So trivial, yet it really ticks you off.

[Harp]

Sooooo, Nigella Lawson wearing a Royal Navy sub sweater...

....she only wears a smile.

 

[GHT]

Personally, I can't see what all the histrionics are about. She's well blessed, so what?

 

[Harp]

Thank you sir.

...and Welsh lass Katherine Jenkins is another rose.

 

[tonyb]

More of a low grade frustration than a source of anger: the lethargic pace of the wheels of justice.

Last May, shortly after my mom came to the decision to sell the homestead (at 91 she was living with my brother) the house was broken into and turned upside down and inside out in a malicious way few could ever imagine. We all had our suspicions as to who was responsible, but it was done and every effort was made to move on. Well, DNA evidence had been retrieved and in August an arrest was made, one that confirmed our suspicions. Sadly, it was a relative, a second cousin of mine. Even as a child he just wasn't right, and, obviously still isn't as an adult. We suspect he broke into the house back in 2001 when parents were abroad for the awarding of my Ph.D. Then only jewelry was taken and relatively minor vandalism done. Nothing ever came of it though suspicions were pretty certain. He has already spent 3 years in jail for another burglary, vandalism etc. A local news article at the time quoted him as claiming that he smears feces on wall as a means of releasing stress. Anyway, were notified of the arrest and have since been following his trail in the judicial system. His appearances seem to always get pushed back which is a minor source of frustration for us (for obvious reasons). But I know and understand that the system is overloaded and by necessity works at it's own pace regardless of a schedule. Hopefully the next date of March 25 will produce at least a plea.

Actually I have fewer worries about said cousin being on the loose than my siblings, as I'm 600 miles away. Mom still lives with brother, and with sister on weekends, and the house has since sold. It was bought by a young landscaper and his family, who, as I understand it , are making great use of the abundant acreage and are enthusiastically growing the business. Ironically, said cousin has worked (still?) for the landscaper, claiming ignorance of the break in and vandalism.

Jayzus!

 

[GHT]

Thank you sir.

...and Welsh lass Katherine Jenkins is another rose.

So you're into Welsh puppies too?

 

[Harp]

View attachment 403673
So you're into Welsh puppies too?

Aye. I am a thorn between two lovely roses,

 

[tonyb]

“You can achieve anything you set your mind to,” or words to that effect, which as a youngster I heard far too frequently from people whose own achievements never amounted to much.

The achievements of even the more accomplished among us don’t amount to much in the grander scheme of things. And really, that’s fine. Being a decent human who doesn’t expect more than s/he is willing to give is achievement enough for me.

Projecting one’s own ambitions (and frustrations) onto one’s progeny is for the projector’s sake, really. It’s asking another person to be what that person never was himself.

 

[GHT]

Aye. I am a thorn between two lovely roses,

I'm surprised that Kelly Brook, known for her modelling work in the UK, and in the US for her role on the NBC sitcom One Big Happy has escaped your notice.

 

[Harp]

^ A lovely colleen but I seldom watch television.
Nigella cannot recall discover but exquisite Katherine whilst opera listening YouTube
back at the office when I should have been working.... More than a few colleagues
astounded by her beauty, and pneumatic charm; while I am drawn by her mezza soprano
vocals. My admiration for her and Nigella is chaste, honorable, and pure as driven snow.

 

[Tiki Tom]

^^^^^ Mixed feelings about cleavage. On the one hand —being a textbook male— I Love the show, of course. On the other hand, I realize that its a trap. Get caught looking and you are doomed (who hasn’t gotten caught at least once in their youth?). And that is the least of the dangers. Most of my friends and I have long since mastered the pose of pretending to ignore it. As the saying goes “You know that you are doing the right thing if you can’t help but feel that you are missing out on something.”

 

[GHT]

^^^^^ Mixed feelings about cleavage. On the one hand —being a textbook male— I Love the show, of course. On the other hand, I realize that its a trap. Get caught looking and you are doomed (who hasn’t gotten caught at least once in their youth?). And that is the least of the dangers. Most of my friends and I have long since mastered the pose of pretending to ignore it. As the saying goes “You know that you are doing the right thing if you can’t help but feel that you are missing out on something.”

At the Catholic church that I once attended, a new priest arrived. A very attractive young widow took quite a shine to him, she set the trap by carefully displaying her charms. Careful insomuch that it wasn't a full frontal assault, more a skillful side long glance. The poor man, all his teachings and training deserted him. He fathered two daughters with her and was consequently persona non grata.

The children are now grown up, their mother passed away a few years ago and that priest still writes a long letter that he puts inside a Christmas card that he sends to us every year without fail.

