YSaC, Vol. 939: I’ve got a great French Plancherel credenza to go with that!

2011 March 8

Fourier Mirror – $50


Exquisite fourier mirror in excellent shape. Any idea how much these things cost?! Yours for $50…better hurry.

While $50 is a good estimate, I suppose, I think a more accurate procedure would be to do some sort of spectral analysis on the mirror to determine the price.

Let’s see… plot the graph of that godawful frame… it IS periodic, so we’ll get some spikes in the transform… e to the minus 2 pi times i blah blah blah… integrate around the circumference of the mirror…

Oh dear. The value of the mirror appears to be “Ernest Borgnine.”

Thanks for the link, Nathan!

174 Responses leave one →
  1. 2011 March 8
    ToBScholarly permalink

    The reflection of legs in the mirror is simply to illustrate you would not be purchasing this from vampires.

    Adores: 8
    • 2011 March 8

      All I kept thinking was, “You got MAGIC legs, Lt. Dan!”

      Adores: 7
    • 2011 March 8
      Mindfield permalink

      That’s hardly convincing. The vampire could be in front of those legs. Give me a picture with the mirror pointing right back at the camera and we’ll talk.

      Adores: 4
    • 2011 March 8

      Sparky can say howdy to General Zod, now that he’s trapped in the phantom zone…

      Adores: 2
      • 2011 March 8
        sarajean80 permalink

        This Phantom Zone must be for wealthy prisoners, it has a fancy frame. The movie one looked like a piece of plexiglass.

        Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8

          It also appears to have a garage door so you can cruise around the “zone” in your Mercedes.

          Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8

          I dunno…once it starts rotating things are gonna get pretty messy, quick.

          Adores: 3
    • 2011 March 8
      Litarider permalink

      Oh, I thought they meant “farrier mirrror” and the legs were there to display…well, that the mirror works well with feet and legs. Might be more convincing with horse legs.

      Adores: 3
  2. 2011 March 8
    Lola permalink

    Huh. So that’s what the bottom half of the Doublemint Twins looks like. (Hey, at least it isn’t reflectoporn.)

    Adores: 7
    • 2011 March 8
      Mindfield permalink

      Maybe not, but those jorts and those man legs stuffed into flip-flops should still be considered offensive.

      Adores: 2
  3. 2011 March 8

    I was thinking of getting a Fresnel mirror for my front hall instead. That way, I could zap the neighbors when they got too annoying.

    Adores: 3
    • 2011 March 8
      TacoMmagic permalink

      I’ve got Fibonacci’s mirror at home. But every time I look at it I seem to have gained weight.

      Adores: 6
      • 2011 March 8
        TacoMmagic permalink

        I gave Laplace’s mirror to a friend. It’s really helped her live in the moment.

        Adores: 2
        • 2011 March 8

          I read that as lapdance, I got all squicky inside.

          Adores: 3
        • 2011 March 8
          Lola permalink

          Hammy, you got all squicky?
          Pecil.

          Adores: 2
        • 2011 March 8

          Lapdance, Taco, thong…

          Yeah, squickiness ensued.

          Adores: 3
        • 2011 March 8
          Lola permalink

          I see. Still not petting the puppy’s tummy, however.

          Adores: 1
  4. 2011 March 8

    Well, at least all four legs are intact.

    Adores: 4
    • 2011 March 8
      SisterTaco permalink

      Yup, no peg-legged pirate Sparky involved in this one!

      Adores: 1
  5. 2011 March 8

    A fourier mirror? Pssshhh…if it’s not at least a fiveier or sixier I’m not interested.

    Fouriers are sooooooooo last millenium.

    Adores: 6
  6. 2011 March 8
    LimeLolly permalink

    Hit up Uncle Google for Fourier Transforms… all I got was “Man In The Mirror” lyrics.

    Adores: 4
    • 2011 March 8
      Jen permalink

      I thought the furrier transform was in Thriller?

      Adores: 2
  7. 2011 March 8
    SisterTaco permalink

    *checks her math* Damn. I got “Jim Parsons.” *shakes her abacus* I never was any good at math. Must have forgotten to carry the pi.

    Adores: 1
    • 2011 March 8
      sarajean80 permalink

      I like pi.

      And Jim Parsons ♥

      Adores: 1
      • 2011 March 8

        The Super-Catulator 3K says it’s Jim Nabors…and the catulator likes cheese.

