Whatsifsowhatsit2

Look, I know it's silly, I just like to share these little character rating things. Simon Jimmy Joanna Brandon Stevie Sam Jamie Ian Bobby Trace Billy AJ

I agree, Manu. Trust me, not all gay kids were like that, or are now.

I like the Billy-turns-to-selfishness story arc as well. However, I never liked him much to begin with. I don't see how everybody keeps saying he was so nice all the time. He did do some good things now and then, but... he did a bunch of bad things too. I certainly don't think he's too good to believe. At some point, I almost went the opposite way. However, I find the current stage he's going through very believable. I never went through quite the same thing, but I remember there was some time where I went through life fantasizing that all girls and women were part of some evil conspiracy, for example. And there was a time where I suddenly realized that there is a logic and constancy to the world that I had apparently forgotten about—or maybe it just felt that way when I came out of it, like when you come out of a dream or something. My point is, people go through weird phases sometimes, and I find Billy's current one very believable. Likeable or otherwise. Another thing I like about is that this is giving some of the other main characters a chance to really shine by showing concern (Jimmy, last chapter), or annoyance (Simon, this chapter) or hurt feelings (Sam, recently). I already liked all of these characters, but they've grown on me even more, now.

Yeah, I don't like Trace. I hate how he criticizes and makes fun of me. I really like whenever Stevie makes an appearance, on the other hand. That is an interesting storyline on a very interesting character.

This one was a little weird to me, for a number of reasons. Both Jimmy/AJ and Billy/Lee had already broken up, right? Billy's preach kind of sounded like that wasn't the case yet for either of them. I kind of was... well, not disappointed per se, but... well. I thought from Randall's description that Lee sounded a lot like how I am as a person, but recently that's seemed to be less the case. Shame, because it's so rare that I recognize myself, already. Either that, or Billy's just wrong about him. Also, why is Billy always assuming things about his parents' divorce? He's never really gotten involved, or really tried to figure out what was up, always just making assumptions about it instead. That whole speech rather bugged me, I'm afraid. I don't think I can agree with him. But well... what am I saying, anyway? It's Billy Chase, I already didn't agree with him very often. It's just that it seemed this time the reader was supposed to agree, perhaps. Ah well. Finally, the thing about it having been a "really, REALLY, long time"... which, even if you don't count Bobby, and Lee, and Sam, and basically you just count Brandon... even then I don't agree exactly. It's still in the order of months. But I guess I can understand that it would feel like a really long time. That said, I'm enjoying most of the current storylines. I like the whole Sam/Billy thing, and the Brandon/Stevie/Billy thing, in particular.

Billy is really doing quite well recently. Perhaps there's hope for him yet

Wow, that last chapter was very impressive! Totally convincing. Brandon Joanna Simon Jimmy Stevie Lee Sam Bobby Jamie Billy Trace AJ

To that, Jimmy says, "Sighhh...you're one of the few people who get me, Billy. You know that?", really? Poor guy, he really hasn't been speaking to the right people. One of the only people who understands that sex is not the only thing? And this about Billy? Really? Anyway. Looks like it's going to be interesting coming up on these last couple chapters of this book! I think I'll stop for today at the inevitable cliffhanger—it's getting late.

"He's not a bad guy, Billy. I just don't think he gets emotionally 'attached' to things as strongly as we do. Or at least, not in the same way. I don't think he sees a need for the constant maintenance. Hehehe, we must look so crazy from his point of view." Wow, Lee just went up several points on my 'cool list'. That's so much like myself. (Of course, I'm still quite different in that "Emotionally speaking, he bruises easy." doesn't apply to me as much, but yeah.) I had something similar figured about Lee, but I kind of had him pegged as being rather insecure. What with the whole "always being charming" thing and sometimes having him be worried about Billy being mad at him (same as now, happened a couple times before). Also the whole thing with Jimmy and Billy—the being dragged along into a gay quasi-relationship just to not hurt the other person's feelings kind of had crossed my mind also, in that regard. I mean, obviously some of these things still point to at least a minor self-confidence deficit, but not as strongly anymore. And I kind of like this interpretation better. So, yeah, love the character again. Excellent job, Comsie!

Re: the Jaime Cross "completely incompatible" situation... I guess bisexuality just never crosses Billy's mind? Actually has not come up at all in this story, I think. Interesting. Wonder if that's going to remain that way.

