As I mulled over this exciting week in the “Cove” it has become apparent, thanks to Martin’s no frills charge relating to my 30 years of incompetence in the Quality Profession, that he may be right. But, I wasn’t always incompetent. When I began as an Inspector in 1966, things were different. You learned all you could about the product, the system as it was then and moved on. The key to success was to do a good job, show some ambition and through normal progression, you advanced. Times have changed. We now have certain educational requirements, which cover the whole spectrum of what a good Quality Professional should be. Books, courses, certificates, etc. With these changes came a new breed of Quality Professional with respected credentials that over time become a necessity to excel in the field. You no longer just have to learn the company culture and fit in, you are tasked with the almost impossible task of changing it to meet more specific requirements. My entire working life can be summed up as A Quality professional with ever increasing roles of responsibility in the Quality arena. That’s it. No plan, it just happened. The Cove members are made of many individuals who have those “proper” credentials or other experience that have put them on top of their game. Kevin, Db, Lucinda, E. Wall, Steelmaiden, ISO Guy, Carl, all the other Daves (including the Aussie Bloke) all the other moderators, and many more too numerous to mention. Your posts are serious, thought provoking and certainly do not indicate incompetence in your field. Don’t be offended if I left you out. But, I can’t leave out MG. MG has all those things mentioned above, plus the stubbornness of some you other members. That’s a good thing.

I was one of the first to welcome this young gentleman from across the pond. We exchanged some private messages and e-mail. There were some private jokes. Basically, while I had to have it pounded into my incompetent head, I agreed with his subsequent posts. But, more importantly was what did I do to change this relationship to what it has become?

My time here in the Cove has been one whereby I gained, and will continue to gain, the knowledge to keep up with the latest interpretation problems with the new standard. My posts, for the most part, HAVE shown disdain for the tie wearing, narrow minded, manicured, polished, egotistical, holier than thou Quality Professionals that I’ve run across in my travels. I have also been sarcastic and engaged in very unprofessional behavior when I sensed someone was exhibiting some of those traits I mentioned above. But I felt I was meeting their fire with my kind of fire. What I felt doesn’t matter. What matters to me is that someone posting to a thread should not have to worry about getting boiled in oil by someone who probably misread the intent of the post and decide to chime in with some criticism or ill placed humor. It stops here. It will be difficult. I subscribe to all the threads, so when there is a new post, a “new message” pops up on the screen. All work ceases and I read it. When I see it’s a thread in which I was actively engaged, I just had to fire off my two cents.

So - to all offendees, if my posts made you feel uncomfortable I apologize. Grampy is hanging up his whips, darts and barbs. Because I’m not as competent as I should be, I’ll be doing more posts reading and less posting. But, I’m not leaving. And, I may still post a joke in the humor thread when I feel like it. So there. Oops, watch that you Knuckle Head!
:smokin:

Energy,

Don't beat yourself up too much, save some for us! eek:

Don't go too far, you have been and am sure will be a voice in the cove. We all have bad days, I should know!:

I haven't really been following everything that's going on - I honesly can't say I'm even sure where this came from but there must be one doozy of a thread I've missed.

The bottom line is we all have personalities and personal biases. That's what the Forums here are all about. I personally see ISO 9001 as out of hand, have always pointed out QS-9000 was a vague customer requirement that sucks eggs when you try to interpret it with respect to your business and have other wise slammed things I prsonally feel need some slamming. On the other hand, there are good things about ISO9K and QS-9000. There are some here who undoubtely believe in the 'Miracle' of ISO 9K. So - we all get together and bitch and moan.

Some of the individual forums are more - well, lets use the word scientific - than others. It's hard to get too many interpretations of calibration requirements or how to do an R&R. So there is less controversy. Other forums are more open to interpretation issues.

Up to this point, what I have called 'Dart Throwing' has been - as best as I can tell - at a level we can live with. The whole idea is to trade opinions and ideas. If people are going to do that, there are going to be spats. But - we learn from these spats, if we're 1/2 smart. It is why I visit news sites all over the world on the internet - different ideas on the same topic. I may not agree with what a certain news source says, but it does give me another side of the story. If I don't know both sides, I'm ignorant. You all know I'm a liberal democrat - but I do visit sites which are very pro- conservative republican. It's no different here. My expectation is that if people choose to get involved in a thread in a forum they do so knowing the 'risk' that someone will say they're full of :ca:

As to all the degrees and certificates and such - hey - I was 24 when I started college with a biology major and chemistry and anthropology minors and it was 1978 when I got out at the ripe old age of 28 - and in those days I was - literally - the oldest guy (an all male school) in the college. Good ol' Westminster! I stumbled into quality assurance by accident several years later. Luckily it was in a military manufacturing environment and 'quality' systems became my specialty. I stumbled upon ISO 900x around 1992 and was lucky enough to get a company to let me 'help' them through implementation for cheap. One led to another and - fortuitously (QS-9000 was a gold mine through 1999) - the company I did that first ISO implementation for had to do QS and they called me. And from that, this site was born. Bottom line is we all come here from different situations, different companies, different ages, different backgrounds - you name it. All our opinins and interactions are from different perspectives. Some came through the ranks, some are kids (well, to me they are) in college looking for info. There are some people who flaunt their 'credentials' as some type of proof that they are correct in what they say and in their interpretation - which we all know is not a truth. There are lots of idiot auditors, as an example, who are certified (or whatever the RAB calls it) as 'lead' auditors. There lots of personalities (more commonly called people) who visit here. Bottom line is we're all here from different places but with the same intent - getting information and share ideas and experiences. Well, I guess we share a few files here and there, too. I bet there aren't many people here (except the kids, and I doubt even them) grew up thinking: "...Wow! I want to be a quality assurance manager when I grow up..." and focused on achieveing that goal.

