This is so nice. Having everyone together for my birthday. Of course, you could smash in all my toes with a hammer and it will still be the bestest Buffy Birthday Bash in a big long while.

Buffy ,'Potential'


Natter 75: More Than a Million Natters Served  

Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, butt kicking, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.


esse - Oct 26, 2016 6:51:24 pm PDT #186 of 30002
S to the A -- using they/them pronouns!

That's definitely not the case. I saw what my friend Stéphane was making back then, that team's pay for its non-stars was roughly in the same ballpark as my salary at that time. They'd have wanted insurance or the team to pay so they could eat the month of the doctor's visit.

It does depend on the the league the player is in, and the age/rank/talent of the player, but while the baseline salary for the American Hockey League is $42,000, the average salary for a player is $90,000. Under the current bargaining agreements, ECHL and AHL players are covered with insurance for their on-ice performance and are eligible for off-ice health insurance, year-round, not just when they're playing.

I'm not saying players stick around the US to make it rain doctor's visits and surgeries, but they are covered by insurance regardless of their citizenship or access to the Canadian single-payer system.


Vortex - Oct 26, 2016 7:34:37 pm PDT #187 of 30002
"Cry havoc and let slip the boobs of war!" -- Miracleman

New Orleans: It's like 80 degrees outside and the Convention Center is fucking freezing. OF COURSE.

I was there last week, it was ARCTIC. However, I have learned my lesson from conferences and always dress in layers.


Dana - Oct 27, 2016 4:10:29 am PDT #188 of 30002
"I'm useless alone." // "We're all useless alone. It's a good thing you're not alone."

Cable guy en route, cleaner en route. Can't do anything until one of them is done. No work, no unpacking.


Kalshane - Oct 27, 2016 4:42:01 am PDT #189 of 30002
GS: If you had to choose between kicking evil in the head or the behind, which would you choose, and why? Minsc: I'm not sure I understand the question. I have two feet, do I not? You do not take a small plate when the feast of evil welcomes seconds.

Always frustrating when there's stuff to do, but you have to wait on someone else before you can start.

Apologies rendered to and accepted by co-worker. So at least that's not weighing in me.

And hey, look at that, the Cubs actually won last night. (With the way the past decade has gone: Swept twice in the NLDS in 07 and 08, then swept in the NLCS last year, I was concerned they might continue the pattern and get swept in the World Series.)


Steph L. - Oct 27, 2016 5:20:02 am PDT #190 of 30002
Unusually and exceedingly peculiar and altogether quite impossible to describe

I have zero motivation today. If anyone sees it, please return to owner.


DavidS - Oct 27, 2016 5:37:31 am PDT #191 of 30002
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."

I have zero motivation today. If anyone sees it, please return to owner.

Did you check under the couch cushions? That's where our remote goes.

I don't actually need motivation today as everything is out of my hands and depending on my team to do the pitch today. More a fretful anticipation.

So you can have my usual thimbleful of motivation.


Amy - Oct 27, 2016 5:39:34 am PDT #192 of 30002
Because books.

All kinds of ~ma, David, now and at 2 pm. I'll cross everything, too, just to be safe.


Matt the Bruins fan - Oct 27, 2016 5:49:14 am PDT #193 of 30002
"I remember when they eventually introduced that drug kingpin who murdered people and smuggled drugs inside snakes and I was like 'Finally. A normal person.'” —RahvinDragand

esse, this was years ago and a couple leagues below the AHL—the now defunct CHL. I think all but a couple of players on that team would have started doing backflips if told they could make $42k a year playing hockey.


Laura - Oct 27, 2016 5:58:13 am PDT #194 of 30002
Our wings are not tired.

All manner of ~ma sent out, David.


Jesse - Oct 27, 2016 6:12:12 am PDT #195 of 30002
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.

Ooh, good luck, David!!