Conner

Why is it about humans, whenever they gather, that causes them to want to cook animal flesh? It strikes me that human evolution got stuck in the mezo- something or other period. In any event, human history is clear on the fact that human female virgins made the best sacrifices. The fact that female virgins are in short supply is no concern of mine. Conner

Well, you're in good company, Vic, especially if you're a baseball fan. From Wikipedia, under "left-handed" I understand this was a gift from the Catholic nuns they were exposed to. Conner

The tech stuff went right over my head. The only thing I got right away was why Dex turned the LCD monitor upside down. That happened just in the nick of time, too, as I was trying to picture the monitor with its upside down view in my head. My brain started to overload. :wacko: I did understand drilling through the brick. So we got a closer look at Dex in that chapter. I enjoyed that. He's a critical character to the storyline but doesn't get much 'air' time. I'm glad that Chris conveyed some of his facial expressions to us. I liked the way Dex kept saying, "Well, I do a lot of security in my work and..." The MacGyver comment was hilarious. Actually, I'm just getting another picture in my head...it's a younger CJ watching MacGyver episodes and then heading off to his engineering lab to check out the solution. Of course there'll be a big climax! I wouldn't accept anything less. Back to Dex...he pretty much set the stage for fireworks in Hawaii with the questions he put to Chris and Steve. Can't wait. I was going to suggest roasting a pig on the beach for Graeme's list but that's too reminisent of Eric's cookout for the guys. Thanks, CJ. Conner

Relax, Ieshwar. Bondwriter is just pulling your chain. He's good at that. Futhermore, he has no bias as to whose chain he'll pull. He's an equal opportunity chainpuller. Ok, I'm beating a dead horse now. By the way, shush about that pic, CJ doesn't know about it and I want to keep it that way. Conner

Oh sure, make me feel good. Harummfff! and Well, I guess he's my fave goat, too. Conner

Aillie strikes again!!! Well done, dude! Conner

Graeme, you have totally missed the point I was making. Frankly, if you were making a point, it totally escaped me as well, so feel free to enlighten me if you see fit to do so. On the basis of this site being called Gay Authors, you take the position that it includes, or, rather, should include, both male and female gays. That is your assumption only. I have no idea if that was the case or not when this site was first set up. I imagine Myr would be the one to ask. Then you go on to state that, because there are no lesbian authors here, GA implicitedly excludes lesbians. That's just fuzzy thinking on your part. Your reasoning that inclusions define exclusions is essentially faulty. When I spoke of exclusion in my post, I was speaking of behaviour that is far more insidious. For the sake of argument, let's assume this site was called Gay Male Authors. What if there were authors who wrote about incest? Would they be excluded? Would members criticize them until they left? Would we crap on authors who primarilly wrote about sex? I'm only aware of one definitive exclusion here at GA. In fact Myr pointed that out just recently: members who pretend to be someone they're not, creating security issues. There may well be other legal considerations, I don't know. GA, in my view, scores high on the inclusion scale. But the threat is there if we start to exclude our own based on personal agendas or preferences. Conner

Sounds like my kind of man!!! I don't know if I have a hair whorl (I'm too embarrassed to ask anyone). I'm right-handed. My index and ring finger are the same size. I'm a second son (2nd of 5 kids). My younger brother (3rd son - 4th of 5) was gay too. My older brother is straight but he's the only one of 5 who's left-handed. Conner

Yeah, right! That would make for a great line in your story, Moving On.

I hope your boyfriend (fiance?) doesn't read your post! Conner

As a species, we seem inexorably doomed to highlight our differences, rather than our similarities. There always seems to be a pecking order, even within the smallest of sub-groups. I believe it was M. Scott Peck who said that the biggest danger to community is exclusion. Then there's the adage, "Birds of a feather flock together." That's what we do. A group that I was once involved with held this context for community, "Why be better than others when you can be better for others?" Is that dumb or what? Conner

There are other considerations. First, having kids would really cut into his lurking time here at GA. Due to the serious nature of the genetic variation that CJ carries (ask CJ to remove his sunglasses sometime), the goat community has asked him to consider not breeding. Mind you, he does get invited to all the best halloween parties! Conner

