It's a cynic's world.

One cannot be deeply responsive to the world without being saddened very often.

I have a hard enough time being responsive to my email everyday... much less to the world.

I've always confused Erich Fromm with Ethan Frome, and I have forgotten who either are.

re: #1 Sharmuta

It's a cynic's world.

/that's certainly one lens to look at and live life's journey

re: #3 BatGuano

Erich is the guy who said:

There can be no real freedom without the freedom to fail.

He also said:

Why should society feel responsible only for the education of children, and not for the education of all adults of every age?

Ethan Frome... sorry, don't know him.

re: #5 freetoken

Ethan Frome was a novel written BY Edith Wharton. I read it in high school. Iremember nothing about it.

re: #6 BatGuano

I recall being highly disappointed by Great Expectations.

I have a temp job that requires walking in work boots. I have put 15 miles on my boots in 3 days. I have lost half my beer belly. Thank goodness I have 24 hours of football over the next 2 days to get it back. :)

re: #8 Cannadian Club Akbar

Job is good. Hope the boots hold up!
How are the feet?
Hopefully, no blisters!

re: #9 Floral Giraffe

Job is good. Hope the boots hold up!
How are the feet?
Hopefully, no blisters!

First 2 days, sore back and legs. Now, I feel like a million bucks. Stupid exercise.
/

I had to read Siddhartha my sophmore year...

Our teacher was a less nasal version of Mr Van Dreisen (sp?) from Beavis and Butthead...

re: #6 BatGuano

Ethan Frome was a novel written BY Edith Wharton. I read it in high school. Iremember nothing about it.

It's there in your long term memory and can be probed for with fine metal leads and sophisticated software.

/of course, they'll have to remove part of your skull

re: #11 Fenway_Nation

I had to read Siddhartha my sophmore year...

Our teacher was a less nasal version of Mr Van Dreisen (sp?) from Beavis and Butthead...

Was he the guitar hippie?

re: #7 Sharmuta

Hi, Sharm. Ironic, don't you think? Actually, I was drawn into the story, liked th Magwitch (?) character asking for "vitlels".

re: #13 Cannadian Club Akbar

Yes...he did bring in a guitar one time, too.

re: #10 Cannadian Club Akbar

I like exercise. I like the burn. I like the reward. Sadly, I have been off my program for quite some time, and I am beginning to resemble my nic more and more.

"People are no damn good."

--Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman --Superman 1978)

I'm Cracking a bottle of Laphroaig 15. Drinks all around!

re: #12 Killian Bundy

In this one case, that memory is best left undisturbed in one of the many folds in my convoluted brain.

re: #16 Slumbering Behemoth

I like exercise. I like the burn. I like the reward. Sadly, I have been off my program for quite some time, and I am beginning to resemble my nic more and more.

When I get full time work, I plan to start playing raquet ball again. I just need to remeber to start slow. I ain't as young as I used to be.

re: #16 Slumbering Behemoth

I like exercise. I like the burn. I like the reward. Sadly, I have been off my program for quite some time, and I am beginning to resemble my nic more and more.

As for exercise, I prefer to stumble and fall into a coma.

re: #20 Cannadian Club Akbar

When I get full time work, I plan to start playing raquet ball again. I just need to remeber to start slow. I ain't as young as I used to be.

remeber= remember. PIMF. Aw, fuck it. This is the LNDT!!!

You know, the Budweiser American Ale isn't bad at all despite the brand name.

re: #20 Cannadian Club Akbar

Stretching (before and after) and warm ups get increasingly important as well as one gets older.

re: #19 BatGuano

In this one case, that memory is best left undisturbed in one of the many folds in my convoluted brain.

Suit yourself.

/but it's all painless, although it looks gross, and you can't remotely control computer hardware and software unless you cheat by using your hands or feet or voice recognition

If ignorance is bliss then it's no wonder I'm so sad. ;_;

/also good afternoon

/dedicated to ACORN and their 82 Congressional enablers

Did You Know?

"Socialism" used to mean something? It's true! Though today it is little more than a multi-syllabic grunt used to express dissatisfaction over something new and vaguely confusing, as early as a few decades ago, 'socialism' used to carry actual meaning before years of exhaustive misuse rendered it meaningless.

Today's anime moment:

"There is no problem in the world that cannot be solved with the careful application of high explosives A SPIKED BAT TO THE FACE." - Colonel Stauffenberg

/bold for emphasis.

Ack! Two o'clock CDT!

Goodnight all, and just remember:

Tomorrow (today!) is an Arrr-ful good day to Talk Like A Pirate.

re: #28 Slumbering Behemoth

"Socialism" used to mean something? It's true! Though today it is little more than a multi-syllabic grunt used to express dissatisfaction over something new and vaguely confusing, as early as a few decades ago, 'socialism' used to carry actual meaning before years of exhaustive misuse rendered it meaningless.

/tomorrow's lesson, racism

re: #31 Killian Bundy

Some is real, some is bullshit. Wookies, Witchdoctors, etc., that shit is real.

Carter's recent statement, that shit is bullshit.

Did anyone see this?
[Link: online.wsj.com...]

re: #32 Slumbering Behemoth

Some is real, some is bullshit. Wookies, Witchdoctors, etc., that shit is real.

Carter's recent statement, that shit is bullshit.

Word.

re: #29 laZardo

Um... I didn't know angels had genitalia...

re: #32 Slumbering Behemoth

Some is real, some is bullshit. Wookies, Witchdoctors, etc., that shit is real.

Carter's recent statement, that shit is bullshit.

/and it doesn't get much more racist than that, on primetime TV

re: #33 Cannadian Club Akbar

Yeah I saw that earlier. I'm of two minds on it. I don't like the government telling private business what to do anymore than they already do, but I'm tired of AT&T treating data and SMS as if they are 2 different things and charging an arm and a leg for SMS.

re: #35 freetoken

They do in Japan. q:

re: #38 laZardo

Only in Japan...

re: #32 Slumbering Behemoth

Who gets to set up the goalposts, tho?

