The Uber Abode : Talk with the Authors

** TROUBLSHOOTR just joined "The Uber Abode: Talk to the Authors" **
SOBBIE> Hi Troubleshooter
ONDINE27> hey Trouble
REDBACK1> hey troubleshooter
KARENSPEERS> Hey, darling.
FRANKIE_> Hey T
TROUBLSHOOTR> hey. Trying to figure out how the hell to do this.
ONDINE27> we ask..you answer
SOBBIE> looks like you figured it out
ONDINE27> easy
TROUBLSHOOTR> Wow it actually appeared
KARENSPEERS> It's a miracle.
ONDINE27> lol
RACH5> Well...we got you message so I guess you figured it out
TROUBLSHOOTR> LOL You ask, I answer. Got it.
ONDINE27> T, are you in the legal field
KARENSPEERS> Oh, no, I have to have a question ready?
KARENSPEERS> I'm in trouble.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Yes I am
ONDINE27> can you tell us more
TROUBLSHOOTR> I got my law degree from Loyola Law School, practiced for a while and now am doig business stuff.
SOBBIE> practice not lucrative enough?
FRANKIE_> were you on the Law Review?
ONDINE27> TOC is a great story. love the characters
TROUBLSHOOTR> No....money wasn't the issue.
SOBBIE> oh ok
TROUBLSHOOTR> Thanks. Glad you like it.
GRRLLOVER69> oh..hehehe...I already had an account here and didnt know it
GRRLLOVER69> uh..except its under the other addy -BG-
ONDINE27> laywer? money? no issuues there. LOL
TROUBLSHOOTR> I loved the trial work. You just don't have a life.
FRANKIE_> See Karen. I told you she wouldn't answer my questions.
KARENSPEERS> lol
TROUBLSHOOTR> No, I despised Law Review. -g-
GRRLLOVER69> ------its me..Mel..hehehe
TROUBLSHOOTR> Hi Mel
FRANKIE_> hey Mel
RACH5> How's Belief coming along?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Slow right now. I've got to be in a certain mood o right it and thankfully I haven't been in that mood. But....
GRRLLOVER69> Hi TS, Frankie, Karen
TROUBLSHOOTR> It's a therapy exercise for me.
KARENSPEERS> Hi, Mel.
ONDINE27> T, is the case in TOC based on a real case you had
KARENSPEERS> I love Belief but I'm always worried when you write it because I know your mood isn't the best.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Sort of. It's a combination of a couple of cases. The one in Ohio/West Virginia was an actual case.
TROUBLSHOOTR> No, my mood for Belief is not the best.
KARENSPEERS> Since you write it for therapy, is it effective therapy?
.LuRe1> Hi Troubleshooter... Jean her.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Very much so. Too effective sometimes.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Hi Jean
KARENSPEERS> What was your inspiration for Belief
ONDINE27> I've been saving it. Maybe I should read it and save on the shrink bills
TROUBLSHOOTR> Frankie threatened me with tons of questions. Did you chicken out?
FRANKIE_> When you first posted Belief, you said it would be a shorter piece. It seems to have quite a life though. Is that good or bad?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Inspiration for Belief. I'm adopted and most of those issues are very real for me.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Belief will probably be only four more chapters or so. Compared to ToC that's short. -g-
SOBBIE> yep that is short compared to TOC
FRANKIE_> Yes. ToC is almost as long as War & Peace
TROUBLSHOOTR> LOL
.LuRe1> TOC... love that story.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Bitch, and I say that with love, -g-
SOBBIE> or a missy story
TROUBLSHOOTR> Glad you like it. I have fun writing it.
ONDINE27> When you finish TOC will you write another story with the same characters
FRANKIE_> -SMOOCH- I hear ya
TROUBLSHOOTR> ToC was always planned as a series. I've got storylines for at least three more.
.LuRe1> Once you finish it, I'm going to have to read it again.... it's that good.
.LuRe1> 3 more... I'm there.
ONDINE27> GREAT NEWS!
RACH5> that's good to hear
TROUBLSHOOTR> Good. I've got to reread it so I can remember what I wrote.
SOBBIE> great
ONDINE27> LOL
.LuRe1> LOL
KARENSPEERS> Michele wants to know if Sydney and Evin are going back to the sex shop.
.LuRe1> That was hysterical
TROUBLSHOOTR> Perhaps. That was fun to write.
ONDINE27> It was
GRRLLOVER69> Im going to have to read it, so I can remember whats been going on.
TROUBLSHOOTR> I had this great visual in my head of them
KARENSPEERS> That's good. -eg-
GRRLLOVER69> have a bad memory recall
TROUBLSHOOTR> I know
FRANKIE_> I still think Syd should have bought a little something there
SOBBIE> so um do you have "experience" with those things
.LuRe1> That was one of the funniest segments I've read in a long time, if not one of THE funniest.
TROUBLSHOOTR> She probably will get Evin a present for Christmas
.LuRe1> Good one Sobbie..
TROUBLSHOOTR> Would you believe me if I said no?
FRANKIE_> NO!
GRRLLOVER69> NO
KARENSPEERS> I look forward to reading about it.
KARENSPEERS> Yeah, right.
FRANKIE_> Do you have a favorite place to write? What do you need for inspiration? Music? Atmosphere?
.LuRe1> Well, you did a great job with the dialogue.
ONDINE27> T, do you live in La.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Well, there you go. As Evin says, there are things that can enhance the experience.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Music, yes - I'm a techno freak, electronic, dance, everything like that I wrote the first seven chapters to Orgy.
TROUBLSHOOTR> I write in my office at home.
FRANKIE_> A seven chapter orgy...how did I miss that one?
SOBBIE> aaaaaaahhhhhhh so that's why the store scene
TROUBLSHOOTR> Yeah, I live in New Orleans.
TROUBLSHOOTR> LOL
ONDINE27> great food
.LuRe1> Do you find it difficult finding time to really get into writing... especially with your job?
GRRLLOVER69> ok..Im lost...ORGY?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Inspiration...believe it or not, the more logical stuff I do, the more it frees up the creative part.
MOXIE_J> yeah, what's orgy?
TROUBLSHOOTR> I have a great deal of trouble finding time to write.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Orgy is a band. Sang the song Blue Monday, to name one.
GRRLLOVER69> ah...ok..
MOXIE_J> got it
FRANKIE_> How long have you been writing?
TROUBLSHOOTR> How long have you been reading it? I think I started last may.
FRANKIE_> I mean writing in general
MOXIE_J> Will it be published when it's done?
.LuRe1> Is TOC your first story?
TROUBLSHOOTR> That's it.
ONDINE27> you've only been writing since last May??????
ONDINE27> no
KARENSPEERS> I think in the first note I wrote to TS I asked where her other writing was posted.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Yes, it will be published. And yes it's the first thing I've ever written.
SOBBIE> wow
MOXIE_J> No kidding?
ONDINE27> I'm blown away
.LuRe1> WOW! What a great start.
.LuRe1> What inspired you to start writing?
TROUBLSHOOTR> I actually started writing it because i bought a lesbian novel and was so disappointed and said I can do better than that.
MOXIE_J> Thank God for big egos -g-
ONDINE27> you certainly can!!!!!!
SOBBIE> well you are doing that for sure
.LuRe1> Good for you, and great for us. -g-
TROUBLSHOOTR> LOL That's never been a problem for me. It was just devoid o any emotion.
ONDINE27> You are very talented
TROUBLSHOOTR> Thanks. I'm not quite sure I view it that way, but I appreciate it. I just have fun with it.
FRANKIE_> Whose work (if any) has influenced your own writing?
MOXIE_J> Will we see more personal time with Evan and Sydney?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Um, I don't really know who's influenced it.
KARENSPEERS> Who are your favorite commercial authors.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Personal time? Well....that's a good question.
