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Post by Becky H on Oct 1, 2003 3:35:45 GMT -5
Has anyone else totally incorporated this into their "curse word" vocabulary. I'm using it all the time now. My wife used to give me strange looks, but she did it yesterday without even realizing it. S'Cubie life truly is its own culture! Yes, I use it, too. It's especially nice because it's not really a curse word that I don't want Halley to hear but it serves the same purpose.
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Post by LeeHollins on Oct 1, 2003 9:29:29 GMT -5
We all know I'm a big Alabama fan. Love, love, love them! That our new coach is hot is just a bonus. Anyway, I love the team but I'm not obsessed with them (that is saved for Buffy and Angel).
One of the main stories here in Alabama the last few days is about this man who was so upset by Alabama's loss Saturday that when his son asked to borrow the keys to the car Saturday night, he pointed a gun at his son's head and fired it. Thankfully, he missed (I think the son jerked away) - what the hell has happened to our society? Some loser gets so upset about a stupid football game that he PULLS A GUN ON HIS SON?! He's being charged with attempted murder and there have been endless discussions about college football and our state's obsession with it.
I just cannot imagine being so upset over something as silly as a college football game that I would point a gun at my child's head and pull the trigger.
What the hells is wrong with us today?!
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Post by Karen on Oct 1, 2003 10:48:11 GMT -5
We all know I'm a big Alabama fan. Love, love, love them! That our new coach is hot is just a bonus. Anyway, I love the team but I'm not obsessed with them (that is saved for Buffy and Angel). One of the main stories here in Alabama the last few days is about this man who was so upset by Alabama's loss Saturday that when his son asked to borrow the keys to the car Saturday night, he pointed a gun at his son's head and fired it. Thankfully, he missed (I think the son jerked away) - what the hell has happened to our society? Some loser gets so upset about a stupid football game that he PULLS A GUN ON HIS SON?! He's being charged with attempted murder and there have been endless discussions about college football and our state's obsession with it. I just cannot imagine being so upset over something as silly as a college football game that I would point a gun at my child's head and pull the trigger. What the hells is wrong with us today?! That is awful! It's nothing new - just worse than it used to be. I think the gun was too handy. When I was in HS (1967-71), our school used to play basketball and football against the town's Catholic HS. The parents used to get so worked up over the games that a few years after I graduated they quit having inter-city competitions. And you wouldn't believe how some parents act during their children's baseball games, and I'm talking 8-12 year olds. It's a madness. And a handful of parents can spoil it for all My boys got so turned off by all the insanity that they didn't go beyond 6th grade ball. They played soccer, which is looked down upon in my town, so they had a ball without all the competitiveness, petty crap.
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Post by John G on Oct 1, 2003 10:57:25 GMT -5
That is awful! It's nothing new - just worse than it used to be. I think the gun was too handy. When I was in HS (1967-71), our school used to play basketball and football against the town's Catholic HS. The parents used to get so worked up over the games that a few years after I graduated they quit having inter-city competitions. And you wouldn't believe how some parents act during their children's baseball games, and I'm talking 8-12 year olds. It's a madness. And a handful of parents can spoil it for all My boys got so turned off by all the insanity that they didn't go beyond 6th grade ball. They played soccer, which is looked down upon in my town, so they had a ball without all the competitiveness, petty crap. I've heard, although never verified, that statistically speaking, Super Bowl Sunday is the worse day in America for domestic violence (i.e., the highest reported day of men beating women). It's crazy. I yell, scream and curse during the game, but don't get that worked up. When I used to play sports I didn't even get that angry at the world. Usually just withdrawn.
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Post by Becky H on Oct 1, 2003 11:07:17 GMT -5
We all know I'm a big Alabama fan. Love, love, love them! That our new coach is hot is just a bonus. Anyway, I love the team but I'm not obsessed with them (that is saved for Buffy and Angel). One of the main stories here in Alabama the last few days is about this man who was so upset by Alabama's loss Saturday that when his son asked to borrow the keys to the car Saturday night, he pointed a gun at his son's head and fired it. Thankfully, he missed (I think the son jerked away) - what the hell has happened to our society? Some loser gets so upset about a stupid football game that he PULLS A GUN ON HIS SON?! He's being charged with attempted murder and there have been endless discussions about college football and our state's obsession with it. I just cannot imagine being so upset over something as silly as a college football game that I would point a gun at my child's head and pull the trigger. What the hells is wrong with us today?! I saw this story in the paper today, too, and just shook my head. The gun part is what makes it quintessentially American but if it's any consolation, we aren't the only country with sports wackos. I've been to a football (otherwise know as soccer) match over here and you're not allowed any alcohol in the stands. Cigarettes, yes, but no beer. The visiting team's fans, at this stadium, must sit in the designated visitors' section to avoid fisticuffs breaking out. And this is just the equivalent of minor league. Premier league is even worse. We happened to be in a train station just as a load of football fans arrived for a match and were flabbergasted by the police presence. And this was the middle of the afternoon, before the match had even started!
