Online Writing Forums at TheNextBigWriter

1_word_at_a_time · 01-24-2012 19:23:29

Re: grits - I've definitely gotta try them. Not so keen on bourbon - is vodka a suitable replacement? ;o) We hear about grits all the time over here - movie references, cooking shows, cartoons - I always assumed they were like porridge until Top Chef educated me otherwise. Still didn't know what they were, just that they didn't look like any porridge we eat over here ...

Thought I'd add a bit of Aussie culture to the bar. It's Australia Day here tomorrow, so in the spirit of all things Aussie, enjoy a chuckle at our expense. ;o)

You know you're Australian if ...

* If your BBQ has 4 burners or more!

* You believe that stubbies can be either drunk or worn.

* You think it's normal to have a leader called Julia.

* You've made a bong out of your garden hose rather than use it for something illegal such as watering the garden.

* You understand that the phrase 'a group of women wearing black thongs' refers to footwear and may be less alluring than it sounds.

* You pronounce Melbourne as 'Mel-bin'.

* You believe the 'l' in the word 'Australia' is optional.

* You can translate: 'Dazza and Shazza played Acca Dacca on the way to Maccas.'

* You believe it makes perfect sense for a nation to decorate its highways with large fibreglass bananas, prawns and sheep.

* You call your best friend 'a total bastard' but someone you really, truly despise is just 'a bit of a bastard'.

* You think 'Woolloomooloo' is a perfectly reasonable name for a place.

* You're secretly proud of our killer wildlife.

* You believe it makes sense for a country to have a $1 coin that's twice as big as its $2 coin.

* You understand that 'Wagga Wagga' can be abbreviated to 'Wagga' but 'Woy Woy' can't be called 'Woy'.

* You believe that cooked-down axle grease makes a good breakfast spread. You've also squeezed it through Vita Wheats to make little Vegemite worms.

* You believe all famous Kiwis are actually Australian, until they stuff up, at which point they again become Kiwis.

* Beetroot with your Hamburger... Of course.

* You know that certain words must, by law, be shouted out during any rendition of the Angels' song 'Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again'
And "Living next door to Alice".

j l mo · 01-24-2012 20:45:46

Hi 1,

Loved the garden hose reference! That could be used here in Florida. Oh, and so could Melbin. Other than that, I'll need google.

Happy Aussie Day!

jpb2ndchance · 01-24-2012 21:30:01

Hey 1_word,

I know a guy over near our nation's capital who is a professional Didgeridoo player. Not sure if I spelled that properly. He's a yank but he spent most of his formative years down in your neck of the woods. I asked him why he moved back to the States when it must be easier to get playing gigs in Australia. He said he figured there would be less competition up here. He plays professionally about eight or ten times a year. Obviously music has become his second job. Happy Australia Day! I loved your Aussie culture items. Only understood about half but tomorrow I'll have a few Fosters and maybe I'll get the whole list.

Good Night All.

jb

j l mo · 01-25-2012 07:24:30

Rory wrote:
Today I deactivated my facebook page...

You've gotta let me know how that goes. I've heard horror stories about the process of deleting your page, but I didn't think of 'deactivating' it. Now I've read that the 'Timeline' format will be mandatory. More ways for the snoops to look into your life. I'm not sure I want to go so far as deleting, but deactivating? Hmm. Let us know, OK?

Rory · 01-25-2012 08:29:41

Hey!

It was a huge distraction for me lately. Yeah, the new timeline page stinks. My sister has it. It takes forever to load and when it does, I can't leave a comment as easy because the the page jumps to the top every three seconds. It's not mandatory - yet. I just deactivated my page, kinda like guidance center in school. My info and stuff is still there, everything just as I left it, waiting for me to return. Deleting a page wipes out everything. I had to read up on that to be sure because I know I'm going back sometime.

jpb2ndchance · 01-25-2012 16:04:37

If a person deletes his presence on the web does he cease to exist?
Is it even possible to completely erase every reference to yourself these days?
Does this alter the existential questions that have puzzled philosophers for centuries?
Have you noticed that each one of these silly questions appears in a longer line printed on the page?
Until now.
jb

jpb2ndchance · 01-25-2012 16:05:39

I'll have a Yeungling here and a six pack to go, please. Thanks.
jb

vern · 01-25-2012 16:26:29

jpb2ndchance wrote:
If a person deletes his presence on the web does he cease to exist? ONLY IN HIS/HER OWN MIND.

