Jack’s Holiday PSA: Avoid Shopping With Temu

In general, I enjoy shopping. I know that’s an odd trait for a straight male, but it’s just how I am. It may or may not stem from how often my mother took me shopping when I was young. But regardless of the reason, I like to think my enjoyment of shopping has trained me to shop smarter and not harder.

Having established that context, let’s talk about Temu. And let’s try to talk seriously.

Because if you’ve been on the internet for any amount of time for the past year, you’ve probably seen ads for Temu. They’re usually very targeted and they stand out in particular ways. You’ll often see products you’ve never seen at a store and at prices that seem too low to be real. Some look like brand name products. Others look like something somebody assembled in their garage.

Whatever the product, the ads are so ubiquitous that they’re almost impossible to avoid. And during the holiday season, you probably saw even more of them. Hopefully, you didn’t just click, sign up, and buy without thinking. If you did, then you might already know why I’m making this.

For background, Temu is a relatively new ecommerce site that launched in late 2022. It’s similar to Amazon in that it sells a wide range of products, but unlike Amazon the site and the interface are a lot more gamified. It has all these widgets and gimmicks that resemble an online casino. And using these features earn you special tokens that you can use to buy products on Temu. But in general, you’ll be buying things the same way you buy them at other sites.

However, as low as the prices seem and as great as the deals appear to be, there are a lot of red flags surrounding this site and the Chinese company that runs it. If you need a comprehensive breakdown of all of them, Snopes did an in-depth investigation on the many issues surrounding it. I highly recommend reading and re-reading this piece before you even visit the site.

In general, Temu is a site that offers tons of cheap stuff, but a lot of that stuff is cheap because it’s a rip-off, a knock-off, or low in overall quality. And what you see on the site isn’t necessarily what you end up receiving. And what you receive is rarely a product that will last. That’s an important detail because Temu’s return and refund policies aren’t nearly as forgiving as most.

Basically, if the product breaks within 90 days of purchasing (and that counts how long it took to ship), you’re out of luck.

That, alone, should give you pause before shopping at Temu. Cheap or not, you won’t get much value out of anything there if it breaks within a few months of purchase. However, there’s one another important detail to consider. It has to do with the potential malware and spyware included with the app.

It’s not a conspiracy to suspect that an app from a Chinese company might contain software that undermines the privacy of its users. Even American companies have a not-so-great track record of respecting the privacy of their customers. But the company behind Temu has a well-documented history of using their apps to extract data from users’ devices.

That means that if you download the Temu app, you’re very likely giving the app and the company behind it access to every photo, contact, text message, and browsing history that’s on the device. Whether they use that data to extort you or just target you with more ads is entirely dependent on the whims of the company. But just be aware that there is a price to pay for lower prices.

That’s a lesson my mother often instilled in me when she took me shopping. It wasn’t just the old mantra of you get what you pay for. If you see cheap prices, there’s usually a reason they’re cheap. And that reason often comes at a price you can’t always put a dollar figure on.

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The Christmas Chronicles: A Perfect Modern Christmas Movie

This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World.

This festive video celebrates “The Christmas Chronicles.” It has become one of my favorite holiday movies and it’s something I find myself watching often during the holiday season. It’s a newer entry into the crowded world of Christmas movies, but I genuinely believe that this movie has everything you’d want in a modern Christmas movie. Enjoy!

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Happy Thanksgiving 2023!

This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World.

And in the spirit of Thanksgiving, this video is a special message from me to those I’m thankful for. Enjoy!

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Jack’s CreepyPastas: The Huntwood Cannibal

This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World.

This is a CreepyPasta that I wrote and narrated myself. I wrote it knowing full well I would be releasing it just a few days before Thanksgiving. Enjoy!

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Sexy Short Story: No Need To Hurry

The following is a sexy short story inspired by a popular tip among relationship experts to scheduled regular sex. Enjoy!


It used to be so constrained. Veronica Aguilar was a very affectionate person, by nature. She was also a very sexual person, by nature. She learned that about herself in high school. But in doing so, she also realized the challenges that came with pursuing such passions.

