Tiger

Happy Birthday!

I'll be nice to you. Just tell me exactly how nice to be. I can even be naughty if you want.

Welcome Alex! I found GA through Comsie's stories as well! He's an awesome author.

CJ has been spotted again. He is spending some time on the farm, and he's made at least two new friends.

Actually, I live in Kansas, and I am definitely a Friend of Dorothy.

If that is the case, I hope he didn't drop the soap.

Happy birthday! I hope you have a good one. I don't know what we would do without our mutant goats.

Good and evil have evolved over time. Some tend to think that there is no such thing. That is called moral relativism. I do not buy into that particular philosophy. I happen to look at two things. The first is whether or not actions are more harmful or good for other people. The second is utility. If the utility outweighs the evil, then it is justified. However, that is a rarity. Also, I think some moral wrongs, as defined by law, are accurate. Lying, killing, and stealing are bad. All are considered unlawful. (Remember that perjury is a form of lying.) However, there are times when lying and killing are permissible. Stealing appears to be the ultimate social wrong. There are many people out there who do not care at all about other people. They will go by the "ends justify the means" philosophy. If it's good for them, there's nothing to stop them except for time behind bars. I would say that my own thoughts and reasoning are the major factors in whether or not something is good or evil. Harming other people is wrong according to most philosophies except Machiavellianism. Despite the fact that I have many attributes of a Machiavellian (as in I know how to pull strings), I find taking advantage of people as being wrong. I could go on and on forever about what is wrong with such backward thinking. I happen to disagree with many about law. Laws are there for a reason. They are meant to guard against the worst of social wrongs like child molestation, murder, rape, and armed robbery. Is it the only influence? I certainly hope not. There are plenty of bad things you can do without breaking the law. For example, someone might decide that it is okay to cheat on your partner even though doing so is perfectly legal. Good to me is anything that benefits people, both individually and collectively. I don't expect anyone to do as the Bible says, because I find religion irrelevant for judging what is morally wrong. In their short-sited vision, religious folks have historically had a tendency to do what is wrong. The Christians have improved dramatically while Muslims have not. However, stating that what they do is always right is far from accurate. Smear campaigns against the GLBT community are unacceptable. While there are others, they are too political for me to mention. Evil, on the other hand, is something that harms just as defined in the poll. Harm does not have to be physical. Emotional pain can be just as bad or worse than physical pain.

I want to be the ruler of planet Earth.

That's an interesting question. Since only 10% of the population is gay, it is more interesting to have more straight relationships. As far as sexual encounters, I have actually written one even though I'm gay. As far as friendships, there should be. Actually, it does seem that there's almost always a straight best friend in most of the stories on GA. I think they are in some stories. There is one story that I recall where there really weren't any, and it was still a good story, though the fact that most of the guys in the small town were gay was rather unbelievable. Yes, they should be played down when the main characters of the story are gay unless the main character is a closet case who is dating or married to a woman. Again, it depends on the story. I think a good author can create stories in which there aren't any major relationships and still have a solid story. In fact, there are people who only socialize with other gay people, and they are perfectly believable. By the way... welcome to GA, Alex! Feel free to drop by the New Members thread to say hello.

I would like to thank all the authors, beta readers, and editors. If not for you, the anthology would not be possible. Of course, we couldn't do it with you, Graeme. There's also a goat of a mentor we should thank as well. He trained Graeme well!

Since there is only one poem this time, I figured I would post the link here. This one is called "The Tears of Solitude". Feel free to leave reviews, and as always, feel free to drop by the Impressions and Reflections topic. Feel free to critisize if you must! I like feedback, and that includes constructive criticism.

I have no idea. I thought he left the chapters with Joe or Myr for safekeeping.

I do believe you're right about that. Then again, you might get kicked instead.

Ummmm... I am not into animal lovin'. You can keep CJ.

I can't believe you all don't like facial hair. Goatees are super hot. That's what he needs. I might get something on his goatee if I have the opportunity.

"One Step At A Time" by Jordin Sparks Hurry up and wait So close, but so far away Everything that you've always dreamed of Close enough for you to taste But you just can't touch You wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yet Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it You know you can if you get the chance In your face as the door keeps slamming Now you're feeling more and more frustrated And you're getting all kind of impatient waiting [Chorus:] We live and we learn to take One step at a time There's no need to rush It's like learning to fly Or falling in love It's gonna happen and it's Supposed to happen that we Find the reasons why One step at a time You believe and you doubt You're confused, you got it all figured out Everything that you always wished for Could be yours, should be yours, would be yours If they only knew You wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yet Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it You know you can if you get the chance In your face as the door keeps slamming Now you're feeling more and more frustrated And you're getting all kind of impatient waiting [Chorus] We live and we learn to take One step at a time There's no need to rush It's like learning to fly Or falling in love It's gonna happen and it's Supposed to happen that we Find the reasons why One step at a time [bridge] When you can't wait any longer But there's no end in sight when you need to find the strength It's the faith that makes you stronger The only way you get there Is one step at a time [Chorus x2] We live and we learn to take One step at a time There's no need to rush It's like learning to fly Or falling in love It's gonna happen and it's Supposed to happen that we Find the reasons why One step at a time

Robert, I hope you get better soon. I hate to see such a wonderful guy go through so much. I have no doubt that Dan is spoiling you while you recover, so it should be all good! Hugz, Tim

Perhaps he does. We'll have to ask him when he returns.

That's an interesting theory. Oh, he also faints, so he has the fainting gene.

That sounds about right.

Well, excuse me for living.

Steve, that was a good story. I left a comment in the thread.

That was an interesting story, Steve. You should write some more stories. I'd love to read them.

Thank you! I like yours too actually. It does take a while for some to update. I have no idea why. Hopefully, you'll be able to see it soon.