JeffsFort

Just for the record, Comsie would NEVER be upset that you cared enough about something he wrote. Enough so that you would want to create your own continuation when he couldn't. I've never added to his written work but have restarted a couple of his projects after he put them down just hoping to give him a smile. It always worked. So, it is my (not so) professional opinion that not only would he not curse you for your ending, he'd hug you for it. I lost a brother when he passed so I will offer that your ending feels to me like he absolutely had a hand on your shoulder while you wrote this. Thank you for sharing it with us! I'd love to find a way to somehow make it easier for readers to find reader contributions... ::HUGZ::

Valentine’s Day has a funny way of dragging every love we’ve ever had out of emotional storage—your very first crush who sat three desks away, the wildly impossible infatuation with someone who never knew you existed (or maybe even lived in another century), and even that earnest bout of puppy love that felt like a lifelong commitment, at least in the moment. Suddenly, hearts are thumping for reasons both profound and delightfully embarrassing, and we’ve all had our crushes; whether we'd like to admit it or not. So let’s lean into the chaos of affection, nostalgia, and wishful thinking and ask February's question: If you could send a personalized Valentine to anyone (real or even a fictional!), past or present, who would it be and why? 💜

So much Holiday Cheer went into this issue that I had to be picked up off the floor and have my EggNog privileges revoked! https://imagine-magazine.org/releases/volume-122/

Two Thousand Frickin' Twenty Six! Yikes! The new year is rapidly approaching and once again many people are trying to come up with their New Year Resolution! It works for some, doesn't for others. I usually decide to keep my expectations low and simply try to double down on something I am already trying to improve. I've vowed to get more exercise for ::mumble, mumble:: years but who knows, I just may come up with something cool. It would be easy to make "What's your resolution?" this month's question but, since when have we ever made that easy? While sitting here earlier, looking at the blank page, I realized this year promises to bring many changes; in my life at least. I was wondering what about everyone else. Before the new year really gets underway, what do we hope to change, just for ourselves? So the question I'll put out there for January 2026, what are some of your expectations, hopes, or even dreams for you in the new year? Is there something you hope will happen or change, or maybe even something you intend to make a change on? If we share our plans and they make life a little better, maybe we can give other readers some ideas on what might help them do the same. I think we all could use a better us to go along with a better year, don't you? 💜

Time. Yup, that's what I think I'd wish for for Christmas. Time. More time to get stuff done. More time to spend with friends and family, more time to visit with friends that are far away or out of reach on a daily basis. Time to have the fun I used to have, or at least believed I used to have most days. I swear the way things are today, I can sit down at the computer with a hit list of things I need to get done but, because other issues come up in the form of constant distracting notifications or computer issues that needs to be dealt with 'NOW', updates for pretty much everything, group chat posts, and even calendar reminders that bring up other things that somehow landed on my plate and literally not complete one task. Sitting down to accomplish one thing turns into an entire day full of partially completing a slew of issues, and even though progress was made, it doesn't feel like there's ever much to show for it. Add to that the 'off line/away from the computer' life that seems to be overshadowed by the time spent sitting in this chair. I really feel like I go to bed regretting not accomplishing more. Not reaching out to friends and family as much as I should, not having recreation time that isn't overshadowed with guilt for what I 'could' have gotten done in that amount of time. So number one on my list this year: time. A close second would be the ability to focus on tasks like I used to although, that probably means turning off notifications of any kind... hmmm... that might be the plan after all

This issue took longer than forcing a turkey to thaw the night before the family is due to come over and tell you where you went wrong in your planning... I know, I know... ::grin:: https://imagine-magazine.org/releases/volume-121/

Hehehe, That I can't wait to see. When they are ready, remind me to bug you to add them to the "Vampire Sightings" section of the BloodBank

These are amazing Hikaru! I wish i could draw... Well, more than a just figures, LOL!

