Re: In other news

On 07.01.2024 23.21, Merlyne wrote:
> 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 15.47, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>
>>>>>> On 22.11.2023 14.33, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 08.11.2023 14.11, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> On 25.10.2023 16.26, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> On 18.10.2023 13.55, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>>>>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 04.10.2023 16.13, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 26.09.2023 14.11, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 23.09.2023 23.14, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> [---]
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> [****]
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> [^^^]
>>>>>>>>>>>>> [%%]
>>>>>>>>>>>> [€€€€]
>>>>>>>>>>> [$]
>>>>>>>>>> [What kind $ - it's so generic. Also £££££]
>>>>>>>>> [!!!!!]
>>>>>>>> [þþþþ]
>>>>>>> [a string of non-utf8 characters]
>>>>>> [This newsreader is more advanced that I though. Look what it put
>>>>>> instead of your no utf8 characters]
>>>>> [I have another newsreader but I don't think it does
>>>>> x-noarchive]>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Here have some Gatorade.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mmmmm... electrolytes. (I've never
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> actually tried Gatorade.) 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I think my Dad bought some in the 70's when
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> it was green sea water. It's pretty gross.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm sure the stuff they have now is full of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> sugar. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Well, sports people need their energy.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> This is just a guess - it's mostly non-sports
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> people who drink it. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Also the sports people/teams who are sponsored
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> by the company, I bet. At least when they are
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> on teevee. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Or the Gatorade container is filled with water.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> At least that's what it looks like when they
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> dump it on the winning coach. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> One would hope so, given the stickyness of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> sugary drinks... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But you never know...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That may be what happened to that Spanish womens
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> football coach... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> He got drunk on fermented Gatorade and kissed one
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of the players? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Or maybe he was covered in sticky Gatorade and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> unwittingly was sticking to the players mouth...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> We should send these excuses to him. For a fee.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> To late now. He has already been 'released'...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Still. There might be a hearing. Or a charge in 20
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> years when the player is suddenly traumatized by a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> repressed memory. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> There have been very little opportunity to repress any
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> memory in this particular case.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You don't know.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I read the news. I'm confident in my statement.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I see that Big Brother is back for
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> it's >> 25th season. Ugh!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But of course it is... It's what the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> people want. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> People are stupid!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Gatorade contains a lot of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> electrolytes... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> (guess the reference for the chance to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> win a modest prize) 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Idiocracy?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yup! I'll mail you a gold star...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> YAY! I hardly get any snail mail anymore.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> This is so exciting.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hang on. I need to find a stamp... I'm sure
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> there are some around here somewhere.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm so excited. I never win anything. I have
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to pee! 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You know what they say: You can't win unless
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> you play. Maybe you should start doing some
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> sportsball or something... After you are done
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> peeing, obviously. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I can't picture me playing team sports.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> There are types of sportsball where you play
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> alone (against an opponent, obviously). Also
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> without team sport you don't get to imbibe the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> team spirit... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> No. I get that at work.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oohh! do you get to go on retreats and play stupid
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> games too? (Made up by a genuine behaviourist
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> sociologist.) 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Before COVID, we had stupid team building
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> exercises. One time a manager brought in a bag of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> carrots and tried to get us all to go outside and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> make a snowman. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> This was in winter, one assumes.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You're so SMRT.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It was a natural inference.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I didn't want to point out the difficulty in making a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> snowman in non- winter months. WORSE.TEAM-BUILDING
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> EXERCISE.EVER. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I dunno. It challenges the participants' ingenuity...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Also if it's hot a good deal of co-operation is
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> required. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Good luck finding snow in July.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *opens freezer* *forms ball from sediments*
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'll be at the pub if anyone needs me.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oh, there you are... *throws*
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ow!
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Why'd you pelt me with a giant ice ball?
>>>>>>>>>>>> It wasn't that giant - and to show what can be accomplished
>>>>>>>>>>>> if one put their mind to it.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I guess you don't have a frost-free freezer then.
>>>>>>>>>>>> It would do much good if it was... freezing wise.
