Writer's resource

[impressive]

Anyone fluent in Spanish? I need some help with a bit of pillow talk. I've been using the translator on AltaVista, but I want independent verification.

Please PM me if you can help. Just a couple of phrases.

Gracias!

 

[rgraham666]

If anyone needs some Canadian trivia, I've lived from the east shore to Alberta.. I've seen a LOT of this country, and remember the oddest tidbits of info in each..

(Mining town in north manitoba: Flin-flon... what a name eh??)

Don't forget Dildo in Newfoundland.

 

[tolyk]

Don't forget Dildo in Newfoundland.

I could never forget about Dildo, I have a song about it.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

If anyone needs some Canadian trivia, I've lived from the east shore to Alberta.. I've seen a LOT of this country, and remember the oddest tidbits of info in each..

(Mining town in north manitoba: Flin-flon... what a name eh??)


Oh.. consequently.. after reading one of the threads about lesbians, I really would like to get to learn more about the sex life of lesbians.. so, hit me with all you've got

The sex lives of lesbians are just as varried as the sex lives of Het folks, perhaps more so

 

[cantdog]

Perdita had a very cool Spanish street talk dictionary, an online link. I was going to do a search, but the woman has eleven thousand posts...

The real words used vary from place to place, especially in how nasty they're perceived to be. Puerto Rico uses different expressions from Colombia.

Maybe the best, most reliable method would be to write it as your sources seem to be giving it to you and then run the result past a native speaker for suggestions to improve verisimilitude.

Perdita did that with Yorkshire dialect; she may be willing to oblige for Mexican Spanish. Ask nicely and be gracious, and the door will be opened unto you.

cantdog

 

[Belegon]

Reviving this thread.

Anyone know a place in SF where one can dine outdoors and see the bay and bridge?

-Colly

Colly, emailed a buddy that has lived there for ten years+. But he may not get it for a couple days.

I would say try and see if there is something in a top floor style place up on Nob Hill. I know there are some decent places up ther by the cathedral but I don't know if any have views of the gate.

 

[snooper]

Anyone fluent in Spanish? I need some help with a bit of pillow talk.

Perdita had a very cool Spanish street talk dictionary, an online link. ...

I don't know if this is it, but try here.

 

[impressive]

Thanks, all. I'll PM perdita.

 

[tolyk]

The sex lives of lesbians are just as varried as the sex lives of Het folks, perhaps more so

Which is why I want to hear from as many sources as possible

I know that what you see in porn isn't what lesbian sex lives are about.. I've never been under that impression (though, I figure it is possible that SOME are like that.. *shrug*).. The way I see it, I'm not going to learn anything about a lesbian's sex life firsthand in my lifetime.. kind of hard, seeing as how I'm a straight male, and don't plan on wooing two lesbians into bed. Since, lesbians by definition only sleep with women, that would be rather hard.

This is where I'm figuring all out lesbians have a different sex life than bi-sexual women. So on and so forth.. I'd just like more education in the topic, not for any fantasy reasons.. Hell, if I want to visualize two women together, you can most certainly be sure that they will be bi, and not lesbian *grin*

 

[CharleyH]

That's the point - they haven't got one. They have to use artificial aids.

LOL - Uh huh, like straight guys don't like a little dildo action?

 

[CharleyH]

The sex lives of lesbians are just as varried as the sex lives of Het folks, perhaps more so

I agree and there are plenty of stories around that can give one an idea.

However, Tolyk, it's been my experience that the permeating attitudes in the bar scenes vary from place to place. The bed scene, like any other, depends on the individuals and their preferences, openness and willingness to do. Anything you can imagine, I'm sure a lesbian somewhere has done it

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Which is why I want to hear from as many sources as possible

I know that what you see in porn isn't what lesbian sex lives are about.. I've never been under that impression (though, I figure it is possible that SOME are like that.. *shrug*).. The way I see it, I'm not going to learn anything about a lesbian's sex life firsthand in my lifetime.. kind of hard, seeing as how I'm a straight male, and don't plan on wooing two lesbians into bed. Since, lesbians by definition only sleep with women, that would be rather hard.

This is where I'm figuring all out lesbians have a different sex life than bi-sexual women. So on and so forth.. I'd just like more education in the topic, not for any fantasy reasons.. Hell, if I want to visualize two women together, you can most certainly be sure that they will be bi, and not lesbian *grin*

I doubt you will get too many testimonials here. From my perspective, the sex life, bedroom fare has changed from lover to lover and often has changed over time with the same lover. It's not really that dissimilar than you would find with straight couples, at least as far as I can discern.

