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

[Ksyrup]

I'm travelling and not able to post it, but the viral Zoom video of the criminal defendant appearing on a driving on suspended license charge who calls in while parking his car is amazing. I don't do trial work and have to deal with "on the spot" issues like this, but man, do I feel for the public defender there. Talk about your client not giving you anything to work with!

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I'm travelling and not able to post it, but the viral Zoom video of the criminal defendant appearing on a driving on suspended license charge who calls in while parking his car is amazing. I don't do trial work and have to deal with "on the spot" issues like this, but man, do I feel for the public defender there. Talk about your client not giving you anything to work with!

I saw it yesterday and it's amazing. The realization that he fucked up was great. The judge just looming at him while he was like, hold on I just gotta park real quick was amazing.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I'm travelling and not able to post it, but the viral Zoom video of the criminal defendant appearing on a driving on suspended license charge who calls in while parking his car is amazing. I don't do trial work and have to deal with "on the spot" issues like this, but man, do I feel for the public defender there. Talk about your client not giving you anything to work with!

That shit is funny as hell.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I'm not sure what thread exactly to put this in, I'll just stick it here for the people who might see it on crossover.

During the sorting through of my wife's extensive collection of purses, Will found her missing wedding ring today.

I had, you may recall, basically written it off as lost for good. "Put in a safe place" ... that neither of us knew the location of.

Not sure that's actualy what you'd call stuck in a frequently used but fairly random pocketbook, but whatever ... there it was. (Best we could figure, probably stuck in that bag when she was helping him move out & leave Oxford, MS for the final time)

I literally just stared I think, almost unable to believe what I was seeing when he handed it to me.

But as random things go, it was a pretty damned good one to say the least.

[Lathum]

I just got chills.

I 100% believe that she sent that to Will to let you know she is with you still and watching over you.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I just got chills.

I 100% believe that she sent that to Will to let you know she is with you still and watching over you.

I was (which is extremely rare) on the front porch outside just before we dove into that task ... and saw a cardinal fly by.

I figured she was at least in the neighborhood.

[Kodos]

[Edward64]

Neat story.

Re: cardinal. Wife always thinks one of her grandmas is visiting her whenever she sees a solo butterfly around her flowers/vegetables.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Edward64

Neat story.

Re: cardinal. Wife always thinks one of her grandmas is visiting her whenever she sees a solo butterfly around her flowers/vegetables.

I never was much for the whole "cardinals as spirits" lore (see link for explanation if you're unfamiliar) but my wife was generally a proponent of it.

In my own peculiar logic, it kind of makes sense that if it really is a thing then she'd be apt to make such an appearance since she subscribed to the notion.

Makes about as much sense as that ring turning up today in a place that really was never considered as a major candidate for it.

[Honolulu_Blue]

My almost 5 year old daughter has recently gotten into Imagine Dragons some how, big time. As a result, she’s, also, started to watch their music videos on YouTube. I’m familiar with their music and think it’s fine, there is worse music a 4 year old could be into and I’m just not a music snob, my musical tastes are pretty basic and I am fine with that.

I haven’t watched music videos since the 90’s when they were on MTV.

The video for “Radioactive” is very weird. Lou Diamond Philips is running some sort of underground stuffed animal fighting ring out in a barn somewhere. He has a mean giant stuffie that beats up all of the other stuffed animals and then he has a trap door in the floor where he sends the defeated puppets to the basement to be prisoners along with Imagine Dragons.

Then Alexandra Daddario shows up in a mysterious robe carrying a pink teddy bear in a cage to fight Lou Diamond Phillips’ giant stuffed animal. The pink teddy bear has laser powers that it uses to beat the giant stuffed animal and laser away Lou Diamond Phillips’ goons and henchmen. Then Lou Diamond Phillips falls into the fighting pit and the pink teddy bear pulls the handle and Lou Diamond Phillips falls into the basement dungeon.

Alexandra Daddario frees Imagine Dragons from the dungeon and Lou Diamond Phillips is left that to, apparently, meet his end at the hands of all the stuffed animals he’d been imprisoning there.

The end.

[stevew]

Wtf

[Kodos]

Epic story, Dragons!

[JonInMiddleGA]

I think Imagine Dragons appealing to a 5 y/o girl is pretty much spot on for them.

