Random Post - The Plot Thickens!

[Michael]

Anyway, I'm off on vacation... see ya'll next week! :smoke:

[dilettante]

Have fun! :wave:

[evanescence]

Anyway, I'm off on vacation... see ya'll next week! :smoke:


:cool: Have a good vacation..

[Michael]

Just rolled into town and it looks like someone has some wifi available... :D

Anyway, all is wonderful up here. Very relaxing, weather is beautiful and the beer is plentiful. :)

Just thought I'd check in to see if the internet exploded or anything. ;)

TTFN

[dilettante]

Just thought I'd check in to see if the internet exploded or anything. ;)


Just once, but we patched it up pretty well.

[Zarquon]

What's a good Kindergarten teacher worth? (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/28/business/economy/28leonhardt.html?src=me&ref=general)

[Margot]

What's a good Kindergarten teacher worth? (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/28/business/economy/28leonhardt.html?src=me&ref=general)

I've always thought Kindergarten was useless. Even more mind-blowing is my community's push for pre-Kindergarten programs. Fucking heinous, in my most humble opinion.

[Americano]

I've always thought Kindergarten was useless. Even more mind-blowing is my community's push for pre-Kindergarten programs. Fucking heinous, in my most humble opinion.

Expensive babysitters.

[Americano]

What's a good Kindergarten teacher worth? (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/28/business/economy/28leonhardt.html?src=me&ref=general)

Claiming a future value of $320,000 in increased earnings based on a net present value calculation using surveys as a factor is preposterous and an insult.

[The Drunk Guy]

I've always thought Kindergarten was useless. Even more mind-blowing is my community's push for pre-Kindergarten programs. Fucking heinous, in my most humble opinion.
I was paddled for coloring outside the lines. That is exactly why I hate religion; government; employers; corporations; courts; police; schools; capitalism; et cetera. Fuck those goddamn lines.

[Americano]

I was paddled for coloring outside the lines. That is exactly why I hate religion; government; employers; corporations; courts; police; schools; capitalism; et cetera. Fuck those goddamn lines.

Ah, the Freudian years.

[Margot]

I was paddled for coloring outside the lines. That is exactly why I hate religion; government; employers; corporations; courts; police; schools; capitalism; et cetera. Fuck those goddamn lines.

I got yelled at by Ms. Martinez for coloring too loudly in kindergarten.

[evanescence]

Expensive babysitters.

Brain wash..I mean education is always expensive.

I was paddled for coloring outside the lines. That is exactly why I hate religion; government; employers; corporations; courts; police; schools; capitalism; et cetera. Fuck those goddamn lines.

Definitely. And fuck society. I hate people. :D

Anyhow, strictness is preferred to inconsistency and then lashing out in anger.

[Americano]

Brain wash..I mean education is always expensive.



Definitely. And fuck society. I hate people. :D

I don't hate people but do value the ability of being able to choose a majority of my associations with the other humans. One benefit of a serious economic recession is retail team members becoming....helpful. For the past few months I flashed on being crazy because food market employees were walking up to me and asking if they could help. I formerly hunted them down behind their closed doors for assistance.

Anyhow, strictness is preferred to inconsistency and then lashing out in anger.

[The Drunk Girl]

Take my county.. please. (ba dup bump) We have a large migrant farm worker population, but I rarely saw them in the ER and I mean very rarely. What I did see was a whole lot of the people you just described. Young, white, lots of kids, nobody working, on Medicaid and food stamps and disability (or on a list waiting for all of the above), coming to the ER every single day. Those were our regulars. I wish someone would deport those losers.

(..so I don't go off topic from the Immigration thread)

While waiting in a room in the ER with my mom on Saturday night, we hear the doctor talking to one of the patients.

Doctor: "So, you are taking Xanax and Percocets, correct?"
Man: "Uh, yeah..." (the man didn't even attempt to say they were prescribed)

Hearing the combination of both of those medications, my mother and I look at each other like this could become pretty interesting, and of course the guy is an obvious druggie.

Doctor: "...and you say you smoke marijuana occasionally?"
Man: " Yeah, but not all the time."
Doctor: "Okay...well your blood work has come back and it looks like you have hepatitis."

The doctor proceeded to explain to the man what hepatitis is and that although he might not drink, it still can be acquired through needles. After hearing all of this my mom promptly says, "Huh, so much for patient confidentiality." :lol:

I found the whole situation funny. I guess I will be burning in hell for that one :)

[Americano]

(..so I don't go off topic from the Immigration thread)

While waiting in a room in the ER with my mom on Saturday night, we hear the doctor talking to one of the patients.

Doctor: "So, you are taking Xanax and Percocets, correct?"
Man: "Uh, yeah..." (the man didn't even attempt to say they were prescribed)

Hearing the combination of both of those medications, my mother and I look at each other like this could become pretty interesting, and of course the guy is an obvious druggie.

Doctor: "...and you say you smoke marijuana occasionally?"
Man: " Yeah, but not all the time."
Doctor: "Okay...well your blood work has come back and it looks like you have hepatitis."

The doctor proceeded to explain to the man what hepatitis is and that although he might not drink, it still can be acquired through needles. After hearing all of this my mom promptly says, "Huh, so much for patient confidentiality." :lol:

I found the whole situation funny. I guess I will be burning in hell for that one :)

Should patient confidentiality be expected in an ER setting?

[dilettante]

This is the xkcd (one of the best webcomics) from Monday:

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/atheists.png
(MouseOver text: "But you're using that same tactic to try to feel superior to me, too!" "Sorry, that accusation expires after one use per conversation.")

I'm not sure exactly how it relates to all our discussions on what is and is not 'atheism', but it made me laugh. :lol:

[Margot]

This is the xkcd (one of the best webcomics) from Monday:

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/atheists.png
(MouseOver text: "But you're using that same tactic to try to feel superior to me, too!" "Sorry, that accusation expires after one use per conversation.")

I'm not sure exactly how it relates to all our discussions on what is and is not 'atheism', but it made me laugh. :lol:

LOL! I always forget about xkcd!

[Margot]

http://timenewsfeed.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/rtr27et1.jpg?w=455

I'd just like to wish Barack Obama a happy birthday! He has a hard job, and no time for joy on his 49th.

[Americano]

http://timenewsfeed.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/rtr27et1.jpg?w=455

I'd just like to wish Barack Obama a happy birthday! He has a hard job, and no time for joy on his 49th.

Being the first elected black president of the United States has to be pretty sweet at any age.

[The Drunk Girl]

Should patient confidentiality be expected in an ER setting?

I would expect it, although it is rather hard to do when there are room beside one another with just a curtain in front.

Would you want other patients to hear something private/personal regarding you? :shrug:

[Americano]

I would expect it, although it is rather hard to do when there are room beside one another with just a curtain in front.

Would you want other patients to hear something private/personal regarding you? :shrug:

I don't feel it matters in an ER. The example made it sound like the patient uses the ER as as a GP office.

[The Drunk Girl]

I don't feel it matters in an ER. The example made it sound like the patient uses the ER as as a GP office.

Well, probably in his case you are right. The time before last when I was at the ER, some woman came in screaming for pain pills and morphine. Anytime people like this have a problem they come in looking for a fix.

Still, even with some patients being POS's, there still should be a level of respect and confidentiality regarding their illnesses, diseases, etc.

[Americano]

Well, probably in his case you are right. The time before last when I was at the ER, some woman came in screaming for pain pills and morphine. Anytime people like this have a problem they come in looking for a fix.

Still, even with some patients being POS's, there still should be a level of respect and confidentiality regarding their illnesses, diseases, etc.

I'd imagine Lily could tell some interesting stories about people using ERs to get their fixes (or attempting to do so).

Yes there should be respect and confidentiality regarding patient ailments, again dependent on facilities. Emergency care is not a visit to one's physician in an environment structured for privacy.

[The Drunk Girl]

I'd imagine Lily could tell some interesting stories about people using ERs to get their fixes (or attempting to do so).

Yes there should be respect and confidentiality regarding patient ailments, again dependent on facilities. Emergency care is not a visit to one's physician in an environment structured for privacy.

It shouldn't matter, though if one is seeing their primary physician in an environment structured for privacy or not. The hospital would (also) be at fault imo with not having adequate privacy provided.

Although, I am not a professional quite like Lily, I have been around long enough to know and to see how people act when hearing of particular conditions regarding patients. What you might expect, another person might not. What you might not find embarrassing, another person could. It is much better to cover the bases instead of taking a chance at a law suit.

I, myself have a medical condition that even when I go to the doctor about it, I get tore up. Even in that private setting, I am uncomfortable. It is my choice to share this condition with who I chose, not to have someone else blurt it out for me. It doesn't matter how big or small the issue is, it is always the patient's right to confidentiality.

[Americano]

It shouldn't matter, though if one is seeing their primary physician in an environment structured for privacy or not. The hospital would (also) be at fault imo with not having adequate privacy provided.

Although, I am not a professional quite like Lily, I have been around long enough to know and to see how people act when hearing of particular conditions regarding patients. What you might expect, another person might not. What you might not find embarrassing, another person could. It is much better to cover the bases instead of taking a chance at a law suit.

I, myself have a medical condition that even when I go to the doctor about it, I get tore up. Even in that private setting, I am uncomfortable. It is my choice to share this condition with who I chose, not to have someone else blurt it out for me. It doesn't matter how big or small the issue is, it is always the patient's right to confidentiality.

I can't agree with that. A primary physician is one thing, an ER physician quite another. As are the facility requirements.

[Margot]

I can't agree with that. A primary physician is one thing, an ER physician quite another. As are the facility requirements.

I disagree. Physician-patient confidentiality exists so that full disclosure can occur and a proper diagnosis can be reached. Imagine asking a stone-cold sober junkie what kind of drugs he takes in the middle of a large room full of people. I'd put money on it that his lips would be sealed (which, of course, destroys everything that both AMA ethical guidelines and patient-confidentiality laws aim to avoid!).

If I were in a car accident in a good neighborhood and had to call the cops, I would expect them to come. If I were in a car accident in a bad, neighborhood and had to call the cops, I would expect them to come. It wouldn't be "one thing" in the good neighborhood and "quite another" in the bad neighborhood; it's still a car accident, and I still need a cop. I don't see why the ethical and legal obligations of an occupation change with the venue.

[evanescence]

I disagree. Physician-patient confidentiality exists so that full disclosure can occur and a proper diagnosis can be reached. Imagine asking a stone-cold sober junkie what kind of drugs he takes in the middle of a large room full of people. I'd put money on it that his lips would be sealed (which, of course, destroys everything that both AMA ethical guidelines and patient-confidentiality laws aim to avoid!).

If I were in a car accident in a good neighborhood and had to call the cops, I would expect them to come. If I were in a car accident in a bad, neighborhood and had to call the cops, I would expect them to come. It wouldn't be "one thing" in the good neighborhood and "quite another" in the bad neighborhood; it's still a car accident, and I still need a cop. I don't see why the ethical and legal obligations of an occupation change with the venue.

I agree. I think we live in an age when privacy is becoming uncomfortably rare. This is but one example. It is unsettling how easy it is to obtain someone else's personal information including past addresses, bankruptcies, credit background, aliases, known associates and more for a few dollars. I hate how integrated everything is becoming.

And as some people have correctly stated, someone's health condition is their own business; and embarrassment for the patient obviously compromises their medical care.

[Americano]

I disagree. Physician-patient confidentiality exists so that full disclosure can occur and a proper diagnosis can be reached. Imagine asking a stone-cold sober junkie what kind of drugs he takes in the middle of a large room full of people. I'd put money on it that his lips would be sealed (which, of course, destroys everything that both AMA ethical guidelines and patient-confidentiality laws aim to avoid!).

