button, and tell your friends what you have enjoyed reading. Nothing like helping to boost a writer's readers like word of mouth. 'Til next time, be safe and be well.
  5. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    So the seasons have changed from Summer to Fall in the Northern Hemisphere and from Winter to Spring in the Southern. Hoping that you are enjoying the changes in your area Shall we see what happened in the GA News Blog this past week?
     
    Monday was our monthly C S R Discussion Day with Cia doing an interview with Graeme. Some different questions were asked by Cia and then you, the readers took over and asked your own questions of him. Although there is a major time difference it went over without a hitch. How many times have you been able to have your answer come back before you actually asked it in time?
     
    Wednesday took a different spin for our Premium Discussion. Cia outlined how any of our Writers who may be motivated to write a Premium story for the site can, and how you can earn cold, hard, cash for your efforts! This is great opportunity for our Authors to receive some revenue or receive help in getting your completed story so it can be published. Once again, this is small way that we thank our Premium members for helping keep the vast majority of the site free for all.
     
    Friday had the prompt guru Comicfan give us our weekly dose of Prompt Me! Two new prompts were shared by Wayne. First being a list of words for a creative prompt; an apple, a farm, hay, a horse, a diamond ring. Second was another creative prompt of 'A Fair' . This week Wayne shared some responses to the 'What did he just say?' prompt by featuring Puppilull, ATrueFan, Parker Owens, James Savik, Thecalimac as well as Timothy M. Looks like it was a good response.
     
    Anthology Announcements:
     
    ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team**
    2015 Winter Anthology: Blackout - Due December 3rd

    By our Promoted Authors:
     

    The Degan Paradox by Rob Colton; Book 3 of Galactic Conspiracies *Premium*
     
    A Fool's Thoughts by aditus
     
    2015 Prompt Responses by Valkyrie
     
    Fortitude by Cia
     
    Reece's Choice by Renee Stevens
     
    HMS Valiant by Mark Arbour; Book 7 of Bridgemont
     
    Sword of Kings: Tempered by Fate by Bill W; Book 3 of Sword of Kings
     
    Destiny - a novel by AC Benus
     
    Cosmic Inception by Cia
     
    Innocence & Carnality by Mann Ramblings
     
    Gay Metal by carringtonrj
     
    Global Explorer II by David McLeod
     
    Toy Soldiers by Dabeagle
     
    Black Widow by Mark Arbour; Book 16 of Chronicles Of An Academic Predator (CAP)
     
    The Holly and the Ivy by aditus; Book 1 of The King's Mate
     
    Lie of the Serpent by craftingmom
     
    The Secret Life Of Billy Chase 9 by Comicality; Book 9 of The Secret Life Of Billy Chase
     
    New Kid In School by Comicality
     
    Shelter by Comicality; Book 1 of Shelter
     
    Space Pioneer 4 - Akar Kazbek by Dolores Esteban
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  6. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Wow, what a great week. Hoping the weather was great where you are, we hit 3 record breaking days for the past 10 years here so enjoying being indoors for a while and working on the wrap up.
     
    First off, the voting for the first round picking the 2016 Anthology Themes is now closed. A very big thank you to everyone who contributed to narrowing down the number of great ideas. GA relies on you the Members to help drive the direction of these special events, and sincerely appreciates your input.
     
    The week started off with the blog reviewing our Feature Story. This week it focused on our month's Signature Author, Dolores Esteban's story Cold Case. Cia contributed a great review which has now piqued my interest and I have added it to my reading list. Also there is the link where you can download the Signature Background for the month as well. Check the story out and make sure you leave a review.
     
    Wednesday was a followup with Interview Wednesday with Dolores Esteban. Dolores agreed to sit down in the dark and dank interview room at GA, with a single light shining in her face, a dripping noise coming from the corner, handcuffed to the table and the smell of second hand smoke in the room....okay, got carried away there . Cia asked Dolores some interesting questions including where she got the inspiration for Cold Case. Surprising to me, Cold Case spun out of a Prompt Friday prompt from Comicfan. Great to see that what started as a prompt response turned into a full story.
     
    Friday, Cia took over the blog for Friday's Prompt Me. Comicfan this week presented us with two different prompts. First Creative prompt was for all the Anne Rice or Stephanie Meyers fans out there; Vampires. If you think you can do better than the two them, why don't you give a stab at upstaging them . The second one was creative as well with using the following words; a clown, a motorcycle, vacation tickets, chocolate cake, and a ring. Sounds like a good horror story theme. Lastly, Cia featured James Savik's response to Prompt 437. Great job James!!
     
    Anthology Announcements:
     
    ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team**
    2015 Fall Anthology: Blurred Edges - Due September 3rd 2015 Winter Anthology: Blackout - Due December 3rd

    In Premium
     

    Pretty Little Thing by Nephylim
     
    By our Signature Authors:
     
    Veil of Shadow by Stellar; Book 2 of unnamed
     
    Cosmic Inception by Cia
     
    Innocence & Carnality by Mann Ramblings
     
    Global Explorer II by David McLeod
     
    Sword of Kings: Tested by Adversity by Bill W
     
    Space Pioneer 3 - The Yanara Archives by Delores Esteban
     
    Leopard Spots by Graeme; Book 2 of The Lilydale Leopards
     
    Black Widow by Mark Arbour; Book 16 of Chronicles Of An Academic Predator (CAP)
     
    By our Promising Authors:
     
    Presence by carringtonrj
     
    Lie of the Serpent by craftingmom
     
    Destiny - a novel by AC Benus
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  7. wildone
    Read a very interesting article, which didn't bring in politics
     
    The Declaration of Independence
     
    The right to Life; the upholding of Obamacare to ensure all Americans have the right to live and have access to the medical treatment to pursue that.
     
    The right to Liberty; States removing the Confederate Flag and symbols of the flag which is looked upon by the majority of Americans as being as a symbol of old attitudes and discrimination.
     
    The right to the Pursuit of Happiness; Marriage equality allows all Americans to pursue marriage which some would call the most significant symbol of happiness.
     
    I think that the US had a giant correction to make this document even more true and meaningful once again. Even in the 2000's, shy of 250 years later. Also this declaration was the document that some will argue framed the US constitution.
     
    My congratulations is not just to the US for the Marriage Equality, but to all Americans for what may be looked back upon as one of the most historic weeks in the history of US in hundreds of years
     
    Please note that the first and second many be contentious among different members. I just feel if you look at America as a whole, this is a good example of progress. I'm not looking for an argument, but, if you so feel to argue against the points I won't stop you, just I won't respond
  8. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Wow, what a busy week here at the GA News Blog. I don't have time to be my witty self today We had one of our busiest weeks since we went to our new format.
     
    Monday we kicked off the week with the CSR Discussion Day with the Author of Penguin joining everyone in the blog for a live chat. Valkyrie participated in a grueling interview with Cia earlier where we learned Valkyrie dressed up for the questions in a pair of jeans and a purple t-shirt . Several Members weighed in later in the day to ask her some questions which she very promptly answered.
     
    We took a breather before Wednesday when a popular feature reared its ugly head (notice no apostrophe in its) The Grammar Rodeo #4 appeared where Cia tried to convince everyone that grammar is fun . Although the blog was meant to feature Singular and Plural Subject/Verb Agreements, this lead to interesting lessons on different topics including its versus it's. Make sure to check out all the other topics brought up in the discussion. Fun, eh?
     
    Thursday we had a Special Announcement where craftingmom was named as our newest Promising Author. There is now two pages of Congratulations in that blog if you want to add your name, or, you can visit the Forum Announcement too.
     
