Random Post - The Plot Thickens! [Archive]

Michael

Apr 22nd 2010, 07:36 PM

Why not "The Trilogy"?

Yes, you are entirely correct that it would be a better 'sequence'.

However, growing up with a mother and older sister who are obsessive mystery buffs, I've always been amused by the exclaimation of "the plot thickens!" whenever new information comes available about something. It is a bit of long running family joke I suppose. :lol:

I certainly still use that expression fairly often for comedic effect. ;)

Besides, what on earth would we call the fourth or fifth renditions if we went with the "sequel and trilogy' subtitles?

Margot

Apr 22nd 2010, 07:37 PM

Why not "The Trilogy"?

Don't you know a trilogy has five parts?! Did the Hitchhiker's Guide teach us nothing?

Michael

Apr 22nd 2010, 07:38 PM

Don't you know a trilogy has five parts?! Did the Hitchhiker's Guide teach us nothing?

Both of my favorite 'trilogies' have four parts...

Dune series plus God Emperor and LOTR with The Hobbit. :D

Michael

Apr 22nd 2010, 07:47 PM

In case anyone is curious, my Galaga game has been fixed. Apparently the power-supply voltage output needed to be reduced by a quarter of a volt!

Everything is right with the world once again! :)

This pic is absolutely identical to my machine...

http://www.freeplayamusements.com/galaga.JPG

The Drunk Guy

Apr 22nd 2010, 10:28 PM

Yes, you are entirely correct that it would be a better 'sequence'.

However, growing up with a mother and older sister who are obsessive mystery buffs, I've always been amused by the exclaimation of "the plot thickens!" whenever new information comes available about something. It is a bit of long running family joke I suppose. :lol:

I certainly still use that expression fairly often for comedic effect. ;)

Besides, what on earth would we call the fourth or fifth renditions if we went with the "sequel and trilogy' subtitles?
Has George Lucas taught you nothing? A trilogy of trilogies should cover us for quite a while. :shrug:

Donkey

Apr 22nd 2010, 10:57 PM

*posting so I get the arrow*

Non Sequitur

Apr 22nd 2010, 10:58 PM

Both of my favorite 'trilogies' have four parts...

Dune series plus God Emperor and LOTR with The Hobbit. :D

technically there are two books after God Emperor

The Drunk Girl

Apr 23rd 2010, 06:45 PM

I need more wine!

Michael

Apr 23rd 2010, 06:57 PM

technically there are two books after God Emperor

True, but they are too many thousand years split from the original piece and seem unconnected - or rather superfluous additions.

The God Emperor seems necessary to fully understand the original trilogy. Without that fourth book, the trilogy is very weak. Might as well just read the first book and be done with it as that's when all the action happens. After that, its just characters, politics and the mystery of 'spice' - which really doesn't get explained until the fourth book - which is focused entirely on a primary character introduced in the 3rd book (Leto II, son of Paul Atreides - the 'focus' of the first two books of the trilogy). Ergo, it seems like the story needs the four books to be 'complete', covering the lifespans of the father and son.

That's my opinion of the matter anyway. I do know some people who enjoyed the 5th and 6th books, but I personally found that they didn't add anything to the essential political and philosophic ideas introduced in the first four books. They just seem to be interesting stories placed in the setting created by Dune. Fun books to read, but lacking the 'depth' that I find in the ideas of the first four books. Kind of like Hollywood sequels. ;)

Non Sequitur

Apr 23rd 2010, 07:07 PM

True, but they are too many thousand years split from the original piece and seem unconnected - or rather superfluous additions.

The God Emperor seems necessary to fully understand the original trilogy. Without that fourth book, the trilogy is very weak. Might as well just read the first book and be done with it as that's when all the action happens. After that, its just characters, politics and the mystery of 'spice' - which really doesn't get explained until the fourth book - which is focused entirely on a primary character introduced in the 3rd book (Leto II, son of Paul Atreides - the 'focus' of the first two books of the trilogy). Ergo, it seems like the story needs the four books to be 'complete', covering the lifespans of the father and son.

That's my opinion of the matter anyway. I do know some people who enjoyed the 5th and 6th books, but I personally found that they didn't add anything to the essential political and philosophic ideas introduced in the first four books. They just seem to be interesting stories placed in the setting created by Dune. Fun books to read, but lacking the 'depth' that I find in the ideas of the first four books. Kind of like Hollywood sequels. ;)
True enough. The 5th and 6th books aren't that good. The only interesting part was looking at what society was like after a 3000 year old institution fell.

From what I have read, Herbert was planning on another book, just he died before it got written so that could explain things.

On a side note, I think Dune is the best sci-fi book I have read, but Herbert is not my all time favorite sci-fi author. That title goes to Asimov.

Michael

Apr 23rd 2010, 07:12 PM

True enough. The 5th and 6th books aren't that good. The only interesting part was looking at what society was like after a 3000 year old institution fell.

From what I have read, Herbert was planning on another book, just he died before it got written so that could explain things.

On a side note, I think Dune is the best sci-fi book I have read, but Herbert is not my all time favorite sci-fi author. That title goes to Asimov.

I agree completely. Dune is my all-time fav, but nothing else Herbert did interests me. As for Asimov, I love his short stories. The Foundation series is probably my 'second fav' series, but it is the short stories where I think Asimov's brilliance as a 'writer' shines through.

Donkey

Apr 23rd 2010, 07:25 PM

I need more wine!
Don't we all.

The Drunk Girl

Apr 23rd 2010, 08:41 PM

Don't we all.

You are totally missing out on the Acres of Land: Vidal Blanc ;)

Donkey

Apr 23rd 2010, 09:03 PM

You are totally missing out on the Acres of Land: Vidal Blanc ;)
My lady is bringing home a bottle or two, I believe.

Americano

Apr 24th 2010, 09:11 AM

I used to buy wine by the case (12) to get a 10% discount. I could mix them, but it had to be 12 bottles to get the discount. Now both stores I buy wine from offer the 10% on only six bottles, they can be mixed, plus a free, heavy-duty cloth six pack carrier.

Michael

Apr 24th 2010, 09:26 AM

I keep a 16L box of Merlot for house wine. That's just about 3.5 gallons! :D

Also keep a dozen bottles of various cheap reds and whites on the shelf.

Always keep a bottle or two of champagne and ice-wine in fridge as well (for emergency celebrations).

And then there is some 'deep storage' wines bought for aging. Always buy two cases (24 bottles) very cheap (about $6-$8 per bottle) and store for 5-8 years. End result is $25-$50 bottle quality. Have two batches in storage right now. These are always 'chateux' wines from various places. I'm a member of the 'wine importers club' here so I can buy cases of wine that are not generally available in liquor stores.

Also have a liquor cabinet with about thirty bottles of booze. Loaded with different liquers for shooters. Don't drink much hard liquor so these bottles last for years (except for the Vodka and Tequila).

The Drunk Girl

Apr 24th 2010, 09:49 AM

Anyone seen the Miller Lite/Coors Light home drafts?

I can't wait to get one!!!

The Drunk Guy

Apr 25th 2010, 12:30 PM

The Drunk Girl

Apr 25th 2010, 01:09 PM

Happy birthday, Drunk Guy :lol:

:smooch:

Americano

Apr 25th 2010, 01:14 PM

Happy Birthday Drunk Guy.

Michael

Apr 25th 2010, 07:04 PM

Let me know when you need that cleared out. Should take us about a week, but its do-able. ;)

It all cycles through rather nicely, but thanks for your kind offer. ;)

Wish we had a real wine cellar rather than cases of wine stacked up in the back of a closet... but what can you do? :shrug:

(actually, I've started storing cases in my mother's basement. Much more suitable place temperature wise)

Speaking of which, it has been a rather festive and liquid weekend around here. Nothing planned, just ended up social central with visitors every day, so the pantry has been depleted. :)

Edited to add: And a happy bday to you too! :bdaycake: :party:

Margot

Apr 26th 2010, 10:29 AM

OK, guys, this one is really fun. I know you want to do it. Due by 1 PM we have a reading of the song "16 Military Wives" by The Decemberists through the lens of Jean Baudrillard's interpretations of (and in) "The Spirit of Terrorism."

I got to choose this topic, so it's honestly cream-your-jeans good. I'm just... spent already. Too much paper-writing load-blowing.

I swear, I can't wait for this semester to be over!!!

I decided to not take another 21 credits over the summer (thought I finally got all that nonsense sorted). I've wanted to learn Russian for ages, and they're offering it in the fall, along with astronomy. I also want to take a beginner piano course. I mean, I can play, but I'm terrible. I'd really like to have to work at it.

/message.

>.<

Michael

Apr 26th 2010, 10:43 AM

Astronomy sounds interesting, but learning it in Russian that sounds rather more challenging! :D

And no, I don't care about your sixteen wives or the Decemberists. I think Henry VIII had the right idea about what to do with wives! :D

The Drunk Girl

Apr 26th 2010, 04:25 PM

The Coors Light home draft:banana:

Donkey

Apr 26th 2010, 05:25 PM

Looks horrendous. :p

The Drunk Girl

Apr 26th 2010, 05:48 PM

Looks horrendous. :p

Ass ;)

Are you saying that because you're not a Coors Light fan? Even if you're not, it is draft beer...that's in your fridge!

Michael

Apr 26th 2010, 05:58 PM

I'm with Donkey on this one. Watered down Coors Light is beyond horrendous. :lol:

Real draft keg machines are pretty damn easy to make. I know several people who have built their own using old refrigerators.

Donkey

Apr 26th 2010, 07:12 PM

Ass ;)

Are you saying that because you're not a Coors Light fan? Even if you're not, it is draft beer...that's in your fridge!
Yeah, not a fan. The silver bullet should be a dildo, not a beer. ;) I like Heinekin's little keg.

THIS is the way to go though: http://www.kegworks.com/products/keg-fridge.html

I have a friend who bought one of those. Ironically I'm pretty sure the keg he had in it was coors though. :p

Edit: I once had coors light mixed with lemonade though. That was half decent. What do they call it across the pond? Shandy?

Americano

Apr 26th 2010, 07:17 PM

Every serious beer drinker I've known has at one time or another had a home keg setup, from homemade to very fancy. None lasted more than a divorce or serious weight gain experience.

Michael

Apr 26th 2010, 07:42 PM

Edit: I once had coors light mixed with lemonade though. That was half decent. What do they call it across the pond? Shandy?
Yes, the Brits call that a shandy.

Michael

Apr 26th 2010, 07:45 PM

Every serious beer drinker I've known has at one time or another had a home keg setup, from homemade to very fancy. None lasted more than a divorce or serious weight gain experience.

I guess I'm not a serious beer drinker! :lol:

Honestly, I don't know anyone who has done this. The people I know who have done it are those who live in the middle of nowhere.

