Nah, even as a kid on the farm, had professionals paint the barn. Usually travelling types who could not be trusted any farther than you could throw them, but weren't afraid to pain on top of a barn.
TNP watched the All Star Game.
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Nah, even as a kid on the farm, had professionals paint the barn. Usually travelling types who could not be trusted any farther than you could throw them, but weren't afraid to pain on top of a barn.
TNP watched the All Star Game.
Nope. Haven't my entire life.
TNP wants to water ski this summer.
Not one little bit.
TNP suffers from acid reflux.
Hardly ever for a long time but a little more of late, yes.
TNP will be following the Republican National Convention next week relatively closely.
No, just the headlines.
TNP thinks most people hold completely wild ideas in their heads such as thinking Mayor McCheese is based on a real person
Oh, I think that's quite likely. Given how many strange things I hear people say, I can't even imagine what they think.
TNP is fond of gin.
Not even sure I've ever drunk it, so no. I'm more of a beer, wine or whiskey guy.
TNP has had a beer, wine or whiskey in the past hour.
I'm officially breaking the fast since Sunday, just cracked open a beer right now.
TNP plans to tea-partial (i.e., not tea-total, but not tea-none) over the weekend.
No plans to. Too hot for tea around here; I typically only drink it in the late fall or winter.
TNP has heard a song by Genesis in the past week.
No. I've never even thought about Genesis for a long time until someone brought them up in another thread. I still have my *Lamb Lies Down on Broadway* on vinyl from when a friend gave it to me fifteen years ago. Then a few years later, I heard it all.
TNP thinks some things, like bands, or whatever, you have to listen to. Just because.
Well, sure. Who doesn't?
TNP will probably see the new Ghostbusters movie soon.
Ehh, probably not. In all honesty, I've always thought the first one was a little over-rated.
TNP has been having bad dreams.
Fortunately not.
TNP can remember a dream from last month.
Well, I'm curious that one ever really remembers dreams. My trip for the past year or so is trying to pay attention to dreams, but I don't write them down. What was it Plato said, all writing is like writing on water, or something like that? I'm comfortable just letting them go, while paying close attention when I can't avoid it.
TNP has worn a houndstooth silk sportcoat in the recent past, but still isn't that happy about it, to the extent that he or she thinks about it.
No, don't have one of those in my closet. I do have a couple of houndstooth silk ties, though.
TNP will be on the beach somewhere in the next two months.
Not likely. I've done my beach stuff on a few occasions this summer. In fact, I'm done taking my mental vacations for a while as well and am back to regular same-old.
TNP has never been to the "Jersey Shore."
Incorrect. I spent a long weekend in Cape May a few years ago, and had a good time.
TNP thought about the Apollo 11 Moon landing today.
Not one bit. Before my time, I'm afraid.
TNP thinks compelling executive control over the core affect (or what people used to call the "unconscious") is a fine hobby.
No, I prefer reading, canoeing and cycling.
TNP has been in a canoe in the past 60 days.
Never been in a canoe ever.
TNP is extremely interested to know if Daisey Ridley is a goer.
I certainly am, say no more, say no more, nudge nudge wink wink!
http://www.ew.com/sites/default/file...?itok=5OPoQa8s
TNP thought Rey was the best thing about the most recent Star Wars movie.
Absolutely. The character was compelling, she really drove the whole movie. I didn't much care about emo-Vader or the "sexy fighter pilot." Finn was kind of cool, and I liked seeing Grampa Solo get so much screen time. Did I mention Daisey Ridley is teh hawt? Well, despite that, without her or her character, the movie would have been not much at all. Despite my being a raging sexist pig, and proud of it, I like good women in movies who are more than T&A.
TNP has a strong opinion about historian Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., and will share it.
Yes, a smart and talented historian who was JFK's court intellectual and wrote a very good book about the Kennedy years.
(Agree absolutely with you as to Rey).
TNP has read at least two books by Schlesinger.
No, fail :( Just *The Age of Jackson*. I'm still suspicious of him -- I'm pretty sure I'm wrong, especially what with the Kennedy association, but I could have sworn I heard he did some anti-Catholic screed. Not that I'm especially devout, meaning at all, or observant, but I like to pick my battles. And by "pick," I mean search for perceived insults and attack ad hominem viciously. So, yes, William F. Buckley, Jr. is, on the other end of the extreme, on my good list. Plus, the harpsichord and Bach thing is awesome.
TL;DR!
TNP wishes David McCullough had written more about topics of greater interest to him or her than, in my case, say, the building of the Brooklyn Bridge.
I've never heard even a hint of anti-Catholic bias by Schlesinger. None. If there had been, I'm sure he never would've worked in JFK's White House.
As to McCullough, I must disagree. His books Truman, Mornings on Horseback, 1776, John Adams, Brave Companions (an essay collection) and The Wright Brothers are all excellent.
TNP knows, without looking it up, where David McCullough and I (many years apart) went to high school.
No. :( I think I've read all his books, but I'd have to guess someplace in Indiana or Ohio.
TNP thinks William Henry Harrison was a pretty bitching guy -- Tyler kept up the steam, but the US world might have been quite a bit different if Harrison held the reigns for more than, like, a month or whatever. Typhoid fever is a hell of a drug, I guess.
ETA *Brave Companions* was pretty good -- well, I liked the bit about the "painter" Remington. The TR stuff was not to my taste, given more recent biographies, and the entire book about HST could have been put into the size of a postage stamp, although Truman was indeed kind of a queer duck. Personally, I think McCullough was a giant ween for not doing a whole book about Jefferson.
McCullough and I both went to Shady Side Academy, just outside Pittsburgh. I've met him twice at book signings, some years apart, and both times introduced myself with my name, adding "SSA Class of 1983!," and he broke out in a big grin.