While I admit to having done the CQE thing some years ago, I never kept it up with the required CEUs and such. I've done the Lead Auditor course twice - 1994 and 1998 - but I have no RAB certificate for auditing. That doesn't mean I can't audit nor does it mean I don't understand what (in this case ISO 9001) is about. You folks may remember the very intense exchange B Hartley and I had in http://Elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3471 I'm not all that hot on the validity of many 'Certificates' which proclaim competence.

To me - it's all about growth and understanding - and you do that by knowing both sides and participating. Actually, worse than the B Hartley thread was between you and I with the August culmination where we climaxed (so to speak) as I was going through the server changes and software changes in a bad business climate. You and I got through that - you'll get through this. I'm sure you remember I was so frustrated I almost actually did shut the site down. But here we are - and with 'technologically advanced' forums software! Avatars, personal messaging, the 'buddie' thingie (which I still haven't figured out) and all. A whole new dimension.

And yes - the world is changing. So - what's new? Did it stop sometime that I'm not aware of (which is highly possible being a 1960's 'hippie' who inhaled. If this is the case, someone please clue me in... What year is this?)?

I liked this:
> I have also been sarcastic and engaged in very
> unprofessional behavior when I sensed someone was
> exhibiting some of those traits I mentioned above.

Well, we've got joke threads and road kill recipes. I've twisted your teat a few times and you mine. Everyone decides what their level of input will be. When I think of you I think of the word Frisky.

When I started this site I was hard coding everything at first, and quickly found a 'visual' editor (there weren't many then and they were nowhere near as sophisticated as they are now). Back then I was traveling most of the time and did the site at night in hotel rooms (see http://Elsmar.com/obsolete/Marc_Smith.html - this is me in a room where I 'holed up' for about 6 months in Royal Oak just north of Detroit). Now, I've never claimed to be a smart business man nor have I claimed to be a web site professional. The few old timers here will remember everything was pretty radical from the beginning. While I did (and still do) see the site as my 'calling card', so to speak, I never approached it like a big company would. The site was/is more my toy than a 'business' site. When I started it I could afford it, I wanted information from others and I liked helping others. And I liked expressing my opinions. Well, I think it was around 1997 or 1998 - I got an e-mail from someone. It said something like "...Your web site is very unprofessional. I won't be visiting again..." I e-mailed back "...And your point is?..." I've had e-mails telling me I'm using the wrong font here or that my artwork is crappy. Well, folks, you're at a 'backwoods' site - we're sorta loose here. No one is imposing their will on you, such as by putting a gun to your head, that you have to come back. You like it - you come back. You don't - you don't come back.

My point is different people have different thresholds for what they consider 'professional'. Witness http://Elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3936 If we were all 'professional' all the time it wouldn't be the Cove Forums!

I think we can handle your continued participation. Place might get boring without the 'energy' factor here and there. Heck - what would I do without energy to kick around now and again? I'd have to focus all my wraith on Al - and that wouldn't be fair to Al, would it Al? :thedeal:

Let's keep 'Dart Throwing' to a minimum. I suspect some other apologies might be appropriate here from those who took it to the personal level. There's no room for personal insults.

energy,

I completely agree with what Al has said here. And like Marc I seem to have missed the thread that prompted you to post this one. I always thought most of your posts have initiated and fuelled a healthy debate in the forums and I for one have always enjoyed it. So keep it up (please!)
-Atul

You wouldn't do that to a poor, right-leaning, Libertarian would you? I'm a delicate introvert and need to be treated as such.:thedeal:

And how many fish will you catch that way?:p

Energy, sweetpea, take your zoloft and chill today. I'm sure that you'll be back to your old self tomorrow and that will be a good thing. You are not incompetent, and tempers willing, those sorts of remarks won't be carelessly tossed out again.

P.S. Ohmigod I'm flattered that you mentioned my name as someone with "credentials" or "experience", but yowzas I have neither! Talk about incompetence....:) that would be me!

Energy,

Like you sir, I began as an inspector, and tester in 1984 after 11 years as a machine operator. I was trained on MIL-45208 and 45662. My mentor was of the old school, and had little tolerance for ignorance, or for little minded people.
(The story is told of a meeting with a particularly troublesome nuclear power company inspector. When this inspector declared,"I'm here to make a name for myself." Earl's response was a completely deadpan, "That's not the name you want to be known by".)

My "education" is a AAS in machine design, and a couple of ASQ certificates. Like most others I stumbled into quality, and have been stuck ever since. (It's kind of nice 'cause nobody else knows quite what we do) There are few who have the ability to do what we do every day. It takes a unique set of talents to do it right.