If I were in a car accident in a good neighborhood and had to call the cops, I would expect them to come. If I were in a car accident in a bad, neighborhood and had to call the cops, I would expect them to come. It wouldn't be "one thing" in the good neighborhood and "quite another" in the bad neighborhood; it's still a car accident, and I still need a cop. I don't see why the ethical and legal obligations of an occupation change with the venue.

Sounds rather idealistic for an ER setting as ER doesn't have good/bad neighborhood distinctions. My exposure to ER care has been immediate stabilization by nurses, the doc comes by when he/she can, provides a preliminary diagnosis for the record, normally concurring with the nurses, and rattles off what the conscious patients can expect. Sometimes the patients were in rooms with curtains between them and once on a gurney in a hallway with a lot of other gurneys/patients. Not exactly like keeping a 10am appointment with a primary care physician or specialist, actually quite chaotic a couple of times.

[Margot]

Sounds rather idealistic for an ER setting as ER doesn't have good/bad neighborhood distinctions. My exposure to ER care has been immediate stabilization by nurses, the doc comes by when he/she can, provides a preliminary diagnosis for the record, normally concurring with the nurses, and rattles off what the conscious patients can expect. Sometimes the patients were in rooms with curtains between them and once on a gurney in a hallway with a lot of other gurneys/patients. Not exactly like keeping a 10am appointment with a primary care physician or specialist, actually quite chaotic a couple of times.

Ah, you miss my point. ERs are all irritating cesspools of gross people, in my experience. The point was to illustrate that there is no difference between the obligations of a primary physician and an ER physician.

Choosing to work in the "bad neighborhood" doesn't mean that you can neglect some of your obligations because it's a little harder.

It's weird to me that adherence to basic laws and fundamental aspects of patient-physician relationships would be "idealistic."

[evanescence]

I think compassion in the form of government action is idealistic, but hey. That's just me.

[Margot]

I think compassion in the form of government action is idealistic, but hey. That's just me.

I think that expecting someone to perform the job that I am paying him or her to complete is good, sane sense.

[Americano]

Ah, you miss my point. ERs are all irritating cesspools of gross people, in my experience. The point was to illustrate that there is no difference between the obligations of a primary physician and an ER physician.

Choosing to work in the "bad neighborhood" doesn't mean that you can neglect some of your obligations because it's a little harder.

It's weird to me that adherence to basic laws and fundamental aspects of patient-physician relationships would be "idealistic."

I'd hope any physician or nurse providing me with emergency medical care would concentrate on medical procedures rather than being concerned if someone else in the ER overhears the diagnosis.

[evanescence]

I think that expecting someone to perform the job that I am paying him or her to complete is good, sane sense.

The government isn't who I would hire.

I'd hope any physician or nurse providing me with emergency medical care would concentrate on medical procedures rather than being concerned if someone else in the ER overhears the diagnosis.

I'm sure they would. I doubt that privacy concerns would really interfer on the level that you seem to be suggesting.

[The Drunk Girl]

I'd hope any physician or nurse providing me with emergency medical care would concentrate on medical procedures rather than being concerned if someone else in the ER overhears the diagnosis.

Hypothetically speaking, you wouldn't mind if everyone in the ER heard the doctor tell you that you had AIDS, HSV (or any other STD), TB, hepatitis, scabies, etc.?!

[Margot]

The government isn't who I would hire.



I'm sorry, then. I misunderstood. Was this in relation to the ER conversation, or did I miss something?

[Americano]

Hypothetically speaking, you wouldn't mind if everyone in the ER heard the doctor tell you that you had AIDS, HSV (or any other STD), TB, hepatitis, scabies, etc.?!

That's the whole point, I wouldn't be in an ER for anything but an emergency. Everything you've listed are conditions normally diagnosed by a primary care physician in a medical office, not an ER. If people are clogging emergency rooms to use those services for primary care, and they do, I don't feel they deserve any special privacy beyond what the emergency facility provides.

[dilettante]

That's the whole point, I wouldn't be in an ER for anything but an emergency. Everything you've listed are conditions normally diagnosed by a primary care physician in a medical office, not an ER. If people are clogging emergency rooms to use those services for primary care, and they do, I don't feel they deserve any special privacy beyond what the emergency facility provides.

Just because they aren't in the ER to be treated for those conditions doesn't mean they aren't relevant and won't come up. If you've cut off your thumb slicing tomatoes or received a really bad burn and need emergency care, its extremely relevant to the quality of that care that the doctors know whether you have a disease which complicates the process of patching you up (e.g. by compromising your immune system).

If at all possibly, doctors should not put patients in the position of having to choose whether to, for example, either admit to the general public (perhaps including parents? neighbors? employer?) that they have AIDs or to potentially endanger their own lives and the lives of the medical personnel treating them by keeping that secret.

If it's a life-or-death situation, then sure, screw privacy. But it usually isn't.

[The Drunk Girl]

That's the whole point, I wouldn't be in an ER for anything but an emergency. Everything you've listed are conditions normally diagnosed by a primary care physician in a medical office, not an ER. If people are clogging emergency rooms to use those services for primary care, and they do, I don't feel they deserve any special privacy beyond what the emergency facility provides.

I suppose I should have added in there, the ER doc discussing an already diagnosed condition, but it looks like Dil covered that.

Symptoms of hepatitis:

The symptoms of hepatitis include:


Abdominal pain or distention
Breast development in males
Dark urine and pale or clay-colored stools
Fatigue
General itching
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Loss of appetite
Low-grade fever
Nausea and vomiting
Weight loss

Source (https://health.google.com/health/ref/Hepatitis)

There is nothing on that list that would send you to an ER, if you didn't already know you had hepatitis?

I'm guessing the guy had one or more of these symptoms, came in, and as a "general rule" the doc ran some blood work. And, wha-la!

[Americano]

Just because they aren't in the ER to be treated for those conditions doesn't mean they aren't relevant and won't come up. If you've cut off your thumb slicing tomatoes or received a really bad burn and need emergency care, its extremely relevant to the quality of that care that the doctors know whether you have a disease which complicates the process of patching you up (e.g. by compromising your immune system).

If at all possibly, doctors should not put patients in the position of having to choose whether to, for example, either admit to the general public (perhaps including parents? neighbors? employer?) that they have AIDs or to potentially endanger their own lives and the lives of the medical personnel treating them by keeping that secret.

If it's a life-or-death situation, then sure, screw privacy. But it usually isn't.

'If at all possible' would be dictated by facility privacy capability. TDGirl and her mother were offended by overhearing an ER physician tell a patient the patient's blood work had determined the patient had hepatitis. My position was and is that ER patients realistically should not expect the level of privacy afforded by a prearranged visit to a medical facility to be examined/diagnosed by a primary care physician or specialist.

[Americano]

I suppose I should have added in there, the ER doc discussing an already diagnosed condition, but it looks like Dil covered that.

Symptoms of hepatitis:

The symptoms of hepatitis include:


Abdominal pain or distention
Breast development in males
Dark urine and pale or clay-colored stools
Fatigue
General itching
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Loss of appetite
Low-grade fever
Nausea and vomiting
Weight loss

Source (https://health.google.com/health/ref/Hepatitis)

There is nothing on that list that would send you to an ER, if you didn't already know you had hepatitis?

I'm guessing the guy had one or more of these symptoms, came in, and as a "general rule" the doc ran some blood work. And, wha-la!

My wife is a Hepatitis C survivor. 10% survived at that time if they could afford and self-administer newly discovered serum injections for 18 months. She was diagnosed by her GP (primary care physician in current terminology) who, after hearing her symptoms had blood work done and then referred her to a specialist. No way she would have gone to an ER for any of the symptoms.

People do use ERs for primary care, in my opinion a blatant abuse of those services, and again, they should not expect the same privacy considerations afforded by a prearranged visit to a non-emergency medical facility.

[Margot]

This (http://thedailywh.at/post/914324098/anecdote-of-the-day-negative-double-positive) is excellent.

[Americano]

This (http://thedailywh.at/post/914324098/anecdote-of-the-day-negative-double-positive) is excellent.

Humor in linguistics. Keying in a Yiddish accent "Who would have imagined such a thing?"

[Lily]

Should patient confidentiality be expected in an ER setting?


A patient should have a reasonable expectation of confidentiality and privacy. The key word being "reasonable." It's just not always possible. Ambulances come in, someone codes in the waiting room, patients are on stretchers in the hallways... shit happens, stuff gets overheard. What we absolutely cannot do is disclose a patient's information to a third party without permission on purpose. That's a HIPAA violation.

[Michael]

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaack! :D

I had an excellent vacation, lots of canoeing, lots of beer, BBQ food, lazy afternoons, campfires toasting marshmellows, etc. Good to get away from it all for a few days. :)

Apparently there was some sun spot activity that made the Northern Lights appear at higher latitudes than normal and so we got to see some amazing dancing blue/green lights on Wednesday night! :banana:

Good to see lots of posting activity too! :)

[Michael]

I'm off to the races today! :)

(Horseracing in case anyone is curious)

[Americano]

I'm off to the races today! :)

(Horseracing in case anyone is curious)

Thoroughbreds, quarter horses, sulkies?

[Americano]

An 18 year old Italian girl tells her Mom that she has missed her period for 2 months. Very worried, the mother goes to the drugstore and buys a pregnancy kit. The test result shows that the girl is pregnant.

Shouting, cursing, crying, the mother says, "who was the pig that did this to you? I want to know!" The girl picks up the phone and makes a call. Half an hour later, a Ferrari stops in front of their house. A mature and distinguished man with gray hair and impeccably dressed in an Armani suit steps out of the of the Ferrari and enters the house.

He sits in the living room with the father, mother, and the girl and tells them: "Good morning, your daughter has informed me of the problem. I can't marry her because of my personal family situation but I'll take responsibility. I will pay all costs and provide for your daughter for the rest of her life. Additionally, if a girl is born, I will bequeath a Ferrari, a beach house, 2 retail stores, a townhouse, a beachfront villa, and a $2,000,000 bank account. If a boy is born, my legacy will be a couple of factories and a $4,000,000 bank account. If twins, they will receive a factory and $2,000,000 each.
However, if there is a miscarriage, what do you suggest I do?"

At this point, the father, who had remained silent, places a hand firmly on the man's shoulder and tells him,

"You fuck her again."

[Zarquon]

Got vaccinated yesterday..Meningitis, Tetanus/diphtheria , Chicken Pox, MMR, and Hepatitis B

[Lily]

Got vaccinated yesterday..Meningitis, Tetanus/diphtheria , Chicken Pox, MMR, and Hepatitis B

Ow. Arm sore?

[evanescence]

An 18 year old Italian girl tells her Mom that she has missed her period for 2 months. Very worried, the mother goes to the drugstore and buys a pregnancy kit. The test result shows that the girl is pregnant.

Shouting, cursing, crying, the mother says, "who was the pig that did this to you? I want to know!" The girl picks up the phone and makes a call. Half an hour later, a Ferrari stops in front of their house. A mature and distinguished man with gray hair and impeccably dressed in an Armani suit steps out of the of the Ferrari and enters the house.

He sits in the living room with the father, mother, and the girl and tells them: "Good morning, your daughter has informed me of the problem. I can't marry her because of my personal family situation but I'll take responsibility. I will pay all costs and provide for your daughter for the rest of her life. Additionally, if a girl is born, I will bequeath a Ferrari, a beach house, 2 retail stores, a townhouse, a beachfront villa, and a $2,000,000 bank account. If a boy is born, my legacy will be a couple of factories and a $4,000,000 bank account. If twins, they will receive a factory and $2,000,000 each.
However, if there is a miscarriage, what do you suggest I do?"

At this point, the father, who had remained silent, places a hand firmly on the man's shoulder and tells him,

"You fuck her again."










:lol::lol::lol:

[Michael]

Thoroughbreds, quarter horses, sulkies?

Thoroughbreds. :)

Not bad - ended up breaking even on the day between the two of us, including covering the cost of beer and lunch, so it was a nice day.