Don't know enough about Harrison to really have an opinion. He seemed to be a good soldier; not sure how well he would've done as President, had he completed his term.
Not a big fan of Jefferson, so I don't mind McCullough not having written about him.
TNP watched President Obama's speech at the DNC last night.
Nah, the older I get, the less U.S. politics interest me.
TNP sometimes thinks vacations are more trouble than they're worth.
Affirmative. I'm getting way too old to even consider a peripatetic lifestyle, assuming I don't want to spend my feeble years eating cat food out of a dumpster, but I couldn't imagine spending a lot of money to go spend what amounts to a few days in a cool overseas place, like Genova or something. Being hassled and feeling rushed are two things up with which I will not put, if possible.
TNP is wearing or has recently been wearing a ball cap.
That's a pretty cool story about DM, EH, actually. Disappointed there was no secret hand signal, though! I didn't know he was from Pittsburgh, I had it in my head Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky somewhere like that. Jefferson was a goddamned saint, damn your eyes!
Hardly. I'm more a critic than a fan of Jefferson - a brilliant man and a talented wordsmith, but also a hypocrite, schemer and spendthrift. Secretly funding an opposition newspaper while serving in Washington's Cabinet, and then lying about it until the editor turned on him, was just beyond the pale. Enslaving your own kids is also uncool.
I wore a Cleveland Indians ball cap a few weeks ago when I went to a game.
TNP has been to Progressive Field in Cleveland for a game.
Negative. I think I've driven through Cleveland once, at most.
TNP is unsure if ballcaps (team-agnostic) are better headgear for a ballgame than the good old beer-helmet.
No, I'm quite sure they are.
TNP drinks at least three beers daily, on average.
Nah, I suppose I might have gone through a stage of doing that mid-twenties, but now beer is mostly a weekend thing, if that.
TNP likes ale better than lager.
Nah. About the same for me.
TNP will have a beer with dinner tonight.
No, don't think we have any in the house at the moment. Maybe some cider or gin.
TNP will be eating pizza tonight.
Nope. Bagel, chips and a pickle.
TNP knows off the top of his or her head who Umberto Eco was.
Absolutely. When I heard he died, I was kind of kicking myself for having sold his *In Search of the Perfect Language* (or whatever it was called), mainly because I wanted to look something up in it and was reminded that I had the book on my shelf when people were yapping about him.
TNP can think of a third movie (besides *Blue Velvet* and *The Last Detail*) that has an amusing reference to the beer Heineken.
Hmmm, no. I can't. I remember there was a Coors gag in The Great Santini, though.
TNP will supply the name of that third movie (and maybe more).
No clue. I was hoping for a third one, for some odd reason.
TNP sometimes hopes someone does something awful just to catch them in the act & upbraid them in person.
I do, I admit it. Sometimes I like to self-righteously criticize people, even though I know I really shouldn't.
TNP will tell us his or her Top Five favorite movies.
No, I can't narrow it down, really. *Citizen Kane* really is my favorite movie, though -- I can't speak for all those movie critics, but there are people out there, I assume, who agree with me, and aren't just saying that to be cool.
Since I failed:
TNP will at least list five movies at the top of his or her mental shelf.
Glad to, although my list changes from time to time:
Casablanca
Breaker Morant
Notorious
Limitless
The Incredibles
TNP has seen at least three of those movies.
All except *The Incredibles*, in fact, all of those multiple times. Out of some compulsion when I got home the other day I started writing a list of favorite movies -- I filled an index card's "long side" using a pencil, but to narrow it down is really not something I'd care to commit to. I make lots of lists, but I don't actually like lists.
TNP has five favorite novels/fiction pieces (including stories) of all time, and will list them. Poems don't count, though -- that's a separate category.
ETA EH lurves scandal-making homewrecker Ingrid Bergman!!!!!
:: sigh ::
Yes. Yes, I do.
Top five favorite novels or fiction pieces. Another toughie. Hmmm. For now, I'll go with:
Tuf Voyaging by George R.R. Martin
Aztec by Gary Jennings
Await Your Reply by Dan Chaon
Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
TNP has read at least two of those.
Wow. Do I get some kind of box bonus if I've never read any of these? I have at least heard of *Starship Troopers*, and actually have a copy at home -- the prose looks good from when I last looked into it, just don't want to read it. ETA sorry about the size 20 font -- I'd been into my Franzia box and sort of regretted what I did later. I did back up a WC Fields movie (can't remember which) with *Notorious*, though. *Notorious* gets better the more times you've seen it, at least for me. Like the similar "look" to the famous shot from *Topaz*, with the overhead fainting/dying woman.
Fine, tough people of the mellophant: do the same, but for five rock albums (including, you know, all the subgenres -- something that a hypothetical "rock radio station" could program, even if late at night).
Hmm. OK:
Abbey Road by the Beatles
Stereotomy by the Alan Parsons Project
A New World Record by the Electric Light Orchestra
Alpha by Asia
Genesis by Genesis
TNP will do the same.
Sure.
Led Zep. II
*Aja* by Steely Dan
*Stuff* by Stuff
White Album by the Beatles
Led. Zep IV, Zoso.
TNP has walked more than twenty miles in a day, just for fun.
While hiking and camping with the Scouts, yes. Many years ago.
TNP will tell us his five favorite rock or pop singles since 2000.
Dur....I can't think of a single one.
TNP knows five Amy Winehouse singles and will share the lyrics to one.
No, you got me there.
TNP can name five cats owned by family and friends.
Dear God, no.
TNP can name five Robert Browning poems.
Nope, sorry. Not sure I can even name one.
