«
»

Open Thread

by John Cole

I am completely unmotivated.

Share

May 15, 2010 11:31 am Posted in: Open Thread  115 Comments

115 Responses

  1. matoko_chan - May 15, 2010 | 11:34 am · Link

    mebbe this will motivate you.
    Erikk the Red.

    And to put the idiot icing on the crazy cake, Erickson posted Kagan’s thesis illegally, violating its copyright, and Princeton sent Redstate.com a letter demanding that it be taken down.

  2. Just Some Fuckhead - May 15, 2010 | 11:35 am · Link

    Another glorious day without Stuck.

  3. Larkspur - May 15, 2010 | 11:40 am · Link

    Then help me with my problem. I am house-sitting at a fine home, and everything is wonderful except that I have been targeted for attack by one (1) large and relentless robin. I swear to god. He has been slamming his little body into the glass on one of the French doors, repeatedly, for days. I taped up a large placemat on the inside, thinking he didn’t know it was glass, and that would tell him.

    He doesn’t care. Also, he is the bird who has been perching on my driver’s side mirror, and crapping all over the side of my car. Every day I hose it down and park in a slightly different configuration, thinking that I’d simply gotten into his flight path by accident.

    Nope. This robin hates me. I have never been hated by a robin before. I have kept the birdbath scrupulously clean, and he still hates me.

  4. mr. whipple - May 15, 2010 | 11:48 am · Link

    Beautiful day. Plan is to finish inside work, then go out and plant ~70 pepper plants and some cukes.

  5. mr. whipple - May 15, 2010 | 11:51 am · Link

    @Larkspur:

    “Nope. This robin hates me. I have never been hated by a robin before. I have kept the birdbath scrupulously clean, and he still hates me.
    ”

    Kill it.

  6. New Yorker - May 15, 2010 | 11:53 am · Link

    Damn Netflix, I’ve been watching Ken Burns’ “The Civil War” on my computer over the last week, and I get to episode 7 and the audio doesn’t work! I called their customer service and the rep said it could take up to a week to fix it.

    Oh, and the film is fantastic. I remember watching it on PBS with my parents when I was 10 years old, but obviously my attention wasn’t held all that well by still black-and-white photos. I can definitely appreciate it better now.

  7. Larkspur - May 15, 2010 | 11:56 am · Link

    @mr. whipple: Kill it? Kill it? And risk a battalion of vengeance-seeking robins? Dude, I live near Bodega Bay. It would be a short trip, as the robin flies. The birds here remember.

  8. Robertdsc-iphone - May 15, 2010 | 11:56 am · Link

    Can we haz TunchCam?

  9. t jasper parnell - May 15, 2010 | 11:59 am · Link

    @Larkspur: There is little to do, outside of taping paper over the whole window. My mom’s condo is under constant attack by a female cardinal, whose mate sits on the tree branch and, I think, shouts encouragement.

  10. Larkspur - May 15, 2010 | 11:59 am · Link

    Okay, now we’re getting some ideas. TunchCam, and turn my monitor toward the window. Thanks!

  11. bemused - May 15, 2010 | 12:10 pm · Link

    @Larkspur:
    It’s spring & Mr. Robin is in a uber-territorial phase. We had the same robin problem a year ago. A recent piece in Mpls Trib recommended putting piece of cardboard on the outside of window. Gee that sounds practical…if it rains you have a soggy, disintegrating piece of cardboard to clean up. I have my doubts that outside vs inside would deter the robin. Even if it did, we would have had to cardboard every window in the house because our determined robin went to all four sides of the house & slammed into every larger window.

  12. Bill E Pilgrim - May 15, 2010 | 12:12 pm · Link

    @Larkspur: You could try a top hat, but I think you should go right to the junk shot.

    Re: Bodega, ah I was wondering if Larkspur meant that Larkspur. I would say go ask the people out at the Point Reyes Bird Observatory but alas, it is no more for years now.

  13. patrick II - May 15, 2010 | 12:13 pm · Link

    Rolling Stone

    Check out the story by Tim Dickinson regarding Karl Rove’s new shadow RNC. Rove has essentially put together the money part of the Republican political party without actually calling it a political party. Citizens United allows them to collect money, support candidates, and set policy without legal constraints because they are not “the party” and without ethical constraints because its Rove.

