Page Scrawler

Hey, Tea Bat.

Excuse you, I believe you misspelled "Drew".

Skyborn: Sparrow Rising, by Jessica Khoury. "In the stratified Clandoms, societal roles are dictated by birth: noble raptors rule, while Sparrows like Ellie Meadows are relegated to labor. Haunted by the gargol attack that claimed her parents and inspired by the Goldwing knight who saved her, Ellie defies her agricultural destiny." "She embarks on a perilous journey to the capital to join the elite Goldwings, navigating a sky filled with predatory monsters and rigid prejudices. Along the way, she unites with a band of fellow outcasts whose hidden pasts force her to redefine the true nature of heroism and justice." I'm not sure whether it counts as a "gay" novel, since it isn't the focus of the story. But Ellie's rival in the Order of Goldwings starts a romantic relationship with the prince of the Eagle Clan.

@spike382 Happy Birthday, Spikey!

They always do.

We're having "Taco" grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner.

@Lewis Blake Welcome! Things can get crazy around here, but we (mostly) mean well. This forum was started primarily to discuss Gary's (Headstall) stories, but it's expanded to include just about anything within bounds of the site guidelines. You're free to talk about Gary's writing, a nice meal you ate, or just the weather, if you want.

You're never an afterthought, Dugh.

No-one suggested you did, but since you brought it up...

@Bucket1 Kookaburras are so cheeky.

Hey, B. Thanks for that.

Thank you, Drew.

I usually pack lunches for Max and Colton, but, yes, they have lunch accounts set up with the school system so they can get a special treat if they want.

@dughlas @clochette @Headstall @chris191070 Max says "Thank you for the birthday wishes." Also: "Quit teasing that funny Drew guy from Texas." The party menu: Pizzas: Hot honey + soppressata. San Marzano tomato sauce, smoked provolone, sun-dried tomatoes, olives and capers. Sides: Garlic bread knots Caesar salad Lemon pepper chicken wings Dessert: Chocolate chip skillet cookie. Root beer float.

In my family, it's water, milk, fruit juice, or a protein drink. No sodas or other sugary drinks allowed for school lunches.

Good day, everyone. Max is officially 14 years old. Due to unforseen events, the party is being held today, rather than having the party yesterday.

Yeah, maybe 200 years ago, when the water wasn't as sanitary.

I like to heat up one cup (8 fl. oz) of milk on the stove. Then I add 2–3 tablespoons of sugar, and a splash of vanilla extract. This is good on its own, but what really elevates it to another level is the addition of two bags of Masala Chai. When making a Chai Latte, most folks typically brew the tea first, then add milk after. I prefer to steep the tea directly in the milk. ——— For the hotter months, is there anything better than old-fashioned lemonade, paired with salt-and-vinegar potato chips? 😋 I don't have a specific recipe that I use for the lemonade. It changes on my whims, but I like to simmer water, sugar, lemon juice and some strips of lemon zest in a saucepan. Bonus points if there's herbs like mint, thyme, or rosemary added in. After the mixture has cooled, I strain the solid bits and add water to dilute the syrup into something drinkable.

As an experiment, I once asked ChatGPT for details of a TV episode I already knew the contents of. After it provided false information, I corrected it. The algorithm then repeated its mistake several times, providing more false information. Two theories: 1. The AI's knowledge hasn't been "trained" on this subject, and it lacks the necessary information to give a correct answer. 2. The algorithm is purposely obfuscating to avoid spoiling information on copyrighted material. When you ask them questions, AI will form answers based on a composite of multiple sources—including false info, opinion pieces, and even speculative or fan-made content. I look at them sort of like elderly relatives with dementia, lol. That being said, sometimes I'll copy-paste an internet recipe into ChatGPT or Gemini. "Is this safe to use, or will I be temporarily blinded by the horseradish and mustard it calls for?" Sometimes, they'll make adjustments to ingredients, or suggest a garnish to elevate the dish. A few times, I've created recipes from scratch, using my own inspiration. They usually turn out amazing.

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Likewise, Gary.

Max gained another inch in height. He's now 5'5"— just an inch shorter than Drew.

We've had Max for five years. Colton, for a year-and-a-half.