    Friday we rounded up the week with the Prompt Guru Comicfan presenting this weeks Prompts. Two new ones were presented; Creative First Line of 'He put his hand where?', and one with the tag 'The Interview'. Finally in recognition of craftingmom's promotion, Cia featured her Prompt response from the week before.
     
    Usually that would be enough, right? Well no, we didn't stop there!! Saturday we learned that the Signature Author of the Month will be Bill W and his story Crash Landing. Also included was a quick accolade from Foster as well as the desktop background. Make sure you download it for the month of June.
     
    Bulletin ..................... Bulletin ..................... Bulletin
     
    The month of June here at Gay Authors we are celebrating Pride Month. We're going to run a fun scramble in Games & Humor every Sunday. The scrambled words? Titles and author names from stories here on GA! There will be 10 every week posted in a topic and then you PM your unscrambled answers to Cia. DON'T post your answers in the public areas of the site--or you hurt your chances of winning!


    What are you playing for?

     

    First Prize: A year's digital membership to Out magazine
    Second Prize: 2 Months Premium Access
    Third Prize: 1 Month Premium Access
     
    Rules: Both parts of the scramble must be correct to count. The person with the most correct answers at the end of the month wins the first place prize, 2nd most correct 2nd, etc... If there are ties, Random.org will be used to determine the winner, and those not winning will be entered in the 2nd and then 3rd place prizes as necessary.
     
     
     
     
     



    PLAY THE GAME

     

    Anthology Announcements:
     
    ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team***
    2015 Summer Anthology: Road Trip - Due June 3rd 2015 Fall Anthology: Blurred Edges - Due September 3rd

    In Premium
     

    Pretty Little Thing by Nephylim
     
    By our Classic Authors:
     
    Ticking by Dabeagle
     
    By our Signature Authors:
     
    Cosmic Inception by Cia
     
    Force of Nature by Krista
     
    Fortitude by Cia
     
    Global Explorer II by David McLeod
     
    HMS Valiant by Mark Arbour; Book 7 of Bridgemont
     
    Sword of Kings: Tested by Adversity by Bill W
     
    Leopard Spots by Graeme; Book 2 of The Lilydale Leopards
     
    Space Pioneer II - The Titan Plot by Delores Esteban
     
    By our Promising Authors:
     
    Presence by carringtonrj
     
    Beneath the Current by craftingmom
     
    2015 Prompt Responses by Valkyrie
     
    Sanctuary by Sasha Distan
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  9. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Renee is away for the weekend attending a wedding. Since she isn't here, you are all stuck with me. Let me say that for a small fee, I will be selling pictures of Renee in her Bridesmaid dress
     
    On Monday for our Featured Story, it was for our Signature Author for the month of May, Krista. We had her 2008 Anthology "Finding Alex" featured. Suvitar wrote a great review of this story and I believe enticed a few of us to go back and read it for the first time or maybe the second or third times.
     
    One interesting part of Suvitar's review was her second last sentence; "This is one of those stories where characters and the plot left me wanting more." Well, in a departure from the usual way of doing things for the Signature Author Wednesday Post, Krista took some time to write us a great Extended Scene to give us a glimpse at what happened after the story concluded. Quite a few of us were brought to tears with this gripping look into the future.
     
    One last thing about Krista, does anyone know what 232 days is to her?
     
    Friday was another couple of prompts from the ever popular Prompt Me! Comicfan supplied us with another two to get our creative juices flowing over the weekend. This week the first Creative prompt was Bombshell. I'm sure we have all lived though one of those. The second Creative prompt was to feature the first line; "But why would you want me to meet you there?" In addition, Renee featured a sample of two of the previous weeks prompts as penned by John AR as well as Atruefan.
     
    Anthology Announcements:
     
    ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team***
    2015 Summer Anthology: Road Trip - Due June 3rd 2015 Fall Anthology: Blurred Edges - Due September 3rd

    In Premium
     

    Pretty Little Thing by Nephylim
     
    By our Classic Authors:
     
    Ticking by Dabeagle
     
    By our Signature Authors:
     
    Streak by Mark Arbour; Book 15 of Chronicles Of An Academic Predator (CAP)
     
    GA Writing Prompts by Dolores Esteban
     
    Cosmic Inception by Cia
     
    Force of Nature by Krista
     
    Global Explorer II by David McLeod
     
    Sword of Kings: Tested by Adversity by Bill W
     
    Fortitude by Cia
     
    Leopard Spots by Graeme; Book 2 of The Lilydale Leopards
     
    Space Pioneer II - The Titan Plot by Delores Esteban
     
    By our Promising Authors:
     
    Poems by Carringtonrj
     
    Barbed Wire Heart by Cole Matthews
     
    Sanctuary by Sasha Distan
     
    The Hollow Hills by Valkyrie
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  10. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Hoping everyone here has a super week! With the release of the 2015 Poetry Anthology it's time to start looking forward to the 2015 Summer Anthology and the 2015 Fall Anthology. Pop by the Anthology Forum for all the details, the theme for the Summer Anthology is Road Trip!
     
    This week we're going to go a little bit backwards in our look back at the week.




     
    Friday of this week we put aside the Prompts for a week as we had a much awaited Anthology, the 2015 Poetry Anthology! There is four entries from four different authors. Don't forget to leave the authors a review to let them know what you think!
     
    Working backwards again.....
     
    Wednesday was a fun day with the 2nd of the Word Searches brought to us by Renee. Although inundating to look at the first time with all those letters, somehow you will find a lot of the sites Promising Authors hiding within.
     
    Monday started off the week with Savory, Bitter and Sweet by Percy as the Featured Story of the week. TimothyM shared with us his review of a story that caught his attention and wanted to share it with all. If you are looking for something new to read, why not give it a look.
     
    Anthology Announcements:
     
    ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team***
    2015 Summer Anthology: Road Trip - Due June 3rd 2015 Fall Anthology: Blurred Edges - Due September 3rd

    In Premium
     
    Pretty Little Thing by Nephylim
     
    By our Signature Authors:
     
    The Life of Seeon by Comicfan
     
    Cosmic Inception by Cia
     
    Streak by Mark Arbour; Book 15 of Chronicles Of An Academic Predator (CAP)
     
    Fortitude by Cia
     
    Global Explorer II by David McLeod
     
    Sword of Kings: Tested by Adversity by Bill W
     
    GA Writing Prompts by Dolores Esteban
     
    The Secret Life Of Billy Chase 8 by Comicality; Book 8 of Billy Chase Chronicles
     
    Leopard Spots by Graeme; Book 2 of The Lilydale Leopards
     
    Space Pioneer II - The Titan Plot by Dolores Esteban
     

    By our Promising Authors:
     
    Sanctuary by Sasha Distan
     
    A Fool's Thoughts by Aditus
     
    London and Love by Carringtonrj
     
    Barbed Wire Heart by Cole Matthews
     
    Poems by Carringtonjr
     
    The Hollow Hills by Valkyrie
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  11. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Spring has sprung and it seems like everyone's mood is picking up after which has been a long hard winter for some areas in the Northern Hemisphere. Other areas in Southern Hemisphere are, I am hoping, heading into a mild winter.
     
    One of the things about Spring is that they always seem to bring the dreaded Spring Cold. Renee is sidelined with one right now so I have stepped in to ensure she is taking her meds, hot baths, and getting as much rest as possible. Join me in wishing Renee a speedy recovery
     
    Reminder to stop into the Blog tomorrow and check out this months story that will be the focus of the CSR!
     