I had a couple of really, really close races that went against me (by a nose!) or I would have won quite a bit. :)

Fun day - I have always enjoyed horseracing, though I only go once or twice a year.

[Michael]

Got vaccinated yesterday..Meningitis, Tetanus/diphtheria , Chicken Pox, MMR, and Hepatitis B

Aren't those standard vaccinations done when one is a child? :ummm:

I'm blissfully ignorant of most medical issues...

[Zarquon]

Aren't those standard vaccinations done when one is a child? :ummm:
I'm blissfully ignorant of most medical issues...
No, there are teenage (http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/adult-schedule.htm) or booster doses (http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/adult-schedule.htm) as well, and meningitis vaccine is only required in endemic areas, while I never had the need to get a Varicella/Chicken Pox vaccine and my parents neglected getting me any hepatitis B vaccine.
I got them all as most were recommended by UB (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_at_Buffalo,_The_State_University_of_New _York) (you have to fill and submit a health form before being allowed to attend any classes), some were mandatory. Also got a PPD test (for TB) done for the same reason.

[Zarquon]

Ow. Arm sore?
The right shoulder which got three shots, is very sore; the left one, which got two shots, barely so. The right one didn't hurt until the last shot (meningitis).

[Americano]

The right shoulder which got three shots, is very sore; the left one, which got two shots, barely so. The right one didn't hurt until the last shot (meningitis).

When are you scheduled to arrive in the US?

[The Drunk Girl]

Getting the TDap last year killed me!

[Zarquon]

When are you scheduled to arrive in the US?
Flight leaves here on 19th, arrives in US on 20th August.

[Americano]

Flight leaves here on 19th, arrives in US on 20th August.

Excited?

[Margot]

Flight leaves here on 19th, arrives in US on 20th August.

I believe this girl will be going to school with you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M4tdMsg3ts&feature=player_embedded

[Michael]

I believe this girl will be going to school with you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M4tdMsg3ts&feature=player_embedded

Being the 'old school' fellow that I am, I had to go read it. (For me, video is a medium meant to 'evoke' emotion and thus is unsuitable for conveying actual information - it is better suited for the role of propaganda or activism)

http://www.lewrockwell.com/pr/valedictorian-against-schooling.html

Great speech! That takes balls! :thumbsup:

And if this girl is on her way to same school as Zarquon, I think he just found a girl very well worth meeting! :)

[Americano]

Being the 'old school' fellow that I am, I had to go read it. (For me, video is a medium meant to 'evoke' emotion and thus is unsuitable for conveying actual information - it is better suited for the role of propaganda or activism)

http://www.lewrockwell.com/pr/valedictorian-against-schooling.html

Great speech! That takes balls! :thumbsup:

And if this girl is on her way to same school as Zarquon, I think he just found a girl very well worth meeting! :)

It's a respected university with only cream of the crop incoming students. I think he'll find be many people worth meeting. And the usual assholes. I'll be most interested in his cultural experiences regarding adaption from India to US residency.

[Zarquon]

Excited?
Sort of, the excitement will probably build up over the week and reach a crescendo when I actually board the plane and take flight.
Got a lot of growing up to do, and a lot of knowledge to acquire...

[Zarquon]

I believe this girl will be going to school with you:

From where do you know that, exactly?
Very well written and articulated speech though nervously delivered, and while I agree with the core, that public education does not produce well-rounded individuals nor inculcate critical thinking, I disagree with the whole conspiracy angle. But I don't really have much experience or knowledge on the topic.

[Michael]

From where do you know that, exactly?
Very well written and articulated speech though nervously delivered, and while I agree with the core, that public education does not produce well-rounded individuals nor inculcate critical thinking, I disagree with the whole conspiracy angle. But I don't really have much experience or knowledge on the topic.

I think the nervousness of delivery is to be expected. She's throwing shit at all of her teachers and all the parents sitting there. And all those teachers and parents are very guilty of everything she accuses them of - NOTHING scares parents and/or teachers more than free-thinking educated students. They don't like that and work very hard to prevent it.

They clearly failed with this girl. She survived and prospered. Behind closed doors, her former teachers now hate her - I have no doubt of that.

[Michael]

Just check this out...

http://thechive.com/2010/08/10/girl-quits-her-job-on-dry-erase-board-emails-entire-office-33-photos/

I thought it was pretty funny! :lol:

[The Drunk Girl]

Just check this out...

http://thechive.com/2010/08/10/girl-quits-her-job-on-dry-erase-board-emails-entire-office-33-photos/

I thought it was pretty funny! :lol:

TDGuy showed that to me last night. Pretty funny, but I was expecting her boss to visiting porn instead of Farmville

[Michael]

TDGuy showed that to me last night. Pretty funny, but I was expecting her boss to visiting porn instead of Farmville

But that's why it is so funny - the Boss turns out to be not only an asshole but pathetic as well! :lol:

[Margot]

Just check this out...

http://thechive.com/2010/08/10/girl-quits-her-job-on-dry-erase-board-emails-entire-office-33-photos/

I thought it was pretty funny! :lol:

Alas, it seems it was a hoax (http://techcrunch.com/2010/08/11/elyse-porterfield/)

[Michael]

Alas, it seems it was a hoax (http://techcrunch.com/2010/08/11/elyse-porterfield/)

Well that sucks - it was a such a cool thing! Probably trying to cash-in on the popularity of the flight attendent who quit. :shrug:

[Americano]

Her rack looks on the small side to make it in Hollywood. But she did just get there.

[Margot]

Her rack looks on the small side to make it in Hollywood. But she did just get there.

I dunno. Keira Knightley was once the second highest paid actress in Hollywood, and she rivals me in the tiny titty field.

[evanescence]

I believe this girl will be going to school with you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M4tdMsg3ts&feature=player_embedded

That video was inspiring.

[Zarquon]

parent's visa application approved, a few things left to do, flight in five days.

[Michael]

parent's visa application approved, a few things left to do, flight in five days.

Sounds good! Though that's a nasty flight - I really hate long plane rides.

Btw, I take it the parents are just coming along to settle you in rather than stay for the duration? :eek:

2nd Btw, Toronto is the closest large city to Buffalo. Definitely a strong regional connection between the two cities (around here people speak of doing the Shuffalo down to Buffalo meaning doing a US shopping trip). All of Buffalo's tv stations are available in Toronto and vice versa due to broadcast proximity - so you can watch the CBC! :lol:

Buffalo's NFL football team also plays a couple of exhibition games as well as their last home game of the regular season in Toronto - as a tribute to the fact that Toronto is a major part of the Buffalo Bills fanbase.

[Americano]

parent's visa application approved, a few things left to do, flight in five days.

Getting much sleep?

[Non Sequitur]

S

Buffalo's NFL football team also plays a couple of exhibition games as well as their last home game of the regular season in Toronto - as a tribute to the fact that Toronto is a major part of the Buffalo Bills fanbase.

Rumors in sports circles are that the Bills are moving to Toronto sometime soon.

[The Drunk Guy]

Rumors in sports circles are that the Bills are moving to Toronto sometime soon.
I'm still waiting for the CFL to conglomerate into four teams in major cities and join the NFL. (Wouldn't a Canadian team constitute an entirely new league name and reorganization, though? :ummm:)

[The Drunk Girl]

I'm still waiting for the CFL to conglomerate into four teams in major cities and join the NFL. (Wouldn't a Canadian team constitute an entirely new league name and reorganization, though? :ummm:)

Not really? The NBA has teams in Toronto and Vancouver. The same applies to the MLB. Surely if those two leagues can do it, the NFL could. Speaking of which...I can't wait for NFL season. And, has anyone heard of Brandon Marshall trying out for the NBA next season if there is a lockout?

[Americano]

From the money side:

Would Toronto provide improved attendance revenue

Would advertising revenue improve with another country involved

Would Canada provide any tax incentives

[Non Sequitur]

From the money side:

Would Toronto provide improved attendance revenue

Would advertising revenue improve with another country involved

Would Canada provide any tax incentives

Well keep in mind it's a rumor. Also, the NFL leadership likes to use the threat of moving to light a fire underneath a franchise butt to do better (example New Orleans). However, the logic goes that if the owner moved the Franchise to Toronto the Franchise would get more viewer's in Toronto and still probably be able to keep the Buffalo viewer's.

[Zarquon]

Sounds good! Though that's a nasty flight - I really hate long plane rides.

Btw, I take it the parents are just coming along to settle you in rather than stay for the duration? :eek:

Of course they're only coming to settle me in and they know I can't stand the latter, we don't have the money to the latter at any rate(nor do i know of an allowed duration of stay that would include an entire year).
And I would certainly love to visit Toronto, but i don't have a Canadian visa.
Might get it later on in school life.
Also, given cumbersome American work and immigration visa rules, I might chose to work and/or settle in Canada. But that's in the future;)

[Zarquon]

Getting much sleep?
Yes, sleeping soundly for now, as it will only sink in when I'm actually at the airport; Its rather surreal for me, given that I've lived all my life in one town, to go straight to the US oir studies, and that too on my maiden flight.

[Michael]

Rumors in sports circles are that the Bills are moving to Toronto sometime soon.

I'm still waiting for the CFL to conglomerate into four teams in major cities and join the NFL. (Wouldn't a Canadian team constitute an entirely new league name and reorganization, though? :ummm:)

From the money side:

Would Toronto provide improved attendance revenue

Would advertising revenue improve with another country involved

Would Canada provide any tax incentives

Well keep in mind it's a rumor. Also, the NFL leadership likes to use the threat of moving to light a fire underneath a franchise butt to do better (example New Orleans). However, the logic goes that if the owner moved the Franchise to Toronto the Franchise would get more viewer's in Toronto and still probably be able to keep the Buffalo viewer's.

I don't think there is any doubt that Toronto can support a NFL team (money, advertising and fanbase) or that such a move would be in the Buffalo Bills' interests.

The ONLY issue that prevents it from happening is the CFL - if Toronto goes NFL, that's likely to be the deathblow of the CFL (which is very weak already, and really only popular out on the Prairies). Toronto has a CFL franchise and they fight against allowing the NFL into Toronto.

That's why I expect the 'partnership' between the Bills and Toronto to continue and possibly increase over time. The Bills NEED Toronto to survive - the team just can't survive on the Buffalo market alone. Btw, players from the Bills are commonly featured at Toronto 'charity' events along with players from the Maple Leafs, Blue Jays and Raptors!

I really don't see how the CFL can survive as it is - its fanbase keeps shrinking over time - and the three biggest cities (Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver) are the weakest CFL franchises - probably due to NFL tv competition.

As I've mentioned before, when it comes to football fans in Toronto, 95% of the 'fans' I know of ONLY watch NFL football - they all ridicule the CFL and ignore it.

[Americano]

Would Toronto name a stadium after Ralph Wilson?

[Michael]

Nothing worse than getting up on Saturday morning and finding the cupboards are bare!

Have to go to the market in order to make brunch...

[Margot]

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l75t2r607Q1qzpwi0o1_500.jpg

[Lily]

Holy Crap! lmao!!

Rednecks_VS_Carp (http://www.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,541363358001_2010246,00.html)

[evanescence]

:lol:

[The Drunk Girl]

Nothing worse than getting up on Saturday morning and finding the cupboards are bare!

Have to go to the market in order to make brunch...


I just needed to bitch here, but I had already been up for 5 hours when you were waking up to find your cupboards bare :lol:

[Michael]

Would Toronto name a stadium after Ralph Wilson?

Not unless Ralphie pays big bucks for the honor. Right now Skydome is called "Rogers Centre" after Rogers Media - which is a Canadian cable conglomerate based in Toronto.

I think these advertising naming rights are stupid. No matter how much Rogers pays to put their name on Skydome, it is still the Skydome.

