4 hours ago, mike carey said:

IIRC lead-up tournaments like Queen's have not been stripped. I smell a stunt in the decision to apply the rule selectively to Wimbledon and not others.

Half the rationale for keeping ranking points for Queens and Eastbourne is that Russian and Belarusian players still have the option of playing Halle and Mallorca the same weeks, for the same points even though Queens and Eastbourne violate the same rule as Wimbledon does -- entry based solely on ranking.  Obviously, there is no equivalent alternative to Wimbledon.

As for the other half of their rationale, at least the ATP (I confess I don't follow the women's side closely) was up-front about applying a double standard.  The ATP stated publicly that if they had stripped Queens and Eastbourne of ranking points, those tournaments would have financially collapsed.  Granted, "we can't let them go bankrupt" isn't the most noble argument for giving a tournament a free pass, but at least you gotta respect the ATP for their honesty.  In contrast, Wimbledon will be flush with cash, ranking points or not.

Besides the 2 ATP grass tournaments, there's a grass Challenger in Nottingham that I assume also kept its ranking points.  Besides the two previous reasons, I have to think biggest reason the ATP left Nottingham's points intact is that Challenger players (the tennis equivalent of minor leaguers) so desperately need ranking points.  All the players playing Nottingham had to commit by April 25 (commitment is 6 weeks in advance for all tournaments), yet the ATP made its announcement May 20, too late to back out & opt for another Challenger (3 others the same week).   If the ATP had stripped Nottingham of points, that would have massively screwed the players entered.

Showtime's "Queer as Folk" was the American version of  the British series.  Now they're remaking it?  I didn't love the 2000-2005 series, didn't hate it either.  But I would much prefer that they come up with an original idea for a new gay series.

It's official: the ATP & WTA have stripped Wimbledon 2022 of ranking points.  Also, the ATP will drop the points earned from 2021, no "freezing" of points like they did with Covid-canceled tournaments.  The tours had to do this because the Russian & Belarusian player ban violates the rules of both tours.

So Novak's point total will drop by 2000 points because the 2021 points will come off and the 2022 tournament has no ranking points.  Even if Novak defends his Roland Garros title (by no means a given), he will drop to #3.  If he doesn't defend, he'll drop a lot more, maybe #5 or #6.  The Roland Garros draw is lopsided because 3 of the top 4 contenders (Novak, Rafa, Alcaraz) ended up in one half whereas Tsitsipas is by himself in the other.  Draws will become even more lopsided when arguably the world's best player is ranked #3 or lower.

Wichita cops identify ‘poopetrator’ who defecated in middle of beauty store

What on earth possesses someone to drop a deuce in a wig store??

I finished "The Barrier," a series about a dystopian Spain in the year 2045.  After a nuclear WW3 and a terrible plague (series was written & shot pre-Covid), Madrid is divided into a wealthy section, where people live in security and abundance, and a poor section, where people suffer from food shortages, squalor, and martial law.  The barrier is the Berlin Wall-style fence that divides rich from poor.

It started a bit slow but picked up about halfway, and the last 2 episodes were action-packed awesome.  It runs for only 1 season, 13 episodes.  It's on Netflix & definitely worth a binge.

31 minutes ago, OCClient said:

During the conversation about Rai, what is so attractive about him, Pol admits one of the reasons is he has a big package.   😄

 

The heart wants what the heart wants!

I have such a crush on Bruno that I couldn't figure out why Pol was so hooked on Rai.  But like you said, the heart wants what the heart wants.  Or as they say in Spain, sobre el gusto no hay nada escrito.  Word-for-word translates to "about taste there's nothing written," but a better translation would be "there's no accounting for taste."

When oh when will Netflix show the second season of Merli Sapere Aude??

Congratulations to Kalush Orchestra!  They won Eurovision 2022!  Ukraine was the sentimental favorite for obvious reasons,  but I do like the song.

3 hours ago, SlimJim said:

I really liked Lee Majors in the 6 Million Dollar Man, and also Rock Hudson in McMillan and Wife.  I'm not sure I realized why I liked them at the time though.

"McMillan & Wife" was one of the NBC Mysteries that cycled with "McCloud."  Unfortunately, I could never watch because they were on past my bedtime.  I was crushed because I really wanted to see Dennis Weaver.  But like you, I hadn't quite figured out why I liked him at the time.

12 hours ago, BuffaloKyle said:

What happens when it passes 9.99 they only have 3 slots for the numbers!? 🤪

It'll be like Nadia Comaneci's first ever 10.00 in the sport of gymnastics.  The judges had to post it as "1.00" because the sign wasn't formatted to allow for 4 digits.

2 hours ago, Epigonos said:

Besides Buster Crab I vividly remember getting hard every time I played the Jan Michael Vincent nude scene in the 1974 film "Buster and Billie".  I believe it was the first time a male actor did a full frontal nude scene.  Of course I realize that age and life style destroyed his looks but in 1974 he was hot, Hot, HOT

Cash:  Plenty of it.  In a natural disaster, businesses might not be able to take credit cards.  Plus you might meet a really hunky FEMA worker looking to moonlight.

