This is the Thread Where We Say Pt. 25: Yeah, um, good thanks...

-- Remy Snush The Night Away (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 9:54 AM. (x Jeremy) (link)

Remy, Please arrange for the cast of Freaks and Geeks to hang out with me. k thanx bye.

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 10:00 AM. (coco) (link)

Nah, I was grossly overweight in hs and made up for my fatty by becoming the class clown. Until I lost a boatload of weight the summer before my 2nd junior year then I became suave. I am now back to my fatty frosh-1st junior year days. Albeit a bit taller. And i was a stoner/skater in "hs". Had lots of friends and only three gf's and 5 sexual partners in hs. In college I blossomed....

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 10:02 AM. (Chris V) (link)

"I think he's sad, sweet, and the forgotten parent of a pair of really rich parents."

This is very true...until dad had a breakdown and lost his big job.

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 10:04 AM. (Chris V) (link)

I meant more the funny sarcastic part of the character, and he looks kinda like Chris (I think) from the pics I've seen.

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 10:04 AM. (Jocelyn) (link)

He was wonderful in "undeclared"....n/a and I have declared our love of that show. Fox is stupid....

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 10:05 AM. (Chris V) (link)

5 sexual partners in hs.

That's 5 times what I had in HS.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 10:05 AM. (link)

Yes.

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 10:07 AM. (Jocelyn) (link)

What counts as a sexual partner? If it involves actually having sex, than my partner count is a big fat ZERO (in high school). That doesn't make me a loser though, right guys?

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 10:07 AM. (coco) (link)

No, as we're not 17 any more.

-- Jesus Christ, Paraplegic (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 10:09 AM. (Mark C) (link)

Speak for yourself, douchebag!

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 10:10 AM. (link)

(that was a joke, right? like what a 17 year old asshole might say)

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 10:11 AM. (link)

err yes, actually doin it. in fact it was all in a one year time period....senior yr. nothing to be proud of.

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 10:11 AM. (Chris V) (link)

Oh god I hope they release Undeclared on DVD soon. Loudon Wainwright III was in it! And a bunch of kids from Freaks & Geeks!

-- n/a (nu...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 10:13 AM. (Nick A.) (link)

I bought a book today in a charity shop - it's called 'The Other Darker Ned'. I'm a bit scared.

-- Martin Skidmore (lonewolf.cu...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 10:38 AM. (Martin Skidmore) (link)

Is it about Dan Perry?

-- jaymc (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 10:41 AM. (jaymc) (link)

5 sexual partners in hs.

That's 5 times what I had in HS.

i can relate to that too, ha.

you have to get freaks and geeks, chris, it's great! i think i originally got it because n/a said something about it being good on some thread, and i LOVE IT.

-- JuliaA (j(underscore)bdules@hotmail.com) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 10:47 AM. (j_bdules) (link)

Nick: the Undeclared DVD is in the works, it's being slowed down by reacquiring song rights (a lot of the music on the show was by now-bigger-name bands like Outkast and Coldplay). It's supposed to be out in the spring with an every-extra-imaginable release (auditions, bloopers, deleted scenes, commentaries; just like F&G).

-- Tep (icaneatglas...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 11:15 AM. (ktepi) (link)

AWESOME.

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 11:16 AM. (Chris V) (link)

YES. Thanks Tep!

-- n/a (nu...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 11:17 AM. (Nick A.) (link)

Tommorrow night I get to go to the Harvard Faculty Club. As you all know I am part of Harvards Faculty.

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 11:17 AM. (Chris V) (link)

I think I like Freaks and Geeks a lot more as a result of the DVDs -- the set is so complete, so devoted, that it's hard not to love it. And having a commentary track done by fans is such a fantastic idea it should be a legal requirement for TV on DVD releases -- Alias did it too, and it's cool to compare the very different styles of the fan tracks (Alias's had the Alias summarizer from Television Without Pity, so had a lot more cattiness than the F&G that was sort of chatty-reverent).

Dude, Chris, you should steal something.

-- Tep (icaneatglas...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 11:24 AM. (ktepi) (link)

I'm giving a lecture on quantum physics....obviously the only reason I will be stepping on Harvards campus is to fuck up some smart kids.

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 11:27 AM. (Chris V) (link)

Yes, it's really nice to have the whole Freaks & Geeks plot arch available. I think that's why The Office DVDs work so well too: although it's a great show on a show-by-show basis, you only really get the full emotional impact if you know the whole plot. And yes, the F&G commentaries are great, especially the ones by the actors who played the kids. But the one by the actors who played the teachers doing the commentary in character didn't really work unfortunately.

-- n/a (nu...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 11:29 AM. (Nick A.) (link)

No F & G spoilers please. I've only seen the first 1 1/2 shows. I can't wait to go home and watch more!
It's also strange that I thought James Franco was a bad actor in Spiderman, but he's so good in this show. I guess Harry Osborne isn't really much of a complex character though.

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 11:52 AM. (Jocelyn) (link)

Bingo, I'm guessing your wife has a Hahvahd event. Just guessing.

-- Je4nne ƒury (jeanneƒur...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 11:55 AM. (Jeanne Fury) (link)

Franco is kind of a good actor, but not really. He can pretty much only play one type, and that was his character in F&G. And I don't think the part he was playing in the Spiderman flix really fits into his range. He's basically a character actor I think.

-- n/a (nu...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 11:56 AM. (Nick A.) (link)

Ha ha, the intern is getting in shit again! That guy sucks.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 11:57 AM. (link)

So I'm killing myself trying to write a review of an easy listening concert I went to last night. Trying to be fair, because, really, a 27-yr-old had no business being there.

There’s not a lot you can say about Christmas music that can’t be said about XXXXX, as a singer, as well. Both are strongly sentimental, reassuringly familiar, and make me want to vomit blood.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 12:07 PM. (link)

OMg I'm composing an invoice for the first time ever. What do you include besides item and (estimated?) amount? date, the word INVOICE in big letters at the top, and uh, should I assign it some kind of number?

haha I'm adminidiot.

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 12:11 PM. (sgs) (link)

Yes, include an invoice number, date, and purchase order # (if they sent one)

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 12:13 PM. (Jocelyn) (link)

Oh, and date work was completed/item shipped.

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 12:15 PM. (Jocelyn) (link)

And a mailing address for payment is good too.

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 12:37 PM. (coco) (link)

after the sixth or seventh song in a row with the same languid tempo, it’s hard not to pray for death

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 12:48 PM. (link)

Yesterday I decided to go to the hipsterville section of Bklyn to go Xmas shopping. On the way back to the subway, some homeless guy was asking for change. I walked by him and went down the stairs to the train. He shouted "Fuck you. Fuck you right up your rock n roll ass." I swear on my life. It was kind of fucking awesome. I mean, aside from the homeless part.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 2:09 PM. (link)

I just finished class for the semester! My screenplay analysis professor told me I was "as good a writer as he's known to come through the program."

-- Remy Snush The Night Away (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 4:59 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

What is your screenplay about?

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 5:00 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

Yay Remy!

-- luna (lunace...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 5:11 PM. (luna.c) (link)

I got told that by one of my lecturers at university too! Since I was doing a computer science degree, however, the bar was set at a considerably lower level. Well done, Remy!

-- Martin Skidmore (lonewolf.cu...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 5:26 PM. (Martin Skidmore) (link)

I am elated!

(xpost to Cas) This semester I've been working on a few -- and a few outside projects. The two biggest ones:

+ Twelve year old boy (Kyle) in neglectful home decides he's going to save his older brother 'Mad Dogg' from gang life by getting himself on Star Search and winning; thus being able to afford a car he'll give Mad Dogg so they can drive to the house of a mythical relative in Iowa.

+ Evan Defoe (Ebb and Flow? Get it? I'm so clever!), a Brooklyn prep school junior, decides that instead of spending Christmas vacation with his narcissistic JAP mom, he's going to visit the beach-house on a (Nantucket-like) island where he's spent every summer of his life, and tell his long-time crush how he feels about her. He doesn't anticipate that his mother's rented out the beach cottage during the off-season, and he's forced to live with a family of rough and tumble boat pilots.

-- Remy Snush The Night Away (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 3rd, 2004 5:32 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

thanks for the invoice tips up there! I think I included everything I needed to--at any rate they've wired me money for expenses to set up this office so that was the main point. I'm going to have to invoice them again (possibly every week I'm working) to get them to pay me a salary too, looks like. My next task looks to be cell-phone related, i.e. setting up one in america for someone.

and congrats Remy!

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 4th, 2004 6:05 PM. (sgs) (link)

I'm guessing that it turns out "Mad Dogg" isn't really in a gang after all, and that it's part of the 12yo's misunderstanding of how the world works?

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 4th, 2004 6:30 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

Absolutely yes. I'm sort of --- since these are works in progress I can't write too directly about them, and I haven't worked up three-sentence pitches on them yet.

-- Remy Snush The Night Away (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 4th, 2004 6:32 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

And that it's peppered with scenes where the kid imagines what the cross-country trip will be like, based on the research he's been doing (out-of-date Baedecker's mixed with too many viewings of "Route 66")?

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 4th, 2004 6:33 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

Hah, his ability on star search - or the one he wishes to take on - is that he can give driving directions between any two points in the country; he's a human mapquest.

-- Remy Snush The Night Away (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 4th, 2004 6:36 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

Oh, so it's all about the grid of highways, hm? Interesting.

I spent yesterday brainstorming with a friend of mine about a theatre project his group is working on, and helped him come up with solutions for some of the problems they'd been stymied by, and I'm still totally in that mode. I usually am. I would be a great creative consultant. (But I am terrible at coming up with my own projects.)

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 4th, 2004 6:40 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

It's a fun business!

-- Remy Snush The Night Away (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 4th, 2004 6:41 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

It's only a business if you make money.

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 4th, 2004 6:41 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

oh, yeah.

-- Remy Snush The Night Away (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 4th, 2004 6:42 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

Sigh.

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 4th, 2004 6:44 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

OK, here is a link to a video for one of my songs, which I directed, which will really be released on DVD as soon as I figure out the packaging. I have the damn DVD-Rs right here next to me. I need to get this done before Xmas.

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 4th, 2004 6:46 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

Is this back on?

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 2nd, 2004 4:09 AM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

Do your farts sound like Chuck Berry?

Did you pick him on purpose?

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 2nd, 2004 4:39 AM. (thatgirl) (link)

Back back back back.

Since downtime I've:

finished a feature synopsis
picked up a friend at the airport
smoked apple tobacco at a hookah bar in westwood
eaten a lot of japanese food
watched

kinsey (again, not by choice)
house of flying daggers
finding neverland
closer
tie me up! tie me down!
thief of baghdad
scratch
bad education

lamented a recent weight gain and 2% loss of muscle mass
finished the semester
fondled my TA for the last time!

-- Remy Snush The Night Away (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 2:28 AM. (x Jeremy) (link)

(what've you done?)

-- Remy Snush The Night Away (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 2:29 AM. (x Jeremy) (link)

I got a temp job!

and bought these shoes, in brown:http://www.officeholdings.co.uk/perl/go.pl/womens-style.html?webcode=33&style_uid=1555&color_uid=3522

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 9:29 AM. (sgs) (link)

The shoes are *lovely*. Now I need to buy new shoes to keep up!

Things are a bit crappy at work today and I'm deflated, even if it's totally not my fault (in fact, in the course of the crappiness, I was told how great I was). My boss is very sad and that makes me surprisingly sad too. My motivation is about 2 out of 10 right now. Ah well.

-- Jesus Christ, Paraplegic (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 10:45 AM. (Mark C) (link)

I've done a million things. No really. I've gotten so much done. It's a shame that's over with.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 11:02 AM. (link)

these shoes are giving me more and more pain as the day wears on. I have a spare pair just in case I'm unable to walk at any point, but I really want to break them in. They've been getting looks from the hoi polloi as I've been out and about today.

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 11:04 AM. (sgs) (link)

Oh and winter came for realz. Nasty cold, lotsa snow. Real pain in th ass.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 11:10 AM. (link)

Hi folks. I'm hoping to go to see the tree today in Rockaf3ll3r Center today. I iz psyched.

-- Je4nne ƒury (jeanneƒur...) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 11:18 AM. (Jeanne Fury) (link)

By "the tree" do you mean an actual (Xmas?) tree, or is it some kind of cultural exposition that I don't know about?

(every Xmas, the Norwegian government gives us an enormous tree for display in Trafalgar Square. That's very kind of them)

-- Skeleton in a top hat (under da bed) (boyincorduroy@yahoo.deletethisbit.com) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 11:27 AM. (Mark C) (link)

What does Norway get in return? Another year free from worry of British Invasion?

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 11:34 AM. (link)

Considering what the fuckers did during WWII they'd better watch their backs...

-- Skeleton in a top hat (under da bed) (boyincorduroy@yahoo.deletethisbit.com) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 11:43 AM. (Mark C) (link)

Watch it buddy...my wife is Norwegian. ;)

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 11:57 AM. (Chris V) (link)

Next time she gets mad at you for something like leaving the toilet seat up, retort: "Oh yeah, well what about WWII?"

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 12:05 PM. (link)

Markleby, it's THE Christmas tree!!

http://www.ny.com/images/xmas/64/rock2.gif

-- Je4nne ƒury (jeanneƒur...) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 12:10 PM. (Jeanne Fury) (link)

looks like a giant ginger merkin

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 12:11 PM. (blueski) (link)

so yes, to Norway! (*chink*)

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 12:11 PM. (blueski) (link)

hey kids,

i didn't notice too much that ilx was gone but i'm glad it's here. I"m trying hard not to sink into my usual December funk. This time last year I was in the hospital so I guess I'm doing an ok job. I have sooo much to do and am on super-secret probation at school - which means I can't let any of the million balls I'm juggling drop. Yet every night this week I've just gone home and slept. :(

And I think my oldest kitty might be sick. :(

on the :) end, my newest love interest is coming up this weekend from Austin to help me celebrate my birthday. My birthdays always suck but I think this one might be good. yay.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 12:24 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

Hi guys, missed you!

I have:
-watched The Incredibles and I Robot
-emailed some people
-got drunk and called a friend to tell him how much of a shit he was being
-felt tired a lot
-Christmas shopped
-got over the 3000 word mark on my term paper
-thought far too much about what I'm wearing to my reading tonight
-not decided about what I'm wearing
-got unusually nervous
-run through the poems I'm doing

-- Skeleton in a top hat (under da bed) (boyincorduroy@yahoo.deletethisbit.com) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 12:53 PM. (Mark C) (link)

Hm, trying out a new screen name.

Yes that was the email M. I don't know why I dither about these things really, I should just always get drunk and call people out straight away, then they apologise and I forgive them. Fin.

You are not a bad friend!

-- Slightly Foxed (dilettant...) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 1:23 PM. (Archel) (link)

Fuck, I'm never normally this nervous about readings. Didn't help that I just phoned Matt and he'd forgotten :(

I just don't feel in a performing kind of mood, I guess.

-- Slightly Foxed (dilettant...) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 1:35 PM. (Archel) (link)

Read like the wind, SF!

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 2:15 PM. (link)

I just had lunch with my middle brother and my dad. My brother is moving to Vancouver tomorrow and I had Sweet & Sour Pork.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 2:16 PM. (link)

good luck at the reading archel!

I am still at (non-)work.

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 8th, 2004 2:37 PM. (sgs) (link)

So, the reading went well in the end. I had a fight with the microphone stand which was potentially embarrassing but I was drunk enough not to curl up and die. Nobody bought any books I don't think, but my mum won the raffle.

I forgave Matt for forgetting, since he had been at work since Tuesday afternoon and got no sleep. Also he'd planned a romantic dinner instead which tbh I would have preferred to the reading. Postponed to tonight though yay.

The cafe where the reading was sells fresh magic mushrooms and Matt bought some but had to wait a bit for them to be packed. When they were ready the barman (who was coked up to the eyeballs by the look of it) started waving the bag around in the air and shouting 'your shrooms are ready!' in the direction of... my mum and dad. Sometimes it's a positive blessing that they're deaf, really.

-- Slightly Foxed (dilettant...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 5:20 AM. (Archel) (link)

Glad it went well, archie. I had strange dreams last night - I dreamt that first a client, then a friend of the family, died - it was low-level traumatic and not much fun. I'm a bit spaced today, and haven't really done any useful work yet - I'm only now tucking into my cereal, so I hope to feel human soon.

Sgs, have you made it into work yet? ;)

-- Skeleton in a top hat (under da bed) (boyincorduroy@yahoo.deletethisbit.com) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 6:42 AM. (Mark C) (link)

haha here I am :) Reporting for duty although there's nothing really to do until after 5 maybe. Glad to hear the reading went ok Archel. Last night I went to my departmental party and drank too much and was entirely naive about thinking I could get home easily from Camberwell at 1:30 in the morning, ugh. I'm somewhere between still-drunk, hungover, and exhausted.

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 7:11 AM. (sgs) (link)

What are you going to do with yourself, hon? Got any book-making stuff with you? Incidentally, am I appearing as online or offline on AIM - I appear to be online but I;m having no luck messaging you.

-- Skeleton in a top hat (under da bed) (boyincorduroy@yahoo.deletethisbit.com) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 7:14 AM. (Mark C) (link)

what up dudes?

-- Huk-L (handsomishob...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 11:39 AM. (link)

I'm about to fall asleep at my desk.

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 11:41 AM. (Jocelyn) (link)

You and me both.

-- jaymc (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 11:43 AM. (jaymc) (link)

zzzzzzzzz

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 11:44 AM. (sgs) (link)

It feels like friday. Tomorrow morning is going to suck.

-- beanz (beanzil...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 11:50 AM. (beanz) (link)

What a long week. I am filing. And I have school tomorrow :( Last class of term though so revelry may happen afterwards.

-- Archel (dilettant...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 11:53 AM. (Archel) (link)

i wonder if I can get away with sending non-work-related faxes to america and elsewhere here. photocopying yes...but faxing I'm not so sure, and I have a fax idea.

I am still regretting the amount of end-of-term revelry I participated in last night :/

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 11:54 AM. (sgs) (link)

hmm. scan and email?

-- beanz (beanzil...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 11:55 AM. (beanz) (link)

no scanner, sadly

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 11:56 AM. (sgs) (link)

I faxed McLusky once. I didn't fax her anything interesting, and I can't remember ever WHY, but it happened. Yes, it did.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 11:56 AM. (link)

We need a new scanner. And a new printer. God this is the slowest afternoon.

-- beanz (beanzil...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 12:15 PM. (beanz) (link)

anyone know any good internet radio stations I should tune in to?

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 12:27 PM. (sgs) (link)

get on audioscrobbler and you can listen to your mates :)

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 12:31 PM. (blueski) (link)

I've never been able to get audioscrobbler to work for me! I'm trying again now with no luck. But you don't need to use it necessarily sgs, just make an account and you can listen: http://www.last.fm/group/ilXor (click on the 'group radio' button)

-- teeny (teen...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 12:40 PM. (teeny) (link)

My mom is horribly sick with the flu and I was up really late last night trying to help her. This morning I came in later to work due to going to the pharmacy/store for her, and if she's not better by the time I get off work I'm taking her to the emergency clinic :(
But we now have 4 litres of ginger ale.

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 12:43 PM. (Jocelyn) (link)

And I'm so far behind at work after wasting two hours yesterday at a "Mandatory" Unicode demostration where the IT connections weren't working properly.
But I'm reading Lolita and it's entrancing.

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 12:45 PM. (Jocelyn) (link)

thanks for the tips y'all. I'm so bored I just googled myself. And found:

Sarah Jewel Sonner

Published: Monday, Nov. 22, 2004

Wesley and Hilary Sonner of Amherst announce the birth of their daughter, Sarah Jewel Sonner, at 10:42 a.m. on Sept. 19, 2004, at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center. Sarah weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces and was 20 inches long. She joins her older siblings Bryan and Emily.

From the Nashua (NH) telegraph.com

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 1:10 PM. (sgs) (link)

Yay for the new Sarah Sonner! I doubt she'll be as good as mine, though :)

So, I just got a sort of cautious one-step promotion. On the plus side, it means I am now, to all intents and purposes, the agent for HG W3lls. Any references to Invisible Men or World Wars will now come with a $50 usage fee. Mwahahaha.

-- Skeleton in a top hat (under da bed) (boyincorduroy@yahoo.deletethisbit.com) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 1:20 PM. (Mark C) (link)

Go after Alan Moore!

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 1:37 PM. (link)

congrats mark!

further to my googlage, I have discovered this:

http://www.jmu.edu/admissions/images/sonner.jpg

hahaha the internet radio I'm listening to is playing Aimee Mann. I can't get away from machines playing her for me!

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 1:39 PM. (sgs) (link)

Is that house named after you? Or ist where you were born? Or did YOU give birth to that house? (if so, you are AMAZING!)

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 1:43 PM. (link)

heh. My theory is that members of my father's family gave the money for it to be built, although I can't find any source for that on that site--just that they live around there.

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 1:49 PM. (sgs) (link)

I gave birth to a house once. A bungalow. Stupid fucking eaves.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 9th, 2004 1:51 PM. (link)

Hello. I am not really checking ILX until this is all blown over and fixed and whatnot.

One of my favorite writers, Jacks0n Mac L0w, died yesterday morning (at, I think, 78). I had a chance to meet him many years ago, when I was an unknown wide-eyed kid back in New York City. He was a terrific and warm person, and I learned a lot about what writing is and could be from him.

I can't figure out a way of saying this without sounding too mawkish, especially since I don't think any of you have ever heard of him or would necessarily be too interested in what he was doing, but I'm sad about it.

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 6:51 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

I'm sorry Chris. I haven't heard of him but I know how sad you must feel.

I can't believe there isn't a thread here or ILM about the shooting in Ohio. I mean, I don't imagine Damageplan is much up the alley of the average ilxor but still, how often is there a mass murder on the stage of a rock show. jeez, rockists.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 7:09 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

Whoa, I've heard nothing about that. Is it all over the news or something?

