Re: 14th

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

> On 25.10.2023 16.26, Merlyne wrote:
>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>> news:[email protected]: 
>> 
>>> On 18.10.2023 13.55, Merlyne wrote:
>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>
>>>>> On 04.10.2023 16.13, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 26.09.2023 14.11, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>> 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:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> [unreadable stuff snipped]
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Stay out of my
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> birdfeeder! 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Tell that to the bears.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *opens window*
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *yells 'Hey bears, stay
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>out >>>> of >> my >>>>>>>> birdfeeder*
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The >>>> birdfeeders 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> are >> in >>>> the >> garage. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Do you get many garage
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> birds? >>>> Mine >>>> is >>> too but
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> that's >> because 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I only >>>> feed the 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> birds in the winter. This
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> time >>>> of >>>> year >>> they steal
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> all my >>>> cherries - 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ripe or 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> not. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Putting the birdfeeder in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>the >>>>>>>> garage >> is >> an interim
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>(and >>>>>>>> temporary) measure 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to >> dissuade the bears. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I don't know how resistant
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> your >>>>>> garage >>> is, but I've
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> heard of 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> bears >> ripping 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> out > doors if the reward (or
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> need) >>>> is >> high > enough. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Good luck with that. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I haven't seen any bears
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> sightings 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> in >>>> the  area for a while. It
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> worked. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That's good then. Unless the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> bears >>>> are >>> having a tactical
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> pause while 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> they >> wait > for the birdfeeder
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to >>>>>> re-appear... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Maybe they've hacked my wifi
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>and >>>> have >>>> ordered their own
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>seeds. >>>>>>> That would be alright
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>though, 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> wouldn't 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> it? Unless they used your credit
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> card >> to > pay for it. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Which could happen if they get
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>into >>>> my >> Amazon account. Oh deer!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not deer, bears. I doubt deer are
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> good >>> haxors, what with the hooves
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> instead 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> .of > hands. Also the antlers tend
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>to >>>> knock > over the screen when 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> they look down on the keyboard. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They need to get cellphones so they
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> can >> say 'Alexa, buy me some
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>birdseed 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and a >> mink coat' 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I don't know who Alexa is, but they
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> still need to be able to dial the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> number > first... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> No they don't. That's how Alexa
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>works. >> You talk to the phone and it
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>does >> stuff. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That's Siri, innit? Or GoOoOogle,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>maybe. > Anyway they need to unlock the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>phone > first, and I don't think
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> face-recognition 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> works very well with bear-faced
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> seed-stealers. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> [
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I don't use face recognition on my
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>phone.  It would be hard for them to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>guess and 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> then type my pin. they'd have to use a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> twig which I imagine would be hard to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> hold onto 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> without opposable thumbs] 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Bears could use a claw possibly. If they
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> were careful. Bearclaws are very pointy
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and sharp. The kind attached to bear
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> arms; not the pastry kind. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Now I want a pastry :(
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> There you go. I'm sure it's all very
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> healthy: 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> https://duckduckgo.com/?q=wienerbr%C3% 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> B8d&t=ffab&iar=images&iax=images&
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ia=images 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> A lot of good a picture will do me.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Anyways, I bought some 2-bite apple
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> turnover thingees at the store. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm sure they were good too, for what they
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> were. 2-bite? As in tiny ones?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They are small.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Perfect for when you need something sweet but
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> don't want to eat a big slab of pie.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Isn't that what fruit is for?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What if your not in the mood for fruit?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What if you want caek or pie?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What if eating cake or pie is highly
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> discouraged? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm sure it's on no country's food pyramid.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The baker's guild begs to differ.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They can beg all they want. Cake and pie will never
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> get on the pyramid. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But I'm certain there was plenty of delicious baked
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> goods *in* the pyramids. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Like what?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Something their Mummy made?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> A chicken wrap maybe...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ramen noodles?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Fruit of the Tomb?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Tut y fruity Ice cream...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ancient Egyptian puns are hard :(
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'll end making an asp of myself.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You can probably ask your smart phone... that O'Siris
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> thing. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That didn't land.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Did your eye-phone die?
