I'MMA LET YOU FINISH

first i comment, then i listen


Gravatarpoo!


Gravatarand then there were more...


GravatarPelosi!


GravatarFeingold!


GravatarThese guys are pretty cool - The Makes Nice.

Kind of a Bram Tchiakovsy sound going for 'em...


GravatarI have an x64 system, so I can't run flash, which screws up a lot of sites... So I'm forced to come straight here...


GravatarTruth or Dare.


GravatarBy the way, x64 sucks - M$ should have either ponied up for the right drivers or not released it at all. Bastiches.


GravatarTits?

Did someone say tits?


GravatarI don't like this topic.


GravatarHoward K Stern seems very honest in this trial.


GravatarI guess when I was 34 this would seem impressive.


.


GravatarI don't like this topic.

Why? It's not about you?


Gravatar1984 bumpersticker for Mondale/Ferraro:

Vote Fritz and Tits


GravatarThis is a jaunty tune.


GravatarWhy? It's not about you?

Duh. Careful, or I'll troll your campaign blog...


GravatarBy the way, x64 sucks - M$ should have either ponied up for the right drivers or not released it at all. Bastiches.
atablarasa | Homepage | 02.23.07 - 11:51 pm | #


what's x64? is that an intel chip?
.


GravatarThe Pretenders on the iPod at the moment so I can't play the UTube.


GravatarHecate, my wife tells me that she knows of no woman where she works that has not been groped or otherwise sexually harassed, but that only a couple of times has there been anything done. All of them have put up with it, and thereby created their own situation...


Gravatar1984 bumpersticker for Mondale/Ferraro:

Vote Fritz and Tits


Vote Wally and the Beaver.


Gravatar1984 bumpersticker for Mondale/Ferraro:

Vote Wally and the Beaver


GravatarYou think x64 is bad you should try my Commodore 64.


GravatarI stalk Atrios, too, but he doesn't mind.

Sticks out tongue at NTodd.


GravatarThe Pretenders on the iPod at the moment so I can't play the UTube.

That's funny -- I usually encounter the same issue, but I just hit the end of my Jukebox playlist at the right time.


GravatarAll of them have put up with it, and thereby created their own situation...

Yeah, it's totally their fault that they need their jobs to feed their kids and so keep their mouths shut. Stupid cunts.


GravatarThe Pretenders on the iPod at the moment

When love walks in the room everyone stand up


GravatarDuh. Careful, or I'll troll your campaign blog...

Given your proven skills at such, I am glad I do not yet have one.


GravatarJoe Friday would feel very uncomfortable investigating the ANS case. Since I peg my sensibilities to the good Sgt.'s, I don't like all of this hoohah examination.


GravatarX64 is M$'s XP release for the 64-bit CPU that was a stop-gap for Vista. However, none of the wireless NIC providers (last time I checked) and the flash people have put out a version for X64.


GravatarSticks out tongue at NTodd.

Goddesses with forked tongues have an unfair advantage. And totally turn me on.


GravatarNTodd is the root of all evil.


Gravatarthe friday night jukebox at my homepage got stuck on Canadian.


GravatarThanks to NTodd, the Repugs will win in 2008.


GravatarNEW RULES!


Gravatarthe friday night jukebox at my homepage got stuck on Canadian.
virgotex


you say that like it's a bad thing.


GravatarGiven your proven skills at such, I am glad I do not yet have one.

My advice: don't get one. I VILL BREAK YOU.


GravatarLet me get my head around this - Microsoft released a new OS that forces you to upgrade your processor and won't let you watch flash video?


GravatarDamn those Canadians!!!


GravatarThanks for '08 Ntodd!


GravatarI stalk Atrios, too, but he doesn't mind.

Sticks out tongue at NTodd.
Echidne of the snakes
'

I think that must be my problem - I'm not stalking anyone.

Maybe I'd get more attention if I was.


GravatarDespite NTodd, the Repugs will lose in 2008.

Fixed your spelling, if that was okay.


GravatarI have to say, with no small amount of nationalist pride, that the Canadian music scene is kinda kicking ass these days.


GravatarHecate, that's pretty much the management's take on it. No Norma Rae to stand up on this one so far.


GravatarSticks out tongue at NTodd.
Echidne of the snakes'


You're tasting him?

ewwwwwwww


GravatarWasn't the majority of early written works porn?
1watt Hermit | Homepage


the majority of early writing was either business records, chronicals of the triumphs of the king, or the myths and legends of the culture. these last could be a bit obscene by our standards, but they weren't porn.

porn seems to come in with the romans, because literacy was widespread enough in rome for soldiers to write "hestia is a whore" on the walls of toilets...
.


GravatarLet me get my head around this - Microsoft released a new OS that forces you to upgrade your processor and won't let you watch flash video?

It's a feature that improves efficiency.


GravatarMore white musicians.

Hmphhhh.


GravatarJoe Friday would feel very uncomfortable investigating the ANS case. Since I peg my sensibilities to the good Sgt.'s, I don't like all of this hoohah examination.

I think Joe's greatest problem would be that the last thing anyone involved in this mess is interested in is "just the facts, ma'am."


Gravatarby the way, Arcade Fire is on SNL tomorrow. Do not miss them.


GravatarI really have to meet this Hestia person.


GravatarMy advice: don't get one. I VILL BREAK YOU.

I will set one up just for you. You won't know which is real.

Or maybe you will.


GravatarLet me get my head around this - Microsoft released a new OS that forces you to upgrade your processor and won't let you watch flash video?

It's a feature that improves efficiency.


Not to mention various bank accounts except those of the consumer.


GravatarYou're tasting him?

ewwwwwwww


I thought that was how snakes sniffed out prey.

Which is still...ewwwwwww


GravatarI've tried to stalk NTodd but failed miserably....


GravatarHello, all. What's the word, besides alt.rock?


GravatarI think that must be my problem - I'm not stalking anyone.

Maybe I'd get more attention if I was.
Tena


It doesn't work. He ignores me cruelly and totally.


Gravatar'night, all


GravatarX64 is M$'s XP release for the 64-bit CPU that was a stop-gap for Vista.

so X64 is XP with 64 bit addresses? never heard of it...

hmph!
.


GravatarThe word is nudibranch.


GravatarDang, I'm glad I use that *other* OS...


...on my Commodore 64.


Gravatarthat the Canadian music scene is kinda kicking ass these days.
SteveNS

and the canadian Supreme Court is the best in the world!

Top court rules against security certificates

The Supreme Court of Canada has struck down the security certificate system used by the federal government to detain and deport foreign-born terrorist suspects.

In a 9-0 judgment handed down Friday, the court found that the system, described by the government as a key tool for safeguarding national security, violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/ 2...ertificate.html


GravatarLet me get my head around this - Microsoft released a new OS that forces you to upgrade your processor and won't let you watch flash video?


Technically, it's supposed to be an OS that *takes advantage* of 64-bit power (my new box came with the souped up hardware). However, half the peripherals and a bunch of Internet stuff won't work with the OS.


GravatarI will set one up just for you. You won't know which is real.

Oooh, a honeypot!


Gravatarporn seems to come in with the romans, because literacy was widespread enough in rome for soldiers to write "hestia is a whore" on the walls of toilets...

I used to take the London Times Literary Supplement and I read an article in it years ago about the Romans and pornography and in fact, a lot of what we consider pornographic they didn't. They had slogans and things in public baths that kids could read that if a kid read it today, someone would go to jail.

And while I didn't get to see as much of Pompeii and I wanted, I did see the penis bas reliefs in the bricks of the streets that marked whore houses.


GravatarHecate, that's pretty much the management's take on it

It almost always is. I hope your wife isn't having to put up with it.


GravatarEchidne is someone else I'd like to stalk... but dieties are so... intimidating.


Gravatarporn seems to come in with the romans, because literacy was widespread enough in rome for soldiers to write "hestia is a whore" on the walls of toilets...


However, most Roman written works (graffiti aside) was not porn.

IIRC, the most popular books after the invention of the printing press were "how to" manuals.


Gravatarplum p -- I was saying earlier that it took a few spins for me, but I'm really loving the new Arcade Fire album!

And, the Besnard Lakes' new CD is getting great reviews -- you listen to them at all?


GravatarLet me get my head around this - Microsoft released a new OS that forces you to upgrade your processor and won't let you watch flash video?

Oh fuck, even with the upgrade it's a definite maybe. It's called monopoly folks.


GravatarYou're tasting him?

ewwwwwwww

I thought that was how snakes sniffed out prey.

Which is still...ewwwwwww


My tongue isn't long enough to reach from here to Vermont. And neither is NTodd's geegaw (?) even if he pretends so.


GravatarCould a few people do me a favor, and click on my homepage? I stayed up all night migrating my site to the new Blogger, and one of the things that got knocked out of commission was my Statcounter. I think I finxed it, but I'm not quite sure.


GravatarI've tried to stalk NTodd but failed miserably....
Darryl Pearce


If you'd stalked him when his ankle was messed up he wouldn't have been able to run away. Timing is everything.


Gravatarthe majority of early writing was either business records, chronicals of the triumphs of the king, or the myths and legends of the culture. these last could be a bit obscene by our standards, but they weren't porn.

porn seems to come in with the romans, because literacy was widespread enough in rome for soldiers to write "hestia is a whore" on the walls of toilets...
.
Tacitus Voltaire Pretentiosus

so accountancy is the oldest profession?


GravatarIn a 9-0 judgment handed down Friday, the court found that the system, described by the government as a key tool for safeguarding national security, violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

That's awesome, and I'm very envious of everyone who still gets to live in a free country.

*heavy sigh*


Gravatar one of the things that got knocked out of commission was my Statcounter. I think I finxed it, but I'm not quite sure.

Damn subtle blogwhore.


GravatarTiming is everything? My life travels at the speed of plot!


GravatarThe word is nudibranch.

Nudibranch = love?


GravatarI've tried to stalk NTodd but failed miserably....

What, you can't follow a pack of dog prints and yellow trails in the snow?


GravatarPhila - I love the nudibranch. Of course I love them all - they are all spectacular.


GravatarCould a few people do me a favor, and click on my homepage? I stayed up all night migrating my site to the new Blogger, and one of the things that got knocked out of commission was my Statcounter. I think I fixed it, but I'm not quite sure.
Phila


Now *that's* a blogwhore!


Gravatar"Paris Hilton I know you're a sweet girl but you have to be euthanized." - Bill Mahr


GravatarFuck NTood

Jeeeeez!


.


GravatarMy tongue isn't long enough to reach from here to Vermont. And neither is NTodd's geegaw (?) even if he pretends so.

But the two of them together can cross the great divide...


GravatarCould a few people do me a favor, and click on my homepage? I stayed up all night migrating my site to the new Blogger, and one of the things that got knocked out of commission was my Statcounter. I think I fixed it, but I'm not quite sure.
Phila


See how I did it. Just click on my homepage.


GravatarI believe the Egyptians invented bookkeeping, and tax collection.


GravatarPhila - clicked. Can I have some absinthe chocolate too?


GravatarIt doesn't work. He ignores me cruelly and totally.
Echidne of the snake


Atrios or NTodd?

Atrios ignores everyone. Except NTodd.


GravatarBut the two of them together can cross the great divide...

swoons, hits head and swears


GravatarWhat, you can't follow a pack of dog prints and yellow trails in the snow?


Gravatarso accountancy is the oldest profession?
1watt Hermit


pottery.


GravatarI hope your wife isn't having to put up with it.


Not anymore. To be blunt, she's too old and heavy these days to be a target anymore. But there are still others having to put up with it. Now it's more subtle than just grabbing tit, which is what happened to her several years back.


GravatarI think the Mesopotamians invented bookkeeping. Most of the cunieform tablets that exist are business records.


Gravatarso accountancy is the oldest profession?
1watt Hermit


Well, perhaps the second oldest.


GravatarAtrios ignores everyone. Except NTodd.

