BS: stay afloat while others don't

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jan 25 - 11:29 AM

Might be a big circle! I hope the new space accommodates it.

Staying afloat in the US just got more difficult. King Donald wants to take apart the social public and private network. I guess he hasn't taken a drive down the main drags in many American cities now to see how many homeless are already out there (largely due to the extra funding that came about during COVID not being renewed by the GOP congress last term.)

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Mrrzy
Date: 20 Jan 25 - 11:52 AM

Sing in a circle facing away from each other, was the covid-era advice

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: keberoxu
Date: 14 Jan 25 - 03:22 PM

We think the publicity did it, we work hard at getting the word out locally.
What I so often hear is that someone attends a concert, likes what they see and hear,
and then joins the group.

It's only too true about contagious illness and choral singing.
A lot of us are taking our chances doing this.
Especially now the rehearsal room is getting so crowded.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Jan 25 - 02:58 PM

That's good news - what do you suppose sparked the interest in all of these new participants? Good publicity about the program, or did all of them decide they needed to get out more and this is their chosen activity? Either way, it is good news. I hope everyone goes in healthy and all are vaccinated to the eyeballs to avoid spreading colds, flu, Covid, RSV, etc. in those crowded quarters. Singing is one of the activities most likely to spread contagious stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Mrrzy
Date: 13 Jan 25 - 08:53 PM

Indeed!

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: keberoxu
Date: 12 Jan 25 - 07:40 PM

Another chorus rehearsal tomorrow evening.
The chorus has a happy problem: there are so many new people
that there is hardly enough space for everyone
in the rehearsal room.
Actually our director is beating the bushes in town
for a different place to rehearse that won't cost the earth.
But too many people is a fortunate problem to have,
far better than too few.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: keberoxu
Date: 10 Jan 25 - 06:58 PM

So, Kipling in Vermont, I looked it up, quick and dirty-like.

The Vermont sojourn had to do with Kipling's marriage; his in-laws lived there.
A brother-in-law ruined the whole experience and Kipling left,
but not before he and his wife had two daughters born to them there.

If you saw "My Boy Jack" on public television,
you know about John Kipling, the son.
This latter was born later, in England,
after the Kiplings fled from Vermont.

That said, the Kipling house is still there and is held in trust,
with furnishings of the period.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Jan 25 - 04:33 PM

Mrrzy, He was, but it was a really weird time.

Helen, that is most likely.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Helen
Date: 10 Jan 25 - 03:36 PM

No, I don't think the keto diet was the culprit, but the person on the diet might have been using supplements and meal replacements while on the diet, and they were the culprits.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Mrrzy
Date: 10 Jan 25 - 11:04 AM

I had no idea that Kipling had been in Vermont.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Jan 25 - 06:37 PM

Good point, Helen. The named item in supplements often have something else for a synergistic effect, like Vitamin C with a side of Vitamin D3, or Omega 3 and Vitamin A, etc. I've just looked at my supplement bottles - the calcium, Vitamin D3 and B12 are directed by my doctor, all OTC versions. The few that I take manage to give me near the recommended amounts, though I get about 350% of the D3, and the B12 bottle tells me that 5000 mcg is (!) 208333% of my daily requirement. The magnesium I take has inactive ingredients including glycerin. If it isn't made from bones then it is vegetable glycerin (made from coconut) that I avoid. Nothing on the bottle makes vegan claims so I will assume it is beef not coconut sourced.

In your article she talks about being on the Keto diet - that in and of itself shouldn't be a culprit. How she gets her protein (via processed foods versus simple meat, egg, dairy sources) is probably the problem. I avoid most processed foods, and stopped taking iron because I'm eating more meat these days, keeping beef to about once a week. We would get more Omega 3s from various meats if they were grassfed, and chances are most of mine isn't, so I take an Omega 3 fish oil supplement. (Animals fed grain to fatten them end up with more Omega 6 from the grain.)

