Natter 3^3: You've heard of us.
Edited by Nov 2, 2002 8:43 am
Whee!
(2761 previous messages)
This is now my sister's and my stock answer whenever we don't know the answer to something.
With me and my sister, it's "Mesopotamia!" "Communism!" or "The generation gap!"
Depends on mood and context.
This is now my sister's and my stock answer whenever we don't know the answer to something.
We decided in college that, in Trivial Pursuit Genus Edition, if you don't know the answer to an Entertainment question, odds are good that the answer is "David Niven!"
Jesse H - Aug 28, 2002 1:57 pm (#2764 of 2993)
Recently on some quiz show or other, as it got down to the wire and everything was a tense, a girl was asked to name the largest country in the western hemisphere. After much thinking she triumphantly shouted out, "Asia!"
I saw that! And I'm ashamed to admit, I think it was on Dog Eat Dog.
Hi, Fiona! Welcome back! Emmett is going to school in the East Bay (ie, not where David was hoping.). Today is his first day, I think.
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 6:59 am
Heh. Those are good too. The "Asia" one works best when the question really has nothing at all to do with geography.
And now I'm all happy 'cuz a package just arrived with a (the?) Cry Cry Cry cd and Free to Be You and Me on DVD.
[edit]
And I'm ashamed to admit, I think it was on Dog Eat Dog.
Yep, that sounds about right. Must have been while the cable was out.
dinner and dancing @ the Derby.
Jen K was ACROSS THE STREET!!!
Damnit!
Jen K was ACROSS THE STREET!!!
That'll teach you to leave the computer and, um, have a life or something. Silly Allyson.
- Aug 28, 2002 2:02 pm (#2768 of 2993)
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 7:03 am
Carried over from Backstory: Hi Angus [edit: and Jesse]! And thanks, Jessica [for Look at how cute Benno is!]. I have lots of new cute Benno pics so I'll have to format one. Benno sat in his high chair for the first time this morning! Unsupported! Well, apart from the chair. And later on this week we're starting him on solids.
They grow up so fast <sniff> ;-)
'Ouise - Aug 28, 2002 2:02 pm (#2769 of 2993)
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 7:04 am
Hee. [edit: about the "Asia!" thing]There's a song by Letters to Cleo called "He's Got an Answer For Everything" which has in one verse a question something like "So if you want to know about a small landlocked country in Asia [something something] Buddhists, it's Nepal, it's Nepal, it's Nepal, it's Nepal, Nepal, Nepal ... Nepal!" Sometimes I want to randomly sing the Nepal bit when I don't know the answer to a question.
If I write them down and think for a while I can name all the states of the US. I couldn't possibly label them all on a map, but I could get most of them in the right general area. Mostly I know coast/not coast, northish/southish and eastish/westish. It would be interesting to try, though. Hmmm. Now Canada is much easier - ten provinces and three territories. None of this business of dozens of tiny square states.
Fiona, where in Scotland were you? I lived in Edinburgh for three years. (Well, just outside Edinburgh for the first year.)
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 7:05 am
Fiona--I was in hospital! I was really sick! At one point I had seven different tubes coming out of me!
I'm just saying that because it's been far too long--almost a whole day--since I've told someone that in a transparent bid for sympathy.
<Edit> Just trying to remember if you've even been gone for that long! Quite possibly this is old news.
Benno sat in his high chair for the first time this morning! Unsupported!
Way to go, Benno!!!!!
And later on this week we're starting him on solids.
Excellent. Try a nice porterhouse.
What?
I can still sing the fifty states and the 21 counties, though.
I remember the states by remembering how many start with each letter. Ok, that's a little ambitious. I actually remember that M and N get 8 states each, and A, I and W don't do too badly for themselves either. After that the rest of them tend to fall into line. I mean, five letters get you more than halfway through.
- Aug 28, 2002 2:09 pm (#2773 of 2993)
Fiona, where in Scotland were you? I lived in Edinburgh for three years. (Well, just outside Edinburgh for the first year.)
'Ouise, I stayed at with my parents, who live in the Middle of Nowhere near Perth. I love Edinburgh; I went to school near there (in Musselburgh) for two years. I usually spend a day in the city when I'm at my parents, but didn't this time 'cos it's not really feasible with an infant, unfortunately.
Angus, you can have all the sympathy you need from me anytime. How are you feeling now?
Thanks for all the updates!
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 7:12 am
How are you feeling now?
Almost back to normal now thanks Fiona. Damn--that's not going to get me many pats on the head and there, theres, is it?
Almost back to normal now thanks Fiona. Damn--that's not going to get me many pats on the head and there, theres, is it?
Call attention to the quokka again. Can't hurt.
'Ouise - Aug 28, 2002 2:16 pm (#2776 of 2993)
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 7:17 am
There, there. Pat pat.
Fiona, I thnk I vaguely remember Musselburgh. I lived in Morningside, and this was when I was 11-13, so I didn't get to wander around on my own much. I'll have to get back there sometime to see more of the city. Apparently my father's family (as in the originators of my surname) were originally from Perth, but we didn't manage a visit while we lived there.
- Aug 28, 2002 2:27 pm (#2777 of 2993)
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 7:33 am
OK, so in honour of being back home, and back in Buffistaland, and Benno Sitting!! here is a new picture of me and my Seated!Son.
For Hec's benefit and in my general defence I should mention that I'm going to the hairdresser tomorrow. Right now I look a bit straggly.
Apparently my father's family (as in the originators of my surname) were originally from Perth, but we didn't manage a visit while we lived there.
It's a nice enough place, with a growing reputation for wild and rowdy nightlife. (A man was killed in a pub brawl the night before we flew over, but that's rare enough to be very unusual). The surrounding countryside is what makes it special, though, for me anyway. Beautiful rolling green farmland, forests and the beginnings of the Highlands. And the air is softer and sweeter than it has any right to be.
that's not going to get me many pats on the head and there, theres, is it?
Hey, Angus, whatever you need. No justification necessary! <Pat pat>
Morning!
I have gotten no sleep, because I was out until FOUR IN THE MORNING playing blackjack at Greektown with people in town from my firm.
Jesse H - Aug 28, 2002 2:29 pm (#2779 of 2993)
Benno! Such a big boy!
There, there, Angus. pat, pat
- Aug 28, 2002 2:29 pm (#2780 of 2993)
Shawn has a firm!
Fiona has a cuteness!
Benno Sitting!! here is a new picture of me and my Sitting! Son.
What a little man he is!
Angus, <pat pat>.
'Ouise - Aug 28, 2002 2:30 pm (#2782 of 2993)
Aiee, Shawn. I thought I was doing badly with staying up two hours later than I meant to. I hope you had fun.
I got my hair cut again last night. Same haircut - I was getting a bit shaggy. I like it much better when it is fresh.
Aw, thanks for the pats, everyone!
Talking about Scotland, does everyone know Irvine Welsh has just published a sequel to Trainspotting ? What may make it of interest to Buffistas is the title: Porno.
I need to see L.A. Confidential. Never have. But New!Co-worker is playing the soundtrack, and I'm just loving it.
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 7:38 am
I love L.A. Confidential. But to me the plot of the movie is
Cute Aussie boys overcome their differences to defeat evil Americans!
I hope you had fun.
Oh, yeah. I can't believe I have so much fun with people I'm supposed to work with.
At one point in my life, I was able to identify the 21 counties of New Jersey, but I think I'd get the whole central part of the state messed up now. I can still sing the fifty states and the 21 counties, though.
I can name them to, although I always have trouble figuring out which is which for Salem and Gloucester counties. Rhode Island is frelling piece of cake. Only five counties.
- Aug 28, 2002 2:40 pm (#2788 of 2993)
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 7:42 am
Angus's quote:
Cute Aussie boys overcome their differences to defeat evil Americans!
Oh yeah. 'Cos the real love affair in the movie is between Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe. Kim is just a beard.
L.A. Confidential is probably one of my favourite movies ever. It lets the audience connect some of the dots.
Edited because Angus whitefonted.
'Cos the real love affair in the movie is between Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe. Kim is just a beard.
Well, YEAH!
'Cos the real love affair in the movie is between Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe. Kim is just a beard.
Must...see...soon...
So did anyone see ED on Letterman? Her dress was cut down to there. Pointing at navel.
I got screencaps.
More later, I have to get a ride to work.
I may not have damaged the caliper! If so, that will cut the one side parts by half!!!
Apparently not stomping hard on what was left of the brakes may have saved me from a mess...and a multicar.
Jesse H - Aug 28, 2002 2:43 pm (#2792 of 2993)
I read Trainspotting. I still kind of can't believe I actually finished it. I had to practically read it out loud to decipher some of the accents.
- Aug 28, 2002 2:43 pm (#2793 of 2993)
Only five counties.
And they're small counties at that. You could fit them inside of a Texas county.
The only way I could understand "Trainspotting" was on video with the captioning on.
I liked L.A. Confidential, though mostly for Brenda Bakke.
And they're small counties at that. You could fit them inside of a Texas county.
'Tis true. We only have thirty-nine towns in the whole state.
