Government is a conspiracy. A political party is a conspiracy to commit conspiracy.

People who talk, think and read about conspiracy theories are not all cut from the same cloth. Yes, I've seen the tin-foil-hat variety, and they aren't pretty. But christ on a pogo stick, when vast sums of money and power are involved, only the naive reject all conspiracy theories.

Anyone remember the bunch of folks... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 7:46 AM on October 6, 2008

When I was a poor college student, I used to feed myself and some poorer young neighbors on rice and mackerel. I'm rather fond of the stuff, actually, but these days, I seriously limit how much fish I eat.
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 12:28 AM on October 3, 2008

Next time a friend says they're having a squirrel problem, this is the perfect gift. Anyone with squirrel problems needs the laugh.
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 11:18 AM on October 2, 2008

You might want to consider MASH. It is comedy, sometimes, other times, very much not. I'm completely biased about this show, having declared 30 years ago that MASH justifies the existence of television (I find it a monumental statement of the anti-war sort).

I have the collection of a more recent version of Twilight Zone, and it is also half-hour long. It got poor reviews, but we're delighted with it, and find it very engaging. The original can be both good and poor.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 3:34 AM on October 2, 2008

You could ski across the fronzen Arctic Ocean.

An important thing to note about cargo ships is their lack of stabilization. I understand that they can be quite a rough ride, compared to a cruise liner. I'm not sure whether they'd go along with your vegetarian wishes, either. The norm is that you eat with the crew, your choice whether officer's or not. They might not accept your preparing meals privately, but I don't know.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 3:10 AM on October 2, 2008

Ice cream is a good breakfast. It soothes the stomach and satisfies. In my 20's I did this and lost weight.
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 11:16 PM on October 1, 2008

In case it isn't obvious, beware of renting. It's amazing what people will do to rental property! You really can't reliably predict who will trash your place, and who will care for it. To say that you can "hold the renter liable" is meaningless, if you can't locate them or they have nothing to sue them for.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 6:53 AM on October 1, 2008

Having a tattoo is good proof that you will bow to fashion, even to the point of permanently altering your body, even though the fashion will likely pass before you do. That's about the most liberal statement I can make about how I view tattoos.

Once upon a time, a tattoo may have suggested independent thinking on the part of the person wearing it. That time passed at some point while I wasn't paying attention. It's now nothing more than a fashion accessory, something... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 6:46 AM on October 1, 2008

Huntington Beach is beautiful. There is a microclimate sort of thing happening there, and it is usually about 10 degrees cooler, in hot weather, than nearby places. Waves are good, the surfers are a friendly sort, not territorial dickheads like you'll find at points further south.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 5:29 AM on October 1, 2008

These old fashioned keys/locks are still common in South Africa. Each key has an ID. The locksmith will sell you a replacement based on that ID code. My house in South Africa had 7 such locks on external doors or gates, every one different. I had to replace one of them, and it was amazingly easy.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 3:03 AM on October 1, 2008

There are two ways to interpret what you mean by "expert". There are experts who talk about it, because they read a lot about it, then there are experts who engage in occult practices. The former has been addressed above.

To be seen as a practicing expert, you must develop a group of dedicated disciples, and some reasonably grandiose delusions. It might help to dress weird, and procure some very old (or old-looking) jewellery (charms/talismans). Then, to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 2:54 AM on October 1, 2008

I had this too (two sets, at least) and loved it, in the 60's. I never could recall how it was called. I've often wondered why I never see it in toy stores. In the 60's, the Kenner version had the red girders and the bases were green. One kit was for buildings, and the other was for roads and bridges.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 10:52 PM on September 28, 2008

maxwelton: Hope not, because I certainly would, and I'm older. You should see my Kynex collection!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 7:17 AM on September 29, 2008

A sea cucumber looks like a turd, sitting on the bottom. Or perhaps, like a used cucumber.

I wonder about the water, as I would expect this looks like lunch to a lot of fish. Where are those fish?

The photo from The Light Fantastic is great, as it shows the same markings along the side.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 7:16 AM on September 29, 2008

Agree with themadjuggler. Sounds like the German layout, at least, y and z are switched between American and German layouts. What's surprising is, how little time it takes to get used to the change (living in Europe, I've had to use the German keyboards). What I have not done, is switching between the two on a regular basis.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 10:17 PM on September 28, 2008

I'm a tad confused. The title refers to circus slang, but everyone speaks of carnivals. Is the language the same, or is the title mistaken?
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 12:42 AM on September 26, 2008

This is absolutely horrible! How traumatic for those poor kids. I'm sure it would have been far better had they been locked inside a car (minibus?) before pushing the lot into some river or lake.