    Congratulations are in order for the Supreme Court, esp John Roberts, and the sons and grandsons of robber barrons who can now buy their country back.

  14. bemused - May 15, 2010 | 12:17 pm · Link

    I’m definitely motivated today & am heading out to spend the day doing garden prep work. Finally, here in the frigid north we have sun & it will get into the 70’s. This kind of weather is almost unheard of the opening weekend of fishing. There have been years when it snowed…miserable to be out fishing.
    John, you have already done a ton of chores outside right after the moving work. I got exhausted just reading about it. Chill out with Tunch & watch the birdies. You deserve a break once in awhile.

  15. Steeplejack - May 15, 2010 | 12:20 pm · Link

    Any quick advice on burning CDs? I used to have Roxio, which worked fine, but I don’t now, and I have to burn a mix CD for my Luddite (and impatient) neighbor. Realized this morning that I haven’t burned a CD in a hell of a long time. (Yay, MP3 files!)

    Anyway, I am thinking about giving it a go with Windows Media Player, but I find M.P.’s interface so opaque and difficult in every other respect that I can’t believe this will end well.

  16. BethanyAnne - May 15, 2010 | 12:24 pm · Link

    A funny:
    http://twitter.com/feministhulk

  17. matoko_chan - May 15, 2010 | 12:26 pm · Link

    @patrick II:

    who can now buy their country back.

    but they can’t….they can’t buy culture back.
    We won already, when Obama was elected.

    To the right
    To the left
    We will fight to the death
    To the edge of the earth
    It’s a brave new world
    It’s a brave new world
    It’s a brave new world
    I do believe in the light
    Raise your hands up to the sky
    The fight is done
    The war is won
    Lift your hands
    Towards the sun
    Towards the sun
    Towards the sun
    Towards the sun
    The war is won

    This is War......but its all over but the petulant butthurt shouting.

    Dig the Dragon Age version.

  18. BethanyAnne - May 15, 2010 | 12:27 pm · Link

    or, OMG, xdressinghulk
    http://twitter.com/xdressinghulk

    “HULK JUST 1000lb GREEN MAN IN DRESS. HULK NOT MONSTER. MONSTER IS PERSON WHO USE INSTITUTIONAL POWER TO PEE ON LOVE.”

  19. Comrade Luke - May 15, 2010 | 12:30 pm · Link

    @matoko_chan:

    I still can’t get my head around having LGF be the voice of reason.

  20. QuaintIrene - May 15, 2010 | 12:30 pm · Link

    Had the same problem with catbirds. They are amazingly aggressive and territorial in the Spring. Attacking their reflection in a window, dive-bombing my dogs. One time when I was out gardening, two of them plunked down two feet in front of me and shrieked till I backed into the house. Felt like I was in “The Birds.”

  21. TomG - May 15, 2010 | 12:33 pm · Link

    I’m becoming interested in the Claudia Wright campaign for Utah’s 2nd District (Congress). Aside from a mention at HuffPo, I haven’t seen much. She’s trying to win a primary on June 22nd against a Democrat who sounds pretty much like a Republican who just won’t switch sides till after he’s reelected. I’m a New Yorker, but I’m hoping she’ll win.

  22. fucen tarmal - May 15, 2010 | 12:35 pm · Link

    @t jasper parnell:

    My mom’s condo is under constant attack by a female cardinal, whose mate sits on the tree branch and, I think, shouts encouragement

    whatever sounds come from the male cardinal, translate from dialectic cardinal to american movie wise guy as “don’t look at me pal, i gotta live with her”

  23. Steeplejack - May 15, 2010 | 12:35 pm · Link

    @BethanyAnne:

    HULK MAKE CAPITALIZATION EXCEPTION FOR bell hooks.

    Heh.

  24. MikeJ - May 15, 2010 | 12:39 pm · Link

    @Steeplejack: Check out CDBurnerXP. Free (as in beer), easy to use.

  25. jeffreyw - May 15, 2010 | 12:39 pm · Link

    Never too late for breakfast.

  26. tesslibrarian - May 15, 2010 | 12:39 pm · Link

    @Larkspur: We have a robin that does this to our car—try draping something over the car windows when the car is parked (typically a tea towel or old tshirt). It doesn’t look nice, but the bird goes away. You could probably hang an old sheet over the french door.

