HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: jane@soave.swdc.stratus.com (Jane Beckman)
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
Subject: Re: Newbies on the March
Date: 22 Dec 92 23:22:51 GMT
Organization: Stratus Computer, Inc., San Jose, CA

[standards of weights and measures, etc.]

Jilara nods at the descriptions of English vs. metric, but
then shakes her head as she thinks of something.  

"Coming from a scientific background, I definitely deal in
metric for anything needing those kinds of measurements.  I
admit, though, that I tend to think of my weight in pounds.
Don't ask why, but I always feel fat when weighed in
kilograms!  And I admit that, as a gardener (rather than a
scientist) I feel more at home with Farenheit temperatures.
Celsius is great for measuring metabolism, but not in judging
whether you need to cover your plants for a hard frost!

"However, for cooking and sewing, I've found that the more I
do it, the more I have reverted to older and older systems,
because they make more sense.  Yes, I know Fannie Farmer was
great for folks who like a standard product, but I don't even
*really* relate to cups and tablespoons, etc.  If I had to
measure in metric, I'd probably stop measuring entirely, and
stop buying anything that required it.  It's bad enough that
I've got a couple English cookbooks that measure in *ounces*
and a couple European-skewed ones that measure metric.  I end
up converting those to proportions, rather than measurements.
I like my Victorian cookbooks, that measure in handfulls,
coffee cups, "enough to...", and "butter the size of an egg."
Because that's the way I cook.  If cookbooks ever go metric,
I'll probably stop buying them.  If mixes go metric, it will
give me a good excuse to stop using them, too!  (I deplore how
many mixes I use, nowadays, when it's not much harder to make
things from scratch, and have them turn out so much better...)
As it is, I rework the proportions of mixes to fit how *I*
want them to turn out.  (I never use the standard amount of
margarine, and my "hamburger helper" always uses less water.)

"As for sewing, I buy cloth by the yard, and probably could do
just as well by the meter, because it's the only standard
measurement I still use.  That's because I stopped using
patterns some time back.  And anyone will tell you that a real
seamstress measures length from fingertip-to-nose, not by
yards.  I use "nails" a lot, now.  That's the length of your
forefinger.  And the ever-popular "piece of string" for
measure.  If I try to measure in standard increments, rather
than taking a measure just before cutting, with a string,
nothing ever comes out the right size.  Maybe because the
human body isn't flat?"
--
  Jilara   [jane@swdc.stratus.com]

"The field of pseudo-science hasn't progressed much in ten
years, except to gain access to the net." --from ca.earthquakes
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
From: bshsiung@quip.eecs.umich.edu (Bernard Hsiung)
Subject: Re: Quantum (and untutored Zen) and Beliefs (was Re: Absolutes)
Organization: University of Michigan EECS Dept., Ann Arbor, MI
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 18:11:47 GMT

Thanks, Liralen, and <hi!> to kitten...

Liralen (Phyllis Rostykus) writes:
>"Personally, I can believe that God exists, because my basic belief is that
>God is all that is 'good'.  Love, life, the top of a mountain, the ease
>and effort of running down a soccer field, courage in the face of fear,
>the arc of a dolphin playing with the interface between sea and sky, the
>scent of a flower, a Didi-spritely smile, the rush of white water in the
>Skykomish, and any touching of perfection are all God.  So I 'know' that
>God exists, I don't know God's limits, because I believe there are none,
>especially not those of the human mind or imagination.
>
>"But I also accept and 'know' that for some people God doesn't exist
>because of their beliefs are that God doesn't exist.  Just as I know that
>other people's concepts of who/what God is are very different than mine.
>I accept that those are right for them, even as I believe that my beliefs
>are right for me.  Even when they contradict.  Both contradicting
>beliefs exist and are valid at the same time for the people holding them.
>
>"Does that make any more sense?" she asks.

It does to me.  What you believe is powerful, because even if it affects
none other, it affects _you_ and that makes all the difference.  *smile*

I would say that it doesn't really mean anything to speak of the "validity"
of deeply held, unconfirmable (at least by others) beliefs, except in the
sense that they are all valid.  Certainly nobody has deeply held beliefs
that they think are wrong!  But I think I'm agreeing with you here, Liralen,
so I'll leave it at that.

Ah, yes.  Since I'm up here, I might as well scrawl my name on the
blackboard.  I don't know if my RL demands will allow me to spend much
time in alt.callahans, but it certainly seems a cozy enough place...

