2849 Comments
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Miss Grundy's avatar

I had the lunch catered but the church ladies brought sides and desserts. There was green bean casserole!

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Oblio's Cap's avatar

It's been a good b-day. My alma mater is kicking ass, I'm having my favorite dinner tonight, and the World's Biggest Outdoor Cocktail Party starts after the FSU game!

I even got a walk in with Daisy Doggy.

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Satanic Pancake's avatar

I should start drinking, or drinking more, again. Instead of this delightful sounding cocktail, I split the leftovers with my wife from a bottle of stout that I was using for baking. Four ounces of stout is kind of sad for a week’s worth of alcohol. But the black bread that the rest of the stout went into was delicious this morning.

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Oblio's Cap's avatar

God damned Rick Scott ad. Hypocrisy personified.

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Schmannity's avatar

Richard Moll, who found fame as a bailiff on the original sitcom 'Night Court,' dies at 80

https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/richard-moll-found-fame-bailiff-original-sitcom-night-104438950

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Oy!'s avatar

Mike Sauschuck, Main Dept of Public Safety Commissioner LOVES to talk.

On and on and on and on . . . I mean I get how serious this has all been but geez

.

(I have a cold and yes, I am a bit grumpy this AM)

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SkeptiKC's avatar

Colds are more than sufficient justification for the grumpies.

Please just take good care of yourself, okay? Even though I kind of get a kick out of your grumpy perspective I still want you to get over the stupid, annoying cold and feel better.

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Oy!'s avatar

Thanks. My home COVID test was negative . . . so I have that going for me. 😃

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SkeptiKC's avatar

Thank goodness for that.

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Oy!'s avatar

On the other hand, he has a GREAT sign language interpreter!

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Pope Scipio Newburyporticus's avatar

Ok that seems to work.

- Load up a youtube video and get the warning window.

- Click on Adblock Plus (or I guess any ad blocker than can target specific elements)

- Click on "Block element on this page".

- Click as close to the outer edge of the warning window as you can - you want to click the container element so the whole thing turns red - and click "block". The window will disappear, but leave behind a masking element and you can't click on the screen.

-Click on Adblock Plus->Block element on this page again

-Click anywhere on the screen.

You can start the video now. From here on out, you will have to press play twice, but otherwise this seems to work.

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Rocket Cat's avatar

I just unsubscribed from Steve Schmidt for anti-Biden goonery. My heart is a little broken, but fuck anyone who does not see that Biden has been a great president in spite of historically interesting times.

PS. Unrelated note. Science illiterates can fuck off, too

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punkindrublic's avatar

Never Trumpers are just shitty Republicans pissed off that they got snubbed. Useful stooges when they go after Trump...beyond that, fuck 'em.

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Paulomatic's avatar

Lincoln Project is just workfare for "moderate" Republicans until they can find a new, well-groomed, well-spoken Romney to back.

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punkindrublic's avatar

"We want to return to the days of more subtle country club racism."

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Oy!'s avatar

I've been feeling that way about Charlie Sykes/The Bulwark. His/their kneejerk left-bashing and "Biden-so-old" bullshit is getting really tired. Haven't unsubbed yet.

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Suzie Greenburg's avatar

FUCK Bulwark. They are right of right "bootstrappers" with decent manners.

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punkindrublic's avatar

Never trust a Republican any farther than you can kick them. The only ones worth a shit are those who have renounced the party completely and are trying to atone by working to elect viable Dem candidates to assuage the damage they had a hand in causing.

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swmnguy's avatar

The center-right feels betrayed by Biden. They thought he was theirs ideologically. Turns out he's just a pragmatist, not an ideologue.

As a pragmatist, center-right politics served Biden's purposes for 50 years. As President right now, though, pragmatism is served by a sharp turn to the left, as the "ship of state" was leaning so far right as to risk capsizing.

Biden didn't turn into Sanders. Biden just saw that more "neoliberal" economics was going to cause collapse.

Biden's foreign policy is still plenty "neo" for those people. Still pro-war, pro-Empire, Brzezinski-ite delusional, diverting the wealth of the US middle class to the weapons merchants.

They should be satisfied with that much. If they got all of their Christmas list, the US would collapse.

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Rocket Cat's avatar

I’d like to subscribe to your...oh wait!

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Oct 28, 2023
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swmnguy's avatar

Well, I think things are a lot more weirder than that right now. I'm pretty clued into my local-area politics, and it's getting really weird in Minneapolis, which is a one-party town. But that doesn't mean there's only one set of political values and beliefs.

