Conner

The Cardinals comeback in yesterday's Game 5 with Washington was nothing short of miraculous. Descalso and Kozma - talk about unlikely heroes. They are redefining "never quit". Game 6 from last year's World Series still haunts me. Now they have to be Giant killers.

Ok, truthfully, for me this chapter was quite dreary. We spent almost the entire chapter inside Scott's head listening to his thoughts, many of them repeatedly. What dialogue there was was obviously intended to be stilted and awkward, so no help there.

What does it mean when an entire chapter is in italics? There are times in this story when the writing tends to overpower the story. How did Mira end up in the town? Was he not "killed" at the treatment facility where Shay "woke up"?

That's just the greatest news, Marky! Good on ya! Hi to everyone!

I believe the Jackie Robinson analogy (from the news article) is particularly apt. Cruz , like Jackie did, is likely to experience severe abuse for some time to come. My sense is Cruz is ready for that. But there will be others who will follow. It's not going to be an avanlanche, I'm sure. A slow trickle would work. Thank you, Orlando Cruz!

As Bleu has already stated, the writing is masterful. It's an excellent story. Do you feel a "but" coming? BUT, we just happen to be at a point in the story where everything totally SUCKS!! I feel better already.

Happy B-Day, MJ!! P.S. Yeah, what Andy said!

Of course, it has to be Adrian who's been messing with Alexi's credit card. I'm guessing that Adrian might have set it up to make it look like Lily is the guilty party. Oh the webs we weave... You had Joshua chill the red wine!! Great chapter!

I suppose this was bound to happen. I'm surprised it was so soon. Made worse of course because of the lie that went with it. The implication here is Ogre's "date" or, if you will, his biology study partner arrangements, had been set up within 24 hours, give or take, of he and LM making love. That's got to suck for LM. I'm wondering if LM will confide in Eric. He could use the support right now. Of course, that would mean "outing" Ogre to Eric. Ogre was be crapping his pants right now. If Ogre ends up asking Eric to intervene on his behalf, I'll totally lose it. I'm curious as to how much you will explore the masculinity element of homosexuality as perceived by straight men. Great opportunity here. Anyway, I realize you can't give away the plot here, so I'm not expecting a full response. Great chapter! Looking forward to the next one.

And they say women are complicated! This whole Corb and Pete thing reminds me of something Oscar Wilde said. Paraphrasing - there are two tragedies in life; not getting what you want in life, the other is getting it. Corb was masterful in this chapter doing his social chair thing. I really enjoyed those segments. The friend zone/end zone thing was clever. Super chapter!!

Escobar draw boos in 1st home game since slur The Associated Press TORONTO - Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar was greeted with a smattering of boos Thursday night during his first home game since writing an anti-gay slur on his eye-black. A few fans booed when Escobar's name was announced as the lineups were read for Toronto's game against the New York Yankees. There was a mix of boos and cheers as Escobar batted in the bottom of the first inning, and he lined out. Escobar was suspended by the team for three games earlier this month after he wore the slur written in Spanish during a game against Boston. The 29-year-old Cuban infielder later apologized and said he meant it as a joke. Escobar caught the ceremonial first pitch from David Testo, a former MLS soccer player who is openly gay. Testo is now a board member for You Can Play, an advocacy group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender athletes. Before the game, Escobar sat down with Jose Estevez, an openly gay distance runner from Boston College, and Patrick Burke, the founder of You Can Play. Escobar's lost salary during his three-game ban - about US$82,000 - was to be directed to You Can Play and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Burke said the 45-minute meeting was helpful for all parties. "I think it put a face on the issue for Yunel," Burke said. "I think it humanized the issue of gay athletes for Yunel and I think Jose did a great job today." "After meeting with him, I like Yunel," Burke said. "I think he did a stupid thing but I think he has learned from it." Burke is the son of Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke and the older brother of the late Brendan Burke, who publicly revealed his homosexuality in November 2009. Burke died in a car accident in February 2010. "He's really sorry for what he did and I felt the sincerity when I was talking to him," Estevez said. The eyeblack incident created some backlash among Toronto baseball fans. For example, an online petition asking the Blue Jays to create a You Can Play video encouraging the acceptance of homosexuals in sports has been started by openly-gay Blue Jays fan Christopher Papps. Blue Jays manager John Farrell said he considered holding Escobar out of the lineup Thursday, but decided against it, putting him at shortstop and batting him fourth. "He understands whatever comes his way is part of the process," Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. "He made a terrible mistake and is going to have to be accountable." Following his suspension - issued after input from commissioner Bud Selig, the players' union and team management - Escobar sat out three games against the Yankees last week, returning as pinch hitter in Friday's loss at Tampa Bay. Farrell met with Escobar at the end of his suspension to discuss what he called "baseball things." Farrell said it was not the first time the two had spoken.

I'd like to add my thanks and appreciation to the members who gave their responses and thanks to podiumdavis as well for working with them.

The 1825 deaths annually is shocking. And that's just college students? It's tragic.

Now I'm really hungry! No more trips to Lulu's please! Me too. I want to know more about Heath. I guess I'll have to wait like everyone else. The "fruitage of his labors"? Yuk. My brain balked at that. Oh well. Great stuff. Looking forward to more!

I enjoyed the opening dialogue, quite the hoot! Looking forward to more.

Great chapter but I'm drenched in anxiety anticipating the guys getting "caught". Obviously, it's Ogre's reaction that concerns me. This is inevitable, right? And great editing too!

I was disappointed that Corbin didn't go for it when he had the chance. Maybe next time...maybe not. I do understand the fear though. There is definitely a sexual tension going on there, for both of them. It could get messy if it's released all at once. Berto and the guys commenting on Corbin's love life is a hoot. It seems so odd that straight men would even go there. I love it! I was surprised at Lee, especially since he had asked Corbin to keep their hook-up confidential. Now he's telling his freshman buds. I'm curious about how Corbin will bring about his demise, if, in fact, David's story is accurate. I am getting more comfortable with Pete. Great chapter!

Happy B-Day, Mark!!

Happy B-Day, Dave!!

An extract from a local news article: Escobar's salary for that period (approximately $82,000) will be directed to two organizations - You Can Play and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) - that aim to eliminate homophobia. The Cuban infielder will also take part in outreach initiatives with these organizations and has been ordered to participate in a sensitivity training program in accordance with the Blue Jays and Major League Baseball (MLB). I believe a 6 or 7 game suspension would have been more appropriate. I'm pretty sure Alex Anthopoulos, the Jays' GM, ripped him a new one. His days in Toronto may be numbered.

And that's why guys should always use their own condoms. It's important to know the "pedigree" of some things. Early chapters can often be slow, so not to worry. Got to get the background out, find out who's good, who's evil and all that. Although sometimes an author uses the old misdirection tool. Nina is definitely not a girl scout, that's for sure. Looking forward to more!

You certainly surprised me here. I was thinking at least 2 or 3 chapters and a lot of drama before Ogre would take an honest look at himself. Going online for guidance - what a hoot! Again, well done!

Great story! I really enjoyed it. It flowed so nicely, a pleasure to read - almost seamless I would say.

I'll be shipping you a truckload of patience. The truck leaves tonight. Take care of yourself, Billy. Whatever it is you have to do, do it. Conner

Thanks a lot everyone for your good wishes. I sincerely appreciate them. Another step closer to social security!