Ballard Street by Jerry Van Amerongen for March 31, 2020

This is what’s known in their house as “foreplay”.

Gordon is smiling because it sounds like a prelude to S&M.

It’s easier to handle than leather on jaw bone.

The private lives of Ballardites are a bit…. um…

Gordon likes Betty to stay in shape to defend him in the apocalypse.

Kinky.

One thing I’ve always liked about Ballard Street…

Is something it has in common with British movies and television shows.

Not everyone in it has to look like a model or a movie star, to not only find love… but to be an object of desire.

In the US, every lead actor, male or female, is attractive.

Every office crush, every chance romantic encounter in the park, will have to be staged between coincidentally beautiful people.

Even when the guys are allowed a bit of leeway(and only a bit), the “homely” girls, from "Marty"’s shy girlfriend, to “fat” Rhoda Morgenstern, to “Ugly Betty”… must be played by far from homely actresses.

But in Britain… not so much.

Even Hyacinth Bucket is relentlessly chased by a besotted retired colonel.

“Last of the Summer Wine” is full of unphotogenic romance…

Tattered, grizzled little Compo is fixated on the large, scowling, middle aged Norah Batty… there’s another comic romance involving an aging, bleached blonde femme fatale, etc.

And the guys of “The Full Monty” look like those in any neighborhood bar.

Saying all this because, impossible as it may be for some to believe, after watching generations of Hollywood “pretty people” …

in real life, less-than-average-looking souls do find and love and desire each other… sometimes up into their 90’s…

And Ballard Street reflects that.

I love that to Gordon, Betty is obviously an object of his lust.

The British films and comedies (especially LOTSW) show that even ordinary looking people can live interesting and exciting lives.

Gordon, what the heck is in that pipe?

Gordon seems to be thinking that maybe he’ll go a few rounds with the bag… ☺

I enjoy the sound of leather on leather, too. In the bedroom.

Gordon is about to go to his happy place and dream of what could have been.

Gordon takes little persuede-sion to do new things.

At their age there’s more than one way to get that sound

Good late late evening Balladeers, Plods and Miss Susan!