I have three different pubs within 100 yards of where I live. If I raise the area to a circle of half-mile around my place, the number goes up to "lots and lots". So I can't be bothered to create my own taps since getting a real pint is so easy.

Speaking of which, one of the local pubs is announcing that Tuesday night is "pub quiz" night. I'm thinking I should drop by and see what its all about. If it is competitive, I'm what would probably be called a ringer - should be good for a free pint! :D

Americano

Apr 26th 2010, 10:11 PM

I guess I'm not a serious beer drinker! :lol:

Honestly, I don't know anyone who has done this. The people I know who have done it are those who live in the middle of nowhere.

I have three different pubs within 100 yards of where I live. If I raise the area to a circle of half-mile around my place, the number goes up to "lots and lots". So I can't be bothered to create my own taps since getting a real pint is so easy.

When I lived a cosmopolitan lifestyle, no requirement for transportation beyond staggering or reasonable taxi fare from my residence for most needs, it made no sense to consume an entire keg of anything before it went bad.

Speaking of which, one of the local pubs is announcing that Tuesday night is "pub quiz" night. I'm thinking I should drop by and see what its all about. If it is competitive, I'm what would probably be called a ringer - should be good for a free pint! :D

Didn't you get close to being on Jeopardy?

Michael

Apr 27th 2010, 08:48 AM

Didn't you get close to being on Jeopardy?

No, not Jeopardy (but I should try out for it). I was on the contestent list for "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" but the show got canceled.

Michael

May 4th 2010, 09:31 AM

May the Fourth be with you!

:rofl:

They call it "Star Wars Day"! :lol:

The Drunk Girl

May 4th 2010, 10:31 AM

Wow. Just wow

:p

Americano

May 4th 2010, 10:39 AM

Star Wars is still popular?

Donkey

May 4th 2010, 10:53 AM

I don't think Star Wars will be dying any time soon...

The Drunk Girl

May 4th 2010, 10:54 AM

You know, I had never seen any of the original Star Wars until last year. TDG had me watch the first one, which would actually be episode 4?

Along with today being "Star Wars" day, it is also my first day of summer. I will be celebrating by cleaning and drinking beer (something I haven't had time to do here lately).

Americano

May 4th 2010, 11:01 AM

I don't think Star Wars will be dying any time soon...

I remember it as a huge fad along the lines of Elvis worship and you're correct, initial followers of such are often outlived by the worship faith in continuing generations. Reminds me of the Cargo Cult.

Greendruid

May 4th 2010, 11:15 PM

I remember it as a huge fad along the lines of Elvis worship and you're correct, initial followers of such are often outlived by the worship faith in continuing generations. Reminds me of the Cargo Cult.

I thought you had heard! Here are the latest stats (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jedi_census_phenomenon#Canada):

In England (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England) and Wales (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wales) 390,127 people (almost 0.8%) stated their religion as Jedi on their 2001 Census forms, surpassing Sikhism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism), Judaism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism), and Buddhism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism), and making it the fourth largest reported religion in the country.[11] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jedi_census_phenomenon#cite_note-nationalstatistics-10) In the 2001 Census 2.6% of the population of Brighton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brighton) claimed to be Jedi. The percentages of religious affiliations were:

Christian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian): 72.0%
No religion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_religion): 14.7%
Chose not to respond: 7.8%
Muslim (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim): 3.1%
Hindu (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu): 1.1%
Jedi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jedi): 0.79%

Regardless of the validity or weirdness of the claims, it speaks to the popularity of the mythos of Star Wars indeed!

Americano

May 5th 2010, 10:29 AM

I thought you had heard! Here are the latest stats (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jedi_census_phenomenon#Canada):

Regardless of the validity or weirdness of the claims, it speaks to the popularity of the mythos of Star Wars indeed!

Hilarious. Bumps my opinion of religious faith down yet another notch.

Michael

May 5th 2010, 11:29 AM

I remember it as a huge fad along the lines of Elvis worship and you're correct, initial followers of such are often outlived by the worship faith in continuing generations. Reminds me of the Cargo Cult.

I've always taken those who claim "Jedi" as their religion on census forms to be engaged in a bit of subtle gameplaying, making fun of organized religion, rather than a genuine religious belief system.

Donkey

May 5th 2010, 11:32 AM

I've always taken those who claim "Jedi" as their religion on census forms to be engaged in a bit of subtle gameplaying, making fun of organized religion, rather than a genuine religious belief system.
I bet that's true for the overwhelming majority. I presume there are always a few nutty die-hards who actually believe it. :shrug:

Americano

May 5th 2010, 11:49 AM

I've always taken those who claim "Jedi" as their religion on census forms to be engaged in a bit of subtle gameplaying, making fun of organized religion, rather than a genuine religious belief system.

With my dismal view of general public awareness I certainly hope so. Though I still remember living in Vegas and seeing thousands of, people, dressed in full costume spending their time at Star Wars conventions. Would that level of involvement merely be a life obsession or could it qualify as worship?

Michael

May 5th 2010, 11:59 AM

With my dismal view of general public awareness I certainly hope so. Though I still remember living in Vegas and seeing thousands of, people, dressed in full costume spending their time at Star Wars conventions. Would that level of involvement merely be a life obsession or could it qualify as worship?
I think it is entertainment.

Haven't you seen pictures of Japanese comic book conventions? They get all kinds of people dressing up as cartoon characters (very colorful and silly looking).

And Toronto hosted a big LOTR convention a couple of years ago and we had hordes of furry Hobbits riding the subways. :lol:

Kind fun walking into a coffee shop and find several dwarfs in full battle armor there! :lol:

Americano

May 5th 2010, 12:08 PM

I think it is entertainment.

I view shrines as a stretch on the definition of entertainment.

Haven't you seen pictures of Japanese comic book conventions? They get all kinds of people dressing up as cartoon characters (very colorful and silly looking).

And Toronto hosted a big LOTR convention a couple of years ago and we had hordes of furry Hobbits riding the subways. :lol:

Kind fun walking into a coffee shop and find several dwarfs in full battle armor there! :lol:

A friend gave me a movie walk-on part as a lark and let me tell you the legitimate, aspiring bit players were as serious about acting as any Christian fundamentalist being baptized.

Non Sequitur

May 5th 2010, 12:21 PM

A friend gave me a movie walk-on part as a lark and let me tell you the legitimate, aspiring bit players were as serious about acting as any Christian fundamentalist being baptized.

funny enough, Christian fundamentalists are the set of Christians most likely to take the sacrament of baptism as just a ceremony and nothing more.

Americano

May 5th 2010, 01:39 PM

funny enough, Christian fundamentalists are the set of Christians most likely to take the sacrament of baptism as just a ceremony and nothing more.

I never understood the need to be ritualistically doused or sprinkled with or submerged in water as anything but desire for acceptance in a peer group.

Non Sequitur

May 5th 2010, 01:45 PM

I never understood the need to be ritualistically doused or sprinkled with or submerged in water as anything but desire for acceptance in a peer group.

:lol: this isn't the place for a full discussion on the nature of the sacraments (we can start a thread if we want), but quickly, the "need" comes from a couple places

1. Christ and other apostles in the New Testament specifically command it for all Christians.
2. it is the "means of Grace" as the official theology on the matter says.
3. Baptism represents a whole lot of important things. A visible sign of an invisible promise.

Americano

May 5th 2010, 01:54 PM

:lol: this isn't the place for a full discussion on the nature of the sacraments (we can start a thread if we want), but quickly, the "need" comes from a couple places

1. Christ and other apostles in the New Testament specifically command it for all Christians.
2. it is the "means of Grace" as the official theology on the matter says.
3. Baptism represents a whole lot of important things. A visible sign of an invisible promise.

I consider the various sects of Christianity as defined peer groups, hence the need. Not much different than Masons or other peer groups who have entry requirements.

Non Sequitur

May 5th 2010, 02:07 PM

I consider the various sects of Christianity as defined peer groups, hence the need. Not much different than Masons or other peer groups who have entry requirements.

Well, you might not be totally off base on that one. With a little refinement I might be ok with that understanding.

Donkey

May 5th 2010, 02:16 PM

I always liked getting sprinkled with water.

Americano

May 5th 2010, 06:55 PM

I always liked getting sprinkled with water.

So that's why you still attend church while sliding towards atheism.

Michael

May 5th 2010, 08:22 PM

I consider the various sects of Christianity as defined peer groups, hence the need. Not much different than Masons or other peer groups who have entry requirements.

You are on very solid intellectual ground here Americano! ;)

This is one of the arguments given by Alexis de Tocqueville (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexis_de_tocqueville) in Democracy in America (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_in_America). It is integral to Tocqueville's argument in defense of religion's place in democracy, of which I have been a longtime proponent of.

Charles Taylor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Taylor_%28philosopher%29) is also a notable supporter of this general view point.

Michael :bowdown: Charles Taylor & Alexis de Tocqueville. :inlove:

Michael

May 5th 2010, 08:24 PM

I always liked getting sprinkled with water.

:tape:

:spank:

I will not make a joke here, I will not make a joke here, I will not make a joke here! :lol:

Donkey

May 5th 2010, 08:26 PM

So that's why you still attend church while sliding towards atheism.
Put that in the past tense and it becomes true. That's while I still attended church while sliding towards atheism.

I think the love (continuing) of Catholic ritual kept me at mass longer than my faith did.

This is the first time in my life that I haven't been to a mass in more than a year. Actually, now that I think about it, I did attend a Hungarian mass last summer, but I didn't take communion. Let's say, this is the first year of my life that I've skipped both Easter and Christmas mass. I haven't really believed in God since the summer before my 19th birthday.

Donkey

May 5th 2010, 08:29 PM

:tape:

:spank:

I will not make a joke here, I will not make a joke here, I will not make a joke here! :lol:
Heh heh. I mad it too easy. :angel:

Americano

May 5th 2010, 09:10 PM

:tape:

:spank:

I will not make a joke here, I will not make a joke here, I will not make a joke here! :lol:

I was tempted with sprinkles turning into showers, but out of respect for Donkey I remained civil.

Donkey

May 5th 2010, 09:19 PM

I was tempted with sprinkles turning into showers, but out of respect for Donkey I remained civil.
Oh see, I don't think discussing my (potential) sexual proclivities would be a matter of disrespect. :p :lol:

Americano

May 5th 2010, 09:20 PM

Put that in the past tense and it becomes true. That's while I still attended church while sliding towards atheism.

I think the love (continuing) of Catholic ritual kept me at mass longer than my faith did.

This is the first time in my life that I haven't been to a mass in more than a year. Actually, now that I think about it, I did attend a Hungarian mass last summer, but I didn't take communion. Let's say, this is the first year of my life that I've skipped both Easter and Christmas mass. I haven't really believed in God since the summer before my 19th birthday.