Having such traditional, uptight parents, it was challenging to talk about sex. It was even more challenging to actually pursue it, especially after inheriting her mother’s shapely feminine figure. Veronica still managed to rise to that challenge, finding creative ways to be intimate with her lovers.

Sometimes, that required lying about where she was and who she was with for extended periods.

Sometimes, that required making good use of any time in which her activities wouldn’t be scrutinized.

But for most of her adult life, Veronica was always being scrutinized by someone and not just her parents. She had been the first among her three siblings to go to college and actually graduate. She was also the first to actually find a stable job at a government think tank. Navigating all of that while still seeking the intimate company of others proved a difficult balancing act – one her friends, relatives, and younger sister often failed to manage.

It had been so stressful for so many years. But that was the past. Now, Veronica found herself in an unfamiliar, but intriguing position.

“I don’t have anywhere to be tomorrow morning. Do you?” asked Alan Kruse, a dashingly handsome young man she’d met through a dating app.

It was such a simple question. Many men had asked it in some form, often flirtatiously and suggestively. And in every instance, Veronica had to give them a disappointing answer, even when she was very much in the mood.

But this time was different.

This time, she had no morning classes to attend, no exams to study for, and no job to get to at the crack of dawn.

For once, she could smile at this handsome man within her grasp and answer with complete honesty.

“Nope!” Veronica said proudly. “There’s no need to hurry.”

“Good,” said Alan with an excited grin, “because you strike me as a woman who values time…especially for moments like this.”

He drew her in closely and kissed her, snaking an arm around her waist while caressing the side of her face. Veronica purred softly and melted under his touch, her legs becoming weak and her inner thighs becoming hot.

It was a familiar predicament, being in the arms of an attractive man on a Friday night just outside his apartment. This wasn’t even her first time hooking up with Alan, but it was only their fourth official date. And they’d had sex after the second.

But that experience had a frustrating time constraint, having happened the night before her Aunt Anita’s wedding – once again requiring that they be mindful of her time, if only to avoid the risk of showing up disheveled in front of her family. It was still enjoyable, having convinced Veronica that Alan was a lover worth pursuing. Now, here was an opportunity to see how great sex could be when it didn’t have to be rushed or constrained.

“Let’s take this to your bedroom,” Veronica whispered seductively into his ear. “Let’s make some sweet, unrushed moments together.”

She sense Alan’s face light up without seeing it. He now knew that he was getting laid tonight and so was she. But unlike other overeager men she’d been with, he didn’t rush them up into his building and into his apartment. He just kept his arm securely around her waist and led the way, offering affectionate gestures to build up the mood between them.

That did make a difference. Because that mood escalated quickly.

“I want you so bad,” she whispered to him while on the elevator – and with three people in front of them, no less.

Alan replied with a tactful grin before giving her butt a light squeeze, a subtle way of letting her know he shared the sentiment.

They maintained that subtlety the rest of the way to his apartment. Even after entering with him, there was no sudden urgency to get naked, get in bed, and get down to their sexy business. She and Alen just kept kissing and embracing, enjoying the affectionate gestures that conveyed the extent of their desire to one another.

At one point, Alan still removed his jacket and kicked off his shoes. Shortly after, Veronica set aside her purse and slipped out of her heels. She knew where his bedroom was and how much noise they could make without upsetting the neighbors. But she didn’t agonize over how much or how little her family scrutinized her private life, nor did she concern herself with the hour of the night.

She and Alan let their bodies go on autopilot – their lust, desire, and affection guiding them for what awaited.

“I really need this,” Veronica said through a light gasp.

“And I’m happy to give it to you,” Alan replied.

She doubted he understood the subtext of her words. Just needing sex was one thing. Needing an unrushed, unconstrained experience with a good lover was something else entirely. Alan could only grasp that to a point, having come from a less traditional background with a family that didn’t give him a curfew on prom night. But he didn’t have to in order to make this feeling count.

