snoeman Posts: 109 Joined: April 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 21 2007,10:48    Last night, several of the Seattle-based regulars of AtBC met at the 74th Street Ale House to discuss the topics of the day and get to know one another. In attendance: clamboy, argystokes, Steviepinhead, JohnW and snoeman Not in attendance: Tards. Some personal trivia: -> The group was fairly diverse in ages, ranging from (I estimate) those in their 20s to those in their 50s -> Several professions were represented, including: A grad student in the biological sciences, an R&D analyst, a biostatistician, a trial lawyer and a sign-language interpreter -> We come from many different places: a native Seattleite, the UK, Georgia, Massachusetts and one other place that escapes me at the moment... -> One of us is a "Motorhead" fan -> One of us had a baseball cap, whose brim had been curled into a nearly perfect cylinder -> At least two of us were atheists, at least one of us is agnostic and the remaining two are undetermined.  (The atheists tried to hide the horns coming out the tops of their heads, but it was no use.)*     The topics ranged over history, some politics, religion, science and - oh yeah - antievolution.  Each of us got involved in the topic at different points in time: a couple of us during KvD and others stumbling over it a few years ago in the course of researching other things.  One of us has been a veteran reader of Talk.origins since at least 1996. Some conclusions we reached: -> All of us are thankful for the people that consistently read UD and post the best of the Tard; none of us could stomach it on our own -> The AFDave thread was valuable to expose a lot of lurkers to a free education in scientific areas of which they may not have been aware, and in contrast, show an example of the utter dishonesty with which creationists such as AFDave conduct themselves -> None of us would go up in a plane piloted by AFDave -> We agreed that characterizing the DI as a society of "professional liars" was most apt -> We almost felt sorry for Dembski and how far he's fallen. One thing that I don't believe we resolved was on the nature of the intellectual dishonesty of creationists.  Is it possible for someone who believes in the literal truth of the bible to accept the fact that there is an unresolvable disconnect between that belief and the evidence we observe in the world? That they can accept that they may not find out why there is a disconnect until they meet their god? Or, are their beliefs so strong (or are they so fearful) that they must resort to dishonesty and fabrication to discredit that science-based knowledge which they believe threatens them? If I've forgotten anything, please feel free to add on or make corrections.  In any case, I know I enjoyed meeting everyone, and would enjoy doing it again. * Some fundie will take that seriously and go, "Horns?? I knew it!"

ck1 Posts: 65 Joined: Oct. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 21 2007,12:15    And all male.  Anyone know the gender breakdown of regulars/readers of ATBC?

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 21 2007,18:30    Don't know about the gender breakdown, generally. If there are any female AtBC'ers in the Seattle area, they are, of course, certainly welcome to join us.  Aside from a good deal of snickering at AFDave and the like, we were pretty restrained, overall. Clayman arrived a little late, as he had helped a friend move for most of the day.  I stayed a little late, as I was in the process of pigging down a pitcher and a pint of cider.  After the others left, clayman and I talked about trying to arrange some scrambly hikes in the Teanaway River area, in the Cascade range to the east of the crest (over Snoqualmie Pass via I-90) and north of the little burg of Cle Elum.  This is several hours closer, but has some of the same amenities as his favorite hiking area, the Pasayten, in the NE part of the Cascades up near the border. Argystokes intelligently refused to allow me--the well-inebriated cider hog that I was--to drive him anywhere--he had bussed and walked quite a ways to get to the 74th. I managed to get myself home without incident and had to pound the guitar for a while to burn off some of the excess alcohol.  Good thing it was a non-week night, and I could sleep off the rest of the excess this morning! That was fun!  We'll definitely have to do it again. Edit: I would be remiss not to thank snoeman for his willingness to serve as "secretary" for our gathering, and for his detailed report of the proceedings, above.

argystokes Posts: 766 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 21 2007,19:16    Quote After the others left, clayman and I talked about trying to arrange some scrambly hikes in the Teanaway River area, in the Cascade range to the east of the crest (over Snoqualmie Pass via I-90) and north of the little burg of Cle Elum.  This is several hours closer, but has some of the same amenities as his favorite hiking area, the Pasayten, in the NE part of the Cascades up near the border. I went on a snowshoeing trip at Teanaway a couple years ago with the UW Wildlife Society, with the intentions of perhaps following some cougar tracks around with some professional trackers. We were surprised and delighted when we began our little tracking excursion, as one of the trackers announced they'd treed a cougar and we could watch them take it down and microchip it. Definitely one of the cooler experiences in my life... -------------- "Why waste time learning, when ignorance is instantaneous?" -Calvin

Richardthughes Posts: 11177 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 22 2007,00:05    Quote (ck1 @ Jan. 21 2007,12:15) And all male.  Anyone know the gender breakdown of regulars/readers of ATBC? Arden in male on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, hermaphrodite Thursdays through Saturday and all woman Sunday and Monday. -------------- "Richardthughes, you magnificent bastard, I stand in awe of you..." : Arden Chatfield "You magnificent bastard! " : Louis "ATBC poster child", "I have to agree with Rich.." : DaveTard "I bow to your superior skills" : deadman_932 "...it was Richardthughes making me lie in bed.." : Kristine

Renier Posts: 276 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 22 2007,00:47    *turns nasty acid green*.... Sounds like you guys had great fun!

Russell Posts: 1082 Joined: April 2005 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 22 2007,17:43    What were the beverage preferences of the Seattle Five? -------------- Must... not... scratch... mosquito bite.

blipey Posts: 2061 Joined: June 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 22 2007,17:51    Hey, I'll be in Seattle in 8(?) weeks, or something like that.  If the Seattle AtBC meetings continue, I would love to attend one.  I'll pay my dues (and buy beer).  As an added bonus, I will have met DaveScot by then and will be happy to share. -------------- But I get the trick question- there isn't any such thing as one molecule of water. -JoeG And scientists rarely test theories. -Gary Gaulin

"Rev Dr" Lenny Flank Posts: 2560 Joined: Feb. 2005 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 22 2007,18:05    Quote (blipey @ Jan. 22 2007,17:51) As an added bonus, I will have met DaveScot by then and will be happy to share. Assuming you both survive. -------------- Editor, Red and Black Publishers www.RedandBlackPublishers.com

blipey Posts: 2061 Joined: June 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 22 2007,19:34    Quote ("Rev Dr" Lenny Flank @ Jan. 22 2007,18:05) Quote (blipey @ Jan. 22 2007,17:51) As an added bonus, I will have met DaveScot by then and will be happy to share. Assuming you both survive. As I once told DaveTard, my superior footspeed will allow me to bob and weave his tard. -------------- But I get the trick question- there isn't any such thing as one molecule of water. -JoeG And scientists rarely test theories. -Gary Gaulin

snoeman Posts: 109 Joined: April 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 22 2007,19:55    Russell inquired:   Quote (Russell @ Jan. 22 2007,17:43) What were the beverage preferences of the Seattle Five? With one exception, all of us had local ales.  Steviepinhead stuck with Dry Blackthorn Cider. snoeman:  Mac & Jack's Amber argystokes: Hale's Cream Ale JohnW: A local IPA (don't remember the brewer) clamboy: A local dark winter ale (also don't remember the brewer) Blipey asked: Quote Hey, I'll be in Seattle in 8(?) weeks, or something like that.  If the Seattle AtBC meetings continue, I would love to attend one.  I'll pay my dues (and buy beer).  As an added bonus, I will have met DaveScot by then and will be happy to share. We've not scheduled the next meeting, but I'll bet that we could make ourselves available for an ad hoc session.

Faid Posts: 1143 Joined: Mar. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 22 2007,20:03    Daaaamn! My reasons to visit Seattle keep piling up! If only it wasn't on the other side of the *&%$#I&* planet... -------------- A look into DAVE HAWKINS' sense of honesty: "The truth is that ALL mutations REDUCE information" "...mutations can add information to a genome.  And remember, I have never said that this is not possible."

clamboy Posts: 299 Joined: May 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 23 2007,11:15    One small correction to the minutes: while it is true that I have been lurking for, like, friggin' ever at talk.origins, it has been since about 1998 or so, not '96. All I know is, McCoy was there when I arrived, and hasn't said *one new thing* since!