[Michael]

I just needed to bitch here, but I had already been up for 5 hours when you were waking up to find your cupboards bare :lol:

As you should well know by know, I live a rather rarified existence of middle class luxury and entitlement with an absolute minimum of stress. :D

[The Drunk Guy]

As you should well know by know, I live a rather rarified existence of middle class luxury and entitlement with an absolute minimum of stress. :D
Wait a second.....now that you've mentioned it, I think I hate you. :D

[Americano]

Not unless Ralphie pays big bucks for the honor. Right now Skydome is called "Rogers Centre" after Rogers Media - which is a Canadian cable conglomerate based in Toronto.

I think these advertising naming rights are stupid. No matter how much Rogers pays to put their name on Skydome, it is still the Skydome.

If renamed NFL broadcasters would no longer call it Skydome. Advertisers prefer branded objects.

[Americano]

As you should well know by know, I live a rather rarified existence of middle class luxury and entitlement with an absolute minimum of stress. :D

I've always considered early am jackhammer activity very stressful.

[Michael]

If renamed NFL broadcasters would no longer call it Skydome. Advertisers prefer branded objects.

Skydome's name was officially changed a couple years ago to Rogers Centre, paid for by Rogers Media (Ted Rogers - local boy with BIG EGO).

My point is that no matter what the advertisers and the owners want to call the damn thing, the real name is Skydome and always will be - that's what normal people call the place.

Call it Rogers Centre and people look at you like "WTF is that?" :ummm:

[Americano]

Skydome's name was officially changed a couple years ago to Rogers Centre, paid for by Rogers Media (Ted Rogers - local boy with BIG EGO).

My point is that no matter what the advertisers and the owners want to call the damn thing, the real name is Skydome and always will be - that's what normal people call the place.

Call it Rogers Centre and people look at you like "WTF is that?" :ummm:

In the context of NFL fans, I think that reaction would be restricted to Canadians.

[Michael]

In the context of NFL fans, I think that reaction would be restricted to Canadians.
Okay.

I guess I haven't a clue what your point was then. :shrug:

Doesn't really matter since I couldn't care less about NFL or Skydome.

[Michael]

I just read two articles discussing Rory Reid (D) running for Governor in Nevada. I had to go to Wiki to find out that Rory Reid is indeed the son of Harry Reid, Nevada's senior Senator (because neither article mentioned it).

Fucking pathetic. US is filled with this kind of nepotism politics and it sucks. I hope this younger Reid loses by a landslide and never comes back. Political office shouldn't be a sinecure for one to inherit as it is increasingly becoming in the USA.

Btw, how's Biden's son doing in Delaware in his claim of entitlement to daddy's Senate seat? :rolleyes:

Or how about Andrew Coumo also seeking to claim his entitlement to daddy's position in NY?

I can only hope that all three of these entitlement bitches are rejected by voters.

[The Drunk Girl]

School orientation tomorrow at 9 am :( Can't say that I am quite ready for "summer" to be over with.

When do the other students start?

[Michael]

School orientation tomorrow at 9 am :( Can't say that I am quite ready for "summer" to be over with.

When do the other students start?

I've never heard of school starting before Labor Day. :shrug:

[Lily]

I just read two articles discussing Rory Reid (D) running for Governor in Nevada. I had to go to Wiki to find out that Rory Reid is indeed the son of Harry Reid, Nevada's senior Senator (because neither article mentioned it).

Fucking pathetic. US is filled with this kind of nepotism politics and it sucks. I hope this younger Reid loses by a landslide and never comes back. Political office shouldn't be a sinecure for one to inherit as it is increasingly becoming in the USA.

Btw, how's Biden's son doing in Delaware in his claim of entitlement to daddy's Senate seat? :rolleyes:

Or how about Andrew Coumo also seeking to claim his entitlement to daddy's position in NY?

I can only hope that all three of these entitlement bitches are rejected by voters.


Oh, here's the best one of all... have you heard Dan Quayle's son, Ben? Oh my goodness. That guy is a trip. Running for Congress in Arizona.

Link (http://motherjones.com/mojo/2010/08/quayle-son-obama-worst-president-history-arizona)

[The Drunk Girl]

I've never heard of school starting before Labor Day. :shrug:

Oh to be a Canadian ;)

Actually, the first day of school is Monday, the 23rd for EKU, but I have to attend a 6 hour orientation for the nursing program. Some students in other levels of the program had to actually go to their clinical sites yesterday for their orientation. They have two sites to go to throughout the semester; one for Med Surg, the other for OB.

Part of my orientation tomorrow is a dosage calculations test. Starts out pretty easy and then just becomes a big pain in the ass. I think I have meant to ask Lily how much conversions really are involved in nursing these days.

Here's a little taste:

Ordered: 30 mg
Available: 15mg/tab (pretty easy)

Ordered: 8mg
Available: 4mg/2mL (still pretty easy)

Ordered: 400 mcg
Available: 0.08 mg/mL

"A client weighs 44 pounds is to receive a drug at the dosage of 10 mg/Kg of body weight. The drug is available at 50 mg/mL. How many mL will the client receive?"

[drgoodtrips]

I seem to remember that there was a thread or some posting about how FUBAR the intellectual property system is, but I don't remember where that thread is. Anywho, Michael, I thought you might get a kick out of this:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/burnette/why-software-patents-are-a-joke-literally/2039

"A former Sun/Oracle employee explains how developers created patents in an unofficial contest to see who could get the goofiest patent through the system. James Gosling said, '... we got sued, and lost. The penalty was huge. Nearly put us out of business. We survived, but to help protect us from future suits we went on a patenting binge. Even though we had a basic distaste for patents, the game is what it is, and patents are essential in modern corporations, if only as a defensive measure. There was even an unofficial competition to see who could get the goofiest patent through the system. My entry wasn't nearly the goofiest.' Now Oracle is using patents from the same folks as the basis for its lawsuit against Google."

Unfortunately, the joke is on all of us. It’s on our economy, as we let patents choke down innovation and increase fear, uncertainty, and doubt in an already uncertain time. It’s on our bottom lines, as we make busy-work for our expensive lawyers with their sparkling eyes instead of investing for the future. And it’s on our collective consciousness, as we force good and decent people to act against the better angels of their nature.

[Michael]

Oh, here's the best one of all... have you heard Dan Quayle's son, Ben? Oh my goodness. That guy is a trip. Running for Congress in Arizona.

Link (http://motherjones.com/mojo/2010/08/quayle-son-obama-worst-president-history-arizona)
Oh shit yeah! I forgot about Junior Quayle seeking his entitlement too!

And yes, he does appear to make his father look like a paragon of intellectualism. :rofl:

[Michael]

I seem to remember that there was a thread or some posting about how FUBAR the intellectual property system is, but I don't remember where that thread is. Anywho, Michael, I thought you might get a kick out of this:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/burnette/why-software-patents-are-a-joke-literally/2039

That's fucking ugly and a perfect example of all that is wrong with present US patent law. The game is now all about protecting corporate turf.

Given that I first became aware of this issue in precisely this context during the latter half of the 1990's, it is safe to say that this has become 'the norm' now, some fifteen years later, as the above post proves.

[Americano]

We have a 1,000 acre forest fire burning about 20 miles from us as the crow flies. That's smoke in the image, not mist. In the image the fire is just right of center. Current assessments forecast a burn of 12,000 acres and two weeks to contain it due to extremely rugged terrain. If they get lucky. 91° right now and big lightening storms (which create most of our forest fires) all around us. 'Tis the season.

[Zarquon]

My flight's tonight (20 hours to go)!

[The Drunk Girl]

Be careful. Have a safe flight:)

[Margot]

My flight's tonight (20 hours to go)!

Have a safe trip!

:D

[Michael]

My flight's tonight (20 hours to go)!

Welcome to the 'new world'. :D

I believe you mentioned that you've never been over to 'this side of the pond' before? If so, I'm sure you are in for a bit of a culture shock. The USA can still surprise the heck out of me and I'm half-American and I've traveled over quite a bit of it.

Anyway, best wishes on a safe and happy journey! :)

[Americano]

My flight's tonight (20 hours to go)!

Has to be exciting. Change is a staff of life.

[Michael]

Btw, Secretary of Defence Gates has announced that he will step down from his post in 2011.

Rumor has it that Hillary will get the nod!

[Michael]

We've got a very interesting race for Mayor here in Toronto this year. :D

A fellow by the name of Rob Ford, who is one of the most conservative members of City Council, and is also rather short, fat, balding, uncharismatic and is as they say, 'outspoken' and has a very colorful background (including a couple of assault charges and a pot possession charge - all subsequently dropped).

Anyway, this guy is really opening up a big lead - drawing support from all over the place. Indeed, I've already donated $500 to his campaign and will certainly be voting for him.

In a world where City Councillors routinely put in $50,000 to $100,000 in 'office expenses' per year, Rob Ford claims less than $500 per year in expenses - and he's been doing that for a dozen years. Outraged (and spendthrift) City Councillors have had him investigated and audited (repeatedly) trying to find some dirt just because he makes them all look bad.

Indeed, the more City Council and its members seek to vilify Rob Ford, the more popular he becomes. Seems like he's riding a HUGE backlash against the [leftwing] City Council and incumbent [leftwing] Mayor. :)

[Americano]

We've got a very interesting race for Mayor here in Toronto this year. :D

A fellow by the name of Rob Ford, who is one of the most conservative members of City Council, and is also rather short, fat, balding, uncharismatic and is as they say, 'outspoken' and has a very colorful background (including a couple of assault charges and a pot possession charge - all subsequently dropped).

Anyway, this guy is really opening up a big lead - drawing support from all over the place. Indeed, I've already donated $500 to his campaign and will certainly be voting for him.

In a world where City Councillors routinely put in $50,000 to $100,000 in 'office expenses' per year, Rob Ford claims less than $500 per year in expenses - and he's been doing that for a dozen years. Outraged (and spendthrift) City Councillors have had him investigated and audited (repeatedly) trying to find some dirt just because he makes them all look bad.

Indeed, the more City Council and its members seek to vilify Rob Ford, the more popular he becomes. Seems like he's riding a HUGE backlash against the [leftwing] City Council and incumbent [leftwing] Mayor. :)

He is short, fat and balding.

[Michael]

He is short, fat and balding.

I have nothing against short, fat and balding guys... I just was trying to point out the fact that he's not particularly charismatic and thus his widespread popularity is a bit surprising.

I'm just tired of the way City Hall seems to be run like a private club for the benefit of politicians, unions, property developers and ethnic groups. Obviously a fair number of Toronto residents feel the same way.

Seriously, the city increases funding for full-time staff as 'outreach coordinators' for homeless people as well as funding for various ethnic community groups and sponsors free music festivals at City Hall every year, yet complains about never having any money to fix sewer pipes and water mains and is always trying to close community swimming pools. Of course, city hall, mayor's office and councillor's offices get multi-million dollar rennovations every couple of years...

Same old crap that plagues many municipal governments. :shrug:

[Americano]

I have nothing against short, fat and balding guys... I just was trying to point out the fact that he's not particularly charismatic and thus his widespread popularity is a bit surprising.

I'm just tired of the way City Hall seems to be run like a private club for the benefit of politicians, unions, property developers and ethnic groups. Obviously a fair number of Toronto residents feel the same way.

Seriously, the city increases funding for full-time staff as 'outreach coordinators' for homeless people as well as funding for various ethnic community groups and sponsors free music festivals at City Hall every year, yet complains about never having any money to fix sewer pipes and water mains and is always trying to close community swimming pools. Of course, city hall, mayor's office and councillor's offices get multi-million dollar rennovations every couple of years...

Same old crap that plagues many municipal governments. :shrug:

In this era of instant visual communication I think physical appearance is an important political asset. Is voter unrest regarding Toronto elected officials to a point where moderates want to believe his political promises?
What are his chances?

[Michael]

In this era of instant visual communication I think physical appearance is an important political asset. Is voter unrest regarding Toronto elected officials to a point where moderates want to believe his political promises?
What are his chances?

