BlackberryJam

If an IP bloodied someone's nose, that's domestic violence. A small crack in the cartilage of the nose is also a "broken nose", that can heal itself within a few days. A broken nose isn't an exaggeration at times, it's simply a matter of degree of injury. This is not true. Amber did not say that he penetrated her with a broken bottle. She said he penetrated her with a bottle and she remember thinking that she hoped it wasn't the broken one. Investigating the facts is laudable. However you have to actually investigate the testimony given, not the exaggerations of the testimony spread over social media.

I was too, especially with Kristen Kish. It infuriated me when she came back. However, I've come to accept that it's part of the competition, just like poor front-of-the-house can get you booted in RW. This part of the competition is not going to go away. So I watch it and enjoy seeing even more delicious dishes being prepared.

I do like Sarah and will be thrilled if she wins. Her LCK run was fantastic and she made amazing looking food with those difficult time constraints. I think Buddha is one of the smartest cheftestants to have prepared so well. I'll be happy if he wins. I also like Damarr and Evelyn. And I liked Nick.

I liked this set of contestants a lot. So much better than last season when I was "Anyone but Gabe." I felt exactly this way about Kristen Kish when she had her fabulous LCK run and then won her season. I hadn't watched LCK that season so knew her only from the main show and hadn't developed any affection for her. I watched LCK a few years ago and like her much more now. I watch it regularly now so I don't have that same irritation. I get not like LCK though. I mean, you're out you're out, only sometimes a great chef goes out when they shouldn't. Of all the chef's I enjoy Sarah's talking heads the most. I like her dry humor and self-deprecation. This top group has really bonded and she's the outsider. It's unfortunate for her, but it's one of the any drawbacks of having LCK. When it was announced she and Buddha were in the top, you could see she wanted a hug, but thought she should shake instead. So awkward. I sensed a lot of fatigue in Nick. His food did look good, but forgetting the binder and making a fish taco for Boulud? Seriously? Evelyn is showing some idea fatigue as well. Sarah and Buddha were the only ones who absolutely went for it. I like Buddha, but I get the feeling he's studied every season and has a dish in his mind for every possible challenge. If he wins, and I'd be happy if he did, it's going to be as much about his pre-planning as it is about the food that comes out of the kitchen on that particular day.

The assumption that women lie about domestic violence is misogynistic. So back to your original statement about why people call Johnny's supporters misogynists...there's the answer. And exaggerating and embellishing? Sure. Johnny has repeatedly contradicted his prior sworn testimony. So he's lied under oath. Exactly. Amber hasn't poked him for 4 years, while he's filed repeated lawsuits. She's attempted to move on, but he can't let go. Amber certainly isn't the "ideal victim." She has her own set of mental health issues. She doesn't behave like a sweet angel. It's not easy to have sympathy for her. Legally, I think this case should never have been brought. I would have advised him not to file. I don't think the facts or the law are on his side. All that being said, juries are unpredictable.

I’m bored by variations on a fish taco. Sarah’s was the most innovative. She deserved her win. Bummer for Nick.

Is a romance on the horizon for Selwyn?

"Not believing Amber" also requires someone not to believe the mountain of evidence, including witnesses, texts, videos, photographs, etc. that back up her story. I have yet to see an "I don't believe Amber, but I'm not a misogynist" take that addresses any of that. So when people see misogyny, they tend to call it out.

I cannot say enough about Sisters of the Vast Black by Lina Rather. It can easily be described as Nuns in Space, but it’s so much more. It’s the first in a series about a religious order of Catholic nuns traveling the universe in a living space ship. Sure that sounds weird, but it’s so well done, without being preachy. It’s a from a purely female perspective. I’ve read the first two in the series and I doubt if I can name even one male character. Highly, HIGHLY recommend. The characters are well written, the relationships are real and complicated, all in the backdrop of a past and impending galactic war.

I was looking through the books on sale at Audible and I do not want books that: Keep me on the edge of my seat. Make me bite my nails. Are “unputdownable”. Are absolutely gripping. Are twisty thrillers keeping me guessing to the end. Ugh. I don’t want reading fiction to be work.