Wait, Billy too perfect to believe in? I tend to think he's too imperfect to believe in most of the time! As for the safe sex message, well... I remember at least once condoms were mentioned, and it was never mentioned explicitly that they weren't used for any of the anal sex. Also, there was of course the pregnancy scare thing with Sam and Joanna. You may have a point here and there, but I don't exactly agree about the responsibility thing. At the very least, I don't think there's any exploiting going on. Anyway, I have another list for favorite characters. Because, why not? Joanna Sam Simon Jimmy Brandon Stevie Trace Bobby Jamie Lee Billy AJ

So I felt like listing the main characters in the story ordered by how much I like them by this point in the story Simon Joanna Sam Brandon Lee Jimmy Jamie ? Trace ? (still hard to say at this point) Bobby Billy

I got very frustrated reading, "At fourteen...who would choose differently?". I would choose very very differently. But that's the case with almost everything Billy does. And when he said, "I needed that." when he had just had sex about a week ago at most, and here I am not having had sex in many years, and I'm still not saying I need it. Anyway, I know people are different, and he's young and all. I still enjoy the story, but the main character is so frustrating that I find myself enjoying the parts where he's unhappy more than the parts where he's happy. Which doesn't seem like me, but there you go. Still, looking forward to reading more

Well, I must say I'm inclined to agree (although in slightly weaker terms) with Manu. Yes, people make mistakes at that age, but he's still being rather selfish, I feel. However, I do sometimes think I see bits of growth in him now and then, so I'm hoping that keeps up. But I think part of the fun of this story is exactly the rolling-eyes-at-the-main-character bit. There'd be much less delicious drama if he didn't screw up as much as he did.

I found another minor thing: Taryn asked what had happened even though Justin had kind of already told him before they went to see Rain. But it's okay, this and the one I mentioned about last chapter are really the only mistakes that I found regarding the content of the story, so far. So that's actually quite amazing!

That's strange, didn't Taryn in chapter 4 of this book say that Rain hadn't been at the lot as long as he had, maybe six or seven years? Yet she was his chaser? Ah well, good chapter anyway. I loved reading a bit more about Rain at last

Isi receives a letter from his best friend.

TO ISI Hello my dear Isi. Yes, that's right, my dear Isi. Yours is the last of a series of letters I've been typing today... I've been doing this all day now. I saved the hardest for the last. I'm not going to wait to say this for the entire length of this letter... so here it is. I am in love with you, Isi. I'm totally and desperately in love with you. I can honestly say that I've never before been so in love with anyone in my life. This will probably come as a shock to you, right Isi?

Ah, thank you! I'm happy you liked it. I sent you a message earlier in which I asked if that was your comment on Youtube, I guess I know now I'll let him know for you. Take care! Vincent

The following is a translated-into-English and slightly altered message written by the friend that made this short movie ----- Dear GayAuthors.org forumgoers ^^ For my education AVM (Movie) at the HKU, last fall my project partner Karlijn and I made a short film within the theme "emotion". The film was allowed to be a maximum of 10 minutes and wasn't allowed to contain any dialogue. We've tried to put the emotions of a homosexual boy and the people around him into a story in video and audio. The project has started, and after months of working and waiting the result is finally viewable online. Very coincidentally, the production was also very briefly in the Expreszo (a Dutch gay magazine) at the end of 2007, in the form of an interview with me. You (and art lovers) are the principal target audience, so we found a post on the GayAuthors forum worth the trouble. I hope you can enjoy it! Feedback, comments, questions, whatever, everything is always welcome! Greetz, Remy P.s. It's on many fora at the same time now and I immensely enjoy to keep on receiving and hearing all reactions, but it's becoming a bit difficult for me to keep checking each forum, so if possible, could you place your reaction on Youtube? Thx ----- So you heard the man, if you have a moment, go and watch the film on youtube and if you have another moment, leave a reaction to it. I'm sure he'd really enjoy it Thanks, Vincent

Ahh, thank you! That does clear up a lot Hah, those ties! I think they look cooler than most ties Hugs back, Vin PS - ah, so I could've assumed and it wasn't anything specific... that's what I thought!

Hey Viv yay a new entry! Errhm... I didn't understand any of the references in the title what does it mean to get textual? Which horse was saved, and which cowboy ridden? Also, what's a skinny tie? Who's Val Kilmer? Who's the certain someone you edit for? And, where's I know where? :wacko: I did understand some other things though like the story with Rich's Christmas party... it sounds like it was fun and hurrah, Rich was Iceman of the Month! I'm sorry for your niece ((hug)) Vincent PS - I wouldn't want to assume, but... if I would I'd like to know more about the bridges if that was anything specific, that is

Well Dez, you know how I feel about this story... I think it's great. I was thinking about the difference between your style and Viv's the other day, and what I think is... with your style, the words do more to me, and with Viv the focus doesn't seem to be as much on the words... yours is a bit harder for me to read... probably because the English is a bit harder. But it's all good, it's worth it... and I like both your styles. I may like this story more now because I may relate to it more soon, in some ways... who knows? The message is good. And I love how it's constructed, with the flashbacks. However I think the present time sections were nicest to read for me somehow, and I think that's, well odd, because less happened there, so however you did that, you did well at making those interesting It's been a short while since I read it, but I still remember most of it... I can read it again though I might. ((Hugs)) Vincent

Wow, yay! You put it in your blog so cool, and hehe... you're welcome ^-^' This will be cool to read from time to time, haha maybe I should put mine on my blog too! ((Hug)) Vincent PS you make me wonder what Rich was now heehee!

So Jealous - Tegan and Sara