Saturday, October 19, 2013

The Men of Trooper York Calendar Project


El Pollo Raylan sent us this photo of his joy when he won the scratch off of the California lottery. He was so happy even though it was only a few bucks. He insisted on a close-up because he feels he has chicken legs. Imagine that. Perfect for Mr. March.

119 comments:

  1. I need chick's expertise. My daughter was given an antique hutch that was used for china. However, it was originally used as an apothecary hutch. The drawers are labeled w/ the following drugs:

    Hellebrous

    Strophantus

    Ipecauanha

    Glycyrrhiza

    Hyoscamus

    Taraxacm

    Nicotiana

    Pilocarpus

    It sounds like it's from the days of compounding, which as you know, is making a comeback. What would be your best guess as to when an apothecary would have been using those ingredients. Thanks.

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  2. Nick, those are all names of plants most of which appear to have pharmacological activity (I checked them all). Some are poisonous. What's interesting is that they appear to come from all over the world. It's intriguing to imagine what would have been in those drawers: dried samples of the plant's leaves? Powdered extract? It isn't possible to get the name of a specific drug. If it indeed belonged to an apothecary rather than a botanist, I'd say it's definitely pre-WW I more likely 19th century.

    Palladian may know more here.

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  3. I grew up in a house filled to the rafters with antiques, including medical and pharmacological antiques.

    We had all those labels on drawers and bottles, plus many more - tincture of opium, tincture of cocaine and any other thing you could buy over the counter in the 19th century.

    Yeah, good times.

    I could go for some nicotiana about now - a Cohiba would hit the spot. But must delay gratification until market season is over.

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  4. Well before chemists first synthesized aspirin, willow bark was known to have analgesic properties. Willow is part of the genus Salix and I'm surprised that that isn't on the list. The active ingredient in willow was isolated and given the name salicylic acid. Some clever chemists derivatized it and eventually named it aspirin. They pulled the same trick with morphine to make heroin.

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  5. Wasn't it Bayer that did both aspirin and heroin?

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  6. Gentleman, Thanks. And Sixty, I sent you an email asking if my daughter could send you photos to maybe tell her what kind of wood this hutch is made of.

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  7. chick, is the Ipecaunha an herbal ipecac syrup. We always had a bottle when the kids were young.

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  8. Got it dude - tell her to fire at will.

    Or at Will - he can take it.

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  9. "You know, we can't get any Ipecac up in this part of the country."

    --W.C. Fields, The Fatal Glass of Beer

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  10. ricpic, Give some context, if you know. I don't get it.

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  11. Great, now Herman has this huge log between his legs and he's carving it out.

    Damn you, Troop.

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  12. blake, Give some context, if you know. I don't get it.

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  13. Hyoscamus is also known as henbane. Shocked the Chicken didn't mention it.

    Even if it actually referred to death, not chickens.


    Death birds.


    My shop is set up much the same way--glass fronted drawers for storage, labeled with various herbs and chems. I live in fear of launching a bowl against them or doing some other damage. Stacking plywood against them is a pain to get at stuff.

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  14. chick, is the Ipecaunha an herbal ipecac syrup. We always had a bottle when the kids were young.

    Tall and tan and young and lovely/ The girl from Ipecaunha goes walking / And when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah /

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  15. And yes, Nick, it is, in large doses. In small doses it can be used as an expectorant.


    It might have been syrup, but more often it was powdered.

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  16. ndspinelli said...
    chick, is the Ipecaunha an herbal ipecac syrup. We always had a bottle when the kids were young.

    My mom kept castor oil as an emetic.

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  17. chick, You are the King of Punville.

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  18. Cody, What is your biz? I just figured you cooked meth.

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  19. There's a great scene in the flick, Stand by Me, where a kid eats a bunch of blueberry pie in a pie eating contest. He was a joke in the town and everyone called him lard ass, Trooper's former nickname. Prior to eating the pie, the kid drank a bottle of castor oil and then spewed epic amounts of pie on the crowd. It was a fantasy scene.

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  20. it was a fantasy scene

    Odd. My fantasies usually involve Jessica Alba, Sheri Moon Zombie and that midget chick who's name I always forget.

    Blueberry pie is never involved. However, there is occasionally some sort of oil.

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  21. My mom kept castor oil as an emetic.

    archie bunker said a dose of "caster earl" always cheered him right up.

    "Cheered you up, Awchie?"

