Re: In other news

On 29.11.2023 15.47, Merlyne wrote:
> 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's simple really. Since religion is hogwash the devil doesn't exist
either; therefore his work is also non-existent. Like magic.

>>> 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?
The relative change in number of incidents where people utilise your
open door since starting rants by mentioning it.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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.
That does not sound like something a statistician would assume. Also
there are more guns than people so some have more than one.

> They do have the right to bear arms.
For now.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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.
But then nothing will get resolved - that's not an efficient way to have
meetings (unless the purpose is to have more meetings).

>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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.
Well you have to explain it properly first. You can't just assume the
dog knows your intentions... They are a bit like co-workers that way.

>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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....
Against the advise of Musky Elon??? He's one of the smartest people in
the whole world, I've heard.

>>>>>>>>> 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.

You mean the leprechaun can keep it. I don't eat cereal with added sugar
bits.

-- 
BeH

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