    Monday was the CSR Discussion Day for Roommates by Krista for the month of March. Cia started off asking some pointed questions we all needed to know, like do you make you bed in the morning. One question had Krista saying I may be her current mentor. I think she needs to look up the word mentor Then the best thing about CSR Discussion Day, Krista made herself available to answer the questions that you the Members had for her.
     
    Tuesday had us all learning our Month of April's Signature Author as well as getting the Signature Background to download! This month we are focusing in on Andy78's Magic in the Air . Knowing some of Andy's writing I am definitely going to check this one out, one sadly I haven't read yet.
     
    April Fool's day had us tuning in for a feature that we all look for, and definitely not for anyone who could be mistaken for a fool. Dark took over the blog and graced us with this month's installment of Ask an Author. The 26th installment had questions for Carringtonrj, Joann414 and Mark Arbour.
     
    Friday rolled in to end the work week for some and hopefully some of you have a long weekend depending on where you are in the world for the Easter Long Weekend. Prompt Me guru ComicFan provided us with two new prompts for the weekend. First was using the following words in a story; rain coat, patch of ice, steak, blue fuzzy slippers and a Greek Statue.

    Does that work? Okay, I can take a hint, I should not think I'm an author and move on  
    The second prompt was creative one of The Clown. This one looks like it could be fun and I won't subject you all to my idea for that one
     
    Finally Delores Esteban's prompt from the previous week was featured in the blog.
     
    Anthology Announcements:
     
    ***NOTE: All Deadlines (except Poetry) are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team***
    2015 Poetry Anthology: Remember - Due April 15th (Poetry Anthology is exempt from the Anthology Proof Team) 2015 Summer Anthology: Road Trip - Due June 3rd

    In Premium
     
    Pretty Little Thing by Nephylim
     
    By our Signature Authors:
     
    GA Writing Prompts by Dolores Esteban
     
    The Strange Life of Jonas Marks by Comicfan
     
    Dribbles by Cia
     
    Global Explorer II by David McLeod
     
    Force of Nature by Krista
     
    Sword of Kings: Tested by Adversity by Bill W
     
    A prompt a week by Comicfan
     
    Leopard Spots by Graeme; Book 2 of The Lilydale Leopards
     
    Streak by Mark Arbour; Book 15 of Chronicles Of An Academic Predator (CAP)
     
    Jessie-101: Online Celebrity by Comicality
     
    Cosmic Inception by Cia
     
    By our Promising Authors:
     
    London and Love by Carringtonrj
     
    The Lonely Heart Club – a prompt story by Aditus
     
    The English Year by Jwolf
     
    The Hollow Hills by Valkyrie
     
    Sanctuary by Sasha Distan
     
    Poems by Carringtonrj
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  12. wildone

    Out of my home for now

    By wildone,

    Well, to cap off a crappy week where I have had to work minimum of 12 hour days for the past 13 days and now compulsory overtime at work for another 2-3 weekends, I got off a bit early yesterday and headed home.
     
    Once I got off the elevator to walk down the hall to my apartment style condo, I saw two of the Condo board members standing outside of my unit. I noticed a huge wet stain of water outside my door and then noticed that my door and door frame were all smashed up.
     
    Since I'm tired and really nothing is fazing me lately, I ask what happened?
     
    They told me that the lady in the unit above me had a plumber come in the morning to unclog her sink drains. Well the plumber managed to push the block down a floor, and when he ran water, it drained fine. The problem being that now everyone two floors up that used their kitchen sink was draining to the block on my floor, and it was coming out my kitchen sink.
     
    This also leaked into the unit below me and also into the hallway and front lobby of the building.
     
    So the Condo Board had called everyone needed, showing up over the next two hours. I had a locksmith come and shore up the door so it can be reasonably locked up, then the building's engineering contractor came and found the clog and made sure to auger it out to the basement (checked the basement after) and then the Disaster Recovery team showed up and power vacuumed up what water they could and installed a couple of industrial dehumidifiers inside my unit, one outside the door, and a couple in the lobby downstairs. Then they started pulling up carpet, baseboard and linoleum and checking for damage.
     
    This was all compounded by the fact that it was sludge, not clean water that came down the pipes.
     
    Initial estimate is to tear out the carpeting, the linoleum, the kitchen island that has the sink and dishwasher in it, about a foot or two of the drywall around the kitchen and into the bathroom, take down and rebuild the drop down ceiling above the kitchen (water was dripping down from there), replace the lighting fixtures, rebuild the door structure, new door frame, new door, repair all the drywall around the door, and then a few drywall joints that the moisture caused to split throughout the place. Then they will have to replace the ceiling in the lobby, the unit below me, the hallway and the carpeting in all areas as well.
     
    The good news is my 'personal' property wasn't damaged, but a courtesy call was put in by me to my insurance company. All of this work will be paid by the building insurance and then they can decide if they go after the plumbing company or the unit owners insurance.
     
    My mantra with all the extra work and now this is 'oh well'. Not too much that I can do about it now.
     
    I am staying with my sister for now, and don't have a timeline for when I can move back in.
     
    Someone in my province won $50 million last night in the lottery, I'm going to go check my ticket, cross your fingers that I can move away from all of this
     
    Might not see me online too much in the immediate future, but will try to pop in at least once a day.
     
    So how was your Friday night
  13. wildone

    Bill Cosby

    By wildone,

    I'm going to delve into something that may be polarizing just based on the accusations of rape against Bill Cosby and how much weight you put in your opinion.
     
    As most know, Bill Cosby has now been accused by 18 women of inappropriate behaviour, aka rape, by 18 different women of different ages, races, and all over the US. None of which have been proven in court as most happened long before the statue of limitations have expired in the states of the supposed acts happened in. Civil charges may be coming, but criminally, Bill Cosby has never been investigated or charged in any jurisdiction.
     
    So here is my Bill Cosby story...
     
    Back in the late 1980's I was working at the NHL arena in my city. One night, Bill Cosby was putting on a concert in the round. I usually started 2 hours before the event and had done so and was just standing where I usually did, which was outside of where the referees dressing rooms were. This also happened to be where most bands and stars used as their dressing room as well.
     
    Standing there and not really paying attention, from behind me I heard a 'Hey there' and turned around to find Bill Cosby standing there in a t shirt and sweat pants. I'll be honest and say that I'm not really a 'star struck' person who goes nuts when meeting someone famous.
     
    After a 'hello' back, he reached out with his hand and said something along the lines of you know who I am probably, but who are you? After introductions, he asked if we could chat for a while.
     
    We talked probably just shy of an hour, during that time my boss walked around the corner and eyes bugged out and signaled to me to stop and come over to him. Bill noticing me distracted turned around and saw my boss around 20 feet away. Observant, he called over to him, 'hey, are you Steve's boss?' He walked over and said yes and Bill went through the introductions again, and very politely told him that he was engaged in a conversation with me and would be done soon so if he could excuse us until we were done and politely turned his back on my boss.
     
    Wow, just an FYI, the building General Manager came up to me during the show and said she had a meeting with the promoter at their request where Bill had shared his conversation with me was private and that he started it and didn't want to see me in trouble for only doing what he asked. She told me that she had spoken to my boss and that I had did the right thing as we are all there to help out with any of requests of the stars.
     
    So our discussion, we talked about a ton of things, he mainly wanted to know about me, what I did, where I went to school, what I did for fun, what sports I played. Certain parts he would ask for more in depth info about. Interesting thing is, some of the things we talked about became part of his show that night. Sort of like he could connect with a crowd that could relate to some of what I had brought up, hockey, curling, the local University, etc.
     
    Towards the end of our conversation was the only time that I felt an uncomfortable feeling with. We talked about him and the Cosby Show which was in it's last season I believe.
     