I note that he is still incapable of accomplishing my challenges.


GravatarDef Poetry Jam is the worlds stupidest profession.


GravatarNToddler

Atrios makes up the best nicknames.
The Moustache of Understanding is my favorite, but Pony Blow is close.


GravatarIt doesn't work. He ignores me cruelly and totally.
Echidne of the snake

Atrios or NTodd?

Atrios ignores everyone. Except NTodd.


It's hard to stalk NTodd while he is stalking Atrios. Easier to stalk Atrios and NTodd will be there, too. Not that my stalking is motivated by anything except my ambitions.


Gravatarso accountancy is the oldest profession?
1watt Hermit


maybe the second oldest profession. but the oldest examples or writing are all business accounts - sumeria circa 3200 BC, egypt not long after. also the earliest writing in minoan crete circa 1800 BC

"5 sheep, 15 amphora of wine, 10 bushels of grain"
.


Gravatarswoons, hits head and swears

Yes, that's usually the effect I have on women and snakes, though I blame that on the chloroform...


GravatarSee how I did it. Just click on my homepage.


an even more subtle blogwhore! Bow to the master and the mistress!


Gravatarevening moonbeams. just sauntering.

Not anymore. To be blunt, she's too old and heavy these days to be a target anymore.

That was my situation as well. Men grabbing whatever they could. It was actually a relief to put on some weight and get older.


GravatarSomehow I thought they might staged the Libby verdict for the Friday night 'news dump'. Did I miss something important?


Gravatarthe majority of early writing was either business records, chronicals of the triumphs of the king, or the myths and legends of the culture.

It all depends on how you want to treat the OE scripts, as writing or not.

They aren't translated and probably never will be, but it is highly doubtful that they were related to accounting, kings, or business.


GravatarDef Poetry Jam is the worlds stupidest profession.
The Kenosha Kid


I like a lot of what the slam poets are writing. I heard one one day on the radio that a guy had written about his mother that was just incredibly good.


Gravataryeah i have some vague recollection of the sumerians inventing bookkeeping.


GravatarAtrios makes up the best nicknames.

Holden gets credit for NToddler, IIRC.


Gravatarso accountancy is the oldest profession?
1watt Hermit

Well, perhaps the second oldest.


Well, you needed to keep track of the oldest...


Gravatar"Double-entry" accountancy is only ~600 years old.


Gravatar I like a lot of what the slam poets are writing.

Turn on HBO and your mind will change.


GravatarJR thanks for the Hinterland Who's Who.



Could you send the paramedics to help me up off the floor. please!


GravatarI saw an "Al Gore in 2008" bumpersticker this week, very low-key.Unfortunately, it was attached to a Ford Explorer.


GravatarWell, you needed to keep track of the oldest...
atablarasa


What's Sumerian for "It's hard out here for a pimp?"


GravatarI thought Holden invented "Pony Blow" also.


Gravatarthe majority of early writing was either business records, chronicals of the triumphs of the king, or the myths and legends of the culture



http://www.metmuseum.org/Works_o...m=66%2E245% 2E5b


GravatarIt all depends on how you want to treat the OE scripts, as writing or not.

They aren't translated and probably never will be, but it is highly doubtful that they were related to accounting, kings, or business.
JR, kerosene and a match | 02.24.07 - 12:08 am | #


do you mean the stuff Marija Gimbutas reproduces in her books? it is dated much older than any other known writing, and resembles the untranslated linear A, but no-one will yet take the leap and certify it as actual writing...
.


GravatarBonsoir, Plum.
Maybe we'll be able to open the windows again this weekend!


GravatarSUVs are vehicles too!


Gravatar but the oldest examples or writing are all business accounts

No, those are the earliest translated scribblings.

"5 sheep, three bushels of barley" is hardly "writing", for starters, and there's lots of older stuff still untranslated, because "5 sheep, three bushels of barley" is also pretty easy to figure out without a Rosetta.


GravatarDanny Bonaduce has a theory that Paris Hilton is the carrier of the celebrity addiction virus.


Gravatar I like a lot of what the slam poets are writing.

The poems themselves are fine. That style of delivery gets a bit grating after the 15th poet in a row using it..


GravatarAtrios ignores everyone. Except NTodd.
Tena


He likes the pantless thing.

I find i stoooopid.

.


GravatarAnd, the Besnard Lakes' new CD is getting great reviews -- you listen to them at all?
SteveNS

i can barely keep up with my hometown scene! Did you see the SXSW schedule? There's 2 special events: M for Montréal (anglo bands) and BonSound (bands who sings in french!)

on the thursday night (scroll down at the bottom)

http://2007.sxsw.com/music/showc...2007-03- 15.html


GravatarSweet dreams, Batties and Batlettes.


GravatarI think the Mesopotamians invented bookkeeping. Most of the cunieform tablets that exist are business records.
Tena | Homepage | 02.24.07 - 12:06 am | #


Yep. And mostly in base 20, if memory serves. I remember staying up 'til four am trying to figure out the mysteries of Mesopotamian long division, thanks to a Dover book on early math.


Gravatarsheep, eh? so, it has come full circle back to porn.


Gravatarwww.artemission.com/ViewItemDetails.asp? ItemNumber=17.10869

another cunieform example.


Gravatarpottery.
JR, kerosene and a match

Lighten up Jethro.


GravatarUnfortunately, it was attached to a Ford Explorer.

There's a hybrid Explorer now. Might have been one of those.


Gravatarit is dated much older than any other known writing, and resembles the untranslated linear A, but no-one will yet take the leap and certify it as actual writing...
.
Tacitus Voltaire


Ther is no leap.

Writing developed on a continuum. you can't say that it isn't writing unless you know what it says, and it doesn't seem likely that we will find a key for it.

And yes, it's old, old, old.


GravatarDef Poetry Jam is the worlds stupidest profession.
The Kenosha Kid

Yep!


Gravatarsheep, eh? so, it has come full circle back to porn.


Or Republicans.

Or both...


GravatarSomehow I thought they might staged the Libby verdict for the Friday night 'news dump'. Did I miss something important?

No, the Libby jury is just taking its time sorting through everything, it seems, based on their requests for office supplies and photographs of the witnesses.

They'll be back to deliberations on Monday.


GravatarHenry Flower-those Assyrian court filings must have been a bitch!


Gravatarnight Hecate.


GravatarAfter some soul searching and deep talk with my wife I am prepared to admit that the Shins are not yet better than the Beatles. But they're better than Queen. Way fucking better, dude.

And I know it's after Valentine's, but if your Love likes snacks, then add some bleu cheese to the Velveeta and put some fennel, black pepper and crushed garlic into the frying oil for the fries. You'll be glad you did!


GravatarMaybe we'll be able to open the windows again this weekend!
aangus

yes! a very appreciated -1


Gravatarbased on their requests for office supplies and photographs of the witnesses

What kind of office supplies did they request?


Gravatar think the Mesopotamians invented bookkeeping. Most of the cunieform tablets that exist are business records.
Tena


A Renaissance Italian came up with ledgers the way we use now.

"You godda debit needs cleanin'"


Gravatarthanks to a Dover book on early math.
Phila |

don't think they had the zero that far back.


GravatarHey, it's friday night. Can't you give it a fucking rest for crying out loud!


Gravatardid i just miss Pelosi on Leno?


GravatarJR thanks for the Hinterland Who's Who.
aangus


yer welcome. I laughed my assets off, too.


GravatarWhat's the opposite of stalking?


Lying in wait?
-


Gravatar"Double-entry" accountancy is only ~600 years old.

Yeah, I've seen Connections...


GravatarI don't understand the bit about the Romans and Pornography. How exactly did they download it again?


Gravatar What's the opposite of stalking?

Lying in wait?


That's not the opposite of stalking, it's an important component of stalking.

Or so they tell me.


Gravatardon't think they had the zero that far back.


Naw, that was the Japanese in WWII.


GravatarEvening all.

Uh..that's all I've got, right this second.

Help me out?


GravatarWhat kind of office supplies did they request?

Flip charts and post-its.


GravatarA Renaissance Italian came up with ledgers the way we use now.

"You godda debit needs cleanin'"
Max Planck


the Italians claim to have invented banking, the venetian blind (which is quite believable,) the sliding door, and several other things that mostly the Chinese claim to have invented.

The Italians are adamant about it.


GravatarI think the Mesopotamians invented bookkeeping. Most of the cunieform tablets that exist are business records.

I hope so. That's what I tell my students.


GravatarHenry Flower-those Assyrian court filings must have been a bitch!


can you imagine a nyt article on quizno's in cuneiform?


GravatarI don't understand the bit about the Romans and Pornography. How exactly did they download it again?


Gravatar Help me out?

"Have I missed anything irksome?"


Gravatardon't think they had the zero that far back.

Naw, that was the Japanese in WWII.


Light, and very agile.


GravatarHelp me out?

We're discussing Sumerian book keeping and how to stalk Atrios.

You read that right.


GravatarGood take on the Oscars from Mark Evanier...


GravatarI'll come in again:

I don't understand the bit about the Romans and Pornography. How exactly did they download it again?

It was painfully slow on those XXX baud modems they had back then.


GravatarLater!

Off to the porch.

Two (not sic) drruck!!


.


GravatarHelp me out?
steve simels

YOu help us out. In a previous thread, we were debating who was in vain one in the Carly Simon song: Warren Beatty?


Gravatarsheep, eh? so, it has come full circle back to porn.
the story


You're Scottish?


GravatarI don't understand the bit about the Romans and Pornography. How exactly did they download it again?
Apprentice to Darth Holde




GravatarGood night, sweet friends!


GravatarHow exactly did they download it again?

They used the aqueducts.(It's a series of tubes.)


Gravatar
YOu help us out. In a previous thread, we were debating who was in vain one in the Carly Simon song: Warren Beatty?
Plum P


That's what I always heard.


Gravatarthe Italians claim to have invented banking, the venetian blind (which is quite believable,) the sliding door, and several other things that mostly the Chinese claim to have invented.

All nonsense. All of that was inwented in Russia!


GravatarHelp me out?
steve simels | 02.24.07 - 12:15 am | #


Close your eyes and think on this.

Unless you're still on dialup.


GravatarApprentice and Henry,

Both great answers and the best laughs of the night pour moi. So thank you and good night.


GravatarA Renaissance Italian came up with ledgers the way we use now.


Yes, double entry bookeepping is Italian.

Anyone know why (without Google), finaincial officials are/can be refered to as "Exchequers"?


GravatarHenry Flower. I was in France eating Freedom Fries when I actually saw some aqueducts. Truly a work of civil engineering art. Have you ever seen them in person?


GravatarBTW, seems Gilliard's laid up with some sort of infection until next week.

Maybe some of youse Noo Yawkahs can take him some posies...


Gravatarnice cheetah on Leno


GravatarThey used the aqueducts.(It's a series of tubes.)

[golf clap]


GravatarShampoo Warren Beatty or Parallax View Warren Beatty?
-


GravatarYOu help us out. In a previous thread, we were debating who was in vain one in the Carly Simon song: Warren Beatty?
Plum P


Carly says she'll never tell, but Warren Beatty certainly fits the bill.


Gravatarthe Italians claim to have invented banking

They do?


GravatarI think I learned that the Mayans has the concept of zero a century before the greeks.


Gravatarwell, it's friday night again, and that means that it's time for me to go to the card party and drink chimay cinq cents until the street signs look like they are written in cuneaform

salve atque vale, 'bats!
.


GravatarPhila, works well enough for me. btw, I've been sending people your way, in reference to the ME arms market post, and cause it's such a great blog! Nice job and thanks.


GravatarYOu help us out. In a previous thread, we were debating who was in vain one in the Carly Simon song: Warren Beatty?
Plum P | Homepage | 02.24.07 - 12:17 am | #


That's what's always been assumed.

Personally, I've never gotten into it --

because, otherwise, Carly might write another song about me.