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Post by karalee on Oct 1, 2003 12:50:29 GMT -5
karalee, Then you can appreciate this. Not sure if you remember the painting they'd show at the end, a scene of people dancing in a club. It's called Sugar Shack, and I've just ordered a print autographed by the artist! I'm so excited. I was thinking about hanging it in my office, but it may not be deemed "professional" so I'll probably hang it at home. It's been a long time since I've seen the show, but I can vaguely remember seeing a painting. I'll go see if I can find it on the web somewhere. I just found it. I had the woman in the red dress in my mind but I didn't remember the banners and the men. I don't see a problem with it hanging in your office. Of course, I'm not a professional. The only office job I ever had was working for Brad and I pretty much did what I wanted then ;D
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Post by Laura on Oct 1, 2003 14:28:36 GMT -5
A small thing, but I'm pleased with myself, and there's no one else to brag to. My car has a small trash receptacle under the dashboard. It drops open when the pushbutton latch is pressed. So, anyway, I was driving over to pick Kitty up at school this afternoon, when the trash bin fell open. It wouldn't stay shut. So there I was parked outside the school, pushing the flippersmacking thing shut, watching it pop open... That was when I discovered it's removable, so I removed it. When we got home, I got my Phillips screwdriver from my own personal tooldrawer, took the thing apart, popped the latch into place, put it back together and Hey Presto! it's working again. I was even able to put it back in place in the car. So, until the next household disaster, I'm feeling empowered. Tool Woman! I have tools and I'm not afraid to use them! Congrats! And speaking of small things to celebrate, my car odometer turned 100,000 miles this morning! Yay!
Well, okay, not a big yay, but still. It's a 9-year old car.
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Post by missbuffy on Oct 1, 2003 15:37:20 GMT -5
Ottawa, at least the old-Ottawa, was surrounded by the "green-belt", a no construction zone. Beyond the green-belt lay farmlands and then the satelite communities. When these outlying communities were gobbled up, the green-belt and farming areas were necessarily taken as well. So to get to my favourite movie theatre I have to drive past corn fields. The housing market is bad for renting or for buying. There is such a backlog for builders that they can charge exhorbitant rates for half-a$$ed work. New homes (and small ones at that) run an average of $250,000 to $300,000 provided you don't mind commuting a few hours to and from work. A house within old-Ottawa city limits? you don't even want to know... Ottawa also has two major Universities as well as numerous smaller universities and colleges, so students abound and every little dingy little apartment is going for ridiculous prices. There are students in my building who are living four to a one bedroom apartment... Really crazy. Apartment prices are better in Hull, but the taxes are higher in Québec and apartments don't necessarily come with a stove and refrigerator (you actually have to bring your own.) M Micha did not mention that we have a lovely river flowing in between the two cities (Ottawa and Gatineau). (I have a story about it so I had to add this info.) I live pretty much on the River (no, not like floating on the river, but right beside it) in an apt. on the 12th floor, overlooking the river. There are many geese living on the banks (almost under my window), and there is also a bike path that runs along the shore of the river. Geese are pretty bold and pushy for birds, and their gaggle is getting quite big. So, from my window I can watch people biking along the path and it's quite entertaining to see how the geese push the people around. They do NOT move for bikes (or cars) and if the people get too close they will fly up and flap those HUGE wings in their faces. People ring their bells trying to get them out of the way and then either stop, veer off the path into the grass trying to avoid them, or they hold their path and end up with the big flutter in the face which generally causes them to fall off their bikes. Kind of sad I know, but man it is funny some days. And there is my Ottawa story for you kerrie.
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Post by Anne, Old S'cubie Cat on Oct 1, 2003 15:37:36 GMT -5
Congrats! And speaking of small things to celebrate, my car odometer turned 100,000 miles this morning! Yay!
Well, okay, not a big yay, but still. It's a 9-year old car. It's still running! That gets a big "YAY" in my book! I don't know why, but round numbers fascinate me...