I've long considered the desire and ability to avoid rituals a precious goal of personal freedom. Difficult without becoming a hermit, which always brings me back to balance. An adult abandoning a dominating peer group established in one's formative years has to be a difficult adaption just from a family perspective.

Americano

May 5th 2010, 09:24 PM

Oh see, I don't think discussing my (potential) sexual proclivities would be a matter of disrespect. :p :lol:

I still bear the personal burden of manners being more appropriate than assumption.

Donkey

May 5th 2010, 09:27 PM

I've long considered the desire and ability to avoid rituals a precious goal of personal freedom. Difficult without becoming a hermit, which always brings me back to balance. An adult abandoning a dominating peer group established in one's formative years has to be a difficult adaption just from a family perspective.
Fortunately my abandonment of faith coincided with my attending college, which made it a lot easier. Incidentally, one of the things that pissed me off (pre atheism) was the lack of ritual during mass at the services on campus, which made it easier for me not to attend. Seems a perfect storm for me to abandon both faith and ritual. Convenient.

Americano

May 5th 2010, 09:29 PM

Non Sequitur

May 5th 2010, 09:55 PM

Donkey

May 5th 2010, 10:02 PM

I had the exact same reaction to on campus worship. I want Liturgy!
Seriously. Why is the alter boy in shorts and a t-shirt. They have white robes for that shit, dammit!

The Drunk Girl

May 5th 2010, 10:45 PM

...sorry to break up the flow but going to bars reminds me why i fucking hate goin to them. sorority ans frat whores consume them. even with 50 cent whiskey/whiskey drinks i feel i would be much better off hanging myself.

The Drunk Girl

May 6th 2010, 01:23 AM

Good stuff. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7iqZE0KciE&feature=related)

Lily

May 6th 2010, 07:51 AM

Fortunately my abandonment of faith coincided with my attending college, which made it a lot easier. Incidentally, one of the things that pissed me off (pre atheism) was the lack of ritual during mass at the services on campus, which made it easier for me not to attend. Seems a perfect storm for me to abandon both faith and ritual. Convenient.

I abandoned faith very early on. My perfect storm revolved around a fire and brimstone Baptist preacher, my Lutheran grandmother and my proclivity for puking in the car on the way to Sunday school. The preacher lost, that's for sure, but deciding the winner between my grandmother and the puking is a toss-up (no pun intended).

Americano

May 6th 2010, 08:43 AM

I abandoned faith very early on. My perfect storm revolved around a fire and brimstone Baptist preacher, my Lutheran grandmother and my proclivity for puking in the car on the way to Sunday school. The preacher lost, that's for sure, but deciding the winner between my grandmother and the puking is a toss-up (no pun intended).

You are good. I wish I had thought of that. Puking in the car would have broken my parents resistance so much quicker than my sullenness and unanswerable questions.

Michael

May 6th 2010, 08:44 AM

Americano

May 6th 2010, 09:04 AM

Michael

May 6th 2010, 09:36 AM

Seriously. Why is the alter boy in shorts and a t-shirt. They have white robes for that shit, dammit!

I think we can all agree that the last thing the Catholic liturgy needs is altar boys in shorts! :lol:

Greendruid

May 6th 2010, 11:22 PM

Good stuff. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7iqZE0KciE&feature=related)

Ahhhhh, yeah!

Greendruid

May 6th 2010, 11:25 PM

I'm pretty sure I never had any faith at all. I was asking all kinds of logic questions back when I was in Sunday School (I got expelled).

None of that theology stuff made sense to me back then and no one could ever answer my questions. Apparently this defined me as disruptive. :shrug:

My wife called a rather mean but prominent lady of their Methodist congregation a "whore" very loudly at the back of church service one day. She chose that word at the age of five because she knew it was a bad word and the lady was being mean. Her parents never took her to church again. In fact, the whole family stopped going after that :rofl: Did I mention that my wife is also pagan?

Margot

May 6th 2010, 11:32 PM

My wife called a rather mean but prominent lady of their Methodist congregation a "whore" very loudly at the back of church service one day. She chose that word at the age of five because she knew it was a bad word and the lady was being mean. Her parents never took her to church again. In fact, the whole family stopped going after that :rofl: Did I mention that my wife is also pagan?

I hope that if I ever have children they are as precocious as your wife was as a kid. That's adorable!

Margot

May 7th 2010, 02:42 AM

Can you tell JHC and I are having issues sleeping?

Lily

May 7th 2010, 06:40 AM

You are good. I wish I had thought of that. Puking in the car would have broken my parents resistance so much quicker than my sullenness and unanswerable questions.

It was more of a gut reaction, literally. That preacher scared the shit out of me and when I'm scared or nervous I tend to... well, puke. Ask the guy who was unfortunate enough to (almost) be my "first." Not a pretty picture. :shrug: Eh..whataya gonna do?

Greendruid

May 7th 2010, 10:55 AM

It was more of a gut reaction, literally. That preacher scared the shit out of me and when I'm scared or nervous I tend to... well, puke. Ask the guy who was unfortunate enough to (almost) be my "first." Not a pretty picture. :shrug: Eh..whataya gonna do?

:rofl:Poor guy - did you ever find out what happened to him? I wonder if you emotionally scarred him. Priceless!

Donkey

May 7th 2010, 11:04 AM

It was more of a gut reaction, literally. That preacher scared the shit out of me and when I'm scared or nervous I tend to... well, puke. Ask the guy who was unfortunate enough to (almost) be my "first." Not a pretty picture. :shrug: Eh..whataya gonna do?
Actually, I have a similar problem. There are certain things that tend to trigger that urge. I'm getting better about thinking them down though.

Americano

May 7th 2010, 11:41 AM

Actually, I have a similar problem. There are certain things that tend to trigger that urge. I'm getting better about thinking them down though.

Are you certain you're not just building tolerance to booze?

Donkey

May 7th 2010, 11:50 AM

Are you certain you're not just building tolerance to booze?
Yes. It sometimes happens sober.

The Drunk Guy

May 7th 2010, 02:35 PM

Actually, I have a similar problem. There are certain things that tend to trigger that urge. I'm getting better about thinking them down though.
When I get anxious (which is rare and usually only happens when I'm looking for something that's been misplaced), I have to shit something fierce. :shrug: Better than puking, I suppose.

Margot

May 7th 2010, 02:38 PM

When I get anxious (which is rare and usually only happens when I'm looking for something that's been misplaced), I have to shit something fierce. :shrug: Better than puking, I suppose.

Does the urge go away once you've found your keys/glasses/body bag?

The Drunk Guy

May 7th 2010, 02:39 PM

Does the urge go away once you've found your keys/glasses/body bag?
I don't know...the urge is always so strong, I usually drop the chase and go deuce immediately.

Michael

May 7th 2010, 08:13 PM

Lily

May 8th 2010, 09:14 AM

:rofl:Poor guy - did you ever find out what happened to him? I wonder if you emotionally scarred him. Priceless!

Not surprisingly, I never heard from him again. :lol:

Americano

May 8th 2010, 09:58 AM

Not surprisingly, I never heard from him again. :lol:

Those people are a form of zealots, far beyond emotional scarring.

Michael

May 11th 2010, 11:56 AM

http://walt.foreignpolicy.com/files/98910842.jpg

I'm thinking that Angela Merkel is not very photogenic. Every picture I've ever seen published of her is awful.

Donkey

May 11th 2010, 12:30 PM

She always looks like she's pooping.

Margot

May 11th 2010, 07:32 PM

She always looks like she's pooping.

Maybe she lost her keys?

Michael

May 11th 2010, 08:49 PM

Maybe she lost her keys?

Sure looks like she loses a lot of keys...

http://www.topnews.in/files/Angela-Merkel_9.jpg

http://www.bundesregierung.de/Content/FR/Reden/2006/03/__Bilder/angela-merkel971265,property=poster.jpg

http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,399751,00.jpg

http://topnews.us/sites/default/files/Angela-Merkel55.jpg

http://www.evro.si/img/photo/15-jan-2007/angela-merkel-thumb.jpg

These are all from first page of google.

And I'm not trying to say that she's ugly or anything. I'm just saying she isn't very photogenic for a politician. :shrug:

Donkey

May 11th 2010, 08:53 PM

Just where is she losing those keys... :/

Americano

May 11th 2010, 09:01 PM

She's an overweight, homely woman with an excellent mind and superior professional success. She has chauffeurs for any transportation requirement on call, including Germany's entire military apparatus. By most standards, an accomplished woman.

Americano

May 11th 2010, 09:09 PM

Sure looks like she loses a lot of keys...

http://www.evro.si/img/photo/15-jan-2007/angela-merkel-thumb.jpg

There's the 'don't fuck with me ' look that counts.

Michael

May 11th 2010, 09:32 PM

This comes from a link that Margot posted earlier...

Funny Book Jackets
Category: Funny |

Imagine yourself going somewhere by subway. There’s some free time on your way and you take out your book just to busy yourself with something. And now what will all the people around you do? Sure everyone will try to have a secret look at the text you’re reading or at least at a cover of a book in your hands. Now you have a good chance to play a trick on them all. All you need is just a funny book jacket and surrounding people will be shocked or at least surprised. So here’s a small collection of such covers.

funny book jackets (http://englishrussia.com/index.php/2010/04/21/funny-book-jackets/#more-12582)

Some of them are absolutely hilarious! :rofl:

Michael

May 11th 2010, 09:33 PM

There's the 'don't fuck with me ' look that counts.

The original to that photo that I linked to was ginormous! :eek:

I went back and linked to the 'thumbnail' instead!

Donkey

May 11th 2010, 10:03 PM

WHAT THE HELL LEBRON.

I don't even know what's going on.

Non Sequitur

May 11th 2010, 10:04 PM

WHAT THE HELL LEBRON.

I don't even know what's going on.

dude! what's happening to your team?

Donkey

May 11th 2010, 10:23 PM

dude! what's happening to your team?
For a moment we forgot we were from Cleveland. :(

Greendruid

May 11th 2010, 11:27 PM

I killed seven roosters today. I raised them from eggs in an incubator. An interesting experience to say the least. The cycle is complete.

The Drunk Guy

May 12th 2010, 08:43 AM

I killed seven roosters today. I raised them from eggs in an incubator. An interesting experience to say the least. The cycle is complete.
After your first sentence, I have to say I was disappointed....I was expecting a bit more of a tall tale out of this. Maybe something about how they had gang-raped a hen to death or maybe how they had been breaking eggs from other roosters. :shrug:

The Drunk Girl

May 12th 2010, 09:30 AM

For a moment we forgot we were from Cleveland. :(

I read that LeBron might be guarding former UK player Rondo after his triple-double he threw down on the Cavs. Did that wind up happening?...how did it go?