>>>>>>>>>>>> As if I can afford or want one of those.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I'm confident your [brand] smart phone has a similar
>>>>>>>>>>> Oracle-like functionality by whatever name.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I never use it since if I shout a question at it, it shouts
>>>>>>>>>> back the answer.
>>>>>>>>> That'll learn you to speak nicely to the mindless piece of
>>>>>>>>> software. 
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Unlikely!
>>>>>>> Have you even tried?
>>>>>> No. I don't want the Mega tech Corporation to have my recordings.
>>>>> Oh, they have your recordings. Portable device microphones are
>>>>> getting pretty good these days.
>>>>>
>>>> I don't know why anybody would want those.
>>> The more they know... the more they can sell you stuff.
>> Oh no!
> And if that doesn't work there's always blackmail.
oh no!
Actually I won't pay if they threaten to tell everyone that I've been
looking at shoes online again. 
> 
>>>>>>>>> You do know that [Mega tech Corporation] has records of all
>>>>>>>>> your shouting now, right? You probably get served a lot of ads
>>>>>>>>> for lozenges and such.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> If I see ads for lozenges, how will I be able to tell if from
>>>>>>>> the shouting at Google or because I viewed and/or purchased
>>>>>>>> them online? 
>>>>>>> You won't. That's the insidious part. Also who even buys
>>>>>>> lozenges online? 
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> I have contemplated it. The bag of Ricola is cheaper on Amazon
>>>>>> than at the phramacy.
>>>>> Sure, everywhere else is cheaper that at the pharmacy. You pay
>>>>> extra to have stuff sold to you by a person employed by an actual
>>>>> pharmacist. Don't they have Ricola in your local shop?
>>>>>
>>>> They are cheaper on Amazon than at Wal-Mart even.
>>> But there will be a delivery charge, surely. Unless one has Amazon
>>> prime, which I gather is being paid for in some way.
>>>
>> I have Amazon Prime :)
> I didn't doubt it for a minute. And you pay for that one way or
> another. Have I mentioned that Amazon doesn't have a presence in my
> country, in real world of on the web, save for a redirect to the
> German site. 
> 

Other than free 2 days delivery, I also get Prime Video and Amazon Music
channels. The price is 100% worth it just for those things. 

>>>> The pharmacies here are like department stores.
>>> The pharmacies here are in principle only allowed to sell medicine
>>> (prescription, non-prescription and with a special permit medicine
>>> for production animals) and "such goods as naturally and
>>> conveniently relate to pharmacy business as determined by the Health
>>> Department". Also they need a licence.
>>> They all sell stuff like toothpicks and plasters and vitamins and
>>> such. 
>>>
>> One of the large pharmacy chains is owned by a grocery chain, so they
>> sell groceries, electronics, cleaning supplies etc.
> But surely it's a separate counter for prescription medicine? With a
> trained staff?
> 
Yes. They also now lock up all the cold medication until said staff
arrive. Probably because of Breaking Bad. 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Whatever an ancient dead pharaoh/demi-god liked to eat
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> with their coffee, I guess.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Did they have coffee? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What good would being an ancient pharaoh if it didn't
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> include coffee? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm wondering when coffee was introduced to Egypt.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Now I am too. Are you going to look it up?
>>>>>>>>>>>> *sigh*
>>>>>>>>>>>> According to the National Coffee Association (who knew?):
>>>>>>>>>>>> "By the 15th century, coffee was being grown in the Yemeni
>>>>>>>>>>>> district of Arabia and by the 16th century it was known in
>>>>>>>>>>>> Persia, Egypt, Syria, and Turkey. Coffee was not only
>>>>>>>>>>>> enjoyed in homes, but also in the many public coffee houses
>>>>>>>>>>>> — called qahveh khaneh — which began to appear in
>>>>>>>>>>>> cities across the Near East." 
