R.J.

You crack me up, Des. Every time. :lol:I wasn't just talking about stories from Nifty though. All high school stories I've read so far, even movies I saw -- though I could be just having some memory gaps -- have these cliques. So like I said above, I started to believe them. My question on whether anyone would believe a story without these cliques is actually more of me wondering about it. I wish I have a plot in mind for a story though, but most of the stories in my head seem to stay away from school. That's right. Remind me of a childhood fantasy.

So far, most of the time I've spent online was spent reading. As I had been a teenager -- fourteen -- when I first found Nifty, I mostly stuck with the high school and young friends section. That mostly changed now of course. I've made some observations from the stories I read, and I found that almost all of them -- most being American, Canadian, British, and the rare Australian -- are very consistent in what they tell of their reality that I have come to believe them. Of course, maybe they're all exaggerations. The most consistent "fact" is the high school cliques -- jocks, cheerleaders, preppies, geeks, punks, blah, blah, blah. When I first read one of those high school stories, I thought, are these guys for real? And then, I found that there's more of them. In fact, I can't remember reading a high school story that didn't have these cliques. I just kept reading these stories that soon, I began to believe that that's the status quo in the Western Hemisphere (I'm not sure if Australia is a part of which hemisphere). Sure, there are those rare best friends from different cliques, but they had to have known each other since kinder, or had been neighbors most of their lives. That's why I wonder, if I write a high school story where there are none of these usual cliques, would anyone believe me? If all these different people mingle with each other, would it be okay? Would it not spark disbelief in others? These cliques add conflict, I know. But, I've never known these cliques, not once, in my short high school career. The only cliques I've known are the guys clique and the girls clique, and you can't really call those cliques. There are no cliques in Philippine high schools, at least, not in the birds-of-the-same-feather sense. There are the jocks, geeks, punks, etc., but you would rarely see them grouping together. Who you'll mostly find grouped together are those who have sat with each other on the first day of classes, or those who are neighbors. Even gays, as in the stereotypical Hollywood gay, can be found in one of these groups. I could be wrong, but as far as I know, there's no such thing as a pecking order in high schools here. As far as bullies go, they are an undying species, though I've never really seen one at his worst. So I think bullies here can be classified as sissy bullies. At least, the high school ones. Now, the slum areas are a different story. You'll find your classic bully there. Only, he's uneducated and very much used to getting his way by flashing his guns. It's perplexing to think how people in the same planet could end up so differently in the way they live. If what I read of high schools abroad are true, I think it's very sad. I think the adults, claiming to be the "more responsible ones" should think of a way to change this. And they could start with the cafeteria. From the movies I watched where there are high schoolers, the cafeteria tables abroad are round/square ones that can probably sit up to ten students. Probably, the reason why I found none of these social cliques -- that could very often lead to social discrimination -- is the fact that we use looooong tables here, the ones that can sit up to thirty students or more. That's my theory, anyway: long tables that would force people to eat together. Wouldn't that be sweet?

I based my observation on the population of both India and China (just look at how much time it took them to get to their numbers right now). From what I had read of Dan's story, it sounded like there are at least 20 human-occupied planets (all of The Kingdom, Republic, and Federation governments). Reading what Dan wrote of how he figured out the population by that time, I could agree with his numbers if the people actually have no odds against them. But what is natural life without odds? Still, I'm only just nit-picking. I like the plot. I especially like the debate of whether clones have souls -- I think it's a brilliant, brilliant take on human nature and how religion works. The population bugs me, but hey, a lot of things about the story could bug other people. Rad

The only thing I disagree with Dreams is the population of humans. I can't remember the exact dates, but Dan dated the story at about 2400 or 3400 -- I'm not so sure. But even with the latter date, I have trouble believing that the population could explode that much. Right now, 2008, we only have one planet where we live in. In Dreams, there are three main planets, and each of those governments also have a bunch of planet colonies. Besides these governments, there are also the space nomads and their various clans.

I think Dan has a thing for teenagers in authority. Except for Mists of Fate, his stories tend to be that. And I don't mean a bad thing about it, just an observation.

Ymac! :lol:And I agree with Cole. Cyam is cool! (Haha... almost rhyming there.)

Thanks, Pecman. I plan to keep on going, like that Energizer bunny. It took me a while, but I'm glad I was able to snap myself out of my funk.

Thanks, Mike. I just hope you're right about my moral compass. :lol:Thank you too, WBMS. Yes, I will persevere -- I really want to.

