LaffingBear

Unfortunately... Im coming up empty during a visit. But also learning something about myself... perhaps I'm just settling into the old fuddy-duddy years. It seems a hell of a lot easier to not let my crotch take over and lead me into a regrettable purchase. I'm so much more content to not get my rocks off.

I think its opposite simply due to body mechanics. Easier to squeeze by when knees bending same way

I am currently in Vegas. Saw a show tonight, triggered a memory of this post. Has theatre etiquette or basic comportment changed? Are people no longer expected to refrain from conversing during a performance? Am I just supposed to expect that, hereafter, any show will consist of the performers and a darkened theater with phone screens blinking and held aloft as constant distractions? Does every human believe that they're the one and only exception to the pre-show public announcement that flash photography and video recording is prohibited? It was maddening

I contacted him before and upon arrival in LasVegas. Upon receipt of following two texts, I moved on "Cool I don’t top or bottom or give oral" "500 an hour 800 Two"

Just as a side note... I wonder why Adonis continues to advertise that they have a Vegas location. The website says they're looking. Its at least a year now, I think. A new AZ locale is opening... they move around in other cities. But no progress in LV. Not even once per quarter? I'd interpret that as having given up on a market, but unwilling to announce it publicly.

Almost never. Nothing noteworthy. One car window smash in SF. Multiple other car-incidents, like having it vandalized/"keyed", discovering hit-and-run damage. The only mildly intersting thing I can recall, was when, in the 80s, living alone, I came home to find my marijuana gone from my otherwise undisturbed apartment. Must have been the maintenance men. How do you report that theft?

This will be my 3rd trip to LV in 5 mos. First time renting a car, though, as prior trips earned me free parking for next year. So... any thoughts Worth a trip to Hoover Dam if never seen? Any local, off strip gay venues, bars, worth a visit weeknights? Any local, off-strip restaurants worth a visit... I recall a discussion a few months ago regarding some Thai Restaurant.......?

Very few I dont like. Always liked some, but found veggies tastier when I moved to CA. I think its proximity to the Central Valley growing region. Tend to shop at farmer's markets. Some of the bigger markets around SF Bay have a fantastic array of produce. Some of my favorites: mushrooms. All types, shapes, sizes. The assortment of tomatoes is fantastic. And young brocollini or brocolli rabe. Cauliflowers in all colors.... this week, Im braising a whole cauliflower in tomato sauce a la Lydia Bastianich Two recent additions to my regulars... swiss chard, and artichokes. Always loved artichokes, but found the steaming to be a hassle. Now, I nuke em for 1-2 min to soften, spread the leaves a bit, stick a garlic clove in the middle, drizzle olive oil, cap off with a slice of lemon, wrap in foil, and roast. Mmmmm. One other note: for years I bought veggies and they often turned blue and fuzzy in the refrigerator bins. Now, Im determined not to waste food... so I force myself to empty the bins regularly, even eating things a little past prime. Waste less and overall, eat healthier. (The amount of food we waste in America is criminal.)

Poorly

Taste like yellow zuchini Courtesy of the San Rafael Sunday Farmer's Market

End of weekend, creative scrounge-the-refrigerator meal I had sauteed rainbow chard with baby squash-zucchini, chicken breast, and some kim chee thrown in for flavor. Enjoying these odd little squash I picked up at the farmer's market

I've recently developed renewed interest in live theater here in SF. To date, Ive only purchased direct from the theater. The local venues promote VividSeats as the preferred resource for guaranteed resale tix. So, Im checking it out... Unlike the theater, or StubHub, Im finding seats that interest me, but no specific seat number. For example, I'm intrigued by a seat in the Orchestra, Row J. But without a seat #, cant tell if its Orch center, or way off to the side. This Theater doesnt designate sections Orch Center, Orch-side, etc. Anyone else ever used VividSeats? Any way to get more seat details before buying?

Laundry tips?

Anybody else watch the limited HBO series Sharp Objects? Truly creepy all the way through. Was a little slow to develop interest in early episodes, but captured my attention. With a great ending tonight. Binge worthy TV.

Thanks, @easygoingpal . The casino is offering me a discount on a Maverick Tour. I dont think that email domain gcflight is same company. Appreciate the recommendations nonetheless. I havent been in a helicopter since 1998 in Hawaii.

