For the last time this year, and with infinite subtlety, I’m going to remind patrons that this rickety barge, on whose seating your arses rest, is kept afloat by the kindness of strangers. If you’d like to help it remain buoyant a while longer, and remain ad-free, there’s an orange button below with which to monetise any love. Debit and credit cards are accepted. For those wishing to express their love regularly, there’s a monthly subscription option top left. And if one-click haste is called for, my PalPay.Me page can be found here. Additionally, any Amazon UK shopping done via this link or the search widget top right, or for Amazon US via this link, results in a small fee for your host at no extra cost to you.
For newcomers wishing to know more about what’s been going on here for the last twelve years or so, in close to 3,000 posts and over 100,000 comments, the reheated series is a pretty good place to start - in particular, the end-of-year summaries. If you like what you find there… well, there’s lots more of that.
If you can, do take a moment to poke through the discussion threads too. The posts are intended as starting points, not full stops, and the comments are where much of the good stuff is waiting to be found. And do please join in.
As always, thanks for the support, the comments, and the company. Also, open thread.
Thanks, David. PING!
Posted by: Colin the Lurker | November 19, 2019 at 07:31
Love the blog David. Ping!
Posted by: MrBobby | November 19, 2019 at 07:36
David taking up fortune telling . . . .
Posted by: Hal | November 19, 2019 at 07:51
PING!
Bless you, sir. May you never be faced with the moral quandary of whether to risk using a neglected bag of flour stuffed at the back of a cupboard and which, according to the packaging, expired some weeks ago.
Posted by: David | November 19, 2019 at 07:52
Love the blog David. Ping!
Bless you, sir. May your curtain rails remain dustless.
Posted by: David | November 19, 2019 at 07:54
A little something for the wine cellar. ;-)
Posted by: Alice | November 19, 2019 at 08:20
A little something for the wine cellar. ;-)
Bless you, madam. May your bathroom be free of nail clippings of indeterminate age and origin.
Posted by: David | November 19, 2019 at 08:29
Local councillor’s website bio of note.
Via Holborn.
Posted by: David | November 19, 2019 at 09:04
Ping! - I think. I'd done checkout and PayAppall decided it would not let me sign-out without giving it my cellphone #. I don't give ANYTHING to social-media outfits who demand it so I quit out, and I don't know if it went through.
Sorry, Mein Host - not my real name so I can't get you to check if you got it... :(
Posted by: Y. Knott | November 19, 2019 at 09:31
I can’t get you to check if you got it
If your initials are JG or SC, then yes, I did. If so, thanks. May you never be tasked with unblocking a bathroom plughole.
Posted by: David | November 19, 2019 at 09:38
This is the best blog I've ever lurked on. :-)
*kerching*
Posted by: Em | November 19, 2019 at 11:18
Have hit the tip jar. Consider it a thank you for all the band names.
Posted by: Mike | November 19, 2019 at 11:25
*kerching*
Consider it a thank you for all the band names.
At some point, we’ll have to actually start rehearsing. Apparently, Mr Sherman has a spare room.
Bless you, madam, and sir. May your enemies know the frustration of desirable shoes that are unavailable in their size.
Posted by: David | November 19, 2019 at 11:38
"May you never be tasked with unblocking a bathroom plughole."
- Can't be me then. As a rather large guy in a houseful of long-haired women, I've lost count of how many plugholes I've ( - me, always me - ) unplugged over the years...
At least though, I have sneakily exacted my vengeance on their continual "Leave the seat DOWN!" caterwauls; I need it up, they need it down, right? So why must it always be left IAW THEIR needs, and never MINE?
Confucius* say, "Wise man avoid certain fights". So I leave the seat down - but I always close the lid. Now they must reposition something, too - and strangely, not one of them has ever caught-on. I'd laugh, or at least smirk; but surely, there are more triumphs to life than this?
