What is the newest installment of 'Random Thoughts' on Physics Forums?

[WWGD]

Yes, room temperature, but what kind of room are we talking about?

 

[fresh_42]

I had to look that one up - Watney's went out of business in 1958. Either you're in your 70s or it may have been a tiny bit past its sell-by date.

Strange. It was 1979 or so. All I remember is, that we bought us once across the supermarket aisle to taste as many different brews as possible. So I cannot rule out that it might have been expired, but 20 years seems strange.

 

[fresh_42]

Yes, room temperature, but what kind of room are we talking about?

An igloo would be fine.

 

[jim hardy]

On Saturday, I looked at the moon. I almost cried.
On Sunday, I saw Jupiter, and the four Galilean moon. I almost cried again.

that's how i felt first time, though through only a 1' refractor.
Saturn looked like a black eyed pea but was unmistakable.

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/astronomy-podcasts/astronomy-podcast-july-2017/

Well to the left of due south, is Saturn, our solar system’s second-largest planet. In contrast to Jupiter’s slow disappearing act, Saturn is ascending in the evening sky. It was at what’s called opposition, directly opposite the Sun in the sky, back in mid-June. And ever since this beautiful planet has inched a little higher in the sky at sunset.

 

[fresh_42]

In bigger malls here, there are sometimes announcements to be heard over the speakers to call someone to the phone or to call service personal to give additional support at crowded stations and things like that. They usually communicate by codes like "42, please 7." Is it only here?

 

[Evo]

In bigger malls here, there are sometimes announcements to be heard over the speakers to call someone to the phone or to call service personal to give additional support at crowded stations and things like that. They usually communicate by codes like "42, please 7." Is it only here?

We do have number codes, but here I don't know if people notice in large stores they might notice the Muzak momentarily interrupted with a short series of bell tones, those bell tones are calling a manager, 3 bells might be the manager of men's shoes.

 

[fresh_42]

We do have number codes, but here I don't know if people notice in large stores they might notice the Muzak momentarily interrupted with a short series of bell tones, those bell tones are calling a manager, 3 bells might be the manager of men's shoes.

I just wanted to know, because there is a hilarious story called the "Karstadt Verschwörung" which could be translated as the "Target conspiracy" and I asked myself whether it would make sense to translate it. I like it very much, but it is a bit context sensitive.

 

[Evo]

I just wanted to know, because there is a hilarious story called the "Karstadt Verschwörung" which could be translated as the "Target conspiracy" and I asked myself whether it would make sense to translate it. I like it very much, but it is a bit context sensitive.

Interesting, translate it here, or where?

 

[BillTre]

What was the audience of said talks?

I gave some talks for a seminar class in the math department, but the audience is mostly Professors. It was tricky business, because they WANT to understand it. So if you hyperspecialize, they will question for clarification until they do. What you planned to be the first 5 minutes of your talk will end up being the whole thing. So instead you try to break it down to a nonspecialist level - but you can't break it down so far that it is an elementary talk. Tough line to walk.

Talks at meetings. Its easy if you are doing the talking.

On the other hand, for my thesis defense, they asked the questions and did what I assume is a time tested approach:
Ask a bunch of increasingly difficult questions they knew about until they reach the point where you have to say you don't know. However, you can mention possible approaches to the issue.

Seminar classes and journal clubs were just fun discussions in which I used a lot of pictures.

 

[fresh_42]

Why not. For a lame joke it is too long, and as @WWGD and me are regular participants here, it somehow fits. Could well play in NYC .
But if you think it's not appropriate I don't have to. It was just a random thought I had. From time to time it pops up in my mind.

I'll start with the first entry, so you can get an idea whether it's worth typing.

The Wallmart Conspiracy.
3/26. Wallmart is getting weird. As I was shopping this morning, I heard this message for the first time: "42, please 7". What does that mean? I quickly put down the dog brush, which I intended to buy for my retriever and left the store. Cameras everywhere.

3/27. Same thing in the food department: "20, please 20!". Strange: Immediately after the message, the woman at the butcher's counter accepted the customer complaint about the sausage without any objection. A coincidence?

