The AH Coffee Shop and Reading Room 03: Come On In

TxRad said:

Small Chinese girls and Strine just don't go together in my mind for some reason.

...

Click to expand...

Australia, particularly the large cities, is now multicultural. All shapes, sizes, skin colours and sexes can and do speak Strine.

Back in the 1960s it used to surprise me when the children of immigrants in London spoke Cockney (now Estuary) English. On the telephone I might have no idea of their ethnicity. I could tell the Geordies, the Liverpudlians, and the Northern Irish apart but the Welsh of Tiger Bay could be any colour.

Now? It only startles me when a Muslim woman wearing a face veil speaks Cockney.

I need more coffee.

oggbashan said:

Australia, particularly the large cities, is now multicultural. All shapes, sizes, skin colours and sexes can and do speak Strine.

Back in the 1960s it used to surprise me when the children of immigrants in London spoke Cockney (now Estuary) English. On the telephone I might have no idea of their ethnicity. I could tell the Geordies, the Liverpudlians, and the Northern Irish apart but the Welsh of Tiger Bay could be any colour.

Now? It only startles me when a Muslim woman wearing a face veil speaks Cockney.

I need more coffee.

Click to expand...

I'll join you for that coffee, Ogg.

Accents and multi-cultural? Yes, I think you have a number of large cities around the world now where there's been so much immigration that that's now really common. Sydney seemed like that to me, San Francisco, and a few other cities in America and Toronto and Vancouver in Canada, except Vancouver seemed more Chinese and Indian to me without to much else. London in the UK for sure.

It didn't really surprise me that much after San Francisco, but when I was young and my family and my grandparents and Mom were the only (chinese / half-chinese) in town, which wasn't that large, I'd do a double take whenever I saw anyone asian - as in "look, there's an ..." - and it always seemed weird to me when I went to San Francisco and saw so many chinese. In the end I think it boils down to what you're used to. When it's strange and unfamiliar, you look twice. Once you're used to it, you don;t even notice.

TxRad said:

Small Chinese girls and Strine just don't go together in my mind for some reason.

Welcome back from your world mooning tour.

Click to expand...

Thanks Tex - and chinese girls and strine, it does make me smile when I heard that myself.

And now, to write! I have a story to finish about a small chinese girl learning to speak strine.

I doubt there are any (American) football fans here, much less college football fans, but I'm watching the Alabama/LSU game. It's at halftime with the score all Alabama. That probably won't last.

My youngest lived in Alabama for a while, so we spent some time there. People in both states die over the 'Bama/LSU game. I wonder what the toll will be tonight. Maybe two in Mobile and three in Houma, but that isn't something they take bets on -- at least, as far as I know.

NotWise said:

I doubt there are any (American) football fans here, much less college football fans, but I'm watching the Alabama/LSU game. It's at halftime with the score all Alabama. That probably won't last.

My youngest lived in Alabama for a while, so we spent some time there. People in both states die over the 'Bama/LSU game. I wonder what the toll will be tonight. Maybe two in Mobile and three in Houma, but that isn't something they take bets on -- at least, as far as I know.

Click to expand...

Ole Miss/LSU is an even bigger rivalry. War have been started over that game.

It has been a long day. Fresh coffee is available for a very low price. Not to mention, the kettle is hot. I think I'm going to have hot chocolate for a change of pace.

TxRad said:

Ole Miss/LSU is an even bigger rivalry. War have been started over that game.

It has been a long day. Fresh coffee is available for a very low price. Not to mention, the kettle is hot. I think I'm going to have hot chocolate for a change of pace.

Click to expand...

I understand that a similar problem has occasionally existed in the Association Football matches between Manchester and Liverpool (as well as Celtic vs Rangers).
Doubtless there are others.

+12C and bloody gloomy.
Any coffee left please?

Handley_Page said:

I understand that a similar problem has occasionally existed in the Association Football matches between Manchester and Liverpool (as well as Celtic vs Rangers).
Doubtless there are others.

+12C and bloody gloomy.
Any coffee left please?

Click to expand...

Morning HP. There is a fresh pot on the end of the counter.

