Ashi

Happy birthday, MrM. Still no kissing.

Haven't seen you for a while. Happy birthday.

When I first read your post, I thought she had a relationship with him. Initially, I thought, "Oh no!" Because we have heard similar stories before..., a good girl dates the bad boy, he abuses her, because she allows it.... Then I read the whole story, including all edits, then I realized, it's just a friendship. So with that in mind, yes, I'd befriend with someone who genuinely repents. Having a romantic relationship with him? That probably is a long way to go. (I've met a customer who told me he was homeless before. He was quite handsome and was working as a janitor, but dating him... that could be a long way to go.... because the irrational fear he might carry some weird disease while living on the street scares me much like how this girl might never trust the guy who tried to rob him). Truth is often stranger than fiction, and I know that is so because I've been through a few things that if I talked to people about them, they'd either be dismissive of such life experience, because they're so far-fetched, or think I deserve them, because I am being a stupid baby, completely green at the evils of the world. But I could empathize with her. Yeah, there had been one of those days when everything bad decided to unload onto you, all at the same time. You just wanted to give up and be done with it (and that's very uncharacteristic of Ashi). The fact she is a second-grade teacher made sense also. If she wasn't so trusting, it's pretty hard to work in that environment. I mean, she faces innocent kids everyday, and perhaps a little self-deceiving that's how the world should be, while knowing very well how the world is full of contradictions.... And must accept robbery being a normal part of the life. Hope is a fairly dangerous thing. But it is also a beautiful thing. I'd give the guy who robbed her a chance, too, if he genuinely repents. People like him isn't intrinsic evil, but a victim of the circumstance. I've had various bosses who wouldn't hesitate to exploit others while claiming themselves to be self-made. My family circumstance wasn't all that good. Heck, I even ate reduced priced lunch back in high school, but my family never got to the point criminal act could be legitimized in order to survive another day. So when I had my first retailing job, then I realized such pocket in the world exists.... Imagine how hard hit it was for me.... Then when I looked at those people in front of Home Depot, desperately tried to meet ends.... Come on, obviously the world has some issues we can't resolve, a little compassion to those who deserve it won't hurt anybody. Call me too trusting if you like, but I won't feel bad for extending my hands a little. This world needs a lot more love.

Happy birthday!

You call him Pi of course.... Drew's update is just as cute as his kitten.

Nice Amon. Keep it going and we'll see how Tom and Mary get together.

Happy birthday Foopy.

I still have the pointers of Golden Rules of Leadership hanging on my bedroom wall. Praise in public, criticize in private is a big pointer (to me anyways). We want to encourage people keep up the good work, but also promote people to grow a little bit. I don't like stay status quo. I like pushing myself, and if people help me doing that, I'll be gracious. But some people can be touchy on criticism. Constructive is always good, but giving criticism (which review sort of is) can be done in tactful ways, even if you're basically telling them some parts have rooms for potential. As long as you remember you really love the story you are reviewing, perhaps the words will come out in a loving way. Take your time to write a review is a great way to appreciate your favorite authors!

I am shocked Dennis's list has no The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994), since he is so into drag queens at the moment. Other drag queen themed gay movies: Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001) Breakfast on Pluto (2005) Gay movies, not drag queen themed: Edge of Seventeen (1998) (how can this movie be missed from the list?) The Mudge Boy (2003) (feature length remake of Fishbelly White. Be forewarned... there is one off-screen rape scene. Shirtless scenes but no nudity) The Way He Looks (2014) (feature length version of the Brazilian short film: I Don't Want to Go Back Alone) Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss (1998) (Sean Hayes's best work. Many gay people probably have gone through what he did... the feeling of empty relationship. The photographer alluded is unmistakably Bruce Weber of Abercrombie and Fitch fame. Rex Webster... who are you kidding? ) Not necessary a gay movie, but Billy Elliot (2000) is very nice

You can review mine if you want to.

So when will Kermit finally come out of the closet?

OMG... how dare he changed the last note to a 4? He totally ruined the Pi!!!!!!! LOL. But it's so cool. I bet if there was a music/math genius out there who could remember the digits of pi by remembering the melody. Would you care for a waltz, Drew? (*holds hand out*)

Good question, but honestly I don't think any outside help works that much for me. Money might be an incentive, but it only goes so much.... If there is no creative juice, then there is no creative juice. If life gets in the way, it gets in the way. I am speaking for myself of course.

