Belated Dyngus
April 17, 2023 2:25 AM Subscribe
Hello, it's Monday, and that means a new free thread, and so here we are. By the way, apologies for not pointing out observance of Śmigus-dyngus day last Monday. I guess it just snuck up on me.
But true śmigus and or dyngus is in the heart, so happy belated Dyngus, everyone, and please enjoy your slightly damp free thread.
But true śmigus and or dyngus is in the heart, so happy belated Dyngus, everyone, and please enjoy your slightly damp free thread.
What we all need this morning is a little Willie Nelson. I suggest Tiger by the Tail from his new album of Harlan Howard songs.
posted by Paul Slade at 3:35 AM on April 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Paul Slade at 3:35 AM on April 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
The only two holidays I actually celebrate are Caturday and Friday the 13th, for some reason.
I have recently been working my way through my old LiveJournal and my old handwritten journals to write a little memoir my kid can have, and all I can say is I'm glad it's not 2001 or 2002 any more.
posted by Peach at 4:56 AM on April 17, 2023 [8 favorites]
I have recently been working my way through my old LiveJournal and my old handwritten journals to write a little memoir my kid can have, and all I can say is I'm glad it's not 2001 or 2002 any more.
posted by Peach at 4:56 AM on April 17, 2023 [8 favorites]
We had a glorious week of sunny 20+ temps in Toronto and now we're back to seasonal gloom and rain. The trees are exploding their leaves out like they always do, extruding them out of the buds like sweet green icing. We'll have to check on the cherry trees soon, very soon.
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:16 AM on April 17, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:16 AM on April 17, 2023 [5 favorites]
My vintage Apple hobby project reached a major milestone over the weekend. The overall project is to add a tile-based graphics accelerator feature to the VidHD video card, which is a neat little card that provides video out over HDMI. As that card currently stands, it only emulates the Apple's existing video modes, but the card has an entire Orange Pi system-on-a-chip on it, and is capable of a hell of a lot more than that!
The milestone is getting some significant features implemented in the AppleWin emulator as if the Apple II was sending commands to the VidHD card and the card was generating the output to the screen, along with some Apple II binary code which loads up the VGA-level graphics assets from the DOS version of Ultima V, and lets the user move around the overworld. If you want to try it out, you can pull the release!
Ultima V Walking Simulator
posted by notoriety public at 5:19 AM on April 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
The milestone is getting some significant features implemented in the AppleWin emulator as if the Apple II was sending commands to the VidHD card and the card was generating the output to the screen, along with some Apple II binary code which loads up the VGA-level graphics assets from the DOS version of Ultima V, and lets the user move around the overworld. If you want to try it out, you can pull the release!
Ultima V Walking Simulator
posted by notoriety public at 5:19 AM on April 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
I am actually excited about the rocket launch this morning. I mean, the super plain design makes it looks more like concept art or the cover of a "Lensman" book, but I still hurried getting ready this morning so I didn't miss it.
posted by wenestvedt at 5:20 AM on April 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by wenestvedt at 5:20 AM on April 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'm torn about the rocket launch, because I can't see a way that the launch can be successful without simultaneously becoming a public-relations win for Phony Stark. Maybe it can take off as scheduled except he's standing under the rocket, I guess?
Anyway, hope everyone in the US has remembered to either file their taxes by today or file for an extension!
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 5:31 AM on April 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
Anyway, hope everyone in the US has remembered to either file their taxes by today or file for an extension!
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 5:31 AM on April 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
Ooohhh speaking of taxes, in Canada the PSAC union may well be striking soon. They represent over 100k federal employees, including those at Canada Revenue. So yeah, get your returns in ASAP (our deadline is the 30 April), as processing might be delayed if they do strike.
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:37 AM on April 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:37 AM on April 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
DAMMIT, they are scrubbing the launch (and turning it into a "wet dress rehearsal").
posted by wenestvedt at 6:12 AM on April 17, 2023
posted by wenestvedt at 6:12 AM on April 17, 2023
spent the last week in Iceland and returning to work from home today.
What a stunning and amazing Country.
Please go if you can but also please protect it (and other fragile unique places on this planet)
posted by djseafood at 6:19 AM on April 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
What a stunning and amazing Country.
Please go if you can but also please protect it (and other fragile unique places on this planet)
posted by djseafood at 6:19 AM on April 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
What the hell is a wet dress rehearsal, and how does it differ from a dry one?
posted by Paul Slade at 6:20 AM on April 17, 2023
posted by Paul Slade at 6:20 AM on April 17, 2023
Saturday afternoon, I discovered, quite by accident, that one probably shouldn’t take a toke of weed if you’re also on a blood pressure med. Not unless you want to scare the shit out of everyone else in the car, anyway.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:26 AM on April 17, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by Thorzdad at 6:26 AM on April 17, 2023 [4 favorites]
According to the commentators, "wet dress" means they go through the entire process of loading in all that liquid fuel. To be clear, they didn't really have a choice about the wet/dry issue, the fuel was already being loaded by the time launch was scrubbed. All I heard was something about a "pressurization issue" being the cause for the cancellation.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 6:27 AM on April 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 6:27 AM on April 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
Last week: busy with not-fun things; went to the Orthopedic Walk-In Clinic (for a second time; the first time they were unexpectedly closed in the middle of the day?) because my left shoulder has been hurting at its extreme range of movements (but no pain when at rest) since...before Christmas? As an 'old' I've unnecessarily spent a lot of copayments on getting seen for pains where I get told they'll go away on their own so it takes a while for me to decide to get ouches seen by a professional. My relationship with doctoring is more complicated than that, but it's what I've got.
