Anton_Cloche

Third part makes me anxious, fearful and concerned for Matt, his cabin mates and especially for Andrew and what may become a one-way ticket. However, any of four long sharpened pencils, plunged into either carotid artery, makes for a quick death and a chance to escape. Just saying, Andrew as a reporter should know this, just in case.

Sorry to hear that TB is occurring where you are currently @John Henry. When BCG (TB) immunization shots were first given to all children around most of the 'western' world, it was described as "one shot for life," but the medical community knew it was really only effective for the first 20 years or so, during which time the body would develop its own antibody defences. Since TB is airborne, it is easily spread whether someone is coughing, sneezing, breathing or just talking. In the last 3 decades, there has been a large increase of TB (and other infections) appearing in "closed communities" (hospitals, retirement homes, LTC etc). Most "National" health organizations (NIH, NHS etc.) are looking at re-vaccinations. You might ask about booster shots to be on the safe side 🤞 🙏. At a minimum, if there is an outbreak, masking 😷 (N95 and OR masks best, pleated or cumberbund version while not greatly effective, are better than nothing), and distancing is a good measure, along with increased cleaning of rooms, bedding and linens, and good ventilation (fresh air). Another wonderful chapter John and advancing towards the trial end and a decision "in the best interests of the child / children". Unfortunately with the (less than) Honorable Judge Crustypants), unless Billy pulls a rabbit out of his 'legal briefs' it will be an appeal, a 'judicial review' to kick judge out, and hopefully a 'bar review' of Clarke. Take care!

I am reminded of some author's statements about editors (and a number of "famous" authors, past and present, went through numerous editors because of "differences" of opinion. Or as one late author publically remarked to their publisher, "They're entitled to an opinion no matter how wrong they are"). Did @Zuri feel this chapter by @Lee Wilson is rushin just to Put in a HEA? But then again, it is fiction and Lee's driving the bus. (каламбуры предназначены 😉.) Could 'Associates' of Rocky's father, upset by not getting more (or all) of the "Bratva" (братва) mob money, have decided to kidnap Rocky? Possibly, but that's not what Lee wanted. An epilogue is always encouraged.

Toby will be one to watch with his entrepreneurial spirit, even if he doesn't yet know what that means. Oscar has lucked upon a worthy group in Julia and family not only to rent his former church home, but too look after it and his cottage at Racecourse Bay, even finding a tenant for the next 24 months (although it means no nearby vacay bolthole for him, Hunter and Giles).

Well Kou Delika, this is different. Has some thing, perhaps other worldly, created a hole in the roof and plopped / dropped down onto the floor? Like a heavy amoeba (?) I'm throwing out question marks like fish hooks looking to latch on to what exactly? (Oops). What has Ghil gotten himself into? Is Logan somehow involved? Taking 'it' home, Ghil placed 'it' in a box, covered with a towel, and put the box into the cupboard under the sink to protect 'it' from a too curious 'Ginger' the orange tabby cat. But with no discernible head, let alone a mouth for Ghil to feed 'it', how is Ghil to feed 'it'? Does 'it' get nourishment by surrounding 'whatever' and absorbing the 'food'? Will Ghil find orange cat hairs, and a bigger 'blob', but no trace of Ginger in the morning? Ewww.

Thank you for this 'piece' @WolfM. Especially today. One year ago today, (June 16, 2023) we lost a friend, a colleague, a great writer, story teller, and someone who was unafraid to tell it exactly like it is. (although he was the first to admit he wasn't always that way). To say Carlos is missed is an understatement. To know how much he would have revelled at the outcome of a trial of an ex POTUS, and somehow work it into comments by CJ ? I can see his smile from here. Carlos just got on his Harley, and went for a ride. Calbalga y via con Dios, mi amigo.

6 hours ago @drsawzall said: Sounds like leasing agent was asleep at the wheel so to speak!! Hope her firm has insurance!!! @quokka Posted 3 hours ago: Yeah, they will need it with the bills they are about to receive…… _________________________________ A "WOW" chapter @quokka. Real Estate / Leasing / Property Management are pretty much the same everywhere. Emboldened by 'absentee owners' and Covid, it gave them free range to charge for services never delivered on properties never properly minded or attended to. Oscar is lucky the Racecourse Bay cottage wasn't completely destroyed or taken over by squatters. However... What will he, Giles and Hunter discover when they go to check on Allendale East church / home? (IMO Oscar should buy vacant adjacent land as a buffer). His "family barrister" is going to be very busy!