Dana - Aug 28, 2002 2:56 pm (#2796 of 2993)
Steph, you must see L.A. Confidential.
In eigth grade, I had to memorize all of the Louisiana parishes. I can name maybe...two.
'Cos the real love affair in the movie is between Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe. Kim is just a beard.
Wrod. I love that movie. It's the only movie where I blinked midway through, startled as fuck to realize I was in a fucking movie theatre.
White fonted: When he's crawling under the house, I was holding my nose for about a minute before I realized that of course I couldn't smell the rotting corpse, I wasn't really there. I wasn't the only one in my group who did that, either. Mmm. Such a good movie.
Steph, you must see L.A. Confidential.
Long weekend coming up. I just checked the library to see if they have it, and lo, they do. Downtown, of course, but that's not far from me, so no big.
Again with the catchup--cause I got online last night at midnight, and started to catch up, and went "wait, no, I can't START on 300 posts at midnight..."
So.
Awww. So glad to hear about Kenny and school and everything. I think you should start every day with a cool vaguely educational song. Animaniacs. Schoolhouse Rock. A few other things.
I ate my pluot last night. It was fine, but it just tasted like a rather firm plum. I think I'll stick to normal plums.
John, good luck finding a new roomie! It's tempting, man....three months to a relationship? But do I have to be japanese, and want a boyfriend?
When the mommy imperial power and the daddy nation-state love each other very very much
Nationbuildingslash!!
Helen Keller was a Wobblie!
<revealing ignorance> What's a wobblie? Besdies the weebling/wobbling/not falling down part...<edit; Never mind, already answered>
Alyson! Go to the doctor!!
I've been to the Maryland RenFaire, which was fine, but not as much fun as what I loved back home, the "Feast of the Hunter's Moon", which was set in revolutionary war times, at an old rev.war fort. It was fabulous, and fun. More scruffy than the ren faires.
This thread will be dead by morning
Hee!
(OK, still catching up, but have to go to a meeting...more later...)
I suddenly remembered I had a very random dream about attending a bar mitzvah last night...
$137 on makeup, Alibelle?? What on earth did you get??
The Maryland RenFaire (technically a RenFest, unless there's two) is my favorite one 'cause it's the only one I know of with Shakespeare's Scum, and I'm in love with Nigel.
Sitting Benno is a thing of cuteness.
Heh. If I have to go to dinner tonight, perhaps I should escape the house early. Hmm.
msbelle - Aug 28, 2002 3:06 pm (#2802 of 2993)
And they're small counties at that. You could fit them inside of a Texas county.
snerk. my first job out of college was to monitor a federally funded project in the 26 counties of the Texas panhandle. Those 26 counties cover approx. 2600 square miles.
morning. busy at work.
Question, hivemind. Who does that current pop/rock song with the refrain, "I'm wasting my time / wasting my time"?
'Tis true. We only have thirty-nine towns in the whole state.
I liked RI. More precisely, I liked Providence. While we were there they held this bizarre Medieval-like ritual involving gondolas, wood fires in the canal and the soundtrack to the orgy scene in Eyes Wide Shut.
I thought it was marvellous, though I can't help but feel the organisers would've been disappointed with the lack of hell-beasts from the nether regions it summoned.
Question, hivemind. Who does that current pop/rock song with the refrain, "I'm wasting my time / wasting my time"?
Default, I think.
Emily S. - Aug 28, 2002 3:13 pm (#2806 of 2993)
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 8:13 am
I always messed up Kansas and Nebraska, because they are just squares in the middle and nothing much happens there
Now listen, you. Plenty happens there. Important people were born in Kansas! Important to me, anyway. Actually, I have some trouble with the states out there too. But Kansas is next to Colorado, I remember that.
brenda? It's all right to cry, you know. Crying gets the sad out of you.
Finally, who's for some defensive and nasty overgeneralizations about not just the sexes but Americans and the English? "the modern English male knows little to nothing about courtship, and what he does know frightens him." "American girls are possibly the most wound-up people on the planet." http://www.msnbc.com/news/799211.asp?pne=msn
"American girls are possibly the most wound-up people on the planet."
Uh-oh. If I was inadvertently included in their sample population, I can see how they came to that conclusion. I *always* skew results. </most high-strung human on the planet>
Foamy Burrell!
cute , and very serious Benno!
Go , Jon! Tour, Tour, Tour!
Whatched Rush Hour 2 last night. so my dreams had lots of Jackie chan movesd--plus I kept worring about the fish I needed to cook for dinner. that part came from yesterdays conversation on fish.
To sleep at night sometimes I name the fiffty states alphabeticly forward and then backwards. Sadly I do not label the middle of the map correctly.
To be fair, their sample American girl was Gywneth Paltrow.
To be fair, their sample American girl was Gywneth Paltrow.
Well, I was second choice.
Default, I think.
THANK YOU, billytea!
There's a band called "Default"? <boggle>
I {heart} Teppy's current picture.
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 8:23 am
If you squint, it's kind of like an upside-down Cthulhu is attacking me from below.
Or maybe that's just me...
msbelle - Aug 28, 2002 3:23 pm (#2815 of 2993)
Shawn has earwormed me with that DAMN song!!!!
Dan, glad you are ok - that whole things sucks.
Benno - cutie cutehead!
um - I kinda agree about American girls.
Dan, what a god awful day. I think I know the stretch you’re talking about. Yick! Glad you’re ok. Hope you can get it fixed easily and cheaply.
(Any Buffistas visiting MA/NE who think they would like a visit there, let me know, I have a membership-plus-one that lets me take a guest in free... and since so much of what they do/demonstrate is seasonal, it's Never the Same Village Twice.)
Me, me, me!!!! I want to go. Ok, that was a bit too enthusiastic. It would be fun, though.
My history knowledge sucks. My geography knowledge is probably even worse. I know my teacher’s taught the stuff, but I didn’t have a history teacher that engaged me in the learning process after elementary school. And, most of what I learned in elementary school, if not built on, is gone. This is the trouble of going to a *very* small private school where there is one history teacher who’s lucky to have a teaching certificate; asking for a degree in history would be pushing it. I actually had a teacher who read the book to us during class. That was all he ever did. No wonder I never learned anything.
Burrell, that picture is fabulous. Very. Foamy.
And look at Benno! So sweet, and getting so big.
I had breakfast with the girls from my old office this morning (same company, different location. I worked with this group before I got my promotion). We were talking about our least favorite college classes, though, and one mentioned 16th Century French Literature. Evidently, it’s like taking a class on porn. I thought, hmmm…that should be a required course at the Buffista University!
Jesse H - Aug 28, 2002 3:41 pm (#2817 of 2993)
Oh yeah, I forgot to say -- my cousins from So. Cal. were visiting us in Mass. the summer after their 8th or 9th grade year, and they weren't clear on which war the Revolution was. They asked us if it was the war between the states, or the other one.
There's a band called "Default"? <boggle>
they're Canadian!
That SO explains it.
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 8:48 am
That SO explains it.
counters with HOOTIE AND THE BLOWFISH.
I'm not a fan of Default but here's their web site in case anyone cares. They all look about 15 to me.
http://www.defaultband.cjb.net/
Nutty - Aug 28, 2002 3:49 pm (#2821 of 2993)
I had to practically read it out loud to decipher some of the accents.
Jesse, that was how I felt about A Clockwork Orange. So you're not alone.
Hello, peeps. It's midday already. How much time did I waste being testy on TTTV? A lot.
They're from Vancouver; the, uh, attractiveness-challenged lead singer of Nickelback produced them.
I just sent the All Music Guide page to someone who thought that was Hoobastank singing that song.
Ellen S. - Aug 28, 2002 3:50 pm (#2823 of 2993)
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 8:52 am
My mom did work with an inner city kids group in Atlanta during the 60's. The kids she worked with thought that protesting against the Vietnam War was crazy, because America had to defend itself. They thought that Vietnam was off the coast of California and had attacked us. When mom brought in a globe and explained the situation a bit, they took a long time to believe her, because their version made so much more sense.
They also thought (as apparently lots of people still do) that the moon landing was a hoax. Why spend so much money to go somewhere where there's nothing when we have such problems here? Hard to argue with (but then, space stuff bores me).
edit: Fiona! glad you're back. Benno is so grown up looking!
Dan - hope the car stuff gets cleared up with minimal cost and inconvenience. </does the happy dance of car-non-ownership>
Jesse H - Aug 28, 2002 3:54 pm (#2824 of 2993)
Hey, Buffistas -- can I get some help? I'm getting a cat on Friday (!!!!!), and am looking for advice. I've lived with cats before, but never my own. So, what do I need to get before I get the cat? I'm thinking litter box, food/water bowls, food, litter, scratching post thingie, window screen. Anything else?
- Aug 28, 2002 3:55 pm (#2825 of 2993)
Now I'm earwormed w/that song!!!
I'm tired and easily suggestible maybe.
The funny part of the Gwyneth Paltrow Brit-men fuss is that she is (supposedly) now dating one. ( A musician - - I believe.)