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 7:21 PM. (jaymc) (link)

I heard it on NPR's Morning Edition this morning. More about it here this evening since the dead guitarist is a Dallasite.

http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000734426

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 7:23 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

I was totally shocked over this, I really dug pantera back in the day.

-- teeny (teen...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 7:51 PM. (teeny) (link)

ARRGH SYNCHRONICITY peter jennings just teased the story by saying 'a window into the violent world of heavy metal' Boooo, I expected better than that from you.

-- teeny (teen...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 7:52 PM. (teeny) (link)

the gunman was a marine! how about that culture of violence boyo!

-- teeny (teen...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 7:53 PM. (teeny) (link)

no shit! geez. .. I'm sure there's a fight over a woman at the bottom of this.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 7:54 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

oh and I think it's hard to start threads now, that's why no thread on dimebag et al. And my comment was a little unfair to marines but I do think the government needs to do a lot more wrt post-service counseling for the soldiers who have come home.

-- teeny (teen...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 7:58 PM. (teeny) (link)

http://ilx.p3r.net/searchresults.php?board=2&mode=threads&q=dimebag&titlepart=&name=&email=&username=&dateafter=&datebefore=&catid=all

-- teeny (teen...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 8:00 PM. (teeny) (link)

ok maybe no chick, from the AP:

The slain guitarist, ``Dimebag'' Darrell Abbott, 38, was a driving force behind the rock band Pantera, and police are looking into reports from witnesses that the gunman was a fan irate that the hugely influential group broke up.

They also noted that this was on the 24th anniversary of Lennon's slaying. If there was a connection that would be really fucked up. Moreso, rather. . .

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 8:36 AM. (sgs) (link)

hey all.

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 10:07 AM. (Chris V) (link)

Hey! Hope y'all are ok. Believe it or not, I miss some of you guys!

-- PinXorchiXoR (pink{est}panther4...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 10:23 AM. (Pinkpanther) (link)

HI PINK!

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 10:26 AM. (link)

Everyone should stop what they're doing and have a look at Sam's loverly photo on the boobs thread. Gorgeousness.

-- Je4nne ƒury (jeanneƒur...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 10:31 AM. (Jeanne Fury) (link)

It may make you jealous, though.
PINK! Are you alright? You haven't been here for a while...

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 10:33 AM. (Jocelyn) (link)

I was gonna say..nice, um, work, Sam. You should be very proud.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 10:37 AM. (link)

hey all! its oh so quiet around here at the moment, what on earth are you all doing? I mean how dare the rest of you have lives without me!

Well almost home time and will be drunk tonight hopefully. done most of my xmas shopping on line today, everybody's just getting dvd's or cd's this year.

-- Ste (ste.foste...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 11:05 AM. (Fuzzy) (link)

hi pink! wb.

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 11:16 AM. (sgs) (link)

OK, for serious, Thunderbird is awesome. No, not the wine.

ihttp://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird/

Every ounce as good as the Mac OS X mail program, and has a lot of the same features -- image blocking, junk mail detection, etc.

This company cannot be stopped.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 2:27 PM. (kenan) (link)

Oh god someone is clipping their fingernails at work and that sound makes me cringe so much.

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 2:37 PM. (Jocelyn) (link)

The wine is okay, if chilled. And if taken with a large dose of self-loathing.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 2:56 PM. (link)

I just dealt with someone who called to complain that if EVERYONE has a same-sex marriage (as the Canadian Supreme Court said was okay yesterday), it would spell CERTAIN DOOM for the human race! Because where would babies come from?
"Um, same-sex marriage is still optional, you understand that, right?"
"Well, it is for now, but we're on a SLIPPERY SLOPE!"

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 3:17 PM. (link)

SLIPPERY SLOPE

What a felicitous way of putting it.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 3:19 PM. (Hereward) (link)

If there's snow on the hill, I say TOBOGGAN!

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 3:28 PM. (link)

When the gay ascendency has finally triumphed, I'm sure all men will be drafted into the National Sperm Corps and I can finally wank for my country.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 3:32 PM. (Hereward) (link)

My country 'tis of thee...

-- Huk-L (handomishbo...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 3:35 PM. (link)

Sweet Land of Liberty
Of thee I *Ecstatic Moan*. Whoops that was quick. I didn't even make it through the first verse.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 3:38 PM. (Hereward) (link)

I find that "Battle Hymn of the Republic" works better.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 3:46 PM. (kenan) (link)

Is that in "The Right Stuff"?

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 3:48 PM. (Hereward) (link)

"He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword"

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 3:48 PM. (Jocelyn) (link)

Good point, since "My Country..." is set to the same tune as "God Save the Queen" and, I don't think I'm being too controversial here, but QEII is guaranteed boner-death.

xxpost

-- Huk-L (handsomishboy@yahoo.conno) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 3:49 PM. (link)

Wow.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 3:50 PM. (jaymc) (link)

I am currently suffering from a terrible desire to not be writing anything. This sucks, as I need to write fiction for school, papers for school, copy for work, and reviews for "work." My hands are falling apart from typing. I'm posting to ILX simply as an opportunity to put words in order without thinking about it too much.

-- nabisco (--...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 3:55 PM. (nabisco) (link)

How can I ever convince the Noise Dudes to use the expression, "loose the fateful lightning on the décolleté"?

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 3:55 PM. (Hereward) (link)

You're on the right thread.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 3:57 PM. (link)

Sgs: "Pieces O' Six" is probably my favorite book of his, but the Representative Works is the best place to get a sense of his overall project and methods. Those are the two books that I've been rereading, anyway.

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 10th, 2004 5:27 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

I just made some sweet onion and sage tarts. I would've taken a picture of them to show y'all but they're not much to look at. I suppose they're tasty though the recipe I used sucked ass. Any recipe that suggests salting a part of it to taste but then puts that part through another process is flawed, as the filling ends up a bit too salty after baking. Getting fresh sage was a pain in the ass as well as most stores were out of it. It did seem very odd to have a mostly savoury onion filling in sweet tart dough, but I s'pose it makes sense. I wish I'd doubled the recipe except for that it took way too fucking long to make a single batch (48 mini-muffin sized tarts) as I'm taking them to an appetizer and dessert themed dinner party tonight where up to 30 people are expected. Lots of people don't like onions I guess so maybe they won't all go in two seconds. Hi everyone, by the way.

-- Bryan (twp62y...) (webmail), December 11th, 2004 5:15 AM. (Bryan) (link)

Morning. Ice skating today! I'm excited like a small child. I shall be putting on my pre-emptive sticking plasters shortly and heading off to the joys of Marble Arch, trying desperately hard to not murder any of the filthy Xmas shoppers who'll be spilling all over the place.

-- Skeleton in a top hat (under da bed) (boyincorduroy@yahoo.deletethisbit.com) (webmail), December 11th, 2004 8:42 AM. (Mark C) (link)

we hates the filthy Christmas shoppers.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 11th, 2004 12:03 PM. (kenan) (link)

And I am envious of your ice capades.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 11th, 2004 12:04 PM. (kenan) (link)

I have decided that the key to my total happiness lies in my buying a 17" Powerbook G4. This will be more of a months-long goal, since I will have to somehow accumulate around $3000 of extra cash. In a pinch, I suppose I could live with a 15", but I will insist on having the Superdrive. I mean, how could I not? It's Super! Says so right there in the name!

I've already quit drinking, so that'll save a lot of money right there. Short of quitting smoking, which is not in my plans, what else can I do to save save save? I'm not usually good at hanging on to money.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 11th, 2004 12:17 PM. (kenan) (link)

Kenan - let me know before you do it; as one smoker to another I may be able to give you a deep discount.

-- Remy Snush The Night Away (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 11th, 2004 3:40 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

We went ice skating. I was both confident, speedy, graceful, and ALWAYS ON MY ARSE. I fell over NINE fucking times (in comparison, Toby fell over once, when I distracted him, and Sarah and Colette didn't fall over at all). My right knee is a bloated bubble of bruised pride tissue.

But it was such fun! Ice-skating roolz.

-- Skeleton in a top hat (under da bed) (boyincorduroy@yahoo.deletethisbit.com) (webmail), December 12th, 2004 6:53 PM. (Mark C) (link)

i can't post new threads, so i'll post this here:

Fuck with the People's Choice Awards!

http://pcavote.com/

got this email:

CBS is running their annual "People's Choice" movie awards. Not that I would tell anyone how to vote, but if Michael Moore wins for Fahrenheit 9/11, he will get to say pretty much whatever he wants when he accepts the award on live TV. Wouldn't that be fun? Voting deadline is in just a couple of days...

Feel free to also put Jon Stewart, Wanda Sykes, and, um....Scarlett Johansson on the tube too.

Oh yeah, and dig the "music" category: all questions involve Top 40 Country acts. Go for Willie Nelson & Loretta Lynn, of course.

-- kingfish (jdsalmo...) (webmail), December 12th, 2004 11:17 PM. (Kingfish) (link)

I fucking hate Wanda Sykes. Fucking. Hate.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 12th, 2004 11:22 PM. (kenan) (link)

I'd rather watch Kathy Griffin, honestly.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 12th, 2004 11:30 PM. (kenan) (link)

well, perhaps you'd prefer one of the other options:

Favorite Funny Female Star
And More Categories 1 of 5
Ellen DeGeneres
Tina Fey
Debra Messing
Megan Mullally
Wanda Sykes

-- kingfish (jdsalmo...) (webmail), December 12th, 2004 2:40 AM. (Kingfish) (link)

Kenan - let me know before you do it; as one smoker to another I may be able to give you a deep discount.

I do like the sound of that. How is that possible, if I may ask? I'll buy a stolen computer, no qualms.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 12th, 2004 4:51 AM. (kenan) (link)

This is a scary preview of what it'll be like when everyone quits moaning and actually does get bored and leave. You guys won't leave, will you? Guys? Guys?

-- Skeleton in a top hat (under da bed) (boyincorduroy@yahoo.deletethisbit.com) (webmail), December 12th, 2004 4:08 PM. (Mark C) (link)

No, but few people will suit and refresh the screen a dozen times to get the new answers page. It starts to feel lame pretty quick.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 12th, 2004 4:22 PM. (kenan) (link)

I'm bored enough that I reconfigured my whole desktop. Sometimes it's good to be bored.

http://giganticmag.com/images/desktop_capture2.jpg

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 12th, 2004 4:26 PM. (kenan) (link)

I'm here. I am going to a ukrainian folk festival now, I am so bored.

-- Remy Snush The Night Away (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 8:02 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

I'm going to bed, I'm so bored. Hope to see you all tomorrow.

-- Skeleton in a top hat (under da bed) (boyincorduroy@yahoo.deletethisbit.com) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 8:03 PM. (Mark C) (link)

upthread, jeanne, thank you, you made me smile which is no mean feat right now!

I've had a nice 3-day birthday weekend and the boy from Austin I've been talking to just left. Birthday's usually suck for me and although I had a good time, having someone around treat me so well (wouldn't think of letting me pay for anything this weekend, took me shopping for a gift, very giving in,uh, other ways, etc.) for some reason made me feel more depressed than normal!! what the fuck is wrong with me? I feel miserable now. :(

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 9:58 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

I love Wanda Sykes, though I saw her on the BET Comedy Awards recently and she kinda tanked.
Why is she on the list? Was Wanda At Large really on the air long enough to qualify? (and it was a good show, except for the family parts)

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 10:21 AM. (link)

So tired. So very tired. But I have discovered that when I want to feel cheery I can always go look at the "Shake it Up Baby" thing on I pWn everything, which seems to be working a bit more consistently than this. I also decided that I have gone from loving to hating Christmas tree lights, after wrasslin' with them yesterday.

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 10:34 AM. (Jocelyn) (link)

I'm totally impressed with myself. Aside from a bit of shopping, I have thus far totally voided all Yule-esque activities.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 10:53 AM. (link)

er, Avoided. Though, if I had personally nulled Christmas, I'd probably be a Dr. Doom-level supervillain, and that would be okay.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 10:55 AM. (link)

Ha, cool typo.

I am buying gifts this xmas for the first time in oooooh ages. It feels, umm, pretty good.

-- Je4nne ?ury (jeanne?ur...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 10:59 AM. (Jeanne Fury) (link)

So I'm looking through the Careers section of the weekend paper and I'm noticing a lot of openings for something called "Journeyman". I could do that. I like travel. I'm also a man, despite what my father thinks.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 11:13 AM. (link)

i haven't been able to get on here since friday or something!

and happy belated bday sam, i'd tried posting to comments on your journal but somehow it didn't show up. hope you're feeling better.

-- JuliaA (j(underscore)bdules@hotmail.com) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 12:29 PM. (j_bdules) (link)

Dudes! I have nothing to say, other than to comment on how my language is getting americanised at an alarming rate (tho still "americanised" rather than "americanized", you'll notice).

What Xmas gifts have y'all bought so far?

-- Skeleton in a top hat (under da bed) (boyincorduroy@yahoo.deletethisbit.com) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 12:39 PM. (Mark C) (link)

happy birthday sam!

-- teeny (teen...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 12:50 PM. (teeny) (link)

i am just shopping on amazon for used stuff! got a cd for my mom (she wanted that dirty vegas song, the name of which i always forget, and i don't have the patience to dl it on dialup). and i found FRENCH SCRABBLE software, so of course i had to buy that for myself. i'm not quite sure what else to do for xmas presents...i gave my sister a book already, a collection of stories from the new yorker.

-- JuliaA (j(underscore)bdules@hotmail.com) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 12:52 PM. (j_bdules) (link)

I am wasting my entire morning laughing my head off at this site:
mycathatesyou.com

-- Je4nne ?ury (jeanne?ur...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 12:56 PM. (Jeanne Fury) (link)

Julia, can you play French scrabble online? I'd be up for giving it a go if you get bored one day, even if my French isn't what it was (12 years since my A-Level, sigh)

-- Skeleton in a top hat (under da bed) (boyincorduroy@yahoo.deletethisbit.com) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 12:57 PM. (Mark C) (link)

yes, you can! on internet scrabble club, which is isc.ro i think. i haven't dared try it yet, but it would be fun.

-- JuliaA (j(underscore)bdules@hotmail.com) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 12:59 PM. (j_bdules) (link)

Na na na na na na na na BATMAN~!

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 1:23 PM. (link)

http://www.unb.ca/bruns/0102/12/images/batman.jpg

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 1:30 PM. (link)

Happy belated B-day Sam!

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 1:37 PM. (Jocelyn) (link)

Happy Bat-Lated Bat-Day, Bat-Sam!
http://www.rgstewart.com/static/2/classimgs/Batman%20Dirk%20Sprang.jpg

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 1:39 PM. (link)

happy belated b-day sam!

I am ill. I don't think I have a fever though, just a nasty cold. I've been at work all day and doing errands in the BUTT COLD london weather we're having and ugh--my face and skin feel totally gross and terrible. I didn't wear my long coat today either since it got covered in beer last wednesday night and I haven't had it cleaned yet. I just stood in Boots for over an hour while two hapless employees typed in a bunch of data for reprints on a total of 59 sheets of negatives, each with different frames needing reprinting. They were nice to me though and we joked around about the HUGE pile of work and UGH I want to be curled up in bed with a lemsip. My nose is a fountain. I was telling Mark that people are gonna think I'm a cokehead.

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 1:57 PM. (sgs) (link)

heh--I was just walking down the hall and out of one of the sound editing rooms came a gravelly voice intoning, right as I passed, "What fresh hell is THIS"

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 2:01 PM. (sgs) (link)

Yesterday the biggest train times shakeup in 40 years happened on the line we use to get into work everyday. The trains in the morning now SUCK. I'm trying to find out if the trains in the evening do too.

-- Skeleton in a top hat (under da bed) (boyincorduroy@yahoo.deletethisbit.com) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 2:32 PM. (Mark C) (link)

Hmm, they're sort of okay, but the Putney train, which was sometimes convenient, is now only 2 mins before the Barnes train. Coises.

-- Skeleton in a top hat (under da bed) (boyincorduroy@yahoo.deletethisbit.com) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 2:47 PM. (Mark C) (link)

GAH I am in a battle of wills with the worst photocopier in London and I can't go home until I get three copies of this script made ARGH. The fucking thing jams every other page and I'm ready to tear my hair out.

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 3:09 PM. (sgs) (link)

I ate a large lunch, because I had skipped breakfast, and the heating is on high in here, and I am going to fall asleep! Nap. Nap. Nap. Nap. Nap. Nap. Nap. Nap. Nap.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 3:17 PM. (link)

Happy Birthday!

Happy everything! I kinda like partial ILX, it's like when Chewy and Han were fixing the Falcon and Luke & Ben just sorta had to hang around.

I haven't gotten any further with my 1602 tribute. And I can't bring myself to read X-Statix vs. the Avengers, I think the last issue will make me very sad, I flicked through it already and felt vague pangs of sadness.

I put up the X-mas tree at work, it looks pretty sloppie.

I watched Northfork the other day, they shoulda cut the sentimental stuff about the angels and just made it about the agents trying to clear the town. I also finally saw Mean Girls, it was okay, but I don't get the fuss. There is a documentary about Richard Linklater on right now, I was going to watch it but now I'm not.

-- jel -- (freeduni...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 3:51 PM. (jel) (link)

Oh man, Northfork was interminable.

If any of you guys want to chime in on a thread that won't appear in New Answers but is otherwise still fully functioning, you can join me here: This is the thread where we discuss matters pertaining to the detrius that accompanies the "End of the Year in Cinema" -- 2004

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 3:54 PM. (jaymc) (tracklink) (link)

Bear in mind, you will be breaking my streak of 19 posts in a row without interruption.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 3:55 PM. (jaymc) (link)

yep, broke that! Seriously where is everyone? ILX works fine, if you double click!

Heavens ;-)

-- jel -- (freeduni...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 4:03 PM. (jel) (link)

Oh, but you cannae ask questions. That's okay, I have none to ask.

-- jel -- (freeduni...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 4:04 PM. (jel) (link)

And not all the threads appear on the new answers. Apart from that it's fine!

-- jel -- (freeduni...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 4:07 PM. (jel) (link)

My hands, my hands. Curse you artificial Christmas tree and your lacerating ways.

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 4:20 PM. (Jocelyn) (link)

I'm in Yule-Denial. I refuse to acknowledge winter, snow, Good Cheer, Peace on Earth, Baby Jesus, and also Charlie Brown.
I CAN'T HEAR YOU! MY FINGERS ARE IN MY EARS! NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA AN NAN NA N A AN AN AN NA N AN A A N, enaksongownnanbh a;n a n ano...ooh.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 4:25 PM. (link)

I liked your 19 post conversation with yourself, it was like reading a radio announcer at a game.

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 4:29 PM. (Jocelyn) (link)

Cheer up Huk, it'll soon be February.

-- jel -- (freeduni...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 4:39 PM. (jel) (link)

I'm actually not that down about it. I'm more, I don't know, outside of it, I guess. This year, none of my siblings are around, so it'll probably just be me and my parents at Christmas dinner, and I don't really deal well with people like them on a direct level like that. I need one of my brothers around so that I can approach my parents from a perpendicular fashion. Otherwise it's like "So, you do anything worthwhile with your life yet, son?"
"No. Pass the gravy."

-- Huk-L (handsomishob...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 4:43 PM. (link)

People like them. heh.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 4:46 PM. (link)

the Linklater doc was ok, except as usual the guy doing it failed to get what he wanted so yet another sheepish yet frustrated outcome.

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 4:46 PM. (blueski) (link)

he was like a cross between Louis Theroux and the guy who did Crazy Rulers Of The World. the three could be brothers, they're like the Huey, Duey and Lewie of inquisitive reportage.

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 4:48 PM. (blueski) (link)

that's the thing that sucks about the holidays--family expect you to have Something To Say For Yourself, and, um, i've usually got just about...nothing. (xp)

i watched kill bill 2 today. good stuff.

-- JuliaA (j(underscore)bdules@hotmail.com) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 4:51 PM. (j_bdules) (link)

Thanks for the bday wishes. It was a lowkey affair but nice, which is good. I got to see my good friends play some rockabilly music, had some drinks bought for me and got some nice presents like a gift card to Half Price Books, Hello Kitty things and a Dave Chappelle dvd. woo hoo. I'm really not down w/gifts honestly - giving or getting. I just hate feeling like people feel obligated to give and I hate feeling obligated to give myself. I tell people not to buy me presents and I'm serious but they think I'm just saying it so they do then I have to as well blah blah blah. . .

the holidays are just a pain in the ass i think. bah humbug. ;)

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 13th, 2004 5:52 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

Every year we have a tree trimming party/bacchanal, invite our friends over, drink champers and over-indulge/frighten our cats. We had it yesterday, and up until yesterday afternoon, I hadn't felt an iota of holiday cheer. I think it's a kind of election hangover. I like the lights, the parties, and the cheer, but I think Christmas always involves an unwieldly amount of stress and at it's worse it's just plain tawdry.

Happy belated B-day Sam. Mine's on Wednesday.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 6:23 PM. (Hereward) (link)

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA AN NAN NA N A AN AN AN NA N AN A A N, enaksongownnanbh a;n a n ano...ooh.

I think you mean 'FA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LAAAAA'.

-- luna (lunace...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 7:47 PM. (luna.c) (link)

let me poll you guys:

-I only read the downtime thread long enough to see Andrew's post so maybe this was discussed but. .does it sometimes take several reloads before you can get the new answers page?

-after you finish some taco bell is there a brief, immediate, moment where you wish you had more? Is this why it's bad for you like icecream and potato chips or do I have a tapeworm?

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 9:53 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

happy belated birfday, sam!

in other news, i'm still ill. it's fun not having health insurance.

xp try the double clicky thing?

