Re: 14th

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

> On 29.11.2023 15.34, 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:
>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> [unreadable stuff snipped]
>>> [Unreadable stuff snipped II: Deeper snips]
>> [I missed unreadable stuff snipped I, so I won't be able to follow
>> the plot]
> [Don't worry - the plot is the same as USS II - only with slightly
> less violence]
{oh no! I missed USS I and II}
> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Now I want a pastry :(
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> There you go. I'm sure it's all very
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> healthy: 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>https://duckduckgo.com/?q=wienerbr%C3% 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> B8d&t=ffab&iar=images&iax=images&
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ia=images 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> A lot of good a picture will do me.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Anyways, I bought some 2-bite apple
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> turnover thingees at the store. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm sure they were good too, for what
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> they were. 2-bite? As in tiny ones?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They are small.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Perfect for when you need something
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>sweet  but don't want to eat a big slab
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>of pie. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Isn't that what fruit is for?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What if your not in the mood for fruit?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What if you want caek or pie?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What if eating cake or pie is highly
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> discouraged? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm sure it's on no country's food pyramid.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The baker's guild begs to differ.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They can beg all they want. Cake and pie will
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> never get on the pyramid. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But I'm certain there was plenty of delicious
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> baked goods *in* the pyramids. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Like what?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Something their Mummy made?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> A chicken wrap maybe...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ramen noodles?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Fruit of the Tomb?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Tut y fruity Ice cream...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ancient Egyptian puns are hard :(
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'll end making an asp of myself.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You can probably ask your smart phone... that
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> O'Siris thing. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That didn't land.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Did your eye-phone die?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> As if I can afford or want one of those.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm confident your [brand] smart phone has a similar
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oracle-like functionality by whatever name.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I never use it since if I shout a question at it, it
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> shouts back the answer.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That'll learn you to speak nicely to the mindless piece
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of software. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Unlikely!
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Have you even tried?
>>>>>>>>>>>> No. I don't want the Mega tech Corporation to have my
>>>>>>>>>>>> recordings. 
>>>>>>>>>>> Oh, they have your recordings. Portable device microphones
>>>>>>>>>>> are getting pretty good these days.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I don't know why anybody would want those.
>>>>>>>>> The more they know... the more they can sell you stuff.
>>>>>>>> Oh no!
>>>>>>> And if that doesn't work there's always blackmail.
>>>>>> oh no!
>>>>>> Actually I won't pay if they threaten to tell everyone that I've
>>>>>> been looking at shoes online again. 
>>>>> But what if they threaten to put the recordings of you singing to
>>>>> yourself and your cat on the Utoob?
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Now I know they are watching the wrong place.
>>>> *phew*
>>> Are you trying to claim it's the cat that does all the singing in
>>> your house?
>>>
>> The cat sings at 4:30 am every day.
>> so yes...
> Is that a local radio station. I don't think anyone uses the AM band
> around here any more. It's all mostly digital now anyways.
I use an app.
> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You do know that [Mega tech Corporation] has records of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> all your shouting now, right? You probably get served a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> lot of ads for lozenges and such.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If I see ads for lozenges, how will I be able to tell if
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> from the shouting at Google or because I viewed and/or
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> purchased them online? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> You won't. That's the insidious part. Also who even buys
>>>>>>>>>>>>> lozenges online? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I have contemplated it. The bag of Ricola is cheaper on
>>>>>>>>>>>> Amazon than at the phramacy.
>>>>>>>>>>> Sure, everywhere else is cheaper that at the pharmacy. You
>>>>>>>>>>> pay extra to have stuff sold to you by a person employed by
>>>>>>>>>>> an actual pharmacist. Don't they have Ricola in your local
>>>>>>>>>>> shop? 
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> They are cheaper on Amazon than at Wal-Mart even.
>>>>>>>>> But there will be a delivery charge, surely. Unless one has
>>>>>>>>> Amazon prime, which I gather is being paid for in some way.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I have Amazon Prime :)
>>>>>>> I didn't doubt it for a minute. And you pay for that one way or
>>>>>>> another. Have I mentioned that Amazon doesn't have a presence in
>>>>>>> my country, in real world of on the web, save for a redirect to
>>>>>>> the German site. 
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Other than free 2 days delivery, I also get Prime Video and
>>>>>> Amazon Music channels. The price is 100% worth it just for those
>>>>>> things. 
