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No I think most of them pull out the boat in the fall and get a winter rental
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RTDNTOTO 🐻 Random Thoughts Deserving No Thread Of Their Own 20 (2025)
- Thread starter JNA
- Start date
No I think most of them pull out the boat in the fall and get a winter rental
I always thought HR should just save money and tell everyone to watch The Office, and then don't be like MIchael.
zman
Cyburbian
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Just served as a witness for an impromptu City Hall wedding. All the while wearing a frumpy hoodie and work pants.
This is the first city I have worked where weddings have been held... Im sure other cities did them, I just wasnt aware. The interesting things that happen in a small town.
This is the first city I have worked where weddings have been held... Im sure other cities did them, I just wasnt aware. The interesting things that happen in a small town.
michaelskis
Sawdust Producer
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I participated in several assessment centers to hire key staff (ACM, PD, Assistant PD)... and always chose the role of the over the top difficult employee in a staff meeting role.
It was so much fun. One person just looked at me in shock and didn't say anything for about 5 second... then ignored me the rest of the conversation. It was awesome.
Wannaplan?
Skeptic
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The problem with some memes, like this one, is that they are sourced from insular creators who never leave their house and believe they actually know something about the real world because they are readers, and in this case, in boggles the mind because cinema options these days are actually quite fun and interesting with all the 3D, IMAX, and other Giant Ass X-Treeme screens (GAX ™️) that are everywhere in modern movie theaters. Of course, whether they are financially healthy or not, that’s whole ‘nother discussion for a different day.
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I get stopped in the hallway every once in a while to take a group photo lol - it's really sweet
Big Owl
Cyburbian
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I installed permanent lights this year. So I don't have to worry about taking down or putting up the lights on my house.
I had to retire the santa yoda with the sled being pulled by flying pigs, because Yoda's head broke to the point that it wasn't repairable. I wasn't going to do any yard lights this year but a couple of people in the neighborhood asked. so now my fabric covered wire framed ice skating Snoopy and Woodstock are in the front yard complete with a fake pond of blue lights with random sparkles and a multi-colored color changing Christmas tree back drop ran with a microprocessor running WELD. I keep toying with the idea of building a 10' tall mega led tree like this....
Several of my neighbors went all out-- 2 have a yard full of fabric covered wire frame characters, another couple have a yard full of inflatables. My favorite is the neighbor across the street that has an entire tree light up in 800+ white leds.
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I got about half my outdoor lights up Saturday and suddenly found half of the line burned out. Checked to make sure the wire was sound, then replaced the fuses. No go. Decided age 65 is too damn old to hang off an extension ladder for Christmas lights, so for the first time since I became a homeowner in 1995, I got no lights this year.
I feel like a grinch, to be honest.
I feel like a grinch, to be honest.
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My youngest and I went to an AMC theater on Saturday and watched the entire Kill Bill movie that's currently in theaters.
Pretty cool to see it in a theater.
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Last year we finally bought a pre-lighted tree. So much easier. It goes up in about three minutes, then we decorate on December 6.
Got it finished last night. This is the corner of the living room where the birds normally live; they go into the master bedroom until January 6. When they go back, their houses "switch places," so the bird who was by the window--Summer, in this case--goes by the TV, and Rio gets the window, until next year.
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Went to several shopping areas over the weekend, including two malls.
Not as congested, trafficwise, as I would have expected. I was in and out quickly from both. And I made it around Target in 30 minutes tops, and never felt blocked in and was able to move about the store freely. Checkout line was short.
Not as congested, trafficwise, as I would have expected. I was in and out quickly from both. And I made it around Target in 30 minutes tops, and never felt blocked in and was able to move about the store freely. Checkout line was short.
JNA
Cyburbian Plus
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From Revitalize, or Die. FB posting
The golden light of November fades into December’s darkness. Moody evening skies give way to bleak afternoons. Autumn ends, and I could sink into full seasonal depression if it weren’t for the holiday lights.
Those lights! As my friend Bernice Radle once said: “Christmas lights make everything better.” I can’t argue.
What strikes me most about holiday decorations is how profoundly unselfish they are. Dressing up your home’s exterior is a civic act in its purest form.