<to be continued? (a dozen days)>

 

[fresh_42]

Why does a Canadian singer (Simon Ward, The Strumbellas) have a US flag on the belt of his guitar?

 

[Evo]

Why not. For a lame joke it is too long, and as @WWGD and me are regular participants here, it somehow fits. Could well play in NYC .
But if you think it's not appropriate I don't have to. It was just a random thought I had. From time to time it pops up in my mind.

I'll start with the first entry, so you can get an idea whether it's worth typing.

The Wallmart Conspiracy.
3/26. Wallmart is getting weird. As I was shopping this morning, I heard this message for the first time: "42, please 7". What does that mean? I quickly put down the dog brush, which I intended to buy for my retriever and left the store. Cameras everywhere.

3/27. Same thing in the food department: "20, please 20!". Strange: Immediately after the message, the woman at the butcher's counter accepted the customer complaint about the sausage without any objection. A coincidence?

<to be continued? (a dozen days)>

That's really weird. Maybe we should all start noticing and writing them down and come up with a list of the codes!

 

[fresh_42]

That's really weird. Maybe we should all start noticing and writing them down and come up with a list of the codes!

The story goes on a while and the consequences are accumulating. It's basically like watching someone developing a paranoia.

I once had a friend whose favorite comment on any disasters has been: "At no time there has been any danger to the public and the situation is under control!" regardless what just had happened. Only to spoof the usual press conferences.

 

[Ibix]

The radio astronony department at Cambridge had little boxes at all the corridor junctions. Pressing the button on one would sound a beep over speakers all through the building. Each box had a list of staff and Morse code call signs. If you went to someone's office and they weren't there, you went to a box and tapped out their call sign. If they were free, they'd amble back to the office.

As I recall there was also a call sign for "departmental tea break", to be tapped out by someone at about 10am. Then everyone would head over to the meeting room for a catch-up. Off-the-wall, practical and civilised. That was Cambridge Natural Sciences in a nutshell.

 

[WWGD]

Why does a Canadian singer (Simon Ward, The Strumbellas) have a US flag on the belt of his guitar?

Politeness would be my best guess. Or maybe he, like many people ( incl. Canadians, apparently) , believe
Canada is the U.S' 51st state.

 

[WWGD]

Why not. For a lame joke it is too long, and as @WWGD and me are regular participants here, it somehow fits. Could well play in NYC .
But if you think it's not appropriate I don't have to. It was just a random thought I had. From time to time it pops up in my mind.

I'll start with the first entry, so you can get an idea whether it's worth typing.

The Wallmart Conspiracy.
3/26. Wallmart is getting weird. As I was shopping this morning, I heard this message for the first time: "42, please 7". What does that mean? I quickly put down the dog brush, which I intended to buy for my retriever and left the store. Cameras everywhere.

3/27. Same thing in the food department: "20, please 20!". Strange: Immediately after the message, the woman at the butcher's counter accepted the customer complaint about the sausage without any objection. A coincidence?

<to be continued? (a dozen days)>

I heard ( only, of course ;) ) they have those codes at mental hospitals, so a 24 and 7 maybe code for , e.g., someone is out of his meds, call for back up and open up the blue room and restraints.

 

[jim hardy]

many people ( incl. Canadians, apparently) , believe
Canada is the U.S' 51st state.

Whoo-eee - to the Quebecois i knew, ' them's fightin words.'

Being from the South though i got a lot of mileage out of "Bonjour y'all, eh ?"

 

[WWGD]

Whoo-eee - to the Quebecois i knew, ' them's fightin words.'

Being from the South though i got a lot of mileage out of "Bonjour y'all, eh ?"

Yea, I always reply, when they tell me they're Canadian: " I 've always wanted to visit our 51st State". I know they appreciate me the more for it. (Nasal) You know? ( Isn't the nasal " You Know?" the Yankee equivalent to the y'all ?)

 

[fresh_42]

Politeness would be my best guess. Or maybe he, like many people ( incl. Canadians, apparently) , believe
Canada is the U.S' 51st state.

52nd. Especially you should know what the 51th is .

But it gives the favorite quotation of a friend of mine (grown up in NM) a completely new meaning:
"Canadians are the better Americans."

