LongGone

Les Miserables -- the best all around Billy Elliot (London) -- effing amazing and my favourite but probably beyond many Americans. Maybe the NY version is better Avenue Q -- very fun but 'good' isn't a proper word Phantom of the Opera -- an old stand by but getting tired Mamma Mia -- everyone needs CAMPY theatre sometimes Jersey Boys -- a play I wanted to hate SO much and fell in love with in spite of my feelings and considering how stubborn I am...

That is exactly what my stories are about. No hot kids in my stories, no perfect bodies, and definitely shy and friendless with misanthrope parents. That's as real as it gets. Then again that's my effing life.

The doorknob: that was FUNNY And as for Mr. Right vs Right Now, you're spot on.

I could kill people. I choose not to. It is seldom a productive pursuit. It certainly would feel good to rid the world of people I dislike, but I can't just do the things I want because I want to, feel like it, or it makes me feel good. I love candy. If I ate all the candy I had access to, I'd be a fat pig. Just because you want something and can have it, doesn't follow that you should. (In this case, it's certainly your choice. I'm just saying your logic is faulty.) And you're proud of this? At least we agree on one thing.

I am sure it would be a sight to behold.

You have my moral support -- as a remotely located friend, it's all I can give you right now Peace.

Right. You've got the idea. I could go on, but it's sound like I was picking a fight with a lot of people (and I would be). So I'll shut up. It's nice to see a few people still have their heads screwed on straight.

Well it damn well FEELS that way.

Mom and Dad (independently because they were divorced and not on speaking terms) did the same with me. I don't think I'd have survived The Talk with them

I have an irrational fear of Windows and Internet Explorer and all things Microsoft. Many people insist that this fear is perfectly rational.

None and not ever happening.

BTW, speaking from the other side, because I edit for two (un)lucky authors, I am MORE than satisfied with a simple one sentence thank you at the end of the story (or at the top of a chapter). I don't need glory. I do it because I am passionate about the authors I edit for. That and they can put up with my evisceration of anything short of perfection

We actually have a system. I send out draft one, when I get all the replies, I fix them (or leave them if I disagree with it) then send out a second version to everyone with all the various corrections they made plus the ones I found on my re-readings. I do require my editors have a superb command of the English language as well as be able to handle a serious row with me over what I'm doing That version is usually close to the final version. I discuss the changes in that second version with my editors individually and explain what changes I made or didn't. I may change something in a different way than they suggested. I may ignore it and explain why -- sometimes I am right and my editor is wrong. However my editors don't know who else is editing. I don't really care, they just seem to like it that way. I would GLADLY give them more recognition than the little thank you line I have in my stories, but they don't want it.

I take my 'team' out back and execute them and then deny I even had one. Okay, okay. Maybe not. I use a few editors and if they're good they get to stay on to the next work. I fire more than I keep. I like editors that argue with me and tell me I'm wrong and WHY. I don't want yes people. I want them to take me to task. I thank them in each chapter, the foreword and afterword. However, of my team, several have asked not to be mentioned so I don't.

You know, a long time ago I had a less that satisfactory experience here. Maybe it was something like that. Some people hold grudges and never come back others get over it and return. Or, as suggested, some people move on through life and other things gain more importance. Life is weird like that. I don't think there's some diabolical plan. Unless Phantom is plotting something -- he's like that.

There was a group of five people I told. And I gave them all of it: the good, bad, and the ugly. Four of the five have been downright supportive despite the stuff I had to tell them. The fifth? Oddly silent. Acting as if nothing happened at all. Quite unusual. Like I said nothing. Not sure what to make of it. I wish he'd say SOMETHING so I know he's not just pretending I didn't say it.

Not yet to anyone really. I'm telling a few friends within the next 72 hours. We'll see how that goes. There's someone I blame for me doing this

1. I'm doing the survey. Yay. 2. TYPO Section 5: people who identity with of different sexual orientation groups ..... (And that last question in this section is just confusing.)

There is no cure for virginity. Once you lose it, it stays lost. Doesn't matter what gender the person is.

I think it's doomed from the start in 99% of the cases. I see no good coming of it, nothing to be gained from it, and a world of hurt on at least one party because of it.

Um, depends on the shirt I'm wearing. And my nose isn't wet unless I'm sick. And I am not cute.

That's only 'cause you haven't seen this raccoon without clothes. I didn't pick that avatar without reason.

If you're not careful you end up with clich

I suppose there's some accuracy there, at least to my mind. But yeah, nobody wants to see my mug. Trust me.