    He asked about if I watched the Cosby show, and if I still did. He stopped me before I answered and said he might ask me for some more information, but to be 100% honest with him, he wanted to know my true feelings about the TV show, not necessarily himself.
     
    I admitted that for many years his show was something that brought all of our family together and it was something that we all watched as a family religiously every week, together while watching on the same TV in the same room.
     
    He asked about my favourite shows, my favourite characters, my favourite lines (one which he was having a serious discussion with his son and said 'Theo, I brought you into this world and I will be the one to take you out of it ).
     
    Then the uncomfortable question, do you still watch it every week, where I had to honestly admit that it wasn't the top show on my watching list. The logical question which was really really really hard, why not?
     
    I decided that I trusted this man that I was talking to and decided to be honest with him. I told him that for years that I watched the Cosby show for being the funniest sitcom on TV and it was a great show to talk about with everyone else the next day. It was a basically funny! Even the serious shows still had the comedy that lightened the mood while still getting the message across.
     
    What had changed? In the year I found the show much less funny and seemed to have shifted more to a black rights focus and I missed the comedy.
     
    Bill listened to me explain the reasons, and when I was done, thanked me for my honesty. He said it was interesting to him that I used the term 'black rights' where if he asked ask the same question down in the States someone would have called it 'African American Rights' but he didn't find it offensive or derogatory in any way. He said to him black and African American was synonyms (I remember that word ) and one wasn't better than another' He explained his feelings on what he continued to call black rights.
     
    He also said that the producers of the show and him had discussed long and hard about the direction of the show before they choose that direction. Saying he didn't regret making that decision, but he also realized that I was one of the millions that maybe felt the same way and the ratings had dropped off.
     
    Lastly, he thanked me for my honesty and also to not think that in any way my feelings made me less of a person in his mind as probably himself, if he was a viewer, was coming for the comedy and message, then he himself would probably change the channel if the show went in a strange tangent after so many years. He shook my hand, thanked me again, and said he had to go get ready for the show.
     
    I watched the whole show and picked up on the references that he had pulled out of our conversation and made part of the show. At the end, while receiving a standing ovation, he bowed to all four sides of the seating bowl to the sold out crowd. Then he went to the point of the stage where he was closest to where I was and pointed at me and winked and gave a thumbs up to me. Probably nobody knew what he was doing, maybe I was wrong, but I do believe that was intended for me.
     
    I have never seen him or talked to him since, but it left an lasting impression with me.
     
    So, while all the controversy goes on today, I have questioned if this charming, funny, intriguing man could be also a rapist?
     
    I will not accuse the women of lying, but I also won't accept their story as gospel either.
     
    I will continue to hold this man in high regard for my one hour that I had of his time. I will continue hold out hope that this accusation are false, but also realize that if are proven in a court of law than I may have to change my feeling about this man.
     
    I guess what I'm saying is that a lot of people who have never met Bill Cosby are making judgements about him based on the word of people that they have never met either. I am going to weigh more into what I 'personally' know about the man than the people I have never met.
     
    Therefore, like I would want to happen to myself, if I ever found myself in similar situation, I will treat him innocent until proven guilty.
  14. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Out with the old and in with the new!!! No I'm not referring to Renee and myself but the passing of 2014 and now on our way into 2015. Renee is taking a much deserved vacation or she is recovering from a massive hangover from New Year's Eve. I'll let you all decide
     
    We had a busy week on Blog for the end of the year and into the new one.
     
    Monday was a chance for Cia to bring us the CSR Discussion Day with Delores Esteban. Not only did they discuss Delores' story Space Pioneer, but also gave a sneak peek into the yet to be released sequel! Did you know she eats plenty of fruits and veggies
     
    Tuesday had our last Tech Tuesday brought to us by Cia relaying a message on behalf of Myr. Basically what Myr is looking for in this weeks addition is your feedback on what you would like to see? Technical issues with old and new software, new things for the blogs, what would YOU like to see come to GA in the future?
     
    New Year's Eve Day had Renee looking back at some of the Prompts that may have been missed or not having responses on. She dedicated this Wednesday as Second Chance Prompts to give people the chance to take another stab at them. What a great way to finish out the year! We did have some enthusiastic takers on this challenge.
     
    New Year's Day found Cia bringing us the Signature Background for January which is a tribute to Stellar's story Hidden Sunlight. In addition to a great graphic for your background of the month, Cia introduced us to one of my personal favourite stories on the site .
     
    Friday's Prompt Me introduced two new prompts and a new Poetry prompt for all to have a go at. Prompt 382 Creative gave us 5 words to try to incorporate into a short story. Prompt 383 was very seasonal in that the deals with New Year and some resolutions. Also the Fifth Poetry Prompt which involves coming up with some Couplets based on some music. Finishing up Renee shared a prompt from Totallyy.
     
    Anthology Announcements:


    ***NOTE: All Deadlines (except Poetry) are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team*** 2015 Spring Anthology: Full Circle - Due March 3rd 2015 Poetry Anthology: Remember - Due April 15th (Poetry Anthology is exempt from the Anthology Proof Team) 2015 Summer Anthology: Road Trip - Due June 3rd

    ***NEW READING***
     
    In Premium:
     
    The Harvest: Taken by M.A. Church
     
    By our Classic Authors:
     
    The Tull Unification by Dabeagle
     
    By our Signature Authors:
     
    Sword of Kings: Forged Out of Necessity by Bill W
     
    Dribbles by Cia
     
    Left Without Words by Comicality
     
    GA Writing Prompts by Dolores Esteban
     
    Leopard Spots by Graeme; Book 2 of The Lilydale Leopards
     
    Streak by Mark Arbour; Book 15 of Chronicles Of An Academic Predator (CAP)
     
    By our Promising Authors:
     
    Dinner is Prompt-ly at Eight by Cole Matthews
     
    London and Love by carringtonrj
     
    Barbed Wire Heart by Cole Matthews
     
    Ladies' Man by Sasha Distan; Book 9 of American Songbook
     
    The Art of Being Gay by Cole Matthews
     
    Broken Prince and Mismatched Eyes by layla
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  15. wildone
    I am really in shock of the current events of today in Ottawa in our Nations Capital and on Monday in Montreal. I guess I always knew that this one day may have come, but still, it doesn't lessen the deep sense regret that our lives will be changing going forward.
     
    I will try to sum up the events of the past 3 days, based on the latest news reports and the just finished speech from our Prime Minister Steven Harper.
     
    On Monday, two Canadian Armed Forces members, one in uniform, one not, were hit by a speeding car which changed its direction to run them over. One soldier died later of his injuries. The driver of the car was caught and shot dead by the Police. This person has been described as being a radicalized member of ISIS a year ago. He had his passport seized by the government when he tried to leave the country to go to Turkey and then onto Syria to join ISIS.
     
    Today, this morning, a normal morning in our Nations capital of Ottawa. A gunman jumped out of a car and shot a soldier, Corporal Nathan Cirillo, 24, who was doing ceremonial duty at the National War Memorial, the tomb of the unknown Soldier. He was unarmed. He was shot in the back. The gunman then went into the Parliament Buildings and started opening fire in the Hall of Honour underneath the Peace Tower. He continued to fire his weapon and made his way to where the Prime Minister was meeting with his caucus. The shooter was confronted by the Sargent of Arms, a ceremonial position for the security of Parliament. A former RCMP officer, he shot the gunman dead. Thank god for him being armed.
     
    Just recently it has been learned the gunman's name is Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, 25, from Quebec. He has a lengthy criminal history for drug and some assault charges. He too has recently had his passport seized by the Government for going overseas to fight with ISIS too.
     