There's been a seismic shift all over America, and I'm very aware of how that's setting up in Minneapolis. We're at an inflection point. One epoch is coming to an end, and it's unclear where we're heading. All Empires end, and ours is no exception. It's hard to articulate, since we only started admitting we were an Empire in the past 20 years; when we'd been one in reality for over a lifetime at that point.

So, what's "extreme?" Like pornography, hard to define; but I know it when I see it.

I don't think the terms "Extreme" and "Joe Biden" can be used in the same sentence, without major contortions. I think the "Mainstream Consensus" has been so internally focused for so long, the "Moderates" have missed that the balancing point of American politics has drifted far away from them. To the point that "Moderate" doesn't mean anything anymore. What's the magical middle between Biden's understated attempts to fix some stuff, and the Fascist insurgency?

The biggest trouble is, America's Empire is coming to an end. There's no way to know, in real time moving forward, when that end will come. We'll know it in hindsight, most likely. But at some point, the critical mass of the world's nations won't use the US Dollar anymore. They won't want to be allied with the US anymore; especially not in military matters. When those two things achieve a critical mass, things are going to be very different for us in America, and around the world.

I'd prefer that we acknowledge that oncoming reality. I think that right now, while the world still uses about 70% of the Dollars in existence, is the moment we should capitalize on our ability to print money at the rest of the world's expense. Right now is when we need to upgrade our grid and convert to less-centralized electricity, eliminating carbon fuels. We need to pay for 50 years of deferred maintenance of schools, housing, healthcare, poverty, and all the issues we've ignored at home while pursuing Empire worldwide.

Some would, and do, call me and those opinions "Extreme." OK, I'll wear that.

But if that's "Extreme," I'd like to hear what people consider "Reasonable."

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Schmannity's avatar

Curb your stupidity.

"Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s wife, Cheryl Hines, slammed President Joe Biden for not offering them Secret Service protection after an intruder broke into their home in Los Angeles twice in one day.

The actress and comedian, 58, said on TMZ Live Friday that 'it feels like a political strategy' to not offer Secret Service to her husband, who is running as an Independent candidate for the 2024 presidential election.

She said the decision suggests that the administration is not acknowledging Kennedy's candidacy despite her 'respect for President Biden and the administration."

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Enbastet's avatar

Protection would not start until 120 days before the election...but when it does just send Jewish agents.

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Land Shark 🇺🇦 🏳️‍⚧️'s avatar

DO any of the other candidates get Secret Service protection? No? Sit down and STFU.

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punkindrublic's avatar

Biden's trying to protect agents from being infected with Covid and stupidity.

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Oy!'s avatar

Fuck her.

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Zonath of Ur's avatar

If the White House had to spring for security for every rando who could plausibly poll between 1 and 4 percent in a Presidential election but isn't even on the ballot most places, then say goodbye to the national budget.

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Alpaca Suitcase's avatar

Are we sure the intruder is "acknowledging Kennedy's candidacy"? Because I don't know anyone 'sides y'all that even know about it.

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Cateck's avatar

Why would Biden be in charge of secret service for an independent candidate? Can I declare I'm running and get secret service protection?

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Schmannity's avatar

Are you a Kennedy on a CIA hit list?

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SkeptiKC's avatar

The President does not "owe" your attention-whoring performative prick of a partner a security detail, you insipid bint.

A Kennedy already knows more about security details than the crew at Allied Security.

Now STFU.

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Martin Shobe's avatar

Since the law says it only starts 120 days before the election, Biden couldn't offer it even if he wanted to.

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RocktonSam's avatar

RFK Jr can afford his own security.

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Diane's Less Hostile Username's avatar

My husband told me last night that I don't meet his needs and that he is thinking about a divorce.

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Enbastet's avatar

Sounds like a self-justifying manipulation.

Divorce is actually difficult and expensive.

Call his bluff...while considering that this may now not be worth you staying...

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Corvid Opera's avatar

Oh my goodness…all the hugs to you.

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JustPixelz's avatar

What the fuck? He can change partners but can't change his needs?

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Prostate of Dorian Gray's avatar

What the fuck is this? That seems like a drastic step on his part.

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Rocket Cat's avatar

Are you safe? Do you have emergency resources, friends, relatives, a place to go? This can be a dangerous time. It sounds quite frankly abusive, and I worry for your safety. Look out for number one, put the oxygen mask on your face, and call the best lawyer in town Monday 8 am

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WannabeWonk's avatar

Like marriage is a fucking light switch - either on or off? Bastard's already made his mind up. I'm so sorry.

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Alpaca Suitcase's avatar

Often yes. But my ex talked about divorce all the time, saying his needs weren't met. When I left he begged me to stay, then became furious. This leads me to believe he was bluffing.

