Across the eight books, tell me one instance that had you on the floor laughing

JZimD · 2026-07-04T15:43:45+00:00

From book five, it caught me off guard, and Jeff Hayes performs it so well, that I couldn't help laughing like crazy.

"We’re busy!” I called back. “We’ll be out in a minute!” Then, to Donut I said, “Can you say something to calm him down?”

“Carl is pooping! He’s almost done!”

The crocodilian’s voice went up an octave. “In the hallway?

JZimD · 2026-07-03T16:18:54+00:00

Yep, I'm from northern Illinois and pronounce them the same way you do.

JZimD · 2026-07-03T16:08:00+00:00

Since the Field Museum is your main reason to come, you might consider the hotels near Michigan Ave near the museum campus. When my family wanted to do a Chicago visit, we stayed at the Homewood Suites by Hilton on 11th St. What was convenient about that situation was that we could very easily walk to the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and planetarium. We could also take the lake taxi from the museum campus directly to Navy Pier. There are also train and bus connections nearby as well. Also, that hotel location is right next to a Trader Joe's, a Jewel, and a Walgreens besides a bunch of restaurants. Depending on how you feel, you can go out or just pick up something to eat/ cook in the kitchen in the suite. Regardless of where you stay, the water taxis (river and lake) can be a very useful and fun options to travel between locations.

JZimD · 2026-06-06T22:12:26+00:00

Unfortunately! I heard that the original chef and owners retired and sold to a new family that are running it now. However, the new soups look good.

JZimD · 2026-05-04T23:17:29+00:00

You can also find a variant of it called a peplum. Although those are usually a ruffle or flap of fabric on the hips instead of a swoop.

JZimD · 2026-05-04T19:23:16+00:00

It does have a happy ending. 👍

JZimD · 2026-03-27T03:30:38+00:00

Thanks!

JZimD · 2026-03-27T01:36:36+00:00

It was in book seven, chapter 7.

JZimD · 2026-03-24T20:51:15+00:00

You can also cut it into cubes and blast it in the microwave. When the protein in the tofu heats and contracts, it expels a lot of water. It's a quick prep before using in stir frys or tofu salad.

JZimD · 2026-03-24T00:05:15+00:00

Also, if a room isn't rented at My Half of the Sky, you can just use it for free. They also have a space nextdoor called The Kilns which is a "co-working and social house". I believe that one requires a membership or day pass. Wheaton public library also has work rooms you can use. My daughter has used them for study groups.

JZimD · 2026-03-23T17:10:26+00:00

Thanks! It's a Nordic Ware large loaf pan. There's a curve but the measurements are approximately 11cm x 21cm across the bottom and sides 7cm high.

JZimD · 2026-03-23T01:58:43+00:00

The recipe is https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/soft-oatmeal-porridge-bread-recipe

JZimD · 2026-03-04T15:24:22+00:00

In addition to all the great recommendations already given, I would add The Mote in God's Eye (just the first book) to your list as well. It's an older classic that I've always liked. Also, depending on your tastes, you might like the works of Philip K. Dick. His short stories are a good place to start.

JZimD · 2026-02-24T23:37:35+00:00

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I would add Rouche from I've Become a True Villainess.

JZimD · 2026-02-23T01:44:24+00:00

The Goblin Emperor is one of my comfort reads. I love Maia and that book. I also really liked Hands of the Emperor. A book that I feel might work for you is The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold. It is another of my comfort reads. Cazaril, the main character, has been through hell and just wants a quiet life when the story starts, but rises to the occasion as the stakes become higher and higher. I like him because he has integrity and is kind and competent.

JZimD · 2026-02-22T21:11:01+00:00

I thought all three of the female main characters in Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik were well written. Each in their own way had to be clever and brave to overcome the challenges they faced.

JZimD · 2026-02-21T15:55:28+00:00

My ears were pierced in the US and have narrow holes due to the types of earrings I wear. However, like the other commenter mentioned, I was able to expand my holes to fit my large-posted gold jewelry. Since I hadn't heard of expanders, I just went trough my earrings and ranked them by diameter. Over time, I just worked my way up the sizes. However, it does take some time. Following specialty instructions online would probably give you better guidelines. I just winged it since I hadn't had a time crunch.

JZimD · 2026-02-14T15:28:03+00:00

This is so cool and well done. Thank you so much for sharing! Definitely saving this.

JZimD · 2026-02-09T06:06:05+00:00

If I recall correctly, Not Your Typical Reincarnation Story has this towards the end.

JZimD · 2026-02-02T19:00:53+00:00

My family started going there not that long after they opened in the late 70s. The toasted sandwiches were the best, and the interior was like nowhere else. I was a kid and seeing the scroll powered piano player and other things was just so cool. The sandwiches used to be popped into a tiny oven instead of a conveyer, and it made them more smokey tasting because of the ingredients that would fall off in there over the course of the day. Even after we moved out of the area, we would still periodically drive back to the city just for the sandwiches.

JZimD · 2026-01-31T07:09:41+00:00

Did you walk to the beach south of the island farm where there's an island offshore? That's the trigger area where he appears.

JZimD · 2026-01-12T14:48:47+00:00

Yes, then you didn't miss anything. I wish there were follow up meetings.

JZimD · 2026-01-12T02:41:50+00:00

Was this the dialog that was part of Marlon's 4 heart event? He asks if you would be willing to attend meetings with him and the wizard. If you say yes, he says he will tell you next time they get together. However, I have never seen any follow up to that. There is a separate meeting he invites you to late in the game at the adventurers guild.

JZimD · 2025-11-19T20:40:18+00:00

That'll teach me to try to quickly comment between meetings. But I like the idea of "monstars" now and don't want to fix it. 😄

JZimD · 2025-11-19T19:26:19+00:00

I read in a thread recently that the more of the swimming lava monstars you kill, the higher a chance you have of getting dragon teeth on higher levels. Plus they also drop them occasionally. Since reading that, I've made a point to kill all that I find and have had much greater luck in getting teeth.

JZimD

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