The Thread Of Complete Randomness

Quote from thewatcher

What, pray tell, is glib? Your description has me imagining all different sorts of things!

Sorry, I was being silly in an attempt at humour. Glib is the act of being smooth-talkingly insincere. It came up in a whatsapp chat with a friend who accused me of being glib. While it's a quite negative thing to be called I was amused and didn't mind the comment. Then I imagined having a big load of glib to hand and decided if it were a physical thing it'd be shiny greasy puddingy stuff in a tub.

There's a glimpse into how my mind works that no-one wanted.

This is a bit of a tough watch but worth it. I'm keenly aware that social media breeds doom merchantry, fear mongering and hysteria (there was a funny post by a tone deaf poster on Twitter in the last few days about something called an Arkstorm about to destroy California; the take down by proper meteorologists and proper science communicators was <chef's kiss>). But I increasingly don't like the data about the climate that's coming out and this fairly straight shooting scientist made the linked 20 minute video about it. I wish she didn't have the hard sell for some nature preservation group at the end but I don't think it detracts from the main message.

Hearing the usual stuff at this time of year about "getting through January" I reckon a lot of people find January 'depressing' because so many people around them, and the media, keep telling them they're supposed to.

I get that christmas/new year is a nice break and enjoyable time for many who like to/are able to take time off, relax, see family (yes I know those last two can cancel each other out) so it feels a bit of a let-down to drag yourself back into work when the relaxation and celebrations are over, it's cold and dark - and I realise this is my Northern Hemisphere perspective. Don't know about other countries but also, here in the UK concepts such as 'dry January' and 'veganuary' are attached to this month and probably feel to many like an enjoyment vacuum.

I love christmas but also generally like autumn and winter and don't mind cold dark days. Of course not everyone feels that way but I'm sure the constant drip-drip of "January's SO depressing" plays a large part.

Quote from Backdrifter

Hearing the usual stuff at this time of year about "getting through January" I reckon a lot of people find January 'depressing' because so many people around them, and the media, keep telling them they're supposed to.

I get that christmas/new year is a nice break and enjoyable time for many who like to/are able to take time off, relax, see family (yes I know those last two can cancel each other out) so it feels a bit of a let-down to drag yourself back into work when the relaxation and celebrations are over, it's cold and dark - and I realise this is my Northern Hemisphere perspective. Don't know about other countries but also, here in the UK concepts such as 'dry January' and 'veganuary' are attached to this month and probably feel to many like an enjoyment vacuum.

I love christmas but also generally like autumn and winter and don't mind cold dark days. Of course not everyone feels that way but I'm sure the constant drip-drip of "January's SO depressing" plays a large part.

Nice and hot down here, air conditioning kicking in at 8 in the morning...

Quote from FeelItComing

Nice and hot down here, air conditioning kicking in at 8 in the morning...

Ooooh I don't like the sound of that!

One strictly for brits of a certain age.

I can't hear the end of Nantucket Sleighride without hearing "Coming up, Brian Moore with The Big Match. Featuring a Midlands derby of Coventry City against Wolverhampton Wanderers!"

An estimated 3 tons of human excrement has accumulated on the routes to the summit of Everest. Because of the freezing conditions it doesn't degrade. A new scheme is being introduced; climbers will now have to bag their own shit and take it back down where it'll be INSPECTED.

Just FYI, in case you're planning an ascent (though also bear in mind you'll have to pick your way through 3 tons worth of everyone else's long-frozen faeces).

When corporations greet a query or complaint with a cheerful "Hi! How are you doing?" and/or a smiley face or waving hand emoji, do they genuinely not know it will very likely infuriate you even more than you might already be? How is it possible for them to not realise this?

The last (and literally final) time I used Air B'n'B, when I called to make the inevitable complaint, not only did I get the "HEYYY! How are YOU today?" I also got asked what my plans for the day were. I had to tell them I was not okay, was very angry, and the rest of the day would involve my trying to find out exactly why they suddenly cancelled - with no warning and no explanation - a booking I'd made with them, leaving me in a very awkward spot. (I experienced with them literally the worst customer relations I've ever encountered - and I live in Britain, and am a Vodafone customer, which gives you an idea just how bad they were).

I don't want giant corporations to try to be my pal. It's irritating, transparent and cringe-inducing. The person I'm speaking with/emailing/tweeting probably hates their job, their employer and me. I know 100% they have no interest in my day, my plans or anything about me. And quite right too. But of course they have a script, a procedure, they are required to follow. We know that, and they know we know, and we know they know we know. It's all a ridiculous sham.

And as for 'wackaging' ie wacky packaging, it's as bad. This is when products are covered in cheery first-person text - "HELLO! I'm 100% all natural ingredients. I'm good for you and yummy for your tummy!" It's part of the infantilisation of discourse that's crept in over the last 20 years or so.

Apparently when Star Wars was aired on TV in Chile many years ago, instead of breaking for commercials, they worked the commercial into the movie. I laughed a lot at the results... If there's a Star wars thread feel free to move the post!

You know you're a Genesis fan when you see a Genesis connection anywheres. Somebody talking 'bout a monster mouse?

Be forewarned: bah humbug mode has been activated.

So the eclipse. We had 92% of it where I am. In keeping with my tendency to be naturally repelled by things that hordes of people flock to, I found it extraordinarily over rated. The initial glimpse of it through those glasses you wear was mildly exciting, and the quality of the ambient light as it neared its peak was vaguely interesting in the way the first third of a horror movie can interesting - before anything really scary happens and they're dutifully putting all the pieces in place. It got cold.

