This post intentionally left blank
November 27, 2023 2:50 AM Subscribe
...to give you more 'room' to write in the weekly FREE THREAD. What's the point of 'intentionally blank pages' anyway? [previously, previouslyer]
I used to see that a lot in mainframe service manuals. A guy I worked with had a t-shirt that said IBM on the front and ‘This side intentionally left blank’ on the back.
posted by MtDewd at 2:58 AM on November 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by MtDewd at 2:58 AM on November 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
For years I’ve used this one specific brand of planner with a generous number of blank pages in the back, perfect for a year’s worth of jotting notes at meetings. I just got my 2024 planner in the mail and they’ve cut the number of blank pages by something like 60 percent! Grump. I’ll just have to put myself on a meeting diet. “Sorry, can’t speak with you this week, trying to conserve paper.”
posted by eirias at 3:30 AM on November 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by eirias at 3:30 AM on November 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
So this is where everyone goes when they can't sleep....
Nice full moon still visible if you are interested, and it's not cloudy. Cold out, but the stars are spectacular.
Here in the U.S.A. some of us are still working through the Thanksgiving leftovers. The second dressing casserole, a little roasted chicken, and some of the youngest's potatoes are left.
And yesterday I made more deviled eggs using the eldest's new recipe. Mix diced pickles and red onion with the boiled egg yolks, mayo and mustard, add garlic powder and salt. Scoop back into the egg white halves and sprinkle with chili powder. Less is better with the additions.
I am enjoying the holiday lights, as usual. We have a few neighborhoods that go all out. And the city displays are fun, for people watching as well as the decorations.
Have a good winter festival, one and all!
posted by TrishaU at 3:49 AM on November 27, 2023 [8 favorites]
Nice full moon still visible if you are interested, and it's not cloudy. Cold out, but the stars are spectacular.
Here in the U.S.A. some of us are still working through the Thanksgiving leftovers. The second dressing casserole, a little roasted chicken, and some of the youngest's potatoes are left.
And yesterday I made more deviled eggs using the eldest's new recipe. Mix diced pickles and red onion with the boiled egg yolks, mayo and mustard, add garlic powder and salt. Scoop back into the egg white halves and sprinkle with chili powder. Less is better with the additions.
I am enjoying the holiday lights, as usual. We have a few neighborhoods that go all out. And the city displays are fun, for people watching as well as the decorations.
Have a good winter festival, one and all!
posted by TrishaU at 3:49 AM on November 27, 2023 [8 favorites]
Each day is magical lately, but in a very demanding way—
I've been informed my marriage is over, but friends have rushed in to say all will be well. I am lost and found.
I have no home now, so I have fresh eyes to see.
I am comforted by meditating on the Dao.
posted by Glomar response at 4:13 AM on November 27, 2023 [18 favorites]
I've been informed my marriage is over, but friends have rushed in to say all will be well. I am lost and found.
I have no home now, so I have fresh eyes to see.
I am comforted by meditating on the Dao.
posted by Glomar response at 4:13 AM on November 27, 2023 [18 favorites]
Here in the U.S.A. some of us are still working through the Thanksgiving leftovers.
Well I woulda been, if it wasn't for that meddling bacteria! This week I learned that some foods really can get vindictive if they'd been left out for ~10 hours
posted by Baethan at 4:34 AM on November 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
Well I woulda been, if it wasn't for that meddling bacteria! This week I learned that some foods really can get vindictive if they'd been left out for ~10 hours
posted by Baethan at 4:34 AM on November 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
(had a thought, checked the history, and yes there's been at least one attempt to turn that Wikipedia page into...)
It happens often enough that there’s a permanent comment at the top of the page:
It happens often enough that there’s a permanent comment at the top of the page:
If you're thinking of blanking this page: don't. It's been done. Nobody will laugh. We probably won't even be motivated enough to block you from editing, it will be treated as vandalism, but don't count on that. On the other hand, to see literal renderings of this article, please visit https://en.uncyclopedia.co/wiki/Blank_Page and https://en.uncyclopedia.co/wiki/NihilismI used to have a t-shirt with a map of Paris that said "this side intentionally Left Bank"
posted by briank at 4:39 AM on November 27, 2023 [18 favorites]
posted by briank at 4:39 AM on November 27, 2023 [18 favorites]
This comment intentionally has a short message to indicate that it is otherwise blankposted by zamboni at 4:39 AM on November 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Glomar response wow. That is one intriguing comment. I love it. In an age when nothing is celebrated more than complete absorption in our emotions, (how do you feel? tell me all about your feelings? do you like this? do you hate it? do you want it? follow your dream! thumbs up if you like it, thumbs down if you don't! ) the degree of distance from your own emotions articulated here is stunning. Is this where you are at? (oops, I nearly wrote, is this how you feel? !!!) Is it a goal you are working towards? It would be very helpful to know more.
My wife and I come from off the scale emotional families in which her's knew only let the feelings rip, and mine specialised in keeping a tight lid on everything until the pot boiled over and everyone can get burned! Happily, we have managed to survive each other and after 40 plus years have come full circle to the love and delight in each other we knew on meeting. The protracted transition hinged on long striving for a healthier emotional life, a journey in which the Dao, the Dhammapada and much more besides were essential guides. For you to have made it to this point at such a young age (mid 50s is nothing on this particular journey!) is amazing and admirable. Thank you for your post. It is mightily encouraging.
posted by dutchrick at 4:55 AM on November 27, 2023 [6 favorites]
My wife and I come from off the scale emotional families in which her's knew only let the feelings rip, and mine specialised in keeping a tight lid on everything until the pot boiled over and everyone can get burned! Happily, we have managed to survive each other and after 40 plus years have come full circle to the love and delight in each other we knew on meeting. The protracted transition hinged on long striving for a healthier emotional life, a journey in which the Dao, the Dhammapada and much more besides were essential guides. For you to have made it to this point at such a young age (mid 50s is nothing on this particular journey!) is amazing and admirable. Thank you for your post. It is mightily encouraging.
posted by dutchrick at 4:55 AM on November 27, 2023 [6 favorites]
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the edit window
Let the screen illuminate the words that you could not write
posted by notoriety public at 4:57 AM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
Open up the edit window
Let the screen illuminate the words that you could not write
posted by notoriety public at 4:57 AM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
Blank page, blank day.
I picked up a temporary part-time job a week after getting laid off in July, and was doing that 3 times a week while flinging myself into a job hunt. The job hunt is still going on, but the temp job has pretty much wrapped up...so today, I have nothing.
Well - nothing except for an initial zoom call with the producers and director of a play. Because a stage manager job fell into my lap a week ago. The director is an actress I worked with like 20 years ago, and she was desperately trying to find a stage manager for this production and was beating the bushes and reaching out to basically everyone she'd ever met in her life. And - I was more available than usual, and so here I am.
It actually may dovetail quite nicely with the job hunt. I'm waiting to hear back if I make it to the 3rd round interview for one job, waiting to hear if I even do have a 2nd round with another job. And if both of those fall through, nothing much happens in December on the job-hunt front anyway, and it would make more sense to wait until January as it is - and both of those things mean that no matter what, I'd be available during the rehearsal phase for this show anyway. We rehearse through December, the tech week is the first week of January, and then we're off to the races, when I'd only be needed at the theater in the evenings - which leaves the days free to ramp the job search up again, or actually start at a new job.
And this is an INCREDIBLY sane rehearsal schedule, we only rehearse 4 days a week.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:09 AM on November 27, 2023 [21 favorites]
I picked up a temporary part-time job a week after getting laid off in July, and was doing that 3 times a week while flinging myself into a job hunt. The job hunt is still going on, but the temp job has pretty much wrapped up...so today, I have nothing.
Well - nothing except for an initial zoom call with the producers and director of a play. Because a stage manager job fell into my lap a week ago. The director is an actress I worked with like 20 years ago, and she was desperately trying to find a stage manager for this production and was beating the bushes and reaching out to basically everyone she'd ever met in her life. And - I was more available than usual, and so here I am.
It actually may dovetail quite nicely with the job hunt. I'm waiting to hear back if I make it to the 3rd round interview for one job, waiting to hear if I even do have a 2nd round with another job. And if both of those fall through, nothing much happens in December on the job-hunt front anyway, and it would make more sense to wait until January as it is - and both of those things mean that no matter what, I'd be available during the rehearsal phase for this show anyway. We rehearse through December, the tech week is the first week of January, and then we're off to the races, when I'd only be needed at the theater in the evenings - which leaves the days free to ramp the job search up again, or actually start at a new job.
And this is an INCREDIBLY sane rehearsal schedule, we only rehearse 4 days a week.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:09 AM on November 27, 2023 [21 favorites]
Natasha Bedingfield, "Unwritten," 2004.
Nice. Good vibes for a Monday.
posted by TrishaU at 5:10 AM on November 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Nice. Good vibes for a Monday.
posted by TrishaU at 5:10 AM on November 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Today I am officially 47 years old! Shepherd has made me lemon bars for my requested celebratory dessert, and for dinner, he is making me Pulled Porq Tortas from the latest Isa Chandra Moskowitz cookbook. I also got a full moon for my birthday so it's time to pull some Tarot cards for that!
posted by Kitteh at 5:14 AM on November 27, 2023 [21 favorites]
posted by Kitteh at 5:14 AM on November 27, 2023 [21 favorites]
posted by nostrada at 5:19 AM on November 27, 2023 [8 favorites]
But by labeling the page it is no longer blank. It becomes a paradox, and the blank pages wink out of existence, no longer serving their purpose.
posted by mittens at 5:22 AM on November 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by mittens at 5:22 AM on November 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
Ceci n'est pas une page blanche?
posted by cupcakeninja at 5:47 AM on November 27, 2023 [9 favorites]
posted by cupcakeninja at 5:47 AM on November 27, 2023 [9 favorites]
I also got a full moon for my birthday
cheeky!
posted by elkevelvet at 6:33 AM on November 27, 2023 [8 favorites]
cheeky!
posted by elkevelvet at 6:33 AM on November 27, 2023 [8 favorites]
We celebrated Thanksgiving in other people’s homes this year, so minimal leftovers. Spouse’s family had 20 people for dinner and they ran out of cranberry sauce, stuffing and gravy. My MIL sent us home with a respectable about of turkey and mashed potatoes and some cookies. It is almost gone.
We also spent some time with my younger brother and his family. My dad gave all our mother’s remaining jewelry to brother, so my sister in law and I went through it all and divided up the rest. A set of sterling silver bangles from the 70’s. A monogrammed cross-stitch broach that her best friend (also deceased) made as a birthday gift for her. Her wedding ring, which made me a bit sad, but it also meant my dad had moved on and that is a good thing. A lot of really good costume jewelry for my niece to dress up in now, including a string of jasper beads and fake pearls. Some more expensive pieces we set aside for when niece is older.
We are six years removed from her death. I remember going through her jewelry the first time and my dad encouraging me to take whatever I wanted, take it all if I wanted it. I remember knowing that there were pieces she wanted my sisters in law to have and consciously taking very little, only the most precious to me. I’ll probably tuck most of it away for when niece gets older anyway.
Grief, man.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 6:44 AM on November 27, 2023 [19 favorites]
We also spent some time with my younger brother and his family. My dad gave all our mother’s remaining jewelry to brother, so my sister in law and I went through it all and divided up the rest. A set of sterling silver bangles from the 70’s. A monogrammed cross-stitch broach that her best friend (also deceased) made as a birthday gift for her. Her wedding ring, which made me a bit sad, but it also meant my dad had moved on and that is a good thing. A lot of really good costume jewelry for my niece to dress up in now, including a string of jasper beads and fake pearls. Some more expensive pieces we set aside for when niece is older.
We are six years removed from her death. I remember going through her jewelry the first time and my dad encouraging me to take whatever I wanted, take it all if I wanted it. I remember knowing that there were pieces she wanted my sisters in law to have and consciously taking very little, only the most precious to me. I’ll probably tuck most of it away for when niece gets older anyway.
Grief, man.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 6:44 AM on November 27, 2023 [19 favorites]
I’ve spent all of last week either anxiously watching our cat, or being in the vet/ER with cat, as she suddenly stopped eating, wanting to cuddle, couldn’t seem to sleep. Metastatic cancer, probably in her lymph nodes and marrow now, and acute liver failure. Lots of other bad things on the ultrasound too.
At-home euthanasia later today. Desperately trying to find a photographer before that for some last good quality photos.
Miserable politicians - who are also extremely bad at their jobs - are making things in my city worse by the day, and I can't seem to get away from absolutely bleak/brutal near-future apocalypse fiction.
And this little snug bug won’t be there anymore when I come home for lunch, or wake me up at 3am because she’s munchy and bored and loves us and wants company.
Fuck cancer. Fuck cancer.
posted by curious nu at 6:54 AM on November 27, 2023 [43 favorites]
At-home euthanasia later today. Desperately trying to find a photographer before that for some last good quality photos.
