Do people know about "Gothlolis" (Gothic Lolitas)? They're a type of cosplay popular in Japan that's not associated with any particular character. There's a picture and a caption about it in the Craft magazine article on cosplay: [link]

The Freaky Toy

Did those flower things around its neck come with it?

Do people know about "Gothlolis" (Gothic Lolitas)?

Not only do we know about it, we suspect the phenomenon occurred after Jilli's visit to Japan.

Did those flower things around its neck come with it?

Of course. For the extra freaky detail.

Firemen told to abstain from sexual bribes

BEIJING (Reuters) - China has banned fire department officials from receiving sexual favors as bribes from companies seeking their business, local media reported on Friday

Fire department officials were also banned from letting their spouses and children run fire-fighting companies and market fire-fighting products, part of an anti-corruption drive outlined in a notice posted on the Public Security ministry Web site.

Apart from taking cash and "other valuables," the order forbade officials from receiving "cheap or free house renovations," "having children entered into schools" and "receiving sexual services" provided by third parties.

"We must remind ourselves that we cannot ignore the problems regarding the opportunism of a minority of officials when enforcing the law," the notice said.

A commentary carried by the official Xinhua news agency on Friday praised the order -- officially abbreviated as the "Four Strictly Forbiddens" -- as timely.

"For every 10 corrupt officials, nine are involved in illicit sex. This old tune has already been proved by statistics from disciplinary organs many times," Xinhua said.

"The people believe that the trade of authority for sex is still comparatively serious," the commentary said.

Does this mean Chinese porn will soon have more or less firemen?

Do people know about "Gothlolis" (Gothic Lolitas)? They're a type of cosplay popular in Japan that's not associated with any particular character.

"Gothlolis" aren't actually a branch of cosplay, but two separate things that share closet space and a lot of catalogs in Japan. The Goth side of it is just the Japanese branch of the Goth subculture. The reason they get mentioned in the same breath as cosplay is because there are a lot of bad "Gothic Lolita" costume things out there.

The Lolita subculture (which is not based on the novel) is all about dressing in very frilly, doll-like clothes and presenting a demure, semi-childlike image. There is a Goth version of it (which is Lolita in mostly black). The clothes are adorable. [link]

(Why yes, I know a lot about this, and can burble for hours. Be warned.)

Ah-ah! I looked at the caption on the Gothic Lolita picture that you linked to, and it does state that "Goth Loli is a fashion style, rather than a costume".

Heidi Klum, and her butt cleavage.

Charter Communications is ON THE LIST. Our installation tech gave us ZERO information on our account, how to get our emails set up, who to talk to or anything useful.

I try to register our account online, using our bill. The account number won't work. So I get a tech to chat online. He can't talk to me because I'm not listed as an authorized person on our account. WTF?

DH called, but I set up the appointment and signed the fucking work order for the installation. Now I have to have him call and authorize me, so I can chew somebody out for the shitty customer service.

I don't think all butt cleavage has to be evil, but hers certainly is.

Cashmere--you need permission to bitch? That's mondo unfair. But extra fuel, I guess.