She'll likely outgrow it

Them? Probably not much hope for improvement at this point.
(Yes, they're kind of poster children for what I rail about never warranting the word "rock" being associated with)

[Ksyrup]

This really isn't a weird story so I didn't think it belonged there, but I'm posting it here with a not-so-random thought:

Get the fuck out of here with this bullshit.

Gift registries after divorce offer a new way to support loved ones | AP News

[Ksyrup]

This random thought is partially based on a dream I had.

If we had a period of upheaval throughout the world over the next couple of decades that resulted in new countries forming, what percentage of them would incorporate an emoji or some sort of technology (AI, etc) into their country's new flag? I feel like it would be a decent percentage. I doubt we'd see the standard 3 color stripe type of flags.

[cuervo72]

Ate at Applebee's over the weekend. It was perfectly fine. Actually it was MUCH better than our visit to Ruby Tuesday's some time ago, the food was better and there was more of it. Quesadilla burger was rather good, actually.

Main complaint were the drinks. $3-effing-.79 for a soda? That's insane. I think I'll be drinking water more and more when we go out (judging by their on-table ads I could have gotten a can of beer for $3!).

[Atocep]

I think I was a better person before I knew what hobby horsing is.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I think Imagine Dragons appealing to a 5 y/o girl is pretty much spot on for them.

She'll likely outgrow it

Them? Probably not much hope for improvement at this point.
(Yes, they're kind of poster children for what I rail about never warranting the word "rock" being associated with)

I can’t help but like the band. They seem like really good people and do a ton of great stuff for charities and the like.

Also, it sounds like the lead singer agrees with you:

“I really think the sentiment of Imagine Dragons ‘keeping rock alive’ is kind of a silly sentiment,” he says. “When I think of rock, I think Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age. I think of a very specific genre that I love, but that’s not what Imagine Dragons has ever wanted to be or tried to be, and it’s not our influences. I didn’t really listen to any classic rock growing up!”

[Edward64]

[url="https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2024/05/31/phrases-that-are-often-peoples-last-words-says-doctor-what-we-can-learn.html"]

People's last words are often these 4 phrases: What they teach us about living happy, meaningful lives, from an oncologist

The phrases are:

I want to tell you that I love you.
I want to tell you that I forgive you.
Would you tell me that you love me?
Would you give me your forgiveness?

I dunno, if it was me assume my immediate family was close by, I’d say something like … ‘have a good life, be a good person, take care of each other, be happy’

[Kodos]

Avenge me!

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

I can’t help but like the band. They seem like really good people and do a ton of great stuff for charities and the like.

Also, it sounds like the lead singer agrees with you:

“I really think the sentiment of Imagine Dragons ‘keeping rock alive’ is kind of a silly sentiment,” he says. “When I think of rock, I think Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age. I think of a very specific genre that I love, but that’s not what Imagine Dragons has ever wanted to be or tried to be, and it’s not our influences. I didn’t really listen to any classic rock growing up!”

I don't know much about the band other than I've been forced to hear a few of their songs over the years since I have two 20-something daughters, but I'm glad to see that quote. To me, holding ID out as an example of a successful 21st century rock band has primarily been a media creation due to the Maroon 5-ification of what it means to be a rock band. M5 used to be a power pop/rock band called Kara's Flowers. Then they did ... that. It seems like the media has been desperate to push back against the idea that rock n' roll is dead, without providing much coverage of bands that actually still play rock (unless they generate clicks, like the devisiveness of a band like Greta Van Fleet).

One thing about your initial comment that strikes me, though, is what appears to essentially be treating artists like athletes, which I find to be strange. It's pretty common to root for certain athletes because they are good people, or their circumstances, etc., even if you otherwise have no reason to root for them or the team they play for. But doing the same for an artist? Like, I think Dave Grohl is probably the coolest guy in rock but honestly, I don't like his music. I can't imagine ever saying to myself, "Dave is such a cool guy, I think I'm going to force my ears to chew glass in appreciation of his coolness." That just doesn't compute with me.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I don't know much about the band other than I've been forced to hear a few of their songs over the years since I have two 20-something daughters, but I'm glad to see that quote. To me, holding ID out as an example of a successful 21st century rock band has primarily been a media creation due to the Maroon 5-ification of what it means to be a rock band. M5 used to be a power pop/rock band called Kara's Flowers. Then they did ... that. It seems like the media has been desperate to push back against the idea that rock n' roll is dead, without providing much coverage of bands that actually still play rock (unless they generate clicks, like the devisiveness of a band like Greta Van Fleet).

