57F and sunny, instead of the rainy forecast. I’ll take it.
I should be doing a round up post, or a ‘coming year’ post, but I’m too tired.
I thought I would just read a bit, then fall asleep. Nope. Read most of the book.
Perhaps more later…
Until then, I wish everyone a Happy, Safe, and Prosperous New Year.
Nick Flandrey
Happy New Year All!
Happy New Year (bah humbug)
Sorry folks, this is absolutely not right, watching the Rose Parade and the Rose Parade Queen is an LGBTQ+ Jewish was-a-male wearing glasses. All Rose Parade firsts (1) LGBTQ+ (2) Jewish (3) wearing glasses. (bah humbug)
This “identity” thing is out of control.
And don’t come to WA State with your “emotional support” whatever, they are now not recognized and you will be fined $500.00. Only dogs and miniature horses are allowed as “service animals”. I am sure this will keep the Courts busy.
Now to make a big pot of Hoppin’ John for dinner tonight (basically a soup/stew of black-eyed peas, ground sausage, rice, and tomatoes in a chicken broth base).
Sorry folks, this is absolutely not right, watching the Rose Parade and the Rose Parade Queen is an LGBTQ+ Jewish was-a-male wearing glasses. All Rose Parade firsts (1) LGBTQ+ (2) Jewish (3) wearing glasses. (bah humbug)
I guess we know where the Bar Mitzvah money went.
It is a slap at Judaism more than anything else, but maybe the standards are more relaxed about sex changes now. Still, if the mother isn’t upset, the grandparents definitely are.
The last time I took the kids to the Fort Lauderdale science museum about a decade ago, a very visibly Jewish but mostly-passable transwoman was there with her kids. Once she realized I had “read” her status (feet), she grabbed the tots and high tailed it out of there. I didn’t even smirk or let on that I knew, but maybe she got grief elsewhere in the area.
So much for Broward tolerance.
And don’t come to WA State with your “emotional support” whatever, they are now not recognized and you will be fined $500.00. Only dogs and miniature horses are allowed as “service animals”. I am sure this will keep the Courts busy.
Publix in Florida banned service animals without proof, setting themselves up to fight the court precedent for what is, arguably, a violation of ADA.
The dogs are bad enough on the airlines, especially big dogs in coach, and the airlines have full discretion to ban the animals.
Miniature horses? WTF?
I need the emotional support of my wife… so she should fly with me free.
I need the emotional support of my handguns so I should be able to fly with them.
I need the emotional support of knowing I can pay my bills so I should be given money…
When did the idea of “emotional support” anything come into vogue? And who started it? I’ll bet it’s the same as all the other made up “rights”- came from one person, expanded out because it ‘sounds good.’
n
The cynical view is that it was a cash grab by people on the web to allow people to scam the airlines and allow them to fly with their pets without putting them in the baggage system or in a closed carrier under the seat. All it takes is you paying a fee, answering a few questions, and your animal is “certified” as an emotional support animal.
Service animals, however, are trained to perform a specific function for their owner and have been trained to behave in crowds. Seeing eye dogs are one example of a service animal. The ADA requires airlines and other public places to accommodate service animals.
The ADA requires airlines and other public places to accommodate service animals.
The airlines have the final decision about allowing *any* animal on the plane, regardless of ADA, on the basis of ensuring safety. They are allowed to ask for proof of the service capability but choose to permit the undocumented animals without challenge in order to sell the ticket.
Up to a certain size, boarding the undocumented animal is easier than arguing with the owner, who is typically an a**hat if they are knowingly exploiting that loophole to avoid the hassle of a carrier and/or checking a pet.
The Rose Court picture says, “This is the same as how I looked reading from the Torah at my Bar Mitzvah, before I had my penis removed.”
The Rose Parade is making a statement. Ratings were probably going to be lousy otherwise.
https://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/2018/12/24/rose-parade-2019-meet-a-perfectly-composed-royal-court/?obref=obinsite
The complete wussification of the military by Obola:
The original tweet boasted: “#TimesSquare tradition rings in the #NewYear by dropping the big ball … if ever needed, we are #ready to drop something much, much bigger. Watch to the end! @AFGlobalStrike @Whiteman_AFB #Deterrence #Assurance #CombatReadyForce #PeaceIsOurProfession …”
They have deleted the tweet ‘cause some Libturd complained. I’m so glad I’m out. Next our military will only have “non-lethal” weapons.
Happy New Year, Comrades!
Indeed. Sat next to a lady on a flight that had an “emotional support cat”. Cat meowed the entire flight, took a dump, and pissed twice. Fortunately on the cretin’s lap. I complained at the start of the flight but was told I could not violate her rights. I asked about my rights and was told they did not matter, I had a seat. Keep it or get off the plane (there were no empty seats, small plane).
