Graeme

The fact that we only started this thread when he disappeared on an extended vacation is completely beside the point He should be here making sure he contributes...

Strangely, considering I'm now a writer, I have to disagree with you. Art and English were my worst and most hated subjects when I went through school. I was a maths and science person. Things like emotions and subtlety were beyond me. It was only when I was 40 that I started writing, and I think I can put a lot more down to being a fanatical reader for most of those 40 years (someone gave me a book for my sixth or seventh birthday. My mum had to tell me to go out and play with the other kids at my birthday party because I had immediately sat down and started reading) than to being gay. I've read so many novels that I had a solid basis with which to start writing. I think it is possible, even likely, that there is a higher percentage of homosexuals in the Arts than in the general community, but I'm not game to assign cause-and-effect. It could be that homosexuals tends to be more creative, but it could be that the Arts community is more accepting and hence homosexuals graduate to that area because they feel more comfortable there.

But I don't think I learnt about any.... Was Turing a philospher?

I must say that it was interesting how CJ couldn't resist adding a post to this thread. He obviously didn't have the time to read the whole thread -- he just jumped in and posted. That's the C James we've all grown to know and love. We now return to our normal programming... *what? You mean normal programming doesn't resume until the 23rd Nov? We have to put with this pale imitation until then?* <a disgruntled echidna is seen disappearing back into his burrow>

He was modest, but that's understandable. I certainly didn't see any sign that he fervently rejected the title....

I feel like saying "thanks for the update and for saying hello", but I know he's unlikely to see that until he gets back. So I'll just say that it's good to have heard from him and that things are going well -- even if not completely to plan.

A masterful touch, I will concede

That is just so... sneaky! :wacko: I suspect it's an automatic thing that happened when he became an Administrator. I wonder if Joe can see the real data? We need something to work with, if we're going to have people make guesses as to when he signs in next....

I'm guessing that he'll sign in on Monday, 3:15am, Arizona time. There's no particular reason for that date, but I'm judging the time as being Monday morning in Italy.

After I came out to my wife, she asked me this question but didn't seem to accept the simple answer. I eventually realised she was asking about the PSYCHOLOGY of being gay. I then explained about the fear that I had experienced growing up -- not a debilitating fear, but that worry about being rejected that stopped me from being too outgoing, from allowing people too close to me, that meant I always had to be careful not to lose control, even when drinking. Even being out, I have to worry about the stupid comments I hear on the news, the unfair views on the subject of gay rights. These are more annoying than anything, but many people wouldn't appreciate how annoying they can be. It gets worse when equal rights for gays becomes a political issue -- some of the statements I read about then are just ridiculous! The ideal would be that the psychology of being gay is essentially the same as the psychology of being straight. I believe it is heading that way, but for my generation is definitely isn't there. The internet helps a lot, but it wasn't around when I was growing up. I had to grow up alone... and this is in a family with six kids.

Hmm.... 6 votes for Kevin, 5 votes for me, 3 for BK and only 1 for Benji. I really should consider voting for Benji since he's doing such a great job of rounding up votes for me. Then again, BeaStKid's great efforts should be recognised. This is still a tough thing to decide on. More thinking is required...

I'm back Sorry -- I had a day trip to Brisbane yesterday, which makes for a really long day (round-trip flying time is 4:20) and I didn't have any internet access the whole day. By the time I got home, I just wanted to go to sleep....

Not much, but you've missed a couple of very important items in the second storyline. The biggest one, since you live in/near Brisbane (I think -- at least closer to Brisbane than I am), is that they're building the nuclear weapons in Toowoomba, and that the plutonium will probably be coming in through Brisbane. While it has been stated that the bombs will NOT be used in Australia, that was in dialogue, and we can't necessarily believe that it is true. The Scar has indicated that he wants to become the ruler of Paraguay and the bombs will have a part to play in that process. That's as much as we know. I've looked up Tiger's Eye as it was a gemstone I wasn't familiar with. I can see the appeal for a guy -- it's a very blokey colour -- but I think a good Australian opal would have look even better.

Thanks, Steve I'll be missing for the next day or two -- business trips and I don't think I'll have much internet access...

Zorba the Greek Yolngu style And the article from The Telegraph where I found out about it

It's quite simple (I may have spent too much time with lawyers). If you don't mind telling the tax man something, you don't have to tell him. If you don't want to tell the tax man something, you have to tell him. Simple!

Ten stupidest laws are named with a commentary about them, too

I think 1. is unlikely. CJ doesn't like taking things to extremes, and to have another person in the story that is so closely linked to Brandon being gay would be stretching things too far, I think. 2. is possible -- the entertainment industry (including the music industry) does tend to have a higher level of known gay people. It's not a forgone conclusion, though, and I think it is unlikely to be the case here. 3. is probable. He's made it clear that the tour is important to him and the band, and he doesn't want to mess it up. That's also Helen's take on the situation and why she's not particularly concerned. 4. is probable, too, with my reasoning being that last private comment he made to Brandon. Some people really don't care. This is more likely with those who have encountered a reasonable number of gay people, and, as indicated above, the entertainment/music industry has more known gay people than most sectors of the community.

One of the things I liked about this chapter was the way the boys walked back from the mall. Yes, it was risky, but Brandon was confident with what he was doing and most of the time, that sort of thing is safe. It would've been too easy to have had something bad happen and I'm really glad CJ didn't do so -- he just built up the tension by having the issue discussed earlier, and then leaving it to the reader to expect the worse when the guys decided to walk. I noticed the comment about the smuggled AK47's. Australia has strong arms control, especially on imports, but with a country as large as ours the borders aren't really that secure. Getting banned weapons into the country isn't impossible if you're persistent enough. I also liked Jon's comments to Eric about Jerry. There's still something about Lump's dad that has me cautious, but I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. Finally, I'm really impressed by Zeke. He knows it's in his best interest to not out Brandon, but he didn't need to add that extra comment before they walked back into the room. That, to me, shows that he really doesn't care that Brandon's gay, and it's not just an act to stay on tour with Instinct.

Do you know, this is the first time I've been happy that the chapters get put up while I'm asleep I didn't have any of the angst you guys had when the link to the chapter didn't work Okay, over to the other thread for the feedback... Joe -- maybe you or one of the other admins can merge the two threads?

I'm not. The 'words' had better be chapter 16 of LTMP or I'll be very unhappy.... Back to work for me

This is a tough poll... On one hand, in this thread alone, BeaStKid is leading with four posts, though I probably should discount the post that started the thread, so that's three posts out of seven. On the other hand, Benji has three posts in this thread, too. So, who should it be? BeaStKid or Benji? I'm going to have to think on this one....

Happy Belated Birthday! Sorry -- I haven't been up to doing a lot recently....

I haven't voted because I don't think I should have any say in the location or dates since it's effectively impossible for me to attend. As for organising something in Australia, I think we have less than a dozen active Australian or New Zealand members and I, for one, wouldn't be able to go for personal reasons. Having said that, Australia in November/December can be really nice. If you pick Queensland for the destination, most of the year is really nice. It's just really expensive to get here for everyone who wants to attend from overseas.... I'm glad everyone had a great time and I hope this becomes a semi-regular occurrence.

.....nevermind, I answered my own question, guess what came up? This thread? CJ seems to take great stock in the accuracy of Google, so I'm sure there won't be a problem with the coronation due to an uncooperative monarch.