GM's thread about nothing (29 Viewers)

[Officer Pete Malloy]

I had a pretty amazing pizza in Paris, once.

No shtick...worst French onion soup I've ever had? Paris.

Best French Tickler I ever bought was in Dublin. Actually true.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

For all the things that are screwed up in Arizona, between 9 am and 2 am 7 days a week I can buy damn near anything I want, likely including some people who were probably in another country yesterday.

I'd say I miss the bars you could hit in Chicago that were open until it was time to go to work the next day, but I haven't the slightest idea when I'd have a need for them these days. That's why I go to Vegas once a year.

3.5 months...

 

[shuke]

OK guys, I need some purchasing help. There are a number of items I've been dragging my feet on purchasing. Every time I think I find what I what, I end up seeing a lot of bad reviews. I think I've documented how I've become super cheap over the past 5 years, so I think that is part of it also.

Your recommendations would be welcome on:

A gas grill. This is really the tough one for me. Of course everyone says Weber, but the for the size that I want, I'm looking at like $1400. Just seems ridiculous. I have seen some in the $600 range, but they are just a bit small for my tastes. When I grill, I throw everything on there, and like to have a lot of room.

Camcorder. Doesn't have to be too high tech. Just something to capture the kids' childhood on for their future viewing.

A tent. Just need something that will fit two queen air mattresses plus gear. A lot of things I've looked at either look like they don't have enough air flow, or too much (screens don't zip up, just rain fly covering). Almost bought this today, until I saw a single review about little air flow.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

when I was grill shopping, I found plenty of positive reviews on Brinkmanns. They aren't going to be as nice as a Weber but I think they are pretty good and much more affordable. I have been pretty happy with mine and it was only a bit more than $200. Can get it at Home Depot.

 

[shuke]

I keep seeing sales on this for $300. People say "yea, but you'll replace it in 3 years". Probably an exaggeration. I've gotten 7 years out of my cheap Kenmore, although I probably should have replaced it a year ago. So what's the different between buying a $1500 Weber once every fifteen years or five $300 ones in the same time frame?

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

OK guys, I need some purchasing help. There are a number of items I've been dragging my feet on purchasing. Every time I think I find what I what, I end up seeing a lot of bad reviews. I think I've documented how I've become super cheap over the past 5 years, so I think that is part of it also.

Your recommendations would be welcome on:

A gas grill. This is really the tough one for me. Of course everyone says Weber, but the for the size that I want, I'm looking at like $1400. Just seems ridiculous. I have seen some in the $600 range, but they are just a bit small for my tastes. When I grill, I throw everything on there, and like to have a lot of room.

Camcorder. Doesn't have to be too high tech. Just something to capture the kids' childhood on for their future viewing.

A tent. Just need something that will fit two queen air mattresses plus gear. A lot of things I've looked at either look like they don't have enough air flow, or too much (screens don't zip up, just rain fly covering). Almost bought this today, until I saw a single review about little air flow.

I don't see a golf cart on that list. You some sort of hobo?

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

OK guys, I need some purchasing help. There are a number of items I've been dragging my feet on purchasing. Every time I think I find what I what, I end up seeing a lot of bad reviews. I think I've documented how I've become super cheap over the past 5 years, so I think that is part of it also.

Your recommendations would be welcome on:

A gas grill. This is really the tough one for me. Of course everyone says Weber, but the for the size that I want, I'm looking at like $1400. Just seems ridiculous. I have seen some in the $600 range, but they are just a bit small for my tastes. When I grill, I throw everything on there, and like to have a lot of room.

Camcorder. Doesn't have to be too high tech. Just something to capture the kids' childhood on for their future viewing.

A tent. Just need something that will fit two queen air mattresses plus gear. A lot of things I've looked at either look like they don't have enough air flow, or too much (screens don't zip up, just rain fly covering). Almost bought this today, until I saw a single review about little air flow.

1. acetylene torch

2. iphone

3. tarp and a rope

wala!

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Arms> I actually have one of those Kodak zi8 deals that I'll likely never use again that I could send you for an item/sex to be named later. I just have to double check that PV wouldn't care....it's been in my truck for about a year, so I doubt she would.