Think about it: We rarely sit outside staring at our own houses. We’re either inside them or away from them. So when we spend time, money, and effort decorating the outside, we’re really doing it for everyone else. For neighbors, passersby, dog walkers, evening strollers.
We decorate to delight our community. To lift spirits. To share joy during the darkest time of year.
The real Clark Griswolds out there, the ones who risk life and limb stringing lights across rooflines, they do it for people they’ll never meet, never greet, who will never say thanks. That’s the epitome of community-mindedness.
And it’s not just private citizens. Local governments that normally balk at design standards suddenly spend taxpayer money transforming downtowns into winter wonderlands, and no one objects. What does that tell us?
Design matters. Aesthetics are important. Beauty is essential.
Imagine the holidays without lights. How bleak would the season feel without that whimsy? We make it special together, and that collective effort is what makes it work.
The holidays remind us what civic life should be. We flock to skating rinks and winter markets. Downtown fills with people reveling in public space. We long for community, and we create it.
The gifts are nice. The traditions are lovely. But the best part is what we do for and with one another.
Here’s what we should remember year-round: People want to gather in beautiful places every season, not just December. Public spaces need to be active, inviting, and well-designed all year long. Community-building feels good every single day.
During the holidays, regardless of faith or tradition, we give back more. We do more for others. We venture outside instead of burrowing in. We bundle up and gather in our common places to celebrate the lives we share.
And I can’t imagine a greater cause than that.
The golden light of November fades into December’s darkness. Moody evening skies give way to bleak afternoons. Autumn ends, and I could sink into full seasonal depression if it weren’t for the holiday lights.
Those lights! As my friend Bernice Radle once said: “Christmas lights make everything better.” I can’t argue.
What strikes me most about holiday decorations is how profoundly unselfish they are. Dressing up your home’s exterior is a civic act in its purest form.
Think about it: We rarely sit outside staring at our own houses. We’re either inside them or away from them. So when we spend time, money, and effort decorating the outside, we’re really doing it for everyone else. For neighbors, passersby, dog walkers, evening strollers.
We decorate to delight our community. To lift spirits. To share joy during the darkest time of year.
The real Clark Griswolds out there, the ones who risk life and limb stringing lights across rooflines, they do it for people they’ll never meet, never greet, who will never say thanks. That’s the epitome of community-mindedness.
And it’s not just private citizens. Local governments that normally balk at design standards suddenly spend taxpayer money transforming downtowns into winter wonderlands, and no one objects. What does that tell us?
Design matters. Aesthetics are important. Beauty is essential.
Imagine the holidays without lights. How bleak would the season feel without that whimsy? We make it special together, and that collective effort is what makes it work.
The holidays remind us what civic life should be. We flock to skating rinks and winter markets. Downtown fills with people reveling in public space. We long for community, and we create it.
The gifts are nice. The traditions are lovely. But the best part is what we do for and with one another.
Here’s what we should remember year-round: People want to gather in beautiful places every season, not just December. Public spaces need to be active, inviting, and well-designed all year long. Community-building feels good every single day.
During the holidays, regardless of faith or tradition, we give back more. We do more for others. We venture outside instead of burrowing in. We bundle up and gather in our common places to celebrate the lives we share.
And I can’t imagine a greater cause than that.
Saw this one online. I wonder what this organization is? They seem awfully secretive, but mention they are "world-renowned?" Hmm. Anyway, passing this along in case any of you are interested in logistics.
JOB POSTING
World-renowned organization in need of a transportation/logistics coordinator. This position is responsible for coordinating the movements of our organization’s proprietary freight delivery service, requiring visiting every city on earth in the span of one evening in late December. You will be heading up our dispatch center, tracking the location of our vehicle and relaying it to national governments, and solving problems that may arise. Must be able to coordinate with international aviation agencies in order to maintain clear air space around our transport vehicle. Must be willing to relocate to a very remote location at 90 degrees north latitude. Must be able to work with a wide variety of personalities, and experience working with 600-year-old creatures. Must maintain a close relationship with the Livestock Department lead and the Final Wrapping Department lead in order to ensure safe delivery of 1.6 billion parcels (and 150,000 stockings of coal) in one night, with 100% accuracy.
