Stoic Friday

by | Jan 13, 2023 | Advice, LifeSkills, Musings | 191 comments

LUCIUS ANNAEUS SENECA was born at Cordoba, in Roman Spain, at about the same time as Christ.

Seneca suffered severely from ill health, particularly asthma, throughout his life; he tells us that at one time the only thing which held him back from committing suicide was the thought of his father’s inability to bear the loss.

After studying to be a lawyer, he became a governmental official. After becoming a leading speaker in the Senate, he did something to enrage the Emperor, Caligula, enough for him to order Seneca’s execution. Caligula relented after being told Seneca had tuberculosis and would not live much longer.

After Caligula was assassinated and Claudius became Emperor in41 AD, Seneca once again did something the Emperor did not approve of and he was banished to the island of Corsica. In 49 he was recalled to Rome to be Nero’s tutor. Nero was 12 at this time and Seneca remained his tutor even after Nero became Emperor in 54. The first 5 years of Nero’s reign were known for good governance. It is believed during this time Nero took little interest in ruling and Seneca and an army officer named Burrus.

 

Later as Nero began to listen to other advisors while starting to be the Emperor in fact and not just name, the government was building huge vanity projects and living extravagantly.

 

Looking on Wikipedia, this line made me laugh:

Modern historians, though, note that the period was riddled with deflation and that it is likely that Nero’s spending came in the form of public-works projects and charity intended to ease economic troubles.

Nothing outside the narrative, even from 2,000 some years ago.

Anyway, back to Seneca, after Burrus’s death in 62, Seneca was forced to retire. During this time on his estate, he put together the collection of letters he wrote to Lucilius Junior, an official in Sicily. These letters explain some of the thought process that goes into being a Stoic.

In 65 there was a conspiracy to assassinate Nero, After it was found out the men were captured. While being interrogated one of the men named Seneca as being involved. Nero ordered Seneca to take his own life.

Seneca cut multiple veins, supposedly telling his distraught friends:

“Where,” he asked again and again, “are your maxims of philosophy, or the preparation of so many years’ study against evils to come? Who knew not Nero’s cruelty? After a mother’s and a brother’s murder, nothing remains but to add the destruction of a guardian and a tutor.”

When he didn’t bleed as quickly as he thought he would, he went into a warm bath to speed the flow.

Was Seneca a perfect Stoic in his life? Many of his political opponents called him out for his hypocrisy of teaching an austere lifestyle while being one of the richest men in Rome. He was also accused of infidelity with a few women and that is a probable reason for his multiple banishments.

Regardless of whether or not he was a perfect practitioner, there is a lot to learn from his letters.

 

In Discursiveness in Reading: In this he talks about not randomly jumping from topic to topic without focusing enough to actually learn or improve yourself by concentrating on a specific subject or author. At the end he reminds Lucilius that if you have enough, you do not live in poverty, even if you have very little.

 

On True and False Friendship: This one starts with him asking Lucilius about a man Lucilius referred to as a “friend” in a letter, but in the next sentence he was warning Seneca not to discuss important private matters with this “friend”. Seneca is confused by this, because if the man is a true friend you should not have to worry about what you say in front of him. He advises Lucilius to judge a man before making him a friend, and once you have sufficiently discerned the true character, you won’t have to worry about them knowing your secrets. I agree with this and it is part of the reason I don’t have many friends. I will willingly help anyone I know, but very few am I comfortable really talking to.

 

On the Philosopher’s Mean: Seneca starts by being pleased Lucilius is studying philosophy and encourages him to keep at it. He warns Lucilius that studying to be conspicuous and not to improve is something to be avoided. It is more important to be a strong person on the inside than it is to make sure everyone knows you are not the same as a common man. He finishes by reminding Lucilius not to get too hung up on hope, nor too stressed by fear, and he says they are related because they are both things caused by people looking too far ahead and trying to influence things they have no control over. I try to follow this to a point, but I am a bit of a weirdo. Sometimes I say things and people look at me funny, but I do not try to make sure everyone knows I have an internal philosophy I follow that they do not agree with.

 

On Sharing Knowledge: Here Seneca is please with his own progress even as he admits that this progress helps him to see his faults clearer. He then tells Lucilius that because he is very happy with his own progress, he will derive great joy from helping Lucilius improve himself. To do this, he is sending Lucilius books with pertinent parts notated. He also says it is a great help in self improvement to be among others that are working towards the same goals. I try to give advice where I can and my wife has asked a few times on how to deal with some family drama back in Okinawa. She told me that what I said was probably correct, but the rest of her family would not want to hear it.

