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What’s on your mind?
- Thread starter Gutwrench
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Thank you.
With chocloate biscuits.
And I also said hello to Mr Monkey when I headed upstairs to switch on my electric blanket.
As I continue my financial reporting this thread has put a smile on my face.
Then yesterday, this will only be of interest to @Septembersrain the final trailer for AoT has dropped. The last part of season 4 will break me and lots of anime-only (and maybe manga readers too).
I am hyped and now wondering if I should start an anime thread (currently on Demon Slayer, rewatching Attack on Titan S1-4 and the special episodes and previously Space Battleship Yamato and as a kid Speed Racer).
Then yesterday, this will only be of interest to @Septembersrain the final trailer for AoT has dropped. The last part of season 4 will break me and lots of anime-only (and maybe manga readers too).
I am hyped and now wondering if I should start an anime thread (currently on Demon Slayer, rewatching Attack on Titan S1-4 and the special episodes and previously Space Battleship Yamato and as a kid Speed Racer).
I read the previous post by decafjava. I recognised the words as English. I still have no idea what he was writing about.
I am tempted to respond by describing the sex life of the giant clam...
I am tempted to respond by describing the sex life of the giant clam...
Please do I love clam chowder.
Anyway, just a bit of enthusiasm at the continuation of one of my three favourite series, ones that have marked me on an emotional level to the extent that lines of dialogue and the soundtracks of all 3 are burnt in my memory -- and they are all very different.
1) Star Trek - American sci-fi franchise largely optimistic and spawned 6 series and many spin-off novels and films. Portrayed the idea that we as a species can do better and have a bright and optimistic future. Hey a lot of tech (except warp drives and trasnporters darn it) were "predicted" in the series. Memorable characters, some cheesy acting but also top notch as well (I mean Sir Patrick Stewart what else). Two of my youth celebrity crushes, Nichell Nochols as Uhura and Marina sirtis as Deanna Troi!
2) Doctor Who - British sci-fi that like real life can veer from optimism to pessimism and has the built-in ability (through the plot device of regeneration) to reflect its time and whatever showrunner and actors are playing at the moment. The device of time travel really means that in principle "all of space and time, anything that was or will be" can become a story. Not always the case but I love the premise and so far something of every season of the modern era.
3) Attack on Titan - Japanese dark fantasy anime. Except for a few light scenes (and one comedic episode) is dark, brutal and pessimistic. Befitting a show that started as a variation on the zombie apocalypse and as more of the fictional world is revealed into a allegorical tale of the horrors of war, ethnic hatred and the cycles of violence and revenge. Fits my mood in these pandemic times.
Ok now back to your regular complaints about cheesy Xmas music.
Regarding Tv-series….
I took a break from those kind of 'super-people' series awhile, and watched some of our free national TV stuff a period when my focus had other interests. Was some good stuff actually that filled the less engaged spare time with something more or less thoughtful.
I payed for a service however online now to catch up with my 'superhero's' and maybe new stuff that will entertain/inspire at times.
The best part of it was I could pay with crypto, so it costed me pretty much nothing, as in how that currency renew itself.
I like various Star Trek series in particular of those you mentioned. Doctor Who, well, not a favourite as such. But I haven't watched that much of it. Might give it another shot. Animated, uhh, not for me.
Looking forward of the continuation of The Mandalorian, For All Mankind, Outlander in particular, however.
Then there’s more stuff to watch then time I want to give it. Will see what 'new' stuff I pick that can inspire something.
As an old Stargate fan, I keep an eye of what Amanda Tapping is directing nowadays as well.
My free membership of Apple Music that I got with my new AirPods did however provide me with unexpected inspiration. Not re music, but the Eckhart Tolle albums, he's fun and aware.
There might be more of that kind that makes it worth renewing later. Music don't often inspire much at the moment. ABBA's new album is a much appreciated exception however.
I took a break from those kind of 'super-people' series awhile, and watched some of our free national TV stuff a period when my focus had other interests. Was some good stuff actually that filled the less engaged spare time with something more or less thoughtful.
