Thread: Random chat & thoughts

Originally Posted by wegs

Oh! How the "pubs" differ in the states. The bars here are about as intellectually stimulating as reading the Urban dictionary. The latter might be an upgrade. If I walked into a bar and saw intellects playing trivia games, I might think heaven really does exist, after all. Bazinga!

Heck, there's even a Philosophy in Pubs movement ¹, although, so far, I've never encountered one.

1 Apparently they do mean philosophy in the academic sense, as opposed to "'ere, wot you looking at pal?" or "Did you just spill my pint?".

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Originally Posted by wegs

Originally Posted by PhDemon

Which is why I haven't owned a TV since 1995...

Lmao! I have to admit, you haven't missed much. Well, the sitcom "The Big Bang" is pretty humorous.Other than thattt...

Christmas day: Doctor Who special!(Fortunately my friend and his wife invite me to their house every Christmas, so I get to see it).

aw that's sweet of them! True. Doctor Who, and some programming has merit. TV now seems to be overrun by "reality shows." (contrived to boot) First world problems, eh?

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Originally Posted by wegs

Oh! How the "pubs" differ in the states. The bars here are about as intellectually stimulating as reading the Urban dictionary. The latter might be an upgrade. If I walked into a bar and saw intellects playing trivia games, I might think heaven really does exist, after all. Bazinga!

Heck, there's even a Philosophy in Pubs movement ¹, although, so far, I've never encountered one.1 Apparently they do mean philosophy in the academic sense, as opposed to "'ere, wot you looking at pal?"

I'm jealous. Truly. What a kick that would be if bars here started such a theme.

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

An even better one was that one firm I used to work for had a "pub quiz" as part of its annual Christmas "firm's night out".
The prize was £60 (from memory).
My team won the first two years, and the rest of the team (4 of us in all) decided that the split should be £30 to me and £10 for each of them.
Which I thought was great.
BUT: the following year I was offered £20 to either stay at home or, if I did go on the night out, to not participate.
The woman could NOT work out why I accepted her offer (she later retracted it though...).
When a friend asked why I would accept £20 as opposed to winning £30 - I pointed out that the £20 offer was guaranteed (hey, there's always a chance my team wouldn't have won), but also that, by NOT participating I could never lose and thereby wreck my reputation.
Which would mean that every year thereafter everyone else would STILL have the "fear" of me ¹ and thus talk themselves into paying again for me to stay out of it.
Win all round!

I fancy trivia or useless information. I've been known to put together trivia contests, been the emcee for many of them that raised money for several charities. Trying to find original questions is the most fun. Once you find one then you have to verify the answer and I'm not ashamed to admit that I've actually asked the forum experts some of the same questions I've researched. Of course they were unaware at the time. Actually wrong answers sometimes provide the most hilarious moments, so I look forward to that as well. Unfortunately nowadays people have access to information thanks to modern technology, tough to regulate, so it often ends up that the team best at retrieving information is your winner. You couldn't do it on the internet. Unless of course you Mr Duck, the one championing his mental prowess, is clever enough to devise trivia questions that can't be answered even if the internet is scoured.....I'll leave that challenge for you . I sure would like to see those questions.

Needless to say I am always recruited for trivia contests as a participant. I've actually been denied entry at some. One of my favorite moments was on a night at the local Legion pub when my team and another team were tied in points and whomever answered the last question won the money. Remember we're in Canada, the question was ' What is the only poisonous/venomous snake in England?' I got the answer and we won the cash. If you asked me for my favorite trivia question then I would say it might be "What is the study of trivia called?" Can anyone answer that without looking it up?

Originally Posted by zinjanthropos

Unless of course you Mr Duck, the one championing his mental prowess, is clever enough to devise trivia questions that can't be answered even if the internet is scoured

I'll let you into a little "trick" of mine with regard to trivia questions.
But promise not to tell anyone.

(And ONLY try this with good friends or people that you know run slower than you do).

When someone calls me smart arse I claim that I can answer ANY question they care to ask me, on the spot (within 5 seconds) without reference to anything but my own knowledge.
And that I will be 100% correct on the answer.
I offer, as a wager, the entire contents of my wallet (if I have cash in it) or, if I'm short, my ATM card and the code, against £1 (or a cup of coffee, depending on my mood).
You tell them, any subject at all. And work it so that they'll ask something that you couldn't possibly know (because if they ask you something along the lines of the local bus route or a subject they know you something about there's a chance that you'll slip in answering so quickly). Ideally you can wangle it so it'll be something like "what was my grandma's second dog called?" - the more personal to them the better, because they'll be convinced that you can't possibly be right.

And you reply.... "I don't know".

Which is 100% correct, as promised.
After that you either drink the coffee or leg it for the horizon.

Because most people interpret "answer correctly" as "the answer I'm looking for and that I know is right."

Answers not available on the internet?
Hmm, here's one (probably IS on the 'net, but you'd have to put together quite a few pieces of disparate information to get it).
How many Me 109s were shot down during the Battle of britain?
To the nearest 10 (or nearest 50 if you're feeling generous).

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Originally Posted by zinjanthropos

Unless of course you Mr Duck, the one championing his mental prowess, is clever enough to devise trivia questions that can't be answered even if the internet is scoured

I'll let you into a little "trick" of mine with regard to trivia questions.
But promise not to tell anyone.

(And ONLY try this with good friends or people that you know run slower than you do).

When someone calls me smart arse I claim that I can answer ANY question they care to ask me, on the spot (within 5 seconds) without reference to anything but my own knowledge.
And that I will be 100% correct on the answer.
I offer, as a wager, the entire contents of my wallet (if I have cash in it) or, if I'm short, my ATM card and the code, against £1 (or a cup of coffee, depending on my mood).
You tell them, any subject at all. And work it so that they'll ask something that you couldn't possibly know (because if they ask you something along the lines of the local bus route or a subject they know you something about there's a chance that you'll slip in answering so quickly). Ideally you can wangle it so it'll be something like "what was my grandma's second dog called?" - the more personal to them the better, because they'll be convinced that you can't possibly be right.

And you reply.... "I don't know".

