And Now, the Number One #2 Pencil Sharpener in the World

Mechanical pencils are bullshit
Arts • Views: 31,479

Vimeo

Official Selection:
2013 Austin Film Festival
2013 SF Docfest
2013 Sidewalk Film Festival (Winner: Best Documentary Short)
2013 Indie Memphis Film Festival (Winner: Special Jury Prize)
2013 Cucalorus Film Festival

A practical and theoretical treatise on the artisanal craft of pencil sharpening. The number one #2 pencil sharpener in the world, David Rees takes viewers through the delicate process of sharpening a pencil by hand.

a film by KENNETH PRICE
written by DAVID REES
camera operator DAVID HAMBRIDGE
sound mixer JUSTIN DRUST
composer FRANCIS DYER

www.pricefilms.com
twitter.com/pricefilms
2013

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197 comments
1 Charles Johnson  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 7:31:38pm

Mechanical pencils are bullshit.

2 Dancing along the light of day  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 7:33:08pm

re: #1 Charles Johnson

Mechanical pencils are bullshit.

Um, nice ones are not bullshit.
Unipoint 0.5

3 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 7:34:49pm

I learned to love mechanical pencils at a young age. My Dear Ole’ Dad was a Mechanical Engineer.

He had a really good one. I wasn’t allowed to use until I demonstrated I wasn’t going to jam the lead.

4 jaunte  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 7:35:14pm

He has no chainsaw in his toolkit.

5 Dancing along the light of day  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 7:38:26pm

re: #4 jaunte

Nor a sawzall!

6 jaunte  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 7:39:11pm

The graphite lies in wait within the wood.

7 Dancing along the light of day  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 7:39:50pm

Talk about a fetish!

8 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 7:39:54pm

re: #5 Dancing along the light of day

Nor a sawzall!

WOOT! I got the Dremel SawMax

I love it!

9 jaunte  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 7:40:11pm

re: #7 Dancing along the light of day

The wooden ring of safety!

10 Belafon  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 7:41:50pm

My favorite pencil by far: Papermate Clear Point. They make .5mm and .7mm versions. The button that extends the lead is on the side, not on the top. The eraser is about an inch long, and the top twists to extend it. The part you hold has rubber strips for gripping.

11 Kragar  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 7:42:02pm

Every time I play Skyrim and decide to try the Vampire storyline for Dawnguard, I end up wiping the whole character after about an hour because of the shitty vampire game play.

12 jaunte  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 7:42:49pm

”..a certain hardscrabble authenticity in its shaping…”

13 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 7:43:47pm

My fav is one my Dad had for years and I have now.

The paint is worn off, but the embossing says Hackett-Ohio —I have an idea it was a promo item.

It’s a mechanical pencil with black and one end and red at the other.

I can’t ever remember my Dad not having this in his pocket protector.

14 Dancing along the light of day  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 7:52:37pm

re: #8 FemNaziBitch

Dremmies are fun!

15 bratwurst  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 7:52:42pm
16 RealityBasedSteve  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 7:57:39pm

I actually use a piece of sandpaper mounted on my work-bench to do a quick sharpen on a pencil. It’s really good for getting a nice ‘chisel’ point for marking with.

RBS

17 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 8:05:46pm

Hubby just finished homemade Potato/Garlic/Leek Soup!

18 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 8:18:41pm
Bachmann (R-Mars) remains a member of the House Intelligence Committee. She apparently assumes that the committee’s mandate is to stamp out intelligence and prevent its spread.

QFT

PLEASE click the link to the Pages and give credit where credit is due.

19 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 8:19:04pm

bbl

20 darthstar  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 8:29:40pm

I’m sorry, but as much as I love a good, sharp pencil, anyone who takes nine minutes to sharpen a pencil is just a little too anal for me to appreciate.

21 bratwurst  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 8:30:52pm

Mail: 10 years ago & now

Image: oldmail.jpg

22 HoosierHoops  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 8:36:12pm

So I welcome the Holiday season after watching a 2 hour show about Jimmy Steward/

Dear George..
No one is a failure that has friends
-Clarence
Thank you for my wings

23 Stanley Sea  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 8:45:04pm

Just watched Blackfish.

Wow.

“One day we will look back and be amazed we committed and enjoyed these acts of barbarism”

Never ever go to Seaworld.

24 Stanley Sea  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 9:08:30pm

Night all. I’m going to have black and white nightmares.

25 freetoken  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 9:21:31pm

I’m not sure about this, but I suspect that professional artisanal pencil sharpener is taking the economics concept of “division of labor” just a teeny bit too far.

26 Zamb  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 9:28:12pm

So an old friend of mine has decided to spend the night posting on common core. Seems to be his complaint is that we are now teaching 4th graders that anyone who didn’t support Obama is a racists, anyone have any info on where this nonsense came from?

27 Belafon  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 9:34:34pm

re: #26 Zamb

You might ask your friend if he can tell you where he got that information from. Ask him to provide documentation.

28 SteveMcGazi  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 9:36:43pm

My father-in-law always preferred 2-1/2 pencils. #2 was too hard, #3 was too soft, but 2-1/2 was juuust right.

29 Zamb  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 9:37:04pm

re: #27 Belafon

He posted a bunch of anecdotes. Really not expecting any documentation.

30 SteveMcGazi  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 9:38:43pm

A lehigh valley PBS station is broadcasting The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus. Yoko Ono is screaming into some violin player’s mike and he’s obviously trying to avoid looking at her.

31 SteveMcGazi  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 9:44:10pm

I had seen the whole film once upon a time on VH1 Classic or something, and I always felt the reason it got buried was because everybody else outshined the Stones. Except Marianne Faithful.

32 Zamb  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 9:44:49pm

re: #27 Belafon

And to be honest I know very little about common core or education policy at this point. I’ll be asking my mother tomorrow, who has a masters in an education field, but I really want to know where these theories come from originally.

33 austin_blue  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 9:47:39pm

A police helicopter crashed into the roof of the The Clutha, a music pub in Glasgow on the north bank of the Clyde River tonight. I’ve been in that club, which has all kinds of musical acts and is a fine little joint. 120 inside at the time of the crash. No explosion or fire, but the roof came down. Two cops and a pilot in the ‘copter.

No word on fatalities, but it is being described as a “mass casualty event”. Holding good thoughts for all of those involved, and hopefully none of my friends were there.

Damn. How random.

34 Belafon  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 9:48:10pm

re: #32 Zamb

You might read the wikipedia entry on Common Core as a starting point.

I’m in Texas, one of the places that resisted it at the state level. The city I’m in has decided to adopt the standards, and because there’s no real state support, it’s implementation is not going all that great. It hasn’t been explained all that well, so the teachers don’t know what to follow and parents don’t know what is going on.

35 HoosierHoops  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 9:56:03pm

re: #24 Stanley Sea

Night all. I’m going to have black and white nightmares.

kind regards!!
WTF with Florida? Florida State ( I feel sick ) May Vie for the National Championship? Lord I feel sick.. I think Karma haunts a program..
Damn it woman..You know what I’m talking about but won’t say in polite company…Fuck the NCAA! Period..
( I’m pretty sure Charles will never delete this..I’ve only had one post deleted in 33000+ postings. But don’t get me started on College sports!
*wink* Kind regards and sleep tight..

36 calochortus  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 9:58:23pm

re: #28 SteveMcGazi

My father-in-law always preferred 2-1/2 pencils. #2 was too hard, #3 was too soft, but 2-1/2 was juuust right.

Nit-picky point, hardness increases as the numbers go up. #2 is softer than #3.
(Speaking as someone who occasionally used a #1 because my elementary school teachers thought it was too hard to read my writing because I didn’t press hard enough with the pencil. Of course, #1 smears easily…)

Good night everyone. Hasta Mañana.

37 Zamb  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 10:05:31pm

re: #34 Belafon

So looking at the wikipedia article on reading and writing, which is what my friend attributes to the pro Obama slant, it is largely left up to local preferences on what should be taught, rather than a national campaign to call all non-supporters of Obama racist. So can I assume that he may be cherry picking bad practices as evidence against the entire program?