But enough about me:vfunny:

You should stick to your guns. Yes you occasionally get a bit verbose, but I think much of the misunderstanding has more to do with the limitations of the forum.

You are not afraid to express your opinion and argue points. But I have also seen you change your mind, and admit when you were wrong. In my opinion sir, you are a fine gentleman and a major asset to this community.

Professional ethics is an area which can easily raise someone's ire. But those of us who have been in this profession for a while know that it is critical that we keep a firm eye on the bottom line. That we must keep our eye on the "core processes" and not get hung up on the details. We need that "reality check" here every bit as much as all the scholarly input available.

I'd take your kind of "incompetant" experience anyday over a dozen college trained, inexperienced people who had never smelled the inside of a manufacturing plant.

Hang in there.

James

P.S I am curious to see if another person on this board is as much a gentleman as you are.
JH

Energy, I have no idea what has been going on or what happened, but I for one have always enjoyed your posts. I to have written posts that have made people less than happy, but you know what that is my opinion if they don’t like it then they can leave it. I hope you don’t stop posting as much as I want to get as many opinions as I can on a subject, then it is up to me to sort through the ones I like and don’t like. Try not to let one person’s comments turn you off from this post, as it is a very good source of information. Keep up the thought provoking posts!

Hey energy, my man!

Of all the phrases I could think of to describe your input into our forum, incompetent would not be on the list! Your experiences are valid and sometimes I think necessary for the "New Quality Professional" so that they may see where and how the quality field has evolved.

I am very flattered to find myself on your list, but don't think for a minute that I came to where I am through the University. My major was architecture, and while that was a major help in learning to read and comprehend specifications, customer requirements and project management, the quality world was foreign to me when I started. I take a few classes every now and then, I pick up a book to learn about some "new" trend or another, and then I usually say to myself "Well, that was interesting, how does that apply to real life?" Too many of the kids that I interview from the colleges think that just because they have a degree, they should come in and become a supervisor or manager right off the git go. Sorry, education is only the first step. I am a graduate of the School of Hard Knocks, and d@#mn proud to be where I am. I might not know every formula off the top of my head, but I can sure find them if I need them!

I think education is a good thing, it gives you a lot of information that you'd otherwise have to discover on your own and puts you a step ahead of the guy on the street. But, eventually everyone learns that life is not like school was, the problems not so clear cut and nicely defined. They'll still come to us old dogs to ask that all important question...."Have you ever seen this before, what did you do about it?" :agree:

Keep up the good work, you are often the voice of reality in our parellel universe. :vfunny:

You sometimes are a :bonk: knucklehead, but aren't we all?

It takes someone who is very mature of mind (really...I'm not digging at your ancientness ;) ) and self-confident to offer not an individual but open apology as you have. Kudos to you!

If anyone had the time and was so inclined I'm sure there is enough :evidence: to be found here to nail quite a few of us to the wall regarding our sometimes run-away fingers posts! We're all (supposed to be) grown-up enough to handle a little critism (even if we feel it is unwarranted) without throwing nails, darts, or books out of pure temper tantrums - But hey, sometimes the little kid in us has a way of sneaking out!

From time to time it really is okay to plead temporary insanity! So I'll join in and add my appologies to anyone who feels I offended them in some previous post-life too :) or for any time I've gone off the deep end of posts.

What a great way to clean the slate on Monday morning!
Best to all - Eileen

As I said in the beginning of the thread, I’m not going anywhere. I also said the list of people doesn’t name all the members whose posts I respect and those have helped me. In fact, it reads like most of the names on the members list with few exceptions. Michael T., Graeme (I hope everything’s stable on the job front) Randy (fellow veteran) and many, many more. The support from members is heartfelt. I’ve also received some private messages expressing concern that I may be overly reacting to one particular statement. Not so, it’s been coming for a while.
But, I’m right here. I see every post that I subscribe to come up on my screen. I just do not feel compelled to jump into every post. It’s about the Quality of the post and not the quantity. I became so addicted to posting; I had to respond even when I didn’t really have anything worthwhile to say. Look at the number of posts. Out of control. If you sift through them, many contain the very thing Martin objected to. Occasionally I see a nugget that I’m proud of. But quite honestly, they are rare. Devil’s advocate? That’s me. As one member so eloquently put it, sometimes we need a wake up call with a 2 by 4 to remind us of our real importance, as opposed to “self importance”.
Maybe now I can get some work done. Work a little on becoming more competent! :vfunny: That doesn’t mean that I won’t jump in if I get aroused. Watch those remarks, you salty dogs.
Hey Marc, I love my new cloak!

Originally posted by E Wall

From time to time it really is okay to plead temporary insanity!I do it on a daily basis myself... :thedeal:

energy,

You don’t know me, you don’t know if I have any credentials. When you get to be as old as I, and have my level of experience…wait, I think you are older than I and have more experience. Okay, when I’m as old as you and have your experience your level of experience, you will find….that doesn’t make sense either.