Stephen Elliott Posts: 1776 Joined: Oct. 2005 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 23 2007,14:26    Quote (snoeman @ Jan. 22 2007,19:55) With one exception, all of us had local ales.  Steviepinhead stuck with Dry Blackthorn Cider. Is that the same as cider in the UK? Just that in the USA I found cider= non alcoholic apple juice. In the UK  Blackthorn is aprox 6% ABV IIRC and is quite nice on a summers day. If Stevie likes that, he should definately consider a trip to Cornwall and Devon in the UK. Cider heaven (the real head-banging mad sruff).

JohnW Posts: 3217 Joined: Aug. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 23 2007,14:36    Quote (Stephen Elliott @ Jan. 23 2007,14:26) Quote (snoeman @ Jan. 22 2007,19:55) With one exception, all of us had local ales.  Steviepinhead stuck with Dry Blackthorn Cider. Is that the same as cider in the UK? Just that in the USA I found cider= non alcoholic apple juice. In the UK  Blackthorn is aprox 6% ABV IIRC and is quite nice on a summers day. If Stevie likes that, he should definately consider a trip to Cornwall and Devon in the UK. Cider heaven (the real head-banging mad sruff). "Cider" in the US usually means unfermented apple juice, unless it's "hard cider".  Steviepinhead was drinking the imported Taunton stuff. I warned him about the "real' West Country stuff - it's not real cider if you're not picking bits out from between your teeth. -------------- Math is just a language of reality. Its a waste of time to know it. - Robert Byers There isn't any probability that the letter d is in the word "mathematics"...  The correct answer would be "not even 0" - JoeG

Stephen Elliott Posts: 1776 Joined: Oct. 2005 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 23 2007,15:07    Quote (JohnW @ Jan. 23 2007,14:36) Quote (Stephen Elliott @ Jan. 23 2007,14:26) Quote (snoeman @ Jan. 22 2007,19:55) With one exception, all of us had local ales.  Steviepinhead stuck with Dry Blackthorn Cider. Is that the same as cider in the UK? Just that in the USA I found cider= non alcoholic apple juice. In the UK  Blackthorn is aprox 6% ABV IIRC and is quite nice on a summers day. If Stevie likes that, he should definately consider a trip to Cornwall and Devon in the UK. Cider heaven (the real head-banging mad sruff). "Cider" in the US usually means unfermented apple juice, unless it's "hard cider".  Steviepinhead was drinking the imported Taunton stuff. I warned him about the "real' West Country stuff - it's not real cider if you're not picking bits out from between your teeth. No, no, no. That stuff with pickings in is Scrumpy. Avoid at all costs, it may just destroy the brain. Cider alone punches above its ABV. As does our good "real ale" bitters. By Jove, I live in a land of alcohol that is beyond compare. That is not even including our stouts, milds, browns and IPAs. Truly a land of plenty when it comes as beer choices.

JohnW Posts: 3217 Joined: Aug. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 23 2007,15:49    Quote (Stephen Elliott @ Jan. 23 2007,15:07) Quote (JohnW @ Jan. 23 2007,14:36) Quote (Stephen Elliott @ Jan. 23 2007,14:26)   Quote (snoeman @ Jan. 22 2007,19:55) With one exception, all of us had local ales.  Steviepinhead stuck with Dry Blackthorn Cider. Is that the same as cider in the UK? Just that in the USA I found cider= non alcoholic apple juice. In the UK  Blackthorn is aprox 6% ABV IIRC and is quite nice on a summers day. If Stevie likes that, he should definately consider a trip to Cornwall and Devon in the UK. Cider heaven (the real head-banging mad sruff). "Cider" in the US usually means unfermented apple juice, unless it's "hard cider".  Steviepinhead was drinking the imported Taunton stuff. I warned him about the "real' West Country stuff - it's not real cider if you're not picking bits out from between your teeth. No, no, no. That stuff with pickings in is Scrumpy. Avoid at all costs, it may just destroy the brain. Cider alone punches above its ABV. As does our good "real ale" bitters. By Jove, I live in a land of alcohol that is beyond compare. That is not even including our stouts, milds, browns and IPAs. Truly a land of plenty when it comes as beer choices. But isn't scrumpy just a subset of cider?  Scrumpy is cider, but cider isn't necessarily scrumpy? -------------- Math is just a language of reality. Its a waste of time to know it. - Robert Byers There isn't any probability that the letter d is in the word "mathematics"...  The correct answer would be "not even 0" - JoeG

MidnightVoice Posts: 380 Joined: Aug. 2005 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 23 2007,16:51    Scrumpy is not really scrumpy unless there is more than 50% of one dead rat in the barrel   -------------- If I fly the coop some time And take nothing but a grip With the few good books that really count It's a necessary trip I'll be gone with the girl in the gold silk jacket The girl with the pearl-driller's hands

"Rev Dr" Lenny Flank Posts: 2560 Joined: Feb. 2005 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 23 2007,18:45    Quote (Stephen Elliott @ Jan. 23 2007,15:07) Truly a land of plenty when it comes as beer choices. That's because it's always cloudy and cold, and the only things to DO are (1) drink beer and (2) make more Britons. -edit-  Come to think of it, that sounds like Seattle, too.   -------------- Editor, Red and Black Publishers www.RedandBlackPublishers.com

blipey Posts: 2061 Joined: June 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 23 2007,21:23    Quote -edit-  Come to think of it, that sounds like Seattle, too.   They make Britons in Seattle? -------------- But I get the trick question- there isn't any such thing as one molecule of water. -JoeG And scientists rarely test theories. -Gary Gaulin

"Rev Dr" Lenny Flank Posts: 2560 Joined: Feb. 2005 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 23 2007,21:59    Quote (blipey @ Jan. 23 2007,21:23) Quote -edit-  Come to think of it, that sounds like Seattle, too.   They make Britons in Seattle? Well heck, there must be SOME. They go there for the climate. -------------- Editor, Red and Black Publishers www.RedandBlackPublishers.com

snoeman Posts: 109 Joined: April 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 23 2007,23:36    Quote ("Rev Dr" Lenny Flank @ Jan. 23 2007,21:59)   Quote (blipey @ Jan. 23 2007,21:23)   Quote -edit-  Come to think of it, that sounds like Seattle, too.   They make Britons in Seattle? Well heck, there must be SOME. They go there for the climate. I resent that.  Our three weeks of summer are the nicest you'll find anywhere.

Stephen Elliott Posts: 1776 Joined: Oct. 2005 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 24 2007,11:44    Quote ("Rev Dr" Lenny Flank @ Jan. 23 2007,18:45) Quote (Stephen Elliott @ Jan. 23 2007,15:07) Truly a land of plenty when it comes as beer choices. That's because it's always cloudy and cold, and the only things to DO are (1) drink beer and (2) make more Britons. -edit-  Come to think of it, that sounds like Seattle, too.   So tell me what is wrong with that! Is there a better way to live than beer and sex? If cloudy weather is the cause then I shall pray for rain. Seems a bit pointless though when it rains anyway. Perhaps it would be better to concentrate on beer and sex.

"Rev Dr" Lenny Flank Posts: 2560 Joined: Feb. 2005 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 24 2007,17:46    Quote (Stephen Elliott @ Jan. 24 2007,11:44) So tell me what is wrong with that! Is there a better way to live than beer and sex? None that I can think of.  Certainly I enjoy beer and sex, particularly together. But it'd be nice to have some SUNSHINE, so the beer and sex can move outdoors at any time of the year.   -------------- Editor, Red and Black Publishers www.RedandBlackPublishers.com

argystokes Posts: 766 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 24 2007,19:37    Quote ("Rev Dr" Lenny Flank @ Jan. 24 2007,15:46) Quote (Stephen Elliott @ Jan. 24 2007,11:44) So tell me what is wrong with that! Is there a better way to live than beer and sex? None that I can think of.  Certainly I enjoy beer and sex, particularly together. But it'd be nice to have some SUNSHINE, so the beer and sex can move outdoors at any time of the year.   Pansy-ass southerner. Real Seattle Men drink beer and have sex in the rain. -------------- "Why waste time learning, when ignorance is instantaneous?" -Calvin

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Jan. 27 2007,16:01    Yes, but is it possible to enjoy beer and sex (or, okay, cider and sex) in the rain and still be intellectually honest?