38 wheat-dogghazi  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 10:10:52pm

re: #26 Zamb

The RWNJ clade is vehemently anti-Common Core because big government. They manufacture all kinds of nontroversies to whip up sentiment against Common Core as a threat to Our American Way of Life™ and God, also, too.

39 wheat-dogghazi  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 10:16:27pm

re: #37 Zamb

So looking at the wikipedia article on reading and writing, which is what my friend attributes to the pro Obama slant, it is largely left up to local preferences on what should be taught, rather than a national campaign to call all non-supporters of Obama racist. So can I assume that he may be cherry picking bad practices as evidence against the entire program?

Yup.

The reading part of CC focuses on reading, discussing and analyzing non-fiction as well as fiction at all grade levels. Writing is both an individual and a group assignment. And there are requirements for math instruction to allow time for students to compare and discover different algorithms for solving problems. There will be standards for science and social studies forthcoming, and you can anticipate the hue and cry from the RW about those.

There is nothing in CC specifically about Obama or reaction to the CC. It’s not an indoctrination program.

40 Zamb  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 10:20:42pm

re: #38 wheat-dogghazi

That was my thought on the whole issue, that this is just finding bad examples in the education system to make attacks on education as a liberal plot, or make biblical teachings just as valuable as basic science. I just was thrown off by the basic claims against excessive testing in order to determine funding levels. The problem I was having was the insane examples my friend was using to make broad claims on a program, I hate policy by anecdote, anyone can find problems in any system and to turn that into an indictment against a worthy goal. My friend in this case is kind of a dudebro and sees conspiracies in everything.

41 gwangung  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 10:22:47pm

re: #39 wheat-dogghazi

There is nothing in CC specifically about Obama or reaction to the CC. It’s not an indoctrination program.

Well, that’s the problem for wing nuts. They WANT an indoctrination program that THEY can use.

42 Zamb  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 10:30:44pm

re: #41 gwangung

Yup indoctrination proves Hitler, because any teaching leads to facism.

43 wheat-dogghazi  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 10:31:56pm

re: #40 Zamb

That was my thought on the whole issue, that this is just finding bad examples in the education system to make attacks on education as a liberal plot, or make biblical teachings just as valuable as basic science. I just was thrown off by the basic claims against excessive testing in order to determine funding levels. The problem I was having was the insane examples my friend was using to make broad claims on a program, I hate policy by anecdote, anyone can find problems in any system and to turn that into an indictment against a worthy goal. My friend in this case is kind of a dudebro and sees conspiracies in everything.

Well, the CC on its own would be a big step in the right direction for public education, but the testing companies and corporate “saviors” of education have helped tied CC Standards (CCS) to test results, to continue public education’s current test-centric mania. I don’t know about funding levels, but I remember Kentucky tying funding to NCLB test results several years back.

44 Zamb  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 10:36:11pm

re: #43 wheat-dogghazi

Personally I have no problem with testing, it can help determine what a kid knows but to say that if too many kids in a certain school don’t meet those standards that the school should be scrapped in favor of a private school contract is insane. The only result of those tests should be an emphasis on improving that particular school.

45 Lancelot Link  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 10:37:40pm

re: #26 Zamb

So an old friend of mine has decided to spend the night posting on common core. Seems to be his complaint is that we are now teaching 4th graders that anyone who didn’t support Obama is a racists, anyone have any info on where this nonsense came from?

That particular bit seems to have emanated from noted intellectual Jim Hoft;
wonkette.com

46 Single-handed sailor  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 10:43:09pm

re: #45 Lancelot Link

That particular bit seems to have emanated from noted intellectual Jim Hoft;
wonkette.com

…and the fact he can’t read at a 4th grade level.

47 Zamb  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 10:44:37pm

re: #46 Single-handed sailor

Wingnut reading levels are judged on your ability to turn the most innocent statements into proof of a broader communist conspiracy.

48 Zamb  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 10:45:28pm

re: #45 Lancelot Link

Thanks, that’s what I was looking for.

49 wheat-dogghazi  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 11:03:06pm

re: #44 Zamb

Personally I have no problem with testing, it can help determine what a kid knows but to say that if too many kids in a certain school don’t meet those standards that the school should be scrapped in favor of a private school contract is insane. The only result of those tests should be an emphasis on improving that particular school.

That’s what the corporatists and anti-public school types push. Public schools are failures, so scrap public education, or at least make an education “marketplace” so parents can choose. The concept of working on improving low-scoring schools seems alien to them.

50 wheat-dogghazi  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 11:08:26pm

re: #46 Single-handed sailor

…and the fact he can’t read at a 4th grade level.

Also, note the part that says the Common Core does not mandate specific texts or books, but makes recommendations that local schools and teachers can choose from. The book in question was from the library, and not I assume required reading by 4th graders.

The statements in that book are exactly the kind of stuff CCS wants, because they will prompt discussion and debate among students. Analyzing and discussing texts are part of the standards, as I mentioned.

51 Zamb  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 11:10:09pm

re: #49 wheat-dogghazi

I don’t get this shit about parents choice. I live in a city of about 70k We aren’t going to get a bunch of choices. It’s more likely we will get one provider and our education system will be just like our cable providers.

52 wheat-dogghazi  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 11:10:53pm

re: #51 Zamb

I don’t get this shit about parents choice. I live in a city of about 70k We aren’t going to get a bunch of choices. It’s more likely we will get one provider and our education system will be just like our cable providers.

No church schools there?

53 Zamb  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 11:12:45pm

re: #52 wheat-dogghazi

Well we have a Catholic school, but with the high level of Catholic bigotry I’ve seen from the protestant churches i can’t imagine many non-catholics picking that one.

54 wheat-dogghazi  Fri, Nov 29, 2013 11:16:21pm

re: #53 Zamb

Well we have a Catholic school, but with the high level of Catholic bigotry I’ve seen from the protestant churches i can’t imagine many non-catholics picking that one.

So, the Protestant ones haven’t started their own yet? I guess you don’t live in a voucher state like Louisiana.

55 FemNaziBitch  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 3:26:32am

re: #26 Zamb

So an old friend of mine has decided to spend the night posting on common core. Seems to be his complaint is that we are now teaching 4th graders that anyone who didn’t support Obama is a racists, anyone have any info on where this nonsense came from?

Fox News Drones.

56 FemNaziBitch  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 3:28:21am

re: #39 wheat-dogghazi

Yup.

The reading part of CC focuses on reading, discussing and analyzing non-fiction as well as fiction at all grade levels. Writing is both an individual and a group assignment. And there are requirements for math instruction to allow time for students to compare and discover different algorithms for solving problems. There will be standards for science and social studies forthcoming, and you can anticipate the hue and cry from the RW about those.

There is nothing in CC specifically about Obama or reaction to the CC. It’s not an indoctrination program.

I suspect it’s the “critical thinking” skills to which they object. Logic is not morality or bible based.

57 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 4:34:07am

That little movie is tongue-in-cheek, amirite? Clue? The “Wu Tang Clan” rag. Tee hee.

Seriously, this is just sad. Detained 85 yr old Merrill Newman reading “letter of apology” to North Korea.

Youtube Video

nytimes.com

58 Decatur Deb  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 4:42:45am

I find it distressing that gravy-soaked lizards cannot remain on-topic for 58 comments. To restore our thread, here is the story of Cedar Key Florida, where all the classical #2 pencils were first made. (Then they ran out of the cedar(ish) trees, and were driven to tourist trapping.)

en.wikipedia.org

59 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 4:53:09am

More on The Clutha pub, reviews. The BBC is reporting that 3 people are already reported deceased.

tripadvisor.com.au

This sounds like a great little local pub—cheap drinks, good bands, friendly and frequent patrons.

60 freetoken  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 4:56:06am

America, 2013 …..

