Think You So?

Think You So?http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/Musings upon conversations in which I may or may nothave been a participant and random commentary upon any subject that comes into the theatre of my mind.en-EUhourly82000-01-01T12:00+00:00Think You So?http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/87/1258056578d1f7d93c272fc1dc2051_160x200.jpg449 days?http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2009/11/04/449-days-7302877/2009-11-04T02:20:15+01:00 Yes, it really has been 449 days since last I posted here. Didn't think I'd been that long reading the rest of you... I have stayed with the hookah. I have not smoked a cigarette since last posting, can't recall the last time I wanted one. My <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/ufoundfun?rf=238379820221211719">gallery</a> is still a partial source of income and a great source of joy to me... How've you been? <a href="http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2009/11/04/449-days-7302877/#comments">Comments</a> Yes, it really has been 449 days since last I posted here. Didn't think I'd been that long reading the rest of you...

I have stayed with the hookah. I have not smoked a cigarette since last posting, can't recall the last time I wanted one.

My gallery is still a partial source of income and a great source of joy to me...

How've you been?

Comments

]]>Have You Considered a Hookah?http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2008/08/11/have-you-considered-a-hookah-4569610/2008-08-11T06:04:51+02:00 Several years ago I got fed up with the high price of cigarettes and the odd little things they had begun to do me. After several decades I had begun to wonder if ever they would begin to do odd things to me and so they finally did. I decided to try other forms and settled on little cigars with filters. They have far fewer chemicals and the type I settled on had less tar and nicotine than the medium-light cigarettes I had been previously smoking. The odd little things cleared up rather quickly and I was happy again for about a year, especially since the price for them was about half what the cigarettes had been. One day I went to get some from the corner shop and discovered they were out of my brand. I subsequently learnt they had been disallowed in USA because the country of origin was United Arab Emirates. Bloody politics and certain morons sitting too near to rose gardens had made this idiotic decision. I cast about for another brand for nearly six weeks and finally found another. These came in a variety with hint of peach skin in them and were delightful. They had even fewer chemicals and I went through an odd period of withdrawal. I found after it I smoked less and felt like a teenager again. I especially liked that the price for these was a mere $10 USD per carton. Earlier this year I found a place that had them for the incredible price of $6 USD per CARTON. I was ecstatic. Last month the state government decided that they were now to be taxed as cigarettes and the price as of 1 August went to the same as cigarettes. about $40 USD per carton. I sent a note congratulating that decision in light of it making marijuana a less expensive alternative for everyone. After several days of wondering what to do when my dwindling supply was exhausted I recalled my old hookah. I haven't seen it since college and I no longer have it but for some reason I recalled it. I wondered if such things were still available and got on the net to look. I was astonished. They are quite readily available as is shisha and in an amazing array that simply did not exist that long ago. I also recalled through extended reading that shisha, unlike other tobacco, has NO chemical additives. It is, by most reports, not addictive either. Oddly enough , the native Americans were never addicted and they did not get the array of ills assocated with smoking many today do. Maybe it isn't the tobacco after all but the chemicals instead? Duh........ Today I settled on a new hookah and ordered it. By the time my little cigars are gone I will have it and 100 grams of shisha. By my calculations the cost will be a bit more than the lower price for the cigars but not as much as the higher price for them per month. I can afford $40 USD per month to smoke to my heart's content and the prospect of flavours/scents like pomegranate and rose are lovely. I've initally chosen a traditional spice mix and a highly praised Jamaican rum. Nearly all new hookahs come with a complete outfit and some shisha to start one off right. I tip my hat to the caterpillar and fly a double eagle salute at the state and at a large, white house on a hill over there somewhere! <a href="http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2008/08/11/have-you-considered-a-hookah-4569610/#comments">Comments</a> One day I went to get some from the corner shop and discovered they were out of my brand. I subsequently learnt they had been disallowed in USA because the country of origin was United Arab Emirates. Bloody politics and certain morons sitting too near to rose gardens had made this idiotic decision.
 I cast about for another brand for nearly six weeks and finally found another. These came in a variety with hint of peach skin in them and were delightful. They had even fewer chemicals and I went through an odd period of withdrawal. I found after it I smoked less and felt like a teenager again. I especially liked that the price for these was a mere $10 USD per carton.
 Earlier this year I found a place that had them for the incredible price of $6 USD per CARTON. I was ecstatic.
 Last month the state government decided that they were now to be taxed as cigarettes and the price as of 1 August went to the same as cigarettes. about $40 USD per carton. I sent a note congratulating that decision in light of it making marijuana a less expensive alternative for everyone.
 After several days of wondering what to do when my dwindling supply was exhausted I recalled my old hookah. I haven't seen it since college and I no longer have it but for some reason I recalled it. I wondered if such things were still available and got on the net to look. I was astonished. They are quite readily available as is shisha and in an amazing array that simply did not exist that long ago. I also recalled through extended reading that shisha, unlike other tobacco, has NO chemical additives. It is, by most reports, not addictive either.
Oddly enough , the native Americans were never addicted and they did not get the array of ills assocated with smoking many today do. Maybe it isn't the tobacco after all but the chemicals instead? Duh........
 Today I settled on a new hookah and ordered it. By the time my little cigars are gone I will have it and 100 grams of shisha. By my calculations the cost will be a bit more than the lower price for the cigars but not as much as the higher price for them per month. I can afford $40 USD per month to smoke to my heart's content and the prospect of flavours/scents like pomegranate and rose are lovely. I've initally chosen a traditional spice mix and a highly praised Jamaican rum. Nearly all new hookahs come with a complete outfit and some shisha to start one off right.
I tip my hat to the caterpillar and fly a double eagle salute at the state and at a large, white house on a hill over there somewhere!