VL: Jedi Squire-in-Training
    (tho' I guess "Squire" will do for short; that, or JSiT, maybe)
RL: Bernard Hsiung
Birthday: November 16, 1970
Favorite Drink:  Chocolate milk (*grin*)

--
Jedi Squire-in-Training (Bernard Hsiung, bshsiung@eecs.umich.edu)

Newsgroups: alt.callahans
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
From: cliveg@cix.compulink.co.uk (Clive Grace)
Subject: Re: Impressive knitting
Reply-To: cliveg@cix.compulink.co.uk
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 22:48:00 +0000


No...No... I knit "Bisexuals" of  quality and distinction!

<Hugs>

;-)

Clive
--
+-------------------------------------------+--------------------------+
| When I grow up, I want to give up being   |cliveg@cix.compulink.co.uk|
| a Journalist and learn how to write...    |                          |
+-------------------------------------------+--------------------------+
|       Bisexual knitter of quality and distinction since 1992.        |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
From: olson@husc8.harvard.edu (Chip Olson@somewhere.out.there)
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
Subject: Re: wonderful life
Date: 26 Dec 92 15:57:29 GMT
Organization: Spam-On-A-Rope Inc.
In-reply-to: trumpins@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu's message of 26 Dec 92 04:36:51 GMT

In article <BzunHH.Gpt@news.cso.uiuc.edu> trumpins@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu (Barbara Trumpinski) writes:

>kitten sniffs and wipes her eyes...."the movie 'it's a wonderful life'
>always does this to me...i love jimmy stewart and this is one of my
>favorite movies...
>
>anyway, this movie, as you all know, poses the question: what would
>the world be like if i had never been born?
>
>...my ideas and opinions on this change, depending on my mood.
>however, 8 times out of 10 i come to the conclusion that i have an
>important place in the world...that it is a better place because i am
>here.  (the other 2 times i think either that a) nobody would miss me
>or b) that at least iwouldn't hurt anyone....but that goes away
>quickly) 
>
>what does everyone else think?  do you all ever wonder what the world
>would be like without you?"  kitten sits back to wait for answers.

Castellan ponders this for a bit.  "I've sometimes wondered what it would
be like to attend my own funeral, just to see what would be said about me.
One thing that's very important to me is what I'll call affirmation- know-
ing that what I do and the way I try to live my life has a positive effet
on those around me.  There's a passage from Emerson that sums it up rather
well, and I can't remember all of it, but it ends with `to know that even
one life has breathed easier because you have lived... that is to have suc-
ceeded.'

"I suppose there's no way to really know what the world would be like with-
out me until it actually is, and I'm in no hurry whatsoever for that to
come about.  I do know that I've made a positive difference in a few people's 
lives, because they've told me so.  That knowledge works wonders on the rare
occasions when I'm feeling depressed."

"Kitten, even just knowing you electronically, I know that the world would
be a bleaker place without you, and you would be sorely missed.  Don't ever
forget that."



--
-Chip Olson. | olson@husc.harvard.edu | ceo@{gnu.ai,silver.lcs}.mit.edu 
"If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down?
Maybe we would if they screamed all the time for no good reason." -unknown
QUIT
eamed all the time for no good reason." -unknown
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
From: feath@agora.rain.com (Feather)
Subject: Poet and don't know it? (was Re: New Year Pizza Party))
Organization: Open Communications Forum
Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1993 05:48:08 GMT

In article <memo.835645@cix.compulink.co.uk> maryb@cix.compulink.co.uk writes:
>Er, I hate to put a damper on things.. but hairy fish are *not a meat 
>topping (in my recipe book). Hairy fish - that's anchovies - they're 
>hairy!
>Mary MerryTail
>
Feather gets struck with a rhyming virus (thankfully temporary): "They're
hairy, Mary?  Better be wary..."

...and then the small bird leaves it to the rest of the callahaners to finish
the rhyme...
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
From: maryb@cix.compulink.co.uk (Mary Branscombe)
Subject: Re: Martyr wakes up...!
Reply-To: maryb@cix.compulink.co.uk
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 19:14:00 +0000


Dr Matyr.... licenced to practise on unsuspecting computers?
Congratulations! I vaguely remember that unbelieving, it's over 
feeling from my MSc... couple of days you should wake up and feel 
*wonderful*

To education - it's *fun*!