Thanks Cole! I already know how you feel about all this, but it still feels GOOD to hear it again. :)

Hey guys, No big announcement really. Just thought I'd inform everyone (who's concerned) that I had changed my pen name from Rad Steven to RJ. I hope there'd be no confusion about this in the future. For anyone curious about my reasons, please read this blog entry of mine: "Amazing Grace". Thanks. :)

I've changed my pen name to RJ now -- my real name's initials actually. If you're new here, I was formerly known as Rad Steven. I still like to be called Rad though. It is, after all, a part of the "R" in my new pen name. I told Mike, the guys at Codey's World, and Rob (at The Authors' Haunt) that the change was because that's what I need. A change. I think anyone who has been reading my blog here will agree that I do need a change. This year has been something I didn't expect it to be. First, January of this year, my best friend moved somewhere. I didn't expect it to affect me as much as it did. I was, or am -- surprise! -- in love with him. But more than that, he was my confidante, my comforter, my, well, whatever it is that best friends do. I didn't really think much of what my parents do until I didn't have a trusted ear to confide in about it. He's very terrible at keeping in touch, and, I guess, I just gave up. I mean, I'm sure there'll be times when we'd see each other again, so I'll just wait for those. And then there was that job. Right now, there's a bit of regret in me that I resigned, but I also don't know how much I'd be regretting it if I had stayed. But, being broke all the time, well, it has its highs and lows. Or lows and lows, depending on your point of view. Then school. I finally decided on what I'm going to do, and in the process, I gave up The Dream -- you know, the dream that all of us, at one point in our lives, believed we'd be able to achieve. For now, I feel alright about it. And I hope that I won't regret it later in life. And that's my goal: to study as best as I can so that I won't regret the career change. I'm not so depressed now; well, maybe when I'm lying in bed at night and worrying about the future. I'm mostly angry, but it's an emotion I rarely show. I finally gave up on my parents -- they'll never ever change. I've focused on getting my degree and getting the hell out of here. The faster, the better. The farther, the better. I finally have that goal again. Become my own man. Thing is, I have this internal debate going on -- and sometimes I think it's stupid -- if one night stands are something I'd want to continue having. On one hand, I think sex is sex. On the other, well, there is no other yet. All those gay romance stories have messed up my mind! But I haven't looked for any since I'm still confused about the subject. But, anyway, I like to think things will be different this time, that I've got a handle over things this time. And I'm sorry for turning this blog into "musings of a tortured mind" (as WBMS had said) for a while. I was really more depressed about what my life had become, than the daily going-ons (or goings on, whatever). Right now, what they do, say, or what I think they think don't hurt me anymore, but it really pisses me off. So I just piss them off back, just, you know, very subtly.

OMG! Chapter two is already available. And I'll be reading it as soon as I can.

Not that I'm defending the Muslims, but I think that they became used to thinking that a man is always superior to a woman, and therefore with most of man-vs-woman conflicts, it would always be the woman who is at fault regardless of whatever the circumstances are BECAUSE good Muslim men can't sin. Unlike man-vs-man conflicts, where investigations tend to be impartial, most of the time. I'm not sure if what I said is an accurate definition of the Muslim way of thinking, but if it is, then I can understand why it was the woman who was condemned in the example AJ gave. It's almost like the story of Mary Magdalene, the prostitute. She's a prostitute; therefore, the men who "goes" with her pays her and should have been considered as sinful as she was. But it was only her that was almost stoned to death. I don't think it is an "American attitude" to promote individual attitude, or to promote it more than the rest of the world. For me, it is a basic human attitude, because at the end of the day, no matter what one society says, an individual only has himself and would do everything to protect his interests, whether it be a pet dog or his entire family. Though sometimes, one's interests are totally different from what we think is right, and that's not all; he also finds a few who shares his views. But are they wrong? I think they are. But they also think I, too, am wrong with my views. To go back to AJ's questions... for me, no one has the right to impose his views on another -- we already had Hitler for that. And if there is an absolute set of ethical standards which apply across all cultures, I hope it would be "respect". I think respect alone -- for every individual -- is enough to live in harmony with anyone. Sadly, that seems to be too hard for some people.

Haha... throw us off the scent, indeed. I'm happy you're happy, Jason.

I've only experienced an earthquake once, a weak one, but it was in a multiple story building, so it was still a bit scary. Anyway, I hope all of you living in the area are okay. :)

WTF, are these people so bigoted and stupid?

I didn't get the impression that this is a "protagonist" story. To me, this is a story about the town/city where this story takes place. Jake was just the first domino, and the one that will cause the change. (I even expected him to die - sorry, Cole.) And EVERY chapter Cole writes is a cliffhanger, regardless if it's technically not.