Miserable politicians - who are also extremely bad at their jobs - are making things in my city worse by the day, and I can't seem to get away from absolutely bleak/brutal near-future apocalypse fiction.
And this little snug bug won’t be there anymore when I come home for lunch, or wake me up at 3am because she’s munchy and bored and loves us and wants company.
Fuck cancer. Fuck cancer.
posted by curious nu at 6:54 AM on November 27, 2023 [43 favorites]
My workplace is still largely paralyzed by a cyberattack, the hackers stole every bit of employee data right down to SIN numbers and images of personal identification, I haven't been able to find a job in Calgary (where my wife moved for her new job last July), there are barely any jobs in my field to apply for out there in the first place, and my dad (who has cancers, plural) was recently given "weeks" to live. So things are great.
On the plus side, my wife's job is going mostly very well and I'm getting a lot of reading done at work because there isn't a whole lot to do.
posted by The Card Cheat at 6:59 AM on November 27, 2023 [11 favorites]
On the plus side, my wife's job is going mostly very well and I'm getting a lot of reading done at work because there isn't a whole lot to do.
posted by The Card Cheat at 6:59 AM on November 27, 2023 [11 favorites]
Got charged $50 ($60 with tip) for an Uber when it's usually under $20, because it was "unusually busy" at 3am on a Sunday night.
This is my villain origin story.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:02 AM on November 27, 2023 [13 favorites]
This is my villain origin story.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:02 AM on November 27, 2023 [13 favorites]
My daughter's husband (yes, I know there is a phrase in English to indicate his relationship to me in fewer characters, but it calls for two hyphens and a legal term, so no thanks) is a chef, so it was the best Thanksgiving dinner ever, plus we went Bowling in Omaha.
posted by kozad at 7:11 AM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by kozad at 7:11 AM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
hugs to curious nu. I will also try to get a message to Zach (another feline cancer loss, 13 years ago now) to keep an eye out for your beloved.
...I tend to travel with as few bags as possible, which means my suitcases are full - so there was no way I could have packed FOOD to come back home with me this Thanksgiving (it'd have to survive a 1-hour car ride, a 3-hour train ride, and a 1-hour subway ride). But - thanks to one other small bag Mom had to loan me, I did get something; a crocheted afghan my paternal grandmother made.
....I don't really have any memories of my paternal grandmother. Dad was the only child of a second marriage, while Mom was the second of four kids and parents who had just moved to Cape Cod where vacations were a lot prettier. Also, my paternal grandmother died when I was only about three; the one and only memory I have of my grandmother was of the day Dad came home from work early to tell us she'd died. My mother started crying and it freaked me out. And that's all I remember about Grandma L.
But it turns out she was a DIY-crafty person too, and Mom showed me an afghan she'd made - and a rag rug she'd also made, and won a blue ribbon for in some kind of fair. She was showing me them both so I could adopt them at some future day if I so chose. They're gorgeous - and the afghan actually matches my color scheme (such as it is) in my living room. It was also really nice and heavy and warm. I didn't have room in my suitcase, but wanted it right away - so Mom found another bag it JUST fit inside.
I came home to New York on Saturday and was planning a chill day on Sunday, and spent most of that under Grandma L's afghan on the couch.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:18 AM on November 27, 2023 [9 favorites]
...I tend to travel with as few bags as possible, which means my suitcases are full - so there was no way I could have packed FOOD to come back home with me this Thanksgiving (it'd have to survive a 1-hour car ride, a 3-hour train ride, and a 1-hour subway ride). But - thanks to one other small bag Mom had to loan me, I did get something; a crocheted afghan my paternal grandmother made.
....I don't really have any memories of my paternal grandmother. Dad was the only child of a second marriage, while Mom was the second of four kids and parents who had just moved to Cape Cod where vacations were a lot prettier. Also, my paternal grandmother died when I was only about three; the one and only memory I have of my grandmother was of the day Dad came home from work early to tell us she'd died. My mother started crying and it freaked me out. And that's all I remember about Grandma L.
But it turns out she was a DIY-crafty person too, and Mom showed me an afghan she'd made - and a rag rug she'd also made, and won a blue ribbon for in some kind of fair. She was showing me them both so I could adopt them at some future day if I so chose. They're gorgeous - and the afghan actually matches my color scheme (such as it is) in my living room. It was also really nice and heavy and warm. I didn't have room in my suitcase, but wanted it right away - so Mom found another bag it JUST fit inside.
I came home to New York on Saturday and was planning a chill day on Sunday, and spent most of that under Grandma L's afghan on the couch.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:18 AM on November 27, 2023 [9 favorites]
I’ve spent all of last week either anxiously watching our cat
sorry to hear this, curious nu. I am still raw from last week. The household is shared with a cat that arrived as a stray the same year my partner and I started seeing one another, we're "stray brothers" and he's approaching his 14th year or so. He does not tolerate most other animals, certainly not other cats, but he has grown very attached to the dog that was introduced as a puppy by my partner's son. She is a bossy brat, lab/shepherd. My partner went to put soup stock out on the deck to cool Monday evening, to find a black kitten on a chair on the deck. Little thing was mature enough for solid foods (in fact, full grown as we later found out with the vet, but just never got enough to eat so she stayed tiny).
Partner brings "Kitten" into home and we sequester her from the others in the bedroom. This little black cat was sneezing up ropey strands of snot, her eyes were gummed up, I'd say terrible ear mites and probably a bad inner ear infection: she kept her head cocked at an angle and kind of leaned into everything. Plenty lively and very affectionate, but she would not eat anything we put out for her and barely drank.
By Thursday we finally get her an appt with the vet, a friend, and the vet says "Sorry but this one's just got too many strikes. The respiratory infection looks like it has left permanent damage, the inner ear infection will require surgery and may never be resolved, and mainly it's the not-eating and we haven't even run blood tests." So we brought Kitten back Friday to be euthanized.
This tiny creature was so lively, up on the examination table she kept twisting and butting our hands as we visited with her and had some final moments. Vet said we'd try a little sedative to settle her, then we spent more time with her. Vet checks in, says "Maybe a little more sedative?" and gives her another shot. Kitten finally starts to settle, but still moving enough that they ended up swaddling her to administer the lethal injection. This tiny creature was a fine little scrapper, she survived, then died with dignity. She trusted us and was a happy little thing. Right near the end I think the sedative was doing stuff to her mind, she bit down **hard** on my partner's finger and drew blood. She then managed to sink her teeth into my knuckle, I needed help opening her jaw to release.
"something to remember me by"
posted by elkevelvet at 7:31 AM on November 27, 2023 [18 favorites]
sorry to hear this, curious nu. I am still raw from last week. The household is shared with a cat that arrived as a stray the same year my partner and I started seeing one another, we're "stray brothers" and he's approaching his 14th year or so. He does not tolerate most other animals, certainly not other cats, but he has grown very attached to the dog that was introduced as a puppy by my partner's son. She is a bossy brat, lab/shepherd. My partner went to put soup stock out on the deck to cool Monday evening, to find a black kitten on a chair on the deck. Little thing was mature enough for solid foods (in fact, full grown as we later found out with the vet, but just never got enough to eat so she stayed tiny).
Partner brings "Kitten" into home and we sequester her from the others in the bedroom. This little black cat was sneezing up ropey strands of snot, her eyes were gummed up, I'd say terrible ear mites and probably a bad inner ear infection: she kept her head cocked at an angle and kind of leaned into everything. Plenty lively and very affectionate, but she would not eat anything we put out for her and barely drank.
By Thursday we finally get her an appt with the vet, a friend, and the vet says "Sorry but this one's just got too many strikes. The respiratory infection looks like it has left permanent damage, the inner ear infection will require surgery and may never be resolved, and mainly it's the not-eating and we haven't even run blood tests." So we brought Kitten back Friday to be euthanized.
This tiny creature was so lively, up on the examination table she kept twisting and butting our hands as we visited with her and had some final moments. Vet said we'd try a little sedative to settle her, then we spent more time with her. Vet checks in, says "Maybe a little more sedative?" and gives her another shot. Kitten finally starts to settle, but still moving enough that they ended up swaddling her to administer the lethal injection. This tiny creature was a fine little scrapper, she survived, then died with dignity. She trusted us and was a happy little thing. Right near the end I think the sedative was doing stuff to her mind, she bit down **hard** on my partner's finger and drew blood. She then managed to sink her teeth into my knuckle, I needed help opening her jaw to release.
"something to remember me by"
posted by elkevelvet at 7:31 AM on November 27, 2023 [18 favorites]
Thanksgiving was catered by the company my wife works for, and consisted of me visiting her at work on Wednesday and bring home three large bags o' stuff: a turkey breast, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese, some lovely sourdough rolls, turkey gravy, cranberry chutney, and herb butter, all in metal pans. Enough for six people, really. We put it in other pans so we didn't cook it all at once, and had a lovely if quiet dinner.
My entire family doesn't speak to me since I came out, not even a birthday card. My wife's family is very weird and right now her sister isn't in the mood to speak at all, so it was just the two of us. We ate dinner together and talked, then binged some more Babylon 5.
I spent some time writing as well, and realized that what I'm writing is going to take way more than the 50K of a NaNoWriMo project; I had to lose a half-day on Tuesday to finally buckle down and map out the area so I could figure out where people were, how long it takes to get there both on foot and horseback, and plot things out.
Friday's writing got distracted for about an hour going "wait, if I said the fae are incarnated stories in the primeval magical world, what kinds of stories become fae, which become the lords of the fey, and what does it all work out to?" and now I have it set that the fae lords are the basic story archetypes (one that is in the book is the incarnation of love stories, and all his servitor fae come from each relationship) and that there's an eternal struggle for power between the positive and negative emotional stories, but that the most powerful fae lord, and the one no one screws with is the Smiling Lady, Mistress of Hope, because even the stories of deepest horror, terror and misery need hope in them to give them power (even if it's just to crush it at the last moment).
I've also decided firmly that 12/1, I take that deep breath and begin the physical fitness and eating routine I'm said I'm going to do eventually, which includes me also starting on swordfighting, both for exercise and because frankly the world needs more swordswomen.
posted by mephron at 8:05 AM on November 27, 2023 [18 favorites]
My entire family doesn't speak to me since I came out, not even a birthday card. My wife's family is very weird and right now her sister isn't in the mood to speak at all, so it was just the two of us. We ate dinner together and talked, then binged some more Babylon 5.
I spent some time writing as well, and realized that what I'm writing is going to take way more than the 50K of a NaNoWriMo project; I had to lose a half-day on Tuesday to finally buckle down and map out the area so I could figure out where people were, how long it takes to get there both on foot and horseback, and plot things out.
Friday's writing got distracted for about an hour going "wait, if I said the fae are incarnated stories in the primeval magical world, what kinds of stories become fae, which become the lords of the fey, and what does it all work out to?" and now I have it set that the fae lords are the basic story archetypes (one that is in the book is the incarnation of love stories, and all his servitor fae come from each relationship) and that there's an eternal struggle for power between the positive and negative emotional stories, but that the most powerful fae lord, and the one no one screws with is the Smiling Lady, Mistress of Hope, because even the stories of deepest horror, terror and misery need hope in them to give them power (even if it's just to crush it at the last moment).
I've also decided firmly that 12/1, I take that deep breath and begin the physical fitness and eating routine I'm said I'm going to do eventually, which includes me also starting on swordfighting, both for exercise and because frankly the world needs more swordswomen.
posted by mephron at 8:05 AM on November 27, 2023 [18 favorites]
We went up to my parents' house for Thanksgiving, and had my Aunt and one of her daughters come down. (The other one was sick and contagious, so she stayed away.) Thanksgiving dinner was at the Golden Corral, which was a machine getting people in and out. The food was decent to good, and it beat cooking for 11. One of my cousins boys is 5, and he's into toy cars. I still had my cars from when I was growing up, so someone got an early Christmas.
We took Perci (the dachshund) with us. This was her first time visiting my parents since she went blind, so we were worried about her getting around. She did fine. She could find the basement door from the back yard, and after we put a new harness on her, she immediately went to the kitchen door, ready to go outside.
It was a fun week, and work's been quiet, which is also nice.
posted by Spike Glee at 8:14 AM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
We took Perci (the dachshund) with us. This was her first time visiting my parents since she went blind, so we were worried about her getting around. She did fine. She could find the basement door from the back yard, and after we put a new harness on her, she immediately went to the kitchen door, ready to go outside.
It was a fun week, and work's been quiet, which is also nice.
posted by Spike Glee at 8:14 AM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
On Thanksgiving, we went over to Great-Grandma Brown's house, it was just me, my dad, and my daughter; everyone else had other commitments. Grandma's favorite food is KFC, so our Thanksgiving dinner was KFC, bought Wednesday and reheated, because if the 94-year-old matriarch of the family wants KFC on Thanksgiving, she gets KFC.
We then did a more traditional Thanksgiving dinner Sunday -- turkey, stuffing, potatoes, broccoli, cherry pie --with the same daughter and my wife who couldn't make it on Thanksgiving to Grandma's, and watched the latest Dungeons and Dragons movie.
