The bill for gassing, that is. The last one for the year.
Because, yes, ‘tis time 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.
So shop ye. Shop ye like the wind.
For newcomers wishing to know more about what’s been going on here for the last decade and a half, in over 3,000 posts and over 130,000 comments, the reheated series is a pretty good place to start - in particular, the end-of-year-summaries, which convey the fullest flavour of what it is we do. A sort of blog concentrate. 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.
Now share ye links and bicker.
Trauma is not hereditary.
Not according to the precious ones who must be accomodated.
Posted by: Darleen | December 02, 2021 at 18:58
I do not understand the English and the names they give foods and restaurants.
And hideous décor too.
Posted by: David | December 02, 2021 at 18:59
A leftist is appalled.
Posted by: David | December 02, 2021 at 19:01
I do not understand the English and the names they give foods and restaurants.
Like perhaps the Frog & Peach? Of course in this day and age every absurdity, no matter how benign, must be manifest...in New Jersey if necessary...or preferably?
Posted by: WTP | December 02, 2021 at 19:01
...minuscule compared to high risk groups.
Yes, however, miniscule does not mean zero, which is how many people think about it. Perhaps, not an important point when discussing the virus and the condition statistically, but very important when discussing the impact on peoples lives.
There is still a considerable stigma associated with HIV and Aids and there are still a number of people who think that if you contract HIV that you deserve it because of your actions. A neighbour of mine died about five years ago of lung cancer. In general conversation with people, some said "well, you shouldn't smoke. I have no sympathy for smokers who get lung cancer." My neighbour hadn't smoked a day in her life. She lived and worked in a smoke-free environment.
I'm not disagreeing with the predominant ways people contract HIV or the shameful misinformation campaigns that were designed to scare people about AIDs. I'm commenting on the sanctimony that often surrounds such discussions.
Posted by: Steve E | December 02, 2021 at 19:04
I'm commenting on the sanctimony that often surrounds such discussions.
Understand. But the nature of the acts involved, completely devoid of any moral judgement, are the acts involved. They happen. And other things happen after that. And this goes well, well beyond the subject at hand...but I digress...Whether we rightly or wrongly (mostly the latter) call those things "consequences" or not, no one "deserves" a disease and I by no means would imply such. Though I highly suspect this is what brings the crickets when I dare discuss these things...especially when someone else brings them up. Personally, I am well aware in those moments that people are about to get upset, will infer, no matter how I state some of these things. I do go to significant effort to speak clearly and precisely without imparting judgement. I will not, however, go through the pre-apology BS about how I am not anti-gay, and I certainly am not going to mention that "my best friend growing up was gay" (or black or whatever...not that the latter specifically apply), nor any coworkers whom I well respect, etc. etc. etc. I don't think I need to state the routine here, YKWIM...and yet here I am doing it...for multiple obvious reasons...not just because of AIDS/gay or anything specific but I'm just might damn tired of the damned kafka-trap kind of BS about race, sex, gender, or whether someone hails from the good or bad side of West Virginia (this determined of course by proximity to Pittsburgh).
Posted by: WTP | December 02, 2021 at 19:52
Yes, however, miniscule does not mean zero...
The difficulty lies in obtaining an accurate sexual history. More than once I have encountered, "but we have only been with each other how could this happen", to find the, "well, there was that trip to Amsterdam in college before we met", or something similar. The fact remains, though, that a strictly monogamous heterosexual couple, or a strictly monogamous homosexual couple, who are HIV negative at the time they become monogamous have about the same chance of becoming infected absent some exogenous factor as tainted transfusion, as being hit by a piece of a falling Russian satellite.
I'm commenting on the sanctimony that often surrounds such discussions.
Indeed, and which makes it hard to get an accurate history.
Posted by: Farnsworth M Muldoon | December 02, 2021 at 20:04
"Naval Recruit Training Command Great Lakes."
