About Me
Let's see, I do not, and have never, owned a cell phone or tablet. I feel that they are a huge invasion of privacy. Not just the endless sales/scam calls, although those too. But I watch too much court tv and the main evidence in trial after trial is from the cellphone. I mean,yeah, you can leave your phone at home while you crime. But the average person gets videoed like 20 some times a day. On my street my next door on the right neighbor has Ring front and back, on the left has cameras all around, across the street another camera. And it's that way all over. I can see it now, "Here is video of you buying gas and snacks at a CircleMart 100 miles from your phone's location. That seems suspicious." If you never carry one it's not suspicious that you don't leave electronic lint everywhere. I feel like they cost WAY too much. I've heard bad things about updates that drain batteries and batteries that can't be replaced. Sounds like a scam to me. I feel like people spend way too much time looking at them. Before I retired my employer provided, (forced upon me), a phone. Only phone I've ever had and only carried while working. Believe me, I see ya'll not seeing me because you're looking at your hand. Occasionally when I'm out and about, with my head up, my eyes moving, watching the world unfold around me, I'll see someone else looking up and around. Sometimes we wave.
I am bugged by slightly obsolete technology in tv shows and movies. For example, the detective is riding in the taxi and tells him, "Pull over at the next phone." He hops out,drops in a dime and makes a call. Cool. It was the times, it was the tech then. Now, I'm watching some show I used to really like 30 years ago in re runs on Hulu. The up to the minute main character, dressed up, hair done, just so jewelry and every accessory on point. She gets a phone call and pulls out...a Blackberry!!! What the hell? Why not just send smoke signals?! That seems very silly considering my aversion to even owning a cell phone but there it is. The concept of the separate keyboard didn't stand the test of time. And not really all that much time.
I've always been interested in figures of speech. Lately I've been noticing people using litotes more. Litotes is not a plural, it's a Greek root. Litotes are a way of faintly expressing a feeling. For example, you went to a movie with your significant other who was 'less than pleased' with the movie. (hated it). That's an example of a litotes. The counter from you, who liked the movie, "I didn't hate it." (Loved it) Another litotes. Here's the thing, people use this figure of speech, some of us a lot. But hardly anyone knows they're doing that. Somehow that both comforts and annoys me at the same time. It comforts me to know that ya'll are doing it without meaning to. It annoys me that you don't understand. Not entirely unrelated side note: damning with faint praise is a subset of litotes.
As some of you who've known me for a long time know I like/hate/feel compelled sometimes to write. It's not something I'm proud of but I can't seem to stop. Even though getting paid has involved me in a couple of class action lawsuits, I persevere. Full reveal, in total I've made less than 1200 dollars for a LOT of work. Obviously not doing it for the money. Don't t know why I do it at all, just do. No danger of quitting my day job. My current WIP is a manga/anime plot. I've got most, nearly all, of my main line plot worked out but I've got some side quests to figure out yet. Anyway, just something else I'll spend hours on and not get paid. At least I have a lot of fun researching. Another figure of speech, metonymy figures prominently in the plot.
What is metonymy you say? I'm so glad you asked. It's a figure of speech in which an object or place stands in for a person. For example, "The Crown issued a statement today." Yeah, crowns can't talk, but the word crown is being used in place of the king, the queen, a spokesman, whatever. Saying "the House of Mouse" instead of Disney corp is a form of metonymy. Let's just say that it can be used in ways that are ambiguous and misleading, especially if I have anything to say about it!
You sound like an interesting fellow.
As far as phones go, it is possible to have cell phone for a relatively small amount of money. There are a number of pay as you go services that cost less than 50 a month for unlimited calling and text, and some data. No I Phones allowed though in this price level. There are a few as cheap as 25 dollars a month. You can quit these at any time you like since there is no contract.
I have had the same Samsung phone for 7 or 8 years now. Still working although it glitches now and then.
I qualify for a couple of programs where I could get one free...if I wanted one, which I don't. But thanks for the info. My friends are always trying to hook me up. They think I'm cheap, which I am. But I really just don't feel any need for one. I've made it 73 years without, I'll be fine.
People have lived for centuries without modern technology!
Heck, I myself have lived for decades before I even had any sort of computer.
I don't remember the exact date, but after decades without one IIRC I bought my first computer in the early 80s. If memory serves I didn't have a computer until 1982! (And my life was fine up until that time
Well, I'm not really rejecting all technology or anything. I was early on the home computer craze. But I reject this specific technology because I find it intrusive and largely unnecessary.