Is it even possible to completely erase every reference to yourself these days? IF YOU USE ONE OF THOSE REALLY BIG ERASERS AND CLEAN UP THE MESS.

Does this alter the existential questions that have puzzled philosophers for centuries? IN A REAL SENSE THOSE QUESTIONS WILL REMAIN FOR ETERNITY OR AT LEAST UNTIL WE COME UP WITH BETTER ONES IN WHICH CASE THE ANSWERS WILL BRING US FULL CIRCLE BACK TO THOSE QUESTIONS.

Have you noticed that each one of these silly questions appears in a longer line printed on the page? NO, BUT DOES THAT MAKE THEM MORE OR LESS RELEVANT?

Until now. AND THEN.
jb

Take care. Vern

j l mo · 01-25-2012 16:36:13

The new philosophy for the 21st century.

"I compute therefore I am."

That may be my new sign off.

One R&C, please.

jpb2ndchance · 01-25-2012 20:05:11

vern wrote:
jpb2ndchance wrote:
If a person deletes his presence on the web does he cease to exist? ONLY IN HIS/HER OWN MIND.

Is it even possible to completely erase every reference to yourself these days? IF YOU USE ONE OF THOSE REALLY BIG ERASERS AND CLEAN UP THE MESS.

Does this alter the existential questions that have puzzled philosophers for centuries? IN A REAL SENSE THOSE QUESTIONS WILL REMAIN FOR ETERNITY OR AT LEAST UNTIL WE COME UP WITH BETTER ONES IN WHICH CASE THE ANSWERS WILL BRING US FULL CIRCLE BACK TO THOSE QUESTIONS.

Have you noticed that each one of these silly questions appears in a longer line printed on the page? NO, BUT DOES THAT MAKE THEM MORE OR LESS RELEVANT?

Until now. AND THEN.
jb
Take care. Vern

Thanks for the answers Vern. It sure is reassuring having a philosopher like you here at the cafe. And in the spirit of the foregoing discussion I'll take exception to my line length question and just discard it because we all know size doesn't matter. Except for the size of the beer glass. And maybe the cubic inches of a car engine. And the number...

Well crap. Size does seem to matter.

Let me have one more beer and then I'll go sleep on all these mysteries.
And a rum and coke for jlmo. On me, of course.

j l mo · 01-25-2012 20:23:07

Thanks for the drink jb.

You go sleep on those mysteries. I'll take the hammock.

G'nite everybody!

jpb2ndchance · 01-29-2012 12:00:41

Hey people! It's Sunday afternoon and time for a couple cold ones. Quiet again. Everyone working diligently on their projects? Or everyone finding useful distraction?

Tomorrow I head to the river for a few days of concentrated effort at concentrating. Going to enter the Emily Dickinson First Book competition. That one is for poets over forty years old who have never had a book of poems published. I just wish they limited the competition to poets over sixty. Then I'd have a shot at the prize.

Okay I'll be around today then adios for a week or ten days.

jb

s_thatcher · 01-29-2012 17:03:02

jpb2ndchance wrote:
I just wish they limited the competition to poets over sixty. Then I'd have a shot at the prize.

Okay I'll be around today then adios for a week or ten days.

jb

I think they should limit that fancy contest to within two hours of when you were born. But you don't need that handicap, you'll soar on your own.

Here's wishing you mucho luck. Vaya con Thatcher.

jpb2ndchance · 01-29-2012 17:35:25

s_thatcher wrote:
jpb2ndchance wrote:
I just wish they limited the competition to poets over sixty. Then I'd have a shot at the prize.

