Anyone here seen The Tree Of Life yet? Saw it last night.

Parts of this look like two seal pups playing in the water. Very cool.

re: #2 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Parts of this look like two seal pups playing in the water. Very cool.

Pass whatever you're smoking over here

got all set up to jump out of a friends plane...cost nothing, just do as your told...the closer the time came the more anxious I became...heights don't bother me but jumping off them does but I do it (or did)....so the morning of the jump came and it was windy and rainy, then called off...I was actually relieved not to have to face 10k ft of air beneath me

re: #1 Alexzander

Anyone here seen The Tree Of Life yet? Saw it last night.

Yes. At the risk of being labeled as a total troglodyte, I think it is an enormous pile of wank.

re: #5 bratwurst

Yes. At the risk of being labeled as a total troglodyte, I think it is an enormous pile of wank.

As someone with a similar philosophical background to Mallick's, I think I'll give the movie a second viewing. But my first attempt was hit and miss - in part thanks to a few too many drinks before hand.

re: #4 albusteve

got all set up to jump out of a friends plane...cost nothing, just do as your told...the closer the time came the more anxious I became...heights don't bother me but jumping off them does but I do it (or did)...so the morning of the jump came and it was windy and rainy, then called off...I was actually relieved not to have to face 10k ft of air beneath me

Steve

The plane was still on the ground!!

re: #6 Alexzander

As someone with a similar philosophical background to Mallick's, I think I'll give the movie a second viewing. But my first attempt was hit and miss - in part thanks to a few too many drinks before hand.

or a few too few

re: #6 Alexzander

As someone with a similar philosophical background to Mallick's, I think I'll give the movie a second viewing. But my first attempt was hit and miss - in part thanks to a few too many drinks before hand.

You literally could not pay me to sit through that again.

this Tree Of Life was worth every penny...
[Link: gumberoo.blogspot.com...]

So, I'm doing this diet. Before I eat anything I am eating a gigantic piece of watermelon.

Losing weight quickly. But, I think it's all water weight.

BRB.

re: #4 albusteve

got all set up to jump out of a friends plane...cost nothing, just do as your told...the closer the time came the more anxious I became...heights don't bother me but jumping off them does but I do it (or did)...so the morning of the jump came and it was windy and rainy, then called off...I was actually relieved not to have to face 10k ft of air beneath me

Started sport jumping in '66--the days of iron men and wooden parachutes. My history was spotty because of constant moves, but I did get to jumpmaster a Chinook. Wife has 5 static lines and a freefall, we met when my jump club took over her Army little theater group.

re: #12 Decatur Deb

Started sport jumping in '66--the days of iron men and wooden parachutes. My history was spotty because of constant moves, but I did get to jumpmaster a Chinook. Wife has 5 static lines and a freefall, we met when my jump club took over her Army little theater group.

now that's what I call falling in love

Ha. I still want a medal for going on a zip line.

I wasn't afraid of heights until I had kids. I am more afraid of them being near a ledge than I am of being near that ledge myself.

re: #10 albusteve

this Tree Of Life was worth every penny...
[Link: gumberoo.blogspot.com...]

I could slice that into a few pretty coffee tables.

re: #7 sattv4u2

Steve

The plane was still on the ground!!

They dug a real deep pit underneath it...

;)

re: #11 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

So, I'm doing this diet. Before I eat anything I am eating a gigantic piece of watermelon.

Losing weight quickly. But, I think it's all water weight.

BRB.

You do know you're not supposed to put it on cake and pour maple syrup over it, right?

re: #13 albusteve

now that's what I call falling in love

Heh--we almost broke up when she quit jumping, then I jumped her POS chute and understood.

re: #18 Decatur Deb

Heh--we almost broke up when she quit jumping, then I jumped her POS chute and understood.

Is that what the kids call it now?

re: #19 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Is that what the kids call it now?

An old line is that "parachuting is better than sex". The response is: "If you think that, you're not doing either correctly."

re: #15 darthstar

I could slice that into a few pretty coffee tables.

the tree itself is a work of art....but then I'm a big WDW fan

re: #14 EmmmieG

Ha. I still want a medal for going on a zip line.