Staying afloat - starting up a new 12-pocket folder for organizing bills and printouts of payments, receipts, etc. Tidying accounts, looking to see if there are new features I can be using. Taking a clue from all of the folks having to race from their homes in California and making sure the one file box that I would take with me if I had to evacuate is complete. I live in tornado alley on a creek next to a bunch of woods - it isn't inconceivable.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Helen
Date: 07 Jan 25 - 01:56 PM

Hi all,

I hope you had a good silly season. Happy New Year!

I caught a bit of a news item yesterday about Vitamin B6 toxicity caused by taking too much B6 so I searched for an ABC (Oz) News article and found this one from a couple of years ago.

High levels of vitamin B6 in supplements, weight-loss products can cause toxicity, chronic illness

It appears that the resulting symptoms are not picked up by many medical professionals. This article also mentions a woman who was on the keto diet, including taking various supplements and taking meal replacement shakes to lose weight and she started having some very worrying symptoms. It took a long time, and a lot of medical consultations before one of the medical professionals suggested checking her blood and found a toxic level of Vitamin B6.

I just thought it might be worth checking out, especially if anyone here is taking vitamin supplements, or other foods or drinks which include Vitamin B6, and which might increase the risk of excessive Vitamin B6 total intake. FYI, I take a Magnesium supplement with other vitamins for leg cramps which includes Vitamin B6, and now and then I take a multi vitamin, but usually not even once a week.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: keberoxu
Date: 04 Jan 25 - 01:59 PM

The license plate tags have been delivered, complete with sticker.
It took something like ten weeks for the order to be processed and delivered, but now they are here.
Big sigh of relief.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Jan 25 - 11:11 AM

Moving to where idyllic village life in Green Mountains that enhance privacy and visitors is desired, I would choose Vermont. It is where Robert Frost, Rudyard Kipling, Sinclair Lewis and other authors built homes. It holds the open secret of other authors' residences. If you choose this road less traveled it may make all the difference.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Mrrzy
Date: 31 Dec 24 - 12:06 PM

Indeed, keb!

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: keberoxu
Date: 30 Dec 24 - 03:32 PM

Mrrzy, grand that things are more stable with your meds.

Here in New England, we've had enough precipitation in this county
that we have had our status changed from
severe drought to moderate drought.
So much for staying afloat . . .

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Mrrzy
Date: 29 Dec 24 - 01:54 PM

65° here today, Fahrenheit...

We are titrating down on the meds. Much better.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: keberoxu
Date: 25 Dec 24 - 06:11 PM

Where I'm staying, we had
a combination Christmas/Hanukkah dinner,
complete with singing around the menorah.
A good time was had by all,
even if the apple crisp could have been a little better.
(besides, there's chocolate candy around)

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: keberoxu
Date: 22 Dec 24 - 03:29 PM

Winter solstice and no turning back, not even for the weather.
It is bitterly cold outside and
there is a coating of snow on the ground.

The choral concert was a success, although
it was difficult to warm up the church sanctuary for the concert
with the subfreezing temperatures outside.
Still we had good attendance and the audience received us warmly.

Now we get a couple of weeks off,
until it's time to rehearse for concerts in the New Year.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: keberoxu
Date: 20 Dec 24 - 06:44 PM

We are getting thick powdery snow overnight.
Just in time for tomorrow's choral Christmas concert,
a fresh coating of white snow on the landscape.
And it is to be bitterly cold, single digits Fahrenheit.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Dec 24 - 11:58 PM

I put the faucet cover back over the back yard spigot after doing some work this week that required a hose. We haven't quite actually had a real freeze yet; the basil is still green in the pots on the driveway side of the house though some of the sweet potato vines have slumped from the cold.

Odd weather this fall.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: keberoxu
Date: 18 Dec 24 - 09:25 PM

And now we're having a steady soaking rain, which is needed.
of course, it may freeze overnight ...

