I always thought the name Serenity had a vaguely funereal sound to it.

Simon ,'Out Of Gas'


Natter 69: Practically names itself.  

Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.


Allyson - Dec 22, 2011 6:28:34 pm PST #12709 of 30001
Wait, is this real-world child support, where the money goes to buy food for the kids, or MRA fantasyland child support where the women just buy Ferraris and cocaine? -Jessica

It's the holidays. I couldn't find the compose button on my gmail for about 15 minutes this morning. I assume no one knows what anyone else is talking about.


Typo Boy - Dec 22, 2011 6:34:13 pm PST #12710 of 30001
Calli: My people have a saying. A man who trusts can never be betrayed, only mistaken.Avon: Life expectancy among your people must be extremely short.

Incidentally, in all my TLDR, I think I came up with good framing for the alta-lobby. "Big Snake Oil"


Ginger - Dec 22, 2011 6:37:08 pm PST #12711 of 30001
"It didn't taste good. It tasted soooo horrible. It tasted like....a vodka martini." - Matilda

Science: In it.

"To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;"

It's talking about patents and copyright, but it implies that the "Progress of Science" is a good thing. Jefferson got funding for the Lewis & Clark expedition from Congress. He asked for $2,500. Congress may have ended up paying as much as 20 times that, showing that there is ample precedent for both scientific funding and cost overruns. In 1879, Congress made science an official part of government by founding the United States Geological Survey. (I have a small obsession with the founding of the USGS. Try not to judge.)

Anyway, there's plenty of precedent, which those people who carry around cards of the Constitution fail to consider, probably because they wish the Supreme Court wasn't in the Constitution.


Matt the Bruins fan - Dec 22, 2011 6:42:31 pm PST #12712 of 30001
"I remember when they eventually introduced that drug kingpin who murdered people and smuggled drugs inside snakes and I was like 'Finally. A normal person.'” —RahvinDragand

Back from the family Christmukkah to-do. Was very nice seeing most of the folks on my mom's side of the family, particularly the two new toddlers now that they can run and do other stuff besides cry. I am filled to the brim with beef tenderloin, cheese, and olives, and the dirty Santa gift I took was a big hit with its eventual recipient. Also, I snagged one of those over-the-toilet storage units that closely matches the colors in my bathroom.


Allyson - Dec 22, 2011 6:52:15 pm PST #12713 of 30001
Wait, is this real-world child support, where the money goes to buy food for the kids, or MRA fantasyland child support where the women just buy Ferraris and cocaine? -Jessica

Abraham Lincoln created the National Academy of Sciences.

Party of Lincoln, amirite?


msbelle - Dec 22, 2011 6:52:32 pm PST #12714 of 30001
I remember the crazy days. 500 posts an hour. Nubmer! Natgbsb

is ita going to jamaica?

y'all I shopped for hours today with an adult friend and no kid. awesome!


Ginger - Dec 22, 2011 6:55:06 pm PST #12715 of 30001
"It didn't taste good. It tasted soooo horrible. It tasted like....a vodka martini." - Matilda

Party of Lincoln, amirite?

If it was the current party, they'd still be amending the Emancipation Proclamation.


Liese S. - Dec 22, 2011 6:57:59 pm PST #12716 of 30001
"Faded like the lilac, he thought."

Party of Lincoln, whoot!

Apropos, actually, because we took the SO's folks over to the Presidential library & museum for Lincoln today. It was an amazing, amazing trip. His dad likened it to climbing Everest, and beforehand his mom really didn't want to because of his health, but they made it and it was grand. Somber, but grand. I am so glad they went. And I learned lots!

Anyway, in the Big Pharma column, there's def lots of bad for which I harbor resentment, but Big Pharma has funded me a bunch, albeit through their foundation's employee matching program. As a religious org we don't qualify for regular foundation support, but for their employees/retirees it's looser.


Allyson - Dec 22, 2011 6:58:42 pm PST #12717 of 30001
Wait, is this real-world child support, where the money goes to buy food for the kids, or MRA fantasyland child support where the women just buy Ferraris and cocaine? -Jessica

I've been writing about science funding, so am cranky.

Did i ever tell you people about the amazing Hawaiian squid?


Allyson - Dec 22, 2011 6:59:40 pm PST #12718 of 30001
Wait, is this real-world child support, where the money goes to buy food for the kids, or MRA fantasyland child support where the women just buy Ferraris and cocaine? -Jessica

Oh hey! I start my Official Guitar Lessons on Thursday next week!

Am nervous and excited.