Marty

I'm not sure how the law works in the US (the federal/state divide - if divide is the correct word - confuses me). However, there is an interesting case being considered by the Irish High Court at present. Details can be found here. Basically two lesbian women, who married in Canada, are seeking to sue the Irish Revenue Commissioners (something similar to the US IRS?) after they returned to Ireland to find that they would continue to pay higher taxes as single people, rather than less money as a married couple. They are claiming that the equality provisions of the Irish Constitution have been violated. Judgment has been reserved; which basically means that the judge is considering all the legal arguments before making a decision. The two women have indicated that they are prepared to appeal to the European Court if they lose the case (in the EU a case can normally only be heard in the European Court after it has been through the courts in the member state first). The Irish Government may well appeal the case to the Irish Supreme Court should it go against them. But, that said, the Government is currently considering legislation to at least recognise civil partnerships (if not full same sex marriages) along the same lines as happened in the UK recently. Many gay activists in Ireland are of the opinion that a Civil Partnership bill would only give gay and lesbian people second class status. Homosexual acts were only legalised in Ireland as recently as 1993, on foot of a case brought to the European Court by the (now) Irish Senator, David Norris, in 1988. ~ Marty~

I suppose it all depends on what the action is. The person below me often finds himself/herself crying when watching certain movies.

I'm pretty sure it's David's (but Dom can always pull the surprises)... Hopefully if it is David's, the 'cold' reference here doesn't mean dead. And I don't really see someone comitting suicide by cutting their own throat. Dememberised? or dismembered? Seriously though, great (half?) chapter, Dom! ~ Marty ~

LOL!! My thoughts exactly!!

Yea. What everyone else said! Happy birthday. And many of them! ~ Marty ~

I also had the problems Grame listed (several sections that I really enjoyed). As an alternative, why not ask people to place each page/section in an order of preference or enjoyment? Or even ask us to give a rating on, say, a 1 to 5 scale to each section... ~ Marty ~

I could! (Especially because I live quite remotely and my nearest neighbours wouldn't probably hear the music) However, I don't. (For the simple reason that I need to get at least a few hours sleep each night) The person below me would class himself/herself as a nightowl.

I'd love to. But by the time you get them to Ireland, and I get them back to you, I reckon you'll have failed for not getting them in on time The person below me is planning to create waves tomorrow on national coming out day.

Have a great 23rd, Dom !!! This may seem to be early - but it's the 10th already in Europe. May your year bring everything you want. ~ Marty ~

Thanks for the feedback, Drew I'm a bit at a loss with your comment about writing in paragraphs, however. To be honest with you, I thought that's what I had done.... Most of this opening chapter was narrative. I don't think the reader would find it easy reading if I were to start joining the speech of the two protagonists together in the same paragraph. I stand by the way that this chapter has been written, for the simple reason that it was largely made up of the two boys talking back and forth to each other. For that reason the average paragraph length is probably as low as fifteen or sixteen words. The second chapter, which is as yet unfinished, will be much more descriptive in nature, and will largely centre on the thoughts and memories of the main protagonist, Jamie. For this reason the chapter currently averages around one hundred words per paragraph. That seems to be about right to me. Short paragraphs when characters are talking (unless one of them starts a long soliloquy, of course) - and much longer ones for the descriptive parts of the story. Or do you know something that I don't, Drew Now, having said all that, I'm not happy with the opening paragraph myself; for reasons I have given in one of my previous replies. ~ Marty ~

The story can be found at the following link I'm not very happy with the opening chapter (the only one online yet) and find myself wondering whether to restart the story with a more punchy opening chapter. I know what I want the story to say; just not sure how to begin it. ~ Marty ~

If the Queen of England can have two birthdays a year, I don't see why Jared can't

Many happy returns, Centaur!! And remember: Age is just an accident of birth (as I keep reminding myself) ~ Marty ~

Happy birthday, and many happy returns, Red

Big welcome to Colin! Just read your first three posts in Teen Spot. Looks like you're going to be a great addition to the community. ~ Marty ~ edit: this post has been merged into the New Member Welcome thread per the intent of Marty. No content was harmed with this edit. - Vic

Exactly that I was thinking, Kurt! Indeed I was going to post about the political nature of some of the posts as I was reading through this thread - until I got to the last post (yours; that I am replying to here). NicholasJames did make some points that I felt an urge to reply to. But this thread is in the Lounge, which has the rule: Please do not discuss politics here, so I felt it would be inappropriate. Can I take this opportunity to agree with Michael's post in which he congratulates Kurt for having the courage to discuss the whole School Shootings phenomenom (if that's the right word). I think it's always a healthy sign when I see young people feeling that they are able to discuss what others may think to be sensitive issues. On the whole subject of school shootings I can't really come up with any concrete suggestions. The country I live in (Ireland), in spite of it's troubled recent political past, has (touch wood) not yet experienced this type of violence. As an outsider I am incined to think that the problem in America may stem to a lage extent from the media and the easy access to guns and rifles. I'm not inclined to go along with the idea of placing the blame largely on discrimination (on whatever grounds), powerlessness, or hopelessness, etc. These have been with us since the dawn of civilisation. The whole school shootings phenomenon is much more recent. Another possible cause for maybe some of the shootings might be the fifteen minutes of fame syndrome. I think this term was first coined by Andy Warhol in the 1960's, but I seem to remember reading somewhere that psychologists believe it may be responsible for at least some of the atrocious acts that some individuals perpetrate these days. ~ Marty ~

Not really... But I did start an important job this weekend. A thorough clean up of the house. First one in several years. I will be extremely happy when it's finished. (Just musn't leave it so long the next time ) The person below me loves planning to do things, but often never gets past the planning stage.

Nope. I've lived on the same smallholding in this beautiful part of the northwest of Ireland for 20 years now. The autumnal colours always take my breath away. The person below me prefers spring, with its promise of rebirth, to autumn (the fall), which is the precursor to short days and leafless trees.

Many happy returns, Howie!! Sweet sixteen times two, huh? Hope you have a great day. ~ Marty ~

I'm beginning to worry that you're actually being serious here, Nickolas... I'd prefer to look on it as Luke being choosey when it comes to finding Mr Right.... ..... rather than desperate enough to settle for Grandma Right

I don't think Dom specifically stated that Oliver remembered doing it... Maybe I've missed something, but I can only find two pieces in TOSOM11 that might make us suspect that Oliver may be responsible. The first one reads: ... he found himself sitting in his parents

I most certainly am! Been tidying the house all day (to impress visitor tomorrow) Having problem with middle aged spread, so keep putting off eating... But I shall have to have a snack soon! The person below me is a tidiness freak

* Marty slaps himself :slap: Almost as soon as I sent in my last message I decided to read the Domaholic's FAQ. Apparently it's Luke & Grandma Alice In The End Now that's just scary! I prefer the idea of Luke Gets Aaron In The End (I'm also worried that I'm becoming more and more of a Domaholic with each passing day....)

Now I am confused.... Luke / Grandma Alice In The End? or.... Luke Gets Aaron In The End?

I second that emotion !!