C James

Custom built, always! I've never found an off-the-shelf PC that fit my needs, so I always build my own. CRT or Flat-screen monitors?

Wow! Thank you Dan!!!!!! I didn';t pick up on this being from Brian's perspective until his Dad called him by name! Good one!! The fact that the prior timelines were wiped out is great: it removes a lot of repitition, and opens up infinite possibilities. I can't wait to seee where this goes! I also wonder what it is about Davey that Brian picked up on??

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope everyone had a happy and safe one.

Are celebrations in order? Could it really be?!?!?

I agree with Kurt, but I predict that Graeme is being sneaky: I'll bet BOTH sons are dedicated Chocoholics.

EMOE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shame on you for saying that we are cloned! We are lurker Goats, I tell ya! I'm just a quiet and shy forum lurker. It even says so in my profile. Hmmm, as for my blog, perhaps I should blog about lurking?

That's only because you are on the strange side of the dateline, Graeme. Nah, surely it is obvious by now, viven the hard data (my posting rate of 0.00) that I am a lurker? This is proof, I tell ya!

Kitty, you have done it again! Thank you so much for all that you did on this, it's yet another great anthology!

You had a very difficult job here: telling a story without hardly any dialog, and you pulled it off brilliantly! Very touching, and a great read. Thanks Viv!!

Excellent! I do hope that you post the longer version, and MORE! I loved the local color. I've spent time in the area, and you describe it very well indeed. The bit about the Telescope was a classic! And I think the "Only gay in the village" worked great. I had no clue about it until I started reading the thread, but it worked for me anyway.

I agree with Graeme, that was eeeevil, leaving us hanging! This was great, and a great follow-up to your fall anthology. I wonder what is up with Jake thoguh! And that vision, what did it mean. Why UCLA, too? Questions, questions!

Nick, you have outdone yourself. This is just superb. It is both beautifully written, and has a superb plot. This actually bought a tear to my eye, and not much does that. That letter was a crowning touch, and I think you ended it in just the right place. Bravo, Nick!

Absolutely fantastic, Shdowgod! You are superb at imagery, and you shine in this story. This is one of the most poignant and evocative pieces I've ever seen. I loved the detail, such as the song on the cell, and, well, all of it.

Yes indeed! See? I';ve been saying all along that I'm a lurker, and here we have proof! I will also proudly point out that the list of top ten posters by posts per day lists me as having a posting rate of 0.00 posts per day!! Yep!! Proof positive that I'm a lurker!! Thank you Bardeara!!!! Sorry Rick, but you can't be a lurker like me, you post too much! I haven't posted since last year! Happy New Year Everyone!!

Wow, that was powerful, and poignant. Great imagery and metaphors, too. Well done!! CJ

Very enchanting, E2R! I love hidden rooms and secret passages.

I love a happy ending, and this was a really sweet one! The part where he woke up was a little scary, I was thinking for a second that it sounded like Carbon Monoxide from the heater, and it wouldn't have been a happy ending at all then! I don't know whether that was intentional, but it worked just great! GREAT JOB! Thanks!

Chapter 10 is up! That was really sweet, Rick! I loved it! I especially liked the little insecurities, becuase those are so darn real. I love the way Sky and Jonah can communicate. Uhoh, though: Going to see Sky's Mom? She's the Fundi! Yipes, that does not sound good, not at all. I'm calling this one a cliffhanger!

To put it in your vernacular, Camy, Bloody Brillaint! I loved the twists, the humor, and especially Bob!

Great job!! I too thoguht James had died (the dream). I'm still puzzled by the ending, though, but I think that is by design. Good onE!

That was great! I especially liked Satar, and his name sure fit! I loved the touch of dry humor ("aim for Mason").

Congratulations, everyone!!! Wow, Nick, Thank you!

Hmmmm! Now why would we be seeing Sol uniforms in the story? This is one heck of a good story, DK.

Much depends on where at the Canyon you want to go to. The main visitor sites are at the North and South rims, about 15 miles apart as the crow flies. However, there is no way to drive directly between them (it's about a 200 mile drive). To get to the North rim, you have to go through Utah. North Rim is less "touristy" and the weather is cooler (the altitude is about 9000 ft.). Make reservations well in advance, as the lodge is about the only place within a hundred miles to stay (or eat). South Rim is where most people think of when they say "Grand Canyon". It's easily accessible (only an hour north of Flagstaff and Interstate 40). It's only at about 8000ft, so is slightly warmer. I'd suggest may or june for both north and south rims. You can hike to the bottom of the canyon from either rim. I've made it to the bottom (Phantom Ranch at the River) and back in one day (it was dark by the time I got back to the rim) but it was one hell of a hike/run. Do not attempt it unless you are in great shape and used to mountain hiking. The climb out is grueling once you are tired. Do you have a 4x4? If so, there are tons of scenic dirt roads and trails in the area. Sunset crater, north of Flagstaff, is well worth a visit. It has a volcanic cinder cone and lava flow (from 500 years ago) and also Indian ruins, plus a natural blowhole. (changes in barometric pressure cause strong air inflows or outrushes) Definitely see Meteor Crater, too. Further east on I40, don't miss the Petrified Forest. If you can, take a detour to Southern New Mexico to see Carlsbad Caverns. It is one of the most spectacular sights on the planet. The sheer size is incredible. If you go, stay near the park entrance, and go early on a weekday morning, right when they open. You can hike from the surface down to the main chamber. It's an easy hike, just 2 1/2 miles, though much of it steeply downhill. If you can go when there are no people around, the experience of being alone in those chambers is well worth it, and makes the hike an utterly unforgettable experience. Once you reach the bottom, another two-mile hike takes you around the perimeter of the main chambers (yep, it is that big). Once done, you can take the elevator (no kidding!) back to the surface. In fact, you have to, as the trail in is one-way. You can take the elevator both ways, but I recommend the hike. It is incredible.

What? For me, a dedicated lurker who almost never posts? But I almost never reply!! Really!! BTW, I'm astounded that you know of Fort Huachuca! It's not well known even here in Arizona. Thank you Jack!!!!!!!!!!! I hope you enjoy the remainder. I'm also delighted to no longer have to dodge bullets from you!