Americano

May 12th 2010, 10:17 AM

I killed seven roosters today. I raised them from eggs in an incubator. An interesting experience to say the least. The cycle is complete.

Lop the heads off, let 'em bleed out, gut them and then into a big pot of hot water to remove the feathers?

Michael

May 12th 2010, 10:58 AM

I killed seven roosters today. I raised them from eggs in an incubator. An interesting experience to say the least. The cycle is complete.

As long as you didn't do any funky dance and pour chicken blood over your head...

Americano

May 12th 2010, 11:19 AM

As long as you didn't do any funky dance and pour chicken blood over your head...

Catching chickens to slaughter them does involve what could be interpreted as a funky dance and one doesn't have to pour it, there is blood everywhere.
(imagining Michael covering mouth and heading for nearest facility)

Donkey

May 12th 2010, 12:35 PM

I read that LeBron might be guarding former UK player Rondo after his triple-double he threw down on the Cavs. Did that wind up happening?...how did it go?
No, I think we kept Tony Parker/Mo Williams on Rondo. They kept him pretty shut down for most of the game.

The real story, and the embarrassment, is that LeBron was a mess. I don't know what happened to the player who dominated the league all year, but he wasn't in the arena last night. Now we're down 3-2.

Greendruid

May 12th 2010, 12:48 PM

After your first sentence, I have to say I was disappointed....I was expecting a bit more of a tall tale out of this. Maybe something about how they had gang-raped a hen to death or maybe how they had been breaking eggs from other roosters. :shrug:

***WARNING*** MICHAEL, DO NOT READ THIS!

You're from the city, right? If you're not, I'd love to meet your egg-laying rooster. A real prize that one would be!

They had actually been gang-raping hens repeatedly, which is why they're dead now. Too many roosters makes for all the bad things about testosterone to emerge.

As for the method:

1. Catch roosters and cage them.
2. Bring roosters to friend's farm to show you how to "dispatch" them.
3. Grab each rooster from cage, turn upside down and tie feet with long pieces of baling twine.
4. Hang twine on a nail.
5. Slit throat and pierce brain through mouth. Curse the small knife.
6. Let rooster bleed, flap, attempt to free itself, repeat.
7. Dunk in 126*F water for 45 seconds.
8. Transfer to another nail.
9. Pluck feathers, swear, talk about death, repeat.
10. Fully remove head.
11. Remove guts by opening hole around cloaca without opening them into visceral cavity and avoid piercing the gall bladder (green dye, not pretty).
12. Remove legs at knee joint.
12. Send into the house to be re-washed by farm hands

Repeat whole process until roosters is the dead.

Donkey

May 12th 2010, 12:53 PM

You should think about getting some killing cones, if poultry dispatching is something you plan on doing regularly. I can't imagine that they are all that expensive, and they've served my dad well.

Margot

May 12th 2010, 01:52 PM

You should think about getting some killing cones, if poultry dispatching is something you plan on doing regularly. I can't imagine that they are all that expensive, and they've served my dad well.

Or vegetarianism.

The Drunk Guy

May 12th 2010, 02:49 PM

***WARNING*** MICHAEL, DO NOT READ THIS!

You're from the city, right? If you're not, I'd love to meet your egg-laying rooster. A real prize that one would be!I was referring to those eggs that had been fertilized by other roosters. I would like to meet the hen that doesn't need a rooster to lay eggs. ;)

They had actually been gang-raping hens repeatedly, which is why they're dead now. Too many roosters makes for all the bad things about testosterone to emerge.

As for the method:

1. Catch roosters and cage them.
2. Bring roosters to friend's farm to show you how to "dispatch" them.
3. Grab each rooster from cage, turn upside down and tie feet with long pieces of baling twine.
4. Hang twine on a nail.
5. Slit throat and pierce brain through mouth. Curse the small knife.
6. Let rooster bleed, flap, attempt to free itself, repeat.
7. Dunk in 126*F water for 45 seconds.
8. Transfer to another nail.
9. Pluck feathers, swear, talk about death, repeat.
10. Fully remove head.
11. Remove guts by opening hole around cloaca without opening them into visceral cavity and avoid piercing the gall bladder (green dye, not pretty).
12. Remove legs at knee joint.
12. Send into the house to be re-washed by farm hands

Repeat whole process until roosters is the dead.
Mmmmmm....you have filled my blood lust for the day. (I was spanked by my cowardly parents. :angel: ) Thank you.

Donkey

May 12th 2010, 05:17 PM

Any hen can lay eggs without a rooster. ;) They just won't be fertile.

Lily

May 13th 2010, 09:40 AM

Great. Just great. The RNC has awarded Tampa the 2012 Republican National Convention.

:wanker: whoo hoo.

Americano

May 13th 2010, 10:34 AM

Great. Just great. The RNC has awarded Tampa the 2012 Republican National Convention.

:wanker: whoo hoo.

Ah, prepare for the gestapo in large numbers.

Michael

May 13th 2010, 01:12 PM

Great. Just great. The RNC has awarded Tampa the 2012 Republican National Convention.

:wanker: whoo hoo.
Apparently the didn't have the balls to have it in Phoenix.

(and yes, I always seem to spell that city name wrong!)

Donkey

May 13th 2010, 01:31 PM

Anyone hear about the economist who would never read the same thing twice? ;)

Americano

May 13th 2010, 02:15 PM

Anyone hear about the economist who would never read the same thing twice? ;)

Oldest joke in that profession is put 100 economists in one room and get 100 different opinions.

Donkey

May 13th 2010, 11:22 PM

WHY?

Whyyyyyyyyyyyy.

WHYWHYWHYWHY.

Why?

Honestly?

Why?

Non Sequitur

May 13th 2010, 11:48 PM

WHY?

Whyyyyyyyyyyyy.

WHYWHYWHYWHY.

Why?

Honestly?

Why?

sorry donkey.... Even thought I don't root for the Cav's I feel your pain as a fan of tortured sports franchises.

Lily

May 14th 2010, 06:22 AM

Ah, prepare for the gestapo in large numbers.

Oh, and the Tea Baggers are going to love Florida in August. Temperatures in the mid- to high-90s with matching humidity. Relentless, oppressive heat coupled with regular afternoon lightning storms (Tampa is the lightning captial of the world). Oh, and don't forget the threat of hurricanes. August is the second busiest month of hurricane season. The date of Hurricane Andrew? Aug. 24. Hurricane Katrina? Aug. 29. The date of the convention? The week of Aug. 27.

Americano

May 14th 2010, 08:43 AM

Oh, and the Tea Baggers are going to love Florida in August. Temperatures in the mid- to high-90s with matching humidity. Relentless, oppressive heat coupled with regular afternoon lightning storms (Tampa is the lightning captial of the world). Oh, and don't forget the threat of hurricanes. August is the second busiest month of hurricane season. The date of Hurricane Andrew? Aug. 24. Hurricane Katrina? Aug. 29. The date of the convention? The week of Aug. 27.

Being in Florida that time of year (anytime during summer) should be considered punishment.

Donkey

May 14th 2010, 11:48 AM

sorry donkey.... Even thought I don't root for the Cav's I feel your pain as a fan of tortured sports franchises.*shrug*

This was supposed to be our year.

Oh, and the Tea Baggers are going to love Florida in August. Temperatures in the mid- to high-90s with matching humidity. Relentless, oppressive heat coupled with regular afternoon lightning storms (Tampa is the lightning captial of the world). Oh, and don't forget the threat of hurricanes. August is the second busiest month of hurricane season. The date of Hurricane Andrew? Aug. 24. Hurricane Katrina? Aug. 29. The date of the convention? The week of Aug. 27.
I'm kind of hoping that super hot, muggy weather will be a stick in the spokes of the teaparty bicycle.

Americano

May 14th 2010, 12:03 PM

*shrug*

This was supposed to be our year.

I'm kind of hoping that super hot, muggy weather will be a stick in the spokes of the teaparty bicycle.

After the gestapo removes anyone even suspected of potential disagreement, they'll move from air conditioned airplanes to air conditioned vehicles to air conditioned hotels to air conditioned vehicles to air conditioned meeting facilities and repeat the process. Politicians and their supporters aren't fond of civil or climate discomfort.

partofme

May 18th 2010, 08:06 PM

It looks like Rand Paul will be the republican candidate for senate in November here in KY. As of now Jack Conway who is the more liberal democratic candidate is ahead.

Michael

May 18th 2010, 10:58 PM

It looks like Rand Paul will be the republican candidate for senate in November here in KY. As of now Jack Conway who is the more liberal democratic candidate is ahead.
Yes, Rand Paul is likely there - beating McConnel's hand-picked choice.

I expect the Republicans have the edge in any 'generic' ballot for November? Kentucky has been fairly consistently Republican in federal voting in the recent past as far as I know. I've heard nothing about the D-race there so that means its just a B-list race for them with little chance of winning the prize. I think Rand Paul just won the most important 'election' already.

Donkey

May 18th 2010, 11:16 PM

How hilarious would it be if a Democrat won in Kentucky though. Especially this year.

Michael

May 18th 2010, 11:39 PM

How hilarious would it be if a Democrat won in Kentucky though. Especially this year.

Yes, that would be nice to see. I don't know much about KY politics or the Democratic field there, so I don't really know, I'm just going with the general odds here. :)

I do think it is still to early to tell what's going to happen in November. If the US economy continues to improve between now and September (which it does appear to be doing), that could really turn things around for some close races.

I honestly don't think the Democrats are going to lose formal control either chamber in November. They will lose seats in the House, statistically speaking they are expected to lose 24 which is the average number of seats lost by a majority in the first mid-term election of a Presential cycle. The Republicans have to gain about 40 seats to become a majority. This is possible, but the Republicans would need a veritable 'sweep' to do it.

Likewise in the Senate, the Democrats may lose a seat or two overall, but that's about it. Most of the Senate races are either Republican seats or open seats - comparatively few Democratic seats are up this cycle.

So the Democrats can and will lose seats in the House and the Senate and still retain formal control. At the present moment, I think this is the most likely scenario to unfold as rising employment numbers through the summer months will increase 'confidence' levels and that's good for the Democrats.

There is also the potential 'curveball' from the Teaparty set. If they split the rightwing voting with some 3rd candidates, that could allow some Democrats to slip through with surprise victories in some 'red' districts. :shrug:

Given the teaparty and the slowly improving economy, that counters a fair bit of the Republican strength going into November - given that they have no real platform other than "no".

The Drunk Guy

May 19th 2010, 08:56 AM

How hilarious would it be if a Democrat won in Kentucky though. Especially this year.
Actually, there are more Democrat's registered to vote than Republicans. By half a million. The Dem's have just thrown up shitty candidates for the past two decades.