        Adores: 2
        • 2011 March 8
          Mindfield permalink

          Well GOOoooOOO-ly!

          Adores: 3
        • 2011 March 8

          The WildCatulator returned the result, “insert sleep, beer, or cold pizza.” *Looks in manual…do not attempt to use before 9 am local time* Darn.

          Adores: 8
        • 2011 March 8
          TacoMmagic permalink

          I tried to do the fourier transform with my catulator, but the Humane Society took it away when I attempted it.

          Adores: 5
        • 2011 March 8
          Addicted Reader permalink

          Nerdy joke.

          Adores: 3
        • 2011 March 8
          TacoMmagic permalink

          I was positive that nobody would figure out where I stole that from.

          Curses!

          *twirls handlebar mustache*

          Adores: 4
        • 2011 March 8
          Addicted Reader permalink

          In this crowd?

          We’re too clever to fall for your joke-stealing tricks.

          Adores: 4
  8. 2011 March 8
    ToBScholarly permalink

    I think the guy on the right has a checkered oven mitt on his hand. Is the mirror reflective and heat-generating as well?

    Adores: 1
    • 2011 March 8
      SisterTaco permalink

      Well, Sparky did say that we’d better hurry. I guess that means ‘before it melts.’

      Adores: 4
  9. 2011 March 8
    sarajean80 permalink

    :points to white spot on mirror:

    AHHH! It’s a ghost!

    And Sparky’s wearing flip-flops!

    :runs:

    Adores: 6
  10. 2011 March 8
    Mindfield permalink

    Huh. So, if you bought this mirror, would you see yourself separated into your constituent frequencies?

    “Hey, honey, c’mere, look. I lost a few hertz in my bottom end!”

    Adores: 6
    • 2011 March 8

      I dunno freaky-puppy…I don’t think “hertz” and “bottom end” should be allowed in the same sentence.

      Adores: 2
      • 2011 March 8
        Mindfield permalink

        I know a few people who might disagree.

        Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8

          And you wonder why I dubbed thee “freaky-puppy”? You thought it was for that smile, didn’t you? HA! Fooled you…I’m psychotic like that. I have ESPN.

          Adores: 6
        • 2011 March 8
          sarajean80 permalink

          I have ESPN2.

          And The Speed Channel.

          Adores: 7
        • 2011 March 8

          I have HBO.

          Adores: 3
        • 2011 March 8
          mudslicker permalink

          C-Span AND C-Span2!!!

          *jealous yet?*

          Adores: 4
        • 2011 March 8
          Addicted Reader permalink

          I’ve always been jealous of you, Mudsy. ; )

          Adores: 3
        • 2011 March 8
          sarajean80 permalink

          There’s an entire “we’re jealous of Mudsy” club.

          It’s called The “We’re Jealous of Mudsy” Club.

          We suck at naming things, but we have jackets.

          Adores: 9
        • 2011 March 8

          Yes for a snarky lot we’re surprisingly unimaginative at naming things.

          All the things.

          Adores: 6
        • 2011 March 8
          LurkRealClose permalink

          The jackets are really swank, though. Very 1984-MembersOnly.

          Adores: 4
        • 2011 March 8
          Addicted Reader permalink

          Fuchsia with neon green dots. When we all stand together, we can be seen from space.

          Adores: 4
        • 2011 March 8
          Jen permalink

          Well, we could be, if the astronauts didn’t insist on turning away crying “My eyes!!!”

          Adores: 6
        • 2011 March 8
          Windrose permalink

          My club jacket just has the initials, WeJoM. 8)

          Adores: 3
        • 2011 March 9
          mudslicker permalink

          I’ll accept nothing less than jackets AND polo shirts!

          My Not.A.Lion blood spins centripetally counter-clockwise during the months that contain 32 days and comes to rest only in the molar cavities of demon vampire trolls and the tear ducts of velveteen unicorns. It’s call whinnying, DUH!

          *please forgive my Chuck Sheen moment*

          😉

          Adores: 0
    • 2011 March 8
      TacoMmagic permalink

      “OW! I dropped the friggin’ mirror on my foot!”

      “Hertz, don’t it?”

      Adores: 6
  11. 2011 March 8
    ToBScholarly permalink

    I don’t need a Fourier mirror. How about a Mouliere mirror instead? That would make it French, right? Or a Dave Coulier mirror? Then it would be French-Canadian.

