1,026 thoughts on “February was a long time ago”

  6. If folks here are interested in helping to test the soft Am I Evil? GN backer launch, then please let me know. This page is far enough into the woods that I can probably safely post links right here in the comments.

    • Agreed. Florida is nice because (with the solar heat that I finally got installed on my pool) we have been able to swim in February. On the other hand, I fight a constant battle with mold in my house and every time I get off a plane from anywhere else, I can immediately feel the intense moisture in the air on my hands like I’m some clammy handed jackass (and that’s in the climate controlled airport).

  12. Well the first episode of S3 of The Mandalorian watched.

    It certainly gave my sub woofer a workout.

    After Andor it feels a bit of an anti-climax, still fun though.

    • I’ve already seen some strong reactions. Won’t see this one until next week, so I imagine its secrets will have been spoiled by then.

      • I’m in the cereal = soup camp.

        Isn’t a hot dog a pita?

        If your tea bag breaks, does your tea become soup?

        Is your hot chocolate soup until you’ve properly stirred it? Is it soup if you add marshmallows?

          • I’m assuming that the cereal is soup argument is based primarily off of gazpacho being soup. As gazpacho is neither cooked nor served at a hot temperature, it gives free reign to call anything in a bowl in liquid format a soup. Thus, ice cream is just a liquid at even lower temperatures in a bowl and, therefore, soup. Being, at some point or other, “cooked” before being frozen, it might even have a better claim to being soup than gazpacho.

            All told, I wonder it wouldn’t be easier to just claim that gazpacho isn’t soup than to dicker over what else constitutes soup?

            Disclaimer: After spending a year in Spain as an exchange student, I love gazpacho. It is awesome and delicious.

  28. Off to the city this morning, while the husband takes kitty in to the vet to get her arthritis shot. Kitty loves getting needles

  33. Ok, that first new Mandalorian episode was dumb as shit. Nothing anyone did made any goddamn sense.

    I’m fully in for the season, but come on now.

  37. The husband and I are gonna play some Caverna on line with a friend in BC today. I love modern technology . . . sometimes

  38. Crap joke for the day:

    A woman meets a man in a bar.
    They talk; they connect; they end up leaving together..
    They get back to his place, and as he shows her around his apartment.
    she notices that one wall of his bedroom is completely filled with soft,
    sweet, cuddly teddy bears.
    There are three shelves in the bedroom, with hundreds and hundreds of cute,
    cuddly teddy bears carefully placed in rows, covering the entire wall!
    It was obvious that he had taken quite some time to lovingly arrange them
    and she was immediately touched by the amount of thought he had put into
    organizing the display.
    There were small bears all along the bottom shelf.
    Medium-sized bears covering the length of the middle shelf.
    And huge, enormous bears running all the way along the top shelf.
    She found it strange for an obviously masculine guy to have such a large collection of Teddy Bears,
    She is quite impressed by his sensitive side.
    But doesn’t mention this to him.
    They share a bottle of wine and continue talking and,
    After awhile, she finds herself thinking,
    ‘Oh my God! Maybe, this guy could be the one!
    Maybe he could be the future father of my children?’
    She turns to him and kisses him lightly on the lips.
    He responds warmly.
    They continue to kiss, the passion builds.
    And he romantically lifts her in his arms and carries her into his bedroom.
    Where they rip off each other’s clothes and make hot, steamy love.
    She is so overwhelmed that she responds with more passion,
    More creativity, more heat than she has ever known.
    After an intense, explosive night of raw passion with this sensitive guy, they are lying there together in the afterglow.
    The woman rolls over, gently strokes his chest and asks coyly,
    ‘Well, how was it?’
    The guy gently smiles at her, strokes her cheek, looks deeply into her eyes,
    And says: ‘Help yourself to any prize from the middle shelf.’

    • This is only our second winter in northern Vermont. Last winter we had snow almost everyday but only about a foot of accumulation overall. This winter we actually had the Christmas snow melt off entirely, but it’s gotta be 2 ft in the yard and over 5ft where the roof snow slides off.

  40. So of course I’ve seen Hellraiser movies (the first 3, at least), but I’d never ready any Clive Barker. The Hellbound Heart – – the novella upon which the movie was based – – is actually damned good. Good storytelling, but excellent writing style. And different enough from the original movie that it isn’t repetitive to get through. It’s also been a long time since I’ve seen any of them.

    Maybe when I’m done I’ll suffer through Hulu ads and watch the Hellraiser reboot.

    • He isn’t shy about sex-related stuff in Hellbound Heart either, but it’s never a distraction. The main point is what you know from the movies: the puzzle box, the cenobites, the human guy who escaped them and is trying to rebuild his body on earth.

      I prefer to follow authors over genres – – I’m definitely willing to try out more Clive Barker. I’ve added Imajica, The Thief of Always, Weaveworld, and The Great and Secret Show to my reading list.

    • Things are not always what the headlines mmake them seem.
      It’s got to do with “Rec Leagues” who tangle with what are in essence semi-pro teams. Even at the grade school level. In fact it is even worse at that age level.
      I tangled with that when my kids played T-ball/Softball.
      To try and make things even and build up the sport, Rec leagues will often try to enforce rules that distribute experience across all the teams. Certain coaches however will find ways to cherry pick the best most experienced players and keep them together Year after year.

      That was the case of the team in the article. They formed outside the Rec league and had played together for several years. They were told that due to not having enough gyms, only city Rec league teams could use the City gyms and there WAS a rule already in place that said if they wished to join the rec league as an already formed and very experienced team, they could but would have to play “up” to keep things competitive. As there was no Girls team there next level up, they were allowed to play in the boys league. Also, they could sit the tournament out or play but they would not be eligible for the trophy. Again, not because they were girls but because they were in essence, an All-Star team.
      They were told all this and they agreed to it before they joined.

      So… not so much the victims here.

  52. Here is today’s useless trivia question.

    What place in pop culture history do the words “heavy early“ come from .

    Somehow I expect Ed to get this without the need of any hints.

  57. The Am I Evil? Graphic Novel has gone public!

    Thank you, everyone. And thanks especially to Ryah, who put me in touch with the cover artist and the first interior artist – – who eventually put me in touch with Kyle, who completed the art interiors.

    • Ah Mittens

      Chess.com changes their AI bots every month. Mittens, in January, seemed to be one of the more interesting.
      This month it’s all famous women in history such as Jane Goodall, Amelia Airheart, etc.
      (The husband plays regularly, that’s how I know this)

  62. I do hope everyone enjoys the Am I Evil? book. It was a lot harder to complete than I’d ever anticipated, but I’m pleased with the final outcome.

    I’m not sure how to promote it, because I don’t currently have a Point of Sale plan, or a way to get it onto comic shop shelves. So I don’t want to do a media blitz and drum up interest, only to have to tell people, “Yeah, thanks, I can’t get you a copy.”

    • Once you have a plan to get it on sale, whether through Ingram or other form, then you’ll have to think about how to promote it. Besides the usual social media blitz, because of it’s ties to the rock world, I would suggest a press release to various rock media (i.e. Rolling Stone, Hall of Fame, some of the better known radios stations, (MTV?) etc.) I would also approach various R & R podcasters to try to get interviews.

      Again, all this would need to wait until you have a marketable version, both print and e versions.

      • Also, for local only, talk to your comic store. I know one or two in Calgary that do consignment based sales so they might be willing to take a few on that basis.

        • Also, see if Diamond Head themselves are willing to promote it on their social media sites and possibly in interviews.

          • Ok, not finally
            Because it’s not available for purchase, promoting it is not really something you can do. I know, for something like the Aurora Awards, it wouldn’t be eligible until it was available to the wider public. (Yes, I checked).

            Ok, I’m really done now.

  66. Okay I’ve seen some reviews of this weeks Mandalorian was visually too dark, didn’t have a problem myself, but I was sitting in a half lit room when watching.