I wasn't afraid of heights until I had kids. I am more afraid of them being near a ledge than I am of being near that ledge myself.

I don't consider myself afraid of heights but I don't like them. I lived on the 20th floor of a highrise for a few years and still have occasional nightmares about the building swaying in the wind. Never really felt comfortable there.

re: #20 Decatur Deb

An old line is that "parachuting is better than sex". The response is: "If you think that, you're not doing either correctly."

snow skiing is as good as sex...and for me, the two always go together

Who'd want to jump out a perfectly good airplane?!
Not me!
No sirree!
:)

re: #23 albusteve

snow skiing is as good as sex...and for me, the two always go together

So you're going for a prosthetic ski feature?

re: #24 Varek Raith

Who'd want to jump out a perfectly good airplane?!
Not me!
No sirree!
:)

How screwed up as a species have we become when we consider jumping out of a perfectly good airplane "recreation"?

re: #26 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

How screwed up as a species have we become when we consider jumping out of a perfectly good airplane "recreation"?

Soon we'll have nutters trying to jump from low orbit.

re: #25 Decatur Deb

So you're going for a prosthetic ski feature?

not sure what all there is to it...I think I'll be fine with an ordinary leg if there is some special lower calf gig for a boot to clip onto...I'm sure ready to give it a whirl

re: #26 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

How screwed up as a species have we become when we consider jumping out of a perfectly good airplane "recreation"?

We eat at SEAfood at Red lobster ,,, in Nebraska !!

And we watch Dancing with Stars (and the like)

Does that answer your query!?!?

re: #26 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

How screwed up as a species have we become when we consider jumping out of a perfectly good airplane "recreation"?

We're designed for a sabretooth-rich environment.

re: #27 Varek Raith

Soon we'll have nutters trying to jump from low orbit.

Orbital sky-diving? You know there's some nutter out there, right now, working on the tech.

re: #31 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Orbital sky-diving? You know there's some nutter out there, right now, working on the tech.

I have no doubts about that.

re: #17 sattv4u2

You do know you're not supposed to put it on cake and pour maple syrup over it, right?

My future step-mother called me today to ask me what kind of cake I like. She's baking a cake to bring to the house tomorrow.

I told her to surprise me.

OH MY GOSH! SHE CAN BAKE!

re: #31 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Orbital sky-diving? You know there's some nutter out there, right now, working on the tech.

Baby steps. I'll find some clips on the teams that are working on faster-than-sound freefall.

re: #33 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

My future step-mother called me today to ask me what kind of cake I like. She's baking a cake to bring to the house tomorrow.

I told her to surprise me.

OH MY GOSH! SHE CAN BAKE!

You damn well better bring us some!

re: #33 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

My future step-mother called me today to ask me what kind of cake I like. She's baking a cake to bring to the house tomorrow.

I told her to surprise me.

OH MY GOSH! SHE CAN BAKE!

Sounds like a keeper.

Neither of my husband's stepmothers ever brought him a cake.

re: #34 Decatur Deb

Baby steps. I'll find some clips on the teams that are working on faster-than-sound freefall.

Falling faster than your scream.
Most unsettling.

re: #26 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

How screwed up as a species have we become when we consider jumping out of a perfectly good airplane "recreation"?

Related - ish

Hiatt!

re: #33 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

My future step-mother called me today to ask me what kind of cake I like. She's baking a cake to bring to the house tomorrow.

I told her to surprise me.

OH MY GOSH! SHE CAN BAKE!

:)

re: #33 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

My future step-mother called me today to ask me what kind of cake I like. She's baking a cake to bring to the house tomorrow.

I told her to surprise me.

OH MY GOSH! SHE CAN BAKE!

Are you sure that the cake isn't a lie?

/

re: #34 Decatur Deb

Baby steps. I'll find some clips on the teams that are working on faster-than-sound freefall.

Here:

[Link: gizmodo.com...]

There's also been a French team trying from Canada.

re: #40 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Are you sure that the cake isn't a lie?