Comments

]]>LOOK! SEE!!http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2008/07/31/look-see-4526627/2008-07-31T21:51:48+02:00 <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/">buy unique gifts</a> at <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/">Zazzle</a> <a href="http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2008/07/31/look-see-4526627/#comments">Comments</a> buy unique gifts at Zazzle

Comments

]]>Though a bit belated...http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2008/07/21/though-a-bit-belated-4476131/2008-07-21T00:30:27+02:00 A very happy birthday to Miss Zoe Lee! Forgive my tardiness, I've been unwell again of late. <a href="http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2008/07/21/though-a-bit-belated-4476131/#comments">Comments</a> A very happy birthday to Miss Zoe Lee!

Forgive my tardiness, I've been unwell again of late.

Comments

]]>It's been ages!http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2008/05/20/it-s-been-ages-4198643/2008-05-20T17:00:14+02:00 Yes, I know, it's been half of forever since I posted. The trouble has been the blog, not with me. I try to log in, I'm told my password is no good, I go get another, it doesn't work. I clear every possible thing like cookies and cache and still nothing. I ask for a new password, it fails to work, too. After a time I get so annoyed with it I don't come back for month or so. The above happens all over again. What would you do? Yesterday I finally got to the point where the entire situation was more than enough. I wrote several times only to be told I needed to clear my cookies, cache, go to another computer and login from there. Go to another computer? To employ a crass Americanism, what the FUCK!!???!? I complained again, particulary at being told to go to another computer, if you please! I am rarely able to get out of bed with assistance, nevermind without. When out it will be with a great deal of pain medication to sit in that damned chair and be pushed about where I need to go. ( I can't think why chairs have no suspension systems ) I have highly limited mobility, one computer close to hand and it absolutely incredible to be told to log in to my own blasted blog on someone else's computer! The entirety has finally resolved after several increasingly heated exchanges, some vague assertation about bugs in the system from work upon it by them and the address for support mails suddenly not existing. I simply tried again and now the whole damned thing is working as it should have done since January. I suspect someone discovered the error was most certainly not on my part and quietly fixed it in the face of my righteously indignant onslaught. Lest anyone consider I may be unqualified ass, I am administrator of several commercial and and private websites. I am well versed in computer and server and systems and I damned well know when the thing isn't in my machine or systems. At any rate, I am finally returned. Irregular posting will now resume. A belated Happy Birthday to MagicalMysteryTour!!!!!!!!!!!!! <a href="http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2008/05/20/it-s-been-ages-4198643/#comments">Comments</a> Yes, I know, it's been half of forever since I posted. The trouble has been the blog, not with me. I try to log in, I'm told my password is no good, I go get another, it doesn't work. I clear every possible thing like cookies and cache and still nothing. I ask for a new password, it fails to work, too.
 After a time I get so annoyed with it I don't come back for month or so. The above happens all over again. What would you do?
 Yesterday I finally got to the point where the entire situation was more than enough. I wrote several times only to be told I needed to clear my cookies, cache, go to another computer and login from there.
 Go to another computer? To employ a crass Americanism, what the FUCK!!???!?
 I complained again, particulary at being told to go to another computer, if you please! I am rarely able to get out of bed with assistance, nevermind without. When out it will be with a great deal of pain medication to sit in that damned chair and be pushed about where I need to go. ( I can't think why chairs have no suspension systems ) I have highly limited mobility, one computer close to hand and it absolutely incredible to be told to log in to my own blasted blog on someone else's computer!

