5 replies

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October 9, 2009 6:00 PM

@Kimaroo - 20% More Kitty Added!: How did the meetup go?

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October 9, 2009 6:20 PM

@h3llc4t has a slow work day: It went really well.. I was nervous about it because while I'm a member of the clan, I was only made one by default because of Mr. Aroo.. So they are mainly his friends, even though I know a small number of them and play online with them occasionally. Anyway, they were all really nice and warm with me so I felt better about it once we got there. The food was good, allthough most of it was wayy too spicy for me. A big group of us played Texas Hold 'Em poker and I was 4th out of like 16, so I did well.

Like I said down-thread, I'm really excited today because I found out that I made it into the newsppaer article they wrote up about the meetup.

It was fun, and we're planning to go again next year.

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HogwartsAlum

October 9, 2009 7:08 PM

@Kimaroo - 20% More Kitty Added!: Cool. I'm going to a meetup on the 24th. It's my first ever with a group here that just gets together and does stuff. I need some friends who actually live here.

I didn't meet anyone at the geek convention in January but I plan to go all three days this year. I only went one last year. It was fun though.

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chrialg6 is a happy effing cupcake

@Kimaroo - 20% More Kitty Added!: My employer blocked FB.. so now I have to actually work or browse Consumerist.. the last message board space not blocked.

That Ralph Lauren pic? I showed my 11 and 13 year old boys and they were like..

\"AHHHHhhhHHHH her head is bigger then her body! Gross!\"

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MostlyHarmless

@Kimaroo - 20% More Kitty Added!: Awww you. I know how boring it is. There have been some holidays where I have worked so I can save up vacation time. It feels nice for a while. And then the suckage sets in really fast.

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October 9, 2009 5:49 PM

@MostlyHarmless: Yeah, I'm glad I can get online, but then I end up feeling guilty for being online at work and not working.. but there isn't any work to do.. unless someone comes in or calls.. Which they're starting to do now because they're on lunch and there is a break in the rain.. but I don't expect it to last.

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katstermonster

October 9, 2009 5:10 PM

Wheeeeee it's Fridayyyyy! I have a ton of work to do this weekend, but I may be going to Cape Cod for Sunday and part of Monday to see some family that we don't see often (they live in Virginia, I'm in CT, they just bought a house on the Cape, so we're excited). I'm stoked.

4 replies

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Crabby Cakes

October 9, 2009 6:06 PM

@katstermonster: Where on the Cape? I just got back a couple weeks ago, I love it there!

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katstermonster

October 9, 2009 8:10 PM

@Crabby Cakes: I'll be in Harwich. My aunt and uncle just bought a gorgeous house that they'll be retiring to. I'm so excited. I went up there over the summer and had the most awesome, relaxing day of the year.

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Crabby Cakes

October 9, 2009 9:51 PM

@katstermonster: I love Harwich! My parents have a place in Brewster, it so peaceful and quiet there.

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katstermonster

October 9, 2009 10:17 PM

@Crabby Cakes: I had an INCREDIBLE time when I went up this summer. The town itself is a little too crowded and touristy for me, but their house is incredible and the beach is about a mile away. Their house overlooks this really nice pond, it's fantastic.

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katstermonster

October 9, 2009 5:10 PM

@katstermonster: But where is MostlyHarmless? He's gonna be pissed if he misses this! I don't think I've seen him on any threads this morning, though.

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October 9, 2009 5:14 PM

@katstermonster: I've seen him.. he must be busy. He responded to the Morning Deals thread quite a bit today.

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katstermonster

October 9, 2009 5:15 PM

@Kimaroo - 20% More Kitty Added!: Ah, I gotcha. I never check those, so I figured he wasn't around.

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MostlyHarmless

October 9, 2009 5:23 PM

@katstermonster: Do not despair, fair lady, for The Penguin is here!

I went home and took a powernap for lunch today. Energy levels still not back to normal, apparently.

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HogwartsAlum

October 9, 2009 7:08 PM

@MostlyHarmless: I hope you feel better soon, MH.

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MostlyHarmless

October 9, 2009 7:16 PM

@HogwartsAlum: Oh I am feeling MUCH better than the day before :)

Thanks for the concern.

Just that I got a wee bit sleepy around lunch time ;)

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katstermonster

October 9, 2009 5:26 PM

@MostlyHarmless: hello hello! oh wow, I totally lost track of time because I didn't take a lunch break...I can't believe it's almost 1:30! I'm outta heeeeeere...time for grad seminar. so lame.

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October 9, 2009 5:14 PM

yay! right before i leave the office you give me cute kitten pics....

been an interesting week. the little black and white rescue kitten has a foster-to-adopt home and his own little boy to play with!

and i had to explain to my dad [who owns the server my site is hosted on] that if the ATF wants to know how to find me that it's ok to tell them, i didn't do anything illegal.

the wall street journal wants to print my legal name so i turned down the interview. i don't think the grizzled veteran reporter understands the concept of an online only identity that i don't want associated with things like my work or giving the stalker a way to find me.

off to the local high end steak house for a work party [yes, it's cool but i'd rather have not had to be awake at 6 am for this] and i will look back later to see what hijinks ensue....

12 replies

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mac-phisto

October 10, 2009 2:10 PM

@catastrophegirl: FWIW, i stumbled on that DYI a few weeks ago & found it utterly fascinating. never been a big fan of cloves, but your how-to was excellent. makes me want to try flavoring some tobacco on my own.

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October 10, 2009 5:37 PM

@mac-phisto: thanks, you're actually the first person who has said that. i didn't post it as a how-to, that label was given by xeni. mostly i've been getting complaints that \"to taste\" isn't specific enough and people wanting to know which tobacco tastes exactly like djarum.
the funny part to me is that i wasn't trying to make them taste like djarums. i just wanted them to taste good to me. i'm pretty sure what i am smoking tastes a lot more like my long lost sampoerna x-tras. i have a few djarum blacks left and i have tasted them in comparison. the djarum is much fruitier.
which is exactly why my flickr set, edited to be more like a how-to after everyone complained, says that this just happens to be the flavor i chose.

there are places that sell tobacco flavoring - or at least they did in late august. i don't know how the law affects them.
[www.datasync.com]

[there are others that sell 'flavoring for your favorite smoke' but they are obviously not for tobacco and may not work as well]

i spoke to one homemade clove smoker who prefers to add a little cinnamon and some vanilla extract to theirs. and of course many cigars are flavored with various liquors and liquers.

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stranger than fiction

October 10, 2009 3:23 AM

@catastrophegirl: When I hear \"ATF\" I automatically think they're after something that goes boom. Totally zoned on the \"T\" part. A SWAT team for terbacky. How quaint.

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October 10, 2009 3:30 AM

@stranger than fiction: well the law that includes the ban on candy flavored tobaccos specifies that the FDA has to use existing agencies and resources to enforce the law. so they make the decisions and for the tobacco part, they send out to the bureau of alcohol, tobacco and firearms for the footwork.
nothing blowing up over here. hehe

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PsiCop

October 9, 2009 6:30 PM

@catastrophegirl: Kitty pics! OK, FWIW Mittens heard about Christmas creep and decided to give it a try. She wasn't impressed:

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HogwartsAlum

October 9, 2009 7:11 PM

@PsiCop: Adorable!