Veronica let this handsome man embrace that feeling with her. Through their kissing and touching, they eventually did make it to his bedroom. They didn’t bother closing the door or excess tact – an unfamiliar feeling for her, having snuck more than one lover into her dorm room in college. They even dared to settle down somewhat, sitting down at the foot of his bed – her legs casually draped over his lap.

It was an odd feeling, not ripping off each other’s clothes to ensure they had enough time for the fun stuff. They had plenty of time. And Veronica intended to use it.

In that spirit, an idea came to her.

“Sit back,” she said to him. “I’m gonna strip for you.”

“Is that something else you need?” Alan asked coyly.

“It’s more like…something I’m happy to give to you, as well.”

The handsome man just kept grinning, leaning back on his arms to give her room to work. He had no idea how much she was acting on a whim or how unfamiliar these circumstances were for her. But she didn’t let it show. For all he knew, she gave a sexy striptease to every man she slept with.

Veronica let him make that assumption as she slipped off his lap, stood in front of him, and channeled her inner stripper. She’d once been to a strip club with some college friends of hers. She knew what it entailed. But with no loud music, drunk men, or elaborate outfits, she could do it her way.

“Look at me…watch me…think about all the wonderful ways we’re going to enjoy each other’s sex,” said Veronica in a sexually charged voice.

In her head, her favorite dance song started playing – the beat, the lyrics, and the rhythm echoing within her mind. She began swaying and dancing, showing off the feminine curves of her hips and the cleavage that her tight-fitting black dress barely contained. Even without music, Alan was entranced. He watched with an attentiveness that only further motivated Veronica.

Once she set the mood, she began peeling off her clothes. But she made it a point to go slowly and sensually, starting by pushing the straps of her dress off her shoulder and sliding it down her frame. Every bit of skin acted as a brief tease, followed by a greater reveal. By the time the dress was down at her ankles, leaving her in a simple pair of lace bra and panties, the air in the room felt noticeably hotter. And Alan clearly sensed it too.

“Damn,” he said under his breath as he took in her half-naked form.

Veronica grinned playfully and slipped back onto his lap, straddling his waist so that her pelvis grinded against his – allowing her to feel the growing hardness in his pants. She welcomed his touch on her newly exposed skin. She also invited him to join her in her unclothed state.

“Want my help getting out of those itchy clothes?” she offered.

“I wouldn’t mind in the slightest,” Alan replied.

Still leaning back on his arms, he kissed her lips softly and let her continue the erotic display. Like she’d done with her dress, Veronica was slow, yet thorough in undressing her lover – undoing each button of his dress shirt, gently guiding it off his well-toned upper body, and undoing the belt on his pants. He accommodated her every action, tossing the crumbled-up shirt across the room and lifting his hips so that she could get his pants off. Once down to his underwear, the extent of his arousal became clear and tangible.

“Enjoying the show?” Veronica asked coyly while glancing at his bulging erection.

“I certainly am,” Alan answered. “Although some parts of me are enjoying it more than others.”

“I can see that,” she said. “I too have body parts that are getting rather impatient.”

“There’s still no need to hurry.”

“I don’t plan to. But let’s not ignore our shared priorities.”

That was a creative way of saying they were both very horny and very ready for sex. Veronica’s mind might be eager to take things easy for once, but her body reminded her that she still had critical needs. And some needs required greater urgency.

The elaborate striptease gave way to more direct foreplay. She and Alan fell back on the bed together – kissing, touching, groping, and fondling one another in a sexually charged fervor. This quickly resulted in their underwear coming off – starting with Veronica’s bra, followed by Alan’s boxers, and ending with her on her back while he slid off her panties.

Once fully nude, the heat of their desire became more tangible. She could feel his hardened penis pressing against her, the manly flesh aching for her feminine warmth. And at one point, Alan slipped his hand between her thighs and lightly cupped her vulva, feeling the contours of her outer folds and the extent of her arousal.

“You’re so wet,” Alan said to her.

“You’re so hard,” Veronica said right back to him.

“I’m ready if you are.”

“Do it!” she said intently. “But please…take your time. Enjoy this with me.”