MOXIE_J> And I bet there's a good answer, too. -G-
.LuRe1> Maybe a little more time on the island? Maybe deserted after a storm.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Let's see. i love patricia Cornwell, Connelly, Grisham, and a few others. The guy that wrote the Bone Collector
ONDINE27> Deaver
FRANKIE_> Deavers
ONDINE27> Have you read Caleb Carr?
.LuRe1> Do you find that you lean more towards stories that deal with the legal world?
FRANKIE_> ooh...good one
ONDINE27> you'd like him
TROUBLSHOOTR> The answer to the personal time question. Wait for Chapter 19.
FRANKIE_> -SPEW-
.LuRe1> Ooookkkkaaayyyy.
MOXIE_J> Will do.
SOBBIE> do we have to wait long?
TROUBLSHOOTR> I haven't read anything for a while. It's a choice between read and write.
MOXIE_J> Don't read.
ONDINE27> forget reading
TROUBLSHOOTR> Not long to wait, I think. -g- It's going through editing right now.
SOBBIE> never read again
ONDINE27> LOL
TROUBLSHOOTR> I do tend to lean towards legal stories.
TROUBLSHOOTR> ROTFLMAO
MOXIE_J> Well, tell your beta(s) to get a move on.
.LuRe1> Guess I don't need to tell you not to read since everyone beat me to it. -g-
TROUBLSHOOTR> You just did. But it's not her fault. It's back to me now and I'm doing a little bit of rewrite.
ONDINE27> do you, like some bards, have problems writing love scenes
.LuRe1> Do your coworkers know that you also write?
MOXIE_J> Whoever you are, God bless you.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Yes and no for the love scenes. What a lawyer answer....
MOXIE_J> What a LAME answer. -G-
TROUBLSHOOTR> Some do, some don't.
TROUBLSHOOTR> LOL
ONDINE27> the perfect lawyer answer
ONDINE27> lololol
ONDINE27> your love scenes are wonderful, by the way
TROUBLSHOOTR> Actually, the words to choose are difficult for Evin and Sydney. I hate the cliches.
.LuRe1> It amazes me that you find the time to write as much as you do, not that I want you to slow down.
MOXIE_J> Very emotional.
FRANKIE_> It's been a while since we've had one of those love scenes
MOXIE_J> Are Evan and Sydney strictly ubers?
KARENSPEERS> I like TS's love scenes. They always give insight to the characters.
MOXIE_J> I know you wrote that Damian and Juliana aren't, per se.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Frankie, I know you just want sex.
TROUBLSHOOTR> No, Evin and Sydney were not originally even uber characters.
.LuRe1> LOL
FRANKIE_> hey hey
MOXIE_J> They just sort of fell into that genre then?
SOBBIE> dont we all
GRRLLOVER69> and what is wrong with sex? -G-
TROUBLSHOOTR> But then someone I know that was associated with the Xenaverse read a rough draft and said hey, uber. I wanted to know what the hell that meant.
ONDINE27> absolutely nothing
TROUBLSHOOTR> I love sex.
MOXIE_J> So you write them as ubers now, right?
GRRLLOVER69> glad some one does lol
FRANKIE_> any chance you'll write a short little PWP story
TROUBLSHOOTR> I guess. They are who they are. I won't be having any flashbacks or anything like that.
MOXIE_J> Thank God.
MOXIE_J> -g-
ONDINE27> I'm glad
TROUBLSHOOTR> A PWP....Hmmmm.
ONDINE27> I just got the vapors
MOXIE_J> -LOL-
SOBBIE> revisit the drawer..... I mean sex shop
KARENSPEERS> I don't think a PWP is your style unless you make it a funny one.
ONDINE27> Oh I don't know
TROUBLSHOOTR> Hey, how did you know about the drawer?
MOXIE_J> But it's the sign of a truly great writer who can break out of his/her mold
SOBBIE> lol
MOXIE_J> and now I sound like my colleagues
.LuRe1> LOL
KARENSPEERS> lol
MOXIE_J> sorry.
TROUBLSHOOTR> LOL
ONDINE27> your loves scenes are free of cliche. that's what makes them sooo good
TROUBLSHOOTR> I've always wanted to do a PWP. But it would interrupt ToC and Belief.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Thank God. I'm so glad,
SOBBIE> ahhh but what is uber without the cliches?
MOXIE_J> -LOL-
ONDINE27> good uber
FRANKIE_> Well...far be it for me to want ToC interrupted
TROUBLSHOOTR> I guess I view the love scenes as a further way of exploring the characters.
.LuRe1> Amen
SOBBIE> too true
MOXIE_J> And those are the best scenes.
ONDINE27> consider them explored well
TROUBLSHOOTR> Thank you. -g-
MOXIE_J> -gasp-
MOXIE_J> wow.
SOBBIE> but but but dont they need reexploration?
TROUBLSHOOTR> I would think so.
ONDINE27> I'm still trying to get over this being your fist story
MOXIE_J> Might I assist with any mapping that needs done after the exploration?
MOXIE_J> -wg-
.LuRe1> Same her Ondine27
TROUBLSHOOTR> Feel free to map away.
ONDINE27> does being a world traveler help
SOBBIE> when's the next flight to NO
.LuRe1> Somehow, I see a pattern here with Moxie....-g-
GRRLLOVER69> well Ive got to get going, early day tomorrow, night all
MOXIE_J> -LOL-
MOXIE_J> sorry
FRANKIE_> night Mel
TROUBLSHOOTR> Night Mel
KARENSPEERS> night, Mel.
ONDINE27> nite
.LuRe1> Night GRR
MOXIE_J> Ciao, bella
TROUBLSHOOTR> Who's a world traveler?
ONDINE27> me, Ondine
TROUBLSHOOTR> Ah, okay...got confused there for a second.
MOXIE_J> Does speaking a couple other languages count as world travel?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Works for me.
ONDINE27> I barely speak English...lolol
FRANKIE_> Any other locales you might visit in a story besides showing us NO?
.LuRe1> How about a little getaway trip to San Francisco?
FRANKIE_> that sounds good
TROUBLSHOOTR> I've got a few in mind. I'm really comfortble in writing NO. I like authenticity and unless I feel I can do it justice, I won't use it.
ONDINE27> actually, I enjoy learning more about NO
MOXIE_J> Too usual. Have them hike the Appalachian Trail. -G-
TROUBLSHOOTR> SF is great. That's a definite possibility.
.LuRe1> Of a nice romantic trip to Big Sur...include a little love time for Moxie.
MOXIE_J> -LOL-
TROUBLSHOOTR> LOL
MOXIE_J> hear hear!!!@
SOBBIE> how bout a trip to the boonies of Oregon...... nothing to do but....
MOXIE_J> HEAR HEAR again!
.LuRe1> There ya go.
.LuRe1> We're thinking about you Moxie
TROUBLSHOOTR> Actually, they'r going to head farther south for a vacation.
MOXIE_J> Thanks, kid. -G-
MOXIE_J> Mexico!!@@
.LuRe1> Ole
SOBBIE> is there anything farther south than LA
MOXIE_J> You speak Spanish, TS?
ONDINE27> south????? how do you mean that exactly?
TROUBLSHOOTR> No. Not a lot. I had excellent assistance from Encarnacion.
FRANKIE_> LOL
TROUBLSHOOTR> South as in an island.
ONDINE27> which one
.LuRe1> Hmmm
MOXIE_J> Bermuda?
MOXIE_J> Jamaica?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Probably Isla Mujeras
FRANKIE_> Cuba?
ONDINE27> sounds sexy
MOXIE_J> Oh yeah, las Mujeres/
TROUBLSHOOTR> Yes, Castro needs Evin to represent him.
