Enjoyed the new Dr Who episode which featured Rosa Parks…so many bad accents.
Not looking forward to next weeks episode.
One, two, three, four, I declare a…
I’m in the new thread! Someone bring me a shrubbery!
Ni!
Wiiiiith! A herring!
Morning Pan
My American friends, I’m trying to wrap my head around how your voting system works, so I’m hoping you can answer me. These are genuine questions so, if I come across as being snarky, it’s not intentional.
Why do you have to register to vote? And, if I understand right, when you register, you have to state what political party you have a preference for? I assumed, like Canada, who you liked was nobody’s business but your own but now I feel this is slightly off.
Also, why does it feel like your party leaders are campaigning for two years? (not counting your current president who has been campaigning from day one). I’m assuming you don’t have regulations that state a campaign can only go on for so long?
For Context: Canada does a census every five years. The municipalities every other year. Tax returns are filed every year. They combine all three of those to get a voter list. If you move, you can bring id to the voting station closest to your current address and records will be updated at the time you vote. While we can choose to support a particular party, this is done any time through the party itself and has nothing to do with the actual election process.
Our federal election only has about two months of campaigning time before the election.
Again, just curious on how it works as I find, by watching what’s going on on tv, it’s a little confusing. I’m sure you would find ours confusing if you were watching it from your prospective.
I can’t blame you for being confused as our system is truely a mess.
To answer your questions –
– I don’t actually know why we have to register to vote. I highly suspect that is a hold over from ancient times and was intended to make sure a segment of the population did NOT actually get to vote.
– When I first registered to vote (waaay back in the 80’s) I DID indeed have to pick a political party … and they only gave you two choices. I am not sure that is still a requirement.
This is easily something that can be abused. You register by filling out paper work and some public employee then enters you in the database. If the spell your name wrong or misplace a hyphen, then you’re ID will not match your name in the register. This is apparently what has happened with a HIGH percentage of the 30,000+ voters in Georgia who suddenly had their right to vote put on hold a few weeks ago. 70% of those votes were apparently minorities.
– If it feels like they campaign for 2 years (or even more) it is because they do. There are no laws to prevent that because the laws are written by those already in power and they wish to keep that power.
It is a totally screwed up system whose original design never accounted for the a world where a citizen could become a lifetime Politian. Basically a Monarch.
So, when you register, can you lie and say you support one party and then vote for another?
If so, a) how do they know (assuming voting itself is private), and b) if they don’t know, how is it accurate?
Generally, when you register with a political party, you get to vote in the primary elections for that party. In other words, you get to vote for which candidate the Republicans or Democrats put forward. Regardless of party affiliation, during the general election, you can vote for any person you want. I won’t get into the Electoral College, as it is another layer of obfuscation of the popular vote we had to agree to for the States to become the United States.
In short, yes it’s a mess, and yes, it’s designed this way to protect the power of the elected officials.
As a registered Independent, this was the first year I was able to show up to the polls and select the party primaries I wanted to vote in. In the past – – even 2016 – – I was shut out of the primaries.
Some folks have suggested that everyone declare themselves Republican, regardless of their true affiliation, to prevent gerrymandering of districts from being so effectively unfair – – but I think it’s too late.
I registered as a Republican.
I figured that party needed my help the most. In primaries I try to support the candidates that lean the most centrist.
In national elections I have yet to vote for a Republican candidate.
What’s a frog’s favourite drug?
Croacain
That explains the latest Muppet Show.
CP: Memorabilia — Soft Cell
The nerdiest, brainiest, smartest of the programmers here recommended The Three-Body Problem series of Sci-Fi novels, originally written in Chinese, but translated to English. Apparently, they’re even blurbed by Barack Obama (remember when we had Presidents who read books?).
I’ve read the first one and found it to be very good, if you enjoy hard SF. I haven’t read book 2 yet, but it is on my shelf.
Same here. I read the first one and enjoyed it
The thing to remember is, they are translations so there might be some cultural references that you might not get. That wasn’t a big deal for me, but I thought I’d mention it
Starting watching “The Haunting of Hill House” on Netflix. About 60% through and I would recommend it.
That’s on our shortlist. We’ve started Marvelous Mrs Maisel, and will probably do Daredevil S3 next.
It’s on our short list too (really, are you surprised?)
Watched the first episode, very creepy, hopefully get round to watching some episodes soon.
@TEB: I see you’ve been reading Critical Role: Vox Machina. How are you liking it?
I enjoyed it. I’m not sure if you follow their podcast/video It’s basically the first few episodes of season one in comic form. If you don’t follow the podcast, they are a group of voice actors that get together once a week to play d&d
Speaking of the 90’s, I recently started watching “Fraiser” again after hearing about the death of the actor who played the father. I must confess, the wit and barbs traded among the cast still draw plenty of laughs from this jaded curmudgeon.
I’ve seen very little of Frasier, but he was always my favorite Cheers character.
Oh, and you hit me right in the nostalgias with that list, Ed.
Frasier is still one of my fav sitcoms, that show was peak sitcom.
Luke Cage s3 cancelled. Looks like this is the beginning of the end of the Netflix Marvel shows
As with Iron Fist, I’m holding out hope that their stories continue in a joint “Power Man and Iron Fist” show.
I haven’t read the book but The Hate U Give film adaption was well done.
Crap joke for the day:
**THE TATTOO** ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
A guy was getting married and decided to tattoo his wife’s name, Wendy, on his penis. When it was erect, her name was on it, but when it wasn’t, it only said “wy”So they get married and go on their honeymoon to Jamaica. On the last day, the newlyweds go to a nude beach. The guy goes to the bar there and sees the bartender – nude as well – with a tattoo on his flaccid dick that also says “WY.” He says to the bartender, “is your wife’s name also Wendy? I see your dick is tattooed.” Bartender says “no mon, my dick says ‘Welcome to Jamaica and have a nice day,’ mon.”
>Soapbox <
At a rally last night, trump boldly declared that he is in fact a nationalist. He went on to say “And I say really, we’re not supposed to use that word. You know what I am? I am a nationalist. Use that word.”
By midday Republicans will undoubtedly be trying to spin nationalism is a good thing. So if you have any coworkers who say “Really, what’s wrong with being a nationalist”? Remind them of the following –
“Nationalism” is not the same as “Patriotism”.
Nationalism is jingoism, that distorts patriotism into aggression and anger.
Nationalism is xenophobia, that says it is okay to deny rights to the other, whether that other is defined by race, religion, or gender identity. Nationalism says it is okay to kidnap and cage children. Or imprison people without trial. Or even round up those you don’t like and march them by the hundreds of thousands into gas chambers “for the good of the country”.
Nationalism is NOT Patriotism. It is a poisonous philosophy of self-satisfied hatred that 418,000 US solders died fighting in WWll.
Remind them that if you support nationalism you are spitting on those soldiers graves.
To paraphrase Charles DeGaulle –
Patriotism is based on love of country. Nationalism is based on Hate of others.
He – – and the scumbags around him – – keep testing the waters, to see how far they can go. When do his supporters say, “whoa, that’s too far” ?
I love that the Rolling Stone interviewer really doesn’t seem to get how Rush works. For example, asking if they were tempted to come out with a radio-appropriate single while working on Hemispheres with Geddy’s reply of “that’s really not how Rush has ever done things”.
RIP, ma’am. You’ve impacted countless lives and Thanksgivings.
It is… and yet this left me kind of haunted –
“She was working in a test kitchen for Campbell’s”
Some where there is a concrete bunker, surrounded by razor wire and under 24 hour surveillance – where all of the tests that went horribly wrong are kept. Stored away for some horrific future where they will be called upon to do Campbell’s unholy bidding.
Sounds like the origin story of a tragic Marvel hero.
This year I know how TEB feels about the cost of foreign travel.
When are you going?
First week in November, hoping to see Niagra Falls.
Ah iiiiiiiiisn’t it romaaaaaaaantiiiiiiiiiic
I hope not.
I recognize that it gets cold on your island over there, but from all accounts, that part of the US and Canada gets Robert Falcon Scott cold in winter. Pack longjohns.
Are you morally bankrupt? You have doubts? Read this article and your reaction will tell you all about how much of a fucktard you are:
I couldn’t finish it. I had issues with this right from the beginning.
FUCK everything about this.
There’s some noise on the interwebs that this may not have been real, done as a sort of satire. That would make more sense to me but in the age of Trump, who knows.
Morning Pan
I think I spend most of my work reconciling things.
Every once in a while, I have to send an email to my mom to let her know I’m still alive (apparently I don’t show up in her FB feed, go figure). The problem is, my life is pretty boring so I have nothing to say to her. Today’s email could be boiled down into two words, “I exist”
What do you mean? It is a list of ten things that has ten things on it. Ipso facto, it is complete.
Actually, number ten is a list of other things, so I tell you it is MORE than complete.
Now I shall set this dumpster on fire for good measure…
You have a future in politics, Ed. You can be the leader of our gang of post-apocalyptic road mutants.
We just finished episode five of Haunting of Hill House. Hubby and I are both enjoying it.
So, went to a farewell happy hour for a departing co-worker. There was some kind of comedy festival going on downtown, which is probably why the bar had a live band playing.
The band kept letting people come up to sing songs, which led to a terrible live karaoke. Where it got really strange, though, was when the Sklar Brothers went up to do a (n intentionally?) terrible version of “Hunger Strike.”
I kept saying, “Hey, that’s the Sklar Brothers,” to which all but one person said, “Who?”
Who?
Reminds me of when I went to see Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit in the theaters and found myself the only person in a crowded room laughing hysterically when Gromit turns on the radio in the truck and Bright Eyes (the Art Garfunkel song used when Hazel dies in Watership Down) is playing. Of course, the fact that no one else got it just made me laugh harder.
I saw that film with almost empty cinema But I think I was the oldest there.
I was the only one who laughed at the thunderbird homage as Wallace and Gromit left for work,
People in the bar knew who the Sklar Brothers are, just no one I saw with – – except the one guy who said “weren’t they in Better Call Saul?”
Fascinating linguistic deep geeking. Even if you’re not Italian.
Yeah but how did ‘Gooble Gobble, ho’ become ‘Gabba Gabba, hey’?
About to get our Gaga on. A Star is Born.
So…
Were you Gaga for Star birthing?
I haven’t seen the original. Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, and Sam Elliott are all terrific in the movie.
It was terrific! The lead actors and actress, were all terrific.
Jack could totally pull off a Bradley Cooper ala A Star Is Born costume for Halloween.
mmmmmeow
I’ve been told the cgi spiders on this weeks Dr Who are a bit too well done.
I’ll be watching from behind the sofa through my fingers.
So will Jon Pertwee.
It appears that it will rain on my parade 🙁
Currently calling for rain storms Halloween night. Sadness. Hedging towards not setting up my outdoor audio. Wind will render my fog setups useless.
Some of my lighting is not rain resistant so I’ll have to come up with something else.
meh
Nature will provide its own Halloween ambience, thank you very much.
Morning Pan
Took hubby’s car in for winter service today
It occurs to me that with the United States healthcare costing 3X’s the international rate, the 3 billion dollar cost could be a more reasonable 1 billion.
Last year, we had maybe a dozen kids come to our door on Halloween. The year before, about the same. Hubby decided to buy 200 candies for this year, just in case. *sigh*
THAT’S the spirit !!
If you have Coffee Crisps, then we might expand our Trick-or-Treating route a bit.
Mmmmmmmm
Note to self, when the old shoes start to cut off the circulation to your toes it’s time to get new shoes.
So, Avatar 2 and 3 are done filming, and filming has begun for 4 and 5. No, really.
OMG I cannot WAIT not to watch these.
I liked the first one fine, but if I was looking for a sequel it was probably around 2013. It’s a great movie to test your HDTV with, but you don’t need 5 of them. LOL
It was an amazing theater experience. If he can recreate that – – and actually tell an interesting story, then I’m in for a sequel. But how about we focus on one sequel, and see how things go, hmm?
Works for me. 🙂
Has anybody watched Sabrina on Netflix yet? We watched the first episode last night and can’t decide if it was trying to be serious or deliberately mocking the whole witch thing
I confess that I’m not all that interested. I wasn’t the target audience the first time around.
We’ve watched the first 3 episodes, not sure if we are going to continue with it or not as we really aren’t the target demographic. I think it is very jokey, with some amusing elements. But it is very formula, in the CW way of things.
What’s with this ‘target demographic ‘ bullshit?
I would never watch a Pixar film if that was the case.
Also if George Lucas is to be believed you watch Star Wars as an adult..you are doing it wrong…
Sabrina … not watching. Didn’t give it a chance.
I find that things with “teen” in the title tend to have too much silly angsty drama in them for my tastes.
From your descriptions of it being jokey, I wonder if it is trying to channel “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”.
I wonder if I should do a pbp tomorrow. It is Halloween after all so a suitable day for a very b horror flick
Basically: Massive Attack are touring this year and next to celebrate the “Mezzanine” album, which came out in 1998. And they’ll have some of the guests with them who helped make that album.
Ill take it!!!!!!
And way to channel your inner Van
Not Acceptable
No point crying of spilled black milk.
It’s not a scale of the universe video the Jedi would show you…
Neat integration with real world objects for scale.
Nicely done.
Boo!
Our credit card came up for renewal. It’s amazing how many accounts I have to change and update when this happens
I’m not dressing up or down for Halloween.
I doubt this will come as a surprise.
Happy Halloween, everyone! I think this is the first year that I,ve thrown a costume in the dog. It’s a fun one, too.
Acouple weeks ago, we had to take Pandora to the vet for a wound on her paw. They put an e-collar on her and due to the length of her neck and snout, the e-collar is disproportionately long on her (poor Pan), and I came up with the idea to dress her up for Halloween!
She’s going to be a Handmaid, even though she is spayed. Pics on FB later.
Nice !
I like it!
Author Dave Duncan passed away. He was a regular at Calgary conventions and I knew him. I actually had some scotch with him (and Guy Kaye) just this past August 🙁
There are fewer of them than they think, but still more of them than we think. They’re just the loudest.
I am rather disappointed Netflix doesn’t have the original Halloween. They have the 2007 remake, but that’s not the same thing.
So, in a half hour, I’m going to take this in an entirely different direction
Be prepared to be amazed and amused
w00t!
Ah, Topeka, the capital of Kansas and home of the Westboro Baptists. Only 17 though, the racists are slacking.
BTW, this link should work. It is Pitchfork, so your hipster top hat, man-bun, pipe, and regrettable tattoos might need to be cool before everyone else was into it.
I’m heartened that Pitchfork is covering the Nicki Minaj and Cardi B. dustup still.
Our youngest took over door duties last night, so I can be sure how many kids we had. But judging by the amount of candy we had left over, it was a light year. In the past, we may have had over 100.
I hope Hallowe’en was good to everyone! We had a debacle with Chik Fil A*, which cost us precious time and put a huge downer on the evening, but we salvaged and had a good night of it anyway.
*The whole reason we were there was for a school fundraiser – – but I strongly doubt they even got that right. Yes, I am aware of their repulsive money donations to repulsive anti-gay organizations. Never again.
Morning Pan
We had about two dozen kids this year. Approximately double over last year but nowhere near the 200 hubby bought for.
Heard three knocks at the door, ignored them.
Fucking asshole.
Thankfully there weren’t many this year and I just ignored the knocks.
The weather was kind to us.
We had more trick or treaters then the past few years. Still, less than a dozen.
Mostly younger kids with adults. It was fun to hear the adults enjoying the experience.
We hit a few doors – – Baby Groot was a big hit.
There was this one grumpy Englishman who wouldn’t open his door, though. . .
It appears that Tor.com did a whole Earthsea thing recently.
Another day of packing up Halloween.
Yesterday was slowed by rain, having to go help a friend hang their art instillation and then spending the evening at a fundraiser.
Fundraiser is for a good cause. Local group of business folks and medical professionals who have worked with the school system to let them set up free clinics (medical, dental and optometrist) at some of our less affluent, elementary and middle schools.
Since I have always had the opportunity to take my kids to medical appointments it had never occurred to me … what do you do if you CAN’T take off from work to do so. Turns out that this is the case for quite a few people. Either their employers don’t give them the time off or if they do … it is without pay and that isn’t an option. So the answer is … their kids don’t get routine stuff taken care of.
Apparently, kids who are suffering pain from untreated maladies, or who can’t see the words on the page … don’t do as well in school.
I’m ok with this, as long as it doesn’t affect the taxes or daily income increases – even fractionally – of the wealthiest people in the history of the planet.
*sigh*
Yeh.
I had that talk with a retiree the other day. He basically wanted to know why he should even care now that he had no kids in the school system.
I summed it up “Would you feel safer if your neighborhood/community was filled with kids who were going to be able to get the sort of jobs that would allow them to move away and start their own families … or would you rather they be full of under employed, high school drop outs, with a lot of spare time, living off of their parents. Kids with no compelling reason NOT to get drunk or do drugs in the middle of the day ?”
You can pay some now to educate … or you can pay a lot more later when they need public assistance just to eat or are housed in a tax payer funded prison.
“Charity is a cold grey loveless thing. If a rich man wants to help the poor, he should pay his taxes gladly, not dole out money at a whim.”
Clement Attlee
Have a great trip, Van! Lots of pictures and stories!
I’ve heard that parts of Detroit are fantastic, if you’re spending any time there.
Well Toledo is where I’m staying.
Ohio?
Going to the Rock and Roll Hall-o-fame ?
It may well be possible, although I’m told it’s in Cleveland
The heart of rock-n-roll…
the heart of rock-n-roll is in Cleveland.
Well… or so I’ve heard.
Yes, Cleveland is in Ohio
Doh!
Huey Lewis lyrics quotes? We’ll have to go to the judges on this one… it seems they’re going to allow it.
BTW, Van, every American city you’ve ever heard of is in Ohio.
You’ve just taken your first step into a larger world.
Had dinner with Doug Kress and JR Murdock at Mitch’s, which is possibly the best seafood joint in the world.
I just want y’all to know how cool it is to see Jack’s influence shining through the eldest daughter. Here are some of the things she is currently interested in/obssessed with— thanks to her Pops.
-creative writing. A (cyber punk)novel
– The Beatles and Led Zepplin
– SCIENCE!
She is really embracing her interests lately.
She’s the awesome.
Rock ON!
With those interest … another force for good in the world!
Well done Jack.
So this year I get to turn my clocks back twice.
We’re headed home now from a fun busy San Diego weekend. Baby’s first road trip and first time seeing the ocean. Also, first visit to a zoo.
Now we drive through a bunch of nothing.
PSA: The diet Dr Pepper in the Cracker Barrel in Perrysburg is most vile.
That is all.
However the maple onion jam on the burger and the pecan pie (first slice ever) was divine.
Pecan Pie FTW !!!!
Now you’re speaking American!
You’ve never had pecan pie before? We need to do better at teaching you (north) American ways.
Nope.
My friend has also been taking to me to diners that are not part of big chains for breakfast, that has been an interesting experience.
And home!
Morning Pan
I see teaching kitty about daylight savings is going to be a chore. She’s been annoying us at 3:30am instead of our normal wake up time of 4:30. We didn’t get an extra hour sleep.
Have a super, fantastic birthday, Pixie!
Pixie Day ?!?!?!
Yea!!! Happy Birthday!
This morning is fuelled by a bacon and egg bagel and a caramel cappuccino from Tim Hortons.
This one has an ice cream section, which is something I wasn’t expecting to see in a coffee shop.
Happy happy birthday to my far better better half.
Today I tried a turkey and avacado sandwich. Not bad
“You’ve never had *turkey and avocado sandwich* before? We need to do better at teaching you (north) American ways.”
The girls would turn the color of an avocado,
When he rolled own the street in his El Dorado.
He was only 5 foot 3, but they could not resist his stare. . .
Interesting – – Tom Breihan’s year-by-year take on the most important Superhero movie of the year had to contend with The Dark Knight and Iron Man both coming out in 2008.
Holy shit! It’s the end and the beginning…
He’s… a bit harsh on Dark Knight…
Why so serious?
He seems to have mixed feelings. The movie definitely has some odd little moments, but it’s real brilliance is in the characters and themes.
In a topic unrelated to dark, brooding, urban crime fighters, we’ve finally gotten around to Daredevil S3. Two episodes in – – and holy crap, is the pace crawling. But I’m digging it. I like the hints as to what’s coming up.
Today I get to be an international observer as I get to watch my friend vote.
In Curtice Ohio they still used the paper ballots and did not have voting machines.
Had a nice chat with some of the staff and talked about the differences with how we vote in the UK.
Morning Pan
Hubby’s windshield has a few chips in it so, later this morning, I’ll take it in and get them fixed
Thought for the day:
If the back window of your car gets damaged, is that a car butt crack?
What would that make the crack in the front windshield??
Illegal.
I’m going to say it here, where disagreement will be reasonable and noncombative:
Today, we find out just how deeply our election process has been hacked and compromised.
And if you disagree, then get bent!