>>>>>>>>>>> All of my freezers are frost-free.
>>>>>>>>>>> They keep things frozen while preventing frost build-up.
>>>>>>>>>> But ice crystals are an inescapable consequence of freezing
>>>>>>>>>> moisture in the air. Do you never open your freezer or is it
>>>>>>>>>> dehumidifying somehow - hopefully without unfreezing the water
>>>>>>>>>> and everything else? Maybe you have a vary large silica bag in
>>>>>>>>>> your freezer. 
>>>>>>>>> I have no idea how it works. It just does.
>>>>>>>>> Magic!
>>>>>>>> A theory for sure. Only magic isn't real. Condensation is. It's
>>>>>>>> a conundrum. 
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Why must you rain on my parade?
>>>>>> Magic is like religion - the Devils work!!
>>>>>>
>>>>> Yes. I can see how a non-believer would think that.
>>>> It's simple really. Since religion is hogwash the devil doesn't
>>>> exist either; therefore his work is also non-existent. Like magic.
>>>>
>>> YAY! MAgic!!
>> No. No magic. Just like the devil.
>>
> You're no fun.
I hear that a lot. I'm sure the devil would be much more entertaing if
he existed.

>>>>>>> It is magic like when you open the fridge and stick your head in,
>>>>>>> the light goes on.
>>>>>> You have a strange fridge. Mine turns on the light when the door
>>>>>> opens. No head insertion needed. Also the light has a rational
>>>>>> explanation. Look it up if you don't believe me.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Another manager had a stuffed animal that each
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> person was supposed to take home for the weekend
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and then share the toys adventures with the rest of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the team. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Invasion of privacy if I ever saw it. Mind, if it
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> had been me the stuffy thing would most likely have
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> experienced doing laundry and watching telly. Very
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> adventurous. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> My adventure would be: Merlyne spends entire weekend
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> trying to find an identical animal after BF's dog
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> shreds the toy. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Why, though. It would be a dramatic adventure at
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> least. And you would spare your remaining colleagues
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the effort. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Or the trauma when they find out that the beloved
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> mascot is no more. Anyays, I never brought the toy home
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> so I got to spend my weekends doing fun things like
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> laundry and watching tv. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You aren't really very good at that whole team spirit
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> thing, are you? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Besides the fact that my parents raise me to be an
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> individual, I really can't get into lame party games and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> things of that nature. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But.. It's designed to demonstrate that things work better
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> if you cooperate. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Some things work well, some things don't.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I think I can decide when I need help.
>>>>>>>>>>>> Consider that the other team-workers may not be so
>>>>>>>>>>>> self-sufficient and may need the exercise to be confident
>>>>>>>>>>>> that they can ask you for help when needed.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> They already knew that because I'm super nice!
>>>>>>>>>> It could be a new co-worker who don't know you very well. Or
>>>>>>>>>> only know you from your meeting rants.
>>>>>>>>> So I should end rants by saying that my door is always open?
>>>>>>>> If you think people are still paying attention to what you say
>>>>>>>> by then. Maybe you should start with that.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Ok. Noted.
>>>>>> Please report any progress in this matter.
>>>>> Progress?
>>>> The relative change in number of incidents where people utilise your
>>>> open door since starting rants by mentioning it.
>>>>
>>> This will be hard to assess in a hybrid work model.
>> So include whatever corresponds to walking through an open door in
>> your digital world. Faceapp, Whatstime or whatever... We must have
>> data. 
>>
> I have tons of data.