I don't trust the dems/progressives etc, with that task since they have a very fluid definition of 'rich' and 'patriotic'...

re: #18 austin_blue

I hate you. Serious envy. I already had my 12 yr old single malt.

re: #37 ArchangelMichael

Yeah I saw that earlier. I'm of two minds on it. I don't like the government telling private business what to do anymore than they already do, but I'm tired of AT&T treating data and SMS as if they are 2 different things and charging an arm and a leg for SMS.

OK. They tell the telecoms to share, but they won't let insurance companies cross state lines? Am I correct?

re: #35 freetoken

If angels can dance on a pinhead-- surely they have balls.

re: #23 Conservative Moonbat

But, it's just as expensive as better beers, like Red Hook and Sam A. So-- why bother?

re: #36 Killian Bundy

/and it doesn't get much more racist than that, on primetime TV

That guy is an idiot douchebag.

Joe Wilson shouts "you lie" at Obama during a speech and that inevitably leads to white folks in white KKK hoods riding through the countryside intimidating black people, that's the logical conclusion, REALLY?

/who's the racist?

I always miss talk like a pirate day.

re: #42 Cannadian Club Akbar

OK. They tell the telecoms to share, but they won't let insurance companies cross state lines? Am I correct?

The reason for that is every state has a confusing web of insurance regulations and buying across state lines screws that all up. So it's either stick with what we have, or tell the states to drop insurance regulation and surrender that authority to the feds and have the feds create another screwed up bureaucracy to be a national regulatory body.

Turd Sandwich vs Giant douche again. Both options suck.

re: #36 Killian Bundy

Wilson is a jackass, but damn! That dude Hank is a congressional representative? Silly.

A resolution of disapproval? Yeah, that is totally necessary and not at all a complete waste of time and money.
/

re: #47 BatGuano

Its today, 9/19 (I think it is anyway).

re: #47 BatGuano

I always miss talk like a pirate day.

College hoops is right around the corner...maybe we can have Talk Like Dick Vitale Day.

/baby!

re: #45 Cannadian Club Akbar

That guy is an idiot douchebag.

/and a flaming racist, there are certainly white racists, but black racists are hardly hard to find . . . racism works in all directions

re: #40 Fenway_Nation

I set my own goal posts, in cement. Much of that crap seen at recent protests is certainly racist.

Jimmy Carter's recent statement is bullshit. So is that crap from Hank in Georgia.

re: #50 ArchangelMichael

I haven't missed it. you are right it is today!

[Link: www.talklikeapirate.com...]

re: #54 BatGuano

I haven't missed it. you are right it is today!

[Link: www.talklikeapirate.com...]

I switched my language setting on my Facebook page from US English to Pirate English for the day.

re: #54 BatGuano

I haven't missed it. you are right it is today!

[Link: www.talklikeapirate.com...]

Pirates?

re: #44 calcajun

But, it's just as expensive as better beers, like Red Hook and Sam A. So-- why bother?

it's less than Sam A, and you can get it at gas stations

re: #11 Fenway_Nation

I had to read Siddhartha my sophmore year...

Our teacher was a less nasal version of Mr Van Dreisen (sp?) from Beavis and Butthead...

re: #56 Cannadian Club Akbar

You haven't lived until you have your feet in the water in Key West drinking a Rum Runner, listening to Jimmy.

re: #59 Cannadian Club Akbar

You haven't lived until you have your feet in the water in Key West drinking a Rum Runner, listening to Jimmy.

Love Key West. But you also have to be eating conch...

re: #59 Cannadian Club Akbar

Sounds good to me. I 'd like to have a cheeseburger in paradise.

re: #60 iceweasel

Love Key West. But you also have to be eating conch...

I went for the 4th of July one year. Hot blonde with me. Took a bubble bath drinking Moet White Star and eating pepperoni pizza. On Duval Street. Heh.

re: #58 iceweasel

Van Driessen: "Heal Your Pain."
Butthead: "Feel your vein?"
Van Driessen: "Men Who Feel."
Butthead: "Themselves?"

I wish I could remember the episode this was in to look and see if its in the depths of Youtube... or my DVDs.

Hey there Fenway. Erik was trying to get a hold of you a few days ago. Did he?

re: #64 BlueCanuck

Not...not yet. Had trouble making the mail application work.

re: #65 Fenway_Nation

Okay, try mine. The nic is blued for e-mail. Blue yours and I will try as well.

re: #62 Cannadian Club Akbar

I went for the 4th of July one year. Hot blonde with me. Took a bubble bath drinking Moet White Star and eating pepperoni pizza. On Duval Street. Heh.

Nice!

Been twice. Both times we flew into Miami, spent some time in South Beach, rented a convertible for the drive to Key West. That awesome drive over the causeway, what is it, 80 miles over ocean? brought loads of CD's.

The first time we were there in peak season; the second, the beginning of the off season, hurricane season. Had a warning one night and holed up in a bar with a bunch of locals.

Two different men, naturally. :) C'est la ice.

WB6ACU Joe Walsh, rock musician (James Gang and The Eagles)

/and you thought he's insane, shows how much you know

re: #49 Slumbering Behemoth

(From earlier) doing a little more looking into the water shortage affecting farmers in the San Joaquin valley, I found another ditty on Crooks & Liars. This appears to be a lot bigger issue than Fish Trump People.

And now I must flit away to get some work type work done, my least favorite kind.

re: #51 Fenway_Nation

Lord, no! That guy used get on my nerves.

Yikes!

Got the newsletter from one of my favorite model kit emporia today, Great Models Webstore (same one where I got that fantastic IDF B-17 model) and the header had this to say:

9-11 Sale Apology

Event: On Friday night, just minutes before we left the office, I told our graphic designer to make a quick banner for the deep sale we intended to pursue for next week. I told him "9-11" and "Crushing Prices". Obviously, the rest is history when the banner showed a VERY POOR TASTE banner with the Twin Towers in the background, "Crashing Price" words in front of it.. and worst of all, seemingly "Arabic Characters"...

Apology: First and foremost, I, Loic Anthian, Owner/Manager of GreatModels, want to take responsibility for this error in judgment. It is MY company, and it is MY responsibility. I would like to apologize to all our customers and friends, and even to those that do not shop at GMW. I do care about the events of 9-11, and I do find the ad tasteless as well.

