MedicineDan

So, a while back, I was a real dead ender. I'd pretty much thrown in the towel. Weighed 400 pounds. Rarely left the house. Was just a complete loser. I decided to do a few things. I've lost over a hundred pounds and kept my weight down. I decided that I needed to do something more for my community and entered an ELM program and became an RN. I just got my license at the end of December and sent out resumes a week ago. This morning, I got a phone call with a job offer. Luckily, my previous history of management really helped. What's best is that it's acute rehab. I literally got my first choice for a job offer. I might be a schmuck, but I interview well. I've only got a couple of years left for my MSN, and then I plan, if I have the stamina and smarts left, to get my DNP (I think that's probably more appropriate for my goals than a PhD). I know I'm just some random internet guy who apparently is off-putting to at least some of you glorious bastards, but I thought I'd share a milestone with you anyway. Huzzah!

I came here to gloat and instead I'm hit by a "Gromnir DESTROYS Eldar" youtube moment again. Actually, in all seriousness, I actually thought there were valid points, but I just can't take the time to do justice to them. I did kind of come here to gloat a little bit, but not really. More like joke, since I don't think it's good for the Republic to have the Democratic caucuses go so awry. It's *probably* good for Republicans, but anything that adds to the chaos is generally bad for everyone at this point because it further erodes trust in our institutions. At this point, it's kind of a mix of funny ha-ha humor and gallows humor. No matter who ends up winning, this is really going to cause some grief, angst, and antipathy (if not outright hatred) within the Democratic party.

It's really not as cut and dried as trump voter = ignorant and uneducated person. I'll point out that, since we still have the secret ballot until the Democrats institute the Ministry of Truth, these are extrapolations from polls. I imagine that Trump, being a coarse and crass braggart probably puts off a lot of people, particularly in states with a particularly high number of advanced degrees. That sentiment undoubtedly colors both the reported and, more importantly, actual voting statistics. Whatever. I'll point out that Trump has always been a sort of out of margins candidate. That aside, the only group that really matters to the Democrats is the black vote. The only large monolithic group for either side is black voters and particularly black females. That's simply statistically true. If Republicans get 15% of the black vote, life is tougher for the Democrats. If the Republicans get 20% of the black vote, Democrats are going to be rightfully frightened. If Republicans get over 20% of the black vote, the Democratic party ceases to exist as a national party. My point isn't to castigate black voters. I'm just saying that fixated on education levels, which vary considerably between racial groups, is far less impactful than the racial groups themselves. Trump has characteristics that are an affront to educated people everywhere, and I've been saying that since before he won the election. More importantly, what matters is the vote, not the fun of pillorying the voters. If you really want to win, you have to find out why people vote a certain way and then attack that particular mindset. I know that folks will think that this is just a disgruntled response to what is ultimately a misguided statement. That is to say, the statement could be factually true but still not help win a single vote and might, in fact, lose votes for a particular side. :shrug: Fair enough. I'm not invested enough to stick around in order to fight these things. I'm just saying that arguments that strike at the intelligence, motivation, and character of Trump voters is a double edged sword. The Democrats can't stop doing it because it's their most potent weapon, but every time they employ it to their ends it cuts them a little. https://www.businessinsider.com/exit-polls-who-voted-for-trump-clinton-2016-11

I just looked it up. Kind of has a Long Dark sort of look to it. I started a game of Disco Elysium but ran out of time. I might keep that on the back burner and try this KRZ game. Looks quirky.

Went to two job interviews. I think I was well received. I don't need bragging rights compensation, but I *do* need them to accommodate my school schedule. I'm cautiously optimistic. The Nurse Manager in one of my interviews said she looks forward to working with me. That *can't* be a bad sign. Late in life career choices are a pain.