But do you have open door policy related data is the question?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> During COVID, they tried a bunch of virtual events
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> because they think we are retarded 6 year olds.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Show 'n' tell, anyone? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I don't remember most of the stupid tasks we were
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> given at those sessions. Most of they were to do
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> with working as a team, and everyone was faffing
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> about getting nowhere until someone took charge and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> started giving orders. More often than I care to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> remember someone being me - just to get the thing
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> over with. Great way to consolidate respect for
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> section managers and such who was doing their fair
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> share of faffing. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The formal team building thingees that I've been to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> have a facilitator who gets the ball rolling.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sometimes literally. I was at one where participants
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> were not allowed to speak unless they were holding
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the ball. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yeah, that's pretty typical. I think they use
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> something similar in pre-school...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Makes sense. They treat us like we are retarded 6 yr
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> olds. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> To be fair the 'talking stick' (or ball, whatever) is an
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ancient method of keeping order in assemblies -
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> predating the mute-button by many centuries.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm in favour of it.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Of course the way things are these days, using the 'mute'
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> button on someone would be viewed as a microaggression
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and would require everyone to attend a meeting about how
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> microagressions are wrong. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Talking over each other is also a microagression. You are
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> going to need more meetings.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I remember when microaggressions were about racist or
>>>>>>>>>>>>> sexist things... 
>>>>>>>>>>>> But that sort of things don't happen any more...?
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Not to me, it doesn't.
>>>>>>>>>> Well, who would be racist towards the fecking irish?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> The English?
>>>>>>>> Yeah, but to be fair, the Irish spent 300 years stubbornly
>>>>>>>> refusing to be subjugated. That is no way to instil kindly
>>>>>>>> neighbourly feelings. 
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Americans treated the Irish like crap.
>>>>>>>> Aren't the americans all irish anyway? Irish or italian?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I don't think so.
>>>>>>> https://www.infoplease.com/us/race/ancestry-us-population-rank
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I find it interesting that in 2000 and 2015 people reported their
>>>>>>> ancestry i.e. German, Irish etc but in the 2020 Census, they
>>>>>>> reported themselves as 'White'.
>>>>>> But they didn't. The questionnaire for the 2010 census did not
>>>>>> have room for specification beyond "White" if that was the answer.
>>>>>> The 2020 questionnaire did. The 2015 specification of nation of
>>>>>> origin in your link must come from somewhere else.
>>>>>> Interestingly in 2000 there was a question about national origin
>>>>>> but not connected to the primary question on race.
>>>>>> Anyway they are all 'Merkans anyway.
>>>>>> Also no questions anywhere about how many guns are in the
>>>>>> household. How are the government conspiracy to take away all the
>>>>>> guns ever going to work if they don't know where they are?
>>>>>
>>>>> Maybe the government assumes that every person has a least 1.
>>>> That does not sound like something a statistician would assume. Also
>>>> there are more guns than people so some have more than one.
>>>>
>>> Soem have hundreds. Not sure why you would ever need that many.
>>>
>>>>> They do have the right to bear arms.
>>>> For now.
>>>>
>>> You think this will change?
>> Once they acknowledge that without the guns they would have more
>> people and come to their senses, maybe. So probably not.
>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They do show Colombo (again) but
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> late >> at > night and I still
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> remember 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> all the 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> plots > from last time. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I don't remember all the Columbo
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> plots. >> Doesn't matter since they
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> show >> you who 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> did at the beginning of the show. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes but Colombo is more about
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> howdonit 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> than whodunit... and Colombo
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> pretending 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to be dumb but really being very
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> smart >>> of course. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And one more thing...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oh yeah, it must have slipped my mind
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> for a moment... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have Acorn and BritBox now so I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> can >>>> catch up on all my British
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> murder >>>> mystery 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> shows. I feel with the writer and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> actor >> strike that there may be a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> long >> tv show 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> drought. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I get BritBox as well (on that
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> streaming 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> service). They have Yes
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Minister/Prime 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Minister. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I never watched that one.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It's a good introduction into how
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> gubbernment *really* works... sort
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of. >>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm going to finish Good Omens and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> then >> watch the latest season of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The >> Witcher. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The next season of The Wheel of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> time >>>> starts September 1. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I did see a Canadian police series
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> in >>> french. It had all the right
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> characters: 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> - a neuro-divergent sketch artist
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> with >>> 'amazing' abilities, - a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> wheel-chair 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> bound, female chief always wearing
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a >>>>> baseball cap, 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> - a young arab gay forensic
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> investigator, 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> - a semi-alcoholic older detective
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> who >>> broke all the rules
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> (violently) 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> - a >>> middle aged female
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> researcher, 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> who was 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a > former elite hacker. And that
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> was >>>> just > the Good 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Guys(tm). 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I don't know that one. I used to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> watch >> 'District 31' when I was on
