Friday Ephemeraren’t
Yes, a chance to throw together your own pile of links and oddities in the comments. I’ll set the ball rolling with a photoshoot of note; some questionable signage; via Perry, what to do in a crisis; a breakthrough in the world of cosmetics; fun with rope; a rationalisation in progress; and a headline that I assumed was a spoof, but isn’t.
Oh, and because it’s been a while since we’ve had a toilet-related item, flushing difficulties.
a photoshoot of note
a photoshoot of note
But, but, but, she says she was feeling much better!!!!
https://twitter.com/twcuddleston/status/1311649858965602306?s=20
Our host when we don’t use coasters.
Always respect the media.
Joaquín Salvador Lavado, 1932-2020
The new analysis of the human skeletal remains from La Hoya reminds us very forcefully that the prehistoric past was not always the peaceful place it is sometimes made out to be.
…the prehistoric past was not always the peaceful place it is sometimes made out to be.
My question not answered: What share of the slaughtered were healthy females in their prime?
What’s up, doc?
https://www.today.com/food/why-were-32-tons-carrots-dumped-university-campus-t192926
And I just want to share that I’m watching this fine piece of cinema.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079082/
flushing difficulties
That was actually worse than I expected. 🙂
Morning, all.
Damian has been thinking.
Rationalisation in progress.*
*Added to post.
Presenter: Laura joins us now.Welcome, Laura, hello.
Laura: …
English, rich as it is, seems inadequate for the task of describing what comes next, but “mendacity”, “fraud” and “delusion” will just about pass muster for this.
Rationalisation in progress
“ppl aren’t really attracted to genders, they’re attracted to certain aesthetics & bodies which happen to have gendered connotations…”
Er, no.
Er, no.
Well, indeed. There is some, shall we say, motivated contrivance there.
I mean, suppose you took of photo of a shapely, out-of-context body part and lit it and cropped it in such a way that, while suggestive, the sex of the owner was not entirely obvious. Whatever interest the cropped photo might arouse, in men or women, that interest would most likely be modified, perhaps quite dramatically, when the sex of the owner became apparent.
It’s doubtful, for instance, that Geoff, a straight chap, would find his interest sustained, let alone escalating, once he discovered that the ambiguous curve that caught his eye, and which he’d assumed was part of an attractive woman, actually belonged to a bearded bloke named Steve. A phone call and the offer of dinner is fairly unlikely.
It’s not just a matter of pleasing geometry and abstract curves that just “happen to have gendered connotations.” The maleness or femaleness of the owner is usually quite an important aspect of attraction, and crossed signals, as it were, don’t generally have wide appeal. Indeed, they’re often regarded as the opposite of attractive. And hence, of course, the difficulties of transsexual people.
That the accompanying, supposedly glamorous selfie has been taken in what appears to be a public toilet is, I have to say, inadvertently amusing.
Also, this. Heart and knee cartilage may suggest otherwise.
“Decentrelyssa” is apparently a big fan of both communism and anarchism.
If I’m ever overly happy and wish to dial the “life sucks” knob to 10 or 11, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111579/ is guaranteed to do the trick.
2020 has not required me to re-watch that particular flick.
A phone call and the offer of dinner is fairly unlikely.
That.
“mendacity”, “fraud” and “delusion”
Fuck me.
I did have to look up what “Loose Women” was, having been blessed with no telly for the last 20 years, but I could only watch 3 minutes of that witless, lying, arse-dribble before my brain leapt out of my cranium and tore out my eyeballs.
I’m reminded of a pithy comment made by an Australian business acquaintance (it helps if you imagine it in a strong Aussie drawl):
“Women. If they didn’t have cunts we’d throw rocks at them”
Sorry ladies.
That.
Some people are willing to construct a sweeping and convoluted philosophy, veering wildly from reality, in order to explain away the fact that they aren’t often found attractive, even by people whose ideas and circumstances are much like their own. I don’t mean to be needlessly unkind, but there is a pattern, a familiar trajectory.
“life sucks” knob
Um.
Someone has has a question for Melania.
Someone oppressed has deep thoughts.
“life sucks” knob to 10 or 11
Quite odd that I was trying to recall the name of that movie just last night. A favorite but yes, quite sad.
It’s doubtful, for instance, that Geoff, a straight chap, would find his interest sustained, let alone escalating
There’s a longer version of my point here but involves a bit TMI and would take me too long to type on this little device so forgive the awkwardness being a tad more blunted than necessary…so often in the history of famous people of the past century or two we encounter those who are/were gay in a time and place where such was totally unacceptable yet somehow were able to produce children. In the TMI and awkwardness aspect there is no way I could ever see myself engaging in sex with another man. Just wouldn’t happen. Gotta run but there is something more there, yes?
flushing difficulties
That was…unexpected.