Is that a testesmony! 🍌🍒 (Father's Day tribute?) 🤣

What the heck is vegemite? Either a most delicious item, (invented in Port Melbourne Australia in 1923 from 'Brewer's Yeast), that some people spread on or stir in everything they can; or, it's an off-putting 'spread' that some people can't stomach ("acquired a taste for"). It seems to have a galvanizing effect on anyone who buys a jar for the first time. It has been described as: "... having a strong flavour. It is salty, slightly bitter, malty, and has an umami flavour similar to beef bouillon" (it is rich in glutamates), and "use sparingly, as a little bit goes a long way". https://vegemite.com.au/heritage/ (Image above from Masterchef Australia, where Vegemite was a surprise ingredient on a number of 'Seasons' that needed to be featured in a dish.) Mum used to say, "don't criticize something until you try it".

Spoiler 🚨 Alert much? Maybe @Justin4Fun excellent re-writing has reworked the old story? Put back some details he edited out because he thought it was (pardon me 😉) overkill? So much more to tell, if I mention today's (June 15, 2024) "Trooping the Colour" for KC-III, that doesn't give away much, as history marches ever forward (except when it doesn't 🦇 hehe).

Surely a more effective deterrent would be to increase the amperage with subsequent attempts in close succession. In other words 3rd attempt knock him out for a few minutes (but not sufficient to cause heart issues). I think Wilmer's dumb enough to reach into a deep fryer to swipe 🍟 😅. As for Rocky, time for emergency call to his Psych. Manny will need it for legal defense. As for the comment about Wilmer's morbid obesity and comparing it to "Bass' four hundred and ten pounds". Shirley that's a typo. 😉 otherwise Bass is related to ... Ben Grimm. Another compelling chapter @Lee Wilson.

Thank you, Michael. You're right so far, but there is hope. This is Matt's journey to find that. I'll post this 2x a week.. Wednesdays and Saturdays Matt really didn't have proper chance to escape. Should have grabbed Tomas' Glock when he knocked him over. Hmm, wait to read your next chapter Saturday, or watch June 15th Royal Farce "Trooping the Colour" to honor Chucky3 birthday? Which one is a train wreck? 👑

Another terrific chapter @Lee Wilson. Even at 11, Bwuce may have been a tent 'leader' at Boy Scout Camp, (as older n its were when I was at camp). It's possible, if not likely, he molested 'smaller' boys before, some of whom Rocky may now remember if they attend his school. @Summerabbacat may have figured Bruce out when he commented: "... Bruce was only 11 years of age when he molested Rocky; ... old enough to understand the difference between yes and no and Rocky said no. He is a bully and a rapist and if he is not stopped he will almost certainly do it again because he has gotten away with it in the past. I strongly suspect he has tricked other boys with his seemingly innocent games too... but I have to wonder if he has been a victim of the same "innocent games" himself, quite possibly at the hands of an adult. If so, reporting him to the police may also result in Bruce getting help too". Perhaps confronting Bruce will stop him from harming other young boys, although we know from sad news over the past few decades, children can also be psychopaths too. 👿 😵 Time to intervene and help if possible. Manny and Bass will make good new parents for Rocky IMHO. 🤞

If you need utensils you are doing it wrong! Although it could be considered 'finger food'. Glad things are going well for Manny, but it's still early days. Frustration and phantom 'feelings' often cause issues like depression later on. Thankfully Manny has a big support group.

Another great chapter Bill, rounding out the family members individual characters, which will be important as the story continues. (Or I'm completely off the mark 😉). Interesting to see what, if anything, is 'uncovered' in the coming chapters.

