BSR

Today's generation of 19 year olds is not the most mature young adults. I work with college students all day, and these 'kids' need a lot of guidance and supervision in their daily lives. 

The Fed needs to raise the prime lending rate, imo, two 25 bp increases in the next 3-4 months because the Fed rate is still low relative to historical highs and because inflation is stubborn as hell.
But will Jerome Powell actually do it?  The cynic in me says no.  I've even heard rumors that the Fed will lower the rate a couple of times this year.  Whether those are leaks from insiders or just wishful thinking, time will tell.

Wisconsin elementary school teacher, 24, busted for 'making out' with 5th-grader -- three months before wedding 
A 5th grader can get married in Wisconsin?

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐲 (@theheralddiary) on Threads
WWW.THREADS.NET 😂😂  

The rice is added after you introduce all the ingredients (of which there are many) and bring to a boil. Cook for a few minutes and reduce the heat to a simmer. When the rice soaks up the broth you move it to a warm oven.  You want the rice the consistency of risotto not dry and intact like Moros y Cristianos

Ummmm, that’s not really “scratch”?

heal quickly and feel better 

The petition is indeed an interesting read.
Matt Colunga, who is a successful gay business owner, doesn't meet the petitioners' expectations of how a gay entrepreneur should be conducting his business practices. Practices which have been proven as a successful model in many business ventures.
The origin of their objections to Matt's application to purchase the bar seems to be his rejection of an application of employment. 
“If all else fails, we want to at least educate the community about the questionable business practices and discrimination that occurs there,” Perez said. “There’s a lot of unanswered questions about their hiring practices and we don’t want to support a business that discriminates against the LGBTQ+ community and women.” 
Lux Filler, who dances professionally in Northalsted, said he messaged Johnson’s Chicago to inquire about dancing at the club after Colunga tried to recruit him in person at another club, Filler said.
Johnson’s later rejected Filler due to his appearance, according to Facebook messages Filler posted online that were widely shared. 
“We only hire the best guys,” Johnson’s said in a message to Filler. “If you wanna work for us, I suggest fighting up some, hit the gym a little harder.”
“I’ve been told ‘no’ in many ways, but I’ve never been body shamed or judged like that or told I didn’t fit the cut,” Filler said in an interview with Block Club. “Clubs usually say ‘no’ in a more professional way, and it’s as simple as that. There’s no need to bring personal opinions into it. I’m not the only dancer who’s gotten a response like this. I’m just vocal about it.”
So Matt didn't hire this guy as a dancer because he was fat. What is the problem? We don't pay good money to see the Rockettes and expect to see a bunch of 250-pound flabby females prancing around the stage. And when we go to male strip clubs, we want to see young, handsome, in-shape guys. This is not rocket science.
Matt told the guy to go to the gym if he wants to work at his club. A very reasonable response. Matt added that he only hires the best. Bozo knows for a fact that Matt often tells his boys at his other clubs that they are looking a little paunchy, or out-of-shape, and need some more gym time. That is NOT body shaming. It is good business practice. 
The second major objection seems to be Matt's admission policy:
“Moreover, their policy requiring women to be escorted by men within their premises perpetuates harmful stereotypes, and promotes for toxic masculinity — this is simply unacceptable in today’s society where we strive for equality,” Perez’s petition said. 
How does requiring women to be accompanied by men "promote toxic masculinity"? And what exactly is toxic masculinity? Trying to keep the gay male clientele happy? Maintaining a "gay" vibe at the club by not allowing the club to be overwhelmed by packs of screaming women? That is toxic? Under whose definition? And how does this "perpetuate harmful stereotypes"? What exactly are the harmful stereotypes? 
These guys simply don't want Matt to succeed because they don't like his politics. Period.
Bozo could expand, but doesn't want to violate the forum rules.
Bozo hopes Matt is able to open his club, and it flourishes. He also hopes that Lux Filler follows Matt's advice; goes to the gym, and reapplies for a dancing job. 
Over the years, Matt has donated tens of thousands of dollars to gay causes. His clubs have hosted numerous LGBT charity events.
Matt has done more for the gay community than these useful idiots will do in their collective lifetimes.
BTC

LOL! I am not meeting a head of state but someone to fuck!

The mystery of the Titan submersible implosion may soon be solved.
The five people who perished aboard the OceanGate vessel as it plunged thousands of feet below sea level could have been victims of “micro-buckling,” a new study suggests.
Small imperfections in the thin-walled structure may have become more damaged with every trip the vessel took to visit the Titanic’s final resting place until it finally gave way to the immense pressure of the ocean on the doomed June 18, 2023 trip, researchers from the University of Houston theorized.
In a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences earlier this month, the experts examined how the “slenderness” of a hemispherical shell with random imperfections — much like the submersible itself — is extra susceptible to a buckling-induced collapse.
 
There are still several other potential causes for the disaster — including issues with the hull’s carbon fiber composite material — but the buckling effect could be one.
Much like a car or a plane, the spherical shell of the submersible was designed to carry large loads, but small imperfections — even those invisible to the eye — provide a weak point for pressure to congregate, ultimately collapsing the thin walls of the vessel.
The Titan submersible had made more than 50 dives without any issues before its infamous implosion — but each trip may have caused more damage to the hull until it ultimately lost its integrity.

As my father once said to me when I asked for a loan, "Son, if the bank doesn’t think you’re a good risk, why the fuck should I?"
He had a point and I learned a lesson.
Whenever someone asks me for a loan, I either say "no" or I give them the money and never expect it back. I will not ask nor hint to be repaid. I will however, never make another "loan" until the first one is repaid. 
So far that has worked for me. I’m not an ass about helping others. But I’m also not a sucker. And in general our friendships have remained intact. Whether or not they repaid me.