Which is 100% correct, as promised.
After that you either drink the coffee or leg it for the horizon.

Because most people interpret "answer correctly" as "the answer I'm looking for and that I know is right."

God dammit, figured out the answer as I read your post, good stuff. I'm going to use that one, not as an event question, but as something akin to an ice breaker to lighten the mood or tension in the room. Thanks for the tip.

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Answers not available on the internet?
Hmm, here's one (probably IS on the 'net, but you'd have to put together quite a few pieces of disparate information to get it).
How many Me 109s were shot down during the Battle of britain?
To the nearest 10 (or nearest 50 if you're feeling generous).

I can give you the 100% correct answer but .....

Found one stat that said 873 German fighters were shot down during the battle. I'll dig deeper tomorrow but for fun, if I had to make an educated guess then I'll say 50% or 436. I'm hitting the sack, it's midnight here. Been fun

...I just had a thought,Does anyone know about those guys in America who made 30 genetically enhanced babies by increasing their gene pool,Well they could find some people with the best physical and mental attributes and put the best part of them all into one mega human and the next generation will be born!!If I ever live to see that day, my life would be the best human life ever lived.Sorry, I just had to share my revelation with you guys, comment if you share my idea of the future.

Originally Posted by Isaacandbee

...I just had a thought,Does anyone know about those guys in America who made 30 genetically enhanced babies by increasing their gene pool,Well they could find some people with the best physical and mental attributes and put the best part of them all into one mega human and the next generation will be born!!If I ever live to see that day, my life would be the best human life ever lived.Sorry, I just had to share my revelation with you guys, comment if you share my idea of the future.

The birth of 30 genetically modified babies in 2001 stirred the scientific community; germline modifications were labeled as unethical and thus forbidden in many countries. Although the U.S. and the U.K. have opened the debates about whether or not germline modifications should be legalized, there are risks one should take into account.

From the CRG website:

As with genetically modified crops, a host of unforeseen and deleterious consequences may develop when we begin modifying humans with genes their children will inherit. GM feed is linked with infertility and spontaneous abortions in livestock, and crops modified to be insecticidal are linked to declining pollinator populations, especially bees, moths and bats.
But another argument against germline modification is that it will lead to designer babies and a new class of underdogs – those who cannot afford genetic enhancement.

We could construct (in the future) one "mega human", but should we?

Originally Posted by zinjanthropos

I can give you the 100% correct answer but .....
Found one stat that said 873 German fighters were shot down during the battle. I'll dig deeper tomorrow but for fun, if I had to make an educated guess then I'll say 50% or 436. I'm hitting the sack, it's midnight here. Been fun

Clue: if you state the number(s) I gave in the question then you'd have fulfilled the terms of the question. But only if you give the number in the context I gave it. E.g. "50" when I ask for the nearest 10 would be wrong. (Although 10 works for "nearest 50").

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Originally Posted by zinjanthropos

I can give you the 100% correct answer but .....
Found one stat that said 873 German fighters were shot down during the battle. I'll dig deeper tomorrow but for fun, if I had to make an educated guess then I'll say 50% or 436. I'm hitting the sack, it's midnight here. Been fun

Clue: if you state the number(s) I gave in the question then you'd have fulfilled the terms of the question. But only if you give the number in the context I gave it. E.g. "50" when I ask for the nearest 10 would be wrong. (Although 10 works for "nearest 50").

I'm having trouble following your context but from experience I know that how a question is phrased or spoken can make a lot of difference in a trivia contest. If I think of your question as if it was being spoken to me then I think almost everyone would do what I did, try and look it up. I usually stay away from any questions where a number is the answer. I pick categories and go from there. It's not all trivia, many times it is simply a memory test. I work in multiple choice and sometimes simple true or false just to give the participants some confidence.

I hate to say it, but after watching this short video. I did fall for more than one misconception.

Did you know that your favorite dinosaur in kindergarten, the brontosaurus, never existed? This and 49 other misconceptions about science are pulled out of your head and replaced with facts after watching this fascinating, high-energy truth-bomb from Mental Floss.

How many of these scientific rumors did you fall for?

Originally Posted by zinjanthropos

I'm having trouble following your context but from experience I know that how a question is phrased or spoken can make a lot of difference in a trivia contest. If I think of your question as if it was being spoken to me then I think almost everyone would do what I did, try and look it up. I usually stay away from any questions where a number is the answer. I pick categories and go from there. It's not all trivia, many times it is simply a memory test. I work in multiple choice and sometimes simple true or false just to give the participants some confidence.

To the nearest 10: 10 or any number below.
To the nearest 50: 50 or any number below.

The answer is 0.

Despite whatever (most) people have read there was no such thing as an "Me 109".
There was, however, an aircraft with the RLM number of 109 built by Messerschmitt: but its ONLY designation (except in non-German - and therefore non-authoritative - documents) was Bf 109.
The aircraft was a pre-July 1938 design. After that date the company was called Messerschmitt AG, prior to that it was Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG.
Only designs after July 1938 had the Me prefix. And that applied throughout the war.

The entire saga has been only relatively recently settled after a long-running debate (and intensive investigation of records) in the aviation press. And when I say long-running I'm talking about ~20 years or more.The next debate, currently being assiduous avoided!, is whether the "Su" in types such as Sukhoi SU-27 is pronounced Ess-You (prevalent on soooo many videos and commentaries) or Soo.Geekdom - the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

Originally Posted by Bad Robot

I hate to say it, but after watching this short video.

Um, they did quite well.
But Cardinal Wolsey didn't actually say what they "quote" at the start of the video.
How ironic that they use a misconception to introduce and support their list of such.

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Despite whatever (most) people have read there was no such thing as an "Me 109".
There was, however, an aircraft with the RLM number of 109 built by Messerschmitt: but its ONLY designation (except in non-German - and therefore non-authoritative - documents) was Bf 109.
The aircraft was a pre-July 1938 design. After that date the company was called Messerschmitt AG, prior to that it was Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG.
Only designs after July 1938 had the Me prefix. And that applied throughout the war.