Today’s interesting election twist around here.
Last night we had a lot of severe weather that hit in the middle of the night. Kept the prudent person up from midnight til 3am.
In preparing for this … All schools and many businesses had announced a 2hr delay to the start of their day today.
I just went to vote and the election minder told me they had VERY heavy turnout this morning. He said he had at least 10 people tell him it was their first time to vote including several “young people”.
Now maybe it is just our current situation that has prompted people to vote. One does have to wonder though … was something as simple as a two hour delay to the start of their day, allow more people to vote?
Two fascinating links for you all, then I’m getting deep into the work:
So this song, is one of those that just doesn’t (or hasn’t yet) benefit from covers.
One of the things that makes it so perfect is it’s production. The stuff they did in studio and then post production. The original just sounds so darn thick and rich. Not something I would want to hear all the time but when I stumble across it in my playlist after a long time of not listening, it has my full toe tapping, singing along attention.
The only caveat I would add to this (my opinion) is that I REALLY enjoy the mash-up version that Straight- No Chaser did of this and the 12 Days of Christmas. #1) Clevor and B) I’m a sucker for really well done acapella arrangements.
Seeing SNC live – especially around Christmas time – especially if they do this song – should be on everyone’s bucketlist.
SNC is a bane of my existence. I appreciate how much you appreciate them, tho.
That’s because you haven’t (?) seen them live.
Oh is that why? Fun fact… I once got in a semi insult match with Seggi on another podcasts chat room…but that really has nothing to do with nothing.
Bit of advice… never laugh at his Indiana university education.
No, I’m telling you the reason why you don’t like them. . . . Because I know better than you why you like or dislike things.
– – – seriously – – seriously? Do tell us the story of your Seggi argument!
Nah. Weezer’s is spot on. And I’d argue that cover has made this song even more relevant.
Theyre rebooting Shrek.
Perhaps they will make it more relevant.
:}
You have to admit, the CGI is getting pretty realistic.
It took me over 50 years to finally have the need to use a laundromat.
The cast:
YOUNG MAN
Eric Idle
POLICEMAN
Graham Chapman
FEMALE VOICE OVER
Carol Cleveland
MALE VOICE OVER
John Cleese
PEPPERPOT
Eric Idle
FEMALE JOURNALIST
Terry Jones
BOXER
Eric Idle
SCOTSMAN
Michael Palin
STOCKBROKER
John Cleese
BOY
Michael Palin
The sketch:
(We a young man playing chess with another young man. They are in an ordinary flat. Them is a tremendous battering, banging, hammering and clattering at the door.)
Young Man: Door’s open.
Policeman: Oh. Yes. (he enters) All right. All right, all fight, all right. My name’s Police Constable Henry Thatcher, and this is a raid. I have reason to believe that there are certain substances on the premises.
Young Man: Well what sort of substances, officer?
Policeman: Er… certain substances.
Young Man: Well, what sort of certain substances?
Policeman: Er, certain substances of an illicit nature.
Young Man: Er, could you be more specific?
Policeman: I beg your pardon?
Young Man: Could you be ‘clearer’.
Policeman: Oh, oh … yes, er … certain substances on the premises. To be removed for clinical tests.
Young Man: Have you got anything particular in mind?
Policeman: Well what have you got?
Young Man: Nothing, officer.
Policeman: You are Sandy Camp the actor?
Young Man: Yes.
Policeman: I must warn you, sir, that outside I have police dog Josephine, who is not only armed, and trained to sniff out certain substances, but is also a junkie.
Young Man: What are you after … ?
Policeman: (pulling a brown paper package from out of his pocket, very badly and obviously) Oo! Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh! Here is a brown paper bag I have found on the premises. I must confiscate this, sir, and take it with me for clinical examination.
Young Man: Wait a minute. You just got that out of your pocket.
Policeman: What?
Young Man: (takes it) Well what’s in it anyway? (opens it) Sandwiches.
Policeman: Sandwiches? Blimey. Whatever did I give the wife?
(Cut to viewer’s letter in handwriting, read in voice over.)
Female VO: Dear BBC, East Grinstead, Friday. I feel I really must write and protest about that sketch. My husband, in common with a lot of people of his age, is fifty. For how long are we to put up with these things. Yours sincerely, E. B. Debenham (Mrs.).
(Cut to another letter.)
Male VO: Dear Freddy Grisewood, Bagshot, Surrey. As a prolific letter-writer, I feel I must protest about the previous letter. I am nearly sixty and am quite mad, but I do enjoy listening to the BBC Home Service. If this continues to go on unabated …Dunkirk… dark days of the war… backs to the wall… Alvar Liddell … Berlin air lift … moral upheaval of Profumo case … young hippies roaming the streets, raping, looting and killing. Yours etc., Brigadier Arthur Gormanstrop (Mrs.).
(Cut to vox pops film.)
Pepperpot: Well I think they should attack things, like that – with satire. I mean Ned Sherrin. Fair’s fair. I think people should be able to make up their own minds for me.
Female Journalist: Well I think they should attack the fuddy-duddy attitudes of the lower middle classes which permit the establishment to survive and keep the mores of the whole country back where they were in the nineteenth century and the ghastly days of the pre-sexual revolution.
(A boxer runs up and knocks her out.)
Scotsman: Well that’s, er, very interesting, because, er, I am, in fact, made entirely of wood.
Stockbroker: Well I think they should attack the lower classes, er, first with bombs, and rockets destroying their homes, and then when they run helpless into the streets, er, mowing them down with machine guns. Er, and then of course releasing the vultures. I know these views aren’t popular, but I have never courted popularity.
(A boy scout on his knees. Next to him is a scout master, seen only from the knees down.)
Boy: I think there should be more race prejudice.
(He is nudged.)
Voice: Less.
Boy: Less race prejudice.
Graham Chapman was often the funniest of them all.
True tortured genius.
Morning Pan
Another US election and, once again, I did not vote
Actually, here’s a thought experiment:
What would happen if the citizens of a country did not vote for their own leaders (house, senate, etc), but the rest of the world did? It would be interesting to see what the results would be.
Please do.
I know we don’t see him much on the Pan anymore but still, hope you have a wonderful birthday Lost Ralph!
I used that other social media to wish him a happy birthday.
It’s a good list. I’m sure many could suggest some additions or substitutions.
I’m gonna guess the majority of the comments are, “What, no _____? This list is terrible!”
Note the list was done last year. Any you’d put on from the last year?
Can’t think of any, although BR 2049 is a strong consideration, but I think it defeats the point of the list.
I’d vote for Last Jedi for multiple reasons. But I can never tell if Star Wars is “fantasy” or “Sci -Fi”
Eh, if Donnie Darko qualifies for the list, then I think they’re talking Spec Fic – – more than straight up 2001-style hard Sci-Fi. And maybe they covered it already; I skipped the write-up and went straight to the list. (shaaaammme)
Also: Fuck Starship Troopers. Also: Under the Skin is pretentious bullshit.
Great List!
I have seen 24 of the 35 and of the ones I hadn’t seen I am intrigued and want to see them. Well, except maybe the “kids killing each other” one.
The one I would add is “Serenity”. Normally I would categorize that film as “Action Adventure in space” instead of Sci-Fi but IF you are going to include Star Ship Trooper as Sci-Fi then you really need to include “Serenity”.
My head hurts. When does the next Transformers movie come out?
egads, the deep dive there. . .
This has that “Three Body Problem” book listed on it.
Quote: “former US president Barack Obama said that it was “fun to read, partly because my day-to-day problems with Congress seem fairly petty.””
Wait, did we have a President in this Century who knew how to read? I can’t even remember. . .
Reading through a bit further, was pleased to see a couple of excellent China Mieville books on this list. . . and also Annihilation. More from me on that book later. . .
I saw a new release from legend Anneke Van Giersbergen, and was going to post it to MetalAsylum.net, but this is the least Metal thing you’ll hear all day. It almost veers into pop balladry, but it’s damn pretty.
I haven’t added the numbers up myself but I have now seen this figure printed in two separate places. It is total number of votes each party got for senatorial candidates. Once again, the party that has gained control – lost the popular vote. … by a LOT.
Senate Vote Totals
Democratic Party: 44.9 million votes
Republican Party: 32.9 million votes
Those numbers surprise even cynical me. I’d like to see them Snopesed, but I’d bet they prove to be true.
So even with voter suppression, voter intimidation, potential hacking, and disinformation, and fear-mongering, the population overwhelmingly came out against the Rep party, but couldn’t overcome the rigged system. It must be unfair gerrymandering.
This is not democracy.
A quick Google shows those were the total numbers for the Senate votes.
Yep.
… and I read an article some months back that showed the same thing had happened in the previous mid-term election. By a margin of MILLIONS, US voters showed that, at least, that they did NOT want the Republican candidates. Yet the Republicans maintained control over the Senate.
So this is not some “one-off” fluke.
Rhett, you especially might dig that Anneke Von Giersbergen.
Jack,
I’ll definitely check it out on my drive home. 🙂
I do. An I’m not even Rhett
Me too!
I listened and I dig it. 😉
Speaking of music, I’m still waiting for the posthumous CD of Warrel Dane’s last work. I’ve been listening to it on Amazon’s streaming service. I quite like the opening track “Ethereal Blessing”. It’s not metal, but great vocals.
So I finally got to see Niagra falls and take a dip in a Jacuzi.
This hotel room is the biggest I’ve ever been in.
Pics or it didn’t happen! 🙂
Lol
Have a great time at Niagara Falls. Just be careful not to reveal to Lois that you’re Superman!
My headache is going SIX HOURS-STRONG.
UGH
:love:
Just remember folks, the semi-automatic machine guns allowed to run wild on the streets don’t kill people… people…um… kill people.
FWIW (data from govtrackus.com)-
Conservatives enjoy a five-justice majority on the Supreme Court, with the help of four justices appointed by presidents who initially entered office after losing the popular vote. The senators who approved Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination represented 38 million fewer constituents than those who opposed, according to Congress-tracking site GovTrack.us.
It’s really not worth a damn thing, unfortunately.
Morning Pan
I lost a part for my cat’s water dish this morning. I’m going to have to sneak out, once the stores open, and get her a new one
We finished watching the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Ended up liking it. For those into graphic novels, I’m in volume 2 and quite enjoying it. It’s rather dark.
On top of Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian, there will be a second live-action Star Wars series starring Diego Luna’s rebel, Cassian Andor from Rogue One.
Sign me up. Now.
As I have probably mentioned before, I got an Arduino last Christmas. I spent the last year teaching myself electronics and coding. Made a bunch of little projects which culminated in the one I built for Halloween.
A device that sensed people coming down my driveway and turned on a fog machine and a trail of lights, one by one, coming towards them.
Might sound simple (I thought so when I started) but there are all sorts of conditions. The fogger can only stay on so long or it over heats. It also needs a rest period in between or it will over heat … but I don’t want the lights to stay off while the fog machine rests. I also want the lights to turn off and ready themselves for the next bunch … but what if the next bunch started down the drive 20 seconds after the first bunch … can’t have the lights turning off on them!
This is why I needed a computer to achieve this. I needed a device that could take all this into consideration and respond appropriately.
Anyway … two days before Halloween I got it all to work. Yea me.
Seems you CAN teach an old dog new tricks.
This should go to the top of your resume.
Just back from seeing Bohemian Rhapsody.
If you’re a Queen enthusiast it is FANTASTIC.
I am a Queen fan.
I appreciate it fucks around with reality to a large degree, but it was a fun film.
Wow, I’ve seen the as shown ending to the series a couple of times, but never that bit showing what it took to make it the memorable ending that it is. Incredible.
That was such a sucker punch. And I hadn’t heard about it before watching.
I’d love to do a full start-to-finish Blackadder run again, someday.
Series 2 and 4 are still tops but it’s a great ride.
Been doing a full start to finish Monty Python and there’s so much I had forgotten. SO much cultural and entertainment inspiration in such a short series
I do recall a Family Guy bit about the “other unfunny hours of Monty Python,” which annoyed me – – but that was partially because it rang true. There’s so, so much brilliant material there that literally changed my life. But there’s also a lot of material in the episodes that is either dated or that falls flat.
Still kinda hot out, but we still had a nice day at the Botanical Gardens. They have their own Butterlfy walk thru, which was fascinating to all babies.
Finished Hill House. Much less scary than I expected but also much better character story/mystery than expected. Overall Lo Pan recommended.
“This is not a quote, but I’m told that his attitude is, ‘I’ve done Shakespeare and the classics for 50 years, and all anyone wants to talk to me about is a film that I worked on for two days.”
Daisy, daisy, give me your answer true.
RIP.
Such is the price of fame.
Nuclear war.
(On the dance floor)
My stupid ISP has been down for 13 hours.
The claim that someone caused a 3 state outage by cutting a fiber optic cable while installing a sprinkler system in their yard.
Really? No backup plan to having a cable cut? Heaven help us if Al Quada finds out it is that easy to take out communications in 3 states.
Happy Birthday ditto!
So I’m watching the first episode of Titans. It amuses me that DP said nobody goes to Detroit yet in the series everybody is heading to Detroit..
Then you are watching pure fiction
Yeah it’s a superhero show, doh!
Have a super, awesome birthday, ditto!
Morning Pan
Stat holiday here in Canada Land.
After lunch, hubby has a friend coming over to play Star Wars minatures. Me, it’s all about gaming on my computer.
Happy ditto day!
Yea ditto!
Hope you do something swell for your Bday!
Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes. It has been pretty good so far. 😀
RIP Stan Lee. The impact of his life… and death.. felt forevermore
Awww, sad news.
Sadness.
He had a good run though and finished strong.
Well done Stan.
Tonight’s cult film at the arty cinema is Thelma and Louise which i’ve Never seen before.
Ok I get most of these titles being “culty” but Thelma and Louise was a bona fide blockbuster
This month’s theme is road trips so I guess that is why it was included.
How’d you like it?
It was good.
Weird Al tour dates have been released!
“Strings Attached – THE 2019 TOUR ”
Sales go on sale Friday. 10am
w00t! Orchestral Weird Al!
And he is coming to Orlando. I’m definitely going.
I’ve been a fan since his first tapes hit the Dr. Demento radio show … but never seen him in concert.
I’m told it SHOULD be on everyone’s bucket list.
Oh yes. I had never been before myself. But my daughter and I have seen him three times in the last three years.
Sadly, while he’s coming to Houston, the date does not work well with other commitments we have. He really should have cleared his schedule with me first, but I guess he’s let that fame go to his head.
McFate Coconut Candy Bar Milk Stout FTW.
I can’t decide if that sounds barf or delish. I think maybe delish?
It’s. So…… effing good..
Their regular Candy Bar Milk Stout (basically a Snickers stout – – except good) has become their premiere brew.
It’s pretty gosh darned delicious – – so when I saw a coconut version, I had to try it. Not coconutty at all, but less peanutty than the main one, so I like it even better. Two pretzels up!
Agree completely. I’ve been hanging out a lot at Kings Convenience in Phoenix and they have an outstanding selection of beers. 70+ on tap at any one time. That’s where I had the Candy Bar Milk Stout and I was going to get a crowler of it, but wound up with something else.
It’s kind of weird just how much beer I drink these days… tbh
ooooooooops!
I meant, Happy Ditto Day! 🙂
Mamma Brain here.
Morning Pan
Hubby has the day off, so I think we’ll go to the zoo and see the Pandas since it,s likely to not be too busy
Does that mean you will be Panda-ring to the zoo?
At $30 a piece entrance fee, they should be panda-ring to us
LIV get their hard ons back for metal (metal? Hard rock?) over Judith.
One of the many complaints I have personally heard people say of NASA space efforts, is that they are so expensive because of the many tests and redundant systems that the government requires of them. As the argument goes, NASA being a “government” run company, can’t afford to loose an astronaut because a political appointee might be held responsible. (Sadly, we now know this isn’t the case.)
I am always dumbfounded by that line of argument for “privately built space craft”. The complainer doesn’t claim that private industry can build a safer or even “as safe” craft for less money. Just that, with out all of that extra mandated testing, they can make it cheeper and quicker.
“Privatize everything!” translates to “funnel more money away from publicly-maintained organizations and into the pockets of bzillionaire business owners!”
I get the point of the author, but most of what I’ve seen in the Ancient Alien crowd is a sort of new agey idolization of old foreign cultures. i.e. only they were worthy of the alien’s attention.
Step 1: give him the most ridiculous, implausible stage name possible. Is “Rip Torn” taken? Damn! It will have to be Armie Hammer then.
Ok, I’ll read the article.
Van, if you suddenly felt a ripple in the force it is because I am currently having a cup of tea made with a pod machine. While it is better than not having a cuppa … there are no real winners here.
Do any of you guys/gals have experience with 3D printers?
Can you recommend modeling software to use for such a task?
Modeling software? Are you trying to build a Claudia Schiffer or a Cindy Crawford?
I’ve been considering a purchase of a 3D printer myself. While I have made plenty of 3d models, I haven’t printed any. Basically you want to be sure that the modeling software you want is capable of creating the file format your 3d printer uses, usually STL format. As for what 3d modeling program, it depends on what you want to model. For technical things, I like Rhino 3d, but it has a bit of a learning curve. A more user friendly program would be Moi http://moi3d.com/ and it is cheaper to boot. On the free side is Blender, which is amazing, but takes a while to learn, but can do practically anything.
Thanks!
I played with Blender a bit today and it’s lack of real world dimensions could be a deal breaker for me. I want to make parts with specific dimensions and Blender doesn’t seem to do that. I’ll give a look at Moi.
As for printers … I am currently looking at the Creality CR-10S. Seems like a good unit at a price point I can live with. I REALLY want a PRUSA I3 MK3 but that is a price point I can’t live with. 🙁
It does seem like they all have their issues. They might have great print quality … but even the ones with the best reviews seem finicky.
As for Jacks question – 1980’s Kelly LeBrock, of course (“What are you little maniacs up to now?”)
Cool, I’m looking at the Wanhao Duplicator 7. It uses resin, so it is better for fine detailed small objects, like gaming miniatures. 🙂
So… I’ve been on a kick for some time that there should be such a thing as a glaive fidget spinner. Glaive as in the weapon from Krull, not an the actual weapon. If anyone with 3D modeling skills feels like they need an idea for something to make, have at it. I do know someone with a 3D printer in my local area. Just no one with the skills to model the thing.
PS. I have looked and found one or two already existing 3D models for a glaive fidget spinner. I just don’t like them. They are too clunky and lack detail.
The 3d modeling of such a thing would be fairly easy. The hard part would be planning for the ball bearing mechanism and I would assume some kind of weighting for the arms to give it inertia.
I know my 3D printing guy has made spinners before. I’ll see if he knows of any easy ways to incorporate the ball bearing mechanism.
Your crap joke for the day:
Did you hear about the man with 5 willies?
His pants fit like glove!
I’d say this joke merits a slap, but. . . um. . .
But is it a fingerless glove or leather?
#askingforafriend
Just be-careful where you throw down the gauntlet.
Que Monty Python clip – “Yes. We’ll be taking them in as well!”
In today’s dinosaur moment: a co-worker pointed at my iPod on the desk and said, “What is that?? Does it even still work?”
I was so distraught, I turned the crank on my Model T and sped away at 20 mph.
Jack,
I’m still proud of you for finally getting rid of the flip phone tbh…
And you call yourself a Star Trek fan!
😮
Good morning, Pan.
It’s 48°f in Phoenix this morning.
Natives like me are becoming basic with thigh high socks, knee high boots, scarves, and complaints about the freezing weather.
Me to me: Ya Basic!
Me to me in reply: I’m basically freezing.
Hmmm let me see –
– Thigh High socks
– Knee Boots
– Scarves
… and yet, cold.
I think I may know what’s missing here.
:}
I’m wearing leggings and a sweater dress too. 😛
My list was more fun … but I guess the sweater dress WOULD be warmer. 😉
A bit.
It’s not like I have Van’s coat to keep me warm.
This is the time of year in AZ when the heater goes on at night, and the AC goes in in the day.
Overlord was great fun and I’m not a horror fan.
Soooo – – we are considering a PS4, since it’s on a certain birthday list. We’ll see. This seems like a pretty good deal. I ask you knowledgeable gamer folks: Is there any reason to get a regular instead of a Slim?
That’s a great deal! The only thing I can think of that is different on the Slim is it lacks a dedicated optical audio output. But being as 99.999956% or users use sound over HDMI it shouldn’t be a concern.
That is a great deal. You might want to get an external HD since 1TB isn’t a lot of disk nowadays.
I can’t believe we are at a point in society/technology where 1TB is just “meh” storage 😀
I hit the big time with a 20 megabyte HD for my Amiga.
My go-to anecdote on this topic is recalling when the first Wing Commander game came out for the PC, and being astonished that it took up 40 whole MB of hard drive space.
My partner in crime remembers when her engineering firm had not one but TWO, TRS-80’s !
There was controversy though, because her department got the one with the extra 256k of RAM.
