Comments

  1. rq says

    Some days, I just want a pair of sharp blue claws like that, too.

    Get well soon, Dalillama, You n L both!

  3. Nerd of Redhead, Dances OM Trolls says

    Got the Redhead washed and the gown and underpads changed. I’m tired. Usually I can also change all the pillowcases, top sheet, and run a load of laundry. It will have to wait. Energy level is still down. But the Redhead feels better, which is all that matters.

  4. rq says

    Nerd
    YOU feeling better matters, too. Please don’t forget that!
    (But I am glad to hear the Redhead is feeling better, too.)
    *hugs*

  10. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    timgueguen
    My thoughts exactly, according to my mother, I’m a crab!
    : p

  11. Nerd of Redhead, Dances OM Trolls says

    Nerd, echoing.
    Take of yourself.

    I am. With a couple hour sit-down and some ham/pecan pie planned over from Squidmas dinner, I think I should be able to at least change the pillow cases/top sheet this evening. Washing the linens can wait until tomorrow.

  14. cicely says

    birgerjohansson:

    Lightweight skeletons of modern humans have recent origin

    Probably explains my knees; the design was approved, but for the higher-density materials. Cheap-out on the materials, and the design Fails.
    Well, that, and they probably weren’t designed for Long Term Use, and 50-*mumble* years is pushing it past the period covered in the original Warranty.
    –
    Congrats on surviving The Relatives, rq!
    :D
    –
    gworroll!
    *pouncehug*
    I wish I could offer to help you move. :)
    –
    Nerd, the Christmas Crud seems to be going around; it seems like half my friends are feeling poorly.
    Sorry that you and the Redhead caught it.
    –
    *hugs* for Portia.
    –
    Beatrice:

    If your boundaries slam down on anyone’s toes it’s because their toes were too bloody close for their own good.

    I like this.
    May I nick it?
    –
    Hope you and L recover soon, Dalillama.
    How’s the new digs?
    –
    –
    Pretty crabby!
    :)
    –

  16. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    cicely
    *hugsback*
    –

    I gave SO his knit socks yesterday. I really expected that he suspected I was knitting socks for him. He was completely surprised and gratifyingly excited about them. Fun fun.
    –

    I’m working on rel=”nofollow” title=”toddler sweater”>this now, for my cousin’s little girl. Then to be handed down to the other cousin’s little ones one-by-one, hopefully. It’s the first time I’ve followed a pattern quite like this, so I’m pretty please with the way it’s taking shape already.

  19. says

    Nerd @3:
    Seconding rq @4.
    You matter too.
    The love and dedication you have for the Redhead is awesome. I hope you are able to squeeze some personal Nerd time in every once in a while (assuming that’s something you want).

  20. says

    I’m really glad we were busy at work tonight. I made more money than I anticipated. The only downside (and it’s not really a bad thing) is that the opportunity arose for me to put my skeptical hat on about the subject of religion…and we were too busy for me to do that! A cow-orker (sacrifice to tpyos) mentioned something about what I’d do after I die, and I said I don’t anticipate that I’ll be doing anything since I don’t believe in any afterlife. He was shocked and I told him there was no evidence of any afterlife and he said there was. All I had time for was a reiteration that there is NO evidence for any afterlife (and that the Bible doesn’t count as evidence for anything). I may ask him another day what evidence he’s referring to, bc now I’m curious what he thinks constitutes evidence for an afterlife.

  22. says

    Good morning
    Get well soon, Dalillama & L

    Nerd
    Take care of yourself. Even if you want to frame this solidly in terms of “what aout the Redhead”, which I think is wrong because you’re a wonderful person who deserves sleep and good things, too, she won’t be thriving if you burn out.

    Portia
    *hugs*
    Mothers!
    I promise that I’ll do better.

    +++
    Hmmm, you notice Christmas is over when you start to think about crafting and cooking and don’t feel the dread of “OMG I need to finish this” but the thrill of “Hey, what about making this?!”
    Also, I need something to pimp the jewlery box I ordered. I noticed that you apparently cannot have pretty and practical unless you go for something that’s either much larger than our flat allows OR much more expensive than all the jewlery I own.

  24. says

    rq
    Horrible framing all way around.
    I mean, things I deserve from him, because holidays are not something we plan together? And he doesn’t get anything out of them either? But Prague certainly is nice. San Sebastián, OTOH, is way too crowded and expensive. At least 20 years ago the beaches were dirty-dirty and the water, too. No fun.

    Which reminds me of the coffee thingy: Usually all that stuff just allows the western part of the business to make larger profits. It’s the same with the t-shirt problem: People with small budgets get shamed for buying a 5€ t-shirt. “You know that the women who make these only earn 50€ a month?!?!”. Now, this should mean that buying a 15€ t-shirt would make sure that the women sewing it make 150€ while still giving a more than triple margin of profit over the 5€ shirt, right? But in reality the 15€ shirt is made by the same women the 5€ shirt and the 50€ shirt are made by.
    No real fairness, just fair-washing.

  25. opposablethumbs says

    Good morning and as-little-Un-happy-as-possible Monday, Horde. Here’s wishing manners and tact to your aunt, Portia (though this one sounds like a wildly over-optimistic wish, and she may not recognise either manners or tact even if they tapdance on her nose and/or bite her on the posterior); rest and improving health to Nerd and the Redhead; invigorated knees to cicely; full recovery from the lurgi to Dalillama and L (how’s the new place so far?); opportunity for good conversations with cow orkers to Tony!; beautiful sniny blue claws to rq (and I hope the kids are better?); hugs to carlie, Giliell, Beatrice and good health all round to the whole Horde, may your knitting never unravel and your soldering never come unstuck. I’ll take a side of good health myself (still an ongoing project) and I’d really like some blue claws too.

  26. blf says

    The title is awful but the article is rather interesting, Stegosaurus gets a Hollywood makeover:

    Computer modelling allows us a fresh look at the Natural History Museum’s rare new dinosaur

    Any small child, including my dinosaur-mad three-year-old nephew, can tell you that Stegosaurus was a large, lumbering, plant-eating dinosaur with large bony plates, menacing tail spikes and a tiny brain. But despite it being one of the most recognisable dinosaurs, most of what we know about these 150m-year-old creatures comes from flat, two-dimensional fossils discovered in the 1880s and known as the “road kill” specimens. There are still many unknowns about things as fundamental as the creature’s weight, what types of plants it ate and what it used those bizarre plates along its back for. We may now get closer to answering some of these questions now that the Natural History Museum in London has acquired, thanks to a group of generous donors, the best-preserved Stegosaurus specimen in the world.

    The new Stegosaurus, which was unveiled to the public on 4 December, was found in Wyoming and is unusual in that 80–85% of its body has been preserved. The dinosaur was buried in such a way that its bones did not squash together but remained separate and three-dimensional, so it can be reconstructed in 3D like a giant Meccano set, and positioned in a lifelike pose. […] Finding high-quality remains of Stegosaurus is particularly difficult as, despite being one of the first dinosaurs to be discovered in 1877, they were quite rare. “These dinosaurs weren’t common, so if you were on a safari in the late Jurassic of North America, they would have been an interesting spot,” says Professor Paul Barrett of the Natural History Museum. […]

    This particular specimen is apparently a juvenile, being only about “5.6 metres long and 2.9 metres tall, Sophie is relatively small compared with the largest of her species, which measured up to nine metres.”

  27. blf says

    This was either a desperate attempt to make soccer interesting, or else the groundskeeper was munching on some cheese and hence being chased by the mildly deranged penguin whilst Yakety Sax was playing on the PA.

  28. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    Giliell:

    I mean, things I deserve from him, because holidays are not something we plan together?

    Agreed…gag on that whole little intro. “Pick one for your special lady” …ew. Just ew.

    I get what you mean about the projects thing…it’s definitely taking place in my life right now. So fun to have a deadline-free project.

    opposablethumbs:
    I hope you feel better/shake the virus/get the health you’re looking for. *hugs*
    My aunt has the boundaries that my mother does, apparently. It’s kind of astonishing to me.

  30. Ray, rude-ass yankee "I'd have gotten away with it if it wasn't for you meddling kids!" says

    Tony! The Queer Shoop@19, Touchdown!
    Or it’s a baby and saying” it was thiiiis big”

    blf@26, Very cool.

  33. says

    Giliell,
    Jewelry box – since I have no idea what it is made of or looks like – how about a lovely embroidered cloth cover for the lid? You do lots of work for other people, you need something for you.

    Sink – oh dear, I’m sorry, that really sucks. I hate it when something like that is discovered. [hugs]

    Hugs for all and sundry, hot tea shortly.

  34. Nick Gotts says

    Giliell@32,

    My sympathies; I hope the rot is purely local. Nearly 20 years ago, my wife bought a house for us and we moved in. A couple of days later, I noticed a mushroom/toadstool growing out of the bathroom floor, just beside the loo. The period betwen that discovery, and finding out that the rot had not spread through the whole house, is one I wouldn’t care to go through again!

  35. Nick Gotts says

    what it used those bizarre plates along its back for – blf@26

    My theory (which is mine, and belongs to me), is that they are not really part of the skeleton; it was used as a plate-rack by brighter dinosaurs after they’d done the washing-up.

  36. blf says

    It got so cold yesterday I that when I came down from the warm sleeping lair to the main floor, I was starting to shiver — so I decided it was time to turn on the rest of the heating (not just in the sleeping lair) and close the unreachable skylight. No problem turning on the heat, once you work out which way the bloody plugs go and decipher the controls, which are different on each heater. And don’t mind the smell of roasting dust.

    The unreachable skylight is another matter. It is, well, unreachable. Unless you know a friendly yeti. The neighbours, however, are out-of-town, probably enjoying the unexpected snowstorm in the French Alps.

    Ok, the trick to doing it myself then is: Get a high bar stool. Set it at the very edge of the stairs. Climb up on it. Stand up on it. Reach up on tiptoes. Just barely grasp the lever, wrestle it free (on tiptoes on a bar stool at the top of the stairs) and close the skylight. Now climb down, trying very hard to not to look down the stairs as you realize the barstool is more wobbly then it seemed. Rather more wobbly. In fact, quite a bit more wobbly.

    Ignore mild panic attack as you imagine yerself falling off the stool, rolling down the stairs chased by the barstool, sliding across the cold tile floor to bounce off the far wall and rebound into the spiral staircase down the door. Which is either open or fails to stop the fun, allowing you to continue rolling, sliding, and bouncing down to the front door. Which for some unfathomable reason, is open. So you slide out into the street with sufficient momentum you ricochet off the opposite building, tumble (or more likely, slide on yer face) down the street, across the esplanade, and without a SPLASH! manage to miss the Mediterranean Sea and instead plop onto one of the docked fisherman’s boats.

  37. blf says

    Also, when making some risotto for lunch, try to not confused the intended unlabeled jar of sesame seeds with the unintended labeled jar of peppercorns. It was going to be a spicy anyways, I just didn’t expect that many whole peppercorns.

  38. rq says

    The Benefits of Being Cold: honestly, they haven’t factored in the increased chocolate-and-pastry consumption that the cold brings upon such people as me. If I wore an ice vest, I’d also open a patisserie specializing in only chocolate-covered and -filleld croissants, with the occasional eclair thrown in – and I’d be my own best (and only) customer). So nice try, Mr Hayes, but not nice enough.

  39. blf says

    [The plates] are not really part of the skeleton; [Stegosaurus] was used as a plate-rack by brighter dinosaurs after they’d done the washing-up.

    So the Thagomizer is really a towel rack?

  40. says

    Nick
    The rot is purely in the cupboard. The house is a 1960’s steel concrete thing and those on the floor below haven’t complained about a wet ceiling. I guess the poor cupboard absorbed most of it, always a few ml at a time…

    blf
    Ouch. Since I tried to clean some thing on top of the kitchen counter and missed the chair climbing down, I don’t do that kind of thing anymore. But it was also an amazing experience in personal time, because although it cannot have been more than a second from missing the chair to landing on my butt, I have a very clear memory of that very long time…

    +++
    Hmpf.
    Sink refused my attempts to repair it. Thankfully I’m married to a plumber’s son.

  41. carbonfox says

    I just finished my first semester at graduate school (master’s in geology, theoretically a 2-year program but most of the students take 3-4 years) and although I have performed satisfactorily, I hate it and am seriously considering quitting. I’m finding that the 12-hour minimum days with no holidays are starting to take a toll on my mental and physical health, exacerbating preexisting conditions. I’ve lost all interest in a career in the field (I don’t like traveling and being away from my spouse and cat, for example). I miss having time to spend on my hobbies or see family (they live far away, and I don’t feel like I can use the Thanksgiving/winter “breaks” to see them when I have work to do). I watch my advisor work 16-hour days, every day of the week (she’ll be emailing me at 2 am on Saturday). One of our younger professors had to take a leave of absence due to stress-related cardiac issues. I see this, and I don’t want to be like them. I don’t want to watch my student loans balloon even more.

    I understand that feelings of despair are a fairly normal occurrence in graduate school, so should I just stay the course? How does one know whether they’re experiencing normal grad school blues or if they’re truly just not suited to the work? I’m a somewhat non-traditional student and have experience working full time “in the real world”, so I don’t have any illusions about what a “normal” job would be like. Furthermore, as my advisor’s only student, I feel that my leaving would put her in a bind, so I drudge on out of a sense of duty and guilt (or I probably would have already quit). Thanks so much for your input!

  42. blf says

    This is about a year old now, and I don’t recall seeing it at the time, but it is hilarious, How same-sex marriage causes floods:

    A UKIP [British facist party] councillor recently caused controversy by saying gay marriage was responsible for the severe UK floods. However, scientific analysis reveals that he may have been more correct than most people think

    UKIP councillor David Silvester recently caused controversy when he said the recent serious floods in the UK were the direct result of the legalisation of gay marriage, resulting in his suspension from the party. It is easy to assume that his comments are the result or prejudice, bigotry, idiocy, blind hatred, suppressed yearnings or a failure to understand weather, logic or the fact that we live in a universe where the laws of physics aren’t something you can make up to suit your views. […]

    Logically, same-sex marriage leads to an increase in the number of weddings. Weddings invariably involve a large number of people congregating in one place, which leads to a lot of body heat and warming, and this heat enters the atmosphere, increasing the air temperature and producing more warm fronts. People also cry a lot at weddings. This is likely to be even more pronounced at same-sex weddings, with the added element of recently achieved equality making the events even more poignant. Tears are basically water, which quickly evaporate, thus adding to the water content of the atmosphere. Weddings also typically involve a lot of alcohol, which makes people colder, meaning they’re more likely to turn on heating systems when they arrive home, releasing more heat and CO2 into the atmosphere.

    All of this leads to an increase in rainfall. But these are only the direct consequences of same-sex marriages; they can have an even greater effect indirectly.

    It would be difficult to deny that a lot of people don’t like homosexuals for no logical reason. For proof of this, you can probably just read some of the inevitable comments below this article. But gay people do tend to make chunks of the population unreasonably angry. Increased rainfall is a likely consequence of the amount of steam shooting from the ears of people like Councillor Silvester […] whenever homosexuals have their rights recognised by the majority of people. Such a sudden influx of infuriated water-vapour into the air can only have negative consequences in a chaotic climate like the UK’s. […]

  43. says

    carbonfox
    Sorry to hear that it’s not what you hoped it would be. You’ll do the best for yourself and your family.

    +++
    Anne
    It’s basically a black faux leather box. I’ll pimp it with lots of free standing lace and hot fix crystals (I love hot fix crystals).

  44. Holms says

    Am I the only one wondering what happened to A Veil and a Dark place? I seem to be behind the curve when it comes to FTB news.

  45. says

    Yes, the federal minimum wage in the USA should be higher, but in the meantime many states are going around the Feds and raising the minimum wage on their own. Some states have done so already, and now the good news is that more states are following suit. This, along with keep-pace-with-inflation bumps, is good news for low income workers. Not great news, but good news.

    The minimum wage will rise in 20 states and the District of Columbia on Thursday, as laws and automatic adjustments are made with the start of the new year.

    In nine states, the hike will be automatic, an adjustment made to keep the minimum wage in line with rising inflation. But in 11 states and D.C., the rise is the result of legislative action or voter-approved referenda, according to the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute. Two more states — Delaware and Minnesota — will get legislatively driven hikes later in the year, while New York will raise its minimum wage on Dec. 31. Twenty-nine states will have minimum wages above the federal minimum of $7.25.

    The size of the hikes range from 12 cents in Florida to $1.25 in South Dakota. Among those states hiking the minimum wage, Washington state’s will be highest at $9.47. Oregon’s is next at $9.25., followed by Vermont and Connecticut at $9.15. Massachusetts and Rhode Island will have $9 minimum wages.

    Of the states where the minimum wage is rising due to legislative or voter action, five — Alaska, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, Vermont — and D.C. will also newly implement inflation indexing, bringing the number of states that tie future minimum wage hikes to inflation to 15.

    The minimum wage hikes will have a direct impact for nearly 2.3 million workers who currently earn less per hour than the new minimum wage. […]

    Link.

  46. says

    A gay couple responds to vandalism:

    To the individual who scrawled the word “FAGGOTS” into our door:

    We regret to inform you that you completely failed to use glitter paint and/or sequins, your work looked rushed, and your handwriting was positively atrocious.

    It is for these reasons that we had to remove your work from our door with sandpaper.

    Fabulously yours,

    The Gays in Apt. 611

    Link.

  47. says

    Good news, some rightwing litigants are losing their lawsuits filed against President Obama’s executive actions on immigration:

    U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell dismissed a challenge brought by Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio and backed by conservative legal activist Larry Klayman. Howell ruled that Arpaio had not shown the direct harm from Obama’s actions needed to institute a lawsuit in the federal courts.

    Politico link.

    […] Howell, an Obama appointee, explained in her ruling, “The role of the Judiciary is to resolve cases and controversies properly brought by parties with a concrete and particularized injury — not to engage in policymaking better left to the political branches. The plaintiff’s case raises important questions regarding the impact of illegal immigration on this Nation, but the questions amount to generalized grievances which are not proper for the Judiciary to address.”

    The outcome was hardly a surprise. The challenge for the White House’s critics is that it’s tough to establish standing in a case like this — going to federal court and complaining that you don’t like an executive action isn’t the same thing as demonstrating harm as a result of the action. […] Maddow Blog link.
    Don’t we all just love Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio? /sarcasm

    Schadenfreude experience to see the courts shut Arpaio down this time.

    Also nice t see an Obama appointee being reasonable in her ruling.

  49. says

    Hello everyone,

    I was off internet for several days, am totally ‘rupt, so I apologize for these somewhat impersonal general hugs and toffee popcorn offerings.

    At the bank this morning, the teller asked about my new-years celebration plans. I answered sort of flippantly with “at home with Netflix and knitting.” And the more I think about it, the more I like the plan.

    Anyhoo, just checking in, hope I’ll be able to keep up better here. Y’all are a great bunch of folks.

  50. jrfdeux, mode d'emploi says

    carbonfox #41

    I’m so sorry that you’re going through this. I felt much the same when I did my MBA. I would imagine you and your classmates experienced very much the same thing I did with my cohort. Imagine a room full of type-A personalities who are used to excelling at everything they do in their professional lives, reduced to a morose, stressed out, despairing mass of insecurity. In the end fewer than half of the starting candidates made it, IIRC. I don’t think any of us thought we’d graduate.

    First, you should ask yourself why you’re doing this. Then ask yourself if that’s enough to get you through the program. I did my MBA to increase my chances of gainful employment in a very competitive field, so that I could provide a decent life for my family. I did it for my kids, ultimately, so that I could give them more opportunities in life. It was a powerful motivator for me, and helped me get through the toughest courses.

    If your reasons for earning a Masters in Geology (I’m envious by the way, its my favourite science, and I wish I finished my BSc) are good enough for you to continue, but you’re still overwhelmed with ambivalence, you could try creating a Pros and Cons list. List under the Pros column all the benefits of taking and completing the degree. Under the Cons column, list all of the negatives. Perhaps assign some weight to each Pro and Con, from 1 to 3, 3 being the weightiest, 1 being trivial. Add them all up and compare the totals. That might help crystallize your feelings.

  51. Nerd of Redhead, Dances OM Trolls says

    Got a good nights sleep, and feel much perkier today. Part way back to normality–what ever that is.

  52. rq says

    carbonfox
    You mention it’s a 2-year program that can take up to 4 years, is there anyway to lengthen your process by reducing some of the workload/stress in any way? Or would lengthening your studies just increase general stress (considering your family circumstances)?
    Also, is travelling obligatory for the job afterward (since this seems to be a consideration)? Any geology-type stuff you can do locally? While Dana Hunter herself isn’t a (professional) geologist, she knows quite a few people who are – might it be useful to get in touch with her / some of them, just to talk about prospects sans travel? Also, what are the prospects of taking spouse and kids along on (reasonably local) trips for work in the summer, etc.? (Apologies if this is something you have already considered.)
    Either way, it sounds like a really stressful time and I hope you figure out something that works for you, your family, and your finances!
    Do you accept *hugs*? If yes, I have some for you.

    Nerd
    Yay! Hope everyone’s health and energy levels continue improving.
    Also, normalcy is an illusion.

  55. says

    New place is pretty good; the heater in the living room doesn’t work all the way (currently waiting to find out what sort of replacement we’re getting), and the fridge has a horrible problem with condensation, which I anticipated being fixed today, per a conversation I had last week with the appliance company, who mentioned things happening today at 10. Apparently, that thing was the phone call to arrange an actual repair appointment, not the repair appointment itself, which is tomorrow between 12 and 2. I am somewhat peeved.

    carbonfox
    *hugs* and best wishes, whatever you decide.

  56. cicely says

    Tony!:

    I may ask him another day what evidence he’s referring to, bc now I’m curious what he thinks constitutes evidence for an afterlife.

    I’m guessing, near-death experiences (ignoring the out-right fraud), and possibly dreams. IOW, wishing it to be so, and grasping at any straws that are presented.
    –
    27

  57. Tapetum says

    Two more days and the parents go home, and I can take a break from being the conspiracy central switchboard!

    Dalillama – Glad the new place seems to be working and the problems seem to have solutions on the horizon (if not quite when you anticipated them).

    carbonfox – ooh, tough call. Good luck with making a decision that works for you and yours.

    Good health and good luck to everyone – I probably won’t be back on here until the New Year, given parents, and that tomorrow is an infusion and CT day for the husbeast. Keep your fingers crossed that there’s no growth or spread!

  58. rq says

    Tapetum
    Conspiracy central switchboard? Ah, but the books you could write…! ;)
    Here’s to a benign visit to the medical institutions tomorrow! Hope it all results as well as can be! *puts out a jar of thumbs to hold in free moments*

  59. blf says

    Conspiracy central switchboardes aren’t used much anymore, widely replaced by Nsa central warehouses. “We listen so you’d have to.”

  60. blf says

    Bah! Try again…
    Conspiracy central switchboardes aren’t used much anymore, widely replaced by Nsa central warehouses. “We listen so you don’t have to.”

  64. carlie says

    I’ve done nothing but complain lately, so I feel I should share the fantastic afternoon we just had. :)
    I mentioned that Child 1 ordered a recurve bow for Christmas and we realized he can’t do it in the backyard yadda yadda?
    Called one place about an indoor range, they were closed but said to call place B. Now, Place B had been one that I had seen online, but seemed to be all compound hunting focused only so I had pre-crossed them off my list. The bow came in early this afternoon, so we went out to place B a short while later to check it out and ask about shooting etc. Turns out it’s only 15 minutes from the house, and the guy couldn’t have been nicer – told us that the indoor range is only $5 a day, let us know when the were generally open, and then said that there is a group of guys who do recurve shooting who all get together Monday nights for an informal group shoot and that they were happy to have new guys come in to learn. So we went home and got the bow, came back, and Child 1 had awhile by himself in the range to get the feel of the bow and get comfortable with shooting before anyone showed up. Then the guys started showing up, and they could not have been a nicer bunch. The first one loaned Child some good arrows and helped him a little with his stance, another came in and reset the nocking point at the right spot for him, in all there were about 8 guys there, from about late 20s to mid 60s, and all of them were so nice to him. They had him shoot with them for target practice, and he held his own; he got closer to the target than the rest of them a couple of times, and everybody had a few off hits now and then so he was well within the standard deviation at least half of the time. He had a wonderful time, and they’re all expecting him to come back next week and are bringing other types of arrows for him to test so we can figure out the right size/weight for him. I couldn’t be more thrilled; life’s been so sucky lately, and this was one of those things where it all works out absolutely perfectly. Way better than if he had just set up in the backyard. So, one great day. :)

  66. carbonfox says

    Thanks for the hugs and advice, everyone! Although I’m still mulling over what to do, your thoughts were very helpful and greatly appreciated.

