GlibFit 4.0 – Anti-Aging Supplements

by | Jun 26, 2022 | GlibFit | 313 comments

I’m celebrating my mother’s 83rd birthday today. Mom has been taking anti-aging supplements for as long as I can remember. As much as my mother is a kook about this stuff, even she realizes nothing is going to turn back the clock. It’s more a matter of delaying what nature has wrought. To a lesser extent, she also realizes all the nutrition in the world won’t make up for a lack of exercise, decent sleep, and (in general) not abusing yourself.

I have long been skeptical. The advertising claims for most of this stuff is misleading, to put it politely. But, with the caveats above, let’s see what The Science™ has to say about some common supplements.

Selenium
The mineral selenium helps protect the body from cancers, including skin cancer caused by sun exposure. It also preserves tissue elasticity and slows down the aging and hardening of tissues associated with oxidation. Dietary sources of the mineral include whole grain cereals, seafood, garlic, and eggs.

Recent animal studies have found that when selenium is taken orally, it provided protection against both everyday and excessive UV damage. A study also showed selenium also delayed the development of skin cancer in animals. Studies are still needed in humans.

Vitamin E
Experts consider vitamin E to be the most important antioxidant because it protects cell membranes and prevents damages to enzymes associated with them. Natural sources of vitamin E include vegetable oils such as sunflower oil, grains, oats, nuts, and dairy products.

New laboratory studies suggest vitamin E helps inactivate free radicals, making them less likely to cause damage. For additional sun protection, individuals may consider taking vitamin E supplements. Supplementation with vitamin E in 400 milligrams a day has been noted to reduce photodamage, wrinkles and improve skin texture.”

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is the most common antioxidant found in the skin. It’s also found in vegetables and citrus fruits. Like vitamin E, vitamin C is considered important in repairing free radicals and preventing them from becoming cancerous or accelerating the aging process

Even minimal UV exposure can decrease the vitamin C levels in the skin by 30 percent. My admittedly quick Google search didn’t turn up any studies showing whether vitamin C supplements replenish vitamin C levels in the skin.

CoEnzyme Q10
Also known as CoQ10, is an antioxidant that our bodies produce. It plays essential roles in energy production and protects against cellular damage. Supplements can help reduce an accumulation of free radicals that accelerates the aging process and age-related disease. Score one for mom.

Prebiotics and Probiotics
There is a ton of literature on this stuff. I guess mom’s ramblings about gut health were real. I’m sure Tundra will drop in and extol their benefits so look for his dissertation in the comments.

 

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Remember when 80s rock was fun and unprententious before Steel Panther brought it back? This song does. Here is how you know.

About The Author

Chafed

Chafed

I'm looking California but feeling Minnesota

313 Comments

  1. DEG

    I have long been skeptical.

    I’m skeptical too of many of the claims. The Fountain of Youth is not new.

    I didn’t get into the gym this weekend. I woke up feeling like crap. I skipped the gym and going up north for PorcFest. I am still feeling a bit like crap so I didn’t go to the gym today. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

    Eight days and I leave for my FreedomFest Road Trip.

    • R.J.

      Oh boy. Get well. I am finally responding to you and Trashy about some entertainment ideas. My wife came back from Alaska with COVID and I lost a week getting her back on her feet.

      • DEG

        My wife came back from Alaska with COVID and I lost a week getting her back on her feet.

        Sorry. Hopefully she gets well soon.

      • R.J.

        Almost well. No positive test today so she ran out to do yard work. I am trying to keep her from overdoing it.

    • Mojeaux

      Well, that bites!

      • DEG

        Yes.

        Though it will pass.

  2. DEG

    Dokken channeled AC/DC for that video.

    • MikeS

      My first thought as well.

  3. Surly Knott

    There is a company investigated a ‘patented combination’ of NAC and glycine. They have reason to believe (based on their experimental work) the combo improves mitochondrial function. As I’m taking magnesium glycinate and NAC, I’m going to pretend I’m getting some benefit above and beyond improved sleep (Mg) and anti-oxidant effect from NAC.

  4. R C Dean

    Suggestion for TPTB: I feel like Not Adahn gets short shrift in his slot – its too short, time wise. SInce Glibfit is the last post of the Sunday, could we push it back a few hours?

    • Name's BEAM. James BEAM.

      I second that suggestion.

    • Mojeaux

      I have asked for this before.

    • Sean

      *upvotes*

    • Surly Knott

      Seems like a good idea.

    • MikeS

      Yeah, I don’t get the quick switch without there being an evening post.

      • Fourscore

        I always wondered about that too but what do I know?

    • DEG

      Yes.

    • Draw Me Like One of Your Tulpae, Jack

      Agree

    • Tundra

      Good idea. I was gone all day and just got to comment on his wonderful post.

  5. DEG

    Not-that-OT: Dr. Birx admitting that she doesn’t know if the government lied about Covid vaccine efficacy

    We can pretty well remember those heady days when the government was telling us that if we got the jab we wouldn’t get COVID ever again:

    Well, we all know how wrong that turned out to be. And this week, when asked if that bungle was borne from deliberateness or mere incompetence, one of the nation’s preeminent federal COVID officials was just like, “Eh, not sure.”

    Videos in the article.

    • Not an Economist

      Wasn’t her job to know?

      • mikey

        Why don’t you trust us!?

      • MikeS

        +1 You had one job…

  6. Mojeaux

    I loved Dokken back in the day, but the band kinda faded from my memory.

    • rhywun

      I wasn’t a fan but this is classic.

      • TARDis

        Also not a fan. There was a bit from a comedian who lamented going to a Dokken show because the show he actually wanted to see was sold out or something. I miss the old weekly stand up shows from the 90’s.

  7. Sean

    Glib Fit food:

    https://www.egglifefoods.com/product/everything-bagel/

    Interesting product, a wrap made from eggs. Yesterday, I tried my first one.

    I took a skillet, heated up some butter and laid the wrap in flat. Added some deli turkey, provolone, and some seasoning.

    Cooked about 5 minutes medium heat until cheese was kinda melty, flipped it in half, and done.

    Of course it was good, it’s turkey, egg, and cheese – cooked in butter. Eats like a taco.

    • Ted S.

      Egglife, because there’s no place I can go….

    • Tundra

      I tried another brand but they really fell apart easily. I may give yours a try. Thanks!

      • Sean

        I don’t know how they are yet straight from the bag, but fried in butter, they were quite sturdy. I was impressed.

    • pistoffnick

      I made Almond Flour Crepes for my lady this morning. With sharp cheddah, more cream cheese, a slice of ham, and a pat of Irish buttah, they were divine.

      4 oz. cream cheese, softened
      4 large eggs
      3/4 cup finely ground almond flour
      2 Tbsp granulated sweetener (I used Aldi sucralose)
      1/8 cup heavy cream
      1/8 cup shredded sharp (GOD_DAMNIT_SHARP) cheddah cheese
      pinch of salt

      Wisk it all together. Neutral oil on a shallow bottom pan at medium heat. Pour in about 1/6th of the batter. Immediately swirl the batter around the pan. The first one ALWAYS sucks. Flip when nicely browned, sprinkle cheddah, top with a slice of ham, add a dollop of cream cheese. Fold in thirds. Add a pat of GOOD Irish salted butter on top. Reap the benefits of making breakfast for your lady.

      Makes 5. The first one is always a practice.