I had a similar experience a few summers ago, although it was just mosquitoes. Still – a cloud of the bloodsuckers arising from the bowl upon flushing was a bit disconcerting, especially being trapped in the stall with them momentarily.
especially being trapped in the stall with them momentarily.
It’s not an ideal environment in which to witness the start of a Biblical plague, no.
An absence of humility is never attractive and none more so in Bernardine Evaristo’s comments here.
Me:
English, rich as it is, seems inadequate for the task of describing what comes next
Karl:
witless, lying, arse-dribble
I stand corrected!
The howl of the outraged.
With the US President testing positive it’s time to remind everyone of the unavoidable truth…in song! All together now! (to the tune of Avenue Q’s “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist”)
Everyone’s gonna get COVID, sometime…
Odds are when you have it, you’re fine!
It’s a highly infectious disease,
Spreading asymptomatic’ly,
Even if you wear that stupid mask…
Everyone’s gonna get COVID,
Dumbass!
Dr Randomercam fixes the debate, somehow highlighting the absurdity of an already absurd spectacle.
Someone oppressed has deep thoughts.
Ah, man’s spirit triumphing over corrupt systems, huh? It’s a pleasant surprise to see that Mr. Hamilton is such an ardent anti-communist. The race in China should offer potent opportunities to signal such admirable virtue.
With the US President testing positive . . .
Uh huh.
When a US Presidential campaign announces an October Surprise, the point is supposed to be to discomfit the opposing campaign.
An October Surprise is usually something other than leaving the opposing campaign able to simply point at the headlines to underline As We’ve Been Pointing Out, Therefore . . . .
“I ♥ NY, it’s just wypipo I can’t stand.”
…somehow highlighting the absurdity of an already absurd spectacle.
Rendering clear what was until now only obvious.
“I ♥ NY, it’s just wypipo I can’t stand.”
Just think how peaceful New York would be if all the vermin were permanently removed from society. Of course, we’d have to remove some crime-loving ACLU lawyers too….
Re Bernardine Evaristo.
FFS I’m blacker than that.
90% of people in the UK are blacker than that.
(Holy Mother of God! Spellcheck actually corrected my initial attempt to Evaristo!!!)
Little Giant vs Gentle Giant
or
Honey, I Walked Into A Race War!
or
The new Gatekeeper is a real prick
[ /sorry ]
“Gozer the Traveler. He will come in one of the pre-chosen forms…”
And now a fourth form: ghetto thug. No wait–the fourth form is ACLU lawyer. The fifth form is ghetto thug.
Caring left is caring.
https://thefederalist.com/2020/10/02/i-hope-they-die-left-wingers-react-to-positive-coronavirus-diagnosis-for-trump-melania/
Flushing difficulties.
A couple of years ago, my grandson of 12 yrs was visiting for a weekend. One evening, he came into my study and asked if we had any tongs.
“What do you want tongs for?”
He told me he was having difficulty flushing the toilet due to the volume of shit he’d deposited….
I showed him where we kept the plunger, and instructed him in its proper use and storage. I also informed him of the multi-flush technique in which one divides one’s production into two or more movements along the lines of a symphony.
Imparting wisdom to posterity is what we Grandpas do.
(I do wonder how this situation had been handled at home in the past.)
Since I happen to think that you believe there is a non-null set of cretins who read this blog, could you bother to expand your point in the above quote?
Assuming that you post things to influence those who don’t think exactly as you do.
When your country is in conflict with dastardly Armenia, the only thing to do is release a propaganda music video!
It’s like Eurovision meets Vera Lynn, with added metal guitars. The shooting gets going about the two minute mark.
https://youtu.be/bSh5tm2Hmn0
I’m laughing because their chosen example of a most excellent female of their people looks like a hood rat and sounds like a man attempting a falsetto.
. . . could you bother to expand your point . . .
Ehn.
October Surprise.
Own Goal.
Or as the Republican strategists have started blurting out, The reason that Americans absolutely must vote for Trump is . . . Oh, Bugger.
Decentrelyssa
There are fates worse than death. I mean, your Twitter account could be suspended.
He’s “deeply sorry” and “pledges to do better,” obviously.
Musically trained
Musically trained
Skillz.
Armenia
Starship Troopers meets Fury Road with a side order of Wings of the Apache.
Loved it to bits.
Scottish National Party candidate experiences Identity crisis.
I ♥ NY, it’s just wypipo I can’t stand.
See: Polar Bear Hunting.
Also see: Colin Flaherty, Who’s been writing about these attacks for a decade.
Our betters.
Our betters at large.
Dystopia made flesh.
So I’m standing here thinking, “Did I put in six scoops or only five?” In all the excitement this morning I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is robusta bean, the most powerful coffee in the world, and could blow my head clean off, I’ve got to ask myself one question: “Do I feel lucky?” Well, do ya, punk?