This is fascinating for anyone, but possibly 10% more fascinating if your handle involves Roaming Asshats, and you have a Ralph Bakshi-inspired tattoo.
Holy crap that’s a great find. Bakshi’s films are not all masterpieces and some I can’t even re-watch. But the man was one of the most innovative animators ever and brought an artistic integrity I’ve rarely seen anywhere else.
I do hope he gets an Academy Nomination for his performance. I really enjoyed his performance.
Morning Oan
It’s cold, snowy, and windy. I think I may stay by the fireplace for awhile
Being mid-November, should we star thinking secret Santa? Should someone poke Amy about it?
Yes.
Good thought! Amy, if you’re lurking – – consider yourself poked!
I gave her an email poke too.
And oh yeah, I was going to complain about something!
So, I read Jeff Vandermeer’s book, “Annihilation,” earlier this year, and found it fascinatingly odd. I loved the setting and what it seemed to be setting up, so I picked up “Authority,” the 2nd book in the trilogy.
WTF.
I usually just stop with terrible books, but I kept reading because I really liked book 1, and I wanted to see him do right by the premise. And the reviews were so enthusiastic, I thought it just had to get better. (Critics are not to be trusted)
It did improve eventually, but not nearly enough. . . I’m still inclined to try finishing the series, but holy crap am I leery now.
I feel much the same with Yoon Ha Lee’s work. Ninefox Gambit was incredible, Raven Stratagem felt like something terrible by a completely different author.
Though, Van has given assurances that I should give the new third book a try and I probably will here in the next couple of months.
Weird Al Achievement unlocked!
Tickets obtained to see him at the end of June !
I got my tickets for mid-June! Can’t wait. I haven’t seen him live before. I hear it’s something everyone should experience.
Crap joke for the day:
A guy was meeting a friend in a bar and as he went in, he noticed two pretty girls looking at him.
“Nine,” he heard one whisper as he passed.
Feeling pleased with his self , he swaggered over to his buddy and told him a girl had just rated him a nine out of ten.
“I don’t want to ruin it for you,” he said, “but when I walked in, they were speaking German.”
“So what does ‘nine’ mean in German?”
“It means ‘No’.”
CP: Turn It Around — Lucius
CP: Naked Eye – Luscious Jackson
CP: nothing with Luscious or Jackson in the title.
An unexpected surprise, but a welcome one to be sure.
Ok. It can stop snowing now.
My mom really doesn’t know anything about either John and I.
John’s birthday is coming up in December. Mom asked me if John would like a gift card to a “store for jocks”. She found out about it from her neighbour who is outdoorsy, and big into sports. Everything we are not.
I suggested she get him a Steam gift card instead.
At least the human sacrifices haven’t started. Yet.
I often find Bill Maher’s commentaries funny and necessary and right on target. His essay on comics was none of the above. I’m glad he’s getting called out for it.
I know he loves the Beatles; I wonder he’d react to snobs dismissing them in the same way. Or stand-up comedians telling jokes.
Even so I’ve never ever liked him as a person. His essay doesn’t surprise me at all
It strikes me like the sort of purposely inflammatory rhetoric we occasionally see from fading, formally relavent pundits like Rush Limbaugh. Embracing the idea that even negative public attention and headlines are better than no attention at all.
He is stepping into a bright spotlight made for someone else and giving a sort of sad, “Hey look at me! Look at ME!”.
Blue Canary in the outlet by the light switch, who watches over you?
Not to put too fine a point on it
Countless screaming Argonauts!
I’m beyond glad that Denver didn’t get that monstrosity.
Fantastic Beasts Sequel was a big dose of meh! For me.
I liked it better than the first. Especially when the one CGI blur beat the other CGI blur.
I couldn’t even finish the first one. I have negative interest in the new one.
I also enjoyed this one – about the same, maybe better than the first.
I really enjoy the supporting characters and Newt. Johnny Depp is bleh. This story was a mess for the first 15-20 min, imo but then the story settled in and got good. I felt like it referenced some deep cuts in the HP World, too.
I’m in for the trilogy.
CW: The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Ummm…
CW: The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Ummm…
The new Sabrina show is on here. Michelle Gomez (Missy from Doctor Who) plays a vicious psycho on this show too. I guess she’s not concerned about typecasting.
You know, as much as Stan Lee’s passing shook the world, when we finally lose John Williams, it will be Armageddon.
I actually agree with this article. I met the co-creator of Wolverine (Len Wein) in a social setting (we took him and his wife to Banff), and he was slightly bitter over the fact that Stan Lee, who had no real hand in that character (Roy Thomas was the other co-creator), got all the recognition.
History is littered with people who got the credit for what others deserved. I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for people to do the right thing.
I know there a few at Marvel, including Jack Kirby, I think, who felt that Stan took credit sometimes for others’ work. It hardly seems like an Edison vs Tesla thing, though.
I find it hard to believe that Stan will not be fondly remembered, though.
No Stan will always be fondly remembered.
Let’s not forget it took nearly 70 years, but Bill Finger DID finally shed the Bob Kane curse and has been remembered and recognized as the true co-creator of Batman. All comes out in time.
The article is funny – – to me – – but I don’t post it to mock the pastor. I didn’t listen, just read, but his words in print are reasonable and logical, within the parameters of his religion.
Logical up to a point. He’s okay with Ghost having its message because America has freedom of religion or “irreligion” as he says. Fine. But he’s not okay with a Performing Arts venue signing the band to play? That seems a bit counterintuitive to his first argument. I’m sure he’d be just fine if it was Jars of Clay performing.
True. And I guarantee a cursory glance at their community – and his church – would reveal worse evils than a shock rock band.
I would tend to be less generous with the pastor than you are.
I philosophized on this topic back when Ozzy was biting the head of bats and Black Sabbath was … well, Black Sabbath.
The threat to Christianity has NEVER been from a direct frontal attack. These sort of, very public, displays of satanic stuff is almost always stage show but even when it isn’t – it actually provides a great teaching/discussion point for Christian teachers.
No, the REAL threat to Christianity and any Christian community is public figures such as donald trump, who make a grand showing of being “very moral” and Christian with their words … while their deeds are in fact evil and lack any compassion or humanity.
Youre not wrong
I adhere to the gospel of justaJ0e.
Anyone here ever have to endure a stress fracture in the foot?
Asking for a friend… :cough:
Morning Pan
Kitty decided that she was awake at 3:45 so we had to be too. You don’t realize what a difference 45 minutes of sleep makes until you lose it.
Hello everybody! It’s that time of year. Time for Deadpan Secret Santas!
I would like to change up one thing this year. Please use my amybowenwrites at gmail account to contact me and opt in. (Or Facebook Messenger.) I pay attention to those. These days, my Yahoo account is too full of junk from organizations to keep track of personal conversations. Thank you!
w00t!
Sounds good Amy. Once again I’d recommend posting on the FB page too.
Get out of that state! Get out of that state you’re in!
The lawn may be green but you better not be seen
You’re living in your own Private Idaho
Living in your own Private Idaho
Underground like a wild potato
Don’t go on the patio
Beware of the pool
Blue bottomless pool
It leads you straight, right through the gate
That opens on the pool
Morning Pan
Had a lot of trouble dragging my butt out of bed this morning. It was so warm and comfy.
I’m back to waiting for info mode at work *sigh*
I mentioned to Amy, a couple of days ago, she should also put the Secret Santa info on the DP FB page to catch those who are no longer on the board. I notice it hasn’t been done. Should one of us?
Maybe Van should make that post, to make sure it reaches the appropriate audience. . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
Done
!
Note to email Amy… I’ll get in on that.
It’s Thanksgiving week. Meh. I just am not a fan. I’m thinking I’ll do some Uber Eats deliveries that day. People will be ordering takeout right?
My boss is an American ex-pat. She always takes US Thanksgiving off, which means I get it off too! :happy:
We’ll mail you some turkey, to celebrate it American-style. We have more than any small village can handle.
This is an extremely stupid and misleading article. The pole that was conducted did not ask audiences what movie they wanted to see remade, but rather what movies they wanted to see a sequel to. Huge difference there
Did the poll ask if they’d prefer new originals movies instead of remakes?
Yeah.
So do you in North America have this ‘tradition’ of children giving their teacher a gift before they break up for Xmas holidays?
It didn’t happen in my day..,
It’s hit and miss. As a teacher, hubby would often get small things like Tim Horton’s or Starbucks gift cards. Although he did have one set of parents who were a little more extravagant. However, he usually just got a card or some such thing. As a principal, he doesn’t get anything from the students but will still get a card from the teachers themselves.
Yes it happens. I have known seceral friends give teachers gifts – but mostly during elementary school, no jr high or high school
It happens and it’s a fucking awful tradition that embarrasses those less fortunate students/families in class that can’t afford to get the teacher a gift.
It’s true you are more likely to get something in elementary. I assume it’s because the students usually have only one or two teachers instead of a dozen or so.
Also, to Lo’s point, this is also true. Most (good) teachers try to discourage gifts but it tends to happen anyway. However, once hubby got a handmade card, as opposed to anything store bought or attached to a gift, he still has that card. He doesn’t have any of the other stuff, or the cards attached to them.
Hubby also never opened a gift or card from his students at school. He would put them in his bag, then open them at home so none of the students knew what was given to him. (obvious things like box of chocolates excluded)
Really great article! Speaking of mst3k in my journey to watch every episode from season 2 to the current ones I am on season 4 episode 18 Attack of the Eye Creatures.
This has been such a long journey and it’s taking me at least a year to get this far but man what a rewarding experience. Trying desperately to see them live in Boulder but I’m not sure I can scam the tickets
So we braved Barnes & Noble this afternoon. It actually wasn’t nightmarishly busy.
Cool to see that Mur’s Solo novelization is finally out on the shelves!
That’s pretty awesome! I wonder where her Netflix series is?
This is kinda amazing (and this is not at all to disparage the Yotes fans on here)
Avs JT Compher scores two shorthanded goals on same power play
It’s not as bad as I thought, but still horrifying.
Coda to the anti-Ghost pastor story:
I listened to bits and pieces of the audio. It’s a typical loony right-wing Limbaugh/Hannity knock off radio show. The pastor is a bit of a crackpot, but he’s still got nothing on the radio host.
Intermission for Prisoner of Azkaban at the Symphony. Awesome way to watch these movies. And the BlackFriday sale price wasn’t too bad for balcony seats.
We saw Fellowship of the Ring that way a few years ago. It was, as you said, awesome.
They were doing Home Alone like that recently at a big local theatre.
Ed was always the deal master around here. Ed, if you’re lurking, did you do any Black Friday/Cyber Monday hunting/gathering?
I got a cyber Monday deal on a White Tux jacket. 60% off.
Because somebody’s company decided that the Christmas party should have a THEME this year.
“The Great Gatsby.”
Hmmm …. a story about Characters ruining their lives with excess. A little spot on for a defense contractor isn’t it?
Oh well … for 60% off I am willing to play along, old sport.
We’ve rather given up on the physical participation in Black Friday of late. The thrill just isn’t there anymore compared to clicking from the comfort of a desk chair.
That said, I did take advantage of a deal an ordered a new phone…along with enough other people that I’ll get in another week.
The last cult classic of the year is Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
That’s funny. I watched Little Shop of Horrors today
We watched “Moonstruck” Saturday night.
Still a frivolous but cute story.
So I have avoided the Billiards table for a few day’s, but …
What if, instead of sending 5000 solders to our southern border to deploy razor wire and build a tent encampment for other solders who will be stationed to deploy razor wire … we had sent 5000 case workers to process the people who wish to take the entirely legal action of stepping across the US border and requesting asylum?
If nothing else, imagine the cost savings to the US taxpayer!
The solders are an open ended expense that do NOTHING about the backlog of people waiting to be processed. On the other hand, that many case workers could have handled just one person a day, each … and would have been through in 2 days.
Even if you ARE a fan of using tear gas on women and children …
Can we talk about the fiscal irresponsibility here?
Well, soldiers we’ve got in pretty decent quantities and rapid response is something they train for. Are there 5000 case workers sitting on the bench somewhere ready to deploy at a moment’s notice?
How about 5000 job openings? Job creations! Winning! Becoming great again!
Then our brave, brave leaders can order soldiers to tear gas the children after they’ve been processed.*
*But not if they’re white. And don’t teargas the hot moms in the group, just the ones that are 5s or lower.
Ah crap, I sunk the cue ball.
I my point is, a vast amount of tax dollars are being thrown at this with zero intention of solving the problem …. which is several months worth of refuges arriving all at once.
The army employs clerical workers … why not send them down to process applications. Even just one assigned to this task would reduce the work load more then all 5000 already sent.
Stigmata.
My favourite weapon.
So the baby was rocking out to “Don’t Sweat the Technique” from Eric B. and Rakim. She’s a fan.
Mercyful Fate was up next. She rocked out to the music, but like most people, didn’t know what to make of King Diamond’s vocals.
:love:
Morning Pan
I think, on Thursday, I may watch a pbp movie.
Christmas-themed? Or general schlock?
It’s still November. I refuse to think about Christmas for another week
I wonder…
Currently Canada’s biggest export to the US are Ryans. What do you think the tariff on them would be?
They were discussing the first dog in space, Laika, in a podcast I was listening to. This music video was mentioned as an aside. It made me sad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZPxvO1ftY
CP: I Know Your Secrets (feat. Liv Ash) — Tommee Profitt
That High on Fire song, tho. And who’s this band Zeal and Ardor…?
Hubby often buys from this list
My best of 2018 list will have exactly 1 in common with that one: Zeal & Ardor.
Never been into High on Fire, but I appreciate them pointing out how the shirtless guy in that band is also the guy in Stoner band, Sleep. I’ll check the song, if you say so.
I don’t own any songs from these bands. I’ll have to give a listen. It is through lists like this I discovered good bands like YOB.
She took 1st in a competition about 2 months (?) back, which was pretty great. That was for the King George routine, that a few of the Deadpan folks got to see when they were here in July.
Fantastic! Was that the King George from Hamilton?
It was! “You’ll Be Back.” La da da dot da. Dot da da da dye ah da.
I don’t know anything about the background here but his defense of himself seems pretty fair and reasoned.
Certainly, the argument for and against using an award ceremony as a platform to air greivences is probably existed since the first awards ceremonies occurred.
As long as he didn’t launch a public attack against her for doing so … I’m not sure what the foul is here.
As I said though … I have no background on this.
Having no special knowledge, I have the same feelings as Joe. Seems like a thoughtful response to the allegations. He made comments in “private” about what he thought was appropriate for acceptance speeches, he didn’t call for censor. As far as the whole “airing of grievances” goes, I’ll admit I am conflicted. As an attendant to an event, one in which I may have even paid money for, I would like the guests to stay on topic. Imagine that everytime you bought a sandwich, you had to listen to someone give you a lecture on the virtues of Scientology. You might have the expectation of just getting lunch. On the other hand, racism and sexism are rampant, and there should be a reckoning, and it shouldn’ t make you feel comfortable. Perhaps, the constant critisim is creating more apathy than change? I don’t know.
Yeah…. I may not agree with his stance against using the awards podium to make social statements or air grievances – – but he thought he was making a remark to a small select audience in a private chat (on the the internet, Bob? That was pretty naive), and someone made it public.
Of course – – I haven’t seen the wording of his private comment; it could have been repulsive, which would change my initial take. . . I’d definitely agree with outing him, if he was using sexist or racist language, even in private – – but by his (credible) account, he was just saying “she shouldn’t be complaining while receiving her award.”
And now, this seems to be his genuine defense against assholes – from the right and the left – who are assuming sexism and racism in his grumbling.
Am I missing something?
*To be clear, if he truly did say something racist or sexist, then I’m all in on calling him out, and his essay is meaningless. IF that’s the case, then the only assholes are the bigots and their defenders.
*To be clear, Van is not an asshole. 🙂 I hope you don’t feel like I’m directing that at you, Van. IF Silverberg’s grumblings were about “not the time and place” and nothing more, then I don’t think it’s fair to call him names.
Wait, Van is not an asshole? Why am I just now hearing of this?…… 😉
Because you didn’t stay for the awards ceremony.
He slagged off an African American author for the winning the Hugo three times.
I don’t know what that means in this situation.
Did he personally attack her race/characture/talent … or did he just express his opposition to her using the ceremony to air out a grievance ?
I’m not challenging you, I’m just ignorant of the details.
Okay …
I did a search to see what the deal was and the only thing I can find was an opinion that Silverberg did not make public but thought he was expressing in private.
This is a re-post of that comment so I have no idea if it has been altered.
– –
I have not read the Jemison books. Perhaps they are wonderful works of science fiction deserving of Hugos every year from now on. But in her graceless and vulgar acceptance speech last night, she insisted that she had not won because of ‘identity politics,’ and proceeded to disprove her own point by rehearsing the grievances of her people and describing her latest Hugo as a middle finger aimed at all those who had created those grievances.
—
Here is a link to Jemisin’s acceptance speech (about 6min). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lFybhRxoVM
“she insisted that she had not won because of ‘identity politics,’ and proceeded to disprove her own point by rehearsing the grievances of her people”
OK, that is a dickish remark at best. Seems like – – in that comment – – he’s saying that he does believe she won because of identity politics.
^^^ This is why Rhett needs to do a comedy podcast.
There. I’m done mall shopping until mid January
Jeeesh. I hope you’re not my Secret Santa.
😉
That’s what Amazon is for 😉
Broadcom vs Realtek
Broadcom wins as the USB Bluetooth adapter actually streams audio (without glitches) to my BT Speaker even though it’s using the older 4.0 standard. The inbuilt one that came with the new desktop was running 4.2.
Now if I could only fix the fan that clicks all the bloody time as easy as that.
I tried to make a comeback but somehow I fell off again.
I’m here now though. I’ve been less on the grid than usual now that I don’t have to do social media for a living. I have to say, I’m loving it, but I need to find a way to get back into the habit of checking the pan.. maybe I’ll set a reminder on my phone.
Til then, hope you all had a nice turkey day with your loved ones.
Mine was awesome and I’m in full holiday swing this year already.
I’m doing three different santa exchanges including this one.
Wheeee!
Always good to see your avatar when you do pop in, Cj!
So judging from the latest twitter thread you North American don’t have egg cup in your kitchen for eating soft boiled eggs.
+s
I believe that to be largely true.
That seems a marvelously English thing. Is it only for soft-boiled? Not hard-boiled?
Mmmm I love soft boiled eggs, but yeah, no specific cup or heating device. I just toss it in a pot and let it simmer.
We call them “three minute eggs” I believe.
Not much point for a hard boiled egg, the cup is to hold the egg so you can cut the top off and dip your toast into the liquid yolk.
All this talk of eggs made me hungry.
I just made the American equivalent (?) of your soft boiled egg. The “sunny side up” fried egg. Complete with toast for dipping in the yolk.
When I was a young lad, my grandmother used to call those “Dippy Eggs”.
They were a rather literal bunch.
Morning Pan
I know we don’t have our secret Santa assignments yet, but I thought I’d give a heads up. Whoever I get, will have something from Amazon. We are just finishing a postal strike here in Canada land. They are saying, because of the backlog, anything mailed internationally today is likely not to be delivered until well into the new year, possibly as late as March.
I’m assuming it’s the same for anything coming here
So back in my school days (yes. pre-industrial revolution), the nae-do-well prank in the public High School was to pull a fire alarm.
It disrupted the day, made everyone stand outside for 30 minutes to an hour (allowing delinquents to slip off campus) and brought out a big, shiny, fire engine with a siren and flashing lights and lots of Firemen!
This happened about twice a school year.
The modern equivalent now seems to be the school shooting threat.
Done from a burner phone or posted by a computer through the safety of a VPN and TOR node.
All instruction/tests come to a stop as all doors are locked and everyone hunkers on the floor for an hour in terror or bored or bored terror. LOTS of VERY excited LEO show up with their sirens and flashing lights and GUNS drawn! Then, depending on the time of the day, the students get sent home early. Also … other area schools go into their own disruptive (and clearly disturbing to younger children) “lockout modes” as a precaution.
This happened here yesterday. It is the second time since the school year started in August.
I knew a kid who got busted for the fire alarm prank and had to go to court and do community service.
I’d have zero sympathy for a *guilty* fake school shooter prankster spending a night in a cell.
I agree.
I brought it up as an observation on modern life.
Society is always changing and having to find ways to deal with the negative off-shoots of that change.
In this case … the “prank” is old but the anonymous nature of the modern delivery system seems to make it far easier to get away with and FAR more disruptive, expensive and potentially deadly.
Technology eventually gave us small, inexpensive video camera’s that could monitor the fire alarm boxes and that helped to curtail that abuse. I guess technology will have to somehow save us from this as well.
Only a couple of hours until movie time
This morning I was like, I don’t feel like coffee, maybe I’ll have tea.
Then I wound up not doing anything caffeinated until about 10 minutes ago.