The drive to my Aunt's house... That was a real mixed bag for me and my two younger siblings. We would always be excited to see our cousins and grandmother on my father's side of the family but, it was in a household that was way too uptight for a group of preteen kids. We had to be on our best behavior and not upset our Aunt who hosted the gathering. The food was always great and while we got to hide...I mean hang out in our cousin's rooms while the adults did what the adults always did, we had a lot of fun. The moment we were yelled for to come down, we needed to all sit at the kid's table and try not to get our cousins in trouble with their mother. That's probably the only thing I didn't like. Of the group, I was the oldest by a good couple of years so if our table got a little too loud, I'd take the lead and apologize and hope that was enough. Typically, the cousins that lived in the house were reminded that they were expected to be the example. Like that was needed... They were also expected to help clean up and the rest of us had to kind of push our way in to help so we could go back up stairs and hang out sooner. Then sometimes, they would be scolded for making us 'need' to help. It was just ridiculous. So we were happy to see each other but normally left feeling like we somehow got our cousins in some kind of trouble every holiday, even just by trying to help. To this day I don't know why that gathering absolutely had to be so perfect for her or even why she had to host it every year but, when we stopped gathering as a family, it was both sad and a little bit of a relief. Of course now we would most likely go out of our way to get each other in trouble because, what else is family for? LOL!

A friend of mine recently asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I actually couldn't think of an unusual answer like I normally give. Not because I have everything I could ever want or need but because I really don't want much of anything, except possibly to just do something fun. I don't even care what it would be as long as I was building a new memory, preferably with someone I care about. Every year, there is usually something that I'll half joke about wanting. Sometimes it's something I could use or just something that brings up some good memories but, without fail every year it's normally something different. (Well, except for the item on my list good ole' Santa keeps forgetting under my tree each year. My request isn't unreasonable but having him '...just wearing a bow...' might be a little selfish on my part since he has to ride on a sleigh in December and stuff and it's all cold and what not... LOL!) So our December question is: What is it you want for the Holidays and what would it mean to you if you get it? Go ahead, be selfish or a little crazy. It's the holidays! 💜

This one feels like the boss had his hand in the candy bowl again, which is awesome! Thanks to everyone who came forward to give a hand and make it happen! The darkest of the holidays is normally when we shine the brightest. So this issue is blinding darkness or dark brightness or something weird like that, LOL! https://imagine-magazine.org/releases/volume-120/

These are great answers! Thanks guys!

Hehehe, we've all been there and honestly, still go there sometimes. The last thing you will ever expect is the first day someone tells you they are a fan of your stories! Most are like "Wait... What?!?" Hehehe!

Wow, no answers at all? That's a first 😜 That's okay, we have time! --- For me it's a bit of a mixed bag. The only simple answer I can come up with is I'd love to learn that there is life somewhere else but, I don't want them to know that we know they are there. Cause if they know that we know, then they could see us as a potential threat; as we know that is how this planet would respond. Invasion or not, it would be responded to as an invasion. Even if they come here looking to share their alien Kool-Aid with us, we're going to respond to them as a potential threat and spit in the pitcher. Let's face it, do we want to pick a fight with a race that was advanced enough to reach our planet? No, we do not, but probably will anyway. So the explorer in me would love to know that we are not alone out here but the realist in me knows that as a rule, the planet earth doesn't show much hope of playing well with others. It isn't even able to play well with itself. 😏 (Yeah, I hear it now that I've typed it and I'm NOT fixing it! LOL!)

The holidays are here and when we were kids, that would often mean one thing. Sitting down to ma meal or two with family we may not see very often. I've been to family gatherings as a kid and a few as an adult and I'll be honest, the "Kid's Table" was way more interesting. At the "Big" table, the adults are usually discussing politics, work stories, football stats, financial crap, and often doing it while dressing semi formally and drinking fancy wine... While at the kid's table, belching contests, jokes, and the occasional "Look how far I can shoot a pea from my nose!" brag followed by lots of laughter! (...and usually the order from the big table for us to settle down.) So the question I have for you guys is, what were holiday gatherings like for you and your family? Could be from the past, could be recently. Maybe you now sit at the adult table but want to go sit a the kid's table to actually have fun. Got a killer mashed potato sculpture story to tell? We want to hear about it! 💜

You know, I know the archivist at the GFD: Bloodbank and it's been a while since he's had any work. Comsie and a couple of us created that site for "Scriptures" both from GFD Canon and from the rest of us in darkness as well. There is some really cool fan-fic there and it was a cool place to put it all in one place. I can have Specter dust off a spot for you (You too @MrM, I don't believe I see your name in there either! LOL!) Remember, "Comicality" the Elder is immortal, so he's always watching over us, especially the stuff we are up to in the shadows 🖤 (Um...that may have come out wrong... LOL!) ::HUGZ::