And why do I watch Animal Precinct - - it's so disturbing. . . sad starved puppies that are still so sweet after they've been so neglected.
msbelle - Aug 28, 2002 3:56 pm (#2826 of 2993)
Jesse I would suggest a water squirt bottle - at least one toy - catnip - some deterrant spray - double-sided tape and a swifter if you don't have one.
Jesse-- that sounds about right. My kitties have always prefered the corrugated cardboard scratching pads which one puts catnip on. Also a spray bottle for spraying water when kitty gets into places you don't want him.
- Aug 28, 2002 3:57 pm (#2828 of 2993)
Jesse -- cat toys!!! Maybe some grass for them to munch on - - they enjoy that.
Is it a baby kitten or a grown up?
Also, while looking for that gossip about Gwyneth and some British musician I found this story about Orlando Bloom: Matchmaker.
litter box liners; maybe a brush.
- Aug 28, 2002 3:59 pm (#2830 of 2993)
Found the Gwyneth/Musician story.
Jesse H - Aug 28, 2002 3:59 pm (#2831 of 2993)
I have a spray-bottle for ironing, but maybe I'll get a kitty one, too. Toys, deterrant, OK. Double-sided tape? Oh, for the furniture? I'm sure I'll throw down at Petland Discounts tonight.
msbelle - Aug 28, 2002 4:00 pm (#2832 of 2993)
litter scoop. and you might wanna hold off on toys - baxter's favorite was a ball of aluminum foil - although I highly recommend the cat dancer.
- Aug 28, 2002 4:01 pm (#2833 of 2993)
Is it a short or longhaired kitty?
For a shorthaired kitty - - get a little mini rubber currycomb. My shorthaired cat loves his. For a longhaired kitty - - you'll need a wide-toothed comb and a brush of somesort - - maybe a shedding blade.
Also, something to clip the nails with - - human toenail clippers work well.
Nutty - Aug 28, 2002 4:01 pm (#2834 of 2993)
Cat Ownership 1-2-3:
1) food bowl and water bowl. On floor. Hard crunchy food probably best, like Meow Miz. Pricey stuff good but not spectacular. Cans of wet food keep to use as treats, perhaps. You'll either have a cat that can decide how much it wants to eat (leave food out all the time) or a cat that acts like a dog, in which case you'll have to feed limited amounts at scheduled times.
2) litter box, bag of Jonny Cat (e.g.). 1 bag per box, change every 7-14 days (depending on how soon the cat starts pooping on the floor, which depends on how picky she is about a clean box). Stir daily with a dedicated tool like a (former) slotted spoon. Scoop up doo doo and put in plastic bagie and throw away. Probably do this daily.
3) cat proof your house! That means no open windows without screens, no delicate things where they can be swept off to be dashed on the floor, and personally I have to hide ribbons and thread. Distracting cat toys can be of the good, which means leather mice from the grocery store, or just wadded up balls of paper.
There's more, about acclimatizing a cat to a new enviornment. Shall we go into detail?
I liked RI. More precisely, I liked Providence. While we were there they held this bizarre Medieval-like ritual involving gondolas, wood fires in the canal and the soundtrack to the orgy scene in Eyes Wide Shut.
Waterfire. I hear it's great, but I haven't been to see it yet.
Jesse H - Aug 28, 2002 4:01 pm (#2836 of 2993)
Thanks, guys!
I'm planning on getting a grown-up kitty at the shelter, but I'll have to be strong to resist the cuteness of kittens.
- Aug 28, 2002 4:02 pm (#2837 of 2993)
Hmmm, really spoiled kitties like kitty waterfountains.
I have a friend who got one - - not really for the spoiled cat - - but because her cats preferred running water and one of them had to go on bottled water only due to a kidney condition.
you might wanna hold off on toys - baxter's favorite was a ball of aluminum foil - although I highly recommend the cat dancer.
The plastic rings off of milk jugs were a favorite of Bailey's. But then she'd play with anything she deemed hers. Bagels, socks, a softball -- you name it.
The appeal to the cat dancer is that it's so much fun for the human. Oooh! A laser pointer is FUN! You make the laser beam run all over the floor, and the cat goes bonkers trying to catch it.
Jesse H - Aug 28, 2002 4:03 pm (#2839 of 2993)
There's more, about acclimatizing a cat to a new enviornment. Shall we go into detail?
Yes, please!
msbelle - Aug 28, 2002 4:05 pm (#2840 of 2993)
Jesse's cuteness is debilitating!
must run to midtown meeting thingy.
- Aug 28, 2002 4:11 pm (#2841 of 2993)
My cat Tanuki loves balled up pieces of paper and catnip sachets. (She likes to sit on them possessively.) When she was young (pre-Ivan) she would retrieve tossed paper-balls forever.
Ivan loves fur-mice. Both love peacock feathers.
Dana - Aug 28, 2002 4:13 pm (#2842 of 2993)
Oh, Jesus Christ on a stick.
HOLLYWOOD, California (Reuters) -- CBS is resurrecting "The Beverly Hillbillies" as a reality series, Variety reports.
The network will soon begin casting for a weekly half-hour series that will follow the adventures of a rural, lower-middle class family -- yes, there will be a granny -- as they are transplanted from their humble digs to a Beverly Hills mansion. The project is tentatively titled "Real Beverly Hillbillies."
http://www.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/TV/08/28/television.hillbillies.reut/index.html
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 9:14 am
(She likes to sit on them possessively.)
Bailey did this! She'd casually stroll over them (so it was directly beneath her tummy), with this attitude of "nothing to see here, move along, I'm just out for a walk," and then WHAM!!!! She'd trap it between her back feet (like "Ha ha! Foolish milk ring, I have bested you!") and sit on it for a while.
- Aug 28, 2002 4:15 pm (#2844 of 2993)
I'd suggest going with a grown up cat, one with a developed personality. This is still hit and miss, but twice Mom has gone with "ohh! a cute kitten!" and twice, despite her best efforts, she's ended up with weird cats that do unsocialable things. So at least if it's a grown up cat they have a personality in place. Just my two cents.
Play mice are always good cat toys. They are cheap, cats love them. My cat likes to eat the tails off. If you get a long hair cat I'd suggest starting him/her on hairball remedy. It comes in tube, you can get it at the supermarket, my cat prefers it over cat treats. Anna isn't a long hair cat but she has gets hairballs often so I give her that and she thinks she's getting some great treat.
- Aug 28, 2002 4:17 pm (#2845 of 2993)
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 9:18 am
Jesse, you'll also need a lint brush for yourself! Those sticky roller ones work best for cat hair.
When you first take your kitty home, he/she might be freaked out, so it's best to give keep him to one room for the first day. Once s/he gets used to all the new smells, then he can explore.
- Aug 28, 2002 4:18 pm (#2846 of 2993)
Huh. A woman whose name is a mishmash of XF characters just posted in the company classifieds that her dog "Erotica" was stolen and she needs a new dog for her and her 5 year old.
Her 5 year old went around calling a dog Erotica? That's ... interesting.
And that's all I got for pet stuff. Our cat used to play with lizards, and then he got eaten by the Ridgeback next door.
Nutty - Aug 28, 2002 4:28 pm (#2847 of 2993)
What Susan said about acclimatizing. Start with one room, with places for the cat to hide like a box or a bed with crawlspace. Be in that room for an evening or a day, so the cat gets to know you and the space. Talk, call the cat by its name, try to engage it and figure out what its habits are. A grownup cat will already have a personality, and may be hard to train on some basic things (like being phobic about being cooped up in a cat box; mine hates that), but they do accomodate a little.
And yes, lint rollers are God's handiwork. Especially if you wear black all the time!
Jesse H - Aug 28, 2002 4:28 pm (#2848 of 2993)
Now I have the Madonna song in my head.
OK, when you say keep it in one room at first, here at the choices: bathroom, bedroom, rest of apt (kitchen/living room). My bedroom is small. Also cluttered. But it is bigger than the bathroom. Hmm.
Jesse H - Aug 28, 2002 4:29 pm (#2849 of 2993)
Aha -- crosspost.
Start with one room, with places for the cat to hide like a box or a bed with crawlspace. Be in that room for an evening or a day, so the cat gets to know you and the space.
OK, so I start in my room with the cat. All the litter and food and stuff in there, too? And then just move it out?
Nutty - Aug 28, 2002 4:33 pm (#2850 of 2993)
Sure. A few days with everything in one room, and maybe day 1 keep the door closed, day 2 leave teh door ajar, day 3 leave the door wide open. Then move some stuff out into the kitchen, show the cat where they are, and spend that day with the cat, again, in the new territory.
Okay, it may take a week or so, if your cat's a freak paranoiac like mine.
Jesse H - Aug 28, 2002 4:37 pm (#2851 of 2993)
Thanks for the tips! I'm so excited! But also, nervous. And it seems like doing it over Labor Day was the best plan yet. I'll get it Friday afternoon, and then be able to be home a lot until Tuesday morning. Whee!!
- Aug 28, 2002 4:38 pm (#2852 of 2993)
Hmmm, I got my cats when they were kittens. Tanuki adapted very quickly. (She is full of confidence and came from a family.)
