Graeme

A fun chapter. Lana is good value; I loved how she pretended to be heartbroken. She really stands out amongst the minor characters.

Rob's family seem nice. I can appreciate Al's point of view when it comes to Rob being so independent, but learning when to ask for help isn't always easy. Hopefully, Rob has learnt that lesson.

Ouch about Rob's ex-boyfriend, but at least Jerry and Sven broke up amicably. Things are moving fast, but that's why this is a romance:D

Off to a roaring start. I am glad that Rob isn't too badly injured. I found the way the two of them flirted delightful!

Oh, wow, that's a great story! I wouldn't mind seeing it fictionalised and posted here as a novel "Inspired by a true story"

This story was my one attempt at writing horror. It evolved into a sort-of romance. Not exactly what I intended, but I enjoyed writing it

Thank you, Andy! There are a lot of things that may look simple on the outside, but when you become involved you find that they're a lot more complex than they first appeared. I'll admit that was my experience when I started doing the research for these stories. I'm still finding little tidbits of information that I wish I'd known earlier, but since I'm already simplifying a lot of things, they're not that important. Kevin has a direct link to the Leopards, just like Neil did in book 2, and Ross also does in book 3. He's not part of the playing group, but as Dad and the brat discussed all the way back in book 1, the team is made up of more than just the players. The staff and supporters are also part of the team. I appreciate the angst I'm hearing when it comes to Geraldine, and I suspect that's because there's a lot of people who want Warwick and Kevin to get together. They still might, but you'll have to wait and see. There are a lot of hurdles they would need to clear before those two could have a relationship. Kevin has only had one- and two-night stands for the last year. Geraldine may turn out to be another one, or she may turn out to be something more. We'll have to wait and see...

I liked the fact that Luke also didn't want Jackson to be working at the park that day. They both know they have things to sort out and things to experience, but they're also both scared. Luke is probably more scared than Jackson, but Jackson isn't comfortable, either. As he said, he's never had to keep a secret before, at least not from his friends.

Tissues!

Thanks, Tim! Ty has certainly developed a lot over the course of the three books. He still has a tendency to want things to be done his way, but he's knows when he can't be in charge. That doesn't stop him from caring about others, though.

Don't forget that Kevin also said that while he had most of the 'first time' symptoms when he thought he was planning on spending the night with Warwick, he said he wasn't feeling horny. he's also said before that he's attracted to girls, not guys. Kevin is, rightly, confused as to what is going on inside his own mind. He doesn't know and he's trying to find out. Now, whether he's taking the right path to working himself out is a separate question...

To be fair to Geraldine, we're only seeing her in a stress situation. She's just been forced out of her job and so she's naturally bitter. Is that her normal personality? We don't know. I think the way she swears is probably part of her personality because she does it all the time, even just before having sex with this hot guy she's been introduced to, but swearing doesn't offend or turn-off everyone. Indeed, in some groups it's so natural that the members of those groups probably don't even notice she's swearing!

A small correction -- Kevin spending the night with Geraldine is Kevin's idea, so he didn't 'agree' to go along with it. Warwick is naturally concerned, for more than one reason, but he's also not stopping Kevin. It could work out for everyone, but yes, it could also go horribly wrong. Unless a person has had a chance to experience different cultures, they can have trouble appreciating how difficult it can be. I've done enough travel to know that I feel very uncomfortable in cultures other than my own (and similar). And, as you've pointed out and as Amos experienced, you can have different cultures quite easily in a single country, or even a single state. Rural/urban cultural differences are obvious to anyone who has experienced both, and unusual groups within a society (such as AFL football players) can have their own culture that's distinct from the society they reside in.

Geraldine definitely sees Kevin as a sex object, and he's deliberately putting himself forward as such. Kevin does tend to be a little impulsive, so he's not really thought ahead to what happens afterwards. What it means for Warwick and Kevin...well...we'll just have to wait and see

Lee tapped Peter on the shoulder. “Are you up for a coffee?” “Sure!” Peter pushed the keyboard away and then rose. “I hate paperwork.” “Don’t we all!” Lee grinned. “We’re here to work with the guys, not with computers. It’s quiet at the moment with the players off on their end-of-season break, but everything will pick up again next month when they’re back.” The two wandered towards the Barker’s Cafe that was attached to the Whitten Oval training grounds for their regular mid-morning break. Le

I think everyone has said everything that needs to be said by the guy who's name starts with the same three letters as "Jerk". I'm more interested in Dorian's growth. He stood up to Dr. Avery again, even if he capitulated soon afterwards. Even there, he's trying to live his own life within the constraints he's been given. He also took a stand at the movie theatre (I'm going out of my way not to say that name). It's not surprising Dorian isn't suddenly showing a new 'him' -- it's going to take time before he can do that.

:lugh: Happy Birthday, LBO! :lugh: :music: :music:

The problems between Dorian and the others comes down basically to communication. Jade and Jerry made assumptions as to what was expected of them, and Dorian didn't indicate otherwise until it was too late. Now, sex on a first date is not for everyone, and Jerry should've realised that, but it's also not uncommon. Jerry was in the wrong, but Dorian lets himself be pushed around so much that since Jade set things up without any protest from Dorian, Jerry not unrealistically assumed that Dorian was in favour. I will admit that I find the idea of Dr. Avery in a freshman's dorm room incongruous. He probably thinks its incongruous, too, and wouldn't do it for any other student. I wonder how long he'd been there, and whether Travis had appeared at any time. Now that would have been something fun to see

A very nice conclusion I worked out that Henrik was there as soon as he mentioned a comet that could only be seen for five minutes -- Ezra is obviously not interested in astronomy The phone transcript was great! I could just imagine Ezra doing exactly that -- his mouth running out of control because he's too shocked to think, and then falling over (or knocking over) boxes as the news hits. Finally, I love the fact that Henrik and Ezra have not moved in together. The romantic in me expected it, but this is better. They both have their own lives and Henrik is going to be travelling a lot, so Ezra needs something that interests him for when Henrik isn't there. A nice little touch

:joe: Happy Birthday! :joe: :wizard: :wizard:

:wizard: Happy Birthday! :wizard: :music: :music:

Second. Andrew Bogut was the number one pick in 2005. Another Australian, Thon Maker, was drafted this year with the number 10 pick (the Wikipedia page has already been updated with that information ) Here's an article on the two Australians who have just been drafted, along with a few other notable Australian mentions

He's Australian. Enough said

Australian Ben Simmons Number 1 NBA Draft Pick

And the meeting had been going so well... Raleigh is dangerous. He may have been playing around, but to Dorian it looked he was threatening rape. Dorian certainly has a victim mentality, but after that episode -- it was clear from the story that he's often been picked on or isolated from the social groups -- I can't blame him. He needs more time with his friends to help him break out of that mindset. It's not going to happen quickly or easily.