Irritable1

Rob. SHUT UP.

What's the technical term? Perceived scarcity? It's really hard, I think, to be exposed to the media onslaught and not respond to it a little bit. We don't watch much TV, but when we do and the kids are exposed to the TV ads they come to me kind of wild-eyed and I have to talk them down: Do you think they'll stop making headphones? Do you understand that the store sells things to make money? You understand that they'll still want to sell things after this weekend? The factories will still be running after this? After I'm done even I feel a little stressed out. And you know, I've as little reason to feel it as anyone: I've got employment, food, rent, healthcare, a comfortable budget for Christmas, relaxed family, reason to believe it'll all still be here next week... I hate crowds and stress and shopping and even I can feel a prickle of anxiety about this weekend. I can't imagine what it would be like if I were trying to manage gift-giving for a large family under tight circumstances and status constraints. And not only that but weather... I'm in the Bay Area where we have the option of just going for a nice walk. If we were somewhere in the Northeast with nothing but ice out there and cabin fever, well, I'm not sure I could hold out.

Happy birthday, dear Addy! Have a lovely day with all your fluffies!

Never mind,,,

I was in the Mission in San Francisco tonight at an art event hosted by gay artists and I think I may have seen one guy cup another's elbow in an affectionate manner. I really doubt I need to worry about Frenching anytime soon... Honestly, outside of high school, I've never seen much sexual PDA in the US. Edited many times and all over the place... The odd peck on the lips between couples and the hug and air kiss prevalent among gay male friends, are both still seen. I don't get how anyone can justify frowning on that stuff given the resounding smackeroos that the men of Mr Irris family plant on each other in public. They must've gotten it from somewhere... How could you tell an allowed ethnic kiss from a forbidden air kiss?

Oy, packing quite the emotional punch in a limited space! I like the almost onomatopoeic beginning with "flurries," because it feels like a breath of cold wind.

Happy birthday, Dyno!

Not seeing any support for this assertion in the research they describe, maybe there's more. It'd be interesting to read the article.

Sigh, I always inhale these chapters too fast. Sweet, sexy, and ominous...

Happy birthday, and many happy returns!!

Awww, poor Colonel Bantry! Surely he's got a Dolly to rescue him from false accusations! Come on, Cole...

Many happy returns dear Louis!

What a terrible thing to witness! I'm so sorry. It sounds like you may have PTSD from the experience. Have you tried talking to your doctor about it?

I nearly started bawling at work! Poor terrified Roy Thank goodness for Chad and that scrawny little cat. The conversation at the end with Tyrell was some much-needed comic relief.

You did a really good thing that day, as much as it has cost you. James, have you ever seen a therapist for any of this stuff? There are a lot of things I couldn't really ever put away (eg witnessing a police beating) till I started working with the one I see now.

Sibling power dynamics are crazy enough to begin with without throwing sex into the mix. If someone wants to fantasize about that stuff, sure, fine, but I can't imagine ever being ok with it in real life.

You could switch to poetry for a bit. No one ever buys poetry.

I think you've got an absolute right to try and sell your work, as good as it is. I'll be sad if you stop coming in to stamp and curse about your horse flinging you off though.

Oh yikes. Well, he's got good genes, maybe ask about any single uncles?

We don't know who took the original pic, but it was on tumblr, so it was someone under 30 A teenager retweeted it, no surprises there. I don't know that there's anyone to be flung in jail over all this, but wow. I read a disturbing rumor that this all started from some marketing pics. We're routinely asked whether candids of our kids can be used in marketing materials and I've always assumed it was no biggie and said yes... A couple of weeks ago, I just withheld approval for the first time from some Muslim education program at my kids' school because I didn't have time to research how conservative the parent org was.

Excellent idea, faxity! This is a great story, complex and beautiful, and I'm really excited about it. I'm so glad you decided to review it!

Great note to end on, fantastic last chapter! Well done Sasha!

I always get nervous that some clueless gay tourist is going to take the reviews seriously and actually wind up in that awful town.

I dunno, I think Donnie is really ungrateful. What does he care if his wife-in-name-only is feminine or not, he's not going to want her either way! And ok, so he can't boff the butler... he could pay for an educational program and find a way to pay his rent more easily. So many people would love a chance like that!

Awww. This is all very sweet and even makes kind of makes sense! I am now officially Team Ren. I can't believe you managed to pull the rabbit out of this incredibly convoluted hat, aditus! So, now for the sad eyes...