    I’m overdue planting my tomato garden due to travel and catching a nasty virus this week, so I’ll be pointing where my husband should put them tomorrow or tonight once the temps cool down. I have 11 tomatoes (Arkansas Traveller, Brandywine, Green Zebra, Eva Purple Ball, Matt’s Wild Cherry, Sungold), a red pepper, and five basils (2 sweet, 3 african). Right now, only have rosemary, bay, thyme, parsleys, winter savory, tarragon, oregano, arugula, sage, and chives in the garden. Oh, and the marigolds.

    Next weekend, I’ll plant beans around the tomatoes so they can nourish them through the growing year. If you ever have a chance to grow a Matt’s Wild Cherry, take it—you’ll get more sweet little tomatoes than you can handle and it reseeds itself.

  27. Mumphrey - May 15, 2010 | 12:39 pm · Link

    I just got back from taking our 3 year old daughter to her first swim class. It went better than I had dared hope. I hate swimming, and hate swimming in pools even more than swimming in the sea. I feel disgusting when I have that chlorrine smell on me. Anyway. So I hate swimming, and she’s on a being scared of everything kick, so I was dreading this. And sure enough, she wouldn’t go in the water for the first 10 minutes. After a little while, though, all the other children seemed to be having fun, so she let me take her in. She wouldn’t let me wet her face, but othere than that, it went pretty well. Now it’s time to eat lunch and then take a nap.

    I sowed some watermelon, honeydews and swiss chard yesterday. If I can keep the deer away, it should be a good summer. I could live on swiss chard…

  28. jeffreyw - May 15, 2010 | 12:40 pm · Link

    Rainy and cool here today. Not much interest in gardening or stalking hummers. Maybe a nice Saturday dinner?

  29. Robertdsc-iphone - May 15, 2010 | 12:45 pm · Link

    @Mumphrey:

    Learning to swim and attending swim classes still remains one of my best childhood memories. Here’s hoping your daughter develops a love for the water.

  30. Steeplejack - May 15, 2010 | 12:48 pm · Link

    @MikeJ:

    Thanks for the tip. I will check it out.

    I used to really enjoy making mix CDs. I had an earlier version of Roxio that (with the right drivers and some tweaking) worked very well. Lost it when my hard drive went south a year ago and never replaced/upgraded. Since then I have been listening to music on my computer or via MP3 files on my semi-smart cell phone. When the neighbor asked if I could make him a CD, I said sure, no problem, without thinking that my fragile ecostructure had changed.

  31. Sly - May 15, 2010 | 12:50 pm · Link

    @BethanyAnne:

    HULK NOT IMPRESSED BY CAMILLE PAGLIA. HULK SMASH BIOLOGICAL DETERMINISM!

    It’s gonna be pretty hard to top that.

  32. kdaug - May 15, 2010 | 12:55 pm · Link

    @Larkspur: At UT there are a tremendous number of grackles. They crap on everything, make a horrible screeching sound, but are generally benign.

    But I had one friend my freshman year who invariably invoked their wrath. They dive-bombed the poor bastard even while ignoring the other ~50K students walking around. It got so bad he started asking us to tape his class lectures for him (yeah, this was in the days of tape).

    I don’t believe hate is solely a human emotion. The precise criteria in the animal kingdom, though, not so clear on. Seemed like a nice enough guy to me.

  33. Steeplejack - May 15, 2010 | 12:55 pm · Link

    @Mumphrey:

    What Robertdsc-iphone said. I have taught swimming for many years, and it is great to see kids go from stark terror to being comfortable in the water and enjoying themselves. Only thing better is working with adult nonswimmers. I have tremendous respect for people who never learned to swim, are really terrified of the water and yet decide to go for it and learn at a “late” age.

  34. Punchy - May 15, 2010 | 12:59 pm · Link

    Any quick advice on burning CDs?

    Gasoline.

  35. Steeplejack - May 15, 2010 | 1:01 pm · Link

    @Punchy:

    Thanks. You’ll be here all week, right? And should I try the veal? And I will tip my waitress.

  36. sukabi - May 15, 2010 | 1:05 pm · Link

    you can’t be unmotivated… there are dandylions to murder and bird feeders to fill… get crackin’!

  37. Lit3Bolt - May 15, 2010 | 1:08 pm · Link

    Oh John. Don’t be unmotivated. There’s still bottled water and canned beans to buy for the upcoming social apocalypse.