  70. When the story was that R.L. Stine revised his books to be more aligned with the current zeitgeist it was (IMHO) a non story. He has every right and it was likely a good call on his part. However, the new story seems to be that Scholastic made the changes without even letting him know about them. That is an issue. I understand he probably signed away certain rights to his works with the publisher, but to not let the author know when you are making alterations is pretty crappy.

    https://geektyrant.com/news/rl-stein-responds-to-reports-of-goosebumps-book-series-revisions-saying-its-not-true

    • The larger issue: If any artist wants to Lucas-revise their work, then they should always feel empowered to do so. But – – artists need to use the Lucas case as a warning of how your “improvements” can go too far and detract rather than improve.
      Yes, I’d worry about the sensitivity-revisions going too far, but I also think that no kids’ book publisher should push materials that are going to make kids feel bad about themselves.

      This particular story: Fucked up. Whatever the contract, get the creator’s input – – or at least notify them – – if you want to update their works.

  72. We got the Everything Everywhere All At Once DVD from the library and chose that over Mandalorian ep2 tonight.

    This movie is way more bonkers than I expected. Great stuff. It lives up to the hype.

  75. Well…

    What it’s like to be British

    • Worrying you’ve accidentally packed 3 kilos of cocaine and a dead goat as you stroll through “Nothing to declare”

    • Being unable to stand and leave without first saying “right”

    • Not hearing someone for the third time, so just laughing and hoping for the best

    • Saying “anywhere here’s fine” when the taxi’s directly outside your front door

    • Being sure to start touching your bag 15 minutes before your station, so the person in the aisle seat is fully prepared for your exit

    • Repeatedly pressing the door button on the train before it’s illuminated, to assure your fellow commuters you have the situation in hand

    • Having someone sit next to you on the train, meaning you’ll have to eat your crisps at home
    • The huge sense of relief after your perfectly valid train ticket is accepted by the inspector

    • The horror of someone you only half know saying: “Oh I’m getting that train too”

    • “Sorry, is anyone sitting here?” – Translation: Unless this is a person who looks remarkably like a bag, I suggest you move it

    • Loudly tapping your fingers at the cashpoint, to assure the queue that you’ve asked for money and the wait is out of your hands

    • Looking away so violently as someone nearby enters their PIN that you accidentally dislocate your neck

    • Waiting for permission to leave after paying for something with the exact change

    • Saying hello to a friend in the supermarket, then creeping around like a burglar to avoid seeing them again

    • Watching with quiet sorrow as you receive a different haircut to the one you requested

    • Being unable to pay for something with the exact change without saying “I think that’s right”

    • Overtaking someone on foot and having to keep up the uncomfortably fast pace until safely over the horizon

    • Being unable to turn and walk in the opposite direction without first taking out your phone and frowning at it

    • Deeming it necessary to do a little jog over zebra crossings, while throwing in an apologetic mini wave

    • Punishing people who don’t say thank you by saying “you’re welcome” as quietly as possible

    • The overwhelming sorrow of finding a cup of tea you forgot about

    • Turning down a cup of tea for no reason and instantly knowing you’ve made a terrible, terrible mistake

    • Suddenly remembering your tea and necking it like a massive, lukewarm shot

    • Realising you’ve got about fifty grand’s worth of plastic bags under your kitchen sink

    • “You’ll have to excuse the mess” – Translation: I’ve spent seven hours tidying in preparation for your visit

    • Indicating that you want the last roast potato by trying to force everyone else to take it

    • “I’m off to bed” – Translation: “I’m off to stare at my phone in another part of the house”

    • Mishearing somebody’s name on the second time of asking, meaning you must now avoid them forever

    • Leaving it too late to correct someone, meaning you must live with your new name forever

    • Running out of ways to say thanks when a succession of doors are held for you, having already deployed ‘cheers’, ‘ta’ and ‘nice one’

    • Changing from ‘kind regards’ to just ‘regards’, to indicate that you’re rapidly reaching the end of your tether

    • Staring at your phone in silent horror until the unknown number stops ringing

    • Hearing a recording of your own voice and deciding it’s perhaps best never to speak again

    • The relief when someone doesn’t answer their phone within three rings and you can hang up

    • Filming an entire fireworks display on your phone, knowing full well you’ll never, ever watch it again

  76. I was supposed to get a shingles vaccine yesterday but doctor’s office was out and didn’t call me to reschedule. It’s a good thing I was in the city anyway with the husband or I would have been rather upset.

  80. CW: The Mandalorian S3E2

    Just doing a test by rewatching the episode on my old 4K tv that doesn’t have HDR. Apart from the colours being less vivid it still looks very pretty, you really don’t miss much watching it in SDR.

    Oh and I’m watching it via Roku streaming stick+ which is still getting updates years after Panasonic stopped releasing firmware updates for the TV.

      • My father in law had shingles and it broke him. I’m not quite old enough to get the vaccine yet but I’m getting it as soon as I can.

  84. Watched the Edward Norton Incredible Hulk
    1) it’s better than I remembered
    2) it ties into She Hulk more tan I would have though5 had I not watched it
    3). The end sequence makes it more cannon then I remembered

  87. So dug out my old chromecast, the first one that google released. Still works but boy does it get toasty after a few minutes of use, I could warm my hands on the dongle.

  89. Crap joke for the day:

    I was arguing with a guy at a bar. He said he was a big pop star in the 80s.

    I didn’t believe him, but he was adamant…

  90. Hubby decided to stay up late last night. We have things to do so I’m getting him up in half an hour. I expect a grumpy husband today

  91. It’s -20 tight now. There’s something to be said for ignoring the day and just crawling back into bed with the husband

  96. Oscar Isaac
    Oscar the Grouch
    Oscar Meyer
    Oscar De La Hoya
    Oscar Wilde

    These are the Oscars.

    (We no longer mention Oscar Pistorius, who may be paroled next month.)

        • I wouldn’t recommend a straight watch through. Season 1 was a little different and (IMHO) not as good. It’s not like it had any great story arcs or anything and the plot of the show is simply explained in the opening credits.

          • This was one of my absolute favorites in late-night reruns, but thinking back, it really can’t have aged well.

            IIRC, a bunch of season 1 episodes were just recreations of parts of the movie.

            And IIRC, at some point, it became just a silly excuse to have early 70s celebrity guest stars.

  97. So recently been playing a lot of Last of Us part 2.

    The shock was spoilt before the game released but bloody hell I’m enjoying the Abby segments. Making me look forward to S2 of the tv series.

    I just hope they don’t copout and actually find an actress who is jacked so to speak.

    • So you got over your initial objection? I remember you were so mad about a particular plot point that you swore you’d never play the game.

      I’m glad you are playing it. It is an incredible game. And the end is as impactful as the first part. I really hope there will be a part 3 that wraps things up.

      • Yeah, it was on offer on the PSN store and I thought I should really give it a try. Glad I did.

        That bit I objected to was still shocking, but story was more nuanced than I was expecting.

  99. The cat is having trouble getting the hang of this whole time change thing. Her feeding schedule is quite off according to her.

      • I read sixty. Considering some of them were series (i.e. Dragon Riders books), it counts as more than that in actual numbers.

    • I only managed 50 on that list. Several I’ve got on my “to read” and quite a few that I just have no interest in.

      And, of course, many things I’ve read that didn’t make that list, though any list like this has to be finite.

    • 54. I’m more of a science fiction reader. Speaking of which, there were an awful lot of what I would consider hard core SF books on that list of Fantasy novels.

  104. I noticed that I’d only read the first novel for a significant percentage of the seriesiesies…ies. I got 82 with another 72 that I want/intend to read.

  105. Crap joke for the day:

    A man called home to his wife and said, “Honey I have been asked to go fishing up in Canada with my boss & several of his Friends. We’ll be gone for a week. This is a good opportunity for me to get that Promotion I’ve been wanting, so could you please pack enough Clothes for a week and set out my rod and fishing box, we’re leaving from the office & I will swing by the house to pick my things up” “Oh! Please pack my new blue silk pajamas.”