First, from Texas:

Plenty of evidence supports creationism

Evolution is an implausible theory based on unproved assumptions. The evidence for both evolution and creation is the same; it’s all around us. Which tenet of faith is the most logical? Consider age: We make assumptions about a person’s age by our perception of looks, clothing, manners, etc. It’s the same with most things, but what kind of life has the person lived? Have they been sick or maybe had some plastic surgery? There are also variables in nature that can affect the perception of age. Until the 1500s, the consensus of opinion was Earth was only about 6,000 years old. It was Charles Lyell, a lawyer, who made the theory of uniformitarianism popular and convinced people the world was old. Most true modern geologists do not believe that theory. The Institute for Creation Research sent samples of coal to several different totally independent testing laboratories, from different layers and locations. The results came back all the same ages. There are two volcanic flows in the Grand Canyon. The top one consistently ages older than the one several rock layers deeper.

[…]

… sigh… that one is particularly dense. Next on, let’s hop on up to MI:


Evolution should stand criticism

To the Columbia, SC writer (DMG 11-21-13), I’ve not noticed that the Republican party has either become “Christianity-dominated” or been “aggressive(ly) proselyzing.” How racist to suggest “white evangelical zealots.” Moreover, if “evolution” is more than a theory, it should be able to withstand criticism.

Evolution’s theory didn’t begin with a “group of homo sapiens … in Sub-Saharan Africa.”

It began as goo-to-you from the ocean give or take a few million/billion years.

Of course “Abel is treated as an actual historical figure by Jesus.” Henry M. Morris (Defender’s Study Bible) states, “Abel, son of Adam, was thus the first prophet - that is, a man who supernaturally receives and then proclaims inspired words from God. Evidently, Abel was speaking God’s words to Cain, when the latter slew him is jealous wrath.”

Numerous statements by Jesus himself tell that He and the Father (God) are one (John 1:1 and John 10:30). No doubt about Christ’s divinity.

It’s a belief system, Mr. Knight.

As for creationism, consider the Bar-tailed Godwit.

According to GPS tracking, this avian wonder is the champion of long-range flight. Its transpacific journey requires remaining airborne 24 hours per day for 4 to 6 days without pausing en route for rest or feeding. (the websiteofeverything.com)

The name Godwit originates in Old English with god meaning good and wit coming from wihte meaning creature (wikipedia). The Godwit was created on Day 5 of the creation week (Gen 1:20-23).

It has doubtless changed much since then.

Marilyn Sager

Hancock

I so want to believe that last one is in fact satire… but it probably isn’t.

Meanwhile, over in Scotland:

Scottish Politician Criticizes Biblical Creation as ‘Patently Absurd Rubbish’

[…]

Scottish political leaders have also weighed in on the topic. Patrick Harvie is a member of the Scottish Parliament and co-leader of the Green Party. According to Herald Scotland, Harvie referred to Biblical creation as an “eccentric ideology” during a parliamentary discussion over education last week.

“I do hope that there isn’t any complacency on this issue on the part of the government,” he said, “because it’s very clear that whatever measures are currently in place have been inadequate to prevent certain—shall we say—eccentric ideologies being promoted in schools.”

“We are not talking here about creation myths being presented in the context of myth, in the context of comparative religious study,” Harvie continued. “We are talking about the promotion of the idea the earth is 6,000 years old and that during that time human beings co-existed with dinosaurs, or other such patently absurd rubbish.”

However, others have disagreed with Harvie’s claim that creationism is “patently absurd rubbish,” arguing that the evolutionary “big bang” theory is itself an illogical belief.

“We don’t want anyone peddling the absurd nonsense, that all we see around us was the result of nothing,” one commenter wrote. “[T]he belief in the great and all powerful nothingness is … the patently absurd rubbish that we would [not] want to be taught in the classroom.”

We could use a few politicians like Patrick Harvie.

61 Decatur Deb  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 5:00:20am

re: #60 freetoken

“and convinced people the world was old. Most true modern geologists do not believe that theory.”

What does a true modern geologist wear under his kilt?

62 Decatur Deb  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 5:03:44am

A mildly delightful mystery/comedy about Cedar Key:

amazon.com

Writer was an environmental columnist for the Tallahassee paper.

63 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 5:28:43am

re: #60 freetoken

America, 2013 …..

First, from Texas:

Plenty of evidence supports creationism

… sigh… that one is particularly dense. Next on, let’s hop on up to MI:

Evolution should stand criticism

I so want to believe that last one is in fact satire… but it probably isn’t.

Meanwhile, over in Scotland:

Scottish Politician Criticizes Biblical Creation as ‘Patently Absurd Rubbish’

We could use a few politicians like Patrick Harvie.

Yeah, what is it with the great big silence of our politicians on these issues?

Just because the bible thumpers can get some bottom of the class, paid ideological whores for their cause, like “scientists”, “lawyers” and the like, doesn’t make them any more respectable than they ever were, or correct, either.

The idea that the earth is only 6K years old is just absurd on its face.

64 Flounder  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 5:39:02am

Watching this guy sharpening a pencil is like watching somebody using a slide ruler.

65 Dr Lizardo  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 5:39:44am

re: #58 Decatur Deb

I find it distressing that gravy-soaked lizards cannot remain on-topic for 58 comments. To restore our thread, here is the story of Cedar Key Florida, where all the classical #2 pencils were first made. (Then they ran out of the cedar(ish) trees, and were driven to tourist trapping.)

en.wikipedia.org

In the Czech Republic, we have the original. Koh-i-Noor Hardmuth.

Formed in 1790 by Joseph Hardtmuth of Austria, the company was named after the Koh-i-Noor, a famous Indian diamond. In 1802, they patented the first pencil lead made from a combination of clay and graphite. In 1848, Joseph’s sons, Karl and Ludwig took over the family business, and the production was relocated to the Bohemian town of Budweis (České Budějovice), which belongs now to the Czech Republic.

en.wikipedia.org

66 wheat-dogghazi  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 5:42:01am

Arguing with Creationists is an uphill, fruitless battle. They don’t understand the basic concepts of geology, much less the time scales necessary for evolution to happen. So-called scientists like Henry Morris further obfuscate the issues with their handwaving arguments against scientific evidence and for Biblical chronology. The Scot who called it all nonsense gets high marks in my book, but I can’t imagine any politician in the USA having the guts to call the Six-day Creation “nonsense.”

67 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 5:42:34am

Naive, or just a publicity stunt? The cynic in me thinks the latter.

US rappers say they filmed music video in NKorea

bigstory.ap.org

Looks like the public paid for the trip, though.

“The duo from the Washington area spoke to reporters at an airport in Beijing upon their return from a five-day trip to North Korea.

“Nobody shot a video in North Korea, let alone thought of it. Nobody even thought of making a video in North Korea. You know what I’m saying?” said Peso, whose real name is Dontray Ennis.

“They raised more than $10,000 on the crowdsourcing site Kickstarter to fund their trip.”

68 Decatur Deb  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 5:53:32am

re: #65 Dr Lizardo

In the Czech Republic, we have the original. Koh-i-Noor Hardmuth.

en.wikipedia.org

In the US, Civil War campaigning was an impetus for the spread of use of the portable, rather weatherproof instrument.

69 Belafon  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 5:57:52am

re: #63 Justanotherhuman

Yeah, what is it with the great big silence of our politicians on these issues?

Because a large plurality of people think that God created us in our present form (46%). Another 32% believe that humans evolved, but God guided the process.

70 Dr Lizardo  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 5:58:02am

re: #68 Decatur Deb

In the US, Civil War campaigning was an impetus for the spread of use of the portable, rather weatherproof instrument.

Definitely. Personally, I always keep a pencil handy around the house. Pencils are about as reliable as it gets.

71 BongCrodny  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:05:18am

re: #61 Decatur Deb

“and convinced people the world was old. Most true modern geologists do not believe that theory.”

What does a true modern geologist wear under his kilt?

Big rocks?

72 Decatur Deb  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:06:21am

re: #71 BongCrodny

Big rocks?

Dunno, laddie, but he must think it’s gneiss.

73 Decatur Deb  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:07:58am

re: #70 Dr Lizardo

Definitely. Personally, I always keep a pencil handy around the house. Pencils are about as reliable as it gets.

Yup. I keep a couple carpenter’s pencils and a sharpener in my belt. Like to see how our compulsive film-maker would handle those.