MOXIE_J> -LOL-
.LuRe1> LOL
MOXIE_J> You're funny.
SOBBIE> lol
FRANKIE_> I figured she likes a good cigar now and then
MOXIE_J> NOW who's mind is in the gutter?
ONDINE27> like the pres??
.LuRe1> Please, anything but a cigar..
SOBBIE> for her drawer?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Yeah, she does. LOL
FRANKIE_> one of those rolled between...well...you know...
MOXIE_J> ACK!
MOXIE_J> Cut it out, Frankie!
ONDINE27> how did we get back to the sex shop
FRANKIE_> lol
MOXIE_J> Every road leads to...
MOXIE_J> sex.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Did we evr leave?
SOBBIE> um did we ever leave?
.LuRe1> Take Interstate 5 Easre
.LuRe1> East
FRANKIE_> sometimes a cigar is JUST a cigar
MOXIE_J> -snort- Whatever.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Uh huh. I actually had three tuesday night.
MOXIE_J> Do we dare ask?
FRANKIE_> were they rolled between...
SOBBIE> nope not gonna go there
ONDINE27> T, are you Cajun and are you fabu cook
MOXIE_J> -LOL-
MOXIE_J> What the hell is fabu cook?
MOXIE_J> Sorry, didn't mean to swear.
MOXIE_J> Do forgive.
TROUBLSHOOTR> No, I'mnot Cajun. My parents are. I'm Italian and Spanish. And I can BBQ. That's about it. I have more take out menus than Evin. Of course, I'm older than she is.
ONDINE27> a fabuloud cook. sorry about the L.A. slang
MOXIE_J> No. That isn't possible. Evan is, what? All of 33?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Thirty one.
MOXIE_J> No worries.
MOXIE_J> Oh, hell. That's not old.
MOXIE_J> At least not REALLY old.
ONDINE27> that's young
TROUBLSHOOTR> That's Evin's age. I'm 40.
.LuRe1> Way younger than me...
ONDINE27> that's young too
MOXIE_J> Oh. I bow to your most venerable age, O Wise One.
ONDINE27> LOL
KARENSPEERS> The styles of Belief and ToC are so different, do you approach the writing of the stories differently?
SOBBIE> around here 40 is young punk status
MOXIE_J> And I keep spelling EvIIIIIn wrong.
.LuRe1> LOL Sobbie
SOBBIE> most ppl here are over 70
RACH5> that's right sobboe
TROUBLSHOOTR> That's okay. I got an email about Evian.
ONDINE27> where is that?
.LuRe1> Not meeeee....
MOXIE_J> -LOL-
ONDINE27> LOL
MOXIE_J> As in water?
MOXIE_J> As in wet?
MOXIE_J> As in...
SOBBIE> lol rach
.LuRe1> Don't go there.
MOXIE_J> ACK! Never mind.
ONDINE27> Moxie, you're under arrest
MOXIE_J> For what now?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Belie's very much a character study. It's a totally different approach.
.LuRe1> LMAO
MOXIE_J> The reader can tell that it is.
MOXIE_J> It's much more personal than ToC seems to be.
ONDINE27> I can't wait to read it now
TROUBLSHOOTR> I approached it from a journal perspective so it gave me a lot of freedom to explore things.
KARENSPEERS> Belief is very draining to read, I can't imagine what it is like to write it.
MOXIE_J> Belief?
TROUBLSHOOTR> It's difficult.
TROUBLSHOOTR> I reread it to refresh my memory on things and it can get a little harrowing for me.
KARENSPEERS> Should be people keep their distance from you when you're writing it?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Yes. I come with a warning label.
KARENSPEERS> -g-
ONDINE27> great line
MOXIE_J> Forgive me, TS, but is the main "focus" of Belief the adoption?
FRANKIE_> You have so many warning labels on you though -g-
TROUBLSHOOTR> Might have to use it in a book. -g-
MOXIE_J> That seems almost as if it's more of a sub-plot.
TROUBLSHOOTR> This is true.
.LuRe1> Hi EKCROC
TROUBLSHOOTR> It is a sub-plot. The story, to me is there making it through the trauma
MOXIE_J> Of Diego's death?
MOXIE_J> And I'm monopolizing the chat. Sorry. I'm backing off.
ONDINE27> a likely story
ONDINE27> lol
EKCOROC> Hi!
MOXIE_J> -g- I am.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Yes. I think the thing that I like about it is that for one person, the plot can be what happened to Diego and for another it can be the relationship.
MOXIE_J> Now shhhhh.
.LuRe1> Ah come on Moxie... don
.LuRe1> don't hide.
ONDINE27> I guess I have to read it tonight
MOXIE_J> :#
.LuRe1> Same here Ondine
KARENSPEERS> For me the relationship is the more important. It would be difficult to have his death be the main story since it is so sad.
MOXIE_J> Mmm, you're right, Karen.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Yeah. For me it's about the relationship
MOXIE_J> I couldn't imagine losing a child, whether adopted or natural.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Neither could I.
TROUBLSHOOTR> But I'm trying to.
ONDINE27> Valium, then reading
MOXIE_J> Don't. I don't imagine it'll do you any good.
FRANKIE_> I think the vulnerability we see in Damian is handled skillfully
MOXIE_J> But that's the more obvious, IMO.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Damian is so very interesting to me.
MOXIE_J> It's Juliana's that is the more hidden. Again, IMO.
TROUBLSHOOTR> So is Jules. Night and day in many respects, but then not really.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Juliana is much more hidden in some ways.
MOXIE_J> Are you more like her or Damian?
MOXIE_J> Whoops. There I go again.
TROUBLSHOOTR> LOL I have no idea.
TROUBLSHOOTR> There are things about both of them that are very familiar and things that are very foreign to me. SOBBIE> are you more like Evin or Sydney
TROUBLSHOOTR> Guess. And the first two don't count. -g-
KARENSPEERS> Evin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MOXIE_J> If you even say Sydney, I'm going to say you're one HELL of a writer.
MOXIE_J> -g-
TROUBLSHOOTR> LOLOL No, definitely Evin. Syd is very hard for me to write sometimes.
.LuRe1> LOL
MOXIE_J> HOw old is she, for crying out loud?
TROUBLSHOOTR> She who?
MOXIE_J> Sorry, Sydney.
TROUBLSHOOTR> 24
SOBBIE> syd is about 12 isnt she
MOXIE_J> Mmm, okay.
MOXIE_J> -LOLOL-
TROUBLSHOOTR> Twelve? That's a little too young.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Thre are laws against that.
SOBBIE> sorry i was kidding
MOXIE_J> She's awfully naive, though.
TROUBLSHOOTR> I know.
ONDINE27> Moxie, you aren't under arrest but Evin is
SOBBIE> yeah but most of us arent lawyers and dont care
.LuRe1> Yeah, but you have to love Syd.
MOXIE_J> Youi think people like that really exist?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Yes and no. Another lawyer answer
MOXIE_J> Who loves Sydney?
TROUBLSHOOTR> She's way out of her league in this.
KARENSPEERS> I don't think Sydney is naive, I see her as more wide-eyed and innocent.
ONDINE27> who doesn't
KARENSPEERS> She hasn't had a chance to become jaded.
FRANKIE_> Syd's just inexperienced.
MOXIE_J> And that's different from naive?
EKCOROC> I like Syd, she is a bit naive
TROUBLSHOOTR> And law school just does not prepare someone for this.
ONDINE27> right
MOXIE_J> But she will become jaded?
KARENSPEERS> I hope she won't
KARENSPEERS> I think she will make Evin less jaded.
MOXIE_J> We all do, I would guess.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Naive in that she hasn't been exposed to what people to do one another and therefore her thought patterns don't allow for those possiblities.
.LuRe1> No, but she's beginning to get a crash course.