  8. Zwak, who counted all his blessings, and counted only one.

    I met the drummer for DOKKEN at a party once. This was the early 2000’s, and you sure could tell an aging rocker from the midtown Sac crowd. Nice enough guy though. His parents live outside Roseville, CA. Lincoln, maybe? Somewhere up there. Chelsea Wolfe territory.

    Anyway, recovering from the COVID now, which is slowing down the back recovery, as detailed in the AM linx.

  9. trshmnstr the terrible

    That carnivore doc guy had a take on pre- and probiotics that align with my biases. Pre-and probiotics help fix dysfunction. Eat a proper diet and they’re not necessary.

  10. trshmnstr the terrible

    I’m approaching 40 days of the Adkins-ish diet. I had a little cheat of a scoop of bluebell ice cream with the keto fruit cobbler my wife made for my birthday.

    This week, wife and I have been working out in the home gym together. It’ll be a good add-on to the walks we’re doing 4+ times per week. Lower body hasn’t been too bad (I’m weak and unstable, but not
    struggling to keep up), but the upper body is in need of some work. Triceps, in particular, are pathetically weak.

    The scale hasn’t moved too much, but that isn’t the most important thing right now. I feel better and am looking better.

    • Lackadaisical

      Good job, just don’t go too hard and hurt yourself.

  11. Draw Me Like One of Your Tulpae, Jack

    I drove Vivian the Class C RV ~15 miles around Travelers Rest & Marietta SC today. I think I did OK. Driving her up to the RV park to move in full time tomorrow.

    • Tulip

      Exciting! New adventures await!

    • DEG

      Excellent

    • LCDR_Fish

      Where are you staying at RV Park-wise?

      Are you eligible to stay at DoD facilities?

      • Draw Me Like One of Your Tulpae, Jack

        Are non-DoD contractors eligible?

      • LCDR_Fish

        Hmm. maybe not – just checked the Fort AP Hill one. My buddies are DOD contractors and vets so they were eligible, but I guess you may not be. Might depend on the facility too.

  12. Draw Me Like One of Your Tulpae, Jack

    Weren’t some folks around here talking about collagen supplements or something?

    • TARDis

      I did some collagen powder for several months. It really helped my joints, but I had to stop. It turned me into a pimple puss. Seriously, it was like being 15 again.

      • Ted S.

        I hope at least it made you as horny as a 15-year-old, too.

      • Name's BEAM. James BEAM.

        I hope at least it made you as horny turgid as a 15-year-old, too.

        FTFY.

      • TARDis

        You people are so vulgar. That’s one of the reasons I like you. But no, there was no noticeable difference in my ahem… tumescence.

      • Ted S.

        So what you’re saying is that the term “turgid manhood” is something you need never worry about?

      • TARDis

        *benny hill salute*

      • Sean

        O.o

    • Draw Me Like One of Your Tulpae, Jack

      It’s politicians that allow these monopolistic companies to gouge their constituents. Similar issue with EZPass overcharges in the DC area. People were getting bills for 1000s of dollars & the company that runs EZPass in the region was, like, “oh well – our contract lets us do it!”

    • rhywun

      That’s outrageous. Not a peep from the pols on “price gouging”, I bet.

  13. Mustang

    I’m starting to get on board with the gut health thing. After nuking my gut a few weeks ago, taking myself to the UC for it, and getting nothing out of it, I started to wonder if maybe there’s a connection between my head symptoms and my gut. I started a Prilosec regimen and my head issues resolved rather quickly. Faster than they’ve resolved in the past and without any lingering issues that normally go with it.

    Anecdotal at best, but after living in two Asian countries that swear by the probiotics in their fermented food and researching to find out that cardiovascular issues are basically non-existent in those same countries, I could be convinced.

  14. Gustave Lytton

    Vitamin C – Linus Pauling

    CoQ10 – is this the one endorsed by Huckabee? Or is it Larry Elder?

    Just came back from the fields with fresh strawberries. Probably gone through about 20 pints, including freezer jam, since the season started. Maybe another week left at best. Cool weather and rain put a damper this year. Walla Wallas are now in the store.

    The gracious masters of the state forestry dept have held off so far on their panicked fire season declaration. Surprised that the ahistorical pussies didn’t freak out on the weekend’s heat wave.

    Pence is positioning for a run. He’s worse than Biden at speaking.

  15. hayeksplosives

    I’m a big believer in probiotics, especially after taking broad spectrum antibiotics to fight unwanted bacteria. Many doctors seem to be on board with that and even advise patients to take probiotics when they’re under antibiotic treatment just to help restore basic gut health.

    My husband has diverticulosis, and in the past he’d have a bad flare-up of diverticulitis about once a month, bad enough that he had to stay in bed and miss work.

    I started observing that the flare-ups often followed a cheese-heavy meal like pizza or lasagna. I hypothesized that gas might be inflating the diverticulosis pockets and encouraging infection (diverticulitis).

    When his doctor recommended surgery to remove 8 inches of his large intestine, I said “hell no” bought probiotics, specifically including Lactobacillus acidophilus. I knew that the treatment for diverticulitis was generally a course of antibiotics, so it was a cycle.

    The effect of the probiotics was almost immediate. After years of suffering, he was suddenly cured. When he quit briefly, the pain came back, so he’s been on it ever since. His doctor could not believe it. Put the knife away, doc.

    • Q Continuum

      After my botched appendectomy, I had pneumonia and was on levaqin for a month. I subsequently developed C. diff. Man oh man, was that the worst. Took me a year to get over that; been scarfing probiotics ever since.

      What brand does Mr. Splosives use?

      • hayeksplosives

        Used to be Nature Made. Now we use CVS “maximum strength”. It has 4 types of beneficial flora.

        I doubt the brand matters much; I think the important thing is to make sure one of them is lactobacillus acidophilus.

    • Name's BEAM. James BEAM.

      Interesting.

      I’ve been diagnosed with both diverticulosis (not unusual at my age) and IBS (which I got from a Cryptospridium infection on The Big Island of Hawai’i back in April 2004), so I have the double-whammy goin’ for me.

      In my case, I’ve been showing my doc white papers for treatment of both problems using Rifaximin (not an antibiotic — a eubiotic!), 550mg twice a day for a week, one week per month, for six months. This is my second prophylactic course of treatment, and ever since I started the first one (over a year ago), I’ve had no further infections and everything’s pretty regular to boot. The one drawback is that Rifaximin is stupidly expensive considering what it’s for and how long it’s existed (first used clinically in Italy back in 1987, if memory serves).

      I’ve tried probiotics before (including Align and kefir, amongst other things) and I can’t say with any conviction that they’ve helped me at all.

      Our guts are amazingly complicated, and yet have a very limited set of symptoms to alert us to the fact that something is wrong; most IBS researchers now believe that IBS is actually a complex of 40 to 50 different problems, all of which have almost exactly the same symptoms, so it’s going to be decades before we get that sorted out.

      • hayeksplosives

        The new research into the enteric nervous system is fascinating.

        Turns out “a gut feeling” is a real, and powerful, thing.

        This is the first link that popped up just now but there’s a lot of literature out there.

        https://www.thechainsaw.com/gut-feeling-science

    • Mojeaux

      Tangential anecdote: Long ago in my strict low-carbing days I ran into quite a few women who couldn’t lose those few extra pounds no matter what, which wouldn’t normally matter except they couldn’t get rid of that little lower belly pooch. So a few elimination diets later, they figured out they had a candidiasis problem. All those little yeasties proofing like bread in their gut. So … probiotics to the rescue. Also, cutting out dairy.

