The next person to post in this thread...

Probably not, but not for lack of trying. Somewhat doubt many of my beloved house or garden spiders have the mandibles or the desire to pierce skin, but I was bitten by a brown recluse as a child. One leg swelled up to about twice its normal size. That was out in the country, though, a long time ago.

TNP would rather (i) buy a new speaker cabinet (ii) a new guitar (or whatever, like a mandolin or a melodica or whatever) (iii) some new clothes. If given those only choices. And will explain the reasoning.

Alternate TNP, TNP thinks trading the Bluesmobile for a microphone makes sense.

New clothes. Just bought a new blue blazer after my other one (30+ years old) wore out and a tailor told me it wasn't worth fixing.

TNP needs some caffeine right now.

Meh, that's a gimme! I always need more caffeine.

[For shame! No man should be without a navy blazer, regardless of his or her choice of buttons [I favor dark metal]...always thought a decent blazer is pretty much indestructable! Yes, my "classic" navy blazer is from Jos. A Bank, so not fancy, but it fits perfectly...expect it to last for twenty years.]

TNP would probably join Amazon's "Vine" program if invited (they send you free stuff, and you have to review it....however, one is obligated to pay taxes on these "gifts," which can be substantial indeed in terms of list price). Obligated in terms of IRS and state taxes, that is.

No, we're Amazon Prime members but don't think we'll do Vine.

TNP has vines growing on an old building near his or her home.

Sure. Not an old building, but a relatively old condominium "community" dating back to probably the 1970s. So, not old, but English Ivy is a persistent problem. Not a single-dwelling unit, but more like clusters of annoying neighbors grouped together in separate buildings consisting of four units, or perhaps more.

I suspect the deer mice find the various vines and such very attractive and convenient, and I wish them well. LOL. No, I do not.

TNP will be attending a wedding in the near-ish future, or has recently, and is (or was) somewhat looking forward to it. Catch up with some friends in a relaxed setting, wearing regular clothes (you know, probably for me navy blazer, necktie, leather shoes and belt, impeccable charcoal grey woolen trousers....about the right level of formality for the event, to be held at a Mormon whatever they call it for a septuagenarian coworker).

I always enjoy weddings - the romance, the music, the chance to visit with people you don't see often enough, the food and drink - but no, I don't have one coming up anytime soon. Haven't been to one since my niece's in Columbus, Ohio, late last summer.

TNP will be going out to a musical or play in the next seven days (as I will, tomorrow night, to see Six).

No. I wish there were something dramatic "playing" near me I'd be interested in, but given the level of "humanity" in my neck of the woods I've witnessed daily over the past several years, I'm very much disinclined to mingle with the masses. I just don't want to be around these people any more. Work and go home, pay table time at a proper pool hall, and organize my condo. Make time with a few gals, maybe. One at a time, you know: not no cad.

These words from the motion picture *Jackie Brown* TNP thinks should be taken seriously: "Now, Jackie, I hope you don't mind if I call you Jackie, you're officially out of trouble now. So don't go do nothing stupid." (paraphrase from memory, close enough for jazz). And if those words resonate, TNP can say why and how.

No, I don’t have a resonate thing going on, although it’s good dialogue.

TNP tends to watch several movies a week.

No, one a week or so for me, on average - sometimes even less often. Then I go to a film festival and pack a lot in.

TNP remembers and appreciates, in a gallows-humor kind of way, Louis's answer to persistent questioning by Ordell in Jackie Brown, as to whether Melanie was dead: "Pretty much, yeah."

Yeah, I got it right here in my Raptor bag.

TNP wouldn't have much of a problem pushing a mouse found in one's kitchen sink into a running garbage disposal. Not a pet, but a pest.

Ew, no, thanks! That seems cruel to me. I have put trapped mice in a metal box in the freezer to die, though, knowing that if I released them outside they'd just find their way back in.

On a lighter note... TNP has at least two bags of Doritos in the house.

Nope. Got a Whopper sandwich and a glass of Tullamore whiskey, though. Simil......no, not really similar. But not one but *two* bags of Doritos! That's living high and wide, my friend!

[aside: I disagree my method of execution of the mouse was especially cruel. It was going to die anyway....I probably would have found a heavy piece of wood and bludgeoned it. Sorry, but I really can't have mice in my place! I don't enjoy the killing, but this joint ain't big enough for both us species, AFAIC!]