September?!? I think my calendar is broken or something 🙄 https://imagine-magazine.org/releases/volume-119/

When I was a kid, the movies about aliens we got to see were mainly about how an extra-terrestrial being would somehow get mixed in with the rest of us and spend their time trying to hide in plain sight or else become some government agency's biology project. They all just wanted to be friends and we ended out being the threat. A premise designed to make us all not fear what could happen if a situation like "Independence Day" or "Alien" should ever happen. I mean even some of those old movies played on people's fears. A certain book titled "How to Serve Man" comes to mind. Nothing scary about that until you learn it's a frickin' alien cook book and it's owner is out grocery shopping! LOL! So our question for October would be, what are your beliefs or hopes for the answer to the question "Are we alone?" Should we be working on a way to display some sort of "No Trespassing" sign to discourage would be visitors or, should we talk about printing up some kind of brochure apologizing for the mess our planet is in? I mean, we really weren't expecting company... 💜

A special post from IMAGINE Magazine about the next year... https://imagine-magazine.org/releases/volume-119/tchb-tough-decisions/

So cute. It took me forever to be able to tackle this kind of snapshot into what could be a larger story without pressing further. It gains and holds your interest, makes you smile, and leaves you knowing that Austin's next day or so is probably either going to be very awkward or awesome and either is just fine. I need a "Jack" in my life

14 years of IMAGINE Magazine. You think we'd know what we are doing by now, right? Psh! https://imagine-magazine.org/releases/volume-118/

For me I think it is really dependent on my mood. I absolutely love to lose myself in a movie and it's a total bonus when the main character is someone I'd genuinely like to get to know. I do love the romance aspect of some movies, especially when it's gay themed. Mainly because when I was growing up, you would NEVER see that relationship just shown on TV unless it was as some form of joke, and many of us hid that side of our lives because, you just did unless you wanted a bullseye on your back. I saw Jake and Devon in "Chucky" mentioned earlier and yeah, that is so addictive to see because they are both amazing actors and make a very cute couple once they got past that initial awkwardness. Zackary Arthur could hold my attention just doing laundry if I'm going to be completely honest here so... But my go to is and always has been a non-romantic story. Just some kid, being a kid, dealing with kid things until it all goes sideways and he needs to evolve and be more than just some kid. It's no coincidence that Austin O'Brien is in the banner for this question. He is the absolute first person I think of anytime the words "Cute Teen" and "Hero" are brought to the table. I absolutely loved him in "Last Action Hero" and I know I'm not alone. It was a completely outrageous story and and his character had to accept the absurdity of what was going on, and evolve to survive. Even have fun with it until it all got was too real! There are so many different levels to a good performance from a teen actor that ticks the right boxes for me. In more recent days, "The Adam Project" made me absolutely love the main character and in turn, the actor who sold me on the situation. I mean, Walker Scobell as a younger version of Ryan Reynolds' character and, he completely and believably nailed it. The only romance in that movie was very short lived, it was packed with a ton of absolute madness in the situation as well as the technology that is impossibly frightening even if it was amazing. The movie kicks you really hard in the feels and does not apologize for it outside of having a completely satisfying conclusion. Perfect story, perfect filming, perfect casting... oh, and Walker could also hold my attention just doing laundry. Some things never change I guess Final Answer: Action, with a main character I can romanticize in my brain while sitting on the edge of my seat rooting for him!

This reminds me why I avoid threads outside of the ones I am sort of expected to be productive in. 🥲 It's now July and this still knocks the wind out of my sails. Comicality gave "86% in creating new content and 14%" in finishing that work. That was something we used to joke about, among other things while entertaining ourselves in our back-and-forth banter over the years. I've never seen anyone with as much drive to want the world around himself to feel loved as much as he always has. He took abuse from many "haters" online to simply make us as an online family feel cared about. I'm 100% public online with much of what I've done over the years because of him. And that's no exaggeration. Especially now. Your letter made me tear up as I've heard so many recall how they knew the man, how they found his work, how they appreciated him... and they all have one major thing in common, gratitude. What he created with his storytelling doesn't resonate with everyone, but when it does, it resonates loudly and produces a huge amount of gratitude for the messages he put out there. For me I know the hurt of losing the man I considered family won't fade. He started out small and doing his own thing and finished up with legend cred... while still doing his own thing. We should all have that on our resume, right? I miss him too and it does help to know I'm not alone in that. When my life is tough and I have an IM launch date approaching, I still on some days just can not simply sit down and work on the site, because it reminds me that he's gone. I sometimes wish that wasn't the case but also sometimes hope it never fades. Confusing as that can be to deal with it. ::HUGZ:: Thanks for sharing your message Myr, it's a testament to why he remained so steadfastly loyal to you and the community you created. He appreciated his online family and was very free in sharing that as well. I know for a fact you wer very high on that list for him 💜 I'm not going to thank you for making me weepy again, though. Totally unfair, lol! I really need to switch gears or else I'm not going to get anything done at all today