An interesting chapter @quokka, that seems to be wrapping up Oscar's all too brief stay in Mount Gambier and Allendale East areas. Unfortunate that the accident and horrible treatment by police in the aftermath have resulted in Oscar leaving what could have been a remarkably successful new career in providing counselling services, including in Auslan. At least his 'rescue' of Hunter is a shining example of that work. As Oscar returns to Adelaide (at Gran and Gramps insistence) to continue his recovery and resume studies at Uni there, he continues to look out for Hunter, bringing him along both as housekeeper for himself and Giles, and transferring Hunter's continuing education to Uni SA. (As well as going back to see his ailing Mum in Care before she passes). As Hunter wheels Oscar out of hospital towards the car, a 'visitor' arrives and approaches them, (conveniently just as there are minimal witnesses around); a police officer with a high rank. “Are you Oscar Q Kingston, of William Street Allendale East?” the officer asked me. “Yes, I am he, how may I assist you?” I replied cautiously. “I am the District Superintendent of the SA Police, I have come to officially apologise to you for the way you were treated that resulted in you being hospitalised". No doubt instructed by SA State Officials, (after having been 'served" a notice of intent to sue, by Oscar's solicitor?) to conclude this 'issue'. Hopefully Hunter's phone was recording again? But for SA Police this 'case' is far from "10-19" closed, and certainly not "Done and Dusted". In the meantime, life shifts to Adelaide.

"Something dodgy going on"? I suspect "Bent Cops" (aka corrupt, "on the take", in this case paid off by guy who caused the accident). Just when things seem to be getting much better for Oscar he gets in a road accident, when an impaired "sozzled" driver pulls a U-Turn from the shoulder of the road, directly in front of Oscar, who T-Bones the car. Oscar wakes in hospital with a serious concussion, dislocated elbow plus other minor injuries. (Loss of consciousness and memory, although temporary, need to be considered along with previous brain trauma, as they have cumulative effects). After five nights observation in hospital, Oscar is released, and spends two weeks recovering at home, then returns to college only to be arrested by police? WTF! Cops roughly and forcibly "manhandle" 🤬 Oscar into custody, re-injuring his dislocated elbow, despite being warned by Hunter (who thankfully videotapes their actions, with a Campus security officer watching). While Australia has no "Miranda" law, it is common practice for ALL Australian police (including AFP) to advise and ensure that people who have been arrested understand their basic 'inviolable human rights which must be upheld and respected. Rights afforded under law including: · The right to remain silent (with exceptions) · The right to contact a lawyer and have them present for the investigation. · The right to medical attention, if necessary. · The right to contact a friend or family member. https://lylawyers.com.au Oscar, lying in a police cell "...drifted in and out of consciousness, and it took a bit of shouting to get me to fully wake me up when someone did come" "I am Lyle Harrison, your family appointed barrister, and we have paramedics on their way to take you to the hospital.” (Hunter called Giles and Gramps.)

Less expensive than a grocery store. 😉 Another howling success of a story.

Wow, life is just marching on for Oscar. Still settling in at his 4-bedroom church / home, with Hunter (still needing batteries for his hearing aids BTW), they take a brief drive to the seashore at Port D, where Oscar and Hunter come across a small red cottage for sale. Thinking he could use it as a weekend retreat as well as an income property (adding to his ever expanding portfolio), he puts in an offer which is quickly accepted. After buying the cottage, Oscar realizes he needs someone local to keep the house clean and in good order in between holiday lets. Shortly after posting a "Cleaner Wanted" sign in the General Store, he gets a call from a single mum of two boys (6 and 8), who already does that job for others. He meets Amanda at his cottage to discuss the position and discovers" she is a bit older that he expected". But they reach an agreement. Now, I'm going to play Arborist and go out on a limb. I sense a situation arise where something happens to Amanda, and without other family, she reaches out to Oscar for help. Possibly to look after her two young boys, should she not be able to. 👨‍👦‍👦 ?