    • Gustave Lytton

      I’ve noticed that dairy, particularly milk, causes me digestive problems from time to time. Never had the issue when I was younger. I drank kefir for a while, then switched to yakult because it was more convenient containers. Both helped with that and in general. No yakult lady though.

      • Tulip

        I have to really want cheese as it causes sinus problems for me. This makes me sad.

  16. hayeksplosives

    I take SAMe. Not sure if it does any good but the consensus seems to be that it doesn’t hurt and it -might- help.

  17. hayeksplosives

    Levaqin can be nasty stuff to your ligaments. Hope yours are OK!

    Yeah, my husband got C Diff while in the hospital a decade ago. Not fun. I asked the doc if we could put him on probiotics while he was there, and he was in favor of it but found out they didn’t have it in the hospital formulary (this was 12 years ago). So he took me aside and told me to slip him the probiotics discreetly.

    • Mojeaux

      Bad cases of C. diff are taken care of with a fecal transplant.

      • Q Continuum

        I had two failed courses of treatment before they finally put me on vancomycin on a tapered dosing schedule for 3 months ($1500 WITH insurance) and that did the trick. Next step was the shit siphon.

        Also: about 10% of people even fail the fecal transplant and the only treatment option is colectomy.

  18. Q Continuum

    OT: I’ve said before that whoever controls the MILFs, controls the world.

    Roe-sanity 2022 is going to be a real test for the suburban default-prog MILF set. They’re the ones who put Glenn Youngkin in the Virginia governor’s mansion and also the ones (if we’re to believe the analysis) that kept Trump out of the White House. Outside of the Commie usual suspects, the ones who seem most upset about this are the aforementioned MILFs. The conditions that had them so pissed off at the Dems wrt public school fuckery haven’t changed, to top it off we now have $6/gal gas and at least 15% inflation. We now have a very interesting test of stated vs. revealed preference coming: will the MILFs care more about legitimate kitchen table issues that have a significant impact on themselves and their children, or will they virtue signal in support of an abstract concept that they, as suburban mothers, are very, very unlikely to ever actually need?

    I don’t actually know the answer to this.

    • Sean

      Pumpkin spice lattes free at GOP rallies.

      • hayeksplosives

        Snort.

        Hee hee.

      • Sean

        😁

      • hayeksplosives

        I have had to “snooze” many of my female friends on Facebook because they seem to think they are going to be stripped of all rights and forced to bear children for the State.

        It’s all emotion, no logic, no facts. Guess what, ladies? You can still get an abortion! It’s just that Roe was a crap decision, and now your legislators need to step up and do their job, pick a side publicly. If you want unlimited abortions, write to them, don’t fucking throw a tantrum/riot and appeal to the Nazgûl.

      • Sean

        I just love how hetero sex dominates the end of pride month.

      • Mojeaux

        Yeah, I’ve been snoozing and unfollowing ruthlessly.

      • Ted S.

        I’m not on Facebook so I don’t have that problem.

      • Mojeaux

        As I am stepping away from writing I may have reason to forego it now.

      • hayeksplosives

        But how will I keep up with your cross-stich?? If you have another forum for that, please ping me.

      • Mojeaux

        Ha! That DOES seem to be the only thing I use it for nowadays. The next project is the wisteria, but I’m making that for my mom for Christmas, Don’t post that info tho.

        I stay on FB for my cross stitch group. Also marketplace because sometimes I like to sell things,

      • Fourscore

        Isn’t there some way to prevent the need for an abortion?

        I grew up in a different time and biology focused more on birds and bees. These days, with all the education starting in ______ grade I’d have thought that abortion would be passe. Either the teachers are teaching erroneous information or a lot of kids are paying too much attention to their cell phones instead of the power points.

        All the kids in Ag class had figured things out by their sophomore year.

      • Q Continuum

        UNPOSSIBLE. One cannot choose to not have sex! COMPLETELY UNREASONABLE!

      • Certified Public Asshat

        Apparently women in red states don’t vote.

    • DEG

      I know two women involved in Reopen NH and pushing back on mask insanity and vaccine mandates. Both have kids. One divorced, the other married.

      Both hated all of forced masking and vaccine mandates. Both defied mask orders where ever they could. I think both are not vaccinated. The divorced one has kids old enough to be in school, and she hated everything her kids had to go through. The married one’s kid is too young for school, and will probably be home schooled.

      The divorced one is pissed about the Dobbs ruling. She thinks abortion should be legal and the government will ban it.

      The married one is mocking folks virtue signaling over the ruling. She has, as far as I know, no problems with NH’s law which allows abortion up to 24 weeks, prohibiting it afterwards.

      We’ll see how these two vote in 2022.

      • Q Continuum

        The question begging for an answer:

        Is the divorced one hot and if so, have you taken a run at her?

      • Fourscore

        Multiple choice

        A. Yes and yes

        B. Yes and no

        C. No and no

        D. No and yes

      • DEG

        The divorced one is involved with someone.

    • rhywun

      Good point.

      ’Cuz if they vote Dem again, guaranteed all that other shit plus whatever extra craziness they think up between now and then comes roaring back harder.

    • Gustave Lytton

      Nothing. Left. To. Cut.

      If it’s an international bus rodeos, transit systems from all over are sending drivers on vacation at taxpayer expense. Fuck you, chumps.

  19. Yusef drives a Kia

    long time listener, first time caller,
    Every MILF I have ever met was very pro life, and not to be trifled with as they are fierce.
    they love their babies and I agree,

    • DEG

      🙂

  20. Mojeaux

    Just finished E3 of The Boys. The hike to the prostate didn’t gross me out as much as eating the octopus did. Other than that, the episode didn’t offer much. I think I’m out.

    • hayeksplosives

      Yeah, I actually fast forwarded through the Timothy (name of aforementioned octopus) eating thing.

      Pulling the shute is the right thing to do. Episode 4 is absolute crap. I didn’t even finish it.

      HEY PRODUCERS! People occasionally enjoy having a hero who is not a completely flawed dickhead. The success of Top Gun sequel illustrates that sometimes it’s ok to be all USA! USA! Sometimes entertainment is an escape. I don’t want a lecture or guilt trip every time I wanna see a movie.

    • TARDis

      It’s assholes all around. And I have no problem with visceral crassness, if it serves a point. Now it’s all shock and stupidity. Plus at this point, it’s hard to like any of the characters. That’s kind of important to me. I want to root for someone, but now I don’t care. I look forward to Kripke getting his comeuppance. It’s only a matter of time.

      • hayeksplosives

        I totally agree on the point about not liking any character. We were supposed to like Hughie at first, but now…?

      • Not Adahn

        Ep 5 was a complete waste of time.

        Ep 6 followed the tried-and-true bingebait tactic of having something interesting and perhaps story changing happen at the very end.

      • hayeksplosives

        I just said “Screw it” and dialed up classic 1980s Grenada episodes of Sherlock Holmes with Jeremy Brett.

        It was fun to see Marina Sirtis (later to be Counselor Troi) play a small part in the “Six Napoleons.”

      • Gustave Lytton

        The Musgrave Ritual is my favorite. I remember watching it as a kid on Mystery!

        He gets overlooked next to Jeremy Brett, but Cedric Hardwicke’s kid didn’t fall far from the apple tree as Watson.

      • MikeS

        Boy, It’s hard to say there was any better duo than those two, especially if you’re talking true to the canon. Cumberbatch and Freeman crush it in the “modern adaptation” category.

