• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • About Us
  • Lexicon
  • Contact Us
  • Our Store
  • ↑
  • ↓
  • ←
  • →

Balloon Juice

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

You cannot shame the shameless.

When do the post office & the dmv weigh in on the wuhan virus?

Republican speaker of the house Mike Johnson is the bland and smiling face of evil.

The Giant Orange Man Baby is having a bad day.

“In the future, this lab will be a museum. don’t touch it.”

The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.

JFC, are there no editors left at that goddamn rag?

The choice is between normal and crazy.

“Everybody’s entitled to be an idiot.”

Today’s gop: why go just far enough when too far is right there?

The next time the wall street journal editorial board speaks the truth will be the first.

I was confident that someone would point it out and thought why not me.

“woke” is the new caravan.

It is possible to do the right thing without the promise of a cookie.

Everything is totally normal and fine!!!

This country desperately needs a functioning Fourth Estate.

Since when do we limit our critiques to things we could do better ourselves?

Well, whatever it is, it’s better than being a Republican.

Jesus, Mary, & Joseph how is that election even close?

Prediction: the gop will rethink its strategy of boycotting future committees.

Something needs to be done about our bogus SCOTUS.

No offense, but this thread hasn’t been about you for quite a while.

Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn.

It’s the corruption, stupid.

Mobile Menu

  • Four Directions Montana
  • Donate with Venmo, Zelle & PayPal
  • Site Feedback
  • War in Ukraine
  • Submit Photos to On the Road
  • Politics
  • On The Road
  • Open Threads
  • Topics
  • COVID-19 Coronavirus
  • Authors
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Lexicon
  • Our Store
  • Politics
  • Open Threads
  • 2024 Elections
  • Garden Chats
  • On The Road
  • Targeted Fundraising!
You are here: Home / Open Threads / Late Night Open Thread

Late Night Open Thread

by John Cole|  April 6, 201411:45 pm| 63 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

FacebookTweetEmail

Watching Turn, and this series is going to be really good. Here is the first sticker I am putting on my car (after the obligatory hypocycloids which will be installed before I drive off the lot) tomorrow:

zero

Never been excited about buying a car before.

FacebookTweetEmail
Previous Post: « Open Thread: Suit Up, Gloves Off…
Next Post: Monday Morning Open Thread: Nancy Smashing »

Reader Interactions

63Comments

  1. 1.

    craigie

    April 6, 2014 at 11:52 pm

    I thought I was aware of all internet traditions, but I don’t understand that sticker.

  2. 2.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 6, 2014 at 11:53 pm

    Why are you using my initials?

    I am agnostic about “Turn.” I watched the first episode, but there were a few things that bugged me. I won’t go into them now to avoid spoilers. I will watch a few more episodes, though, to see if they work out the kinks.

  3. 3.

    Jerzy Russian

    April 6, 2014 at 11:53 pm

    Can someone explain that sticker, using simple English words? Thanks.

  4. 4.

    trollhattan

    April 6, 2014 at 11:56 pm

    So you went with the Lexus then, eh? Good choice (or so I’m told).

    I keed, I keed, enjoy the new sled. It’s so weird when you’re used to driving a particular vee-hik-kle for a decade or so, to get into something with no worn-out anything, especially the suspension bushings and such. It’s like…dayummm!

  5. 5.

    KG

    April 6, 2014 at 11:56 pm

    it’s a play on the marathon and half marathon stickers a lot of people put on their cars. See for example, this

  6. 6.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 6, 2014 at 11:57 pm

    @Jerzy Russian: Until another explanation is proffered, I shall take it as an homage to me.

  7. 7.

    Santa Fe

    April 6, 2014 at 11:57 pm

    0.0 blood alcohol level, yes? Always a good plan behind the wheel.

  8. 8.

    ? Martin

    April 6, 2014 at 11:57 pm

    Some people put ‘26.2’ stickers on their car to indicate they’ve run a marathon. Cole is wearing his ‘lazy and nonathletic’ badge with pride.