 

[Harp]

We are all mortals, all of us entirely too human. I almost became a priest,
twenty years ago or so; betwixt circumstances, reconsidered an earlier decline
(met a girl), and tendered a college degree and the experience maturity bestows,
and anticipated twenty-five or more years service. Given the psychologist interview,
passed; straight A honors, especially Philosophy. Graduated academic scholar honors.
Yet, the vocation office director had some objection. Never relayed and eventually
I understood what had transpired. The chancery vice chancellor's secretary telephoned,
requesting an interview, and we met one afternoon. A full and frank converse-my own
experience is that priests who simply matriculate college, seminary, rectory often
have little real world tenure-and the cat freed the bag so to speak. I had figured out
whom my enemy was, the vice chancellor confirmed it. Later that night the vocation
director called and offered sponsor at Holy Apostles Seminary, Cromwell, Connecticut.
Two days later, after much thought I called him back and withdrew acceptance.

Life, of course went on. My adversary unfortunately was removed from ministry.
A child was not involved. Will say no more other than I pray for him, and sincerely
regret his circumstance.

 

[tonyb]

At the Catholic church that I once attended, a new priest arrived. A very attractive young widow took quite a shine to him, she set the trap by carefully displaying her charms. Careful insomuch that it wasn't a full frontal assault, more a skillful side long glance. The poor man, all his teachings and training deserted him. He fathered two daughters with her and was consequently persona non grata.

The children are now grown up, their mother passed away a few years ago and that priest still writes a long letter that he puts inside a Christmas card that he sends to us every year without fail.

That’s a lovely story.

 

[Edward]

View attachment 403564
Personally, I can't see what all the histrionics are about. She's well blessed, so what?

I just hope she stopped her "experiments" before she got to the phone-throwing stage. Many have been refused entry to the US for less.

She certainly made her mark in her chosen field, though the last time I saw her on television she had rather descended into self-parody. Mee-crow- wah - vay, indeed!

“You can achieve anything you set your mind to,” or words to that effect, which as a youngster I heard far too frequently from people whose own achievements never amounted to much.

The achievements of even the more accomplished among us don’t amount to much in the grander scheme of things. And really, that’s fine. Being a decent human who doesn’t expect more than s/he is willing to give is achievement enough for me.

Projecting one’s own ambitions (and frustrations) onto one’s progeny is for the projector’s sake, really. It’s asking another person to be what that person never was himself.

There's not much worse than those "Keep Calm and Carry on" or "Live / Laugh / Love" nonsenses, but what is a thousand times worse is those who indulge in spoilt, petulant spite at the world because they buy into that rubbish of "if you dream hard enough, it will come true". Entitlement culture at its worst. And don't even get me started on those who think that Marilyn Monroe quote - "If you don't accept me ta my worst you don't deserve me at my best" - is in any way aspirational.....

 

[tonyb]

…

There's not much worse than those "Keep Calm and Carry on" or "Live / Laugh / Love" nonsenses, but what is a thousand times worse is those who indulge in spoilt, petulant spite at the world because they buy into that rubbish of "if you dream hard enough, it will come true". Entitlement culture at its worst. And don't even get me started on those who think that Marilyn Monroe quote - "If you don't accept me ta my worst you don't deserve me at my best" - is in any way aspirational.....

There’s something to be said for an optimistic outlook, but if it’s not grounded in reality it’s little more than magical thinking. And at worst it can be tantamount to blaming a person for, say, a terminal illness because his or her disposition wasn’t sufficiently sunny.

Saying “you got this” to a person undergoing torturous treatment for a deadly illness isn’t at all helpful. It wouldn’t be to me, anyway.

 

[Harp]

Especially if choreography and music are involved!

I personally prefer Tchaikovsky' Nutcracker; Shoshtakovich, Piano Concert #2;
or Anna Netrebko singing Pucinni....

Bartender Edit: Please be reminded of the 'no politics' rule.

 

[Trenchfriend]

Our clean numbers:

Corona: So ist die Lage in den Krankenhäusern

Der Klinik-Monitor zeigt, wie viele COVID-19-Fälle gerade stationär behandelt werden, auf Normal- und Intensivstationen. Die Betten-Belegung und Auslastung in Deutschland aktuell und im Zeitverlauf.

interaktiv.morgenpost.de

 

[Hercule]

I personally prefer Tchaikovsky' Nutcracker; Shoshtakovich, Piano Concert #2;
or Anna Netrebko singing Pucinni....

Bartender Edit: Please be reminded of the 'no politics' rule.

Meh. My life would be complete if I never heard the Nutcracker ever again. Shostakovich on the other hand, I do enjoy. There's just something about the torment ingrained in his music, Prokofieff to a lesser extent. I don't have much use for 19th century Italian Opera. Now early seicento Italian opera, that's a different story! Though I do quite enjoy Rameau's efforts.

 

[LizzieMaine]

The best part of the Nutcracker is the vaudeville show in the second act.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I've had all I can stand of "upbeat, inspirational, aspirational" messaging. It's like dangling a carrot at the end of a long pole to get the mule to pull the wagon.