    The fact that all of this has happened on Canadian soil is something that we have never seen before. I am always amazed how places like Great Britain and the US and other countries have kept a stiff upper lip (a British saying) as they deal with this. Now, I guess it is time that Canada will be doing the same.
     
    How this will change us? I'm not sure. I really hope that things that Canadians hold as values don't change. We are generally a peaceful nation that doesn't really have gun issues except with gangs that is everywhere. We believe we are safe in our homes, at work and at play.
     
    I imagine you are asking why these people were free when they had their passports seized? As the police said, you can't arrest and lock someone up and take away their freedom for their thoughts. I generally agree with this, but I imagine this will change too. The RCMP have said that there is 90 Canadians across the country that are 'persons of interest'. I know that these people may be looking at increased scrutiny from law enforcement since these two incidents have happened this week.
     
    Another thought of mine was, would we have been better off to have just let them leave and go join ISIS? Immediately I knew this was the wrong. As I personally grieve for the two soldiers lost, I know that we have to take care of the ISIS threats within our own borders rather than let them join the groups in Syria and Iraq. There, they could be part of killing thousands. No life is expendable.
     
    Some say it shouldn't be a surprise. Al Qaeda and as recently as a month ago and ISIS has declared Canada as one of their targets. The US, Britain, France and Australia are the others named. I guess when you don't have any experience with dealing with this, just how are you supposed to react?
     
    Now, why I put this in my blog, I'm going to get a bit political.
     
    Canada has basically 4 national parties. The right of centre Conservatives who are currently in power, the centre Liberals, the left of centre (some refer to socialist) New Democrats, the official opposition, and the far left Green Party.
     
    Parliament recently debated sending Canadian fighters to Kuwait to participate with the alliance to do bombing runs against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. With a Conservative majority the motion was passed and yesterday the planes and support staff left for the Persian Gulf. All opposition members voted against it.
     
    What irritated me beyond belief was the speeches made by the the Liberals in Parliament and outside. They recently elected Justin Trudeau as their leader, the son of the former long term Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau. I will not share my opinion of his father, as this could go on for weeks. Justin had the gall and audacity to not only insult our Military in this country but said Canada could do more good by providing food and aid to the people in the Mid East fighting ISIS. He insulted everyone's intellect by saying that no Canadian military action was necessary in the Mid East.
     
    I will give the New Democrats credit, they voted against the mission based on ideological reasons, but did not insult or demean our Military or anyone.
     
    Well I wonder what the Liberal Party's messiah is doing now? Was he in Parliament today putting his body behind his words? Was he trying to go out and buy lunch for the gunman and talk to him to show him the error of his ways? I think we all know the answer to that. Probably was under a desk screaming for someone to protect him, (my opinion).
     
    I grieve for the family and friends of these two dead soldiers. I grieve for the change in what we maybe knew would happen, but actually has.
     
    If anything, this blog has helped me put my thoughts down in order.
     
    One last thing. I work with a Muslim lady at work. We have discussed how the MAJORITY of Muslims in Calgary and Canada speak out and actually help the police and such with identifying the radicals that are hiding within their community. She personally has told me that if one of her family members were to go down the wrong path, she would ensure they were held accountable but would still have the unconditional love a mother would have. She was nearly in tears today as the news came out. I have to agree with her. Not only does she grieve for Canada, but because of what, 90 people, millions will be judged going forward. Not only is this a horrible day for me, but for the 99% of Muslims that will have absolutely nothing to do with ISIS or other radical Islamic groups.
     
    Please do not turn this blog into a racist, hate filled commentary on Muslims in general. You will do yourself nothing but exposing the flaws of your logic....in my opinion.
  16. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    We are fully into the month of October and lots has happened this past week here at the GA News Blog




     
    We started off the week with Cia presenting us with a bit different of a CSR this month. October is the Seasonal Spooktacular where we are featuring 5 different Anthologies to get us in the mood for Halloween at the end of the month. We have Vampires, Witches, Were-Creature, Mutants and Ghosts oh my!!
     
    Rise of the Serpent by Celetheiel, Magic in the Air by Andy78, Midnight by Mark72, Ones and Zeroes by Mann Ramblings and The Harpsichordist by Carl Holiday, are all being featured this month. After checking out these great stories make sure you take part of the CSR Discussion day on October 27th!!
     
    Premium Tuesday had Renee presenting us a brand new Premium story that started last week; The Harvest: Taken by M.A. Church. Having read the first chapter last week has me intrigued to see where this story will take us! In addition to featuring this new story, there is several links to help anyone out who is interested in becoming a Premium Member here at GA.
     
    Wednesday was another departure from the usual with Renee taking look at some of the fun that can be had in the Games and Humor Forum. We got a quick synopsis of the most popular forums; Last Post Wins, Word Association, Questions, Questions, Questions and LolCats. These ever popular forums have been going for almost as long as we have had Forums!
     
    Friday had us return to Prompt Me. Comicfan enticed us all with two new prompts. In the first creative prompt we were given the first line of "Why do I even bother?" In keeping with our October theme this week, the second creative tag entitled "The Fair" We have all gone to a local county fair or similar gathering, but what if this year something sinister decided to come with it? Finally Valkyrie71's prompt from the week before was featured.
     
    Anthology Announcements:


    ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team*** 2014 Winter Anthology: Chain Reaction - Due December 3rd 2015 Spring Anthology: Full Circle - Due March 3rd

    ***NEW READING***
     
    In Premium:
     
    The Harvest: Taken by M.A. Church
     
    By our Signature Authors:
     
    Streak by Mark Arbour; Book 15 of Chronicles Of An Academic Predator (CAP)
     
    Fortitude by Cia
     
    Finding Alex by Nephylim
     
    Sword of Kings: Forged Out of Necessity by Bill W
     
    Global Explorer by David McLeod
     
    Leopard Spots by Graeme; Book 2 of The Lilydale Leopards
     
    Priest and Pariahs by Mann Ramblings; Book 3 of Ship Logs of the Santa Claus
     
    By our Promising Authors:
     
    Redemption's A Bitch by Sasha Distan
     
    Sole Scion by JMH; Book 2 of The Sole Scion Cycle: Second Cycle of the Centurion Chronicles
     
    Barbed Wire Heart by Cole Matthews
     
    A Wolf And His Man by Sasha Distan
     
    Vintage by carringtonrj
     
    Thorny Poetry by Thorn Wilde
     
    The Art of Being Gay by Cole Matthews
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  17. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Guess what? I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack
    Been a busy week this week with lots of great information shared through the GA News Blog.
     
    Monday was a surprise for Renee, as there was a conspiracy behind her back to have her story Joined By Blood as the featured background for the month of October. This story will surely get us all in the mood for Halloween only 26 days away Make sure to pop by the Blog to download the screen savers, one with a calender, one without!
     
    On Premium Tuesday there was a review of Rob Colton's The Cassini Mission. Not only did we all get a quick review of this great story, there is four easy links to help anyone interested in becoming one of our Premium Members. For as little as $7.75 a month, you can be an integral part of keeping GA the site it has become as well as remaining mostly free!
     
    Wednesday had us have the much anticipated Ask an Author brought to us by Dark. This Blog is so successful since we get great questions from you the members putting forth great questions to Dark to ask our selected authors. This time around we hear from authors comicfan, K.C., and reddirtwriter.
     