It's raspberry!

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Ran some errands, got some painting done that I've been putting off, skewered the old lady... This punishment stuff isn't so bad.

 

[shuke]

Arms> I actually have one of those Kodak zi8 deals that I'll likely never use again that I could send you for an item/sex to be named later. I just have to double check that PV wouldn't care....it's been in my truck for about a year, so I doubt she would.

It's raspberry!

Sounds like a ringing endorsement.

 

[shuke]

I'm actually getting an iphone next week for work finally. Are you telling me I don't need to buy a video camera?

 

[Limp Ditka]

Ran some errands, got some painting done that I've been putting off, skewered the old lady... This punishment stuff isn't so bad.

Missed the ramifications... what'd you get, gb?

 

[Captain Quinoa]

I keep seeing sales on this for $300. People say "yea, but you'll replace it in 3 years". Probably an exaggeration. I've gotten 7 years out of my cheap Kenmore, although I probably should have replaced it a year ago. So what's the different between buying a $1500 Weber once every fifteen years or five $300 ones in the same time frame?

4 trips to the store? Inflation? Grill prestige?

 

[Statcruncher]

I keep seeing sales on this for $300. People say "yea, but you'll replace it in 3 years". Probably an exaggeration. I've gotten 7 years out of my cheap Kenmore, although I probably should have replaced it a year ago. So what's the different between buying a $1500 Weber once every fifteen years or five $300 ones in the same time frame?

I'm cheap and go with Char-broils since they're dirt cheap. I usually get 3 to 5 years out of them but I keep them under the porch. If you expose yours to rain you'll probably get less life out of them.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Ran some errands, got some painting done that I've been putting off, skewered the old lady... This punishment stuff isn't so bad.

Missed the ramifications... what'd you get, gb?

Forced to take today off. No formal disciplinary action.

 

[phishphan]

I keep seeing sales on this for $300. People say "yea, but you'll replace it in 3 years". Probably an exaggeration. I've gotten 7 years out of my cheap Kenmore, although I probably should have replaced it a year ago. So what's the different between buying a $1500 Weber once every fifteen years or five $300 ones in the same time frame?

nonsense. I have a gas grill I paid $100 almost 10 years ago, and I'm just now going to have to replace it (bottom rusted out). Get a cover for it and that thing will last a pretty long time.

 

[Thorn]

what are pull tabs exactly? like scratch off tickets?

Why, they are like cardboard pieces of crack, of course.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

For all the things that are screwed up in Arizona, between 9 am and 2 am 7 days a week I can buy damn near anything I want, likely including some people who were probably in another country yesterday.

I'd say I miss the bars you could hit in Chicago that were open until it was time to go to work the next day, but I haven't the slightest idea when I'd have a need for them these days. That's why I go to Vegas once a year.

3.5 months...

I'm getting restless.

 

[Limp Ditka]

I had a pretty amazing pizza in Paris, once.

No shtick...worst French onion soup I've ever had? Paris.

Best French Tickler I ever bought was in Dublin. Actually true.

Best french fry I ever had was made by a Swahili girl in a food truck in Reykjavik

 

[Limp Ditka]

Ran some errands, got some painting done that I've been putting off, skewered the old lady... This punishment stuff isn't so bad.

Missed the ramifications... what'd you get, gb?

Forced to take today off. No formal disciplinary action.

soooooo they're encouraging this behavior.... you guy's hiring?

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

I keep seeing sales on this for $300. People say "yea, but you'll replace it in 3 years". Probably an exaggeration. I've gotten 7 years out of my cheap Kenmore, although I probably should have replaced it a year ago. So what's the different between buying a $1500 Weber once every fifteen years or five $300 ones in the same time frame?

nonsense. I have a gas grill I paid $100 almost 10 years ago, and I'm just now going to have to replace it (bottom rusted out). Get a cover for it and that thing will last a pretty long time.

Yeah, this.

But then again does keeping your grill outdoors in an area with a cold climate cause it to wear out faster?

 

[Frostillicus]

I'm actually getting an iphone next week for work finally. Are you telling me I don't need to buy a video camera?