TNP kind of goes apeshit when he or she sees brakelights on the freeway: under the reality that there are relatively few circumstances they are needed provided drivers are capable of looking at least a few hundred feet ahead and leaving an acceptable amount of space (which latter, incidentally, allows people to move at a steady speed with a minimum of grabassery in the lanes).

It does make me uneasy sometimes, yes, especially if everyone's moving fast and the taillights appear for no apparent good reason.

TNP has read a really good book recently, or is doing so now.

Well, I would say "pretty good." It's been months I've been reading a few pages at a time. It lives in my car, for waiting for appointments and such. Walter Tevis's The Color Of Money. No, it is nothing like the movie at all, but it has a certain charm to it.

TNP can think of the next book (of any kind! could even be blank paper or manuscript paper!) he or she is really looking forward to starting just for fun, or else not. Option open to TNP to name the book: not required. Ad libitum.

Yes, I hope to get to Rick Atkinson's The British Are Coming, a history of the early years of the American Revolution, soon.

TNP hasn't read any history in awhile.

Not exactly true, not exactly false. As you know, many things worth reading include detailed historical work. The only real book of history I've been peeping into recently is Stephen Budiansky's biography of Kurt Gödel, the great logician, Journey to the Edge of Reason.....very entertaining, but it is a biography and I've been familiar with many facts of Gödel's life, as well as his work for decades. However, numerous essays and books pertaining to the history of music (primarily music theory) keep appearing and becoming subsumed into my brain, almost daily.

TNP has a flashlight (of some sort) for nearly every occasion imaginable in ordinary life, and relishes the Platonic or Rolling Stonesian act of "shining a light" onto seldom explored crevices of, say, one's domicile.

We have one under the sink in our kitchen, but I would probably be more likely to rely on my pretty good night vision or light a candle, if the power went out. "Relishing" would be overstating things.

TNP knew that Gödel briefly appears in the recent (and very good) historical drama Oppenheimer, taking a woodswalk with Einstein.

Yes, although I did not recognize until a few seconds afterwards. Agreed, a very good movie, and I especially like that you call it an "historical drama," rather than a simple "biopic," as *Variety* and so forth might have it. One wouldn't have thought Gödel and Einstein should have had much to talk about, but they both had, especially in their later lives, a rather serious interest in philosophical questions beyond their training.

Of course, Gödel was much less a musician than Einstein, but Einstein had much less exposure to the contemporary theories of the nature of numbers and relations. It was a simpler time!

TNP would be suspicious if one ceased to hear the scuttling claws of mice about one's abode....it couldn't be....! And would set up additional snap-traps to make double sure that their reign of terror had ceased.

No, fortunately, we have only rarely had mice in our house. We had a rat once in our bedroom, and that was kinda scary.

TNP noticed a minor historical error in the Los Alamos V-J Day celebration scene in Oppenheimer. Hint: it involved props.

No. Sorry or glad to say that escaped my notice.

TNP would be equally parts ticked-off and relieved that a second-date prospect said she was involved with someone else. Particularly if it were someone one had already "friend-zoned" and was just trying to be friendly. As in, "c'mon, lady, I was throwin' you a bone there, and I'm glad you didn't take it, but that was a waste of energy!"

Yeah, sounds about right.

TNP watches a lot of documentary TV.

Not so much. I do play clips of Bill Hader's impersonation of *Dateline NBC*'s Keith Morrison pretty often and spread it around to various of my contacts online when appropriate, though. I suppose that counts: it is a fun impression!

TNP doesn't necessarily believe the school of thought that dictates that cats or kittens (the animals, not their human female analogs!) will readily chew through any and all electrical cables/instrument cords, etc.

Agreed. In my experience, very few do. Rabbits, however, are another matter, as my sister could tell you!

The Oppenheimer goof: https://people.com/eagle-eyed-histor...n-flag-7565185

TNP is reading a very good book these days.

Yeah, sort of. I'm liking Booth Tarkington's *The Magnificent Ambersons*, being a fan of the Orson Welles movie. There are other, weirder books about music theory and practice and such, but that's my fiction book at the moment, along with one of the sequels to Dumas's *Queen Margot* called *La dame de Monsereau,* which is just so-so.

[Ad *Oppenheimer*....somehow I don't feel so bad about not having counted the number of stars on a flag in the picture! But shame on the "script gal" or continuity person! Just horrid!]

TNP has ever had experience using rubber stamps and ink pads for stuff, and, if so, will explain how and why.

I did for awhile in the Nineties, getting several cool rubber stamps from a little business in Vermont, but haven't done any more of that since then.