Hours: Gets real busy in December, but vacation is December 26 through November 15.
Salary: All the cookies and hot chocolate you want.
If interested, please send resume to “S.C.,” “North Pole.” This is a confidential employment opportunity. Don't worry--we will know how to reach you if we are interested. We know when you are sleeping and when you are awake.
JOB POSTING
World-renowned organization in need of a transportation/logistics coordinator. This position is responsible for coordinating the movements of our organization’s proprietary freight delivery service, requiring visiting every city on earth in the span of one evening in late December. You will be heading up our dispatch center, tracking the location of our vehicle and relaying it to national governments, and solving problems that may arise. Must be able to coordinate with international aviation agencies in order to maintain clear air space around our transport vehicle. Must be willing to relocate to a very remote location at 90 degrees north latitude. Must be able to work with a wide variety of personalities, and experience working with 600-year-old creatures. Must maintain a close relationship with the Livestock Department lead and the Final Wrapping Department lead in order to ensure safe delivery of 1.6 billion parcels (and 150,000 stockings of coal) in one night, with 100% accuracy.
Hours: Gets real busy in December, but vacation is December 26 through November 15.
Salary: All the cookies and hot chocolate you want.
If interested, please send resume to “S.C.,” “North Pole.” This is a confidential employment opportunity. Don't worry--we will know how to reach you if we are interested. We know when you are sleeping and when you are awake.
Faust_Motel
Cyburbian
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Truss roofs have done a number on that.
No attic stairs in my 1947 Crackerbox of a house but plenty of space- but no floor. I'm grateful to have the limitations of the basement and being forced by those to accumulate less stuff!
WSU MUP Student
Cyburbian
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One of the big theatre chains here just did some renovations at their closest location to me and put in an IMAX screen. I keep checking showtimes to see what they have playing on the IMAX because I already prefer that theatre over the two in our downtown but I cannot walk to that one so I don't bother fighting traffic and going those extra ~20 minutes too often. Our youngest is home from school today after being sick all weekend. She totally could have gone to school today but since she's home I was sort of tempted to take her to go see Zootopia 2. Unfortunately, neither of the two IMAX showtimes during the day really worked for us.
There is an AMC not too terribly far away that has both an IMAX screen and Dolby screen that I would always go out of my way to see movies at if it was one that I figured would have good cinematography. The Hateful Eight was gorgeous on that huge screen and so was The Revenant. The best one I saw there though was There Will Be Blood. That's one of my favorite movies but it looks great on IMAX.
I saw both of the Kill Bill movies on the big screen when I was in the Marines. I saw online that they were being shown in theatres again but unfortunately they weren't playing near me. I would have enjoyed seeing it again.
I feel like 20 years ago it was rare for movies to come back to the theatres years after it was originally released but it seems sort of common today. It seems like the Harry Potter and LOTR movies are shown in the theatre every few months. One of the theatres here always has an older movie playing during the week. Right now its various Christmas movies but of course nothing I really want to see. Last year though, I went to go see Die Hard one evening and we also took our kids to see Christmas Vacation. Our oldest is going with her friends to see Elf on Wednesday night.
I grew up in a 1950s ranch and we used our attic. I'm sure we were the only ones. We had a special ladder you pulled down with a cord, once up there you had to hoist yourself up there but be careful not to step on the parts without boards/flooring. I think we might of kept too much stuff.
Salmissra
Cyburbian
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Someone was listening to a TV show over lunch, and all I could hear was the canned laugh track. Sounded like a old sit-com, based only on what I could hear - laughter, some music, and the occasional female screech/upset tone/had it up to here type of conversation.
Just loud enough to be annoying, but not loud enough to listen in.
Just loud enough to be annoying, but not loud enough to listen in.
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I was a half hour late this morning because I got behind a boat delivery - this boat was huge, it literally took up the whole road, on a flatbed truck - could not pass it, road rage behind me, but hello people, just chillax - not much you can do
and that is the most Maine thing ever, but I assume coastal or lake communities have similar problems
and that is the most Maine thing ever, but I assume coastal or lake communities have similar problems
I once had a friend that lived in a household where their rule was “no laugh tracks” because the Dad hated it. If you wanted to watch such a show, you had to do so on mute with captioning on.