-- kingfish (jdsalmo...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 10:05 PM. (Kingfish) (link)

I couldn't get the New Answers page for... God... it may be about a week or so? I don't know. I can't be bothered to look for the last time I posted to this forum. But it was awhile ago. And I would end up looking at the "page load error" message, trying out the archives trick, getting the same "page load error", then just giving up the server for the night. I have, via a few accessible thread links, managed to open up about twenty ILX threads I wouldn't have normally, and because of that I've had my ILX cravings sated throughout those seven days, but I had pretty much given up hope on ever really getting to the point where I could use ILX as normal until I hit reload/refresh a few times and found that I could actually end up seeing threads on the New Answers page like normal.

I haven't had Taco Bell in about a month, so I couldn't tell you. I do know that the last thing I had there was the kid's meal with two tacos and that was kinda okay (the highest praise I think I'd give them). But I had a meal for dinner tonight that I'd GLADLY have more of, if I had the stomach room -- ground turkey patties, leftover stuffing (made for Thanskgiving and frozen), and canned corn (but the good kind, the kind that tastes like it's fresh off the ear). And I made brownies last night so I'll be having one of those in an hour or so, as soon as my food settles in.

Happy belated birthday, Sam. I hope it rocked.

-- Many Coloured Halo (newromanti...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 10:08 PM. (Dee the Lurker) (link)

Kingfishy, what are you ill with? Aw, why didn't you tell me this the other night? (Aside: I'm talking about an AIM chat. It could've actually occurred last night.) I'm ill too, but it'll be all right because of Wonderful Health Insurance (yes, it does suck when you don't have any). Um, are there any community health programs where you live? If not, your community sucks.

(I can't believe I endorsed a form of socialized government. *sigh* But it's local, so it's, like, better!)

-- Many Coloured Halo (newromanti...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 10:12 PM. (Dee the Lurker) (link)

Oh, and WAAAAAAAAAAAAY upthread someone mentioned Judd Winick... I meant to mention this about a week ago or so, but DUDE! I remember him from "The Real World"! He's the Sensitive Soul Comic Book Artist who battled against Puck, The Insensitive Prick from S3 in San Francisco! He also cozied up to (platonically, that is) Pedro, The Miamian AIDS Activist Who Was Puck's Biggest Adversary, and that Cute Young Doctoral Resident Who Said All Her Ex-Boyfriends Listened To Randy Newman (And, Coincidentally, So Did "Good Friend" Judd). I can't remember her name at the moment (but funny that I would remember that little off-quote) but I do know that at a "Real World" reunion special it was (surprise surprise) found to be that she and Judd were going together.

*sighs* Yes, I used to be addicted to "The Real World". Then S4 ended and I couldn't find anyone in S5 to connect with and so gave it up for good.

-- Many Coloured Halo (newromanti...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 10:18 PM. (Dee the Lurker) (link)

Dee, I predict someday you're going to turn into a flaming liberal.

Tonight I had a soft taco supreme and then a spicy chicken soft taco. I could've had two more of the latter. Just now I had a drumstick. I could have another but that's not unusual at all.

Now I want some elotes, thanks Dee. Damn, I'm always wanting to munch lately. I think it's stress/depression. I should probably start preparing a welcome back party for those 20 pounds that have disappeared lately.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 10:24 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

Sam - I dunno if you remember, but last February I was weighing something like 170, and by June I had it down to 150 and 9% bodyfat. Since I got kicked out of the gym a solid month ago I've gained almost 6 pounds and lost all muscular definition. I'm so bothered by it, especially since it's taken less than a month to undo a whole half-year of work.

< /sob>

-- Remy Snush The Night Away (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 10:40 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

:( that sucks.

I didn't work mine off. it just went away b/c of meds mostly. i don't expect it to stay off though if I remain with my strict tbell, ice cream, pan dulce diet.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 10:48 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

Dee, I predict someday you're going to turn into a flaming liberal.

Well, never say never, true, but if that happens, it's going to be all this board's fault. Or credit. Whatever your POV is.

Wow. Sounds like you've had a decent-ish dinner (again, high praise). Except I can TOTALLY understand your compulsion to go for another Drumstick -- those babies are addictive. OMG. If I didn't have a brownie waiting for me, I'd so want to rush out to Shell and get a Drumstick. One of those fancy ones.

Elotes aren't really all that fattening if you add just a little butter and soft white cheese and sprinkle however much you want of chili powder or whatever spice you like on the corn. As for the eating -- maybe you're restless. Maybe you feel the need to fill a void inside you with food. Maybe you're so broke or pressed for time that food has become your main form of entertainment. Or maybe you could be feeling something that HASN'T been felt by me before. :)

-- Many Coloured Halo (newromanti...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 10:54 PM. (Dee the Lurker) (link)

(Your ice cream, pan dulce bit has made me wonder what empanada de camote ice cream would taste like. Hm. I mean, only if the empanada de camote was really good. Like the buttery, yummy "pocket pumpkin pie" from this wonderful "you should GO!" bakery called La Poblanita on Zarzamora, between Woodlawn and Culebra, on the west side of town. OMG. Again, if I didn't have that brownie waiting for me, I would SO want that.)

-- Many Coloured Halo (newromanti...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 10:57 PM. (Dee the Lurker) (link)

I teh hungry.

yes dee I think you're right about all yr reasons for why I might always want to eat. right now, it's ramen. i have very few groceries but at least I avoided dipping back into the box of drumsticks in my fridge.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 11:07 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

Well, at least ramen's a pretty light dinner. Or post-dinner. Whichever. :)

Honey, I wish you could come with me on an excursion to my favorite panaderia -- everything we get there is so damn good. This is also the site of my favorite empanadas. Mmm, esp if they're fresh out of the oven. $0.45 per empanada there, and worth every penny and then some. I also like that you can always find diet sodas in its cooler, so if I feel the need to eat on the go, I can also pick up a can (for $0.50! retro pricing!) and wash down my empanada with it.

That's it. Blue Bell needs to get in touch with those ladies and develop, with them, empanadas de camote ice cream. It'd be SO much tastier than their dulce de tres leches variety.

You know, while I was left unable to go onto this forum, I dragged out my mom's old early '80s videotaped recordings of stuff (movies, really) she wanted to record, and I fast forwarded through the actual programming to get to the commercials. I am such a huge fan of '80s commercials. So many of them are so cheesy, but also so enjoyable. I feel kinda sorry for every brunette who was forced to be a teenager in that era, though -- I got the picture that one of the hallmarks of Great Beauty back then was that a woman had to be a blonde and, well, damn. But it was pretty fun seeing the commercials regardless. Bad (or GREAT) '80s Fashions! Big '80s Hair! Frosted Blue Eyeshadow! Actual Commercial Jingles! Outdated Graphics! Outdated Background Music! On one of the things Mom recorded, Actual K-Tel Compilation Commercials! Cheese, Cheese, Cheese, Glorious Cheese! (And a great deal of nostalgia, as well.) In fact, I'm SO going to have to get off the computer now so I can devote time to reading the Sunday paper (yes, this late in the game -- my Sunday was superbusy) and watching these commercials again.

(Disheartening fact, though -- I much prefer the graphics involved with our local ABC affiliate's news broadcasts from ca. 1984 - 1985 than the ones they're currently using. The earlier ones are less of a distraction, not quite as busy, and don't come in gaudy colors.)

-- Many Coloured Halo (newromanti...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 3:03 AM. (Dee the Lurker) (link)

I have eaten at a Taco Bell once in my life (it could have been twice, but I only remember the first). It was at a restaurant in the middle of the Arizona desert, 105 degrees outside and with the sun as close as it's ever been to being directly above me.

I liked the food - it was unthreateningly tasty, though I believe there was some kind of strange cheese-related sauce thing that seemed the most pointless invention ever.

I'd quite like to go back, but as you know we don't have them over here. I'm bound to be in the States sometime next year, though, so if anyone would like to tell me what I should order I'd be very grateful.

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 6:34 AM. (Mark C) (link)

I wonder why Taco Bell hasn't been exported here?

I've had far too much work-related festive food and drink already this year - can it only be the 14th? Yikes.

How is everyone? I haven't been online since Thursday last week. Happy belated birthday Sam, and hi Pink (was that brief appearance a one-off?) I've been thinking of you!

There is literally no need for me to be here today. I have ONE student in the whole centre. Still, might be able to get some work done on my report. That or sanitise the headsets. OMG what exciting options my life throws up...

-- Archel (dilettant...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 7:12 AM. (Archel) (link)

I wonder why Taco Bell hasn't been exported here?

it was! didn't last long tho (details in the archives, if they're accessible which i doubt)

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 7:21 AM. (blueski) (link)

Ken (?) said that there was a taco bell in piccadilly circus or somewhere nearby which closed down - was that the only one?

Hey stevem, what brings you to these parts?

I've done okayish so far in not becoming a tub of lard by mid-december. Yesterday I broke my rules by not walking to and from work, but then my legs hurt too much after ice-skating. I know that over the next three weeks I'll eat and drink like a post-war Italian peasant, but I'm hoping to be able to stay below (the arbitrary figure of) 12 stone 12, which I can then attack in the new year and hopefully get down to below 12 and a half stone for the first time since June 2002.

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 7:29 AM. (Mark C) (link)

Damn. Without the ILx archives, I pretty much know nothing :(

I have done all my Xmas shopping though haha.

-- Archel (dilettant...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 7:30 AM. (Archel) (link)

Sarah and I mulled some wine yestrday, but only half a bottle (plus the necessary brandy, orange juice, sugar etc.), which was surprisingly civilised and didn't leave us drunken. Yum. Need mince pies tho.

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 7:31 AM. (Mark C) (link)

Hi Archel. I hope it wasn't a one off, although ILX doesn't seem to be the thing for me at the moment. I am checking this thread (when I can actually get into the fucker) most of the time, but you know when you really don't have that much to contribute & posting "I don't have anything to say" seems a complete waste of time. Still, I do miss some of you guys. Anyways, Arch, how are you feeling now hon? Looking forward to the upcoming festivities?
Sam - I hope that you enjoyed your b/day & that when that boy of yours spoils you, enjoy it!!! I met someone last night & she really reminded me of you. I'm not really sure why though!
Where is Sarah McClusky? I know I owe you a letter, I promise to write one soon!! I'll see if I can find some cute pics of the kids for you too.
Julia honey, I haven't really heard from you in a while, I probably thought I'd sent an email but didn't. I'll email soon, I really do promise!
Oh & SGS, in case Mark didn't pass on the message, congrats on the job & I hope you are feeling better soon.
Anyways, work is crazy. Adios! x

-- PinXorchiXoR (pink{est}panther4...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 7:35 AM. (Pinkpanther) (link)

In case anyone's wondering, my new username is just my two middle names. They look weird on their own.

Hi Pink!

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 7:38 AM. (Mark C) (link)

Hey stevem, what brings you to these parts?

lurky lurky

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 8:40 AM. (blueski) (link)

Britons don't need Taco Bell because they have Kebab stands for when they get hungry at 2am due to drinking. There is a new restaurant by my work, it's California-Mexican (is that correct?) style food and the owner used to be a cook at a famous hotel, so it should be tasty.
I always attempt to lose weight over the holidays but then my mom makes tasty Austro-Hungarian desserts with BUTTER. Tons of BUTTER.

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 8:52 AM. (Jocelyn) (link)

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA AN NAN NA N A AN AN AN NA N AN A A N, enaksongownnanbh a;n a n ano...ooh.

I think you mean 'FA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LAAAAA'.

One banana, two banana, three banana, four!

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 10:33 AM. (link)

Jocelyn, why would you attempt to lose weight over the holidays? silly rabbit. . .

I have to buy a treat for my fifth period class to have during their exams thursday morning. They've behaved well for two subs going now so I owe them. I'm thinking of getting one of these scary imported fruit cake things that come in boxes at the Fiesta. A cake in a box befuddles me. How could it be edible? Hmm. Instead of forcing it on them maybe I should bring it to the luncheon.

Last night a friend invited me along to her work holiday party. . .Damn do I miss those. No parties when you're a teacher. We just get 'luncheons' where we have to bring the dishes ourselves. What a load of crap.

I'm hungry again. big surprise. wanting the tbell. yummmm. Most fast food places here are open if not 24 hrs on the weekend then at least till 3 or 4am now.

Pink, it's funny that someone reminded you of me and we've never met. ;) Yeah I know I should enjoy the spoilage. After listening (or reading rather, via IM) to me moan and sob about the stress up here he's now treating me to a mini-holiday between christmas and new year's. I think we're going to go to Marfa, where I've wanted to go forever but never have managed. yay.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 10:49 AM. (thatgirl) (link)

I'm going to a shindig tonight! With comic nerds! Comic. Nerds. Woo hoo. I wasn't going to go, because I thought The Future needed me tonight, but I think the Future has found a new love. But I have a stand-up gig on Friday, and I haven't started my prep yet! I'm insane! I'll just ad-lib insults to the audience.
"hey kid, you smell like my mom's army boots!"

-- HukL (handsomishob...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 11:03 AM. (link)

Sam - I know it's really odd, but I just kept thinking " i bet she's exactly like Sam" or at least, what I imagine you to be like irl. Great news about the trip. Hopefully only good things are heading your way from this point onwards!

-- PinXorchiXoR (pink{est}panther4...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 11:13 AM. (Pinkpanther) (link)

BTW: Sarah and Nick are on A CRUISE.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 11:29 AM. (jaymc) (link)

how fancy. to where?

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 11:29 AM. (thatgirl) (link)

is that why ILX has been awry? Are Nick and Sarah the secret glue that holds the universe toghether?

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 11:33 AM. (link)

8 months and no babies. wtf.

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 11:33 AM. (Chris V) (link)

Oh really? When are they back?
x-post
aww chris, don't lose heart. try not to focus too much on it so as notto put you & your lady under extra pressure!

-- PinXorchiXoR (pink{est}panther4...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 11:35 AM. (Pinkpanther) (link)

keep at it Chris, we're all rooting for you!

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 11:38 AM. (link)

i know...its just frustrating. all my friend have no problems having kids...in fact they have no problems with anything in their lives. us on the other hand, nothing ever goes our way.

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 11:39 AM. (Chris V) (link)

are your friends trying hard to have kids? Doesn't it usually seem that (with a like a lot of things) the harder you try the more difficult it is? whereas if you're not thinking about it (especially not wanting it) it happens.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 11:41 AM. (thatgirl) (link)

rooting...er.

hope things turn around for you chris.

-- JuliaA (j(underscore)bdules@hotmail.com) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 11:43 AM. (j_bdules) (link)

Then you're the ones storing up a huge helping of perfect karma for the second half of your lives!

(just think, though, you may never get so much bonin' again ;))

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 11:44 AM. (Mark C) (link)

Chris, hang in there. Babies in '05.

-- Je4nne ƒury (jeanneƒur...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 11:45 AM. (Jeanne Fury) (link)

that's a good way to think of it, mark. the karma bit, i mean. i seem to have lots of Stuff Not Going The Way I Desperately Want too, so maybe when i'm older, everything will be sunshine and roses. and not in a sunburns-and-thorns kind of way.

-- JuliaA (j(underscore)bdules@hotmail.com) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 11:47 AM. (j_bdules) (link)

Maybe this will help, the cover to the upcoming Mad About the 90s:

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0412/13/mad.jpg

Help to cheer you up, not necessarily help with any of the impregnating business.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 11:48 AM. (link)

I've just been told quite a funny story. A client of ours, who was a renowned playwright, was commissioned to writer, as his first screenplay, an adaptation of Marlowe's Edward II.

He managed to write his first draft within an impressive two weeks, when he had a meeting with the American studio producer to discuss the script.

So he nervously showed the producer what he'd written, and when he'd finished it he had one question. "Why the fuck have you made the King of England a fuckin' FAGGOT???"

He was fired on the spot.

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 11:49 AM. (Mark C) (link)

I think I would have lost my temper and threatened the producer with a red hot iron poker.

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 11:51 AM. (Jocelyn) (link)

actually my two friends who just recently had babies weren't trying at all, they just threw the penis in and bingo. we still have a good 4-5 months of trying to go...before it becomes a major concern. thanks for listening dudes.

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 11:53 AM. (Chris V) (link)

Was this J0e Orton by any chance? (trying to think of someone who "was" a renowed playwright.)

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 11:54 AM. (Jocelyn) (link)

No, he still is a renowned playwright, but he's gone into screenwriting these days and has a very successful career in it. We do rep Joe Orton, though.

"threw the penis in" makes it sound like basketball. Have you been working on your, um, slam dunk?

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 12:02 PM. (Mark C) (link)

"Why the fuck have you made the King of England a fuckin' FAGGOT???"

He should have replied that at least he had left in the role of the French bitch.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 12:04 PM. (Hereward) (link)

T0m SÝopp@rd?

-- Huk-L (handsomishboy@yahoo.conon) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 12:04 PM. (link)

I don't remember where Nick and Sarah went -- Caribbean maybe? -- but I think they'll be back in a few days. I have also considered that perhaps they are the glue, etc.

Anyway: I stole Sarah's idea to start a blog filled with old journal entries. I think hers are probably going to be more little-kid stuff, but I don't have too much of that, so I'm going to just post age 13-18 (i.e., my prolific years). Blammo: http://poetictruths.blogspot.com

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 12:06 PM. (jaymc) (link)

Chr1stoph3r H4mpt0n, for those of you who might know of him.

Haha John - I thought their cruise would be round a Great Lake or two!

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 12:17 PM. (link)

I should blog some of my tenth grade journal entries since my mind's not up to blogging about anything recent.

Chris, that was my point. Like with many other things it seems the wanting and effort can actually stymie conception for some couples. It's nearly impossible to tell yourself to relax and let things happen when they are things you want desparately but the stress of wanting does often negatively affect the desired outcome.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 12:22 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

Re the cruise: No, they impressed upon me that they would be having FUN IN THE SUN!

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 12:22 PM. (jaymc) (link)

Re middle school journals: I think the CD I got for Christmas 1992 was En Vogue-Funky Divas. I really wanted Prince's Diamonds and Pearls but I knew better than to ask my parents for it at my age.

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 12:24 PM. (Jocelyn) (link)

I have a red notebook of every single book I read from 9th to the first term of 12th grade. It would be interesting to go back through and see which ones were influential and which ones were a waste of my reading time (Queen of the Damned, etc).

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 12:28 PM. (Jocelyn) (link)

The CD that I got in '92 was Mary J. Blige's debut.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 12:32 PM. (jaymc) (link)

I was on my way to college in 92 but in junior high my folx were giving me the Sex Pistols and Public Enemy for xmas and taking me to Beastie Boys concerts. I guess it's good to know they were worth something in the end.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 12:51 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

In 1992 my parents made me move to Regina and I never had friends again.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 1:23 PM. (link)

The things I got up to after I discovered Regina...

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 1:29 PM. (Mark C) (link)

So tell me something folks, when a company asks for a resume, cover letter and salary requirements...how do i address the salary issue in my cover letter? Any tips? Heres the job:

Traffic / Program manager
You'll work directly with client teams—strategists, designers, technologists, production, accounting, and clients—managing day-to-day efforts around branding, identity, collateral systems, annuals, web and other new media projects. You'll help shape communication strategies and manage programs (with associated budgets/schedules) to build long-term client relationships. Knowledge of MS Office (MS Project, MS Word, Excel, and Powerpoint) a plus.

Besides brains, wit, and spark, you'll need 3-6 years of project management experience. We offer an excellent work environment, salary and benefits. Salary commensurate with skills and experience; please send cover letter, resume and salary requirements (no telephone calls, please).

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 1:40 PM. (Chris V) (link)

Diary years 1994, a couple of months of 1995

What I did journals: first month of 2003, first week of 2004.

I can't remember much, I just sorta rely on ILX archives.

-- jel -- (freeduni...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 1:46 PM. (jel) (link)

In reading the enclosed resume, you'll find that I am clearly worth my weight in bananas. Daily.

http://www.lethargiclad.com/gorilla/flash127a.gif

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 1:47 PM. (link)

The depressing thing about diaries is finding your hopeful 'Things I'm Going To Do' lists and realising that you've yet to tick any of them off.

Except the stuff you can buy.

-- Abby (Abigail.mcdonal...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 2:21 PM. (abby mcdonald) (link)

i threw out my diaries from my teenage years. they were too melodramatic and insecure and silly.

that's always perplexing, what to do about the salary issue, especially as early on as a cover letter. i remember just doing some research on average salaries for the job and giving them a range. of course, i was offered a salary that was precisely in the middle of that range, and later found out that my incompetant-bitch coworker was making 5k more than i was, um, oops.

-- JuliaA (j(underscore)bdules@hotmail.com) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 2:25 PM. (j_bdules) (link)

I wish I'd kept up my 2003 diary, it started quite well. Lots of stuff about the weather, banal observations, what CD's I'd bought, and films I'd seen and people I'd spoken to/met up with, places I'd gone to. No angst, no self analysis - just decription. I think I shall try again in 2005!

-- jel -- (freeduni...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 2:26 PM. (jel) (link)

I'd like ti imagine my 16-yr-old self reading my current diary (if I kept one). Boy would he be depressed.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 2:43 PM. (link)

"Dec. 13: ate cold pizza pops, read new issue of She-Hulk & cried myself to sleep"

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 2:46 PM. (link)

16 yr-old me: "She-Hulk still has her own comic in the future? Wtf, dude?"

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 3:06 PM. (link)

ah Julia, you fool! those things are priceless! don't be so harsh on your adolecscent self. Teens are supposed to be melodramatic, insecure and silly.

i hate hate hate the salary question. I'm always afraid of outpricing myself. but then i heard an npr story recently on how women still shoot themselves in the foot compared to male counterparts by not having the chuztpah to demand what they're worth. :(

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 3:10 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

Interviewing for the job I currently have, I was asked what my salary expectations were. I shot high, and, um, the boss sort of chuckled. It didn't affect her decision to offer me the job, however.
Just be straight. If you're doing a comparable job now, let them know how much it would take to lure you away from it. Go reasonably high, and then they'll probably make a counter-offer if they like you.
I like you.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 3:20 PM. (link)

are you offering jobs huk? what's up?

