Random randomness

[Jaymon]

That thing about the trains reminded me of something I say at work.



There are two types of self inflicted failure. Shooting yourself in the foot, and failure to not shoot yourself in the foot.


In the first scenario, the foot is stationary, you need to fully draw the gun and aim it someplace else besides the foot before firing.


In the second scenario, the gun is stationary, firing on a set schedule. You need to make sure your foot is not in the path of the bullet.

[hitbyambulance]

"Christmas Concierge" is the premise for 4-5 Hallmark Christmas movies per year that my wife watches. You'll never guess what sparks between the concierge and his/her client!

asked ChatGPT to 'generate plot for new Christmas movie':

Title: A Christmas Miracle
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Family
Synopsis:
Mia is a successful but stressed-out lawyer who has to work on a big case during the Christmas holidays. She has no time for her family, friends, or love life. She wishes she could have a different life, one where she is happy and free. One night, she meets a mysterious stranger who claims to be an angel. He offers her a chance to switch lives with someone else for a week, as long as she follows three rules: 1) She can't tell anyone about the switch, 2) She has to do everything the other person would do, and 3) She has to return to her own life on Christmas Eve. Mia agrees, thinking it will be a fun adventure. She wakes up the next morning in the body of Holly, a cheerful and kind-hearted baker who owns a cozy cafe in a small town. Mia enjoys the simple pleasures of Holly's life, such as baking cookies, decorating the cafe, and helping the customers. She also meets Jake, a handsome and charming veterinarian who is Holly's boyfriend. Mia feels a spark with Jake, but she knows she can't fall in love with him. She tries to act like Holly, but she soon realizes that Holly's life is not as perfect as it seems. Holly has a troubled past, a strained relationship with her family, and a secret that could ruin everything. Mia has to deal with Holly's problems, while also trying to figure out how to get back to her own life. Along the way, she learns some valuable lessons about love, happiness, and the true meaning of Christmas. Will Mia be able to switch back to her own life on time? Will she choose to stay with Jake or return to her career? Will she find out who the angel is and why he chose her? Find out in A Christmas Miracle, a heartwarming and hilarious movie that will make you believe in the magic of Christmas.

[Unagi]

That should be titled: A Christmas Miacle

The sequel will quickly establish that Holly ruined Mia's law career and all but destroyed the few relationships Mia held dear while she was living Mia's life.... and then follow Holly who was flashed back to her amazingly fixed life - just in time for Xmas.

Titled: A Holly Jolly Christmas
Also, a heartwarming and hilarious movie that will make you believe in the magic of Christmas.

[Pyperkub]

Always a fun one:

[dbt1949]

It's unbelievable how many of those Hallmark Xmas movies I've seen this season. My D-i-l loves these so we stay up late at night watching them.

[jztemple2]

It's unbelievable how many of those Hallmark Xmas movies I've seen this season. My D-i-l loves these so we stay up late at night watching them.

My wife records every one that is new or she thinks she hasn't seen and then binge watches them while working on decorations or making cookies, etc. She does complain that Hallmark tends to use the same three or four formulas for plots although she thinks this season they have branches out a bit.

I skip these movies like the plague since watching them would ruin my "bah humbug" reputation I have so carefully cultivated.

[Daehawk]

My wife watched these every year. I got to where I could follow the plot simply by looking over my shoulder every now and then. Kinda sad and I miss her having them on this time of year. But I dont think I can take figuring out how to stream tv from my pc to the tv and dont really want to simply pick out one to stream and sit through it. Might just for old times sake but doubt it.

[Torfish]

My wife also watches Hallmark movies like it's the only type of TV available. I just can't watch even five minutes worth. I start laughing and have to leave the room or I get the evil eye.

[em2nought]

Hallmark could save big bucks by firing all their writers and just using ChatGPT. I almost wonder if they've secretly had AI writers all these years.

[jztemple2]

That should be titled: A Christmas Miacle

[jztemple2]

Hallmark could save big bucks by firing all their writers and just using ChatGPT. I almost wonder if they've secretly had AI writers all these years.

Well, to be annoying technical, ChatGPT only provided a synopsis. It takes talented script writers to not only flesh it out with dialogue and settings, but also to establish pacing to allow for commercial breaks that arent jarring and to package the whole thing to fit into the allotted time frame. And even more talented individuals to establish scene locations to minimize costs and yet make a film visually enjoyable. And haven't even touched on production costs, etc.