    Or you could write poetry. Dear diary…

  38. JohnR - May 15, 2010 | 1:10 pm · Link

    This looks like a job for Bipolar Bear! but I just can’t seem to get out of bed this week..

  39. Sometimes I'm Doctor Science - May 15, 2010 | 1:13 pm · Link

    John, John, help meeeeeeee. Take Doctor Science out of the spam detector pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease.

    Meanwhile, Entenmann’s was Buy One-Get One Free this week. Walnut Danish Ring still rules, same as in the 70s.

  40. valdivia - May 15, 2010 | 1:13 pm · Link

    @BethanyAnne:

    made my day with that.

  41. Violet - May 15, 2010 | 1:20 pm · Link

    @BethanyAnne:
    That’s excellent. I think NANCY SMASH is a candidate for Feminist Hulk.

  42. Fergus Wooster - May 15, 2010 | 1:25 pm · Link

    @jeffreyw:

    Meh. Rainy here too. I’ve got a roasting chicken that’s been brined and scalded, but to be true to my school I need to let it dry until tomorrow.

    In the meantime, I get to wipe my hard drive and re-install Windows for the umpteenth time. Maybe I can find something in the pantry to work with. . .

  43. LiberalTarian - May 15, 2010 | 1:27 pm · Link

    Me too. But, 4 cats and an aging catbox are forcing me out to buy more litter.

    You could always go to http://www.ted.com and find something inspiring. We forget the world isn’t all as fucked up as we think!

  44. sukabi - May 15, 2010 | 1:28 pm · Link

    @matoko_chan: LOL I think the most disturbing part of that post, is that someone at Little Green Footballs is embracing sanity once again… There was a time not so long ago, that the crazy train was permanently based at LGF…

  45. BethanyAnne - May 15, 2010 | 1:29 pm · Link

    @Sly: Yea, that’s my favorite, too :)

  46. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 1:31 pm · Link

    @Steeplejack: I use Nero, and I dig it. But I think it has a cost involved.
    YMMV.
    http://www.nero.com/enu/index.html

  47. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 1:33 pm · Link

    @Larkspur:

    Nope. This robin hates me. I have never been hated by a robin before.

    I suggest you issue a “capture or kill” order on it. Then task the drones to target as their number one priority.
    It’s clear, at least to me, that if this robin isn’t stopped then soon other robins will know of it’s ideology. And they will not stopped until your car and windows are messy beyond belief.

  48. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 1:34 pm · Link

    @Bill E Pilgrim:

    You could try a top hat, but I think you should go right to the junk shot.

    You never fail to please good sir.
    No pressure.

  49. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 1:36 pm · Link

    @BethanyAnne: I just spit various liquids various distances.

  50. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 1:42 pm · Link

    It’s raining and thundering here in the Greater Houston Metro Area.
    And I have mucho work to do but am waiting for input from a couple different time zones before I can complete my part.
    So I’ll be here all week, try the veal, don’t forget to tip your waitress, and other things Steeplejack indicated on another thread.

  51. jeffreyw - May 15, 2010 | 1:48 pm · Link

    Maybe a nice pizza?

  52. jeffreyw - May 15, 2010 | 1:50 pm · Link

    We made plenty.

  53. Cat Lady - May 15, 2010 | 1:51 pm · Link

    @Mumphrey:

    At the other end of the daughter spectrum, my sweet beautiful patient kind school teacher daughter recently got engaged, and now….. I’m catching a whiff of bridezilla. Enjoy the swim lessons – wedding planning is like SEAL training. Not for the weak of heart or empty of pocketbook. Also. Too.

  54. Leaking Geek - May 15, 2010 | 1:54 pm · Link

    It is sunny, warm and breezy here in the lower Hudson Valley. Just had a root canal finished on a previous root canal that had become infected a few months ago. Worst pain I have ever experienced. The dentist gave me antibiotics and 750mg Vicoden. First time I ever took it. Knocked me out cold for 6 hours cold. Fuzzy for another four. How the hell does anyone abuse it?

  55. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 1:58 pm · Link

    @Larkspur: I’m curious. What makes you think he hates you?
    Maybe he’s really just very concerned for you. He sees you trapped in a box and he desperately tries to break through in futile attempts to free and rescue you. He sees you using a carbon burning implement of oppression against the environment and he does his very best to point out to you that it is shit. Again and again.
    Maybe he’s the one with the larger point here, and you are the one with the problem.
    I think he loves you, and maybe cares just a little too much.