Good on ya, Steve. I'm sure your being there for her at a time like that meant a lot to her. And it seems you received a gift in return. Two things made me smile today. Last nihgt I walked to my local pharmacy to pick up a Rx. This time of year, I always wear sandals. I have two pair. Yes, you guessed it. When I got back and removed my sandals I saw that I had put on two different sandals. One was black, the other a camel colour. I was wearing shorts, too. No one said a word to me. For some reason, it wasn't so funny last night. This morning, when I first thought of it, I just totally lost it and laughed for a good while. I just got back from having dinner with my best friend, Jim, who lives in Montreal. I have known Jim since 1970. That's 37 years. It boggles my mind. We caught up and just had a great time. Conner

Well, Graeme, you have yourself a disciple in Ieshwar. No man should stand alone! Geez, all this fuss and change brought on by a four-footed, prickly, bug eater who walks upside down! The goat pic a la speedo is just hilarious! I love creative people. Thanks, Aillie! I especially liked the way his butt tail comes through. Attention to detail!!! It's grand! Conner

Ok, I'll say it. Happy 30th Viv!!! Conner P.S. 30's not the hard one. 40 is. And 50 totally sucks.

Camy's suggestion to contact Mark is brilliant. Couldn't hurt, that's for sure. I also agree with Camy's advice regarding your friend. A heart-to-heart seems to be the way to go. Make it clear up front that you want to preserve the friendship at all costs and go from there. He's likely very confused as well, maybe upset with himself. He made need to sort things out in his own time first. Good luck with everything. Conner

You haven't read my signature quote, have you? Ok, you do present a well considered viewpoint. In fact, you demonstrate a rather unique sensitivity to their relationship. *I love it when I'm magnaminous.* Unfortunately, I still cannot agree. My main issue is with the word manipulate. In the context you use this word, manipulation is entirely self-serving. That can't be the case here. Steve may want Chris to be more self-confident, even assertive, in his behaviour. Obviously, wanting that for someone is not a bad thing. I cannot buy into Steve's context being "I'm doing this for your own good becase I know what's best for you". Has Steve pushed Chris too far or too fast? Right now, I don't believe he has. But as you point out, we haven't heard from Chris on the subject. I agree that a pow-wow may be necessary, but Chris should make the call. Otherwise we leave Steve in the position of second guessing everything he does and says. On the sexual abuse issue, you may well be correct. I don't know. I hadn't considered that at all. If so, again Chris and Steve seem to diverge in their reactions/response to the incident. It may well be deeply affecting Chris. Chris needs to say something. Conner

I'm one of those most people. I most definitely disagree. Steve's manipulation, as you put it, largely centers around keeping Chris in a speedo. The worst that can be said about Steve is that he's overly playful. I find it to be one of the more attractive aspects of this story. Chris is shy and embarrasses easily. His self-esteem issues, in my view, seem to have diminished substantially. I see the major reason for that as being Steve's love and support. Playing along with his friends and doing a strip/dance thing shows his growing confidence. I don't get what you're saying at all. Veronica is a slightly different story. She does overplay her hand when it comes to her "blondies". However, I chalk that up to the maternal-like role she seems to fulfill in regard to Chris and Steve. I believe she could have been far more harsh than she was when it came to Chris and Steve having sex in her front yard and in the pool. She also has this thing for getting even...that she mention to her therapist. Conner

It was indeed a great personal inconvenience reading this chapter without the italics being where they should have been. However, what you don't all know is that CJ adds the italics for my benefit. I have this bad habit of heading straight for the parts I like best. You know, pool parties and the like. So CJ uses the italics so I'll know what's important. CJ, there's no way that a simple apology cuts it, goat-dude! Accordingly, to clean this matter up, you have to stand in a public place (cause you live in the wilderness) for 30 minutes wearing a speedo. Choose red 'cause it'll go great with your eyes! So, besides the pool party, striptease dancing and a moonlight swim, what happened in that chapter? Conner

It's finally goat time!!! As old bob said, "Long life to the Goat" I'm just so proud of you, CJ! Conner

Phew! *wipes forehead* uhmm...I can't get my ruler to bend. One more thing, how can you look at your own whorl??? :wacko:

I do look kinda erotic, don't I? Thanks, Francois. I hope CJ doesn't see this.

For once....I'm speechless. :wacko:

Ok, have it your way. Thirty-seven hundred!!!