Gravatardisco nebula:

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod...d/ ap070224.html


GravatarThanks for the hits, by the way. My statcounter is indeed working.


GravatarAnyone know why (without Google), finaincial officials are/can be refered to as "Exchequers"?

Because the French made the British misspell "check writer"?


GravatarDid the Italians invent opera, or just perfect it? Plus, the Roman arch, and a great cuisine, oughta be enough inventions for one people.


GravatarXXX baud modems!
Apprentice to Darth Holden
That is one of the greatest math puns ever!

I tip my hat to you sir!


GravatarDidn't Gilliard end up in intensive care last time he was in the hospital? Shit. Get well, Steve.


Gravatarso Pelosi was scheduled on Leno, and she was replaced by an exotic animals segment...


GravatarPhila, works well enough for me. btw, I've been sending people your way, in reference to the ME arms market post, and cause it's such a great blog! Nice job and thanks.
alien, from up above | 02.24.07 - 12:20 am | #


Thanks! Means a lot to me, especially this week.


GravatarI think I learned that the Mayans has the concept of zero a century before the greeks.
1watt Hermit


The Greeks had the concept, they didn't have a sign for it. Different things.


GravatarBecause the French made the British misspell "check writer"?
NTodd


No, it pre-dates the EU.


GravatarHenry Flower. I was in France eating Freedom Fries when I actually saw some aqueducts. Truly a work of civil engineering art. Have you ever seen them in person?

No, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night.


GravatarThe Romans didn't invent Italian cuisine. Tomatoes are indigenous to the Americas. Pasta was invented in China.

(the Jews invented everything good)


GravatarAlgebra was invented about 1300 years ago. About 1299 years ago, students began complaining about their homework assignments.


GravatarThis is why I eschewed being a CPA and an attorney. Too much argument. I should have gone into auto design. At least there everyone is agreed that Henry Ford was the inventor of the car.


Gravatar(the Jews invented everything good)
The Kenosha Kid

except Joe Lieberman


Gravatar"It was painfully slow on those XXX baud modems they had back then."

"They used the aqueducts.(It's a series of tubes.)"

Pardon, I must drain the wine from my sinuses now.


GravatarBTW -- saw the Astronaut Farmer AND the number 23 today,

Virginia Madsen stars in both.

Cool....

Both movie kind of suck, BTW, but she's great in both...


Gravatarthe Italians claim to have invented banking

They do?
Max Planck


Well let me put it this way, our guide in Italy made that claim.

He was Italian. He made it on behalf of the whole country.


GravatarAccounting ued to be done on chequered cloth, with the squares being used for seperate accounts.


GravatarSo do I open the second bottle of wine, or not?


GravatarBecause the French made the British misspell "check writer"?
NTodd

No, it pre-dates the EU.
JR, kerosene and a match


I know *that*.

Ex = out. Chequer = check in fucking Frog. See? It makes total sense.


Gravatar except Joe Lieberman

The Jews invented everything good, but not everything the Jews invented was good.


Gravatar(the Jews invented everything good)
The Kenosha Kid

except Joe Lieberman
Plum P


You saying Bill Shatner and Gene Simmons don't cancel Lieberman out?


GravatarSo do I open the second bottle of wine, or not?
Phila

of course you do


Gravatar(the Jews invented everything good)

If it's not Scottish, it's crap!


Gravatarof course you do
Plum P | Homepage | 02.24.07 - 12:25 am | #


Hmmm. You make a good case!


GravatarYou saying Bill Shatner and Gene Simmons don't cancel Lieberman out?
dan mcenroe

yes. Bill and Gene can't give the Senate to the GOP


GravatarI love all that ancient scripts stuff. Love it. I wanted to be an archeologist.


GravatarPhila--it's Friday night. Get a clue


GravatarPlum P: Rumour at the time was Mick Jagger.


GravatarThe Greeks had the concept, they didn't have a sign for it. Different things.
JR, kerosene and a match

okay the mayans were using the zero a century before the greeks.


GravatarThe Italians did, indeed invent the modern notion of banking.


GravatarThe Jews invented everything good, but not everything the Jews invented was good.
The Kenosha Kid

gotcha


GravatarPlus he sang backup on it.


GravatarInteresting I sucked at Algebra but was great in geometry. So they put me in advanced algebra II. I sucked at that, but was good at Calculus. It wasn't until years later that they figured out that the brain has different parts for spacial relationships and processes of something like geometry and calculus which were different than the linear equations and processes in algebra. But in high school they were all just "Math".


GravatarI thought the Arabs invented the numeral zero.

The Romans didn't invent Italian cuisine. Tomatoes are indigenous to the Americas. Pasta was invented in China.

Yes, but who first thought of combining tomatoes and pasta?


Gravatarokay the mayans were using the zero a century before the greeks.
1watt Hermit


You knew I was a pedantic bastard beforehand.


GravatarPlum P: Rumour at the time was Mick Jagger.
aangus

it's not him, but he does sing backing vocals on "you're so vain"


GravatarI thought the Arabs invented the numeral zero.

Naw, they borrowed it from the Indians!


Gravatarokay the mayans were using the zero a century before the greeks.
1watt Hermit


The zero came in handy when they kept score of them against the Europeans.


GravatarSpocko--I'm the opposite. I don't visualize 3D space well, so I'm a huge algebra fan.


GravatarI thought the Arabs invented the numeral zero.


Well, in that sense they invented every number.. but the Babylonians, Mayans and Indians beat them to using *a* sign for zero.


GravatarYou knew I was a pedantic bastard beforehand.

lol

First step is to acknowledge that you have a problem...


Gravatar Yes, but who first thought of combining tomatoes and pasta?

Probably someone Jewish


GravatarYes, but who first thought of combining tomatoes and pasta?

Bachelors...


GravatarJR--was it the Mayans who originally used the zero? I thought it had been used in India before that.

But it's late and I've had a lot of wine and company.


GravatarI made some coffee very strong by accident. Makes my hair stand up.


GravatarPlum P: Rumour at the time was Mick Jagger.

This from Wiki:

Dick Ebersol, president of NBC Sports and a friend of Simon, was the highest bidder for a Martha's Vineyard Possible Dreams charity auction offering in which the prize was the revelation of the person whom "You're So Vain" was about. A condition of that prize is that Ebersol would not reveal to anyone the actual subject. Later, Ebersol revealed that he was allowed by Simon to divulge a clue about the person's name:

"Carly told me that I could offer up to the entire world, a clue as to what she'll tell me when we have this night in about two weeks. And the clue is: the letter 'E' is in the person's name." Dick Ebersol on NBC's Today Show - August 5, 2003

Also froom Wiki, the suspects:

Popular guesses on the subject include Mick Jagger (who sang backing vocals on the song), Cat Stevens, Warren Beatty, Kris Kristofferson (whom she had had brief relationships with), unfaithful fiancé William Donaldson, and Simon's ex-husband, James Taylor.


Gravatar[golf clap]
i want a man with a slow hand


GravatarI love algebra.

Trig can go to hell.


GravatarBachelors...

Indeed!!!


Gravatar Bachelors...

[laughy face]


GravatarI want to go back to school just for math. It gnaws at me that I suck at math.


GravatarI made some coffee very strong by accident. Makes my hair stand up.

Don't you mean it makes your scales stand up?


GravatarI love all that ancient scripts stuff. Love it. I wanted to be an archeologist.
Echidne of the snakes |


Me too. Then I wanted to be anthropologist and specialize as a linguist.

I got discouraged because it isn't the same discipline it once was. It's a lot of statistics now, and that does not interest me.


GravatarInteresting I sucked at Algebra but was great in geometry.

I was just the opposite... and I'm an "artist"! But I could never visualize the geometry...


GravatarOK -- I had my pizza for dinner. What'd I miss?


GravatarOK -- I had my pizza for dinner. What'd I miss?


GravatarI sucked at both algebra and geometry.

My dad was so convinced I'd like geometry. Ha!


Gravatari'm stupid


Gravatarwonder what they're discussing @ lgf.


GravatarDon't you mean it makes your scales stand up?

No. They rattle a little, though. I have hair on top of my head. Under the tiara.


Gravatarand I'm an "artist"!


i'm an "artist"and i suck at the maths.


GravatarJR--was it the Mayans who originally used the zero? I thought it had been used in India before that.

But it's late and I've had a lot of wine and company.
Sallyh,


Mayans and India are contempory. Babylonians had a sign for it earliest.

The Aabic "0" comes from India, the Mayans had a glyph for 0, but never used it in calculations, they only used it in the calendar.


GravatarInteresting I sucked at Algebra but was great in geometry

Algebra absolutely destroyed me. I can do it now, but back in school I was lost.

Granted, it probably didn't help that I spent the previous period huffing ether from a sponge with which I was supposed to anaesthetize D. melanogaster.


GravatarI want to go back to school just for math. It gnaws at me that I suck at math.
dan mcenroe


I have a brilliant nephew who, like I did, is struggling up against middle school cipherin'.

I feel like telling him not to be a math dick. You will find use for it later.


GravatarMe too. Then I wanted to be anthropologist and specialize as a linguist.

I got discouraged because it isn't the same discipline it once was. It's a lot of statistics now, and that does not interest me.


My sister is a linguist. I don't understand her writings at all. They're full of weird symbols.


GravatarI made some coffee very strong by accident.

Give!



GravatarMayans used zero as a place saver. They got that there was something there, but they didn't use it as a number.


GravatarExxxxxcellent! [Mr. Burns voice]

http://mfrost.typepad.com/ cute_o...xcellent_m.html


GravatarEchidne of the snakes
did a series on statistics, I wish she was my high school statistics teacher ("Hey our teacher is a goddess! And part Snake!" Cool Dude.)

They tried to make it "cool" but using gambling and odds in sports. Two things that I had absolutely no interest in.
I applauded their attempts to make it relevant to people but in may case it didn't stick. I worked hard in the class though. I really think I give 110%

Still, I only got a B which put me in the bottom 1/188th of the class or something like that.


Gravatar"What kind of office supplies did they request?"

Red Swingline staplers and a "Jump to Conclusions" mat.


GravatarHeh, spocko. You did very well in that course.


GravatarZero is NOT a number, it is a concept!
Just like infinity.


GravatarSo, are we off topic enough to play "name my soup".

"Irving" is already taken.


GravatarMayans used zero as a place saver. They got that there was something there, but they didn't use it as a number.
Tena


So did the, can I say it?, middle easterners, LONG before the Romans.


Gravatarstop it! us dumb people who barely passed math and physics and chemistry are feeling more stupid with each new post. Damn you intelligent people!


GravatarGive!


JR, kerosene and a match


Sending it up the aquaduct. And we have them here, by the way.


GravatarMy sister is a linguist. I don't understand her writings at all. They're full of weird symbols.
Echidne of the snakes | Homepage | 02.24.07 - 12:33 am | #


I went out with a gal who studied linguistics. I'd read a fair amount on the subject, but her homework could've been in Arabic for all the sense I could make of it.


GravatarSpocko--we do a little sports betting and poker playing, but we talk mostly about current studies in topics that seem to interest the kids (sexual behavior, food and nutrition, alcohol consumption, mental illness, etc.) I try to bring in good studies that are very recent.


GravatarI got discouraged because it isn't the same discipline it once was. It's a lot of statistics now, and that does not interest me.
Tena

I started off wanting to go into Psychology, realized I'd have to do neurochemistry to get answers.


GravatarZero is NOT a number, it is a concept!
Just like infinity.
aangus


*pst*

(all numbers are concepts)


GravatarTrig can go to hell.

Sohcahtoa loves you.


Gravatar"What kind of office supplies did they request?"

Red Swingline staplers and a "Jump to Conclusions" mat.


Alas, they forgot the new cover on their TPS reports, so they ain't getting squat.