I’m literally amazed at how one cup of coffee has changed my ability to sit up straight. I think this means I have a problem or dependency on this drug. It’s like I didn’t know but I do know. I know.
Due to reasons, I had to go 100% caffeine free. We will not discuss the headache I had the first few days after quitting cold turkey. However, now that it’s been a month, I actually think I feel better not having to depend on it
I’d like to get to a point where tea is my only caffeine intake, with sodas and coffee as an extremely rare treat.
Not there right now.
Due to medical issues I’m currently dealing with, I can’t make an additional change like giving up coffee. I need to get everything else in order. Plus I love coffee, it’s just that some days I find it disagrees with me. On those days I should probably drink tea – but sometimes it’s hard to tell what will do what…
Although I will drink coffee (with a lot of sugar), I prefer tea with it’s lower caffeine content.
Today’s movie is Elemental
The write up:
He sold his soul to a devil, but buyer beware: it takes a special kind of man to duel with a demon. And he’s very special.
Not Elemental, Errementari. Stupid auto correct
Hell.
This story, like many others, begins a with a man, made of flesh and blood
Cool uniform dude
The dumbing in the movie is…awesome
Not dumbing, dubbing
This time I think it may have been my typing
I don’t think this soldier is overly religious
Santa!
He’s hard, nay, impossible to kill
8 years later? Wait, I don’t understand what happens eight years previously
Do you have a room?
He doesn’t drink? He must be evil
This dialogue is as great as the dubbing
Follow the river to the forge
The devil lives at the forge
Spikey!
His hands are better than a hammer
Thief!
I want to drink the blood
She stole the wine
She found a snake
Eating up a little girl
Kids are stupid
Wow this movie is bad
Back story
It’s good to have minions
If the gate was chained from the outside, how is he inside?
Well, that sucks
Kids are mean
My laundry buzzed. Must throw it in the dryer. Will resume in a bit
Where was I? Oh yes, fire is fascinating
Yes, your mother is in hell
Looking for Matilda’s head
She found his iron mask
He found Matilda’s head
The infernal clicking has stopped.
Turns out a cable was blocking the fan on the graphics card.
After bending the cable away from the fan, voila no clicking.
aren’t motherboards small these day?
Time to drink
Don’t do it. He’s tricking you
He’s free
How do you fight the devil?
Really? Needed a speech before you left?
Time for pitchforks and torches
Now she limps
Another Catholic demon. Go figure
Hell doesn’t leave any loose ends
Don’t be afraid
It’s fun to poke demons
Yellow flowers
Can we rescue her from hell
Get him!
Time to search the forge
More back story
Beating up a priest
Where’s the gold?
The demon has been demoted
Do as I say!
Ring the bell
Showing his true face
He’s a demon peon now… demoted.
shame shame
Freeing the demon
Soul mother
Remind me to never be an orphan in that town. They treat her terribly
Do it
Hell is full of people in their underwear
The head demon is amazing
One, two, three, four, five…
Remember, when fighting demons, always have a jar of chickpeas
A demon in disguise
Never let the truth get in the way of a good story
I’m not sure how to rate this movie. It was an interesting story. Very low budget. With that in mind, I think it was ok
I liked the part where Van fixed the clicking fan in his computer.
🙂
Nah, that was just a predictable Hollywood cliche.
My daughter is turning 15.
She wants a pecan pie instead of a cake.
Here’s hoping they have one at Costco.
(my friend is trying to get some mini ones from Lil’ Miss BBQ but I can’t bank on that)
Also, I’m way too young to have a 15 year old.
So if I was to buy a new monitor, curved or flat?
My Dell 19in monitor from 2007 is still working fine, so like no rush.
It also can be turned and used in portrait mode, good for playing Pac-Man via MAME.
If you’re into First-Person type games, then I’d vote for the curves.
Been expecting this since Disney announced their own streaming service.
Hey, Deadpan. I’m not dead, just dealing with a lot of different and sometimes overlapping extracurricular activities. I will get randomized Deadpan Secret Santa pairings done sometime this weekend – spread the word that this is the last call for signups. Love ya! 🙂
Thank you for all you do, our lovely Deadpan Ambassador! <3
Coming up with photos and write-ups for NJB is not easy. I don’t want to repeat the past… I need new content.
Either New Jack Billionaires or Naked Justin Bieber. . .
Definitely the biebs… tho, the other sounds legit. Make it so.
Pilgrim is definitely not a super hero, and I’ve always found the characters to be idiots, but in the real world, it’s not that far from the truth. I’ve known a lot of happy idiots in my life and the women who love them. *shrug*
I’ll watch it every time someone wants to watch it with me.
Disturbing, credible-sounding shit. I hope it isn’t true.
As always, though, I’m going to also advise that we don’t become a society that always automatically believes accusers. Take their claims fucking seriously without dismissing them, but let all of the facts come out, before condemning anyone.
I saw someone post this, they said it contained slut-shaming, arrogance, and mockery. I don’t see it – – but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
I’m inclined to believe him, but that’s definitely a biased take. Let’s see what the independent investigations turn up.
Yeh. I did not see any of that in his post and having read your’s first, I was specifically looking for it.
I can say he has always struck me as a big old, science nerd who has struggled to be “the cool kid” that his success has thrust him into being. I don’t say this as a knock against him but as one of the science nerds.
I wouldn’t have a hard time believing that he might not have a firm grasp of “personal space” and that it isn’t the same for everyone. That wouldn’t excuse his unauthorized touching of another’s arm but maybe it is not so much malicious as it is cluelessness.
Firsties?
The new thread is here!
The new thread is here!
And there was much rejoicing…
Enjoyed the new Dr Who episode which featured Rosa Parks…so many bad accents.
Not looking forward to next weeks episode.
One, two, three, four, I declare a…
I’m in the new thread! Someone bring me a shrubbery!
Ni!
Wiiiiith! A herring!
Morning Pan
My American friends, I’m trying to wrap my head around how your voting system works, so I’m hoping you can answer me. These are genuine questions so, if I come across as being snarky, it’s not intentional.
Why do you have to register to vote? And, if I understand right, when you register, you have to state what political party you have a preference for? I assumed, like Canada, who you liked was nobody’s business but your own but now I feel this is slightly off.
Also, why does it feel like your party leaders are campaigning for two years? (not counting your current president who has been campaigning from day one). I’m assuming you don’t have regulations that state a campaign can only go on for so long?
For Context: Canada does a census every five years. The municipalities every other year. Tax returns are filed every year. They combine all three of those to get a voter list. If you move, you can bring id to the voting station closest to your current address and records will be updated at the time you vote. While we can choose to support a particular party, this is done any time through the party itself and has nothing to do with the actual election process.
Our federal election only has about two months of campaigning time before the election.
Again, just curious on how it works as I find, by watching what’s going on on tv, it’s a little confusing. I’m sure you would find ours confusing if you were watching it from your prospective.
I can’t blame you for being confused as our system is truely a mess.
To answer your questions –
– I don’t actually know why we have to register to vote. I highly suspect that is a hold over from ancient times and was intended to make sure a segment of the population did NOT actually get to vote.
– When I first registered to vote (waaay back in the 80’s) I DID indeed have to pick a political party … and they only gave you two choices. I am not sure that is still a requirement.
This is easily something that can be abused. You register by filling out paper work and some public employee then enters you in the database. If the spell your name wrong or misplace a hyphen, then you’re ID will not match your name in the register. This is apparently what has happened with a HIGH percentage of the 30,000+ voters in Georgia who suddenly had their right to vote put on hold a few weeks ago. 70% of those votes were apparently minorities.
– If it feels like they campaign for 2 years (or even more) it is because they do. There are no laws to prevent that because the laws are written by those already in power and they wish to keep that power.
It is a totally screwed up system whose original design never accounted for the a world where a citizen could become a lifetime Politian. Basically a Monarch.
So, when you register, can you lie and say you support one party and then vote for another?
If so, a) how do they know (assuming voting itself is private), and b) if they don’t know, how is it accurate?
Generally, when you register with a political party, you get to vote in the primary elections for that party. In other words, you get to vote for which candidate the Republicans or Democrats put forward. Regardless of party affiliation, during the general election, you can vote for any person you want. I won’t get into the Electoral College, as it is another layer of obfuscation of the popular vote we had to agree to for the States to become the United States.
In short, yes it’s a mess, and yes, it’s designed this way to protect the power of the elected officials.
As a registered Independent, this was the first year I was able to show up to the polls and select the party primaries I wanted to vote in. In the past – – even 2016 – – I was shut out of the primaries.
Some folks have suggested that everyone declare themselves Republican, regardless of their true affiliation, to prevent gerrymandering of districts from being so effectively unfair – – but I think it’s too late.
I registered as a Republican.
I figured that party needed my help the most. In primaries I try to support the candidates that lean the most centrist.
In national elections I have yet to vote for a Republican candidate.
What’s a frog’s favourite drug?
Croacain
That explains the latest Muppet Show.
CP: Memorabilia — Soft Cell
The nerdiest, brainiest, smartest of the programmers here recommended The Three-Body Problem series of Sci-Fi novels, originally written in Chinese, but translated to English. Apparently, they’re even blurbed by Barack Obama (remember when we had Presidents who read books?).
Anyone familiar with these? Any good?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Three-Body_Problem_(novel)
I’ve read the first one and found it to be very good, if you enjoy hard SF. I haven’t read book 2 yet, but it is on my shelf.
Same here. I read the first one and enjoyed it
The thing to remember is, they are translations so there might be some cultural references that you might not get. That wasn’t a big deal for me, but I thought I’d mention it
Starting watching “The Haunting of Hill House” on Netflix. About 60% through and I would recommend it.
That’s on our shortlist. We’ve started Marvelous Mrs Maisel, and will probably do Daredevil S3 next.
It’s on our short list too (really, are you surprised?)
Watched the first episode, very creepy, hopefully get round to watching some episodes soon.
+more
CP: Dead Arms & Dead Legs — Eliot Sumner
Sting’s kid has some pretty good songs.
Bona fide hero:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/22/norway-mourns-hero-joachim-ronneberg-sabotaged-nazis-nuclear-heavy-water
RIP
Kirk Douglas is still ticking.
@TEB: I see you’ve been reading Critical Role: Vox Machina. How are you liking it?
I enjoyed it. I’m not sure if you follow their podcast/video It’s basically the first few episodes of season one in comic form. If you don’t follow the podcast, they are a group of voice actors that get together once a week to play d&d
https://www.fastcompany.com/90249920/the-secret-history-of-ctrlaltdel
https://theconversation.com/alzheimers-disease-mounting-evidence-that-herpes-virus-is-a-cause-104943?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1539978307
All the things we’ve lost…
https://cheezburger.com/6580741/16-nostalgic-90s-life-hacks-to-make-you-feel-painfully-old
Speaking of the 90’s, I recently started watching “Fraiser” again after hearing about the death of the actor who played the father. I must confess, the wit and barbs traded among the cast still draw plenty of laughs from this jaded curmudgeon.
I’ve seen very little of Frasier, but he was always my favorite Cheers character.
Oh, and you hit me right in the nostalgias with that list, Ed.
Frasier is still one of my fav sitcoms, that show was peak sitcom.
Luke Cage s3 cancelled. Looks like this is the beginning of the end of the Netflix Marvel shows
As with Iron Fist, I’m holding out hope that their stories continue in a joint “Power Man and Iron Fist” show.
Cardi B does AMSR:
https://youtu.be/HUMygkRhB88
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls025720609/videoplayer/vi2711468569?ref_=hm_vd_jc_ttl_i_1
Carpenteresque.
Like
Morning Pan
Brunch with with boss this morning
I haven’t read the book but The Hate U Give film adaption was well done.
Crap joke for the day:
**THE TATTOO** ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
A guy was getting married and decided to tattoo his wife’s name, Wendy, on his penis. When it was erect, her name was on it, but when it wasn’t, it only said “wy”So they get married and go on their honeymoon to Jamaica. On the last day, the newlyweds go to a nude beach. The guy goes to the bar there and sees the bartender – nude as well – with a tattoo on his flaccid dick that also says “WY.” He says to the bartender, “is your wife’s name also Wendy? I see your dick is tattooed.” Bartender says “no mon, my dick says ‘Welcome to Jamaica and have a nice day,’ mon.”
>Soapbox <
At a rally last night, trump boldly declared that he is in fact a nationalist. He went on to say “And I say really, we’re not supposed to use that word. You know what I am? I am a nationalist. Use that word.”
By midday Republicans will undoubtedly be trying to spin nationalism is a good thing. So if you have any coworkers who say “Really, what’s wrong with being a nationalist”? Remind them of the following –
“Nationalism” is not the same as “Patriotism”.
Nationalism is jingoism, that distorts patriotism into aggression and anger.
Nationalism is xenophobia, that says it is okay to deny rights to the other, whether that other is defined by race, religion, or gender identity. Nationalism says it is okay to kidnap and cage children. Or imprison people without trial. Or even round up those you don’t like and march them by the hundreds of thousands into gas chambers “for the good of the country”.
Nationalism is NOT Patriotism. It is a poisonous philosophy of self-satisfied hatred that 418,000 US solders died fighting in WWll.
Remind them that if you support nationalism you are spitting on those soldiers graves.
To paraphrase Charles DeGaulle –
Patriotism is based on love of country. Nationalism is based on Hate of others.
He – – and the scumbags around him – – keep testing the waters, to see how far they can go. When do his supporters say, “whoa, that’s too far” ?
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rush-geddy-lee-interview-prog-rock-hemispheres-738828/
Geddy!
I love that the Rolling Stone interviewer really doesn’t seem to get how Rush works. For example, asking if they were tempted to come out with a radio-appropriate single while working on Hemispheres with Geddy’s reply of “that’s really not how Rush has ever done things”.
What a horrific way to die
https://apple.news/AdD1aas7iR2ClUWZJVcCnmQ
Yeah, this was all over our news this morning. To be honest, I never heard of him until today
I hadn’t heard of him either. Tragic, for sure.
*All of the lyrics to ‘Stigmata’ by Ministry*
*In a poor fake British accent*
You’ve run out of ‘oy’s’
Fun: https://www.merriam-webster.com/time-traveler
Galanga. motherfucker
Galaga ?
Pew, pew!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DBc5NpyEoo
I’d never heard the German language version of this before. My favorite Kraftwerk song.
Truly Devo and they were similarly ahead of their time
Got my flu poke today! Go me.
Drank Barium today. Go me?
*bows head* I’ll take a hundred jabs over that. 🙁
Not sure what is worse, drinking it or having it stuck up your arse when you get a barium enema.
Flu Poke
Gotta catch ’em all!
I went to see a touring production of this
https://www.broadwaygoeswrong.com/
two weekends ago. It was non-stop, silliness.
I recommend it.
I bought a game on Steam today.
It reminded me that playing mouse controlled games with a track pad sucks balls.
It’s supposed to be PS4 controller compatible, but it’s still impossible to control with the controller
Sigh
Last Jedi spoiler right in the link. So don’t even read the link, let alone article, if you haven’t seen the movie, but intend to.
Also – – no one read the comments.
…………..
…………..
…………..
https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/mark-hamill-compares-lukes-last-jedi-death-to-that-of-a-relapsed-drug-addict
Meh! Still a terrible film cause women and people of color and they didn’t do what I wanted MEHHHHH!!!!
Kidding aside this is kind of perfect analogy.
This is kind of a sad, sweet story actually.
http://www.nj.com/camden/index.ssf/2018/10/green_bean_casserole_is_dorcas_reillys_legacy_mour.html
RIP, ma’am. You’ve impacted countless lives and Thanksgivings.
It is… and yet this left me kind of haunted –
“She was working in a test kitchen for Campbell’s”
Some where there is a concrete bunker, surrounded by razor wire and under 24 hour surveillance – where all of the tests that went horribly wrong are kept. Stored away for some horrific future where they will be called upon to do Campbell’s unholy bidding.
Sounds like the origin story of a tragic Marvel hero.
This year I know how TEB feels about the cost of foreign travel.
When are you going?
First week in November, hoping to see Niagra Falls.
Ah iiiiiiiiisn’t it romaaaaaaaantiiiiiiiiiic
I hope not.
I recognize that it gets cold on your island over there, but from all accounts, that part of the US and Canada gets Robert Falcon Scott cold in winter. Pack longjohns.
Are you morally bankrupt? You have doubts? Read this article and your reaction will tell you all about how much of a fucktard you are:
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2017/06/05/outside-of-the-box-congo-wedding-shoot-with-the-leica-m10-by-john-r-milton/
I couldn’t finish it. I had issues with this right from the beginning.
FUCK everything about this.
There’s some noise on the interwebs that this may not have been real, done as a sort of satire. That would make more sense to me but in the age of Trump, who knows.
Morning Pan
I think I spend most of my work reconciling things.
Every once in a while, I have to send an email to my mom to let her know I’m still alive (apparently I don’t show up in her FB feed, go figure). The problem is, my life is pretty boring so I have nothing to say to her. Today’s email could be boiled down into two words, “I exist”
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/existence/
Are you fucking kidding me Texas?
https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/laws/advisory2018-35.shtml
Why are you surprised? Ted Cruz is a fucking cunt but he’s not stupid.
This is not a democracy.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JESUS-ART-Jesus-Tried-to-Cheer-up-Paul-McCartney-Using-a-Lambchop-Puppet/190971633243
Why does Jesus have an evil look on his face?
He still hasn’t forgotten the “Bigger than Jesus” remarks.
#recycledjokesftw
Maniac TV series – well that was one weird ride.
https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-10-stupidest-and-most-shameless-mad-max-rip-offs-5700413
I dunno – – this list feels incomplete.
What do you mean? It is a list of ten things that has ten things on it. Ipso facto, it is complete.
Actually, number ten is a list of other things, so I tell you it is MORE than complete.
Now I shall set this dumpster on fire for good measure…
You have a future in politics, Ed. You can be the leader of our gang of post-apocalyptic road mutants.
We just finished episode five of Haunting of Hill House. Hubby and I are both enjoying it.
So, went to a farewell happy hour for a departing co-worker. There was some kind of comedy festival going on downtown, which is probably why the bar had a live band playing.
The band kept letting people come up to sing songs, which led to a terrible live karaoke. Where it got really strange, though, was when the Sklar Brothers went up to do a (n intentionally?) terrible version of “Hunger Strike.”
I kept saying, “Hey, that’s the Sklar Brothers,” to which all but one person said, “Who?”
Who?
Reminds me of when I went to see Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit in the theaters and found myself the only person in a crowded room laughing hysterically when Gromit turns on the radio in the truck and Bright Eyes (the Art Garfunkel song used when Hazel dies in Watership Down) is playing. Of course, the fact that no one else got it just made me laugh harder.
I saw that film with almost empty cinema But I think I was the oldest there.
I was the only one who laughed at the thunderbird homage as Wallace and Gromit left for work,
People in the bar knew who the Sklar Brothers are, just no one I saw with – – except the one guy who said “weren’t they in Better Call Saul?”
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/how-capicola-became-gabagool-the-italian-new-jersey-accent-explained
Fascinating linguistic deep geeking. Even if you’re not Italian.
Yeah but how did ‘Gooble Gobble, ho’ become ‘Gabba Gabba, hey’?
About to get our Gaga on. A Star is Born.
So…
Were you Gaga for Star birthing?
I haven’t seen the original. Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, and Sam Elliott are all terrific in the movie.
It was terrific! The lead actors and actress, were all terrific.
Jack could totally pull off a Bradley Cooper ala A Star Is Born costume for Halloween.
mmmmmeow
I’ve been told the cgi spiders on this weeks Dr Who are a bit too well done.
I’ll be watching from behind the sofa through my fingers.
So will Jon Pertwee.
It appears that it will rain on my parade 🙁
Currently calling for rain storms Halloween night. Sadness. Hedging towards not setting up my outdoor audio. Wind will render my fog setups useless.
Some of my lighting is not rain resistant so I’ll have to come up with something else.
meh
Nature will provide its own Halloween ambience, thank you very much.
Morning Pan
Took hubby’s car in for winter service today
Chains on the tires?
O. Just winter tires
Canadian tire?
https://tinyurl.com/yc5m6vno
That’s a lot children;
http://apne.ws/8aMyDhE
You’re just jealous of our freedom!
It occurs to me that with the United States healthcare costing 3X’s the international rate, the 3 billion dollar cost could be a more reasonable 1 billion.
Last year, we had maybe a dozen kids come to our door on Halloween. The year before, about the same. Hubby decided to buy 200 candies for this year, just in case. *sigh*
THAT’S the spirit !!
If you have Coffee Crisps, then we might expand our Trick-or-Treating route a bit.
Mmmmmmmm
Note to self, when the old shoes start to cut off the circulation to your toes it’s time to get new shoes.
You’re a growing boy!
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/27/air-pollution-is-the-new-tobacco-warns-who-head
News to ruin your day.
Surgeon General Warning: Breathing is bad for your health.