Anyway, you have never offended me, nor made me feel uncomfortable (well maybe with the roadkill thing). I think that because of the Cove’s makeup of folks, there will always be a healthy difference in implementation ideas. If I am offended because someone thinks differently, or has a different idea from mine, then I really should look at me, rather than them. Hashing out our opinions and ideas is the best way to increase our own understanding, and allows others to see all sides of a particular issue.

“Credentials are nothing more than paper brags. It is performance that counts”

I have also missed something here, but if energy needs to apologize for something he said or wrote, then I must also.
I've had a few gems now and then and I am certain I have raised the ire of some. And for that I also apologize.

But, the emotion and feeling of a post is hard to convey in typed words onto a computer screen. Many people interpret what we say in many different ways, but yet they still get it wrong and become angry or just pooh it off as the comments of a incompetent fool.

energy, if you are incompetent they have yet to construct a word to describe myself. I have no major pieces of paper proclaiming my competence. Do I feel I need one to come here? Hell no! That's why I'm here. To learn and to try and understand and hopefully help someone if I can. If nothing else, I hope I bring a smile to someone's face who is having one of those days. That's me, that's what I am. And I will not apologize for that.

energy, oh highly competent one, your OK. And there is nothing wrong with that!

I like to visit the message boards at Yahoo Finance. Just pick a stock, say, Enron (ENE). Go to the message board, but hold on to your mouse! You will read things that Marc would never allow! It is great to have a place where we can exchange views with out the name-calling. :agree:

Yeah - I've been to the other side of the moon. There are some very 'cranky' message boards where people - well, it reminds me of the way Road Rage is described in terms of how when a person gets into an automobile their personality can change. They can become very aggressive relative to their normal personality (in so far as other people perceive them to be, anyway). Message boards are to some degree this way. In addition - as has been mentioned - it is also a text medium - something I have blamed from time to time for blowups.

I used to 'moderate' a lot of forums. I stopped because I could no longer spend the time to follow every thread in every forum. I had never before thought of it in these terms, but I hope that moderators - who are the life blood here - can help smooth things or stop - even by posting a "...Let's all cool out here..." message in the thread - serious personal attacks. My only real 'requirement' before was for them to make sure no question goes totally unanswered. For unmoderated forums - I try to monitor them by using the 'View Daily' link on the first page - I just bookmarked it. But - when I'm traveling or busy I may miss a few days. Some days I'm here all day - so I pretty much see in real time what's happening because I'm at the computer.

All in all, we've had some termoil here but compared to the extremes you can find in different forums on all sorts of topics on the internet today I think we're typically reasonably civil here. I'd rate the Cove Forums as leaning to the radical, but not by much. I will say the cohesiveness of the core group of 'regulars' here is evidenced in this thread.

Most people come and get what they want and move on. Many people join and never make a post - they're searching for information and 'join' because they see an attachment they want in a thread (at least since September 2001 at the software changeover which went so smoothly...). Which is OK - the Forums are all about sharing information.

We've got a good core group here. That we come to the point of soul searching and 'confessions' here (several of us has done it) is interesting, to say the least. We may not directly discuss our sex lives, but many of us have revealed, if you will, some very personal aspects of ourselves and our inner thoughts. Obviously this is not the intent of the forums, but that it has occurred and we continue to do it tells me the core group is very - well, close. Says a lot about the core members. It's an interesting 'place', these forums. If Al ever started a telling thread, it was Al's Zoloft Thread (http://16949.com/Forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3604). Anyone who reads through that thread at least initially must think we're all nuts here, but as I see it, as with this thread, there is a uniqueness and cohesiveness - and some really stupid humour from time to time - of the core group you'll find at very few (if any) other forums on any topic. That's what makes the Cove Forums what they are. :thedeal:

BTW - There's a great analysis of the Enron debacle on C-SPAN. Two hours each night all week starting at 8 PM EST - 5 PM PST.

Hi Energy

Lessons learnt all round !!

We are all friends again.

"Dont sulk for too long you old tart" :vfunny:

So Mark, how are things in Carlisle? Must be pretty slow, eh?

I must admit I did feel uncomfortable with the exchange that was taking place. I have been visiting this forum for several years because it is in my opinion the best on the web. I have come to respect the opinions of Energy and his insight. What made me uncomfortable was someone who is fairly new to the forum made what I considered an unnecessary verbal attack. As some of you know there is another forum on the web that has been highjacked by several people, the main culprit being an individual going by the moniker of “Conscience”. That forum has become worthless for the most part due to verbal attacks on individuals and not a discussion of the subject on hand. It was my fear that maybe the “Cove” was starting to slide in that direction. I now feel more comfortable about what happen because both have acknowledge that the dialog that took place may have been out of line. I have gained more respect for them - seems to be a good addition to this fine forum.

Folks, on every post in every thread is a 'Report this post to a moderator' link. As I explained, I cannot monitor all forums. If anyone here sees something out of hand, report the post - I'll take a look. Even if it's a forum with no moderator I get the notification. In moderated forums, the moderator and I both do (as I understand the software).

