The Off Topic Topic

[Ideologue]

Took one of my cats to my girlfriend's office today for veterinary work.  She's an asst. of some kind whose labor is laughably obviously being stolen by guild-based rentiers who make eight times what she does for scarcely more difficult work; she still votes GOP.

One of the latches on the cage it turns out was broken.  Juliet (the cat) escaped twice, the final time in the parking lot.  Had to chase her around cars and finally got her by crawling under some guy's truck.  Bought a new carrier, adding $35 to whatever it costs to "diagnose" her problem.  I already know what her problem is, I just need a vet to write a script for the special food.  In the old days, I'd have just purchased it from a supplier, but apparently there was some kind of epidemic of medical cat food abuse, and the law now requires a doctor's prescription.  (Or, vets are using their function as gatekeepers to get a cut of what should be a simple transaction between me and a faceless corporation.  YOU DECIDE.)

[mongers]

Just noticed this obituary:

Hugh Lunghi - obituary
Hugh Lunghi, was a wartime interpreter for Churchill who saw Stalin up close and was the first into Hitler's bunker


Hugh Lunghi at home in 2005 Photo: REX FEATURES

Hugh Lunghi, who has died aged 93, was one of the last surviving participants of the "Big Three" meetings at Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam, interpreting for Churchill and other British officials in talks with Josef Stalin; he was also thought to have been the first British soldier to have entered Hitler's bunker in Berlin.
.......

Hugh Lunghi, born August 3 1920, died March 14 2014

Thanks for that. 

[CountDeMoney]

In the old days, I'd have just purchased it from a supplier, but apparently there was some kind of epidemic of medical cat food abuse, and the law now requires a doctor's prescription.  (Or, vets are using their function as gatekeepers to get a cut of what should be a simple transaction between me and a faceless corporation.  YOU DECIDE.)

It's to prevent idiot owners from unnecessarily killing their cats with the wrong food when there's a clinically identified health issue that needs the cat's diet to be strictly regulated, such as UTI, inflammatory bowel disease, or Type 2 diabetes (get familiar with that term, Ide).

[Ideologue]

It'd been previously diagnosed (bladder stones, which any "idiot owner" could diagnose from the chronic hematuria, but which X-rays are required to determine if surgery is necessary).  It shouldn't require another vet visit, just a re-up.  The special food primarily makes her drink more water, which is not terribly likely to cause her great injury.

Anyway, they said they think it was a UTI.  If true, that's great, but I remain dubious.

Why?  Because Juliet pissed herself in her new $35 (canvas) carrier, because she's fucking terrified, and they weren't able to get a urine sample.  I'm unsure why they didn't use a needle or take X-rays.  I also wonder how much "clean up" fees were, given that this whole ordeal could've been avoided, and Julie didn't need to be traumatized by any of this.

[HVC]

Took one of my cats to my girlfriend's office today for veterinary work.  She's an asst. of some kind whose labor is laughably obviously being stolen by guild-based rentiers who make eight times what she does for scarcely more difficult work; she still votes GOP.

Do you actually know what a vet does? In high school after two weeks I was qualified to do what a vet tech does (Except for drawing blood, which I did a few times under supervision, but felt weird about doing since I was still in high school). That's not to say a good vet tech isn't something that's good to have, but comparing it to a vet is, well, much like your movie reviews

Hope you cat feels better

[Neil]

I've only just found out that Roy Jenkins was unseated as an MP by George Galloway.

Christ

Famous as the day that people in Britain gave up hope.

[Sheilbh]

I agree with lots of this article in defence of bullshit:
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/117068/nate-silvers-fivethirtyeight-emptiness-data-journalism

[Razgovory]

In the old days, I'd have just purchased it from a supplier, but apparently there was some kind of epidemic of medical cat food abuse, and the law now requires a doctor's prescription.  (Or, vets are using their function as gatekeepers to get a cut of what should be a simple transaction between me and a faceless corporation.  YOU DECIDE.)

It's to prevent idiot owners from unnecessarily killing their cats with the wrong food when there's a clinically identified health issue that needs the cat's diet to be strictly regulated, such as UTI, inflammatory bowel disease, or Type 2 diabetes (get familiar with that term, Ide).

I buy the catfood that the vet tells me to buy (which he sells out of his office).  I guess I'm doing okay.

[Jacob]

Sheilbh, I rarely have anything to say to them, but I really appreciate the various obituaries you out. Good stuff

[Sheilbh]

Sheilbh, I rarely have anything to say to them, but I really appreciate the various obituaries you out. Good stuff

Glad you enjoy them

I love the obituary pages. I think there's a real art form to them.

This, in Private Eye, is perfect:

[Ideologue]

Took one of my cats to my girlfriend's office today for veterinary work.  She's an asst. of some kind whose labor is laughably obviously being stolen by guild-based rentiers who make eight times what she does for scarcely more difficult work; she still votes GOP.

Do you actually know what a vet does? In high school after two weeks I was qualified to do what a vet tech does (Except for drawing blood, which I did a few times under supervision, but felt weird about doing since I was still in high school). That's not to say a good vet tech isn't something that's good to have, but comparing it to a vet is, well, much like your movie reviews

Hope you cat feels better

OK turns out I was wrong.  HOPE EVERYONE IS HAPPY.

[HVC]

WHY ARE WE SHOUTING?

[mongers]

Whilst I was out this, apparently somebody from the museum turned up on my doorstep; on a sunday afternoon.

Maybe they're going to offer me a job I can't refuse? 

Perhaps it's someone with a scheme to rob the place?   

[The Brain]

Robbing a museum sounds incredibly dull.

[Eddie Teach]

Robbing a museum sounds incredibly dull.

Not with the right partner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxVP5PFI9b8