One thing about your initial comment that strikes me, though, is what appears to essentially be treating artists like athletes, which I find to be strange. It's pretty common to root for certain athletes because they are good people, or their circumstances, etc., even if you otherwise have no reason to root for them or the team they play for. But doing the same for an artist? Like, I think Dave Grohl is probably the coolest guy in rock but honestly, I don't like his music. I can't imagine ever saying to myself, "Dave is such a cool guy, I think I'm going to force my ears to chew glass in appreciation of his coolness." That just doesn't compute with me.

I, too, really like Dave Grohl! He seems like a really good guy, but I never really listen to the "Foo Fighters", because I generally don't like them. Similarly, unless I'm with my daughter, I am not listening to "Imagine Dragons" (trust me, there are many, many worse fates when it comes to what a 4-year old wants to listen to, though I did get her hooked on "Zombie" by the Cranberries a few months back and was super happy with that).

I guess, my point about saying that they seem like good guys is that it won't necessarily make it more or less likely to listen to them, but it will make me want to "root" for them and their success and, perhaps, defend them against harsh critics.

I will, also, add that music is not and has never been my "thing." I like listening to music and going to concerts, but it's never been something I've been terribly passionate about or have really strong opinions on. I just sort of like what I like and leave it at that. I've been to multiple Lilith Fairs, I've see Sarah Mclachlan in concert over a half dozen times, but I, also, love and saw Judas Priest, Ozzy Osborne and Rage Against the Machine in concert back in the day. I'm all over the map.

[cartman]

So I'm a classic rock fan, and most of the songs on my iPhone are that genre. About 10 years ago, we were driving on a camping trip to northern New Mexico, and I had my two nieces in the car who were probably 8 and 6 at the time. We were listening to songs on my iPhone, when I discovered the rental had SiriusXM. So for them, I put it on Disney Rock. After listening to several of the songs, they asked to listen to my music again.

[Ksyrup]

I am so glad to be over the Disney music channel period with my girls. If I ever meet Zac Efron in person, I'll punch him in the face just out of general principle for all of the suffering I did during HSM's heyday.

[Honolulu_Blue]

In some weird twist of fate, my kids (12 year old boy and 4 year old girl) both like Big Time Rush.

Big Time Rush is essentially a modern version of "The Monkees." They were both a boy band in the late 2000's/early 2010's and a TV show on Nickelodeon, where they played members of a boy band. They had actual albums and tours and the like.

My son found the show on Netflix a few years ago and loved it. One night he was watching the show, so I Googled them to see what they were up to and it turns out they were having two reunion concerts. So, my wife ended up taking him to their concert in New York.

Since then, they've had a few tours. Since my son listens to them all of the time, my daughter has, also, gotten into them. So, we end up listening to a ton of "Big Time Rush" in the car.

[cuervo72]

Wow, I totally forgot about Big Time Rush.

[Ksyrup]

I definitely remember them. Fortunately, just a memory.

[JonInMiddleGA]

This discussion strand makes my very happy that I started my child on proper concerts when he was about 3 yrs old.

I almost certainly saved myself from a premature demise with proper training, Metallica live by kindergarten and so forth.

[Ksyrup]

Well, I had 2 things working against me. One, I had 2 daughters. And two, my wife.

My kids still have an appreciation for metal though. I think my proudest moment as a headbanger dad was when Caitlin had issues with probably the worst softball coach she ever played for, I introduced her to Caught In a Mosh which to this day is her favorite metal song (you know, talking to you is like clapping with one hand, were you dropped as a baby cuz brains you lack, etc ). They both know way more about metal than the typical Kentucky-born girls.

[albionmoonlight]

I've decided the level of rich I want to be.

I want to be rich enough that all of the services I deal with have an educated and helpful human pick up the phone when I call them. I want to be rich enough to never have to Press 1.

