Re: 14th

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

> 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 15.34, 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.
> As important as that is, it hardly qualifies as a national emergency.
> At most a regional emergency.
> 
>> They also broadcast on tv.
> Yes but that isn't going to help in the national emergency when all
> the power is down and the cellphone towers don't work. That's why you
> need to hoard batteries for the transistor radio. And candles.
> 

I have a generator.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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.
> I'll never know. It was too depressing to keep watching.
> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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?
> *sigh* Lord Peter Death Bredon Wimsey - brother of the 16th duke of
> Denver. War hero and gentleman detective. His valet Bunter does all
> the photographing and chemical analysis for the cases (when not doing
> all the valet things, of course).
> Fictional. Invented and written by Dorothy L. Sayers.
> 

I never read that series. 

>>>>>>> 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.]
> [Except for the fact that it tastes terrible and also is poisonous.]
[Those are not facts]
>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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.
> Oh, I can tell you that right now: never.
> 

You forgot to award yourself points.