I was an early adapter of computer technology. (In fact it was so early on I wasn't sure where I could buy one). A friend of mine pointed out since they are obviously electric it must be considered an appliance (like a toaster or vacuum cleaner).
So we drove to a Sears Roebuck and bought one there. (My friend said I should get a 286, but then the 486 came out-- so the 386 came down in price. So I was able to afford the 386. And there was a floor sample of the CRT screen that was on sale-- bought that. (It failed after a short time).
After a while I became a school teacher for a while and set up a computer lab. (Found the closet where the computers we're hidden). So I had a lab full of Apple IIe's with two Apple IIgs)
Yes they were Apple computers not MACs (IIRC that was before the MAC came out). No mouse, no internal hard drive. You had to plug in two external hard drives-- one has the operating system, the other had the program you were using.
After work was finished you took out the (6 1/4") floppy and put in a blank one to save your work.
Although I could've accessed the Internet, I didn't do it for months. I was taking an into to computing course where we learned WP5.1, and Database III+ and Lotus 1-2-3 (The three standard programs used in most offices). Then later Harvard Graphics.
Probably left that floor sample on day and night, I got my first one from Radio Shack. I loved the Shack back in the day.
I put in a second land line just for the internet. My mom was scandalized that I was doing that. I remember when I first got a whiff of concern about security. Some years back there a snippet of code that let you view the output of security cameras all over the world. In many cases you could aim them too.
So did I! And IIRC that was before I ever used a computer (I had always loved to tinker with mechanical and electric things).
Well, you are not alone!
Okay Wheel, I've known you from back in NV days but I didn't know that much about you. We've agreed on some things, and differed on others, but that's okay. Now, for phones. We have no land line in our home, and so to keep in touch or for emergencies a cell phone is a necessity, and my watch has stopped forever, so I had to buy a phone, and bought the cheapest one I could. It has the necessary basics for me - phone contact with others, a clock, an alarm and a few more useless things I don't use text because of the miniscule keyboard although it will receive text messages. It is made of steel, not plastic, and dropping it on the hard tile floor a few times had no effect. It has no internet access and I can't get email or watch movies or listen to symphonies on it and I don't care. It's basic, but needed, so that's it. It cost me less than the equivalent of US$85 and the yearly usage charge is minimal, microscopic in fact, compared to the American or Canadian service charges.
As is well known on this site I am devoted to Classic Cinema, and have turned off more recent movies part way through because they were too dark to see anything, or the actors mumbled or speedspoke so I couldn't understand what they were saying.
Now, let's talk about language. I majored in English Literature and I taught High School English for 6 years and privately thereafter. Also, my profession required drafting and comprehending commencial documents and I was good at it. I remain commited to the basic meanings of words and abhor the bastardization of them, such as the word "woke".
And because at the age pf 88 my eyesight is failing I bump up what I write from the standard 12 point font to 14 point so I can read what I wrote without using a magnifying glass, and have much appreciation for NT members who with consideration for that bump their replies to my comments to 14 point as well.
And so, always glad to know more about you.
My first cell phone was a primitive flip phone. No Internet access, no texting. (The only thing it was good for was-- phone calls. Oh-- it did have the time).
And not surprizingly, I alread had an answering machine-- a box that sat on my desk at home
Yeah. Needs must as the saying goes. I'm literally surrounded with means to communicate. My wife has 2 cell phones and a tablet. It's not like I can't make a call. Your situation is different. With no landline and no alternative of course you need a phone. Different imperatives.
I get it about the text thing as well. Those keyboards are tiny and my eyes are old and weak.
I get it about the movies too. And the thing that really sucks is if it was a good movie you were enjoying in the main. I think part of it is the difference in the actors' training and background. You, and I, are old enough to remember some the classically trained stage actors from early days of movies. Even after their heyday the next crop of actors were trained by them. But it's been a long time since then and tastes change, directors need something fresh I guess, and we're not exactly their target demographic. When did it become about "target demographics" instead of making a good movie anyway?
Do you notice how often people use figures of speech that they are not aware of but still use. I mean you don't have to know the words, "center", "radius", "circumference", or "diameter" to make a circle with a stick and a string. People use figures of speech in new ways every day and they don't even realize it. I find that fascinating. Sometimes I wonder if they're using language of if language is using them. :D
Didn't know about the font size thing.
Then why didn't you bump it up for me? LOL. You're forgiven, but because you didn't post your comment as a reply to mine I almost missed that you posted it.
I see now, can't change the font size from edit apparently. Have to set it first. I noticed that changing it 1/2 way through a post doesn't change what's already written. Seems faintly kclunky, but ok
No problem. I just did it for you. LOL
Didn't know you could do that either..