I've always found the logistics of film making fascinating

[Max Peck]

So what you're saying is that we can replace the studio suits with AI, but we should still keep the human writers for now.

[em2nought]

So what you're saying is that we can replace the studio suits with AI, but we should still keep the human writers for now.

If we start building new reactors we're definitely going to need AI to run them.

[ImLawBoy]

My wife also watches Hallmark movies like it's the only type of TV available. I just can't watch even five minutes worth. I start laughing and have to leave the room or I get the evil eye.

My wife knows they're terrible, so as long as I'm not too over the top she's fine with me poking fun at them.

If she falls asleep during one (a not uncommon experience), I change the channel and when she wakes up I tell her it ended with a murder-suicide.

[jztemple2]

If she falls asleep during one (a not uncommon experience), I change the channel and when she wakes up I tell her it ended with a murder-suicide.

I'll try that on my wife next time. Today is her last day of therapy, followed by grocery shopping, mailing presents and some more decorating. She has told me that tomorrow, aside from feeding me, she intends to spend the day with her feet up, watching Hallmark Christmas movies.

[GreenGoo]

Always a fun one:

I love this joke but I think it's unfair to describe the boyfriend as a loser. At no point in the movie is he a loser, going forward or backward. Why on earth would she leave her high powered career in NYC if he was a loser? It's not his fault Hallmark sucks.

[GreenGoo]

If she falls asleep during one (a not uncommon experience), I change the channel and when she wakes up I tell her it ended with a murder-suicide.

[hitbyambulance]

That sounds like an interesting challenge. Here is a possible plot for a horror movie based on the same premise:

Title: A Christmas Nightmare
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Mystery
Synopsis:
Mia is a ruthless and ambitious lawyer who has to work on a big case during the Christmas holidays. She has no regard for her family, friends, or love life. She wishes she could have a different life, one where she is powerful and feared. One night, she meets a mysterious stranger who claims to be an angel. He offers her a chance to switch lives with someone else for a week, as long as she follows three rules: 1) She can't tell anyone about the switch, 2) She has to do everything the other person would do, and 3) She has to return to her own life on Christmas Eve. Mia agrees, thinking it will be a fun game. She wakes up the next morning in the body of Holly, a sweet and innocent baker who owns a cozy cafe in a small town. Mia hates Holly's life, such as baking cookies, decorating the cafe, and helping the customers. She also despises Jake, a handsome and charming veterinarian who is Holly's boyfriend. Mia plans to ruin Holly's life, but she soon realizes that Holly's life is not as simple as it seems. Holly has a dark past, a twisted relationship with her family, and a secret that could kill everyone. Mia has to survive Holly's enemies, while also trying to figure out how to get back to her own life. Along the way, she discovers some shocking truths about herself, the angel, and the town. Will Mia be able to switch back to her own life on time? Will she escape from Holly's nightmare or become part of it? Will she find out who the angel is and what he wants from her? Find out in A Christmas Nightmare, a terrifying and suspenseful movie that will make you scream in fear."

what is the secret that could kill everyone?

Spoiler:

"The secret that could kill everyone is that Holly is actually a serial killer who has been murdering people in the town for years. She uses her cafe as a cover to lure her victims, who are mostly travelers or outsiders. She then poisons them with her cookies, which contain a deadly toxin that causes paralysis and suffocation. She keeps their bodies in a hidden basement under the cafe, where she tortures and dismembers them. She also collects their belongings and personal items, which she uses to decorate the cafe and her home. She is obsessed with Jake, who is unaware of her true nature, and plans to make him her final victim on Christmas Eve. She doesn't know how to tell Mia about her secret, or if she should tell her at all."

[LordMortis]

Holy crap, I had not idea how much my body is craving salt until I bought an $.89 a pound bone in spiral ham which is just laden fat. Soooo good. Soooo salty. I'm about crying trimming fat off this thing. I wish I was better cook and didn't throw away the bone and the all that fat I trimmed. I'd put it in the fridge and snack and gnaw on that stuff.

[TheMix]

I know I'm craving salt when I get the strong urge to make (and eat, of course) popcorn. Or chips; but we rarely have any of those in the house.

[Madmarcus]

In six hours or so I have to toast my soon to be daughter in law. She's great but I hate doing toasts that are more than two sentences.