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Not in King Tut's time.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> No wonder he died young, then.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I thought he was murdered.
>>>>>>>>> Don't think so... He was a sickly kid born with all sorts of
>>>>>>>>> defects. Perhaps not too surprising, given the family
>>>>>>>>> tradition of selecting spouses from within the family.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> It keeps the blood lines pure.
>>>>>>> And promotes all the 'fun' genetics...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Must be some definition of the word 'fun' that I was previously
>>>>>> unaware of.
>>>>> 'Fun' in a scientific sense... Like when the geneticists mix up
>>>>> dinosaur genes with frog genes late on a friday after a few beers
>>>>> and giggles about the fun new species they make.
>>>>>
>>>> I'm giggling right now.
>>> See: Fun!
>>>
>>>> I guess it's a side effect of not inviting scientists to parties.
>>> If one does it's probably prudent to mention that the invitation
>>> does not include any reconstituted raptors they may have around. Not
>>> even as a present for the host.
>> It might be entertaining to watch.
> It's all fun and games until some lawyer gets eaten.
> 
Who invited lawyers to the party?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What if you need all the vitamin C you can get?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I eat lots of fruit during the day. And broccoli.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you get too much vitamin C, you pee it out.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If only the broccoli poison were that easy to get
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> rid of as well. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ugh! Not this again!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Right. Abolish broccoli.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Just accept it's existence and move on.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Does that sound like something a rabid cult leader
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> would do? Banish the abomination!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Well..
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> When you're snoring in your yurt in your spiderman
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> pajamas, I will sneak out and eat brocolli.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> HAH. And Hah again. I don't even have any spiderman
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> pyjamas... So there! {and I'm not going to comment on
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> your spelling} 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm pretty sure that's how 'yurt' is spelt.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sure. And broccoli is no less evil no matter how it's
>>>>>>>>>>>>> spelled. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I thought we agreed that you would stop saying negative
>>>>>>>>>>>> things about broccoli if I agreed not to serve it to you?
>>>>>>>>>>> You brought i up and I couldn't help myself.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> uh-huh.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Maybe if you fed the birds
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>in >>>> the >>>>>>>> summer, 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> they wouldn't take your
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> cherries. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They >> tend to steal berries
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> like >>>>>> raspberries 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and blueberries. There 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> is bird netting that can be
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> purchased 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to  keep them away from the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> fruit. >>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> https://duckduckgo.com/? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>> q=bird+netting&t=ffab&iar=images&iax=images&ia=image
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> s 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Birds, insect larva or
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>mildew >> - >>>> the >>>>> result is the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>same: not 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> very >> many >>>>> cherries for 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> me. At least with the birds
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I >>>> have >>>> the >>> pleasure of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>being >>>> woken up 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> very, >> very >>> early by their 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> maniacal chirping... And 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> bird poop on the windows. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> There are worse ways to be
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> woken >>>> up. >>> Certainly. Like
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>the >> neighbour 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> speaking 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to her mother - at festival
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> volume. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Or snoring.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Or the cat barfing.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I could go on and on...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I don't have a barfing cat.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You should definitely get one.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> No need. I already have the birds
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and >>> the neighbour. And also the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> neighbours 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> hysterical smushy faced mutt... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Behold! The pugliest dog in the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> world! >>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> For sleeping soundlessly
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> through 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the >>>> night, I'm a huge fan of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ear >>>> plugs. >>> Then you are
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>missing 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> all >> the >> birdsong. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Great!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Given that the windows haven't
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> been >>>>>> open  at night for some
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>time >> due to >>>> air >> quality 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> warnings and/or hot, humid
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> weather, 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm >> probably missing a lot of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> outdoor 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> sounds. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not that I'd hear them. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That global climate change has a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> lot >>>> to > answer for. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I won't hear the answer because
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>of >>>> the >> ear plugs. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You can read about it in the paper
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> later... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> No one reads newspapers anymore.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> There are on-line versions. On the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> internet. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> As I said, no reads newspapers
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>anymore. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They get their news from social
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>media. >> Except in Canada where Meta
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>had a big 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> fight with the government. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Get with the Times...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> No thanks, that's a Murdock paper
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> now... > I don't read stuff like
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>that. >>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Remember Bat boy?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ehh, no?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oh dear!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What!!?! Who is bat boy?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It was a tabloid thing back in the day.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat_Boy_
>>>>>> (character
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ) 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm shocked - shocked I tell you - to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> learn that a newspaper would just make up
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a story, with no regard for the integrity
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of the press. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> No, you aren't.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That may or may not have been sarcastic...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I thought it was fake outrage.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The outrage is real. The shock maybe not so
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> much. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I see. Batboy enrages you. Noted.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not Batboy as such - the lack of clarity about
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the fact that Batboy was wholly fictional.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It's pretty obvious, no?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Although, I'm sure there are a few kooks who
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> believe he is real. *shrug*
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I refer you to the case of the radio dramatisation
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of H.G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds".