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 3:21 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

Yeah, I was about to say what Huck just did -- if they like you, you have nothing to lose by shooting high.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 3:29 PM. (jaymc) (link)

I think the problem (generally, the women making less thing I was referring to) lies in lack of professional self-esteem so that advice isn't too useful.

I just noticed text ads at the bottom of my google mail. Me and my boy were discussing his lack of swing-dancing skills (or rather I was trying to convince him it really wasn't a big deal) when I saw ads advertising swing dance lessons and shoes. "Whoa!" I thought then I realized their creepy spiders were reading my mail and putting those ads up there! ewww. .. super creepy.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 3:33 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

My gmail ads are creepy too. I love it. It's like, "so that's what they really think of me." or "so that's what we've been talking about."
The kinds of jobs I'm offering, um, are handjobs.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 3:44 PM. (link)

You get to set your own salary? Blimey, that's kinda weird. Don't they put the salary on the job ad??

Good luck anyhow.

-- jel -- (freeduni...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 3:52 PM. (jel) (link)

Um, no it's more like they want to see if your needs/wants are in line with what they have to offer. (e.g. why make an offer to someone who's expecting 5K more than you can afford?) And of course in America things are always up for neogition (sp?)

Usually the only jobs that list salary with the opening are government-related jobs.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 4:04 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

argh, don't do what i did and under-price myself out of fear they'd give the job to some other schmoe fresh out of uni who could do it cheaper.

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 4:06 PM. (blueski) (link)

tho not as good (whew, i got out of that one quite well...)

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 4:07 PM. (blueski) (link)

Office holiday gift advice, please? Cost of about $5-$8?

The place where I'm temping right now is having a holiday party on Thursday, and I want to participate in the gift exchange. If I don't have any better ideas, I'm going to go to a dollar store and find something silly and st00pid. But can anyone think of something that would be a generically nice, work-safe gift?

-- j.lu (jlut...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 4:10 PM. (j.lu) (link)

I picked up a little ethical cosmetics travel bag for my brother's homeopathic girlfriend for $7.50 Cdn.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 4:13 PM. (link)

Condoms. Glow in the dark.

So this worked this time. I wonder if ILX is back or if I just got lucky. Hi all.

My updates: The doctor declared me healed nicely from that unpleasantness a few weeks ago, so that's good. I'm still trying to extract myself from this weird funk, but it seems to be going along nicely (no ILX might be helping?).

(Luna, thanks for the thing!)

Hope everyone's doing well, etc.

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 4:20 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

Good morning from my world.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/cstarrcstarr/ILX/Xmas.jpg

-- Orbit (cstarrcstar...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 4:21 PM. (Orbit) (link)

just the one orbit? (bottle)

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 4:23 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

hahaha! No that's just the one I'm contemplating.

-- Orbit (cstarrcstar...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 4:28 PM. (Orbit) (link)

Casuistry! Hello!
If I get cds of my comedy gig Friday, I'll send you one.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 4:29 PM. (link)

(Looking over the other boards)
Is Sebastien Chikara a real person or some nanocreation brought to consciousness by the ILX hive-mind?

-- jocelyn. (laziness@mail.com) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 4:29 PM. (link)

Huk, Hurrah!

If Sebastien didn't exist we would have to sockpuppet him.

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 4:30 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

I'm leaving. Leaving work. Really. I'm gonna go early. Because I've been so damn productive lately. Damn. I mean, great, I'm leaving work early, but I'm setting expectations for myself that I'm too lazy to live up to.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 4:34 PM. (link)

Sebastian is definitely real. ILX isn't all better yet - the server may have to be taken down again tomorrow for further work.

-- Martin Skidmore (lonewolf.cu...) (webmail), December 14th, 2004 5:19 PM. (Martin Skidmore) (link)

Random Question:

Should letters posted to Belfast be addressed in the last line as Belfast, [postcode], United Kingdom or Belfast, [postcode], Northern Ireland?

Is one like a major faux pas and will it lead to the lynching of said letter? I just gots to know.

Thanks.

-- Girolamo Savonarola (gsa...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 11:21 PM. (link)

Heavens, is it that bad?

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 12:27 AM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

Since the name of the country is (Northern) Ireland, I think that's the correct way to address it. The UK is generally taken to refer to England, Scotland, and Wales, my point being that it is geographically imprecise as a way of addressing a letter. You wouldn't address a letter to England as [postcode] UK, you'd address it to England, not to an amalgam of countries.

-- Orbit (cstarrcstar...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 12:34 AM. (Orbit) (link)

I think it would have to be Belfast, [postcode], Northern Ireland, since Northern Ireland is the name of the country, but I'm not 100% sure. Might want to wait until someone actually from the UK can answer this. But that's what I recall.

Ugh, these new meds I'm on are making me feel all jittery and it's leading to a big headache. I don't know what to do. I do hope this feeling wears off shortly. (I'm grateful, though, that these are just temporary meds. Thank heaven for little miracles, etc.)

And it's so cold here!! The low this time last week was in the 50s -- we're expecting a low in the lower 20s tonight (!!) I love it when it's cold, but not all of a sudden like this! Oh well. I will be layering tonight, oh yes I will.

-- Many Coloured Halo (newromanti...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:11 AM. (Dee the Lurker) (link)

Uh, xpost. Yeah. Um.

Orbit, I love that photo! :)

-- Many Coloured Halo (newromanti...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:12 AM. (Dee the Lurker) (link)

Not sure if this is helpful (it's a little confusing) but this site has info on the Northern Ireland mailing thingie.

-- Bryan (twp62y...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:25 AM. (Bryan) (link)

Wow, that really is the most compulsive thing I've seen in a while. But definitely helpful! Thanks.

-- Girolamo Savonarola (gsa...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:49 AM. (link)

Morning folx! Just popping in to say hello as I like to take the opportunity when ILX actually let's me in. *Hugs* to orbit! I hope you are ok hon!
Oh & hello to the new lady upthread!!

-- PinXorchiXoR (pink{est}panther4...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 5:23 AM. (Pinkpanther) (link)

I haven't looked at the Northern Ireland mailing thingy, but Northern Ireland is one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom (full name: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland). If you are writing a letter within the UK, obviously you'd just put Northern Ireland on the letter (not that you'd have to - the post city and post code would be sufficient).

So technically, if you're writing from overseas, you'd need to put the country name on the letter, i.e the UK. Feel free to add Northern Ireland too if you like.

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 5:48 AM. (Mark C) (link)

I haven't sent my cover letter off yet, but actually Huk's first idea about the bananas might actually make a splash...this company is sort of kooky and spontaneous. Heres what it says on their site for another position:

You will be joining a team of approximately 20 other people, a few dogs, and some excited clients in a swank brownstone downtown. This is a full time position with excellent benefits.

Yes they let you bring your pets into work with you.

But heres what I have for my letter...maybe too uptight and typical bank speak:

With regard to compensation I would hope to have
an opportunity in the near future to discuss the salary parameters of
the position being offered as part of a broader conversation regarding
my aforementioned strengths and abilities. That said, I believe a
salary in the following range would be more than fair: $XX,XXX - $XX,XXX (negotiable).

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 6:27 AM. (Chris V) (link)

Chris - if it's "more than fair" then they can justifiably give you less! Don't let them twist your language!

Also, yyour first sentence is a bit long and you probably don't need the word "aforementioned". IMHO.

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 7:00 AM. (Mark C) (link)

Hi y'all!

Thanks for the good thoughts up there Pink--I'm at work today, still battlin' a cold that I came down with on Saturday, and luckily things aren't too busy here like they have been the past two days. I didn't get home until after 9 the past 2 nights, guh. I'm about to start reading the script and compiling a list of all the characters and settings etc. for all the artists to use. That's muh job.

Chris, if it were me I'd put one relatively simple sentence, or put nothing at all--salary requirements are always such an awkward thing to work in...and really they won't care until they call you in for an interview. Your first sentence is kind of confusing. Put a range of maybe 2-3% (?) and phrase it something like "Based on the job description and my professional experience, I believe a salary range of [blah-blah] is reasonable." Judging by what you quoted above, if you keep your phrasing in the letter brief and professional regarding money it'll be easier to adopt that tone with them on that subject when you're in the interview, even if they're lighthearted about other things. Take the '(negotiable)' as a given--they will always negotiate if they want you.

But then again this advice is coming from someone who is working in London and being paid in dollars :(

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 9:42 AM. (Chris V) (link)

Condoms. Glow in the dark.

Well, I actually am not interested in coming back to this place . . . . Actually, last night I picked up a pair of holiday-themed socks. Does anyone actually wear these, or do stores just stock these as Christmas presents for the uninspired/uninspiring?

-- j.lu (jlut...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 9:46 AM. (j.lu) (link)

whatever socks I can find two matching of, I wear.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 9:58 AM. (thatgirl) (link)

I imagine the same people wear them that wear Christmas sweaters. For some reason this distinction is associated in my head with "middle-american moms."

It was my grandmother's birthday yesterday, and I gave her a call. I just got this message from my mom and it's made me inordinately sad: Nany was very happy that you
called.
Then she went outside to turn on the heater in the pumphouse and fell
into
the azaleas. She wasn't hurt badly, but had to crawl back in. She
shouldn't have had to spend her 86th birthday alone.

ugh.

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 10:00 AM. (sgs) (link)

Waitaminute, your mum was trying to make you feel guilty about not going to see *her* mum on her birthday?

-- mark grout (mark.grou...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 10:05 AM. (mark grout) (link)

Mark, I don't think she was trying to make her feel guilty, no.

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 10:09 AM. (Mark C) (link)

Oh that's so sad, Sgs.

xpost

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 10:09 AM. (link)

No, I think my mom was probably feeling very guilty herself. Also frustrated and helpless, as I am, since my grandmother falls often yet refuses to use her walker when she should. By the sounds of the email, she hasn't broken anything, just fallen and couldn't get up again until inside. It was 26F in Arkansas last night and she was trying to keep the pipes from freezing.

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 10:15 AM. (sgs) (link)

that would be so cool to work in a place where people brought their dogs to work! as long as they're reasonably behaved dogs. and people, too, for that matter.

i dunno who wears holiday socks...i do have a pair of silly holiday underwear. most holiday clothing stuff is just cutesy and annoying though.

that really is sad, sgs.

-- JuliaA (j(underscore)bdules@hotmail.com) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 10:19 AM. (j_bdules) (link)

Several of the men at this office have started to get out their annoying Christmas ties.

-- caitlin (wpsal...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 10:25 AM. (caitlin) (link)

Its going to be a lean Christmas in the bingo house this year due to lack of $. I haven't played poker in a while so i haven't any extra to spare. So much for the diamond earrings I was planning on getting for the wife. I'll get them for Valentines day I suppose. She won't care, she's not like that. All i asked for was a Red Sox t-shirt.

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 10:37 AM. (Chris V) (link)

Hi. Back from the cruise. Did you miss me?

-- n/a (nu...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 10:41 AM. (Nick A.) (link)

who are you again?

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 10:42 AM. (link)

I can almost never afford gifts this year even worse than usual. The only people really getting anything good are my closest best friends and the boy I'm seeing since they're the people I see most in my life. That's like 3 gifts. And some random secret santa, work treats etc and I'm tanked.

I also have to get my kitty a pricey lion shave b/c I suck at grooming and he's gotten really old and fat when I was looking: his lower back's a mess of mats! I feel bad. poor kitty. he'll probably look pretty funny though. *snicker*

WHERE'D YOU GO NICK?

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 10:43 AM. (thatgirl) (link)

NO! ;)

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 10:43 AM. (Chris V) (link)

http://www2.filmweb.no/multimedia/archive/00024/Boat_Trip_24867f.jpg

Did the cruise give out t-shirts that said "Cayman my ass".

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 10:45 AM. (Chris V) (link)

We were in central Florida and then on a cruise to the Bahamas and then back in central Florida.

My cat had those mats in her fur too and she would get freaked out if we tried to cut them out and eventually the way I got them out was to hold her and gradually seperate them from her fur with my fingers. After a while she would freak out and run away and so I had to do it in a period of a few days, but eventually I got them all out.

-- n/a (nu...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 10:49 AM. (Nick A.) (link)

I think qtip's are way too bad. and he's a very freaky cat. I don't think he'll let me separate them. :(

I feel like a bad cat mommy.

(you lucky dogs. .bahamas)

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 10:53 AM. (thatgirl) (link)

my cat gets those too, we try to cut some out and then brush them eventually they come out.

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 10:56 AM. (Chris V) (link)

I went out drinking with comic nerds last night. It was almost fun. Okay, it was fun. I may be on the verge of making friends. I hate friends. All they do is make you feel worthwhile and stuff. That shit is for losers.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 10:56 AM. (link)

i'm with ya there huk. fuck friends. ;)

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 10:58 AM. (thatgirl) (link)

what's something to buy on amazon that's somewhat useful/entertaining but very very cheap? i get free shipping if i spend like another dollar. but i don't want to spend very much more. hmm.

-- JuliaA (j(underscore)bdules@hotmail.com) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 10:58 AM. (j_bdules) (link)

i always get sucked into that.

since I didn't get have no money till today's check (monthly pay is the work of satan) I've had to put rush shipping on everything. :( Anyway I got two friends the John Waters' Xmas CD. It sounds awesome but I couldn't find it in stores anywhere. :(

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 11:01 AM. (thatgirl) (link)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/artist/glance/-/234951/ref=pd_ap_sr/104-5622991-1839152

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 11:03 AM. (link)

Sad, but not unexpected:

Autopsy: death of rapper O.D.B. was an accident, caused by drug overdose
NEW YORK (AP) ? The death of rapper O.D.B. was deemed an accident by the medical examiner, who said Wednesday that he died from the combined effects of cocaine and a prescription painkiller.
O.D.B., whose legal name was Russell Jones, died at a Manhattan recording studio Nov. 13 ?as a result of intoxication? by cocaine and the painkiller Tramadol, said Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the New York City medical examiner?s office.
?The manner of death is an accident,? she said.
O.D.B. complained of chest pains before collapsing at the studio, and was dead by the time paramedics reached him. He was just days short of his 36th birthday.
O.D.B., also known as Ol? Dirty Bastard, was a founding member of the rap group the Wu-Tang Clan.
With his unorthodox delivery ? alternately slurred, hyper and nonsensical ? O.D.B. stood out even in the nine-man Clan, and as a solo artist he released hit singles such as Shimmy Shimmy Ya and Got Your Money.
He had been working on a comeback album after finishing a prison sentence for drug possession and escaping a rehab clinic.
O.D.B. was the latest in a string of rappers to meet an untimely death, among them Jam Master Jay of Run DMC, who was fatally shot in late 2002, and Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur, who were both shot to death in the late 1990s. Those killings remain unsolved.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 11:10 AM. (link)

Fucking great.

-- Je4nne ?ury (jeanne?ur...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 11:15 AM. (Jeanne Fury) (link)

I really dislike the way news reports always lump ODB's death in with JMJ, BIG and Tupac's murders.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 11:17 AM. (link)

this is a thread I just started, hopefully I'm not alone in my love for this woman's work: RIP Trina Schart Hyman

-- teeny (teen...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 11:28 AM. (teeny) (tracklink) (link)

That makes me very sad teeny : (

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 11:49 AM. (Jocelyn) (link)

Thinking about children's books, I just read that New Line cinema has forced the production of "His Dark Materials" to remove all references to God in the script. Well, there goes the entire plot of the books.

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 12:19 PM. (Jocelyn) (link)

John Waters' Xmas CD A friend gave me this for my birthday. It's quite good, actually.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 12:20 PM. (Hereward) (link)

I heard him on NPR last night and loved the excerpts they played. Giving xmas cds for xmas gifts are kind of lame but the receivers are freaks about xmas music and will love it nonethless.

re: HDM. . .that's completely fucked up. pointless. ::shudder:: I don't want to think about movie versions anyway. Harry Potter, they're great. But as much as I love HP those books are to His Dark Materials as Southpark is to Anime.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 12:22 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

jocelyn, the director just resigned from that movie, felt he couldn't do it justice. (He wrote the screen adaptation/script though, and still wants that job)

-- mark grout (mark.grou...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 12:24 PM. (mark grout) (link)

I'll take the job. I have no experience in directing films, and have no idea what HDM is, but I'll gladly take big bags of money.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:11 PM. (link)

I'll direct it for 25k! Claymation!

-- jel -- (freeduni...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:15 PM. (jel) (link)

Do you remember that time, Huk, when you went to LA and hung out at the Santa Monica Blvd. Exit from the 405 with a sign that read, "Will Direct for Money"? Good Times.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:16 PM. (Hereward) (link)

Hey, if anyone here speaks French, is "sweet delusion" an acceptable translation of "doux leurre"? This is for work.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:20 PM. (jaymc) (link)

Also good was the time I hung out in front of a big office building with a sign that read: "Will make modest effort to look like I'm working while I post to internet message boards for money, vacation, health benefits."

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:20 PM. (link)

At work, and once again noticing how bad writing drives me up a wall. A gem of a sentence: "The plain and simple answer is -- yes and no." Also rampant comma errors and (gasp!) verb tense agreement problems. I don't believe an adult wrote this.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:25 PM. (kenan) (link)

Try dealing with writers for whom English is a second language but who have to write the articles anyway because they're the only experts in the field.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:26 PM. (jaymc) (link)

(Or maybe their writing is just poor because they're academics, I dunno.)

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:27 PM. (jaymc) (link)

believe it. my teenagers still have trouble determining the difference btw nouns and verbs.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:27 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

What's the sentence which contains doux leurre?

Soft trap? Is it at all fishing related?

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:31 PM. (Hereward) (link)

Who's the asshole here?

The situation:
Two friends. Friend 1 one is a public school teacher, Friend 2, a superhero. Friend 1 is constantly unorganized, to the point that it's become an issue at her job, and she heavily relies on Friend 2 to get her job (mainly the vast majority of the grading of student papers) done. Friend 2 helped in the first semester with the last minute emergency, and thought her duties were fulfilled.

Friend 2 is not in any way affiliated with the local school system, but is trying to help friend 1 out. This is possibly illegal, but we'll ignore that for now.

A week or two ago, Friend 1 found herself enjoying her Wednesday, until she found out that grades were due Friday, and she hadn't gotten Friend 2 to do any grading in over a month and certainly hadn't bothered to do any of it herself. She called Friend 2 who had other plans, but said she'd try to rearrange her schedule to help. Friend 1 said no, I'll get it done.

Friend 1 was given an extension by the dean to Monday.

Over the weekend, Friend 1 made no mention other than a joking 'haha, you have a lot of grading to do.' Friend 2 laughed and said 'haha, no.' Friend 1 did not do any grading on her own.

Meanwhile, Monday came and went, grades still not finished, so Friend 1 is in a panic. Plans were made at the end of that week for Saturday, and included a message from Friend 2, 'I know you're getting your hair done tomorrow, call me when you're done and I'll come help you.' Friend 1 agreed.

By 2pm (having spoken and imparted the prior message at 10:30 am, and hair appointment was at 11), Friend 1 had not called, so Friend 2 went to a movie, and turned her cell phone off as per regulation. Upon completion of said movie, Friend 2 turned her cell on to check for messages, there were none.

Friend 2 waited for call, which never came. Friend 2 did also not hear from Friend 1 on Sunday, so sent email Monday saying 'hey, you didn't call, what's up?'

Friend 1 angrily responded with 'I did call and call and call, but your phone was off, so I figured you were flaking on me AGAIN and you are a big disappointment as a friend, and I am a big baby because I was sulking and didn't have the common sense to leave you a message.' (not a direct quote, but the jist of what was said).

Friend 2 said, 'oh well, I went to a movie, you should have left a message' and got a 'why should I? your phone was off, that meant you didn't want to help me' in return. Now, gentle reader, this is not at all what having the phone off meant, but Friend 1 likes to ride her high horse from time to time, so this comment was refuted and taken with a grain of salt.

Meanwhile, a flurry of emailing has erupted, with Friend 1 telling Friend 2 what a horrible person she is for not having called, and Friend 2 trying to defend herself and say hey, this is your job not mine, I was trying to do you a favor, stop shitting on my head.

Now, I should mention also that Friend 2, in turning her cell phone back on and not finding a message after the movie, sort of suspected that Friend 1 had tried to call but had not left a message, and so was sullking, and purposely did not call Friend 1 on her own, because F2 wanted to see if F1 would take any kind of responsibility. She did not, and at this point, refuses to. F2 also knows that perhaps she should have called F1 after the movie, and even should have perhaps called before to say 'hey I'm gonna catch a flick', but just flat out didn't. There was no agreed upon time that said favor was going to take place, only after F1 was done, whenever that would be.

F1 is adamant that she is right and 2 is wrong, and 2 is adamant that 1 should have left a message . . . what do you think?

-- luna (lunace...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:33 PM. (luna.c) (link)

The way you've told this is highly prejudicial in favor of F2.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:36 PM. (Hereward) (link)

Yeah I know.

-- luna (lunace...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:37 PM. (luna.c) (link)

I don't think you ever should have started helping her grade papers in the first place Luna, geez.

She should employ the method we use around here when things pile up. For every assignment you grade, two go in the trash.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:37 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

You say Friend 2 is a superhero. Is she perhaps Batman?

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:40 PM. (link)

I forgot to mention too, Sam, that she has THREE TAs and now a student teacher.

-- luna (lunace...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:43 PM. (luna.c) (link)

Three tah tahs? That's just greedy.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:45 PM. (Hereward) (link)

what the hell kind of teacher is she? ( I mean that gets that shit? special ed?)

Seriously, friend 2 (you?) shouldn't feel bad as you're under no obligation to help her out of her own mess. At the same time f2 should recognize the quagmire is partly of her own making for indulging her friend in the first place (and yes it's illegal).

