W_L

I wish this movie can be discussed outside my blog, but I fear it will start up a controversy and go into politics. There are a lot of words to be said about this movie: Brutal, uncompromising, and gritty. The GA community may little note or care about this movie, but I hope that there are a few that may take it up for viewing. The realism is scary, because even when viewing it from an unaligned viewpoint like mine, I could see how American society could have voluntarily accepted slavery for so long; even with our standards today. It goes with a saying: "You might know your friend is dating the wrong girl, but you can't tell him that". It is not about human rights, decency, or morality, because those things a majority of Americans can agree on. We are divided by the question of what is an American? People have heralded this movie as a masterpiece of the genre of antebellum movies, depicting a socially and morally corrupt South, and an American Society that allows it to flourish. This not just an indictment against Southerners; it is a charge against American Principles from our very founding. This is no Gone with the Winds, nor is it a Tarantino's Django revenge flick. It lays bear the human story of slavery. I am not going to give away spoilers in this review and I will keep it short, because it deserves to be seen to be believed as an American tragedy. Last year, Lincoln was lacking a spark that made the issue big enough to be a point of contention. This year, 12 Years A Salve has made that point clear for moviegoers. People, who view it today might have joined the Abolitionist cause as well after hearing, seeing, and visually reading it. WL's Review for 12 Years A Slave: 5/5

Happy Birthday KC! And Hope Many More Good Years to Come

These are some preliminary ones, I have gotten: I have 8 more, but I want to test the waters with these Music: 1. All I want for Christmas is You 2. I Saw Daddy/Mommy kissing Santa Claus 3. There’s No Place Like Home For The Holidays 4. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Literature: 5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas 6. A Christmas Carol 7. Masters of the Winter Solstice 8. One Candle That's just a sampling, I might change it during the final list if people are fiercely against it. While Christmas is heavy in this selection, I also learned a few fun things along the way. I think a couple of the Female writers on GA will be laughing at Masters of Winter Solstice (Funny Chinese story associated with the holiday and holds good lessons). One Candle may be controversial, but I think it is a nice simple book that highlights why Holidays are so important despite the worst that humanity can offer us. (It might make you cry). It is available at most libraries.

For me, a soul mate is some one who is my partner in life; a person who is able to be my friend and my critic, because I need a bit of both. A man, who can love a guy with only one eye, but also will not go easy on me just due to my disability. Most gay guys I have dated are either far too emotional or far too loose. Thanks Greg for the scratch, Can I get a puppy treat? (Wags tail)

Chapter 4.1: (9 Years ago) Queens, NYC, October 20th, 2004 (Alex’s excerpt from Book of Fate) I am on another wild “ghost” chase. Damn them, why am I here? There are better experts on paleo-nuclear technology and even better spirit trackers. It’s not like I am getting free tickets to watch game 7 of the American League Playoffs. Some cryptic message from a precognitive Tao-Ming member directed me to look for a “ghost” around New York City, in order to find a miniature st