  9. 9.

    trollhattan

    April 6, 2014 at 11:57 pm

    @Jerzy Russian:

    Marathoners emblazon their rides with “26.2” half-marathoners…you get the drift.

    It’s the funneh.

  10. 10.

    Jewish Steel

    April 7, 2014 at 12:03 am

    Running’s a drug and religion people sometimes get late life. My mother quit smoking around 40 and has a whole trophy case full of 5 and 10K medals to show for it. (1st 2nd and 3rd places, not just “good on yer!” awards)

    But your knees are shot, right? So that’s probably out.

  11. 11.

    lamh36

    April 7, 2014 at 12:04 am

    I saw Captain America: Winter Soldier tonight, and I liked it a lot. Aside from the movie though, I came away from it thinking that damn Marvel Studios is coming out like gangbusters. Starting with Captain America, they have no less than 4 BIG probable blockbusters this summer alone and they still have the rest of the Thor (1 more), Wolverine (1 more), X-Men First Class (1 more), another Captain America movie, 2 more Avengers movies, Spiderman (1 more) and that’s not counting the new features they are developing or hoping to turn into franchises (like Guardian of the Galaxy). The Marvel studio company is pretty much set for at least the next what seems like decade!

    Anyway, back to Cap America, I thought it was good.

  12. 12.

    ? Martin

    April 7, 2014 at 12:06 am

    @lamh36:

    Aside from the movie though, I came away from it thinking that damn Marvel Studios Disney is coming out like gangbusters.

    Corrected for truth.

  13. 13.

    lamh36

    April 7, 2014 at 12:09 am

    @? Martin: Darnit. That whole ownership thing between Fox Studios, Disney and Marvel Studios is soooo confusing I barely ever keep it straight… :=)

  14. 14.

    NotMax

    April 7, 2014 at 12:18 am

    Ouchie.

    The Worst Places To Get Stung By A Bee

  15. 15.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 7, 2014 at 12:20 am

    @Jewish Steel: Cycling. Just saying.

  16. 16.

    Amir Khalid

    April 7, 2014 at 12:24 am

    @lamh36:
    The Spiderman and X-Men movie franchises aren’t coming out of Disney/Marvel. Marvel sold the movie rights to those characters before it got its own studio going: Sony has Spidey, and 20th Century Fox has the X-Men and its individual characters including Wolverine. By the way, I’m still waiting for Hugh Jackman to do Wolverine: The Musical.

  17. 17.

    John O

    April 7, 2014 at 12:29 am

    I’ve received so much good news from so many loved ones this weekend I’m about to burst.

    I continue to live life with a Golden Horseshoe up my ass.

  18. 18.

    Jerzy Russian

    April 7, 2014 at 12:31 am

    @trollhattan: Thanks for the information.

    More suggestions:

    Your kid may be an honor roll student, but you are an idiot.

    I am not a gynecologist, but I’ll have a look anyway.

    As a matter of fact, I do own the whole goddamn road!

  19. 19.

    ? Martin

    April 7, 2014 at 12:44 am

    @Amir Khalid: Right. Basically anything in the Marvel cinematic universe (e.g., you see Samuel L Jackson) is Disney. As is Indiana Jones and Star Wars and Pixar.

  20. 20.

    Jordan Rules

    April 7, 2014 at 12:47 am

    Pacific Rim? What say you juicers? It was recommended to me and I’m trying to decide if I should give let it reign over my DVD player tonight.

  21. 21.

    Jewish Steel

    April 7, 2014 at 12:47 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Yeah, now that my back is shot. I did 20 miles today. Ain’t the same as running though. Running gave me a huge endorphin bang. I miss it.

  22. 22.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 7, 2014 at 12:50 am

    @Jewish Steel: I prefer it to running. More opportunity for speed.

  23. 23.

    max

    April 7, 2014 at 12:55 am

    @Jordan Rules: Pacific Rim? What say you juicers? It was recommended to me and I’m trying to decide if I should give let it reign over my DVD player tonight.