The entire saga has been only relatively recently settled after a long-running debate (and intensive investigation of records) in the aviation press. And when I say long-running I'm talking about ~20 years or more.The next debate, currently being assiduous avoided!, is whether the "Su" in types such as Sukhoi SU-27 is pronounced Ess-You (prevalent on soooo many videos and commentaries) or Soo.Geekdom - the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

When I read your question I wondered if it was a trick. I did see the Bf 109 when I checked it out but I figured that it was a generality, an all encompassing Messerschmidt make/model...... Ya got me!

Originally Posted by zinjanthropos

When I read your question I wondered if it was a trick. I did see the Bf 109 when I checked it out but I figured that it was a generality, an all encompassing Messerschmidt make/model...... Ya got me!

It's probably a little too pedantic to be used as a question (unless the participants are actually WWII/ aviation geeks).
Despite the actual designation it's an accepted "fact" that the aircraft were called "Me 109" by everyone but Germans.
Usage trumps documentation.

Hmm, fastest piloted vehicle? That may cause some discussion.

Good morning. I'm making French toast, drizzled with real maple syrup. Italian roast coffee. Sundays are the day before I begin the work week so this takes away that stark reality and brings me some comfort. lol

If you were all here, I'd make you some.

Originally Posted by Cogito Ergo Sum

Originally Posted by Isaacandbee

...I just had a thought,Does anyone know about those guys in America who made 30 genetically enhanced babies by increasing their gene pool,Well they could find some people with the best physical and mental attributes and put the best part of them all into one mega human and the next generation will be born!!If I ever live to see that day, my life would be the best human life ever lived.Sorry, I just had to share my revelation with you guys, comment if you share my idea of the future.

The birth of 30 genetically modified babies in 2001 stirred the scientific community; germline modifications were labeled as unethical and thus forbidden in many countries. Although the U.S. and the U.K. have opened the debates about whether or not germline modifications should be legalized, there are risks one should take into account.From the CRG website:

As with genetically modified crops, a host of unforeseen and deleterious consequences may develop when we begin modifying humans with genes their children will inherit. GM feed is linked with infertility and spontaneous abortions in livestock, and crops modified to be insecticidal are linked to declining pollinator populations, especially bees, moths and bats.But another argument against germline modification is that it will lead to designer babies and a new class of underdogs – those who cannot afford genetic enhancement.

We could construct (in the future) one "mega human", but should we?

No, we shouldn't in my opinion. Curiosity doesn't always need to be quenched and in this case, I think it would be creepy and dangerous to "play" with science in such a way.

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Originally Posted by zinjanthropos

I can give you the 100% correct answer but .....Found one stat that said 873 German fighters were shot down during the battle. I'll dig deeper tomorrow but for fun, if I had to make an educated guess then I'll say 50% or 436. I'm hitting the sack, it's midnight here. Been fun

Clue: if you state the number(s) I gave in the question then you'd have fulfilled the terms of the question. But only if you give the number in the context I gave it. E.g. "50" when I ask for the nearest 10 would be wrong. (Although 10 works for "nearest 50").

I don't quite grasp this. Can you explain what you mean? 10 works for the "nearest" 50? TIA.

If the answer is zero and I ask you to give me a figure to the nearest 50 - i.e. 50 either side of the actual figure is acceptable - then "10" is well within that band.
But to nearest 10 50 is outside of the bounds.

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

If the answer is zero and I ask you to give me a figure to the nearest 50 - i.e. 50 either side of the actual figure is acceptable - then "10" is well within that band.But to nearest 10 50 is outside of the bounds.

Why are you asking someone that question though if you only know the answer is zero? I understand lol but I don't understand.

I have a question about something unrelated. I've been sincerely contemplating relocating to Italy. I've been interested in this for over a decade. I've researched it and want to live a simple life in Italy. I'm tired of corporate America and want a significant change and even if it is just a few years, I want to do this. My dad was born in Italy and since he died when i was young, I have wanted to honor him in some way, too. My only qualm is I've read that unless I give up my citizenship here in the states, I will still need to pay federal income taxes here? Wth? Why? If I'm not employed here, can someone explain why?

Originally Posted by wegs

Why are you asking someone that question though if you only know the answer is zero? I understand lol but I don't understand.

It's a trivia question.
I.e. it's a part of "general knowledge" quiz.
Obscurity is key.
Generally the more obscure the answer the better the participants like it.
It not only panders to some "exclusivity" proclivity in humans (I know something you don't) it also gets retained for future use (i.e. another, different, quiz elsewhere).

I've been sincerely contemplating relocating to Italy.

Oh god! Don't do that.
I've heard the place is full of foreigners.

Originally Posted by wegs

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

If the answer is zero and I ask you to give me a figure to the nearest 50 - i.e. 50 either side of the actual figure is acceptable - then "10" is well within that band.But to nearest 10 50 is outside of the bounds.

Why are you asking someone that question though if you only know the answer is zero? I understand lol but I don't understand.

I have a question about something unrelated. I've been sincerely contemplating relocating to Italy. I've been interested in this for over a decade. I've researched it and want to live a simple life in Italy. I'm tired of corporate America and want a significant change and even if it is just a few years, I want to do this. My dad was born in Italy and since he died when i was young, I have wanted to honor him in some way, too. My only qualm is I've read that unless I give up my citizenship here in the states, I will still need to pay federal income taxes here? Wth? Why? If I'm not employed here, can someone explain why?

Who told you that about taxes? About 30 years ago a friend of mine was asked by the company he worked for Standard Oil, to work in Japan for at least a year. But after doing some research on his tax liability, he found out that if you stay out of the US for just 18 months you don't pay any income tax to the US. He made 18 months a condition of his going to Japan and didn't pay any income tax to the US for that time out of the country, and yes he is still a US citizen.

Originally Posted by wegs

Good morning. I'm making French toast, drizzled with real maple syrup. Italian roast coffee. Sundays are the day before I begin the work week so this takes away that stark reality and brings me some comfort. lol

If you were all here, I'd make you some.

Smell-O-Vision will revolutionize the internet/TV industry. Imagine what Taste-0-Vision will revolutionize. We need to start a revolution, I'm hungry.