The walk-in was surprisingly efficient, however the doctor who saw me had no filter, and shortly after mentioning how his nurse/assistant started working with him about a week before, then asked her what her natural hair color is and made an inappropriate-adjacent comment about blondes-vs-brunettes. I had my shirt off and was steeling myself to get a needle stuck in my shoulder joint so it didn't initially register, but that exchange continued to bother me, so I emailed the hospital ombudsman. I feel for the doctor-trainee who was also present, following this doctor around all day, because I can only imagine that if this doctor's tone with a patient present is "coked-up stream of conscious" he's not much better without patients either.
But the cortisone shot (I think that's what it was; after I got home I realized the doctor never explicitly said what he was going to shoot in my shoulder) has helped, the pain is greatly reduced, however my range of motion is still limited, which should improve when I start physical therapy next week. "Frozen shoulder" is the official diagnosis.
This week should be more fun - my wife and I, who are not usually "go do things in public with other strangers", have tickets to see Caitlin Doughty of Ask A Mortician. We rarely get to go on date nights, let alone something unique like this (and not just 'restaurant because I don't feel like cooking'), so it should be a good time.
posted by AzraelBrown at 6:45 AM on April 17, 2023 [7 favorites]
The walk-in was surprisingly efficient, however the doctor who saw me had no filter, and shortly after mentioning how his nurse/assistant started working with him about a week before, then asked her what her natural hair color is and made an inappropriate-adjacent comment about blondes-vs-brunettes. I had my shirt off and was steeling myself to get a needle stuck in my shoulder joint so it didn't initially register, but that exchange continued to bother me, so I emailed the hospital ombudsman. I feel for the doctor-trainee who was also present, following this doctor around all day, because I can only imagine that if this doctor's tone with a patient present is "coked-up stream of conscious" he's not much better without patients either.
But the cortisone shot (I think that's what it was; after I got home I realized the doctor never explicitly said what he was going to shoot in my shoulder) has helped, the pain is greatly reduced, however my range of motion is still limited, which should improve when I start physical therapy next week. "Frozen shoulder" is the official diagnosis.
This week should be more fun - my wife and I, who are not usually "go do things in public with other strangers", have tickets to see Caitlin Doughty of Ask A Mortician. We rarely get to go on date nights, let alone something unique like this (and not just 'restaurant because I don't feel like cooking'), so it should be a good time.
posted by AzraelBrown at 6:45 AM on April 17, 2023 [7 favorites]
The Verge is reporting it’s a “frozen pressurant valve.”
Space is hard.
posted by thecaddy at 6:45 AM on April 17, 2023
Space is hard.
posted by thecaddy at 6:45 AM on April 17, 2023
My electric bike is in the shop for brake pads & brake line bleed, so I took an acoustic bike out for a spin.
The first hill out the door is only 130', but it did my lungs in for a few hours. Did not last much longer.
posted by MtDewd at 6:49 AM on April 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
The first hill out the door is only 130', but it did my lungs in for a few hours. Did not last much longer.
posted by MtDewd at 6:49 AM on April 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
My first marriage was a Wet Dress Rehearsal.
posted by kiwi-epitome at 6:53 AM on April 17, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by kiwi-epitome at 6:53 AM on April 17, 2023 [4 favorites]
I flew all the way to Los Angeles for a film festival and only saw three films.
There was so much else I wanted to do though! And I got discounts on some of it - studio tours, museums...one museum even had a grab bag of random stuff from their gift shop for festival folk and it included a few date-of-issue postage stamp commemorative thingies.
Am in LAX now waiting to board for my flight back. I get into Newark at about 4:30 and I do have work tomorrow, so hoping the trip home from the airport isn't too heinous. (Got a ticket on the train to Penn, and I'll get a cab from there instead of cabbing the whole way.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:03 AM on April 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
There was so much else I wanted to do though! And I got discounts on some of it - studio tours, museums...one museum even had a grab bag of random stuff from their gift shop for festival folk and it included a few date-of-issue postage stamp commemorative thingies.
Am in LAX now waiting to board for my flight back. I get into Newark at about 4:30 and I do have work tomorrow, so hoping the trip home from the airport isn't too heinous. (Got a ticket on the train to Penn, and I'll get a cab from there instead of cabbing the whole way.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:03 AM on April 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
Last night we got to have dinner with friends that we’ve been unable to see for over 2 months due to adult scheduling and life intrusions. A couple of weeks ago I had a tremendously relaxing trip to a remote bed & breakfast. Those things, and spring, have improved my mood 100 times over.
