Zombie

If I don’t fess up in this particular thread I never will. I used to be a prolific reader here (+other sites) and would give regular feedback. But, as has been noted, feedback is pretty much relentlessly enthusiastic (or at least it was in the stories I was reading) and this seemed to be expected. I’m not a demonstrative person anyway, so relentless enthusiasm would give me cognitive dissonance Even with excellent, highly engaging stories there would be elements that disappoint (writing, plot, characters etc) - but these writers were giving me their work free, gratis and for nothing so wouldn’t it be churlish to be negative? The few times I steeled myself to venture “constructive feedback” in comments or PM the response (or lack of) was thanks, but no thanks. So at some point I stopped giving feedback. Then I felt bad about not giving feedback. Then I just stopped reading here. I know this wasn’t the only reason I stopped (other factors were in play), but it was contributory. I still love the GA site and happily post “community” stuff, but this is a story website and I can fully understand if some would see me as a parasite. Anyway, like I said, I felt I should make this confession.

drunkards think no one notices

actually Shakespeare was a very popular entertainer, earning good income from “ticket sales” to ordinary folk (but also a good businessman, exploiting his talent through theatre ownership and property investment - “managing your business” is definitely a key factor for successful authors) And if writers are popular on GA that’s a definite positive if the creator is looking to move into “ticket sales”

wants one! Am King! *snaps fingers* no-one comes

I am King Bring me snax! Bring me Pork Puffs!

Got it!

Cory Henry’s version of “Stayin’ Alive”, written 47 years ago for the movie “Saturday Night Fever” by the Bee Gees Factoid - Stayin’ Alive was used in training for healthcare workers to give the correct number of chest compressions per minute while performing CPR

sure wouldn’t want to encounter Abby in a bad mood

Yes - I stole it from you Have a FAB time in Berlin!

still King!

Yippeeee!! I’m the King of the Castle!!!

sneaky slurping snake!

I believed you

I.T. problems - response methodologies 1. Bad jabbing buttons + keys randomly (with optional cursing), hoping that will work 2. Good reading the manual and pretending it’s a religious ritual: understanding is not necessary, only obedience 3. if neither 1. or 2. work then reach for the claw hammer… 🔨

“governing MPs… ‘culture wars’” No, this is not the govt’s ‘culture war’, this is a societal division which the govt has noted. And it should also be noted that the govt invoking the Scotland Act 1998 in order to block the Scotland Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) bill was a constitutional necessity because the Scottish govt was acting ultra vires (later upheld by the Supreme Court) and in the Commons vote all the opposition Labour MPs abstained - except for 11 Labour MPs who voted to support the govt (which indicates that societal division is reflected in Parliament). ”the loopholes in their ban” I haven’t seen the amended draft bill but my understanding is you were correct in your OP about there being one significant “loophole” regarding the freedom for adults to choose if they want to undergo sexuality “conversion therapy”. However, my view is that adults should generally have the right to choose how to live their lives. Also the law is in a mess: the landmark 1993 decision against individuals’ rights to submit to physical pain and minor injury in BDSM sex was only a 3 to 2 majority and has been widely criticised ever since (and conflicts with a later decision upholding this right in ‘heteronormative’ sex); consented cosmetic surgery can be both unnecessary and cause significant physical harm yet remains legal; circumcision for non-medical reasons permanently mutilates male genitals of infants/children who cannot give consent; and so on. You could make similar arguments with personal choice about drinking or against gambling - we know these cause significant harm (drinking alcohol ruins more lives than illegal drugs) and yet the Labour govt in the 2000s actually deregulated gambling prohibition laws knowing full well the extensive financial and mental harm this would cause to thousands of individuals and society - which it has done. ”Evangelical Christian lobby” I haven’t seen voting details on religious lines for the House of Lords (which contains representatives from all major UK religions) or individual Commons MPs with strong religious convictions. The Prime Minister is, of course, a practising Hindu, so it would be interesting to see how he and other religious leaders/MPs in govt + opposition parties vote on religious matters.

good thing @Slytherin doesn’t read these threads

I suspect most MPs accept homosexual attraction is innate, whereas gender is a human construct, which is likely why the govt’s proposed legislation to ban “gay conversion therapy” only deals with sexuality

<<SNEAK ALERT>> <<SNEAK ALERT>> *snatchback!*

I think this belongs in Bull Appreciation Day - they seem to be appreciating each other…

The difference between a “benefit” and a “feature”… Benefits are described in the sales pitch

LBO after showing the love

putting me out with the trash? what’d I do? Meanie P.S. cute tail