The entirety has finally resolved after several increasingly heated exchanges, some vague assertation about bugs in the system from work upon it by them and the address for support mails suddenly not existing. I simply tried again and now the whole damned thing is working as it should have done since January.

I suspect someone discovered the error was most certainly not on my part and quietly fixed it in the face of my righteously indignant onslaught. Lest anyone consider I may be unqualified ass, I am administrator of several commercial and and private websites. I am well versed in computer and server and systems and I damned well know when the thing isn't in my machine or systems.

At any rate, I am finally returned. Irregular posting will now resume.

A belated Happy Birthday to MagicalMysteryTour!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comments

]]>Oh, Gods, NO!!!!!!!!http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2008/04/07/oh-gods-no-4010686/2008-04-07T16:25:23+02:00 " Sweetie, ya got another cat? It's gorgeous! Boy or girl? " I looked at her blankly, then said, " Errrmm, no..." " Then where did that one come from? " She pointed up the hall. There, plain as you please, sat a large, fluffy white cat. It was semi-transparent to me, always has been when I've seen previously in my life. Alarmed, I asked her what she saw. " Jeez, sweetie, it's a big whi... omigosh! " " But you see it, too? " " ...yeah...um... WTF? " " Say goodbye to Z. It's come for her. " As odd or insane as this may seem, whenever one of my cats was about to die I've always seen a white cat fitting the above description. It's happened my entire life, the earliest instance I recall is about age 4. When it appears, one of my cats dies within 48 hours. I have been fortunate all of them except one died of sheer old age. Even so, it hurts to the very depths of my existence to see that white cat. Less that 24 hours after my guest and I saw it ( the first time anyone besides me has seen it though many others have been present at many other times it has appeared ) the last of my cats, Zena, aged 16, died of old age. She did not suffer and seemed not to be in any pain. If anyone wondered where I'd been these last weeks, now you know. Please don't ask if I will get another. It has never been that way. I don't choose them, they choose me. If I am meant to be owned by another, it or they will find me if and when the time is right. If you feel you must do something, spend some time with a creature, yours or another's. Donate food, litter, cash or time to a shelter. If you know an elder who has lost a pet recently, visit that one regularly until s/he he comes out of it or gets another. Believe me when I say to you this type of loss, especially to one who is alone, can be far more devastating than even the loss of a spouse or child. Now that Zena's gone, I literally have to set an alarm to remind meself to eat as she is no longer here to do so. To those who reminded me to eat, came and made me focus on something besides the emptiness, found things to distract me or simply just handed me tissue and held me for a while, I thank you so very much. For those who worried for me, I think I shall be alright now. <a href="http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2008/04/07/oh-gods-no-4010686/#comments">Comments</a> " Sweetie, ya got another cat? It's gorgeous! Boy or girl? "
 I looked at her blankly, then said, " Errrmm, no..."
 " Then where did that one come from? " She pointed up the hall. There, plain as you please, sat a large, fluffy white cat. It was semi-transparent to me, always has been when I've seen previously in my life. Alarmed, I asked her what she saw.
 " Jeez, sweetie, it's a big whi... omigosh! "
 " But you see it, too? "
 " ...yeah...um... WTF? "
 " Say goodbye to Z. It's come for her. "