One item that seems relevant is that the "Arabic Characters" were just accidental. The fonts are "Carolingian" which is a style of font used in Europe, although adapted to PC fonts. It was never intended to be offensive.

Appreciation: We first would like to extend our heartfelt apology to anyone who had family in the Twin Towers, or relatives hurt in the current war against terror. Our appreciation is going to our Arm Forces fighting terror around the world (including the 3,500 French troops in Afghanistan!). Thank you to modelers who realized that this issue was not "deceptive or Malicious", but more "poor judgment". Lastly, we appreciate the Al Basra Group and other supporters of GMW who fought hard on the Newsgroups this past week-end to defend GMW.

I was doing something else last weekend and missed all this. Poor Loic! He's a great guy and runs what is supposed to be a fun and educational business and here he is victimized by a complete moron on the payroll, forced to apologize to the whole world for a grossly offensive item that appeared on his website. Note that he didn't say anything about the current employment status of the aforementioned numbskull but it's not hard to guess.

re: #68 Killian Bundy

[Video]WB6ACU Joe Walsh, rock musician (James Gang and The Eagles)

/and you thought he's insane, shows how much you know

And back to Art Bell:

W6OBB Art Bell, talk radio host

;-P

re: #58 iceweasel

HI Ice. That reminds me of a debate between you and Zombie a few months ago. It was entertaining as hell. :)

re: #67 iceweasel

I lived in Pompano Beach for a bit. Played softball in Miami. We hit South Beach every Sunday. Bartenders bash in Islamorada (sp?) was always the best. My buddy and I decided to get tatoos once. His GF was with us. I was getting mine done and he walked up and said he wasn't gonna get one. BASTARD!!!

re: #73 BatGuano

HI Ice. That reminds me of a debate between you and Zombie a few months ago. It was entertaining as hell. :)

bat-baby! How are you?
I wonder if we're thinking of the same thing? the first time I ever had any convo with zombie was on an overnight thread...and come to think of it, it WAS about lesbian seagulls and the like!

here's a present for you

hmmm let's try this again.

re: #75 iceweasel

Probably the same one. You mentioned that seagulls had lesbian tendencies and I linked to Beavis and Butthead song, Lesbian seagull. Trust me, you both laughed. :)

Does anyone know what GMSC said in his flounce? Just wondering.

re: #69 theheat

Not a fan of that site, but it certainly seems that there is much more to this issue than I first thought.

Thanks.

re: #78 Cannadian Club Akbar

Does anyone know what GMSC said in his flounce? Just wondering.

GSMC? Did I get that backwards?

re: #78 Cannadian Club Akbar

Oh God, I didn't know he flounced. I haven't heard thing. I would like to know what happened. Anyone?

re: #78 Cannadian Club Akbar

Does anyone know what GMSC said in his flounce? Just wondering.

WTF...gmsc flounced?

/geez louise...what the hell is wrong with people nowadays?

re: #81 BatGuano

re: #82 talon_262

I thought someone said he did. They were gonna go to see if he showed up on LGF2, whatever that is.

re: #66 BlueCanuck

I'm clicking the blue and getting your livejournal page

re: #77 BatGuano

Probably the same one. You mentioned that seagulls had lesbian tendencies and I linked to Beavis and Butthead song, Lesbian seagull. Trust me, you both laughed. :)

That's right!

{ { bat } }

re: #78 Cannadian Club Akbar

He just abruptly asked that his account be deleted.

re: #84 Fenway_Nation

Yeah, I noticed that. Try now.

re: #78 Cannadian Club Akbar

Does anyone know what GMSC said in his flounce? Just wondering.

oh no! I thought he had a job issue and mentioned he wouldn't be able to post! I thought he emailed people recently about that too?

i don't think he flounced!?! I sure hope not.

re: #86 Fenway_Nation

He just abruptly asked that his account be deleted.

No reason?

re: #86 Fenway_Nation

He just abruptly asked that his account be deleted.

Really? WTF?

re: #88 iceweasel

I hope I'm wrong. I didn't get much time today here.

re: #86 Fenway_Nation

He just abruptly asked that his account be deleted.

Which thread?

re: #85 iceweasel

Yeah, I am kinda awesome. :)

re: #92 talon_262

Not sure- I think it was yesterday afternoon.

re: #93 BatGuano

Do I use smiley faces too much? :)

I don't care about people with 6 comments in 4 years, but hate losing the old skoolers.

re: #93 BatGuano

Yeah, I am kinda awesome. :)

You're some kinda awesome, bat-man.

re: #97 iceweasel

I knew you were going to do that, Ice!

re: #95 BatGuano

YES!! :(((

re: #98 BatGuano

From my teen-age years.

Yes GMSC flounced but I think all he said was something like "Good bye, you can delete my account" I didn't see it before it was nuked though. There was a number of comments after it saying it was a "polite" comment. Who knows wtf was the reasoning.

re: #101 ArchangelMichael

Yes GMSC flounced but I think all he said was something like "Good bye, you can delete my account" I didn't see it before it was nuked though. There was a number of comments after it saying it was a "polite" comment. Who knows wtf was the reasoning.

Here's to hoping he ain't going over to the Deuce or the like...damn shame.

re: #101 ArchangelMichael

Yes GMSC flounced but I think all he said was something like "Good bye, you can delete my account" I didn't see it before it was nuked though. There was a number of comments after it saying it was a "polite" comment. Who knows wtf was the reasoning.

That sucks. I liked his history posts.

Incoming mail, Blue- did it work?

Shit. I lost my wine glass. Has anyone seen it?

re: #103 iceweasel

That sucks. I liked his history posts.

It was not a particularly happy thing to stumble on when I got to work this morning.

re: #105 BatGuano

Shit. I lost my wine glass. Has anyone seen it?

It is in the bathroom.

re: #104 Fenway_Nation

Recieved and replied. Off to bed in a few. Take care Fenway.

re: #105 BatGuano

Shit. I lost my wine glass. Has anyone seen it?

Yes. Come here and I might give it back.

re: #108 BlueCanuck

Fare thee well, Dominion of Canada Resident of the cobalt persuasion!