[Edward64]

I don't mind dealing with automated help. But when I was working with IVR (interactive voice response, do they still call that nowadays?) way back when, the rule of thumb was 3 levels down and then get to human help.

Nowadays, it can go on forever.

[Ghost Econ]

A few pages back I posted about Gotye's Somebody That I Used to Know and how he hadn't released any music since then.

Ive since learned that the previous #1 song is in the same boat. Fun.'s We Are Young was #1 before that. While it's not nearly as good a song as what I consider the best #1 song of the 21st century, they also didn't release any more albums.

Of course, Jack Antanoff has been busy getting obscenely rich producing Taylor Swift. However it's still weird that back to back #1 songs were essentially the last things each entity did.

And of course, Gotye was dethroned as #1 by arguably the 2nd best #1 song of the 21st century, Call Me Maybe. And while Carly Rae Jepson has continued to release music and is an indie pop darling, nothing she has done has been anywhere near as successful.

It's odd that for 23 weeks in the middle of 2011, we all decided that we didn't need the biggest pop stars in the world.

[Ghost Econ]

Dola, Stereogum's Number One's column is the best continuous thing going on the internet. Even the comments have an old AV Club vibe.

The Number Ones - Stereogum

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I'm travelling and not able to post it, but the viral Zoom video of the criminal defendant appearing on a driving on suspended license charge who calls in while parking his car is amazing. I don't do trial work and have to deal with "on the spot" issues like this, but man, do I feel for the public defender there. Talk about your client not giving you anything to work with!

This story continues to come up in my Google feed. First, it turned out his license was supposed to be reinstated, so it looked like the dude was supposed to be able to drive. And today, I read that they found out he never had a license in the first place. I don't know what the hell is going on, and apparently the people in charge don't either.

[JPhillips]

I'm at my most jingoistic pro-American best during international sporting events.

SUCK IT PAKISTAN! USA USA USA

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

This story continues to come up in my Google feed. First, it turned out his license was supposed to be reinstated, so it looked like the dude was supposed to be able to drive. And today, I read that they found out he never had a license in the first place. I don't know what the hell is going on, and apparently the people in charge don't either.

Yeah, at this point I'm expecting a Paramount+ 3-part docuseries on this story by October.

[dubb93]

I’m having the most bizarre conversation with my oldest son right now. His baseball team needed to make a change at catcher due to the current one struggling with passed balls and overthrows to the pitcher. They picked my son who has played catcher two games in a row now. The coach told me tonight that my son is really good at catcher and he plans to make the change permanent. Cue tonight’s conversation. I told my son we have to go buy a “cup” this weekend so he doesn’t get hurt down there playing catcher. Needless to say he doesn’t understand at all.

[CrimsonFox]

Originally Posted by dubb93

I’m having the most bizarre conversation with my oldest son right now. His baseball team needed to make a change at catcher due to the current one struggling with passed balls and overthrows to the pitcher. They picked my son who has played catcher two games in a row now. The coach told me tonight that my son is really good at catcher and he plans to make the change permanent. Cue tonight’s conversation. I told my son we have to go buy a “cup” this weekend so he doesn’t get hurt down there playing catcher. Needless to say he doesn’t understand at all.

kick him there and then he'll know.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by dubb93

I’m having the most bizarre conversation with my oldest son right now. His baseball team needed to make a change at catcher due to the current one struggling with passed balls and overthrows to the pitcher. They picked my son who has played catcher two games in a row now. The coach told me tonight that my son is really good at catcher and he plans to make the change permanent. Cue tonight’s conversation. I told my son we have to go buy a “cup” this weekend so he doesn’t get hurt down there playing catcher. Needless to say he doesn’t understand at all.

I remember playing catcher in when I was about 10. Have this vivid memory of our coach handing me a new cup and just saying, put this down your pants to protect your balls. Having to wear a cup was one of the major reasons I didn’t like playing catcher

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by dubb93

I’m having the most bizarre conversation with my oldest son right now. His baseball team needed to make a change at catcher due to the current one struggling with passed balls and overthrows to the pitcher. They picked my son who has played catcher two games in a row now. The coach told me tonight that my son is really good at catcher and he plans to make the change permanent. Cue tonight’s conversation. I told my son we have to go buy a “cup” this weekend so he doesn’t get hurt down there playing catcher. Needless to say he doesn’t understand at all.