*(Confucius say, "Woman always have last word in argument. Because if man say word after that, is first word in next argument."
Confucius' wife say, "Shut up Confucius."
Confucius say, "Yes dear.")
Posted by: Y. Knott | November 19, 2019 at 12:50
For the last time this year, and with infinite subtlety,
Consider yourself tipped...
Posted by: Jonathan | November 19, 2019 at 13:41
Jonathan: "there’s an orange button below with which to monetise any love"
Posted by: pst314 | November 19, 2019 at 13:45
Consider yourself tipped...
[ Fondles tip. ]
Bless you, sir. May you never spill a large container of sugar across the kitchen surfaces before discovering what happens to sugar when you try to wipe it up with a slightly damp sponge.
Posted by: David | November 19, 2019 at 13:48
[ Fondles tip. ]
Actual LOL.
Posted by: svh | November 19, 2019 at 13:51
Actual LOL.
This is my innocent face.
Posted by: David | November 19, 2019 at 13:53
Also ping. :-D
Posted by: svh | November 19, 2019 at 13:53
Also ping.
Bless you, sir. May your butter dish never be blemished with unsightly residue.
Posted by: David | November 19, 2019 at 13:56
David and pst314
Posted by: Jonathan | November 19, 2019 at 14:02
before discovering what happens to sugar when you try to wipe it up with a slightly damp sponge.
Rookie mistake.
Posted by: H | November 19, 2019 at 14:05
Rookie mistake.
It’s remarkable just how quickly the situation escalated from “Oh shit, it’s everywhere” to “Oh shit, it’s everywhere and now everywhere is really sticky.”
Posted by: David | November 19, 2019 at 14:08
It’s remarkable just how quickly the situation escalated from “Oh shit, it’s everywhere” to “Oh shit, it’s everywhere and now everywhere is really sticky.”
Phrasing.
Posted by: Daniel Ream | November 19, 2019 at 14:39
[ Innocent face intensifies. ]
Posted by: David | November 19, 2019 at 14:41
Phrasing.
Yes. Especially after the tip-fondling.
Posted by: PiperPaul | November 19, 2019 at 14:43
[ Looks at shoes, mumbles. ]
Jonathan started it.
Posted by: David | November 19, 2019 at 14:58
Sneak!
Posted by: Jonathan | November 19, 2019 at 15:25
It’s been said I get a little giddy on pay day.
Posted by: David | November 19, 2019 at 15:53
You're a great host, David. Have bunged some quids in your tip jar.
Posted by: Clam | November 19, 2019 at 19:28
Have bunged some quids in your tip jar.
Bless you, sir. May your burger buns be brioche and lightly toasted.
Posted by: David | November 19, 2019 at 19:35
Since I use the Amazon app I am unsure how to have it give you credit via the link. Anyone know such things?
Posted by: Shiggz | November 19, 2019 at 19:36
Thanks to all who’ve chipped in so far, including all those much too shy to say hello, or who’ve subscribed, or done shopping via the Amazon links. It’s what keeps this place here and is much appreciated.
Posted by: David | November 19, 2019 at 19:36
Anyone know such things?
It doesn’t work via the app. Browsers only, I’m afraid.
Posted by: David | November 19, 2019 at 19:38
Also, open thread.
This portrait of a young IT professional in the Twin Cities came across my newsfeed, probably because of the hometown connection. I may not know this young woman, but I certainly recognize the type.
Bear in mind that the author shares all of these details voluntarily:
- 25-year-old analyst in IT.
- Scraping by on just $4,900 a month.
- Paying $1,850/mo in debt service on consumer debt, and $170 on her student loans.
- Lives at home (but pays a whopping $300/mo in rent!).
- Pays $24/mo on a movie theater subscription. Goes to the movies alone.
- Pays $100/mo for a fitness membership she doesn't use.
- Pays $225/mo for hosting and an editor for her vanity podcast. Characterizes this as "business expenses."
