C James

I certainly agree with you here! The idea that you, me, Bondwriter, and Viv could have ALL missed that "Ark" is indeed far-fetched. So, therefor, occam's razor indeed cuts toward a UFO (fiven the prior extra-terrestrial aspects) escorting a giant space-ark. However, my main point was about Cody... What happens to him? Does he get to live his dreams with his friend Joe, or not? Spin-off... spin-off... Spin-off....

Wildone, that was great! I will, however, refrain from commenting on its authenticity. And Bondwriter, are you implying that I stink? Awww, you are so mean to this poor, unassuming goat.. Though, the question regarding where you plan on acquiring a goat skin makes me decidedly nervous. To add to the collection here of names for fans of the stories, we have Sharon's suggestion of "Goatwhisperers" and an anonymous e-mail (no kidding!) suggesting "The Heard" (I think they might have meant "The Herd"). Well, there's one OTHER suggestion... Also via anon e-mail (and if I find out who sent it, be forewarned, I shall tease you unmercifully! ) that, well, claims to play on what seems to be a recurring circumstance in my stories... (Though, in my defense, I'll point out that there is none in "The Muse".). The name suggested is "the unshirted."

Hi Sungod! Thanks! Brandon is indeed the "fish out of water", but this is all new to him; the story timeline has only been a few days so far. Ch 5 should be along shortly, BTW. I just have to get it formatted into HTML, and then I can send it off to Joe for posting. Awww, but what's this? No sunglasses? What? Evil characters in my stories?? I have no idea what you could possibly mean... I always try and write sweet, lovable characters who may, of course, have a few minor personality flaws. Brandon has an excuse... he's blond. I'm assuming you're referring to him being oblivious regarding Chase? Chase seems equally oblivious, but then again, he's blond too.

My impression of what Wildone meant was that if the paragraph was broken where he said, it would read more accurately. As it stands, the flying saucer appears to be the dog's Frisbee. As for "ark", it thought that a most apt designator for such a large flying saucer? Totally agreed, even shadowgod's minor characters were mesmerizing. Cody was downright intriguing. However, I felt that part of the story was, well, incomplete... We never saw how things worked out for Cody. There is only one remedy for this... a spin-off story! Cody 1 Cody 1 Cody 1 I missed that "ark" too, Bondwriter. However, we must look at it in context; We weren't wrong if Steve did indeed mean, as I suspect, that a flying saucer was escorting a very large flying ark on it's way to the park (to take Matt, Jacob, and James home again?) "Cutting" in this context could be similar to a figher-pilot's use of the term, "Cutting the lumbering bombers through the sky", which means a weaving path ahead of them is an escort role. Therefore, Bondwriter, I propose that we were not wrong to leave it as "Ark", for that is, most clearly, what the author intended: a flying saucer escorting an enormous space ark as it approaches the park. (its either this, or admit that we both goofed. Which do you prefer? )

I'm afraid it's a manifest failure, Graeme... Tarantula spiders are native to Arizona, but all the book say that they live at altitudes under 6000 feet. However, I live at 7000 feet, and during may, when they are on the move, I often get several on my front porch; sometimes big ones, about 5 inches. I've tried explaining to them that they don't live at such high altitudes, by they just don't listen... Another failure of the education system, i suspect.

Oh, Rats!!! In my prior blog entry, I described some of the storm damage to my house. Well, the good news is that I found a roofing contractor willing and able (they have 4x4's) to drive out this far. The bad news is they have only one 4x4, a pickup, and so it's been one or two guys working on the roof. Sadly, none of them fit the stereotype of hot young shirtless roofers. Oh well. There has, however, been an unexpected fringe benefit; I have house guests! Yes indeed, unexpected visitors who have clearly overstayed their welcome (not that I was ever particularly welcoming). The roofers have had to removes some of the plywood underlayment on my roof. They've covered the holes with plastic. So far, so good. However, in my area we have a varmint called the Desert Pack Rat. According to the literature, these don't climb. I wish I could get the little suckers to read that, becuase they don't seem to be aware of their inability to climb. They've discovered that they can get in via the roof holes, and are doing so. Hence, I have unwelcome house guests. Oh, Rats!!!

Hi Flip! Welcome to the GA forums!!! If you need any help of advice, please don't hesitate to ask. Hrmmm, best be carful crediting Shadowgod with writing these stories; he might sue us all for libel! ROFL!! Well, 'tis true, goats do walk faster then humans. . Actually, Emoe, it's downhill both ways, so he's able to make good time. All jokes aside, I do tease a lot about errors, but there's one line in the credits that says it all: "All remaining errors are mine alone". If I didn't make 'em, the errors wouldn't be there, so no, I won't share credit for the goofs; they're mine, mine I tell ya!

