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You are here: Home / Open Threads / There are Some Things White Privilege Can’t Buy

There are Some Things White Privilege Can’t Buy

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Conversation with Shawn on the back porch ten minutes ago:

Me (noticing I am no longer fish belly white): “Looks like I am starting to get a little color.”

Shawn: “You call that color?”

Me: “At least I am not glowing anymore.”

What are you all up to tonight? BTW- wasn’t there supposed to be a new three episode Sherlock Holmes that came out recently? Did I miss it?

*** Update ***

Here is an early contribution to throwback Thursday. Me and my buddies getting ready for a night on the town (likely at the Green Goose) in Fulda 1991. I remember when I could wear pants without a belt, I swear I do.

fulda1991

If you will notice (as I did), my fingers are mostly straight and unbroken.

Reader Interactions

78Comments

  3. 3.

    Hunter Gathers

    wasn’t there supposed to be a new three episode Sherlock Holmes that came out recently? Did I miss it?

    Yep.

    They were in January.

  6. 6.

    jame

    John Cole, you crack me up. Passing this along to me daughter who often glowers at me.

  12. 12.

    RobertDSC-Power Mac G5 Dual

    @Howard Beale IV:

    LOL.

    Tumblr has been a Godsend for my sudden interest in the TV show Orphan Black. I’ve raced through the first 13 episodes and am now caught up in it completely. The last two episodes were watched recently. Love that show so much.

  15. 15.

    Violet

    Funny how white people want so badly not to be toowhite. Even resort to spray tans. All while looking down on people who’ve got the beige-ier skin naturally.

  16. 16.

    burnspbesq

    I didn’t know this until today, but there is a website out there somewhere where one can buy a high-resolution download of the 2010 Phish Halloween show, where they covered “Waiting for Columbus” in its entirety.

    Just thought Cole, a fellow Little Feat fan, would be interested in knowing that.

  17. 17.

    burnspbesq

    @jl:

    ‘Fish Belly’ White was a some bluegrass picker, warn’t he?

    That was Clarence White.

  18. 18.

    phantomist

    After spending 5 days and about 20 hours in the woods I finally scored. Found 12 black morels and 26 grays and 15 huge whites (northern michigan). There’s probably two days a year I can cook a meal worthy of saying fuck you Anthony Bourdain, tonight’s omelet was one of them. Fresh eggs from a neighbor, half a sweet onion and a mixture of 10 mushrooms, crunchy french bread with a ton of butter. Life is good.

  21. 21.

    Gin & Tonic

    @phantomist: Had black morels at last night’s dinner, accompanying 30-day aged pigeon; the morels stuffed with boudin made from the same bird.

  25. 25.

    lamh36

    Alright, my fellow comic book geeks (or just your run of the mill comic book movie peeps)

    I swear, it’s NOT all X-Men all the time, but for obvious reasons (the new movie this Friday) they seems to be playing every last X-Men movie in the last 14 years (yeah it’s been 14 years since the very first X-Men movie!!! Wrap your minds around that). So now I’m watching Wolverine: Origins. I know some people didn’t like it, but I thought it was okay. The BIG draw for me though…GAMBIT!!!!!! THE RAGIN’ CAJUN!

    I really, really don’t want Channing Tatum to play Gambit. Taylor Kitsch was actually really good as Gambit. Heck, he was probably the best thing about Wolverine: Origns, oh and Deadpool before they sealed his mouth shut. ! I”m was hell naw…this dude from Wolverine was good!!!

    As a friend of mine said, Channing is muscular, Gambit was more wiry than musclar. Also too, I just have this feeling Channing is gonna butcher Gambit’s Cajun accent. I”m kinda hoping it falls through though.

    So any other X-Men fans out there?

  27. 27.