      • Gustave Lytton

        Agreed. Although I liked the Robert Downey/Jude Law version too. And Young Sherlock Holmes holds a special place on my heart. Or maybe just Sophie Ward.

    • Q Continuum

      “hike to the prostate”

      Trying to decide if this is a typo.

      • Mojeaux

        It is not. SPOILERS AHOY!!!!
        .
        .
        .
        .
        .
        The Ant Man spoof superhero Termite went all tiny and hopped into his boyfriend’s urethra to walk the direct route to the prostate, which, I took it, tickled. Before he got there, he sneezed, triggering him to grow to full size and blowing his boyfriend to pieces in the process.

      • TARDis

        Best organasm ever!

      • Mojeaux

        I was grossed out, then he sneezed, and I LOLd.

      • TARDis

        I know this is weird, but what was the plan when he got to the prostate? An internal massage followed by him getting launched? I might be overthinking it. No, wait. I’m not.

      • Mojeaux

        I assume to walk all over it massaging it, but I think that’s more thought than the writers gave to it.

      • Not Adahn

        What exactly was the plan there? Was Termite planning on drowning?

        Also, you forgot about urethral sounding.

      • Mojeaux

        I didn’t forget about urethral sounding, to my everlasting dismay.

      • Name's BEAM. James BEAM.

        Ewww.

        Just ewwww.

      • TARDis

        you forgot about urethral sounding

        No, I did not. I expected him to fly out with arms outstretched, sounding on his way out.

    • SDF-7

      Based on everything said here, I’m increasingly glad I found Season 2 to be enough of a mess to stop there.

      • Grumbletarian

        #MeToo

    • Urthona

      Actually I liked that episode.

  21. Yusef drives a Kia

    As a God believing, nominal Christian Glibertarian I found the taking of human life abhorrent. We are not worthy of passing life or death judgement, whether in the womb or on death row,
    and it seems to violate the NAP in a big way.
    just my 2c.

    • trshmnstr the terrible

      I still struggle with the thought that “some people just need killin'” sometimes, but setting that particular internal clash of principles aside, I’m in agreement.

    • creech

      Interesting question about NAP. If one believes in the right of self-defense – and I assume all libertarians do – then wouldn’t a woman be justified in having an abortion if carrying the human life in her womb to term was reasonably determined to kill the woman? I’ve had some pro-life hardcases say “No, it is God’s will.” I find that as troubling as the abortion-on-demand radicals who think the baby’s brain can be sucked out as it enters the birth canal.

    • hayeksplosives

      My beliefs about conception and life might be even more extreme to some folks.

      A single sperm has 23 chromosomes randomly created by meiosis. Most of them will literally go down the drain and, alone, don’t amount to human life. Similarly, a single egg has 23 chromosomes, isn’t a “whole” genetic blueprint, and the vast majority of them will be flushed out, one per month.

      But at the moment of conception THIS sperm meets with THIS egg and suddenly the die is cast; there is a new and unique blueprint for a human. Some of those fertilized eggs still won’t succeed in implanting in the womb, so that unique proto-human is lost. But many will implant! And that miraculous second that the sperm meets the egg is when I believe that person’s soul is assigned. I don’t have science or scripture to back that up.

      So, I don’t think abortion is trivial or to be celebrated. I think it’s a tragedy. But I struggle with the government’s role in it. If the fetus is human, then abortion is murder.

      But what should WE do?

      • Tundra

        You articulated it perfectly.

        And I have no earthly idea.

      • rhywun

        If the fetus is human, then abortion is murder.

        Or embryo.

  22. Name's BEAM. James BEAM.

    Farg.

    Severe thunderstorm watch for the city. Edmonton’s a great place to live, but anywhere in central Alberta during the June-September timeframe is pretty much destined for massive thunderbooms. Guess I’d better put the car in the garage.

    • Q Continuum

      Mrs. Q (Kansas native) and Mojeaux collectively laugh in your general direction.

      • Mojeaux

        Thunderstorms are adorable. Just baby tornadoes wishing they could grow up faster.

      • TARDis

        And conducive for sleeping.

      • Mojeaux

        The first and only time I have been frightened in a thunderstorm happened last month. I couldn’t sleep. I was dizzy and trembling (low blood sugar? dunno), having bad dreams, stumbling around trying to get from the bed to the recliner, then trying to sleep in my recliner but see aforementioned maladies, when a lightning strike and thunder boomed right outside my bedroom window. There was NO space between that bolt and crack. So I was already on edge and it terrified me momentarily.

      • TARDis

        I understand. When the light and sound are together, it’s scary. I often sit outside under my deck when it’s storming. The pouring rain is great. It relaxes me… until that happens. Time to go in.

      • Tulip

        When I was young (probably around 7 or 8), I was playing at a neighbor’s house when it was hit by lightning. Or maybe the power pole was hit. I just remember a simultaneous bright light huge crack and smell of ozone (I’ll never forget the smell). My friend’s mom was feeling the walls to see if they were hot and a fire starting. It was very scary.

      • hayeksplosives

        Sounds like a transformer blew up. That will definitely make an impression.

      • Tulip

        Rural area, transformers were miles away. Either house, or pole. Every yard had a pole.

      • hayeksplosives

        Crazy.

        Well, glad the house didn’t burn down.

      • whiz

        After I moved out, my parents had a lightning strike on their house. They were lucky there wasn’t a ;asting fire, but there were burn marks in a closet.

      • db

        When I was a kid, I once witnessed some sort of electrical discharge around/in our house during a severe thunderstorm. I saw what looked like a small bolt of lightning come in through the back sliding door and hit the dimmer light switch in the dining room. There were no burn marks or noticeable physical damage, but the light switch never worked again and my Dad had to replace it.

      • hayeksplosives

        I strongly recommend the app “Rain Rain”. Lots of pleasant “go to sleep” sounds, free, and customizable in the sense that you can blend sounds like “Crackling fire + Thunderstorm” or whatever floats your boat. I use it EVERY night.

      • SDF-7

        To the topic: Green sky while driving through the Texas panhandle. Followed by having to pull over because I couldn’t see 6 *inches* in front of the car, winds shaking the car, thunder rolling…. The kind of storm that does spawn tornadoes — and literally nowhere else to go.

        Re: sleeping apps — that’s what Drachinifel is for besides being informative. Cheerful British accent going on about engineering details of warships — great when I’m awake, but can also zonk me right out when I’m tired. 4 hour Dry Dock videos make it so easy…

      • Name's BEAM. James BEAM.

        {shrug}

        Once had an F5 tornado with a base that was half a mile wide rip through Edmonton in 1987; I’m sure the laughter would’ve been welcome, if misplaced.

      • MikeS

        Can confirm that severe thunderstorms and tornadoes actually venture farther north than Missouri and Kansas.

      • Name's BEAM. James BEAM.

        Did over a billion dollars damage (in 2022 dollars) in less than half an hour, but killed very few people until it hit (where else?) a trailer park in the northeast of the city.

        The night before, I was helping a buddy move into one of the apartment towers on the southeast end of the University of Alberta campus, and I remember thinking that the evening was particularly warm and muggy, and lightning strikes in the distance kept illuminating the sky all evening long. The next day, I was at my job at the Law Faculty’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms database when the sky turned black and all Hell broke loose in the east end. My Mom lived in the west end and I went to check on her, and all the trees in the backyard were split. This was many, many kilometres removed from the scene of the action.