GravatarThe number zero was invented independently in India and by the Maya. In India a decimal system was used, likeours, but they used an empty space for zero up to 3rd Century BC. This was confusing for an empty space was also used to separate numbers, and so they invented the dot for a zero. The first evidence for the use ofthe symbol that we now know as zero stems from the 7thcentury AD. The Maya invented the number zero fortheir calendars in the 3rd century AD.The number zero reached European civilisation throughthe Arabs after 800 AD. The Greek and Roman did not need the number zero for they did their calculationson an abacus.


GravatarI feel like telling him not to be a math dick. You will find use for it later.
Max Planck


Absolutely. I find myself using it almost every day, and I'm in a "creative" (whatever the fuck that means) field.

Arthur C. Clarke wrote that innumeracy was a bigger threat to democracy than illiteracy - unless you know how much bigger a trillion is than a billion, all the talk about budgets and spending sounds like gibberish and you have no idea how much they're ripping you off.


GravatarSo, are we off topic enough to play "name my soup".

"Irving" is already taken.


I offered Cream of Kerosene last night when you were out.


GravatarThey're full of weird symbols.
Echidne of the snakes


Finnish?


GravatarDan McEnroe--(bangs head against desk, cries about how innumerate people are)


Gravatar"What kind of office supplies did they request?"

Red Swingline staplers and a "Jump to Conclusions" mat.


What, no "easy" button?


GravatarI offered Cream of Kerosene last night when you were out.
Echidne of the snakes


I think the marketing department may have problems with that.


GravatarSo, are we off topic enough to play "name my soup".

"Oil de Kirkuk"


GravatarSo did the, can I say it?, middle easterners, LONG before the Romans.

Yep, that's where Babylonia is


GravatarThey're full of weird symbols.
Echidne of the snakes

Finnish?


She is Finnish, if that's what you mean. All my sisters are. And my brother.


Gravatar"name my soup"

kerosene and a match


GravatarMellencamp on Leno


GravatarSallyh, Grandmere Poissonniere

Are you familiar with the works of John Allen Paulos? He is very funny and wrote a couple of great books.

I heard him on the radio one time and though the was so great I ordered the audio cassette of him speaking!
(which tells you how long ago this was!)

I have several of his books. One that is especially interesting for English and journalism majors is:
The Mathematician reads the Newspaper His most famous book is Innumeracy.


GravatarSeriously, I made soup, and I don't know what to call it.


GravatarMax P--but, but, according to Chimpy, Middle Easterners are like uneducated children!


GravatarArthur C. Clarke wrote that innumeracy was a bigger threat to democracy than illiteracy - unless you know how much bigger a trillion is than a billion, all the talk about budgets and spending sounds like gibberish and you have no idea how much they're ripping you off.
dan mcenroe | Homepage | 02.24.07 - 12:36 am | #


I wrote a post a while back arguing that there was a conflict of interest in state-sponsored lotteries. The state ought to be explaining, in statistical terms, why you're not going to win, instead of encouraging you to squander your $$ on it.


GravatarWithout math, people, we wouldn't have reliable, efficient modern day bongs.


GravatarMellencamp on Leno

Sigh. This really is our country, isn't it.


GravatarSeriously, I made soup, and I don't know what to call it.
JR, kerosene and a match


"Soup" usually works.


GravatarSeriously, I made soup, and I don't know what to call it.

What is the main ingredient or method of preparation?


GravatarFinnish?

No, but I'm almost though, now as I was saying...

/wow was that bad.


GravatarArthur C. Clarke wrote that innumeracy was a bigger threat to democracy than illiteracy - unless you know how much bigger a trillion is than a billion, all the talk about budgets and spending sounds like gibberish and you have no idea how much they're ripping you off.

Or how much they really owe Bank of America Corp.


Gravatar"i'm an american from the midwest" sings Mellencamp

Dylan should see for the tune, and we should sue for the corny lyrics


GravatarI wrote a post a while back arguing that there was a conflict of interest in state-sponsored lotteries. The state ought to be explaining, in statistical terms, why you're not going to win, instead of encouraging you to squander your $$ on it.
Phila


It's more like an incentive program. Lotteries are a tax on innumeracy.


GravatarSeriously, I made soup, and I don't know what to call it.


Dinner?


GravatarSpocko--I really enjoy his stuff. He gives me great ideas for when I'm teaching nonmajors, which is usually


GravatarJR, is there such a thing as more of an abstract concept than numbers?

*rolls eyes upward, whistles softly, exits quickly.*


GravatarLotteries are a tax on innumeracy.
JR, kerosene and a match


Eh. My brother won $100k in Powerball.


GravatarWhat is the main ingredient or method of preparation?
Echidne of the snakes


Cream of redcabbagekielbassapotatoandhorseradish.


GravatarSeriously, I made soup, and I don't know what to call it.

What's in it?


GravatarThis thread is very stochastic...
-


Gravatarcan we talk about History with a big H instead? I've got diplomas in that you know


GravatarThis was confusing for an empty space was also used to separate numbers, and so they invented the dot for a zero.

Modern Arabic still uses a dot for a zero. Our symbol for zero (a circle) is their numeral 5.


GravatarJR--Bisque de Flatulence?


GravatarArthur C. Clarke wrote that innumeracy was a bigger threat to democracy than illiteracy - unless you know how much bigger a trillion is than a billion, all the talk about budgets and spending sounds like gibberish and you have no idea how much they're ripping you off.

Fuck you, Artie. I know about numbers, and it don't make me feel any better.


GravatarWhat's a factor of ten among friends?


GravatarSeriously, I made soup, and I don't know what to call it.
JR, kerosene and a match

what's in it?


GravatarSo did the, can I say it?, middle easterners, LONG before the Romans.
Max Planck



I thought Arabs actually discovered zero as a number - as having a value.

They invented algebra -


GravatarRabbit chowder?


GravatarLotteries are a tax on innumeracy.
JR, kerosene and a match | 02.24.07 - 12:40 am | #


I'd be OK with that, if innumeracy weren't a goal of government, around which policies are set.


GravatarThere is a self-defense level of numeracy and many students are not at that level. For example, if you add up numbers between 1 and 80, and then find the average and you get 1000, you should immediately see that something is very wrong. I've had students at a very good university not be able to do that.

We need more doing sums and calculations in the head, I think.


GravatarOr how much they really owe Bank of America Corp.

Got in deep in my 20s, now crawling out of it in my mid-30s, but goddamn if I didn't learn how to figure percentages in my head.


GravatarI called him up one time and talked to him, nice guy. The think that I loved is just how funny he was. The math majors i know are actually some very funny people. Also, many of them are jugglers. Why? Who knows.


GravatarJR's soup should be called Fuckshitpisshell.

And with that, 'mout. l8rh9rs.


GravatarI thought Arabs actually discovered zero as a number - as having a value.

They invented algebra


Which is why 8th graders nationwide hate Arabs.


GravatarWittgenstein invented the truth table.


GravatarJR, is there such a thing as more of an abstract concept than numbers?

*rolls eyes upward, whistles softly, exits quickly.*
aangus


You can run but you can't hide.

Well, I don't know if an abstract can be "more" or "less" abstract than another abstract, but it's pure abstract plus it's axiomatic. That's a good double whammy.


GravatarCream of redcabbagekielbassapotatoandhorseradish.

Krakow soup?


Gravatari'm an "artist"and i suck at the maths.

I did OK... geometry was my downfall.

My father was a math teacher, but I wasn't going to ask him for help (he got both of my sisters through it - and my wife! But that's another story...)

However, many years later, after he'd passed away, I was writing macros for a Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet, when I suddenly realized I was actually using, and solving, algebra. And somewhere in the distance, I could hear my father spinning in his grave...


GravatarOr how much they really owe Bank of America Corp

While it's not really stats, we devote a lecture to compound interest. A lot of kids leave class terrified.


GravatarLotteries are a tax on innumeracy.

That slogan's not nearly as catchy as "All it takes is a dollar and a dream."


Gravatarcan we talk about History with a big H instead? I've got diplomas in that you know

Didja see this?

Historians Take a Stand

On January 6, 2007, the business meeting of the American Historical Association passed an unprecedented resolution condemning recent government attacks on the free pursuit of historical knowledge. The resolution has been supported by more than one hundred fifty scholars and is subject to ratification by the association's full membership in electronic voting March 1–9, 2007. ...


Gravatarhttp://bigego.com/index.php?page...ngs& display=337


Math Prof Rock Star


GravatarPlum P

History eh?

Well a friend of mine got a degree in history. "What are you going to do with that?" I asked him in a mocking tone of voice.

"I thought I'd get a job in one of the big 8 history firms."


Gravatarwhat's in it?

redcabbagekielbassapotatoandhorseradish.


GravatarCream of redcabbagekielbassapotatoandhorseradish.
JR, kerosene and a match

Gastromania.


GravatarVenn invented the Venn diagram.


GravatarSpocko--why math geeks are jugglers: you can do it in your office or in front of your class, and at times, your students are amused.

We do a lot of betting pools, too


Gravatarnight NTodd.

If you think numbers are abstract, run up your credit cards. They get real in big way.


GravatarDidja see this?

I did and I think it's way cool.

And with that, I'm going to bid adieux to all you sweet batz and go read and maybe get sleepy.

Sweet dreams - be good to each other.

night.


Gravatarredcabbagekielbassapotatoandhorseradish.



solidarity soup


GravatarI'm hypnotized by that yellow line.


GravatarCream of redcabbagekielbassapotatoandhorseradish.

Potage de Polski?


GravatarThat slogan's not nearly as catchy as "All it takes is a dollar and a dream."
dan mcenroe | Homepage | 02.24.07 - 12:44 am | #


Or its correlate: "Wish in one hand, shit in the other, and see which fills up faster."


Gravatarthat's good, Monica


GravatarLotteries are a tax on innumeracy.
JR, kerosene and a match


Lottery is a tax on the naive...
-


GravatarHenry--okay, I'm sending that to every one of my colleagues


GravatarLotteries are a tax on innumeracy.
JR, kerosene and a match

Lottery is a tax on the naive...


It's an extra tax on the poor, mostly.


GravatarI learned how to juggle clubs and knives with some math professors. I can pass 6 clubs with another juggler. I know how to eat fire too. (Not an advanced math skill, but it DOES involve chemistry.)


GravatarWe need more doing sums and calculations in the head, I think.
Echidne of the snakes


Well, it sounds old-fashioned, but maybe teaching the times tables by rote wasn't such a bad thing.

Most of the people I know that have problems with math are doing so because they spend far to much energy on basic arithmetic and are exausted by the time they get to the second part of the problem.


GravatarLotteries are the opiate of the people.


Gravatarsallyh,

we love it here
half our family are artists, the other half... math prof rock star types


GravatarGood evening all.

The lottery is a tax on tragic hope.


GravatarJR, all kidding aside, that soup sounds pretty goddamn tasty.

Help me out - name my stir fry of green sqaush, yellow squash, red and orange peppers, shallot, ginger, garlic, sesame , soy and chicken served over basmati rice and I'll name your soup.


GravatarKrakow soup?
Echidne of the snakes


Hmm.. tha might work.

My SO looked at it this morning and went:

"it's PINK!"

Can you tell who is the cook in this household?


Gravatarnight Tena.

Spocko - for real? Damn.


Gravatarbedtime

bonne nuit


GravatarCream of redcabbagekielbassapotatoandhorseradish.

JR's Ukrainian Stew


Gravatarwell, I'm very good at gauging numbers and doing arithmetic in my head, and by hand, but I still did horrible- horrible I tell you-on my math GRE's.


GravatarJust kicked the pups out to do their thing, mixing one last strong one. Sleep through the T-storms, I hope.


GravatarWell, it sounds old-fashioned, but maybe teaching the times tables by rote wasn't such a bad thing.

That age range when memorizing works like a dream seems sad to waste. A lot of useful things could be quickly learned then.


