I actually only caught wind of the concert yesterday morning while listening to NPR at 7 AM 😢; otherwise, I might have been able to pull something together... but as it stands, I won't be back in town for another five years when he makes his next tour stop. 🙂
It’s a fantastic film. Even though it came out back in '93, I didn't actually catch it on TV until just a couple of years ago, and I was honestly stunned by how much I had somehow missed all this time.🙂
I completely agree with you; it was such an unconventional role for de Niro, but he handled it brilliantly. At the end of the day, the man is a consummate professional—that's what you expect from someone of his caliber—but of course, only the absolute best in the business can pull off a transformation that seamless.
Nicole Lee4 said:we live in a free country where not even the "almighty" postal service has the right to violate privacy by snooping through people's packages. even the old FBI agents wouldn't have pulled stunts like that .
I definitely agree with you, though regarding the "almighty" 😂, I was actually referring to inspections carried out solely in the presence of—and at the request of—the person who ordered the package, just so they can verify the authenticity of their items.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that; in fact, it’s more of a courtesy to ensure customers are happy and satisfied with their "almighty" mail (which is what we’re calling it from now on 😁)
So, if I wanted to "purchase" a rock, is that actually a viable option? I don't see any specific USPS regulations or postal policies that would prevent me from doing that, or at least make it incredibly difficult.
When I go to pick up a package at the local post office and pay via COD (cash on delivery), what is the best way to verify 😁that I am actually receiving the item I ordered?
The order isn't coming from an established retailer or a major corporation; it’s just someone from an online classified ad. This means it's being sent by a complete stranger who could easily pack a literal rock in the box and ship it off. Once I've handed over the cash and signed the receipt confirming delivery, I won't be able to complain or demand a refund if the contents aren't what they were promised, right?
I’ve encountered quite a few people like this throughout my life—there were a handful back in elementary school, and more surfaced during my high school years.
I know firsthand how someone can actually convince themselves that their own delusions are the absolute truth; I recognize that tendency in myself when I'm being foolish, but even then, "the truth hurts," so I might just tell myself, 'That’s how it happened, I'm certain of it, end of story,' and dismiss anyone else as being crazy for questioning my version of events.'
However, while those earlier instances were mostly minor, the individuals I’m referring to now have fully leaned into their roles, becoming completely enveloped in a web of manipulation, fabrication, and unintentional lies. There is simply no way to prove them wrong, nor do I have any desire to try; as someone once put it, attempting to do so would be like trying to pull a parachute out of an airplane mid-flight. It would mean shattering their entire self-image, and regardless of whether that image is nothing more than an illusion, I refuse to be the one to tear it down and cause them unnecessary pain. I choose to accept the situation as it is, viewing it much like a soap opera where I'm just waiting for the next dramatic installment—in a positive sense, of course🙂—because, frankly, I have no other option if I want to avoid hurting them.
I usually just slice my watermelon into bite-sized pieces with a knife; it’s much more efficient than that old-school way of picking at it like a typewriter, which is probably the last time I ate it like that when I was eight years old.
Now, there's no need to get extreme or anything—we aren't talking about basic etiquette here—but while reading through these posts, I couldn't help but notice how certain things mentioned really grate on my nerves. For instance, when a sidewalk or a walkway is two or three feet wide—or even five or six in some cases (though a farmer out in rural Nebraska wouldn't think that's nearly enough)—you see groups of four or five people just walking side-by-side, blocking everything up. They act as if they're the only people left on Earth... honestly, just move over; walk two by two if you have to, but don't act like you own the whole damn city and expect everyone else to pass through like a flock of sheep.
And then there’s the littering, which "fascinates" me almost every single time I see it. A cellophane wrapper flies off a pack of Marlboros—whoosh—they wolf down a burger, toss the paper aside—bye-bye... it’s common enough with certain immature types, but when you see an older person acting like a total jerk, it truly makes you lose your patience. I’d personally give those people written permission to litter only if they could prove they behave the exact same way in their own homes. But of course, they wouldn't, because they don't want to deal with it where Mom or the wife is breathing down their necks, so the cowboy heads out to the street to pollute our SHARED public space—where on earth do they get the right to do that?!
In scenarios like that, I would definitely authorize the police to step in, perhaps even allowing them to issue fines, much like how we handle dog waste left in public parks. Where does some elderly person who owns a dog get the right to let their pet, which probably wears a hand-knitted sweater at home, turn our SHARED public space into a mess? If you’re a dog owner and you care about your pet, then please, take full responsibility for all its needs, including cleaning up after it. Grab a bag and do your part... but no, apparently that's too much work! Well, sorry, but I am certainly not picking up after your dog! If we implemented strict monetary fines, you'd see real progress in public decency, because clearly, nothing works for people unless they are forced to do it—or rather, penalized. Nothing hits harder than a sting to the wallet (or, for some, a slap on the wrist).