      • Mojeaux

        One thing is this. If somebody tells you the sky is green, they aren’t trying to gaslight you.

      • Name's BEAM. James BEAM.

        Aw shit. Weather radar’s got a squall line of big bastards headed straight for us. Goodbye, tomato plants. It was a frustrating 3 months of coaxing you along from seed.

      • hayeksplosives

        The Minneapolis (Fridley suburb) defense plant I worked at for 17 years had a series of 3 tornadoes run through one fateful night in 1965. The photos are spectacular, although only a few are publicly accessible.

        Then in around 2010-2011, another tornado made a direct hit on the plant. I happened to live 2.7 miles northeast of the plant and was in the basement watching the hook echo radar heading for my house. It diverted east (thank you God!) and we suffered only some broken branches and debris.

        However, when I looked at the debris, some of it was definitely from an outbuilding at the plant that contained tech equipment that was “Classified to View” meaning you need clearance to even see it. “Oh shit” said I, as I got in the car to head down and move stuff into the main building. I was the first on the scene but was soon joined by other workers and security to get everything under wraps. Saved a frog and a mouse that had blown inside the building too.

        Lots of trees were downed there and at the historic waterworks plant further south down East River Road.

        Something about the Mississippi River Valley seemed to be a tornado magnet.

      • Name's BEAM. James BEAM.

        Central Alberta’s similar. Tornadoes and effin’ enormous T-storms. Year before last, late August we got 50mm (2 inches) of rain from a T-storm that stalled above us in under 30 minutes. That’s monsoon intensity. Flooded portions of the basement, dammit (an all-too-familiar issue I’ve had to deal with in our houses over the last 30 years or so).

        Previous house here had so much rain from a T-storm that people were kayaking out front on the street. Bizarre.

    • pistoffnick

      I drove through a tornado!

      College Hill area (narrator’s note: there were NO fucking hills) of Wichita, Kansas.
      I drove my normal morning commute to work, but I couldn’t see a thing, even with the wipers on their fastest setting. I worked a full day, then drive back home. The strip mall on the other side of the overpass was GONE! A few bit of pink fiberglass. The rest…gone. Midas? Gone. The fabric store? Gone.

      I drove through a tornado!

  23. Tulip

    Birds and bees like my little fountain. It still doesn’t have algae even though it only runs when I am outside with it. That’s because I don’t want it to evaporate too much and wreck the pump. It, along with flowers, probably attracts lots of pollinators to my yard, so good for my vegetables.

  24. cyto

    Today in propaganda. Something weird.

    Ok, this one is unusual. For the first time in a couple of years, the kids had “Big City Greens” on. It is a reasonably funny kids cartoon from Disney.

    This episode was old, but new to me.

    In the episode, the family goat does not give milk. Daughter Tilly communes with the goat and diagnoses the problem. The goat has dried up and gives no milk because it is a Dog.

    She clarifies, she is a dog on the inside. Tilly then says they need to help the goat to realize her canine identity and help her feel like a dog on the outside like she is on the inside. So they enter her in the dog show. So she can show just how real her doghood is.

    It wasn’t really terrible. It was reasonably funny, actually. But the obvious message was obvious.

    • Not Adahn

      Did they all starve from the lack of milk?

    • rhywun

      Dogs don’t give milk?

      And, OFFS!

  25. Fourscore

    Happy for your Mom and you, Chafed.

    Now, if I wasn’t married…

    • Fourscore

      My widowed mother got remarried at about 70-75.

      When she announced her plans she looked at me very seriously and said “Oh, don’t worry, I’m not pregnant”

      I had a good stepfather that was good to my Mom.

  26. Not Adahn

    In the opposite way that The Boys has gone downhill, The Umbrella Academy is actually impressing me.

    Honestly, I didn’t realize how good of a show it was on first watching. In my defense, there’s no way I could have known. In S1, I thought 5 was just an unnecessarily unlikable prick, but rewatching it again after S2, this character portrayal makes perfect sense.

    UA does an excellent job of showing you what’s going on before they do The Big Reveal. In S1, I was wondering why 5 was using old-person Yiddish before they explained it. In S3, you could see the change in R.H. before they made a big deal out of it. Past season plot points turn out to be this season’s Chekov’s guns. Continuity has been excellent, with one scaly exception.

    • Mojeaux

      I bailed on it in episode 1, I think. I may revisit it. What is it on?

      • Not Adahn

        Netflix.

        It seems to be not to everyone’s liking, but it pushes lots of my buttons.

      • Not Adahn

        Oh, and disregard the dates, the show is OBVIOUSLY set in 1991.

      • Mojeaux

        I want another season of The Expanse. I want to be Crisjen when I grow up.

      • rhywun

        I paused the teevee version and picked up (the first three) books.

        Finally, arriving at about 50 pages into the second book this morning, Chrisjen makes her first appearance. I can’t wait to see what the writers had done with her.

      • Mojeaux

        Shit. I got rid of Netflix. Didn’t watch it enough to justify the price increase.

      • Tulip

        Me too.

      • Name's BEAM. James BEAM.

        Same. Got it for Longmire, but after that was done, couldn’t really see the point anymore.

      • TARDis

        I’m kind of bored with it. What buttons does it push? I’ll give some more time. But if it becomes anything about transgenderism, I’m out.

      • Not Adahn

        There is unfortunately a new “storyline” added transing Vanya. It’s a minor part of two episodes (and hopefully that’s the end of it).

      • TARDis

        I guess I’ll wait for some commentary.

      • Not Adahn

        She finds her gf (from s2)’s obituary, then notices a selection of hairstyles on a barber shop window. This gives her a revelation that she’s really a he. Then he tells the Hargreaves present that his name is Victor, and they are “ok.” Then Luther (who was not present for the meeting, having been held captive at the Sparrow Academy) wants to know who Victor is and is told. He wonders if he needs to throw a party to welcome Victor to the brotherhood. Diego says no, and Luther wants to know what Diego has against tiny sandwiches.

        So far, that’s been it.

      • TARDis

        Luther wants to know what Diego has against tiny sandwiches.

        That does it. I’m out.

      • Not Adahn

        It’s operatic, a bit strange, not sadistic.

  27. Tundra

    Chafed!

    Great topic. We all want that magic bullet to solve the deficiencies built into our lifestyle. I’ve been thinking about supplements lately. I take a number of them, but I really would like to eliminate most of them. Beyond the cost and dubious uptake, they enable me to be a little lazy about making sure I get a varied and thorough diet. Also, without frequent bloodwork it’s virtually impossible to determine efficacy. For me, I can say I “feel better”, but that’s uncomfortably close to RPE voodoo!

    I’m sure Tundra will drop in and extol their benefits so look for his dissertation in the comments.

    I laughed, but it’s true. You won’t get a dissertation from me though as the science is in its infancy. There is no question it is crazy important. More and more maladies are being traced to gut issues. Intuitively, it makes a ton of sense, but the sheer complexity of the gut flora, how it differs between peoples/regions, the use of antibiotics, urban living – the list never ends.

    There are a lot of probiotic/prebiotic products on the market – as is true with every health “discovery”. The challenge is that the producers are largely guessing at the “appropriate” composition. As ‘Splosives said above, most contain lactobacillus acidophilus at the very least. I think they are great for recovery, but I’m not convinced that they outperform dietary and environmental inputs. Fermented foods, at the very least, should be in everyone’s regimen. And don’t cry to me – I hate most of them too. Thank God for sauerkraut and yogurt. One really interesting thing I’ve read about is how much dirt/soil play an important role in bolstering gut flora.

