Random Thoughts That Don't Deserve Their Own Thread Go Here

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Ghost Econ

As I told her, coworkers can be friends, but friends cannot be coworkers.

And that generally goes double for relatives.

[Ghost Econ]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

And that generally goes double for relatives.

Yeah, my closest cousin moved to town last year and we're in the same field. He wanted me to come work with him but his office has a strict no family policy. Like I could have been a janitor there, but anything more and we would have worked too closely.

Probably a good thing. While I like him, definitely can't handle him more than every every week or two to just grab a drink or game.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Ghost Econ

Yeah, my closest cousin moved to town last year and we're in the same field. He wanted me to come work with him but his office has a strict no family policy. Like I could have been a janitor there, but anything more and we would have worked too closely.

Probably a good thing. While I like him, definitely can't handle him more than every every week or two to just grab a drink or game.

I'm sure I've referenced this at some point during my many many years here on the FOFC but ... at one point shortly after getting married, not only did my wife & I work in the same department for the same company but for about three months or so we shared opposite sides of the same DESK.

That we made it to our first anniversary was nothing short of a full-blown miracle lol

[thesloppy]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I'm sure I've referenced this at some point during my many many years here on the FOFC but ... at one point shortly after getting married, not only did my wife & I work in the same department for the same company but for about three months or so we shared opposite sides of the same DESK.

That we made it to our first anniversary was nothing short of a full-blown miracle lol

Wow, that is impressive

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by thesloppy

Wow, that is impressive

And if you had any idea just how completely different our work styles/work approaches were, you'd be exponentially more impressed lol

You probably couldn't have chosen worse desk-share partners if you had actively tried.

[thesloppy]

Cue Paula Abdul and MC Skat Kat

[Ghost Econ]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

And if you had any idea just how completely different our work styles/work approaches were, you'd be exponentially more impressed lol

You probably couldn't have chosen worse desk-share partners if you had actively tried.

I did the same with my wife in retail when we were young. She would strangle me if she had to work with me now. I'm efficient but have the focus on a hummingbird. If she's working from home I could literally talk to her for 5 minutes and she would have no idea.

[flere-imsaho]

My wife & I worked at the same company at the same time on 3 different occasions. No major impacts on our relationship, but all 3 instances creates stresses where they didn't need to be. Probably didn't help that all 3 times she was in HR.

I did hire a friend (not a close friend, but someone I've known for 20 years) a couple of years ago, but made sure they'd report to someone else in my group. That's worked out perfectly fine. It probably helps that she's very good at her job and there's never really been a reason for us to disagree on stuff.

Still, landmines abound in these scenarios.

[GrantDawg]

I just learned my aunt passed away a couple of weeks ago. Well, I still think of her as my aunt even though she was actually my first cousin. I didn't learn that fact until I was an adult. My real aunt had her at 15 after sleeping with a married teacher. The scandal was big, and she ran off leaving her daughter to be raised by my grandparents. She was a teenager before learned her "Aunt Joyce" was her mom.
My mom was still very young when this happened, and was close to her. She was the one family member that really stayed in touch with my mom through the decade of dementia. Even though she herself was battling Parkinsons and was confined to a wheel chair most of the time, she would still come and visit mom.
I hate that my family has so little to do with each other. She will be the third family member I have lost where there won't even be a funeral for them because God forbid we actually get together for anything.

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[cuervo72]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

My wife & I worked at the same company at the same time on 3 different occasions. No major impacts on our relationship, but all 3 instances creates stresses where they didn't need to be. Probably didn't help that all 3 times she was in HR.

Will you just quit harassing people? This is getting very uncomfortable for me!

[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

My wife & I worked at the same company at the same time on 3 different occasions. No major impacts on our relationship, but all 3 instances creates stresses where they didn't need to be. Probably didn't help that all 3 times she was in HR.

You weren't hitting on your coworkers were you?

[flere-imsaho]

I mean, I was hitting on one of them, but since she was already my wife I'm not sure it mattered....

[CrimsonFox]

I open a new play tonight....

Jeff Daniels' Escanaba in da Moonlight (yes THAT Jeff Daniels)



Great pic of me. Captures my best side!

[GrantDawg]

The only way anyone would allow me on stage is with a blanket over my head.

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[NobodyHere]

I hate getting old.