TNP will provide a link to his or her favorite Robert Browning poem.
Sure: http://www.bartleby.com/246/654.html
TNP has been to St. Louis.
Yes, as a child. I vaguely remember visiting the Gateway Arch: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gateway_Arch.
TNP has been up in the Gateway Arch.
No, I never been through that part of the country at all.
TNP thinks about Minnesota is about the most East in the United States he or she thinks would be a good place to relocate. If there was gold in them hills, that is.
No, I've thought now and then about moving to the Virginia or North Carolina hill country when I retire.
TNP loves the hill country.
Actually, yeah, I was just thinking the other day about that sort of terrain up around that bit kind of near Pittsburgh. Pretty country, I would say, and I did say it a few days ago. The glacial hills give an admirable texture that extends, at least in my mind, all the way out to the Rockies that is pretty neat. Check me if I'm wrong, but that's about one of the best things about this country, beautiful land that's good to look at too.
TNP likes living in a place where it's good to look at.
Absolutely. Nice scenery is always a plus (as it happens, I grew up in a little Ohio River town just an hour west of Pittsburgh, in the Appalachian foothills).
TNP likes Patty Griffin's "Heavenly Day": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVy4w6vq8y8
It's nice. Very mellow.
TNP thinks Raven's Progressive Matrices are a really neat idea, but isn't sure if he or she is particularly outstanding at them.
I remember seeing those on IQ and aptitude tests when I was young. Kinda neat; I think I did all right but not brilliantly with them.
TNP has visited Tokyo.
Funny you should mention that -- that was a little topic for one of my internal monologue's rants the other day. No, I have not.
TNP either likes Tokyo from personal experience or would like to go there.
Haven't been, but would like to. Sounds like an amazing city.
TNP has been to Moscow.
No, but I think it would be fun to spend some time thereabouts. What with the heavy drinking, and women who are both loose and expert at music. And tame bears which are good for snacking on too.
TNP would like to see the Trojan ruins.
Oh, definitely. I have some interest in archeology.
TNP would hate to be a Greek hoplite back in the day.
Interesting question. I was just thinking about nose-rings earlier today. So, yeah, yes, that would cut into my time of grooming my pre-pubescent mates and finding words that rhyme.
TNP thinks noserings/studs are not for people of the Western cultures.
Eh. I don't care for them, and know of nobody whose appearance would be improved by them, but it's a free country.
TNP knows somebody with at least five body piercings.
No, not at all.
TNP thinks Martha Argerich's performance of Scarlatti's Sonata in D minor, K. 141 is unnecessarily show-off-y, but nonetheless impressive.
Absolutely. She just sits down and right away, boom, it's off to the races!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjghYFgt8Zk
TNP thinks this is one of J.S. Bach's best: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leTVfMb2uME
I dunno, my ear is probably not up to discriminating among great works.
TNP is rather fond of P.D.Q. Bach.
Eh. In small doses, I guess.
TNP thinks Donald Trump just might become the next President.
No, I really don't think so.
TNP is almost looking forward to a Trump victory -- because of all the jokes that can be made at others' expense.
this was the Argerich I was thinking of, but I'm grateful that on the concert stage Martha still hammed it up on the same piece. Granted, it's a hell of a piece -- basically, it's hard to play.
Argerich is one of the few non-lesbian women whom I know to probably proudly trumpet her strong forearms.
For the rubes at home: K141 dos not need strength, but it requires a hell of lot of stamina. Like a boogie.
ETA this has been bothering me: yeah, in fact, this lady or wife or whatever, she did have both ears, plus nose, plus navel. Makes you think, don't it? That's four right there, and she was just a stupid Jew. I'm sure most people know a bunch of stupid Jews -- hell, five piercings doesn't sound outrageous for a dude -- few in each ear, whatever.
Almost kinda sorta, but not really. I love my country too much for that.
TNP has traveled to at least five other countries in his or her life.
Yeah, I guess. For me, my brain cannot have more than a few countries at once, but true to form, I kind of find them both despicable. And yet I like having my country the USA to come back to. Nothing is ever going to be as nice a sight to me as seeing the Hudson and that improbable pile of rubble across it. Still makes me fucking happy, and I'm not even from NY/NJ originally. Whatever they call it, imprinting at an impressionable age -- I'm still always going to like it, and it's like a nice feeling, coming in off a jet, taking a bus from Newark, whatever. Those rocks, those rivers. Makes me happy.
TNP has, if he or she is a musical sort, seen recently a key signature in Cb major. Or, if not, something equivalent -- it's extremely strange, almost ridiculous. The Cb in my case came up looking at Bill Bolcolm's "Seabiscuit Rag," and, trust me, it's pretty fucking weird. It's like seeing a sentence put in ebonics or something.
Having read this, I guess not: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-flat_major
TNP likes "Rise" by Katy Perry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdw1uKiTI5c
Goddammit. That is fucking about the worst fucking thing I ever fucking seen or heard. Do you understand now why people drink? It's to get shit like that out of their fucking heads.
TNP thinks good old Ray Charles is a good palette-cleanser.
Yes - I like both of those songs, actually (but tell me, Jizz, how do you really feel about that Katy Perry song?).
TNP likes Sia's "Cheap Thrills" just a little more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mqbAnrtWHo
Yeah, that's a little better. I still hate it, but, hey, what can I say? I don't have the golden ears, and I'm no zen master, man.
TNP really has to make an extraordinary effort to listen to chamber music or recital repertoire featuring violin or cello. Because he or she just plain doesn't care for it.
Not at all. I love chamber music.
TNP has seen Angel Heart (1987) in the past year.
