Evening all, TGIF, apologies for being intermittent in my attendance at the best virtual bar in the universe. But I know you all understand. Himself is walking, like seriously more than three steps, dear God life will never be the same.

But I am writing a few words every day and have over half of what may be the only Australian Noir story written. Mine is so not like the two wonderful stories already published. Hugs to you Kat given the hurricane, we say cyclone down under and it is a Queensland not a NSW phenomena, but google tells me it is more or less what you have experienced.

Quote by sprite

oh, and my Mistress got married - i got to be a bridesmaid. details of the after-after party will probably never be talked about here. sorry, but some things are just private. let's see... Kate also had a bday.

Hey, Rachel, congrats on being a bridesmaid (I want details of the after-after party) and your writing, its wonderful to see (and yes Summer is done, it always will be one of my favourite Lush stories) but I have to admit I misread the last word I quoted above ... giggles, Taser Sprite.

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Good boy

Oh you big bad domme, must be a story in your 'management' of Ensorceled

Take care all, spring is here, flowers are past their best and the summer awaits. Sadly the long term forecast is another La Nina year, so too much rain is expected.

Quote by KimmiBeGood

(Sashays in showing off her new pumpkin painted ass)

Hi Rumpies!

Drunk Guy has taken up finger painting. (Bends over, wiggling cheeks)

I'm ready for fall, y'all! Whatya think?

What’s this fall you speak of, spanking your pumpkin arse (note spelling,) like if you mean autumn that’s actually so next year. Spring has sprung, the azaleas are abloom and the temperature rises.

Annie has even written 5000 words of Aussie Noir, which may or may not be a contradiction in terms, plus half a poem for the other place. Lacked my poetic muse until I thought, it’s himself’s first birthday… I know, I know time flies. Mind you he won’t be making a noir appearance, but will be expected to give mama time to write, even though he’s MOBILE and so not a 🐢

Hugs and kisses all round 🤗💋

Congratulations to all who entered and especially the top three, fabulous stories both on the podium and in and outside the top ten. So good to see Rachel back writing. Thanks to Jen and all who read commented organised and judged.

Quote by Seeker4

Yay for baby snuggles!

(Checks diaper)

Back in a few minutes.😳

Good morning. Lovely day here. To bad I have to spend it in an office. With no windows. And wonky HVAC.😕

Anyhow, I don't see any mention of the new comp on blue, so here it be. Poetry, max 45 lines, 3 required words. Already working on mine.

https://www.storiesspace.com/competitions/dream-on

Tea and one of them there Boston creams to go.

Thanks, I hadn’t picked that up. I shall have a go, like to support blue when I can.

Quote by sprite

Kimmi and james both made top 10 in the comp. awesome! congratz, guys.

Congrats you two and also you Rachel. Loved all three of your stories And the handful of others I read from this competition... Not as many as I would like, but in my defence see the previous post. I have managed a few (4000) Noir words so hopefully I’ll get that done.

Quote by techgoddess

Yay! We have a baby! My grandson was born at 4:30 this morning. 9 pounds 2 ounces. Big boy!! Everyone is doing well after an exhausting night.

Now exactly what date was that Kat? For the 7th September was himself’s first birthday. Seeing you write ‘big boy,’ had me doing a quick google search, himself’s 4.25 kgs translates to 9 pounds 6 ounces, no wonder he took an emergency C to get out. And your DIL is fortunate to be home quickly. But something Susie said to me is totally true, once you have the baby in your arms the dramas of morning sickness and birthing vanish. As a birthing day treat himself decided to try walking. Only a few seemingly drunken steps but full mobility beckons. Can't wait, I think.

Quote by KimmiBeGood

on 2nd thought, I like the idea of favor swapping. Stormdog... I'll throw you a vote if you show me the front side of that sexy ass of yours. (too bad for me he's one of best writers on this site and doesn't need my vote (sad face))

His price might be a quid pro quo, Kimmi. Full frontal for you too 👅

Quote by Jen

That's essentially what the Notorious comp was. I think Nicola got so fed up with people moaning, she did one just to show what would happen. It was a nightmare. People were down-voting others left, right and centre, people were PMing their friends, begging for votes. Others were offering pictures of various body parts in exchange for 5s. And that was just in public. God know what was being offered privately, lol.

As a one off it was kind of funny. As a standard, it's not what any serious author wants to see.

That's true, Jen. But brownsugar won that comp with a stunning story, lots of views and 121 comments were seriously well deserved. Lol, my story should have done better but I didn't think to offer more body parts in private.