It's here and it's Queer sub-chapter https://www.gayauthors.org/story/w-l/Causality/6 Kitt gave me the idea about exploring my supporting characters and the reality that I am building in Causality. I also thought, since this is a story with references to relics of the past, why not open up with a story about the past of a supporting character. Jack Amos had a short Cameo in Chapter 4, but his story as I played it out in my head is quite interesting. It also highlights some of the key points of New York City's history regarding Ethnic Minorities, Racial struggles, Witch-hunts against Communist sympathizers, and riots. A few key points: 1. What I describe concerning the history of New York is actually true. Even today, if asked about Mayor Welker among NYC historians, you will hear similar things about corruption, profiteering, and his love of showgirls LaGuardia is still considered one of the greatest Mayors of American history; although, I do know he overspent his own budget, but I placed myself as a New Yorker and in the environment of the 1930's-40's would have praised him as well. I still like him personally as a man with vision and values. 2. As for the scenes from the 1950's Red Scare, Hollywood might have been hurt with black list, but no one ever talks about the other blacklists in professions of Science, Finance, and Law. In many states, there were several private boards seeking to evaluate the "Patriotism" of employees. Lawyers were especially at risk for speaking out. I chose the association with Bartley Crum (a real life historical figure) as an example of how far as a nation the United States went down towards, when blind association could be used as a weapon against your career. Also, these private boards did not simply go after "perceived" communist sympathizers; they went after people with moral "failures", i.e. Gay and bisexual men were singled out. This travesty of justice and a betrayal for Americans, who did nothing to deserve it, is far bigger than Jim Carrey's move, The Majestic, focus on Hollywood. 3. In the 1960's, I went for some interesting pre-condom era gay factoids in New York. I had to do some fun research on this, which has changed my views of gay new yorkers Some of the older guys on GA will know the things I am describing like "Trucking", when gay guys used to go in the back of open trucks in New York at night to screw around. Again, it's another piece of NYC history that is fun. Also, "Dirty Dicks" was a real Gay Bar, next to several unloading points, where patrons were picking up their guys. 4. The 1977 Blackout and description of the evolution of old Jewish Neighborhoods like Crown Heights in NYC is also true. The rioting breaking out is not uncommon from that era, when a new wave of African American people moved into that section of the community and clashing with the Jewish residents. I am not trying to be preachy or racially insensitive in this story; I am merely pointing out true events in the context of a fictional gay character. There was definitely issues like the use of Black enlisted men as manual labor to build the "Ledo Road" in Burma (60% of the workforce were African American according to one source) during World War II, which was a waste of manpower and time. However, the surge of anger in the 1970's was also a realistic truth, because American Race relations never quite got cleaned up. Also, I am highlighting a different racial dynamics between the historic issues between Jews and Blacks in New York City. 5. Lastly, I wanted to give you guys a world that can be understood despite all the fictional aspects and the fantasy. Human beings in my story are not better than Human beings in reality; we carry the same flaws and same issues. I want to make that clear with this side story to give everyone a perspective on my writing style and how I intend to write fantasy with elements of truth and fiction. Some writers of Fantasy and Science fiction hide behind monikers of Aliens, Robots, Demons, Spirits, and Warriors to describe real world issues, but I am not hiding it. This is contemporary Fantasy and Science Fiction, not ancient Swordplay or futuristic worlds. Ultimately, my belief is that Causality is a story that exists for: The existing past and potential future living side by side with contemporary realities. The ghosts of the past are not gone from memory, nor are the potential dangers of the future hidden by the mist of time. --------- Anyway hope you all enjoy it or if you feel like I am going too far in my writing, feel free to give me a PM.

Still looking, been on lots of dates, want to give up search sometimes......

*Cough...Disney Sequels.....Cough* I agree, art is not for mass production for consumption sake, it becomes a commodity in the process. Seriously, who thought Bambi II was artistically merited? Who thought Lion King 1 1/2 was artistic in either design or story compared to the masterpiece of the Original? However, reinterpretation can be a pieces of art, I love the concept of framing in story writing. If I re-frame a story from one character to another point of view with noted reactions and unknown variables, I have created a brand new story with the similar plot points and same characters. That is how I differentiate between sequels and reinterpretations. We had a discussion on fan fiction a few months ago, which I think is directly linked to this issue. Art in fan fiction is re-interpretation, not consumption alone.

Aww...Boston ain't that underwhelming To be honest, we're like an old European city in some ways; our streets are not laid out like New York or DC, so you may end up in different areas of the city by accidentally following a curvy road. However, Boston has seen some great growth in recent years, we have an eclectic theatre district, charming waterfront, and a very diverse amount of eats due to the college community. Tourists go to Fanuel Hall, but it is to me one of the worst places to go due to the high priced food and overcrowding, plus a lack of "real" market. If you come by on Friday-Sunday, you should try Haymarket for the cheap produce (We have a lot of greenhouses growing stuff year round) or head towards the Museum of Fine Arts, which is next door to Mass College of Arts and Design. Enjoy your trip

