Re: In other news

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:
>>>>>>>>> [---]
>>>>>>>> [****]
>>>>>>> [^^^]
>>>>>> [%%]
>>>>> [€€€€]
>>>> [$]
>>> [What kind $ - it's so generic. Also £££££]
>> [!!!!!]
> [þþþþ]
[a string of non-utf8 characters]
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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.
>>>>>>>>> There have been very little opportunity to repress any memory
>>>>>>>>> in this particular case.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> You don't know.
>>>>>>> I read the news. I'm confident in my statement.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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.
>>>>>>>>> I dunno. It challenges the participants' ingenuity... Also if
>>>>>>>>> it's hot a good deal of co-operation is required.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Good luck finding snow in July.
>>>>>>> *opens freezer* *forms ball from sediments*
>>>>>>>> I'll be at the pub if anyone needs me.
>>>>>>> Oh, there you are... *throws*
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Ow!
>>>>>> Why'd you pelt me with a giant ice ball?
>>>>> It wasn't that giant - and to show what can be accomplished if one
>>>>> put their mind to it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I guess you don't have a frost-free freezer then.
>>>>> It would do much good if it was... freezing wise.
>>>> All of my freezers are frost-free.
>>>> They keep things frozen while preventing frost build-up.
>>> But ice crystals are an inescapable consequence of freezing moisture
>>> in the air. Do you never open your freezer or is it dehumidifying
>>> somehow - hopefully without unfreezing the water and everything
>>> else? Maybe you have a vary large silica bag in your freezer.
>> I have no idea how it works. It just does.
>> Magic!
> A theory for sure. Only magic isn't real. Condensation is. It's a
> conundrum. 
> 
Why must you rain on my parade?
It is magic like when you open the fridge and stick your head in, the 
light goes on.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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. 
>>>>>>>>> You aren't really very good at that whole team spirit thing,
>>>>>>>>> are you? 
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Besides the fact that my parents raise me to be an individual,
>>>>>>>> I really can't get into lame party games and things of that
>>>>>>>> nature. 
>>>>>>> But.. It's designed to demonstrate that things work better if
>>>>>>> you cooperate. 
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Some things work well, some things don't.
>>>>>> I think I can decide when I need help.
>>>>> Consider that the other team-workers may not be so self-sufficient
>>>>> and may need the exercise to be confident that they can ask you
>>>>> for help when needed.
>>>>>
>>>> They already knew that because I'm super nice!
>>> It could be a new co-worker who don't know you very well. Or only
>>> know you from your meeting rants.
>> So I should end rants by saying that my door is always open?
> If you think people are still paying attention to what you say by
> then. Maybe you should start with that.
> 
Ok. Noted.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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.
>>>>>>>>> To be fair the 'talking stick' (or ball, whatever) is an
>>>>>>>>> ancient method of keeping order in assemblies - predating the
>>>>>>>>> mute-button by many centuries.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I'm in favour of it.
>>>>>>>> Of course the way things are these days, using the 'mute'
>>>>>>>> button on someone would be viewed as a microaggression and
>>>>>>>> would require everyone to attend a meeting about how
>>>>>>>> microagressions are wrong. 
>>>>>>> Talking over each other is also a microagression. You are going
>>>>>>> to need more meetings.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>>>>>> I remember when microaggressions were about racist or sexist
>>>>>> things... 
>>>>> But that sort of things don't happen any more...?
>>>>>
>>>> Not to me, it doesn't.
>>> Well, who would be racist towards the fecking irish?
>> 
>> The English?
> Yeah, but to be fair, the Irish spent 300 years stubbornly refusing to
> be subjugated. That is no way to instil kindly neighbourly feelings.
> 
>> Americans treated the Irish like crap.
> Aren't the americans all irish anyway? Irish or italian?
> 
I don't think so.
https://www.infoplease.com/us/race/ancestry-us-population-rank

I find it interesting that in 2000 and 2015 people reported their 
ancestry i.e. German, Irish etc but in the 2020 Census, they reported 
themselves as 'White'.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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.
>>>>>>>>> As long as he doesn't laugh during the meeting. You don't want
>>>>>>>>> the other participants to think it's a joke.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> He laughs at meetings when I go off on a rant.
>>>>>>>> But then a lot of people do. 
>>>>>>> Mute them.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Why? I like the attention.
>>>>> Doesn't it interrupt your train of thought having people laugh in
>>>>> the middle of your rant?
>>>>
>>>> Nah.
>>>> I can always start over.
>>> That's not going to make the total time wast^W spent in meeting any
>>> shorter now, is it?
>>>
>> 
>> You should have thought about that before you interupted me.
> I would never laugh at someone mid-rant. I know from painful
> experience it will only prolong the outburst.
> 

Painful? It's entertaining and makes the meeting go faster.