Image: FAICPR12S.jpg

74 BongCrodny  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:09:38am

re: #72 Decatur Deb

Dunno, laddie, but he must think it’s gneiss.

Uh…um….

Sorry. Agate nothing.

75 Decatur Deb  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:10:26am

re: #74 BongCrodny

Uh…um….

Sorry. Agate nothing.

Always petrified before morning coffee.

76 A Mom Anon  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:11:05am

re: #55 FemNaziBitch

It’s also entirely possible all those anecdotes or most of them are bullshit. I swear, the wingnuts are not going to happy til the whole country is a smoking heap. Then they’ll point at you and me and declare it was our fault.

77 Flounder  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:11:09am

o no…

78 Decatur Deb  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:15:36am

re: #77 Flounder

o no…

Let’s bring this to an end.

Youtube Video

79 Stoatly  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:15:59am

re: #64 Flounder

Watching this guy sharpening a pencil is like watching somebody using a slide ruler.

I had to buy and learn to use a slide rule at school! We knew they obsolete as pocket calculators where getting cheap enough.

David Rees is the guy behind Get Your War On
The only thing that kept me sane during the Iraq debacle

80 BongCrodny  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:20:35am

re: #79 Stoatly

I had to buy and learn to use a slide rule at school! We knew they obsolete as pocket calculators where getting cheap enough.

David Rees is the guy behind Get Your War On
The only thing that kept me sane during the Iraq debacle

Yeah, there aren’t too many comic strips out there that are much good for more than the occasional “heh” — but Get Your War On was freaking awesome.

81 wheat-dogghazi  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:20:41am

re: #71 BongCrodny

Big rocks?

It’s an old joke, so forgive me if you’ve heard it before.

A Scotsman wearing traditional Highland dress went to a friend’s wedding party, and got really drunk. Heeding nature’s call, he went outside to relieve himself. On the way back to the party, he sat down by a nearby tree and fell asleep. Two girls found him, and realizing he was out for the night, decided to find out for themselves what a Scot wears under his kilt. Well, nothing, laddie. Pleased at what they found, the girls tied a hair ribbon around it, and left the Scot to sleep off his whisky.

In the morning, he awoke, and finding the ribbon, exclaimed, “I do nae know where ye been, laddie, but I see ye took first prize! “

82 darthstar  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:21:04am

Imagine Open in new tab, click to zoom.

83 ObserverArt  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:21:41am

re: #64 Flounder

Watching this guy sharpening a pencil is like watching somebody using a slide ruler.

What is this slide ruler you write about???

/

Edit: I see Stoatly mentions this slide ruler. We must be about the same age…I too remember just beginning to use a slide ruler and then along came my friend from our model rocket club…Texas Instruments…BAM!

By the way, my friend from the rocket club…made it all the way too Boeing as a VP of software development. He helped choose and tailor their software for things like computational fluid dynamics and the like.

He was just like the little chicken with the big glasses in Foghorn Leghorn Looney Toones. Worked out for him…and we had some damn fine competition model rockets due to him and the head of the Ohio State Aeronautics department.

84 Flounder  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:23:52am

re: #83 ObserverArt

I actually still use one at work, in order to calculate field density of compacted soils.

85 Decatur Deb  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:24:15am

re: #83 ObserverArt

What is this slide ruler you write about???

/

Big piece of kinetic art. We had one about 4 ft long hanging in our physics classroom.

86 Decatur Deb  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:26:35am

re: #84 Flounder

I actually still use one at work, in order to calculate field density of compacted soils.

You can still buy one online to compute nuclear weapons effects, if your FADAC goes down.

87 Flounder  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:28:23am

A calculator is easier.
antiquark.com

88 Decatur Deb  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:29:41am

re: #87 Flounder

A calculator is easier.
antiquark.com

And there’s an app for that:

ios.fjord42.com

89 Flounder  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:31:04am

re: #88 Decatur Deb

What? No more Linda? :(

90 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:32:16am

OTOH, I can’t see a level ever going out of style.

91 Flounder  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:34:19am

re: #90 Justanotherhuman

“lasers”

92 wheat-dogghazi  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:35:17am

re: #64 Flounder

Watching this guy sharpening a pencil is like watching somebody using a slide ruler.

When I was in high school, we learned how to use a slide rule. First I had my dad’s old wooden K&E, then a more modern plastic rule, also by K&E. A year later, Dad bought a Casio desktop calculator, with nixie tubes. It had no decimal point. You used a plastic slider to mark the decimal point. That was maybe in 1972. In ‘75, I ditched the slide rule forever and bought a Texas Instruments “slide rule calculator.”

I can still multiply and divide with a slide rule, but all the other functions are buried deep, deep in my memory.

93 Decatur Deb  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:37:44am

re: #89 Flounder

What? No more Linda? :(

This Linda? Had to look it up.

fallacyfiles.org

94 Decatur Deb  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:39:36am

re: #90 Justanotherhuman

OTOH, I can’t see a level ever going out of style.

App for that. Turns a $500.00 iPad into a carpenter’s level:

itunes.apple.com

95 darthstar  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:40:39am
96 Decatur Deb  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:40:45am

re: #92 wheat-dogghazi

When I was in high school, we learned how to use a slide rule. First I had my dad’s old wooden K&E, then a more modern plastic rule, also by K&E. A year later, Dad bought a Casio desktop calculator, with nixie tubes. It had no decimal point. You used a plastic slider to mark the decimal point. That was maybe in 1972. In ‘75, I ditched the slide rule forever and bought a Texas Instruments “slide rule calculator.”

I can still multiply and divide with a slide rule, but all the other functions are buried deep, deep in my memory.

Yup. Week’s pay for a TI-10, around ‘72.

97 darthstar  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:48:07am
98 wheat-dogghazi  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:50:43am

re: #96 Decatur Deb

Mine was an SR-50 en.wikipedia.org Cost about $150 in the U-store, I think.

Some of my fellow physics majors had HP calculators with reverse Polish logic, which they swore by, but made no sense to me.

Several years later, when I entered graduate school, I got a Radio Shack scientific calculator for about $40. Then, when I was a physics and math teacher, I joined the programmable calculator era with the TI-85. en.wikipedia.org We could use those as portable lab devices with an assortment of accessories to measure pressure, force, temperature, and so on.

Now I reckon you can do the same thing with your cellphone.

99 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:50:47am

re: #91 Flounder

“lasers”

But—don’t they need batteries? I’m thinking of tools that don’t need modern technologies. Hammer, screwdrivers, wrenches of various kinds—all these are in my toolbox and I use them often around the apt, although I wouldn’t mind having a nice DeWalt drill (but have no need for on a regular basis). But my landlord doesn’t mind putting up a shelf or something similar with his if I ask. : )

100 Stoatly  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:52:59am

re: #83 ObserverArt

Edit: I see Stoatly mentions this slide ruler. We must be about the same age…I too remember just beginning to use a slide ruler and then along came my friend from our model rocket club…Texas Instruments…BAM!

Sinclair calc for me first - piece of crap, but way cheaper than the completion
Thanks to Sinclair much of the world’s software is written by Brits - he gave us computers anyone could afford - but crap enough to require clever programming
He was close to genius, but always made his stuff slightly too small and cheap to work properly

101 Decatur Deb  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 6:54:49am

re: #98 wheat-dogghazi

Mine was an SR-50 en.wikipedia.org Cost about $150 in the U-store, I think.

Some of my fellow physics majors had HP calculators with reverse Polish logic, which they swore by, but made no sense to me.

Several years later, when I entered graduate school, I got a Radio Shack scientific calculator for about $40. Then, when I was a physics and math teacher, I joined the programmable calculator era with the TI-85. en.wikipedia.org We could use those as portable lab devices with an assortment of accessories to measure pressure, force, temperature, and so on.

Now I reckon you can do the same thing with your cellphone.

The TI-10 used Reverse Polish Notation. Over-sensitive types (Anthropology Dept.) had to be convinced it wasn’t an ethnic slur.

102 ObserverArt  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:01:36am

re: #84 Flounder

I actually still use one at work, in order to calculate field density of compacted soils.