 

On Crowds: Although Seneca did say that it was not important to be conspicuous about being a Stoic, here he warns Lucilius not to spend too much time with the crowd at the gladiatorial games, because doing so is a bad influence on your character. He says instead to find people that improve you and look for those that you can help improve. Preaching to the crowd would be a waste of time, since most people do not desire to improve themselves. He ends by reminding Lucilius that the learning process is good, even if only you benefit from it. I don’t let outside people influence me in the wrong way. I am glad I found this website and hope that my efforts here hel some of you improve yourselves along with me. Like Seneca I am pleased with my progress, even though it really has shown me I still have a long way to go.

 

I think that’s long enough for one article, I will revisit these letters and complete the book at a later date.

Music this week is Volbeat

The first line describes every Glibs meetup I have been to:

 

This is the first song I heard of theirs:

Probably my favorite from them:

 

 

 

About The Author

ron73440

ron73440

What I told my wife when she said my steel Baby Eagle .45 was heavy, "Heavy is good, heavy is reliable, if it doesn't work you could always hit him with it."-Boris the Blade MOLON LABE

191 Comments

  1. UnCivilServant

    Seneca is one of those Romans I have trouble talking about, along with Cicero. Not for any rational reason, but because these were the names of towns around where I grew up and my mind first goes to the town instead of the Roman.

    • robc

      I (along with Diane Sawyer and Wes Unseld, although not at same time as them) went to Seneca High School. It was named for the Indian tribe, as I assume the town in NY is. So I have the same issue.

      • UnCivilServant

        I can’t be 100% sure, because we had towns named Manlius, Cincinnatus, Marcellus, Camillus, Cato, Lysander, Hannibal, Fabius, etc, etc

      • robc

        From hopping around wikipedia for a few minutes, it looks like the tribe is the source of the name via the river and lake.

      • UnCivilServant

        Can you really trust Wikipedia?

        I want to know how the Seneca people came by that name, as it’s not what they called themselves.

  2. DEG

    Regardless of whether or not he was a perfect practitioner, there is a lot to learn from his letters.

    Nuance? Nuance? Finding good in something? Well, I never.

    Seriously, thanks Ron.

    This week has been up and down. The downs have tested my stoicism and found it wanting.

    • robc

      Same can be said for Thomas Jefferson.

      And everyone else.

      • Sensei

        Wong. Owned slaves. Next!

      • Hyperion

        Yes, and that magically wipes out anything good the guy did. He could have wiped out world hunger and all diseases and then freed the slaves. But he hath sinned and there is not forgiveness for these sinners. It’s totally not a religion.

      • creech

        Every dang one of us alive today is descended from both enslavers and enslaved..

    • ron73440

      Hope it gets better.

  3. Timeloose

    “He says instead to find people that improve you and look for those that you can help improve“

    This is a great way to live life and interact with others. I try to follow this approach to friends and acquaintances.

    Some people in my life don’t fall into this container, but most of my good close friends do.

  4. The Late P Brooks


    I can’t be 100% sure, because we had towns named Manlius, Cincinnatus, Marcellus, Camillus, Cato, Lysander, Hannibal, Fabius, etc, etc

    Exactly the sort of names a bunch of sodbusters would come up with.

    • UnCivilServant

      I suspect they date back to a colonial land survey and a guy who liked classical history. Same reason we have cities named Syracuse, Ithaca, Utica, Rome, etc.

      • Ted S.

        I think my favorite classical figure was Skaneateles. 😉

    • Drake

      Maybe back when kids learned unwoke things in school.

  5. The Late P Brooks

    It is more important to be a strong person on the inside than it is to make sure everyone knows you are not the same as a common man.

    I try not to give a shit what other people think of me. I’m pretty successful.

    • ron73440

      I try not to give a shit what other people think of me. I’m pretty successful.

      I’m not good at many things, but I am an expert at this.

  6. Hyperion

    But I don’t want to be a stoic, not enough drugs. And alcohol was a bad expriment.

    The Long March

    Yeah, you got that right, but not the date. This didn’t start in the 60s, it started around 1920 after the Bolshevik Revolution. It takes more than 50 years to do that much damage, but 100 years seems to work quite well.

