The Frying Pan

ElendilTheTall

3:00 PM

Letter.... don't think I've ever written a social one

Cindy

@Stephie Other than birthday cards and the like it's been quite some time.

Stephie

Interesting... yet we communicate like probably no generation before us (except perhaps the ladys of Jane Austen's time).

ElendilTheTall

@Stephie Have you spoken to Mrs Fotheringay? I understand she has great plans for the upcoming season <sips tea>

Jay

@Stephie the last letter i received was a valentines day love letter lol blushes

Stephie

@ElendilTheTall <nods gracefully and takes another sip>

@Jay Don't blush! That's wonderful!

ElendilTheTall

3:08 PM

@Stephie it was in 3rd grade

from his mother

Jay

lol shush you

Stephie

@ElendilTheTall it's the thought that counts! (Jealous much?)

Jay

it was like 2 years ago

Faheem Mitha

@Jay For about as long as it would take you to get another job if fired from this one. Say 6 months as a ballpark. Does your current job have to give you notice?

ElendilTheTall

@Stephie no, I've got plenty of valentine letters from Jay's mother

Stephie

3:09 PM

@ElendilTheTall Hey! No "Yo mama" jokes here!

ElendilTheTall

@Stephie you ain't the boss o' me

Stephie

LOL

ElendilTheTall

well, I was going to give blood tonight, but I think I'll leave it till next month

Stephie

@ElendilTheTall Why?

Have we st/drained you too much?

Or not recovered enough yet?

(achoooo!)

Faheem Mitha

@Jay But it looks like people have covered that adequately already.

Having a secure job is quite helpful. Though such things are getting rare.

ElendilTheTall

3:13 PM

@Stephie why not?

Jay

Last time i checked they still banned gay/bi men from donating blood. Is that antiquated practice still in place?

ElendilTheTall

I've never done it before, there've been ads on the radio saying how they always need more in winter

my mother has a rare blood type so I may have it as well

Jay

After a very embarrassing fiasco while donating blood at my university 5 years ago i havent donated blood.

Stephie

@ElendilTheTall Never got tested?

ElendilTheTall

@Jay not that I know of

@Stephie once, but I don't think they typed it

Faheem Mitha

3:15 PM

And Microsoft has made a lot of money in the past by doing lots of bad things. Whenever anyone says anything even vaguely complimentary about Gates I feel like breaking things. (Probably a character flaw.)

ElendilTheTall

@jay ah:

> Men who have had oral or anal sex with men within the last 12 months can't donate blood. Men who haven't had oral or anal sex with a man in the last 12 months and who can meet the other donor selection criteria can donate.

> None of the criteria in place for blood donation are intended to be discriminatory. It is specific sexual behaviours rather than sexuality that increase the risk of virus transmission and drive the criteria. Ensuring donor and patient safety is at the heart of what we do. The processes we follow at our blood donation sessions are in line with blood donor selection criteria set by the Department of Health on the advice of independent experts.

> Men who have sex with men as a group have been shown to be at a statistically higher risk of acquiring HIV and other sexually acquired infections, including hepatitis B, in the UK.

The donor selection criteria in place are based on statistical risks for sexual behaviour associated with that population group - men who have sex with men - rather than an individual's specific sexual history or sexuality.

The Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) advise that there is insufficient evidence available to be able to determine the impact on blood safety of introdu…

Faheem Mitha

@ElendilTheTall That makes no sense. How can they know whether anyone is reporting this truthfully?

Jay

They test indivual samples so i dont know why thats still an issue

ElendilTheTall

@FaheemMitha I just copied and pasted it, how should I know?

Jay

but whatever, their lost. my blood is just as good as your darn blood

Faheem Mitha

3:21 PM

@Jay Every sample?

Jay

it wouldnt make sense that they dont test all the blood

since they take blood and then put a small sample in the test capsule for every donation

Faheem Mitha

@ElendilTheTall I just assumed that you were an expert on the topic.

ElendilTheTall

@FaheemMitha when you assume, you make an ass out of u and me

Faheem Mitha

@Jay It would certainly make sense to do so. But that doesn't mean they do.