    The wife thinks this sounds a bit fishy but being the good wife she is, did exactly what her husband asked. The following Weekend he came home a little tired but
    otherwise looking good. The wife welcomed him home and asked if he caught many fish? He said, “Yes! Lots of Salmon, some Bluegill, and a few Swordfish. But why didn’t you pack my new blue silk pajamas like I asked you to Do?”

    The wife replied, “I did. They’re in your fishing box!”

  107. I watched the first 3 available episodes of the Odd Couple. To turn a phrase, it’s odd. There’s no real intro to the characters or even to the show. It just… Starts.

    Felix. In the 2000s, he’d have been flaming. Now, they’d do something clever with intentionally crossing stereotypes. But here, he is just a divorcee who likes home ec and tidiness. It’s kinda refreshing.

  108. Speaking of flashbacks…

    Last night I caught an episode of the X-Files.
    Probably haven’t seen any of this in over a decade. Still excellent in its ability to set a mood.

    This particular episode “Drive” is the one that featured a Bryan Cranston and was written by Vince Gilligan. Years later when he was casting for Breaking Bad he remembered Cranston in that role and was so impressed with him that he stuck to his guns about hiring him even that the network was firmly against putting a “goofy, comedic actor” in the role of a chemistry teacher gone wrong.

  110. Unrelated, I think my Dell is well and truly done now. Thankfully, I (think) I got everything essential backed up, and I am on a new laptop.

    Still a drag. And if I can help it, the end of my relationship with Dell.

    • Reading the article, I don’t think that Nolan is claiming that he invented the “reboot”, just that the concept of “reboot” wasn’t firmly established when he created his Batman series. To paraphrase “I had to find my own way to reimagine Batman, as it wasn’t common practice at the time.”

      • He may not be claiming to “invent” it, but his language is pretty clear: “there was no such thing conceptually as a ‘reboot.’ That idea didn’t exist when I came to look at Batman. That’s new terminology.”

        Even if it wasn’t a common term, the “concept” of remaking a film series was well established by 2005. Examples include Godzilla (1985) and Planet of the Apes (2001). I will give him that the majority of films considered a reboot of a film series (not even tackling reboots of TV series as existing terminology) are after 2005. So it may not have been common. I still think he was overstating the situation at the time.

        Disclaimer: I really like Nolan as a director and he has made some absolutely groundbreaking movies that really have been game changers (such as Memento). It’s only in this case that I don’t agree with him.

  113. Today’s episode of The Mandalorian was the best of the season so far. But it was the story line without The Mandolorian that was the best of the episode

  115. They are expecting another stupid hot summer this year so we got a quote to have AC installed in the house.
    The hoops you need to go through when you live in a townhouse. Hopefully we’ll get board approval soon.

  120. Latest Picard through quite a few gut punches.

    There’s a Gizmodo article about it that was fascinating, but I’m not posting the link. While the article title preserves the spoiler….the frickin’ link itself has as part of the link text. You had one job!

    Anyway, there’s all kinds of reason I shouldn’t be enjoying this season of Picard, especially after the first two seasons, but I can’t help but enjoy it anyway and it’s clear that’s thanks to Terry Matalas.

  122. The husband is expecting an Amazon delivery today. Now, every ten minutes I get “is it here yet?”
    Does anyone want a slightly used husband?

  125. Happy St. Paddy’s Day, to whomever will be celebrating. Just remember it was the New York Irish who ate corned beef and cabbage, because it was a cheap meat option for its time. Actual Irish will know you’re a tourist if you order it there.
    (So I’m told.)

    • One of the priests at my wife’s church (back when she cared about such things) was from Ireland and he said much the same thing. I’m Irish, but from Northern (Protestant/Orange) Ireland, so my family didn’t really care one way of the other for St. Patrick’s Day.

  139. So, I’m reading a Wolverine Origins book. I’m having a lot of trouble getting my head around how evil these CANADIAN scientists and soldiers are.

  143. So finished The Last of Us part 2 last night.

    It has some sections that could probably have been deleted to make the game shorter without effecting the plot, but great game.

    Didn’t hate Abby, enjoyed playing her segments.

    Oh that ending was well done.

  145. I’ve never looked into it, but I’m curious about how the Penn brothers all became stars. Was it all piggybacking on Sean’s success? Some kinda industry nepotism? Talent and good luck?

    Whatever it was, Michael Penn ended up with a handful of great acousticky songs. No Myth, of course, but also Long Way Down and Walter Reed. Macy Day Parade is aight. (any others?)

  146. Misleading headline:

    “Writers Guild of America Considers Letting AI Write Hollywood Scripts”

    https://gizmodo.com/ai-chatgpt-screenplay-hollywood-writers-guild-1850251985

    The article actually says that the WGA wants to ensure that no software company or AI gets to claim authorship on a script. That’s a good decision on their part, because the use of AI in scriptwriting/editing/refining is inevitable. Like it or not (I’m in the “not” camp, but future generations won’t care).

    • Interesting. Yeah, AI is going to open up a whole pandora’s box of issues, some good, some bad. I was talking to my daughter about writing boring college essays. The possibility exists to say, have ChatGPT create an outline for any subject, then suggest subtopics for each outline heading. One could have it do the hard skeleton of a paper and then you could fill in the blanks. Sort of a hybrid method. I don’t really think of this as “cheating” as the college student is using a technology they will have access to in their future job. On the other hand, what cognitive skills are lost when we let machines do the heavy lifting?

      • Absolutely. If we start letting our kids use calculators in school they will never learn to do math in their heads the way they need to. Oh, sorry, a few technologies behind on that one.

          • I used to know how to get everywhere. If I went once, it was burned into my brain.
            Now, I am completely dependent on online maps to get anywhere.

  150. This is the dumbest Star Wars. The characters’ actions are inconsistent and incomprehensibly stupid. It’s insulting.

    I will say this: Kudos to them for the actor cameo.

  152. Surrendered to the inevitable and ordered a 2TB SSD for my PS5, was getting tired of the shuffle of deleting games so I could install other games.

  155. Saw They Might Be Giants in Nashville last night.
    Brilliantly entertaining show. I forget how clever/funny they are. The banter in between the songs is as entertaining as the music itself.

    • The Wired article: https://www.wired.com/story/brandon-sanderson-is-your-god/

      OK, I don’t think it was as vicious as anyone’s saying, but I can where Sanderson himself might not be pleased. I also didn’t find his portrayal of the family unflattering. . . and is he wrong for noting that a large percentage of attendees at a Fantasy Convention are pasty dudes with body odor? I mean?

      Did he cross a line? Probably, but it’s not as egregious as the general reactions. Kudos still to Sanderson for his classy response.

      • I have two thoughts. I wouldn’t able to be as sanguine as Sanderson, not after sharing my home and family with the writer.

        And the writer, despite protesting he likes fantasy, doesn’t seem to understand that the words are ONLY in service of the story.

  166. New SSD installed and formatted on the PS5.

    Only scary thing was removing the white plastic panel from the bottom of the PS5. It looks easy in the YouTube videos, mine needed a bit more force to shift. Still all done now…phew!

      • Yes, although, to be fair from reading the comments, it’s not just a matter of typing in “Give me Star Trek the Next Generation with Indian actors”. Sounds like there is a good be of training involved to get a useful result.

  173. I’ve today learned that we live far enough in the future that there are action cameras that can automatically remove the sticks they are mounted on in a video scene they are recording.

    You only need to watch the first minute or so to see it in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jipn3NN0p8g

    At first I thought the guy had someone flying a drone in front of him, but the movements were to tightly bound to the bike. Plus, you can see the shadow of the stick/camera on the ground from some angles. Finally had to ask him how this magic was created.

  174. FFS, I’m tired of my life being so interesting.

    My daughter is uninjured, but her car is damaged from being in a car accident. The important thing is that she’s uninjured.
    But still.
    Enough.

  178. It’s time that the sound boards used at concerts have a blue tooth output of their main mix, allowing you to wear earphones/buds that make the horrible accoustics of the performance venue irrelevant.
    … or is it?

