![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 12 to 36 of 40. Go back in thread:
Posted by noa on February 3, 2004, at 13:02:45
In reply to Re: Laziness is unbecoming » noa, posted by allisonm on February 2, 2004, at 14:04:15
>Today I am in a quandary. I have a Snapple cap on my desk that says that it is a "Real Fact" that licking a stamp burns 10 calories. Yet, when I went halfway around a round on the exercise machine, it said I'd only burned 38 calories. How could that be when licking four stamps would not make me so terribly out of breath? Somebody is lying here... I hope it is the exercise machine.
ROFL!!!!
>I started being more descriminating in what I shredded because I got tired of having to keep emptying the stupid bin. (Talk about lazy...)
Not lazy...emptying the bin is actually a skilled task! It's not just emptying like emptying any old bin. You have to try to get it in the bag without having the little shreds fly all over the room! After I emptied it the other day, my floor was a mess!
It's kind of like trying to clean the filter on the vacuum cleaner. I mean, someone in vacuum cleaner design business has a sadistic streak about them, don't you think? OK, so you take the filter out of the cannister. Empty the cannister into the garbage bag--ok, so far so good. But then, have a look at the filter and all its little crenelations and folds and all and how the dust is now not just dust but rather a more CLINGY substance that seems to have taken up in the folds like some kind of colony of living creatures or something, so now you have to actually BANG the filter to loosen the dust colonies, but of course, you have to try to hold the filter inside the trash bag while trying to hold the mouth of the bag closed in order to seal in the dust. OK, so it's like a three-hander, this task, but I only got two, right. OK, so bang bang. Loose dust is a determined little creature and it finds the little crack in the opening of the bag--oh, and did I mention that in order to do this maneuver, one's own hand and half of one's arm need to be INSIDE the trash bag? But little dust particles--they manage to find the hole in the seal, they do. So dust comes FLYING out into my face and all over the room that I just vacuumed! Then, to make matters worse, I check the filter and see that not only is my forearm covered in clingly dust particles, but the amount of dust colony that got loosened from the filter is highly negligible!! And what makes all of this rather flabbergasting is that the vacuum companies' advertisements seem to accentuate the fact that these vacuum cleaner models are "bag-free"!!! I never did the bag type of cleaner, so maybe it has its own drawbacks (I seem to have vague childhood memories of my mother wrestling with the vacuum bag), but I gotta tell you, the bag free version isn't so great, either.....
Posted by noa on February 3, 2004, at 13:04:31
In reply to Re: No, Was is UnBecoming » noa, posted by Racer on February 1, 2004, at 21:09:02
>So what's the damn good book, already???
Look up a couple of posts---it's there.
Ok, you don't have to look back (but it is there!!)
"Middlesex" by Jeffrey Eugenides.
Posted by shar on February 3, 2004, at 14:41:28
In reply to Re: Laziness is unbecoming » allisonm, posted by noa on February 3, 2004, at 13:02:45
> >Today I am in a quandary. I have a Snapple cap on my desk that says that it is a "Real Fact" that licking a stamp burns 10 calories. Yet, when I went halfway around a round on the exercise machine, it said I'd only burned 38 calories. How could that be when licking four stamps would not make me so terribly out of breath? Somebody is lying here... I hope it is the exercise machine.
>
> ROFL!!!!.........Me, too. LOL Shar
>crenelations..............What a most excellent word that is! I don't think I've heard it before; very impressive.
Shar
Posted by noa on February 3, 2004, at 16:11:01
In reply to Re: Laziness is unbecoming, posted by shar on February 3, 2004, at 14:41:28
Thank you, Shar. You know, I have no idea how that word made it into my vocabulary!! I don't know that I have ever used it before. And probably, had I not ventured into that little vacuum cleaning filter rantlet (sorry Racer, I really need to reserve the right to rant, too--but mine will be in small-case letters, as you, m'dear are the queen of the Rant with a capital R, Racer), who knows if I might ever in my lifetime would have used the word crenelations!! And to think it was in there, in my head somewhere, waiting to come out and I had no idea it was in there and poof! I do a little vacuum cleaner rant and out comes crenelations!! How bizarre language is that way, isn't it?
