Re: Crossed the threshhold

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

> 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:
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> [*munch* Mmmm crunchy usenet post]
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Right. Never mind. So obelisks. The
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> egyptians made a lot of those back in the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> day. And then the English (and the french)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> stole some of them. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Fascinating. Also very phallic.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Stealing obelisks? That's more of an
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> imperialistic thing, I would say. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Obelisk envy. Definitely a guy thing ...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I wouldn't know... I don't feel deprived. Also
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have no good place to put an obelisk.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It definitely needs to go out by the road where
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> passersby can admire and/or steal it.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I could put it where my tower used to be, I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> suppose. ('My tower' being an old power
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> distribution hut they took down a couple of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> years ago.) Also we don't get a lot of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> englishers (or frenchers) around here so
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> unlikely anyone will steal an obelisk. A stele
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> on the other hand... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Who would steal a stele over an obelisk?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm sure the englishers (and the frenchers) have
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> done some stele stealing as well over time - when
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> there were no obelisks around. Ultimately it's
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> going to be a stelistic choice, innit? Also an
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> obelisk is pretty unhandy to lug about
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> unobtrusively. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They would put it lying down in the back of wagon,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> no? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If they happen to have a wagon. Many of the foreign
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> types coming by here are biking... I can't imagine
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> it will be easy to take away a stele on a bike
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> without being noticed. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I guess it depends on how big it is.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Size matters.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> There are practical limits to how big a bike can be...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> not least if it is to be powered the proper way: with
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> people muscles. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I thought you meant the size of the stele.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I did, but the idea of a (cargo-)bike big enough to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> carry a stele - or an obelisk - appealed to me. It would
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> probably have to be made of steel... for sturdyness.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Quite a job to get something like that up the hills.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Especially laden with a stele. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What is the minimum stele size? Maybe we should focus on
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> stealing small steles.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I imagine there is a practical minimal size for steles - a
>>>>>>>>>>>>> tiny rock isn't going to be very impressive, and also it
>>>>>>>>>>>>> would likely be difficult to still make out the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> inscriptions for old steles. Also stumpy stolen steles
>>>>>>>>>>>>> aren't as attractive in a tourist-trap sense as the bigger
>>>>>>>>>>>>> ones. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I dunno.
>>>>>>>>>>>> In 2020, people were really into those rocks that kids were
>>>>>>>>>>>> painting and leaving in parks. Maybe we could colourize a
>>>>>>>>>>>> small one to make it more attractive?
>>>>>>>>>>> In 2020 people were really into going to parks in general.
>>>>>>>>>>> Also painting a stele would compromise the sense of
>>>>>>>>>>> historical impact and thus the monetary benefit. See how
>>>>>>>>>>> people reacted when museums started displaying greek and
>>>>>>>>>>> roman sculpture with the original paint scheme. 
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I am unfamiliar with that, not being part of the 'museum'
>>>>>>>>>> set. 
>>>>>>>>> I have been to a museum or two in my time. Not recently - they
>>>>>>>>> are all far away, except the local tractor-museum. But anyway:
>>>>>>>>> https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-the-vibrant-
long-
>>>>>>>> overlook
>>>>>>>>> ed-colors-of-classical-sculptures-180980321/ 
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Cool! I like the gold torso.
>>>>>>>> See. Colour enhances them.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The point was that 'important cultural people' for years have
>>>>>>> lauded the pure aesthetics of the unadorned marble of
>>>>>>> neoclassicism - supposedly emulating the ancient greek and roman
>>>>>>> art - and _then_ they found out it was supposed to be painted in
>>>>>>> bright colours. 
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> It makes them pretty!
>>>>> But think of the cognitive dissonance. The trauma... Human figures
>>>>> being skin-coloured. With brown hair and blue eyes. Like people!
>>>>>
>>>> Are you saying that beings without brown hair and blue eyes aren't 
>>>> people?
>>>> Now I feel traumatized.
>>>
>>> I'm saying -as and example- that some of the roman statues were of
>>> people with brown hair and blue eyes originally, because of some
>>> roman people had brown hair and blue eyes. Other colours are
>>> available and equally valid.
>>>
>> 
>> I was just yanking your chain :-)
> Chains were an accessory of a whole different segment of the Roman
> population.
> 
>>>>>>>>>> I am, however, familiar with how well received Ted Turner was
>>>>>>>>>> when he colourized old movies.
>>>>>>>>> Everybody clapped and cheered?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Exactly!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> He was trying to bring them to life and make them real.
>>>>>>>>>> Same thing applies to the steles.
>>>>>>>>> I'm pretty sure there are rules against smearing paint on
>>>>>>>>> genuine archaeoligical artifacts.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> No one will know if it's genuine or not.
>>>>>>> The people to whom it belonged before it was stolen will know.
>>>>>>> And possibly some museum nerds too.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Museum nerds don't go out and I'm not scared of some long-dead
>>>>>> viking. 
>>>>> I've been watching old Time Team episodes lately, and museum nerds
>>>>> absolutely go out sometimes. Also the steles don't belong to
>>>>> vikings - who are all long dead after all - they belong to museums
>>>>> and foundations and such.
>>>>>
>>>> (Bjorn again vikings?)
>>> (Only the ones doing experimental archaeology)
>>>
>>>> I bet some private collectors have steles. Let's take those.
>>> If we can find some that aren't locked up and/or alarmed...
>>> Possibly somewhere in UK. I think most things that old is state
>>> property by default around here.
>>>
>> It keeps getting harder and harder to steal steles :(
> Well if it was easy everyone would be doing it, with a stele exhibit
> on every corner - and then where would by crappy plastic souvenir
> business be. 
> 

