Coid's Crowing Conundrum of a Canticle of Crookedly Random Banter #185

[Elemental]

They ARE technical exercises; meant to be used as training in some particular skill or technique.

Yes, but they don't have to feel like one too.

Part time job at stables allows you to learn how to deal with horses and provides money if you want to get into equitation.

If only finding employment in this day and age were so easy.
I wonder if Westpac has responded to my application yet...

[AsteriskAmp]

Yes, but they don't have to feel like one too.

Some are more subtle than others about it; sometimes it's because the technique is particularly egregious; sometimes the performer tries to make it look like one to show off even more.

[Mutant Sheep]

Ele, I swear you just made that wall of post so only the truely devoted would bother responding.

[Elemental]

Ele, I swear you just made that wall of post so only the truely devoted would bother responding.

Indeed. I spent half an hour compiling that simply to inconvenience myself.

[Mynxae]

Wonderful, nervous breakdown.

AGAIN.

I hate how stressful school is. This is killing me.

Not literally. Just...

I'm really scared.

ACtually, I probably should post in the Dep thread, if that place didn't make me feel worse. Can I just get hugs from you guys and make the Bad Things go away?

*cuddles and gives ten kittens to cuddle*

Is there a Nibbles and a Sheepie about? We need'a practise our SC2 dying against other peoples

ION: My hair is short. Really short. Should I post before and after pictures and have people judge me and giggle?

[Elemental]

*cuddles and gives ten kittens to cuddle*

Is there a Nibbles and a Sheepie about? We need'a practise our SC2 dying against other peoples

ION: My hair is short. Really short. Should I post before and after pictures and have people judge me and giggle?

Visit so I can laugh in person. Mum will be home this weekend.
Also, tell me what you're getting me for Christmas! I have an idea, but I don't want to say anything so hurry up and spoil the surprise already!

[Mynxae]

Visit so I can laugh in person. Mum will be home this weekend.
Also, tell me what you're getting me for Christmas! I have an idea, but I don't want to say anything so hurry up and spoil the surprise already!

I'm not telling you. Besides, I have James coming over on the weekend and staying Saturday night. /slyly-winks I would come over otherwise. Perhaps sometime early next week?

[Elemental]

I'm not telling you. Besides, I have James coming over on the weekend and staying Saturday night. /slyly-winks I would come over otherwise. Perhaps sometime early next week?

Gah! The suspense is killing me!
And you already know I disapprove of that situation so I won't comment on it further.

[Teddy]

If snow falls, then it doesn't count because that's precipitated moisture.
Admittedly, it's in a solid crystallised form, but it makes no difference.

Try drinking it. Just because you live next to the ocean doesn't mean you're immune to droughts either. Our trees drop their leaves for one reason, and it's not because it's cold (which our evergreens handle just fine).

Depends where you planted them. But usually, no. Most non-native plants that people around here grow are from Mediterranean or tropical/subtropical climates. That's not to say you can't grow others, but they need to be particularly resilient and not be of the kind that requires a period of frost or dormancy due to cold. They get frost down South, but here, no.

By fighting chance, I meant "surviving for a few months, tops". I assume there's a good reason to why our evergreens can't be found below temperate zones.

Oh, that kind of endless. I had assumed you meant the kind of endless in which the swarm covers all reality.
And you know, you really shouldn't borrow energy from the future without asking first...

Pfft, I'll give it back eventually. They won't miss it.

Tea goes 'out of date'? I can understand it losing its potency, but surely if it's properly stored it can last indefinitely?

Tea perhaps doesn't go out of date as much as the European Union does. For the sake of consumer safety, all foodstuff has to be marked with a best before date, even in the case of foodstuff that's practically inable to go out of date if handled properly. After all, you wouldn't want the manufacturers and resellers to surreptitiously sell you tea dating several years back in time.

ION:
Snow in the air, but the ground is too warm and marshy, so it just melts before it can leave any lasting impression...

[Mynxae]

Gah! The suspense is killing me!
And you already know I disapprove of that situation so I won't comment on it further.

Mua-ha-ha.

I don't even think you know all of the details for that situation anyhow.

