MikeL

Thanks, Benji. My wife and I have an ongoing discussion (we never argue ) about this. She is at considerable risk for heart disease and is convinced that margarine is better for her than butter. Of course, the real discussion is a matter of taste vs. cholesterol. She likes the product I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. My problem is that I can very easily believe it's not butter. vs.

Very well said, Nephylim. There are 474 members currently on GA who identify themselves as straight; that's 6% of the total membership. There are also 1,115 (14%) who do not specify their sexuality (Still figuring it out, Ask me, Not telling). GA is a great site for both good literature and good friends. There really is a sense of community here and it's good to know that minorities like straights won't be made to feel unwelcome.

Steve, if your first conversation with a new guy you fancy is clouded by thoughts of an eventual breakup, he may pick up some bad vibes. He may feel that you aren't really serious about a longer term relationship. Try being more optimistic. Enter a new relationship with the expectation that you will find what you really want. I know, you think being optimistic just sets you up for a bigger letdown. If you are pessimistic, you almost assure that there will be a letdown. Relax. Smile. Good luck!

I don't know if the other respondents noticed it and just didn't mention it. I understand each little bright spot on the map represents a McDonalds location, but the background (more obvious where there are fewer McDonalds) looks like very fatty intestines. Gross!

John, this may help: https://www.gayauthors.org/forums/topic/22272-2008-ga-readers-choice-awards/

Very interesting and encouraging story, Celia. Thanks for sharing.

I understand your concern. There are a lot of options for lowering your voice. Forget testosterone injections and vocal cord surgery. You can train yourself to speak in a lower octave. Just check out what's available via Google. Check Amazon or your local library for books on the subject. It might be worth the effort. I mean, how many decades has Wayne Newton added to his career by lowering his voice? Good luck and remember, bass or not, we love you.

I won't bother you with the details, but I can break out in a sweat at nearly any temperature. Not sure a bout 10

Meeko and Lacey seem to think this guy will be good for you. The big question is: Will you be good for him? Seriously, you are more experienced than he; it's your place to help him. If you are successful...if both of you have a good time...perhaps you will feel you have done something worthwhile. Don't give up on college; there are plenty that will accept you. It's important that you get a degree and that will be more important in the future.

Great news, Robert! You're going to slay them.

Of course you should. Great picture. Novel use of spoilers, too.

I've heard it said, "If you want to impress people, wear a Rolex; if you want to know the correct time, wear a Seiko." I have three watches each of which cost me less than USD 100. My old Seiko still keeps great time, but my Steinhausen is more stylish (thinner, larger face). My Tiffany Portfolio was a gift and has a black leather band; I use it when wearing black shoes and belt. A creature of habit, I always check my watch for the time and never leave home without wearing one. I never leave home without my cell phone either.

The changes are even more impressive since I graduated from high school fifty years ago. There remains a significant amount of prejudice against gays (a term for homosexuals that didn't exist then), but in that day virtually no one was out (a term I don't recall hearing fifty years ago).

The following quotation might provide some some comfort to left-handed gays. If prejudice against left-handers has disappeared, there is hope prejudice against gays will also disappear. ~ Kitty Burns Florey, Script & Scribble, The Rise and Fall of Handwriting, Melville House Publishing Company, Brooklyn, NY, 2009, p. 91

I got the message, too, applied the fix, and have restarted my PC. I like the idea of open source software. My next PC will have Firefox browser and Open Office applications. I'm still unsure what to do about the operating system. Can a non-geek type like me live with Linux? Are there a number of applications that aren't compatible with it?

Oh, but it is.

Gay Authors provides a sense of community and fellowship in addition to its main focus on quality literature. With very few exceptions, everyone gets along well here. There is also an opportunity to contribute, even for those like me with no writing talent, through either editing or proofreading as Rush mentioned, by providing advice and encouragement to other members, or by being a good listener. I encourage everyone to take advantage of all the site has to offer.

Bingo!

Lacey and Tim are both right. You don't need this on your record and it certainly can't be called entertainment. Your obligation to your friend was only to tell him he was doing something dangerous. You didn't need to enlist assistance from anyone else. You hurt your friend by telling the wrong person and hurt him again by assaulting his boyfriend. Your dad is cool, but you paid a big price to learn that. All is not well in your kingdom by the sea. Where's our sweet, lovable Chase and what have you done to him?

Oh, no! It doesn't work that way, Vic. You've been around long enough to know that (how can I put this?) they think differently. You can't expect her reaction to be what you would consider rational. *swims to far end of pond to hide under a rock*

Wen, I agree with you on Midnight Cowboy; there was a pretty strong indication of a gay relationship. As for your main question, I don't know any way to be sure of characters' sexual orientation in books or movies. Hollywood in particular often makes characters rather nebulous, and does so purposely I think. I also think you can't be certain in many real life situations. I have a number of really close friends who wouldn't think twice about about hugging each other in public. A casual observer, especially a gay person, could easily jump to the wrong conclusion. My friends, especially college fraternity brothers, are a close knit group. Occasionally; I will see one I haven't seen in 45 years; we will certainly hug each other. This sort of greeting is becoming more important as we are losing more friends each year. You never know when the next funeral will be. To my knowledge, none of these friends is gay. At this point, I doubt that would matter.

Shhh! You didn't have to advertise it. I have relatives along the Gulf Coast.

Good to see you back, goat. Since you've been out of contact, I think I should warn you to watch your hind quarters. There is a sinister movement afoot to consume the rear legs of certain lovable creatures. It's an idea imported from Europe by left leaning, one world types. They've even indoctrinated James Savik of all people. Forewarned is forearmed (or four-legged if you will).

Grocery stores are hiring. Despite the poor economy, people are still eating.

What is this world coming to? Now the sweet, lovable Mississippians are adopting the diets of "old Europe". I thought James of all people would steer clear of the "one world" culture. I have to blame Obama for this. That's not a political comment, just an observation.