MOXIE_J> I think, in reading ToC, that's the hardest thing for me to grasp. That people that naive can really exist.
TROUBLSHOOTR> She won't become jaded, but she will grow up a great deal. Life's a great teacher that way.
ONDINE27> seeing Evin in action will cause her to grow up pretty fast it sems
.LuRe1> I think by the time they finish with this case, Syd will have a Masters Degree in adulthood.
KARENSPEERS> I believe Sydney will always see the best in people first but will become a bit more wary in giving her total trust to them.
EKCOROC> I think Syd will get a bit more jaded as time goes by. How could she not? It seems a hard business to be in , in that you see so much of the bad side of people
MOXIE_J> I agree, EK.
MOXIE_J> I don't see how one WOULDN'T become hard and world-weary.
TROUBLSHOOTR> It is hard and tht's one of the things that will be difficult for her.
FRANKIE_> I wouldn't under-estimate Syd.
MOXIE_J> I'm certainly not.
ONDINE27> No way
MOXIE_J> But I'd like to look at it realistically.
.LuRe1> She's got that temper going for her...now that she knows how to use it.
ONDINE27> I think these characters are very realistic given X & G canon
MOXIE_J> Me, too.
MOXIE_J> But even Gab got more jaded in later seasons.
ONDINE27> it's one of the main reasons I love Your writing, T
EKCOROC> I also think Syd will help Evin to be less jaded. with Syd aways trying to see the good in people, even a spark of that should rub off
.LuRe1> Agree ECK
KARENSPEERS> I have a couple of friends in real life who are very like Sydney which is why she seems realistic to me.
MOXIE_J> Really?
KARENSPEERS> Really, as in I have friends in real life? -g-
MOXIE_J> -LOL-
SOBBIE> lol
TROUBLSHOOTR> - signed off -
MOXIE_J> Sorry.
ONDINE27> LOL
MOXIE_J> Seems we lost our star chatter.
EKCOROC> Trouble, Thanks for giving us lawyer neophites all the descripthions of law and the process in ToC. It really helps in understanding how this works
MOXIE_J> Yeah, thanks for taking the time to talk with us.
SOBBIE> hmm looks like ts fell off lets give her a few min to try and come back
.LuRe1> Where'd she go...come back TS
ONDINE27> thank you very much
MOXIE_J> Fell off. -LOL-
MOXIE_J> I didn't say something to offend, did I?
MOXIE_J> I REEEEEEEEEAAAAALLLLLLLY like Sydney.
.LuRe1> Course not Moxie
KARENSPEERS> -g- I can hear TS swearing now.
SOBBIE> no its probly a server thingy
FRANKIE_> LOL...Me too
.LuRe1> How much do you like her Moxie? Don't hold back.
.LuRe1> I do as well
EKCOROC> LOL
MOXIE_J> I don't, really, but anything to not offend.
ONDINE27> I like her too
EKCOROC> I had to switch to html format cuz I couldn't get the chat to load. That is why I was so late
FRANKIE_> I bet the first word out of TS when she comes back is a 4-letter one
KARENSPEERS> lol
MOXIE_J> You know her well?
SOBBIE> no bets here
MOXIE_J> I'd take that bet.
ONDINE27> I STILL can't get over that this her first work
.LuRe1> It's unbelievable.
KARENSPEERS> No kidding. It is amazing.
ONDINE27> totally
MOXIE_J> I know. One of the best firsts I've ever read.
EKCOROC> I haven't started Belief yet... Should I, or wait
MOXIE_J> Go for it.
FRANKIE_> Belief is very different...highly emotional
ONDINE27> I'm gonna start it right away
MOXIE_J> It's so totally different from ToC that it'll blow you away.
.LuRe1> I was going to wait until it was done, but not after tonight.
KARENSPEERS> I can't decide which one I like better.
FRANKIE_> I don't think I can decide
ONDINE27> I'll probabaly cry through the whole thing
MOXIE_J> They both sure do have their strong points.
KARENSPEERS> If nothing else it is extremely impressive to see the different styles.
FRANKIE_> they are just so different
EKCOROC> Is it one where you should wait or does it keep you in the moment between updates?
SOBBIE> hard to believe its the same author
MOXIE_J> Are you two her publicists or something?
KARENSPEERS> Yup
.LuRe1> I hope she gets them published. She's so good that she deserves to have that honor.
MOXIE_J> -g-
MOXIE_J> She's lucky, then.
FRANKIE_> nah...just a fan...for me...how 'bout you Karen?
KARENSPEERS> Publicist. -g-
MOXIE_J> -LOL-
ONDINE27> seriously
EKCOROC> cool
KARENSPEERS> Me, serious?
ONDINE27> ????
KARENSPEERS> Just a fan.
FRANKIE_> she wasn't talking about me
ONDINE27> me too
EKCOROC> I hope ToC gets published too!
SOBBIE> I think she said earlier that ToC is goinig to be
MOXIE_J> Am I allowed to ask if anyone has read anything comparable to ToC?
.** TROUBLSHOOTR just joined "The Uber Abode: Talk to the Authors"
ONDINE27> I read very litle fanfic at this point because most of it isn't all that good. But then there is TS
.LuRe1> I sure haven't.
SOBBIE> wb TS
MOXIE_J> Anything worth reading?
RACH5> Hi Ts....your back!!
EKCOROC> Isn't it amazing the amount of talent in the bards of XWP?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Somehow it kicked me out.
TROUBLSHOOTR> What'd I miss?
MOXIE_J> HA!
FRANKIE_> crap...i was wrong!
MOXIE_J> No 4-letter word, Frankie.
ONDINE27> unbelievable amount of talent
KARENSPEERS> We were singing your praises.
FRANKIE_> la la la
TROUBLSHOOTR> And I missed that? Dang!
KARENSPEERS> You would have been embarrassed.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Probably so.
MOXIE_J> Bringing laud and frankincense and mirrh.
.LuRe1> If you would have been here, you would have been blushing.
SOBBIE> dont worry ts i have it logged and Ill show you later
FRANKIE_> TS...blush?
ONDINE27> we could see it on the screen
TROUBLSHOOTR> Probably not. Blushing's not my thing.
MOXIE_J> It's not?
MOXIE_J> Why doesn't that surprise me?
TROUBLSHOOTR> No. LOL
TROUBLSHOOTR> I'd much prefer to cause blushes
KARENSPEERS> lol
SOBBIE> figures
MOXIE_J> And I bet you do, kid.
EKCOROC> TS, are you a lawyer in RL?
KARENSPEERS> A fine job you do too.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Which, BTW, Karen, I did to Patti Wednesday night.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Yes, I'm a lawyer in RL
FRANKIE_> she plays one in FF
KARENSPEERS> Good girl. -g-
.LuRe1> What is your specialty?
.LuRe1> of law that is.
TROUBLSHOOTR> I don't practice now, in a practice sense. I did trial work. Did a lot of domestic/child abuse.
FRANKIE_> LOL
MOXIE_J> Oh yuck. Not an easy field, that's for sure.
TROUBLSHOOTR> As for any other specialties, well....
MOXIE_J> ACK!
FRANKIE_> sorry the laugh was for the "specialty" question
EKCOROC> I really appriciate you giving us all the details regarding the process (law) for us neophites
.LuRe1> Yeessss.
ONDINE27> Yessss?????
MOXIE_J> Now YOU stop.
TROUBLSHOOTR> That's the arena Syd is headed for.
SOBBIE> lol back to the drawer
MOXIE_J> Oh no.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Gotta love that drawer.
MOXIE_J> But it'll kill her, won't it?
ONDINE27> and we do
.LuRe1> How big is that drawer?
MOXIE_J> Yes, we certainly love.... the drawer.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Probably not. My former law partner was a lot like Syd. She was phenomenal and one of the best attorneys I know.