    This is an interesting article about soil and gut health.

    Recent research data indicate that the modern lifestyle/environment is the most active driver in shaping the human intestinal microbiome despite the confounding influence of dietary habits, culture, and host genetics. The soil (rhizosphere) microbiota clearly influence the quality and storage of our food apart from the impact of post-harvest processing. In this context, more research is necessary to demonstrate how biodiversity of beneficial microbes in our food can be preserved. Furthermore, specific ways of agricultural practices, especially soil management, may improve the current food quality.

    Which of course leads us right back to how we raise and grow our food. But that’s rambling for another day.

    Good GlibFit week this week. I only lifted twice but got my lifts back to where they were before my couple Weeks of Doom. Did a wonderful 5.6 mile hike yesterday with a 1230 foot gain. I decided to start upping my pack weight, so I carried all the water and threw a five pound plate in to get the pack to 19 lbs. Gonna work up over the next few weeks and see what extra weight does for my hiking. Food is OK, beer isn’t so I still have a lot of work to do!

    Have a great week Glibfitters!

    • Chafed

      I knew you would come through.

  28. Tulip

    This is probably of interest. I still can’t decide.

    https://www.lumen.me

    • Not Adahn

      Middle Earth has their own top level domain?

      • Tulip

        I don’t get it.

      • Ted S.

        .me is a top-level Internet domain. The badly-dressed rat is joking that it stands for “Middle Earth”, although in fact it’s the TLD for Montenegro, who are making some money off the fact that some people in English-speaking countries find dot-me desirable.

        Other countries that have tried to monetize their Internet domain include Moldova (.md) and Tuvalu (.tv).

      • Not Adahn

        .me

  29. Ted S.

    So I started cleaning out my bedroom today in advance of getting the house on the market, and what do I find in the corner behind the bookcase that hasn’t been moved in decades?

    A rat snake.

    Unfortunately, the snake most decidedly did not want my help in getting it back outside. The screen in my window has a hole that’s normally plugged, so I took the cotton out, hoping the snake would find its way out.

    Four hours later, after dinner, the snake was stretched out along the window sill. I was more concerned about getting the snake outside than taking pictures, however.

    • Tulip

      I have no problem with such snakes as long as they stay outside and out of sight. I almost stepped on one a few weeks ago. *shudders*

      • Fourscore

        All the local snakes are good, eating the bugs/critters that would annoy me in the garden. Unfortunately we have too few.

      • R.J.

        “ All the local snakes are good eating”
        Was my initial read.

      • Not Adahn

        Granny and Jed agree.

      • MikeS

        I haven’t seen a garder snake around here in a couple decades. Not sure why.

      • Fourscore

        Same here, MikeS. Remember the big flying grasshoppers, that would fly ahead of you when you walked down a dirt road? Gone. The spotted green frogs (leopard frogs) ? Gone. We have no chipmunks around the wood piles. Gophers, yep, squirrels, yep, turkeys, yep.

      • MikeS

        We’ve had lots of ‘hoppers the last few years. But no frogs. However, toads have been fluctuating up and down with the moisture levels. Which is why I’m hesitant to blame the boogieman du jour of pesticides. No snakes, but lots of toads. I’m not sure what to make of it. Either Trump or Putin, I assume. Or Climate Crisis™.

        And pocket gophers. Holy shit the pocket gophers…little bastards.

  30. Tulip

    Relevant to post. My mom is over 90. She goes to exercise at least 3 days a week. Some in a local water park where they walk against the current then do water aerobics, and some at the community center where they do light weights and use chairs. She doesn’t have any chronic prescriptions. Right now her back is hurting, she went the doctor and has a temporary prescription. I only know because she can’t have alcohol while taking. She doesn’t take supplements. But, years ago, she read a book called “Strong Women Stay Young”, and has incorporated that into her life. She’s a role model.

    • Mojeaux

      You’ve spoken of her on Zoom and I think about her relatively frequently. I will pick up that book.

    • Tulip

      I expect and hope she will live to 100 based on good genes and good living. She and my dad had drink every evening. Just one. I never saw either drunk. Yet, CDC would classify both as heavy drinkers. These days, we have a cocktail together via phone once or else week. She doesn’t want to drink alone.

    • Tundra

      Amazing.

      Not to pump up Fourscore’s tires, but he is what I want to be. Never stop moving.

      • Tulip

        Oh, exactly. My dad was climbing on the roof in his late 80s to adjust the ham radio antenna. My mom called me wanting to make him stop. Which, yeah, right.

      • Tundra

        HAHA!

        Now I want to be Fourscore and your dad! What a stud!

    • Zwak, who counted all his blessings, and counted only one.

      Good for her! My mother, who will be 80 next year, does a lot of walking. Seems to do a body good. Simple, but constant.

      • Tulip

        She should add stretching and some weights, but don’t let the perfect be the enemy of good.

    • trshmnstr the terrible

      +2 more anecdata. My wife’s grandmother (89, I believe… Happy birthday to her today) and grandfather (92) live on a college campus and walk around the campus every day. Besides being a bit slower and a bit less sharp mentally, they’re in pretty good shape. Maybe not climbing on roofs, but he’s still painting (anybody who has seen the ship painting behind me on a zoom call, thats one of his) and she’s still doing aerobics and other activities at the community center.

      I prefer that end of life so much over my grandparents, all of whom (except one) are decrepit after decades behind a desk. The one who isn’t decrepit works part-time on his farm, felling timber and milling it into lumber. Not bad for a guy in his 80s.

      • Tulip

        This is why I want to retire sooner rather than later.

    • Fourscore

      We don’t know what part genetics play in this whole plan. My family on both sides generally were long lived, those that weren’t had smoking/alcohol related problems but still lived into their mid 70s. I’ve out lived all the men except for one uncle, he made 92. All were farm people, lived a more physical life.

      The incident a year ago has taken some wind from my sails but I’ll see y’all at HH.

  31. robc

    Daily Quordle 153
    4️⃣5️⃣
    3️⃣7️⃣

  32. Name's BEAM. James BEAM.

    My maternal grandfather died at 95. My maternal great-grandfather (once removed) lived to 104; he died falling off of the roof of the house he lived in, whilst replacing clay tiles on the roof.

    Legends. We’re all wimps today.

  33. TARDis

    Time to be evening Festus. Nighty-night, Glibs.

  34. The Hyperbole

    DAILY QUORDLE ROUNDUP™©®
    (The “Atta boys” Edition)
    #153

    Champs
    Gender Traitor 15
    TARDis 15

    Grosspatzer 18
    JG43 19
    Not Adahn 19
    robc 19
    Sean 20
    grrizzly 22
    Grummun 22
    one true athena 22
    The Hyperbole 22
    whiz 22
    Ted S. 23
    trshmnstr the terrible 23
    Dr. Fronkensteen 24
    Name’s BEAM. James BEAM 24
    QuordleBot 25
    SDF-7 26
    Tundra 26
    Cannoli 27

    Chump
    Tulip 29

    Other than the low turnout what a day! Two 15’s and nary a chump in sight. Hell the average score was damn near sub Tundra Line. I can only imagine how badly you people will disappoint me tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow Tourney the Sixth drops check my handle to see if you are entered and who you play. If you aren’t included and wish to be let me knoe but make it sharp like since the thing starts in less than four hours and I’ve been drinking.

    • Tulip

      I didn’t chump I just had a bad score.