> As some of you know there is another forum on the web that
> has been highjacked by several people, the main culprit
> being an individual going by the moniker of "Conscience".
> That forum has become worthless for the most part due to
> verbal attacks on individuals and not a discussion of the
> subject on hand. It was my fear that maybe the "Cove" was
> starting to slide in that direction.

I'm sure we can keep things from reaching that level of ignorance here.

When I looked back even further than the post that gave me snit fit, I observed that I had backed someone into a corner. The person acknowledged that I had his/her age pretty close- about my son's age. As a younger man, I was worse than I am now. If you can believe that's possible! :ko: Nobody could tell me a thing. Why? Because I was right. I knew it all. I have to lay the blame for this situation on myself as I was the first to make it personal. His/her post regarding my "disdain" for the system wasn't personal. It was because I rail at what the system has become and the new type of professional it created. The person shouldn't be thought any less of because s/he took on the old man. The old man resists change in any form. But, I'm getting better. That's why I'm here. We have representatives from all age groups. Hey, that may be as important to consider as the size of the company for post interpretations. How about, OLD Salty One? A new poll? Even the women can vote anonymously. :eek: Thanks for your post. It allowed me to expand on my original post. All is well, with us and in the Cove.

I am not in favour of this but I have been requested to delete this thread by energy. I won't go into the reasons and details, but I've decided to move a copy of it to the Moderators Forum - a new forum I just set up in case moderators need to talk to one another - which is only visible to moderators.

The reason I'm not deleteing the thread in whole and am keeping a 'copy' in the moderator's forum is I'm not much for revisionism. My belief is that as soon as the editing starts with respect to a thread such as this, more harm is done than good. Hopefully we'll all remember this thread and keep our posts civil.

That said, I am editing several posts as they appear in this forum (it will remain intact in the Moderator's forum) to try to achieve what energy has requested me to do. You will not know which posts because I switched to 'admin' mode in the software to do the editing and as such my edits won't be identified. If you want to read it in it's entirety you'll just have to offer to help out moderating.

Now that we've all kissed and made up.... On with the thread.

Edited by Marc on Wed 16 January at 6.00 PM EST USA.

Originally posted by Al Dyer

You wouldn't do that to a poor, right-leaning, Libertarian would you? I'm a delicate introvert and need to be treated as such. :thedeal: In a New york second, if I find the chance!

Originally posted by db

Anyway, you have never offended me, nor made me feel uncomfortable (well maybe with the roadkill thing).Energy offends me regularly! (just kidding energy :biglaugh: )

The Road Kill Recipes in Al's thread made me uncomfortable at first. But - to be honest, I'm from Kentucky and whilst I've never eaten road kill, at 50 I remember back when that was a reality in many parts of the state. Kentucky was a 'poor' state where the rich were very, very rich, there were very few 'middle' class and there were a lot of very, very poor rural folks. I was surprised at the start of the thread in and of its self - the thread took on a life of it's own. Since it was in this forum I decided to let it all slide. It turned out to be a unique thread, I must say.

Oh, well...

Originally posted by BooBag

So Mark, how are things in Carlisle? Must be pretty slow, eh?Huh? Is this to me? If so - what is Carlisle?

Originally posted by Marc

Now that we've all kissed and made up.... On with the thread.
Edited by Marc on Wed 16 January at 2.58 PM EST USA.

Tanks, Cheech! But I'm not kissing anybody here. Well, maybe!:lick: Does hand licking count? :biglaugh: :smokin:

Hand licking will do, even if we all are cute enough to kiss... :thedeal:

Originally posted by Marc
...I had never before thought of it in these terms, but I hope that moderators - who are the life blood here - can help smooth things or stop - even by posting a "...Let's all cool out here..." message in the thread - serious personal attacks. My only real 'requirement' before was for them to make sure no question goes totally unanswered.

Just wanted to acknowledge I saw this and will intervene with a private message to all parties (or common comment if more than a handful of folks are involved). I can only hope it will be taken appropriately if the time ever comes to do this.

I did see the exchange, but honestly thought "Who am I to impose my judgement!" I didn't want to squelch anyone's right to free speech and such.

Eileen

Let's just say this thread has set a threshold for folks to control themselves and how far things can go. Lesson learned. :thedeal:

Does anybody want some cheese with the whine?:biglaugh:

I'll go out of my way to raise anothers hackles just for grins, but it's never meant to be serious ...except for yankees:eek:

I'm back from vacation and ready to participate a full speed again....

By the way...anybody need to put a poor broke consultant to work?:(

See ya:bigwave:

Originally posted by Randy
Does anybody want some cheese with the whine?:biglaugh:


The things a guy goes through just to have his own thread.

Randy, I cried for you when I saw your :( Nobody likes Randy post. Have some compassion.:biglaugh: :smokin:

I've always found your posts helpful and I've never been offended by you. In fact, I think you're a little sweetie.

And it's POETS day today, so you can chill, geez.

I have to say, I don't know how I coped without the Cove before!

Lau.

Laura:

It certainly is a bit addictive isin't it.... and after awhile the Cove can provide constant improvemet to a persons outlook on things.. "after all your avitar used to be Lucy" :vfunny: :bigwave:

Randy - Welcome back we missed you....

Pay attention, me laddo.