That’s cool. I would have to go back and read how to use one. I completely forgot.

And since we are dealing with pencils…has anyone discussed why there are those numbers and letters on the sides and what they are for? It might not be common knowledge, but any fine artists around here that do or have done pencil drawings will know. There are artists pencil sets with 12 different softness/hardness “leads” in them.

That should add to some pencil discussion!

And by the way, I have several mechanical pencils all over my house. Love ‘em! But I also have regular and carpenter pencils because I am rehabbing a house and cut a lot of wood! I use the mechanical pencils like pens, as I am always doodling little things on every piece of paper the same time I’m writing notes, ideas or song lyrics. My mind seems to always be running things together anyway.

103 darthstar  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:02:16am

re: #98 wheat-dogghazi

Now I reckon you can do the same thing with your cellphone.

That’s why Q didn’t give Bond any decent gadgets in Skyfall. Just about everything that’s ever been in a Bond movie (except the exploding pen and rocket launching cigarettes) is now commercially available.

104 ObserverArt  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:04:16am

re: #91 Flounder

“lasers”

Still technically a laser isn’t it?

And, they have phone apps fro them too don’t they? They have everything else.

105 Belafon  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:04:16am

re: #92 wheat-dogghazi

In 1981, when I was in the 6th grade, I bought a slide rule at KMart for $1.12 (it took a long time for me to save up the money for one). I learned how to do multiplication and division, and tried to learn some of the other functions but I had no clue what logarithms were. I had that slide rule until it melted while I was standing too close to the space heater.

Near the end of my sixth grade year, our teacher bought the first calculator i had ever seen, a TI-30.

I now own the slide rule my grandfather used in WW2, with a .5 inch thick instruction book.

106 Decatur Deb  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:04:59am

Dogwalk. BBL

107 wheat-dogghazi  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:06:59am

re: #105 Belafon

In 1981, when I was in the 6th grade, I bought a slide rule at KMart for $1.12 (it took a long time for me to save up the money for one). I learned how to do multiplication and division, and tried to learn some of the other functions but I had no clue what logarithms were. I had that slide rule until it melted while I was standing too close to the space heater.

Near the end of my sixth grade year, our teacher bought the first calculator i had ever seen, a TI-30.

I now own the slide rule my grandfather used in WW2, with a .5 inch thick instruction book.

I never understood logs until I had to teach them. Then, it all made sense — 15 years too late.

108 PT Barnum  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:07:38am

A professional pencil sharpener? What’s the point?

109 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:08:13am

re: #64 Flounder

Watching this guy sharpening a pencil is like watching somebody using a slide ruler.

Hey, now, I have a nice compact rule in my camera bag/man purse. I don’t have to worry about the batteries being dead ;) Neat gadget, does what I want & totally freaks out the kids LOL

110 ObserverArt  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:10:04am

re: #94 Decatur Deb

App for that. Turns a $500.00 iPad into a carpenter’s level:

itunes.apple.com

I thought so!

You know how far phone apps have come/gone? You can get software and apps that will help turn your phone into part of a race car data acquisition system. Hit a start button and the phone app along with GPS will help calculate lap time, acceleration, braking, lateral g-force and draw out a track map with reference points as to where you were accelerating, braking and what the Gs were in the the turns. Then you can download that into some computer software and go to town with histories and trends, etc.

Simply amazing what GPS has allowed. Scary too at the same time when you think where all this could lead.

111 darthstar  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:10:34am
112 wheat-dogghazi  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:12:05am

re: #110 ObserverArt

I thought so!

You know how far phone apps have come/gone? You can get software and apps that will help turn your phone into part of a race car data acquisition system. Hit a start button and the phone app along with GPS will help calculate lap time, acceleration, braking, lateral g-force and draw out a track map with reference points as to where you were accelerating, braking and what the Gs were in the the turns. Then you can download that into some computer software and go to town with histories and trends, etc.

Simply amazing what GPS has allowed. Scary too at the same time when you think where all this could lead.

You can find similar apps for pedometers. With GPS you can calculate walking speed, incline, etc.

113 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:12:07am

re: #103 darthstar

That’s why Q didn’t give Bond any decent gadgets in Skyfall. Just about everything that’s ever been in a Bond movie (except the exploding pen and rocket launching cigarettes) is now commercially available.

We watched that yesterday on Netflix. Hated to see “M” get killed off, but still think Daniel Craig is the best Bond since Connery, although the characteritself is moldy around the edges these days.

114 PT Barnum  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:13:42am

re: #105 Belafon

I started out with the TI-30 (I think that’s the one that had the red LEDs and the buttons that required brute force to push)

There was a neat book that came with it that had all sorts of fun things to do with it.

I did find one of my grandfather’s slide rules later (he was an engineer at Caterpiller) and learned how to use it, but I liked pushing buttons. Probably the reason I became a programmer.

115 wheat-dogghazi  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:15:30am

re: #114 PT Barnum

I started out with the TI-30 (I think that’s the one that had the red LEDs and the buttons that required brute force to push)

There was a neat book that came with it that had all sorts of fun things to do with it.

I did find one of my grandfather’s slide rules later (he was an engineer at Caterpiller) and learned how to use it, but I liked pushing buttons. Probably the reason I became a programmer.

The early TIs had chiclet buttons that clicked, as I remember.

116 darthstar  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:16:08am

re: #113 Justanotherhuman

We watched that yesterday on Netflix. Hated to see “M” get killed off, but still think Daniel Craig is the best Bond since Connery, although the characteritself is moldy around the edges these days.

Set my folks up with my Netflix acct on their TV here in the Palm Springs area on Thursday - figured it was a good first flick to watch with them. Slept through the last half hour of explosions (I’d seen it before). Fiennes will be a fine M if they do another film. Q needs to get its shit together though and be creative…a flame throwing thong…something.

117 PT Barnum  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:16:36am

re: #103 darthstar

That’s why Q didn’t give Bond any decent gadgets in Skyfall. Just about everything that’s ever been in a Bond movie (except the exploding pen and rocket launching cigarettes) is now commercially available.

Funny how he always knew exactly what the mission would require. Bond used every gadget in every movie. It’s like the guy knew exactly what was going to happen or it was scripted or something…
//

118 ObserverArt  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:17:27am

re: #112 wheat-dogghazi

You can find similar apps for pedometers. With GPS you can calculate walking speed, incline, etc.

I’m sure there are all kinds of uses. Heck, you could put some app on your kids phone without their knowledge and track them wherever they go.

“Okay Timmy, you went west from our house at 1.2 miles per hour turned left on Smith St. and went 254 feet south. I now that is Darin’s house! You know you are not allowed to go there!”

Could also be used on husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend.

What do you mean trust?

119 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:18:09am

re: #117 PT Barnum

Funny how he always knew exactly what the mission would require. Bond used every gadget in every movie. It’s like the guy knew exactly what was going to happen or it was scripted or something…
//

No thinking required by the movie goer, though. : )

120 wheat-dogghazi  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:18:26am

re: #117 PT Barnum

Funny how he always knew exactly what the mission would require. Bond used every gadget in every movie. It’s like the guy knew exactly what was going to happen or it was scripted or something…
//

The goofiest gadget I remember was an alarm watch that popped out a little rocker arm to silently awake the sleeping Bond (Roger Moore?).

121 PT Barnum  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:19:39am

re: #116 darthstar

Set my folks up with my Netflix acct on their TV here in the Palm Springs area on Thursday - figured it was a good first flick to watch with them. Slept through the last half hour of explosions (I’d seen it before). Fiennes will be a fine M if they do another film. Q needs to get its shit together though and be creative…a flame throwing thong…something.

I don’t know. I think the gadgets got to be part of the reason that the series got to be such a parody of itself during the Roger Moore era.

Bond’s reaction to one of the gadgets: “You’re joking.” An appropriate reaction, in my mind. I enjoyed the Gardner Bond books for the simple reason that they didn’t use anything that wasn’t actual technology. Just as bad about brand dropping as the Fleming novels, but much more believable.

122 wheat-dogghazi  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:20:11am

re: #118 ObserverArt

I’m sure there are all kinds of uses. Heck, you could put some app on your kids phone without their knowledge and track them wherever they go.

