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shamsuddin_Jim
Thank you shamsuddin_Jim. I appreciate your comment.
posted by
johnmacnab
on August 22, 2006 at 4:14 PM
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I too like your writing STYLE
posted by
Shams-i-Heartsong
on August 22, 2006 at 3:03 PM
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Fourcats
A couple of intriguing comments, Fourcats. Here am I, a retired boring old fart, and you could probably write a book about your experiences - or perhaps you already have?
posted by
johnmacnab
on August 22, 2006 at 10:45 AM
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DarrkeThoughts
Breaking News:
'Osama gives up terrorism after Fourcats keeps him abreast of the news.'
posted by
johnmacnab
on August 22, 2006 at 10:42 AM
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oh, and john, many people have seen them many times.
i am a retired alcoholic who had some
pre-tty entertaining times! ask mademoiselle about peanut butter.
posted by
fourcats
on August 21, 2006 at 11:21 PM
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well darrke, i hate to say it but i really do think they'd run in terror!
or perhaps be overcome with laughter.
posted by
fourcats
on August 21, 2006 at 11:19 PM
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I can see the headlines...almost
Fourcats foils Islamic terrorists by exposing her chest...
posted by
DarrkeThoughts
on August 21, 2006 at 8:55 PM
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fourcats
Even if you do make a boob or two, Fourcats? It's like
'if there is anything you have ever wanted to do before you die, now is your only chance,'
posted by
johnmacnab
on August 21, 2006 at 10:23 AM
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mneme
Thank you very much mneme for the 'great writing' compliment. I suppose I do view everything with humour, which is probably why I can't get anything serious published - oh wait a minute? I don't think I've ever written anything in a sombre tone.
posted by
johnmacnab
on August 21, 2006 at 10:20 AM
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Taps
It is a sobering piece of information, isn't it Taps?
posted by
johnmacnab
on August 21, 2006 at 10:09 AM
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if i'm ever on a plane and told to assume the crash position i think i'll
probably reenact the scene from "airplane!", take off my shirt and let my breasts bounce around. if i'm going to die, i want to die laughing.
posted by
fourcats
on August 21, 2006 at 9:16 AM
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just my reception of it, johnmcnab...
there is humour in your writing whether you meant it or not; perhaps it's your nature shining through, and sometimes the point comes across all the more strongly in this way. I smiled at "What?" (a running joke in my office...when someone doesn't get it / doesn't want to get it); and at being told you are "naive" at your age (you are not the only one). As I read this I could visualise the whole discussion and, while it amused me, I still took away the serious message. Like I said, great writing.
posted by
mneme
on August 21, 2006 at 3:42 AM
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Thanks for the warning, Johnmcnab. I didn't know that either.
posted by
TAPS.
on August 21, 2006 at 3:07 AM
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Blanche
I knew you would add the 'sexy' part, Blanche. We watch PBS and especially the old Brit comedies. I used to work in a gent's outfitters and I was explaining to Ell today what 'dressing on the left' meant. We used to get women in asking us to measure their inside leg. The boss wouldn't let us. What we did was measure from the waist and subtract 6 inches.
posted by
johnmacnab
on August 20, 2006 at 7:37 PM
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I didn't see Dharma and Greg til it was in syndication, JohnMcNab,
It was one of those things that MG (who I used to refer to as Gideon, but kept confusing myself, so I stopped), introduced me to. He's a tv buff, as well as a movie buff. He also likes "Are You Being Served" although we don't watch it much.
It's surprisingly good character development and plot line for a tv comedy: there's the couple and their respective in-laws: the hippie in-laws and the stuffy rich ones. It works.
As for the MGs, YES! not only racy but sexy, too! They maike me think of old shows of The Saint and James Bond.
posted by
Blanche.
on August 20, 2006 at 6:27 PM
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Blanche, I've heard of the programme but I can't remember ever seeing it, but then my memory is....er. Anyway, I like the saying. Ahem! I suppose you could say that MG's were and still are racy.
posted by
johnmacnab
on August 20, 2006 at 6:21 PM
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JohnMcNab, I got that off a "Dharma and Greg" episode a while ago,
(Lol at your pun, btw). I'm not sure if you're familiar with the show. Jenna Elfman, ditzy/free spirit Dharma marries lawyer Greg and mayhem ensues. One of M's favorite shows. On that one, she sort of morphs into a Superwoman, Nordictrack, multitasking, headphone on recorder to keep her hands free. That was her line: "Cmon, I'm spittin' diamonds here".
I remember you mentioning the MG before, I forget that's a make of sportscar. They are racy, very nice.
posted by
Blanche.
on August 20, 2006 at 4:59 PM
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Blanche
Aha! Spitting diamonds are we? A strange way to eat carats, don't you think. I saw an MG at a fair on Sunday, and it was a model I've driven in the past......just an odd piece of irrelevant info.
posted by
johnmacnab
on August 20, 2006 at 4:54 PM
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word
She is priceless ( I have to put that in just in case she ever reads a blog) and I am good at making up whoppers. Maybe you'll believe me when I tell you what she wrote on the card ....