And those poor Nebraska taxpayers, having to pay for these kids. Perhaps they'll have to build some work houses, where the brats can earn their keep. That'll fix that little problem. Maybe they can make crap cheaper than the Chinese, that way! You could structure the system in... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 10:55 PM on September 25, 2008

I dumped 64bit Ubuntu over exactly this, same printer, and some other issues that were handled better in the 32bit version.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 9:52 AM on September 25, 2008

Khayelitsha United Mambazo
But, I believe, they are Xhosa, not Zulu, from Cape Town. I know of two albums, "Amphiko" and "Live @ the Waterfront".
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 8:26 AM on September 25, 2008

In Switzerland, you have a device that takes your ATM card. You enter you pin to that, and log on to banking site. Then they provide a challenge number, you enter in to your device, which then gives the magic number. Then, as you press enter, you click your heels three times, chanting "I love my bank".
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 7:56 AM on September 25, 2008

stbalbach: that library is awesome. Thanks for that.

The Sharpie room is nice. I was expecting something silly.
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 7:34 AM on September 25, 2008

I think that, in Juarez, you'd want to collect any rain water you are fortunate enough to have falling on your house. They do this in South Africa. I wonder too whether there is any economic benefit to placing some form of solar collection on top. This would also keep some heat out.
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 4:07 AM on September 25, 2008

Were such a thing possible, I suspect it would involve a strong and critical economic link with the countries that would first recognize the new nation. Also important is water. The state must have its own, and not threaten the water going to neighboring states.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 1:31 PM on September 23, 2008

This issue about washing up after eating, I would like offer something about myself. I am the last person who will dare to do anything in someone else's kitchen. It's silly, I know. But it is due to deep programming from my mother, near as I can tell. I can not describe how uncomfortable I am with doing more than carrying things to or from the table, in another's kitchen. eg., Recently visited in-laws, first time in over 3 years (I never left South Africa while living there). In the morning, I... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 12:20 PM on September 23, 2008

Whatever else you do, do not miss The Tower of London, where they display the crown jewels. The tour is guided and fun. That place is old!

Your daughter may enjoy, assuming it's still there, an exhibit of Princess Diana's dresses, at Kensington Palace.

Geocaching is very good in the UK.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 11:51 AM on September 23, 2008

Find someone with lots of naphtha, and give it a good dunking. This is how watered cell phones are 'repaired', and how grandfather clocks are cleaned.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 11:43 AM on September 23, 2008

This was refreshing, thanks for asking. Sorry you and yours have those issues yourselves. I too have problems with the memories of family members, but I have little to do with them now.

But this "repression" thing, or "buried memories", if you will, is totally real. There was something from my childhood which I had totally "forgotten", until I was 25. Then it came back. First one chunk fell into place, then others followed.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 11:35 AM on September 23, 2008

I have had a problem with words for some years now. I don't get rhymes, I get stuck for a word (names, especially) and keep coming up with the wrong thing, but with the same first letter. I've no clue what's happening with that, just thought I'd toss it out.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 11:01 AM on September 23, 2008

I'm confused. I thought this was why they called it "Reader's Digest" (my father's preferred bathroom read).

I sometimes read on the can, but not often. That's more because I don't read much printed material these days, due to all the time I spend reading on the net. The idea of playing a game, for me, is contrary to the purpose. Telephoning would only happen by accident of timing.

Am I the only one... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 10:45 AM on September 23, 2008

Gay married man here. My spouse is my partner. I enjoy the confusion, and I have fun seeing how long I can go without clarifying genders. I don't especially like the word "spouse", never did (just a silly thing, sounds too mousy). But I have tons of fun with the confusion, being 16 years older than my partner. People often assume I'm his father, and sometimes I don't correct them (once, this happened where the person knew my 'son' was Belgian, and myself American, and asked how that... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 9:56 AM on September 23, 2008

Some predators/annoyances might be distracted by the chaff being dropped. But in humans, I always took it more as a joke, except for vomiting.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 10:36 AM on September 22, 2008

So, this family of friends think it's cool to pass a new law to take away the rights you already have. Give them a chance to see the light. If that fails, well, consider what they want to do to you, and act accordingly.

I am sick of people pulling shit like this and declaring immunity under a cloak of "politics". Politics, at its worse (and hey, America has been in the 'worse' stage for 8 years) is a blood sport. It's for real, it isn't a parlour game. Today... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 8:58 AM on September 22, 2008

Afraid of Islamic terrorists? LOL! How totally lame.

I tell you what scares the hell out of me: Sarah Palin, one breath away from being POTUS. She's more scary than Bush, seeing as how she can actually speak. But the notions in her head are uninformed nonsense of the worst sort--Especially as regards noocular bomz, and the use thereof.

And, pardon me for going a bit off thread, what's up with that husband of hers? How can a VP candidate have a... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 10:38 AM on September 19, 2008

Well I never heard of Norman
But I really like his music.