You have to block the text you want to resize. Then enlarge it. (Or if you want to resize the entire comment, from the top menu hit "Select All" .
Then select the size you want from the top menu.
(On a PC you can hold down the Ctrl and keep hitting the + or - to keep enlarging text or decreasing size)
True.
In fact I am always waiting for the next new figure of speech to drop!
Nothing like a shapely figure of speech to draw the ear.
I'm not an artist, but, I could be making that up. Or, I could be a makeup artist, or, I could be making that up. Either way, I guess i'm not a makeup artist not making up that I am a make up artist breaking out and up, but making up isn't hard to do (disregard the song).
All I know, is I hate phones as used to work for a major insurance company as a consultant and approved contractor. Was on call, A LOT!
Hated phones! Threw them off of roofs, over houses, into stone walls, but couldn't stonewall and mothball my income source, so had to sucjk it up, like a Cold BEER, so don't mind if i do right now, chow.
Well the speaker (or writer) may have different goals at different times.
Maybe sometimes to attract attention, or to try to get people to read their stuff.
Sometimes it may to sell them something-- or to convince them of something. And sometimes the speaker really doesn't have any other goal other than to communicate with the listener...
Sometimes the speaker may actually not really know what their purpose in the conversation is.
Or-- none of the above!
Of course to get people to read their stuff. That's number 1.(OK, getting paid is number one but damn!) I have read so many articles and lessons about balancing narrative, exposition vs. dialogue vs. pacing, vs.characterization. Got to move the plot forward, Got the get the story told, got to hold their attention, got to mix some old with new because people like familiar things even in new stories.
I was an HVA/C guy for years so spent a lot of time on roofs. You'd be surprised how many phones we would find on the roof of buildings. I'm guessing someone got pissed and tossed it. I've also found lots of balls, golf balls, tennis balls, footballs. I once found a pair of binoculars but they were broken. The most expensive thing I ever found was a tool that cable guys use to pull cable into a building and tension it from the pole. An 800 dollar tool laying on the roof. And I KNOW that guy missed it.
like a Cold BEER
In what way were those beers cold?
Were they literally cold-- or were they just cold "figuratively speaking"?
Language-- especially common usage-- is constantly changing, (I think that's always been true, but now it seems that because of the Internet popular words and phrases change much more frequently.
You're right about that. Dickinson, Keats, even Brooke would be astonished at what the word "gay" is associated with now. Not to mention words like "woke", (One of Buzz's favorites
) Oh, remember Fab, and Gear. Yeah, hardly anyone does but once upon a time they were words everyone hip used.
One of things I though was strange were the two different words (used at different times) to say something was "wonderful" "popular" etc.
Was something wonderful "really hot"...or was it really cool! ???
I did catch a glimpse above of a writer's style - there. Much appreciated.
As for me and cellphones, I have a promotional phone from XFINITY (Google 8) and another one (that's 2 phones) on separate lines for $27.00 a month. I can do this by either keeping DATA off or TURNING ON/OFF DATA when I do use it away from home. At home, my phone connects to WIFI automatically.
I make most of my calls while at home anyway. As for away from home: I do more audiobooks. Do not misunderstand me though, I do make phone calls and send and receive text messages while out and away from home- same cost: 27.00 a month. (1 GB/2 lines.) We don't need any "stinkin" UNLIMITED DATA.
Oh, and yes! We still have a landline too! (Need it whenever the 'towers' go down or are 'topped' during an (large area) emergency/crisis.
Evening Wheel...I am with you less is best...
Language....well here we abbreviate everything..(I am in Australia)...as many here have found out. It's just the way we speak/write and yep it's the Queen's English well most of the the time..you mob spell funny too..😁
I do have fun educating you mob on the other side of the world and it is always interesting to see how the other half live..
As for technology it's a necessary evil and I have as little as possible to do with it...but it does have its uses..
Today a friend tripped over her front door and broke her leg right in front of me.. having my mobile on me I could call her husband, daughter and ambulance and get help without moving an inch..she will be ok though has to go to a major hospital 100ks away...
Don't own a computer find I can do everything on my mobile. I have the cheapest one and use a pre paid phone...$350 ($229 US) for a year with unlimited calls and text..
Don't have Pay TV Netflix, Disney etc and all that other stuff, doesn't interest me..I don't give out my number to government departments either only to people who I want to have it...