  182. Hey, by the way – – did everyone who pledged to the Am I Evil crowdfunder get their book? I’ve heard from 2 people that they didn’t know it was released.

    • I did not. I see that it was supposed to come via an email link from IndieGoGo but I have updates #13, another #13, and #12.

    • I got an email from Indiegogo with the link and password. I wonder if people not getting it have gotten tired of all of the other emails from Indiegogo and sent everything from them to spam?

      BTW, also read it and greatly enjoyed it. Superb job on all ends!

      • Thanks so much! I’m really happy with Kyle’s art.

        I tried not to overdo it with IGG updates, but yeah, I’m sure that happened in a few cases.

        • To be clear, I don’t think people would spam the updates. They likely actually want those. It’s the barrage of actual spam that Indiegogo (and all of the other crowd sourcing platforms) send you after you have sponsored someone. I’m not sure if spam filters are sophisticated enough to remove some Indiegogo emails and not all of them. I’m thinking some people might not get their update emails at all because they have blocked everything from Indiegogo.

  185. I’m taking an intro to computer security class this term. I always imagined it was exciting, like a battle to keep the ne’er-do-wells out of the castle. So far it seems a lot more filling out TPMS reports and genuflecting to the hierarchy. Very disappointing.

    As is my inability to spell “cowtow” or whatever that word is that isn’t genuflect.

  191. A gender-flipped Dead Ringers series starring Rachel Weisz in the role of the twins? Bizarre.
    It’s fascinating that a group of people watched the original Cronenburg movie and thought that it needed to be remade and expanded. I can’t say I intend to watch, but it sure is an interesting choice.

    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12923632/

  192. Speaking of disturbing movies. . .

    I finished watching the Hellraiser reboot. Was curious about one thing, so I looked to IMDB for answers, and saw that almost all of the reviews trashed it. Whatever. I thought it was a cool rework of the mythology and characters.

    The original Pinhead was one of horror’s absolute best boogymen, but I think the new one does him justice.

    • Teresa and I had low expectations for this one, but overall I thought it was done well. I like the reimagining of the Pinhead character.

  197. We picked up some Rush Blonde Ale on the way home.
    It’s slightly better than your mass produced beers but, meh, it’s a beer *shrug*

    • I just saw a Rush set of Pop figures at a convention and they wanted $210 for it. Crazy. Now there is a Rush beer that I also won’t get unless I go to Canada. It’s a bad week for me as a Rush fan.

  201. I’m disappointed. Today I made the husband watch The Pirates of Penzance. However, I wanted to then watch the spoof The Pirate Movie but can’t seem to find it on our many streaming services 🙁

  202. Little one felt better all day, but she had a meltdown about us leaving tonight. Her temp was 99.5, which is low grade, but I still made the call to stay home. So no John Wick 4 for me.

  205. Muse and Evanescence last night with the not-so-little one. She loved it.

    I do recommend catching Muse while they still command big arena concert budgets. Their visuals are some of the most amazing I’ve ever seen.

  212. Saw the the new Dungeon and Dragons at the cinema, enjoyed it, but made me realise there are large swathes of the cinema I can no long sit comfortably in, luckily my row was largely empty so I could stretch my legs out.

    • Sorry, Van. Our theaters here have pretty good handicapped seating.

      I’m interested in seeing the D&D movie, but I’ll probably have to wait til it’s Streaming.

    • Playing devils advocate, the only thing that took Al Capone down was tax evasion, not his myriad of other crimes

      • True.
        And it must stop somewhere.
        This is a career ”white collar” criminal who has never been held accountable and that has emboldened him to actually, literally, lead attacks on our very Democracy.
        If the rule of law doesn’t stand up to this challenge it will cease to exist… for the criminals.

        • Yes. This all must happen. In theory, no one is above the law. And hopefully it creates a pre-existing record that helps when (if??) he’s forced to face charges for his major crimes.

          In the short term, we all expect him to skate on this, or at worst, get fined a few thousand dollars – – which in turn fires up the narrative that he’s some kind of “freedom fighter against the evil system.” IDK if you saw idiot MTG comparing him to Jesus and Nelson Mandela. . . He’s absolutely gained few new supporters from the lunatic fringe.

          I did read a BBC article indicating that he can still run for President, even from a jail cell.

  220. Another for the “fun never ends” column: the car is totaled. Not sure what this extra money hit is going to mean yet for the Mangans.

  222. OK…… what was that crazy video from early in the last decade where the obviously European guy with the mustache goes upstairs to his girlfriend’s house, and he does a crazy dance, she does a crazy dance, then everyone in the street does the crazy dance? Super silly? It was viral for a short time.

  223. I’m sad.
    Turns out, the Am I Evil Insta follows lots of people I know, but doesn’t love me 🙁
    (blatant poke)

    • I am cautiously optimistic for Ahsoka. She’s one of my favorite characters in the SW universe and I’ve got a pretty strong attachment to the whole Rebels crew as well.

      The fact that the Mon Mothma actress looks to be continuing her role in the the post ROTJ era actually gives more hope than anything.

      I’m still a bit more on the positive side than negative for the latest Mandalorian season.

  229. Our kuereg is starting to whine at us. While it still seems to be working, I’m wondering if it’s a prelude to replacement.
    Since we only use it for hot water, we’re thinking of actually getting a kettle instead. Now to find something that is a quick one or two cup maker, since we don’t do the teapot thing.

  230. In Filoni we trust:

    https://gizmodo.com/thrawn-actor-ahsoka-star-wars-disney-plus-sith-villain-1850315377

    He was never my first choice for the role in a live action casting, but between his voice work in Rebels and the other things I’ve seen him in as an actor, I have a lot of confidence he’s going to be excellent.

    It’s cool that we’re going to effectively get a version of Zahn’s story in the new canon. Maybe he’ll get to novelize it some day as well.

  233. Famous (kind of). I’m catching up on the latest season of What We Do In The Shadows and they just mentioned Binghamton, NY. Also appropriate that they pronounced it wrong as that always seems to be the case. I grew up in the town just next door to that (Johnson City). I haven’t heard it mentioned (in fiction) anywhere since Carl Sagan’s book Contact had a line about the Johnson City Wildcats (high school basketball) having a “spirited game” with the Union Endicott Tigers.

    • I knew of Binghamton, NY because of the NJ Devils minor league affiliate there in the 90s.

      I think we always pronounced it bing-um-tun. Was this wrong?

      • bing-um-tun is absolutely fine. It’s when people put an emphasis on the ham that it sounds weird to us. I never thought of it as a name that would be hard to pronounce until we had a shooting at the bing-um-ton university downtown campus and I heard all of the news people butchering the name.

  235. We watched M3gan last night. I questioned more than the husband did so I think he liked it better than I did. Overall, though, still pretty enjoyable

    • I love fandom in general. Good to know there are nuclear test fans out there somewhere geeking out over which test is which.

  239. Ok, after watching the latest Last Week with John Oliver, has anybody in the USA had a run in with your local HOA? They sound like a fucking nightmare.

    • The only run-in I had was when they tried to make me move my solar panels to the back of the house. They were soon beseeched by Solar City lawyers and AZ state law and discovered they couldn’t keep me from putting them where they were most effective.

    • I saw that that was the topic, and I decided not to watch. The main reason we moved last year was due to HOA insanity in that neighborhood.
      We’ve already seen some shady stuff from the HOA in our new neighborhood.

      The majority of this species should be launched into the sun.

    • I’ve generally found that HOA’s that are run by a management company tend to be harmless nuisances and also pretty good about keeping a neighborhood from turning to shit.

      HOA’s that are run by retired busybodies in the neighborhood lusting for power are exactly the nightmares that folks think all HOA’s are.

      My previous and current neighborhoods are both HOA governed and both used professional management companies to handle the details (approving permits for modifications and such). We seem to change management companies about every three to four years when the HOA goes out for new bids. The first one we had when I was here took a month to approve my pool install because it just sat on someone’s desk without being looked at. Other than that, I haven’t had any serious issues with mine.