Yeah, I love chamber music as well in general -- string quartets and piano quintets or trios. Something about too much violin or cello out front just makes my teeth start to grind, though. Not that there isn't exceptional music composed that features solo time for those instruments, even concertos with full orchestra. Still not as bad as the harpsichord, but close -- and I like the harpsichord (well, you know, maybe "healthy respect"). Come on, those classical violinists and cellists -- so smug, think they're so fancy!
Probably longer than that it's been -- at least four or five years.
TNP thinks it would be pretty cool to acquire a pet tortoise -- a little one. You know, for companionship and mutual, one hopes, amusement.
Could be. My sisters and I had a box turtle when I was a kid, and that was kinda neat.
TNP had an unusual pet as a child.
Not really. Some rabbits, a rat, and a cat. I think my sister had a little bird, which was stupid. My rat was not very awesome, because I was too lazy to make him do tricks.
TNP thinks gangs of children playing on schoolyards sound like Hitler youth, and should be discouraged.
No and no, in my experience.
TNP has been to Virginia in the past year.
No, I have not, but it's very possible I'll end up down south for some job or other in the next decade.
TNP thinks the anti-hero, Uncle Ethan, of the movie *The Searchers* is one of the more understandable characters drawn in fiction from the nineteenth century to present. I don't speak to his or her simplicity or motives, just that the way that the character is drawn is an exemplary lesson in how to make the character's intentions plain.
Haven't seen the movie, although I've heard good things about it.
TNP has cried in a movie that most people wouldn't consider tear-worthy.
Yeah, I guess. I teared up a little at the recent documentary *Hitchcock/Truffaut* first time I saw it, and also at *Five Easy Pieces.* Since I've seen those more recently, nothing. I bet it's a glandular problem, to snip a bit of dialogue from *The 400 Blows*.
TNP thinks the guy in the movie *Frenzy*'s character in *Frenzy* reminds him or her of someone he or she knows or knows of.
Hmm. He looks just a little like a guy who was a friend of my parents - can't even remember his name. He also kinda looks like the dad on The Brady Bunch, now that I think about it. Maybe it's the hair?
TNP regularly watched The Brady Bunch growing up.
Eh, I'm probably a typical Gen-Xer who grew up with seeing the odd repeats and whatever of *TBB*, along with all the other dregs of TV at that time, what with reruns being all that was on, while all the new dregs was being made.
So, sure, I've seen my share of the Brady Bunch. And let me tell you now, laddie, Robert Reid is no Donald Trump, for that I'm for sure telling you now, laddie.
TNP has not seen a single episode of "Game of Thrones" (or insert similarly popular genre TV show, like *Walking Dead* or *Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman* or one of those).
TNP can think of a better "gritty reboot" than *Blue Velvet* of *Rear Window*, and will name names.
Yes, Hitchcock's Notorious might suit that purpose.
TNP once had a crush on Ingrid Bergman.
No, I've seen *Under Capricorn* and that kind of took some of the shine off for me.
TNP thinks Lauren Bacall is more "handsome" than "a striking beauty." Good actress, though, who did good movies!
Absolutely. She had a remarkable charisma and charm even though she wasn't "beautiful," as such. Love the picture of her clowning around with Harry Truman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauren...Piano-1945.jpg
TNP has heard a dog bark in the past three hours.
Hell no, thank God.
TNP has seen a coyote wandering around a city street in broad daylight.
I think I did, from a distance a few months ago, but can't be sure. Might have been a dog. There have been coyote sightings around here, though.
TNP has been within 500 feet of a bear in the wild.
Not that I'm aware of. Supposedly they make lots of noise, and are sort of big, so doubtful I could have missed one so close.
TNP has extremely good, Sterling Archer-like levels of "situational awareness," most of the time.
Yeah, I do OK. Haven't been mugged yet.
TNP watched the Trump-Clinton debate on Sun. night, and was appalled.
No, watched the ball game, thank god.
TNP will be watching the ALCS.
Off and on. Glad to see Cleveland getting so far!
TNP was pleasantly surprised when he or she last visited Cleveland.
True: I was very pleased when Hilary Clinton visited Cleveland, and I hope she enjoyed some of the wonderful marine cuisine that can be found among the lakes.
TNP has smelled BO so bad (from someone else) it made him or her consider changing positions recently.
Not recently, but it's happened in the past year, yes.
TNP has washed his or her hands with great relief recently.
Yep. Every time one gets a chance to have a good wash and a brush up is just great. Super.
TNP wonders if an isolated tribe of she-women, self-propoagating, would bother to groom themselves to man's standards. Or if it would be some gross basketball team.
Never thought about it, but I suspect Option B. I doubt they'd all be as hawt as Wonder Woman these days.
TNP thinks Wonder Woman these days is pretty hawt.
I had no idea there was a new Wonder Woman. It seems like I'll probably be forced to do a cursory search and hope the results are good.
TNP has seen things on Wikipedia that were surprising. About girls. Shut up!
I suppose so. It's like there are articles for just about everything.
TNP likes using Wiki's "Random article" function.
No way. I'll be damned if some math nerd's going to tell me what to read on Wikipedia.
TNP thinks Camel tobacco's slogan, "Camel: Taste It All" is both salacious and hilarious.
Hmm... no. Just blah.
TNP gave up smoking more than five years ago.
Haven't smoked cigarettes for four or five years, so I guess that's FALSE strictly speaking. I probably smoke about a pack or two a year since that time. OTOH I smoke a pipe tobacco like a chimney, which demonstrates an inferior, animalistic level of self-control, but I think cigarettes are for fairies and ladies, so I win, even though I lose at your question. ETAI see you just said "smoking," which to me implied "cigarettes," but was not your question. I plead FALSE, without equivocation.
TNP can think of a worse "good" (meaning, an "A"-picture, with big-name stars, all that) courtroom movie than *Inherit the Wind*.