    I’m about to pass out and I’m not sure I’ll be around again before the New Year, so I hope everybody has a great week and Happy Holidays! :-D

  67. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    carlie
    That makes me teary with happiness for you. *hugs* What a wonderful outcome for something that was looking like a bummer.

  68. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    carbonfox:
    I stayed quiet because I don’t have any good advice, but I hope you find a path that gives you as much peace and happiness as possible.

    –

    So my cousin picked a boring theme for the NYE game night…the 90s. So…I’m trying to think of a funny way to do it. Maybe go with 1890s and pretend i misunderstood?

  69. cicely says

    Damn, Giliell; that sucks about your sink.
    I hope the damage is less extensive than you fear, and less expensive to fix.
     
    (Later)

    The rot is purely in the cupboard.

    *whew!*
    –
    blf: Boo for the smell of roasting dust (there are no edible cuts), and *gasp!* for the Unreachable Skylight Caper.
    –
    rq, the author of the piece you linked can just fuck right off. Inability to feel ones toes until the Spring Thaw supplies no advantage—and I thought sleep was supposed to be a good thing; but if my toes are too cold, sleep is not happening.
    And all that hard shivering really jacks up my shoulders and knees.
     
    (Later)
    Oooh! Hippo races and the Vienna Boys’ Choir! And tomorrow is Tuesday!
    *stripping nekkid*
    –
    Hi, carbonfox; Welcome In!
    I have no personal experience from which to advise you. Sorry.
    –
    Lynna:

    Good news, some rightwing litigants are losing their lawsuits filed against President Obama’s executive actions on immigration

    *applause*

    Schadenfreude experience to see the courts shut Arpaio down this time.

    *applause&whistling*
    –
    Nerd:

    ot a good nights sleep, and feel much perkier today. Part way back to normality–what ever that is.

    Excellent!
    –
    Dalillama, I hope you can get a prompt replacement for your heater; this is no time of year to be caught with a malfunctional heater! Sounds like the fridge situation is under control, at least…and however slowly.
    –
    *tentacles crossed* on behalf of your husbeast, Tapetum.
    –
    carlie, I’m so glad that you found such a good solution to the archery problem…and that Child 1 had such a great time.
    :)
    –
    Portia:

    So my cousin picked a boring theme for the NYE game night…the 90s. So…I’m trying to think of a funny way to do it. Maybe go with 1890s and pretend i misunderstood?

    *snortlechortlerofl*
    Do iiiiiiiiiit!!!
    (*whispered*
    Back to the Future Part III came out in 1990…or, possibly, a mis-set date on your steampunk time machine?)
    –

  70. cicely says

    Oooh! Both!
    See, you were aiming for 1990 because you have a claim on the royalties from the BttF movies, ’cause they totally nicked the plot from your memoirs about your adventures in your steampunk time machine!
    –

  71. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    cicely:
    ^_^ thanks for the bonus ideas :D

    –

    SO’s sister has it in her head (along with her husband) that SO’s parent’s finances and SO’s finances are a subject for a Family meeting and SO has all these ideas about making sure his parents are “financially and emotionally secure” and I was just being so excited about the prospect of him getting some distance from that boundary-free world where they suck him dry of every ounce of emotional energy he has and and and …gah. Fuck. Just fuckall.

  72. says

    carlie re: bow use

    I’m glad you found a place for your son to indulge his interests. With people who will encourage those interests. There is a profound disappointment when you get interested in something and there is no way to even find out if it may be something that could matter. You know, like science and girls. :) – wait, smiley is wrong. Is there a version for smirk/snark?

    carbonfox

    Yeah, others have put it better. Pros and Cons is a good way to try to figure it out. If you can manage it, time to take a few deep breaths and decide if the ultimate bonus is worth all the crap.

    Tony and other comic book fans, maybe.

    I finally got around with my busy month to throwing up a post on my blog (Yes, I meant to say that). It’s my thoughts about comic book movies. Probably incomplete, but I can always clarify in comments if it comes up. (Link is in my nym for those who might be intereseted.)

  73. says

    Portia 71

    Ah, dammit. I’d like to know where the idea that Person A’s finances are anyone’s business outside of those who Person A decides to tell. Family or not. I don’t ask or presume for my dad’s or my sister’s finances, and I don’t expect them to inquire about mine. Although a meeting about elderly parents finances is not necessarily out of line if there is clearly a problem.

    Hey, I would be fine with my SO (OK, my wife) wanting to make sure her parents are taken care of, but it isn’t up to her siblings to make that happen regardless of what my SO (wife) wants.

    Is there anything in there that you can reword and use or otherwise work with? I can clarify if it would help.

  74. says

    I hope I don’t get dinged for this, but I don’t understand the theme for the, I’m guessing, New Year’s Eve game night. Is it games from the 90s, or games that might have 90s ideas/parts?

  75. rq says

    Portia
    The 90s? The 90s??? Well, at least it’s a bit specific – I went to a party where the theme was the 20th century… yeah. Lots of inspiration there! :P As for you, wrap yourself in a Twister sheet and bring a hacky-sack. :P
    Regarding the finances, I think, with parental permission, SO and SO’s sister should be fine discussing their parents’ finances, in that ‘this is how things are’ way. And this is strictly without you or SO sister’s husband present. YOU two get to hear about it afterward, or get involved if and only if your advice is required. (I hate the idea that it’s ‘SO’s sister and her husband’ pushing this conversation.)
    As for SO’s finances, this is a subject that applies to him (and considering his SOness, to you as well), and it is nobody else’s business. I get all itchy when people ask how much things cost and want to talk about housing prices, or how much we paid for this and that item (esp. family members, it always turns into a big deal – too much, too little, and the conversation always ends with me feeling we did something wrong – plus I know the information will go elsewhere). And it’s The Worst when they ask about how much money we make or how much we pay in bills. I’m willing to discuss the relative price of electricity, but somehow I don’t really want to say how much we spend in a month on those damn economic lightbulbs.
    Also what ajb47 said.

  76. says

    Good morning
    Plans for today include preparing stuff for tomorrow.
    Like the pie crust and filling. Whoever linked the boozy fruit pies, thank you. I found them sufficiently Irish to make them instead of the apple pie, because I think with chowder and griddle cakes I will fulfill the potatoe quota without having a potatoe based pie crust as well (though it’s delicious).
    Ever since we had kids our New Years Eve is my two BFFs coming over plus BFF J’s husband and sometimes other friends/family. It’s the one night where I can really run wild with dinner plans. Usually it’s a country-themed dinner. Last year was Spain (assorted jamón and tapas, paella, crema catalana), this year it’s Ireland (Irish stew served under a crust of puff pastry with griddle cakes, seafood chowder, fruit pies with ice cream, cream and Irish coffee)

    +++
    carlie
    I haz envy
    Glad you found a welcoming place for your son and his bow. I have a nice longbow. Somewhere.

    +++
    Portia
    Oh dear.
    As others said, I do understand the desire to talk about things that potentially affect all members of a family. My in law’s situation is hanging like some Damokles’ sword over our head, because in Germany, if your parents’ income isn’t enough to pay for their nursing care, the kids are financially responsible.
    BUT that’s a different framing than “I want to talk about your and our parents’ financial situation”

    +++
    cicely
    Not my house, not my sink, not my problem. We called the housing company, they’re sending somebody.

    +++
    Which takes me to:
    How do those people think the world works?
    Mr called them about the sink and informed them that the company they have hired to clean the snow didn’t do their job at the weekend. The reply was “well, they can’t be everywhere at the same time, you have to take care when you walk.”
    Ehm, no. Really, no. If you’re either not aware of the legal framework or don’t care about the legal framework you’re being criminally negligent.
    They’ll get our complaint in writing.

  78. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    Dalillama:
    I had meant to ask earlier about your new digs. Hope the heater and fridge are fixed quickly and in a way that inspires confidence in the management.

    ajb47:
    1990s fashion. :) And slang, based on reading the facebook post containing hte theme announcement. (I wanted historical figure theme…I guess I’m not very hip ;) )

    As to the family, yeah, I get wanting to make sure elderly parents are taken care of. SO’s sister and her husband are financial planners for a living, so it does make some sense. It’s just…SO thinks he needs to tell his dad that he’s leaving his dad’s business. He has told his dad that he applied for other jobs…in the last two weeks…it feels masochistic and he really really likes his BIL and would do basically anything BIL thinks is a good idea. I don’t think SO needs to be dragged into this because he has enough guilt and stress about his parents situation that is unfairly put on him. What concerns me is I don’t think there’s good odds of SO not coming out of it with another panic attack….I asked what he thinks is a good outcome and he answers “For everyone to feel happy and secure” basically and a handful of other things over which SO has no control. His parents are not going to be happy, and he has said he knows that, and yet that’s his goal. I just feel helpless. Of course, I am. When has it ever helped to tell anyone how much better you know than them, instead of trying to understand their perspective about things and go from there? By which I mean, I shouldn’t have tried to talk him out of this…

    rq:
    ha! I almost would prefer the bredth of theme, more fun to be had ^_^
    I feel like SO is relieved to have BIL involved, see above. I also suspect that BIL is driving the whole thing, he calls SO’s parents “mom and dad” and has a strong personality. I don’t think he’s necessarily too out of line in general, but I do resent him dragging SO into it…but then I’m probably selfish and have my quota of panic attacks I can help manage without having a few myself…
    I feel like SO is relieved that he doesn’t have to talk to his parents himself about his own stuf fwith them related to the job, and I think that’s not great because it may result in him not taking that step towards a real grown up relationship with his parents that I was hoping would happen.

    Giliell:
    I wish I could pop over for dinner :)
    I do understand the impulse for this, but yeah…the approach makes me queasy. I do really really like the sister and BIL, though, I really do.

    blf:
    Thank you for a new addition to the list of smartass ideas to respond to this party theme…
    —
    Now to finally get up and drink that coffee that automatically brewed itself about 35 minutes ago and has been patiently waiting for me to get my butt outta bed.

  80. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    Giliell:
    Thanks:)
    Also:

    complaint in writing

    That’s the spirit! :D They better get their shit in order.

  82. rq says

    Holms
    No, it just seems to have disappeared even though it appears on the sidebar. :/ I checked it yesterday (or tried).

  83. Yellow Thursday says

    Portia @78

    1990s fashion.

    So, jeans and flannel over a t-shirt?

    In other news, I have a date tonight! I’m a little nervous. I keep trying to remind myself it’s just dinner. But after being (mostly) exclusive with my ex for 20 years (my entire adult life), it’s a huge step for me. Moving out of my comfort zone. I’ll try to keep myself busy with work today so I don’t fret too much.

  84. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    Yellow Thursday:
    That’s what SO suggested, ha. I think it’s where I’ll end up, even though I’d like to be more creative.
    –

    Good luck with the date, I hope it’s lovely, or at least that it feels good afterward to have taken the step.

  85. says

    Portia

    I’m with Yellow Thursday, I didn’t know there was any 1990s fashion. Black Metallica T-shirt maybe.

    Yellow Thursday

    Good luck. If you make sure you only talk about yourself, order the most expensive thing on the menu while assuming your date will pay, and talk about the minutiae of accounting or actuarial math, you’ll be fine. Oh, and bring a puppet or ventriloquist’s dummy shaped like your date.

  88. says

    carlie
    Hooray for things working out so swimmingly for the kid! :D

    Portia
    Here’s another vote for “misunderstanding” for 1890s.

    Giliell

    I’m also quite sure that food would be more than enough for an additional guest or 5…

    Let me just go get a passport…

    Yellow Thursday
    What fun! I hope it all goes well for you.

  89. says

    Rosemary-Parmesan biscuits: done
    Griddle cake mass: done
    Fruit tartlets filling: done
    Pie crust: in fridge
    Sink and drain: repaired
    Seems like the main ingredients for the feast are potatoes, butter and whiskey.
    Let’s call it success.

    Though I must say that Greta’s Pangalactic Gargle Blaster left me with ideas about a space/SF themed dinner. More like a buffet, with squid rings as rings of Saturn, meatballs as asteroid fields, baked potatoes as meteors…

    Yellow Thursday
    Good luck and have fun!

  91. blf says

    Now to finally get up and drink that coffee that automatically brewed itself about 35 minutes ago and has been patiently waiting for me to get my butt outta bed.

    If you have a clock and computer in bed with you. but not the espresso machine (or cheeseboard), you lead a very sad (and perhaps lonely) life.
    </snark>

  92. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    Now to finally get up and drink that coffee that automatically brewed itself about 35 minutes ago and has been patiently waiting for me to get my butt outta bed.

    If you have a clock and computer in bed with you. but not the espresso machine (or cheeseboard), you lead a very sad (and perhaps lonely) life.

    Excellent point…my bedroom set-up could use an upgrade….

  93. blf says

    Hum, “1990s fashion”… Ye Pffffft! of All Knowledge says:

    The fashion in the 1990s was the genesis of a sweeping shift in the western world: the beginning of the adoption of tattoos, body piercings aside from ear piercing and to a lesser extent, other forms of body modification such as branding. This brought back the indifferent, anti-conformist approach to fashion, leading to the popularisation of the casual chic look; this included T-shirts, jeans, hoodies, and trainers, a trend which continued into the 2000s.

    Overall, the 1990s saw a return to the minimalist fashion of the 1950s and 1970s, contrasted to the more elaborate and flashy trends of the 1980s. Additionally, fashion trends throughout the decade recycled styles from previous decades, notably the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

    I have essentially no idea what any of the above means. It might as well be written in *(%^&,2-urrghj. The second paragraph is particularly puzzling, “fashion” is always recycled, except the original bizarre idea of clothing (albeit that idea was recycled furs and skin).

    In contrast, 1890s fashion was more important (emphasis added):

    Fashion in the 1890s in European and European-influenced countries is characterized by long elegant lines, tall collars, and the rise of sportswear. It was an era of great dress reforms led by the invention of the drop-frame safety bicycle, which allowed women the opportunity to ride bicycles more comfortably, and therefore, created the need for appropriate clothing.

    Basically, bifurcated not-nude women-in-public dates from about then, due to technology: The modern bicycle.

  94. opposablethumbs says

    carlie, that is the greatest news – I’m really glad for Child1!
    And hoping it goes/went well, Yellow Thursday!
    Sorry things are so complicated wrt S’s family, Portia. Thinking maybe I’m sort of lucky that my OH’s family are a continent away, though that comes with its own sequelae :-(

  97. blf says

    The quagga now standing on three legs is next in line for Bone Idol restoration:

    Skeleton of zebra’s extinct cousin is treasured exhibit of Grant Museum of Zoology at University College London

    The creature standing rather unsteadily in a zoology museum in London is among the rarest in the world, and frankly she’s not looking her best.

    The quagga in the Grant Museum, part of University College London, is one of only seven remaining quagga skeletons anywhere, a cousin of the zebra which became extinct in 1883. […]

    Quaggas looked like zebras which had forgotten to put on their pyjama trousers, half stripey, half plain brown. Once plentiful on the South African plains, quaggas were hunted both for their unusual skins and by stock keepers to reduce competition for food. London Zoo once had one, but it was only realised that the animal was extinct when the quagga in Amsterdam died on 12 August 1883. The zoo sent out hunters to bring back a new one and found there were none.

    I’d always(?) thought Quaggas died out long before that, and also didn’t realize long pigs were probably responsible for their extinction.

    The bones came into the Grant collection in the late 19th century, and the skeleton was mounted […] by museum technicians in 1911, but not very well. The bones were bolted onto a hand-forged iron frame, in some places by driving screws straight through fragile bones. Something unpleasantly treacle-like has oozed out around the breast bones.

    Even the most eagle-eyed visitors rarely spot that all the bones of the neck were actually mounted upside down, but many do notice that she only has three legs: the museum in the Rockefeller Building in University Street is still a teaching collection, and at some point the missing leg was loaned and never returned.

    “The files are full of copies of letters from my predecessors saying: ‘Have you by any chance got our quagga leg and if so can we have it back?’” museum manager Jack Ashby said.

    It took a very long time for the museum to realise what a treasure it had; there are many oddities in a collection which only three years ago discovered it had half a dodo in a drawer, filed as a crocodile [link corrected from borked original].

    […]

    “To be fair to them, they had no idea they were dealing with such a rarity,” Ashby said. “She came into the collection as a zebra. It’s one of the Grant’s more embarrassing stories, actually. We used to have two zebras, now we have none.”

    It was only in 1972 that experts took a really close look at the zebras. One turned out to be a donkey […] and the other was revealed as the quagga.

    […] Meanwhilem [sic] the search for her fourth leg goes on.

    The half-a-Dodo is also rather interesting:

    Half a dodo has turned up in an Edwardian wooden box in a drawer at one of Britain’s oldest natural history collections.

    Not much surprises the staff at the Grant Museum, where the contents include an old sweet jar full to the brim with pickled baby moles, their paws pressed pathetically against the glass, and the skull and antlers of an extinct species of giant deer which some academics bought straight off the wall of an Irish pub.

    However, even they were a little startled when the dodo turned up, stored with a mass of crocodile bones.

    “They do have common characteristics, crocodiles and birds,” Jack Ashby, the museum’s learning access manager, said. “It was an understandable mistake.”

    […]

  101. Yellow Thursday says

    Tony! @99

    No…your most blasphemous flannel.

    I hope I’m not the only one imagining plaid flannel with upside-down crosses incorporated into the pattern. :D

  104. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    I just realized the reason the 1990s is so boring to me as a theme is because it’s a blank slate for me: I was a sheltered homeschooled kid during that period. I had basically zero knowledge of popular culture or fashion. Totes unfair.

  107. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    Giliell:
    Right, that’s the other big part of it. It’s just clothes, because it’s what people were wearing. Plus, as evidenced by blf’s quotes above, it wasn’t particularly…noticeable as far as fashion goes. Tshirts and jeans…woop dee doo.

  108. says

    opposablethumbs @106, That Guardian article identifies Hayden, Idaho as “politically conservative.” That’s a bit of an understatement.

    […] many Americans, influenced by a deluge of media reports over the years, continue to associate Idaho with neo-Nazis, the Aryan Nations and the latter’s founder, Richard Butler.

    In moving to North Idaho, Butler brought with him his leadership role in a white-supremacy-based religion known as Christian Identity—a position he assumed with the passing of his predecessor and mentor, Wesley Swift. Butler didn’t move to Idaho to quietly retire, but as a racist-activist, living in the public limelight and using it to attract followers. To some extent, he met his retirement goals.

    […] Butler said he moved to North Idaho because of its remoteness and cheap real estate. He wanted to get away “from the mongrel masses,” he explained in one of his racist anecdotes. […]

    https://thebluereview.org/most-say-aryan-nations/

    Hayden and the surrounding areas are still scary. Too many über conservative white supremacist types … plus a sizable population of mormons, some of whom are polygamists.

  109. blf says

    Portia, Please note that those quotes above have a very strong “Western” bias. For all I know, “interesting” things might have been recycled in, say, Mongolian, Kenyan, and nudist fashion.

  112. says

    The USA is #1 in a very bad way, #1 on a list where you don’t want to be #1.

    In 2012, the United States ranked worst in the developed world for the percentage of its workers in low-paying jobs. That’s according to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development data. […]

    Shortly before the Great Depression in the late 1920s, the bottom 90 percent held a mere 16 percent of U.S. wealth. The top 0.1 percent controlled 25 percent of it just before the crash in 1929. From then until the early 1970s, the middle-class portion of total wealth rose steadily while wealth among upper-class families fell. Much of this was due to more home ownership, but it also was reflected in middle-class salaries outdistancing inflation.

    In the past 30 years, the wealth of the top 0.1 percent has soared. Right now, that group comprises 160,000 families worth $73 million on average, which is about 22 percent of the nation’s total wealth, slightly less than the peak 85 years ago. This nearly equals the wealth of the bottom 90 percent. […]

    Link.

  113. blf says

    I must say that Greta’s Pangalactic Gargle Blaster left me with ideas

    That’s odd. Functioning brain cells are not a symptom of drinking a Pangalactic Gargle Blaster. Rather the opposite, in fact.

  114. carlie says

    I just realized the reason the 1990s is so boring to me as a theme is because it’s a blank slate for me: I was a sheltered homeschooled kid during that period. I had basically zero knowledge of popular culture or fashion. Totes unfair.

    I was unable to offer suggestions because it was a blank slate for me too, for a tangentially related reason – I was in higher education the entire decade, first college, then grad school. I didn’t have time for popular culture! (and in college had no access to tvs, and in grad school had no access to cable tv).

  115. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    Well, for me there was war and then there was elementary school. I didn’t even have cable TV, so… not much to say about the 90s in popular culture.

  117. blf says

    The best slapdowns of 2014:

    It’s been a good year for mockery. Here’s our [The Grauniad’s] pick of the best putdowns, comebacks, character assassinations and burns

    […]

    When most Americans think about Scottish independence they tend to picture a millionaire Australian antisemite on horseback. — John Oliver explains to his US audience why there’s more to the Indryref [Scottish Independence farce] than Braveheart

    […]

    Geography can be tough. Here’s a guide for Russian soldiers who keep getting lost & ‘accidentally’ entering #Ukraine — The Canadian delegation at Nato posted this sarcastic tweet with a map highlighting “Russia” in red and “Not Russia” in blue. The tweet was described as Canada’s most aggressive act since 1812

    […]

    There are areas of official life in the United States that are similar to Russia. For example: disbursement of protest, and the way American prisons are run, which is pretty tough. — Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova explains why she doesn’t feel homesick when she is in the US

  118. says

    Intimidation tactics from Milwaukee police:

    I didn’t appreciate the Milwaukee Police Dept banging on my door and ringing the doorbell at 1:00am this morning, waking up me, my wife and our 8 month old daughter. Part of me is amused/flattered that they must think I was one of the leaders of the “freeway protest” the other part of me is annoyed at the heavy-handed and unnecessary intrusion. They are trying to intimidate us by coming for us, literally, in the middle of the night. I will not be intimidated by MPD scare tactics!

    Link.

  119. opposablethumbs says

    Lynna,

    That Guardian article identifies Hayden, Idaho as “politically conservative.” That’s a bit of an understatement.

    I didn’t know any of the details you mention, but I did wonder whether The Guardian was hinting at something like this.

  120. blf says

    I’m curious what kind of gun it was, as a 2 year old should have a hard time pulling the trigger of a lot of handguns due to the force needed.

    Especially if the safety is on.
    Which it obviously very very probably was not.
    What kind of fecking eejit carries a loaded gun with a bullet in the chamber and the safety off? (Or for that matter, carries a gun at all.)

  121. Nerd of Redhead, Dances OM Trolls says

    What kind of fecking eejit carries a loaded gun with a bullet in the chamber and the safety off? (Or for that matter, carries a gun at all.)

    A non-responsible gun owner carries a loaded weapon in public, as it is intrinsically unsafe, as this incident shows.
    Making it even more reckless was the purse likely in position where the toddler could access the purse, probably both in the shopping cart top, with that little shelf for small kids and small fragile items/purses open and used for carrying both. The toddler could search the purse when mommy wasn’t looking.

  122. says

    There is a kit that gun aficionados can use to lighten the trigger pull on a Glock handgun to 3 and 1/2 pounds. Most gun safety advocates consider that to be too light (too easy to result in accidental discharge), but some gun owners have used the kits to lighten the trigger pull because they have weaker, smaller hands. Most gunsmiths can lighten the trigger pull on almost any gun. Not a thing that gun safety advocates would recommend.

    Some small handguns, like a .380 do not have a safety. The longer, heavier trigger pull is supposed to function as a safety. Sounds questionable to me.

    My problem with the Walmart story is that the 29 year old woman was carrying a loaded gun in her purse. Furthermore, she had a bullet in the chamber. I don’t know if she had a Glock or not, but if a child grasps a gun in the wrong way, he/she can pull the trigger by accident. A child can get two fingers on the trigger, have both hands on the gun, etc.