But when reading your post, I suddenly felt a clutch of self consciousness, thinking, "did I use the word appropriately?" After all, I really didn't know for sure what it meant. So, I went and looked it up and the official definitions seem to be
1) a battlement, like in the crenelated tops of fortified castles--I hope this comes out right---
__HH__HH__HH__HH__HH__HH__
and 2)indentations
Mostly it seems to refer to the architectural meaning, both in the medeival sense of fortresses, but also in modern architecture, where there are echoes of the old castle-like indentations on all kinds of buildings.
But further searches on the internet yielded uses of the word to refer to geological crenelations, like in the folds and indentations of mountains. There was even a reference to crenelations that the NASA scientists saw in some images from Mars! And, google images yielded a picture of an elephant jaw with crenellations.
It is a great word, isn't it?
Posted by Racer on February 3, 2004, at 16:38:53
In reply to Re: Words can be so intriguing... » shar, posted by noa on February 3, 2004, at 16:11:01
OK, if I can stop laughing long enough to get this out, I hereby do give, bequeath and confer to you the right to all the ranting you like! Consider it the reward for such a wonderful post. I enjoyed it greatly.
By the way, I've heard the word a lot (don't ask -- just trust me here: lots o'weird words in Racer's past...) and it's often used exactly the way you used it. It's a great word, and I'm very happy to learn that there's a chance -- no matter how slim -- that I will someday find a use for some of my weird words, too. I'd hate to think they were just cluttering up my mind and collecting dust -- although some of them no doubt are. (Anthelmintic comes to mind...)
Posted by allisonm on February 3, 2004, at 17:48:43
In reply to Re: Laziness is unbecoming » allisonm, posted by noa on February 3, 2004, at 13:02:45
That's a wonderful word, as is rantlet. Terrific descriptions, too. You're right about the shredder-bin emptying technique. I failed miserably the first time, but now have got a system down that nearly eliminates those naughty strips of paper from springing out all over the floor.
I have both a bagless and a bagged vaccuum cleaner on the premises. (Oh, happy day.) I had the bagless one first, but now I think I prefer the bag. When trying to clean the filter from the bagless one, I gave up on the arm-in-the-garbage-bag technique, opting solely for the bang-the-damn-thing-against-the-inside-of-the-garbage-can-outdoors-while-breathing-upwind technique. It coats the inside of the thing (mine is plastic with wheels, so static electricity probably plays a part) with the very fine dust, and that will never go away for the rest of the life of the can. But at least it keeps the stuff from reinfecting my house.
My gosh, are we all becoming Junior Heloises?
Posted by noa on February 3, 2004, at 20:15:07
In reply to crenelations » noa, posted by allisonm on February 3, 2004, at 17:48:43
> have got a system down that nearly eliminates those naughty strips of paper from springing out all over the floor.
Do tell!!!
> the bang-the-damn-thing-against-the-inside-of-the-garbage-can-outdoors-while-breathing-upwind technique.
Yes, I guess I might have to bring the operation outside. But I live in a condo, so it isn't that convenient.
> My gosh, are we all becoming Junior Heloises?
HAH! I'm kind of like a student in the Sweathogs class at Heloise school!!
Posted by shar on February 3, 2004, at 21:57:57
In reply to Re: crenelations » allisonm, posted by noa on February 3, 2004, at 20:15:07
I have several vacuums (a soliloquy about 3 dogs, a cat and the carpet is for another time) and I use a bag one to vacuum the filter of the bagless one. I vacuum everything (that is, when I clean, which is sort of a rare event).
I'm more of the Sweathog ilk, myself, but I do love reading the Heloises (you know daughter took over after mom retired).
Ok, Racer...give...what does your word mean?
Shar
Posted by coral on February 4, 2004, at 3:02:36
In reply to Re: crenelations vacuums, posted by shar on February 3, 2004, at 21:57:57
You mean vacuums are supposed to be emptied????
Coral
Posted by shar on February 4, 2004, at 12:16:41
In reply to Re: crenelations vacuums, posted by coral on February 4, 2004, at 3:02:36
Posted by allisonm on February 4, 2004, at 12:46:48
In reply to Re: crenelations » allisonm, posted by noa on February 3, 2004, at 20:15:07
>> have got a system down that nearly eliminates those naughty strips of paper from springing out all over the floor.<<
>>Do tell!!!<<
Gee, I dunno. It may not be perfected yet. I slip my hand into the bin and under the shredder (preferably when it isn't running) and I pull out all of the hanging, loose pieces out of the shredder works and leave them in the bin. Then I put a plastic bag over the top of the bin (after removing shredder, or course), turn it over and empty the bin into the bag. It seems to work better than just grabbing handfuls of the shredded paper and stuffing them into a garbage bag...