@ElendilTheTall Lame.

Stephie

Guys, see you tomorow - have to get ready for tonight's social marathon. First kid's swimming class, then later parent's council. I sense a loong night ahead.

Faheem Mitha

3:23 PM

@Stephie You have an actual job too, right?

Cindy

Later @Stephie!

Jay

"The American Red Cross performs laboratory tests for multiple infectious disease markers on every unit of donated blood. Tests are upgraded or replaced with more sensitive technologies as these become available. These tests include:

Chagas disease (T. cruzi)
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
Hepatitis C virus (HCV 3.0)
Human Immunodeficiency viruses, Types 1 and 2 (HIV 1,2)
Human T-Lymphotropic virus (HTLV-I/II)
Syphilis (Treponema pallidum)
West Nile virus (WNV)"

ElendilTheTall

@Stephie cya

Jay

Straight from the red cross website

is they already test for hiv and hep b, there is no reason to limit the blood samples

Faheem Mitha

@Jay Ok. And are the American Red Cross the only people who accept and process donated blood?

Jay

3:24 PM

in american, bbasically

Faheem Mitha

@Jay ?

ElendilTheTall

In America

jeez

Faheem Mitha

I thought hospitals would accept donated blood in most places. I think they do so here.

There's one organization fronting the entire operation across all of the United States? Surprising if true.

And in fact, appears to be incorrect, or I'm misreading this page.

List of blood donation agencies in the United States

Nearly every hospital in the United States has a blood bank and transfusion service. The following is a list of groups that collect blood for transfusion and not a complete list of blood banks. == National organizations == American Red Cross (ARC), specifically the biomedical services division.[1]. The ARC provides about 45% of transfused blood in the US. America's Blood Centers, a major network of non-profit community blood centers founded in 1962. [2] Most of the independent blood centers on this list are ABC members, and these account for approximately half of the US blood supply.United Blood...

I believe in the US at least, they don't pay for blood, but charge for it. But this page doesn't specify.

Cindy

I'm off to do some chores. Figure I may as well get something done while I wait. Back in a little bit. :)

Faheem Mitha

@Cindy What are you waiting for?

ElendilTheTall

3:34 PM

@FaheemMitha the Murder Investigation Team to come and take her to Sing Sing

Cindy

@FaheemMitha The laptop for the new job.

Faheem Mitha

@Cindy Oh, still waiting for that?

You can't use your home computer?

Cindy

@ElendilTheTall Ssssh.

Faheem Mitha

I wonder, do people Sing in Sing Sing?

Cindy

I will. If they catch me.

@FaheemMitha No. That would never be allowed.

Faheem Mitha

3:37 PM

@Cindy oh. For security reasons?

Cindy

@FaheemMitha Yes.

Faheem Mitha

Ok.

ElendilTheTall

3:54 PM

Amazing (and recycled) fact of the day: During World War 2, the chap who inspired James Bond's 'Q' character invented garlic-flavoured chocolate, so agents being dropped into France would have authentic-smelling breath.

Faheem Mitha

Source?

ElendilTheTall

amazon.co.uk/Operation-Mincemeat-Story-Changed-Course/dp/…

Faheem Mitha

@ElendilTheTall Ok.

ElendilTheTall

presumably there is a further source in there, but I don't memorise that kind of thing

Operation Mincemeat was very interesting

German Intelligence was always the weak link for Hitler

MI5 had them fully convinced they had a network of 20 odd agents within Britain, when in fact it was all a fabrication run through one man, a double agent called Garbo

Jay

4:23 PM

i love the little candies they give out after lunch at restaurants

got a nice little minty chocolate today

ElendilTheTall

Ah, cutting back on eating out eh?

Jay

@ElendilTheTall hey, once a week isnt so bad

ElendilTheTall

If you say so

Jay

and its the lunch menu so the prices are reasonable

but i should probably get groceries after work today

running out of food to make lunch

ElendilTheTall

4:40 PM

Chocolate sandwiches are fucking awesome

Jay

no those are chocolate with a minty center

not ice cream sandwich if thats what you think it is

ElendilTheTall

The French sell long thin bars of chocolate specifically made for putting in baguettes. I shit you not.