Michael

May 19th 2010, 09:54 AM

Actually, there are more Democrat's registered to vote than Republicans. By half a million. The Dem's have just thrown up shitty candidates for the past two decades.

Interesting! I didn't know about that registered party numbers.

dilettante

May 19th 2010, 10:43 AM

Yes, Rand Paul is likely there - beating McConnel's hand-picked choice.

I expect the Republicans have the edge in any 'generic' ballot for November? Kentucky has been fairly consistently Republican in federal voting in the recent past as far as I know. I've heard nothing about the D-race there so that means its just a B-list race for them with little chance of winning the prize. I think Rand Paul just won the most important 'election' already.

From what little I've seen, the Democrats are thrilled by Paul's primary victory and think it gives them a decent shot at taking the seat in November. This shows that the Tea Party can win primaries, but they still can't win general elections if the rest of the Republican Party decides to stay home.

Michael

May 19th 2010, 10:55 AM

From what little I've seen, the Democrats are thrilled by Paul's primary victory and think it gives them a decent shot at taking the seat in November. This shows that the Tea Party can win primaries, but they still can't win general elections if the rest of the Republican Party decides to stay home.
From what I've read this morning, the Democrats are thrilled with Paul's victory speech (many are describing it as "unhinged").

Paul is way out there, even by teaparty standards, so he just might be a bit too far for Kentucky in a general election.

The Drunk Guy

May 19th 2010, 07:34 PM

From what I've read this morning, the Democrats are thrilled with Paul's victory speech (many are describing it as "unhinged").

Paul is way out there, even by teaparty standards, so he just might be a bit too far for Kentucky in a general election.
I don't think he's that out there. I mean, yeah, he says a lot of stupid shit, but as far as what he can do in office, it pretty much limits him to being a "no man," which is what all the Republicans are doing any-goddamn-way.

The Drunk Girl

May 19th 2010, 10:46 PM

I finally got around to taking my Rand Paul bumper sticker off my car today :lol:

Americano

May 20th 2010, 12:46 PM

I finally got around to taking my Rand Paul bumper sticker off my car today :lol:

Good move (http://www.capitolhillblue.com/node/27155):

"The younger Paul has said before that he believes restaurants and other private businesses should be allowed to discriminate against minorities if they want while claiming he supports civil rights in “institutional situations.”"

Michael

May 20th 2010, 02:01 PM

I don't think he's that out there. I mean, yeah, he says a lot of stupid shit, but as far as what he can do in office, it pretty much limits him to being a "no man," which is what all the Republicans are doing any-goddamn-way.
He opposes the Civil Rights Act. That's enough to consider him 'out there' in my book.

And he's also celebrated as the poster boy for the Teaparty set. That puts him right up there with Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck (other teaparty celebrities).

From what I'm reading, this Paul, just like his father, is the same kind of double-dealing libertarian that the extreme rightwing has always supported.

I call them 'double-dealing' because they believe in liberty for themselves and their rich supporters, but not for 'other people'. Paul is just like the rest of the teaparty set - he hates government spending - except the government spending that he himself personally benefits from.

Apparently the ONLY government spending increase that Paul (dad or son) supports is Medicare dispursements! No surprise since both of them are doctors that receive Medicare funding. Can't cut medicare dispursements because that would cut into their own incomes. That's the kind of hypocrisy that I've come to associate with the whole teaparty set and the rightwing libertarian movement generally. They seem very consistent about this point.

Tea Party/Libertarian credo: All government spending is evil - except the government spending that profits me personally. Cut everyone off the public teat - except me and mine!

Americano

May 20th 2010, 04:43 PM

He opposes the Civil Rights Act. That's enough to consider him 'out there' in my book.

And he's also celebrated as the poster boy for the Teaparty set. That puts him right up there with Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck (other teaparty celebrities).

From what I'm reading, this Paul, just like his father, is the same kind of double-dealing libertarian that the extreme rightwing has always supported.

I call them 'double-dealing' because they believe in liberty for themselves and their rich supporters, but not for 'other people'. Paul is just like the rest of the teaparty set - he hates government spending - except the government spending that he himself personally benefits from.

Apparently the ONLY government spending increase that Paul (dad or son) supports is Medicare dispursements! No surprise since both of them are doctors that receive Medicare funding. Can't cut medicare dispursements because that would cut into their own incomes. That's the kind of hypocrisy that I've come to associate with the whole teaparty set and the rightwing libertarian movement generally. They seem very consistent about this point.

Tea Party/Libertarian credo: All government spending is evil - except the government spending that profits me personally. Cut everyone off the public teat - except me and mine!

It's sad going on other forums and reading self-proclaimed libertarians worship Ron Paul and now his son. Self serving bigots are still very much alive and kicking.

Michael

May 20th 2010, 07:26 PM

Margot

May 20th 2010, 07:32 PM

Btw, we've had a weird coincidence of accidents in the local news where a mother accidentially runs over (kills) her own 2 year old child - backing up a SUV in her own driveway.

Then two weeks later, same thing happens with grandma and her two year old child, again, backing up in her own driveway.

Freaky. That must be a nasty one to have to live with! :eek:

Apparently the second woman doesn't watch the local news.

That's heartbreaking. I can't even imagine what that must be like.

Down here at least one kid a year dies because someone puts the kid into their car seat and then forgets that he or she is there.

The Drunk Girl

May 20th 2010, 07:48 PM

Good move (http://www.capitolhillblue.com/node/27155):

"The younger Paul has said before that he believes restaurants and other private businesses should be allowed to discriminate against minorities if they want while claiming he supports civil rights in “institutional situations.”"

"A racist honkie in the woodpile?" :lol:

Americano

May 20th 2010, 09:40 PM

"A racist honkie in the woodpile?" :lol:

Maybe from your perspective. To me he's catering to the demographic I most despise, the religious right who feels it should rule with racial segregation, Jesus, bullies, hypocrisy and a hand in every pie.

The Drunk Girl

May 20th 2010, 10:51 PM

Maybe from your perspective. To me he's catering to the demographic I most despise, the religious right who feels it should rule with racial segregation, Jesus, bullies, hypocrisy and a hand in every pie.

Well, I was just laughing at that caption that was posted under his picture in the link you posted.

The religious right that believe in what you just posted are those who have made me question religion as I have gotten older.

The hypocrisy that I saw while growing up in church made me shutter even at a young age.

Americano

May 22nd 2010, 09:03 PM

Memorial Day weekend entertainment in my area includes an impersonation act opening for the featured band on stage in the riverside park on Saturday night. The coming weekend is a big county celebration complete with parade including the proud Young Marines, children in training to become cannon fodder. A lot of veterans and Real Americans in this very rural area.

The lead impersonator (from the newspaper write-up) looks like and accurately impersonates John Wayne, complete with horse. His wife impersonates John Wayne leading ladies and, again from the publicity article..... will provide the audience with her accomplished yodeling.

My wife, ever the optimist, says we should consider going for amusement value, which means she's overlooking the last experience we had co-mingling with a few thousand drunk rednecks in a public park. Once was enough. I don't think she'll pursue the consideration.

Americano

May 23rd 2010, 07:31 PM

Michael

May 24th 2010, 11:09 AM

:bdaycake:

Happy Birthday to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II (aka Lizzy the deuce).

Today is the official birthday of the reigning British monarch.

(as a sidenote, being the pseudo-quasi-monarchist that I am, I must say that Lizzy is one of the all-time least impressive monarchs in all of British history - she is a boring little woman - she is indeed, her father's daughter).

Lily

May 25th 2010, 08:35 AM

Do any Americans have interesting plans for the three-day Memorial Day holiday? I've always considered all national holidays amateur time and avoided any type of travel.

We're already seeing people towing trailers, boats, off-road vehicles and such arriving for the campgrounds. All public and private campgrounds here will be fully occupied by this coming Wednesday and late arrivals will be screwed.

I'm thinking of heading up to White Springs for the 58th annual Florida Folk Festival. It's three days of music, crafts, demonstrations, dance, story-telling and food held on the banks of the Suwannee River. Buelah Baptist Church's chicken pilau dinner, M&T's homemade pork skins, Wolverine's fried frog legs and oyster po' boys and my all-time favorite, Community Revival Center's pecan pie. MmmmmMm!

There will be duck decoy makers and earthwormers, stick furniture crafters, weavers, spinners and ukulele makers. Oh, and the Seminole Indians always make a dugout canoe next to the chickees they build on site. I'll look at the Cracker Life living history exhibition and maybe hear a talk about Cross Creek's most famous resident, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (The Yearling).

On stage, Blind Buddy Moody and the Green Grass Revival will entertain, just two of the dozens of entertainers on seven different stages. There will be clog dancing, square dancing and circle dancing, fiddle contests and story-telling workshops and campground jams well into the night.

This is nice shot of the main stage.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/history/img/park/STF-Evening_Main-Stage.jpg

Michael

May 25th 2010, 10:15 AM

Now that sounds like a decent way to spend a long weekend!

We just had a lovely long weekend with beautiful summer weather! :)

The Drunk Girl

May 25th 2010, 06:18 PM

I will be working...have another 13 days ahead of me before having a day off

Michael

May 25th 2010, 06:47 PM

I will be working...have another 13 days ahead of me before having a day off

Sorry to hear that. I keep looking for a smiley playing a tiny violin but I can't find one! :lol:

Btw, I'm on the balcony (in boxers) with my 'mobile' computer, with a beer and a somewhat skinny 'fatty'. :smoke:

The three day weekend was wonderful - hot and sunny and just the right mix of 'doing stuff' and 'doing nothing'. :)

One of the interesting things was a two hour walking tour of four of the oldest church/cathedrals in Toronto (called "Sacred Stones & Steeples") which is part of a new series of local city 'guided walks' being sponsored by the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum). There are dozens of such walks around the city, scheduled from May to September, each being led by a volunteer from the ROM.

I've circled a dozen dates on the calendar. All the obscure walks (the ones I'm most interested in) are free. The group tours of famous/popular places cost $10.

Americano

May 25th 2010, 07:17 PM

Here's one:

The Drunk Girl

May 25th 2010, 07:39 PM

I'm not really complaining guys :p

I chose to work all of those days straight...kinda

The Drunk Girl

May 25th 2010, 07:39 PM

Here's one:

Could you turn that up a little bit? I couldn't hear it

Americano

May 25th 2010, 08:41 PM

Could you turn that up a little bit? I couldn't hear it

That was for Michael.

Given my druthers I'd prefer working any three day national holiday versus being with people who feel it's their duty to celebrate. Unless it was something interesting. A John Wayne impersonator and his yodeling wife are the top public draw in my area and I refuse to travel on holidays, so we'll attend a small BBQ party where I can get properly drunk and leave if one of us gets tired of it.

