Top Diaries

St Andrew's Day is in November. But I'll take it if it is on offer for this Thursday?

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 10:58:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

You're right. I was confused. I promise to get it right when I get my Scottish passport.

Now I have to figure out when the Jewish holidays are. I have to go down to Rome to ask the Israelis for my criminal record (for the Italian citizenship) and I'd better make sure they are open.

by gk (g k quattro due due sette "at" gmail.com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:16:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Asking the Israelis for one's criminal record sounds nerve-wracking. Will you get out alive?

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:53:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

surely thats a single entered in Eurovision song contest?

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 12:24:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Monday Open Thread (4.00 / 4)

If you've been following the news on the recent lynching in Jerusalem (but you probably haven't, as only the Israeli and Arab press seem to be giving it much coverage), you'll know that it's quite hard to get a criminal record if you have the right "religion".

by gk (g k quattro due due sette "at" gmail.com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 02:34:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

There seem to be lots of recent stories of Palestinians being violently assaulted by gangs of Israeli youths both in Israel and the Occupied Territories.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 02:40:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Yes, but they could be blamed on the settlers or the religious. "We" don't do things like that. The latest attack makes this even less plausible,

by gk (g k quattro due due sette "at" gmail.com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 04:42:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Why is this happening?

If you are not convinced, try it on someone who has not been entirely debauched by economics. — Piero Sraffa

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 03:17:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Add this from today's Salon.

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 03:37:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

It turns out that not only did Scotland not have a Bank Holiday, but one branch of RBS didn't even close its doors for the weekend.

Royal Bank of Scotland bosses have launched an inverstigation into how the doors of one its branches in Angus were left open all weekend.
Caroline Lamb set off the alarm system at the branch in Carnoustie, Angus - but couldn't understand why the doors had been left unlocked since the bank closed on Saturday at lunchtime.

Was there anything there to take that ~~Sir~~ Fred hadn't already taken? (what is the proper way to refer to an ex-"Sir"?)

by gk (g k quattro due due sette "at" gmail.com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 02:49:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

gk:

what is the proper way to refer to an ex-"Sir"?

Ci-devant Sire

_{It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue
- Queen Elizabeth II}

by eurogreen on Tue Aug 28th, 2012 at 04:01:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

In my case, it's "Miss"

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Tue Aug 28th, 2012 at 07:43:54 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Well, it's been alright up to now, but I think we're just about to catch the misery that's been afflicting you

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:05:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Monday Open Thread (4.00 / 5)

The sun always shines in Porthcawl, even when it rains.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:24:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I like that they boast "tasty seafood snacks", presumably these being an alternative to crab sticks

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:27:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I've never dared try find out. However, behind the camera is a super chip shop.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:28:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Living in the land of 'red or green', any kind of seafood snack sounds wonderful! And I lust for a day at the beach.

by ElaineinNM on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:29:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Love that pic! :)

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:48:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Monday Open Thread (4.00 / 5)

Is this the fish and chip place?

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:50:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Ah! Not the Wimpy. It is one of the little chip shops in the arcade huts, in front of the fair. I'll have a quick look for photos.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:52:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

True, that's a Wimpy you were camouflaging.

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:54:59 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I appear to be lacking a chip shop picture. I shall rectify that next time I go!

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 12:14:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Just send us the chips, willyew?

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 12:15:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

um, ok then.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 12:17:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

That's a huge camera.

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 12:35:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Monday Open Thread (4.00 / 10)

Oh no, I just have a tiny head.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 12:41:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Monday Open Thread (4.00 / 4)

and hands!

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 01:14:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Chips, ice cream and other treats (4.00 / 4)

The sun always shines in Porthcawl... [repeat mantra]

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 12:40:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Monday Open Thread (4.00 / 4)

Warm and sunny here, but no "bank holiday"...

What holy bank are you folks celebrating today? Is it Saint Barclays? Saints Hong Kong and Shanghai?

_{It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue
- Queen Elizabeth II}

by eurogreen on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 10:40:51 AM EST

Something to do with the banks working so hard they need an extra day now and then for a rest and to watch James Bond on the telly.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 10:59:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

it's a day when we don't have to work for the banks

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 09:12:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

If you've got any idea, I'd appreciate any help (4.00 / 5)

I am facing a situation where I'd like to be helpful, but where there can be no easy way.

A couple of friends have just lost a child on Thursday night. One of two boy twins, 4 months old, they also have two elder daughters (11 and 8).

What makes it much worse (as if that was needed) is that he had left her a few months ago, while she was pregnant. It sounds bad but please don't judge or blame him -she does not.

What makes it (or at least my intended help) slightly more uncomfortable was that she wrote to me to explain the breakup on Thursday night. Two hours later at the most, and maybe as she was writing, her son was dead.