I am going to post the new chapter of Causality tomorrow. I have 2nd draft version that I am sending over to Kitt again for edits (I wanted to give as much thought as I could to this chapter). It's a one off story, but it might be interesting and help give readers an understanding of the dynamics within Causality's universe and our own world. Hope you guys like what comes out and stay tuned. As for other odds and ends: I probably should mention it, since I had originally signaled this would happen, nearly 3 years ago, when no other Conservative stood up to the plate. Here's a piece of news, liberals will enjoy and Conservatives will likely weep over: GOP Super PAC prepare to fight Tea Party It's an official fight within the Party; there's no longer any doubt, second guessing, or platitudes anyone can make to hide the fact. From recent signs like LaTourette turning one of the major GOP funds into a counter to combat Tea Party backers in primaries to little things beyond the public eye..This is the linchpin to a real internal fight, if money is being divided between two or more camps in the GOP; there is now a divided party, These guys are doing it out of preservation as well as necessity. There is one thing that you can never do: Declare your intention is to default on federal obligations, whether it is "technical" or not. Every business owner and every retirement fund has a huge chunk of the US debt in one form or another, i.e. that money market fund you invest in has US Debt, the bank that you put your money in is insured by US, and your 401K is so leveraged on US debt as a stable source of income. A few small world minded Tea Partiers envision America as a standalone edifice, its federal government as a hollow shell, and its people as capable of living off their own capability. This is not an Ayn Rand novel, it's reality. Government spending is a problem, but defaulting can never be the answer, no matter how partial it might sound. If the dominoes begin to fall, we won't be able to pick up enough pieces fast enough. Perhaps, the lesson people don't get is that "Atlas Shrugged" is not viable, not because of all the welfare in the world and all the free handouts that Rand made in her reasoning to stop the modes of production in the book. The "Atlas Shrugged" scenario is dead wrong, because "Objectively" in our modern world with Capitalism as the dominant system of economics and Communism more or less dead with Socialism on its way to the grave (Look at European Austerity on where the winds are blowing), if you try to say "Screw the world" you are not defending the free markets and individualism. You are destroying it and everyone that has built their entire lives around it. Philosophically, I see this as a fight between Realists and Objectivists. I see it far more clearly and its differences between generations of Conservatives. (If Liberals or conservatives want to understand this split, I advise you guys read Rand's Atlas and Eisenhower's Diaries, I have done both, and I think you will gain an understanding of how Conservatism in America is actually far more complicated than a 10 second MSNBC sound byte) I cannot promise that this Civil War will be won by good guys; hell, I know I don't want to see a corporatist society either, but I must lean that way between Corporatism and Tea Party Objectivism. Ironically, it is far more functional as a basis for opinion (A concept of Rand's own views ) 2014 will be a fight for the ages, not between Liberals and Conservatives, but between Realists and Dreamers. It is time for Conservatives to stop dreaming and start working toward realistic goals.

Do people remember rental videos? Do people remember Blockbuster? Those places are now defunct and with few exception nearly dead (All Except some adult stores ) I remember the empty shelves and long wait times for popular movies. I remember trying to get a copy of Terminator 2, but it was always out of stock at my local Blockbuster. When, I did get to rent a copy, it was ironically showing on USA Network. http://money.cnn.com/2013/11/06/news/companies/blockbuster-stores-closing/

You're on, but he's a performer, I'll top you off and say $20 that he goes over 2 minutes.

He doth protests too loud Takes a seat next to the pig and waits for the Fore-Play (I got to stop with these puns)

Some spider's death make me cry: Watch this if you want a good classic cartoon cry:

How about the wiki links to our published authors as a reference of our prominence? That would solve your self referential issues and add spotlight to authors in our subgenre of fiction. Great idea matt

Thanks Thorn, I wanted to try something new and different. I have a lot of "stiff" competition from Walking Dead and James' Case Black. It was fun to write for everyone's pleasure

I have Renee's okay, but I have to call this a contest since I am giving out a $50.00 Amazon Giftcard to the best writer in the Holiday Theme stories. (Good for a small stocking stuffer right ) Explicitly, I need to state this is not a GA event, it is something authors on GA are doing among ourselves in an unofficial capacity. I am also going to have to figure a way to count votes for "best story-holiday theme", which will be public, i.e. meaning we all know who voted for what. We're all friends, but I want to keep this fair and if someone gets an avalanche of votes above other authors, it is better for transparency. (Yes, I am actually really forward thinking when it comes to that stuff) _____________________ Kitt, I mean Halloween and Holidays around Nov-Dec is one thing, but I can't do this every month. Like, I might like "12 Years A Slave" (I will review it soon in my blog, It is just so emotional) and "The Butler", but I can't be the one to host a GA Black history month event. (I'm a gay Asian guy who views this stuff from the outside; it wouldn't be appropriate.) If someone wants to do additional themes after the major holidays, be my guest. I can imagine some extremely graphic and sad stories between masters and slaves in the old fashioned context not the "Fifty Shades" modern BDSM, so you have your first writer for that potential event. GA has many good writers of all types, creeds, sexualities, genders, orientations, and ect.........I know others can do this as well or even better than me. I am merely pointing you to the stars, only you can travel there.

