Testing Episode IV: A New Lament

[Civil War Man]

Yeah, if you like Christmas enjoy it. I still reserve the right to be grumpy, though.

My family's also pretty sick of it, though not quite to the degree I am. We don't do decorations, or listen to carols (most of the available radio stations play them wall-to-wall after Thanksgiving). We have no tree or stockings or anything, but we still do stuff like make cookies and give gifts and everything.

Though I've been doing less with overt gifts. Last year my sister was also visiting, and I got the idea of getting several board/card games that I was introduced to by a club I was a part of back in college that I thought they would enjoy, and the four of us spent Christmas Eve playing them. Though she's not visiting again this year, I figured I'd do the same thing this year with a new batch of games. This time, though, I'm doing all cooperative games, because we got pretty cutthroat with some of the games last year, particularly with Love Letter and Guillotine.

[The Spartan]

I try to approach it as though I were still 10, in so far as that's possible for a man in his mid-thirties.

But the assholes make it harder and harder every year...

[Stofsk]

It's important to mum, so it's important to me, even if I don't care very much for it as a holiday. I agree with all the criticisms about it, the mindless consumerism, the dick-waving done by Christians and the equally idiotic dick-waving done by secularists who try to not use the word Christmas as though that would signify anything. But I help mum put up the tree all the same.

[thejester]

yeah it's the only time I really see my extended family during the year so it's nice that way

but pffffft to the rest of it

[timmy]

Jester does that mean you're flying in?

If so, do you have time for a beer?

[Dude]

Dodgy electrical wiring ahoy!

My workshop was built in the 50's. Everything worked until this week, now nothing works unless I turn on the 240v heater and then the lights come on, though dimly. The heater also isn't producing heat.

Better call the electrician.

[The Spartan]

Better call the electrician.

This. This. This.

I bet you already know this, but I'll say it anyways: 240V is nothing to screw around with unless you really, really know what you're doing.

[timmy]

The Dude knows better that than anyone. Electricity is his old nemesis and now ally of convenience. He will allow it to perform tasks for him and his kin but he will never, ever trust it again.

[Stofsk]

the god of electricty is a dark and angry god :c

[Dude]

Yeah as shitheads go he's a big one.

I'll just shut everything off at the panel and wait for the electrician, put the quad batteries in the basement to charge where it's warm.

[Dude]

I really should just have all the wiring on the farm side redone, a lot of it is obvious diy

Like my pump house is this old shed, half the roof blew off, the floor is coated in grease from the old pump and the wiring is bare in places (rodents) and if it backs up because a line is frozen it sprays water all over the electrical stuff. So what started out as running a water line and putting in a new wood heater has become either replace or refit the hut. Either way I'm not touching the electrical.

[timmy]

Holy fuck dude, that's some work that needs doing

Man, I wish I was there to help with this shit for fun and honour.

[Stofsk]

Why must Canadia be on the other side of the world

[Gands]

More like why the hell are we out the hell here?

[Stofsk]

That's not a very Team Australia sort of question now is it Gands

[Gands]

Is Team Australia still a thing? I've been way out of all loops since January.

[Dude]

Lol no worries guys, though I appreciate it.

[Stofsk]

Is Team Australia still a thing? I've been way out of all loops since January.

If you have to ask then you're streets behind

Lol no worries guys, though I appreciate it.

[Dude]

I thought you were Team Rupert Murdoch now.

[Stofsk]

He is our spirit guide

[Gands]

Team Rinehart is our sponsor.

[timmy]

Team Credlin is our head of state.

[RogueIce]

More like why the hell are we out the hell here?

Topless beaches with gorgeous Australian women.

[timmy]

You realise nude beaches are populated mostly by people just like you, right?

[timmy]

With that said I recall being on a nude beach at the age of about eight and seeing a shapely woman playing in the surf. It was something of a preview to sexual awakening.