Yeah, sure "The Verdict ".
TNP likes Indian food.
Felicitous you should ask. I just had a rather disagreeable meal -- the only one I allow myself now -- of some greasy downed-cattle ground beef and about three liters of wine. I will probably have to fast tomorrow just because I need to be lean, but the extraordinary application of the red pepper flakes on the beef reminded me of real food -- real food with spice, flavor. God dammit. I've been hungry for months, and all I want to eat is suffering and spicy peppers.
Sure as shit I like "Indian" food. I like a lot of different kinds, and I like a lot of different "Indian" girls.
Simmer down.....oK....
Never mind the bollocks. I like lots of Indian food a great deal, as a matter of fact.
TNP has known several very fine "Indian" friends in his or her life -- just regular people.
I apologize for my outburst: I meant to say that I enjoy Indian food a great deal.
TNP enjoys the Indian sense of hospitality, in general.
From what little I've seen of it, yes.
TNP thinks this SNL skit is hilarious: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjbc15X1zSM
I don't know this fucking corned beef hash just squirted in my goddamned eye. ETAyes I watched about most of that. It was fucking not funny. In fact, while I wish that chubby lady finds a good man and raises a family, I do not giv give one shit about that dumbass fucking shit.
TNP has ever used the term "squirted in my eye" in a positive sense.
That's a hardly friendly replyl FALSE. I have never been squirted in my eye and called it "a job well done." In fact, every time I have been squirted in the eye I have cursed and broken a great oath.
TNP thinks *To Kill a Mockingbird* is a greater movie than *The Wrong Man,* and will explain why the latter is not the more terrifying movie.
Having never seen the latter, I cannot.
TNP knows of a movie out now that he or she really wants to see.
Not really. If I was super drunk, I might think the new Ben Hur could be fun, but then again, I have no idea what's out there in the theaters, and it would only be fun if I went with a gang of people to the theater and brought along some Night Train and talked all the way through the movie. Probably not worth the next-day shame and self-loathing. Maybe there's some pornographic French blockbuster that I could be excited about, with karate boxing and naked stuff, but I haven't heard of it.
TNP should stop reading newspaper articles about [insert whatever] because of the chances of self-inducing some kind of incoherent rage spasm or stroke or something.
Probably true. This election carries too much of that risk already.
TNP has heard a beautiful Frenchwoman swear.
Interesting question. Come to think of it, I don't believe I've ever heard a Frenchwoman really as crassly as your average guy -- sure, though, I've heard Frenchwomen say some bad words, mostly just some variations on the usual "asshole" "bastard." However, I can't remember any specific scenes -- probably just some a confusion of various women in cafés (high-class euphemism for "place to get shitfaced on wine and beer") or on a street or library talking with friends. I'm not remembering any movies where a French actress has some choice moments, either, but I'd bet there's some good language in *Vivre sa vie* (I think it's called *My Life to Live* in the translation, or something like that -- basically the Anna Karina, who I think was Polish originally, but for all real intents is/was pretty much a "Frenchwoman," became a streetwalker after some problems in her life and doesn't end up really having an awesome life).
TNP has made a complete outrageous ass out of him or herself on (anti-)social media recently, speaking of using extremely foul, crude language. Or has witnessed something similar (but not by a politician -- that would be too easy).
No, other than by Trump, I haven't.
TNP has had at least five teenagers in his or her house recently.
No, my kid hasn't invited a bunch of friends over in a while.
TNP knows someone who has attempted suicide.
I think I do, but can't be sure. I haven't asked that person directly.
TNP knows a couple that recently separated.
.........thinking..........thinking.....no, not by any reasonable definition of "recently." Always amusing when it happens to someone else, IMHO, but somewhat dramatic otherwise, which is annoying. Trust me, I'm an expert.
TNP thinks Marina Sartis from *Star Trek Generations* (movie, not the TV show which didn't reveal her glory to my teenage self as she should have been) would think some Star Trek fanfic delivered in person to her house would be hilarious.
Maybe, on a good day. Otherwise she might be creeped out/irritated.
TNP will be going to a Halloween costume party.
emendation: that's "Sirtis," and, the correct response is.........still in play, a legitimate question, I suppose.
also, apparently Anna Karina is Danish in origin, not Polish as I'd thought, and is still very much alive, and almost ten years younger than Mamie van Doren who is still alive herself. I imagine those two might not have very much in common, and are as remarkably dissimilar artists as I can think of working within the same medium of movies and song.
That has been the day's errata. Signing off as Peter Graves, from A&E, I'm Peter Graves.
Whoops, simulpost, sort of. Oh, yeah, my nephews, my uncle (their granduncle) and me (their uncle) will spend an hour or so together. I'd like to go as Peter Graves, but I'd need a wig and probably a rubber mask, which I'm not going to do, so I've decided that my talents will be best employed in imitation of noted thespian, one-time People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive, and bon-vivant Nick Nolte.
TNP had forgotten completely about Diane Lane, and is pleased that she is contributing to the American cinema of today.
To change the topic from hot lady actresses, TNP thinks Liszt wrote some basically ridiculously show-offy music for which a good bout of arm-wrestling or bear-fighting would have served about the same purpose.
No. Liszt was an insanely talented and charismatic guy. He even got his own bad movie long after he died - not many musicians can claim that!: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisztomania_(film)
TNP has actually seen Lisztomania.
