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Mr Terrific wrote:

"

quote:

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Originally posted by Mr. Gage:
Egad, Terrific.

You should get to the infirmary right away, just as a precaution. We're really not sure what reading the whole thread might do to a person; the last time someone tried it, well, it was less than 10 pages anyway.

It's been, what, about 4 hours since you posted? I know I'd feel better if you checked in again later on.

(I stayed out too late last night, playing billiards and singing karaoke with friends. This morning I'm very coffee-reliant.)

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Thanks for the concern, Gage, but I've recovered. It was only temporary sanity. Getting Lucifer and 100 Bullets appears to have cured me. I shall not be so foolish again.

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The optimits thinks we live in the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist knows we do.

Do not take offence at any thing in this post. It is my opinion only. If I offend anyone, I apologise.

In case anyone cares, my real name is Paul. Call me that if you want.

Official Suggester of DDAMMMN
www.darwinawards.com "

For those vaguely interested (esp jack trades, since I haven't heard from him in a while), since we are all sitting around enjoying our cups of brew:

Plans to stay in Hong Kong have been extended indefinitely. This evolved because of our trip to Perth, my home town on the west coast of Australia, 6 weeks ago. I was appalled at how quiet the place was. So, Sydney is now looking like a more viable destination in the long term. Sydney is too cold, but at least there are cars on the street.

We're now living in a place called Discovery Bay on Lantau Island in HK's New Territories which is much cleaner and greener than HK Island, and even my wife now admits she quite likes it (she doesn't like HK on the whole, but we're both greedy - the tax here is very small compared to Australia's 48%).

We went to Club Med in Cherating Beach in Malaysia for a week, too, a month ago, for the first holiday I have had since August 1999 - I have a picture of me on the trapeze - quite a drop to the safety net, but they rig novices up with safety ropes. The trapeze is part of a circus thing that people who are at the resort can have a go at - good fun.

We have been trying to work out what to do for X-mas. We thought about skiing but its bloody expensive over X-mas in terms of accomodation (we might do that over the Chinese New Year holiday in Feb): so we are a bit lost as to what to do, not helped by the fact that my wife doesn't have as many holidays as me. We'll be travelling for Hanoi for a weekend to go and check out the Parisian architecture there (which is apparently amazing), but Hanoi is hardly a place to spend X-mas (traffic and pollution is allegedly 5x worse than HK).

Regional travel, I hasten to add, is very cheap, which is why we're trying to do some of it while we're here.

We were going to go to Perth again for X-mas, but we have to go to Australia for my wife's exams (we are both doing distance education) in Feb anyway, and three trips to Perth in 6 months is a bit too much like staying in one's safety zone.

What else can I tell you all? Not much. I won't bore you with a weather report. We went to meet a dog yesterday, up for adoption, but the poor thing was 2 and not house trained which is a bit impossible for us. Although our flat is not big, we live at the front of some excellent open areas, mountains and trees, which would be good for a dog to have a frolic. But teaching a two year old dog not to poo on the carpet sounds like very hard work.

We're out on a junk tonight, with a bunch of other people, getting pissed (that's ""drunk"" for you Americans) on wine and cruising around the harbour, and will probably go out to a place called Lamma Island for some seafood which will be excellent, and something which I haven't done since I first got here 18 months ago.

I turn 32 in a few weeks, which is a bit of a shock. Enough said about that.

More on Heinlein - was he a fascist (Starship Troopers, Glory Road) or a hippie (Stranger in a Strange Land)?

I've exhausted all topics of interest, now, so I'll leave you all be, and will take a sip of my English breakfast. Would someone please pass the biscuits? I confess to being an unrepentant dunker."

Rama Bonn wrote:

"I love this quote:

Hell is a place with eternally bad coffee.

~ Chris Kilham, who has just published a book on psychoactive substances.

To Typhoid Dave - Heinlein was no fascist. I think he understood the Hippie mentality, but he was no hippie either.

I have a childhood friend who is a successful english language cartoonist in Hong Kong. He specializes in political commentary, which sometimes gets him in hot water with the PRC government. His name is Larry Feign - let me know if you've seen his work.