/

Gonna be from scratch, baby! SCRATCH!

re: #26 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

How screwed up as a species have we become when we consider jumping out of a perfectly good airplane "recreation"?

I have never jumped out of a perfectly good airplane. Or helicopter. Every single one of them had SOMETHING on the -10.

(grin)

re: #42 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Gonna be from scratch, baby! SCRATCH!

Lucky!

re: #41 Decatur Deb

At what speed does wind burn you?

re: #43 kirkspencer

I have never jumped out of a perfectly good airplane. Or helicopter. Every single one of them had SOMETHING on the -10.

(grin)

Chinooks don't leak--they 'weep'.

Details: Top Dems Provide Fresh Detail On High-Income Tax Proposal That Led GOP To Abandon Debt Talks

In essence, Van Hollen said, Republicans chose to "protect taxpayer subsidies for big oil companies, tax breaks for corporate jets, and tax breaks for millionaires."

Democrats want to close tax loopholes that benefit oil companies, and eliminate a tax preference that gives corporate aircraft a friendlier depreciation schedule than commercial aircraft. Additionally, Van Hollen said, Democrats were proposing to phase out tax deductions and certain credits for people making more than $500,000 a year. These would be paired with a reduction in the tax burden on lower earners, by eliminating existing limitations on their deductions.

"Folks with over $500,000, we're going to phase out your deductions and some of your tax credit," Van Hollen said.

re: #47 Killgore Trout

Details: Top Dems Provide Fresh Detail On High-Income Tax Proposal That Led GOP To Abandon Debt Talks

Fiscal Reblahblahblah!

re: #47 Killgore Trout

Details: Top Dems Provide Fresh Detail On High-Income Tax Proposal That Led GOP To Abandon Debt Talks

Yes, the GOP wants everybody to sacrifice...they just believe that the poor and working class have a bit more to offer than the rich.

I think I mentioned this a few days ago, but I forgot about it pretty quickly. Anyway its been posted on The Guardian now:

From our old friend Barrett Brown:

A sinister cyber-surveillance scheme exposed:
Hacked emails from security contractor HBGary Federal reveal a disturbing public-private partnership to spy on web users

Later gators.

re: #12 Decatur Deb

Started sport jumping in '66--the days of iron men and wooden parachutes. My history was spotty because of constant moves, but I did get to jumpmaster a Chinook. Wife has 5 static lines and a freefall, we met when my jump club took over her Army little theater group.

heh. My favorite aircraft for jumping was when the unit got to be part of the proof-of-concept for OV-10 insertion. Chinooks were a blast, though, as were the 53s. My least favorite aircraft was the DC-3 (got to do tagalong at the Honduran airborne school, even got honduran wings out of the deal). Don't think it would have been as bad if it weren't for the fact there was NO non-skid on the metal floor. That, and the door's smaller than for US aircraft and the stabilizer is closer to the same door.

re: #45 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

At what speed does wind burn you?

They would be in an astronaut or better suit at those speeds. The suit design was the Frenchman's big hurdle, that and the freakn' Canandian weather. Gus Piantinida died when his surplus suit failed in the '60s.

[Link: www.google.com...]

re: #1 Alexzander

Anyone here seen The Tree Of Life yet? Saw it last night.

Probably wait for DVD. Malick's style is that of someone who doesn't need any money. Which makes it interesting in its way, but not something I want to sit through for hours. Prefer small doses. Seriously, I wonder what he does for an income, because he directs very few pictures and doesn't seem to care if they make money. Maybe he does college lecture tours like Godard used to do.

re: #53 Decatur Deb

Here. Hold my sign.

re: #47 Killgore Trout

Details: Top Dems Provide Fresh Detail On High-Income Tax Proposal That Led GOP To Abandon Debt Talks

if what Boehner say about no tax cuts is true then the dems better figure out another angle...raising taxes on small business, as has been proposed by Geithner, is poison to the voters....what else can be done?

re: #4 albusteve

got all set up to jump out of a friends plane...cost nothing, just do as your told...the closer the time came the more anxious I became...heights don't bother me but jumping off them does but I do it (or did)...so the morning of the jump came and it was windy and rainy, then called off...I was actually relieved not to have to face 10k ft of air beneath me

In my experience, once you're out the door it's a rush till you're approaching the ground except for the brief interval of opening. If you're static jumping (Hope so for your first couple) that interval is at the same time you're standing at the door which means no interruptions.