    Friday had us return to our regularly scheduled Prompt Me. Our resident prompt guru Comicfan gave us two new and challenging prompts to take a try at. First was a list of words to use in a story; fall leaves, rain storm, blue jeans, kitten, and a pizza (I read a story in premium this week that included in all those, but I don't think it counts). For creative we had for a lack of a better description, involved adopting a dog, which benefits not only the dog, but you too! We also had the 2nd Poetry prompt which is write two Haiku. One what you observed in a secluded patch of nature, and one of a urban setting. We can thank AC Benus and Irritable1 for bringing these prompts to us. Lastly we got to see Aditus' response to the previous prompt that was posted.
     

    Anthology Announcements:


    ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team*** 2014 Winter Anthology: Chain Reaction - Due December 3rd 2015 Spring Anthology: Full Circle - Due March 3rd

    ***NEW READING***
     
    In Premium:
     
    Do Over by dkstories *reposting*
     
    The Harvest: Taken by M.A. Church *NEW*
     
    By our Signature Authors:
     
    Finding Alex by Nephylim
     
    A Class By HImself by Comicality
     
    Lost Inside by Cia; Book 2 of Carthera Tales
     
    The Secret Life Of Billy Chase 8 by Comicality; Book 8 of Billy Chase Chronicles
     
    Global Explorer by David McLeod
     
    Streak by Mark Arbour; Book 15 of Chronicles Of An Academic Predator (CAP)
     
    GA Writing Prompts by Dolores Esteban
     
    Leopard Spots by Graeme; Book 2 of The Lilydale Leopards
     
    GFD 12: Blood Ties by Comicality; Book 12 of Gone From Daylight
     
    HMS Valiant by Mark Arbour; Book 7 of Bridgemont
     
    Priest and Pariahs by Mann Ramblings; Book 3 of Ship Logs of the Santa Claus
     
    By our Promising Authors:
     
    Redemption's A Bitch by Sasha Distan
     
    Thorny Poetry by Thorn Wilde
     
    Barbed Wire Heart by Cole Matthews
     
    A Wolf And His Man by Sasha Distan
     
    Vintage by carringtonrj
     
    Sole Scion by JMH; Book 2 of The Sole Scion Cycle: Second Cycle of the Centurion Chronicles
     
    The Art of Being Gay by Cole Matthews
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  18. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Well this is my first week without the training wheels on, so lets hope I don't go home crying with a scraped knee Renee will be back next week to whip this back into shape!
     
    Final Reminder: SonoLuminus has decided to participate in Light the Night, a walk to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She has dedicated her walk, and even named her team, in memory of Robert (aka Trebs) who passed away on August 7th after a long battle with Mantle Cell Lymphoma. To learn more about Light the Night and how you can help support SonoLuminus, please visit the lounge topic.
     
    Monday's review day was posted by Cia with a review of an Andrew Todd short story entitled 'Empath's Kiss'. The review by Renee introduces two characters Damon and Kai and one of their unique abilities to act as an Empath. Spoiler: This is a GREAT read and will make you craving more. Luckily Andrew has followed up with a story called 'Chosen'
     
    If that wasn't enough to pique your interest, Premium Tuesday brought to our attention Stephanie L Danielson's Ice Fairy II. Lots of quick and easy options available to you in case you want to take out a membership which will help keep this site mainly free for all!
     
    Wednesday, Cia gave us the run down's of why and how of Flash Fiction writing pointing out how fun, short and self-satisfying it really is. Then to finish off, Cia issued a Micro Challenge where she asked us to describe a picture in 10 words, no more, or no less. Unfortunately I failed as I tend to write long sentences and without punctuation and too many useless words that never in the end making any sense at all.
     
    Finally the week was finished up with our amazing Prompt Guru giving us two new prompt for Prompt Friday. First was Use the following in a story - bottle of pills, birth announcement, a balloon, a scuffed sneaker and a new car. Second was the tag The Book. Check out the blog for the details of this prompt! Cia also featured Rook Lee and Greg_A's response to the Micro Challenge and feature Sasha Distan's Prompt 352 response.
     
    Anthology Announcements:
    2014 Winter Anthology: Chain Reaction - Due December 3rd *Note: Deadline is for submission to the Anthology Proof Team* 2015 Anthology Theme Voting is Closing Today!! - Make sure to stop by the topic and register your votes for what you would like to tackle writing or reading over the next year. We have some really great choices to choose from thanks to our Anthology Theme Selection Authors who whittled down 162 suggestions to 20 Quarterly themes and 5 Poetry themes. You have a say in this so make sure you go and VOTE!

    ***NEW READING***
     
    In Premium:
     
    No More Hiding by Renee Stevens
     
    By our Signature Authors:
     
    Finding Alex by Nephylim
     
    Krista's Prompts by Krista
     
    Streak by Mark Arbour; Book 15 of Chronicles Of An Academic Predator (CAP)
     
    Lost Inside by Cia; Book 2 of Carthera Tales
     
    The Secret Life Of Billy Chase 8 by Comicality; Book 8 of Billy Chase Chronicles
     
    Global Explorer by David McLeod
     
    Leopard Spots by Graeme; Book 2 of The Lilydale Leopards
     
    New Kid In School by Comicality
     
    Streak by Mark Arbour; Book 15 of Chronicles Of An Academic Predator (CAP)
     
    Priest and Pariahs by Mann Ramblings; Book 3 of Ship Logs of the Santa Claus
     
    By our Promising Authors:
     
    The English Year by Jwolf
     
    Redemption's A Bitch by Sasha Distan
     
    Sole Scion by JMH; Book 2 of The Sole Scion Cycle: Second Cycle of the Centurion Chronicles
     
    A Wolf And His Man by Sasha Distan
     
    Vintage by carringtonrj
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
    And last, but certainly not least, please remember to help us thank Myr this week for his incredible dedication to this site from its original version to the site we have today. He doesn't just keep the site open, but constantly strives to ensure GA is an awesome online gathering place for the QLTBG community as well as one of the premiere sites for quality gay fiction.
     
     
     




    12 YEARS! THANK YOU, MYR!!


  19. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Renee has allowed me to learn how to do the Weekly Wrap Up this week as she will soon be taking some much deserved time off. Under her expert tutelage I hope I have done this right. Any errors are entirely my fault, but if you want to air your disappointments about my job, make sure to email Renee at renee@gayauthors.org.
     
    Reminder: Today's reminder has a special meaning to a lot of us here at GA. Trebs would have turned 49 today if he was still with us . Once again we'd like to remind you that SonoLuminus has decided to participate in Light the Night, a walk to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She has dedicated her walk, and even named her team, in memory of Robert (aka Trebs) who passed away on August 7th after a long battle with Mantle Cell Lymphoma. The walk will take place on September 27th. Donations can be made from anywhere in the world via a secure credit card system. To learn more about Light the Night and how you can help support SonoLuminus, please visit the lounge topic.
     
    Cia kicked off the week with the announcement of this months CSR Selection of The Phantom by Dark. Dark has described the story of a fan fiction of a fan fiction of a fan fiction, so I might have to check this one out myself. The Discussion Day will be on Saturday September 27th. Since Dark is in Alaska, I wonder if it will be close to 24 hour darkness by then.
     
    We started off Premium Tuesday with a story by Sara Alva called "Social Skills" It is one of the many great reads available to Premium Members in addition to all the free content available at GA. By joining you are not only getting this content, but you are also helping keep our site free for everyone! If you are interested in becoming a Premium Member, just click on the Premium Tuesday Link above.
     
    The first Wednesday of the month found us checking in with some Authors on the site for their knowledge and insight in the popular Ask An Author. This month it features questions collected by Dark from Aditus, Celethiel, and TetRefine. Pop in and see what range of topics that you the membership wanted to hear about from these great Authors.
     