MOXIE_J> Wow.
TROUBLSHOOTR> The drawer is...big enough.
ONDINE27> big drawer. very big drawer. the biggest drawer in all of fanfic.
.LuRe1> Hopefully that drawer has titanium rollers.
SOBBIE> lol
TROUBLSHOOTR> I'll have to check.
.LuRe1> LOL
ONDINE27> do you need help in checking? LOLOLOL
FRANKIE_> Will Syd join a firm or strike out on her on after graduation?
MOXIE_J> I'm sure between the bunch of us, we can scrounge up some tools to juice it up if it doesn't.
.LuRe1> Tools R Us
MOXIE_J> Mmhm.
SOBBIE> have cordless drill will travel
MOXIE_J> -g-
TROUBLSHOOTR> Ah....That's a good question.
MOXIE_J> Pink tool belt, will travel, too.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Syd and Evin haven't broached that subject yet.
.LuRe1> That would open a whole new area for the story.
SOBBIE> can you say SEQUEL
MOXIE_J> I don't read much FF, but the ones I do, I like them real, you know?
EKCOROC> TS, are you planning on 1 or more sequels to ToC?
.LuRe1> I wonder if Evin would like that.
ONDINE27> me too
TROUBLSHOOTR> Yes, it would. That's going to be dealt with in another story.
MOXIE_J> Is it possible for a lawyer, fresh out of school, to start her own practice?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Yes, it is. That's what I did. It ain't easy.
MOXIE_J> No doubt.
MOXIE_J> But worth it?
EKCOROC> I would think it would be difficult to setup on your own
TROUBLSHOOTR> I have three more storylines developed right now for Trial.
EKCOROC> YEAH!
MOXIE_J> So why aren't you writing, hon??
.LuRe1> One of my best friends did it as well. Went into sports representation, then business law.
MOXIE_J> -g-
ONDINE27> it can go on forever as far as I'm concerned
FRANKIE_> Jaffrey and Andrew are good supporting male characters...sort of uncommon in FF
.LuRe1> She finally had to take a year off to regroup
TROUBLSHOOTR> Worth it in some ways. Life's a series f trade-offs. I'm not very manageable.
SOBBIE> cause she's talking to you moxie
MOXIE_J> NOt trainable, hmm?
MOXIE_J> Huh?
TROUBLSHOOTR> No. Not trainable. I have references to attest to that fact.
KARENSPEERS> I think TS is more the trainer type.
MOXIE_J> What'd I do again?
SOBBIE> you asked why ts wasnt writing
MOXIE_J> No references needed.
MOXIE_J> -LOL- Gotcha.
.LuRe1> Get your head out of the drawer... -g-
MOXIE_J> -g-
SOBBIE> another line to use in FF?
MOXIE_J> Whoops. Caught with my hand in the... ummm... never mind.
.LuRe1> LOL
ONDINE27> cute
TROUBLSHOOTR> I love jeffrey and Andrew. I have some very good male friends and to me, Evin is more likely to have male friends.
MOXIE_J> Blech. I hate that word.
EKCOROC> LOL
ONDINE27> what word
MOXIE_J> The c word.
FRANKIE_> Will we see more of Jeffrey and Andrew?
ONDINE27> sorry about that
ONDINE27> lolol
MOXIE_J> -g-
SOBBIE> but you're so cute moxie
MOXIE_J> Sweet Jesu!
MOXIE_J> I am NOT.
MOXIE_J> Sydney is cute.
EKCOROC> I agree TS, Evin does seem like she would have more male friends
MOXIE_J> Babies are cute.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Yeah, definitely. Someone wrote and asked if I was going to kill Andrew of. Can't do that.
MOXIE_J> Kill Andrew?
KARENSPEERS> I think Jeffrey and Andrew help us find out about Evin's past.
.LuRe1> You need Andrew
MOXIE_J> And they give us insight that no one else does.
ONDINE27> I agree
TROUBLSHOOTR> No. Can't kill Andrew.
FRANKIE_> or Jeffrey
EKCOROC> Don't kill either of them off
TROUBLSHOOTR> They are good friends. I'm not killing anyone.
KARENSPEERS> It's nice to see male characters in FF, it makes it more like real life.
TROUBLSHOOTR> That really matters.
ONDINE27> what about the tart of an ex? are you gonna write more of her
MOXIE_J> -LOL-
MOXIE_J> Gazelle!!
TROUBLSHOOTR> I made a promise tomyself when i started writing that i wanted it to be realistic.
MOXIE_J> So give Syd some faults then.
EKCOROC> -g-
SOBBIE> gazelle?
MOXIE_J> Giselle was her name, wasn't it?
SOBBIE> she has an antelope as an ex?
MOXIE_J> -LOL-
EKCOROC> I think so
ONDINE27> lololol
KARENSPEERS> It's nice that every person in the story isn't gay. Of course, it does take place in New Orleans so, that would be possible. -g-
TROUBLSHOOTR> It's Gisela. No antelope.
MOXIE_J> Oh. Sorry. No offense meant.
SOBBIE> sorry
MOXIE_J> I was just teasing.
MOXIE_J> Sort of.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Z Syd does have faults.
.LuRe1> I think that's the most important thing that I enjoy about TOC, is your being realistic. Your words draw me into the story and I can get a clear picture of each scene in my mind.
MOXIE_J> -bg-
ONDINE27> I agree woleheartedly
.LuRe1> I really felt some of the emotions that Syd went through, as well as Evin.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Realism is important to me when I read. If I can't buy it, it ruins the story for me.
ONDINE27> over the top is a major turn off for me
KARENSPEERS> You mentioned your ex-law partner. Is that who you base Sydney on?
.LuRe1> If I can't see it, I generally won't read it.
ONDINE27> right
EKCOROC> I agree, I like the realism
TROUBLSHOOTR> Part of her.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Joan always did the right thing.
FRANKIE_> I think Syd is exactly what Evin needs in her life.
ONDINE27> do you get a lot of flack about being a lawyer
TROUBLSHOOTR> How do you mean?
ONDINE27> we live in such a litigious society
TROUBLSHOOTR> I personally want my very own Sydney.
KARENSPEERS> -g-
MOXIE_J> Don't we all.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Sometimes I get flack. it's okay. A lot of people don't understand it.
FRANKIE_> My screen went blank...what'd I miss?
SOBBIE> do you have anyone in your life right now?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Same thing that happened to me.
EKCOROC> I agree TS, but don't tell my GF!
.LuRe1> I think the fact that you are an attorney, it only gives more to the story and the quality thereof. Knowing the trade only enhances the art of making the story realistic. Not to mention the private
.LuRe1> life of the attorneys.
KARENSPEERS> TS just told us how ToC finishes, Frankie.
TROUBLSHOOTR> What private life?
TROUBLSHOOTR> LOL
ONDINE27> that bad huh?
EKCOROC> LOL
FRANKIE_> D@** Now I have to wait for the reruns!
TROUBLSHOOTR> Nah. You make choices. I really do love what I do.
ONDINE27> that's great
.LuRe1> AS long as you are happy...
ONDINE27> do you have any major hobbies
EKCOROC> I think it is important to love what you do. It is the only way to survive
MOXIE_J> Especially in a field like law.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Major hobbies....um, besides taking over the world and causing others grief?
EKCOROC> -g-
ONDINE27> can I be your second in command?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Writing seems to consume a lot of my time.
ONDINE27> I'll never complain about that
TROUBLSHOOTR> Sure, you can be second in command
FRANKIE_> I think ToC shows us neophites as much of the legal field as Dar & Kerry show us the high tech networking field
FRANKIE_> you have to write from what you know
TROUBLSHOOTR> It's very fascinating to me.
KARENSPEERS> I like the legal aspect of the story.
