Former Member

While others are falling asleep, I am fascinated by incredibly dense details of a new world. Some complain about JRR Tolkien’s wordiness, but I got lost in his descriptions of the flora as Bilbo, and later, Frodo, trekked along on their adventures. I reread the four books at least a dozen times in junior high school, starting over as soon as I finished the last book. As you can tell, I am definitely a can’t-see-the-forest-for-the-trees kind of person! ;–)

While I’m sorry a puppy was injured, I’m glad that no infant humans were harmed (who might have been the crying child in the prompt). I guess I’m glad your violent tendencies come out only in fiction! And well balanced with more loving aspects in the same story. ;–)

Intimidated? ;–)

Three of the five Commenters who posted before me used the same adjective to describe it! In the Eighties (back before many of you were even born) Datsun (now Nissan) advertised the 280ZX as ‘Awesome!’ along with their ‘We are driven!’ tagline. ;–)

At this point it would be cliché for me to use the ‘A’ word to describe this chapter, so instead, I’ll say that you once again managed to create an intriguing world filled with interesting characters and puzzling mysteries. This is a feat that few others on GA ever manage in this genre. Too often the ‘inspirations’ and ‘influences’ of popular book and movie franchises are plainly visible. I only read stories on GA with tags like this when you write them! ;–)

I don’t get what happened here. This sounds like a reference to something I wrote about this chapter, but I don’t see anything here. I cannot believe I would have not Commented on the chapter! I’m just so confused! ;–)

What the kid eventually said to Ryder about having survived suggests that he identified with how Ryder was treated by the bullies. He might have been too afraid of those same bullies to speak up. Who wants to become the new target by defending the most ostracized student in school when you’re nearly as badly ostracized? He might not have known what to do that wouldn’t make things worse…

For many people who were popular in high school, high school was when they peaked. The things that are valued in high school don’t mean much later in life. Things that make people successful in careers and life aren’t usually valued in high school. ;–)

Before I read the story, I checked. It’s listed as In Progress. So hopefully, it will be continued quickly. There were too many Prompt stories that left me hanging last week… ;–)

Not all teenaged singers burn out. Michael Jackson isn’t the ideal example, but he did transition from child singer to adult over the years. Many formerly young performers from the Sixties and Seventies are still out there on major tours. Mick Jagger is in his seventies and the Stones just came through San José the other day. Elton is still out on his farewell tour. Most of the young performers who quickly soar before even more rapidly burning out are heavily hyped by promoters and lack the skills necessary for longterm success. Youthful beauty soon fades and if there’s little or no talent, there’s nothing worthy of attention. Excessive facial hair and numerous, ugly tattoos seem to be the usual features used to ‘prove’ that a performer is no longer a child member of a Boy Band – body-baring costumes and hyper-sexual songs appear to be the female equivalent. The lack of talent is not made up for by desperation, tattoos, near-nudity, and hyper-sexuality.

I have to ask if ‘dad’ is pimping out his ‘son’ or if they’ve had some sort of clash that forced the son out on the streets. The second seems less likely since their conversation sounded un-resentful. I suppose a third possibility is that they’re both homeless and struggling to scrape together enough money to eat – although, in that case, I’d expect dad to have saved the extra piece(s) of pizza for his son. It does seem like the entire neighborhood is financially depressed – kind of like where I live!

Bill Evans - "The Two Lonely People"

Oh, and I should have noticed the title of the story! ;–)

I guess I’m not awake enough to have understood what was going on! How ironic after all those Comments I’ve made wondering (intentionally provocatively) if a character is Trans. I’m glad others understood and explained it to me before I said something dumber than usual. ;–) I remember Heinlein had a protagonist who had two clones created who were younger, twin female versions of him – and all three had flaming red hair! ;–)

In a semi-arid desert, you have dirt! ;–)

Well, Deuce left his church denomination because his interpretations of his holy book differ from theirs. Deuce seems more focused on the NT (ie transformative and merciful). Many churches are obsessed with the OT (ie angry and vengeful). ;–)

Is there was any possibility of a counter-offer for the plea agreement? An offer where Eddie gets to decide what level of punishment is appropriate? One where the defense has to decide whether they want to risk a trial with an even longer sentence. I would think that Eddie would want to include a provision where Donald learns why his homophobia is so wrong. A way to educate Donald, not just hurt him. Something constructive rather than destructive. Something transformative and merciful rather than angry and vengeful…

That’s why I skip SF Pride and attend the much longer (time-wise) Frameline film festival. It matches my interests better and it’s more comfortable because I get to sit inside all day for ten days rather than stand in the sun for six hours! The advantage to living near a large Gay-empowering city is that there are many Pride events going on simultaneously and it’s just a matter of me finding the best fit. ;–)

Shhhhhh! Don’t say that! The Xerox machines will start cranking out bad copies just like Hollywood does with unexpected hit movies and TV shows. ;–)

I think being around the relentlessly cheerful Teddy would be exhausting even if you were just sitting, watching him. My depression isn’t quite as serious as Ryder’s, but I don’t think I could spend a lot of time around Teddy. Teddy’s personality would suck all my energy out just being in the same room with him!

I was surprised that Imagine Dragons’ (straight and Mormon) lead singer, Dan Reynolds, feels strongly enough about teen suicide and acceptance of LGBTQ youth, that he founded LOVELOUD with ex-Mormon, Tyler Glenn, the Openly Gay lead singer of Neon Trees. The documentary. Believer, discussed LGBT youth suicides, the LDS church connection to a huge increase of teen suicides in Utah, and the first LOVELOUD concert. The doc premiered at Sundance, was featured at Frameline42, and played on HBO. That’s something that would greatly impress Theodore, but would not be as important to Ryder. It’s funny how ‘Theodore’ makes me think of Beaver Cleaver from Leave It to Beaver, ‘Theo’ makes me think about Theo Huxtable from The Cosby Show, ‘Ted’ reminds me of Ted Baxter from Mary Tyler Moore (as well as numerous politicians and celebrities), and ‘Teddy’ is a stuffed bear or a creepy toy from the mid-Eighties – I watched too much TV while growing up! ;–)

Is that Melania when the money gets cut off? ;–)

From the Wikipedia page: It was particularly ubiquitous in the Seventies and Eighties. Corelle dinnerware is opaque white, usually with patterns printed on it. Being glass, it worked in the microwave, but got very hot. Arcoroc and Arcopal appear to be transparent or translucent glass.