How does one cope with the loss of a child? Especially when you still have to feed his twin (not identical, that's a relief I think) and the father has gone away? How can I best help -they are both friends, but I haven't seen them recently, should I be present or let them with the closest circle for a few weeks or months?

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:04:03 AM EST

How can you best help ?

Be available for them if either need you. There is nothing you can contribute that will lessen the pain or help them forget, but there will be times when they will need friends. And they will need them right then. Not later, not when you've stopped being busy, but right then.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:09:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Well, already I can't manage to attend the funeral (tomorrow, 8.30 am, 1000km away, no flight route).
I think they won't directly call on me when they will need friends. I'm too far away. So I'd like to make sure that I contact them enough that they feel the presence but not to the point where they feel crowded.

And, with three children to look after as a single mother, I'm afraid that might mean every phone call is risky. But potentially needed, too...

It's easier for him (we've already exchanged several messages), but my concern is mostly for her.

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:15:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If you've got any idea (none / 1)

It seems as though you are doing a much as you can, let them both know that you are there however you can be and that you care for them.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:26:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If you've got any idea (none / 1)

You may be right. But it feels so pathetically insufficient. I hated it that I could not instantly hug her when I found out.
I found out because she had posted a burning candle when I was beginning to compose my reply to her message...

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:32:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If you've got any idea (4.00 / 8)

But it feels so pathetically insufficient.

Everything does that. It's not your fault, it's death's fault.

by Katrin on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:42:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If you've got any idea, I'd appreciate any (none / 1)

I would go and see them. Now. If you feel they would rather be without you, you can still go away again.

by Katrin on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:17:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If you've got any idea, I'd appreciate any (none / 0)

Yes, I've already suggested going and I think it's the most important thing. If I'd been in France or without two young children I think I would not have even asked and jumped into the first train. Actually a friend did just that and turned back when he received an SMS that there was already a lot of people there.

So, we'll go. But -that's the 2 young children problem again and us having to have week-long business trips for most of September, it will be at the end of September only. Which annoys me as I think you're right with the "now".
I've just thought of a way in which I might see them on Saturday morning. I need to check. I would cancel attending a wedding on that day (at least the Church part) if I was not the one playing the music...

The father will not be around until mid-September though (he has to leave after the funeral -for a valid reason that I cannot disclose without revealing implicitly who they are).

I don't want to do nothing until then, though. Would writing letters be nice? Would calling be nice?

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:31:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If you've got any idea, I'd appreciate any (none / 0)

You should have mentioned the 1000 km before... Yes, I would write AND ring them up. Let them know that you think of them and offer help.

by Katrin on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:38:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If you've got any idea, I'd appreciate any (none / 1)

There's a risk calling might be overdoing it -- if there are a lot of friends and family involved already. I suggest quickly writing - snail or e-mail - to say how you feel, sympathise with them, and say you're there for them. Including saying they may be with a closer group right now, but you hope to see them soon.

Though that advice depends on my understanding of how close you are.

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:41:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If you've got any idea, I'd appreciate any (none / 0)

Yes, that's why I haven't called yet -I'm sure that in the first few days there will always be lots of people, as proven by my friend who was tipped to turn back.

I'm more concerned by the void as everyone goes back to work. And the father departs for over a fortnight.

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:54:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If you've got any idea, I'd appreciate any (none / 0)

That would be the time to be present online and by phone, if distance and availability get in the way of physical presence.

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:57:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If you've got any idea, I'd appreciate any (none / 1)

Also -I've already used email, which of course arrives faster.

I haven't written much snail mail in years but it seems to me that it would feel somehow nicer to receive snail mail.
Now, I was thinking that reminiscing all the time would not help and that maybe reading about other things could be a breath of fresh air. But maybe that theory applies to lesser pain only. It would feel somewhat trivial to just describe our days, though maybe trivial can be nice sometimes.

Actually, losing a child happened to three people in my family, and I'll probably try to muster the strength to ask for advice from my cousin. But I also know that a major factor was that they had a strong couple. That's going to be missing this time -though they stayed close.

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 12:04:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If you've got any idea, I'd appreciate any (4.00 / 5)

I'm sure snail mail would be nice. It's not for rapid reaction or interaction like online contact, so it needs to be a bit more substantial, as your comment shows you realize. But if you work on it thoughtfully together, the thoughtfulness will show, and that's what will matter most.