    "Yeah, so I didn't get another dose"

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  22. I would like to smear some blueberry pie all over those women and make it ala mode.

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  23. I bought a bushel of red pappers. I roasted them for freezing. But, I'm making myself some sausage and peppers right now. For breakfast, a classic dago peasant dish, pepper and eggs.

    Good game on CBS w/ Johnny Football Auburn leads 38-34, but A%M is on the 2. Manziel hurt his shoulder but is toughing it our

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  24. romesco sauce is a good use of peppers... This is spanish, but it pairs excellently with most Italian dishes (especially Southern). I usually do it without the bread and focus on the peppers and almonds.

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  25. Helleborus Also called hellebore (ancient abortifacient)

    Strophanthus A corpse reviver, contains ouabain, a recognized cardiac stimulant

    Ipecacuanha For making syrup of ipecac (emetic)

    Glycyrrhiza contains glycyrrhizin for treatment of peptic ulcers and as an expectorant.

    Hyoscyamus Henbane contains a mixture of compounds anaesthetic potion, as well as for its psychoactive properties. Thought to have inspired Greek oracles.

    Taraxacum Better known as dandelion root (contains a mixture of actives for treating infections, bile and liver problems, and as a diuretic)

    Nicotiana The sot weed factor contains nicotine which a fascinating array medicinal uses.

    Pilocarpus contains pilocarpine (treating glaucoma)

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  26. EBL, I like it. I saved the recipe. I have a bunch or Marzano plum tomatoes. I think I will roast some tomatoes but do everything else the same. I have fallen in love w/ sauces made w/ roasted tomatoes. Thanks. My bride loves almonds.

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  27. Michael Haz said...
    I'm enjoying tincture of tequila

    tincture of agave.

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  28. Manziel couldn't pull it off. I switched to Alabama v Arkansas. Looks like it's going to be a loooong night for former Badger coach, Bret "The Homo" Bielama.

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  29. Has Palladian been around? I want to consult w/ him on that furniture as suggested.

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  30. Chick, Thanks. Where can I score some Hyoscyamus? I bet it goes well w/ 4 fingers of bourbon.

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  31. I'm switching between the Arkansas -Alabama game and the Wisconsin - Illinois game. And clicking over to the Detroit - BoSox game.

    Since there's no NFL game on tonight, I take an occasional look at COPS, which feels somehow related.

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  32. That fat doof Brent Beilema (and his tarted up wife) are getting their butts handed to them by Bama. 28-0 at the half.

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  33. Evi L. Bloggerlady said...
    Wasn't it Bayer that did both aspirin and heroin?

    Bayer sold them both but then again they sold just about everything pharma at one time.They just celebrated the aspirin centennial. They've been in the business of selling aspirin. Asked what Bayer might be selling 100 years from now, the company official answered molecules.

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  34. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  35. What's eating Titus lately? He just left a nasty comment on my blog and another on a post by deborah at Lem's. Both were deleted.

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  36. His comment at Lem's doesn't read like Titus of yore. I thought it was put up by an Alt-sounding imposter.

    Ore maybe he's just pissed that few commenters are interested in his shtick anymore.

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  37. Cody Jarrett said...
    LOL @ the chicken.

    I write so many hilarious things I never know which one you're referring to.

    Like watching a train wreck, I clicked over to Crack's blog and see that he is on the verge of homelessness. Nice encouragement there too from Cody in the comments.

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  38. Top of the 5th and still scoreless at Fenway Park. Darcy isn't going to have any nails left.

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  39. Haz, I think it's the latter, his schtick has played out.

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  40. I was LOLing at 2 things. You wanting to roll about in blueberry pie with Jessica Alba, and you listing what all those planty things do.


    Titus has been ignored or flat out told to get out of Lem's (by various people). That's gotta wear on a drama queen.

    Darcy? Don't forget ChipS and of course Lemper, who's probably gone through a couple of winsome 15 year old Dominican boys by now.


    I maintain that the Titus (and the Inga) accounts are used--on occasion--by people who aren't actually Titus or Inga.

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  41. And you really think I was encouraging? I was actually going for asshole.

    /sarc

    :)

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  42. you wanting to roll about in blueberry pie with Jessica Alba

    That was nick

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  43. So t'was.

    But I'm not going to laugh at Nick. He's scary.

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  44. played a part?

    Who the heck brought up Jessica Alba?