TNP has been in Vermont in the past five years.

No, man, I never made it up there. Western Montana might be the most similar place in nomine spiritus hippi I've dwelled at, but never had the time or desire to head up to Vermont.

TNP has ever recently been overwhelmed by the sheer number of cardboard boxes and other devices of transport that must be disposed of or segregated at home, from online transactions.

Yes, they do pile up, don't they? Fortunately we have good cardboard recycling options around here.

TNP is pretty committed to recycling, whenever possible.

Well...a lot of it's a waste of time and effort, and the City of Toronto employees are jerks if you don't follow the "rules" they pull out of their butts and that don't correspond to the City's written directions. I do what I can, but don't sweat it much anymore.

Belatedly edited to add: TNP could eat a burrito right now.

I could eat about ten tacos and probably a few burritos. Spent all morning talking with my lawyer, her trial assistant, and my clinician. All good news. I am officially, and have the document to prove it, rehabilitated from alcohol abuse disorder. So, I likely will not have to appear at a Show cause hearing (because the county had not received proof of completion of treatment...but they will have...Columbus Day or something). So, my attorney will file a motion to dismiss per agreement with the state.

But I had these fancy dark charcoal flannel trousers made to measure and everything! Will they not see my day in court? Probably, but only to have charges dismissed after faithful completion of a year-long pre-trial diversion for a crime. Which pre-trial diversion I was fortunate enough to be eligible for and faithfully completed according to the standards required by the court.

Yes, indeed, I intend to appear in court for the motion to dismiss filed by my public defender, who is delightful, but as part of a purely pro forma appearance. The only question is: red tie or blue tie? I have both! No, I won't be wearing a skinny black necktie, black coat and trousers....it seems to me unwise. Navy blazer, probably red necktie, charcoal trousers, black Chelsea boots, and I shall not carry my Kershaw pocket knife nor wear my Mary medallion, my Ignatius medallion, nor my crucifix about my neck...

I'm still going to wear my Citizen Skyhawk, though! Yes, I'll take it off before the metal detector, but I can't not know what time it is!

TNP cannot really wear truly fancy pants (for me, *very* nice flannel trousers in charcoal, various other woolen trousers, and a Duluth Trading pair of khakis that I'm really fond of), because of eating in the car and various drips and spills.

I'm pretty good about not spilling food and drink on nice clothes, but it's always a risk, that's for sure.

TNP wears a ratty old shirt when frying bacon because of the splatter risk.

Nah. I fry bacon fully nude, because I like to live on the edge.

TNP is very happy with a 16 oz. claw ("rip") hammer made with a hickory handle, and does not feel the need for one with greater weight at the moment.

Yeah, that sounds about right. A hammer with the right heft in your hand is a beautiful thing.

TNP owns at least five different screwdrivers.

Heh. Afraid so. Screwdrivers, nut drivers, bits, drivers, ratcheting handles....the only thing those little hex drivers without handles included in every bit of furniture/&c. have ever been handy for me has to adjust the truss rod on a guitar, for some added extension to get to it. Nice comfy handle and the right size hex bit...that's a winner, for me, when assembling something.

I'm fond of the Klein Tools ratcheting screwdriver with a number of bits...one of my latest acquisitions....but I still have fixed-handle drivers which do not have removable/interchangeable bits that I am very fond of. Two nut drivers will do *everything* on both vintage Rhodes and Wurlitzer electric pianos, for example.

TNP has this unfortunate condition that urges he or she to accumulate tools disproportionate to the effort or time he or she expends actually using them. Exhibit A, The Heat Gun.

No, I've always been able to resist that impulse.

TNP will be going to an art show this weekend.

No. Truth be, I'm often displeased by art I see. At least the kind that is purposely made. But I hope it was good.

Spoiler (mouseover to read):

[strikethrough]TNP has met a new coworker recently whom one thinks is OK! (In my case, I trained him for his first two days....bunch of boring videos and training modules....but turns out he's a Filipino, and his name is Vince, and he plays pool at a high level.....so damn him, I can't wear my replica "VINCE" T-shirt from The Color of Money....he'd think it was funny, but it would be weird on a number of levels....maybe on Halloween!)[/strikethrough]

That was too complicated.

TNP has in recent memory made a racially-based joke to a person's face and it wasn't a problem. For example: "Yeah, sure, I'm going to play pool with a Filipino as soon as I start a drinking contest with an Irishman!"

