Page Scrawler

You lost me at "figs". I can't stand 'em! The first time I tried a fig Newton, I gagged on the taste.

How is your family faring, btw?

I was reading a book called "Here the Whole Time", by Vitor Martin. It's an English translation of a novel originally published in... Brazilian Portuguese, I think? It was cute the first time I read it, but now that I read it a second time, I can see the cracks in the story. Felipe, an overweight young man, is forced to play host to his longtime crush, Caio, over Spring Break. There are several issues with the writing, and it's not just the shallow characters or plot. Brazil doesn't have "Spring Break" as we know it in the U.S.. The closest thing is Easter Vacation, which is two weeks long and ends with the holiday. In the book, the characters celebrate Carnival during this "Spring Break" period. But Carnival starts on a Friday and ends on Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is seven weeks before Easter, which means, as far as the story is concerned, Spring Break is five weeks off-target. Brazil also has one of the highest rates of trans homicide. Considering their environment, I'm surprised that more people wouldn't react negatively to the main characters. There are a few punks who pick on Felipe, but this seems to be more of a "fat" issue than a "gay" issue. Aside from one use of the word "Brazil", and two instances of the word "Carnival" (as far as I can recall), there's really no indication that the story is even in Brazil. No cultural references or vibrant scenes. No mention of the music or dancing, no sign of the floats or bright, vivid costumes one usually associates with Carnival. It could be set in literally any town in the Midwestern U.S.. I'm not sure if it was like this originally, or if it was "tailored" for an English-speaking audience, but either way, I give it 2/5 stars.

I've always wanted to read that one, but I never made it a priority. If you're reading Book 3 already, I can assume it must be a brilliant read.

Hey, Drewbear!

https://www.7monkstap.com I love a great burger.

Morgan went to get takeout from 7 Monks Taproom. He should be back soon.

Hey, Marty!

Hey, Drewberry Pi!

Fools never differ.

Hey, Dugh, Mum, and Thistle. *scratches Thistle on his belly*

He only thinks he's a tyrant. That's where the delusion plays in.

He knows I wouldn't trade him for any other sassy, delusional tyrant in the world.

An honor I could do without. That restaurant on the right has excellent burgers. Happy Anniversary, Albert.

For once, it wasn't me, actually.

I found a story on Nifty once, about a young man who was rendered totally blind after an accident. However, when he touched something with his hands, he had these flashes of clairvoyance which allowed him to "see" what that person or thing looked like. If I'd picked up that story in a bookstore, I probably would have thrown it in the trashcan without buying it first, LOL. Currently, I'm working on a short piece about two middle school boys who struggle to define their feelings for each other as the Autumn dance event looms. They've been best friends since Kindergarten, and they know that boys don't typically hold hands or hug each other. However, neither boy has been willing to admit his true feelings for the other person...yet. One of the boys is mute and uses ASL, but I haven't decided if the other boy will have a disability of some sort.

Hey, Tea Bat.

How are things with you?

Hey, Drewpop!

Hey, Dugh, Mum, and Thistle. *scratches Thistle behind the ears*

Hedgehogs are amazing creatures.

I love Vichyssoise.

The local Meijer supermarket in my town is still having issues with stocking items. I believe it's a question of supply chains, rather than a lack of employees. As I think has been mentioned before, branch stores in areas with denser population take priority over branches in smaller towns. Once, a few months back, the peanut butter was almost emptied from the shelves. Peanut butter!! Now, eggs and milk, soap, baking supplies, or pasta and tomatoes, I could understand...but peanut butter? I didn't think that many people ate the stuff.

Hey, Drewbear. How goes life in Texas?

Hey, Marty!