There's this novel by Stephen King (aka Richard Bachman) called the the Long Walk. Its about a walking contest where 100 people enter and the contestants slowly die one by one. I feel that is my life now. People close to me just die and I'm lucky to make it another day. Anyone else feel like that?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

I hate getting old.

There's this novel by Stephen King (aka Richard Bachman) called the the Long Walk. Its about a walking contest where 100 people enter and the contestants slowly die one by one. I feel that is my life now. People close to me just die and I'm lucky to make it another day. Anyone else feel like that?

Yeah, part of the aging process I think.

I'm 56 now, I know roughly where I am on the timeline. Nearly a quarter of my HS graduating class has already passed away, another sizable portion are either fighting cancer or have beaten it back. And that's without even looking inside my own house, or to the fact that my parents are now into their 80s.

In my remaining lifespan, I'll likely see more funerals than weddings & births combined.

But whaddya gonna do? That's just kinda how life ... is.

[NobodyHere]

So I came across this reddit thread...

Blocked

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

So I came across this reddit thread...

Blocked

Good luck to you. You may be in that .01% but I'd rather bet on the slow-and-steady savings & investing. But admittedly, it has occurred to me to drop all my money into 1 hand of blackjack and see how it goes.

[jbpostbot]

Originally Posted by Edward64

Good luck to you. You may be in that .01% but I'd rather bet on the slow-and-steady savings & investing. But admittedly, it has occurred to me to drop all my money into 1 hand of blackjack and see how it goes.

Me too, my friend. Me too. And if I don't win...

[molson]

9/11 is as distant today as the JFK assassination was in 1985. I remember 1985, and I knew about JFK then, but that definitely seemed like old peoples' history book stuff by then.

And even though I was an adult and working on 9/11, it feels like history too, I don't connect and feel things about it the way I used to.

I'm going to go to the museum and memorial next month on our East Coast trip. I lived in New York right after college, moved about 3 weeks before 9/11, it's always been kind of sentimental place. I'm such a different person than I was then - and it's weird to kind of visit prior versions of yourself. My girlfriend will be prepared for semi-drunk expressions of sentimentality and reflectiveness.

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

So I came across this reddit thread...

Blocked

where is jb at? That might be his kid. Who knows?

[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by molson

9/11 is as distant today as the JFK assassination was in 1985. I remember 1985, and I knew about JFK then, but that definitely seemed like old peoples' history book stuff by then.

The JFK assassination is also closer to the last Lion's playoff win than we are today.

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by molson

9/11 is as distant today as the JFK assassination was in 1985. I remember 1985, and I knew about JFK then, but that definitely seemed like old peoples' history book stuff by then.

And even though I was an adult and working on 9/11, it feels like history too, I don't connect and feel things about it the way I used to.

I'm going to go to the museum and memorial next month on our East Coast trip. I lived in New York right after college, moved about 3 weeks before 9/11, it's always been kind of sentimental place. I'm such a different person than I was then - and it's weird to kind of visit prior versions of yourself. My girlfriend will be prepared for semi-drunk expressions of sentimentality and reflectiveness.

For me, it's not gone. It hit very close to home, and it's not hard to put myself in the place of those pilots and passengers on that day. We went to the 9/11 memorial this year, and frankly, I didn't like it. It was uncomfortable, and not a place I want to hang around. I gave it a few minutes, but had to move on. It's also hard to see others not really give it the sort of reverence that it deserves either. I don't feel like I need to spend time reflecting on it. The reality of what happened is still very impactful, but for obvious reasons. No surprise there.



I still don't watch videos or movies that center around it. I still feel those emotions bubble up so I just acknowledge it and move on.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by molson

9/11 is as distant today as the JFK assassination was in 1985. I remember 1985, and I knew about JFK then, but that definitely seemed like old peoples' history book stuff by then.

And even though I was an adult and working on 9/11, it feels like history too, I don't connect and feel things about it the way I used to.

I'm going to go to the museum and memorial next month on our East Coast trip. I lived in New York right after college, moved about 3 weeks before 9/11, it's always been kind of sentimental place. I'm such a different person than I was then - and it's weird to kind of visit prior versions of yourself. My girlfriend will be prepared for semi-drunk expressions of sentimentality and reflectiveness.

Where else you going on the east coast?

[molson]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Where else you going on the east coast?

New York and then visiting my parents in Central Massachusetts.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Edward64

Good luck to you. You may be in that .01% but I'd rather bet on the slow-and-steady savings & investing. But admittedly, it has occurred to me to drop all my money into 1 hand of blackjack and see how it goes.