[DJ Yung Crunk]

Yeah, I could see the intended meaning, but the phrasing was nonsensical.

Not really. I just wanted to set up that "makes Romeo and Juliet look like Shakespeare" joke. And none of you laughed.

[Socratov]

I hate squirrels now.
I was just walking to the bus, when I passed a trash can. This deranged squirrel proceeded to jump out of the trash can, catch one of its little squirrel claws on my brand new coat - tearing a hole in it - then scamper down my leg and away. So now whenever anyone asks about the giant hole in my new coat, I have to tell them "squirrel attack."

ok, it's a pity about the coat, but at least you can say you have been attacked by a squirrel. that should count for something... Plus, it's a hilarious story

[Elemental]

Try drinking it. Just because you live next to the ocean doesn't mean you're immune to droughts either. Our trees drop their leaves for one reason, and it's not because it's cold (which our evergreens handle just fine).

What has the ocean got to do with anything? I live near the sea and we get periodic droughts. It's ten kilometres that way.
*points in a vaguely eastern direction*
*considers mentioning all those coastal deserts with plants adapted to live off sea spray*
Anyway... I wouldn't count a period when it is too cold for rain as a drought for the same reason we don't consider Mars to be in a state of drought. If it can't rain, then it can't be a drought. A drought being defined as a period without rain or with less rain when there should otherwise be more rain.
Distinct from icy Winters and dry seasons.

Also, I had assumed that in cold conditions the leaves of broadleaf trees are vulnerable to frost and can be easily damaged as a result. Thus, they drop them before then to avoid the trauma. Evergreens don't because of special adaptations and as a mechanism that allows them to get the most out of the comparatively short growing season in colder climates.

By fighting chance, I meant "surviving for a few months, tops". I assume there's a good reason to why our evergreens can't be found below temperate zones.

That's actually partly due to competition from other kinds of trees... But I digress.
It still depends where you planted it. During a snowy Winter, the sunlight is significantly decreased. However, if you were to plant an evergreen capable of holding onto its moisture while snow falls around it in a region of intense sunlight and dryness, no amount of moisture retention will save it and it would likely die within weeks. Months is pushing it.

Pfft, I'll give it back eventually. They won't miss it.

But what if you steal energy from the future such that when the future gets here and we need that energy to power the planetary shield to ward off an alien invasion? And it's not there?!?!

Tea perhaps doesn't go out of date as much as the European Union does. For the sake of consumer safety, all foodstuff has to be marked with a best before date, even in the case of foodstuff that's practically inable to go out of date if handled properly. After all, you wouldn't want the manufacturers and resellers to surreptitiously sell you tea dating several years back in time.

ION:
Snow in the air, but the ground is too warm and marshy, so it just melts before it can leave any lasting impression...

Hmm... Possible to misconstrue as a political statement...
What about honey? That's antibacterial. Or salt? Cinnamon is poisonous to most life-forms, does that need a label? How about sugar? How about canned foods?

And no, no you would not. In my case, I wouldn't want them to sell me any tea at all. I understand the legislation, but having it apply to all foodstuffs is a bit extreme...
I mean... What do they do with all this out of date tea? Does it even have another use?

Oh well... If laws made sense to everyone, then all the lawyers would be out of a job and that would be depressing.

Mua-ha-ha.

I don't even think you know all of the details for that situation anyhow.

You're being friends "with benefits" with your first boyfriend who is inexperienced in matters concerning said benefits. I neither need nor want to know all of the "details".
I have a feeling it will end badly.

[The Succubus]

Not really. I just wanted to set up that "makes Romeo and Juliet look like Shakespeare" joke. And none of you laughed.

Must have missed this because this kind of wordplay appeals to me, if only for the "wait, what?" reaction it causes in others.


Really should see about reinstalling SC2. I'd need someone to teach me how to play though. >.>

[Mynxae]

You're being friends "with benefits" with your first boyfriend who is inexperienced in matters concerning said benefits. I neither need nor want to know all of the "details".
I have a feeling it will end badly.

For all you know, the benefits could be teaching home how to play video games I play, or how to sing off-key!