Ivan was a sickly little one and spent a month in isolation. By the time he could come out he was well acclimized and two of the other three cats in the house were dying to meet him. (Tanuki and Basil - - they were trying to dig their way into the bedroom where he was in isolation.)
More catching up, after a horrid presentation on the new travel-booking system we'll have to use. Ew.
By the way, I'm impressed with anyone who can identify US states on a map.
I think I could get most of them. A few by process of elimination-- "Hmm, that's Oklahoma, so this must be....Iowa?". But I'd get screwed on New England. Too small to see, on a map....
At one point (during my Irish History class), I could identify all the 26 (?) counties in Ireland, too...
I could not, however, at any point name the 92 counties in Indiana, my home state. That's too freakin' many.
This is now my sister's and my stock answer whenever we don't know the answer to something
Heh. In high school I was on one of those quiz teams (among other geeky activities including "Spellbowl"), and we decided if you didn't know the answer it was always Thomas Jefferson, zero, or one.
Hi Fiona! Lovely to hear about Bennobabe!! He's so BIG!
What, praytell, is the difference between a RenFaire and a RenFest?
OK, who the hell put "Conjunction Junction" In my head? Damn you!
CBS is resurrecting "The Beverly Hillbillies" as a reality series,
Dear sweet Jesus. Who the HELL are these television people??
ita, her dog was stolen, and she needs a new dog. That sounds very....sketchy.
I have no cat advice.
My cats were my sisters . we just dumped themin the house and let them find there own places to hide. The adjusted pretty quickly -- but then the eight hour drive from VA ( done over 2 days) might have made the idea of strange house more acceptable.
The move to Ca was more fun. they flew on the plane. then a week in a Kennel. then I put them in a strage house. They spent a week talking to me -- constantly. Bert followed me everywhere. Percy would hide under the bed -- then come out and complain, then hide and on and on and on. I had cats, no tv, I was in a new place ( new home, new town, new state) ,and DH had just started a new job and was working LONG hours. I am proud that I kept my sanity.
So my cab driver greeted me with "hop in, baby" and then proceeded to try to sell me Christian propaganda, all the while leaning on the horn. Thank god it was a short trip.
erika jahneke - Aug 28, 2002 4:53 pm (#2856 of 2993)
Hello everyone,
As mentioned somewhere upthread, I cannot believe how much of ED's breasts America got to see last night.I'm always torn about outfits like that, between OMG! Cover yourself! And I wish I had the guts to wear something bold like that.
I owe Jon Stewart an apology. For totally underestimating his show and treating it like frickin' "Weekend Update" or something. I watched it the other night and he had this Iraq weapons spotter guy on(sorry. The word I'm looking for, can't find it, maybe it's under the metric ton o' Natter. Anyway, He Read The Book that the guy wrote.Some real news people can't be bothered to do that. Sorry, Jon. It's not your fault you're on the same channel with the "Man Show"
I want there to be a new reality series in which 10 network executives are forced to live in a one bedroom in the ghetto with nothing more than foodstamps and a dirty mattress for three months. They will not have a car, no access to money, friends or family, and the toilet will break in the first episode.
erika jahneke - Aug 28, 2002 4:59 pm (#2858 of 2993)
Then they would be real Survivors I like that idea, Allyson.
Because some people don't have to make fake problems.
Afternoon, folks. At the moment I'm playing around between classes in the Commons.
I had my Approaches to Ethics class today. It's taught by a professor that has a bad rep, but I like him. He entertains me talking in class, by which I mean I like to ask a lot of questions and discuss what he's talking about, and one of the things he mentions in the syllabus is that it's a discussion driven class. Well, a reading&discussion driven class, but either way, I'm good.
Of course, I slept through my Latin class this morning...
Hi Buffistas,
I bored. Should I have more caffiene?
Dana - Aug 28, 2002 5:02 pm (#2861 of 2993)
Should I have more caffiene?
The answer to that is always "Yes."
- Aug 28, 2002 5:02 pm (#2862 of 2993)
Caffeine or porn.
Problem is, who do you pitch such an idea, to?
Dana - Aug 28, 2002 5:03 pm (#2864 of 2993)
or porn.
The answer to that? Also "Yes."
For the amount of coffee I drink, you'd think I'd be able to spell caffeine ...
Right, no porn at work so caffeine it is!
no porn at work
Well, the Buffistas are porny enough.
I miss Ray and Butch.
- Aug 28, 2002 5:06 pm (#2867 of 2993)
I cannot believe how much of ED's breasts America got to see last night.
In connection with nothing, this line made me think of my cousin Ed, who turns 40 today.
- Aug 28, 2002 5:07 pm (#2868 of 2993)
I want to see ED's breasts!
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 10:09 am
I cannot believe how much of ED's breasts America got to see last night.
In connection with nothing, this line made me think of my cousin Ed, who turns 40 today.
Do we get to see *his* man-breasts?
Problem is, who do you pitch such an idea, to?
Yeah, really. I'm not sure the network executives would be all to thrilled about the idea.
- Aug 28, 2002 5:10 pm (#2871 of 2993)
Benno is adorable. And sitting up, and So Big! Nice to see your face again, too, Fiona. Glad the trip and the weather were good for you.
Dan, whew. I know it was a major pain and somewhat of a scare, but I'm glad you're okay, and it sounds like the car may not be as bad off as it could have been.
Burrell's new pic is so cute, with the eye, and the pretty hair.
Emily S. - Aug 28, 2002 5:10 pm (#2872 of 2993)
What happened to Ray and Butch, anyway? Will they ever consummate their manly cafeteria love, or will they forever be stuck at that "sharing a bottle of coke" stage, held back by society's strictures?
Hope that cafeteria table is sturdy.
- Aug 28, 2002 5:11 pm (#2874 of 2993)
Oh, I see them as more the vertical support type. Say, a vending machine?
Damn. And it's a fine idea. I'd watch that. I would love to watch Jamie Kellner being forced to use an empty box of mac n' cheese to wipe his ass.
Emily S. - Aug 28, 2002 5:12 pm (#2876 of 2993)
It'd have to be. Ray and Butch are solid hunks of men.
In other news, I continue to read badfic even when I know it's going to be bad. Even when everything the author's written is bad, and the warnings make it clear that it's going to be bad. Why is that?
erika jahneke - Aug 28, 2002 5:17 pm (#2877 of 2993)
that train wreck thing?
Schadenfreude?
A subconscious self-destructive urge?
It's funny.
I'm out.
On sizes of counties: Back in Texas, my Dad used to say (of Northerners), "They cross states the way we cross counties." Nowadays I cross 4 or 5 counties on my way to work, depending on which way I go.
Random bit of trivia: All the French-speaking countries in the world put together would fit in Texas. (I have more like that. We learned it in school.)
I have been earwormed with "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" for three days now. Occasionally relieved by "kick your feet up, step in time..."
- Aug 28, 2002 5:21 pm (#2879 of 2993)
All the French-speaking countries in the world put together would fit in Texas
Oh, poor France! Can we count the French bilingual ones too? Cause then they kick ass.
Jesse H - Aug 28, 2002 5:21 pm (#2880 of 2993)
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 10:22 am
Djibouti!
Edit: Uh, French-speaking country.
In other news, I continue to read badfic even when I know it's going to be bad. Even when everything the author's written is bad, and the warnings make it clear that it's going to be bad. Why is that?
You're insane?
You have a real problem and need an intervention?
How would one do a badfic intervention anyway? "Hey, Em, whyn't you come on over here and check out this Due South/Rocky and Bullwinkle mpreg x-over? Yeah, it's truly horrib--GRAB HER!!"
For the rest of the day, I will hate MM for that visual.
Emily S. - Aug 28, 2002 5:29 pm (#2883 of 2993)
"Hey, Em, whyn't you come on over here and check out this Due South/Rocky and Bullwinkle mpreg x-over? Yeah, it's truly horrib--GRAB HER!!"
Spitting on my monitor with laughter...
See, but fics that bad I read for a purpose -- to share them with you! That, and they make me laugh. But things like, let's see... "Spock shivered as he waited for Kirk to return. Never had he imagined that the man with indeterminate haircolor, who had always seemed so affectionate, if unduly emotional, would turn out to be so abusive and cruel!" It just gives me a pain.
It should give you pain.
Anne Weber - Aug 28, 2002 5:33 pm (#2885 of 2993)
Em, is that an actual quote from an actual fic? If so... scary.
scrappy - Aug 28, 2002 5:35 pm (#2886 of 2993)
Hey, Buffistae, I'm back from my trip to visit best friend in New England. We caught up, I checked out (and approved) her new BF, and we got killer massages. We've been best friends since 1977, and there is something precious about all the life changes we have been through together, or helped each other through. She hasn't been in a serious relationship in 11 years, and hasn't had a date in 5, so this was a big deal. The BF is handsome, smart and sexy and he and I got on like a house afire. All in all, a fabulous trip.
Benno is cute like a thing that is so cute you have to smile when you see it.
Emily S. - Aug 28, 2002 5:37 pm (#2887 of 2993)
Em, is that an actual quote from an actual fic? If so... scary.