Hi Benji! Well, hmmm... I 'spose you wouldn't like "For the Love of Eric" either? And yes, there ather goats around these parts... Conner, for one. Thank you Sungod! It was a fun story to write, but difficult too. I had to research everything from theology (for the sermon; to make sure the argument was theologically accurate and original) to drug effects (for the ketomine and the dart gun). The computer stuff was a little easier; I knew about the exploit the "Firehole keylogger" uses, so it's possible. The remote-control gear and the camera gear took some research too. However, I love gadgetry, so I actually enjoyed most of it. Now that FTL is over, this thread will likely fall into silence (though I'll always keep a copy). So, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been part of it. This has been more special to me that you can possibly know, and amongst other things this thread has been my motivation to defeat writer's block when it sets in. I've had more fun here than I ever thought possible. Thanks everyone! CJ

Totally agreed. I found Bran's mother's reaction very interesting indeed, I think she might suspect something. Not sure about whom. The dream sequences were very telling, both for hopes, and fears. Wonderful job, Aillie!

ROFL!! Awww, what a thing to imply about sweet, innocent, shy me.... Hi Lashrac! There is an ugly rumor going around that I post a lot... I have no idea where it could have started. I darkly suspect that someone, or someones, might be out to tarnish my precious reputation as a shy and quiet lurker. Well, I do have three short stories an the website in addition to the two serials. LoL BTW, I regret to announce that there was an error in LTMP Ch 4: A friend PM'd me to say that he can't walk that far that fast, it would take over an hour at a fast pace. He's right. I won't name him here becuase he didn't say it was ok to do so, but THANKS for pointing this out. I do try and keep my background info accurate, and this is a glaring goof. In the next paragraph I have Brandon taking an hour and a half to throw on clean clothes, wolf down some bread, and get back to the studio. That would be more likly. I'll fix this problem and send in the revised chapter the next time I upload a new chapter. Oops. BTW, I blame our anonymous beta reader Shadowgod for this. In fairness, i think I added that bit right before posting, after he'd seen the chapter, but i haven't blamed him for much in recent days, so I thought I should blame him for this.

Aillie is quite right... Neither he, nor I, use cliffhangers. Of to read Ch 2!

Thank you!! I'm trying to keep to a chapter-a-week schedule, and I'll keep working at it (I'm a little behind in the writing at the moment). Thank you! What? Me, Evil? I'm not evil... I only write sweetness and light... Any eeevilness must be added by either You, Emoe, or Shadowgod. Hi Mizu! I can't comment on future happenings directly, but I do want to say that I'm trying for some semblance of realism, nothing too far-fetched. Thanks!!! CJ Thanks Ieshwar! Brandon definitely has some issues, and his own pride is amongst them, along with his conscience. He's truly a fish out of water now, and feeling inadequate while caught up in a whirlwind. The brothers are nice guys, but they live in a different world than where Brandon is from, so helping him adapt is a hit-and-miss process for them. Hi Conner!! Thanks!! I can

<CJ waves at Conner from a safe distance> This reminds me, I've been meaning to add 0:)something to my siggy...

29... 29... 29... 29... My favorite part... Tough call, that, I have a lot of 'em. Hrmmm, I'd say it had to be Matt and Jacob locking themselves out at the quarry, naked. I'd also say that Jacob is my favorite character. :wacko: Yeah, riiiiight...

I'm wondering if Josh is as safe as Mikie now thinks? Josh is supposedly straight, so his actions are incongruous to say the least. Fascinating chapter, and I loved the bit about the desert harboring life.

:king: :king: :king: :king: Happy Birthday! :king: :king: :king: :king: Have yourself a wonderful birthday, and an even better year. CJ

:king: :king: :king: :king: Happy Birthday! :king: :king: :king: :king: Have a great day, and many happy returns!

The next chapter of LTMP is up Now we have a forum, I wanted to try individual chapter threads. Please let me know what y'all think! CJ

Ethan is great. The dream sequences were very good; just enough "unreality" to make the reader question their veracity, and begin to suspect. I'm very glad that you followed through with this and posted it. Thanks!

A beautiful ending; Valarie found someone, Matt and Jacob have their family, and Jacob found his calling. I very much liked Jacob's arrival home; especially the scene where he finds the mural, and also when he finds out that Matt is living there with him. I will of course mention that there was, indeed, a flying saucer in it. (the one Hannibal caught). Jacob pondering riding again... I'd hoped that one of the demons he'd slain was that one, but, we see him safe and sound years later, so I can't gripe too much on that one issue.

Awww, dang, back to the drawing board... Thanks Bob! I'll do what I can, but I've got another serial underway at the moment, "Let the Music Play", and I need to get a few chapters ahead before I spend any time on anything else. LoL! Well, one possibility was "For the Love of Money". ACK! Dang, there goes another one... grumble grumble... How about "For the Money"? Or "Eric's Redemption"? Who? me?

Thanks!!! I'm having loads of fun. Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!

Great chapter! I'd suspected Krist was onto them a while back... His comment in Icelandinc the first time at the treehouse cracked me up!

:king: Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!! :king: Congratulations, and have yourself a great day my friend!