Yes. We bought a video camera right before we had our first kid. We used it for the day of the birth, her first birthday party, and her first christmas, and that's it. Now everything is just on the phone.

 

[Disco Stu]

I'm actually getting an iphone next week for work finally. Are you telling me I don't need to buy a video camera?

You only need a video camera if you want video lengths 100x the attention span of anyone who may someday watch said videos.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

I'm actually getting an iphone next week for work finally. Are you telling me I don't need to buy a video camera?

I guess it depends on what exactly you're doing, but I don't think you do.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

I'm actually getting an iphone next week for work finally. Are you telling me I don't need to buy a video camera?

That's what I'm telling you.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Granted I was holding the phone the wrong direction and I didn't upload in HD because I'm not on WIFI, but here's

 

[Witz]

I'm actually getting an iphone next week for work finally. Are you telling me I don't need to buy a video camera?

Yes. We bought a video camera right before we had our first kid. We used it for the day of the birth, her first birthday party, and her first christmas, and that's it. Now everything is just on the phone.

We had done the same thing. If you have a smart phone (doesn't need to be an iphone - I think all of the newer smart phones have the video ability), that's your best bet (as you'll always have that with you in case something comes up and you don't need to lug around a video recorders regardless of how small it might be).

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Ran some errands, got some painting done that I've been putting off, skewered the old lady... This punishment stuff isn't so bad.

Missed the ramifications... what'd you get, gb?

Forced to take today off. No formal disciplinary action.

soooooo they're encouraging this behavior.... you guy's hiring?

In fairness, everyone agrees that she sucks. If I hadn't said 'choke' they would have been high fiving me down the hallway. I did hear that 15 or so years ago the owner bought her a pair of red thong panties as a gift.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I've got the worst effing heartburn today. :lookatme:

Sounds like you need the DigestZen blend.

Seriously or is this some essential oils BS?

>For all the things that are screwed up in Arizona, between 9 am and 2 am 7 days a week I can buy damn near anything I want, likely including some people who were probably in another country yesterday.

I'd say I miss the bars you could hit in Chicago that were open until it was time to go to work the next day, but I haven't the slightest idea when I'd have a need for them these days. That's why I go to Vegas once a year.

and sadly, I hear you. Pop's misses you. Of course If it's that late I was/am always at a GB's house getting blind.

Nobody ever sets out to go to Pop's.

opspops:

 

[Bob Sacamano]

For all the things that are screwed up in Arizona, between 9 am and 2 am 7 days a week I can buy damn near anything I want, likely including some people who were probably in another country yesterday.

I'd say I miss the bars you could hit in Chicago that were open until it was time to go to work the next day, but I haven't the slightest idea when I'd have a need for them these days. That's why I go to Vegas once a year.

3.5 months...

I'm getting restless.

I'm getting a money belt.

 

[General Malaise]

OK guys, I need some purchasing help. There are a number of items I've been dragging my feet on purchasing. Every time I think I find what I what, I end up seeing a lot of bad reviews. I think I've documented how I've become super cheap over the past 5 years, so I think that is part of it also.

Your recommendations would be welcome on:

A gas grill. This is really the tough one for me. Of course everyone says Weber, but the for the size that I want, I'm looking at like $1400. Just seems ridiculous. I have seen some in the $600 range, but they are just a bit small for my tastes. When I grill, I throw everything on there, and like to have a lot of room.

Camcorder. Doesn't have to be too high tech. Just something to capture the kids' childhood on for their future viewing.

A tent. Just need something that will fit two queen air mattresses plus gear. A lot of things I've looked at either look like they don't have enough air flow, or too much (screens don't zip up, just rain fly covering). Almost bought this today, until I saw a single review about little air flow.

I bought a Char Broil 4 burner gas grill from Fred Meyer last summer for $169. It was already assembled for me. I'm not nearly proficient enough on a grill to need a grill that costs more than $500. One day, perhaps. In any event, I love my grill. I don't care if it's the Ford Pinto of grills, it does its job. Looks nice, plenty of surface area....it's a grill. Food tastes great coming off it.