'Remember age is only a number......er....what was that number again?? 39?....49?....??????' Stuck to the back of the card was a post-it note which read
'PS. I owe you a present.'
posted by
johnmacnab
on August 20, 2006 at 4:51 PM
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I'm no big fan of birthday bashes anyway, John
A quiet evening with MG, with him providing the appropriate amount of thoughtfully picked-out loot, is sufficient. I can't slow down. I'm spitting diamonds here!
posted by
Blanche.
on August 20, 2006 at 4:24 PM
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John, the wording on that card made me laugh out loud.
Either Ell is priceless or you're good at making up whoppers!
About the birthday wishes, I do tend to get carried away with the emoticons. Help!
posted by
word.smith
on August 20, 2006 at 4:18 PM
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Blanche
I know the feeling about slowing down, or not. Half of my time is spent going back and correcting mitsakes. Nothing planned, Blanche. I'm hoping that if I keep it quiet enough, Old Father Time might not notice.
posted by
johnmacnab
on August 20, 2006 at 4:04 PM
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My fingers can't keep up with my brain, or vice versa., JohnMcnab,
I could slow down, I suppose, but where would be the fun in that? Any big birthday bash plans?
posted by
Blanche.
on August 20, 2006 at 3:35 PM
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Blanche
You're right, Blanche. It is easy to theorize when you are not on the plane or facing the shark. My friend does not have to make any decisions regarding life or death. Thank you for the happy brithday, Blanche - I see your dyslexic keyboard is still in play. LOL.
posted by
johnmacnab
on August 20, 2006 at 3:18 PM
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JohnMcnab, the ethics of the question are much easier if you're not the one
actually on the plane. I'm sure it's a matter of numbers: one planeful of passengers v. the amount of people in a town or area where it might crash land. Not a pretty thought, and all things considered, I don't envy your friend having to live with that kind of thought in his head or even to have to weigh these kinds of questions. If he's not a completely cold, calculating, disconnected person it must weigh on him and possibly cost him some sleep.
Happy Brithday, JohnMcNab. The good thing is you weren't on that plane!
posted by
Blanche.
on August 20, 2006 at 2:16 PM
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jacenta
Oops, Thank you for the birthday wishes.
posted by
johnmacnab
on August 20, 2006 at 2:11 PM
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jacenta
Yes, jacenta. I felt exactly the same way, like 'thanks for nothing.'
posted by
johnmacnab
on August 20, 2006 at 2:11 PM
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Blanche
I found out that horrible piece of information on Friday, almost exactly as stated in the post. I could have just written 'the F16 are just there to kill you,' but I thought I would break the news slowly.
It is discombobulating (thank you jacenta) when the million to one chance actually happens to you, personally - especially if it is a shark.
posted by
johnmacnab
on August 20, 2006 at 2:10 PM
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johnmcnab
Thanks for the enlightening.
Maybe.
Happy Birthday! 
posted by
jacentaOld
on August 20, 2006 at 12:51 PM
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JohnMcnab, I haven't' had my coffee yet, so when I was reading about your
friend spluttering, I thought, "Why is he laughing? Is this a joke?" It didn't dawn on me until the end, because I hadn't been thinking about 9-11, that that was exactly the speculation about the plane that was headed for DC, and crashed elsewhere instead.
It's horrifying to think about, and it's exactly the sort of thing I can't stop myself from thinking about the entire time I'm flying, even if it as remote as a meteorite. I can't help thinking what someone said about a shark attack. Statistics go right out the window in the face of an actual shark.
posted by
Blanche.
on August 20, 2006 at 11:47 AM
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word
I mentioned it casually on your blog. Now it is on mine as if it was a red letter day. Blush!!!!! But talking about Ell's backhanded compliments, listen to the card she sent me ......'Happy birthday to someone who is charming, incredibly cute, witty and smart.' On the inside it reads 'It's spooky how so much alike we are.'
posted by
johnmacnab
on August 20, 2006 at 11:04 AM
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word
I must admit it hadn't occurred to me either, word. And when my friend brought me up to speed, I was dumbfounded.
posted by
johnmacnab
on August 20, 2006 at 10:59 AM
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Happy Birthday To You!
Happy Birthday to you! 
Happy Birthday to you! 
Happy Birthday dear Mac! 
Happy Birthday to you!
Tell Ell to treat you real nice today. None of those backhanded compliments and absolutely no insults! Cheers to you both! 
posted by
word.smith
on August 20, 2006 at 10:54 AM
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You're not the only one who's naive...
Maybe because I don't travel, that whole scenario just never occurred to me. Thank God I don't fly!
posted by
word.smith
on August 20, 2006 at 10:19 AM
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mneme
The ethical questions could drive you crazy, mneme. The fact that it made you smile surprises me. It was supposed to be serious, albeit from an unusual slant.
posted by
johnmacnab
on August 20, 2006 at 5:28 AM
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Whacky
If you think about it logically, Whacky, the chances of it ever happening to us, personally, are about as remote as being hit by a meteorite - ouch, what was that?
posted by
johnmacnab
on August 20, 2006 at 5:24 AM
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How can you manage to make me laugh
about something so serious? - Great writing :) It's the kind of question I would have asked too, before I thought about it. Sadly, they would have to shoot it down. Gives "defence" a new set of meanings doesn't it? A new set of ethical questions to ponder.
posted by
mneme
on August 19, 2006 at 10:26 PM
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I know! Just don't fly.
or not.
posted by
Whacky
on August 19, 2006 at 6:33 PM
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