Water bottle w/biofilter:  potable water can be scarce during/after a natural disaster.

Gun & ammo:  Crazy sh*t happens during a natural disaster.  Ya never know.

I was a huge Judds fan and am so sorry to hear about Naomi.  Wow, she lived a roller coaster of a life, some great highs but a lot of crushing lows: hepatitis, diagnosed terminal, crippling bouts of depression, and finally suicide.  R.I.P.

15 minutes ago, CheckCar said:

Ticket prices have taken a slight bump 😏

 

*gulp* $588-882?!  Is that just for the ticket, or is that some special "deluxe package" that includes a 1-hour escorting session with the cast member of your choice??

5 hours ago, Unicorn said:

Completely silly. No one knows how things will be then. We should be prepared for the virus to be more virulent, though that hasn't happened yet. They are making new vaccines. But there's no way to make forecasts at this point. 

"A dangerous covid19 winter" ... hmm, where have I heard that before?  Oh right, that's what Biden said about this past winter:

Biden warns of winter of 'severe illness and death' for unvaccinated due to Omicron

"Anima Ardens" is a dance work in which 11 male dancers perform nude.  A movie "Bare" was made about the auditions, rehearsals, and performance.  Why isn't "Bare" on Netflix?!  The video below is a short clip:

21 hours ago, samhexum said:

A Ukrainian band is considered a favorite to win the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, which has been televised across the continent annually since 1956 and which was won by ABBA with Waterloo in 1974, launching the band's ascent into the greatest in music history.

Oleh Psiuk, 27, the rapping frontman of the band, insists his song will win the competition on the merits, not because of an outpouring of support for his war-torn homeland.

The contest is decided both by a panel of music industry experts and viewers at home.

“Now we have first place with the bookmakers, but before the beginning of the war we were fifth. It turns out people really like our song, so huge gratitude to everybody who have paid attention to Ukrainian music,” Psiuk said.

“Stefania,” a love song to Psiuk’s mother that features elements of traditional music and rap, was written before the war began, but has taken on a new meaning as fans equate the lyrics with the Ukrainian motherland, the artist told the paper.

It features stanzas like “I’ll always find my way home even if all roads are destroyed,” and “Mother sing me the lullaby, I want to hear your dear word.”

“Our song is loved by Europeans not only because of the war. The more people pay attention to Ukraine, the more they hear about the song, so this song is loved by an ever-wider audience,” he said.

Members of Kalush Orchestra needed a special governmental waiver to leave Ukraine to compete in the contest’s final round next week in Turin, Italy. All able bodied men under the age of 60 are required to remain in Ukraine and take up arms against the Russians.

Winning the contest would “really increase the morale of the country,” Psiuk told the newspaper.

Expert observers of the competition told the paper that such a “morale” boost seemed likely.

“They will win the public vote by a landslide,” said Paul Jordan, who wrote a Ph.D. thesis on the Eurovision Song Contest and later worked for the organization. “The [expert] jury vote will be different and difficult to predict.”

Ukraine has won Eurovision twice since its first appearance in the contest, which was won by ABBA with Waterloo in 1974, launching the band's ascent into the greatest in music history, 19 years ago.

Russia was banned from participating in this year’s event.

 

Thanks for posting.  I really like the song on its own merits, unrelated to the war in Ukraine.  I'm glad they posted English subtitles because I find it hard to connect with a song without understanding the lyrics.  Best of luck to these guys.

On 1/4/2022 at 3:49 PM, MikeBiDude said:

Yes it has. I’m crushing on Miguel Herràn who was in season 1 of Élite and all seasons of Money Heist. 

 

I just finished watching Seasons 4 & 5 of "Money Heist."  Wow, I think it's the best series I've ever seen: a super-sophisticated plot, great twists, compelling characters, edge-of-your-seat suspense.  "Velvet" is still my sentimental favorite, but "Money Heist" is in a league of its own. 

I've heard that the MH producer wants to do a prequel with Berlin as the protagonist.  If so, I can't wait because Berlin is my favorite character.

8 hours ago, EZEtoGRU said:

...but not on airplanes...which makes zero sense.   

The air inside a plane's cabin is circulated every 3 minutes and filtered through surgical-grade HEPA filters.  Yes, people are packed in, but the circulation from ceiling to floor makes airplane cabin air cleaner than inside homes or even operating rooms.  I don't know the specifics of subway air, but my guess is the filtering is far below surgical grade and the air circulates, dunno, once every mayoral term?

4 hours ago, Charlie said:

What if the ATP were to boycott Wimbledon, as they did in 1973? What if prominent players refused as individuals to play? None of the possibilities are pretty if Wimbledon refuses to back down.