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GitEmSteveDave_IsWaving

October 9, 2009 5:37 PM

@catastrophegirl: I offered to let you be Stephanie Davidson. But you said no. Let your stalker show up at my house. At least he would think you're in a different state. Besides, with the nearby High School, I could say he was a perv looking at the Tweens and he'd get picked up quick.

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October 9, 2009 5:30 PM

@catastrophegirl: this makes me giggle by the way:

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October 9, 2009 5:17 PM

@catastrophegirl: I know what you mean.. at the BBQ I was at last weekend there was a newspaper reporter interviewing everyone and it turns out that I made it into the paper.. I'm hesitant to post it here because it includes my last name, which I usually keep hidden online.

BUT.. it's already out there.. so I'm torn.

I'm really excited and feel \"famous\" today. It's neat.

Btw.. YAYYY! KITTY! That lil guy was so cute.

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October 9, 2009 5:28 PM

@floraposte: @Kimaroo - 20% More Kitty Added!: well over 5000 people have been all over my flickr since last friday and i'm getting a ton of flickr emails, people looking me up on a dating site, etc... asking for info on how to make their own cloves cigarettes.
so the WSJ wants to interview me for an article about the flavored tobacco ban and i said not with my legal name.

not that i don't think the ATF could find me and probably already knows where to reach me should they choose to. i'm not doing anything illegal by making my own, only if i was selling them.

it's just that i don't really want any details about where i live now, what i look like now, etc, to be associated with my legal name. it's not online except in a couple of places that you would have to know exactly what to look for... a guy has been stalking me since high school and i don't want to make it easy on him

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squinko

October 9, 2009 6:58 PM

@catastrophegirl: While hearing about the stalker stuff is horrible, everything else is really cool. The flickr set is great.

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October 9, 2009 5:39 PM

@catastrophegirl: Well I'm sitting here trying to convince myself that it's allright to link to because they don't use my FULL legal name, and it's already out there.. and they don't show my face..

But I'm still paranoid. lol.

What's funny about it is the fact that the article is all about meeting online friends in person.

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October 10, 2009 1:08 AM

@Kimaroo - No Stars Upon Thars: well considering that i tracked down the original owners of my current house who haven't lived here since 1989- and have moved 4 times, aren't online at all and are in their 80's - in one sunday afternoon with the internet in under an hour....

there's a LOT you can do with someone's name. one day it will catch up to me but by then i hope to be old and ugly enough that he will leave me alone.

if there's any reason for you to keep them separate, it's not the worst thing you could do

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MostlyHarmless

October 9, 2009 6:33 PM

@Kimaroo - 20% More Kitty Added!: I went to a Wikipedia meetup this labor day. And my face made it to wikipedia pages. (Back streets).

I don't mind linking it, but it is so not a flattering pic.

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floraposte

October 9, 2009 5:16 PM

@catastrophegirl: I think I missed the middle part of the story. Why do ATF and the WSJ want you? Aside from your general charm and good company?

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October 9, 2009 5:23 PM

@floraposte: oh that was last week's open thread comment, sorry

[www.boingboing.net]

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HogwartsAlum

October 9, 2009 7:11 PM

@catastrophegirl: You smoke a PIPE? Cool.

I never liked cloves. They smell great but taste awful.

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October 10, 2009 1:01 AM

@HogwartsAlum: yeah, ever since i was 16.
\"excuse me mr tobacco store clerk, i would like to buy my dad a pipe and some tobacco for christmas but i am only 16. do i need to get my mom to come in with me? no? ok, cool, thanks for being so understanding\"

no filters to dispose of around the house when you live at home and smoke underage. so obviously i didn't get started on clove cigarettes!

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subtlefrog

October 10, 2009 2:11 AM

@catastrophegirl: Haha - my response was exactly the same as Hogwarts Alum's - I totally would have never pictured you as a smoker.

I smoked all through school - I wish I'd thought of the pipe route. That is brilliant.

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October 10, 2009 2:22 AM

@subtlefrog: it's also cheap as hell once you put the $20 down on the pipe. in fact, right at this moment i am smoking the exact pipe i bought when i was 16. so it's a 17 year old cheap pipe. with a crack in the end of the stem. but totally useable.

i do own two others - my nicer briar pipe [shown above in a pic from 3 years ago] is AWOL, packed in a moving box still and a jade one which is pretty but HEAVY and heats up too much to hold.

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floraposte

October 9, 2009 5:46 PM

@catastrophegirl: Rebellion and craftmaking so rarely coincide--good on you!

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October 10, 2009 1:10 AM

@floraposte: which to me, is odd. if something bugs me or isn't right, my first thought is to make something to belay my ire.

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Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)

October 9, 2009 5:14 PM

It's been raining for two days and Mini McGee is teething. I'm pondering banging my head into the wall until it feels better.

On the happy side, I think I'm going orienteering tomorrow, with the baby in the Bjorn. Doing one of the easy courses, obviously, without any \"off-trail\" stuff. But it seems like a fun family outdoor activity that we can manage with the baby in tow.

5 replies

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floraposte

October 9, 2009 5:47 PM

@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): I was in your neck of the woods yesterday and I waved, but I doubt that even the people just outside of the car saw me through the pelting rain.

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Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)

October 9, 2009 6:11 PM

@floraposte: Oh, darn, we were supposed to get together. With this teething, I forgot ... and the baby was screaming hysterically anyway!

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floraposte

October 9, 2009 6:33 PM

@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): And the pouring rain complicated travel anyway, so it took me longer than expected (why is it that the cars who forget to turn their lights on in the rain are always silver gray, anyway?). But we'll manage another time.

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squinko

October 9, 2009 5:25 PM

@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): Just rub some whiskey on it's gums. He'll be fine. ;)

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October 9, 2009 5:19 PM

@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): Wouldn't that be more like \"baby in pouch\"? You could be Eyebrowsaroo for a day!

Boy that sounds weird.. lol..

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MostlyHarmless

October 9, 2009 5:27 PM

@Kimaroo - 20% More Kitty Added!: Hey! If you and Eyebrows started a beauty saloon, you could call it EyebrowsArooS.

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October 9, 2009 5:37 PM

@MostlyHarmless: A beauty saloon? Like where you can get a facial, have a beer, and play poker while getting your nails done?

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October 10, 2009 12:17 AM

@Kimaroo - No Stars Upon Thars: i would go there if there was also honky tonk piano in the corner of the beauty saloon

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squinko

October 9, 2009 5:15 PM

I'm sad because I don't have any concerts to go to this weekend. Next weekend though is GWAR (!!!), and the week after that is Captured! by Robots (if this guy is in your area, go see him seriously).

