C James

Yes, I know how that goes. The same thing happens to me...

If it wasn't for the emoticon, I would've thought this was an unfortunately choice of phrasing, but I suspect it was deliberate. As such, I refuse to rise to the bait and I'm not going to mention it. What? Would *I* do something like that? BTW, Graeme, I notice that your method of not mentioning it involved making a post!

Bardeara, I was amazed too! Astounded, actually! In fact, when I first heard mention of the 50'000 post milestone, I thought it was Kevin's (AFF) personal post count nearing that number! So, when I made the 50k post graphic, I kept the .psd draft version in photoshop, so we can use it again in a few months to celebrate Kevin's 50,000th post. Well, I'll de-lurk long enough to take this opportunity to mention some upcoming milestones! Soon, very soon, Kitty will make her 2000th post! She is currently at 1968 posts. Kitty will likely be the first person other than Myr to make 2000 posts here, though Kevin (a Friendly Face) is not far behind and has been steadily overtaking, so he might just get their first! Thank you everyone for helping to get GA to this point. Every post helps!

Congratulations on reaching 50,000 GA and Myr, and congratulations Kurt on making the 50,000th post!

Good pick, Bardeara! I've heard very good things about Honda Civics. But, you have me worried about the whole give up writing to become a car guy thing! Rumor has it that it isn't hard at all to do both writing and auto mechanics. And don't you dare give up writing! I loved your anthology entry so absolutely! BTW, watch out on that PCV valve. Take a look at the old one and see why it failed. If it is clogged with oil, you have a likely big problem: blowby. That would require major engine work (new piston rings, maybe re-sleeving the pistons, and a lot of other things too).

Thank you Nick!!!! That means a lot to me. I will indeed keep trying. I'm hooked! Thank you so much for all that you do. You are an inspiration to so many.

I am very sorry to hear this. He bought a lot of joy into a lot of lives with his writing, and he shall be dearly missed. My sincere condolences to his freinds and family.

:king: Happy 20th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :king:

That sure terrifies me, becuase I see it all too often: people beleiving anything they read or see on TV. <shudder> I'm particularly fond of www.godhatesshrimp.com It is a satire, sort of, but in their case they make darn good doctrinal arguments (far better ones, bucolically, than the fundies can drum up regarding homosexuality). I love it that they so often cite Leviticus! Uhoh. I can see that I'd have my gay card revoked in short order, once my taste in home furnishings and housekeeping was noticed...

Cmass is doing satire, and has roped in quite a few people. That ariticle did indeed come from The Onion, but I really loved Cmass using a link to http://www.venganza.org/ as a cite. That web page does indeed exist. It is the online home of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

Announcing the GA Fairy Tales Retold Anthology! As Kitty mentioned some time ago, because of the close results in the poll for the 2006 quarterly anthology themes, GA is going to have an additional special themed anthology (totally separate from the quarterly anthologies). "Back in New Orleans, they have a word "lagniappe", which means something extra, or an unexpected gift. So y'all are going to get lagniappe today." So, thanks to the members of GA, we are having a lagniappe Anthology! The Theme for this special Anthology is "Fairy Tales Retold (to a gay theme)". Everyone is encouraged to participate! Just put a new spin (and a gay theme) on a traditional Fairy Tale, Fable, or Folk Tale. You may be as creative as you wish in rewriting the source fable or tale of your choice, as long as it's written from a gay perspective. The only thing we ask is: Please be imaginative in your choice of fable or fairy tale! (We'd prefer not to have half a dozen Cinderella stories .) Please also be original with the title: For obvious reasons we can't have two stories with the same title, so it will be strictly first-come, first-serve. In the case of multiple submissions with the same title, the first submission with that title will keep it, while later ones will be asked to come up with a new title. Submission Guidelines Please read the full rules and submission guidelines that are in the Fairy Tales Anthology post in the Anthology forum here.

Yep, that might make him cranky and irritable, which would not be good; if there is one thing worse than a murderous Muse, it is an irritable murderous muse. Thank you Kevin, and thank you for the great review! BTW, the continuation of "No shirt?, No problem!" Isn't what I will start posting in a few days. The continuation is coming, though, in a few weeks, and will be called "No Shirt? Still no problem!". Edit to add: I'd just like to offer an open invitation to any critical reviews; please feel free to post them here or PM me if you prefer. I love constructive criticism!

