Holiday gift suggestion ...
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That would actually be kind of pointless right now ... she just cleaned her house the other day ;P
If you decide to become a software engineer, you are signing up to have a 1/2" piece of silicon tell you exactly how stupid you really are for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week Zac
By the way, what's your Christmas dinner menu? I just found out that I'm in charge again this year because the in-laws liked my kalamata-encrusted rack of lamb so much last year. So far I'm thinking... 1) Arugula salad with walnuts/gorgonzola/vinagrette 2) Gougeres (either blue or goat cheese) 3) Horseradish encrusted Prime Rib Roast (maybe with au jus) 4) A chocolate-covered-strawberry Christmas tree and/or cake of some sort. Plus the before and after dinner treats and drinks.
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Normally I would chastise you for randomly entering into criticisms of people you've never met for buying their wives expensive presents while praising your supposed vast charitable contributions that you make to make yourself feel more important. But being the Christmas season, I'll refrain. After all, this is the season to respect and uplift your fellow man...Not bring him down in order to make you feel better about yourself.
Red Stateler wrote:
Not bring him down in order to make you feel better about yourself
Trying to knock some sense into anyone does not give me feel better about myself.
Red Stateler wrote:
But being the Christmas season
Does this mean you are going to refrain from insulting everyone on the board for the next week? Now THAT is a Christmas miracle. [wipes her hands and walks away]
____________________________________________________ If at first you don't succeed, skydiving might not be for you.
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Red Stateler wrote:
That leads me to believe that perhaps you believe that the price of a gift is correlated to love
Since you highlighted my statement in your response you would see that I said THE EXACT OPPOSITE. But then again, you were never very good with logic. I don't care what my husband gives me for holidays/birthdays/anniversaries. I just like to be with him. If he spend $20 and it was something he put a lot of effort into (thinking, planning, etc) I would be happier than if he spent $100 on something that he put no thought into.
____________________________________________________ If at first you don't succeed, skydiving might not be for you.
leckey wrote:
Since you highlighted my statement in your response you would see that I said THE EXACT OPPOSITE. But then again, you were never very good with logic.
You mean that statement that summarized your whole post? Methinks you doth protest too much...
leckey wrote:
I don't care what my husband gives me for holidays/birthdays/anniversaries. I just like to be with him. If he spend $20 and it was something he put a lot of effort into (thinking, planning, etc) I would be happier than if he spent $100 on something that he put no thought into.
Same goes for my wife. However, being that I love her so much, I do my best to provide her with every comfort I can. I just find it interesting that you so strongly protest to the fact that I got her a Dior handbag. It's pretty irrational and out of left field given the tone of this thread. Also given that you suffer no personal injury from my buying her such a handbag, I find it odd that you take such great offense to it. To me it suggests nothing but jealousy. If you had simply said, "That's a lot of money for a handbag. I'd rather have a coupon book", that's one thing. But you didn't. Your intense focus on the matter indicates much more...
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By the way, what's your Christmas dinner menu? I just found out that I'm in charge again this year because the in-laws liked my kalamata-encrusted rack of lamb so much last year. So far I'm thinking... 1) Arugula salad with walnuts/gorgonzola/vinagrette 2) Gougeres (either blue or goat cheese) 3) Horseradish encrusted Prime Rib Roast (maybe with au jus) 4) A chocolate-covered-strawberry Christmas tree and/or cake of some sort. Plus the before and after dinner treats and drinks.
Red Stateler wrote:
By the way, what's your Christmas dinner menu? I just found out that I'm in charge again this year because the in-laws liked my kalamata-encrusted rack of lamb so much last year. So far I'm thinking... 1) Arugula salad with walnuts/gorgonzola/vinagrette 2) Gougeres (either blue or goat cheese) 3) Horseradish encrusted Prime Rib Roast (maybe with au jus) 4) A chocolate-covered-strawberry Christmas tree and/or cake of some sort. Plus the before and after dinner treats and drinks.
Well, seeing as I'm technically single this year (as this girl and I are "exclusively casually dating"), I'll be eating at my parents' house. The menu is a traditional southern thanksgiving/christmas dinner (turkey, dressing, gravy, mashed potatos, apple sauce, cranberry sauce, Virginia ham, sweet potato casserole, etc). That chocolate-covered-strawberry chrismat tree sounds good though :)
If you decide to become a software engineer, you are signing up to have a 1/2" piece of silicon tell you exactly how stupid you really are for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week Zac
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Red Stateler wrote:
Not bring him down in order to make you feel better about yourself
Trying to knock some sense into anyone does not give me feel better about myself.