My city is having it's Oktoberfest celebration this weekend, so that should keep me occupied. :)

6 replies

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subtlefrog

October 10, 2009 2:18 AM

@squinko - is pretending there's a star: Sigh. I wish I had big plans. I'm writing a grant proposal that may decide whether I am employed for the next three years. It is one of very few options for funding my employment, so sadly, I'm not exaggerating. Most of October will be like this. Come November, I will have a big-ass party.

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floraposte

October 10, 2009 3:26 AM

@subtlefrog: Yeah, my brother's totally on federal grants, so each time one starts to run out, it's just a lovely surprise as to whether employment will continue. The up side is that as long as you're bringing in your own money, they're not going to let you go.

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Fresh-Fest-1986

October 9, 2009 7:19 PM

@squinko - is pretending there's a star: Captured! by Robots is such an awesome concept act. I've seen him twice and both times brought people who've never heard of him. And they loved it. Hard not to.

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squinko

October 9, 2009 7:26 PM

@Fresh-Fest-1986: He is really awesome. I should've posted this in my OP but for those of you who've never heard of them, CBR is one guy that got tired of playing with people so he built robots that make music. He has two drum robots, a guitar robot, horn bots, tambourine bots and he plays bass (I think). So basically you have robots that play death metal. Fucking awesome.

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October 9, 2009 5:21 PM

@squinko - is pretending there's a star: Every time someone mentions GWAR I think of Spinjas..

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squinko

October 9, 2009 5:27 PM

@Kimaroo - 20% More Kitty Added!: I had to Google that. Hilarious.

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@squinko - is pretending there's a star: Aren't they awesome? My brother and I used to play thoes all the time.

Course, he cheated.. but whatever.

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dohtem

October 9, 2009 5:21 PM

[www.sprintenterprise.com]

I hope to pick up an Android phone (HTC Hero from Sprint) this weekend.

I will also be paying the ETF to leave AT&T. Only 3 months with them and I have had enough.

1 replies

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Laura Northrup

October 9, 2009 6:47 PM

@dohtem: Curious where you live that AT&T is so bad. I really like them.

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MostlyHarmless

October 9, 2009 5:21 PM

Weekly summary of TMI:

1. Recovered from flu now. Thanks for all 3 of you who wished me well. Too bad for the rest of you suckers, I'm still here to troll the open thread.

2. What I would really LOVE to see is a coffee table with extendable legs, so I could raise it and work on it like a computer table. Would go really well with my workspace-in-the-living-room concept.

3. What's your completely age inappropriate crush? Mine is Evanna Lynch. (Bonus points for knowing who it is without looking it up.)

4. I am still offering oral sex in return of a Google wave invitation. [ contact [at at] satyamnayak [dot dot] com. ]

16 replies

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stranger than fiction

October 10, 2009 3:56 AM

@MostlyHarmless: 1. Sorry to hear about the flu. We're bucking the trend at our house — passing around strep instead. (If your cough is from irritation rather than lingering congestion, try Singer's Saving Grace throat spray. It's pretty much kept me from coughing up a lung this week.)

2. Here's another table option (still $300 on clearance *yikes*)
[www.plowhearth.com]

3. I'm not the crush-y type, but I'll say I found a whole new level of admiration for Buck Showalter when he did a full slide in-studio, in a three-piece suit, wiping out Harold Reynolds. I believe they were doing a tutorial on breaking up a double play. Harold was flat on his ass, speechless, and Buck was just like, \"What?\" The competitive fire still burns under that snowy roof! (and the buttery drawl doesn't hurt, either)

4. [deleted for fear of disemvowelment ;o)]

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subtlefrog

October 10, 2009 2:28 AM

@MostlyHarmless: Glad you are better - been thinking it all week.

We need a good random post like this each open thread. Kudos to you!

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MostlyHarmless

October 10, 2009 3:36 AM

@subtlefrog:
Awww thanks :)

Its really nice to have all of your good wishes. You guys are the best! :')

Also, how is Summer inappropriate for you, and yet Dushku isnt? (Psst, theyre both the same age. Glau is older by a few months, actually).

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subtlefrog

October 10, 2009 4:58 AM

@MostlyHarmless: D'oh. OK. then both of them...

And not all that inappropriate, as we have covered. According to imdb, Dushku is 6 months older...

Either way - I've got 5-6 years on them. Does that make me a naughty girl?

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katstermonster

October 9, 2009 8:19 PM

@MostlyHarmless:

1. I didn't quite process your username...I've been stressed and spacey this week. :(

2. Ooooh that's the best idea ever! I do most of my work on my computer at home on my couch, and right now I'm using an end table as a coffee table for exactly that reason...my back would kill me if I used a normal-height one. Let me know if you find something cheap, that would be kinda cool. Maybe you could just use a TV dinner table until you find something that lifts like that? They're cheap and you can fold it up and put it away whenever you're not using it. Actually, I think I'm gonna go buy one for myself now...hmm...

3. I didn't know who she was BUTTTT now I do and oh my god good choice! I love Luna, she's my favorite HP character and they made such an awesome casting choice. I don't have any too-young inappropriate celebrity crushes. I LOVE LOVE LOVE John Slattery, although I just discovered that he's not as old as I thought. I've been watching a LOT of Mad Men lately...made it through the first season in about a week. It's so good.

4. I do enjoy oral sex (maybe TMI? But really, what girl doesn't?), but I don't have a Google Wave invite to give out. Unfortunate.

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October 10, 2009 12:27 AM

@katstermonster: i picked up one of these at a thrift store for a couple of bucks and when i need to use my laptop in the living room i just use it OVER the coffee table [so i don't have to move all my junk]

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MostlyHarmless

October 9, 2009 8:37 PM

@katstermonster: Yeah, I know all about the \"stressed and spacey\" part. Hopefully the weekend will be better :)

I read your tweet yesterday btw. I laughed hard. And then I started coughing like a maniac :P

And yeah, Luna the characer, and the casting choice are both awesome. It's not the kind of crush I have on, say, Zooey Deschanel, but more of a \"OMG SO CUTE!! I could squeeze her to death!\" kind of a crush.

Yeah, don't worry about TMI, this is a TMI thread anyways ;)

About the table, I am thinking of the same thing. The folding TV dinner tables. They are just the right size for the keyboard, mouse, a few papers, and some snacks.
And they are cheap too.

Now all I need are inexpensive ottomans, and an inflatable couch for cuddling.

And someone to cuddle with.

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katstermonster

October 9, 2009 8:58 PM

@MostlyHarmless: Cuddling is good.

I laughed so hard when my friend made that zombie comment yesterday. For whatever reason, he and my other buddy have hit it off in a big way, and all they talk about now are their plans in the case of a zombie apocalypse. They've really covered all their bases - slow-moving zombies vs. fast one, smart ones vs. dumb ones, viral vs. undead, etc. etc. etc. So yeah, beer and zombie talk. Not a bad way to spend a Thursday night.

I'm definitely buying a TV dinner table tonight. Best. Idea. Ever. I must congratulate myself.

I have a big ol' lesbian crush on Zooey Deschanel, and on Natalie Portman. I'd totally go gay for either one of them. Or both? That could be fun.