As odd or insane as this may seem, whenever one of my cats was about to die I've always seen a white cat fitting the above description. It's happened my entire life, the earliest instance I recall is about age 4. When it appears, one of my cats dies within 48 hours. I have been fortunate all of them except one died of sheer old age. Even so, it hurts to the very depths of my existence to see that white cat.
Less that 24 hours after my guest and I saw it ( the first time anyone besides me has seen it though many others have been present at many other times it has appeared ) the last of my cats, Zena, aged 16, died of old age. She did not suffer and seemed not to be in any pain.

If anyone wondered where I'd been these last weeks, now you know. Please don't ask if I will get another. It has never been that way. I don't choose them, they choose me. If I am meant to be owned by another, it or they will find me if and when the time is right. If you feel you must do something, spend some time with a creature, yours or another's. Donate food, litter, cash or time to a shelter. If you know an elder who has lost a pet recently, visit that one regularly until s/he he comes out of it or gets another. Believe me when I say to you this type of loss, especially to one who is alone, can be far more devastating than even the loss of a spouse or child. Now that Zena's gone, I literally have to set an alarm to remind meself to eat as she is no longer here to do so.
To those who reminded me to eat, came and made me focus on something besides the emptiness, found things to distract me or simply just handed me tissue and held me for a while, I thank you so very much. For those who worried for me, I think I shall be alright now.

Comments

]]>At the pubhttp://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2008/03/01/at-the-pub-3799992/2008-03-01T05:53:24+01:00 " Alex..... you grow your cocktails?!! " <img src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h123/ofu2/nonPTR/DrinkbyAlex.png" alt="Drink by Alex" title="Drink by Alex"> " Well... umm.... yeah, actually. " <a href="http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2008/03/01/at-the-pub-3799992/#comments">Comments</a> grow your cocktails?!! "

Drink by Alex

" Well... umm.... yeah, actually. "

Comments

]]>Computers, auuugh!http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2008/02/26/title-3784835/2008-02-26T20:41:20+01:00 " Hey, I'm here... morning, you! This came in the post. The new external drive? " A small brown box from a reputable online vendor is presented. " So it is and right on time, too. " 15 minutes later.... " What is it asking for? " " Size and offset parameters. " " Phrased how? " " create partition primary [size=n] [offset= n] [noerr] I don't know how to express the n values for a partition the same size as my D drive on main. I'm attempting to create a pair of drives on this unit, J and K. They should ultimately function as C and D now do. Do we know anyone might help? " " Dunno...let's start asking? " " Let's start asking. " <a href="http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2008/02/26/title-3784835/#comments">Comments</a> " Hey, I'm here... morning, you! This came in the post. The new external drive? "
 A small brown box from a reputable online vendor is presented.
 " So it is and right on time, too. "

15 minutes later....
   " What is it asking for? "
   " Size and offset parameters. "
   " Phrased how? "
   " create partition primary [size=n] [offset= n] [noerr]     I don't know how to express the n values for a partition the same size as my D drive on main. I'm attempting to create a pair of drives on this unit, J and K. They should ultimately function as C and D now do. Do we know anyone might help? "
   " Dunno...let's start asking? "
   " Let's start asking. "

Comments

]]>The Things I get in the Mailhttp://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2008/01/27/the_things_i_get_in_the_mail~3641707/2008-01-27T23:12:02+01:00 We all know those cute little computer symbols called emoticons. Well, how about some 'ASSICONS?' Here goes: (_!_) a regular ass (__!__) a fat ass (!) a tight ass (_*_) a sore ass {_!_} a swishy ass (_o_) an ass that's been around (_x_) kiss my ass (_X_) leave my ass alone (_zzz_) a tired ass (_E=mc2_) a smart ass (_$_) Money coming out of his ass (_?_) Dumb Ass You have just been e-mooned! Send this to 5 people within the next hour and you will be blessed with people laughing at your e-mail. This is NOT a chain letter, so if you don't mail it out, you won't have bad luck. But who wouldn't want to e-Moon a friend? <a href="http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2008/01/27/the_things_i_get_in_the_mail~3641707/#comments">Comments</a> We all know those cute little computer symbols called emoticons.
Well, how about some 'ASSICONS?'
Here goes:
(_!_) a regular ass
(__!__) a fat ass
(!) a tight ass
(_*_) a sore ass
{_!_} a swishy ass
(_o_) an ass that's been around
(_x_) kiss my ass
(_X_) leave my ass alone
(_zzz_) a tired ass
(_E=mc2_) a smart ass
(_$_) Money coming out of his ass
(_?_) Dumb Ass