    Adores: 1
  12. 2011 March 8

    Any idea how much these things cost?!

    I thought the things came free with the cat in the hat. Or is Sparky referring to the cost of the damages that the things make? Although if I remember the book correctly, they did repair their own damages, so their should be no cost at all. What a silly Sparky.

    Adores: 4
    • 2011 March 8
      Litarider permalink

      I not only do not have any idea what these things cost, I don’t have any idea what it is.

      Adores: 2
  13. 2011 March 8

    I’d like to think a mirror actually used by Fourier would fetch more than $50. Of course, it’s possible this is a mis-spelling of ‘Fournier’, but you’d have trouble wedging something that size into the cockpit of a powered glider. Then again, there’s a ‘Forney’ which is a type of steam locomotive designed to run permanently backwards, so a decent-size mirror would be a must. I’m tempted to front the sockless Sparkies fifty bucks just for broadening my education…

    Adores: 5
    • 2011 March 8
      TacoMmagic permalink

      That shalt not get fornier with members of the furniture kingdom.

      Adores: 3
    • 2011 March 8
      Lola permalink

      I went to school with a girl surnamed Fournier, and judging by her grooming abilities, I don’t want mirrors of hers.

      Adores: 4
    • 2011 March 8
      Angel permalink

      I’m thinking they were spelling “foyer” creatively. The word is French so at least they were on the right-ish track.

      Adores: 2
      • 2011 March 8
        Lola permalink

        “Right” in a “French Preventional” sort of way. 8)

        Adores: 2
  14. 2011 March 8
    TacoMmagic permalink

    I see mirrors like this with quite a high frequency.

    Adores: 9
    • 2011 March 8
      ToBScholarly permalink

      I must have to be smert to understand the subtlety of your comment.

      Edit: And then I Googled it. And learned something new. Thank you.

      Adores: 2
      • 2011 March 8
        TacoMmagic permalink

        [unpacking the joke corey]
        It’s a math joke, much like Dan’s but a tad more subtle. It’s a jab at the Fourier Transform: which is one of the mathematical processes that convert equations into the frequency domain. It’s moments like this when my engineering/math background can’t help itself.
        [/corey]

        Adores: 3
        • 2011 March 8
          Mindfield permalink

          Even for those of us who aren’t math geeks but are into music or sound production, the FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) is a staple of analyzing audio or a piece of music to see where the frequencies are bunching up (or thinned out) so you can adjust the EQ to add or remove emphasis from a particular frequency range.

          Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8
          SisterTaco permalink

          And here I thought transform meant it was supposed to turn into an Autobot. Paint me disappointed.

          Adores: 7
        • 2011 March 8
          SilvaNoir permalink

          I have lots of paints on hand. What color is disappointed? *readies paintbrush*

          Adores: 10
        • 2011 March 8
          LimeLolly permalink

          What color is disappointed?

          I think it’s puce with turquoise squares.

          Adores: 8
        • 2011 March 8
          SisterTaco permalink

          Puce is definitely a color of disappointment… but I think adding turquoise squares brings an element of self-depreciation to the mix that just brings out the suckatude of the combination. 😀

          Adores: 6
        • 2011 March 8
          CapnMac permalink

          And illustrates the inhumanity of artistes towards Man

          I am sad; Ow! my eyes!

          Adores: 1
  15. 2011 March 8
    TacoMmagic permalink

    I used to like mirrors like this, but as they multiplied I found them becoming more convoluted.

    Adores: 6
  16. 2011 March 8
    Windrose permalink

    Sorry, don’t have time to comment this morning. I need a new Fourier mirror, and do you have any idea how much those things cost? Ernest Borgnine!

    Adores: 4
    • 2011 March 8
      TacoMmagic permalink

      I think it’s worth the cost, Windy. You get good vibrations from it.

      Adores: 3
    • 2011 March 8
      Mindfield permalink

      Well, that seems pretty reasonable. Could you break a Bob Saget?

      Adores: 2
      • 2011 March 8
        SisterTaco permalink

        *hefts an axe* Which half would you like to pay with?

        Adores: 8
        • 2011 March 8
          Mindfield permalink

          Hmmm…

          *flips coin*

          Heads!

          Adores: 6
        • 2011 March 8

          That’s nothing. I’ll give you all of Justin Beaver.

          No, seriously, take him. Please. I don’t even need the mirror for it, just make it go away.