Yes, I also believe that physical appearance is fairly important for politicians to be successful. One usually needs a bit of charisma. As it stands now, Ford is leading the pack and is favored to win in November. I certainly hope he wins. City Council is too complacent and too wrapped up in their own entitlement.

Ford has a solid reputation for non-corruption and hard work. That makes him unique around City Hall and that scares the entitlement set. City Hall has a corrupt practice where Council meets secretly with property developers who are blackmailed into paying for various pet projects of the Councillors in order to get their development projects passed. Everytime some new horrible property development is passed by City Council, we are told that the property developer has promised to also pay for some park or some non-profit housing so this is held to be the justification for the horrible project.

[Americano]

Yes, I also believe that physical appearance is fairly important for politicians to be successful. One usually needs a bit of charisma. As it stands now, Ford is leading the pack and is favored to win in November. I certainly hope he wins. City Council is too complacent and too wrapped up in their own entitlement.

Ford has a solid reputation for non-corruption and hard work. That makes him unique around City Hall and that scares the entitlement set. City Hall has a corrupt practice where Council meets secretly with property developers who are blackmailed into paying for various pet projects of the Councillors in order to get their development projects passed. Everytime some new horrible property development is passed by City Council, we are told that the property developer has promised to also pay for some park or some non-profit housing so this is held to be the justification for the horrible project.

Sounds like politics as usual, anywhere.

[Americano]

An interesting image of the power of pollution. That's smoke from our local forest fire blocking out the sun, that little dot of white on the right hand side of the image.

[Michael]

Forum milestone: the backup file for the forum just topped the 50 mB mark this morning.

This backup file contains just the VB database. The oldest forum backup file is about 5 mB.

To backup the whole shebang including the VB software, Linux, Apache, etc., is about 250 mB.

And if anyone is curious, we suck up about 1 GB per month in bandwidth with an average of about 1200 to 1500 unique visitors every month.

[dilettante]

Can you imagine being one of these guys...
Joy and fear: miners found alive, stuck for months (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i075ahoJZZkuwcSyRJcUkUDZKuFQD9HP9DCO3)

[The Drunk Girl]

Can you imagine being one of these guys...
Joy and fear: miners found alive, stuck for months (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i075ahoJZZkuwcSyRJcUkUDZKuFQD9HP9DCO3)

:eek:

[Michael]

Can you imagine being one of these guys...
Joy and fear: miners found alive, stuck for months (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i075ahoJZZkuwcSyRJcUkUDZKuFQD9HP9DCO3)

:eek: :eek:

[Americano]

Gonna need some serious tranqs over four months so they don't kill each other.

[Americano]

The wind shifted and that plume of smoke (now three times the size since 08-21-10) graced us with its presence.

[Michael]

The wind shifted and that plume of smoke (now three times the size since 08-21-10) graced us with its presence.

Any danger to your house?

[Americano]

Any danger to your house?

No, the fire is 20+ miles away.

[Americano]

Today's news on the fire, a marijuana grow consisting of 23,000 3-9' plants was raided today. It was in near proximity to the fire, which has 12 helicopters dumping water on the fire from every direction. Seeing that fire start and the resulting helicopters had to be the worst possible nightmare for the growers, 11 of whom were apprehended. It takes far more hands than that to plant, maintain and harvest a crop that size, so I'm sure there are a bunch of people hoping the busted ones are 'stand-up' and won't rat them out. All were armed. Estimated wholesale value was ~$6 million.

[The Drunk Guy]

Today's news on the fire, a marijuana grow consisting of 23,000 3-9' plants was raided today. It was in near proximity to the fire, which has 12 helicopters dumping water on the fire from every direction. Seeing that fire start and the resulting helicopters had to be the worst possible nightmare for the growers, 11 of whom were apprehended. It takes far more hands than that to plant, maintain and harvest a crop that size, so I'm sure there are a bunch of people hoping the busted ones are 'stand-up' and won't rat them out. All were armed. Estimated wholesale value was ~$6 million.
Damn. They should have been more careful putting that joint out. ;)

[evanescence]

Today's news on the fire, a marijuana grow consisting of 23,000 3-9' plants was raided today. It was in near proximity to the fire, which has 12 helicopters dumping water on the fire from every direction. Seeing that fire start and the resulting helicopters had to be the worst possible nightmare for the growers, 11 of whom were apprehended. It takes far more hands than that to plant, maintain and harvest a crop that size, so I'm sure there are a bunch of people hoping the busted ones are 'stand-up' and won't rat them out. All were armed. Estimated wholesale value was ~$6 million.

What a waste of law enforcement resources. Not to mention the fire.. :mad:

[evanescence]

Forum milestone: the backup file for the forum just topped the 50 mB mark this morning.

This backup file contains just the VB database. The oldest forum backup file is about 5 mB.

To backup the whole shebang including the VB software, Linux, Apache, etc., is about 250 mB.

And if anyone is curious, we suck up about 1 GB per month in bandwidth with an average of about 1200 to 1500 unique visitors every month.

Congrats. You've done great.

[Michael]

Congrats. You've done great.

Thanks, but I think we've only achieved "satisfactory" so far. Greatness still eludes us. :)

[Americano]

What a waste of law enforcement resources. Not to mention the fire.. :mad:

The growers didn't start the fire. Their discovery was incidental to helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft servicing the fire started by someone unassociated with them.

LE agencies responsible for drug enforcement at county and state level simply don't have funds to pay for cargo helicopter services hauling out 500 plants a run. Nor the commercial contracts for chipper trucks and disposal. The personnel overtime pay. The 'bust' is now up to 40,000 plants.

All federal money funneled down through the DEA for the extravagant and failed War on Drugs. Helicopter, tree services, dump truck operators and of course LE are all very happy with their windfall. All public money.

[The Drunk Girl]

Speaking of fires....

IRVINE, Calif. -- Forget "Fore!"


"Fire!" was the cry of the day for a golfer whose off-target swing sparked a 12-acre blaze in Southern California.


The golfer at the Shady Canyon Golf Course in Irvine landed a shot in the rough Saturday. On his next swing, his club snagged a rock, causing a spark that lit the rough ablaze and eventually attracted 150 firefighters to the scene.


Fire officials say the fire burned through the rough, into vegetation next to the course and over two dry, brushy hillsides.
No charges were filed against the golfer, whose name was withheld.


Source
(http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=5517195)

[Michael]

Speaking of fires....
Holy crap that's a fluke!

I'd hate to be the one to start some big forest fire from something so silly as a golf swing! :erm:

[Americano]

US Labor Day

Does anyone have plans for the three-day holiday?

Our parks with camping facilities were sold out weeks in advance but, perhaps a sign of the economic times, most hotels and motels still have vacancies.

[Michael]

US Labor Day

Does anyone have plans for the three-day holiday?

Our parks with camping facilities were sold out weeks in advance but, perhaps a sign of the economic times, most hotels and motels still have vacancies.

It is Labour Day in Canada as well.

I'm off to the Canadian National Exhibition (132nd Annual) as the Air Show is on this weekend.

[The Drunk Girl]

US Labor Day

Does anyone have plans for the three-day holiday?

Our parks with camping facilities were sold out weeks in advance but, perhaps a sign of the economic times, most hotels and motels still have vacancies.

As soon as I get home from work, I am putting the windows up. It is absolutely gorgeous out and probably our first taste of fall weather. The UK/UofL football game will be on in the background while I am cleaning and drinking beer. As for tomorrow and Monday, I have no clue other than watching Pillars of the Earth and studying.

[Zarquon]

US Labor Day

Does anyone have plans for the three-day holiday?

Our parks with camping facilities were sold out weeks in advance but, perhaps a sign of the economic times, most hotels and motels still have vacancies.
homework and reading to do, besides what passes for socializing around here.

[Americano]

homework and reading to do, besides what passes for socializing around here.

Sounds like a freshman dorm comment. Where are the Korean girls?

[The Drunk Girl]

Sounds like a freshman dorm comment. Where are the Korean girls?

He needs to start off with a more prudish breed of girl, like one from Britain. Then he can slowly work his way up the chain and then hit up the Asians.

[Americano]

He needs to start off with a more prudish breed of girl, like one from Britain. Then he can slowly work his way up the chain and then hit up the Asians.

Considering recent colonization history regarding England and India that could be an interesting scenario.

[Michael]

Btw, it seems that Sarah Palin's made up word "refudiate" has become a bit of a rallying cry for the Tea Party set and assorted rightwingers - they seem to celebrate this word. :lol:

Good to see that the rightwing is still proud of their anti-intellectualism and ability to look like idiots in public. :shrug:

[Americano]

Btw, it seems that Sarah Palin's made up word "refudiate" has become a bit of a rallying cry for the Tea Party set and assorted rightwingers - they seem to celebrate this word. :lol:

Good to see that the rightwing is still proud of their anti-intellectualism and ability to look like idiots in public. :shrug:

What happened to 'You Betcha'? Too sophisticated?

[Michael]

What happened to 'You Betcha'? Too sophisticated?

No, that's soooo last year. Need to keep the marketing message fresh! :lol:

Btw, I hear the lastest rumor has it that all of Sarah Palin's infamous Facebook messages have been ghostwritten for her! :rofl:

Next question: are the cute little notes on the palm of her hands written by Sarah or is there a ghostwriter for that too?

[Americano]

Speaking in tongues can't be that far down the road for Palin.

[Michael]

Speaking in tongues can't be that far down the road for Palin.

As long as it isn't Spanish! :lol:

[The Drunk Girl]

Speaking in tongues can't be that far down the road for Palin.

Jesus freaks are singing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn7DOGU3K5E)

:lol:

[Americano]

Jesus freaks are singing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn7DOGU3K5E)

:lol:

Funny.

[Americano]

As long as it isn't Spanish! :lol:

Real Americans speak only English. Sort of.

[evanescence]

Jesus freaks are singing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn7DOGU3K5E)

:lol:

:lol::lol::lol: I loved that season.

This is hilarious:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn0_lL5CcKE

Extended version.

[The Drunk Guy]

As long as it isn't Spanish! :lol:
She'll also want to stay away from Aramaic as it sounds so much like Arabic. ;)

I suggest she uses Pig Latin. "Oh, Esusjay on the osscray..."

[Margot]

Oh, dear classmate, you're a clever little nugget, you!

"The Obama presidency definitely is a first in this country because I do not recall from my history lessons another African-American president."

That's all.

[Americano]

Oh, dear classmate, you're a clever little nugget, you!

"The Obama presidency definitely is a first in this country because I do not recall from my history lessons another African-American president."

That's all.

That African Americans started out as 3/5ths citizens would most likely be lost on such nuggets in Florida, where a Qur'an burning event is planned for Christian fundamentalist celebration of 911.

Nothing personal, much of the general public in my area would find it difficult to remember anything but televised sitcom and sports viewing schedules.

[The Drunk Girl]

Oh, dear classmate, you're a clever little nugget, you!

"The Obama presidency definitely is a first in this country because I do not recall from my history lessons another African-American president."

That's all.

:rofl:

I would go to that class drunk.

[Margot]

That African Americans started out as 3/5ths citizens would most likely be lost on such nuggets in Florida, where a Qur'an burning event is planned for Christian fundamentalist celebration of 911.

Nothing personal, much of the general public in my area would find it difficult to remember anything but televised sitcom and sports viewing schedules.

Oh honey, trust me, I am well aware of how fucking backwards this cesspool is.

[Margot]

:rofl:

I would go to that class drunk.

Hahaha! I'm taking all of my classes online so I don't have to deal with these people personally.

[Michael]

Time for my annual TIFF-bitch!

*TIFF = Toronto International Film Festival.

For those of you who may not know, I used to book off vacation time in the middle of September every year and then see 30 films in 10 days. I don't do that any more because as far as I'm concerned, the old TIFF program is dead and gone. There isn't 30 films at the present TIFF that I'd want to see.