(In an attempt to give us more time to respond to these (because after launching an issue, I'm typically wiped out), I am attempting to get one ahead with these. Now that we've got a couple responses, here's the question for September. This also gives me the ability to plug "Next Months Question" in the article itself to maybe get a few more readers involved. Worth a shot, right?) Here's a fun question to ponder that was suggested by a member of the staff. If given a choice on a peacefully quiet evening when you have nothing going on, would you prefer to lose yourself in an action based story focused on what you would consider a real cutie or a romance based one? The first focused on a specific theme that the main character is just living out and the other focusing on a relationship and all that it entails. I mean, there has been an impressive number of productions that focus on gay teen love which to be honest I really do enjoy but sometimes find a little "in your face". (I'm absolutely not looking at you Heartstopper!!!) There is so much to consider too as many of us grew up without the romantic outlet. We got used to imagining our own side story when it came to young gay romance. So this month's "Comsie Q&A" asks, what is your preference, Action or Romance and why? (Unless you have a specific genre in mind, I can only squeeze so much text into the banner before you would no longer be able to see a young Austin O'Brien, LOL!) 💜

I have more recent stories but for this, I'll dig back some. I think I've been fairly lucky when it comes to approaching someone that I consider a celebrity although it wasn't always by choice. Starting when I was like 7 or 8 years old I met my first celebrities and had no clue who they were at the time. My father decided the entire family was going on vacation because he wanted to visit the town in Indiana that James Dean grew up in. There was some kind of dedication happening that he wanted to be there for and we made it. While there, somehow he met with and had a really cool conversation with his aunt who invited us back to the house where a few people would be stopping in. My father was elated to say the least. While we were there other people that I didn't recognize stopped in to drop off gifts or just to sit and visit for a while. We were bored out of our minds in no time. One that I do remember specifically was a man who had his three young sons in tow that were a little older but close enough in age to my younger brother and myself, so we asked if we could go out in the back and play for a while. I remember they looked just as bored as we were, LOL! For the life of me I can't remember the details but do remember we were all just happy to get outside and they knew the property so they showed us around a little. After days cooped up with the parents, my brother and I were psyched to get out and run and it looked like they were too! If I remember right, they were introduced to us as Emilio, Ramone, and Carlos. (Some of you may know where this is going now, LOL!) Fast forward almost a decade, I was planted on the couch watching "The Breakfast Club" and my mother walked in and started watching with me. When Emilio Estevez came on screen she tilted her head and asked "Do you remember meeting them?" Of course I gave her the side eye and asked "Meeting who?" She went into the the story of our trip to Indiana, which I remembered most of, the visit to James Dean's aunt's house, which I remembered, the man with his boys that we escaped the adults with... "You didn't realize that was Martin Sheen and his boys, did you?" She asked. Yeah, we got to go out and play with Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez who would later become very well known celebrities following in their father's footsteps, lol! I've met a small hand full of celebrities since but I think the coolest would be that day with just us boys saving each other from being trapped inside with a bunch of adults! Really, that was all that mattered at the time. We all did catch hell for getting dirty too! Of course "that" I remember clearly! , LOL! Looking back, I wonder where his daughter was, she would have been the closest to my age actually Now, I do take the opportunities to reach out and show appreciation to someone I admire. My first experience with any form of celebrity taught me that regardless of what side of the camera or mic you are on, we are all just people. That attitude has paid off in some very rewarding exchanges and some really cool behind the scenes stories that probably mean nothing to anyone else but at the very least allowed me to share a smile with someone I was happy to simply give one back to.