          Adores: 8
  17. 2011 March 8
    TacoMmagic permalink

    I can’t stop making math jokes! Somebody help me!

    I’ve tried to make the factors agree on the issues, but they remain divided.

    HELP ME!

    Adores: 6
    • 2011 March 8
      Mindfield permalink

      Just rememeber Occam’s Razor: Do not needlessly multiply entities. In which he meant, You keep makin’ math jokes, I’ll cut you, man.

      Adores: 4
      • 2011 March 8
        sarajean80 permalink

        If you get cut with Occam’s Razor, remember to be careful when applying Occam’s Aftershave.

        Adores: 5
    • 2011 March 8
      SisterTaco permalink

      Just remember, Taco, calculus and beer don’t mix well. Never drink and derive.

      Adores: 7
      • 2011 March 8
        Lola permalink

        Just take the abacus out of his hands. Remember, friends (and siblings) don’t let friends (or siblings) drink and derive.

        Adores: 4
    • 2011 March 8
      SpaceBug permalink

      I can’t define calculus, but I know it when I see it.

      Adores: 0
    • 2011 March 8

      We’ll let you stop when you’ve reached your quotient for the day.

      Adores: 5
  18. 2011 March 8
    SisterTaco permalink

    Mirror, mirror, propped up to stand…
    Who’s legs are fairest in this land?

    Adores: 4
    • 2011 March 8
      sarajean80 permalink

      The Sparky on the left looks to be a whiter shade of pale.

      Adores: 4
  19. 2011 March 8
    SilvaNoir permalink

    Sparky’s offering me $50 for my ideas? That’s nice of them!

    Adores: 4
    • 2011 March 8
      Mindfield permalink

      So, here’s what you do. Take the $50, tell him you believe it’s worth $10, walk away with a mirror and $40.

      Adores: 4
      • 2011 March 8
        SilvaNoir permalink

        Sounds like a good plan to me!

        Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8
          sarajean80 permalink

          If you can get Sparky to give you the $40, even better.

          Adores: 1
  20. 2011 March 8


    Well I don’t know why I came here today.
    I had a feeling that something weren’t right.
    I’m so scared I can’t sit in a chair,
    and I’m wondering how I’ll get down the stairs.

    Legs they left from me!
    Sparky’s to the right!
    Here they are stuck in the mirror with yours.

    Yes my legs are stuck in the mirror with yours,
    and I’m wondering what it is I should do.
    It’s so hard I can no longer pace.
    Losing control yeah I fell on my face.

    Legs they left from me!
    Sparky’s to the right!
    Here they are stuck in the mirror with yours.

    Well you started off with selling
    and you’re proud of your Fourier, man.
    yeah
    and all you can do is some crawling,
    slap you on the back and say
    Please . . .
    Please . . .

    Trying to make some sense of it all
    but I can see I have no legs at all.
    Is it cool if I fall on the floor?
    I don’t think that I can get up anymore.

    Legs they left from me!
    Sparky’s to the right!
    Here they are stuck in the mirror with yours.

    Stuck in the mirror
    Stuck in the mirror

    Legs they left from me!
    Sparky’s to the right!
    Legs to the left of me!
    Sparky’s to the right! (Stuck in the mirror)
    Legs to the left of me!
    Sparky’s to the right! (Stuck in the mirror)
    Legs to the left of me!
    Sparky’s to the right! (uh-uh)
    Legs to the left of me!
    Sparky’s to the right!
    Here they are stuck in the mirror with yours.

    Well you started off with selling
    and you’re proud of your Fourier, man.
    yeah
    and all you can do is some crawling,
    slap you on the back and say
    Please . . .
    Please . . .

    Well I don’t know why I came here today.
    I had a feeling that something weren’t right.
    I’m so scared I can’t sit in a chair,
    and I’m wondering how I’ll get down the stairs.

    Legs to the left of me!
    Sparky’s to the right!
    Here they are stuck in the mirror with yours.
    Stuck in the mirror with yours (ah-yeah)
    Stuck in the mirror with yours
    Here they are!
    Stuck in the mirror with yours
    With you, with you, with yours…

    Adores: 13
    • 2011 March 8
      Addicted Reader permalink

      Beautiful. Have a belly rub.

      Adores: 4
    • 2011 March 8
      SisterTaco permalink

      The song is on the tip of my tongue but the cold medication won’t let it through >.<

      Adores: 0
      • 2011 March 8
        mudslicker permalink

        I believe it’s called Stuck in Middle Earth With You.