I’ve always been the type of person who isn't easily moved to hysterics by just any old joke; even when I find something genuinely clever or amusing, it rarely reaches that level of uncontrollable laughter. Even while watching a sitcom, my reaction tends to be more of an internal chuckle rather than anything outward. That being said, there are those rare, sudden moments where I truly lose it and laugh from the bottom of my heart—especially if I happen to be in a setting where laughter is strictly discouraged, like during a quiet lecture in a university hall. There is just something about that sense of "forbidden laughter" that makes it nearly impossible to resist. 🙂
Over the last few years, I’ve come to realize that I have finally "exited the lane" my parents set for me. 🙂
For the longest time, my internal compass was essentially just an echo of their voices; I would find myself thinking, "that's what Dad told me," or "this is how Mom sees things." Their perspectives served as the very axis of my personality, operating under the assumption that whatever my parents believed or felt was inherently the most correct path to take.
In many respects, those foundational principles they instilled in us are sound, but life eventually introduces those subtle nuances—the finer details and specific complexities where we begin to forge our own opinions and make the independent decisions that ultimately define who we are as individuals.
Just recently, I’ve noticed several instances where my parents hold a certain view or act in a specific way, yet I feel certain I would handle the situation differently—acting in a way that aligns more closely with my own conscience and sense of morality. To be honest, I’m actually quite relieved to have reached this stage of maturity where I am no longer so "dependent" on their guidance; I’ve stopped absorbing everything like a sponge, and instead, I carefully weigh and reflect upon everyone's input before finally arriving at my own conclusions and deciding whether or not to act. 🙄
🙂 Ultimately, whether you get ripped off or billed fairly comes down to the individuals involved; in many scenarios, the owners of these companies are the ones pulling the strings, deciding exactly how much to charge and what grade of materials to install.
While it’s often the laborers who are doing the heavy lifting and following orders, I definitely agree with you that they aren't all the same—you still run into those types who leave a total mess behind, do shoddy work, or just spend more time on smoke breaks and coffee runs than actually working.
And honestly, I’m not exactly a fan of hiring contractors myself 😁; I certainly don't want anyone tearing things up or breaking stuff in my own home, but I find I quite enjoy watching them work at someone else's place! 🤣
It seems you took my initial post somewhat personally, though I find myself wondering if you truly sat down to digest the substance of what I actually wrote. Did you really take the time to process the core message I was trying to convey in that text?
I wasn't attempting to criticize or disparage everyone with a college degree—as you put it—and I certainly didn't mean to imply that. As I’ve mentioned before, I have nothing but respect for anyone's hard-earned credentials or their education. My comments were based strictly on a few specific experiences I've had out in the field; these are individual cases, though it's clear I'm far from the only one who has encountered such arrogance in professionals. The fact that this topic is being discussed here suggests that my personal encounters aren't as isolated as I once thought.
The crux of my argument was this: imagine an electrical engineer stepping in to lecture a seasoned veteran on how to manage water systems—someone who deals with that infrastructure every single day, someone who holds a specialized degree in the field and possesses decades of hands-on experience. This expert practically lives and breathes the mechanics of it, yet they find themselves being patronized by some engineer who tries to "optimize" their process under the guise of, "Well, as a degreed engineer, I know better..." It’s a classic case of someone hiding behind a credential to lecture a professional on something that has absolutely nothing to do with their actual expertise.
I wouldn't mind at all if a civil engineer sat down to explain a better way of doing things to a seasoned mason, but this initial premise just doesn't hold water... though I suppose, coming from you, it actually does make sense. Time for another cup of coffee. ☕
Do these opportunities always seem to pop up even when the construction industry has completely hit a standstill? 😕 With so many people from that region currently out of work, even if a few small opportunities finally open up, only a handful of them will actually manage to land a job. And when you say, "It’s fine by me, the government is picking up the tab..." — that's where we really need to pause and think. May everyone find peace and comfort within their own homes.!
I was genuinely happy during my time working—until I was laid off late last year—and while I still had my steady monthly income, I never once considered being idle. I have absolutely no intention of sitting around waiting for things to happen; I am actively pushing myself to find new freelance gigs or a permanent position at a firm. To be blunt, the unemployment benefits provided by the government only lasted me a few months before they ran out, and frankly, that amount isn't even enough to cover basic living expenses, let alone anything else.
You can keep spinning those fairy tales about how everything is going perfectly because of the current job market, but the numbers tell a much different story. With over 300,000 people out of work and thousands of small businesses and local shops shuttering their doors across the country, the reality on the ground certainly doesn't support your optimistic view.
Anthony Stewart22 said:That’s why you see the local contractor driving a Mercedes-Benz and living in a mansion, while the young guy with the Ivy League degree is stuck renting or drowning in a thirty-year mortgage just to afford a tiny apartment.☕
😂 Haha.