Wear the mask, are you trying to kill granma ?
He’s “deeply sorry” and “pledges to do better,” obviously.
What a pitiful misuse of cranium space. Still, it could be worse: he could be in charge of a multi-billion dollar foundation that funds all manner of pernicious ventures across the globe.
Oh.
Oh.
And the fact that it’s almost certainly pretentious and insincere doesn’t make it any less neurotic or contemptible.
The howl of the outraged.
I remember being in a gay pub in Birmingham in the mid-90s when an attack of soul-crushing boredom drove me to read the noticeboard, where I saw advertised a police liaison group that, well, liaised with the police on matters pertinent to the catamite community. Not really having a life at that time I decided to troll along and see what it was all about. I was the only genuine member of the public there: other than a police officer (sergeant, no less) all the other attendees were professional gays – publicly-funded parasites who made their living doing gay things gaily (outreach work to ‘the gay community’, health promotion for ‘MSM – men who have sex with men’, etc.) It was quite the cozy little clique and I didn’t get the impression that actual members of the public were especially welcome – and this was before I even opened my mouth. Back then I worked in the public sector myself (although the service I provided was practical and available to everyone, rather than 1.2% of the population) so was no stranger to muddle-headed thinking and meaningless jargon, but even I had trouble trying to extract any meaning from the waffle. Of particular concern to them was the subject of ‘PSEs’ and the policing thereof. I learned that these are ‘public sex environments’. I expressed my unhappiness – not just with the ridiculous language, but the very idea: parks, public toilets, canal towpaths and so on have well-defined purposes and should be safe to use for all the public whose money is used to create and maintain them, and should not be claimed by any special-interest group. I got the impression that they had never encountered such an argument before, and they certainly didn’t receive any pushback from the milquetoast police officer. I attended 4-5 of these meetings before notifications of the next gathering ceased, as did public notices. This crap has been going on a hell of a long time.
In case anyone fancies a good laugh at the expense of an empty headed Euro-zealot.
Douglas Murray and Flavia Kleiner debate “Who gets Europe?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3sSnmq9uKU
Kleiner gives an entirely vacuous speech about “what I want from Europe” and then makes the mistake of rounding it off with a couple of snarky, misinformed jabs at Murray.
And Douglas responds … magisterially.
I learned that these are ‘public sex environments’.
I keep having to remind myself that we’re well into the 21st century, and not actually living in the 1950s. The idea of cruising the bushes of some public park, where children play, is essentially a retro kink, a fetish. But Mr Tatchell seems to regard the aforementioned park as if it were the nesting grounds of some endangered species.
the catamite community.
Band name.
Kleiner gives an entirely vacuous speech… and then makes the mistake of rounding it off with a couple of snarky, misinformed jabs at Murray.
As we’ve seen more times than I can count, people who feel a need to signal their piety, not least via the theatrical medium of leftist politics, do tend to be quite obnoxious. And often, utter cunts.
“Scottish National Party candidate experiences Identity crisis.“
Heh. They genuinely believe it’s different when they do it. (See also “named persons”, Offensive Behaviour at Football Grounds Act, “Hate Speech” Bill…)
…and then makes the mistake of rounding it off with a couple of snarky, misinformed jabs at Murray.
@Horace Dunn at what point in the video does this occur? I did a quick search through, but it’s an hour ten long and much of what Kleiner has to say is vacuous and difficult to listen to. I was able to find Murray’s response at the end followed by Kleiner’s denial, I just can’t find her original statement. Thanks.
Musically trained
Musically trained
Kleiner gives an entirely vacuous speech… and then makes the mistake of rounding it off with a couple of snarky, misinformed jabs at Murray.
There’s a fairly obvious contrast in disposition and approach. Murray is thoughtful, knowledgeable, and curious. He listens carefully and tests his opponent’s assumptions, explores what they imply. In contrast, Ms Kleiner seems doctrinaire, presumptuous, and morally glib. When Murray replies to some specific claim or conceit, Ms Kleiner seems uninterested in any possible oversights on her part, as if even listening to the other person were some achingly tedious chore. Presumably on grounds that anyone who disagrees must be insufficiently leftwing, i.e., unwilling to pretend all of the things that she pretends, and therefore unworthy.
It’s not unusual in discussions of this kind, or on this particular subject, or indeed in almost any discussion involving people like Ms Kleiner, of which there are so many. But it is, I think, telling.
@Steve E
She makes various snide remarks. But listen from 24.00 until about 26.20 for the main part. The crack about “they don’t even show up in person” by the way refers to the fact that Murray is debating remotely. It has already been clearly established that Murray had intended to be there but had been unable to do so because of quarantine restrictions, so why wonders why Kleiner thought that this would win her points.