        Adores: 4
      • 2011 March 8
        Mindfield permalink

        That makes two of us — cold meds and all. I feel like I should know it but the cadence isn’t giving me any hints to the melody. This may be because the part of my brain responsible for musicality is, under the influence of Nyquil, presently still being rickrolled by the part of my brain responsible for being a dick.

        Adores: 5
        • 2011 March 8

          Wow…wait a minute….I finally know a song ref…

          So this is what it feels like…

          Adores: 1
      • 2011 March 8

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1e63MpTDt8&playnext=1&list=PL5E47207FA216CA13

        I couldn’t find the Dylan version…

        Adores: 0
        • 2011 March 8
          LurkRealClose permalink

          Hammy – I knew exactly what song you were referencing, if it makes you feel any better.

          Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8

          *wags*

          Adores: 0
        • 2011 March 8
          dan permalink

          Couldn’t find the Dylan version? Please tell me that’s a joke. 🙂

          Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8

          😀

          Adores: 0
        • 2011 March 8

          Every time I hear it, Michael Madsen is cutting off that cops’ ear in “Reservoir Dogs”.
          And not in a good way.

          Adores: 0
  21. 2011 March 8
    Bombdude permalink

    Ok, so mathematical and musical references notwithstanding, what makes this mirror “exquisite”? How does sparky measure, and where are the lines drawn between “ok”, “nice”, “beautiful” and “exquisite”?

    Adores: 1
    • 2011 March 8
      TacoMmagic permalink

      In this case I think “gaudy” is the synonym we’re looking for.

      Adores: 6
    • 2011 March 8
      Lola permalink

      BD (nice avvie, btw), I think in this case, the SparkSpeak translation is as follows:
      exquisite = heavy, ornate frame that did not obviously come from Ikea

      Adores: 5
  22. 2011 March 8

    OT: But in a YSaC kinda way….

    Was perusing possible destinations for hubby and I to spend our 35th wedding anniversary this June, when I came across this in the description of a resort…

    “…We offer home style hosmlelelity….”

    You know I almost want to go there, just so I can find out what the hell “hosmlelelity” is.

    Adores: 6
    • 2011 March 8
      Camille permalink

      Is that resort in [location]? [location] is just crawling with hosmlelelity.

      Adores: 5
      • 2011 March 8

        Oh it’s definitely in [location] alright. Hear the banjos?

        Adores: 4
    • 2011 March 8
      sarajean80 permalink

      Sounds kinda kinky. Or possibly it’s the name of one of those odd regional dishes they seem to have just for tourists.

      “Yes, waiter; I’d like the Home Style Hosmlelelity with French Fries and extra gravy. Can I get the goat kabobs on the side?”

      Adores: 4
      • 2011 March 8

        Well now all I can think about is the scene in “Funny Farm” when Chevy Chase breaks the record for eating goat testicles.

        Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8
          sarajean80 permalink

          I thought it was bull testicles.

          Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8

          I think it was goat…they were called Lamb Fries, weren’t they?

          Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8
          TacoMmagic permalink

          I remember it as sheep testicles. Guess I’ll have to rent the movie.

          Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8

          Kid fries?

          Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8
          TacoMmagic permalink

          Uncle Google corroborates my memory. They were indeed sheep (lamb) testicles.

          I’m also fairly sure he gets 1 away from beating the record but then learns what they are. I’ll go ask uncle google about that.

          EDIT: Nope, he does break the record, by two testes!

          Adores: 3
        • 2011 March 8

          I think Taco’s right…they were sheep testicles.

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq4mqCDakVQ

          Is there anything the Interwebby can’t provide? I think not.

          Adores: 2
        • 2011 March 8
          Addicted Reader permalink

          I immediately thought of Terry Pratchett’s footnote on “regional specialties” in The Lost Continent:

          Any seasoned traveler soon learns to avoid anything wished on them as a “regional specialty,” because all the term means is that the dish is so unpleasant to people living everywhere else will bite off their own legs rather than eat it. But hosts will
          still press it upon distant guests anyway: “Go on, have the dog’s head stuffed with macerated cabbage and pork noses — it’s a regional specialty.”

          Adores: 6
        • 2011 March 8
          sarajean80 permalink

          One of these days I’m gonna have to read some of this Terry Pratchett fella’s stuff that everyone seems to enjoy so much.