Italy has some nice places to live, so I'll post a few that I like.

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Originally Posted by wegs

Why are you asking someone that question though if you only know the answer is zero? I understand lol but I don't understand.

It's a trivia question.
I.e. it's a part of "general knowledge" quiz.
Obscurity is key.
Generally the more obscure the answer the better the participants like it.
It not only panders to some "exclusivity" proclivity in humans (I know something you don't) it also gets retained for future use (i.e. another, different, quiz elsewhere).

You will have to teach me more about such games. I like trivia games, but of the ones I've participated in, there are definitive answers. You know?

Oh god! Don't do that.
I've heard the place is full of foreigners.

lol too late. By 2016, I want to be there

Originally Posted by Bad Robot

Originally Posted by wegs

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

If the answer is zero and I ask you to give me a figure to the nearest 50 - i.e. 50 either side of the actual figure is acceptable - then "10" is well within that band.But to nearest 10 50 is outside of the bounds.

Why are you asking someone that question though if you only know the answer is zero? I understand lol but I don't understand.

I have a question about something unrelated. I've been sincerely contemplating relocating to Italy. I've been interested in this for over a decade. I've researched it and want to live a simple life in Italy. I'm tired of corporate America and want a significant change and even if it is just a few years, I want to do this. My dad was born in Italy and since he died when i was young, I have wanted to honor him in some way, too. My only qualm is I've read that unless I give up my citizenship here in the states, I will still need to pay federal income taxes here? Wth? Why? If I'm not employed here, can someone explain why?

Who told you that about taxes? About 30 years ago a friend of mine was asked by the company he worked for Standard Oil, to work in Japan for at least a year. But after doing some research on his tax liability, he found out that if you stay out of the US for just 18 months you don't pay any income tax to the US. He made 18 months a condition of his going to Japan and didn't pay any income tax to the US for that time out of the country, and yes he is still a US citizen.

Thanks Robot! I've read varying articles relating to this, compiled by the IRS, mainly. But, here's an article speaking to this topic. What do you think? I still plan to go, I just don't like this regulation. I plan to go for a minimum of a three year commitment. My reason being one can't truly determine if a new area of residence, even if just moving state to state, etc... will suit his/her liking, under three years. Socially, one might feel alone for a bit of time until he/she makes new friends, and develops a good sense of community. That is important to me, not necessarily being a social butterfly, but I need to feel like I have my bearings down in a community. I was employed with a global company about 5 years ago, and left there on excellent terms. While I'd still be in 'corporate america' but overseas, I think the business environment is different abroad. (Unless you are moving to Tokyo or something, where it is a bit Americanized, for lack of a better word.) But, the offices in Italy are not like this, I've heard from my ex colleagues who have done business there. That said, I will then bank some money, if I'm able to work for that employer again, and within two years of living there, I'd like to get involved with the agricultural business of Italy. That would be my leap into a new career. All just ideas, and it would be a huge change, but I want to do this, as life is too short to never expand one's horizons. I wouldn't own real estate right away, it is expensive. I've compared rent/mortgages there, to the US, and for much smaller homes abroad, one pays signicantly more. At least in the areas I've looked at. Thank you for your advice.

Originally Posted by zinjanthropos

Originally Posted by wegs

Good morning. I'm making French toast, drizzled with real maple syrup. Italian roast coffee. Sundays are the day before I begin the work week so this takes away that stark reality and brings me some comfort. lol

If you were all here, I'd make you some.

Smell-O-Vision will revolutionize the internet/TV industry. Imagine what Taste-0-Vision will revolutionize. We need to start a revolution, I'm hungry.

lol That would be amazing, indeed. I'm in on that 'revolution!'


Bad Robot, those pictures are breath taking! I could be very happy residing there, me thinks.

U.S. expats cry foul over tax system - Oct. 30, 2013 lol, oops here's the article I was referring to, Robot.

Accurate and succinct.

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Accurate and succinct.

You look good in that hat. You are the silliest of the sillies.

A strange start to my shift this evening.

On this night of the week, my two co-workers are both key-holders and neither drives so that when I arrive at work, I have no way of knowing if they are already in the store. Quite often, I am the first one into the building as I am also in possession of keys. As I came around the corner of the building after plugging in my car, I saw a man standing in front of the entrance and this was not a person that I knew, nor did he look like janitorial staff. I greeted him and asked what he was doing waiting outside the store.

He replied that he was just waiting for the store to open and that it was cold outside and it was definitely so, the mercury dropping quite rapidly, already below -20C. He did not appear to be under the influence of substances though he had no hat and his clothing did not look suited for lengthy outdoor excursion. He turned and tried to pry the doors apart with bare hands.

"The store is closed until 8:00 a.m.", I repeated. I pointed to a 24 hour convenience store just two blocks away. "That place is open. Why don't you go there and get warmed up?" I guessed him to be around thirty years of age, taller and more muscular than myself. No aggression as yet, but he did not move away from the door. "My co-workers will be arriving about now", I said, to let him know that I was not alone. I was debating what to do next. If the men were in the building, ringing the buzzer would bring them to the front, but it could take a few minutes if they were in the back or upstairs. I could also walk away and return to my car, but I was not opening that door until the situation changed.

I shifted my stance, keeping an eye on the stranger and saw that an RCMP car had coasted in and parked a short distance from the door, obviously keeping an eye on us. "I see that the boys in blue are out and about," directing my gaze and his attention to the cop car just a few meters away. I quickly stepped past him, opened the door, popped inside and had it locked before he was even aware of my actions once I knew that I had "back-up."

Inside the building, I quickly disarmed and then reset the perimeter alarm as we are mandated to do when there are only a few of us in the building. If the lads were behind me (and it turns out that they were) they would repeat the same procedure. The strange fellow was in front of the door when my younger co-worker arrived, which he found rather odd and creepy as well but he had moved on by the time our crew boss arrived. Later, crew boss asked if I cared to go for a drive and get lunch for night crew on his dime, possibly thinking that I might be nervous after the encounter with the stranger.