Tiny film student update:
After worrying my partner for the final project was mad at me, or had changed partners without telling me, and all other sort of anxiety-produced reasons, it turns out the reason she didn't respond to any of the 8 emails I sent to both her personal and school email address over the last 20 days was she "doesn't check her email much" and she apologized profusely and said I should text her instead, now a month and a half into the project, so I got her celphone number. Kids these days. She is going to learn pretty quickly that many things happen only via email, regardless of her preferred communication method. We're meeting on Wednesday to finish the final video to turn in, and then I won't have to worry about how to get a hold of her.
Our small assignment this week: experimental video. Something of a montage, a collage, a diary of our lives based on whatever we've already got recorded on our phones. So, mine will probably be a lot of my pets.
I did, however, have the forethought to record -- during class -- video of the professor as he described the assignment, and video of myself watching the example video he showed, to make things painfully meta if I so choose.
posted by AzraelBrown at 8:19 AM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
We then did a more traditional Thanksgiving dinner Sunday -- turkey, stuffing, potatoes, broccoli, cherry pie --with the same daughter and my wife who couldn't make it on Thanksgiving to Grandma's, and watched the latest Dungeons and Dragons movie.
Tiny film student update:
After worrying my partner for the final project was mad at me, or had changed partners without telling me, and all other sort of anxiety-produced reasons, it turns out the reason she didn't respond to any of the 8 emails I sent to both her personal and school email address over the last 20 days was she "doesn't check her email much" and she apologized profusely and said I should text her instead, now a month and a half into the project, so I got her celphone number. Kids these days. She is going to learn pretty quickly that many things happen only via email, regardless of her preferred communication method. We're meeting on Wednesday to finish the final video to turn in, and then I won't have to worry about how to get a hold of her.
Our small assignment this week: experimental video. Something of a montage, a collage, a diary of our lives based on whatever we've already got recorded on our phones. So, mine will probably be a lot of my pets.
I did, however, have the forethought to record -- during class -- video of the professor as he described the assignment, and video of myself watching the example video he showed, to make things painfully meta if I so choose.
posted by AzraelBrown at 8:19 AM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
the world needs more swordswomen.
in my small community one of the pleasures of Community Registration Night held annually in September is the Kung Fu table, the same young woman is always at the table with a few others and she always brings her swords. I have seen her perform in community band but never more than a cursory demonstration of her sword skills.
posted by elkevelvet at 8:23 AM on November 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
in my small community one of the pleasures of Community Registration Night held annually in September is the Kung Fu table, the same young woman is always at the table with a few others and she always brings her swords. I have seen her perform in community band but never more than a cursory demonstration of her sword skills.
posted by elkevelvet at 8:23 AM on November 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
My 73 year old sister was found recently in her apartment, slumped over her walker, near death. She hadn't eaten in a couple weeks. Alcohol has ravaged her for years, aggravating her colitis and making digestion painful. We had tried to help her repeatedly, but many of you know what alcoholics are like. When I first saw her in the hospital she looked like a stage prop corpse from a zombie film.
However, a month and a couple transfusions later, she is a new person. It looks like she has abandoned the boxes of wine. I took her on a drive to see her mother's gravestone for the first time. She was delighted, in a melancholy way.
Now that the nasty booze attitude - eerily identical to my mother when she drank daily - is gone, our whole family will be able to spend more time with her in the little time she has left.
posted by CynicalKnight at 8:23 AM on November 27, 2023 [17 favorites]
However, a month and a couple transfusions later, she is a new person. It looks like she has abandoned the boxes of wine. I took her on a drive to see her mother's gravestone for the first time. She was delighted, in a melancholy way.
Now that the nasty booze attitude - eerily identical to my mother when she drank daily - is gone, our whole family will be able to spend more time with her in the little time she has left.
posted by CynicalKnight at 8:23 AM on November 27, 2023 [17 favorites]
I have been cleaning out my house for over a year (I’m old, widowed, and ADHDD) and my adult kid refers to it as “Mommy’s hobby.” (To be fair they refer to conscious parenting as their own hobby.) I keep finding more things I don’t need to own. I donate them or else I put them out attractively displayed in a cardboard box on the sidewalk in front of my city rowhouse, and people take them. Today a nice man took some paintbrushes, some Tupperware, and an unopened bag of dry cat food already. Yesterday someone took a stack of plastic shoeboxes with lids and some screwdrivers.
The goal is to have a great deal of my living space intentionally left blank.
posted by Peach at 8:30 AM on November 27, 2023 [20 favorites]
The goal is to have a great deal of my living space intentionally left blank.
posted by Peach at 8:30 AM on November 27, 2023 [20 favorites]
We were truly thankful this year, not so much for particular good fortune on our part, but in comparison with is happening with a close friend. I'm feeling a need to write it out, here in the safe anonymity bubble of Metafilter. It's just a terribly sad situation and so feel free to skip on to more stuff about blank pages. I kinda want to do that, myself. Anyway.
Nothing special here. Our kids are well, having great fun with their music while they slog through college applications. We're well; employers keep paying us and we're healthy. My father-in-law celebrated his 94th birthday on Thanksgiving Day and if that's not something to be grateful for, what is?
That all makes the other side of this hit hard. Just before the holiday, we learned that our friend's husband, who is in his mid-50s, has experienced some sort of sudden-onset neurological disorder. In two months he has gone from fully capable to almost helpless, with most of the decline in the last two weeks. His short-term memory is severely impaired and he has almost no physical coordination; she has to dress him, feed him, bathe him and walk him around their house. She's trying to get him admitted to a hospital just to speed up the testing (hooray US health care), which so far has yielded only a vague, inconclusive diagnosis of something untreatable.
He's had to quit his two jobs. He has vacation pay and disability from one job, but even with her income, they needed his second job to pay the bills. And they have a child in college and two more headed that way. She has been a dynamo, working with his employer and their insurers and their doctors, but I don't know how she can keep this up for long. They live literally thousands of miles from us and from what little family they have. And even if they figure out all the finances, just imagine watching your life partner decline so quickly, and losing them so young. And meanwhile we're blowing out the candles on a 94th birthday. Who decides this stuff?
Sorry, all. Needed to get this out. If there's any purpose to this post, it's the obvious one that we still forget too often: Love each other. Cherish what you have. Be thankful.
posted by martin q blank at 8:52 AM on November 27, 2023 [20 favorites]
Nothing special here. Our kids are well, having great fun with their music while they slog through college applications. We're well; employers keep paying us and we're healthy. My father-in-law celebrated his 94th birthday on Thanksgiving Day and if that's not something to be grateful for, what is?
That all makes the other side of this hit hard. Just before the holiday, we learned that our friend's husband, who is in his mid-50s, has experienced some sort of sudden-onset neurological disorder. In two months he has gone from fully capable to almost helpless, with most of the decline in the last two weeks. His short-term memory is severely impaired and he has almost no physical coordination; she has to dress him, feed him, bathe him and walk him around their house. She's trying to get him admitted to a hospital just to speed up the testing (hooray US health care), which so far has yielded only a vague, inconclusive diagnosis of something untreatable.
He's had to quit his two jobs. He has vacation pay and disability from one job, but even with her income, they needed his second job to pay the bills. And they have a child in college and two more headed that way. She has been a dynamo, working with his employer and their insurers and their doctors, but I don't know how she can keep this up for long. They live literally thousands of miles from us and from what little family they have. And even if they figure out all the finances, just imagine watching your life partner decline so quickly, and losing them so young. And meanwhile we're blowing out the candles on a 94th birthday. Who decides this stuff?
Sorry, all. Needed to get this out. If there's any purpose to this post, it's the obvious one that we still forget too often: Love each other. Cherish what you have. Be thankful.
posted by martin q blank at 8:52 AM on November 27, 2023 [20 favorites]
We were too tired from Everything to cook for Thanksgiving so we got our prepared dinner from Whole Foods. We just had to heat it up. It was easy and delicious.
Saturday night (Sunday morning) my cat woke me up at 03:00, as is his new habit, wanting a treat and to go outside. It's been dipping into the low 20sF lately, so after letting him out I wrapped myself in a blanket and sat where I could watch the front porch for his return, which is usually 10-15 minutes. If he doesn't appear I check the (covered) back porch where I set up a heating pad in a cardboard box.
While sitting there my wife appeared saying that she was having severe chest pain. Paramedics took her to the ER where EKG and blood tests were normal. Her pain responded to nitroglycerin which suggests it might have been esophageal spasm (the esophagus is made of muscle). I guess we'll find out this week if her doctor wants her to do a treadmill test.
posted by neuron at 8:53 AM on November 27, 2023 [8 favorites]
Saturday night (Sunday morning) my cat woke me up at 03:00, as is his new habit, wanting a treat and to go outside. It's been dipping into the low 20sF lately, so after letting him out I wrapped myself in a blanket and sat where I could watch the front porch for his return, which is usually 10-15 minutes. If he doesn't appear I check the (covered) back porch where I set up a heating pad in a cardboard box.
While sitting there my wife appeared saying that she was having severe chest pain. Paramedics took her to the ER where EKG and blood tests were normal. Her pain responded to nitroglycerin which suggests it might have been esophageal spasm (the esophagus is made of muscle). I guess we'll find out this week if her doctor wants her to do a treadmill test.
posted by neuron at 8:53 AM on November 27, 2023 [8 favorites]
because it was "unusually busy" at 3am on a Sunday night.
Whenever I ring a call centre, it invariably responds by telling me I'll have to wait due to "an unusually high number of calls". It follows that this unusually high number of calls is now perfectly usual. But they still don't answer.
One day, i'd love to hear an honest call centre message: "We are experiencing the usual number of calls, but staffing our call centre adequately to deal with them would eat into executive bonuses. If of you don't like it, please feel free to be stonewalled by our website instead."
posted by Paul Slade at 8:55 AM on November 27, 2023 [14 favorites]
Whenever I ring a call centre, it invariably responds by telling me I'll have to wait due to "an unusually high number of calls". It follows that this unusually high number of calls is now perfectly usual. But they still don't answer.
One day, i'd love to hear an honest call centre message: "We are experiencing the usual number of calls, but staffing our call centre adequately to deal with them would eat into executive bonuses. If of you don't like it, please feel free to be stonewalled by our website instead."
posted by Paul Slade at 8:55 AM on November 27, 2023 [14 favorites]
Thanksgiving was fine--spent it with relatives and also got in an AA meeting that night--but the holiday was bookended by funerals, sort of; one the weekend before Turkeymas and another this coming Friday, both on the same side of the family--a cousin who was several years younger than me and an uncle who was AFAIK the oldest ever on that side of the family. Not sure how to feel about all of that; kind of blank at the moment.
posted by Halloween Jack at 8:58 AM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by Halloween Jack at 8:58 AM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
One day, i'd love to hear an honest call centre message: "We are experiencing the usual number of calls, but staffing our call centre adequately to deal with them would eat into executive bonuses. If of you don't like it, please feel free to be stonewalled by our website instead."
Last week, after the alternator died, I called AAA to have my car towed and the automated system requested my phone number so it could send me a text message with a link to their website chat. Or I could download the app. Speaking to a human at 2:30 PM on a Tuesday was not an option.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 9:07 AM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
Last week, after the alternator died, I called AAA to have my car towed and the automated system requested my phone number so it could send me a text message with a link to their website chat. Or I could download the app. Speaking to a human at 2:30 PM on a Tuesday was not an option.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 9:07 AM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
curiousnu I'm so very very sorry for the loss of your little fur baby. we had a scare with Herbert last week and almost cancelled our holiday travel plans at the last minute. we were able to arrange good care for him over the weekend, and the new higher dose of Prednisolone seems to be getting his appetite back up. he used to be a big 15 lb bubba, then a healthy 12 lb. this morning he was 8.3 lb :(
but he is eating again, and seems a little more energetic. he is 13.5 years old, definitely not out of the woods yet, but we are hopeful.
posted by supermedusa at 9:14 AM on November 27, 2023 [6 favorites]
but he is eating again, and seems a little more energetic. he is 13.5 years old, definitely not out of the woods yet, but we are hopeful.
posted by supermedusa at 9:14 AM on November 27, 2023 [6 favorites]
Had a pretty good Thanksgiving at my in-laws' place. Their new puppy enhanced the experience.
Teenage Engineering, whose products and prices I usually prefer to make fun of, released an extremely cool sampler/drum machine, the awkwardly named EP-133 K.O. II. It's like a cross between a retro calculator, a toy, and a modern groovebox -- a big step up from their Pocket Operator line but not in the expensive territory of their OP-1 or OPZ. I ordered it on Thanksgiving as a birthday present for myself, it shipped within a couple of hours and was waiting for me when I got home. Lots of fun!
posted by Foosnark at 10:20 AM on November 27, 2023 [7 favorites]
Teenage Engineering, whose products and prices I usually prefer to make fun of, released an extremely cool sampler/drum machine, the awkwardly named EP-133 K.O. II. It's like a cross between a retro calculator, a toy, and a modern groovebox -- a big step up from their Pocket Operator line but not in the expensive territory of their OP-1 or OPZ. I ordered it on Thanksgiving as a birthday present for myself, it shipped within a couple of hours and was waiting for me when I got home. Lots of fun!
posted by Foosnark at 10:20 AM on November 27, 2023 [7 favorites]
What's the point of 'intentionally blank pages' anyway?