I'll be the first to admit it: I drive a Mercedes-Benz. Well, okay, let’s be honest—it’s actually just a high-end Burago die-cast model! I find myself drifting into all sorts of daydreams lately, especially now that I have quite a bit of free time on my hands while being between jobs. ☕
driftingbadger5 said:Since I’ve got family living in Brazil, I can give you some actual comparisons:
In Brazil, a doctor with a master’s or PhD pulls in about 9,000 reais a month (roughly 1,600 $200), working 52 hours a week, which puts their hourly rate at $43.
A doctor without those advanced degrees makes about 6,700 reais a month (around 1,200 $267), also working 52 hours a week, meaning their hourly pay is $32.
The hourly rate for doctors here in the States is roughly $10. It’s honestly ridiculous—a barber makes more in an hour than a surgeon does:
Brazil handled things by making 99% of hospital meds generics. That way, the government saves a ton of cash on brand-name drugs and can actually reinvest that money into new equipment and paying doctors better.
But American patients insist on the big-brand names, and they get them for a tiny co-pay (like 10-$6.75, instead of paying the full price of $800-$333). Because of that, the government overspends on meds, basically handing money to Big Pharma on a silver platter while paying doctors peanuts. You’d make more per hour working a temp gig through a college agency.
So yeah, it’s perfectly normal that doctors are frustrated. The healthcare policy is a mess. You want the original Versace? Fine, pay up. You want the brand-name drug? Pay out of your own pocket. The government can provide you with a generic that works just as well, so make your choice.
And let's be real, there is a massive difference between a compact car and a Mercedes-Benz😁 . Just to clarify, are generics simply copies of the original brand-name drugs?
I realize things aren't perfect in Brazil either, but here in the States, people are struggling just to afford their medicine, let alone being charged full price without any insurance coverage... I wouldn't "want" to get sick under those circumstances, and I suspect you wouldn't either.
The way things are headed, we are getting dangerously close to a purely American style of healthcare: pay up and you're "treated," but if you're broke—you die! (though not quite like 🙂)
Walter Lewis5 said:Exactly. You don't pick up basic manners or common decency in a lecture hall; anyone with enough tuition money can walk through those doors. I've never understood why people think graduating from some Ivy League school suddenly turns them into an intellectual overnight...😕 ☕
A bit off-topic, I know, but if I may jump back in here—what was just said is the absolute truth.
I have a great deal of respect for every profession out there, regardless of the title, but I frequently run into a specific situation when utility workers—the folks handling our electricity, water, or gas lines—come by the house to perform repairs. Whenever a bit of confusion or a misunderstanding arises during the job, they always seem to emphasize the exact same thing:Hold on a second—I actually have a degree in this, so I think I know what I'm talking about.So, what am I supposed to do now? Bow down and kiss the ring? ☕
I tip my hat to you for earning that degree, truly, but I have to wonder: what’s the actual value of waving a diploma around if it doesn't align with the work being done? It feels a bit hollow when someone tries to lecture others with credentials that have absolutely nothing to do with the practical, hands-on reality of the job at hand. 😠
You’re probably going to tell me you don't understand me again... 😁
I’m not entirely sure, but perhaps that "Trilogy Meter" calculates its claims based on the individual earnings of each installment—you know, looking at how much the first one made, then the second, and finally the third to arrive at their "meter" figure.
Why don't you look up the box office totals for The Godfather trilogy online? That should give us a much clearer picture.
I wouldn't call myself an expert on The Godfather, but if we're judging each film in the trilogy on its own merits, the third installment is definitely the weakest link.
Come on now, don't do this. Han Solo He’ll shut you down completely—I mean, he's going to take you out, because he's Han Solo. 😁So, someone went ahead and kicked off a poll. If you’re interested, feel free to weigh in—but if you aren't, don't worry about it. I know we don't exactly have enough pressing topics to keep everyone occupied all at once...
I cast my vote for... Back to the Future, The original Star Wars trilogy remains a monumental achievement in filmmaking, standing as a testament to what can be accomplished when vision meets pure imagination. It’s one of those rare cinematic experiences that feels both timeless and revolutionary, regardless of how many times you revisit it. Looking back at the craftsmanship involved, it's clear why these films continue to hold such a massive grip on our cultural consciousness., Terminator I'm here. What's on your mind? Jurassic Park.
With so many trilogies and quartets out there where the final installment is such a disaster that it almost ruins the entire series for you, I’ve learned to be cautious. Fortunately, you can usually spot that kind of garbage early enough to steer clear, ensuring it never finds its way into my home collection. 🙂
It’s a bit of a pattern, isn't it? Just look at some of these examples: Terminator 3 and 4, Jurassic Park III, The Godfather 3, I Know What You Did Last Summer, The Mummy 3, Alien 3 and 4, Jaws 3 and 4, Mad Max 3, Batman 3 and 4, Beverly Hills Cop 3, RoboCop 3... and the list just keeps going.
I have a feeling that Ghostbusters 3 will likely end up being another disappointment as well.