Not a problem. In two and a half hours, that man would have had to seek shelter or risk extreme frostbite. Over the years I have encountered some strange folk shortly after midnight but in almost 9 years, I have not run into any problems between 3:30 and 4:00 a.m., commonly known as 'the dead of night.'

Originally Posted by wegs

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Oh god! Don't do that.
I've heard the place is full of foreigners.

lol too late. By 2016, I want to be there

If so, then it is advisable to learn Italian.

Although English is the most widely spoken second language in Europe, only about 30% of the Italians have sufficient knowledge of the English language in order to have a conversation (cf. Europeans and their Languages (2005), p. 13).

Originally Posted by Cogito Ergo Sum

If so, then it is advisable to learn Italian.

Wouldn't that mean having to do some work to come with an excuse to not interact with the natives?
If you don't speak Italian that's that problem solved.

Originally Posted by wegs

U.S. expats cry foul over tax system - Oct. 30, 2013 lol, oops here's the article I was referring to, Robot.

Well I did say how it was about 30 years ago, but even if you do work, are you going to be making more than $95,000/year.

The quote below from your article.

Americans are generally exempt from paying tax on their first $95,000 in foreign income, but they are still required to file a return. And there are a number of things aside from salary that the IRS considers income, such as housing allowances or school stipends -- benefits that companies often use to entice Americans to move abroad.

Also, if you plan to work for a US multinational company. They will be able to provide or advise you where to get your tax returns done. If that's not good find a good tax service in this country and just mail them all documents they need. That same service could also advise you as to the best way to handle the situation.

For some unknown reason, I can’t multiquote using my laptop. This is usually an issue with my iphone. Hmmm.
@ scheh—I’m SO GLAD you are okay. That doesn’t sound right. Please be careful, I know you are, but in this day and age, so many strange people with impure motives at hand. I think you handled that situation calmly, and quite well.
@ Cogito—Yes, I plan to take some courses at a local college next year, to at least be able to maneuver in every day life, there. In my ideal world should all go as planned, the company I’d be employed with, should they have an opening and wish to bring me back on staff, the employees all speak fluent English, and so do most of the vendors and clients. I’d be insulated there, to a degree, but I want to learn the language for my own utilization. I’m very excited just typing about it! J
@ Duck – Italians are friendly people. I will want to socialize!

Originally Posted by wegs

@ Duck – Italians are friendly people.

That's just a polite way of saying "They get in the way of you doing what you want".

I will want to socialize!

People's predilection for masochism rarely makes sense.

Originally Posted by Bad Robot

Originally Posted by wegs

U.S. expats cry foul over tax system - Oct. 30, 2013 lol, oops here's the article I was referring to, Robot.

Well I did say how it was about 30 years ago, but even if you do work, are you going to be making more than $95,000/year.

The quote below from your article.

Americans are generally exempt from paying tax on their first $95,000 in foreign income, but they are still required to file a return. And there are a number of things aside from salary that the IRS considers income, such as housing allowances or school stipends -- benefits that companies often use to entice Americans to move abroad.

Also, if you plan to work for a US multinational company. They will be able to provide or advise you where to get your tax returns done. If that's not good find a good tax service in this country and just mail them all documents they need. That same service could also advise you as to the best way to handle the situation.

With a commission structure, it's possible. Salary, no. But, commission, even overseas, would be counted as total income. If I'm not hired through that employer, I may still send my resume to other companies who are global competitors of that firm. I haven't worked out the logistics, but, while I want out of the business sector, I need to save money, pay bills, and it will be a means to an end. I don't want to just 'swap' geography, but still live the 'rat race' lifestyle, if that makes sense. Thank you for your opinion!

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Originally Posted by wegs

@ Duck – Italians are friendly people.

That's just a polite way of saying "They get in the way of you doing what you want".

I will want to socialize!

People's predilection for masochism rarely makes sense.

Homemade manicotti and cannolis will surely change your mind.

Originally Posted by wegs

Homemade manicotti and cannolis will surely change your mind.

Have I not yet mentioned that I'm a very good cook?

Originally Posted by wegs

@ Duck – Italians are friendly people. I will want to socialize!

Don't forget about all that good Italian food you'll be eating. You could plump out a bit before you come back.

I don't wish to relocate because I'm ''tired of America.'' I still think the U.S. is a wonderful place to live, with freedoms that I know some countries don't enjoy. That said, there is a whole wide world out there, and until you explore some of it yourself, you just don't know how others live. I have Italian relatives, who have traveled to Italy, and it's different (I think) when you are just a tourist, as opposed to a permanent resident. People can visit the U.S. from other countries, and think it's the greatest or worst place ever, but until they live here, they honestly don't know the entire picture. There are pros and cons everywhere, surely. But, there has to be more than what I've been subjected to living in the U.S. I have friends who moved back to India. This was about 7 years ago, they moved back. The wife's husband was only here on two year work assignment. They sold everything before they moved back, and she knew about my desire to 'test the waters' by living in Italy. She gave me a lot of good advice. The difference though is she lived in India all her life, and so has her husband. I'm wondering and maybe someone can answer this more definitively...but is it easier for lack of a better word, to relocate from a country outside of the U.S. TO the U.S.? See, my Indian friends both spoke fluent English before moving to the states for a short time. So, they might not be a good comparison, because they didn't have the same hurdles as I might have. They also knew that their time here would be short-lived.

@ Duck--a man who can cook is worth his weight in gold. What is your 'best' dish?

@ Bad Robot--I laughed very hard reading that just now. lol I will need to make sure I work out a bit extra, as I hear you! The food is to die for. Or live for. lol

Originally Posted by wegs

@ Duck--a man who can cook is worth his weight in gold. What is your 'best' dish?

"Best"? Not a clue.
I do make some pretty good variations on chili con carne, or excellent stir fries.
I experiment quite a bit ¹ "Ooh, I just found this in the cupboard, I bet that would work with...".
So far, with the exception of the one-time - and rather late - discovery that one of the ingredients had gone off, I've found that none of my creations has been either inedible or disappointing in flavour.
But some have definitely been tastier than others. (I like to mix textures too).