Any ATP boycott would have to be led by the Big 3, or in this case just Novak & Rafa because Roger is sidelined.  Just my sense as a die-hard Novak fan, the Serb desperately wants to play in as many Slams as possible, especially since (as of now) he still cannot enter the US or Australia.  I highly doubt he's willing to skip Wimbledon this year.  And if Novak's playing, wild horses couldn't drag Rafa away.

Lower-ranked players are hugely loyal to the Big 3.  As recently retired Tommy Robredo said, when he started on the tour, 1st round prize money at the Slams was $6000, now it's $60,000 (USO even higher, $75K).  Roger, Rafa, and Novak campaigned to reduce prize money in latter rounds (in other words, their prize money) to pay far more in early rounds.  Today, a guy ranked #95 can make a decent living because even a 1st round loss in all 4 Slams pays enough to cover expenses for the whole year, including a traveling coach and physio.  Pre-Big 3, a full-time traveling coach and physio were a "luxury" only top 10 players could afford.  While individual players can vote however they want, you can't underestimate their loyalty to the Big 3.

So my guess is no player boycott of Wimbledon this year.  However, if Wimbledon and the other UK grass tournaments are stripped of ranking points, I'm sure plenty of players will skip them.  If you've never done well at Wimbledon (a lot of players struggle with the movement on grass), it might not be worth the expense & travel.  Better to use the brief grass season to rest up or heal up for the long and physically grueling hardcourt stretch.

12 hours ago, Charlie said:

Novak will have much to think about. I'm sure he disagrees with Wimbledon's stand, but he also is the reigning Wimbledon champion, and those points from last year have a lot to do with his own current ranking.

So true, especially since Novak is a pathetic #97 in the points race.  The world #1 has won a pitiful 250 points so far in 2022, behind the likes of players like Richard Gasquet, Stefan Kozlov, and Vasek Pospisil (I love Reeshahr and Vasek, by the way, just trying to provide some context).  But if the ATP does decide to strip 2022 Wimbledon of ranking points, I'm guessing they will keep the 2021 points in the players' points totals because nobody has the chance to defend the previous year's points, just like the ATP did with Covid-canceled tournaments.  If that's the case, then Novak is sitting pretty, with 2000 points guaranteed.

45 minutes ago, StLouisOct said:

There’s something about that physique that screams “Dancer.”

The straight back.  A lot of people slouch or hunch, or at least sit/stand in a way that follows the the spine's curvature.  Trained dancers have straight backs, like a steel rod.

30 minutes ago, starman05 said:

I started a thread apparently a few years ago and now, it's been so long since it's been commented on, it's closed and so, I am starting this new one.

I was all set to see a retiring guy a few years ago. Schedules go in the way and then COVID happened.

Since then, I've lost two of the most important people in my life; a parent to COVID and a best friend to suicide. I want nothing more than to have one last night with this guy who was able to get inside my head and make me feel better.

I swear it was just as much emotional and mental as it was physical. 

I've reached out to him recently to see if for one last time he'd be up for seeing me. Part of me was let it go. Don't risk ruining the fun times you've had before.

He may not be in a place where he wants to see me (or anyone) ever again. 

I won't take it personally if I don't hear from him, but I will miss him. 

I am so sorry about your parent and best friend.  A parent's death can hit people very hard.  Add to that the death of your best friend, which is rough no matter the circumstances.  As if that weren't enough, losing him (her?) to suicide, I can't even imagine.

I can understand the desire to revive a connection with a great escort, especially one who touched you in ways beyond the physical/sexual.  But unless he made it clear to you that he was still planning to see a few select clients, I wouldn't reach out to him, just as I wouldn't reach out to an escort whose ad says "not available," even if I were a regular, even if I had a great chemistry with the guy, only if the escort specifically told me to go ahead and call him despite the "not available" tag.  Gotta respect an escort's space.

That said, I hope you can find a way to get through the grief.  You can google the subject & figure out what works best for you.  One suggestion I can't imagine any of the search results include would be to have some fun looking for a new escort "find."  Plenty of fish in the sea, as is so often said on this forum.  Hopefully you have the time & budget plus live in or near a city with plenty of selection.  Lots of escorts pride themselves on their ability to connect with clients beyond the physical/sexual.  Il faut créer des liens, as a very wise little prince once said.  Connections with your family and friends will help, of course, but a great new escort could too.  Just my opinion.

Rafa joins in on criticizing Wimbledon's ban on Russian & Belarusian players, "I think it’s very unfair (on) my Russian tennis mates, my colleagues. It’s not their fault what’s happening in this moment with the war."  Still no word from Roger, who is sidelined until October.  Who knows if Roger will weigh in, whether publicly or behind the scenes.

One thing I do know is that even if every player in the top 100 voiced their disagreement with the ban, Wimbledon would still stick to their guns.  But if Roger decides to join his fellow Big 3 in opposition, that will likely get the ATP to strip Wimbledon of ranking points because the 3 ATGs still hold great sway over the ATP Tour.  The players are meeting in Madrid this week to decide.