Posted by noa on February 4, 2004, at 20:27:55
In reply to Re: crenelations vacuums, posted by shar on February 3, 2004, at 21:57:57
>I use a bag one to vacuum the filter of the bagless one.
Shar! This is brilliant. In this tiny sentence, you have neatly and elegantly illustrated the grand conundrum* of matter in the universe as we know it!!!
*and here I refer to definition #2 of the word conundrum (I confess I only really looked it up because I didn't know how to spell it correctly, but I liked this definition and example):
2. A paradoxical, insoluble, or difficult problem; a dilemma: “the conundrum, thus far unanswered, of achieving full employment without inflation” (Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.).
Posted by noa on February 4, 2004, at 20:31:12
In reply to Re: crenelations » noa, posted by allisonm on February 4, 2004, at 12:46:48
OK, see that sounds logical--it does. And I tried it, but in execution, for some reason, it didn't work. The blob of shredded bits didn't really want to find the bottom of the bag, so when I had thought they had all made their way into the bag, I pulled the bin out. But much of the shredded stuff was clinging to the bin and therefore, spilled out.
I just wasn't cut out for cleaning, I guess. Too bad my budget wasn't cut out for maid service.
But I'll try your method again. Maybe practice will make it better.
Posted by noa on February 4, 2004, at 20:39:45
In reply to Re: crenelations vacuums, posted by shar on February 3, 2004, at 21:57:57
>I'm more of the Sweathog ilk, myself, but I do love reading the Heloises (you know daughter took over after mom retired).
I never have had much patience for the Heloise column. I mean, there are some good suggestions, but.....
I mean can't you just picture some of these people's homes??? Think...of all the reused useless objects cleverly recrafted into other useless objects!
Posted by noa on February 4, 2004, at 20:40:20
In reply to Re: crenelations vacuums, posted by coral on February 4, 2004, at 3:02:36
Hi, Coral! Good to see you!
Posted by coral on February 4, 2004, at 21:52:07
In reply to Re: crenelations vacuums » coral, posted by noa on February 4, 2004, at 20:40:20
Hi, Noa,
::::peeking out from the literal disaster area in the family room :::::
Have some down time in business soooooooooo I'll do some redecorating . . . didn't hear the robot yelling DANGER! DANGER! WILL ROBINSON! DANGER!!!
The kitchen needs desperate help so, of course, I start in the living room, then, the dining room, then, the bathroom, and, of course, the parlor has become my "work" area as well as the family room .... haven't touched the kitchen.
In the meantime, rotten demons of family issues have come swooping down, and so between calls with the family attorney (we're trying to protect mother from vultures), I'm twiddling on projects, ALL of which are requiring re-do's. and NOW, I find out that vacuums are supposed to be emptied.
In truth, I am so enraged about the family situation, and feeling so achingly wretched about the pain we're all being put through by a cretin who escaped the Stone Age. Thank heavens the medicine cabinet contains Librium and Ambien, not to mention having resumed therapy a few months ago to do some polishing.
I need to accompplish something........
Coral's Cacaphony
Posted by shar on February 4, 2004, at 21:54:53
In reply to Re: crenelations vacuums » shar, posted by noa on February 4, 2004, at 20:27:55
OK, this may be getting old, but....
with my shredder, I do the bag over the top, tip over the bin and collect the shreds (I will use a paper bag if I have one that fits due to fewer klingons than with plastic bag), and...YES! vacuum the remaining bits out (with either bag or bagless vac). But, truly, I don't do the vacuum part every time.
Shar
Posted by shar on February 4, 2004, at 21:56:02
In reply to Re: crenelations vacuums » shar, posted by noa on February 4, 2004, at 20:27:55
Posted by allisonm on February 5, 2004, at 9:39:39
In reply to Re: crenelations vacuums » shar, posted by noa on February 4, 2004, at 20:39:45
I'll never forget the tip I read one day regarding the making of sandwiches for a picnic or a car trip and how to tell them apart when handing them out to family members.