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 01 2007,18:05    Getting back to the bureaucratic procedural type stuff-- Do we want to schedule another meeting between now and blipey's visit? Or do we want to kick back, enjoy the frost on our windshields, and wait for blipey to instigate another round of drinking and IDiot-plonking? Any distaff Seattle AtBC'ers out there are, of course, more than welcome to shimmy on down. My only requirement, needless to say, being that the said establishment serves the said cider!  But that's actually a fair few places now, including such spots as the Reading Gaol, the Hilltop, Bick's, ... not to mention the aforesaid 74th St. Heck, even the Barking Dog has Asphall's, or something o' that ilk, though it's awful flippin' expensive...!

snoeman Posts: 109 Joined: April 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 01 2007,23:17    Quote (Steviepinhead @ Feb. 01 2007,18:05) Getting back to the bureaucratic procedural type stuff-- Do we want to schedule another meeting between now and blipey's visit? Or do we want to kick back, enjoy the frost on our windshields, and wait for blipey to instigate another round of drinking and IDiot-plonking? Any distaff Seattle AtBC'ers out there are, of course, more than welcome to shimmy on down. My only requirement, needless to say, being that the said establishment serves the said cider!  But that's actually a fair few places now, including such spots as the Reading Gaol, the Hilltop, Bick's, ... not to mention the aforesaid 74th St. Heck, even the Barking Dog has Asphall's, or something o' that ilk, though it's awful flippin' expensive...! I am, in principle, always in favor of more beer. What about the 17th? (Saturday) The 74th St. Alehouse works well for me.

Ichthyic Posts: 3325 Joined: May 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 01 2007,23:33    boy, as a total contrast to typical Seattle, i live in Palm Springs (CA), where we get about .25 inches of rain a year, and today it was a balmy 72 degrees and sunny. unfortunately, i doubt there are too many science fans around this neck of the woods. golf, yes. science, no. However, should there be an interest in beer, sex, or general conversation in a guaranteed sunny environ... -------------- "And the sea will grant each man new hope..." -CC

snoeman Posts: 109 Joined: April 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 02 2007,00:04    Quote (Ichthyic @ Feb. 01 2007,23:33) boy, as a total contrast to typical Seattle, i live in Palm Springs (CA), where we get about .25 inches of rain a year, and today it was a balmy 72 degrees and sunny. unfortunately, i doubt there are too many science fans around this neck of the woods. golf, yes. science, no. However, should there be an interest in beer, sex, or general conversation in a guaranteed sunny environ... Actually, our weather has been exactly the same as Palm Springs over the last several days... except for the "72 degrees" and "balmy" parts. You'll be happy to know, by the way, that despite the depressing state of science education in the US, one of my colleague's nieces has really committed herself to become an ichthyologist, primarily because she thinks sharks are really cool.

Stephen Elliott Posts: 1776 Joined: Oct. 2005 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 02 2007,00:27    Quote (Ichthyic @ Feb. 01 2007,23:33) boy, as a total contrast to typical Seattle, i live in Palm Springs (CA), where we get about .25 inches of rain a year, and today it was a balmy 72 degrees and sunny. unfortunately, i doubt there are too many science fans around this neck of the woods. golf, yes. science, no. However, should there be an interest in beer, sex, or general conversation in a guaranteed sunny environ... Try San Diego's gasslamp (gasslight?) area. Not too far from you and very good for beer drinking. Oh, and it's warm + sunny.

Ichthyic Posts: 3325 Joined: May 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 02 2007,00:43    oh yeah, been there done that. still, it's a good 2.5 hour drive from where I am now (on a good day). what am i saying?  there are no more good traffic days in so cal. make that 4 hours. -------------- "And the sea will grant each man new hope..." -CC

Ichthyic Posts: 3325 Joined: May 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 02 2007,00:47    snoe: she thinks sharks are cool, eh? Loius has been asking me to post about my experiences researching sharks. I guess I'll do that next week. I promise references to some neat pics, too. ;) -------------- "And the sea will grant each man new hope..." -CC

Renier Posts: 276 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 02 2007,02:24    Sharks! Now THERE, is a topic. I do quite a bit of spearfishing here in South Africa and have been on a cage dive at Gansbay to see some "whites". Awesome creatures. Would love to hear some stories STJ! Open a thread....

snoeman Posts: 109 Joined: April 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 02 2007,07:58    Quote (Ichthyic @ Feb. 02 2007,00:47) snoe: she thinks sharks are cool, eh? Loius has been asking me to post about my experiences researching sharks. I guess I'll do that next week. I promise references to some neat pics, too. ;) Very much so, apparently.  My cubicle quad mate tells me that her niece saw a couple of documentaries a few years ago, and ever since then, nothing else will do except icthyology. As far as I know, she's a teenager now, so there's still a few years before she gets there, but you're on notice now that another fish lover should be joining your ranks...  :) I'd be curious to know from some of the scientists who post here if they had a similar experience as kids - if there was an "aha" moment that set them off on the science path they ultimately chose.  There are so many disciplines to choose from in the sciences, and one can't specialize in them all.  What motivated you to choose the particular path you took?

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 02 2007,14:19    I'm thinking that the "Aha" moment could devour its own entire thread easily.  (Even if we confined it to such moments that led to science careers which I'm not in a position to do--though I've had dozens of other such life-redirecting moments...) Heh.  Until now, I hadn't fully appreciated snoeman's clever acronym for our little group: Atbc Society of Seattle!  Cooler yet, it's grandfathered in, pre-civility: A.S.S. we are and A.S.S. we shall remain! (My favorite acronym along those lines was spotted on the wall of a bar in Whitefish, Montana: Appaloosa Stud Service.) Anyway, the question on the table is: do we hold our next official meeting at the 74th Street Alehouse on Saturday, Feb. 17 (I'm assuming 7:30 again...)? The only drawback for me is that's the three-day weekend and I'm leaving for a trip right afterwards, so there's some chance that trying to get pre-caught up on work and pack and such could interfere with my attendance.  Though I'm hardly crucial, would try hard to make it regardless, and my potential absence should not in any event preclude A.S.S. II from proceeding...

JohnW Posts: 3217 Joined: Aug. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 02 2007,14:48    February 17, at the same ASS(watering)hole as last time would work for me. -------------- Math is just a language of reality. Its a waste of time to know it. - Robert Byers There isn't any probability that the letter d is in the word "mathematics"...  The correct answer would be "not even 0" - JoeG

Ichthyic Posts: 3325 Joined: May 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 02 2007,22:28    Quote I'd be curious to know from some of the scientists who post here if they had a similar experience as kids - if there was an "aha" moment that set them off on the science path they ultimately chose.   oh yes. Bodega Bay, CA, 1969. My parents took my brother and I to watch the low tide in the bay, and my bro and I started turning over rocks to see what was there. One of the rocks we turned over found us staring at a battle between an octopus and a crab that was just a bit too large for it. that was the spark, right there. next month, they took me to marineland (no longer exists), and I spoke with the dolphin trainer after his gig was over.  When i was done, I immediately announced my intentions to become a marine biologist and never looked back once until I finished grad school. other than the money  I never have regreted a single minute. -------------- "And the sea will grant each man new hope..." -CC

stevestory Posts: 13407 Joined: Oct. 2005 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 02 2007,22:51    Quote (Ichthyic @ Feb. 02 2007,23:28) When i was done, I immediately announced my intentions to become a marine biologist and never looked back once until I finished grad school. (flashback) George: I'm a marine biologist.    George: The sea was angry that day my friends, like an old man trying to send back soup at a deli.    George: So I started to walk into the water. I won't lie to you boys, I was terrified! But I pressed on and as I made my way past the breakers a strange calm came over me. I don't know if it was divine intervention or the kinship of all living things but I tell you Jerry at that moment I was a marine biologist!    Elaine: George I was just reading this thing in the papers, it's amazing!    George: I know I was just telling them the story.    Kramer: Come on George, finish the story.    George: I got about fifty-feet out and then suddenly the great beast appeared before me. I tell ya he was ten stories high if he was a foot. As if sensing my presence he gave out a big bellow. I said, "EEEEAAAAASSSSSYYYYYY big fella!" And then as I watched him struggling I realized something was obstructing his breathing. From where I was standing I could see directly into the eye of the great fish!    Jerry: Mammal.    George: Whatever.    Kramer: Well, what did you do next?    George: Then from out of nowhere a huge tidal wave lifted. Tossed like a cork, I found myself on top of him face to face with the blow-hole. I could barely see from all of the waves crashing down on top of me but I knew something was there so I reached my hand and pulled out the obstruction! (George pulls out of the inside pocket a golf ball) (Jerry and George just stare at Kramer) Kramer: What is that a Titleist? A hole in one, eh?