      • I’ve heard and seen the good and bad of HOAs. Ours is about as benign and cheap as you can find. It’s one of the reasons why we’ve stayed at this house for so long.

    • They were almost unheard of in the fairly rural area where I grew up. When I moved to Florida 14 years ago, I instinctively avoided them like the plague. That is actually difficult to do in the Orlando area but I managed it and have been 14 years without an HOA and loving it.

  241. And also RIP Al Jaffee of MAD Magazine. Dead at 102.

    Everyone is remembering his great fold-ins, but as a kid, I was a big fan of Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions. Sarcasm at its finest.

  242. OK. Caught up on S3 of Mando. I was texting with my son as I watched much of it last night. He actually likes this season so I held back many of my thoughts. But the moment they walked into the vividly colored scene in the latest episode I texted “I have learned that any time the colors go from the typical subdued and dingy to the bright and flashy I’m in for a world of suck”. I was not wrong.

  246. The husband goes back to work today. Is it wrong that, after nearly three months, I’m kind of glad to have him away for a few hours?

  247. Replaying The Last of Us Part 2 to get all of the achievements. Made one mistake and due to the save system means I will need to play five hours of the game again.

    Sigh.

  248. From twitter:

    Pedro Pascal on Joel’s fate in The Last of Us HBO Season 2:

    “It wouldn’t make sense to follow the first game so faithfully only to stray severely from the path. So yeah that’s my honest answer.”

  249. Ugh. It’s not “the fandom.”
    There are racist scumbag everywhere. We should all condemn the attacks on Boyega, Tran, Ingram, and every other actor of color.
    But stop saying that “the Star Wars fandom” went after Jon Boyega, Kelly Marie-Tran, the actor from the Obi-Wan show, etc. Those cretins may like some things about Star Wars, but they do not represent “the fandom.”

    • I’ve been to a number of conventions and watched fan reactions. I can say first hand that “fandom” is behind Boyega, and “fandom” is behind Gina Carano. There is no such thing as “fandom is behind” it’s just what group happens to be yelling loudest nearest to the person in question.

      I don’t often throw my credentials around. But, I started out my real trip into adulthood in undergraduate college. During those years I was a member of the east coast’s largest lending public lending library of science fiction (Stony Brook University’s Science Fiction Forum), a co-chair and art show coordinator of the east coast’s largest (at the time in the late 80s) convention of science fiction, fact, and fantasy (I-Con, long Island), and a host of 2 different radio shows centered around science fiction (Destinies, and Faster Than Light Radio). And I can say first, hand that I have seen and been close friends with (indeed, my friendship extends past political lines) ultra conservatives and ultra liberals and all, all, all, points in between, with every one of those people firmly entrenched in “fandom”. There is no such thing (and never was such a thing) as “fandom is doing x”. Like anything else in life, fandom is too big to encompass any one perspective. I see anyone claiming that “fandom is doing x” as just plain uninformed and downright reckless.

    • I saw him in Vegas last year and it was one of the best concerts ever.
      He did a long, full show that did not include all of my favorites and STILL every song was a hit. It’s amazing how big his/The Police catalogue is.

      Hold your middle aged whiteness high on this one. It’s worth it.

    • Never mind that it’s a tone-deaf cultural moment – – it’s absolutely too soon.
      If you must go back there, then why not tell new Hogwarts stories?

    • Chess has always been popular here, long before Queen’s Gambit came out. There is always a tournament somewhere and the husband always has it on. He would play on some of the bbs’s before Chess.com was a big thing and then has been on chess.com for quite some time.
      I’m pretty sure we have as many chess boards as we do guitars in this house. Although, both have more in storage than on display.
      One of the reasons I’m glad he’s back at work is I was getting pretty tired of nothing but chess coverage all day.

      • I have an uncle who was a chess fanatic since he was but a wee lad, once beat one of the great masters (maybe Karpov?) at a publicity tournament where the master was playing against many many other players at the same time. I was never able to gain anything close to his love of chess (I 100% suck at chess), but grew up with it on my mind. It was also big for me when the Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus “Chess” album came out in the early 80s. And, because of that Chess album, I watched and enjoyed Searching for Bobby Fischer. So it I never thought it wasn’t popular. But I definitely haven’t heard much about chess from the younger generations that I tend to work with, so I can buy that it might have fallen from popularity. I’ve never ever ever claimed to be in the know of the current zeitgeist.

    • I feel like chess literacy is important. It’s a great way to train young minds to anticipate and think in theoretical and potentiality terms. The mechanics of the game are still truly brilliant and elegant. This is all good.

      • Chess has always been popular outside of North America. The husband’s school system has a high immigrant population and, when he would start a chess club, it was always full.
        That being said, this year he had to turn kids more kids away than usual as the spots filled up quicker than in the past

  260. Just finished the Willow series. Fantastic! Great character growth, it caught me early on, and a fantastic climax that both ended well and set up a season 2 (something missing from many other popular series as of late). We need more like this.

  261. Am I mistaken (as I so often am) in that a bunch of us watched Mike Nesmith – Elephant Parts at CJs house at some point? Someone at work mentioned that their dog’s name was Ramona and I had Mike Nesmith’s Cruizin’ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi0b8tcCQSE) going through my head the rest of the night (not that I was complaining about it, fantastic song).

    • I’m looking forward to that one. I’ve generally liked Makoto Shinkai’s work, though “Your Name” is probably his best work.

  270. Alright, I’m looking to go ahead and book our flights for September. I don’t know why, but flights from Houston to Calgary at that time aren’t outrageous on Delta so I’m going to lock-in before the algorithms wise up and hose me.

    We’re looking at flying in on Thursday the 31th and back on Tuesday the 5th. I’m expecting we’ll get a car for ourselves as we’ll likely do a bit of touring on our own, especially since the fight back leaves at 6pm, so we’ll pretty much have the full Tuesday.

    What’s everyone else’s traveling looking like?

      • I figured, around late June, once everybody had their dates, we can start an email thread discussing an itinerary. Places I would suggest off the top of my head would be:
        Zoo (obviously)
        Royal Tyrell Museum of Paleontology (approx 90 minutes NE of here passing the Horseshoe Canyon on the way back)
        Heritage Park
        Studio Bell (the music museum)
        Maybe Banff. I know Van liked it but it is very… touristy.
        I’m assuming we would be looking at three full days (Fri, Sat, Sun) and a half day with (pizza) dinner at our place on the Saturday as is the norm.

        Be warned, pretty much every place will require a lot of walking. Although Heritage Park does have the train you can take between stops.

          • If you’re looking at hotels, the Best Western in Airdrie is technically closer to us but the Days Inn is newer. As I said before though, Airdrie is small enough, you can book pretty much anywhere and still be about a ten to minute drive to my place.

          • Yeah Van. You’ve been to most of the places I mentioned. As you know, walking is a thing as they are all quite sprawling.

    • We also need to see how this whole car thing shakes out. Currently, we only have 1 car in the house, because I’m letting the elder use mine to get to class and work.

      • Hmm, so sounds like things for this year aren’t as much a done deal as I thought.

        I certainly be game for a PHX gathering, especially if more of the crew is able to make the meetup. I haven’t been there since whenever we actually last had a meetup there and my wife has never been.

          • It may come down to me traveling alone – – but I think we should stick to it.

            If it’d help, we could do another poll to see the definite yeses and nos, plus the maybes.

    • Unfortunately, I discovered that the Metallica concert we bought tickets to takes place on Friday, Sept 1st. With this in mind, I will likely fly out Saturday and return Tuesday.

  272. I hadn’t seen the Bourne movies since they were new releases at Blockbuster. I remembered almost nothing about them. The Bourne Identity (the first one) was good – – and its influence on John Wick is clear – – but The Bourne Supremacy (the sequel) is, IMHO, a much better movie.
    They both hold up.
    I don’t know if I’ve ever seen the third one, or anything beyond that.

    • Interestingly, Identity features a very young, pre-famous Clive Owen as his adversary.
      Supremacy features a very young, pre-famous Karl Urban as his adversary.