Must have missed this because this kind of wordplay appeals to me, if only for the "wait, what?" reaction it causes in others.


Really should see about reinstalling SC2. I'd need someone to teach me how to play though. >.>

Ooh, ooh! Can I do it! Pleaaaaase!

[Elemental]

For all you know, the benefits could be teaching home how to play video games I play, or how to sing off-key!

Admittedly, those are both things you excel at. However, I know what you're doing so there's no point in pretending otherwise.

Also, tell me what my Christmas present is going to be! Or at least give me some hints so I can occupy my mind guessing.

[Mynxae]

Admittedly, those are both things you excel at. However, I know what you're doing so there's no point in pretending otherwise.

Also, tell me what my Christmas present is going to be! Or at least give me some hints so I can occupy my mind guessing.

It involves letters. Heh. 'Cause that could mean anything.

[Elemental]

It involves letters. Heh. 'Cause that could mean anything.

What do I need a mailbox for?

So, you're buying me a computer game then? That's very kind of you.
Is it one I'll enjoy?
Alternatively, you're buying me a book.

[Mynxae]

What do I need a mailbox for?

So, you're buying me a computer game then? That's very kind of you.
Is it one I'll enjoy?
Alternatively, you're buying me a book.

Perhaps. Perhaps not.

[Elemental]

Perhaps. Perhaps not.

Well, I do recall you saying that you'd buy me Starcraft II for Christmas.
Have I ruined my own surprise yet?

[Socratov]

For all you know, the benefits could be teaching home how to play video games I play, or how to sing off-key!



Ooh, ooh! Can I do it! Pleaaaaase!

I'ts going to be a (couple of) book(s) written by a writer with the initials T.P. pertaining a circular flat world atop 4 elephants atop a shielded animal...

[Elemental]

I'ts going to be a (couple of) book(s) written by a writer with the initials T.P. pertaining a circular flat world atop 4 elephants atop a shielded animal...

You know... Just because I've never read it does not mean I am not aware of the fact that the titular Discworld travels through space resting on the backs of four giant elephants that stand atop an even more giant turtle.

[Mynxae]

Well, I do recall you saying that you'd buy me Starcraft II for Christmas.
Have I ruined my own surprise yet?

I said I might buy that for you. And why would I buy that so early?

I'ts going to be a (couple of) book(s) written by a writer with the initials T.P. pertaining a circular flat world atop 4 elephants atop a shielded animal...

Oh my.

[Teddy]

Anyway... I wouldn't count a period when it is too cold for rain as a drought for the same reason we don't consider Mars to be in a state of drought. If it can't rain, then it can't be a drought. A drought being defined as a period without rain or with less rain when there should otherwise be more rain.
Distinct from icy Winters and dry seasons.

Okay, I see your reasoning.

Also, I had assumed that in cold conditions the leaves of broadleaf trees are vulnerable to frost and can be easily damaged as a result. Thus, they drop them before then to avoid the trauma. Evergreens don't because of special adaptations and as a mechanism that allows them to get the most out of the comparatively short growing season in colder climates.

They are, but that's more due to evolutionary laziness than anything else. The problems with the leaves is that they expulse massive amounts of water, and without the ability to absorb more water from the ground, keeping them would dehydrate the tree to death.

But what if you steal energy from the future such that when the future gets here and we need that energy to power the planetary shield to ward off an alien invasion? And it's not there?!?!

Ah, but that's the best part. We borrow the energy from the exact moment we'll return it. That way, no one will ever notice that it's missing.

Hmm... Possible to misconstrue as a political statement...
What about honey? That's antibacterial. Or salt? Cinnamon is poisonous to most life-forms, does that need a label? How about sugar? How about canned foods?

And no, no you would not. In my case, I wouldn't want them to sell me any tea at all. I understand the legislation, but having it apply to all foodstuffs is a bit extreme...
I mean... What do they do with all this out of date tea? Does it even have another use?

Oh well... If laws made sense to everyone, then all the lawyers would be out of a job and that would be depressing.