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes, yes...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> There is also the ancient dictum (about writing
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> manuals): Don't write to be understood - write to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> not be *mis*understood. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I always write user guide like the audience is a 6
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> year old. Even then (with screenshots) people mess
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> things up. I had a math professor that told me:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> it's not that people can't do math, they just can't
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> read. Ah...the lost art of reading...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Speaking of... I just finished The Clan of the Cave
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Bear. All 587 pages of it. That's a lot of words.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not all of them strictly necessary in my opinion...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm on book 3 of the Wheel of Time series. The
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> average size is 826 pages. There are 13 books plus a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> prequel. So there!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not that it's a competition or anything but I did
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> finish the next book in the series and am 2/3 through
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the third. Before that I (re)read the 13 volumes of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the chronicles of Pern that I have. It's mostly about
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> dragons - science fiction dragons. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I used to read those when I was a teenager. My dad took
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> them to work for a book sale and all the computer nerds
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> lost their minds. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That can't have been good for productivity...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They were government jobs.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Government jobs have productivity measurements too. They
>>>>>>>>>>>>> are just... different.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> People who don't work in the government seem to think we
>>>>>>>>>>>> don't any work. 
>>>>>>>>>>> I have been working a lot alongside public employees of
>>>>>>>>>>> various kinds. To avoid annoying you I shall refrain from
>>>>>>>>>>> commenting on this. They do hold a lot of meetings, though.
>>>>>>>>>>> Long meetings. 
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> When I worked for Census, we did have a lot of meetings.
>>>>>>>>>> Not so much where I am now.
>>>>>>>>>> Depends on who's in charge.
>>>>>>>>> When I was there it was usually because of some (major)
>>>>>>>>> changes in organisation and/or workflow. Gotta hold meetings
>>>>>>>>> about that sort of thing. 
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> When I worked in the private sector, they had a huge all staff
>>>>>>>> meeting in the ballroom of a super-posh hotel to annouce the
>>>>>>>> company was changing it's name. One woman in the middle of the
>>>>>>>> crowd jumped up and screamed 'I love it!' after the new name
>>>>>>>> was revealed. I was just there for the free food.
>>>>>>> Yeah, they do that sometimes - for publicity. And probably with
>>>>>>> invited 'news-media' persons, who are also just there for the
>>>>>>> free food. 
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Nothing wrong with free food.
>>>>> Especially if it is tax-deductible.
>>>> Deductions from net income:
>>>> Free food: $0
>>>>
>>>> It's certainly not a deduction for the consumers of the food.
>>>> And it might be for the purchaser if the purchaser was a registered
>>>> charity.
>>> If (and it is) the food is served as part of a promotional
>>> initiative it will be a business expense for the company, thus
>>> reducing the taxable profit.