Was there a wide load permit issued?
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Yeah I don't know
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Took the kids to dinner last night and my husband called just as the food was served and told me I needed to come home as there had been an accident. I asked if he was ok and he said yes, it wasn't him, but somebody crashed into my future son in law's car that was parked in front of the house. Of course, he was in the bathroom meditating when it happened. The doorbell camera shows him standing on the porch shirtless and his belt undone, saying "Shiiiiiit."
We packed up the food and came home immediately to find that a young woman in her 20s had crashed into my SIL's car nailing the area on the rear driver's side basically bending the wheel outward, munching the rear quarter panel, and the left side of the bumper plus scraping the whole left side. His car hit my daughter's car dinging the bumper a little, scratching the paint on the driver's side, and taking out the driver's side mirror. The woman was driving an older Toyota Corolla and her airbags deployed. She was an absolute emotional mess.
From the video, neighbors walking their dog ran up to her, got her seated on the ground in case she was injured, and called the police who were there in a minute (station is two blocks away). The officer was great, waited for us to drive the 20 minutes home, called the tow trucks, collected everyone's info. I checked on the young woman to see if she was physically ok, was there someone we could call for her, and would she like a chair to sit on. Took photos and video, talked to the towing people to figure out where the cars were going, etc.
At some point my youngest daughter came out of the house and gave the young woman a little card she made with a flower drawing and a message telling her it was going to be ok and not to cry. Once everything was wrapping up, I went to talk to her again to see if she had someplace to go because it was dark and cold and I wanted her to be safe, she said she lived an hour away but was visiting her boyfriend in town (more on that), the lady officer also came to inquire if she had someplace to go and offered a local drop off. She told me about the note my youngest gave her and said, "ma'am if that's your daughter, you are raising an amazing human!" I told her thank you and she's mine and so is the other one too. She stood up and I said you look like you could use a hug, would you like a hug and she shook her head yes. So I gave her a mom hug and told her it was all going to be ok, accidents happen, nobody was injured, and that's what insurance is for. She told me we were the nicest family we ever met.
The officer said she'd take her to the boyfriend's house which is no more than 5 minutes away. Once they left, my future SIL says to me-imagine how shitty of a boyfriend he is that he couldn't even be bothered to come over here and check on her.
The kids filed their insurance claims and picked up rental cars today. My daughter's car is dropped off at the body shop and will likely be repainted and the mirror fixed. My SIL's car will likely be a total loss, his insurance already contacted the tow company to come retrieve it so I think on their end the claim will be resolved quickly.
We packed up the food and came home immediately to find that a young woman in her 20s had crashed into my SIL's car nailing the area on the rear driver's side basically bending the wheel outward, munching the rear quarter panel, and the left side of the bumper plus scraping the whole left side. His car hit my daughter's car dinging the bumper a little, scratching the paint on the driver's side, and taking out the driver's side mirror. The woman was driving an older Toyota Corolla and her airbags deployed. She was an absolute emotional mess.
From the video, neighbors walking their dog ran up to her, got her seated on the ground in case she was injured, and called the police who were there in a minute (station is two blocks away). The officer was great, waited for us to drive the 20 minutes home, called the tow trucks, collected everyone's info. I checked on the young woman to see if she was physically ok, was there someone we could call for her, and would she like a chair to sit on. Took photos and video, talked to the towing people to figure out where the cars were going, etc.
At some point my youngest daughter came out of the house and gave the young woman a little card she made with a flower drawing and a message telling her it was going to be ok and not to cry. Once everything was wrapping up, I went to talk to her again to see if she had someplace to go because it was dark and cold and I wanted her to be safe, she said she lived an hour away but was visiting her boyfriend in town (more on that), the lady officer also came to inquire if she had someplace to go and offered a local drop off. She told me about the note my youngest gave her and said, "ma'am if that's your daughter, you are raising an amazing human!" I told her thank you and she's mine and so is the other one too. She stood up and I said you look like you could use a hug, would you like a hug and she shook her head yes. So I gave her a mom hug and told her it was all going to be ok, accidents happen, nobody was injured, and that's what insurance is for. She told me we were the nicest family we ever met.