3 nights. Open to visitor recommendations. Meeting other members for friendly cup of coffee. Anyone ever done a Grand Canyon helicopter tour?

Different staging. No turntable. Same operetta script/proceedings. Some newer projected scene elements... so Valjean escaping through sewers with Marius... or Javert's bridge... actually looked more realistic. Faster tempo was what I noticed most. Im tempted to get the newer cast recording and compare song duration to the original. I still loved the performances, but each character's big song seemed to be faster. Fontine, I dreamed a dream Eponine, On my Own Marius, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables Javert, Stars Ensemble, Do You Hear the People Sing? The only songs that felt like original pacing were Thenardiers Master of the House and, thankfully, Valjean's Bring Him Home

Saw Les Mis last night in SF. I arrived only a few minutes before curtain, therefore only glanced at the "tonight's performance" cast list in the lobby. Im pretty certain I didnt see the listed Jean Valjean Id seen on tv. Couldnt tell who it was based on the playbill. 30 years since Id first seen it -and last saw it. And, I realized, first time I ever saw any play twice. I thought it was excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Live orchestra- what a treat. A few tech issues... could hear motors of the set moving under actors' softer singing. An ensemble member hooked her hoop skirt on the doorway while trying to enter stage. People seem to either love or detest Les Mis. Theres no in-between. Over the years, the detractors moan that its too long. In the past 30 years, much about entertainment has become faster-paced. Movies are edited into quicker segments. TV shows too. What I noticed last night... the songs all seemed to be performed at a faster tempo than I remembered - or compared to my original broadway cast album. As if "we don't want to be too slow for today's shorter attention spans." The people adjacent me must have been bored... or are typical ADCD-sufferers (attention deficit cellphone disorder ) they both checked their cellphones repeatedly throughout the process. I've only returned to seeing live theater in the past few months after an absence of 12+ years. Intermission seems to mean... check your phone, maybe while standing in line to pee. I was tempted to take and post a picture from my 11th row orchestra seat at intermission... every occupied seat between me and the stage held a person staring at their phone.. it was a wry commentary on society. I realized the hypocrisy of using my phone for such a purpose, and resisted. Nonetheless, the play was great. Exceeded my expectations. Although Id only seen it once before, its one of my favorites so it was comforting and familiar. Miss Saigon is here soon... guess I'm a Boubil & Schönberg fan... Ill try to see that too. Phantom arrives next month - I wont bother.

Isnt that what the internet is for -- kvetching? Just imagine if Goldilocks had social media. A never ending stream of tweets and posts about porridge too hot, and beds too soft. With one of the pigs responding with yelps about the crappy sticks he got to build his house. Cinderella would post negative reviews of size-accuracy on GlassSlippers.com.

I think today's last day

For vegas? Dont bother, dont be self conscious. In general, every imaginable attire, grooming choice, accessory is on display. And as a tourist city, there are plenty of pale bodies at the pool. It can be a furnace. Invest instead in excellent sunscreen and a hat or two. No one's going to judge your skin-tone.

Lately, Ive been taking advantage of a deal in SF... the local broadway subscription series sells single seats up to 2 days before performance for great prices. I've seen two shows in recent months. Les Miserables is here. I've seen it... but not since the 80s. It was my first visit to the Kennedy Center in DC... so never saw it on B'way. Been planning on seeing it soon. Then, today, one of those "here's what's going on locally " tv shows interviewed the visiting Jean Valjean. Nick Cartell. He's so young looking... younger than portrayed on the Les Mis website. Les Mis is one of my all time favorites. Nothing is ever as good as a first time . Now I'm actually wondering if I should even go see this touring version. Have any of the Forum theatre-fans seen this troupe/version?

