gdp's Comments

Crasstalk : Friday Open Thread

Fri, 27 Jun 2014 10:48:00 +0000

Good morning! Let's have some fun with a scavenger hunt! Go to Wizardchan and bring something back (use link, text copypaste, or screenshot as you like). There is no limit to the number of replies for any particular item. Post Content Category 1. Something Beautiful 2. Something Horrifying 3. Something Insightful/Informative 4. Something Funny 5. Something Surprising People Category 1. Something likely posted by a Gay Wizard 2. Something likely posted by a Trans Wizard 3. Something likely posted by a Christian Wizard 4. Something likely posted by a Muslim WIzard 5. Something likely posted by a Buddhist Wizard "This is My Final Form" Category 1. A wizard making something of his life 2. Suicide Note 3. Cat Picture

Crasstalk : Tuesday Open Thread

Wed, 4 Jun 2014 12:25:09 +0000

15/15

Crasstalk : Saturday Open Thread

Sun, 1 Jun 2014 00:14:10 +0000

Damn! Why can't I take two Claritin when a 6 year old can have one?

You can, but save your money and buy a better antihistamine. Schering-Plough pulled a fast one when they succeeded in getting Claritin approved as a non-drowsy antihistamine; it really doesn't behave as one. What they did, was lower the dosage until somnolence effects were just a bit below statistical threshold, but efficacy was still just a little bit above. Of course, this means that the dosage cap is stuck at that point (else they would lose their non-drowsy indication). From what I've heard, the US FDA reviewer in charge was younger and inexperienced, which is how this managed to get past them. I believe some other reviewers have suggested that dosages would need to be as high as 40mg to match the efficacy of older-generation antihistamines. Of the OTC 2nd/3rd generation antihistamines (note: classification of generations is not very consistent across expert sources), I would say Allegra (fexofenadine) has the best combination of efficacy and non-sedating action; Zyrtec is pretty good but has some mild sedating effects. Then there are the corticosteroid nasal sprays, and some unusual agents such as Mast Cell Stabilizers and Leukotriene Antagonists, as well as non-medicinal agents such as saline nasal washes and barrier gels. But those are topics for another post.

Crasstalk : Saturday Open Thread

Sat, 31 May 2014 16:34:48 +0000

Might want to keep a low profile until Truffles the Diarrhea Dog news articles fall off the front page: http://gawker.com/cross-country-flight-makes-emer... <img src="http://i59.tinypic.com/2le2em9.jpg"/>

Crasstalk : Saturday Open Thread

Sat, 31 May 2014 13:37:44 +0000

:-(

Crasstalk : Saturday Open Thread

Sat, 31 May 2014 13:34:37 +0000

It looks like I'm going to have to give Fat Idiot up to a shelter...

I'm kind of new here, is that what you call your spouse?

Crasstalk : The Ideologies of Wizardchan Virgin9000

Thu, 29 May 2014 01:13:11 +0000

Well, there's also the women who go on Craiglist to find a free donor, derp. Plus a while back one of these Craigslist free donors ended up owing Child Support after a court case.

Crasstalk : The Ideologies of Wizardchan Virgin9000

Thu, 29 May 2014 00:50:35 +0000

Well, sperm banks want donors who are tall, in excellent health, and have good qualifications (accomplishments in the fields of academics, career, or athletics). Other desirable characteristics (race, hair/eye color, other features) will likely track with the demographics of the bank's customer base; most infertile couples want a donor who looks like them. Probably a little bit more leeway for single moms.

Crasstalk : The Ideologies of Wizardchan Virgin9000

Wed, 28 May 2014 22:52:35 +0000

I'm glad you didn't decide to try to introduce us and the polyamorists to this site at the same time. Such a thing might have made for a fine troll, but I think my heads would have exploded.

Crasstalk : The Ideologies of Wizardchan Virgin9000

Wed, 28 May 2014 16:04:05 +0000

Mayonnaise--pro or con? Please don't say Miracle Whip.