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> language 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> training. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 'Portrait Robot' in Canadian. ('The
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sketch Artist' in 'danish'). I don't
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> know 'District 31' but I do have a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Belgian 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> series of all 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> things, all about sex-crimes.. in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Flemish 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> language. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And speaking of programming, I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> wrote >> a >> Python program today
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> without taking 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a >> course. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I had no idea you were a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> parseltongue. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Well, I had to do something after I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> failed out of wizard school. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Is that even possible. I thought you
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> would just have to take the year
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> again. > Or become Key Warden or
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> something. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But eventually they found out that
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm >> too stupid to be a wizard. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Is that even possible? I thought it's
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> an > innate ability for those whom it is
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> gifted. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm more of a Rincewind type of wizard
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> or  not gifted at all. Smoke and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> mirrors! 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm not familiar. Or _a_ familiar for
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> that matter... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That's what the cats are for.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have no cat. Also no wizardry.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have a cat. It does what it wants.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm somewhat familiar with the behaviour of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> cats. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not familiar with the rules of being a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> familiar. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Me either. But that's okay since I'm not a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> cat. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> One of these day I'm gonna install
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the >>> ADA pre-compiler for gcc
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> again >> and >> think > of something to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> code in 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> it... >> Something 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> with a lot of things happening at
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the >>> same time. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> No, you won't.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I will. Some day...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Right after you build that water
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> feature 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> in your yard, I'm sure. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Well I won't be able to work on the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> water feature in winter, so I could do
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the installing then. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Isn't that when you are painting the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> living room? *snickers*
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> No that was this spring,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> theoretically... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Or next spring. Some time when I can
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> keep the doors and windows open. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Anyhoo....
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You should learn Python so that you can
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> nitpit my code. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What made you think that I don't know
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Python? (I don't, but still) 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It was a calculated risk. It was created
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> after you left school and were a fully
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> functioning adult with a regular day job.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yebbut I was reasonably capable of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> learning several programming languages for
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> many years after that. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> As did I.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I think once MS took over the workplace,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> most people learned VB. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And some probably even learned a programming
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> language as well. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Probably.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I usually end up teaching myself.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Whereas I on several occasions ended up
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> teaching others... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I haven't taught anyone to program, but I do
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> end up reviewing other people's code. I get
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> questions about 'How do I do thing X?' I have
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> one programmer who can't program from scratch.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I usually have to meet with him and outline
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> step 1, step 2 etc. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But you are supposed to learn that in programmer
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> school...? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I think his degree is in Philosophy or History or
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> something non- programming. How he got into this
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> line of work, I'll never know. He told me his
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> dream job would be to work on video games. He
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> would die in that job. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Probably. How he got the job: probably the same
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> way as everyone else - lied on his resume...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I would be impressed if that were the case. This
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> one has about 0 initiative. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Maybe you could assign him to go to all the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> meetings...? Just tell him to say "No".
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> He doesn't speak at meetings. Then he would come back
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and wouldn't remember what went on at the meeting.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Make him a sign that says 'NO' to bring. Or better yet
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a t-shirt. Then he won't forget to display it. The
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> important thing is to have the 'NO' represented.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'll try that. He will think I'm joking and laugh.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> As long as he doesn't laugh during the meeting. You
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> don't want the other participants to think it's a joke.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> He laughs at meetings when I go off on a rant.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But then a lot of people do. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mute them.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Why? I like the attention.
>>>>>>>>>>>> Doesn't it interrupt your train of thought having people
>>>>>>>>>>>> laugh in the middle of your rant?
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Nah.
>>>>>>>>>>> I can always start over.
>>>>>>>>>> That's not going to make the total time wast^W spent in
>>>>>>>>>> meeting any shorter now, is it?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> You should have thought about that before you interupted me.
>>>>>>>> I would never laugh at someone mid-rant. I know from painful
>>>>>>>> experience it will only prolong the outburst.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Painful? It's entertaining and makes the meeting go faster.
