Re: Crossed the threshhold

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 15.37, 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.
> 
Might be interesting to watch...

>>>>>> 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...
> 
Nah. IIRC, he had a Swedish grandmother.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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.
> 
Me: Waiter!!! There's a Danish in my soup!