Stay free -

Rama"

Heinlein was a notoriously cranky right-wing libertarian type, whose big ideological thing was an insistence that any kind of checks on capitalism were a very bad thing. While not quite a fascist, he wasn't what you'd call a liberal. The hippy question arising from ""Stranger In A Strange Land"" is mostly coincidental. (Bear in mind that the hippy most impressed by this novel was Charles Manson, himself not a liberal, and neither were many of his contemporaries.) To get a whiff of Heinlein's politics look at ""The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress"", ""Farnham's Freehold"" or ""Starship Troopers"": while Verhoeven's film of the latter was taking piss, you get the impression that Heinlein means every ****ing word of the novel..."

Sorry, I meant ""taking the piss"": I'm not accusing Verhoeven of incontinence."

Papercut Fun wrote:

"I just realized I no longer have any idea what this thread is about. Geez, disappear from the boards for a few weeks and you miss alot of idle chatter.

I guess I could read some of the recent posts, but maybe I'll just wait for the subject to change to something else like:

""How come pencil leads in mechanical pencils always break inside the pencil seemingly of their own free will?""

Or do the powers-that-be want us to touch that one? hmmmm....."

Vagabond wrote:

"

quote:

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Originally posted by D. McDonagh:
[B while Verhoeven's film of [Starship Troopers] was taking [the] piss,[/B]

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Now, Starship Troopers is one of my favourite books. It's also one of my favourtie movies, though I freely admit the movie isn't really the same story. And I think that a lot of folks have mis-interpreted Verhoeven - listening to his commentary on the movie makes it clear he thinks that, anyway.

But before I go off on a rant here, I want to have one thing clarified. What does ""taking the piss"" mean? I've got a sort of idea, from context and Hellbalzer and such, but a lot of times slang means all sorts of things. So I want to be sure what your stance is, D., before I get rolling.

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11 November - LEST WE FORGET

""It starts! It runs. It goes. It goes fast! It turns. It doesn't turn!!""
-Red Green, The New Red Green Show"

Vagabound, one can only have respect for someone who takes the trouble to clarify stuff like this before they start dissing. How can I ignore such a polite question?
To take the piss, one generally mocks and ridicules one's object. Any kind of mocking can be covered by the term, though it most often refers to crude abuse or various kinds of parody. It's the latter I suspect Verhoeven is up to. He is, I am almost certain, sending up Heinlein's near rabid xenophobia and hawkishness beyond the dreams even of John Wayne, by deliberately parodying it.
I wait with 'bated breath for you to tell me how wrong i am in this assumption."

Nice explanation of ""taking the piss"". Aussies often use the noun, a ""piss-take"".

Rama - sorry, don't know of your friend, but will keep an eye out.

Someone once told me about Heinlein that basically he just sold what he thought would be popular. Kind of makes sense...

Heresy - not drinking tea today!"

quote:

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Originally posted by TyphoidDave:
Nice explanation of ""taking the piss"". Aussies often use the noun, a ""piss-take"".

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Damn. We have that one as well, and I completely forgot to mention it. how embarrassing..."

Mr. Gage wrote:

"This is interesting to me, because it seems that the American term for the same sort of mocking and abuse would be 'giving (someone) sh*t.' "

Zoe's Love Slave wrote:

"y'know, s'funny...I never heard either of these expressions before I started reading Hellblazer lo so many years ago...

who says comics don't broaden y'r horizons!"

Vagabond wrote:

"D. -

I liked ST enough to buy the DVD, and so have listened to the Director's Commentary. So most of this comes from that.

Also, please bear in mind that I've neither watched the commentary nor read the book in more than a year. As I read a novel in about three days, and watch a movie roughly twice a week, there's a whole lot of other stuff crammed on top of that. But, from my memory, Verhoven was actually trying to take a script that deviated significantly from the novel, and yet retain the theme ""War makes facists of us all.""

Now, I can't recal if that theme is found in the book. I do recal that Verhoven thought so; he says this explicitly, several times, while defending himself from the charge of being pro-facist.

Verhoven was also trying to make an action-movie that Hollywood execs would approve of, and there are some compromises in there. One that he mentions: When the Roger Young narrowly avoids the first bug meteor, and looses part of her superstructre, there was supposed to be a scene in it where several people get suck out into space. The studio felt that, having lost crew members, the captain couldn't possibly be so pleased with Denise Richard's character, and made Verhoven take it out (it later ended up with the bits whe Young breaks up).

The other thing to consider: The movie wasn't originally intended to be Starship TRoopers. It was written as a ""Kill lots of bugs"" movie, mostly because the screenwriter knew a guy who had made a really nice CGI bug. The studio said, ""Hey, that sounds like Starship TRoopers!. We've got the rights. Turn this script into that.""

