Re: In other news

BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]: 

> On 23.09.2023 23.14, Merlyne wrote:
>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>> news:[email protected]: 
>> 
>>> On 17.09.2023 19.50, Merlyne wrote:
>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>
>>>>> On 09.09.2023 22.51, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 06.09.2023 14.22, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On 30.08.2023 14.42, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> On 24.08.2023 16.55, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>>>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 18.08.2023 14.51, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 13.08.2023 23.28, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 09.08.2023 14.19, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 01.08.2023 13.32, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 27.07.2023 15.32, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 22.07.2023 17.21, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 18.07.2023 13.24, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 12.07.2023 13.22, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 08.07.2023 17.01, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 05.07.2023 14.14, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 02.07.2023 16.29, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>in >> news:[email protected]:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 28.06.2023 13.31, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I got a new phone and a better
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>plan. >>>> Why are cell plans so much
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>more >>>> expensive 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> in my country vs the US? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> CAPITALISM! It's always capitalism.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> We've been over this. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sure. Are you sure that it's not
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> related 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to population base? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you pay the same country-wide and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>you > the same coverage in sparsely
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>populated 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> areas (I know you have some of those),
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> then maybe. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But most likely capitalism. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ugh!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I got a new S21 and 20GB of data
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>for >>>> $47/month taxes in. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I pay a base fee of ~$4/month
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> (deducted 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> from consumption) with slightly
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>higher >>> per-minute charge and no free
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>data. >> But > then I only use 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> data in emergency (which haven't
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> happened 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> yet) and make maybe two calls and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>two >>> texts/month. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I used to have a prepaid cell for
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>like >> $10 a month back in 2003 when it
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>was my >> emergency phone. Once I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>started using 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> it  all the time, 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> it was more cost-efficient to have a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> plan  with unlimited talk and text. I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> would say 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> that I am most frequently contacted
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>by >> text than by other modes i.e.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>voice >> call  or email. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On the other hand I still pay for a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> landline (IP) even though it hasn't
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> made > a sound (or call) in several
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> years. >
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I also have a landline. My Dad calls
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>it >> and a few places where I keep
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> forgetting 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to change my contact info to my cell.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I >> think the landline isn't VOIP it's
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> whatever came 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> before that but after rotary dial
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> phones. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Analog... (rotary dials relied on
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> counting 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the impulses - one for each digit
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>passed > on return; pushbutton 'dialing'
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>relied > on the frequency of the tone
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> correspondig to 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> each digit/button) 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They will probably phase it out
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> eventually. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Like they did with teevee signals,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>thus > making everyone get new
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>teevees... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I thought I got a new tv because the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>old  one stopped working. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That may be, but lots of people got new
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> tvs because their old one couldn't
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> receive/decode the digital signal. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The cable company gave out digital
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> conversion boxes to people. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Can you still get one of those. To use on
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> an old teevee that you buy at an antique
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> shop? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I doubt anything would work on a tv that
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> old. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> In theory it would. It would require a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> digital to analog conversion and probably a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> granularity reduction from HD to PAL or
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> [whatever the American format is called]. An
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> old cable converter might just work if one
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> could bypass the subscription bit. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It could work from an antenna. Some channels
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> are in the air. In HD even. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That's what I meant, using the antenna as
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> input for the box. A really old TV will
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> probably make a mess of an unaltered HD
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> signal. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I can imagine.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It would probably make a mess of SD signals
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> too. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And if by some miracle it could be made to work,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> there probably wouldn't be anything good on
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> anyway. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Nonsense! There are always quality programming
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> available like those reality shows were a farmer
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> needs a wife. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Grrr! No matter when I look it seems to be all
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> American 'Married at first sight' or some survival
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> show... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> There's now a couple of them on about finding a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> spouse for farmers. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And some where they put couples in an isolated spot
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and see how long it takes for people to cheat on
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> their partners. *sigh* 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And how long does it take? I need closure.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sorry, I don't have that information. I don't watch
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> that type of programming. It's detrimental to my
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> health. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I bet it would help you fall asleep = good for your
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> health 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not really. I tend to get irrationally angry that this
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> shite is even produced, much less broadcast - using my
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> money to do it. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But it's outside your control. You need to chill.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> That certainly does not lessen the frustration.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Here have some Gatorade.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mmmmm... electrolytes. (I've never actually tried
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Gatorade.) 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I think my Dad bought some in the 70's when it was green
>>>>>>>>>>>> sea water. It's pretty gross.
>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm sure the stuff they have now is full of sugar.
>>>>>>>>>>> Well, sports people need their energy.
>>>>>>>>>> This is just a guess - it's mostly non-sports people who
>>>>>>>>>> drink it. 
>>>>>>>>> Also the sports people/teams who are sponsored by the company,
>>>>>>>>> I bet. At least when they are on teevee.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Or the Gatorade container is filled with water. At least that's
>>>>>>>> what it looks like when they dump it on the winning coach.
>>>>>>> One would hope so, given the stickyness of sugary drinks...
>>>>>> But you never know...
>>>>> That may be what happened to that Spanish womens football coach...
>>>> He got drunk on fermented Gatorade and kissed one of the players?
>>> Or maybe he was covered in sticky Gatorade and unwittingly was
>>> sticking to the players mouth...
>>>
>> We should send these excuses to him. For a fee.
> To late now. He has already been 'released'...
Still. There might be a hearing. Or a charge in 20 years when the player 
is suddenly traumatized by a repressed memory.

> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I see that Big Brother is back for it's 25th season.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ugh!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But of course it is... It's what the people want.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> People are stupid!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Gatorade contains a lot of electrolytes... (guess the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> reference for the chance to win a modest prize)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Idiocracy?
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yup! I'll mail you a gold star...
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> YAY! I hardly get any snail mail anymore.
>>>>>>>>>>>> This is so exciting.
>>>>>>>>>>> Hang on. I need to find a stamp... I'm sure there are some
>>>>>>>>>>> around here somewhere.
>>>>>>>>>> I'm so excited. I never win anything. I have to pee!
>>>>>>>>> You know what they say: You can't win unless you play. Maybe
>>>>>>>>> you should start doing some sportsball or something... After
>>>>>>>>> you are done peeing, obviously.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I can't picture me playing team sports.
>>>>>>> There are types of sportsball where you play alone (against an
>>>>>>> opponent, obviously). Also without team sport you don't get to
>>>>>>> imbibe the team spirit...
>>>>>> No. I get that at work.
>>>>> Oohh! do you get to go on retreats and play stupid games too?
>>>>> (Made up by a genuine behaviourist sociologist.)
>>>>
>>>> Before COVID, we had stupid team building exercises.
>>>> One time a manager brought in a bag of carrots and tried to get us
>>>> all to go outside and make a snowman.
>>> This was in winter, one assumes.
>>>
>> You're so SMRT.
> It was a natural inference.
I didn't want to point out the difficulty in making a snowman in non-
winter months. WORSE.TEAM-BUILDING EXERCISE.EVER.

> 
>>>> Another manager had a stuffed animal that each person was supposed
>>>> to take home for the weekend and then share the toys adventures
>>>> with the rest of the team.
>>> Invasion of privacy if I ever saw it. Mind, if it had been me the
>>> stuffy thing would most likely have experienced doing laundry and
>>> watching telly. Very adventurous.
>> 
>> My adventure would be: Merlyne spends entire weekend trying to find
>> an identical animal after BF's dog shreds the toy.
> Why, though. It would be a dramatic adventure at least. And you would
> spare your remaining colleagues the effort.
> 
Or the trauma when they find out that the beloved mascot is no more.
Anyays, I never brought the toy home so I got to spend my weekends doing 
fun things like laundry and watching tv.

>>>> During COVID, they tried a bunch of virtual events because they
>>>> think we are retarded 6 year olds. Show 'n' tell, anyone?
>>> I don't remember most of the stupid tasks we were given at those
>>> sessions. Most of they were to do with working as a team, and
>>> everyone was faffing about getting nowhere until someone took charge
>>> and started giving orders. More often than I care to remember
>>> someone being me - just to get the thing over with. Great way to
>>> consolidate respect for section managers and such who was doing
>>> their fair share of faffing. 
>> 
>> The formal team building thingees that I've been to have a
>> facilitator who gets the ball rolling. Sometimes literally. I was at
>> one where participants were not allowed to speak unless they were
>> holding the ball.
> Yeah, that's pretty typical. I think they use something similar in
> pre-school...
Makes sense. They treat us like we are retarded 6 yr olds.

> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They do show Colombo (again) but late at night and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I still remember all the plots from last time.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I don't remember all the Columbo plots. Doesn't
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> matter since they show you who did at the beginning
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of the show. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes but Colombo is more about howdonit than
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> whodunit... and Colombo pretending to be dumb but
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> really being very smart of course. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And one more thing...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oh yeah, it must have slipped my mind for a moment...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have Acorn and BritBox now so I can catch up on
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> all my British murder mystery shows. I feel with
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the writer and actor strike that there may be a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> long tv show drought. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I get BritBox as well (on that streaming service).
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They have Yes Minister/Prime Minister.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I never watched that one.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It's a good introduction into how gubbernment
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *really* works... sort of. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm going to finish Good Omens and then watch the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> latest season of The Witcher. The next season of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The Wheel of time starts September 1. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I did see a Canadian police series in french. It
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> had all the right characters:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> - a neuro-divergent sketch artist with 'amazing'
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> abilities, - a wheel-chair bound, female chief
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> always wearing a baseball cap, - a young arab gay
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> forensic investigator, - a semi-alcoholic older
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> detective who broke all the rules (violently) - a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> middle aged female researcher, who was a former
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> elite hacker. And that was just the Good Guys(tm).
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I don't know that one. I used to watch 'District
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 31' when I was on language training.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 'Portrait Robot' in Canadian. ('The Sketch Artist'
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> in 'danish'). I don't know 'District 31' but I do
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> have a Belgian series of all things, all about
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> sex-crimes.. in Flemish language. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And speaking of programming, I wrote a Python
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> program today without taking a course.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I had no idea you were a parseltongue.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Well, I had to do something after I failed out of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> wizard school. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Is that even possible. I thought you would just have
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to take the year again. Or become Key Warden or
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> something. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But eventually they found out that I'm too stupid to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> be a wizard. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Is that even possible? I thought it's an innate
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ability for those whom it is gifted.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm more of a Rincewind type of wizard or not gifted at
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> all. Smoke and mirrors!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm not familiar. Or _a_ familiar for that matter...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That's what the cats are for.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have no cat. Also no wizardry.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I have a cat. It does what it wants.
>>>>>>>>>>> I'm somewhat familiar with the behaviour of cats.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Not familiar with the rules of being a familiar.
>>>>>>>>>>> Me either. But that's okay since I'm not a cat.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> One of these day I'm gonna install the ADA
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> pre-compiler for gcc again and think of something
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to code in it... Something with a lot of things
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> happening at the same time. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> No, you won't.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I will. Some day...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Right after you build that water feature in your
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> yard, I'm sure. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Well I won't be able to work on the water feature in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> winter, so I could do the installing then.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Isn't that when you are painting the living room?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *snickers*
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> No that was this spring, theoretically... Or next
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> spring. Some time when I can keep the doors and windows
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> open. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Anyhoo....
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You should learn Python so that you can nitpit my code.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What made you think that I don't know Python? (I don't,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> but still) 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It was a calculated risk. It was created after you left
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> school and were a fully functioning adult with a regular
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> day job. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yebbut I was reasonably capable of learning several
>>>>>>>>>>>>> programming languages for many years after that.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> As did I.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I think once MS took over the workplace, most people
>>>>>>>>>>>> learned VB. 
>>>>>>>>>>> And some probably even learned a programming language as
>>>>>>>>>>> well. 
>>>>>>>>>> Probably.
>>>>>>>>>> I usually end up teaching myself.
>>>>>>>>> Whereas I on several occasions ended up teaching others...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I haven't taught anyone to program, but I do end up reviewing
>>>>>>>> other people's code. I get questions about 'How do I do thing
>>>>>>>> X?' I have one programmer who can't program from scratch. I
>>>>>>>> usually have to meet with him and outline step 1, step 2 etc.
>>>>>>> But you are supposed to learn that in programmer school...?
>>>>>> I think his degree is in Philosophy or History or something non-
>>>>>> programming. How he got into this line of work, I'll never know.
>>>>>> He told me his dream job would be to work on video games. He
>>>>>> would die in that job.
>>>>> Probably. How he got the job: probably the same way as everyone
>>>>> else - lied on his resume...
>>>>
>>>> I would be impressed if that were the case. This one has about 0 
>>>> initiative. 
>>> Maybe you could assign him to go to all the meetings...? Just tell
>>> him to say "No".
>>>
>> 
>> He doesn't speak at meetings. Then he would come back and wouldn't 
>> remember what went on at the meeting.
> Make him a sign that says 'NO' to bring. Or better yet a t-shirt. Then
> he won't forget to display it. The important thing is to have the 'NO'
> represented.
I'll try that. He will think I'm joking and laugh.

> Also you can read about the proceedings in the minutes on the
> intranet. Probably.
Not usually.
> 
>>>>>>>> Sometimes people write 10 pages of code to do something when
>>>>>>>> all they need is the coalesce function.
>>>>>>> Isn't that more an unwillingness to RT(F)M?
>>>>>> No one does that.
>>>>> I always did. And it served me well on many occasions. More people
>>>>> should RTM.
>>>>
>>>> You lost the F!
>>> If one RTM before it becomes am urgent necessity there is no F
>>> involved. 
>>>
>> Which never happens.
> You think I'm the only one to ever read a manual?
> 
Yes. Or least when it's not urgent.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What made you think I can't nitpick any code from a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> position of relative ignorance?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But really. Code is code. The symbols may be different
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> but logic is forever...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That's what I keep telling coworkers who are panicking
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> about having to learn Python or R. If you can program,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> you can do it in any language. You just have to learn to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> syntax. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> And memorise all the function libraries, of course...
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Piece of cake. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Nah. I mean the stuff I use often will get engraved in my
>>>>>>>>>>>> mind. Anything else, will be googled.
>>>>>>>>>>> But... your productivity!!1!
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> All pensionable time!
>>>>>>>>>> If they want me to be more productive, they need to get me
>>>>>>>>>> more staff and stop assigning me extra work.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Your productivity isn't going to increase if you run out of
>>>>>>>>> work to do. 
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> That will never happen. When we are understaffed, I don't have
>>>>>>>> time to focus on my own work. All the work has to be
>>>>>>>> distributed amongst the existing staff.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Delegation is work, though. Particularly if you have staff.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It's a delicate balanacing act.
>>>>>
>>>>> Another reason why wearing heels to work is a bad idea?
>>>>>
>>>> I definitely wobble less in flat shoes.
>>>
>>> One of several reasons why I never wore high heels to work.
>>>
>> 
>> Heels are my way of elevating myself aove the frey.
>> Plus I'm 5'5".
> Okay, shorty...
> 
Isn't that USian slang for GF?
Also, I'm average height for caucasian women.