I should really get into Disco Elysium. I've only been playing Minecraft because of a couple young people who like to share MC stories. What I'd really like is a strange suspenseful game. I keep looking around here because, in my experience, I usually get good ideas from this board.

the impeachment was always ill-advised. I was against Clinton's impeachment, and *that* contained criminal elements. At the time, I thought that he deserved impeachment, but I thought it would be bad for the country and not do the Republicans much good either. In retrospect, I think I take Rubio's view that, even with crimes attached, Clinton should not have been impeached. If it hurts the country, and I believe the Clinton impeachment did, and there's another remedy, which was Clinton leaving office that year, impeachment is bad. Literally, it should be reserved for only the most dire of circumstances. The effort to impeach Trump was simply ill advised (I would say foolish) from the beginning. I'm not saying it might not work out for Democrats in the long run. Too much turmoil to know and people who make bold predictions this far out don't know what the hell they're talking about, even if they end up right. I can claim I'll roll a D20 and get a crit. Even if I do, it's still a random roll. What I mean by foolish is that the upside wasn't worth the risk. It was a reckless move, even if they somehow manage to get a win. I'm telling you, don't let some of these polls fool you*, this is not a net gain for the Dems right now. It shouldn't have been done. The people who hate Trump and revile him might as well continue. It sucks as a plan, but the Dems have put themselves on rails. Their train only goes one direction now. Best hope sheer hatred wins the day because they have no other options. However, as I've said before, the hate mongering is, in my opinion, a net loser over time. Sure, you have to do it to keep your base humming, and that's the only chance for victory now, but don't mistakenly think it was a good idea. Like I said, it *can* carry the day, but I suspect it makes things harder for Democratic presidential candidates. Not sure about congress at this point, although I think the Dems have a House advantage right now. I think the Republicans can save the senate. Too early to commit. Of course, Trump could have shut his mouth (and twitter account) about 25% and he'd be winning running away with the House and Senate riding his coattails. It takes Trump to make the Democrat candidates viable in this election. We've got it better than in quite some time. The only reason some people don't admit that is because Trump is... well... Trump. *I'm not a poll denier. Even in the 2016 election, the polls weren't entirely wrong. They were a little wrong, usually in the margin of error nationally, all skewed the same direction. However, that tiny smidge and that single direction nudge makes a huge difference in making predictions, which is why some of us claimed Trump was viable until the end. At this point, there are people I know in real life who make better election predictions more reliably than most of the pundits I see on TV on either side.

There have been a couple Bernie supporters who advocated or at least predicted violence regarding the primary and general election. I would generally think of that as more hot air than intent, but it's still not cool. I'm not sure if either is still with the Bernie campaign. This sort of stuff is kind of off the reservation fluff most of the time, but if there is evidence these knuckleheads are actually hatching a plan for violence, the feds will have to deal with them. If they're just spotting stuff while being secretly filmed, I say the campaign straightens them out and life goes on. Probably dumped from Sanders' campaign, but we have to get to the point where we don't absolutely destroy people for acting stupid from time to time.

I think Sanders should be given the chance to explain a change of heart, but he did suggest nationalizing both the banking and energy sectors. Granted, I think the most damning statements were from the 70s, so we should allow for a change of heart.

I really shouldn't have put it that way. It's unfair to say crazy just because of policy disagreements. What I should have said is that she's got quite liberal policy positions. She's kind of an odd duck, but I actually think she seems like a decent person. Yang also strikes me as a decent guy. Actually, I think most people who make it this far would be charming to meet. Warren is the exception. I don't hate her as a person. I don't know her, but she's got a Hillaryesque taint.

