Former Member

Earlier in the history of the Mac platform (pre-internet), shareware was a common way that non-professionals distributed their efforts. User groups had tons of floppy discs full of shareware apps. Users who appreciated the app would send small amounts of money to the developer. It operated on the honor system. ;–)

If someone (apparently other than Joy) were paying the concierge enough, yes. ;–)

It was interesting how the two men bonded with Max over different things, as would be expected with two very different people. ;–) Cooking is a very important skill to learn. Even though nothing I make is particularly spectacular, I won’t go hungry unlike those guys who barely know how to heat things up in a microwave! I wish I’d snagged some of my mother’s cookbooks when we were cleaning out their house when my parents moved into an assisted care facility… ;–)

I didn’t say it was the same thing. But gravy is usually made with grease/liquified fat from whatever meat you cooked along with a starch, usually but not always flour, to thicken it and a liquid to thin it out somewhat. And I’m definitely a suburban kid! ;–)

I think biscuits are the only one that’s really different. The sausage and gravy mentioned are just variations of familiar themes. ;–)

Have you ever found yourself wondering if Ancient Trojans yodeled? Well, so did Offenbach and he decided "Yes!" Here is an awesome performance of the finale of La Belle Hélène. What wonderful satire on, and if, Neo-classicalism has any value to the modern world. https://youtu.be/7trldSOwvoA And here is also the bombshell trio from act three where it's decided "to hell with sacrificing the virgins; it's time a married man steps up to bat." (because men, don't ya know, can do everything better than women, is the satire at hand.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROtte5cDJ08

Joy would willingly swap Geoff for a concierge if she didn’t have to pay for the service! ;–)

Well, the chicks will still have Mommy Zampa! ;–)

Wildfires are a constant worry in most of the Western US. There used to be a clearly defined Wildfire Season, but Climate Change has expanded the danger to nearly the whole year. Firefighters often work 16 hour days for more than a week trying to put out the biggest fires. The biggest landowner is the neglectful US Federal Government (through the US National Park system and other agencies).

Robin, Travis, and Carlos. I know I read way too many stories here on GA, but I don’t remember any of these names in this story before! And I thought that Cole Matthews’ So Weeps the Willows was confusing! ;–)

I have to wonder why Jimmy is so homophobic. Is he overcompensating for his own secret desire for Jack? Or is he subconsciously aware of Jack’s orientation and fears what that means for his friend? I think Tracy only wants to associate with someone who is Openly Gay. I’m thinking that a Closet Case caused his troubles at his previous school. Someone who threw Tracy to the wolves to save himself. Jack’s parents seem like many people who don’t think about LGBTQs and say very offensive things out of ignorance more than malice. They just parrot what others have said around them all their lives. I think they’ll be relatively easy to educate. This is a prime example of why teaching students about LGBTQ history in public schools is critical (as mandated in California). Insuring that LGBTQ issues are included in anti-bullying and anti-descrimination policies and lessons is vital. States like California seem to be a world away from parts of the rest of the country. ;–)

I’ve read that a non-chemical anti-bacterial surface has been developed that works using micro-ridges that pierce bacteria cells – we perceive it as smooth because the imperfections are so tiny. ;–)

When I tried planting strawberries (in the ‘80s), all I got was a ton of snails – come to think of it, that was a ‘gift’ of the French* who loved their Escargot way too much! * French fur trappers imported snails to North America and gardeners here have been cursing them ever since. Homesick English settlers brought House Sparrows which have displaced native sparrows and other songbirds across the continent. These are probably the worst cases of intentional invasive species introductions! :–(

I must be extremely forgetful, but who is Carlos? ;–) I later found out that was a reference to @Carlos Hazday! ;–)

So @WildcatLes, you’re all caught up! What do you think so far? Is Luca a valuable ally or a devious fiend to be wary of? ;–)

Or Eric and Andy. ;–) I think there are more Teds out there than Joys. Most people are accepting of their friends, even if they unfortunately think of them as some sort of an odd exception. And even Joy is seeing that there are more and more reasons why her rejection of Geoff is hurting her more than Geoff.

Especially in a drought-prone region of the world, but clean water is becoming ever more difficult to find everywhere around the world and will only get worse due to Climate Change.

Well, I didn’t choose the scene where Cersei is walking naked through the city and the ugly guy pulls out and shakes his penis at her. Also, not the actor who played Joffrey who was naked backstage. Or Jamie having sex with Cersei. Or Jamie bathing with Brianne. Or Grey Worm and Missandei. Or any of the semi-nude scenes with Jon Snow. ;–) I do think that Nikolai Coster-Waldau is hot! ;–)

MLK III is Junior's son.

While I don’t think I’d describe Martin Luther King Jr as particularly narcissistic, there are others who fit that description… ;–)

Poor Richie. If he were a few years older, I could see him fighting to get custody of his brother and sister. In a just world, a court would not only take into account Judith Ferguson’s dying wishes, but also the fact that Richard abandoned his family while she was fighting cancer (reminds me of someone very well-known and judgmental). Some people should never be allowed to have children – even if they are a police homicide detective!

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Loras & Renly in bed. Theon's scene where he lets everything hang out – when he still had things to hang out! And am I remembering correctly a scene with Lancel in Cerise’s boudoir when Jaime was away? Eddard discovering Gendry. Arya learning to fight with a sword, Arya training with the faceless cult, and Arya finally killing Petyr Baelish! Jojen and Bran together. Viserys getting his golden crown. Brienne and Podrick. Oberyn paying for the services of male manager of the brothel. Magaery suggesting to Renly that she could invite her brother, Loras, into their bed if Renly wishes. The naked wine seller with his hands tied together and forced to keep up with Dothraki as punishment for trying to poison Daenerys. The hatching of the dragons. Tyrion facing the dragons while they were in the catacombs.

I’m going to be the contrarian here. I think David needs to meet a completely new man who doesn’t have the history (and baggage) that both Parker and Tran have. Maybe someone he meets through his appearance on Ellen! ;–)

There are a few very naïve people out there who think the rest of us need to ‘protect’ the world from everything (ie nudity and kink, but not violence for some reason) that they think is too titillating and enticing for anyone to see or participate in. I’ve definitely been described as boring, but as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone and all participants (including inadvertent and unintended viewers) are consenting adults, I don’t have a problem with kink. ;–)