>>>>> Okay then - as long as you are happy. [Something about bundling
>>>>> free delivery with those other things to invite more trade the
>>>>> warehouse part of the MegaCorp.]
>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> The pharmacies here are like department stores.
>>>>>>>>> The pharmacies here are in principle only allowed to sell
>>>>>>>>> medicine (prescription, non-prescription and with a special
>>>>>>>>> permit medicine for production animals) and "such goods as
>>>>>>>>> naturally and conveniently relate to pharmacy business as
>>>>>>>>> determined by the Health Department". Also they need a
>>>>>>>>> licence. They all sell stuff like toothpicks and plasters and
>>>>>>>>> vitamins and such. 
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> One of the large pharmacy chains is owned by a grocery chain,
>>>>>>>> so they sell groceries, electronics, cleaning supplies etc.
>>>>>>> But surely it's a separate counter for prescription medicine?
>>>>>>> With a trained staff?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Yes. They also now lock up all the cold medication until said
>>>>>> staff arrive. Probably because of Breaking Bad. 
>>>>> Breaking Bad is the one with the chemistry teacher who starts
>>>>> cooking meth and goes crazy? Does that involve cold medication?
>>>>> Also there is no cure for common cold; so cough drops or
>>>>> something? 
>>>>>
>>>> I think ephedrine is used to make meth.
>>> I see... *takes notes* Anything else?
>>>
>> Not sure. Google it.
>> Or watch Breaking Bad. It's a really good show.
> But not available on danish state tv...
> I was informed that Fargo was a really good show too. I saw the first
> episode and decided otherwise.
> 
I like that one. I appeals to my poetic sense of irony.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Whatever an ancient dead pharaoh/demi-god liked
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to eat with their coffee, I guess.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Did they have coffee? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What good would being an ancient pharaoh if it
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> didn't include coffee? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm wondering when coffee was introduced to Egypt.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Now I am too. Are you going to look it up?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *sigh*
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> According to the National Coffee Association (who
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> knew?): "By the 15th century, coffee was being grown
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> in the Yemeni district of Arabia and by the 16th
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> century it was known in Persia, Egypt, Syria, and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Turkey. Coffee was not only enjoyed in homes, but
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> also in the many public coffee houses — called
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> qahveh khaneh — which began to appear in cities
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> across the Near East." 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not in King Tut's time.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> No wonder he died young, then.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I thought he was murdered.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don't think so... He was a sickly kid born with all
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> sorts of defects. Perhaps not too surprising, given the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> family tradition of selecting spouses from within the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> family. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It keeps the blood lines pure.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> And promotes all the 'fun' genetics...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Must be some definition of the word 'fun' that I was
>>>>>>>>>>>> previously unaware of.
>>>>>>>>>>> 'Fun' in a scientific sense... Like when the geneticists mix
>>>>>>>>>>> up dinosaur genes with frog genes late on a friday after a
>>>>>>>>>>> few beers and giggles about the fun new species they make.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I'm giggling right now.
>>>>>>>>> See: Fun!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I guess it's a side effect of not inviting scientists to
>>>>>>>>>> parties. 
>>>>>>>>> If one does it's probably prudent to mention that the
>>>>>>>>> invitation does not include any reconstituted raptors they may
>>>>>>>>> have around. Not even as a present for the host.
>>>>>>>> It might be entertaining to watch.
>>>>>>> It's all fun and games until some lawyer gets eaten.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Who invited lawyers to the party?
>>>>> Dunno, it's not my party. Might be a +1. Or maybe they got in on a
>>>>> technicality. An unspecified technicality like in the crime shows.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I find the police do more weird/stupid things than the lawyers do
>>>> on tv. Like when they try to sneak up on suspect in a police car
>>>> with the lights flashing and the siren on. Who wouldn't run?
>>> Black people.
>>>
>>> I'm more annoyed by teevee detectives who "solves" their cases by
>>> uncovering some "evidence" that is either blatently inconclusive or
>>> so flimsy (or irrelevant) it will never make a difference in court.
>> 
>> First you have to accuse the wrong person (3 times).
> That only applies until the budget for "wrongful arrest" compensation
> is used up.
> 
Oddly, they never show that part.

>>> Also forensic scientists who make findings that are somewhere
>>> between science fiction and impossible.