  123. blf says

    The feckwits are still intent on denying gravity, Florida conservatives sue state officials ahead of same-sex marriage ban lift:

    A conservative group has sued Orlando’s mayor in an effort to stop him and county clerks from helping same sex couples get married in Florida next week

    […]

    The conservative group argued the lifting of the state’s ban on same-sex marriage applies to only Washington County in the Panhandle, where the legal challenge originated.

    [Osceola County Clerk of Court Armando] Ramirez is the only Florida clerk of courts outside of Washington County who has publicly said he will issue licenses to same-sex couples, according to a survey of clerk of courts done by The Associated Press last week.

    […]

  126. says

    Meanwhile, here’s a story that the NRA will no doubt point to as proof of the need for concealed carry. A Florida church maintenance worker, about to be fired, pulled a pistol on the pastor of the church. The pastor pulled his own pistol and shot the maintenance man, leaving him in critical condition. The fact there would probably have been no shootout if neither was armed will be ignored.
    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/12/florida-church-shootout-between-pastor-and-staffer-leaves-man-injured-20-children-unharmed/

  127. blf says

    Salted Car? I have heard of Salted Cod, which must be desalinated by soaking in water for days. That sounds like it would cause a Salted Car to start rusting. Is the rust some sort of noble rot, perhaps?

  129. blf says

    MONITOR please: An entirely inappropriate link to the personal contact information for the family of Leelah Alcorn. giving what is claimed to be the phone numbers, address, and so on, has been posted in this comment (@76) in the The saddest thing I’ve read today thread by AlexanderZ.

    At the very least, that comment should be redacted.

  130. Nerd of Redhead, Dances OM Trolls says

    blf #129, I also sent an alert to the monitors about that. Hopefully, a response will be forthcoming.

  131. says

    Someone came by to fix the fridge, and the heater is due to be replaced tomorrow morning. In bad news, the dog has both fleas and a skin condition, leading to a vet bill and a need to wash all the linens etc. While doing so, we found that someone had washed a down pillow or blanket in one of the 2 shared washing machines, leaving feather detritus everywhere therein. L and I both have minor allergies to same, making this even more aggravating than usual.

  133. Nerd of Redhead, Dances OM Trolls says

    Ugh Dlilama, that is terrible as pieces of feathers get everywhere. Hopefully things will get better.

  134. cicely says

    I thought last night it was gonna be Surprise Cholecystectomy Time, for sure.
    Worst gallbladder attack I’ve had in years.
    Day-am!
    :(
    –
    Yellow Thursday, I hope that Date Night goes/went well for you.
    :)
    –
    91

  136. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    cicely:
    Yuck, I’m sorry. *hugs* and *cinnamon tea*?

    –
    This is so weird. My return key works in conjunction with the shift key but not on its own.

  137. Nerd of Redhead, Dances OM Trolls says

    Dang, Cicely. My gallbladder gets cranky every now and then, but not up to attack level. Hmmm… It’s been awhile. Apparently the diet change after the Redhead’s stroke had a beneficial effect.

  139. says

    Awww. This was a cute story:
    Wild gorilla has eureka moment

    For the first time, a gorilla in the wild has been seen using a tool to acquire and eat food.
    The young female gorilla watched another older male attempt to collect ants from a hole in the ground, only to see the ants bite his arm, scaring him away.
    The female gorilla tried to put her own arm in the hole, and she too was bitten.
    But instead of giving up, the young ape then had her very own ‘eureka’ moment.
    She looked around for a suitable implement, and selected a piece of wood approximately 20 cm long, tapering from 2 cm wide at one end to 1 cm long at the other.
    She then inserted the stick into the hole, withdrew it, and licked off ants clambering over it, avoiding being stung.

  142. says

    David Duke threatens…the GOP?!

    What started out as an embarrassing (possibly career-ending) snafu for a single House Republican, is now turning into a full-fledged GOP-wide meltdown.

    David Duke, the former KKK “Grand Wizard” and disgraced Louisiana politician, is really upset that the media has been singling out House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) for giving a speech at one of his white supremacist conferences in 2002. His ire seems directed not at liberals (whom he presumably discounts as stooges) but at other Republicans for not standing by their colleague. It’s unclear what Duke wishes they would do.

    While every Republican politician who has publicly commented has condemned the white supremacist event, most have stuck by Scalise. House Speaker John Boehner even released a statement saying he can vouch that Scalise isn’t a racist (although it’s unclear how much a certified “not racist” voucher by Boehner actually gets you):

    “More than a decade ago, Representative Scalise made an error in judgment, and he was right to acknowledge it was wrong and inappropriate. Like many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I know Steve to be a man of high integrity and good character. He has my full confidence as our Whip, and he will continue to do great and important work for all Americans.”

    […]

    But the real anger didn’t start until he turned on the Republicans who are now disavowing Duke to distance themselves from Scalise. In a turn that can only backfire spectacularly, Duke threatened conservatives with revealing the names of politicians he has secret ties with if they don’t start standing up for Scalise.

    “If Scalise is going to be crucified — if Republicans want to throw Steve Scalise to the woods, then a lot of them better be looking over their shoulders.”

    Please do give names. Wait, let me grab some popcorn first.

  143. Yellow Thursday says

    Thanks to everyone who wished me a good date night. It was meh. It was pretty obvious from the start that we had no chemistry and little in common. A split bill and a side hug later, and we went our separate ways.

    Not bad for my first date in 20 years. And I’ll be less nervous the next time.

  147. says

    Good morning

    That’s odd. Functioning brain cells are not a symptom of drinking a Pangalactic Gargle Blaster. Rather the opposite, in fact.

    Just reading the recipe seems to be safe. We also know that we don’t think with our brains anyway, so who cares?

    +++
    chigau
    From my friend’s description: Very painful.

  148. opposablethumbs says

    Not bad for my first date in 20 years. And I’ll be less nervous the next time.

    Yay! :-)

  149. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    Yay for the date, even if it was meh.

    Any intelectualy lightweight movies to recommed for my New Year’s Eve movie marathon? (Which might consist of just 1 movie if I decide not to wait ’till midnight)

  150. rq says

    Beatrice
    Die Hard? Technically christmas, but… Then there’s sappy stuff like The Holiday or Love Actually. The entire LotR trilogy? How much of a marathon are we talking here? :)

    Yellow Thursday
    So happy for you and your date, and being brave enough to get back out there. Sorry it was ‘meh’ but awesome that it happened and that you feel encouraged from it. Go you!

    carlie
    I forgot to mention how excited I am for your spawn’s budding archery hobby. Sounds like you found an awesome place and awesome company for this activity!!

    *hugs* and *painkillers* to all who want/need either/or/and. Or something.
    New Year’s Eve, ugh.

  151. FossilFishy (NOBODY, and proud of it!) says

    Happy New Year everyone!

    May the future that comes no matter what we do slide into the past effortlessly, taking with it all the troubles and leaving behind all the joy. Each and every one of you deserve that, and more.

    Love from a sleepy down under.

  152. Nick Gotts says

    Tony! The Queer Shoop@139

    We’d better watch out; only a matter of time before they have nukes!

  153. blf says

    Just reading the [Pangalactic Gargle Blaster] recipe seems to be safe.

    Can’t be the real thing then. Reading the recipe has never been done, because no-one can recall enough to write it down in the first place. The version in H2G2 is now thought not to based on a last-semiconscious moment of Zaphod Beeblebrox’s second head, time-traveling forward from the past to warn itself, but on the path the not-then time-traveling head took as it bounced off the bar, barstool, floor, other head, a passing gerbil (or maybe a starship, there is some confusion on this point), eventually safely landing on its towel, as etched into the dissolving remains of the bar, barstool, floor, and planet. The solidified remains were found on a starship full of what is now known to have been Pangalactic Gargle Blasted gerbils, albeit at the time it was thought they had been infected with some unknown head-exploding virus. The starship, gerbils, and planetary remains were all incinerated as a precaution, and it was only later that the office coffeepot realized the significance of the unusual etching that had been photographed shortly before incineration. The rest of the story is well-known, albeit there are claims and counter-claims about who did the actual deciphering, the coffeepot, the coffee-beans spilled as it started to stot around bubbling in joy, or the towel.

    We also know that we don’t think with our brains anyway, so who cares?

    Ah, you must be a girl. We all know their cooties doing the thinking. Naa naay nnaaayyyiner!!

  155. Nerd of Redhead, Dances OM Trolls says

    Phew, just had to use all my Google foo to get the network hosting information for the Rose Parade tomorrow. The Redhead must decide which three of four feeds she will watch/DVR.
    FYI
    ABC Hannah Storm, John Anderson, and John Naber
    Hallmark (KTLA feed) Bob Eubanks and Stephanie Edwards
    HGTV Nancy O’dell, Drew Scott and Jonathon Scott
    NBC Al Roker and Hoda Kotb

  156. David Marjanović says

    *reads thread about saddest thing of yesterday*

    *dumps huge bundle of fluffy hugs*

  158. opposablethumbs says

    ::takes one of the fluffy hugs, wraps up in it::
    ::adds another bunch of hugs to the pile of assorted gestures of well-wishing and high regard::
    I know this here Lounge, this blog and beyond constitute “just” a virtual spot … but I value it and the Horde, and I know I’m only one of very many who do.
    Thank you, and best greetings and wishes for the New Year about to start in c. 9 hours from now (oh, I know – let’s all adopt GMT! The fact that this just happens to be what it says on clocks around here is just … a coincidence, of course!)

  159. says

    cicely
    Hope you’re feeling better.

    Tony! @ 142
    Ha! :D I really hope something comes of his threat.

    Yellow Thursday
    Good for you. I’m all grinning for your new adventures!
    ___
    I’ll leave New Year’s Greetings (shaped like rum balls) for you all here at the door, in case I don’t get back later today. Have a good one!

  160. Yellow Thursday says

    I think that, in the future, I need to vet my dates for geekiness. For example, a potential date doesn’t need to immediately recognize that my user name here is a reference to the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, but they should at least recognize the name of the book. (Half points for having seen the movie but not read the books.) I shouldn’t have to explain what Dungeons & Dragons is. I shouldn’t have to explain what “Firefly” is.

    Anyway, enough about me. Have a great New Year, everybody! No matter how good or bad your 2014 was, I hope your 2015 is even better!

  161. Minnie The Finn, Fluffy Pink Bearer of Loose Morals says

    Happy New Year to all Pharyngulites from the Frozen North! We haz potato salad just like Mama used to make and ALL TEH SAUSAGES plus some other delicacies such as smoked elk. Closer to midnight we head for the hills (walking distance, luckily) to shoot some fireworks. Because alcohol and explosives are such a brilliant combination. Luckily we have several pairs of safety goggles.

    Another Finnish new year tradition is ‘casting tin’. Tiny horseshoe shaped bits of tin are melted until they’re liquid, then cast into cold water, and one’s supposed to see what the next year has in store by interpreting the shape of the cat tin: ship-like shapes mean travel, loads of tiny loose droplets mean money etc. We’re not doing this, though, because I draw the line at having molten metals in my house when people are drunk.

    So, how are you all celebrating? Any interesting local customs & superstitions? Or just bubbly & Auld Lang Syne?

    PS: In case this posts twice almost identically, yes, my Internet seems to have already started the celebrations and keeps losing posts, pages et al. at random whenever the mood takes her. A couple of hours from now it’ll be twice as bad as we’re about to open the first bottle of champagne now. Cheers!

  162. Minnie The Finn, Fluffy Pink Bearer of Loose Morals says

    Cat tin should be cast tin. We are not – repeat, not – going to melt either of the cats.

  164. Minnie The Finn, Fluffy Pink Bearer of Loose Morals says

    awakeinmo: IT IS! Although I prefer smoked reindeer (yes. we eat Rudolph here); we were just lucky to get elk this year at a price that we could afford so oped for that instead.

  166. chigau (違う) says

    Minnie!
    *major hugs*
    Happy New Year to you and yours!
    We will be watching a weird Japanese New Year TV show and trying to stay awake until midnight.
    (I just asked google translate how to say ‘Happy New Year’ in Finnish and it told me that it’s ‘Happy New Year’)

  168. Minnie The Finn, Fluffy Pink Bearer of Loose Morals says

    Somehow I was just now reminded of a dear Canadian friend who visited us in the summer of 2013. We made a traditional dish for her, but instead of just reindeer we used half reindeer, half red deer, so she had Rudolph AND Bambi’s mother.

    Luckily her sense of humor is just as twisted and black as ours.

  171. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    I’m not working, so I may as well Lounge a little…
    That is, I should be working but I’m having severe motivation issues.
    I get to go home after my afternoon court call so yaaaay.

    SO says “She’s expecting Kelly Kapowski and Zack Morris, so we should give her Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love” of the theme…I like him a lot.
    It also occurred to me that I could wear my fleecey onsie jammies, given that I was 3 years old when the decade started, so if we go by what I was wearing during the 90s? ;)
    I might have talked this theme party to death ^_^

    I’m gonna make some little cordon bleu style bruschetta thingies for the party, I think. Boss gave me a big hunk of the deliciously smoked ham that he brought in yesterday for sharing. Om nom nom.

  172. says

    My New Year’s Eve plan is to go to a massive party/event downtown, which I will spend in the kitchen, making food for the paying customers. (Yes, I’m working again, but at least it’ll be a boost in next week’s paycheck.)

  173. yazikus says

    Minnie, that sounds delicious! I remember being horrified when I went to Santa’s Village in Rovaniemi and saw reindeer on the menu. Scandalous! Did you happen to make joulutorttu this year? That was always my favorite. Can’t find the right kind of preserves where I live now.

  174. Minnie The Finn, Fluffy Pink Bearer of Loose Morals says

    yazikus: I’m not a big fan of cooking anything more complicated than the ham over the holidays (too much to do anyways), so no joulutorttus here – I eat them when they’re available, but don’t usually make any myself. But yeah, they are pretty nice =)

    Have you tried making the jam out of prunes yourself? Shouldn’t be too difficult… Fresh plums won’t do, the jam ends up being far too light in color.

  177. yazikus says

    Minnie, I hadn’t thought to try to make my own… But perhaps I should! I was lucky a few years ago a local baker took my request and made pulla for christmas. There are quite a few finnish foods I miss and can’t get. I was gifted (at the office exchange) with a bunch of elk though! Not smoked, but I’m excited to use it. I have several steaks and a couple pounds of ground.

  178. Minnie The Finn, Fluffy Pink Bearer of Loose Morals says

    yazikus: *drool* I love elk steaks. A bit challenging to prepare, but when done right, they are heaven.

    And pulla is the easiest thing in the world to make =) I’ll try and find a recipe in English for you at some stage (or translate one myself), but guests are arriving, so gotta run for now!

    Again, Happy New Year to all!

  180. khms says

    I think I just realized something, though I’m still not clear on what groups of people it applies to.

    I was talking with my dead sister’s not-ex (they separated shortly before marriage, he’s now raising their son) about some social issues in Germany. (Afterwards, I realized I had pretty much the exact same discussion, with the exact same arguments, with him before.)

    Two issues happened that left an impression.

    One, his arguments both for his (conservative) side, as what he reported as hearing from what he considered the other side, didn’t match up with anything I remember hearing from any other source.

    Second, even after pointing out the mistake twice, he did not seem to get the difference between unacceptable working conditions (what I was saying) and unacceptable work (what he was arguing against).

    What I think happened here was, when I heard arguments that didn’t fit what I think I know of the world, I was searching for what I could possibly say to explain the problems (and not finding it) – whereas, when the same happened to him, he “corrected” it (presumably unconsciously) to arguments he thought he knew how to handle, and acted on those.

  182. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    I was expecting to work this evening, but luckily we finished early, grabbed a quick beer and now I’m home. I think I’ll watch The Winter Soldier.

  185. rq says

    Here’s to you, Lounge.
    In a Small Picture Frame, though I would modernize that to:
    In a small computer screen,
    I have your photograph*
    There is no other photograph
    As beautiful in this world.

    chorus:
    Times change, Times are muddled,
    We have no more time.
    In a small picture frame
    I have your photograph.

    * I would alter this to ‘your comments’ to fit you, Lounge.

    And this one just because I love what he does with his voice: My Lake.

  188. says

    Happy almost New Year to my fellow mortals on Pharyngula, especially the denizens of the Lounge.

    Super cold weather and iced-over roadways will keep my in my house tonight. Early evening plans include hot chocolate (Godiva) and popcorn while watching a movie. I’ll finish off the evening with one Moscow Mule drink. I’ll probably just go to bed early — I mean, it will already be January 1 in much of the world, so I feel that plenty of celebrating will have been done.

    Here’s some good news:

    In a victory for civil rights, abortion rights, and LGBT equality groups, President Obama will not re-nominate former Georgia legislator Michael Boggs to a lifetime position on the federal bench. […]

    Though nominally a Democrat, he [Boggs] campaigned on his “quality conservative Christian values,” including opposing marriage equality, opposing “homosexual Boy Scout leaders,” and supporting school prayer. […] including a vote to keep the Confederate battle emblem as part of the Georgia state flag.

    Abortion rights advocates opposed his confirmation based on his support for granting “personhood” to fetuses, his backing of an expanded parental notification law, and his co-sponsorship of a “Choose Life” license plate that helped fund anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers. In his May confirmation hearing, Boggs said he regretted a vote to post personal information about abortion providers online, despite the history of clinic violence against doctors. [arrrggghhh! And this guy claims to be a Democrat! Holy crap.]

    […] While his voting record made him an unlikely nominee for a pro-choice, pro-LGBT Democratic president, he was nominated as part of a deal with Georgia’s Republican Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson to allow committee votes on six judges, […]

    According to Politico, the White House confirmed Wednesday that it will not nominate Boggs again in 2015. With a new Republican majority in the Senate, his conservative record would likely have been less of an obstacle had his name been resubmitted. […]

    http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/12/31/3607345/obama-drops-conservative-michael-boggs/

    Phew! That was a narrow escape. Don’t want that guy to receive a lifetime appointment to the federal bench.

  189. Azkyroth Drinked the Grammar Too :) says

    But instead of giving up, the young ape then had her very own ‘eureka’ moment.
    She looked around for a suitable implement, and selected a piece of wood approximately 20 cm long, tapering from 2 cm wide at one end to 1 cm long at the other.
    She then inserted the stick into the hole, withdrew it, and licked off ants clambering over it, avoiding being stung.

    And the male gorilla then claimed it was his idea?

  190. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    why am I even trying to stay awake until midnight?

    *yawn*

  191. Morgan!? the Slithy Tove says

    Hooray for the idiot flatlanders (us). As you all know, hubby and I moved up to the mountains. We just got our first real snow. And we just installed the chains on our car for the first time. And we did it right! It is sometimes not easy being stupid. At least now we are slightly less stupid.

    Happy New Year, lovely Horde.

  192. cicely says

    Lynna:

    In 2012, the United States ranked worst in the developed world for the percentage of its workers in low-paying jobs.

    ‘Cause we gots ta have them MacWhoppers! And how will we know whether we Want Fries With That?, unless there’s some minimum wage worker to ask us?
    –
    blf:

    What kind of fecking eejit carries a loaded gun with a bullet in the chamber and the safety off? (Or for that matter, carries a gun at all.)

    A fecking eejit who expects/hopes to have to Stand Hir Ground at any moment against the Big Scary Black Man?
    –
    WMDKitty, you aren’t the first to endorse Post Gallbladderism as a way of life! The Husband isn’t negatively affected by the lack of his, removed when it tried to kill him a couple (non-precise) of years back (and which we’re still paying off. Only about 10 months left!). I would dearly love to embrace this lifestyle as well; but without the ¢a$h or in$uran¢e, that ain’t happening in anything other that an Extreme Emergency context.
    –
    Portia, does cinnamon tea help against traitorous gallbladders? I’ve heard that coffee does (in which case, the cup a day during the work-week obviously are slacking off on the job!), and chamomile tea (which I haven’t tried), but I haven’t heard anything about cinnamon tea.
    –
    Nerd, my Evil Gallbladder has been snarky from time to time for more than…hmmm..15 years? 20?—something like that, anyways; and I’ve been attacked by it before, but it’s been a few years, and I thought I’d worked out its little idiosyncracies.
     
    Apparently, not.
     
    I can’t think of anything, or combination of things, that I’ve eaten recently to drive it to such a rage.
    :(
    –
    Anne, apart from a very slight kinda internally-bruised feeling, less sharp than the occasional snarkiness I mentioned above, it might as well Not Have Happened, by the degree to which it isn’t bothering me.
    I fear that it is lurking in ambush, however, which made falling asleep last night something of a challenge.
    –
    Tony!, thanks.
    Perhaps, year after next, we can see about insurance; if it raises its ugly head thereafter, it’ll be outa there! Evicted With Extreme Prejudice.
    –
    Yellow Thursday, I’m glad that your date went acceptably.
    :)
     
    (Later)

    I shouldn’t have to explain what Dungeons & Dragons is. I shouldn’t have to explain what “Firefly” is.

    Indeed!
    I got lucky—I married my DM!
    :)
    –
    Hurrah for Normal Connectedness, chigau!
    *hug&smile*
     
    Well, I can only speak for mine, mind you; but the first warning of Things To Come was a grinding ache in this one particular place on my back, which is reserved for such purpose—though unfortunately it’s also placed confusingly near an area reserved for warning me that I’ve been slouching too much, and the area reserved for warning me that I’ve been painting/mousing/keyboarding/playing music/otherwise holding my right arm forward for too long. The grinding ache intensified and spread, taking over the upper right quatrant of my back. My stomach caught fire, and at the same time, felt as if it was knotted up; but then, by this time I was plenty worried, and my stomach always knots up when I get that worried, so that may have been by-catch. At the same time, the gallbladder area itself felt increasingly as if it was being inflated, building up immense pressure, pushing against my lower frontal rib area—and also, on fire—eventually reaching an 8 on my personal Owwie! Meter, with occasional spikes to about 8.5. And this was sustained for something on the order of 8 hours, slacking in intensity during that last hour, at which time I eventually was able to fall asleep.
     
    When I woke up 5 hours later, it was reduced to just a sense of internal bruising.
     
    I cannot recommend failing to have this experience enough.
    –
    *wrapping up in some of David’s fluffy hugs*
    *scattering Junior Mints*
    –
    opposablethumb:

    I know this here Lounge, this blog and beyond constitute “just” a virtual spot … but I value it and the Horde, and I know I’m only one of very many who do.

    Yup.
    This is my Place, and y’all are my People.
    :)
    </soppiness>
     
    (Well, not my Place, in the sense of Ownership.
    I guess it would be better said, “Y’all are my Community. And Here is where we hang out.”)
    –
    Minnie!
    *pouncehug*
    –
    Off to watch Grandson!
    :) :) :)
    –
    170

  194. azhael says

    Happy New Year everybody and thank you for everything i’ve learned from all of you in 2014! :)

  197. Nerd of Redhead, Dances OM Trolls says

    Figured out today what I had to do so the Redhead can wallow in the Rose Parade (how to make floats show, and 3 network coverage), and have copies on my computer for later wallowing. The real question is which network is going to get “chopped” (sorry, eternal food channel reruns are taking their toll).

  198. chigau (違う) says

    cicely
    I’m glad you’re felling better.
    That sounds remarkably like what my mother just did.
    We took an ambulance to the hospital where she had any number of scans and blood tests (we’re in Canada) which found nothing.
    Came home, ate dinner, went to bed.
    Next morning she’s up at the usual 7AM making oatmeal.

  199. khms says

    #184 Tony! The Queer Shoop

    khms @180:
    What was the “unacceptable work” your friend was talking about?

    What friend? I thought I explained that he was a sort-of relative – they were visiting son’s grandma. (Who, at almost 80, seems happy that one of her sons – that’s me – is still living with her, and is thus available for stuff like laundry and shopping, help with bathing, and whatever else she can no longer do on her own. It doesn’t exactly hurt that my place of work is twenty minutes away on foot.)

    Mostly, we talked about field work. He claimed Germans were too lazy to do it, or something like that.

    Currently, it is my understanding that most of it is done by seasonal workers from Poland and similar places, under somewhat problematic living conditions, and (I seem to recall) not being paid very well.

    Probably not all that different, at least in principle, to the US and Mexicans.

    Of course, it is unclear to me why he felt a need to rant about Germans out of work, when we currently have record low numbers of such. Doesn’t sound to me like a nation of shirkers.

