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 the first great trial of fatherhood; assorted airline safety cards; finding the sweet spot; some cold hindquarters; and things that can happen on a rollercoaster.
Oh, and via Things, a game about an impending audit and hastily shredding documents.
That’s a very short list of links, David. Are you okay? I hope that bug that had you down hasn’t returned.
[ Reviews previous post, sees no requests for whiskey and chocolate biscuits. Calms down. ]
a game about an impending audit and hastily shredding documents.
That reminds me: Why do American embassies use shredders? I would think that incinerators would be faster, in addition to giving total document destruction. All the Tom Clancy and Brad Thor novels I read mentioned burn bags.
I’ll throw this in the mix.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10291905/Mother-48-spent-two-years-living-estranged-daughter-stealing-identity.html
Didn’t the Iranians piece together more than a few documents from the US embassy in Teheran when they took it over ? Nothing earth shattering but quite likely some confidential info did get uncocovered.
One of my more favorite tales of Cold War espionage involves the photocopier technician who was recruited by the CIA to install a camera inside the photocopier of the Russian Embassy in Washington, so that every document copied was imaged onto film roll to be retrieved during the next servicing.
I would think that incinerators would be faster
They are, but they’re also large, stationary and require both fuel and exhaust ports.
burn bags
The problem with a burn bag is that you have to transport the burn bag to the incinerator, which can provide opportunities for interception (as well as advertising that THIS IS A SECRET DOCUMENT). Shredders can be kept next to the document storage for instant destruction. Also milspec shredders are called disintegrators because they don’t shred, they reduce the document to sawdust.
things that can happen on a rollercoaster.
“Yo someone f*ckin farted!”
*loud screams*
The real reason tuna scented aftershave never caught on…
Morning, all.
“Yo someone f*ckin farted!”
*loud screams*
Timing is everything.
A reminder of the dance wokeness does with the neurotic.
the first great trial of fatherhood
Reportedly, when my sister was born (before me), my father assayed modernity (this was 1976) and was present in the delivery room. My mother reports that he made a brief sortie to the other end of the bed, but rapidly announced that he thought he would remain thenceforth “at the talking end”.
(For my arrival, he was where he belonged – in the pub – and having had two of my own I can’t say I blame him. Not for the gross-out, which didn’t bother me that much, but it’s pretty dull for the most part.)
but it’s pretty dull for the most part
Any ladies who’ve given birth are invited to comment on how dull it was.
[ Looks anxiously at breakables. ]
ladies who’ve given birth
Well, yes. As a spectator sport it is long on build-up and short on action. Conversation to pass the time has a tendency not to flow. There is an inescapable feeling that you are there just to be there, and not to serve any further purpose.
but it’s pretty dull for the most part
It’s not an area in which I have expertise, but I recall seeing a birth on TV, in rather more detail than I was expecting, and finding the scene a mix of disgusting and quite moving. I’d imagine the emotional effect is considerably greater if the little person emerging into the world is your own child.
But yes, I assume they edited out lots of the waiting about and preceding discomfort.
the emotional effect is considerably greater
Of course, the consummation was (if I may) devoutly not to be missed. But the first one took 18 hours, from circa midnight to 6pm. Things started to heat up at about 5:15.
but it’s pretty dull for the most part
What, you mean there were no machines that go PING?
But the first one took 18 hours,
And she’s the one who gets the drugs?
PING
SWITCH EVERYTHING ON!
[ Starts packing breakables in bubble wrap. ]
Speaking of packing things, my mind is blown, Samsung has come up with the way finally To Save Teh Planet™ – they have discovered that the box a 55 inch eco-friendly TV doesn’t have to be thrown into a landfill, but can be turned into – get this – a cat playhouse!
Will the wonders of the 21st Century never cease?
Mwanwhile, in The Rodina…
Mwanwhile, in The Rodina…
That’s the most adorable tank I think I’ve ever seen.
But the first one took 18 hours
My first was 24 hours of what is probably best described as “foreplay” (though not as enjoyable). Then TPTB decided it was time for the scalpel and I was excused further perticipation.
Didn’t the Iranians piece together more than a few documents from the US embassy in Teheran when they took it over ?
I remember reading that they had large teams of students doing that. As I recall the Iranian regime made a big thing of the efforts, but never revealed any reconstructed documents of note.
The real reason tuna scented aftershave never caught on…
That’s why I switched to halibut and sea bream.
A reminder of the dance wokeness does with the neurotic.
I’m sure that being around “woke” people a lot can make people neurotic.
The problem with a burn bag is that you have to transport the burn bag to the incinerator, which can provide opportunities for interception…
Couldn’t every embassy have its own on-site incinerator?
…(as well as advertising that THIS IS A SECRET DOCUMENT).
Solution: shred everything. 🙂
Also milspec shredders are called disintegrators because they don’t shred, they reduce the document to sawdust.
I did not know that! They must produce a lot of dust, though, which would over time pose serious health risks. So presumably they are always used with very high performance air filters?
Having witnessed four of my own, two using the old fashioned exit and two the emergency escape hatch, I would agree that other than providing a hand to be crushed my role was rather superfluous.
Rehearsal of note (language).
other than providing a hand to be crushed my role was rather superfluous.
And yet they tell us they can’t open pickle jars.
On milspec shredders — having been through an office move that involved disposing of large volumes of classified documents, I don’t remember there being much dust floating around. I do remember junior staff being disappointed that they could not use the resulting flour as packing material, because it was still classified.
Hey, the sixth season of The Expanse is out. I hope it doesn’t suck.
the sixth season of The Expanse is out. I hope it doesn’t suck.
Planning to watch this evening, I think. And yes, I’m hoping they don’t screw up the landing.
….can be turned into – get this – a cat playhouse!