The officer said she'd take her to the boyfriend's house which is no more than 5 minutes away. Once they left, my future SIL says to me-imagine how shitty of a boyfriend he is that he couldn't even be bothered to come over here and check on her.
The kids filed their insurance claims and picked up rental cars today. My daughter's car is dropped off at the body shop and will likely be repainted and the mirror fixed. My SIL's car will likely be a total loss, his insurance already contacted the tow company to come retrieve it so I think on their end the claim will be resolved quickly.
On the other hand, "Guardians of the Galaxy" sucked on a TV screen, but worked well in IMAX format.
There is a movie theater in downtown Sparks the wife and I go to sometimes on Sunday afternoons when she gets off work, since she can walk right over there and meet me. We find a movie that starts in the 3:00-3:30 time frame, and go see it.
Wannaplan?
Skeptic
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I don’t like to admit that I dislike the holidays that occur around this time of year. People just dismissively call me a grinch, grouch, and a grump, as if saying that is somehow meant to turn me around and have a movie-like Christmastime consciousness-raising awakening. I won’t go into the crass commercialism of it all, the off-putting cringey song lyrics, or the cognitive dissonant retreat to “It’s tradition!”, but simply say that I’m just not into it.
DVD
Cyburbian
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You have sun in the morning? I'm at the time of year where I finally don't need to wear sunglasses when I drive to or from work.
Earliest sunset was December 7, but the sun is still rising later every day (by a few seconds) so the days are getting shorter.
Faust_Motel
Cyburbian
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I find it best to ignore those in exchange for occasionally walking around the tires and /taking a look/. I get that on a population level TPMS saves lives but what a pain in the neck.
I wish we'd go (back) to indirect monitoring. https://www.theautopian.com/how-indirect-tire-pressure-monitoring-systems-work-and-why-we-should-celebrate-their-return/
michaelskis
Sawdust Producer
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My grandfather who passed away two years ago this spring loved Christmas and would always go all out. This included a massive Christmas village that he kept up in a side room at his house. He would invite the neighborhood in to see it. This summer, my dad called me and asked if the City that I worked for wanted the village for a display or something. Apparently there was quite a fuss with my two aunts and to settle it, they decided to find someplace where it can be seen publicly.
I spoke with our museum director and she commented that they have a space that always feels so empty at Christmas and would be perfect. I got to see it for the first time today since they set it up last week. Looks like we have a new annual tradition. Next year they are going to add 2 more tables so they can put the rest of it up.
I spoke with our museum director and she commented that they have a space that always feels so empty at Christmas and would be perfect. I got to see it for the first time today since they set it up last week. Looks like we have a new annual tradition. Next year they are going to add 2 more tables so they can put the rest of it up.
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that's an amazing setup wow
michaelskis
Sawdust Producer
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There are a few setback violations, but they did alright.
Edit, My sister posted pictures to FB so the family could see, and I have a cousin all pissed off that she didn't get it to put in her house.
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MD Planner
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I've learned that for a significant portion of our population, being pissed off/offended about something is their favorite pastime. I think what you did is awesome and it's going to allow so many more people to enjoy the display. I would not even bother to respond to Cousin Grinch.
WSU MUP Student
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The county I live and work in has a ton of inland lakes and there are a couple areas with a bunch of them all in close proximity to each other... I have been stuck behind boat deliveries before, but only for a few moments - never with a really massive one that ties up traffic for too long. My favorite lake-related thing to see around here are the tiny airplanes with pontoons for them to land on the lakes. There are a few lakes here where it's common to see them.
Soon the thing to watch out for will be the lakes where it's a steady stream of ice fishing shanties being delivered. It's been a relatively cold December already so we'll probably start seeing them coming out a little earlier than most years. They're small though and don't really tie up traffic.
WSU MUP Student
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My wife has like 10 pieces of "Dickens Village" stuff like that and I thought she had a lot!
That is an awesome collection. I'm happy to read that it's on display now for more to see.
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I am having a hard time getting into it this year - I mean, i am shopping here and there and even went to a party and I have Nutcracker tickets for next weekend but still, I am a little meh about it
Bubba
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My in-laws have 13 or 14 pieces like that, which I've always thought was a bit much.
SlaveToTheGrind
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No need to drop to their intelligence level.