Re: Crossed the threshhold

On 18.12.2023 20.45, Merlyne wrote:
> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]: 
> 
>> On 29.11.2023 15.37, 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 we have the stolen stele exhibit in a stell?
>> I suppose that will work. I would have to find somewhere else to put
>> the sheep while the exhibit is open. Mixing tourists with sheep will
>> only cause confusion.
>>
> If you leave the sheep out in the rain, they will shrink.
Not if I remember to stretch them out while they dry.

>>>>> 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.
>>> I expect no less from Germans (or is it Germen?)
>> It's germans - but what has that got to do with me?
>>
> You're practically German.
I am very not German! You are thinking of Busternaut...

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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]
>>> [Would I hurt you?]
>> [Better safe than sorry]
>>
>>>>>>>>> (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.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Maybe if they have the technology for instellar travel, then they
>>> have also solved all those other issues. Why can't you just enjoy the
>>> movie? Have some popcorn.
>>
>> But most of that isn't 'issues' that can be solved. It's blatant
>> disregard for the laws of physics. You can't just disregard how the
>> universe works willy-nilly. And it doesn't even alter the narrative -
>> all the stupid stuff is just there to show-case the special effects
>> team (and to annoy me, no doubt).
>>
>>
> I heard they make space movies just to annoy you.
I wouldn't be surprised...

> Eventually we will have gravity defying technology. Just you wait.
*waits*

...actually we won't. Mankind may possibly eventually devise technology
to locally counteract the effect of gravity, but that will then be with
a force equal to but opposite of gravity.
Good thing too. I don't want to be free-floating - who knows where I'll
end up.

-- 
BeH

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