EKCOROC> I totally agree
TROUBLSHOOTR> When I have discussions about the law with laypeople, it's always very interesting.
ONDINE27> in what ways
SOBBIE> you discuss the law when you lay people?
MOXIE_J> -LOL-
FRANKIE_> can you explain RICO briefly?
MOXIE_J> Hoky SMOKES!!
ONDINE27> oh gods
FRANKIE_> -eg-
EKCOROC> Propbably cuz we haven't got a clue!
TROUBLSHOOTR> Their understanding of the way it works. It's generally very different from what people think it is.
MOXIE_J> Like most things people don't understand, wouldn't you think?
ONDINE27> do you think it actualy works in this country anymore
TROUBLSHOOTR> RICO - Racketeer Inluenced and Corrupt organizations Act Basically, you can't do certain things in furtherance of a criminal enterprise.
ONDINE27> is there 'justice' here?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Yes, I think it really does.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Justice and the law are not the same, darling.
ONDINE27> true
FRANKIE_> that's the point of ToC right?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Yep.
KARENSPEERS> I think justice vs law is Sydney and Evin.
ONDINE27> true
TROUBLSHOOTR> Vey true
MOXIE_J> Good point, Karen.
FRANKIE_> Besides the series and Belief...do you have any other stories mapped out?
TROUBLSHOOTR> I have three others I'm working on right now.
SOBBIE> ohhh lets see lets see
FRANKIE_> stand alones?
EKCOROC> different from ToC and Belief?
MOXIE_J> Will we see Damian and Juliana again after Belief?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Standalones. Different from these. One is a Conqueror piece. Don't know about Jules and Damian.
MOXIE_J> So verbose, TS. -g-
ONDINE27> uber or classic conqueror
FRANKIE_> Have you ever thought about teaming with another writer ala Exposure?
EKCOROC> Cool! A Conqueror story!
SOBBIE> oh god another lawyer on exposure
ONDINE27> no comment
FRANKIE_> I didn't mean TS join the Exposure team
EKCOROC> -g-
TROUBLSHOOTR> Very verbose.
MOXIE_J> Like I said.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Actually, ArdentTly and I are developing a story right now.
EKCOROC> there does seem to be a number of lawyers writing FF these days-g-
SOBBIE> sorry it seems like many of the FF writers are lawyers
TROUBLSHOOTR> I think it's all the technical writing you do all day.
FRANKIE_> That ought to be a very titillating story! -bg-
TROUBLSHOOTR> It's shaping up to be really interesting.
SOBBIE> dont forget the drawer
TROUBLSHOOTR> Can't ever forget the drawer.
ONDINE27> is that the conqueror story?
EKCOROC> Looking forward to reading it!
MOXIE_J> Let the poor woman finish these first.
ONDINE27> yesterday is not soon enough
TROUBLSHOOTR> No, it's an original piece. Not even uber
MOXIE_J> -g-
ONDINE27> very cool
FRANKIE_> Do you write poetry?
TROUBLSHOOTR> No. If you held a gun up to my head, I couldn't do it.
.LuRe1> How many chapters to you anticipate for TOC?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Hard to say. I think possibly six or seven.
FRANKIE_> 6 or 7 very LONG chapters...right?
TROUBLSHOOTR> LOL Who knows?
.LuRe1> Really long chapters.
MOXIE_J> SUPER long chapters.
EKCOROC> TS, do you outline your story from start to finish. Do you know what your ending is and how you get there, or is it sort of a suprise when you get there?
SOBBIE> epic length chapters
FRANKIE_> Would you ever consider writing as a permanent fulltime career?
TROUBLSHOOTR> The ending I know, sort of. How I get there is a surprise.
MOXIE_J> NOt very lucrative, I'd imagine.
TROUBLSHOOTR> I don't know if I would. I enjoy it now. As work....hmmm. Don't know.
FRANKIE_> Hope you enjoy it for a long time.
EKCOROC> Do your characters suprise you in some of the things they do?
ONDINE27> which is the easiest/hardest for you to write....dialogue, plot, characters, etc.
FRANKIE_> transitions?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Dialogue is definitely easiest. Transitions - hard, Description is hard. I have pages and pages of dialogue and have to go back and put actions in.
ONDINE27> intersting
.LuRe1> How many hours per day to you dedicate to writing?
.LuRe1> And what is your best time of the day to write?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Sometimes none. On weekends I've been known to write for 18 hours.
ONDINE27> yikes!
TROUBLSHOOTR> Best time of day when i get home from work. I usually write from about ten to two
EKCOROC> wow
.LuRe1> My thought exactly ONDINE
MOXIE_J> Do you at least take bathroom breaks?
ONDINE27> lol
.LuRe1> When do you rest?
FRANKIE_> Will you be putting in 18 hours this weekend?
TROUBLSHOOTR> No, I use a catheter.
EKCOROC> lol
.LuRe1> LOL
MOXIE_J> Nice picture, thanks.
SOBBIE> nah she just has a hole in her chair with a bucket under it
ONDINE27> rotf
MOXIE_J> -g-
.LuRe1> Oh Sobbie!!!
TROUBLSHOOTR> You're quite welcome.
KARENSPEERS> Really, you use the cat box, right?
MOXIE_J> You do sarcasm very well, too, BTW.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Not this weekend. I have plans.
EKCOROC> that's a pretty picture-g-
TROUBLSHOOTR> Thank you. It's one of my many faults.
SOBBIE> plans?
MOXIE_J> Not a fault, love.
FRANKIE_> Will you take a break after ToC before you begin your next story in the series?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Plans....
EKCOROC> OK, so I'll ask, when do we get our next ToC fix?
MOXIE_J> I'll second that.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Probably not. I already started writing the first chapter on Trial 2
MOXIE_J> Ahhh, a woman of many skills, hmmm?
KARENSPEERS> Do you have a title for it yet?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Chapter 19 should be up in a few days, barring any crises.
EKCOROC> could it be called Trial 2?
FRANKIE_> or rewrites -eg-
EKCOROC> Ahh, just in time for the holiday!
TROUBLSHOOTR> No title yet. Still thinking on that one. It will be Sydney focused since this one is Evin focused. Sydney learns a lot.
MOXIE_J> YAY!
ONDINE27> no doubt
TROUBLSHOOTR> Gotta love those rewrites.
FRANKIE_> all 38 of 'em
TROUBLSHOOTR> -vbeg-
SOBBIE> so what are your plans for the weekend?
EKCOROC> -g- editting!
.LuRe1> Somehow, I don't think editting is in her plans.
TROUBLSHOOTR> A little of this and a little of that. Some work. Some writing. Car shopping. A couple of other things.
EKCOROC> TS are you going to be publishing ToC? I would love a copy on my bookshelf!
FRANKIE_> the 525 or the 740?
TROUBLSHOOTR> ToC is going to be published.
MOXIE_J> And will you sign copies?
ONDINE27> I'll buy it
EKCOROC> Gee and all I got was a Saturn-g-
.LuRe1> Same here. I have a spot reserved on my shelf.
TROUBLSHOOTR> I'm desperately trying to restrain myself on the 740. I have a test drive of the 540 six speed and the 530.
EKCOROC> Great, I second that question. will you be signing copies?
FRANKIE_> now which would Evin buy?
ONDINE27> ok, what is a 740
TROUBLSHOOTR> Yes, I will sign copies if anyone wants me to.
MOXIE_J> Anyone?
TROUBLSHOOTR> 740 BMW
ONDINE27> good taste in cars
MOXIE_J> That does it. I'm quitting my job and going into law.
EKCOROC> very nice car!!
.LuRe1> That even includes us? -g-
EKCOROC> how long does it take to get through law school?
TROUBLSHOOTR> I've always thought teaching was important.