- Asks, "Why am I so generous even though I'm cash poor?"
- Broke up with her boyfriend last week.
- Receiving "nice sexts sent by someone" daily.
- Upset because she can't get an appointment with a shrink right away.
- Does not know what dashboard indicator lights mean.
- Cannot say no to doughnuts or sweets at the office.
- Starts Weight Watchers with her mom. Doesn't take the program seriously for even one day.
- Hides out in her employer's "meditation room" because she doesn't have enough to do.
- Is sad because her friends are getting married and moving away. Uses 'BumbleBFF' to find new friends.
- Spends Saturday night on Skype with her podcast co-host.
Now, the subject of this series is ostensibly to track how "modern working women" spend their money, but I think the column reveals so much more (mostly about the self-selection process for ignorant narcissists).
Also, I need to know where this young woman works. I'm sure my niece would love to get paid $89,000 a year to take typing tests, swipe around on Bumble, and fret about her weight and complexion. I worked most of my adult life before I found somebody who'd pay me that kind of money to hang out with all of you hooligans. Ping!
Posted by: Governor Squid | November 19, 2019 at 20:05
Upset because she can’t get an appointment with a shrink right away.
Maybe you should have led with that one.
Ping!
Bless you, sir. When unannounced houseguests come knocking, may you always be properly dressed.
Posted by: David | November 19, 2019 at 20:51
So used browser from link to buy some shoes $127.00. Anyway to verify it worked and you got your cut?
I spend around 1-2k a Month on Amazon so if this works should add up for you.
Posted by: Shiggz | November 19, 2019 at 22:45
Pinged.
For another case of Night Train. It's not just drank, it also does an excellent job disguising blood stains in the carpet.
Posted by: WTP | November 20, 2019 at 01:23
Phrasing
Oh, and also ping.
I kind of think of this place as my equivalent of Callahan's.
Posted by: Daniel Ream | November 20, 2019 at 05:01
ping
A little something toward your fruitcake & eggnog fund.
Posted by: Darleen | November 20, 2019 at 05:16
Oh ... and stating the obvious.
If one is rational, of course.
Posted by: Darleen | November 20, 2019 at 05:27
Something for your trouble, barkeep.
Posted by: sk60 | November 20, 2019 at 06:30
Morning, all.
Any way to verify it worked?
Once delivered, commissions should appear on my statement.
I spend around 1-2k a Month on Amazon so if this works should add up for you.
Bless you, sir. May you receive too many invitations to Christmas gatherings.
Posted by: David | November 20, 2019 at 06:43
it also does an excellent job disguising blood stains in the carpet.
and also ping.
A little something toward your fruitcake & eggnog fund.
Something for your trouble, barkeep.
Bless you, sirs, and madam. May you never place a new white shirt into the washing machine and set it running, only to realise that someone, most likely yourself, has forgotten to remove an equally new, bright red tea towel, resulting in an unhappy wait to see just how colour-fast said tea towel actually is.
Posted by: David | November 20, 2019 at 06:48
Remember, they’re so much classier than the rest of us.
Posted by: David | November 20, 2019 at 07:43
Remember, they’re so much classier than the rest of us.
Our Superiors do it Too.
Posted by: Jonathan | November 20, 2019 at 09:06
It’s remarkable just how quickly the situation escalated from “Oh shit, it’s everywhere” to “Oh shit, it’s everywhere and now everywhere is really sticky.”
Pro tip: vacuum cleaner.
Pinged. :-)
Posted by: Joan | November 20, 2019 at 09:28
Pro tip: vacuum cleaner.
Well, that seems obvious now. But at the time, with dinner imminent, and faced with a kitchen covered almost entirely in soggy, sweet adhesive, I opted for some microfibre cloths, which seemed to do the trick, albeit inelegantly.
Pinged. :-)
Bless you, madam. May your level-5 raiding mission in Hades’ Star never be interrupted by a call from a long-winded and gossipy neighbour. Unless, of course, the gossip is really good.