Ichthyic Posts: 3325 Joined: May 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 02 2007,23:00    there was some good writing on that show. I ever tell ya how i lost me left index finger in the maw of a great white? -------------- "And the sea will grant each man new hope..." -CC

Renier Posts: 276 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 05 2007,04:06    Lost a finger??? hhmm. Truth to tell, I do have scars on my body where a hammerhead shark bit me. Wel actually, to be more precise, it is on my thumb :-) Taking out the hook somehow my thumb landed in it's mouth. Let's see, the shark was about  60 odd cm long :-)

k.e Posts: 1948 Joined: Mar. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 05 2007,07:11    Quote (Ichthyic @ Feb. 03 2007,07:00) there was some good writing on that show. I ever tell ya how i lost me left index finger in the maw of a great white? #### that must make picking your nose 1/2 as much fun  :D Has anyone else noticed that the central characters of the Seinfeld show are the Fabulous Furry Freak bros. ? -------------- The conservative has but little to fear from the man whose reason is the servant of his passions, but let him beware of him in whom reason has become the greatest and most terrible of the passions.These are the wreckers of outworn empires and civilisations, doubters, disintegrators, deicides.Haldane

clamboy Posts: 299 Joined: May 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 05 2007,11:45    I'll put the 17th on my calendar. This time, let's get kicked out for loutishness.

JohnW Posts: 3217 Joined: Aug. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 05 2007,12:18    Quote (clamboy @ Feb. 05 2007,11:45) This time, let's get kicked out for loutishness. In which case, should we switch the venue to Reading Gaol?  I like the idea of being thrown out of gaol. -------------- Math is just a language of reality. Its a waste of time to know it. - Robert Byers There isn't any probability that the letter d is in the word "mathematics"...  The correct answer would be "not even 0" - JoeG

"Rev Dr" Lenny Flank Posts: 2560 Joined: Feb. 2005 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 05 2007,19:32    Quote (Renier @ Feb. 05 2007,04:06) Lost a finger??? hhmm. Truth to tell, I do have scars on my body where a hammerhead shark bit me. Wel actually, to be more precise, it is on my thumb :-) Taking out the hook somehow my thumb landed in it's mouth. Let's see, the shark was about  60 odd cm long :-) Well, I have a scar at the base of my left thumb from a young monitor lizard, that was ALSO about 60 cm long (that'd be about two feet, if my metric conversion is right). Ouch. :) -------------- Editor, Red and Black Publishers www.RedandBlackPublishers.com

k.e Posts: 1948 Joined: Mar. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 05 2007,21:04    Quote (clamboy @ Feb. 05 2007,19:45) I'll put the 17th on my calendar. This time, let's get kicked out for loutishness. Yar....that's more like it! snort. Then onto a nightclub, pick up some girls dance until we get thrown out (again) and then a Casino play blackjack until dawn (and thrown out again) then a game of mixed doubles. Don't forget to practice safe sex... don't give'm your phone number I'm too old for that now I'll have to leave that to the kids. -------------- The conservative has but little to fear from the man whose reason is the servant of his passions, but let him beware of him in whom reason has become the greatest and most terrible of the passions.These are the wreckers of outworn empires and civilisations, doubters, disintegrators, deicides.Haldane

snoeman Posts: 109 Joined: April 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 05 2007,23:07    Quote (JohnW @ Feb. 05 2007,12:18)   Quote (clamboy @ Feb. 05 2007,11:45) This time, let's get kicked out for loutishness. In which case, should we switch the venue to Reading Gaol?  I like the idea of being thrown out of gaol. ok then.  74th St. Ale House on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 7:30pm. 1st order of business: get beer. 2nd order of business: identify a gaol from which to have JohnW thrown out of.

k.e Posts: 1948 Joined: Mar. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 05 2007,23:19    Quote (snoeman @ Feb. 06 2007,07:07) Quote (JohnW @ Feb. 05 2007,12:18)   Quote (clamboy @ Feb. 05 2007,11:45) This time, let's get kicked out for loutishness. In which case, should we switch the venue to Reading Gaol?  I like the idea of being thrown out of gaol. ok then.  74th St. Ale House on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 7:30pm. 1st order of business: get beer. 2nd order of business: identify a gaol from which to have JohnW thrown out of. Dang, consider yourselves lucky, I can get thrown out of anywhere, in fact I make a point of it. (Stow it steves) -------------- The conservative has but little to fear from the man whose reason is the servant of his passions, but let him beware of him in whom reason has become the greatest and most terrible of the passions.These are the wreckers of outworn empires and civilisations, doubters, disintegrators, deicides.Haldane

Stephen Elliott Posts: 1776 Joined: Oct. 2005 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 05 2007,23:29    Quote (k.e @ Feb. 05 2007,21:04) I'm too old for that now I'll have to leave that to the kids. Bah, quiter!

k.e Posts: 1948 Joined: Mar. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 06 2007,00:08    Quote (Stephen Elliott @ Feb. 06 2007,07:29) Quote (k.e @ Feb. 05 2007,21:04) I'm too old for that now I'll have to leave that to the kids. Bah, quiter! Hey, I can still drink! (and get thrown out) I just need a nap and my walking frame before going on to the night club...ok I lied about the walking frame...but when all the girls look like my daughters and their friends ...well I have to draw the line somewhere. -------------- The conservative has but little to fear from the man whose reason is the servant of his passions, but let him beware of him in whom reason has become the greatest and most terrible of the passions.These are the wreckers of outworn empires and civilisations, doubters, disintegrators, deicides.Haldane

JohnW Posts: 3217 Joined: Aug. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 06 2007,11:40    Can we reschedule?  The Pacific Science Center is showing A Flock Of Dodos this week.  Can we meet somewhere nearby, before and/or after?  Maybe Saturday? Fantastic that the science museum in the DI's home town is doing this.  I wonder if any IDiots are going to show up. -------------- Math is just a language of reality. Its a waste of time to know it. - Robert Byers There isn't any probability that the letter d is in the word "mathematics"...  The correct answer would be "not even 0" - JoeG

Stephen Elliott Posts: 1776 Joined: Oct. 2005 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 06 2007,12:50    Quote (k.e @ Feb. 06 2007,00:08) Quote (Stephen Elliott @ Feb. 06 2007,07:29) Quote (k.e @ Feb. 05 2007,21:04) I'm too old for that now I'll have to leave that to the kids. Bah, quiter! Hey, I can still drink! (and get thrown out) I just need a nap and my walking frame before going on to the night club...ok I lied about the walking frame...but when all the girls look like my daughters and their friends ...well I have to draw the line somewhere. Yeh, that does kinda put a downer on things. When pulling a 25 year old (dream on) causes you to feel like a peadophile, it is probably time to slow down.

