Conner

Why be better than others, when you can be better for others. Good on ya, Joe. Conner

Jodie Foster has publicly confirmed she is a lesbian. The Hollywood star paid tribute to "my beautiful Cydney" as she accepted an award from entertainment magazine the Hollywood Reporter at Los Angeles' Beverly Hills Hotel last week, the first time she has made reference to her relationship with film producer Cydney Bernard, her reported girlfriend of 15 years. Picking up the prize as the guest of honour at the magazine's Women in Entertainment Power 100 breakfast last Tuesday (04.12.07), Jodie said: "I would like to thank my beautiful Cydney who sticks with me through all the rotten and the bliss." It has long been rumoured that Foster is gay, but the 'Silence of the Lambs' star has always refused to discuss her sexuality. During her speech at the annual event, the two-time Oscar winner also revealed she "doesn't have a clue what she's doing". She said: "I feel fragile, unsure, struggling to figure it all out. "I don't feel powerful, I feel like I haven't got a clue what I'd doing." The 45-year-old actress added: "Maybe that's the secret of my success, but you can't work in this industry for 42 years without being as nutty as a fruitcake." Jodie has two sons - Charles, nine and Kit, six - but has always refused to talk about their father. © BANG Media International

Good one, Jack! Very close to the truth as well. Anyways, trying to accommodate everyone's preferences is a formula for frustration...if not disaster. Conner

A Christmas Story Not long ago and far away, Santa was getting ready for his annual trip.....but there were problems everywhere. Four of his elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule. Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her Mom was coming to visit. This stressed Santa even more. When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and were out, heaven knows where to. More stress! Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the boards cracked and the toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys. Totally frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of coffee and a shot of whiskey. When he went to the cupboard, he found the elves had hit the liquor and there was nothing to drink. In his frustration, he dropped the coffee pot and it broke into hundreds of pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten the straw it was made from. Just then the door bell rang and Santa cussed on his way to the door. He opened the door and there was a little angel with a great big Christmas tree. The angel said, "Where would you like me to put this tree, fat man?" And that, my friend, is how the little angel came to be on top of the Christmas tree.

Not to worry, Benji. Vic turns 40 on his next birthday. Don't get angry; get even!!! Happy B-day, Benji! Conner

Conner

I believe the girl brain/boy brain thing just muddys the water...especially in Mississippi where, as James said, there's lots of mud. Expressing emotions has got to be the #1 difference between girls/boys and women/men. If there were an EQ (emotion quotient) like there is an IQ, most women would score 150+. Most men would score around 6. It's sad but it's the truth. I believe this difference is largely explained by how boys and girls are raised i.e. based on culture or, if you prefer, the environment. Boys are born with the same "potential" for emotions as girls are. It's just that boys never get to practice the full range of emotions e.g. sadness and fear. They are constantly bombarded by statements like: "Boys don't cry." "Don't be a wuss." "Stop acting like a girl." Then there's the boy culture in middle and high school where any girl-like behaviour or even appearance will get you devoured. On the other hand, boys are expected to be aggressive. In our culture, anger is a far more "acceptable" emotion than fear. How can you express emotion when you don't even know what emotion you're experiencing? When you can't recognize emotions in yourself, how the hell can you recognize them in others? I also believe, on a more biological level, women want a mate who's masculine and successful and who would make good fathers and protectors. It's their natural instinct. Definitely a fascinating topic, though. Conner

Good on ya, dude! Nothing's wrong with short! Conner

Nice job on your first story here at GA. Congrats, dude! I've read the first 2 chapters. I noticed a third has already been posted. I hope to get to that later today. I likes the image you created with Bryan and Matt as gunslingers. So tell me, any cowboy-like dudes in the Philippines? Conner

I wasn't thinking in terms of a towel rack or anything like that. Tasteful?? Do piercings come in flavours now??? :wacko:

Goats don't have feat. They have hooves. Imagine, 5000 posts (now 5006 and counting) with hooves! For a lurcher, you're quite the leader, CJ!!! Conner

She killed her hair!!! It should be "dyeing". Yes, I'm just being a smart ass...or is that dumd ass? :wacko: Conner P.S. Please pass my sympathies to your father.

