Re: In other news

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

> 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:
>>>>>>>>>>> [---]
>>>>>>>>>> [****]
>>>>>>>>> [^^^]
>>>>>>>> [%%]
>>>>>>> [€€€€]
>>>>>> [$]
>>>>> [What kind $ - it's so generic. Also £££££]
>>>> [!!!!!]
>>> [þþþþ]
>> [a string of non-utf8 characters]
> [This newsreader is more advanced that I though. Look what it put
> instead of your no utf8 characters]
[I have another newsreader but I don't think it does x-noarchive]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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?
> Magic is like religion - the Devils work!!
> 
Yes. I can see how a non-believer would think that.

>> It is magic like when you open the fridge and stick your head in, the
>> light goes on.
> You have a strange fridge. Mine turns on the light when the door
> opens. No head insertion needed. Also the light has a rational
> explanation. Look it up if you don't believe me.
> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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.
> Please report any progress in this matter.
Progress?

> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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'.
> But they didn't. The questionnaire for the 2010 census did not have
> room for specification beyond "White" if that was the answer. The 2020
> questionnaire did. The 2015 specification of nation of origin in your
> link must come from somewhere else.
> Interestingly in 2000 there was a question about national origin but
> not connected to the primary question on race.
> Anyway they are all 'Merkans anyway.
> Also no questions anywhere about how many guns are in the household.
> How are the government conspiracy to take away all the guns ever going
> to work if they don't know where they are?

Maybe the government assumes that every person has a least 1.
They do have the right to bear arms.

> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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.
> It does not. A rant often result in someone suggesting a break (to let
> the tempers settle and also so I can have a smoke), after which the
> meeting continues - mostly completely ignoring the rant and any
> potential substance therein.
> As for painful: A ranter interrupted is almost always a ranter
> reiterating their point from the top or some variation thereof.
> Rants are rarely helpful.
> 
Our meetings are booked for a specific length, say an hour.
If I talk for 50 minutes then the meeting will be over before you know 
it.

>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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.
> IOW it can't keep cleaning up your mess. It has important stuff to do.
> 
OR the dog does not understand the rules of engagement.

>>>>>>>>>>>> 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.
> Yap. And now we watch all the block-chain currencies from a safe
> distance. 
> 
I think I've been doing that for years....

>>>>>>>> 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.
> 
> Do you want your breakfast cereal back or not?
> 
I never eat breakfast cereal. You can keep it.