I am usually waking up now. But night job makes this my bed time. See ya'll in a bit.

re: #107 Cannadian Club Akbar

Naw, First place I looked it.

re: #109 iceweasel

You seductress. I know your wiley ways.

re: #111 Cannadian Club Akbar

G'nigt, CCA.

re: #113 BatGuano

You seductress. I know your wiley ways.

my Wile. E. Coyote ways...

re: #111 Cannadian Club Akbar

Umm...fare the well, Canadian liquor of the akhbar persuasion.

/damn...this works better with some screen names than others

re: #101 ArchangelMichael

Thank you for the information. gmsc and littleoldlady were the mainstays of the lndt's. I don't why they left or anything else. I will say that that they are missed.

re: #117 BatGuano

Fenway, the torch has been passed to you. Don't ask questions, just take it.

It does seem like a lot of folks are leaving recently. Or maybe Charles is doing housecleaning...

re: #118 BatGuano

It's a joke!

One cannot be deeply responsive to the world without being saddened very often.

Bittersweet Symphony (a particularly awesome live performance thereof)

re: #118 BatGuano

AAAH!! IT BURNS! IT BURNS!

WHO KNEW A LIT TORCH WOULD BE SO HOT!?!?

/

re: #119 ThingFish

Indeed, they are leaving.

re: #123 BatGuano

Indeed, they are leaving.

Speaking of which, here is one who has recently left...

re: #124 freetoken

Mary Travers, we miss you.

re: #121 Jimmah

One cannot be deeply responsive to the world without being saddened very often.

Matthew Arnold, Dover Beach

The sea is calm tonight.
The tide is full, the moon lies fair
Upon the straits - on the French coast the light
Gleams and is gone; the cliffs of England stand,
Glimmering and vast, out in the tranquil bay.
Come to the window, sweet is the night air!
Only, from the long line of spray
Where the sea meets the moon-blanched land,
Listen! you hear the grating roar
Of pebbles which the waves draw back, and fling,
At their return, up the high strand,
Begin, and cease, and then again begin,
With tremulous cadence slow, and bring
The eternal note of sadness in.

Sophocles long ago
Heard it on the Aegean, and it brought
Into his mind the turbid ebb and flow
Of human misery; we
Find also in the sound a thought,
Hearing it by this distant northern sea.

The Sea of Faith
Was once, too, at the full, and round earth's shore
Lay like the folds of a bright girdle furled.
But now I only hear
Its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar,
Retreating, to the breath
Of the night-wind, down the vast edges drear
And naked shingles of the world.

Ah, love, let us be true
To one another! for the world, which seems
To lie before us like a land of dreams,
So various, so beautiful, so new,
Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light,
Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain;
And we here as on a darkling plain
Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight,
Where ignorant armies clash by night.

I'm loathe to give a hat tip to CNN most of the time, but they actually seem to be kind of sort of paying attention to the erosion of Freedom of the Press in Latin America.

Like what happened in Argentina yesterday. The article does provide some context, but even then, Cristina Fernandez De Kirchner doesn't look good.

Also, the current regime's axe to grind against Grupo Clarin doesn't seem to stop at politics or op-ed pieces. They also pressured the Argentine Futbol Association to rescind it's contract with a TV network owned by Grupo Clarin.

re: #127 Fenway_Nation

Looks like the wave of the future.

"Opponents say it targets media critical of the current government and President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, especially the media giant Grupo Clarin."

re: #126 iceweasel

Where ignorant armies clash by night.

I thought that said 'Where ignorant animes clash by night'.

Maybe we can get LaZardo to reccomend one. I haven't seen anything that really piqued my interest since the Ghost in the Shell: Standalone Complex TV Series.

re: #126 iceweasel

Love that poem :)

Here's one for you:

Oceans, by Juan Ramon Jimenez

I have a feeling that my boat
has struck, down there in the depths,
against a great thing.
And nothing
happens! Nothing...Silence...Waves...

--Nothing happens? Or has everything happened,
and are we standing now, quietly, in the new life?

Anyone here use iWeb?

The boy stood on the burning deck,
picking his nose like mad.
He rolled them up in little balls,
and threw them at his dad.

re: #128 BatGuano

From the article:

The reform would also redistribute broadcast frequencies into thirds: one-third for private media, one-third for the government and one-third for nongovernmental organizations and other civil groups.

And how much you wanna bet that one third allotted to NGOs and other civil groups will go to ones supportive of the De Kirchner regime? The government is in charge of alotting who gets whatever frequencies. So in effect, they're nationalizing 66% of broadcast frequencies.

Simply put, the DeKirchners and their Judicialist party had their asses handed to them during the last elections and last I heard, their approval rating is in the 20% range. They blame Grupo Clarin and this is their form of payback (altho' they've been working on this legislation long before the elections).

re: #130 Jimmah

gorgeous.
Continuing the ocean theme...

Carol Ann Duffy, Prayer

Some days, although we cannot pray, a prayer
utters itself. So, a woman will lift
her head from the sieve of her hands and stare
at the minims sung by a tree, a sudden gift.

Some nights, although we are faithless, the truth
enters our hearts, that small familiar pain;
then a man will stand stock-still, hearing his youth
in the distant Latin chanting of a train.

Pray for us now. Grade 1 piano scales
console the lodger looking out across
a Midlands town. Then dusk, and someone calls
a child's name as though they named their loss.

Darkness outside. Inside, the radio's prayer -
Rockall. Malin. Dogger. Finisterre.

shipping forecast.

Not alot of worthwhile games to choose from for the Yahoo/Rivals.com free intraweb audio broadcast tomorrow.

/Good thing I have XM!

re: #132 BatGuano

The boy stood on the burning deck,
picking his nose like mad
He rolled them up in little balls,
and threw them at his dad.

I love you Bat. {bat}

re: #131 freetoken

Anyone here use iWeb?

No, but it seems like a good package that makes it pretty simple to get stuff up and runnning on the web. I've thought about using it but haven't really been that inclined.

I did see some pictures that a friend put up via iWeb and the color, layout etc. was really neat!

re: #136 iceweasel

Thank you, I love good poetry. It ain't Coleridge, but it suits my plebeian tastes.:)

re: #134 iceweasel

I'm listening to the shipping forecast. I love a BBC accent.

re: #134 iceweasel

Lovely. There is something very romantic about the shipping forecast - especially when the older generation of radio 4 announcers did it.

