C James

A happy belated birthday from me, too! Hope you had a great one, Nick! :king:

Still, writing in a style other than your own, familier or not, is very hard, and I still think you did a spectacular job! As for the alternate ending, ummm, yes, there might be a FEW people would would have drawn that conclusion, ROFL! I liked the ending you gave it though.

It did indeed bring back memories, but I liked your version more than the original. Ya can't please everyone, I guess. Though, I did a double-take on the name there: I originally read WWWF as WWF, which is a sligtly different organizition, one might say. ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, now you have launched you mind control publicity campaigm, what are your goals?

In a word: Hogwash! I like Val's character, a LOT. She's fast displacing Jacob as my favorite! She's no more a "prop" than Matt and Jacob are. In fact, in many way's she's much more important to the plot than either one of them. She is also a big part of what makes LiS stand out, and I vehemently disagree with your friend.

Thanks!! (and I am looking forward to your next chapter in a day or so! Cool!) The "au naturale" was my attempt to portray an Arizona guy trying to pronounce it in French. IE: Badly. LoL! That's probably the limits of my attempts at French, though. ROFL! Awww, Veronica is a sweetheart; she wouldn't do any such thing... BTW, I know several women just kile that in real life, so it isn't just efiction. Or, I could just say that its all shdowgod's fault; he's a bad influence on me. That's for the compliment about the "myriad of stars" scene, though when i said they slipped into the dark waters and became one, I was implying a bit more than kissing. Of course, the next chapter may very well begin with "And the following morning, the two-headed creature with four arms and four legs slowly emerged from the pool, arguing with itself over who forgot to check the pool for radioactive waste..." Admittedly, not a lot happened in this chapter except for the data stick plan, but the backstory with Chad, Veronica, and Steve is important. Also, I wanted to have a fun interlude at this point in the story. BTW, The next chapter is entitled " Homecoming ".

Hmmmm, and where, oh where, is the even longer-awaited new chapter of "moving on"? hmmmm? ACK!!! Had it not been for Emoe's sharp eyes, the answer in Ch 15 would have been "two". Emoe, thank you for catching that! Hi Camy!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Eric? Well, Eric may be good, or he may be bad, or some mix of the two.

Hey! I don't see why y'all keep blaming me . Anf Cheevo means "goat", eh? Hmmm... "Cabra" is "Goat" in spanish, but any slang terms are way beyond me. I do notice that there is a lot of "California" is this story, which makes the Alien stuff far from the most bizzare aspects. I note this line from Ch 16: ""Large pepperoni and pineapple," If that isn't bizzare, what is??? Beware of the author's devious tricks. He's even been known to use cliffhangers on occasion. Ohhh, the meaning of life! BTW, my favorite line from the book is "Floating in the upper atmosphere, just like bricks don't". However, y'all might notice that Steve does not deny that my quoted text was in the Beta, for, indeed, it was.

I've attempted to edit before, and trust me on this, you DO need to be in the right frame of mind. If Emoe rushes, we get a bad chapter, so it is FAR better that he takes his time. It's also well to bear in mind that the big delay here was in me sending it to him. The one thing I will fault Emoe on: He has an unwaivering policy of refusing to edit a chapter until he receives it. He's very unreasobale about this. I keep trying to explain to him that things would go much faster if he would send me the edited chapters before I write them, but he just won't listen. BTW, Emoe already has Ch 15 & 16, as I'm working hard to build up a "buffer" again, to avoid future delays. Emoe, I'm not surprised you were trolling the forums... We all know that you are a postaholic. Wait patiently no longer. Thanks to Emoe, CHAPTER 14, In Beer, Veritas, Is up. Oh, and it is the longest chapter so far, nearly 8k words.

There is a theme of mechanical issues running through LiS, and I fear for the safety of the Mustang. OK, it is time to blow the lid of this issue once and for all. I share below a direct cut-and-paste from the beta of LiS 13, that occured during the 3-way. For reasons unknown (I suspect a sneaky author) it did not appear in the final posted version, but it was indeed in the beta!! (and I will mention again the spaceship dream seqence that DID make it into the posted version of Ch 15). Now, without further ado, here is the scene from LiS 13:

Jack, Jack, Jack... First you defy Leviticus, and now this... For shame! Ohhh Bondwriter: When you get him, you might need to cut out his tounge. I think Leviticus is fine with that... STORY NEWS: Due to real-life events, Emoe is busy (understatment alert!) and I do not have Ch 14 to post yet. I'll post as soon as I have it. I know it has been quite a while, sorry. Also, I got off my lazy haunches and wrote two additional chapters, 15 & 16, which Emoe now has as well, so I hope to be able to maintain a decent schedule again. I'm also halfway done with 17, though it is proving to be a tricky one.

Hmmmm... I suspect an insidious plot here. All these endorsements, hmmmm... I suspect there is a hidden agenda here. I demand to know: Where does the Lumberjacks union stand on this issue?!?!?!

Great chapter Rick, and I was happy to help! (and thanks!!). Thanks too Altimexis. I loved the NYE party, and them getting to be "out" for a night. Bruce was great, too I agree with Altimexis; it was very poignant that they got to be out, only to have to go right back into the closet again. A great NYE though! And it was cool seeing Jonah take the initiative and head back fro Bruce's.

