Former Member

Stan did manage to scan all the scrolls, didn’t he? If only the entrances were blown up, they can be dug out to access Amasis’s home at a future point. It could still become a tourist attraction. Mitch could run a resort hotel there too. Since this story is subtitled ‘The Others’ and we’ve only discovered their origin, but not any nests, we haven’t come near to the conclusion yet…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Great!

Happy birthday Renee! All good wishes to you.

Happy Birthday Renee. I wish you the best day ever!

So we finally find out where the quote came from. None of us was even close. Is Jack McKenzie really willing to talk to Billy about the questions he has about Jen? But we were right that the sperm donor was the one who tore up Dustin’s anus. But the broomstick comes as a horrifying surprise. Maybe now that he’s in the hospital, Dustin will get the help he desperately needs. But more likely, he’ll stonewall and refuse to talk… Joey just keeps proving how much of a jerk he is… ;-)

Those holy rolling, Bible thumping bastards! The Westboro Baptist Church...what a bunch of nuts.

I was taught that the devil has no power over humans. If someone chooses to be rotten to the core, they are supposedly weak in mind and spirit, making them vulnerable to Old Scratch's evil ways. lol I agree with tim, and moggy. We are flawed creatures, and in my opinion, arrogant to the point of ugliness. Although I am no longer a believer, I do know a few true Christians who actually follow the teachings of Christ. They don't pass judgement, they are beautiful, peace loving people who are not trying to earn their way into their God's Heaven by contributing the most money to the basket on Sunday. I am proud to know them. On the other hand I also know so called Christians who use their religion to excuse their evil ways. We all know this is nothing new. We humans, religious or not, have been corrupt from day one. Different day, same shit. We all have done things that we are ashamed of. But like Jay T pointed out, the level of harm to others might be taken into consideration..I think most would forgive a man who loves his family to the point of risking his life robbing a bank, but condemn hate mongers who are so evil they bring nothing but pain and suffering to the world.

Will Claudia and Rob become each other's beard next?

Russians! I guess it’s too much to hope it’s Sasha and a few friends… ;-)

Just a little reminder of the pain Liam suffered because of Alek…

I’ve been through neighborhoods like that. One of the buses I sometimes use used to have to have a police escort when going through several blocks of its route because it had been shot at on several occasions. The violence has lessened, but even with the Bay Area’s chronically severe housing shortage, there are boarded up homes that sit abandoned after their loans went into foreclosure – years after the eviction! Half of that neighborhood is city and half is county. Due to the conditions, the police and sheriffs both regularly patrol the main streets. There’s a relatively new county health clinic on the main street, but almost no other new development in evidence. There are plenty of churches and two small corner markets, but for everything else you have to go outside the neighborhood. I’ve seen a rainbow flag on one house, but there is no LGBTQ-led gentrification happening there. The houses aren’t very interesting architecturally and are in generally pretty shabby shape. The prices must still be too high compared with the conditions and reputation…

You've done it again. I know we're not on the same level when it comes to poetry, but damn every time I read your words they strike me in the heart! 'and me is all I have.' So simple, but so powerful. Sometimes to make our way out of the darkness, we have to jump head first into it, swim around in it, but don't drown in it. I don't know if that makes sense, but that's how this poem makes me feel.

You've made a good point here Jay T. There are anti-heroes who do bad for the greater good. Are they really evil? What is the difference between a man robbing a bank to keep his home, or feed his family, and a man robbing a bank to bankroll a hate group, or terrorist organization?

But think about all the good it will do if Rob Comes Out as bisexual! When straights and Gays actually meet bisexuals, their prejudices start to crumble. Bisexuality doesn’t mean you have no self-control, unable to stop throwing yourself at any and every body! Bisexuality doesn’t automatically mean you want to have one of each at the same time anymore than Gay automatically means you want to have multiple partners. Bisexuals are just like everybody else, you just don’t ignore half the population when you look for a partner. Bisexuality is no more a phase than hetero or homosexuality – it’s insulting when people make that claim based solely on their own behavior, as if no one else’s experiences are valid. Just because I have never experienced something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist – I have never experienced the multi-billionaire lifestyle, but I know it exists. I may not identify as bisexual, but I support those who do. I may not always understand it, but I don’t have to, it’s not who I am. My understanding is not necessary, but my support is.

Three great choices here! Just reading your description on how Delicious started makes me chuckle and remember my first encounter with Faris, James and their pup Larry. You say comedy writing is hard. I agree, but you succeed brilliant with this series, including everything from haunted pipes to Zom-Rom-Coms Levko is a more somber work. You detail the relationship between the title character and his abusive controller very well - heart-sickeningly well. The depths to which this young man sinks before finding a glimmer of hope is written in your incredible journalistic way; you never flinch from a subject or over sentimentalize it either. As a writer you find the high ground in any situation, and in all peoples' humanity too. Which brings me to After The Past. Accomplished hardly seems an apt word, for you create a 'dusty' world as 3-D as the one I live in. In a nutshell, I'd be proud as hell to say I had written this work. The hero's journey you take us on is all the more real for having a highly flawed individual take it. I'd encourage everyone to check it out, and to be prepared for tears by it. Great promo. Congratulations!

I first read your stories about James and Faris and was instantly in love with the characters. With "After the past", you brought me near tears at one point as you know, sweet brother of mine. Levko I have read, and it touched me deeply. You have a gift! And your writing is a gift to us. Thank you. I am so looking forward to you next story. Love Sis

Even Devon can’t win every time. One possible ‘export’ is tourism. Amasis's underground city is incredibly impressive. Tourists could bring in income. ;-)

I’d date a bisexual guy as long as he is monogamous – the same restriction I have for any guy I date. In fact there’s a specific bi guy I’d date, but he’s just not interested in me. He’s even a redhead! ;-)

No bullshit from these guys, just straight in your face truth! I believe songs that are relevant to the current climate in our nation just shows how we as a people have a tendency to repeat the past. I still can't believe this song is 21 years old. The hook alone shouts truth. "Rally round the family, with a pocket full of shells!"

Well count me among the (probable) majority of Gay men who never went to any school dances. ;-) Here’s to the LGBTQ kids who now have the chance to go with the partner of their choice! ;-)

It’s a middle-class version of debutante balls. Or those creepy fundamentalist father-daughter dances.

Well, the big production invitations seem to be happening mostly in wealthier suburbs… ;-)

I remember this! It was great! I especially love it when censored censored censored! ;-)

Is that a burka? ;-)