That is to say, from the point of view of seeing avant garde, underground or art-house films, TIFF used to rule North America as the best film festival (which is why it got famous in the first place) - but not any more. Now it is all about Hollywood and celebrities. No one gives a shit about the films themselves, unless there is an A-List Hollywood star involved.

Case in point, our local tv news program has run a short segment on TIFF every day since September 1st. Here are the topics that they've covered so far:

- how to dress for the red carpet
- manicures and pedicures for the red carpet
- hair and makeup for the red carpet
- profiles of a half-dozen hotels where celebrity stars usually stay
- where and how to catch a glimpse of your favorite stars
- how to dress for a gala
- profiles of the various A and B list celebrities expected to attend

Missing in all this is any mention of any film that is scheduled for the festival. Coverage of actual films so far is zero. This is pathetic.

Btw, there used to be only 2 or 3 "gala" screenings. These were the black-tie showings that opened the TIFF or featured a special film. I believe there are 22 galas for this year's TIFF. Back ten-fifteen years ago, people at the TIFF used to "boo" loudly whenever a limousine rolled up to a theater. Now, the limousine rolling up is the WHOLE show. :rolleyes:

It really is rather embarrassing to me the way this TIFF thing has turned into a pop-culture celebrity party and that's all it is.

Fact is, TIFF is where Hollywood has 'release parties' for every new film that they want to pretend is an 'art-house' film. Pretty much every film at TIFF already has a distribution deal all sewn up - or is some 3rd world documentary that no one gives a shit about and is only on the program in order to qualify for government grant money.

Originally, the TIFF was all about showing independent art-house films and the films that were particularly successful would get a distribution deal. This was how small indie-films broke out. Not any more, those indie-films aren't even invited now - it is big Hollywood or nothing now.

Poor TIFF - a victim of its own success, now turned into a pop-culture celebrity worship fest.

[Michael]

Today's newscast TIFF feature was on the "swag bag" given to the celebrities who come to the festival. :rolleyes:

Apparently ticket sales are in a nosedive over years gone past. They try to rationalize this based on the recession, but the nosedive in ticket sales started ten years ago (just about the time I stopped going).

So overall, TIFF shows less number of films, on less screens, less number of showings, to less people now (at much higher ticket prices, available by reserve seating only, sold two months in advance only). But the crowds outside the theaters are enormous and cause spontaneous traffic jams. About half-way through the festival, they will offer cheap tickets for sale because so many showings are half-empty and this apparently makes the Festival look bad.

Doesn't look like a sustainable business model to me. :shrug:

Btw, in the old days, all tickets were sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Some three-quarters of all showings were sold out - but the 'elites' didn't like that since they didn't get any preferential treatment and had to line up with the dirty public. Now all seats are reserved for the elites and the public mostly ignores the festival. Public ticket sales was always a good indicator of where the 'sleeper hits' were hidden. Now there are no sleeper hits at all, and no way to find them. This new system also protects the really bad films. In the old days, they would get no audience and it would be in the newspapers the next day. Now it is all private and all seats are sold in advance, sight unseen (no knowledge of what films are available when buying tickets).

Now instead of talking about which films are unexpectedly popular with the public, they now just talk about the dress Gwyneth Paltrow wore, who did her hair, makeup, shoes, which hotel she's staying at and which restaurant she went to last night. That's because there is no "public" at the festival any more - just celebrities and the people who worship them. :shrug:

[Americano]

Today begins Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish High Holidays. I wish all a happy, healthy New Year.

[The Drunk Guy]

Today's newscast TIFF feature was on the "swag bag" given to the celebrities who come to the festival. :rolleyes:

Apparently ticket sales are in a nosedive over years gone past. They try to rationalize this based on the recession, but the nosedive in ticket sales started ten years ago (just about the time I stopped going).

So overall, TIFF shows less number of films, on less screens, less number of showings, to less people now (at much higher ticket prices, available by reserve seating only, sold two months in advance only). But the crowds outside the theaters are enormous and cause spontaneous traffic jams. About half-way through the festival, they will offer cheap tickets for sale because so many showings are half-empty and this apparently makes the Festival look bad.

Doesn't look like a sustainable business model to me. :shrug:

Btw, in the old days, all tickets were sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Some three-quarters of all showings were sold out - but the 'elites' didn't like that since they didn't get any preferential treatment and had to line up with the dirty public. Now all seats are reserved for the elites and the public mostly ignores the festival. Public ticket sales was always a good indicator of where the 'sleeper hits' were hidden. Now there are no sleeper hits at all, and no way to find them. This new system also protects the really bad films. In the old days, they would get no audience and it would be in the newspapers the next day. Now it is all private and all seats are sold in advance, sight unseen (no knowledge of what films are available when buying tickets).

Now instead of talking about which films are unexpectedly popular with the public, they now just talk about the dress Gwyneth Paltrow wore, who did her hair, makeup, shoes, which hotel she's staying at and which restaurant she went to last night. That's because there is no "public" at the festival any more - just celebrities and the people who worship them. :shrug:
So festivals are now the same as awards shows. They can shove them all up their asses and watch as Hollywood crumbles while no-name international film-makers devour box offices around the world.



Fret for your figure and
Fret for your latte and
Fret for your hairpiece and
Fret for your lawsuit and
Fret for your prozac and
Fret for your pilot and
Fret for your contract and
Fret for your car.
It's a
Bullshit three ring circus sideshow of
Freaks
Here in this hopeless fucking hole we call LA
The only way to fix it is to flush it all away.
Any fucking time. Any fucking day.
Learn to swim, I'll see you down in Arizona bay.

[Michael]

Today begins Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish High Holidays. I wish all a happy, healthy New Year.

And right back at ya! :)

Btw, what year is it by the Jewish calendar?

[The Drunk Guy]

And right back at ya! :)

Btw, what year is it by the Jewish calendar?
According to Genesis, I think it's still the Eighth Day. ;)

[Americano]

29 Elul 5770. I had to look it up.

[Americano]

Yard Deer

Thanks to a wet spring and somewhat mild summer, they're fat and healthy.

Very few new fawns this year, often an indication of a rough winter ahead.

[Michael]

Them blue dogs don't look too happy about those deer invading their space! :lol:

Now I'm hungry for venison! :D

[Americano]

Them blue dogs don't look too happy about those deer invading their space! :lol:

We have a bronze stag in another area which deer have knocked over several times. I hope its deer knocking it over.

Now I'm hungry for venison! :D

[Michael]

We have a bronze stag in another area which deer have knocked over several times. I hope its deer knocking it over.
Prolly some stag challenged it for dominance and won! :lol:

[The Drunk Girl]

http://www.theonion.com/articles/man-already-knows-everything-he-needs-to-know-abou,17990/

[Americano]

http://www.theonion.com/articles/man-already-knows-everything-he-needs-to-know-abou,17990/


Bigots in the US? Real Americans say that's impossible in our Christian country.

I haven't seen or read anything on the Onion I didn't like.

[Zarquon]

Bigots in the US? Real Americans say that's impossible in our Christian country.

I haven't seen or read anything on the Onion I didn't like.
Watch this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ3ap-BK0e0)

[JHC]

Watch this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ3ap-BK0e0)

That video is two years old and it's only gotten worse.

[Americano]

Watch this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ3ap-BK0e0)

Boring. I don't watch television for that very reason.

[Margot]

Well, that's heartbreaking (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11390144)

[Michael]

Well, that's heartbreaking (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11390144)

Heartbreaking? I wouldn't even call it surprising. This seems to be the pattern with many historical incidents. It is always an accident until years later we find out that it was human error.

I had some 'insider' information on the Raid on Dieppe years ago that blew my mind away - history hidden forever.

[Greendruid]

I had some 'insider' information on the Raid on Dieppe years ago that blew my mind away - history hidden forever.

You can't just say stuff like that and walk away! :mad: Spill it! The SFR will be fine with me.

[Michael]

Btw, it seems like "Canadian politics week" here at DWF. :shrug:

I'll stop posting Canada stuff. I try not to post too much Canadian stuff - only issues/stories that have an international angle or interest. :o

[Greendruid]

Got our hoop house covering and retainer strips in the mail from Manitoba yesterday! Now to get the hemlock for the frame and up she goes. Hopefully that killing frost will wait until our usual date of October 15th and the tomatoes will continue to ripen. With any luck, lettuce will be had in six to eight weeks too! Next summer promises to bring us the long-awaited peppers our northern climate has denied us so far.

[Zarquon]

I'm keeping busy with assignments, essays, and quizzes.
Need to get in better health, have an appointment with a gastroenterologist on 10//26.
Waiting one month for an appointment, that's ridiculous to me, but university insurance will pay for it, i ain't complaining too much.

[Americano]

I'm keeping busy with assignments, essays, and quizzes.
Need to get in better health, have an appointment with a gastroenterologist on 10//26.
Waiting one month for an appointment, that's ridiculous to me, but university insurance will pay for it, i ain't complaining too much.

Abrupt dietary change?

[Michael]

Hey, look tomorrow is Michaelmas! :D

What a great name for a day don't you think?

[Non Sequitur]

Hey, look tomorrow is Michaelmas! :D

What a great name for a day don't you think?

Does that mean we celebrate Mass tomorrow?

[Zarquon]

Abrupt dietary change?
I've had IBS for two years, mostly due to an idiotic fast-food heavy diet and zero exercise during 8th-11th grade.
I've got a lot of work to do on the health front- though I have controlled my diet for two years by eschewing all fast food, processed food, caffeinated beverages, dairy products except cheese and eggs, and been eating mostly fresh veggies, fruits, chicken, yogurts,etc since I got here- I am very easily fatigued and lacking in strength, endurance, and flexibility. So withdiet control and exercise, i suppose I'll get into some level of fitness by academic year end.

PS:We have a fitness center in the dorm basement, and I just came back from working out there.

[Greendruid]

I've had IBS for two years, mostly due to an idiotic fast-food heavy diet and zero exercise during 8th-11th grade.
I've got a lot of work to do on the health front- though I have controlled my diet for two years by eschewing all fast food, processed food, caffeinated beverages, dairy products except cheese and eggs, and been eating mostly fresh veggies, fruits, chicken, yogurts,etc since I got here- I am very easily fatigued and lacking in strength, endurance, and flexibility. So withdiet control and exercise, i suppose I'll get into some level of fitness by academic year end.

PS:We have a fitness center in the dorm basement, and I just came back from working out there.

Any differences in the elevations between your home and the new digs?

[Americano]

I've had IBS for two years, mostly due to an idiotic fast-food heavy diet and zero exercise during 8th-11th grade.
I've got a lot of work to do on the health front- though I have controlled my diet for two years by eschewing all fast food, processed food, caffeinated beverages, dairy products except cheese and eggs, and been eating mostly fresh veggies, fruits, chicken, yogurts,etc since I got here- I am very easily fatigued and lacking in strength, endurance, and flexibility. So withdiet control and exercise, i suppose I'll get into some level of fitness by academic year end.

PS:We have a fitness center in the dorm basement, and I just came back from working out there.

(my bolding)

Given your description I suggest having an MD familiar with your condition recommend a competent physical therapist. Incorrect random exercising could actually worsen your condition.

[Michael]

... mostly due to an idiotic fast-food heavy diet and zero exercise during 8th-11th grade.
This probably describes 75% of the young people in the USA today. :shrug:

[Michael]

Vladimir Putin: The Biggest Badass in World Politics

http://topcultured.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/putin.jpg

Source (http://topcultured.com/vladimir-putin-the-biggest-badass-in-world-politics/)

(No, this is not from Cracked, but it might as well be - I think they started the Putin is a badass meme quite a few years ago!) :lol:

[Michael]

Well, I suppose that's enough new threads for today. I suppose I ought to pace these out or post them on Mondays, but I just can't be bothered - I post new threads when I have time for it and that's all there is to it. :shrug:

[Margot]

http://topcultured.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/putin.jpg

Source (http://topcultured.com/vladimir-putin-the-biggest-badass-in-world-politics/)

(No, this is not from Cracked, but it might as well be - I think they started the Putin is a badass meme quite a few years ago!) :lol:

I shouldn't have such a crush on him, but I do! I can't help it, he's my world-leader crack. Though, I suspect he's homosexual.