    Godzilla movie, but using robots. If you like that sort of thing, it’s OKish – I like actual Gojira movies better myself. (Note: I didn’t watch the whole thing, just parts of it.)

    @John O: I continue to live life with a Golden Horseshoe up my ass.

    Sounds painful, but I guess there’s some kind of karmic reward.

    max
    [‘Yes sir, officer, but that pineapple up my ass is vital to my career advancement.’]

  24. 24.

    JustRuss

    April 7, 2014 at 12:56 am

    @John O: I seem to be catching the other side. Every week seems to be “Guess who died, or is getting divorced?”. Getting real tired of it.

  25. 25.

    Mark

    April 7, 2014 at 12:58 am

    was alcohol involved with the death of the first Subaru?

  26. 26.

    ruemara

    April 7, 2014 at 1:01 am

    @lamh36: I thought it was chocolate covered bacon with sparkles. It was that good.
    @John O: This should make me jealous, but I’m more relieved to have a pain free ass.

  27. 27.

    TG Chicago

    April 7, 2014 at 1:01 am

    @Jordan Rules: Pacific Rim: it is what it is. If you want to see huge robots fight mega lizards, then watch it. I had a weird hope that it got into some interesting ideas about what happens when you create these huge robots and defeat the mega lizards — what do you do with the huge robots then? But it’s not about that at all. Just robot vs dragon fights.

  28. 28.

    ulee

    April 7, 2014 at 1:01 am

    If Cole is excited, I’m excited. I can’t wait for this fucking car. YEEEHAAAAAA!

  29. 29.

    John O

    April 7, 2014 at 1:03 am

    @JustRuss:

    I’m in complete understanding and acceptance that my karmic time will reverse eventually. But I’m enjoying the wave while it’s here.

    As for the horseshoe, purely metaphorical. I’m one of the lucky ones, and I try not to forget it.

  30. 30.

    Jordan Rules

    April 7, 2014 at 1:14 am

    Finally watched the Psych finale. It was perfect for me. The nod to Monk at the end was such a great tease. I know nothing will come of it, but I can dream.

    I’m beyond sad it’s over of course (I wouldn’t even read John’s post on it). Some of that is due to references I know should have come in subsequent seasons and the fact that I feel like reality TV is invading like a deadly virus.

  31. 31.

    Violet

    April 7, 2014 at 1:27 am

    Love the sticker. I don’t mind the 26.2 stickers but the 13.1 stickers are ridiculous. Makes me think I should put a 5.0 stickers on my car the next time I do a fun run. For me, that’s an accomplishment but it’s not like I want to boast about it to strangers.

  32. 32.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 7, 2014 at 1:31 am

    @Violet: I just like the adulation.

  33. 33.

    eemom

    April 7, 2014 at 1:35 am

    For the longest time I didn’t understand wtf the 26.2 (or 13.1) stickers were referring to. I asked my kids and they didn’t know either. So finally I googled and then I learned.

  34. 34.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 7, 2014 at 1:36 am

    @eemom: What exactly do you do with your time?

  35. 35.

    Mnemosyne

    April 7, 2014 at 1:50 am

    @Jewish Steel:

    The cycling equivalent of a marathon is a century — 100 miles.

    So the problem may be that you’re not riding far enough to get the same endorphin rush.

  36. 36.

    Tommy

    April 7, 2014 at 2:06 am

    just sitting down with Game of Thrones. Oh and a bike and stickers. Never had one myself Didn’t even know what they meant until I read this Diary. I might have put like 10,000 or 20,000 miles on my various bikes. Never logged the miles.

  37. 37.

    Jewish Steel

    April 7, 2014 at 2:07 am

    @Mnemosyne: Oh, I’d get an endorphin rush with my 5-7 mile run. It really puts the old cardio vascular under a lot of stress. The skeletal system too, alas.

    My uncle is more like Omnes. Preferred cycling and did the cycling version of ultra-marathoning. Like 1000-1200 miles at a go. Crazy! He was really good at it. I did a couple of centuries with him in my late teens and early twenties. Back when I used to smoke. Also crazy.