Ah - where I was borned. Or hatched, depending on who's yelling at me at the time. Said Hospital was demolished a few years back, tho...
"The difficulty lies in obtaining an accurate sexual history."
Any behavioral personal history. People* are piss poor at recalling and transmitting personal histories.
*not, of course, referring to the fine folk who reside here.
Posted by: anon a mouse | December 02, 2021 at 21:04
Ker-ching!
Posted by: Connor | December 02, 2021 at 21:05
Ker-ching!
Bless you, sir. May you always have gas refills for your new drinks carbonator.
Posted by: David | December 02, 2021 at 21:11
Trauma is not hereditary.
My great-grandfather came over to the New World courtesy of the Irish potato famine.
Somehow, I have managed to avoid blaming David for this.
I'm still holding him to account for the pickled eggs, though.
I’ll just leave this here.
That's an XBox Series X, which due to Microsoft deciding that supply chains were magical things that just happened if you had a heart full of goodness and light and clapped hard enough, goes for around $1000 if you can find a scalper with one to sell. Arguably worth more than the bag it was packed in.
Posted by: Daniel Ream | December 02, 2021 at 21:24
Any behavioral personal history. People* are piss poor at recalling and transmitting personal histories.
That was the premise of that doctor show with Hugh Laurie - House? People lie. Bet on it.
Posted by: ComputerLabRat | December 02, 2021 at 21:26
Understand. But the nature of the acts involved, completely devoid of any moral judgement, are the acts involved. They happen. And other things happen after that.
I remember the white-hot rage in "the gay community" in the 1980's when public health experts pointed out that simple behavioral changes would stop the epidemic, and that contract tracing was an essential component of fighting the spread. Telling people to stop being promiscuous, and tracking down infected people? "Homophobia" and "blame the victim". Identifying infected promiscuous men and telling them to stop having sex at bathhouses was even likened to the Nazi extermination program. And it wasn't just gay activists who spouted this garbage: Seemingly all liberals joined in. all those "believe in science" liberals instantly threw away the science of public health the moment it became politically inconvenient. This evil fiasco was an important milestone on my journey away from "liberalism".
Posted by: pst314 | December 02, 2021 at 22:14
Any behavioral personal history. People* are piss poor at recalling and transmitting personal histories.
That was the premise of that doctor show with Hugh Laurie - House? People lie. Bet on it.
I have only the vaguest recollection, but Health Department contact tracers had a difficult job back in the day, interviewing people infected with contagious diseases to find out where they might have been infected and who they might then have infected. It was difficult even with diseases that were not sexually transmitted.
Posted by: pst314 | December 02, 2021 at 22:18
Ah - where I was borned. Or hatched...
I saw Mork from Ork come out of an egg, so why not you? Na-Nu Na-Nu!
Posted by: pst314 | December 02, 2021 at 22:21
That a POC would get trauma from passing a cotton field is...precious.
The mind boggles at the potential inherited traumas. What about railways and Chinese ? Others can come up with their own examples.
BTW, I'm not going to "ping". I'm throwing my money down on the bar. Makes a more satisfying sound.
Posted by: APL | December 02, 2021 at 23:18
More than once I have encountered, "but we have only been with each other how could this happen", to find the, "well, there was that trip to Amsterdam in college before we met", or something similar.
For men, divide the number of women they claim to have had sex with by half.
For women, multiply the number of men they claim to have had sex with by two.
Posted by: Squires | December 02, 2021 at 23:52
On the AIDS epidemic: at the beginning when it was not clear how transmissible it was, I was concerned about gay men working in restaurants--because that is how hepatitis is transmitted. One was not allowed to ask that question, as if the only employment available to gay men was in restaurants and checking for infection was genocide. Better dead than rude.
Posted by: ccscientist | December 03, 2021 at 00:57
at the beginning when it was not clear how transmissible it was, I was concerned about gay men working in restaurants--because that is how hepatitis is transmitted. One was not allowed to ask that question, as if the only employment available to gay men was in restaurants and checking for infection was genocide. Better dead than rude.