Cool and rainy here this morning. Not supposed to get much better.

People in both states die over the 'Bama/LSU game. I wonder what the toll will be tonight.

Click to expand...

Ole Miss/LSU is an even bigger rivalry. War have been started over that game.

Click to expand...

I understand that a similar problem has occasionally existed in the Association Football matches between Manchester and Liverpool (as well as Celtic vs Rangers).

Click to expand...

Emphatically not a criticism of you fine gentlemen, but it's a sad - no, dismal - commentary on this modern society of ours when people can get that worked up over the entirely artificial and ultimately sectionalizing spectacle of pro sports vice very real problems where their potential devotion and group energy could be really beneficial, things like basic education, child poverty and such. Juvenal's ghost must be grinning.

Enjoyment is one thing, but we have enough fanaticism, I think.

TarnishedPenny said:

Emphatically not a criticism of you fine gentlemen, but it's a sad - no, dismal - commentary on this modern society of ours when people can get that worked up over the entirely artificial and ultimately sectionalizing spectacle of pro sports vice very real problems where their potential devotion and group energy could be really beneficial, things like basic education, child poverty and such. Juvenal's ghost must be grinning.

Enjoyment is one thing, but we have enough fanaticism, I think.

Click to expand...

I believe that alcohol is normally involved.

NotWise said:

I believe that alcohol is normally involved.

Click to expand...

And a Colosseum atmosphere.

And it is not just a guy thing. Some of the ladies get even more involved it seems every year.

TxRad said:

And a Colosseum atmosphere.

And it is not just a guy thing. Some of the ladies get even more involved it seems every year.

Click to expand...

I trust you'll forgive me if I go "Huh", I hope.
The next REALLY IMPORTANT game is on the 24th Nov. England vs New Zealand.
Please note that this is a game of the real thing; Rugby Football.
The 'All Blacks' (the NZ team) perform a 'challenge' ceremony before they play, challenging the opposition. It's really impressive. See HERE

Handley_Page said:

The 'All Blacks' (the NZ team) perform a 'challenge' ceremony before they play, challenging the opposition. It's really impressive. See HERE

Click to expand...

Nice, but I prefer the more traditional Lawson’s Haka: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_WEP9ZkpS4

Handley_Page said:

Please note that this is a game of the real thing; Rugby Football.

Click to expand...

I don't understand. When did Rugby become the "real thing" as opposed to soccer or American football? Was there a jury involved?

TxRad said:

Small Chinese girls and Strine just don't go together in my mind for some reason. .

Click to expand...

Gotta jump in on this one quickly, have a look at the little video below, be warned, snowflakes (and people at work) there is quite a bit of swearing, and I know how sensitive some of you can be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-kenHPPmJo

I vividly recall being stopped by a lady in full sari, nose/ear piercing thing, tones of gold, henna hand tattoos.

"ey up lass, can eee tell ee where t' plane t' leeds goes from?"

Yes I stood there like a fool till she walked off.

Stacey x

PS enjoy the video, its sexy af!

NotWise said:

I don't understand. When did Rugby become the "real thing" as opposed to soccer or American football? Was there a jury involved?

Click to expand...

If I may;

It became the 'real thing' when soccer players started rolling on the floor crying for ten minutes when another player looks at them. It was also decided it was the 'real thing' when the payers could do the full eighty minutes and didn't need fifty kilos of padding and several different teams.

I have stated my case and if anyone wants me I shall be in trying to sneak into the England rugby changing room offering complimentary massages and assistance in the shower and undressing.

Stacey x

dididothat said:

If I may;

It became the 'real thing' when soccer players started rolling on the floor crying for ten minutes when another player looks at them. It was also decided it was the 'real thing' when the payers could do the full eighty minutes and didn't need fifty kilos of padding and several different teams.

I have stated my case and if anyone wants me I shall be in trying to sneak into the England rugby changing room offering complimentary massages and assistance in the shower and undressing.

Stacey x

Click to expand...

If you manage to get in, babes, prop a window open so I can slide in and give Owen Farrell a sneaky rub-down with a copy of The Sporting Life...