Thanks, guys! It's really great to know I can say something here and be heard. And the fact that you guys have much more experience than I do is just a plus. True, sometimes, the reason why I post here is because I need to hear what you think.Bruin, thanks for your encouragements.Cole, I've always treasured your advice.WBMS, I appreciate your bluntness a lot. (Though I still don't know what to call you. :D)Bart, I love your perception.Camy, you're the greatest Emu I know.Blue, as always, you give sound advice.I don't know how else to say my appreciation for you guys. Thank you.

After months of silence, all I can give you is another stinking breath of depression. And I apologize. I just need to unload. And, on that note. The past few months, I’ve been rather... adrift. Kind of like floating in space. It just seemed like the more I tried to get control of my life, the more I lose it. So I let go. I really let go. In fact, I’ve probably gained at least five pounds now. If not for my metabolism, it probably would’ve been ten pounds. My pants also have become a little difficult to fit into. It’s really embarrassing, but there’s not much I can do but stop doing whatever it is I’ve been doing. I’ve been letting things happen on their own. It’s actually almost like I wasn’t there. I was just watching from the background. Watching myself fail. Every day. I had quit going to that shit-class school. I had quit my fucked up telemarketer job. The only thing left to do now is move out. Even if I’m not ready to. Thing is, I’m just so afraid of dying of hunger. So, you know, I have to swallow my pride – what’s left of it – every day, while my parents do what they do best. I can’t even think of them now without wishing they meet an accident on the way home. I just really can’t believe they’re my parents. And, you know, I’d rather not think of them that way. But I can’t help it. It’s been hell. And, probably, the only bright spot these past few months are the emails, well, almost everything online. Almost. It’s been a trying year, so far. I think I even have a monster writer’s block now. What else can go wrong, right? Anyway. Phew! Anyway. Cole Parker told me that when he writes his novels, he completes it first before posting it on the web. I tried. I really tried, but it’s just not for me. I can’t finish anything but short stories. So, I guess, you’ll be seeing a first chapter as soon as I get some things straightened out, but the posting of chapters would only definitely happen after they’re each completed. From time to time, I still try to get control of my life. My latest attempt is enrolling for a vocational course, something about computers. The classes would be next week. And if everything goes as planned, I’d be going back to college and shift courses from Accountancy to either CompSci or IT after this vocational thing. As for a job I can’t seem to find to right one for me. If only I have porn star looks.

Yeah. Superhero is really super. It's one of those stories that had me saying "wow!" after reading the last word. I can't make up my mind about the protagonist though. I suspect I never will, unless Graeme himself tells us what he thinks of the character. If by mixed, Graeme, you mean that the readers felt the character was either insane or a real "superhero", then add me to the fence straddlers group. What's even more great about the story is that it was narrated so casually, and the effect was really great. I'll post again after reading Bruin's. :)

I agree. I *HATE* uber wicked antagonists without any motivation at all. I would understand if he was actually a psycho who had the most traumatic childhood, but when he just does all those evil things just because the author needs an antagonist, it becomes unbelievable. The character becomes totally unnecessary. As for the most believable wicked antagonists, for me, Grasshopper over at IOMFATS does them very well IMHO.

I usually don't read this kind of thread because it makes me paranoid of my own writing. But I was bored, and I shouldn't have been. Anyway, most of stuff listed here are stuff I saw on some of the stories I like. But anyway, list on.

I hope everything's good.

Exactly.

I think that the prosecutors are looking too much at making a sample out of Brandon. I agree with Cole that he should not be tried as an adult. We should have faith that people, even the worst kind, can change, and throwing away their chance at a young age is too heavy a punishment. Rick is right. There simply is no perfect solution. But 50 years? I'm sure Brandon knew that what he did was wrong - more than wrong - but he is not a murderer. He wasn't brought up to kill people. He was brought up in an environment where certain people are hated, and because of that, he acted out. Not that the hate made it alright to kill, but that it made it easier to kill. But doesn't he have the right to repent and change his ways? He has the rest of his life to pay for the murder, maybe not in prison, but he will be carrying the guilt of taking another person's life in his conscience until his death. I disagree with WBMS though. If what Larry was doing was sexual harassment, then girls flirting with gays is sexual harassment too! :D Nevertheless, I agree with the lawyer that the murder was partly the school's fault. Though for me, it wasn't because of Larry's flirtation, but because Brandon was able to slip the gun past the school's gates. Of course, I'm assuming here that the school has guards at their gates.