The Syndicate

Unwrapped beer, new martini glasses, and some cool CDs (that's right, CDs).

Played Super Mario Wonder.

Went for a walk.

Cooked a kick ass prime rib that I just ate.

What'd you get for Christmas?

What, you mean they can't just join the Syndicate and Discord and figure it all out?

I think your question is harder than my last one.



That the worst things to ever happen to me never did.

Have you ever read Raymond Carver's short story "Cathedral?"

Nineteen minutes. They are in bed.

What goes on your gravestone?

Probably the thing I just told them thirty minutes ago.

Where have you been?

Probably turtle stew. I didn't like it but only because the cook salted the bejeezus out of it.

What's a purchase you made that you truly regretted?

S~V~S wrote: ↑Mon Mar 06, 2023 7:25 pm That would depend on circumstances. If it was for work, no. But if the group of people who would have a happy ending were family or friends, yeah, I probably would.

I have a picture of my and my Grandmother and I at my wedding; every time I look at it, it makes me happy. Do you have something displayed in your home that makes you happy just be seeing it?

Oh, that's an easy one- the mirror.

No, I have something. And I hated it. My wife made it for me. She had this old desk. One day while I was at work she removed all my CD sleeves- inserts, booklets, the like- and cut them up. She then made a collage to decorate this old desk.

Boy, was I hot. She thought it would be a great surprise, but I was livid. Some of these items were autographed (she didn't know) or out of print (likewise didn't know). I couldn't understand why she couldn't ask me before violating my property.

On the one hand, had she asked me first or done nothing at all, I would have had these relics that collected dust somewhere in the corner of a closet.

On the other, I have my desk, and it's one of a kind.

Now describe the worst restaurant experience of your life.

I could be cliche and say it was meeting Eloh for the first time, but that was online, so it wasn't that.

It wasn't even meeting her in person (which was awkward for a number of silly reasons).

It was kissing her.

That felt better than beating Mario Bros. level 8.

What's your happiest adult memory?

All of my grandchildren.

You are granted the ability to control your dreams tonight while you sleep. What do you dream about?

I never found clowns to be either. I used to go to the circus and the first novel I read on my own accord was It. I suppose they're amusing.

I do find gags about clowns funny:







If you were a clown, what would your name be?

S~V~S wrote: ↑Sat Jan 28, 2023 9:27 am Mad World, by Gary Jules. Although I also love the original by TfF, Jules' version brought a haunting, timeless quality to the song. It really has become the definitive version for most people, I think.

The original sounds "mad" in the British sense of the word, while the cover sounds "mad" in the American sense. Both a great.

S~V~S wrote: ↑Sat Jan 28, 2023 9:27 amWhat book did you used to love, but now you're just "meh" or even "ugh"? For instance, I used to reread the LoTR trilogy every few years. When I realized I hadn't for several years, I started to read, and realized I was totally 'meh'. While the world building was amazing, the characters were one dimensional and trite, the good/evil dichotomy (except Boromir and Faramir) was pretty basic and clearly delineated. After Boromir died, I found myself skipping forward to the Faramir parts, and realized they were the only two characters who still interested me.

Damn near my entire nonfiction bookcase, to be honest.

What's your take on Samwise?

Dogs. I don't know your dogs. Why are they milling about?

What's the best cover song you've ever heard?

At this point, cheap eggs.

For real, we resurrected Saturday morning cartoons for a long time. The boys and I would gather and watch shows from the 80s and 90s. As a kid the shows were awesome. As an adult, they're still awesome but you start to see everything the studios did to save money.

Haven't done that in a while since I started working heavily Saturdays this year.

Did you ever have any themed metal lunchboxes, and if so, what kind?

Most of my embarrassment has been due to my own hand, but I will relay this episode.

When we first got Internet in our house growing up, I got in trouble for porn. Mom came at me one morning before school and, not knowing much about the Internet, all I could do was deny it.

Fast-forward to my 30th birthday party. My youngest brother admitted that it was him. "That was YOU?" I yelled. We laughed about it, but damn. Had me in hot water for a while there back in the day.
What is your favorite gemstone?

Edit: Shit, that link actually goes somewhere. Fixing now!

Everything apparently. At Christmas, all my siblings thought I was him.

What's the most amusing incident where you've been mistaken for someone else?

Three.

We had a pair of cats when we were first married.

I have never had a dog in my life until now. I will never be a "dog guy," but I can be a "one little fella guy" all right.

What's the biggest mistake you ever made with a pet?

I cannot say that I force myself to eat anything I don't like. Most of what I eat isn't particularly unhealthy, and at this stage of my life, I don't eat very much at all. I could probably count on one or two hands foods I don't like. My least favorites are liver and beets, and I daresay I can make it without either.

There's supposed to be a Face/Off sequel coming out. Would you want to see it?

