GaryK

Don't be so hard on yourself Lugh. Feedback doesn't have to be public. All that matters is the author sees it. So you're certainly doing your part when it comes to reviews.

Stated by Graeme: Bastard Queen of Cliffhangers

Jamie, I agree with you that become friends with someone before deciding whether to date them is a good idea. This is based solely on my own experience of falling in love with an older guy when I was 16. He wouldn't have sex with me until I turned 18, so in those two years we got to know each other really well and were fairly sure adding romance to the relationship would work out. Steph, the first guy I had sex with was a friend of mine. After a while the sex thing just didn't work out, but we were never able to go back to being friends. So I guess like anything when it comes to love there are risks no matter what you do. That shouldn't be a reason to not take a chance. Life is hardly worth living if you don't constantly challenge yourself, take risks, get hurt, learn and grow.

Vic, I think you overlooked James' first sentence. I refuse to call myself a victim, but I did suffer the fate of incestuous child abuse. I am neither a sex addict or an abstainer. I think that's because when I turned 16 I fell deeply in love with someone who would become my partner of 17 years. He taught me there were other outlets for the guilt and shame I felt than having sex with anything that had a hole in it. In a way he gave me back my humanity and I shall forever be grateful to him for that.

Dude, that's bitterly cold to a Florida boy. Down here we start looking for snow when the temperature drops below 70

I guess it depends where the stock phrase is being repeated. If it's in the narrative I agree it can be annoying. If it's in the dialogue then it becomes part of the character's personality and there's nothing wrong with it per se except that you don't like it. Either way take a moment and do what Kev suggested when writing a review or posting in a forum.

Frosty, you've clearly never been to DC in January. I have. It can be bitterly cold. It can also be somewhat mild. I don't want to risk the bitterly cold part. Ideally a central location near the start or end of summer seems like the best bet for a bigger turnout. Also, I don't care how dedicated DK and Trebs are to GA. They should not share their honeymoon with anyone. It's too special an event to share with anyone.

Oh, I missed the part about Jersey. Never mind.

If you got me in a room with that group the only one I'd be paying any attention to would be Benji. Damn he's good looking. And he's just a tad older than me which is perfect. Sorry Snowy but by my standards you're just a kid.

That's a shame about the political forums. I thought GA was a friendlier place than that. Now I understand why you're starting with old vids. You're educating us about what NAFTA was supposed to be and working your way up to the present and what it's become. Knowing that makes what you're doing much more sensible. I'll pay a lot more attention to your posts about NAFTA now.

Robbie, you're referring to Disneyworld, not Disneyland. There is a huge difference between the two.

Thanks Mattie.

Somehow the thought of being at "The Happiest Place on Earth" on July 4th is not very appealing. Disneyland is not even close to what it used to be. I don't understand why people still go there.

Ugh. Almost none of the options are good. Mostly because the weather will either be miserably hot or brutally cold. The least objectionable choice to me was Orlando in December because usually the weather is tolerable. I'm also concerned that the lack of any dates in the summer will likely preclude our college-aged members from attending. They deserve to be as much a part of these conventions as the older folks are. If I had my way the convention would be held in NYC in early or late summer and I'd be willing to help coordinate it.

I was just thinking that we really can't put all the blame on the readers. And the next thing I know along comes CJ and proves me right. CJ, you seem to have learned that there's more to being a successful author on GA than just writing stories. The art of marketing your stories and yourself plays a large role in why your forum is amongst the busiest on GA. You encourage feedback both good and bad. You always reply to comments in your forum. You love your role as the goat and have a ton of fun with it. You'll deny this of course, but your cliffhangers, even the mild ones, encourage lots of participation and speculation in your forum. The fact that you occasionally drop little hints makes it all the more fun to speculate on what's going to happen next. All of that together makes for an irresistible package that encourages people to comment about your stories. A lot of authors who aren't getting the feedback they need could learn some good lessons from you.

I know this doesn't make up for what you've been through but it's the best I can do.

I am admittedly overly sensitive to the "lecherous old man" syndrome. It's awful that some older guys do that and if I ever saw it happening I'd slice off their private parts, stuff it down their throat, and hope they'd choke to death on it. I feel only happiness for you guys. Nothing more. Nothing less.

On your way to a long weekend and a party.

I'll be there no matter where it is. Depending on where it is I could arrange to pick some of you up who can't afford the air fare since I'll be using a corporate jet.

Just cause you got this one right does not mean you aren't losing it.

Since you gave up guys for girls? Sorry I couldn't resist such a great setup. I didn't even know you were a vegetarian. So I guess the obvious question is how long has it been since you last ate meat? BTW, I think you'd spark a better debate on NAFTA if you did two things. First, start a thread in one of the political forums. Second, use videos that aren't so dated. Those vids were fine for when NAFTA was being considered. Now that we're dealing with the realities of NAFTA something more current would make your point much more effectively.

I'll bring the goat. Someone else can stew him cause I can't cook. Hell, I can burn water. For most people it turns to steam. For me it leaves a sticky brown residue on the bottom of the pan, LOL. Robbie, who you calling a queen? You'd better watch it or I'll bean you with my crown!

Then it's a double celebration Drew. That's wonderful!

Does that imply your uncle's partner is male? If he has you for a nephew he should be a grateful uncle.

If they haven't met yet it might be a good thing. I remember my first boyfriend. I fell in love with him when I was 16 and he was 21. He wouldn't let me have sex with him until I turned 18. So we spent two years just getting to know each other. Looking back on it I think that was a great thing. By the time I turned 18 we knew all about each other, knew we were totally compatible as a couple, and had a great relationship because of it.