...Fisher, German bight...

Many times I've listened to it on the headphones at night just before going to sleep.

Ah, the Firth of Clyde.

Ice, I loved the Shipping forecast. It reminds me of when I was 14 listening to shortwave. It is fascinating. Thanks.

re: #141 BatGuano

Ah, the Firth of Clyde.

As fine a firth as you'll find anywhere in the central west coast of Scotland ;-)

re: #140 Jimmah

re: #139 BatGuano

I love the shipping forecast. Although the best one is always the last one each day.

here's an awesome parody:

Stephen Fry, in his 1988 radio programme Saturday Night Fry, issued the following "Shipping Forecast" in the first episode of the programme:

"And now, before the news and weather, here is the Shipping Forecast issued by the Meteorological Office at 1400 hours Greenwich Mean Time.
Finisterre, Dogger, Rockall, Bailey: no.
Wednesday, variable, imminent, super.
South Utsire, North Utsire, Sheer Ness, Foulness, Elliot Ness:
If you will, often, eminent, 447, 22 yards, touchdown, stupidly.
Malin, Hebrides, Shetland, Jersey, Fair Isle, Turtle-Neck, Tank Top, Courtelle:
Blowy, quite misty, sea sickness. Not many fish around, come home, veering suggestively.
That was the Shipping Forecast for 1700 hours, Wednesday 18 August."

re: #143 Jimmah

I've always loved the word "firth". It has a woody sound.

re: #145 BatGuano

I've always loved the word "firth". It has a woody sound.

Bat, if you like radio, I bet you would love live streaming BBC Radio 4 all day. It's all short stories and plays and interesting stuff and the shipping forecast.

[Link: www.bbc.co.uk...]

re: #144 iceweasel

Thank you, Ice. I just peed myself.

re: #145 BatGuano

I've always loved the word "firth". It has a woody sound.

I'm sure in thome platheth, thereth an entire foretht of firth...

re: #147 BatGuano

Thank you, Ice. I just peed myself.

I knew i shouldn't let you have that wineglass back! :(

re: #146 iceweasel

Yes, Ice. just book marked it.

re: #147 BatGuano

Thank you, Ice. I just peed myself.

Yea yea yea...congrats bat. I beat you to that an hour ago, but you don't hear me bragging about it to the blogosphere.

re: #148 Fenway_Nation

No doubt. By the way, why is there a "b" in doubt?

re: #152 BatGuano

Hmm...why is there a 'b' in 'No Doubt'?

I dunno...so Gwen Stefani won't the the 'Holla 'ack girl'?

Where the fuck is the forth of firth? It just popped into my head.

re: #154 BatGuano

Scotland.

re: #155 Fenway_Nation

That's what I thought. Thank you.

re: #156 BatGuano

That's what I thought. Thank you.

let's ask the untrue scotsman...

re: #154 BatGuano

Where the fuck is the forth of firth? It just popped into my head.

I think that's the firth of forth you're thinking about there, bat ...;-)

(On the east coast, of course).

If course, the Firth of Forth features this prominent structure.

re: #154 BatGuano

Where the fuck is the forth of firth?

All i know is that the idea of saying this three times fast is cracking me up.

re: #160 iceweasel

The firth of forth or the forth of firth?

re: #158 Jimmah

Eatht coatht of what?

re: #159 Fenway_Nation

Wow.

re: #161 BatGuano

The firth of forth or the forth of firth?

Both. All. Just add in, "Where the fuck is the" as well, and it's slaying me. I don't really know why. It's cracking me up, imagining saying either three times fast.

Good Morning LGF.

re: #159 Fenway_Nation

If course, the Firth of Forth features this prominent structure.

Well, that one has certainly lasted longer than the old Tay Bridge did. Which brings us back to the poetry, although I use the term loosely, because we are now in MacGonagle territory:

[Link: www.mcgonagall-online.org.uk...]

The Tay Bridge Disaster

Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silv'ry Tay!
Alas! I am very sorry to say
That ninety lives have been taken away
On the last Sabbath day of 1879,
Which will be remember'd for a very long time.

'Twas about seven o'clock at night,
And the wind it blew with all its might,
And the rain came pouring down,
And the dark clouds seem'd to frown,
And the Demon of the air seem'd to say-
"I'll blow down the Bridge of Tay."

When the train left Edinburgh
The passengers' hearts were light and felt no sorrow,
But Boreas blew a terrific gale,
Which made their hearts for to quail,
And many of the passengers with fear did say-
"I hope God will send us safe across the Bridge of Tay."

But when the train came near to Wormit Bay,
Boreas he did loud and angry bray,
And shook the central girders of the Bridge of Tay
On the last Sabbath day of 1879,
Which will be remember'd for a very long time.

So the train sped on with all its might,
And Bonnie Dundee soon hove in sight,
And the passengers' hearts felt light,
Thinking they would enjoy themselves on the New Year,
With their friends at home they lov'd most dear,
And wish them all a happy New Year.

So the train mov'd slowly along the Bridge of Tay,
Until it was about midway,
Then the central girders with a crash gave way,
And down went the train and passengers into the Tay!
The Storm Fiend did loudly bray,
Because ninety lives had been taken away,
On the last Sabbath day of 1879,
Which will be remember'd for a very long time.

As soon as the catastrophe came to be known
The alarm from mouth to mouth was blown,
And the cry rang out all o'er the town,
Good Heavens! the Tay Bridge is blown down,
And a passenger train from Edinburgh,
Which fill'd all the peoples hearts with sorrow,
And made them for to turn pale,
Because none of the passengers were sav'd to tell the tale
How the disaster happen'd on the last Sabbath day of 1879,
Which will be remember'd for a very long time.

It must have been an awful sight,
To witness in the dusky moonlight,
While the Storm Fiend did laugh, and angry did bray,
Along the Railway Bridge of the Silv'ry Tay,
Oh! ill-fated Bridge of the Silv'ry Tay,
I must now conclude my lay
By telling the world fearlessly without the least dismay,
That your central girders would not have given way,
At least many sensible men do say,
Had they been supported on each side with buttresses,
At least many sensible men confesses,
For the stronger we our houses do build,
The less chance we have of being killed

re: #165 Spare O'Lake

Good morning, Spare!