You should shop all these on Craigslist and bargain some people down.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

For all the things that are screwed up in Arizona, between 9 am and 2 am 7 days a week I can buy damn near anything I want, likely including some people who were probably in another country yesterday.

I'd say I miss the bars you could hit in Chicago that were open until it was time to go to work the next day, but I haven't the slightest idea when I'd have a need for them these days. That's why I go to Vegas once a year.

3.5 months...

I'm getting restless.

I'm getting a money belt.

Fanny pack?

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

For all the things that are screwed up in Arizona, between 9 am and 2 am 7 days a week I can buy damn near anything I want, likely including some people who were probably in another country yesterday.

I'd say I miss the bars you could hit in Chicago that were open until it was time to go to work the next day, but I haven't the slightest idea when I'd have a need for them these days. That's why I go to Vegas once a year.

3.5 months...

I'm getting restless.

I'm getting a money belt.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

I have a Weber because I want to grill things correctly.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

For all the things that are screwed up in Arizona, between 9 am and 2 am 7 days a week I can buy damn near anything I want, likely including some people who were probably in another country yesterday.

I'd say I miss the bars you could hit in Chicago that were open until it was time to go to work the next day, but I haven't the slightest idea when I'd have a need for them these days. That's why I go to Vegas once a year.

3.5 months...

I'm getting restless.

I'm getting a money belt.

Fanny pack?

poh-tay-toe

 

[The_Man]

I got a message today that I needed to call a parent in regards to a kid's grade. Now this kid hasn't done much all year. He'd rather talk to his "girlfiends". In the words of Paulie Walnuts this kid is "half-a-feg". We'll call him Rupert.

The school year ends in just a couple of weeks and Rupert just now realized he can't get another "F" or he doesn't get to participate in a bunch of year-end stuff. So last week he hands me this STACK of papers that he should have turned in sometime in the last freaking 3 months or so. It looked like he kept most of the papers at the bottom of his backpack and/or a hole in a tree somewhere. I gave him partial credit on some and it brought his grade up to something like a 51%.

Anyway I call his mom on my prep period:

Mom: I just wanted to touch base with you [i hate that phrase] about Rupert's grade. He said he turned in all of his late work on Thursday but I see he still has an "F". Is this correct?

Me: I believe it is but let me double-check the grade book. [click-click-click] Yes, Rupert currently has a 51%...

Mom: [cutting me off] How can that be if he turned in all of his late work?

Me: Well, he did turn in most of the papers from the last three chapters but nearly all of them were incomplete. I was actually pretty generous in the amount of credit I gave him.

Mom: What chapters did he turn in?

Me: [looking through the mess of crap the kid gave me] He gave me 4 out of the 6 papers for Chapter 14, 5 of the 6 papers for Chapter 15, and all 4 of the papers for chapter 16. But like he didn't even finish most of the papers.

Mom: What about Chapters 12 or 13?

Me: [looking through another stack of papers that I put aside and labeled 'too late'] Well he did turn in about 3/4 of the work from those chapters but unfortunately those were from last quarter.

Mom: So you're not going to give him credit for those?

Me: Ummm...I really can't Those grades closed back in March. [WTF]

Mom: Well can't you give him credit on THIS quarter for that work?

Me: Yeah...I really can't do that. That work was due 12 weeks ago.

Mom: Is that your policy?

Me: [i actually chuckle a bit] Well I would guess that it is pretty much standard for almost every teacher.

Mom: Well I don't agree with that. I'm going to speak to the 8th Grade Dean about this and probably the principal.

Me: If you feel that strongly about it I guess you should [i really wanted her to do this just so the admins can see how crazy she is].

Then she just hung up on me.

The Dean sent me an email about 25 minutes later saying "Do not adjust Rupert's grade".

For something that has absolutely nothing to do with me, I was going to be really pissed off if you had to pass that worthless piece of poop

Not going to happen. We have one more packet to turn in and one more test. Even if he aces both he's still getting an F.

Well that's not exactly going to motivate him to work hard down the stretch here, is it?

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

I have a Weber because I want to grill things correctly.