<Crash>
Mary MerryTail
+-------------------------------------------+--------------------------+
| Organisation: Me? You're joking, right?   |maryb@cix.compulink.co.uk |
|                                           |maryb@cix.compulink.uucp  |
|I know I type "teh" for "the" My fingers have their own accent ;-)    |
+-------------------------------------------+--------------------------+
From: jmpierce@whale.st.usm.edu (Jimmy Malcolm Pierce)
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
Subject: Re: Grant does Seattle - and Christmas Cards!
Date: 28 Dec 92 06:12:58 GMT
Organization: University of Southern Mississippi

>	Grant is seen packing up his backpack and getting Cameron dressed
>in a scarf and boots.
>
>	He pulls out a Christmas card. "I want to thank DJ, Linda and Robbie
>for the lovely Christmas card.  I got it yesterday, that is to say Saturday.
>I just wanted to say thanks for thinking of me, and Happy New Year!"

        You are welcome ! I had to sign for them, they were having too
much fun in Callahan's to join me at home... " DJ.

>	Cameron climbs onto Grant's shoulder, Grant sets his backpack on the
>other shoulder and walks out the door of the bar.
>
>	The only evidence left of his presence is a fondue pot full of
>cheese fondue with several forks sticking out of the pot and a plate of
>French bread nearby.

        "See you when you get back !" Linda, DJ, and Robbie.

      "Ahhh. Fondue and Italian bread ! Yummm ! " DJ.

-- 
         Jim Pierce Bach. of Sci. in Applied Computer Science USM 
             jmpierce@whale.st.usm.edu  Disclaimer: Standard.
                   Video. Cher: Love and Understanding.
          'Rush Limbaugh is the 'Chia Pet' of TV talk shows !'
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
From: jmpierce@whale.st.usm.edu (Jimmy Malcolm Pierce)
Subject: Re: wonderful life
Organization: University of Southern Mississippi
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 07:45:11 GMT

>>     I know that me not being here would have caused problems for 
>>several family members. Severe problems. Hmm. One of the 'thoughts' 
>>that movie always gets going in my head is 'stay put, don't try to
>>change' I'm probably misinterpreting the mood of the film, but thats 
>>the way it feels to me.  Jim.
>
>"dreamy jim, dear...glad you've stopped orchestrating the dance long
>enough to get in on this...i don't know about staying put....but the
>words 'there's no place like home' keep going through my head...
>
>kitten hugs DJ....

     "And Old Coot Dreamy Jim hugs Kitten right back !" DJ.

     Yes, I would assuredly miss my friends here !

>***************************************************************************
>conan the librarian a.k.a. kitten           /\ /\  barbara ann 
>"my life's a soap opera, isn't yours?"      {=.=}
>                                              ~   trumpins@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu 

             ^^^^^^------ Well, once or twice mine has been also...

-- 
         Jim Pierce Bach. of Sci. in Applied Computer Science USM 
             jmpierce@whale.st.usm.edu  Disclaimer: Standard.
                   Video. Cher: Love and Understanding.
          'Rush Limbaugh is the 'Chia Pet' of TV talk shows !'
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
From: moh2@quads.uchicago.edu (Kateri/Mary Anne)
Subject: Re: Definition of "monogamy"?
Reply-To: moh2@midway.uchicago.edu
Organization: University of Chicago
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 15:13:44 GMT

Kateri smiles gently at Tanais from her perch on the bar, and
beckons him over for a scritch, a hug, and a drink of whatever he's
having... 

"Hey, Mike....one for him....and some real cider for me, okay?  Not
this cheapo stuff we usually get in the States."

"And Tanais....welcome to the Place.  What took you so long, silly?
Well, I guess you explained that....never mind.  At any rate, good
companionship is always available here....and there are some
surprisingly rich friendships to be made.  Lots good
people here."

Her half-pint arrives (gotta re-start slow...:-), and Kat drinks it
with the respect it deserves before walking over to the chalk line
with her glass.

"Instead of a toast, here's a poem by Emily Bronte...

'Love is like the wild rose-briar;
Friendship like the holly-tree.
The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms,
But which will bloom most constantly?'"

The glass arches into the fire with a gentle crash, before Kat turns
and heads back to her bar perch.
-- 
i thank you God for most this amazing
day:  for the leaping greenly spirits of the trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes		 - e.e.cummings
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
From: feath@agora.rain.com (Feather)
Subject: Bi-bulb (was Re: Dalek has entered the building
Organization: Open Communications Forum
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 16:46:01 GMT

In article <1ht82qINNkur@menudo.uh.edu> narxtc@casc.math.uh.edu (Noah Ramon) writes:
>>Feather looks down and gulps.  "Uhhh..."
>>The tiny gray bird looks down at the big wet robot, and decides that she
>>s bitten off more than she can chew.  (as if that tiny beak could chew! :-)
>>"This is what I get for being impulsive.  NOW what do I do?"
>>The small bird is feeling intimidated...
>
>"Say, Feather, do you have any manipulatory appendages or something like that?
>If so, I have just the thing!" The Bi-Bulb makes an odd twist in fourspace, and reappears in his jacketed form. He then reaches into one of his pockets, and 
>pulls out a strange contraption. The words 'ACME MECHANICAL AND BAKED GOODS,
>INC.' are stenciled on the side. "Here! This winch/pulley/cable/thingamabob
>should be able to do an okay job. I hope... Give it a try..." 
>--

Feather replies:  "No, I am nothing but a very small, gray bird of an unknown
specie.  Because I have no hands, I am trying to learn psychokinesis from
Thyra here."

