Liese S.:

I think there must be something to be said for musical integrity. There is inherently a difference between a tune that is written in your bedroom and sung to the stars alone, and a piece that has passed muster in a corporate label's marketing department by means of several revisions.

The creative process is informed by the industry side of things, and I believe there is a purity in expression that necessarily must be affected by the process of commercialization.

When a band or an artist begins to write (and I'm referring specifically to post-beatles self-contained musicians here, the work for hire stuff is a whole nother thing) there is no one to censor or edit them, good or bad. And I do mean musically as well as lyrically. Once an act is established, there is a process that each piece goes through, manager, producer, publisher, promotion, that affects the end product that the consumer gets.

Music may be slutty, capricious, commercially grubby, and bastard-born by nature, but at some point there is a tune whistled on a porch somewhere that means nothing but its beauty.

Nutty re: home decorating, in Natter.

There's nothing creepier than trying to pee into a black toilet. Except maybe the textured cheetah black-on-black wallpaper, with occasional yellow eyes staring out at you while you try to pee.

Sean K. in Natter, working for the Minister for Fucking Propaganda:

Hi. We here at Citizens for a Responsible and Rational Attitude Towards Fucking would like to remind you that fucking can be a safe and effective pasttime when used responsibly. Many fucking accidents can be prevented through proper training and safety. Here at our in-house fucking training center, you too can become a fucking expert.

Angus in Natter:

To me, "Changing Rooms" (which is what it's called in Australia), is a fable about gay man/straight man relationships. It's all designer queens with no understanding of practical possibilities cajoling cute straight handymen into making their bizarre whims real. I love it.

Matt in Natter:

I love that the word Bridezilla has been used enough to pass into popular culture. Plus, y'know, the visual of of a 30 story monster in a wedding dress growling "I SAID PINK TRIM AND ROSES!!!" and then kicking over the rotunda dome of Congress.

Allyson and billytea in "Buffy" (sort of spoilerish for this season):

Buffy's job is to bend every situation to an opportunity to talk about herself, and how she's not fucking Spike, no way no how, exept the part where she constantly thinks about it.

So you're saying that she is in fact Ally McBeal?

Schmoker in Buffy re: comparing this season to last (minorly spoilery maybe):

Season 7 so far is just one giant Death Star Blueprints argument between Andrew and Johnathan

Sean K:

They always say that stories take on a life of their own. Mine is apparently a big slut and will run away with whoever wants to throw their favorite hunky guy in it.

John H in Natter (on his birthday!)

Maybe I'm all confused about Edward the Seventh -- which one was he? What was his time period? I know all about Edward the Eighth of course. he's the abdication guy, right? Married some lady called Marge Simpson.

Signed, Did wanky "Social And Economic" history in school, not cool stuff with kings and queens and heads gettingchopped off.

Am-Chau Yarkona in Natter (who needs context?)

It's right here on page 237845 of the well-known How To Tell Who Is Good And Who Is Bad When You Can't See If They Are Wearing White Hats Or Not Manual.