“Okay Timmy, you went west from our house at 1.2 miles per hour turned left on Smith St. and went 254 feet south. I now that is Darin’s house! You know you are not allowed to go there!”

Could also be used on husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend.

What do you mean trust?

Such apps already exist, for parents wanting to keep tabs on their kids. I figure the kids know how to disable them.

123 PT Barnum  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:20:34am

re: #120 wheat-dogghazi

The goofiest gadget I remember was an alarm watch that popped out a little rocker arm to silently awake the sleeping Bond (Roger Moore?).

ARe you sure that was Bond and not Flint?

124 Flounder  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:21:33am

re: #104 ObserverArt

A very poor reference to Dr. Evil

Youtube Video

125 darthstar  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:22:41am

Mitt Romney - Cholafied (made up in the 90s era Chola gang style - eyebrows, lip-liner, tattoos, etc.)

Image: tumblr_m2ns38rnsK1rofkh5o1_r1_400.jpg

126 darthstar  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:24:05am

Do you feel lucky, Chola?

Image: tumblr_m9m3q1KOz51rofkh5o1_r3_400.jpg

Well, do you?

127 darthstar  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:24:44am

cholafied.com for the rest…Queen Elizabeth looks particularly striking, while Honey Boo Boo looks like Honey Boo Boo.

128 ObserverArt  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:24:53am

re: #122 wheat-dogghazi

Such apps already exist, for parents wanting to keep tabs on their kids. I figure the kids know how to disable them.

Figures!

Amazing how the technology ramps up yet everyone figures out ways to beat it. The kids probably have a data bank of where to leave the phone, or swap them with friends to confuse the whole thing.

Reminds me how an engineer can be heard to say, but it worked in the lab!

And then it went out to Joe Q. Public and his family and within two minutes the kids defeated it and dad broke it.

Labs! What are they good for?

///

129 wheat-dogghazi  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:26:19am

re: #123 PT Barnum

ARe you sure that was Bond and not Flint?

You are so right! I googled it.

130 PT Barnum  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:27:06am

In other signs of the coming apocalypse, Celine Dion has a new album coming out. I don’t know who I hate more, her or Michael Bolton.

131 PT Barnum  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:27:34am

re: #129 wheat-dogghazi

You are so right! I googled it.

My brain is a veritable reservoir of useless information.

132 PT Barnum  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:28:04am

re: #128 ObserverArt

Figures!

Amazing how the technology ramps up yet everyone figures out ways to beat it. The kids probably have a data bank of where to leave the phone, or swap them with friends to confuse the whole thing.

Reminds me how an engineer can be heard to say, but it worked in the lab!

And then it went out to Joe Q. Public and his family and within two minutes the kids defeated it and dad broke it.

Labs! What are they good for?

///

I like to play fetch with mine.

133 wheat-dogghazi  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:29:20am

re: #131 PT Barnum

My brain is a veritable reservoir of useless information.

A poor photo of it I found online. Image: 1162193d1374338200-watches-movies-trivia-20130719_194844.jpg

Not your brain. The watch.

134 PT Barnum  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:30:35am

re: #133 wheat-dogghazi

A poor photo of it I found online. Image: 1162193d1374338200-watches-movies-trivia-20130719_194844.jpg

I think he uses it in the second movie to hypnotize someone. Only other spy series I want to see is the Matt Helm series that Dean Martin starred in. Never seen any of them.

135 Flounder  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:32:48am

re: #125 darthstar

betchya he is wearing thigh high patent red leather boots!!

136 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:33:19am

re: #128 ObserverArt

Labs! What are they good for?

///

Duck hunting?

137 wheat-dogghazi  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:33:30am

re: #134 PT Barnum

I think he uses it in the second movie to hypnotize someone. Only other spy series I want to see is the Matt Helm series that Dean Martin starred in. Never seen any of them.

I think I saw one of them on TV long after they hit the big screen. A bit tongue in cheek, with Dino being his usual carefree self.

138 PT Barnum  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:34:51am

re: #137 wheat-dogghazi

I think I saw one of them on TV long after they hit the big screen. A bit tongue in cheek, with Dino being his usual carefree self.

That’s what I understood. I kind of enjoy that sort of thing. One of the reasons I was disappointed the Remo Williams movie never made it to a series of any kind. The books are a hoot.

139 steve_davis  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:37:13am

re: #10 Belafon

My favorite pencil by far: Papermate Clear Point. They make .5mm and .7mm versions. The button that extends the lead is on the side, not on the top. The eraser is about an inch long, and the top twists to extend it. The part you hold has rubber strips for gripping.

I’ve got a Pentel .9 that works well. Metal body. Just feels really solid.

140 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:38:52am

re: #130 PT Barnum

In other signs of the coming apocalypse, Celine Dion has a new album coming out. I don’t know who I hate more, her or Michael Bolton.

Love her or hate her, she’s not dead.

Celine Dion: Facebook Death Hoax Horrifies Fans

hollywoodlife.com

141 wheat-dogghazi  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:47:05am

re: #140 Justanotherhuman

Love her or hate her, she’s not dead.

Celine Dion: Facebook Death Hoax Horrifies Fans

hollywoodlife.com

One of my older friends has been suckered into those FB hoax death stories, then spread them by email. One was about jackie Chan. I forgot the other. Neither hit the usual news sites, so they were easy to disprove.

142 darthstar  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:47:36am

re: #122 wheat-dogghazi

Such apps already exist, for parents wanting to keep tabs on their kids. I figure the kids know how to disable them.

The kids all have ‘burn phones’ now. Those pay as you go phones they sell at convenience stores…That’s how they keep their parents from monitoring them.

143 darthstar  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:48:19am

re: #135 Flounder

betchya he is wearing thigh high patent red leather boots!!

When is he not?

144 PT Barnum  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:50:18am

re: #142 darthstar

The kids all have ‘burn phones’ now. Those pay as you go phones they sell at convenience stores…That’s how they keep their parents from monitoring them.

Terrorists use them for IED triggers. Proof that all teenagers are terrorists (or at least they seem that way to their parents)

145 darthstar  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:54:53am

re: #144 PT Barnum

Terrorists use them for IED triggers. Proof that all teenagers are terrorists (or at least they seem that way to their parents)

All kids are terrors, not terrorists.

146 PhillyPretzel  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 7:59:33am

re: #145 darthstar

All kids are terrors, not terrorists.

And some kids are “holy terrors,” like my younger sister. At least that is what my late mom called her.

147 darthstar  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 8:05:14am
148 Romantic Heretic  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 8:10:12am

re: #120 wheat-dogghazi

The goofiest gadget I remember was an alarm watch that popped out a little rocker arm to silently awake the sleeping Bond (Roger Moore?).

Actually that was the Flint movies. A very nice satire on the Bond flicks.

149 ObserverArt  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 8:14:09am

Ol’ Iron Mike was never the same after Buster Douglas Busta’d him one night.

Columbus Ohio celebrated that big time. Sure Buster fell flat next time out…but he still rusted all that iron and put himself in history. He just never had the motivation he had that one night…he fought for his recently passed mother.

By the way, Buster’s dad was the real one to fear.

And with that…time to run off to watch some other sporting event the locals tell me will be big.

150 GeneJockey  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 8:15:36am

My Calculus/Advanced Math class as a Senior in high school was probably one of the very last ones to use slide rules. This was 1974-1975. One of the kids in the class had a calculator, one of those $150 jobs that did the 4 basic functions.

By the next year, they’d gotten so cheap that I got one, which I think cost about $20, and added square roots to the 4 arithmetic functions. It had blue-green LEDs. It ate AAs like popcorn.

Sometime in the mid-1980s, I got a Casio with an LCD screen and a small solar panel. It has lots of functions, most of which I’ve never used. It’s still going, 25 years later. It’s followed me through 7 companies, though it has lost one of the lines of the last digit in the superscript, so you can’t tell if something’s 1e8 or 1e9.

Not bad for $16 1987 dollars.

151 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 8:21:40am

Another movie I saw in the last couple of days was “Hunger Games.”