    Also, something new this week on Wednesday! Irritable1 and A.C. Benus came out with the first ever Poetry Prompt for our resident Poets and those wanting to give Poetry a try. Check out the post and have fun!
     
    Friday's regular and always interesting Prompt Friday from Comicfan had a first line of "I can't believe you asked him that!" Maybe someone can use the Ask an Author day questions for a neat idea. Also another Anniversary Tag of "It has been a year since the accident stole your partner away. What is life like a year later?" Renee also featured the prompt from the previous week from Joanne414 entitled "Flip Flops", which can be read in the News Blog feature.
     
    Anthology Announcements:
    2014 Winter Anthology: Chain Reaction - Due December 3rd *Note: Deadline is for submission to the Anthology Proof Team* 2015 Anthology Theme Voting is Now Open - Make sure to stop by the topic and register your votes for what you would like to tackle writing or reading over the next year. We have some really great choices to choose from thanks to our Anthology Theme Selection Authors who whittled down 162 suggestions to 20 Quarterly themes and 5 Poetry themes. You have until September 21st to vote, so VOTE NOW!!!

    NEW READING
     
    In Premium:
     
    No More Hiding by Renee Stevens
     
    Do Over by dkstories
     
    By our Signature Authors:
     
    Standing In Shadows by Krista
     
    Streak by Mark Arbour; Book 15 of Chronicles Of An Academic Predator (CAP)
     
    Krista's Prompts by Krista
     
    Noah's New Plan by Rob Colton
     
    Lost Inside by Cia; Book 2 of Carthera Tales
     
    Thwarted by Renee Stevens
     
    Finding Alex by Nephylim
     
    GA Writing Prompts by Dolores Esteban
     
    Global Explorer by David McLeod
     
    Prompt Ramblings by Mann Ramblings
     
    Leopard Spots by Graeme; Book 2 of The Lilydale Leopards
     
    Priest and Pariahs by Mann Ramblings; Book 3 of Ship Logs of the Santa Claus
     
    By our Promising Authors:
     
    Redemption's A Bitch by Sasha Distan
     
    Sole Scion by JMH; Book 2 of The Sole Scion Cycle: Second Cycle of the Centurion Chronicales
     
    A Wolf And His Man by Sasha Distan
     
    Vintage by Carringtonrj
     
    Tanka - Poetry Prompt by Carringtonrj
     
    Curse of the Fallen by JMH; Book 2 of Fallen
     
    The Art of Being Gay by Cole Matthews
     
    Wow, what a busy week!!
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!!
  20. wildone

    Queer As Folk

    By wildone,

    Back in 2005 the US version of Queer As Folk went off the air. It had characters Ben and Michael getting married in Canada as it was the only place in North America to legally get married if you were same sex. Melanie and Lindsey moved to Toronto where they legally could be married and raise their son Gus, who would be 16 now I think. Also, Debbie and Carl were left unwed as Debbie swore never to get married until her son and friends legally could at home.
     
    Fast forward 10 years and it is now legal to marry in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where the show took place.
     
    There is an online petition to Showcase to make a 10 year reunion movie with some of the actors (including Gale Harold *swoon* ) have said they would be interested. Also the president of Showtime has said he would consider it if someone made a good argument for it.
     
    The petition can be found here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/641/774/746/bring-back-queer-as-folk-to-celebrat-pa-gay-marriage/
     
    On it it states:

     
    People signing the petition will have to provide personal information and then choose if they want their name used publicly as signing it (I choose not to use my name publicly).
     
    If you were like me and watched QAF as it showed up every week for years, or maybe have bought the DVD set or watched the series on Netflix, I invite you to sign the petition for hopefully a movie next year
     
    (I asked permission to post this permission from the Site Administrators before doing so)
  21. wildone

    Losing my fun Aunt

    By wildone,

    It is funny how families spread out across a country how you wish you had more memories of certain family members than what you had the opportunity to, after they pass away.
     
    Once such person was my Auntie Nancy who recently passed away.
     
    I remember meeting her when I was about 5 years old when she started dating my Dad's brother when he moved out West from Central Canada and ended up boarding at my Mom's parents house (confusing I know).
     
    I remember that wedding when Auntie Nancy became an official Aunt even though she was Auntie Nancy long before that. She was a bit younger than all my Aunts and Uncles and she was always full of life. She dotted on us kids anytime that we made the trip out to Vancouver for family visits and was always more interested in us, then the adults when they came to visit in Calgary.
     
    As we grew older, trips to the coast became less frequent as a family and my grandmothers passing. Still, me and my two sisters make a couple of trips a year out to the Vancouver area to visit all the family and friends. Every trip in the area always involved a day with my Aunt and Uncle. She would always plan a day that she knew would interest each of us without the rest of the family having to be together.
     
    Usually, my Aunt and Uncle and I would head to Steveston in Richmond to visit the historic cannery and wander around and watch the fresh fish being offloaded from a boat and occasionally pick something up. Then we would make a stop at a historic hotel for some fish and chips for lunch or dinner. Generally we would make an out of the nowhere drive to places and they would both share stories of places that they, my grandparents and parents all had a story to be told about the place they were showing me. Anywhere I asked about, they wouldn't hesitate to drive there and share in another story of the place. Some I'm sure my parents would have preferred I did not know about .
     
    On my last visit out there she informed me that she was diagnosed with stomach cancer and was just starting Chemo. Still, she had planned a morning of driving around the Delta area and a stop at a restaurant in the town where they lived. After lunch she was tired from the Chemo she was undergoing and asked if she would mind her taking a nap. When I inquired if we should should call it a day, she refused. Said she needed a nap and would be good to go for dinner at the Fish n' Chips restaurant in Richmond. She suggested if I went out to visit my Mother and Grandparents grave site, she would be good to go when I got back.
     
    A little side note, my Mother was interned with my Grandparents in a cemetery not far from where they lived. Due to the vast location of family, she always tended to all 3 grave sites when other family couldn't due to distance. She never admitted it, but we all knew she was going and clearing away dead flower and such after any of had visited and even went out and placed flowers for occasions when no one would be there.
     
    Last I had heard was that she was going to get a break from the chemo as the stomach cancer wasn't spreading and they figured her body could use a little break. Then, last Friday (a week ago), she told the principle at the school she worked at everyday as a crossing guard and lunch room supervisor for the past ten years that she felt like she was coming down with a flu. After going home and a little while later she had my Uncle take her to the hospital. Needless to say on Sunday she passed away due to complications of the cancer.
     
    My sisters and I were able to take the day off work and fly out to Vancouver for the funeral yesterday. My uncle summed it up as to have his and her favourite nieces and nephew there made a bright spot in such a sad day.
     
    The funeral was a full Catholic mass, one that I have been to a few times before. Although most people there were not Catholic, the priest seemed to break away from the tradition of a Catholic Funeral Mass and inserted my Aunt and her life into the scriptures that were read and never once did I feel she was in the back seat of the funeral mass.
     
    One Eulogists was the Principle of the elementary school she worked. His one line made everyone laugh and even the Priest was chuckling away. He said that he sees my Aunt up at the Pearly Gates dressed in her safety vest with her handheld stop sign, directing traffic at the probably crowded entrance to the Gates. He wouldn't even be surprised if she held up her stop sign to an aggressive or pushy person trying to break the order of the line up . Only once everyone was in safely would she take the time to go to the front of the line.
     
    The school is having an assembly next week as the Parents Teacher Committee want to dedicate the afternoon to my Aunt. I'm hoping they will post it online so I get to see it. My Uncle will be in attendance so the kids can share what she meant to so many of them.
     