    • juris imprudent

      Bah! In the 20s it was John Dewey. He had nothing to do with Marx or the Bolsheviks. Before that it was Mann importing the Prussian education model.

    • Gustave Lytton

      DIE efforts and staffing aren’t (at least initially) because organizations want to indoctrinate their people. It’s ass covering in response to risks. Good luck to them, but I see big payouts in the future.

  7. Fourscore

    This has been the worst week of my life. A personal loss.

    “We laugh together but we grieve alone”

    • Fourscore

      We laughed together but I grieve alone

    • MikeS

      Very sorry to hear that, Fourscore. If there’s anything I can do, let me know.

      • Fourscore

        Thanks, MikeS, but I must grieve alone

        All things will pass

      • mindyourbusiness

        True. Try to remember the good times you had with each other. It may not be enough, but it helps.

    • Hyperion

      It’s because we’ve been dispersed like we have. My wife and I are all alone, nearest children is one of mine who only lives about 750 miles away, all of hers 4500 miles. No friends near. But we have internet.

      Wife is watching a series about the Vikings in Greenland. Back then it was easier. If someone was sad, you just fire up the Longhouse and draw the strong Mead. Everyone joins in because no TV or internets.

    • Hyperion

      Sorry to hear about your loss.

    • Sean

      Sorry to hear, Fourscore.

    • Nephilium

      Shared pain is lessened, shared joy, increased. Thus do we refute entropy.

      –Spider Robinson

      • R.J.

        Well said. We are always here to listen.

    • Mojeaux

      I am so sorry Fourscore.

    • Scruffy Nerfherder

      My condolences

    • DEG

      Sorry Fourscore.

    • The Other Kevin

      Sorry Fourscore.

    • Tundra

      So sorry, Fourscore.

      You know how to find us.

    • Q Continuum

      Condolences 4×20.

    • Gender Traitor

      ::e-hugs 4(20)::

      • Sensei

        +1

    • Animal

      Sorry to see this, Fourscore. Please reach out if there is anything we can do to help.

      • Fourscore

        Thanks to all for your support. It’s something that I must deal with, the pain will ebb. In a few months, by HH time I will have come to grips with the reality that things are never going to be the same. In the meantime life will go on.

    • The Gunslinger

      So sorry to hear that Fourscore.

    • ron73440

      Sorry to hear that.

      We would grieve with you if we could.

    • Grosspatzer

      Sorry to hear that, 4×20. I am told that time heals all wounds. I’m not sure about that, but I hope it will help.

    • KK the Porcine Pearl-Eater

      So sorry 4×20.

    • grrizzly

      I’m so sorry, Fourscore.

    • Timeloose

      Very sorry Fourscore.

  8. kinnath

    Daily Quordle 354
    6️⃣3️⃣
    4️⃣8️⃣

    started out so promising

  9. Mojeaux

    On sharing knowledge. I have lots to say about that but can’t right now as I am at my therapist’s office.

    • R C Dean

      This is my therapist’s office.

      • UnCivilServant

        Speaking of.

        You have a backlog of unpaid invoices for past sessions.

      • Scruffy Nerfherder

        So, how does Glibs make you feel?

      • Q Continuum

        Like a toothy blow job.

    • Gustave Lytton

      Good luck Moj.

      I have an appointment next week and it has me uneasy. Too much overthinking.

      • juris imprudent

        You won’t know right away if you have the right one, but you’ll probably know pretty quick if it’s the wrong one.

      • Q Continuum

        Just remember, YOU’RE the one paying. So if you don’t think it’s a good fit and/or you’re not getting anything out of it you can walk away. Also, you don’t need to feel guilty or weird about it because, again, you’re paying and it’s the therapist’s job.

      • slumbrew

        Yep, this. And what JI wrote.

      • Tundra

        Good luck to both of you.

      • Gender Traitor

        Too much overthinking.

        🎶If you’re happy and you know it, overthink.
        If you’re happy and you know it, overthink.
        If you’re happy and you know it and you really want to blow it,
        If you’re happy and you know it, overthink.🎶

      • Mojeaux

        I was resistant for a long time because I didn’t want to go “therapist shopping.” The one I got for my son turned out to be…not good, so I didn’t trust him for anything else, either. I contacted a place that asked you to fill out a questionnaire to try to match you with one of their therapists. It turned out great. I really love mine and I didn’t have to “therapist shop.”

