Random Thoughts

[Deserted]

I can't believe I've been here 14 years. This is the second longest I've been a member of anything.

And what's the longest?

I've been here 12 years; that's the longest I've been active anywhere. The only thing I've had longer is my Hotmail account, which I opened in 1997.

[Food Lady]

I can't believe I've been here 14 years. This is the second longest I've been a member of anything.

[mjr]

In the song "Smooth Criminal", do we ever find out if Annie is OK??

[Jay 2K Winger]

Sitting in traffic & thinking about how the Celts used to keep the heads of their defeated enemies so they could absorb their strength (as one does), I came up with a fantastic dialogue exchange for my WIP!

I do love coming up with a good turn of phrase, even if it's not something I can use easily.

Like a bit of comeback line I thought up for a character who worked as a concierge/receptionist at a luxury resort type place, who frequently gets hate and insults from trophy wives, who think she's going to try to steal their man. So she has to find ways to assure them, while also venting a little insults toward them as well.

"I can assure you, Mrs. Rutherford, that it's clear your husband has very specific standards, and I could not possibly bring myself to meet them."

[AnaKhouri]

Sitting in traffic & thinking about how the Celts used to keep the heads of their defeated enemies so they could absorb their strength (as one does), I came up with a fantastic dialogue exchange for my WIP!

[AnaKhouri]

New president, who dis?

[Android Kaeli]

I like gift cards, especially to places to eat, because I know I'll use them up before January is up, early February at the latest. Or, heck, just give me money so I can go use it to wherever I want -- even a gas card would be nice.

[Kit-Ginevra]

Ooh l just started listening to Good Omens on audiobook. The devil character seems to be telling me to buy NAR a subscription to the Danielle-Steel-Book-of-the-Week club ��

[Ironclad Alibi]

If you can go off on a tangent, why can't you go off on a sine or cosine?

If you are on a sine or cosine you keep oscillating around the topic, but if you are on a tangent, you just keep going away from the topic.

[mjr]

If you can go off on a tangent, why can't you go off on a sine or cosine?

[notalwaysright]

So NAR what books do you read?

Fantasy, sci-fi, horror, stuff like that. Terry Pratchett. Actually, if they were going to get me something from the best sellers, they could get me something by Neil Gailman and I'd be happy. Oh, even Steven King. So I'm not impossible to buy for, I don't think. And again, just get me a gift card. But people think that's impersonal. Haha, buying me stuff I would never like is worse.

What I get is usually Danielle Steel, Julia Quinn, or something like "a mother grieves after losing her daughter to cancer while learning to raise horses." Not a real example, but this is something I would not be surprised to get, and am not interested in.

[Ironclad Alibi]

... but instead of looking at the titles of the books, or asking, they buy from the best seller table. I don't read that stuff, sorry. ...

I used to feel that way. But then Hunt For Red October came out on the best seller list and I was talked into reading it. Ever since then I keep an eye on the best seller lists just in case another good book makes it.

[Kit-Ginevra]

So NAR what books do you read?

[csquared]

"it's the thought that counts."

Yes. Yes it does. However, it actually requires that you think first.

[notalwaysright]

I really hate the phrase "it's the thought that counts." It's an excuse used so a person can do what they want. It's gift giving time, and a person gives a gift that makes no sense for the recipient?* Well, it's the thought that counts. A person doesn't ask for help or instructions before doing a task, and they break, damage, and/or inconvenience someone? Oops, it's the thought that counts.

My parents raised me to ask how I can help, to be thoughtful about gifts, and generally think ahead instead of running into a situation unprepared. I know this is not the case for others, but over the years why can't people learn? At work I constantly have to fix things that people have done to "be nice." I don't even say anything anymore, because I become the mean lady. But honestly, NOBODY ASKED them to do these things. They aren't useful. It is not the thought that counts.

*I have a big rant about thoughtless gifts but the condensed version is, if you're not going to put even a tiny bit of effort in, then just get a gift card to someplace like Amazon or Target, or even a plain VISA. I always get stupid girly crap that I don't use. I hate scents and heavily perfumed stuff, so obviously I get strongly scented lotion. I never ever go to spas, so I'll get a gift certificate to a spa. I read a lot, and people notice, but instead of looking at the titles of the books, or asking, they buy from the best seller table. I don't read that stuff, sorry. At least for those I can sell them to bookstores. Anyway. I feel insulted to receive these gifts. I'd rather get nothing. Maybe I sound ungrateful, but when I give a gift I put in effort because I really enjoy it. Others are clearly doing it out of obligation.