Disqus - Friends of hikergirl

Re: Weird old day on my crappy but beloved little tumblog.

Michael — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:02:32 -0000

Hello, Mabel. No wonder it is beloved...it is a perfectly charming tumblog. I was drawn by the container port photo, only to be captivated the the whole. Intelligence and wit are so seductive, and I had to follow.

My name is Michael, and I live in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia in the US (i.e., Norfolk, Virginia Beach, etc., and incidentally, the second largest container port in the western hemisphere, but who's counting?). I keep my humble (but beloved) fatchance log for my own pleasure and amusement, and also for whatever occasional small joys I can offer to family and friends. I'm hopeful that good intentions make up for any defect in the photography.

Best wishes to you. Thanks for sharing.

Re: LIONTAMER'S BLUES - Dreams of Mayan Traincars… [dt]

Michael — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:10:26 -0000

Great image...evocative caption. My usual stop is Kenosha. I'll be grateful if the priesthood refrain from human sacrifice until the train reaches points north.

Re: Fat Chance: a photo-a-day log - Another sacred subject. St. Joseph Cathedral,...

Michael — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:52:23 -0000

...which is why I try to visit signifant places of worship or religious festivites when when I travel. It's not hard to find forms of religious expression that are worthy of attention and admiration. Many thanks for your kind words about the photo.

Re: mabel moments

Michael — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:04:23 -0000

I'm unimpressed...unless rats are spontaneously generating in the pile.

Re: And the Winner IS...

Michael — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:57:14 -0000

Granted, the open tin on nansamplr's tabletop is a decidedly disgusting embellishment. But what really bothers me about this so-called "winning" photo is the coaster. Seriously? I know there is a coster burried somewhere in the detritus on the top of my desk at this moment, but I am also quite sure that it is not supporting any of the eight drinking vessels I can see poking through to the surface. I was not a challenger in this competition, but in my opinion nansamplr's coaster (in use, no less!) constitues grounds for disqualification. Slovenly? I think not.

Re: mabel moments

Michael — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 08:57:41 -0000

So classy. Presumably, that's vodka in the glasses, or possibly benzene.
Glad to know you're feeling better.

Re: Fat Chance: a photo-a-day log - From Lynnhaven Fishing Pier. When I was a child...

Michael — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 02:56:07 -0000

Thank you, Mabel. I have just appointed you my trivia go-to person.

We have a world-class marine science center in Virginia Beach, complete with a large touch tank for skates and rays (stinger barbs removed). I've always been delighed by their playful intelligence. They seem to relish being stroked and petted. I like them less when I step on one at the beach.

Your suggestion that fishery dynamics are influencing pelican and dolphin populations is worth consideration. I wonder too about the possibility of climate change, since our winter temperatures are demonstrably warmer now by a few degrees. Puzzles.

Re: mabel moments

Michael — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:56:15 -0000

Can't help ourselves: admire your site, find you deserving of every little thrill. Congrats!

Re: indie//andyy

Michael — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:18:28 -0000

GWB is the anti-leader. Such a disgrace. Like you, I could barely endure to watch.

Re: Fat Chance: a photo-a-day log - Isle of Wight County Fair. Livestock and food...

Michael — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:27:14 -0000

No hallucinogens were ingested. I did enjoy a mood-altering barbeque platter (picture soon!), but I don’t think pulled pork makes the world go swirly.

Re: mabel moments

Michael — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:06:34 -0000

Everything we learn about her convinces that John McCain is not fit to be President, else how could he have made such an appalling choice.

Mabel, you are are greenie. Don't deny.

Re: Fat Chance: a photo-a-day log - Captives, Isle of Wight County Fair.

Michael — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:41:02 -0000

Thanks, Mabel. I'm fascinated by the varieties of English spoken around the world. A favorite blog that I follow is www.separatedbyacommonlangu..., devoted to the differences between American English and British English. Keep sharing. I’d be delighted to learn a good Australian English distinctive now and then.

I have a soft spot in my heart for the chooks. Too bad my daughter (and local ordinances) prohibit raising chickens within city limits.

Re: indie//andyy

Michael — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:19:42 -0000

I was pleased to see that my score hit Barak Obama exactly on the nose in the "famous persons" visualization.