Absolutely hated the premise and the movie itself. Totally pointless, IMHO, just as the various “vampire” themes are. If it was making a point about society, I didn’t get it. A movie like “Rollerball” was actually more direct and believable.

152 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 8:23:58am

re: #1 Charles Johnson

Mechanical pencils are bullshit.

I don’t agree. I use them for record keeping while gaming without a problem.

153 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 8:59:44am

Eight people are dead after a police helicopter crashed into the roof of a Glasgow city centre pub.

news.stv.tv

“The police confirmed on Saturday afternoon the death toll had risen to eight. This included three bodies found within the Eurocopter, which contained one civilian and two police officers.

“Police Scotland confirmed 14 people remain in Glasgow hospitals where they are being treated for “a variety of serious injuries.” Previously, the force stated 32 people had been taken to hospital for treatment after the crash.

“More than 100 people were in the bar watching a live band at the time of the crash, while eyewitnesses described hearing a loud bump before the roof caved in in a cloud of dust under the helicopter’s weight.”

154 darthstar  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 9:04:15am

re: #152 Dark_Falcon

I don’t agree. I use them for record keeping while gaming without a problem.

They make computers for that now.

155 Stanley Sea  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 9:04:18am

Thinking of Ice and Jimmah.

156 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 9:06:15am

re: #154 darthstar

They make computers for that now.

Yes, but most of the time Battletech players still use paper record sheets. Using computers would defeat the purpose of having an in person game.

157 Dr Lizardo  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 9:06:43am

re: #120 wheat-dogghazi

The goofiest gadget I remember was an alarm watch that popped out a little rocker arm to silently awake the sleeping Bond (Roger Moore?).

Nope….that was Derek Flint.

158 darthstar  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 9:07:04am

re: #156 Dark_Falcon

Oh, you play one of those cards & dice games. I thought you meant for logging your scores on video games.

159 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 9:07:06am

Two people wounded by gunshots at Thai protests

straitstimes.com

BANGKOK (AFP) - Two people suffered gunshot wounds as violence broke out at anti-government protests in the Thai capital on Saturday, emergency officials said.

“One student was shot in the thigh and another man was shot in the back, according to an official at the Panya General Hospital where they were taken for treatment.

(snip)

“Separately, The Nation reported that at least four people were injured on Saturday evening after gunshots were heard in Ramkhamhaeng University, which is close to the Rajamangala Stadium.”

Thailand is described as a constitutional monarchy.

160 Charles Johnson  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 9:14:25am

But seriously, folks - did some of you miss that this film is a parody?

161 darthstar  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 9:19:06am

re: #160 Charles Johnson

But seriously, folks - did some of you miss that this film is a parody?

not cool

162 PhillyPretzel  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 9:26:17am

This is what you use to sharpen a pencil. amazon.com

163 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 9:34:12am

re: #151 Justanotherhuman

Didn’t anyone else see this movie as a romanticized version of the TV series, Survivor, just set in a fascist future, with minors as the contestants?

A review of the second in the 4 movie series. (Hurrah, capitalism.)

Catching Fire Review: The Future is a Reality Show

Read more: filmdrunk.uproxx.com

164 Eclectic Cyborg  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 9:37:28am

re: #151 Justanotherhuman

Another movie I saw in the last couple of days was “Hunger Games.”

Absolutely hated the premise and the movie itself. Totally pointless, IMHO, just as the various “vampire” themes are. If it was making a point about society, I didn’t get it. A movie like “Rollerball” was actually more direct and believable.

I was not totally won over by it either. My wife read the books before we saw the movie (I didn’t) and she told me the movie leaves out a lot of exposition regarding how the society depicted came to be. I’ll probably give the second one a chance seeing as how it seems to offer more background, but I don’t know about the third yet.

165 Eclectic Cyborg  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 9:38:42am

re: #130 PT Barnum

In other signs of the coming apocalypse, Celine Dion has a new album coming out. I don’t know who I hate more, her or Michael Bolton.

Hey. I’d be happy to have Michael Bolton working in my office any day…oh, wait you meant THAT Michael Bolton.

Carry on.

166 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 9:47:03am

re: #163 Justanotherhuman

Didn’t anyone else see this movie as a romanticized version of the TV series, Survivor, just set in a fascist future, with minors as the contestants?

A review of the second in the 4 movie series. (Hurrah, capitalism.)

Catching Fire Review: The Future is a Reality Show

Read more: filmdrunk.uproxx.com

A movie review for those who like their snark turned up to eleven. Perfect for Darthstar, in other words.

167 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 9:49:47am

re: #166 Dark_Falcon

A movie review for those who like their snark turned up to eleven. Perfect for Darthstar, in other words.

I like mine turned up to 11 also—esp for pop culture.

168 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 9:51:44am

re: #167 Justanotherhuman

I like mine turned up to 11 also—esp for pop culture.

I’m not a big snark fan, but that’s because it gets past me about once in every 4 or times. My literalism keeps me from liking snark very much.

169 jaunte  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 9:57:48am

re: #162 PhillyPretzel

This is what you use to sharpen a pencil. amazon.com

Antimicrobial?

170 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 10:00:59am

A list of the Thanksgiving Weekend firearms deals to be had, for those whose gifting involves gifts with a real BANG!

It includes a buy 2, get 1 free deal from HK on 30-round clear polymer AR-15/M-16 magazines. Buy two for the wingnut in your family and keep one for yourself.

171 ausador  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 10:16:45am

re: #163 Justanotherhuman

Didn’t anyone else see this movie as a romanticized version of the TV series, Survivor, just set in a fascist future, with minors as the contestants?

A review of the second in the 4 movie series. (Hurrah, capitalism.)

Catching Fire Review: The Future is a Reality Show

Read more: filmdrunk.uproxx.com

I’ll probably watch it later when I can download something better than a cam version. Not sure if I really want to though, the first movie pretty much bored me to death. I did finally finish watching it, but only after three or four previously failed attempts. I just got bored and went and did my laundry or dishes because that was a more exciting use of my time. :p

The characterization was more like cardboard cut-outs used in a stop motion animation than actual human beings. The “actress” portraying Katniss was just a cipher to me throughout most of the movie, there was just no legitimate or discernible emotion there.

The critics say that this one is better because it has “much more action” but I’m not positive that that is going to help. If the plot is still as badly paced as it was in the first movie, nothing will.

I’m kinda scared of “much more action” being the only thing reviewers can find to say that is positive about this film. Basically it just seems like they are saying that this one is “The Hunger Games - Michael Bay Edition.”

172 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 10:19:44am

re: #170 Dark_Falcon

A list of the Thanksgiving Weekend firearms deals to be had, for those whose gifting involves gifts with a real BANG!

It includes a buy 2, get 1 free deal from HK on 30-round clear polymer AR-15/M-16 magazines. Buy two for the wingnut in your family and keep one for yourself.

Paid off an arsenel refurbished Mosin-Nagant M91/30 (1929 Hex for those who care) & an Excam aka Tanfoglio GT27 mouse gun this morning so I’ve probably got enough new bangs for this year.

173 A Mom Anon  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 10:30:56am

heh. I just watched The Husband, who was eating his Thanksgiving leftovers outside while tending a fire, feed the dog off his fork. Hee-larious. The big, clumsy, goofball dog taking food off a fork very gently and ladylike with her teeny front teefs. Too funny.

174 Decatur Deb  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 10:31:48am

SIL is the Great White Hunter. He is on record for having shot one doe in 25 years. This year, in a fit of family solidarity, Daughter1 has begun dragging out to the woods with him on weekend mornings. She takes her iPad. Today three does wandered in front of her.

Dau1 Text: “There are three does in front of me. Do you want me to shoot one?”

SIL Text: “Yes”

Dau1: “Did it. The other two are still standing there. Should I shoot another?”

SIL: “No.”

175 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 10:32:06am

Meanwhile, back at the castle…

Image: 1469999_674685069232644_779772283_n.jpg

176 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 10:41:46am
177 wrenchwench  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 10:48:41am

re: #176 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

We have a 3x3 cage/rumpus room outside our bedroom window. We call it the Furanda. Right outside of it we put piles of birdseed. TV for cats.