          Adores: 3
        • 2011 March 8
          SisterTaco permalink

          Then there’s people like me that, despite being a picky little prat as a child (Taco can attest to this), now looks at those ‘food challenges’ on “The Amazing Race” and thinks “That looks yummy… why are they complaining? Cheek meat is the best part of that whole boiled sheep skull!”

          Adores: 3
        • 2011 March 8
          Addicted Reader permalink

          Yes, sj, you must.

          NOW

          Adores: 4
        • 2011 March 8
          sarajean80 permalink

          Any suggestions for a first time reader, AR?

          Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8
          Addicted Reader permalink

          Good Omens, with Neil Gaiman, (mentioned recently) is hysterically funny and is a stand-alone book.

          All of the Discworld books are good, and most are excellent. I’m a stickler for reading things in order, so I read through all of the Discworld books in the order listed here. However, I didn’t like the first few books as much as most of the later ones, so if you want to start somewhere excellent, here are a few suggestions:

          Wyrd Sisters, Pyramids, Guards! Guards!, Soul Music, Hogfather, Thief of Time, Night Watch, Monstrous Regiment

          Those are some of my favorites, but really, they’re almost all my favorites.

          Adores: 2
        • 2011 March 8
          Lola permalink

          SJ, I vote for either Good Omens or Monstrous Regiment for your first. Night Watch and Weird Sisters (title varies depending on source and I don’t remember which it may actually be) are also good choices. Well, they all are, but those are personal recommendations. The Truth is pretty good, too.

          *is shocked, shocked that SJ has not yet read Pratchett*

          Adores: 3
        • 2011 March 8

          I haven’t read Pratchett either.

          Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8
          Jen permalink

          I like all these suggestions. It helps to point out that, while lots of characters pop up all over the books, some people distinguish the books by their main characters – for example, my libs has a Watch trilogy comprising “Guards, Guards”, “Men At Arms” and “Feet of Clay”, a Death trilogy comprising “Mort”, “Reaper Man” and “Soul Music” and a Witches’ trilogy comprising “Equal Rites”, “Wyrd Sisters” and “Witches Abroad”.

          If you were starting out, though, I’d say that “Guards, Guards” is a really good introduction to the city Ankh-Morpork and some of the most important characters (Vimes, Carrot, Lord Vetinari, CMOT Dibbler) as well as highlighting some of the socio-political background of the series (Wizards v everyone else, the Guilds, the dwarves etc). But then I might be biased because I really really REALLY want an Errol.

          Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8
          Jen permalink

          *It _may_ help to point out. Sorry, slow edit fingers.

          And Astro, it’s ok, you’re only ickle. There is still much time for your indoctrination edumacation.

          Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8
          Addicted Reader permalink

          Well, Astro, what are you waiting for? Go!

          (But I guess it’s not so bad, I wasn’t introduced to Pratchett until college.)

          Adores: 2
        • 2011 March 8
          Lola permalink

          I was older than that, AR, but have managed to cope nicely.

          Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8
          sarajean80 permalink

          I added Good Omens and The Color of Magic to the Amazon order I’ve had on hold until I reached the free shipping threshold. I’m looking forward to getting them.

          Adores: 2
        • 2011 March 8
          Addicted Reader permalink

          Yes, Lola, but think how much better our lives would be if we’d started at Astro’s age.

          (Said with all the earnestness of a missionary at your door trying to convince you to accept [deity].)

          ((Also, apparently I can’t spell any more, but at least I know how to use spellcheck!))

          Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8
          CapnMac permalink

          Is there anything the Interwebby can’t provide? I think not.

          Well, despite Missed Connections, it does not seem to get South Asian gentlemen hugs from coffee-drinking women with designer accessories . . .

          REM will never be quite so appropriate as the day some geeknerd perfects the tech so that the intertubes can give a user a hug.

          It will be the end of the world as we know it, and we’ll all feel (or be felt [up]) fine . . .

          Adores: 4
        • 2011 March 8
          Windrose permalink

          I used to belong to a sci-fi book of the month club, and forgot to send in the card saying No Thank You, so we got a copy of the Fifth Elephant without knowing what we were in for. We now have all the books. And have gone to book signings three times now with Terry. Good times, good time.

          Adores: 2
        • 2011 March 8
          dan permalink

          While there are some of the books that focus on Death in particular, he is the only character that actually appears in every one of the books. In all caps, naturally.