Michael

May 26th 2010, 08:45 AM

Here's one:

That's not bad... violin is too big, but it does get the point across... :D

dilettante

May 28th 2010, 10:30 PM

Zotero (http://www.zotero.org/) is really, really cool!

Michael

May 29th 2010, 08:33 AM

And for our American friends...

Happy Long Weekend

Even though its not supposed to be a 'happy' holiday. :shrug:

The Drunk Guy

May 29th 2010, 08:57 AM

And for our American friends...

Happy Long Weekend

Even though its not supposed to be a 'happy' holiday. :shrug:
:rofl: You should have heard some of the folks I spoke to yesterday. One office actually told me that they didn't want a technician until Tuesday as they were going to skip out early.

Growing up, Memorial Day was the first big 'outdoors' holiday of the year, but we celebrated the dead a week earlier on "Decoration Day." That Sunday was always spent traveling from cemetery to cemetery, sticking fake flowers in the ground.

This is one reason I want to be cremated. ;)

Michael

May 29th 2010, 10:13 AM

:rofl: You should have heard some of the folks I spoke to yesterday. One office actually told me that they didn't want a technician until Tuesday as they were going to skip out early.
Its fairly common business practice up here to close early on Fridays in the summer (noon, 1pm or 2pm) and definitely so for summer long weekends.

Our company would NEVER deliver anything after noon on a Friday in the summer without lots of telephone calls to confirm that the shipping dock is open. It is just the way it is. :)

Growing up, Memorial Day was the first big 'outdoors' holiday of the year, but we celebrated the dead a week earlier on "Decoration Day." That Sunday was always spent traveling from cemetery to cemetery, sticking fake flowers in the ground.

This is one reason I want to be cremated. ;)
Yes, I think that 'Memorial Day' thing works way better in November when the weather is damp, dreary and dismal - seems more fitting for eulogizing or remembering those killed in war.

And US Memorial Day weekend is similar to Canada's Victoria Day weekend (last week, though these two holidays often coincide with each other) as the 'unofficial beginning of the summer season'. :)

Americano

May 29th 2010, 10:23 AM

Its fairly common business practice up here to close early on Fridays in the summer (noon, 1pm or 2pm) and definitely so for summer long weekends.

Our company would NEVER deliver anything after noon on a Friday in the summer without lots of telephone calls to confirm that the shipping dock is open. It is just the way it is. :)

Yes, I think that 'Memorial Day' thing works way better in November when the weather is damp, dreary and dismal - seems more fitting for eulogizing or remembering those killed in war.

The big celebration is by merchants. They wouldn't get near the turnout in November weather.

I've never understood celebrating what people did to kill themselves.

And US Memorial Day weekend is similar to Canada's Victoria Day weekend (last week, though these two holidays often coincide with each other) as the 'unofficial beginning of the summer season'. :)

Michael

May 31st 2010, 08:40 AM

Americano

May 31st 2010, 09:37 AM

I'm guessing quite a few of our American friends are in long-weekend vacation mode!

Yesterday (Sunday) was the first day without any posts in the history of this forum. Visitor traffic was micro-small. :eek:

We had plans for a BBQ today, but since rain is falling we'll likely cancel. 67° and rain doesn't stimulate my outdoor party mood.

Donkey

May 31st 2010, 01:06 PM

I had to drive my mum to Pittsburgh for my brother's fiance's wedding shower yesterday.

Broski and I went with his daddy in law to be and we shot some clays.

Then I came home and got unholy dismantled.

Americano

May 31st 2010, 01:15 PM

Donkey

May 31st 2010, 01:34 PM

Traffic was pretty negligible, actually.

Michael

May 31st 2010, 02:17 PM

How was traffic? (I realize, even at its best, Pittsburgh isn't a top destination)

From what I read about US cities, Pittsburg is second only to Boston for the impressiveness of the turnaround in the city's fortunes over the last twenty years.

Donkey

May 31st 2010, 04:46 PM

From what I read about US cities, Pittsburg is second only to Boston for the impressiveness of the turnaround in the city's fortunes over the last twenty years.
I don't know the city much. The few times I go down there, I usually am headed to the west side suburbs, and you don't have to drive through the city to get there from here.

The Drunk Girl

May 31st 2010, 07:24 PM

Two year old smoking baby (http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/05/31/indonesia.smoking.baby/?hpt=T2)

An article I read the other day stated that the boy's father first gave him cigarettes at 18 months...he's now up to 40/day!

Americano

May 31st 2010, 07:45 PM

From what I read about US cities, Pittsburg is second only to Boston for the impressiveness of the turnaround in the city's fortunes over the last twenty years.

Perhaps, but I don't foresee long holiday travelers choosing Pittsburgh as a pleasure destination.

Americano

May 31st 2010, 07:46 PM

Americano

May 31st 2010, 07:49 PM

I don't know the city much. The few times I go down there, I usually am headed to the west side suburbs, and you don't have to drive through the city to get there from here.

Exploring Pittsburgh proper would be way down on my to do list. Are the newlyweds going to reside there?

Donkey

May 31st 2010, 08:31 PM

Exploring Pittsburgh proper would be way down on my to do list. Are the newlyweds going to reside there?
They own a house in the close burbs.

Americano

May 31st 2010, 09:16 PM

They own a house in the close burbs.

You staying in the city for the marriage?

Donkey

May 31st 2010, 10:22 PM

You staying in the city for the marriage?
Girlfriend and I will be staying at the hotel where the reception will be. Not sure where that is.

Michael

Jun 1st 2010, 11:34 AM

Girlfriend and I will be staying at the hotel where the reception will be. Not sure where that is.

How can you visit a city and not go downtown to check out the nightlife there? :ummm:

Americano

Jun 1st 2010, 11:47 AM

How can you visit a city and not go downtown to check out the nightlife there? :ummm:

Most US city centers the size of Pittsburgh (pop 334,000) have limited nightlife. They generally consist of a business/government core surrounded by marginal or poverty stricken neighborhoods where core workers scurry back to the burbs after completing their obligations.

Michael

Jun 1st 2010, 12:57 PM

Most US city centers the size of Pittsburgh (pop 334,000) have limited nightlife. They generally consist of a business/government core surrounded by marginal or poverty stricken neighborhoods where core workers scurry back to the burbs after completing their obligations.

Really? That's pathetic. Take Halifax for example as a similar sized city (actually its under 300,000) and it has a rather lively and impressive nightlife scene.

I enjoyed my last visit there so much that I'd like to go back for more.

Americano

Jun 1st 2010, 01:37 PM

Really? That's pathetic. Take Halifax for example as a similar sized city (actually its under 300,000) and it has a rather lively and impressive nightlife scene.

I enjoyed my last visit there so much that I'd like to go back for more.

Isn't Halifax an important seaport city? Most land bound US cities that experienced rapid population expansion were situated on rivers and then rail centers that provided the majority of necessities for industrial growth. Then came the US highway system and over-the-road trucks which spawned the American Dream of a cracker box with lawn, personal vehicles and shopping centers to vacate cities. Not much industry left in US cities other than those pursing the financilization of America with workers who prefer raising children in the burbs where they're homogenized and defined by socioeconomic neighborhoods and private estates for the elite.

The loss of tax base from that migration is another major issue now vividly presenting itself in financially failing US cities.

Michael

Jun 1st 2010, 02:52 PM

Isn't Halifax an important seaport city? Most land bound US cities that experienced rapid population expansion were situated on rivers and then rail centers that provided the majority of necessities for industrial growth. Then came the US highway system and over-the-road trucks which spawned the American Dream of a cracker box with lawn, personal vehicles and shopping centers to vacate cities. Not much industry left in US cities other than those pursing the financilization of America with workers who prefer raising children in the burbs where they're homogenized and defined by socioeconomic neighborhoods and private estates for the elite.

The loss of tax base from that migration is another major issue now vividly presenting itself in financially failing US cities.

Yes, Halifax is an old seaport and that's still an important part of the city's livelihood, but this is only a fraction of what it used to be in the city's heyday a century ago when cross-Atlantic traffic was much larger than present.

As for the US problem with decayed city cores and sprawling suburbs, that's a function of US tax laws and subsidies (not to mention racism).

Donkey

Jun 1st 2010, 03:03 PM

I'm not really much of a "nightlife" person.

Michael

Jun 4th 2010, 06:41 PM

I'm not really much of a "nightlife" person.

Once again, I shall avoid the temptation opportunity for making a pseudo-humorous comment at your expense. You really do set up some good lines. :lol:

Michael

Jun 4th 2010, 06:42 PM

On the topic of editing one's own post, more often than not, when I do edit my posts, it is usually to add or change smilies! :D

Donkey

Jun 4th 2010, 06:43 PM

Once again, I shall avoid the temptation opportunity for making a pseudo-humorous comment at your expense. You really do set up some good lines. :lol:
Jibe away. Neither I nor my "nightlife" mind. ;)

Americano

Jun 4th 2010, 07:19 PM

Jibe away. Neither I nor my "nightlife" mind. ;)

That could change if you were to live in say NYC or San Francisco (the only two US cities I consider cosmopolitan).

Michael

Jun 5th 2010, 11:15 AM

Americano

Jun 5th 2010, 08:42 PM

Forget nightlife, the lovely Catholic Church that's right 'underneath' me (right across the street) is having one of its multi-annual events this morning.

They have multi-colored pavillion and canopy tents set up in the parking lot and they have a loudspeaker/sound system for what looks like a bazaar/sale (with 70s disco music!). All well and fine until about ten minutes ago when they started up the action with some annoying priest-like fellow on a mini stage doing the honors with a megaphone and trying to do the "we have ten dollars, do I hear eleven dollars?" thing! (very loud, repetitive and annoying!)

The temptation for a water-balloon attack is almost overwhelming! :lol:

The good in that event I can determine is the bazaar being only 40 years behind the times when compared to Catholic Church dark ages mentality. When it comes to imposing itself on others, religion seemingly has no boundaries.

Michael

Jun 6th 2010, 10:11 AM

Damn! Another Sunday morning "fail" on the BPOTW thread. I really need to get my act together on that! :o

Greendruid

Jun 6th 2010, 11:40 PM

Forget nightlife, the lovely Catholic Church that's right 'underneath' me (right across the street) is having one of its multi-annual events this morning.

They have multi-colored pavillion and canopy tents set up in the parking lot and they have a loudspeaker/sound system for what looks like a bazaar/sale (with 70s disco music!). All well and fine until about ten minutes ago when they started up the action with some annoying priest-like fellow on a mini stage doing the honors with a megaphone and trying to do the "we have ten dollars, do I hear eleven dollars?" thing! (very loud, repetitive and annoying!)