Last week I missed paying for a head of garlic in my grocery cart as I went through the check out. I didn't realize it until I saw it in the cart as I was loading the bags in the car.  But yes, I went back in, stood in line again, and paid the 94 cents.  The clerk was surprised, but you can't put a price on a clear conscience

This guy is actually one of the escorts discussed in The Deli (thank you, @ProjectX).  I liked his legs so much I had to re-post the pic here.

I know this thread is supposed to be for good movies/series on Netflix, but hopefully no one minds if I post a public service announcement:  avoid Strange Way of Life like a broken petri dish of Ebola!  I get the temptation:  a short film by legendary Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, two great veterans Ethan Hawke & Pedro Pascal, a gay storyline, and an appearance by Élite heartthrob Manu Rios (he only sings the theme song, doesn't play a role).
But eek! it's awful!!  Clunky, awkward dialogue that sounds like it was written by an unprecocious high school student, a plot that never develops (even a 30-minute short can portray a full plot), it all feels like a golden opportunity that was foolishly squandered.
Maybe it was the challenge of doing an English-language project, but another negative for Almodóvar fans is the short sorely lacks the director's signature style.  No dark comedy, no oddball characters, no irreverence, this short might as well have been directed by ChatGPT.  Do yourself a huge favor and stay the hell away.

This guy is actually one of the escorts discussed in The Deli (thank you, @ProjectX).  I liked his legs so much I had to re-post the pic here.

I watched 45rpm a while ago and I liked it, @BSR, thanks for bringing it up. Carlos is a real cutie. 

For fans of Carlos Cuevas (Merlí, Merlí: sapere aude, Smiley), he has another series on Netflix, 45 rpm, about a young man who moves to Madrid in 1960 to become a rock star and the record company exec who takes a risk on him, set in the context of Franco's ultra-traditionalist Spain.  Cuevas does all his own singing, and gotta say, his voice is pretty good.  I liked that it has a closed ending, i.e., resolution instead of some stupid cliffhanger in hopes of a Season 2.  My only eensy complaint is that neither the sexy Cuevas nor Iván Marcos (the hot daddy record exec) take their clothes off nearly as much as they should 😄

But wouldn't you have ordered 20 pairs... you know, as stocking stuffers?  He's a doctor; he can afford $260. 
And he'd be the #1 secret santa in the world!

You got scammed dude, it happens to the best of us. Move on and don’t make the same mistake again. Sorry he got one over on you. It sucks. 

Dear Abby: I am a lesbian who recently experienced heartbreak by falling in love with my mentor and boss. I didn’t want it to happen, but it did. The time we spent together was a balance of bliss and fear. My heart and soul feel that she feels the same way about me. I left my job because my feelings for her became so overwhelming, I could no longer cope.
She knows how I feel about her, and she has shown interest in me in the past. She is not gay, but I do know of straight women who have fallen in love with one woman in their lives. We have a 15-year age difference. That doesn’t matter to me. I’m absolutely crazy about her. I dream about our Victorian home together and a beautiful garden and life. I want nothing else but to make her happy for the rest of her life, make her breakfast every morning and beautiful dinners every night.
We are no longer communicating, upon her request. WAS THAT REQUEST IN THE FORM OF A RESTRAINING ORDER? I want to heal my heart and live my life. It’s so hard to let go of her, but I know I should. On the other hand, something tells me I should wait for her. How can I move forward and find the love I deserve in this life? — Crushed in California
Dear Crushed STALKER: If you really want to find the love you know you deserve, then you are going to have to find someone who is ready and willing to provide it. This person is not. She was interested in you only as a friend and an employee. Asking you to stop communicating with her was a strong message.
It may take time and even psychological counseling to help you disengage from your fantasy of an idealized life with this woman. But for the sake of your sanity, it’s important that you try. STAY FAR AWAY FROM ME, BUT CAN I HAVE SOME OF WHAT YOU’RE SMOKING?

Once again on a United flight! 😬 If it weren't for passengers with cellphones, a lot of these "incidents" we would never find out about! Notice how the news has stopped reporting and investigating these incidents?!!
United Airlines Boeing 757-200 Wing Comes Apart During Flight On Monday, a United flight from San Francisco to Boston diverted to Denver after a part of the win.mp4

The Community is silly.  Johnson's is one of the best neighbors a business could ask for.  It draws a crowd with lots of money who aren't as obnoxious as night club patrons.  Johnson's staff does an excellent job of manning parking, security, and noise.  From the outside of their business, you can't see any lights o hear any music or noise.

For the majority percentage of my hiring years, I was obese, 300+ pounds. I’ve been height/weight proportionate since 2009.
Almost *never* did I have a problem with a provider either escort or masseur turn me down. Yes, I was always upfront with my weight, but again can’t remember being turned down too often. I’m a big believer in my self-confidence and easygoing manner making providers comfortable with me.
There was one masseur who clearly wasn’t comfortable with overweight guys. He felt his table wouldn’t hold me up, other excuses, etc. I tried a couple times and was turned down. Fast forward 90 days or so…he reached out to me and said let’s try. I don’t know if his rent was due or whatever….but we met, had a great sensual/erotic massage…and continued to see each other for two years 🤣
It’s best to just be upfront with providers, as mentioned elsewhere if they turn you down you’ve probably just dodged a bullet anyway. Don’t be ashamed…we are all works in progress.