Speedy's Cafe - General Chat about anything you like!

[Arcadia]

So all you win is a tweet? You might get an increased number of followers, though, that's worth something!

[sfmpco]

So all you win is a tweet? You might get an increased number of followers, though, that's worth something!

 

Apparently the sum of me is in a tweet.

[Carol the Dabbler]

There are many restrictions and rules if someone wants a gun. There are sports guns too - equally controlled. You just cannot "just" buy one. Policemen carry guns.

Of course it wouldn't stop bad guys from possessing some.

 

In Germany, you mean?  So it is possible to buy guns there, as long as one follows the proper procedures.  Thanks.

 

Near as I've been able to determine, there's no restriction (other than age) on who can buy a handgun in Indiana, but if you want to leave your house with it, you need a License to Carry.  So it's kind of like a car -- any adult can buy one, but you need a license to leave your own property with it.

 

I've never been shot, accidentally or otherwise, nor can I think of anyone I know who has been.  But I do know several people who have been killed or seriously injured in car crashes, and I myself have been injured in a crash (though fortunately not severely).  So I am personally far more nervous about the idiots behind the wheel than I am about the idiots with guns.

 

[Van Buren Supernova]

From what I get from you all, at least it might not be as bad as I thought, hopefully.

Because after so many news, couldn't help to have the impression that everyone has too easy access to gun, and don't even bother to keep them safely at home, hence that many unfortunate incidents.

 

I stayed in a town that is categorized as unsafe, carried pepper spray and always wore running/proper shoes when taking public transports in case I needed to bolt. Regardless how tired, and the many hours on the street, we learnt to keep ourselves alert for suspicious behaviors and it saved us many times, worse scenario was identifying and escaping two crooks who wanted to use cleaver to cut off fingers or hands to get mom's bracelet and ring. We were just comeback from family party and she forgot to take them off, there are very simple inexpensive jewelries and it's broad daylight.

Another time I was borderline stupid to challenge two guys to fight on the street (with no knowledge of fighting whatsoever) because they tried to threaten my friend, small car accident that is 20% her fault but they refused to settle things peacefully, verbally abusive and wanted to bully her to take all the blame. I don't look intimidating at all, perhaps otherwise but because I was furious and ready maybe they thought I had some tricks and they backed out.

 

Points are, regardless how reckless and horrible the odds, at least it's kind of level playing field where they have to be in close proximity to harm me, there are time to act or flee. 

What I can't imagine is the scenario where it's very easy for someone, just ordinary person, not military or police, to enter a crowded cinemas or schools or public tranports and start the killing spree and there is basically no much you can do with that little time, because it's possible and even easy for them to obtain a deadly weapon that is effective in distance.

[Arcadia]

I have a hard time imagining it too, but it happens, over and over, and we never do anything about it. *sigh*

[Carol the Dabbler]

I get your point, Van Buren, but the mere thought of someone trying to hack my fingers off with a meat cleaver freaks me out a hell of a lot worse than any personal threat I've ever experienced from guns.

 

That's not to say that horrible things don't happen here, but they happen far, far less often than they theoretically could, and probably far less often than one might guess from the news reports.  Nowadays, anything that happens anywhere is immediately reported all over the world, so the impression that horrible things are happening more often may be largely due to simply hearing more about them.

 

[Van Buren Supernova]

Yes it was horrible and actually happened/not uncommon, apparently they think it's easier to hack body parts off in crowded area. We had to quickly walk away (running, calling for help or creating commotion might work otherwise and it might trap us there instead with even more questionable characters), and luckily, able to flag down and jumped to another literally still moving public transport opposite the street. It's not something to forget, for sure. Especially when they followed us for a while, covered the hand holding cleaver with towel. Just chop it off is the sentence that make me cringe until now. If they don't have problem hacking body parts for small valuables, imagine if these nutjobs have access to gun.

 

Anyway, yes you are right, because the accessibility of news it might sound worse than it is, at least that what I thought as outsider, after reading news and news about public shooting and gun accidents at homes. So, it's quite a relief to hear.

[J.P.]

In case you don't have a bison scull handy. :D

 

 

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

What sort of bison are those -- bicycle bison?  :D  Are they sold as storage racks for something, or as art?

 

[J.P.]

I just noticed I haven't answered the question about the "skulls"

 

They are a decoration for biking apparell compartment in a shop.

[Shadow Dweller]

I swear that BBC One is evil for showing SHERLOCK meme everyday. They torment us the fans when it is clear that series 4 is not even start to film yet. :(

[Van Buren Supernova]

It's quiet here.
 