The temptation for a water-balloon attack is almost overwhelming! :lol:

"Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of thieves.'" (Matthew 21:12-13)

Michael

Jun 7th 2010, 09:29 AM

"Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of thieves.'" (Matthew 21:12-13)

Charity bazaar in the Church parking lot seems a bit different than 'moneychangers in the temple'.

If that's a sin, I'd start with the televangelists first - they seem to be the ones most blatantly violating that principle.

And when did Greendruid become a scripture quoting Christian? What's up with that? :lol:

Michael

Jun 7th 2010, 06:09 PM

Americano

Jun 7th 2010, 09:31 PM

In case anyone is curious, this forum is hosted *inside* the ludicrous security perimeter for the G-20 summit.

They just started erecting "Fortress Toronto" today. It is rather embarrassing to be governed by these idiots. I now know what Americans felt like under G.W. Bush.

No, you have yet another step ahead of you. Protesters will be confined to public parks surrounded by law enforcement deemed adequate to suppress them should they attempt getting out of hand (property damage and resistance to LE). That frees up the paddy wagons to collect any strays who might attempt direct protest of their leadership policies and allows unrestricted street travel of armored limousines carting around leadership.

Michael

Jun 9th 2010, 09:47 AM

No, you have yet another step ahead of you. Protesters will be confined to public parks surrounded by law enforcement deemed adequate to suppress them should they attempt getting out of hand (property damage and resistance to LE). That frees up the paddy wagons to collect any strays who might attempt direct protest of their leadership policies and allows unrestricted street travel of armored limousines carting around leadership.

Well, that certainly was their plan. However, both of the parks that the police named as suitable for serving as 'holding pens' have brought out a wall of public opposition from neighborhood residents.

Problem is that in Toronto, some of the most expensive and affluent neighborhoods in the city are right in the heart of downtown. That means that many public parks in the inner city are surrounded by million-dollar housing (which means politically powerful residents). Toronto is much like NYC this way - that the suburbs represent a drop in income levels as you move further from the inner city.

Btw, the national news media has been infected by the rising tide of public opposition to this G-20 boondoogle. Now all the newscasts on the topic are framed around the fact that Toronto residents are horrified and embarrassed by the debacle and that this G-20 is going to cause serious damage to Toronto's economy.

Pretty much anything and everything is pre-emptively closing for several days around the G-20 meetings. This includes museums, art galleries and a half-dozen major musical productions (one of Toronto's most important tourist attractions).

National news programs now recite a growing list of closings with each newscast.

I can't imagine what kind of stupidity drove Stephen Harper and the Conservatives to put this debacle front and center - at 'ground zero' for Conservative election plans. Ontario is make or break territory for the Conservatives and they are right now pissing off Toronto and Southern Ontario big time. And because Toronto is the center of the Canadian media universe, that means Toronto is bitching on a national stage right now. That's not likely to play well for the Conservatives since they look like heavy handed authoritarians and idiots/incompetent at the same time. That's not a good combination (very Bush-like).

Michael

Jun 14th 2010, 08:03 PM

Americano

Jun 14th 2010, 08:55 PM

Weird situation.

In case anyone is curious, the bandwidth server traffic for this forum has broken through the 1GB per month rate only a couple times last year. We've been running steadily above that rate for all of 2010 (and rising).

At the same time, the average rate of posting and thread creating has been decreasing throughout 2010.

In other words, we are experiencing constantly increasing visitor traffic and yet less member activity over time. :shrug:

I'd think a good portion of the visitor traffic consists of logged-out, inactive members who still possess an interest attachment to the site. It normally takes me a few months to get a forum I've quit out of my system.

All forums I look at are currently very slow. Lots of inane posts as mentioned in your rant.

Michael

Jun 15th 2010, 07:26 AM

Magna Carta was signed today - 795 years ago.

Zarquon

Jun 15th 2010, 04:59 PM

I quit Ars-regendi, paid the deposit for the US Visa, and submitted form DS-160, all on the 14th.
Just can't get a damn visa appointment date, despite 20 actual attempts today itself.

Margot

Jun 15th 2010, 05:16 PM

Donkey

Jun 15th 2010, 05:19 PM

I quit Ars-regendi, paid the deposit for the US Visa, and submitted form DS-160, all on the 14th.
Just can't get a damn visa appointment date, despite 20 actual attempts today itself.
Ah yes. Ain't no party like a US immigration system party. :(

Americano

Jun 15th 2010, 07:44 PM

I quit Ars-regendi, paid the deposit for the US Visa, and submitted form DS-160, all on the 14th.
Just can't get a damn visa appointment date, despite 20 actual attempts today itself.

Continue driving them crazy. The squeaky wheel always gets the grease and if they have a cancellation you'll immediately come to mind to get you off their back.

Michael

Jun 15th 2010, 08:15 PM

I'll just leave this here...

Btw, it is an animated gif in case anyone is curious... :lol:

Donkey

Jun 15th 2010, 08:21 PM

The upload seems to kill the animation...

Americano

Jun 15th 2010, 09:00 PM

I'll just leave this here...

Btw, it is an animated gif in case anyone is curious... :lol:

It's obvious you've never been in a Walmart where that species is common.

Michael

Jun 16th 2010, 10:11 AM

It's obvious you've never been in a Walmart where that species is common.

I just find the animation sequence quite amusing! :lol:

Obviously all that weight gave him some serious momentum there! :rofl:

The Drunk Girl

Jun 16th 2010, 08:13 PM

It's obvious you've never been in a Walmart where that species is common.

peopleofwalmart.com (http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/)

The Drunk Girl

Jun 16th 2010, 08:14 PM

...and one's from my home state. Boy am I proud :lol:

Americano

Jun 16th 2010, 08:57 PM

...and one's from my home state. Boy am I proud :lol:

I don't have any pictures, but yours look kind of skinny compared to mine. The Walmart I patronize has a fleet of electric carts for the tubs.

Margot

Jun 17th 2010, 12:08 AM

I'm about to finish my first 1XXX level class tomorrow. I've never put this much effort into any class before. Ever. I hate it.

Anyway, it's an art class, so it's a lot of bullshit yadda yadda. I decided that I wouldn't do the work assigned, I'd just do whatever the fuck I wanted to and the professor could follow me if he wanted to.

I just finished painting a picture of a tattooed Saint Roch lewdly pointing to his pecker and harassing a young woman. I'm about to put Saint Sebastian in a ball gag.

God, I hope my plan works, because this is actually taking more effort than the ridiculous assignments.

Michael

Jun 17th 2010, 09:02 AM

Margot

Jun 17th 2010, 10:38 PM

I can honestly say I've never set foot in a Walmart and wouldn't know where to find one even if I wanted to.

I'd probably have to drive out to the suburbs somewhere. :shrug:

By the look of them pix, I'm not likely to do so any time soon! :D

Amazing!

I love Walmart with a passion. Horrible during the day, but a delight for people (like me) who prefer do their grocery shopping at 2AM.

Zarquon

Jun 18th 2010, 02:17 AM

Got the visa appointment!
Its on July 7.

Michael

Jun 18th 2010, 10:15 AM

Amazing!
Not really. I doubt if there are any Walmarts in NYC either.

Bigbox retailers don't seem to exist inside big cities since their business model calls for massive stores surrounded by hundreds of acres of wide open parking lots. That model isn't practical in a dynamic city given skyhigh property values.

Walmart is only successful when it is massively cheaper than everything else. They can't do that with expensive city property, so they fail.

Lily

Jun 18th 2010, 05:49 PM

http://media.peopleofwalmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1316.jpg

I think I've seen this guy at the WalMart near me. Yeah.

Lily

Jun 18th 2010, 05:54 PM

And I don't.. uhh.. I don't know what to say. Another Floridian.

http://media.peopleofwalmart.com/uploads/published/300320101643380329002058.jpg

Margot

Jun 18th 2010, 06:00 PM

And I don't.. uhh.. I don't know what to say. Another Floridian.

I hope to one day make it onto this site. Wearing my PJs, bald head, and a shit-ton of makeup and buying cheese-puffs and lighter fluid.

I can't believe that I'm peopleofwalmart-style legitimate Floridian.

Americano

Jun 18th 2010, 06:06 PM

I'd think joint replacement is going to be a common health care problem for future generations to cope with.

Margot

Jun 18th 2010, 06:48 PM

I'd think joint replacement is going to be a common health care problem for future generations to cope with.

It's cool, we've got healthcare now! :rolleyes:

Americano

Jun 18th 2010, 07:14 PM

It's cool, we've got healthcare now! :rolleyes:

I'd wager a guess that most tubs of lard human caricatures have been on some form of state sponsored disability heath care program since they topped twice the normal weight for height point. Grossly fat adolescent children are the sickening examples of that trend.

Greendruid

Jun 18th 2010, 11:33 PM

http://media.peopleofwalmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1316.jpg

I think I've seen this guy at the WalMart near me. Yeah.

I like that his chat is taking place next to the hot dogs. Mmmm, looks like soylent green flavour!

Michael

Jun 19th 2010, 11:07 AM

I'd think joint replacement is going to be a common health care problem for future generations to cope with.

Canada has an obesity rate that is about half the US average and yet we are already seeing astronomical increases in knee/hip replacements.

The pattern seems to be, if you carry an extra 100 pounds all your adult life, you will need either both hips or both knees replaced (or even all four done) sometime in your 60's.

The hip and knee replacement surgeries are the one area that we do have significant waiting lists in the Canadian healthcare system. This is due to the phenomenal growth rate in the demand for this very serious operation (double-digit growth rates for annual demand). These operations were comparatively fairly rare twenty years ago - now they are becoming a routine operation. :eek:

Americano

Jun 19th 2010, 11:38 AM

Canada has an obesity rate that is about half the US average and yet we are already seeing astronomical increases in knee/hip replacements.

The pattern seems to be, if you carry an extra 100 pounds all your adult life, you will need either both hips or both knees replaced (or even all four done) sometime in your 60's.

The hip and knee replacement surgeries are the one area that we do have significant waiting lists in the Canadian healthcare system. This is due to the phenomenal growth rate in the demand for this very serious operation (double-digit growth rates for annual demand). These operations were comparatively fairly rare twenty years ago - now they are becoming a routine operation. :eek:

Some US numbers:

In 2001, 165,000 hip joints and 326,000 knees were replaced in the United States.

By the year 2030, it is estimated that the number of knee replacements will increase from 450,400 (2009) to 3.48 million.

Also by the year 2030, it is estimated that the number of hip replacements will increase from 208,600 to 572,100.

Michael

Jun 19th 2010, 11:52 AM

By the year 2030, it is estimated that the number of knee replacements will increase from 450,400 (2009) to 3.48 million.
To put that into perspective (and quick math), that rate would likely be darn close to almost 1% of the US population having knee or hip replacement surgery every year by 2030. :eek:

Donkey

Jun 19th 2010, 12:48 PM

Heh. Well. I too am "looking forward" to having my knees replaced so...