    Spinelli was all about his fantasy where he puked blueberry pie on people at the Wisconsin State Cheese Fair.

    Sheesh.

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  45. Red Sox win. Good for ChipS. Too bad for Darcy.


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  46. ndspinelli, El Pollo Raylan has given you brilliant information about all the substances you mentioned and is right about the probable 19th century origin of your daughter's cabinet. Those latinized names would have definitely been used by an apothecary and not a botanist. I have a few apothecary objects, and I also have a collection of mortars & pestles, one dating as far back as the 14th century. I've had a long interest in alchemy, chemistry, painting pigments & materials, perfumery, cooking - it's funny how all those disciplines are intertwined. There's a definite similarity between the old apothecary (and the even older alchemist's) lab and a perfumer's desk (here's mine, all now in storage).

    If you have any sort of other questions feel free to drop me a line.

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  47. Must be nice to be the only person around who's nearly as smart as the Chicken. Gosh. How would anyone have known what hen bane was without him, for instance.



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  48. I have a 17th century English book on drawing and painting, one of the few really valuable things that I didn't sell, and in the back it has a very long section on how to make medicine, potions, cosmetics, perfumes- all complete with recipes full of truly terrifying things. Nicotiana is an ingredient I remember. There are a lot of materials listed that would have been familiar to and used by druggists even into the 20th century.

    The thing that amuses me is the idea that a painter and draftsman would want or need to also learn how to make ladies' make-up and lice poison and throat drops, and how to do palmistry. Even then it was good to have a large skill-set as an artist.

    The author of the book, William Salmon, also wrote a how-to book about surgery.

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  49. Gosh. How would anyone have known what hen bane was without him, for instance.

    I used to grow henbane!

    I also once had a garden of poisonous plants, such as Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade), Conium maculatum (poison hemlock), Digitalis purpurea (foxglove), Datura stramonium (datura).

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  50. It's funny, but almost all of the poisonous plants smelled horrible. They were a lot less trouble to tend than perfume plants though.

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  51. I never had a problem with rabbits.

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  52. Thanks to the Tigers for a thrilling series.

    Special thanks to Prince, Iggy, and the Marlboro Man for helping to make sure it ended right.

    Hey Darcy, I kept a seat warm for you on the BoSox bandwagon. Hop on!

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  53. The bane plants (and fox glove) are good to have in your garden if you have chickens because if they get out they leave them alone. They also repel deer and rabbits.

    Of course, you better not mix them in a salad.

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  54. Foxglove is generally not deadly poison in small quants (although it would be very bad for Troop). It affects heart rhythms. But poison hemlock? Just a little bit will kill you dead.

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  55. It is legal to grow poppies so long as one does not know anything about growing poppies.

    That is known as flower smack.

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  56. Palladian, Thanks, much. In December, my bride and I will be heading to Italy. We'll be on the Italian Riviera where anchovies rule supreme. I will be thinking of you. I've never had them fresh, have you? That's the way they're usually served, a more subtle taste.

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  57. ChipS, Prince is evolving into the Barry Bonds of postseason play. So is Miggy.

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  58. Nick: Where will you be staying? I spent a few weeks at Celle Ligure.

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  59. Cody Jarrett said...
    Must be nice to be the only person around who's nearly as smart as the Chicken.

    I think you are but you are much too modest about it.

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  60. Hey Darcy, I kept a seat warm for you on the BoSox bandwagon. Hop on!

    Careful, darcy...Titus is on that bandwagon.

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  61. ndspinelli said...
    Palladian, Thanks, much. In December, my bride and I will be heading to Italy. We'll be on the Italian Riviera where anchovies rule supreme. I will be thinking of you. I've never had them fresh, have you? That's the way they're usually served, a more subtle taste.

    October 20, 2013 at 9:32 AM


    Well they are not brined and cured, so they taste like fresh little fish as opposed to the salty sublimeness that is cured anchovies. But they are excellent fresh and you will love them.

    Are you going to Positano and the Amalfi coast?

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  62. Spinelli is a La Jolla kinda guy. I bet he stays in La Spezia.

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  63. There is always Cinque Terre and Portofino. I would think in December a bit farther south is better--

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  64. Hoping you're ok Trooper....jeez, don't scare us like this....

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  65. Going to Italy in December would be great. Few tourists, great local customs. What restaurants that are open will cater to locals. It will be chilly, but it is still mild weather.