  276. Just got BritBox as I realize that it’s been forever since I watched a good British Comedy. I loved: Monty Python, Blackadder, Fawlty Towers, Young Ones, Father Ted, Absolutely Fabulous, Red Dwarf, League Of Gentlemen, Bottom, The IT Crowd, Mighty Boosh, Spaced, Black Books. What are the newest british comedy series I should check out? Hold The Sunset is already first on my list.

    • Not much springs to mind, the latest big thing is Colin from Accounts, but that is Australian.

      The original Ghosts is worth a watch if it’s on Britbox.

      Outlaws (more drama) and Inside No.9 (black comedy).

      Derry Girls and Peep Show.
      Although old now, The Fast Show is a good laugh.

    • I will defer to Van. I thought I knew my British comedy, but you have way more shows under your belt than me.

      I love the first 4 and Red Dwarf (and HHGttG, of course). Couldn’t get into Ab Fab and have never seen any of the rest.

        • Aaaand, it’s not on BritBox. I’ll hold onto BritBox for one month and get through Hold the Sunset (latest from John Cleese). Everything else I look up isn’t on there. They really seem to be mostly a repository of old BBC shows. I’ve tried looking up people like Bill Bailey and Dylan Moran and it’s like Brit Box thinks they don’t even exist. Every show I have recommended just isn’t on there.

    • Yeah, I gave this one a pass. “Oshi no Ko” on the other hand was an awesome 90 minute first episode. Definitely give this one a try. You won’t know what the series is about until you get to the end of the ep. 😀

  278. I’ve been binge watching “The Imperfects”.
    I seem to recall a mixed review here.

    I find it entertaining. Definately the sense that there is a little bit of a struggle as to which demographic it is aimed at.
    It could be smarter but it is also better than most.

  279. The husband and I were getting prescriptions filled at Safeway today. While perusing the aisles we were surprised to see they sold “personal massages”. Four different brands. One regular style, one rabbit style and two bullets
    When has this become so mainstream?

    …although, I admit, we were tempted to make a purchase (we didn’t)

  280. Morning Pan
    My Boo is getting her snow tires removed today. She also has some errands she wants to do so, like a good mom, I’ve agreed to be her chauffeur. Off to the city this morning

  281. We’re down to one car so my elder little one can drive to class and school.

    Almost down to zero after this morning’s close call. MFers think they own the gd roads.

    • There was a time when I would go back and forth to getting the DVDs and just streaming based on what strange and unique items I could only get through DVD. Can’t say as I’ve used their DVD portion for many years now though.

      • It’s been a really really long time since I got a Netflix DVD. I do still occasionally borrow DVDs from the library, though, for stuff that isn’t streaming anywhere.

  289. If anyone missed this that last few times, it’s pretty interesting. This site sends you the Bram Stoker Dracula novel in sequential format. On each day that something occurs in the novel, you get an email with what occurred on that day. Really gives you a perspective on how long the plot of the book stretches out. The latest run starts up again on May 5.

    https://draculadaily.com/

  291. Having beers with my NASA pal a few nights ago and he reminded me of todays launch and stated it would end in a fireball.

    On the other hand, he did say they will ultimately be successful …if the owner of that venture doesn’t go full-on Howard Hughes.

  292. It’s official. The Mandalorian has jumped the Mythosaur.

    I’m glad to see that the S3 finale got some positive reactions. Pretty big meh from me, but that’s still an improvement over most of other episodes this season.

    • I enjoyed the finale but it’s been a very uneven season. The stand out was the Doctor Pershing episode even if it was aping Andor.

      • I was entertained by this season, but it is easily the weakest of the three. It felt like a lot of filler episodes waiting for the real narrative to finally kick in. I still like the characters though, I’m hoping they don’t keep dumbing down the stories.

  294. JW: Mrs Davis Eps1

    Enjoyed that. The premise does remind me of an Asimov short story where the computer than controls the world wants to die.

  300. So after a week of feeling progressively worse every day, and coughing all night last night, I went to Urgent Care today. . .
    Only to be told it’s viral bronchitis, to get rest and fluids.

    Thanks.

  301. So my brilliant preschool daughter, who independently reads and understands chapter books, who writes her own picture books and comics, who demonstrates incredible creativity with her building projects, who comes up with valid science experiments on her own, who is pretty good at basic addition and subtraction….

    Doesn’t qualify for the school district’s Gifted program. Her preschool teachers are appalled.

    So- – fucking hooray – – yet another fight against an idiot bureaucracy ahead!

  303. We’re working through Umbrella Academy season 3. It’s more of the same fun quirkiness of the first 2 seasons. Some superhero cliches, but still original enough. Apparently season 4 will be the last.

  307. Watched Escape from New York at the arty cinema this evening.

    That is a fun film to rewatch. After watching the Fog last week, quite a few actors from that popped up in this.

    • Also saw that on the big screen a few years back. It is simultaneously hopelessly outdated and it totally holds up. I hope it’s never remade.

  319. So watching the Diplomat on Netflix.

    As Brandy Jensen pointed out on twitter:

    ‘watching the diplomat on netflix and one argument they just made for why keri russell’s character would make a good vice president is that she’s “pretty but not hot.” excuse me,’

    This is Keri Russell, the opposite of not hot…

    • I actually saw him perform this on tv recently. It was almost sad. His voice was quite a bit higher in range and the song didn’t sound right

    • Sadly, I found the format of that article almost unreadable. I guess it was designed for the short attention span generation but to me it felt like a long string of pop up ads.
      Shame because the subject is important.

  327. We finished watching the series Dead Ringers on Prime. While based on the Cronenberg movie, this was not a horror.
    It was quite good. We liked it

  330. So, maybe it’s time for a poll, but who all is attending the Mmmeetup this year? Glad we’re sticking with Canada (the wife is really looking forward to heading up there).

    • Yes, let’s not fuck around with people’s schedules and plans and money. I had hoped for the 4 of us to go, but it will likely be just me. Barring further disaster, I’m going.

    • Unfortunately I can’t make it this year. I started a new job and lost my 10 year seniority. So my 4 weeks a year of vacation time at the previous place is now down to 2 weeks a year :(. But we get the week from Xmas until New years as holiday and that was one I usually took at the previous job. So it’s almost like going from 4 weeks down to 3. Either way, I won’t have the spare time this year.

      • That’s a bummer. When we’re recruiting senior folks, we’ll often credit them with some equivalent level of service time so that they’re not starting from scratch with benefits.

          • I have found that (within the US) if one puts a beer into the mail and lists it as “liquid potpourri” it makes it through the system just fine. Not sure how well that would work going across the border.

            Maybe I’ll luck out and find a conference in Calgary area that work will want to send me to.

        • They typically bring people in as a contractor for the first three months, then “convert them” to full time. I used my senior status to say that there was no way I was going to transition from a 10 year position to being a contractor. Also, in my previous gig, I had 4 weeks of “paid time off” which encompassed everything. In the new gig, I get 2 weeks vacation, 2 days of personal, 7 days between Xmas and New Years plus, 10 sick days. So, nearly 4 weeks just to start if I use the time wisely. And If I make it to 3 promotions, I get unlimited vacation time (I’m sure the rub is that by that point I will have so much responsibility I’d never be able to take it all).

          The biggest thing I’m looking forward to at this company is that for every 5 years of service, they give you an extra week off and $5k to travel anywhere you want.

  332. Got the platinum trophy on Last of US Part 2.

    Doubt I will ever do the two grounded achievements as it makes the game too difficult.

  336. Just marathoned this entire comments page. I’m sorry I’ve been absent for so long. Finally caught the ‘Rona for the first time in early February of this year; it sucked.

    Vanamonde said:

    “I enjoyed the finale but it’s been a very uneven season. The stand out was the Doctor Pershing episode even if it was aping Andor.”

    Concur. The Pershing story arc did stand out to me as the best part of The Mandalorian S3. I actually enjoyed Picard more than The Mandalorian this season.