Lucy belongs to Laura M and while I am a Laura M I'm not the Laura M.

My avitars have changed from paper bag, to ghost and now to Jessica, whom btw: was based on me (in my dreams)!

:biglaugh: :biglaugh:

Not long to go b4 the weekend! :vfunny:

Shheeezzz :bonk: :o

How quickly what was meant to be a complement - can turn out to be sour :ko:

In the future I'll make sure to keep "everyone straight" - even if it takes more than an hour. ;)



Appologies to Laura - Laura M - Lucy - the ghost - and the paper bag as well.. Simply have too much time on my hands as many here can tell.. :truce:


(Someone said it was POETS day - didn't they???)

Jim,

I don't know if you get Only Fools and Horses over the pond, but if you do you'll understand the term 'plonker.' which is an affectionate term for silly sod!:biglaugh: and that is exactly what I am! I get what you were trying to say now and I liked the compliment, keep 'em coming!

You can call me what you like b/c you seem like a nice kinda guy to me!;)

It is indeed POETS day which means I'll be heading off soon. Fish and chips and a nice glass of chardonnay to begin my weekend!

You make sure you have a good weekend, Jimbo, my son!

:lick:

::bigwave: :vfunny: :biglaugh:

Originally posted by Jim Biz
Shheeezzz :bonk: :o

Appologies to Laura - Laura M - Lucy - the ghost - and the paper bag as well.. Simply have too much time on my hands as many here can tell.. :truce:


(Someone said it was POETS day - didn't they???)

Apologies?.....I'd love to be Jessica - but I was actually Violet (not Lucy)(funny, I thought it was Peppermint Patty until just now).
Oh well, since you like red heads....I was getting tired of Violet anyway. But 2 Laura M's at the cove - who can stand it? One of my clients is a Laura M too. It's an invasion....


M

Poets day has officially started....

:bigwave:

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is Poets Day?

Maybe a day for Poets???:rolleyes:

There once was man from Nantucket..........:biglaugh: :smokin:

Bubba,

POETS day is P*** Off Early Tomorrow's Saturday!

And for NRG who says he loves poems, here's one from a classis Carry On film...Carry ON at Your Convenience as recited by that wonderful Kenneth Williams:

There once was a man called Reg
Who had a young girl in a hedge
When along came his wife
With a big carving knife
And chopped off his meat and two veg:lick: :smokin: :biglaugh:

'Tis now Monday which is dull and dreary
We should all be out for a beer(Y)!:thedeal: :biglaugh: :bigwave:

Laura,

Thanks for cluing me in on POETS Day. It all makes sense to me now. I thought for awhile that it was a holiday that I wasn't aware of.

I thought that every Friday was a holiday!

Poet's Day hmmmm? Didn't know anyone was interested in that stuff.

For those who really care, today is (in the US anyway) "National Hugging Day". So, have a good one of those.

Dave

Originally posted by D.Scott
Poet's Day hmmmm? Didn't know anyone was interested in that stuff.
For those who really care, today is (in the US anyway) "National Hugging Day". So, have a good one of those.
Dave

Yup, Just be careful with the meat and vegetables :biglaugh: :ko: :smokin:

HAPPY HUGS DAY;)

Happy hugs for yesterday, we should designate today something too!

Just to keep up the trend! :biglaugh: :bigwave:

Not that I am into "days" or anything, but these are for real for today :

(U.S.) National Answer Your Cat's Question Day
(U.S.) National Blonde Brownie Day
National Popcorn Day

Have a Happy (pick one) Day. :ko:

Dave

Wow!!! I must be "Cosmic" or something like that. I was going make a joke about it being Popcorn Day.:D

Originally posted by D.Scott
Not that I am into "days" or anything, but these are for real for today :

(U.S.) National Answer Your Cat's Question Day
(U.S.) National Blonde Brownie Day
National Popcorn Day

Have a Happy (pick one) Day. :ko:

Dave

Answering cat's questions is easy - they ask only 3...

Is it warm?
Can I lay on it?
Can I eat it?
(Male cats have a 4th question I won't post here... :biglaugh: )

If the answer is yes to any one (or all) of the above you have a happy, well adjusted cat.

Cheers!!!

Today is - and I am not making these up:

(Luxembourg) Grand Duchess' Birthday
(U.S.) Measure Your Feet Day
(U.S.) National Handwriting Day
(U.S.) National Pie Day

Dave

Originally posted by D.Scott
Today is - and I am not making these up:

(Luxembourg) Grand Duchess' Birthday
(U.S.) Measure Your Feet Day
(U.S.) National Handwriting Day
(U.S.) National Pie Day

Dave

Dave,

Great Calendar!:biglaugh: For me, I think I'll celebrate them all as National Measure Your Pie Day!:ko: :smokin:

If it's all in one day, can't you call it.....

Measure the Grand Duchess' feet on her birthday while she writes on a pie.

:bigwave: :vfunny: :biglaugh:

We can always have "cove" days. For you Browns fan's, it would be like "the drive" or "the fumble"

Let's see, so far we've had...

The Dress Code Day
The Apology Day
The Roadkill Day (or week)
The Limerick Day
The Prune Day (that doesn't sound too good)
The Zoloft Day

or even farther into the past...