          Adores: 2
    • 2011 March 8
      LurkRealClose permalink

      Uncle Google thinks they mean “osmolarity,” which is some fancy science thingy that I don’t understand, because I was an English major. But it appears to have teeth.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmolarity

      Adores: 4
      • 2011 March 8

        Thanks, LRC…it’s sooooooo much clearer now.

        Adores: 2
        • 2011 March 8
          LurkRealClose permalink

          The lice were confused, also. But I have provided some additional options, below.

          Adores: 5
        • 2011 March 8
          Jen permalink

          That link reminded me of the time I got kicked out of Chem during our titration module for giggling every time the teacher said ‘millimoles’. It’s just such a fantastic word!!!

          Adores: 2
      • 2011 March 8
        sarajean80 permalink

        Wow … that was a lot of fancy words. I understood almost none of them.

        Adores: 2
        • 2011 March 8
          CapnMac permalink

          Ah, fuzzy memories of a chemically-addled TA teaching the titrate lab and having some sort syllabic issue with “titration” rendering it rather badly as if a portion of tufted birds (presuming that rashers of sweater pillows could not possibly have been meant). Said gradual student went on to an unremarkable career in food service.

          Adores: 0
    • 2011 March 8
      LurkRealClose permalink

      home style hosmlelelity = using your home garden hose to levitate.

      home style hosmlelelity = the act of pretending someone is fancy (Oo, la, la) by comparing them to Hos from Bonanza.

      home style hosmlelelity = when you are from the South and your barn is too close to the house, making the house smell like horse, both of which you pronounce hos.

      home style hosmlelelity = of or relating to the molecular structure of women’s hosery that is not intended for use out side the home.

      Adores: 3
      • 2011 March 8

        Oh yeah…now I’m totally understanding…

        :adjusts tin foil hat:

        Totally.

        Adores: 3
  23. 2011 March 8
    Irregular Fractal permalink

    Ah, the famed Fourier mirror has finally turned up once again. Said to be forged by Wulfstan the Cantor himself, it’s been passed down through the musical generations as a talisman for achieving great musical success. Simply place it in front of your music group, and it shows you precisely the ways in which your tunings and chord structures can be adjusted to achieve the Ultimate Sound. But beware – its use can come with a great cost, as it’s said to be like looking into the Face of God herself.

    The mirror is said to be indirectly responsible for Beethoven’s deafness, as he simply could not stop singing and playing into it upon its acquisition. I’m told on good authority that Percy Grainger was a mild-mannered, if forgettable, secular humanist who embraced all races and creeds until his fateful acquisition of the mirror. Syd Barrett’s family to this day will tell you that it was singlehandedly responsible for his insanity – and thus, albeit indirectly, Pink Floyd’s meteoric rise. Lindsey Buckingham picked it up, desperate for another hit after Albatross, and it was subsequently lost in one of the many coupling-related relocations. It’s said that it was the only thing that could keep Steve Miller on pitch, that Run DMC gave it to Aerosmith in the mid-1980s, and I had always presumed it was somehow responsible for Justin Bieber, and more recently, Charlie Sheen’s dark descent.

    Adores: 10
    • 2011 March 8
      mudslicker permalink

      Nice blast through the musical past.

      I contend that it was also responsible for catapulting Rod Stewart from his Maggie Mae phase to his current lounge lizard status, for keeping Ozzy Osbourne shakily vertical all these decades and Keith Richards from succumbing to bang-bang Maxwell’s silver hammer. Britney Spears is obviously still hanging out on the other side with that white rabbit.

      Adores: 3
    • 2011 March 8
      SisterTaco permalink

      Face of God herself

      *tilts head one way, then the next. Squints at the picture.* So God looks like a couple of dude’s legs and an oven mitt. I knew it!

      Adores: 3
      • 2011 March 8
        sarajean80 permalink

        And apparently lives in Sparky’s garage like a deadbeat uncle who came for the holidays and never left.

        Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8
          Irregular Fractal permalink

          Hm, I’d been wondering what Dave Gahan had been up to lately. This explains much.

          Adores: 2
        • 2011 March 8
          Mr. Winkey permalink

          I’m God herself?

          **flexes pinky, farts.**

          That was supposed to make Nunavut go away.

          **scratches belly, winks at Sj and IF**

          Guess it didn’t work.