Most votes win would be awful and I've literally lost friends for saying that. Judging and shortlisting are harder than writing, occasionally a story slips out of the shortlist net, but this place is fair more so than other sites ❤️

I am so loving this, focused on the next competition, few (me included) reading the current entries. I’m going to read, promise.

As for noir, I’m wondering about how much of the traditional characteristics apply. First person and dark with no happy ending… check. But American and male? Lol, so I am 2000 words into an Australian lesbian story. Is it noir, well the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is called Scandi-noir so this will be defined as Aussie-noir.

Quote by Ensorceled

I own no Speedos (and the world breathes a sigh of relief).

What's a Wicked Weasel?

I’m pleased you asked, my friend. WW is an Australian mail order bikini brand that’s more than a little more risqué than the Seafolly’s of this world.

While many of my Lush friends know the brand, few realise it’s Australian. But while mostly mail order there are two retail outlets, one in Sydney not far from me. I have been known to shop there and to include the brand in my stories.

In particular Sara’s Secret Santa was is part set in the Wicked Weasel bikini store, check it out.

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/teen/saras-secret-santa-the-minnesota-minx

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Hi Rumpies!

I'm gonna be missing in action this next week. Being tortured by my client Mon - Wed, then nose surgery on Thursday. I'm having a basal cell cancer removed from side of my nose (was just a shiny, red spot, btw, NOT what I expected to be cancer, so make sure and see your dermatologists yearly!) and I'm told I'll probably need a skin graft and some reconstruction due to lack of tissue there. Anxiety is setting in already.

So, hopefully me and a decent looking nose will see you on Friday! Be good!!

You’ll be fine, hun, don’t be anxious. A skin graft is usual on ears and nose following cancer removal. And the basal cell one is as good as it gets. I have dermatologist checks every six months as I have melanoma in the family, grandfather, father and aunt. None fatal which shows the benefits of early intervention. Skin checks, breast checks and bowel checks to name but three are totally encouraged.

Quote by Jen

Eh, I see a fairy in the woods, a lass enjoying a swim, and a person probably toasting marshmallows on an open fire. You lot are the morbid ones!

Thank God for that, I see one of those myself. Though typically for me, I’m trying to get all three images into a flash.

Quote by sprite

i see a heroin addict, a viking funeral, and a murder victim.

I am so not trashing my idea to write about a heroin addict who murders and consequently has a viking funeral … unless of course it would rate more highly than a fairy story with an interesting name.

Good to see you writing Rachel, I will read once himself has allowed me enough free time ti finish mine.

Happy Birthday 🥳 🎂🥳🎂🎁🎊🎁🎊Carl and Vanessa

Afternoon all, I’ve been missing in action, winter sniffles last week. The weather here is remarkable, about 9 months of ongoing rain, La Niña is wet but not usually this wet. I did manage a flash story:

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/flash-erotica/a-most-demanding-mistress

so check that out if you have time. Am also stating to catch up on reading when himself allows.

Take care, be safe... And I'll have a Chardonnay this evening ❤️

Congratulations to all who entered, placed in the top ten and especially the podium three Genny, WW and Quill. Thanks to all who read commented organised and judged. ❤️

Evening all. Summer solstice, wrong time of year surely; after all it’s mid-winter.

Anyway hope you are all well, I have not been around these parts of late, himself is mobile and I’ve had to develop eyes in the back of my head.

But some free time has been devoted to writing so do check out my competition story:

Picnic at Hanging Rock Redux.

I have lots of reading to do. Loving those comp stories I have read. Do give my friend Sea48’s story a read, her first longer lush publication and it’s good. 🦘💋🐨

Quote by fuzzy1954
So music is needs to call in the early crowd

The early crowd includes a certain down under girl for whom it is 7 pm Monday. I will have something much stronger than coffee and as for music ...

Quote by KimmiBeGood
Publishing later tonight or in the morning. You're up, Annie! ❤️😘

No pressure then, lol, I am writing at snail's pace; now that himself is mobile, I need eyes in the back of my head.

Plot is clear in my head, ending and beginning written, now just to fill in the middle 1800 words. This will be another Australian story drawing on a fabulous book and equally fabulous film from the 1960/70's.

Happy Monday ..

Evening all, hope your Sunday is going well. I will (and in fact am) have a glass of Chardonnay to toast the change in the Australian political environment.

Fascinating election, both the main parties of the right and left saw their primary votes fall, but the incumbent right party also got hammered by independents in Sydney and Melbourne and the Green Party in Brisbane. A complex lower house (which is the key one as that is the one that forms government) and an even more complex Senate.