    Oh, and hey! Since today, for the very first time, we have a national minimum wage (€ 8.50) that applies to most people … of course there are exceptions, but they relate to people learning their job, people who were out of work for half a year or more … and people who distribute papers during the next two years. I think that’s pretty much it for exceptions. There’s a commission of representatives of unions and employer organizations, which, if I understand this right, are supposed to adjust the number all three years or something like that – I’m a bit unclear on that part. Wikipedia (at least the German version) has lots of details, far too much for a quick paragraph. For some reason, the politicians who usually see the US as the system they want to copy, had a hard time copying this idea, but given the conservatives had no choice this time but to build a coalition with the social democrats, who had made minimum wage pretty much their most important election argument … Be interesting what effect that has on the seasonal worker thing. Wiki told me that in the US, before minimum wage, blacks had less unemployment than whites; after minimum wage, there was no difference (I expect for fairly obvious reasons).

  203. A. Noyd says

    blf (#153)

    Ah, you must be a girl. We all know their cooties doing the thinking.

    That would be kind of a cool sci-fi premise: if for some alien species, consciousness was achieved partially through microbial symbiosis, like digestion is for us.

  204. says

    Beatrice, I will have you know I had you in mind when I (ahem) eschewed overpoliteness in the ‘saddest thing’ thread just now.

    Felt good. Thanks for pointing out I was being overcautious, that helped a lot. Sometimes an observation from a friend is a useful new angle on a thing. Your wisdom is a nice gift to close my year with. :)

  208. rq says

    *straightens the unbroken chairs*
    *builds fire in fireplace with broken chairs and tables*
    *sweeps glitter, streamers, ash, crumbs and broken glass from floor*
    *wipes counter with disinfectant*
    *collects dirty glasses on the counter* Someone else can wash those.
    *disinfects table-tops*
    *shakes out the rugs*
    *vaccuums the comfy chairs*
    Not touching the pillow forts, you clean those yourselves.

    *mixes random drink from bar*
    *puts on some music *
    Looks like someone’s been partying in here. Eh.
    *sits down in comfiest armchair by the fire with book*
    I’m done with tidying. :) Happy New Year!
    *puts on more music*

  210. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    I’m such a bad person.
    An elderly ex-neighbor called mum to wish her a happy new year, and I yelled “Who calls people at lunch time?!”. My official defense is that I thought she had taken the phone into another room and wasn’t still standing right behind the corner, but really,the way my voice probably carried, she would have heard me in any case.

  211. rq says

    Beatrice
    Nope, you’re not a bad person.
    I yell stupid stuff every now and then, too.
    *hugs*

  212. carlie says

    CaitieCat, I’ve been reading your comments and essays for years, at Shakesville before you were here. It would be hard to overestimate how much I admire you. I am not a good writer, so it would end up sounding weird and awkward if I were to try to enumerate all of the ways, so I’ll just say you’ve been extremely influential to me in many good ways. Also, you rock.

  213. says

    Got up (time the 1st): Fed cats, went back to bed.
    Got up (time the 2nd):
    Made tea. Made cinnamon rolls, just the TJs inna toob ones, but still, they smell wonderful from here. Took morning meds. Dropped one in Patches’ food dish but got it out before she noticed.

    Tracked down Husband’s January book discussion topic online in free form (damn thing is a short story, way out of copyright and impossible to find in libraries locally) and printed it for him because he hates reading anything longer than a blog post online and won’t read e-books at all. I intend to inform him, when he arises from his slumbers, that he may commence worshipping me at anytime, because I am Just That Awesome. So there, life.

    I think it’s almost time for the Torment Tournament of Roses Parade to commence. I wonder if there were records set for the low last night; we had frost here, and it looks like Elder Daughter had to thaw the birdbath again.

    Happy New Year, Horde, and may this year be an improvement on the last.

  214. says

    Fox News starts the New Year in standard Faux News style, by advising women to cater to men.

    Fox News started the new year off with a bang by providing the women of America with some startlingly retrograde advice. The hosts of “Fox And Friends” highlighted a new book, helpfully written by men, that provided “brutally honest” advice to women.

    In published excerpts (the book is released in February) the authors provide perspective on relationships. For example, “[s]omeone has to wear the pants and someone has to wear the skirt.” Also, if a man cheats, it’s always his wife or girlfriend’s fault: “A man who cheats is looking for someone to fulfill a part of him that his lady is not, plain and simple.”

    The Fox segment, first flagged by Raw Story, highlights that women should “always cater to her man’s needs” including providing foot massages and cooking meals. […]

    Think Progress link. Video also available at the link.

  215. says

    Here are a few Republican predictions that did not come true after President Obama was reelected, (culled from a Think Progress story and other sources):

    Senator Mike Lee of Utah said that gas would cost $5.45/gallon by January 1, 2015.

    Newt Gingrich said gas prices would rise to $10/gallon if Obama was reelected. Gingrich also claimed that gas prices would plummet to $2.50/gallon if we the people elected him. Gas is now $2.24/gallon (average, nationwide).

    Mitt Romney said unemployment would be 8.3% under Obama. It is now 5.8%.

    Donald Trump said the stock market would crash. We all know how that went. BTW, Forbes and Bloomberg News also predicted stock crashes, or at least a 20% drop in assets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is now 17,823, up 35% since Obama’s reelection.

    Rush DimBulb said the entire economy of the USA would collapse.

    On the bad news front wage growth for most workers in the USA remains stagnant, but Republicans did not predict that.

  216. blf says

    I was woken up this morning in what was the usual fashion, excepting the past orbit and whenever I could successfully hide: The bed was overturned and an ex-dinosaur jumped up-and-up down on it, yelling “Wakey! Wakey!! You’re missing the fresh new orbit!!! The cheeses are migrating and…”

    I didn’t hear the rest of it as I scrambled out from under the bed and stared. And then run shrieking out the door. Bad move. The door on the other side was closed. Although I can now confirm that running into a door, ricocheting off and sliding down the stairs backward and across the cold tiles on your back, then rebounding down the spiral stairs to another door and ending up in an upside heap does wake you up. Lots of coffee is then required, as are the earplugs and other defensive measures when dealing with the mildly deranged penguin.

    She’s back.

    I have no idea where she’s been, or is now — she followed me down the to the door, opened it (I flopped out onto the landing) and raced off. I did hear shrieks, screams, yells, curses, and several stampedes. Normally, you can use the sounds to track her position, but I was too busy trying to get myself upright without falling down the remaining spiral stairs to the front down to even think to attempt it.

    Since then I’ve been hiding under the covers in the un-upturned (and now nailed down) bed, somewhat annoyed I never got around to installing any beer taps in the sleeping lair.

  217. says

    Good news out of Maryland, courtesy of a Governor who is a Democrat:

    Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) will commute all remaining death sentences for those in the state’s prison system to life without parole, he announced Wednesday. Maryland’s General Assembly repealed the state’s death penalty in 2013 for all future convictions.

    In a statement, O’Malley said, “In a representative government, state executions make every citizen a party to a legalized killing as punishment.” He noted that the legality of executing the four remaining death row inmates was in question and argued that “leaving these death sentences in place does not serve the public good of the people of Maryland — present or future.” […]

  218. says

    BLF, if you do escape from the mildly deranged penguin and decide to get out of your hiding place, you should reconsider taking a walk. A Mother Jones article reported that people who take a walk on New Years Day are 1.7 times more likely to die while walking than on a normal day.

  220. chimera says

    Hello Loungers, Hello
    Tony!,
    Gilliel,
    rq,
    carlie,
    CaitieCat,
    Béatrice,
    Saad,
    Noyd,
    Chigau,
    Pteryxx,
    Portia,
    Cicely,
    JAL,
    Anne,
    khms,
    Nerd,
    Azhael,
    WMDKitty,
    Morgan,
    Azkyroth,
    Lynna,
    PZ hisself,
    blf,
    Dallilama,
    Opposable Thumbs,
    Consciousness Razor,
    Ichythic,
    birgerjohansson,
    Rob Grigjanis,
    FossilFishy,
    jrfdeux,
    Awakeinmo,
    Morgan,
    2kittehs,
    toska,
    bassmike,
    Esteleth    ,
    and other people who come here seldom or less these days like
    Sastra,
    Iyeska     and
    Cripdyke,
    and people I rarely see in the Lounge like
    unclefrogy,
    Marjanovic,
    David Wilford,
    Nick Gotts    ,
    and people who have changed nyms like maybe Thumper (whatever happened to them?)

    and people I forget, forgive me, and lurkers who sometimes speak and others who never do,

    to all of you whom I’ve hated and loved at different times, who have and continue to teach me a lot, to all you good souls in the New Year which is just a fucking ‘nother day (why am I even writing this?),

    to all of you I dedicate this very Red, very French rabble rousing hymn to the good fight and Resistance: On lache rien !!!! .

  221. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    carlie:
    Don’t sell yourself short. When I first started reading Pharygula a few years ago, your comments were the ones that usually made the concepts and subject matter accessible to me. And that was when I was still shaking off the residual effects of conservatism.

    Cait:
    *hugs* for no reason.

    chimera:
    Happy new year to your too!
    –
    I’m having a lot of trouble doing …anything right now. I think that means i should just sit in the corner and knit.

  222. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    Azkyroth, if/when you’re around:
    I’m glad i bookmarked your pie crust recipe because I’ve been asked to do dessert for a family Christmas on Saturday and I’ve just realized these apples are best suited for a pie. Pies are not my specialty so I might be coming back asking for tips…

    :)

  223. blf says

    A Mother Jones article reported that people who take a walk on New Years Day are 1.7 times more likely to die while walking than on a normal day.

    Does staggering down the street to the local bar count? (I assume the return journey will be by wheelbarrow.)

  224. says

    blf @223, I think the “staggering” part may be what raises the accident rate. Perhaps you could have the MDP push you to and from the bar in a wheelbarrow? Vehicular traffic is likely to hit the MDP first, thus cushioning the blow. Do you have an armored wheelbarrow?

    Greetings backatcha to chimera and all other Loungers. Still alive for another year!

  226. essjay says

    I have commented only a few times on Pharynguls, mainly because before I can come up with a comment, someone says the thing I wanted to say, only better. I just want to express my appreciation of The Horde and PZ. I feel very much at home here, since the values that are expressed are the same as the ones I have held for many years. I also read Jerry Coyne, although many of his posts I just scroll by because I know I won’t agree. Not too long ago they were discussing PZ and the Horde, and one of the commenters dismissed PZ because he was “always so angry.” They are wallowing in privilege over there and obviously don’t see much to be so angry about. That got me to thinking that the best thing about PZ (and the rest of you) is the way he pulls no punches and is not afraid to speak clearly. I first started reading here during the time of the cracker desecration, and I was so happy to see someone point out that it was so absurd to venerate a cracker! If it offended the religious and their panderers, well, good! Over the years I have learned a great deal from you folks about feminism and all the other social justice issues. Anyway, THANK YOU!

  228. blf says

    Lynna@224, The last — quite possibly literally as well as figuratively — thing you’d want the mildly deranged penguin to do is to push, drive, fly, or otherwise propel you. (A few repeat trebuchet ammos with sufficiently dinged heads excepted.)

    The street is one-way and quite narrow, thank you 17thC or so villagers, with the essentially non-existent traffic in the anti-towards-bar direction. So a kamikaze wheelbarrow push to the bar will not place the mildly deranged penguin inbetweenst any car and me. In any case, she doesn’t have the concept of brakes or even of slowing down, so any mildly deranged penguin propelled wheelbarrow will probably achieve FTL speeds, unless a cheese is spotted.

  229. blf says

    I’m not sure what Pharynguls is…

    The dreaded Pharyngula Lounge portcullis?

    (And hi! Others may be by later with the even more dreaded Questionnaire. Possibly also some grog to help you recover.)

  232. Nick Gotts says

    chimera@220,

    I’m actually here quite often, though usually only for a comment or two, so you might easily miss my visits.

    Happy 2015 to all Loungers.

    Wife returned to Turin yesterday evening, to my own-recipe vegetable crumble, and G&T for her, red wine for me; then we went out to see how the Torinese bring in the new year. Answer: good-humouredly but riskily, with fireworks being let off, sometimes held in the hand. and fire-balloons launched, in the main squares. Also bottled beer, roasted chestnuts and flashing-light rabbits’ ears headdresses on sale, live music, champagne-squirting fights just after midnight, very little police presence. Torinese have the reputation in Italy of being rather staid… I think I’ll avoid the celebrations in Naples!

  233. says

    Happy 2015 everyone!
    I see rq has tidied up *AND* seeks to take over my drink-making job. ::sniff sniff:: Has the Queer Shoop been made irrelevant? Are his services no longer required? Did I answer the questionnaire incorrectly?

    ****

    I see I’m going to have to check out the ‘Saddest Thing’ thread in a few minutes.

    ****

    To both CaitieCat and carlie:
    You’ve both taught me things in your time here. From CaitieCat, I’ve learned a great deal about trans issues as well as the day-to-day pain of living with disabilities. Both were things I was largely ignorant of and you have been of great help in tearing that wall of ignorance down. Thank you.
    Carlie, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched you take an idea or concept and boil it down to something easy to understand. I think you’ve a knack for digging in and finding the meat of an idea and relating it to others in a crystal-clear manner.
    Thank you.

  235. says

    This story is awful. No one died, but the emotional, physical, and financial toll on the family is immense.
    http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/mom-shot-while-cooking-grateful-be-alive/njdk8/

    Gwinnett County Police say the suspects in the drive-by shooting fired upon an innocent victim when they targeted the wrong house.
    The shooting victim’s daughter, whom we aren’t identifying for her safety, says she was shocked when she returned home and found the damage left behind by a hail of gunfire.
    They blasted through this apartment off Club Drive as a mother prepared dinner for her family.

    “I was in shock and I wasn’t even here,” the daughter said.

    The drive-by shooting happened the day after Christmas. Police say their suspects were targeting rival gang members, who no longer lived in the apartment complex.

    This woman says her mother was cooking for her granddaughter, her two other children when rapid gunfire sailed in.

    The mother took a shot to the leg. The rest of the bullets went through walls, the ceiling, even the sink, which now floods every time they use their kitchen faucet.

    The daughter says it’s amazing no one else was hurt. “God just, he was there for us.”
    This woman says if the shooters came by even a few minutes later, lives could have been lost.

    “Everybody would have been sitting down eating and it would have been worse than what it is,” the woman said.
    The kitchen table is just on the other side of windows fired through.

    The family’s ordeal is far from over. The mother is in the hospital facing multiple surgeries, the apartment is covered in holes, has a busted kitchen pipe…blood-stained carpet and children’s Christmas gifts, which had to be thrown away.

    “There is innocent people that is minding their own business, living their own life, and for you to come do stuff like this, it’s just not fair,” she said.

    Police have not charged anyone in relation to this case. But investigators believe they have the suspects in custody charged in connection to another shooting.

    The family says they are hopeful their apartment complex will help them with the repairs. They say they have little money to make up for this unexpected act of violence.

  236. Nick Gotts says

    Google translate tells me “On lâche rien” means “Nothing is released”. Can chimera, or anyone else, provide me with a less literal and more meaningful translation?

  237. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    Nick Gotts,

    I think it could be loosely translated to “(We) won’t give up”, or something like not giving even an inch.

  238. opposablethumbs says

    chimera, thank you and Happy New Year to you too! And wishing the Horde the very best for 2015. I always learn a lot from all of you (including, of course, reminders that there are times to shut up and listen).

  239. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    When doods on the internet randomly message me and ask for a picture of me, I take pleasure in sending a pic of me in full fire gear (face and body shape all obscured nicely) with a group of other firefighters and saying ‘I’m on the right” muahahahhaha feck right off.

  240. blf says

    I’m craving BBQ’d penguin

    I suggest Jamaican jerk penguin. A bit hard to find, however…
    Serve with Dragon Stout.

  241. Rob Grigjanis says

    Here’s a nice New Year’s gift for CaitieCat (assuming she’s still a Spurs supporter!): Tottenham 5, Chelsea 2, with only a few minutes left. Harry Kane looks awesome.

    And a better 2015 than 2014 to all.

  242. chimera says

    On lache rien.

    I didn’t translate that because it’s hard to translate and the older I get and the more I know my languages, the more I think they are untranslateable.

    Actually it’s On ne lâche rien, but the register is popular everyday speech which gobbles sounds and parts of speech and doesn’t bother with correctitude. Word for word it’s something like “One drops nothing” or “One does not let anything go by” or “We won’t drop a thing” or “We are not giving up or giving in on anything, any points”. Less word for word and more paraphrase like: “We’re not giving up on one iota of our program for equality and social justice.” Lâcher, the verb, is to drop, release, cede, give up or in, abandon, loosen. To be lâche is to be cowardly, someone who lets others down. The On, is the ordinary multi-purpose pronoun, sort of empty, meaning a person, and can be translated depending on context as You, We or One (as in “One shouldn’t say such things”). And rien is nothing.

    Beatrice’s translation, “We’re not giving an inch” is a pretty good one. The message is to the French government and financial powers and world powers and also means we are remaining vigilant, watching you and won’t let anything slip by.

  243. says

    Rob, yeah, I’m listening to the game on TuneIn (I love the Internet!), and couldn’t believe how well the game has turned out (5-3 now, Come On You Spurs!). Lovely start to the year. Brilliant, one might say storming play by the Hurri-Kane. :D

    For the kind words above, my thanks. They mean a lot to me.

    Had a really useful consultation with a psychiatrist yesterday, got a small bucket of letters by way of diagnosis, which have helped me understand my fuckedupness better (PTSD, ADD, SAD, Major Depressive, Disthymic, OCD). And an unexpected compliment, too, as the shrinker expressed admiration for my continued survival and relative sanity, given the history. From inside, it’s just my life, y’know? But seeing it from outside, it’s not bad to still be a sort of going concern approaching my half century (20 months to go!).

  244. opposablethumbs says

    I take pleasure in sending a pic of me in full fire gear

    love it. >-)
    >-D (closest I can type to an evil grin)

  245. says

    Hate crime in Salt Lake City:

    Salt Lake County prosecutors are considering hate crime and assault charges against a pair of Wyoming men for an alleged attack on two gay men outside a Salt Lake City home a few days before Christmas.

    The Dec. 21 assault began with of verbal volley of gay slurs, including explicit sexual references and was quickly followed by a physical attack that left friends Rusty Andrade and Maxwell Cristen bruised, bloodied and emotionally shaken. […]

    The two said they had just returned from a holiday party with Cristen’s boyfriend and had exchanged a goodnight hug outside Andrade’s garage […]

    “I let go and then these two guys were just standing there,” said Cristen. “They started calling us faggots … one of them pushed Rusty and then they hit both of us,” Cristen said. “It was just quick.”

    Among the slurs was a lewd question about oral sex, Andrade said.

    Andrade said he was knocked to the ground and pinned by one man who hit him repeatedly in the face. The 24-year-old Cristen, who is a Salt Lake Community College student, said he was also punched several times in the face before he was grabbed around the neck and thrown to the ground. […]

    Questioned by police, both men [the perps] said they couldn’t remember any fight. […]

    The second man told officers that he “did not see any altercation and that he was not involved in any way,” according to the report. […]

    Andrade suffered the more serious injuries, including bruising to his head and neck, along with what may now be a dead tooth. […]

    Neither of the alleged assailants was arrested or cited, and the case was not initially investigated as a hate crime by the responding patrol officer, Salt Lake City police Sgt. Robin Heiden said.

    “I don’t know that the officer thought it was hate crime,” she said. “I think originally he was thinking it was a simple assault.”

    It wasn’t until a detective began a follow-up investigation and spoke with the victims a second time, Heiden said, that it became clear that a hate crime may have occurred.

    Andrade and Cristen both say they have no doubt about why they were attacked.

    http://www.sltrib.com/news/2007624-155/hate-crimes-possible-against-pair-accused

  246. rq says

    chimera
    Thank you for the song! :D Very good.

    Portia
    *thumbs up*
    *evil grin*
    Nyahahahahaaa.

    opposablethumbs
    *hugs* and many happy greetings in the New Year to you and yours!

    blf
    Does one say ‘congratulations’ on the return of the MDP? Or is it better to just duck and run?

    Tony
    Well, there was no one in the Lounge, and I needed a drink. If you think my desperation replaces you, you, good sir, are sadly mistaken! No one does a campari-and-cranberry (with slice of grapefruit) like you. ;) *hugs*, my friend.

    Cait
    *ultimatehugs*
    You are an amazing person.

  247. The Mellow Monkey says

    Threadrupt.

    My awful neighbors let their St Bernard–a beautiful big beast who has been used as nothing but a breeding machine–out last night. Out into the snow. Out into the frigid cold of northern Wisconsin. Out of the yard into the dark without supervision because this is what they always do, for some baffling and shitty reason.

    A truck hit the dog right in front of my house and another car hit the truck when it stopped. The human beings all appeared to be fine and were able to go home, but the dog lingered in great pain before she died. When the owners finally showed up, the husband took the dog in the back of his truck and drove off into the woods. Since the ground is frozen, we’re concerned the dog’s body was just dumped somewhere.

    Happy New Year. Assholes.

  248. opposablethumbs says

    Thank you, rq! – and the same to you and yours also too :-)

    Mellow Monkey, shit I’m sorry. I wish people like this wouldn’t keep pets at all.

  249. chimera says

    On lâche rien ! We will not budge!

    To everyone here for the new year, this time with lyrics and translation.

    On lâche rien

    Du fond de ma cité HLM
    Jusqu’a dans ta campagne profonde
    Notre réalité est la même
    Et partout la révolte gronde

    Dans ce monde on n’avait pas notre place
    On n’avait pas la gueule de l’emploi
    On n’est pas né dans un palace
    On n’avait pas la CB à Papa

    SDF, chômeurs, ouvriers
    Paysans, immigrés, sans papiers
    Ils ont voulu nous diviser
    Faut dire qu’ils y sont arrivés

    Tant que c’était chacun pour sa gueule
    Leur système pouvait prospérer
    Mais ‘ fallait bien qu’un jour on se réveil
    et qu’les têtes s’remette à tomber

    Refrain :
    On lâche rien, on lâche rien
    on lâche rien, ON lâche riiiiiien
    On lâche rien (wallou)
    On lâche rien (wallou)
    On lâche rien, on lâche rien

    Ils nous parlaient d’égalité
    et comme des cons on les a cru
    Démocratie fait moi marrer
    Si c’était le cas on l’aurait su
    Que pèse notre bulletin de vote
    face à la loi du marché,
    C’est con mes chers compatriotes mais on s’est bien fait baiser
    Que pèse les droits de l’homme face à la vente d’un airbus
    Au fond y a qu’une règle en somme
    se vendre plus pour vendre plus
    La république se prostitue sur le trottoir des dictateurs
    Leurs belles paroles on y croit plus,
    Nos dirigeants sont des menteurs

    REFRAIN

    C’est tellement con, tellement banal
    de parler d’paix, d’fraternité
    quand des SDF crève sur la dalle
    et qu’on mène la chasse au sans papiers
    Qu’on jette des miettes aux prolétaires
    Juste histoire de les calmer,
    qu’ils s’en prennent pas aux patrons millionnaires
    trop précieux pour notre société
    C’est fou comme ils sont protégés
    Tout nos riches et nos puissants
    Y a pas à dire ça peut aider
    d’être l’ami du Président
    Chers camarades, chers électeurs,
    chers citoyens consommateurs
    le réveil à sonné il est l’heure
    D’remettre à zéro les compteurs

    Tant qu’y a d’la lutte, Y a d’l’espoir
    Tant qu’y a d’l’a vie, Y a du combat
    Tant qu’on se bat c’est qu’on est debout
    Tant qu’on est debout on lâchera pas
    La rage de vaincre coule dans nos veines
    maintenant tu sais pourquoi on s’bat
    notre idéal bien plus qu’un rêve
    Un autre monde , on a pas l’choix

    REFRAIN

    From inside the Projects
    To the deep countryside
    Our reality is the same
    And everywhere revolt is sounding

    No place for us in this world
    We haven’t got the right face for the job
    We weren’t born in a palace
    We haven’t got Daddy’s credit card

    Homeless, unemployed, labourers
    Farmers, immigrants, illegals
    They wanted to divide us
    And they managed it

    As long as it was every man for himself
    Their system could get stronger
    But we had to wake up eventually
    And heads will now roll once again

    We will not budge. We will not budge.
    We will not budge. We. Will. Not. Budge.
    We will not budge. (Wallou)
    We will not budge. (Wallou)
    We will not budge. We will not budge.