Yeah, most of us call it a sub, but I usually call the bread portion hoagie.... Do (gay) people in New England States go to WaWa for Grinder? Anyways.... How do you pronounce "caramel?" Some say "car mall" and some say "ka ra mel." Mayonnaise: "may yo nays" or "may nays?" Mobile: "moble" or "mo bile" Mustard or Grey Poupon? U.S.: Pudding is a gooey dessert, made with rice or tapioca, sometimes custard British: pudding could be any dessert. e.g., plum pudding U.S.: desserts or savory Indian English: sweets (e.g., samosa is a "sweet") Bloke (British), dude (Californian English), dawg (ghetto speak), homie (also ghetto speak) Hot mamma is phat, yo mamma is fat

Hmm... around here (California), concession means concession stands, like shops that sell hot dogs, popcorn, etc..

Muffins, sconce. Very confusing between American and English usage. And then there is English muffin....

'cause I just really want to be with you.

I am not condoning Amazon's behavior nor any employer's. If they violate local jurisdiction, then they're illegal. I am wondering about the tactics of the articles that twist and bend words out of proportion so it suits its purpose. Eighty-hour week is totally out of wack, but 12-hour work day is common place in here for years. It has to do with whether if your labor code is exempt or non-exempt. Most front end managers, who are the enforcers of the labor laws don't even know the differences. So even if the upper management sets the best policies, if it's not properly enforced, it's useless. Those unfortunate people who are under such bad manager (I had such managers before) may accuse the entire company to hold responsible. This is something to be communicated between upper and lower management and punitive action must be done to the violating manager. The reason those people who hold company rather than the violating manager to be responsible is because a lot of time, the violating manager would fire the employee before they can escalate to the top management. It happens rather often and that's the gritty reality happens in life for years, if not decades, but these journalists only recently discovered. Obviously there are other issues I can speak about, but I shall spare from bore you guys. Just live your life happily. If you met an employer like this, remember, you DO have a choice of not working for them. The downturn economy makes the decision harder, not to mention you might never get another job offer again, but enough is enough. Yes, Amazon has turned into Walmart of the Internet for years now (so NY Times has been way behind and made me chuckle for its naivete). It killed quite a bit of smaller businesses (as well as large book shops like Borders and even B&N is struggling), but it's hard not to buy products via Amazon and minion businesses which learned to coexists with Amazon to survive in today's economic climate. People buy from them because either the price is much better, or because local shops don't carry them. Books are turning digital, so Kindle force is unstoppable, much like MP3 has turned the tide on how music is delivered. It's inevitable. But social responsibility depends on the individual company's enforcement or consumer's shift of lifestyle. I own nothing Nike, and refrain from Walmart, but they don't die this easily. Boycotting oil consumption day didn't work, and companies are still outsourcing jobs to countries with cheaper labor. Yes, our individual power is very little, but that's why us weird SF Bay Area people buy local brands. Inject money back into the local economy that's how people can get a job to buy something that's good for the economy rather than buy the cheapest, which helps to kill more jobs (and drives management to give even worse working condition).

If I were to fully respond the entire article, I will end up writing a book about what's wrong with the world today, so I shall be concise. Major points of this response that readers should keep in mind: 1) the return of sensationalism in journalism 2) the Internet effect 3) miscommunication is the primary reason for conflict 4) cultural difference between east and west coast 5) the most malicious act is often well-intended 6) ulterior motive of the article I went on and read the original article by NY Times. While reading it constantly reminded me that in online journalism, the editor-in-chief often seems to be absent (or they only get paid and do nothing). Nobody seems to be doing fact-checking, and the objectivity of the article often borderlines on being tabloid-like. Complex subject matter such as the corporate culture was seemingly written without consultation of industry experts (which if there was ever an EIC, it would his/her role to discuss this over with the writers).

Happy birthday.

Happy birthday!

♪Can you feel the love tonight!♫

Happy birthday Konfu Panda!

My condolence.

Seriously....