Geron Kees

Or four!

Hmm. Sort of a 'make of this what you will' approach, huh? Interesting that both you and Valkyrie pegged the first flight to Mars as being a Russian gig, or at least in part. What brought that on? Fun tale. Makes my imagination do somersaults!

Funny! But how did Natasha get to Earth in the first place?

Cinderella, as directed by Hitchcock? Fairy tales are subject to the whims of the times in which they are written. Unfortunately, too many become considered classics without taking into account the attitudes of those very times, and then it's hard to de-classic them later on. Adults do not always consider the implications of the stories their kids are reading or watching. If a parent asks a kid what's on TV, and they say Cinderella, most parents will smile and walk away, figuring it's harmless. Very few will look alarmed and scream, "That sexist bullshit! You turn that off!" I'm with Mr. Hazday. Parents today should be careful about letting their kids watch the cartoons we grew up watching. As an adult, I still love Bugs Bunny. But in reality, he would be doing twenty to life for some of the stuff he did in those old cartoons!

Hmm. Where is this going? I have to see!

Great fish joke. Great alien joke. And not a bad human joke, either!

Ah! Wonderful, visual verse about my favorite season! Thanks for sharing!

Ouch. Words definitely can hurt, and convey hurt. I can only infer here, and say I'm sorry that you had to write something like this. But it's a good thing to express yourself, and you did it well. No failure visible here, certainly.

See Droughtquake's marvelous review, and...me, too! Great read, especially if you're considering the idea of getting older and wiser.

Droughtquake has given you a marvelous review. I was tempted to leave one by his that said, "See DT's review, and me, too!"

Fascinating chapter, Marty. I have to admit to simply not understanding such entrenched formality and rigid uniformity. Rules are one thing when you attend a school, and some compliance is necessary to participate. But after it's all over and everyone is an adult, the freedom to choose should take precedent over years of being mired in a social form of mud. I am hoping both that Lowry did not leave, and that he has refused to change his clothing. And I'm waiting to see how the guys handle Settle. As always, you've left us waiting for more. I hope you write fast, is all I can say!

Oh...this can't be the end? There has to be some chance for Eric to see Rob again, right? Oh...you plan more? Okay. I agree with the method of writing first and publishing later. Much easier on reader and writer, both, to do it that way. But...I'm wasting your time. You should be writing!

Parents, like kids, are all different. What else can I say?

Yep. I remember the first time I realized, in my teens, that my parents had endured some of the same things I had. Changes your outlook on life! Some parents never lose sight of the fact that they were teens once, too. My parents were like that, and I have tried to be that way with my own son. Kelly's dad did give them a free pass, but I think he also made it plain that it was because no one got hurt, and because maybe a few apple carts that needed upsetting were definitely overturned.. And...the story was a lot of fun for the author guy, too! Thanks for the awesome comment!

We do live in a world with checks and balances. Too many people don't apply them when needed!

Ah, yes. Summertime and the release from school. Kids these days are rushed in their vacation, which is much shorter than the one we got years ago. I can see this, it's written so well. Good to see the images of summer now, while they last, because they'll be gone in a flash, like every summer goes these days. How nice it would be to feel free to study a mud puddle again!

I haven't written Derek off. I already felt that he could be secretly in love with Danny, or someone else, or have a secret past, or maybe be one of those people that doesn't know how to be nice to people they like, and just acts like a boob all the time. But so far, he's just been everyone's idea of a nightmare roomie. I am, however, willing to go along to see where you're heading. You've impressed me with your driving of this bus thus far!

Derek is a dick. You'd think a gay guy would like that, but in this case, no. At least Allison seems nice. Too bad our boy missed out on rugby. I am enjoying the story, but why do I feel like you're setting us up for the kill?

Politics?

Yeah! Kind of like that, exactly. Except less!

Good idea. The guys could take Max along and hex all the companies that don't pay a fair overtime wage! "Aw, geez! You folks are not nice! I'm turnin' ya all into cabbages! Take...THAT!!"

There are probably more bisexual guys in the world than gay guys. Some prefer guys, and so may be counted as gay; others prefer gals, and so can be counted as hetero. And some just bounce around, back and forth, undecided, having the time of their lives. Ought to be a law, huh? The big difference between gay Democrats and gay Republicans is that the latter will almost never admit it except to the guy they are currently being gay with. You are definitely an exception there!

Yeah, but the difference is that you need a map to tell me where there might be an earthquake where I live, while where you live, you just open the front door and wait for the next one to come along!

Thank you for your great observations, as always! I have been thinking about a Labor Day event for the guys. They don't seem to want to wait for Halloween! Just...what the heck kind of fun stuff is there to do on Labor Day???

I don't see it as self-indulgent, either. I grew up in a very liberal atmosphere. What you describe is frightening, and makes me angry at a world that can be that way. I appreciate you reminding me that others have fought a long time for the rights that we enjoy today. And, that there are others out there willing to help, even complete strangers. Thanks!