That brings back memories of friends with just that attitude. As best I know, none of them ever changed their minds.
Just think what might have happened if it turned out that AIDS could be transmitted that way. Considering all the gay activists and leftists who tried to bully us into ignoring the dysfunctional behavior that caused the epidemic, I can imagine a very extreme public backlash.
Posted by: pst314 | December 03, 2021 at 01:29
Thanks for the head-scratching and laughs. Your tip jar has been hit.
Posted by: Dan | December 03, 2021 at 06:39
I’m throwing my money down on the bar. Makes a more satisfying sound.
Your tip jar has been hit.
Bless you, sirs. May you never be tempted to revisit old grievances.
Posted by: David | December 03, 2021 at 06:53
Ping! Buy yourself something nice.:-)
Posted by: Liz | December 03, 2021 at 08:55
Ping! Buy yourself something nice.:-)
Bless you, madam. May your hairdresser always, but always, have a last-minute slot.
[ Flicks through catalogue of diadems, broches, and elbow-length gloves. ]
Posted by: David | December 03, 2021 at 09:10
[ Flicks through catalogue of diadems, broches, and elbow-length gloves. ]
[ Contemplates grubby tables, sticky bar, and David's stained apron. ]
Posted by: pst314 | December 03, 2021 at 14:18
What about railways and Chinese ? Others can come up with their own examples.
I still shudder inside when I see a french fry.
Posted by: Daniel Ream | December 03, 2021 at 15:45
[ Contemplates grubby tables, sticky bar, and David's stained apron. ]
[ David contemplates grubby clientele. ]
Posted by: pst314 | December 03, 2021 at 16:53
Heh.
Posted by: David | December 03, 2021 at 16:56
*puts a few pounds in tip jar*
*washes hands*
Posted by: Andy B | December 03, 2021 at 20:00
*puts a few pounds in tip jar*
*washes hands*
Bless you, sir. After the holidays, may your festoonery return to its year-long storage place mysteriously, overnight, and without the usual tangles, tutting and colourful language.
Posted by: David | December 03, 2021 at 20:06
After the holidays, may your festoonery return to its year-long storage place mysteriously, overnight...
Don't make the mistake of leaving out milk and cookies for the holiday decoration brownies: They will kick over the glass of milk and grind the cookies into the carpet. ("Crivens!") Instead, leave out a bottle of whiskey.
Posted by: pst314 | December 03, 2021 at 23:14
More of a pinglet than a ping.
Posted by: a different james | December 03, 2021 at 23:48
Pinged.
Posted by: Joan | December 04, 2021 at 08:15
More of a pinglet
Pinged.
Bless you, sir, and bless you, madam. May your electric razor always be sufficiently charged and not gasp its last at the worst possible time.
Posted by: David | December 04, 2021 at 08:28
Again, 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 | December 04, 2021 at 10:20
One of my favourite bloggers. Tip jar has been hit. :-)
Posted by: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) | December 04, 2021 at 19:15
Tip jar has been hit. :-)
Bless you, sir. Should houseguests poke through your bathroom drawers, may your towels be fragrant and perfectly orientated.
Posted by: David | December 04, 2021 at 20:13
Bar bill sorted. Have one for yourself, barkeep.
Posted by: sk60 | December 05, 2021 at 07:58
Have one for yourself, barkeep.
Bless you, sir. When arriving at a friend’s party, armed with a bottle of gin as a gift, may you never discover that someone else has already brought the same item, also as a gift, but in the larger bottle.
Posted by: David | December 05, 2021 at 08:22
Some quids have been bunged in your tip jar. For a great blog and being a gracious host.
Posted by: Clam | December 05, 2021 at 19:26
Some quids have been bunged in your tip jar.