Actually, rush isn't the right word. The ground is so far away impact is an abstract, you're just... floating. You can almost grok zen in that interval.

re: #52 kirkspencer

heh. My favorite aircraft for jumping was when the unit got to be part of the proof-of-concept for OV-10 insertion. Chinooks were a blast, though, as were the 53s. My least favorite aircraft was the DC-3 (got to do tagalong at the Honduran airborne school, even got honduran wings out of the deal). Don't think it would have been as bad if it weren't for the fact there was NO non-skid on the metal floor. That, and the door's smaller than for US aircraft and the stabilizer is closer to the same door.

Sounds like a kick in the butt. My weirdest plane the old Noorduyn Norseman fabric-covered ship at Lakewood.

:(

Just got a call

One of the dogs we "fostered" for almost a year had to be put to sleep by his adoptive parents

They had him for almost 5 years!

God Speed, Boots,,, you were a good pooch

re: #59 sattv4u2

:(

Just got a call

One of the dogs we "fostered" for almost a year had to be put to sleep by his adoptive parents

They had him for almost 5 years!

God Speed, Boots,,, you were a good pooch

my sympathy. Rainbow's bridge is going to be crowded for you, isn't it?

Creationists demonstrate the emptiness of IDiots' cry for TEACH THE CONTROVERSY!!

Over at American Spectator the Discoveryoids Klinghoffer and Richards try to come up with a strategy to keep the GOP candidates from (in their world view) being unfairly pounced on by the evil media:

Answering the Dreaded 'Evolution' Question

Evolution is the speed trap of presidential campaigns. Though a president doesn't have much influence over state and local science education policy, reporters lie in wait for the unwary candidate, ready to pounce with a question he's poorly prepared to answer yet that is important to millions of voters. Fortunately, there's a reply that not only avoids the trap but helps advance public understanding.

Rep. Michele Bachmann is the latest to get pulled to the side of the road, lights flashing in her rear-view mirror. Talking with reporters in New Orleans following last week's Republican Leadership Conference, she said "I support intelligent design," referring to the theory that nature gives scientific evidence of purpose and design.

Ugh... ID is not a "theory" so much as an untestable hypothesis designed to insert religion into teaching children. Anyway, besides that, Klinghoffer has what he thinks is the answer for the poor GOP victims:

Fo

rtunately, there's an easy way to answer that takes account of the dilemma. Asked about evolution, here's what Michele Bachmann, Tim Pawlenty, or Chris Christie could have said:

"Life has a very long history and things change over time. However, I don't think living creatures are nothing but the product of a purposeless Darwinian process. I support teaching all about evolution, including the scientific evidence offered against it."

TEACH THE CONTROVERSY!!!

Yeah, that's what it boils down to.

Anyway, after just a few hours there are already 267 comments on that article, and as it appears that creationists of one stripe or another constitute the majority of them the comments read as expected.

What's so hilarious is that the comments demonstrate that the whole discussion really is just about creationism, though Klinghoffer wants to pretend otherwise.

The IDiots refuse to speak the truth: the far right Republicans want creationism. That's why they write it into their platforms and try to pass legislation about it. The whole brouhaha is not a trick by the evil media - fundamentalist Christians, which are now the tail wagging the GOP dog, are intent of bringing religious indoctrination to children.

Klinghoffer and Richards are running from the truth, again.

re: #60 kirkspencer

my sympathy. Rainbow's bridge is going to be crowded for you, isn't it?

Yeah,, part of the risk/ rewards of fostering
Many of the dogs are abandoned BECAUSE they have something wrong with them. Over the years we've fostered 10 (or so) adopting all out except the two we have now (and we're keeping them) so getting calls like this, although sad, isn't unexpected

re: #56 albusteve

if what Boehner say about no tax cuts is true then the dems better figure out another angle...raising taxes on small business, as has been proposed by Geithner, is poison to the voters...what else can be done?

