Kitt

The freezer was (I can't say is since it no longer freezes anything) an Igloo and it is made by a company named Curtis International. Here I have always been happy with Igloo products, included a cooler/warmer unit that plugs into a cigarette lighter I have had for years. Nice warm lunches at the barn with that little toy. I guess I should count my lucky stars it never needed servicing!

My refrigerator has a reasonably small freezer drawer. I am a fairly old fashioned cook who likes to purchase and preserve foods in season so I went out back in 1982 and bought a chest freezer that served me well for 30 years. When it finally passed on it didn't owe me a penny and I replaced it with a new model. That new freezer worked well until about a week after the warranty ran out. That is when the fun began. I understand that the warranty having run out means I need to pay for all repairs. Not a problem really. The problem lies in that not a single refrigeration repair service in my area will work on this brand, including one that proudly advertises that they service all makes and models regardless of where it was purchased. It seems that the service people cannot get parts for this brand of freezer, the manufacturer wants to handle all repairs and replacements. That lead to a call to the store I purchased the freezer at to get a number for the manufacturer. Several phone calls and internet searches later I finally get a lady on the phone who seems willing to schedule repairs for me. The catch? She wants me to pay a $145 diagnostic fee, and SHIP THE FREEZER TO MICHIGAN! Yes, you read that correctly - they did not have anyone in the area (I live in NJ) who could work on the thing. If i wanted it repaired I need to crate the silly thing up and ship it to Michigan, where they will either repair the unit, or if it is beyond repair they will replace it with another refurbished unit. Shipping costs were my responsibility - IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. The silly freezer only costs $300 brand new right now in the local home center! By the time I pay to have the thing crated up, shipped to Michigan, pay the $145 repair fee, and have it shipped back I could buy 3 or more of the damn things brand new! I shall not repeat exactly what I said to the woman. Let's just say I was less than polite in informing them they were out if their minds and I would never purchase another one of their products again. Tonight we are going freezer shopping again. This one will make a very nice home made smoker!

Perhaps my situation gives me a different perspective. I am seeing the possibility of a method of change as just a tool for people to become who/what they want to be. Unfortunately, like any tool there is a potential for miss-use and abuse. One does not ban the sale of hammers because some psychotic fool used a hammer as a murder weapon, because the good that can be done with it far outweighs the bad. I must agree here, except that there are times when lousy cards give us a hand that is never going to win. That is why you draw from the deck, trying to improve your hand. I see an option to change if you wish to as one more card in the deck. Play it or not - it is your decision. I am acquainted with a person who was born female, and through a long period of hormone treatment and several surgeries is now male. Was it easy for him? Hell no! Nor was it easy for those of us who met him half way through the process. I spent the first year I knew him trying to figure out if he was male or female, and being extremely careful not to use pronouns that would assign a sex to him until i knew what was the correct form. I happen to be overweight ( not from lack of dieting btw - i try like hell but losing is slow) and have been called lard-ass and much worse, sometimes by people who really should know better. I also have qualified temporarily for handicap parking during a period when a back issue at the same time as chemo therapy severely limited my mobility, and yes I have gotten the "crips" lines too. No form of biggotry is acceptable. I was able to "fix" the handicap issues through a combination of sheer determination and good doctors. Fat I am still working on, but again, determination and doctors. I can walk, ride, and go about my business with no cane any more, but I am still ME. I weigh considerably less than I did a year ago, but I am still ME. My transgender friend didn't look at it as changing himself, he saw it as his body finally matching what he considered himself to be all along. Food for thought: If such a treatment became available, would anyone have the right to deny it to someone wishing to utilize it because it they thought it meant gay is wrong? If I as a straight woman have no right to tell someone they should not be gay, what right does anyone else have to say "You should not be straight - even if that is what you really want."

You mean books DON'T have genders and therefore can't be either hetero or gay??? What a concept!

Cia was right - most of us did not address the question of ebook, paperback or hard cover. You can always do like I do - get the ebook (they are usually fairly inexpensive) then if you like them enough pick up a "real" copy for the library. I find it much better than looking for a place to donate the tons of books I didn't enjoy quite well enough to warrant dusting them frequently.

Remember gentlemen, Elizabeth probably thought she was being restrained in institutionalizing and drugging her mother to gain control of the trusts rather than simply having her eliminated. And then there is the fact that guys like Hammer do not take hints well unless they leave a reverse print of the words "Louisville Slugger" on their forehead.

I think I may go look for some of those stories. As for reading here on GA there are tons and tons of good stuff, but My favorites are Mark Arbour, Man Ramblings, Sasha Distan, and Cole Matthews, in no particular order. That's a 4 way tie for first place and too many competing for second to list!

LOL no - Most of us were lost at first too. Prompts are lists of words or a dialogue line or a photo that Comicfan comes up with each week to get our imaginations running wild. Some weeks several of us will write stories based on the same prompt and it is fun to see just how different 3 or 4 stories that all start out with "I can't believe you asked him that!" can be.

Thank you! Sasha is out of communication or I would have left it to him.

Sorry Ladies and Gents - this isn't one of Joanne's stories - Tis a Sasha Distan creation

What Addy said! Remember to take a little "you" time.

At least it coincided with my fall clean into all the corners binge.

LOL! Wings went through exactly the same thing recently! Could not find the right notebook, and went through every one of hers, and most of mine! Since she still lives with us, imagine how crazy doing that through TWO sets of notebooks can be!

Get someone to look in first!

True, but without ugly creatures in the world you would not appreciate the good ones!

I think that you want to honor your friend is commendable. You should be quite proud that his family trusts and encourages you in this endeavor. I hope you find a way to make it work.

<shudder>

Roy-boy is falling! Too bad he balked when he realized it. Well written and engaging. Cant wait for the next chapter.

If it isn't it should be!

Guess all the effort to make decent commercials are held for the Superbowl!

Free apps make me more suspicious! If it sounds too good to be true it probably is!

Thanks for reading CG. I am glad you enjoyed!

Makes me glad I still have a dumb phone!

You should be a little more careful about giving out info like your real name though!

Zombie - that sadistic SOB dentist should be tied to a tree with poison ivy vines and shot to death using a paintball gun. Doing everything right just ain't enough for those of us with bad teeth genes! Poor scared cat! Maybe you can find a sedation dentist?