No. But to be honest, it's really really close. Actually, I pretty much changed the names (okay, and I added the indeterminate haircolor thing).
Emily S. - Aug 28, 2002 5:44 pm (#2888 of 2993)
Damn you, MiracleMan! I can never watch Rocky and Bullwinkle again.
msbelle - Aug 28, 2002 5:52 pm (#2889 of 2993)
The water in my building is shut off so the building is closing at 2. So after my trip to midtown - this day has been basically 1 task. WooHoo! naner naner naner
I don't want to see anyone's breasts and I have no slash fantasies. I think that brings us all up to date.
Damn you, MiracleMan! I can never watch Rocky and Bullwinkle again.
"Rocky shivered in anticipation as the 400 lb. moose moved closer. 'Hey Rocky,' he heard and moaned slightly.
'Watch me pull a rabbit...'"
New Burrell pic - foamy like a thing that is foamy.
And new Fiona and Benno pic - so much cuteness! And if that's Fiona in a scruffy, pre-hairdresser state, I tremble (or wibble) to think of what she must look like afterward.
And eek, Dan! Can't believe you went through all that and then went on to write such a lovely bit of filk.
I thought my geography skills sucked, but I at least know which U.S. states are landlocked and which aren't.
Completely in awe now of Allyson, who among her other superhero attributes (aside from the evil ovaries, which must stop hurting her right now or else) lives across the street from the Derby.
And, lastly, not to torture Allyson or Emily or the other Faire haters, but here is the best Ren Faire info site anywhere, chock full of English history, Faire history (probably at least 40 years old, started as a Saturday afternoon extra-credit project in a middle school teacher's backyard to introduce her students to Shakespeare's work and life; grew into a yearly backyard party; grew into a block party; became the Renaissance Faire about 35 years ago -- and the teacher is still living, and lives hereabouts and is very very nice, bright, energetic and enthusiastic (despite the fact that her son and DIL have just about ruined her beautiful creation)</petty gossip>), info on dialect, clothing, food, literature, music, dancing, and links to bigger and better sites on all of the above.
The site is run (or was, anyway -- hasn't been updated in a very very long time) by one of the prettiest men in the world, especially if your taste runs to men in eyeliner.
And I'd like to offer a blanket apology to Allyson, Emily, and anyone else who's ever been trapped and hassled by a performer. That's not supposed to happen. The actors are supposed to get training in playing with the audience, and in sussing people out and getting a feel for who's improv-receptive and who isn't. At my Faire, <braggity brag> such hassling is relatively rare -- there's a lot of interaction with the audience, but it's on very open, easy-going terms, invitations which you're free to walk away from. </braggity brag> Hassling is icky. If you've been hassled, sorry sorry sorry.
- Aug 28, 2002 5:53 pm (#2892 of 2993)
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 10:53 am
Is anyone having any trouble posting? I keep getting "cannot load page" and "post contains no data".
Like, a lot. I eventually gave up on snarking MM in NAFDA because of it.
Let's see how this works ...
Two tries so far ...
Guh. Took me four in the end, with lots of refreshing in the middle.
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 10:53 am
Oh, scrappy, that's awesome! It's so good when you approve and get along with best friends' SOs.
I am eating my second pint of rasberries in two days. But, see, they were on SALE, and if you dont' eat them quick, they go bad...
<Edit: Yes, ita, I"m having that problem a lot, but I assumed it was just my crazy work connection>
Like, a lot. I eventually gave up on snarking MM in NAFDA because of it.
See? That's what you get...
Emily S. - Aug 28, 2002 5:57 pm (#2895 of 2993)
And, lastly, not to torture Allyson or Emily or the other Faire haters,
Oh, I don't hate! Not a hater! I think it's great. Just. Not me? I mean, yeah, I've been hassled once or twice, but mostly it's just... hm. Not to my taste. I think they're great, I just don't seem to enjoy them much.
Jesse H - Aug 28, 2002 5:58 pm (#2896 of 2993)
Welcome back, scrappy! Sounds like a great trip.
msbelle - Aug 28, 2002 5:59 pm (#2897 of 2993)
so... the building is closing at 2, but boss hasn't indicated that we can leave....wtf...
Emily S. - Aug 28, 2002 5:59 pm (#2898 of 2993)
Cereal. Everybody but MiracleMan, avert your eyes.
"I'm sorry, Ray, I truly didn't think you'd mind. And I had assumed that cartoon moose physiology would more closely resemble that of the non-cartoon variety, and since he was a *male* cartoon moose... And I am certain that he was a male cartoon moose, Ray, quite, quite certain."
Think you can scare me off, do you?
Dana - Aug 28, 2002 6:01 pm (#2899 of 2993)
So who remembers the 401K problems I had a couple months ago? And how Payroll was supposed to fix it?
They didn't fix it. Nothing has been fixed.
Dana! That sucks! Have they still been taking out the wrong amount or is it the back amount that is still not fixed?
Welcome back Scrappy
Dana - Aug 28, 2002 6:08 pm (#2901 of 2993)
It's the back amount. I was still fighting them on the stuff from last year, but they were supposed to have caught up on contributions from the first half of this year. They didn't.
lives across the street from the Derby.
It's great neighborhood. I live in a supply closet, but it's a great great neighborhood. And Fury used to live near me! It was before I moved here, damnit, but the thought of bumping into him at the Albertson's...gah. Excuse me while I have a David Cassidyesque fangurl fantasy of completely idiotic proportions...
I don't hate ren faires either. Just not my thang. The idea of being trapped in medieval times, before hairdryers and tampons and public library books is a nightmare, and a ren faire makes me think about that. It's totally my fatalistic imagination.
Dana, WTF? Time to start shedding blood and severing limbs around there. Do they have even the smallest, faintest whisper of an excuse, or are they willing to actually admit that they are fuckups with the cumulative intelligence of a bucket of paint?
Dana - Aug 28, 2002 6:12 pm (#2904 of 2993)
Do they have even the smallest, faintest whisper of an excuse, or are they willing to actually admit that they are fuckups with the cumulative intelligence of a bucket of paint?
Haven't yet talked to anyone this time. Last time, there were no apologies, and they seemed rather surprised that I wanted my money for the *year* that they'd overlooked my contributions.
I love when JZ opens the whoop-ass.
EW! Slay them, Dana. Use the body of NewCowOrker to take them out. Or as a shield, or something.
I want to go to a big irish music competition I just read about in the Times. Also, I want to live in a town of 3500 people that has 35 bars. Dude. That's a tiny town, and a LOT of bars!!! (OK, so I don't really want to live in that small a town. Whatever).
Do they have even the smallest, faintest whisper of an excuse, or are they willing to actually admit that they are fuckups with the cumulative intelligence of a bucket of paint?
Actually, I've seen some pretty smart (comparatively) buckets of paint, in nice colors. I think the 401K people at Dana's place of employment must be way stupider than even the dumbest bucket of paint. Maybe even dumber than Dubya.
Jesse H - Aug 28, 2002 6:16 pm (#2908 of 2993)
Slay them, Dana. Use the body of NewCowOrker to take them out. Or as a shield, or something.
That's a good call. I vote for that. Two, two, two vengeances in one.
Dana, how would you like them sliced? Crap. Know a friendly attorney?
OMG, Benno is cute! I had to darken the monitor to withstand the cuteness!
We sang the Preamble to the Constitution this morning. I think the singing is going to be a part of the morning ritual.
Boy reading the protests over the Stamp Act and looking bored. I sing the bit from Schoolhouse Rock about taxation without representation; he looks at me as if I've lost my mind. Finally I cut to Patrick Henry's outburst during the Virginia Convention -- something else I'd never actually read, though every American recognizes the ending.
I started to choke up while reading it aloud. By the time I reached the end, Kenny had tears in his eyes and the hairs on his arms were standing up. Who cares if the guy cribbed from Cicero? It's a damned good speech.
The Horde arrives for lunch; they are intercepted in the entryway. "Wait, you have to hear this!" He starts to read. "Is that a history book?" "Shut up and listen."
They're all quivering when he puts the book down. "That was --" "Yeah." "Man, who knew history could be cool?"
Hee. While I'm thinking of it, if any of the Buffistas have copies of War Letters, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, or the collected letters of John and Abigail Adams that they'd like to unload, insent me: I'll cover postage.
Dana, is it a small business?
Dana - Aug 28, 2002 6:21 pm (#2911 of 2993)
is it a small business?
My company? No. In fact, they're a rather large payroll company.
Ow. My eardrums almost shattered from all that hysterical laughter.
scrappy - Aug 28, 2002 6:21 pm (#2912 of 2993)
Dana--That sucks. Sending payroll reasonableness vibes your way. And lots of 'em, since it sounds like you'll need an assload.
Argh, Dana! My sympathies!
I somedays despair of people. Especially people who, at a concert, have been repeatedly informed that their incessant shrieking is not only annoying but is actually a source of physical pain to the concertgoers adjacent to them. People who, regardless of the performer's explicit request to quiet down for a quiet meaningful song, continue to shriek said performer's name at who-knows-what cost to their own vocal chords and the eardrums of adjacent concertgoers.