        Mine also does EMDR.

      • Gustave Lytton

        I have been reluctant also because (I’ve told myself) I can deal with my problems. My unease have to do with unsure if it will help, unknown of what’s ahead, and the warning disclaimers on the intake packet. I don’t like to talk about myself and the thought of spending an hour doing so gets my back up.

      • Mojeaux

        It’s frightening and non-fun to delve into the corners of your mind that you’d rather leave untouched. BUT! You also eventually get to slough off the dross.

      • juris imprudent

        Will affirm, not fun, absolutely worth it.

    • DEG

      Best wishes Mojeaux

      • Mojeaux

        Thanks. I’ve been going to her for a while now. Very, very much needed. I need a masseuse slightly less, but insurance doesn’t pay for that.

  10. juris imprudent

    Preaching to the crowd would be a waste of time, since most people do not desire to improve themselves.

    The more things change…

  11. Stillhunter

    Hypothetically, if a married couple (not yet 59 1/2) making roughly 100k/yr takes an IRA distribution of roughly 50k, would the IRS likely charge a penalty for not withholding anything at the time of distribution? If so, what would be a good number to withhold to avoid said penalty and maximize cash available for short term investments or use? Fully realizing more taxes may be due at end of year.

    • Tundra

      Fuck. I hate word problems.

      • Stillhunter

        Why do you think I’m posting it?!

      • UnCivilServant

        Because a real accountant costs money?

      • Stillhunter

        I could ask a professional I worked with previously and get an answer for free, but I’m not interested in getting a lecture. Besides, this is all hypothetical

      • Tundra

        To give me flashbacks to grade school?

      • JaimeRoberto (carnitas/spicy salsa)

        It depends on what time the train left the station.

    • Drake

      I keep hearing about back-door (phrasing) Roth IRA tax loophole, but haven’t done it yet.

      • juris imprudent

        I’ll be doing conversions the next 4 or 5 years, as tax circumstances dictate (i.e. staying in the 12% bracket). Upon conversion, pay the tax, then eventually withdraw tax free.

      • slumbrew

        I’m fortunate that my Fidelity plan can do that automatically – I just add $x post-tax dollars to my 401k and they automatically roll that into the roth for me.

      • slumbrew

        I should qualify – this is ‘back door’ in the sense that I would not otherwise qualify for a Roth.

    • Gustave Lytton

      Probably not as long as you withheld 90% of last year’s taxes and owed less than $1000 at April 15.

      See https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc306

      Generally, the withholding should be your effective tax rate plus the 10% early withdrawal penalty for under 59.5 unless you have a qualifying exception. Keep in mind you’d probably be in a higher tax bracket and higher tax rate.

      • Gustave Lytton

        And then there’s the question if the payee will release the funds without withholding or applies their own formula. That can be an issue because if you end up rolling into a tax sheltered account, you have to pay the difference or it’s charged as a penalty withdrawal.

    • juris imprudent

      Ballpark? 15% – you’re either a little over (for the 12% bracket – which your hypothetical is probably in) or a little under (but not penalty-level, for the 22% bracket).

    • creech

      Not enough info on your situation.

    • Stillhunter

      Thanks all. Very helpful.

    • R C Dean

      Do it as a loan, if your plan allows.

      You’re going to pay a penalty anyway for taking an early distribution. Why not avoid the headache of fussing with the IRS, and potentially catching another penalty for not withholding? I would be somewhat surprised if the plan administrator doesn’t automatically do the withholding anyway.

  12. Tundra

    He warns Lucilius that studying to be conspicuous and not to improve is something to be avoided.

    Hipsters hardest hit.

    Thanks, Ron! Some interesting history and Seneca is one of my faves.

    The first line describes every Glibs meetup I have been to:

    Accurate.

    • ron73440

      The first line describes every Glibs meetup I have been to:

      Accurate.

      At least we’re not alone.

  13. Q Continuum

    OT: Reading about Garland appointing the special prosecutor I can only think that this is their ploy to, if not oust then at least prevent him from running for a second term, Biden. The DNC power brokers know that he’s too infirm to run again; hell he’ll be lucky to finish this term. HOWEVER, with power hungry Dr. Jill Ed.D pushing him to go for another term, they’ve gotta get rid of him somehow and they can’t do a messy primary since that’ll essentially guarantee a loss.