Why this fascination with a family up Schitt's Creek without a paddle? Is it because David likes Goodwood (the actual town where filmed. What were YOU thinking?) Anyway @John Henry, there is the good Dr's advice, or "An apple 🍎 a day keeps the doctor away". Hmm, decisions, decisions. 😉

Thank you @John Henry for this latest chapter of Thicker Than Water, (which is Dramedy!) , that dealt with some incredibly difficult situations not only with Bryan's outburst in court, using Calvin as a justifiable target, but how that misguided anger affects the whole family 👨‍👨‍👦‍👦, especially Caleb. Bryan now has some tough work to do. He has to: do community service, without complaint or issues; get counselling to manage his anger; while being a good son and a protective big brother. Luis' talking to Bryan about his time in Juvie detention and having a record, hopefully scares Bryan straight (no pun). Luis also agreeing to teach Caleb 'self-defense' should help protect him against bullies. But Billy needs to unleash his full legal abilities and efforts against the school AND school board (elected ergo vulnerable). As for your bouts of "brain fog"? Hopefully your doctors can sync any medications, and give you the equilibrium you need. But if your 'brain fog" lets you create chapters this good? Well let's just say that politicians should have brain fog. I have no doubt that you wiIl be back to "normal(-ish)" sooner than you think.

Interesting developments. Hunter is obviously 'known' by local General Store owner Clare in 'bustling' town of Port Macdonnell, who tells Oscar: “Yes, his mother and I grew up together and were best friends. How do you know him?” Oscar, perhaps sensing Clare is 'the' local Shop Keep and may be someone who 'shares information, safely replies: “I am a staff member of TAFE SA and Uni SA in Mount Gambier, and I have noticed him around the place and tried to help him where I can and when he will let me help.” That hopefully puts an end to any 'speculation'. But it also gives Oscar a chance to learn more about what has or is happening with Hunter's Mum, and use that information to help Hunter? Learning that Hunter is partially hearing impaired (with 'in ear' hearing aids), is helpful, but no one picked up a pack of fresh batteries for Hunter when in Mac D or in 'The Mount'? I'm beginning to think of Hunter as a different version of Jamison and Antonio. Both of them already had a 'Degree' and/or 'Certifications' and looking at more education or work, and were provided 'opportunities' by Oscar that would help ensure their futures. A helping hand! 🙌 💓

I echo @drsawzall @JohnnyC and @Philippe comments about Oscar offering to help out homeless 18-year old Uni MG student Hunter. Putting his education and training to good use, Oscar needs to back off a bit (from taking charge, buying clothing etc., even if it's Thrift and Op Shop) and allow Hunter to be part of the process to replace items he lost when his stepfather threw him out of the house, after his mother got cancer and was hospitalized for "Care" (guessing palliative 😢). As for how much Oscar has spent; Hunter has strongly (mistakenly?) cleared the air about not accepting these purchases and housing in exchange for sex with Oscar! With his strong pronouncement, Hunter has also pushed Oscar to (finally) clear up any confusion about his background: "I am 100% straight, and although I have a few bisexual friends back home, my only concern is your future, nothing more.” As for his Mum's house? Before she became ill, Hunter said: "Mum… had made sure that I get looked after with college or uni studies "since I did quite well in high school, but…”. Being the protective "Mum", I suspect she had a proper 'Last Will", Home and Personal Insurance set up to look after Hunter (suspecting her new husband was less than honourable?). Gramps no doubt has access to top solicitors who can quickly ascertain this, and also get Hunter access to see his Mum before she passes. Hopes and prayers for Hunter at a difficult and life-changing time in his young life! 🫂 🙏 Ps: Uni Admin Assistant Chris tried to talk to Oscar as he left Uni with: “But this is very important, we need to discuss an issue with the interview room that you keep booking for your counselling sessions.” Has the private "booked" counselling room been secretly used by Hunter to stay warm and safe? Since counselling is supposed to be confidential, hopefully there's no CCTV evidence.

Susan said Stanley was still in detention in a juvenile facility and "One of the counselors told her that Stanley was on suicide watch ... and ... they wouldn’t let him leave the detention center until he received counseling". How then did Phil see this outside his window after speaking with Colin to arrange a counseling session: "I looked over, and the boy smiled and nodded his head"?

Suspect with his new speech impediment, he may not have the required verbosity to be a candidate. Afterall, if you're not a cunning linguist how can you be an effective, or even believable governor. (Oh wait, is there an actual checklist of qualifications?).