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 12:11:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If you've got any idea, I'd appreciate any (4.00 / 6)

I think you should write to them and ask her what you can do. At first, she will be overloaded with family, friends and guests. But later, when things quiet down, she may really appreciate a visit, and some adult company. And a later fall visit would give them something to look forward to. Or invite each of them to visit you.. a chance to get away from home might be welcome for them too.

by ElaineinNM on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:45:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If you've got any idea, I'd appreciate any (none / 0)

"a chance to get away from home might be welcome for them too"

When I called my cousin that's probably what he spoke about the most, that they had a long break, away from family, camping, seing some friends that they did not know that well, that they usually would not see.
They did not want to see the usual people.

So it seems spot on. Now, the issue is that the UK won't join Shenghen so it's kind of tricky with the baby until he has his own papers. So while the father suggested he would come, for her it will not be possible. But maybe organising a weekend away from home.
Maybe for her 35th birthday in the fall, and making sure friends attend by surprise.

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 04:07:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Make a contribution to pay for the funeral, or the tombstone is my suggestion. Burials are expensive.

Or offer to take the older children for the day soon, if you want to o that instead.

by stevesim on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 12:20:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

There won't be a tombstone, it's a cremation. But contributing is an idea, though I'm not sure how to bring it up. We French are always uneasy talking about money.

As for taking the older ones, the father said he would come to London with them soon -but I'm not sure he's asked the mother yet. She shall decide.
I agree taking care of the children is the best relief for parents (maybe not PC but it's the truth), I would do that more often if not so far away.

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 12:51:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Send a cheque with a card and tell them tht it is to give them relief from all the expenses they may have to incur, which you realise, might include a nice get away for the children. Be generous, asmin my opinion, people really value that in difficult times and remember it so it really is a lot of healing forbthe money. Damned Ipad!

by stevesim on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 01:40:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Thank you for that suggestion. Mentioning the get away was just the thing to make it sound right.
As I said, we French are uneasy about that usually and yet it felt exactly right.

Though I wrote the note apart from the card - the kids will read the card, maybe even in 10 years time. Money is a practical matter for the parents.

It came at the wrong time (I created a company last month and so my available cash disappeared into the capital) so I did as much as I could, but she turns 35 in 3 months and then there will be Christmas, so there will be other occasions.

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Tue Aug 28th, 2012 at 02:42:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]

help (4.00 / 5)

Don't forget to trust your own feelings and intuitions.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 01:51:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: help (none / 1)

You're sure right.
In seeking help, I called my cousin, who has lost her son all those years ago.
Tonight. Not an hour ago.
On the day her son would have turned twenty, no less (which I of course did not know).

Actually it's her husband who took the call and he assured me that he was glad to talk about it. And I think he really was helpful. But it seems that these days I can't get in touch with anyone without a link to a tragedy.

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 02:47:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If you've got any idea, I'd appreciate any (4.00 / 4)

Perhaps it's superfluous to write, but I really admire your sense of humanity and desire for involvement and aid. Props.

There's already much written here in reply to your query to which I agree - even while I've nothing experienced that comes even close to what you describe. Still I try to reflect back to the darker period in my own life - during that time I've lost friendships because I received cold shoulders and shrugs when I needed friends the most.

Hence, for me what always comes first, is letting people know that you want to be there for them - the how does not really matter and there are many gradations how to do it.

And there are many personal preferences to the kind of help people wish to receive, either now or in the long run. Trust your instinct, and when in doubt, asking can sometimes provide some much needed clarity, for you and also for them - even if there is no other way than feeling rather awkward at first for asking.

Speaking for myself, I'd let them know they can reach for you when they need someone - even when they will never make use of such an offer. Sharing your own personal thoughts in a letter is something else I immediately thought of - I always think of the tens (if not hundreds) of letters my family received in the weeks after my father died. They were a balm in the aching days after the funeral, it has never seized to amaze me how much support can come from a handwritten letter - probably because it requires slower thought and genuine care in crafting.

Grief fades quicker for outsiders. Any offer of support a few weeks/months later, when the emotional peak is subduing for most people (but probably not for them) is likely most welcome. You already seem to have a few ideas - organising a getaway from their direct environment for a short while, or setting up a gathering of friends, it all sounds excellent. It could give a much welcome break away from the daily surroundings of grief.

by Nomad on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 05:20:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Why did might turn up bold? Does * do that?

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:33:28 AM EST

testing

by Katrin on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:39:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

yes.

by Katrin on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:39:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

The Scoop parser reads * as a bold marker when before and after a group of characters.

However, if you place it at the left margin followed by a space then words, you get a bullet point.

point 1
point 2
point 3

etc...

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:46:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Or you can insert a bullet point (alt q on my kybd) at the beginning of a line:

and the bullet line will automatically be indented
like this.

That's not specified anywhere, but it works.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 02:28:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

bullet
bullet

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 03:14:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Not working for me... (on a PC)

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 03:15:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Obviously a qwerty quirk then...