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/SecondaryNeighboringAmazondolphin-small.gif
It’s going to be OK…
I was expecting dolphind
Few know that “dolphind” is the autocorrect plural for dolphin.
Lund Dolphgren
I had better not go to Antarctica with Lo or ditto:
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/world/scientist-in-remote-antarctic-outpost-stabs-colleague-who-told-him-endings-of-books-he-was-reading/ar-BBP5jw8?ocid=spartandhp&pfr=1
😀 We know how that would end.
That link is broken. You can’t even do THAT correctly.
In Soviet Russia the link breaks you!
Morning pan
Second car in getting snow tires today
Watched Dr Who yesterday as well as the first episode of Sabrina on Netflix. I think I e filled my spider quotient for the rest of my life
Eight Legged Freaks up next?
No
CP: The Greatest Light is the Greatest Shade — The Joy Formidable
https://news.avclub.com/avatars-second-and-third-sequels-are-done-filming-but-1830097689
So, Avatar 2 and 3 are done filming, and filming has begun for 4 and 5. No, really.
OMG I cannot WAIT not to watch these.
I liked the first one fine, but if I was looking for a sequel it was probably around 2013. It’s a great movie to test your HDTV with, but you don’t need 5 of them. LOL
It was an amazing theater experience. If he can recreate that – – and actually tell an interesting story, then I’m in for a sequel. But how about we focus on one sequel, and see how things go, hmm?
Works for me. 🙂
Has anybody watched Sabrina on Netflix yet? We watched the first episode last night and can’t decide if it was trying to be serious or deliberately mocking the whole witch thing
I confess that I’m not all that interested. I wasn’t the target audience the first time around.
We’ve watched the first 3 episodes, not sure if we are going to continue with it or not as we really aren’t the target demographic. I think it is very jokey, with some amusing elements. But it is very formula, in the CW way of things.
What’s with this ‘target demographic ‘ bullshit?
I would never watch a Pixar film if that was the case.
Also if George Lucas is to be believed you watch Star Wars as an adult..you are doing it wrong…
Sabrina … not watching. Didn’t give it a chance.
I find that things with “teen” in the title tend to have too much silly angsty drama in them for my tastes.
From your descriptions of it being jokey, I wonder if it is trying to channel “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”.
I wonder if I should do a pbp tomorrow. It is Halloween after all so a suitable day for a very b horror flick
http://www.post-punk.com/cocteau-twins-liz-fraser-to-tour-with-massive-attack-in-celebration-of-1998s-mezzanine/
Alert!
Hmmm. Link doesn’t work
You don’t work!!
Oh, the link is broken. . . . *cough*
Basically: Massive Attack are touring this year and next to celebrate the “Mezzanine” album, which came out in 1998. And they’ll have some of the guests with them who helped make that album.
Ill take it!!!!!!
And way to channel your inner Van
Not Acceptable
No point crying of spilled black milk.
It’s not a scale of the universe video the Jedi would show you…
https://youtu.be/GCTuirkcRwo
Neat integration with real world objects for scale.
Nicely done.
Boo!
Our credit card came up for renewal. It’s amazing how many accounts I have to change and update when this happens
I’m not dressing up or down for Halloween.
I doubt this will come as a surprise.
Happy Halloween, everyone! I think this is the first year that I,ve thrown a costume in the dog. It’s a fun one, too.
Acouple weeks ago, we had to take Pandora to the vet for a wound on her paw. They put an e-collar on her and due to the length of her neck and snout, the e-collar is disproportionately long on her (poor Pan), and I came up with the idea to dress her up for Halloween!
She’s going to be a Handmaid, even though she is spayed. Pics on FB later.
Nice !
I like it!
Author Dave Duncan passed away. He was a regular at Calgary conventions and I knew him. I actually had some scotch with him (and Guy Kaye) just this past August 🙁
https://locusmag.com/2018/10/dave-duncan-1933-2018/
One of those authors whose works passed me by, haven’t read any of his books.
One of our gaming friends were his beta readers and mentioned in several of his books
Sorry to hear about your friend, Bunny. 🙁
Phil Anselmo’s new band is called “Phillip H. Anselmo and the Illegals”.
Ugh.
Spoiler alert: they’re not very good.
Still, a bad move for a guy with a history of racist lyrics and a white power salute controversy that he claims to regret.
And as a side note, Pantera wasn’t really awesome, either. *looks over shoulder*
Hmmmm….
Agreed. They were good, not awesome.*
*Unless you were a hard guy redneck with a dirty baseball cap. Then they were the fuckin best!
So many people, so many:
https://www.thepitchkc.com/news/blog/21029837/steve-bannon-draws-crowd-of-tens-to-rally-for-steve-watkins-in-topeka
There are fewer of them than they think, but still more of them than we think. They’re just the loudest.
I am rather disappointed Netflix doesn’t have the original Halloween. They have the 2007 remake, but that’s not the same thing.
So, in a half hour, I’m going to take this in an entirely different direction
Be prepared to be amazed and amused
w00t!
Ah, Topeka, the capital of Kansas and home of the Westboro Baptists. Only 17 though, the racists are slacking.
Bittersweet news:
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7272&fbclid=IwAR0W-DtgsIUsJmvacIRGHEq0uWtTX-Oh2l40qO76slEZEix4BM03Vl55nL4
Ok people, it’s movie time
This is a short, silly movie at one hour, 15 minutes.
I’m not giving the title until the end, simply because of its silliness
Wait! My remote is missing. Give me a moment as I look for it
Crisis averted
Pressing play now
Spooky music
A wolf’s howl
A nightmare
The neighbours freak him out
The voice of the main character doesn’t sound the same as I remember
How is the school play doing?
No tomatoes.
No avocados
Science!
Always remain in character!
School bully
She’s a tree
Madam Raya!
(Who knew)
Don’t ring
Someone’s in trouble
Saggy breasts
Really? Really? What kind of principal is she?
Why does Nathan pick on me
Was it his imagination?
Fog makes her hair frizz
It’s out there!
Don’t answer it
How did you know
The neighbour creeps him out
It’s me!
Monsters can be anywhere
Werewolves are allergic to spandex
I’m shilling monster books
The neighbour’s a monster
Invasion of the monster snatchers
Wilhelm scream
Overreacting much?
An amulet
Monster check
A wolf shaped can means someone is a werewolf
Deal!
Spooky musical montage
Is the neighbour a werewolf?
Practising lines
His glasses are upside down
This is the face of evil
Who uses a chalkboard still?
He gave her the amulet
Howl!
Tic tack toe is a brutal game
Is Theo turning into a werewolf?
The flash
He will be the laughing stock of the elementary school theatre directors guild
He’s bending her twigs
Awwww.
He’s a great dad
Puppy werewolf
A non-housebroken werewolf puppy
I’ve got a lemon zested here and I’m not afraid to use it
A musical puppy werewolf montage
Theo’s being mean
Bad doggie
Seeing himself in a mirror makes him sad
I missed my buttmaster class
How does he have $14?
He must be cured before the next full moon
Stealing the cane
Dr. Jekyll and his butler
Who dresses formal for a school play?
The neighbour really is a werewolf
He’s a clumsy werewolf
Dave is out of shape
Twins
She’s a happy little tree
I knew it
Puppy and adult werewolf fight
The show is a hit
If a werewolf bites another werewolf, it reverses the process and cures them both
The werewolf is their new principal
Dance party!
And it’s ends…
Alvin and the Chipmunks meet the Werewolf
Off to the snowy wastes with you!
Alvin!!!
I never would have guessed that.
WHAT?!?!!?
Oh…
I’m sure that joke never got old, while you were growing up. . .
https://pitchfork.com/news/massive-attack-announce-mezzanine-anniversary-tour-with-cocteau-twins-liz-fraser/
BTW, this link should work. It is Pitchfork, so your hipster top hat, man-bun, pipe, and regrettable tattoos might need to be cool before everyone else was into it.
I’m heartened that Pitchfork is covering the Nicki Minaj and Cardi B. dustup still.
Speaking of hipster man-bun
https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/10/10-essential-slow-burner-albums.html
#8 should be much much MUCH higher
“Look at how hip and knowledgeable I am, I listed a Coltrane album! And a Bjork album – – but NOT the one you would have listed!”
Lo Pan should be much MUCH higher!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5zUcrdo8vE
Our youngest took over door duties last night, so I can be sure how many kids we had. But judging by the amount of candy we had left over, it was a light year. In the past, we may have had over 100.
I hope Hallowe’en was good to everyone! We had a debacle with Chik Fil A*, which cost us precious time and put a huge downer on the evening, but we salvaged and had a good night of it anyway.
*The whole reason we were there was for a school fundraiser – – but I strongly doubt they even got that right. Yes, I am aware of their repulsive money donations to repulsive anti-gay organizations. Never again.
Morning Pan
We had about two dozen kids this year. Approximately double over last year but nowhere near the 200 hubby bought for.
Heard three knocks at the door, ignored them.
Fucking asshole.
Thankfully there weren’t many this year and I just ignored the knocks.
The weather was kind to us.
We had more trick or treaters then the past few years. Still, less than a dozen.
Mostly younger kids with adults. It was fun to hear the adults enjoying the experience.
We hit a few doors – – Baby Groot was a big hit.
There was this one grumpy Englishman who wouldn’t open his door, though. . .
It appears that Tor.com did a whole Earthsea thing recently.
https://www.tor.com/2018/10/29/how-a-wizard-of-earthsea-made-me-a-fantasy-reader/
https://www.tor.com/2018/10/31/ursula-k-le-guins-the-tombs-of-atuan-taught-me-to-write-imperfect-women/
https://www.tor.com/2018/10/30/how-le-guins-a-wizard-of-earthsea-subverts-racism-but-not-sexism/
It looks like there was also a Silmarillion thing – – but that’s too much for one post.
YOURE TOO MUCH FOR ONE POST
My doctor just prescribed me pickles. Seriously
*sigh* I have a very strange body
He’s just a shill for Big Pickle!
cough
Are they to be applied topically?
If i say internally, how many gutters will need to be cleaned?
I have a jar of pickles. Now I need a hubby to come home and open them.
Getting old sucks.
https://qz.com/quartzy/1446358/death-metals-fans-find-peace-and-joy-in-violent-music-study-finds/
The next Pure Moods CD should have lots of Cannibal Corpse and Napalm Death.
Pure maniacs. Pure metal. Pure moods.
And you thought Van was bad
https://www.topic.com/welcome-to-the-petty-hall-of-fame
I don’t think Van is petty!
Tom however, that’s a different story…
His friends are heartbreakers.
For the flight to Amsterdam I had to go on the tarmac and climb up the steps to the plane.
I felt like an old movie stat.
-t +r
Was everything suddenly in Black & White?
Well always have Paris
Morning Pan
I’m really glad it’s Friday. It’s been a long effing week
I’m glad it’s Friday, too Bunny!
Calgary’s opened a new library recently.
http://mikesbloggityblog.com/10-wtf-in-a-good-way-things-about-calgarys-new-library/?fbclid=IwAR3H_DlFn6NOz3k3DRdt8GK3KiFPp2IFU7GMRGxy-SDwD3DCg2tF4lWlQAA
Next stop Detroit.
Don’t drink the water.
… or so I hear.
Another day of packing up Halloween.
Yesterday was slowed by rain, having to go help a friend hang their art instillation and then spending the evening at a fundraiser.
Fundraiser is for a good cause. Local group of business folks and medical professionals who have worked with the school system to let them set up free clinics (medical, dental and optometrist) at some of our less affluent, elementary and middle schools.
Since I have always had the opportunity to take my kids to medical appointments it had never occurred to me … what do you do if you CAN’T take off from work to do so. Turns out that this is the case for quite a few people. Either their employers don’t give them the time off or if they do … it is without pay and that isn’t an option. So the answer is … their kids don’t get routine stuff taken care of.
Apparently, kids who are suffering pain from untreated maladies, or who can’t see the words on the page … don’t do as well in school.
I’m ok with this, as long as it doesn’t affect the taxes or daily income increases – even fractionally – of the wealthiest people in the history of the planet.
*sigh*
Yeh.
I had that talk with a retiree the other day. He basically wanted to know why he should even care now that he had no kids in the school system.
I summed it up “Would you feel safer if your neighborhood/community was filled with kids who were going to be able to get the sort of jobs that would allow them to move away and start their own families … or would you rather they be full of under employed, high school drop outs, with a lot of spare time, living off of their parents. Kids with no compelling reason NOT to get drunk or do drugs in the middle of the day ?”
You can pay some now to educate … or you can pay a lot more later when they need public assistance just to eat or are housed in a tax payer funded prison.
“Charity is a cold grey loveless thing. If a rich man wants to help the poor, he should pay his taxes gladly, not dole out money at a whim.”
Clement Attlee
Have a great trip, Van! Lots of pictures and stories!
I’ve heard that parts of Detroit are fantastic, if you’re spending any time there.
Well Toledo is where I’m staying.
Ohio?
Going to the Rock and Roll Hall-o-fame ?
It may well be possible, although I’m told it’s in Cleveland
The heart of rock-n-roll…
the heart of rock-n-roll is in Cleveland.
Well… or so I’ve heard.
Yes, Cleveland is in Ohio
Doh!
Huey Lewis lyrics quotes? We’ll have to go to the judges on this one… it seems they’re going to allow it.
BTW, Van, every American city you’ve ever heard of is in Ohio.
New Cellar Darling!
http://nblast.de/CellarDarlingInsomnia
Nice!
So at Detroit, I was waved past the kiosks and a big queue and went straight to passport check.
I was through security in less than 10 minutes.
I’m still in shock at the speed compared to past visits.
Nobody travels to Detroit.
https://youtu.be/Ny4a-oxOndo
I discovered I liked biscuits and gravy.
So there is that.
You’ve just taken your first step into a larger world.
Had dinner with Doug Kress and JR Murdock at Mitch’s, which is possibly the best seafood joint in the world.
I just want y’all to know how cool it is to see Jack’s influence shining through the eldest daughter. Here are some of the things she is currently interested in/obssessed with— thanks to her Pops.
-creative writing. A (cyber punk)novel
– The Beatles and Led Zepplin
– SCIENCE!
She is really embracing her interests lately.
She’s the awesome.
Rock ON!
With those interest … another force for good in the world!
Well done Jack.
So this year I get to turn my clocks back twice.
We’re headed home now from a fun busy San Diego weekend. Baby’s first road trip and first time seeing the ocean. Also, first visit to a zoo.
Now we drive through a bunch of nothing.
PSA: The diet Dr Pepper in the Cracker Barrel in Perrysburg is most vile.
That is all.
However the maple onion jam on the burger and the pecan pie (first slice ever) was divine.
Pecan Pie FTW !!!!
Now you’re speaking American!
You’ve never had pecan pie before? We need to do better at teaching you (north) American ways.
Nope.
My friend has also been taking to me to diners that are not part of big chains for breakfast, that has been an interesting experience.
And home!
Morning Pan
I see teaching kitty about daylight savings is going to be a chore. She’s been annoying us at 3:30am instead of our normal wake up time of 4:30. We didn’t get an extra hour sleep.
Have a super, fantastic birthday, Pixie!
Pixie Day ?!?!?!
Yea!!! Happy Birthday!
This morning is fuelled by a bacon and egg bagel and a caramel cappuccino from Tim Hortons.
This one has an ice cream section, which is something I wasn’t expecting to see in a coffee shop.
Happy happy birthday to my far better better half.
Today I tried a turkey and avacado sandwich. Not bad
“You’ve never had *turkey and avocado sandwich* before? We need to do better at teaching you (north) American ways.”
The girls would turn the color of an avocado,
When he rolled own the street in his El Dorado.
He was only 5 foot 3, but they could not resist his stare. . .
Too deep of a cut! Too deep…
https://www.avclub.com/does-the-most-important-year-for-superhero-movies-belon-1830035680
Interesting – – Tom Breihan’s year-by-year take on the most important Superhero movie of the year had to contend with The Dark Knight and Iron Man both coming out in 2008.
Holy shit! It’s the end and the beginning…
He’s… a bit harsh on Dark Knight…
Why so serious?
He seems to have mixed feelings. The movie definitely has some odd little moments, but it’s real brilliance is in the characters and themes.
In a topic unrelated to dark, brooding, urban crime fighters, we’ve finally gotten around to Daredevil S3. Two episodes in – – and holy crap, is the pace crawling. But I’m digging it. I like the hints as to what’s coming up.
Today I get to be an international observer as I get to watch my friend vote.
In Curtice Ohio they still used the paper ballots and did not have voting machines.
Had a nice chat with some of the staff and talked about the differences with how we vote in the UK.
Morning Pan
Hubby’s windshield has a few chips in it so, later this morning, I’ll take it in and get them fixed
Thought for the day:
If the back window of your car gets damaged, is that a car butt crack?
What would that make the crack in the front windshield??
Illegal.
I’m going to say it here, where disagreement will be reasonable and noncombative:
Today, we find out just how deeply our election process has been hacked and compromised.
And if you disagree, then get bent!
Today’s interesting election twist around here.
Last night we had a lot of severe weather that hit in the middle of the night. Kept the prudent person up from midnight til 3am.
In preparing for this … All schools and many businesses had announced a 2hr delay to the start of their day today.
I just went to vote and the election minder told me they had VERY heavy turnout this morning. He said he had at least 10 people tell him it was their first time to vote including several “young people”.
Now maybe it is just our current situation that has prompted people to vote. One does have to wonder though … was something as simple as a two hour delay to the start of their day, allow more people to vote?
Two fascinating links for you all, then I’m getting deep into the work:
Science:
https://bigthink.com/surprising-science/why-the-number-137-is-one-of-the-greatest-mysteries-in-physics?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1
And culture:
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/toto-africa-the-new-anthem-747262/
So this song, is one of those that just doesn’t (or hasn’t yet) benefit from covers.
One of the things that makes it so perfect is it’s production. The stuff they did in studio and then post production. The original just sounds so darn thick and rich. Not something I would want to hear all the time but when I stumble across it in my playlist after a long time of not listening, it has my full toe tapping, singing along attention.
The only caveat I would add to this (my opinion) is that I REALLY enjoy the mash-up version that Straight- No Chaser did of this and the 12 Days of Christmas. #1) Clevor and B) I’m a sucker for really well done acapella arrangements.
Seeing SNC live – especially around Christmas time – especially if they do this song – should be on everyone’s bucketlist.
SNC is a bane of my existence. I appreciate how much you appreciate them, tho.
That’s because you haven’t (?) seen them live.
Oh is that why? Fun fact… I once got in a semi insult match with Seggi on another podcasts chat room…but that really has nothing to do with nothing.
Bit of advice… never laugh at his Indiana university education.
No, I’m telling you the reason why you don’t like them. . . . Because I know better than you why you like or dislike things.
– – – seriously – – seriously? Do tell us the story of your Seggi argument!
Nah. Weezer’s is spot on. And I’d argue that cover has made this song even more relevant.
Theyre rebooting Shrek.
Perhaps they will make it more relevant.
:}
You have to admit, the CGI is getting pretty realistic.
https://tinyurl.com/y8526f5z
DON’T DO THAT!
This is when Fiona started working at Hooters to help pay the bills.
Thank you, everyone for the birthday wishes yesterday. I felt the love.
:heart:
CP: Living In The Promiseland — Joe Cocker
Children’s screen time has little effect on sleep, says study:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-46109023
CD: Doing laundry at a laundromat
It took me over 50 years to finally have the need to use a laundromat.
The cast:
YOUNG MAN
Eric Idle
POLICEMAN
Graham Chapman
FEMALE VOICE OVER
Carol Cleveland
MALE VOICE OVER
John Cleese
PEPPERPOT
Eric Idle
FEMALE JOURNALIST
Terry Jones
BOXER
Eric Idle
SCOTSMAN
Michael Palin
STOCKBROKER
John Cleese
BOY
Michael Palin
The sketch:
(We a young man playing chess with another young man. They are in an ordinary flat. Them is a tremendous battering, banging, hammering and clattering at the door.)
Young Man: Door’s open.
Policeman: Oh. Yes. (he enters) All right. All right, all fight, all right. My name’s Police Constable Henry Thatcher, and this is a raid. I have reason to believe that there are certain substances on the premises.
Young Man: Well what sort of substances, officer?
Policeman: Er… certain substances.
Young Man: Well, what sort of certain substances?
Policeman: Er, certain substances of an illicit nature.
Young Man: Er, could you be more specific?
Policeman: I beg your pardon?
Young Man: Could you be ‘clearer’.
Policeman: Oh, oh … yes, er … certain substances on the premises. To be removed for clinical tests.
Young Man: Have you got anything particular in mind?
Policeman: Well what have you got?
Young Man: Nothing, officer.
Policeman: You are Sandy Camp the actor?
Young Man: Yes.
Policeman: I must warn you, sir, that outside I have police dog Josephine, who is not only armed, and trained to sniff out certain substances, but is also a junkie.
Young Man: What are you after … ?