Henry J Posts: 5760 Joined: Mar. 2005 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 06 2007,13:40    Re "The Pacific Science Center is showing A Flock Of Dodos this week.  I wonder if any IDiots are going to show up." Aren't they the title characters? (Did I say that? )

Mr_Christopher Posts: 1238 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 06 2007,17:16    Is this the pub in Phinney or Greenwood?  I'm having a memory lapse... Chris -------------- Uncommon Descent is a moral cesspool, a festering intellectual ghetto that intoxicates and degrades its inhabitants - Stephen Matheson

argystokes Posts: 766 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 06 2007,17:30    Quote (Mr_Christopher @ Feb. 06 2007,15:16) Is this the pub in Phinney or Greenwood?  I'm having a memory lapse... Chris Greenwood. On Greenwood Ave, as a matter of fact. -------------- "Why waste time learning, when ignorance is instantaneous?" -Calvin

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 06 2007,18:18    The 74th Street Alehouse is at: 7401 Greenwood Avenue North NW corner of Greenwood and 74th, north of the zoo, west of Greenlake, east of Ballard, top of Phinney Ridge, etc., etc. Greenwood and Phinney are the same arterial, basically, though not literally the same streets.  They had to do a jog around the Red Mill burger place which, of course, could not be displaced. The Reading Gaol is on the north side of NW 65th St. a couple of blocks west of the intersection of 65th and Third Ave. NW (or "Highway 3," as we call it around here). Now I'm unsure to which joint we plan to repair.  (I'll have to be more careful with these royal "we's"--dipsy dave has gotten himself in a wee bit of a crack over an unearned use of "we" over at dawkins.net...)  I'll default to the 74th if it remains unclear, because the car is programmed to get me home from there, no matter what state the driver is in.

snoeman Posts: 109 Joined: April 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 14 2007,20:10    -edit- Seattle AtBCers: Still on for Saturday? February 17, 7:30pm 74th St. Ale House

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 14 2007,20:37    With the same caveats as before (somewhere up thread, packing and trying to get work out of the way for a trip...), yes! I've seen a couple of other PTers from Seattle environs show up on the thread on the Thumb about Flock of Dodos. If you other folks are interested, you're certainly welcome to join us...

clamboy Posts: 299 Joined: May 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 15 2007,11:32    I'm still hoping to make it. And you know, I might go past lout to scallywag, or even ruffian!!! I'd hate to be a dustbin on Phinney Ridge Saturday night...

clamboy Posts: 299 Joined: May 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 17 2007,20:04    Well, dang, looks like I won't be able to make it after all. And I have such a great story to tell youse all, about some frightening christian intellectual dishonesty! Maybe I will just have to revive that thread. Meanwhile, have fun, those in attendance, and at least *try* to make the 11 o'clock news.

JohnW Posts: 3217 Joined: Aug. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 17 2007,22:16    Looks like I'm not going to be able to get there tonight.  Can someone drink my IPA quota? -------------- Math is just a language of reality. Its a waste of time to know it. - Robert Byers There isn't any probability that the letter d is in the word "mathematics"...  The correct answer would be "not even 0" - JoeG

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 19 2007,14:11    Three of us made it: snoeman Steviepinhead (after all, which means I still have some packing to do tonight...!) and Jedidiah P. from Panda's Thumb. I limited myself to two ciders this time (two pints, that is)!  Snoeman drank his usual Mac'n'Jacks, and Jed had red wine (forget the vintage, sorry).   Beyond that, I won't make any attempt at the official "proceedings" which snoeman may well post, except that a good time was had by all (and the time between 7:30 and 10 went by with astonishing speed). If blipey will let us know when he'll be in town, we'd love to try to schedule a meeting that will mesh up!

snoeman Posts: 109 Joined: April 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 19 2007,23:14    Proceedings Volume II As noted by steviepinhead already, attendees included himself, Jedidiah Palosaari from PT and me. The topics ranged over the environment, the dishonesty of the DI, where we have lived, the nuttery of AFDave and jury duty. By far, the best part of the evening was getting to know Jedidiah.  As it turns out, he's been following the Evolution v. Creationism thing longer than any of us in the AtBC Seattle group.  In fact, he's been a regular reader of talkorigins since the BBS days of the early '90s; except at that time, he was a creationist. Huh? Well, a funny thing happened: Jedidiah paid attention to the evidence.  He was persuaded that the data supporting evolution couldn't be reconciled with a literalist interpretation of the bible, and now is strongly irritated by the blatant dishonesty of the DI.  He has apparently admonished them on their own blog on this point.  Whatever expectations  one might have to the contrary, he's an example that reason can reach anyone with an open mind. Besides that, Jedidiah is witty.  I'll get in trouble with steviepinhead for not remembering the exact exchange that I was supposed to include in these proceedings, but  suffice it to say that J is not lacking in the clever repartee department. Hopefully, we'll be able to get together again when Blipey's in town.

Stephen Elliott Posts: 1776 Joined: Oct. 2005 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 20 2007,12:15    Quote (snoeman @ Feb. 19 2007,23:14) ...By far, the best part of the evening was getting to know Jedidiah.  As it turns out, he's been following the Evolution v. Creationism thing longer than any of us in the AtBC Seattle group.  In fact, he's been a regular reader of talkorigins since the BBS days of the early '90s; except at that time, he was a creationist. Huh? Well, a funny thing happened: Jedidiah paid attention to the evidence.  He was persuaded that the data supporting evolution couldn't be reconciled with a literalist interpretation of the bible, and now is strongly irritated by the blatant dishonesty of the DI...   Jebidiah's story there sounds very similar to mine. Except he did it first.

blipey Posts: 2061 Joined: June 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 21 2007,22:29    Ah, beer drinking and witty conversation in Seattle?  Sign me up.  I'll be in town 3rd-ish week of April (give or take a couple days); schedule is subject to some change. -------------- But I get the trick question- there isn't any such thing as one molecule of water. -JoeG And scientists rarely test theories. -Gary Gaulin

Renier Posts: 276 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: Feb. 23 2007,02:09    Quote (Stephen Elliott @ Feb. 20 2007,12:15) Quote (snoeman @ Feb. 19 2007,23:14) ...By far, the best part of the evening was getting to know Jedidiah.  As it turns out, he's been following the Evolution v. Creationism thing longer than any of us in the AtBC Seattle group.  In fact, he's been a regular reader of talkorigins since the BBS days of the early '90s; except at that time, he was a creationist. Huh? Well, a funny thing happened: Jedidiah paid attention to the evidence.  He was persuaded that the data supporting evolution couldn't be reconciled with a literalist interpretation of the bible, and now is strongly irritated by the blatant dishonesty of the DI...   Jebidiah's story there sounds very similar to mine. Except he did it first. Ja, same here. TalkOrigins also did it for me. That and a debate between Gish and Saladin that I found on infidels.org.

JohnW Posts: 3217 Joined: Aug. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: May 04 2007,11:41    It's been a while.  Time to reconvene? -------------- Math is just a language of reality. Its a waste of time to know it. - Robert Byers There isn't any probability that the letter d is in the word "mathematics"...  The correct answer would be "not even 0" - JoeG

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: May 04 2007,19:14    I'd be up for it (d'oh, since I can't remember the last time I turned down a drink, which might also explain the poor memory, come to think of it...). My Saturday evenings are pretty much spoken for in May, though some of my engagements are daytime affairs, and I'd certainly be willing to consider any given proposal. Mid-June on looks more open, but that does seem quite a long wait for a wet.

argystokes Posts: 766 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: May 04 2007,19:24    I'm available most nights, I think. And weekend days, though sometimes I have an unforeseen need to go to lab. -------------- "Why waste time learning, when ignorance is instantaneous?" -Calvin

snoeman Posts: 109 Joined: April 2006 (Permalink) Posted: May 05 2007,16:01    How about Saturday, June 9 for a session? I suggest either meet at 7:30pm as usual, or if you want to meet mid to late afternoon, we could do that. Perhaps JohnW or argystokes would care to suggest a place this time? I was thinking that Hale's or the Hilltop would be good.  It's one notch up on the expense scale, but the Hi-Life in Ballard would also be good.  However, all three of those choices represent selfishness on my part, as they are all pretty close to where I live, but I'm open to other possibilities.

JohnW Posts: 3217 Joined: Aug. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: May 07 2007,12:42    June 9 should work for me; so would any of snoeman's suggested venues.  Or maybe the Barking Dog or Reading Gaol? -------------- Math is just a language of reality. Its a waste of time to know it. - Robert Byers There isn't any probability that the letter d is in the word "mathematics"...  The correct answer would be "not even 0" - JoeG

Gary Bohn Posts: 10 Joined: Mar. 2005 (Permalink) Posted: May 07 2007,13:22    Quote (clamboy @ Jan. 23 2007,11:15) One small correction to the minutes: while it is true that I have been lurking for, like, friggin' ever at talk.origins, it has been since about 1998 or so, not '96. All I know is, McCoy was there when I arrived, and hasn't said *one new thing* since! McNameless can't present anything new, it's against his religion.