    I'm crying like a baby as I write this and it is only a small measurement of what she meant to me.
     
    Auntie Nancy, I love you and glad you are no longer in pain and suffering from your illness. I know you know we will all keep in contact with Uncle Fred until you meet again in the future. You will forever be in our hearts and minds.
     
    One last thing that made us all break down and cry, my sister's oldest son who is six, when my sister told him about Auntie Nancy dying, he told my mom to not be sad, Grandma Vicki and Joey (my mom's and dad's dog) would be waiting for her and keep her company.
  22. wildone

    Was I wrong?

    By wildone,

    So I did something tonight that I've always wanted to, but have always kind of just turned away and ignore it.
     
    It happened in a McDonald's of all places
     
    I walk up and a lady asks me to take my order. She is an older lady, by her accent would guess she originally came from Eastern Europe.
     
    Next to me is a man about 55 who has already put in his order and is starting to get louder and louder as he is saying that Canada is giving away all our jobs to the foreigners. He gets louder and says the banks are contracting out Canadian jobs to the Asians. He then says that all the jobs in this country are being taken up by Asians moving here and taking our jobs.
     
    I'm a couple feet away from him and just couldn't tolerate it. As I looked at the staff up front and in the back, a lot are visible minorities. I got close to him and said in a quiet voice that his comments were not appreciated in public.
     
    Next he yells at me that I obviously hate Canadians and probably married to a immigrant.
     
    That was enough! I didn't keep my voice down and told him if he wants to spout his racist views, do it somewhere else. He yells at me 'Do you think I'm a racist?" I tell him based on his speech the last couple of minutes he must be a racist. And it isn't wanted out in the public.
     
    Next he says that he isn't a racist, he just doesn't want foreigners in Canada. I laughed at him and said the view alone is racist. Maybe you should leave the restaurant and go mutter to yourself outside how you don't like anyone other than yourself, because no one wants to hear you anymore.
     
    He turns and leaves and calls me an Asian lover. I let it go since he is leaving.
     
    The lady helping me and then the guy that was helping him both told me thank you. I went and sat down the manager came over and thanked me too. She said I was the first person to stand up to his behaviour which they all have had to put up with.
     
    Funny thing, a much older lady comes in and sits down with him (I would almost guess it was his mother) and he starts to rant that I called him a racist. He is off on another tangent but is still on his racist views. Finally I her her yell STOP. She gets up and comes over to me and tells me that he is a racist and she is glad that someone finally put him in his spot. Then she leaves.
     
    I finished my burger and left myself.
     
    I'm still riled up an hour later! What gives people the right to even think that was in the least bit appropriate in public. I personally want to ship him off to an Arctic Island where he won't be bothered by anyone that isn't his kind. The fact that Canada is a melting pot of immigrants (yes, I'll use the American line ) means he is from somewhere else or at least his parents probably were.
     
    /rant
  23. wildone

    Two steps back for India

    By wildone,

    So with more and more countries making progressive steps to equalize rights between homosexual and heterosexual persons, I guess it is unfortunate that there are some countries that will try to reverse that direction.
     
    First, Russia made international news making the promotion or homosexual lifestyle illegal.
     
    Now we have India's Supreme Court overriding a lower court ruling in 2009 that ruled an 1860 law outlawing "carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal".
     
    Full article here
     
    I have started this here as the topic because it deals with religious and political matters behind the decision.
     
    First off the Supreme Courts overruling the lower Courts decision was on appeal from the religious conservative factions. Also, the government facing an increase in pressure from the right wing conservative religious parties, they are believed to not want to open this subject up before May's national elections.
     
    India is the world's largest democracy. It is a sad affair to say the least, that religion has such an influence on this nation.
     
    It will be interesting to see what kind of reaction the police have, will they enforce the law? What the GLBT community will be doing to increase publicity and pressure for the government to re write the laws? What the international and more specifically the West will do to add international pressure?
     
    Hopefully sounder minds will eventually decide this and the government will make the necessary changes to avoid the courts from taking the nation back 154 years into the past.
     
    For our Indian gay members that will always be 'closer' to what is going on then us in the West, feel free to add into here or start your own blog.
  24. wildone

    Gay Refugee's

    By wildone,

    So find it really interesting that this has been a major point of the news of lately.
     
    I have often said that Conservatives up in Canada are probably left of Democrats in the US. Not sure if the US is doing this or speaking out to this degree against Russia but if they are then good on them!
     
    I never knew we took in 100 Gay Iranian refugees from Turkey either
     
    I'll let you read and see what you think.
     
    Canada accepting Gay Refugees
  25. wildone
    Not sure if anyone heard, but my home city of Calgary suffered historical flooding just 2 weeks ago. Several surrounding towns and hamlets were devastated as well .
     
    Something happened over the past two weeks that has given me a lot of hope, surprised me and just made me say wow. Although there was several beyond imaginable happenings over this time period, there is one that stood at the forefront in my mind.
     
    Every 1st and 2nd week of July Calgary plays host to the world with the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede. Some may call it a fair, an exhibition, a giant party. It bills itself as the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. About 1.2 million visitors plus a year attend the Stampede. Working out to over a 100,000 people a day to visit.
     
    The thing is the Stampede grounds are bordered by the Elbow river, one of the two rivers that flow through Calgary and burst their banks. Above the Stampede, the Elbow was flowing over top of the Glenmore Damn. Needless to say, amongst the 100,000 people evacuated from their homes, the Stampede Grounds were devastated.
     

     

     
    There was talk about cancelling the first Stampede in its 101 year history. Something that the great depression, two world wars and numerous other major events could have cancelled the annual party. Just a few days after the flooding, the Stampede announced that they would push ahead with this years Stampede. They would do this without the use of volunteers who would be needed in helping out the communities devastated by the floods. They would use their existing staff and contractors running around the clock. The last thing they wanted to do was take resources, mainly volunteers, away from the community.
     
    Friday morning arrived and 300,000 people attended the Stampede parade the winded its way through downtown Calgary which was also flooded two weeks ago. The grounds then opened and after the parade with only some minor changes due to closures. One of the hardest hit buildings was the Scotiabank Saddledome, our NHL hockey arena that was flooded up to the 13th row of seating and could not open. Four major concerts had to be cancelled.
     

     
    I spent the past two evenings volunteering down at the Stampede working for a local charity. It was pretty amazing to see the majority of the grounds open again to the visitors only two weeks after the flood.
     

     

     

     
    These images are from last year, but the general idea of the people who attend.
     
    Now for the second of the hope that I mentioned in the title. On 3 different occasions last night, I saw 3 different couples walking down the midway holding hands. All 3 would have been in the 20 to 30 range and very attractive in their jeans, shirts, cowboy hats and boots. One couple even I saw shared a kiss. The thing is all 3 of these couples were two men.
     
    Yes they got some looks from others and I'm sure some behind their backs comments of those gawkers, but they continued on without a worry of being in a predominantly butch tough environment.
     
    When I saw the first one, I thought of pulling out my phone and snapping a picture (probably due to how hot both guys were ) but dismissed it automatically thinking would I snap a picture of a random hetro couple holding hands? Probably not, so decided against it.
     
    I know that Texas has some pretty vibrant gay communities but when I attended the Texas State Fair in Dallas about 8 years ago with 3 other gay guys they had mentioned that there just was some places in Texas that you just don't announce you are gay.
     
    Hopefully someday, more and more this will be a common site across North America. Couples of both sexes being able to publicly show their affections to each others.
     
    If anything, it gave me hope and makes me smile
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