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Post by Laura on Oct 1, 2003 16:17:56 GMT -5
It's still running! That gets a big "YAY" in my book! I don't know why, but round numbers fascinate me... It's my baby. First car I ever owned brand-spankin' new (as opposed to used cars that I had in college). And even though they stopped making it (it's a Mercury Mystique -- only in production from 1995-2001 -- I'm not really sure why it didn't do well), I've relatively little trouble with it. Well, okay, there was the transmission recall six months after I bought it, but other than that, it's been great.
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Post by Laura on Oct 1, 2003 16:20:25 GMT -5
Lee, I'm surprised you haven't posted this one. (Probably the absence of any fossilized genitalia.):
Southern Identity on Decline, Study Says Wed Oct 1, 9:52 AM ET Add U.S. National - AP to My Yahoo!
By AMBER McDOWELL, Associated Press Writer
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Relaxing on the verandah of a refurbished Victorian home turned tea room, Dot Fleming nibbled coconut pie and extolled the virtues of life in the South.
AP Photo
"It's just an easier, more relaxed lifestyle, with friendly people, home-cooking and big families," said the 55-year-old Fleming, whose family has lived in this affluent town south of Nashville since the early 1900s.
A new Vanderbilt University study found that the number of people like Fleming, who are fiercely proud to be called Southerners, is being noticeably diluted by newcomers and those who just plain reject the label.
From 1991 to 2001, the number of people living in the South who identified themselves as "Southerners" declined 7.4 percentage points, from about 78 percent to 70 percent.
The study found that only Republicans, political conservatives and the wealthy bucked this trend, keeping the same percentage of self-described "Southerners."
"As with other parts of the country, continuing urbanization and immigration have had an impact on the South," said sociology professor Larry Griffin, who headed the study.
The researchers analyzed data from 19 polls conducted by the University of North Carolina from 1991-2001 that asked respondents if they considered themselves Southerners. The findings will be included in the article "Enough About the Disappearing South — What About the Disappearing Southerner?" as part of the fall edition of Southern Cultures, the journal of UNC's Center for the Study of the American South.
The polls surveyed 17,600 people in 13 states — Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
The decline spanned all races, ethnic and age groups, researchers said. But Republicans held steady at about 74 percent, political conservatives at 78 percent and the rich at 69 percent.
"Though the South has changed (over the decade), those three groups still see themselves as in the South or of the South," Griffin said. "For persons of color, the poor, for political liberals or Democrats, it may be an image they reject."
As for Fleming, she said she understands why conservatives continue to classify themselves as Southerners.
"In general, when you're conservative, you don't like change," said Fleming, who says she's probably in the upper middle class financially and neither conservative nor liberal.
Elouise North, a 79-year-old gift shop manager at Carter House, describes herself as both a Southerner and a conservative.
"It's a way of life," she said. "You don't rush things too much here. In my generation, you weren't rude, you had manners, you said 'Yes, ma'am' and 'No, ma'am.'"
North was born in Gallatin, 25 miles northeast of Nashville, but moved to Franklin 44 years ago after she married. During that time, she says she's seen so many new people move here that "it's no wonder" the number of self-described Southerners has dropped.
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Post by LeeHollins on Oct 1, 2003 16:39:42 GMT -5
Lee, I'm surprised you haven't posted this one. (Probably the absence of any fossilized genitalia.):
Southern Identity on Decline, Study Says Wed Oct 1, 9:52 AM ET Add U.S. National - AP to My Yahoo!
By AMBER McDOWELL, Associated Press Writer
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Relaxing on the verandah of a refurbished Victorian home turned tea room, Dot Fleming nibbled coconut pie and extolled the virtues of life in the South.
AP Photo
"It's just an easier, more relaxed lifestyle, with friendly people, home-cooking and big families," said the 55-year-old Fleming, whose family has lived in this affluent town south of Nashville since the early 1900s.
A new Vanderbilt University study found that the number of people like Fleming, who are fiercely proud to be called Southerners, is being noticeably diluted by newcomers and those who just plain reject the label.
From 1991 to 2001, the number of people living in the South who identified themselves as "Southerners" declined 7.4 percentage points, from about 78 percent to 70 percent.
The study found that only Republicans, political conservatives and the wealthy bucked this trend, keeping the same percentage of self-described "Southerners."
"As with other parts of the country, continuing urbanization and immigration have had an impact on the South," said sociology professor Larry Griffin, who headed the study.
The researchers analyzed data from 19 polls conducted by the University of North Carolina from 1991-2001 that asked respondents if they considered themselves Southerners. The findings will be included in the article "Enough About the Disappearing South — What About the Disappearing Southerner?" as part of the fall edition of Southern Cultures, the journal of UNC's Center for the Study of the American South.
