I’ve seen those online but not in person. Could be worth a shot! I do think it’s cool that modern bassoon pedagogy encourages standing while practicing. When I was learning bassoon, the only time you stood was in marching band (not a fun association for me).

I’d given up on harnesses (not designed for boobs) and neck straps (ow my neck) until I found a “women’s harness” from Forrest’s that is reminiscent of an open-cup bra. It can be tricky to get on and has a definite S&M vibe to it (which can be fun in some situations but I wouldn’t, like, wear it to an audition) but…

He was also the white guy with dreads type (which in retrospect should have forestalled any conversation whatsoever but I was younger and dumber back then).

I remember being fascinated by the concept of “uncut” books (as in old-timey books that needed to have their pages cut open before they could be read) in The Great Gatsby. (Gatsby’s library was full of uncut and thus obviously unread books.) The idea that someone could own books that they didn’t read was so strange to…

Ha! I too have been third bassoon (of three). Once I was fourth (gotta love Symphonie Fantastique and its bonanza of bassoons)! 

omg really? I guess this shouldn’t be a surprise. Back when I earned my living as a writer, I regularly encountered men (it was always men with this attitude) who would be all “I’m a WRITER” even though they didn’t actually write on regular basis or publish anything ever. And when I’d say “me too!” they’d be like, “Oh…

I mean, I could kindasortamaybe see how this line of reasoning goes if you’re trying to develop your own voice, and you’ve already read fiction widely, and you’re still reading lots of non-fiction and poetry and whatever else as explorations of the craft ... but I’m pretty sure that if you’re not a reader first,…

It was deeply confusing to me as well! That’s why I vamoosed before he could show me anything he’d written. <shudder> The writings of writer who doesn’t read: that’s the real horror here!

I met a guy on a Greyhound bus. He was very cute and we were making tentative plans to hang out at our destination but then we started talking about writing.

So true. It is an unfortunate truth that the clothes I know will accommodate my boobs (think knit tunics and oversized whatever) are the ones that are the least flattering to my overall shape (this lady needs tailoring).

I just discovered the UK version of this show and devoured the first season. It made me feel like an anthropologist trying to codify the mating habits of an unfamiliar tribe: confused but also fascinated.

I haven’t watched BIP but I just discoved LI and find it wonderful/horrible/amazing. Considering the setting (stuck in the same house with the same people all day all night — no wonder they all scream whenever someone unexpected walks in) and British drinking culture (wherein 20-somethings getting shitfaced in public…

Yes! I am normally a calm and rational person, but I had a similar nightmare neighbor and even now, 15 years later, I get a rush of anger and an overwhelming desire to smash something when I think about that little fucker.

The first year I watched the wondrous spectacle that is Eurovision, an American singer won! Here’s the eponymous Katrina of Katrina and the Waves — of “Walkin’ on Sunshine” fame — back in the year of our lady 1997 (when velvet and shirt collars were huge):

Yup, same in Seattle (although the gun photos are a lot more common once you get out of the city a bit). I’ve seen multiple profile pics that featured a DUDE POINTING THE GUN AT THE VIEWER. Makes pictures of dudes holding a drugged baby lion look positively charming by comparison.

You do worse than to learn about sex from Jean Auel! I read the whole series (except the first one) last year and I was pleasantly surprised to encounter scenes where emphasis was placed on consent and cunnilingus ... it wasn’t all about Jondolar’s mighty schlong. And I thought the bit in the last book where Arya…

Ah, but Arya is into bathing in brisk mountain streams and washing with hyper-local plant concoctions and gets Jondolar on the hygiene train.

Yep, I’m pretty convinced that the reason people are all “jeez, this consent thing is so COMPLICATED” and “how is anyone supposed to know where the line is?” is because acknowledging that anything other than unequivocal and enthusiastic consent is assault makes their own behavior/experiences problematic.

I am so sorry you had to deal with that shitty harasser and I hope to hell he’s not still up to the same old tricks.

To the woman with the boyfriend who blows up whenever she tries to talk to him about his behavior: congrats on recognizing this fucked-up dynamic for what it is!