(Old) Here It Is! The MMP

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
81

Morning, mumpers! It’s currently 1c/33f with a predicted high of 4c/40f and cloudy. Weather app says “As cold, fucking overcast days go, this one is a fucking dipshit.”

That is sound advice, she needs to protect herself as much as possible. Are there any legal centres that offer a free initial consultation? Or some kind of advice line that might be able to help?

What a nice surprise to get in the mail! It sounds like the trip was quite the highlight for your community, it’s a shame one person missed out because dad was sulking though.

I’m glad you were able to have a calm conversation with her mother, and you’ve reached an understanding. Also glad to hear that the fence incident wasn’t too serious and nobody was hurt.

It’s all happening for you, isn’t it? It’s good to hear that you are getting good input from the doctors but not so great to hear that it’s more surgery you didn’t want. Sounds like the bus ride was interesting, I’m glad the driver threw her off the bus instead of other two guys.

So yesterday was interesting. Our big staff meeting was to tell us that our previous team manager who is on secondment has now formally accepted the post as a permanent role and won’t be coming back to us (that was not a surprise). That means our team manager post can now be advertised as a full-time permanent post but might still take a while to fill. The other thing was that we’re being merged with part of another team and moving to an office that is currently being refurbished.

I’ve got a meeting with our temporary team manager-type person this afternoon, and I have lots of questions!

82

Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 40 Amurrkin out and cloudy with a predicted high of 54 with rain maybe late morn to early afternoon. We shall get shorn and procure provisions this mornin’. Then we will revert to our useless RDOS selves for the rest of the day. Sup will be chili ‘n fixin’s and cornbread muffins.

Nellie sorry you face the prospects of more surgery. The bus story was wild. Glad the lady got kicked off. She deserved it.

BooFae are you still considerin’ the part time position you mentioned a few weeks ago?

Now I need more caffeine and to feed rumbly tummy. Then I suppose I must purtify myself and don attire acceptable for bein’ amongst the great unwashed. Le sigh.

Happy Hump Day Y’all!

83

Yes, I am - they were still shortlisting for it yesterday so I should be getting my invitation to an interview soon :slight_smile:

84

We came in 3rd - now time for excuses… We were >< this close to 1st, but during the mandatory piece (Alleluia, but I can’t recall the composer, dammit) we got seriously off-key and and finished waaaaaay too low. Everyone blamed the tenors for missing an entrance and throwing us all off, but no matter. We blew it. But Mr. S congratulated us for maintaining our composure while on stage, so there was that.

There was enough extra from the money we raised to get everyone a bronze medal - I think I still have mine. Must look in my jewelry box.

Just now remembered this - one of the other groups was Italian. We didn’t speak Italian and they didn’t speak English, but two of us spoke enough French that we managed to get along well.

One thing I wrote in the memory page was that I wasn’t impressed with Paris, but I wanted to return to Rome. As it happens, 11 years later, I went to Paris for a week and loved it, and I’ve never gone back to Rome (tho I have since gone back to Pompeii - it was an optional side trip back then, and I found it fascinating!) Man, that one envelope brought back so many memories! The person who sent it included an email address, so I’ll need to send a thank-you.

As might be expected, SIL didn’t get any info after his scan, altho he thinks it’ll clear him for another procedure he needs. For a relatively young guy (37) he sure has a lot of health issues. Meanwhile, he’ll have to wait till his doctor gets the results.

We meet with our money guy this afternoon to sign what needs to be signed to move some money around. I’ll do a little more painting and I want to get the chili made. So some plans for the day. No RDOS for me, alas.

Happy Wednesday!

85

Do you know the Japanese word for laxative? (下剤 gezai)

SenGirl works in a drugstore part time and I am just picking her up after her shift. A foreigner was looking for that. I’m kind of surprised that he hasn’t used Google Translate, but it was one of the words I’ve picked up at some time over the years.

It’s amazing how many words you actually have to know to be relevantly fluent in a language.

It’s actually not the weirdest medical question I’ve ever had. Back when I was a Mormon missionary, I was asked if I could speak Japanese, and if so, could I translate something. Going to her house, it turns out that she had a pacemaker and wanted to know when the battery would die. That’s how I found out how pacemaker batteries are designed.

My sister lives with my mother and is struggling to deal with my mother’s expectations. Back in the 60s and 70s, words like abuse and neglect weren’t used that often, but should have. Mom was the emotionally neglectful one, not the abusive one, but still it’s hard to deal with her. She’s emotionally somewhere between an infant and an eight-year-old most of the time, and it’s getting worse as she ages.