The quiz is longer and a bit more complicated than earlier versions (more potential for logical splits in the statements). Still, an entertaining way for people who don't devote a lot of time to ideological self-examination to quickly take stock.

Re: I remixed Mozart's Requiem.

Michael — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:51:03 -0000

Now that I am done laughing uproariously, let me just say: Idiot.

Re: Too Much Nick

Michael — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:45:23 -0000

For flood control purposes most of the natural watersheds in urban southern California have been artificialy channelized. This protects life and property, but as you might imagine, its an ecological disaster. Keep in mind, most streams in the region are ephemeral...they would be free flowing only during rainy seasons, and even then subject to flash floods. Ephemeral streams are also called "washes" or "arroyos." Most folks in Los Angeles would call this a wash.

Re: LIONTAMER'S BLUES - King of the Fountain (1)… [dt]

Michael — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 19:42:50 -0000

I found a lot to like in this series...exceptional golden-hour light and shadow, well-defined tones, fun subject. I'd bet that fountain is a kid magnet all summer long. Thanks for sharing these!

Re: indie//andyy

Michael — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 01:41:56 -0000

The Nina Simone selection for background music was brilliant. This is on my must see list.

Re: mabel moments

Michael — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:02:52 -0000

More and more, I feel that way about my little plot of paradise too, though on occasion I do wish for blue water. I know the seas and currents act differently, but Perth is situated at a southern latitude comparable to that of Jacksonville, Florida in this hemisphere, while Hampton Roads and Melbourne are at similar points. If Perth were in the US, it definitely would be one of our destinations for spring break. Lovely beach.

Re: SHERSTUFF - THE BEAUTY OF THE SCENIC OVER LOOK OFF HWY 89. ...

Michael — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:58:36 -0000

HWY 89 is a national treasure. This is a lovely photo. Thanks for sharing. Fills me with nostalgia for a favorite place.

Re: indie//andyy

Michael — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 22:33:34 -0000

My life has been divided pretty much evenly between these two Virginia communities, and I'm a bit surprised by the suggestion that they are being influenced by Republican troublemakers. In any case, both registrars have reversed their ill-advised decisions to query out-of-state students about their domicile status. I sure hope the students at these universities (Old Dominion and Virginia Tech) have the intellectual chops to realize that the inquiries and surveys have not jeopardized their right to vote in Virginia if they have registered here.

Of greater concern to me is the behavior of wing-nut schools like Jerry Fallwell's Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, where pressure to conform enjoys such robust institutional support that independent thought and action are out of the question. I'm also sure that the voter registrar in this very conservative community will not be questioning the right of out-of-state Liberty students to cast their Republican votes in Lynchburg.

I'll be attending Barak's rally in Newport News, Virginia tomorrow morning. Very excited.

Re: mabel moments

Michael — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:38:05 -0000

Wonderful. He doesn't hear a word she's saying.

Re: indie//andyy

Michael — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 05:21:04 -0000

You might be interested in the self-administered tests offered by Project Implicit at https://implicit.harvard.ed... . These are designed to ferret out unconscious biases. Fascinating stuff, fascinating methodology.

I think Kristof rather misses the point though...a rose is a rose is a rose. Or rather, a foul, stinking racial bias is racism, unconscious or not. I live in the South, where we wallow in this stuff, so I'm familiar with the stench of racism. I think it doesn't matter how superficially enlightened you are if you're unwilling to do the hard work of being constantly vigilant and self-examining about how the unconscious might be influencing behavior.

For an example of this principle not employed, just think of Bill Clinton's remarks around the time of the South Carolina primary. I think he momentarily displayed unconscious biases, not because of lack of enlightenment, but because he was momentarily lazy.

Re: talus slope of the mind

Michael — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:20:54 -0000

It says, "Gotcha!"

Or maybe, "Gotcha, sucker!"

Re: Fat Chance: a photo-a-day log - I considered ending this recent highbrow streak by...

Michael — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:06:22 -0000

It really is a very nice fish head...

Re: Quick poll

Michael — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:21:56 -0000

I think outside points of view have great merit. Opine away.