I complained at the start of the flight but was told I could not violate her rights. I asked about my rights and was told they did not matter, I had a seat. Keep it or get off the plane (there were no empty seats, small plane).
That was totally the airline’s position, not something forced on them by the ADA. The airlines would prefer that you believe otherwise. Jedi mind tricks.
A loose cat is an obvious flight safety hazard which should have been mitigated, but a crazy cat lady is more likely to take to social media if offended by the airline.
FMOD come and cleanse the earth–
Since I had to ask, WTF is vaginal steaming? Here’s an answer–
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6iajqz9fKQ
n
TL:DR or too squicked- it’s squatting over a bowl of steaming water filled with “natural herbs” and there are spas that offer this “service”.
added- there was an Absolutely Fabulous episode where they made fun of this, at least a decade ago.
visiting that rose court site with all my blockers on didn’t show the header pic of the Queen and her court. . . but it did leave the text visible and I didn’t get the nag popup about my blocker…
What an unattractive “queen”. I didn’t see the bio for the “queen” though, but the court looks like they went to the diversity bean jar and got one of each. I wonder if the slots are defined that way- or if it just “magically” happened. I note that despite white still being the majority in the US, by a large margin, the closest those girls get is half [which I note because of the care and attention the article placed on their ethnic heritage]… I guess the queen should count.
FMOD
n
From an IRS field agent friend of mine, today’s posting on facebook (he has been posting EVERY day):
“Day 11 of Government Shutdown: WHAT YEAR IS IT!?!?”
I gave him this piece of wisdom today.
“A shutdown is a way to torture random government employees”
“The winner is the side willing to torture them longer” by Scott Adams
https://blog.dilbert.com/2018/12/30/episode-355-scott-adams-china-trade-aoc-government-by-torture-climate-change-challenge/
Yeh, I know. The options provided were not much and the airline makes the ultimate decision.
First time I flew home from basic training I got scammed by the airlines. Made it from Texas to San Francisco, flying standby. Was given a boarding pass from SF to Medford OR, was on the plane, in my seat. I was approached by a flight attendant and told I had to give up my seat for a full fare passenger who had just arrived. I complied not knowing otherwise. I was not compensated other than to get a partial refund on the ticket.
As it turns out once you are given a boarding pass that seat is yours and the airline cannot force you to give up that seat. The can offer alternatives such as significant compensation but cannot force you to give up the seat. Spent the night on a bus instead. After that I learned the rules.
About a year later I was flying from Chicago to Los Angeles, standby of course. This was 1970 when the airlines had smoking and non-smoking areas. My standby seat was the last row. After I was seated I informed the flight attendant I wanted non-smoking. I also told the attendant that FAA rules required that all seats from the front of coach to the row of the passenger requesting non-smoking be made non-smoking. She tried to argue but I held my ground. The second officer came back and offered me a seat close to the front. I said no, I had a window, this was my seat, I am not moving. The 2nd officer told the flight attendant I was correct. Thus the entire flight was made non-smoking. There were a lot of pissed off people. Good thing I got off last.
The airlines have also taken advantage of my MIL. One time terminating her flight to Knoxville at Memphis. They put her on a bus to finish the journey. No compensation. My wife lit them up over that incident and got her ticket refunded.
Another time fairly recent the airlines caused me to miss my connection because my flight departed late due to a maintenance issue. The next flight would get me in 8 hours late. I told the airline to get me on another flight from another airline. They said they could not do that as a matter of policy. I then asked for cab fare, meal, and hotel voucher. Again the airline said no as the missed connection was not their fault. I informed them it was a maintenance delay, not weather, thus they needed to put me up for the evening. Manager came back and agreed. I got 1st class on the next flight, several hours later.
One flight from Ames Iowa was delayed and thus overbooked. I went to the gate agent and told her that I would give up my seat for 1st class on the next flight, guaranteed seat. She said no. I then asked her if that would be cheaper than having to give someone a voucher. She thought for a few seconds then said she would check. She found a seat but I would have to change planes in Dallas. Still 1st class on both flights. I accepted but she told me to be quiet about what she did.
Turns out I got the better deal. When my original flight left the gate it had a bad hydraulic leak. I knew a couple of people on that flight. Delta had to have a part from American flown in from Dallas. I got home about two hours before my acquaintances got home. They got nothing for their delay even though they arrived six hours late.
The airlines will attempt to rape anyone they can. It is best to know the rules and when there is an issue make certain the airlines know you know the rules.
As it turns out once you are given a boarding pass that seat is yours and the airline cannot force you to give up that seat. The can offer alternatives such as significant compensation but cannot force you to give up the seat. Spent the night on a bus instead. After that I learned the rules.