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: May 07 2007,13:26    I'm not in a position to commit to June 9 yet, since I've got some other things I need to squeeze into the next several weekends.  But I'm not ruling it out either. Any venue is fine with me, but the Hilltop would work great because they do carry the best cider (with nods to our English brethren) that can be found on tap around here. I would say that if June 9 looks like it will work for most of the interested parties, go for it, and I will try to make it if I possibly can. Stevie

clamboy Posts: 299 Joined: May 2006 (Permalink) Posted: May 08 2007,10:37    *snaps to* Did someone say cider? June 9 should work for me, I'll just come and sit and listen to you educated folk, not make a nuisance of myself.

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: May 08 2007,13:07    As shucks, clamboy! Anyway, I'm glad that the last post on this important and engrossing topic wasn't by someone who might not be able to attend. I know, that sounds like an "oops" moment (also known around here as a "Portuguese" moment, for reasons lost in the mists of dave), but I'm actually here wearing my "summarizer" hat, not my, er, "pinhead" hat (though haberdashiery for pinheads does run to custom-made and expensive). So: we appear to have a date and time for "our" next meeting: Saturday, June 9, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. And snoeman has suggested one of three venues: --Hales, 4301 Leary Way NW, Seattle, WA, (206) 706-1544; --Hi-Life, 5425 Russell Ave NW, Seattle, WA, (206) 784-7272; and --Hilltop, 2224 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, (206) 282-1332. Hales and the Hi-Life are both in Ballard, though the Hi-Life much more centrally so.  The Hilltop is atop Queen Anne.  Which is it to be, O SeaAtBCers?

argystokes Posts: 766 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: May 08 2007,13:33    Hmm, if I can make it I think I'd prefer either of the Ballard options. Queen Anne is a bit far for me to be going, especially if I get confused and have to walk again! -------------- "Why waste time learning, when ignorance is instantaneous?" -Calvin

clamboy Posts: 299 Joined: May 2006 (Permalink) Posted: May 08 2007,23:57    But, but, the cider! Well, the more in attendance the better, I would say, so let's have it at the venue most amenable to all. I have never been to the Hi-Life, so am interested in that spot.

snoeman Posts: 109 Joined: April 2006 (Permalink) Posted: May 09 2007,00:12    Quote (clamboy @ May 08 2007,23:57) But, but, the cider! Well, the more in attendance the better, I would say, so let's have it at the venue most amenable to all. I have never been to the Hi-Life, so am interested in that spot. For now, how about we settle on the Hi-Life? One caveat: It's less pub-like than either Hale's or the Hilltop.  (It's owned by the same folks who brought us The 5 Spot, Atlas Foods and the Coastal Kitchen.)  So, as much as I like the place, if people prefer something just a little more casual, then I'm open for either Hale's or the Reading Gaol instead. Hi-Life Information

JohnW Posts: 3217 Joined: Aug. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: May 09 2007,11:57    The Hi-Life would be fine, but we might need a plan B - it's often packed to the gills on Saturdays. -------------- Math is just a language of reality. Its a waste of time to know it. - Robert Byers There isn't any probability that the letter d is in the word "mathematics"...  The correct answer would be "not even 0" - JoeG

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: May 09 2007,14:52    ...and, from my admittedly-warped perspective, the Reading Gaol has cider! Even if only in the small bottles...

snoeman Posts: 109 Joined: April 2006 (Permalink) Posted: May 09 2007,19:41    Quote (JohnW @ May 09 2007,11:57) The Hi-Life would be fine, but we might need a plan B - it's often packed to the gills on Saturdays. It has gills? Icthyic would approve.

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: May 30 2007,18:23    As, perhaps, an arguable offshoot of our occasional SeAtBC get-togethers, I had the distinct pleasure of buying two or three drinks for the inimitable ericmurphy on a recent Memorial Day jaunt down to the Bay Area. Sunday night at the Fog City Diner on the Embarcadero, various relatives, college roommates, classmates, and other persons with a vague connection to myself were quietly (well, we were quiet for the first drink or so) and eating, when in walks eric, of all people...! Well, okay, in walked eric by prearrangement and sat down with the other 14 people at this little party and we then had to explain to everyone else that eric and I were, in effect, having an "internet date."  Because, altho eric and I of course knew each other, from various endless afdave threads here and on dawkins.net, we had never met live and in person. Anyway, it was great fun to meet eric and introduce one of our dauntless anti-YEC warriors to my friends and family. I would reveal more details but, frankly, much of the rest of the event is now lost in the fog of alcohol. Hmmm.  And I had thought that that "Fog City Diner" name had something to do with the Bay Area weather...

Ichthyic Posts: 3325 Joined: May 2006 (Permalink) Posted: May 30 2007,19:05    my radar went off. did someone mention a fish part? btw, how's the old emabarcadero looking these days? haven't been out that way for about 8 years now. -------------- "And the sea will grant each man new hope..." -CC

Dr.GH Posts: 2324 Joined: May 2002 (Permalink) Posted: May 30 2007,19:11    Quote (Ichthyic @ May 30 2007,19:05) my radar went off. did someone mention a fish part? btw, how's the old emabarcadero looking these days? haven't been out that way for about 8 years now. I must have responded to the drinking part.  :D -------------- "Science is the horse that pulls the cart of philosophy." L. Susskind, 2004 "SMOLIN VS. SUSSKIND: THE ANTHROPIC PRINCIPLE"

stevestory Posts: 13407 Joined: Oct. 2005 (Permalink) Posted: May 30 2007,19:12    Quote (Steviepinhead @ May 30 2007,19:23) and we then had to explain to everyone else that eric and I were, in effect, having an "internet date." YUOR REALLY MAKING THIS TOO EASY, HOMO. -ST

snoeman Posts: 109 Joined: April 2006 (Permalink) Posted: May 31 2007,07:53    Steviepinhead: Quote Sunday night at the Fog City Diner on the Embarcadero, various relatives, college roommates, classmates, and other persons with a vague connection to myself were quietly (well, we were quiet for the first drink or so) and eating, when in walks eric, of all people...! My wife and I went to the Fog City Diner about eight or nine years ago with some friends with whom we were on a trip to SFO and the Sonoma Valley.  We went there on the idea that the diner would be as good as the cookbook that they had published.  Sadly, we were disappointed...

Megaptera Posts: 11 Joined: May 2007 (Permalink) Posted: May 31 2007,20:55    Oh my word.  I can finally write here!  Yay!  After trying for like four months, whatever glitch was preventing me, it's stopped!  Okay, not continuously for four months.  It was more punctuated. Okay, this is Jedidiah.  First time posting.  Wanting to say, colour me in for the June 9th meeting!  Sounds great!  My preference- Hales Ales, where I've attended the Kindlings Muse a number of times before (see my  blog where I talked about the DI vs. evolution podcast at Hales, about the same time Seattle AtBC last met), or the Queen Anne location, as it's closer to where I am on Beacon, as I have no car, and getting home that time of night is tough.

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 01 2007,19:00    Hi, Jeddediah!  I guess that means you get to write up the minutes for the next pub meet...! But, dang!  Definitely can't do the June 9 SeatBC "meeting."  I'll be in Victoria, BC, to see a northwest coast exhibit at the Royal BC Museum. With my gf. Whose name is not eric...  (Though I'm working on getting eric up here; we owe him for his, um, manly demolitionizing of afdave over many, many months.) So I'll leave you guys to figure out exactly where you're gonna be drinking, which still doesn't seem to be nailed down.  If the venue's selections permit, however, please quaff a cider whilst sparing a second or two to think of me.

argystokes Posts: 766 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 01 2007,19:50    I too am busy on the evening of the 9th. I might be able to swing by around 10 or so, though. -------------- "Why waste time learning, when ignorance is instantaneous?" -Calvin

Megaptera Posts: 11 Joined: May 2007 (Permalink) Posted: June 02 2007,00:12    .....

Megaptera Posts: 11 Joined: May 2007 (Permalink) Posted: June 02 2007,00:17    So, who is actually going to be there to meet up? And when we do, can we talk about my idea of protesting DI with signs?  I'm really keen on it.