L x

Lori_the_Hoosier said:

If you manage to get in, babes, prop a window open so I can slide in and give Owen Farrell a sneaky rub-down with a copy of The Sporting Life...

L x

Click to expand...

LOL, find your own player to molest

"Unfortunately a large number of the England players have withdrawn, mainly due to them suffering from pelvic fractures," and unnamed spokesman for the England team reported, "a female of undetermined metal stability and age is helping police with enquiries, back to the studio."


Stacey x

Ah yes, the things, Female Literotica Writers, find to do on their days off or is that, their off days?

Yes, I know, it is two in the fucking morning. That's what happens when someone, I'm not pointing fingers or anything, post Youtube links and I get dragged in kicking and screaming. Maybe the kicking and screaming part is when I drag myself out.

In any case, there is fresh coffee for everyone crazy enough to be awake at this hour on a Moanday morning.

dididothat said:

LOL, find your own player to molest

"Unfortunately a large number of the England players have withdrawn, mainly due to them suffering from pelvic fractures," and unnamed spokesman for the England team reported, "a female of undetermined metal stability and age is helping police with enquiries, back to the studio."


Stacey x

Click to expand...

My hubby is always invited to the dinner the night before the annual Army-Navy rugby match at Twickenham, and usually I go with him, because hunky soldiers and sailors. One time the colonel giving the opening address ended his speech by saying that the army wore red shirts so the blood didn't show; the Commodore giving the Navy address opened his speech by saying the Navy wore blue shirts for the same reason...

Lori_the_Hoosier said:

My hubby is always invited to the dinner the night before the annual Army-Navy rugby match at Twickenham, and usually I go with him, because hunky soldiers and sailors. One time the colonel giving the opening address ended his speech by saying that the army wore red shirts so the blood didn't show; the Commodore giving the Navy address opened his speech by saying the Navy wore blue shirts for the same reason...

Click to expand...

Ahhh THOSE games, yes I recall them well, actually that is a lie, I recall them very fuzzily. Pre game drinks, sneaking drinks in, post game drinks, pre dinner drinks, drinks with dinner, post dinner drinks, you get the idea. I think I may have seen some rugby, through the bottom of a glass.

Shut up liver, you're fine!

I do, however, recall one game with the announcement "Will members of the audience please stop streaking"

I believe the actual reason the Navy wear blue is because cum stains don't show up...

Though props to the Navy, shall I find a youtube video of the gun run? That was scary! And defiantly the real thing! Saw one guy get five surgical staples to the scalp, didn't flinch and completed the run!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxz4aPoudv8

Stacey x

PS yes I'm ex Army lol

NotWise said:

I don't understand. When did Rugby become the "real thing" as opposed to soccer or American football? Was there a jury involved?

Click to expand...

It was when, in 1823, William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it to the other end of the field.
"American Football" is what's left when two US College teams failed to understand the Rules of Rugby.

dididothat said:

If I may;

It became the 'real thing' when soccer players started rolling on the floor crying for ten minutes when another player looks at them. It was also decided it was the 'real thing' when the payers could do the full eighty minutes and didn't need fifty kilos of padding and several different teams.

I have stated my case and if anyone wants me I shall be in trying to sneak into the England rugby changing room offering complimentary massages and assistance in the shower and undressing.

Stacey x

Click to expand...

Given the fantastic pay to the players, I'm not surprised at that description.

But now it's time for a coffee.

Indians learn Strine

https://youtu.be/DHQRZXM-4xI?list=RDp-kenHPPmJo

I need a cool stubbie after that.

Lori_the_Hoosier said:

My hubby is always invited to the dinner the night before the annual Army-Navy rugby match at Twickenham, and usually I go with him, because hunky soldiers and sailors. One time the colonel giving the opening address ended his speech by saying that the army wore red shirts so the blood didn't show; the Commodore giving the Navy address opened his speech by saying the Navy wore blue shirts for the same reason...

Click to expand...

Not so sure, sorry. The way it was explained to me, the Army is full of gentlemen trying to become officers, the Navy is full of officers trying to become gentlemen and the Air Force full of neither who are trying to become both.

Anyway, large black coffee please, Tex.