    (And I too prefer the Burning Sensations)

  38. 38.

    Hal

    April 7, 2014 at 2:35 am

    Speaking of super hero movies, I finally saw Man of Steel and I quite liked it. Much better than Superman Returns. One point of complaint I saw a lot of was the damage to Metrolpolis during the Superman/Zod fight, but the city had already been blasted by the world engine contraption way before the fight even started. Also, since the Kryptonians were going to destroy the human race, seems like an acceptable trade off.

    I also liked how the movie explained the Kryptonians lack of powers on their planet, rather than going with the whole red vs yellow sun thing, which never made any sense. Making it a property of the planet itself and it’s atmosphere was a much better explanation.

    Still, DC Comics doesn’t have much to offer by way of movies, though I’m still hoping that a great director and screen writer will some day get a hold of Wonder Woman.

  39. 39.

    opiejeanne

    April 7, 2014 at 2:48 am

    @JustRuss: My Aunt Bea died last week. (Yes, Opie* had a real life Aunt Bea.) I’m a little sad about that, sweet old lady with a twinkle in her eye. She was 94.

    On the other hand, my least favorite relative died last week too, and I use that term instead of swearing. He was a massive jerk and a terrible racist, thank goodness he was only related by marriage. I discovered that there are no condolence cards for that.

    *Opie is short for Theophilus.

  40. 40.

    ? Martin

    April 7, 2014 at 2:57 am

    @Mnemosyne: I never thought a century was quite the equivalent. I’ve done many centuries, but never came close to a marathon. The ability to coast makes it easier from a cardio perspective, even though it’s often longer, and there’s vastly less impact on the joints. Maybe my body is just better suited to cycling (and I do run a fair bit, so it’s not like I’m not trying), but if you asked me to do a century this weekend, I’d say no problem, and I haven’t been on my bike in a few months. If you asked me to do even a half marathon this weekend, I’d tell you no way in hell, even though I ran 3 days last week.

    The guys on the Tour average 100 miles a day. I don’t think anybody runs a marathon a day for 3 weeks.

  41. 41.

    scav

    April 7, 2014 at 3:07 am

    @? Martin: Just because it’s late and it’s a minor picky detail Eddie Izzard did, only granted, not for three weeks, it was seven, and only six. days a week. Not to say it’s either common nor exactly sane nor done every year by equipes from various post offices.

    Ok, it’s early and it’s a minor picky factoid. But it’s Eddie Izzard!

  42. 42.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 7, 2014 at 3:13 am

    @? Martin: It is about 3-4 to 1 as far as mileage goes.

  43. 43.

    ? Martin

    April 7, 2014 at 3:19 am

    @scav: Damn. I stand corrected. That’d fucking kill me, I’m sure of it.

  44. 44.

    ? Martin

    April 7, 2014 at 3:21 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Calorie-wise I agree. I just think the impact nature of running makes it harder overall on the body.

  45. 45.

    Omnes Omnibus

    April 7, 2014 at 3:31 am

    @? Martin: Hence us old guys moving to it. I need to save what’s left of the cartilage in my left knee for skiing. I won’t waste it on running.

  46. 46.

    Betty Cracker

    April 7, 2014 at 3:32 am

    Insomnia sucks. But at least now I know what those stickers mean.

  47. 47.

    Jordan Rules

    April 7, 2014 at 3:36 am

    Watching Armistead Maupins Tales of the City. Funny reading what an uproar it caused 20 years ago.

  48. 48.

    divF

    April 7, 2014 at 3:46 am

    @Jordan Rules: 20 years ago ? Almost 40 years, at this point :) . It was serialized in the San Francisco Chronicle in starting in 1976.

  49. 49.

    Jordan Rules

    April 7, 2014 at 3:51 am

    @divF: You’re right and we had comments earlier about noting a book versus movie reference. I’m speaking of the PBS version airing that caused a shit storm in 94. In my mind, it shouldn’t have been as big a deal as 76…but then I think better of that. :)

  50. 50.

