wildone

I have to admit that I tended to shy away from Fanfic in general. I guess there is tons of fanfics that center around Harry Potter and maybe I'm just to old to get it, but I'm not interested in the plot and characters in the original, so what can any author really do to make me interested in their version? The first fanfic that I did read right through was I'm not sure even if if falls into that category. I think it was about a down and out gay teenager, Skyler, who becomes a rock star and then TV and movie star. He has multiple encounters with real life celebrities like Justin Timberlake, the Backstreet Boys, and a bunch of others. I eventually tired of it and gave up. I think it was at Nifty . The next one I broached was actually Krista's Twilight fanfic. I didn't read any of the books, I didn't watch the movies, but reading her story made me interested in the whole Vampire, Warewolf genre. After getting 4 or 5 chapters in where the main character isn't from the series and is gay but interacting with the characters from the original, I was interested enough to actually watch the movies Consider me part of Team Jacob btw . So in this case, Krista's writing made me more interested in the original. Although it is unedited and unbeta'd, I still enjoy reading it. I guess that puts me solidly on the fence. I don't care for HP fanfic, but Krista made me aware of a fanfic that I did enjoy and moved me to look at the original.

I remember visiting the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles about 5 years ago. While in the Holocaust section, I was surprised to learn about how the gays were treated with as much hate and bigotry as the Jews were. I agree with what Thorn says, repealing sodomy laws in: Canada 1969 US 32 states by 2002, all states due to the SCOTUS decision in 2003 UK England and Wales in 1967, in Scotland in 1980, Northern Ireland in 1982 South Africa 2007 Russia 1993 New Zealand 2007 (Cook Islands Territory, still illegal) Japan 1880 Italy 1889 Israel 1988 (full abandonment of the law) East Germany 1988 and West came on board with reunification in 1994 France 1981 Brazil never been legislated to be illegal except in military service Australia 1975 but Tasmania remained until 1997 China never been legislated to be illegal except with adult/minor (18 y/o) Denmark 1933 Sweden 1944 North Korea never been legislated to be illegal South Korea never been legislated to be illegal Most sodomy laws were used against homosexuals, but also did include M/F anal intercourse as well. Interesting on where the different countries fall, don't you think?

Due to concerns of moving into a political discussion, this topic is now locked. If you would like to continue to talk about this and the political references please create a blog. Forum Moderation Team

I agree, it wouldn't be too hard to figure it out with a 17 y/o girl and a 18 year old boy to see what Trevor was more interested in. I liked the agreement that Lisa and Trevor worked out about talking to Joel. Sometimes blackmail is what works best (as been seem multiple times by our beloved author). Interesting introduction to Dirk. Although Trevor's opinion of him is all we have I just didn't get the feeling that his not making constant eye contact as meaning he'd hate Trevor for being gay.

What is Trevor thinking Having a guy check him out in his Speedos and then him agreeing with him that not looking for bf material. Then again, I soon forget how nervous I was at that age not knowing what to do or who to do what with Should be an interesting convo between Lisa and Trevor though

So Lisa seems an interesting character. I wonder how close the two really are, it seems like they are friends in good times and bad. Just misery enjoys company and both seem to be understandably miserable right now.

Having the opportunity to reread the story, it is amazing how much foreshadowing is in this prologue. Even if you read it over and over again, it continues to stay true through out the story. Good job!