@jay no, numb nuts. Chocolate between two slices of bread

Cerberus

Why would one do that?

And hello.

Jay

@Cerberus Only uncivilized fools do that

@Cerberus hey hey

ElendilTheTall

@cerberus why would one not?

Jay

4:50 PM

there are better things to put between the buns if you know what i mean.

Cerberus

Because one could just eat chocolate with some nice kind of cookie/pastry, rather than bread?

ElendilTheTall

You have chocolate spread and Nutella. It's the same principle, with the added texture of solid chocolate.

Cerberus

Fair enough.

But for me the nuttiness of Nutella is an essential condition for putting it on bread.

ElendilTheTall

The slight saltiness of bread compliments the chocolate

Cerberus

And so is the texture.

ElendilTheTall

4:52 PM

Also good is McDonald's fries dipped in their chocolate milkshake

Cerberus

I don't think abstract nouns can compliment people, let alone things.

ducks

ElendilTheTall

Try it now, thank me later.

hides

ignores

chuckles

4:52 PM

sneezes

Cerberus

sips tea

ElendilTheTall

nictitates

Cerberus

Earl Grey with milk, of course

Jay

sips coffee

Cerberus

@ElendilTheTall Eww.

Jefromi

4:53 PM

ad-hoc poll time!

3

A: Raised brown spots on garlic

The brown spots can be a bruise from handling or a bruise caused by heavy soil. We learned the hard way to avoid planting in heavy clay. Loads of brown spots from cloves trying to swell against hard soil, or a rock or buried root etc. The bacteria get into the bruised clove and quickly discolou...

Jay

French Vanilla with 1 sugar and 2 cream

@Cerberus that means blinking

Cerberus

I know. But that isn't funny.

Jefromi

This answer originally included a link to the guy's garlic farm website. I removed it because it seemed slightly spammy, but someone I shared the answer with seemed to think the guy might just be making it all up and not really be a garlic farmer. So: does including the link in some form help add confidence that he actually knows what he's talking about?

ElendilTheTall

Now that's ewww

Cerberus

@Jefromi Hmmm that's iffy.

Jay

4:55 PM

Nah i think its fine without

Jefromi

(For example, "I have a [garlic farm], and...")

Okay, thanks, that was my inclination as well, but this hadn't occurred to me.

Jay

That would most certainly be a better format than the OP originial did

Jefromi

Yeah, signatures definitely no good.

ElendilTheTall

pandiculates

Jay

does that mean turning into a panda

thats be neat

ElendilTheTall

5:02 PM

If you were paying attention earlier, you'd know it meant yawning and stretching

Jay

@ElendilTheTall im sorry i have a job i have to pay more attention to :'(

ElendilTheTall

Turning into a panda is pandandomorphing

Jay

pandomorphing sounds better

ElendilTheTall

Only to lazy people

I have been looking through my starred comments

Jay

or people with better sense of whats better

ElendilTheTall

5:04 PM

I am one witty, erudite and modest sonofabitch

Jay

Elendil is a sonofabitch. Yup sounds about right

Faheem Mitha

@ElendilTheTall Yes, definitely modest.

Trying to find a touch sensitive lamp to buy for a bedside table. Proving to be a bit of an exercise in frustration.

Jay

6:02 PM

Oi, hour+ long meeting makes my head swim

need to take a stretching break

Blagghhhhhh

Random nose bleed

couldnt be worst time

was talking to a coworker and suddenly half my face was covered in blood

now im walking around with a wad of toilet paper up my nose

embarrassed face

Jay

6:29 PM

For anyone thats interested, I dont think i've yet to post my cubicle yet

ElendilTheTall

@jay are you left handed?

Jay

no, why do you ask?

Faheem Mitha

@Jay Is that a serious thing? Pardon my ignorance.

