003. - Book Club!

[helpdesk_hero]

Alright, so I've suggested this a little to some friends of mine, but I'm thinking about throwing this out a bit wider.

I'm thinking about starting up a book club. Less in the style of book of the month and more organizing one or possibly more groups who can share books or even genres they love most with other people. People would still do the whole guiding discussion but not looking for high end critique so much as just talking about it.

We all need something to unwind and I don't doubt some of us are really fans of reading. I would think the arrangement might work best with members willing to buy their own books. I think for the first few meetings I'd be willing to cook either a simple meal or some finger foods to enjoy, but people could also volunteer to provide food or drinks.


Anyone interested in the idea?

Comments

[hatestrashcans]

Half tempted to make the next LAN Party topless and bikini dress code.

Or 90s themed. I want to see what you all think 90s means.

[threeisapattern]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ sorry dude I was a kid back then

[hatestrashcans]

I know, that's why it'd be funny.

[helpdesk_hero]

Save topless time for your boyfriend.

[hatestrashcans]

What?

[ He doesn't know David knows. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

Where you staying right now? I have something for you.

[hatestrashcans]

Um, there's this weird abandoned mansion. I'm working on cleaning it up but I'm staying there. Here's the address:

[ He sends over the address. ]

What's going on?

[helpdesk_hero]

[Good. A place for the cake.]

Make sure Peter doesn't hurt himself on anything in the basic. He's book smart, but you're more common sense.

Private - switch to audio

[hatestrashcans]

...

Did he say we were boyfriends?

Private - switch to audio

[helpdesk_hero]

I don't owe you meat now.

Yes. He did. I caught him blushing over the idea of you appreciating guys in skating outfits. I think he immediately jumped to you appreciating him in his Spider-Man outfit.

Re: Private - switch to audio

[hatestrashcans]

Aw, should I be insulted you don't want to share your meat with me? Fine, we'll eat the Wagyu without you.

He... I...

[ He does appreciate the Spider-Man outfit. A lot. ]

But he said boyfriends?

Re: Private - switch to audio

[helpdesk_hero]

He didn't use that term specifically. He said he asked you out and you said yes. So yeah, boyfriends.

I'll cook for you still, but I don't owe you a date. I can just have a good meal as friends. And if you want someone to cook Wagyu for you and Peter, I'll happily help.

Re: Private - switch to audio

[hatestrashcans]

So not boyfriends. But yeah. I guess we're going out and stuff.

[ He sounds the most like a teenager that he's ever sounded to David. Sort of mumbling and embarrassed. ]

Could you? That'd be awesome.

Re: Private - switch to audio

[helpdesk_hero]

Oh no, definitely boyfriends. The word didn't need said. It was understood. Need I remind you that Peter and I come from a different age where this sort of stuff is more understood and welcomed? We know what terms to use.

[And David? He's so happy to hear Marco soft like this. It'd adorable. And good for him.]

Absolutely. I can even pull off the whole table service waiter thing. And I can play guitar. Whatever you need for sappy but private.

Re: Private - switch to audio

[hatestrashcans]

You're sure? And he was blushing?

[ Peter is so cute when he blushes; Marco loves it. Is that weird? Everything about this feels weird. Good. But weird. But good. ]

Will you wear a silly waiter outfit and put on a fake French accent?

Oh, speaking of guitars, can you help me buy one? It's not for me.

[helpdesk_hero]

He was blushing so much. And shy about it. Like any guy new to a relationship with someone they are TOTALLY crushing on gets. He likes you, Marco. A lot. Be happy for it. Cherish it. Try and remember he's going to be as nervous and have as many butterflies in his stomach as you do. Unless, you know, you go frog or something and eat actual butterflies.

[Silly waiter outfit? Fake french outfit? David grins.]

Marco? I can actually speak French. Several different forms of it. I can definitely do the accent.

And why a guitar?

[hatestrashcans]

So what are you, our cheerleader?

[ He snorts. ]

And no, I don't have a frog morph. Amphibians, ugh.

Wait, really? Say something French.

There's this girl, Lain. She liked playing guitar at home and can't afford one here. I want to get her one. But I don't know anything about guitars.

[helpdesk_hero]

I'm your friend. A friend to BOTH of you. And I'll tell you something very honestly here. Good friends are ALWAYS cheerleaders when their friends start dating each other.

[Oh, that's definitely something to question. Whether some divisions of animals are more comfortable than others.]

Oh, Lain. I've been talking to her. I'm going to translate some texts to Japanese for her. I'd be happy to help pick out a guitra.

Quelque chose de français. [Literally, something French. Well, more or less.]

[hatestrashcans]

So you think it's a good idea? Us dating?

Yeah. I like her, but it seems like she's had it rough, so I don't know, thought I'd do something nice. I know, I'm lame.

See, all I heard was [ Insert random nasal sounds here. ]

Galard makes more sense.

[helpdesk_hero]

I think it's an amazing idea. And I have faith it's going to be good for you both.

Is Lain the kid you were mentioning feeling protective of?

[Mostly, he's just happy that Marco was connecting with people. That being said, the mocking makes him chuckle and switch to German.]

Du hörst dich an, als hättest du eine Erkältung.

[hatestrashcans]

I can be Peter's paranoid conscience, you mean?

... Yeah. She is. I don't know. She reminds me of me, I guess. I just want things to get better for her.

What? What is that? Is that a different French?

[helpdesk_hero]

No. You can balance each other, Marco. You do it well. And he clearly already trusts you. That's an important first step to a relationship. Trust me on that one.

[And now he's thinking of Damian and yeah, quickly, focus on something else.]

We'll find a guitar for her.

And that was German.

[hatestrashcans]

I trust him too, even though it's stupid.

[ Because logically he shouldn't be as trusting of Peter as he is. He's being led around by his butterflies. ]

Okay, cool. I already found a streaming site to show her, I just need the guitar.

Oh. Wow, they sound even worse. At least Spanish makes sense. What little of it I know anyway.

[helpdesk_hero]

It's not stupid, Marco. It's liking someone. That's RARELY ever rational. And it's one of the truest human connections there is. I'm half jealous over here.

[They'll go out and get a guitar. David's already researching on his glasses.]

¿Cuánto español hablas?

[hatestrashcans]

Yeah, and irrational is stupid. I know it'll probably bite me in the butt but...

[ -but Peter's so cute. Not that he can say that. ]

Um.

[ He pauses. ]

Un Poco.

[ It's halting and he obviously sounds American, not Mexican. ]

Somebody had to help me at the supermarket.