    They preach equality to us
    And like asses we believed
    Democracy, what a joke
    If that was the case we’d’ve noticed
    What does our ballot weigh
    Against market forces?
    We’ve been had, my fellow countrymen
    What do human rights weigh
    Against the sale of an airbus?
    In fact there’s only one rule
    Selling more to sell more
    The Republic prostitutes herself
    on dictators’ sidewalks
    We believed their pretty words
    Our leaders are liars

    Refrain

    It’s so stupid and so common
    To speak of peace and brotherhood
    When the homeless are dying on the ground
    And it’s open season on illegals
    They throw crumbs to the workers
    Just to keep them calm
    So they won’t attack the millionaires
    So precious to our society
    It’s crazy how protected they are
    All our rich and powerful
    Yes it can be a great help
    To have the President for friend
    Dear comrades, dear voters,
    Dear citizen consumers,
    The alarm has rung, it’s time
    To put the counters back to zero.

    As long as there’s a struggle, there’s hope
    As long as there’s life, there’s a battle
    As long as we fight, we’re still standing
    As long as we’re standing, we won’t budge
    The rage to win flows in our veins
    Now you know why we fight
    Our ideal is much more than a dream
    Another world, we have no choice.

    Refrain

  251. Nerd of Redhead, Dances OM Trolls says

    The Redhead’s wallowing in the Rose Parade seemed to involve a lot sleeping (not surprising, as she was up all night). Buy she now has her typical New Years breakfast of mimosa, waffles/peaches/whipped cream, milk, and coffee. Meanwhile, between the DVR and Apple-TV all three networks recorded are available from the remotes. Shes now re-watching the preparation show.

  252. The Mellow Monkey says

    opposablethumbs, me too. They have a Pomeranian they let run loose all hours of the day and night and he’s caused a car accident as well, but has miraculously avoided getting killed so far.

    I really hope that something’s done about these people now and they’re stopped from endangering any further animals or people on the road. I’m just sick over that poor dog’s suffering.

  253. says

    Tony!@235, that story made me think of the murder of Lorry Santos here in Saskatoon in 2012. Mrs. Santos was killed when she answered her door. The two gang members who killed her were given the wrong address for a former member of their gang, and opened fire without seeing if they had the right target first. They, and a third gang member, were all convicted of first degree murder for their roles in the crime.

    We have more details about the death of Veronica Rutledge, who was killed by her two year old son in Hayden, Idaho. The gun she was carrying was concealed in a zipped compartment in her new purse, a Christmas gift from her husband. Mrs. Rutledge was a researcher at Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls, which supports research by the Department of Energy in nuclear energy and defense projects. http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/year-accidentally-kills-mother-wal-mart-27918926

  254. says

    More or less awake again; last night was exhausting, consisting primarily of hauling trays of hot food/liquid up and down dark, narrow staircases (one of which also has low ceilings and several right angle turns), which were being simultaneously occupied by performers en route to the stage and/or to schmooze with the punters. As a change of pace, I discovered that my employer had decided to dispose of all of my serving baskets that I use for the ordinary menu (which we were offering between the fancy dinner and the breakfast last night), and hasn’t, afaict, made any kind of alternate arrangements for how I’m supposed to get the damn food to the damn customers. I was able to use some other baskets we had around the place last night, but there’s nowhere near enough of them to keep up with my usual orders.
    I’ve been trying to keep up with all the activity that happened while I was at work and then asleep, and not getting there yet, so I’m starting with the Lounge.
    Mellow Monkey
    Fuck, that’s awful. *hugs*

    Tony!

    The family says they are hopeful their apartment complex will help them with the repairs.

    They better do, fuck. That’s one of the things about being a landlord: when shit goes wrong with the property, you’re on the hook to fix it, unless it’s clearly the fault of the tenants, which being machine-gunned by strangers clearly is not.

    CaitieCat
    *hugs*

    chimera
    *hugs* too. I see your song with Jam Tomorrow (ignore the video, it’s surprisingly hard to find that song on youtube).

  255. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    Would it hurt anything if I made pie crust today and refrigerated it til Saturday?

  259. carlie says

    Portia and Tony – thanks. That means a lot. You’re both pretty awesome too.

    I always get tongue-tied (finger-tied?) when I’m trying to express how important people are to me. You all are, and CatieCat, wow. So much strength.

    On pie crusts – it’s actually better to let it sit; lets the gluten develop, or something. The piecrust recipe I use says it’s best with at least 8 hours of refrigeration rest time. So a couple of days would be fine.

  260. toska says

    Happy New Year to all the Horde!

    That last month of 2014 sure was rough in my little world (and for so many others). Here’s to making 2015 a better year!

    I haven’t been commenting as much lately because of my stupid brain, but I’ve been reading, and I just want to say thanks to everyone here, especially CaitieCat (you’re always amazing, but I’d like to extent extra hugs to you after reading the saddest thing I’ve read today thread) for teaching me so much about trans* issues and rq, Tony, Pteryxx, and all the other people I’m missing who have kept the later this morning thread running. And, of course, to PZ who creates this space and moderates it to keep it safe for people like me.

  261. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    carlie: thanks for the kind words and the crust advice :O)

    I forgot to leave out salt in consideration of only having salted butter. : / Woops. I hope it’s still edible. I’m also going to make a chocolate cake, for variety (and there will be a big group) so if the pie is a flop there’s a backup

  262. Tapetum says

    Happy New Year, everyone! We’re not much for New Year’s celebrations here, so we just had a couple of friends over for games and snacks. We wouldn’t have noticed midnight, except that our neighbors across the street decided to all march into their front yard and scream their heads off for no discernable reason.

    It’s a cheerful new year here so far. We survived another visit from my parents, who are now safely back home 12 hours away. My mother has been shown a couple of retirement communities, but hasn’t seen one she wants yet. She is keeping this a deep, dark secret from my father, since she is convinced that he is railroading her as senile, and trying to get her locked away. Entirely unbeknownst to her, my father knew exactly where we were going, and why. Once she comes up with a short list of places she deems acceptable, I will be taking him around them separately. He will then allow himself to be persuaded into allowing Mom to move into a place of her choice. Meanwhile I’m steering Mom toward places with security and Alzheimer’s/memory care facilities on the premises because “That’s Dad’s story about you – he’ll be much easier to persuade, if the place you choose doesn’t punch holes in his story.”

    Even more cheerful because the husbeast’s new CT shows no meaningful growth – I.e. the new picture of the tumor measures .3mm larger than the one from three months ago, which is well within the margin of error, and thereby not significant. Shrinkage would be even better – but shrinkage is not off the table yet. Apparently the oncologist has seen shrinkage (all the way to remission!) occur as late as a year into treatment, and we’re only at the five month mark. All blood tests came back well, except for some mild anemia, which he has had since July, and which is both stable, and apparently normal for one-kidneyed persons.

    CaitieCat – Add me to the list of your admirers. I’ve always looked for your comments both here and at Shakesville. You have uncommon good sense, and a way with explaining things completely out of my personal experience in a way that lets me understand them clearly.

  263. Morgan!? the Slithy Tove says

    Oh crap. Our temperature is a perfect 0 degrees C. One of the two breaker boxes that control our electricity just fried. Everything that is essential is now running via long extension cords to the other side of the house. It is going to cost big bucks to replace the damn thing. We knew it needed replacing, but why did it have to blow during our first big storm. Grumblegrumblegrumble. Must be karma, right?

  264. Morgan!? the Slithy Tove says

    CaitieCat, I second what Tapetum said. Although it is not your job to be my teacher, you have very much been that and have done it well. I am grateful.

  265. says

    Peter Roff thinks the court of public opinion is intimidating Bill Cosby:

    Now that he stands accused of heinous acts against women, it has severely tarnished his star. I don’t know if he’s guilty as alleged; I don’t know that he’s guilty at all. What I do know is he is a very big target with an even bigger bankroll and that things may not be as they seem. There are two sides to every story, and he has yet to tell his. Is it possible that some people have come forward to tell a story because they see a big payday at the end of it all? Sure – just as it is possible that he did everything he is now accused of. What is important is that people keep, as Cosby himself has urged, an open mind

    I couldn’t find a way to comment over at U.S. News & World Report, otherwise, I’d have given Mr. Roff a piece of my mind.
    Cosby is NOT…I repeat NOT…urging anyone to keep an open mind. What he’s doing is asking people to dismiss the allegations of 24+ women*. *Why* should we dismiss their claims? *Why* should we believe that the claims are outrageous or nonsensical? I suspect he’s appealing to his public image. A public image shaped largely by (IMO) the character of Cliff Huxtable. A character who was warm, affable, and lovable. A character that many people view as interchangeable with Bill Cosby himself. If Cliff Huxtable was no rapist, then Bill Cosby is no rapist
    Logic. Logic. Wherefore art thou, logic?

    I wrote a blog post that has further commentary.

  266. says

    This fills me with some happiness:
    http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/gay-south-florida/article5296830.html

    U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle ruled New Years Day that all Florida clerks are bound by the U.S. Constitution not to enforce Florida’s gay marriage ban and that any couple seeking a license on Tuesday should receive one.

    “The preliminary injunction now in effect thus does not require the Clerk to issue licenses to other applicants,” Hinkle wrote in an order released Thursday afternoon. “But as set out in the order that announced issuance of the preliminary injunction, the Constitution requires the Clerk to issue such licenses.”

    “We are thankful that Judge Hinkle agreed with us that the Constitution does not tolerate discrimination and that beginning Tuesday, Jan. 6, all clerks in Florida have an obligation to issue marriage licenses to couples requesting them,” said Howard Simon, executive director of the ACLU of Florida.

    Simon said Hinkle’s “injunction has statewide impact because he found the law unconstitutional and therefore, as we have been saying, no public official should be acting in accordance with an unconstitutional provision.”

    Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi responded 6 p.m. Thursday: “This office has sought to minimize confusion and uncertainty, and we are glad the Court has provided additional guidance. My office will not stand in the way as clerks of court determine how to proceed.”

    “She’s saying look, ‘Judge Hinkle did not tell the clerks that they are required to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, however, he told them that they may issue marriage licenses’ and she’s not going to stand in their way of whatever independent decisions they may make,” said David Weinstein, a former assistant Miami-Dade state attorney and assistant U.S. attorney, now in private practice and not involved in the case.

    Simon’s response to Bondi: “She is not serving the state of Florida and causing precisely the kind of chaos that this judge has tried to prevent with today’s order. This is the low point in a the performance of an attorney general. Her willful misreading of Hinkle’s order is creating confusion.”

    ****

    In other news, boy howdy am I tired of the people across the street setting off fireworks. It’s been going on ALL DAY. I understand the love of fireworks. I get that it’s New Years Day. I get that there’s probably a lot of fireworks to get rid of. But geez…all day?

  267. says

    Huh…interesting.
    I have subscribed to updates in the “Later this morning in America” thread, and one of the most recent ones, by rq showed up in that thread @ 6:47, but I didn’t get the email notification until 6:53. I wonder why the delay…

  268. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    Tony:
    I frequently experience a delay of a few minutes in receiving comments via email subscription.

  269. Nerd of Redhead, Dances OM Trolls says

    I wonder why the delay…

    I’ve noticed a few minute difference between a post and it appearing on the front page as recent posts.
    My guess is that the web site updates itself every few posts or every few minutes, and messages are sent out then.

  270. says

    Oh this is lovely. Many of you have probably heard about Steve Scalise in the last few days. He’s been criticized for having ties to David Duke (of the KKK). He also has ties to the Family Research Council

    Scalise is a regular guest and longtime supporter of Tony Perkins, who heads up the FRC. The group, which the Southern Poverty Law Center describes as specializing exclusively in “defaming gays and lesbians” through false claims, targeted bullying campaigns and pushing anti-gay junk science. In the clearest definition of the word, the FRC is a hate group. It’s an organization which has just one mission: gay bashing. Scalise is a big fan.

    Naturally, the idea that a Republican politician would pal around with homophobic hate groups isn’t as controversial as giving speeches to neo-Nazis, but it should be. Scalise won’t be condemned for lending credence to a guy like Perkins, who frequently says things about gay people like “To me, that is the height of hatred, to be silent when we know there are individuals that are engaged in activity, behavior, and an agenda that will destroy them and our nation.” And that says a lot about just how stuck in the past the Republican Party truly is.

    They discreetly pander to racists and hope they won’t get caught, but when it comes to anti-gay bigots, they don’t even try to hide their admiration for them. Many within the party are themselves anti-gay. The official Republican Party platform – written in 2012, but reads like it’s from the 1950s – makes a point of saying the GOP is firmly for “traditional marriage” and claims “studies” have shown that gay parents are typically harmful for children – the same kinds of bunk science that the FRC loves to promote.

    As people continue to dig around Scalise’s past, it seems likely that more of his questionable relationships will come to light – given his history, we may be in store for another scandal or two.

  272. says

    Poor FOX News…NOT:
    http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/01/01/fox-news-ratings-plummet-as-dish-network-proves-ideological-bullying-doesnt-buy-air-time/

    The folks over at Fox News had hoped to bully Dish Network into giving their toxic channel the cheap air time it demands, but going into a second week of being banished from the television lineup is only proving that Dish has more clout.

    Because Fox News has played the victim instead of offering a fair price to for its weak programming, Dish dropped the conservative propaganda channel, including Fox Business, much to the delight of Americans who value their brains.

    Of course, this made Fox News go ballistic and conservative heads everywhere begin to explode. Fox even urged their viewers to declare war on Dish Network, telling them to drop their subscriptions in an effort to force Dish’s hand. According to Dish Network CEO Charlie Ergen, Fox is the first channel to throw such a temper tantrum.

    “Ironically, Fox News would be the first network to decry this kind of deal-making,” Ergen said. “There’s nothing about this extortion attempt that was fair or balanced.”

    Earlier in the year, Dish Network had dropped Cartoon Network and a host of other channels during negotiations with Turner Broadcasting. But both sides worked for an agreement and the channels were restored. Fox, however, chose to wage ideological warfare rather than negotiate in good faith.

    The only problem is that Fox is beginning to feel the pain and Dish is only too happy to sit there and watch the right-wing network implode.

    As it turns out, Fox’s ratings have plummeted since the blackout of the channel began earlier this month. How’s that for leverage, Rupert Murdoch?

    On December 21-28, Fox News found themselves without a huge part of their normal audience. Approximately 939,000 nut jobs were able to tune in for their daily dose of brain drain that week compared to the 1.65 million viewers who watched during the same week in 2013. That’s quite a drop in viewership.

    On the other hand, Dish Network serves 13 million customers so those who watch Fox are a mere drop in the bucket by comparison. In other words, Fox can whine all it wants, Dish Network is perfectly content to allow Fox to keep hitting itself in the face. And the fact is, a majority of America would be ecstatic if Fox continued to be blacked out permanently. So be sure to contact Dish and tell them you support their decision to take Fox off the air. Also, be sure to tell them that you would prefer Fox News never be allowed to return. After all, it’s more important now than ever before to protect America’s IQ and prevent lies, sexism, racism, and hate from taking over the media. If the FCC won’t do something about Fox, perhaps it’s time to ask private television service providers to do so.

    ****

    Misogynist fuckstain threatens women:

    Ladies,
    we have called the site ManBook for a reason. We do not wish to have women present. We wish this to be a place where men and boys down to about the age of 16 can come and discuss the issues on their minds without the censorship of fascist book.

    We have asked politely for women to not register but you are registering anyway. This shows total lack of respect for our right to freedom of association. We do not wish to associate with women in this place. Period.

    Since women have so immediately shown us men that you do not respect our right to freedom of association we will summarily delete any account that has a womans name on it.

    We would ask you women to respect our rights as you wish your rights to be respected. If you are unwilling to respect our right to freedom of association do not expect men to respect your right to life. Ok? A right is a right and it is not to be violated lightly because under the law of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” violating the rights of another is broadcasting the fact that others are free to violate any of the rights you might make claim to, including the right to life.

    So. Ladies. Learn what a right is and do not be violating the rights of other people, especially men, if you are not prepared to have your rights violated in return. Ok?

    Now. You have been fairly warned. Your profiles will be summarily deleted. If we suspect a profile to be run by a woman in a mans name we reserve the right to call the profile user on skype and verify their identity in some way. Failure to be agreeable to such a call will result in the deletion of the profile.

    We expect that men will respect the rights of other men here. And we expect that women will respect our right to freedom of association and right to freedom of speech here.

    That’s a post from Joshua Boehm, creator of “Manbook”.

  273. chigau (違う) says

    Why are there only two sides in the Cosby thing?
    Wikipedia says 28 women have come forward.
    When it started it was
    1 Cosby = 1 notCosby
    then
    1 Cosby = 6 notCosby
    then
    1 Cosby = 12 notCosby
    now
    1 Cosby = 28 notCosby
    there is something wrong with the math.

  277. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    Cait:

    ew. : ( Can’t believe he can sell tickets. Oh wait…people are awful. : /

    –

    I sampled a thin slice of my cake (which will be frozen before its frosting and then shining moment on Saturday). I didn’t know i could make a decent cake. :D :D :D

  279. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    Tony:
    ^_^
    I think it’s good, but not “air mail survival” good :D

  281. cicely says

    chigau, I hope your mother doesn’t have to do overs on it!
    Do.
    Not.
    Like.
    –
    Beatrice:

    I’m such a bad person.

    Unequivocal disagreement.
    –
    The Return…of the MDP!
    *foreboding music*
    Grab yer cheeses and run fer yer lives!
    –
    Hi, chimera!
    *beverage*?
    –
    essjay:

    I’m not sure what Pharynguls is, but of course I meant Pharyngula.

    Variant spelling for Pharynghouls, obviously.
    :D
    –
    Tony!, the Shoop can never be make irrelevant!
    But, sometimes, even the Shoop must sleep.
    :)
    –
    *hugs* for CaitieCat.
    You are…remarkable.
    :)
    –
    Oh, no, Mellow Monkey!
    *big hugs*
    –
    *hugs* for Morgan!?. I’m sorry about your breaker boxes, and wish I had some extra warm to send you.
    –

  282. says

    So my favorite TV show is Doctor Who, started watching with my dad back in the 80s. Got him the 50th anniversary special on DVD for christmas- he liked it! And I think the thought mattered as much as the gift itself.

    Also, new computer! Well, new to me. A used homebuild off Craigslist. Faster CPU than my MacBook, equivalent RAM, slightly worse video apparently but being a desktop I’ve actually got upgrade options there, and possibly a source for a free CPU card.

    No word yet on the apartment. Should hear back sometime tomorrow.

  284. Azkyroth Drinked the Grammar Too :) says

    Azkyroth, if/when you’re around:
    I’m glad i bookmarked your pie crust recipe because I’ve been asked to do dessert for a family Christmas on Saturday and I’ve just realized these apples are best suited for a pie. Pies are not my specialty so I might be coming back asking for tips…

    Errm. It’s clear the original linked recipe isn’t mine, though I’ve taken it and played with it slightly and I think my modifications work, right?

    And, thanks. ^.^

    …so, I had a pretty glorious New Years… :3

  285. Azkyroth Drinked the Grammar Too :) says

    Had a really useful consultation with a psychiatrist yesterday, got a small bucket of letters by way of diagnosis, which have helped me understand my fuckedupness better (PTSD, ADD, SAD, Major Depressive, Disthymic, OCD).

    ….EIEIO? :)

  287. says

    Good morning

    Happy New Year to you, too, Chimera

    MM
    *hugs*
    What assholes.
    In Germany they’d be at least liable for the car accidents.

    Tony

    Is this border collie sucking up to her dogsitter?

    Cats and dogs know pretty well which behaviours are acceptable and which are not. If they didn’t we couldn’t train them.

    Caitie
    *hugs*

    +++
    Friend and partner showed up for a late christmas visit. Kids are happily playing with their new Legos. I got a Pricess Leia keyring :)
    From my other friends I got Guinness glasses and a mug taht says “I like you, you’re just as weird as I am”.
    I have the bestest friends!

    +++
    QUESTION
    Any good suggestions for a superhero comic for girls? The kids were playing “superheroes” over the last days and I thought to foster their intrest. But I’m not very knowledgeable in that area.
    I’m currently thinking about translating Ms. Marvel for them…

  288. chimera says

    For all of you with some connection to Ireland and even those who feel none, some Irish winter comfort food and a song :

    Colcannon

    Oh yes yes, butter and cream and potatoes and greens!

    Can also be made with turnip or beet greens for a whammy of vitamins and minerals.

    It’s a grey, grey day in Paris, as usual.

    Il pleure dans mon coeur
    Comme il pleut sur la ville ;
    Quelle est cette langueur
    Qui pénètre mon coeur ?

    It’s crying in my heart
    The way it’s raining in town
    What is this languor
    Soaking my heart?

  289. nich says

    Here in the States, New Year’s Day is when the big American college football games are played. The football team from Florida State University is somewhat notorious for being quarterbacked by an “alleged” rapist who is still only an “alleged” rapist because the administration and local police are thoroughly in bed with the football team. Florida State is also one of those schools that malappropriates Native American culture and bellows a stereotypical ‘Murican Injun “war chant” during its games. Well, the team got absolutely demolished in its New Year’s Day game against the team from the University of Oregon, and players from the opposing team combined those two shitty facts about FSU to make a creative chant of their own.

    (Oh, and speaking of the FSU administration, it just chose this asshole as its president.)

  290. carlie says

    Wow. So for publicly standing up against said rapist, those students will be punished.

    Here’s a statement from Oregon coach Mark Helfrich: “We are aware of the inappropriate behavior in the postgame. This is not what our programs stand for, and the student-athletes will be disciplined internally.”

  291. blf says

    Cologne cathedral to switch off lights in protest at anti-Muslim march:

    March by Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West is latest in a series of anti-Muslim protests in Germany

    Cologne Cathedral, one of Germany’s most famous landmarks, will be plunged into darkness on Monday evening in protest at a march by a grassroots anti-Muslim movement through the western German city.

    The rise of Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West (Pegida) has shaken the political establishment, prompting the chancellor, Angela Merkel, to warn in her new year address that its leaders were racists full of hatred and citizens should beware being used.

    The group’s last weekly rally in the eastern city of Dresden attracted an estimated 17,000 people. It plans to hold further marches in other cities.

    […]

    Dresden’s Semperoper opera house also turned off its lights in protest during an earlier Pegida march through the city.

    An opinion poll on Thursday revealed that one in eight Germans would join an anti-Muslim march if Pegida organised one in their town. […]

  292. birgerjohansson says

    Gilliell: “Any good suggestions for a superhero comic for girls?”
    The Authority has some kick-ass women alongside a gay couple, a hippie and others. But the albums are a bit uneven.
    A graphic novel for older girls: “Four Women”. And The Maxx by the same author.

  293. birgerjohansson says

    Linkgasm:

    (From Slate. These are the people who make campaign donations and own *both* parties)
    “My Favorite Graph of 2014: The Rise and Rise of the Top 0.1 Percent” http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2014/12/31/best_graph_of_2014_the_rise_and_rise_of_top_0_1.html
    One thousandth of the US population now owns one fifth of the accumulated wealth of America. And they hardly noticed the recession.

    “Who was the most racist modern president? Here are 5 surprising candidates” http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/01/who-was-the-most-racist-modern-president-here-are-5-surprising-candidates/

    Stockholm rallies after trio of mosque attacks http://www.thelocal.se/20150102/mosques-on-high-alert-after-arson-attacks

    Innate behavior determines how we steer our car http://phys.org/news/2015-01-innate-behavior-car.html

  294. blf says

    Stockholm rallies after trio of mosque attacks…

    Sorry, three Mosque attacks? I know of two very recent ones, both arson (if my memory is correct), but must admit I hadn’t read of a third.

  296. says

    Mitch McConnell’s first actions as leader of the Senate, his top priority, will be to allow rich donors to give more money to political candidates.

    If McConnell gets what he wants, rich donors who hit the $5,200 [per candidate] limit could simply route further donations to candidates by giving to political party committees—which may accept far larger donations and could work directly with the candidates to ensure the money was spent as the donors intended. “The practical effort here is to repeal the limits,” Wertheimer says.