Oh yeah, and I’m finally looking for a new job. After *17* years at my current place. At this point, I feel like I just need to remind myself I’m not stuck, as much as I need to actually move.
posted by DigDoug at 7:15 AM on April 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
Oh yeah, and I’m finally looking for a new job. After *17* years at my current place. At this point, I feel like I just need to remind myself I’m not stuck, as much as I need to actually move.
posted by DigDoug at 7:15 AM on April 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
Having a fun technikschadenfreude moment this morning reading about all the people pissed off that Netflix couldn't get a live stream working for some reality show whatever thing.
If only we had a way to smoothly deliver 18 mbit/sec of video to anyone and everyone with a minimal hardware outlay and not have to worry about firewalls and VPNs and logins and etc. We could call it everywherecast. No, wait. How about broadcast?
posted by JoeZydeco at 7:16 AM on April 17, 2023 [5 favorites]
If only we had a way to smoothly deliver 18 mbit/sec of video to anyone and everyone with a minimal hardware outlay and not have to worry about firewalls and VPNs and logins and etc. We could call it everywherecast. No, wait. How about broadcast?
posted by JoeZydeco at 7:16 AM on April 17, 2023 [5 favorites]
So I flew back from Rome last night. The flight was delayed, but not too much. But then when we arrived, the metro was down for maintenance and I had to take the bus. "My" local bud actually goes to the airport, but usually I don't take it all the way, because it takes ages. Easier to take it to the nearest metro station and then continue on rails.
Anyway, I thought going through the city late at night would be fine. It was Sunday after all. But I was so wrong. This is a bus that goes through every less privileged area in the city, including my own, and at night, it felt like a journey through the underworld, or Dante in purgatory. First of all, the bus was surprisingly full. Second, it was mainly full of people with mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
Next to me was a very handsome guy who looked normal at first glance, but had removed one shoe and was scratching the bare foot obsessively for the entire ride. He was also quite annoyed with a person who was screaming in Polish the whole way through the city (fair enough that). Then a group of three homeless people boarded, a couple with her adult son. She didn't want the son to see her boyfriend touching her. He was very affectionate and as galant he could be under the circumstances.
Two men arrived together, sat down opposite each other next to me, but didn't talk. There was a palpable tension, and suddenly one left without a word.
A group of rowdy bullies entered the bus and aggressively created a space around them. They clearly wanted the four-seater I was at, but I have newly acquired granny-powers and they didn't accost me after I stared at them. In general I didn't feel scared at all, just surprised that there is this whole night-scene I knew nothing about.
posted by mumimor at 8:18 AM on April 17, 2023 [8 favorites]
Anyway, I thought going through the city late at night would be fine. It was Sunday after all. But I was so wrong. This is a bus that goes through every less privileged area in the city, including my own, and at night, it felt like a journey through the underworld, or Dante in purgatory. First of all, the bus was surprisingly full. Second, it was mainly full of people with mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
Next to me was a very handsome guy who looked normal at first glance, but had removed one shoe and was scratching the bare foot obsessively for the entire ride. He was also quite annoyed with a person who was screaming in Polish the whole way through the city (fair enough that). Then a group of three homeless people boarded, a couple with her adult son. She didn't want the son to see her boyfriend touching her. He was very affectionate and as galant he could be under the circumstances.
Two men arrived together, sat down opposite each other next to me, but didn't talk. There was a palpable tension, and suddenly one left without a word.
A group of rowdy bullies entered the bus and aggressively created a space around them. They clearly wanted the four-seater I was at, but I have newly acquired granny-powers and they didn't accost me after I stared at them. In general I didn't feel scared at all, just surprised that there is this whole night-scene I knew nothing about.
posted by mumimor at 8:18 AM on April 17, 2023 [8 favorites]
Your theater update: I did a lot of it. A play reading at the director's house of "Shakespeare in Hollywood," which was hilarious. I did workshops on hair styling and stage combat, so I know how to throw a fake punch. Plus rehearsal in which we did cheesy international dances.
It was a fun, busy weekend and I hate to go back to work and remember that I'm awful and feel like shit again.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:32 AM on April 17, 2023 [4 favorites]
It was a fun, busy weekend and I hate to go back to work and remember that I'm awful and feel like shit again.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:32 AM on April 17, 2023 [4 favorites]
Just seeing "Śmigus-dyngus" made me wonder if J.R.R. Tolkien could have theoretically written for Monty Python. (Theoretically, yes.)