1 Mostly, these days, due to penury.

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Originally Posted by wegs

@ Duck--a man who can cook is worth his weight in gold. What is your 'best' dish?

"Best"? Not a clue.
I do make some pretty good variations on chili con carne, or excellent stir fries.
I experiment quite a bit ¹ "Ooh, I just found this in the cupboard, I bet that would work with...".
So far, with the exception of the one-time - and rather late - discovery that one of the ingredients had gone off, I've found that none of my creations has been either inedible or disappointing in flavour.
But some have definitely been tastier than others. (I like to mix textures too).

1 Mostly, these days, due to penury.

I'd be interested in your chili recipe, should u be inclined to posting it here. Cinnamon, just a sprinkle, adds a whole new dimension to it. lol I tend to cook healthy 'clean' dishes, sometimes, they can border boredom. I followed a quasi-paleo diet for a time, and it was hard to be creative. It's funny, I can create elaborate dishes for guests, but a simple tuna salad just for me, never seems to pan out. lol

Originally Posted by wegs

I'd be interested in your chili recipe

Recipe implies some kind of plan.
I always cook on the spur of the moment and am rarely sure what ingredients I have available until I decide to eat.
Any of my "recipes" are entirely ad hoc.

Originally Posted by Bad Robot

Originally Posted by wegs

@ Duck – Italians are friendly people. I will want to socialize!

Don't forget about all that good Italian food you'll be eating. You could plump out a bit before you come back.

LOL...

I was of the opinion that Italian men pride themselves on having their woman be a healthy weight, neither obese or anorexic with a 'coat hangar' frame. The Irish also like their Colleens with good bone and a bit of meat on them, at least according to the few that I have met.

Originally Posted by scheherazade

I was of the opinion that Italian men pride themselves on having their woman be a healthy weight, neither obese or anorexic with a 'coat hangar' frame. The Irish also like their Colleens with good bone and a bit of meat on them, at least according to the few that I have met.

Don't submit to patriarchal diktats!

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Originally Posted by scheherazade

I was of the opinion that Italian men pride themselves on having their woman be a healthy weight, neither obese or anorexic with a 'coat hangar' frame. The Irish also like their Colleens with good bone and a bit of meat on them, at least according to the few that I have met.

Don't submit to patriarchal diktats!

LOL...

I just happen to be a Teutonic wench with good bone and an athletic frame, moderately tall at nigh 5'8" with broad shoulders, broad hips and a waist between the two. There are plenty of Yukon men who prefer their women to have curves and not look like a malnourished child.

Originally Posted by scheherazade

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Originally Posted by scheherazade

I was of the opinion that Italian men pride themselves on having their woman be a healthy weight, neither obese or anorexic with a 'coat hangar' frame. The Irish also like their Colleens with good bone and a bit of meat on them, at least according to the few that I have met.

Don't submit to patriarchal diktats!

LOL...

I just happen to be a Teutonic wench with good bone and an athletic frame, moderately tall at nigh 5'8" with broad shoulders, broad hips and a waist between the two. There are plenty of Yukon men who prefer their women to have curves and not look like a malnourished child.

Malnourished child, I haven't ever heard of a woman described like that before. But most of the Italian woman I've known usually look very good before the get married and have kids, then they settle into a fat ass for the rest of their lives. Which means they need to be very good cooks to keep the husband happy and fat enough that they won't be running off. Anyway I wouldn't be turning down any Italian home cooked meals ever.

I heard it described as that Italian women were gorgeous until they hit 30, then they turn into their mother.

*runs away*

You ^^ were misinformed.

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Originally Posted by wegs

I'd be interested in your chili recipe

Recipe implies some kind of plan.
I always cook on the spur of the moment and am rarely sure what ingredients I have available until I decide to eat.
Any of my "recipes" are entirely ad hoc.

Translation: I will make sure that the next ad hoc dish that I create, I will have a notebook handy, jotting down the ingredients as I go along, so I can post the ad hoc RECIPE here.

Originally Posted by wegs

Translation: I will make sure that the next ad hoc dish that I create, I will have a notebook handy, jotting down the ingredients as I go along, so I can post the ad hoc RECIPE here.

Accurate translation: I'll ask the cat to take notes.

Well, in my humble opinion, I could do worse than look like my mother in 21 years time.

This picture of my mother was taken almost exactly one year ago.

Originally Posted by scheherazade

Well, in my humble opinion, I could do worse than look like my mother in 21 years time.

This picture of my mother was taken almost exactly one year ago.

Not only is she very pale but her foot seems rather large and dangling at a severe angle. What's worse is, it appears as if she is impaled on a stick that she's intent on removing. I hope she's OK.

Originally Posted by zinjanthropos

Originally Posted by scheherazade

Well, in my humble opinion, I could do worse than look like my mother in 21 years time.

This picture of my mother was taken almost exactly one year ago.

Not only is she very pale but her foot seems rather large and dangling at a severe angle. What's worse is, it appears as if she is impaled on a stick that she's intent on removing. I hope she's OK.

LOL...

You are one sick puppy, zinjanthropos.

(Why is it that your name makes me think of Spanakopita and Tiropita?)

Originally Posted by scheherazade

You are one sick puppy, zinjanthropos.

(Why is it that your name makes me think of Spanakopita and Tiropita?)

Could be that it's Greek. Anthropos meaning man and Zinj meaning East African. There is a variation spelling (Zinjanthropus). Only one of those meanings actually pertains to me. Louis & Mary Leakey were my two favorite field anthropologists. I loved reading about the Olduvai Gorge discoveries.

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Originally Posted by wegs

I didn't realize you had cancer, Duck. Sending good thoughts your way for your doc visit. I'd pray for you, but I don't do that anymore. lol

A couple of years I had what I thought was just a "zit" - but I couldn't see it and it didn't seem to heal. According to my doc it was merely a wart of some sort and said that it was best removed.
Going back to see the specialist a month after removed I was informed that it was actually cancer.
The bad news (especially as I'd been given no clue that it was anything but a wart) was that the day I was told was 4 years to the day since my father had died of cancer.
The good news was A) it was a type of cancer called Eric squamous - apparently, in the words of the specialist, "If you're going to get cancer at all that's the sort you want - it's the least "dangerous"" and B) it was all one piece as it were.
I just go back for check ups - at increasingly spread out intervals - to see if it's recurred anywhere or if they missed any.
My first reaction on being informed that it was all one piece and hadn't spread out was "You're telling me that cancer rejected me?"
Two hours or so to go...
I'm not particularly worried, it's just that the proximity of the chance of it maybe not being clear is making me slightly apprehensive.