Even if I had friends ready and willing I couldn't do this. Grading's too subjective and I wouldn't be able to trust anyone else to do it.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:46 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:zDjPVmso1xsJ:www.godflesh.com/slateman/images/total-recall.jpg

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:48 PM. (kenan) (link)

I do realize that I should never have started to help her, but it's her first year teaching (6th grade History) and she was so overwhelmed, that I thought I was doing her a favor in trying to get her organized. I didn't know the grading would then be my job, or what a disservice I would actually be doing her.

Meanwhile, I'm so mad I could scream.

-- luna (lunace...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:48 PM. (luna.c) (link)

Michael: re doux leurre: It's the name of a poetry collection. That's all I know. (It's published in French but hasn't officially been given an English translation.)

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:48 PM. (jaymc) (link)

leurre is a lure or a deception or a delusion. So 'sweet delusion' sounds pretty good.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:52 PM. (Hereward) (link)

Luna -- one weekend late on the grading is a mess, agreed, and maybe understandable. But another week goes by, and still no grading done? What was it, National Sit on My Fat Ass and Eat Haagen Dazs week? I think your friendship is about to be the least of her problems. Sounds to me like she richly deserves to be fired.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:52 PM. (kenan) (link)

National Sit on my Fat Ass and Eat Sugar Free Ice Cream week, yes. Did I mention she's diabetic? (Though only recently diagnosed since she now has health insurance). And that she expects me to not eat sugar at all, because I'm her 'best friend' and if she has to deal with it, so do I?

She's loony.

-- luna (lunace...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:56 PM. (luna.c) (link)

Thanks, Michael! The online translators were being too literal.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 1:58 PM. (jaymc) (link)

I think that's a little harsh Kenan. I end up with about 1500 grades to enter every week. it's extremely easy to get behind. I mean it's not like grading's the *only* thing you have to do. In fact every teacher I know is behind in grading pretty much all the time. All I've been doing today is catching up on the past couple of weeks. . .

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:02 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

Jeez, wasn't I just talking about how friends are no good. My point confirmed.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:03 PM. (link)

"Doux leurre" is a pun, right?

(anyone got any quick-working constipation cures? For a friend, obv)

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:03 PM. (Mark C) (link)

Yeah, Sam, I don't know how hard it is, that's true. Still, it sounds like she's trying to shift the blame. At what point did she say, "I was up all night, you gotta help me!" instead of "You gotta help me!"

Google image search for "soft lure":

http://www.geocities.com/yuetfish/softgel/p1010013-softgel-shad.jpg

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:04 PM. (kenan) (link)

She sounds like the kind of friend who would pull this no matter what the situation were. don't be an enabler luna!

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:05 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

Why can't she ask the TAs to do part of the grading?

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:05 PM. (Jocelyn) (link)

i wanna know why the hell she has ta's in the first place. I don't think the ta's I know of (only in ESL or Special ED) are able to do any kind of grading since they aren't actually teachers.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:07 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

Mark is right about the pun. I hadn't even noticed it. Doux leurre = douleur = pain or sorrow.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:08 PM. (Hereward) (link)

"sweet sorrow"?

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:09 PM. (kenan) (link)

Some poncy, pseudo-Buddhist, French pun about sorrow being a sweet lure.

In other news, I'm cranky 'cause I was waiting all year for my first ever birthday thread and fuxored up ILE won't allow any new threads. >:-(

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:12 PM. (Hereward) (link)

happy birthday micahel, ;)

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:13 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

Bon Anniversaire Michael!

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:14 PM. (Jocelyn) (link)

Birthdays are such sweet sorrow.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:15 PM. (kenan) (link)

It's Bill of Rights Day too. Happy Birthday, Bill of Rights. Hope you last another 213 years.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:15 PM. (Hereward) (link)

Happy b-day, MW!

I am going to keep it as "sweet delusion," since I'm not sure there's any way to indicate the pun. Plus, I just wanted to make sure it wasn't totally way off.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:16 PM. (jaymc) (link)

Happy Birthday, Michael White!
Look what I found...

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:18 PM. (Jocelyn) (tracklink) (link)

I know you're not Jeremy, but the it's the thought that counts.
http://www.cakesbyrobert.com/cakeimages/batmanrobin.jpg

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:18 PM. (link)

Thanks, jocelyn. I wonder how CJ did that?

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:19 PM. (Hereward) (link)

I don't know, I found it through Ken L.'s trick on the ***server downtime explanation thread.*

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:25 PM. (Jocelyn) (link)

Luna, is this person really a friend? She sounds like a psycho user to me.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:39 PM. (Hereward) (link)

Happy Birthday!!! :-D And a late B-day to Sam too.

I am back on the attack again.

Sam, we went to Florida to visit Nick's relatives. His grandfather paid for the cruise to celebrate his 80th b-day.

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:42 PM. (coco) (link)

Nick's 80! So much makes sense now.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:50 PM. (link)

I had a nice time, but I don't think I ever need to go on a cruise again. I was a Dizzy Miss Lizzy the whole time.

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 2:55 PM. (coco) (link)

Happy b-day! Is ILX back, or is it just loading for me now?

-- Remy Snush Title Load Failed (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 3:04 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

hmm, was it gone? Since the time it was gone completely it's been about half back, right? And that's not going to change until Andrew's off at xmas, right?

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 3:06 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

Oh. I'm going to go watch a movie in the other room, then.

-- Remy Snush Title Load Failed (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 3:06 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

Thank you, Sam, jocelyn, kenan, jaymc, Huk-L, Sarah, and Jeremy for the birthday wishes.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 3:22 PM. (Hereward) (link)

Oh man, now I'm editing the special report on the U.S. election and it's making me depressed.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 3:52 PM. (jaymc) (link)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041215/ap_on_go_pr_wh/inauguration_protests

I like this idea.

http://www.buyblue.org/

And this one.

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:15 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

My work and my domestic life are both draining the shit out of me, so I know what you mean. I don't want to go to work in the morning, and then I don't want to come home in the afternoon.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:16 PM. (kenan) (link)

(what I really want is to be alone for about a year.)

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:20 PM. (kenan) (link)

I just went and tried to go skating at the rink down the street, but the ice wasn't ready so now I'm sad. I've applied for over 20 jobs now and haven't had a single call for an interview. My roommate's a stupid annoying bitch and I have big tits. On the bright side it's Christmas in a few days and I can't afford to buy anyone presents so I don't have to go shopping!

-- Bryan (twp62y...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:20 PM. (Bryan) (link)

I'm a little late to this but
1) Luna, flush that "friend" down the crapper and be done with her. She. Is. Using. You. FIN.
2) Happy belated birthday to Sam and Mr. White
3) Welcome home McLusky

-- Je4nne ƒury (jeanneƒur...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:23 PM. (Jeanne Fury) (link)

I'm about 98% done with a huge work project that has consumed my life since early November, but I don't feel that the weight has been lifted yet.
Kenan and Bryan I'm sorry things aren't going well for you guys.

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:26 PM. (Jocelyn) (link)

I feel you Bryan, nobody wants to hire me either. I had an interview on Thursday but no word since then.

-- teeny (teen...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:29 PM. (teeny) (link)

guys, it's like a week before Christmas. You couldn't possibly pick a worse time to look for a job. I bet half of the places you applied to call you after the new year.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:33 PM. (kenan) (link)

http://www.vegasbrits.com/2_lilacs_3_weeks.jpg

-- Je4nne ƒury (jeanneƒur...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:35 PM. (Jeanne Fury) (link)

i just died of cute.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:36 PM. (kenan) (link)

I've been looking for months. I think I might have to consider a career change. Kittens are good.

-- Bryan (twp62y...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:36 PM. (Bryan) (link)

aw thanks jeann3! also did you hear Ellen and Portia are an item now?

-- teeny (teen...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:40 PM. (teeny) (link)

I'll hire all of you if you'll pay me.

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:41 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

Just rumors, Teeny. Nonetheless, I feel bad for Ellen. (And Portia is rather fugly, in my humble opinion.)

-- Je4nne ƒury (jeanneƒur...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:42 PM. (Jeanne Fury) (link)

Mr. Right Off, Were you planning to go to the Spoon show? I'm trying to decide if I want to go. I'm sorry you're feeling down.

And Bryan, I'm so jealous of your tits!

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:42 PM. (coco) (link)

Actually, I porlly won't make it out Friday night, since I'm driving (riding) to St. Louis Saturday morning.

Hey, what are teeny and mr. teeny doing Saturday night? I may need to get far far away from Jessa's sister and her boyfriend.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:45 PM. (kenan) (link)

I'm feeling like an ugly pug today. Everyone bask in my 5-year old self cuteness:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/naamme/littleme.jpg

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:47 PM. (coco) (link)

OMG looks that kill!

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:48 PM. (kenan) (link)

I thought you were buying us beers for watching our cats for us. ha ha. Well, I guess I had enough alcohol for a few weeks on my vacation.

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:49 PM. (coco) (link)

Maybe I still will. There's always tomorrow night. I have to give you guys keys anyway.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:49 PM. (kenan) (link)

argh kenan we have mr teeny's SECOND holiday party to go to that night. are you staying the night in st louis?

-- teeny (teen...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:52 PM. (teeny) (link)

Frankly I think you're cuter now, Sarah. Which isn't to say you weren't cute then.

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:53 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

It would be really funny if we could zoom out on that photo to discover that Sarah was holding a ninja sword.

-- Je4nne ƒury (jeanneƒur...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:57 PM. (Jeanne Fury) (link)

Yeah, we're sleeping over in St Louis. I don't know where yet. I think we'll go for a motel 6 or somethin'.

It's ok, teeny, I'll catch you again. Trying to go out in the middle of a trip would probably just complicate everything for everybody.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 4:57 PM. (kenan) (link)

BUT SARAH, YOU ARE CHRISTMASSY TODAY!

-- n/a (nu...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 5:02 PM. (Nick A.) (link)

Also: http://www.bmezine.com/news/pubring/20041214.html

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 5:08 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

I know, but I match three different people in my office, which is a bad sign. ha ha

When I get home, we're trimming the fuck out of that tree.

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 5:09 PM. (coco) (link)

trimming the dick out of it, even.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 5:11 PM. (kenan) (link)

I can't remember if I'm older or younger in this picture (than the other one, not compared to now, ha ha)...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/naamme/littlerme.jpg

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 5:20 PM. (coco) (link)

Sarah, that pic definitely puts you in the "top ten cutest kids of all time" list (right behind me, of course).

-- jay blanchard (kinojay3...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 5:21 PM. (jay blanchard) (link)

And blonde!

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 5:27 PM. (jaymc) (link)

Jon Benet can fuck right off.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 5:29 PM. (kenan) (link)

xpost
Thanks, jay.

Chris P, That was one crazy f-ed up article. I don't think it's a good idea for me. I take my glasses off whenever I leave my desk at work. On the other hand, it would really freak out my coworkers at break time. hmmm...

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 5:29 PM. (coco) (link)

When I was 3, my hair was basically white. Oh, those were the days.

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 5:31 PM. (coco) (link)

What cute photos, Sarah.

Here's little Ava after she forgave us for leaving for a week.

ihttp://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/3f12bb70_9b87/a215/__sr_/c0c2.jpg?phLtLwBBW1t8mBba

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 5:35 PM. (Hereward) (link)

Those glasses seem to pay no attention to distance from the eyes, distance of the pupils from each other, angle from the face (which would vary slightly from eye to eye and even moment to moment), and all kinds of factors that frames takes pains to control. All in all, a hardcore, future-thinking, completely impactical idea.

Telling: they mention problems with the opticals, but are really more proud of the piercing.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 5:36 PM. (kenan) (link)

xpost
I started doing crosswords on this trip, so I bought my own little easy crossword jumbo book in the airport for the flight home. It's um, a little too easy - embarassingly so. I guess it's good practice though. Anyway, EVERY SINGLE ONE has AVA on it somewhere. The clues are all something to the effect of "Glamourous Gardner."

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 5:45 PM. (coco) (link)

She's a slut.

ihttp://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/3f12bb70_9b87/a215/__sr_/f334.jpg?phj2LwBBBfwUotdH

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 5:45 PM. (Hereward) (link)

My cat has no belly fur. She just looks like she's shaved all the time underneath.

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 5:49 PM. (coco) (link)

yeah, Pepper's a little mutant. Very sweet, too.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 15th, 2004 5:50 PM. (kenan) (link)

Sarah, ONLY do NY Times crossword puzzles (or Games magazine). Stick to remember that they get harder as the week goes along, so if you're worried about a challenge, stick to Mondays or Tuesdays.

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 6:48 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

I recommend this: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0312314590/qid=1103153834/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/102-8793746-3464969?v=glance&s=books&n=507846 -- I improved dramatically doing a puzzle or so a day, working first through all the Mondays, then through all the Tuesdays, etc., etc.,. I find crosswords pretty fun, which I presume makes me quite boring.

-- Remy Snush Title Load Failed (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 6:59 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

ONE OF TWO WEIRD THINGS I JUST LEARNED: (OTHER COMING WHEN I TYPE IT OUT)

Normally I'd start a new thread about this incident, and the one I'mma gonna type up next, but because of the ILMESS I'm stickin' em here:

As some of you know I'm adopted from Bogota, Colombia. When I was a newborn my (adopted, and current) parents went to the orphanage, FANA, to pick me up. As a child I was told, almost like a fairy-tale, a version of the story to the effect of "A nurse handed you to us, and that was the time our little family was complete." Today my mother called me and told me "It was twenty-four years ago today that we held you for the first time at FANA. And your moth---" and here she stopped and coughed "--- caretaker handed you to us and said 'Adios (Colombian Name Omitted), Buena suerte en su vida, and then she cried and left the room." After I got off the telephone I realized the slip-up - and the implication: that my birth mother and adopted mother have met, and I've never been told. Weird, huh?

-- Remy Snush Title Load Failed (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 7:12 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

Wow. Wait, are you omitting your Colombian name for us, or was your mom omitting it for you?

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 7:14 PM. (jaymc) (link)

I'm omitting it for you. I don't generally share it - it's like my little secret.

-- Remy Snush Title Load Failed (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 7:16 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

How much would you tell your adopted child, Jeremy?

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 7:17 PM. (Hereward) (link)

It's Aurelio Buendia, isn't it?

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 7:18 PM. (Hereward) (link)

Melquiades!

(and second story -- also Colombian influence -- and written with the national tendency toward digression and elliptic exposition)

Secondarily: when I was an infant just-naturalized in the US, my parents decided they'd love for me to have an adult Colombian role model. Growing up in a very small town, this was difficult as the only Colombian was Hector B------ourt, the carpet cleaner. Oddly, however, he was quite friendly with my father already (my father was a real estate broker) , and so as a toddler I'd often visit with Hector one-on-one. I don't remember much about him, except that he was infinitely gentle, and had flocks of wild animals he'd rescued and would rehabilitate after car accidents before releasing into the wild. He always called himself Uncle Hector, and sometimes called on the phone just to talk to me -- he fulfilled to a T the 'special Colombian friend' role my parents had pegged for him. He sent me beatiful hand-made Christmas and birthday cards, and around the time I was eight or nine would invite me over to visit the animals and to tell me stories. He was poor, but always generous with gifts, and I took his friendship for granted even though I recognize now it was a financial strain. One of the stories Hector told me was about the daughter, Jessica he'd fathered at sixteen, and whom he'd had custody of until she was four. Then the mother had taken her back and moved away. Hector showed me the room he'd prepared for her: in a two bedroom apartment he'd devoted one bedroom to the daughter he hadn't seen for seven years. Stacked on the bed was were fourteen gifts, all wrapped, one for every Christmas and one for every birthday. He'd also bought her a bundle of carnations every month, and mailed them to her last known address. They'd always been returned, and he kept all the address labels in a little wooden box.

At around the time I hit my teenaged years and became too cool to hang out with Hector, he got married and had two more kids. He was still poor, and I saw him once or twice before I graduated from High School. He showed up at my graduation party with a card holding $100. In the interval since then I understand he's been doing well. It never occured to me to call or write to him; and I sort of forgot he existed. My parents would occasionally run into him in line somewhere, and he'd always ask about me. At any rate, he purchased a used Winnebago this past August, and worked every night in a rented garage to restore it. He repainted, laid new carpet, new appliances, sank every moment he had into it. He didn't tell his kids or wife about it, just that he was going to take them all on vacation after Christmas. Last night he was working in the garage, putting the final touches on it, and laid down a bunch of epoxy to hold the cabinet-facings in place. He brought out a space heater he'd been recommended to help it dry, and went back home to get some christmas paper. His idea was to wrap the entire thing, and put a huge ribbon on it. But when he got back to the garage he saw four fire trucks and plumes of smoke. The heater had malfunctioned, ignited the epoxy, and exploded the trailer. Hector went home, showered, didn't tell his wife or kids. In the morning he went to the post office, ran into my father, and (seeing her for only the third time in ten years) told her the story. He didn't cry, but my mother said he smelled like smoke and could barely manage the end of the story. And she said he considered himself lucky -- he was planning on bringing the heater on the trip with him, when his whole family was in the trailer. And after telling my mother all of this he looked up at her, wiped his eyes and said "Now what I really want to talk about is mi amigo Jeremias?"

-- Remy Snush Title Load Failed (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 7:25 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

I smell a film script.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 7:29 PM. (jaymc) (link)

ran into my father mother

-- Remy Snush Title Load Failed (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 7:30 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

What a story!

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 7:31 PM. (Hereward) (link)

I am so, so sad. Like, I want to give Hector all my money!

-- Remy Snush Title Load Failed (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 7:31 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

Give him a Winnebago.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 7:32 PM. (Hereward) (link)

Man, that's one of those things that just... sucks. Man. You just have to hang down your head. What's to be done? Poor poor Hector.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 7:33 PM. (kenan) (link)

wow, thanks for telling that story.

-- teeny (teen...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 8:22 PM. (teeny) (link)

Clearly you should mail Hector a letter about what's going on in your life without mentioning his recent tragedy.

Also, Remy, crossword puzzles? Like you needed to be any sexier?

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 8:41 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

Haha, I try.

-- Remy Snush Title Load Failed (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 9:00 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

the world sucks. I learned this long, long ago.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:28 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

I'm writing this without having read the last 66 posts, but hey. I'm annoyed this morning - annoyed with rain, muscle cramps, wet trousers, stupid unreliable people, Christmas, phlegm, post-30 lardening, work, HG sodding Wells, and being crap at my job.

Hi!

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 6:09 AM. (Mark C) (link)

That was a moving story Jeremy. Hope Hector will be ok.

Oh I hate those mornings Mark. Still, I usually find that either the evening or the next day are extra nice, karma and that.

I am doing my Japanese homework, having pretty much FINISHED ye olde 4000-word report thing hurrah!

Also, Matt and I have decided finally where we are going to have our wedding (basically at the Brighton registry office because it's cheap) but the great bonus is that the council will do a password-access WEBCAST of the ceremony for only £55 so people who can't make it can watch online! (Or is that really naff? I'm not sure, but I like the idea that my far-flung interweb mentalist friends could get in on the action, sort of.)

-- Archel (dilettant...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 6:15 AM. (Archel) (link)

Woah, just read the rest of the thread. If there was an anti-EXCELSIOR thread, an ALAS thread or a WOE IS ME thread I'd be a-postin' right this minute. I totally welled up!

Jeremy, don't forget about Hector. It sounds too close to a similar person in my life who I basically neglect and it kills a little part of me each time I think about them.

(my close friend Chr!stian has just married a Colombian. She's very nice)

Archel, that's really cool! You MUST webcast your nuptials :) I'm afraid I don't agree about the karma bit, though - traditionally, if I have a shitty day I have a shitty evening too - I think my moods are too slow-moving deep down to shift just like that. We'll see, though.

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 6:18 AM. (Mark C) (link)

Yes, admittedly I usually only get those uber-annoyed moods when I'm a bundle of hormones, which passes fairly quickly.

It's stupid, I'm really excited about the wedding now which is pushing out my Xmas excitement and my Amsterdam holiday excitement, both much more imminent. I'm just a big balloon of anticipation in general!

-- Archel (dilettant...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 6:30 AM. (Archel) (link)

When are you going to have the wedding, Archie?

I'm just a big balloon in general :/

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 6:43 AM. (Mark C) (link)

Possibly June/July next year? But that may be optimistic.

-- Archel (dilettant...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 6:55 AM. (Archel) (link)

Dude, if you're doing it with no frills in a registry office, why not just next week or something? Or do I not understand how it works?

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 7:21 AM. (Mark C) (link)

Ceremony no frills, but reception moderately frilly. And still have to save money, wait for certain indispensable people to be back in the country, and ideally get to the end of my MA...

-- Archel (dilettant...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 7:23 AM. (Archel) (link)

Aw, okay, I see.

Can people keep chatting on this thread as I'm bored to grumpy tears today and I need stimulation dammit!

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 7:30 AM. (Mark C) (link)

Arch that sounds lovely!!
Jeremy - both your stories were really moving. Will you ask your mother about what she said?
Luna - your friend sounds like she is taking you for granted & I think it's very unfair on you. Are you able to talk to her about it?

-- PinXorchiXoR (pink{est}panther4...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 7:58 AM. (Pinkpanther) (link)

Remy, I'm also curious if you're planning to ask your mom to clarify what she said. My situation's not nearly the same, but I think I can empathize a little bit--all I know about my father is what my mother and her family will let drop occasionally, since as far as they're concerned I sprang completely from them. On the rare occasions when he comes up in conversation, I'll usually manage to question them enough to learn a little more, if they don't then start repeating themselves. I've wondered if I hadn't been told some kind of edited version of things, especially since I was given conflicting information as a kid and it's hard to remember what was supposed to be the truth vs. what my family told me to tell other people if they asked, vs what they may've let slip and then tried to back out of.
and I love your story about Hector.

Luna, I agree with Pink on that too--unfair and sounds like you need to let her sort out her own crap and take responsibility without being manipulated into taking some of her own blame for stuff.