No :(. I haven't seen very many of Ken Russell's movies, but in a similar area, I heard quite a while ago that one of the best people, outstanding, huge, the best director Clouzot did a few films in the sixties about some composers. Forgot about those -- something new for me to check out one of these days. Yes, I like Liszt, actually, and have defended him against some apostates elsewhere, primarily because he had both the balls to take chromaticism and make something solidly competent out of it, as a craftsman would, and that he had a kind of quiet, reflective, Ignatian, perhaps, strain in some of his works, but he did have a tendency to go way overboard with the technical showboating. There's just no good reason to make ridiculous technique the point of a work, and to reduce good, even exceptional pianism to the level of one of Nancarrow's player-pianos. Well, whatever it is, I think the Gnomenreigen is a great example to keep the kids off drugs, stay in school, and stay away from suggestive, promiscuous, demonic music.
TNP finds that Dr. Bronner's style of writing should be taught in schools. As a model. Of something.
Don't know what it is, so I guess... no.
TNP agrees with me that teaching children to write cursive is a waste of time in this day and age - they should be taught to sign their own names in cursive, but otherwise the emphasis should be on clear printing.
100%. I was quite the master in ... second grade? I guess at learning that "new style" of cursive, whatever it's called. I had a student in a Comp class, of non-traditional age, who had the most beautiful handwriting I've ever seen, though, in the old-school traditional cursive -- when I told her that, she mentioned she'd gone to Catholic school (she was a black woman of about thirty-five or forty, in Buffalo, who was struggling with some of the demands of the course and I was about twenty-four, to give all the important details), so apparently they taught that, whenever that was, really well. Basically a neat party-trick, though. I don't sign my name in cursive -- I have a scrawl that is illegible, but sort of looks like my name. Actually, not far from my usual handwriting, which, although some people have called it a scrawl, is extremely regular and disciplined. No, cursive is a silly thing to teach. You might as well teach one of those Germanic black-letter scripts, or in music class how to sight read accurately an orchestral score with movable clefs in multiple positions. Or, IMHO, how to "touch type" -- I type extremely quickly and accurately, when I'm paying attention, and I don't need any of that sissy bullshit.
Oh, and Dr. Bronner is that guy who made that soap and put a bunch of ridiculous slogans on the label, like " Dilute dilute dilute. Think and Act Ten Years Ahead! OK! Get Done! Then teach to friend and enemy the moral ABC that Unites all Mankind!" or that kind of stuff.
TNP does not think that "eat an apple! it's nature's toothbrush!" is especially tempting advice to follow.
I like apples but I use an actual toothbrush to brush my teeth. Take from that what you will.
TNP haz seen a v rare pupper today.
Welcome back, Trojan Man!
If a "pupper" is the same as a puppy, no.
TNP is a fan of The Office (British or American version).
Not really either. In the US version, Dwight had some funny lines, but I stopped watching when it turned into some soap opera about the skateboarder kid with the hair and the shrew-faced lady. In the UK one, Ricky Gervais was very mean.
TNP used to watch *Boston Legal* back in the day, and thought it was hilarious.
No, L.A. Law was more my cup of tea.
TNP could do with a cup of tea right about now.
Nope. I drink a gallon or two of tea with milk a day. I think I'm all full up most days.
TNP is "all full up" of something generally desirable.
Yes. Love for my fellow human beings (most days).
TNP has been watching HBO's Westworld.
Watched first episode, mean to watch more. Never seem to have much time for some reason.
TNP has been watching the World Series.
Off and on, yes. Hope the Tribe clinches it tonight.
TNP has put an extra blanket on the bed in the past week.
The opposite -- I've been sleeping on my futon the past few days, and, since I didn't want to drag a bunch of blankets out there, I just used a cotton mattress cover I had which appeared to be clean. Surprisingly toasty, and the elastic bands around the corners make for a convenient thing to put over your head, like a hat. Not kidding, either. If I weren't lazy, I'd sew some elastic into a corner of a regular blanket or sheet and make my own custom hat/blanket combo.
TNP knows someone who no longer owns any TVs.
Yes. But then, he never has.
TNP watches at least an hour of TV per day, on average.
Yeah, I like TV. TV makes sense.
TNP is going to see Dr Strange this weekend.
Quite possibly. My 17-year-old really wants to see it, and I might go along.
TNP will sit by a fire this weekend.
No, kind of like my idea of sleeping in the front room. It's probably good for the back, or something.
TNP has had *Taster's Choice* brand coffee, but is not sure if it's any good or not.
Nope. Never have.
TNP prefers tea to coffee.
No, much prefer coffee.
TNP prefers gin to vodka.
Y'know, not sure that I've ever had gin. I've had vodka, though, and like it just fine.
TNP is an American who had a happy Thanksgiving, as I did.
Yeah, it was a very pleasant get-together, and my uncle, who punched me in the face two weeks ago after I insulted him, and I buried the hatchet. Of course, doing my father a favor by accompanying him to give my uncle a ride home, he and I had a disagreement, and when he dropped me off at my place, since it was on the way, I whipped out my dick and tried to piss on his car (I failed -- I'm old and it takes a while to get the stream going). Moral of the story? Sobriety is over-rated -- I never would have let him and his Richard Simmons-esque emotional outbursts goad me on if I had been properly anesthetized.
TNP makes a point of not getting angry or emotional, or letting his or her heart rate increase, when he or she responds to offensive mistakes made by the people.
I certainly try, and usually succeed.
TNP will see the very thought-provoking and well-done sf drama Arrival soon (as I did tonight).
Yeah, I'll probably see it.
TNP is really into keeping a clean and organized house, including books, papers, and computer stuff, and things. In moderation, of course.
Mostly true. My wife is messier than I am, though, and I try not to make her feel too guilty about it.
TNP thinks from time to time about a case in which, in TNP's opinion, the defendant was wrongly convicted.
Good question, but no, not really. That would imply a sensitive, empathetic, political sensibility, which attributes this poster mostly does not possess.
