2012 Off topic thread(basketball,movies,etc whatever)

[MMA_scientist]

I did that shit for like a year about a decade ago. Great workout IMO. I had about a 4-1/2 ride one way with lots of hills.

When I was doing that, I was lighter then I was when I was in high school.

I used to ride my bike to class in law school... I rode the same mtn bike then that I am riding now. It was 32 miles round trip. I threw up on the first day, because I didn't know how long it would take me and I didn't want to be late, so I basically sprinted it. I did it for a few months. It was a good time, but I lived way out in the boonies. It is a ride with traffic now, not as much fun having all the morning communters pissed off at me for slowing them down. Still a good workout though.

[SPX]

You sound kind of addicted to entertainment.

Well I know I've mentioned that I hope to make films on day, so I am obviously really into movies.

Also, I like to have something on as background while I do other stuff. And JustAnswer is pretty much intolerable without being able to watch a movie or TV show at the same time.

Speaking of JA, have you been keeping up at all with the recent changes? My accept rate has plummeted. I've made like $600 on there this month.

You could always read an actual book if you have to have something.

I finished a book while I was on hiatus. . .

This one: http://tinyurl.com/6rghm24

And I am currently in the middle of three others:

1. http://tinyurl.com/7myn44y

2. http://tinyurl.com/7jjc2fk

3. http://tinyurl.com/6rkvtol

It takes me a while to get through a book, but I actually read a fair amount.

In other news I started commuting by bicycle last week. I am in the market for a new bike, as I have been riding my mountain bike (I did at least put some road tires on it and upgrade the saddle) from college. I started shopping for one that I could use to commute, but could also use for my triathlon in a couple months... turns out, freaking bicycles cost more than cars now. I didn't know. So now I am looking at a nice Giant hybrid. I won't be breaking any land speed records on it though, and I might end up having to borrow a racing bike for the tri so I don't get dusted.

I've thought a long time about getting a bike, but like you said, good ones are pretty fucking expensive. Maybe I'll just get a shitty one.

I've also thought about doing a sprint triathlon. It's the running that fucks me up, though.

[SPX]

I would say yes, and build your strength back up from there.

(will defer to poopoo on this though.)

I would also say yes. Do what you can do. It's better than doing nothing.

[MMA_scientist]

Speaking of JA, have you been keeping up at all with the recent changes? My accept rate has plummeted. I've made like $600 on there this month.

Yeah it was pretty terrible, I think I have ironed out a new system though, so it is close to where it was before. I rarely work on there any more... I will make $1000 this month.

I've thought a long time about getting a bike, but like you said, good ones are pretty fucking expensive. Maybe I'll just get a shitty one.

I've also thought about doing a sprint triathlon. It's the running that fucks me up, though.

I found a decent used Cannondale road bike on CL for $250. It seems like a good deal, but the guy has no info on the year or model. It looks good though. I really don't want a straight up road racer though, I would rather have a hybrid... but then from what I understand, you pretty much need a racer in a tri. I could probably do the sprint on anything... but i want to get into longer distances eventually. I am doing an "olympic" tri later this year, which is basically 2x sprint distance. I can run all damn day, the swimming is what I am having trouble with. I can swim well, but I just never do it. It is a different kind of cardio.

[SPX]

Yeah it was pretty terrible, I think I have ironed out a new system though, so it is close to where it was before. I rarely work on there any more... I will make $1000 this month.

What changes did you make?

I had like 1 accept out of 7 answered questions yesterday. Very discouraging. Next month is going to be very difficult financially.

I am doing an "olympic" tri later this year, which is basically 2x sprint distance. I can run all damn day, the swimming is what I am having trouble with. I can swim well, but I just never do it. It is a different kind of cardio.

3.1 miles is absolutely the most running you'd ever get out of me.

I haven't gone swimming in ages, but I think building up to the proper condition would be enjoyable. Running just sucks, though.

[poopoo333]

Running long distances would KILL me.

[poopoo333]

Carlos Eduardo Rocha Released By The UFC

[Svino]

I finished a book while I was on hiatus. . .

This one: http://tinyurl.com/6rghm24

And I am currently in the middle of three others:

1. http://tinyurl.com/7myn44y

2. http://tinyurl.com/7jjc2fk

3. http://tinyurl.com/6rkvtol

It takes me a while to get through a book, but I actually read a fair amount.

I've read that third one. Aside from the one chapter where the author goes off the rails and buys into every nutty conjecture about pre-Columbian ocean crossings out there, I thought it was a very good book.

[MMA_scientist]

What changes did you make?

I had like 1 accept out of 7 answered questions yesterday. Very discouraging. Next month is going to be very difficult financially.




3.1 miles is absolutely the most running you'd ever get out of me.

I haven't gone swimming in ages, but I think building up to the proper condition would be enjoyable. Running just sucks, though.

I have done a half marathon, and I really didn't train for it. It sucked, but I could do it again. I did so much running as a wrestler back in the day that I think I just built up a tolerance for it... I can go out without having run in years and hit a 3 miler like it is nothing. I don't go fast, but I can keep chugging.

The main change I made is the language that I added. It is different for me, because in Legal, I am not really expected to solve the problem... so "Helped a little" is actually pretty damn good... but as you know that results in a neg rating and no pay. More than half of the time, I am delivering bad news (no, you can't sue your boss). So I just make sure I explain that the rating system should address whether my answer was correct, not whether it helped you or was good news. I have tinkered with a few different messages, and I think I found the right balance.

It is unfair for the experts in computer I think. You are expected to fix the problem while they wait... which is probably pretty tough. This is my current lang: Please rate my answer as one of the top three faces when you are ready – I cannot control the law as it applies to your case, this rating describes whether my answer was correct (not that the answer was good news) without this I do not get credit for my time. If you are not satisfied with my response, please press “Continue Conversation” and allow me to address your issues. I only get paid credit for my time if you rate my answer positively, I answer these questions on the honor system, please do not abuse it.