Jay

@FaheemMitha ? the fact that i randomly got a nose bleed?

i take it you've never had a random nosebleed?

it is real and quite inconvenient

Faheem Mitha

@Jay No.

@Jay I was just wondering how serious a thing it was. From a health standpoint.

Jay

6:33 PM

oh serious as in critical, not as in real

its not too unusual during fall

Faheem Mitha

Yes, serious as in a significant health issue.

I've no idea.

Jay

as the air gets drier and your body isnt used to the drier air

Faheem Mitha

@Jay Oh. I've never seen such a thing.

Jay

as long as it doesnt last for more than a minute, it isnt really something to worry about

ElendilTheTall

@jay your notepad is to the left of your keyboard

Jay

6:34 PM

@ElendilTheTall i was done writing on it so i set it aside

Faheem Mitha

Pardon my imprecise initial question. I should have said something like "is that a potentially serious health issue?".

@Jay Ok.

Jay

@FaheemMitha ah there we go that clears up any ambiguity

My cubicle is pretty standard for a 9-5 drone job

Faheem Mitha

What make is the chair?

Jay

i dont think its anything too expensive but its relatively comfy

although because the entry square is smaller it makes me cubicle look a bit smaller in the picture. there is a good 2-3 feet of room to the right of the picture.

Faheem Mitha

Look at the chair. There's a good chance it has the brand marked on it.

Jay

6:40 PM

i need to bring in some photos to put on the walls

Faheem Mitha

Kitty cats, perhaps.

Jay

probably pictures of mischa

maybe one of my family

Faheem Mitha

@Jay mischa? The doggie?

Jay

yea

actually i should bring in some of the paintings i did during high school

brighten up my cube with some water colors

Faheem Mitha

I used to paint in school too. Long time ago.

The art teacher thought I had talent. Imagine, once upon a time people used to make their livings by painting.

What a different world that must have been.

Jay

6:44 PM

this might look good above the second monitor next to the shelf

This will need to be framed but going with watercolor landscape theme, it'll be good to brighten up my cube

scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/…

horrible photo quality though lol

Faheem Mitha

@Jay Is this your work?

Jay

yea back in high school

havent painted in years

Faheem Mitha

Looks good.

Jay

Thanks

Faheem Mitha

Both of them are your work? They do look similar. Are they based on actual scenes?

Jay

6:50 PM

random cat one since you mentioned it

scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/…

scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/…

@FaheemMitha yea both of them are landscapes i found online

i probably didnt have the rights to paint them but im not selling my paintings so its not a big issue i dont think lol

Faheem Mitha

@Jay Oh, not painted from life, then?

Jay

@FaheemMitha haha no

Faheem Mitha

Ok

Jay

that takes much more skills

converting 3D to 2D on the spot takes a lot experience

Cindy

Hey guys! Nice pics @Jay!

Jay

6:54 PM

@Cindy Thanks

Faheem Mitha

You could do a painting of your doggy. If you could get him to stay still long enough.

Jay

@FaheemMitha haha i would need to go out and buy a lot of art supplies

but that might not be a bad idea

to take up painting again

my room at home is pretty spacious so it wouldnt be an issue to turn half the room into a studio

Faheem Mitha

Well, doggies don't like to pose. But I suppose you could use a photo instead.

Jay

painting stand/easel/brush will probably come to $150-200. Thankfully water color is one of the cheaper paints

Faheem Mitha

My art teacher used to tell me to keep up with my painting. I'm afraid I disappointed her.

Jay

6:58 PM

@FaheemMitha oh yea definitely using a photo if im painting mischa. shell stand still for .01 seconds

Faheem Mitha

But really, a world where people used to spend their time painting seems very distant from the modern one.

A nicer one, in some ways...

Jay

i think i can spring ~$200 to buy art supplies

but im probably underestimating the prices of art supplies

havent bought art supplies in like 5 years?

oh yea i can order all the supplies off amazon and get extra cash back using my chase freedom card :D

amazon.com/Best-Choice-Products%C2%AE-Portable-Painters/dp/…

Hmmm this is a lot cheaper than i expected

$59.99

It has adjusted legs to raised higher or lower and folds up into a suitcase shape

Faheem Mitha

@Jay Perhaps make sure you're going to use them before going on an art supplies buying spree.