ONDINE27> I'll want a signed copy
TROUBLSHOOTR> three years
SOBBIE> uh oh I think I blew my chances on a signed copy
MOXIE_J> Who said anything about teaching, T?
TROUBLSHOOTR> It even includes you.
.LuRe1> Why thanks...
TROUBLSHOOTR> lol
ONDINE27> are you still planning on going to the Bard's Brunch
EKCOROC> good question!
TROUBLSHOOTR> Now how did you know I was planning on going? -g-
ONDINE27> your name is on the list
MOXIE_J> It's on the list, goofy.
EKCOROC> LOL
TROUBLSHOOTR> LOL Yes, I'm going.
ONDINE27> I'll be there
ONDINE27> terrific
EKCOROC> Looking forward to meeting you!
RACH5> good....i'll see you there
TROUBLSHOOTR> I always have fun at the conventions.
SOBBIE> pout I wanna go
MOXIE_J> You can have my spot, Sobb
FRANKIE_> me too :-(
.LuRe1> Me three...
EKCOROC> The BB was a great idea! I had fun last year
KARENSPEERS> You should all go to the convention. I don't think it is an option.
ONDINE27> so will you autograph my legal scales?
MOXIE_J> -LOL-
SOBBIE> i wish i could go to the convention
TROUBLSHOOTR> I only do illegal scales.-g-
ONDINE27> I don't care that much about the con. the brunch is great
ONDINE27> those too.....LOLOLOLOL
TROUBLSHOOTR> I have good friends who live in the area, so I'll probably get to spend some time out there either before or after. I'm very much looking forward to it.
KARENSPEERS> -G-
ONDINE27> I can recommend some great eating establishments
TROUBLSHOOTR> Great. I love to go out and have somebody wait on me.
ONDINE27> Karen...you in LA?
KARENSPEERS> Yes.
ONDINE27> me too
KARENSPEERS> What eating establishements do you recommend in Pasadena.
ONDINE27> I'll email you a list
KARENSPEERS> Sounds good.
ONDINE27> don't know about Pasadena but I can find out
KARENSPEERS> kissik@netzero.net
TROUBLSHOOTR> Karen owed me a lap dance.
ONDINE27> Ondine@mediaone.net
KARENSPEERS> LOL
TROUBLSHOOTR> That was supposed to be "owes."
KARENSPEERS> Michele wants me to get her one for my birthday.
SOBBIE> finger trouble Trouble?
FRANKIE_> I have a lap! I have a lap! -bg-
MOXIE_J> -LOL-
TROUBLSHOOTR> LOL
EKCOROC> It has been 18 yrs since I lived there, I am sure everything has changed!
ONDINE27> in LA?
RACH5> OH NO!!!....my partner just told me she broke my Xena mug today....is that grounds for a divorce?
EKCOROC> who's giving lap dances!
TROUBLSHOOTR> I believe so.
MOXIE_J> Not only am I going into law, but I'm moving to CA.
SOBBIE> uh oh I have a spare room rach
ONDINE27> well we know a good attorney
TROUBLSHOOTR> The lap dance was in NO
KARENSPEERS> I think we will have to arrange for the lap dance in N.O. again. I don't know any places here.
MOXIE_J> We've got loads here.
ONDINE27> I don't
SOBBIE> there aren't any laps in LA?
EKCOROC> Pasadena, but I think I blocked that time period out! I was still in that confussed state of mind
TROUBLSHOOTR> Got it. I'll make it a priority this weekend to make sure she's still there.
ONDINE27> only egos
TROUBLSHOOTR> LOL Those are everywhere
MOXIE_J> And how.
MOXIE_J> ;o)
ONDINE27> oh but here they have showbiz written all over them....very obnoxous
TROUBLSHOOTR> But is it really ego if it's true?
ONDINE27> that's what ego is
MOXIE_J> Then I belong in LA.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Ah, showbiz. Don't know any of those.
EKCOROC> LOL
ONDINE27> you're not missing a thing
TROUBLSHOOTR> Good to know. I've got enough here on my plate.
ONDINE27> sounds like it
FRANKIE_> back to a ToC question...
SOBBIE> who's on you plate?
MOXIE_J> -LOL-
ONDINE27> lololololol
MOXIE_J> Trust Sobb to lead us back.
FRANKIE_> Evin likes to hit a punching bag when frustrated or upset...is that something you like to do?
EKCOROC> -g-
ONDINE27> good ?
MOXIE_J> You offering, Frankie?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Yep.
ONDINE27> ok, so how tall are you
TROUBLSHOOTR> Tall enough. -g-
ONDINE27> lololl
TROUBLSHOOTR> 5' 8"
ONDINE27> good answer
EKCOROC> LOL
MOXIE_J> You should take up martial arts, TS. I hear it's a good release.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Does it really matter when you're lying down?
ONDINE27> NO
MOXIE_J> Oh m
MOXIE_J> wow.
KARENSPEERS> sometimes
EKCOROC> -g-
ONDINE27> doesn't matter standing up either
TROUBLSHOOTR> So true, Karen.
EKCOROC> you can work around it!
TROUBLSHOOTR> That's part of the challenge.
ONDINE27> creative types should have nothing to worry about
MOXIE_J> -LOL-
SOBBIE> ah but thats the trouble not a creative atom here
MOXIE_J> You've got an imagination, right, Sobb?
ONDINE27> there ya go
SOBBIE> what's that?
MOXIE_J> -LOL-
EKCOROC> LOL
ONDINE27> get some advice from TS
MOXIE_J> Go reread ToC love scenes, and put any of it into practice.
EKCOROC> no hands?
EKCOROC> -g-
ONDINE27> I won't go there
ONDINE27> lololol
ONDINE27> did we lose the bard again?
EKCOROC> maybe she is writing at the same time?
.LuRe1> Or she's looking for something in the "drawer."
TROUBLSHOOTR> No There were no questions to answer. -g-
EKCOROC> LOL
ONDINE27> good point
MOXIE_J> So, do you have any tips for laypeople considering law?
SOBBIE> stay on the right side of it
MOXIE_J> -LOL-
EKCOROC> how do you choose what area of law to practice?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Where's the fun in that?
MOXIE_J> Is law school difficult?
SOBBIE> lots more fun than being locked up
EKCOROC> LOL
TROUBLSHOOTR> Choosing an area of law....whatever interests you. You get a dsense of what you might like to do from some of the courses.
ONDINE27> TS, did you have a problem with burn out because of your specialty
EKCOROC> how many of you are lawyers or are studying to be a lawyer
MOXIE_J> I want to move to law
TROUBLSHOOTR> Difficult? That's a relative concept.
FRANKIE_> Sydney makes a comment something like... law school never prepares you for this...referring to the case..to what extent is that true?
TROUBLSHOOTR> Burn out is always an issue.
SOBBIE> i was in the medical profession all we did was make lawyer jokes and pay huge malpractice insurance
TROUBLSHOOTR> It's very true.
TROUBLSHOOTR> I love lawyer jokes.
MOXIE_J> But one needs to start somewhere, eh?
ONDINE27> you've probably heard them all
TROUBLSHOOTR> And I'm very pleased that malpractice insurance gets paid.
SOBBIE> i bet
TROUBLSHOOTR> I get lawyer jokes daily.
FRANKIE_> I think Sydney has great instincts for the kinds of things that CAN'T be taught in law school...such as how to talk to people
TROUBLSHOOTR> Much better than Evin. That's the hard thing for Evin.
MOXIE_J> You can't teach that to someone, that's certain.
EKCOROC> she has a lot of compassion
TROUBLSHOOTR> I think she does.
FRANKIE_> Sydney's gonna be great in front of a jury!
ONDINE27> how many people with a Sydney type personality actually are attracted to the law
MOXIE_J> She'll bat those eyelashes, and WHAM! she wins.