[jztemple2]

In six hours or so I have to toast my soon to be daughter in law. She's great but I hate doing toasts that are more than two sentences.

My wife says that if what you say in two sentences is sincere then two sentences is enough. After all, your new daughter-in-law getting you as a father-in-law

[Daehawk]

Im considering a rewatch of Time Bandits. Whats a good 2nd movie to pair it with from the 80s in the same style? Ive seen them all and im getting them mixed up in my memory. I can only remember Time bandits clearly at the moment. I need another 80s cult movie....maybe Krull?

And I already saw The Never Ending Story again.

[Madmarcus]

Beastmaster

I don't know. In the end I never really liked Time Bandits as a movie even though some of the scenes are great.

[Daehawk]

Man Beastmaster is one of my favorite movies..and not just because of Tanya Roberts.

And like Highlander there is NO sequel. Dont look for one. Ever.

[Holman]

Im considering a rewatch of Time Bandits. Whats a good 2nd movie to pair it with from the 80s in the same style? Ive seen them all and im getting them mixed up in my memory. I can only remember Time bandits clearly at the moment. I need another 80s cult movie....maybe Krull?

And I already saw The Never Ending Story again.

Time Bandits would probably pair well with The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. They're both Terry Gilliam labors of love.

[Smoove_B]

[jztemple2]

We've been watching old episodes of Columbo. Still great even after all these years.

[Daehawk]

hehe Buckaroo and the Baron. Man we were truly blessed in the 80s.

[Hrdina]

I think I did know about Octavious and maybe Punisher - but I wasn't aware of Hrdina, RM9, or Trent Steel (maybe this one in the back of my head, actually, but not recoverable data).

Guilty as charged.

[Hrdina]

Im considering a rewatch of Time Bandits. Whats a good 2nd movie to pair it with from the 80s in the same style? Ive seen them all and im getting them mixed up in my memory. I can only remember Time bandits clearly at the moment. I need another 80s cult movie....maybe Krull?

And I already saw The Never Ending Story again.

Time Bandits would probably pair well with The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. They're both Terry Gilliam labors of love.

Hilarious, I was going to suggest the same thing so I'm glad I scrolled downward before replying!

[Daehawk]

Baron is a lot better movie.

[Daehawk]

Stupid galaxy light. Always great to have a pinprick of laser light shine right in your eyes when you plug it in. Now I have this pinprick of bright at the center of my vision. The damn laser comes on when you plug it in. I had it sitting below me on the table by the small Xmas tree because I wanted to use the LEDs to light up the window and ceiling around the tree to look nice.

Plug it in and BAM green lasers everywhere. its almost faded away now. but damn thats dangerous. its like having a stuck pixel then a dead pixel in your eyeball.

[GreenGoo]

We've been watching old episodes of Columbo. Still great even after all these years.

I did this about 5 years ago. Yes, still holds up, no question. Excellent.

[GreenGoo]

The closest thing to an 80's movie that has a cult following that I've seen is Krull. Every time Time Bandits or Buckaroo is mentioned, I immediately think of Krull, because that's all I've got.

Looking back, I feel like either the writers or I (or both) need to look up glaive in a dictionary.

[GreenGoo]

Going to see the new Ghibli movie with 2 of my kids later today. Ghibli movies are hit or miss with me, although I recognize they their artistry and quality, I don't always enjoy them.

This one is supposed to be a bit convoluted in plot. For a Ghibli movie, that's saying something.

The Boy and the Heron.

[Unagi]

Totally looking forward to this.
My daughter and I are huge fans of even the weirdest of em.
Probably equally just looking forward to rekindling those moment watching these movies together.

[Daehawk]

Columbo

I used to get this confused with Beretta for some reason. All i could ever remember was the cockatoo.

[Blackhawk]

Stupid galaxy light. Always great to have a pinprick of laser light shine right in your eyes when you plug it in. Now I have this pinprick of bright at the center of my vision. The damn laser comes on when you plug it in. I had it sitting below me on the table by the small Xmas tree because I wanted to use the LEDs to light up the window and ceiling around the tree to look nice.

Plug it in and BAM green lasers everywhere. its almost faded away now. but damn thats dangerous. its like having a stuck pixel then a dead pixel in your eyeball.

Doesn't it have a cover?

[Holman]

Columbo

I used to get this confused with Beretta for some reason. All i could ever remember was the cockatoo.

Columbo has a basset hound.