Graeme

Happy Birthday!

I believe the problem is that there is a perception that being homosexual means that we are focused on sex. So when a straight friend talks to a gay friend about a third person, they feel they have to clarify the sexuality of that third person because they think it's relevant. I think you will find that in most cases it's not the other way around -- they won't describe you as being gay when they are talking to another straight person as they don't feel it's relevant. It comes down to the fact that while sexual orientation is part of a person, too many people feel it is a major part of a person and therefore needs to be kept in mind. In most cases, this is not correct, but it is hard to educate straight people on that BECAUSE coming out is such a big deal -- it makes the issue appear more important than it should be. I'm hoping the situation changes with age. I came out to my best friend last week (he's over forty, like me) and he made the comment that he doesn't consider my sexuality to be as important as all the other reasons we're friends. It would be nice if that was true for everyone.

I'm intrigued by the Chase/Shawn thing, too. I noticed that the initials match Chris and Shawn so it is likely there is a link -- maybe they are code names used by the crooked cops for Chris and Steve (they can't get into trouble if overheard because obviously the names are different), but that doesn't explain why apparent strangers are recognising them. The other probable link is to Thaddeus's campaign -- but that's still not clear. Could it be that the preacher has been using the wrong names in his sermons, but using the correct pictures? People will recognise the boys from the pictures and a couple have asked to confirm the name -- such as the "I know you, but you don't know me" comment when the guy came up to say hello to Steve. One thing -- I had the impression that Thaddeus was based in Peidmont -- but that could be because the sheriff there is his brother-in-law. I don't believe it was stated previously AND Betty had one of the flyers from Thaddeus which is quite believeable if the church was just around the corner. Of course, it is also possible that he preachers at more than one church -- one near the bookshop and one in Peidmont. The other thing that struck me -- one of the policemen indicated he wasn't involved with whatever is going on, but he helped with what he had to know was an illegal arrest (attempted kidnapping wouldn't be too strong a term for it). That implies he knows something, but I suspect he doesn't know the big picture -- or the big picture is NOT illegal. His comments implies that there is a potential break in the ranks of those with the sheriff. Overall, lots of interesting things with more to come. Well done, CJ!

The Eggman also has a yahoo group (maybe someone else can tell you what it is, but I think it's "theglassonion") and new chapters are there.

Don't forget that they killed the Dirk Benedict Starbuck as well... and brought him back to life. Now I will admit that that was one of the weirder episodes of the original show, but maybe they have similar plans in the new version?

Congratulations, C James! :king: :king: :king: :king: :king: "For The Love" did extremely well in the Member's Choice awards, as did your anthology entries. You should be very proud

Happy Birthday! I hope you have a great year ahead.

At least I'm likely to have it easier than that. Most people who live in the major cities will go to university in the same city. Our educational system is not designed to have a large residential student population. Congratulations for your daughter on getting accepted by all three places she applied for!

Happy Birthday, Dan! :music: I hope you've recovered enough to properly enjoy it. Have as much fun as you can

Happy Birthday, Ben! :music: If it makes you feel better, just remember you won't catch me Have a great day!

Vaguely. Didn't Billy Cristal play the role of a gay son? The show was pretty good. I remember it very fondly . Yes, Billy Crystal played the gay son, and he was the most normal one of the lot! His boyfriend was a closeted football player, which caused Billy a lot of problems because he wasn't closeted. Billy's big brother was a major defender, especially when Billy's dad tried to put him down. Of course, the big brother was involved with the mob... and not on their good side. To settle a debt he had to married the daughter of the mob's boss -- who was an absolutely hellion! Then there was the other family in the show... I really enjoyed it. It was a good light-hearted comedy and, as I said above, Billy's character was one of the sanest and most sensible characters on the show.

Happy Birthday, Jakob! You got married last year -- what are you planning to do to top that? Seriously, I hope you have a healthy, happy and prosperous year ahead. Best wishes!

I don't know if it has been bugging anyone else, but there was on section that bothered me when I read it in the story: This just seemed so out of place. I know it happens in real-life but it seemed to have little point in the story, so I'm guessing that it is going to mean something in the future. Who was middle-aged guy and why did he ask the question? The name was interesting -- Chase -- since Chris had been involved in a car chase recently. Also, Chris had just had his hair dyed, so he would be looking different. Was the question really a code phrase? Why was this in the story? Any theories?

I don't know how anyone else read it, but Eric's speech came over as just so incredibly false.... It was way too contrived and sounded like it had been rehearsed. It was almost like he tried to hit them with so much that Chris and Steve would be confused. As for his coming out, that was the fakest part in the whole monologue.... It didn't sound sincere at all. It was more like a throw-in -- "if they don't feel sympathetic after all that claptrap, maybe if I'm also gay they'll forgive me as part of the bonds of gay brotherhood." I'm looking forward to the next few chapters.

Because I keep my computer on Australian time which is almost a day ahead of North America It gives me advance notice on most of the birthdays Have fun, Jack!

Happy 22nd Birthday, Jack! Many happy returns

Happy Birthday! Have a great day and an even better year ahead. Now when's your next story coming out?

Happy Birthday, Rick! I hope you have a great year ahead

I think you're right. I must have seen it on another board. ~hugs~ Graeme

I'm not sure, but I think this had a thread earlier, even if it has been aged off the front page. I remember reading about all the negative publicity the council got when they tried to ban it They really should have known better. It reminds of the saying: Practise random kindness and acts of senseless beauty.

Most people have soft spots for porcupines Rhino's tend to be the exception to that rule.

I've finally found some time to read this chapter -- nice one, CJ! I've never been that observant. In hindsight there were definitely hints, but if his self-esteem was that bad I would have expected a few more blatant hints -- like getting more upset than he was when Steve originally tricked him into wearing speedoes at a party. Some of it could be argued that as a swimmer he was used to it, but there's a big difference between a sporting event and a social event. Having said that, everyone is an individual so there is nothing wrong with an atypical reaction to selected situations. One thing I'm expecting is that Chris will still have times when he's self-conscious. If the lack of self-esteem was that ingrained, I would expect that it would take some time for him to get over it. He's made some progress and taken probably the biggest step, but a complete change without some backsliding is probably too much to expect. Even though I have a previous chapter didn't have a lot happening, I have to disagree with you on this one. There was little in terms of the overall story plot (just the data stick plan), but there was a lot of character development and that's just as important to a story. A slight pause before things pick up again (eg. when Eric gets home) is good for the readers.

Happy Birthday, Formosa! I hope you have a happy, healthy and successful year ahead

Happy 16th Birthday, Nickolas! Have a great time and I wish you all the best for the coming year.