Random randomness

Paingod · Post by **Paingod** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 1:36 pm

Archinerd wrote:Do unicorn horns spiral clockwise or counter clockwise?

European or Australian?

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 1:39 pm

It's Friday the 13th. Where's the next bad thing going to hit you?

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 1:51 pm

dbt1949 wrote:It's Friday the 13th. Where's the next bad thing going to hit you?

It's payday, so, the budget.

Max Peck · Post by **Max Peck** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 2:07 pm

dbt1949 wrote:It's Friday the 13th. Where's the next bad thing going to hit you?

The weekend?

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 2:46 pm

Isgrimnur wrote:
dbt1949 wrote:It's Friday the 13th. Where's the next bad thing going to hit you?
It's payday, so, the budget.

Hmm I thought payday was supposed to be good for budget? My finances tend to improve on payday.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 3:09 pm

Paingod wrote:
Archinerd wrote:Do unicorn horns spiral clockwise or counter clockwise?
European or Australian?

Huh? What? I... I don't know that...

Spoiler:

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 3:11 pm

coopasonic wrote:
Isgrimnur wrote:
dbt1949 wrote:It's Friday the 13th. Where's the next bad thing going to hit you?
It's payday, so, the budget.
Hmm I thought payday was supposed to be good for budget? My finances tend to improve on payday.

Money comes in, money goes out. You can't explain that. This is the payday where I got to pay for Christmas spending.

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 4:20 pm

So now even the homeless guy outside the drugstore has a cellphone? Either that or he faked me out with a very convincing one sided conversation.

wonderpug · Post by **wonderpug** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 4:22 pm

Why are there handicap parking spots at the cell phone waiting area at my airport? You're not supposed to get out of your car. It's like having handicap lanes at a toll plaza.

Max Peck · Post by **Max Peck** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 4:32 pm

Jaymann wrote:So now even the homeless guy outside the drugstore has a cellphone? Either that or he faked me out with a very convincing one sided conversation.

Back in the day, before cellphones and bluetooth headsets, it was easy to tell that someone on the street was deranged and having a conversation with the voices inside their head.

But these days, I just blend right in with the crowd...

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 4:37 pm

ibdoomed wrote:Anyone heard of "whatsapp" ? It's like an instant messenger for your phone, like texting but you don't give out your phone number, you get an alias. I've used kik and snapchat but wondering if anyone had experience with whastapp?

USA Today

WhatsApp has a security bug that could allow encrypted messages to be intercepted from the popular messaging app that owner Facebook has said promises end-to-end encryption, security and privacy advocates say.
...
Around the time that WhatsApp announced its end-to-end encryption, cryptography and security researcher Tobias Boelter at the University of California-Berkeley contacted WhatsApp about a flaw he found in the app. He found that undelivered messages — perhaps because the receiver of the message was offline or had changed his or her phone number — could be intercepted either by an attacker or WhatsApp itself, he says.

That's because WhatsApp makes new encryption keys for undelivered messages, and those could be intercepted by a third party that is not WhatsApp. WhatsApp itself, since it generates another version of the message, has it on its servers, too.

Boelter did a presentation on the WhatsApp vulnerability this year — a video is posted on Twitter — and wrote about the situation on his blog in May, saying that "next time, the FBI will not ask Apple but WhatsApp to ship a version of their code that will send all decrypted messages directly to the FBI."

He contacted Facebook and WhatsApp about the vulnerability in April 2016, and in May, Facebook told him the company was not "actively working on changing" it.
...
Boelter told USA TODAY in an email conversation that WhatsApp's claim that this "was intended as a feature ... is not a very good argument, as the security should be a top priority for them."

"Especially high-risk users who were relying on the end-to-end encryption of WhatsApp should be concerned since WhatsApp could’ve intercepted some of their sensitive messages," he said. "Concerned users should switch to a messenger where security is a higher priority, like the (open source) Signal messenger (from Open Whisper Systems) which I also use. ... Signal claims to store much less metadata on their servers than WhatsApp allows itself in their privacy policy. And Signal is just as easy to use as WhatsApp."