Also, listen to Murray’s closing remarks from 1.06.50 until about 1.08.20 are particularly good.
As we’ve seen more times than I can count, people who feel a need to signal their piety, not least via the theatrical medium of leftist politics, do tend to be quite obnoxious. And often, utter cunts.
She also employs that other lefty tactic. When Murray counters her ignorant and discourteous pronouncements she starts to behave as though she is the injured party, and deserving of sympathy.
The above comment managed to leap into the thread before I had filled in my name etc. The system is all too excitable.
Hor, a fearsome warrior of the Hyborian Age.
Hor, a fearsome warrior of the Hyborian Age.
And a perfect subject for the next prog-rock album.
When Murray counters her ignorant and discourteous pronouncements she starts to behave as though she is the injured party, and deserving of sympathy.
“Doing a Laurie,” I believe it’s called.
Thanks Horace.
she starts to behave as though she is the injured party, and deserving of sympathy
I noticed that too and have observed that behaviour all too often.
having insulted with perfect abandon “she starts to behave as though she is the injured party, and deserving of sympathy.”
= a tactic all too common among the y-chromosome deficient. {ducks}
Hor, a fearsome warrior of the Hyborian Age.
Urg the Sithyann (sic, occasionally with one N) of the Iron Staff.
I’ll just leave this here, I think.
“Douglas Murray and Flavia Kleiner debate “Who gets Europe?””
Well, the competition must have been hopeless. She keeps talking about the rule of law, and I’m not convinced she even knows what it is. “Vacuous” is the word that springs to mind.
She venerates institutions, but doesn’t seem to consider (as Murray pointed out) where they came from, except on the most superficial level. She dismisses fear of Islam, but never once mentions the centuries of Christian tradition across the continent from which the majority of its character is derived, or the greater danger that an ascendant Islam might pose to that tradition than simple atheism or secularism. (In fairness, to his discredit, nor did Murray.)
She gives as an example of “right-wing” attacks on the equality under the law a Swiss proposal to deport criminal aliens. But citizens and non-citizens have never been equal under any country’s law, and for good reason. Citizens have responsibilities to, and a stake in, their country that foreigners do not share: taxation, representation, and, in her own country of Switzerland, military service.
She feigns wonder at attacks on “foreign aid”. But if she wants to donate money to foreign governments or “charities”, nobody will stop her. What people object to is money being sent to foreign governments out of compulsory taxation. Extortion is not a liberal practice.
She strikes me as the sort of person I always consider a victim of the Left: her heart’s in the right place with her professed belief in liberalism, broadly defined. And she’s probably a decent, caring person. But without putting any great thought into her opinions (possibly without having the capability), she’s been seduced by scary tales of “right-wing” bogeymen into standing against the liberal order’s best interests.
I’ll just leave this here, I think.
Is that a common practice over yonder? Finding out through the mail? Seems pretty cold. Perhaps a security thing?
Suppress your excitement, genrlemen.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8800927/Gucci-selling-1-700-tartan-dress-satin-bow-MEN.html
Suppress your excitement, genrlemen.
Pictures (along with receipt) of some non-Gucci affiliated man wearing that or it isn’t real.
That model, indeed anyone of the y-chromosome persuasion who elects to wear that silly outfit has no no masculinity to disrupt.
Also, if you’re wearing jeans under it it’s not a dress, it’s a tunic.
Further also, why do those jeans have grass stains?
If it’s for men why is the model Kathy Griffin?
If it’s for men why is the model Kathy Griffin?
The question answers itself…
genrlmen
Sorry – apparently I was struck with a sudden affliction of Engrish.
Wtp,
My first layoff, in about 1986, was at a then leading star silicon valley company.
Out of the blue one day an unexpected all-hands meeting was called for 13:00. At the meeting we were told a layoff was being announced, and that we should all go back to our offices, not discuss this event, and wait for our managers to come tell us our fates individually. UH-huh. Right.
25% layoff. And we were only being given ANY advance notice because news had leaked to the main local newspaper, which was hitting the street at 16:00.
Could have been worse. At Apple iirc about the same time it went like this: “See the org chart on this whiteboard? If your name is not on it, you don’t work here anymore.”
Douglas Murray and Flavia Kleiner debate “Who gets Europe?”
I think we’ll give that one a post of its own.
Thanks, Horace.
Could have been worse. At Apple iirc about the same time it went like this: “See the org chart on this whiteboard? If your name is not on it, you don’t work here anymore.”
That’s a very effective way to destroy the possibility of employee loyalty.
Pst,
Yup.
A few years later, at a 20 person tech startup, we were acquired by a much bigger company. Almost all of the admin staff were immediately laid off, because those functions could be handled from 3000 km away.
One week later they were being begged to return. Ha Ha.
Most of the rest of the tech staff was gone inside four months.