Octopus Overlords

GreenGoo wrote:For example, sexual favours have been a time honoured way of balancing the scales.

GreenGoo wrote:For example, sexual favours have been a time honoured way of balancing the scales.

Zarathud wrote:I have been in the provider role and TheMix describes exactly what I felt too. If it wasn't worthwhile to me, I wouldn't ask. If I do feel like you're expecting (or worse, suggesting we do something you can't ever pay), I will stop asking.

If the other person initiates and you say "I really shouldn't" and they offer again, feel free to accept.

Besides, they might appreciate and see the value not only in your company but creating a fun space away from home. Or having something to do that's acceptable to their spouses. You are also likely better at painting than your friends or a million other little things. It doesn't take money to balance the scales.

Holman wrote:
One of my high school pals is a hugely successful lawyer. When our 20th reunion came around, he called me up and explained that he wanted me there and knew I couldn't afford the expense of travel and lodging, so he would pay for it. He flew me down (I lived 800 miles away) and paid all my expenses for the weekend, and we had an exquisite time.

Obviously this was an economically imbalanced situation, except he made it clear from the beginning that that was not an issue. And it really wasn't--what he spent on me was a day's income, and it repaid him in the feeling of generosity and making something happen. We had a decade's worth of fun, and I wasn't mooching because it was his invitation.

Kraken wrote:

Holman wrote:
One of my high school pals is a hugely successful lawyer. When our 20th reunion came around, he called me up and explained that he wanted me there and knew I couldn't afford the expense of travel and lodging, so he would pay for it. He flew me down (I lived 800 miles away) and paid all my expenses for the weekend, and we had an exquisite time.

Obviously this was an economically imbalanced situation, except he made it clear from the beginning that that was not an issue. And it really wasn't--what he spent on me was a day's income, and it repaid him in the feeling of generosity and making something happen. We had a decade's worth of fun, and I wasn't mooching because it was his invitation.

I went out for beers and bar food with a lawyer friend of mine who was taking a year off work because he needed to make less money so he could screw over his ex-wife. Something about her getting a percentage of his income or something, I didn't understand the high finance details. He makes something on the order of a quarter million bucks a year.

I made $7,000 last year. I was kind of hoping he'd offer to pick up the check, but nope, we split it down the middle. (sigh) I chose to think that he sees us as equals.

dbt1949 wrote: they haven't extended my life so far...............

Isgrimnur wrote:Worst case scenario if you continue to take them: you die at the same time with less money in your estate.

Worst case scenario if you stop taking them: they were working and you die sooner, possibly in a more unpleasant manner.

Your call.

stessier wrote:But we enjoy his wit - don't we get a vote?!

Blackhawk wrote:I went in for a routine follow-up with my oncologist today. Still no signs of the cancer. He did schedule me for some other tests for tomorrow, though, that make me nervous as hell, despite the fact that they're completely routine tests and not triggered by any signs or symptoms.

The first is a chest x-ray to check for cancer due to all of the radiation I received, which seriously ups my chances of getting a different cancer in the future. Since both of my parents died from lung cancer, this scares the crap out of me.

The second is a blood test for lipids and blood sugar. Perfectly routine at my age. I eat fairly well. I avoid red meat most of the time, I don't fry many foods, I don't add salt to anything, I eat a fair amount of fruits and vegetables, I don't eat much sugar (no soft drinks at all), and I pay attention to fiber intake. My blood pressure and heart rate have always been excellent. That said, I'm also seriously overweight and, being stuck in the house, pretty sedentary. (And then there's a 10-15% chance that my thyroid is just going to quit due to the radiation.)

I've made a real effort over the last couple of years to be healthier, but I'm always worried that I started too late, and unknown problems have already taken root. On the one hand, I'm really glad I'm getting the tests to ensure that there aren't any problems. On the other, though, I'm worried as hell that they'll find something.

A former Royal Canadian Mint employee has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for stealing gold coins by concealing them in his rectum.

Leston Lawrence stole $127,116 (CA$165,451; £100,000) of gold in 22 cookie-sized pieces.

The 35-year-old, who was found guilty last November, was caught after he had successfully sold 17 of the gold pieces through Ottawa Gold Buyers.

Ontario Court Judge Peter Doody ordered Lawrence to pay a $145,900 fine.

dbt1949 wrote:Ha ha! That was funny. After installing that now the only thing that shows up on CNN is the black bottom of the page!

hitbyambulance wrote:

dbt1949 wrote:Ha ha! That was funny. After installing that now the only thing that shows up on CNN is the black bottom of the page!

you'll need to whitelist various domains (with the little S with a slash icon), starting with CNN.com. then start whitelisting various 'cloud' platforms until the site works properly again, but leave the advertising and tracking sites blocked.

Daehawk wrote:I haven't been to a concert since 1986 or 1987 and saw RATT.

LordMortis wrote:Sadly the re-enactment is lost

http://octopusoverlords.com/forum/viewt ... =5&t=19797