    So they have a golden opportunity to continue attacking Trump (their favorite hobby), kneecap Biden’s second term ambitions *and* take moral high ground of “we’re applying the law equally! See, the DoJ is COMPLETELY free of bias!”

      • juris imprudent

        The no-harm, no-foul is most likely if they can’t make anything really stick to Trump, and I don’t think they can. Espionage Act is a ridiculous over-reach. It is mostly a tar and feather job, not a real criminal matter. That doesn’t mean that Q is entirely wrong that they aren’t trying to dump Biden. The interesting question is exactly who in the party is calling this shot.

      • R.J.

        And there in lies the rub.
        1 Quatoo says this is bumbling moronity that accidentally spilled into the papers and has nothing to do with getting rid of Biden.

      • creech

        Funny, isn’t it, that we don’t know who controls Biden. There was lots of coverage of Trump’s inner circle, of Cheney controlling Bush, and even back to the “brain trusts” of FDR, JFK, Ike, etc.

    • The Other Kevin

      Sounds about right. Those who expected them to dump Biden predicted right now as the right time for them to do it. On that last point, I’m seeing a few things that make me think the deep state’s getting a little warm and they’re trying to at least make it look like they’re still trustworthy. For example, the other day there was an article about the FDA criticizing Moderna’s latest vax testing.

      I used to think twice when something sounded like a conspiracy theory, now I’m inclined to not only believe it, but assume reality is 10x worse.

      • ron73440

        I used to think twice when something sounded like a conspiracy theory, now I’m inclined to not only believe it, but assume reality is 10x worse.

        I’ve come to the same realization: No matter how bad you think it is, or how much you think you’re being lied to, it worse than that.

    • Gustave Lytton

      I love how the possibility of classified documents justifies a warrant and raid to search for them but the actual admission of classified documents is merely accepted without additional searching other than by Biden’s employees.

      • The Other Kevin

        That’s because Joe Biden is honest, and Trump isn’t.
        /Wish I was kidding, this is actually a talking point

      • creech

        Of course he is responsible. As president, he failed to rescue classified documents mislaid by his predecessors. Also, he is responsible for tax fraud because one of the caddies at Trump National failed to declare a sleeve of golf balls given him by a grateful golfer.

      • The Other Kevin

        Don’t forget the rooms at his hotel used by foreign dignitaries! /Faints

    • Drake

      But it’s free!

      • Q Continuum

        something something you get what you pay for something

    • Tundra

      I don’t think I could remain stoic. Fucking murderers.

      • Q Continuum

        I love the whole “well she only had a 1% chance of survival anyway so it’s not our fault!” defense they used. Ummmm…. she only had a 1% chance of survival because you let her sit in the fucking ER all damn day while getting progressively worse. Maybe, just MAYBE, if you’d looked at her when she got in, the situation wouldn’t have been so hopeless.

        Then again, just think of how much money you could save if you took that approach with everything!

        Tundra: “Hey doc, I’ve got this cough. I think I might have a minor lung infection. Could you take a look?”
        Tundra’s Doc: “Take a number, we’ll get to it when we get to it.”

        3 months later

        Tundra’s Doc: “OK, what do we have here? Oh shit! You have a severe lung infection that’s become extreme double pneumonia! Well, it’s too advanced now to bother treating. Let me refer you to the suicide clinic down the street.”

      • Scruffy Nerfherder

        You’re describing the entire medical industry’s approach to COVID.

        Go home and get sicker. Call us when you’re about to die.

      • Tundra

        Seems kind of risky.

        “Tell you what, Doc – let’s go together!”

      • Sensei

        If it’s like most places with socialized medicine getting a malpractice judgement is well nigh impossible.

        Clearing that hurdle you get a paltry settlement.

    • juris imprudent

      Are we really sure they didn’t euthanize her?

    • Sensei

      Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, hosted the press conference and outlined a seven-point plan to address the situation, CTV News reported.

      Problem solved.

      • Scruffy Nerfherder

        SEVEN points… SEVEN!

      • Q Continuum

        We’ll stand up a committee!

      • UnCivilServant

        The standing committee on committees has rejected your proposed committee unless you can provide additional funding and revenue offsets. These must first be approved by the committee on committee revenues, and the treasurer’s special committee. Also, it was noted that your request lacked approval by the committee request committee and the calendar committee’s subcommittee on scheduling approval requests.