Richardthughes Posts: 11177 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 02 2007,00:30    MEGATERRAPIN I SEE YOU LIST POVERTY AS WON OF YOU'RE INTERSTS. IF YOU SEND ALL OF YOU'RE MONEY TO ME: SEXI_HAWT_GRrL23@PAYPALL, THEN I WILL HELP YOU LEARN MORE ABOUT IT. HAR HAR HAR. -------------- "Richardthughes, you magnificent bastard, I stand in awe of you..." : Arden Chatfield "You magnificent bastard! " : Louis "ATBC poster child", "I have to agree with Rich.." : DaveTard "I bow to your superior skills" : deadman_932 "...it was Richardthughes making me lie in bed.." : Kristine

snoeman Posts: 109 Joined: April 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 02 2007,01:32    It looks like it may be me, Jedadiah, JohnW and perhaps clamboy and/or argystokes.  Plus, perhaps some recordings of Richardthughes' voice in all caps. So yea or nay on the 9th? (I'm still in, but suggest we change to Hale's.)

Megaptera Posts: 11 Joined: May 2007 (Permalink) Posted: June 02 2007,11:35    yea for me

Richardthughes Posts: 11177 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 02 2007,14:20    Quote (snoeman @ June 02 2007,01:32) Plus, perhaps some recordings of Richardthughes' voice in all caps. THAT'S MY OLD TESTIMENT DESIGN MANUAL VOLUME 1 VOICE. :angry: -------------- "Richardthughes, you magnificent bastard, I stand in awe of you..." : Arden Chatfield "You magnificent bastard! " : Louis "ATBC poster child", "I have to agree with Rich.." : DaveTard "I bow to your superior skills" : deadman_932 "...it was Richardthughes making me lie in bed.." : Kristine

clamboy Posts: 299 Joined: May 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 07 2007,11:39    I'm still hoping to make it on th' 9th. Hoping, hoping...

BWE Posts: 1902 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 07 2007,12:27    I might be at a conference on the 18th and 19th in Seattle. Is there a mini meeting possible? Does it look like this? Cause I sure hope so. -------------- Who said that ev'ry wish would be heard and answered When wished on the morning star Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it Look what it's done so far The Daily Wingnut

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 07 2007,15:54    How could I pass this up? I'll definitely buy you a drink, BWE.  No strippers on hand, right at the moment, but after enough libations, maybe we won't care. I will PM you and we can take it from there. Which is not to say some of the other regulars couldn't get in on the act!

JohnW Posts: 3217 Joined: Aug. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 07 2007,18:19    Quote (BWE @ June 07 2007,12:27) Does it look like this? It looks exactly like that, only less genteel. -------------- Math is just a language of reality. Its a waste of time to know it. - Robert Byers There isn't any probability that the letter d is in the word "mathematics"...  The correct answer would be "not even 0" - JoeG

BWE Posts: 1902 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 07 2007,19:04    Good. I hate how frickin pansy-assed the people in that movie look. -------------- Who said that ev'ry wish would be heard and answered When wished on the morning star Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it Look what it's done so far The Daily Wingnut

JohnW Posts: 3217 Joined: Aug. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 08 2007,16:47    Are we still on for tomorrow? -------------- Math is just a language of reality. Its a waste of time to know it. - Robert Byers There isn't any probability that the letter d is in the word "mathematics"...  The correct answer would be "not even 0" - JoeG

Megaptera Posts: 11 Joined: May 2007 (Permalink) Posted: June 08 2007,17:59    And did we decide on Hales, then?

snoeman Posts: 109 Joined: April 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 08 2007,19:50    We are on for tomorrow: Hales at 7:30pm, with at least: snoeman Jedadiah JohnW and perhaps clamboy

stevestory Posts: 13407 Joined: Oct. 2005 (Permalink) Posted: June 08 2007,20:03    Please have at least one drink for me. Need suggestions? Have a Buttery Nipple.

argystokes Posts: 766 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 08 2007,20:06    Quote (snoeman @ June 08 2007,17:50) We are on for tomorrow: Hales at 7:30pm, with at least: snoeman Jedadiah JohnW and perhaps clamboy AND perhaps Argy. -------------- "Why waste time learning, when ignorance is instantaneous?" -Calvin

stevestory Posts: 13407 Joined: Oct. 2005 (Permalink) Posted: June 08 2007,20:10    In lieu of buttery nipples, get a lot of vodka. Or gin. Or F'd Up Malt Liquor. Whatever. Enjoy the booze!

Megaptera Posts: 11 Joined: May 2007 (Permalink) Posted: June 08 2007,22:09    Quote (snoeman @ June 08 2007,12:50) and perhaps Clamboy And I might bring a friend- that guy who "debated" the rep from the DI at Hales earlier this year.

Richardthughes Posts: 11177 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 08 2007,22:19    MEGATERRAPIN WILL MOTHRA BE CUMMIMG? LOLOCAUST. -------------- "Richardthughes, you magnificent bastard, I stand in awe of you..." : Arden Chatfield "You magnificent bastard! " : Louis "ATBC poster child", "I have to agree with Rich.." : DaveTard "I bow to your superior skills" : deadman_932 "...it was Richardthughes making me lie in bed.." : Kristine

clamboy Posts: 299 Joined: May 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 09 2007,12:19    Hale's, eh? Cool. Still in "not sure" mode, but closer to "yes, oh, yes!" than before.

snoeman Posts: 109 Joined: April 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 09 2007,12:36    Quote (stevestory @ June 08 2007,20:10) In lieu of buttery nipples, get a lot of vodka. Or gin. Or F'd Up Malt Liquor. Whatever. Enjoy the booze! I'm afraid we'll have to content ourselves with beer, wine and cider.  For reasons passing understanding, Washington's liquor laws prohibit sale of hard alcohol in a "pub" like Hale's... Fortunately, there's a lot of beer available at Hale's, and should it prove necessary, we can always drink straight from the tap.

snoeman Posts: 109 Joined: April 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 10 2007,02:24    Minutes of the AtBC Society of Seattle, 9 June 2007: Attendees: JohnW, Megaptera, clamboy and snoeman Guest appearances by: Clamboy's wife, and a family friend of theirs.  A friend of Megaptera's was also there: Adrian, who recently debated John West of the DI on a podcast at the very same pub where we gathered.  (Adrian was on the side of rationality, John West was more on teh tard.) (Booze note for stevestory: I was wrong in my assertion that Hale's can't serve hard liquor.  Turns out that they can and do.) It was a good evening: * After reading the posts from Richardthughes addressed to him, Megaptera (Jedadiah) wondered about Rich, concerned that perhaps his meds were not as effective as they should be.  I assured him that Rich is an "equal opportunity" skewerer (probably not really a word) of posters on the AtBC forum.  (Just ask Arden.) * Jedadiah is apparently fairly serious in his suggestion to picket the DI here in Seattle.  He very much resents the bad name that the DI brings to both science and theology.  (The rest of us weren't brought up by hippie parents, so the notion of this kind of action wasn't as appealing to me or JohnW.) * All of us were concerned about the potential damage that could be done by the DI's "Evolution Explored" textbook, that it might actually be able to pass constitutional muster. * Clamboy had posted here before that he has had to translate creationist arguments for the deaf.  I took the opportunity to point out to him that his professional ethics worked against him in this case: he missed his chance to sign to his audience (without the speaker knowing) that everything that he was about to translate for them was complete bullshit. Lots of topics were discussed: politics, atheism, kansans (reasonable and unreasonable) and Dembski's sad future. Looking forward to doing it again.

BWE Posts: 1902 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 21 2007,13:09    You all didn't warn me about steviepinhead's enormous cranium. We started pouring beers and ciders in it to see what happens. It was an interesting experiment. Next time, I'll try to start sober:) I kinda lost my notes so I'm not sure if there was any measurable changes. I got brain-freeze twice. Bad. -------------- Who said that ev'ry wish would be heard and answered When wished on the morning star Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it Look what it's done so far The Daily Wingnut

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 21 2007,14:50    Sorry about the brain-freeze, BWE.  It was all deadman's fault...! I'm speculating (it's difficult to do comparative studies when there are so few pinheads--and so many margaritas) that the deformed cranium phenomenon to which I am subject may confer a protective advantage re brain-freeze... Anyway, BWE was a charming and multi-talented fellow: not only did we consume moderately-prodigious quantities of alcohol, but we chatted about afdavey, bungling bureaucracies, the education of the young concerning the inevitable dangers posed by high school ("just say sometimes"), and any number of other things, now dissolved beyond recall. We also played gee-tar on BWE's lightly-strung and sweet-sounding cutaway acoustic-electric Seagull.  Um-um-um...!  BWE is not only an accomplished player, but an enjoyable songwriter.  We sat around playing love-gone-wrong songs for an hour or two, including one of BWE's own composition about Mary Magadalen and the Noachian Flood--of all things! A true scholar, artist, and deep-thinker, not to mention a boon drinking companion.  I hope BWE can give us enough notice, next time he's coming to town, that he can join the rest of the Seattle AtBC'ers!