Particular lovers have had particular kinks, and when I was with them, those kinks were part of the bedroom gymnastics. With other lovers, who didn't have that kink, they were not.

I think you will find that Charley's experience, if you boiled it down to a summary, would varry radically from my own and mine from Des or Renza's. I suspect the answer to your question has as many answers as there are lesbians.

-Colly

 

[Liar]

A geographical question:

I chose Minnesota as a setting for a story I'm writing, due to the climate and landscapem which plays an important part in the plot. And now I need to take my characters to the nearest big city. Which would be Minneapolis.

Minneapolis and St Paul are as far as I know called the Twin Cities. I guess because they practically are located on top of each other. Right? Now, I can't find any good info on those cities. What they look like, what the locals refer to them as (the twins, or the separate names), what, if anything, significant can be found there (famous buildings, statues, lakes, parks...)

Any info on the area would be helpful. My own Google skills doesn't seem enough.

#L

 

[dizzylia]

A geographical question:

I chose Minnesota as a setting for a story I'm writing, due to the climate and landscapem which plays an important part in the plot. And now I need to take my characters to the nearest big city. Which would be Minneapolis.

Minneapolis and St Paul are as far as I know called the Twin Cities. I guess because they practically are located on top of each other. Right? Now, I can't find any good info on those cities. What they look like, what the locals refer to them as (the twins, or the separate names), what, if anything, significant can be found there (famous buildings, statues, lakes, parks...)

Any info on the area would be helpful. My own Google skills doesn't seem enough.

Natives often just refer to them as "The Cities", because there really isn't anything else in the area. Well, not big enough to be confused with the Twin Cities, anyway. Basically, St. Paul is on the eastern side of the Mississippi, and Minneapolis (Mpls) is on the western side. (And a bit of trivia, St. Paul was originally called Pig's Eye before they changed the name to St. Paul and made it Minnesota's capital.)

One of the favorite spots in Minneapolis would be Hennepin and Nicollet Avenue, which have quite a few shops and restaurants and the like. If the people are younger, they might go dancing at First Ave or the Saloon or the Gay 90s. (among others). The latter two being gay bars/dance clubs, though they're frrequented quite a bit by straights as well.

Another big favorite is the Walker Art Center & Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The "Spoon and Cherry" sculture shows up on a lot of Mpls postcards.

Let's see... there's also the Mall of America. There's the Weisman Art Museum over on the Minneapolis campus of the U of MN. There's more, too, so if you're looking for something more specific, just let me know.


-dizzy, Minnesota (and Minneapolis) native who never quite lost that damn accent

 

[Liar]

Natives often just refer to them as "The Cities", because there really isn't anything else in the area. Well, not big enough to be confused with the Twin Cities, anyway. Basically, St. Paul is on the eastern side of the Mississippi, and Minneapolis (Mpls) is on the western side. (And a bit of trivia, St. Paul was originally called Pig's Eye before they changed the name to St. Paul and made it Minnesota's capital.)

One of the favorite spots in Minneapolis would be Hennepin and Nicollet Avenue, which have quite a few shops and restaurants and the like. If the people are younger, they might go dancing at First Ave or the Saloon or the Gay 90s. (among others). The latter two being gay bars/dance clubs, though they're frrequented quite a bit by straights as well.

Another big favorite is the Walker Art Center & Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The "Spoon and Cherry" sculture shows up on a lot of Mpls postcards.

Let's see... there's also the Mall of America. There's the Weisman Art Museum over on the Minneapolis campus of the U of MN. There's more, too, so if you're looking for something more specific, just let me know.


-dizzy, Minnesota (and Minneapolis) native who never quite lost that damn accent

Thanks, I think that will be good enough. My characters are just passing through the place. All I really need is to throw in some references so that the reader gets a good feel of the city. Your refeences and what I found at a tourist site will be all I need.

#L

 

[Belegon]

For Colleen re: SF rest.

Colly,

How about this. It has history and the view you are looking for. It is up towards the top of Nob Hill near the cathedral if I am reading correctly.

http://topofthemark.citysearch.com/

I hope this helps...

Luv,

Bel

 

[CharleyH]

The year was 1973 or 1974

I am finding it difficult to gain any new insight into what life was like in 1973/ 1974 beyond my own memory, and websites that don't seem to give me much more than popular films.

