Former Member

It's a beautiful and sad poem. The image of a full-blooded, winter-blooming camellia seems to belie the message of the poem, but does it in the most subtly challenging way.

Three little Drama Queens. Three pathetic teenagers who might actually be able to help each other become adults if they could only get past they petty jealousies and rivalries. What they all need is a little stability and supportive attention from the adults in their lives. Billy, as usual, has the advantage over the other two because his parents actually seem to pay attention to him and what goes on in his life. Brett has the material things, but his mother seems blind to the very things she’s trained to deal with. Dustin was dealt the worst hand, but somehow he’s managed to succeed in school even with all the chaos at home. Brett needs to grow up and realize that Dustin isn’t a rival for Billy’s love. Dustin needs to not try to rely on Billy’s attention so much and maybe get some additional friends. Billy needs to stop being so self-absorbed and pay more attention to Dustin. They all need to learn how to control their tempers. Why hasn’t Brett's mom taught them some useful coping skills?

The two kingdoms already function as an informal, very loose confederation. Sharing a language makes that much easier than historical European confederations. Currency and government agencies, such as they are, would need to be merged or augmented should any further consolidation be undertaken. Do they have any problems with undocumented workers crossing the borders from their more primitive, northern neighbor?

I like Jake. But Landon is a privileged jerk who doesn’t appreciate the advantages he’s been given.

I agree with sweetlion86, I think it’s dad’s first love – the William who got away! ;-)

As ‘nonindigenous animals,’ aren’t humans banned under US law?

It is a fine poem, even it is sad. Sending you a hug. One day the walk over pieces of broken glass will be over, but everything has its own time.

Such a great story. I am a little sad that it is over. Although I am very glad that everything went well for Peter and Alan at last. Thanks for writing this and sharing. Lyssa

I had to call someone, I’d made some plans with for Tony’s and my birthday. That comma shouldn’t be there at all. My favorite version of Dancing Queen is Bridal Dancing Queen from the Muriel’s Wedding Soundtrack. The Advocate has an article online you might like called Queer Appalachia. It has nothing to do with this chapter.

It’s horrible that Lisa had to leave the hospital early just to make sure that the judge ruled in their favor. But I’m glad that it worked. I think the judge was able to tell from the interactions and body language that neither Troy, nor Bradley was afraid of their uncles. It seemed clear that the punishment mentioned was a common one that many parents have used. Historically, significantly harsher punishments were regularly used in most Western Countries. Even now, some subcultures still practice spanking, paddling, or belting. It it not uncommon for me to hear parents almost bragging that they endured such punishment and that their own kids need the same treatment. Since CPS and equivalent agencies are not omnipresent, so attitudes like that will continue for many generations into the future, although with less frequency over time. It seems to me that people who do things like that are driven by fear (fear of differences, fear of change, fear of their god, fear of the other, etc). This has been unintentionally provocative with many outraged comments posted (including some of my own). I know you’ve commented that you were surprised by some of the reactions and suggestions. What will we do now that Temporary Dads is complete? ;-)

Will Trace become a blacksmith now?

They thought a man show be chosen to rule, not born to rule. Should? “Then you, You’re Majesty and King Alexander both married your families by marrying Prince Erik to Prince Phillip to each other.” Your, not you are. They’re nuts out there!” This makes sense, but seems awkward to me. I think ‘There are nuts out there!’ A Pony Express! And Homing Pigeons for messages. Too bad they don’t work like Game of Thrones’ Crows which seem capable of being sent to any destination at the command of the sender. Of course, Harry Potter’s OwlMail would be even better! And Pern’s Dragonriders would be ideal though – they only need to picture their destination clearly in their mind to get there. But Crow and Owls don’t work like that. And you haven’t mentioned Dragons in Cinderfella yet, so they probably don’t exist there either… ;-)

And the three guys sitting on the plaid sofa (from the link) are obviously lying about something!

I think that’s a picture of where many people think I’m going when I die!

I guess if there are only four of you and at least three of you are the town government, you can have the town pay for things most expect residents to pay themselves. Everywhere I’ve lived, either homeowners or building owners pay for garbage pickup.

Interesting how Same-Sex couples are not allowed, yet Landon expects the King to give him his son anyway…

I remember some of the convoluted formulas I created for my databases – and mine were just text. I took over and wildly expanded a database that created comparison charts for many of the products we sold at a computer store in the mid- to late-‘90s. I made sure that if the quantity was one, the description would not be plural and other little things like that. I definitely included too much information, but I didn’t really know how to decide the relative importance of the information I had found in my research. I read a few of the Game of Thrones graphic novels, but I’ve never read any manga. I’m having enough trouble deciphering Danish in Timothy M’s stories! English and Danish share Subject-Verb-Object word order, but Japanese is a Subject-Object-Verb word order language. I have enough trouble with British English, much less learning yet another language.

What a rude little boy! Are you sure his name isn’t Justin? ;-) I had forgotten what Robbie was like when he first left England. It’s a wonder Don and Sue didn’t put him right back on a plane to Heathrow! He really was hurting back then and so unsure of himself. I won’t say any more here. I don’t want to reveal any spoilers…

Unlike the rest of you, I’m glad we didn’t see Alek this chapter. Whenever he shows up, things get chaotic and troubling for Liam. Liam needs to recover from his trauma, he doesn’t need more drama. ;-) Alex needs to stay in his undisclosed location and work out his issues. Liam doesn’t need Alek popping up like some cheesy villain in a teenage horror movie! Besides, if it were a teen horror movie, Liam and Nathan would need to get naked before they go investigating that strange sound they heard in the basement just as the power went out and…

Time is such a interesting thing, it will heal, it will pass, but one can not see it. Very nice chapter! As Puppilull said, it cleared the air and gave a open start-

Crate & Barrel included a male couple among the pictures they used to accompany their promotion for wedding registrations in their most recent paper catalog. C&B has been a supporter for many years.

Generally in the same area of subliminal messages is something I've noted in a few recent commercials: the nonchalant inclusions of same-sex couples!!! Yay! One for a national retailer of diamond rings includes a beautiful pair of brides at the altar, and the most recent one by Hallmark (a greeting card maker) for Valentine's Day had hugging guys among all the other loving couples. It's very nice to see

I am still a bit out of words. But I read it and it is both sad and wonderful.

Great chapter and an unexpected twist. I am curious, how Miss Sybil will react. And I still think, that the two will become leader of the pack. hugs Lyssa

Robbie, Robbie, Robbie. Your life will be so much easier when you’re Out to everybody. You won’t have to keep coming up with excuses or struggle to remember your lies. You live in Canada, and you're not even a place like Alberta. You have probably the most Gay-friendly Prime Minister ever!