Former Member

It’s not like she’s incapable of replacing them with an eruption or two… ;–)

They’ve been accepting DNA evidence for quite a while now. They’ve been solving cold cases that are decades old using DNA evidence. There have been molesters who have been caught too, in some cases the perpetrator is already in jail for other things they’ve done. I’m sure they show some of the CSI and NCIS programs in Brazil just like everywhere else in the world… ;–)

Relax! You can have my share of the fish! I’m not touching it. ;–)

German words do look like something space aliens would come up with! ;–)

I wonder what Germans think of their language sounding like the language of were-dogs… ;–)

Well I’m glad Twyla finally figured out that the lawyers were bottom-feeders. I realize that some lawyers specialize in specific kinds of cases, but you always see the same lawyers representing the same, very sketchy cases. There’s one guy here who focuses on the African-American community. Some of the cases seem to be genuine. But I know there are lots of undeserving clients who jump on the bandwagon in his class action cases (like a refinery fire case about 7 years ago). When I was homeless, most of the other residents at the shelter were going to the hospital just to be triaged and get the piece of paper telling them what signs to look out for. These were people who were outside smoking their cigarettes during the shelter-in-place order! They had no symptoms, they just knew the procedures necessary to file a claim against the refinery later. They all got a $300 settlement and were counted among the thousands who were ‘affected’ by the refinery fire. I could have joined them and they couldn’t understand why I didn’t, but it just felt wrong to claim I was feeling symptoms when I wasn’t. The people at the hospital knew what was going on, the lawyers knew what was going on, even the refinery knew that hundreds, if not thousands, were scamming them, but it was cheaper to pay everybody off than challenge the claimants for proof. I know there were people who really were affected by the fire, but many who claimed they were lied just to get the money. And then there’s the guy who Central Casting would reject for being too stereotypical (really bad teeth, long white hair, craggy face, stooped posture, ill-fitting old suit, etc)! He’s currently representing one of the defendants in the Oakland Ghostship fire case. One of his previous clients was a notorious Chinatown gang member. A client would have to be desperate to hire this guy! Just being associated with him makes them seem more guilty!

This format allows for a more collaborative environment. Especially when someone new starts reading the story and responds to early chapters. That reminds you of things you’ve long ago forgotten (like the bucket and scrap of paper)! ;–) It’s a bit like Raj’s Murder Mysteries or the Mystery Room that Emily suggested some of the gang go to on The Big Bang Theory. But I feel like Penny or Stuart among the gang of geniuses! I feel lost in a school of red herrings. ;–)

A recent major case here in California involved the police finding a cup used by the suspect that was tossed into the trash. They tested it for DNA and matched it to data they got on a DNA testing web site. He was a former cop who is being prosecuted for dozens of rapes and murders up and down the state!

Sushi is rice. Sashimi is raw fish (and, no, the accent is not on the second syllable). Some sushi might also include raw fish, but others do not. Personally, I like inarizushi and will eat some makizushi, but I don’t eat seafood. ;–)

Did Adam experiment with his sister while wrestling with issues of being Gay? Was the mystery man Artie’s father? Or Adam’s boyfriend? It’s Texas, so it couldn’t have been an orgy with all four of them! ;–)

I think the police use that logic to collect evidence… ;–)

Sometimes name have exactly the opposite effect from what parents intend. In other cases, circumstances change after names have been given. A friend named Erin once mentioned that everyone looked around for the Irish boy when her name was announced during roll call! Harrison Ford and his first wife chose to name their sons Willard and Ben. This was before the original movie about a killer rat or even the book it was based on (with an unnamed protagonist) were created! Parents who named their sons ‘Damien’ before The Omen was released in 1976 had no idea the name would be associated with the devil… ;–)

@Geron Kees is up to chapter 10 in his Z is For Zombie and @Ivor Slipper has made reference to that story in the last two chapters of his Unbeaten. ;–)

With the luck the boys have, it won’t be long before someone crashes into them! It probably won’t be their fault, but an accident is always difficult to explain to parents, no matter what happened. The boys just can’t seem to catch a break! ;–)

How ironic that Geoff’s mother’s name is Joy. She certainly doesn’t bring joy to Geoff’s life. She’s hypercritical, controlling, and demanding. In the long run, Geoff would be much better off without her constant tearing down. But he’s a sensitive ‘boy’ and he doesn’t think he’s strong enough to not have her in his life. She may have been a teacher in the past, but she neglected to check the parenting guidebook section that discusses encouraging and nurturing her son. I cannot imagine how unpopular she must have been to her students if she treated them anything like the way she does Geoff. She was probably one of those cruel teachers who mocked students when they got an answer wrong.

I think you authors all had a secret meeting and decided that you’d all include a reference to a Zombie this month! ;–)

I prefer nice and smooth! (But I do like kiwis. I just don’t eat them very often.) ;–)

So, what did @Geron Kees offer to get the in-story mention? ;–)

Me! I hate coconut! It’s nasty! ;–)

So Zombo now has a name. I wonder how he’d feel about that. When he still had feelings. ;–)

I refuse to use the Self-Serve lanes. I used to until I realized they were putting people out of jobs. I’m not consistent since I love shopping online! ;–) It’s too bad Safeway doesn’t convert that busy location to their Pak ’n Save warehouse-style store where, in addition to more products, they also feature bag-it-yourself checkout. Instead of Safeway’s abbreviated bagging area of the checkout lane, the area is longer and is split into two so one customer can bag their merchandise while another is being checked out (Foods Co uses this method). But Safeway seems to be moving away from the Pak ’n Save model in favor of the more upscale Safeway stores with the in-store Starbucks, Sushi Counter, Chinese takeout, Sandwich counter, and service deli.

Scotts’s father’s problem was that he failed to think large enough. He should have been Wells Fargo CEO. He would have gotten a scolding in court and a huge Golden Parachute instead of prison! Banking or Wall Street, the new Organized Gangsters.

Just because people call you a Space Cadet doesn’t mean you’re NASA qualified! ;–) Just kidding, I know only what you tell us in your Comments! And I sound ditzier than you do. I was just having flashbacks to the ‘80s. ;–)

There are a couple Senators (including just one of my two) and several Congresspeople (including the one who used to represent me when I lived in Oakland) that I support. But obviously, the majority are not fans of me! I don’t think I want them all to be turned – just the ones whose hearts hardened long ago! ;–)

If the CIC were to become Crystalized, there is a whole chain of command to promote. They’d have to go through the whole White House cabinet and Congress before the Constitution fails to provide a President. There are a few Congresspeople who are only in their 30s… ;–)