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subtlefrog

October 10, 2009 2:27 AM

@katstermonster: I can't say I have any age inappropriate (Sean Connery, maybe?). But definitely big ol' lesbian crush on Eliza Dushku. Summer Glau is a bit age inappropriate for me, I guess. Alyson Hannigan, but only as vamp Willow. Yeah, it's a Joss thing, what can I say?

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HogwartsAlum

October 9, 2009 7:18 PM

@MostlyHarmless:

1. I wished you well earlier. Didn't get to Open Thread until now because the boss is walking back and forth, back and forth. It's like one of those duck games at the carnival, except I don't have a gun.

2. That would be cool. My coffee table is too short.

3. Someone I know and I'm not telling. Celebrity - I'm still not telling. ;)

4. Don't know what Google Wave is so I can't help you. Sorry!

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Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)

@MostlyHarmless: Yeah, tables with the raising tops ... often two side sections that raise up, with a middle section that stays put, and storage under the two side sections. Bonus, you could store your laptop inside the section under the raising top!

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October 9, 2009 5:34 PM

@MostlyHarmless: i saw one in a book once that was a leg frame on each end that turned one way with the long side up against the underside of the tabletop and the short side out it became a coffee table and then you turned the short side up to the table and the long side out and it was a dining table.
it was from the 80's though so i don't think it's available now

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squinko

October 9, 2009 5:30 PM

@MostlyHarmless: 1: I just got over food poisoning. :(

2. Have you seen the tables that have tops that raise up? Basically a reverse of what you said. They're pretty cool.

3. What do you mean age inappropriate? Like too old/young for you? Or are we talking jailbait?

4. Wow...

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October 9, 2009 5:30 PM

[www.apartmenttherapy.com]

@MostlyHarmless: Here you go:

Nifty table.

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MostlyHarmless

October 9, 2009 5:40 PM

@Kimaroo - 20% More Kitty Added!: I am sure you did :)

@squinko - is pretending there's a star: That sucks. What did you eat? (I mean, the food poisoning part sucks, not the getting over it.)

By \"Age Inappropriate\" I meant too young in my case, but too old works too. But then, \"too old\" is hardly a big deal. Everyone has crushes on someone older.

@bornonbord: What you say is true: Those look sweet. Now I only need to find a way to afford those ;)

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October 9, 2009 6:06 PM

@MostlyHarmless: In the \"too old\" case, then, I pick Joe Biden.

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squinko

October 9, 2009 5:46 PM

@MostlyHarmless: It was either the Taco Bell or the Chinese food, and I refuse to blame my precious Chinese food, so Taco Bell it is.

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bornonbord

October 9, 2009 5:28 PM

@MostlyHarmless:
2: close enough?

[dornob.com]

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bornonbord

October 9, 2009 5:28 PM

@MostlyHarmless: or...
[www.flipfurniture.com]

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October 9, 2009 5:27 PM

@MostlyHarmless:
1. If I didn't physically say that I hope you get better, I know I was thinking it every time I saw your name with the flu in it.

2. I have seen a coffee table that has a pump on it like the chairs at salons.. that would do what you're wanting to do.. I'll see if I can find a link somewhere.

3. Maybe not really age innapropreate in reality.. but I still think Jonathan Taylor Thomas is cute from the later years of Home Improvement. (I just watched the season 8 DVDs recently) This is left over from my young teenage years of crushdom on him.

4. I CANNOT help you with THAT.

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bornonbord

October 9, 2009 6:35 PM

@Kimaroo - 20% More Kitty Added!: Also, btw, #3 is Milla Jovovich

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squinko

October 9, 2009 6:51 PM

@bornonbord: What you say is true: Milla Jovovich is a legal adult?

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bornonbord

October 9, 2009 7:01 PM

@squinko - is pretending there's a star: Well, she wasn't in The Return to The Blue Lagoon, but she is now.

Unfortunately recently married. I told her I would be a good stay-at-home Dad!

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October 9, 2009 5:54 PM

Since no one else has started it yet:

Pet Thread of the week:

8 replies

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Laura Northrup

October 9, 2009 6:49 PM

Here, have a Dreamsicle picture. She's still sick, after over a month. Poor kid.

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floraposte

October 9, 2009 8:02 PM

@Laura Northrup: Excellent pet name there.

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squinko

October 9, 2009 7:27 PM

@Laura Northrup: Seeing Carefresh litter in a small critter's cage makes me happy. :)

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HogwartsAlum

October 9, 2009 7:20 PM

@Laura Northrup: Awwww.

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October 9, 2009 6:09 PM

@Kimaroo - 20% More Kitty Added!:
Sadly, she has passed away, but this was my rescued Chihuahua Monkey. (And also a rare glimpse up my nose.)

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MostlyHarmless

October 9, 2009 6:16 PM

@h3llc4t has a slow work day: try square brackets, and comment preview :P

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October 9, 2009 6:22 PM

@MostlyHarmless: It's showing up fine in my Firefox.

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MostlyHarmless

October 9, 2009 6:24 PM

@h3llc4t has a slow work day: Hmmm... Firefox here too. but cant see it.

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October 9, 2009 6:28 PM

@MostlyHarmless: Strange. I used the instructions from the Lifehacker post and verified it with Preview Comment.
(And if that link shows up wonky for you something might be going on, or Preview is lying to me...)
Anyway, continue with the puppies/kittens/etc.

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MostlyHarmless

October 9, 2009 11:32 PM

@h3llc4t has a slow work day: Turns out you did it right. The source was probably blocked at work. Now at home I can see it.

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squinko

October 9, 2009 6:03 PM

@Kimaroo - 20% More Kitty Added!: Whoa. You have one of those awesome stripey, orange-eyed cats. What are those called?

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October 9, 2009 6:28 PM

@squinko - is pretending there's a star: I think he's a Bengal cat.. from what I've read about them he's pretty similar to that..

He was a stray when he found us. He walked himself into Mr. Aroo's store one day and he kept picking him up and putting him back outside, but he would just wait for another customer to go in and he would walk back in again, like \"Don't worry everyone, I'm back!\" Then they let him stay and he started hugging people (Seriously, my cat hugs people, he'll put his arms around your neck and hug your neck with his paws.) So then Mr. Aroo called me and said, \"You wanted another cat right?\"

Now he's my best furry buddy. I love him : )

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MostlyHarmless

October 9, 2009 6:36 PM

@Kimaroo - 20% More Kitty Added!: Interesting. What kind of store is it? Wouldn't certain customers freak out when they saw a cat roaming about in a store?

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October 9, 2009 6:41 PM

@MostlyHarmless: It's a Sheet Music store.. Small and cozy. So no.. and the kids were happy to pat him.

They thought for a moment or two about adopting him as a mascot, but then they thought that some customers may get offended because of allergies.

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InsertPithyNicknameHere

October 9, 2009 6:03 PM

Well, no concerts or movies this weekend, but I am hoping to get tickets to a stage production of The Thin Man tomorrow night. And then Sunday is either going out driving to look at fall colours, or going antiquing (or both) for my Mother's birthday. So, should be a fun weekend, so long as the weather cooperates.

