Former Member

What a wonderful posting, Mac <3

So well put...

Cutting is not one of the psychological conditions I am familiar with. I am not aware of personally knowing anyone who did this. I’ve read a few stories and articles mentioning it, but most of my personal experience is with other types of mental health issues because of the types of people I’ve had interactions with over the years. It is not something I really want to learn more about. I look away anytime I get an inoculation or have blood drawn. I hate the sight of blood.

Clearly you haven’t seen some of the more inane comments that I’ve posted! ;-)

I think I already had guessed about Bailey’s dad. I’m glad that Bailey was able to Come Out to his father before he died and that, unlike many other stories on GA, his father was supportive and even worked to find his current school. ;-) I have suspicions about Bailey’s mother abusing him. Not just emotionally, but possibly physically or even sexually. It seems to fit his reactions fairly well. I don’t remember seeing this in the chapter. Did I overlook the reference to self-harming?

But I can still fantasize about a clean-shaven Chris Evans coming to bed with me every night. ;-)

I think Travis is right to wonder how Ben will feel once the spotlight is shining bright in his eyes and the world’s focus is on him. In Rock Hudson’s time, an arranged marriage would quickly be arranged to assuage the public’s fear that the star might be Gay. In JFK’s time, the media would suppress stories of ‘inappropriate’ sexual behavior. Even with Boy Bands, it wasn’t until after Stephen Gately Came Out that other former Boy Band members started falling Out of the Closet. Even now, with all the Openly LGBTQ actors, there are still no top-tier, block-buster-producing Openly LGBTQ stars (Sir Ian alone, for example, could not bring in the crowds like a Chris Pratt).

He nodded, but looked at his daughter the tears came without stopping now. …but as he looked. I hadn’t thought of a water tanker truck. I was wondering how Devon would manage numerous the bottles of water I was imagining! (That’s so out of my experience.) ;-)

Hypnotic.... The continuity of the bass line lulls one into a state somewhere between desperation and hope.... Thanks for posting it

Morning music from Mozart's youngest son

I was telling Timothy M about my adventure making Sekihan (a Japanese Sweet Rice with sweetish red Azuki Beans) tonight and he referred me to this blog posting. In Japan, it’s a celebratory food. It’s pretty easy to make, but my mother and my grandmothers never made it, so I had to look up recipes online. But it’s been one of my favorites since I was a child. The rice is a special short-grain variety that is usually called Mochi Rice in the US. It is very different from regular Japanese rice – it’s much stickier. Azuki Beans are often used in Japanese confections (treats more than desserts). The recipes instruct you to soak the rice at least an hour or overnight. You boil, then simmer the beans, then drain and reserve the liquid. After the liquid cools, you put it all together and cook it in a rice cooker (the greatest, most essential invention ever – endorsed by billions!). You eat it at room temperature with Shiogoma (a mixture of black sesame seeds and salt) sprinkled on it. I was very happy with how it turned out and I have the ingredients to make several more batches. Blame Timmy for my invading this posting with a wild tangent.

Hi Gary, very nice chapter! It is soothing that everything went so well. Connor seems to be a very brave person. I hope he can cope with the earth bond situation. It must be hard for him after having an abusive relationship. He said, he was looking for something, when he took the job at the cyber criminal investigation and that Brian was not this. That leaves me thinking, was he searching for something or some information or was this ment as he was looking to find a livelong relationship? Maybe we get more information about this. Thanks for writing this wonderful chapter. Lyssa

Justin Bieber himself is a really bad Canadian joke. Who else would think it’s appropriate to pee into a mop bucket on camera? Why would he think his grandmother would enjoy seeing him serenading her in the nude on her birthday? And if his poster is not the infallible sign of Gayness that Robbie and Nathan think, why does he keep flaunting his naked body where spy cameras can catch him ‘unaware’? ;-)

Not a complete surprise that Robbie’s Gaydar is defective. But Robbie is, as always, misinterpreting things. This time it’s Amy. For her, Nathan is more of a novelty than Robbie is. Of course, she lavishes more attention on him. He hasn’t been around much recently. Robbie will still be there later.

Only a best friend could get away with that line! ;-)

A chair and desk, a table with those awful doyly things I didn’t like at all! You mean the backseat of your car doesn’t have a doily or two on it? (I think that’s either a Filipino or Chinese thing, kind of like the Mexican blanket-on-the-backseat thing from the ‘70s.) Family! Colin isn’t alone anymore! ;-)

Oh boy! Things were just too sweet and perfect up until now! You’ve been hanging around LitLover too much… ;-)

Declan is really struggling with his own feelings and even his identity. Bailey has forced him to rethink his life. He really needs to decide who he wants to be and how he wants to proceed. From our perspective, it’s clear where he should go, but from his point of view, it’s all confusing and unclear.

Oh, I'm glad

The lyrics are these: Tom BowlingHere a sheer hulk, lies poor Tom BowlingThe darling of our crew;No more he'll hear the tempest howlingFor death has broached him to.His form was of the manliest beauty, his heart was kind and soft;Faithful below, Tom did his dutyAnd now he's gone aloftAnd now he's gone aloftTom never from his word departedHis virtues were so rare:His friends were many and true heartedHis poll was kind and fair;And then he'd sing so blithe and jollyAh! many's the time and oft;But mirth is turn'd to melancholyFor Tom is gone aloftFor Tom is gone aloftYet shall poor Tom find pleasant weatherWhen he who all commandsShall give, to call life's crew togetherThe word to pipe all hands:Thus death, who kings and tars despatchesIn vain Tom's life hath doff'dFor tho' his body's under hatchesHis soul is gone aloftHis soul is gone aloft.

Listening to a sad song today. Charles Dibdin had his brother Tom die at sea. When he got the news, he composed this song, one of the finest in the English tradition. Robert Tear's performance here is emotional but perfectly balanced. Love it

This is my first entry here, and I apologize if this piece has been posted before (or parts of it). It means a great to me personally, as it showed up unexpectedly in a college class at a time I was seriously contemplating suicide because of the ‘gay thing.’ As I say, it means a lot to me…. “Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.” Max Ehrmann, "Desiderata"

I was a vampire. How did know? I was seeing a vampire? How did I know? “But I won’t make suffer like I have.” …Make you suffer… Colin could make Devon a vampire too… ;-)

Congratulations!

What a fun week! Thanks to all of you behind the scenes making it possible. I appreciate your dedication and hard work