It may very well be the longest railway bridge in the world (the dual railway/highway Huey P Long bridge in New Orleans comes close).

Today may be the firth day of the year 5769, but it's not the lath.

lol, absolutely.

re: #166 Jimmah

My eyes bled, you bastard, reading that.

behold, more mcgonagal

Beautiful city of Glasgow, with your streets so neat and clean,
Your stately mansions, and beautiful Green!
Likewise your beautiful bridges across the river Clyde,
And on your bonnie banks I would like to reside.

Chorus
Then away to the West -- to the beautiful West!
To the fair city of Glasgow that I like the best,
Where the river Clyde rolls on to the sea,
And the lark and the blackbird whistle with glee.

'Tis beautiful to see ships passing to and fro,
Laden with goods for the high and the low,
So let the beautiful city of Glasgow flourish,
And may the inhabitants always find food their bodies to nourish.

Chorus

The statue of the prince of Orange is very grand,
Looking terror to the foe, with a truncheon in his hand,
And well mounted on a noble steed, which stands in Trongate,
And holding up its foreleg, I'm sure it looks first-rate.

Chorus

Then there's the Duke of Wellington's statue in Royal Exchange Square ---
It is a beautiful statue I without fear declare,
Besides inspiring and most magnificent to view,
Because he made the French fly at the battle of Waterloo.

Chorus

And as for the statue of Sir Walter Scott that stands in George Square,
It is a handsome statue --- few can with it compare,
And most elegant to be seen,
And close beside it stands the statue of Her Majesty the Queen.

Chorus

Then there's the statue of Robert Burns in George Square,
And the treatment he received when living was very unfair;
Now when he's dead, Scotland's sons for him do mourn,
But, alas! unto them he can never return.

Chorus

Then as for Kelvin Grove, it is most lovely to be seen,
With its beautiful flowers and trees so green,
And a magnificent water-fountain spouting up very high,
Where the people can quench their thirst when they feel dry.

Chorus

Beautiful city of Glasgow, I now conclude my muse,
And to write in praise of thee my pen does not refuse;
And, without fear of contradiction, I will venture to say
You are the second grandest city in Scotland at the present day!

Here's a Norfolk Southern press release concerning an even longer bridge on the eastern approach to New Orleans.

re: #162 BatGuano

Eatht coatht of what?

Thcotland!

re: #173 Jimmah

exthactly.

My son, these maxims make a rule,
An' lump them ay thegither:
The Rigid Righteous is a fool,
The Rigid Wise anither;

oh since we did Dover Beach by matthew arnold...we of course must do Dover Bitch, the 20th century revision by Anthony Hecht:

So there stood Matthew Arnold and this girl
With the cliffs of England crumbling away behind them,
And he said to her, 'Try to be true to me,
And I'll do the same for you, for things are bad
All over, etc., etc.'
Well now, I knew this girl. It's true she had read
Sophocles in a fairly good translation
And caught that bitter allusion to the sea,
But all the time he was talking she had in mind
The notion of what his whiskers would feel like
On the back of her neck. She told me later on
That after a while she got to looking out
At the lights across the channel, and really felt sad,
Thinking of all the wine and enormous beds
And blandishments in French and the perfumes.
And then she got really angry. To have been brought
All the way down from London, and then be addressed
As a sort of mournful cosmic last resort
Is really tough on a girl, and she was pretty.
Anyway, she watched him pace the room
And finger his watch-chain and seem to sweat a bit,
And then she said one or two unprintable things.
But you mustn't judge her by that. What I mean to say is,
She's really all right. I still see her once in a while
And she always treats me right. We have a drink
And I give her a good time, and perhaps it's a year
Before I see her again, but there she is,
Running to fat, but dependable as they come.
And sometimes I bring her a bottle of Nuit d' Amour.

re: #173 Jimmah

Ith that tho?

OK lizadth...time for me to hit the thack.

weet dreamth!

re: #178 Fenway_Nation

G'night, Fenway.

re: #178 Fenway_Nation

OK lizadth...time for me to hit the thack.

weet dreamth!

Thleep well!

Do they still use firth to make thtolth?

re: #181 Spare O'Lake

Peta does not allow that.

Goodnight, all. May you all dream of unicorns ( with their kidneys,of course.)

re: #183 BatGuano

Goodnight, all. May you all dream of unicorns ( with their kidneys,of course.)

Weet dreams, Batman.

re: #183 BatGuano

Goodnight, all. May you all dream of unicorns ( with their kidneys,of course.)

bye, bat-baby!

re: #171 iceweasel

that could be the funniest thing I've ever read. Only just recovered.

Often with MacGonagle's poems you think you are getting used to how bad it is, only to be shocked by a line that so transcendentally appalling it catapults you into a new dimension of banality. example:

The statue of the prince of Orange is very grand,
Looking terror to the foe, with a truncheon in his hand,
And well mounted on a noble steed, which stands in Trongate
And holding up its foreleg, I'm sure it looks first-rate.

And of course the staggeringly funny last line, which renders the whole thing useless even as the tourist pitch that it seems to be intended as:

You are the second grandest city in Scotland at the present day!

PS - Picture of the statue of Wellington at Royal Exchange Square, which remains to this day(along with all the other things mentioned):

Image: duke_of_wellington_traffic_cone_glasgow.jpg

And yes, the traffic cone has been pretty much a permanent fixture the last few years :)

re: #137 ThingFish

I did see some pictures that a friend put up via iWeb and the color, layout etc. was really neat!

Yes, it is fairly easy to make elegant and clean looking webpages with iWeb. Blogs and podcasts too...

I'm hoping someone who has used it for a while will tell me what limitations they eventually ran into. I'm about to undertake a venture and I am not sure if iWeb will cut it in the long haul, or if I should move up to something like Dreamweaver.

I must say that I am tremendously impressed of late with President Obama's refusal to rise to the race bait recently offered up in such tempting fashion by not only his political enemies but also by some of his most ardent supporters.

re: #186 Jimmah

I'm making the mistake of looking at more teabagger pics.