Archel it sounds great to wait until after the MA is done--even more cause for celebration!

sorry for inarticulateness y'all--I'm still phlegmmy almost beyond belief and am spacing out more than usual today. guh.

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 9:20 AM. (sgs) (link)

I will give you a very good time
I will give you a very good time
If you come back to me and
I will give you a white plastic gem

Make it
Make it
Make it
Make it
Make it
Cool in my tomb
I will give you everything
Account invention
Vision : Vision : Vision : Vision
I will transform her : feel it
Feel her fiber
Transform her

One day : [x9]
It's your name day
Two of the men I knew : had a name day
They would call a call for you
Selling names for boys
Selling names for girls

Eat your own hands
Eat your own hands
The sex and everything
The sex and everything
Eat your own hands
Eat your own hands
You can leave after the first course if you want

The cats go mad when you call
The smell of dogs when you call
Is it the black one or the red one
The cats go mad when you call
The smell of dogs when you call
Is it the black one or the red one

Eat your own hands
Eat your own hands
The sex and everything
The sex and everything
Eat your own hands
Eat your own hands
Eat your own hands

The guy sits in his smokey, smokey hole all day
I think he is spicey
I think he smoked his lungs
The guy sits in his smokey, smokey hole all day
I think he is spicey
I think he smoked his lungs

He'd just like a little bite
He'd just like a little bite
He wants some more wet chicken
It tastes the same : tastes the same [x16]
All day

Eat your own hands
Eat your own hands
The sex and everything
The sex and everything
Eat your own hands
Eat your own hands
You can leave after the first course if you want

The cats go mad when you call
The smell of dogs when you call
Is it the black one or the red one

Eat your own hands
Eat your own hands
Eat your own hands

-- The Ghost of Dan Perry (djperr...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:02 AM. (Dan Perry) (link)

I AM COMPLETELY OBSESSED WITH AND CONSUMED BY THIS SONG

-- The Ghost of Dan Perry (djperr...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:03 AM. (Dan Perry) (link)

Karly Hyde is really going downhill

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:04 AM. (blueski) (link)

I THINK HE IS SPICY

-- The Ghost of Dan Perry (djperr...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:04 AM. (Dan Perry) (link)

my name is on posters all over town. And it looks like I'm getting good play on the posters, but really, I just have a lot of letters in my name (most Ks, that's how I know I'm destined for comedy).
I'm sort of uncomfortable about it. Have my name on posters in stores and bars and stuff. I mean, my comedy thing has been pretty much MY SECRET. A lot of people do know, but only because I've told them. Now, the information is out of my hands and in the hands of my enemies.
See, I have a lot of enemies. Or at least people I don't like and would rather not have them know that I have dreams. Y'know what I mean?

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:06 AM. (link)

is this your FUTURE HUK-L?

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:07 AM. (sgs) (link)

I know what you mean but this is all the more reason to rub in their faces the fact that your name is on posters. Even if you crash and burn, you will crash and burn with people knowing who you are (which is always a step above being successful in a vacuum).

My God, deep inside I am an attention-seeking nightmare.

-- The Ghost of Dan Perry (djperr...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:08 AM. (Dan Perry) (link)

(haha "deep inside", who am I kidding?)

-- The Ghost of Dan Perry (djperr...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:08 AM. (Dan Perry) (link)

Meanwhile, IT TASTES THE SAME IT TASTES THE SAME IT TASTES THE SAME IT TASTES THE SAME IT TASTES THE SAME IT TASTES THE SAME IT TASTES THE SAME IT TASTES THE SAME IT TASTES THE SAME IT TASTES THE SAME IT TASTES THE SAME IT TASTES THE SAME IT TASTES THE SAME IT TASTES THE SAME IT TASTES THE SAME ALL DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY....

-- The Ghost of Dan Perry (djperr...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:10 AM. (Dan Perry) (link)

good monring. sorry yr day's going poorly blair. dan who's that song by?

my 5th period is taking their exam now and our room is stifling hot. i'm about to pass out. ugh

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:12 AM. (thatgirl) (link)

It's "Luetin" by Underworld, the last track on A Hundred Days Off.

-- The Ghost of Dan Perry (djperr...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:13 AM. (Dan Perry) (link)

Sgs, sadly, no. The Future seems to have forgotten about me, possibly it's ignoring me. I don't understand, I mean The Future came looking for me. I'm better off with The Past anyway. The Past has better cartoons.

Good news for a change (see the life i've had...)

New statistics from the Cdn Dept of Public Safety indicate that since new gun control legislation came into effect in 1995 spousal homicides involving firearms have dropped by 36%. Murders by stabbing and beating have held steady and gun-related suicides have dropped by 28.5%. Overall firearm murders decreased by only 8.5%.
The overall homicide rate in Canada is 1.7 deaths per 100,000, to 5.7 to 100,000 in the US.
All this AND gay marriage (except in Alberta).

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:18 AM. (link)

Hey, Dan! Haven't seen you 'round these parts for a while!

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:26 AM. (coco) (link)

and the posters say "& the stand up comedy of..." which is pretty cool. Or maybe they just felt they needed to assure people that I wouldn't be singing.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:26 AM. (link)

It's good to be here (he says, quoting Digable Planets).

-- The Ghost of Dan Perry (djperr...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:28 AM. (Dan Perry) (link)

This must be a common thing for the musically-inclined, to have every phrase or situation instantly remind you of a snippet of music or lyric? I have a constant soundtrack running through my head 24-7.

-- The Ghost of Dan Perry (djperr...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:29 AM. (Dan Perry) (link)

Also I am now having visions of this:

http://www.mayonessa.com/amsg/irc/regs/my_dream.jpg

-- The Ghost of Dan Perry (djperr...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:31 AM. (Dan Perry) (link)

I'm disappointed it doesn't say '& the comedy stylings of...', Huk. I once appeared on a poster as 'rising star Rachel [Lastname]' which I think translates as 'youngish and you won't have heard of her'. But at another event the person introducing me FORGOT MY NAME altogether so...

-- Archel (dilettant...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:34 AM. (Archel) (link)

i thought Hyde was saying 'Cokey Cola' not 'smokey hole'

xpost

i really want to listen to 'Luetin' now

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:36 AM. (blueski) (link)

I was actually hoping for "the nightclub humour for the NOW generation of..."

and holy cow, I never knew Archel was an anagram! I feel like Nic Cage looking at the constitution! Everthing makes sense!

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:37 AM. (link)

Today I go Christmas shopping. I will push old ladies.

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:38 AM. (Chris V) (link)

These two things are not connected.

-- The Ghost of Dan Perry (djperr...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:44 AM. (Dan Perry) (link)

Haha I'm always surprised at the number of people who don't realise my anagrammatic origins. I guess 'arch' is a real word so it doesn't seem like a gibberish obvious anagram or something.

-- Archel (dilettant...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:45 AM. (Archel) (link)

Charle
Harcel
Chaler
L'Reach
Clehar
Rhalce

Why do I feel like I'm trying to come up with a name for an RPG character?

-- The Ghost of Dan Perry (djperr...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:49 AM. (Dan Perry) (link)

CELHAR THE MIGHTY

-- The Ghost of Dan Perry (djperr...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:50 AM. (Dan Perry) (link)

At first I thought "Archel" was some sort of a pet name for "Archangel", but I realized pretty soon it was an anagram.

-- Tuomas (tuomas.alh...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:50 AM. (Tuomas) (link)

Harcel D'Ettiantel, mage of the fourth rank

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:53 AM. (link)

Hmm, it seems like I haven't posted here for ages, so here's an update on how I'm doing:

Last week I had a blind date set up by my flatmate. It didn't go particularly well, but that was my first blind date, so at least it was a new experience. Incidentally, I might be having another, semi-blind sort of a date next week with someone who contacted me through OKCupid. She seems very nice, though a bit too hippie for my tastes, but I thought what the hell, if you don't try... Also, even though she's originally from Finland, she's living in New York, though at the moment she's staying in Paris as an exchange student. Anyway, she'll be here only for Christmastime, so it's not likely something will come out of this.

-- Tuomas (tuomas.alh...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:57 AM. (Tuomas) (link)

This must be a common thing for the musically-inclined, to have every phrase or situation instantly remind you of a snippet of music or lyric? I have a constant soundtrack running through my head 24-7.

OMG, yes.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:59 AM. (jaymc) (link)

(Much love for Digable Planets, too.)

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 10:59 AM. (jaymc) (link)

Tuomas, enjoy the hippie love while you can.

Who else wants to start livejournals with entries from old diaries? HUH HUH HUH???

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:00 AM. (coco) (link)

OMG, yes.

Haha, I looked at jaymc's post and the first thing that popped into my head was "Ah-aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah/LEAVE IT".

-- The Ghost of Dan Perry (djperr...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:01 AM. (Dan Perry) (link)

Mood... worsening...

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:04 AM. (Mark C) (link)

In other news, yesterday my friend said I should buy her only a cheap Christmas present, because she can't afford to get me anything expensive either. I was like, hold on, I just want to get you something special, it isn't like you'd need to get me an equally expensive gift. It wouldn't matter if she only gave me a card or something. I think receiving presents, or at least fancy ones, gets less and less important as we grow older.

-- Tuomas (tuomas.alh...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:05 AM. (Tuomas) (link)

Oh no! Mark do you have access to TEH MUSICK D'HAPPY?

-- The Ghost of Dan Perry (djperr...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:05 AM. (Dan Perry) (link)

No. I have access to EVERYTHING BEING LOW-LEVEL SHIT today. I never used to have moods that lasted this long. If you think I'm intolerant on a good day, you should see me today. My mouth is twisted into a permanent sneer. I hate everybody around me.

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:07 AM. (Mark C) (link)

Of all the cab drivers in the world, why did I get Travis Bickle? How does "How about this weather?" elicit a rant about how all Arabs are evil? I'm rattled, and I just got here.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:09 AM. (kenan) (link)

TS: Travis Bickle or dude from "The Bone Collector"

-- The Ghost of Dan Perry (djperr...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:11 AM. (Dan Perry) (link)

Blair, You remind me of Nick sometimes. I bet you're still cute, even when you're grumpy.

I've decided I don't get paid enough to work so hard at my job, so I'm taking the day off at my desk.

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:11 AM. (coco) (link)

i'm soooo sleepy. i think it's the heat of the room. argh.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:13 AM. (thatgirl) (link)

Usually I don't even get my friends any Christmas gifts, because they know I'm poor and I know most of them are as well, and yet I know they'd feel obliged to get me something in return if I bought them a gift. But I've only become close friends with this particular person this year, and I just want to give her something she'll like, regardless of what she'll give in return, and I hope she'll understand that...

Arrgh! This is one more reason why I don't buy Christmas presents. Too much stress in trying to find personal gifts for everyone, and in trying to assure them they don't need to give anything fancy in return. I did it for a few years, and it was really quite tiring.

(xx-post)

-- Tuomas (tuomas.alh...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:13 AM. (Tuomas) (link)

Holy shit Love Jam.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:14 AM. (kenan) (tracklink) (link)

what is that kenan? is it work safe?

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:14 AM. (thatgirl) (link)

Yes.

-- Tuomas (tuomas.alh...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:16 AM. (Tuomas) (link)

I think it's the big glob on the tongue that really drives it home.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:19 AM. (kenan) (link)

Sarah, I've forgotten to bring in my old journals for the last two days! Maybe later tonight I'll root around and find a 12/16 entry.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:23 AM. (jaymc) (link)

Oh dear I seem to have fucked up my login. I guess now not a good time to change email addresses...

-- Archeloggedout (u...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:24 AM. (link)

I'm on Audioscrobbler now, under "naamme," for those who care.

So I found out this morning that the dude I share my office with has been laid off. The program he was hired to do (the Hispanic initative) has run out of funding so they're eliminating the position. It seems like he knew about this, since it was originally just a one year program but it was extended an extra two months. But it's a little weird. Now I'm the only guy in the office. But on the plus side, I have my own office now.

-- n/a (nu...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:31 AM. (Nick A.) (link)

I've decided I don't get paid enough to work so hard at my job, so I'm taking the day off at my desk.

Sing it, sister!
The problem for me is that I've become so adept at my brainless tasks that I get them done really quick, and like, I'm nearly done the WHOLE WEEK's work and it's not even 10:30 Thursday monrning yet.

Maybe I'll use this free time to write new jokes. Is airplane food still bad?

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:32 AM. (link)

Nick, That's kind of cool, for you anyway. Now you can go all out with your decorations - you know, lots of dead things on the walls and a little golf range....

Huk-L - It's not so bad.. because it doesn't exist any more! It's extinct! Work with that.

Did I mention that my boss WITHDREW his offer for me to go salaried? No sick days or personal days for me, no siree bob. Also, he told me about my raise for next year and it will be a fifth less than the raises I got at my last job. End rant.

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:35 AM. (coco) (link)

Did I mention that I got a call from my union last week? They wanted to know if it was okay for them to see if they could get me bumped up on the pay grid for the 5 weeks I spent doing the jobs of people who make 4 times as much money as I do.
I said, "Okay."
I didn't ask where the fuck they've been for the last 3 years though. I mean, I could have brought the issue to them, but I didn't know that the issue was specifically addressed in the collective agreement.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:41 AM. (link)

Listening to Pedro Martinez on ESPN radio..he's making me ill. Diva mother fucker.

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:42 AM. (Chris V) (link)

I'm waiting to hear back from my union's lawyer. I faxed her all the evaluations and write ups I've gotten this year to see if I have enough for a grievance. Doubt it though. Besides getting up a couple of websites my goal for the xmas break is to really get serious about finiding a new job.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 11:52 AM. (thatgirl) (link)

Wouldn't it be better to have posters all over town saying "featuring the raw sensuality of [your name here]"? OK, perhaps not.

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 12:01 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

Huck -- is your real name Kikkoman Kolkowski?

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 12:05 PM. (jaymc) (link)

His name is KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKbob.

-- The Ghost of Dan Perry (djperr...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 12:08 PM. (Dan Perry) (link)

Dan, Has your Christmas choir performance aired yet this year?

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 12:12 PM. (coco) (link)

I was late for work this morning for the first time ever. Hukkk, it should read, "featuring the inkomparably komic komeliness of...".

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 12:13 PM. (Hereward) (link)

I don't know that it's getting a national airing this year; the contract with A&E expired and so far it's only been broadcast locally in Boston.

-- The Ghost of Dan Perry (djperr...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 12:13 PM. (Dan Perry) (link)

:-(

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 12:50 PM. (coco) (link)

Karl Hyd3 is currently in my office, Underworld fans! (he's married to my boss)

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 1:17 PM. (Mark C) (link)

oonst oonst oonst oonst mmm skyscraper I love you loveyouloveyouloveyou

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 1:22 PM. (sgs) (link)

Today I was reading our student paper; it had a short story that wansn't very good, and I thought to myself, "I could do better than that!". Then I began to wonder, why *don't* I try to write short stories? I'm pretty good at writing nonfiction, but for years the only fiction I've written have been poems, I guess because I've been too lazy to try to do anything longer and harder. I've no dreams whatsoever of becoming a "real" writer, nor do I think my stories would be published anyhwhere, except perhaps in the aforementioned student paper. I wonder if writing stories would be rewarding in itself, without anything coming out of it...

-- Tuomas (tuomas.alh...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 1:32 PM. (Tuomas) (link)

writing stories is a lovely kind of struggle.

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 1:36 PM. (sgs) (link)

Of course it is, Tuomas. That's why I've done Nanowrimo two years in a row.

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 1:42 PM. (coco) (link)

xpost that was my lame way of saying go for it, Tuomas! I like how you refer to your poems as a kind of fiction. It's nice to be published, but being published (or not) isn't always a mark of whether work is worthy or not, I think. Then again, I often feel like I should be more assertive with sending my own writing out to journals and whatever, but that bit doesn't come naturally to me, plus most of what I write doesn't fit well with most people's idea of what a "short story" is.

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 1:45 PM. (sgs) (link)

I already got the title for a short story in my mind a couple of hours ago, it'll be "Killer's Return". It'll be set in a small town where someone was killed years ago, and now they've heard the killer has done his sentence and is about return to the town, and some people will say it's awful that the killer will come back, and others will say that he has paid for his sins and should be forgiven, and there's a lot of debate and anxiety, but in the end no killer will come, and it'll be left to doubt whether there was a killer in the first place. Might have to elaborate on the ending though, and I'm not sure whether it'a good idea in the first place.

-- Tuomas (tuomas.alh...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 2:05 PM. (Tuomas) (link)

Don't worry too much about whether or not it's a good idea, just get to it. Bad ideas can still be good stories.

I snorted good and loud when I saw this (the guy in the tux is Alberta Premier Ralph Klein:

http://zone.artizans.com/images/previews/GRA336.pvw.jpg

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 2:11 PM. (link)

Here's a funny download my sister gave me, compliments of some Duke students:

www.duke.edu/~mpv4/I-gnition.mpg

It takes a while to download, but I think it's worth it.

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 2:22 PM. (coco) (link)

Note to self: Someone trying to lose weight should not eat a slice of stuffed pizza and a piece of coffeecake for lunch.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 2:25 PM. (jaymc) (link)

I have been writing very very short stories for Invisible Crutch. They are typically three paragraphs long. They are much easier to edit and keep your attention span while writing. I recommend it!

-- n/a (nu...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 2:39 PM. (Nick A.) (link)

I have been writing even shorter stories for Invisible Crutch.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 2:44 PM. (link)

oh, but that sounds like such a good good lunch...

-- JuliaA (j(underscore)bdules@hotmail.com) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 2:47 PM. (j_bdules) (link)

I had my favorite lunch at Steve's: huge greasy cheese omelette, the best omelette I've had in Chicago, with hash browns smothered in hot sauce, wheat toast, and a Coke. I AM STUFFED. I should lose some weight though, I saw some pictures of me back in early college and I was so skinny and cute.

-- n/a (nu...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 2:52 PM. (Nick A.) (link)

I also had an apple, but I'm not sure that cancels the rest out.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 3:00 PM. (jaymc) (link)

I checked out this tiny diner close to my work. Everyone in there, including the cooks, is ancient. And everyone knew each other. All of the patrons 'cept me were old men wearing old men hats sitting up at the bar. I got grilled cheese, french fries, a pickle, and coffee. MMMM... The waitress/hostess/all around everything woman flipped when I handed her a $20, but she still smiled a lot, so I think we'll be ok.

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 3:09 PM. (coco) (link)

Ha. Where are you at again, Jefferson Park?

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 3:14 PM. (jaymc) (link)

I just ate a chocolate filled with tequila!

-- n/a (nu...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 3:14 PM. (Nick A.) (link)

So I've been looking for booklists to inspire the Keeping Lit Real stuff, and I found the Am Lib Ass's top 0ne hundred challenged books between 90-00 and among the lot is Where's Waldo. Where's Waldo! Who challenged that?

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 3:20 PM. (link)

I just ate a chocolate filled with tequila!

Awesome! Are you awl fukced up now?

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 3:22 PM. (kenan) (link)

No! And it was kind of gross. There are other ones with Kahlua in them, I bet those are better.

-- n/a (nu...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 3:24 PM. (Nick A.) (link)

I need a haircut sooo bad.

ihttp://www.catbirdseat.org/catbirdseat/kristymcnichol1.jpg

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 3:27 PM. (kenan) (link)

Where's Waldo infamously has a topless girl on the beach in one the scenes. OH no avert your gaze from the horror of cartoon nipples!

-- jocelyn. (ohno@upgrade.com) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 3:28 PM. (link)

Wow Firefox really is as quick as a ...

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 3:39 PM. (Jocelyn) (link)

Nick needs a haircut too. You should go to a barbershop together.

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 3:43 PM. (coco) (link)

I can't decide if I should get a haircut today or tomorrow. I can't go onstage with this mess though.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 3:45 PM. (link)

Do it today, if it goes badly you can do repairs tomorrow.

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 4:02 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

Unless you want 'comedy hair'.

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 4:03 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

Sarah, did you finish your NaNovel? I don't remember how that all turned out.

I am kind of thinking of some sort of novelesque project. Even though I hate novels. But I think I would be writing it specifically as something unpublishable.

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 4:04 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

I think a lot of my act works better if there's no superfluous "comedy" going on. Just a man and his props.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 4:07 PM. (link)

Firefox does indeed rock.

The teacher across the hall will be gone on maternity leave when we return from break. I just spotted her talking to the sub who will take her classes. . .wowsers. The spring semester might prove to be not so bad.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 4:08 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

Are you guys kidding? I need a haircut like nothing else. Goddamn this winter wind, it blows me hair every which way and when I get into work it's all flat and stupid-looking.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 4:10 PM. (jaymc) (link)

The more I think about it, the better idea I think it is to bring a box or a trunk onstage with me. And never refer to it. It will be a weird circular comment on prop comedy. I mean it's a statement, or a joke, at least AGAINST prop comics, but it is in and of itself an actual prop gag. Which might be a little sophisticated for a Y daycare Christmas party.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 4:12 PM. (link)

You'd be an agit-prop comic.

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 4:21 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

I love that idea, Huck.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 4:23 PM. (jaymc) (link)

Find your poet name!

Boys

Girls

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 4:27 PM. (kenan) (link)

Icarus Buxton!

-- Remy Snush Title Load Failed (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 4:29 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

Amanda Pifflespout.

Lovely.

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 4:30 PM. (coco) (link)

So someone at my work finally got a clue...We have these monthly staff meetings which for some reason have always started at 4:45, and they typically last about 45 minutes-1 hour, so we get overtime for all the time after 5. But it's dumb. So finally someone figured out that we should just start the meetings at 4 and finish up at 5 and leave at the normal time, so that's what we're doing now. It's pretty cool.

-- n/a (nu...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 4:31 PM. (Nick A.) (link)

I'm Cyrano Lasousse!