I am doing a flashback sequence, and so indepth history other than the peripheral current events of the time, and the attitude toward them, are not needed.

I would like to know the general atmosphere of society at that time from anyone who may recall. Examples would be popular hair styles, clothes, fads, sayings (particularly key phrases or words), bikes, cars, names, magazines, the hottest record or the film everyone was off to see and what theatre chains they saw them at, the show everybody was watching perhaps the brand of TV, was colour new? (lists are easy to come by, but don't reflect the actuality of the excitement that may have surrounded a song, band or film) games, adult or otherwise, what the SM scene might have been like, what were main concerns among teens or adults. Any details that might suggest the early 70's, anything at all. What people might have made fun of . . .

For example, I remember latch key kids, and a truck that used to come around and deliver bottles of juice, and that any boy who wore a daisy flower patch on his jeans was only popular among the girls, and horned rimmed glasses.

Thank you all in advance.

 

[doormouse]

Re: The year was 1973 or 1974

I am finding it difficult to gain any new insight into what life was like in 1973/ 1974 beyond my own memory, and websites that don't seem to give me much more than popular films.

I am doing a flashback sequence, and so indepth history other than the peripheral current events of the time, and the attitude toward them, are not needed.

I would like to know the general atmosphere of society at that time from anyone who may recall. Examples would be popular hair styles, clothes, fads, sayings (particularly key phrases or words), bikes, cars, names, magazines, the hottest record or the film everyone was off to see and what theatre chains they saw them at, the show everybody was watching perhaps the brand of TV, was colour new? (lists are easy to come by, but don't reflect the actuality of the excitement that may have surrounded a song, band or film) games, adult or otherwise, what the SM scene might have been like, what were main concerns among teens or adults. Any details that might suggest the early 70's, anything at all. What people might have made fun of . . .

For example, I remember latch key kids, and a truck that used to come around and deliver bottles of juice, and that any boy who wore a daisy flower patch on his jeans was only popular among the girls, and horned rimmed glasses.

Thank you all in advance.

Have you done a google on that year?

I'm doing a story at the moment set back in 400AD and was amazed at what I found on the web.

Are you gonna don the flares and do a John Travolta for us?



(okay, wrong era LOL)

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Re: The year was 1973 or 1974

I am finding it difficult to gain any new insight into what life was like in 1973/ 1974 beyond my own memory, and websites that don't seem to give me much more than popular films.

I am doing a flashback sequence, and so indepth history other than the peripheral current events of the time, and the attitude toward them, are not needed.

I would like to know the general atmosphere of society at that time from anyone who may recall. Examples would be popular hair styles, clothes, fads, sayings (particularly key phrases or words), bikes, cars, names, magazines, the hottest record or the film everyone was off to see and what theatre chains they saw them at, the show everybody was watching perhaps the brand of TV, was colour new? (lists are easy to come by, but don't reflect the actuality of the excitement that may have surrounded a song, band or film) games, adult or otherwise, what the SM scene might have been like, what were main concerns among teens or adults. Any details that might suggest the early 70's, anything at all. What people might have made fun of . . .

For example, I remember latch key kids, and a truck that used to come around and deliver bottles of juice, and that any boy who wore a daisy flower patch on his jeans was only popular among the girls, and horned rimmed glasses.

Thank you all in advance.

Let me think, In 74' I was a twelve year old geek. Now I have to dig through the horror that was my awkward preteen years, You'll be footing the shrink's bill on this one.

 

[impressive]

'74 ... Hmmm ... I was 11 ... Donny Osmond, Tony DiFranco, "You Light Up My Life," ... which, within a year or so, switched over to Kiss, Blue Oyster Cult, and Aerosmith.

My little world ...

 

[ABSTRUSE]

http://www.atomicmag.com/articles/index.shtml

I hope this link works, it's pretty cool for retro stuff.

and btw Charley....I HATED the 70's.

 

[matriarch]

Re: The year was 1973 or 1974

I am finding it difficult to gain any new insight into what life was like in 1973/ 1974 beyond my own memory, and websites that don't seem to give me much more than popular films.

I am doing a flashback sequence, and so indepth history other than the peripheral current events of the time, and the attitude toward them, are not needed.