>> 
>> There is always a drop of blood (too small for dna analysis) that the
>> suspect missed.
> It was only a few days ago I saw (in a tv-show) a medical examiner,
> who also did all the forensics for some reason, find a drop of the
> culprits blood in the victims blood on the murder weapon. And
> successfully DNA sequenced it.
> 
Amazing!

>>> Police being bumbling idiots are at least realistic.
>>>
>> Sometimes I watch shows with real cold cases and the investigating 
>> officers always ignore some compelling information.
> As I said.
> In period english crime stories they always spend a lot of time
> chasing down the vagrant who invariable have been seen somewhere
> nearby. 
> 
Which happens since they don't have jobs to go to.

>>> [USS Part III: The retconning]
>> [*Merlyne wakes up* I've had the strangest dream...]
> [Was it about endless lines of chevrons?]
[No. I dreamt we argued about brocolli]
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oh dear!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What!!?! Who is bat boy?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It was a tabloid thing back in the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> day. >>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat_Boy_ 
>>>>>>>>>>>> (character
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ) 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm shocked - shocked I tell you -
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>to >>> learn that a newspaper would just
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>make >>> up a story, with no regard for
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>the >>> integrity 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of the press. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> No, you aren't.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That may or may not have been
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> sarcastic... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I thought it was fake outrage.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The outrage is real. The shock maybe not
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> so much. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I see. Batboy enrages you. Noted.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not Batboy as such - the lack of clarity
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> about the fact that Batboy was wholly
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> fictional. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It's pretty obvious, no?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Although, I'm sure there are a few kooks
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> who believe he is real. *shrug*
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I refer you to the case of the radio
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> dramatisation of H.G. Wells' "The War of the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Worlds". 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes, yes...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> There is also the ancient dictum (about
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> writing manuals): Don't write to be
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> understood - write to not be
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *mis*understood. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I always write user guide like the audience
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> is a 6 year old. Even then (with screenshots)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> people mess things up. I had a math professor
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> that told me: it's not that people can't do
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> math, they just can't read. Ah...the lost art
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of reading... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Speaking of... I just finished The Clan of the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Cave Bear. All 587 pages of it. That's a lot
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of words. Not all of them strictly necessary
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> in my opinion... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm on book 3 of the Wheel of Time series. The
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> average size is 826 pages. There are 13 books
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> plus a prequel. So there!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not that it's a competition or anything but I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> did finish the next book in the series and am
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 2/3 through the third. Before that I (re)read
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the 13 volumes of the chronicles of Pern that I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> have. It's mostly about dragons - science
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> fiction dragons. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I used to read those when I was a teenager. My
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> dad took them to work for a book sale and all the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> computer nerds lost their minds. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That can't have been good for productivity...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They were government jobs.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Government jobs have productivity measurements too.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They are just... different.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> People who don't work in the government seem to think
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> we don't any work. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have been working a lot alongside public employees
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of various kinds. To avoid annoying you I shall
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> refrain from commenting on this. They do hold a lot of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> meetings, though. Long meetings. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> When I worked for Census, we did have a lot of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> meetings. Not so much where I am now.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Depends on who's in charge.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> When I was there it was usually because of some (major)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> changes in organisation and/or workflow. Gotta hold
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> meetings about that sort of thing. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> When I worked in the private sector, they had a huge all
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> staff meeting in the ballroom of a super-posh hotel to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> annouce the company was changing it's name. One woman in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the middle of the crowd jumped up and screamed 'I love
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> it!' after the new name was revealed. I was just there
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> for the free food. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yeah, they do that sometimes - for publicity. And probably
>>>>>>>>>>>>> with invited 'news-media' persons, who are also just there
>>>>>>>>>>>>> for the free food. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Nothing wrong with free food.
>>>>>>>>>>> Especially if it is tax-deductible.
>>>>>>>>>> Deductions from net income:
>>>>>>>>>> Free food: $0
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> It's certainly not a deduction for the consumers of the food.
>>>>>>>>>> And it might be for the purchaser if the purchaser was a
>>>>>>>>>> registered charity.
>>>>>>>>> If (and it is) the food is served as part of a promotional
>>>>>>>>> initiative it will be a business expense for the company, thus
>>>>>>>>> reducing the taxable profit.
>>>>>>>>> On the other hand it may be a taxable material good for
>>>>>>>>> whoever eat from it... hmmm.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I dunno.
