I thought that was a Lutheran thing. (of course, maybe you are.) I think I might send out "It's a Novel!" announcements since I don't think I'll ever get married or breed.

Zen, her God sounds like a bastard.

He was. His followers talked a lot about love and comfort and forgiveness, but they never actually showed any.

I thought that was a Lutheran thing. (of course, maybe you are.)

It was a Presbyterian congregation, but I've been told other Presbyterians aren't as hellfire-and-brimstone as we were. I know nothing of the Lutheran tradition.

I think I might send out "It's a Novel!" announcements since I don't think I'll ever get married or breed.

You should absolutely do that.

seems like a better idea thanCarrie Bradshaw marrying herself.(Although, when I first saw that, I hadn't been soaked by family members for weddings and baby gifts yet.Without getting anything much from that whole side of the family, either,) Not that it's quid pro quo or anything, but you feel me, right? Like the one time I hear in, like, *six years*, there's a registry attached...they were kids when I got out of college, so of course, off the hook, and that makes sense, but, really? A gift-fishing invite to your SSI cousin? Well, you know, lots of tough Scandinavians farming in cold climates...I'm sure you can feel the warm fuzzies from here,or...Garrison Keillor is pretty accurate in his Lutheran descriptions.

I think it's a basic Puritan thing, that if you really want something material or "frivolous", that it will be very character building when you don't get it. I've seen dozens of shows where the protagonist is yearning and working for something, only to lose it at the last minute. I think it's part of some perverse "don't long for better things, be content with what you have" thing.

I should add that I actually think it would be very different going to a shower for someone I’m really close to

Yeah. My "No more baby showers" rule is conditional. If my pseudo-sibling's wife becomes pregnant? I will be at that shower with glee.

if you really want something material or "frivolous", that it will be very character building when you don't get it.

Sometimes people have tried to use that "logic" on me. I answer with, "Really? You think I need more character?"

You could be a Toon!

I think it's a basic Puritan thing, that if you really want something material or "frivolous", that it will be very character building when you don't get it.

Makes sense, but I don't think it was a character-building thing for this congregation. It was a punishment for the sin of pride and love of/desiring material objects.

I've seen dozens of shows where the protagonist is yearning and working for something, only to lose it at the last minute.

I HATE that trope.

You could be a Toon!

COULD be? According to several people, I already AM a Toon.

Got a random question: in written or drawn work, what makes a villain a *sympathetic* villain to you? Not somebody you want to win, but someone you say "I really understand why you do what you do. You have a good argument/you are so damn broken. I feel for you. But I still want you stopped." For example in many of the X-men comics we are intended to feel that for Magneto. Or we are meant to feel that in some portrayals of Cat-woman where she is not an outright hero/anti-hero. So I'm seeking examples where this kind of intent work for you? What villains do you feel sympathy or maybe even empathy for, without moving all the way to their side? Comics, plays books, animated cartoons only - anything without live actors, because actors can overwhelm the writing to make someone sympathetic.

Just curious. Not doing a study or anything.

We made onesies with iron ons (mostly Ramones and funny song lyrics) and hung out. It was fantastic.

Raq made an iron-on onesie for Matilda from Invader Zim: Perfectly Normal Human Worm Baby.