  56. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 1:59 pm · Link

    @Leaking Geek: Some people enjoy being fuzzy.
    SATSQ

  57. MikeJ - May 15, 2010 | 2:07 pm · Link

    @Leaking Geek: Courtney Love lived in Seattle, so the coffee sorta balances you.

  58. Fergus Wooster - May 15, 2010 | 2:07 pm · Link

    @jeffreyw:
    Once again you trump.

    Maybe I’ll use that guanciale that nearly cost me my finger to make some pasta amatriciana. Or carbonara.

    If I do, I’ll be sure to post pics of it on my newfangled blog.

  59. licensed to kill time - May 15, 2010 | 2:16 pm · Link

    @Leaking Geek:

    750mg Vicoden. First time I ever took it. Knocked me out cold for 6 hours cold. Fuzzy for another four. How the hell does anyone abuse it?

    Honestly? Because they get used to it, and then they start to feel just normal on it, and then they start to get sick if they don’t take it. Then they will do almost anything to not get sick.

    Which is why we should not be shooting junk into that oil pipe. Who knows where it will end up.

  60. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 2:22 pm · Link

    I am magnificently pissed. I have a new Cleveland 64 degree wedge (well, new to me) and it’s lightning here so even the chipping range is closed.
    Sometimes the raw injustice that exists in the world is just too much for me.

  61. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 2:23 pm · Link

    @licensed to kill time:

    Which is why we should not be shooting junk into that oil pipe. Who knows where it will end up.

    I’m telling you, it’s just like corn subsidies.

  62. kdaug - May 15, 2010 | 2:25 pm · Link

    @Corner Stone: Yeah, in the same way that “Mother Nature” just loves us, and is heating up to gently nudge to change our ways.

    She also cared about the dinosaurs a little too much.

  63. jeffreyw - May 15, 2010 | 2:28 pm · Link

    @Fergus Wooster: Oh my! I do have a pic of a bandaged finger but the stitches would top that. Your round.

  64. AhabTRuler - May 15, 2010 | 2:29 pm · Link

    @Corner Stone: Take it outside and shake it at the sky.

  65. SiubhanDuinne - May 15, 2010 | 2:30 pm · Link

    @Just Some Fuckhead #2:

    Another glorious day without Stuck

    I miss Charlie.

  66. licensed to kill time - May 15, 2010 | 2:31 pm · Link

    @Corner Stone:

    They’ll pry my corn and junk subsidies out of my cold dead hands.

  67. Annie - May 15, 2010 | 2:41 pm · Link

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    Well damn girl, my genital herpes is gonna come back too but can’t we have a little fun in the meantime??

    Thanks for sharing…Hope Stuck comes back soon. And Charlie…And, your genital herpes….:>)

  68. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 2:44 pm · Link

    @AhabTRuler: Well, no. Then I might be effected. And it would totally spoil my day before I could get a mani-pedi and check into the new 5-star downtown hotel.
    Silly boy.

  69. Just Some Fuckhead - May 15, 2010 | 2:45 pm · Link

    I’m sure Charlie has been plotting another escape since the last time he was recaptured.

  70. burnspbesq - May 15, 2010 | 2:46 pm · Link

    Duke 18, Johns Hopkins 5.

    Doesn’t make up for those two championship-game losses, but it’ll do for the moment.

    C’mon, Delaware!

  71. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 2:46 pm · Link

    @kdaug:

    She also cared about the dinosaurs a little too much.

    They refused to listen. Just like Larkspur.
    There’s a Thurberian morality play here somewhere.

  72. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 2:47 pm · Link

    @licensed to kill time: Solidarity Brother!

    *Except mine is firearms. That’s ok with you, right?

  73. Fergus Wooster - May 15, 2010 | 2:48 pm · Link

    @jeffreyw: Graciously accepted.

    Of course, the round included no puppies and kittens, so I was on safer ground. . .

  74. HRA - May 15, 2010 | 2:50 pm · Link

    We have 3 very large crows who are defiling our water fountain birdbath daily with dead birds and parts of dead birds. Any suggestions besides killing or shooting them?

    Update on my stalker problem: I had a week of relief though I am not exactly sure if I should feel safe yet.