The "risk management" day
The "cove is closed" day

etc etc.
:rolleyes:

In the US, today is "Eskimo Pie Day" to honor the day the Eskimo Pie was patented in 1922.

Just yell if you want me to get off this "day thing". :ko:

Dave

I think its fun. May just go buy eskimo pies today. Haven't had one in ages!

Here we go again - :cool:

Today is "Opposite Day".

(Don't) Have fun with this one.

Or is it "have misery with this one"?

Dave

Hey Guys,

Well for me as of Sunday is "VACATION DAY" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm off to the Bahamas!!!!!!!!!!!!! Talk to you when I get back!

Edith:bigwave:

Hard to beat "Vacation Day" as a favorite especially if you go to the Bahamas.

Today has 3 official designations:

(U.S.) Clash Day
(U.S.) National Kazoo Day
(U.S.) Rattle Snake Round-Up Day

Dave

Isn't it a little chilly in most of the country for rattlesnakes to be out and about?:confused:

AHHHHH, my favorite day of the year...

I play one mean kazoo, don't ya know!:ko:

Being a Brit I have several questions:

Eskimo pie?

What does an Eskimo taste like? Aren't we in danger of making them into an endangered species if we have a day devoted to them? Or are they bred especially for this day? I must have the truth!

What the Hell is a kazoo? Sounds like something rude!

Clash? IN what terms, colour?

I needs answers please!

Laura,

What's with you Brit's celebrating Thomas Crapper Day? That's almost up there with the QM's birthday and Guy Faulks (forgive the spelling) isn't it?

Eskimo Pies are very important. They are rather tasty also. A mix of chocolate and vanilla. Rather cold too.

A Kazoo is a very important American musical instrument which probably originated in West Africa and was brought here during one of our not very proud periods.

I used to carry a kazoo with me when I worked under cover as a cop. If the moment got tense I would start playing it, going so far as to get onstage in gin joints with the band (if there was one). Cops don't do crazy crap like that, so it helped the cover. (I also was known as a frequent mooner of bar joint patrons) Cop's don't do that either. :biglaugh:

Let me see if this helps Laura ---

Eskimo Pie - Think of an Oreo Cookie - but filled with ice cream - outside is soft - chocolate cake type substance - cross between cookie & cake... Turst me they are exceptional snack menu on a hot summers day & won't be endangered at all :lick:

Kazoo - NOT RUDE -- a small musical insturment ... I guess Brits would see them as a Flute they are VERY short (probably 4-5 keyholes on them) shaped round somewhat like a potato) - best visual would be to think a "squashed/shortened Pickelow"??

Clash - "anything" that does not match - or is at odds with the "clashing thing" yes Red & purple as in colurs -- but can also be a war- an argument- a "difference of opinion" as my esteemed colleague energy can attest to :bigwave:

Originally posted by Jim Biz
Let me see if this helps Laura ---

Eskimo Pie - Think of an Oreo Cookie - but filled with ice cream - outside is soft - chocolate cake type substance - cross between cookie & cake

They really suck! You're not missing anything.

Kazoo - NOT RUDE -- a small musical insturment ... I guess Brits would see them as a Flute they are VERY short (probably 4-5 keyholes on them) shaped round somewhat like a potato) - best visual would be to think a "squashed/shortened Pickelow"??

This is basically a humming device. If you can hum, you can play it. You do not want to be accused of constantly playing with your Kazoo!

Clash - "anything" that does not match - or is at odds with the "clashing thing" yes Red & purple as in colurs -- but can also be a war- an argument- a "difference of opinion" as my esteemed colleague energy can attest to.

Clash is like using common sense in situations vs. some technical babble from some bubblehead to justify making things harder

How y'all doing?

:ko: :smokin:

Originally posted by Edith
Hey Guys,

Well for me as of Sunday is "VACATION DAY" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm off to the Bahamas!!!!!!!!!!!!! Talk to you when I get back!

Edith:bigwave:

It appears to me that Edith is one of the people that polled higher than norm for pay! Have a good time in Bahamas!

Sound your Kazoo for this one:

(U.S.) National Cornchip Day :bigwave:

Dave

Better corn chips than cow chips any day!!!

Viva la corn chip!;)

Originally posted by SteelMaiden
Better corn chips than cow chips any day!!!
Viva la corn chip!;)

Steel,

I was just getting ready to post the same thing. How far can you toss one?:biglaugh: I have a little problem picking them up!:vfunny: :smokin:

Energy,
They have to be dry.
:vfunny:

Gee Energy, it's hard to say exactly. There are so many variables with cow chips, it's one of those input, output things:eek

Actually, in my opinion, cow chip toss is very similar to cherry pit spitting. (two past-times here in Wisconsin).

The wetter the better:D !

Now, you may not win any distance with a wet cow chip, but your style points can be impressive.









Please don't ask. Some of us have time we don't know what to do with.:bonk:

Must be hard spitting cherry pits through the bag!

Thanks Randy, Energy and Jim, you have enlightened me sufficiently.

Now tell me about cow chips.