You have just been e-mooned!
Send this to 5 people within the next hour and you will be blessed with
people laughing at your e-mail.

This is NOT a chain letter, so if you don't mail it out, you won't have
bad luck.
But who wouldn't want to e-Moon a friend?

Comments

]]>Why Do They Do the Things They Do?http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2008/01/27/why_do_they_do_the_things_they_do~3641334/2008-01-27T22:04:14+01:00 " I only count five of them... " " It'll turn up. You know how kittens are. They play, they have a nap attack, they sleep where ever they were playing, they wake up and look for Mum. It never fails, hunger is the great motivator. Just give it an hour or so, it'll turn up. " Yes, good, except my Mum is on the way in 20 minutes. I really need to run the sweeper but until I know where that last kitten is I can't. " " Kittens also get over being frightened by the sweeper, you know... It's not like they'll be scarred for life or anything. " " It's not scarring I'm worried about, it's the end tube is larger than the kitten. " " Ah, I begin to see... You think it might end up sucked into the tube? " " Yes. Nearly got the tawny one a few days ago. It just ran right up when I was doing the baseboards. " " You don't have an attachement for that? " " Had, but it cracked. It always got stopped up several times before I got done. Just as glad not to have it, really, saves time. " " I'm not finding that kitten. Where haven't we looked ? " Have we looked in boots, shoes, bags, under pillows, under or behind the furniture, in the fireplace, the ash bin, the wood bin? " " I think so. Now where? " " I'll look in the knot holes in the panelling and in the laundry. Your hands are small, try the book shelves. They like to sleep behind the books, if you please." The pair of us split to continue the search for the missing kitten. It didn't turn it up. I had a hunch after exhausting all the usual places and decided to take up the cushions on the chairs and the sofa. Under the last cushion, where nearly all the guests sit, was the sleeping kitten. " You have got to see this. " " Omigosh! I would never have thought to look there. Kittens, ffs! Why do they do the things they do? " " Because they can. " We looked at each other and burst into hysterical laughter. <a href="http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2008/01/27/why_do_they_do_the_things_they_do~3641334/#comments">Comments</a> " I only count five of them... "
" It'll turn up. You know how kittens are. They play, they have a nap attack, they sleep where ever they were playing, they wake up and look for Mum. It never fails, hunger is the great motivator. Just give it an hour or so, it'll turn up. "
Yes, good, except my Mum is on the way in 20 minutes. I really need to run the sweeper but until I know where that last kitten is I can't. "
" Kittens also get over being frightened by the sweeper, you know... It's not like they'll be scarred for life or anything. "
" It's not scarring I'm worried about, it's the end tube is larger than the kitten. "
" Ah, I begin to see... You think it might end up sucked into the tube? "
" Yes. Nearly got the tawny one a few days ago. It just ran right up when I was doing the baseboards. "
" You don't have an attachement for that? "
" Had, but it cracked. It always got stopped up several times before I got done. Just as glad not to have it, really, saves time. "
" I'm not finding that kitten. Where haven't we looked ?
" Have we looked in boots, shoes, bags, under pillows, under or behind the furniture, in the fireplace, the ash bin, the wood bin? "
" I think so. Now where? "
" I'll look in the knot holes in the panelling and in the laundry. Your hands are small, try the book shelves. They like to sleep behind the books, if you please."
The pair of us split to continue the search for the missing kitten. It didn't turn it up. I had a hunch after exhausting all the usual places and decided to take up the cushions on the chairs and the sofa. Under the last cushion, where nearly all the guests sit, was the sleeping kitten.
" You have got to see this. "
" Omigosh! I would never have thought to look there. Kittens, ffs! Why do they do the things they do? "
" Because they can. "
We looked at each other and burst into hysterical laughter.

