Random Comments/Stream of Consciousness Thread

[Randall Flagg]

My feeling is that some of the reasons for this kind of illiteracy is that (1) people generally tend to read less literature these days, or less of what I would call 'serious' literature, with proper language and considerable vocabulary; and (2) even when they read it (or, more likely, skim it), they don't visually 'memorize" proper spelling. Why, I don't know. But this tendency of language simplification (or is it bastardization?) goes beyond just the English language, I'm afraid. I see it in my native Russian all the time.

Mostly because there is no "app" for it on their iphone...

[George at C-Springs]

Just wanted to show everybody what the kids got from donations so far (just yours, not the stuff that my wife and I gave before Thanksgiving).



These were $119 altogether, leaving $31 in the pot (my son threw in $5 from his piggy bank to make it an even $150). I've heard there's a check in the mail (literally!) from an anonymous Yankees fan; that will bring us back up to $81, so we'll keep helping out where we can.

I was also looking into the 'Coats for Kids' previously mentioned, they've been merged with Operation Warm. OW started off in the DC area but has now gone nationwide. They only provide new winter coats to kids (nothing used) and have distributed over a million so far. A worthy cause IMO, the only thing missing is the face-to-face with the kids you're helping (which I personally enjoy).

Anyhoo, merci beaucoup per tutto l'assistance con el ninos. :-)

[Tito_Villa]

They look great!

[Iwritecode]

Fun with sentences.

The bandage was wound around the wound.
The farm was used to produce produce.
The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
We must polish the Polish furniture.
He could lead if he would get the lead out.
The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
I did not object to the object.
The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
They were too close to the door to close it.
The buck does funny things when the does are present.
A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
After a number of injections my jaw got number.
Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

[Pasiuk57]

shows how tricky English can be!

[Ben Staad]

Movers arriving tommorow to start packing us up. I feel just a bit overwhelmed right now. How have you world travelers and frequent movers managed this? The good news is my book collection is snugly packed away in layers and layers of cardboard, bubble-wrap, and packing peanuts.

[Mr. Rabbit Trick]

The biggest problem with international movement is climate. Condensation due to variant temperature can destroy anything.

[Ben Staad]

The biggest problem with international movement is climate. Condensation due to variant temperature can destroy anything.

Thanks for the words of comfort. LOL

[Merlin1958]

The biggest problem with international movement is climate. Condensation due to variant temperature can destroy anything.

The biggest problem with international movement is climate. Condensation due to variant temperature can destroy anything.

Thanks for the words of comfort. LOL

Fucking Scots never have anything nice to say that doesn't involve William Wallace and a sheep!! LOL LOL LOL A terrible result of all the rain and muck, but what you gonna do? LOL LOL LOL

[The Library Policeman]

Fucking Scots never have anything nice to say that doesn't involve William Wallace and a sheep!! LOL LOL LOL A terrible result of all the rain and muck, but what you gonna do? LOL LOL LOL

I resemble that remark!

[George at C-Springs]

How have you world travelers and frequent movers managed this?

It gets easier after about the sixth trip to the other side of the planet. Best thing you can do is have it all separated and prepped so that it goes in groups, otherwise they'll just stuff shit in boxes where there's space and you'll never find it. Also, they will be attaching a little numbered sticker to every single item and writing it down ... make sure its all accurate. If they write "figurine" and it's actually a $2000 Hummel or something, you need to have them write accurate descriptions. Ditto for the books; they'll have a separate high value listing, make sure that stuff gets on there. If you haven't already done it, you need digital photos of absolutely everything; every room, every shelf, all stuff. Without those you won't be able to figure out what's missing later on, or prove damage. As they close boxes, they will write on the outside "Bedroom" or something; after they write that, you should write some of the stuff that's actually inside.

Bear in mind that all your stuff will be going over on a boat, in winter, in a container, on a deck. There won't be any climate control or anything like that, so if you haven't already done it some of the little dessicant packages in with the books can't hurt. For your vehicle, give it a good coat of wax or three ... that makes it easier to get off the oil that drips from the car above it.