1 replies

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HogwartsAlum

October 9, 2009 7:31 PM

@InsertPithyNicknameHere: We don't have any ice this weekend (hockey tournament) so I don't know WHAT I'll be doing. Since I'm broke, I guess it's the library. :P

Antiquing sounds like fun! I love it.

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October 9, 2009 6:05 PM

I have a bellydancing performance for a local group of midwives tomorrow. Seeing as it's getting closer to Halloween, and I don't get many opportunities to dance in the fusion style that I really love, my teacher/troupe instructor gave me a little more leeway on music this time.
Which, of course, means that I had to pick Siouxsie and the Banshees.
Hell. Yes. This is going to be so much fun.

3 replies

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subtlefrog

October 10, 2009 2:32 AM

@h3llc4t has a slow work day: Let me get this straight: you're a herper with a love for doggies, and you belly dance to Siouxsie?

I think I may love you. Don't tell BF.

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October 10, 2009 12:31 AM

@h3llc4t has a slow work day: the muzak at work has siouxsie and the banshees, the cure, etc all the time. it's great. between that and the free coffee, it's a wonder i ever go home

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floraposte

October 9, 2009 6:36 PM

@h3llc4t has a slow work day: There are many interesting things in this post, but I have to say the first line is probably the best thing I've read all day. (Cool that you're a dancer, too.)

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theblackdog

October 9, 2009 6:16 PM

I just got a phone call from my parents, and since they are not getting through to my younger bro, I now get to be the one that explains to him how bad he just fucked up his credit report by letting a bill for a storage unit go into collections.

I also get to explain why it's bad to lie to your parents when they're under the stresses of going through a home sale and arranging movers.

1 replies

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HogwartsAlum

October 9, 2009 7:21 PM

@theblackdog_Happy250thGuinness!: Ouch. Good luck with that. :\\

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Smashville

October 9, 2009 6:22 PM

Week 2 of Smashville and Squinko lobby for a star!

7 replies

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October 9, 2009 8:15 PM

@Smashville_not taking it seriously: *pickets* What do we want?
STARS!
When do we want 'em?
NOW!

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October 9, 2009 8:41 PM

@Oranges w/ Cheese needs guidance: Thanks! I will follow you too, mostly because the picket thing made me laugh. That and I know what it's like to be all long distance. Allthough Michigan isn't Australia.. but ya know, I get it.

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October 9, 2009 6:38 PM

@Smashville_not taking it seriously: I think I would like to join.. because I've been here over a year now.. I mean.. isn't that long enough?

I only have 21 followers though : / Maybe that's not enough.

I don't know, but I would like a star. It reminds me of the Sneetches.

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October 9, 2009 8:14 PM

@Kimaroo - No Stars Upon Thars: I'll follow you kimaroo!

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squinko

October 9, 2009 6:28 PM

@Smashville_not taking it seriously: Aww. Thanks for remembering me. :)

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MostlyHarmless

October 9, 2009 6:37 PM

@squinko - is pretending there's a star: I am going to be a hypocrite, and ask you two to get a life.

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squinko

October 9, 2009 6:54 PM

@MostlyHarmless: You're not very nice today. :(

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MostlyHarmless

October 9, 2009 6:59 PM

@squinko - is pretending there's a star: Awww :/

Didn't mean to put you down...

... just did not want you to come up :P

[I'd vouch for you, but I used up all my Karma Points in getting Pecan Pi and Laura stars recently.]

Which reminds me... has anyone seen Pecan this afternoon?

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October 9, 2009 7:08 PM

@MostlyHarmless: Well Laura should be a given. So she was like a freebie for you.. You could spend another point on me, you know, because you're my friend, and I need a star too.

Right? : )

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MostlyHarmless

October 9, 2009 7:19 PM

@Kimaroo - No Star Upon Thars: Haha, just so you know, my vouching isnt magic or anything :P

Actually I see a handful commenters who should get a star... but if I named names, people would accuse me of cabal pushing.

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Smashville

October 9, 2009 7:27 PM

@MostlyHarmless: Did I hear cabal?

*meerkats*

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October 9, 2009 7:22 PM

@MostlyHarmless: I know, but every little bit helps.

..I guess.. Or not.. I don't know.

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Smashville

October 9, 2009 7:03 PM

@MostlyHarmless: She posted on the Morning Deals thread, but hasn't been heard from since.

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subtlefrog

October 10, 2009 2:35 AM

@Smashville_not taking it seriously: I hearted you, Smashville. (Squinko, you've got one) So - One more follower...I'm doing my part!

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Smashville

October 9, 2009 6:59 PM

@squinko - is pretending there's a star: He's \"MostlyHarmless\"...today isn't a \"Mostly\" day...

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Smashville

October 9, 2009 6:42 PM

@MostlyHarmless: But I'm only cool on the interwebs!

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Smashville

October 9, 2009 6:34 PM

@squinko - is pretending there's a star: Ha...it's only fair.

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Smashville

October 9, 2009 6:36 PM

Thoughts on cougars?

There's this woman at my work...I subtly check her out pretty much everytime I see her...found out she's 20 years older than me...

Not that I'd shit where I eat...

16 replies

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subtlefrog

October 10, 2009 2:41 AM

@Smashville_not taking it seriously: So there was an actual cougar sighting in Pasadena recently, on the news just last night. Add this to the fact that I am a biologist and have friends who actually study large cats and such, and so when you asked \"Thoughts on cougars?\" my mind went a very different direction.

Yes, I am aware it is an accepted term. I'm just not commonly faced with the prey to that kind of cougar.

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creative differences

October 10, 2009 2:41 AM

@Smashville_not taking it seriously: cougar popularity = best trend EVER (from the perspective of a 37-year-old woman who 'dated' a 19-year-old guy. *cough*.)

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Crabby Cakes

October 9, 2009 9:08 PM

@Smashville_not taking it seriously: As someone whose friend just discovered what happens when the cubemate you're getting a little action from decides he's in love with you, I applaud you for realizing this is a bad idea.

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HogwartsAlum

October 9, 2009 9:41 PM

@Crabby Cakes: Ha! That would never happen to me. No one ever falls for me; it's always the other way around.

So I guess even if the hottie wasn't taken and wanted to jump my bones, I would follow Smashville's advice and not. Do. It.

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October 9, 2009 7:44 PM

@Smashville_not taking it seriously: not sure why you have a large feline in your office...
but Wikipedia has this to say about reproduction:

Females reach sexual maturity between one-and-a-half to three years of age. They typically average one litter every two to three years throughout their reproductive life, though the period can be as short as one year. Females are in estrus for approximately 8 days of a 23-day cycle; the gestation period is approximately 91 days. Females are sometimes reported as monogamous, but this is uncertain and polygyny may be more common. Copulation is brief but frequent.

Before attempting to reproduce with a cougar, i'd take a look at the List of fatal cougar attacks in North America -

\"At least 18 people in the United States were killed by cougars between 1890 and 2005, including six in California.\"

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Smashville

October 9, 2009 7:48 PM

@gStein: That...is...legendary.