I love Sarah and hope she makes it to the final. I find her dry, self-deprecating comments sincere and often hilarious. It does have to be massively intimidating coming back in to a group of chefs who clearly bonded without you, while knowing they all think you should already be gone. Buddha's pasta looked amazing. Nick seemed like a total mess. Ashleigh has never really impressed me as a chef, but I liked her. I find Damarr to be utterly charming.

Yeah, that RS article on Johnny was bad. I find myself frustrated during conversations with Johnny supporters who want to talk about every horrible act Amber ever committed, because SO WHAT? Amber can have beaten up pregnant nuns while naked and singing show tunes and it doesn't matter one damn bit. The issue for the trial is did she defame him in the OpEd, which doesn't even mention his name, but refers to herself as a survivor of DV. And you can be BOTH someone who physically hit your partner and a survivor of DV. They aren't mutually exclusive. This idea that she's only a survivor of DV if she is a perfect victim who never hit back, never screamed, shouted, has absolutely stable mental health, reacts only in the accepted manner and behaves like an angel is disgusting. Also, no one can go back in time and reverse the abuse, so what if she leveraged the abuse for money. It disgusts me when people think victims have to be saintly and honorable about money or they aren't victims at all. "But but but, Amber's crazy!" Probably. Sure. Whatever. It does not matter how crazy she is. The evidence is all out there about his physical violence to her.

Preach. Once I have to deal with someone's personal bullshit, all the while putting on my best sympathetic face, they become incredibly unattractive. I don't know even one female attorney who is interested in fucking a client. The bizarre narratives coming out of this trial are kind of amazing.

Downton Abbey ticked all my boxes and I couldn’t make it through one episode.

The Americans! I absolutely remember the use of Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and U2's With or Without You. Both songs were perfect for those scenes and absolute hit on all the right notes. I also think Westworld does a great job with music. I like all the Poundy Drums of BSG. Many times, I'll watch shows on mute with closed captioning on because I don't like the "forced emotion" that some soundtracks try to bring. I also hate it when the screen is too dark to make things out. And rapid cuts for fight/chase scenes. I hate rapid cuts so much.

Amber wasn't the defendant in the UK case, so it's technically a different cause of action.

The attitude that intimate partner violence is suffered only by the poor and stupid is insulting. Thinking that it's easy to walk out and go to a shelter is just victim blaming. These issues are complex. Love is complicated. Understanding what love is is complicated. Self esteem and mental illness are complicated. Not to mention the victim feeling guilt and shame. It's not easy to just walk out. Thinking it is helps perpetuate the problem.

Panties, yes. I get up afterwards and have a quick wash, then put on my panties. I expect the same of my partner. I don't like naked ass and bits rubbing all over my top sheet/blankets.

AVBS ...I tried it. For such a fascinating story, it was so dull. I used to do the L-sheet after sex. I just didn't like my boobs catching the breeze. I have no problem with it. I do have a problem with women sleeping in their bras. I get that whole The Two Mrs. Grenvilles I-slept-in-my-bra-to-keep-my-breasts-from-sagging, but must women don't care that much.

Do not remind me of the abomination that was The Secret of Chimneys.

One thing I love about Vera and a few other British shows is that they always have an attorney in the interview.

Because maybe it had a note that said, "your pants are unzipped." I'd open it. Also, everything is easier in hindsight. She may be the worst parent on earth, but I don't fault her for the service issue. Again, just another ugly public celebrity custody fight. Let me barf right now.

And compounding that with public humiliation is such a great move in a custody action. People can't claim to be on the high road unless they haul their asses up to the high road.

Service is embarrassing and awkward. She's a famous person with a public schedule of appearances. She's easily found. Only an idiot or a masochist wouldn't arrange for her acceptance of service on a case like this. Of course she has an attorney of some sort, or even a call to her agent or PA would get her the info so she could grab any attorney licensed in the state to accept service for her. It's the same thing as celebs turning themselves at police stations rather than getting arrested. These things get arranged in a 4 minute phone call. The service on stage was either a dick move by Sudekis or a dick move by his attorney. All around, just a dick move. I'm sort of throwing up in my mouth thinking about another high profile celebrity squabble over children.

With the celebs, rather than having documents served, his attorney would contact her attorney and ask if that attorney would accept service. Her attorney agrees. Done.