The AH Coffee Shop and Reading Room 09

[Rustyoznail]

Welcome to Monday, people.

Too late for coffee. I'll freshen the pot, but I'm having a bit of rum and raisin dark chocolate.

I've nearly finished editing a story for an Indian friend. For most of the story, it's pretty easy work but when she gets excited, she moves perspective to first person and present tense. It's challenging, but chuckle worthy.

 

[Duleigh]

when she gets excited, she moves perspective to first person and present tense. It's challenging, but chuckle worthy.

Good Morning! Tell her she's not alone. When I get really rolling with writing and the ideas are coming faster than the fingers can translate, the narrative suddenly slides into present tense. Members of my "Fan club" are more than eager to point out the occasional present tense word or expression that survived the editing process.

It's surprising how few want to step forward and help with editing before publishing

Thanks for getting the coffee Rus, I'll put on a kettle of tea and we'll be ready for the morning rush

 

[MrPixel]

Shame on me. I dumped the pot to try a whole-bean coffee directly imported from China, via our son's return on Saturday. So you've been warned. Coffee actually isn't bad. Subtle chocolate notes, but I don't know if it's flavored or just naturally that way - I can't read the Chinese on the can! I'll have to wait for him to come by the house and ask 'im (he reads and speaks Mandarin).

Interesting tidbit from the horse's mouth - if you've been noticing the stories about the surveillance state China has become, you only have half of how bad it is. All computing devices must have spyware installed at the root level, or they won't access the internet. We're talking about gov't-mandated BIOS patches. He's been strongly advised to destroy his personal laptop and phone, and was given a stipend to replace both.

All adults must carry a smartphone for tracking purposes, and key services such as medical are not available to you without having the phone in-hand. All personal commerce - even restaurant ordering - is via smartphone scans of QR codes.

I could go on, but you get the picture. George Orwell had nothing on what the Chinese can do and are doing.

 

[NotWise]

Interesting tidbit from the horse's mouth - if you've been noticing the stories about the surveillance state China has become, you only have half of how bad it is ,,,

Just imagine the number of people that are employed just spying on other people!

 

[MrPixel]

Just imagine the number of people that are employed just spying on other people!

That was mentioned, too. There were two portable buildings "parked" outside the diplomats' apartment block, and the large number of people coming and going, both uniformed and not, was especially noticeable. It would be interesting to know what percentage of GDP is devoted to the surveillance state, but whatever it is would be measurable.

Needless to say, he's happy to be home, but takes off in a couple of months for his next adventure in a far-off land - three years this time.

 

[Areala-chan]

Not to derail things, but is anyone else dreading the day this thread gets to 500 pages and becomes the last TxRad-led Coffee Shop and Reading Room post?

Since I'm contributing to that problem, I suppose I should place an order. Can I get a small iced mocha with half-and-half and whip?

 

[Kumquatqueen]

That was mentioned, too. There were two portable buildings "parked" outside the diplomats' apartment block, and the large number of people coming and going, both uniformed and not, was especially noticeable. It would be interesting to know what percentage of GDP is devoted to the surveillance state, but whatever it is would be measurable.

Needless to say, he's happy to be home, but takes off in a couple of months for his next adventure in a far-off land - three years this time.

Like the DDR did, only with modern technology. My colleagues get brand new devices to take to China, and similarly, I'm told they are destroyed on return (the devices not the colleagues!)

It prevents unemployment...

 

[MrPixel]

...is anyone else dreading the day this thread gets to 500 pages and becomes the last TxRad-led Coffee Shop and Reading Room post?

I didn't realize there was still a limit on thread size. One of our younger members will have to step up to start the new thread in his memory - too many of the regulars here are fast approaching their use-by dates.

As I am being reminded of by not one, but two cardiologist appointments this week. Echocardiogram I don't mind, but the stress test and angiogram are uncomfortable and take half the day.

 

[NotWise]

Not to derail things, but is anyone else dreading the day this thread gets to 500 pages and becomes the last TxRad-led Coffee Shop and Reading Room post?

Since I'm contributing to that problem, I suppose I should place an order. Can I get a small iced mocha with half-and-half and whip?

I recall the old limit was 5000 posts, but the 5000-post limit seemed to go away when Lit updated to the new software. At this point we're way past 5000 posts.

So TxRad's Coffee Shop goes on until we find some new limit. Hopefully AH_Mod or someone will tell us before that happens. If it does happen, then I think the new thread could be "TxRad's Coffee Shop and Reading Room" regardless of who starts it..

 

[JGittes]

When I took the two dogs out for their 3:30 a.m. walk this morning, a fox was waiting across the street. This is the third day I've seen it. The dogs have learned to ignore it, as well as any hedgehogs we meet (not often). Cats and squirrels are an entirely different matter though.

We still have our flock of Canada Geese in the pond. All five goslings have survived thus far. Same number last year. When the geese arrived a few months ago, there were seven for a couple of days. I assumed it was the family from last year. Five left after a couple of days. Two years ago, they had a clutch (I don't know if that's the proper name for a litter of geese) of four, but one died before they left for the winter.