Originally Posted by Robittybob1

Well did you find that what you wrote was funny?

Uh, since I wrote it it was, by definition, funny.

OK you do have weird sense of humour then.

What you're saying is is that YOU have a weird sense of humour.

SMOOCHIES DUCKY!....pffffffffffffft...wejobhiaeww4375 izlkg 289-5......dang feather mouth!

Originally Posted by PhDemon

I heard it described as that Italian women were gorgeous until they hit 30, then they turn into their mother.

*runs away*

I'm Slovenian!

Originally Posted by scheherazade

Well, in my humble opinion, I could do worse than look like my mother in 21 years time.

This picture of my mother was taken almost exactly one year ago.

Looking good!!!!!

Dang...haven't been here in two well close to three days and I am so behind!

Ducky is cooked.

Wegs is pregnant

Scheherazade is impersonating her mother.....

A friend of mine from chat since about 1994.....meeting at Paul Bunyan's place....

Originally Posted by babe

Dang...haven't been here in two well close to three days and I am so behind!

Ducky is cooked.

Wegs is pregnant

Scheherazade is impersonating her mother.....

Congrats Wegs! I didn't even know.


I made lasagne for the first time last night and it came out pretty well, if I do say so myself. I used spinach pasta sheets. Only thing is I underestimated the amount of cheese I'd need. Should have had twice as much.

I used a recipe for the Bechamel sauce, but did my own thing with the filling. I used beef minced meat, tomato paste, ketchup, sliced mushrooms, mushroom sauce, salt and spices, Worcester sauce, smooth apricot jam, fried onion and sun-dried tomato and garlic spice.

Yum!

Originally Posted by babe

Originally Posted by PhDemon

I heard it described as that Italian women were gorgeous until they hit 30, then they turn into their mother.

*runs away*

I'm Slovenian!

I think the term is "Slovenian-American".

Originally Posted by KALSTER

Originally Posted by babe

Originally Posted by PhDemon

I heard it described as that Italian women were gorgeous until they hit 30, then they turn into their mother.

*runs away*

I'm Slovenian!

I think the term is "Slovenian-American".

Well I now I'm American! *L*

When people ask me what my nationality is....I actually do say, Slovenian!

I am heading back to see the family there this summer...with family. Finally they get to meet!

Originally Posted by babe

Originally Posted by KALSTER

Originally Posted by babe

Originally Posted by PhDemon

I heard it described as that Italian women were gorgeous until they hit 30, then they turn into their mother.

*runs away*

I'm Slovenian!

I think the term is "Slovenian-American".

Well I now I'm American! *L*

When people ask me what my nationality is....I actually do say, Slovenian!

I am heading back to see the family there this summer...with family. Finally they get to meet!

I think you will blow them away.

Originally Posted by KALSTER

Originally Posted by babe

Originally Posted by KALSTER

Originally Posted by babe

Originally Posted by PhDemon

I heard it described as that Italian women were gorgeous until they hit 30, then they turn into their mother.

*runs away*

I'm Slovenian!

I think the term is "Slovenian-American".

Well I now I'm American! *L*

When people ask me what my nationality is....I actually do say, Slovenian!

I am heading back to see the family there this summer...with family. Finally they get to meet!

I think you will blow them away.

Son was in his best friends wedding in Dubrovnik and went to meet them.

But this will be daughter, son, spousy and I.......and I haven't seen my uncle in 40 plus years....I am excited.

Last time I was a teenager...and the entire male population came out to meet the American/Slovenian girls!!!!

I will be happy to see my cousins and we are in touch on Facebook. It is wonderful...we are very different...they are very Catholic and I am very non religious! *L*

I'm not pregnant. Not sure why you are posting that, babe.

Hope everyone has a good week; nice seeing you posting, Kalster.

Originally Posted by wegs

I'm not pregnant. Not sure why you are posting that, babe.

Haha. Congrats on not being pregnant?

Originally Posted by babe

Ducky is cooked.

Tch.
Learn to spell.
Ducky is cool.

Originally Posted by scheherazade

Well, in my humble opinion, I could do worse than look like my mother in 21 years time.

This picture of my mother was taken almost exactly one year ago.

You mother looks good Sher.

Originally Posted by KALSTER

Originally Posted by wegs

I'm not pregnant. Not sure why you are posting that, babe.

Haha. Congrats on not being pregnant?

that's better

Originally Posted by wegs

Originally Posted by KALSTER

Originally Posted by wegs

I'm not pregnant. Not sure why you are posting that, babe.

Haha. Congrats on not being pregnant?

that's better

Whats wrong in being pregnant, how interesting if you were 100 years old and having your first baby? Wegs do not take me serious.

What is the meaning of the saying, "That is the exception that proves the rule" ? How do exceptions help ?

Originally Posted by umbradiago

What is the meaning of the saying, "That is the exception that proves the rule" ? How do exceptions help ?

My understanding of the expression is:

"There are exceptions to every rule."

Can you name a rule for which there is no exception?

Originally Posted by scheherazade

Originally Posted by umbradiago

What is the meaning of the saying, "That is the exception that proves the rule" ? How do exceptions help ?

My understanding of the expression is:

"There are exceptions to every rule."

Can you name a rule for which there is no exception?

Not very easily. But how do exceptions to any rule help prove that rule ? Exceptions don't, necessarily, negate
a rule, or disprove one. I just cannot see why an exception to a rule does any work in proving it. Semantics, I guess.

IIRC it is an old usage of the word "prove" meaning "to test" (it is still used with this meaning in the term "proving ground" and "proof" as in 80% proof as the strength of an alcoholic drink). The meaning of the phrase could be rendered "the exception that tests the rule".