Is that your plan?
To have a stele exhibit once we steal one or several steles?
Can our tacky souvenirs be made of steel instead of plastic?

>>>>>>>> Anyways, I didn't have you pegged as a rule follower.
>>>>>>> I'm a firm adherent to the principle of not getting caught
>>>>>>> breaking rules. 
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Noted.Except for grammar rules.
>>>>> There are grammar rules?
>>>>>
>>>> Of course. There are rules for everything.
>>>> You must wear pants in public.
>>> I almost always do anyway, but that has nothing to do with grammar.
>>> My late grandma almost exclusively wore dresses though. so...
>>>
>> *gasp*
> 
> Yup. Rebelliousness runs in the family. Or shuffles along in slippers,
> really.
> 
I thought you didn't wear slippers because you have weird feet.

>>>> And try to not split infinitives.
>>> They say that. I learned recently that that is actually an
>>> artificial rule introduced by some ponces, when english took over
>>> from latin as the language of intellectuals (in England). Along with
>>> some silly spelling to make it look more 'classic'.
>>>
>> I bet 90% of all grammar rules where introduced by ponces.
> Not the german ones. They are very strict und muss unbedinkt befolgt
> werden!!1!
> 

Easy for you to say!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Make sure you bring a tarp so that the stolen stele is
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> stealth. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I think that is stipulated in the stele-stealing
>>>>>>>>>>>>> subject... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> It wasn't.
>>>>>>>>>>> It is my understanding that stealthily stealing large
>>>>>>>>>>> objects involves covering it up en route. Similar to using
>>>>>>>>>>> carpets for moving bodies. 
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I thought the objective was to take the thing and get away as
>>>>>>>>>> fast as possible. 
>>>>>>>>>> I can see the headline: 'The theives were captured as they
>>>>>>>>>> stood there fastening the tarp to the get-away bike'
>>>>>>>>> If you plan to be apprehended while still on the site a tarp
>>>>>>>>> probably isn't going to make any difference one way or the
>>>>>>>>> other. The first principle of stele-stealing is to do it
>>>>>>>>> without being seen. 
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I get that. I didn't plan on getting caught. It was a
>>>>>>>> side-effect of you farting around with the bike.
>>>>>>> If the bike is moving while you apply the tarp you are doing it
>>>>>>> wrong. 
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Obviously trying to affix a tarp on a moving bike in almost
>>>>>> impossible and ill-advised.
>>>>> Exactly.
>>>>>
>>>>>>> Also nobody is likely to suspect someone on a bike, which is why
>>>>>>> the tarp is important to keep the stele out of sight.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You need to put up a signage on a busy road. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> "Come and see the obelisk 2 km ---> "
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I would be nervous someone might accuse me of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> having stolen the obelisk. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That seems like a Viking kinda thing to do...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Nah... If it ain't gold or silver (or wimmen) it
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ain't worth the space. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I pity the fool who steals me.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oh, I'm sure I could get a decent price for you in the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mediterranean market...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But why would you want to?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I has a sad now :(
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It's what the Vikings did, mostly. In Ireland at least.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sometimes they took the wimmen to Iceland instead - to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> work in the service industy. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Freshen your drink, Govner?
>>>>>>>>>>>>> That too, I suppose - but mostly milk the cows and churn
>>>>>>>>>>>>> the butter kind of stuff. Also a considerable amount of
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Irish-origin DNA is still present in the Icelandic
>>>>>>>>>>>>> population. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Uh-huh
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> My colouring is more from the Scottish ancestors. Your
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> might get charged with fraud or beaten up for trying to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> pawn me off as Irish. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I rather think it would make little difference, as long as
>>>>>>>>>>>>> you are good at thrashing grain and herding sheep and
>>>>>>>>>>>>> such... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I see. By 'service industry' you meant slavery. I thought
>>>>>>>>>>>> you meant prostitution. 
>>>>>>>>>>>> Slop your hog, gov'ner?
>>>>>>>>>>> I don't know if they brought pigs along to Iceland.
>>>>>>>>>>> And they were definitely going out of fashion in the
>>>>>>>>>>> mediterranean market. 
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Good. I don't like pork.
>>>>>>>>> As a thrall the menu choices may be somewhat limited in any
>>>>>>>>> case. How do you feel about gruel?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> That's just oatmeal. I like oatmeal.
>>>>>>> Then I'm sure you will be quite content as a slave...
>>>>>> I dunno. I don't think I'd look good in a collar plus I'm bossy
>>>>>> and opinionated.
>>>>> I'm sure any competent slave owner will have remedies to correct
>>>>> these shortcomings.
>>>>>
>>>> Like what? Keeping in mind I was spanked as a child.
>>> I'm not terribly familiar with corrective measures used by slave
>>> holders, but some corporal punishment surely. Also chains and crude
>>> bracelets I'm sure. And possibly dark holes in the ground with lids
>>> for putting naughty servants.
>> 
>> If I'm in the dark hole, then I won't have to do manual labour.
> They will probably save it for you for when you get back up. It's like
> they say "a slave's job is never done".
> 
I thought the saying is "a woman's work is never done'