  75. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 2:52 pm · Link

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    I’m sure Charlie has been plotting another escape since the last time he was recaptured.

    I’ve always believed pictures of Charlie were stolen from another website and reposted.
    How in the hell could someone so immeasurably stupid take care of a living, breathing animal day in and out?
    I’m pretty sure he’s an agoraphobic shut-in, and too scared to leave his apartment.

  76. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 2:53 pm · Link

    @HRA:

    Any suggestions besides killing or shooting them?

    Crows only respond to one method. I’m sorry but 12 gauge is the only thing they understand.

  77. licensed to kill time - May 15, 2010 | 2:55 pm · Link

    @Corner Stone:

    Fine with me. Just try to leave your firearm at home when you head to the local Sip n’ Spew, ok?

  78. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 2:56 pm · Link

    @AhabTRuler:

    Take it outside and shake it at the sky.

    And, also? There are a lot of kids in my area. Not sure they’re ready for that.

  79. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 2:56 pm · Link

    @licensed to kill time: STEP OFF MY 2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS!

  80. kdaug - May 15, 2010 | 2:57 pm · Link

    @Corner Stone: Cheer up, though! She’s not gonna wipe out all life on the planet!

    Just the mammals.

  81. licensed to kill time - May 15, 2010 | 3:03 pm · Link

    @Corner Stone:

    “Put the Rights down slowly and step away from the Second!”

    Got it. Don’t Tase me, bro!

  82. burnspbesq - May 15, 2010 | 3:12 pm · Link

    @Corner Stone:

    I’ve always believed pictures of Charlie were stolen from another website and reposted. How in the hell could someone so immeasurably stupid take care of a living, breathing animal day in and out? I’m pretty sure he’s an agoraphobic shut-in, and too scared to leave his apartment.

    What’s your fucking problem?

  83. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 3:15 pm · Link

    @burnspbesq: F off clown shoe.
    Ain’t nobody pulled your chain here.

  84. HeartlandLiberal - May 15, 2010 | 3:21 pm · Link

    Well, I planted two more semi-dwarf fruit trees this morning. At 64, digging holes and planting trees is hard d*mned work. But I have planted 7 of the 8 I bought a week ago, one more to go. The garden needs thinning in the greens, carrots, radishes, and other row crops, as do the pole beans, which are six inches up and ready to start training on to the teepee and twine, but it started raining just as I finished the second tree. So I guess that will wait till tomorrow.

    Also, life is good because ‘Piley’, as we call our Pileated Woodpecker, has returned to the feeder outside our third story bedroom on the small deck there. We live on a golf course that runs along a wooded ridge, so we have plenty of urban wildlife, everything from deer, to possum, skunks, racoons, coyotes, and even an occassional fox.

    There is not much more beautiful than watching a huge, Pileated Woodpecker from only 5-6 feet away.

    If it makes you feel any sense of empathy if you are feeling a little bummed out, every thing I see in the beauty of nature around me unfortunately anymore is immediately overwhelmed with thoughts of what is going on in the gulf as the latest symbol of how we as a species are simply devastating life on our planet.

    I was thinking about how it only took us a century and a half to sweep from the Appalachians across the plains to the Rockies and beyond, while on the way wiping out 95% of the original forest, all of the passenger pigeons which before us darkened the sky all day as the migrated, and almost wiping out the buffalo. Not to mention the Indians.

    And I try to imagine, if we are that efficient, what will this world be like just another 100 years in the future.

    And I feel sad for the world and the creatures we are subjecting to the greatest die off of species numbers since the asteroid whacked the dinosaurs and triggered the massive die-off 65 million years ago. Remember, the event that got the dinos also wiped out about 70% of all species at the time.

    There. I hope that helped you feel all cheerier.

    Maybe it is just as well I have no grand kids. I can only imagine the dystopian nightmare we are about to leave them to cope with.

  85. burnspbesq - May 15, 2010 | 3:21 pm · Link

    @Corner Stone:

    Your existence and stupidity pull my chain all day, every day.

    Oh, so you ran off Stuck?

    Douchebags Rule! Congratulations.

  86. kdaug - May 15, 2010 | 3:27 pm · Link

    @HeartlandLiberal:
    There’s a reason we ain’t got kids, mate, and it ain’t infertility.

    (OK, there’s several, but I fully expect the last breeding pairs of humans to be living above the Arctic Circle in 200 years.)