I'm repainting (decorating in the UK) the clapboard front of our house. I completely replaced the clapboard in 2020, the last year we had summer in the UK. Wood and water don't mix. A few of the caulked joints and epoxy wood filler replacements had enough movement to crack the paint seal. I can still do the work, so I thought it would be worthwhile to do it even though it could go a few more years. Everyone walking by comments that I'd painted only four years ago, so why do it again? Deferred maintenance is essentially the only sort of maintenance done in this part of England.

 

[litfan10]

Not to derail things, but is anyone else dreading the day this thread gets to 500 pages and becomes the last TxRad-led Coffee Shop and Reading Room post?

Since I'm contributing to that problem, I suppose I should place an order. Can I get a small iced mocha with half-and-half and whip?

If its any consolation, the word chain thread has 2k more responses than this so we are good for a while I guess.

 

[Smuttyandfun]

 

[MillieDynamite]

I had a day without coffee recently, it was hell in a handbag and a shitstorm to get through.

View attachment 2363449

 

[TarnishedPenny]

I had a day without coffee recently, it was hell in a handbag and a shitstorm to get through.

My heavens! Caught in a blizzard? Siege of Vicksburg? Zombies?

 

[BelleCanzuto]

My heavens! Caught in a blizzard? Siege of Vicksburg? Zombies?

A blizzard of zombies in Vicksburg.

 

[BelleCanzuto]

Got my replacement for Ole Trusty Civic (may she who served faithfully and true rest in peace).
I splurged on a top of the trim line 2020 Accord Hybrid.
The bells and whistles have an actual learning curve. Accord drives very smooth, has a great sound system, and I'm averaging almost 40 mpg (which includes commuting over a mountain), I spent a good chunk of the in town driving this afternoon in EV mode.

Hat tip to TP who caught my typo!

 

[Rustyoznail]

I just thought you were cautious.

Nearly noon, and I've had two questions asked, which, on the surface, would take ten minutes to complete. Both got complicated real quick and took over an hour for each.

I think I'll go for a walk, buy a cuppa, and watch the ocean for a while.

 

[dmallord]

Shame on me. I dumped the pot to try a whole-bean coffee directly imported from China, via our son's return on Saturday. So you've been warned. Coffee actually isn't bad. Subtle chocolate notes, but I don't know if it's flavored or just naturally that way - I can't read the Chinese on the can! I'll have to wait for him to come by the house and ask 'im (he reads and speaks Mandarin).

Interesting tidbit from the horse's mouth - if you've been noticing the stories about the surveillance state China has become, you only have half of how bad it is. All computing devices must have spyware installed at the root level, or they won't access the internet. We're talking about gov't-mandated BIOS patches. He's been strongly advised to destroy his personal laptop and phone, and was given a stipend to replace both.

All adults must carry a smartphone for tracking purposes, and key services such as medical are not available to you without having the phone in-hand. All personal commerce - even restaurant ordering - is via smartphone scans of QR codes.

I could go on, but you get the picture. George Orwell had nothing on what the Chinese can do and are doing.

Be careful of scanning that QR code on the can of china beans! You could end up needing a new phone as well. LOL

 

[dmallord]

I didn't realize there was still a limit on thread size. One of our younger members will have to step up to start the new thread in his memory - too many of the regulars here are fast approaching their use-by dates.

As I am being reminded of by not one, but two cardiologist appointments this week. Echocardiogram I don't mind, but the stress test and angiogram are uncomfortable and take half the day.

My stress tests are chemical. It's that hot flush feeling that runs down your body, into your ... and then fades away after a minute. Make you wonder if you should tinkle in the dark to see if it glows when you get home.

I wish I could read my use-by-date. Unfortunately I think the doctor's stamped it too far up my .... for me to bend over and read. [Fashback moment to basic training days when a drill sergeant delivered the lesson on 'how to protect yourself in a nuclear blast.' "Make sure your weapon is secure so it doesn't get sent downwind. Spread your legs, remove your helmet, then bend down, put your head between your legs–and kiss your ass goodbye!"]

However, I do appreciate the coffee service, and hopefully, someone will rise to Tex's level of support and renew this thread if and when the time comes.

Raising a cup in fond memory.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

I’ll join you in that cup.

 

[litfan10]

From my hemisphere good morning all.
Enjoying my cup of blackberry citrus tea, the sunrise and birds awakening.
Have a great day everyone.

 

[litfan10]

Update: also enjoying the sound of well fed kitties
looking for adventure in whatever comes their way.
(Credit to Mr.Kay for the last part.)

 

[Duleigh]

Kitties - I wonder why there are no cats in my stories other than barn cats to keep the mice under control, in fact there's only one dog (Wonka)

I may have to introduce a kitty for Christmas... the best kind, an unplanned kitten found by a small girl.

I put on a fresh pot of Joe, but this morning I think I'll have a cup of Red Rose (available only in Canada no longer!)

 

[Candy_Kane54]

Raising up my cup of Earl Grey in memory of TxRad. Never, ever scan a QR code, even if you think it's safe.

 

[MillieDynamite]

Morning all, hope all you loverly people are having a wondermus day. Just dropping in to say hay, HAY! I'm getting back to writing now. May the words be with you!!!