Dark Alex's Really Long Post Thread.

[Alex]

Kristi hasn't had her gal bladder removed, she is getting meds for it and has a follow up appointment next week. Not sure where you'd find a copy of the Jaws boardgame, maybe your local Barnes & Noble or a games store? Alternatively you could always get it on Amazon.

[chefzombie]

i really need to get that game for my sister's BF's sister's christmas swap gift game this year. it should cause multiple stealings, the whole point of the swap, lol! the absolute star of this year's swap was a footstool shaped like a bull with a cooler inside, i wanted that SO BAD!

[Alex]

Here is a playthrough of the game.


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[Trevor]

Alex, my nephew got his D&D DVD: I got smiles and a hug from one of my two lifesavers. 

[chefzombie]

okay, i thin that's a bit too complex for a crown of inebriated cheeseheads, lol! but syd and her friends will like it, i'll get it and give it to her for her 21st instead.

[Alex]

Trevor, I hope he still speaks to you after watching it. 

Barri, the game isn't as complicated as it sounds. Each of the character sheets has a handy list of everything they can do in their turns if that helps any.

So we are a few days into the new decade and people are joking talking about World War 3. Well, it is overdue, although I am hoping to stave it off until after I am out of my currrent job. What ever it is, I am sure its all a bit overblown anyway. I'll check out the news over the weekend and see what is actually happening and until then I am going to ignore it and enjoy my time off.

[Alex]

So we finally got out the house today. We went to the cinema and finally got around to seeing The Rise of Skywalker. I had pretty low expectations going in, but the film managed to exceed them. It isn't perhaps exactly the ending I'd have wanted for a series of films I've been watching since as long as I can remember, but it was a lot better than I expected from a director who I rate as a better version of Michael Bay. Ash sat on my lap for almost all of the movie, although the last 20 minutes or so he got a bit restless and we'd to walk him around a bit. He was done by the time we got him home and fell asleep on Kristi about an hour earlier than we wanted him to go to bed.

Which meant he woke up just before 22:00 and is now sittng on my knee watching paw patrol.

Damn, but that mayor is useless. And everyone defers to an independently wealthy 10 year old boy. I mean they are incapable of sorting out the simplist problem without his assistance.

[Alex]

So the attempted hackings of my various accounts continues. Had a bunch of emails from FB this morning telling me that someone had attempted to log in from the north of England this morning. Whoever it is appears to be an early riser as they tried just before 7 am.

Changed around my passwords and so on, standard security protocols. I have a fair idea of who it would have been, unless it was just a random hack. The geographical area though suggests one particular person.

Decided to start the day off with some Spocks Beard. Well, one of their songs anyway. Waste Away is the only one of theirs that I've found that I like and I've not been inclined to dig further into their output to see if they have any others. One of those bands that I heard a song of, liked it, bought the album and disliked everything else.

I miss the old Iron Maiden album covers. The ones that Derek Riggs done. You can look at them for years and still pick up details that you'd missed. Somewhere In Time has to be the pinacle of this. Since he retired the covers seem to have just been a bit more generic. Plus, the music hasn't sounded as good to me, but that could just be my opinion and just coincidence.

Last day of my holiday before I go back to work. Restarting my D&D game tonight and I'll have to sort out uniform and suchlike for the moro. But for now I am going to sit and relax.

Or at least I was going to. Ash just wandered into the mancave and is watching me. Time to go start the day. Be well all.

[Alex]

Well being back at work went about how I expected today.

Woke up this morning wanting to just call in sick. Not because I felt ill, but just because I didn't want to get out of my nice warm bed. Work was quiet, I was bored and wanted to be elsewhere. I exchanged all the usual pleasentries that people do when they get back after the holidays without really knowing why we do it. Maybe the other people I talk to know why they do it, or why at shift change they will hang about and chat with each other for far longer than is required. Me, I just want to get the hell out of there and go home. I hate those conversations without points. Indeed the most pointless conversation I've ever had recently turned ten years old. An ex was complaining she hadn't made any of her own friends since moving in with me from her home area. I'd been doing my best by bringing my friends around to meet her, but she complained that I was "showing her off" so I gave up. Anyway I suggested a few things she could do to make her own friends and she told me that if she wanted to make her own friends then she would have.  At that point I figured it didn't matter what I said, she'd find some way why it was bad.

Bought a copy of a book off ebay that I've been trying to get a copy of since it came out in '93. Paid £70 for it, which is about 1/3 the price it is normally available for. Said to Kristi it should be a birthday present and she agreed. Of course that means waiting a few months before I can actually read it.