Look at this

and

this one explicitly equates Obama with Al Q and terrorists.

And here is someone who obviously loves and respects women.

re: #189 iceweasel

I'm making the mistake of looking at more teabagger pics.

Look at this

and

this one explicitly equates Obama with Al Q and terrorists.

And here is someone who obviously loves and respects women.

I'm lost for words at how stupid and disgusting these people are.

re: #190 Jimmah

I'm lost for words at how stupid and disgusting these people are.

Quite.

[Link: www.flickr.com...]

[Link: www.flickr.com...]

this one has a nice Der Sturmer kind of vibe

[Link: www.flickr.com...]

And in case we weren't sure who to thank for this:
[Link: www.flickr.com...]

re: #189 iceweasel

And here is someone who obviously loves and respects women.

Oh BABY, that last one with the pink hair has GOT to be a set up!
Any more funny ones? I can always use a good laugh.

re: #192 Spare O'Lake

Oh BABY, that last one with the pink hair has GOT to be a set up!

Nah, that's clearly someone who believes what he's saying.

Why don't you look through the flickr stream yourself? Post the ones you find funny. Enquiring minds would love to know.

re: #187 freetoken

Go with Dreamweaver.

later, folks. have fun!

re: #193 iceweasel

Nah, that's clearly someone who believes what he's saying.

Why don't you look through the flickr stream yourself? Post the ones you find funny. Enquiring minds would love to know.

No thanks, I am not going to wade through that shit.
I just thought you might have come across a few funny ones which could give us all a chuckle.
Never mind.

My daughter inferred to me last night... Cool people (meaning those under 30) never say "lol" on the inter-tubes.

Thought y'all might like to know.

Just sayin'.

re: #197 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

My daughter inferred to me last night... Cool people (meaning those under 30) never say "lol" on the inter-tubes.

Thought y'all might like to know.

Just sayin'.

I find it's better not to ever say anything on the web...keep em guessing I always say..
Good Morning Veggie!

“You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline - it helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer"

-- Frank Said.

By a bipartisan vote of 345 - 75 the House has voted to yank ACORN's federal funding.
Now the ACORN filth are scurrying around like rats caught in a spotlight.
I just saw ACORN CEO Bertha Lewis on CNN whining and begging for 3 months to clean house. It seems to me that the first step in the housecleaning should be for this incompetent executive to resign, clean out her desk, and haul her sorry ass out of the building.
And President Obama's deafening silence on ACORN, enabled and facilitated by his dogged supporters, continues...

re: #197 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

My daughter inferred to me last night... Cool people (meaning those under 30) never say "lol" on the inter-tubes.

Thought y'all might like to know.

Just sayin'.

LOL

re: #200 Spare O'Lake

By a bipartisan vote of 345 - 75 the House has voted to yank ACORN's federal funding.
Now the ACORN filth are scurrying around like rats caught in a spotlight.
I just saw ACORN CEO Bertha Lewis on CNN whining and begging for 3 months to clean house. It seems to me that the first step in the housecleaning should be for this incompetent executive to resign, clean out her desk, and haul her sorry ass out of the building.
And President Obama's deafening silence on ACORN, enabled and facilitated by his dogged supporters, continues...

But it's not her fault. This problem is caused by a few underlings down at the bottom and should not reflect on the organization as a whole.

Not like the whacko's carrying Hitler/Obama signs at the Tea Party rallies. Now there is a problem. As soon as the conservatives realize that their whole party has become infected with right-wingers, the faster we can get rid of the Republican Party and replace it with some folk who will get along with the progressives.

re: #197 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

My daughter inferred to me last night... Cool people (meaning those under 30) never say "lol" on the inter-tubes.

Thought y'all might like to know.

Just sayin'.

Is "heh" still OK?

re: #203 Spare O'Lake

Is "heh" still OK?

Heh. I hope so.

re: #202 Walter L. Newton

I'm sure you're being sarcastic there, but I personally think it's time for a more leftist party to emerge onto the scene, particularly one without a history of being linked to the political machine as a lot of city/state Democrats are.

re: #200 Spare O'Lake

Now the ACORN filth are scurrying around like rats caught in a spotlight.
I just saw ACORN CEO Bertha Lewis on CNN whining and begging for 3 months to clean house. It seems to me that the first step in the housecleaning should be for this incompetent executive to resign, clean out her desk, and haul her sorry ass out of the building.

How about three days to clean house, ACORN has to pay for the exterminator, all the holes in the wall and broken windows will come out of the deposit and what the heck is that sofa doing in the front yard?

ACORN should just learn to be a privately funded agency.

re: #206 Pullus Iulius

How about three days to clean house, ACORN has to pay for the exterminator, all the holes in the wall and broken windows will come out of the deposit and what the heck is that sofa doing in the front yard?

Hell if I know but those springs have gotta be worth a few dimes.

re: #159 Fenway_Nation Upding for the cool bridge picture.
Morning lizards. Any news this am on the Iran protests? I've done a cursory look and found nada.

Uh-oh.

Looks like the Democrats may have contributed to the collapse of Citibank.

Tsk, tsk.

re: #206 Pullus Iulius And the lease says no pets. That includes ferrets and llamas.
Get' em out of here, stat.

A bunch of Truthers call up Michael Chertoff on C-Span

I'm starting to snicker at this stuff simply because I cannot cry about it anymore... geez Louise. These people are crazy.

re: #211 Jim in Virginia

And the lease says no pets. That includes ferrets and llamas.
Get' em out of here, stat.

Get 'em Out By Friday (when Genesis was cool)

re: #213 bloodnok

Get 'em Out By Friday (when Genesis was cool)

You mean they aren't any more?

BBL. Play safe.

re: #212 BlackFedora

A bunch of Truthers call up Michael Chertoff on C-Span

I'm starting to snicker at this stuff simply because I cannot cry about it anymore... geez Louise. These people are crazy.

Attempts like this to swarm television call-in shows have been commonplace for literally decades. It's why shows use operators to screen the calls and filter out the nuts before they hit the airwaves, and it's also why they use that multi-second delay before actual broadcast, to catch those who slip through the first layer of screening.

