Posts by freedomfrom

On topic post.

Scientific illiteracy. Possibly ironic, in light of other posts, but that's a hanging offense for me.

No, scientists do not all agree that global warming is 'real.' I say this only for the reason that the number of time's I've read on the science pages "scientists: Global Warming debate over" proves that it isn't. You should only have to say "mission accomplished" once.

I also say this to the extent that I know a number of scientist-types, whom I otherwise respect, who think there is no such thing as man-made climate change. Now, personally, I think they're off their collective rockers to say so, but just because I disagree with them doesn't mean I disrespect them.

Moreover, everyone is "protecting their paycheck." People don't do things that aren't in their best interest. It's just that, for the most of us, it's a somewhat theoretical, airy sort of thing, something that we might read an article on, but not really grapple with the problems thereof.

Personally, while I do believe that man-made climate change is happening, I think that the majority of the solutions thereto are either politically abhorrent or amount to polishing brass on the Titanic. It's much better to worry over the little things than to wrangle a system that even in the best of days we don't understand very well. We'd get better results that way.

My advice? Get over it.

You're not doing anything wrong. BMI isn't fitness. Fitness isn't running. Just because you're relatively healthy doens't mean you can run for ages and ages. Running is a skill, like any other. It gets better with time.

Emphasis on what Sun123 wrote. People just don't get how money prepayments save over the life of a loan.

The point on "own escrow" is a bit confused, though. Basically, the point is that it's cheaper to do your own work. The problem is that it requires extra responsibilty on your part, which may or may not be a good thing.

Additionally, most lenders have a serious case of the stupids, even in the best of times, so it's hard to say whether or not it'd be amicable.

But, to speak to your real question, the answer is time.

I was up until 2AM last night, either hacking away at an ice flow with a pick or using a roofing torch as a blowtorch to warm a downspout, frequently while on a ladder, all trying to keep my roof from caving in. That is, admittedly, an extreme scenario.

However, if you were to ask me what the hidden cost of home ownership was, it's time. It's not the money you have to spend fixing the problems, it's the time you spend, regardless of whether you do it yourself or hunt someone to do it for you. Regardless, you're responsible.

And a lot of people, even if they're otherwise great people, aren't really responsible enough to deal.

Original Post by eddiepotter:

we all know that when the  full moon comes out humans do get affected in some way...sometimes crime rate rises..blah blah blah...

Sorry to rain on your parade, eddiepotter, but that's an urban legend, at least in terms of any sort of statistical proof thereof as regards things like crime, violence, madness, et cetera.

I have a suspicion that, in some biological memory sense, it probably freaks us out so we ascribe weirdness to it. But the typical "must be a full moon" response has no statistical bearing.

After a careful review of the vast buffet of snark this question presents me with, I will refuse, and walk to the salad bar of "no."

Regret? No. That includes the one where the tattoo artist screwed up.

While I would not call any tattoos of mine unconsidered, there are some that were more spur of the moment than others. There's stuff I would have done differently, but obviously it doesn't bother me enough to get it redone or fixed. I sort of see that as part of the package.

Original Post by nomoreexcuses:

Original Post by hatamoto:

Original Post by moonikins:

Yes, I included the girls in my count. And to satisfy anyone's curiosity, I experimented with just girls in my early 20's. I consider myself somewhat bi-sexual.

In my experience, nearly every woman on the planet is bisexual to some degree, or at least bi-curious. Most just need a context where exploration of that side isn't a terrible, nasty, evil thing.

(Here's where the obligatory "Oh no not me I'd NEVER...!" reponses come in. ;)

 

If that is true, then nearly every man on the planet is bisexual as well. Otherwise, the statement above merely reflects what many men wish were true. (Which is what I think is the case, even though I don't really understand why two women are 'hot' but two men are 'omg disgusting!' to so many guys. If two women are hot, then two men are hot.)

I have to admit, I've heard the Unified Bisexual Theory more offen proffered by women than men.

If memory serves, there's actually some research to back it up, looking at psyometric responses to porn.

Also, based on brief sortes into some other parts of the internet, there are considerable number of women who view two men as extremely hot.

The thing is, speaking as a historian, (which I am not, but I do speak as one for the money), I find the notion of "sexual orientation," at least in any stiff form, very hard to accept.

Dunno, planning any mountain climbing? Live in SF?

Thinking totally pragmatically about the treadmill itself, it's probably better to adjust the speed. I imagine that the motor can deal with changes better than the hydraulics can.

The problem is, a word like "better" is hard to figure out. What's the goal? You want to be a better runner? Probably speed. You want a more "effective" workout (in terms of overall caloric burn)? Probably incine.

Honestly, I'm just as moved to tell you to mix the two.

To answer the actual question: very few, relative to others in my demographic. Something in the single digits. I am ugly and cowardly...or ugly and principled, if you care to spin it positively, or some combination of the two.

This lends to sex only as a statistical accident. Dating, too, but that's another story.

EDIT: Okay, wow, that was overly dramatic and maudlin. Don't drink and post, kids. It is true the number is small. I have mixed feelings about that, but, then again, I'm pretty sure that if the number was high, I'd have mixed feelings.

Original Post by hatamoto:

 Somehow those differing factions have to be reconciled or purged to move forward... and while it's a nice fantasy that we might see the rise-again of the rational republican, it doesn't seem terribly likely.

The problem, as I see it, is that we frequently hear words spoken about some hypothetical GOP schism, where the fiscal conservatives and the social conservatives shake hands and go their separate ways. Still, once you've slept with the Devil, it makes every subsequent shacking up easier. So, whenever the party gets put under any sort of pressure, the instinct is to close ranks and pretend the differences don't exist, rather than divide. Of course, that the DNC isn't quite offering any sort of hand, arguably out of payback of its own, doesn't help either.

Original Post by heather84clear:

So...I thought i'd count calories and swear of meat and dairy and refined sugar...

Freudian Typo FTW!1!

Original Post by jblarghp:

^Ugh! I couldn't imagine being in a relationship like that. It sounds terrible!
I would always be suspicious of where my boyfriend was and he would be going for constant STD testing.

If you can't trust the boy enough to not be stupid about it, you probably shouldn't be dating anyway.

Although, note that your sample set for asking this question is going to be necessarily skewed. No one comes to this site feeling "fat and happy." Not even "fat and mildly amused." Necessarily, if you're here, you're depressed/angry/discontent/irritated/whatever enough about your weight to not just take action, but to take action and join a club.

So, naturally, the response of "they're in denial" is going to be a popular one.