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Mrrzy
Date: 18 Dec 24 - 05:42 PM

It snowed for 10 mn one day, lovely

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: keberoxu
Date: 16 Dec 24 - 03:14 PM

Two choral concerts down, one to go.
We've had two snowstorms here,
and each was followed by a warming period that melted all the snow.
This melting is happening now, after a few inches of snow last night.
At least we are getting some precipitation,
the rain is badly needed as we are in the severe drought category.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: keberoxu
Date: 10 Dec 24 - 07:16 PM

Well, I now have the title to my new[er] car.
All i need now are the replacement license plates,
until then there is a paper license tag in the rear window.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Donuel
Date: 10 Dec 24 - 06:50 AM

Keb, your observations of Nov. 30 assume that other people do things according to your own motivations and thoughts. This is a normal bias, but it does not reflect reality very well.

For example, if you assume an extraterrestrial has the same motivations and thoughts as we do, you would probably be misled.
The same bias happens when looking at another unusual culture.

It is practically a miracle, like falling in love when communication works perfectly. When friends are different species the bonds seem extra special like a man and dog, a gorilla and a kitten or a horse and its goat friend.

No the world does not share our thoughts such as

What the world needs now is love sweet love
no not just for one but for everyone...

peace on earth, good will to men.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Mrrzy
Date: 09 Dec 24 - 08:30 PM

Keb, totz fun!

Normal, for Main St...

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: keberoxu
Date: 08 Dec 24 - 04:45 PM

The TODAY show has been and gone a couple of days now.
I was passing by when they were shooting,
and heard this huge cheer by all the people in front of the cameras.
Lucky for them, the weather cooperated, good conditions.
Today is the last day of the Norman Rockwell act,
tomorrow Main Street will be back to normal.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Mrrzy
Date: 05 Dec 24 - 04:10 PM

Now lemme tell you about the town of Stockbridge, Massachussetts.

-Arlo Guthrie, somewhere in Alice's Restaurant

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Dec 24 - 07:27 PM

Keb, I like your observations of Nov. 30. Good post.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: keberoxu
Date: 04 Dec 24 - 06:08 PM

I'm staying in the town of Stockbridge
which is about to have the Today show descend upon Main Street.
It's about recreating a scene from Norman Rockwell.
I'm doing my best to stay clear of the whole shoot.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: keberoxu
Date: 30 Nov 24 - 01:40 PM

The thread on the US election is a nice safe place
for people to do some much needed venting about
the troubling election results.

But I'm not going to post to that thread.
I'm just posting here to say that
I find the polarization wearying and pessimistic
and honestly don't find the words strong enough for the negativity of it.

I'm going to cope with it all by practicing what detachment is possible,
and thinking of the two sides, not as right versus wrong,
but that both are human, fallible, and need healing and grace.
I'm sorry if that sounds sanctimonious,
and it isn't that I'm any better than the people venting.
There just has to be a more humane way to live with each other
once one gets exhausted from the fight.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 30 Nov 24 - 10:13 AM

Going by the confusion, clearly the meaning of grok, unlike that of glark, can't be glarked from context.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 29 Nov 24 - 05:04 AM

Grok the fullness would be a good name for a band...

If I hadn't already looked it up in the dictionary, and was asked to guess what the verb 'to grok' meant, I would have come up with something quite unpleasant. As in:-

"He had so much to drink that he came home and grokked all over the bathroom floor."

By my definition, 'Grok the fullness' would have to be a punk rock band.

DC

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Nov 24 - 11:32 PM

Staying afloat - these days it is pitching between keeping occupied with daily activities and having silent moments when the stunning results of the recent election can erode one's sense of well-being. Of finding productive ways to put one foot in front of the other that will add up to meaningful contributions to the next election.

Tough holiday season. Trump is acting like a president even without having been sworn in yet, and there is no shutting him up. He knows how to push the media buttons. There are few times one roots for the criminal class, but if only the kid in Butler, PA, had been a better shot. I wouldn't even wish that on Nixon or Reagan, but Trump - a whole new ballgame.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Mrrzy
Date: 28 Nov 24 - 09:28 PM

Grok the fullness would be a good name for a band...