Poor sister is finally working witht a therapist to try to deal with the memories and PTSD, and trying to be a caretaker at the same time. There’s no way I could do that.

(And if you ever have wondered why I’m halfway around the world from my family, well, now you know. It’s so much easier to deal with a dysfunctional family when there’s a pond between you.)

So, more drama this week over there. Fortunately, things turned out OK and my uncle is going to let my mother visit him for a couple of weeks to give my sister a long-needed break. My mother can’t fly anymore so he’s even going to drive up from Texas to Georgia.

OK, I’ve got a lesson soon and need to prepare.

86

Yeah, I think I’m on my 4th bottle at this point. I don’t use it very often, so it lasts quite awhile. Good for fish or salads, or add it to the mix when making tuna.

87

I got up, got dressed in the dark, started the coffee, took apart a Mandarin orange, came into the office, plugged in the SAD light, remembered the computer’s wake-up incantation, and began to type. Good morning!

Now, I’ll go check on the coffee, and wake up my wife. Ahh, coffee!

Maus, the phrase “rock hammer” spurred a mental image of the B-52s singing about lobsters while wearing MC Hammer’s balloon pants. I need more coffee.

Right now, it’s 38 degrees F out there, and it’ll get rapidly colder, down to 27 by 7:00pm. We’ll get between 3 and 6 inches of snow. Big fun, if you like that kind of thing.

Nellie, I imagined a tattoo artist saying, “I don’t do This, too, shall pass anymore. Those tats kept vanishing.”

I often get that feeling.

FCMom, I have a small box, somewhere, of my late mom’s jewelry. Now that it’s antique jewelry, and Mrs. Nott is selling purses and jewelry on Poshmark, it occured to me to suggest she sell that stuff. Now, if I can remember where it is…

88

Morning all. All the usual necessities except for my webcomics have been taken care of and nothing much else planned until soup-n-sammich for lunchtime. Rain is due this morning and a 50-50 chance of more rain this afternoon with the temperature not reaching 50F, so a good day for being indoors. More fiddling with the overhead chandelier is on the agenda, I think I know what the problem is but getting the big glass cover off is proving to be a hassle. Will have another go at it a bit later.

boo fae , I guess you’d better get your re-organization boots out, sounds like it’s about to get pretty deep over there…and best of luck on the new position.

FCM, I have never been to Rome (outside of a couple hours at the airport), but would like to someday. Spent a day in Paris and all I remember is some beautiful buildings and that the only problem with the place was too many French people… :wink: :grin:

Sensei, never knew you were a Mormon Missionary (or forgot it, hey, I’m old…). Best wishes to sister, I know how hard it can be, but hopefully the therapy will help.

Knots,

There was a time many years ago I liked that kind of thing. Not anymore.

And onward! It’s Hump Day already, time sure flies when your having fun…

89

A question for the many talented cooks among Mumpers - how much is a “dab” of olive oil? I’m making a so-called “copycat” version of Texas Roadhouse chili, and it started with “heat a dab of olive oil in a dutch oven.” Next step was to cook the chopped onion and minced garlic in the dab of oil. Whoever wrote the recipe gave all the other ingredients in tablespoons and teaspoons, but the oil was a dab. And, FWIW, FCD said it’s definitely not TR chili. He added chili powder and tomato sauce, and while he says it tastes good, it’s not a copycat.

You’d think I’d have learned by now. Eons ago, I was looking for a copycat of Cracker Barrel’s hashbrown casserole, Most of the ones I found used cream of chicken soup. No. Wrong. There’s no chicken and no cream of anything soup in the casserole. I did eventually come across one that, if not exact, was dang close.

Which brings to mind the “teriyaki” sauce recipe that consisted of mayonnaise and soy sauce. That’s all. I knew better than to try that, plus I have a good teriyaki that I’ve been using for years. Makes one wonder about peoples’ sense of taste.

Painting is done. Chili is simmering. FCD has been told that our boat will go back in the water in 2 weeks. Fortunately, just about all of the outside work is almost done. The boatyard crew will finish the deck and we’re going to try to get the lazarette hatches done in time for them to paint. And that will end on-boat work till spring. We’ll bring the dinghy into the shop and get it repaired and beautified and ready to go on the boat before we sail this summer.

Guess I should find something else to do - maybe a phone call or two.

90

“Dab” is for solids, not liquids, so boo to this recipe. I’d use as muxh oil as you’d normally use to saute (or whatever) those ingredients. Or I’d look at other recipes to pull an exact measure from one of them.

I.m having a procedure tomorrow and since I take Mounjaro, they have me on clear liquids for 24 hours beforehand. Thought I’d better grab some protein while I can.