BWE Posts: 1902 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 21 2007,15:05    You are far too kind Mr. Pinhead. The song in question has a line: Everybody pile on to Mary, she's ready she's willing and she's able. Not exactly highbrow. Steviepinhead has the spanish strum down pat. I keep saying I'm gonna learn how to do that but it always ends up being too hard. I will try to give more warning next time. Thank you for the drinks and the ride. I walked by a building this morning that looks just like darth vader. -------------- Who said that ev'ry wish would be heard and answered When wished on the morning star Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it Look what it's done so far The Daily Wingnut

Richardthughes Posts: 11177 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 21 2007,15:23    Quote (snoeman @ June 10 2007,02:24) I assured him that Rich is an "equal opportunity" skewerer (probably not really a word) of posters on the AtBC forum.  (Just ask Arden.) LOOK, I DONT NO HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE TWO TELL YOU THAT PICTURE WAS PHOTOSHOPPED. ITS NOT EVEN MY HEAD AND YOU CAN SEE THE LINES WEAR THE JOINS WHERE MADE. THE BOTTOM IS PROBABLY ARDEN'S (ITS PIMPLY ENOUGH) BUT THE PICTURE IS JUST ANOTHER DARWINIST FABRICATION FROM TEH HOMO SHOP OF FOTO SHOP. NO WAIT A MINUTE I CAN DO A JOKE..ERM, USING HOMOSHOP FROM TEH CHURCH BURING STERNBERGING GLOBAL WARMING LYINGABOUTERS WHO FREQUESNT THIS BORED. -------------- "Richardthughes, you magnificent bastard, I stand in awe of you..." : Arden Chatfield "You magnificent bastard! " : Louis "ATBC poster child", "I have to agree with Rich.." : DaveTard "I bow to your superior skills" : deadman_932 "...it was Richardthughes making me lie in bed.." : Kristine

Ichthyic Posts: 3325 Joined: May 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 21 2007,17:22    Quote I walked by a building this morning that looks just like darth vader. are you sure you just didn't forget to take off the lampshade? -------------- "And the sea will grant each man new hope..." -CC

BWE Posts: 1902 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 21 2007,17:37    Dangit. The lampshade. That's it. -------------- Who said that ev'ry wish would be heard and answered When wished on the morning star Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it Look what it's done so far The Daily Wingnut

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 22 2007,13:51    Not that we can expect him to compare to BWE, but another quasar in the creo-squelching, sci-promoting cosmos is coming: PZ Myers is gonna be visiting Seattle: http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2007/06/i_seattle.php Surely the Seattle AtBCers can rise to the occasion. In an appropriate fountain of suds...

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 22 2007,13:52    Hey, magaptera, I LIKE the idea of protesting outside the DI's sanctum. Did any of you guys talk about that back on June 9th?

snoeman Posts: 109 Joined: April 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 22 2007,23:45    Quote (Steviepinhead @ June 22 2007,13:52) Hey, magaptera, I LIKE the idea of protesting outside the DI's sanctum. Did any of you guys talk about that back on June 9th? We did, actually. I'd have made a terrible 60's activist; I can't get enthusiastic about the idea at all.  4 to 6 people picketing a laughable think[sic]-tank isn't that appealing.

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: June 23 2007,17:41    There you go again! Expecting me to actually read your report, partway up the previous page, instead of asking a perfectly good question and making you do all the work... Uh, oops!  I did read your report at some earlier point, snoeman, but the memory of us pinheads is not the best.  Not to mention our diligence.   Anyway, I would think the picketing could be fun, particularly if we came up with some good succinct anti-ID slogans.  That were also teh funny! Maybe this is just the hotbed of humorists to tackle such sloganeering?

Megaptera Posts: 11 Joined: May 2007 (Permalink) Posted: June 25 2007,17:38    Quote (snoeman @ June 22 2007,16:45) I'd have made a terrible 60's activist; I can't get enthusiastic about the idea at all.  4 to 6 people picketing a laughable think[sic]-tank isn't that appealing. Which is why I suggested, before we do it, we gather together enough people to make a real protest out of it- say some 30-50 at least.  Surely that's doable? And Snoeman- protests are just fun in their own right!  Hotdogs, catcalls, warm beer, tear gas...you gotta love the smell of tear gas in the morning...

Megaptera Posts: 11 Joined: May 2007 (Permalink) Posted: June 25 2007,17:46    Target: http://maps.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X....8&mag=1

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: July 03 2007,13:25    Just a reminder that PZ Myers of Pharyngula will be in town tonight.  According to a post on today's edition of his blog, PZ will be holding forth-- Quote at the Seattle chapter of Drinking Liberally, at the Montlake Ale House tonight at 8:00. Last chance [to hang out with PZ] until Friday [the 6th, when he's making another "public" appearance somewhere, which I'll try to find and post in advance]! I've got a prior engagement--we're having friends over for salmon dinner--but maybe some of our other intrepid imbibers can make it over to the Montlake (hey, Argie, it's quite close to the U Dist!). Here's a link to a map for the Montake Ale House: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=....+House)

clamboy Posts: 299 Joined: May 2006 (Permalink) Posted: July 03 2007,21:23    Yeah, I saw that, and was hoping to make it, but my wife and I have to do our drinking a little closer to home, and more importantly, together, tonight. May I can turn into one of alter egos, Adulatory Fan Boy, on Friday.

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: July 06 2007,12:25    PZ watch, continued: PZ and (at least some of) his family members--including the always delightful Skatje--will be dining tonight (Friday, July 6, 2007) at the Jolly Roger Taproom in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle: the Jolly Roger is at 1514 NW Leary Way Seattle, WA 98127 (206) 782-6181 Which is on the north side of the block, a few doors west of where Leary passes under the north abutments of the Ballard Bridge/15th Ave. NW. Since I could pretty much walk there from my place, I think I'm out of excuses.  Unless some work crisis delays me, I'm going to make an all-out effort to be there.  Besides, it'll save me from having to cook! I realize it's going to be a gorgeous Friday night, but it would be great if we could turn out a couple of SeaAtBC bodies drinkers, er, folks...  That is, it would be delightful to see a few of you rapscallions again after I've missed the last event or two.

JohnW Posts: 3217 Joined: Aug. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: July 06 2007,12:30    Don't think I can make it tonight - if my son finds out I'm going to anything pirate-related without him, I'll be in serious trouble. -------------- Math is just a language of reality. Its a waste of time to know it. - Robert Byers There isn't any probability that the letter d is in the word "mathematics"...  The correct answer would be "not even 0" - JoeG

snoeman Posts: 109 Joined: April 2006 (Permalink) Posted: July 06 2007,19:50    I won't be able to make it either.  I'm on kid-watching duty tonight, and since neither one of them are tall enough to see over the bar, bringing them with me would seem a bit pointless.  (Plus, Mrs. snoeman would have me killed.)

Steviepinhead Posts: 532 Joined: Jan. 2006 (Permalink) Posted: July 07 2007,12:45    Well, no one missed much.  That is, those who weren't able to attend didn't miss PZ and daughter Skatje, since Skatje wasn't allowed to even set foot in the Jolly Roger due to her age. Which left us to wonder what had transpired...  My (slightly older) son and I did have a good meal and a few wee drinkies (Flagship Red in my case), and twisted a little fun out of the situation by trying to guess which of the very non-PZ and Skatje-looking guests were actually them in disguise. Lots of very large, muscular, and tattooed people on tap, as it were--all of them fortunately friendly!--but we simply couldn't convince ourselves that Skatje would go to all the trouble of acquiring large blue tattoos simply to pass as a piratical-type personage for one night.

Megaptera Posts: 11 Joined: May 2007 (Permalink) Posted: Sep. 07 2007,14:53    It's been too long.  I haven't had a good spontaneously generating drink in a while.  When are we meeting again?  (And planning our slogans for the protest.  Yes.  I was almost part of the Sadomasochism Bestiality Necrophilia Club in college, but I figured it would be beating a dead horse.)