[Michael]

I shouldn't have such a crush on him, but I do! I can't help it, he's my world-leader crack. Though, I suspect he's homosexual.

I think you could get shot or 20 years hard labor in Siberia for even suggesting such a thing.

For the record, and given Putin's KGB background, I think it is pretty safe to assume that he's 100% hetero.

Soviet government and KGB in particular, are notoriously (and obsessively) anti-homo.

[Michael]

Btw, I do find it amusing that Fox News and the US Chamber of Commerce are both increasingly funded by Arab oil money - and both are darlings of the rightwing. :shrug:

[The Drunk Guy]

This is funny....

GOP pulls 'hicky' W.Va. ad


The National Republican Senatorial Committee plans to pull an ad criticizing West Virginia Democratic Gov. Joe Manchin, after POLITICO's report that a talent agency had sought what it called a "hicky" look when casting the spot.

[How hicky?]

“We are going for a ‘Hicky’ Blue Collar look,” read the casting call for the ad. “These characters are from West Virginia so think coal miner/trucker looks.”




Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43274.html#ixzz11imOmrUQ

:rofl: Way to be sensitive to the common people.

[Margot]

This is funny....

:rofl: Way to be sensitive to the common people.

Sorry, but you just don't fit the part, sir. You have nearly all your teeth!

[Americano]

Don't forget that state is better known to its residents as 'West By God Virginia'.

[Michael]

This is funny....

:rofl: Way to be sensitive to the common people.

Yes, I saw that this morning. Very typical Republican style. Elitist Washington based money and organization trying to pretend they are local-based but are totally contemptuous of the locals.

Normally that technique has worked very well for the Republicans in the past. Occasionally they get caught. :shrug:

Similar story out of Ohio - Republican ad there featured a "steelworker" except no actual steelworker would agree to star in a Republican ad so they just hired an actor to pay one and pretended he was a 'real' steelworker. Most people drink this stuff up - which is exactly why they do it.

[Michael]

I just scanned my favorite link source and found a half-dozen very interesting looking articles (one on the history of happiness, one on rise of the rightwing in Europe and several about India & China).

Problem is, I'm still suffering nasty headaches from whatever bug got me last week so I'm in no condition to actually read these articles. Hopefully I'll post these up tomorrow. :)

[Margot]

This morning I woke needing donuts. I had to have some.

So, I got into my car, and drove to Dunkin Donuts. When I got there, there was a pair of gentlemen standing in the last spot in the parking lot, so I just pulled in there and waited. And waited. I wasn't in a hurry, you see. I was all good moody. Finally they became aware of their surroundings and moved.

I pulled in, and climbed out of my car. I was in such a good and trusting mood that I didn't even roll up my window or lock my door. I never neglect those things.

As I was walking to the front door, I noticed the (hard not to notice) herd of Jehovah's Witnesses all gathered out front. I was wearing a pair of Charlie Brown boxers, a Hammer and Sickle shirt, and had doodles all up my unshaven legs.

I looked at them.

They looked at me.

I smiled and waved to a woman--I was in a good mood, you see.

She wrinkled her nose.

They gave me a look that said "SATURDAY IS NOT YOUR DAY, SINNER. RETURN TO YOUR HOVEL."

I went in, and bought my donuts. By the time I came back out the herd had dissipated except for one. He was rifling through the back seat of his SUV, which was parked next to my shitty Nissan. I had to wait for him.

When he was finally done in the back of his car, he slammed his door and spun around.

The Bible on the top of his Bible stack flew off, and landed at my feet, where it exploded in a flurry of good book.

He looked at me.

I looked at him.

I gathered up his book, put the pages back all nice and neat, and handed it back to him. "Have a good day!" I said.

He scurried away.

As I drove home, I realized that what had happened could most definitely be interpreted as a "sign."

Women have been burned for less.

I can make Bibles explode! This is one step away from my ultimate dream: head explody powers.

[Americano]

I'm envious. Donuts are banned from my food groups.

[Michael]

This morning I woke needing donuts. I had to have some.

So, I got into my car, and drove to Dunkin Donuts. When I got there, there was a pair of gentlemen standing in the last spot in the parking lot, so I just pulled in there and waited. And waited. I wasn't in a hurry, you see. I was all good moody. Finally they became aware of their surroundings and moved.

I pulled in, and climbed out of my car. I was in such a good and trusting mood that I didn't even roll up my window or lock my door. I never neglect those things.

As I was walking to the front door, I noticed the (hard not to notice) herd of Jehovah's Witnesses all gathered out front. I was wearing a pair of Charlie Brown boxers, a Hammer and Sickle shirt, and had doodles all up my unshaven legs.

I looked at them.

They looked at me.

I smiled and waved to a woman--I was in a good mood, you see.

She wrinkled her nose.

They gave me a look that said "SATURDAY IS NOT YOUR DAY, SINNER. RETURN TO YOUR HOVEL."

I went in, and bought my donuts. By the time I came back out the herd had dissipated except for one. He was rifling through the back seat of his SUV, which was parked next to my shitty Nissan. I had to wait for him.

When he was finally done in the back of his car, he slammed his door and spun around.

The Bible on the top of his Bible stack flew off, and landed at my feet, where it exploded in a flurry of good book.

He looked at me.

I looked at him.

I gathered up his book, put the pages back all nice and neat, and handed it back to him. "Have a good day!" I said.

He scurried away.

As I drove home, I realized that what had happened could most definitely be interpreted as a "sign."

Women have been burned for less.

I can make Bibles explode! This is one step away from my ultimate dream: head explody powers.

:rofl:

My experiences with the Jehovah's Witnesses are usually way different. I always am willing to talk to them. They always come up with excuses to leave. I speak politely and it takes them a while to figure out that I'm playing with them and mocking them. :D

Btw, do you poor Americans get Timbits (or Timbit-like food objects) down there anywhere?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A_xdsSQCPVs/SCMAoPaUwyI/AAAAAAAAAL4/ttUJEq_9OEs/s400/timbits2.jpg

Timbits are like mini-donuts - they originate as the 'holes' cut out of donuts sold in snack-packs of 10/20/30 pieces. :)

(the name Timbits comes from Tim Horton's - aka Timmy's - the coffee/donut chain that DOMINATES the entire Canadian market)

[The Drunk Girl]

:rofl:

My experiences with the Jehovah's Witnesses are usually way different. I always am willing to talk to them. They always come up with excuses to leave. I speak politely and it takes them a while to figure out that I'm playing with them and mocking them. :D

Btw, do you poor Americans get Timbits (or Timbit-like food objects) down there anywhere?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A_xdsSQCPVs/SCMAoPaUwyI/AAAAAAAAAL4/ttUJEq_9OEs/s400/timbits2.jpg

Timbits are like mini-donuts - they originate as the 'holes' cut out of donuts sold in snack-packs of 10/20/30 pieces. :)

(the name Timbits comes from Tim Horton's - aka Timmy's - the coffee/donut chain that DOMINATES the entire Canadian market)

We just call them donut holes around here. The name originates from Paul Donut

[Americano]

:rofl:

My experiences with the Jehovah's Witnesses are usually way different. I always am willing to talk to them. They always come up with excuses to leave. I speak politely and it takes them a while to figure out that I'm playing with them and mocking them. :D

Btw, do you poor Americans get Timbits (or Timbit-like food objects) down there anywhere?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A_xdsSQCPVs/SCMAoPaUwyI/AAAAAAAAAL4/ttUJEq_9OEs/s400/timbits2.jpg

Timbits are like mini-donuts - they originate as the 'holes' cut out of donuts sold in snack-packs of 10/20/30 pieces. :)

(the name Timbits comes from Tim Horton's - aka Timmy's - the coffee/donut chain that DOMINATES the entire Canadian market)

How far behind the US can Canada be with obesity problems?

[Michael]

How far behind the US can Canada be with obesity problems?

USA seems to be a in a class by itself when it comes to obesity, but Canada (like ALL western countries) has certainly has been following the trend with rising obesity levels across all age groups (probably about half the rate as in USA).

[Zarquon]

:rofl:

My experiences with the Jehovah's Witnesses are usually way different. I always am willing to talk to them. They always come up with excuses to leave. I speak politely and it takes them a while to figure out that I'm playing with them and mocking them. :D

Btw, do you poor Americans get Timbits (or Timbit-like food objects) down there anywhere?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A_xdsSQCPVs/SCMAoPaUwyI/AAAAAAAAAL4/ttUJEq_9OEs/s400/timbits2.jpg

Timbits are like mini-donuts - they originate as the 'holes' cut out of donuts sold in snack-packs of 10/20/30 pieces. :)

(the name Timbits comes from Tim Horton's - aka Timmy's - the coffee/donut chain that DOMINATES the entire Canadian market)
We have Tim Horton's in the Student Union, and they suck!:p

[Michael]

We have Tim Horton's in the Student Union, and they suck!:p

Up here, Tim Horton's dominates the take-out coffee market - everyone raves about their coffee, but I never drink coffee so I don't know. Timmy's is so popular here that there is one installed on the Canadian military base in Kandahar in Afghanistan - big publicity stunt. Tim Horton's has a very powerful PR program here as well - they are a huge sponsor of kids soccer, locrosse and hockey teams (boys and girls) and the organize tournaments all across the country. That company is pretty much the most famous/popular retail Canadian company I think.

Btw, I do have a serious weakspot for Timbits though! :D

Those little baby dutchies (with raisons) or the powdery white raspberry/cherry/blueberry filled ones are heavenly! ;)

(that's one advantage of keeping a longterm good diet with regular exercise all one's life - I can indulge in any treats I like without worrying about it - I'm still within 10 ten pounds of my body weight from when I was in high school - just got checked recently - no problems with cholesterol, blood sugar or blood pressure) :banana:

[Margot]

You know, I always thought my ma was kidding when she called me "an ungrateful little whelp." At least, I did until I sat down to write this thank you letter to my scholarship donor three days ago.

[Michael]

Note for Greendruid

Apparently Rick Mercer (RMR) is broadcasting from Louisbourg tonight (October 19th).

[Greendruid]

Yeah, it's not live - he's was here about a week ago, maybe two? I missed the broadcast due to mom visiting and the wife being rather sick at the moment. He apparently ran amok because someone thought it was a good idea to let him into the active archaeological areas :facepalm: Don't know if any of that footage made it to TV or not but I know that the senior archaeologist wasn't a happy camper. :erm:

[Michael]

Yeah, it's not live - he's was here about a week ago, maybe two? I missed the broadcast due to mom visiting and the wife being rather sick at the moment. He apparently ran amok because someone thought it was a good idea to let him into the active archaeological areas :facepalm: Don't know if any of that footage made it to TV or not but I know that the senior archaeologist wasn't a happy camper. :erm:

Yes, I realize all this scene-shooting would be done a week or two in advance and as such, you'd already know that he was there. :)

And he is a bit of a loose cannon - he's looking for entertainment, not archeology. :shrug:

[Greendruid]

And he is a bit of a loose cannon - he's looking for entertainment, not archeology. :shrug:

Was that a Louisbourg joke? :rofl:

[Michael]

Was that a Louisbourg joke? :rofl:

It wasn't intended, but it can be if you find it funny! ;)

I was merely referring to Mercer's typical antics when visiting famous places (or people).