Okay I'll be around today then adios for a week or ten days.

jb
I think they should limit that fancy contest to within two hours of when you were born. But you don't need that handicap, you'll soar on your own.

Here's wishing you mucho luck. Vaya con Thatcher.

Thanks Ms. T. Nice to see you here and may I buy you a drink or two? Thanks for the vote o'confidence. Past winners in the Dickinson contest - not a regularly scheduled event (that seems weird to me) - have been academically connected and respectedly published in journals and such. Alas. But maybe this year they'd like something a little different from a retired wholesale manager with a bag fulla poems and a nice attitude. If I had a hot girlfriend (hint, hint) maybe they'd be even more interested. Or maybe some form of addiction other than cheetos.

Well, signing off for a while. See ya in a week or so.

jb

s_thatcher · 01-29-2012 19:18:37

Hey, hey, there, Jimmy, none of that 'not earned or not worthy stuff'... Your work, and body of work IS. Kurt Vonnegut went to teach at the Iowa Writer's Workshop in its (and his) early days, the only one without a degree. He felt inferior against Nelson Algren, other authors, and a handful of notable poets. BUT after the students -- who weren't your normal students, like John Irving (and a few returning vets after Viet Nam) -- ALLfilled his classes, because of how he was... They met in quonset huts with the only heat emanating from cigarette smoke. love him so much! I urge you. Read his biography "And So It Goes." You'll love it! Although not the best writing from the biographer Shields (had they given ME his papers, I'd've done a better job!) it's a unique look at Koort and his life as a writer.

Please, a Margarita? Unblended, heavily salted. Cheers!

jpb2ndchance · 01-31-2012 11:28:23

From a McDonalds up against the border of Canada and NY state comes a big ol' thank you to Ms. Sharon. Hadn't read the bio of K.V. yet. Last thing I read about him was the book by his lady friend. Pretty sure I've read everything the man wrote in his lifetime. Not sure about the after-life stuff.

Up here Margarita's are always just the way you like them. And very, very cold.

Back to the woods now that I've got groceries, beer and a brief TNBW fix.
jb

s_thatcher · 02-01-2012 15:08:31

I'm probably the only one in the world not yet sick of this song. Anyway, I'm excited to see her perform at the Grammys.

Folks... Rolling in the Deep

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYEDA3JcQqw

Margaritas are on jb. I hope he has something good planned around here for Groundhog Day. Crockpot cumin-laced varmint?

s_thatcher · 02-01-2012 15:37:25

There's just no substitute for live performances.

Frances + The Machine

Wow. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0BVLPm2 … re=related

Think we can get her to come to Wiggy's?

s_thatcher · 02-01-2012 16:23:17

Not only are the Irish gifted in storytelling, they steal the show in smoky Paris bars, too...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5RW4ubC … re=related

alright already adieu

1_word_at_a_time · 02-01-2012 16:31:40

s_thatcher wrote:
I'm probably the only one in the world not yet sick of this song. Anyway, I'm excited to see her perform at the Grammys.

s_thatcher wrote:
There's just no substitute for live performances.

s_thatcher wrote:
Not only are the Irish gifted in storytelling, they steal the show in smoky Paris bars, too...

alright already adieu

You talkin' to yo'self, gurl? Maybe time to put the glass down ...

s_thatcher · 02-01-2012 16:59:53

Well... I was under the impression I had a live audience.

Hey jlmo, look quick! Are these your random lines? From your novel?

Random First Lines: Nanshara sat in the Tree Chair with her forearms supported in the carved por : Fantasy » Review it

j l mo · 02-01-2012 17:17:23

Hey 1! Just 'cuz I'm sitting in the back booth, don't mean I ain't here!

Ms. Thatcher, Adele is (currently) my all-time fave singer. Here's the next greatest after 'Rolling' - - - Someone Like You

http://youtu.be/hLQl3WQQoQ0

I do hope she heals up OK after that throat surgery.