Feather takes a second look at who was speaking to her.  "Hmmmmm..."  she
thinks to herself.  "Hey, I have a question!"  she says out loud.

"How many Callahaners does it take to change a Bi-Bulb?"
From: JBrandt@AAA.UOregon.EDU (Jason & Thyra)
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
Subject: Re: New Year Pizza Party
Followup-To: alt.callahans
Date: 4 Jan 1993 00:56:06 GMT
Organization: the Polyhedron Group
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: aaa.uoregon.edu

In article <1hv8vbINNo79@mirror.digex.com>, snarf@access.digex.com (Sean
Eustis) wrote:
> 	"Ah, hello Tanais and Gazer, welcome to the Place. Tanais, I think
> you'll like it here, the people are always willing to listen and give
> advice where its wanted, and to back off when its not wanted. As for me,
> I'm glad to see you here as who you are, not who you've been."

Jason & Thyra both walk over to trade hugs with Tanais and Gazer. Been a
bit hectic, so their welcome got delayed. Well, no time like a party for
introductions! 

Jason is a 6-foot tall man, Human caucasian with dark brown hair, tied back
in a short pony tail, and a close-trimmed full beard. There's a cyberlink
interface on the back of his head, just under the pony-tail, that connects
him to a laptop computer sized Cyberdeck, which is hanging from a shoulder
strap. He'e wearing a black leather jacket, dark jeans, and black boots,
and is wearing a black Greek fisherman's hat. "Tannis! Gazer! Welcome to
Callahans! I'm Jason, one of several local Deckers (cyberspace jockeys)
that hang out here. I'm also one of the Cyberpunk authors in residence." He
gives both a classic Callahan's Hug (tm), and makes room for his companion.

The woman with him is as tall as he is, with short, downy golden fur
covering her exposed skin, and a mass of medium-brown curly hair worn
human-fashion at shoulder length. She has somewhat feline features, and the
definite ears, whiskers and tail of a cat. Her only clothing appears to be
a red velvet minidress and a matching velvet choker, set with a single
sapphire. Her eyes are the same blue as the sapphire. She hugs Tanais and
Gazer warmly, and they notice she is -purring-. "Prrrrrrummm. Welcome
friends! Do enjoy the party! I'm Thyra. Would either of you like to dance?"

Dreamweaver:
> 	"Happy New Year everyone!"
> 
> And proceeds to hug (in no particular order) Jason, Thyra, ...

They happily accept the hugs. Thyra says to Dreamweaver "How about you
Dreamweaver? The party's begun and my dance card's all empty."

Hugs and Purrs,
Jason & Thyra
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
From: trumpins@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu (Barbara Trumpinski)
Subject: Re: a small sentiment
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 13:52:26 GMT

nick says:

>My dearest friends
>And lovers. I am sending this to a lot of you, but - you know who you
>are!

>I was brought up to celebrate Christmas. I love Christmas. I hate the
>snow and all those cold images. But I love the music and the lights and
>the music and the love and the music and the sharing and the music, and,
>well, the music.

[   ] deleted for bandwidth only ...

>And what other species on our world has philosophy, science, art, music,
>laughter, love?

>My dear friends. This has been a tough year for many of us. We have
>found love and joy, and fear and pain and loss. And laughter. We are a
>tiny group, certainly only a mote in the vast tapestry of human life. A
>flake, in fact :)

>But I love you ALL. Some of you more than others. Please do not ever
>forget, in this joyous season, or the year round. YOU ARE LOVED.
>So

>                       Blessed be, unto thee.
>      Kindle the lights that others can realize the love we share.
>      Forever and ever,
>                             GLORY
>                             HALLELUJAH!

kitten, tears flowing, takes nick's hand in one of hers and didi's in
the other and calls out for a joining of hands and hearts...