For the first time in my life, I really wanted to bitchslap a complete stranger in Real Life (not on the internet, where I want to do that at highly frequent intervals). Gah.
On the other hand, Bruce was marvelous, Little Steven hasn't let his new fame get to his head, and Patti Scialfa looks absurdly good for a 40-something mother of 3. Sigh.
I had to skip nearly 500 posts. My god the Buffistas are nattery.
Amyparker: check out Bill Bryson's book Made in America. He's got some fascinating and illusion-popping revelations about the Fathers of our Country. I really need to read the rest of it.
Hm. Yeah, have a lawyer send a letter. Sometimes that's enough to trigger someone to get off their ass. Failing that, I don't mind testing the theory that you can stretch a human's intestines across the entire state of Texas. As far as I know, no one has really tried to prove it.
- Aug 28, 2002 6:27 pm (#2916 of 2993)
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 11:29 am
I wanna go to KennySchool.
Watch it, amy, you'll wind up teaching the whole Horde.
edit: Oh crap, Dana. Yeah, I think the only thing that's going to make an impression on the evil non-withholders is lawyer intervention.
scrappy - Aug 28, 2002 6:29 pm (#2917 of 2993)
I had to skip a bunch of posts--How has Jen K.'s visit gone so far? I gathered something transpired at The Derby--how was it?
erika jahneke - Aug 28, 2002 6:29 pm (#2918 of 2993)
Suela, you are a fortunate bitca and I now hate you. Nothing personal.Being financially challenged sucks.
http://www.salon.com/tech/wire/2002/08/27/betamax/index.html
Apparently, they hadn't ALREADY stopped making Beta VCRs, and only NOW announced they're going to stop??? Um, can you say DUH?
I have Schoolhouse Rock on my computer, though I didn't grow up listening to it (I did, however, help direct a drama camp performance of selected pieces...). And usually I keep the songs on my computer on "random"....so yes, occasionally you get the end of "Drive" followed by "We the People, in order to form a more perfect union.." But I now know more of certain pieces of history than I did before...
The Horde arrives for lunch; they are intercepted in the entryway. "Wait, you have to hear this!" He starts to read. "Is that a history book?" "Shut up and listen."
They're all quivering when he puts the book down. "That was --" "Yeah." "Man, who knew history could be cool?"
I *totally* want to go to Kenny School!
Huh. The Horde sounds equal parts fearsome and great fun. Will they be a permanent component of lunchtime?
There may be a copy of Drawing on the Right Side... floating around my mom's house. I'll ask. She hasn't done any drawing in many years, so she may be willing to give it up. Or at least let it visit someone else for a while. She has the same thing I do about not liking to see a book sitting around neglected for too long.
She's also a huge and passionate U.S. history buff; while I doubt she'd be willing to let any of her books go, I know she'd be able to come up with a good list of intelligent, stirring, set-your-brain-and-heart-on-fire books about the Revolution. Sadly, I know this because she has at various times given me just such a list and I've never read any of them, because I myself am not a passionate U.S. history buff. (Geez, took three tries before I could type "buff" and not "buffy".)
You sound like a terrific teacher already.
And a last Faire note: I've learned more about acting there than anywhere else, studying under anyone else. If you want to hone your improv skills to a terrifyingly keen point, learn how to make an ass of yourself and to fail spectacularly and with panache, and forever and ever lose the really bad stage fright (nerves are good, the gutwrenching terror that keeps you home from auditions and helps you fuck up the ones you do go to is not -- and I speak from experience), there is no better training ground on earth.
Plus, the pretty eyeliner'd boy linked to upthread works there, and he's much prettier in person. Guh, wibble, swoon, and foamy! prettier.
Brief visit by the female members of the Horde:
There is an exchange student from Scotland. She is shy. The girls brought her over; she waited on the porch. Kenny went out, introduced himself politely, and said she was more than welcome to come in, as his mother was here (more introductions). Jade declined politely but looked a bit more relaxed. The girls depart, as sitting on the porch was not what they had in mind. The boys groused briefly and went back to gaming.
This is interesting to watch.
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 11:36 am
nerves are good, the gutwrenching terror that keeps you home from auditions and helps you fuck up the ones you do go to is not -- and I speak from experience
Heh. Yeah, see, when acting/singing, I don't get stage fright before performances. I do, however, have awful awful audition-fright. Which means I screw up badly and rarely get a chance to get TO the performance-part...
(Oddly, when playing an instrument (if I have a solo or soli part, where it'd be obvious if I weren't good), then I'm very nervous in performance)
<edit: Ooh! Teenage social habits! And girl with accent! More stories will be demanded as they happen, Amy...>
Anne Weber - Aug 28, 2002 6:36 pm (#2924 of 2993)
Amy, I have the oddest feeling that the Horde will probably learn more and retain more from their lunch-time visits to you and Kenny than they will during the rest of their school day.
The bit of history that always gets me choked up and teary eyed is the Battle of Dunkirk, when the little fleet of British civilians came to the rescue of their troops.
scrappy - Aug 28, 2002 6:38 pm (#2925 of 2993)
Kenny is the best--but, you know, given who his Mom is, that is SO not a surprise.
I knew that Betamax lasted longer overseas than it did here (Americans have always been faster to dump the format with the quality image for the format that's cheaper and more readily available), but I had no idea it had lasted this long! Especially with DVDs taking over.
The bit of history that always gets me choked up and teary eyed is the Battle of Dunkirk, when the little fleet of British civilians came to the rescue of their troops.
Yeah. For me it's And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda, but then it's supposed to have that effect. Especially if you happen to be driving back from Gallipoli at the time.
erika jahneke - Aug 28, 2002 6:41 pm (#2928 of 2993)
(Amyparker and Kenny)
Just because.
Jesse H - Aug 28, 2002 6:42 pm (#2929 of 2993)
My grandmother had her Beta player hooked up when I was out there this month. She said they hooked it up so she could go through the tapes and get rid of them, but we'll see....
Anne Weber - Aug 28, 2002 6:47 pm (#2930 of 2993)
Yeah. For me it's And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda, but then it's supposed to have that effect. Especially if you happen to be driving back from Gallipoli at the time.
That song doesn't get me choked up and teary-eyed. That song gets me bawling.
JZ -- the Horde has been coming here on lunch break for the last year and a half, when we moved two doors down from the school. They have nearly always been welcome (on days when one or the other of the resident adults have been ill, we've put a sign in the window), and we assumed that homeschooling Kenny wouldn't change their wish to be here. Available evidence (two days' worth) has proved that out.
I'm often asked if I mind having them here; if the house were smaller, ten noisy adolescents might jump up and down on my nerves, but the media room is at the back of the house -- I can hear them from the computer, but the ruckus is largely contained.
Yes, please, book lists are more than welcome! And the rest of y'all are making me blush.
Poor Dan. I'm glad you survived two hours in the broiling sun and I hope your car can be revived.
Benno is far too cute. How is it that triple chins look so good on babies?
Dana, I have no better suggestion than meara's. Killing two cow-orkers with one stone sounds pretty good to me. Can I send you more Canadian chocolate? Or Paul Gross perhaps?
Historical events that always make me tear up: Ypres and the Somme.
I'm all for sending Dana compensation for her cow-orkers, and I have no objection to the killing of same.
But I must protest at the sending of Paul Gross. He's ours and you can't have him.
- Aug 28, 2002 6:54 pm (#2934 of 2993)
Any half-decent evocation of the Middle Passage. Any half decent detail of Nelson Mandela's life. Paul Bogle. Nanny and the Maroons. Sam Sharpe.
sniff
That song doesn't get me choked up and teary-eyed. That song gets me bawling.
And the old men march slowly, all bent, stiff and sore
Tired old heroes from a forgotten war
And the young people ask, "What are they marching for?"
And I ask myself the same question.
Gronk. Drive byish, because, hey..
Rocky/Bullwinkle slash? We already deja'd this vu. Though, granted, not with the Mpreg DS. And I'd so read that. But remember, I'll read bad for fun.
Allyson, that movie you wanted made? They already made it.
Amyparker, I'd also suggest Richard Hofstadter's The American Political Tradition and the Men Who Made It. It's somewhat dense (my class read it sophomore year and we all had to wade through it), but it explains the people and idea behind the Constitution really well. Maybe just skimming it or reading a few chapters would work. Also, although it's a bit much to read all the way through, maybe a few of the Federalist Papers. I've always found it fascinating how much of the Constitution was a compromise, and how different the ideas of all the different people who are usually just lumped together into "Founders" were.
They waited on the sand in lines and then up to there waists in water until the boats came to take them off
I'm trying to imagine Dunkirk with Americans... heh.
Well, I suppose troops might be better behaved what with commanding officers and discipline and such.
The Super! I was living in the neighborhood when that was shot. My Mother was sorta horrified.
KennySchool sounds excellent. I'd love to go!
Dana, I'm sorry about the payroll fiasco. I can commiserate because, well, it just seems like something that will happen to me in the near future.
I'm just back from the med lab. What I hate is having a doc appt in June, getting a referral for labwork and not having time to go to the lab for two months because of my insane schedule. Work from 7-3 means I AM not able to fast until I get the labs done.