Don't be afraid to mail yourselves all of the necessary stuff to live for the first three months; postage is reimburseable up to a certain amount (it varies). I mailed about a dozen big boxes when I came back last time. You should mail winter clothes, documents, important personal items, photos you can't lose, a backup hard drive, collections (coins, stamps, etc.). Clothes especially, no need to travel with ten suitcases.

No way to be ready for everything, you'll learn it as you go along. In 26 years I really only had one really bad move where a lot got destroyed. You'll be fine.

[Ben Staad]

Thanks for the tips, George. Vehicle is good to go, books and personal items hand packaged by me, photos taken and inventory list generated, and we are sending ourselves a few boxes of personal items. I think the only thing we may have done is over-packed the luggage. I will reassess this with my wife this evening and see if we want to mail ourselves an extra box or two to lighten the luggage load.

Back to work for me.

[Patrick]

Sounds like you're on top of things, Ben. Good luck with the move!

[RainInSpain]

Ben Staad: it does sound overwhelming (I can't even imagine packing literally all my life to transplant it to a new place), so best of luck with your move. Hope everything goes smoothly!

[John Blaze]

El hombre de negro huyó a través del desierto, y siguió al pistolero.

Why is the man in black following the gunslinger?

[Bethany]

[Merlin1958]

How have you world travelers and frequent movers managed this?

It gets easier after about the sixth trip to the other side of the planet. Best thing you can do is have it all separated and prepped so that it goes in groups, otherwise they'll just stuff shit in boxes where there's space and you'll never find it. Also, they will be attaching a little numbered sticker to every single item and writing it down ... make sure its all accurate. If they write "figurine" and it's actually a $2000 Hummel or something, you need to have them write accurate descriptions. Ditto for the books; they'll have a separate high value listing, make sure that stuff gets on there. If you haven't already done it, you need digital photos of absolutely everything; every room, every shelf, all stuff. Without those you won't be able to figure out what's missing later on, or prove damage. As they close boxes, they will write on the outside "Bedroom" or something; after they write that, you should write some of the stuff that's actually inside.

Bear in mind that all your stuff will be going over on a boat, in winter, in a container, on a deck. There won't be any climate control or anything like that, so if you haven't already done it some of the little dessicant packages in with the books can't hurt. For your vehicle, give it a good coat of wax or three ... that makes it easier to get off the oil that drips from the car above it.

Don't be afraid to mail yourselves all of the necessary stuff to live for the first three months; postage is reimburseable up to a certain amount (it varies). I mailed about a dozen big boxes when I came back last time. You should mail winter clothes, documents, important personal items, photos you can't lose, a backup hard drive, collections (coins, stamps, etc.). Clothes especially, no need to travel with ten suitcases.

No way to be ready for everything, you'll learn it as you go along. In 26 years I really only had one really bad move where a lot got destroyed. You'll be fine.

Thanks for the tips, George. Vehicle is good to go, books and personal items hand packaged by me, photos taken and inventory list generated, and we are sending ourselves a few boxes of personal items. I think the only thing we may have done is over-packed the luggage. I will reassess this with my wife this evening and see if we want to mail ourselves an extra box or two to lighten the luggage load.

Back to work for me.

That is all sage advice and should be well heeded. Also, if you have anything being shipped that is very valuable (like a $2,000.00 Hummel) It's imperative to have a recent appraisal or the insurance company will try to screw you if its damaged. I found that out the hard way (On a classic German Stein)!!!

[Sir_Boomme]

first post of two...
I wrote this poem mid December 1999 for a white elephant party....
A Y2K Christmas

Twas a week after Christmas, when all through the house
Not a computer was workin',not even a mouse.
All stockings were washed, by hand with great care,
'Cause all the washing machines quit workin', on the first day of the year.

The citizens were restless, quite a few packin' lead,
Having visions of vandals, and winding up dead;
Wear a bullet-proofed vest, or you may end up capped,
You best keep one eye opened, while takin' a nap.