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WannabeWonk's avatar

I hope you're safe. Anyone treats you like that doesn't deserve you.

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Alpaca Suitcase's avatar

Oh yes, this was 10 years ago.

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Pliny the Younger's avatar

What, he didn't suggest marriage counseling? Dump the motherfucker.

Seriously, I am so sorry for what you must be feeling right now.

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Meccalopolis's avatar

He's coming out of nowhere with this?

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Diane's Less Hostile Username's avatar

No, I did not comfort him enough when someone said the very sexist comment, "Men need more training about handling abuse."

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Suzie Greenburg's avatar

I have no words about that.

But you? You're a fucking jewel and don't you let anything block your shine. It's fine to stand in the shade sometimes but don't linger where it's dark. It's cold there and you deserve light.

Focus on you right now. Take your own inventory.

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Meccalopolis's avatar

Sounds like a him problem to me.

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Alpaca Suitcase's avatar

Tell him to ask nicely for what he wants. You seem like a nice person, it's worth a try. Threatening divorce to get what he wants is not OK.

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punkindrublic's avatar

You didn't get him a plushy toy and a binkie? Shame.

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Alpaca Suitcase's avatar

Dang. Doesn't even want to talk about it? Is he talking about a particular need? I have some experience with that.

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Chicken ate my Ballot's avatar

Can you get him to agree to therapy with you Diane?

I'm so sorry.

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SayItWithWookies's avatar

Oh my goodness -- I'm so sorry. That sounds like a callous and self-centered way of putting it.

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Suzie Greenburg's avatar

Fucking hell.

(Breathes deep)

Are you ok?

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Primula Brandybuck's avatar

Fuck. I’m sorry.

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punkindrublic's avatar

I'd like to think there's more to marriage than just having one's "needs" met, but what the fuck does my bachelor ass know?

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Meccalopolis's avatar

Exactly.

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Suzie Greenburg's avatar

Seriously

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Courser's avatar

Fuck. I'm so sorry.

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Random's avatar

Oh, fucking Hell.

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punkindrublic's avatar

A very sweet neighbor who adores Katie gave her a treat when we were walking by his place this morning. then she wanted to stay at his house for the rest of the day.

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Alpaca Suitcase's avatar

♩♫You're gonna lose that girl♪♫

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Suzie Greenburg's avatar

She's got a point

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punkindrublic's avatar

She's nothing if not an opportunist...albeit a loving one.

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Suzie Greenburg's avatar

And good looking, too!

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Daniel's avatar

Idea for an app:

Telegram simulator, called mrse. You tap the virtual telegraph lever on your screen to type out messages which are then sent to mrse HQ and the recipient signs in to get and read them. The logo will have a beard.

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ExecutorElassus's avatar

It took me forever to figure out you weren't talking about somehow simulating the Telegram app.

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Higgs Boson's avatar

Believe it or not, communicating by Morse Code is a growing hobby. Really.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/morse-code-back-looking-ditch-twitter-180981309/

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tek's avatar

I sat before an FCC examiner in Boston for the 13 words-per-minute morse test way back in the day.. then later sat before a volunteer examiner for 20WPM..

Now there is no longer a morse requirement for Ham licenses in the US :(

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Zonath of Ur's avatar

If you had told a futurist from the 1950s that we would have video phones but most people would hardly use them and prefer to send text messages, I think their heads would explode.

Honestly I think Morse would be a good input for text messaging, considering it's pretty fast and you don't have to hunt for keys like on a keyboard.

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Primula Brandybuck's avatar

Make the ringtone the intro to Theme from Inspector Morse.

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Menotsure's avatar

So a closeted gay man with a wife?

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User's avatar
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Oct 28, 2023
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Daniel's avatar

Merkin

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User's avatar
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Oct 28, 2023
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Menotsure's avatar

Named for a former US President?

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PhoenixDogLover's avatar

_ _ . / . _ . / . / . _ / _

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42tontom's avatar

Put in some olde clickety-clack sound effects and take my money!

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zuludaddy (seem 'on key?')'s avatar

(heyyyyy so....

have I managed to alienate everywonk since Holly and Paul's mountstravaganza? I'm feeling rather disconnected of late, especially with some wonks I'd thought I was friendlier with than, apparently, I actually am :[ ("aspiness, and its discontents")

as a very word-oriented individual, I'm sorry my own words have gotten me to this place, and I'm sorry to lose the goodwill of the humans I like and respect thereby)

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Meccalopolis's avatar

We're cool, right?

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52camellias's avatar

You'd think people would be more cheerful, what with the schadenfreudeny goodness of PABOTUS slowly decomposing from all his legal troubles. You are cool with me. Happy Halloween!