    McConnell has a broader plan here. Politico recently noted that McConnell is seeking to direct more big money to political parties, as opposed to outside groups such as super-PACs that in theory must remain independent of candidates.

    http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2014/12/harry-reid-mitch-mcconnell-budget-bill-rider-campaign-finance

  298. says

    A large segment of the USA’s conservative/religious community is vociferous about promoting “Family Values,” being pro-family and all that. But in terms of policy, they are often not pro-family. They say they are, but they are not.

    Compared to other rich nations in the OECD group, America’s outlier status is stark: the UK guarantees 39 weeks of paid leave for mothers, two of which are mandatory. Australia offers 18 weeks. And Mexico, the US’s neighbor to the south, gives mothers 12 weeks of paid leave, reimbursed at 100 percent of their salary. […]

    In the US, paid parental leave is considered a benefit provided by employers. Yet, only 12 percent of workers reported having such coverage in 2013, according to an estimate from the Bureau of Labor Statistics National Compensation Survey.

    Daily Kos link.

  299. says

    I hope this accident doesn’t significantly diminish Harry Reid’s effectiveness in the Senate. We need him to fight Mitch McConnell’s plan to make it easier for rich donors to control politics in the USA.

    Reid was using exercise equipment that broke (no details) and is now hospitalized with broken ribs and with broken bones in his face.

  300. says

    Two days ago, Slate ran a piece quoting Kenny Knight, a close associate of David Duke, who booked the room for the white supremacist group, known as EURO. Knight claimed that he invited Scalise to speak to the “Jefferson Heights Civic Association, which was largely comprised of elderly people who lived in his and Scalise’s neighborhood.” The meeting of the civic association, Knight said, just happened to be held in the same room as the EURO conference held later that day. Knight told The Times-Picayune that he “was not a member of EURO and did not arrange for any speakers at the 2002 conference.”

    Naturally, rightwing media jumped on that bit of “news” and claimed the Scales was being hounded by the liberal media.

    No, not true. Knight was lying. Knight was following up the lies of Scalise by lying some more.

    But, as it turns out, Knight was lying. Not only was Knight a member of the EURO group but “documents filed with the Louisiana secretary of state’s office list him as treasurer…” He is also listed as a member of the group in a 2002 news release for the conference in question, where he was scheduled as a speaker.

    Asked about the discrepancy and the state document listing him as treasurer of the group, Knight hung up twice on a reporter for The Times-Picayune. Eventually, Knight said “Is that 15 years ago? I don’t even remember that. I’m not communicating any more with the news media. I’m finished with y’all.”

    If you have any further questions, ask David Duke. In an interview with the Washington Post, Duke said he “recalled Knight reaching out to Scalise in the weeks before the conference to come and update attendees on state affairs, and that Scalise accepted without reservation.”

    So, yeah, yet another Republican politician is a white supremacist. Now an outed white supremacist. John Boehner still likes him.

    Think Progress link.

    Times-Picayune link #1

    Times-Picayune link#2

  302. rq says

    Fun read: 10 Real Incidents that Suggest Time Travelers Exist.

    So many ways they could make the story awesome. Stunning New Cinderella Trailer Smashes The Glass Slipper. Like putting in ideas of consent and actually getting to know each other in it. As one of the twitterfolk I follow says, “Cinderella never asked for a prince. All she wanted was a night off and a new dress.” That would be a fun movie, but also, I’m sentimentally attached to this one, I hope they make a decent effort. I ♥ Cate Blanchett.

  303. Funny Diva says

    cross-posted from T-Dome and “Saddest Thing” thread

    MODERATOR REQUEST:
    There’s a Christofascist troll trolling on the “Saddest Thing I’ve Read” thread.
    Really needs an insta-banhammering.

    Could somebody please send up the proper signal?

    Thanks awfully.

  304. rq says

    I’m all tears. My two best friends back in Canada – one of them lost her grandmother on New Year’s day, one of the sweetest and most understanding women (but among the most vicious euchre players!!!) I’ve ever known; and the other got engaged in her fairy-tale romance of a lovestory in Central Park, New York, to an amazing man.

  305. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    omgomgomgomg it’s soooo cold

    Went to Slovenia with mum. Thermometer is showing 16°C right now…. on the wall accross the stove. Which means it’s probably around 10 in my room.

  306. Funny Diva says

    PS:

    To all the Horde regulars who have fought and continue to fight the good fight on that thread–
    Thank You. (Especially to the trans* commenters sharing their life experiences.)
    Also to everyone who said “Oh, No. You. Don’t!” in response to #notallcis comments. I had my own moment of #notallcis, but all y’all got me back on track very quickly.

    I continue to learn a whole lot from all of you. I think I’m a better person for reading, pondering and taking in your comments.

  308. Funny Diva says

    rq: hugs if you want them. I’m so sorry for your loss and your friends’ loss.

    Beatrice: hugs if you want them, too. Bcuz it’s a toasty 65 Fahrenheit in my house and I’m all toasty in my layers and layers of layers and layers.

  309. Funny Diva says

    rq: unfortunately, that link only prompts me to set up microsoft outlook on my ‘puter, which is not helpful at all.
    that’s why I was trying to do that via the Lounge and Dome.
    But if anyone knows the actual email address for “contact a mod”, I’d be happy to add it to my contacts list in the email program I do use. I couldn’t get it to come up when I “hovered” over the link in the left-hand side-panel…

    so…I did try. Just wanted to go to a back-up method sooner rather than later. Though I hope this particular troll is just a one-off, hit-and-run [epithets deleted as this is Teh Lounge and I’m not kindly disposed towards said troll…]

  310. rq says

    I feel like circling the room with Arms of Doom yelling ‘Repennnt, REEPPEEEEENNNNT!!!’ right now.

  312. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    Funny Diva,
    Thanks, *hugs* back

    I’m wearing thermo socks, so at least my feet are good.
    I don’t think I’ve ever gone to bed in a sweater either. Brrrrrr

  314. The Mellow Monkey says

    Funny Diva, you can send messages to the monitors at guardians-of-pharyngula on googlegroups.com.

    Probably just a one off troll, but it’s still nasty hate speech aimed at hurting people.

  315. Funny Diva says

    *hands rq the anti-jeebus-virus spray*
    would this help?

    Or perhaps some grog and cheese?

    I’m hunting down an image of the mug I received as an Xmas gift from an aunt. It was all I could do to not register my revulsion, as I’m not “out” to my family as an atheist.

  316. Pteryxx says

    Funny Diva, the monitor email is g u a r d i a n s – o f – p h a r y n g u l a (without all those spaces, but with the hyphens) followed by googlegroups.com after the -at- thingy. Hope that helps.

  317. rq says

    Beatrice
    I know that feeling, it’s what we had in the house when we returned from the country for a couple of days away. 8 degrees downstairs in the kitchen. *brrrrrrrrrrrrr*

    Funny Diva
    Thanks, and I have the monitor email somewhere, if you would like me to fish it up, but I see the Horde-signal has already gone up.

    Tony
    Which part, exactly? Arms of Doom, yelling ‘repent’, or running in circles? Because I can guarantee you the last will get me stubbed toes anyway. I may as well have fun doing it. ;) (Stubbed toes and LEGO.)

  319. rq says

    Up, I see Pteryxx and The Mellow Monkey have already posted it up. Yay!
    Also, curious about this mug. Will it require some unholy water? I have some unconverted wine on hand, too.

  320. Funny Diva says

    let’s just say it’s one ugly mug! (in more ways than one.)

    it’s got red/white gingham check around a cluster of cherries and says:

    in 48-point type– GOD
    followed by
    in 10-point type–bless the cook.

    yeahhhh, thanks…I was soooooo in danger of forgetting how it’s all about GAWD.

    Maybe it does need some un-holy pasta-water…maybe just a ritual smashing, but that would make a mess to clean up.
    I have scruples both about just binning it and about donating it to a charity resale shop.
    It’s sitting out to remind me to think about how to dispose of it…though the message side is turned to the back where it can’t keep poking me in the eye and heart.

  321. says

    Some media reaction to mormon communities that pressure gay mormon men to marry women:

    My Husband’s Not Gay isn’t so much an indication that Mormonism is homophobic as it is a sign that Mormon homophobia has taken an even subtler and more pernicious turn.

    TLC’s reality programming has always boasted an impressive pantheon of gay men: the ever dapper Clinton Kelly on What Not to Wear, former Miss Gay America Randy Fenoli on Say Yes to the Dress, the illustrious Vern Yip on Trading Spaces. On January 11, we can add to that number the men on TLC’s new reality special My Husband’s Not Gay, which showcases Mormon men who are open about their attraction to men even as they date and sometimes marry women. […]

    http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/01/01/your-husband-is-definitely-gay-tlc-s-painful-portrait-of-mormonism.html

  322. says

    Here’s another excerpt from the article about gay mormon men being pressured to marry women:

    Mary Elizabeth Williams of Salon labels the show a “crass stunt” on a “bottom-feeding vortex of sadness network.” Isha Aran at Jezebel worries that the show “glorif[ies] the way religion can constrain people.” ThinkProgress calls the premise “uncomfortable and vaguely sad.” Across the board, My Husband’s Not Gay has been cited as a new low for both the network and the stubbornly homophobic Mormon religion.

    There’s no denying that My Husband’s Not Gay exploits people in precarious positions or that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—which reaffirmed its opposition to same-sex marriage this October—is anti-gay. But if we dig deeper, we might also see the show as a painful portrait of a religion stuck at a crossroads with respect to its official policy on homosexuality. Although the Mormon Church, as it is commonly known, has long opposed homosexuality—most notably playing an influential role in California’s since-overturned 2008 ban on same-sex marriage—its official stance toward its own gay members has softened over the years. But the plight of the men on My Husband’s Not Gay demonstrates that Mormonism is not changing quickly enough to prevent another generation of sham marriages.

  324. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    … and find a pretty sticker to cover god

  325. says

    My advice for “GOD” mug is to paint it and then follow rq’s suggestion to plant something in it — maybe an herb that doesn’t require much room or soil to grow.

  326. says

    Don’t like the facts? Just omit them. That’s been the modus operandi of religious groups in the USA for some time. Those groups have like-minded compatriots around the world, as is evidenced by this story:

    […] For months, publishing giant HarperCollins has been selling an atlas it says was “developed specifically for schools in the Middle East.” It trumpets the work as providing students an “in-depth coverage of the region and its issues.” Its stated goals include helping kids understand the “relationship between the social and physical environment, the region’s challenges [and] its socio-economic development.”

    Nice goals. But there’s one problem: Israel is missing.

    There’s Syria. There’s Jordan. There’s Gaza. But no mention of Israel. […]

    Washington Post link.

  327. Funny Diva says

    Oooh…good suggestions, thank you everyone! I do love a little project!
    I think I even have some ceramics-grade, heat-cured craft paint around here somewhere…though now I think about it, it’s transparent, so not much help…good thing that stuff’s relatively cheap.

    As for a tenant from the plant kingdom…maybe I’ll just periodically buy a small pot/start of whatever’s at the local farmer’s market…once that starts up again.

  328. says

    rq & Funny Diva

    I feel like circling the room with Arms of Doom yelling ‘Repeainnnt, REEPPEEEEEAAAIIINNNNT!!!’ right now.

    See, that neatly fixes both your problems. Use ceramic paint and pimp it. Alternatively, it’th traditional in Germany to smash plates and mugs before a wedding (usually at the party you have before getting married) for good luck. You could just be multicultural…

    +++
    Oh, I did get something for christmas from my parents today…

  329. Funny Diva says

    Giliell,

    OK, I LOL’d over “repaaaaaaint”.
    But as both my mother’s parents were 1st-generation USAdian offspring of German immigrants, the smashing-of-ceramics thing would fall a bit short of my own, albeit idiosyncratic, idea of multiculturalness.

    And in spite of my low proficiency with the language, when I visited Germany many years ago the cultural differences felt pretty low-key and minor…not all that foreign, even if I couldn’t follow much of the conversation around me. Though no doubt the natives were often taking into account and humoring the 20-something American college student.

  330. rq says

    Funny Diva
    A cactus? An extra-prickly one, perhaps.
    Or you can try doing an avocado. Mine never work out, but then, my mug never said ‘god’ on it, so… good luck?

  331. Funny Diva says

    Oh, and was the prezzie from your parents nice? I hope so, though I’m almost afraid to ask…

  333. Funny Diva says

    two outta three ain’t bad?

    glad to hear it’s the hazelnuts you’re allergic to, and not the Glenfiddich! (If they’re toasted I’d be happy to take the noisettes off your hands, btw…especially if enrobed in chocolate!)

    Hey! Who stole all a my capital letters today?!
    I must have a lazy shifting finger today…

  335. Funny Diva says

    mmmmm, fanks! om nom nom *schlurp*
    oops…’scuse me for talking with my mouth full!

  338. Funny Diva says

    *hides box*
    what? oh, no…nope, don’t think so. dis chocolate all over my face? nah, it’s just…hershey’s, yeah, that’s it…

    just kidding. *hands over box* here, have some!

  339. rq says

    Giliell
    Good night…

    Funny Diva
    Thank you. I was a bit worried I’d have to have some harsh internet words at you, but… HEY, that’s just the wrapper and a few crumbs!!!

  341. Nerd of Redhead, Dances OM Trolls says

    A couple of nights ago the Redhead said she was hungry at bedtime for Nerd. I left her with the remnants of a box of chocolate her BFF sent, and a glass of milk, even unwrapping the still foiled ones. The complaint the next morning was that she ate to many….Bwahahahaha.

  342. rq says

    Well, I just had too few because SOMEone *points both elbows at Funny Diva* had TOO MANY.
    But I guess I’ll just go to bed, nyah, since the last child finally decided that, yes, 1AM is finally a good time to fall asleep.

  343. says

    I had a couple of nice surprises fall on my head today.

    The small one: I gave Husband a gift card from Armstrong’s Nursery for Christmas, which he promptly misplaced and has been searching for ever since. Today is laundry day, and his gift card fell out of the dryer onto my feet, all clean and warm. I made him put the gift card AND the receipt (in case it won’t scan) in his wallet immediately. This is the third laundry day since Christmas, so I have no idea where the card was; in the 8th dimension, maybe.

    The big shiny one: I found out this afternoon that I won this in the Beadaholique 12 days of Christmas drawing. I am a very happy dragon.

  344. Funny Diva says

    Ooooooh, Anne!
    Congratulations! What lovely, shiny loot!
    I hope you’ll post photos of whatever you end up crafting from such mahvellous materials!

  346. carlie says

    Anne, how fantastic! I wouldn’t be able to do anything but run my fingers through them going “Mwwoooah-ha-haaaa”

  347. Rowan vet-tech says

    Anne…. as a rockhound, and fellow dragon, I would like to immediately register an extreme level of good natured jealousy. I may have to go snuggle my giant hunk of jade for a bit to stop drooling over the pictures on that link.

    In a completely threatrupty feeling, I am going to post pictures of snakes. Because I can.

    Avedan, my funky patterned phantom: http://imageshack.com/a/img673/452/gdmIXU.jpg

    Galena, my charcoal moonstone girly and favoritest snake: http://imageshack.com/a/img633/3372/s7X8vt.jpg

    Gabrielle, daughter of my near black pewter, showing off her lovely dark colors: http://imageshack.com/a/img537/5034/O4PzmZ.jpg

    and Bansidhe, my little world’s first (or 2nd, if his older sister Hematite proves out): http://imageshack.com/a/img673/452/gdmIXU.jpg

    And in yay random news, because I’m feeling yayrandom, I’m taking an intro to drawing class that starts next week and I’m super excited and hope that I can get past “draw this box” so that I can get to parts that will help me improve my art.

  351. says

    Good morning

    Rowan
    Pretty beasts they are, pretty beasts!

    Anne
    Ooooooooohhhhh.
    My favourite beads are Bohemian crystals ’cause shiny!
    And I git a belated gift from my sister yesterday*, one of those bracelets where you can add beads.
    *We usually end up with a lot of gifts because we usually start somewhere in August with “oh wouldn’t that be a nice christmas gift for my sister” and then we both occasionally misplace some of them

    chigau
    There’s some hot mulled wine waiting for you.

    +++

    Anne, how fantastic! I wouldn’t be able to do anything but run my fingers through them going “Mwwoooah-ha-haaaa”

    My local fabric dealer has a “button box”. It’s a 1X1X0.4m box full with buttons for 5 ct apiece. I simply love the feeling of burying my hands in there.

  355. Nick Gotts says

    rq@353,

    Hmm, i’ll have to get that book! Sounds like an excellent illustration of something I was arguing on a thread here recently: that memory (and mentality generally) is not the product of the brain alone.

  356. azhael says

    I love snakes and i have to say those pictures make me very sad…
    I’m sure you love your snakes and give them excellent housing, Rowan, but i wish people would realise that that type of selective breeding is atrocious for the captive gene-pool and the future generations. It’s so shortsighted…and it causes so much harm….
    I’m sorry, i just absolutely hate the morph market and that whole (huge) side of the hobby and what it does to the poor animals, it makes me furious…

  357. carlie says

    azhael – Rowan is a veterinary scientist, and I trust knows all about captive population breeding and genetics and is doing it well.

    I simply love the feeling of burying my hands in there.

    It took me until literally sometime this decade to realize that not everyone in the world has to touch everything they see. It wasn’t until I was deep into learning about sensory issues and such that I found out that a) not everyone likes to touch things and b) yes, I am one of those people who, when walking through a store, has my hands constantly out and fondling the merchandise. I never realized that was unusual; it’s just instinctively how I “see” things.

  358. azhael says

    Unfortunately, carlie, her qualifications (which i don’t doubt) or even her genuine care for her snakes are not the issue. There are hundreds of qualified scientists and vets out there who keep and breed morphs of various species…that doesn’t make it any less harmful for the captive gene-pool. I’ve seen vets breeding and selling spider ball pythons with a neurological “wobbling” syndrome. It’s not just the mutations associated to deleterious effects, like spider ball pythons, enigma leopard geckos, silkback cornsnakes and pogonas, bugeyed leucistics, etc, it’s also the line breeding, the loss of genetic variability, the fixing of linked genes that are not purposefully being selected for, etc. This type of aesthetics based selection is consistently impoverishing the captive gene-pool and it’s only going to get worse and worse…Many species are already paying a high price for it and it keeps expanding and devouring more and more species. The morph market as a whole is responsible for animal cruelty and suffering because monetary value and rarity are valued over well-being, fitness and long term viability.

  360. says

    Well, it still takes ALL my self control not to put shiny pebbles into my mouth.
    Any more questions?

    azhael
    I don’t doubt your genuine care, but I also don’t doubt Rowan’s, whom I know to be very careful about breeding healthy snakes.

  361. azhael says

    I don’t know what she breeds, although i strongly suspect she wouldn’t breed animals with obvious problems, like other people do. However, by breeding any morph you are contributing to the loss of genetic variability…you don’t know what other genes you are fixing in those lines and you are participating of a market that is absolutely disgusting and which does mass produce animals with serious problems.
    I know i’m being a buzzkill, but it’s something i’ve been fighting against for a long time and it kills me to see knowledgeable, caring people, whose good intentions i don’t doubt, contributing to the decline of captive populations and a market that causes missery and suffering.

  362. rq says

    I love touching EVERYTHING. Especially in stores. I won’t buy clothes that feel wrong in some kind of way. Not necessarily soft or gentle, but they need to feel a certain kind of right. Food – I love fondling in the fruits-and-vegetables section. Sometimes I’m sad that the fresh meat department is behind glass, as I’m pretty sure I’d be touching all over that, too.
    Shiny things like buttons and pearls and beads are almost best – books are absolute best. And this is also why I don’t go into jewellery stores. :)

  364. says

    I had to laugh at the wording “magnetic Pope,” but I am pleased to hear that the Pope is driving a wedge between catholics that agree with him and conservative catholics in the USA that disagree violently. Driving wedges between religious groups can result in good outcomes.

    The magnetic pope has sparked new enthusiasm around the world for the church and has flexed his political muscles internationally, most recently by helping to engineer a new relationship between the United States and Cuba.



    But Francis’s agenda, which also includes calls to address income inequality and limit climate change, is putting him at odds with Republicans, including GOP Catholics in the United States.


    So, Republicans in the USA are hating on the Pope, eh. Just wait until Francis really get going with this agenda to address climate change. [gleeful schadenfreude]

    The Hill link.
    New York Times link, climate subject.

  367. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    rq,

    I’m the lady who side-eyes you when you fondle tomatoes. ;)

    I try to touch fruits and vegetables I’m not going to buy as little as possible, so as not to damage them. I like touching other items – clothes need to feel right, cups need to be examined from all sides, etc.

  368. Saad says

    A heartwarming misogynist Dear Abby question in today’s paper.

    Dear Abby:

    I’m 67 and I like sex. My wife doesn’t. She has no drive. It may be health-related, maybe due to meds. She has no time; she’s a workaholic.

    I met a widow who is very tempting. She suggested a “no strings” hookup. I’m starting to think it’s not adultery if my wife is sexless. Your thoughts, Abby?

    – Pennsylvania Senior

  369. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    Giliell,
    I think that’s not just not vegan, but also cannibalistic.

  370. says

    I only fondle the produce I’m planning to buy, to make sure it’s good. I’m careful not to damage it, I have manners.

    Fabrics, yarns, shiny things, books, on the other hand… How could anyone not touch? I know someone ( not me, not me at all) who has been known to wander around the bookstore not quite dancing in the aisles while caressing that special book. But that was *ahem* someone else.

  371. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    Anne,
    Books….. mmm….
    (I know someone who’s not me who’s a book fondler too. )

    In a move straight out of a bad comedy, I managed to accidentally give myself Hitler moustache after filling the stove with wood. Mum nearly dropped the plates laughing.

  372. says

    beatrice

    Giliell,
    I think that’s not just not vegan, but also cannibalistic.

    In this case: Finely grated Giliell with chickpea vegetable curry was delicious.
    there you go. I try to cook a vegan meal once and that’s how it ends.

  373. The Mellow Monkey says

    Lovely pics, Rowan! My partner’s little snake from you has been dubbed John Muir and Muirsnake is growing nicely. (In honor of his name, he has a redwoods backdrop.)

    Giliell, ahhhhh! That sounds incredibly unpleasant. I’ve gotten ginger in my eye before, but luckily never an open wound.

  374. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    Anne:
    Add me to the Jealous List. That’s really really cool.

    –

    I also like to touch things. I think I got it from my mom. We both fan out the book pages while reading and run our fingertips over it.

    I need to make the pie filling and the cake frosting. But first coffee :)

  375. says

    I confess to being a fondler of books. If you have any books that are suffering from a lack of affectionate fondling, send them to me and I will fulfill all their needs.

    My current object of much fondling is a hardback version of Tove Jansson’s “Sculptor’s Daughter.” The book has a lovely red fabric (feels like fabric) spine and is printed on high quality, matte finish white paper. I am using a green grosgrain ribbon as a bookmark. Some black and white photos are reproduced in the book, and if you run your fingers over them they feel smoother than the pages with printed text.

    I lavish extra fondling over phrases or paragraphs that delight me. This includes the note my daughter penned in the front of the book: “To my Mama, who will understand this small, fierce creature.” I can feel the imprint of the pen used to write that note.

    I am also a tree fondler. Even a tree I can’t climb is happily fondled — though I do love climbing trees, a way of fondling with your whole body. I’m not as good at this as I used to be, but I carry on as if I were.

    A piece of clothing on a store rack may attract my eye, but if it doesn’t feel right at the first touch, I immediately reject it.

  378. says

    Not enough Idris Elba for me….

    +++
    Also, I just did cutwork embroidery for the first time. It’s hugely intimidating since, as the name suggests, you have to cut your item/fabric in the process which adds a whole new layer of “things you can fuck up” to this. But I’m really pleased with the results so far. Except for the bit of black lint that tarnishes the white embroidery.
    I got some tank tops cheap for the girls (I don’T know why the store thought they would sell well in November, so they were like 50% off a few weeks later) and added the cutwork to the backs (done with #1’s, still have to do the little ones.
    I wishes I could go without a bra and make me one, too, but alas, mother nature endowed me more than well. But maybe for my sister…

  379. Nerd of Redhead, Dances OM Trolls says

    Do I need to grease my ceramic pie plate?

    I would grease all pie plates, metal, glass or ceramic (a form of glass). It will make cleaning a lot easier.

  382. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    I’m reading Stanislaw Lem for the first time.
    Tales of Pirx The Pilot

    Loving his style.

