Re: 14th

On 08.11.2023 14.11, Merlyne wrote:
> 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. 
But what if they threaten to put the recordings of you singing to
yourself and your cat on the Utoob?

>>>>>>>>>> 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.
Okay then - as long as you are happy. [Something about bundling free
delivery with those other things to invite more trade the warehouse part
of the MegaCorp.]

>>>>> 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. 
Breaking Bad is the one with the chemistry teacher who starts cooking
meth and goes crazy? Does that involve cold medication? Also there is no
cure for common cold; so cough drops or something?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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?
Dunno, it's not my party. Might be a +1. Or maybe they got in on a
technicality. An unspecified technicality like in the crime shows.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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?
Do you want to get audited for not declaring taxable goods or services
received?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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.
I never lost an argument with Phil. Easily verified by the fact that he
was wrong about most things.

-- 
BeH

" We are trapped by language to such a degree that every attempt to
formulate insight is a play on words." - Niels Bohr