And that's just the way I like it...🦘
It says something that the first thing everyone lands on is the lack of a phone thing. And it says something that we are ALL wanting the best deal. Phones are too expensive!! Yes, I know, there are good deals out there and bless all of your hearts for caring. But I'm surrounded by people with phones like you with your friend who broke her leg. Be honest, did she have a cell phone too?
I'd rather be talking about dumb things that bug people like the slightly dated thing for me.
Evening Wheel...yes she did but it was in her hand bag in the lounge room and she couldn't move even if she wanted to get it...
If I hadn't been there she would have had to wait an hour or more as her husband was at a physio session..he is recovering from a heart attack...so yes in this case it was most certainly a blessing I had mine on me..and could call..
I have my mobile with me pretty well 24/7 as I have medical issues and it's a comfort I have help close at hand if needed..
But I am not particularly fond of technology and use it to my own advantage...
And on that note I must depart.. it's past 10pm and the cat is not happy with the light on and using the mobile...it disturbs her sleep...and I get the look..😬
I know that look. I get it from my dachshund if I keep him up too late. He's 16 years old and set in his ways.
For me-- not so much.
I don't like to spend extravagently-- but communication is important to me., And relaibility of equipment. So sometimes I got for a little better quality and pay a little more.
And then cut back spending in other areas. Unreliable equipment could lose me money/
( I need fast & reliable communications for for work)
For me-- not so much.
I don't like to spend extravagently-- but communication is important to me., And relaibility of equipment. So sometimes I got for a little better quality and pay a little more.
But you still look for the best return for your money. You want more than the minimum but that's not the same as being extravagant. For example, you don't necessarily buy the most expensive package by reflex. Bargain shopping, to me, is more than just buying the cheapest thing, it's about getting what I want for the best deal I can. Now it's true that for me that's usually the cheapest deal, but that's just because I am cheap. :D
Just means as you (and I) continue to age. . . we don't need all the bells and whistles that others wish to sell anybody they can.
I concentrate my buying power/effort in middle-ground purchasing. That is, I do not buy high-end products at the basis or 'whistle' level. . .I focus on a 'mid-range' - now that I don't need to compete or deal with the "Joneses."
Yes, sometimes we do use colourful language!
Morning Krishy....well someone has to show you mob over there to spell proper like..🤣
Now first major decision for the day what to have for brekkie??
Muffin and Vegemite, toast and Vegemite bread and Vegemite... decisions decisions..😁
Biscuits, sausage and eggs over medium for me. Coffee, milk, raw, unfiltered honey.
For second breakfast a piece of apple pie and another coffee.
Milk raw?
Oh no!! Pasteurized milk. Honey you buy in plastic bears is hardly honey at all. When you buy honey, specify Raw, unfiltered, honey. Locally sourced is best. Use it in place of sugar or sweetner in your coffee. Tastes better and is much better for your stomach and digestion. Doesn't cure covid though. Many years back I ran out of sugar, well mom did, was still living at home. She had honey on the shelf and I liked it so I've been using it every since.
I no longer use Honey. but the types I had tried weren't locally sourced. It was Manuka (IIRC from New Zealand?). I had only used Manuka that has with a high MGO or UMF rating. I had read about its supposed health benefits.
But I tested it (kinesiology) and then by various intuitive techniques.. It didn't seem to have all that much benefit potentional for health and the higher rating ones cost too much for regular use. So I stopped using it.
Australians speak a very colorful form of English! The first time I heard "Waltzing Matilda" I discoved so many words of which I didn't know the meaning-- I had to look them up!
(There are a few words in Canadian English that are different than those in American English.-- but not nearly as many as there are in Australian English!).
Evening Krishy...we did it mainly to annoy the Brits and we succeeded ever so well..
We were the colonial upstarts who didn't know their place and we were frowned upon...
Just mention cricket to the Poms (Brits) and they have an instant melt down because that was supposed to be a gentleman's game...
It was until we rolled up and beat them..and that went down like a lead balloon....🤣
Yeah, the honey trap can get expensive if you don't watch out. Personally, like the taste better than sugar and my stomach, which is always kind of touchy, seems to like it better too.
Something weird. I didn't see any of these comments last night. I checked in about 7 and it showed 4 comments. I come in this morning and it's loaded.
Morning Wheel....well one thing here you mob are always going to be behind us time wise...
It's already Saturday here..🦘
we only put the international dateline there so that mob on your sandbar would have something besides mutant animals to yammer on about endlessly. you should probably think about giving that rock back to the natives before they end up feeding your mob to those unworldly creatures for entertainment at the next shrimp barbecue...