Americano

Jun 19th 2010, 05:25 PM

Heh. Well. I too am "looking forward" to having my knees replaced so...

Planning on getting 'cut off at the knees' or gaining a lot of excess weight?

Donkey

Jun 19th 2010, 05:56 PM

Planning on getting 'cut off at the knees' or gaining a lot of excess weight?
I've got some bad hardware down there.

Americano

Jun 19th 2010, 06:19 PM

I've got some bad hardware down there.

Football?

Donkey

Jun 19th 2010, 06:33 PM

Football?
Maybe being a catcher for a few years when I was younger, but mostly genetics. My brother has bad knees, my mom has bad knees, her mom has GREAT knees, but they are her second pair.

Americano

Jun 19th 2010, 08:00 PM

Maybe being a catcher for a few years when I was younger, but mostly genetics. My brother has bad knees, my mom has bad knees, her mom has GREAT knees, but they are her second pair.

Sorry to hear that. Maybe a trip to India or Thailand is in order. Get the knees for less than half the US price while recovering in a resort atmosphere.

Michael

Jun 20th 2010, 08:57 AM

Sorry to hear that. Maybe a trip to India or Thailand is in order. Get the knees for less than half the US price while recovering in a resort atmosphere.

Move to Canada and get healthcare for free. :)

We're not so big on the 'resort atmosphere' but you can watch hockey 10 months of the year on the tv while recovering! :lol:

Americano

Jun 20th 2010, 12:41 PM

Move to Canada and get healthcare for free. :)

We're not so big on the 'resort atmosphere' but you can watch hockey 10 months of the year on the tv while recovering! :lol:

I'd rather suffer with bad knees than be forced to watch hockey for 10 months.

Greendruid

Jun 20th 2010, 02:02 PM

Archaeology is already having an effect on mine. That and the improperly taught karate I was involved with for five years when I was a teen.

Michael

Jun 21st 2010, 10:17 AM

I don't have bad knees (or a bad back) or watch hockey! :lol:

Michael

Jun 21st 2010, 10:17 AM

In other news...

Today is the Summer Solstice! :)

Michael

Jun 23rd 2010, 06:29 PM

Today is the 25th anniversary of the largest terrorist attack in Canadian history.

Air India Flight 182 blew up over the Atlantic killing all 329 people on board, the vast majority of which were Canadian citizens. The flight took off from Toronto with a bomb on board. Sikh extremist-terrorists were behind the plot.

The Government of Canada completely ignored the incident, failed to prevent it (despite having the opportunity to do so) and then after the incident, stonewalled every inquiry and investigation in order to coverup their own incompetence (before and after the incident).

After countless [independent] studies and reports, the incident is now recognized for what it was - a Sikh terrorist plot.

The Prime Minister of Canada will today give an official apology to the families of the victims for the role the Canadian Government played in seeking to deny the truth, block the investigation and stonewall every inquiry.

No one in Canada will ever forget this incident of Sikh terrorism committed on Canadian soil with Canadian victims.

Here's the wikipage for the incident... Air India Flight 182 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_India_Flight_182)

Zarquon

Jun 24th 2010, 07:37 AM

Michael

Jun 24th 2010, 08:58 AM

A Khalistani(Sikh Separatist) plot would be more accurate; one of the many reasons I don't identify myself with the religion I was brought up with is its Islam inspired millenarian and tribalist vision of "Khalsa Raj", besides other monotheistic follies.
Also, I want to know: what makes Canada so incompetent on security?

Canada has a long history of incompetence on security [probably] due to Canada's particular position in the Cold War.

Fact is, Canada was wide open for US vs KGB spies and as such, all security apparatus in Canada were comprimised by the KGB and/or CIA back in 1945 for their own purposes. Ergo, 'security' in Canada is mostly non-functional and entirely political as the idea of 'protecting Canadians' has never been part of their remit.

Check out the Igor Gouzenko (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Gouzenko) episode from 1946. It shows that Canadian security services were already entirely comprimised by KGB and CIA agents at that time.

Rumor has it that three successive RCMP Commissioners were KGB moles. That's why they had to set up CSIS (because the RCMP was hopelessly comprimised for so many years).

Bottom line is that 'security' in Canada consists of politics and foreign spies. Always has been. We don't have any 'normal' security services at all. All of them are just hollow shells that take orders from elsewhere.

Zarquon

Jun 24th 2010, 01:11 PM

In other news, Australia has a new PM (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Gillard).

The Drunk Girl

Jun 25th 2010, 09:40 AM

The NBA draft took place last night.

Former UK player, John Wall went as the number one pick to Washington. Wall is the first player to come from UK to be a number one pick. Along with him, four other UK players went in the first round...I believe this is a record for the most players from one school to go.

:banana:

Michael

Jun 25th 2010, 09:50 AM

In other news, Australia has a new PM (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Gillard).

Is anyone familiar with what occured? How did Rudd lose the leadership?

Was there a caucus revolt or some automatic leadership vote in the Labour Party?

It does seem unusual for the sitting leader of a majority party to be subjected to a leadership vote/review of his own party without some circumstance commanding it. :shrug:

Americano

Jun 25th 2010, 09:54 AM

Americano

Jun 25th 2010, 10:20 AM

In other news, Australia has a new PM (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Gillard).

A woman PM in chauvinistic Australia has to be creating quite a stir in working class pubs.

Michael

Jun 25th 2010, 12:04 PM

Is anyone familiar with what occured? How did Rudd lose the leadership?

Was there a caucus revolt or some automatic leadership vote in the Labour Party?

It does seem unusual for the sitting leader of a majority party to be subjected to a leadership vote/review of his own party without some circumstance commanding it. :shrug:

I just looked this up myself. :)

Apparently there was a caucus revolt. These things aren't very common, but certainly not unheard of. The technique is often called an 'internal coup'. That's the way Maggie Thatcher lost power.

It all seems to hinge around the proposal for a carbon tax and the shifting ground of Australian electoral politics. Rudd found himself pushing a policy his party collegues wouldn't support.

Americano

Jun 25th 2010, 12:15 PM

I just looked this up myself. :)

Apparently there was a caucus revolt. These things aren't very common, but certainly not unheard of. The technique is often called an 'internal coup'. That's the way Maggie Thatcher lost power.

It all seems to hinge around the proposal for a carbon tax and the shifting ground of Australian electoral politics. Rudd found himself pushing a policy his party collegues wouldn't support.

So rabid Australian support of US intervention in Afghanistan will remain unchanged from the Howard and then Rudd policies?

The Drunk Girl

Jun 25th 2010, 07:16 PM

What's being a #1 NBA draft choice worth in dollars?

$4,286,900. That is not including his recent shoe contract with Reebok.

Source (http://hoopshype.com/draft.htm)

Americano

Jun 25th 2010, 09:27 PM

$4,286,900. That is not including his recent shoe contract with Reebok.

Source (http://hoopshype.com/draft.htm)

That's impressive. Capitalistic ventures wouldn't be investing that kind of money without an assured return in positive margin. Good for the players legal representation, the players, investors and fans. With level of talent convertible into wealth, why would anyone possessing that degree of demand consider doing anything else? Like formal education?

Greendruid

Jun 26th 2010, 12:12 AM

I just looked this up myself. :)

Apparently there was a caucus revolt. These things aren't very common, but certainly not unheard of. The technique is often called an 'internal coup'. That's the way Maggie Thatcher lost power.

It all seems to hinge around the proposal for a carbon tax and the shifting ground of Australian electoral politics. Rudd found himself pushing a policy his party collegues wouldn't support.

I heard on the radio it also involved a tax on mining companies. Two very unpopular topics for Australian businesses I guess.

Zarquon

Jun 26th 2010, 08:16 AM

I heard on the radio it also involved a tax on mining companies. Two very unpopular topics for Australian businesses I guess.
An analysis (http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2010/06/virtues-of-standing-fast-lessons-of.html) of the event.

The Drunk Guy

Jun 26th 2010, 09:29 AM

That's impressive. Capitalistic ventures wouldn't be investing that kind of money without an assured return in positive margin. Good for the players legal representation, the players, investors and fans. With level of talent convertible into wealth, why would anyone possessing that degree of demand consider doing anything else? Like formal education?
Immaturity plagues professional athletes. Plenty of guys out there do stupid shit that nearly ends their careers, most of which happens outside the sport.

Take John Wall's new teammate, Gilbert Arenas. He 'jokingly' pulled a gun on a teammate in the locker room and ended up being suspended for almost the entire season. That's a lot of dough to lose from just being an arrogant pro athlete.

Michael Vick was the NFL's hottest quarterback until they busted his dog-fighting ring. Now he's out of prison and fighting for a starting position. Plaxico Burress took a gun into a club, shot himself in leg on accident, and is now serving two years for having a gun in the club.

Granted, you or I could live a lifetime off one year's salary from these guys, but they do not. They live as if they will be making that kind of cash for 20 years and it just doesn't happen that way.

Michael

Jun 26th 2010, 10:47 AM

An analysis (http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2010/06/virtues-of-standing-fast-lessons-of.html) of the event.

Yes, seemingly a good article, but the comments thread there (filled with Aussies) is rather critical of the article/analysis/conclusions.

Five-thirty-eight seems to be more interested in creating an Obama angle there and fitting the story for a US audience rather than doing straight analysis of the event itself.

Americano

Jun 26th 2010, 11:13 AM

Immaturity plagues professional athletes. Plenty of guys out there do stupid shit that nearly ends their careers, most of which happens outside the sport.

Take John Wall's new teammate, Gilbert Arenas. He 'jokingly' pulled a gun on a teammate in the locker room and ended up being suspended for almost the entire season. That's a lot of dough to lose from just being an arrogant pro athlete.

Michael Vick was the NFL's hottest quarterback until they busted his dog-fighting ring. Now he's out of prison and fighting for a starting position. Plaxico Burress took a gun into a club, shot himself in leg on accident, and is now serving two years for having a gun in the club.

Granted, you or I could live a lifetime off one year's salary from these guys, but they do not. They live as if they will be making that kind of cash for 20 years and it just doesn't happen that way.

I don't think immaturity is limited to public figures. They just happen to be in the spotlight.

Michael

Jun 26th 2010, 12:45 PM

I don't think immaturity is limited to public figures. They just happen to be in the spotlight.

I dunno. I think that giving multi-million dollar paychecks to 22 year old half-educated guys who are celebrated for some physical prowess on the sports field is very likely to have some socially detrimental effect on their egos and maturity level. At least more than the run of the mill average 22 year old anyway.

The spotlight of publicity is certainly a bias, but big egos, big money and young aggressive males are an obviously bad combinaiton to begin with. ;)