PHDemon, in theatre we have rules with no exceptions, but with golf we have many exceptins to the rules!!!

Originally Posted by wegs

I'm not pregnant. Not sure why you are posting that, babe.

I was just JOKING!!! It's my sense of warped humor and CERTAINLY did not mean to offend you!! I apologize if I did.

Originally Posted by umbradiago

Originally Posted by scheherazade

Originally Posted by umbradiago

What is the meaning of the saying, "That is the exception that proves the rule" ? How do exceptions help ?

My understanding of the expression is:

"There are exceptions to every rule."

Can you name a rule for which there is no exception?

Not very easily. But how do exceptions to any rule help prove that rule ? Exceptions don't, necessarily, negate
a rule, or disprove one. I just cannot see why an exception to a rule does any work in proving it. Semantics, I guess.

No matter how you try there will always be a situation where the exception dictates the rule, because it exist.

No worries babe!

Originally Posted by Stargate

No matter how you try there will always be a situation where the exception dictates the rule, because it exist.

No.
If there's a genuine exception then it BREAKS the rule.

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Originally Posted by wegs

I'd be interested in your chili recipe

Recipe implies some kind of plan.
I always cook on the spur of the moment and am rarely sure what ingredients I have available until I decide to eat.
Any of my "recipes" are entirely ad hoc.

Duck, you surely are adventurous. I like people who can just "wing it", and make it work. My approach to life is similar. My plan usually is no planning. Hasn't always worked out for me, but I don't care. Life is a crazy ride. I don't really want to know where to go, or how, though many have suggested a particular place. I do most everything ad hoc knowing this is probably a bad idea. I wish I was better at this, as you are.

[QUOTE=PhDemon;533041]IIRC it is an old usage of the word "prove" meaning "to test" (it is still used with this meaning in the term "proving ground" and "proof" as in 80% proof as the strength of an alcoholic drink). The meaning of the phrase could be rendered "the exception that tests the rule".[/QUOTE
That makes perfect sense. I suspected something archaic about the use of the word "proof". Language evolves, just like everything else, and original meanings change. thanks

Originally Posted by PhDemon

I heard it described as that Italian women were gorgeous until they hit 30, then they turn into their mother.

*runs away*

I was married to an Italian-American woman. I only wish she had turned into her mother, who was a wonderful person. But, at least she did run away.

Bigamy is having one too many wives. So is monogamy. Some were never meant for marriage. I'm one.

Welcome to the forums, umbradiago.

Thank you, wegs. So many interesting people, here.

Originally Posted by umbradiago

interesting people

Isn't that an oxymoron?

Is it just me who thinks that this forum is a magnet for crackpots and trolls? I know that the internet obeys Sturgeon's Law but you'd think that a science forum would be an exception to the rule.

Originally Posted by PumaMan

Is it just me who thinks that this forum is a magnet for crackpots and trolls? I know that the internet obeys Sturgeon's Law but you'd think that a science forum would be an exception to the rule.

You and ''Duck'' will get along ... splendidly.

Originally Posted by wegs

Originally Posted by PumaMan

Is it just me who thinks that this forum is a magnet for crackpots and trolls? I know that the internet obeys Sturgeon's Law but you'd think that a science forum would be an exception to the rule.

You and ''Duck'' will get along ... splendidly.

You still have the knack of making me smile.

Yeah, it's just you. Seriously, are you suggesting I'm one of those ? Sorry I don't know Sturgeon's law. But I know a Bill Sturgeon. Is this kind of foolishness what you mean by crackpottery or trolling ? Please enlighten me. (sarcasm unintentional)

Originally Posted by umbradiago

Seriously, are you suggesting I'm one of those ?

Don't be paranoid. I didn't even know you existed.

Sorry I don't know Sturgeon's law.

The answer is a few clicks away -- try an internet search.

(Basically it states that 90% of everything is crap. It follows that 90% of the info accessible on the internet is crap.)

Originally Posted by PumaMan

Originally Posted by umbradiago

Seriously, are you suggesting I'm one of those ?

Don't be paranoid. I didn't even know you existed.

Sorry I don't know Sturgeon's law.

The answer is a few clicks away -- try an internet search.(Basically it states that 90% of everything is crap. It follows that 90% of the info accessible on the internet is crap.)

Oh yes, you and Duck will get along SPLENDIDLY!!!

That which you seek is NOT on the internet.

Seek not the seeker; seek rather what they are looking for.

Each of us carries within our own answer to the questions which motivate us.

Originally Posted by scheherazade

That which you seek is NOT on the internet.

Maybe not.
But I can find pictures of her there.

Each of us carries within our own answer to the questions which motivate us.

Yeah?
Then why did someone bother to set up directory enquiries?

Originally Posted by PumaMan

Originally Posted by umbradiago

Seriously, are you suggesting I'm one of those ?

Don't be paranoid. I didn't even know you existed.

Sorry I don't know Sturgeon's law.

The answer is a few clicks away -- try an internet search.

(Basically it states that 90% of everything is crap. It follows that 90% of the info accessible on the internet is crap.)

Oh, sorry. I'm not usually paranoid even when I AM on someone's, or something's, radar. Yeah, I agree with Sturgeon and with you. The question of my existence is unclear to me, too, so we're good.

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Originally Posted by scheherazade

That which you seek is NOT on the internet.

Maybe not.
But I can find pictures of her there.

Each of us carries within our own answer to the questions which motivate us.

Yeah?
Then why did someone bother to set up directory enquiries?

For the simple reason that most people lack in self confidence and find it easier to follow than to find their own path.
It is also highly profitable to exploit this inherent weakness of our species.

Originally Posted by scheherazade

Originally Posted by Dywyddyr

Originally Posted by scheherazade

That which you seek is NOT on the internet.

Maybe not.
But I can find pictures of her there.

Each of us carries within our own answer to the questions which motivate us.

Yeah?
Then why did someone bother to set up directory enquiries?

For the simple reason that most people lack in self confidence and find it easier to follow than to find their own path.
It is also highly profitable to exploit this inherent weakness of our species.

yes maam, well said.