To late..some poor guy up NSW was just taken by a shark this morning...
They found his surf board bitten in two.. very sad but we are in the sharks territory..😬
after watching drone videos on youtube of oz surfers oblivious to the behemoths swimming beneath them, it's a bit hard for me to feel sorry for anyone that's basically attempting suicide by paddling out on a fiberglass serving tray and looking like a fat seal up against the surface when mr shark is gazing upwards ...
Mmmhh you get that...at least he tried to warn his mates that there was a Noah's ark (shark) around...
But it grabbed him instead..but he was gone before they got him tp shore and if they had of succeeded he was still going to be cactus..
Lost both legs and his hand so no hope what's so ever for him I am afraid...
They know the risks and they are aware of them, but the love of the surf is over powering and they still hit the waves..
I am aware as well and accept them and I don't blame the shark, we are in his territory..🦈
Yeah, the waters aren't infested with sharks. It's where they live.
I wonder if that's because we have people from the different U.S time zones (and a few from other countries).?
And then the're are a few people like me who don't log on on a regular schedule. (Some times I logon early morning, sometimes very late at night).
Let's just say that it can be used in ways that are ambiguous and misleading, especially if I have anything to say about it!
Well that's not only true re: metonymy.
Lots of words and phrases can be used in an ambiguous and misleading ways-- but they don't have to be!. The effect produced is due mainly to:
A- The speakers.Intention
and
B- The speakers skill with language.
(BTW, what did you say your Astrology chart was like?)
My astrology chart? I actually know what you're talking about, kind of. It looks like an Easter basket turned on it's side. It's got one long loop across and everything else is a basket shape along one edge. I was born June 27, 1952.
From the little you've just said re: Astrology, some things are obvious to me. First of all the fact that you actually looked into it says a lot (many people have just assumed Astrology has no validity so don't look nto it. And in some people the very mention of the subject freaks them out). Reminds me of that old saying "There's no cure for 'Stuck on Stupid'".
I've spent considerable time studying it (for well over 40 years) and know the value it has...
First of all, your chart illustrates the fact that you very intuitive-- before going into that.... so does your description that is looks like that basket. Many amateurs don't know this-- but there are several "shapes" when you first look at the chart. That "basket" is one of them. The fact that you noticed that and thiought it important IMO indicates intuitive ability (most people wouldn't notice that-- or wouldn't think it important enough to mention).
Secondly re: Cancer Sun. In the Western system, there are 4 elements-- Air, Fire, Earth, and Water. There are three signs in each element. Cancer is one of the three Water signs.
(The other two are Pisces and Scorpio).
Water signs are very intuitive-- sometimes even psychic. The emotion associated with Water is Feeling. So Cancer has strong emotions (although they often hide it).
And, depending upon the rest of your chart, other things associated with Cancer are great importance of family and of the home. Also Cancers can be very nurturing-- both literally and figuratively.
The symbol for each sign says a lot. For Cancer its the Crab, Tough outer shell, but soft on the inside. They feel things deeply. Emotionally very sensitive, but they know how to hide it when necessary, know how to protect themselves.
Most people unfamiliar with Astrology will ask "What sign are you"?...meaning your Sun sign. Which is only part of the picture--its important to know the signs of all the planets, not just the Sun!
An older lady who was very dear to me did my chart for me way back in the early 70's. She was into sun signs, moon signs, card reading, she even believed in Jesus. Book Jesus, not Republican Jesus. One of the sweetest, nicest, kindest people you could ever want to know.
Oh, and she said a lot of the same thing you said plus she picked up on my stubborness.Which according to my family is my main thing instead of temper
Well she did your chart (the whole thing). I just made a few comments based on a few things you said.
To do the complete chart an Astrologer needs to know your date of birth. But also needs your time of birth as well as your place of bith. I dodn't have those so I didn't do your chart.
(And for the present, I am no longer doing charts for people).
I've been doing Tarot card readings for many years. In fact I learned to read the Tarot long before I learned Astrology!. It also can be amazingly accurate-- but it depends upon how good the reader is.
P.S: Most of those "ladies in store windows" who read the cards (and some even claim to be gypsies) are unrelaible-- most are con artists. They should be avoided!
From my experience most Astrologers are honest. But Astrology take a long time to develop skill-- so most Astrologers aren't very good.
Finally, I should say that believing in the real Jesus is nice-- but while its related to what sort of person you are-- it doesn't necessarily help in being a good Tarot reader or good Astrologer!
I'm no judge of whether she was good or bad at it. But she was a very nice lady and I didn't mind indulging her.