I have never once gone to casino counting on walking out with more money than I came in. And only once has that actually happen. I enjoy gambling, but only with the idea I using this money to have some fun not necessarily win. My other rule is if hit something big, that is when you are done.
Since y'all brought this up, my wife and I actually started talking about planning a trip to Cherokee. Anybody ever been? Is it worth it?

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

I have never once gone to casino counting on walking out with more money than I came in. And only once has that actually happen. I enjoy gambling, but only with the idea I using this money to have some fun not necessarily win. My other rule is if hit something big, that is when you are done.
Since y'all brought this up, my wife and I actually started talking about planning a trip to Cherokee. Anybody ever been? Is it worth it?

When I play poker I fully expect to come out with money, but that isn't gambling. Anything else, slots, table games, etc...you have to look at it as entertainment dollars same as if you went to a movie, concert, etc...

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Lathum

When I play poker I fully expect to come out with money, but that isn't gambling. Anything else, slots, table games, etc...you have to look at it as entertainment dollars same as if you went to a movie, concert, etc...

They say if you are playing poker and you can't tell who the mark at the table is then it is you. I am always the mark.

[dubb93]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Since y'all brought this up, my wife and I actually started talking about planning a trip to Cherokee. Anybody ever been? Is it worth it?

I’ve only ever day tripped over from Gatlinburg. We didn’t even do that the last time we went we opted for Gatlinburg and the National Park. If you are going to that area I would suggest a day trip over to Cherokee rather than staying there.

Speaking of walking out of a casino with more than you walk in with, Cherokee is one of the few places I accomplished that. I hit the jackpot on a dollar slot machine there.

[flere-imsaho]

Originally Posted by molson

9/11 is as distant today as the JFK assassination was in 1985. I remember 1985, and I knew about JFK then, but that definitely seemed like old peoples' history book stuff by then.

My 15-year-old asked about it over the summer. The context of his questions made it clear that it was very much an old people's history thing to him.

[molson]

Speaking of appropriate reverence, I saw that one of the sports betting apps has a 9/11 themed parlay bonus grouping the New York teams. They pulled it after criticism, but, that's how distant we are I guess.

[Edward64]

CNN has a lot of "sponsored" content that appears at the bottom half of pages. Not criticizing as everyone needs to find a way to make (more) money.

But couldn't CNN or sponsors not come out with better pics? Half of them are like blurry or poor resolution ... or is it me? See below, scroll to bottom.

McCarthy needs to pull off his most impossible balancing act yet | CNN Politics

Or is it my monitor?

[molson]

Originally Posted by Edward64

CNN has a lot of "sponsored" content that appears at the bottom half of pages. Not criticizing as everyone needs to find a way to make (more) money.

But couldn't CNN or sponsors not come out with better pics? Half of them are like blurry or poor resolution ... or is it me? See below, scroll to bottom.

McCarthy needs to pull off his most impossible balancing act yet | CNN Politics

Or is it my monitor?

CNN has always been weird like that. Serious articles surrounded by the bloggiest amateur ads. And yes, I see "[Gallery] 17 Disturbing Facts About 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off" with a blurry photo.

[Edward64]

Thank you for confirming it isn't just me.

[molson]

I did actually kind of enjoy the "what historical figures look like if they lived today" ad.

Especially George Washington.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by dubb93

I’ve only ever day tripped over from Gatlinburg. We didn’t even do that the last time we went we opted for Gatlinburg and the National Park. If you are going to that area I would suggest a day trip over to Cherokee rather than staying there.

Speaking of walking out of a casino with more than you walk in with, Cherokee is one of the few places I accomplished that. I hit the jackpot on a dollar slot machine there.

Thanks for the advice. We are still kicking around a last minute trip for next month. Probably won't be Gatlinburg in peek season. We had already thought about Blueridge but dropped it for the same reason. I'm trying to talk her into a trip to DC, but she refuses to get on a plane.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by molson

I did actually kind of enjoy the "what historical figures look like if they lived today" ad.

Especially George Washington.

Not the same but found this one. Love it, have to find the software used.

https://www.boredpanda.com/historica...mpaign=organic

#19 Abe. Bradley Cooper's next role



#29 Mona List. I think the AI cheated here

[Edward64]

If you like Arby's curly fries ... I buy these at Krogers. Air Fryer at 350, 8-9 min.