Jay

what do you mean

i GUESS i can paint on my desk initially

lol

yea thats probably a good idea to start off

Faheem Mitha

@Jay What do I mean about what?

Jay

7:17 PM

Does $60 sound reasonable to spend on a hobby i might or might not stick with?

got brushes, water color paint, easel, stretching board, artist tape, and 24 pack of water color paper for a combined total of ~$60

Faheem Mitha

@Jay Sure. Think of it as a really, really expensive dinner.

Jay

yea

okie dokie

with some shipping charges its $65. most of the supply should get here by thursday

i think the water color paper itself doesnt arrive until monday next week

but that isnt an issue. i can just mess around with the paint using regular paper over the weekend

shouldnt be an issue if i paint drier

Jay

7:53 PM

oh man i really wanna go paint now

what should i paint first

oooh pretty

google.com/…

@ElendilTheTall hey can i paint some of your landscapes?

these are pretty and would be fun to paint

Jolenealaska

8:28 PM

@Jay I'm pretty sure that print was sold on Pawn Stars (a limited edition).

Jay

@Jolenealaska yea? well its beautiful

since im painting only for recreational purposes, i dont need to worry about copyright right?

ElendilTheTall

8:45 PM

@jay sure. Let's talk money

Jay

oh you stop it.

ElendilTheTall

8:57 PM

If you can afford to put 500 bucks a month aside, you can afford to throw 50 my way! I yomped all over the place at 4 in the morning to get those shots.

Jolenealaska

9:34 PM

Hi Sweetie.

I'm making the ravioli again tonight for Marv. I'm hoping to distract him for a while.

ElendilTheTall

Ha

You could always just tell him you're not in the mood

Jolenealaska

I'll make the pasta this afternoon then I'll put together the ravioli after I pick up good old What's-his-Name.

I'm really not in the mood. :/

ElendilTheTall

Fumblin' Joe

Then tell him!

Jolenealaska

This time really is his last trip to Barrow (so I'll see him one more time on his way home).

So, I kind of feel obligated (not really obligated, but something like that).

Cerberus

Hi!

Jolenealaska

9:41 PM

Hi Cerby!

Cerberus

Wait, we are taking about your err non-Platonic friend, are we not?

Jolenealaska

yes

Cerberus

OK.

But you're not in the mood for things non-Platonic.

Jolenealaska

I'll pick him up in about 3 hours.

Cerberus

@ElendilTheTall To speak for the Devil, look at what the most powerful army in the world could not defeat: a rag-tag band of guerilleros in...basically everywhere.

Jolenealaska

9:43 PM

I'm making ravioli for dinner.

Cerberus

Yay.

If the m-word is involved, please don't mention it so as not to spoil my image.

Any other filling will fit the image.

Jolenealaska

the filling is seasoned cream cheese and an egg yolk (unbroken and runny). the sauce is a Spanish seasoned smooth sauce with chorizo and tomato. I'm garnishing with Cotija cheese and cilantro.

I have my camera and tripod out of hock, so I'm also going to try to take some nice pictures.

Cerberus

Sounds good!

So that is the famous whole-yoke raviolo.

Jolenealaska

it is good, I made a test batch just last week and still have some sauce left over.

I think I'll even get Marv to help me roll out the pasta. It's easier if you have a helper (or a motor) to keep the rollers going, leaving the cook with two hands to manage the pasta dough.

(more distraction tactics)

On that note I have to run out to my car, I have groceries in the back including something I need.

Faheem Mitha

10:11 PM

@Jay Are those real places? It looks like a dream landscape.

Cerberus

@Jolenealaska Good luck!

Jolenealaska

It's a pretty treacherous trip. I have to ride an elevator.

Maybe I should drink a cup of coffee first.

Faheem Mitha

Scary.