    Oh, well, thanks for all the fish!

  87. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 3:34 pm · Link

    @burnspbesq: Count down until you remind us all you’re an attorney in 5…4…3…2…

    Stuck is weak and pathetic, so I get why you identify with him.
    His little GBCW drama queen-ism had nothing to do with me.
    He propagated ideas and ideals he couldn’t backup, and ultimately collapsed under them.
    His desperation to have Cole even acknowledge his existence was palpable. His gambit didn’t work, and so here we are.

  88. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 3:38 pm · Link

    @HeartlandLiberal:

    There. I hope that helped you feel all cheerier.

    Ummm…yeah?

  89. Just Some Fuckhead - May 15, 2010 | 3:57 pm · Link

    Thats Jaws Stuck done jumped thar.

  90. Nicole - May 15, 2010 | 4:26 pm · Link

    Watching the Rolex Equestrian championships on NBC while I wait for the Preakness coverage to start- the last part of the cross-country coverage showed a horrific fall- horse rolled right over his rider. I stay glued to the screen, waiting for an update, and then, on a hunch, google and find out the darn thing happened three weeks ago and the rider and horse are both fine.

    I’m starting to wonder if the Preakness has already happened.

  91. t jasper parnell - May 15, 2010 | 4:27 pm · Link

    Google apparently collected all manner of information, emails, etc, when it created its street view.

  92. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 4:33 pm · Link

    @t jasper parnell: ala Brett in the “Hypocrisy” thread – sucks to be them if they don’t encrypt their shit:

    the information had been recorded as it was sent over unencrypted residential wireless networks as StreetView cars with mounted recording equipment passed by

  93. licensed to kill time - May 15, 2010 | 4:38 pm · Link

    @Corner Stone:

    You know who else hated unsecured wi-fi connections?

  94. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 4:51 pm · Link

    @licensed to kill time: {Said in my best Seinfeld “Newman” impersonation}:
    Germans!

  95. Tsulagi - May 15, 2010 | 4:52 pm · Link

    @Corner Stone:

    It’s raining and thundering here in the Greater Houston Metro Area.

    It´s another shitty day in paradise here in Xcaret, MX. Been here all week for an SO family reunion celebrating her parents` 40th wedding anniversiary. Been pretty nice. Staying in an all-inclusive including all alcohol. First time in an all-inclusive, last time in an all-inclusive.

    Two days ago went diving. Asked the guy in the dive shop if he´d ever rented two suits for one customer to use, but he didn´t get the joke. On the beach in Playa del Carmen and Xcaret park vendors sell 1.5L Coronas in plastic sacks full of ice. Huge mothers.

    One observation from this morning—If you weigh more than a standard bathroom scale can measure, don´t wear a tanga on a public beach. That should be considered an international crime against humanity. But to be fair, some guys have guts that could shade a Mexican family of four.

    Kind of funny seeing ads in Spanish on BJ.

  96. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 4:59 pm · Link

    @Tsulagi:

    Asked the guy in the dive shop if he´d ever rented two suits for one customer to use, but he didn´t get the joke.

    You didn’t expect him to be part of the tribe did you?

    I had a good friend stay in an all-inclusive in MX one time. He told me he woke up on the 4th morning and his liver spoke to him:
    “If you drink again, I WILL KILL YOU.”

  97. russell - May 15, 2010 | 5:04 pm · Link

    This robin hates me.

    Shock troops of the migratory songbird jihad!

  98. licensed to kill time - May 15, 2010 | 5:05 pm · Link

    @Tsulagi:

    Are you using an all-inclusive computer down there in ol’ Mexico? Because all your apostrophes are actually accent marks. Gives your (very nice) comment a certain international flair.

    I am shocked, just shocked that the dive shop dude didn’t get the double wetsuit joke.

    ¡Salud!

  99. Maude - May 15, 2010 | 5:06 pm · Link

    @t jasper parnell:
    Oh brother. Wouldn’t you just love that? What if you were doing online bankinking?

    Steeplejack, I use Infa recorder. It’s easy to use and does a great job. I burn operating systems. I can’t think of a joke line.
    Did nothing today except go to a garage sale.

  100. Mumphrey - May 15, 2010 | 5:10 pm · Link

    @HRA:

    I read that as “cows” at first. I was wondering what cows were doing dropping dead birds in your birdbath, and why they were wandering around loose to harass people that way. It was almost a letdown to read it again more carefully and see “crows” instead.

