Random Raves 49: Cats Can Have Little a Salami

[Birdjaguar]

@Birdjaguar
Going all the way to NYC. Are there ready rail connections from Philly to NYC?

Yes, the entire east coast is well connected by trains of all sorts. LA to NYC means changing trains in Chicago and Philly.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Small rave: The acetaminophen worked. Now I no longer feel like I've been violently stabbed through the gut with a fireplace poker. That was not a nice feeling.

I also entered radio station contest to win tickets for this. I probably won't win but it'd be nice if I did.

 

[Takhisis]

Side note: this reminds me of a tale I've recently read about how one of the extravagant rulers of the Princely States in India c. 1910 built himself a model train system (running on rails made of pure silver) to bring food from the kitchens to his great hall to serve his guests.

It was the maharaja of Gwalior:

…he was so devoted to trains that he had had a miniature one made, with the engines hauling waggons along a network of solid silver rails between the kitchens and the immense dining-room table at his palace. The controls were installed where he sat. By manipulating handles, levers, buttons and sirens, the maharaja commanded the transit of the trains laden with drinks, food, cigars or sweetmeats. Tanker waggons, filled with whisky or wine, would come to a stop before the guest who had ordered a drink. The famous train was even heard of in England due to the fact that one night, during a banquet in honour of queen Mary, due to a short-circuit in the controls, the engines ran amok throughout the dining-hall, splashing wine and sherry, launching morsels of spinach with cheese and chicken curry all over the ladies' dresses and the gentlemen's uniforms. It was the most absurd train accident in history.

Spoiler that is my translation, here's the original :

…era tan aficionado a los trenes que había mandado fabricar uno en miniatura cuyas locomotoras y vagones circulaban sobre una red de rieles de plata maciza entre las cocinas y la inmensa mesa de comedor de su palacio. El cuadro de mandos estaba instalado en el lugar donde él se sentaba. Manipulando manivelas, palancas, botones y sirenas, el maharajá regulaba el tráfico de los trenes que transportaban bebidas, comida, cigarros o dulces. Los vagones cisterna, llenos de whisky o de vino, se detenían ante el comensal que había pedido una copa. La fama de ese tren llegó a Inglaterra debido a que, una noche, durante un banquete ofrecido a la reina María, a causa de un cortociruito en el cuadro de mandos, las locomotoras se lanzaron desbocadas por el comedor, salpicando vino y jerez, y proyectando pinchos de queso con espinacas y pollo al curry sobre los trajes de las señoras y los uniformes de los caballeros. Fue el accidente de ferrocarril más absurdo de la historia.
From Pasión india by Javier Moro

​

I am in love.

Your CapsLock key seems to be malfunctioning, but welcome back anyway.

 

[Valka D'Ur]

I take it at least once every year coming back from Chicago to the Twin Cities from a Model United Nations conference. I'd like to take it to Seattle, but when I'm planning my vacation I'll have to spend another few days traveling back on it (or a different train, either going up to Canada and taking Via Rail back across the Rockies or head south on the Coast Starlight and then up to Chicago on the Southwest Chief or California Zephyr as I would prefer not to fly if I can help it.

Just an FYI: Via in the East is for commuters (who had to make alternate arrangements after various native groups blocked the tracks for several weeks so passengers and freight couldn't get through). Via in the West is more of a tourist thing and is very expensive. You can't beat the scenery in the Canadian Rockies, though.

@MaryKB, @aimeeandbeatles: Nice crowns, though I think you should probably trade.

 

[hobbsyoyo]

The fact that someone posted an infographic on pizza and thought to tag me on it brings me great joy. It also reminded me I have to use my free pizza coupon today.
@cardgame

 

[Synobun]

The fact that someone posted an infographic on pizza and thought to tag me on it brings me great joy. It also reminded me I have to use my free pizza coupon today.
@cardgame

What are you getting on it?

 

[hobbsyoyo]

Ham and bacon

 

[MaryKB]

Ham and bacon

Ewwww. Try spinach and pineapple.

 

[Synobun]

Ham and bacon

Good

Ewwww. Try spinach and pineapple.

Bad

 

[hobbsyoyo]

Haha so this flies in the face of my last rave but there was a point just a few years ago where I had a solid 2-3 inches (5 - 7.5 cm) of fat around my belly, in addition to a deep layer everywhere else.

Now, the belly fat is about a quarter inch (~.6 cm) deep at its thickest and my upper torso and arms arms are starting to get ripped. I was worried about the fact that I have gained about 5 pounds (2 kg) in the last few months but nearest I can tell, most if not all of that was muscle gain. My wife commented on it recently and I've been noticing the changes too. I have never been this fit though I was once skinnier. One long term problem that I am worried about is my knees because if I get rid of the rest of the fat and am still over 250 pounds (110 kg) then I think I'll wind up with very bad back and knee problems as an old guy. But one problem at a time.

 

[Synobun]

One long term problem that I am worried about is my knees because if I get rid of the rest of the fat and am still over 250 pounds (110 kg) then I think I'll wind up with very bad back and knee problems as an old guy. But one problem at a time.

If your back is still in decent shape, proper squats strengthen the knees and your lower back.

 

[MaryKB]

Haha so this flies in the face of my last rave but there was a point just a few years ago where I had a solid 2-3 inches (5 - 7.5 cm) of fat around my belly, in addition to a deep layer everywhere else.

Now, the belly fat is about a quarter inch (~.6 cm) deep at its thickest and my upper torso and arms arms are starting to get ripped. I was worried about the fact that I have gained about 5 pounds (2 kg) in the last few months but nearest I can tell, most if not all of that was muscle gain. My wife commented on it recently and I've been noticing the changes too. I have never been this fit though I was once skinnier. One long term problem that I am worried about is my knees because if I get rid of the rest of the fat and am still over 250 pounds (110 kg) then I think I'll wind up with very bad back and knee problems as an old guy. But one problem at a time.

Well done Hobbs, you must be feeling really good about yourself right now. I'm so very happy for you

 

[JohannaK]

It's great to hear you're in shape!

 

[MaryKB]

Unfortunately I think he sent all the weight he lost over to me ...

 

[Takhisis]

Mary, this is not mansplaining. Pineapple on pizza is bad.

 

[MaryKB]

Mary, this is not mansplaining. Pineapple on pizza is bad.

You are wrong. It depends I guess what you pair it with: I like to add peppers too, and I think the combination of sweet and spicy is delightful

 

[Synobun]

Mary, this is not mansplaining. Pineapple on pizza is bad.

You are wrong. Pineapple is excellent with ham on a pizza.

 

[Takhisis]

You have proposed pineapple, ham, spinach and peppers. Spinach, ham and peppers happens to be a combination at which I am quite good. But without pineapple, please.

 

[Synobun]

You have proposed pineapple, ham, spinach and peppers. Spinach, ham and peppers happens to be a combination at which I am quite good. But without pineapple, please.

No. No spinach or peppers. I am not responsible for Mary's sins, despite my name.

 

[Timsup2nothin]

You are wrong. Pineapple is excellent with ham on a pizza.

I will admit that this is my favorite, though I do add banana peppers.