But one thing that is clear (at the risk of being political) is that the excesses of the 'right' with respect to climate change, political accountability, and the place of women got a hammering; the results show we are a more tolerant progressive community, and that is a reason to drink up.

At the state government level, this month NSW passed Assisted Dying legislation, the last state to do so which means all Australia has choice over both abortion and death ... and importantly this legislation has been passed by both conservative and progressive parliaments.

Quote by Ensorceled

I hope everyone is well. Just finished digging out of a foot of snow.

Snow! You are close to summer ... I have never seen snow in Sydney, kind of want to, but I think under 19 C is cold and put himself in a woollen hat, which means some of my Lush friends laugh at me; perhaps I couldn't manage a real winter. This last week has been colder, and the full autumn colours abound.

Writing is slow, hard to find clear air, I have started a competition story, totally love the idea of it but not sure I will get it done to a standard I am okay with.

Quote by KimmiBeGood
Still feeling some grief about Mom.

Hey you will, forever in a way. I find writing helps and I trust it will for you too. Have a go and we will love your so called 'suckiest' story, promise. And if you do, I will of course publish my effort even if I am less that happy with it.

Good morning, a cold Saturday (well I think 15 C is cold and himself has to wear a hat,) and I shall take a coffee before I go and vote … will Australia have a change of government, and will anyone outside this Great Southern Land care.

I hate it when I find typos just after submitting… my worst was seeing Kray Bothers instead of Kray Brothers despite about 10 careful reads through the final draft.

Tits, arse and pussy bar, attracts a cock or two:

Happy Wednesday, I take coffee to end my morning.

I was about to update you on currant affairs (boom-boom) - the raison d'être of raisin flicking is to become the Sultana ... and low and behold I discovered that maybe not all would get my joke ... to wit ...

"In the US, raisins are typically made from the Thompson Seedless grape variety. However, in Australia, raisins are made exclusively from larger grape varieties including Muscat, Lexia and Waltham Cross, and are often larger than sultanas (which are made from green seedless grapes, particularly the Thompson Seedless variety,) for this reason. In the US, sultanas are referred to as “golden raisins.”"

Quote by JustPassingThrough

😜🤣

That is indeed an ass ... and this is an arse:

And don't get me started on pussy jokes, though three pussy stories worth a read are:

My Ms Schrödinger's Pussy aka Physics Pussy

Violet's Pussified aka Cuckold Cat

Verbal and Rachel's Purr aka Furry Fetish

Quote by VioletVixen

I just found out some of my stuff has been shortlisted!

If anyone's interested, voting is open until May 18th.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevjcqer3XvvKp9sQXgQyW_FWu61Urov_GYayICQfUvoHAAmg/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

I voted ... though next year's challenge for you is an entry in the "OVERKILL AWARD (biggest mess quantity/sacrifice to property/injury/wallet)" though to be clear, no injuries, just the biggest mess ever.

Quote by StarBelliedBoy

Will this do?

There are many reasons Aussie Rules is the only sport I follow, and short shorts is one of them...

I agree, hot as.

So, who when it comes to Suns versus Hawkes on the 28th? ... 😊

Quote by LilCoffeeLuvr

I understand and agree with you VV, but I would also venture to say that the abortion discussion actually started with semantics and personal attacks, which seemed dismissive to those of us that do come into the bar for relaxing and music; it wasn’t until you and a few other people got into the conversation with more well-thought out and informative post that it became a discussion

I will be the first to apologize bc when I read my own posts they were more inflammatory that I had actually intended. But I was being a little protective of Sara.

Sara posted that she was just popping in for a donut and the sports page (or something lol) and Sprite immediately posted mocking Sara that it must be so nice to sit at a bar and eat donuts and listen to music and not worry about anything. Obviously I’m summarizing and I have attached here so you can see.

But that whole post felt like a dismissive personal attack on all of us that do come here to get away from the high stress of the day to day. Maybe I’m in the hill fighting for women’s rights everyday; no one here knows that. (Hehe I’m not but man I would love to be)

I hope the take away is that we can all come here as FRIENDS, no one is unwelcome!! And we can discuss and debate whatever as long as we respect each other’s right to disagree and understand that the topic may be serious in one post and frivolous in the next!

We are all freaks…let’s 💋! Hehe

Internet forum posts are a hard place to do subtlety. I saw Rachel Violet Susie and Harley's posts and had a slightly different reaction: they spoke to me of the personal feelings all four had about what is likely to happen in the US plus other things that I know are in their lives. I do respect your loyalty to friends which is part of what drives me too.