Let's talk some nonsense..
Do you guys have any opinions about these..?
 
One of my favorite fiction is Flower for Algernon, a sci-fi about a mouse undergoing experiment to enhance its intelligence, the story is written in POV of human tester.
Do you guys read it and what do you think about this:
Super Clever Mice


Another news that amuse me is the leaking of Ashley Madison website.
I heard something very briefly about this website long time ago, I know what it is before this news comes out.
But I still find it quite fascinating; the existence, and that people actually use it?


And this Abuse in Operating Room
I have no idea how reliable is the article, but I remember some time ago a friend of mine was going through colonoscopy. He is a very intelligent and highly educated person, we like to chat about anything under the sun. This topic came out, for people who are under general anesthetic, especially those who have to undergo surgery that require overall/certain body exposure, how would we know if some lines are being crossed?


Dang, I have deadlines and have to scoot out.

[Carol the Dabbler]

I read "Flowers for Algernon," but that was a long time ago.  I think I have a slightly better memory of the movie they made from it, called Charly.  I liked it, but it was very sad.

 

[Ruthyone]

Yes, the BBC is whetting our appetite for Sherlock with so many repeats - hopefully this means we will soon see the new episode.....

 

 

:sherlock2:         

[Arcadia]

One of my favorite fiction is Flower for Algernon, a sci-fi about a mouse undergoing experiment to enhance its intelligence, the story is written in POV of human tester.

Do you guys read it and what do you think about this:

Super Clever Mice

Flowers for Algernon was required reading when I was in high school, I remember I loved it but also thought it was very sad. The movie version came out about the same time, as I recall, but I didn't care for it as much. Cliff Robertson was not, imo, the right person for that role.

 

As for the article, what amuses me is the image they chose as a link to it:

I suppose the research is useful, but beware of unintended consequences! :D Alzheimer's is a cruel disease, though, I hope they can find something to help with it.

 

Another news that amuse me is the leaking of Ashley Madison website.

I heard something very briefly about this website long time ago, I know what it is before this news comes out.

But I still find it quite fascinating; the existence, and that people actually use it?

Oh my, I just heard about this last night. Good grief. But it doesn't surprise me, I have decided that when it comes to sex, some people will do anything, consequences be damned.

 

And this Abuse in Operating Room

I have no idea how reliable is the article, but I remember some time ago a friend of mine was going through colonoscopy. He is a very intelligent and highly educated person, we like to chat about anything under the sun. This topic came out, for people who are under general anesthetic, especially those who have to undergo surgery that require overall/certain body exposure, how would we know if some lines are being crossed?

Uh .... see my answer just above. Sex just makes some people really, really stupid and ugly. (And some people are just stupid and ugly all the time!) I'm sure bad stuff happens, I guess I just have to hope the other people in the room have the courage to act on behalf of the patient. 

[Van Buren Supernova]

I actually didn't know there is a movie adaptation for Flower for Algernon! 

Long long time ago, I found it accidentally in the book shop, in different language (and different tittle!) and interested with the teaser from the cover.

It's probably the first book I bought at full price. Back then, my books were either from bargain or second hand shops.

 

I like it so much and searched for the original book, but just found out about the movie now...

[Arcadia]

Eh, imo, don't bother with the movie, Pinky and the Brain is better. :p

[Carol the Dabbler]

I think the story and the movie are both good, but they're different -- they changed the plot noticeably for the movie, so it's probably best to think of it as an adaptation rather than a dramatization.

 

[T.o.b.y]

I vaguely remember reading Flowers for Algernon - got it from the library, I think. Wasn't it terribly sad? It's one of those books that I deleted right after reading them, so it must have been either very horrible (don't think so) or very sad.

[Arcadia]

Tragically, horribly, depressingly sad. The pony dies. Oh wait, that's Steinbeck... :p

[J.P.]

Watching Tom And Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes.

 

Professor Moriarty looks suspiciously like the new incarnation of Dr Strange.

[Carol the Dabbler]

You mean he's wearing a cape?  ;)

[J.P.]

No, but he has a goatie, white temples and... eh, look for yourself

 

 

Erm... maybe it belongs to the Obsession-thread. You see Sherlock-related things everywhere.

[Arcadia]

Wow, you're not kidding! Except for the evil sneer. That wouldn't be a bad look for Strange, actually. I'm still worried about pajama bottoms and a cape.....

[J.P.]

and HERE is the whole film on YT