I like piercings...........on other people. They're sexy...both men and women. Conner

Qu'est-ce que tu dis, mon petit chou??? Je lisais ton roman au debut. Conner

I've never heard about any head apparel known as a "Yuk". Any 5 year old knows that yuk means "that stuff don't taste good." Did Steve maybe say "toque"? A toque is what you call a beanie. It's pronounced "too - k" Don't want you Americans making fun of your dear neighbours to the north....that is, any more than you usually do. Snow in Vancouver today. Yuk! I better get out my toque. Conner

Cute chapter! Way too short, though. Driving a standard transmission for the first time....that brought back memories. I'm curious as to what role, if any, big sis will play in the coming chapters. Glad to see you back in the saddle, oh Frosty-one. Conner

Congrats, Carl! Conner

Woot! Woot! Now I feel guilty for having spoken so disparagingly when I quiered as to how many chapters I would have to wait.... I'm sorry, CJ! 100 kilos of the finest quality goat meal are being shipped to you. The lead singer from the Shadows can make all the menacing stares he wants, so long as he keeps his pie hole shut. As has already been observed, Helen would make mince meat out of the whole group in short order if anything untoward like that were to happen. CJ, I think you might be setting us up a bit by using Linda to feed Brandon the line that he's more in control now of what family and ex-friends might say to the press about his sexuality. It seems that Brandon has swallowed that whole, too. There's truth in it, but Brandon's not the type of man to take revenge. He would just be hurt and offer to leave the group. I liked the way you had Brandon scare off Eric when he noticed that Eric was staring at Linda's ass. Great chapter, CJ!! Conner

Great ending, Dan. One thing confused me....

Reminds me of that line from the movie "As Good as it Gets". A woman asks Jack Nicholson, who plays an author of fiction, how he does woman so well in his stories. Jack simply says something like, "Well, I start with a man and then remove all accountability and rationality." I love Helen Hunt, btw. Hang tough, Steve. Conner

Dude, a little defensive are we??? Sexist or not, you're entittled to your opinion. I struggled with this issue myself for a long time. On the one hand, I have a deep respect for human life, it's a kind of humility, I think; on the the other, there is nothing that makes us more uniquely human than our freedom to choose, especially on issues involving our own well being. Yes, the immovable force meets the irresistible force. I believe that safe medical abortions should be available to women who make that choice...subject to the usual age of the foetus restrictions. I also support organizations who provide education and counselling services for women considering an abortion. Their decision should be an informed decision as much as possible. As to the "father" involved having a say, I support that in principle, but I would by no means legalize it. The final call rests with the women. Conner P.S. You evil sexist man!!! You're cute, though.

Excellent chapter! Fight scenes are a favourite of mine. It strikes me that they must be difficult to write. I was most impressed with the Light mages' participation. My sense was they were all rhetoric. Ok, so if the demons show up here, I'm heading for Pheonix. I'm dying to know who the demon summoners are and how Worthington's uncle fits into it all. Looks like I'll have to wait for part deux. I'm thinking both Carl and Brendon will wake up with Exedrine headache no. 835 having had all their strength taken from them during the fight. I think everyone will be sleeping in their own beds tonight. Awesome chapter, Dan! Conner

This chapter was most painful and comforting at the same time. Beautifully written, Duncan. You're quite adept at dealing with human emotions. Yes, everyone's wounded. I'm hoping there will be some healing before you bring the story to an end. Conner

Cher Francois, Please accept my deepest comdolences. She was much too young to leave this world. I'm certain having you and other family and friends near her was most comforting to her. Conner

I'll be sixty-nine! Welcome back, goat-buddy!!! Were there any pool parties on your holiday??? Conner