 

[WWGD]

52nd. Especially you should know what the 51th is .

Long Island? NYC? I know some in LI want to secede, same for Staten Island.

 

[fresh_42]

I meant PR - they already have a 2-letter code ... Haven't they had a poll recently about it?

 

[WWGD]

I meant PR - they already have a 2-letter code ... Haven't they had a poll recently about it?

Not sure, but I don't think it is such a good idea, they are broke at the moment. I doubt they are economically viable as an independent state at the moment.

 

[collinsmark]

In bigger malls here, there are sometimes announcements to be heard over the speakers to call someone to the phone or to call service personal to give additional support at crowded stations and things like that. They usually communicate by codes like "42, please 7." Is it only here?

"Betty, please... Please pick up, Betty, please."

 

[fresh_42]

I guess their major debts are in the US anyway, not sure about it, but it'd make me wonder if not, so it's within the family and not much of a difference to now.

 

[WWGD]

I guess their major debts are in the US anyway, not sure about it, but it'd make me wonder if not, so it's within the family and not much of a difference to now.

Yes, they are dependent on outlays by the Federal government, and, given they are part of the U.S, they likely get better treatment than foreign equivalents would get. BTW, strangely, AFAIK, NYC itself is also broke; simultaneously the epitome of capitalism and broke from providing welfare services they cannot afford.

 

[WWGD]

Still, I wonder how it was arrived at that July 4 is the day of Independence in the U.S; independence was _declared_ but not accomplished on the 4th. If I decide/declare today I will be rich at some point, I would not celebrate today as the day I _became_ rich.

 

[fresh_42]

Still, I wonder how it was arrived at that July 4 is the day of Independence in the U.S; independence was _declared_ but not accomplished on the 4th. If I decide/declare today I will be rich at some point, I would not celebrate today as the day I _became_ rich.

Believe me, the situation here with the national holiday is far worse. They changed it from a nice day in late spring to a rainy day in autumn, have chosen the "wrong" day to replace it, since the "correct" day had been impossible to chose.

 

[WWGD]

Believe me, the situation here with the national holiday is far worse. They changed it from a nice day in late spring to a rainy day in autumn, have chosen the "wrong" day to replace it, since the "correct" day had been impossible to chose.

But you have many, I guess, from 1871 and from 1990 with reunification, so I guess it is kind of confusing, especially since PMoscow was not the capital of PRussia (as Michelle PFeiffer said) , I can see why you are confused.

 

[fresh_42]

What's confusing is the actual day, where some document has been signed and nobody remembers. The better day would have been 11/9 for several reasons, but at the same time also the day of a pogrom, which makes it impossible to celebrate.

 

[collinsmark]

Still, I wonder how it was arrived at that July 4 is the day of Independence in the U.S; independence was _declared_ but not accomplished on the 4th. If I decide/declare today I will be rich at some point, I would not celebrate today as the day I _became_ rich.

The declaration is enough. Sure, Great Britain might have disagreed with the sentiment, but the U.S. wasn't exactly waiting around for their permission.

 

[fresh_42]

The declaration is enough. Sure, Great Britain might have disagreed with the sentiment, but the U.S. wasn't exactly waiting around for their permission.

At least they haven't chosen Dec.16th.

 

[BillTre]

Still, I wonder how it was arrived at that July 4 is the day of Independence in the U.S; independence was _declared_ but not accomplished on the 4th. If I decide/declare today I will be rich at some point, I would not celebrate today as the day I _became_ rich.

It was voted on July 2 but signed on July 4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence
I recall hearing that signing the document was considered a big deal since the Brits would have killed anyone who signed it. But they would probably have killed any rebellious people anyway, signers or not.
John Adams thought July 2 was the big day.
The signed copy was used a lot in publicity afterwards, which may be the reason that the 4th is celebrated.

Long Island? NYC? I know some in LI want to secede, same for Staten Island.

Some people in Northern California and Southern Oregon also talk of forming a new state (the state of Jefferson) because they feel their views are not well represented at the state level. These are areas of mountains, trees, and rivers. Probably won't happen.

Some people in the western part of Lane county, within Oregon, where I live want to succeed from the county and form a new county (this has actually happened a few times in Oregon). This is more probable, but still unlikely.