The polls surveyed 17,600 people in 13 states — Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
The decline spanned all races, ethnic and age groups, researchers said. But Republicans held steady at about 74 percent, political conservatives at 78 percent and the rich at 69 percent.
"Though the South has changed (over the decade), those three groups still see themselves as in the South or of the South," Griffin said. "For persons of color, the poor, for political liberals or Democrats, it may be an image they reject."
As for Fleming, she said she understands why conservatives continue to classify themselves as Southerners.
"In general, when you're conservative, you don't like change," said Fleming, who says she's probably in the upper middle class financially and neither conservative nor liberal.
Elouise North, a 79-year-old gift shop manager at Carter House, describes herself as both a Southerner and a conservative.
"It's a way of life," she said. "You don't rush things too much here. In my generation, you weren't rude, you had manners, you said 'Yes, ma'am' and 'No, ma'am.'"
North was born in Gallatin, 25 miles northeast of Nashville, but moved to Franklin 44 years ago after she married. During that time, she says she's seen so many new people move here that "it's no wonder" the number of self-described Southerners has dropped.
Hmm...didn't see this one. Thanks for posting it, Laura. As I much as I make fun of the South (and I'm the first to talk about much we sometimes suck!), I love being from the South and I like living in the South. When other people insult the South, that's when I get pissed. It's like with your family - YOU can make fun of them but if anyone else does, IT'S ON!!
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Post by Kerrie on Oct 1, 2003 17:40:02 GMT -5
Micha did not mention that we have a lovely river flowing in between the two cities (Ottawa and Gatineau). (I have a story about it so I had to add this info.) I live pretty much on the River (no, not like floating on the river, but right beside it) in an apt. on the 12th floor, overlooking the river. There are many geese living on the banks (almost under my window), and there is also a bike path that runs along the shore of the river. Geese are pretty bold and pushy for birds, and their gaggle is getting quite big. So, from my window I can watch people biking along the path and it's quite entertaining to see how the geese push the people around. They do NOT move for bikes (or cars) and if the people get too close they will fly up and flap those HUGE wings in their faces. People ring their bells trying to get them out of the way and then either stop, veer off the path into the grass trying to avoid them, or they hold their path and end up with the big flutter in the face which generally causes them to fall off their bikes. Kind of sad I know, but man it is funny some days. And there is my Ottawa story for you kerrie. I am scared of ducks and geese. When I was at high school I had to walk past a pond. It was on the opposite side of the road, but every morning this duck would wait in a particular front yard and when I walked past it would come out and try to attack me. There was nothing I could do. After a few weeks I started going to a different busstop. At the same pond there was a goose. Apparantly it did not like being called Gertrude and would attack. I did not verify this myself, but I know others who did to their detriment.
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Post by Kerrie on Oct 1, 2003 17:47:21 GMT -5
I've heard, although never verified, that statistically speaking, Super Bowl Sunday is the worse day in America for domestic violence (i.e., the highest reported day of men beating women). It's crazy. I yell, scream and curse during the game, but don't get that worked up. When I used to play sports I didn't even get that angry at the world. Usually just withdrawn. I think that could be because most domestic violence occurs as a result of people standing in front of the television. (I am not joking!) In terms of Lee's horrific story, psychology studies have shown that the mere presence of a gun in a room (for any or no reason) makes people more violent. Sometimes I am glad that Australians do not like guns. I have never seen one carried by anyone except the police. I have heard of people owning rifles to shoot rabbits etc in the bush. Every year one of the papers in Melbourne publishes a list of deaths in America as a result of guns. Obviously people have guns in Australia, but most people do not and except for farmers, the ones the do are perceived to be psychos or criminals.
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Post by Nickim on Oct 1, 2003 19:14:50 GMT -5
I think that could be because most domestic violence occurs as a result of people standing in front of the television. (I am not joking!) In terms of Lee's horrific story, psychology studies have shown that the mere presence of a gun in a room (for any or no reason) makes people more violent. Sometimes I am glad that Australians do not like guns. I have never seen one carried by anyone except the police. I have heard of people owning rifles to shoot rabbits etc in the bush. Every year one of the papers in Melbourne publishes a list of deaths in America as a result of guns. Obviously people have guns in Australia, but most people do not and except for farmers, the ones the do are perceived to be psychos or criminals. How sad is this--the Missouri State Legislature recently overrode a veto an a bill for concealed weapons. So now, pretty much everyone in Missouri can carry a concealed weapon. Totally insane.
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