But I've been needled by the local vampire, err, phlebotomist so now it's all about waiting for results.
Another quick one before I go back to teaching:
Has anyone here yet read Lovely Bones? If not, you all must becuase it's amazing. Disturbing and amazing.
And, have I mentioned yet that our cat has fleas. I'm nothing but a mass of flea bites...in fact I'm expecting the plague as a result any day now.
- Aug 28, 2002 7:25 pm (#2942 of 2993)
Is Lovely Bones a DS mpreg or something?
VW, going back a long ways, it would be my pleasure to take you out to OSV. We'll coordinate when you get to MA, 'kay?
msbelle - Aug 28, 2002 7:26 pm (#2943 of 2993)
read Lovely Bones for my bookclub this month. There were discussions on Literary about it.
Lyra Jane - Aug 28, 2002 7:26 pm (#2944 of 2993)
I read Lovely Bones. It is indeed a wonderful book. I loved the way the main character both grew and didn't grow as she watched her sister's life.
Ooh, Kat, my mom read that and raved about it. She spent a quarter of an hour in her bookstore talking with a 14-year-old girl who'd just read it and was deeply, deeply under its spell, and who kept saying, "That girl is me. How did that writer do it? She wrote me." And then my mom said, "But how could she be you, when she was me?" And they argued happily for a while about which of them was really the girl in that novel.
It's next on my list, as soon as I finish the three or four I'm working on already.
Flea bites... ick, ow, itch. That hugely expensive stuff you have to get from the vet that you drip on the backs of their necks? Really works. Worth every penny. The identical-looking but cheaper stuff in the pet aisle at the grocery store? Crap. Waste of money. If you're looking for something with less of the scary chemicals, brewer's yeast in their food, if they'll eat it, works pretty well.
Poor kitty. And poor Kat.
- Aug 28, 2002 7:34 pm (#2946 of 2993)
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 12:47 pm
I didn't realize that Camper were actually touring. . . although I knew that they were releasing a cover of Tusk.
Dana, that is seriously messed up. I hope, for their sakes, that they get the contributions figured out soon, otherwise the angry Buffistas will be upon them. I’m not sure they want to deal with that.
VW, going back a long ways, it would be my pleasure to take you out to OSV. We'll coordinate when you get to MA, 'kay?
Fabulous! Something else to look forward to…
I have officially checked out. I do not want to be at work anymore. I’m getting very little done, and I have tons to do before I go. This is not good. Someone please make me work.
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 12:47 pm
Emmett’s First Day of School
I wake before the alarm bleeps and stare at the red numbers. Eventually my brain engages and, once the math portion boots, calculates how many more minutes I can stay in bed. Brain concludes “You might as well just get up” and surprisingly the body lurches towards the shower as instructed.
The new regime requires order and structure. Rule #1 in David’s flailing attempt to organize his unemployed free time is: set up the cappuccino maker before you go to bed. A clean, combed and clothed Hecubus then merely knob twiddles a latte into being while slurping down raisin bran.
I am out the door and at the Muni stop by 6:45. Train eventually arrives and dispopulous enough to allow me a seat – rare for my stop, but not at this time. Latte and paper at the ready, Hec commutes. Yay. A’s win again. 14 game winning streak, although their wins are getting shakier. Their dominant stretch of ace pitching has wobbled off axis and they need come from behind wins now.
Downtown I switch to BART and get another seat. I’m aiming to get to El Cerrito Plaza by 7:45. I finish the paper as we emerge in the East Bay. First the train yards and shipping derricks (inspiration for the Walkers in the Star Wars movies) shoot by. I love train yards and warehouse districts – dilapidated and rusty and rotting dock piles and the decrepit leavings of the industrial era. We’re swooping along above the streets, making me feel like a very sedentary Silver Surfer. Beautiful views of all the houses in the morning light. Down into the tunnels again for downtown Oakland. There’s 19th street with its lovely blue bricks (Emmett’s favorite stop). Past Ashby, past Berkeley (JZ’s stop), past North Berkeley, shooting over the streets again I can see the house of Emmett’s godparents, and finally El Cerrito Plaza. Time: 7:45.
Nobody there to greet me, but within a minute I see EM’s green car roll up, Emmett slumped down in the front seat. I sit with him in my lap (seatbelt on both of us) for the short drive to Oceanview school; Emmett serenades me with the Theme From Butt-Ugly Martians.
We’re early and know the room and the teacher so Emmett gives me a tour of his new backpack (Star Wars – all the phases of Anakin from obnoxious child to snotty teen to Evil Alien Overlord. Emmett’s affection for all things villainous asserts itself again. Evil is cool!) and his new lunchbox (Star Wars - but this time prominently featuring his favorite, Mace Windu. Badasses are cooler!). Emmett hangs his backpack on a hook outside his classroom.
We wander the halls with the other early arrivals, checking out the student murals (there’s an aquatic theme – Oceanview, get it? Lots of sharks with blood dribbling out of their mouths.) inspecting the play equipment, and peeking in the room to see his teacher, Nancy Burgess. She’s older than me, an experienced teacher. Which is what you want as a parent, but Emmett bonded with the youngest prettiest woman at his daycare and kindergarten. Emmett’s still feeling self-conscious which means he talks in odd cartoon voices or babytalk, and holds his body stiffly in a kind of purposeful comic pose. Posing his way to composure. But he’s happy to have us three together as he always is – kissing each of our hands in turn, or hugging us into the pile that constitutes his family.
We’re herded out to the play yard where all the veteran parents mill and mingle. Ms. Burgess assembles her flock on a line painted on the asphalt. Brilliant day, 66 and sunny. We stand on either side of Emmett, each holding a hand, trying to sense when to separate. I look approvingly at the batch of interesting girls in our column when EM and I simultaneously realize that there’s only one other boy in line. Aiyeee! Emmett needs guy friends.
Most of the parents turn their kids loose in the line, but Emmett’s not ready – he tenses up as we try to disentangle. We check with Nancy and we can walk him to the room. Somebody rings a handbell and kids start trooping off in little ant-lines of cuteness. It’s The First Day Of School. We get Emmett to the room where they sit in a circle on the floor. Circle-time is familiar to Emmett so he’s ready to let go. We give him quick kisses and he looks over his shoulder and makes sure to wave to both of us individually. And we’re out.
<continued>
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 12:51 pm
Emmett's First Day of School <continued>
EM drives me to the Jewish Community Center - Emmett’s aftercare. EM has the worst sense of direction and most of her driving turns into ad hoc improvisations with U-turns, backing up in the middle of intersections and collecting dirty looks from competent drivers. Get to the JCC and finagle our way in though it isn’t open yet. Meet and greet with the aftercare program director to assure that Emmett’s enrolled and how the pickup from school works.
But really we’re there to give me face-time with the aftercare director. This is a special dance that you get to do in your role as Divorced Dad. Once the teachers and other parents and childcare folks get a whiff of the divorce they start sorting you into boxes. To climb out of the obvious boxes (Mom has custody, Dad uninvolved, parents sniping) we always make an effort to put on a united front. Eventually they’ll see I’m there every day and get to know me.
Then EM tries to teach me the routes from the JCC to the BART station and back to the freeway. We drive through green tunnels of overhanging trees as I mentally note the landmarks: the round fire station, the Albany tunnel, Albany Library, Solano Avenue, Albany Bowl on San Pablo. We take every route at least once and within 15 minutes drive in and out of four East Bay pocket cities in the process (Albany, El Cerrito, Berkeley and Kensington). Winding streets change name as they cross boundaries, and we breeze past little commercial eddies of quaint corner stores: quilting shops and upscale toy stores and coffee and books. Rose gardens everywhere.
Finally back to BART and I’m winging back to San Francisco. The math portion of my brain runs the numbers on how much of my life I’ll spend traversing San Francisco Bay. Best not to think about it. I settle into my novel as we sink beneath the water, tunneling back to San Francisco. Home again and I exhale. We managed the first day without tears or scenes. It’s a beautiful day.
Jesse H - Aug 28, 2002 7:53 pm (#2950 of 2993)
We managed the first day without tears or scenes. It’s a beautiful day.
So glad to hear that.
We managed the first day without tears or scenes. It’s a beautiful day.
And this, Hec, is because of you. You are an amazing individual and a devoted father. I’m glad all went well, though. {{{{Hec}}}} just ‘cause.
- Aug 28, 2002 7:55 pm (#2952 of 2993)
Try not to think of it as "time lost to commuting" -- think of it as "time I get to catch up on my reading". Get unabridged tapes from the library and listen to them on a Walkman when the train is too crowded to get a seat and read....
Lyra Jane - Aug 28, 2002 7:57 pm (#2953 of 2993)
Hec, I'm glad to hear Emmett's first day went well.
Yay for good first days of school! And the little ant-lines of cuteness is still getting to me.
On the memememe side, I got to deposit a paycheque for the first time in a year! Yay money!
Unforunately, followed that up with a very disappointing hot dog from the corner vendor. That corner has changed vendors since the last time I was here and it was not an improvement. Hmph.