    NotMax

    April 7, 2014 at 3:58 am

    @Betty Cracker

    Insomnia: the main reason I keep my WoW subscription active. Scads of mindless, harmless stuff to do that requires little concentration and gobbles up time. If I don’t feel like questing, can just do exploring or stuff like playing the games at the monthly Darkmoon Faire.

    It lights up and it moves, and eventually will lull me into enough of a state that sleep can be attempted with a reasonable chance of success.

    WoW may not be your cup of tea, but the entry levels are free to try out to see if anything about it does grab you.

    (If interested in teaming up for quests to level up faster, all my characters are on the Alexstrasza realm – so you could start a free character on that realm and give a shout out on BJ if you’re looking for an extra pair of hands for your character or just someone to idly chat with in-game.)

  51. 51.

    divF

    April 7, 2014 at 4:05 am

    @Jordan Rules: Sorry, I completely missed the controversy over the TV version – living in the Bay Area, it was kind of old news. The main thing I remember was Olympia Dukakis playing Anna Madrigal.

    I don’t recall the SF Chron serialization in the 1970’s being particularly controversial, either, but that was a local thing. The big traumas from that era were the Harvey Milk / George Moscone murders, and the Jonestown massacre.

  52. 52.

    Jordan Rules

    April 7, 2014 at 4:14 am

    @divF: Yeah, apparently there were a bunch of local resolutions condemning it and even a bomb threat to a local PBS station around it. Mostly in the South.

  53. 53.

    Anne Laurie

    April 7, 2014 at 4:42 am

    @Betty Cracker: You have my sympathy.

    Mostly, when it happens, I like online jigsaw puzzles, simple arcade games or crossword puzzles, things to help turn down the brain static.

    Or if it’s the screen itself revving your mind up, is there a simple project you can work on? For me, it’s cross-stitch or simple patchwork hand-sewing — something that requires just enough attention to keep me from fretting, but not so much I get frustrated and/or screw up.

    Since you cook, maybe put together a pot of soup for the slow cooker, or knead some bread dough? (Forgive me if I’m underestimating the neural power required for such projects, it’s all past my skill set!)

  54. 54.

    Betty Cracker

    April 7, 2014 at 6:07 am

    @NotMax: Thanks for the suggestion and offer of help. I’m afraid gaming might have the opposite effect; I used to stay up all night and play my little brother’s Mario Bros when I came home from college to the point that I could barely move my thumbs when I went back to school!

    @Anne Laurie: Thanks. Maybe I should try knitting or something like that. I often do go ahead and make lunches for everyone, so at least I get a jump on the day.

  55. 55.

    NotMax

    April 7, 2014 at 7:16 am

    @Betty Cracker

    No prob. Might want to keep it tucked away in the back of the mind in case the condition persists as a possible pastime. Free play only lets you level a character up to level 20, and that goes fairly quick. Drawback is that you have to walk or run everywhere (riding and using flying mounts need higher levels). But someone with a higher level character who has a 2-person mount can team up with you and get you around faster.

  56. 56.

    Manyakitty

    April 7, 2014 at 8:26 am

    @Betty Cracker: Knitting is a great idea. So is crochet. That way, you can feel productive whilst sitting/resting.

  57. 57.

    cleek

    April 7, 2014 at 9:13 am

    @Omnes Omnibus:
    cycling can be really tough on knees if your bike isn’t set up properly.

  58. 58.

    WaterGirl

    April 7, 2014 at 10:23 am

    @Jordan Rules: What was the nod to Monk? I think I missed it.

  59. 59.

    WaterGirl

    April 7, 2014 at 10:24 am

    @Violet: Seriously? If I ran 13 miles, it would be a big fucking deal, as Joe Biden would say. I would be very proud.

  60. 60.