          Adores: 4
        • 2011 March 8
          sarajean80 permalink

          I’ll be right back, I just gotta go wash everything I own.

          Adores: 2
        • 2011 March 8
          Addicted Reader permalink

          I don’t think there’s enough bleach in the world, sj.

          Adores: 2
        • 2011 March 8
          sarajean80 permalink

          :gets out gasoline and box of matches:

          Adores: 2
        • 2011 March 8
          Addicted Reader permalink

          Good call.

          Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8
          Mr. Winkey permalink

          **giggles**

          Winkey like big boom.

          Adores: 0
  24. 2011 March 8
    Jane permalink

    So the “Fourier” is the part of the house right inside the front door where you greet guests and hang coats?

    Adores: 2
    • 2011 March 8
      sarajean80 permalink

      That’s the place.

      Adores: 1
      • 2011 March 8
        Windrose permalink

        I thought that was where you put the bird cages and the special bird seeds. And the nest boxes.

        Adores: 1
        • 2011 March 8
          sarajean80 permalink

          In my house it’s where the ironing boards live.

          (There are eight antique wooden ironing boards leaning against the wall behind my front door, as well as various bits of lumber. Mom has a thing for ironing boards and old stuff in general.)

          Adores: 3
    • 2011 March 8
      Camille permalink

      OHHHHHH. I finally get it. Thanks, Jane!

      Adores: 0
    • 2011 March 8

      I thought it was where you greet coats and hang guests?

      Adores: 4
      • 2011 March 8
        Jen permalink

        Naw, I did that last week and the newspapers referred to it as a ‘furore’. But then they have Sparktastic copy-editors, so who knows?

        Adores: 0
  25. 2011 March 8

    Sum in Loto Aureo.

    Adores: 2
  26. 2011 March 8

    [OT] Taco, call MotherTaco. Message delivered! [/OT]

    Adores: 0
    • 2011 March 8
      Addicted Reader permalink

      This is awesome. I need to get some of my family members on here.

      Adores: 1
      • 2011 March 8

        I need to keep mine off at all costs.

        Adores: 3
        • 2011 March 8
          Jen permalink

          That’s how I feel about pants.

          Adores: 4
        • 2011 March 8
          Addicted Reader permalink

          Jen – unexpected conversational left turn FTW!

          Adores: 4
        • 2011 March 8
          CapnMac permalink

          Ok, Jen, seeing as how you nearly caused my demise by choking, please tell me you meant as in trousers, rather than the UK sense of pants . . .

          Adores: 2
        • 2011 March 8

          Party at Jen’s house!

          Adores: 0
        • 2011 March 9

          Or do you mean panty at Jen’s House?

          Adores: 0
  27. 2011 March 8

    And in the list of worst things to discover at 10PM the night before Toga day:

    I went to practice putting on my toga, which is a bedsheet. The box it came in clearly marked it as “flat”. I pull it out, and much to my surprise, it is a fitted sheet.
    FML.

    Adores: 1
    • 2011 March 8
      Lola permalink

      Cut the elastic off? And cut the fitted seams?
      That sucks. Good luck getting things managed.

      Adores: 0
    • 2011 March 8
      Jen permalink

      Solution from an old hand at cena Romana – cut the elastic off as neatly as you can, then cut along the seams which make the fitted corners. If you have spare material, sew jaunty corner patches to recover the classic rectangular toga shape, but otherwise the ends are all drapey so no-one’ll really notice. I know of girls who’ve gone to toga parties dressed in pillowcases, so you’ll be golden.

      ETA: Beaten to the punch by Lola! Too much vino and dolmades, not enough typey typey.

      Adores: 1
      • 2011 March 8
        CapnMac permalink

        There is never enough typey typey–where is that nerd with the intertube hug tech?

        Adores: 2
    • 2011 March 9

      Well, my dad went out and got a flat sheet for me, ’cause he’s the best.

      Of course, now I’m discovering this morning that my tunica interior is far too short…

      Adores: 2
  28. 2011 March 8
    Windrose permalink

    I need a secretary, stat! I forgot to announce MandaB’s birthday TODAY! In fact, in her time zone, it may be over. 8( Oh well, I’m only human. Mostly.

    Adores: 1
  29. 2011 March 9
    Windrose permalink

    Astro, I hope all this time in the box doesn’t hurt your development. Punchity punch punch!

    G’Night, Ankh-Morpork!

    Adores: 2

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