OT: The OT Thread: False spring is the worst season of all (Warning in post 368)

[Beerz]

I've picked up a few mental drills which I use to filter every bit of news / information I get. I'll entertain any idea that way, but exceedingly few pass.

He's my government conspiracy theory model:
1. Is the US government capable of it?
2. Could the US government keep it a secret?
3. Who would execute the mission?

My aunt in Idaho who thought the UN was coming to take her land about a decade ago told me her theory. So, I ran it through my model:

1. There's no way the US could reasonably plan that operation. Only the DoD could come close to planning it, and couldn't do it without help from DoS, etc. Last big plan we had was Iraq. Great first 37 days, not so great the rest of the way.

2. There's no way that the thousands of people who would be need to plan such an operation internal to the US, or even external, could keep it secret. Not now, especially with the internet. To keep a secret, the circle needs to be small and those who know need to be motivated to keep the secret.

3. Unless some other country was doing invading, there's no way anyone in the military or law enforcement lifts a finger on that plan.

Failed conspiracy theory. She still thinks it's possible though.

I went down the rabbit hole years ago about the 9/11 conspiracies... I didn't believe them but was interested in what people were talking about and their proof ect ect.

People will believe anything.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Yeah, my friends who work at various governmental branches tended to laugh off the conspiracy theory stuff. One story - one works in a branch that couldn't get an updated policy manual published on time because someone at the top of the food chain insisted that they restore two spaces after every period. Which is no longer required by any style manual, including the one approved and adopted by that particular department. It was sent back. The person at the top said no. It had to go to a review because the appointee insisted they were right rather than use the standards of the dept. in question - that had been worked out by actual professionals prior.

I think people mentally assign a level of competence to the government which does t exist. What you described is basically the way the entire government works.

The same government that we think has this super massive evil plan for us is also the same government which pays thousands of dollars for plungers.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I went down the rabbit hole years ago about the 9/11 conspiracies... I didn't believe them but was interested in what people were talking about and their proof ect ect.

People will believe anything.

I read and watch anything I can. I’ll entertain any idea. But in the end they wind up failing apart when put to scrutiny.

 

[Beerz]

I read and watch anything I can. I’ll entertain any idea. But in the end they wind up failing apart when put to scrutiny.

Exactly.

 

[Chainshot]

I think people mentally assign a level of competence to the government which does t exist. What you described is basically the way the entire government works.

The same government that we think has this super massive evil plan for us is also the same government which pays thousands of dollars for plungers.

I don't know if it's a level of competence or if they are attached to governance as ill-meaning. The mundane that most civil servants are just doing the best they can with the direction and resources they have is far less scary that someone in the government is out to get them and the reason for their life being a particular way.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I don't know if it's a level of competence or if they are attached to governance as ill-meaning. The mundane that most civil servants are just doing the best they can with the direction and resources they have is far less scary that someone in the government is out to get them and the reason for their life being a particular way.

Good point. As a career government employee (in some fashion) I think they are both true in ways.

 

[KiwiGriff]

Good point. As a career government employee (in some fashion) I think they are both true in ways.

Haha.

 

[Mike McDermott]

Just gotta say, there is help out there and no short term problem is worth a permanent non-solution. If you are struggling please talk to someone. My wife is reeling to because when she got to work she learned a coworker she interacted with basically daily is no longer with us.

 

[Chainshot]

Just gotta say, there is help out there and no short term problem is worth a permanent non-solution. If you are struggling please talk to someone. My wife is reeling to because when she got to work she learned a coworker she interacted with basically daily is no longer with us.

That's sad. I hope the folks in her office and those who were close to her co-worker find the resources they need.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Just gotta say, there is help out there and no short term problem is worth a permanent non-solution. If you are struggling please talk to someone. My wife is reeling to because when she got to work she learned a coworker she interacted with basically daily is no longer with us.

Few communities have been hit harder by this than combat veterans. I’ve lost count of people I knew at this point.

Please, if you need to talk, call someone. There is hope. Go see a pastor or a counselor. They can help find purpose and to see past whatever problems you have.

 

[Chainshot]

I'm in this part of the moving process where my brain is just not able to turn off... so I keep saying "don't look at it" like Indy tied to a post:

 

[truthbluth]

Been on the wagon most of 2025. Gotta say, NA beers nowadays are a far f***ing cry from that O’Douls bullshit. Scratches that itch. Might be able to keep this going a long time. Maybe forever.

 

[Chainshot]

Been on the wagon most of 2025. Gotta say, NA beers nowadays are a far f***ing cry from that O’Douls bullshit. Scratches that itch. Might be able to keep this going a long time. Maybe forever.

Congratulations!

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Somehow, I am officially a father of an adult, as of today.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

I suppose I should add that, while I find it unnerving as I am still very much a child in many ways, I am always grateful that I have such a good relationship with my kid. For 90 minutes, I made them laugh tonight by incorporating Nine Inch Nails lyrics into my sentences, trying to make it sound as natural as possible.

 

[Chainshot]

I suppose I should add that, while I find it unnerving as I am still very much a child in many ways, I am always grateful that I have such a good relationship with my kid. For 90 minutes, I made them laugh tonight by incorporating Nine Inch Nails lyrics into my sentences, trying to make it sound as natural as possible.

Sounds like you were down init.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Sounds like you were down init.

They wanted fondue for birthday dinner, so it was lots of bowls on the table. I brought over 2 serving spoons, but there were 3 bowls in need. "It comes down to this..." I muttered, making them cackle.