Altemexis, there is a rule at play here: you can't please everyone. So, when in doubt, keep the writer (you) happy. I think your evision was the right compromise to make, though. I'll also point out that writers sometimes change their minds. I know for a fact that the plotline of my story has changed a few times as I've been writing it. So, one can never be certain of anything. It's looking good so far!

Aww, trying to foil my prediction, eh? You could always start naming your chapters. Start with Chapter 13, "The Deli". Hmm, that whole scene with Jacob being a little careless while driving the Mustang scared me. One little scratch and it would have been fatal. (Val would have killed him on the spot!).

I'm afraid you have the wrong idea when it comes to paying him: Paying him would make him a servant, not a slave. Leviticus 25:48-53 "After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him: Either his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him, or any that is nigh of kin unto him of his family may redeem him; or if he be able, he may redeem himself. And he shall reckon with him that bought him from the year that he was sold to him unto the year of jubilee: and the price of his sale shall be according unto the number of years, according to the time of an hired servant shall it be with him." As long as he isn't one of your siblings, you don't have to treat him as a servant. If one were to purchase his own brother into slavery, laws in Leviticus prevent treating him as other slaves, but rather as a guest or servant. Leviticus 25:39 "And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant: But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubilee: And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return." As for training him, we have to go to the book of Exodus for that. If you kill him while punishing him, you are in hot water, But, if he lingers a day or two after a beating, you are free and clear. Exodus 21:20-21 "And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money." As for after-sales service, hmmm, Leviticus is silent on that. BTW, just to be clear here; I'm not trying to ridicule the bible, but I am, definitely, ridiculing those who cite Leviticus or other things in the Old Testament as reasons to condemn homosexuality. As for the New Testament passages sometimes interpreted as condemning homosexuality (oft called the "clobber passages" they are all by Paul, and Paul, as I illustrated in Rev. Mike's sermon, cannot be taken too seriously, for he says a great many things, such as that the entire old testament applies to anyone who is circumcised. And yes, there will be more of this in FTL, though not the focus of the story.

This was very, very cleverly done! I'm so glad things went right for Georgie, and he is appreciated for his, ummm, special skills And I second Bondwriter's call regarding the diet. One a technical note, what Graeme did, in writing in a unique style such as this, is incredibly hard to do.

ACK! Editor leak!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Poor Eric, always doubted... Thanks Emoe!!! Hard to beleive it has been a year already. I didn;t think anyone noticed lurkers like me... Oh Jaaaack, methinks you need a vacation... In Switzerland.

Sneaky, sneaky!!! (and it worked, too!) Lost of new things! Althouh for sticking out, I think Jacob's handling caused Matt to fit that description the best while in the diner. ACK!!!! First I get threatened with echidna spines, then being BBQ'd, and now tail amputation!!! And all because I made an accurate prediction! I'll even go double or nothing and say that the next chapter will begin with a "C" too! I loved this chapter... Jacob is, as usual, priceless, and the shop scenes are perfect! (I'm being vague here to avoid spoilers) I will give one away though: Jacob, Male Stripper. I do hope this a recurring theme? Go read this chapter! Excellent, Steve!!!!!!!! :2thumbs: Oh, and BTW, LiS is just a few comments away from being the #1 most reviewed story in EFiction. If you really want to make Steve's day, leave him a comment there (the little white box at the bottom of the chapter) as well as here.

Jack, this was brilliant! My, how things have changed in Neverland! Tink is hilarious, and one wonders just how he spews his special pixie dust.... :2thumbs: This is indeed quite a change of pace for you, and you handled it very well indeed. I'm really looking forward to "Life's a Grind". Ummm, That title mystifies me. You last one was "Domes and Teapots" set against politics in DC, and that makes me wonder how "grind" is used here. I'll take a wild guess and say, it's set in the Coffee industry? Thank you for the great story!

This is one heck of a tale, Colin! I was laughing out loud at some of it, (especially Minions, both of them! BUAUAUAHAHAHAH!!! ) right up until this part: Goats? GOATS?!!?!? How could you! This story, though, is a brilliant piece of wit and satire, with many shaded of meaning, and is truly superb! Many have touched on the points, so I'll leave off with my favorite, which is the entire story itself. Bravo, Colin!!

To you both. Aunt Carrol sounds like a very special person, and I am sorry to hear of your loss. This must be especially traumatic, coming as it does during Dan's recovery. Best wishes and condolences to all, and please, don't worry about stories, worry about yourselves and your family. CJ

I very much enjoyed this chapter. Great background on the learning to fly situation, and so many other things. The chapter didin't seem to have momentous events, but it is my favorite thus far. I notice a lot of talk about dragons rising (to mate). I wonder whom Lileth will pick? I seem to recall that Dragons have been known to keep their riders in mind when choosing who to rise with. B'rell's dragon, perhaps?

Thanks Emoe!! All I can say is: I suspect a counter malfunction. And you are good with the ASCII art, too! But, shhhh, I'm a lurker, remember? He's good at it, too. Thanks Graeme! It has been wonderfull getting to know all of you! I was already a fan of DK's stories when I arrived, but it has been great taking part in the forums and getting to know everyone.