      • The Hyperbole

        Yes, but for the DAILY QUORDLE ROUNDUP™©® the worst score is always counted as the chump of the day even if it isn’t a “chump” chump.

      • Tulip

        Sigh. I really suck at this.

      • The Hyperbole

        Look, you’re trying and that’s the important part.

      • Tulip

        I hate being patted on the head despite good intentions on your part.

      • Tulip

        *glares*

      • The Hyperbole

        I was hoping for a “Fuck you Hyperbole” but I’ll take the glare.

      • pistoffnick

        Fuck you Hyperbole!

        Better?

      • trshmnstr the terrible

        Sometimes I think a broad vocabulary can be a hindrance.

        There are 12k words that Quordle will let you put in. Only 2k are viable answers. I don’t know this for a fact (whiz may be able to figure this out), but I have a hunch that the 2k are the most commonly used words from the big list.

        I’ve never gone wrong by guessing the most obvious word.

      • The Hyperbole

        Do you remove words that have been used from QuordleBots options?

      • trshmnstr the terrible

        Nope, it goes off the full 2k list every time. There are pros and cons to removing those words (they could be the fastest way to the solution given a particular seed word).

      • MikeS

        Really? As the new cliché goes, Quordle favors the brave. I’ve found the “most obvious” word often isn’t correct.

      • MikeS

        Of course, “the most obvious” is entirely subjective.

      • rhywun

        I suspect the author would get a ton of angry feedback if he chose some of those words at the bottom of the 12,000.

      • MikeS

        There are 12k words that Quordle will let you put in. Only 2k are viable answers.

        Can you expand on this? Where did you learn this?

      • trshmnstr the terrible

        Quordle appears to be running off of the wordle wordlist. The wordle acceptable guess wordlist is known, as are every answer in order from day one. It’s all in the code that’s exposed publicly. People have pulled those lists together and hosted them on github and other places. The acceptable wordlist is roughly 12k words long. The list of answers (past, present, and future) is roughly 2k words long.

        I haven’t run into a situation where Quordle doesn’t pull from the wordle answer list, so I use that list as the dictionary for QuordleBot.

    • The Other Kevin

      Just did it, got a 23.

      • The Hyperbole

        That’s not helping us get the daily average under the Tundra Line.

    • MikeS

      You’re terrible (yes, worse than me) for missing scores. I got a 19.

      • The Hyperbole

        Did I mention that I’ve been drinking, and that I started early, like 2 am early (Wha Happen and CPRM can verify that)

        Also Nice, we are now Sub TL for the daily average.

    • Grumbletarian

      Crap, I actually forgot to post my score.

      • TARDis

        They will still put it on the sheet.

      • MikeS

        👆🏻

  35. The Late P Brooks

    Things that make you go “Huh”:

    A while ago, driving past the Blackfoot airport, I noticed an upside down airplane.

    • Urthona

      Perhaps the plane is right and it is the rest of us who are “upside down”.

      • Fourscore

        There ate times when I feel like that, for example, whenever I turn on the news.

    • SDF-7

      Quick, take a picture and make a stamp out of it! Gold, Jerry… gold!

  36. hayeksplosives

    I’m reluctant to add more abortion talk to the day, but one thing I learned when living in Europe and then reinforced since by conversations with Europeans is how vast the chasm is between the USA attitude to Down Syndrome kids (trisomy 21) and the European attitude.

    In Europe, if a pregnant woman is told the baby/fetus/embryo has Downs Syndrome, the mourning begins immediately as if she is told the baby will be stillborn. It’s taken for granted that the baby will be aborted. Mourning is ok, even a funeral in some families, but it’s most common not to talk about it.

    Europeans are fascinated by the fact that in the US, people with Downs Syndrome are valued and loved and generally accommodated in any way possible. Most of us know at least one person with Down Syndrome; I know one who’s “mosaic” meaning that not all cells are affected. She is able to live almost independently under her dad’s watchful eye, and has a great and clever sense of humor. On the far side of the spectrum, I know a man whose expression of Downs is so profound that he is nonverbal and will always be in a group home/institution. But he’s happy! Pure joy radiates.

    Europeans have asked me about that USA acceptance of Downs folks and they seem to think it’s neat, but kind of in the “Aw, you adopted a blind cat”
    Or “three legged dog” sense.

    Are Europeans that much more cynical? Are we Americans naive? My life has been improved by the 6 folks with Downs Syndrome I’ve been privileged to know/ I can’t fathom abortion being the default:

    Is the fact that belief in God is more prevalent in the USA than it is in Europe related?

    • trshmnstr the terrible

      I spent enough time volunteering with the Special Olympics to develop a love for kids with Downs Syndrome and other developmental disabilities. People tend to hate or pity what is different. However, after watching a person with a mental age of 5 dig deep and pour effort into winning a swimming race, it was plainly apparent that, despite their challenges, those kids weren’t all that different from me.

      I find killing Downs kids to be particularly saddening and an admission of deep seated vanity by the parents. If they can’t have their three sport varsity lifestyle accessory, they’ll just kill it and try again.

    • Tundra

      Good questions.

      I’ve been fortunate to know many, many Down’s people throughout my life. When I was a kid, my mom ran the SE for our church, so I was there all the time. My wife worked in the SE department at the high school for years. I spent more than ten years at a gym where the cleaning crew were “special needs.” I dug them all. The idea of killing them off is repellant.

      Part of being a wildly prosperous society is the opportunity to (voluntarily) bring others along.

    • Mustang

      I think there’s a lot to be said about a person/society and how they treat the most innocent or helpless among them. It likely is influenced by religion.

      We’re all human beings and the same libertarian principles apply. Aborting someone just because they will have Downs Syndrome is eugenics, pure and simple.

    • DEG

      America is more religious and more prosperous.

      Jacques Delacroix, who used to write for Liberty in its print days, wrote a memoir about growing up in France and coming to America. One of the things he noticed and liked about America was American’s generosity. He first noticed this with restaurants that would give you free water, with ice! In France, that would never happen, you’d get charged. Prosperity allows that generosity.

      • Sean

        Mornin.

    • TARDis

      Is the fact that belief in God is more prevalent in the USA than it is in Europe related?

      My faithless German aunt and uncle put their kid up for adoption because one-leg was significantly shorter than the other. I never met him. It was just something my mother told me.

  37. Ownbestenemy

    Watching Revolution over. Good promising show that just fell apart with weird magic electrical stuff.

    • rhywun

      *googles*

      Never heard of it. I’d blame streaming which I don’t do but seems like it was on NBC lol.

      • Ownbestenemy

        Plays a lot on the hunger games craze and Fallout post apocalyptic world..

        But it has beta male Giancarlo Esposito turned asshole commander of a militia.

      • rhywun

        I’m a complete sucker for post-apocalypse porn. Their advertising campaign must have been sorely lacking.

      • Sean

        8 years ago? I don’t recall this one.

        I remember Aftermath though…*shudders*

  38. DEG

    Mornin’ all. Gym time.

    • Stinky Wizzleteats

      Sure, why not? You may as well embrace the world getting stupider.

  39. Tulip

    Daily Quordle 154
    4️⃣3️⃣
    6️⃣7️⃣
    quordle.com

    • SDF-7

      Daily Quordle 154
      3️⃣7️⃣
      6️⃣8️⃣

  40. Gender Traitor

    Good morning, Tulip, Stinky, Sean, and DEG (in absentia, or, rather, in gymnasium)!