TarnishedPenny said:

Not so sure, sorry. The way it was explained to me, the Army is full of gentlemen trying to become officers, the Navy is full of officers trying to become gentlemen and the Air Force full of neither who are trying to become both.

Anyway, large black coffee please, Tex.

Click to expand...

I've often wondered why it is that only the "officers" are considered.
What about the Workers ?

" Wherever you walk, you will hear people talk,
Of the men who go up in the air.
Of the daredevil way they go into the fray;
Facing death without turning a hair.

They'll raise a big cheer (and buy lots of beer)
For the Pilot who's come home on leave.
But they don't give a jigger, for the Flight Mech., or Rigger,
With nothing but ‘props’ on his sleeve.

They just say, "Nice day" - and then turn away,
With never a mention of praise…
For the poor bloody Erk*, who does all the work,
And then orders his own beer - and pays!

They've never been told of the hours in the cold
That he spends, sealing Germany’s fate.
How he works on a kite, ‘till all hours of the night,
And then turns up next morning at eight.

He gets no rake-off, for working 'til take-off,
Or helping the aircrew prepare.
But whenever there's trouble, it's "Quick at the double!”
The man on the ground must be there.

Each flying crew can confirm it as true
- That they know what this man's really worth.
They know that he's part of the Air Force's heart,
Even though he stays close to the Earth.

He doesn't want glory,
But please tell his story.
Spread tuppence of his fame around.
One of only a few - so give him his due:

"THREE CHEERS FOR THE MAN ON THE GROUND!”
"



Coffee, I think, is the answer.

TarnishedPenny said:

Not so sure, sorry. The way it was explained to me, the Army is full of gentlemen trying to become officers, the Navy is full of officers trying to become gentlemen and the Air Force full of neither who are trying to become both.

Anyway, large black coffee please, Tex.

Click to expand...

Actually, the Royal Navy is regarded as the senior service, even though both the British Army and The Royal Navy were established as royally-warranted fighting forces in the service of the crown in 1660, immediately following the Restoration.

It's a fairly valid conceit of the Navy to label itself as a gentleman's occupation, dating from the days when it was regarded as an honourable career for a gentleman, whereas the army was historically the dumping ground of feckless younger sons the clergy wouldn't take and whose older brothers, the sons and heirs, were already in Parliament for life, or criminals and jailbirds who were given the choice of the red-coat or the rope.

That's all gone by the way-side now; with drastic slimming-down and cutbacks in recruitment thinning down the regiments to a pale shadow of what they once were, the modern British soldier is typically a multi-skilled military specialist, usually with at least 2 distinct roles, often more, rather than just a basic grunt whose only job is to shoot, fight, and die.

Another large one, please Tex, and make sure you can stand a spoon in it...

No disrespect for the Navy, I assure you. I’ve always held that the Air Force was created to give the Army and the Navy something to agree on.

I do however believe that the Royal Navy, at least until fairly recently, required competence rather than birth. Look at some of the greatest RN admirals. Nelson was a rector’s son, Hood the son of a vicar. (So was that most memorable sailor, Horatio Hornblower. Fictional, of course, but written as typical.) John Jervis wasn’t born into royalty - daddy was a solicitor. Rodney had some distant blue blood, but only some. Jackie Fisher’s father was a planter in Ceylon, albeit one with military experience. Anson had a noble brother-in-law, but wasn’t born into nobility. Were there noble admirals? Of course. Did influence help promotion, including for commoners? Of course, but history shows that a competent man could rise to the highest levels in the old Navy regardless of birth.

Contrast that to the British Army until the time of Haldane. Commissions and appointments were purchased, generally for very high sums. If you had enough money, you could be a colonel without any experience whatever. Yes, the sons of rich merchants and industrialists could theoretically purchase a commission, but the reality was that to rise to any significant level, social rank was imperative. Wellington was the son of an earl, as was Marlborough. Woodham-Smith’s book on the Crimean War, The Reason Why, is a staggering indictment of a system which tolerated almost criminal incompetence from the well-connected. Commanders-in-chief were invariably of royal blood. Thank god for the stolid British soldier of the day.

Nothing personal, sir. I admire both bodies.