TNP spends some amount of time inventing punishments and corporal discipline methods that would, for all their horror, be right at home in Puritan colonial America, or a Kafka story.
True. I have certainly imagined harsh treatment for scofflaws and some who have crossed me.
TNP has relaxed in front of a fire in the past week.
No, wish I had.
TNP has attended a professional soccer game.
Yes - an exhibition game between the U.S. and Venezuelan teams. The drama of players faking terrible injuries from fouls, and then running around on the field seconds later, was laughable.
TNP knows at least two drama queens.
Yep.
TNP is mighty glad he or she isn't one of them.
Amen to that!
TNP has been to church in the past month.
No.
TNP thinks inciting religious bigotry is one of the few really good, reliable ways of making fun of groups of people, though.
Plenty of groups you could make fun of. No particular reason to do it.
TNP has heard too damn many Christmas songs in the past week.
No, I love them.
TNP is always kind of amazed that a song as dirty as "Baby,It's Cold Outside" became a Christmas standard.
Yeah, kinda. At least Prince or Madonna never had a song become a Christmas classic.
TNP would like to nominate a Prince or Madonna song to become a Christmas classic.
True, I would like to, but I can't think of anything either of them did that would be good. I have quite a collection of novelty instrumental jazz xmas albums too, and I wouldn't wish any of that either on a broke dick dog. The dregs of Tin Pan alley, the things the hacks wrote when they were in the middle of screwing their girls for eight days on special occasion, every last one of those songs. Yeah, snow is so fucking great, why don't you go die in it, you little hick.
TNP thinks Greensleeves is a pretty nice tune, though.
Yeah, but it's been played to death. If I never hear it again, that'd be OK.
TNP likes this a capella Christmas song by Pentatonix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAszTEhKLIA
Yeah, sure, it's fine.
TNP is looking forward to saying IRL "crapping in your hands and rubbing it in your face," but it's never come up yet. Maybe it will be Christmas this year.
Nah, I'm good.
TNP is looking forward to a Christmas vacation.
Yes, just afterwards, actually. We'll be visiting my in-laws in Vermont over New Year's.
TNP will have at least one glass of champagne on New Year's Eve.
Probably not. I'll probably stay in, possibly drink whiskey, definitely screw around on pianos, and maybe finally rearrange my keyboards so I can get to the Hammond more easily -- haven't played that in over a year. Maybe clean the kitchen+bathroom floors. Definitely floss and brush before going to sleep/passing out/whatever the kids call it these days.
TNP is shocked SHOCKED that their neighborhood grocery store is closed today, 25-dec. These people aren't catholics, they're all like Germans or English or some shit. Assholes. I really was looking forward to having a beer and enjoying the clear blue skies today while farting around online.
No, I wouldn't expect to find just about anyplace around here open on Christmas Day.
TNP got a particularly nice present from someone on Dec. 25.
Actually, yes. I gave in and saw my family on The Eve and, as seems to be a routine by now, rode downtown to carry some packages for my gimpy Uncle up to his apartment. My mother dropped me at my place on her way back and handed me a box. Not on the best of terms, me and ........ well, most people.... so I was mighty suspicious, and treated it as though it were full of hazardous waste or phosophorous munitions. Pretty sweet, she gave me a pretty neat jet-style pipe lighter and a fleece jacket that I don't need but is still brand new, so I'll save it for a fancy occasion. As I texted her, she discovered my only two weaknesses: pipe accessories, and presentable clothes, and I even made a weasely little attempt at an apology, so it was like a Christmas.....something, or whatever.
TNP is excellent at moderating his or her responses to being in bad moods, publicly, but is still in part a slave to emotions, probably some part of the basal ganglia or something.
That was too fake-serious. The real TNP has had kind of a toothache despite a meticulous routine of flossing and brushing recently.
Yes, back by one of my lower molars. I expect it'll go away on its own, though - it usually does.
TNP has seen the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim.
Maybe. Not sure.
TNP can arrange flunking a test, being fired from a job, failing a class, or getting cuckolded in order of ... goodness, best to wost.
Hmm... OK. Flunking, failing, fired, and f... I mean, getting cuckolded. None of these are good things, mind you.
TNP can list three movies which have an important scene taking place on stairs or a staircase.
Uh, Vertigo, Gone With the Wind, The Battleship Potemkin.
TNP can name three more.
Remind me - what was the stairs scene in Vertigo?
I'll say... Dark City (John Murdock zipping upstairs in midair as he developed his psionic powers), Appaloosa (gunfight at the end on the hotel stairs) and Notorious (Devlin and the girl escaping from the Nazis at the very end).
TNP has seen all three of those movies.
Sure. *Appaloosa* was one I only heard about over here, and turned out to be an excellent Western.
TNP can do the same but with an elevator instead of stairway. (yes, I think the staircase scenes could go on pretty much forever, though -- *The Man Who Knew Too Much* *Psycho* *Taxi Driver* *Whatever Happened to Baby Jane* .... I think my head might explode)
Hmm. Let's see... True Lies (Ahnuld on his police horse at the hotel), Liar Liar (Jim Carrey getting slapped by the beautiful girl), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (the T-1000 forcing the doors open... briefly).
TNP had a bit too much to drink on New Year's Eve.
Twenty-four ounces of beer, at 10.6% ABV. An impulse buy at the grocery store. I don't consider four units of alcohol too much, but I forget that defective American popular culture is dominated by effeminate males who probably think that's a bit unhealthy.
TNP probably should not say what he or she is thinking out loud, to real people, IRL.
Learned that a long time ago.
TNP is sorry that the holiday season is over.
Yeah, kinda.
TNP celebrates Arbor Day.