Sometimes an editor just needs some space.
posted by cortex at 10:32 AM on November 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
Sometimes an editor just needs some space.
posted by cortex at 10:32 AM on November 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
A friend has told me that my ex is on onlyfans.
And I don't know how to think about that. I'm happy for them, I suppose. Although I use pornography I don't cam myself or use cam person services.
And it was not something that my ex did ... I think ? They are in their late forties and the kids are grown. And they are making ~$5,000.00 a month. And they are a repeat felon.
And they are educated and vocationally skilled in finance for 20+ years of work behind them.
I are conflict about what to think about this. And although none of it is my business anymore I feel oddly tangled up in the feelings.
posted by MonsieurPEB at 10:34 AM on November 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
And I don't know how to think about that. I'm happy for them, I suppose. Although I use pornography I don't cam myself or use cam person services.
And it was not something that my ex did ... I think ? They are in their late forties and the kids are grown. And they are making ~$5,000.00 a month. And they are a repeat felon.
And they are educated and vocationally skilled in finance for 20+ years of work behind them.
I are conflict about what to think about this. And although none of it is my business anymore I feel oddly tangled up in the feelings.
posted by MonsieurPEB at 10:34 AM on November 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
We had a delicious and delightful Friendsgiving with local friends, so I was thankful for that.
It was also a poignant day as this is the first Thanksgiving without my best friend, who lived in another state. She died earlier this year from cancer. I celebrated Thanksgiving with her and her family (and friends) for 35 years, and it’s hard to not even be able to call her.
Personally, I’m a very thankful breast cancer survivor - coming up on 4 years. The time of my treatment feels like a bad dream now.
Wishing you all peace in the season.
posted by dbmcd at 10:45 AM on November 27, 2023 [9 favorites]
It was also a poignant day as this is the first Thanksgiving without my best friend, who lived in another state. She died earlier this year from cancer. I celebrated Thanksgiving with her and her family (and friends) for 35 years, and it’s hard to not even be able to call her.
Personally, I’m a very thankful breast cancer survivor - coming up on 4 years. The time of my treatment feels like a bad dream now.
Wishing you all peace in the season.
posted by dbmcd at 10:45 AM on November 27, 2023 [9 favorites]
by labeling the page it is no longer blank. It becomes a paradox
Blank page enforced by CSS? "This page left intentionally blank” in a html comment? Is it blank and/or a sandwich?
posted by clew at 10:49 AM on November 27, 2023
Blank page enforced by CSS? "This page left intentionally blank” in a html comment? Is it blank and/or a sandwich?
posted by clew at 10:49 AM on November 27, 2023
On the other hand, to see literal renderings of this article, please visit https://en.uncyclopedia.co/wiki/Blank_Page
Which, as it happens, is literally blank...
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:50 AM on November 27, 2023
Which, as it happens, is literally blank...
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:50 AM on November 27, 2023
I also attended a Friendsgiving potluck Friday night. The food was fantastic and we all had a good time.
On the other hand, I got a flat tire on the way home then spent the rest of the weekend in a food hangover.
Still worth it.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:52 AM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
On the other hand, I got a flat tire on the way home then spent the rest of the weekend in a food hangover.
Still worth it.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:52 AM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
"This page intentionally left bereft of content other than this metatextual disclaimer."
posted by cortex at 10:59 AM on November 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by cortex at 10:59 AM on November 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
I keep finding more things I don’t need to own. I donate them or else I put them out attractively displayed in a cardboard box on the sidewalk in front of my city rowhouse, and people take them.
Mom has been gradually doing the same; we had a day-after-Thanksgiving gathering as well, with some cousins who were at their various in-laws or other commitments for Thanksgiving proper. And Mom brought over a little something silly - she'd found a whole bunch of ties that used to belong to her father/my grandfather, plus a tie my uncle (her brother) had from his prep school days. She also found my brother's old workout shorts from when he was in our high school football team. So she gift-wrapped my uncle's tie and my brother's shorts, plus a bunch of other ties - and brought them all over, where my nephew got his dad's old football shorts, my uncle got his old school tie, and all the other guys got random other ties to wear. The early-teenage boys (my nephew plus two of my cousin's kids) were puzzled but indulgent, and all the other guys (Dad, my brother, a cousin, and another cousin's husband) also got a kick out of it. And - Mom now no longer had to figure out where to store those old damn ties so she was just as happy.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:12 AM on November 27, 2023 [8 favorites]
Mom has been gradually doing the same; we had a day-after-Thanksgiving gathering as well, with some cousins who were at their various in-laws or other commitments for Thanksgiving proper. And Mom brought over a little something silly - she'd found a whole bunch of ties that used to belong to her father/my grandfather, plus a tie my uncle (her brother) had from his prep school days. She also found my brother's old workout shorts from when he was in our high school football team. So she gift-wrapped my uncle's tie and my brother's shorts, plus a bunch of other ties - and brought them all over, where my nephew got his dad's old football shorts, my uncle got his old school tie, and all the other guys got random other ties to wear. The early-teenage boys (my nephew plus two of my cousin's kids) were puzzled but indulgent, and all the other guys (Dad, my brother, a cousin, and another cousin's husband) also got a kick out of it. And - Mom now no longer had to figure out where to store those old damn ties so she was just as happy.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:12 AM on November 27, 2023 [8 favorites]
I'm back at work again. Yaaaaaaaaaay (not). Really wasn't feeling good this morning upon waking up, but I'm stuck now. Going through 370+ emails, and my laryngitis appears to be making a wee bit of a comeback and of course they need *someone* to answer the phones. I'm not volunteering.
Oklahoma finished up, it ended well, my mom eventually came and my friends who have refused to go to shows for years came to this one, so yay. Now to have nothing but dead time for another month. Can't say I'm thrilled about it, but it is what it is.
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:31 AM on November 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
Oklahoma finished up, it ended well, my mom eventually came and my friends who have refused to go to shows for years came to this one, so yay. Now to have nothing but dead time for another month. Can't say I'm thrilled about it, but it is what it is.
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:31 AM on November 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
I have a domain I mostly use for email, but a long time ago I set up an empty home page for the domain with the text "This space intentionally left blank." If you view source on the page you'll see a comment in the HTML reiterating the point. I mostly don't think about this, but at some point I inadvertently emailed a friend using that email address instead of the gmail address I usually use. This apparently caused him to wonder what the domain was, because he sent me a screen shot of the source code showing that comment. It's always nice when people get your jokes.
posted by fedward at 11:34 AM on November 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by fedward at 11:34 AM on November 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
I started a monthly meet-up for queer women, transwomen, and nonbinary folks in this small and depressing town I live in. Turns out that if I want to be part of a community here, I pretty much have to create it. It was a three-month experiment. Three of us were at the first meeting, on a Friday night in September. Four of us attended the meeting in October. There were 11 (!!!) of us last Friday evening at the cafe that has been hosting us.
It made me so happy. The first meeting was bumpy and challenging; the other two folks did not want to talk, seemingly. The second meeting was better because the new person knew how to converse! The third meeting spanned generations and included a great dog. The last three women who showed up made costumes for the ComicCon in Stockholm several months back and so many of the folks there were total nerds in the best possible way. I discovered the existence of a game called Thirsty Sword Lesbians during a discussion about role playing games, about which I know nothing.
After that I walked over in the darkest of night to meet a kinky group of folks having dinner. These were also new folks. But I did not get to meet them because, instead, I fell on my noggin, sliced open my right eyebrow, and had to go to the hospital for a couple of stitches.
It could have been so much worse! But the day after my fall I spent almost all day in bed. I was freaked out by the fall and catastrophizing up a storm, and all that. Sunday I left my apartment and made my steps goal. Today I revisited the scene of my accident during the day. I think a sneaker caught on the raised edge of a concrete slab that wasn't even with the surroundings and that brought me down. (Like, I could practically hear "timber" in my mind as I was falling.) But I am okay. For now, I am okay.
Glomar response, I hope you are okay now and will be in the future.
curious nu, so so sorry about your beloved cat.
martin q blank, my brother-in-law's disintegration was not as fast. What a horrible situation for your friend, his family, and those like you who love him.
Sending virtual hugs to all who may want them, including folks with bloody knuckles or bruised hearts like elkevelvet, neuron, Halloween Jack, and anyone else I have forgotten who has been reminded lately that sometimes being human is wonderful and sometimes it just sucks entirely.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:00 PM on November 27, 2023 [19 favorites]
It made me so happy. The first meeting was bumpy and challenging; the other two folks did not want to talk, seemingly. The second meeting was better because the new person knew how to converse! The third meeting spanned generations and included a great dog. The last three women who showed up made costumes for the ComicCon in Stockholm several months back and so many of the folks there were total nerds in the best possible way. I discovered the existence of a game called Thirsty Sword Lesbians during a discussion about role playing games, about which I know nothing.
After that I walked over in the darkest of night to meet a kinky group of folks having dinner. These were also new folks. But I did not get to meet them because, instead, I fell on my noggin, sliced open my right eyebrow, and had to go to the hospital for a couple of stitches.
It could have been so much worse! But the day after my fall I spent almost all day in bed. I was freaked out by the fall and catastrophizing up a storm, and all that. Sunday I left my apartment and made my steps goal. Today I revisited the scene of my accident during the day. I think a sneaker caught on the raised edge of a concrete slab that wasn't even with the surroundings and that brought me down. (Like, I could practically hear "timber" in my mind as I was falling.) But I am okay. For now, I am okay.
Glomar response, I hope you are okay now and will be in the future.
curious nu, so so sorry about your beloved cat.
martin q blank, my brother-in-law's disintegration was not as fast. What a horrible situation for your friend, his family, and those like you who love him.
Sending virtual hugs to all who may want them, including folks with bloody knuckles or bruised hearts like elkevelvet, neuron, Halloween Jack, and anyone else I have forgotten who has been reminded lately that sometimes being human is wonderful and sometimes it just sucks entirely.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:00 PM on November 27, 2023 [19 favorites]
curious nu, so sorry to hear about your cat.
I had both a driving lesson and a life coach session today, which was not good timing. The driving instructor explained that apparently I should look at something besides the steering wheel, in fact I should not look at that at all. But how would I know which way I was going if I were not looking at which way I was steering? It's madness. It was my fourth car park today. Next lesson is going to be at 8am in order to get emptier car parks. The life coach and I mainly talked about cat pee.
posted by paduasoy at 1:01 PM on November 27, 2023 [6 favorites]
I had both a driving lesson and a life coach session today, which was not good timing. The driving instructor explained that apparently I should look at something besides the steering wheel, in fact I should not look at that at all. But how would I know which way I was going if I were not looking at which way I was steering? It's madness. It was my fourth car park today. Next lesson is going to be at 8am in order to get emptier car parks. The life coach and I mainly talked about cat pee.
posted by paduasoy at 1:01 PM on November 27, 2023 [6 favorites]
There is no blank side of the page, really. As a matter of fact it's all blank.
posted by kirkaracha at 1:05 PM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 1:05 PM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
But how would I know which way I was going if I were not looking at which way I was steering?
It's a combination of looking at the road, and feeling in your hands which way you're steering. Like, if I move the wheel a little bit to the left, then I can feel that I've moved the wheel a little bit to the left, and I can feel that my hands are a little bit "off center" from where they usually are when I'm just driving straight, and I can also see my position on the road shift leftwards. If this doesn't make sense then it will probably just take more practice.
Hyperlocal news: coming off a multi-day migraine, which fortunately at least didn't affect Thanksgiving plans; I had to scan some Oncology Nurse Forum articles from 1994 for my job, which was kind of neat, except that the scanner was having technical problems and I had to spend half an hour waiting for the tech people to work on it, with nothing to entertain myself with but articles from 1994 about being an oncology nurse; it is now You Have To Chip the Ice Off Your Car season in Wisconsin, and hopefully my last garageless year chipping ice off my car.
posted by Jeanne at 1:23 PM on November 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
It's a combination of looking at the road, and feeling in your hands which way you're steering. Like, if I move the wheel a little bit to the left, then I can feel that I've moved the wheel a little bit to the left, and I can feel that my hands are a little bit "off center" from where they usually are when I'm just driving straight, and I can also see my position on the road shift leftwards. If this doesn't make sense then it will probably just take more practice.