Red Stateler wrote:
But being the Christmas season
Does this mean you are going to refrain from insulting everyone on the board for the next week? Now THAT is a Christmas miracle. [wipes her hands and walks away]
____________________________________________________ If at first you don't succeed, skydiving might not be for you.
leckey wrote:
Trying to knock some sense into anyone does not give me feel better about myself.
Personal attacks are not attempts to knock sense into somebody. They're designed to make someone else look like less in your eyes in order to feel better about yourself. It's a very common practice and that's exactly what you did.
leckey wrote:
Does this mean you are going to refrain from insulting everyone on the board for the next week? Now THAT is a Christmas miracle.
I'm never apt to personal attacks (except those I reserve for oilfactotum). However, I notice that you frequently resort to them as an excuse for my refusal to accept various loose and ludicrous arguments you make. Because apparently when someone disagrees with you (and points out the clear reasons why), they deserve your wrath.
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If I were in your situation I would try to make a food item that you know she loves, that you have never cooked before. (Like cheesecake maybe?) It's one of those things, that if you try and fail, it will be 'cute' and endearing to her. If you succeed on your first try then you look like the hero. Or is there a play/band in the area soon that you can buy tickets for? That might be a nice surprise.
____________________________________________________ If at first you don't succeed, skydiving might not be for you.
leckey wrote:
If I were in your situation I would try to make a food item that you know she loves, that you have never cooked before. (Like cheesecake maybe?) It's one of those things, that if you try and fail, it will be 'cute' and endearing to her.
We already have plans for me to cook her dinner (it was going to be tonight, but that had to get moved due to family plans). I was planning on cooking a nice filet mignon with asparagus and mashed potatos and then try something new for desert. Since she already knew we were doing that, I was kind of looking at possibly having flowers sent to her house on Sunday and getting her something small (e.g. the bath gift set ... or a perfume if I can figure out which ones she likes before I go shopping). I do know she enjoys scrapbooking, but since we haven't had a whole lot of time to create memories together, it would seem like a fairly empty gift.
If you decide to become a software engineer, you are signing up to have a 1/2" piece of silicon tell you exactly how stupid you really are for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week Zac
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leckey wrote:
If I were in your situation I would try to make a food item that you know she loves, that you have never cooked before. (Like cheesecake maybe?) It's one of those things, that if you try and fail, it will be 'cute' and endearing to her.
We already have plans for me to cook her dinner (it was going to be tonight, but that had to get moved due to family plans). I was planning on cooking a nice filet mignon with asparagus and mashed potatos and then try something new for desert. Since she already knew we were doing that, I was kind of looking at possibly having flowers sent to her house on Sunday and getting her something small (e.g. the bath gift set ... or a perfume if I can figure out which ones she likes before I go shopping). I do know she enjoys scrapbooking, but since we haven't had a whole lot of time to create memories together, it would seem like a fairly empty gift.
If you decide to become a software engineer, you are signing up to have a 1/2" piece of silicon tell you exactly how stupid you really are for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week Zac
Filet Mignon??? Are you kidding me? I find it so odd that you would spend so much money on a cut of meat that isn't any better than New York Strip. Puh-lease! You are SO materialistic!
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leckey wrote:
Since you highlighted my statement in your response you would see that I said THE EXACT OPPOSITE. But then again, you were never very good with logic.
You mean that statement that summarized your whole post? Methinks you doth protest too much...
leckey wrote:
I don't care what my husband gives me for holidays/birthdays/anniversaries. I just like to be with him. If he spend $20 and it was something he put a lot of effort into (thinking, planning, etc) I would be happier than if he spent $100 on something that he put no thought into.
Same goes for my wife. However, being that I love her so much, I do my best to provide her with every comfort I can. I just find it interesting that you so strongly protest to the fact that I got her a Dior handbag. It's pretty irrational and out of left field given the tone of this thread. Also given that you suffer no personal injury from my buying her such a handbag, I find it odd that you take such great offense to it. To me it suggests nothing but jealousy. If you had simply said, "That's a lot of money for a handbag. I'd rather have a coupon book", that's one thing. But you didn't. Your intense focus on the matter indicates much more...
Red Stateler wrote:
Your intense focus on the matter indicates much more...