Thank you, Fanatic.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

I got a message today that I needed to call a parent in regards to a kid's grade. Now this kid hasn't done much all year. He'd rather talk to his "girlfiends". In the words of Paulie Walnuts this kid is "half-a-feg". We'll call him Rupert.

The school year ends in just a couple of weeks and Rupert just now realized he can't get another "F" or he doesn't get to participate in a bunch of year-end stuff. So last week he hands me this STACK of papers that he should have turned in sometime in the last freaking 3 months or so. It looked like he kept most of the papers at the bottom of his backpack and/or a hole in a tree somewhere. I gave him partial credit on some and it brought his grade up to something like a 51%.

Anyway I call his mom on my prep period:

Mom: I just wanted to touch base with you [i hate that phrase] about Rupert's grade. He said he turned in all of his late work on Thursday but I see he still has an "F". Is this correct?

Me: I believe it is but let me double-check the grade book. [click-click-click] Yes, Rupert currently has a 51%...

Mom: [cutting me off] How can that be if he turned in all of his late work?

Me: Well, he did turn in most of the papers from the last three chapters but nearly all of them were incomplete. I was actually pretty generous in the amount of credit I gave him.

Mom: What chapters did he turn in?

Me: [looking through the mess of crap the kid gave me] He gave me 4 out of the 6 papers for Chapter 14, 5 of the 6 papers for Chapter 15, and all 4 of the papers for chapter 16. But like he didn't even finish most of the papers.

Mom: What about Chapters 12 or 13?

Me: [looking through another stack of papers that I put aside and labeled 'too late'] Well he did turn in about 3/4 of the work from those chapters but unfortunately those were from last quarter.

Mom: So you're not going to give him credit for those?

Me: Ummm...I really can't Those grades closed back in March. [WTF]

Mom: Well can't you give him credit on THIS quarter for that work?

Me: Yeah...I really can't do that. That work was due 12 weeks ago.

Mom: Is that your policy?

Me: [i actually chuckle a bit] Well I would guess that it is pretty much standard for almost every teacher.

Mom: Well I don't agree with that. I'm going to speak to the 8th Grade Dean about this and probably the principal.

Me: If you feel that strongly about it I guess you should [i really wanted her to do this just so the admins can see how crazy she is].

Then she just hung up on me.

The Dean sent me an email about 25 minutes later saying "Do not adjust Rupert's grade".

For something that has absolutely nothing to do with me, I was going to be really pissed off if you had to pass that worthless piece of poop

Not going to happen. We have one more packet to turn in and one more test. Even if he aces both he's still getting an F.

Well that's not exactly going to motivate him to work hard down the stretch here, is it?

http://i.imgur.com/9LG5l.jpg

 

[Osaurus]

Bing (1) and Google (1) heyyyy!

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Bing (1) and Google (1) heyyyy!

LET'S GET IT ON!

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Best Canadian bacon I ever had was on a Cuban sandwich from Prussia.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

I have a Weber because I want to grill things correctly.

Gas grills are teh suck. 'MERICA!

 

[Idiot Boxer]

I think in Sideways they used a Coleman grill while drinking a delightfully oaky Pinot.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I got a message today that I needed to call a parent in regards to a kid's grade. Now this kid hasn't done much all year. He'd rather talk to his "girlfiends". In the words of Paulie Walnuts this kid is "half-a-feg". We'll call him Rupert.

The school year ends in just a couple of weeks and Rupert just now realized he can't get another "F" or he doesn't get to participate in a bunch of year-end stuff. So last week he hands me this STACK of papers that he should have turned in sometime in the last freaking 3 months or so. It looked like he kept most of the papers at the bottom of his backpack and/or a hole in a tree somewhere. I gave him partial credit on some and it brought his grade up to something like a 51%.

Anyway I call his mom on my prep period:

Mom: I just wanted to touch base with you [i hate that phrase] about Rupert's grade. He said he turned in all of his late work on Thursday but I see he still has an "F". Is this correct?

Me: I believe it is but let me double-check the grade book. [click-click-click] Yes, Rupert currently has a 51%...

Mom: [cutting me off] How can that be if he turned in all of his late work?

Me: Well, he did turn in most of the papers from the last three chapters but nearly all of them were incomplete. I was actually pretty generous in the amount of credit I gave him.