I am allergic to eggs. :-)

Crasstalk : The Ideologies of Wizardchan Virgin9000

Wed, 28 May 2014 15:57:46 +0000

I've been thinking about how to answer this, since receiving your reply some time ago. It is often said that if you can't explain something to another person, then you never really understood it yourself. I find myself at a loss for words to explain why -- I could use some cliché terms, such as friendship and fraternity, but that's not really accurate as far as what I think, what I seek. How about this: in the trajectories we trace, sometimes we encounter interactions that perturb us, change our orbits ever so slightly. Rather than passively wait for the next revolution, I've learned to seek out these interactions, because somewhere down the line, something interesting might happen. Is that an acceptable answer?

Crasstalk : The Ideologies of Wizardchan Virgin9000

Wed, 28 May 2014 15:49:33 +0000

Now, I need to know your views on White Zinfandel.

An alchemistry component, sometimes encountered in formulations of Sangria. TRICK ANSWER

Crasstalk : The Ideologies of Wizardchan Virgin9000

Wed, 28 May 2014 15:31:22 +0000

Not only did they invent That Feel, they even have a board named "Welterschmerz":

Weltschmerz (from the German, meaning world-pain or world-weariness, pronounced [ˈvɛltʃmɛɐ̯ts]) is a term coined by the German author Jean Paul Richter and denotes the kind of feeling experienced by someone who understands that physical reality can never satisfy the demands of the mind.

And hello to bernds joining in.

Crasstalk : The Ideologies of Wizardchan Virgin9000

Wed, 28 May 2014 04:45:55 +0000

Virgin, would you consider making a profile on this site? I would be pleased to make your (online) acquaintance. Consider this request a favor to your fellow Wizard.

Crasstalk : The Ideologies of Wizardchan Virgin9000

Wed, 28 May 2014 04:22:02 +0000

Dudes, seriously, having sex will not solve all of your problems.

For some of the younger Wizard Apprentices, who still suffer from something we call "Testosterone" -- yes, this kind of thinking is common. For many of us Full-Ranking Wizards, we came to this understanding long ago. Yes, we still talk about Sex, because it's... well, interesting to think about sex. Sex is hilariously funny, even if it never happened to me. Actually, given my awkwardness, I think hilarious would be the best descriptor, if it were to someday happen to me. A deficit of Sex is not what we suffer from. What we suffer from, is a deficit of intimacy. Loneliness is a sickness unto death, dear normalfriend. When a Human Bean has been alone long enough, things in his head start breaking; many of the stranger aspects of our culture (Waifus, Dakimakuras, Tulpas) -- they are attempts to alleviate some of that pain. Now, as a somewhat reformed member that now follows the brighter of the two paths of Wizardry, I can look back over my shoulder the most difficult times -- at my own foolishness and self-destructive solipsism. I can look back and chuckle. Most of the time, I'm pretty happy now. I'm finally managed to accomplish some very worthwhile things in my life. And yes, I'm still a Virgin. But this is not yet true for my younger brothers. And it breaks my heart.

Crasstalk : The Ideologies of Wizardchan Virgin9000

Wed, 28 May 2014 03:54:34 +0000

For a true wizard/apprentice, there is no course of action (outside of winning the lottery or some other extremely unlikely event) that can lead to social fulfillment.

Quick reminder for my brethern, that a lottery figured prominently in Rodger's Manifesto.

Crasstalk : The Ideologies of Wizardchan Virgin9000

Wed, 28 May 2014 03:51:14 +0000

BRB, getting a haircut!

Crasstalk : The Ideologies of Wizardchan Virgin9000

Wed, 28 May 2014 03:50:23 +0000

I watch anime with my sister I suppose. We're on good terms.

Hug Imouto, post results?

Crasstalk : The Ideologies of Wizardchan Virgin9000

Wed, 28 May 2014 03:32:32 +0000

If you put batteries in the base, he also vibrates. Even Chad's damn statue gets more action than I do.

Crasstalk : The Ideologies of Wizardchan Virgin9000

Wed, 28 May 2014 03:09:10 +0000

Also, do commenters at Wizardchan have disagreements about what being a "wizard" is?

Sort of. There is a schism between two "factions", which roughly corresponds to the distinct difference in tone between the two Wizardchan boards /wiz/ and /v9k/. While all virgin residents may be referred to as Wizards or Wizard Apprentices, sometimes the distinction is made between Wizards and Warlocks as well (see picture below): <img src="http://i61.tinypic.com/16bj1q9.jpg"/>