As for the rest...

Gotta admit, I'm a little too old for the 'live' thing these days. At least nothing stronger than JBuffett. I've got tix for the old sell-out this weekend. Looking forward to it, too! I would post one of his vid's here, but he is SO overdone, I wouldn't want to bore you guys.

As for the final post, Ms. Thatcher, my friend, I am a HUGE sucker for the piano. Thanks for this link. And you threw in a Sax to make it friggin' perfect! I'm gonna bee-bop back to my booth with my Margarita and wait on that cumin-laced varmint dinner. Grab a glass and come on back. jb will let us know when dinner is ready. Meanwhile, kick back, relax and let's play Mr. Cullum one more time...

s_thatcher · 02-04-2012 17:58:38

hell yeah, j l mo! So, I might as well tell you I'm for the Patriots...

And I'm a buffalo wing fan--Franks' hot sauce--no other!

jpb2ndchance · 02-05-2012 06:20:20

Is this the day when eighty percent of America goes into some kind of catatonic state watching a mind numbing assortment of commercials, overblown pop music offered up by some aging prima donna and maybe a little lackluster football. But all that painful stuff is alleviated by the best food ever and our menu is: Buffalo Wings in three levels of HOT (made with Frank's of course)
Crab Dip - Slightly spicy and not in one of those funky bread bowls
Homemade, I said homemade, Chicken Quesadillas
Some mighty fine Barbequed Pulled Pork
Yeungling and a few other lesser beers
A nice tray of sandwich fixin's with some crusty rolls so you don't need to eat out of your hand
And not a vegetable in sight.

Bring it on.
jb

s_thatcher · 02-05-2012 08:45:36

Yummy!!!! <sneaking in some celery> Is bleu cheese a vegetable?

#11776 01-24-2012 19:23:29

Re: The Late Night Social Club

#11777 01-24-2012 20:45:46

Re: The Late Night Social Club

#11778 01-24-2012 21:30:01

Re: The Late Night Social Club

#11779 01-25-2012 07:24:30

Re: The Late Night Social Club

Rory wrote:

#11780 01-25-2012 08:29:41

Re: The Late Night Social Club

#11781 01-25-2012 16:04:37

Re: The Late Night Social Club

#11782 01-25-2012 16:05:39

Re: The Late Night Social Club

#11783 01-25-2012 16:26:29

Re: The Late Night Social Club

jpb2ndchance wrote:

#11784 01-25-2012 16:36:13

Re: The Late Night Social Club

#11785 01-25-2012 20:05:11

Re: The Late Night Social Club

vern wrote:

jpb2ndchance wrote:

#11786 01-25-2012 20:23:07

Re: The Late Night Social Club

#11787 01-29-2012 12:00:41

Re: The Late Night Social Club

#11788 01-29-2012 17:03:02

Re: The Late Night Social Club

jpb2ndchance wrote:

#11789 01-29-2012 17:35:25

Re: The Late Night Social Club

s_thatcher wrote:

jpb2ndchance wrote:

#11790 01-29-2012 19:18:37

Re: The Late Night Social Club

#11791 01-31-2012 11:28:23

Re: The Late Night Social Club

#11792 02-01-2012 15:08:31

Re: The Late Night Social Club

#11793 02-01-2012 15:37:25

Re: The Late Night Social Club

#11794 02-01-2012 16:23:17

Re: The Late Night Social Club

#11795 02-01-2012 16:31:40

Re: The Late Night Social Club

s_thatcher wrote:

s_thatcher wrote:

s_thatcher wrote:

#11796 02-01-2012 16:59:53

Re: The Late Night Social Club

#11797 02-01-2012 17:17:23

Re: The Late Night Social Club

#11798 02-04-2012 17:58:38

Re: The Late Night Social Club

#11799 02-05-2012 06:20:20

Re: The Late Night Social Club

#11800 02-05-2012 08:45:36

Re: The Late Night Social Club

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