I mostly buy retail. Im trying to support retail, because its so challenged by online services. I feel like we're going to look around one day, and all the retail centers will be ghost-towns, and unemployment will have skyrocketed . I get it, its a changing economy, I'm not anti-tech.... but there arent enough jobs at Amazon to accommodate all the people displaced as retail centers close. I get angry with friends who go into retail stores, try things on, waste store employees' time, then go home and order online to save a few bucks. I have a buddy who took hours of a local appliance-stores time, then outfitted a new kitchen online. Retailers will tell you that "shop here then buy online" is very common. It's gonna kill the sector. That said, if I cant find what I want in a local retail store, I buy some clothes online. Amazon, Costco online, etc....ebay only new with tags. Mostly only sellers who take returns with free shipping. I'd caution, however, that online services are getting savvy about excessive returns ... I had a particularly unique experience trying to return an Amazon item I didnt like.... they were going to deduct return shipping. I used the customer service they-call-me feature, and the rep was able to give me specifics of the policy, and was immediately aware of my purchase activity, volume, how often I returned, etc. Even told me about the 2 pairs of same pants in same order, different waists... they can tell Im "trying on for size." They have a whole profile of me, my Amazon Prime activity, etc. They KNOW my net revenue generated. As of now, returns are free if something is wrong, but not if you just dont like or decide you dont need... then you pay for return shipping. Its situational by merchandise-type. (I've had some tech and kitchen-item returns assessed return shipping if I didnt put the return-reason as broken or defective.) And generous in definition... e,g. Doesnt fit means something is wrong. I suspect that may become less generous.

I do not want to be glued to the guy, but its somewhat situational. And tempered by my expectations of behavior. E.g. I've proposed having a regular join me in las vegas. I know he likes to play poker, I dont. Ive told him we'd likely spend time separately. If he wants to work out when I dont, or I want a swim, or to go grab a coffee.... no problem. Rentguy, friend or relative - if I bought tickets to an art exhibition, general seating event, or DisneyWorld, I'd expect them to attend with me.... ok with a little solo-exploration, but Id be pissed if after event entry, I found myself alone for a substantial amount of time. If I wanted to go on vacation with someone who is entirely indifferent to my presence, I'd rent a teenager and give them a new cellphone.

Its been 6yrs since I arranged a weekend. Have done a few weekends, a couple of longer. On anything beyond an hour, my approach is to tell him what I want, let him set a rate. I try to be clear about expectations. We all know we're paying for time. Nonetheless, I imagine a rentguy might want a different rate if we're touring, sightseeing, boating etc. vs. a desire for marathon bedroom sessions. I will respond to his proposed rate based on my perception of value. I won't haggle - call it my hangup: I don't mind paying, hate haggling. Leaves me feeling like I'm getting a markdown. There're several examples above of good extended visits. I'll share an example of what not to try to, or some of my mistaken expectations. Responding to being glued to a guy... Good example of what NOT do... I attribute it to my inexperience as a client. 20+ yrs ago, one of my earliest encounters was 8 days with a young Chicago guy who wanted to visit San Francisco. I paid airfare. I covered all expenses for a few nights in an SF hotel followed by a few nights in wine country, ending at my home and hitting Folsom Street Fair. He didnt request a rate for the week. I wasnt savvy enough to clarify expectations. We agreed on a rate for X "session" hours on the clock throughout the week - mostly I felt I was sponsoring his trip and we were just hanging out. I was relatively new to hiring. I learned things about myself... I felt resentful of some of his off-the-clock behavior. Like the night I got bored in a bar, but he was center of attention - I returned to hotel, he showed up hours later at 4am. We went hiking at the coast, where he said he wanted to explore a feature alone for a few minutes; more than 90 minutes later I was sitting alone steaming and tempted to abandon him in the middle of nowhere. (Pre cellphone era) Time to drive home, he climbed in the backseat to sleep, leaving me to play chauffer for 100+ mile drive. I got pissy, opined maybe we should end earlier than planned. Arrived at my place, within an hour, he'd made other arrangements to leave. Next day, I dropped him off in the Castro; it was a total of 6, not 8, days. I didn't make the arrangements to get a bargain on a week... I naively thought I was arranging expense-sponsored travel he desired, companionship, packaged with several paid hour-sessions. Never occurred to me to clarify that at minimum, he accompany me as I was paying for meals, lodging, etc. Some of his actions were just inconsiderate, and irritated me as the host/sponsor. Best way to summarize - I'll never again attempt a halfway measure and unclear expectations. I've had much better experiences over the years by just getting and paying a rate for extended session, and clarifying desires. And once I know what to expect, I'm very open to and encourage private time, gym, etc.