    Excited for Deadpan MMMMeetup! Assuming both trips work out, I will have 2 US/Canada border crossings this year. I agreed to go with my parents on an Alaska cruise May 13-20, and we stop in Victoria, BC on the last night (Fri. 5/19).

  337. I guess I neglected to mention that we finished Umbrella Academy S3. It was somehow super-tropey while simultaneously super quirky and offbeat. At least as much as the previous seasons. Recommended. I look forward to the 4th and final season.

  338. So started a replay of The Last of Us last night, the remastered PS4 version.

    Really shows up how the graphics and gameplay were upgraded in the sequel. Controlling Joel and Ellie feel much more sluggish than I remember.

  339. We didn’t go to the theater, but we watched ROTJ last night with the wee one. Yes, it was the Special Edition version on Disney+.

    Look, I hate all of Lucas’s clunky (mcclunky?) changes, but they still don’t diminish how great these movies are. I recall this movie having pacing issues – – and it does – – but they aren’t as bad as I thought. The whole thing is better than I remembered. I even got a little verklempt at the final scene with Luke and Vader.

    • One word:

      Despecialised

      There are versions of the original trilogy with all the mucking around by Lucas removed, well worth a watch.

  340. I really love that moment, too. It’s one of the reasons I’m a lifelong fan. (26 years and counting!)

    Unrelated thought: Happy First of May, everyone! I just picked up my scone and large Pike’s. 🙂

  342. So I’m enjoying the bleakness of the final season of Barry. There is a brief cameo by Michael
    Ironside as the head of the Chechen mob, nice to see he his growing old gracefully.

  343. Kitty goes in for surgery this morning to have a lump on her tail removed. Because of this, she’s fasting and didn’t get any breakfast. Right now, I have one confused and grumpy kitty on my hands

  347. Kitty can barely function in the silly hard plastic cone the vet gave her. I have it off for now and have ordered a soft cone that will arrive tomorrow

    Poor kitty

    • It’s actually a lot like their Legs video, except instead of a downtrodden girl made over, it’s about a downtrodden guy

  363. I’m sorry but Rush is off limits in this house, so instead of talking about the video they are showing I’ll tell you a fun fact

    When he was in high school, the husband’s nickname was Geddy after Geddy Lee.

  365. Time to feed the cat. The rest of the videos will just have to play in the background as I do my thing

  367. I bought an Air Fryer.

    It came today.

    I used it to cook some fries that had been in the freezer for over two years.

    It was not a total success, some fries were soggy and some were as hard as crisps.

    Still it’s early days..

    • Air fryer, basically,,y being small convection ovens, can be hit and miss. Our last one was terrible at frozen fries. Our current one, being a combination toaster oven/air fried is much better

    • One thing I’ve learned with an air fryer – you’ve got to flip/shake/rotate whatever you’re cooking halfway through.

  368. I told the husband that moose are going to take over the world. The husband disagrees. My logic being:

    The plural of moose is moose is moose. This has huge ramifications. Take something like mice. They have individualism in a mouse.

    But moose are legion.

    • Tried listening to the JT’s latest album (the Finnish word for rock flute) and didn’t get past the first track.

    • It’s actually been my nefarious plan all along. My apparent combination of extreme laziness and stubbornness in not actively seeking new music groups that I can actually enjoy, was really just me plotting in the background to make it trendy for groups like Greta Van Fleet and Blood Ceremony to come around and just sound like what I already liked in the first place.

  387. Just saw Renfield. Very well done. I really liked it. Lots of action, lots of gore, and lots of comedy. And it didn’t waste a lot of time ramping up. Gave you a quick, few minutes long, background info and then dove right on into it.

  388. Free Comic Book Day has changed, but then, so has the entire world. The little one and I had fun. Lots of costumes and extras at our local event.

    The Chun Li volunteering at ours (not the actual Chun Li) said I looked familiar. So either
    A. She vaguely remembers seeing me as panelist or emcee from the local cons
    B. She’s seen the Livestreams
    C. I resemble someone she knows
    D. Chun Li was flirting with me.

    Probably C, but I’ll just say it’s D.

  391. Crap joke for the day:

    Why do seagulls fly over the sea? Because if they flew over the bay they would be called bagels.

  392. I’m putting off booking a flight for September till at at least June or July, cutting it fine but I don’t see any other option with still waiting for the knee op.

  394. So first time cooking a frozen burger in the Air Fryer.

    Well cooked (flipped the burger half way through), much more moist than the same burger cooked in George Foreman grill for a similar time.

    • I have found the air fryer to be an excellent tool for cooking frozen burger patties (at least when I’m just feeding myself). Hit them with some salt and pepper when I put them in and that’s some good eatin’

    • It’s raining here too. Our furnace has stopped working. It’s a little chilly in the house until the repairperson comes.

  397. A friend rented the streaming version of “Dungeons and Dragons”.
    His report was that it was unexpectedly funny.
    Sort of a cross between Princess Bride and Monty Python.

  399. The mass shooter who killed 8 this past weekend wore a RWDS (Right-Wing Death Squad) patch.
    Last week was driving behind a car that had a “just a mom trying not to raise liberals” sticker on her car.

    These two things are not unrelated.

  400. So From S2 has started on MGM+ .

    Got to agree with the reviewers that this is the new Lost,, hopefully it won’t disappear up it’s own arse.

  402. The DP website has given up the ghost on mobile safari on my iPhone 14, I just see a black screen.

    Still works on Chrome for iOS.

  403. In happier news, we were able to get a free test for the little one, and she hit the top 99.9% percentile for gifted children. I’m pleased and relieved that she’ll be in the advanced classes where she belongs.

    • Sorry, but that author is wrong. Yes, the “exploiters” share the blame, but the basic design of all of the current generative AI systems is flawed. They are taught on knowledge bases that are “public” only in the fact that they are on the Internet. Take the Getty lawsuit. The images used to train Stable Diffusion are not free to use. And there are generated images that clearly have a distorted Getty waterstamp in them. Who’s at fault? The people that created Stable Diffusion, not the “exploiters”. They didn’t train the system.

      I can get into more details, but I don’t feel like writing a long essay here. I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but really haven’t put my thoughts on paper.

      • No, YOU’RE wrong! (I don’t think you are, just trying to egg you on).

        I think the exploiters are not the ones who are playing around and exploring the possibilities. The exploiters are the ones who are generating vast quantities of fiction/artwork/music/etc. are absolutely in the wrong, but yelling at them and about them accomplishes nothing. That’s like saying, “Vandals should just stop spray painting the walls – – that’ll solve the problem.” I honestly don’t know how you counter these people.

        So, if you play around with an AI and get results that the AI app developers should have blocked, then no, that’s not your fault.

        (This comment generated by ChatGPT)

          • Right, but that in and of itself has nothing to do with AI, which the author does bring up. There is already pushback on flooding, but I believe some of that will be self correcting. Not to say this isn’t a legitimate concern.

            Automation as a tool isn’t bad, but it can be abused, which to be fair is a major point of that author.

    • I met the singer from the Agonist last night, asked if if they have any tours coming up, got a pleasant but terse, “nope.”

      Today’s headline: “The Agonist band calls it quits.”

      Oh.

        • I never got heavily into them, but I like what I’ve heard with Vicky on vocals. I’ll definitely check out her band, Sicksense, even if that’s not the best band name.

    • Meanwhile back in the Federation…
      They Might Be Giants tonight at the Ogden Theater in Denver!
      These are tickets I bought as a Graduation gift for a concert originally scheduled for May 2020.
      The show is finally happening.

  414. The sky has been pretty noisy all afternoon. However, to quote Sting, so far it’s been “heavy clouds but no rain”

  420. I’m also about to set another IndieGoGo in motion to release a print edition for Am I Evil?

    But of course, anyone who supported the first edition will get an inside track to the Print edition. I’m thinking: a pledge of any amount from returning supporters gets you the book. I appreciate any and all returning supporters, but I don’t want anyone to feel like I’m double-dipping on them. As exciting as that might sound, in certain contexts.