Where has Boehner said anything about "no tax cuts"? So far, the only thing I've heard from him in recent days concerning taxes is that tax hikes are "off the table," period.

re: #63 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Where has Boehner said anything about "no tax cuts"? So far, the only thing I've heard from him in recent days concerning taxes is that tax hikes are "off the table," period.

I misspoke...my bad
good eye

re: #63 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

I did that yesterday too...I should shut up if I can't write properly

re: #65 albusteve

I did that yesterday too...I should shut up if I can't write properly

To the re-education camp for you!

re: #66 sattv4u2

To the re-education camp for you!

already flunked...but my FEMA camp has a small orchard I'm allowed to walk through

re: #65 albusteve

I did that yesterday too...I should shut up if I can't write properly

That's why "PIMF" is in our vocabulary as lizards.

re: #67 albusteve

already flunked...but my FEMA camp has a small orchard I'm allowed to walk through

DON'T TAKE THE APPLE FROM HER

I don;t care HOW pretty she is

re: #56 albusteve

if what Boehner say about no tax cuts is true then the dems better figure out another angle...raising taxes on small business, as has been proposed by Geithner, is poison to the voters...what else can be done?

The talking point about raising taxes on small business is bullshit. Not true. In fact last week the Republicans shot down a payroll tax cut for small business.

re: #70 Killgore Trout

The talking point about raising taxes on small business is bullshit. Not true. In fact last week the Republicans shot down a payroll tax cut for small business.

Not to mention the cut-off point for Democrat taxes, per the article, is $500k. How many "small businesses" are generating profits of more than $500k?

re: #70 Killgore Trout

The talking point about raising taxes on small business is bullshit. Not true. In fact last week the Republicans shot down a payroll tax cut for small business.

it's in the headlines...it's a perception someone will use

re: #71 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Not to mention the cut-off point for Democrat taxes, per the article, is $500k. How many "small businesses" are generating profits of more than $500k?

the truth is not important...that's the point

re: #72 albusteve

it's in the headlines...it's a perception someone will use

Voters are smart enough to figure this stuff out (Fox viewers excepted).

re: #73 albusteve

the truth is not important...that's the point

Which is why bullshit like this continues and why the GOP is slowly gaining ground by selling Reagan-era snake oil. Hell, I can't even say that, as Reagan these days would be a "tax-and-spend RINO," according to the libertarian assholes passing themselves off as "Tea Party patriots."

re: #74 Killgore Trout

Voters are smart enough to figure this stuff out (Fox viewers excepted).

ya think?....you're more trusting than I am...my cynicism is maxed out

re: #76 albusteve

ya think?...you're more trusting than I am...my cynicism is maxed out

The whole notion of democracy depends on it. If he's wrong we might as well go find a nice Borgia prince somewhere.

re: #77 Decatur Deb

The whole notion of democracy depends on it. If he's wrong we might as well go find a nice Borgia prince somewhere.

so where are we now?...the new notion of democracy is based on TV propaganda...I suppose we will see in the next few years

re: #78 albusteve

so where are we now?...the new notion of democracy is based on TV propaganda...I suppose we will see in the next few years

Yeah--it can go bad. On the other hand we have this Intertubes thing, that might give the intelligence of the people some new tools.

Anyone notice that cloud busting, fun as it is, is hazardous and illegal?

I did start as a rope dope and the T-10. Bones tell me now I should have gone for the Strato Cloud instead of the Strato Star. Which I still have in storage.

re: #80 dell*nix

Anyone notice that cloud busting, fun as it is, is hazardous and illegal?

I did start as a rope dope and the T-10. Bones tell me now I should have gone for the Strato Cloud instead of the Strato Star. Which I still have in storage.

C-9 cut to a 7TU to start, still have a ParaCommander in the closet. (Squares are the Devil's tool.) Bought my first chute for 30 bucks from a guy who had two total MFs in a row.