GravatarHelp me out - name my stir fry of green sqaush, yellow squash, red and orange peppers, shallot, ginger, garlic, sesame , soy and chicken served over basmati rice and I'll name your soup.
dan mcenroe


What's chinese for "Grocer close early, have sale"?


GravatarTonight I made a light version of a Caesar Salad and a spaghetti carbonara with (freshly grated cheeze from Dean and Deluca! )


GravatarBTW, I was at Costco earlier and they had a great sale on "Oscar Winning" DVDs - the two-DVD sets of "Citizen Kane," "Casablanca" and "Yankee Doodle Dandy," $8.99 each. They were selling "Yankee Doodle Dandy," at least, for 25 bucks just last Christmas...


Gravatarwell, I'm very good at gauging numbers and doing arithmetic in my head, and by hand, but I still did horrible- horrible I tell you-on my math GRE's.
Karin | 02.24.07 - 12:51 am | #


I second-guess myself under pressure. Don't trust myself at all.


GravatarCream of redcabbagekielbassapotatoandhorseradish.

JR's Ukrainian Stew
masculine_monica_nyc


I'd call it "Tract Attack!"


GravatarI don't name my cookery, I just get 'r done.


GravatarDan. For real. I have all sorts of worthless skills.


GravatarWhat's chinese for "Grocer close early, have sale"?

That's better than "crap I had to cook before it went bad on me."


GravatarG'night, all. Going to watch a movie, or something.


GravatarThat's better than "crap I had to cook before it went bad on me."

Which reminds me that the rice and lentils were both inedible, too.


GravatarHi Uncle Smokes! What the heck is the weather like in your neck of woods?


GravatarTonight I made a light version of a Caesar Salad and a spaghetti carbonara with (freshly grated cheeze from Dean and Deluca! )

i made penne tossed with kalamatas, feta, shredded romano, a little balsimic vinegar and unfiltered olive oil and tomatoes


Gravatarlight version of a Caesar Salad and a spaghetti carbonara

If you had it with carbonara I sure hope it was a light salad.


GravatarPhila--remember, your first choice is most likely to be correct.


GravatarEchidne- I still remember when we started learning multiplication in 2nd grade, my teacher was annoyed because my grandmother had already had me memorize the times table. That was the wrong methodology, apparently. But it's proved very handy throughout life.


GravatarThat age range when memorizing works like a dream seems sad to waste. A lot of useful things could be quickly learned then.
Echidne of the snakes


My teachers tried to tell my parents off for teaching me the times tables "before I was ready". *rolleyes*

I was ready, besides, they had to keep me occupied somehow.


GravatarTo clarify, I asked someone in an earlier thread how old rice and lentils can be to be edible. Mine were older than that.


GravatarIf this were lgf we would be discussing the twix bars we just deep fried.


GravatarI have all sorts of worthless skills.
spocko


I bet I have mor worthless skills than you do.


GravatarPhila Night! Hey did you ever see the movie Meet John Doe?
Capra.
Stars Barbara Stanwick and Gary Cooper.


GravatarJR--better than when I announced to my parents that I was going to major in math and science, and they said, who's going to marry you if you do that?


Gravatarnight Phila.


GravatarAnd the soup is quite yummy, but I'm not even vaguely Ukranian, so I wouldn't want to affront anyone of that ethnicity.


GravatarXeno's paradox is stated as a continuous function.


Gravatarwere you in my 2nd grade class, jr?


GravatarDan McEnroe--whereas here, we discuss the pecan shortbreads and chocolate caramel cookies I baked this afternoon.


GravatarWhile it's not really stats, we devote a lecture to compound interest. A lot of kids leave class terrified.
Sallyh, Grandmere Poissonniere


This is something that should be taught in high school, IMHO.
Considering how much of modern life revolves around this concept its a crime how few people actually learn it well.
The one thing B school does well....


Gravatari love bloomington, and i love people who are drunk. yeah bloomington drunks, except for nicole cause you done broke my heart.


GravatarI have all sorts of worthless skills.
spocko


i am a walking compendium of useless information.


GravatarI who's going to marry you if you do that?
Sallyh


Oy.


GravatarJR--RC Irish. What can you do?


GravatarDan McEnroe--whereas here, we discuss the pecan shortbreads and chocolate caramel cookies I baked this afternoon.
Sallyh, Grandmere Poissonniere


Now who's gonna marry a mathmetician/scientist who bakes pecan shortbreads and chocolate caramel cookies?

Oh, me! Let it be ME!


GravatarFlory--I have some kids who'll get to B school, but not many. And they're certainly not getting it elsewhere.


GravatarSallyH - The Morrocan fish tagine from your 'Hungry Blogger' site is a staple round these parts - thought you should know.


GravatarOk JR. It's "who has the most worthless skill time!"

Let see. I already said Fire eating.
How about

I know how to install an Ethernet card on a Window 95 computer. Is that worthless enough or just out of date?


GravatarWell, you've kept me up late enough that I have to eat a midnight snack before going to bed.


GravatarUncle Smokes--you could talk to Monsieur about a sharing arrangement...


GravatarDan--we have some great cooks around here, that's for certain. And we're all glad to share.


Gravatarwere you in my 2nd grade class, jr?
Karin


Are your parents first cousins?

(I had an interesting neighbourhood)


GravatarNow who's gonna marry a mathmetician/scientist who bakes pecan shortbreads and chocolate caramel cookies?

I could change teams for that.


GravatarWhere's my storms?

http://radar.weather.gov/Conus/

supposed to get noise tonite.


Gravatarand they said, who's going to marry you if you do that?
Sallyh, Grandmere Poissonniere


They were of the opinion that math departments were overloaded with women?


GravatarEchidne--I'll leave some at the altar.


GravatarFlory--no, they're old Belfast. Girls weren't suited to that sort of thing, in their estimation.


Gravatarbut I'm not even vaguely Ukranian, so I wouldn't want to affront anyone of that ethnicity.
JR, kerosene and a match


It's ok. NToddler is gone.


GravatarOk JR. It's "who has the most worthless skill time!"

I was a DOS PC programmer.


GravatarUncle Smokes--you could talk to Monsieur about a sharing arrangement...
Sallyh, Grandmere Poissonniere


Damn. One man stands between me and a lifetime of scientifically delicious baked goods.


GravatarLet see. I already said Fire eating.
How about

I know how to install an Ethernet card on a Window 95 computer. Is that worthless enough or just out of date?
spocko


Flint knapping.

I know how to install *anything* on Win9x.


GravatarI have many, many useless skills.

I consider cooking to be one of my less useless ones.


GravatarI could change teams for that.
Echidne of the snakes

See! See! It IS a CHOICE just like the Wing nuts say!

Why I heard just the other day that they were giving out chocolate lava cakes to people who recruited 2 new members to the gay lifestyle club. Last year it was an iPod and the year before, toasters!


GravatarOk JR. It's "who has the most worthless skill time!"

I have lots of Victorian female skills. I can make lace, embroider, knit and crochet.


GravatarI was a DOS PC programmer.
1watt Hermit


I was a COBOL programmer/IBM DOS.

And that wasn't my "first" language.


GravatarFlory--no, they're old Belfast. Girls weren't suited to that sort of thing, in their estimation.
Sallyh, Grandmere Poissonniere


Yeah, but did you explain what 10 to 1 odds did for your marriage chances?
Your first statistics lesson!!!


GravatarAnd that wasn't my "first" language.

BASIC? FORTRAN?


Gravatarno, they're old Belfast. Girls weren't suited to that sort of thing, in their estimation.

Old Belfast didn't think girls were suited to much. And then their husbands resented them for not being able to look after themselves.

(Why yes, I am Irish. How could you tell?)


GravatarSpent five years studying saber fencing.

Now that's a REAL useful self-defense skill in New York City.


GravatarI have lots of Victorian female skills. I can make lace, embroider, knit and crochet.
Echidne of the snakes


Which lace? Bobbin, tatting, whitework or needle?

My mother did bobbin and tatting, I know these things.


GravatarI can balance four stacks of coins on my elbow (pennies) and then in one fell swoop drop them off the elbow and catch them with the hand on the same arm without any of them hitting the floor.


GravatarBASIC? FORTRAN?
Echidne of the snakes


FORTRAN66, in the WATFOR variant, was my first.


GravatarWhich lace? Bobbin, tatting, whitework or needle?

No tatting. My bobbinwork is not very good. Largely needlelace. Also crocheted lace and some whitework where you cut out threads.


Gravatarcatch them with the hand on the same arm without any of them hitting the floor.

Richie Cunningham, is that you?


GravatarI have lots of Victorian female skills. I can make lace, embroider, knit and crochet.
Echidne of the snakes


I make Alexander Calder-style mobiles out of floral wire and Shrinky-Dinks.


GravatarI was a DOS PC programmer.
1watt Hermit


I'm still one. Feh.


Gravatardan mcenroe! That is great!
I took fencing in college and loved it. Why did I take it? Just in case I was ever transported back in time to an era where I need to know how to use a sword.

Hey, I time travel a lot, I need skills!


Gravatari can discuss cardiac disease, james joyce, bronze casting and modern painting, all in depth.


GravatarJR--RC Irish. What can you do?
Sallyh


Become an atheist and move?



GravatarSpent five years studying saber fencing.

Now that's a REAL useful self-defense skill in New York City.
dan mcenroe


My tai chi sword is also not very useful. Or how to use a poisoned fan. But it was fun.


Gravatar"
I read it for the articles, I swear
11/22/05 21:36:34


Great piece in the latest GQ about Sinclair Broadcasting. I couldn’t help but notice this tasty tidbit:

Never mind that (David) Smith’s own behavior had almost nothing in common with (Sinclair’s vice president of corporate relations, Mark) Hyman’s moralistic segments. According to several sources close to Smith, the principal owner of Sinclair has never been the paragon of personal virtue that his stations preach and his political allies champion. Having launched his career selling pornographic videos in Baltimore’s red-light district during the 1970s, Smith has apparently spent the past thirty years refining that passion. After he was caught by police in 1996 getting a blow job from a prostitute while driving a company Mercedes, his sexual adventures became a matter of public record, but according to his friends, that incident only begins to tell the story.

“That was the time he got caught,” says one. “He’s a whoremonger. A real whoremonger. He loves the titty bars. The only people he likes go to the titty bars with him. Those are the only people he trusts. He also goes out to Vegas all the time. He goes to the high-end titty bars. He’s always getting the private upstairs rooms, champagne, the works."'
http://www.dcmediagirl.com/index...20051122- 213634


GravatarBe a programmer for a decade or so. Where's your Jesus now?


Gravatartransported back in time to an era where I need to know how to use a sword.

might come in handy when the oil runs out. Thunderdome baby!


GravatarHey, I time travel a lot, I need skills!
spocko


Know how to use a longbow and quarterstaf as well as various sharp things that go through soft things that scream and bleed.

I bet your sabre would break if it hit my scramaseax.


GravatarI have lots of Victorian female skills. I can make lace, embroider, knit and crochet.
Echidne of the snakes


I can sew a fine hem and turn a collar.
Plus grow my own veggies.


GravatarI make Alexander Calder-style mobiles out of floral wire and Shrinky-Dinks.

Sounds interesting. What are Shrinky-DInks?


GravatarMy tai chi sword is also not very useful. Or how to use a poisoned fan.

There's a reason I switched to aikido.


Gravatar“He’s a whoremonger. A real whoremonger. He loves the titty bars. The only people he likes go to the titty bars with him. Those are the only people he trusts. He also goes out to Vegas all the time. He goes to the high-end titty bars. He’s always getting the private upstairs rooms, champagne, the works."'

Whoremongering, now there's a useful skill.


GravatarEchidne of the snakes
Cobol


Gravatarspocko is a closet SCAdian?


Gravatarmonica

you're watching bravo, aren't you?


GravatarJR, kerosene and a match

I think I'm going to declare JR the winner and ask him to accompany me the next time I step through a time portal. Wow! You rock!

