NaperVic

The image that I get is of his new biceps & forearms from the wood chopping fineeeeee... I'm happy that Dom seems content too

Congratulations!!!

Hmmm, I hadn't thought of that one Steve, but it's possible. Then again, if Nick had those feelings, a better suspect would have been Lee (the girl you know, etc.).

yay, what a Christmas surprise to see a new chapter of story! Santa must have thought I was good this year .

Since we're just wishing.... I'd request from Santa a few more chapters of Hello Stupid or With Trust or In the Fish Bowl or a holiday sequel to Under the Mistletoe or all of the above .

I think I counted 7 remotes on your desk .

Everyone has to start somewhere . I'd encourage anyone who's interested to just run what you can. Most of the runners I've met are very encouraging and we don't expect newbies to keep up with us. When I first started running earlier this year, I remember running for like 1/10 of a mile before I had to clutch my midsection, breathing too heavily. Over time, I kept increasing my distance..then I increased my speed. Now running 6 miles at an 8min/mile pace is a light run. So strap on your MP3 player of choice, do a few stretches, and get out there!

If the frustration is too much to bear, you could do what some do and only read completed stories. Many of the aspiring authors on GA have finished series.

On December 16, 2004, The Lo(n)g Way Chapter 1 was posted on Nifty® and so began the start of an era. I didn't usually read stuff in the High School section, but something about the title The Log Way caused me to take a peek. I distinctly remember being blown away and wanting to read more. This Domluka fella didn't disappoint because Chapter 2 came out the next day (the 17th), then Chapter 3 on the 18th, Chapter 4 on 19th, and then later that SAME DAY Ch 5! I was hooked on those daily fixes . The stuff was magical to me and I desperately needed someone to talk to about it in the lag between postings. Early in January 2005, the Domluka yahoo group was born and I found out that there were many others like me . The yahoo group was a fun place to discuss the stories and our addiction. Unfortunately, the group experienced some growing pains and the format wasn't ideal for all the discussions that fans wanted to chat about. Dom then got hosted on GA and eventually, Dan & Myr setup the Domaholic's Forum, which I believe was the first author forum on GA. The author forums really allowed fans to be fans. GA has really grown since those early days and it really looks like it's going to be around for a lot longer. I've made some good iFriends from both the yahoo group and my involvement with GA. Many of those same people are now authors in their own right or are really involved with GA. And while Dom hasn't been posting as much as in the past, I know I'll still be here when he does get back to writing. Who knew what reading that 'weird' titled story 5 years ago on Nifty would lead to. Here's to 5 more years! Take Care®, Vic

Unless you're filling out a survey or something, there's no need to define yourself. Just be happy in who you are

Ohhh, sounds like a good thread we can work on, kinda like the ITFB Ch 21 Cooperative. Good hearing from you Dom, hope you're doing well! You probably didn't have to wait upstairs very long...if your friends haven't seen each other in a long time, it was probably fast .

Maddy, I'm sooooo addicted to running outside. There really feels like there's a 'high' when running. On Wednesday, it was 32 degrees out and we still went running. The treadmill....basically it feels like all you are doing is hopping up and down, and it's so easy to wuss out.

Really? That's what you read? wow....wow... Maybe I'm weird, but there has to be some physical attraction to someone who I'd want to date. And I'd gather that my idea of attractive is very different from yours. As far as platonic friendships, I don't use my gaydar to find those. Straight folks make great friends (and great running buddies too).

slightly used, 1968 Model Gaydar for sale $100 (OBO) - serious inquiries only -made in the Philippines -works well for finding gays that owner is not attracted to -has a tendancy to false positive on tall, dark brown haired, pale, thin (skeletal, according to my hags) straight guys with puppy dog eyes Yeah, my gaydar sucks. Or maybe it's just my use of it? They really need to teach a class or hand out instructions on how to use this thing. Mine operates more on the basis of wishdar, where if I find someone attractive I wish them to be gay. Where every little hint or mannerism of a target is construed as leaning gay. Gaydar for Dummies...yeah, they need to publish one of those . Anyway, so I haven't blogged in a while. After my little knee scare, I've built back up my running where I try to go 4-5 times a week, for about 25-30 miles a week. I've run a few races since then, and generally happy with my time (considering I'm not at 100%). It's gotten too cold to go biking outdoors, so now it's just the gym and running. Unfortunately, due to the weather, I've been going to the gym too often. Three days this week I've gone to the gym twice a day. I never used to hate going to the gym, but this week changed that. It can get soooo repetitive in there. And running on a treadmill is nothing like running outdoors. Hopefully the weather eases up and I can spend more time outdoors. Anywho, back to work. Take Care, Vic

At first when I read your blog title, I thought it said "If there are any tops..." Hopefully one day your brother will realize the sacrifices you've made for your(and his) family. I hope your move goes well! Sorry I didn't live closer, I have a pickup truck that could have helped haul stuff. It's cold here too where I can't feel my pinkies. Hopefully the cold front leaves California soon.

