A Diabolic Partner

That's dirty.



I never said anything about kissing it.

I can see why you'd think that, but it isn't that at all, at least for me.

I wanted to reward her for a post (one post) that I liked.

Also, Jig and I have some history.

But how can people get exasperated on a forum? Its not like we are all on a bus or plane for example. I mean, we arent REALLY sitting opposite to each other in a restaurant or at a dinner table. All Raymond needs to do is move down the list and read someone else's thread. He doesn't OWN the Resident Answers forum (as I am sure he agrees) so it's not like I have stolen it from him. I have forumed now since 2006 so its not like I am a whippernsapper newbie. I've done my time. I am committed to sl and its proper functioning and I think my voice is as valid as anyone else's. It's not like I've said anything that other people havent thought. I just say what I think. I am not reserved and I am not a snob (okay, so I am a bit of a snob but if you are English that's not a bad thing). Let's be honest - you really need people like me - we may occasionally upset the applecart just enough to make people think a little harder about sl than they did. And I really could be MUCH more controversial if you want me to.

Raymond can lie down - but surely that isnt a real lie down? What would he do if he was acquainted with me in real? Or worked for me? He needs a bit of stamina. Beef boullion I reckon with a shot of vodka - a bullseye. That'll put the hair back on his chest.

My partner says Hi to you all and thanks you for my payments.

And which planet is that exactly?

That's due on Thursday, in time for Friday when Jig can start a new thread.

This is all progressing very nicely now. Last Monday, I wouldn't have given much odds for this thread making it to Friday, but that's all turned round now.

Jig's a grown-up - she can sort out her own relationships - but _threads_ need nurturing. Thanks for doing your bit, Ricardo.

I like your sense of humour.


Come on Ye Olde and Venerable Prof, you need to raise the stakes, man! Make it really MEAN something.

--
Aes

Just nurturing the thread since Pep and Love seem to have given up. (Thank you for your contribution.)

Come on guys! Not long to go - we're nearly at Friday - should be all downhill now.

You are quite right, Aes - we now need The Venerable Prof to stride boldly into action.

Did you not get exasperated with all your responses in that other thread? Sure sounded like you did. In fact, if you didn't.....this exasperating thread wouldn't be here. If you weren't so exasperated.....then why all the big To-Do about leaving and not posting.

I would imagine that if I read the following 10 sentences in your post.....there will be exasperation there. Yep - just read it, and sounds like exasperation to me.

YOU are preaching to Raymond about needing stamina? Do you realize how ridiculous that sounds?

Maybe its what we call "tone" in real? I know enough about English to know its levels and I think we apply our conscious way of speaking to what we write. So really, I am not so exasperated as excited when I type. Also, in my case, I am often sitting on the "side" of work going on around me and in wifi mode so I guess you pick up some of that excitement of what I am seeing and doing. But my sitting is "busy-sitting" - "power-sitting" if you like.
But Raymond does sound incredibly miffy, doesnt he? I mean you wouldnt wanna pinch a chip off his plate would you? And you cant expect a tweaky bum pinch from him as a sorta friendly way to say "Hi"
It's all tone - the only real disadvantage of the typed word I think ( especially in this case.)
And just to let you know that in real the Prof is in his late sixties and I am in my mid twenties. And he wears cute goat horns. And yes, I do pay him for threads. You've cost me a fortune Mickey.
What do other people think about how we misinterpret our own language? Isnt it amazing that I seem to make perfect calm but intense sense to myself with just an occasional emphasis whereas some of you think I am screaming at you.
And yeah, to keep up with me, Raymond would need stamina. My day is cripplingly busy and intense: I have to be creative all the time. I can't deny that I wonder if the domestic scene is quite so focussed on peformance and accountability for what is achieved.
Jiggy gets out her wooden spoon - but I wish I could just loll around the supermarket and fill the SUV with gas for a morning's workload sometimes. If Hal was my Real partner, it would seem like he was just fannying around while I was coming home at all hours in a sorta intense whirlwind of creativity and responsibility.

Looks like you're making progress.

All I can say is, thank God for Harrod's Food Hall and other places of that type in our busy world. Truly.

That was sarcasm. In other words....you really don't "get it" at all.

That is true but when was the last time YOU were in Harrod's?
meow.

I think it must have been in 2002. Not that keen on Harrod's - prefer Fortnum's...actually, prefer Piccadilly to Knightsbridge all round.

I'm not Mickey, but had to laugh at this. Gee, I've never been in Harrod's. And it's not rocked my world one bit. When's the last time you've been to San Diego?