Or you could take up knitting; )
I am so glad to hear that there were no tears or recriminations. Would it at least be easier if when you got your imaginary new job, it was over near Emmett's School?
Anne Weber - Aug 28, 2002 8:01 pm (#2956 of 2993)
Yay, Hec! Yay Emmett! Yay Hec and EM for being a good example to divorced parents everywhere!!!
Books on tape/CD are highly, highly recommended for long, evil commutes.
You AND Emmett could take up knitting.
Or crocheting (less pointy)
Yeah, I think I'll get Emmett a kid's walkman so he can listen to the Harry Potter and Roald Dahl we have on tape. I'm trying to think of things that will make the commute less boring for him.
Would it at least be easier if when you got your imaginary new job, it was over near Emmett's School?
It's possible. I don't really want my life jerked into the East Bay though. I live in San Francisco for a reason.
- Aug 28, 2002 8:14 pm (#2959 of 2993)
I'm glad it went relatively smoothly and books on tape seems like a good idea.
Kid's walkman + Harry Potter on tape would be an excellent diversion for Emmett.
Great news, Hec. And no tears (all around) is a good day.
- Aug 28, 2002 8:20 pm (#2962 of 2993)
Changing my picture in honor of Emmett's First Day!
That...a little creepy, Connie.
Changing my picture in honor of Emmett's First Day!
Aw. I liked the old one.
Good news, Hec. Good as can be at the moment, anyway.
Changing my picture in honor of Emmett's First Day!
Wow - how did I miss that party?
Since we're on the topic...
For Hec's benefit and in my general defence I should mention that I'm going to the hairdresser tomorrow. Right now I look a bit straggly.
Go Fi! You look like I looked during Emmett's first year. But all that sleep deprivation gets poured into Benno's sleek well-being. Ahhh, but that haircut will be nice just to have somebody washing your hair. New Parents don't get so many treats.
I got my hair cut again last night. Same haircut - I was getting a bit shaggy. I like it much better when it is fresh.
Go Ouise! Ouise is committed to the short haircut.
Emily S. - Aug 28, 2002 8:24 pm (#2966 of 2993)
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 1:27 pm
Congratulations, Hec!
Somervilleins and area types: email sent. This time I mean it! I'm really moving on Saturday!
(Edit: to congratulate Hec, because I don't think Emmett reads this thread so much.)
- Aug 28, 2002 8:26 pm (#2967 of 2993)
Hec, good to hear Emmett got through the first day ok.
Hec, because I don't think Emmett reads this thread so much
Emmett's first encounter with the Buffistas on WX:
"His head fell off!" <Lorne's stor>
Jesse H - Aug 28, 2002 8:28 pm (#2969 of 2993)
I'm trying to think of things that will make the commute less boring for him.
Can you eat on the train? Saves time at the house, gives you something to do while traveling.
Can you eat on the train? Saves time at the house, gives you something to do while traveling.
We're not supposed to, but we do. I have to limit his liquid intake because 5 y.o. bladder, long train ride, no bathrooms is a dire combination.
Sleep on the train.
signed,
Human Tree Sloth
Sleeping on the train is a good, good thing. It does, however, lead to missed stops. When I commuted on BART, I made a little sign that I'd prop up on my own shoulder before nodding off that said "IF WE'RE APPROACHING WALNUT CREEK AND I AM STILL ASLEEP, PLEASE WAKE ME UP." It worked, too. I napped, I dreamt, I occasionally drooled on the windowsill, and some kind soul would always gently shake or tap me awake just as the train pulled into the station.
The really nice thing about taking the train only during the commute hours? The presence of thousands of hardcore commuters really cuts down on the incidence of flashers, masturbators, and miscellaneous skeevy persons. (At least in California -- I cannot vouch for the skeeve quotient of other states' commuter trains.)
Ms H gets a lot of reading and writing done on the train.
JenGod, nice new Stor!
Hey, anyone want to write for the Smithsonian in DC? Info about a job opening there fell into my box. Anyone want it?
scrappy - Aug 28, 2002 8:39 pm (#2974 of 2993)
Hec-- Thanks for the first day story. Made me get all misty. This won't work for the driving, but I had a single Mom in my writing class who had an 1 1/2 hour commute from kid's drop-off at school (in Queens) to work (in Manhattan) every day. This meant three hours on the train. She wrote her entire screenpplay on the train, as it was the only alone time she had. She eventually got to really enjoy her commmute ffor that reason and because there was not a lot to distract her form her work.
I am about to buy some books on tape for my 45 minute commute. I have two jobs, plus trying to write (plus, um, Natter), so not a lot of time for reading and I miss it. Any recommendations?
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 1:40 pm
I have more stuff to add to keeping Emmett busy -- you can see tonight
really glad there were no tears.
(edit: I was sure this thread would be dead by now)
Steph is right. And outbound from SF at that hour: lots of seats. Of course, coming back not so fun.
Winding streets change name as they cross boundaries, and we breeze past little commercial eddies of quaint corner stores: quilting shops and upscale toy stores and coffee and books. Rose gardens everywhere.
Oh, *sniffle*! My old neighborhood, Hecubus. It was marvelous. The Espresso Roma on the corner of Hopkins and Monterey (across from Monterey Market) is wonderful. They have cheap sandwiches and a huge porch with tables for sitting and drinking coffee and writing. There is both shade and sunny sections, and they don't mind dogs. Another place to mention: the Pub, on Solano, just a few doors down from the Safeway. Old house converted into a pub. Boddington's on tap. And there's a Boogie Woogie Bagel Boy on Gilman -- much better bagels than Noah's.
And yes, lots of wonderfully-kept yards. Which is why I had to move to Oakland to buy. Now I'm homesick for a neighborhood that's only 12 miles north of me. How pathetic.
Glad to hear Emmett's first day went smoothly.
- Aug 28, 2002 8:40 pm (#2977 of 2993)
Yeah for Emmett's first day!
- Aug 28, 2002 8:42 pm (#2978 of 2993)
I changed the picture again -- it didn't look good on my screen. This one should satisfy, though.
Another possibility for Hec -- there are now PDAs with excellent Web capability. So he could Natter and commute at the same time, at least for the above-ground portion.
When I commuted on BART, I made a little sign that I'd prop up on my own shoulder before nodding off that said "IF WE'RE APPROACHING WALNUT CREEK AND I AM STILL ASLEEP, PLEASE WAKE ME UP."
giggling madly
(((Jengod)))
Lyra Jane - Aug 28, 2002 8:44 pm (#2981 of 2993)
Hey, anyone want to write for the Smithsonian in DC? Info about a job opening there fell into my box. Anyone want it?
Oooh, shiny. What type of writing?
Jengod, YIKES.
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 1:48 pm
Sleep on the train.
This would be me. I commute 1.5 hours each way every day to work. I sleep. Sometimes I read; sometimes I study; mostly I sleep. I know it's a waste of valuable time, but I don't care. I like the sleep.
In other news, I am a mean, mean person. I just opened up a file from a new broker in our LA office. He sent me his resume from his last company. I have to write it up in our format to send to the PR firm. I opened it and burst out laughing. I wasn't expecting a picture, 'cause we don't include pics in our bios. But, hot damn, he is funny looking! Well, not so much funny looking as going bald and growing out the hair that he does have then poofing it up to make it look like he has more hair than he does. But, then it leaves an eight-inch forehead, which just is not attractive.
When I commuted on BART, I made a little sign that I'd prop up on my own shoulder before nodding off that said "IF WE'RE APPROACHING WALNUT CREEK AND I AM STILL ASLEEP, PLEASE WAKE ME UP."
I'd find this even funnier if you weren't actually planning to get off there, but just like the look of it or something.
Jengod - oof. How terrible.
jengod, that is freaky. You take care of yourself.
I just saw this a few days ago:
Chindogu (weird Japanese inventions).
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 1:52 pm
{{jengod}}
Glad the day was sane Hec.
[edit: Bwah! on the sleep screen]
Jesse H - Aug 28, 2002 8:51 pm (#2989 of 2993)
I made a little sign that I'd prop up on my own shoulder before nodding off that said "IF WE'RE APPROACHING WALNUT CREEK AND I AM STILL ASLEEP, PLEASE WAKE ME UP."
Love this!
- Aug 28, 2002 8:52 pm (#2990 of 2993)
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 1:53 pm
It's time for haiku.
Number twenty-seven gone.
On to twenty-eight.
(Edit to make lines even.)
(Eh. Won't let me. Oh, well.)
From Tom's link, there's
this handy invention, too.
Chindogu (weird Japanese inventions).
That looks SO useful. And freaky.
Hec, congratulations on a smooth first day of school!
Edited by Aug 28, 2002 1:53 pm
I made a little sign that I'd prop up on my own shoulder before nodding off that said "IF WE'RE APPROACHING WALNUT CREEK AND I AM STILL ASLEEP, PLEASE WAKE ME UP."
I love this too. I have yet to sleep through my station. I have some kind of radar that makes sure I hear the announcement to my stop. I have, though, read through my stop at least 10 times. I'll get so into a book that I might as well be dead to the world.
Natter 3^3: You've heard of us.