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HogwartsAlum

October 9, 2009 7:30 PM

@Smashville_not taking it seriously: I don't know...more and more people are meeting at work since they're there so often. If there isn't any boss/subordinate dynamic going on there, and you work in different departments and can be discreet, it might be worth a try.

I did the work thing once with someone in a very small place. It didn't work out and although he went to work someplace else, we had mutual friends, so I had to suck it up and get over it. He ended up married to another one of our friends. Now they're divorce and she and I are still buds. But I've maintained a hands-off policy since then, because that wasn't pleasant.

There's someone younger at my work that I like, but he's taken so I can't go there even if I wanted to. *sigh*

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squinko

October 9, 2009 6:54 PM

@Smashville_not taking it seriously: Don't call her a cougar, for one. If you want to hook up, discuss it with her versus having a relationship. I'd go on a few date-type meetings first, just to feel out if she's the crazy/clingy type that would bring drama into the workplace. Otherwise go for it.

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Smashville

October 9, 2009 6:57 PM

@squinko - is pretending there's a star: Oh...I'm not going for this one. She's at work...baaaaaad idea.

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Laura Northrup

October 9, 2009 6:50 PM

@Smashville_not taking it seriously: As a woman perilously close to 30, I appreciate the trend.

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October 10, 2009 12:34 AM

@Laura Northrup: as a woman a few years past 30 i would appreciate the trend except all the younger men interested in me are interested because i have a house, a nice car and am well paid:
\"hey, you want to go out? where are you going to take me?\"

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HogwartsAlum

October 9, 2009 7:25 PM

@Laura Northrup: As a 44-year-old woman, so do I. Although I HATE the word \"cougar.\"

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Smashville

October 9, 2009 7:26 PM

@HogwartsAlum: But it implies speed, stamina and pounciness!

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HogwartsAlum

October 9, 2009 9:38 PM

@Smashville_not taking it seriously: And predator...:P

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Smashville

October 9, 2009 9:42 PM

@HogwartsAlum: What if want to be prey?

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HogwartsAlum

October 10, 2009 6:09 PM

@Smashville_not taking it seriously: LOL Sounds like you already made up your mind there.

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floraposte

October 9, 2009 8:05 PM

@Smashville_not taking it seriously: Pounciness! I love pounciness!

Speaking from the other side of the cougar conundrum, I'd say there are people with whom the experiential gap seems to matter and those with whom it doesn't. But if I'm worried his parents are going to beat me up he's got to be worth it.

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October 9, 2009 8:12 PM

@floraposte: Yeah.. I would say it matters more if you have children.. But then I'm biased.

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Smashville

October 9, 2009 8:56 PM

@Kimaroo - No Stars Upon Thars: What kind of biased?

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October 9, 2009 10:09 PM

@Smashville_not taking it seriously: I'm biased because my dad married someone younger than me. I'm 24 and he's 52. I think you should probably date someone older than your own children. What's done is done. She is nice, we get along now,and he seems happy, but there were some VERY tense moments and termoil regarding the situation.

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MostlyHarmless

October 10, 2009 3:39 AM

@Kimaroo - No Stars Upon Thars: Ouch. And even more ouch, when I am invariably reminded of the holding hands at the pharmacy episode.

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MostlyHarmless

October 10, 2009 3:40 AM

@Mostly Harmless: Having said that, I just realized... I hope I did not open up a new can of worms.

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October 10, 2009 5:01 AM

@MostlyHarmless: Nah, the pharmacy thing is STILL funny : )

@catastrophegirl: @subtlefrog: She is 24 now as well I think. Or 23 maybe. Anyway it's still weird sometimes but I just try to get along.

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subtlefrog

October 10, 2009 2:39 AM

@Kimaroo - No Stars Upon Thars: Yeah, I'd think that would be awkward. I'm glad she's nice and I hope she and your dad are happy - but...I'm sorry you had to deal with such a weird dynamic.

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October 10, 2009 12:37 AM

@Kimaroo - No Stars Upon Thars: yeah, i have a friend who is in her mid thirties and doesn't like to date men older than 25. most of them are younger. she has a 16 year old daughter. i keep reminding her that she needs to start moving that lower age limit up to be at least a few years above her daughter's age by the time her kid reaches 18.

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larrymac thinks testing should have occurred

October 9, 2009 7:49 PM

@Smashville_not taking it seriously: Maybe somebody should start a trend of using \"Tigger\" instead of \"cougar\". Then it would imply bouncy trouncy flouncy pouncy fun fun fun fun fun.

'course there'd only be one, so maybe that wouldn't work after all . . .

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Smashville

October 9, 2009 6:53 PM

@Laura Northrup: Well...I'm 28...so...40+ is what I think of as cougar...otherwise I've already been there done that...got the \"Oh, we shouldn't do that again\" conversation...

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October 9, 2009 6:50 PM

@Smashville_not taking it seriously: I've seen some pretty hot older women. I don't know how the relationship dynamics would work out though; it seems like it'd be difficult to adjust sometimes when two partners are in different stages of their life. Then again, the r-word might not even be coming into play at all.
It does bum me out when I see 40 year old women with nicer boobs than me though.

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October 9, 2009 6:43 PM

@Smashville_not taking it seriously: I don't know.. I think it's becoming more socially acceptable.. I mean.. there's a sitcom about it now.

I'm still creeped out that my dad married someone younger than me, his youngest child. But ya know.. whatever.

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MostlyHarmless

October 9, 2009 6:52 PM

@Kimaroo - 20% More Kitty Added!: I would be creeped out too...

@Smashville_not taking it seriously:
1. Workplace crushes aint cool.
2. It may or may not be socially acceptable, but if you are thinking of anything more than short term dating, theres some practical issues there.

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October 9, 2009 7:21 PM

I want to put together a map of prices on certain staples across the US...
So, over the next week, when you go to the store, please help me out by taking note the following things:

Name and zip code of store
cost of a dozen Large, White Grade-A eggs
cost of 1 loaf of Wonderbread
Cost of 1 gallon of store-brand skim milk

4 replies

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October 10, 2009 12:45 AM

@gStein: many stores have online shopping now where you can check that.

a couple of states that this store is in
[www.lowesfoods.com]

nearest to me:

Lowes Foods Large White Eggs
12 ct $1.39

Wonder Bread - Whole Grain White
20.00 oz $1.28
Reg. Price: $2.56
On Sale! Reduced Price!

Lowes Foods Skim Milk
1 Gallon $3.29

several states that this store is in
[www.harristeeter.com]

nearest to me:

Harris Teeter Eggs
Grade A Large
1.00 doz $1.49
($1.39 VIC Card Members)

Wonder Bread - Whole Grain White
20.00 oz $2.19

Harris Teeter Fat Free Skim Milk
1 Gallon $3.29
($1.97 VIC Card Members)

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October 10, 2009 3:51 AM

@catastrophegirl: why is your harris teeter milk so friggin cheap?
i paid $1.99 the other day for HT-brand milk... (i also live on the edge of Charlotte, almost in Matthews, NC. Harris Teeter is headquartered in Matthews. I am very close to their regional distro center... in theory shouldn't i get stuff cheaper than people further from the distro center?)