Policeman: (pulling a brown paper package from out of his pocket, very badly and obviously) Oo! Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh! Here is a brown paper bag I have found on the premises. I must confiscate this, sir, and take it with me for clinical examination.
Young Man: Wait a minute. You just got that out of your pocket.
Policeman: What?
Young Man: (takes it) Well what’s in it anyway? (opens it) Sandwiches.
Policeman: Sandwiches? Blimey. Whatever did I give the wife?
(Cut to viewer’s letter in handwriting, read in voice over.)
Female VO: Dear BBC, East Grinstead, Friday. I feel I really must write and protest about that sketch. My husband, in common with a lot of people of his age, is fifty. For how long are we to put up with these things. Yours sincerely, E. B. Debenham (Mrs.).
(Cut to another letter.)
Male VO: Dear Freddy Grisewood, Bagshot, Surrey. As a prolific letter-writer, I feel I must protest about the previous letter. I am nearly sixty and am quite mad, but I do enjoy listening to the BBC Home Service. If this continues to go on unabated …Dunkirk… dark days of the war… backs to the wall… Alvar Liddell … Berlin air lift … moral upheaval of Profumo case … young hippies roaming the streets, raping, looting and killing. Yours etc., Brigadier Arthur Gormanstrop (Mrs.).
(Cut to vox pops film.)
Pepperpot: Well I think they should attack things, like that – with satire. I mean Ned Sherrin. Fair’s fair. I think people should be able to make up their own minds for me.
Female Journalist: Well I think they should attack the fuddy-duddy attitudes of the lower middle classes which permit the establishment to survive and keep the mores of the whole country back where they were in the nineteenth century and the ghastly days of the pre-sexual revolution.
(A boxer runs up and knocks her out.)
Scotsman: Well that’s, er, very interesting, because, er, I am, in fact, made entirely of wood.
Stockbroker: Well I think they should attack the lower classes, er, first with bombs, and rockets destroying their homes, and then when they run helpless into the streets, er, mowing them down with machine guns. Er, and then of course releasing the vultures. I know these views aren’t popular, but I have never courted popularity.
(A boy scout on his knees. Next to him is a scout master, seen only from the knees down.)
Boy: I think there should be more race prejudice.
(He is nudged.)
Voice: Less.
Boy: Less race prejudice.
Graham Chapman was often the funniest of them all.
True tortured genius.
Morning Pan
Another US election and, once again, I did not vote
Actually, here’s a thought experiment:
What would happen if the citizens of a country did not vote for their own leaders (house, senate, etc), but the rest of the world did? It would be interesting to see what the results would be.
Please do.
I know we don’t see him much on the Pan anymore but still, hope you have a wonderful birthday Lost Ralph!
I used that other social media to wish him a happy birthday.
Thank you!
Hmm.
https://www.avclub.com/the-35-best-science-fiction-movies-since-blade-runner-1819142386
It’s a good list. I’m sure many could suggest some additions or substitutions.
I’m gonna guess the majority of the comments are, “What, no _____? This list is terrible!”
Note the list was done last year. Any you’d put on from the last year?
Can’t think of any, although BR 2049 is a strong consideration, but I think it defeats the point of the list.
I’d vote for Last Jedi for multiple reasons. But I can never tell if Star Wars is “fantasy” or “Sci -Fi”
Eh, if Donnie Darko qualifies for the list, then I think they’re talking Spec Fic – – more than straight up 2001-style hard Sci-Fi. And maybe they covered it already; I skipped the write-up and went straight to the list. (shaaaammme)
Also: Fuck Starship Troopers. Also: Under the Skin is pretentious bullshit.
Great List!
I have seen 24 of the 35 and of the ones I hadn’t seen I am intrigued and want to see them. Well, except maybe the “kids killing each other” one.
The one I would add is “Serenity”. Normally I would categorize that film as “Action Adventure in space” instead of Sci-Fi but IF you are going to include Star Ship Trooper as Sci-Fi then you really need to include “Serenity”.
Can we replace Starship Troopers with Serenity?
A side list pertaining to the above list
https://qz.com/quartzy/1447599/nine-sci-fi-subgenres-to-help-you-understand-the-future/
My head hurts. When does the next Transformers movie come out?
egads, the deep dive there. . .
This has that “Three Body Problem” book listed on it.
Quote: “former US president Barack Obama said that it was “fun to read, partly because my day-to-day problems with Congress seem fairly petty.””
Wait, did we have a President in this Century who knew how to read? I can’t even remember. . .
Reading through a bit further, was pleased to see a couple of excellent China Mieville books on this list. . . and also Annihilation. More from me on that book later. . .
I saw a new release from legend Anneke Van Giersbergen, and was going to post it to MetalAsylum.net, but this is the least Metal thing you’ll hear all day. It almost veers into pop balladry, but it’s damn pretty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIwzEfWT85Q&feature=youtu.be
FWIW
I haven’t added the numbers up myself but I have now seen this figure printed in two separate places. It is total number of votes each party got for senatorial candidates. Once again, the party that has gained control – lost the popular vote. … by a LOT.
Senate Vote Totals
Democratic Party: 44.9 million votes
Republican Party: 32.9 million votes
Those numbers surprise even cynical me. I’d like to see them Snopesed, but I’d bet they prove to be true.
So even with voter suppression, voter intimidation, potential hacking, and disinformation, and fear-mongering, the population overwhelmingly came out against the Rep party, but couldn’t overcome the rigged system. It must be unfair gerrymandering.
This is not democracy.
A quick Google shows those were the total numbers for the Senate votes.
Yep.
… and I read an article some months back that showed the same thing had happened in the previous mid-term election. By a margin of MILLIONS, US voters showed that, at least, that they did NOT want the Republican candidates. Yet the Republicans maintained control over the Senate.
So this is not some “one-off” fluke.
Maybe our kids will fix this in their lifetime.
https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/d3bz5w/70-year-old-man-uses-11-phones-to-play-pokemon-go
You Pokemon types need to step up your game.
This guy really does need to catch them all.
Rhett, you especially might dig that Anneke Von Giersbergen.
Jack,
I’ll definitely check it out on my drive home. 🙂
I do. An I’m not even Rhett
Me too!
I listened and I dig it. 😉
Speaking of music, I’m still waiting for the posthumous CD of Warrel Dane’s last work. I’ve been listening to it on Amazon’s streaming service. I quite like the opening track “Ethereal Blessing”. It’s not metal, but great vocals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkK9SeOgeDw
It inspired me to look for other songs he has guest vocals on and I found:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt3mElH4KYk
Nice duet with Moran Magel, also not metal.
CP: Elegia — New Order
So I finally got to see Niagra falls and take a dip in a Jacuzi.
This hotel room is the biggest I’ve ever been in.
Pics or it didn’t happen! 🙂
Lol
Have a great time at Niagara Falls. Just be careful not to reveal to Lois that you’re Superman!
My headache is going SIX HOURS-STRONG.
UGH
:love:
Just remember folks, the semi-automatic machine guns allowed to run wild on the streets don’t kill people… people…um… kill people.
FWIW (data from govtrackus.com)-
Conservatives enjoy a five-justice majority on the Supreme Court, with the help of four justices appointed by presidents who initially entered office after losing the popular vote. The senators who approved Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination represented 38 million fewer constituents than those who opposed, according to Congress-tracking site GovTrack.us.
It’s really not worth a damn thing, unfortunately.
Morning Pan
I lost a part for my cat’s water dish this morning. I’m going to have to sneak out, once the stores open, and get her a new one
Is it one of those fancy running water dishes?
yes
CP: Farm Invasion — Bear McCreary
CP: Dwarf Invasion – Reggie and the Full Effect
CP: White Dwarf – Introspectronant
CP: Killer Dwarfs – Dirty Weapons
CP: Weapon of Choice – Fatboy Slim
CP: Castles — Lissie
Fun list:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/gallery/100-classic-tv-catchphrases-that-will-stay-in-your-head-forever/ss-BBMSmHM?ocid=spartanntp
101 slides?!?!??!??!?! JACK!!!!!!
Ruh roh!
We finished watching the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Ended up liking it. For those into graphic novels, I’m in volume 2 and quite enjoying it. It’s rather dark.
https://promotions.spredfast.com/service/v2/canvas_wa/5b6dbb60e2df425166832bc5?fbclid=IwAR1fktDtTTTbC-ildar4N_rVlBajaxjhJnBeFQzSeL5y3HLBGYnCE2cFtpo
So – if you watch the Scientific Technologies video, you might see a cameo from a certain long-haired dude. You can also vote for that video. . .
Be we don’t get to see your face.
Voted!
That’s the idea. Thanks for the vote!
Did you not offer to bring in your axe and do some shredding for them?
I voted anyway.
https://news.avclub.com/heres-what-we-know-about-disney-and-the-million-title-1830338376
The future of your TV viewing.
On top of Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian, there will be a second live-action Star Wars series starring Diego Luna’s rebel, Cassian Andor from Rogue One.
Sign me up. Now.
As I have probably mentioned before, I got an Arduino last Christmas. I spent the last year teaching myself electronics and coding. Made a bunch of little projects which culminated in the one I built for Halloween.
A device that sensed people coming down my driveway and turned on a fog machine and a trail of lights, one by one, coming towards them.
Might sound simple (I thought so when I started) but there are all sorts of conditions. The fogger can only stay on so long or it over heats. It also needs a rest period in between or it will over heat … but I don’t want the lights to stay off while the fog machine rests. I also want the lights to turn off and ready themselves for the next bunch … but what if the next bunch started down the drive 20 seconds after the first bunch … can’t have the lights turning off on them!
This is why I needed a computer to achieve this. I needed a device that could take all this into consideration and respond appropriately.
Anyway … two days before Halloween I got it all to work. Yea me.
Seems you CAN teach an old dog new tricks.
This should go to the top of your resume.
Just back from seeing Bohemian Rhapsody.
If you’re a Queen enthusiast it is FANTASTIC.
I am a Queen fan.
I appreciate it fucks around with reality to a large degree, but it was a fun film.
Genius.
https://thehardtimes.net/news/dd-party-member-with-3-charisma-keeps-trying-to-fucking-roll-deception/?fbclid=IwAR0AJwa54cC8Hi6q7YRX7KC1ORGt8HvA_A7xcifxd2JYfzTmglu8xkn7F38
Hmmm:
http://awkward.com/here-are-129-ways-to-get-a-husband-according-to-a-1958-mccalls/
How would one stow away on a battleship?
Vans back!
Vans front!
I bought a nutribullet blender.
I guess I’ll eat more bananas in the future.
So I saw Widows today. I never watched the UK tv series so I have no idea how it compares to the film but I enjoyed it.
…and just like that- screaming goats are making a comeback (in the Mangan household, at least.)
Yay!!
The screaming goats are unrelated to the Ghost concert in Phoenix tonight
Are they tho?
Ugh:
https://cbsn.ws/2PlXwyw
On this day or remembrance let us not forget the poignant ending of one of the best comedy series:
https://youtu.be/vH3-Gt7mgyM
..and how it was saved from being a naff ending:
https://youtu.be/hbR9-etyN6I
Wow, I’ve seen the as shown ending to the series a couple of times, but never that bit showing what it took to make it the memorable ending that it is. Incredible.
That was such a sucker punch. And I hadn’t heard about it before watching.
I’d love to do a full start-to-finish Blackadder run again, someday.
Series 2 and 4 are still tops but it’s a great ride.
Been doing a full start to finish Monty Python and there’s so much I had forgotten. SO much cultural and entertainment inspiration in such a short series
I do recall a Family Guy bit about the “other unfunny hours of Monty Python,” which annoyed me – – but that was partially because it rang true. There’s so, so much brilliant material there that literally changed my life. But there’s also a lot of material in the episodes that is either dated or that falls flat.
But the great stuff is worth it 100x over.
Now this is cool:
https://vimeo.com/297671782
Still kinda hot out, but we still had a nice day at the Botanical Gardens. They have their own Butterlfy walk thru, which was fascinating to all babies.
Finished Hill House. Much less scary than I expected but also much better character story/mystery than expected. Overall Lo Pan recommended.
Butterflies everywhere!
HAL truly has passed…
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/douglas-rain-dead-voice-hal-9000-2001-a-space-odyssey-was-90-1083429
“This is not a quote, but I’m told that his attitude is, ‘I’ve done Shakespeare and the classics for 50 years, and all anyone wants to talk to me about is a film that I worked on for two days.”
Daisy, daisy, give me your answer true.
RIP.
Such is the price of fame.
Nuclear war.
(On the dance floor)
My stupid ISP has been down for 13 hours.
The claim that someone caused a 3 state outage by cutting a fiber optic cable while installing a sprinkler system in their yard.
Really? No backup plan to having a cable cut? Heaven help us if Al Quada finds out it is that easy to take out communications in 3 states.
Happy Birthday ditto!
So I’m watching the first episode of Titans. It amuses me that DP said nobody goes to Detroit yet in the series everybody is heading to Detroit..
Then you are watching pure fiction
Yeah it’s a superhero show, doh!
Have a super, awesome birthday, ditto!
Morning Pan
Stat holiday here in Canada Land.
After lunch, hubby has a friend coming over to play Star Wars minatures. Me, it’s all about gaming on my computer.
Happy ditto day!
Yea ditto!
Hope you do something swell for your Bday!
Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes. It has been pretty good so far. 😀
RIP Stan Lee. The impact of his life… and death.. felt forevermore
Awww, sad news.
Sadness.
He had a good run though and finished strong.
Well done Stan.
Stan Lee: Marvel Comics co-creator dies aged 95 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46186552
‘Nuff said on a great life.
Happy Birthday, Rhettro!
Why does HE get two b-days this year?!? That guy…
Well he is the queen of deadpan.
Who dubbed HIM that!?!??
Goddammit Rhett
As long as he’s not the jester. Oh wait, that’s me.
I thought the Jestor
was on the side-line
in a cast.
I’m no Mr. Mercury, but I believe Miss Pixie meant to extend accolades to didtro. 🙂 also,
Happy birthday didtro!
A little slice of history:
http://www.lettersofnote.com/2009/11/slaughterhouse-five.html
Tonight’s cult film at the arty cinema is Thelma and Louise which i’ve Never seen before.
Ok I get most of these titles being “culty” but Thelma and Louise was a bona fide blockbuster
This month’s theme is road trips so I guess that is why it was included.
How’d you like it?
It was good.
Weird Al tour dates have been released!
“Strings Attached – THE 2019 TOUR ”
Sales go on sale Friday. 10am
w00t! Orchestral Weird Al!
And he is coming to Orlando. I’m definitely going.
I’ve been a fan since his first tapes hit the Dr. Demento radio show … but never seen him in concert.
I’m told it SHOULD be on everyone’s bucket list.
Oh yes. I had never been before myself. But my daughter and I have seen him three times in the last three years.
Sadly, while he’s coming to Houston, the date does not work well with other commitments we have. He really should have cleared his schedule with me first, but I guess he’s let that fame go to his head.
McFate Coconut Candy Bar Milk Stout FTW.
I can’t decide if that sounds barf or delish. I think maybe delish?
It’s. So…… effing good..
Their regular Candy Bar Milk Stout (basically a Snickers stout – – except good) has become their premiere brew.
It’s pretty gosh darned delicious – – so when I saw a coconut version, I had to try it. Not coconutty at all, but less peanutty than the main one, so I like it even better. Two pretzels up!
Agree completely. I’ve been hanging out a lot at Kings Convenience in Phoenix and they have an outstanding selection of beers. 70+ on tap at any one time. That’s where I had the Candy Bar Milk Stout and I was going to get a crowler of it, but wound up with something else.
It’s kind of weird just how much beer I drink these days… tbh
ooooooooops!
I meant, Happy Ditto Day! 🙂
Mamma Brain here.
Morning Pan
Hubby has the day off, so I think we’ll go to the zoo and see the Pandas since it,s likely to not be too busy
Does that mean you will be Panda-ring to the zoo?
At $30 a piece entrance fee, they should be panda-ring to us
LIV get their hard ons back for metal (metal? Hard rock?) over Judith.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Efi1kRdiKq0
Good morning fine friends.
*hugs everyone*
Happy Tuesday!
*hugs* back at you! 🙂
Cj’s back!
And my front too!
https://news.avclub.com/theres-loads-of-stan-lee-cameos-yet-to-be-seen-1830410826
We’re not done with Stan Lee cameos yet.
This is what I figured and seeing I was right makes me happy. I look forward to the cameos.
Harsh but fair:
https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/11/russian-space-leader-contemplates-stalin-mode-for-spacecraft-design/
One of the many complaints I have personally heard people say of NASA space efforts, is that they are so expensive because of the many tests and redundant systems that the government requires of them. As the argument goes, NASA being a “government” run company, can’t afford to loose an astronaut because a political appointee might be held responsible. (Sadly, we now know this isn’t the case.)
I am always dumbfounded by that line of argument for “privately built space craft”. The complainer doesn’t claim that private industry can build a safer or even “as safe” craft for less money. Just that, with out all of that extra mandated testing, they can make it cheeper and quicker.
“Privatize everything!” translates to “funnel more money away from publicly-maintained organizations and into the pockets of bzillionaire business owners!”
Yeah:
https://theoutline.com/post/6582/abortion-pills-by-mail-rebecca-gomperts-interview
Worth a try if you live in North America:
https://www.tor.com/2018/11/13/free-ebook-of-the-black-tides-of-heaven-by-jy-yang/
CP: Avenue of Hope — I Am Kloot
I was tempted to buy the smaller model but the 25% (ish) price hike this year has rather put me off:
https://sixcolors.com/post/2018/11/ipad-pro-2018-review/
So after trying a latte with the pod machine that used ground coffee rather than instant I find I really can distinguish between that and instant.
Unlike beer I can at least add sugar.
Technically, no one is stopping you from adding sugar to your Guinness. . . .
Please… Guiness is for the Irish. Van is Scottish and therefore drinks Brew Dogs from taxidermy squirrels.
…flees from the wrath of non-Scottish Van…
You better run boy!
*Ducks to avoid flying haggis*
Well, Red Wings have their octopi.
Can’t not can
Do or do not, there is no can’t not can.
I kinda like the Can-Can myself.
Ancient Alien theories, not as benign as you may think:
https://hyperallergic.com/470795/pseudoarchaeology-and-the-racism-behind-ancient-aliens/
I get the point of the author, but most of what I’ve seen in the Ancient Alien crowd is a sort of new agey idolization of old foreign cultures. i.e. only they were worthy of the alien’s attention.
Actual photograph of Ancient Alan
https://s.yimg.com/lo/api/res/1.2/bYSTbIGfgcfrHZixejIy.Q–~B/YXBwaWQ9eWlzZWFyY2g7Zmk9Zml0O2dlPTAwNjYwMDtncz0wMEEzMDA7aD01MzM7dz00MDA-/http://static.tvgcdn.net/mediabin/showcards/celebs/a-b/thumbs/alan-alda_sc_768x1024.png.cf.png
You’ve got quite the Hawkeye!
Important to have if you plan on doing a MASHup.
Hmmm:
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/annehelenpetersen/ten-long-years-of-trying-to-make-armie-hammer-happen
Step 1: give him the most ridiculous, implausible stage name possible. Is “Rip Torn” taken? Damn! It will have to be Armie Hammer then.
Ok, I’ll read the article.
Van, if you suddenly felt a ripple in the force it is because I am currently having a cup of tea made with a pod machine. While it is better than not having a cuppa … there are no real winners here.
Do any of you guys/gals have experience with 3D printers?
Can you recommend modeling software to use for such a task?
Modeling software? Are you trying to build a Claudia Schiffer or a Cindy Crawford?
I’ve been considering a purchase of a 3D printer myself. While I have made plenty of 3d models, I haven’t printed any. Basically you want to be sure that the modeling software you want is capable of creating the file format your 3d printer uses, usually STL format. As for what 3d modeling program, it depends on what you want to model. For technical things, I like Rhino 3d, but it has a bit of a learning curve. A more user friendly program would be Moi http://moi3d.com/ and it is cheaper to boot. On the free side is Blender, which is amazing, but takes a while to learn, but can do practically anything.
Thanks!
I played with Blender a bit today and it’s lack of real world dimensions could be a deal breaker for me. I want to make parts with specific dimensions and Blender doesn’t seem to do that. I’ll give a look at Moi.
As for printers … I am currently looking at the Creality CR-10S. Seems like a good unit at a price point I can live with. I REALLY want a PRUSA I3 MK3 but that is a price point I can’t live with. 🙁
It does seem like they all have their issues. They might have great print quality … but even the ones with the best reviews seem finicky.
As for Jacks question – 1980’s Kelly LeBrock, of course (“What are you little maniacs up to now?”)