S~V~S wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 4:34 pm You know I'm a Mets fan, lol.

PS Max Scherzer is my favorite athlete.

At this point, eggs. A dozen is almost as much as a pound of sirloin these days.

You have one extra hour in the day that nobody else has. Nobody can bother you or interact with you. What do you do with it?

dunya wrote: ↑Wed Mar 30, 2022 7:10 am 3

am i right?

No, you fool! I was typing! I wasn't holding up any fingers! Guards! Seize her!

G-Man wrote: ↑Wed Mar 30, 2022 9:20 pm
Which of the creative arts do you excel at the most?

I'd like to think it's capturing vibrations through the air and making them shake hands.

How can I help you?

I don't think I have one. I cook so many different things.

But gun to head, it's going to be Chicken Alfredo. I've been nailing that for ages.

(It shows)

How many fingers am I holding up?

Long Con wrote: ↑Sun Feb 28, 2021 10:11 pm Charades for sure!

Who is the greatest swordsman in all of fiction?

Madmartigan. He said so himself!

Who is the greatest swordsman in real life?

Pistachio. Red Bean runner up.

It's karaoke night. What do you pick?

Europe. I already speak Europese.

You get to prevent a musical death from 2020. Which death do you prevent?

G-Man wrote: ↑Sat Oct 10, 2020 6:40 pm From a truly visual standpoint, the five-head guitar used by the guitarist from Cheap Trick.

Why do so many music nerds hate The Eagles?

I don't know too many who hate The Eagles. I know the scene from the movie, and I've known a few people who simply don't like them.

If you hate The Eagles, it's probably because of one of these three reasons:

1) You don't like country rock.
2) You wanted to see more of Linda Rondstadt.
3) You have to work for Don Henley.

Personally, I like The Eagles.

What's your favorite song by The Eagles?

"While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

What's your favorite electric guitar (whether if you play or just going by aesthetics)?

Autumn.

What is your favorite U2 song?

G-Man wrote: ↑Fri Oct 02, 2020 6:50 pm The Green Bay Packers

Hope so. Heavily invested there.

G-Man wrote: ↑Fri Oct 02, 2020 6:50 pm Will the Miami Heat get swept by the Lakers?

Probably, as long as Glass (Davis) stays healthy.

Are you drinking yet?

Pancakes.

Which NFL team scores the most points this Sunday?

What the next chord is.

How do you sleep at night?

Popcorn.

You have the rights to name a building at a local college after someone other than yourself. What's the name and why?

The Simpsons.

I love He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, but I'm grown now.

Sort of.

You have to fight in UFC for $1000 per minute against someone the same weight as you. But you get nothing if you get knocked out. How many minutes do you go?

COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKIE Crisp.

But man, hard choice between that and Lucky Charms.

If you had to lose left arm, right arm, left leg, or right leg, which would you choose and why?

Wendy's in Atlanta.

You get to fill up a five gallon bucket with any liquid and take it home. What do you fill yours up with?

Whatever is within reach?

Fine. Bourbon.

You come to my house. I cook for you. What am I cooking for you?

"Miracles Out of Nowhere" by Kansas.

What's for supper?

At first glance I thought that was cake.

I don't know that I have a favorite, but "Galatea of the Spheres" comes close:



What's your favorite Dali piece?

Astrud Gilberto.

Favorite guitar solo?

No sports = No $$$. Baseball is my bread and butter.

Well, not my bread. Just my butter.

What's your favorite Bible story?

Comfort was never an issue for me. I prefer to avoid movie theaters for a host of reasons (overpriced tickets, overpriced snacks, people are disruptive, can't pause, etc). Rather stay home. Only time we go is during the summer when there's cheap matinees for children flicks as a treat for the kids.

What are you reading these days?

Paprika.

Why do you live?

Defenestrate.

What was the last prize you won?

Tilt entered a late night DFS contest that paid dividends (still, don't enter anything on tilt- I usually don't but did a few months ago).

What's your favorite Big Sexy moment?

Pistachio.

Do you like The Hollies?

83.

You get to instead be born in a future year (2021 or later). Which do you choose and why?

Yes. Stay away from fire.

What's your favorite accent?

New York City.

You couldn't pay me to live there, but this country mouse loved getting lost there even if it was only for a day.

An insane guy has threatened you that you have to go into a jazz club and do a number on karaoke night in front of everybody or else. What are you singing?

What was your favorite toy as a child?

My mom. My grandma made great things, but I think my mom had more versatility. She didn't like to cook though, but she did anyway.

Favorite 60s song?

My 1999 Fender American Stratocaster (the first guitar I bought with my own money).

(Though I doubt I'd be running back in to save any material possession)

Do you like to ski?

Alcohol. The devil you know is better than the devil you don't.

What band has the best logo?