I payed for a service however online now to catch up with my 'superhero's' and maybe new stuff that will entertain/inspire at times.
The best part of it was I could pay with crypto, so it costed me pretty much nothing, as in how that currency renew itself.
I like various Star Trek series in particular of those you mentioned. Doctor Who, well, not a favourite as such. But I haven't watched that much of it. Might give it another shot. Animated, uhh, not for me.
Looking forward of the continuation of The Mandalorian, For All Mankind, Outlander in particular, however.
Then there’s more stuff to watch then time I want to give it. Will see what 'new' stuff I pick that can inspire something.
As an old Stargate fan, I keep an eye of what Amanda Tapping is directing nowadays as well.
My free membership of Apple Music that I got with my new AirPods did however provide me with unexpected inspiration. Not re music, but the Eckhart Tolle albums, he's fun and aware.
There might be more of that kind that makes it worth renewing later. Music don't often inspire much at the moment. ABBA's new album is a much appreciated exception however.
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I believe I have finally decided to not fight a work/work environment issue, anymore. No need to keep on hitting my head against the wall. After all, I am a Contractor, and not vested as the employees themselves should be.
Not sure why exactly it has taken me this long, to get to this point.
That's what is on my mind; or was on my mind...
Not sure why exactly it has taken me this long, to get to this point.
That's what is on my mind; or was on my mind...
We may as well be writing Klingon when we talk about anime. I'm currently watching Star Trek and am a bit peeved I'll now need to get Paramount + for this. It'll be Prime no longer in January. All these streaming services are getting to be more than cable itself!
I know this second half of AOT is going to be hard to watch. I might not jump right in as soon as it drops. I'm definitely going through it from season 1 again when I'm ready. I watched a few episodes of Demon Slayer but I didn't get into it. I have my phases when all I watch is anime. I'm looking forward to Bleach, the thousand year blood war.
On another note, I really love my low to no pain days. I just feel impatient knowing it'll take time to fix it.
1) I suspect that I have been a 'Trekkie' since before you were born...
2) I never really got into Dr Who until the revived series. Mostly because I was living in a country that didn't have TV while the first series was on.
3) I did watch a couple of episodes of Attack on Titan, and decided it wasn't for me.
Now, onto giant clams.
Giant clams have the genus name Tridacna, which means 'eaten in three bites', because the first white man to describe one was astonished that it took him three whole bites to eat it. The fact that the Pacific Islanders had been eating them for a gazillion years apparently wasn't important. Interestingly, his giant clam was one of the smaller species, even though he did call it Tridacna maxima.
They are symbiotic organisms, with zooxanthellae in the mantle (the pretty coloured bits that hang out over the edges of the shell) providing oxygen and food for the rest of the clam. This is why they grow so large. They produce so much oxygen that on a sunny day you can see the oxygen bubbles coming off.
They scrub heavy metals out of the sea water and deposit them out into the shell. Most have tiny amounts of gold in the shell (not enough to harvest by humans) and, in Muroroa, uranium.
Now, onto sex.
Giant clams are hermaphrodites, each one producing both sperm and eggs.
They are lonely creatures, each having its spot on the reef, but not being able to communicate with each other.
So each one just sits there, alone, thinking porny little clam thoughts for a whole year.
Until the first one gets so excited that it ejaculates sperm for about 20 minutes.*
The sperm spreads through the water stimulating other clams while the first one has a rest for half an hour. As you would.
Then it switches modes and ejects eggs, which spread out and get fertilised by the sperm of the other clams, which by now are having a rest and switching modes.
They are lonely creatures, each having its spot on the reef, but not being able to communicate with each other.
So each one just sits there, alone, thinking porny little clam thoughts for a whole year.
Until the first one gets so excited that it ejaculates sperm for about 20 minutes.*
The sperm spreads through the water stimulating other clams while the first one has a rest for half an hour. As you would.
Then it switches modes and ejects eggs, which spread out and get fertilised by the sperm of the other clams, which by now are having a rest and switching modes.