Cool, I’m looking at the Wanhao Duplicator 7. It uses resin, so it is better for fine detailed small objects, like gaming miniatures. 🙂
So… I’ve been on a kick for some time that there should be such a thing as a glaive fidget spinner. Glaive as in the weapon from Krull, not an the actual weapon. If anyone with 3D modeling skills feels like they need an idea for something to make, have at it. I do know someone with a 3D printer in my local area. Just no one with the skills to model the thing.
http://krull.wikia.com/wiki/Glaive
PS. I have looked and found one or two already existing 3D models for a glaive fidget spinner. I just don’t like them. They are too clunky and lack detail.
The 3d modeling of such a thing would be fairly easy. The hard part would be planning for the ball bearing mechanism and I would assume some kind of weighting for the arms to give it inertia.
I know my 3D printing guy has made spinners before. I’ll see if he knows of any easy ways to incorporate the ball bearing mechanism.
Your crap joke for the day:
Did you hear about the man with 5 willies?
His pants fit like glove!
I’d say this joke merits a slap, but. . . um. . .
But is it a fingerless glove or leather?
#askingforafriend
Just be-careful where you throw down the gauntlet.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/football-fan-charged-with-dwi-says-he-was-drunk-because-the-jets-suck-5
Never change, Jets fans. Never change.
Que Monty Python clip – “Yes. We’ll be taking them in as well!”
In today’s dinosaur moment: a co-worker pointed at my iPod on the desk and said, “What is that?? Does it even still work?”
I was so distraught, I turned the crank on my Model T and sped away at 20 mph.
Jack,
I’m still proud of you for finally getting rid of the flip phone tbh…
And you call yourself a Star Trek fan!
😮
Good morning, Pan.
It’s 48°f in Phoenix this morning.
Natives like me are becoming basic with thigh high socks, knee high boots, scarves, and complaints about the freezing weather.
Me to me: Ya Basic!
Me to me in reply: I’m basically freezing.
Hmmm let me see –
– Thigh High socks
– Knee Boots
– Scarves
… and yet, cold.
I think I may know what’s missing here.
:}
I’m wearing leggings and a sweater dress too. 😛
My list was more fun … but I guess the sweater dress WOULD be warmer. 😉
A bit.
It’s not like I have Van’s coat to keep me warm.
This is the time of year in AZ when the heater goes on at night, and the AC goes in in the day.
Overlord was great fun and I’m not a horror fan.
Soooo – – we are considering a PS4, since it’s on a certain birthday list. We’ll see. This seems like a pretty good deal. I ask you knowledgeable gamer folks: Is there any reason to get a regular instead of a Slim?
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sony-PlayStation-4-Slim-1TB-Spiderman-Bundle-Black-CUH-2215B/579371947
That’s a great deal! The only thing I can think of that is different on the Slim is it lacks a dedicated optical audio output. But being as 99.999956% or users use sound over HDMI it shouldn’t be a concern.
That is a great deal. You might want to get an external HD since 1TB isn’t a lot of disk nowadays.
I can’t believe we are at a point in society/technology where 1TB is just “meh” storage 😀
I hit the big time with a 20 megabyte HD for my Amiga.
My go-to anecdote on this topic is recalling when the first Wing Commander game came out for the PC, and being astonished that it took up 40 whole MB of hard drive space.
My partner in crime remembers when her engineering firm had not one but TWO, TRS-80’s !
There was controversy though, because her department got the one with the extra 256k of RAM.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lord-rings-almost-starred-mick-jagger-1160023
This is fascinating for anyone, but possibly 10% more fascinating if your handle involves Roaming Asshats, and you have a Ralph Bakshi-inspired tattoo.
Holy crap that’s a great find. Bakshi’s films are not all masterpieces and some I can’t even re-watch. But the man was one of the most innovative animators ever and brought an artistic integrity I’ve rarely seen anywhere else.
I too raise a pint to Mr. Bakshi
http://vt.co/entertainment/film-tv/incredible-video-shows-how-astonishingly-precise-rami-maleks-performance-as-freddie-mercury-is/
Malek is a rising star.
I do hope he gets an Academy Nomination for his performance. I really enjoyed his performance.
Morning Oan
It’s cold, snowy, and windy. I think I may stay by the fireplace for awhile
Being mid-November, should we star thinking secret Santa? Should someone poke Amy about it?
Yes.
Good thought! Amy, if you’re lurking – – consider yourself poked!
I gave her an email poke too.
And oh yeah, I was going to complain about something!
So, I read Jeff Vandermeer’s book, “Annihilation,” earlier this year, and found it fascinatingly odd. I loved the setting and what it seemed to be setting up, so I picked up “Authority,” the 2nd book in the trilogy.
WTF.
I usually just stop with terrible books, but I kept reading because I really liked book 1, and I wanted to see him do right by the premise. And the reviews were so enthusiastic, I thought it just had to get better. (Critics are not to be trusted)
It did improve eventually, but not nearly enough. . . I’m still inclined to try finishing the series, but holy crap am I leery now.
I feel much the same with Yoon Ha Lee’s work. Ninefox Gambit was incredible, Raven Stratagem felt like something terrible by a completely different author.
Though, Van has given assurances that I should give the new third book a try and I probably will here in the next couple of months.
Nerds.
Ogre!!!
https://deadline.com/2018/11/william-goldman-dies-oscar-writer-butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid-all-the-presidents-men-1202503283/
Inconceivable 🙁
Life as big as Fezzik
Weird Al Achievement unlocked!
Tickets obtained to see him at the end of June !
I got my tickets for mid-June! Can’t wait. I haven’t seen him live before. I hear it’s something everyone should experience.
Crap joke for the day:
A guy was meeting a friend in a bar and as he went in, he noticed two pretty girls looking at him.
“Nine,” he heard one whisper as he passed.
Feeling pleased with his self , he swaggered over to his buddy and told him a girl had just rated him a nine out of ten.
“I don’t want to ruin it for you,” he said, “but when I walked in, they were speaking German.”
“So what does ‘nine’ mean in German?”
“It means ‘No’.”
CP: Turn It Around — Lucius
CP: Naked Eye – Luscious Jackson
CP: nothing with Luscious or Jackson in the title.
Wahoo!
https://bit.ly/2A0Yohk
An unexpected surprise, but a welcome one to be sure.
Ok. It can stop snowing now.
My mom really doesn’t know anything about either John and I.
John’s birthday is coming up in December. Mom asked me if John would like a gift card to a “store for jocks”. She found out about it from her neighbour who is outdoorsy, and big into sports. Everything we are not.
I suggested she get him a Steam gift card instead.
So he can play sports video games outdoors?
Meh!
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/leticiamiranda/amazon-hq2-finalist-cities-incentives-airport-lounge
At least the human sacrifices haven’t started. Yet.
I often find Bill Maher’s commentaries funny and necessary and right on target. His essay on comics was none of the above. I’m glad he’s getting called out for it.
https://comicbook.com/marvel/2018/11/17/bill-maher-comics-industry-reactions/
I know he loves the Beatles; I wonder he’d react to snobs dismissing them in the same way. Or stand-up comedians telling jokes.
Even so I’ve never ever liked him as a person. His essay doesn’t surprise me at all
It strikes me like the sort of purposely inflammatory rhetoric we occasionally see from fading, formally relavent pundits like Rush Limbaugh. Embracing the idea that even negative public attention and headlines are better than no attention at all.
He is stepping into a bright spotlight made for someone else and giving a sort of sad, “Hey look at me! Look at ME!”.
Blue Canary in the outlet by the light switch, who watches over you?
Not to put too fine a point on it
Countless screaming Argonauts!
I’m beyond glad that Denver didn’t get that monstrosity.
Fantastic Beasts Sequel was a big dose of meh! For me.
I liked it better than the first. Especially when the one CGI blur beat the other CGI blur.
I couldn’t even finish the first one. I have negative interest in the new one.
I also enjoyed this one – about the same, maybe better than the first.
I really enjoy the supporting characters and Newt. Johnny Depp is bleh. This story was a mess for the first 15-20 min, imo but then the story settled in and got good. I felt like it referenced some deep cuts in the HP World, too.
I’m in for the trilogy.
CW: The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Ummm…
CW: The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Ummm…
The new Sabrina show is on here. Michelle Gomez (Missy from Doctor Who) plays a vicious psycho on this show too. I guess she’s not concerned about typecasting.
You know, as much as Stan Lee’s passing shook the world, when we finally lose John Williams, it will be Armageddon.
https://youtu.be/ryorxnoVWxQ
Fight me!
He’s probably the single greatest musician of the 20th Century. Fight me!
*walks in, flanked by Randy Newman and Danny Elfmann*
Oh? I think we might have a thought or two on that.
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/entertainment/celebrity/why-history-will-have-trouble-remembering-marvels-stan-lee-as-a-good-guy/ar-BBPOxnq?li=AAjnRI7
I actually agree with this article. I met the co-creator of Wolverine (Len Wein) in a social setting (we took him and his wife to Banff), and he was slightly bitter over the fact that Stan Lee, who had no real hand in that character (Roy Thomas was the other co-creator), got all the recognition.
History is littered with people who got the credit for what others deserved. I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for people to do the right thing.
I know there a few at Marvel, including Jack Kirby, I think, who felt that Stan took credit sometimes for others’ work. It hardly seems like an Edison vs Tesla thing, though.
I find it hard to believe that Stan will not be fondly remembered, though.
No Stan will always be fondly remembered.
Let’s not forget it took nearly 70 years, but Bill Finger DID finally shed the Bob Kane curse and has been remembered and recognized as the true co-creator of Batman. All comes out in time.
http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/texas-pastor-says-concert-by-devil-worshipping-band-ghost-is-not-healthy-for-our-community/
The article is funny – – to me – – but I don’t post it to mock the pastor. I didn’t listen, just read, but his words in print are reasonable and logical, within the parameters of his religion.
Logical up to a point. He’s okay with Ghost having its message because America has freedom of religion or “irreligion” as he says. Fine. But he’s not okay with a Performing Arts venue signing the band to play? That seems a bit counterintuitive to his first argument. I’m sure he’d be just fine if it was Jars of Clay performing.
True. And I guarantee a cursory glance at their community – and his church – would reveal worse evils than a shock rock band.
I would tend to be less generous with the pastor than you are.
I philosophized on this topic back when Ozzy was biting the head of bats and Black Sabbath was … well, Black Sabbath.
The threat to Christianity has NEVER been from a direct frontal attack. These sort of, very public, displays of satanic stuff is almost always stage show but even when it isn’t – it actually provides a great teaching/discussion point for Christian teachers.
No, the REAL threat to Christianity and any Christian community is public figures such as donald trump, who make a grand showing of being “very moral” and Christian with their words … while their deeds are in fact evil and lack any compassion or humanity.
Youre not wrong
I adhere to the gospel of justaJ0e.
Anyone here ever have to endure a stress fracture in the foot?
Asking for a friend… :cough:
Morning Pan
Kitty decided that she was awake at 3:45 so we had to be too. You don’t realize what a difference 45 minutes of sleep makes until you lose it.
“East of Florida”:
https://on.natgeo.com/2Pwe0UF
Hello everybody! It’s that time of year. Time for Deadpan Secret Santas!
I would like to change up one thing this year. Please use my amybowenwrites at gmail account to contact me and opt in. (Or Facebook Messenger.) I pay attention to those. These days, my Yahoo account is too full of junk from organizations to keep track of personal conversations. Thank you!
w00t!
Sounds good Amy. Once again I’d recommend posting on the FB page too.
HoHoVan!
They shit on your face:
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2012/08/31/everything-you-never-wanted-to-know-about-the-mites-that-eat-crawl-and-have-sex-on-your-face/#.W_K86xanwlQ
Meh
That is all.
https://medium.com/@dr_eprice/laziness-does-not-exist-3af27e312d01
I’m not 100% behind every point in this article – – but I do like the premise. I submit it for your analysis.
Of course laziness exists. But, procrastination and laziness are not necessarily the same thing. She seems to equate the two
Hmmm:
http://thequietus.com/articles/25681-ralph-bakshi-the-lord-of-the-rings-animation-review-anniversary
Cult classic tonight was My Private Idaho
What The Fuck!
Get out of that state! Get out of that state you’re in!
The lawn may be green but you better not be seen
You’re living in your own Private Idaho
Living in your own Private Idaho
Underground like a wild potato
Don’t go on the patio
Beware of the pool
Blue bottomless pool
It leads you straight, right through the gate
That opens on the pool
This song is pretty damn cool. No idea who these guy are.
https://soundcloud.com/mottowsoundz/my-diligence-resentful
HAL needs to work on cooking skills:
https://spectrum.ieee.org/view-from-the-valley/robotics/industrial-robots/zume-the-robotic-pizza-company-makes-a-pizza-only-a-robot-could-love
Morning Pan
Had a lot of trouble dragging my butt out of bed this morning. It was so warm and comfy.
I’m back to waiting for info mode at work *sigh*
I mentioned to Amy, a couple of days ago, she should also put the Secret Santa info on the DP FB page to catch those who are no longer on the board. I notice it hasn’t been done. Should one of us?
Maybe Van should make that post, to make sure it reaches the appropriate audience. . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
Done
!
Note to email Amy… I’ll get in on that.
It’s Thanksgiving week. Meh. I just am not a fan. I’m thinking I’ll do some Uber Eats deliveries that day. People will be ordering takeout right?
My boss is an American ex-pat. She always takes US Thanksgiving off, which means I get it off too! :happy:
We’ll mail you some turkey, to celebrate it American-style. We have more than any small village can handle.
Just look at the size of Greenland, LOOK!
http://www.visualcapitalist.com/mercator-map-true-size-of-countries/#disqus_thread
Alaska is giving Greenland a run for its money
One poster noted the extreme cold of Greenland for its shrinkage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5Jw3kG6k88
So you wanted to hear a piano/folk version of System of a Down’s “Toxicity’? Yes, you do. You really really do. Pure brilliance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO9jCMZCoRw
Wow indeed! And click through to her Chop Suey cover too.
Yep, most of her songs on that album are pretty darn good.
Well due to a strange confluence this weekend is also my long weekend.
There will be no eating of turkey.
So this is cool.
Plus the manager they mention, is the wife of a buddy I’ve known since we were in 4th grade.
https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/nasas-refabricator-recycling-3d-printer-makes-space-place-green-materials-120801/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=social-pug
BTW- They sent this to the space station Monday.
Awesome! But also the premise of a horror movie.
Well fuck!
http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2018/11/brain-destroying-prions-also-spread-through-victims-eyes/
The eyes are the windows to the prions.
Happy Turkey Day to the US Panites
What the bunny said.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Morning Pan
Kitty goes in for her annual check up and shots today. I expect a rather grumpy kitty
This Thanksgiving, go have an AI designed to catch the Zodiac Killer create a poem just for you
http://www.iflscience.com/technology/ai-programmed-to-solve-zodiac-killer-mystery-creates-creepy-poetry-on-the-side
I am Thankful for the Deadpan!
Happy day, all!
It ain’t cool to be no jive turkey so close to Thanksgiving.
Another Thanksgiving tradition:
https://youtu.be/m57gzA2JCcM
H.ubby’s not home this evening (surprise). I don’t know what I want to do
Happy Thanksgiving, Americans!
Feast!!
Well the audience can just fuck off then:
http://bit.ly/2S3tAnN
This is an extremely stupid and misleading article. The pole that was conducted did not ask audiences what movie they wanted to see remade, but rather what movies they wanted to see a sequel to. Huge difference there
Did the poll ask if they’d prefer new originals movies instead of remakes?
Yeah.
So do you in North America have this ‘tradition’ of children giving their teacher a gift before they break up for Xmas holidays?
It didn’t happen in my day..,
It’s hit and miss. As a teacher, hubby would often get small things like Tim Horton’s or Starbucks gift cards. Although he did have one set of parents who were a little more extravagant. However, he usually just got a card or some such thing. As a principal, he doesn’t get anything from the students but will still get a card from the teachers themselves.
Yes it happens. I have known seceral friends give teachers gifts – but mostly during elementary school, no jr high or high school
It happens and it’s a fucking awful tradition that embarrasses those less fortunate students/families in class that can’t afford to get the teacher a gift.
It’s true you are more likely to get something in elementary. I assume it’s because the students usually have only one or two teachers instead of a dozen or so.
Also, to Lo’s point, this is also true. Most (good) teachers try to discourage gifts but it tends to happen anyway. However, once hubby got a handmade card, as opposed to anything store bought or attached to a gift, he still has that card. He doesn’t have any of the other stuff, or the cards attached to them.
Hubby also never opened a gift or card from his students at school. He would put them in his bag, then open them at home so none of the students knew what was given to him. (obvious things like box of chocolates excluded)
https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/amazing-time-lapse-video-of-a-rocket-launch-seen-from-space
Nailed it:
https://i.chzbgr.com/full/9239465216/h6634F8A2/
I completely heard that in his voice.
https://www.planetrock.com/photos/eddie-the-head-through-the-years/i/eddie0/
Even if you don’t like the music, you have to admit that Eddie is a pretty great mascot.
It’s very white and pretty outside
Like Heidi Klum?
Cold and wet ?
With a Seal flopping around on top of it?
Quality joke alert!!!!
It warms my cockles to this didn’t go unnoticed.
Director Nicolas Roeg dies aged 90:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46329949
The Oatmeal explains NASA’s Insight mission to Mars:
https://theoatmeal.com/comics/insight
It’s good to have MST3K back.
The new movie lineup looks absolutely phenomenal
Only halfway through the second Gauntlet episode. Ive come to really like the new team.
Speaking of:
https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-features/mystery-science-theater-3000-30th-anniversary-758435/
Really great article! Speaking of mst3k in my journey to watch every episode from season 2 to the current ones I am on season 4 episode 18 Attack of the Eye Creatures.
This has been such a long journey and it’s taking me at least a year to get this far but man what a rewarding experience. Trying desperately to see them live in Boulder but I’m not sure I can scam the tickets
So we braved Barnes & Noble this afternoon. It actually wasn’t nightmarishly busy.
Cool to see that Mur’s Solo novelization is finally out on the shelves!
That’s pretty awesome! I wonder where her Netflix series is?
This is kinda amazing (and this is not at all to disparage the Yotes fans on here)
Avs JT Compher scores two shorthanded goals on same power play
http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=25359704&ex_cid=espnapi_public
Booooooooooooooooooo.
YOU STOP AND APPRECIATE THE HISTORY!
http://discovermagazine.com/2018/dec/alzheimers-under-attack
Of interest to some of us.
“These bad actors include chronic stress, a lack of exercise and restorative sleep, …”
Great.
Right. I’ve got the royal flush there.
We finished Daredevil s3 last night.
Overall, I liked this season, although it had its quota of “filler” episodes. Too many of them, imo.
I am curious to know how the storylines of the two bad guys of this season compare to the comic version.
https://www.loudersound.com/news/pink-floyds-great-gig-in-the-sky-on-a-theremin-is-miraculously-good
OMFG, “The Great Gig in the Sky” on theremin.
Wow. Mind blown.
Hmmm:
http://DiedInHouse.com
Oh GOD no
It’s not as bad as I thought, but still horrifying.
Coda to the anti-Ghost pastor story:
I listened to bits and pieces of the audio. It’s a typical loony right-wing Limbaugh/Hannity knock off radio show. The pastor is a bit of a crackpot, but he’s still got nothing on the radio host.
Intermission for Prisoner of Azkaban at the Symphony. Awesome way to watch these movies. And the BlackFriday sale price wasn’t too bad for balcony seats.
We saw Fellowship of the Ring that way a few years ago. It was, as you said, awesome.
They were doing Home Alone like that recently at a big local theatre.
I didn’t go.
Hmmm:
http://on.io9.com/UD9Isre
Betrayal Legacy: now if you get a completely horrid house and Haunt, you’re stuck with it for month, not just 2 hours!
Bernardo Bertolucci, Italian film director, dies at 77 :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46342644
Ah work. Whyfor you mock me with your need to be done?
https://mars.nasa.gov/insight/ More about that mission Van linked about the other day.
Wow:
https://boingboing.net/2018/11/11/this-artist-uses-jigsaw-puzzle.html
Ed was always the deal master around here. Ed, if you’re lurking, did you do any Black Friday/Cyber Monday hunting/gathering?
I got a cyber Monday deal on a White Tux jacket. 60% off.
Because somebody’s company decided that the Christmas party should have a THEME this year.
“The Great Gatsby.”
Hmmm …. a story about Characters ruining their lives with excess. A little spot on for a defense contractor isn’t it?
Oh well … for 60% off I am willing to play along, old sport.
We’ve rather given up on the physical participation in Black Friday of late. The thrill just isn’t there anymore compared to clicking from the comfort of a desk chair.
That said, I did take advantage of a deal an ordered a new phone…along with enough other people that I’ll get in another week.
The last cult classic of the year is Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
That’s funny. I watched Little Shop of Horrors today
We watched “Moonstruck” Saturday night.
Still a frivolous but cute story.
So I have avoided the Billiards table for a few day’s, but …
What if, instead of sending 5000 solders to our southern border to deploy razor wire and build a tent encampment for other solders who will be stationed to deploy razor wire … we had sent 5000 case workers to process the people who wish to take the entirely legal action of stepping across the US border and requesting asylum?