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 4:31 PM. (link)

Gwendolynn Windjammer

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 4:32 PM. (Jocelyn) (link)

Oberon Middlesex

-- Thermo Thinwall (tupac.chopr...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 4:33 PM. (Thermo Thinwall) (link)

Oberon Diddlepen.

I'm unhappy with that.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 4:35 PM. (kenan) (link)

Atticus Buxton

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 4:39 PM. (jaymc) (link)

Daphne Prissywig!

And oh, dazed and confused aimless wandering in London town today, aka attempted Xmas shopping. Sigh. I felt like someone had drained all life-force from my veins.

And also, stood up :(

-- Abby (Abigail.mcdonal...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 4:46 PM. (abby mcdonald) (link)

Daphne Titwillow.

-- luna (lunace...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 5:10 PM. (luna.c) (link)

Lucius Cornelius Titwillow. Perhaps we're related, luna, 'though I'm sure your poetry is both more elegant and more poignant than mine.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 5:18 PM. (Hereward) (link)

Oh I wouldn't bet the ranch on that one.

-- luna (lunace...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 5:24 PM. (luna.c) (link)

I'm feeling depressed. As you all know, my job sucks a lot. And I just figured out today that, at this rate, it will take me SEVEN years to make what I was making at my last job. And that doesn't take into account the fact that the standard of living here is much higher than it was in Richmond. :-( Then I got snapped at today for not doing something one way when I had been told before to do it another way. You know, THAT shit.

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 5:50 PM. (coco) (link)

My sympathies, Sarah. I have been in the same predicament.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 5:51 PM. (Hereward) (link)

What did you do?

-- Sarah McLusky (x77tigersxu...) (webmail), December 16th, 2004 5:59 PM. (coco) (link)

Bided my time.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 6:03 PM. (Hereward) (link)

Hello! Sgs and I are just back from THE THEATRE and a HAMBURGER MEAL at a nice, slightly surprising American restaurant in Turnham Green (a place name just made for a "Jamaica" joke).

We spent the bus journey home discussing songs which make perfect album tracks, with "Like Dylan in the Movies" and Number 13 Baby" coming out as winners. We're going to listen to some Spacemen 3 and go to sleep now, I think.

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 7:26 PM. (Mark C) (link)

It's taken me a long time to realize this, but The Sims is a really fucking boring game. Somebody kill me.

Sad realization... I don't have any other games. I am no fun at all, it seems.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 1:31 AM. (kenan) (link)

I don't know about the new one, but the first Sims wasn't a game, it was an art installation. And an interesting one. Although not one I have been able to really go back to (beyond the fun of creating houses).

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 2:26 AM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

In responses:

Mark, you and your Sarah are so damn romantic. Aw.

Sarah in Chicago, I hopehopehope your work situation improves. :( Still working with pussbags? Honey, if they're not paying you the same wage you were making in VA, you aren't earning nearly enough to put up with them. So I do hope you get to finding something else, something better, soon.

Dan, it is so awesome to see you here. Um, mind if I check out that Underworld song? (Also, it sucks that that contract with A&E ran out.)

Abby, I am so incredibly sorry you got stood up. :(

Special hellos go out to Pink and Archel! Because you guys are always awesome.

Sam, uh, I'm guessing this sub is a stone fox... ?

Sarah from Chicago, your little girl pics are so adorable! Aw.

Remy, your stories were heartwrenchingly touching and precious. Sweetie, I agree with Mark and hope you can get to reconnect with Hector, because he seems like such a prize of a person who cares a lot for you (um, obv). Aw. Part of me wants all of us to try and start up a PayPal-type contribution thingy for your "Uncle Hector"! But it'd probably be a heck of a lot of hassle or something. Anyway, thank you for sharing your stories. The way you told them... bravo. And the private nature of them... you're quite gutsy to open your private life up like that. Thank you.

-- Many Coloured Halo (newromanti...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:47 AM. (Dee the Lurker) (link)

In personal chit-chat:

I *am* Lavinia Titwillow. (Why do I suddenly get the impression that I should be some sort of salacious poetbeing?) (And hello to my "relatives" luna and Michael White!)

I've got a Heaven 17 song stuck in my head -- "Temptation". It's been stuck in my head since last night. It is just WAAAAAAAY too damn catchy and "earworm"-y. And cheesy? Perhaps, but oh do I love that kind of cheese.

I feel like I'm coming down with something. My nose is stopped up AND I'm sneezing a lot AND I'm coughing just a bit. And I think I'm falling apart physically. But hey, I'm going to get to do some baking over the weekend, which I ADORE doing, so hey, better days!

(I made a cake this evening, which completely ruined the healthy effects from eating a nutritious sandwich for dinner. Oh well. 'Tis the season for eating copious amounts of sugary sweet products. Plus, it's my goal to get so fed up with sweet treats by the end of the year that I will gladly be able to give them up for the New Year.)

-- Many Coloured Halo (newromanti...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:49 AM. (Dee the Lurker) (link)

In "run-by hugs galore":

Hugs to Julia, Huck, both Chrises, both Martins (wherever you guys are!!), um, and everyone else here on this thread!

-- Many Coloured Halo (newromanti...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:51 AM. (Dee the Lurker) (link)

I have Alabama's "Mountain Music" in my head and it's making me feel sick. I ate a whole bunch of orange jello a few minutes ago and that's making me feel even sicker. I wonder how much I could get for my gold CD original release copy of Sylvian and Fripp's "Damage: Live", the one that came in the box with the booklet in it? Not enough, probably. Hmm...£40 on eBay for a copy with a scratch on it. Mine's near mint as I think I've only played it 5 or 6 times. Still.

-- Bryan (twp62y...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:59 AM. (Bryan) (link)

Wow! I paid CDN$17.92 for it in 1994 (I kept the receipt in it) and now it's worth CDN$95! Sorry, I'll shut up about it now.

-- Bryan (twp62y...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 4:07 AM. (Bryan) (link)

Hey Dee! Guess what I just got? Duran Duran's greatest hits! OK I know it's not that great not being their back catalogue & all, but it's a start right?!!

Hi Bryan! I saw you on the picture thread looking lovely, you little minx!

-- PinXorchiXoR (pink{est}panther4...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 4:54 AM. (Pinkpanther) (link)

I kinda look like this at the moment...
http://www.undercover.com.au/pics/dido.jpg

-- PinXorchiXoR (pink{est}panther4...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 4:56 AM. (Pinkpanther) (link)

hair wise of course!

-- PinXorchiXoR (pink{est}panther4...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 4:56 AM. (Pinkpanther) (link)

my hair is like that as well. alright not quite so sexy-like, why have i not got a haircut already?

-- Beck And Dido's Lovechild On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 5:41 AM. (blueski) (link)

my mother won $10,000 playing the lottery yesterday. why can't things like this happen to me. im pretty sure she won't even give me a red cent.

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 6:05 AM. (Chris V) (link)

are you serious? well done your mom! er, i haven't really been keeping up to date with people's lives here so sorry if you and her don't get on.

$10,000 is what? a couple of quid ;) it seems like a good amount to win anyway, not enough to go to someone's head but enough to get them out of debt, maybe have a nice holiday, do up the house etc. in fact i think i might con your mom out of it somehow (*dons shyster hat*)...

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 6:12 AM. (blueski) (link)

Today my hair is a cross between David Lee Roth and Moby. Alright, slightly more on a Moby tip to be fair.

I am wearing a whistle* today! It's the office Xmas party, so I wanted to be smart for a change (I normally wear to work *exactly* what I wear in my social life). I have a tie with lots of suns on, which is hilarious, because it's PISSING DOWN!

*for those of you who may not be chirpy cockney geezers like me, that's rhyming slang for suit ("whistly and flute")

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 6:15 AM. (Mark C) (link)

nice weather for ducks eh guvnor?

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 6:21 AM. (blueski) (link)

it's *finally* stopped raining.

Done all my shopping, I've got some great gifts this year. Went to the Trafford centre last night and spent 5 hours wandering about. I even saw Sinita from 'Corronation St' too, which was nice. We all went back to a friends house and sat around a cozy log fire until 3am, i am a bit tired today.

yes indeed yesterday was a good day and now looking forward to going home and listening to my new 'Hallucinagen' Dub album and watching channel 4 all night from 7:45 especially for the hour long Father Ted ep.

I'm done.

-- Ste (ste.foste...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 6:39 AM. (Fuzzy) (link)

no my mother and i get along fine, its my father thats a whole different story.

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 6:42 AM. (Chris V) (link)

Oberon Percival Swishington III at your service but round here people know me better as "Nancyboy".

-- Dadaismus (dadaismus@hotmail.co.uk) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 6:47 AM. (Dada) (link)

and now it's chucking it down again.

-- Ste (ste.foste...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 6:54 AM. (Fuzzy) (link)

Ste, you don't fancy sharing what these ace gifts were, do you? I could really do with some inspiration...

(raining steadily in W1)

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 7:06 AM. (Mark C) (link)

G'day y'all! Tonight I'm going to a Christmas party, and I know someone for whom I sorta have the hots will be there... And it seems to be mutual too, at least the last time we were in a party we did quite a bit of steamy slow dancing. The problem is, I'm not sure whether I should try anything; I don't really know her, and I fear this is all just pheromones talking. Plus she's five years younger than me, which might be a bit too much... What to do, what to do?

-- Tuomas (tuomas.alh...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 7:14 AM. (Tuomas) (link)

Five years younger too much? Just wait till you get older my boy.

-- Dadaismus (dadaismus@hotmail.co.uk) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 7:17 AM. (Dada) (link)

Tuomas, take a look at yourself, man. You're single, she's single, you're attracted to one another, you have a hiostory of slow-dancing. ow god knows I'm not Arnold Shwarzenegger, but what kind of girly-man wouldn't make a pass in such auspicious circumstances???

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 7:19 AM. (Mark C) (link)

Well, I'm 25, and 20 is where I usually draw the line age-wise. At this age five years can still mean a lot, though not necessarily, obviously.

(x-post)

Mark, I guess I'm the sorta girly-man who thinks more about the personality than sex, and as I said, I don't really know her.

-- Tuomas (tuomas.alh...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 7:22 AM. (Tuomas) (link)

If you don't know someone what you generally do is, errrrrrrrrrrrrr, get to know them....

-- Dadaismus (dadaismus@hotmail.co.uk) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 7:24 AM. (Dada) (link)

It's a lot easier to get to know someone when there's romance involved, too, as it means you're immediately physically closer, and the spectre of "will we smooch / does (s)he fancy me?" has already been dealt with. If you discover that actually you don't have a lot in common, well, you got to make out with a hott chick. It's not so bad.

And there was supposed to be humour in my last post, I wasn't just being a bully - I'm sorry if it came across that way.

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 7:37 AM. (Mark C) (link)

T, my wife is 10 years younger, and I met her when I was 30. Blimey, that's 13 years now.

-- mark grout (mark.grou...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 7:41 AM. (mark grout) (link)

The older you get the further you can cast your net

-- Dadaismus (dadaismus@hotmail.co.uk) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 7:42 AM. (Dada) (link)

... which sounds like a Sicilian proverb or sumthin'

-- Dadaismus (dadaismus@hotmail.co.uk) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 7:43 AM. (Dada) (link)

EstelleGettyismus

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 7:46 AM. (blueski) (link)

Well, my advice, for what it's worth, is to shake it like a polaroid picture.

-- mark grout (mark.grou...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 7:47 AM. (mark grout) (link)

Dude if she is 20 & you are 20 you're pratically the same age mentally anyway!
Stevem - i want to see pics of your hair!

-- PinXorchiXoR (pink{est}panther4...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 7:49 AM. (Pinkpanther) (link)

Well, my advice, for what it's worth, is to shake it like a polaroid picture of stevem's hair

-- Dadaismus (dadaismus@hotmail.co.uk) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 7:50 AM. (Dada) (link)

Polaroid picture this...Sicily 1943...

-- Estelle Getty On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 7:59 AM. (blueski) (link)

i never would've figured you for a Golden Girls viewer, Steve.

I am eating yummy sushi for lunch--in the shop I'd picked out something pre-packaged and took it up to the counter, when the people directed me to something cheaper and tastier (only £2 a pack!) and just made by the sushi chef, and DAMN is it good. Plus I feel like the people there were nice to me.

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 8:37 AM. (sgs) (link)

The Golden Girls was one of my favourite programmes when I was about 9. As part of that classic Friday night American comedy strand on Channel 4 (with Cheers, Roseanne and er, American edition of Whose Line Is It Anyway?). i was a huge fan of Mike McShane. this is all very disturbing isn't it? kids will laugh at any old rubbish.

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 9:34 AM. (blueski) (link)

The Golden Girls is repeated often on the Lifetime channel ("TV for women") in the US. A friend of mine used to put it on to keep her dog company when she was out.

Thank you for being a friend,
travel down the road and back again,
your heart is true,
you're a pal and a confidant....

Wow, I amaze myself at what I can recall sometimes.

-- sgs (sarahsonni...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 9:41 AM. (sgs) (link)

Dogs will laugh at any old rubbish

-- Dadaismus (dadaismus@hotmail.co.uk) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 9:45 AM. (Dada) (link)

minipops!

-- Ste (ste.foste...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 10:01 AM. (Fuzzy) (link)

cool, i have the poster on my bedroom door. WHHHHYYYYYYY can't i think of ideas like this and make a fortune?? cursed brain.

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 10:02 AM. (blueski) (link)

ugh my head hurts. combo of cold that won't quit and too many beers last night.

My last class are taking their exams, yay! In a few short hours I'll be out for two weeks, yay!

Damn Chris, why can't *my* mom win 10K? I know she'd share with me and I sure could f'in use it.

Turns out the good looking gentleman across the hall was not the permanent sub but the pregnant teacher's brother. d'oh! I felt kind of foolish when she told me this after I made lascvious comments about him.

Plus, it's my goal to get so fed up with sweet treats by the end of the year that I will gladly be able to give them up for the New Year.)

Dee, so far this hasn't been working for me.

Argh I feel like ass. I've gone out the past two nights in anticipation of being out of school. As a result I think shall stay in the next two nights.

hit me up if you guys see me on aim although lately the group chat hasn't been working for me.

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 10:04 AM. (thatgirl) (link)

I still haven't gone for a kiss (cockney slang for hair cut = kiss my limey butt) and I look like a caveman. Also, am wearing makeshift loincloth.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 10:05 AM. (link)

I enjoyed the documentary about the Andes on BBC2 last night. did anyone else?

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 10:10 AM. (blueski) (link)

Just tried calling my mother...of course she has her phone go right to voicemail. which is a sure sign she is avoiding me. typical. my family is unbelievable...sometimes i wish i could not talk to any of them.

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 10:15 AM. (Chris V) (link)

Oh God, that reminds me, I better phone my mother

-- Dadaismus (dadaismus@hotmail.co.uk) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 10:18 AM. (Dada) (link)

that sucks Chris, my sympathies (and sorry for kinda making light of the situ earlier)

my Mum wants the Scissor Sisters album for Chrimbo - is this a good thing?

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 10:25 AM. (blueski) (link)

So last night Sarah and I totally shirked all our planned chores (washing dishes, going to get groceries) and instead Sarah took a nap while I went and bought us Mexican food and then we watched Collateral and met Kenan for a beer or two. It was fun.

-- n/a (nu...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 10:27 AM. (Nick A.) (link)

Erm.. didn't your mother just grant you that wish?

tri-xpost

-- Thermo Thinwall (tupac.chopr...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 10:29 AM. (Thermo Thinwall) (link)

So...by applause, anybody here work in a bank? ... Anybody own a bank? ... You do? ... Well fuck you!

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 10:30 AM. (link)

Perhaps insult humour dependent on the presence of billionaire industrialists in the audience is not such a wise move.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 10:32 AM. (link)

That just reminded me of the Steve Martin one-liner: "How many people are here tonight? Can we get a show of hands?"

-- n/a (nu...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 10:34 AM. (Nick A.) (link)

i work for a bank.

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 10:42 AM. (Chris V) (link)

http://brookarts.org/images/townmeet/Show%20of%20hands.jpg

-- mark grout (mark.grou...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 10:44 AM. (mark grout) (link)

When the pimp's in the crib ma
Drop it like it's hot
Drop it like it's hot
Drop it like it's hot.

If only there was a better radio station around here. Also, curse you computer upgrade.

-- jocelyn (helpme@mail.com) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 10:51 AM. (Jocelyn) (link)

So I drove down to Addison before getting on the el this morning (because it's more convenient for me to leave from there to go out to dinner on the west side) -- and right as I got to the el station, I realized I didn't have enough money to put on my el card. And not only that, I left my ATM card at home. And I was running a bit late as it was. So I went back to my car and scrounged up enough change for a one-way el trip, but now the only money I have for lunch and an el ride back to my car (much less dinner) is ... $0.73.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 11:13 AM. (jaymc) (link)

Oh no! Panhandle?

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 11:15 AM. (Jocelyn) (link)

Griffin Dunne to thread!

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 11:18 AM. (link)

(xp) I almost did that this morning. I was also looking feverishly to see if anyone dropped change on the sidewalk before I realized I had change in my car.

Also: it took me a lot longer than it should have to realize what you meant by "panhandle": I kept thinking of the state of Oklahoma.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 11:18 AM. (jaymc) (link)

I thought Wyoming was the Panhandle State?

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 11:30 AM. (link)

Wyoming is one of the least panhandly states around. It's just a square. I think Oklahoma, Texas, and Florida are the only states with panhandles.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 11:32 AM. (jaymc) (link)

Fact: 68% of US-sourced pan handles are made in New Hampshire.

(I'm now at my Xmas party - I am getting shouted at for even being at my desk)

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 11:33 AM. (Mark C) (link)

Although this post of Kate's from 2001 is instructive:

Why isn't Idaho one of the Panhandle States? It definitely has more of a panhandle than, say Texas!

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 11:34 AM. (jaymc) (link)

I am, however, the only person on ILX to have ever used the word "panhandly."

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 11:35 AM. (jaymc) (link)

http://www-scf.usc.edu/~jan/Idaho%20tee.jpg

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 11:37 AM. (Jocelyn) (link)

Like it! Like it!

-- Dadaismus (dadaismus@hotmail.co.uk) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 11:38 AM. (Dada) (link)

That state outline looks distorted. Is it really that wide at the bottom?

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 11:39 AM. (jaymc) (link)

False Advertising.

-- Dadaismus (dadaismus@hotmail.co.uk) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 11:41 AM. (Dada) (link)

I think Illinois Dadaismus by making another bad U.S. state pun

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 11:42 AM. (blueski) (link)

I enjoy puns of all description, I can state that categorically

-- Dadaismus (dadaismus@hotmail.co.uk) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 11:44 AM. (Dada) (link)

My favorite state is undress.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 11:46 AM. (Hereward) (link)

Mine is intoxicated.
Someday I hope to live there.

-- Thermo Thinwall (tupac.chopr...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:01 PM. (Thermo Thinwall) (link)

The border between intoxicated and undress is lovely place to be.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:09 PM. (Hereward) (link)

Doty-Free!

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:15 PM. (link)

and now it's chucking it down again.

i got caught in a downpour and my hair dried all funny and now i have to go to office xmas dinner looking like i'm wearing a bad wig.

BOO.

on the plus side, i get lobster.

-- lauren (warmleatherett...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:18 PM. (laurenp) (link)

YAY!

-- Thermo Thinwall (tupac.chopr...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:20 PM. (Thermo Thinwall) (link)

I had deep fried Vietnamese-style lobster last night. It was scrumdidly-icious.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:24 PM. (Hereward) (link)

but i repeat, i look busted. and i have to go out pretty much straight after the dinner so i'm going to spend the rest of the night tugging at my hair and wishing i was home in the bath.

-- lauren (warmleatherett...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:27 PM. (laurenp) (link)

i look Busted as well, roll on the barbers

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:29 PM. (blueski) (link)

twitch at our disco tonight, steve!

-- lauren (warmleatherett...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:30 PM. (laurenp) (link)

I go look at Busted tomorrow. Wembley!

-- mark grout (mark.grou...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:33 PM. (mark grout) (link)

twitch at our disco tonight, steve!

aw crap - i'm supporting Matt DC at Club Seal ainit. what time is twitch on?

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:37 PM. (blueski) (link)

i mean supporting as in standing there nodding approvingly as he wups on rubbish indie, not actually playing records or music myself

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:38 PM. (blueski) (link)

The Twitching Hour (xpost)

-- Dadaismus (dadaismus@hotmail.co.uk) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:38 PM. (Dada) (link)

... sorry that was almost ken c-like

-- Dadaismus (dadaismus@hotmail.co.uk) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:39 PM. (Dada) (link)

dunno, steve.. headman is guesting, too, and i'm not sure of the order. definitely after 12, i'm assuming.

-- lauren (warmleatherett...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:45 PM. (laurenp) (link)

i just got an erection for no apparent reason. this hasn't happened to me since 1988.

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:47 PM. (Chris V) (link)

That's a natural phenomenon known as the "sixteen-year boner."

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:49 PM. (jaymc) (link)

Every time I fall asleep on the bus to work in the morning I get a brand new morning wood. It is immensely embarassing.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:49 PM. (Hereward) (link)

that is pretty embarassing. at least my boner is concealed under my desk. popped a boner....haven't used that in a while.

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:51 PM. (Chris V) (link)

Did it happen before or after you posted this psot the OC thread:

If they could only show nudity.
-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...), December 17th, 2004.

-- Dadaismus (dadaismus@hotmail.co.uk) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:53 PM. (Dada) (link)

sometimes when i get a boner in my bathrobe i feel like a porn star.

i think it happened immediately afterwards...damn lesbian love.

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:53 PM. (Chris V) (link)

I used to get boners on the bus all the time. Haven't for a while.

My hair looks shitty today. I'm getting it cut after work. No way I'm going on stage looking like L0w-flow Kramer.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:54 PM. (link)

whats the deal with bus boners? the vibrations get your boys in a frenzy?