Bless you, sir. May the Christmas cards you send be effortlessly stylish and look much more expensive than they actually were.
For a great blog and being a gracious host.
One tries.
[ Checks self in mirror, approves wholeheartedly. ]
Posted by: David | December 05, 2021 at 19:37
Well, it’s still here, after…
[ Looks at watch. ]
Almost fifteen years.
I've lurked here for most of them. Here's to 15 more.
Consider yourself tipped.
Posted by: THW | December 06, 2021 at 07:12
Here’s to 15 more.
No pressure, then.
And bless you, sir. May you have the power to charm apprehensive dogs.
Posted by: David | December 06, 2021 at 08:09
I might sneak in my own booze but I am not ungrateful for the company.
Ping!
Merry Christmas!
https://imgur.com/gallery/6n4Kn6I
Posted by: Stephanie | December 06, 2021 at 09:07
I might sneak in my own booze but I am not ungrateful for the company.
I assumed the bulge was either a hipflask or a revolver. Bless you, madam. In times of crisis, may you nevertheless look stunning.
Posted by: David | December 06, 2021 at 09:14
I assumed the bulge was either a hipflask or a revolver.
We're always happy to see you. But in a "rated PG" way.
Posted by: pst314 | December 06, 2021 at 20:13
[ Reviews comment thread. ]
Um, maybe that was not completely accurate.
Posted by: pst314 | December 06, 2021 at 20:14
*PING*
Posted by: Lurks in Shadows | December 07, 2021 at 06:35
*PING*
Bless you, sir. May you always have stamps.
Posted by: David | December 07, 2021 at 06:54
One more time: 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 | December 07, 2021 at 13:17
Thank you, David. *hits tip jar*
Posted by: Andreas | December 08, 2021 at 13:11
Thank you, David. *hits tip jar*
Bless you, sir. When needed, may your SIM extraction tool, or some similar small pokey thing, always be easy to find. As opposed to what usually happens.
Posted by: David | December 08, 2021 at 13:36
Tip jar hit.
Also a little extra on top for a bit of tinsel. That pickled egg jar could look right festive with a bit of sparkle round the lid.
Posted by: Nikw211 | December 08, 2021 at 15:56
That pickled egg jar could look right festive with a bit of sparkle round the lid.
Bless you, sir. May your white kitchen work surfaces remain unblemished even by those takeaways from the local curry house.
Posted by: David | December 08, 2021 at 15:58
Some early Christmas cheer in your stocking, O Great Host.
Posted by: Another Mike | December 09, 2021 at 18:54
Some early Christmas cheer in your stocking, O Great Host.
Bless you, sir. May your ego be stroked by multiple invitations to Christmas dinner and/or parties, even if you’d be quite content with a quiet one at home.
Posted by: David | December 09, 2021 at 19:06
Ping!
Posted by: Jacobus | December 10, 2021 at 15:43
Ping!
Bless you, sir. May your colours never fade.
Posted by: David | December 10, 2021 at 15:54
Christmas shopping done courtesy of your Amazon US linky up top.
I hope it results in something for y'all - I log in, then click the button on the blog, but then I do a lot of searching to find the right item, so I never know if the final purchase gets credited to this creaky barge or not.
Happy Christmas to you and yours.
Posted by: ComputerLabRat | December 10, 2021 at 17:35
Christmas shopping done courtesy of your Amazon US linky up top.
Bless you. May the local Chinese takeaway never have trouble finding a new driver for their delivery service, resulting in you having to fetch your own dinner, in the rain, like a peasant.
Posted by: David | December 10, 2021 at 17:52
Here’s to 15 more.
That.
Also a belated ping.
Posted by: S Lloyd | December 12, 2021 at 18:10
Also a belated ping.
Bless you, madam. May your enemies know the shame of waking to find that their high-tech kettle has died during the night, resulting in them using a saucepan to heat water for coffee, like a savage.
Posted by: David | December 12, 2021 at 18:16