    Steeplejack

    April 7, 2014 at 10:25 am

    @WaterGirl:

    In the last scene at the San Francisco crime scene, the Chief had a throw-away line something like “Our other consultant is in the kitchen alphabetizing the cabinets.”

  61. 61.

    WaterGirl

    April 7, 2014 at 10:36 am

    @Betty Cracker: I had insomnia for a few months after I went through a terrible loss.

    I did some reading at the time, and they suggested a bedtime routine to signal to your body that it’s time for sleep: check the doors, brush your teeth, turn on the fan, put your slippers by the bed, whatever. So I crafted a bedtime routine for myself and went through it in the exact same order every night.

    The other thing I did was to sleep in a different room for awhile, as my bedroom held too many memories, too many triggers for what I had lost. That helped tremendously! I slept on my daybed for about 3 months before I went back to my bed, and then it was okay to be back in my bedroom.

    Now if I have an occasional night when I can’t sleep, I play Mahjong on my iPad for a little while. I find that it takes enough of my brain that it pushes everything else out, but not so much that it stimulates me. And at the end of every game, I can decide whether I’m now sleepy enough to put it away or whether I will play one more game.

  62. 62.

    WaterGirl

    April 7, 2014 at 11:09 am

    @Steeplejack: You know, I did notice that line and wondered what it was about. I can’t believe I missed that! Thanks.

  63. 63.

    StringOnAStick

    April 7, 2014 at 1:35 pm

    @Betty Cracker: Insomnia does suck, but the good thing about it is it tends to be self-limiting. It also is associated with grieving as you well know.

    There is evidence that any kind of artificial light after sundown suppresses melatonin secretion and that disrupts sleep, so low light activities are better, PC screens not so much. Some people are affected more than others by the light thing.

Comments are closed.

Primary Sidebar

Recent Comments

  • WeimarGerman on Monday Morning Open Thread: The Tariff We Pay for Civilization (Apr 15, 2024 @ 10:38am)
  • wjca on War for Ukraine Day 781: A Brief(ish) Sunday Night Update (Apr 15, 2024 @ 10:37am)
  • Kelly on Campaigns, cash and poorly attached voters (Apr 15, 2024 @ 10:36am)
  • Mousebumples on Campaigns, cash and poorly attached voters (Apr 15, 2024 @ 10:35am)
  • frosty on Monday Morning Open Thread: The Tariff We Pay for Civilization (Apr 15, 2024 @ 10:35am)

🎈Keep Balloon Juice Ad Free

Become a Balloon Juice Patreon
Donate with Venmo, Zelle or PayPal

Balloon Juice Posts

View by Topic
View by Author
View by Month & Year
View by Past Author

Balloon Juice Meetups!

All Meetups
Talk of Meetups – Meetup Planning
Proposed BJ meetups list from frosty

Fundraising 2023-24

Wis*Dems Supreme Court + SD-8
Virginia House Races
Four Directions – Montana
Worker Power AZ
Four Directions – Arizona
Four Directions – Nevada

Featuring

Medium Cool
Artists in Our Midst
Authors in Our Midst
Positive Climate News
War in Ukraine
Cole’s “Stories from the Road”
Classified Documents Primer

Calling All Jackals

Site Feedback
Nominate a Rotating Tag
Submit Photos to On the Road
Balloon Juice Mailing List Signup
Balloon Juice Anniversary (All Links)
Balloon Juice Anniversary (All Posts)

Fix Nyms with Apostrophes

Balloon Juice for Ukraine

Donate

Twitter / Spoutible

Balloon Juice (Spoutible)
WaterGirl (Spoutible)
TaMara (Spoutible)
John Cole
DougJ (aka NYT Pitchbot)
Betty Cracker
Tom Levenson
David Anderson
Major Major Major Major
ActualCitizensUnited

Political Action 2024

Postcard Writing Information

Balloon Juice for Four Directions AZ

Donate

Balloon Juice for Four Directions NV

Donate

Site Footer

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Comment Policy
  • Our Authors
  • Blogroll
  • Our Artists
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2024 Dev Balloon Juice · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!