>>>>>> It does not. A rant often result in someone suggesting a break (to
>>>>>> let the tempers settle and also so I can have a smoke), after
>>>>>> which the meeting continues - mostly completely ignoring the rant
>>>>>> and any potential substance therein.
>>>>>> As for painful: A ranter interrupted is almost always a ranter
>>>>>> reiterating their point from the top or some variation thereof.
>>>>>> Rants are rarely helpful.
>>>>>>
>>>>> Our meetings are booked for a specific length, say an hour.
>>>>> If I talk for 50 minutes then the meeting will be over before you
>>>>> know it.
>>>> But then nothing will get resolved - that's not an efficient way to
>>>> have meetings (unless the purpose is to have more meetings).
>>>>
>>> Most of the time, the purpose is just to touch base with others>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Also you can read about the proceedings in the minutes
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> on the intranet. Probably.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not usually.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sometimes people write 10 pages of code to do
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> something when all they need is the coalesce
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> function. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Isn't that more an unwillingness to RT(F)M?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> No one does that.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I always did. And it served me well on many
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> occasions. More people should RTM.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You lost the F!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If one RTM before it becomes am urgent necessity
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> there 
>>      ½>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> is no F involved.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Which never happens.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You think I'm the only one to ever read a manual?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes. Or least when it's not urgent.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Tsk-tsk. What is the world coming to...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> How about you read the manuals and then give me an
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> executive summary about them?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You mean as in teamwork? Co-operating for better
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> efficiency like you learned at the seminar?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I learnt nothing at the seminar.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I snuck out at the bathroom break.
>>>>>>>>>>>> Tsk-tsk. I guess you'll have to read the manual yourself
>>>>>>>>>>>> then. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Ugh!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What made you think I can't nitpick any
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> code from a position of relative
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ignorance? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But really. Code is code. The symbols
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> may be different but logic is forever...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That's what I keep telling coworkers who
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> are panicking about having to learn
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Python or R. If you can program, you can
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> do it in any language. You just have to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> learn to syntax. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And memorise all the function libraries,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of course... Piece of cake. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Nah. I mean the stuff I use often will get
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> engraved in my mind. Anything else, will be
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> googled. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But... your productivity!!1!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> All pensionable time!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If they want me to be more productive, they
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> need to get me more staff and stop assigning
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> me extra work. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Your productivity isn't going to increase if
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> you run out of work to do. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That will never happen. When we are
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> understaffed, I don't have time to focus on my
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> own work. All the work has to be distributed
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> amongst the existing staff. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Delegation is work, though. Particularly if you
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> have staff. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It's a delicate balanacing act.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Another reason why wearing heels to work is a bad
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> idea? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I definitely wobble less in flat shoes.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> One of several reasons why I never wore high heels
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to work. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Heels are my way of elevating myself aove the frey.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Plus I'm 5'5".
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Okay, shorty...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Isn't that USian slang for GF?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not that I've heard/read. I believe it's slang for a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> short person. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> shorty or short�ie [ shawr-tee ]
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> noun,plural short�ies.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a person of less than average stature (sometimes used as
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a disparaging and offensive term of address).
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a garment designed to be of short length, as a hospital
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> bed jacket. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Also shaw�ty  [shaw-tee] .Slang.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a girl or woman:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> We watched the shorties on the dance floor, all lookin'
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> so fine. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a girlfriend or sweetheart:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Me and my shorty went to that new club over on Ninth last
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> night; what a scene!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> adjective
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> noting a garment designed to be of short length:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a shorty nightgown; shorty pajamas.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I can't keep up with all the slang the young people use
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> these days. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> You should.
>>>>>>>>>>>> It changes too fast for me in all the languages - in any
>>>>>>>>>>>> case I was never on fleek even when I was younger. I was
>>>>>>>>>>>> rather fetch, though, if I say so myself.
>>>>>>>>>>> *eye roll*
>>>>>>>>>>> Fetch is never going to happen, Gretchen!