    StringOnAStick

    My husband just called to tell me his flight home was delayed by 3 hours because it was too stacked up here in Denver, thanks to the shutdown over a nearby tornado 2 hours ago, plus drifts of hail. It has been wild here since 1PM today, with 3 more days of the same on tap apparently. My garden is suitably covered in hail-deflectors only because it is small enough to do so.

    We’re chatting and then they announce “everyone back to the gate, we can go RIGHT NOW!”. I wonder if that’s going to work out, since you just know someone said “3 hours? Let’s hit the ca$ino downtown”. He’ll text me before they take off, just in case this was all some elaborate hoax.

    He just texted that they are closing the doors, so they are soon to be on their way. Just in time for another nasty storm brewing here on the west side of town, which should hit the airport just in time for his arrival….

  29. 29.

    Hungry Joe

    Cole’s tale inspired me to play “A Whiter Shade of Pale.” As carefully as I listened I could not hear anything to indicate that Boko Haram would end up going in the direction they did.

  30. 30.

    phantomist

    @Gin & Tonic:

    Sounds awesome. I’m a single guy, and have never attempted a whole bird, whether pigeon or turkey. I’m learning though.

  31. 31.

    JPL

    I’ve have watched Modern Family maybe 8 times over the years but tonight’s episode has me in tears in a good way. MItch and Cam got married.

  33. 33.

    lamh36

    @JPL: Damn. I forgot to record that one. I’m gonna have to find it online when it’s available or on demand

  34. 34.

    Gin & Tonic

    @phantomist: I didn’t cook it myself. I’m not nearly that good, and aging a dead bird is way beyond my comfort level anyway.

  37. 37.

    Cassidy

    @lamh36: I was back in the 90’s. I stopped when it became all Wolverine all the time. I won’t watch the movies because I’m a purist.

  39. 39.

    StringOnAStick

    @gbear: It was a short text, so I don’t know if they left people behind who believed the initial 3 hour delay gambit.

    Now it is getting way too flashy and thundery, and our poor kitty hates that stuff so we’re going to the basement where these noisy light demons can’t see her.

  40. 40.

    trollhattan

    Who’s up for “The Americans” season finale? Swear the show hasn’t had one off note this year.

  41. 41.

    Hill Dweller

    @raven: Maddow did a good job laying out the problems at the VA over the last 20+ years, but Paul Rieckhoff comes on and pretends it just happened in the last 6 years. Dollars to donuts Rieckhoff runs for political office as a Republican in the near future.

  42. 42.

    Southern Beale

    I was asked to pass this story on to all of the animal lovers at BJ: some asshole in Nashville decided to use a young orange tabby as target practice. Sweet Timmy was shot in both front legs but amazingly survived (9 lives, y’all) and is doing much better, despite having serious injuries and losing a leg. He survived thanks to the good folks at Nashville Cat Rescue, link at the story.

  43. 43.

    Frankensteinbeck

    @lamh36:
    I was, once. More a New Mutants fan. I’m afraid Gambit was introduced exactly during the period when I ragequit Marvel and superhero comics in general. There was a huge push to make things more gritty and edgy, with crossovers and teams getting shaken up, and… well, I’m in too good a mood to launch into a rant. What I liked about the comics stopped happening, and I stopped reading!

  46. 46.

    raven

    @Hill Dweller: From comments on an article about IAVA:

    I’m not going to shoot off into a rant, let me just say this: Paul has developed a “non-profit” organization out of self promotion to launch a political career, I would bet the farm that within the next 5-10 years he runs for some sort of democratic position in either New York or Washington DC. He talks about veteran unemployment yet look at the staff and board at IAVA, less than half are veterans, maybe you could cut your grossly compensated self ($120K/year) and put that money towards your supposed goals. Not to mention that he travels to every single sporting event offered through many of his corporate sponsors that “have our backs”… what a crock of bullshit, he’s using money that was donated to help the “cause” to jet set all over the country and rub elbows, further expanding his network and notoriety.. Just look over the financial statements of this “non-profit” and look where the money really goes… what a scam… Miller High Life has veterans backs? Are you fucking kidding me? Yeah that’s just what veterans really need, more alcohol in their lives, I’ve not heard him ONCE mention the detrimental effect that alcohol is having on our returning veterans with PTSD… Anyway I’ll stop running my mouth, but I know when I smell bullshit, doesn’t take much to tell which way the wind is blowing… You have our backs eh? More like riding on our backs to prop up your future political aspirations… Bi partisan my ass, anyone who can’t see this clear as day is a fool