I will be the first to say that the book and the movie are very different in tone, and somewhat different in story. But I would say that Verhoven was attempting to put forth the same theme. And for myself, I think he succeeded.

And I'm glad I asked about ""taking the piss."" I'd interpreted it as somewhat more... hostile.

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11 November - LEST WE FORGET

""It starts! It runs. It goes. It goes fast! It turns. It doesn't turn!!""
-Red Green, The New Red Green Show"

Vagabond,

It's a long while since I've read the book myself, but it always struck me as pro militarism and pro war: not just suggesting that wars are sometimes inevitable, but also that there's something nifty about the whole undertaking. (As Brian Aldiss has pointed out, a truly foul attitude coming from someone who spent WW2 designing pressure suits.)
I'm inclined to agree that the film is, if not more liberal, then at least more ambiguous (or morally complex). On the other hand, it's possible I'm not cutting Heinlein enough slack."

Vagabond wrote:

"D. -

You have just cut the floor out from under me, you know.

Most of the time I have this argument, it's with people who love the book so much they're cumming in their pants; whilst decrying the movie as little more than pro-fascist,under-characterised action crap.

You seem to have a very different approach to the book. All of a sudden, I've nothing to argue over.

This is not good. Now I have to go do my homework.

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11 November - LEST WE FORGET

""It starts! It runs. It goes. It goes fast! It turns. It doesn't turn!!""
-Red Green, The New Red Green Show"

Vagabond,

quote:

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Originally posted by Vagabond:
Most of the time I have this argument, it's with people who love the book so much they're cumming in their pants; whilst decrying the movie as little more than pro-fascist,under-characterised action crap.

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They think the film is right wing and the book isn't? Jesus wept...

One thing I found out recently is that supposedly Heinlein originally proposed the book to his publishers as a juvenile (like ""Have Spacesuit Will Travel"", or whatever it's called). It might've been interesting to see that version.

Sorry I shot down your argument, but you really should do your homework anyway.

"

Go do your homework!

The film has received the most amazing range of reviews. I tend to think that critics who hated it as schlock didn't realise it was a piss-take on the book. I was impressed when some very respected film critics in Australia wrote impassioned pleas for people to see it in its context.

I read the book as a kid, and remember my mother being horrified when I questioned her as to whther she thought only people who had served in the military should be allowed to vote."

Vagabond wrote:

"Bearing in mind that most of these arguments took place over the 'net, with all the potential mis-communications...

Yes. These people thought the movie was right-wing, and the book was left. They perceived the book as a satire and/or criticism of fascism, while they preceived the movie as an endorsement.

I can't tell you you pleased I am to encounter people who don't have that dichotomy in their thinking. Though I don't really think the movie was a ""piss-take."" Just a not very good adaptation.

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11 November - LEST WE FORGET

""It starts! It runs. It goes. It goes fast! It turns. It doesn't turn!!""
-Red Green, The New Red Green Show"

Perhaps ""piss-take"" is too derogatory: I certainly viewed it as satire."

Lord_Savaunt wrote:

" Well sorry I've been late for the tea bingerings. An update on my job situation will be forth coming.

I just want to say thanks everyone, I love you all. No particular reason or motivation. I just felt like saying thanks for being here to talk to, you guys are all my cup of tea."

You sure it's just tea you've been drinking, Lord S?"

psychopracter wrote:

"My inagural post on this board...

Tea: Lapsang Souchong.

Bow down before its bronze liquor. Savor its smoky aroma. Taste its unique 4 dimensional flavor.



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""Ellroy spares no sensibilities. By page 25 of a long & chaotic tale, he has offended every color, creed, and kink known to man.""
~from a review of LA Confidential circa 1990~"

Lord_Savaunt wrote:

" D McD. Yes I'm sure I've not been drinking anything else, but the question is what's been in the tea. Actually I was just in a grateful mood that while on the verge of a nervous breakdown I have such friendly people to chat with and take my mind off what ails me (more about this in a thread I'll be starting up soon).

Dude above me with the really cool name. Normally I start hazing newbies right off the bat, however because you have been cool enough to use the term 4 dimensional in your first post you'll get a one week extension."

quote:

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Originally posted by psychopracter:
My inagural post on this board...

Tea: Lapsang Souchong.

