Bill W

Thanks, Delores. I hope this never comes to pass, but I saw it as a possibility.

In the US, the really noticable accents have slowly been disappearing since the 1950s. With the mobility of large segments of the population, the use of non-descript dialects in television and movies, we're slowly bleaching out regional dialects. Don't get me wrong, there are still some very noticable dialects in use, but they are probably less dramatic now than 50 years ago. When I first moved to the south, I expect to be surrounded by the southern dialect, but was surprised how small a percentage of the population actually speak this way. Yes, there are still a few with very strong accents, but there are so many transplants down here that a lot of what I expected didn't exist. My fascination with accents began when we had an Australian exchange student in high school. I was fascinated listening to him speak. Then I went to the UK for six-months in the 70s and was in heaven. I loved to listen to the variety of accents and was surprised that they were just as fascinated my my accent - which I didn't think I had. I was even more amazed at how tge accebts differed in varous areas of London, the more rural areas, and then even more so in Wales and Scotland. At times I wondered if we had a common tongue. An interesting incident happened about a week before I left, when a student from France moved into the same place I was staying. I tried to speak to him, but we were having trouble communicating. He eventually told me that he only spoke English, not American, and that's when I realized I tended to use a lot of slang terms, metaphors and other terms that were different than those used across the pond. After that, I tried to choose my words more carefully.

RJ, I know we all pray that situations such as these never arise, but we also know that there are a minority of bigots out there that would be willing to go to these extremes, and history provides the proof that they exist. It's better to be prepared for the worst, while praying for the best. Your input is greatly appreciated.

We all witness death and loss in different ways, with some going through it more than others. An interesting take on the subject.

Geez, Andy. I thought my story painted a dark future for the world, but I think you outdid me. The scenario I'd created certainly didn't have the same percentage of devastation, although both painted a bleak portrait of a possible future for humanity.

I might say something like, "Would you like me to offer a suggestion?" Then I would leave it up to them. If they want to hear it, fine. If not, it's their problem, and then I can feel free to laugh.

Yes, Poland looked as if they just gave up, so they were eliminated, and then the Greeks took out the Russians. Guess the Greek team is hoping a win might bolster things back home.

Sir Gawain's quest for the Holy Grail Led him instead to a metal encased nail Or was it a spike Sir Garreth had in his armor Whatever the case Gawain thought him a charmer Although Glory and power he thought he sought The pricewas too great for it to be bought So instead of chose those things he once held dear He opted instead to be a gay cavalier Thanks, I enjoyed your poem tremendously and was inspired to respond in kind.

Dave, absolutely it would leave a big hole in the world, especially artistically and creatively, but would the Neanderthals who would consider these extremes even notice it, or would they be happy living in a world of clone-like replicas of themselves? Small minds produce limited choices.

An intriguing, spooky tale. What it must have been like to find his tormentor like that and having deal with the issues from his past. Captivating.

Thanks, KC, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I wasn't sure how it would go over, since the theme turned out to be so dark.

Really cute tale with some interesting switches, role reversals and a clever take on strings attached. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thanks, Yetti. It's definitely a shame to think that scenario could actually come true.

An intriguing story that kept my attention until the end, but what was Noah's fate? Don't be like Lucia, have a heart and let us know what happened to him. Did she succeed? .

Thanks, Andy. As we well know, life is not a bed of roses.

Now there's a different take on genetic engineering. Where can I order one? I loved the story and how you worked it out. I found it absolutely fascinating. I will offer you one mistake I found and that you may wish to correct. Near the end, when Al is talking in private with Rob, In the paragraph beginning "I understand," TJ explained looking Rob in the eyes. I believe that should be Al explained, not TJ.

Is the refuge run by Betty White and Bob Barker? lol An interesting premise and I was totally fascinated by the scenario you'd created. It's probably one of the few things that might be considered worse than being gay, although many of us have found we'd had to hide our true identity from the general public as well. I hope Tyrel will find some degree of happiness and safety in his new surroundings.

How many gay married have married a woman to hide who they really were? I know that I did that, and although I regret that I couldn't love my wife the way she deserved, I do not regret the children that resulted from the all too infrequent sex that we had. It makes me wonder how many other gay men have found themselves in a similar situation and I could feel both Carmel and Logan's pain, each for a different reason.

Ah, if only it were that easy. How many times have each of us wished we could go back and change something in our past? I know I certainly have done that. Fantastic story and I enjoyed it immesely.

Ok, I'll forgive you for holding us up - it was worth the wait. An interesting look at a kid who not only has it bad at school, but also at home. I enjoyed the raw emotion the story generated and the pain your main character felt.

Exactly, Renee. One man's fruit can be another man's poison. Unfortuantely, with some of the views expressed about gays recently, I don't see this as being overly paranoid. Maybe just a precautionary warning.

Yettie, a very interesting story and I can see both sides of the argument here. Sure, you've just come out, feel liberated and wanted to experiment, but as a couple shouldn't you have discussed this with Toby first, to see how he felt about it. Sure, you were upset with the way he reacted, but did you consider his feelings any more than he'd considered yours? Having grown up in a very homophobic family, I can see why Toby might react that way, and I'm not saying he went about confronting you about it in the most tactful way, but were you any more compassionate about his feelings? Remember, there are two sides to every story and neither of you seemed to take that into consideration. It might have been different if you were just friends, but it changed when you said you were boyfriends and dating, so more communication was needed BEFORE the changes happened, not afterward. .

Once again, you took me on a trip down memory lane, since I was a freshman in high school in 1962. I could empathize with nearly everything Davy was going through, because I'd had similar feelings and my family never talked to me about sex either. When I was 12, they gave me a book entitled something like 'What Every Boy Should Know About Sex,' but that's the most I ever got in sex education. After reading the short chapter on homosexuality, I realized I was not normal and a 'deviate,' and since I didn't know any other guys around my age that were also attracted to other boys, I tried to deny my feelings and hid in sports, studying and eventually work. I'm glad to see that Davy didn't let it all pass him by, although he didn't have quite the relationship with Billy that he might have wanted.

For your first posting, it was a wonderful, touching story that was beautifully written. I look forward to seeing more of your writing.

Mike, not so loud. The Queen is trying to keep that knowledge under wraps. Yes, the French and English were both fortunate to survive the day. The French in that they didn't drown and the English with a game that could have gone either way. The winning goal was the result of a rather awkward strike, but as long as it goes into the net it counts. Congrats to the fans of both of the winners.