I'll definitely use Christmas songs, but I don't want to limit it to a Christmas only affair I celebrate the Asian Winter Solstice along with Christmas. I know we have a lot of Jewish writers here too and I want to hear more about how Hanukkah themes in a fictional story setting (I've rarely read anything from GLBT Jewish authors expressing themselves and their cultural holidays.) Let's give everyone options. I am thinking of announcing the themes on November 15th and putting a deadline of December 21st. Just like the Halloween themes, no word count limit, No format limit, and No Editor required (Though you could find one). Writing fiction is more than writing based on formats or word limits, it is an expression of an idea. Some of us are really good poets, some of us are good nano or short story writers, and others are full length novelists. Playing with old ideas, inspired ideas, and outrageous ideas are part of the thrill in what we do. --------------------------- Also guys, don't make comparisons between what GA's team does with Anthologies and what we are doing unofficially among authors. We are just having fun, exploring ideas, not starting a revolution. I don't plan on doing this every month or every holiday. Between writing within a "special holiday" theme per one writer versus many writing a prompt, you have your choices. Variety is the spice of life.

Sounds like we may have some fun for December, lots to read and lots to enjoy. I can't do this alone, so all ideas and suggestions are open.

Thank you Grim

I agree with you all, but there's still doubt. If you can't trust anyone completely and always want to have one backdoor to hide behind, is fidelity still kept? Let's say for me, I am afraid of certain secrets getting out, not about being gay, but other stuff like certain indiscretions that a family member had done, knowledge of other people's lives that I cannot reveal, and other things that I am sworn to secrecy about. I know trust is a two way street, but trusting a person is harder for some than others. A betrayal of omission is just as bad as a betrayal of lies.

Hmm...He hasn't shown his yet I think everyone has said their piece, go talk to him. I do sympathize with guys, who have unrequited loves. I freely admit to being tempted by guys in college, but I never took it. When I came out to them, they all said, "You're not gay, you didn't even try to...". I just have good willpower to keep my distance and an understanding that what I would fantasize like a drunken gay orgy with several roommates would never happen, nor should I try to force it. There were opportunities, I've bailed a couple of them out after a long night of drinking and hits of "stuff", but they're my friends first. One of my favorite Nifty writers once wrote: "Liking this stuff isn't wrong, trying to do it is."

Aww, Happy Birthday Lacey

Since the Halloween event worked out so well, I want to see how far we can do these. I wrote this in my blog as well: I am thinking about starting some Holiday Story Themes: Like Halloween themes, writers will be limited to an individual theme to write, Only 1 writer per theme and 1st come 1st served. I am also expanding the field from 8 to 32 Themes, so the field will be much more crowded than before. There will be traditional themes like "New version of A Christmas Carol", new humorous themes "Daddy Kissing Santa Claus) (Hey, I'm a GA writer), unconventional themes "Making Latke with a Friend", and Dark themes "Deaths of the New Year". There is a special part in this one, I want to let the readers decide if our stories fit the theme elements. In this unofficial GA story writing event, I am also tempted to do something special for the best Holiday writer, but must clear it with Renee (I don't want to make this an unofficial contest, it is sounding like one in my mind, but it should be for fun). Anyone think I am nuts for attempting this?

I am writing something special for it, it will appear next Friday. There's something I've been meaning to do with the story that I always admired about good epic storytellers, the subplots. Of course, good subplots must be evocative and creative. If you need to get a fix for something paranormal or spiritual please check out the Halloween stories: 2. Ghost- Thorn Wilde 3. Mad Scientist- Scotty94 4. Vampire- aditus 5. Slasher- joann414 6. Cemetery- Rustie 7. Zombie- WL 8. Demon- Sasha As for the next thing, I am thinking about starting some Holiday Story Themes: Like Halloween themes, writers will be limited to an individual theme to write, Only 1 writer per theme and first come 1st serve. I am also expanding the field from 8 to 32 Themes, so the field will be much more crowded than before. There will be traditional themes like "New version of A Christmas Carol", new humorous themes "Daddy Kissing Santa Claus) (Hey, I'm a GA writer), unconventional themes "Making Latke with a Friend", and Dark themes "Deaths of the New Year". There is a special part in this one, I want to let the readers decide if our stories fit the theme elements. In this unofficial GA story writing event, I am also tempted to do something special for the best Holiday writer, but must clear it with Renee (I don't want to make this an unofficial contest, it is sounding like one in my mind, but it should be for fun). Anyone think I am nuts for attempting this?