"my family joins hands in prayer when we gather for family
celebrations.... standard prayer, standard god....my mother is
christian in the best sense of the word.

i am with nick...i no longer believe in "god" the almighty heavenly
father ... but i believe in us...and in love...and that we all have
our own special place as a thread in the tapestry of Life.

today is solstice...let us join together and call the energy of the
universe to heal...

..to heal didi with the golden gryphon's magic spell...to heal all of
us and make us ready for a new year.

i love you all.

blessed be."

--
***************************************************************************
conan the librarian a.k.a. kitten           /\ /\  barbara ann 
"my life's a soap opera, isn't yours?"      {=.=}
                                              ~   trumpins@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu 
"love is the wild card of existance"
                          rita mae brown

Newsgroups: alt.callahans
From: trumpins@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu (Barbara Trumpinski)
Subject: Re: wonderful life
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1992 17:46:52 GMT

castellan says:

>"I suppose there's no way to really know what the world would be like with-
>out me until it actually is, and I'm in no hurry whatsoever for that to
>come about.  I do know that I've made a positive difference in a few people's 
>lives, because they've told me so.  That knowledge works wonders on the rare
>occasions when I'm feeling depressed."

>"Kitten, even just knowing you electronically, I know that the world would
>be a bleaker place without you, and you would be sorely missed.  Don't ever
>forget that."


kitten, all warm and purry from merlinvin's hug comes over to
castellan and hugs him...."thank you."

--
***************************************************************************
conan the librarian a.k.a. kitten           /\ /\  barbara ann 
"my life's a soap opera, isn't yours?"      {=.=}
                                              ~   trumpins@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu 
"love is the wild card of existance"
                          rita mae brown
From: snarf@access.digex.com (Sean Eustis)
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
Subject: Re: An MIA returns! (-:
Date: 28 Dec 1992 04:43:52 GMT
Organization: Express Access Online Communications, Greenbelt, MD USA
NNTP-Posting-Host: access.digex.com

In article <1992Dec26.230824.14755@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu> dapetersen@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu (Toothpick (-:)) writes:
>[Tux - being the smart little rodent she is - has hopped on a chair and to the
>floor to lookfor tastey shoelaces to chew, or perhaps something wooden.]
>
>Toothpick looks around and laughs.  "Justlike at home...come BACK here you
>goofy rabbit! Tu-ux!"

Dreamweaver notices the little bundle of fur chewing on the hem of his
jeans,"Not again." Scoops the little critter up in his arms and carries
him over to Toothpick. 
	"Hi, here's Tux. By the way, I'm Dreamweaver, I've only been
around a little while, but Merry Christmas to ya'."
	"I get to work with a bunny just like this one at the school I
teach at in RL. They named her Cuddles. I think the name applies only when
she doesn't have to go back in her cage. Got the scars to prove the nails and
teeth theory, too."

 >It's great to be back!!! (-:
	"Good to have you back."
				-The Dreamweaver



-- 
In VR -- The Dreamweaver		In RL -- Sean Eustis
						snarf@access.digex.com
"God never closed a door without
 first opening another."
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
From: ekho@cybernet.cse.fau.edu (amanda rothman)
Subject: Re: Whee....
Organization: Cybernet BBS, Boca Raton, Florida
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1992 03:59:23 GMT

amanda@wam.umd.edu (Me again) writes:

> Amanda staggers into the Place looking rather disoriented.  "This is the 
> Amanda without the Ekho, by the way... is there any way to tell us apart?"

  Putting her namesister between herself and Ekho, Amanda grins, "Do I
hear an Ekho in here?" and promptly dodges away again as Ekho takes a
swat at her.
> 
> "See, i just had my wisdom teeth out... all four!  One was sideways.  The
> stitches get removed in a week.  In the meantime, i'm wandering around my
> world in a Percodan haze, with chipmunk cheeks...."

  "Mike, her milkshake is on... my tab.  Anything for a fellow 
chocoholic.  You are, are you not?  Oh, and chipmunk cheeks are ok, I 
always thought chipmunks were cute... and a little haze never hurt. :)
> 
> The Percodan doesn't last nearly as long as it needs to.  "Time for some
> Nuprin..."

  Ekho offers, "How about some Adrenalin and Soma?" with an evil grin.
> 
> Amanda eats her milkshake and throws the glass in the fire -
> 
>               "To a bar full of friends that fits right in my own home!"
> 
> Amanda Babcock             -Temporary Chipmunk-            amanda@wam.umd.edu


  Amanda tosses in her own glass with a >>CRASH<< and hugs Amanda, "A 
wonderful toast!  Care for another milkshake?  You've got me in the mood 
for one now; Double Chocolate!"

               Yours in Time and Space