    It is not a bad plan.

    I would just be prepared to head south if it is too cloudy up north.

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  66. chick, We fly into Milan for 2 nights. Train to Florence for 2 nights. Rent a car and drive Tuscany, Siena, Sam Grimignano, Lucca, and then Pisa for one night. Up the coast stopping along the way and a night in Rappalo. Train from Genoa to Nice for 2 nights. Train/bus to Cannes and Monaco day trips. Train to Milan and a final night. Dec 4-14th. Any suggestions or hints are welcomed.

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  67. Evi, We did Rome, Naples, Sorrento, Capri, Amalfi last trip, also in December, between Christmas and New Years.

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  68. Nick, be sure to admire and gawk at the Milano train station. Mussolini built it in 1931 to represent the glory of fascismo. I first saw it when I flew Icelandic Air from Chicago to Luxembourg and then caught an overnight train south to Milano. I was 19 and everything: sight, sound, smell, taste, was new and unfamiliar. I got off the train in Milano and found a tiny coffee bar just to the left in the main hall as you exit the tracks. That was my first introduction to real espresso. I remember having to sweeten it at first. There was a large silver bowl of white refined sugar along with a communal spoon for dipping-decadence. I didn't dare sit down for the expresso though, it was more a like a bar in an old western. Seating cost extra. and I was cheap. I think I spent upwards of $850 dollars for that entire trip (almost two months) and that included airfare.

    Florence: I spent a night sleeping outside the station. The Uffizi Gallery is a must see. It's connected to the Palazzo Vecchio and Ponte Vecchio which is sort of a miracle. I spent a lot of time hanging out at the Pizza della Signora which is what what young people still do. The downside of Florence is the number of tourists. December should be a different story

    Siena, San Gimignano, Lucca, and then Pisa are all worth more than a night. Things to do in Siena: look for Catholic relics; San Gimignano: find a ristorante outdoors and sample local vino; Lucca: good vino and also a good place to walk off a great meal along the old walls; Pisa: Americans don't need to be told what to do there. Pay the money to actually go up the leaning tower. It's a much better experience than "The Wonder Spot" at the Dells.

    Train from Genoa to Nice for 2 nights. Train/bus to Cannes and Monaco day trips.
    Train to Milan and a final night. Dec 4-14th.


    The train tracks all used to be right along the shoreline with lots of tunnels. Very picturesque. Genova is the place to find the best seafood restaurants.

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  69. Rome is still my favorite eyetalian city.

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  70. chick, Thanks. Going to Europe alone @ 19 took some stones. May I call you Rick Steves?

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  71. Florence is a wonderful city and December should have less tourism than most other times. I would strongly recommend the Duomo Museum (beyond the biggies like Uffizi and Accademia). It has Michaelangelo Pieta he did when he died and also Donatello's Mary Magdeline, both worth the price of admission (which is low to begin with, being half that of the Uffizi and Accademia).

    But there are dozens of great little museums beyond that in Florence and you will have a good time. The Bapistry in Florence is quite magnificent. The Duomo in Pisa, however, is amazing (apparently the gold leaf came from a big score against the Turks in some navel battle).

    I also recommend Trattoria Mario, which is a hole in the wall near the farmer's market in Florence. www.trattoriamario.com. Popular with tourists and locals, they just jam you in with great homemade wine by the carafe part liter and a very affordable and good al carte menu (which changes all the time depending on what deal Mario scored at the Farmer's Market that morning). I recommend it even though they (supposedly) do a very good Bisteacca Florentine (T-Bone at 35 Euro a Kilo) and tripe. They only do lunch and there are no reservations (they just squeeze you in and waiting on line is part of the fun).

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  72. I am going to guess Chick had a good time doing that trip the way he did.

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  73. Silly and pointless post by me earlier re Ipecac, spinelli. No excuses.

    My greatest meal in Italy was in the train station in Milan. Don't remember the main course (this was decades ago) but at the end I asked for frutta and they brought out the fruit in a silver tureen! in a train station!! Why the eff didn't I stay in Europe?!?!

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  74. Wow, I just read chick's post about the train station in Milan. Small world.

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  75. Evi, Thanks. I saw the Pieta @ the NY World's Fair when I was a kid. You got on a movable walkway and saw it through glass. It will mean more as an adult. My old man found the "World's Longest Bar" @ the Schaeffer Pavilion. He was happy.