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October 10, 2009 4:10 AM

@gStein: um, it looks about the same to me? i checked several cities and they all show $1.97 right now for VIC card members.

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MostlyHarmless

October 9, 2009 8:41 PM

@gStein: Oh snap! That reminds me of something I keep on forgetting every week.

I asked a random question about how much people here pay for their cell phone bills. I got quite a few answers. I should make a chart out of that thing, to visualize the spread and everything.

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floraposte

October 9, 2009 8:06 PM

@gStein: Sounds interesting--please post the map when it's done. I'll try to remember to get you the info--that's store brand eggs as well, I presume?

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Ratty

October 9, 2009 7:23 PM

Maaaaan, long week.

This weekend I need to sort though my remaining vacation photos. I got back 2 months ago. No real reason to procrastinate further. But I need to find out which ones would be super nice for printing and framing to replace some older photos I have framed. I think I have up to 6 I can do and I was going to mail my parents some since I visited them.

If anyone wants to poke around and suggest some, by all means I'd be thrilled. Set: [www.flickr.com]

Here's a few I liked:

(just crop the part with the kid out)

6 replies

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HogwartsAlum

October 9, 2009 9:42 PM

@Ratty: WOW!

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Ratty

October 9, 2009 10:08 PM

@HogwartsAlum: ShamWOW?

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floraposte

October 9, 2009 8:06 PM

@Ratty: And the pet thread takes a strange turn...

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October 9, 2009 8:12 PM

@floraposte: Lol.. I don't know why but I thought that was really funny.

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October 9, 2009 7:28 PM

@Ratty: Awww.. I like the moose.

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Ratty

October 9, 2009 7:29 PM

@Kimaroo - No Star Upon Thars: It's an Elk! :)

Moose are much bigger, much uglier, and I wouldn't get anywhere near one.

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October 9, 2009 7:35 PM

@Ratty: Oh and I said \"Duh\" because he obviously doesn't have the right Moose-like antlers.

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MostlyHarmless

October 9, 2009 7:39 PM

@Kimaroo - No Star Upon Thars: Moose have \"webbed\" antlers, right?

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RecordStoreToughGuy_starcommandseries.com

October 9, 2009 10:11 PM

@MostlyHarmless: Palmate antlers. But yeah, they could be described as webbed.

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October 9, 2009 7:57 PM

@MostlyHarmless: Yeah I guess you would call it that.. they're usually wide and flat and have pointy things on the top.

This is my favorite moose:

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October 9, 2009 7:34 PM

@Ratty: Oh duh.. Sorry.. I just saw dark brown and thought \"MOOSE!\"

I like the elk, then.

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October 9, 2009 7:29 PM

So, i've had a lot going on the past few days, and i completely forgot about an online test i had to take for one of my classes.
Just emailed the professor, asking if i can retake the test (if i get a 0 for one of my tests, i'll be lucky to get a low C)

4 replies

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Smashville

October 9, 2009 8:42 PM

@gStein: One time in college, I took a timed online test...and for whatever reason, I lost the connection during the submit portion...and instead of it counting as me not taking it...it counted as me getting a zero...

Luckily, my professor was smart enough to realize something was awry.

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October 9, 2009 8:12 PM

@gStein: Good luck. If you have a good reason, I'm sure the teacher will see it your way.

I had a similar situation - I'd been doing everything in the class and my grades were stellar, but I took test 2 instead of test 1 and test 3 instead of test 2 and didn't realize until I saw the zero in the gradebook. Teacher opened up test 1 and let me take it.

I admitted I had done wrong and that it was wholly my fault, but she could see my good intentions with my other work in the class. Sort of like an EECB.

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October 10, 2009 3:48 AM

@Oranges w/ Cheese needs guidance: my \"good reason\" was that i completely forgot about it, was working on assignments from another class, got tired, fell asleep.

got an email back from him earlier...

I am sorry but you cannot make up Test 2. You can still do well in the class, and I am certain that you will.

:/

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HogwartsAlum

October 10, 2009 6:11 PM

@gStein: That's encouraging, at least...it implies that you aren't doing badly. Perhaps the test won't take off too many points, and there may be an option for extra credit. *crosses fingers for you*

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October 9, 2009 7:35 PM

@gStein: OOh... ouch... Here's hopin for ya.

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Smashville

October 9, 2009 7:34 PM

Not to get all consumery, but this can't be cost effective...

In the last hour and a half, I've had three separate deliveries at my desk by three separate FedEx deliverypeople.

It would probably cost less to ship things if...you know...they only made one trip with one person instead of having 3 people running the same route at the same time?

2 replies

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October 9, 2009 7:48 PM

@Smashville_not taking it seriously: Yeah.. and even though it's not the same thing as packages, we recieve people's car insurance verifications at my job and I can tell you that State Farm is one of the most wasteful companies on this planet. They will send insurance varification on one person 3 times, in 3 different envelopes, each with two or 3 pieces of paper in each one. One piece is usually all blank that shows our mailing address.. so that it fits in the window of the envelope.

In contrast, the companies that do it right get by with the same thing in one envelope, and one piece of paper. The best of them use little folded over postcards.

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Ratty

October 9, 2009 7:39 PM

@Smashville_not taking it seriously: it would... we have one dedicated FedEx guy, a UPS guy, and 2 separate USPS deliveries every day. The DHL guy shows up 2 or 3 days a week.

But! We get expensive next-day-air internationally shipped envelopes containing a single (incorrect) page that the customer has to mail again. that's helping pad courier pockets but siphon money from customers. international envelopes are $$$.

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larrymac thinks testing should have occurred

October 9, 2009 7:45 PM

Vaguely related to the Office Depot chair assembly post - [www.flickr.com]

1 replies

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October 9, 2009 8:00 PM

@larrymac: Wow. \"You can do it. We can't help\"??

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October 9, 2009 7:58 PM

I miss my boyfriend.

He's moved to Michigan and gotten a kick ass dream job (video game company!) and he's asked me to come live with him.

I need guidance.

7 replies

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Crabby Cakes

October 9, 2009 9:28 PM

@Oranges w/ Cheese needs guidance: I've been in your shoes, so here's something I wish I had thought harder about- I completely underestimated how much I would miss my family and friends. I mean, I knew I would and I'm very close to my family, so I knew it would take some adjusting, but DAMN. It's been 3.5 years for me, I love my bf and I have a great job, but I still get overwhelmed by how much I'm missing out on being away from everything. Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, babies, even everyday stuff! I don't know how far you'll be moving by going to MI, but I can't afford to be flying back and forth from LA to NY all the time.
So, something to think about, maybe.

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October 9, 2009 11:45 PM

@Crabby Cakes: Good advice. I'm already away from my parents, and until he left in August I had kind of fallen out with my friends. Though it will be heart-wrenching, it won't be an irreplaceable loss. I've already scoped out meetup groups up there. I am certain I could get by, get a passable job (not amazing, but pay the bills keep me busy) and the weather. I HATE FLORIDA.