Starting an exercise routine out of Built from Broken, which I'm hoping will help with my increasingly creaky joints. The starting routine seems pretty straightforward and involves stretches, some dumbell work, and a stretchy band thing.
posted by Halloween Jack at 8:41 AM on April 17, 2023 [4 favorites]
Starting an exercise routine out of Built from Broken, which I'm hoping will help with my increasingly creaky joints. The starting routine seems pretty straightforward and involves stretches, some dumbell work, and a stretchy band thing.
posted by Halloween Jack at 8:41 AM on April 17, 2023 [4 favorites]
Hi everybody!
posted by mmrtnt at 9:21 AM on April 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by mmrtnt at 9:21 AM on April 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
We have been waiting in the plane at our gate for an hour and a half while they fixed a fuel valve and we haven't even left LAX yet, woe
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:39 AM on April 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:39 AM on April 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
Hi, Dr. Nick!
posted by neuron at 9:41 AM on April 17, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by neuron at 9:41 AM on April 17, 2023 [5 favorites]
the doctor never explicitly said what he was going to shoot in my shoulder ... however my range of motion is still limited, which should improve when I start physical therapy
Likely dexamethasone. And yes, PT is what you need. The other day I was telling a PT-ist about my frozen shoulder treatment of a few years ago and she agreed that I was lucky to have a big, very strong guy to work on my shoulder.
posted by neuron at 9:44 AM on April 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
Likely dexamethasone. And yes, PT is what you need. The other day I was telling a PT-ist about my frozen shoulder treatment of a few years ago and she agreed that I was lucky to have a big, very strong guy to work on my shoulder.
posted by neuron at 9:44 AM on April 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
Last weekend I completed our ski patrol's course on search and rescue. We skied & snowshoed out into the woods adjacent to the ski resort, did a search exercise using compass and GPS, then practiced raising and lowering with ropes. Then we made camp (trenches in the snow covered by tarps) and had dinner. Then we did another search exercise in the dark. I got into my shelter at about 11pm completely exhausted and my sleeping bag wouldn't zip! Fortunately I had a sleeping bag liner and an emergency blanket so I was okay. I should mention that the snow was 10 feet deep and temperatures were just below freezing.
posted by neuron at 9:50 AM on April 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by neuron at 9:50 AM on April 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
I flew back from Belize to LAX yesterday. First flight was delayed two hours which almost made me miss the second flight. Then that flight got delayed for another five hours and I didn't get back home until 2 AM this morning. Having to be up for work at 8 AM today was not fun...
posted by downtohisturtles at 10:01 AM on April 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by downtohisturtles at 10:01 AM on April 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
I'm on my third go round of PT for messed up shoulders. The steroid shot is an absolute miracle but a) it takes a while, like a couple weeks, to fully take effect and b) the doctors don't want to keep giving it to me every 2 years or it could eventually make things worse, sigh. I like the shot because then it's just one and done and I'm a completely lazy wastrel who will not do exercises if there is any earthly way to avoid them.
I'm hoping this round of PT works, I think it will - I'm more motivated now and I like this therapist best of the three. It's like the three bears - the first one was way too gung ho and threw too many exercises and instructions at me; the second one was way too mellow and mostly just wanted to do ice cupping and massages; but this one is a perfect mix of realistic exercises and things I can do to keep the pain under control. The real issue is probably undiagnosed scoliosis from my childhood which led to epically terrible posture and spending most of my working life in front of computers hasn't helped.
posted by mygothlaundry at 10:24 AM on April 17, 2023 [4 favorites]
I'm hoping this round of PT works, I think it will - I'm more motivated now and I like this therapist best of the three. It's like the three bears - the first one was way too gung ho and threw too many exercises and instructions at me; the second one was way too mellow and mostly just wanted to do ice cupping and massages; but this one is a perfect mix of realistic exercises and things I can do to keep the pain under control. The real issue is probably undiagnosed scoliosis from my childhood which led to epically terrible posture and spending most of my working life in front of computers hasn't helped.
posted by mygothlaundry at 10:24 AM on April 17, 2023 [4 favorites]
I’m reading a really good book called Days Gone By by Redditor K.C. Sharp. It’s a really interesting twist on the zombie thing. It’s gotten me through two sessions of dialysis so far. I recommend it! It’s available in print or Kindle.
posted by manageyourexpectations at 11:11 AM on April 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by manageyourexpectations at 11:11 AM on April 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
From the Ted Lasso thread an episode or two back:
Zava: "I let all my children name themselves after the age of seven. This is why my eldest is named Smingus Dingus."
posted by Acari at 11:33 AM on April 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
Zava: "I let all my children name themselves after the age of seven. This is why my eldest is named Smingus Dingus."
posted by Acari at 11:33 AM on April 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
Hi, everybody! It has come to my attention that Mr. Bootsy Collins, over the past few years, has been working to introduce new musicians to a wider audience, and I'm gonna share some of that with y'all. Five years ago he discovered and produced the first album, Ignition, by the metal (!) band Asterism from Fukuoka, Japan. At the time, guitarist Haruka Noma was 15, with Miyu and Mio, on bass and drums, not much older. If you are in need of face-melting riffs that will, as Bootsy put it, blow the cobwebs out of your mind, this is what you need.
Then last year Mr. Collins did a joint venture with German rapper Fantasma Goria, AKA Fantaazma, who has since become rather funked up, as evidenced by her somewhat recent EP Poltergeist. It is sehr fantastisch.