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oblivias's avatar

I like you, same as always.

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Random's avatar

You haven't alienated me, good sir. I just haven't been feeling very social lately. We're good. I promise.

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Jeff, still got my guitar's avatar

You're cool ZD, you're your sunset puff daddy. I've never seen you stir the shit.

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Chicken ate my Ballot's avatar

I just don't know what to say, things seem to be a little "crunchy" around here.

for what it's worth, I enjoy your posts, and your boating pics.

Can I offer you a hug?

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susanne's avatar

I enjoyed hanging with you!

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Oblio's Cap's avatar

You're cool by me.

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Mysterysurf's avatar

I recollect nothing off-putting in any of your non-commentings. I say "pshaw."

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Suzie Greenburg's avatar

Good morning, Zuludaddy, I have been busy with family stuff myself, and not around as much as a result. So, I can't speak to alienation from words or give any valuable perspective on that one. However my memory of meeting you with the other Wonks at Paul & Holly's two gatherings ago is all pleasant, and I am happy when I see your posts. While this answers no questions I hope it brings a little light as we slide to the end of October.

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Bobathonic's avatar

I have no gripe with you.

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Enbastet's avatar

You seem affable to me.

Perhaps some just prefer to find offense.

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The Wanderer's avatar

(waves) I've encountered someone who either a) hates furries, or b) is just getting his jollies poking at me. Either way, I'm no longer sharing art or stories here.

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Corvid Opera's avatar

I am really sorry to read this.

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Meccalopolis's avatar

What? Fuck that! I hope you reconsider, I love that we have a resident furry.

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52camellias's avatar

That's a damn shame. I liked those posts.

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SkeptiKC's avatar

I LOVED reading through those.

Gawd dammit.

We are supposed to be better than that.

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Suzie Greenburg's avatar

Well that sucks. If you have a person around bothering you may I say I've "muted" exactly 1 account and I haven't seen them since. Perhaps it's timing but I believe it acts much like the "block" function did at the old digs. Though since you might share work I suggest "blocking" them too, so they can't "at" you or incorporate your stuff.

Just my two cents. You are fantastic.

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susanne's avatar

It's a unique thing about you, and adds a little spice. I hope you'll reconsider.

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Courser's avatar

That sucks. I'm really sorry.

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The Wanderer's avatar

Eh. I know it's not for everyone.

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swmnguy's avatar

Hmm. I guess it never occurred to me that I had to have an opinion on your deal. I'm too busy in general to mind other people's business. And I figure if I'm going to share details of my personality to give context to my opinions, and I'm going to expect some tolerance; that that would be mooch-el.

I realize some folk stop at "as they would have others do unto them," and aren't capable of the "do unto others as" part. And, I'll admit; I think the less of such people.

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Meccalopolis's avatar

We're all weirdos here, it's why I fit in.

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swmnguy's avatar

People here put up with my long-winded pseudo-sophisticated bullshit.

Which is a great service and relief to the people I deal with in person daily, whether they know it or not.

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Oblio's Cap's avatar

Wha? Desantis non-comments here?

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The Wanderer's avatar

Heh.

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Bobathonic's avatar

That's not right.

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The Wanderer's avatar

Life, bitter personal experience has taught me, is never fair nor right. His loss.

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Chicken ate my Ballot's avatar

this makes me really sad

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SkeptiKC's avatar

None of your words have perturbed me.

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Tetman Callis's avatar

For what it's worth (market evaluations may vary), you have not alienated me. I'm not insisting you try harder, don't get me wrong. But we're good.

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The Wanderer's avatar

Hmm . . . Arsenal-Sheffield United. If nothing else, at least good for a laugh.

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Linda's Bitter Disappointment's avatar

I made bacon, in case you missed the first bulletin. I make it in the oven, which is really not good for the oven, cleanliness-ways, but it's still better than frying it in a pan. And you can make a LOT of it all at once instead of standing there in front of a skillet for days.

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Cateck's avatar

If you put it on a cooling rack, set over a baking sheet lined with foil, voila! No mess. Spray the cooling rack with pam too. And it cooks great because the airflow.

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Primula Brandybuck's avatar

I saw the bulletin, but thought you were channeling your little dog! I hope you enjoyed the pork product and that he got a great.

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The Wanderer's avatar

Best way to cook it, for certain applications, imho.

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Teen Laqueefa's avatar

I just watched a youtube video from someone I subscribe to and someone has stolen all his content and started a tiktok account and posted it all there. He's pissed and I don't blame him as they're banking on his hard work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCErBUjAzWM

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