Back to food.
There are three parts to the giant clam when you are talking about food.
The adductor muscle, which pulls the shells together.
The mantle (the pretty coloured bits)
The internal organs.
The adductor muscle is the most prized, going for thousands of dollars a kilo in some Asian markets.
The mantle is tough and chewy, but with a lot of tenderising and slow cooking, makes an acceptable chowder.
The organs are inedible, at least by humans.
In the late 1970s, when adductor muscle was selling for $500/kg in Hong Kong, some enterprising poachers were stealing clams** from the Barrier Reef. They were cutting the muscle up, staining part of it yellow and selling it to southern restaurants as scallop meat.
For $5/kg.
We really need a better class of poacher in this country.
* just contemplate having a 20 minute orgasm, but only once a year
** They are protected in Aus. for all but indigenous harvesting.
PS, I have had giant clam adductor muscle. Thinly sliced, marinated in lemon juice to 'cook' it, and eaten raw. It reminded me of the soft, white flesh from a young coconut, called kulau. It was nice, but didn't impress me that much. Certainly not $1000 worth.
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Thank you @DaveFromCampbelltown I have learnt more about giant clams than I ever wanted to know. 
Nice to meet another Trekkie always.
@Septembersrain heard a lot of good stuff about Bleach, may have to start once I get the other series (Money Heist's last episodes for one) plus just got 3 months free of Apple TV+ so will see if there is anything worth checking out there.
My family - parents in particular - and another Xmas away are on my mind. Last time together was in 2017 when my father passed - he was in hospital. This year my mother is at my sister's place in the US with her family (son-in law and grandaughter). So she isn't alone this year like last. Only concessions to the holiday is playing a bit of Xmas music and will indulge in a glass of mulled wine and purchase a stollen when I invite a few people this weekend.
Nice to meet another Trekkie always.@Septembersrain heard a lot of good stuff about Bleach, may have to start once I get the other series (Money Heist's last episodes for one) plus just got 3 months free of Apple TV+ so will see if there is anything worth checking out there.
My family - parents in particular - and another Xmas away are on my mind. Last time together was in 2017 when my father passed - he was in hospital. This year my mother is at my sister's place in the US with her family (son-in law and grandaughter). So she isn't alone this year like last. Only concessions to the holiday is playing a bit of Xmas music and will indulge in a glass of mulled wine and purchase a stollen when I invite a few people this weekend.
True. That is the case with anything running on rechargeable batteries though.
That's as true of me as it is of the batteries in my devices.
We both get older, and don't charge as well as we used to.
I want to start up a blog just talking about everyday life. But I get caught up on where to create the blog.
It’s much what Covid are to me: a recharging period in definition.
To evaluate and define what program in the phone / head that I can throw out, and what only takes up unnecessary space. The quality of human interactions is important, more than just chatter.
Like a fresh installation, lot of programs can be sorted out.
Enjoy the holidays safely ??
MacRumors are appreciated ?
To evaluate and define what program in the phone / head that I can throw out, and what only takes up unnecessary space. The quality of human interactions is important, more than just chatter.
Like a fresh installation, lot of programs can be sorted out.
Enjoy the holidays safely ??
MacRumors are appreciated ?
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My 11 Pro Max is still pretty much about the same as when bought. Though I'm jailbroken and on iOS 13.3.
Not many are like me. Just wish I had an apple computer to check actual battery stats though.
Gave my Missus an anniversary gift a few weeks ago. From a financial perspective, it was rather large, so we agreed no Christmas presents, etcetera.
However, I ran out today and bought her something small, to open for Christmas Day.
So, what’s on my mind? Feeling a little proud of myself, oddly.
My Mum used to tell me all the time, stop being proud, stop showing off. Well, dammit, I want to be proud today! So, there…
However, I ran out today and bought her something small, to open for Christmas Day.
So, what’s on my mind? Feeling a little proud of myself, oddly.
My Mum used to tell me all the time, stop being proud, stop showing off. Well, dammit, I want to be proud today! So, there…