Every day is Arbor Day. Fucking trees with their goddamned squirrels and birds and shit. Love that shit.
TNP has been (or is being, or expects to be) extremely impressed by the grocery-bagging skills of a cashier.
False. I've seen some who are good, many who are fine, and a few who are incompetent, but have never been "extremely impressed" by anyone's grocery-bagging skills.
TNP will watch Trump's inaugural address live.
False, unless somebody drags me into it.
TNP watches Turner Classic Movies a lot.
False. Don't think I ever have.
TNP is not especially a fan of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No.2 in C minor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeErhHHmf7w
I don't have to listen to it to know I'm not especially a fan of it -- but it's OK.
TNP thinks the time is coming in America when the average person will observe another carrying a shotgun and think, "meh, drone defense," or "autonomous cars, right!," or, for short, "Amagoogle!"
I wouldn't be terribly surprised, especially out in the sticks.
TNP prefers the sticks to the big city.
Nah, I grew up in the sticks. They suck.
TNP likes to take aimless walks.
Guess I'd have to disagree. My walks, although long, are more purposeful - getting from Point A to Point B.
TNP has been to Point Z.
Yeah, I think so. Zima gets a sideways-thumb, Zabriskie gets all appendages down, Zulu tied with Zebra, and Z as in depths of depravity, I only think I've been there, but pretty sure.
TNP knew somebody personally who died of a heart attack while shoveling snow.
No, but I hear of it just about every winter.
TNP has gotten winded and become just a little bit scared of having a heart attack while shoveling snow.
False. Yeah, it can be a bit tiring, and definitely can work up a sweat -- hey, I figure I've done my share of digging out cars and sidewalks, and let the local kids do it.
TNP has never walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, for some reason.
False. I've only done so once, though, a couple of years ago while visiting a high school friend in NYC. Very glad I did it - an iconic structure.
TNP can name three movies in which the Brooklyn Bridge is destroyed.
No, I can't even think of one. My guess is it would have to be a recent movie or set of movies, so as to do CGI on it, since I think I heard NYC cops are pretty much not amused by movie people, for all the movies that are around New York, Tisch and everything.
TNP can name off the top of his or her head three famous people who were born in the same year (for example, Bach, DScarlatti, and Händel were all born in 1685, which I think is neat).
The movies I was thinking of: Deep Impact, Cloverfield and I Am Legend. Spoilers ahoy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNtsVP42bOE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVCki9kwF_4
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...end_teaser.jpg
In play:
No, I don't think I can. I know Lincoln and Darwin were both born on Feb. 12, 1809, but that's the best I got.
TNP has a great weekend planned.
No, I never make plans that far ahead.
TNP has never "played Freebird," and will explain.
I can't play guitar, so no, I have never played "Freebird."
TNP wants to travel abroad this year.
Yeah, it would be great to move around a bit. On second thought false, since not sure if I need to leave the continent -- Mexico or Alaska/Canada would be good enough. Maybe just go to the cities and become a stud.
TNP likes hot weather, but can think of lots of disadvantages, like direct sunlight and flying pests.
If I can just be in a T-shirt and shorts, I don't mind hot weather, but I can't really say I like it. I prefer fall or spring.
TNP just can't keep his feet warm in the winter.
False. I have a pretty good supply of these things called foot-gloves, or socks. Sometimes two pairs at once! Not as good as barefoot, but pretty good.
TNP has spent more time than should be imagined in the company of Deadheads.
No, very few, actually.
TNP has seen the Bill Murray classic film Groundhog Day in the past five years.
I think that's very possible I've seen it that recently. Can't be sure, but I think it's very likely.
TNP thinks wearing glasses is a PITA (for example, it makes it harder to pick your nose), but would not trade them for laser correction (where applicable) or contacts (where applicable).
Yes and no. I alternate between glasses and contacts, and don't particularly mind, but I have no interest in laser correction.
TNP has seen and enjoyed Yojimbo, a tongue-in-cheek samurai drama starring Toshiro Mifune.
Sure. I did enjoy it, too, although I like the reboot or whatever people call it a little more -- not that the Clint Eastwood "vehicle" is better, just more layers of intertextuality going on. I also enjoyed it despite my contempt for anything to do with samurais and Japanese culture -- Ozu and, to a lesser extent, whatsisface....the guy who directed.....the John Ford fan..................the famous.....well, whatever, that guy. No don't bother to fill in the blanks of my memory, I'd just....KUROSAWA, that's it. My mnemonic secret was to think of the movie *High and Low*, and his name popped up. I don't care for, generally, East Asian movies that aren't dubbed -- in fact, any movies with subtitles, really, but with Western European movies I feel I can sort of get the gist of whatever, from facial expressions or embouchure of the mouth while speaking (what vowels are likely sounded, and so forth). Also, I'm an out-and-proud racist whose energies are fueled by hatred and contempt. So, that means the movie must be good.
TNP thinks music should be taught in equal proportion to literature in compulsory schools (in USA, K->12, I guess it is). Or at a minimum, call what they teach as "English" or whatever, "literature appreciation," since IME it's rare that actual literature is taught at the level of techniques and languages, as music and literature are taught at the university level.
I'm as big a music fan as anyone, but I'd be fine if it were taught mebbe half as much as literature.
TNP has a favorite living contemporary non-rock, non-pop composer.
Sure. Trojan Kid is all right -- he's quick and efficient and has a good ear. I don't think there's anything happening in jazz or academic music that is interesting to me, nor in Lautgedicht.
TNP thinks he or she might lose his or her shit if he or she hears some of that goddamned Hollywood New York Anglo bullshit again soon -- that jingle bells, white christmas, rudolph bullshit. Or what we in straight circles call "music for murdering toddlers by."