Re: 14th

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

> On 18.12.2023 20.45, Merlyne wrote:
>> 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}
> {No matter - the plot didn't make much sense anyway}
> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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.
> Of course you do. But what about when there is a national emergency
> and you are instructed to stay inside, light some candles, and listen
> to the national emergency proclamations on your battery powered
> transistor radio? 
> 

The emergencies are broadcast by SMS especially when a child get picked 
up from school by the non-custodial parent 1000 miles away.

They also broadcast on tv.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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.
> As far as I got it was a show about rather pathetic people making the
> wrong choice at every opportunity. I don't need a movie/show to tell
> me how that goes. And that's not even accounting for the murderings.
> 

It all works out somehow.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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.
> Not enough action in civil litigation, usually. Hardly ever any car
> chases either.
> 
That must be the reason.
>>>>> 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!
> Truly. Science has come a long way since the days of Peter Wimsey.
> 
Who?
>>>>> 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.
> OR they are the long lost husband of one of the maids in the manor
> house and the catalyst of the side plot that has nothing to do with
> the murder except for confirming/breaking an alibi.
> 
It's just a red herring.

>>>>> [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]
> [What a stange dream. How can there be opposing views on broccoli.]
> 
[I know, eh? Everyone knows that brocolli is a delicious and nutritious 
superfood.]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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...
> You should probably allocate a good amount of time to research this
> topic on google while you still can. It will all come back to you...

I think that google is keeping the historical stuff. They will just stop 
archiving your rantings in February.
If I have time, I will do a study to see how many times you awarded 
yourself points for no reason vs actually being right.