I had been wondering how Ash would react to me being gone out the house all day after having me around for the past few weeks. No need to worry though, he was back to being delighted to seeing me when I come home. Made sure I spent a goodly amount of time playing with him on the floor, chasing after him and tickling him. Gave him a bath before his bedtime and let him splash around. He does love playing with his toys in the bath. A couple of times he slipped and went under the water but unless he is having problems getting back up I just let him pick himself up. The instant he seems to be struggling I'd be there picking him up, but if he can handle something himself then I am going to leave him to it. Hopefully it'll help to teach him how to be confident and self relient.

[Alex]

A strange sort of game has came into being at work. A song will come on the radio, lets just say 'Adam & the Ants' with 'Prince Charming'. Someone will say words to the effect of "Oh, I like this song. I am a big fan of Elton John's stuff."
Next someone will say "I thought it was 'Fun Boy 3' who did this one?" with the idea that you name check increasingly obscure acts.

Anyway, I won today by mentioning 'Dollar', a duo I can't remember a single song of, but I do vaguely recall a video of theirs with some sort of Egyptian theme to it. Anyway, Terry, our chief got up upset with me when he said "I remember listening to this at the school disco, and I replied "I didn't realise Adam & the Ant's were playing in the 50's.

At this point I would like to reference my previous post though and my mention of people and their rituals that I don't understand.

He's got a really bad cough that is leaving his chest in agony at the moment, but refuses to take any sick leave. I have told him that if he gives me his cold and I pass it onto Ash or Kristi then I will not be best pleased. And by best pleased I mean I'll cut his brake lines on his car, remove all the bolts from his chair, cover him in itching powder or something.

Been feeling very tired this year. Poor Kristi must be exhausted from dealing with Ash through the nights. We are still fighting to get him back on his proper sleep schedule. It is a battle that is slowly being won, but it is not going quickly. I've booked next week off work so I can sit up with him at night if needed and let her sleep.

Watching a film called 'Cruel Jaws'. The title seems to fit in well with the movie in as much as it has a lot in common with Jaws including a lot of very similar lines ("We need a bigger choper" for one example). The hero looks like Hulk Hogan without the muscles.

[Alex]

The game my workmates came up with today was "Sausage or Dildo."

I decided not to play.

Fairly quiet day at work. Terry is still off sick. Hopefully by the time I get back to work he'll be all better. Booked next week off work so I can look after Kristi and let her get some sleep while I deal with Ash if he wakes up in the middle of the night. Poor lass needs a break.

I was idily curious today about wither or not people are taught weaon discipline in schools in countries where firearms are readily available (care and maintenence of your weapon), and wither if they aren't if they should be (lots of pro's and con's there, but I think overall if you are going to let people have guns they should have to learn how to take care of them). I was going to ask here, but then it occured to me I could just ask Kristi what they do in the USA.

Hoping to find a baby sitter and take Kristi out for a night. She want's to go see 'Rise of Skywalker' again. It is her birthday on Monday. Got her a Kindle to replace her current one which has seen better days. The screen has a few missing pixels. Going to go out tomorrow and see if I can find a couple of random presents to add to the collection. If it is nice we might even head up to Inverness. Ok, nice weather in Scotland at this time of year is a relative concept but if the weather is at least tolerable we'll go out for a bit.

[chefzombie]

just in case this seeming to be getting better is a fluke and i forget, happy birthday early, dear kristi!

[Alex]

She seems fine today. Just waiting for an appointment for an X-Ray. If she has gall stones she wants her gall bladder removed rather than go through another attack.

Hmm, protests against the ayatollah of Iran demanding he steps down. I wonder how long they will let that go on for before cracking down heavily. Or will we end up with another Syria? One last hurrah for the Arab Spring? I suspect not, but it would be nice to have one less bogeyman in the international closet. Oh, and they arrested the British ambassador last night. Somewhat violates the Vienna Convention. Wonder if it was deliberate or a mistake? I guess people can stop worrying about the thought of going to war with a middle eastern country quite as much though.

For the moment anyway. I am sure it will rear its ugly head again before too long.

And with that thought, have some nice fluffy bunnies to calm you down.





I named those bunnies you know. From left to right, they are breakfast, lunch and dinner.

In other news, there is always the whole Harry and Megan thing. Hah, if there is any truth at all behind the conspiracy theories behind Diana I am pretty sure Megan would be dealt with quite quickly. They won't be the first senior royals to attempt to make a living independently. Last time was a disaster and I don't see the press being any less intrusive just because they want to step away from the limelight. Maybe they'll get lucky and will actually get what they want. Then Harry can turn up to parties dressed as a Nazi and no one will care.

[chefzombie]

@KRISTI
  honey, please just get it removed NOW. i can't bear the thought of you going through the hell michael went though for 5 years...and i don't think your sweet husband and son, or your 2 crazy families can either. please thin about it, at least, okay?