Well, practically all food (with the exception of salts,) go stale or otherwise tasteless after a due amount of time, so it's only reasonable to let the customer know when it was made so that they won't be bereft of the quality they seek. Also, printing a best before date costs nothing, and for most foodstuff with a long durability, it will be consumed long before that date is reached anyway, while it gives the consumer an extra guard against unscrupulous producers. Sure, many consumers tend to stare themselves blind at the best before date, throwing away otherwise fresh food, but that's mostly a problem with the perishables.

All in all, I fail to see what harm a best before date does on a tea package.

ION:
Spent 45 minutes profiling the assignment code on some rather huge input data. I'm currently profiling my own code on the same input, hoping for some enhancements, but they seem a lot less than I'd hoped for. I think I'll have to rewrite the whole program in order to achieve some real improvements...

Oh wait, it just finished. 2.2 million milliseconds-wait-what!? The damn profiling tab just closed down despite the fact that I didn't press any buttons for closing it! And I didn't have time to save it either!
RAGE!!!

Oh well, I still know that I made around a 6 minute speed up, which isn't bad, just not as well as I'd hoped. First lunch, then lecture, then restructure. That hopefully should make things a lot better...

[Elemental]

I said I might buy that for you. And why would I buy that so early?

Taking advantage of a sale perhaps? Avoiding the Christmas rush? I don't know. You're being so frustratingly unhelpful on this matter. You're not even being cryptic!

Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me, TELL ME!

You enjoy tormenting me don't you...
Can you at least tell me on the first of December? Or the start of Advent?

They are, but that's more due to evolutionary laziness than anything else. The problems with the leaves is that they expulse massive amounts of water, and without the ability to absorb more water from the ground, keeping them would dehydrate the tree to death.

I suppose that's also true. It happens that way in some tropical monsoon forests now that I remember.

Ah, but that's the best part. We borrow the energy from the exact moment we'll return it. That way, no one will ever notice that it's missing.

But once you've used the energy to create the budgie anti-budgie pairs, wouldn't some of it be lost due to factors beyond our control?
*half remembered physics*

And we'll know because we were the ones who did it in the past.
Damn time travel...

Well, practically all food (with the exception of salts,) go stale or otherwise tasteless after a due amount of time, so it's only reasonable to let the customer know when it was made so that they won't be bereft of the quality they seek. Also, printing a best before date costs nothing, and for most foodstuff with a long durability, it will be consumed long before that date is reached anyway, while it gives the consumer an extra guard against unscrupulous producers. Sure, many consumers tend to stare themselves blind at the best before date, throwing away otherwise fresh food, but that's mostly a problem with the perishables.

All in all, I fail to see what harm a best before date does on a tea package.

There's nothing wrong with it. It just irks me for some reason.

[Mynxae]

Taking advantage of a sale perhaps? Avoiding the Christmas rush? I don't know. You're being so frustratingly unhelpful on this matter. You're not even being cryptic!

Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me, TELL ME!

You enjoy tormenting me don't you...
Can you at least tell me on the first of December? Or the start of Advent?

Isn't Advent in April? Or am I thinking of Lent..?

And yes, I enjoy tormenting you. You do it to me too though!

[Elemental]

Isn't Advent in April? Or am I thinking of Lent..?

And yes, I enjoy tormenting you. You do it to me too though!

You're thinking of Lent.
So you'll tell me on the first of December because you don't know when Advent begins? Excellent. It's nice we've reached an agreement.

At least I let you know what your presents are... Last Christmas I took you shopping with me to buy them...

[Mynxae]

You're thinking of Lent.
So you'll tell me on the first of December because you don't know when Advent begins? Excellent. It's nice we've reached an agreement.

At least I let you know what your presents are... Last Christmas I took you shopping with me to buy them...

Wait, what? I don't know what you're getting me.

[Elemental]

Wait, what? I don't know what you're getting me.

I'm going to drag you to a bookstore depending on how much money I get and also purchase you some chocolate for your birthday.
It's a rather boring combination, but I'm poor and likely to receive money for Christmas.

[Mynxae]

I'm going to drag you to a bookstore depending on how much money I get and also purchase you some chocolate for your birthday.
It's a rather boring combination, but I'm poor and likely to receive money for Christmas.

And if you receive no money, just send me a kitten. I'd love one, thanks.