“I will. I promise.”

Many men made promises, especially in the presence of naked women. But Alan struck her as a man who valued keeping promises, especially when he had a naked woman within his grasp. She decided to trust that he would keep it. Whatever followed would be theirs to cherish.

This handsome, dedicated man set the right tone. He lightly grasped her hips, laid her in the center of the bed atop the covers, and got on top of her – aligning his naked body with hers, parting her legs and angling his hips in just the right way. Veronica was already breathing heavily, lightly grasping his neck as she planted her feet firmly on the bed, beckoning him with her eyes to enter her and fill this need.

Alan heeded this call, not diverting her gaze for an instant as he guided his hardened penis into her. The familiar feeling of fleshly penetration followed, sending equally familiar sensations coursing through her body. He went slower than usual, savoring every bit of her moist depths. And once their union was complete, a new feeling took over.

Desire turned to action.

Intent became real.

Veronica was having sex with this man, but without urgency or concern. It gave a distinct spirit to this intimate act she loved so much.

“Wow…” she gasped in daze.

“Yeah…wow,” Alan grinned as instincts took over.

His amazement was likely different from hers, but that didn’t stop him from keeping his promise. Their bodies now entwined, he began working his hips – humping, thrusting, and moving that manly from of his in a manner that perfectly complemented their shared want for this feeling. He quickly built up a rhythm, but didn’t let it get too rapid or rough. He took a quality over quantity approach to their sex, making every intimate enmeshing of their flesh count.

It was amazing.

It felt so good – better than Veronica could’ve imagined.

“That’s it! Ooh that’s it!” she gasped. “Just like that! Just…like…that!”

This was usually the part of sex where she let herself go – forgetting whatever constraints that bound her, ignoring whatever scrutiny she happened to be dealing with, and just enjoy this simple act of great pleasure. It was her way of rewarding herself for achieving the desires that the world seemed intent on tempering.

But this time, Veronica found herself taking in every minute detail of this experience. She kept her eyes wide open, even as Alan buried his face in her neck as their bodies rocked. And she eagerly trailed her fingers over every sinew of her lover’s back, matching the thoroughness of his efforts. This revealed a new dimension of sex and intimacy – a unique feeling that could only come with a focused, but unrushed mentality.

“This is it,” Veronica said under her breath. “This is the feeling I wanted…needed…craved.”

It wasn’t raucous, ravenous, or strenuous. The bed didn’t shake hard, nor did their bodies strain with the various thrusts, humps, and movements. Veronica was used to sex being such a workout. Going slowly and carefully allowed for a much more drawn out experience.

“Veronica…you’re incredible…beautiful…wonderful!” Alan panted.

She found herself smiling widely. Usually, when she had sex and things got intense, there would be a lot of dirty talk and profanity. She often encouraged it, matching every crude remark her lover said in the heat of the moment.

But there was something oddly refreshing about hearing such tame words from her lover. It nicely reflected a gentler, less crude brand of sex. That perfectly fit the tone of this act. Veronica supplemented it even more by wrapping her legs around his waist, adding some extra force to his thrusts, and whispering affectionate words right into his ear.

“Alan…you’re a man of your word,” she said to him. “I’m already…so close.”

Hearing this, he intensified the rhythm, but only slightly. Their naked bodies kept moving and grinding together, the inner muscles of her vagina tensing more as she neared her waiting climax. But rather than grab onto his shoulders as though he were the edge of a cliff, Veronica just closed her eyes and moaned deeply as she came.

It felt as good as any orgasm should feel.

It filled her with that familiar rush of pleasure – her toes curling, her lower body burning, and her heart racing as pure ecstasy flowed through her.

But there was something more satisfying to this feeling – an added level of awareness to its beauty that she had never been able to grasp. It didn’t just make for better sex. It was like finding a new world within a world.

“My God…” Veronica gasped.

“Easy there, beautiful,” said Alan, steading their bodies briefly. “Are you okay?”