(I want Dan on my team too! Don't mess with 5 years of saber fights, not everyone has JRs talents!)


GravatarBe a programmer for a decade or so. Where's your Jesus now?

Trapped in my stack of punchcards.


GravatarNo tatting. My bobbinwork is not very good. Largely needlelace. Also crocheted lace and some whitework where you cut out threads.
Echidne of the snakes


There's a reprinted book of Victorian needlecrafts around that has some fucking amazing stuff, I think you'd like the Cobert lace and Maltese lace.

My grandfather was the best knitter I knews, BTW. He picked it up in the merchant marine.


GravatarWhoremongering, now there's a useful skill.
masculine_monica_nyc | 02.24.07 - 1:11 am | #

Now there's a foundation for a media giant.


GravatarSounds interesting. What are Shrinky-DInks?
Echidne of the snakes


Shrinky Dinks are plastic sheets you can draw on, cut out, and shrink in the oven.


GravatarHe’s a whoremonger.
I should Google -monger. Ironmonger is a seller. So why is a whoremonger a buyer?


Gravataryou're watching bravo, aren't you?

Nah, listening to music. What's on Bravo?


GravatarI was a DOS PC programmer.
1watt Hermit

I'm still one. Feh.
Max Planck

How? Why?


GravatarNight bats. Sleep well all.


GravatarNah, listening to music. What's on Bravo?
taxicab confessions

mainly talking about whoremongering in vegas


Gravatarspocko is a closet SCAdian?
aangus


I'm out of the closet.

I can turn sugars into alcohol, which is a skill that would make me popular anytime, anywhere.


Gravatarmight come in handy when the oil runs out. Thunderdome baby!
dan mcenroe

I'm thinking more in the lines of Thundarr the Barbarian and his FABULOUS Sun Sword.

"Ookla Ariel! RIDE HARD!"

I do a great Thundarr imitation.


GravatarCobol
1watt Hermit


Invented by Grace whatshername, wasn't it?


GravatarI was once tasked with maintaining French COBOL code [shudder].


GravatarCheney to Obama:

"I'm not obligated to understand your traditions, and don't claim to. It's that simple."


GravatarHow? Why?
1watt Hermit


Oh, not a DOS proggie. Though astonishingly some of my clients still use DOS based apps to run things.


Gravatarmainly talking about whoremongering in vegas

Gotta say, sorry I missed that.


Gravatarjr: AMEN!!!


GravatarTrapped in my stack of punchcards.
masculine_monica_nyc


Don't dop the box.


GravatarMy tai chi sword is also not very useful. Or how to use a poisoned fan. But it was fun.
Echidne of the snakes


Some katas and styles of Tai Chi Chuan are more martial than meditative. There are sets with kicks and strikes.


GravatarCheney to Obama......

You're not even a nigger.


GravatarWhat's a SCAdian? I don't think I'm one, but maybe if I knew what one was, I'd be able to confirm or deny.


GravatarThe problem with David Smith is, as usual, the hypocrisy. Sinclair is this right wing, moralistic outfit, and the CEO is a whoremonger.

It's more of this crap that the morality for the masses does not apply to the people at the top.


GravatarInvented by Grace whatshername, wasn't it?
Echidne of the snakes


Admiral Grace Hopper


GravatarWhat's a SCAdian? I don't think I'm one, but maybe if I knew what one was, I'd be able to confirm or deny.
spocko


Society for Craetive Anachronism.

"Life in the Past Lane"


GravatarGotta say, sorry I missed that.
it's still on


GravatarI can turn sugars into alcohol, which is a skill that would make me popular anytime, anywhere.
JR, kerosene and a match

I planted 3 dozen elderberry trees to augment my wild ones, how can I safely make a little?


Gravatar1. A dealer in a specific commodity. Often used in combination: an ironmonger.
2. A person promoting something undesirable or discreditable. Often used in combination: a scandalmonger; a warmonger.
tr.v. mon·gered, mon·ger·ing, mon·gers
To peddle.


That's why the two ways of using monger.


GravatarWhat's a SCAdian? I don't think I'm one, but maybe if I knew what one was, I'd be able to confirm or deny.

Society for Creative Anachronism. Middle ages roleplayers.


GravatarGrace Hopper! I believe that was Admiral Hopper before she died.


GravatarSome katas and styles of Tai Chi Chuan are more martial than meditative. There are sets with kicks and strikes.

Yes. I also do a little bagua for that and used to do karate for over a decade.


Gravatarspocko: sorry, missed my mark, but, found a target anyway!


GravatarThough astonishingly some of my clients still use DOS based apps to run things.
Max Planck


It's amazing what software is not economically viable to replace.


GravatarAdmiral Grace Hopper once handed me a nanosecond.

This SERIOUSLY impressed my Unix Geek/Systems Administrator friends.


GravatarSociety for Creative Anachronism. Middle ages roleplayers.

Nope. But I do look dashing in tights (if I must say so myself.)


Gravatar Middle ages roleplayers.
Apprentice to Darth Holden


It's not roleplaying.


GravatarCobol
1watt Hermit

Invented by Grace whatshername, wasn't it?
Echidne of the snakes |

No clue, that 10 ft. keyboard machine was funky.


GravatarWhat's a SCAdian? I don't think I'm one, but maybe if I knew what one was, I'd be able to confirm or deny.
spocko | Homepage | 02.24.07 - 1:17 am | #

What Kind of SCAdian Are You?
Take Our Pop Psychology Quiz

http://www.thequarter.org/issue0...ue04/ page03.php


GravatarSounds interesting. What are Shrinky-DInks?
Echidne of the snakes


Shrink wrap is more useful than duct tape. Both can be applied to McCain.

The state Democratic Party criticized McCain for his support for the war, calling him "worse than Bush" in a statement.

After the speech, McCain was asked by an audience member if he was "sucking up to the religious right." He drew laughs by responding: "What's wrong with sucking up to everybody?"


GravatarIt's not roleplaying

No, but it sure is fun!


GravatarIt's amazing what software is not economically viable to replace.
JR, kerosene and a match


In my experience, they just latch onto the familiar interface. I end up stealing all of their data via ODBC for reporting. It just takes a lot of cleanup, because there is usually no validation at data entry.


Gravatar"COLUMBIA, S.C. (May 16, 1997 12:25 p.m. EDT) -- A state Board of Education member, talking Tuesday about displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools, had a ready suggestion for groups who might object to it.

"Screw the Buddhists and kill the Muslims," Dr. Henry Jordan said during the board's finance and legislative committee meeting. "And put that in the minutes," he added."
http://rogerailes.blogspot.com/ 2...907746792256568


GravatarYes. I also do a little bagua for that and used to do karate for over a decade.
Echidne of the snakes

http://www.taiji.net/bagua.html


GravatarThank you, pigboy.


GravatarIt's amazing what software is not economically viable to replace.
JR, kerosene and a match

It's the supply of 6" floppies.


GravatarI went to a medieval fair in Finland some years ago, centered on a castle and a cathedral. They had actors dressed as medieval people walking around, and the events included an execution and streetfights and so on. Very interesting.


GravatarThank you, pigboy.
aangus | Homepage | 02.24.07 - 1:23 am | #

-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
you bet


Gravatarhttp://www.taiji.net/bagua.html

Bagua is very hard. Harder than tai chi.


GravatarI planted 3 dozen elderberry trees to augment my wild ones, how can I safely make a little?
1watt Hermit


Crush them, throw them in an appropriate food grade pail. You may want to sterilize the must (that's the crushed fruit and juice) by either boiling or sulphiting (comes with instructions). After sterilizing throw in wine yeast. If you have a fitted lid, cut a hole and get and airlock (or buy a pail for wine making that alrady has that), otherwise tie a tea towel tightly around the top of the pail.

Let that "work" for a week or two, then strain it off into a large bottle (carboy) and fit it with an airlock.

Once the airlock stops burping it's done, but leave it alone for a while for the crud to settle to the bottom. Siphon it off, either into bottles, or into another carboy to settle some more.

You may want to buy a little thingie to test your sugar levels, because too little sugar and the wine won't keep well.


GravatarYears ago, in fact on 9/11, I worked at a school district where there were 25 state lookup tables. When all these systems were being developed, nobody thought to find out if there already existed what they needed.


GravatarMax Did I every tell you about the time I was 'ressaling with some ODBC code trying to get Outlook to talk to Word in order to do a simple mail merge?

Well it all started it a gloomy back office in the downtown SF...


GravatarWish you all a relaxing and rejuvenating and fun weekend! Sweet dreams.


GravatarI went to a medieval fair in Finland some years ago, centered on a castle and a cathedral. They had actors dressed as medieval people walking around, and the events included an execution and streetfights and so on. Very interesting.
Echidne of the snakes


That's called The Rennaisance Pleasure Faire out here in CA.

My Sifu.


GravatarWhat Kind of SCAdian Are You?
Take Our Pop Psychology Quiz


D. You aren't exactly an authenticity Nazi, but secretly enjoy the reputation. Fortunately, the new Masterworks competition at Art-Sci will keep you occupied.


GravatarSounds like a good school, senseless sensei.


GravatarEchidne

In the really crappy book Timeline by the crazy author Michael Crichton, he makes a comment that what surprised him about the middle ages was how quiet it was (no electronic or machinery humming background noise) and how it didn't Stink (like he thought it would.)

I enjoyed learning both those "facts" and then I realized that most of what I know of the middle ages was based on Monty Python and bad movies.


GravatarIn the really crappy book Timeline by the crazy author Michael Crichton, he makes a comment that what surprised him about the middle ages was how quiet it was (no electronic or machinery humming background noise) and how it didn't Stink (like he thought it would.)

Also, the furniture wouldn't all have been old and dark then.

Though I suspect it did stink. New York City does, for example, to my sensitive nose.


GravatarBeware the "Authenticity Police".


GravatarI assume the "stink factor" would depend gratly on where you were. The cities would have reeked.


GravatarSounds like a good school, senseless sensei.
Echidne of the snakes


It is a fine school. I am a poor student.


GravatarBeware the "Authenticity Police".
aangus


I'm only an auxillary. I mean, you can sping $2 for some china flats and ditch the fucking Nikes, m'kay?


GravatarI grew up in the country and got used to the night being dark as in truly black. That was a big change when I went to college, but also the noises. The country noises were silence and sounds of nature.


GravatarJust got back from the opera. "Dialogues of the Carmelites" by Poulenc at the Lyric. Wow. Blew me away. Holy toledo.


GravatarJR, kerosene and a match

way back when a girlfriend's dad made a rose petal wine using 4.0L wine jugs & balloons.


GravatarCrichton is an idiot and doesn't know the etymology of the word "dungeon".


GravatarThe country noises were silence and sounds of nature.
Echidne of the snakes


The two things I miss most about the country are the darkness and the "silence".


GravatarGoodnight to each and everyone.


Gravatarway back when a girlfriend's dad made a rose petal wine using 4.0L wine jugs & balloons.
1watt Hermit


You can do that, but my stuff tends to run high, the balloons probably wouldn't make it.


GravatarI assume the "stink factor" would depend gratly on where you were.

If you were alone, bearable. Other than that, otherwise. Who does Crichton think he's kidding? There was often raw poopy sewage in the streets until large scale plumbing was developed.


GravatarCrichton is an idiot
senseless sensei


You could have stopped there.


GravatarThe two things I miss most about the country are the darkness and the "silence".

Except when the capercaillies were mating. That was noisy.


Gravatarand how it didn't Stink (like he thought it would.)

Years ago in York I visited a museum that for some reason decided to reproduce the Authentic Smell of a Medieval Village.

It stank.


Gravatarm'kay!


Gravatar"Lords of Light!"

You ain't the only one who recalls Thundarr!


GravatarThe horses had the decency not to poop back in the "Dark Ages".


GravatarIf you were alone, bearable. Other than that, otherwise.