That the show in question allowed this to happen is not a sign of professionalism.

re: #216 sloggin420

oh fuck off..How frigging childish can you get?

Still working out some issues with Daddy, I see.

Good morning everyone... crazy on the loose this morning I see...Mommy forgot to leave it's meds on the table!

...Killgore Trouts racist adventure on Hot Air? WTF?

re: #219 CapeCoddah

Good morning everyone... crazy on the loose this morning I see...Mommy forgot to leave it's meds on the table!

Good morning.
Every day seems to be garbage day around here.
Do dead lizards go in the compost or the recycling?

re: #219 CapeCoddah

Good morning everyone... crazy on the loose this morning I see...Mommy forgot to leave it's meds on the table!

Good Morning! How is the day going for you?
Last day of the pool open for the year here...It's swimming, BBQ and cold beer today...

re: #225 sloggin420

I'd rather get an account of what happened from someone I trust or care for, no offense.

Morning Hoops the pool NEVER closes here, Just depends on how brave/stupid you are. However, there is no reason, seasonally to give up either beer or BBQ.

ANd yes, it appears it IS trash day, yet again.

Look me, Daddy. LOOK ME DADDY!

Matrix.. don't play with it, you will catch something nasty... go wash your hands now!

re: #221 sloggin420

You fucking dumb ass...KT went over to a cesspool of racist comments and blew it up..You just don't fucking get it do you my little child...
Now go back to your home cause I promise you...You'll never be welcome here again for all eternity...
oh..and you really blew the adult insult of Chuckie..That doesn't bother Charles..You should have used Chas.. Last time somebody said that they had to sent the LA SWAT team...
( Never say Chas)
Now get the hell out of here and register at LGF2...You deserve each other

re: #229 CapeCoddah

Matrix.. don't play with it, you will catch something nasty... go wash your hands now!

So what happened lol

re: #227 CapeCoddah

Morning Hoops the pool NEVER closes here, Just depends on how brave/stupid you are. However, there is no reason, seasonally to give up either beer or BBQ.

ANd yes, it appears it IS trash day, yet again.

Morning.
Hear you guys could get some FROST tonight.
Yikes.

Ignore the MORON

Have a great day lizards.

re: #233 VioletTiger

Morning Violet,, we may,, been much cooler overnight..frost is OK, as long as a LOOONG indian summer follows immediately!!

re: #237 CapeCoddah

Morning Violet,, we may,, been much cooler overnight..frost is OK, as long as a LOOONG indian summer follows immediately!!

It is a perfect day today..I'll close the pool Sunday..Cause it starts raining for 5 days and then...oh..I can't say it...ok I'll try..Winter..Snow! crap!

re: #216 sloggin420

Too much of a coward to do this while Charles is awake I see. You carved the dirty word into the desk and now you want to show all of your little immature friends over at the stalker site what you've done. You'll be a hero.

Unfortunately the majority of us over here are not so attention-starved that we need to do what you've done. We also know that the little support group for kids who have been told to get out of the sandbox that you're joining is a dull, dreary place where the self pitying moans of the aggrieved are constant. In other words, they got nothin' when not whining about this place.

But as you are so in need of attention (a nobody here = a somebody over there as long as you say nasty things about this place) you can just fuck off.

re: #239 HoosierHoops

LOL, Hoops, Think winter wonderland, sledding, Santa, snowball fights...never mind, you are right, crap!

Blood, It wont go away if you keep feeding it!!

re: #226 TheMatrix31

I'd rather get an account of what happened from someone I trust or care for, no offense.

Kilgore went over to HA early yesterday morning and made several posts with the N-word in them, to - as he put it - "push the envelope" in a thread filled with references to Michelle Obama as a "wookie" and to call them on their overt racism. In the end, Ed Morrissey issued a warning to the denizens over there that racist comments or those consisting of personal insults would not be tolerated and those making them would have their accounts blocked.

It isn't clear whether Kilgore's stunt precipitated this, but it's probable. Other possible triggers: a flurry of email to HA deploring the upsurge in vicious comments over there, along with the lack of moderation; one of the principles finally taking notice, after months of increasingly vile postings; or simply the confluence of all of these reasons, and perhaps others.

In any case, the denizens at HA are pissed - at Charles. Thinking doesn't seem to be one of their strong points. So sending the kiddies over like this is their form of payback. They've also announced that they will be doing what KT did in return, proving that...they hate his actions and utterly deplore them, but are happy to use them themselves.

More details on some of the threads downstairs. The way I put it was the KT walked past a cage of shit-flinging monkeys, banging on the bars with a steel cup.

There's also a fair amount of disdain for Kilgore over his actions which you'll also find. Personally, I think it was a pointless, futile exercise designed to be inflammatory rather than helpful, but those are the facts of what happened.

re: #244 CapeCoddah

Blood, It wont go away if you keep feeding it!!

Lesson learned! I'll be good!

re: #246 bloodnok

Lesson learned! I'll be good!

Hey Brother...I'm firing up the BBQ..Find something out of the cookbook for Breakfast...Something with eggs Bn!

re: #248 HoosierHoops

Hey Brother...I'm firing up the BBQ..Find something out of the cookbook for Breakfast...Something with eggs Bn!

The gentleman is asking for something with bacon? Happy to oblige.

re: #248 HoosierHoops

Hey Brother...I'm firing up the BBQ..Find something out of the cookbook for Breakfast...Something with eggs Bn!

Oh, yer killin' me! Breakfast BBQ. Can you BBQ cereal? I assume if anyone can it's the Hoopster.

Stupid cocksucker. Go away.

re: #247 sloggin420

Is that the best you got? jeez..This is your moment of glory...
Punk...

re: #245 SixDegrees

:-/

I like cheese.

re: #250 bloodnok

Oh, yer killin' me! Breakfast BBQ. Can you BBQ cereal? I assume if anyone can it's the Hoopster.

bake a tin of taters, onions and bell peppers...till they just melt in your mouth..
Scramble up a ton of eggs and throw everything from the fridge..Cheese, mushrooms...everything in..
Fire up the blender with Bloody Mary's.. and wake everybody up..
Dig in Lizards!

BBL. Off to The Borg (Home Depot) for yet another round of home improvement supplies.