EKCOROC> I think that is harder for anyone to learn regardless of what business you are in.
MOXIE_J> I bet lots of people who wnat to make a difference go into law.
MOXIE_J> Me? I'd go in for the money.
TROUBLSHOOTR> I think some are. There's a lot of reasons for going to law school. The main one is to make money.
MOXIE_J> BINGO.
ONDINE27> uh yeah
TROUBLSHOOTR> Syd will be very good in front of a jury.
EKCOROC> I think that is true,
SOBBIE> actually its the same for most high paying professions
FRANKIE_> Batting her eyelashes is hardly something Sydney would do. Speaking honestly and directly is her strongest suit.
KARENSPEERS> I agree. Jurors will believe her.
EKCOROC> well, I originally got into software development because of the money, however, I found that I really enjoyed the challenge.
MOXIE_J> I was kidding, Frankie.
TROUBLSHOOTR> You said it. She's a very honest person.
FRANKIE_> I think those for whom honesty is an alien concept just don't GET Sydney.
TROUBLSHOOTR> I think Syd is very admirable in a lot of ways.
MOXIE_J> Could very well be, Frankie.
SOBBIE> and cute like moxie too
KARENSPEERS> I think most people would like to be like Sydney.
MOXIE_J> But you get her, I presume?
TROUBLSHOOTR> On some levels, Sydney is much more complex than Evin.
MOXIE_J> I am not cute.
ONDINE27> she is very admirable. I don't want to see her lose those qualities
FRANKIE_> I value and respect honesty. I don't often find it. People tend to lie and manipulate rather than be honest.
TROUBLSHOOTR> She won't. She'll be tested as we all are, but she won't.
ONDINE27> I disagree about her being more complex than Evin
FRANKIE_> excuse me...some people
TROUBLSHOOTR> Why?
ONDINE27> I feel that Syd has tremendous depth
EKCOROC> I think Evin is much more black and white then Sydney
ONDINE27> but that Evin is more complex
MOXIE_J> Well, I've found much the same thing. Except I've found that people will do those same things to get their way.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Maybe I understnd Evin better than Sydney.
ONDINE27> unfortunately that's true
ONDINE27> I relate more to Syd but know many Evins
MOXIE_J> Quite probably true, T.
FRANKIE_> Yes they will and do!
ONDINE27> I think there are more Evins than Syds in the world
EKCOROC> I tend to see Syd as being more complex, as she is so young and hasn't really fleshed out who she is. Evin KNOWS who she is and doesn't stray from that. IMO
TROUBLSHOOTR> That's how I see it.
KARENSPEERS> I have enjoyed tonight's discussion, but I need to go to bed. Hope you all have fun.
MOXIE_J> Damn. My foot fell asleep.
ONDINE27> true but that doesn't take away her complexity
TROUBLSHOOTR> Night Karen. Thanks
FRANKIE_> G'night Karen!
ONDINE27> nite
KARENSPEERS> Night all.
MOXIE_J> See ya, Karen.
EKCOROC> night Karen!
TROUBLSHOOTR> I imagine it's hard to make comparisons like htat. They each have their own areas of complexity. TROUBLSHOOTR> What's interesting to me is that in areas where Syd is strong, Evin is not and vice versa.
EKCOROC> I think Evin still is complex, but with Syd you have the youth factor which adds a nother dimension to her complexity
ONDINE27> true. I see things very psychologically and define 'complex' in those terms
FRANKIE_> I see both of them as student and teacher in their relationship both personally and professionally.
TROUBLSHOOTR> That they are.
MOXIE_J> Another good point, Frankie.
.LuRe1> Do you see any of the hurt/comfort areas in TOC for the future? Not that I want them hurt....
ONDINE27> I think we're saying some of the same things
EKCOROC> I agree, they definately balance each other in weaknesses vs strengths
TROUBLSHOOTR> Yes, we are.
ONDINE27> maybe complex and deep are basically the same thing
TROUBLSHOOTR> Hurt/comfort....depends on how you define that. No one else is going to be blown up. -g-
EKCOROC> LOL thats a comfort!
TROUBLSHOOTR> The human psyche fascinates me. I think in many ways complex and deep overlap.
.LuRe1> I guess what I meant was some sort of problems within the relationship.
ONDINE27> yes
EKCOROC> I think that is true
ONDINE27> semantics ...pain in the ass some times
MOXIE_J> Maybe I'll go into psychology instead.
TROUBLSHOOTR> No redshirts. There will be problems, but they will eventually work through them.
EKCOROC> LOL Moxie you crack me up!
ONDINE27> my forte, but not professionally
MOXIE_J> -g-
MOXIE_J> It's tough deciding one's future career.
ONDINE27> very
EKCOROC> I wanted to be a Veterinarian or a Police Officer, I ended up in Computers-g-
.LuRe1> I hear there's an opening in the Presidency.
MOXIE_J> -LOLOL-
ONDINE27> I gave up studying psych and became a scuba diver
EKCOROC> LOL
.LuRe1> I'm tired... I meant an opening in the White House
TROUBLSHOOTR> LOL
ONDINE27> TS, I think you have a 'pres' type personality. Volunteer
SOBBIE> sounded better the other way
.LuRe1> LOL
SOBBIE> TS for pres
TROUBLSHOOTR> What? I like cigars and women?
ONDINE27> one out of two???
.LuRe1> See... you're already over qualified.
EKCOROC> LOL thats bad!!
MOXIE_J> But you probably make more money in law
MOXIE_J> I'm sticking with law.
.LuRe1> Good choice... more secure.
TROUBLSHOOTR> The upfront pay is less, but the backside's very lucrative, I'm sure.
MOXIE_J> Backside?
EKCOROC> it usually lasts more then 4 or 8 years too!
.LuRe1> Backside????
MOXIE_J> I like it already.
SOBBIE> you into backsides?
TROUBLSHOOTR> favors, bribes, that kind of thing
.LuRe1> What a setup!!!
EKCOROC> LOL
MOXIE_J> Sure. I have connections.
TROUBLSHOOTR> That's what I've been thinking.
FRANKIE_> Me too.
MOXIE_J> Why did Sydney go into law?
ONDINE27> am I the only non attorney here
MOXIE_J> I'm not an attorney.
EKCOROC> No, I'm not!
ONDINE27> whew
SOBBIE> im not an attorney..... i just play one on the web
.LuRe1> Nope... I'm not one.
.LuRe1> LOL
ONDINE27> LOL
EKCOROC> LOL
ONDINE27> wht did Syd go into law
SOBBIE> or should i say I play with one on the web
.LuRe1> That we'll buy Sobbie. -g-
EKCOROC> So those of you in LA or SF, are you planning on riding in the Cal AIDS ride?
.LuRe1> And you play so welllll.
ONDINE27> I don't ride but I sponser
EKCOROC> I signed up to do it this year. It is my challenge to myself for my Bday
.LuRe1> I live South Of San Francisco, won't be riding, but do support the event. My town is a night stop over.
TROUBLSHOOTR> Well y'all I've got to go. Got plans.... Thanks for inviting me.
EKCOROC> and it is for a good cause
.LuRe1> It's was great chatting with you TS.
MOXIE_J> Thanks for chatting.
SOBBIE> night trouble thank you very much for talking with us
ONDINE27> thank you. It's been terrific
RACH5> Thanks for talking to us
EKCOROC> Take care TS, Enjoy your weekend, Thanks for chatting
EKCOROC> Take care TS, Enjoy your weekend, Thanks for chatting
.LuRe1> Have a great weekend and rest up for more ToC
TROUBLSHOOTR> Have a good night. I plan on it. Thanks.
TROUBLSHOOTR> - signed off -

We would like to thank all the people who participated in this chat ...
and especially the author who was willing to talk to us all TroubleShooter ...
thank you