I couldn't stand her, but Palin probably helped as much as hurt McCain. Folks don't remember, but McCain was polling ahead of Obama before the meltdown occurred. I still believe there was a good chance McCain could have won the election but for the recession. Everyone had a hand in screwing things up in 2008, so I don't really blame any one party for the recession itself, but it certainly put a lot of win in Obama's sails. ...And Obama was always going to be a storied candidate. Historical, even. I won't speculate who will win the nomination except to say that I always thought that Biden had the best chance even when a lot of people I know insisted that he was going to tank immediately. I remember one pundit said that Biden's "best day will be the day he announces" and it will be all down hill from there. EERRHHHNNNN Wrong answer. For the general, you guys really better hope that Warren isn't your candidate. She is absolutely terrible. Yeah, her policies aren't any more idiotic than Bernie's, but at least he sells his better. Plus, he doesn't get into the weeds trying to explain them. He just says he'll do it because it needs to be done. Frankly, while that's bone chilling, it works better when you're talking about pie in the sky economy crushing measures. Don't explain it, some of your base might actually be literate enough to question the funding and then you're screwed. Gabbard is a pariah to the activist wing of the Democrats, but she might actually help a ticket. I won't speculate on who will win the primary, but I don't think Gabbard is a good choice as a running mate on balance. Let's say, I don't think she helps any more than she hurts. Plus, she's a crazy Democrat. All of the Democrats this cycle are crazy. Biden would be my choice right now because he's the least crazy and I think he'd be the least effective at getting his agenda through. The worst for Democrats in the general would be Biden with a huge number of pissed off Bernie voters. The best for the general would be Biden with solid support from the Bernie Bros. The mod squad can delete this portion with my blessing should this cause an issue. I'm probably going to sound a bit hurt, but I'm not. You know... I have remarkably thick skin, especially in forums. ...And I simply never hold grudges. At least not yet. Maybe my Aunt, God rest her soul. She was not always a nice person in life and it's hard not to resent her even though she's dead. Anyhow, as to my implied cringy status as an alt and a human being.... I don't know. I'm talking politics on a message board. The vast majority of you haven't even met me in real life. You'd probably get along with me just fine if you did. Maybe not. :shrug: All's I'm saying is that my ideas are more important than my person and I've been pretty spot on in my assessment of politics over the years. Especially on the Republican side of the aisle. Honestly, I would think that would at least provide an alternate point of view. At any rate, I imagine I'll probably keep posting, although infrequently due to time. So, if you find me cringeworthy, at least you won't have to put up with my cringe inducing posts all that often. One things I will say, and this is probably the important thing: If I'm a cringy person, there's probably not much room to improve at my age. However, assuming I am an alt, and I'm not saying that, but *if* I am, then I swear I'm the last alt of an original poster I would have assumed had been long forgotten by now anyway. Hypothetically speaking, of course.

Still playing Minecraft. I've got a rainbow bridge (terracotta) between two islands. A dark forest on the continent, a rainbow corral bridge just for the hell of it, and a map that spans ten zones. Completed and framed, of course. Such a superb waste of time, but I enjoy it. I'm going to make a video and share it with my niece nephew. I'm on Win 10, so I don't know if I can share or invite to the map, but if they come I've got tons of extra iron, gold, and diamonds. hundreds of them, in fact. The only thing before I show them is I'm going to see if I can create an underwater railway system connecting underwater conduits. I've created underwater railroads in the past, but the some things have changed in the newer versions.

God bless the Democrats. But for them, the Republicans would never win. A bit early for general election predictions and it wouldn't be good form to make predictions about the Democrats as a registered Republican. Not because I don't have predictions, but I wouldn't want to be self-serving about what's happening on the 'other side.' AKA: The Resistance. :dismissive contemptuous smile: BTW: I was stuck in this room with a Trump hater recently. I tried to help him see the light, but he just pretended to sleep. :tongue in cheek grin:

I ended up enjoying both tremendously. However, Deafire is clearly superior artistically. Outer Worlds is a just simply great fun. In a lot of ways, being able to jump right into a game with campy humor and a *ton* of meaningless but addictive combat has it's own merits. Still, on balance, I'd take Deadfire any day. I also believe Deadfire is superior to Pillars One.

Xairete! I won't claim such a pretentious name as Eldar, but I certainly wish you all a wonderful new year. I'm just Dan, License number 952xxxxx. :Tired of creating alts grin: I sincerely hope everyone had a great new year. I'll be making pointless posts aplenty before it's done.

I'm sorry I missed it, Mikey. I try to go every year, but November was a busy month. I'll make sure I check in leading up to the event next year so I can donate something for the wee babes. Even the pittance I can afford helps.