Hyperlocal news: coming off a multi-day migraine, which fortunately at least didn't affect Thanksgiving plans; I had to scan some Oncology Nurse Forum articles from 1994 for my job, which was kind of neat, except that the scanner was having technical problems and I had to spend half an hour waiting for the tech people to work on it, with nothing to entertain myself with but articles from 1994 about being an oncology nurse; it is now You Have To Chip the Ice Off Your Car season in Wisconsin, and hopefully my last garageless year chipping ice off my car.
posted by Jeanne at 1:23 PM on November 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
♥ to all of you.
Last night at around 10:30 there was this unearthly boom that I thought might have been a shotgun a street over, so I shut all the curtains and listened for sirens, but none ever came. I discovered this morning the boom was actually a mysterious explosion about ten blocks away. A lady who lives on that block heard the commotion and ran out front to find chunks of something organic (cloth? rock? wood?) on fire next to her car, and the police came, and the bomb squad arrived and took whatever it was, telling her nothing.
The local news station helpfully posted an article that provided no real details, asking anyone with camera footage to come forward to the authorities, but there's no description or even a hint of what it actually was. Someone on reddit posted a porch video from up in the hills somewhere, showing a sleeping city and then a molten white light that swells across the rooftops. The top guess seems to be a meteorite. The second top guess is some sort of dangerous contraption that detonated unexpectedly.
The spot is literally about two blocks from the spot where Tesla famously had his lab here in town about 125 years ago. But he's been gone for a while now so we're pretty sure it wasn't him.
posted by mochapickle at 1:34 PM on November 27, 2023 [16 favorites]
Last night at around 10:30 there was this unearthly boom that I thought might have been a shotgun a street over, so I shut all the curtains and listened for sirens, but none ever came. I discovered this morning the boom was actually a mysterious explosion about ten blocks away. A lady who lives on that block heard the commotion and ran out front to find chunks of something organic (cloth? rock? wood?) on fire next to her car, and the police came, and the bomb squad arrived and took whatever it was, telling her nothing.
The local news station helpfully posted an article that provided no real details, asking anyone with camera footage to come forward to the authorities, but there's no description or even a hint of what it actually was. Someone on reddit posted a porch video from up in the hills somewhere, showing a sleeping city and then a molten white light that swells across the rooftops. The top guess seems to be a meteorite. The second top guess is some sort of dangerous contraption that detonated unexpectedly.
The spot is literally about two blocks from the spot where Tesla famously had his lab here in town about 125 years ago. But he's been gone for a while now so we're pretty sure it wasn't him.
posted by mochapickle at 1:34 PM on November 27, 2023 [16 favorites]
Teenage Engineering, whose products and prices I usually prefer to make fun of, released an extremely cool sampler/drum machine, the awkwardly named EP-133 K.O. II.... it shipped within a couple of hours and was waiting for me when I got home. Lots of fun!
Coooool. Their TP-7 recorder is stupid expensive. Can't see why, compared to what's available elsewhere,
A couple of weeks ago I started playing again with my Patchblock, and added a MIDI in to it. Pity they're discontinued. I have also downloaded Wotja and hope to figure that out. And I've resolved to resurrect some of my PAiA synth toys from the 70s and 80s. These should help the winter pass.
Our current cat (#3) is healthy and bouncy at 10 yrs, but the stories here remind me of the heartbreak when we had to part with #'s 1 and 2. So sorry; in a little while, do consider getting (rescuing) another.
My personal domain's home page sez "Hi, Mom!".
posted by Artful Codger at 1:37 PM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
Coooool. Their TP-7 recorder is stupid expensive. Can't see why, compared to what's available elsewhere,
A couple of weeks ago I started playing again with my Patchblock, and added a MIDI in to it. Pity they're discontinued. I have also downloaded Wotja and hope to figure that out. And I've resolved to resurrect some of my PAiA synth toys from the 70s and 80s. These should help the winter pass.
Our current cat (#3) is healthy and bouncy at 10 yrs, but the stories here remind me of the heartbreak when we had to part with #'s 1 and 2. So sorry; in a little while, do consider getting (rescuing) another.
My personal domain's home page sez "Hi, Mom!".
posted by Artful Codger at 1:37 PM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
MetaFilter: where everyone goes when they can't sleep
posted by hippybear at 1:41 PM on November 27, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 1:41 PM on November 27, 2023 [6 favorites]
...but there's no description or even a hint of what it actually was...
mochapickle: going to need updates on this.
posted by Wordshore at 1:41 PM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
mochapickle: going to need updates on this.
posted by Wordshore at 1:41 PM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
After that I walked over in the darkest of night to meet a kinky group of folks having dinner.
cribbed word for word from Jane Austen
wow, glad you're none the worse for wear, Bella Donna. it sounds like you are connecting people, the world needs connectors. I've been guilty of over-connecting, there is a joke that Germans are secretly trying to create a single word that says everything and sometimes that's me with my social planning.. it's like the most innocuous little plan has to turn into And Let's Include ALL the Others
posted by elkevelvet at 1:53 PM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
cribbed word for word from Jane Austen
wow, glad you're none the worse for wear, Bella Donna. it sounds like you are connecting people, the world needs connectors. I've been guilty of over-connecting, there is a joke that Germans are secretly trying to create a single word that says everything and sometimes that's me with my social planning.. it's like the most innocuous little plan has to turn into And Let's Include ALL the Others
posted by elkevelvet at 1:53 PM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
Like would I feel better or worse with them making $100,000 a month ? A mil ?
I dunno. All I know is that the 21st century is so much more weird than I could have thought of rocking out to jukebox hero which now sounds like a mock Nintendo game I could buy a fake game cartridge of on etsy.
posted by MonsieurPEB at 2:08 PM on November 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
I dunno. All I know is that the 21st century is so much more weird than I could have thought of rocking out to jukebox hero which now sounds like a mock Nintendo game I could buy a fake game cartridge of on etsy.
posted by MonsieurPEB at 2:08 PM on November 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
I didn't do anything for Thanksgiving. My old roommate invited me but I turned it down cause things ended badly there and I didn't want to go back there. But my mom's coming tomorrow to do a late Thanksgiving and celebrate my birthday. My birthday has just been bittersweet the past couple years since my grandma died. We shared the same birthday (the 29th) and always celebrated together but since she's been gone it doesn't feel the same. But I'll get it through it. It's just hard.
posted by downtohisturtles at 3:48 PM on November 27, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by downtohisturtles at 3:48 PM on November 27, 2023 [7 favorites]
here's to you, downtohisturtles
I never knew my granddads and one of my grandmas was quite harsh. The other grandma was special, and it's good to have a special grandma. When my folks packed up the family for Western Africa in the 80s, their families were all a bit horrified.. siblings suggesting this was not responsible parenting, my dad's mother expressing disapproval, grandma on my mom's side just being worried. Well, she decided to come out and see for herself and I will never forget the couple of weeks she visited, she brought a good friend, and an Alabaman we had gotten to know made himself available to those two women to take them anywhere and see to their every need, they had a blast.
a toast to grandmas and the special way they love
posted by elkevelvet at 3:58 PM on November 27, 2023 [9 favorites]
I never knew my granddads and one of my grandmas was quite harsh. The other grandma was special, and it's good to have a special grandma. When my folks packed up the family for Western Africa in the 80s, their families were all a bit horrified.. siblings suggesting this was not responsible parenting, my dad's mother expressing disapproval, grandma on my mom's side just being worried. Well, she decided to come out and see for herself and I will never forget the couple of weeks she visited, she brought a good friend, and an Alabaman we had gotten to know made himself available to those two women to take them anywhere and see to their every need, they had a blast.
a toast to grandmas and the special way they love
posted by elkevelvet at 3:58 PM on November 27, 2023 [9 favorites]
which includes me also starting on swordfighting, both for exercise and because frankly the world needs more swordswomen.
posted by mephron
Heh, my oldest son (30) took up swordfighting a bit over a year ago, and I find it fantastic and awesome. I had no idea such groups existed outside of fencing, and I envy him as I would have loved this years ago. (bad shoulders prevent me from taking it up)
I'm having a hard time recently dealing with the unexpected death of a lifelong friend, so I'm being kind to myself and allowing all the emotions that come by. It's been a weird year.
posted by annieb at 4:21 PM on November 27, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by mephron
Heh, my oldest son (30) took up swordfighting a bit over a year ago, and I find it fantastic and awesome. I had no idea such groups existed outside of fencing, and I envy him as I would have loved this years ago. (bad shoulders prevent me from taking it up)
I'm having a hard time recently dealing with the unexpected death of a lifelong friend, so I'm being kind to myself and allowing all the emotions that come by. It's been a weird year.
posted by annieb at 4:21 PM on November 27, 2023 [6 favorites]
elkevelvet, I had a 2nd grandpa like that; considering how difficult the rest of my family is/was/, I really appreciate the glow I feel when thinking about him.
We're pretty happy with our very low key Thanksgiving, futzing about with weatherstripping and no family or turkey whatsoever this year, it's really helping us settle into the phase of "excited about homeownership" instead of dreading what is going to fall apart next. And our newest cat is finally acclimated, calm and sharing space, back to tiny little squeaks instead of shrieking her opinions about the other cats (none good).
This is the first year I haven't automatically wondered if it was on this day my dear friend died; she was alone and not found for several days. It takes a long time for that calendar to fade, and now the date is there, but no pain. For which I am thankful.
posted by winesong at 4:36 PM on November 27, 2023 [7 favorites]
We're pretty happy with our very low key Thanksgiving, futzing about with weatherstripping and no family or turkey whatsoever this year, it's really helping us settle into the phase of "excited about homeownership" instead of dreading what is going to fall apart next. And our newest cat is finally acclimated, calm and sharing space, back to tiny little squeaks instead of shrieking her opinions about the other cats (none good).
This is the first year I haven't automatically wondered if it was on this day my dear friend died; she was alone and not found for several days. It takes a long time for that calendar to fade, and now the date is there, but no pain. For which I am thankful.
posted by winesong at 4:36 PM on November 27, 2023 [7 favorites]
But how would I know which way I was going if I were not looking at which way I was steering? It's madness.
It really isn’t! Your body is great at proprioception, and tying together where your hands are with what’s going on around you. I only learned to touch type properly when I had to do a lot of transcription of handwritten notes. Your eyes are on the notes, not the screen or the keyboard. Your hands will learn when they do the right or wrong thing.
Do you know how to ride a bike? That’s a closer match to the car, and still you don’t stare at the handlebars. You look ahead. Your body will learn how the path of the bike changes as you move your hands. Your body knows where your hands are if you listen.
Now, if you have spectrum issues that’s certainly something that can get in the way. But so do I! I have plenty! It’s still possible to learn how to listen to where your hands are without looking. I am being consciously synaesthetic here because it’s a good way to illustrate. Knowing where your hands are isn’t any of the classic five senses, but it’s something your body tells you anyway. Listening takes practice.
posted by notoriety public at 5:57 PM on November 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
It really isn’t! Your body is great at proprioception, and tying together where your hands are with what’s going on around you. I only learned to touch type properly when I had to do a lot of transcription of handwritten notes. Your eyes are on the notes, not the screen or the keyboard. Your hands will learn when they do the right or wrong thing.
Do you know how to ride a bike? That’s a closer match to the car, and still you don’t stare at the handlebars. You look ahead. Your body will learn how the path of the bike changes as you move your hands. Your body knows where your hands are if you listen.
Now, if you have spectrum issues that’s certainly something that can get in the way. But so do I! I have plenty! It’s still possible to learn how to listen to where your hands are without looking. I am being consciously synaesthetic here because it’s a good way to illustrate. Knowing where your hands are isn’t any of the classic five senses, but it’s something your body tells you anyway. Listening takes practice.
posted by notoriety public at 5:57 PM on November 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
Just got a trace of snow. Everything is white.
It will be gone in the morning, But it's a sign
posted by yyz at 6:07 PM on November 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
It will be gone in the morning, But it's a sign
posted by yyz at 6:07 PM on November 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
"This side intentionally left blank."
I wish the booklets for the state employees insurance benefits meetings were left mostly blank. Instead we get over 100 pages of --
Buffalo herds
Prairie sunrises
Flowers -- and a single butterfly
A well-known local landmark
A Route 66 signpost
Multiple pages with just one photo of an elderly couple as they dance, take selfies, ride bikes, play with the grandkids, etc.
Too many pages with less than 20 words, usually saying some version of "Thank you."
And all of the pages in full, glorious, printer ink-robbing color.
We printed out one section and just downloaded the rest. It took a while for the ink to dry, especially since we printed both sides.
Hardcopies are no longer provided by the state.
posted by TrishaU at 6:24 PM on November 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
I wish the booklets for the state employees insurance benefits meetings were left mostly blank. Instead we get over 100 pages of --
Buffalo herds
Prairie sunrises
Flowers -- and a single butterfly
A well-known local landmark
A Route 66 signpost
Multiple pages with just one photo of an elderly couple as they dance, take selfies, ride bikes, play with the grandkids, etc.
Too many pages with less than 20 words, usually saying some version of "Thank you."
And all of the pages in full, glorious, printer ink-robbing color.