>>>> (And remarkably well-behaved as an adult)
>>> (So no need for the dark hole for you)
>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And so what if they think it's stolen? It's not
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> like they can prove anything. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They could if the obelisk is signed. A lot of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> obelisk have inscriptions on them.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But not signatures, surely.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I think they do have the name of whoever carved the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> inscription - or at least who ordered it.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Runic inscription almost always is mostly just that,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> in spite of how modest and self-effacing scandinavians
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> are. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oh you and your sarcasm!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You noticed... :-)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I usually notice and then ignore it.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> {Oooo! I think that's the first time I noticed you using
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a smiley} 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have been known to use the odd ascii combinations at
>>>>>>>>>>>>> times. As long as they don't get autotranslated into
>>>>>>>>>>>>> graphic emoticons... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Why's that?
>>>>>>>>>>> I don't like when what is displayed is not what I put. Also
>>>>>>>>>>> I'm not a fan of picture texting.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *crosses 'Get dick pics from BeH' off my bucket list*
>>>>>>>>> A prudent and wise decision. There are no BeH-pics - of any
>>>>>>>>> kind. 
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> But there should be.
>>>>>>> There really shouldn't.
>>>>>> Of course there should be otherwise, it's like you never existed.
>>>>> There is a considerable production of written material right here
>>>>> on usenet - forever enshrined on google. Also I would think at
>>>>> least some of the programming I've done would still be active.
>>>>> Also also the Tax department knows who I am.
>>>>>
>>>> There is no connection for the general public between BeH on
>>>> usenet, the programmer and your secret identity or your tax
>>>> account. 
>>> My phone and/or internet bill is paid by real me. So there's that.
>>> And I'm sure someone, somewhere collects and stores my internet
>>> activity. 
>> 
>> You've been googling anti-fatigue mats and bosu balls lately.
> I haven't as it happens.
> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> This Usenet client is so old that it doesn't do graphics or
>>>>>>>>>>>> hyperlinks or even utf-8 encoding.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> (*' `* - two hairyballs having knife fight.)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> A Danish very easy crossword,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I >>>>>> meant. >>> They have picture
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>clues >>>> which >> solves >> as >
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>horrible 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> puns... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> i
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> _____  = I over ate
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 8
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> A cartoon of two young witched
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> trying >> to > ride brooms with an
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> older >> witch >> looking 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> unamused. Solution: Kostskole.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Kost >> = >>> broom or meal(s)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> (different 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> pronunciation) 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Skole = school Kostskole =
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> boarding 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> school 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Very punny.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I would never get any right
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>since >> I >>>>>> don't  speak the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>language. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It's really easy:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?
>>>>>>>>>> v=gHlEOsM5jtA
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *bookmark for later*
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Good luck with that later.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'll probably forget or get
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> distracted 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> by  a squirrel or something... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Squirrels aren't distractions - they
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> are > a joy of nature. Unless you
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>have a >>> walnut tree of course. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Which I don't.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Neither do I, but still I have
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>"hidden" 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> walnuts all over every year. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Anyway the other day I had one rather
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> small squirrel being chased off the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> cherry tree and all the way to the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> treeline - by 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> sparrows. Turns out sparrows don't
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>think > squirrels are a 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> joy of nature. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They aren't, really.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Soemtimes they get in my garden and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>take  1 bite out of every single ripe
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>tomato. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Quality control.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Death wish, more like.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You wouldn't...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I would if I didn't think another squirrel
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> would take its place. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You can never have too many squirrels...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It's at times like this, I wish I could send