[Alex]

So last week at work I was asked what would be the rules for living on my own private planet. And as soon as the brochure arrives from Magrithea, I'll be ordered it.

Let's see. My planet, my rules.

1) Everyone gets given a certain number of points. Everyone starts off at a certain level and depending on what they do they earn or lose points. The more points you have, the more freedoms you earn including the right to vote, lower taxes, unemployment benefits, healthcare and so on. You can earn more points by doing useful things. Having a job will earn you some, but some jobs will get you more than others, so a nurse or other healthcare professional can expect to earn more points than a sports star for example. Being a criminal will cost you points meaning that you lose rights and have to re-earn them if you want them back. Charitable works and so on will also gain you points.

2) There is a base tax rate for everyone. No loopholes are allowed and those who attempt to use any find themselves losing points. The only way to pay less without punishment is the above points system.

3) You can opt-out of this system and choose to live independently. You won't have to pay taxes, but you are also not subject to the benefits of the system either (although you are still going to have to obey the law. You still get the punitive aspects of that). Should you require help, well just remember you made the choice not to contribute and that cuts both ways.

4) Only people who have served in the military get to be the head of it. You do not have to have served to become a politician, but you do not get to send people to war unless you have faced that situation yourself. Should a leader who has not served be elected then he or she must delegate that part of their portfolio to a suitably experienced person.

5) Smokers will only be allowed to smoke in designated areas with other smokers. If someone is smoking outside these areas you are allowed to punch them in the face. If they are going to contribute to damaging your health you have the right to damage theirs in return.

6) People in positions of authority (police, judges, politicians and so on) if found to have committed a crime will face a much stiffer penalty than a regular person. If you abuse a position of trust, expect to pay for it. This will include people who abuse their jobs (accountants who defraud their clients, people who work in advertising and so forth).

7) Different grades of prisons will be available for different crimes. Minor offences will be relatively easy affairs with a punishment designed around making the person work at repairing the damage they have done. Food will be decent and conditions will not be too harsh. As crimes become more serious, so does the punishment. There will be no time off for good behaviour. However, there will be increased jail time for failing to reach an expected level of behaviour. Good behaviour will, however, earn the prisoner back points towards regaining privileges.

8) All houses will be designed with a parking space for a car that doesn't block the road. Second cars, while allowed will incur increased costs.

9) Vegans and vegetarians will be banned from telling people they have just met about their diet. If they do insist on telling you, then you are legally allowed to taze them.

10) People who get off trains as quickly as they can, get to the barrier and then block everyone else from getting through while they spend 10 minutes looking for their tickets may be tazed and other passengers are then allowed to walk over them on their way out. If you are in that much of a hurry, have your damn ticket ready, or stand to one side while you find it.

11) Women are allowed to breastfeed in public. Hell, if they feel the weather is warm enough, they can walk around topless if they want. If it is good enough for a man, then it is good enough for a woman.

12) Vaccinations are not compulsory, however if you choose to forego them then you have to live on a reservation with other non-vaccinated people. No doubt such colonies will soon pick up a nickname along the lines of leper colonies, or plague pits or some such similar. Travel to and from these colonies would by necessity be strictly limited, however, inhabitants are free to leave should they later decide to have all required vaccinations.

13) Freedom of religion is guaranteed as long as it does not limit the freedoms of others. Children must be allowed to reach an age of majority before being brought into any faith where it should be their own choice on wither to join it or not. Going around people's houses to try and convert them is similarly banned, although you are free to stand in any street and speak about your faith to anyone who is interested.

14) People who talk through movies or drop spoilers may be tazed freely.

15) People will have the right to bare arms. Simply roll your sleeves up, or wear a sleeveless tee-shirt.

16) Any politicians must use the same level of healthcare and other benefits available to the average citizen. Their wage will increase by the same level as the national average and before they receive any money they must pass a drugs test.

17) If you are unable to find a job, a base level of income will be provided. This will be sufficient for you to pay reasonable bills, eat and even some leftover for just enjoying. You may, however, be called on to work for it. For example if there is a heavy snowfall you may be sent out to shovel the paths of those unable to clear their own, work at a soup kitchen for the homeless, help out at an old folks home or so on. Only people judged medically unfit in some way to engage in work will be excused this duty.

18) All your rights will be clearly laid down. They will be taught at school so you know what they are. Equally, all your responsibilities will be laid out and taught to you.

19) Poetry will not be taught at schools, although learning how to balance your bills and handle money will be.

20) Laws can be backdated and will be enforced according to their spirit rather than the letter of the law. That is really going to mess with lawyers.

Anyway, that is just some of the rules I'd have. Don't like them? Then go find your own fantasy planet to live on.