It all started because the fondue spear my wife grabbed had a black gem on it. I said, "black as your soul." (to my kid, not my wife)

 

[Chainshot]

They wanted fondue for birthday dinner, so it was lots of bowls on the table. I brought over 2 serving spoons, but there were 3 bowls in need. "It comes down to this..." I muttered, making them cackle.

It all started because the fondue spear my wife grabbed had a black gem on it. I said, "black as your soul." (to my kid, not my wife)

My youngest requested I put together a playlist or three of songs that I think she would like or like to know. So I approached it like an old mixtape and one of them is called “More Leather than a Field Full of Cows“ which is all sorts of industrial tunes. And the name goes back to a night at the Icon when my roommate made a comment about all the leather jackets that everybody had brought up to the DJ booth and we spent the rest of the night pulling the music set and making terrible cow puns.

Another one is "Insert John Hughes Working Title Here" for a bunch of '80's alternative things. And "More Covers than a Duvet Factory" has a bunch of fun cover versions which includes Cash covering "Hurt" but also Trent and Peter Murphy doing "Night Clubbing". It's been fun. And also an executive function frenzy - putting together disparate styles on different lists and trying to both listen and work on them meant jumping from song to song to song. Ack.

I also still have about 100 tunes on a spreadsheet on my laptop and another 40 in a note on my phone to figure out what to do with. And then there are some other genres that I haven't even taken time to work on which are going to require some research and listening.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

My youngest requested I put together a playlist or three of songs that I think she would like or like to know. So I approached it like an old mixtape and one of them is called “More Leather than a Field Full of Cows“ which is all sorts of industrial tunes. And the name goes back to a night at the Icon when my roommate made a comment about all the leather jackets that everybody had brought up to the DJ booth and we spent the rest of the night pulling the music set and making terrible cow puns.

Another one is "Insert John Hughes Working Title Here" for a bunch of '80's alternative things. And "More Covers than a Duvet Factory" has a bunch of fun cover versions which includes Cash covering "Hurt" but also Trent and Peter Murphy doing "Night Clubbing". It's been fun. And also an executive function frenzy - putting together disparate styles on different lists and trying to both listen and work on them meant jumping from song to song to song. Ack.

I also still have about 100 tunes on a spreadsheet on my laptop and another 40 in a note on my phone to figure out what to do with. And then there are some other genres that I haven't even taken time to work on which are going to require some research and listening.

That's awesome! Mine has my old CD collection. Two 200-disc cases. One of their favorites so far has been Gary Numan's "Dominion Day" album

 

[Chainshot]

That's awesome! Mine has my old CD collection. Two 200-disc cases. One of their favorites so far has been Gary Numan's "Dominion Day" album

Exile! Yes. Love that album.

I have my music collection still, managed to save it so far from the sale of everything I enjoy to just make rent and utilities. So far.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Exile! Yes. Love that album.

I have my music collection still, managed to save it so far from the sale of everything I enjoy to just make rent and utilities. So far.

I actually got that cd for free when I bought a 3 disc industrial metal compilation. The comp had all the bands you'd expect - Electric Hellfire Club, Razed in Black - but the Numan album was definitely the winner.

 

[truthbluth]

My youngest requested I put together a playlist or three of songs that I think she would like or like to know. So I approached it like an old mixtape and one of them is called “More Leather than a Field Full of Cows“ which is all sorts of industrial tunes. And the name goes back to a night at the Icon when my roommate made a comment about all the leather jackets that everybody had brought up to the DJ booth and we spent the rest of the night pulling the music set and making terrible cow puns.

Another one is "Insert John Hughes Working Title Here" for a bunch of '80's alternative things. And "More Covers than a Duvet Factory" has a bunch of fun cover versions which includes Cash covering "Hurt" but also Trent and Peter Murphy doing "Night Clubbing". It's been fun. And also an executive function frenzy - putting together disparate styles on different lists and trying to both listen and work on them meant jumping from song to song to song. Ack.

I also still have about 100 tunes on a spreadsheet on my laptop and another 40 in a note on my phone to figure out what to do with. And then there are some other genres that I haven't even taken time to work on which are going to require some research and listening.

Man this gives me hope that someday my kids will like something other than cartoon soundtracks and Imagine Dragons.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Been on the wagon most of 2025. Gotta say, NA beers nowadays are a far f***ing cry from that O’Douls bullshit. Scratches that itch. Might be able to keep this going a long time. Maybe forever.

AA helps as well, support groups and sponsor very important for focus, long term, and in the end helps you determine your fate/health/life. Give it a try.

Man this gives me hope that someday my kids will like something other than cartoon soundtracks and Imagine Dragons.

I see what most kids listen to and most others are oblivious to. I don't really have much faith when a generation has not listened to The Beatles.

 

[Chainshot]

AA helps as well, support groups and sponsor very important for focus, long term, and in the end helps you determine your fate/health/life. Give it a try.


I see what most kids listen to and most others are oblivious to. I don't really have much faith when a generation has not listened to The Beatles.

As someone who didn't like the Beatles because they were constantly pushed on me as some sort of greatest thing to ever having existed, not worried.

 

[Mike McDermott]

Two weeks from now I’ll be landing in Miami for my cruise that leaves two weeks from tomorrow. Can’t wait for warm weather, to get away with the family and honestly be offline for a while. I work next Saturday to have the Friday before we leave off for packing etc. so going to be a long two weeks. Where’s the fast forward button?