If nothing else, imagine the cost savings to the US taxpayer!
The solders are an open ended expense that do NOTHING about the backlog of people waiting to be processed. On the other hand, that many case workers could have handled just one person a day, each … and would have been through in 2 days.
Even if you ARE a fan of using tear gas on women and children …
Can we talk about the fiscal irresponsibility here?
Well, soldiers we’ve got in pretty decent quantities and rapid response is something they train for. Are there 5000 case workers sitting on the bench somewhere ready to deploy at a moment’s notice?
How about 5000 job openings? Job creations! Winning! Becoming great again!
Then our brave, brave leaders can order soldiers to tear gas the children after they’ve been processed.*
*But not if they’re white. And don’t teargas the hot moms in the group, just the ones that are 5s or lower.
Ah crap, I sunk the cue ball.
I my point is, a vast amount of tax dollars are being thrown at this with zero intention of solving the problem …. which is several months worth of refuges arriving all at once.
The army employs clerical workers … why not send them down to process applications. Even just one assigned to this task would reduce the work load more then all 5000 already sent.
Stigmata.
My favourite weapon.
So the baby was rocking out to “Don’t Sweat the Technique” from Eric B. and Rakim. She’s a fan.
Mercyful Fate was up next. She rocked out to the music, but like most people, didn’t know what to make of King Diamond’s vocals.
:love:
Morning Pan
I think, on Thursday, I may watch a pbp movie.
Christmas-themed? Or general schlock?
It’s still November. I refuse to think about Christmas for another week
Talking of horrors:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/27/magazine/insect-apocalypse.html
Nope. Read the link name and refused to open it
No spiders, about the Shrinking of insect populations.
New desktop computer has arrived, the last time I bought I desktop computer was when Windows Vista was released.
As a PC gamer, I try to at least update parts of my computer every couple of years
Yeah my old one was from the Core2Duo era, USB 2 and 1.0 PC express slots and max 4 gig of ram.
I was remiss in telling you all that my older daughter was skating on the local news again today. I’ll find a Fox10 link at post it later.
Choice!
Rest in piece Captain:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6434805/SpongeBob-SquarePants-creator-Stephen-Hillenburg-dies-age-57.html
That makes me sad. There are a few select episodes of Sponge Bob that approach a Python level of humor.
I was about to post: https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/2018/11/27/stephen-hillenburg-spongebob-creator-dead-57/
🙁
Spongebob is definitely the best of the Nickelodeon cartoon shows (not counting Ren & Stimpy). Most of those shows are junk food for the brain. Spongebob at least had some genuine laughs and creativity to it. RIP.
Fuck ALS.
I wonder…
Currently Canada’s biggest export to the US are Ryans. What do you think the tariff on them would be?
They were discussing the first dog in space, Laika, in a podcast I was listening to. This music video was mentioned as an aside. It made me sad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZPxvO1ftY
CP: I Know Your Secrets (feat. Liv Ash) — Tommee Profitt
https://music.avclub.com/the-best-metal-albums-of-2018-1830646750
That High on Fire song, tho. And who’s this band Zeal and Ardor…?
Hubby often buys from this list
My best of 2018 list will have exactly 1 in common with that one: Zeal & Ardor.
Never been into High on Fire, but I appreciate them pointing out how the shirtless guy in that band is also the guy in Stoner band, Sleep. I’ll check the song, if you say so.
I don’t own any songs from these bands. I’ll have to give a listen. It is through lists like this I discovered good bands like YOB.
Elder Daughter is in the background on this one, but it’s only half. I hope they release the video of them actually on the ice.
http://www.fox10phoenix.com/arizona-morning
Has she had any competitions recently?
She took 1st in a competition about 2 months (?) back, which was pretty great. That was for the King George routine, that a few of the Deadpan folks got to see when they were here in July.
Fantastic! Was that the King George from Hamilton?
It was! “You’ll Be Back.” La da da dot da. Dot da da da dye ah da.
Came across this one last night
https://www.ispot.tv/ad/dPQ6/google-pixel-3-night-sight-song-by-queen
Pretty damn good marketing
That is killer.
Ah Ahhhhhhh!
Morning Pan
Off to the mall later this morning
No Bob just no:
http://file770.com/racism-and-sexism/
I don’t know anything about the background here but his defense of himself seems pretty fair and reasoned.
Certainly, the argument for and against using an award ceremony as a platform to air greivences is probably existed since the first awards ceremonies occurred.
As long as he didn’t launch a public attack against her for doing so … I’m not sure what the foul is here.
As I said though … I have no background on this.
Having no special knowledge, I have the same feelings as Joe. Seems like a thoughtful response to the allegations. He made comments in “private” about what he thought was appropriate for acceptance speeches, he didn’t call for censor. As far as the whole “airing of grievances” goes, I’ll admit I am conflicted. As an attendant to an event, one in which I may have even paid money for, I would like the guests to stay on topic. Imagine that everytime you bought a sandwich, you had to listen to someone give you a lecture on the virtues of Scientology. You might have the expectation of just getting lunch. On the other hand, racism and sexism are rampant, and there should be a reckoning, and it shouldn’ t make you feel comfortable. Perhaps, the constant critisim is creating more apathy than change? I don’t know.
Yeah…. I may not agree with his stance against using the awards podium to make social statements or air grievances – – but he thought he was making a remark to a small select audience in a private chat (on the the internet, Bob? That was pretty naive), and someone made it public.
Of course – – I haven’t seen the wording of his private comment; it could have been repulsive, which would change my initial take. . . I’d definitely agree with outing him, if he was using sexist or racist language, even in private – – but by his (credible) account, he was just saying “she shouldn’t be complaining while receiving her award.”
And now, this seems to be his genuine defense against assholes – from the right and the left – who are assuming sexism and racism in his grumbling.
Am I missing something?
*To be clear, if he truly did say something racist or sexist, then I’m all in on calling him out, and his essay is meaningless. IF that’s the case, then the only assholes are the bigots and their defenders.
*To be clear, Van is not an asshole. 🙂 I hope you don’t feel like I’m directing that at you, Van. IF Silverberg’s grumblings were about “not the time and place” and nothing more, then I don’t think it’s fair to call him names.
Wait, Van is not an asshole? Why am I just now hearing of this?…… 😉
Because you didn’t stay for the awards ceremony.
He slagged off an African American author for the winning the Hugo three times.
I don’t know what that means in this situation.
Did he personally attack her race/characture/talent … or did he just express his opposition to her using the ceremony to air out a grievance ?
I’m not challenging you, I’m just ignorant of the details.
Okay …
I did a search to see what the deal was and the only thing I can find was an opinion that Silverberg did not make public but thought he was expressing in private.
This is a re-post of that comment so I have no idea if it has been altered.
– –
I have not read the Jemison books. Perhaps they are wonderful works of science fiction deserving of Hugos every year from now on. But in her graceless and vulgar acceptance speech last night, she insisted that she had not won because of ‘identity politics,’ and proceeded to disprove her own point by rehearsing the grievances of her people and describing her latest Hugo as a middle finger aimed at all those who had created those grievances.
—
Here is a link to Jemisin’s acceptance speech (about 6min).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lFybhRxoVM
“she insisted that she had not won because of ‘identity politics,’ and proceeded to disprove her own point by rehearsing the grievances of her people”
OK, that is a dickish remark at best. Seems like – – in that comment – – he’s saying that he does believe she won because of identity politics.
A literary editor speaks:
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1068003840593678342.html
At the mall. Stores aren’t quite open yet
Why the Onion is necessary:
https://www.theonion.com/holocaust-survivors-recall-exact-day-holocaust-started-1830685498
100%
Not the Onion:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/it-takes-171-days-poop-out-lego-180970897/
Is this the plot of the next Lego movie?
^^^ This is why Rhett needs to do a comedy podcast.
There. I’m done mall shopping until mid January
Jeeesh. I hope you’re not my Secret Santa.
😉
That’s what Amazon is for 😉
Broadcom vs Realtek
Broadcom wins as the USB Bluetooth adapter actually streams audio (without glitches) to my BT Speaker even though it’s using the older 4.0 standard. The inbuilt one that came with the new desktop was running 4.2.
Now if I could only fix the fan that clicks all the bloody time as easy as that.
I tried to make a comeback but somehow I fell off again.
I’m here now though. I’ve been less on the grid than usual now that I don’t have to do social media for a living. I have to say, I’m loving it, but I need to find a way to get back into the habit of checking the pan.. maybe I’ll set a reminder on my phone.
Til then, hope you all had a nice turkey day with your loved ones.
Mine was awesome and I’m in full holiday swing this year already.
I’m doing three different santa exchanges including this one.
Wheeee!
Always good to see your avatar when you do pop in, Cj!
🙂
… where everybody knows your name.
https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/payless-opened-a-fake-luxury-store-palessi-to-see-how-much-people-would-pay-for-20-shoes/
Ha. Haha. Hahahaha. Hahahahahahahaha! (and so on)
Please don’t fuck this one up…
https://youtu.be/p5bW-hbA82c
I don’t think I’ve even bothered with the last couple of Michael Bay iterations, but this one gives me hope.
I applaud your tenacity and optimism. I checked out on this series a long time ago.
Cute:
https://www.boredpanda.com/miniature-mice-family-house-simon-dell/
So judging from the latest twitter thread you North American don’t have egg cup in your kitchen for eating soft boiled eggs.
+s
I believe that to be largely true.
That seems a marvelously English thing. Is it only for soft-boiled? Not hard-boiled?
Mmmm I love soft boiled eggs, but yeah, no specific cup or heating device. I just toss it in a pot and let it simmer.
We call them “three minute eggs” I believe.
Not much point for a hard boiled egg, the cup is to hold the egg so you can cut the top off and dip your toast into the liquid yolk.
All this talk of eggs made me hungry.
I just made the American equivalent (?) of your soft boiled egg. The “sunny side up” fried egg. Complete with toast for dipping in the yolk.
When I was a young lad, my grandmother used to call those “Dippy Eggs”.
They were a rather literal bunch.
Morning Pan
I know we don’t have our secret Santa assignments yet, but I thought I’d give a heads up. Whoever I get, will have something from Amazon. We are just finishing a postal strike here in Canada land. They are saying, because of the backlog, anything mailed internationally today is likely not to be delivered until well into the new year, possibly as late as March.
I’m assuming it’s the same for anything coming here
So back in my school days (yes. pre-industrial revolution), the nae-do-well prank in the public High School was to pull a fire alarm.
It disrupted the day, made everyone stand outside for 30 minutes to an hour (allowing delinquents to slip off campus) and brought out a big, shiny, fire engine with a siren and flashing lights and lots of Firemen!
This happened about twice a school year.
The modern equivalent now seems to be the school shooting threat.
Done from a burner phone or posted by a computer through the safety of a VPN and TOR node.
All instruction/tests come to a stop as all doors are locked and everyone hunkers on the floor for an hour in terror or bored or bored terror. LOTS of VERY excited LEO show up with their sirens and flashing lights and GUNS drawn! Then, depending on the time of the day, the students get sent home early. Also … other area schools go into their own disruptive (and clearly disturbing to younger children) “lockout modes” as a precaution.
This happened here yesterday. It is the second time since the school year started in August.
I knew a kid who got busted for the fire alarm prank and had to go to court and do community service.
I’d have zero sympathy for a *guilty* fake school shooter prankster spending a night in a cell.
I agree.
I brought it up as an observation on modern life.
Society is always changing and having to find ways to deal with the negative off-shoots of that change.
In this case … the “prank” is old but the anonymous nature of the modern delivery system seems to make it far easier to get away with and FAR more disruptive, expensive and potentially deadly.
Technology eventually gave us small, inexpensive video camera’s that could monitor the fire alarm boxes and that helped to curtail that abuse. I guess technology will have to somehow save us from this as well.
Only a couple of hours until movie time
This morning I was like, I don’t feel like coffee, maybe I’ll have tea.
Then I wound up not doing anything caffeinated until about 10 minutes ago.
I’m literally amazed at how one cup of coffee has changed my ability to sit up straight. I think this means I have a problem or dependency on this drug. It’s like I didn’t know but I do know. I know.
Due to reasons, I had to go 100% caffeine free. We will not discuss the headache I had the first few days after quitting cold turkey. However, now that it’s been a month, I actually think I feel better not having to depend on it
I’d like to get to a point where tea is my only caffeine intake, with sodas and coffee as an extremely rare treat.
Not there right now.
Due to medical issues I’m currently dealing with, I can’t make an additional change like giving up coffee. I need to get everything else in order. Plus I love coffee, it’s just that some days I find it disagrees with me. On those days I should probably drink tea – but sometimes it’s hard to tell what will do what…
Although I will drink coffee (with a lot of sugar), I prefer tea with it’s lower caffeine content.
Ok Deadpan, you were warned. It’s movie time
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Wow.
Today’s movie is Elemental
The write up:
He sold his soul to a devil, but buyer beware: it takes a special kind of man to duel with a demon. And he’s very special.
Not Elemental, Errementari. Stupid auto correct
Hell.
This story, like many others, begins a with a man, made of flesh and blood
Cool uniform dude
The dumbing in the movie is…awesome
Not dumbing, dubbing
This time I think it may have been my typing
I don’t think this soldier is overly religious
Santa!
He’s hard, nay, impossible to kill
8 years later? Wait, I don’t understand what happens eight years previously
Do you have a room?
He doesn’t drink? He must be evil
This dialogue is as great as the dubbing
Follow the river to the forge
The devil lives at the forge
Spikey!
His hands are better than a hammer
Thief!
I want to drink the blood
She stole the wine
She found a snake
Eating up a little girl
Kids are stupid
Wow this movie is bad
Back story
It’s good to have minions
If the gate was chained from the outside, how is he inside?
Well, that sucks
Kids are mean
My laundry buzzed. Must throw it in the dryer. Will resume in a bit
Where was I? Oh yes, fire is fascinating
Yes, your mother is in hell
Looking for Matilda’s head
She found his iron mask
He found Matilda’s head
The infernal clicking has stopped.
Turns out a cable was blocking the fan on the graphics card.
After bending the cable away from the fan, voila no clicking.
aren’t motherboards small these day?
Time to drink
Don’t do it. He’s tricking you
He’s free
How do you fight the devil?
Really? Needed a speech before you left?
Time for pitchforks and torches
Now she limps
Another Catholic demon. Go figure
Hell doesn’t leave any loose ends
Don’t be afraid
It’s fun to poke demons
Yellow flowers
Can we rescue her from hell
Get him!
Time to search the forge
More back story
Beating up a priest
Where’s the gold?
The demon has been demoted
Do as I say!
Ring the bell
Showing his true face
He’s a demon peon now… demoted.
shame shame
Freeing the demon
Soul mother
Remind me to never be an orphan in that town. They treat her terribly
Do it
Hell is full of people in their underwear
The head demon is amazing
One, two, three, four, five…
Remember, when fighting demons, always have a jar of chickpeas
A demon in disguise
Never let the truth get in the way of a good story
I’m not sure how to rate this movie. It was an interesting story. Very low budget. With that in mind, I think it was ok
I liked the part where Van fixed the clicking fan in his computer.
🙂
Nah, that was just a predictable Hollywood cliche.
My daughter is turning 15.
She wants a pecan pie instead of a cake.
Here’s hoping they have one at Costco.
(my friend is trying to get some mini ones from Lil’ Miss BBQ but I can’t bank on that)
Also, I’m way too young to have a 15 year old.
So if I was to buy a new monitor, curved or flat?
My Dell 19in monitor from 2007 is still working fine, so like no rush.
It also can be turned and used in portrait mode, good for playing Pac-Man via MAME.
If you’re into First-Person type games, then I’d vote for the curves.
*Curved. cough. Freudian what?
This is why I dropped in:
https://www.thepoke.co.uk/2018/11/27/nick-cave-open-letter/
Heavy poetic emotion warning.
🙁 Netflix wants us to drop them when Disney Play is up and running.
https://m.ign.com/articles/2018/11/29/daredevil-canceled-no-season-4-at-netflix?fbclid=IwAR0ywsqc_DHfDjc0kP4uUrJTzKKJyy5Lr19zz3mgbDN5jho5nUDNGrKBUAc
Seriously
Been expecting this since Disney announced their own streaming service.
Hey, Deadpan. I’m not dead, just dealing with a lot of different and sometimes overlapping extracurricular activities. I will get randomized Deadpan Secret Santa pairings done sometime this weekend – spread the word that this is the last call for signups. Love ya! 🙂
Thank you for all you do, our lovely Deadpan Ambassador! <3
Coming up with photos and write-ups for NJB is not easy. I don’t want to repeat the past… I need new content.
Either New Jack Billionaires or Naked Justin Bieber. . .
Definitely the biebs… tho, the other sounds legit. Make it so.
https://www.avclub.com/scott-pilgrim-is-more-zero-than-superhero-but-his-movi-1830598042
I know this movie has some admirers here. I don’t think it was the right choice for the Age of Heroes column, but it’s still an interesting take.
Pilgrim is a fun silly movie, but I agree with every point the author makes. It is more of a live action anime parody movie than superhero.
In case you missed ditto’s FB post.
This is fascinating and rocking as all fuck
https://www.phantomsway.com/2018/11/17/we-didnt-know-we-needed-mongolian-folk-rock-until-we-heard-it
Pilgrim is definitely not a super hero, and I’ve always found the characters to be idiots, but in the real world, it’s not that far from the truth. I’ve known a lot of happy idiots in my life and the women who love them. *shrug*
I’ll watch it every time someone wants to watch it with me.
The same.
Plus there is Ramona, buff said.
-b +n
Sigmund’s banana peel?
He’s no Carl Sagan:
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/nosacredcows/2018/11/two-more-women-accuse-neil-degrasse-tyson-of-sexual-misconduct/?fbclid=IwAR18GcUuHKFOYjZN2_fepp-SWmPNtoKu1EJx1M_3Y_1-BhWQJb1l72ia0IY
Disturbing, credible-sounding shit. I hope it isn’t true.
As always, though, I’m going to also advise that we don’t become a society that always automatically believes accusers. Take their claims fucking seriously without dismissing them, but let all of the facts come out, before condemning anyone.
Bad sex nominees:
http://bit.ly/2QvO23q
I couldn’t make it all the way through these. I need a bleach shower.
I do love that the first one was co-authored by Major Victor Cornwall and Major Arthur St John Trevelyan.
I couldn’t get through them either. Terrible. It was interesting that Murakami was included in the list.
I read his “Norwegian Wood” novel a few years ago, which also had some god-awful sex talk. Not sure if it was a bad translation or bad writing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kXqkS2yrcs Another song I’m seriously digging this week.
I like it! 😀
Leisure Suit Larry will br in there:
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/11/al-lowe-reveals-his-sierra-source-code-collection-then-puts-all-of-it-on-ebay/
Fuck. https://www.wired.com/story/marriott-hack-protect-yourself/
This may affect all of us.
https://laughingsquid.com/know-your-cephalopods/
Fuck that shit:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/if-youre-single-with-cancer-you-may-get-less-aggressive-treatment-than-a-married-person/2018/11/30/a1286d20-ce18-11e8-920f-dd52e1ae4570_story.html?utm_term=.09690c19b4cb
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ken-berry-dead-f-troop-mamas-family-star-was-85-999739
Deadpan Secret Santa assignments are away! 🙂
I hope you all have you goodreads ‘want to read’ lists up to date
I have a person!
An alternative Xmas film for you in North America:
https://www.sonycrackle.com/watch/video/2484242
I love Tokyo Godfathers, or anything else from Satoshi Kon, for that matter.
Not North America, just America. The website said I was out of region
Today, the house is full of love and guests as Xmas cookies are being made.
I’m doing that on the 14th.
Saw this film today, it was excellent:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disobedience_(2017_film)
Intrigued!
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/12/wildlands-may-be-the-slickest-simplest-fantasy-skirmish-game-ever-made/
NDT’s response. https://ascienceenthusiast.com/neil-degrasse-tyson-releases-statement-accused-sexual-misconduct/
I saw someone post this, they said it contained slut-shaming, arrogance, and mockery. I don’t see it – – but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
I’m inclined to believe him, but that’s definitely a biased take. Let’s see what the independent investigations turn up.
Yeh. I did not see any of that in his post and having read your’s first, I was specifically looking for it.
I can say he has always struck me as a big old, science nerd who has struggled to be “the cool kid” that his success has thrust him into being. I don’t say this as a knock against him but as one of the science nerds.
I wouldn’t have a hard time believing that he might not have a firm grasp of “personal space” and that it isn’t the same for everyone. That wouldn’t excuse his unauthorized touching of another’s arm but maybe it is not so much malicious as it is cluelessness.
New thread! One more for the year.
Hmmm:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/ng-interactive/2018/dec/01/guardian-review-best-books-of-2018?CMP=twt_books_b-gdnbooks