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 6:56 pm

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 7:21 pm

paulbaxter · Post by **paulbaxter** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 7:45 pm

There's been something chewing noisily in my attic. I assume a mouse or a squirrel. I usually only hear it when it wakes me up at 3am, but it's doing its thing right now.

I tried getting up the nerve to take a look. There's an access panel in my bedroom. I put a chair under it and lifted it, but all I got a look at was a thick layer of insulation right over the panel, then I chickened out again. Theoretically it could be a squirrel on the outside of the roof trying to dig his way in. The sound is right on the edge of the roof line.

Usually my cat solves all our small rodent problems, but he figured out a while ago that this is out of his area.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:23 pm

Had two problems.

1. Mouse running around through bedroom. A trap has solved that.

2. The other is a squirrel in my attic. I found where he has gotten in. He has chewed two holes in the wall beside my chimney and gotten in. Its the same asshole one that fusses at my from the tree when Im outside. I hear him at night chewing in the attic. I really dont know what to do other than shotgun his ass in the tree. I really dont want to do that but I also dont need a fire fro ma chewed wire or something.

Zarathud · Post by **Zarathud** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:27 pm

We're in the Magic Kingdom. Family's plane arrived at 9:30 pm rather than noon yesterday. Today had a 10% chance of rain. So it has been drizzling all day.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 10:04 pm

Zarathud wrote:We're in the Magic Kingdom. Family's plane arrived at 9:30 pm rather than noon yesterday. Today had a 10% chance of rain. So it has been drizzling all day.

On the bright side, aren't the lines shorter in mid-January?

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 11:17 pm

Daehawk wrote:Had two problems.

1. Mouse running around through bedroom. A trap has solved that.

2. The other is a squirrel in my attic. I found where he has gotten in. He has chewed two holes in the wall beside my chimney and gotten in. Its the same asshole one that fusses at my from the tree when Im outside. I hear him at night chewing in the attic. I really dont know what to do other than shotgun his ass in the tree. I really dont want to do that but I also dont need a fire fro ma chewed wire or something.

I had a long campaign against a squirrel a few years ago. The only thing that finally worked (assuming that hiring an exterminator is off your list) was coyote urine (the liquid and crystal forms both worked). And then extensive repair carpentry to fix the holes properly. Squirrels are gnawing machines that will quickly go through any makeshift patch you try to do.

Something has been skittering around the other side of our kitchen ceiling, off and on, for years. I don't know what it is. It sounds very small and I only ever hear it once every few weeks. There's no way for me to get above the ceiling to see. But it never gets into the house or the pantry, so live and let live, I guess.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 12:01 am

My plan is to catch the little bugger outside and take a can of that expanding spray foam and fill in the holes beside the chimney. If he persists in getting back in Ill have to do the other thing. Leave the gun and take the cannoli afterwards.

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 2:27 am

Anybody want to trade for my armadillo that lives under the house?

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 3:52 am

Daehawk wrote:My plan is to catch the little bugger outside and take a can of that expanding spray foam and fill in the holes beside the chimney. If he persists in getting back in Ill have to do the other thing. Leave the gun and take the cannoli afterwards.

If he's a she and she has a nest, there's no way short of rodenticide you're keeping her out of it. They whelp in the spring and fall. If your invasion started in the fall, it's a good bet she's on a nest.

I learned more than I wanted to know about squirrels when I fought mine. Guns aren't legal here so it had to be soft power. Keep the predator urine in mind if all else fails.

Zarathud · Post by **Zarathud** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 4:45 pm

My youngest daughter just hugged Kylo Ren after being identified as the Rebel Spy on Star Tours at Disney. I don't know if she was bringing balance to the Force or I should watch my back tonight.

She was most upset about "Why do They have my picture!!!" and "Why are they shooting at ME!!!"