But yes, I have done all I can do for now. I just have to convince myself to stop fretting.

Good thing is both of us have good jobs for now and we can afford to visit each other. Bad thing is he HATES flying.

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subtlefrog

October 10, 2009 2:57 AM

@Oranges w/ Cheese needs guidance: Another thing to consider is the whim of the game industry. MY BF is in games, and when he finished school, he had several offers. Of them, several of those studios are now closed. One that he recently (about 6 months ago) got an offer from up and closed this week and laid everyone off out of nowhere. Some big studios are doing very well. Some small studios are doing well. Many, not so much. In a year, the dream job may be gone. Is he on a game team or administrative?

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HogwartsAlum

October 10, 2009 6:12 PM

@subtlefrog: There may be a lot of transferable skills there, working with different kinds of computer programming.

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squinko

October 9, 2009 8:26 PM

@Oranges w/ Cheese needs guidance: Where is Michigan is there a video game company and how can I get a job there? Seriously. It's pretty nice here depending on where you'd be moving to/what jobs you're qualified for. PM me and we can talk more if you'd like.

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floraposte

October 9, 2009 8:08 PM

@Oranges w/ Cheese needs guidance: I love to meddle. Where in Michigan? Do you think you'd like it there? As I recall, you'd just found work again fairly recently where you are--is it a job you're pretty pleased about or would it be pretty leavable? Can you afford to be jobless in Michigan for a while?

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October 9, 2009 8:11 PM

@floraposte: I <3 my job here - its big and established and the highest up I've ever been. Great benefits n stuff. (Which is why I plan not to leave until a year - so if anything I at least have money)

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October 9, 2009 8:30 PM

@Oranges w/ Cheese needs guidance: Agghh.. The interwebs ate my comment.

Ok so what I said was.. The thing I would worry about is if you started to resent him. You don't want to move there and then sit around all day waiting for him to get home from work. You don't want to be feeling, \"I left my whole life for you, you jerk!\" You know, for when he acts like one, because all guys do sometimes.

If you think you can get past that, maybe you should give it a shot. But I would atleast visit him first if you can get the time off to see what he is really like with this whole \"new life\" thing he's got going on.

Or you could just forget all that, and wait to see if he makes with a certian commitment sealing, rock shaped, sparkley item. If you're into that sort of thing.

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October 9, 2009 8:45 PM

@Kimaroo - No Stars Upon Thars: Rock shaped sparkley items are bad luck in my family, at least the clear ones - and after working in jewelry briefly in college they hold absolutely NO appeal. Much rather have a colored stone. BUT!

I've visited - several times at his extreme insistence, he paid for me to come up on short notice last weekend. He wants me to come again before our big planned visit in november. He's desperate.

He's happy. Ever so much more than he has been before when I've been with him - his job has completely changed him. And I'd go CRAAAAZY if I didn't have a job while I was there - not only for the complete lack of responsibility but for the boredom (he makes bank but not *that* much bank).

We have our differences on some topics but we've talked about the big big ones - namely religion and kids. I'm *afraid* of having children, but not (I've come to realize recently) against it.

Its just not possible to move right now. I've agreed to sign the shortest lease I can renew on my apartment which would put me ripe to reconsider around July. If he can wait that long I think we'll be good. If not, well I have my answer, no?

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HogwartsAlum

October 9, 2009 9:48 PM

@Oranges w/ Cheese needs guidance: Just let things lie for now. He needs to get settled in this and you need to put some money aside (if you ultimately decide not to go, you'll still have that for whatever). It sounds like you've already done what you need to do. He'll be okay and you can visit.

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October 9, 2009 8:56 PM

@Oranges w/ Cheese needs guidance: That sounds good to me.

And RE: the sparkley things. My first ring (Same guy!) was a Sapphire, and I still love it, but after 5 years of people not knowing I was married; I wanted to get the full on clear sparkleyness going. So for our 5th anniversasry I got a 3 stone ring in platinum, and I loooooveee it. We got it on consignment so I don't feel bad about the purchase. I'm planning on getting my other ring resized for a right hand ring.

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floraposte

October 9, 2009 8:54 PM

@Oranges w/ Cheese needs guidance: Again, sounds like you're in a good place about this and it's more a question of convincing him. I have to say that if he's been living with his parents before and he's \"desperate\" for you to come up now, I'd be concerned that he's not really getting his head around making his own independent life there, and that that needs to happen before you join it. Let him find a way of being happy that doesn't include desperate.

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floraposte

October 9, 2009 8:55 PM

@floraposte:Sorry, that sounds like I thought you weren't letting him; that wasn't the kind of \"let\" that I meant there.

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floraposte

October 9, 2009 8:26 PM

@Oranges w/ Cheese needs guidance: It sounds like you've currently made the decision that it's not right to leave yet, and I'd agree with that--it sounds like this is a really new situation for him as well, and it's worth seeing how it looks to him after a longer period. I'd suggest trying to put the question on the back-burner for a while--don't buy several grand pianos, but don't live your life around the possibility of moving, either. Maybe mutually agree on a time when the question will become open again, but there's just no way of knowing now. Speaking as an agonizer myself, I'd say there's no real advantage in tossing something around when you know you can't come to a conclusion for some time, and there are more enjoyable ways to spend the time. Commit now to what is, then look next fall at the possibility of committing to something else.

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October 9, 2009 8:01 PM

@Oranges w/ Cheese needs guidance: I need more of the story before I can provide any guidance.

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October 9, 2009 8:10 PM

@Kimaroo - No Stars Upon Thars: It'll have been 4 years (sort of) in November. WE had some difficulty in February when he decided we needed a break. But we've been together since march again. He left for his job in August.

I can honestly say he is my best friend, and I Love him very very much. I've told him \"I want a year at my job and then I'll move\" which I think is the responsible thing to do. I really don't have any fears about getting some sort of a job up there (its super cheap!) just I'm fairly certain it won't be a dream job like he's got (at least not at first).

We've had our ups and downs througout and I think for once he is genuinely happy with his life because he finally has purpose, he's away from his parents who were not helping his mental state and he's finally being appreciated for his work.

It will be a complete role reversal for me though, having always been the one with the job. I'm kinda eh about giving that up just because I've always had to provide for myself before.

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subtlefrog

October 10, 2009 3:04 AM

Last weekend I had my one night of fun for the month, we had a wine tasting party at our place. Everyone brought a bottle of syrah (the party was called \"Que Sera Syrah\"), and we blind tasted. Lots of food, lots of random geek out, good times. At one point the men folk were gathered around the circuit board BF designed for fun. There was soldering iron envy.

But mainly there were some good CA syrahs. Yum. Yay wine. These parties have time and again shown that more expensive /= everyone's favorite. Last time (a free-for-all, bring what you like, with bottles ranging $3->$50), the favorite was a $15 bottle from Trader Joe's.

But mainly, it's an excuse to drink a lot of wine.