Mom: What chapters did he turn in?

Me: [looking through the mess of crap the kid gave me] He gave me 4 out of the 6 papers for Chapter 14, 5 of the 6 papers for Chapter 15, and all 4 of the papers for chapter 16. But like he didn't even finish most of the papers.

Mom: What about Chapters 12 or 13?

Me: [looking through another stack of papers that I put aside and labeled 'too late'] Well he did turn in about 3/4 of the work from those chapters but unfortunately those were from last quarter.

Mom: So you're not going to give him credit for those?

Me: Ummm...I really can't Those grades closed back in March. [WTF]

Mom: Well can't you give him credit on THIS quarter for that work?

Me: Yeah...I really can't do that. That work was due 12 weeks ago.

Mom: Is that your policy?

Me: [i actually chuckle a bit] Well I would guess that it is pretty much standard for almost every teacher.

Mom: Well I don't agree with that. I'm going to speak to the 8th Grade Dean about this and probably the principal.

Me: If you feel that strongly about it I guess you should [i really wanted her to do this just so the admins can see how crazy she is].

Then she just hung up on me.

The Dean sent me an email about 25 minutes later saying "Do not adjust Rupert's grade".

For something that has absolutely nothing to do with me, I was going to be really pissed off if you had to pass that worthless piece of poop

Not going to happen. We have one more packet to turn in and one more test. Even if he aces both he's still getting an F.

Well that's not exactly going to motivate him to work hard down the stretch here, is it?

Yeah, it sounds like Rupert's really just lacking the proper motivation to turn himself around. Find the right carrot to dangle and that kid will surely achieve great things.

You should probably start with, "If you get better grades, college will get you out of that house and away from that woman faster than anything else."

 

[General Malaise]

I keep seeing sales on this for $300. People say "yea, but you'll replace it in 3 years". Probably an exaggeration. I've gotten 7 years out of my cheap Kenmore, although I probably should have replaced it a year ago. So what's the different between buying a $1500 Weber once every fifteen years or five $300 ones in the same time frame?

So, i have the 4-burner and keep it covered and after a year, it's still works great/looks great.

However...my ####### BIL and his wife are germ phobes and because he might be the biggest ##### whipped man on the planet, he does whatever his wife tells him with regards to germs. This Feb, while visiting us, he volunteered to cook dinner. He insisted on using my grill. I reluctantly agreed and when I asked him why he was running all four burners on high heat for several minutes, he said "I want to burn all the old stuff off". I protested, but could see his pleading face as I knew his nagging wife was behind this move.

The mother ####er caught my grill on fire. I mean giant flames. I had to rush to shut the gas off, then spray the thing down with a hose to extinguish the fire. Other than the fire damage to the grill (is that irony?) it still runs like a champ. But I'm guessing grills that cost $600 and up don't catch on fire.

 

[Limp Ditka]

You should probably start with, "If you get better grades, college will get you out of that house and away from that woman faster than anything else."

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Best Canadian bacon I ever had was on a Cuban sandwich from Prussia.

"Everyone say, 'Canadian Bacon'."

"Ham!!"

 

[proninja]

I got a message today that I needed to call a parent in regards to a kid's grade. Now this kid hasn't done much all year. He'd rather talk to his "girlfiends". In the words of Paulie Walnuts this kid is "half-a-feg". We'll call him Rupert.

The school year ends in just a couple of weeks and Rupert just now realized he can't get another "F" or he doesn't get to participate in a bunch of year-end stuff. So last week he hands me this STACK of papers that he should have turned in sometime in the last freaking 3 months or so. It looked like he kept most of the papers at the bottom of his backpack and/or a hole in a tree somewhere. I gave him partial credit on some and it brought his grade up to something like a 51%.

Anyway I call his mom on my prep period:

Mom: I just wanted to touch base with you [i hate that phrase] about Rupert's grade. He said he turned in all of his late work on Thursday but I see he still has an "F". Is this correct?

Me: I believe it is but let me double-check the grade book. [click-click-click] Yes, Rupert currently has a 51%...

Mom: [cutting me off] How can that be if he turned in all of his late work?