I am so happy to hear that there will be more to this story! It is really intriguing! Thank you Comicality!!!

edit alert! :ranger: gotcha! ROFL! YEp! And I would like to point out for everyone that, if not for Emoe, Joel would have been hearing noses instead of noises! Many thanks to Emoe, my Editor and friend, for editing this story (and my other stories too!), and making it so much better. Thanks Luc! Thank you! I couldn't find a workable picture of a forest at night, so I made that graphic from one of a sunlit forest and changed the lighting, then added the eyes and title.

Why, shure!! It wasn't all Jed Clampet styles, though! I did suggest Walmart a lot too. So, Kevin, does this mean that you don';t want me to be the voice of grooming and fashion on your blog? Don;'t you want to get in touch with your inner redneck? OK, time to fess up: Yep, I hardly exaggerated at all (except for the red-neck picture!) in my descriptions and recommendations. Basically, I was describing my own methods and tastes to a very large extent. I have used hair conditioner more than once (maybe three times over the years), but I was serious: I couldn't remember whether the darn stuff goes one before or after a shampoo. Yes, I really do sometimes clothes shop at a feed and grain store. However, that is for normal clothes like Levis, range jackets, and boots, not overalls (seriously, if your are going for practical western boots, you can't beat the selection at a feed and grain store). I only own one pair of overalls and it's a mechanics style, and I wear it only for working on my vehicles or similar extremely messy jobs like painting. (I doubt even Kevin is a fashion plate when changing an oil pump, but I could be wrong! ) Most of Kevin's post is WAY over my head. I haven't even heard of most of what he described. I did catch one bit though that I heartily endorse: Sunscreen! That I do use as I spend a lot of time outdoors. My interest isn't cosmetic as much as avoiding cancer, but it does both. Use it, it could save your life. CJ

What? You didn't like the cute little beastie? And here I went to such trouble to write him as sweet and lovable. He even came when Joel called, and even joined him for dinner! Thank you!! What I was trying for was to make the narration quite different in style to Joel's writing style. I started out the narration in an archaic style, and then after Joel had written his parts (in a slightly similar style ) I shifted over to a more normal style. I was trying to portray a shift, Joel becoming one with his story as his story came to life. Now for my confession regarding the "rules of writing". I came up against this recently, when i wanted the "feel" of both a third person and first person perspective. I had heard that you just can't do that, and, like Joel, it frustrated me. In resolving the issue (I needed both for another story, and found a way to do it, but not quite the same method I used in this one) I figured why not go whole hog, and use all three voices, plus past and present tenses, but without breaking an actual "rules". Bingo! That was exactly what I was going for. Another metaphor was that sometimes, the best way to go is sideways. (can anyone figure out what I mean by that? ) Thank you Krista!!! BTW, so far you have been right in your prediction that no one would ask for a sequel to this one. I do have an outline in mind, but I think Joel's character might be a little too stiff to play the protagonist again. Thank you! So far, it is only lacking a title.

I've been reading through the old threads in the Lounge, and looking back at all you have done to build this wonderful place! GA helped get me through a very hard time in my life, and I'm sure it has done the same for many others. GA has also given me the writing bug, something I am deeply thankful for. So, Myr, Thank you for this wonderful place, and for all that you do, and the many years of work that it has taken to bring GA to this point. :king:

I never thought of that! Oh my, this could possibly imperil my reputation as a quiet and shy lurker

Thank you Graeme! This was tricky to write, but it was fun, and I had a blast doing it. At least Joel is no longer a frustrated writer, now that his Muse has finally headed his call.

Thanks!!!! Provided, of course, that it doesn't end up being entitled "insert title here" Hi Camy!! Well, "A Goat's Tale" is better then "insert Title Here", So that is a possibility! As for training the Muse, I do hope that your Muse treats you a little better then the one in "The Muse" tends to behave.

I loved this! I've experimented a little with lucid dreaming myself, so that alone hooked me. I loved the descriptions, and the characters! Bax was especially great ("golden-boy looks" made him especially interesting! ) I just loved this story, and the mix of fun, with.. something very different. Forboding? I loved it, but I want more!

Hi Michael! The cowboy pic cuts off, so if anyone wants to see it, just save it to your HD and then view it. Nah, that's a city-slicker version of a cowboy! But, work with me, and I can have you looking like this in no time at all! (and no, that isn't me!!!) And you will owe it all to Kevin's blog! Kevin, you will soon be famous for hosting fashion advice of this calibre! It's a first, I tell ya!

Thank you Joe!!!! Joe does a heck of a lot here, far more than most of us ever see. Keeping a site like this running is no easy task! THANK YOU JOE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tom, I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandmother.