What Did the Cellar Ever Do For You...?

Sundae • Nov 26, 2009 8:04 am
I thought of this while writing a post where I admitted I have different opinions about the importance of freedom of speech since I started to post here.

Despite being to the left of what Americans would call liberal, I have certainly gained a better understanding of what we would call the far right. Here. Where I encounter real people.

I've realised decent people, who I like, can have beliefs I would previously have found extreme.

I've begun to understand the culture of a country that is so very different to mine. That the words "American" and "culture" can exist in harmony for example, and that some Europeans can be snobbish. Same with the realisation that Americans really cook. And even have more interest in good food than I do. McDonalds and Domino's are not necessarily every American's sole food provider.

On a more personal level, I learned that people struggle with all sorts of issues, and what I perceived as a world where everyone was okay except for me was a self-pitying fabrication. Everyday people have huge issues underneath the surface. Children, self-esteem, depression, work, family trouble. Success is how you handle it, not where you appear to be. And sometimes you just don't handle it and that is okay too.

And that there is a world where you can use three and four syllable words and not get blank looks. Well - it's the internet, you can't see them anyway. But there is a place where you can write a paeon to a dead politician in one thread, then talk about having sparkle dust on your boobs in the next. Those were my first posts as I remember. I knew I was home.

BTW - I wasn't anti-American before I came here. I was just lacking in information.

Hope this isn't too Hallmark.
I just wanted to get it off my sparkle-dusted chest.
xoxoxoBruce • Nov 26, 2009 8:07 am
Would you like some help cleaning that chest? :yum:
Griff • Nov 26, 2009 8:21 am
Lovely sentiment Sundae. The Cellar has broadened my world and moderated my views over time. Our place rocks.
Trilby • Nov 26, 2009 8:22 am
i feel very much the same, Sundae, but you put it so eloquently and I can't think of how to add to it -!!
monster • Nov 26, 2009 10:21 am
Well said, SG.
jinx • Nov 26, 2009 10:23 am
That was nice to read SG. Thanks for taking the time...
Cloud • Nov 26, 2009 11:19 am
Nice post. It's so hard to change one's mind. Have you ever been here? You should visit!

Sundae Girl;612558 wrote:

BTW - I wasn't anti-American before I came here. I was just lacking in information..


This is the definition of prejudice. Pre-judging on surface impressions without evidence or knowledge.
Nirvana • Nov 26, 2009 11:39 am
Nice post SG. This is a great place to know that you would want to meet so many of the members in person. Also it helps you know who requires a wide berth . . .
Sundae • Nov 26, 2009 11:42 am
Cloud;612594 wrote:
This is the definition of prejudice. Pre-judging on surface impressions without evidence or knowledge.

I was prejudiced, I admit it.
Through ignorance.
The internet has opened up the world for me.

Yes, I've been to America and loved it.
As I say, I had nothing against Americans. But I did think in stereotypical terms. Like people think Britain is all bad teeth, bad food and bad weather, crumbling castles, crumpets and more-tea-vicar? Okay, the weather I'll give you - I like it but I'm in the minority.

I thought America was all fast food, disposable culture. If you wanted class and refinement you had to be rich. Way off beam. I blame those pesky books and movies.

I think it's more that I struggled to find people to relate to IRL, and treasured them when I found them. How could I know that a bunch of verbose, pedantic, hard-drinking gourmands could live over the pond?!
DanaC • Nov 26, 2009 11:43 am
It's certainly one of the definitions of prejudice.
skysidhe • Nov 26, 2009 12:49 pm
I think by the time I was 9 I knew all brits didn't drink tea with their pinky extended. The jury is still out on the creme in the tea bit though. :P

no really...I want to know * huge smile* I really think if I went there and ordered tea and didn't put milk in it I'd be given blank looks.:3_eyes:

Another thing I assume is that American's wear more tennis shoes and jeans and Europeans wear more dresses and non athletic shoes so if I don't want to look like a tourist if and when I ever go there I should dress more posh? Is this true?

ps. I like jeans but with boots or shoes although I've been wearing my tennis shoes lately because my boots are too nice and my shoes sole is lifted.
( geez what a confessional)
Sundae • Nov 26, 2009 2:02 pm
skysidhe;612628 wrote:
The jury is still out on the creme in the tea bit though. :P

Cream or creme or whatever - NO! Milk only in tea. Or lemon or nothing I mean. If it's cow juice it must be milk.
no really...I want to know * huge smile* I really think if I went there and ordered tea and didn't put milk in it I'd be given blank looks.:3_eyes:

In respect to the above, most people have milk in tea, but any reasonable places give it to you on the side, as the amount of milk added is a personal choice. Neither my Mum nor my Dad have milk in tea and they have no problems. If you went to a roadside cafe (frequented by builders and/or lorry drivers) you'd probably have to ask for a tea-no-milk, but even there it wouldn't get stares. And I have to ask whether you've had English tea? IMO it is definitely improved by milk. Unlike herbal teas, which are ruined by it.
Another thing I assume is that American's wear more tennis shoes and jeans and Europeans wear more dresses and non athletic shoes so if I don't want to look like a tourist if and when I ever go there I should dress more posh? Is this true?
Depends solely on where you are, chick. Jeans & trainers are de rigeur here too. If you're taking afternoon tea at the Ritz you dress up. Same as I would if I were visiting a top class hotel in New York. Tourists are in a class of their own. I attracted many male reactions in Egypt and Sri Lanka in a dress I thought conservative... At least in London you won't be set on by a bunch of schoolkids wanting a photo with you!
DanaC • Nov 26, 2009 3:28 pm
I go to my council meetings wearing skinny jeans and baseball boots. Or suit trousers and baseball boots. There are very few places I go to where I don't feel quite happy in jeans and trainers. Or biker boots. But like Sundae said, it's situation specific. Even then, to be honest I tend to wear jeans and baseball boots to restaurants and functions as well.

I don't go to the Ritz. And when I've visited L at the House of Commons I wore a suit.
Cicero • Nov 26, 2009 3:47 pm
Thanks for opening up about it Sundae. I am sensitive to people's "ill" conceived notions, but I don't bother to talk them out of it. They need evidence by experience, and I would not rob them of it.

If you learn anything I hope it's not to judge others by the way in which they add milk to their tea.

Thanks for your honesty.

Cultures don't always have to clash- they can supplement your own. They can enhance and do not always divide. Sometimes we can confuse things that are actually complimentary, with things that are versus. I am not immune to it either.
DanaC • Nov 26, 2009 3:51 pm
of course, there's nothing inherently wrong with reaching an 'understanding' of things based on little or no evidence. Those preconceptions are partly why we are able to function in the world as we do. We cannot possibly know all there is to know, but even where knowledge is absent, our brains need to find a satifactory way to code and understand the world.
Cicero • Nov 26, 2009 4:08 pm
DanaC;612689 wrote:
of course, there's nothing inherently wrong with reaching an 'understanding' of things based on little or no evidence. Those preconceptions are partly why we are able to function in the world as we do. We cannot possibly know all there is to know, but even where knowledge is absent, our brains need to find a satifactory way to code and understand the world.



True. When we ask our brain a question it spits out an answer. No matter how dumb it is. :D
DanaC • Nov 26, 2009 4:10 pm
God help us if it stopped doing that.
Cicero • Nov 26, 2009 4:16 pm
Yah that's also how some advances and inventions were founded......Someone that asked their brain a question and got a stupid answer, then tried it anyway. The leap!

It's a love/hate thing....:)
skysidhe • Nov 26, 2009 4:17 pm
DanaC;612709 wrote:
God help us if it stopped doing that.


I don't know. I kinda like the quiet.

I burnt out my thyroid and poof all the angst and pondering was gone.

lol
skysidhe • Nov 26, 2009 4:31 pm
Dana,,,I just realized you said,"GOD HELP US"

you beseeched the name of the lord! :eek:

you are not really an atheist are you;)
Pico and ME • Nov 26, 2009 4:33 pm
I say God all the time and I am 100% atheist.

And I loved your post SG.
Cicero • Nov 26, 2009 4:35 pm
Thread drift like this proves that there really is no ultimate pattern inherent in the Universe. :)

There is no god. ;)

I'm bored. Sorry.
skysidhe • Nov 26, 2009 4:47 pm
Pico and ME;612719 wrote:
I say God all the time and I am 100% atheist.

And I loved your post SG.


I was teasing.
xoxoxoBruce • Nov 26, 2009 4:47 pm
Yabut, you're still a bunch of talk funny, spell funny, socialists, that call soccer, football, and want to tax our tea. :p
skysidhe • Nov 26, 2009 4:55 pm
.
DanaC • Nov 26, 2009 4:56 pm
We're not all socialists....some of us are positively imperial.
xoxoxoBruce • Nov 26, 2009 5:33 pm
I bow to your superior knowledge, Madam. :notworthy
limey • Nov 26, 2009 5:42 pm
xoxoxoBruce;612727 wrote:
Yabut, you're still a bunch of talk funny, spell funny, socialists, that call soccer, football, and want to tax our tea. :p


No no no no no ..... You talk funny, you spell funny ...
xoxoxoBruce • Nov 26, 2009 5:48 pm
Ah Ha, you must be one of those imperialists. :lol2:
limey • Nov 26, 2009 6:46 pm
xoxoxoBruce;612755 wrote:
Ah Ha, you must be one of those imperialists. :lol2:


Yes. I still measure things in feet and inches, and pounds and ounces, and pints ...
regular.joe • Nov 26, 2009 6:47 pm
SG,

You are a cool chick in my book. Nice post, well said. Thank you.

(I am totally resisting the urge to pontificate on this thread. You said enough and you said it well.)
xoxoxoBruce • Nov 26, 2009 7:07 pm
limey;612768 wrote:
Yes. I still measure things in feet and inches, and pounds and ounces, and pints ...
...for good measure. ;)
monster • Nov 26, 2009 8:50 pm
limey;612768 wrote:
Yes. I still measure things in feet and inches, and pounds and ounces, and pints ...


They call those "English" measurments over here, rather than "Imperial"..... :rolleyes: :lol:
Sundae • Nov 27, 2009 1:36 pm
Just used the second package of cornbread mix you sent me, Monster.
Mum & I ate half while it was still warm (naughty, naughty).

Measurements on the packet threw me all over again - I can never get used to measuring in cups and have to have a translation every time. Even my lovely BBC cookery book, which includes Metric and Imperial measures AND instructions for Aussies and Merkins doesn't translate cups - it says it varies by ingredient.

What an odd system, say I :)
Cloud • Nov 27, 2009 2:15 pm
what do you use instead of cups for dry volume measurement?
Sundae • Nov 27, 2009 2:23 pm
I came online and translated it by product.
I wanted grated cheese, and got a weight measurement so I could weigh it out.
monster • Nov 27, 2009 2:37 pm
Cloud;612963 wrote:
what do you use instead of cups for dry volume measurement?


Ingredients are weighed in British recipes.
BigV • Nov 27, 2009 3:41 pm
Excellent post, Sundae Girl. Bravo.
Cloud • Nov 27, 2009 9:57 pm
so, you have to have a scale to cook with? or bake with?
monster • Nov 27, 2009 9:58 pm
right. But we all have one. Just like you all have cup measures.
DanaC • Nov 28, 2009 6:12 am
I don't have a scale. I just guess.
Sundae • Nov 28, 2009 6:20 am
Scales are useful for calculating postage on eBay as well.
Or Secret Santa postage of course.
TheMercenary • Nov 28, 2009 8:44 am
GREAT post SG. :thumb:
monster • Nov 28, 2009 10:54 am
DanaC;613088 wrote:
I don't have a scale. I just guess.



Some cup-measurers do too -hence the "just like" ;)

How often do you cook requiring measurements, Dana? :p
DanaC • Nov 28, 2009 12:03 pm
lol Not so often these days:P But I used to be a pretty good cook when i had a reason to and a kitchen to do it in.
Sundae • Nov 28, 2009 12:14 pm
Clean your kitchen Miss Dana!
(sez me who has a sparkly clean kitchen solely because I live with Mum)

I only measure (weigh) for a new recipe.
After that I guess.
Oh, and baked goods like scones/ cakes/ bread etc, where it's about a specific reaction between ingredients rather than to-taste. But that's because I don't bake often enough.

I used to have a set of US measuring cups, because I used to cook recipes from the internet on a regular basis. Lost in one of the last three panicked house moves, sadly. But as I said, I can always look them up.

Food, the international language of nom nom nom.
Aliantha • Nov 28, 2009 7:11 pm
When a recipe suggests measuring in cups, I just use the same size cup for all the measurements. I have an old crockery set that I've put most of the plates in the 'if/when we have a big party we'll need these' cupboard, but I keep the teacups in my cooking cupboard to use as measurers. They're pretty close to a standard cup measure anyway.
limey • Nov 29, 2009 6:10 am
DanaC;613165 wrote:
lol Not so often these days:P But I used to be a pretty good cook when i had a reason to and a kitchen to do it in.


I assume you still have a stomick, Dana, so you still have a reason to cook ...
DanaC • Nov 29, 2009 7:23 am
No. I have a reason to heat up microwave meals or toast :P Very occasionally I will actually 'cook'. Usually if someone else is at my house (eg. mum or J).
limey • Nov 29, 2009 1:46 pm
DanaC;613391 wrote:
No. I have a reason to heat up microwave meals or toast :P Very occasionally I will actually 'cook'. Usually if someone else is at my house (eg. mum or J).


So ... no tastebuds then, poor you :(!
DanaC • Nov 29, 2009 2:45 pm
I have tastebuds...just not enough to outweigh the general shittiness of the cooking experience on account of what I laughingly call my 'kitchen'.
skysidhe • Nov 29, 2009 10:09 pm
Please be patient with my long post. It is somewhat of an awareness journey and I can't explain it in a few words.

I've been reading this title and I really wanted to honor S.G.s contribution but this whole time I had been drawing a blank in my mind.

I wanted there to be something and I was disturbed there wasn't anything forthcoming.

and so I've been giving it a little thought, about that much
* showing thumb and forefinger in about an inch gap*

Not very much but feeling bad about myself for not coming up with anything, not for the sake of others but wondering wtf I am doing if I can't dig deeper than the surface crap.

Without giving this thread anymore thought to my dilemma of not thinking of anything to say I decide to entertain myself by reading some of the cellar.

So here I am, off line reading a cellar philosophy thread. It was the freedom thread and that about burned my eyeballs off and I laughed and mused the whole way through.
It was so disorderly and passionate and frustrating.

That done I went searching the net for other philosophy subjects or forums. The first one I came to was an actual philosophy site. I am reading through the first few posts and I notice everyone is so orderly and nice. "Oh look" I think to myself."They are so orderly and nice"

Then crickets chirping. Literally dead pan.



So I'm reading their thread and I am thinking, "Is it the lack of dysfunction that bores me?"

I don't think it is the dysfunction here that attracts me. I think that was dysfunction was the main thing causing me to draw a blank.

I don't think I am consciously drawing a comparison at this point but my subconscious is doing double time because little did I know it the next time I read a cellar post I would have an 'ah-ha' moment.


So back to my story.


I go back in to the cellar philosophy archive and read and someone posted something that made me chuckle and crack up.

AH HA! that's it! It's the spontaneous off the cuff remarks. The odd ball comments, bits of humor and interpersonal spark. Those little gems you find that keep you coming back looking for more.

There are so many strong personalities here no wonder there are so many clashes. Everyone is unique and makes up the whole dynamic and that is what makes this a special place. Without Henri, or classic or lookout or ph, or shawnee or Merc, or lj or jinx or clod....oh yeah.. I am remembering as I type. It was clod's post that got me chuckling and gave me my ah ha moment. It was about the stepping on the conjoined twins foot to see if the other felt pain. haha That still cracks me up.

At that moment I knew what the cellar ever did for me was to give a chuckle, or bruce's off handed remarks knocking me from my chair or shawnee's funnies that leave me awestruck, Henri's knuckle biter posts, Merc's softer side,whip's concern of the free world, joe poet,UT's wisdom and restraint,zen's goodwill,Wolf's Constance, etc...etc..and a dozen other people who make this a truly special place to be.

Thank you all for being the wild conglomeration that you are but especially for the constant laughs.
Juniper • Nov 29, 2009 10:48 pm
I like the Cellar because you all make me seem positively normal by comparison.

:D

I should say, it's because you make it OK to be weird. Because this is the one place I never have to worry about "dumbing down" anything.
Queen of the Ryche • Nov 30, 2009 4:06 pm
Lovely post SG, just like you.

And yes, Juni. I feel that "weird" is "normal" here, and "normal" people can GTFO.

And I appreciate the intellegence and wit free of a superiority complex. I'm sure this place is filled with geniuses, but dimwits like me are welcome too.

And the SINCERITY amazes me. A new car? Seriously? For someone we've never met?

Nothing goes unnoticed or unfelt around here, and it makes me feel honored to be a small part of it. Thanks guys for letting me.
*off to grab a tissue*
classicman • Nov 30, 2009 4:52 pm
Inspiring SG - definitely one of your best posts.


ok - I've been thinking about this for quite some time also. I too, have been struggling to really find an answer, if there is one. . .

I'll just start rambling and see what happens . . .

In no particular order -

The Cellar has brought from the brink of insanity to the clearest of cogent thought. It has infuriated me, made me laugh out loud, left me in utter awe and yes even tear up more than once. I have gained some insight into the views of people, places and things that I would probably never have had the opportunity to hear, see or think about.

I have been both ridiculed and supported on a variety of comments things. I have been proven both right and wrong on a variety of subjects I've had my opinions altered in some cases and galvanized in others - sometimes by the same people.

I have been educated about many things. I'm constantly amazed at the breadth and depth of knowledge from the "regulars" here. I couldn't begin to list the many topics that we have "experts" here as consistent posters.

Additionally, the way that most freely reach out to others in need. I can speak from personal experience on this. It has been an overwhelmingly emotional experience for me at times. Those who know, understand. Lastly, I have had my belief in humanity challenged and yet repeatedly renewed from many of you. The help, concern and advice so freely offered has been inspiring to see and at times be a part of.
skysidhe • Nov 30, 2009 7:37 pm
bravo classic
atrw93 • Nov 30, 2009 8:22 pm
Memo to Tony S.

I recently unearthed my autographed copy of
Dinty Moore's book including his visit and interviews
at your home for a nice summer cook-out.

As a curious question: How many of those who were
there that day are still around and how many still visit
THE CELLAR?

Thanks for keeping up the good work,

Al (atrw93)
classicman • Nov 30, 2009 8:30 pm
skysidhe;613763 wrote:
bravo classic

thanks
atrw93;613771 wrote:
Memo to Tony S.

I recently unearthed my autographed copy of Dinty Moore's book including his visit and interviews at your home for a nice summer cook-out.


Pics or it never happened :P
Undertoad • Nov 30, 2009 9:20 pm
Handful at best and that was 16 years ago. I think there are 5 current Dwellars who were onboard at that time.
kerosene • Dec 1, 2009 6:30 pm
I think I was too young to join the cellar...that many years ago. That's a strange thought.

I am sure I can't be as eloquent as the rest of you guys, but here are my thoughts:

The cellar for me has been a social outlet in times of seclusion (Kansas and the mountains come to mind.) It's been a way of making friends...though I am horribly slow at it and incredibly shy in real life. It has been a place to bounce off ideas and get good, honest answers from intelligent people. It has been a place for me to experience some of the deepest, saddest moments as well as some of the most triumphant joys through the writings of others. I feel like I know you all so well, and hopefully you know me pretty well, also.
Elspode • Dec 1, 2009 7:22 pm
In keeping with the original thread title, I thought I'd try to elaborate a bit on what, exactly, the Cellar has done for me.

First and foremost, the Cellar has always provided for me a forum wherein I am able to spew an unadulterated version of my somewhat nonstandard life into the ether, and not have it immediately poo-poohed and dismissed. The Cellar has always provided for me a form of validation that, while ephemeral and virtual, is nonetheless rewarding and supportive. When I talk about being Pagan, or Polyamorous, or a musician, or a failed writer or a failed human being, the Cellar is always *there*, always *real* in its virtuality.

I don't really think I'll ever be able to put my finger on it, but there's something here that is real and comforting in a way that IRL, face to face relationships aren't. There's a level of safety and trust (at least for those who aren't twitknobs - you know who you are if you are one) that is quite remarkable. The Cellar Mind, as a body, is an uncannily accurate determiner of Reality, Sincerity and Veracity. The result is that, if you are *real*, it doesn't matter if you're a real pervert, Pagan, hick, or doofus...if you're sincere about it, you are probably loved, and Cellar Familius. From what I've seen in my years here, achieving that lofty status is not something to be regarded lightly.

Last night, Selene came into my room, and unwittingly summed things up better than I could have imagined. Commenting on something I'd posted on Facebook, she said, "You know, you can say whatever you want on The Cellar, and it doesn't matter...but when you say it on Facebook, *everybody* sees it, so you need to watch your shit."

'Nuff said. How much more impact on one stupid guy's life can a web forum have than this?

"The Cellar: Just popular enough to go unnoticed when it really counts"
skysidhe • Dec 1, 2009 8:50 pm
Bravo case and Elspode!

These are great :D
richlevy • Dec 1, 2009 11:11 pm
atrw93;613771 wrote:

As a curious question: How many of those who were
there that day are still around and how many still visit
THE CELLAR?
O yeah, the cookout. I took Marci and the kids there. Great people, but it was a little like Alice and the Tea Party.

It was the first time I ever saw a man wearing a cocktail dress. We met Tony and JaniceL (now MaggieL) and his (her?) family, and a few other Cellarites.

Almost as much fun as Plastic Forks.
xoxoxoBruce • Dec 2, 2009 4:21 am
The long history is interesting, especially to those that have been here, I suppose... but does seniority really matter that much? Can't people join, and become accepted as a full fledged regular in a matter of weeks, if they're real? I think so. I for one, am more interested in what they post, than any other measures, even if I disagree with them.
SteveDallas • Dec 2, 2009 2:08 pm
xoxoxoBruce;614143 wrote:
Can't people join, and become accepted as a full fledged regular in a matter of weeks

No. Cause we hate newbies and kick them to the curb, after beating their brains out and emptying out the cash from their wallets.
kerosene • Dec 2, 2009 2:49 pm
Sleeve, you are stuck in 2001, I think. We traded that method in for Jim's newb quiz.
Elspode • Dec 2, 2009 6:42 pm
I think people *can* catch on right away, if they're real enough. Some people who have ended up as fambly started out pretty rough, but still persevered and gained acceptance.

I'm not saying we're elitist or anything. Quite the opposite. However, dipshitness just doesn't fly well here for the most part. And senority? Pfft.
limey • Dec 2, 2009 7:47 pm
Elspode;614337 wrote:
I think people *can* catch on right away, if they're real enough. Some people who have ended up as fambly started out pretty rough, but still persevered and gained acceptance.

I'm not saying we're elitist or anything. Quite the opposite. However, dipshitness just doesn't fly well here for the most part. And senility? Pfft.


Fixed it for ya!
BrianR • Dec 3, 2009 12:17 am
I remember that party! It was my first time meeting Cellarites too. Susan Crane was there too, IIRC. She of the anniversary edition Corvette, right?

noobs can be welcome here or not. We welcome all comers but remain intolerant of jerks and attention whores. The key is maturity.

Rich, the proper pronoun is 'her', not 'his'. Even then.
lumberjim • Dec 3, 2009 12:32 am
Elspode;614024 wrote:
The result is that, if you are *real*, it doesn't matter if you're a real pervert, Pagan, hick, or doofus...if you're sincere about it, you are probably loved, and Cellar Familius.


this!



i'm making it my sig line cuz it's proper.
skysidhe • Dec 3, 2009 9:51 am
SteveDallas;614258 wrote:
No. Cause we hate newbies and kick them to the curb, after beating their brains out and emptying out the cash from their wallets.



good tag line
wolf • Dec 5, 2009 4:48 pm
atrw93;613771 wrote:
Memo to Tony S.

I recently unearthed my autographed copy of
Dinty Moore's book including his visit and interviews
at your home for a nice summer cook-out.

As a curious question: How many of those who were
there that day are still around and how many still visit
THE CELLAR?



I wasn't there for the GTG BBQ, but I was at the book signing, and yes, I'm still here.

Great to "see" you Al!! :D

What has the Cellar done for me? I find friends here. I find an opportunity to vent here. I find points of view that infuriate me, but make me think. I find that I have some extra mugs and tee shirts, too.

*sniff* I love you guys.
busterb • Dec 17, 2009 12:30 am
Well I've been around a few years. So I'll put this out as and answer to Sunday.
A Rednecks answer.
When I have a few bucks, I try to send some to Tony.
After the storm "Katrina" I got money in mail from members. I got Christmas cards from across the pond.
I got and e-mail telling me to take my dog to vet, checks in mail. I have no reason to doubt this as true.
I very seldom PM anyone. I did a few times. Once I got an answer that upset me, so no more.
BTW! I've drunk up my fruitcake whiskey. So the warning is out, unless I return to bottle shop. Merry whatever---"ya'll"
toranokaze • Dec 18, 2009 4:04 am
In a real sense the cellar saved my life
xoxoxoBruce • Dec 18, 2009 10:55 am
And damn happy to do it, too. :)
classicman • Dec 18, 2009 12:28 pm
Very happy for you tora. Reread zens suggestion - Thats makes very good sense to me. It might really help you in the future.
dar512 • Jan 6, 2010 11:13 pm
Amongst many other things, taught me the origins of the word "hinder".
jujuwwhite • Jan 7, 2010 8:37 pm
Not to sound too 'mushy cushy' as capn would say....but the cellar has actually broadened my horizon! I knew there was another world outside of this small town but never really had a concept of it. Thanks guys and gals and thanks capnhowdy for introducing me to the cellar!
capnhowdy • Jan 8, 2010 7:43 am
Welcome to my world.
xoxoxoBruce • Jan 9, 2010 1:12 am
It's a trick juju, we're all capn's sock puppets.
capnhowdy • Jan 10, 2010 8:22 am
It has shown me how much my wife actually 'works' at work....
jujuwwhite • Jan 10, 2010 9:58 am
OH fucking well! Just as long as I get my paycheck every 2 weeks and still save a few lives along the way!! Smart ASS! LOL
Shawnee123 • Jan 10, 2010 10:06 am
:headshake I couldn't do what you do, juju. I can't imagine the calls you must get. You must have nerves of steel and a way with people!
skysidhe • Jan 10, 2010 10:14 am
I could not do that work either. You are a hero of sorts juju.
jujuwwhite • Jan 10, 2010 11:50 am
Thanks shawnee and sky! I do work at a thankless job but it's ok because I can sleep at night when all my officers, paramedics, and firemen go home alive to their families and it's partly because as their dispatcher I look after them. I also love the feeling I get when callers get the help they need.
Undertoad • Jan 10, 2010 12:33 pm
Plus you have to remain calm at the moment when people are anything but.

When we called 911 recently for the boy's toddler, the boy was so emotional, he was totally unable to communicate anything much except -- baby! banged head! OMG! His mom had to take over to get real information through.

What are the qualifications to be a 911 dispatch?
jujuwwhite • Jan 11, 2010 11:30 am
Undertoad;625415 wrote:
Plus you have to remain calm at the moment when people are anything but.



What are the qualifications to be a 911 dispatch?


To initially get hired as a dispatcher, the only qualifications are to be able to type (since most dispatch is computerized nowdays), be able to handle stress from co-workers, supervisors, and especially callers. You really have to have thick skin to be able to take being called every name in book during a time of crisis. But you have to dish it all back too but in a professional, calm way.

Every state has different requirements, but every state has a 'post certified' school that all dispatchers have to go to be certified. There are lots of other certifications along the way, such as EMD (emergency medical dispatch) where we give cpr over the phone to emotional callers and take control of the situation until someone gets on scene to take over the call.

I could talk all day long about what I do because I am extremely proud of my chosen profession but this is probably more info than you really wanted to know. LOL
Undertoad • Jan 11, 2010 11:51 am
No I want to know more! You sit on one of the edges of society, you know?

What was the worst call you ever dealt with?
Shawnee123 • Jan 11, 2010 11:53 am
I read an article about a dispatcher's experiences some time ago. Fascinating.

Yes, tell us more juju!
jujuwwhite • Jan 11, 2010 12:02 pm
I didn't realize anyone would be interested in my profession...I will start a thread on 911 experiences real soon. Thanks guys!
glatt • Jan 11, 2010 12:06 pm
Do it soon. I want to hear about it too.
monster • Jan 11, 2010 1:44 pm
http://www.neenaw.co.uk/

This is the very popular blog of a dispatcher in the UK. There are more.
Sundae • Jan 11, 2010 2:57 pm
My Mum worked in ambulance control for about 10 years. In this country you dial 999 and are asked, "Which service, please?" If you asked for an ambulance in the mid eighties-nineties you'd have got through to my Mum (in Bucks, when she was on duty!)

You don't want her stories.
She came home full of stress, anger, bile, horror and helplessness. And irritability. And that was when she wasn't on nights. She mentioned being on nights over Christmas (three years running - the shifts fell as they did, no argument) to someone the other day. She said what hell it was having to get up and make Christmas dinner after less than six hours sleep. I chipped in that we were all terrified of her when she was on nights (perhaps a little TMI) and her response was, "If you hadn't all been so much trouble, perhaps things would have been easier for me!" So no regrets there then Mum.
capnhowdy • Jan 11, 2010 6:42 pm
I have to hand it to Juju.... she really handles it well. I listen to her on the scanner and she's been there so long she's a natural. I can tell if it's been a 'crazy' night, but she rarely brings it home with her. A dead giveaway of a 'crazy' night is a glass of Bulleit or Knob Creek at 0830 hrs. The nights she works, she gets home just a few minutes before I am leaving to go to my job.
xoxoxoBruce • Jan 11, 2010 11:00 pm
Aw, she just needs a stiff one... and her's is leaving for work. :haha:
capnhowdy • Jan 12, 2010 7:48 am
xoxoxoBruce;625779 wrote:
Aw, she just needs a stiff one... and her's is leaving for work. :haha:


:lol2:
jujuwwhite • Jan 12, 2010 9:29 am
capnhowdy;625712 wrote:
A dead giveaway of a 'crazy' night is a glass of Bulleit or Knob Creek at 0830 hrs. .


Thanks for understanding Capn! I handle my job much better since I have an understanding husband who appreciates the stressful nights and doesn't scorn or fuss at me for coming home 'pissy' sometimes. It's true, I try not to take it out on him and most days I do pretty good, but sometimes he catches the blunt of my tiredness. I guess that's another good reason we are on separate rotations as far as our work schedule goes.

I do miss him when we are apart, but our separate schedules gives us both time to ourselves and we still find some very important quality time together.
Sundae • Feb 25, 2010 12:00 pm
I'm way past the point of lumping all Americans together as a whole. But sometimes an overall flavour comes through. And it's very nice to know the Merkins I know have nothing to do with it.

http://www.cellar.org/showthread.php?p=637309#post637309

Clod - who else? - reminds me that America is a big place with room for lots of opinions. And that although some are abhorrent to me, my countrymen are not immune to the same.
Sheldonrs • Feb 25, 2010 12:03 pm
Sundae Girl;637316 wrote:
I'm way past the point of lumping all Americans together as a whole. ...


I usually lump all Americans as a-HOLE. :D
Sundae • Feb 25, 2010 12:07 pm
As I was typing it I remembered a Red Dwarf line, from Backwards

[talking about living life backwards]:
Rimmer: ... until eventually we all become one glorious whole
Lister: Rimmer, you're already are one glorious hole!

Made me smile.
Sundae • Mar 30, 2010 1:21 pm
The Cellar gave me somewhere to talk about my sexual exploits.
I had nowhere else, and no-one else to discuss this with.

And I wasn't rejected.
If anyone was disgusted (which is their right) they kept their own counsel.

This place. Pretty damn good.
limey • Mar 30, 2010 4:13 pm
Sundae Girl;644301 wrote:
The Cellar gave me somewhere to talk about my sexual exploits.
I had nowhere else, and no-one else to discuss this with.

And I wasn't rejected.
If anyone was disgusted (which is their right) they kept their own counsel.

This place. Pretty damn good.


Not rejected, no. Admired. Revered. Envied.
lumberjim • Mar 30, 2010 5:19 pm
limey;644336 wrote:
Not rejected, no. Admired. Revered. Envied.


ok, j...ust how many of you women have this group sex fantasy?
DanaC • Mar 30, 2010 5:46 pm
Why, Jim, you lookin to arrange a gtg? :P
xoxoxoBruce • Mar 30, 2010 11:40 pm
Sundae Girl;644301 wrote:
The Cellar gave me somewhere to talk about my sexual exploits.
I had nowhere else, and no-one else to discuss this with.

And I wasn't rejected.
If anyone was disgusted (which is their right) they kept their own counsel.

This place. Pretty damn good.
Disgusted? :rotflol: Jealous is more like it.
lumberjim • Mar 31, 2010 12:11 am
DanaC;644349 wrote:
Why, Jim, you lookin to arrange a gtg? :P

derrrer..... derrerrr...

that is to say....



...yes
Sundae • Feb 21, 2011 5:10 pm
Regardless of political, social, cultural issues, this world - at least the Cellar contingent - contains some truly funny individuals. As well as intelligent, caring and all the rest.

The funnies where what made me post though.
plthijinx • Feb 22, 2011 3:57 am
cellarity day is tomorrow? oh crap! i;ve been to busy to remember! well now. i guess that calls for a special dinner now doesn;t it? seafood on the menu tomorrow i believe. gonna go buy it, not catch it damn it. what to make though. snapper? tuna? crab? the list goes on......i;m thinking garlic and lemon stuffed red snapper.
DanaC • Feb 22, 2011 5:47 am
Not fair!

Tomorrow is Cellarity Day and my Birthday, and what will i be doing? I ask you, what will I be doing?

Fuckin' Adult Health and Social Care Scrutiny Panel, that's fuckin' what.

I shouldn't complain. I do get paid for this shit after all. But still...on Cellarity day??
monster • Feb 22, 2011 8:18 am
I'll be on vacation. at an indoor water park. I'll have a drink for you. Oh, and happy birthday.
monster • Feb 22, 2011 8:26 am
DanaC;712771 wrote:
Fuckin' Adult Health


There should always be some fuckin' on cellarity day, though
Sundae • Feb 22, 2011 9:27 am
Dana will be getting closer to fucking than I will.
And she gets paid for shit.

Can't really complain, I have a play date with a school colleague.
Hope for some ideas for my costume, and to complete my hitting stick.

FTR - using Where instead of Were in the previous post was a simple typo.
But apologies anyway - I really cringed when I reread it.
Shawnee123 • Feb 22, 2011 9:30 am
You can count on your cellarity cohorts to celebrate for you Dana. Scrutiny panel be damned! I'm celebrating on your behalf as I type. :)
Pete Zicato • Feb 22, 2011 10:43 am
DanaC;712771 wrote:

Fuckin' Adult Health and Social Care Scrutiny Panel, that's fuckin' what.

Do you have to fuck the whole panel, or can you choose just the ones you find attractive?

I'm not sure I've got the hang of British politics yet.
Sundae • Feb 22, 2011 10:44 am
Pete Zicato;712816 wrote:
I'm not sure I've got the hang of British politics yet.

It's possible one of them will be well hung.
DanaC • Feb 22, 2011 11:00 am
Oh...Oh that's something i don't need in my head.

Most of them look like....well.....local councillors.
Nirvana • Feb 22, 2011 12:20 pm
None of them look like this? NSFW

link
Sundae • Feb 22, 2011 2:14 pm
Is he a local councillor?
Nirvana • Feb 22, 2011 2:29 pm
I dunno but I think he has something to do with the current Cellar tagline!;)
plthijinx • Feb 22, 2011 4:14 pm
Nirvana;712831 wrote:
None of them look like this? NSFW

link


and no beer or coffee was spewed in that thar post! (only cuz i hadn;t taken a sip) :D good one Nirvana!!
plthijinx • Feb 22, 2011 4:17 pm
oh and i;ve started celebrating cellarity day and danac's b-day early. couldn;t wait. but i;m pretty sure i;ll be up at midnight so does that count? watching my tevo;d daytona 500, drinkin brew, cooking fresh red snapper fillets and having a good time today enjoying a well deserved day off.
TheMercenary • Mar 3, 2011 12:33 pm
How about that race man! What a finish for the young kid.