  101. Mumphrey - May 15, 2010 | 5:13 pm · Link

    @Leaking Geek:

    Ask Rush Limbaugh. Isn’t that what he was hooked on?

  102. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 5:15 pm · Link

    @Maude:

    What if you were doing online bankinking?

    Is that some kind of kinky online sexy banking?

  103. Tsulagi - May 15, 2010 | 5:16 pm · Link

    @licensed to kill time:

    Are you using an all-inclusive computer down there in ol’ Mexico? Because all your apostrophes are actually accent marks.

    You got it. In the resort lobby. SO has had my laptop and Blackberry locked up. Was pissed I even brought them.

    These Spanish ads are really funny. Dating services, and one said click here if you have an ugly male child.

  104. licensed to kill time - May 15, 2010 | 5:16 pm · Link

    @Mumphrey:

    Nope, that was Oxycontin, otherwise known as Hillbilly Heroin. Much stronger and VERY abusable, if that’s a word.

  105. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 5:17 pm · Link

    @russell:

    Shock troops of the migratory songbird jihad!

    This is a winner.

    They hate us for our clean glass freedoms!

  106. Cheryl from Maryland - May 15, 2010 | 5:24 pm · Link

    Junior’s of Brooklyn came out with a cheesecake cookbook. Yum…

  107. licensed to kill time - May 15, 2010 | 5:36 pm · Link

    @Tsulagi:

    I went to a surf/adventure resort in Mexico that had no cell phone or internet service. You should have seen the faces of people arriving and trying to text about it, then going “Wha? no bars?” and I don’t mean those kind of bars. It was an all inclusive and we drank the place out of beer in the first 3 days. Imagine the horror until fresh supplies arrived. It far exceeded the horror of no contact with the outside world.

  108. Deb Henry - May 15, 2010 | 5:46 pm · Link

    @TomG: We’re working really hard on Claudia’s campaign Tom. She’s a great candidate. Matheson has always been missing in action, not to mention his voting record, so it will be nice to have him out of office replaced with someone who answers questions from her constituents. Follow her on Facebook to keep up with the campaign! Thanks for your support!

    Deb

  109. Mnemosyne - May 15, 2010 | 6:33 pm · Link

    I am very out of shape, but I still managed to bring 12 pounds of produce back from the farmer’s market on my bike without, you know, dying. So it’s a good day.

    And for the bird lovers, I was able to remember the name of the birds that were watching me knit up at Big Bear: they were Steller’s Jays. I knew right away that they were some species of jay—it’s hard to mistake them, especially when two of them sit in a tree and gossip about you as they try to figure out what weird human thing you’re doing.

  110. Larkspur - May 15, 2010 | 7:26 pm · Link

    I’m going to embrace my inner robin. I’m going to scrape off my car (again) and drape the side mirror (aka The Perch) with an old towel. I’m going to say “Why, hello, lil Robin!” whenever he hits the glass. Sometime after 5:00 pm, I think I will hit the glass every time he hits the glass (i.e., a new drinking game).

    The mystery of Vicodin attraction is complex. My spellcheck always used offer “vacation” as a suggestion about what I really meant. Send me your leftovers and I will conduct an actual study.

    Humming birds do not hate me. And I love them. Those little beasties are awesomely loud when they hover nearby.

  111. Annie - May 15, 2010 | 7:58 pm · Link

    @Corner Stone:

    Stuck is weak and pathetic

    Spoken by someone truly weak and pathetic…..

  112. Corner Stone - May 15, 2010 | 11:52 pm · Link

    @Annie: Oh Annie. You poor thing.

  113. Steeplejack - May 16, 2010 | 12:14 am · Link

    @Maude:

    Thanks for the tip on Infa. Will check it out. Just got in from work about half an hour ago and am trying to get caught up on Balloon Juice and drinking (not necessarily in that order).

    Steep + 1

  114. Steeplejack - May 16, 2010 | 12:19 am · Link

    @Corner Stone:

    Thanks for the tip. Nero and Roxio are sort of neck and neck in the way that their own users hate them. Just trying to find something quick and not too dirty for a one-off.

  115. Corner Stone - May 16, 2010 | 3:33 am · Link

    @Steeplejack: Hmmm…


Switch to our mobile site