Don't you guys normally do an annual Extra Life thing for CHOC? I tried to search for it, but the last one I found was from 2015 and I *know* it's been on since then. Feel free to point me in the right direction and delete this thread.

Beat me to it, Bruce! I made filet mignon for the outlaws by marriage today. 3.5 pounds of great beef. Tomorrow, have to roast the turkey. There aren't that many of us, so I figured a 13 pound bird would suffice. If only they'd let me make duck, but no. Been an interesting year, and I would say I'd be glad to see the backside of it, but I had a lot of milestones, so I can't let the bad think it won. I abstained from the demon rum tonight, but I'll be consulting the good doctor tomorrow. Dr. Johnny Walker. He's looking a bit Blue this year, and I think he's got the medicine I need.

Minecraft. I got into it when my niece was a wee child. I didn't have time to play it for a long time, but I've recently come into a little time and I've been playing it a lot for the past few days. I want to create a huge subcontinent theme park. I've written *HUGE* glass and lava signs just for fun. Also, I've got over 700 games of Freecell on my tablet.

Double post, but I'm planning on frying my first goose this Friday and I'm wondering if anyone has fried water fowl before. As I understand it, I need to score the skin, boil for ~10 minutes, and then completely dry before putting in the fryer. I've roasted plenty of geese, but I've never tried to fry one before. I'm frankly worried about the sheer amount of goose fat, so hopefully the boiling will take care of that. I'm also concerned that my fryer won't be big enough. I'll have to scope it out beforehand.

Cheers!

I was planning on frying a turkey again this year, but it's raining in my neck of the woods which means either using the patio eaves as cover, and I'm not keen on having wooden structures quite that close, or risking cold rain falling into the peanut oil, which... well... you know. Either way sounds like a great way to end up on the news. That's dinner this afternoon at the out-laws house. I'm currently thawing a goose that I'll either roast or smoke next week. I'm much more looking forward to that. Water fowl has a distinctive texture and flavor I quite enjoy. EDIT: to clarify, geese are fowl, not foul.

Have a great Thanksgiving. My friends in the Great White North have already celebrated theirs. Hopefully, they found much for which to be thankful. For those in other countries around the world, may you find cause for celebration. May your homes be filled with warmth and happiness. As Lincoln might say, may we all be touched by the better angels of our nature. Fair winds and following seas. God bless you all.

I feel you, Brother. I've been playing the hell out of Freecell. I've got over a thousand games altogether, but I've got over 600 over the past few months. My average is probably a little longer per game than you. My best time is about 2.5 minutes, but some games do take me longer. I've done them all at expert level, but I've never really understood what makes you an expert at Freecell other than wasting a lot of time on the game. If you start a 12 step program for it, let me know. I'll join.

I've been thinking of Outer Worlds. I've been harsh on the writing, but I've come to think that the source of my criticism is more stylistic than substantive. It does have some glaring errors, but it works. It does the job and usually does it nicely. I sincerely find it inferior to the writing in Deadfire, but it achieves its goal, more or less campy humor with a lot of tongue in cheek pokes at modern society. For example, I got a kick out of the elevator music that plays in at least one of the elevators. However, there are two things that made me reassess my feelings. First, I really like some of the NPCs. I think making NPCs that are genuinely sympathetic and fun is a hallmark of a great CRPG. Morte, Dak'kon, Ed'er, Imoen, Floyd the Robot all imbued the games in which they appeared with a certain transcendent quality. The second reason is related to the first, but it's not exactly the same. The goofy-assed 'romance' between ADA and SAM, if it can be called that, is... cute. That's not a word I use often. When I first read and heard the dialogue, I found it a bit jarring, but it is just, I dunno, sweet? It's funny and actually kind of touching. When I get the chance to try Disco Elysium, I'll be playing that, but I think I'll return to Halcyon eventually. They did a great job with it. It didn't break into my top five, not even my top ten probably, but it was splendid fun and it's certainly didn't disappoint me. I will buy the next game sight unseen.