JamesPadraicR

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• Commented on Yet another novel I will no longer write
  Now I just buy when I see it on a shelf. And pay twice what I used to pay. Haven’t gotten desperate yet, have at least a couple weeks worth still. I plan on going where I usually get it,...
• Commented on Yet another novel I will no longer write
  Today I learned there’s a difference between British and American Yiddish pronunciation. Probably shouldn’t be surprised by that. Could also also be the difference between Lithuanian and Polish dialects*, with different vowel pronunciation—calling Grandma Bubbie (P) rather than Bobeh (L)....
• Commented on Yet another novel I will no longer write
  Another question. Is the 'A' in "Davening" pronounced like the 'a' in "Dave", or the 'a' in "davenport" ... or the 'a' in "sofa"? As in sofa, like Daw-ven....
• Commented on Yet another novel I will no longer write
  @various WRT toilet paper hoarding. Maybe people aren’t actually hoarding, but for those of us who only buy large packs of it every 2-3 months, it’s come at a really inconvenient time....
• Commented on Yet another novel I will no longer write
  FWIW Davening is the Yiddish term for praying, which has also come to refer to the bowing motions often done during standing prayers, particularly the Amidah. The other word I used, Shuckling is the Yiddish word for shaking, also refers...
• Commented on Yet another novel I will no longer write
  Just thought of a question, is chapter title U R DED inspired by the German title of “Halting State”, or by computer games in general?...
• Commented on Yet another novel I will no longer write
  Right, I understand. Apologies for being a little touchy; it’s still early here, and I haven’t gotten enough coffee in me. Ran out of the good stuff and am making do with some old, flavored (ick) stuff from the back...
• Commented on Yet another novel I will no longer write
  Considering how many times I’ve mentioned here being a Jew, yes I am. My point (which I thought was obvious) was whether or not your average reader would be....
• Commented on Yet another novel I will no longer write
  Good thing you define Davvening, otherwise I’m wondering if it would have gotten changed in edits. Though it’s certainly sounds better than Shuckling....
• Commented on Yet another novel I will no longer write
  and we do not generally deal with them using shotguns and baseball bats even if they're so contagious that contact might kill us. Unless you’re named Duterte, not that he needs an excuse....
• Commented on Update to Public Appearances in a time of pandemic
  BuboniCon That’s hilarious. For some reason I’m picturing it held in a field with a large Prairie Dog colony....
• Commented on Update to Public Appearances in a time of pandemic
  AOK @4 & Matt @6, I take it you’re not Gibson readers? You’re describing Wheelieboys from “The Peripheral”, which were more like mini segways with tablets. Some people have made their own, and there are clunky versions used by house-bound...
• Commented on Update to Public Appearances in a time of pandemic
  I can’t decide about the lack of contrails; a clear sky is nice, but kinda disturbing. I’ve only heard a couple jets while out walking the dogs yesterday morning, I assume they’re Air Force, and have only seen a couple...
• Commented on Infomercial Interlude
  followed by Bloomberg, which I don’t get Taking that back some. He spent a ridiculous amount here; lots of commercials, people going door to door more than once, and many mailings. More surprised that he was ahead of Biden....
• Commented on Infomercial Interlude
  But they won't be taking it to the USA any year soon Yeah, very unlikely. Maybe after a couple years of a Bernie Sanders presidency—which ain’t happening. (I voted for Warren in the Colorado Dem. Primary, she came in 4th....
• Commented on Infomercial Interlude
  And I only saw a short version of the commercial with just enough of the music to be recognizable....
• Commented on Infomercial Interlude
  Thanks, that’s a relief, I guess. I had no idea it was a cover, and I always get the title wrong. I only know the song from the Laibach video, which turned me off of them—too Brown Shirty, though that...
• Commented on Infomercial Interlude
  Oh dear lard. Just saw a window cleaner commercial using a jazzy, marching band version of Laibach’s “Life is Life” as Light is Life. This stub is ridiculous....
• Commented on Infomercial Interlude
  Hadn’t noticed the gun before, it’s right on the edge of the mass market edition (just looked at my copy). I’m pretty sure the current US editions have gone back to the original map covers for the first two books,...
• Commented on Public appearances in a time of pandemic
  Our current reality. Got an email this afternoon from our synagogue about the death of an acquaintance (I’d learned of it yesterday on FB), and that the Memorial Service for him will be live-streamed on youtube since the Shul is...
• Commented on Public appearances in a time of pandemic
  Watching Donnie’s press conference, introducing various CEOs telling what they’re doing to help prevent spread of the virus, and nearly everyone of them was grabbing hold of the podium sides, or adjusting the microphone, some shaking his hand. Meanwhile, have...
• Commented on COVID-19
  Meanwhile: 8% of Iranian parliamentarians test positive for Covid-19. Could there be a political revolution in Iran if the elderly hardliners start dropping like flies?...
• Commented on COVID-19
  Here’s a usable link to the Johns Hopkins map: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6 Any bets that the 2 (recovered) cases in Russia are BS? That is, Russia isn’t reporting actual numbers....
• Commented on So you think you can be a reality TV producer
  Well, this puts my Furry Bikers to shame: https://mobile.twitter.com/cstross/status/1232273187808870405...
• Commented on A serious question
  On second thoughts, no one would suspect Collins of being the werewolf, so never mind....
• Commented on A serious question
  I assumed that, but I still think Buzz Aldrin is a better candidate for lycanthropy. Because of course it would be him. Also see that you’ve negated some of the points made on twitter....
• Commented on So you think you can be a reality TV producer
  Mike the Headless Tyrannosaur! Yikes....
• Commented on So you think you can be a reality TV producer
  I think the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would be perfect (suitably diverse, liberal, and internationalist in outlook for Scotland A thought I had a few weeks ago: Who’d have ever guessed that Harry would turn out to be the...
• Commented on So you think you can be a reality TV producer
  Robert van der Heide@217: I was partially inspired by “Dr. Pimple Popper.” Eww, glad I’ve never heard of that one, and that I don’t waste time/money on cable, though still watch way too much TV. Troutwaxer@221: Since I’m not a...
• Commented on So you think you can be a reality TV producer
  Bear in mind that Trump is a tariff enthusiast, Not that he actually understands them. I admit that’s all a bit over my head too, though I knew enough to see that China wasn’t going to be the ones...