Redundant. If you have a cat living under “your” roof everything is already part of the cat’s playhouse.
I’m hoping they don’t screw up the landing.
If they do, at least the physics will be realistic…
Hey, the sixth season of The Expanse is out. I hope it doesn’t suck.
I haven’t seen it, and know almost nothing about it. But Wikipedia says that it includes many UN officials. Are the UN bad guys?
Couldn’t every embassy have its own on-site incinerator?
Sure, but it’ll be in the basement, and you’d be surprised just how much interception can happen between the third floor and B1.
They must produce a lot of dust
They look like any other typical shredder, the output is contained in a dedicated bin. I presume there’s some kind of filter screen as I’ve never seen them emit puffs of dust or anything.
I do remember junior staff being disappointed that they could not use the resulting flour as packing material, because it was still classified
I recall a Victorian era espionage manual warning against burning secret documents as microscopic analysis could still reveal ink traces on the ash, and that the agent should swallow them instead. Presumably this is for secret communiques and not, say, last quarter’s TPS reports.
you’d be surprised just how much interception can happen between the third floor and B1.
Via the incinerator chute having access hatches on each floor? I guess I don’t know how to think like a spook: I was assuming that all embassy personnel would be trustworthy.
I’ve never seen them emit puffs of dust or anything.
I do recall that some commercial shredders affected the quality of the office air: People would complain of irritated noses and throats.
I recall a Victorian era espionage manual warning against burning secret documents as microscopic analysis could still reveal ink traces on the ash
I seem to recall a Sherlock Holmes story in which some writing on a burned page was read and reported to Holmes. It’s certainly not good enough to just throw paper in the fireplace: One must crush the ashes afterwards.
Are the UN bad guys?
There are precious few good guys of any stripe. FWIW, I found the Critical Drinker’s review of the series to be very engaging. It’s a nice change of pace when he finds something he doesn’t hate.
I haven’t seen it, and know almost nothing about it.
Fan edit of note.
Wait ’til he unwraps his first poopy diaper.
Of course, the consummation was (if I may) devoutly not to be missed. But the first one took 18 hours, from circa midnight to 6pm.
So apparently I’m the only one who initially read that as it being the first consummations that took 18 hours. Gotta admit, given it started at midnight it seemed rather plausible. Still I’m impressed. Either way.
“Conversation to pass the time has a tendency not to flow. There is an inescapable feeling that you are there just to be there, and not to serve any further purpose.”
Technically, the same is true of sitting by your loved one, who is in a hospital bed, as they lay dying. 😉
And yet they tell us they can’t open pickle jars.
(slow golf clap) 🙂
Which of course makes this, which I must have glossed over, even more impressive.
My first was 24 hours of what is probably best described as “foreplay” (though not as enjoyable). Then TPTB decided it was time for the scalpel and I was excused further perticipation.
Are the UN bad guys?
Because it seems to me that the only plausible role for the UN would indeed be as villains. 😉
There are precious few good guys of any stripe.
That makes it sound like something I would not enjoy. What’s the point of spending hours watching the adventures of people you cannot like and sympathize with?
Heather McDonald — always pointing out the obvious no one else will.
Heather McDonald — always pointing out the obvious no one else will.
As long as liberal fools and leftist scumbags keep ignoring the obvious….
“The adjective ‘tasteful’ does not naturally attach itself to this structure.”
“The adjective ‘tasteful’ does not naturally attach itself to this structure.”
Agreed. Blech. But if the architect had any black ancestors then our disapproval must be proof of racism.
“The adjective ‘tasteful’ does not naturally attach itself to this structure.”
I wonder what specific type of brain injury led to this abomination?
this abomination
It’s so . . . restful . . .
(Of course, I’ve been mainlining espresso since mumble o’clock)
(Of course, I’ve been mainlining espresso since mumble o’clock)
Bartender, do you have anything that would relieve such suffering?
Bartender, do you have anything that would relieve such suffering?
One smoker’s cough, coming up.
One smoker’s cough, coming up.
Our hero!
Q: Is there less snake oil fraud today than 100 years ago?
A: No, the bullshit jargon has gotten more sophisticated, though.
“Fuel your cellular energy! The most powerful adaptogen available on the market – Shown to enhance our metabolism, directing the mitochondria to convert fats and sugars into ATP — the main source for cellular energy!”
“The adjective ‘tasteful’ does not naturally attach itself to this structure.”
I like it. The important thing with bank buildings before the days of fiat money and electronic transfer was for them to look solid. Impregnable. Also rich, and built to last.
I say “before the days of fiat money“, but it lasted at least into the ’70s. You could always recognise a Bank of Scotland because it was covered in granite (veneer, by the later ones), and Clydesdale branches looked like nuclear bunkers, with plenty of bare, chunky concrete. (I may be misremembering, but I’m fairly sure the door of our local branch was concrete. As was the counter. Kids today wouldn’t believe it. Ken Adam must have been involved at some stage. It’s the only explanation.)
James Lilek’s “Main Street” series demonstrates that the same phenomenon was in operation in America, with ’60s and ’70s banks looking more like military installations than places of commercial business. This week’s edition had a typical example.
My sister “collected” airline safety cards, she has Concorde somewhere.
“burn bags”
Read the history of the Israeli Kfir fighter for a good explanation.
Read the history of the Israeli Kfir fighter for a good explanation.
I know that Israeli spies stole large amounts of Mirage engineering data after France imposed an embargo, but have never read any long, detailed accounts. I wouldn’t be surprised if the details of how this was accomplished have never been revealed.
you’d be surprised just how much interception can happen between the third floor and B1.
Particularly by the flunkie assigned to carry the documents to the shredder. You can bet they’ll be avidly read.
(Told to me by someone who worked in one of the windowless buildings but who had top secret clearance.)