(for you non-Canadian readers, Rick Mercer is a political comedian and has a tv show on CBC that is second only to Hockey Night in Canada for the highest ratings on Canadian tv)

http://www.rickmercer.com/

[Michael]

Btw, I'm really getting annoyed with this 'low-grade' cold I've got. The sniffles/cough seems to come and go and that not very serious at all. But I keep getting headaches and I'm chewing back 8-10 aspirin a day for almost two weeks now.

[Americano]

Btw, I'm really getting annoyed with this 'low-grade' cold I've got. The sniffles/cough seems to come and go and that not very serious at all. But I keep getting headaches and I'm chewing back 8-10 aspirin a day for almost two weeks now.

Time to see a physician?

[Michael]

Time to see a physician?

Feeling much better today. Besides, I don't do doctors if I can avoid it. I'd rather die naturally than do so with the assistance of modern medical science. I don't like the idea of being a 'profit-center' for the pharmaceutical industry.

[The Drunk Girl]

A recent Facebook status I saw:


33 miners were rescued on the 33rd week of the year; it took 33 days to drill down to them; they were brought up to the surface on 10/13/10 which = 33. They say Jesus, who was crucified at the age 33, was with them the entire time. Pretty Cool! Facebook friends, if you believe in Jesus Christ and His almighty power...repost it!

:facepalm:

(No specific need for the bold. The post kept it that way after the copy and paste)

[Margot]

OK, what the fuck, world? You expect me to pay a hundred dollars for a goddamn frame for my diploma? That shit should be free.

[The Drunk Girl]

OK, what the fuck, world? You expect me to pay a hundred dollars for a goddamn frame for my diploma? That shit should be free.

That is school for ya

[The Drunk Girl]

So I might have misspelled "mottling" ;) but I just kicked my third test's ass (it also is the hardest of the semester)! 96%. Hope I don't jinx myself. haha

[Americano]

So I might have misspelled "mottling" ;) but I just kicked my third test's ass (it also is the hardest of the semester)! 96%. Hope I don't jinx myself. haha

Never give a kenahora without spitting into the wind three times to remove the evil eye.

[Margot]

So I might have misspelled "mottling" ;) but I just kicked my third test's ass (it also is the hardest of the semester)! 96%. Hope I don't jinx myself. haha

Damn straight! Congrats!

[Margot]

So, I have this friend who has begged me to carve a particular pumpkin for three years now. I finally did it with her help:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs922.snc4/73520_10150110399238219_727703218_7576226_6320334_ n.jpg

Can anyone guess who it is?

[The Drunk Girl]

He looks like a Disney character to me :lol:

...so you carve this yourself or are there stencils for this type of thing?

[Margot]

He looks like a Disney character to me :lol:

...so you carve this yourself or are there stencils for this type of thing?

Haha! I don't think he's ever been affiliated with Disney (though I can imagine him bashing such an organization as part of the evil consumerism zeitgeist).

And I make the stencils myself by tracing relevant parts of photos. This guy turned out a little bit warped because I was getting tired and was SO done carving. She kept getting all up in my shit, only not really. I'm just territorial when it comes to my art.

[Michael]

Kinda looks like Rhett Butler. :shrug:

My brother-in-law has a 'pumpkin-stencil' kit and makes awesome/scary looking jack-o-lanterns each year.

[Margot]

Kinda looks like Rhett Butler. :shrug:

My brother-in-law has a 'pumpkin-stencil' kit and makes awesome/scary looking jack-o-lanterns each year.

Naw. It's Morrissey. He didn't turn out particularly distinct, but he's really not a very unique looking guy.

[Michael]

Naw. It's Morrissey. He didn't turn out particularly distinct, but he's really not a very unique looking guy.

Either way, it is an impressively carved pumpkin! :)

[Michael]

Once again, the dear old Best Post of the Week thread has been all but forgotten.

I'm thinking I ought to rename it "Great Post Hall of Fame" to get rid of the weekly thing since that never worked out. It would be nice to keep that thread going as a bit of a 'time capsule' for the forum. :)

So, once again, I beseech you all to pm me or use the 'report post' feature when you see a post that you think is of particularly good quality and worthy of such honors.

[Margot]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs808.snc4/68832_1498282932487_1096530101_31222430_7304751_n. jpg

Eh? EH? AWESOME, NO?

http://www.amandafurukawa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/true-blood-character-poster-del-personaggio-di-eric-northman-per-la-seconda-stagione-117353.jpg

I am a squash-mutilating genius, no? NO?

[Michael]

I am a squash-mutilating genius, no? NO?
Yes you are! :lol:

[Michael]

It never fails...

If I am carrying a couple of cups of hot tea from the kitchen, that's when I will sneeze. :erm:

I might sneeze only once in a week - but you can be sure it will be while I'm carrying hot cups of tea when I do!

[Margot]

It never fails...

If I am carrying a couple of cups of hot tea from the kitchen, that's when I will sneeze. :erm:

I might sneeze only once in a week - but you can be sure it will be while I'm carrying hot cups of tea when I do!

Making meringue or white sauce. I mean, I sneeze all the time. But when you can't leave it for a second, then comes the sneeze, and it hangs in your nose for about thirty seconds, and you know that now you're racing your own biology (and then you realize that you want a baby after all), and you keep wanting to shout "THICKEN, DAMN YOU! FORM PEAKS, FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST."

And sometimes you win, and can avoid sneezing into the food. Sometimes you don't.

[The Drunk Girl]

My nose always itches when I'm wiping elderly ass.

[Americano]

I've always been amazed at photos of how far the debris from a sneeze travels. Yuck.

[Greendruid]

I've always been amazed at photos of how far the debris from a sneeze travels. Yuck.

It was in fact one of the first photographs ever taken by Edison. I love showing that one in class!

[Michael]

My nose always itches when I'm wiping elderly ass.

I've always been amazed at photos of how far the debris from a sneeze travels. Yuck.

Thanks for sharing. :erm:

(yeah, I know I started it, but I was actually commenting on the probability of spilling the tea rather than the fact that they get all smothered in germies! Just try holding two mugs of hot tea and sneeze without spilling anything!)

[Michael]

I've always been amazed at photos of how far the debris from a sneeze travels. Yuck.

Techically speaking, that's an impressive evolutionary development for the common cold virus. Looks like a very efficient method of propagation. :)

[Americano]

Thanks for sharing. :erm:

(yeah, I know I started it, but I was actually commenting on the probability of spilling the tea rather than the fact that they get all smothered in germies! Just try holding two mugs of hot tea and sneeze without spilling anything!)

Would lids on the cups alleviate the problem?

[Margot]

Speaking of sneezing, does anyone here have Photic Sneeze Reflex?

I sneeze all the time because I'm allergic to the universe. My sister only sneezes when she comes out of dark theaters.

[Michael]

Speaking of random topics...

I've been following a recommendation of drinking 8 glasses of water per day every day for the last two weeks.

Let me tell you this is freakin' insane.

Seems like a took up a new hobby - going pee! :lol:

Seriously - that's all I do these days - I can't make it an hour without having to go now.

I feel like a fish. :shrug:

[Michael]

Here's another reason why l love living in a big city...

The Hobby Show (http://www.thehobbyshow.com/index.html)

because just about every weekend has some such exhibition show (Auto Show, Boat Show, Home Show, Garden Show, Dog Show, etc).

This year the Hobby Show is double-billed with the Game Show (boardgames)! :banana:

I'm seriously tempted to buy a vintage Stombecker slot-car set if I can find a good one.

http://www.velocetoday.com/images/December07/xmas3.jpg

I had one as a kid - the ultimate in racing car sets! :)

(and yes, I can well imagine setting one up in the living room/dining room for Friday night entertainment!) :D

[The Drunk Guy]

Here's another reason why l love living in a big city...

The Hobby Show (http://www.thehobbyshow.com/index.html)

because just about every weekend has some such exhibition show (Auto Show, Boat Show, Home Show, Garden Show, Dog Show, etc).

This year the Hobby Show is double-billed with the Game Show (boardgames)! :banana:

I'm seriously tempted to buy a vintage Stombecker slot-car set if I can find a good one.

http://www.velocetoday.com/images/December07/xmas3.jpg

I had one as a kid - the ultimate in racing car sets! :)

(and yes, I can well imagine setting one up in the living room/dining room for Friday night entertainment!) :DEven though I've never seen a picture of you, I can easily imagine you sprawled out on the floor in a set of Dukes of Hazzard pjs just giggling and kicking your feet with joy. :rofl:

[Michael]

Even though I've never seen a picture of you, I can easily imagine you sprawled out on the floor in a set of Dukes of Hazzard pjs just giggling and kicking your feet with joy. :rofl:

You wouldn't believe what we did with our Strombecker race car sets!

Being a typically upscale neighborhood, I had the 'super-set' and two of my neighbor friends had the regular set. So we put all three sets together and laid out the track in my backyard with the track running around the swimming pool and then weaving through the gardens, then across the lawn and back to the patio at the back of the house. The track was huge with three sets put together.

We had to stand on top of the picnic table on the patio to be able to see our race cars in the back garden! It wouldn't work without the 'super-set' because it had the more powerful transformer for the big-track. :)

That had to be my all-time favorite playtime as a kid. We would set this up all the time during the summer and spend all day racing.

And that's the thing about these old slot-car racing sets - totally different than modern race-car sets which are boring as fuck. With new sets, you just press the accelerator and watch the cars race around the track at lightning speed and that's about it. With the old-school slot cars, if you put the accelerator on max and held it there, your car went flying off the tracks.

So in order to race, you really had to learn how to maximize your speed on straight tracks and then slow down for corners and cross-overs or your car was off track and you lost. There was real skill and practice involved there. :)

[Michael]

Okay, I'm now going to go all MM&I on you with Strombecker slot-car pictures! :lol:

http://www.buyoldtoys.com/forsale/slots/images/DSC00104_JPG.jpg

Gotta love the high banked turn!
http://www.westove-racing.com/digipics/misc/Monza.jpg

http://www.rmsresins.com/pictures/mycars/chap01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/ferrari1950/LolaT5.jpg

Oh the memories! :D

[Americano]

Speaking of hobbies, it cost this angler ~$800 to spend four guided hours (the guy on the oars) fly fishing in a drift boat for Steelhead, an oceangoing rainbow trout.

[Michael]

In case anyone is curious, today is Guy Fawkes Day - which is one of history's more unusual 'celebrations'. :shrug:

Guy Fawkes Night (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night)

(only "one more sleeps" until the Hobby Show! Woohoo!) :lol:

[dilettante]

In case anyone is curious, today is Guy Fawkes Day - which is one of history's more unusual 'celebrations'. :shrug:


It's hard to keep up all that anti-Catholic sentiment without the occasional celebration and pope-burning.

Incidentally, Nov. 5 is also the day William of Orange landed in England, beginning the Glorious Revolution (or at least marking one possible "beginning") in 1688. So it's a doubly anti-Catholic day for the English.

[The Drunk Guy]

In case anyone is curious, today is Guy Fawkes Day - which is one of history's more unusual 'celebrations'. :shrug:

Guy Fawkes Night (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night)

(only "one more sleeps" until the Hobby Show! Woohoo!) :lol:
...I know of no reason,
The Gunpowder Treason,
Should ever be forgot.

[Americano]

...I know of no reason,
The Gunpowder Treason,
Should ever be forgot.

Any excuse for a party. Especially a party with a huge bonfire and libations.

[Margot]

In case anyone is curious, today is Guy Fawkes Day - which is one of history's more unusual 'celebrations'. :shrug:

Guy Fawkes Night (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night)

(only "one more sleeps" until the Hobby Show! Woohoo!) :lol:

You know, you often start informational posts with "in case anyone is curious," or some variant. Then you impart some information in a format that would indicate that you think you're revealing some secret.

Usually, I'm not curious about secrets I don't know exist. :)

[The Drunk Girl]

Any excuse for a party. Especially a party with a huge bonfire and libations.

That is the best way to party.