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> you some. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Me too. I suspect the gray squirrels would be
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> considered an invasive species, and not
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> allowed for import. It didn't go too well for
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the brits when they did it. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I would send the red squirrels. They really are
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> little shits. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But pretty. And also cute the way they flitter
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> about in the trees in between stealing produce.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Must be some odd definition of the word 'cute'
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> that I was previously unaware of.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Clearly you are biased against the cute little
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> critters... I wouldn't be chocked to learn that
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> you don't find a baby skunk cute either. Unharden
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> your heart, girl. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sure. Baby animals are cute.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> There's video making the rounds of a baby elephant
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> chasing ducks. Very cute!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Squirrels - not so cute.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Baby squirrels! QED
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *eye roll*
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> How do you even do that?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'll show you when I go over to see your water feature.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That could be a while. Can't you just tell me now?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Too much typing. Anyways it's more of a visual thing.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> It would be - invo0lving the eyes as it does. But there
>>>>>>>>>>>>> have to be some technique involved. Or violence...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> It's 100% an underrated mad skill.
>>>>>>>>>>> Which you should teach me. Then I would have one mad skill.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I thought you could Photoshop. That's a mad skill.
>>>>>>>>> I don't even have access to that program. But anyone can cut
>>>>>>>>> and paste stuff. Nothing mad about that.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I can cut and paste with scissors and glue.
>>>>>>> That will mess up your monitor something awful.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> I feel a blonde joke coming on...
>>>>> Go on then...?
>>>>>
>>>> *deep inhale*
>>>> How do you know when a blonde has been using your computer?
>>>>
>>>> There is white-out on the screen. 
>>>>
>>>> How do you know that another blonde has been using the computer? 
>>>>
>>>> Someone has written on the white-out.
>>>
>>> What do you call a blonde with more than one brane-cell?
>>> A golden retriever.
>>>
>>> How do you determine if someone is a natural blonde?
>>> Shine a light into one ear.
>>>
>>> Why did the blonde always have blue marks around the navel?
>>> Her boyfriend was blonde too.
>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I bet you could roll a joint. 
>>>>>>>>> I can make unsettling sounds with my (left) shoulder joint, if
>>>>>>>>> that's what you mean.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> It isn't but noted.
>>>>>>> It's kind of a wet, clicking sound.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Gross!
>>>>> Truly.
>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm glad you finally relent in the face of my crushing
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> logic. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I wouldn't refer to twisting my words as crushing
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> logic. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Well, anyway I win.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sure. If you say so.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> {point}
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Don't point that at me, it has a nail in it.
>>>>>>>>>>> But it's a well trimmed nail...
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> It's still dangerous.
>>>>>>>>> Not in the least - the length is optimised for not getting
>>>>>>>>> stuff caught under it.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> It's just plain rude then.
>>>>>>> How is having well trimmed nails rude? I think you mean
>>>>>>> 'practical'. 
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> It's rude to point.
>>>>> So the second finger has become utterly useless because of
>>>>> societal norms? I resent that.
>>>>>
>>>> The second finger isn't for pointing.
>>>> Wait! Are you giving me the finger?
>>> The second finger is literally named for it's pointing use. The
>>> first finger is the thumb (the opposable one).
>>> Also I would never - that's rude.
>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But whatever floats your boat.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Water displacement?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If that's what does it for you, who am I to judge?
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not just me - that's how everyone's boat float. Physics!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Stience!
>>>>>>>>>>> Or something that's spelled much like that...
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> It's from a cartoon called 'DisEnchantment' about a drunken
>>>>>>>>>> princess and her band of friends.
>>>>>>>>> I'm not familiar. I'm not part of the 'cartoon set'.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Now that's just sad.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> It's probably a function of me not having access to any of the
>>>>>>> many, many streaming channels.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> There are lots of cartoons on regular tv here.
>>>>>
>>>>> It's mostly just Disney(tm) here, with a sprinkling of Peppa Pig
>>>>> and possibly SpongeBob. I don't watch much childrens tv.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The Simpsons are on Disney Plus.
>>>
>>> Isn't Disney plus on the verge of going under. I vaguely remember
>>> something about them having trouble - maybe just here, dunno.
>>> If so they aren't alone. One of the scandinavian ones are faltering
>>> as well. 
>>>
>> 
>> It is? I have no idea.
>> They bought the Fox/Hulu library so they have all the Simpsons and
>> stuff like that. They also have the StarWars franchise which is
>> hugely popular.
> So I hear. Dog knows why. Have I ever described all the things that
> annoy me about the Star Wars universe?
> 
I don't think so.
I'm going to go get a drink. This will be epic.
{baby yoda is cute!}