Comments

]]>What am I?http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2008/01/24/what_am_i~3628050/2008-01-24T22:07:23+01:00 A question was posed at a recent late night gathering as to what I am. Since I am not one of the regulars the question has been kicking about for rather some time and came up for review again whilst I was present. After several espresso-fueled hours in which I was treated to more queries than the Inqusition has thumbscrews, the answer was finally decided. " You are an Ultra-Goth! " I'm a what? An Ultra-Goth..... Errrmmm, my dear young people, WTF is an Ultra-Goth? I'm a grandmother, ffs. I have waist length hair that is more white than anything else, I have arthritis, one ancient cat, still run and play FRPGs and make an occassional sum tie-dying shirts, baby clothes, bed sheets and anything else brought along for my artistic genius with the dyer's arts. I make fractal images as means of retaining what passes for sanity. I drive a very old S-15 and preferred method of dress is actually a modern version of tunic and hose though the tunics are quite long and the hose are actually footless cotton-spandex tights. Both items will have been coloured to perfection via my genius in the dyer's arts. I do not possess a single cross or crucifix ( I'm not christian though I do happen to be an ordained minister of a large non-denominational organisation ), no Victorian black velvet-and-lace gowns, no piercings except my ears, my hair has NEVER been some acid-bright colour not seen in nature except perhaps for the plumage of tropical birds and I haven't used even the barest bit of cosmetics since..... shall we say half of forever ago and leave it that? How did they decide me an Ultra-Goth? Does anyone know what that means? How is that different from a regular Goth? Must I dye my hair black? ( It never was black when I was younger. ) Do I have to start listening to music(ians) with names that include words like dead, death, morose, blades, blood, fury and wrath? I really prefer da Palestrina, Music of the Spheres, Ibizarre and Tool, you know, with Rameau, Chopin and Pink Floyd ever being good in a pinch. I really don't know what to make of being pronounced an Ultra-Goth. <a href="http://Unknowns.blog.co.uk/2008/01/24/what_am_i~3628050/#comments">Comments</a> A question was posed at a recent late night gathering as to what I am. Since I am not one of the regulars the question has been kicking about for rather some time and came up for review again whilst I was present. After several espresso-fueled hours in which I was treated to more queries than the Inqusition has thumbscrews, the answer was finally decided.

" You are an Ultra-Goth! "

   I'm a what? An Ultra-Goth..... Errrmmm, my dear young people, WTF is an Ultra-Goth?

   I'm a grandmother, ffs. I have waist length hair that is more white than anything else, I have arthritis, one ancient cat, still run and play FRPGs and make an occassional sum tie-dying shirts, baby clothes, bed sheets and anything else brought along for my artistic genius with the dyer's arts. I make fractal images as means of retaining what passes for sanity. I drive a very old S-15 and preferred method of dress is actually a modern version of tunic and hose though the tunics are quite long and the hose are actually footless cotton-spandex tights. Both items will have been coloured to perfection via my genius in the dyer's arts.
   I do not possess a single cross or crucifix ( I'm not christian though I do happen to be an ordained minister of a large non-denominational organisation ), no Victorian black velvet-and-lace gowns, no piercings except my ears, my hair has NEVER been some acid-bright colour not seen in nature except perhaps for the plumage of tropical birds and I haven't used even the barest bit of cosmetics since..... shall we say half of forever ago and leave it that?
How did they decide me an Ultra-Goth? Does anyone know what that means? How is that different from a regular Goth? Must I dye my hair black? ( It never was black when I was younger. ) Do I have to start listening to music(ians) with names that include words like dead, death, morose, blades, blood, fury and wrath? I really prefer da Palestrina, Music of the Spheres, Ibizarre and Tool, you know, with Rameau, Chopin and Pink Floyd ever being good in a pinch.

I really don't know what to make of being pronounced an Ultra-Goth.

Comments

]]>