  48. 48.

    jl

    Just heard a news report about Science Results.
    Do pet mice and hamsters run on their treadmills because they think its fun, or because they are stressed, bored and gone bonkers from captivity.

    So, some Brits put out little treadmills in the wild and found wild mice, gophers frogs and other small critters liked to run in them.

    So, I don’t know what to make of it. Maybe being low on the food chain out in the wild stresses and bonkers them out too.

  49. 49.

    Hill Dweller

    @raven: Rieckhoff’s ambition was palpable the first time I saw him on Maddow’s show years ago, but he’s become really nasty recently.

  51. 51.

    Schlemizel

    I’m celtic/scandinavian, I never try to tan just hope to neutralize the blue.

  52. 52.

    JPL

    @jl: Maybe they think it’s fun. Marathon runners get a high from running so maybe it’s the same thing.

  53. 53.

    Schlemizel

    @phantomist:
    Oh gawd! I have not found morels in a couple of years now. Stopped when I was so sick & either someone is getting there before me or they are gone. You are one lucky bastard & I envy you muchly. enjoy!

  54. 54.

    beltane

    @jl: Prey animals live very stressful lives no matter where they live. I don’t think you’d ever see a cat using a treadmill for fun or relaxation.

  55. 55.

    Schlemizel

    BTW – daughter actually went back to work tonight after emergency surgery Sunday night. She is planning on writing a complaint to the hospital where the dr sent her home with tranquilizers rather than examining her. Mom is now bored & want to see if she can catch an earlier flight home so all is well after a close call.

  57. 57.

    jl

    @JPL:
    @beltane:

    Someone told me that if you make a treadmill for dogs, they like to run in them. He had some oldster relatives out on the farm who made one so the dog could run a water pump, and the dog loved to run in it.

    Anyway, I thought the story was funny. I was trying to visualize how a frog would hop itself around inside a treadmill. But, everyone already knew frogs are crazy little effers, right?

  58. 58.

    Keith G

    @raven: From the quote you use…

    . Just look over the financial statements of this “non-profit” and look where the money really goes… what a scam

    So, I did.

    Their admin budget is 10.5% of their total budget. Fundraising (which is often the way a disingenuous organization launders it’s money) takes 8.9%.

    Now, I make no claims as to knowing about Paul Rieckhoff’s moral or ethical path, or if indeed he has his eyes set on some larger, personal political goal. Charitynavigator.org has an evaluation of IAVA which shows a very high degree of transparency and accountability.

  59. 59.

    lamh36

    @Cassidy: @Frankensteinbeck:

    I freely admit to getting into the X-Men during the 90s era animated tv series. I’ve always wanted to get into the comics side, but the amount of dedication it takes just too much for me. I have though gone back and read up on all things, and honestly just have no idea how/where to start in the comic universe.

    But ever since 90s I have become X-Men obsessed and have made sure I’m aware of as much of the comic illiteration as possible while not having read them personally

    Someone once asked me to rank my top 5 X-Men: #5 Jean Gray (but mostly when she was Phoenix, before then I found her boring), #4: Gambit & #3 Rogue(You can probably thank the tv series for that and also I loved, loved, loved the Gambit/Rogue romance). #2 Wolverine (I’ve always been a fan, but I’ll admit, when the role went to Jackman, I became more of a Wolverine fan and began to read up more of the comic versions). #1 Storm (no explanation, just that the Storm of the comics/tv series was a badasss, the movie version…not so much)

  60. 60.

    joel hanes

    I remember when I could wear pants without a belt

    I remember when I had a waist for a belt to go around.