If I were in computers, I would add some language like this: Please rate my answer as one of the top three faces when you are ready – I may not be able to fix your problems immediately, but this rating describes whether my service was good and not necessarily whether I could fix your computer remotely. Without this rating I do not get credit for my time. If you are not satisfied with my response, please press “Continue Conversation” and allow me to address your issues. I only get paid credit for my time if you rate my answer positively, I answer these questions on the honor system, please do not abuse it.

[MMA_scientist]

Carlos Eduardo Rocha Released By The UFC

What why?

[SPX]

I've read that third one. Aside from the one chapter where the author goes off the rails and buys into every nutty conjecture about pre-Columbian ocean crossings out there, I thought it was a very good book.

I have only gotten through the introduction on that one so far, so I have just barely started it. I have heard a lot of good things, though.

Speaking of Pre-Columbian voyages, what do you think of the theory that the Chinese reached America 70 years prior to Columbus?

[MMA_scientist]

It takes me a while to get through a book, but I actually read a fair amount.

I used to read a lot of non-fiction, but lately I have been on a fiction kick. I used to be something of a literature snob, but now I am getting into popular stuff. I am getting ready to start A Storm of Swords (actually on audio). I may someday go back and read the first two books, but I already saw Season 1 and 2, so I probably will just pick up right there.
I also listened to "The Lincoln Lawyer" a few weeks ago. I never read or watch legal fiction, but I grabbed it from the library on my way out of town for the ride. I actually liked the book a lot, though the movie left something to be desired for me.

Chris... there are no UFOs. There just aren't. I keep an open mind, but at some point you have to concede (loch ness, big foot, and government cover ups of UFOs fall into this class for me). People in the secret service can't even cover up a prostitute scandal...

[SPX]

The main change I made is the language that I added. It is different for me, because in Legal, I am not really expected to solve the problem... so "Helped a little" is actually pretty damn good... but as you know that results in a neg rating and no pay. More than half of the time, I am delivering bad news (no, you can't sue your boss). So I just make sure I explain that the rating system should address whether my answer was correct, not whether it helped you or was good news. I have tinkered with a few different messages, and I think I found the right balance.

It is unfair for the experts in computer I think. You are expected to fix the problem while they wait... which is probably pretty tough. This is my current lang: Please rate my answer as one of the top three faces when you are ready – I cannot control the law as it applies to your case, this rating describes whether my answer was correct (not that the answer was good news) without this I do not get credit for my time. If you are not satisfied with my response, please press “Continue Conversation” and allow me to address your issues. I only get paid credit for my time if you rate my answer positively, I answer these questions on the honor system, please do not abuse it.

If I were in computers, I would add some language like this: Please rate my answer as one of the top three faces when you are ready – I may not be able to fix your problems immediately, but this rating describes whether my service was good and not necessarily whether I could fix your computer remotely. Without this rating I do not get credit for my time. If you are not satisfied with my response, please press “Continue Conversation” and allow me to address your issues. I only get paid credit for my time if you rate my answer positively, I answer these questions on the honor system, please do not abuse it.

Thanks for the info. I have definitely been playing around with it and will continue to do so.

As of right now, shit just sucks. I went 1 for 7 yesterday on Accepts. Today I'm 0 for 3 so far.

We need to go back to the Accepts/pass-fail system. It wasn't perfect, but I was able to make money. Right now I'm not sure how I'm going to get my bills paid for July.

[SPX]

I used to read a lot of non-fiction, but lately I have been on a fiction kick. I used to be something of a literature snob, but now I am getting into popular stuff. I am getting ready to start A Storm of Swords (actually on audio). I may someday go back and read the first two books, but I already saw Season 1 and 2, so I probably will just pick up right there.

I also listened to "The Lincoln Lawyer" a few weeks ago. I never read or watch legal fiction, but I grabbed it from the library on my way out of town for the ride. I actually liked the book a lot, though the movie left something to be desired for me.

I have done a few audio books. I've actually thinking of getting back into that now that I do a lot of time in transit and have my phone with me constantly. I am big on podcasts these days.

Chris... there are no UFOs. There just aren't. I keep an open mind, but at some point you have to concede (loch ness, big foot, and government cover ups of UFOs fall into this class for me). People in the secret service can't even cover up a prostitute scandal...

Well we do know that people--even trained observers--see shit that they can't identify. You really should read that book. Leslie Kean is a legit journalist who used to work for the Boston Globe. She's as real as it gets and only got into the subject because of the "Cometa Report," which was released by a panel of high-level French scientists, military people, and government officials in the 90s.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COMETA_report

Her book is entirely composed of testimony for such people from around the world--generals, pilots, government officials, like the title says--and they are as credible as anyone and can distinguish the difference between something known and unknown. The former Mayor of Phoenix, AZ (Fyfe Symington) even has a chapter of his testimony regarding the Phoenix Lights.

Regarding a government cover-up, who knows? I think the government does investigate these things--in fact, we KNOW they do as they have said so--but that doesn't mean they have the smoking gun. I actually tend to think that they are about as in the dark as the rest of us.

[poopoo333]

I just got a 2nd job...at a casino.































Sort of. It's a place where there are games on computers kind of like slots...they have keno, bingo, etc. You put $ on a phone card, swipe the phonecard in the machines, and play. Pays out cash. Kind of a loophole in the gambling system. I train on Saturday and Sunday. Start at $8 an hour, then after three months it's $9, then 6+ it's $10...not bad. There is also a tip jar that usually gets kind of full when they are busy/when people are winning so it's going to be pretty good for me.