The only thing is I get angry at people who waste their money in such ways. That money could go to Katrina victims, Darfur victims, cancer research...but no. You think buying a piece of leather that cost no more than $20 to make is what will make her happy.
Red Stateler wrote:
If you had simply said, "That's a lot of money for a handbag. I'd rather have a coupon book
It's more than a lot. It's ridiculous. It's a month's mortgage. It's 3 of my car payments. It's the amount that could help Darfur refugees. It could buy supplies for katrina victims. So next time you watch the news and see others who have less than you (and a lot less than you...like a home) you can look to your wife and say, "Well, at least you have a Dior handbag."
____________________________________________________ If at first you don't succeed, skydiving might not be for you.
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leckey wrote:
Trying to knock some sense into anyone does not give me feel better about myself.
Personal attacks are not attempts to knock sense into somebody. They're designed to make someone else look like less in your eyes in order to feel better about yourself. It's a very common practice and that's exactly what you did.
leckey wrote:
Does this mean you are going to refrain from insulting everyone on the board for the next week? Now THAT is a Christmas miracle.
I'm never apt to personal attacks (except those I reserve for oilfactotum). However, I notice that you frequently resort to them as an excuse for my refusal to accept various loose and ludicrous arguments you make. Because apparently when someone disagrees with you (and points out the clear reasons why), they deserve your wrath.
Red Stateler wrote:
It's a very common practice and that's exactly what you did
Then why don't I feel better about myself?
Red Stateler wrote:
my refusal to accept various loose and ludicrous arguments you make
First, what 'ludicrous arguments?' Second, you don't accept anyone's arguments if they are not in line with yours. You don't even want to listen. I can't think of a time you said, "Yes, that's a good point..." You once told me you are an absolutist (and since history pages only go back 4 pages I can't get it so don't ask for it but you said it). You've even said you're always right.
Red Stateler wrote:
your wrath
Sweetie, I'm a girl. You haven't even seen My Wrath.
____________________________________________________ If at first you don't succeed, skydiving might not be for you.
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Filet Mignon??? Are you kidding me? I find it so odd that you would spend so much money on a cut of meat that isn't any better than New York Strip. Puh-lease! You are SO materialistic!
Red Stateler wrote:
Filet Mignon??? Are you kidding me? I find it so odd that you would spend so much money on a cut of meat that isn't any better than New York Strip. Puh-lease! You are SO materialistic!
I don't spend that much on it. I know a good butcher who gets me great deals on terrific cuts of meat. 2 filets will run me about $14, asparagus, butter, and garlic bring the total to around $18, throw in a couple potatos and even a bottle of wine and I'm still making dinner for under $50 (and that is with a fairly expensive bottle of wine).
If you decide to become a software engineer, you are signing up to have a 1/2" piece of silicon tell you exactly how stupid you really are for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week Zac
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Red Stateler wrote:
Your intense focus on the matter indicates much more...
The only thing is I get angry at people who waste their money in such ways. That money could go to Katrina victims, Darfur victims, cancer research...but no. You think buying a piece of leather that cost no more than $20 to make is what will make her happy.
Red Stateler wrote:
If you had simply said, "That's a lot of money for a handbag. I'd rather have a coupon book
It's more than a lot. It's ridiculous. It's a month's mortgage. It's 3 of my car payments. It's the amount that could help Darfur refugees. It could buy supplies for katrina victims. So next time you watch the news and see others who have less than you (and a lot less than you...like a home) you can look to your wife and say, "Well, at least you have a Dior handbag."
____________________________________________________ If at first you don't succeed, skydiving might not be for you.
leckey wrote:
The only thing is I get angry at people who waste their money in such ways. That money could go to Katrina victims, Darfur victims, cancer research...but no. You think buying a piece of leather that cost no more than $20 to make is what will make her happy.
Please...Do you own a computer? Do you own a house? Do you own nothing? This isn't about charity and neither was your original post. It was about seeking an opportunity to call me and my wife (whom you've never met...you don't even know her name) "materialistic". It was about criticising anybody who owns something expensive as a "poser" (presumably to reassure yourself that they're not wealthier than you). It was about expressing your better understanding of the "meaning of Christmas" through personal insults. Now you're further trying to lift yourself in your eyes by claiming your original vitriolic post was actually about your respect for charity and the huge transgression against it that buying a purse does.
leckey wrote:
It's more than a lot. It's ridiculous. It's a month's mortgage. It's 3 of my car payments. It's the amount that could help Darfur refugees. It could buy supplies for katrina victims.