And down in the streets, there arose such a clatter,
People rioting and stealing, like nothin' else mattered;
Keep away from the windows, when you see a big flash,
'Cause it's probably gunfire, someone protectin' their stash.
You walk to the store, your food's running low,
Got a nice new car, but you find it won't go;
So many ignore the warnings, said there's nothin' to fear,
"That when 2000 comes, It’s just another year.

With little chips designed, so tiny and quick,
That made our jobs easier, 'till they decided to quit.
More rapid over the years, the programs became,
Made by high tech companies, who we all know by name.

Now Microsoft! Now Motorola! Now AMD and Intel!
There's TI and Apple, Samsung and Dell!
Stocks rose to the top, seemed never to fall!
Now the cash is all gone, there's no cash at all!

The plane's are all grounded, not a one can fly,
'Cause on the first day of the year, they all fell from the sky;
While on the desktops, where cursors once flew;
No work can be done, no work can be viewed.
The pixels don't twinkle, the computer's aloof;
Y2k has arrived...and there's plenty of proof;
For all those who believed not, just look around,
Civilization has fallen, like a stone to the ground.

Put on the fur coat, cover from your head to your feet,
The furnaces won't work, there’s no way to get heat.
The clocks aren't turning, none of them chime,
Twelve midnight they all read, it was a question of time.

Since all time has stop, for at least the next year,
How will we tell when next Christmas draws near!
No presents to be bought, no lights to be hung,
No turkey to be cooked, no carols to be sung,
But as blight as it gets, there still is some light,
As long as we keep our friends, all will be right;
So as this year ends, there's but one thing to say,
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!"

[Sir_Boomme]

I nostologically reposted the above to my facebook wall and my Father made a comment that Thankful, that this all didn't come to pass...

upon rereading it, some lines stood out to me and made me go... HMMMMMMM....

“Stocks rose to the top, seemed never to fall!
Now the cash is all gone, there's no cash at all!

The plane's are all grounded, not a one can fly,
'Cause on the first day of the year, they all fell from the sky;”

and then... the .com bubble burst
and the market crashed on March 10, 2000
and all the companies mentioned in the poem... all of them took a hit.
plus hundreds of other went bankrupt.

and then... the planes fell from the sky on 9/11
and for the first time in history, all air traffic was grounded....

I know... coincidence... but pretty weird still.

then there's the line...
“Civilization has fallen, like a stone to the ground.”

which pretty much describes literally and figuratively what happened when the trade towers fell.

again, just a weird coincidence... but it just made me go HMMMM...

[Bad Penny]

Your poem, retrospectively, I find to be way cool, content wise (and, I like the poem itself - which is unusual in and of itself) - well done mate

[TwistedNadine]

Sir-Boomme - that is an excellent poem! While being humorous it also conveys all the y2k concerns we had. Nicely done.
And as it turns out you're also a bit of a psychic.

[shaq]

Searching for Christmas presents for my girlfriend and this came up, made me laugh!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/copyranter/t...ans-of-the-shi

Brilliant!

[Ben Staad]

Wife and daughter leaving for Germany tomorrow!

[Pasiuk57]

Today is a very sad day for my wife and our family. Her niece who is 34 and her daughter who is 9 and were found today after missing for a week. Last Sunday they stopped for fuel in Utah in their one prop plane and she texted her sister saying they would be home in three hours and were never heard from again. Planes and people searched all week and they were finally found all deceased instantly as the plane hit the ground only 15 minutes after they filled up in Utah on the way to Wyoming. The pilot was Trista, the niece's boyfriend. It was a tough week not knowing if they would be found at all because of the mountains and forests but that dreadful phone call came today that they had all passed away. The FAA is now trying to figure out what and how it happened as Matt was an experienced pilot. Needless to say it is a sad day at our house.
Life is so short-enjoy it while you can. Give your loved ones an extra hug or kiss today.

[John Blaze]

That sounds horrible. Sorry for your loss.