[Lathum]

Do we get smellier as we age? I used to be able to skip a day showering and my pits were ok. Now I’m stinking by the same evening if I shower in the morning. Nothing in my behavior has drastically changed.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by molson

I did actually kind of enjoy the "what historical figures look like if they lived today" ad.

Especially George Washington.

So George would be ... Brent Spiner?

#whoknew

[Edward64]

I like that Coke is trying to innovate but can't say any of their Creation drinks have stuck with me. I think it's because its all so transitory/temporary. Wish they would pick 1 or 2, and create a new business line.

Coke's latest mystery flavor is AI-generated | CNN Business

Like all Creations drinks, Coca-Cola Y3000 is designed to taste mostly like Coke, with a bit of something else. To come up with that extra note of flavor, and the packaging design, Coca-Cola turned to AI.

The company relied on regular old human insights by finding out what flavors people associate with the future. Then it used AI to help figure out flavor pairings and profiles, a spokesperson said. For the product’s packaging — which appears to allude to a Y2K aesthetic with funky bubbles, pink and blue coloring and a pixelated logo — Coca-Cola used AI-generated images to create a mood board for inspiration. The aluminum can even gives credit where it’s due, prominently noting it’s “Co-Created with AI.”

[JonInMiddleGA]

Interesting random note.
|
Typically, if I go 2-3 weeks without placing an UberEats order a 40% off coupon appears like clockwork.

My last order was Aug 16th, but no sign of the usual coupon (though coupons galore for grocery, c-store, and office supply delivery)

I guess me switching over to their UberOne (basically Prime) means they don't love me enough to coupon me when I disappear, they figure they got their money already.

[GrantDawg]

Think they are just not giving those restaurant coupons anymore. I also haven't gotten one in a long while even though they used to be pretty regular.

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[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Think they are just not giving those restaurant coupons anymore. I also haven't gotten one in a long while even though they used to be pretty regular.

It's kinda interesting in Athens right now. The two "local" services actually have as many/more restaurants on their client list as the big names (I think we have Uber, DoorDash, and GrubHub all active here)

[Kodos]

I’m sure the Coke-inventing AI doesn’t see this as a chance to poison humans or anything…

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

It's kinda interesting in Athens right now. The two "local" services actually have as many/more restaurants on their client list as the big names (I think we have Uber, DoorDash, and GrubHub all active here)

That does sound interesting. Are the local company fees the same as the those three? We only have the big guys, those plus Postmates.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by Kodos

I’m sure the Coke-inventing AI doesn’t see this as a chance to poison humans or anything…

Honestly, I'm call BS on the AI. It depends on the definition of AI but willing to bet AI researchers at MIT, CalTech etc. will laugh at Cokes definition.

The company relied on regular old human insights by finding out what flavors people associate with the future. Then it used AI to help figure out flavor pairings and profiles, a spokesperson said.

Give me the database(s) used and I can write a program to come up with this. Or just use Excel with some fancy pivot tables & formulas. No AI here.

For the product’s packaging — which appears to allude to a Y2K aesthetic with funky bubbles, pink and blue coloring and a pixelated logo — Coca-Cola used AI-generated images to create a mood board for inspiration. The aluminum can even gives credit where it’s due, prominently noting it’s “Co-Created with AI.”

I can actually see this and I guess if some painting, pictures are considered "AI" generated, then I'll concede to the loose definition here.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

That does sound interesting. Are the local company fees the same as the those three? We only have the big guys, those plus Postmates.

It varies. Cosmic Delivery is a $5.99 fee + mileage fee beyond 4 miles from restaurant to home. Plus tip. Downside, in addition to the fee, is that I had multiple order cancellations with them back in the days prior to UberEats et al.
They kinda have an issue getting & keeping their shit together.

Bulldawg Delivery has the county split into 4 zones, delivery fee varies by zone-to-zone (Z1 to Z1 lowest, Z1 to Z4 highest, etc) and IIRC they have markup on the menu prices whereas Cosmic doesn't. They're also historically slow a.f.

[stevew]

I keep getting 40% off coupons but I also don’t use the services.

[Edward64]

Dell started sending me emails about a Monitor warranty about to expire. I've been ignoring it. More emails in the final countdown. Final email saying "expired". Great.

Get an email this morning ... "Reinstate your Dell Warranty"


There was no "unsubscribe link" but it did say "Reply to this email to stop receiving warranty expiration notices"

So I replied ... "Holy Shit. Stop.Bugging.Me"