Yang, Our immigration policy is extremely different than yours. Where as you have 316 million people in a land mass that is smaller than Canada, which only has 33 million people. So for every Canadian there is about 10 Americans. This allows us to have more generous and different immigration policies than what you do. Hopefully you are not judging us by having the ability to consider refugee status or asylum based on many different factors that the US probably can't. Trust me, there is a lot of different parts of our immigration policy that makes me cringe. Mainly the expense of the Universal Healthcare for newly landed peeps. Not to say they don't deserve medical care, but they should be contributing to receive it. My biggest beef is right now with the repeated stories of some Asian duo citizens that get their Canadian citizenship through having the money and the language skills yet don't move any of their money from their other country and not contributing to our economy. They use Canada as a residence of convenience. This is not only Asia, every time there is a mass evacuation from a country, like Lebanon, all of a sudden there is numerous 'Canadians' looking for a free ride out of there quickly. Only to return as soon as the peace returns, sometimes not even setting foot in Canada. Currently Vancouver is still one of the greatest growing cities with mainly immigration from China leading the charge. Yes they pay property taxes on their empty condos, but they are not generating any money for our economy after they purchase their residence. So when I see oppressed people like political refugees, people who suffer discrimination up to and including death, etc. getting a fair shake at our immigration then I'm happy. For clarification all I was saying about the US is that I hope they look at sexual identity as being a consideration from an oppressed country as another part of contributing to the melting pot that both of our countries are. P.S. Yanger, you know you are always welcome up here

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

To top it all off, there was no Bank holiday in Canada, but we did have our Civic Long Weekend Holiday. Pure anti-Canadianism in it's most ugly form

One word: Ethnocentric Except one small disclaimer....when it comes to Human rights, then I can only think it is in the best interest to pressure other countries to improve.

Oops, I'm really late to the party :music: Happy Birthday Carl :music: by your quote above and your avatar, I would say the crease is because you haven't farted! Let it out and they will all disappear. Hope you had a great Birthday

I misread this one map Yay to big Canadian penises Boo to Canadians not to be able to read legends of maps

I don't believe a thing I want to put Canadian penises up against American penises any day of the week

Not knowing for sure, but if you wanted to take on the task you could have people send you word.doc's with their recipes on it. I would warn everyone that they should give credit where credit is due if it is taken from a Best of Bridge cookbook, etc. Then the person coordinating it would have to take all the different styles, fonts, pictures possibly and put them all into one master Word doc before being submitted. An index of listed items would be good too as well as breaking things into categories, such as muffins (yeah, you need to submit yours Cia ), meat, seafood, chicken, pies, etc. Last, based on PMDacey's request, if alternatives to people with have to endure celiacs then maybe an additional section for gluten free recipes or even after the body of the recipe suggestions on substitutions. Unfortunately like Cia said, it would need to be one or more people to spearhead this and compile it. Since I don't have the time either these are only suggestions, not a rule of what you have to do. Just sharing my experience for making a couple of charity cookbooks at work.

I didn't read all the articles, I caught the TV special on it One thing I found interesting, the magnetic pull of the Sun is less than a fridge magnet. The earth's is much less. Maybe I should start a cult based on the world ending in 11 years from now with the sun and earth being pulled together by the magnetic pull Anyone who wants to join can email me their personal and complete financial information. Remember, any and all monies will be used to help us prepare for the day

Okay you two, go to your corners for a 10 minute time out Really?

Here is an interesting slide show for your viewing pleasure http://ca.omg.yahoo.com/photos/the-o-c-where-are-they-now-slideshow/chris-carmack-luke-ward-photo-1375803176435.html I think you might be surprised what the bully Chris Carmack is currently doing

Oh, you know she is married and if she doesn't kill you, there is other members in her house that will

Hmmm, if you feel old about the O.C. imagine how old I feel when the same was being talked about with the original Beverley Hills 90210 *sigh* Brandon and Dillon

Well it sounds like the whole world is gay Thanks for sharing!

Whew! I said I was going to pay off my credit cards in January. Since they have all been cancelled and sent to collections, can I direct them to CJ and say that I honestly believed it was still December?

You mean you didn't take a bath this week? I know this is actually a forum to get practice for improving your writing skills, but I thought I would have just a little fun Hopefully it makes you at least smile a little bit P.S. I did not read Libby's excellent tips on how cliche's can ruin your writing

:music: Happy Birthday Steve1 :music: Not sure if you even pop in here anymore, but want to wish you a great Birthday with many more to come. Steve2

:music: Happy Birthday Jammi :music: Here's hoping that your day was the best of the year