Who else? Oh, yeah, MonoNeon. Terrific bass player. Check him out, especially if you like fluorescent knitwear.
All are excellent.
posted by The Half Language Plant at 11:53 AM on April 17, 2023 [5 favorites]
Then last year Mr. Collins did a joint venture with German rapper Fantasma Goria, AKA Fantaazma, who has since become rather funked up, as evidenced by her somewhat recent EP Poltergeist. It is sehr fantastisch.
Who else? Oh, yeah, MonoNeon. Terrific bass player. Check him out, especially if you like fluorescent knitwear.
All are excellent.
posted by The Half Language Plant at 11:53 AM on April 17, 2023 [5 favorites]
We'll have to check on the cherry trees soon,
I was shocked to see some in full bloom yesterday in Toronto.
High Park is forecasting peak bloom April 20
It's crazy how fast and how early everything is greening up.
posted by yyz at 12:43 PM on April 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
I was shocked to see some in full bloom yesterday in Toronto.
High Park is forecasting peak bloom April 20
It's crazy how fast and how early everything is greening up.
posted by yyz at 12:43 PM on April 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
Just for fun: more portraits of royal guinea pigs.
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:09 PM on April 17, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:09 PM on April 17, 2023 [4 favorites]
jenfullmoon, you're not awful! Thank you for posting your adventures in theater. I enjoy peeking behind the curtain.
posted by mpark at 1:34 PM on April 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by mpark at 1:34 PM on April 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
We finally took off (I am even posting from in the air - I was having some weirdly intrusive thoughts about a mid-air problem, so I am distracting myself).
Another book recommendation - I discovered an advance reader's copy of this in L.A.'s famous Last Bookstore shop; THE BEGINNING OR THE END. I misread the blurb and thought it was a general overview of how Hollywood responded to nuclear weapons and how that evolved over time; but instead it was a deep dive into the making of just ONE very early film about the development of the bomb and its use in Hiroshima.
It was pretty fascinating - it got into the myriad ways the script changed as each VERY different group weighed in with their respective comments (Truman's press secretary massively protected his image, Oppenheimer was so conflicted about the film's message he put off giving his approval and they almost renamed his character, a lot of footage sympathetic to the victims at Hiroshima was scrapped at the army's request). And John Hersey's book about Hiroshima had already come out before the film's release, so it tank3d in the box office- but it also contributed a lot to the narrative that dropping the bomb was a necessary choice (when in reality it kinda wasn't).
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:54 PM on April 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
Another book recommendation - I discovered an advance reader's copy of this in L.A.'s famous Last Bookstore shop; THE BEGINNING OR THE END. I misread the blurb and thought it was a general overview of how Hollywood responded to nuclear weapons and how that evolved over time; but instead it was a deep dive into the making of just ONE very early film about the development of the bomb and its use in Hiroshima.
It was pretty fascinating - it got into the myriad ways the script changed as each VERY different group weighed in with their respective comments (Truman's press secretary massively protected his image, Oppenheimer was so conflicted about the film's message he put off giving his approval and they almost renamed his character, a lot of footage sympathetic to the victims at Hiroshima was scrapped at the army's request). And John Hersey's book about Hiroshima had already come out before the film's release, so it tank3d in the box office- but it also contributed a lot to the narrative that dropping the bomb was a necessary choice (when in reality it kinda wasn't).
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:54 PM on April 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
It's gone from sunbathing at Sandbanks on Friday to 4 °C now. Ouch! But there's a white magnolia in full bloom on the street, and this is the first time I've ever noticed its beautiful delicate aroma. Also, I have grackles nesting in a tree right outside my office window and they're being adorable and loud.
posted by scruss at 4:37 PM on April 17, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by scruss at 4:37 PM on April 17, 2023 [5 favorites]
Slight disappointment in a small research project...
I knew my great-grandfather had been Sheriff of Bucks County, PA some time around 1900, and thus some of his work would have involved the jail in Reading.
I was wondering if his time with Reading Jail would have been concurrent with Oscar Wilde's time in Reading Gaol, but alas, great-grandpa was late by a few years.
posted by MtDewd at 5:43 PM on April 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
I knew my great-grandfather had been Sheriff of Bucks County, PA some time around 1900, and thus some of his work would have involved the jail in Reading.
I was wondering if his time with Reading Jail would have been concurrent with Oscar Wilde's time in Reading Gaol, but alas, great-grandpa was late by a few years.
posted by MtDewd at 5:43 PM on April 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
jenfullmoon, thank you so much for that video! I've often watched Bernadette's home studio videos wondering where she got those splendid pig portraits.