Maybe in the path of totality it's different (for four minutes, the excitement increases from mild to mild-moderate, and it gets colder), but if I live to the heat death of the universe I will not understand the people who spend their time and money traveling the world hunting that brief pulse of interest.

<bah humbug mode off>

Quote from thewatcher

Be forewarned: bah humbug mode has been activated.

So the eclipse. We had 92% of it where I am. In keeping with my tendency to be naturally repelled by things that hordes of people flock to, I found it extraordinarily over rated. The initial glimpse of it through those glasses you wear was mildly exciting, and the quality of the ambient light as it neared its peak was vaguely interesting in the way the first third of a horror movie can interesting - before anything really scary happens and they're dutifully putting all the pieces in place. It got cold.

Maybe in the path of totality it's different (for four minutes, the excitement increases from mild to mild-moderate, and it gets colder), but if I live to the heat death of the universe I will not understand the people who spend their time and money traveling the world hunting that brief pulse of interest.

<bah humbug mode off>

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I look forward to your 2-star 'Solar Eclipse' review on Tripadvisor.

I kind of get you. I was in London for the 1999 one so didn't experience totality (you had to go the westernmost Cornwall), but it wasn't far off was agreeably odd to see the weird light either side of it and feel a slight drop in temperature. But no I wouldn't travel for it. On that occasion I just had to go on to the roof of the building I was working in.

And as for pandas...

Undeterred by the bah humbug mode above, we had a great eclipse experience, driving frantically around the Niagara Escarpment until we found an open patch of sky just minutes before totality. Seeing the sun getting fully blocked out with the surrounding corona, seeing sunset effects on every horizon, feeling the temperature fall and the birds suddenly quiet, and then experiencing everything reawaken minutes later was magical.

Quote from Dr. John

Undeterred by the bah humbug mode above, we had a great eclipse, driving frantically around the Niagara Escarpment until we found an open patch of sky just minutes before totality. Seeing the sun getting fully blocked out with the surrounding corona, seeing sunset effects on every horizon, feeling the temperature fall and the birds suddenly quiet, and then experiencing everything reawaken minutes later was magical.

That does sound lovely.

To add to my somewhat miserable commentary above though, a couple of people I work with had stories of driving to the path of totality, which sounded fine, the totality itself which sounded amazing, and then driving back which sounded nightmarish. 12 hours to cover a 3-4 hour distance, 4+ hours of not moving at all on an interstate where the exits have all been blocked off to prevent detours through little towns. People wandering into the woods to relieve themselves. Sounds kind of dangerous actually. I'm profoundly grateful I didn't chance it with the kids, it would have been disastrous. I wonder if any Teslas died halfway home!

Check out this video of the eclipse shadow, taken from a starlink satellite

Quote from thewatcher

That does sound lovely.

To add to my somewhat miserable commentary above though, a couple of people I work with had stories of driving to the path of totality, which sounded fine, the totality itself which sounded amazing, and then driving back which sounded nightmarish. 12 hours to cover a 3-4 hour distance, 4+ hours of not moving at all on an interstate where the exits have all been blocked off to prevent detours through little towns. People wandering into the woods to relieve themselves. Sounds kind of dangerous actually. I'm profoundly grateful I didn't chance it with the kids, it would have been disastrous. I wonder if any Teslas died halfway home!

The path of totality was only about 1.5 hours from our place, so we went the day before and had a mini-vacation, since it is in our local wine-growing area. We visited some wineries, did some hiking, and then had little traffic to contend with on the day of. Driving back was definitely slow, but only 2.5 hours.

I have to admit I was tempted to make a mock bah humbug comment - I was thinking of something like I'd complain how overrated Steve Hackett concerts are, based on my recent experience when I went to see a show but stayed in the parking lot outside of the venue to save money. It was cold and rainy and I couldn't hear a thing, I really don't get the hype...

I couldn't see this solar eclipse, however I remember the 1999 eclipse and it was once-in-a-lifetime experience, worth any hours of traffic jam. Total eclipses are a mind blower. Partial eclipses suck.

Quote from Schrottrocker

Partial eclipses suck.

It didn't suck, it was quite exciting for the kids which was nice and the experience itself, while underwhelming, wasn't bad. A 12 hour traffic jam and arriving home at 3am would have been bad. Very, very bad. If there were a total eclipse happening outside my window, I'm sure I'd love it. If I knew I could drive an hour or two there and back I'd *maybe* do it. Would I fly somewhere to see one, or risk getting trapped in a car for a day? Not for a large casket of diamonds and gold ingots.

I feel like the Curb Your Enthusiasm guy over here! Not intentionally.

Quote from email I've received:

"Pretty Vacant

25 Chwefror / February 2025

The Story of Punk and New Wave - For the first time all the hits, attitude and fashion are brought to the stage by this incredibly talented cast of musicians, singers and dancers" - Sorry about the language, it's Welsh!

Anyway, point is, surely that's counter-intuitive? Incredible talent was the one thing they lacked, and eschewed. It's a bit like asking Prof. Brian Cox to play the part of the Pope during the condemnation of Galileo.

Coffee shops. When serving sit-in customers please return to using ceramic cups WITH HANDLES for blisteringly hot drinks.

Thank you.