This helpful home economics engineer suggested cutting the sandwiches in different ways (ie, diagonally for mustard, across for mayo, etc.) so one needn't open the bag and actually HANDLE the food. So sanitary I could, I could, well, never mind.
Shar, your vaccuuming the vaccuum solution is amazing, as is the clever paper bag idea. Tiaras off to you...
Posted by shar on February 5, 2004, at 11:14:37
In reply to Re: crenelations vacuums, posted by coral on February 4, 2004, at 21:52:07
What is a parlor?
You named a living and dining and family room, so it's not that...I don't know what it is, then.
I'm very sorry to hear the neanderthals are at it again. Good luck with all that! It is very exhausting to have to go to attorneys about family stuff. But, that's another soliloquy.
I know you worked out a wonderful routine to do your office before (get it organized), would the same apply (in whole or in part) to other parts of the house?
Oh, and go out right now and get lots of vacuum bags (if you have a bag-type vac), because you can use the brushy attachment to the hose to dust with, the straight small attachment (looks like a mini-floor attachment) to do the furniture, the skinny stick one to get baseboards and crevices, and you can also do the drapes/miniblinds. Not to mention books and bookshelves, drawers (like kitchen drawers), computer keyboards and monitors, ceiling fan blades, and if your vacuum will blow if you put the hose in its rear (boy, that sounds bad!), you can do the front porch, too.
I also vacuum one of my dogs, but I sort of have to sneak up on him. Once I'm there he sort of likes it, but he doesn't want to see it coming.
xoxo
Shar
Posted by allisonm on February 5, 2004, at 12:38:14
In reply to Re: crenelations vacuums » coral, posted by shar on February 5, 2004, at 11:14:37
>>I also vacuum one of my dogs, but I sort of have to sneak up on him. Once I'm there he sort of likes it, but he doesn't want to see it coming.<<
I'm feeling kinda yucky today. This made my afternoon.
Thanks, Shar.a
Posted by coral on February 5, 2004, at 13:42:50
In reply to Re: crenelations vacuums » coral, posted by shar on February 5, 2004, at 11:14:37
Dear Shar,
A parlor....Our home is over a hundred years old and, traditionally, a parlor is the same as a living room - except one is kept "for guests" and the other for family. (Our house is built rock-solid but there's not a straight line in the entire place....) In our house, the parlor is my room for my special interests. My WH has a room upstairs that is his meditation room.
WH just bought a professional Oreck model and I swear to heavens, I don't know if it has a bag or not. I just know that anything, including small children, in its way gets sucked up.
I like your suggestions about all of the attachments....I'm so wrought up over the family situation that I lost it this morning. My poor WH. I asked him to do something and he had some paltry excuse .... like work, and I went to pieces. I haven't done that in years. He was very comforting and helpful w/the projects. Thank you for your concern. It means more than I can express.
Coral
Posted by coral on February 5, 2004, at 13:46:21
In reply to Re: crenelations vacuums - Shar, posted by coral on February 5, 2004, at 13:42:50
Vacuumed the dog? How wonderful!!! The cats consider the vacuum a malicious beast from outer space.
Posted by noa on February 5, 2004, at 19:10:01
In reply to Re: crenelations vacuums » coral, posted by shar on February 5, 2004, at 11:14:37
Shar--first of all--LOL LOL LOL!!!
Second--why are you interviewing for dull boring ordinary mere mortal jobs? You are the PERFECT person to represent a vacuum cleaner company!!!!! You could really do shows and exhibitions, demonstrating the magic of the all-purpose vacuum.
You think I'm joking?
BTW--When I first got the vacuum (ie, when its filter's crenelations were in a virgin state), I was amazed to discover that it was great for dusting. I used the brush attachment to dust everything--tables, lampshades, walls, window blinds, bed frame, etc. etc.
Posted by noa on February 5, 2004, at 19:11:46
In reply to Re: crenelations vacuums, posted by coral on February 4, 2004, at 21:52:07
Coral, I'm sorry you are having to deal with this totally crummy yucky business with smarmy people. I hope it gets solved but good and soon.
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble 2000 | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.