It came off as a question in jest. But her beaming smile was dead serious. This man had no idea what he had just given her, beyond the simple pleasures of sex. But he didn’t need to understand. She just needed him to keep sharing in this moment.

“I’m more than okay…much more!” she answered.

Veronica kissed him deeply to further allay any concerns. He kissed back, happy to continue their sex. Having done his part to set the tone and mood, she offered to share the effort. And without saying a word, Alan accepted.

Her legs still wrapped around him, she rolled him over so that she was on top. From there, using her newfound leverage, she began riding him in a steady succession of sexual motions. Like him, she made every movement count – allowing him to enjoy the feeling while admiring her naked body. But even with that steady, unrushed pace, the pressure built quickly. He too was ready to climax.

“Veronica…I’m close too!” he gasped. “Almost…there…oh God!”

His release was a bit more vocal than hers. He let out that deep, masculine moan that Veronica found so erotic – grasping her hips, closing eyes, and soaking in ecstasy of the hot release that followed.

She just kept smiling down at him affectionately, lightly pawing his chest as she felt their hot sexual fluids mix inside her depths. It added to the overall feeling – intimacy, ecstasy, and affection all taking a real form. Veronica gladly savored it with him, even guiding his hands to her breasts while he processed the feeling.

While he caught his breath, she laid on top of him and casually kissed around his unshaven face. Alan kept grinning widely as he embraced her as well, the added depth of the feeling subsuming him as well.

“Sometimes…it’s good to take things slow,” he said distantly. “To really take time to be careful…thoughtful…and patient.”

“You have no idea,” Veronica found herself saying. “I sure as hell didn’t.”

“What do you mean?”

Veronica bit her lower lip, not entirely realizing what she’d just said. It didn’t affect the mood or temper their naked embrace. But it was a reminder that she’d spent much of her life approaching sex with urgency and constraints. Now, she had a newfound appreciation for just enjoying the moment for all its worth.

“Nothing,” she said, already initiating a fresh round of foreplay. “Now, come on! I’m up for more sex if you are. After all…there’s no need to hurry.”

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Jean Grey #4 Review: Rebirth, Recourse, And Reaffirmation

This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World.

And this video is my review of Jean Grey #4, the fourth and final issue of Jean’s mini-series by Louise Simonson and Bernard Chang. After three issues of agonizing over past decisions, Jean Grey’s struggle returns to the present. She must finally come to terms with the choices she’s made and her connection to the Phoenix Force. And the end result is a truly profound moment for this iconic character. Enjoy!

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Captain Fall: A Dark Comedy Without Any Comedy

This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World.

This video is my take on, Captain Fall. This Netflix animated series looked like it could be another worthy addition to Netflix’s growing library of adult animation. And as a fan of adult animation, in general, I hoped it would measure up.

But it didn’t.

Instead, Captain Fall became one the worst series I have binged in a long time. I honestly cannot remember a time I was this disappointed with a series. It was bad for many reasons, more than enough to warrant a video. Whether you agree with me on it or not, I hope it offers insights and lesson into the genre. Enjoy!

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Jack Quick Reacts: The Marvels

This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World.

And this video is my quick review and reaction to “The Marvels.” Enjoy!

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Jack’s CreepyPastas: The Last Election

This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World.

This is a CreepyPasta that I wrote and narrated myself. And since it involves election day, expect some major political overtones. Enjoy!

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Happy Election Day 2023 (Now Vote)!

My fellow Americans, today is Election Day 2023.

Yes, it’s not a Presidential Election year. That’s not until 2024.

But it’s still Election Day. And in many jurisdictions throughout the United States, including my own, you can still vote. It may not be for President, but you can still vote for representatives of every level from the school board to the county to the state house.

And you should. For democracy to work and for liberty, as we know it, to remain, we must do our part. We must get out there and cast our votes to make our voices heard. If you don’t know where your polling place is, you can find it at this site.

https://www.vote.org/

The information is free. Voting is free. Getting out to vote still takes effort, but it’s worth doing. As an American, it’s one of the most important things you can do.

So please do your part. Get out there and vote. Your country and democracy will be better because of it.

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