I started seedlings last Monday and have cat grass and marigold sprouts already! Also realized I'd forgotten some other herbs, so those will get started tomorrow. Because, today we had Winter Reprise!, so a bit longer in multiple layers of baggy comfy whatever until I switch over to fewer layers of baggy comfy whatever.
posted by winesong at 6:39 PM on April 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
I started seedlings last Monday and have cat grass and marigold sprouts already! Also realized I'd forgotten some other herbs, so those will get started tomorrow. Because, today we had Winter Reprise!, so a bit longer in multiple layers of baggy comfy whatever until I switch over to fewer layers of baggy comfy whatever.
posted by winesong at 6:39 PM on April 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
Took a mental health day today. Too bad I had to fib about it and say it was a virus. With everything going on a work, I'm ready to get out. More childcare places around here are offering benefit, PTO, etc. I like the people I work with and I'm not going to leave them in a lurch. I'll stick around another month to finish out the Head Start year. I'm just tired of everything changing month to month. First I'm preschool/infant room. Then I'm preschool only. Then I'm back to preschool/infant room. It doesn't sound like much, but it's hard to code switch in the middle of the day. Plus I need to see parents in the afternoon, put I can't because I'm on the opposite side of the building and we're still being covid cautious and not letting parent past the lobby.
Sorry for the dump. Just needed to get it out.
posted by kathrynm at 6:57 PM on April 17, 2023 [8 favorites]
Sorry for the dump. Just needed to get it out.
posted by kathrynm at 6:57 PM on April 17, 2023 [8 favorites]
I gave a hummingbird a bath this morning. I was out watering my big mesquite tree and I saw it sitting on a recently-watered branch, shaking its wings. It was green, but a tasteful, muted, subtle iridescent olive green. I moved the stream from my hose over to where the hummingbird was just barely within the fine mist at the edge of the cone of water. And it perched on a branch and fluffed itself out and bathed there for a full minute or two before being done with it and flying away.
Also, if you haven't heard the new Boygenius record, you really need to give it a try. It's magnificent.
posted by MrVisible at 7:23 PM on April 17, 2023 [4 favorites]
Also, if you haven't heard the new Boygenius record, you really need to give it a try. It's magnificent.
posted by MrVisible at 7:23 PM on April 17, 2023 [4 favorites]
I guess I'm free to talk about it now that everyone is locked in to the new plan, but I've been at Company Y for a few weeks now and I'm no longer (unwisely) using MeFi from Company X's computer where it's possible I was at least tracked enough for someone there to figure out who I am. They still can, but their last paycheck cleared so I don't care any more.
A few weeks ago I was really agonizing over whether to leave Company X, and one of the big sticking points was that I really liked my manager. I've learned a lot from her, we work well together, our kids play together, etc. Even so, I screwed up my courage on a Monday morning and decided to tell her that I was taking the other offer. She knew I was looking around, but not whether I'd leave or where I'd go.
Monday morning, she was nowhere to be found, so I sat on my resignation letter (last year's resignation letter with a new date at the top) and waited until she came in after lunch. She came in so well dressed I thought maybe she had been to a funeral that morning. She stopped by my office and I told her I was going to go to Company Y and she laughed. She had just come from her interview with Company Y. She wasn't sure whether she'd go with them or somewhere different, but she was definitely leaving. The conversation reassured both of us, because if I were leaving she wasn't sticking around to do all the work, and if she were leaving I wasn't sticking around to watch the team collapse.
She'll be starting next Friday here with me at Company Y, and now both of us can watch Company X continue to fall apart from a safe distance. I don't think Company Y will ever believe this was a Gift of the Magi coincidence, but it absolutely was. We weren't even leaving for the same reasons at first, although after hearing her reasons I am resolved not to return to Company X in the future.
posted by The Monster at the End of this Thread at 4:37 AM on April 18, 2023 [15 favorites]
A few weeks ago I was really agonizing over whether to leave Company X, and one of the big sticking points was that I really liked my manager. I've learned a lot from her, we work well together, our kids play together, etc. Even so, I screwed up my courage on a Monday morning and decided to tell her that I was taking the other offer. She knew I was looking around, but not whether I'd leave or where I'd go.
Monday morning, she was nowhere to be found, so I sat on my resignation letter (last year's resignation letter with a new date at the top) and waited until she came in after lunch. She came in so well dressed I thought maybe she had been to a funeral that morning. She stopped by my office and I told her I was going to go to Company Y and she laughed. She had just come from her interview with Company Y. She wasn't sure whether she'd go with them or somewhere different, but she was definitely leaving. The conversation reassured both of us, because if I were leaving she wasn't sticking around to do all the work, and if she were leaving I wasn't sticking around to watch the team collapse.
She'll be starting next Friday here with me at Company Y, and now both of us can watch Company X continue to fall apart from a safe distance. I don't think Company Y will ever believe this was a Gift of the Magi coincidence, but it absolutely was. We weren't even leaving for the same reasons at first, although after hearing her reasons I am resolved not to return to Company X in the future.
posted by The Monster at the End of this Thread at 4:37 AM on April 18, 2023 [15 favorites]
Yesterday, I was reading this article in NYTimes about shortage of Chartreuse liqueur and started searching about it. I found it available in my local store which was just 3minutes from my home. I went and bought it…… The love for Chartreuse started when I visited Grenoble, France in 1995. But somehow, I totally forgot about that for 28years.