They can still yank you from the seat, even with a boarding pass. The airline rarely do it, but high miles club members pulling strings will get priority on overbooked flights, and, with the advent of camera phones, the ugly incidents of passengers being forcibly remove are increasingly appearing on YouTube.
added- there was an Absolutely Fabulous episode where they made fun of this, at least a decade ago.
The Brits haven’t lost their nerve even if SNL has.
You saw that “Gran”, June Whitfield, died within the last couple of days?
FMOD
Had to look that one up; certainly sums things up nicely!
FMOD = floating point decimal remainder (modulus) of x / y
http://www.cplusplus.com/reference/cmath/fmod/
or
FMOD = Follow Me Or Die ?
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=FMOD
I have got to find a better remote control for my LG 55 inch 4K tv. The tv is awesome. The remove control is total crap, especially for Netflix. The stupid remote locks up continuously.
If you are pulled from your seat because someone with more “status” wants your seat you are entitled up to $1350.00, in cash, depending on the flight and other accommodations. You do not have to accept a travel voucher and the airlines cannot force you to accept a voucher.
The airlines can pull you for offensive behavior, messing with a crew member, drunk, etc. You can also be displaced by a sky marshal but that is rare. Being displaced when you have a boarding pass because of overbooking entitles the person to significant cash compensation.
If you get bumped because of overbooking you can usually negotiate some pretty good deals on the next flight, or maybe the flight after that. 1st class and a voucher are not out of the question. Be firm, not obnoxious, deal with a manager not the ticket agent. Most importantly treat the people with respect.
Contact the manufacturer and ask for a replacement. Barring that look at the Harmony remotes. Supposedly quite good. My son has one and controls it with Alexa.
Breaking Cat News: more New Year’s resolutions
https://www.gocomics.com/breaking-cat-news/2019/01/01
Sure, why not ?
Questionable Content: 3907: Socially Radioactive
https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3907
You know, I always wondered what happens when a Crushbot falls on another bot ? The question brought forward by Philip Dicks excellent and strange “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep” can extended by this question. Do dead androids dream ?
https://www.amazon.com/Androids-Dream-Electric-Sheep-inspiration-ebook/dp/B000SEGTI0?tag=ttgnet-20
Over The Hedge: 2019 Black Eyed Peas
https://www.gocomics.com/overthehedge/2019/01/01
Better eat your Black Eyed Peas today for good luck in 2019.
FMOD = floating point decimal remainder (modulus) of x / y
http://www.cplusplus.com/reference/cmath/fmod/
or
FMOD = Follow Me Or Die ?
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=FMOD
Um, no. I found the meaning I think Nick intended, but of course I can’t find the link again. Briefly, FMOD refers to an autonomous sex act. 🙂
Um, no. I found the meaning I think Nick intended, but of course I can’t find the link again. Briefly, FMOD refers to an autonomous sex act.
I could not find it either. Freak Me Onto Death ?
I thought I would just read a bit, then fall asleep. Nope. Read most of the book.
I went to bed at 3am, read until 430am, got up at noon. Am reading Robert Sawyer’s excellent Neanderthal series.
https://www.amazon.com/Hominids-Neanderthal-Parallax-Robert-Sawyer/dp/0765345005/
I cannot believe that I have to go back to work tomorrow.
Flaming Meteor Of Death! Everyone knows that! Right?
n
added- usually GIANT Flaming Meteor Of Death… was a meme for a while, kinda works with my ‘cleansing fire’ thing….
Lamb roast is in the oven, and the roasted tiny mixed potatoes too.
I’ll pop some instant biscuits in there at some point too. Probably find a green veg but maybe not.
I have a rule, well maybe a guideline, well, maybe something I never follow anyway… never start a John Ringo book at midnight. I did though, and that’s why I went to sleep at 530am and rose at 1030. I feel like crap and I didn’t quite finish, but my eyes wouldn’t focus anymore. (it’s the last Black Tide book, the one from Tom’s perspective as NYC falls…)
n
@ray, several carriers changed their Contracts Of Carriage to address some of those issues. When I was flying all the time, I had Continental, united, and American’s CoC printed out and in my briefcase. Very important to understand everyone’s rights and obligations.
n
FMOD, I get it. I wasn’t thinking Flaming. Bet we are somewhat trying to be Family Friendly here…
Happy Arbitrary Calendar Date Parameter to All !
Call it a deadline to start planning for an uncertain
future, if you have not done so already.
Some preparations will not be appropriate for some
future situations, but most “hoarding” and stockpiling
can be useful, sooner or later. Store carefully and
rotate your stock.
Meanwhile, learn some skills, learn how to fix things
and how to repair and make things.
Build social networks that will survive most sorts of
disasters, if possible.
I forget where it came up first. Then it popped up again a couple of months later.
“Unintended_Consequences” by John Ross. You can buy it on Amazon or just Google and find the free .pdf. Yeah, I had two copies on my desktop.