We printed out one section and just downloaded the rest. It took a while for the ink to dry, especially since we printed both sides.
Hardcopies are no longer provided by the state.
posted by TrishaU at 6:24 PM on November 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
It took a while for the ink to dry, especially since we printed both sides.
Kinko's is sitting right there, and their ink doesn't take time to dry even if you print both sides.
posted by hippybear at 6:27 PM on November 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Kinko's is sitting right there, and their ink doesn't take time to dry even if you print both sides.
posted by hippybear at 6:27 PM on November 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
There is no page.
First there is inscription
Then there's no inscription
Then there is
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:06 PM on November 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
First there is inscription
Then there's no inscription
Then there is
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:06 PM on November 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
I dragged myself through looking through job listings tonight. I think I really hate my industry. I just feel so dumb, bad, and inadequate looking at every listing acting for 50+ skills when I only have like, 25 of 'em. I don't know how to switch industries at this point, but man, I just hate mine now.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:09 PM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:09 PM on November 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
dutchrick- Thanks for earnestly asking about where I'm at!
Right now, more than usual, I do feel buffeted by "contradictory" feelings and my comment is a way of framing the reality [that I also feel in great waves] that there is something mysterious about the self that stands out in a crisis. I feel threatened and also very alive the way I do on a windy mountaintop.
Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. Right back at ya!
posted by Glomar response at 2:56 AM on November 28, 2023 [5 favorites]
Right now, more than usual, I do feel buffeted by "contradictory" feelings and my comment is a way of framing the reality [that I also feel in great waves] that there is something mysterious about the self that stands out in a crisis. I feel threatened and also very alive the way I do on a windy mountaintop.
Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. Right back at ya!
posted by Glomar response at 2:56 AM on November 28, 2023 [5 favorites]
Bella Donna, thank you for the kindness to connect with us here and in your local community. Wear your scar proudly!
posted by Glomar response at 3:00 AM on November 28, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Glomar response at 3:00 AM on November 28, 2023 [3 favorites]
This loud comment intentionally left Mel Blanc.
posted by not_on_display at 3:29 AM on November 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by not_on_display at 3:29 AM on November 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
I thoroughly enjoy the free thread. Thanks to Wordshore and others who post it. It's great.
It would be even better if it was easier to spot. in fact, it's easier to miss. The witty titles are fine but my scrolling eye does not always decode them. "This page is intentionally left blank" does not shout at me, FREE THREAD, words tend to come later and smaller in the explanation. It would come as no surprise to learn that I am a total knob head and alone in this but I would love it if every freed thread post title began with the 2 words FREE THREAD preferably in bold and font size 92. This way I might just discover the free thread before Wednesday. Thank you.
posted by dutchrick at 4:26 AM on November 28, 2023 [7 favorites]
It would be even better if it was easier to spot. in fact, it's easier to miss. The witty titles are fine but my scrolling eye does not always decode them. "This page is intentionally left blank" does not shout at me, FREE THREAD, words tend to come later and smaller in the explanation. It would come as no surprise to learn that I am a total knob head and alone in this but I would love it if every freed thread post title began with the 2 words FREE THREAD preferably in bold and font size 92. This way I might just discover the free thread before Wednesday. Thank you.
posted by dutchrick at 4:26 AM on November 28, 2023 [7 favorites]
But then we would have nothing to look forward to on Monday. I need my scavenger hunt on the Blue! Is it this post? Or that one?
It gets really confusing when none of the Monday posts turn out to be the FREE THREAD. But meandering through the offerings is worth it.
And... I'm up again too early....
posted by TrishaU at 4:35 AM on November 28, 2023 [5 favorites]
It gets really confusing when none of the Monday posts turn out to be the FREE THREAD. But meandering through the offerings is worth it.
And... I'm up again too early....
posted by TrishaU at 4:35 AM on November 28, 2023 [5 favorites]
...preferably in bold and font size 92...
The system won't let you do that, and if jamming FREE THREAD into the title makes it read clunky then not interested. Case-by-case basis.
However, MetaFilter - like Flickr - is great for tags which provides a simple solution. More use should be made of tags and other metadata, as good practice, anyway. So bookmark this tag and, whenever you check it, it will provide all the Free Threads - most recent first.
posted by Wordshore at 5:27 AM on November 28, 2023 [7 favorites]
The system won't let you do that, and if jamming FREE THREAD into the title makes it read clunky then not interested. Case-by-case basis.
However, MetaFilter - like Flickr - is great for tags which provides a simple solution. More use should be made of tags and other metadata, as good practice, anyway. So bookmark this tag and, whenever you check it, it will provide all the Free Threads - most recent first.
posted by Wordshore at 5:27 AM on November 28, 2023 [7 favorites]
You could also add FreeThread to your MyMefi tags.
posted by zamboni at 6:01 AM on November 28, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by zamboni at 6:01 AM on November 28, 2023 [4 favorites]
Good God that Flickr link to (gulp!) twelve thousand or so images tagged with MetaFilter is a timesink. Is anyone on here in one of those pictures? I only recognise the trident of MetaFilter owners.
posted by Wordshore at 6:02 AM on November 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Wordshore at 6:02 AM on November 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
I only recognise the trident of MetaFilter owners.
And lo, cortex did hand both the sacred polearm and the hammer of bans to to jessamyn. Forged by pb in days of yore - many times did mathowie carry them into battle. Prophecy says that some day the trident and hammer may lie still and the land of MeFi may know peace and anarcho-syndicalist good government, but that day is yet to come.posted by zamboni at 6:11 AM on November 28, 2023 [7 favorites]
I only recognise the trident of MetaFilter owners.
Tangent:
Years ago I was writing educational support material and booklets for a theater company in Pennsylvania. They would give out these booklets to school groups with articles that coincided with the topic of the play or gave info about the playwright.
One show they did once was a one-woman show about the life of Ann Landers. So one of the articles I did was about "the history of advice columns". I worked AskMe into the article towards the end - Adam Savage had used it a few times to crowdsource Mythbusters stuff, and even made up a little "MeFi" sign in the background for some onscreen shots as a silent thanks.
But I also had to include pictures for many of these articles. And it tickles me to no end that the powers that be let me use this photo for the article.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:36 AM on November 28, 2023 [9 favorites]
Tangent:
Years ago I was writing educational support material and booklets for a theater company in Pennsylvania. They would give out these booklets to school groups with articles that coincided with the topic of the play or gave info about the playwright.
One show they did once was a one-woman show about the life of Ann Landers. So one of the articles I did was about "the history of advice columns". I worked AskMe into the article towards the end - Adam Savage had used it a few times to crowdsource Mythbusters stuff, and even made up a little "MeFi" sign in the background for some onscreen shots as a silent thanks.
But I also had to include pictures for many of these articles. And it tickles me to no end that the powers that be let me use this photo for the article.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:36 AM on November 28, 2023 [9 favorites]
I got a call from my boss at 8:30 that we only had 3 kids in the center. I'm basically on call today. In other words, SNOW DAY! I'm currently in my warm bed with a cat cuddled up next to me.
I'm highly surprised that the local schools didn't close. In the past, it seemed like the closed with 2 flakes.
We're still under a lake effect snow warning, so we'll see what tomorrow brings.
posted by kathrynm at 8:26 AM on November 28, 2023 [3 favorites]
I'm highly surprised that the local schools didn't close. In the past, it seemed like the closed with 2 flakes.
We're still under a lake effect snow warning, so we'll see what tomorrow brings.
posted by kathrynm at 8:26 AM on November 28, 2023 [3 favorites]
I have finally recovered from the terrible mystery virus that wasn’t covid and wasn’t RSV and wasn’t the flu. Three doctor visits, lung X-rays, two full courses of antibiotics that started small than ramped up to “sorry this is going to kill every living thing in your microbiome” and finally prednisone, also starting small then tuned up to 11, seem to have chased it away after six full weeks of misery. Nobody knows what it was - the doctor was sure of pneumonia but the X-rays were clear, insert shrug emoji here - but I have never been so sick for so long and I have gained a new appreciation for that fact.
Family drama has ramped up to nigh on unbearable levels and it’s upsetting. There may be an anonymous askme in my near future. I should have been looking for a job for the last six weeks instead of lying in bed as the world sped and slowed and spun around me and the reality of unemployment is getting stark, so that’s scary. I did get mostly better in time to make Thanksgiving: vegan for vegan son and gluten free for celiac daughter and it was really really good, so I’m proud of that. Vegan pumpkin pie is amazing - so amazing that on Sunday I made another one. This is the recipe I used, pro tip, use ginger from a tube instead of dried and add a healthy glug of maple syrup.
Other than that I have an appointment at unemployment this morning although I have been told it may be four months or more before they get to adjudication to decide if I really was in a hostile work environment or not and thus whether I am worthy to receive unemployment. Sigh.. I hear through the grapevine that things have gotten worse where I used to work and the interim president has declared himself eternal president as well as supreme head of HR, so one would hope that would be enough, but, you never know and anyway that’s four months without income. But at least I am alive and 3 weeks ago I sort of thought I wouldn’t be, so, progress!
posted by mygothlaundry at 8:55 AM on November 28, 2023 [7 favorites]
Family drama has ramped up to nigh on unbearable levels and it’s upsetting. There may be an anonymous askme in my near future. I should have been looking for a job for the last six weeks instead of lying in bed as the world sped and slowed and spun around me and the reality of unemployment is getting stark, so that’s scary. I did get mostly better in time to make Thanksgiving: vegan for vegan son and gluten free for celiac daughter and it was really really good, so I’m proud of that. Vegan pumpkin pie is amazing - so amazing that on Sunday I made another one. This is the recipe I used, pro tip, use ginger from a tube instead of dried and add a healthy glug of maple syrup.
Other than that I have an appointment at unemployment this morning although I have been told it may be four months or more before they get to adjudication to decide if I really was in a hostile work environment or not and thus whether I am worthy to receive unemployment. Sigh.. I hear through the grapevine that things have gotten worse where I used to work and the interim president has declared himself eternal president as well as supreme head of HR, so one would hope that would be enough, but, you never know and anyway that’s four months without income. But at least I am alive and 3 weeks ago I sort of thought I wouldn’t be, so, progress!
posted by mygothlaundry at 8:55 AM on November 28, 2023 [7 favorites]
Vegan pumpkin pie ... This is the recipe I used
My recommendation (for this and any other pumpkin pie recipe) is to increase the spice amounts (2 tsp each of cinnamon and ginger, 1 tsp each of nutmeg and cloves) and adding 1 tsp of allspice for another layer flavor.
You could even back off on the sugar a bit - for example, in a typical non-vegan pie recipe substitute the evaporated or condensed milk usually found in them with heavy cream. That makes the filling less cloying and lets the pumpkin flavor and spices shine through.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:10 AM on November 28, 2023 [3 favorites]
My recommendation (for this and any other pumpkin pie recipe) is to increase the spice amounts (2 tsp each of cinnamon and ginger, 1 tsp each of nutmeg and cloves) and adding 1 tsp of allspice for another layer flavor.
You could even back off on the sugar a bit - for example, in a typical non-vegan pie recipe substitute the evaporated or condensed milk usually found in them with heavy cream. That makes the filling less cloying and lets the pumpkin flavor and spices shine through.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:10 AM on November 28, 2023 [3 favorites]
I just had some apple pie that was spiced with cardamom. I don't think you could go wrong adding cardamom to your pumpkin pie spice melange.
posted by supermedusa at 10:18 AM on November 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by supermedusa at 10:18 AM on November 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
I have finally recovered from the terrible mystery virus
I had one of those starting around December 2018. After five or six weeks of a cough that never improved I called my doctor and went in for blood work. As soon as they got the results they called me back in, rather ominously saying it was urgent. My doctor had circled a bunch of things on a printout of the lab results, and he reeled off a list of things it wasn't, ending by saying "it's not AIDS, but it mimics AIDS, and whatever it is, it's bad. No wonder you felt bad for so long." Then they did another round of blood work just to make sure the numbers weren't getting any worse and were maybe starting to get better. I never did find out what it was.
posted by fedward at 10:21 AM on November 28, 2023 [4 favorites]
I had one of those starting around December 2018. After five or six weeks of a cough that never improved I called my doctor and went in for blood work. As soon as they got the results they called me back in, rather ominously saying it was urgent. My doctor had circled a bunch of things on a printout of the lab results, and he reeled off a list of things it wasn't, ending by saying "it's not AIDS, but it mimics AIDS, and whatever it is, it's bad. No wonder you felt bad for so long." Then they did another round of blood work just to make sure the numbers weren't getting any worse and were maybe starting to get better. I never did find out what it was.
posted by fedward at 10:21 AM on November 28, 2023 [4 favorites]
This weekend is music for me (going to see The Musical Box celebrate the 50th bday of Selling England By The Pound) and visiting a friend who is also living The Widower Life on the anniversary of him getting that unfortunate status. I feel compelled to pay forward the support that Mr. Bill gave me when I lost Mr. Nerd 9 years ago. (And sigh, Mr. Bill's been gone 4 years.)
posted by luckynerd at 12:59 PM on November 28, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by luckynerd at 12:59 PM on November 28, 2023 [4 favorites]
luckynerd, I miss Mr. Bill as well and salute your kindness toward your widowed friend. Also, thanks for the pumpkin pie advice. I am not a fan. But my adult kid is and I am planning to bake a surprise pie for our faux Thanksgiving celebration this weekend. Alas, canned pumpkin is not really a thing here in Sweden, and I am not down for spending 20-plus bucks to get one. Pumpkins themselves are pretty darn pricy as well. But I can manage to roast a squash or sweet potatoes and make it work somehow.