So for me it is more about empathy than debate, which is why my posts were directed at showing a different country with a state based federal system of legislation that has abortion rights i.e. the situation in the US has different potential pathways. And as I usually do I added a bit of humour (yes the spelling is intentional) as this is the place for that.

I really don't think this topic belongs exclusively in the Think Tank, this is much more about friends supporting each other, the reason I have been here (intermittently of late, I will admit; but I think I have a great excuse) for three or more years and relatively quiet on other parts of the forum is that this is the place for the writers and the support we give to and get for that.

Though sugar is always good (I note that my challenge about donuts being doughnuts has gone uncommented on,) well except that is for Himself who has not yet quite appreciated what is going on food wise and will remain so for as long as I can get away with it.

The other neat thing about here is that there is an international feel to this place, more than one or two Australians and an Irishwoman or two, I do like that, different ideas and interests. Tell me who is the current Gaelic Football world champion? I have even learnt to take an interest in Ice Hockey and Baseball, lol, and quite understand the why of SBB's rugby views, though one of my stories (Oxford Street) presents rugby in a more favourable gay light.

Appropriate song from an inspirational Australian

Quote by deviantsusie

That’s not great news. If only there was a safe natural alternative women could use without being stigmatised and made to feel like lepers when trying to feed their children in public without people telling them to put their tits away. After all, tits are for perving over, not providing nutrition

Is that still the case for where you are Susie? I have had no drama breast feeding in public, I will use parents rooms in malls etc as they are more comfortable but if himself wants the boob in a cafe he gets it. Mind you anyone who gave me the evil eye would get a piece of my mind.

On formula, Fuzzy, this has been an occasional issue here, with stockpiling during the pandemic and fluctuations in Chinese demand. But one thing about the US is that there are tariff and FDA restrictions that make importing harder than say in Australia.

One of the “joys” of birthing nowadays is that there is on the web every opinion about pregnancy and baby raising imaginable. As a health professional I am stunned. Mind you I do have a couple of my own strongly held views, don’t call birthing over medicalised around me.

Oh Susie at the risk of controversy that scone you had yesterday …. Jam under cream I trust 💖

Quote by VioletVixen

So yeah, this has been on my mind and in my heart. So yeah, I want to go to the bar and drink it all away and vent. People here vented during the January 6 uprisings. This isn't about if you're a Republican or a Democrat or an Indepentant or even American. This is mourning this feckless attempt to roll back rights. And I fear that this won't be the only court case they try to bring back to the state rights level. The main issue being that most of these state rights will be abused by many states to prosecute and step all over people's human rights. It's not a what if.

And I've been feeling hopeless.

One of the things I love about Rumps is that we can get different perspectives. Don’t feel hopeless there is nothing axiomatic in states stepping over human rights. Imagine a federation of states in which all states have state legislation that isn’t identical but doesn’t prevent a women who chooses an abortion from having one and makes protesting close to abortion clinics illegal. That’s Australia today, not always an easy journey but one that’s so locked in now that the current PM, the most evangelical Christian leader of any country I think, recently said that this will remain a matter for the states as part on our election campaign. Sending a signal that Australian conservatives won’t be letting this become an election issue. Polls suggest US support for abortion is like here, and there is nothing like voters intentions to concentrate the mind of politicians.

Evening all, Happy Mother's Day for Sunday. Particularly to Kimmi, the first without her mum coinciding with my first as a mum. I had a wonderful weekend, Sunday I was back at work so celebrations (my brother and I entertained five mothers, me and his wife included) were on Saturday. Himself has missed the point though, he thought breakfast in bed meant he ate and not me!

Now onto abortion, my friends we have a choice to engage on not engage in forums. But lets be clear we can handle this better in Rumps than the wasteland that is the Think Tank. Like JustPassingThrough I am pro choice, and have made mine, but I will support all the choices that are made. A baby is hard work, life threatening for women (lets just say that without modern medicine, God knows what would have happened,) but rewarding, omg so rewarding, but not a choice we should force on anyone.

For many of us (James, Emma, Susie and others) our political environment is clearer (look at Susie's numbers, over 2/3rds of what is the most catholic country support abortion,) but our American friends need us to support them. Particularly Federal systems like Australia and Canada where we have trodden a different path, embedding this in state legislation so the issue of rights doesn't dominate the discussion.

I have too many people I love, Violet and Rachel included, not to support them when they ask for that. This place has always supported me in writing and other things, so I am committed to my friends.

As Susie said: Good luck sisters xxx

Congrats, loved the story, gorgeous writing.