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Nov 24 - 02:44 PM

To save MaJoC having to pull out the book again, I'll dip into Wikipedia:

Grok (/'gr?k/) is a neologism coined by American writer Robert A. Heinlein for his 1961 science fiction novel Stranger in a Strange Land. While the Oxford English Dictionary summarizes the meaning of grok as "to understand intuitively or by empathy, to establish rapport with" and "to empathize or communicate sympathetically (with); also, to experience enjoyment",[1] Heinlein's concept is far more nuanced, with critic Istvan Csicsery-Ronay Jr. observing that "the book's major theme can be seen as an extended definition of the term."[2] The concept of grok garnered significant critical scrutiny in the years after the book's initial publication. The term and aspects of the underlying concept have become part of communities such as computer science.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 27 Nov 24 - 11:30 AM

Thanks Doug - I’d never heard of it either! Still don’t have a clue what it is…

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 27 Nov 24 - 11:23 AM

Please tell me everybody knows that grok is from Stranger in a Strange Land.

I had never come across the word until I read it in this thread.

DC

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 27 Nov 24 - 09:05 AM

I concede: it took a bit of digging (the shelves in our e-scriptorium* suffer from chronic books-behind-books syndrome), but The New Hacker's Dictionary acknowledges Strangers in a Strange Land as the origin of grok. It's between gritch and grunge.

--- Rats: now my first-edition copy of TNHD is getting even more loose-leaf. Perfect binding isn't.

* For completeness, Herself has a Sulkarium upstairs.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Nov 24 - 10:43 PM

I always thought it was - but the Ngram search was to confirm what I thought. :)

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Mrrzy
Date: 26 Nov 24 - 09:26 PM

Please tell me everybody knows that grok is from Stranger in a Strange Land.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Nov 24 - 10:12 PM

Google Ngrams gives me Strangers in a Strange Land as a result. 73 pages matching "grok" in this book.

After the computer UPS exploded two nights ago (wasn't Keb on target with her astrological warning!) I've replaced it and set up the computer and equipment again (there was a small explosion and fire but nothing damaged and the old unit is out in the driveway still).

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Mrrzy
Date: 22 Nov 24 - 09:42 PM

Excellent therapist, indeed.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 22 Nov 24 - 08:48 AM

It may predate Agent X himself, Stilly: "grok" is in my first-edition copy of The New Hacker's Dictionary, and in its source document, the Jargon File*, which goes back in various guises to the 1960s. I decline to comment further on Agent X, as I've more respect for my digestion.

* I used to promote that at work as "How to understand your friendly neighbourhood MaJoC".

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Nov 24 - 07:40 PM

Good to know about the electronics, Keb - I'm getting a head start on that retrograde bit. Having your paperwork in order and people knowing where to find it is a good idea for all of us.

Interesting insights about self and other people, Mrrzy. The flip side of that would be those of us trying to figure out when to nod and when to stop talking or when to jump into a conversation. When the part of the transaction that is clearest is the "I" part and trying to grok others. (Not letting Musk own that word; it has been around much longer than Twitter).

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: keberoxu
Date: 21 Nov 24 - 06:56 PM

I am now on the waiting list for the retirement community.
The waiting list could take months or as much as a year,
so it had sense to go ahead and get on it already.
A deposit and paperwork were required, which I supplied.
I asked for, and was given, a copy of the packet for new residents.
There's a lot in there, including the standard agreement,
which reads like a rental lease in many respects.
I will have to study it all. But I have time.

The part that was new and different was all about provisions for death:
tell us where your will is and who the executor is,
and something about a power of attorney, and more besides.

For those who pay attention to such things,
Mercury is about to go retrograde through much of December.
Schedules, communications, and electronics tend to go haywire then.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Mrrzy
Date: 19 Nov 24 - 08:27 PM

Indeed. You have a good team, too, it seems.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: keberoxu
Date: 19 Nov 24 - 02:31 PM

Since the question was asked,
I"m spending Thanksgiving in treatment along with a number of other patients here.
We'll enjoy a small festive dinner (we sign up for it in advance) from the treatment dining/kitchen staff.

Mrrzy, the wave/particle explanation helps a lot.
Sounds like you have a good therapist, as well.

Subject: RE: BS: stay afloat while others don't
From: Mrrzy
Date: 18 Nov 24 - 10:20 PM

Rereading - objects other than myself are the subject. Sorry.