BTW: I've never heard of Thomas Crapper, although I believe he is a plumber.

As for Guy Fawkes day, yes, we love the old sod for what he tried to do to our government in the 17th Century!

QM? I take it you mean Queen Mum? I have a theory about her. She just keep's going on and on doesn't she? I think she's really a remote controlled robot or android!!

Due to extrusion shape, moisture content, and of course initial raw material it has been documented that "chips" from the Black Angus are the preferred.

Optimal drying conditions in the midwest occur when there is 3 days of intense August sun followed by a slight light drizzle. The drizzle acts as a catalyst to smooth any rough edges.

As with any cow chip watch out for infestation from dung beetles, they tend to create small pockets of air that can affect throwing distance.

Keep in mind that Black Angus chips are not cheap, but when properly processed make the finest chip available.

Folks, we are talking quality here so don't sell yourselves short.

Al Dyer
Treasurer
A.S.Q.C. ------ Angus Society for Qualiuty Chips

How did we get from CORN chips to COW chips in such a short time? Reminds me of work - develop a great quality system, put it on the floor and within no time it turns to ----. :frust:

Oh well, try to keep it clean for today's goodies:

(England) Women Peerage Day
(U.S.) Escape Day
World Law Day

Dave

Some brits know what a kazoo is.

Laura, may I wish you a Happy Peerage Day without being rude?

:confused:


Maybe you could explain because I'm sure nobody wants to hear my definition. :D

This could bring the inmates back to group therapy.

(Lerwick, Shetland Islands) Up-Helly-Aa/Norse fire festival
(Nauru) Independence Day (1968)
(Surrey England) Dicing for Maid's Money Day
(U.S.) Child Labor Day
(U.S.) National Popcorn Day

Dave

Dave,

If this is Child Labor Day, does that mean that my children have to clean their rooms today?:frust:

BUT - you have to make the popcorn.

:o CONFESSION HERE :o

I had an office in Surrey for years and never heard of "Dicing for Maid's Money Day". Can one of you Brits please enlighten us?

Thanks

Dave

Originally posted by D.Scott
(U.S.) National Popcorn Day
Dave

I wonder if this a different National Popcorn Day than the one you reported on January 22. Wassup wit dat? I really like your calendar.:ko: :smokin:

Dave dont be fooled.

Its a euphamism.

In Mosside in Manchester they call it mugging. :vfunny:

I don't write them, I just report them. It is nice to know someone reads them though.

I have been told by Orville Redenbacher that this is correct. There are multiple popcorn days to accommodate the unpopped kernals from the first day.

Seriously, the book says "National popcorn day".

Dave

Is that when they kill all the maids over 30? :eek:

Dave

Today is:

(U.S.) National Freedom Day
(U.S.) Serpent Day
(U.S.) National Surf and Turf Day
(Hawaii) Pepeluali (which I think means "people's day" but if I am corrected, I want to go there to verify it for myself :vfunny: )

Dave

I like today's days! Freedom Day - We need to remember that as often as possible! As surf and turf day....now I know what's for dinner!

Thanks - keep 'm coming.

Up here in Rochester its "almost another ice storm day" All our trees are covered in freezing rain. Some trees and branches are falling, but its supposed to warm up and melt off today.
I've hear other areas got it worse?
A bit reminiscent of 1990 when we had a MAJOR ice storm and folks lost power for up to 2 weeks. Trees and power lines everywhere. So this is nothing but pretty to me.

L

For me it is merely POETS day, although I wish it was lie in until whenever you want day!

Why is it that when 6 month old your daughter decides to sleep through the night, you can't?!?

Is this what it's always going to be like?

It's bad enough getting up at 5am to get to work!

Moan over!

WHOOPEEE! TFI Friday!

I have pheasant for tea!

It's been slow cooking since 6am.

I have pheasant for tea!

It's been slow cooking since 6am.

Just how long do you need to let the pheasant steep for a good tea?:rolleyes:

Happy POETS Day!:bigwave:

Today is:

(U.S.) Create A Vacuum Day
(U.S.) Kosciuszko Day
(Sri Lanka) Independence Day (1948)

Dave

Kosciuszko Day!

Fantastic, the US has a day to celebrate the highest mountain in AUstralia. We don't even have that.

Kosciuszko Day!

Fantastic, the US has a day to celebrate the highest mountain in AUstralia. We don't even have that.

Did anyone create a vacuum today? How'd you do it?

:D :eek: :thedeal:

(Finland) Runeberg Day
(Japan) Japanese Martyrs Day
(Mexico) Constitution Day
(San Marino) Liberation Day
(U.S.) Disaster Day

Originally posted by D.Scott
(Finland) Runeberg Day
(Japan) Japanese Martyrs Day
(Mexico) Constitution Day
(San Marino) Liberation Day
(U.S.) Disaster Day

Japanese Martyrs Day: There's a lot of them!
(U.S.) Disaster Day: We all know what the real day is.

:ko: :smokin:

I created a vacuum on Monday.

All I had to do was turn the bag inside out...:D

Sucked my ears right in...oh what a feeling!

And today is:

(New Zealand) Waitangi Day
(U.S.) Lame Duck Day

Dave