Re: Crossed the threshhold

On 22.11.2023 14.33, Merlyne wrote:
> 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?
The plan is to profit. That's always the plan.

> Can our tacky souvenirs be made of steel instead of plastic?
That would only make sense if I had a steel stele, and I don't think
they made those back in the day. Also it would make the tacky souvenir
production too expensive.

>>>>>>>>> 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.
I do not have weird feet. I always seem to get weird slippers is the
problem. Anyway it was my grandma wearing the slippers.

>>>>> 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!

True enough. I'm smrt that way.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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'

Tomatoes - potartoes. [iz joke. please to not hurt me]

>>>>> (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!}

For example:
In space no-one can hear you scream - same with large explosions. These
would also not result in pressure waves that moves stuff around.
Ship to ship combat in space does not look anything like a dog-fight in
atmosphere. Everything in motion keeps moving at that speed unless
influenced by another source of energy. Hell, with current earth
technology dog-fights between planes now consist of lobbing missiles
over the horizon at each other. Getting close enough to collide is just
not a thing.
If you make yourself an interstellar army of men in white jumpsuits and
plastic bucket on their heads and armed with space lasers, one would
expect some kind of aiming device. Also at least some of the men should
be able to hit something relevant some of the time.
If you engage in space combat - especially if you are capable of
constructing a weapon that can evaporate an entire planet, engaging in
raids on an enemy space craft resulting in close quarter combat in the
halls of said craft seems redundant and wasteful - especially since your
troops have already compromised the internal atmosphere with a great big
hole in the craft, presumably suffocating the majority of the opposing
force.

-- 
BeH

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