91

13F: the bottom fell out of the thermometer overnight as high winds blew in a cold front, so we’re back to winter weather.

Speaking of ice, they continue to abuse the good people of MSP. Demonstrations are becoming more confrontational, and I’m pretty sure they’re the reason our paper delivery person has gone to ground.

I’m thinking of doing a Cajun meal for Mardi Gras. Probably just a jambalaya. Looks like I can get decent andouille sausage at a local purveyor.

Zero energy today. I didn’t even make it to exercise this morning, which I’ll regret come Friday. And we cancelled an “outing” for this morning. All the Christmas stuff is sitting in storage tubs in the hallway, awaiting transport to the basement. Maybe this P.M.

92

I dashed off an email to the person who sent me the choir pics and such. It got me to thinking about the medal - well actually, the replica that was given to each choir member. I found mine and FCD cleaned it the best he could in his shop:
Imgur

I’ve been looking up ways to clean bronze jewelry. Apparently Tarn-X is a big no-no. But a couple of sites recommend vinegar, of all things. Any suggestions from Mumpers?

OK, I need some lunch. Off to the kitchen.

93

I will probably get interrupted by a dog who seems to have morphed into a circus horse, but good morning! And no, I’m not eating drugs for breakfast (snap, crackle, whoa!); she’s just excited about being here. I’ll take her for several short walks instead of two longer ones in order to spare my back.

I feel sorry for that woman on the bus but much sorrier for the people she verbally attacked. She obviously had a mental health issue. Also, as I told guy #1, she has to stew in her own rage 24/7, and that’s punishment enough. I was really relieved when she got kicked off the bus, though!

Ms. Dog has stopped

Yikes. I got that far in saying she’d calmed down and was napping when she got up and puked. I think she’s OK now. After raising two kids, two dogs, and a carsick stepson, a little regurgitation doesn’t squick me out like it once did. She’s resting again. I’ll keep an eye on her.

BooFae, she may be able to get a free consultation, but from what I understand, those are usually short on info and long on “be our client.” Still, might be worth it. I’ll ask her. Actually, Ms. Dog’s person is an attorney, though she doesn’t handle divorces. I have an attorney friend in Boston who might have some suggestions. I’ll ask her. Thanks!

Someone is in the apartment next door and has a loud TV or something. I hope it’s an overzealous cleaner (office doesn’t open until 9) and not a new tenant.

Today should be a quiet—oops, don’t want to jinx it!

FCM, that’s a cool story about the choir competition. Coming in third is impressive, especially in an international competition! My voice sounds like someone letting air out of a balloon, so I REALLY admire people who can sing! I hope you get back to Rome someday.

Which web comics do you peruse? I miss the old days of lying on the living room floor and reading the funnies. I liked Peanuts, Dagwood and Blondie, L’il Abner, Pogo, Andy Capp, and Dennis the Menace. I was not a big fan of Brenda Starr or The Girls in Apartment 3G, and I found Dondi annoying. I only read those when I was putting off cleaning my room or some chore. But I’m guessing you read new-fangled comics, as those oldies probably aren’t available online. I’d still like to know.

:rofl: :rofl: Thanks for the guffaws! I’ll pass this along to my daughter. She’ll get a kick out of it.

TIL!
And I realized I didn’t know the Italian word for laxative and looked it up: purgante, I think. And I ran across this interesting tidbit: Apparently, once upon a time, if you typed “dog” 18 times into Google Translate, you’d get answers like “approaching the end times.” Anybody know if this is true? Also, why would someone type “dog” 18 times? Reenacting 101 Dalmations?

94

I was loading 100 Top Yellow today. Busy, because the one package car had 80 Next Day Airs, but at least there wasn’t 100 irregs like usual. I had to pick up the vermin feeder when I got home, because somebody knocked it over and spilled the seed.
I made myself some oatmeal(with mango, allspice, cinnamon, and ancho chili powder) and an everything bagel with a schmear. Naptime.

Next step they move you to the basement, and take your stapler.

I don’t blame you.

Try a tablespoon, or 2 glugs.

Between 30 years in retail, 5 dogs, 5 cats, and multiple drunk friends, I’ve cleaned up a lot of hornk.

95

Nellie - There are few things that will make me run faster than the sound of a dog puking on a rug. Why does she go to the rug to puke, rather than the nice (easily cleanable) hardwood floor anyway?

48ºF this morning, Chloé and I got in our walk before the rain came. My 8:30 meeting was cancelled, so I went to the earlier yoga class instead of yoga/cardio/weight class. I can still lift my arms over my head!