I was having a very bad week. I don’t drink much except for occasional wine with some friends and that too stopped after the pandemic. So, I made this cocktail mixed with some syrup, lemon juice, ice and chartreuse . It felt so good. It reminded me of the best times I had during our trip to France. With those great memories, went to bed and slept well last night.
posted by SunPower at 8:03 AM on April 18, 2023 [3 favorites]
I was having a very bad week. I don’t drink much except for occasional wine with some friends and that too stopped after the pandemic. So, I made this cocktail mixed with some syrup, lemon juice, ice and chartreuse . It felt so good. It reminded me of the best times I had during our trip to France. With those great memories, went to bed and slept well last night.
posted by SunPower at 8:03 AM on April 18, 2023 [3 favorites]
I am trying to limit my sugar intake: my doctor flagged my blood sugar results in January. But there was homemade carrot cake in the office kitchen this morning!
But it was... not tasty. So I am saved from myself.
posted by suelac at 10:56 AM on April 18, 2023 [2 favorites]
But it was... not tasty. So I am saved from myself.
posted by suelac at 10:56 AM on April 18, 2023 [2 favorites]
I'm not sure whether it's the same pair of eagles or several different pairs of eagles but the last few days there have been eagles swooping around in pair flight, and I've been picking them up in my peripheral vision when I am at the computer. It's more than a bit distracting, but other than shouting "get a room" at them, which seems like it would be non-productive, I don't know what other options I have.
posted by Nerd of the North at 2:35 PM on April 18, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Nerd of the North at 2:35 PM on April 18, 2023 [3 favorites]
other than shouting "get a room nest" at them
FTFY!
posted by Greg_Ace at 2:43 PM on April 18, 2023 [1 favorite]
FTFY!
posted by Greg_Ace at 2:43 PM on April 18, 2023 [1 favorite]
Ah, but that is not what eagles use a nest for. They are mid-air exhibitionists (one of many reasons why shouting "get a room" would not be helpful..) So far as I can tell, the particular eagles that I've been seeing are engaged in courtship and not copulation but the nest comes later, if at all.
And in any case, given what I've heard about local housing shortages, I'm guessing finding lodging is tough even for eagles.
posted by Nerd of the North at 11:34 PM on April 18, 2023 [1 favorite]
And in any case, given what I've heard about local housing shortages, I'm guessing finding lodging is tough even for eagles.
posted by Nerd of the North at 11:34 PM on April 18, 2023 [1 favorite]
I can have books, records, cds sitting on their shelves unread, unheard, untouched for decades, patiently biding their time until I'm good and ready. It's a thrill to see them, to know they are there, treasures awaiting me. Today it is, to my surprise, time for the Ganelin Trio and their legendary Live in Leningrad set. Why today? Because the sun is shining? Because qi gong today was fantastic? Because number 2 son with whom I've been intensely involved of late with lots and lots of listening and supporting is, happily for us both, otherwise engaged and having a break from it all? Or none of the above? It is all one. All I know is that today is the day. I am about to enter an unknown soundscape, a world of musical imagining that is not mine. It is one of the privileges and delights of life. I am sure I will not be disappointed. I'll report back!
posted by dutchrick at 4:43 AM on April 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by dutchrick at 4:43 AM on April 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
p.s. I just checked the record store in which I bought Ancora da Capo, that's the name of the set, closed down in 1991. Haha. That's some wait for the first listen even by my standards!
posted by dutchrick at 5:06 AM on April 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by dutchrick at 5:06 AM on April 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
Clearly the eagles are not the only local wildlife who are in the mood this time of year. The latest in courting critters are the frogs inhabiting the pond at the start of the perhaps-overly-literally named "Frog Pond Trail".
I've been mostly cooped up inside for a week while recovering from some kind of non-covid crud and the last time I was out that way there was still ice on the pond and no peepers to be heard but they have definitely emerged and started vocalizing at this point.
If someone can suggest a way to export an audio recording from the iOS "Voice Recorder" app I can share a sample, complete with the chuff-chuff-chuff sound made by the wings of a raven that passed overhead while I was fiddling with the phone.
posted by Nerd of the North at 10:23 PM on April 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
I've been mostly cooped up inside for a week while recovering from some kind of non-covid crud and the last time I was out that way there was still ice on the pond and no peepers to be heard but they have definitely emerged and started vocalizing at this point.
If someone can suggest a way to export an audio recording from the iOS "Voice Recorder" app I can share a sample, complete with the chuff-chuff-chuff sound made by the wings of a raven that passed overhead while I was fiddling with the phone.
posted by Nerd of the North at 10:23 PM on April 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
A couple of weeks I go, I embarked on what I'm calling my gigantic bonsai project. We have this pair of grown-together pine bushes that were already pretty large in front of our house when we moved in, and they haven't been pruned at all in the 20 years we've lived here. They have needed work for a while, but I've been a bit afraid to do anything to harm the bushes. But after literally a couple of years of reading and coming to understanding and building up courage, I started the project. And I'm really pleased with how it's going!
