sutherland

Do you all know the web site parterre.com? For years it's been a great source for the behind-the-scenes gossip of the opera world. The death of its founder, James Jorden, has been announced. He was a walking encyclopedia of the operatic repertory and the great singers of the past.

I wish there were a Villa Giani closer to home

This has been my mantra for years. The average investor (and I consider myself to be an average investor) does not have the know-how to pick a company whose stock will outperform the market. I am satisfied with Mutual funds and ETFs that track big indexes like the S&P500 and Russell 1000

I met Ben Atwood about 9 years ago while I was living in Las Vegas. I thought it was a mediocre experience so I did not repeat with him.

I have ETFs that track the big indexes like S&P 500 and Russell 1000. When I click on the "performance" tab on my Fidelity online brokerage account I see that my 5-year return is - 0.29%. I admit that 5 years ago I was 'green' and made some common errors. My year-to-date return is 5.21%. I own a lot of the ETF 'VOO' (which Warren Buffett himself advises)

I've heard it said that Tristan und Isolde's prelude sets the dissonance and it is not resolved to the very final chord of the opera. Also, the opening of Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier has the famous 'orgasm' moment in the brass.

Have any of you noticed, as I have recently, that you are underperforming the market? The S&P average hovers around 10 percent, long term. I read the AAII Journal, listen to Market Place on NPR radio daily, read the blogs, etc. Any advice for me? Thanks

I do see plenty of providers on Grindr. If a guy taps me, and he is 25 years old with a great body I don't even waste my time - he'll want $$$

Everything she sang reflected her great artistry. There is no soprano today comparable in terms of style and expression. R.I.P. signora

If you like opera and porn, this tenor shows off a very attractive ass at the conclusion of the cabaletta in Act II of Rigoletto -

I heard Brenda Rae sing Lucia di Lammermoor in Philadelphia a few years ago. I thought she was first rate - worthy to sing on the Met stage.

It was the steely quality of Caballe's voice that never appealed to me. Also in the Bel Canto repertory she lacked the notes above High-C. She made studio recordings of Lucia di Lammermoor and I Puritani without the High-Ds and High-E flats that we got from Callas, Sutherland, and Sills. Yes, I do love the thrill of sustained high notes. That said, I can appreciate the elegance of her phrasing, the phenomenal breath control, and the high pianissimo notes. The ease with which she ascends to the High-C in "O patria mia" from Aida has never been matched. Her daughter tried a singing career but didn't get very far.

I used to listen to Ric Edelman's radio program religiously. He always said to ask a new broker if he/she is a fiduciary (check with finra). You need a broker who takes a flat fee and does not get a commission.

Thanks for the advice. One of my brokerage accounts is with Fidelity and I'll look into it

I have created a ladder of 3-month T-bills. They are only taxed on our Federal income tax, unlike CDs that are taxed on both Federal and Local income tax returns (unless you're lucky enough to live in Florida, Nevada, etc. where there is no local income tax). When the recession hits I'll have maturities on a regular basis and put the money into the market at rock bottom.

I would not use the adjective 'ugly'. I would say that the boys there are average looking. I, personally, find latinos attractive so I have a penchant for the Brazilians that work at Villa Giani. During my visits there the manager always asked if I was satisfied with the boy I hired. That would not allow for the 'bate and switch' problem I have had on several occasions when hiring escorts online.

Erik Estrada Richard Grieco John Cena

Yes, I have. He's from Brazil, a nice guy, good English. I left satisfied and I'll repeat.

Hello, I was at Villa Giani this past February and I paid £130. If the price is now £160 that still is not a bad price. I agree that the few available guys were just average in appearance - but remember they are only getting, perhaps, half of the £130 fee. The really gorgeous guys are going to be advertising themselves online and charging a lot more per hour. I didn't have to wait to use the room because I was the only customer on the premises.

Thank you

I'd pay that fee, too. He's my type - compact and muscular

There are several inexpensive hotels in Nevern Square, close to Villa Giani. Also many eateries in the area. The tube stop is called Earls Court and the Picadilly Line of the metro goes from Earls Court to the terminals at Heathrow Airport.

Hi Gentlemen, I have just returned from Amsterdam and London and here is what happened when I visited the gay brothels in those cities- Boys Club 21 (Amsterdam) - I went to the location at Spuistraat 21. The last I heard was this club opened at 4pm Thursdays thru Sundays only. Unfortunately, on the door was a sign that said "By appointment only in February" and there was a phone number on the sign. I did not call. This brothel's web site has not been functioning for some time and its Facebook page hasn't had any recent updates Villa Giani (London) - this place is located in the basement of a residential building and I've been there before, most recently in 2019. There is no signage outside. When you ring the doorbell the working boys run into a back room in which they stand behind a glass window. The 'madame' lets you in and you view the boys through the window and make a selection. They boys are generally Latinos in their early 20s. You are then given a room with a double bed, atmospheric lighting, and background music. The place closes at 8pm so 7pm is the last time to pay £130 for an hour-long session. My visit there on a Friday afternoon was not a success. I was shown 3 average-looking Brazilians. The madame told me that another Brazilian and an Irish guy were with clients and he showed me their photos; I left. I returned the next day and there was only 1 guy working at 4pm - a Brazilian. He was cute with a nice personality and we had a good time together. You are given wet towels to clean up at the end of your session.

The website is now working again. What's odd is that the site says VIlla Giani closes at 7pm. That seems too early - https://www.villagiani.uk/

Speaking of brothels - Next month I'll be traveling in Europe and plan to visit Boys Club 21 in Amsterdam and Villa Giani in London. Both are brothels and I'll write a full report here when I return