Me: Well, he did turn in most of the papers from the last three chapters but nearly all of them were incomplete. I was actually pretty generous in the amount of credit I gave him.

Mom: What chapters did he turn in?

Me: [looking through the mess of crap the kid gave me] He gave me 4 out of the 6 papers for Chapter 14, 5 of the 6 papers for Chapter 15, and all 4 of the papers for chapter 16. But like he didn't even finish most of the papers.

Mom: What about Chapters 12 or 13?

Me: [looking through another stack of papers that I put aside and labeled 'too late'] Well he did turn in about 3/4 of the work from those chapters but unfortunately those were from last quarter.

Mom: So you're not going to give him credit for those?

Me: Ummm...I really can't Those grades closed back in March. [WTF]

Mom: Well can't you give him credit on THIS quarter for that work?

Me: Yeah...I really can't do that. That work was due 12 weeks ago.

Mom: Is that your policy?

Me: [i actually chuckle a bit] Well I would guess that it is pretty much standard for almost every teacher.

Mom: Well I don't agree with that. I'm going to speak to the 8th Grade Dean about this and probably the principal.

Me: If you feel that strongly about it I guess you should [i really wanted her to do this just so the admins can see how crazy she is].

Then she just hung up on me.

The Dean sent me an email about 25 minutes later saying "Do not adjust Rupert's grade".

For something that has absolutely nothing to do with me, I was going to be really pissed off if you had to pass that worthless piece of poop

Not going to happen. We have one more packet to turn in and one more test. Even if he aces both he's still getting an F.

Well that's not exactly going to motivate him to work hard down the stretch here, is it?

No, but it'll motivate him to work hard the next time he takes the class

 

[General Malaise]

Arms> I actually have one of those Kodak zi8 deals that I'll likely never use again that I could send you for an item/sex to be named later. I just have to double check that PV wouldn't care....it's been in my truck for about a year, so I doubt she would.

It's raspberry!

Sounds like a ringing endorsement.

We have something like this. It works great for videos and is super easy to use. My sons use it all the time.

 

[The_Man]

If anybody ever needed proof that our friend Officer Pete just trolls people when it comes to movies, just look at his opinion on "Sideways."

I firmly believe he's way too good to enjoy that wretched pile of dreck movie

I enjoyed it, but I'm not some snobby wine drinker.

Wine is vile stuff. Can't stand it. But that has no bearing on the quality of the movie. I've worn a pair of ice skates in my life but that doesn't mean Slap Shot isn't funny.

I really liked AO Scott's essay in the NY Times about the reasons that movie critics vastly overrated Sideways. Some excerpts:

Still, the reaction to "Sideways" is worth noting, less because it isn't quite as good as everyone seems to be saying it is than because the near-unanimous praise of it reveals something about the psychology of critics, as distinct from our taste. Miles, the movie's hero, has been variously described as a drunk, a wine snob, a sad sack and a loser, but it has seldom been mentioned that he is also, by temperament if not by profession, a critic.

The contrast between him and his friend Jack is partly the difference between an uptight, insecure epicurean and a swinging, self-deluding hedonist, but it is more crucially the difference between a sensibility that subjects every experience to judgment and analysis and a personality happy to accept whatever the moment offers. When they taste wine, Jack is apt to say "tastes good to me," and leave it at that, whereas Miles tends not only to be more exacting in his judgment ("quaffable but not transcendent," which is about how I feel about "Sideways"), but also more prone to narrate, to interpret - to find a language for the most subtle and ephemeral sensations of his palate. ...

... the self-pity and solipsism that are Miles's less attractive (and frequently most prominent) traits represent the underside of the critical temperament; his morbid sensitivity may be an occupational hazard we all face.

In "Sideways," a good many critics see themselves, and it is only natural that we should love what we see. Not that critics are the only ones, by any means, but the affection that we have lavished on this film has the effect of emphasizing the narrowness of its vision, and perhaps our own. It both satirizes and affirms a cherished male fantasy: that however antisocial, self-absorbed and downright unattractive a man may be, he can always be rescued by the love of a good woman. (What's in it for her is less clear.)