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  76. ricpic, Helen Thomas said the same thing!

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  77. You put me in Helen Thomas' company? How can I lose?! :^(

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  78. Whatever I said to Titus sure pushed his buttons. He's over spamming my blog with the same comment over and over. LOL.

    When the little baby is done flinging poo, I'll clean it up.

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  79. BTW, Cody. This is one reason I believe that Titus still reads here somehow.

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  80. Sullivanist, Alinsky, Palin, your dick is small, get a life, etc.

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  81. Real or imposter?

    Or real, but things aren't as fab as they once were?

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  82. I've heard suggestions over the years that Titus is in cahoots with Althouse somehow. They do share one thing: a contempt for most things beloved by middle America and a desire to publicly mock the status quo while ushering in untested change.

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  83. His writing style, structure and content has changed from what it traditionally was to its current form. The comments read like they are written by someone who is angry and is doing a poor imitation of the original.

    It'd be interesting to compare current ISP with one from a comment made six months ago.

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  84. The person who writes as Titus has been angry and abusive for a long time.

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  85. It's always the same guy. And, as MamaM says, when you get past the one act play, there's a lotta anger. He was a homo growing up in a jock town w/ a lot of farm boys.

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  86. MamaM said...
    The person who writes as Titus has been angry and abusive for a long time.

    "Titus" posted as multiple identities on Althouse. This was clearly demonstrated during the comment outage when Titus unknowing posted on the comment thread associated with a poll (and which revealed common ISP numbers).

    I think that Titus is likely someone who managed his schizophrenia by using different personae, but who is now struggling to merge identities into a smaller number or perhaps even a single one--thus the greater range of character emerging under that identity and which is increasingly displayed. Alternatively, it isn't schizophrenia but rather some kind of sick literary project.

    I may have overthought this but I feel as if Titus is trying to limit my expression.

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  87. It was a near perfect fall day here - crisp, warmish, leaves starting to fall, football on the radio, long walks over the way, over yonder, all the way to the state fair. Woodworking, tractor pulls, fair food, vegetables, crafts, quilts, foodstuffs from canned goods to baked goods. It was as good as a fair visit can be.

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  88. The real identity of the person know as Titus is know to several of us. He is a very troubled guy much in the vein of the Crack Emcee or Inga. At first I thought he was harmless but his abusiveness started to get out of hand. Palladian called him out a long time ago.

    I always thought he was a homo Moby who presented a very skewed version of what gays do in real life.

    There is no doubt that he is very troubled. And should now be on the ignore and delete list along with Mary and Inga. Just sayn'

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  89. I have been tired and slept most of the day. Lisa went to work with her sister so I could rest easy this weekend.

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  90. Thanks for the good thoughts Ron and I hope all is well with you.

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  91. How's Lisa holding up, Troop? Anything we can do?

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  92. Thanks blake Lisa is a trooper. She has been working hard taking care of me and the store. I have so many wonderful friends like you guys who have jumped in too help. Her sister came in the weekend and several customers worked a day or two in the store to help. Or at least hung out with Lisa to keep her company. Our one part time employee has been great and going above and beyond.

    I would love to hires someone but it seems that nobody wants to work anymore. I am hoping when Obamacare is finally a reality and all of these people are put on part time shifts that some new blood might be available.

    It is the kind thoughts and concern of people like youse guys that help make sitting at home like a useless lump barely tolerable.

    I just have to wait to get a little better and then I can pitch.

    Thank youse guys for everything!

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  93. I meant to say pitch-in.

    This has nothing to do with the previous discussion about Titus.

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  94. Did you know my car service guys refuse to take any money when they drive me to and fro from the doctor?

    The kindness of people always amazes me.

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  95. Mend up Trooper, the Internet will watch over you like a dashboard St. Christopher! S'truth!

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  96. Stay positive, that's your nature.

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  97. ndspinelli, the pieta you saw he did as a young man (and it is at St. Peter's). This one I am referring to is a rough cut version where the model for Nicodemus (who is holding Christ) is an old Michelangelo himself. While it is not nearly as perfect as the famous Vatican version, it is to me more moving. It was a work he kept working on most of his later life.

    When you go to the Academia, you can see a half dozen or so works in various stages of completion by the Michelangelo. I like those too.

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  98. Titus is a bit freaky. I am not surprised he is troubled. I think that is a given.