>>>>>>>>>>> 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.
>>>>>>>>> Tsk-tsk. What is the world coming to...
>>>>>>>> How about you read the manuals and then give me an executive
>>>>>>>> summary about them?
>>>>>>> You mean as in teamwork? Co-operating for better efficiency like
>>>>>>> you learned at the seminar?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> I learnt nothing at the seminar.
>>>>>> I snuck out at the bathroom break.
>>>>> Tsk-tsk. I guess you'll have to read the manual yourself then.
>>>>>
>>>> Ugh!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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?
>>>>>>>>> Not that I've heard/read. I believe it's slang for a short
>>>>>>>>> person. 
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> shorty or short�ie [ shawr-tee ]
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> noun,plural short�ies.
>>>>>>>> a person of less than average stature (sometimes used as a
>>>>>>>> disparaging and offensive term of address).
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> a garment designed to be of short length, as a hospital bed
>>>>>>>> jacket. 
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Also shaw�ty  [shaw-tee] .Slang.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> a girl or woman:
>>>>>>>> We watched the shorties on the dance floor, all lookin' so
>>>>>>>> fine. 
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> a girlfriend or sweetheart:
>>>>>>>> Me and my shorty went to that new club over on Ninth last
>>>>>>>> night; what a scene!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> adjective
>>>>>>>> noting a garment designed to be of short length:
>>>>>>>> a shorty nightgown; shorty pajamas.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I can't keep up with all the slang the young people use these
>>>>>>> days. 
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> You should.
>>>>> It changes too fast for me in all the languages - in any case I
>>>>> was never on fleek even when I was younger. I was rather fetch,
>>>>> though, if I say so myself.
>>>> *eye roll*
>>>> Fetch is never going to happen, Gretchen!
>>> Some dogs like it, I think.
>>>
>> Maybe they want us to think that.
> No, I'm sure they genuinely enjoy the fetching part. It's the letting
> go after having fetched they are somewhat ambivalent about.
> 
My dog fetches the ball/stick/whatever and then runs away.

>>>>>>>>>> Also, I'm average height for caucasian women.
>>>>>>>>> The average height for women in DK is 167cm (5'5.75").
>>>>>>>>> I know this because the news told me - the height requirement
>>>>>>>>> for joining the royal guard has recently been removed because
>>>>>>>>> it discriminated against women. The requirement for women was
>>>>>>>>> higher than average height while the requirement for men was
>>>>>>>>> lower that average men's height.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> These are the important decisions that occupy the high
>>>>>>>>> command. 
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> So I'm average height for a woman in DK. I'll blend in nicely
>>>>>>>> when visiting your water feature, stele and pile of guano.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Sure. I was hoping for a lot of japanese tourists, though. They
>>>>>>> are more likely to buy my tacky plastic souvenirs.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I'm getting a vibe that you don't want me to visit :(
>>>>> I don't expect you to buy any of my tacky plastic souvenirs.
>>>>>
>>>> Are you saying that so I'll want them?
>>> Not at all. I mean they are strictly limited issue. And eminently
>>> collectible as well a "decorative". But it's entirely up to you if
>>> you feel you need to buy some before they are all gone - and
>>> probably being sold on e-bay for 50-100 times the original price.
>>> Think beany babies but more exclusive.
>>>
>> Ah. FOMO.
>> Huge marketing tool.
> Yes, but in my defence: at least it isn't NFT's.
> 
I think the bottom fell out of that market.

>>>>>> So you need to launch an advertising blitz in Japan.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> They changed the requirements for fire-fighters here so that
>>>>>>>> more women could join. I can hardly wait to be rescued from a
>>>>>>>> burning building by a 96 lb woman.
>>>>>>> Well, maybe if you stopped playing with fire you wouldn't need
>>>>>>> rescuing all the time.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> The leprechaun tells me to burn things.
>>>>> Contrary to popular opinion leprechauns don't as a rule have your
>>>>> best interest at heart. Don't listen to the leprechaun.
>>>>>
>>>> But, but...they have that pot of gold.
>>>> (And me lucky charms)
>>> And they aren't inclined to part with either, so I've heard.
>>>
>> Stupid leprechauns!
> 
> That sort of outburst aren't going to help your negotiations with the
> leprechauns. Just saying.
> 
I didn't know I was negotiating.