96

And have just finished my soup and sammich so now I have enough calorie guilt to get me out of this chair and head over to the gym for awhile. There is a light rain falling but it’s due to move out in the next couple of hours.

I’m sure you can find the ‘old’ comics (check out the “GoComics” website), but once “For Better or for Worse” ended it’s run my need to check in everyday ended. Then about 10-11 years ago I got hooked on “Schlock Mercenary” and followed it until it ended in 2020, then went looking for others. In no particular order I read:

Girl Genius–“Steampunk” with a monumental list of characters and still ongoing (MWF)
The Whiteboard, a ‘furry’ piece that features a Polar Bear named Doc, it was originally paintball oriented but we haven’t seen any paintball action in a couple years. Started with very poor art that has gotten better and likeable characters. (usually M-F).
Freefall, more ‘furry’ with humans and robots and space colonization and aliens and a fair amount of science. (MWF)
Carry On, I guess I’m a secret ‘furry’ these days, as this one traces the history of a family of hyenas and nation-states of various animals. Slow-paced but great characters. (MWF)
Spacetrawler, Kind of Absurdist Science Fiction, at least it shows aliens as being just as screwed up as we are. (MWF)
DRIVE, human and aliens in a Science Fiction world that seems rather real and love the characters (Th only).
Batman-Wayne Family Chronicles. Pretty good weekly series devoted to the large collection of “Robins” he’s collected into an erzatz family. My one ‘comic book’ read (Th only)
There is one other, but let’s just say it is probably ‘inappropriate’ to mention it, as there is a great deal of hermaphrodism and sex, both very graphic…but still a very interesting story and concept with fine characters (who simply love f******* each other…). PM me if your curious.

And need to pack my gym bag and get on out of this chair. Talk to y’all later.

97

I like all three of these myself. I also follow Questionable Content (the title should warn that content tends toward NSFW) and have a set of comics I still read on GoComics: Andy Capp, Breaking Cat News, Calvin and Hobbes, Garfield, Pickles, and Pluggers.

98

Those are my main two. I also read:

Darths and Droids – Screenshots of the Star Wars movies, treated as role-playing games in a world where Star Wars was never filmed, scripted by a real-life physicist and his former workmates. Strip #1, which was the GM explaining the background story of Episode 1 to his two players, was posted 14 Sep 2007; the latest strip, posted yesterday, is #2726, and the six players are somewhere in the middle of Episode 9. (I’ve never seen Ep 9, so I’ve no idea how close to finishing it they are.) Along the way, they’ve done all nine of the main movies, Rogue One, Solo, and even the Muppet Show episode with Luke and the two droids. Features the classic line “Jar Jar, you’re a genius!” (Su-Tu-Th)

Tiger Knight, which is actually three strips: College Catastrophe, with the characters in college; Nine to Nine, which starts a year or two after graduation; and Swords and Sausages, which I think was originally supposed to be an expanded version of the sword-and-sorcery Youtube videos some of the characters were making. Furries galore – the main characters include (amongst others) a lion, a horse, a lioness, a couple of foxes, a wolf and a tigress. (Su only, but some of the artwork makes it worth the wait)

I also started reading Carry On, but need to go back to the beginning and start over. Really ought to do that with Girl Genius, too.

99

Back from seeing our money guy - we are sooooooo lucky to have found him. He explains things to us as if we have any idea of what he’s talking about and we smile and nod and sign where he indicates. OK, that’s mostly a joke. He does his best to explain everything to us in language we’ll understand, but at times we do just smile and nod. Bottom line, he’s offered excellent advice that’s more than doubled the initial money we put in our annuities. It’s hard to argue with success.

I have to do one more coat of paint on the vent covers tomorrow and I think FCD has a couple of parts he made that he wants me to paint. It might take 2 hours and I have no idea how to fill the rest of the day. Maybe a run to the convenience center - that’ll kill 30 minutes or so. Beyond that, I guess we’ll see.

At the moment, tho, I plan to don some fuzzy lounge jammies and relax because I can. It’s rainy and cold and icky outside, so the warmth and dryness of inside is the better alternative. I’m sure you all agree. :grin:

100

Howdy Y’all! We got shorn and bought and stored provisions. It got rainy and ick on the way back to da cave. Glad we have a garage to pull into. The rest of the day has been spent in high sloth. TWPTB are all in a tizzy about the possibility of sleet, snow, wintry mix and possibly the apocalypse from Sattidy night into Sunday mornin’. There’s also a cold weather advisory and freeze watch in effect for tomorrow and Firday. There’s been much clutchin’ of pearls on the local teevee weather. IOW, it’s January and we might have some January weather. Imagine that!