-- Big Baby Bingo (formerlypoopsmcge...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:55 PM. (Chris V) (link)

Thank God none of you drive a school bus in the mornings........... or maybe you do

-- Dadaismus (dadaismus@hotmail.co.uk) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 12:57 PM. (Dada) (link)

'Drive a school bus' is a euphemism for something, right?

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 1:01 PM. (Hereward) (link)

HAIR CUT SURVEY::: Should I get my hair cut at the HAIR CUTTERY or at TRENDY SALON? I've had pretty good luck with my haircuts at the HC here, they usually end up looking decent, and they are cheap, but they aren't very careful and sometimes they are rough or want to talk to me. I always end up with the same hair style. TRENDY SALON costs a lot more, but it would be a new experience and I might end up looking better than normal. However, there is the risk that I could end up looking even more like a TYPICAL INDIE SCENESTER. What say you, the people?

-- n/a (nu...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 1:10 PM. (Nick A.) (link)

but they aren't very careful and sometimes they are rough or want to talk to me

Sounds like the downside of someone's sex life.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 1:12 PM. (Hereward) (link)

I am going to a TRENDY SALON on Sunday. That's because I have a "stylist."

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 1:13 PM. (jaymc) (link)

I had a discussion on some other thread with Bryan about the bus boners phenomenon. It's quite common I guess. I think it's from the vibrations because there really isn't much else there that could be causing it.

tri-xpost

-- Thermo Thinwall (tupac.chopr...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 1:14 PM. (Thermo Thinwall) (link)

Hello all - and Dee, you can hardly be mystified at my whereabouts, as we talked this morning.

I am exhausted now. I got up early because I couldn't get back to sleep (too many too big worries running around my head), then went to work for the morning, having booked the afternoon off for Xmas shopping. I planned to buy six more presents, having bought most things online, so thought it might not take me too long. Trouble was, I had no clear idea what to get these people, and went to several music and bookshops. I should have known from past experience that this is not a fast shopping method for me. I bought seven gifts in the end, among 11 books, 1 video and 23 new albums (21 CD, two vinyl) - the rest for myself. I've spent a fucking small fortune in the last couple of weeks, the rest online. I don't even want to add it up. This all took about four hours, which wasn't too bad.

I'm pleased to be well off at the moment, as I can buy lots of nice presents for lots of people, but I know I'm going to have a low moment at some point over Xmas, as I'm certain that only a quarter to a third of them will buy me anything. I mean, I know that and that isn't at all what this is about, and I say this with immense self-hatred, but I know there'll come a lonely time, home alone over Xmas, when I think about how much I've put into this, and start thinking (again) how most of the people I really like don't like me anything like as much. This is my own problem, of course, but I doubt I'll manage to avoid it.

I just hope this Xmas is better than last year's - I got ill with a really horrible flu thing just before Xmas, and went I think 11 days without seeing a single person I knew. I expect to have a week alone this time, but at least if I don't feel ill that will be much easier to get through.

-- Martin Skidmore (lonewolf.cu...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 1:14 PM. (Martin Skidmore) (link)

I did the trendy salon thing for the 1st time about a year ago and haven't looked back. When you trim your hair as infrequently as I do the money is not a big deal.

xpost, again. I type too slow

-- Thermo Thinwall (tupac.chopr...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 1:17 PM. (Thermo Thinwall) (link)

This can be such a sad time of year. Keep your spirits up, Martin. Once X-Mas is over the days will slowly but surely start to get longer and spring is only a couple of months away.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 1:18 PM. (Hereward) (link)

It's not that at all though - I like it getting dark earlier, and while I can't say I actively like very cold weather, I don't much mind unless stuck outside for a long time, and even then I hate it far less than really hot weather. This is all about loneliness, really.

But enough - I started to say I felt tired, then just started whining. Sorry.

-- Martin Skidmore (lonewolf.cu...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 1:24 PM. (Martin Skidmore) (link)

I wish you were closer Martin! I'd have you over for tamales and a game of la loteria during that alone week!

-- Miss Misery (texan...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 1:56 PM. (thatgirl) (link)

Ditto, Martin. We could make rye bread together, as that seems to be my song of today. (I just woke up 5 minutes ago! It's 11:51 here!)

-- Remy Snush IS Icarus Buxton (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:00 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

Tamales, yum!
Re the hair--I finally gave up on the crappy "trying to grow my hair out" look and got my bob back (well actually technically a Sassoon blunt cut). Hooray for new hair!

xposties

-- Orbit (cstarrcstar...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:05 PM. (Orbit) (link)

Ack!
A co-worker just told me he saw the poster for my comedy thing and that he's going to be there. Fuck. I hate people I know. They're the worst.

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:10 PM. (link)

Make fun of them during your act. Tell them I am ready to devour their sexy Canadian citizenship. They will turn red and people will laugh.

-- Orbit (cstarrcstar...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:12 PM. (Orbit) (link)

http://www.indiepages.com/demo/index.html

-- n/a (nu...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:16 PM. (Nick A.) (link)

Nice!

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:19 PM. (jaymc) (link)

Canasta was just approached to be on a compilation of indie bands covering ... CATHOLIC HYMNS.

I'm all about this.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:19 PM. (jaymc) (link)

http://www.usatoday.com/life/columnist/popcandy/2004-12-14-popcandy-100_x.htm

Check out #82.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:22 PM. (kenan) (link)

Awesome.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:25 PM. (jaymc) (link)

I'm sure she's pleased she was higher than Eggers.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:26 PM. (jaymc) (link)

Wow! Kudos to Jessa. I don't know how I'd feel about being so close to Nellie McKay though, she might bite.

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:26 PM. (Jocelyn) (link)

Yay!

-- n/a (nu...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:27 PM. (Nick A.) (link)

I'm gonna post this because I like jokes that involve either old people or kids swearing (if only mildly).

There was this fellow who worked for the Post Office whose job it was
to process all the mail that had illegible addresses. One day a letter came
to
his desk, addressed in a shaky handwriting to God. He thought, "Oh boy,
better
open this one and see what it's all about."

So he opened it and read: "Dear God, I am an 83 year old widow living
on a very small pension. Yesterday someone stole my purse. It had $100.00
in it, which was all the money I had until my next pension check.

Next Sunday is Christmas, and I had invited two of my friends over for
dinner. Without that money, I have nothing to buy food with. I have no
family
to turn to, and you are my only hope. Can you please help me?"

The postal worker was touched, and went around showing the letter to
all the others. Each of them dug into his wallet and came up with a few
dollars.
By the time he made the rounds, he had collected $96.00, which they put into
an envelope and sent over to her. The rest of the day, all the workers felt
the
warm glow of the kind thing they had done.

Christmas came and went. A few days later another letter came from the old
lady
to God. All the workers gathered around while the letter was opened.

It read, "Dear God, How can I ever thank you enough for what you did
for me? Because of your gift of love I was able to fix a glorious dinner for
my friends. We had a very nice day and I told my friends of your wonderful
gift.
By the way, there was $4 missing. I think it must have been those thieving
bastards at the Post Office."

-- Huk-L (handsomishbo...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:28 PM. (link)

xxpost

I thought a lot of that Nellie McKay album was tongue-in-cheek until I saw her interviewed in Bitch and realized that she really *is* a man-hating third-wave-feminist silly little girl. I mean, she's 19, it figures, but the album seems so witless now.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:31 PM. (kenan) (link)

hey, go here. to this incredibly NSFW image brought to you my Harper's Bazaar's Mr. Fish.

-- Remy Snush IS Icarus Buxton (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:33 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

I heard her interviewed on NPR and someone should have told her to lay off the coke beforehand.

-- jocelyn (nalra...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:34 PM. (Jocelyn) (link)

I still want to hear that album. Can someone make me a copy?

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:41 PM. (jaymc) (link)

Yes. I can put it one disc, even, the way it should be. Two 30-minute discs is just... odd. Why?

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1700688

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:43 PM. (kenan) (link)

Because she's an ARTIST.

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:46 PM. (jaymc) (link)

The two cds represent BOOBS.

-- n/a (nu...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:47 PM. (Nick A.) (link)

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:R2U-_FVZLlQJ:www.planetwaves.net/cunt.gif

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:50 PM. (kenan) (link)

Why are Nick and I always putting key words in CAPITAL LETTERS? Did I pick this up from him? Or someone else?

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:50 PM. (jaymc) (link)

Also: http://www.bookslut.com/propaganda/2002_09_000068.php

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:52 PM. (kenan) (link)

I picked up the ULTRACAPITALIZATION, along with lots! of! exclamation! points!, I'm pretty sure, from the NOIZE DUDES. It's FUN!

-- n/a (nu...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:53 PM. (Nick A.) (link)

I'm glad I'm not the only one who hated it.

-- luna (lunace...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 3:54 PM. (luna.c) (link)

Dear thread: midlife crisis alert!
Please advise:
1. Move to Alaska and live in an igloo?
2. Move to Canada and live with strangers?
3. Move to the South and live in a swamp with alligators?
4. Become a junkie and live on people's couches?
5. Go to bed early?
6. Stay up late?
7. Find a younger man?
8. Find an older man?
9. Stop writing Buzzcocks lyrics?
10. Move to Mexico City and wait for the Big One?
11. Apply for a lecturer position I hate?
12. Accept a legal job I loathe?
13. Torture message board with angst?

-- Orbit (cstarrcstar...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 4:01 PM. (Orbit) (link)

All of the above?

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 4:02 PM. (jaymc) (link)

1. No
2. Maybe
3. Too humid.
4. Only if you're fond of new and vile odors.
5. No.
6. Sometimes.
7. Only one?
8. ""
9. Only when showering.
10. Demaciado sucio
11. Yes or No, depending
12. Yes or No, as needed.
13. Yes.

-- Michael White (Sanmichel...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 4:06 PM. (Hereward) (link)

1. Move to Alaska and live in an igloo? Too cold, polar bears will eat you (and not in a fun way), and your face will freeze and crack off. No.

2. Move to Canada and live with strangers? Maybe, but everything other than the polar bears applies here, too. Substitute 'moose'.

3. Move to the South and live in a swamp with alligators? Humid, alligators will eat you. On the other hand, the food is good, the beer is cold and the people aren't like they are in LA.

4. Become a junkie and live on people's couches? Too expensive. Plus, it makes your skin run to shit. And couches sometimes smell funky.

5. Go to bed early? Only if you're sick.

6. Stay up late? Always!

7. Find a younger man? Yes.

8. Find an older man? Yes.

9. Stop writing Buzzcocks lyrics? Never!

10. Move to Mexico City and wait for the Big One? Too crowded and polluted. If you want that, stay in LA.

11. Apply for a lecturer position I hate? Not unless you need the money.

12. Accept a legal job I loathe? Not if you still have a soul.

13. Torture message board with angst? What else are they for?

-- luna (lunace...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 4:07 PM. (luna.c) (link)

Canada has cold beer too. And it, like, actually tastes good n' stuff.

-- Thermo Thinwall (tupac.chopr...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 4:17 PM. (Thermo Thinwall) (link)

iChat seems to have wiped out my Buddy List and I can't see anyone, logged on or not. Has anyone had this happen? Can those of you who have me on your list see me? Can someone try to send me a message to test it? This is weird.

-- Orbit (cstarrcstar...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 4:26 PM. (Orbit) (link)

I can see you.

-- luna (lunace...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 4:30 PM. (luna.c) (link)

Assuming you mean on AIM.

-- luna (lunace...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 4:30 PM. (luna.c) (link)

I just fixed it. See, I really *am* having a midlife crisis. Luna, your answers made me laugh, thanks ;-)

-- Orbit (cstarrcstar...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 4:31 PM. (Orbit) (link)

But my AIMs been fucking up a lot lately - it keeps telling me when I try to log in that my account is suspended.

-- luna (lunace...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 4:31 PM. (luna.c) (link)

Whoa, there is a chance I may be done with my work early today. (No new articles have come down to our department to be copy-edited this afternoon.)

-- The Ninja YMCA (jmcunnin...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 4:52 PM. (jaymc) (link)

So! Who wants to give me a back massage?

-- Casuistry (chri...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 4:52 PM. (Chris Piuma) (link)

Orbit, re your #8, I quote Joe Tex, quoting a middle-aged woman in a song: "Ain't nothin' an old man can do for me 'cept show me which way a young man is."

-- Martin Skidmore (lonewolf.cu...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 5:00 PM. (Martin Skidmore) (link)

I was futzing with a mountain of copy I just got done with when my boss walked by and said, "Oooh, nice hair!" I looked up and caught my reflection in a picture frame. Emerging from the top of my head is a giant hairy cow-pie-looking monstrosity. I had my scarf on and my glasses were sliding down my nose. The sight startled me. You know how sometimes you forget what you look like on a given day? Not so fun.

-- Je4nne ƒury (jeanneƒur...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 5:04 PM. (Jeanne Fury) (link)

My boss says to me, as he often does, "I need you to put together an ad." "Great!" I say, because I like playing with Photoshop, and now I have InDesign, which is even more fun. "Make it really beautiful," he says, as he always does, in his thick Turkish accent. So I'm five minutes into putting something very rudimentary together and we walks up behind me, as he always does, and starts going "Move this there. Let's have two of those. Change that color. Make it pop. Make that bolder. Make that bigger." Etc. It's not enough that he does this in the first place, but he also has no idea what he's talking about at all. Once he's done with commanding my mouse around the screen for half an hour, it looks like it was designed with a dull crayon.

So I guess my question is, could this be the most fucking irritating thing EVER?

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 5:12 PM. (kenan) (link)

He actually believes that three designers are better than one. He has said this to me. "You can't just go home by yourself and design something. We have to talk about it." Look, I don't mind taking suggestions, but having him over my shoulder every minute isn't just weird, it's counterproductive. He has never heard the phrase "design by committee," and if he has, he thought it sounded like a great idea.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 17th, 2004 5:18 PM. (kenan) (link)

It's what I do for a living - back seat designers drive me crazy!
If he asks you to put a starburst behind anything; quit.

Or what you could try is to half unplug your mouse, convince him your computer has crashed and by the time you've restarted and everything he's prolly gotten bored and wandered off to make someone else's life miserable!

-- Thermo Thinwall (tupac.chopr...) (webmail), December 18th, 2004 7:45 PM. (Thermo Thinwall) (link)

I did a starburst just the other day. Red! and Orange! and Ugly! The thing is, it's this shitty little magazine about boating, and shitty little magazines about boating have always looked quite bad, and this guy is about 60 and has been doing this bad-looking magazine for 20 years, so when I do something that looks nice, he thinks it looks wrong. He is terrified -- TERRIFIED -- of white space. If a leave a wide gutter, he just tells me to make the element bigger to fill the space. If I use a thin font, it should be thicker. You know, so people can see it. If I use the logo of the company subtly and once, it must instead be an incredibly obnoxious gold color and used on either sade of the top of the page. (That last one was just yesterday.) It doesn't really matter whether he stands there while I do it or not (though he always insists on doing so)... he doesn't know what attractive design looks like. He only knows that all the other magazines use lots and lots of overlapping pictures in the ads.

It's designer death. Thank God it's not my main job, or I would quite possibly have killed him by now. As it is, I just feel sorry for boaters.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 18th, 2004 10:08 PM. (kenan) (link)

gotten bored and wandered off to make someone else's life miserable

I wish. There is no one else. There's him, me, and his wife, and she doesn't take his shit. He is publisher, editor, salesman, and God-King, which is a terrible combination, since he just promises all our content to the first advertiser that comes along, and we can't tell him not to. It's quite a bad magazine, really. I wrote half of the latest issue, so I'm in a unique position to tell you never to read it. It's all paid for. There is no useful information in it whatsoever.

This is the thread where I bitch about my job, apparently.

-- Pears can just fuck right off. (fluxion2...) (webmail), December 18th, 2004 10:13 PM. (kenan) (link)

and well, it seems.

-- Remy Snush IS Icarus Buxton (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 18th, 2004 10:36 PM. (x Jeremy) (link)

Hrm, I am playing Bowie's 'Memory of a Free Festival' on Winamp, and Fugazi's 'Facet Squared' on Windows Media Player concurrently. It took a bit of fiddling with the volume knobs, but I've created a very pleasant soundscape. Next up:

Misfits 'She' and Martin Denny's 'Caravan'

-- Remy Snush IS Icarus Buxton (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 18th, 2004 2:38 AM. (x Jeremy) (link)

REMY SNUSH YOU ARE DUM AND POSTTED TO THE WRONG THRED

-- Remy Snush IS Icarus Buxton (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 18th, 2004 2:40 AM. (x Jeremy) (link)

Not really, Remy. We too are interested in hearing about what you are currently listening to. I will make it up to you by saying that, while baking earlier tonight (which is why I've just gone online), I was listening to Wire's Chairs MIssing (interesting album, that one) and half of Interpol's Antics (which I loveloveloveloveLOVE). The bread was a sweet pear bread I made with half regular sugar and half Splenda. Looks really good, actually; can't wait to dig into it.

Orbit, hon, good luck with that trek to Alaska! Oh wait, you're not going there. Well, good luck with that trek to Canada! Not going there either? Hm. Good luck with that Florida excursion! Not there? Oh. Good luck with your excursion to Mexico City! No way Jose? Um. Well, in that case, good luck with making the best of this situation.

Kenan, congrats on your girl making that list! n/a and Sarah, congrats on being highlighted on that site! Martin, I was referring to your presence on TITTWIS, hon. I obv remember the chattage. ;) Huck, good luck with your stand-up routine.

Also: If someone can find me a nice, normal set of lungs, please, send them my way, ok? Thanks. :)

-- Many Coloured Halo (newromanti...) (webmail), December 18th, 2004 3:05 AM. (Dee the Lurker) (link)

goodnight, ILX and good morning elsewhere. It is 3.28 am and after some serious drinking I smoked half a pack of cigarettes at a tranny coffee-shop and made friends with a 6'2" hooker named Ike, who (charmingly) sometimes goes by Tina. My week is complete!

-- Remy Snush IS Icarus Buxton (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 18th, 2004 6:31 AM. (x Jeremy) (link)

one last note:

I AM 24 AND I HAVE BIG WRINKLES ON MY FOREHEAD! WHY OH WHY DO I AGE SO SOON?

-- Remy Snush IS Icarus Buxton (jcoomb...) (webmail), December 18th, 2004 6:37 AM. (x Jeremy) (link)

Hello! I was at the Christmas party last night but there was no steamy action, sadly. I'm not sure whether the girl I mentioned was interested in me after all (nor if I'm interested in her), but we did get to slow-dance again, albeit briefly. Today I can't drink anything because I have a one-day job gig tomorrow at 9. A friend of mine works in a firm which provides business gifts, and they're having a sale tomorrow, and she asked whether I'd want to work there. They want someone to look after the stuff so it won't get nicked, and apparently my friend wasn't enough for that, because they want a guy there as well. Haha, as if I'd really be a menacing emblem of manhood that could scare away potential thiefs just by looking at them! Well, the folks at the firm don't know that, so as well as they're paying me...

-- Tuomas (tuomas.alh...) (webmail), December 18th, 2004 8:32 AM. (Tuomas) (link)

ATTN LUNA:
pls aim me when you get a moment.

-- teeny (teen...) (webmail), December 18th, 2004 9:31 AM. (teeny) (link)

Last I heard she was having bad AIM problems at work, and her computer at home is very ropey most of the time - you might be better emailing her, Teeny.

-- Martin Skidmore (lonewolf.cu...) (webmail), December 18th, 2004 11:10 AM. (Martin Skidmore) (link)

ok thanks!

-- teeny (teen...) (webmail), December 18th, 2004 11:57 AM. (teeny) (link)

hey uk people, is it true you get like two weeks off at xmas?

-- teeny (teen...) (webmail), December 18th, 2004 4:13 PM. (teeny) (link)

Not quite - three public holiday days, then some firms close down; in some cases you are obliged to use a few of your holiday days (probably Wednesday-Friday this year) to cover these; in my case, we get four free days off extra, so we get a week and a half, basically. (We get two extra days at Easter too - this is all on top of the other five public holidays and 25 days' leave - except 35 in my case as I carried ten over from last year.)

-- Martin Skidmore (lonewolf.cu...) (webmail), December 18th, 2004 4:16 PM. (Martin Skidmore) (link)

No, I don't either, though we do get three days holiday over the festive period and my company gives me two extra holidays on top of that. I am taking off 1 extra day so I'll not be working from 25th December to 3rd January inclusive.

-- Blair Dario (boyincorduro...) (webmail), December 18th, 2004 4:56 PM. (Mark C) (link)

Okay, this is fucking awful editing:

This story on CNN.com is about someone who murdered a pregnant woman and cut the fetus out of her body, then showed it off to friends, relatives and associates as her own baby. The picture of the accused on CNN.com shows her holding A PUPPY IN A SWEATER.

I am boggling at how wrong both the story and the way it was presented are.

-- The Ghost of Dan Perry (djperr...) (webmail), December 19th, 2004 5:40 PM. (Dan Perry) (link)

I know that a large portion of this is because I'm inappropriate and awful, but this is what went through my mind when I read the story:

Couple allegedly showed off kidnapped baby

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2004/LAW/12/19/missouri.fetus/story.suspect.montgomery.ap.jpg

"Hey, look at my new baby!"

-- The Ghost of Dan Perry (djperr...) (webmail), December 19th, 2004 5:44 PM. (Dan Perry) (link)

i don't think i want to know any more about that story

-- Frankenstein On Ice (stevem7...) (webmail), December 19th, 2004 5:47 PM. (blueski) (link)

First off, Dan Perry, a pox on you and your house for getting that Luetin song in my head (it's a great, um, track), and second, scale of 1 to 10 how insensitive would it be of me to get the picture of the nutjob woman with the dog on a t-shirt?

-- Bryan (twp62y...) (webmail), December 19th, 2004 5:47 PM. (Bryan) (link)

You would need the caption... but it would be a 10.