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  99. I went to see the Titus poop finger paintings, but Chick had already cleaned them up. Oh well, I can imagine what crap he spewed.

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  100. Evi, there's still some droppings left on the STrange Fish thread over at Lems. Here, on the damn thing probably ate my iphone

    Enough Foam to make me want to respond, so I have to keep reminding myself it is bait and more of his famous catfishing.

    Intimidation, along with limiting/hampering another's expression, and attention seeking all rolled into one strange fish.

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  101. @MamaM: The Sarah Palin pic Titus is referring is a photo I linked to in response to Inga posting the photo of a Confederate flag last weekend at Lem's. I was trying to make the point that every group cannot control every member.

    Even though my link was directed at Inga (who ignored it), Titus took great offense and continues on obsessively a week later.

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  102. It's always the same guy. And, as MamaM says, when you get past the one act play, there's a lotta anger. He was a homo growing up in a jock town w/ a lot of farm boys.

    I was a homo growing up in a rural farm town, but I was never bothered at all. I loved my time in high school, most of which was spent in the art room. I'm fortunate, I suppose, that I'm threatening-looking, that I don't take shit from people, and that I'm generally oblivious to social cues, or really any social concerns at all.

    I remember "Titus's" first appearance on that Wisconsin woman's blog. He's been an uninteresting, twisted, mostly dim-witted sociopath from day one.

    I remember walking to Bergdorf's in NYC with that Wisconsin blog woman years ago, and her telling me how hilarious she found "Titus". I told her then what a nasty character he was and that she was misguided for tolerating him. You see, I've met all sorts of sociopaths, especially gay ones, so his type is familiar to me.

    People's idiotic affection for him, or their entertainment from his repulsive nonsense, has always really bothered me. It's nothing more than a tired gay version of a minstrel show.

    My advice is to ignore sociopaths.

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  103. I'm fortunate, I suppose, that I'm threatening-looking....

    No one wants to mess around with a man smoking a cigar and wearing pearls. It gives one pause.

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  104. El Pollo, Evi has a link to a R. McCain article, where the term "shutuppery" is used. It sounds to me as if that's the tactic being used on you by Titus, and I hope you won't let it deter you from standing firm and speaking out with the same clear but pointed thoughtfulness and humor that has served you so well in the past.

    Titus has mentioned your recall and prodigious memory several times, and I wonder it hampers his ability to dish out more of the diversions and lies that used to garner him attention. One of the problems with telling a changing story is that it will eventually trap the teller, and he's reached a point where his chicanery has become more evident. (Same with Inga. Each time she accuses someone else of acting creepy and stalking, the charge becomes less believable.)

    Your chirbit jesting also usurped his role as clown, in addition to the fact that you've outlasted him at TY and now have an active voice at Lem's where he has no toe hold or schtick to stand on. The new group over at Althouse does not appear to find him so amusing either, so he's without a home base.

    On top of all that, what you've been saying seems to have struck some kind of chord or nerve with him and he's singled you out for shaming and ridicule. Which says to me you may be walking close to some truth he finds uncomfortable.

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  105. Thank you, MamaM. Here is the link. It appears that Titus is putting on the old charm offensive. Emphasis on "offensive.

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  106. Hey, Chip. Thank you and congrats on your team's win. I do hope they beat the Cards.

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  107. Thanks, Darce.

    Jim Leyland delaying the announcement of his retirement until Monday in order not to divert attention from the Sox was a classy move.

    Max Scherzer was also incredibly classy. When given an open invitation to complain about the Ball 4 call that induced Leyland to pull him from the game, he said this instead:

    “It just doesn’t get called,” he said. “And I’m not here to criticize Dan Iassogna. That’s just the way it goes. If you don’t hit your spots, you don’t get calls. Even though it might’ve been in the zone, I didn’t hit my spot exactly. That’s just the way it goes.”

    "Not classy" (and incoherent as well) was a comment posted at the Detroit Free Press by someone named Steven Lee who said the reason Boston beat Detroit was that MA has legal gay marriage and MI doesn't.

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  108. And there I was thinking perkier tits somehow figured into the win.

    That, or beards.

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  109. Aww, thanks for that, Chip. I don't know enough about managing a baseball team so I stayed away from the "Fire Leyland!" stuff. I thought he seemed personally pretty cool. And Scherzer is one of my faves.

    And MamaM, it seems that perky tits are almost always aligned with win, so it was a good hunch.

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