For horror - Kathe Koja
I also think you would like How to Lose the Time War, not horror but trippy weird and so great.
You are coming here for work?
Please have your job get you a new laptop, and sensitive patient data is stored on secure servers, yes? Having it with data they can't see puts you in an impossible position. If your job is sponsoring you, you are safer, in a better category so less likely to see trouble.
With phone, if you're aren't super political online just open it if they ask. Wiping it or having a burner just looks more suspicious. No they don't all go through everyone's phone, it's not as bad as the alarmist media sells it BUT it is unusually bad right now, and there are believable reports of people being made to unlock so they can browse your Facebook or whatever. I hate to give that advice, but your goal is to fly under the radar. You are absolutely legal. Don't borrow trouble. Your work brings you here, you know when you are leaving, all your paperwork is good, you are not a risk. Assume everything will be smooth. The customs guys at airports are not the same as the ones bounty hunting immigrants. They are local people in a bad situation right now too, at least half of them don't like what is going on.
Honestly? Friendship plus sex/lust/physical love. I care for my husband as a friend and we enjoy each other sexually, that's the romantic element.
There are other aspects to our marriage of course, we plan together and have a family and financial alliance, all the old stuff marriage was for, I guess. Except procreation, we each brought our own kids but now they are also each others' family and allies. But the romantic piece to me is the part related to sex.
And I lean much more towards an opposite/complementary partner not someone like me. We are quite different but so strong together.
Not really, but that may be because in the meantime I aged into what is considered the most trustable demographic; the middle aged lady. People talk to me now. Confide in me, even.
God I hate people being rude to service workers, that is to me the sign of a true asshole. Someone who thinks they are worth more than someone else. I don't see it much though.
My next door neighbors on both sides, the ones across the street, two of my grown kids live in my neighborhood, my first Pokemon go friend does too, the beautiful family down the street, and the old Cuban guy with the old chihuahua, and the very talkative guy a block away.
So it's spotty I guess. Most of the people on our block I have at least waved to, and none are friends like that come over for supper, but are people I talk to in person and occasionally by text.
The other ones we are barely acquainted with but have nicknames for: pool table guy, cigar chewing guy with the beautiful custom house, depressed guy who doesn't mow and sits in his truck outside his falling down house, the hipsters (flying down the street on hoverboards, one with curly man bun the other with long blond hair flying in the wind) the New Yorkers, the crazy lady across the street who got in her car, pulled out of her driveway and into my driveway to get out and talk to me, the nice old couple, the friendly childless people in the black house, and more but you get the idea.
Whenever I am wrong. So pretty often, since I learn best by making mistakes.
ETA I do get defensive when someone is mean about it. With my ex it was harder because he mocked relentlessly and though he could dish it, could not take it. Nice in plenty of ways but so mean in others. With husband now, and at every job I've had, it's no big deal.
I love vultures so much! Nature's garbage crew.
I will have to go with palmetto bugs, sorry guys you freak me out so bad and I think there are other bugs that turn leaves into dirt without being nightmare fuel.
In the basket!
We named him Legolas because he is brave as an elf, so brave. And also because our other cat is Kimchi and we wanted the names to sound different so they can recognize them.
Upvoted and gagged. Eew.
We received a kitten through the universe's cat delivery service and he is just an absolute joy.
Under a pound when he arrived, strong & healthy now. Pictures don't really do justice to his cuteness, he's so brave, unbothered by our big dog, loves our other cat and she tolerates him well too, unbothered by us handling him.
Sourdough donuts
Used the recipe on Perfect Loaf, way too long to detail here but the ingredients are, for 18 of them (he always has these weird odd measurements like 101, I do often round them with no ill effect but will write them as the recipe states):
203 g very active starter 100% hydration
253 g all purpose white flour
253 g strong white bread flour
187g eggs - use extra yolk to adjust to this weight
101 g butter
101 g white sugar
91 g water
10 g salt
It takes a couple days to finish these (I start Friday midnight to get Sunday morning donuts) but most of that time is waiting not working).
Couple of notes- he says the final rise takes 12 hours but that must be in a cold climate, here in the subtropics it took about 7 to be perfect. And when he says careful attention to shaping he means it, but it's easy if you keep the dough chilled, with the butter in the dough it's not too sticky. Don't be afraid to really stretch it when forming the little dough balls, you want a tight surface all over. If you can shape buns, and your starter is robust, this is about a foolproof recipe.
https://www.theperfectloaf.com/naturally-leavened-bomboloni-doughnuts/
I can't see the picture in the header, hopefully you can. Will put below too.
1 oz tequila claro (Tequila Ocho, la mejor)
1/2 oz mezcal
1/2 oz Luxardo Bitter Bianco (see note)
1/4 oz Ancho Reyes rojo
1 oz fresh pineapple juice (see note)
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
1/3 oz agave nectar (again, see note)
Shake all with ice, pour into chilled rocks glass over fresh ice. It is delicious.
Notes: I don't have that luxardo, used half Campari half bitter rhubarb liqueur; doubled the pineapple juice because I literally just made it and it's amazing. This doesn't need 1/3 oz of agave, less is better. Finally - it was quite difficult to make one of these with those teeny measurements. I would recommend making two at a time.
1.5 oz rye (Emerald Giant overproof)
0.5oz each of mezcal, Aperol, and Ancho Reyes (rojo)
1 oz lemon juice
Squirt of agave
Shake all with ice, and I would say serve up in a coupe but it's summer, still 90f at 19:00. So I'm having it on ice, and just enjoying the hot weather.
Variation on a Devil's Soul. It would benefit from a float of the Heirloom Pineapple Amaro (and being served up), but had enough oddball ingredients I didn't want to add another. But if you have it, go for it.
2 oz bourbon
3/4 oz lemon
3/4 oz peach liqueur (I used apricot)
2 oz ginger beer
Sprig of mint for muddling and one more for garnish. I used mojito mint, it barely survived our double tap freeze, so it was fresh from the garden.
Mix the first 3 ingredients then use a little of that mix to muddle the mint, then put in the rest & shake with ice, top with ginger beer.
https://www.deseret.com/1991/7/19/18931619/florida-couple-arrested-after-a-neighbor-tapes-sex-act-through-window/
Local couple here got arrested when their neighbor taped them having sex. Yes, you read that right. Not the peeping tom. The victims of the voyeur were arrested.