I finally read the book. It really needs an Editor. Capital E intended. But overall a good story…. with lots of loose ends.
I think I have found a semi-family-friendly way to covey the meaning of FMOD:
Fsck Me with my Own (body part which the “queen” claims to have had removed).
And isn’t it usually SMOD (SWEET Meteor Of Death)?
Ah, SWEET, yes perhaps….
A favorite! One of the few volumes not boxed up around here. Since it suits my sensibilities I’m not going to question some of the historical interpretations. Especially enjoyed the Warsaw Uprising account and the naming story of a certain lady ATF agent.
The plot is worthy too.
“It’s a pity Bob Heinlein can’t see this. He would feel -so- totally vindicated!”
@Greg
Miniature horses? WTF?
Actually miniature horses make a lot of sense as a service animal, depending on the required service.
-They are as intelligent and as trainable as a good service dog.
-their working life span is 2-3 times longer than a service dog
-they’ve got the physical strength to pull a wheel chair or act as a physical support for standing or rising
-potty train easily
-kid sneakers over the hooves solve flooring issues
-they’re not much harder to care for than dogs
The life span aspect is a huge consideration for a service animal. Our current training methods are god awful slow and inefficient. A decent service animal is horrifically stupidly expensive. Getting 15 or 20 years of working life instead of 5 or 10 is a huge deal.
A local kid uses a miniature horse as a service animal. The physical strength and long life has been an asset. The horse should take the kid right into college if they survive their disability that long.
The Rose Parade is still a thing? I remember watching it with my parents, when I was little. Probably haven’t seen one since the age of 10 – I had no idea it still existed.
@Jenny: That’s really interesting, about the miniature horses. I’d never heard of that. My wife works with dogs a lot, although not directly with support animals, so I’ve heard some things about training for dogs. But horses? They can be potty trained?
That ties right into one of my pet peeves: horses that ride on hiking trails, and leave piles of steaming poop blocking the path. Seems to me every rider needs to carry a shovel. Or – if horses can be potty trained – train them to poop before or after the ride.
@brad
Put pooping on cue. Put eating on a schedule so pooping is predictable. Reinforce for pooping appropriately. Average horse doesn’t need to be potty trained and training wouldn’t be worth the effort, but it can certainly be done.
I don’t remember if you’re west coast or elsewhere. If west coast, and if wife is serious about dog training, she might get a kick and some really great knowledge out of Terry Ryan’s Chicken Camps. Legacycanine.com
Hi Jenny, we’re on neither coast, we live in Switzerland. But thanks for the suggestion, I can still pass it on. The funny thing about dog training, as far as I’ve understood from her, is that it is almost never about the dog. But I suppose people would be insulted if you called it “owner training”.
I mentioned that she’s trying to figure out what to do next, now that she’s closed her whisky business. One option is going professional on the dog-training front. Right now, she is a trainer within a dog-club, so it’s mostly hobby. And the best way to ruin your enjoyment of a perfectly fine hobby is to try and make a profession out of it…
Actually miniature horses make a lot of sense as a service animal, depending on the required service.
Interesting.
One of the airlines is also permitting goats. Southwest? I guess they can receive training as well.
Given the number of animals flying, I doubt most are legitimate therapy animals. Part of the problem is the inconvenience of flying with a pet the right way, especially with the new security rules, but I think many people just enjoy being difficult anymore, sticking it to the airline and any (choose: Trump/Hillary) voters on the plane.
“many people just enjoy being difficult”
This. It strikes me as an appeal for attention, a need to be “special”. Which might elicit sympathy, except for the fact that they are inconveniencing everyone else.
Personally, I’ve never encountered an animal on a airplane. Granted, I also haven’t flown much in the past 10 years or so, but I wonder if this is a uniquely American phenomenon? Do you tend to see an animal on every flight? Every 10th flight? 10 animals per flight?
I met a very nice on the loose Beagle on the cattle car, no frills Spirit airline a few years ago. Having spent the extra tenner for the wider front row seat, I was not actually displeased when the flight attendants reshuffled my companion across the aisle. But the dog was well behaved.
A lady friend escorted her nonagenarian parents to their summer place in California. First class Delta seats. Her cat came along in a soft carrier banished under seat and voiced her displeasure with a continuous meow fest the entire flight. They were not popular passengers. 😛
Personally, I’ve never encountered an animal on a airplane. Granted, I also haven’t flown much in the past 10 years or so, but I wonder if this is a uniquely American phenomenon? Do you tend to see an animal on every flight? Every 10th flight? 10 animals per flight?
On Southwest, I see at least one animal without a carrier every flight. Most of the time, it is a “purse” dog sitting with an older woman — not a problem to me if I’m not sitting next to it, but YMMV — but lately, I’ve seen dogs of size/weight/breed which make me wonder about the legitimacy of the “Therapy Animal” vests they’re wearing.