Well, you wouldn't be alone in the countryside, and it probably didn't smell any different than a modern farmyard. A small commuity on a river (hey, where do you thinki they dumped those chamber pots) would also not be too bad so long as you stayed upwind of the tanner.


GravatarCrichton isn't thinking this through, at least as far as cities go. Quiet? Those masses of people? Horses and wheels clattering? At what point in our history has any gathering of humans been quiet?

Just romantic reationary cryptofascist "good old days" thinking on his part...


GravatarThe horses had the decency not to poop back in the "Dark Ages".

Horse poop smells good.


Gravatardave™© | Homepage | 02.23.07 - 11:50 pm | #

If you missed dave's original notice, I liked this band too. They're a bit early '80s retro, dave saying Bram Tchaikovsky, but "Cop Killer" has the rhythmic feel of the Police's "Invisible Sun." The airy production too

There's also a funny video about a birthday party gone wrong. Kids who look like humanities majors trash talk like gangstas and then fight with light sabers. Tragic results


GravatarWell, you wouldn't be alone in the countryside, and it probably didn't smell any different than a modern farmyard. A small commuity on a river (hey, where do you thinki they dumped those chamber pots) would also not be too bad so long as you stayed upwind of the tanner.

In the winter the people must have stunk, though.


GravatarA medieval city would be quieter after dark. No street lighting, a lot of people went to bed with the sun because candles were expensive. But life began at sunrise, and it woke up loudly.


GravatarI grew up in the country and got used to the night being dark as in truly black. That was a big change when I went to college, but also the noises. The country noises were silence and sounds of nature.
Echidne of the snakes

The night is never black, always moon & stars, always noisy when it's warm, hell cricket frogs, jar flies, whippoorwills, coyotes it's just a more peaceful noise out here. The last time I heard a siren out here was three yrs. ago. screeching tire don't happen on a dirt road.


GravatarIn the winter the people must have stunk, though.
Echidne of the snakes


Well, it would depend on where and when. Some cultures bathed regularly.


GravatarWell, it would depend on where and when. Some cultures bathed regularly.

Mine did, what with the sauna once a week.


GravatarI would rather do death by chocolate.


GravatarIn the winter the people must have stunk, though.
Echidne of the snakes


I think they stunk all the time.


GravatarI would rather do death by chocolate.

Than what?

I had too much of that strong coffee.


GravatarWell, it would depend on where and when. Some cultures bathed regularly.
JR, kerosene and a match


That whole "Dark Ages" thing just describes a post-Roman European spasm where folks weren't guaranteed security. They still wanted to be clean, for Crissakes.


Gravatareveryone look at my myspace blog! i think i may have done something wonderful and now im drunk and shamelessly promoting it. word.


GravatarThe night is never black, always moon & stars, always noisy when it's warm, hell cricket frogs, jar flies, whippoorwills, coyotes it's just a more peaceful noise out here

Winter brings silence.

A summer's night before a thunderstorm is blacker than Toby's arse.


GravatarHorse poop smells good.

Doesn't bother me either.


GravatarThe night is never black, always moon & stars, always noisy when it's warm, hell cricket frogs, jar flies, whippoorwills, coyotes it's just a more peaceful noise out here. The last time I heard a siren out here was three yrs. ago. screeching tire don't happen on a dirt road.

A different climate. Where I grew up the winter was just one long silence and darkness.


GravatarMom, I think your young granddaughter has doubled in size the past 2 weeks.


GravatarWell, I'm going to make some digital noise, as far removed from the Dark Ages as can be, that I hope does not stink.

Y'all take care of your good selves.


GravatarMine did, what with the sauna once a week.
Is there anything the Finnish can't do?
I'm starting to like you Finns almost as much as I like Canadians!


GravatarOf course, I grew up in a city, and now live in about as rural a place as I can imagine, with the ocelots and pumas across the road and all.

Cities smell nicer than cows.


GravatarMine did, what with the sauna once a week.
Echidne of the snakes


Laversdag.

There's a fair bit o' Norse and Saxon in my background. Not a lot of respect for other people's property rights, though.


GravatarMom, I think your young granddaughter has doubled in size the past 2 weeks.

I noticed! I check several times a day.


GravatarMr. Crichton should be dropped into an oubliette - a dungeon with the only entrance or exit being a trap door in the ceiling.


Word History: The word dungeon may have gone down in the world quite literally, if one etymology of the word is correct. Dungeon may go back to a Medieval Latin word, domni, meaning "the lord's tower," which came from Latin dominus, "master." In Middle English, in which our word is first recorded in a work composed around the beginning of the 14th century, it meant "a fortress, castle" and "the keep of a castle," as well as "a prison cell underneath the keep of the castle." Dungeon can still mean "keep," although the usual spelling for this sense is donjon, but the meaning most usually associated with it is certainly not elevated. It is also possible that dungeon goes back to a Germanic word related to our word dung. This assumed Germanic word would have meant "an underground house constructed of dung." If this etymology is correct, the word dungeon has ended up where it began.

Horse poop smells good.
Echidne of the snakes


That can depend on the horse's last meal. Some grains can ferment in their digestive tract.


GravatarWhere I grew up the winter was just one long silence and darkness.

Except for the kids, that's us...


GravatarIs there anything the Finnish can't do?

We can't talk or smile or hug. We're very good at drinking, though and good at losing wars against the Russians and still existing.


GravatarThey still wanted to be clean, for Crissakes.
Max Planck


Well, not if you didn't know any better, and bathing opportunities were more restricted.

The river? Remember where they emptied the chamberpots...


GravatarThan what?

Death by murder.


GravatarWhere I grew up the winter was just one long silence and darkness.

Except for the kids, that's us...

It is great for the kids, though. I never felt any depression from the darkness.


GravatarI noticed! I check several times a day.

She's almost painfully cute.

Right now she's running around like a maniac, having had her nap.


GravatarYou should do videos of Maddie, fourlegs.


GravatarWe can't talk or smile or hug. We're very good at drinking, though and good at losing wars against the Russians and still existing.

Substitute "English" for "Russians," and you're Irish.

Slainte.


GravatarMr. Crichton should be dropped into an oubliette - a dungeon with the only entrance or exit being a trap door in the ceiling.


Trivia: Obliette was also the name for a certain type of early "online" security, in which the hacker was led down a false trail, couldn't back out, and was hopefuly there long enough to be traced.


GravatarWe can't talk or smile or hug.

Well for a person who can't talk, you sure as hell can write!

And smiling is overrated. I should know.

Hugging? Who needs that?


GravatarI'm not big on Celts.


GravatarMwah, spocko.

I've lived abroad for a while, so I can imitate some of the local traditions. Twist lips upwards for greeting, for example.


GravatarYou should do videos of Maddie, fourlegs.

Well, my new cell phone has a video camera, but I'll be damned if I can figure out how to get the video onto my laptop.

The manual is rubbish.

By the time I figure out how to put video on YouTube, she'll be fully grown.


Gravatar
It is great for the kids, though. I never felt any depression from the darkness.


Mischief is a great cure for depression.


GravatarEchidne of the snakes | Homepage | 02.24.07 - 1:24 am | #

There used to be medieval fairs when I was in college in Sarasota FL. "Leprous beggar" was considered a good job for students, as it required no skills, you could do it drunk or high, and you got to keep half your loot


GravatarHugging? Who needs that?
spocko






(me)


GravatarI find darkness soothing.

Children are depressing


Gravatar"Leprous beggar" was considered a good job for students, as it required no skills, you could do it drunk or high, and you got to keep half your loot
Draco | 02.24.07 - 1:54 am | #


And how much loot could a leprous beggar get? Wouldn't everybody run away?


GravatarThe river? Remember where they emptied the chamberpots...
JR, kerosene and a match


Yes, and bacterial isolation wasn't really scientifically accepted until Pasteur got jiggy wid it.

Sometimes I wonder if many discoveries weren't at least the second time around.


GravatarThat can depend on the horse's last meal. Some grains can ferment in their digestive tract.
senseless sensei

I bought a truckload of horse manure for a garden 10 years ago. When spring arrived, I knew every friggin thing those horse ate the year before. fought those weeds all yr long.


Gravatarnew cell phone has a video camera, but I'll be damned if I can figure out how to get the video onto my laptop.
My cell phone makes it easy. You just email it to yourself! Only one thing. It costs money to email it! Bastards!

I got a cord and some bootleg software to get it off "for free".
Only problem? If you screw up with the bootleg software your phone becomes a brick.


GravatarSometimes I wonder if many discoveries weren't at least the second time around.

According to my father my great-grandmother used mold to treat bad wounds. She saved some guy from amputation. The mold had to be particular type that she carefully looked for. Sounds like penicillin to me.


GravatarOh Uncle Smokes I'll give you a hug (but don't tell Michael Medved about it! He'll think you are trying to convert me!)


GravatarThe river? Remember where they emptied the chamberpots...
JR, kerosene and a match


If the castle was under seige they might empty them into the oubliette, if they couldn't empty them over the walls onto the English surrounding the castle.


GravatarAccording to my father my great-grandmother used mold to treat bad wounds. She saved some guy from amputation. The mold had to be particular type that she carefully looked for. Sounds like penicillin to me.
Echidne of the snakes

could have been mosses or lichens, seem to remember using moss to heal wounds.


GravatarSounds like penicillin to me.
Echidne of the snakes


We know that there was this ancient big-assed world liberry at Alexandria. It burnt with all of it's scroll-based knowledge. Sometimes we find out that the ancients had their shit together.


GravatarMy cell phone makes it easy. You just email it to yourself! Only one thing. It costs money to email it! Bastards!

Exactly!

I don't want to pay for the service. I have a USB cord to the phone, there ought to be a way to just download it to my laptop.

Or else I can find a card reader that reads the type of memory chip I have in my camera (one of those teensy little SD thingees).


Gravatartest


GravatarSometimes I wonder if many discoveries weren't at least the second time around.

Columbus was only the third to discover the New World third. The French discovered it first.


GravatarAnd how much loot could a leprous beggar get

If a leprous beggar could beg lepers?


Gravatarbut I'll be damned if I can figure out how to get the video onto my laptop.



USB port? email it?


GravatarSometimes I wonder if many discoveries weren't at least the second time around.

Columbus discovered the New World the third time around. The French found it first.


GravatarJust so that you all feel as old as me!

http://towsertv.petetownshend.co.uk/


Gravatarbut I'll be damned if I can figure out how to get the video onto my laptop.
USB port? email it?


Gravatarbut I'll be damned if I can figure out how to get the video onto my laptop.
USB port? email it?


GravatarMy cell phone makes it easy. You just email it to yourself! Only one thing. It costs money to email it! Bastards!

Bah.

Damned haloscan. Yeah, it's the same with mine, and I don't want the service because I'm never going to be emailing photos to people.

I guess I'll see if I can find a card reader that will read the little SD card in my phone.


GravatarWell, it would depend on where and when. Some cultures bathed regularly.
JR, kerosene and a match | 02.24.07 - 1:43 am | #


I read a bio of Peter the Great that said the Finns and Russians were the only halfway clean people in Europe at the time.

The Russians adopted the sauna, and added their own wrinkle to it. Every ten minuted or so you run naked into the snow where attendants await to swat you with birch switches. Hard. When you've had enough you run back into the sauna. Very relaxing


GravatarEchidne--The whole idea for a leprous beggar was to scare people into giving them money. You'd follow them around until they did. I never did it, but the average take worked out to less than minimum wage. But the intangibles were fun, and the free ale was tangible


Gravatarbut I'll be damned if I can figure out how to get the video onto my laptop.
USB port? email it?


Well, I do have a USB cord, but there doesn't seem to be software to let you do that.

And yes, I can email it, but then I've got to use their internet service on my phone (which I don't want) or else subscribe to their picture service, which I also don't want.

The camera supports Pict-bridge, it oughta support direct to PC transfers as well.

But then they couldn't rope you into a higher bill.