I was a bit hopeless there for a while when it felt like I was never going to really get anywhere. And when I discovered that some branches had been pushed into the ground by the branches above them, and that some of those ground branches had sub-branches growing INTO the ground making getting them up and pruned off about 5000% more difficult... that was a discouragement.
But I've gotten (I think) all of the ground branches free and cut, and several sections are starting to take on the shape I've sort of seen since I started the project. I'm only doing around an hour a day on it, until my back starts to give out or my brain stops seeing clearly what needs to be cut. (I'm deathly afraid of cutting something I think is one thing but turns out to be 1/4 of the entire structure of the bush.) But it's really starting to come together!
I'll post pictures before and after once I get it done. I'm hoping not to have to do this again, although maybe I'll try to make a point to look at the plant every spring or so instead of ignoring it for decades.
posted by hippybear at 3:55 PM on April 21, 2023 [4 favorites]
I was a bit hopeless there for a while when it felt like I was never going to really get anywhere. And when I discovered that some branches had been pushed into the ground by the branches above them, and that some of those ground branches had sub-branches growing INTO the ground making getting them up and pruned off about 5000% more difficult... that was a discouragement.
But I've gotten (I think) all of the ground branches free and cut, and several sections are starting to take on the shape I've sort of seen since I started the project. I'm only doing around an hour a day on it, until my back starts to give out or my brain stops seeing clearly what needs to be cut. (I'm deathly afraid of cutting something I think is one thing but turns out to be 1/4 of the entire structure of the bush.) But it's really starting to come together!
I'll post pictures before and after once I get it done. I'm hoping not to have to do this again, although maybe I'll try to make a point to look at the plant every spring or so instead of ignoring it for decades.
posted by hippybear at 3:55 PM on April 21, 2023 [4 favorites]
For those of you who've been following the Flurb saga, I'm afraid I have bad news.
You'll recall that I took Flurb inside back in January; he'd been living on the street, but he was a domesticated cat who took to indoor life pretty quickly.
He had health issues, though; some vomiting, some diarrhea, skin conditions. A few weeks ago another cat from the feral colony I care for was adopted by a rescue organization, and he tested positive for feline leukemia virus. And suddenly everything going on with Flurb made more sense.
Last week his health started going downhill, and in the past couple of days I had trouble getting him to eat or drink. I took him to the vet this morning, and he tested positive for FeLV. I talked with the vet about it, and we decided it would be best to let him go.
I stayed in the room while it happened so he'd know a friend was near.
I was able to give him a few weeks of a happy, comfortable life, and a peaceful death. I'm sorry I couldn't do more. I'm sorry, little buddy bear. I'm so sorry.
posted by MrVisible at 10:52 AM on April 22, 2023 [6 favorites]
You'll recall that I took Flurb inside back in January; he'd been living on the street, but he was a domesticated cat who took to indoor life pretty quickly.
He had health issues, though; some vomiting, some diarrhea, skin conditions. A few weeks ago another cat from the feral colony I care for was adopted by a rescue organization, and he tested positive for feline leukemia virus. And suddenly everything going on with Flurb made more sense.
Last week his health started going downhill, and in the past couple of days I had trouble getting him to eat or drink. I took him to the vet this morning, and he tested positive for FeLV. I talked with the vet about it, and we decided it would be best to let him go.
I stayed in the room while it happened so he'd know a friend was near.
I was able to give him a few weeks of a happy, comfortable life, and a peaceful death. I'm sorry I couldn't do more. I'm sorry, little buddy bear. I'm so sorry.
posted by MrVisible at 10:52 AM on April 22, 2023 [6 favorites]
.
posted by mumimor at 12:58 PM on April 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by mumimor at 12:58 PM on April 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
RIP Flurb.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:53 PM on April 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:53 PM on April 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
I know I recommend a lot of movies, but I just saw one that I think is going to be one of the most beloved movies by MeFites across the board since Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Polite Society, the debut feature film from writer-director Nida Manzoor (you may know her TV show We Are Lady Parts) is so ridiculously delightful that my cheeks hurt from smiling.
Here's the trailer. It's as good as it looks. Better, even.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:56 PM on April 23, 2023
Polite Society, the debut feature film from writer-director Nida Manzoor (you may know her TV show We Are Lady Parts) is so ridiculously delightful that my cheeks hurt from smiling.
Here's the trailer. It's as good as it looks. Better, even.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:56 PM on April 23, 2023
There's an occasional movie club in my neighborhood, and they've announced a Polite Society meeting this Thursday - I already got my ticket!
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:47 AM on April 24, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:47 AM on April 24, 2023 [1 favorite]
I just celebrated my 2nd HRTversary - two years on hormone replacement, and since I came out to the world as transgender, and declared my new name and new self.
posted by mephron at 6:23 AM on May 8, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by mephron at 6:23 AM on May 8, 2023 [5 favorites]
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posted by fallingbadgers at 2:42 AM on April 17, 2023 [6 favorites]