I worked at a Sporting Goods store for two years in college. I had this exact conversation about 3-4 times:

Customer: "Where can I find cups?"

Me: "Oh, there right over here."

Customer: "Thanks. I need extra large."

Me: "Well, the sizes are only about the size of your waist, like shorts or underwear. All the actual cups are the same size."

Customer: "I need extra large."

Me: "Ah... Okay. Though, you understand that once you open these you can't return them?"

Customer: "That's fine. I need extra large."

[Kodos]

One of the advantages of running track. No cups needed!

[CrimsonFox]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

I worked at a Sporting Goods store for two years in college. I had this exact conversation about 3-4 times:

Customer: "Where can I find cups?"

Me: "Oh, there right over here."

Customer: "Thanks. I need extra large."

Me: "Well, the sizes are only about the size of your waist, like shorts or underwear. All the actual cups are the same size."

Customer: "I need extra large."

Me: "Ah... Okay. Though, you understand that once you open these you can't return them?"

Customer: "That's fine. I need extra large."

He was basically telling a very stupid joke.
That he has a big thingee.

[Ksyrup]

Is that the sporting goods store version of the grocery store "That'll be $19.64. That was a good year!" thing?

My daughter works at Dick's but I seriously doubt some dude is going to repeatedly tell a 20 year old female he needs a large cup.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

My daughter works at Dick's but I seriously doubt some dude is going to repeatedly tell a 20 year old female he needs a large cup.

Methinks you severely overestimate people nowadays

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by dubb93

I’m having the most bizarre conversation with my oldest son right now. His baseball team needed to make a change at catcher due to the current one struggling with passed balls and overthrows to the pitcher. They picked my son who has played catcher two games in a row now. The coach told me tonight that my son is really good at catcher and he plans to make the change permanent. Cue tonight’s conversation. I told my son we have to go buy a “cup” this weekend so he doesn’t get hurt down there playing catcher. Needless to say he doesn’t understand at all.

My son became a catcher at 9 for similar reasons and that led to many thousands of dollars being spent over the next 13 years and going.

[flere-imsaho]

@Jon:

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Atocep

My son became a catcher at 9 for similar reasons and that led to many thousands of dollars being spent over the next 13 years and going.

My Daughter is 11 and really took to catching. She caught every inning of the last 4 rec games in a league where they almost always move the kids around. On her travel team she started the season in left field and hitting 9/10 (she was new to this team) to starting every playoff game at catcher (supplanting one of the coaches daughters) and hitting cleanup.

now she made all stars and the coach already told her she is the catcher. Shes tall for her age so can get the high pitches, is big, not an ounce of fat on her, so she can block pitches, and has a cannon for an arm. She is also great at catching foul pop ups, something no one else can do.

I can see thins getting very expensive.

[QuikSand]

My checkbook might not be ready quite yet, but I’m personally ready for a robot lawn mower. Twitter algorithm nailing that one.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

My checkbook might not be ready quite yet, but I’m personally ready for a robot lawn mower. Twitter algorithm nailing that one.

I would if our lawn was a good fit for it. I'm ready for our future overlords to take over tasks I hate. We have vaccum/mop combos on 2 floors of our house and a litter robot for the cats and they're the best purchases I've ever made.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Lathum

My Daughter is 11 and really took to catching. She caught every inning of the last 4 rec games in a league where they almost always move the kids around. On her travel team she started the season in left field and hitting 9/10 (she was new to this team) to starting every playoff game at catcher (supplanting one of the coaches daughters) and hitting cleanup.

now she made all stars and the coach already told her she is the catcher. Shes tall for her age so can get the high pitches, is big, not an ounce of fat on her, so she can block pitches, and has a cannon for an arm. She is also great at catching foul pop ups, something no one else can do.

I can see thins getting very expensive.

It's such a specialized position that it almost requires private training as they get older. Then the gear and everything before you even get into the cost for playing on a travel team.

My son also played short or 3rd when he wasn't catching so he needed an infield glove on top of that and by the time they reach high school short and 3rd need different gloves. He was basically a sporting goods store when he showed up for games.