>>
>> INSERT: Apparently there is a new Mean Girls movie coming out with the
>> subtitle 'Fetch is happening' or something like that. So there.
>>
> 
> I'll believe it when I see it.
> They did do a Mean Girls broadway play.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mean_Girls_(2024_film)
You're welcome.

>>>>>>>>>> Some dogs like it, I think.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Maybe they want us to think that.
>>>>>>>> No, I'm sure they genuinely enjoy the fetching part. It's the
>>>>>>>> letting go after having fetched they are somewhat ambivalent
>>>>>>>> about. 
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> My dog fetches the ball/stick/whatever and then runs away.
>>>>>> IOW it can't keep cleaning up your mess. It has important stuff to
>>>>>> do. 
>>>>>>
>>>>> OR the dog does not understand the rules of engagement.
>>>> Well you have to explain it properly first. You can't just assume
>>>> the dog knows your intentions... They are a bit like co-workers that
>>>> way. 
>>>>
>>> I don't speak dog.
>> Just speak slow and loudly in English. I'm sure that will work.
>>
> It doesn't work well with foreigners.
Doesn't the management have a course for that?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Also, I'm average height for caucasian women.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The average height for women in DK is 167cm (5'5.75").
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I know this because the news told me - the height
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> requirement for joining the royal guard has recently
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> been removed because it discriminated against women. The
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> requirement for women was higher than average height
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> while the requirement for men was lower that average
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> men's height. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> These are the important decisions that occupy the high
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> command. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> So I'm average height for a woman in DK. I'll blend in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> nicely when visiting your water feature, stele and pile
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of guano. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sure. I was hoping for a lot of japanese tourists, though.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They are more likely to buy my tacky plastic souvenirs.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm getting a vibe that you don't want me to visit :(
>>>>>>>>>>>> I don't expect you to buy any of my tacky plastic souvenirs.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Are you saying that so I'll want them?
>>>>>>>>>> Not at all. I mean they are strictly limited issue. And
>>>>>>>>>> eminently collectible as well a "decorative". But it's
>>>>>>>>>> entirely up to you if you feel you need to buy some before
>>>>>>>>>> they are all gone - and probably being sold on e-bay for
>>>>>>>>>> 50-100 times the original price. Think beany babies but more
>>>>>>>>>> exclusive. 
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Ah. FOMO.
>>>>>>>>> Huge marketing tool.
>>>>>>>> Yes, but in my defence: at least it isn't NFT's.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I think the bottom fell out of that market.
>>>>>> Yap. And now we watch all the block-chain currencies from a safe
>>>>>> distance. 
>>>>>>
>>>>> I think I've been doing that for years....
>>>> Against the advise of Musky Elon??? He's one of the smartest people
>>>> in the whole world, I've heard.
>>>>
>>> Apparently.
>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> So you need to launch an advertising blitz in Japan.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They changed the requirements for fire-fighters here so
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> that more women could join. I can hardly wait to be
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> rescued from a burning building by a 96 lb woman.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Well, maybe if you stopped playing with fire you wouldn't
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> need rescuing all the time.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> The leprechaun tells me to burn things.
>>>>>>>>>>>> Contrary to popular opinion leprechauns don't as a rule have
>>>>>>>>>>>> your best interest at heart. Don't listen to the leprechaun.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> But, but...they have that pot of gold.
>>>>>>>>>>> (And me lucky charms)
>>>>>>>>>> And they aren't inclined to part with either, so I've heard.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Stupid leprechauns!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> That sort of outburst aren't going to help your negotiations
>>>>>>>> with the leprechauns. Just saying.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I didn't know I was negotiating.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Do you want your breakfast cereal back or not?
>>>>>>
>>>>> I never eat breakfast cereal. You can keep it.
>>>>
>>>> You mean the leprechaun can keep it. I don't eat cereal with added
>>>> sugar bits.
>>>>
>>> They're magically delicious!
>>
>> Diabetes!
> 
> Yeah, yeah. None for you!
That was never on the table. I meant for all the sugar filled cereal
eating kids...

-- 
BeH

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