You know how love is supposedly a verb? Baking a pie that only my kid will eat is supposed to be a tribute to how much I love her. I hope it works. If not, well, I do laundry for the grandkids, too. That probably counts for something!
mochapickle, I would also appreciate an update if you get one. That is one weird-ass event. Glad no one seems to have been hurt.
posted by Bella Donna at 2:01 PM on November 28, 2023 [5 favorites]
You know how love is supposedly a verb? Baking a pie that only my kid will eat is supposed to be a tribute to how much I love her. I hope it works. If not, well, I do laundry for the grandkids, too. That probably counts for something!
mochapickle, I would also appreciate an update if you get one. That is one weird-ass event. Glad no one seems to have been hurt.
posted by Bella Donna at 2:01 PM on November 28, 2023 [5 favorites]
“Pumpkin pie is a living symbol of mediocrity. The best pumpkin pie you ever ate wasn’t all that much different from the worst pumpkin pie you ever ate. Pumpkin pie is just an excuse to eat nutmeg.”
— Garrison Keillor
Mrs C doesn't care for pumpkin pie either. But I likes it. I hafta get it on the sly - eg lunch counters or at friends' places.
posted by Artful Codger at 2:17 PM on November 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
— Garrison Keillor
Mrs C doesn't care for pumpkin pie either. But I likes it. I hafta get it on the sly - eg lunch counters or at friends' places.
posted by Artful Codger at 2:17 PM on November 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
I don't care for pumpkin pie but I genuinely believe we should all get to eat stuff we like and not on the sly, either. But I will never make it on the regular.
posted by Bella Donna at 2:20 PM on November 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Bella Donna at 2:20 PM on November 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
Butting in again to celebrate that All 41 Indian labourers [were] rescued from collapsed tunnel. YAY!
Being a bit claustrophobic, these sorts of stories (trapped in cave/mine/sub, kid in well, etc) always tweak me. About as close to praying as I ever get. So, I'm so glad to hear that, after 17 days, the efforts were successful here and the miners were all rescued.
YAY!
Being freed IS kind of apropos for a FREE THREAD, no?
posted by Artful Codger at 3:14 PM on November 28, 2023 [10 favorites]
Being a bit claustrophobic, these sorts of stories (trapped in cave/mine/sub, kid in well, etc) always tweak me. About as close to praying as I ever get. So, I'm so glad to hear that, after 17 days, the efforts were successful here and the miners were all rescued.
YAY!
Being freed IS kind of apropos for a FREE THREAD, no?
posted by Artful Codger at 3:14 PM on November 28, 2023 [10 favorites]
mygothlaundry, having been driven out of a toxic job once (constructive dismissal is a thing folks) I will be sending every good vibe I have over the next several months that things work out in your favor.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 3:18 PM on November 28, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 3:18 PM on November 28, 2023 [5 favorites]
The Blank Page theme of this thread made me think of my trip to the Vatican. The shuffling of the large crowd on the stairway to the galleries, with a disembodied voice repeating "PLEASE OBSERVE THE SILENCE" over and over. It became a bizarre oxymoron, and my mind wandered off into various conceptual takes: Mark Wallinger's "Angel", Robert Plant singing "And she's buying a stairway....", and Raphael Sanzio, his skull used as a holy relic by art students in the Nineteenth Century, Ridley Scott's Apple commercial with Big Brother. Something so nihilistic about the experience.
posted by effluvia at 3:31 PM on November 28, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by effluvia at 3:31 PM on November 28, 2023 [5 favorites]
The Blank Page theme of this thread made me think of my trip to the Vatican.
A bishop glared at me in a most unChristian manner when I ran down one of the spiral staircases at the Vatican.
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 4:15 PM on November 28, 2023 [3 favorites]
A bishop glared at me in a most unChristian manner when I ran down one of the spiral staircases at the Vatican.
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 4:15 PM on November 28, 2023 [3 favorites]
Now, see, Multicellular, your remark makes me think of DuChamp's "Nude Descending the Staircase" and also the high guy at Disney that was arrested for going naked among the characters in the "It's a Small World" ride recently. Small world. Turtles all the way down, so to speak.
posted by effluvia at 5:19 PM on November 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by effluvia at 5:19 PM on November 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
I thought Nude Descending A Staircase was Picasso for maybe 20 years of my life. I think its execution and what it means in terms of art is much more important than who created it, but wow, it was an earthquake for me to learn I'd been wrong for so long.
posted by hippybear at 5:36 PM on November 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 5:36 PM on November 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
Hippybear, if you are still reading this thread, thank you for all the lovely music posts, they are and you are so awesome.
posted by effluvia at 8:00 AM on November 29, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by effluvia at 8:00 AM on November 29, 2023 [4 favorites]
The explosion remains a mystery. People report having heard the sound from three miles away and more. There's been no real explanation and no updates to the local news stories, so one lady on Next Door has taken the liberty to contact The Today Show for investigative assistance.
Current theories from various online sources:
- Meteorite
- Exploding transformer
- A drone loaded with explosives
- Some sort of diy explosive device built for sinister purposes, prematurely deployed
- Weird testing remnants that traveled from nearby Fort Carson, the source of many strange booms throughout the year
- Bananas stuffed in a car tailpipe
- Sonic boom
- Some sort of nefarious interference from Russia
Apparently we had other weird explosions around town about this time a year ago in neighborhoods to the south.
I'm leaning toward the transformer explosion -- that sound is about right to my ear, but it's weird that none of the power went out anywhere in the neighborhood. And the brilliance of the light is surprising -- someone posted a porch cam photo on Twitter and it looks like a NFL scoreboard set to 11.
I drove by on Monday afternoon and didn't see anything weird. No debris, no char marks, no chills up the back of my neck.
posted by mochapickle at 9:40 AM on November 29, 2023 [3 favorites]
Current theories from various online sources:
- Meteorite
- Exploding transformer
- A drone loaded with explosives
- Some sort of diy explosive device built for sinister purposes, prematurely deployed
- Weird testing remnants that traveled from nearby Fort Carson, the source of many strange booms throughout the year
- Bananas stuffed in a car tailpipe
- Sonic boom
- Some sort of nefarious interference from Russia
Apparently we had other weird explosions around town about this time a year ago in neighborhoods to the south.
I'm leaning toward the transformer explosion -- that sound is about right to my ear, but it's weird that none of the power went out anywhere in the neighborhood. And the brilliance of the light is surprising -- someone posted a porch cam photo on Twitter and it looks like a NFL scoreboard set to 11.
I drove by on Monday afternoon and didn't see anything weird. No debris, no char marks, no chills up the back of my neck.
posted by mochapickle at 9:40 AM on November 29, 2023 [3 favorites]
That was some mighty fine reporting, mochapickle. Many thanks for keeping us updated.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:05 PM on November 29, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Bella Donna at 1:05 PM on November 29, 2023 [2 favorites]
This thread is so moving. Thanks everyone for sharing.
We don't have thanksgiving, but tomorrow is my younger daughter's birthday, and she has invited her big sister and family. We are thinking a lot about what to eat. It looks like a spread of vegetarian antipasti, then a choice of pasta dishes made from scratch, and finally our family celebration layer cake. She's a chef and knows what she is doing.
The family cake may be of interest, because it is very simple and extremely delicious.
You need two sponge layers. Here, they are easily available in stores, and frankly, you can't make them better at home. If you have to make them, don't make them too thick. Make one sponge about 25-30 mm thick and split it in half. Between the layers, you need a Crème Pâtissière. That is the hard part, but my gran used to make it from a box and the cake was still delicious. On top of it all, you need a thick layer of dark chocolate. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO IMPROVE THIS IN ANY WAY. Just melt 100 grams of chocolate and pour it over the cake. Then cool it slowly to avoid the chocolate going grey. That's it. Eat it.
posted by mumimor at 1:37 PM on November 29, 2023 [3 favorites]
We don't have thanksgiving, but tomorrow is my younger daughter's birthday, and she has invited her big sister and family. We are thinking a lot about what to eat. It looks like a spread of vegetarian antipasti, then a choice of pasta dishes made from scratch, and finally our family celebration layer cake. She's a chef and knows what she is doing.
The family cake may be of interest, because it is very simple and extremely delicious.
You need two sponge layers. Here, they are easily available in stores, and frankly, you can't make them better at home. If you have to make them, don't make them too thick. Make one sponge about 25-30 mm thick and split it in half. Between the layers, you need a Crème Pâtissière. That is the hard part, but my gran used to make it from a box and the cake was still delicious. On top of it all, you need a thick layer of dark chocolate. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO IMPROVE THIS IN ANY WAY. Just melt 100 grams of chocolate and pour it over the cake. Then cool it slowly to avoid the chocolate going grey. That's it. Eat it.
posted by mumimor at 1:37 PM on November 29, 2023 [3 favorites]
Today:
(a) Talked with Disability Services, they want a signed off list of accommodations/issues ASAP, preferably. They said my therapist IS allowed to sign off on this.
(b) Talked to therapist, who continues to refuse to sign anything, says a psychiatrist has to. She's a nice lady, but I am so. sick. of the Rules Lawyer behavior. Oh well, I lose therapy with my job in 2024 anyway, I guess that doesn't matter so much.
(c) I note I have not been able to get a psychiatrist from my HMO, despite all the requests that have been put in. I continue to get phone calls (FIVE NOW, IT'S LIKE EVERY OTHER WORKDAY) from Facility A denying me services. I fear I was a bit snappish when #5 called today. "COULD YOU PLEASE STOP CALLING ME? I KNOW YOU WON'T GIVE ME SERVICES."
(d) Meanwhile, who isn't calling me? Facility B, who everyone says to contact, and everyone has supposedly contacted for me.
(e) I told all this to Disability Services, who said, "Hey, try calling your alt-insurance." I got two appointments set up within an hour for today and next week. Now, this is the insurance I will lose when I am canned in 2024, but HEY AT LEAST SOMEONE RESPONDED.
Also, I got a fraudulent charge and I had to report it to PayPal and my bank. Bank called me to have me fill out some paperwork about it. I did so, but there is no way to actually upload it as requested. I had to log into the bank website 8 times because it kept logging me out, and I had to call India, and nobody in India could figure out how to upload it either. I will have to FAX THE PAPERWORK IN, OR SNAIL MAIL IT, IN 2023. Also the due date they gave me to fill out this paperwork was...Monday. I got the paperwork TODAY.
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:55 PM on November 29, 2023 [3 favorites]
(a) Talked with Disability Services, they want a signed off list of accommodations/issues ASAP, preferably. They said my therapist IS allowed to sign off on this.
(b) Talked to therapist, who continues to refuse to sign anything, says a psychiatrist has to. She's a nice lady, but I am so. sick. of the Rules Lawyer behavior. Oh well, I lose therapy with my job in 2024 anyway, I guess that doesn't matter so much.
(c) I note I have not been able to get a psychiatrist from my HMO, despite all the requests that have been put in. I continue to get phone calls (FIVE NOW, IT'S LIKE EVERY OTHER WORKDAY) from Facility A denying me services. I fear I was a bit snappish when #5 called today. "COULD YOU PLEASE STOP CALLING ME? I KNOW YOU WON'T GIVE ME SERVICES."
(d) Meanwhile, who isn't calling me? Facility B, who everyone says to contact, and everyone has supposedly contacted for me.
(e) I told all this to Disability Services, who said, "Hey, try calling your alt-insurance." I got two appointments set up within an hour for today and next week. Now, this is the insurance I will lose when I am canned in 2024, but HEY AT LEAST SOMEONE RESPONDED.
Also, I got a fraudulent charge and I had to report it to PayPal and my bank. Bank called me to have me fill out some paperwork about it. I did so, but there is no way to actually upload it as requested. I had to log into the bank website 8 times because it kept logging me out, and I had to call India, and nobody in India could figure out how to upload it either. I will have to FAX THE PAPERWORK IN, OR SNAIL MAIL IT, IN 2023. Also the due date they gave me to fill out this paperwork was...Monday. I got the paperwork TODAY.
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:55 PM on November 29, 2023 [3 favorites]
That truly truly sucks, jenfullmoon. I hate how hard people have to fight to get what they need and are also entitled to. Grrrrr
posted by Bella Donna at 8:32 AM on November 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Bella Donna at 8:32 AM on November 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
Our elderly cat had to have a lump removed from inside his mouth recently, and after the vet told he he wanted to have it biopsied, we feared the worst.