    Only predicted to top out at a downright temperate 77 degrees today! No payroll this week, and the only month-end reports I can work on before Friday will be this month’s charged off loans (if Collections sends me the info) or any recoveries we’ve received on such loans. Other than that, we have one new hire starting today for me to enter into the payroll system…assuming the person shows up. With any luck, a quiet week (at least until Friday.) I wish all of you the same!

    • UnCivilServant

      Good morning GT.

      I am trying to figure out how to respond to the HR drone who told me we are not permitted to use the candidates’ resumes when determining who we are going to interview. It’s just so phenominalliy stupid that every time I try to compose a response I end up very quickly in “Cathartic Rant that achieves nothing” territory.

      • SDF-7

        What are you supposed to be using — their social credit score (as determined by our “friends” in the CCP)?

      • UnCivilServant

        We’re supposed to be using the ‘Form 2’ which the vendor fills out asserting the candidate has experience that the candidate outright says they do not have in their resume. If we are just blindly accepting whatever the vendor asserts, why am I even expected to score them? Why not just interview everyone, wasting everyone’s time?

      • SDF-7

        :headdesk:

      • l0b0t

        Obvious question is obvious.

        Isn’t that the only reason for resumes to exist?

      • rhywun

        Yeah, I don’t get it.

      • Gender Traitor

        Wait – WHAT???

        Well, I know you’re not allowed to use a picture of them. I could even see you not being allowed to know their names until you make a selection, in case their names give a hint as to their gender or (perish the thought) their ethnicity. Are you supposed to pick an non-identifying number out of a hat??

      • UnCivilServant

        No, it seems we’re supposed to uncritically accept whatever claims their vendor makes about their experience. We are allowed to revise their scores after the interview, and the lack of experience always comes out at interview, so I don’t get why I’m expected to waste my time, the candidates’ times and the time of my coworkers who’ll be on the interview with me by bringing in people who very clearly don’t have the skills needed just because the vendor asserts otherwise.

      • Gender Traitor

        Invite HR Harpy to sit in on each and every time-wasting exercise in futility? (Maybe best not to add “because it sure looks as if you could the exercise.”)

      • UnCivilServant

        I have no means of making HR Drone do anything. He would simply decline, as the interview is the program area’s responsibility.

      • Grosspatzer

        Wait, what?

        Does HR provide an approved dart board?

      • UnCivilServant

        That would violate the workplace weapons policy.

    • TARDis

      Hey Champ! *high fives*

      Did you like using my primary seed word? 🙂

      • Gender Traitor

        Hey, TARDy! Well, I was looking for something with as many vowels as possible, and there happens to be a lot of stuff around the house to remind me of that one. 😁

      • UnCivilServant

        AEIOU… What do you mean that’s not a word?

      • Gender Traitor

        But can you get them all out in one belch? (I bet with Mountain Dew you can!) Extra points if you also get out “and sometimes Y”!

      • SDF-7

        I know of one being who certainly could….

      • TARDis

        I was looking for something with as many vowels as possible

        My basic strategery too. I usually follow up with PESKY to get the E and the Y. Unless there is some good placement for the other words like yesterday. Then I satrt chasing.

    • Gender Traitor

      In other extremely local news, the replacement stylus for my phone (the original one having popped out at some point when I dropped the phone) is allegedly going to be delivered today! Thank goodness – I was getting sick of my phone constantly nagging me that “Your pen is far away.”

      • UnCivilServant

        So instead of a Pen and a Phone, you just have a phone?

      • UnCivilServant

        Wait, shouldn’t the stylus just be a piece of plastic? How does it know it’s too far away?

      • Gender Traitor

        There’s a hole in the bottom of the phone up which the stylus is supposed to slide and be held in place until you push the end to release it. Maybe the phone can tell it’s empty?

      • trshmnstr the terrible

        The fancy ones have rudimentary electronics inside. For example, a pressure sensor and a button.

      • Gender Traitor

        Pretty much. And I’m also getting sick of my chubby little fingertips (I don’t even try with my club thumbs!) hitting the wrong letters on the touchscreen keypad when I try to type texts or e-mails. I miss my old phone with the really truly physical keypad. 😞

  41. Grosspatzer

    Mornin’, reprobates!

    • Gender Traitor

      Good morning, ‘patzie! How’s things in your little Paradise-on-Earth?

      • Grosspatzer

        Super! Except I need to pay a visit to the torture chamber dentist later. Congrats to the champ, 15???

      • Gender Traitor

        Yeah, my regular dentist appointment is first thing tomorrow morning. And Thursday I take my beloved Subie in for her 60K-mile service. THAT’S the one that’s going to hurt…my wallet. 😖

  42. Yusef drives a Kia

    Howdy all you miscreants out there!
    how’s things?

    • Gender Traitor

      Good morning, Yu! For today, anyway, it’s a lovely day Down South here! How about in your neck of the North Woods?

      • Yusef drives a Kia

        Blue and green!
        Covfefe!

  43. Grosspatzer

    Daily Quordle 154
    6️⃣3️⃣
    7️⃣4️⃣
    quordle.com

    • Not Adahn

      Daily Quordle 154
      3️⃣5️⃣
      4️⃣7️⃣

      • The Hyperbole

        4️⃣6️⃣
        7️⃣8️⃣

    • Sean

      Daily Quordle 154
      3️⃣5️⃣
      6️⃣7️⃣
      quordle.com

  44. Grosspatzer

    Tired of your current job? NJ has something that may interest you.

    https://patch.com/new-jersey/collingswood/catastrophic-shortage-judges-has-severe-consequences-experts-say

    “There are 75 vacancies on the trial court bench — 75 out of 433 trial court positions. That’s the highest level of vacancies in the history of the state judiciary,” New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said in a May 20 speech to the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA). “That number should be no higher than 25 or 30 for the Judiciary to be able to best serve the public.”

    I believe I would be quite fetching in a Black robe. I wonder if a resume is required.

    • UnCivilServant

      Naw, they’re probably not allowed to look at your resume.

      But a hefty bribe to the appointing official might be needed.

      • Sean

        I got tree fiddy.

    • Gender Traitor

      Required? If NJ is anything like NY, it’s not even allowed!

    • Not Adahn

      Can I Judge From Home? They could put up a big ominous monitor in the courtroom for my scowling face.

    • TARDis

      Do you have to know, and be approved by Soros?

    • rhywun

      The Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees those in the United States facing criminal charges “the right speedy and public trial.”

      How quaint.

      • Grosspatzer

        Those old white guys didn’t anticipate armed insurrectionists at their doorsteps.

    • Fourscore

      Judging is easy. Defendant wouldn’t be there is he/she wasn’t guilty.

      Now, just to hit the spinning arrow for a sentence. Maybe an electronic one and the defendant can take a chance and hit the “Stop” button themselves.
      Sounds fair

  45. Fourscore

    Morning, GT, G’pat’, Yusef and all our other friends,

    Sunshine and a cuppa coffee, if this ain’t heaven I don’t want to go.

    • Gender Traitor

      Good morning, 4(20)!

      Inorite??? How can it get any better than that??

  46. trshmnstr the terrible

    I have an interview with a fintech company today. This is the first job listing without any red flags that I’ve seen in a while. Hopefully it’s a good fit.

    • UnCivilServant

      Good luck.

      I’m going to restrain my pessimism. Hope it is as free of issues as it appears.

    • slumbrew

      Good luck!

    • Grosspatzer

      Good luck!