Also, what Matt said.

flea, nope, her comment was "what's below it is a gift."

It's a pretty tattoo; looks like a ribbon of taffy.

her comment was "what's below it is a gift."

O RLY?

In university, primarily male gay bars were a place we could go where the music was great and no one would hit on us. There may have been some shirt removal. So, yeah, arrogant appropriation of a few square feet of someone's space. But god knows, straight bars were piranha feeding grounds, and so not someplace to go unless probably flanked by a bunch of gay guys anyway.

And the gay sex scandals keep happening: [link]

I've been to a lot more gay bars than straight ones, but that's because in my 20's and 30's when I was going to bars more than I do now, it was with gay men. Go figure.

O RLY?

Right?

her comment was "what's below it is a gift."

It's her flower to give away to that special someone.

It's her flower to give away to that special someone.

Yeah. Funny thing is, she's a super cool woman. Dresses a bit like JZ with a smashing retro sense. Think red lips, dark hair, lots of style. I like her. It's just so funny.

ETA: I just can't help but wonder what I'd think if I were to have sex with someone who thought that providing me their naughty bits was akin to giving me a gift.

I'm trying to figure out what do do regarding writing.

The publishing industry is killing me, and though I handed in Sam several months ago, I've been told that I once again have to wait for a couple of publishers to get back to me. I have been hearing over and over that I will have an answer "tomorrow." But then tomorrow is extended to next month.

The thing is, I am having trouble sleeping. I can't focus, I am a miserable person. My work is suffering. My own writing is suffering.

I think this is too stressful for me. I could self-publish through Lulu, and have a book in my hands. My agent thinks this is foolish, that we haven't exhausted all possibilities, and until we do, I'm just "giving up."

I completely understand what she's saying.

I just don't think I have the stomach for the industry. I'm angry about it, but I also feel a bit humiliated.

I keep wondering what it is about having a publisher acquire my work that makes it seem so much more legitimate than just publishing myself on Lulu. And I think it's mostly the feeling of having my work validated by a professional who is willing to put their money into something I created. It's very validating to see my name on the spine of a book in a Barnes & Noble.

If I could free myself of that need, this decision would be a lot easier.

Do I ask my agent to pull the manuscript so I can just Lulu the thing, or suffer for another month (or two, or three, or whenever someone can get to it) for that feeling of validation and a maybe a grand or so in my pocket?

I needed to vent and try and get out of this horrible numb feeling, so thanks.

what I'd think if I were to have sex with someone who thought that providing me their naughty bits was akin to giving me a gift.

"Do I need a receipt to return this?"