GravatarI'm sad that I missed Obama today while I was sitting in a meeting talking about web site bullshit.


GravatarI'm sad that I missed Obama today while I was sitting in a meeting talking about web site bullshit.



my son was there. he said people were really excited.


GravatarMr. Crichton should be dropped into an oubliette - a dungeon with the only entrance or exit being a trap door in the ceiling.


K&Y?


Gravatarbirch switches

Yes. But you use them to beat yourself in the steam, not in the snow.


GravatarHas everyone been Haloscanned to oblivion? I'll just add something from the Peter the Great bio.

He couldn't get over how bad the French smelled. They thought bathing was unhealthy and just kept adding layers of scented powder, creating a mishmosh of aromas--sweat, rotting dead skin, and the finest flowers in the land


GravatarThe camera supports Pict-bridge

Is it blue?


GravatarFrikkin fingers...

The French found it first.
senseless sensei


K&Y?


GravatarOkay, this is bizarre, haloscan is posting stuff from a while ago.

STOP IT!!


GravatarYes. But you use them to beat yourself in the steam, not in the snow.
Echidne of the snakes



Roll in the snow, have nubile thang of your prefernece gently lash you in the steam, right?


GravatarIs it blue?

Ha!!

Red, actually.


GravatarEchidne--I'm just reporting what I read in the book. Maybe times have changed regarding when you get hit with birch switches. But the image of Russian nobles rolling naked in the snow while their servants beat them remains indelible


GravatarRoll in the snow, have nubile thang of your prefernece gently lash you in the steam, right?

Not the nubile thang, sorry. You beat your own self with the birch switches, hard, until you go all red.


Gravatar You beat your own self with the birch switches, hard, until you go all red.
Echidne of the snakes


Where's the fun in that?


GravatarThe female bathers in public saunas were always very old women, by the way.


GravatarWhere's the fun in that?

It's an in-thing? The birch releases a wonderful fragrance and you scrape off dead skin that way. I was never that keen on the switch, actually, but I used to make them for winter.


GravatarThe female bathers in public saunas were always very old women, by the way.
Echidne of the snakes


You know, there's a comment I would make here, but I'm going to pretend I have class.


GravatarThe birch releases a wonderful fragrance and you scrape off dead skin that way.

Strigils, nubile Iish slaves and some looted Italian olive oil.


GravatarTo clarify, by "bathers" I meant the women who wash you in a public sauna. They may still have them, and they are always very old women.


GravatarHaloscan is being a bitch, yes?


GravatarBite me haloscan.


GravatarGood evening, bats.

We're on self-flagellation tonight, are we?


GravatarHave I mentioned lately that HaloScan sucks?

We just went through the Elevenses PST.


GravatarTo clarify, by "bathers" I meant the women who wash you in a public sauna. They may still have them, and they are always very old women.
Echidne of the snakes


Well, the theory is the same.


GravatarTo clarify, by "bathers" I meant the women who wash you in a public sauna. They may still have them, and they are always very old women.

Can't finnish people bathe themselves?


GravatarWe're on self-flagellation tonight, are we?

No, just bathing.

And penicillan. And cell phones.

And kittenz.


GravatarWe're also discussing how haloscan sucks donkey dicks.


GravatarCan't finnish people bathe themselves?
The public sauna is an institution which is probably dead by now. They used to exist, a little like Turkish baths, and you could get washed and massaged (read: pummeled) by the old ladies.


GravatarWe're on self-flagellation tonight, are we?

No, just bathing.


If you're beating yourself with birch till your skin is red, I have to say, that's some self-flagellation right there.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.


GravatarThe switches also make the heat experience stronger. My father loved it.


Gravataryou could get washed and massaged (read: pummeled) by the old ladies.
Echidne of the snakes


Well, that would keep things "loose", and the old ladies get to work out their frustrations.


Gravatari think there are still public bath houses in hot springs, echidne.


GravatarI think we should bring back strigils.

And the nubile strigil weilders.


Gravatari think there are still public bath houses in hot springs, echidne.
HenryFlowerLovesMinaPurefoy | Homepage | 02.24.07 - 2:33 am | #


There are indeed. That's a weird little town...


GravatarThere are indeed. That's a weird little town...


it sure is :DDD


GravatarStop saying "nubile", Jr.


GravatarAlthouse has another column up in the NYTimes.

Of all the things I've found offensive this past year or so, that's one of the worst.

That a fucking crappy writer and sub-par intellect like hers would be rewarded with a guest gig at the NYTimes.

It's a fucking travesty.


GravatarStop saying "nubile", Jr.
annieangel


Why?


GravatarI've never been to a public sauna. Each house has its own for the family use, so the people who go to public ones are either tourists or those who live in rooms. But I learned a lot about the so-called "sauna wedding ring" which was a cheap ring you bought so that you could go to a public sauna as a pretend-married couple. All this was a long time ago.


GravatarAlthouse has another column up in the NYTimes.

I got some e-mails about that. I'm supposed to do something about Althouse.


GravatarWell, I am happy to report that Maddie is making sure that I will be safe from the Feather on a Stick monster this evening.


GravatarI've never been to a public sauna. Each house has its own for the family use, so the people who go to public ones are either tourists or those who live in rooms.



the ones in not springs are gov't owned, and the hotels also have them.


GravatarBecause. It's weird that you've used it more than once is all.

I see they knocked down the Ho King, btw.


GravatarI got some e-mails about that. I'm supposed to do something about Althouse.

I wish someone would.

What the hell were they thinking? Who read the excreable nonsense she writes and thought, "Wow!! now there's a writer!!"??

For fuck's sake.


GravatarBecause. It's weird that you've used it more than once is all.

It's weird that you find it weird that words get used more than once.

I see they knocked down the Ho King, btw.
annieangel


you don't get out much, do you moppet?


GravatarWhat the hell were they thinking? Who read the excreable nonsense she writes and thought, "Wow!! now there's a writer!!"??

Probably. They have David Brooks in the stable, too.


GravatarBecause. It's weird that you've used it more than once is all.

It's weird that you find it weird that words get used more than once.


Quit saying "weird."


GravatarThere are indeed. That's a weird little town...


I'm moving to nw ar in three weeks because of this 'lil town. Already put in my notice.


GravatarQuit saying "weird."
rorschach


Did your sisters object?


GravatarThere are indeed. That's a weird little town...


I'm moving to nw ar in three weeks because of this 'lil town. Already put in my notice.
TinyPorcelainMouse | 02.24.07 - 2:43 am | #


You're moving to NW Arkansas b/c of Hot Springs? Which is not in NW Arkansas?

Please to explain?


GravatarFrikkin fingers...

The French found it first.
senseless sensei

K&Y?
JR, kerosene and a match


The solutrian hypothesis.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Sol...rean_hypothesis

If clovis points are a record of the first migration across to the new world, we should see them in Siberia. We don't. Their spear tip technology was completely different.

The hypothesis rests upon particular similarities in Solutrean and Clovis technology that have no counterparts in Eastern Asia, Siberia or Beringia, areas from which or through which early Americans are known to have migrated.

Even mitochondrial DNA studies support the theory. The only resistance to the hypothesis is that "modern man" can't accept that prehistoric man crossed the atalntic without steamships and GPS.


GravatarThey just knocked it down, Jr. I went past it on Monday and part of it was still being taken down and it was a big mess.

What's your fascination with the whole "nublie" thing? Did you get it in a word a day and are trying to use it in conversation?


Gravatarrorschach, have I told you how good your blog is? You find stories nobody else does.


GravatarNow that Hell-o-scum seems to have settled down:

Just too make you all feel older



http://towsertv.petetownshend.co.uk/


Gravatarrorschach, have I told you how good your blog is? You find stories nobody else does.
Echidne of the snakes | Homepage | 02.24.07 - 2:46 am | #


Really? Thank you.

Damn! You just made my night, Echidne. I didn't really know you were a regular, even.

Now I'm all proud of myself!

(I'm also weird and nubile.)


GravatarP.S.

Annie: LOL,LOL,LOL!!!


GravatarDamn. Haloscan ate my post.


GravatarDamn! You just made my night, Echidne. I didn't really know you were a regular, even.


I am. I read everything once a week, sometimes more often. Also check out the cats so that you don't get beaten by switches.


Gravatar'lo, dears.....


GravatarHugs to Sarah Deere. How are you this night?


GravatarIran and the US have much in common, such as bellicose gov'ts chock full of religious fanatics. The populaces seem to have much in common too:

"Who cares about the nuclear issue? People want to buy things," said Bahareh, a woman from a central Tehran middle-class district. "I went to the main bazaar today to shop for my daughter, and it was much busier than this time last year."

Shopping!


GravatarAnyway, Althouse is still banal and stupid.

But you all knew that. So nevermind.


Gravatarmmmmmmmm....nubile.........


GravatarWe lived in nw ar for 3yr and had a family breakdown.

Now, we are ready to move north.

Aw, shit. It's a cool place to live. We want to raise our little girl there.


GravatarAnyway, Althouse is still banal and stupid.

She is very good at banality, though. Or so Thers tells us.


GravatarAlso check out the cats so that you don't get beaten by switches.
Echidne of the snakes | Homepage | 02.24.07 - 2:49 am | #


Heh. Nor poked with brooms (and us without even a sauna!)...

Again, thank you. I'm very glad and extremely proud that you like it.

It goes without saying (or, rather, it shouldn't and now it doesn't) that I am a huge fan of your place as well. I ♥ your writing style.


GravatarGood evening, Deere. How goes it?


GravatarIt goes without saying (or, rather, it shouldn't and now it doesn't) that I am a huge fan of your place as well. I ♥ your writing style.

Maybe we should merge the blogs. In fact, maybe this night shift should all start a blog together.


GravatarShe is very good at banality, though. Or so Thers tells us.

Honestly, I don't know how he reads her stuff.

It's mind bendingly boring.


GravatarAnyway, Althouse is still banal and stupid.
Great gams, though


GravatarEchidne...

My g'daughter had her bone marrow taken today, and you know how often people speak of certain child cancer patients as being exceptional? Alora is, and that's not just my bias. I've already heard the nurses talking sotte voce about her - "That's a smart one". "Yes, she is - put it in your notes."

Her 5th grade teacher came to see her, and he and I talked for a long while. He says she's a natural leader, so intelligent, so kind to everyone. He said she read everything he threw at her last year. He said it became a goal for him to give her
increasingly challenging reading material. She'd come back to him in 4 days and say, yes, that was good -what next? He came today with a backpack full of books for her. Lovely man.

After her bone marrow procedure, the nurses were transferring her from her
gurney back to her bed and she was in a lot of pain and snapped at them,
apparently. When I poked my head in the room (I had been outside with her
teacher and trying to stay out of the way), I heard them say, okay, sweetie, you're good to go now. Alora whispered "thank you" - and then told them she was sorry for "being mean" to them. I told her teacher and he said, "that's Alora, through and through." She stands up for the picked-on, confronts the bullies and
the "mean" people.

When she was born, I knew she was special, yet I just thought she was special to me. She is apparently special to lots of people. Anyone who knows her is affected positively by her.

I hope for a miracle - and I do not discount them.

I spoke w/my grandson this eve and we talked about his being scared, and I
reminded him how much his sister loves him with a Tale From the Past - which he remembered perfectly!!!

Such a deal. I fall in love w/this family I have all over again.


GravatarEven mitochondrial DNA studies support the theory.
senseless sensei


1) They weren't "French"

2) There are some problems with the hypothesis. One major one is that X2A is anciently divergent, the other is that there are pre-Clovis sites.

The chronology of the population of the Americas is very, very complex.


Gravatarhey sarah!


GravatarIt's mind bendingly boring.
fourlegsgood, kittenslave | Homepage | 02.24.07 - 2:53 am | #


As opposed to "groin-grabbingly good!"
/Homer Simpson


GravatarGreat gams, though

How do you know this?