The vet office called about an hour ago, and the verdict: it's not cancer! It's not even a benign tumor--just some granular tissue from some kind of irritation in his mouth. We're really relieved. He's seventeen, and deserves a quiet retirement. He spends most of his time curled up on a cushion between us on the couch sleeping. The rest of the time is shouting at us if dinner is ten seconds late or yowling loudly to announce he's just pooped in the litterbox. He's our best boy.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 11:14 AM on November 30, 2023 [8 favorites]
The vet office called about an hour ago, and the verdict: it's not cancer! It's not even a benign tumor--just some granular tissue from some kind of irritation in his mouth. We're really relieved. He's seventeen, and deserves a quiet retirement. He spends most of his time curled up on a cushion between us on the couch sleeping. The rest of the time is shouting at us if dinner is ten seconds late or yowling loudly to announce he's just pooped in the litterbox. He's our best boy.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 11:14 AM on November 30, 2023 [8 favorites]
Had another evaluation. Which seemed to go fine, except the evaluation doesn't appear to have taken many notes and what she did write down was that (a) I have pets and (b) I live for my pets? I don't have any pets? All I said was I live alone and have no pets?
Though I reported this to a friend (I note that I don't have pets because I'm not home a lot) and she was all, hey I can watch a pet during the day. So perhaps we can share a pet :P
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:21 PM on November 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
Though I reported this to a friend (I note that I don't have pets because I'm not home a lot) and she was all, hey I can watch a pet during the day. So perhaps we can share a pet :P
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:21 PM on November 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
Peter Gabriel's I/O finally dropped and it is a good morning for some new music.
My work laptop continues to be a most infuriating machine. I've had an ongoing issue with the battery discharging while it is plugged in due to an inadequate power supply (the one ISSUED with the machine), which I initially traced to an issue with OneDrive, forcing me to shut OneDrive off. Which IT really hates and sends FREQUENT REMINDERS that I need to back up to OneDrive. Not happening. It appears that there is a second app draining the battery, IT's very own application to push updates out for the software I use.
Time to order the 235W brick, since IT refuses to acknowledge there is an issue. Not my money.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 5:25 AM on December 1, 2023
My work laptop continues to be a most infuriating machine. I've had an ongoing issue with the battery discharging while it is plugged in due to an inadequate power supply (the one ISSUED with the machine), which I initially traced to an issue with OneDrive, forcing me to shut OneDrive off. Which IT really hates and sends FREQUENT REMINDERS that I need to back up to OneDrive. Not happening. It appears that there is a second app draining the battery, IT's very own application to push updates out for the software I use.
Time to order the 235W brick, since IT refuses to acknowledge there is an issue. Not my money.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 5:25 AM on December 1, 2023
Peter Gabriel's I/O finally dropped and it is a good morning for some new music.
i/o is such a delightful album. I've been getting it track by track all across the year, each released on the Full Moon. The show of his I saw was 22 songs, 11 from the new album so I was glad I'd been following along.
Even though I haven't listened to it in quite a few weeks, bits and snatches of its melodies are running through my head even while I type this.
posted by hippybear at 1:00 PM on December 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
i/o is such a delightful album. I've been getting it track by track all across the year, each released on the Full Moon. The show of his I saw was 22 songs, 11 from the new album so I was glad I'd been following along.
Even though I haven't listened to it in quite a few weeks, bits and snatches of its melodies are running through my head even while I type this.
posted by hippybear at 1:00 PM on December 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Usually November is a hard month for me mood-wise but this year I think it is going to be December. Is this climate change?
posted by srboisvert at 3:15 PM on December 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by srboisvert at 3:15 PM on December 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
I hope your December finds your mood at least as good as it was in November, srboisvert. Now you've got me thinking about the phenology of moods and how much of it is temperature versus light related. I know for me it's primarily light related, but warmer temperatures may actually be a moderating factor. A warm November makes me inclined to get out and walk more, if nothing else.
posted by mollweide at 4:39 PM on December 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by mollweide at 4:39 PM on December 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
I just bought tickets to see Monty Python And The Holy Grail in an actual movie theater and I'm not sure how I feel about this.
posted by hippybear at 6:13 PM on December 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by hippybear at 6:13 PM on December 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Last night we had another mysterious boom about four miles north, near the same major road.
posted by mochapickle at 6:19 PM on December 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by mochapickle at 6:19 PM on December 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
I just bought tickets to see Monty Python And The Holy Grail in an actual movie theater and I'm not sure how I feel about this.
It's only a model.
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:28 PM on December 2, 2023
It's only a model.
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:28 PM on December 2, 2023
I mean, like, it's playing for two days only, Dec 3, and Dec 6, for limited engagements. I saw this about a month ago and called all my local theaters asking why none of them were on the schedule and all the theaters were all "we don't do local scheduling, sorry" and I got all sad. And then I made more phone calls to corporate offices and sent emails to everyone including to the people releasing Holy Grail for this limited release.
I heard nothing back.
This evening I got curious about the Beyonce concert movie and went looking at prices and theaters and saw that Holy Grail IS happening in my city tomorrow! In one of the smallest auditoriums possible and only at one theater.
When I bought tickets only about 6 others had been sold. Maybe it'll beef up a bit before tomorrow afternoon's showing, or maybe it will just be a small, friendly crowd.
Anyway, Monty Python And The Holy Grail, in theaters!!! Because, why not???
posted by hippybear at 6:30 PM on December 2, 2023 [3 favorites]
I heard nothing back.
This evening I got curious about the Beyonce concert movie and went looking at prices and theaters and saw that Holy Grail IS happening in my city tomorrow! In one of the smallest auditoriums possible and only at one theater.
When I bought tickets only about 6 others had been sold. Maybe it'll beef up a bit before tomorrow afternoon's showing, or maybe it will just be a small, friendly crowd.
Anyway, Monty Python And The Holy Grail, in theaters!!! Because, why not???
posted by hippybear at 6:30 PM on December 2, 2023 [3 favorites]
Be sure to pick up a shrubbery at the concession stand beforehand.
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:31 PM on December 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:31 PM on December 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
I carry my own shrubbery with me at all times. As any respectable person would!
posted by hippybear at 6:33 PM on December 2, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 6:33 PM on December 2, 2023 [3 favorites]
More seriously, I do wonder how/if it will be different from the original, which has been available for ages. Is it just the notion of seeing it full-size in an actual theater?
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:34 PM on December 2, 2023
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:34 PM on December 2, 2023
In the late 1980s/early 1990s, my university's various student program groups would show at least one Monty Python movie each year in one of the multipurpose rooms in one of the campus centers (it was a big school). The audio quality was so bad it would take at least 30 minutes for anyone to actually understand what was being said on screen, even if we had seen it all before. Good times.
posted by mollweide at 6:45 PM on December 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by mollweide at 6:45 PM on December 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
Is it just the notion of seeing it full-size in an actual theater?
If you don't recognize the difference between seeing a comedy film in your living room or a comedy film in a room full of 6 of your friends or a comedy film in a room full of strangers....
I mean, really, comedy is meant to be experienced in a group. And there's the thrill of the surprise of unknown comedy, and the thrill of the group participation in known comedy.
Nobody who went to see Python at the O2 during their residency there was going to see anything novel. They were there to celebrate, en masse, this thing they loved.
I do hope more seats get sold at the theater. It could be a lot of fun.
posted by hippybear at 6:48 PM on December 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
If you don't recognize the difference between seeing a comedy film in your living room or a comedy film in a room full of 6 of your friends or a comedy film in a room full of strangers....
I mean, really, comedy is meant to be experienced in a group. And there's the thrill of the surprise of unknown comedy, and the thrill of the group participation in known comedy.
Nobody who went to see Python at the O2 during their residency there was going to see anything novel. They were there to celebrate, en masse, this thing they loved.
I do hope more seats get sold at the theater. It could be a lot of fun.
posted by hippybear at 6:48 PM on December 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
It's probably showing in your city! holygrailcinemas.com
posted by hippybear at 6:50 PM on December 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by hippybear at 6:50 PM on December 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
comedy is meant to be experienced in a group.
Well I am legion!
Oh, legion eh, very nice. And how d'you get that, eh? By containing multitudes!
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:31 PM on December 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Well I am legion!
Oh, legion eh, very nice. And how d'you get that, eh? By containing multitudes!
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:31 PM on December 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Well I am legion!
Your peculiar out-of-era age warped existence... you are indeed Legion. I've seen your biographic series.
Brilliant getting Dan Stevens to play you. I barely recognized you from your role in Downton Abbey.
posted by hippybear at 7:39 PM on December 2, 2023
Your peculiar out-of-era age warped existence... you are indeed Legion. I've seen your biographic series.
Brilliant getting Dan Stevens to play you. I barely recognized you from your role in Downton Abbey.
posted by hippybear at 7:39 PM on December 2, 2023
Listen, strange people operatin' theaters distributin' movies is no basis for a system of entertainment. Supreme comedic power derives from a mandate from the individual, not from some farcical theatric ceremony!
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:40 PM on December 2, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:40 PM on December 2, 2023 [3 favorites]
(I hope your movie experience is a lot of fun! Please let us know how it went, my interest is piqued...)
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:56 PM on December 2, 2023
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:56 PM on December 2, 2023
It's probably playing where you can see it if you're the piqued.
posted by hippybear at 8:01 PM on December 2, 2023
posted by hippybear at 8:01 PM on December 2, 2023
Welllll, it's not that piqued...yet. Currently it's only a flesh wound.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:10 PM on December 2, 2023
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:10 PM on December 2, 2023
It'll be showing tomorrow and maybe Wednesday and I've seen some Tues shows in popular areas, so you could have a chance if you so desire.
posted by hippybear at 8:21 PM on December 2, 2023
posted by hippybear at 8:21 PM on December 2, 2023
Aw. Nearest showing to Toronto is in Buffalo.
We saw Grail a few weeks ago on Netflix. Still great.i had forgotten the scene with Sir Galahad and the maidens (Castle Anthrax). It's main premise is of course more likely to be seen as problematic these days, but there was also some clever 4th-wall-breaking.
posted by Artful Codger at 7:34 AM on December 3, 2023
We saw Grail a few weeks ago on Netflix. Still great.i had forgotten the scene with Sir Galahad and the maidens (Castle Anthrax). It's main premise is of course more likely to be seen as problematic these days, but there was also some clever 4th-wall-breaking.
posted by Artful Codger at 7:34 AM on December 3, 2023
Well, my bullshit brain-body asshole attitude of late decided to be bad enough today that I cancelled going to the movie. Thank goodness tickets can be refunded these days.
Honestly, I can watch Holy Grail any time I want because I have a super fancy DVD of it that I bought a while ago. But I've never seen it in a theater, and seeing it with a bunch of people there to be rowdy and have fun would be great. But just not happening for me right now.
posted by hippybear at 2:57 PM on December 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
Honestly, I can watch Holy Grail any time I want because I have a super fancy DVD of it that I bought a while ago. But I've never seen it in a theater, and seeing it with a bunch of people there to be rowdy and have fun would be great. But just not happening for me right now.
posted by hippybear at 2:57 PM on December 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
Aw, that stinks. Despite my silly comments it did sound like a fun idea.
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:49 PM on December 3, 2023
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:49 PM on December 3, 2023
Hippybear - if it helps to hear, I was going to be seeing it too, and even make it a thing for my blog. But then a theater gig came up put of nowhere, and my life is going to be VERY complicated for the next 2 months and downtime is way more important I think.
It happens. (Plus I spaced on getting tickets anyway.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:33 AM on December 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
It happens. (Plus I spaced on getting tickets anyway.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:33 AM on December 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
Wi nøt trei a høliday in Sweden this yër ?
See the løveli lakes
The wøndërful telephøne system
And mäni interesting furry animals
Including the majestik møøse
A Møøse once bit my sister...
No realli! She was Karving her initials øn the møøse with the sharpened end of an interspace tøøthbrush given her by Svenge - her brother-in-law -an Oslo dentist and star of many Norwegian møvies: "The Høt Hands of an Oslo Dentist", "Fillings of Passion", "The Huge Mølars of Horst Nordfink"...
Mynd you, møøse bites Kan be pretty nasti...
posted by not_on_display at 7:39 PM on December 4, 2023 [2 favorites]
See the løveli lakes
The wøndërful telephøne system
And mäni interesting furry animals
Including the majestik møøse
A Møøse once bit my sister...
No realli! She was Karving her initials øn the møøse with the sharpened end of an interspace tøøthbrush given her by Svenge - her brother-in-law -an Oslo dentist and star of many Norwegian møvies: "The Høt Hands of an Oslo Dentist", "Fillings of Passion", "The Huge Mølars of Horst Nordfink"...
Mynd you, møøse bites Kan be pretty nasti...
posted by not_on_display at 7:39 PM on December 4, 2023 [2 favorites]
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posted by Wordshore at 2:57 AM on November 27, 2023