Won't have time for it today....because I'm going to walk to the kitchen...this is a long hallway....currently refinishing the hardwoods...sanded and ready for stain...it will be honey oak...the walls are a sage green, but think I'll change those to something lighter....open it up a bit...dove white for the baseboards...need to get the crown molding back up too...but I'll fill you in those details next week....kitchen is in daffodil yellow...really perky, for we creative types, you know...roof is leaking a tad at the fireplace, flashing needs to be fixed, and it's making the plaster in the kitchen peel, but I'll fill you in on that next week...making some coffee...it's a Mr. Coffee maker, of course...in white....turning on the water...got a great deal on the kitchen sink/counter and cabinets at a resale shop....big score...do you have those over there in your neck of the woods?....it's an antique white, kind of vintage, hip now, you know...water comes from the City...good water system, we have...love the faucet...came with the whole cabinet set up...Price Pfister...great triple sink....man, that set up was a score...did I mention that.....need to wash dishes today, though...oh, but I digress....the water goes into the coffee maker...hazelnut cream today...about 6 cups....will follow that with a couple of Mt. Dew chasers, maybe an Aunt Jemima Griddle Cake...got the microwave at the resale shop too....you really should look into that...the cats are getting Fancy Feast this morning....roasted chicken feast....need to feed the birds and squirrels, so they have something to look at....that would be corn and sunflower seeds and peanuts....when I get some time later today, busy, busy, busy you know....I'll take some pics of the squirrels for you...pouring the first cup of coffee....using a cute little mug, yellow and blue stripes, some red tulips....mmmmm, tasty...walking back down the hallway...really should get that floor finished, but busy, busy, busy.....wonder what Raymond is up to today.......

I guess exasperation comes after impatience. Maybe it has an element of helplessness.

Just hypothetically, suppose that someone was quite serious about their religion, and there were frequently recurring threads about how there should be no religion in SL, that religion was a foolish thing, than anyone who is a believer is a fool, that LL should ban religion because it was inherently bad (there *was* such a thread).

It would be difficult for a person serious about religion to not read those threads. It would be difficult for that person to not post in those threads. At the very least, it would be difficult for that person to not feel exasperated.

On the other side, the posters and creators of those threads would say, "We're just talking. These are only ideas. We're not talking about YOU. If you don't like it, don't read this thread. What is your problem? If this makes you feel bad, it's YOUR problem."

Exasperation.

Or another example: Suppose those threads represented a serious campaign to outlaw hybrid avatars, and branded sex with hybrid avatars as a sickness. The first time you might laugh. The second time you might say, "oh this sh*t again", but with successive repetitions you might be EXASPERATED.

Obviously, people can talk about whatever they like. At the same time, other people can have whatever reaction they like. You and Pep are quite militant about what are acceptable reactions to forum posts. I don't feel limited or constrained by those requirements. I'm a human being, and a normal human has emotions. If I am going to have an emotional reaction, I will have one. If you discount its validity, so be it. But no one will tell me I don't have the right to feel what I feel and to say so. (They can TELL me, but I will disregard it.)

If none of us cared about anything, none of us would get exasperated. Doesn't sound like a very interesting life.

That's all fine, Key....but really, what counts is....what are you up to today?

/me laughs

I wish I could say I was soaking in a lovely bath, but I am in a windowless office dominated by the sound of many server fans.

I ran three miles last night, realized I should NEVER wear a white tee-shirt while running in summer.

uh...

/me looks around for something else to prolong the thread with...

I just sent a fax... I still don't trust fax machines, never believe they really send things... it's almost lunch time...

Have you been reading the PRS subforum across the street again?

Christopher Hitchens is in SL?

I suspect that exasperation on this forum does derive from a number of sources. Sometimes it is about content, and about having one's cherished ideas questioned. Sometimes (and I think this is actually quite common) it's about not having the linguistic and logical tools to respond properly to a post or thread that seems important to you: exasperation in that case derives from a frustration at not being able to articulate your thoughts effectively.

Most often, I think, exasperation is about tone. There is a kind of self-perpetuating cycle at work: someone who is "exasperated" for whatever reason at a post starts getting nasty and personal, which in turn prompts "exasperation" on the part of the person attacked. A downward spiral ensues, and we are left with posts that are mainly articulations of sputtering outrage rather than actual thoughts or ideas. We saw this at work pretty clearly in the recently-locked thread on mad bloggers and Linden Lab employees.

And yes, I know (from personal experience) how delicate it is to regulate tone in written communication. But it CAN be done; indeed, the greatest writing exemplifies the masterful management of it.

I know I sound like a broken record on this, but it has to be about civility. And civility is not just about refraining from personal attacks: it's also about avoiding deliberately inflammatory posts and language that almost invite people to take them personally. Tone is so important in this context because we can't really know what someone finds personally important.

Ultimately, civility is about showing that you care enough about those with whom you arguing to treat them as sentient, intelligent, and sensitive beings. And without THAT, we can't possibly maintain a civilized community here, or anywhere else.

oh god....on that white t-shirt thing...tell me about it! Was mowing lawns at my rental houses yesterday, and wore a white t-shirt....just plain stupid....you know what I mean...had to take the lawnmower apart to get it running, and there are grease stains all over my breasts! oh, how embarrassing. What do you use for that? Do you use Spray N' Wash? Maytag or Kenmore?

What's on the menu for lunch today? do you eat in your office, or do you get to go out? I work at home today, so in a couple of hours, when it's lunch time....I'll check back in and let you know what's going on.

I don't go there. I'm afraid to cross the street.

Yes it is. Anyone up for chinese?

I'm not talking about stains -- I didn't dive chest-first into anyone's lawn. I'm talking about the wet t-shirt effect. After running for a while, one tends to perspire.

I usually eat in the office with my co-workers. We all bring our lunches and gab. Today I will make a lovely plate of roast turkey, green beans, hummus with spinach and artichoke, black beans, and slices of mozzarella.