178 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 11:02:55am

re: #177 wrenchwench

We have a 3x3 cage/rumpus room outside our bedroom window. We call it the Furanda. Right outside of it we put piles of birdseed. TV for cats.

Love that!
I’m toying with a variety of design ideas for the new house so the indoor girls can have a safe outdoor place to enjoy.

179 ausador  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 11:05:16am

re: #177 wrenchwench

We have a 3x3 cage/rumpus room outside our bedroom window. We call it the Furanda. Right outside of it we put piles of birdseed. TV for cats.

Not the furumpus room?

180 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 11:06:22am

OK, looks like Imani has finally had enough with her latest twitter antagonist…

181 wrenchwench  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 11:08:34am

Yesterday just before I opened the shop, two cops chased a guy down across the street, pinned him and cuffed him. The whole time the guy who got cuffed was hollering, ‘Help me! Help me! They’re doing it again! Please! Stop them!’ and so on. After he was down and the cops were (calmly, as far as I could tell) talking to him, he added, ‘I didn’t do it! It wasn’t me!’ along with help me, etc.

The guy had been in the shop a few times. I helped him keep his beater bike running. Last week he was uncharacteristically wearing a jacket and tie. He came in the shop dressed that way, and said something to the effect of, ‘I’m not what people think I am’ in a defensive way.

After asking around a bit, i heard that he had exhibited irrational outbursts in public, and some speculated the jacket and tie were for a court appearance (the court is a block away).

Today I paid a guy $5 to sweep my sidewalk, which I could have done faster-better-cheaper myself. And I bought back a bike from a young man who didn’t want to part with it, but needed the money, badly, I think. I turned him down flat last week, and he took my insultingly low, all-I-could-afford offer this week. Just now another customer called and said he’s sending a guy in to get a rear derailler installed, and this customer will come by later and pay for it.

Some people got help today because I couldn’t help that guy yesterday.

182 ausador  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 11:09:16am

or maybe the Furum, or the Furazza?

Perhaps the Furggia or the Furzzanine?

lol… :)

183 wrenchwench  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 11:10:33am

re: #179 ausador

Not the furumpus room?

re: #182 ausador

or maybe the Furum, or the Furazza?

Perhaps the Furggia or the Furzzanine?

lol… :)

Keep going! All are candidates for future use!

184 Stanley Sea  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 11:10:47am

re: #181 wrenchwench

You do your best WW.

185 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 11:16:00am

re: #183 wrenchwench

Keep going! All are candidates for future use!

MrB_S just suggested a relaxing water feature called the Furcuzzi…

186 ausador  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 11:16:43am

re: #183 wrenchwench

Keep going! All are candidates for future use!

Furservatory?

I’m out of ideas after that one… ;)

187 wrenchwench  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 11:18:38am

re: #185 Backwoods_Sleuth

MrB_S just suggested a relaxing water feature called the Furcuzzi…

I’ll run it by the cats… Based on bath time, I think not!

188 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 11:20:35am

re: #187 wrenchwench

I’ll run it by the cats… Based on bath time, I think not!

For some reason, our two indoor cats just adore water, and always have. The bathtub is their favorite place.

189 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 11:24:14am

re: #181 wrenchwench

Brings up a question I have. I salvaged a bike from a dumpster - near as I can see it only needs one pedal and the chain/gears/shifters adjusted. Tires are flat but the rubber looks good. My son’s current bike is a bit too big for him so I was thinking of getting this one fixed up till he grows into the bigger one I got for him last summer (thinking it was smaller). How much is a ball park for that kind of work (best case no parts, worst case rebuild time, etc?) I’d just like to know so I can budget in the work over the winter so it’s ready to go in the spring. I know so little about bikes I have no clue when going in if I’m getting a good price or not.

Thanks!

190 wrenchwench  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 11:25:12am

re: #188 Backwoods_Sleuth

For some reason, our two indoor cats just adore water, and always have. The bathtub is their favorite place.

Our two want to hang out right next to the tub when a human is taking a shower, but they want to be under the bed when it’s their turn.

191 austin_blue  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 11:38:11am

re: #61 Decatur Deb

“and convinced people the world was old. Most true modern geologists do not believe that theory.”

What does a true modern geologist wear under his kilt?

An Estwing rock hammer and a Brunton compass.

192 wrenchwench  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 11:45:41am

re: #189 William Barnett-Lewis

Brings up a question I have. I salvaged a bike from a dumpster - near as I can see it only needs one pedal and the chain/gears/shifters adjusted. Tires are flat but the rubber looks good. My son’s current bike is a bit too big for him so I was thinking of getting this one fixed up till he grows into the bigger one I got for him last summer (thinking it was smaller). How much is a ball park for that kind of work (best case no parts, worst case rebuild time, etc?) I’d just like to know so I can budget in the work over the winter so it’s ready to go in the spring. I know so little about bikes I have no clue when going in if I’m getting a good price or not.

Thanks!

It probably needs inner tubes which run about $5 each. It should have a rubber strip around the ends of the spokes on the inside of the rim, those cost a dollar, or you can use strapping tape. Everything else would be covered by a $40 tune up, if you were here.

Check the frame to be sure it’s not bent. Check right behind the head tube for a wrinkle in the top tube and downtube, sign of a head-on crash. See that the rear wheel is in line with the frame. Make sure the fork is not bent anywhere. Then check the wheels for straightness. They can be straightened to a degree, but if there’s a sharp bend, the rim or whole wheel will need to be replaced.

The one pedal is probably the reason it ended up in the dumpster. Check the hole it should be screwed into to see if the threads are still there. Left pedal has left-hand threads. If the threads are shot, the crankarm will need to be replaced. That’s fairly cheap— $25 parts and labor if it’s a one-piece crank (which would be evidence of an el-cheapo bike) and less than that if it’s a three-piece crank.

Cables are good if they move smoothly through their housings, no good if rusty in the housings (external rust usually doesn’t matter) or if any strands in the functional part of it are broken (the tail end outside the pinchbolt doesn’t matter).

Truing the wheels would take a lot of time and patience. Everything else you could do, I’m sure.

If you have a local bike shop, a free estimate should be available.

I’ll help with more info as needed.

193 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 11:49:58am

re: #192 wrenchwench

Thanks! That’s a great help. I’ll check the frame & etc as you suggest and then find the nearest shop. It’s a Trek so I’m guessing neither really cheap or expensive and should be good based on what you say.

194 wrenchwench  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 11:55:25am

re: #193 William Barnett-Lewis

Thanks! That’s a great help. I’ll check the frame & etc as you suggest and then find the nearest shop. It’s a Trek so I’m guessing neither really cheap or expensive and should be good based on what you say.

There are no bad Treks! Especially since you’re in Wisconsin. Is there a model name on it? Is it a mountain bike?

195 Lidane  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 12:09:52pm

re: #160 Charles Johnson

But seriously, folks - did some of you miss that this film is a parody?

I don’t know how anyone could watch that with a straight face. I thought it was hilarious.

I’m also not shocked it ended up in the Austin Film Festival. This kind of film is catnip for those guys. Haha.

196 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 12:15:11pm

re: #194 wrenchwench

There are no bad Treks! Especially since you’re in Wisconsin. Is there a model name on it? Is it a mountain bike?

Don’t remember. Just saw the big “Trek” on the side and even my mind knows that’s a good brand so I grabbed it to get fixed. Much better than a cheap Walfart bike :D

197 RealityBasedSteve  Sat, Nov 30, 2013 3:56:52pm

re: #194 wrenchwench

There are no bad Treks! Especially since you’re in Wisconsin. Is there a model name on it? Is it a mountain bike?

I did a ride called “Bicycle Illinois” a few years ago (Cairo to Chicago, 500 miles / 6 days) and there was a guy with a Trek Madone, all Carbon Fiber, that he SWEARS he got at a thrift store for 100 bucks. I didn’t really believe it, but over the week he seemed like a really honest guy, not one to make stuff up.

RBS
Who rides Recumbent bikes, so they are all overpriced.


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