Richard Norway

I have read all of the poetry that you have posted Bi-Janus, but I have never commented on any of them before. Mostly, because I don't know what to say. But like Des, you cause me to think. It doesn't matter what I'm thinking, but it does matter that I AM thinking, trying to put meaning to your words. There have been many times when I have found some truth in some aspect of my life totally unrelated to the story or image in your poetry. But maybe that's the point...to cause people to think. Thank you

Hmmm...me thinks that Des' influence has reached out. Thank you. It's important that the public gets to know about what their peers are doing, for with that knowledge, they can make better informed decisions about the direction of their own lives. It can help change the apathy in many people to move them toward being our allies. Being in the "underdog" category really does work to our advantage as people start to see the discrimination that has been wrought upon us.

Thursday night our GLBTQ Community Center in Las Cruces, NM was vandalized. Someone used a gear shaft from an automobile transmission to smash our front window. We have been open for two years, and this was the first example of homophobia that we have experienced. Actually, I had expected it sooner, and I think it's a good sign that it hasn't happened sooner. Of course, our local police took the report, but I'm not sure if anything will happen. They didn't even take the gear shaft in for evidence. We'll be contacting the local newspaper and PBS radio station. We have friends at the PBS radio and television station that would love to do a story about this.

Last night our GLBTQ Community Center was vandalized. Someone used a gear shaft from an automobile transmission to smash our front window. We have been open for two years, and this was the first example of homophobia that we have experienced. Actually, I had expected it sooner, and I think it's a good sign that it hasn't happened sooner. Here's a picture of the damage. Notice the gear shaft lying on the sidewalk. Of course, our local police took the report, but I'm not sure if anything will happen. They didn't even take the gear shaft in for evidence. We'll be contacting the local newspaper and PBS radio station. We have friends at the PBS radio and television station that would love to do a story about this. Okay, someone tell me how to get the picture posted. I tell it where to find the pic, but...no pic in the preview. Richard

I too want to know.

Thanks guys. I'm not sure what to say. I'm honored by the recognition of my humble work. I know my writing is getting a little better as I continue to write, but I still have a long way to go. I have always covetted Des's appreciation award, but I figured that maybe in a year or two as I got better, I might receive one. My dog started yelping at 2:00 AM yesterday morning, so I got up to let him outside before he messed the carpet again. Instead of going back to bed, I decided to check my email. OMG. There it was. I couldn't possibly go back to sleep after reading that, so I made a pot of coffee and read Des' post for possibly 100 times. Thank you Des and to all of you for taking the time to read Oliver.

I used to say, "Consider the source," when I heard ignorant statements by the "unwashed" and then expected the people that I was tallking to, to get it and think. How unfortunite for me. The religious right has grabbed the stage to such an extent that it is now dividing our country in major proportions. People seem to have lost their capacity to "think," and now rely on others (think Rush Limbaugh) to think for them.

As I grew older, I realized that we didn't control our country, the people who controlled our money did. And, it's unfortunate that the Constitution cannot control the people that control our money. The only way that that can happen is for the situation to enter our legal system. That means that PayPal and Smashwords have to respectively sue the credit card companies for squashing their 1st ammendment rights. Scarry indeed! There's a lot at risk for these companies to contemplate such an act. But when you think about it, it could help how "We the people" are viewed by large corporations. But the reality is that it won't happen, because the risk of losing their business may be too high.

John Cleese has been one of my heros for a long time. Here's a video of his interpretation of creativity. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGt3-fxOvug

I would love to see Santorum get the Republic nomination. That would ensure a more meaningful next 4 years with Obama.

OMG. Such sheer creativity. It captivated me from the first second of watching that video. Can you imagine where that young man will be in just 10 years from now?

Me three! Wow James! You captured everyones fears about where this country is possibly heading.

I had mentioned a "dialoge" challenge in a post some days ago, but it was rather tongue in cheek. Our stories in the "Coming Out" challenge hadn't even been published yet. I think it might be a good creative exercise, but I haven't even asked Mike about it. Okay, let me ask. How many of you Awesomedude authors would be willing to give it a try? And what about the ground rules? Suggestions? If enough authors are willing to give a try, I would offer my services to coordinate the effort.

What a great way to start Valentine's Day! Thanks Gee. That was wonderful.

That was wonderful Chris. When I write fiction, I usually put more of the story in dialog than in description. I'm old, but I wasn't born in the 19th century. Writing your story using dialog to move the story along is more difficult. Which brings me to a great idea. For the next AD Challange, it should be a scene described entirely in dialog, just as Chris has done. Let's give everyone a chance to try this. The dialog should have all the elements of flash fiction - character development, back story, beginning, middle ,and end, conflict and resolution, etc. What does everyone think?

Hey! That's my minivan. Well, it would be if it were silver colored.

"The one with the most toys when he dies, wins." from Colinian, I know that you don't believe that.

Oh my, oh my, oh my. Last night I had a deep conversation with an English grad student friend who was doing some editing for me on my AD Challenge work. We got into a discussion of the dependence or independence necessary between phrases separated by a semi-colon. Oh my. Bi_Janus did it much better. Oh My!

Happy New Year everyone.

I'm kind of late to this conversation, mostly because the tears that have gotten in the way of rational thought.. Blue, I know your passion, and you are not alone. I presented this video to our County (Dona Ana) Unity Coalition to fight bullying in our schools and our whole community. But that was preaching to the choir...they already got it. They understood that it is a growing problem and that it.continues on in the work place because of what these kids are taught. Yes, many people finally get it as they mature and see the laws, but it shouldn't have to go that far. Just keep trying. People don't change easily, but with a lot of us out there saying what we believe in, eventually change can happen.

I'm kind of late to this conversation, mostly because the tears that have gotten in the way of rational thought.. Blue, I know your passion, and you are not alone. I presented this video to our County (Dona Ana) Unity Coalition to fight bullying in our schools and our whole community. But that was preaching to the choir...they already got it. Bullying has escalated in our schools and they understood that it is a growing problem and that it.continues on in the work place because of what these kids are taught. Yes, many people finally get it as they mature and see the laws, but it shouldn't have to go that far. Just keep trying. People don't change easily, but with a lot of us out there saying what we believe in, eventually change can happen. My fear is of the lives lost and of the futures denied, Richard

I rarely have time anymore to brouse Nifty, but I came across a story that is well written, engrossing and well worth a read. Take a look at http://www.nifty.org...adow-and-light/ I haven't finished Chapter 1 yet but had to tell you all. Richard

I just want to say that I thoroughly enjoyed your extrapolation of string theory and it's place to meld quantum physics with relativity. Wonderfully done and very imaginative. I'm not sure how many people would have understood it, but your explanations worked for me (an anal engineer). Richard

The author said that he would be slow in writing, but I want so much to be involved with the story. It's engrossed me, despite the abrupt scene changes.. Colin is right...it's a keeper. Richard

These are a lot of interesting and far reaching thoughts, but...one step at a time. Right now we're still in the honeymoon stage. He's only been with us for 2-1/2 weeks and he's getting to know us and we're getting to know him. He's been through a lot and it's too early to have the "what are your long term goals" talk. He's just trying to get through the day right now. As he starts to feel safe and comfortable with us and is able to open up, then maybe we can approach the subject. I'm going to start with reading first...to open up his horizons for him to see what is possible out there. Writing is bearing your sole and that is something that I plan on working on but only when he is ready and feels safe and secure enough to do that. It's such an awesome (if not downright frightening) thought that we have the opportunity to change his life around to eventually be somebody. Richard