OMG! I feel exactly like you do, except substitute California for Texas. I hate coming home in the evening and it's too cool and dark to go biking. I can tell I'm getting more down and depressed because the days are so short. And when I go running at 5am, it's FREEZING, like in the low 40s. I have to wear a hat, gloves, & two long sleeve shirts. Pretty soon I won't even be able to wear shorts . The only time it's sunny is when I'm indoors for work . Let's hope it's a short winter!

Awwww, she's so cute!!!! Mila...hmmm, sounds too close to 'Mina'. My dog might come running when you call yours out

As long as you don't have to pay an annual fee, keeping the card was a good idea for multiple reasons: - Available Credit from credit cards is an important component of your credit score. As a youngster, building a good credit history will help you in the long run get better rates for many future purchases (houses, cars, etc). - Having the available credit for emergencies - Needing a credit card for Car Rentals, purchasing airline tickets, reserving hotel rooms... Not carrying balances on your credit cards is a very worthly goal. It wasn't until I finally paid off my balances at 28 years old was I finally able to really save money and start getting ahead. I haven't carried a credit card balance since then. Good luck on keeping the balances off!

Kurt! You're look all grown up! Nice picture!

It's weird, it almost seems that in Academia people are nice to each other in private, and save the verbal reamings for public or where there's an audience. Your experience is very typical to situations that have happened to friends of mine at this university. In department or senate meetings, or at presentations, people can get nasty professionally, but still expect to be chummy and friendly outside those settings. I never got that...

I love muse too! When I'm in a down mood I blast 'Time is running out' while driving in my car. Especially when I feel like someone's squeezing the life out of me.

Hi Joe, it was good to 'catch up' with you and the goings on in your life. Whenever I go to someone's for Thanksgiving where vegetarians will be attending, I try to bring Baked Mac & Cheese. It's hearty enough for vegetarians (and not gross like tofurkey), but it's also a good side for the meat eaters...and kids love it. Here's my fav recipe (I got it ages ago from the Chicago Tribune)... Real MacCoy Baked Macaroni & Cheese Ingredients 1 stick butter (plus 2 tablespoons) 1/4 cup All-purpose flour 1/2 tsp Salt 1/2 tsp Paprika 1/2 tsp Dried mustard Black pepper to taste 2 cups Milk 7 oz Elbow macaroni cooked 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese 3/4 cup crushed crackers (I use panko) Preparation 1. Melt 1 stick of the butter in large saucepan over medium heat. 2. Add flour, salt, paprika, mustard and pepper; stir well. Cook 1 minute. 3. Stir in milk. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 10 minutes. 4. Remove from heat; stir in cooked macaroni and cheese. 5. Stir until cheese is melted. 6. Spoon into 2-quart casserole. Cover; bake 20 minutes. 7. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in small skillet; stir in cracker crumbs. 8. Remove cover from casserole; sprinkle macaroni with cracker crumbs. 9. Bake, uncovered, until top is golden and mixture is bubbly, about 20 minutes.

I think the gift probably depends a little on how they perceive you and your relationship with their son. For example, are you: - The little fairy who turned their son gay and will be depriving them of their grandkids? - The nice boy who makes their son happy and you're part of the family? Since this will be your first meeting, it sounds like you want to make a good first impression. Agreed, if you have some skills in the kitchen, you can make a container of homemade english toffee or a batch of cookies. This kinda gift shows effort (unless they're diabetic). Good Luck! Really Drew ? I don't think that's the first impression he wants to make. Does your BF have any younger siblings? I suggest trying to win them over with gifts too .

Happy 50th birthday Sharon!!!! I hope your half century mark brings you lots of good times! As one of the senior alpha females of GA, you deserve em! Don't worry, we'll be in the same decade again soon (in like 9 years ).

James, you're going to be the gym bunny if you keep working out like that. Way to go!