 

[WWGD]

It was voted on July 2 but signed on July 4.
I recall hearing that signing the document was considered a big deal since the Brits would have killed anyone who signed it. But they would probably have killed any rebellious people anyway, signers or not.
John Adams thought July 2 was the big day.
The signed copy was used a lot in publicity afterwards, which may be the reason that the 4th is celebrated.Some people in Northern California and Southern Oregon also talk of forming a new state (the state of Jefferson) because they feel their views are not well represented at the state level. These are areas of mountains, trees, and rivers. Probably won't happen.

Some people in the western part of Lane county, within Oregon, where I live want to succeed from the county and form a new county (this has actually happened a few times in Oregon). This is more probable, but still unlikely.

The only reply Staten Island got when they declared their wish to secede was: "You're part of the City"? ( It is suburb-like, low-density compared to the rest of the city).

 

[WWGD]

Isn't a self-serve meal a meal that serves itself ?

 

[Ibix]

Isn't a self-serve meal a meal that serves itself ?

You can find a recipe here.

 

[Tom.G]

Do you mean self-serving as in 'politician'?

 

[dkotschessaa]

I meant PR - they already have a 2-letter code ... Haven't they had a poll recently about it?

It's a farce they conduct every several years and hardly anybody turns out to vote. Most are not in favor. (My wife's mother was a huge part of the independista movement).

 

[Borek]

 

[fresh_42]

The sound my microwave makes to signal it's ready is exactly the same tune with which Sloop John B. (BB version) starts. It is so frustrating, that it stops there and I'm always tempted to tune in.

 

[WWGD]

Kind of funny scene at the breakfast/bagel place this morning: This lady across from my seat accidentally spilled her iced coffee , and some of it fell on my pants. She proceeds to pick up some napkins, get on her knees and start cleaning my pants with the napkins. She was also somewhat-close to my crotch, giving the appearance of doing something else while there. Yes!...yes!... ;).

 

[WWGD]

It's a farce they conduct every several years and hardly anybody turns out to vote. Most are not in favor. (My wife's mother was a huge part of the independista movement).

What if they conducted a poll and nobody came? I guess.

 

[WWGD]

Phew! I thought they were going to change the number system, when I read a flyer in the streets : " What do you Tell your kid When there is no More Thirteen"? It would have brought about chaos. It turns out it is just public television, channel 13, which some are considering defunding ( and, strangely, some are defending against the defunding?!).

 

[WWGD]

This guy walks into the coffee shop wearing a mini-skirt ( no kidding). Wanted to tell him: If you drop _Anything_ I will pic it up for you. Seriously!

 

[WWGD]

I keep trying to focus, but the triple bacon sandwich keeps calling my name...

 

[fresh_42]

I keep trying to focus, but the triple bacon sandwich keeps calling my name...

 

[OmCheeto]

Bacon? hmmmm...

The March for Science Facebook group posted something about "Carbon Footprint" the other day from an article in Science.
The number one reduction in carbon was to have fewer babies.
Another reduction was to remove meat from your diet.
The article wasn't that interesting, but the most popular comment was somewhat amusing.

Q: How much extra bacon do I get to eat each year for each child I don't have?​

Which, being on the "March for Science" site, someone naturally did the maths:

A: 9 tons​

Which I calculated to be about 50 lbs per day.

I don't think I've eaten 50 lbs of bacon in my whole life!

 

[wukunlin]

It's been a long while since I last visited PF. Still the nice, friendly, insightful community I remembered [emoji2]

 

[Evo]

It's been a long while since I last visited PF. Still the nice, friendly, insightful community I remembered [emoji2]

So great to see your wonderful face!

 

[Borg]

Q: How much extra bacon do I get to eat each year for each child I don't have?

 

[WWGD]

I closely averted problems twice last week. First, I almost sat on a homeless guy sleeping in a park bench. It was midnight, pretty dark, I could barely see anything. Then I saw someone who looked like a friend coming out of a building and I was about to shout " Now I know where you live!". It turns out it was someone else I did not know. I don't think she would have been too happy to hear that coming from a stranger.