Posted by: David | November 20, 2019 at 09:40
Oh ... and stating the obvious.
Which illustrates why the left so fervently wants to harm Jordan Peterson.
Posted by: pst314 | November 20, 2019 at 12:28
Jordan Peterson on diversity, inclusivity and equity:
https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/political-correctness/equity-when-the-left-goes-too-far/
Posted by: pst314 | November 20, 2019 at 12:48
Our Superiors do it Too
The guilty MPs should be named. I almost added 'and shamed' but of course these creatures are shameless.
Posted by: Trevor | November 20, 2019 at 13:14
Jordan Peterson on diversity, inclusivity and equity:
It is so entertaining to walk a Feminist True Believer down this path, forcing her to defend the necessity for young women to be forced to take jobs as diesel mechanics, welders, electricians, loggers, and plumbers, while men take up their positions in office administration, teaching and day care.
Nineteen times out of twenty, the True Believer hasn't given a moment's thought to the fact that hundreds of her sisters will have to spend their hours up to their elbows in grime just so that one of them might occupy a corner office somewhere. The venom she will spew as her 'high ground' slides out from under her is something I wish I could capture and bottle.
My apologies to the group for my role in turning ignorant feminists into angry feminists. I just can't help myself!
Posted by: Governor Squid | November 20, 2019 at 15:07
The availability on campus of non-leftwing views, even in the form of a book club, may “cause stress to the student body,” and that simply isn’t allowed.
And this is the thing. Official campus channels, such as they are, will very often be occupied, something close to monopolised, by lefties. It’s usually just a question of degree. Hence the double standards in terms of which parties are likely to be denied or frustrated with obscure regulations and appeals to sensitivity, and which ones are indulged and given enormous latitude.
Posted by: David | November 20, 2019 at 15:24
Provocative, yes, but not entirely unreasonable.
Posted by: David | November 20, 2019 at 15:52
"The STEM Draft Act of 2023: Until such time as the percentage of women / woman-identified persons actively engaged in careers in STEM fields matches the percentage of women / woman-identified persons in the general population (+/- 1%), 10% of women / woman-identified persons applying for educational opportunities at colleges / universities / other institutions of higher education shall be mandatorily redirected to educational paths in engineering, mathematics, or science curricula (not to include "science" curricula designated by another field of study as a modifying prefix, e.g., "political science" or "social science.")
Posted by: RNB | November 20, 2019 at 22:53
It is so entertaining to walk a Feminist True Believer down this path
Also fun with default pronouns, as in:
Despite claiming responsibility for the gruesome murder of over half a dozen prostitutes, she was never caught.
Posted by: bgates | November 21, 2019 at 01:48
Thanks for the laughs, David. Tip jar hit.
Posted by: Liz | November 21, 2019 at 09:01
Tip jar hit.
Bless you, madam. When photographed unexpectedly, may it always be from the kindest of angles.
Posted by: David | November 21, 2019 at 09:16
I sent you 25 of the finest. Great blog, especially ephemera.
Posted by: Fred Z | November 22, 2019 at 01:54
Great blog, especially ephemera.
Bless you, sir. May your bathroom mirror remain free of toothpaste spray.
Posted by: David | November 22, 2019 at 06:37
Again, thanks to all who’ve chipped in, including all those much too shy to say hello, or who’ve subscribed, or done shopping via the Amazon links. It’s what keeps this place here and is much appreciated.
Posted by: David | November 23, 2019 at 09:23
Don't usually comment but I read your blog every week. Small token of appreciation left in your tip jar.
Posted by: Alan | November 23, 2019 at 18:34
Small token of appreciation left in your tip jar.
Bless you, sir. May the aesthetic of your jacket never be compromised by the thick winter gloves you’ve got stuffed in the pocket.
Posted by: David | November 23, 2019 at 18:42