    Giliell,
    I love buying summer clothes in winter (and vice versa). They’re cheaper and are later fun to “find” in the closet when the appropriate weather comes.

  385. rq says

    Tony @376
    That is not a link you should be posting while I am on my period and thus currently limited in my sexy options. Apologies for the drool all over that post.

  386. rq says

    Beatrice
    re: Stanislaw Lem
    I highly, highly recommend Solaris – it’s probably his best-known book, but I love it. It is completely obscure and creepy and leaves a lot of questions at the end, but day-um, that books gives me chills. The good kind. (Also, the old movie by Tarkovsky – catches the atmosphere just perfect, esp. in the black-and-white.)

  387. chigau (違う) says

    The overhead light in the kitchen is not functioning.
    The counter lamps are nowhere near the stove and sink.
    I am conducting food-prep wearing a head-lamp.

  388. carlie says

    I always wondered what a head-lamp would be good for, other than spelunking and mining.

    Now I know.

  389. Rob Grigjanis says

    rq @386:

    Also, the old movie by Tarkovsky – catches the atmosphere just perfect, esp. in the black-and-white.

    1972 is old? Oh cripes, so am I. It is a lovely movie, but it concentrates more on Kelvin’s personal life, and less on the “failure to communicate” aspect in the novel. It introduced me to a beautiful Bach work I hadn’t been aware of: BWV 639. Also had two Balts in leading roles (a Lithuanian and an Estonian).

    Beatrice @382: I’d also recommend The Invincible and The Cyberiad.

  390. Saad says

    rq, #385

    That is not a link you should be posting while I am on my period and thus currently limited in my sexy options. Apologies for the drool all over that post.

    Phew, what a relief. At first I thought you meant his #381.

  392. thunk: divided opinions on cats says

    Hello everyone! I’m back!

    The new years’ wasn’t as bad as I expected. There was only a small amount of bigotry. There was, sadly a small amount of people, especially the people of my age I could relate to, so it wasn’t really fun either. How sad.

    Whatever.. I’m just chilling in bed, squeeing over the reprise of Snow and Cold that is soon to come; I love it.

    My year 2014 wasn’t so bad– lots of contentment and bliss especially in the second half– and here’s to a better 2015 for everyone.

  393. cicely says

    *sigh*
    Just my luck.
    There were hazelnuts in chocolate, and I missed it.
    :(
    –
    Anne:

    I found out this afternoon that I won this in the Beadaholique 12 days of Christmas drawing.

    Sweet!
    –
    *waving*
    Hi, thunk!
    –

  395. Tapetum says

    Add me to the list of texture-hounds. The husbeast (who is very visual) keeps scratching his head at my refusal to buy mail-order yarn unless I can find a skein somewhere to fondle first – but if it doesn’t feel good to touch, I will never, ever use it.

    Also, mmmmmm…Idris Elba…

  396. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    Hi thunk! :D
    My NY was just ok, too. Meh.

    –

    Got home from family Christmas and was home for about ten minutes when the radio tones went off. The roads are slick so we got called to two car accidents at once. Neither turned out to be serious but poor SO is snoozing now that I’m home. Oh, well. I’ll Internet for a little while then probably start snoring myself.

    –

    Tapetum:
    My first online order of yarn was a big leap for me. But my love of getting packages in the mail full of fun stuff won out over that. ^_^

  398. Tapetum says

    The Avi situation has brought up a question about plagiarism for me, and I thought the Horde might be a good place to ask it, since you are a pretty well-versed lot in the relevant issues.

    A number of years ago, I wrote a bunch of essays for a reasonably popular website (for which I was not paid). About two years after I wrote it, a publisher contracted for a “Best of” book from the website, and several of my pieces were chosen for inclusion. Part of that process was re-editing, adjusting length, and such-like to get the essays ready for publication. The essays in the book were paid writing, and indeed have earned me a fair amount over time.

    In the process of looking up more data for a particular essay that needed lengthening, I stumbled upon a curious thing. Someone had evidently taken the essay, paraphrased it nearly line by line, and turned it in for credit in one of his medical school classes. It was carefully done – there were no intact phrases that could have been googled to pop up my essay – but it hewed far too carefully not only to my original data, but to my structure and reasoning to be coincidental, even on the “I read this and then wrote something similar” level. Nor was my essay listed as a reference – rather he used my same list of references.

    What says the Horde about what a proper response would have been to this? How much time would pass before a response would become irrelevant anyway? By even the time I found the essay, the culprit was graduated from medical school – already too late, or should I have done something anyway?

  399. Sili says

    If it wouldn’t have cost any significant time or effort, I say rat the fucker out. It’s never too late.

  400. rq says

    Rob
    *ahem* I meant what Dalillama said at 391. You shining example of sprightly youth. ;)
    Also, while the movie concentrates on his private life, I found it caught the mood of the book (or what I got from it) near-perfect, though I was disappointed that it skipped over a lot of the fantastic imagery of it (a product of the current effect capabilities?). I recently watched Stalker and it seems to be his style.

  401. A. Noyd says

    Speaking of fondling books, what the fuck are they making book covers out of these days? There are several new rubbery and/or rough textures that are just so fucking unpleasant to touch. I can’t stand them, and they’re everywhere.

    Luckily the Japanese book market hasn’t been infected to nearly the same extent, but way to drive me to buy everything on the Kindle, struggling US paper book market. Stupid fuckers.

  402. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    Head lamps are also good for doing barbecue after dark in badly lit places.

    —
    THe Invincible is in the same book, as is Return From The Stars

  403. says

    Good morning

    Tapetum
    Titles and degrees can be revoked, so it’s not too late

    chigau
    Moving your question here: I have no idea what that position is called, neither in German nor in English. It’s kind of not a position anyway. If you do it right it’s one fluid movement (but most people hold the arrow drawn for a second or maximum two to adjust their aim)

    Portia

    My first online order of yarn was a big leap for me. But my love of getting packages in the mail full of fun stuff won out over that. ^_^

    I’m best buddies with the parcel person. I buy all my embroidery staples online, cause I know what I need. At the moment bets are on whether my Surlies will arrive here directly or land in Customs, which is really just something to spite people.
    Technically, I have to pay VAT on everything between 22 and 150 € including shipping, which is 10€ already from the States. For me that’s just fuck annoying, but I have a car and drive the 15km easily, but with public transport taht would be a major obstacle. And nobody can pay me that the 5 to 20 bucks people pay actually pay for the costs of sending you a note that your parcel is there, storing your parcel, somebody dealing with you for 10 minutes in person, somebody doing all the paperwork…
    Sometimes stuff just comes without going through Customs, probably when they are busy with real work.

  404. rq says

    I have this weird affliction where I actually enjoy driving in terrible road conditions. Like the blizzard today. The realization that nature is against me removes any stress I may have for running late or rushing, plus there’s practically no other traffic to annoy me.
    And yes, I freely admit that I drove (in lieu of taking the train) purely for my own comfort (hate walking in the city slush, gross).

  405. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    I’m considering going to a circus performance.
    Honestly, the idea freaks me out a bit: clowns are horrible mockings of everything, dangerous stunts are dangerous and I don’t know what to expect regarding the treatment of animals.
    But mum is very interested, since she hasn’t been to a circus in a couple of decades.
    If I just sit there with my eyes closed, maybe she won’t notice?

  406. rq says

    High winds! Flooding! Snow! Freezing temperatures! I can tell we’re in for an interesting weather-week. The river level in the capital has already increased by a metre, and as is traditional in any scenario with increased precipitation, our neighbouring town of Ogre is already under flood conditions. Soon to be frozen in. Which means a delayed mess, come thaw (whether in February or April).
    Thank goodness again we had the sense to buy the house up on the hill, not the one down right by the river (flood embankment notwithstanding, the groundwater’s pretty high there, too).

  407. rq says

    I has been delegated to message from bluentx:

    please convey my wish for ‘continued success in 2015 (if 2014 was good) and ‘better times’ (if not) to all in TL ! [ I also meant to convey belated HB greetings to Tony for events of Dec. 16 ! ]

    With possible musical itnerlude to follow (and I confess I am a couple of *ahem* late with that greeting).

  408. rq says

    Beatrice
    Well, is it a clown-ful type of circus performance? Or more animals? Or random acrobats? But you’re right, there’s a lot to cringe at in a circus performance… (Personally, I like watching the acrobatics, but…) If you feel too much discomfort in going, then don’t feel bad about not going. Although, if your seats are further from the actual ring, the intervening distance might serve as a buffer between you and whatever-that-will-be-performed. :(
    Is it worth doing a bit of research on the specific circus company, to see what kind of a record they have with, say, animals or employees, and forming a decision with your mum based on that, with possible near-future alternatives proposed?
    If you choose to go and hold your eyes shut, just remember to let out little screams of excitement together with your mum, then she definitely won’t notice. :) A la smile-and-nod school of diversion. ;)

  409. carlie says

    Tapetum – most schools have no time limit on penalties for academic misconduct (there may be time limits in their procedures from the time of discovery, but not on how long before it’s noticed). Heck, I’d go ahead and report it now, if it’s easy to find again. I doubt the med school would revoke a degree, but at the least you could request that they contact the person for an official apology.

  410. Nick Gotts says

    Beatrice@382,

    In addition to those Lems already mentioned, I recommend The Star Diaries andThe Futurological Congress. Haven’t read Pirx the Pilot – I must find a copy.

  411. rq says

    Oh, and for an exercise in weirdness, absurdity and bureauracy, I recommend Memoirs Found in a Bathtub. It was a many-layered piece of je ne sais quoi, though strangely captivating.

  412. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    Giliell:
    :( sheesh what a pain. Hope you get your surlies soon. I got mine pretty quickly, one more thing to be thankful for, being in the same country as Surly Amy.
    But agreed – love ordering art/craft supplies in the mail. It’s like getting a package full of possibility.

    –

    rq:
    Yeah, we are getting snow now and apparently tomorrow night is a Winter Storm™ : p
    Hello, Winter.

  413. says

    carlie

    Head-lamps are very useful in camping. It’s tough to set up a camper or a tent with one hand. Lanterns can help a little, but sometimes you need the light right where you are working.

    —

    Fever is a sign that your body is fighting off an infection, right?. So why do I not get a fever before the vomiting when I get a gastrointestinal virus? Do my intestines have to be being forced up my throat before the white blood cells say, “Huh. Maybe we should do something about this”?

    Why yes, my 2015 has started off with a, er, bang, why do you ask? (At least it was only a 24 hour thing.)

  415. opposablethumbs says

    Thank you for passing on the message, rq – and Happy 2015 to bluentx!
    Ugh, ajb47 – hope it’s well and truly over and that you feel ok now.

  416. says

    ajb 47
    I had one of these 24 hours belly bugs before christmas. Glad you’re feeling better now.

    Portia
    Well, at least I have a loooooong time of looking forward to them :)
    I never start to worry about stuff from the USA for the first 4 weeks. I remember that I once ordered a second hand book and it took so long that by the time it arrived I had completely forgotten about it (but it was worth it. Peter S. Beagle, The Innkeeper’s Song).
    Is your SO also perma-surpeised about the amounts you order? Mr couldn’t believe it when the stabilizer arrived. Duh, that stuff has prices that vary with the amount you buy. They also offer free shipping over 50 bucks. It makes no sense to buy 5m every 6 months if you can buy 25m every other year*
    *If you can, of course.

    +++
    beatrice
    I love shopping off-season, too. Fortunately we can do so. Another way where life soundly favours the middle class: I can save lots of money by spending it on things I don’t need right now but certainly will in the future.

  418. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    Giliell,

    Ah, I didn’t think of that. You’re right, of course. It’s a similar thing to being privileged enough to buy quality clothes that will last longer (and you’ll in the end spend less than by replacing cheaper ones every season).

  419. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    Giliell:

    They also offer free shipping over 50 bucks

    Yes, this is exactly my downfall with knitpicks, and yes, perma-surprised is the perfect way to describe SO’s attitude about it. I laughed out loud when I read your comment, because I’m exactly the same way. (And your “I don’t need this now, but I’ll buy it because I’ll use it in the future” point of privilege applies here, too, come to think of it). SO doesn’t understand at all, but at least he’s kind enough to not give me much grief. ^_^ Yarn has the unique problem of dye lots, too, so I often over-buy for a project because if I run out, I might have to finish something in a slightly different color, which would be tragic.

  420. blf says

    There are a handful of non-traditional circuses around, albeit depending on the particular circus, it may not be appropriate.

    The only example I can now recall ever attending myself was in London many many yonks ago, a French troupe was visiting the UK. I don’t precisely recall their name anymore, but it translated to something like “Circus Anarchy”. They were in the news a fair amount then for various reasons, including critical acclaim and an incident early in the tour, when the gentlemen juggling running chainsaws missed and cut his face. Thar’s not a joke, this was a non-traditional circus.

    There were no animals (with one exception I’ll get to in a minute), no clowns that I now
    recall, and only one traditional-ish act: A hi-wire unicycle rider (with a net).

    Two acts I particularly now remember: One was a nude trapeze act. Besides being skillful and, well. attractive, performers, the other members of the company made you laugh, then think/cringe: The spotlight suddenly swung to them high up on a tower, simulating masturbation.

    The only other act I now recall with any clarify was the one involving an animal. A fresh, but dead, fish. Which, at the end of the act, was thrown into the audience. It landed in the group of people I was attending with, so I know that wasn’t a “plant”. They really threw a dead fish into the paying audience. (The guy who caught, a colleague of mine at the time, later said in the pub it wasn’t very well gutted and some of the entails dribbled down his sleeve when he held up this “prize”.)

    The juggler of running chainsaws was there was well but caught them all that night.

  421. blf says

    Some bicyclists use on-the-head lamps, as do some building (and similar) inspections, and so does the electronics lab technician I work with.

  422. blf says

    Do I need to grease my ceramic pie plate?

    Probably, but it depends on the ball-bearings. Be sure to use the correct grade of lube, and to dispose of the old lube safely, ideally with your local recycling centre.

    Or follow the mildly deranged penguin’s advice: Discard the ceramic, pie, and other unnecessary stuff, and just put aside the cheese for her to pickgobble up. And add moar cheese.

  423. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    blf:
    One of the things I inherited from my grandfather was eating cheese with my apple pie, so I hope it’s acceptable that I didn’t toss the pie but did have cheese with it this morning:)

  424. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    I’m catching up on The Fosters, having just found out it’s on Netflix. I’m constantly pleasantly surprised by how wonderful the writing is. It handles race and gender issues so awesomely. I wish all young adult media (well, all media) could be like this.

  425. says

    Moments of Mormon Madness, taking advantage of the old and of the terminally ill. Mormon leaders pressure older and sick church members to give all their worldly goods to the church when they die. A lot of religious organizations do this, but mormons are more blatant about it. They’ll spend a few years grooming an older church member to make sure that member gives to the church instead of to his/her descendants.

    http://www.deserettrust.com/will.html

    They make a show of taking whatever is not intended for decendants, but really they want it all. The LDS church offers to help older members with estate planning — which is basically a plan to take the estate. Sometimes they even talk older church members into letting the church use some of their assets while the member is still alive.

    These are the same members who have been giving 10% or more of their earnings to the church for every year of their teen and adult lives.

  427. carlie says

    Portia – I love The Fosters! I do not love all of the storylines and what they do with them, but in general, I love it. And I could watch Teri Polo and Sherri Saum all day.

  428. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    carlie:
    I thought I remembered that our near-identical TV tastes popped up here too :D
    I’m on Season 2 Ep 8 – curious what storylines you don’t like (I’m enjoying the handling of the Dani storyline so far).

  429. blf says

    eating cheese with my apple pie

    The mildly deranged penguin is similar. She eats the cheese, and if I’m fast, I can grab most of the pie before she eats it by mistake, gets a funnier look on her face, spits it out, yells “Moar cheese!” and departs, usually through the wall. Once I managed to swap the two around so she ate the apple pie first, whilst I overdosed on cheese as I hastily departed though one of the convenient penguin-shaed holes in the wall.

  430. blf says

    Lynna@426, Yes, that particular French non-traditional circus is, as they say, parental guidance recommended (well some acts, my admittedly vague recollection now is most acts were just weird). Now that you’ve reminded me of it, I seem to recall several local councils trying to ban them, albeit the details drained out onto the floor quite some yonks ago.

  432. blf says

    If you accidentially grate your thumb, is it still a vegan meal?

    Grated thumb is not vegan but chopped thumb is. It all depends oh how “amusing” the accident is. Probably the tastiest is thumb put in the bacon slicer.

    Be careful, however, not to upset the cheese. Vegan cheese is hypersensitive and needs to be treated with some care. It’s best to distract its attention from the cheese knife, thumbs are good for this.

  433. Tapetum says

    Oh how interesting! I went and looked up the clone essay, and sometime in the last couple of years, it’s been changed fairly drastically. (It’s a “microbe of the week” paper, and they maintain an archive of quite a number of them.) I would say it’s no longer the same essay at all – it contains a lot more information, including a lot that wasn’t in my essay, and has been either reworked or completely rewritten. My guess is completely rewritten by someone new, as my (not necessarily accurate) memory is that the clone was written by someone with a guy’s name, and this author is a Dianna.

    So either it’s been superseded by a more recent essay on the same microbe, or they took down the original and reassigned it. I know it’s not my faulty memory, because I was trying to research for more information the last time I went looking, and the essay was completely useless, because it only contained what I already had. The one I’m looking at now would have been a treasure-trove.

    Re: the vegan/non-vegan aspects of human flesh. Grated thumb adds a lovely pinkish tone to lemon zest, but tends to lead to objections by vegan guests when noticed. I recommend having a pinkish fruit in the fruit salad to reduce the contrast.

  434. says

    Sunday schadenfreude: the National Organization for Marriage is trying to put on a brave face. Quite comical.

    It is always good at the end of a year to take a look back and reflect on some of the highlights. There has been a lot of movement in the battle over the definition of marriage this past year, and it seems like every one of the 52 weeks of 2014 brought another development—some good, some bad. [That’s Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, speaking.]

    Uh, “some good,” not really, not from Brian’s point of view.

    This also counts as a Moment of Mormon Madness because so much of NOM is still connected to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

    Other former NOM board members include famous Mormon writer Orson Scott Card, who sat on the board until 2013; and Matthew Holland, a Mormon with familial links to the Church’s hierarchy, […] one of NOM’s founding board members, hails from a family with strong connections to leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: His father is LDS Apostle and former BYU President Jeffrey Holland. For his part, Card has advocated for the overthrowing of a government that supports marriage equality.

    Lynn Wardle, an academic advisor to the Ruth Institute, a onetime NOM extension project that only broke off in 2013, has been deeply involved with the Mormon Church’s strategy against same-sex marriage, wherever it arises, since that strategy’s beginnings in mid-90’s Hawaii. […]

    Brian Brown and many of his cohorts are Catholic, so this is an unholy alliance of mormons with the “Whore of Babylon” (as mormons were won’t to call the Catholic Church prior to 2008):

    All three of NOM’s top leaders – Brian Brown, current president; Maggie Gallagher, founding president; and Robert George, board chairman emeritus – are Catholics. Additionally, NOM founding board member Luis Tellez, is a numerary of Opus Dei, a highly secretive Catholic organization. Jennifer Roback Morse, head of the Ruth Institute, NOM’s major outreach project from 2009-2013, is a deeply entrenched Catholic. Longtime communications director Thomas Peters is a Catholic writer and thinker whose pen name is “The American Papist.” A great many other NOM employees, from senior to staff, as well as NOM’s vendors […] are Catholic-driven operations.

    Yep, NOM had a very, very bad, no good year in 2014 and they are trying to put a good spin on it.

    In truth, NOM became more irrelevant with each passing day of 2014. From the The U.S. Supreme Court rejecting NOM’s attempt to halt marriage equality in Oregon to NOM losing an appeal to intervene at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, judges laughed in their face at the ridiculousness and clear animus of their arguments.

    Let there be dancing in the streets.

  435. blf says

    Tapetum, Thumbs come in a variety of colours (with a wide range of screams as an accompanying soundtrack, at least during the grating, chopping, bacon slicing, or other preparation). Hence, there are actually quite a number of possibilities. Also, don’t overlook the potential of fingers, and for a taste of the unusual, toes.

  436. says

    Oh, no, hell no. Louie Gohmert, dumbest Congress Critter ever, wants to be Speaker of the House:

    After the November elections gave Republicans control of the Senate, voters made clear they wanted change. There have been numerous examples of problematic Republican leadership, but we were hopeful our leaders got the voters’ message. However, after our Speaker forced through the CRomnibus by passing it with Democratic votes and without time to read it, it seemed clear that we needed new leadership. There had been much discussion. But, until yesterday, no one had stepped up.

    I applaud my friend Rep. Ted Yoho for putting his name forward as an alternative to the status quo. Ted is a good man for whom I could vote, but I have heard from many supporters and also friends in Congress who have urged me to put forward my name for Speaker as well to increase our chances of change. That is why I am also offering my name as a candidate for Speaker.

    Fox News evil link.

    Read about Louie Gohmert’s bid for the speakership without accessing Fox News here.

  437. says

    Sarah Palin says some stupid stuff: Link. Seems one of the Palin clan used a dog as a stepstool.

    “Chill. At least Trig didn’t eat the dog,” Palin wrote in an open letter to PETA on Facebook. “Did you go as crazy when your heroic Man-of-Your-Lifetime, Barack Obama, revealed he actually enjoyed eating dead dog meat?”

    Aren’t you the same anti-beef screamers blogging hate from your comfy leather office chairs, wrapped in your fashionable leather belts above your kickin’ new leather pumps you bought because your celebrity idols (who sport fur and crocodile purses) grinned in a tabloid wearing the exact same Louboutins exiting sleek cowhide covered limo seats on their way to some liberal fundraiser shindig at some sushi bar that features poor dead smelly roe (that I used to strip from our Bristol Bay-caught fish, and in a Dillingham cannery I packed those castoff fish eggs for you while laughing with co-workers about the suckers paying absurdly high prices to party with the throw away parts of our wild seafood)? I believe you call those discarded funky eggs “caviar”.

  438. says

    Well, at least they are consistent. Conservative politicians continue to use debunked numbers to pimp for the Keystone XL pipeline.

    Supporters of the Keystone XL pipeline are still using the misleading claim that the controversial project will create 42,000 jobs.

    Speaking on Meet the Press on Sunday, Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) told host Chuck Todd that a bill to approve Keystone XL — the pipeline proposal that would send up to 830,000 barrels of Canadian tar sands oil per day down to Gulf Coast refineries — would be the first legislation sent to President Obama’s desk in 2015. And Obama should sign it, Barrasso said, noting that the pipeline would mean 42,000 new jobs. […]

    The State Department did not say the Keystone XL pipeline would create 42,000 new jobs. Instead, it said the project would “support” 42,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs, 99 percent of which would be temporary, not lasting more than the two years it would take to construct. Once the project is completed, the State Department estimates that the pipeline would only create 35 full-time jobs, and 15 temporary contractors. […]

    Think Progress link.

  439. says

    Police forces regularly under-report shootings of civilians. Here’s an example from Utah, and the article goes on to point out that under-reporting is a nationwide issue in the USA:

    […] Most Utah agencies did not report officer-involved homicides, and those agencies that did vastly underreported them.

    From 2007 to 2012, the most recent year for which full FBI stats are available, Utah police agencies reported 18 justifiable homicides by law enforcement. However, The Salt Lake Tribune has identified 59 homicides by law enforcement officers, deemed justified by prosecutors, during that time period. A Tribune review from 2010 through 2014 showed police use of force is the second leading contributor to the state’s homicide tally, topped only by domestic violence.

    The paper’s findings of underreporting are borne out by other reviews of FBI data. The Wall Street Journal recently gathered internal data on homicides by police during the same time period from 105 of the nation’s largest departments and found that more than 500 of at least 1,800 police killings were missing from the FBI tally. […]

    Salt Lake Tribune link.

  440. rq says

    The acronym ‘NOM’ still makes me giggle. Even though what it stands for is rather terrifying. But also appropriate, in that hungry cartoon monster with giant mouth kind of way.

  441. rq says

    Lynna
    Would you mind posting your link at 439 to Later This Morning (here) just as a matter of misbehaving cops?

  443. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    I read somewhere there’s Prometheus 2 in the making

  444. blf says

    Prometheus is on TV (and not mucn else)

    A better thing to put on the TV, or actually, to drape over it, is a lead-lined blanket prominently displaying the Intergalactic Brain Melting Rot warning symbol. Or else a sign saying Warning: Contains Vogon Poetry and Republicans, which is about the same thing.