  421. Being in a smaller city, we get a free weekly papers. Yes, an actual printed paper is delivered to our front door every week.
    Our paper has this funny quirk. There is always a picture taking up half the front page and then there is a headline and story below. The headline/story NEVER matches the story
    Lately I’ve been posting them to instagram but I found todays quite funny

    The pic is of a highscool production of The Wizard of Oz, with scarecrow, tin man, and Dorthy.
    The headline: Provincial election candidates trade barbs at chamber-hosted election forum

    It’s beautiful

    • I rather liked it as well.
      The streaming services and Netflix in particular have a bad habit of doing this to their “pre-existing” customer base.
      Sure a show has a loyal following but that is from people who ALREADY have subscriptions. They want new shows that will bring “new” eyes.

      I feel like this sort of, total lack of interest in showing loyalty to their existing customers HAS to come back to bite them aventually. Doesn’t it?

  425. Greetings from beautiful Tukwila, WA (just outside Seattle)! My parents and I are going to see the sights of Alaska on a cruise ship this week. Mom orchestrated it. I have 150 minutes of satellite Internet to use over the course of the week. I will take pictures!

    • Also: Go Golden Knights! My sister (who lives in the Las Vegas area) went to the semifinals game yesterday. I’ve never really had a hockey team to root for until now. 🙂

  426. In Tucson since last night. This city is a “Children of Men” dystopian sprawl. Do not recommend.

    We attended my niece’s U of A graduation. Interestingly, Linda McCartney got an honorary posthumous doctorate (she’s from here), and Paul McCartney accepted on her behalf via a video message.

  429. Watched Knock at the Cabin by M. Night Shyamalan. We quite liked it

    Without spoilers it did leave you wondering, did they or didn’t they

  430. Also:

    I don’t understand Facebook algorithms. I don’t care – – but I do, because I want to effectively spread the word about the upcoming campaign.

  431. My kids use Facebook’s Messenger Kids to tell to their friends. It’s a pretty good app. But every time something happens and they have to login again, I have to reactivate my Facebook account on order approve them.

    Which is why I was on Facebook earlier this week and counting up to 12 ads/promoted pages in between posts from actual people/pages I was following. I literally do not understand how folks can continue to use Facebook.

    • Pretty bad luck there – I don’t think I’ve ever seen more than two ads between posts of people I’m actually following.

      • 2 between is almost tolerable. I was getting a minimum of 3 between each and was angered when I counted 12. Maybe the algorithm was punishing me for not bending to the whims of “Meta”. 😉

        • I have a lot of frustrations and complaints with FB, but it’s the only social media account I’m going to bother maintaining.
          I haven’t touched Twitter in many years, and will never touch Twitter again.
          Mastodon appears to be too disjointed to ever be truly relevant.
          Instagram. . . maybe?

          Do you use something instead, NS?

          • For me, old school Twitter was perfect. 140 character limit, no curation, and the timeline was in posting order. Even though I don’t post anything regularly, Mastodon is the closest to that. Besides the messy sign-up process, most of the complaints that I’ve seen about Mastodon relate to it not being as entertaining or visible as current Twitter. I believe that is a good thing, otherwise Mastodon would just eventually turn into the same shit show that Twitter has been for at least the last 5 years.

            I deleted my Instagram account first. I don’t live a life that invites posting pictures, so it didn’t make sense for me. (I did, however, keep my Plurk account, but mostly in an asshole-ish ironic way.) I deleted FB because it kept hiding updates that I cared about in order to promote groups I wasn’t interested in & because I kept finding myself in a much worse mood after scrolling the feed. I kept Twitter the longest, but only because I was using an app that removed the advertisements and kept the feed in timeline order. The website experience for Twitter was impossible years ago. I use Discord for my school/homework community but, even though I’m in several other groups, I kind the walled garden aspect to feel claustrophobic. I prefer Matrix but it has the same walled garden feeling that I don’t like about Discord.

            So, basically, I like to shake my fist at the clouds and stamp my cane on the ground. =D

  435. Crap joke for the day:

    A Möbius strip walks into a bar, sobbing.
    The bartender asks, “What’s wrong, buddy?”
    The Möbius strip replies, “Where do I even begin?”

  436. Episode 6 of Maisel was really good and felt like the finale – – but it turns out there are 2 more episodes.

    This series has been ups and downs, but mostly ups. It’s well-done.

  446. I tried to take a picture but it just looks overcast in it
    However, between the yellow air, and the wind, it almost seems Post-apocalyptic out there

    • I watched that for the first time a few months before he died. I have no idea why it gets bashed. I thought it was every bit as fun as the other Universal classics.

    • It’s worth pointing out, since the monsters will start crying “both sider-ism” about internet backlash getting people fired…

      When it is the so-called left that is up in arms, it is almost ALWAYS over someone who has been caught (or at least accused) of actually being horrible to another human being.

      In this case, the so called “conservatives” are up in arms and trying to get people fired, for advocating people treat other human beings better… or just not be no horrible to them. That’s it.

      When you boil it down to that very basic point it not only ISNT THE SAME, it just points out how truely horrible these “conservatives” are.

      • I hate to even make the “left” and “right” distinctions, but yes, that is a good point to make. There is an entire, thriving subculture that’s built on hate and non-acceptance of others who just wanna live their no-harm lives – – which is somehow tolerated in the mainstream.

        You don’t like a particular group of people for the way they live? OK. . . . prove with studies, evidence, facts, and historical examples why they’re bad or dangerous for their fellow humans, and I’ll agree with you on reasonable sanctions. For example: cannibals, Ted Nugent, fuckers who tailgate you on the highway.

    • You realize that MacGyver could make a time machine out of just those components. Well, maybe with the addition of some tunafish and a number two pencil.

    • Depends on how large your viewing area is. Although our system is capable of 7.1, 5.1 sounds pretty good with 9 feet between us and the screen.

      • Well yes there is that. The only downside to my setup is the artex on the ceiling making the upward firing speakers on the soundbar pretty much useless but otherwise the 5.1 does sound pretty good.

  460. Took the husband to the doctor yesterday because his foot was sore and swollen. He got X-rays and it turns out he broke his foot. We have no idea how that happened

  461. I saw Evo and Sheila tonight at a local Podcasters’ Meetup. Man, it had been years.
    Funny, Evo told everyone how this site and its active comments page had blown him away, back when we’d get 1000+ comments per episode.

  464. Silver lining with the husband’s broken foot. At least it’s not his driving foot. Otherwise I’d be driving him to and from work every day for the next six weeks

    • This is an interesting case. I find that I am conflicted on the issue. I find Warhol’s painting “sufficiently transformative”, but it would have been nice for him to seek the photographer’s permission first. On the other hand, there are a lot of Rap artists that take riffs from other bands and “repurpose” them which I find infringing. This might make me a hypocrite. =P

    • That was a fascinating read and certainly a difficult case. I’m not expert on copyright law, though the concept of earning on the creation of something essentially in perpetuity is one that I’ve always found troubling.
      I know theoretically these will pass into the public domain at some point, but thanks largely to Disney, the concept of public domain and ownership of IP have strayed a long way from their original ideas.

  468. The bad thing about a foot air cast: in Canada we take our shoes off when we go inside. The cast is like wearing a shoe inside. I think I’m going to keep some wipes or something by the door so the husband can clean the bottom of his cast when coming in

  470. Also Deadpan. Don’t forget you need a passport to come to Canada
    I’m not sure what it’s like elsewhere, but it can take a couple of months to get one here

  475. Oo! Read this one too. It’s chock full of great quotes and insights on how unchecked greed is ruining the movie industry (even if it’s also ruining everything else).

    https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/intellectual-property/ip-era-franchises-venture-capital-filmmaking?utm_source=pocket-newtab

    “Laura Dern, Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum were brought back for the latest Jurassic World cash-grab to excite us as embodied reminders of a better movie. They’re not actors anymore. They’re mascots. “

  476. Now according to Wikipedia the term ‘rolling stock’ to described the inventory of trains and carriages a train operator has is used on both sides of the pond.

    Have you heard the term before today?

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