You're talking to Serenity. And, Early... Serenity is very unhappy.

River ,'Objects In Space'


Natter 78: I might need to watch some Buffy for inspiration

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.


chrismg - Jan 16, 2026 2:20:41 pm PST #11132 of 11964
"...and then Legolas and the Hulk destroy the entire Greek army." - Penny Arcade

Yay for feedback Teppy!

Also, my mother gets shots for the arthritis in her knee and says they do help some.


-t - Jan 16, 2026 3:02:39 pm PST #11133 of 11964
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration

Good, Tep! Both for survey and the shot helping.

I don't think I'm going to be able to manage the crossword tournament BUT USRail passes are basically half off until Tuesday, so I think I am finally going to do my 30 days of riding trains vacation. The earliest my vacation time will have accrued enough for that is 4/18-5/20, which is too late for crosswords but might work for Jazzfest and who knows what else I can get to in that time? I am excited! If you have ideas for where/when to try to fit in let me know! I think I have to start traveling by 5/20 but in case I need to be done by then, it's possible, will figure that out after I have bought the pass...


JenP - Jan 16, 2026 3:35:24 pm PST #11134 of 11964

That sounds like such a cool thing to do. I love trains. I'm sorry the timing doesn't work for Stamford, but I'm looking forward to follow along on your trip... and if you get easterly enough, meeting up!


dcp - Jan 16, 2026 3:51:47 pm PST #11135 of 11964
The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know.

Not covered by a USRail pass, but if you ever get the chance, take a day-trip on the Cumbres & Toltec narrow-gauge railroad: [link] . I had a wonderful time with them.

I've also heard good recommendations for the Durango & Silverton railroad, but I haven't been on that one myself (yet): [link]

And someday I want to take the Rocky Mountaineer: [link]


-t - Jan 16, 2026 4:04:03 pm PST #11136 of 11964
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration

I was just talking about the Rocky Mountaineer with my dad. I do want to slip in an Acela ride this trip, I think, but I mostly want to cover a lot area so I don't know that I'll have much room for other non-Pass trains. Intriguing idea, though!

I do expect to get out near you, JenP! I want to kind of circumnavigate the available railway system as best I can. It's 10 segments in 30 days which has a lot of possibilities as, for example, the Zephyr from Calif to Chicago is one segment (which is how I originally planned to start this trip when it was entirely theoretical because I had never taken the Zephyr, but now I have so maybe I will head in a different direction first. SO MANY OPTIONS


JenP - Jan 16, 2026 4:40:26 pm PST #11137 of 11964

I do expect to get out near you, JenP!

Yahoo!


Sophia Brooks - Jan 16, 2026 6:13:21 pm PST #11138 of 11964
Cats to become a rabbit should gather immediately now here

Happy Birthday msbelle!

The UTI thing in the elderly is real, yo!

I am glad you gave feedback Teppy.

I always feel weird about medical practitioner stereotypes but also, I notice patterns. Like, oddly sexual assault nurse examiners are like non functional doing things like using tuition benefits to take contact hour courses. But I imagine they are actually great at their job. And now I miss JZ because she would totally understand what I am talking about.


Matt the Bruins fan - Jan 16, 2026 9:08:33 pm PST #11139 of 11964
You have to remember that being a 5-time Olympic medalist means Hilary Knight has been playing hockey at an elite level at least 16 years. It's impossible for her to be a teenage girl less than 16 years old, thus the President's complete lack of interest.

I suppose I should be glad Dad's frequent UTIs never seemed to affect him cognitively.


meara - Jan 16, 2026 9:10:39 pm PST #11140 of 11964

Was surprised there were no new messages here all day…then realized I’d somehow gotten logged out. Oops.

Am at dancing but not sure how much more energy I have to dance…


-t - Jan 17, 2026 10:31:49 am PST #11141 of 11964
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration

OK, I bought the pass and am tentatively planning on using it 4/16-5/16, aiming for the first weekend of JazzFest by taking the Coast Starlight north to Empire Builder east to City of New Orleans south. If I leave here Thursday night I have room to stay two nights not on a train somewhere. That leaves 7 segments in 21 days to go wherever, plus maybe Acela up to Boston or somewhere which is not included in the pass...