I would like to know the general atmosphere of society at that time from anyone who may recall. Examples would be popular hair styles, clothes, fads, sayings (particularly key phrases or words), bikes, cars, names, magazines, the hottest record or the film everyone was off to see and what theatre chains they saw them at, the show everybody was watching perhaps the brand of TV, was colour new? (lists are easy to come by, but don't reflect the actuality of the excitement that may have surrounded a song, band or film) games, adult or otherwise, what the SM scene might have been like, what were main concerns among teens or adults. Any details that might suggest the early 70's, anything at all. What people might have made fun of . . .

For example, I remember latch key kids, and a truck that used to come around and deliver bottles of juice, and that any boy who wore a daisy flower patch on his jeans was only popular among the girls, and horned rimmed glasses.

Thank you all in advance.

This is scary.
I was married in 72, my eldest was born in 76.

Very flared trousers, brightly patterned, tight fitting shirts, wide lapels, long but highly coiffeured hair on guys. Mini skirts.

Abba, Beegees, Jackson 5, The Partridge Family, Carpenters, Credence Clear Water Revivial, Neil Diamond, the Beatles, Freda Payen (Band of Gold), The Supremes, the Temptations, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Aretha Franklin, ...............need I go on???

And all my memories are British, I'm assuming you want Canadian/States type history.

Mat (revelling in memories)

 

[cloudy]

Re: The year was 1973 or 1974

I would like to know the general atmosphere of society at that time from anyone who may recall. Examples would be popular hair styles, clothes, fads, sayings (particularly key phrases or words), bikes, cars, names, magazines, the hottest record or the film everyone was off to see and what theatre chains they saw them at, the show everybody was watching perhaps the brand of TV, was colour new? (lists are easy to come by, but don't reflect the actuality of the excitement that may have surrounded a song, band or film) games, adult or otherwise, what the SM scene might have been like, what were main concerns among teens or adults. Any details that might suggest the early 70's, anything at all. What people might have made fun of . . .

For example, I remember latch key kids, and a truck that used to come around and deliver bottles of juice, and that any boy who wore a daisy flower patch on his jeans was only popular among the girls, and horned rimmed glasses.

Thank you all in advance.

Wasn't that around the time that Farah Fawcett hair was in style? I think we called the bangs that were so carefully feathered back, and locked into place with as much hairspray as possible "wings." The longer your hair, the better, for both sexes.

Ray Steven's song "The Streak" was released in 1974, and it became popular as hell (what year did that guy streak at the Academy Awards?).

TV Shows: Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, Kung Fu, The Waltons, The Partidge Family, The Brady Bunch....

Songs: Band on the Run (Wings), Bennie and the Jets, Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe (Barry White), Free Bird, Help Me (Joni Mitchell), I Shot The Sheriff (Clapton's version), Oh Very Young (Cat Stevens), Radar Love ...

Cheech & Chong were huge - remember Sister Mary Elephant and Basketball Jones?

Just about everybody smoked pot, including teachers - we used to go across the street and smoke a joint at lunch, taking very little trouble to hide it.

Sayings? I grew up in California, so it may be different for others, but I remember "Dude!", "Bitchin'!", and if you were a total geek you were a "lame-o".

Every guy's dream car was an older Nova, jacked up on huge tires (we used to put bleach on the tires so that when you barked them taking off, they'd smoke )

 

[CharleyH]

'74 ... Hmmm ... I was 11 ... Donny Osmond, Tony DiFranco, "You Light Up My Life," ... which, within a year or so, switched over to Kiss, Blue Oyster Cult, and Aerosmith.

My little world ...

Thought Debbie Boone was later, but . . . thank you. 11 year old reminiscences are welcome since part of the flashback is from a grade 3 student, and another part from an adult.

DM: Yes, I have history and facts, but really want to fill out the milieu . . .

Abs: Ramones played at CBGB's in summer '74 still hate the 70's?

Adult conversations would probably have been around Nixon's resignation, Bundy victums in Washington, Chris Everett and Jimmy Connors, Baryshnikov's defection and possibly even John Lennon reportedly seeing a UFO. I was too young at the time to recall specific conversations, but would be interested in confirming that table talk included particular topics and what the feelings were.

Added:
Thanks Mat., yes, U.S./Canada type stuff, but you have brought to mind some things that I'd have forgotten - thatnks for your input.

Cloudy: Mwah.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

http://www.super70s.com/Super70s/

this has some news of the times in here.


I wasn't big on the Ramones then, so

edit: I bet you had a pet rock!!!