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 04:34:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I tried alt-q and alt-a (a is in place of q on my keybd).

Perhaps I didn't do it right.

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 04:36:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Well I could look up the ascii code, but what I really want now is a late night cuppa before retiring ;-)

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 04:40:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

HTML markup is • or • or •

• • •

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Tue Aug 28th, 2012 at 02:23:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Monday Open Thread (4.00 / 5)

_{It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue
- Queen Elizabeth II}

by eurogreen on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 12:25:55 PM EST

None of those pictures look like an itinerant first century rabbi from Galilee...

by asdf on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 01:07:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

ATinNM can you shoot me an email? I might be rolling through your neck of the woods in a month or so and it would be cool to say hi. Assuming the woods aren't burning down at the time, as they are up here in Idaho / Montana.

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 01:19:34 PM EST

AT is travelling today.

This message comes to you courtesy of the Massive Electrical Network Transmission Array Locator - or, as we call it MENTAL.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 02:18:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Can you transmit a message through MENTAL to the rabbit ears I'm pretty sure he wears on his head?

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 02:55:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

On the Effectiveness of Aluminium Foil Helmets:

I'm sure his C-in-C will pass on the message.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 04:33:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Travelin' Music (none / 1)

Ever since I learnt about confirmation bias I've started seeing it everywhere

by ATinNM on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 07:07:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Email shot <n/t> (none / 0)

Ever since I learnt about confirmation bias I've started seeing it everywhere

by ATinNM on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 06:59:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Email shot <n/t> (none / 0)

Will be great to have a mini-'red and green' area meet-up. The woods have stopped burning, btw.

by ElaineinNM on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 09:17:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

don't get paranoid (4.00 / 7)

but the MIT research on tin foil hats is not what you think, or is it?

An Empirical Study

Among a fringe community of paranoids, aluminum helmets serve as the protective measure of choice against invasive radio signals. We investigate the efficacy of three aluminum helmet designs on a sample group of four individuals. Using a $250,000 network analyser, we find that although on average all helmets attenuate invasive radio frequencies in either directions (either emanating from an outside source, or emanating from the cranium of the subject), certain frequencies are in fact greatly amplified. These amplified frequencies coincide with radio bands reserved for government use according to the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). Statistical evidence suggests the use of helmets may in fact enhance the government's invasive abilities. We speculate that the government may in fact have started the helmet craze for this reason.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 01:55:05 PM EST

Re: don't get paranoid (4.00 / 4)

Good grief! Is it ceebs doppelgänger?

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 02:20:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: don't get paranoid (4.00 / 4)

theres clones everywhere. (I used to get irate phone calls from my mother, because friends of hers had seen me, and how come if I'd come all the way over from Wales, hadn't I come round to see her and I would have to explain I hadn't been within 200 miles. Then one day I got a phone call to say She knew Now that I had a double, as she had accosted me in the street, only to find it wan't)

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 09:19:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Monday Open Thread (4.00 / 7)

I took the California Zephyr from San Jose to Denver this past weekend, and came to the conclusion that we don't need high speed rail, we just need normal speed rail. Many miles at 30 mph through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and then 30 mph through the Rocky Mountains, topped off with a few miles at 10 mph "because the rails are too hot" (?????).

Elapsed time, 4:20 am to 8:20 pm = 40 hours.
Total distance, 1460 miles.
Average speed, 36 mph or about 60 kph.

Beautiful scenery, 1880 speed.

by asdf on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 02:27:45 PM EST

Also due to priority of freight trains over passenger

by stevesim on Tue Aug 28th, 2012 at 01:55:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I've experienced a lot of delays due to freight/passenger interference in the past, but on this trip there were no noticeable cases of this. It may have slowed us down once or twice, but there were no overt cases of sitting on a siding for a half hour while a freight train went past.

I read somewhere that the UP has become more cooperative with Amtrak recently...maybe the bad press they were getting about it had some effect...

by asdf on Tue Aug 28th, 2012 at 10:11:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Similar in germany where the 90 miles between Munich and Freilassing (austrian border) is run over a leisurely 110 minutes

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Tue Aug 28th, 2012 at 02:50:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

My connection is getting S L O O O W, (but only to download, bizzarely) day before yesterday my line speed had dropped to 1 Mb. yesterday down to 400 Kb first thing this morning 100 Kb, this afternoon down to 40Kb and now down to roughly 10Kb. Throughout this, my upload speed has remained untouched at 1Mb Why do these things always happen on Bank Holidays?

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Mon Aug 27th, 2012 at 09:32:39 PM EST

the willful malevolence of inanimate objects

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Tue Aug 28th, 2012 at 02:51:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]