>>>>>>>> I just ate the free food and tried not to over-think it.
>>>>>>> I wouldn't speak about it so freely in front of the tax-man if I
>>>>>>> were you. 
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Why?
>>>>> Do you want to get audited for not declaring taxable goods or
>>>>> services received?
>>>>>
>>>> I challenge them to prove it!
>>> With all the media people taking part in the event that shouldn't be
>>> all that difficult.
>>>
>> There shouldn't be any pictures. I was practicing stealing things 
>> stealthily.
> Honestly!
> One of the first rules of stealthy stealing is not to do it if there
> are a lot of cameras around.
> 
D'oh!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I never knew about them before I inherited them,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and I didn't consider them for reading for a long
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> time, thinking they were 'Fantasy'. Because of the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> dragons. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I liek dragons!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The books are more about how civilization can
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> devolve. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And the importance of preserving knowledge.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And how some people are just shitty humans, through
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> malice or ignorance. And dragons.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> YAY! Dragons!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes. Science-fictionally believable dragons.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I haven't been reading as much as I normally do
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> in the summer. Usually, I go outside and lounge
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and read but this summer has been either super
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> hot or raining, making the mosquitoes quite
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> fierce. Also my Kobo broke. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Assuming a Kobo is some kind of e-reader and not
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> your favourite lounge-chair, let me point out that
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> books also come as self-contained stacks of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> printed paper... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes. I can put several on a Kobo which weighs a few
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ounces. This comes in handy when you finish a book
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> when you are away from home. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Unless you run out of battery and forget the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> charger. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yep that could happen.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And that would be bad.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I can play with my phone instead.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I thought the phone was for public transport and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> zoom-meetings... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It's for any times when I am bored.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> How can you be bored when you have all those thousands of
>>>>>>>>>>>>> books to read? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I like having options.
>>>>>>>>>>> What is thousands of books if not options?
>>>>>>>>>> It's about variety, you know, the spice of life.
>>>>>>>>>> Reading = 1 option.
>>>>>>>>>> Other options = listening to music/podcast
>>>>>>>>>> Snoozing
>>>>>>>>>> Playing Candy Crush
>>>>>>>>> I see... Anything to not be thinking about stuff? Or interact
>>>>>>>>> with your fellow humans.
>>>>>>>> Exactly!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Also, with paper books, you have to procure more
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and then rid yourself of them once finished.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Get Rid Of Books!!?? What is this madness. What if
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> you want to read them again at some point?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The number of books that I keep is very small.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Which for instance prohibits you from now re-reading
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the chronicles of Pern.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Which I don't want to reread.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Okay then. Don't read about the dragons...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Okay. I won't.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Also a Kobo has infinite storage, I take it?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I forget how many books it can hold. More that you
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> can carry even with a cargo bike.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> So there!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hard-cover or paperback? My cargo bike is rated for
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 200Kg. How many books is that?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> My new one can hold 12,000 books. How much does that
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> weigh? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> From an admittedly small sample size paperbacks weigh
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ~50g/100pages. Assuming an average length of 350 pages
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> that's 175g * 12000 or about 2.1 metric tons. However
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> you aren't going to read nearly that many books in one
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> sitting/vacation/year(/lifetime). One cargo bike full is
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> about 1200 books, which will do me quite well for a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> while. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I think the point is that I can carry more books than you
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> can. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I think the point is that even a cargo bike can hold more
>>>>>>>>>>>>> books than it is reasonable to have on one's immediate
>>>>>>>>>>>>> to-read list at any one time... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Still. I can carry more books.
>>>>>>>>>>>> So there!
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Quite. And the Tesla guy has more money than the Amazon guy
>>>>>>>>>>> (or vice versa)... *shrug*
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> What's that to do with the price of eggs in China?
>>>>>>>>> At some point 'more' becomes pointless...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> You're a poor loser.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I've had so very little practice.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> You had 5 years experience losing arguments with Phil.
>>>>> I never lost an argument with Phil. Easily verified by the fact
>>>>> that he was wrong about most things.
>>>>>
>>>> That's not my recollection...
>>>
>>> Just think of all the points I gathered in that time.
>>>
>> I remember that you would declare yourself to be right and award 
>> yourself points for it.
> Only in situations where I was obviously right and deserving of
> points. 
> 
I don't remember things that way at all...