Not quite a deathmarch...

we make our own fun:
me: "well, the depression of 1920-21 was-"
friend: (thinking she'd gotten one over on me) "the Depression was in the 30's."
me: *sighs* The Great Depression was in the 30's. There was some bipolar financial behavior prior to that."
friend: "Oh. Do they make Prozac for index funds?"
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Ok, Leverage. ( spoilers ruin the con )

HowEVER. Next week's episode? Looks to be EPIC. (and anyone who didn't know they were going to bring Jimmy Ford into play at some point or another hasn't been paying attention to the foreshadowing...)
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And now, Day 1 of 2nd draft revision:The Readthrough. Caffeine, check. Chocolate, check. Red ink, check. Tylenol & Tums, check...

There may or may not be color commentary. Each march is different. Check this space.

talking about things we'd rather we didn't have to talk about,

More intelligent people saying useful things: Jim Hines talking about the "gray area" of sexual consent.

He makes two distinct and important points that, even if you're not able or willing to read the entire post, you need to take away with you.

1. "the phrase “mixed signals” means the signals are mixed. There’s no clear message as to what the person wants … meaning you have to find out. With as much miscommunication as you get in most relationships, don’t you think it’s a good idea to make sure you’re both on the same page?" (emphasis mine)

2. if you don't stop and clarify the situation, "You’re worried they’ll say no. Meaning you’re not sure they want this, and you’d rather risk committing rape than risk asking and being told no." (emphasis mine and Jim's)
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Masturbation only takes into consideration the needs of one person. Sex involves two (or more). It takes ten seconds to say "are you okay with this?" Drunk or sober, no matter how hot under the waistband you are, it takes ten seconds. If your partner is okay with this, they will let you know, clearly and enthusiastically (often with pleasurable results for all concerned).

If they're not....

If they're not, you have a choice: force the issue, or respect their hesitation. What choice you make determines what kind of a human being you are. And there's nothing gray about that.

I will do anything, apparently, to avoid revisions...

For those who are completists/gluttons for punishment/want to see what I look/sound like coming off a Very Long Work Binge, consider http://bit.ly/dtNHRA, in which I am interviewed by Ron Hogan for Tor.com, and the video makes me wince....


[and yes, I talk as much with my body as my voice. This surprises...anyone?]