>>> On the other hand it may be a taxable material good for whoever eat
>>> from it... hmmm.
>> 
>> I dunno.
>> I just ate the free food and tried not to over-think it.
> I wouldn't speak about it so freely in front of the tax-man if I were
> you. 
> 
Why?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I never knew about them before I inherited them, and I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> didn't consider them for reading for a long time,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> thinking they were 'Fantasy'. Because of the dragons.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I liek dragons!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The books are more about how civilization can devolve.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> And the importance of preserving knowledge.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> And how some people are just shitty humans, through malice
>>>>>>>>>>>>> or ignorance. And dragons.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> YAY! Dragons!
>>>>>>>>>>> Yes. Science-fictionally believable dragons.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I haven't been reading as much as I normally do in the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> summer. Usually, I go outside and lounge and read but
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> this summer has been either super hot or raining,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> making the mosquitoes quite fierce. Also my Kobo broke.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Assuming a Kobo is some kind of e-reader and not your
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> favourite lounge-chair, let me point out that books also
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> come as self-contained stacks of printed paper...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes. I can put several on a Kobo which weighs a few
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ounces. This comes in handy when you finish a book when
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> you are away from home. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Unless you run out of battery and forget the charger.
>>>>>>>>>>>> Yep that could happen.
>>>>>>>>>>> And that would be bad.
>>>>>>>>>> I can play with my phone instead.
>>>>>>>>> I thought the phone was for public transport and
>>>>>>>>> zoom-meetings... 
>>>>>>>> It's for any times when I am bored.
>>>>>>> How can you be bored when you have all those thousands of books
>>>>>>> to read? 
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> I like having options.
>>>>> What is thousands of books if not options?
>>>> It's about variety, you know, the spice of life.
>>>> Reading = 1 option.
>>>> Other options = listening to music/podcast
>>>> Snoozing
>>>> Playing Candy Crush
>>> I see... Anything to not be thinking about stuff? Or interact with
>>> your fellow humans.
>> Exactly!
>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Also, with paper books, you have to procure more and then
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> rid yourself of them once finished.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Get Rid Of Books!!?? What is this madness. What if you
>>>>>>>>>>>>> want to read them again at some point?
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> The number of books that I keep is very small.
>>>>>>>>>>> Which for instance prohibits you from now re-reading the
>>>>>>>>>>> chronicles of Pern.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Which I don't want to reread.
>>>>>>>>> Okay then. Don't read about the dragons...
>>>>>>>> Okay. I won't.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Also a Kobo has infinite storage, I take it?
>>>>>>>>>>>> I forget how many books it can hold. More that you can
>>>>>>>>>>>> carry even with a cargo bike.
>>>>>>>>>>>> So there!
>>>>>>>>>>> Hard-cover or paperback? My cargo bike is rated for 200Kg.
>>>>>>>>>>> How many books is that?
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> My new one can hold 12,000 books. How much does that weigh?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> From an admittedly small sample size paperbacks weigh
>>>>>>>>> ~50g/100pages. Assuming an average length of 350 pages that's
>>>>>>>>> 175g * 12000 or about 2.1 metric tons. However you aren't
>>>>>>>>> going to read nearly that many books in one
>>>>>>>>> sitting/vacation/year(/lifetime). One cargo bike full is about
>>>>>>>>> 1200 books, which will do me quite well for a while.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I think the point is that I can carry more books than you can.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I think the point is that even a cargo bike can hold more books
>>>>>>> than it is reasonable to have on one's immediate to-read list at
>>>>>>> any one time... 
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Still. I can carry more books.
>>>>>> So there!
>>>>>
>>>>> Quite. And the Tesla guy has more money than the Amazon guy (or
>>>>> vice versa)... *shrug*
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> What's that to do with the price of eggs in China?
>>> At some point 'more' becomes pointless...
>> 
>> You're a poor loser.
> 
> I've had so very little practice.
> 

You had 5 years experience losing arguments with Phil.