  61. 61.

    jenn

    @jl: There were actually dogs bred to do this way back in the day – they ran in this hollow wheel thing on the wall, which turned a spit, so the meat didn’t burn on the fire.

  62. 62.

    PurpleGirl

    @Schlemizel: Tell her to copy the complaint to her insurance company, the state regulator and whatever doctor’s association is in the state. Everyone needs to be told about the doctor’s misdiagnosis.

    ETA: Also a hospital association if there is one.

  63. 63.

    Gvg

    @Schlemizel: [email protected]beltane: @beltane: Google YouTube cats on treadmills. There are many cats who love them. My favorite is a cat named November learning to use one to the rocky theme. It’s a Turkish Angora like I had for years. There is also a pair of brown Siamese types that are cute.

  64. 64.

    phantomist

    @Schlemizel:

    I’ve found that you really just need to like walking in the woods. I was skunked last year, but still found antlers, ramps and few cool old bottles.
    All the best to you and your daughter.

  68. 68.

    satby

    Morels are going for $40/lb here in SW MI. I thought about trying to look for some, it’s a big sport around here, but I hate ticks way more than I like mushrooms.

  70. 70.

    Frankensteinbeck

    @lamh36:
    In the X-Men, I liked Rogue and Nightcrawler, serious freaks who dealt with their isolation by being flashy and fun loving. Nightcrawler’s dimension-hopping miniseries was hysterical. Mostly I liked the New Mutants. You would not recognize anything from the early New Mutants issues in modern Marvel. I liked the whole team, but especially Rahne Sinclair, the twelve year old Scottish werewolf, who might have been the daughter of a prostitute, or that might just have been the kind of abusive thing the hyper-conservative backwoods preacher who raised her and tried to burn her at the stake said. Desperately shy and afraid of herself and her own love of life, she was a compelling character until they reversed her entire personality because Liefeld. I liked Ilyanna, corrupt and evil from her childhood as a demon’s plaything, but trying to be good. I liked Warlock, completely alien in body and culture, who reveled in a civilization where kindness rather than murder was a virtue. All the characters were messed up and fascinating to me in one way or another. When the comic stopped being about that, I left and never came back.

  71. 71.

    Violet

    @Keith G: Yeah, me and all the tanning salons and spray-tanned celebrities and self-tanning lotions and cultural focus on getting a tan in the summer. All while people who naturally have darker skin are treated differently–and most often less than–by the general culture.

  72. 72.

    Mnemosyne

    @Violet:

    It’s very much a class thing. Back in the days when having a tan meant you worked outside all day, upper-class people had pale skin. Once most people moved to indoor (office) jobs, the new sign of being upper-class was to have a tan, because it meant you had leisure time to spend outdoors.

    I blame Coco Chanel, though really she just popularized an existing trend.

  73. 73.

    Violet

    @Mnemosyne: Yep that’s how it started. But the general culture supports “tanned is healthy” as a concept and sells it hard. Being “naturally tan” isn’t quite as desirable.

  76. 76.

    Origuy

    @jenn: They were called “Turnspit Dogs“. Once they were no longer needed, the breed went extinct.

    The dogs were also taken to church to serve as foot warmers. One story says that during service at a church in Bath, the Bishop of Gloucester gave a sermon and uttered the line “It was then that Ezekiel saw the wheel…”. At the mention of the word “wheel” several turnspit dogs, who had been brought to church as foot warmers, ran for the door.

  77. 77.

    Sondra

    Which Sherlock?

    The British version with Benedict Cumberbatch, or our USA version “Elementary” with Jonny Lee Miller?

  78. 78.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    Can I just say how glad I am the bathrobe and ascot look is dead and gone?

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