      • slumbrew

        You weren’t kidding about working for the government.

      • juris imprudent

        [taps side of nose]

      • Gustave Lytton

        I hear this in both Sir Humphrey’s and Bernard’s voices.

      • Grosspatzer

        Piker. Wilson had 14 points, the Canuckistanis have some catching up to do.

    • Fatty Bolger

      Related: ‘Shocked’ family says Cape Breton woman died after leaving busy emergency department

      By The Canadian Press Thu., Jan. 12, 2023 SYDNEY, N.S. – The family of a Nova Scotia woman says she died at home after waiting seven hours without seeing a doctor and deciding to leave the emergency department.

      Katherine Snow said her mother-in-law, Charlene Snow, went to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital on the afternoon of Dec. 30 with jaw pain and flu-like symptoms and was triaged by a nurse.

      She said the 67-year-old left the hospital after giving up on seeing a doctor and assuming she would have better luck the next morning at a nearby urgent treatment clinic.

      However, Snow said her mother-in-law had a heart attack and died at about 9:45 p.m., about an hour after returning to her house in Donkin, N.S., about 30 kilometres east of the hospital in Sydney.

    • JaimeRoberto (carnitas/spicy salsa)

      That’s one way to shorten the waiting list.

    • The Other Kevin

      I want a job where I can wear a jump suit like that. RIP.

      • slumbrew

        Nobody’s stopping you from rocking a jump suit. Do it.

      • The Other Kevin

        Know a good tailor?

      • The Other Kevin

        Black leather with stars and stripes, and a “TOK” belt buckle. *chef’s kiss*

      • slumbrew

        Hell yes.

      • Nephilium

        Dress for the job you want, not the job you have!

      • Gender Traitor

        … which is why Mr. Ilium is sitting in HR in a Spiderman costume./stolen joke

      • Nephilium

        Always be yourself. Unless…

      • ron73440

        Sir, this is a Wendy’s.

      • Name's BEAM. James BEAM.

        Stealing this.

    • Michael Malaise

      Lisa Marie Presley
      Robbie Kneivel
      ?????

      I suppose it’s not good to be the lesser (but still rather young) child of an icon right now.

      • Mojeaux

        Jeff Beck.

      • KK the Porcine Pearl-Eater

        Jeff Beck

      • juris imprudent

        Umm, he kinda went a different direction than the standard 3 celebs.

    • Tundra

      Does it ever go right?

      • The Other Kevin

        For a few nights, sure.

      • Scruffy Nerfherder

        For about five minutes, maybe longer if you use a fake name and address.

      • juris imprudent

        Ask Max Schulman!

  14. UnCivilServant

    17 minutes until the end of the workday.

    *slumps*

    • R.J.

      Yep. Out at 2:30. Longest day ever. I am also leaving unfinished tasks. I hate that.

  15. Mojeaux

    Sharing knowledge and shades of awful people who give good advice.

    When I was 18, I got into martial arts and the owner of the dojo was a quite charismatic person who, well, took advantage of that charisma in various ways. I get along in my studies quite a few belts up, and I start giving private lessons, except…I don’t charge for them. Bobby found out and said, “You never ever give up information without getting paid for it. You put time, money, blood, sweat, and tears to get that information.” I was confused. “But…knowledge should be shared.” He looked at me pityingly.

    There were other things I learned in that dojo that had nothing to do with martial arts and everything to do with business, opportunity (not taking it), what should and should not be free, how to spot a snake in the grass, and when you’re miserable, figure out why and stop doing that thing.

    Here I am, 36 years later, still chewing on that tidbit. That may have been my first step to libertarianism.

    • Gender Traitor

      …took advantage of that charisma in various ways.

      Plot of your next novel?*😉

      *Yes, I know you claim to be done with that, but never say never!

      • Mojeaux

        Greg Sitkaris.* Although our intrepid protagonists are not fooled, lots of other people are.

        I also patterned Rafael after him a little bit (which was one reason Rafael had to die).

        *I forgot the character’s last name. You’d think I’d remember, since I wrote him.

      • Gender Traitor

        Greg Sitkaris.

        ::consults Nook to confirm suspicions:: Oh, yeah! THAT guy! ::hisses and spits::

    • Name's BEAM. James BEAM.