Giles Habibula · Post by **Giles Habibula** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 8:48 pm

Kraken wrote:... Keep the predator urine in mind if all else fails.

Or you can just pee all around the area yourself, Daehawk.
After all, you are now a squirrel predator!

hentzau · Post by **hentzau** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 10:18 pm

Zarathud wrote:We're in the Magic Kingdom. Family's plane arrived at 9:30 pm rather than noon yesterday. Today had a 10% chance of rain. So it has been drizzling all day.

Have fun! And why didn't you take me?

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 11:07 am

My blood pressure at the doc was 159 / 108 ...I feel fine

*slump*

Paingod · Post by **Paingod** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 12:52 pm

Just got an exam at work (about 15 minutes ago).

I've got... 123/86 blood pressure. 68bpm resting pulse. 20/15 vision in both eyes.

I'll be 40 this year.

Max Peck · Post by **Max Peck** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 1:37 pm

Daehawk wrote:My blood pressure at the doc was 159 / 108 ...I feel fine *slump*

That's why I have a blood pressure monitor at home. I always have high readings at the doctor's office, and perfectly normal readings at home. Who knew that medical checkups are stressors.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 1:40 pm

I always have picture-perfect blood pressure at doctors' appointments (and I still see three doctors regularly because of the cancer.) What is odd is that my pulse rate these days is often in the mid-50s. The docs don't seem concerned, although it seems really low to me.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 1:51 pm

Max Peck wrote:
Daehawk wrote:My blood pressure at the doc was 159 / 108 ...I feel fine *slump*
That's why I have a blood pressure monitor at home. I always have high readings at the doctor's office, and perfectly normal readings at home. Who knew that medical checkups are stressors.

White coat hypertension

Despite the discomfort I feel when give blood, my BP is always around 120/80.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 2:19 pm

Max Peck wrote:
Daehawk wrote:My blood pressure at the doc was 159 / 108 ...I feel fine *slump*
That's why I have a blood pressure monitor at home. I always have high readings at the doctor's office, and perfectly normal readings at home. Who knew that medical checkups are stressors.

The nurse always does mine, then I have to wait 15-20 minutes for the doc to come in. When he does, he checks it again, and often it is substantially lower.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 2:29 pm

http://www.sciencealert.com/this-awesom ... e-elements

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 6:17 pm

I downloaded and now use a red mouse pointer. So much easier to find now.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 6:55 pm

There's a windows setting where it will splash when you hit the control key.

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 7:09 pm

Thanks!

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 7:18 pm

Can turn on mouse trails too.

Pyperkub · Post by **Pyperkub** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 5:01 pm

Why is it that when you order Beef with Broccoli at a chinese restaurant, the beef and the broccoli pieces are usually too big to get one of each in a bite. Shouldn't it be called Beef and Broccoli?

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 5:05 pm

Pyperkub wrote:Why is it that when you order Beef with Broccoli at a chinese restaurant, the beef and the broccoli pieces are usually too big to get one of each in a bite. Shouldn't it be called Beef and Broccoli?

Beef XOR Broccoli

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 5:25 pm

Pyperkub wrote:Why is it that when you order Beef with Broccoli at a chinese restaurant, the beef and the broccoli pieces are usually too big to get one of each in a bite. Shouldn't it be called Beef and Broccoli?

Pro tip: don't order the Soup with Salad.

KKBlue · Post by **KKBlue** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 6:56 pm

I really miss meat this month. I can still taste the stuff as in I can conger up the flavor and texture in my minds mouth (?) Easy to recall the taste. Had a few meatless substitutes and they help satisfy the cravings. The meatballs are not too bad.

Another random not food related, telcta just told me Suicide Squad is available at the library to borrow. Guess we will be watching that tonight. Viewed Drumline last night. No neighbors next-door (condo) so maxed the volume on the speaker bar for the end of the movie. Good stuff! Such a sucker for marching bands.

Max Peck · Post by **Max Peck** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 7:04 pm

KKBlue wrote:I can conger up the flavor and texture