So this is who made the Temptations one of my all-time favourites. And I've found they hold up well, as I get older. Not all my favourites do that.

Getting older sucks. You see too many people die that have links into your own soul.
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 5:20 AM on September 18, 2008

My sister sent me exactly ONE rightwing nonsensical forward. I debunked it, never heard another bit of such nonsense out of her. (but suspect she's still gone looneytunes right).

I have only 2 friends that forward funny stuff. I'm happy with that, it's usually good, although one gets a bit racist on occasion (South African). I've told them both 'thanks', as I enjoy much of it. The racist crap I sometimes try to correct, but that's difficult when it's across cultures.
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 8:12 AM on September 15, 2008

No thanks, I gave at the orifice. Besides, I'm already sponsoring the Olympic team, being a big athletic supporter.
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 5:57 AM on September 12, 2008

Mason, eh? Invite him to the basement for a lesson in masonry. Have plenty of mortar and bricks laying out, ready.
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 5:51 AM on September 12, 2008

Microscopic black holes: The secret behind the holes in the cheese.
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 5:42 AM on September 12, 2008

BrnP84: This can't be the case. My spouse is Belgian, I'm American. Our electrical appliances are not compatible. But you know what? They sell adapters that make things work anyway. Marital Bliss!

As far as butsecks goes, I'd like to quote Romoanovsky & Phillips:

"Only an asshole would care
What goes into our assholes
and who puts it there.
And only a person
who's really... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 7:14 AM on September 10, 2008

I have every confidence in Bush's Justice Department to assure a smooth election. A fair one, no, but smooth, yes, I think they can. Smooth as silk, silent as death, right into McCain's pocket. But this is no small part due to the spineless nature of the voting public. They gave up their vote quietly, for the most part (to my big surprise), and any continued complaints have been largely marginalized to the ranks of the nut cases.
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 8:49 AM on September 9, 2008

It is amusing that everyone includes alcohol in such discussions, and no one, even on Metafilter, has mentioned either caffeine or sugar (whether the white powder or that nasty HFCS crap).

Legalize drugs? What?! You think the people are mature and responsible enough to handle such things? Maybe in some countries, maybe not in the USA. I think the American people really need the government to supervise their lives, for their own good. They've grown entirely dependant on... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 6:20 AM on September 9, 2008

I'm just less than 4 hours, by train, from CERN. I hope I'm close enough so that, when the LHC decides to become the seed for a new universe, I'll be dragged along. I'm in no mood to ride a train that long.
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 3:56 AM on September 9, 2008

Articles are great. The comments, especially on the last one, are hysterical :-))
Thanks, Tehanu
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 12:40 PM on September 3, 2008

I'd like to take this moment to point some things out to those still reading. The economy is in the toilet. The job market is in the toilet. People are loosing their homes all over the country.

The government is engaged in war of aggression. They are torturing people and lying about it. Politicians in both major parties are doing things they find it wise to lie about.

There are two very clear 'realities': That one you hear reported about on... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 3:22 AM on September 2, 2008

Relax! It's not totalitarianism!

Relax! It's not a hanging until the trap door opens! It's simply a bit of rope hanging loosely around your neck!

"They", whoever the fuck they are (certainly it isn't just about one political party, and pretending it is is counter-productive), control the media who, for the most part, control what people think and know about what is happening. Do we have, or are we getting close, to this state of... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 7:35 AM on September 3, 2008

Thanks, Homunculus.

Can't help but wonder: What makes the police think this sort of behaviour on their part is reasonable, proper, permitted or even practical? Is St. Paul so wealthy a city they can afford to use teargas without regard to the need?
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 10:40 AM on September 3, 2008

"Treppenwitz" sounds like a great last name...for a comic.

Cool stairs. I like stairs too. As a kid, I was always dreaming of stairs. I love houses that have both front and back stairs. Alas, I have a knee issue that makes stairs less fun than they used to be. (I miss being 20-something, when I used to fly up and down stairways)
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 10:31 AM on September 3, 2008

Thanks for that "Heart of Gold" link. It was interesting to read that version of the story, having heard Neil relate a different version, just last week. Neil made it sound like the session for Heart of Gold was a spur-of-the-moment thing, and he was just in town to do the Cash show. (as for the track itself, I liked it, at first, then stopped liking it, way back when it came out).
posted to MetaFilter by Goofyy at 8:56 AM on August 30, 2008

Goo: Hadn't thought of that, but it would have to include housekeeping. We have running around to do. But looks like we're staying at the Black Tulip, which has a fabulous location and is amazingly affordable. And that's apart from the play equipment in the room :-O
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 11:41 AM on August 15, 2008

Trappist Beer. Preferably a tripple. Chimay is often available. I prefer West Malle.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Goofyy at 6:53 AM on August 15, 2008