      Sharing knowledge can be good, but know your audience.

      I found out the hard way in the Canadian FedGov, many decades ago, that my knowledge on certain subjects was valuable and shouldn’t have been freely given away. It allowed several other people, who I thought were trusted co-workers, to shiv me in the back once they’d wrung me out. Lesson learned, the hard way.

  16. R.J.

    “ After studying to be a lawyer, he became a governmental official.”
    His first mistake.

    • Mojeaux

      And second.

    • juris imprudent

      It is now.

  17. Scruffy Nerfherder

    OMFG, my sister sucked at bookkeeping. Trying to parse out what she did is like unraveling clumped spaghetti.

    Just do the damned transactions as they happen instead of lumping them on a monthly, quarterly, or even annual basis.

    • Mojeaux

      How’s your family recovering from the discovery?

      • Scruffy Nerfherder

        My sister has not called our parents since I fired her. Mom’s distraught and dad’s pissed. Both are concerned by her fiscal conduct but also by the fact that she appears to have excommunicated them or herself, can’t tell.

      • Mojeaux

        If *I* had done that, I’d go far away and hide my face never to be seen again.

      • Sensei

        Family drama sucks.

        I do get it here. She wasn’t doing the job. Please tell us no fraud…

      • Scruffy Nerfherder

        Nothing major, or in other words, nothing I can’t rectify with a payment in kind adjustment to her 2022 W2. Payroll taxes are thankfully in order, probably because I pay an outside service to handle them.

      • Mojeaux

        nothing I can’t rectify with a payment in kind adjustment to her 2022 W2.

        😳 That was a lot of money.

      • Scruffy Nerfherder

        Oh that, that was taken out of her stock valuation.

  18. Tundra

    LOL.

    Trollin’, trollin’ trollin’

      • Tundra

        Yikes.

      • Bob Boberson

        I love my dog and hate to leave her behind or to leash her when she could otherwise run around and explore the woods. That video is a great illustration of why you either leave them home or keep the leashes in bear country

  19. Not Adahn

    My company has done a decent job of kabuki-ing wokeness. one of the ways they’re demonstrating their commitment is to give us MLK day off.

    • Nephilium

      My company did that last year… at the last minute (after quite a few of us had committed to doing customer changes and meetings that day). They have since switched to a “floating holiday”.

      • Sensei

        Juneteenth is a floater for us.

        In metro NYC any (non retail) company that didn’t give you MLK Day may as well put a protest target on itself.

        I’ve had it off for decades.

      • R.J.

        This is the first time I ever got MLK day off.

  20. Not Adahn

    Huh.

    I did not know that Marilyn Monroe was the same age as Liz.

    My protocol is rusty, not sure if you’re supposed to flash that much chest at the Queen or not.

    https://twitter.com/i/status/1613585538644152343

    • R.J.

      Tom Jones signals that chest exposure is mandatory when meeting the queen.

    • Tundra

      What a perfect opportunity for Bad Lip Reading to do their thing!

    • juris imprudent

      Her majesty seems to have had a non too subtle glance.

    • Not Adahn

      “Another time I turned up to this house and he had an inflatable paddling pool in his living room. He had three bottles of prosecco which were freezing cold and he made me put on a t-shirt for a wet t-shirt thing and it was freezing. He then proceeded to put custard and jelly all over me.”

      • Name's BEAM. James BEAM.

        Seems like a waste of perfectly good prosecco. And custard. And jelly.

    • Grosspatzer

      After that kid said we had a lot of fat people, “bad at Geography” sounded like “bad at SugarFree”. Either my hearing is going or he’s a lurker.

      • R.J.

        Kid is great at accurate summarizations.

    • Bob Boberson

      Jokes on that kid, the world is gonna find out soon that we’re also really bad at ‘economy.’

  21. Grosspatzer

    Thanks to the early morning reprobates for the kind thoughts. Turns out the work shitshow continued apace and I got stuck handling it since Friday is a day off in Israel., so could not respond earlier. I *think* everything is sorted out now. Another opportunity to practice Stoicism, I guess.

    • Timeloose

      The Israelis really dominate areas of the IT businesses. A good friend of mine works in the storage Industry, he has been to Israel more times than silicon valley.

  22. Tundra

    This is neat.

    Also an amazing site. He finds some really cool historical pics.