Jump to content
UNRV Ancient Roman Empire Forums

docoflove1974

Patricii
  • Content Count

    2,023
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Blog Comments posted by docoflove1974


  1. You're both right, that there will be big changes, regardless of who the presenters are. But, please, let's hope for the love of all that's ratings, that they don't make it like the US version. Holy cripes, it's the worst piece of poop ever. Completely uninteresting. They started off with the wrong presenters--one comedian who isn't that funny and who really is an average driver at best, one car journalist who has no personality, and one rally driver who has no charisma. From there, they started off with a show all about taking the japes that the UK boys would do, but yet foul them up...kinda like American television routinely does with any British show. That didn't work, so after a couple of seasons they revamped the program, and now it's all about hot rodding and people who customize cars...because we don't already have 10 programs like that, all of which have very likeable hosts. Most all of which get better ratings than TGUS, too.

     

    I mean, I watched TGUK because it was funny and irreverant, yes. But I also watched because of the reviews...to dream that one day, I might have the chance to drive one of those fancy cars, to think about the things I could do to my car (ok, that Mr. ofLove could do to my car) to make it more zippy, etc. Will I ever drive a Ferrari La Ferrari? Prolly not. What about a DB10, whenever it comes out? Alas, prolly not. But oh to dream....


  2. Thanks, dudes! I feel like I've neglected quite a few things over the last couple of years, mostly due to many changes in work-life. But hopefully there will be some calm soon. It will always be a bit hectic--I don't seem to run well in any other mode--but at least I'm starting to find more time to do the things I love.


  3. Right you are, GoC. A bitch syntax is!

     

    (Sorry, I've been playing with Yoda-speak this semester, given that I'm teaching an Intro to Linguistics class and went through this with my students. Wonderfully, I didn't feel old by busting out the "When 900 years old you be, look so good you will not, hmmm?" line, and everyone got it. Sadly, I can't say the same for the Monty Python comments....


  4. Yeah, 'Hotel California' is what did it for me. For whatever reason, the radio stations feel that because we live in the Golden State, we have to hear that song at least 5 times a day. bleh

     

    Then again, it only took 37 years of life for me to finally be able to put up with Robert Plant's voice enough to somewhat enjoy Led Zepplin. I know, I know...but the tone of his voice is grating to me. And it took me a long time to be able to get around his horrible wailing in order to enjoy the wonderful awesomeness that is Jimmy Page.


  5. LMAO GoC...so I keep hearing! When I tell people about this, the first comment I get is: "Ooh! Now you'll lose your freedom! You won't be able to go out at night and hang out with your friends!"

     

    Do what? I teach 3 nights a week, and usually use Thursday and Friday (evenings included) to get everything done, so that I have my weekends completely free. I don't think that's gonna change!

     

    As for marriage...yeah, probably :D There's no ring...yet...


  6. Heh yeah, I agree that Van Halen isn't the end all-be all of 80s rock. I found it really funny that they were voted by the listeners of the radio station.

     

    I often wonder what would have happened to Hendrix if he had lived even 10 more years. Would he have influenced Bowie even more, thus creating a less-glam Ziggy?

     

    As for VH, most of the original lineup is back, yes. Michael Anthony refuses to play with Eddie until he's sober permanently, which ain't happening. So, Eddie's son Wolfgang is the bassist. A family affair, I guess?


  7. Oh it's true, that it takes time to build a good show. But you could see a spark of chemistry from the beginning with the UK threesome that is there now--something that still isn't there for the US version. Also, the utter lack of passion for what they do; hell, even Captain Slow obviously loves what he does, as he's testing out a new car for the program. That's the part that is completely missing from the US version: the passion for telling people what is right and wrong about the car as they put it through its paces. I think that's the part that they've forgotten about.


  8. On the topic of high-speed rail, California was set to introduce a system that would take you between Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles (and all spaces in between) quickly and efficiently. In 2008 we citizens even approved bond money to pay for it, with the studies saying that it would only cost around $45 billion--the bond money would go to the first sections being built in the Central Valley, about $3B being funded by bonds, another $3.5B from the feds, and the rest of the monies being collected from elsewhere.

     

    Since then, there's nothing but delays and expenditure increases. So much so that a peer review recommended that the system not be built. Essentially, the total costs for the system have ballooned to over twice the amount (to over $100B), and the federal subsidies are not expected to come in. Additionally, the federal money is contingent on projects being completed by certain deadlines, and the peer review suggested that those deadlines could not be met due to lack of planning. Since the state legislature tends to follow what the peer review suggests, it's expected that high-speed rail could be axed. Especially since we're still under financial crisis in this state, it'll be interesting to see if it'll happen.


  9. On the Cooking Channel here, they often show Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay shows from a few years ago. During the holidays they showed Gordon Ramsay's, which I couldn't stop giggling through. Let's face it, Gordon's lost much of his Glasgowegian ways, but his mother sounded like she was straight out of there (which, from what I gather, she is). Yeah, the dishes they served were interesting...but it was the linguistic patterns that caught my attention!

     

    And then there's Mr. Oliver. My mom can't watch him, as she can't understand him. She keeps saying he sounds like he's either drunk or Scottish...which makes me laugh even harder. I will say, if one did a statistical analysis on how many colloquialisms he uses (and makes up...I swear he makes a bunch of them up), I bet it would be higher than your average TV presenter. Then again, it's part of what makes him interesting. BBC America is just now about to start running his special series of going around America...can't wait to watch that, and see how the folks in the Ozarks and in the Deep South react to him lol


  10. Wow....GoC...that was awesome! Reminds me of my old neighbor, Mr. MacGreggor. He'd have a tendency to rant on, with people only getting a few words here and there. Mr. Finnerty, the dude from Muenster, Ireland, would understand a few more words, but always would shrug his shoulders like the rest of us, wishing there was some sort of Scottish-English translator near by.


  11. GoC...I can just see Siri throwing fits when a Scottish accent is thrown at her. I know I have my own issues...

     

    Melvadius, yes, anecdotal evidence is abundant. But various linguists have proven the pathways of modern language shifts through these 'weak links', and many of us historical linguists apply some of the same techniques to follow the paths of linguistic change over time. It's pretty cool....ok, for me it's pretty cool.

     

    <-- language nerd :)


  12. I'm seriously wondering if there's every a forecast (particularly a 'long range' one) that is negative? They all seem to be fairly positive...and about the same. Has there ever been a yearly forecast that said something like:

     

    Well, Cap, 2012 is going to be a damned rough year. With Jupiter in retrograde for the next 13 months, your luck's out, me matey. Expect nothing but broken bones and bruises, trees falling on your dwelling and/or car, and just a bunch of hard times. You're bound to have business deals fall through, and they will do so miserably between 10 June and 20 August, when the Moon is opposite your ruler Saturn.

     

    As for your love life...well, sucks to be you! If you're single, you'll remain that way--painfully so, even, as you will field a whole host of rejection between 31 March and 1 May. You might get some one-night stands, but even that won't amount to much...expect some serious disappointment. If you're involved in a relationship...well, hopefully your inner strength (which is legendary) will carry you through, because you're in for some rocky times. And your significant other will often threaten leaving you...but you can get through this, you Goat you! You were made for challenges, and this will be a doozie!


  13. So, how exactly are the British public reacting to Mr. Clarkson's amazing contortionist display of putting foot in mouth? It's gotten hardly any play here--interesting, since Top Gear is a huge hit for BBC America. Anyone think that Jezza will be sanctioned by the Beeb, or worse yet be removed from the airwaves?

×