(Note for the reader: both ethnicities are "renowned" for excellence in the described tasks, whether true or not)

I had no idea that Filipinos were well-regarded for their pool playing, so thanks for that. But no, I haven't made such a joke in recent memory.

TNP digs this Bach piece:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzOYMTT_xx8

Well, yeah! Love it, know it, try to play it! Rinse and repeat! Great piece of music.

[Ad Filipinos and pool playing....oh yes. I've heard many theories why that is...strong gambling culture, beginning at young ages at the table with cobbled-together equipment, and perhaps early exposure to the table as a result of US military posts therearound. I think even most casual observers who are concerned with epic tournaments are hip to Reyes, Bustamente, but Filipinos tend to be highly competitive at international pool tournaments, in multiple games (8, 9, 10, one-pocket, straight). No, they're not the only national group or ethnicity out there, but it's kind of a legend, like saying "Oh, that is Frenchman, so he know how drink wine and make the woman love!"

Anyway, it is stereotype, but it's not one, IMHO, as patronizing as others like "Well, spin me a basketball," and so forth.

At least for those who have held their own against local/regional league champions, in several instances, among people of varying ethnicities, including my guy Vince at work, they've always been self-deprecating or humble to the utmost....but who knows. I know Vince has taken lessons, so, he's not to be taken as a "natural." At least that's his story he told me. He's almost certainly better than me, at all the standard games, but he's also like me in that he views pool as fun. He doesn't seem insulted now that I let his "secret" out that he's a Filipino who has played and acquitted himself very well against regional league champs...he might be annoyed with me, though, as this apparently the only thing guys and gals on my team want to talk to him about!]

TNP has any strong or mild opinions on what age a man should stop wearing certain types of casual clothing, and will expand if possible.

No man should wear tight swim trunks (a) after age 20 or (b) unless he's in very good shape, at any age.

TNP has a loved one leaving town soon.

Nah, don't think so, although you can never quite tell what my kid's going to do.

TNP hates getting medical lab tests done.

Yeah, not crazy about 'em, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do to stay healthy.

TNP hates dental exams/teeth cleanings even worse.

Nah, I feel way more chill about those.

TNP has carved a jack o'lantern this week.

No. Why? Because my dental hygienist (well, the office really) pissed me off by not giving me a courtesy reminder text/call for my third cleaning this year, and they charged me fifty bucks for no-show.

So I'm making my own Jack O'Lantern out of my own teeth! I'll show them! Good luck scraping that tartar off, suckers!

TNP has in recent memory sent off an extremely rude, but nominally polite (or....non-actionable), e-mail or equivalent missive to somebody who failed oneself. Such as HR , or whatever.

Nah. You should know by now that I'm just not that kinda guy.

My middle son carved a very nice jack-o-lantern just this evening, as it happens, showing Kiki and her cat on her witch's broom from the Japanimation kids' film Kiki's Delivery Service. Quite impressive!

TNP has bought enough candy, probably, for trick-or-treaters this year.

Probably. I've been having trouble reading the neighborhood, especially since the Pandemic.

TNP likes to give full sized candy bars at Halloween.

Yes! "Fun size" isn't - it's just small.

TNP will be wearing a costume tomorrow.

Nope, not yesterday, not today. Well, I suppose, I had a court appearance today. "Costume" == dark charcoal made-to-measure flannel trousers (no belt....because of stupid metal detector!), blue woolen blazer, black Chelsea boots (with Spenco "green" insoles), blue necktie, white shirt. (Toot my own horn: charges of misdemeanor DUII dismissed...with some patronizing platitudes from the judge like "Good for you for following through on that." —"Of course, your honor: that was my pleasure and duty.") And yesterday, I went to work as an extremely sleep-deprived, stressed-out dude who looked a bit worse for wear.

TNP did anything special for All Saints' Day today.

No, not on that day, but we had a special service today at my Episcopal church.

TNP will be going to an art gallery soon.

Probably not, don't tend to go these days unless there's any especially interesting exhibit going on.

TNP doesn't understand why Daylight Savings time continues when nobody actually likes it.

Well, lots of people seem to complain about it, but then I hear people happy to be waking up when there's a bit of light in the sky. And inertia is a powerful force.

TNP has had a drink of ice water today.

Negative, Colonel. Plenty of cold-ish water with some delicious electroylyte powder, and now some red wine. No ice. Can't use it.

TNP is not yet tired of the shortening days of small shadows...but probably will be in about six weeks or so.