  445. Rowan vet-tech says

    The Mellow Monkey, way back at 373- I’m glad to hear the little kinklet is doing well! Send me updated piccies; I wanna see how handsome he’s gotten. :D

  446. says

    rq, I see you posted that Salt Lake Tribune link and related info to the Later This Morning thread. Thanks.

    Police union members turned their backs on Mayor de Blasio again at another funeral. Way to protest inappropriately, police persons.
    Link.

  447. rq says

    Lynna
    Sorry, I hope that’s okay, I was putting up the rest of my collection.
    And yeah, that NYPD. I didn’t post that specific link yet, as I only have the twitter stuff; I’ll let you put it up this time. :)

  448. eyeroll says

    A.Noyd at 401, I know what you mean about those book covers. They feel both slimy and fuzzy at the same time.
    Speaking of books, I read….no, TRIED to read…….the stupidest, ridiculous(est), book ever; “The book of strange new things” by M Faber. I’m sure it was written by a naïve, 15 year old, newly converted evangelist. At first I thought that the actions and attitudes of the insipid, tiresome missionary character were some sort of plot device which would lead to a more interesting character. But no, it seems that this was how it was supposed to be. Also, every person who was not Caucasian was clearly identified by their race and spoke in a ridiculously slangy way. If this was not a library book, I would have thrown it across the room. I so enjoyed his last book, I have a hard time believing this was the same author.

  449. says

    Here’s some good news, I think. Mike Huckabee is leaving Faux News. As long as the network doesn’t replace Huckabee with someone worse (hard to imagine), it’s great that he has been more or less kicked out.

    The bad new is that Huckabee is going to run for President … again.

    Highlights from Huckabee’s Faux News career:

    – Huckabee Falsely Claimed President Obama Grew Up “In Kenya,” Then Lied About His Comments
    – Huckabee Wondered If Obama Got College Loans “As A Foreign Student”
    – Huckabee: Schools Have Become “A Place Of Carnage” Because We “Removed God From Our Schools”
    – Huckabee Threatened To Leave The GOP Over Marriage Equality
    – Huckabee Spoke At Several Anti-Gay Rallies And Events
    – Huckabee Claimed Democrats Tell Women They Need “Uncle Sugar” And “Cannot Control Their Libido”
    – Huckabee Defended “Legitimate Rape” Politician
    – Huckabee Compared Gun Prevention Efforts To Nazi Germany
    – Huckabee Sells Out His Followers To Shady Groups

    Huckabee sent sponsored emails touting dubious Alzheimer’s disease cures from huckster Dr. Russell Blaylock. The emails were so bad that fellow Republican Scott Brown was forced to end his relationship with his email list manager, Newsmax, after criticism.

    Huckabee sent sponsored emails touting the stock recommendation of Gray Fox Petroleum (GFOX) by Tobin Smith. Smith is so disreputable he was fired by Fox News for the shady practice of paid stock promotion. A February 2014 GFOX email sent to Huckabee readers by Smith implored them to “Buy shares of GFOX now while you can still get them at around $1.00 and you could… TURN $10,000 INTO $282,000 in the next 6 months!” GFOX’s price has cratered and is now trading at a near 52-week low of $0.06.

    All info above is culled from the link.

  450. says

    No problem, rq. I appreciate you collating and posting all of the police-related stuff in that thread. It’s great! Well, the news is mostly awful, not great, but your work in collating it is great.

  451. carlie says

    I just flipped channels and found this show, Worst Cooks. It’s a competition show, but with people who don’t know how to cook, and one of the points is to teach them. The chef teacher just told them all to separate eggs by cracking it into their hand and then holding the yolk and letting the white fall through their fingers. What the everloving hell? That has to be the messiest and most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen. Crack, pour yolk into other half of shell, pour back, DONE. All the white falls nicely outside the shell, no mess. I don’t get it.

  452. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    carlie,

    I’ve seen that method on cooking shows before. As you say, messy and ridiculous.

  453. Esteleth is Groot says

    The in-shell method of separating eggs has the additional benefit of (if you do it properly) not requiring you to scrub egg off your hands afterwards.

  454. says

    carlie
    Nonono. Let me introduce you to giliell’s fail-safe methode to seperate eggs (fail-safe because, well, it’s basically fail in itself)
    1. Take your bowl where you beat yolks and sugar
    2. Take your bowl where you beat the whites
    3. Because your grandma was a smart woman you also take a cup into which you seperate every egg first, because if you don’t do so you’ll smash through the yolk on the last egg and get yolk all into your whites.
    4. Seperate half the eggs
    5. Seperate the next egg. Throw the yolk in with the whites.
    6. Realize that that’s stupid and that the yolk belongs into the other bowl.
    7. Therefore, you now throw the white into the bowl with the yolk
    8. Leave the kitchen. Go to the liquor cabinet and pour yourself one
    9. Return to the kitchen and carefully fish the still intact yolk out of your whites (use half the eggshell!)
    10. Seperate the rest of the eggs
    11. Swear to buy a sponge cake the next time

  456. carlie says

    Giliell – you’ve had a secret camera in my kitchen, haven’t you? Sounds totally like me. :)

  457. rq says

    There’s always that final step where some of the white tendrils of chicken embryo are in the whites, and you’re never sure if they’ll ruin the ability of the whites to inflate, so you spend half an hour with a fine-tipped fork trying to fish them all out, and still manage to get whites all over your hands.

  458. says

    carlie 451

    I have never been able to use the shells to separate eggs without getting whites all over my hands anyway. Heck, I get whites on my hands cracking the eggs normally sometimes. As much as I like eggs, I don’t seem to handle them very well.

  460. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    I made a second pie today, because I was so happy with the first one.
    It’s been a wonderful lacksadaisical day. :D

  461. blf says

    My method of separating egg whites and yolks is to stare had at the egg, mumble “What’s the fecking point?”, crack open the egg and dump the contents into the desired receptacle.
    My method of baking stuff is to go to the bakery or restaurant, or mumble “Why fecking bother?” and then go to the bakery or restaurant.

    The mildly deranged penguin’s method of opening the egg and separating the yolk and white is to find some stupid male penguin to sit on it for several months in the middle of the winter.
    Baking stuff is done by precision application of a flamethrower.

  462. says

    I think this info was posted earlier, possibly by Tony. I like this presentation of the inanity of Florida clerks who are canceling courthouse weddings in order to avoid marrying gay people:

    On New Year’s Day, a federal judge ruled that all county clerks in Florida should begin to issue marriage licenses to gay couples starting Jan. 6. This order did not sit well with those clerks whose sincere religious principles require them to hate gay people. But since these clerks have no religious right to refuse same-sex couples marriage licenses, they’ve found a new way to express their antipathy toward gay Floridians. Traditionally, clerks have performed courthouse weddings for couples who request them. Now, rather than risk having to perform such ceremonies for gay couples, a group of Florida clerks have ended courthouse weddings for everyone.

    Because these clerks still have a legal duty to grant marriage licenses to gay couples, this move won’t have any serious practical effects. Rather, it’s one final opportunity for anti-gay clerks to degrade same-sex couples—on what should be the happiest day of their lives. Duval County Clerk of Courts Ronnie Fussell, who championed canceling courthouse weddings, told the Florida Times-Union that he believes gay people should be legally forbidden from getting married and that performing a same-sex wedding ceremony “would go against my beliefs.” Accordingly, he decided to end all courthouse weddings for all couples, “so that there wouldn’t be any discrimination.” […]

    Petty clerks projecting their assholiness onto engaged couples. Maddening.

  463. carlie says

    So after all of my snarking, I was just now making chicken and dumplings with the noodles I made yesterday, and realized… I forgot to put an egg in the dough when I made it. Um. Hopefully they don’t disintegrate in there…

    Fun fact: the white thing is called a chalaza, and is basically a little rope that keeps the yolk suspended approximately in the middle of the egg (there is one on each end, although often you can only see one).

  464. A. Noyd says

    eyeroll (#448)

    They feel both slimy and fuzzy at the same time.

    Exactly! Which is a terrible thing to do to an object you’re hoping people will pay money to hold continuously for hours at a time.

  465. cicely says

    Anne, I would love to get my hands on your shinies!
    :D
    –
    A. Noyd:

    Speaking of fondling books, what the fuck are they making book covers out of these days? There are several new rubbery and/or rough textures that are just so fucking unpleasant to touch. I can’t stand them, and they’re everywhere.

    I’m not tactile texture focused to the degree that I gather many Pharyngulites are…but I know what you mean! I don’t know what it is, either, but I hate it, and wish They—I’m assuming that the Horses are, of course, responsible, because this is a Bad Thing, and peas have only limited agency—would stop.
    –
    rq, please to convey my regards and well-wishes to bluentx? And also, these *hugs*.
    –
    *chikkensoop* for ajb47. Flu? Or Something Else?
    Either way, I hope it soon runs its course, without further spreading, and without it inviting all of its friends to a party at your G.I. tract.
    –
    Lynna, the LDS is clearly completely without shame.
    –
    Raw egg…dumped onto my skin….
    *shudder*
     
    Aaaaand, now I gotta go wash my hands.
    Thanks, guys!
    –
    blf:

    Baking stuff is done by precision application of a flamethrower.

    Or *napalm!*
    Or The Husband. Where edible output is desired.
    As opposed to, say, shingles, doorstops, or drag-weights.
    :)
    –

  466. Morgan!? the Slithy Tove says

    Raw egg white, beat lightly with a fork. Slather on face. Apply clean tissues over egg white and allow to dry. Remove gently with soap and water. Great facial.

  467. Tapetum says

    Morgan!? @466 – but not very hot water, please. I made that mistake with hair when I was a teenaged sprout.

  468. says

    cicely 465

    *chikkensoop* for ajb47. Flu? Or Something Else?
    Either way, I hope it soon runs its course, without further spreading, and without it inviting all of its friends to a party at your G.I. tract.

    I’m voting something else. My sis-in-law and her family stopped in (Philadelphia-ish) on their way home (Boston-ish) from my mom-in-laws (Knoxville-ish) and my nephew apparently spent a night here upchucking. Friday, my wife was bed-bound with the same thing, and yesterday was my turn. Fingers crossed our kids don’t get it.

    It was short-lived, though, which is why I am thinking just a stomach bug. If it hadn’t traveled, I might have thought it was a food thing.

    Thanks to all for the well-wishes.

  469. Morgan!? the Slithy Tove says

    Tapetum,
    You had a gazillion tiny, well cooked particles of egg white clinging to your hair? I’m sorry, but the image is really amusing.

  470. Tapetum says

    Yep! That was me! It took forever to get all the scrambled eggs out of my hair. Not at all helped by my having fairly thick, but extremely fine hair at the time. (It’s still very fine, but significantly less thick these days.)

    My mother was no help at all, seeing as how she couldn’t look at me without giggling.

  471. cicely says

    Morgan!?:

    Raw egg white, beat lightly with a fork. Slather on face. Apply clean tissues over egg white and allow to dry. Remove gently with soap and water. Great facial.

    You left out a few very important steps:
    Shudder convulsively, and possibly vomit. Turn shower’s hand-sprayer to “sandblast”. Spray goo off face until you feel clean again. Shower actual and psychosomatic goo contamination from rest of body.
    *shudder*
     
    It may be a “great facial”, but it is going to happen to somebody else.
    –

  472. Morgan!? the Slithy Tove says

    Going to get a bit X rated here, but way back when I was experimenting with being a sexual libertarian I was told that cum, allowed to dry on the face, was also a great facial. Um…. no. I wish I could recall who told me that.

  473. says

    Hugs and hot tea for anyone who wants either or both. I have a pile of Meyer lemons off our very enthusiastic little tree, if you like your tea with lemon.

    I’m wore out, but we did get Aged Mum’s new recliner up there and assembled, or rather, Husband drove heroically on the freeways with the back of the car full of very big box, lugged the pieces in and put the thing together while I sorted out her checkbook. AM declined to try the chair out, but I trust her caregivers to convince her that it really is a good thing.

  475. says

    Wow. ‘A Million Gods’ was taken off the blogroll fast. I thought old blogs were kept as part of the archives for FtB…?

    And have we learned what happened to ‘A Veil & a Dark Place’?

  476. Azkyroth Drinked the Grammar Too :) says

    way back when I was experimenting with being a sexual libertarian

    I hope you mean “libertine” because “sexual libertarian” sounds like the worst thing ever D: D: D:

    And as long as we’re on that note, I would like to announce that:

    1) KY Jelly, or at least the Target generic formulation, might theoretically be egg-substitutable but tastes and mouthfeels like unflavored gelatin and shitty non-dairy creamer had a baby, and neither of them loved it.
    2) …some people are worth getting KY Jelly in your mouth for… :3

  477. says

    Uhn, no. I hope I don’t offend the cum producing members of this community, but for the love of dog, I can’t understand the fascination with that stuff. Sure, it was very useful for making babies, but I’m past that. I neither like smell, taste or texture and then there’s the added baby-making potential of that stuff…

    +++
    BTW, last Friday I failed at making a hard boiled egg. Some days I just don’t do life…

  479. rq says

    Ah, but Giliell, don’t you know that cum is what binds long-term couples together? And I don’t mean in baby-making form, or like glue. But quite some months ago the local paper published an article about how people in relationships who have unprotected (oral, vaginal, anal) sex stay together longer – thus, according to the authors, confirming the absolute benefits of semen/sperm to the female organism, by attaching her mysteriously to Her Man. No deleterious or positive effects on men were noted, so I guess spermjacking isn’t as dangerous to their health as some may believe.
    Anyhow. Well, I have suspicions that, contrary to it being the semen that binds the couples together (note: only cis-het monogamous couples may apply), it is the long-term relationship that allows for more freedom within the relationship regarding unprotected sex (spec. sans condom, not sans birth control as such).
    But what do I know, I’m just a woman!
    One also not particularly enamoured of semen – taste, well, I can get past that. But texture? Mnyeh. But it comes with the fun parts of life – and thank you, person who invented that handy little container with which to catch it!

  480. rq says

    Okay, this was on FB. Ostensibly to show how kids understand that there should be no violence against women. And it becomes the most sexist thing ever, with nary a sign of consent in sight (I started cringing when they bring out the girl, and didn’t stop until the end). I give you, Boy Unexpected Reaction: Ask him to slap her . Yes, that was a very unexpected reaction. It says a lot about the creators that it is considered unexpected – but the reasoning is pretty darn deplorable, too. *sigh*

  481. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    rq,

    That video is horrible! I could have almost forgiven it everything, had it not been for that “kIss her” in the end and boy asking the instructor rather than the girl where he was allowed to kiss her.

  482. says

    rq
    The message of that video is “don’t break your toys”. Because at no stage is the girl treated like a person. When told to kiss her the boy doesn’t ask her but the man who gives the intructions. Yeah, don’t hit pretty girls. It’s OK to hit the ugly ones and we all know how quickly girls become ugly…

  485. rq says

    The video pissed me off because the answer to ‘why won’t you slap her?’ shouldn’t be ‘because she’s a (pretty) girl’, but ‘because it’s not nice to hit other people’ or ‘violence against other people is bad’.
    Also hated the question ‘what do you like about her?’. Of course there will be a list of physical features, since nobody asks the girl what SHE wants to be when she grows up. Blergh.
    And yes, the deference to the narrator was horrible – he could at least have told them to ask the girl – who did not look comfortable throughout the entire video. And then when the narrator tells them to caress her, there was no consent received from the girl, who once again looked distinctly uncomfortable with the whole process.
    Ugh…

  486. birgerjohansson says

    Gilliell,
    Re Prometheus,
    -Did you notice how they descended over a terrestrial planet and by sheer coincidence came within sight of the alien installation? I mean, a teenager with some SF experience could have dreamed up a credible explanation but the film company did not bother.
    -Ever since the first Alien film in 1979, they still have not come up with a good explanation for the very rapid increase of body mass of the xenomorph critters.
    -Same DNA =FAIL. Even if there had been some tinkering with human DNA it would not suffice to bridge the gap with a biology with several billion years of separate evolution.
    -Unfamiliar life = biohazard. Remember the fate of the indians.
    -If you travel to another planet, you bring along tents or metal huts that can be used as a forward base. Useful in case there is a sudden storm.
    -To cure ageing, it is cheaper to fund a lot of bioscience instead of building an interstellar spaceship.
    -If you are expecting to meet nasty critters, you bring along Riddick!

  487. says

    birgerjohansson
    I was already lost when they woke up the crew and it turns out that the people who are supposed to work with each other on a mission beyond anything humankind ever did and they haven’t seen each other before. And then they have a staff meeting and sit on what looks like godsdamn Ikea Klappstühle*.
    But my favourite** part was the mystical pregnancy.
    Not only is it a horrible trope, it also defies everything.
    Our magical alien sperm doesn’t only make an infertile woman fertile. No, the sperm also is superfast. OK, might still accept that. Superfast alien sperm. But once the superfast alien sperm meets the human egg, apparently all the superfast sperm that didn’t make it take it in good spirit and move the super-extra-fast growing blastocyte down the tube so it can implant within minutes because 10 hours after fertilization, the blastocyte usually takes a slow stroll towards the uterus.
    And then it growns. Quickly. So fast that by the time dear android does a scan she’s already 4 months along.
    Wait, what?
    It’s an alien with a completely different body structure, as he can see on the scan, so where does the 4 months come from. And then he can’t do an abortion. Not qualified. So poor Dr. Dingsbums*** run to a medical pod that is only calibrated for males. Because all men are just the same, and no man ever had a uterus and apparently at the end of the 21st century you just cannot waste memory space on a computer to upload even the two most common phenotypes. But hey, she gets her C-section, the squidly thingy is removed, she gets tapled down and then, without any implications apart from a few grimaces, goes to do what counts for kicking ass in that movie.
    No amount of Idris Elba, and there were really too few scenes with him anyway, can make up for that…

    *folding chair
    **and by favourite I mean worst
    ***the 2D papercuts that serve for characters were too boring to remember their names

  488. chigau (違う) says

    There is a bookstore chain in South Africa called Cum Books.
    A Christian bookstore chain.

  490. rq says

    Don’t know about you, Saad, but even when I do it with a book, I try to keep the sticky off the book.
    (Though Christians might not be as practiced, so you may be right…)

  491. says

    Well, I always figured that two of the advantages of my particular set of genitalia was that
    1) there are no tell-tale bumps that show I’m aroused
    2) masturbation doesn’t leave a mess all over the, ehm, books

    +++
    Let me rant a bit.
    So I’m back to my final thesis. A reproachful idris Elba is watching me and I finished one book (better said the introduction. The rest is a bit too specific for my topic). Quite interesting read about how us old folks construct and treat adolescent sexuality. If you’re interested I can probably mail you the intro once I scanned it.
    And then I went to the next book.
    My prof had told me that I needed to look up the post-feminism debate in literary criticism. Because there are actually feminist critiques* who say that “well, patriarchy is mostly over, let’s enjoy chick-flicks** without talking about the sexist crap because that’s anti-feminist***
    I already took my head-desk of how they suppose “US = world” to Twitter because if you don’t add qualifiers that say from the start “contemporary US feminism is grounded in the US civil rights movement” I’m going to call you a US-centrist wanker.
    And it doesn’t get much better. Their writing is superficially accurate but betrays their POV in their choice of tense and aspect. for example:

    Feminist writing of the second half of the 20th century reflects … the challenges women faced in achieving the goals of equality, social justice, and self-determination.

    or

    During the war years women built on the hard-won successes of the first half of the century and also suffered setbacks as they readjusted to traditional rles in domestic life… Women… now returned to domestic life

    While there are some hints that maybe this wasn’t all voluntary, the overall style suggests
    that this was just women’s choice or the demands of the time.
    Well, at least I have people I can thoroughly criticise, right?
    *Applying the term loosely
    **Yes. you can enjoy problematic stuff
    ***I admit that this is hyperbolic strawmanning. A little

  492. birgerjohansson says

    Gilliell,
    idris Elba rocks.
    BTW the innate immune system is the first line of defense. It keeps bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract from invading the body) so to infiltrate the body you need to overcome this, and then the adaptive (I don’t know the English term) immune system.
    — — —
    To make a real monster, mix DNA from the Zoorilla (“African skunk”) with that of the honey badger. The result will be a mustelid that is indestructable, and stinks enough to scare off even the facehuggers and Predators.
    — — —
    Yes that set of genitalia is more hygienic. The king of Lancre (in a Pratchett book) once wished things could be done like the wind-pollinated plants do it. Much less stress . And the offspring can bloody well take care of themselves.
    — — —
    In the MTV show “Drawn Together”, featuring cartoon characters of cartoon characters, in one episode it is revealed that one of the group has a very odd set of *sentient* genitalia. And like some insects, it only fits other people with likewise very specific genitalia.
    MTV cartoons were *weird*, but a good change from bland junk elsewhere.

  493. birgerjohansson says

    Whales avoid cancer and can live 200 years.
    Scientists sequence genome of bowhead whale—longest-lived mammal http://phys.org/news/2015-01-scientists-sequence-genome-bowhead-whalelongest-lived.html

    — — —
    Florida Couple Spent Days In Unlocked Closet, Thought They Were Trapped: Cops http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/02/florida-couple-trapped-closet-john-arwood-amber-campbell_n_6406464.html?ncid=edlinkushpmg00000071
    We have found the core voters of the Tea Party.

    — — — —
    And I thought four of these were American…”The Local’s top ten Swedish songs of 2014 http://www.thelocal.se/20141230/top-ten-swedish-songs-of-2014

    — — —
    Hahaha!: “A Gazillion Ways Sweden Is Just Better http://www.dauntlessjaunter.com/2013/12/09/15-ways-sweden-is-just-better/
    Here I should insert the video where Homer Simpson wants to wave an American flag but mistakenly waves a Swedish one.

  496. blf says

    Baking stuff is done by precision application of a flamethrower.

    Or *napalm!*

    Nah, napalm isn’t that good for baking, unless you’re doing a Cassolette Cheval. However, it is good for candlelit dining, and sterilizing anything left insufficiently cooked by the flamethrower.

  499. blf says

    Republicans Say They’ll Act Fast to Push Agenda:

    In taking control of Congress on Tuesday, Republicans say they will quickly advance energy and health care legislation […]

    Republicans hope to strike early with measures that are known to have bipartisan support. The House is set to pass legislation this week expediting the Keystone XL pipeline; the Senate is making it the first order of business as well. The House will also take up a measure that would change the new health care law’s definition of full-time workers to those working 40 hours rather than the current 30 hours — another proposal that has drawn backing from Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate.

    Right, so the thugs’s first attacks are on the planet and on people without healthcare. If the above claims that the dummies will roll over and play dead, or even assist in the attacks, is correct, then hopefully The Grauniad was correct when it reported Obama: I will use veto pen and defend gains in healthcare and environment:

     ●  Tells NPR that GOP takeover of Senate will likely require him to defend reforms
     ●  Pre-Christmas interview acknowledges shift to a more confrontational policy

    However, he’s a politician, hence a consistent and persistent liar, and probably has a “Wall Street”–friendly view on most matters, including the two mentioned above.

  500. Pteryxx says

    BB: Monstrous Regiment: The finest Discworld novel?

    I’m an unabashed Terry Pratchett fanboy, and it often seems like each Discworld novel is the best of the lot. But there’s one book I return to again, and again, and again: 2003’s Monstrous Regiment, a book about gender, war, identity, strategy and tactics. It also happens to be the most stand-alone of all the Discworld books — one that can be enjoyed without reading any of the other marvellous books in the series.

    [brief synopsis and much critical acclaim snipped]

    And, happily, there is a DRM-free, unabridged Briggs recording of this one, in which [Stephen] Briggs shows off his virtuoso talent for using accents and other tricks to carry off the characterization of a large and challenging cast of characters.

    Like all of Pratchett’s best work, this one has its roots in classical material: the 16th century misogynist tract First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstruous Regiment of Women, the folk-song Sweet Polly Oliver, and, of course, the story of Joan of Arc.

    But like all of Pratchett’s best work, this book bridges its classical sources to the present day, bringing feminist and trans themes to light along with contemporary ideas about religious wars, militarism, mercantilism and geopolitics.

    And all of that in a novel that flies along with such sprightliness that you’d never suspect it was pulling such heavy freight.