Bow down before its bronze liquor. Savor its smoky aroma. Taste its unique 4 dimensional flavor.

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Sounds good. Where is it from?

"

Mike Carey wrote:

"I want some o' that lapsang thang in the Head's study, instanter. Bring the liquor and the aroma, too."

psychopracter wrote:

"

quote:

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Originally posted by TyphoidDave:
Sounds good. Where is it from?

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It's a chinese tea thats cured by smoking it with pine. It's got a unique flavor. As for finding it, haunt your local independent specialty cofee seller. Starbucks (hack, spit!) won't have it and it's generally not avalible on the store shelves, although I *think* Republic of Tea may sell it.




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""Ellroy spares no sensibilities. By page 25 of a long & chaotic tale, he has offended every color, creed, and kink known to man.""
~from a review of LA Confidential circa 1990~"

Heathen wrote:

"Oh Mike,

I remembered on the bus what the second R was ! It stands for RELIEF !

That is relieving stress etc
ie just what we were doing last night.



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Adrian Brown (London)
* * * * * * * * * * *
BORDERLINE: international comics magazine online from the first of the month
www.borderline.mediahall.co.uk"

Mike Carey wrote:

"Thanks, Ade. Now I've forgotten the N. :)

"

Heathen wrote:

"

quote:

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Originally posted by Mike Carey:
Thanks, Ade. Now I've forgotten the N. :)

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Narrowing.
ie ONLY drinking one brand of tea.
Although I once contended fairly successfully that drinking Special Brew or similar does not count as narrowing since it was usually a cost implication rather than a desired effect. And it tastes like stewed tea.

Oh, there was an eighth one, but I forget what it was. Oh yeah, memory problems.


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Adrian Brown (London)
* * * * * * * * * * *
BORDERLINE: international comics magazine online from the first of the month
www.borderline.mediahall.co.uk"

Karon Flage wrote:

"Stash Tea carries lapsang http://www.stashtea.com/w-050023.htm

I have ordered all sorts of different stuff from them in them past - even my teapot is from there. Always been completely satisfied."

quote:

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Originally posted by Heathen:
drinking Special Brew or similar does not count as narrowing since it was usually a cost implication rather than a desired effect. And it tastes like stewed tea.

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Since when does Special Brew taste like stewed tea? It always struck me as more syrupy and unpleasantly sweet than like tea. Is my palate completely shot or something?"

Heathen wrote:

"

quote:

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Originally posted by D. McDonagh:
Since when does Special Brew taste like stewed tea? It always struck me as more syrupy and unpleasantly sweet than like tea. Is my palate completely shot or something?

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Take what you just said and add sugar to the tea (and no milk). And possibly 40mg of Mogadon."

I am celebrating my 32nd birthday tonight, by going to a bar with friends and drinking vodka jellies.

I will be drinking Twinings English Breakfast and V8 vegetable juice, and eating vegemite on toast, tomorrow to assist the recuperation process."

Many happy returns, Dave. Now turn off your computer and go play outside..."

Mike Carey wrote:

"Many happy returns, Dave.

Raise a jelly to the good folk on the DC boards."

Heathen wrote:

"

quote:

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Originally posted by TyphoidDave:
I am celebrating my 32nd birthday tonight, by going to a bar with friends and drinking vodka jellies.

I will be drinking Twinings English Breakfast and V8 vegetable juice, and eating vegemite on toast, tomorrow to assist the recuperation process.

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A jelly happy birthday to you !"

Rama Bonn wrote:

"

quote:

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Originally posted by Karon Flage:
[B]Stash Tea carries lapsang http://www.stashtea.com/w-050023.htm
B]

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Karon -

Thanks for the Stash tea link; its been a long time since I've sipped Lapasang, now I'm tempted to order some. The Stash Tea collection looks very reasonably priced, and a delight to the mind steeped in tea leaf elixer."

Papercut Fun wrote:

"Happy Birthday Dave. I hope you had a great night and the tea and jelly is helping to sooth your rumbly tummy and heavy head.

Oh...and check that bedroom to make sure some strange-talking, half-faced woman with a phantom of the opera mask didn't follow you home!"

Hope you had fun Dave. :) Mmm, vodka jellies... I overdid it slightly myself last night with some friends, so I'm sipping peppermint tea and trying not to move too much today."

Lord_Savaunt wrote:

A belated happy birthday to ye Dave. And hears hoping your hangover was worth it.