Three of YOUR car payments? And yet you claim this isn't about you? It's about Darfur refugess? It's about Katrina Victims who are already taken care of by my taxes? I won't discuss the specifics of my charitable contributions, but chances are they outdo yours. I also am not moved to give money to random charities in order to make myself feel less wretched for having a good life after watching the news. This is all very transparent. You don't like me because I value traditional morality, so you wish ill things on me...Someone you've never met. It eats you up inside that somebody you hate so much would spend 3 of YOUR car payments on a purse for his wife. Now, after your ridiculous tirade, you're attempting to write it off as my apparent lack of respect for Darfur refugees. Yeah...OK...
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VonHagNDaz wrote:
As long as the gift set has some nice smelling lotion, a nice smelling bubble bath of some kind
Of course :)
If you decide to become a software engineer, you are signing up to have a 1/2" piece of silicon tell you exactly how stupid you really are for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week Zac
Zac Howland wrote:
VonHagNDaz wrote: As long as the gift set has some nice smelling lotion, a nice smelling bubble bath of some kind Of course
Just make sure that she's aware that you don't think she's got a personal hygiene problem.
the last thing I want to see is some pasty-faced geek with skin so pale that it's almost translucent trying to bump parts with a partner - John Simmons / outlaw programmer
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before. -
Red Stateler wrote:
Filet Mignon??? Are you kidding me? I find it so odd that you would spend so much money on a cut of meat that isn't any better than New York Strip. Puh-lease! You are SO materialistic!
I don't spend that much on it. I know a good butcher who gets me great deals on terrific cuts of meat. 2 filets will run me about $14, asparagus, butter, and garlic bring the total to around $18, throw in a couple potatos and even a bottle of wine and I'm still making dinner for under $50 (and that is with a fairly expensive bottle of wine).
If you decide to become a software engineer, you are signing up to have a 1/2" piece of silicon tell you exactly how stupid you really are for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week Zac
$50!!?!?! Are you kidding me??? You could eat at McDonald's for a small fraction of that!
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jparken wrote:
I totally agree. If there is a particular flower that would have meaning for her, that would be the type of flower I would get for her.
Thankfully, she is relatively easy to please in that regard as her favorite flower is the simple red rose.
If you decide to become a software engineer, you are signing up to have a 1/2" piece of silicon tell you exactly how stupid you really are for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week Zac
Zac Howland wrote:
Thankfully, she is relatively easy to please in that regard as her favorite flower is the simple red rose.
Excellent. Roses are never inappropriate - you can give them on a first date or on your 10th wedding anniversary (mine coming up next year, so I'm now giving serious thoughts to it). One thing though - no lingerie. Good luck.
the last thing I want to see is some pasty-faced geek with skin so pale that it's almost translucent trying to bump parts with a partner - John Simmons / outlaw programmer
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before. -
Red Stateler wrote:
It's a very common practice and that's exactly what you did
Then why don't I feel better about myself?
Red Stateler wrote:
my refusal to accept various loose and ludicrous arguments you make
First, what 'ludicrous arguments?' Second, you don't accept anyone's arguments if they are not in line with yours. You don't even want to listen. I can't think of a time you said, "Yes, that's a good point..." You once told me you are an absolutist (and since history pages only go back 4 pages I can't get it so don't ask for it but you said it). You've even said you're always right.
Red Stateler wrote:
your wrath
Sweetie, I'm a girl. You haven't even seen My Wrath.
____________________________________________________ If at first you don't succeed, skydiving might not be for you.
leckey wrote:
Then why don't I feel better about myself?
Because it never actually works, but people do it anyway.
leckey wrote:
First, what 'ludicrous arguments?' Second, you don't accept anyone's arguments if they are not in line with yours. You don't even want to listen. I can't think of a time you said, "Yes, that's a good point..." You once told me you are an absolutist (and since history pages only go back 4 pages I can't get it so don't ask for it but you said it). You've even said you're always right.
Of course I don't accept them and neither do I have to. And I consider myself right because I'll switch positions on something if I discover it's wrong. However, you're excessively concerned by the fact that I refuse to accept your position on various issues as valid in any way.
leckey wrote:
Sweetie, I'm a girl. You haven't even seen My Wrath.
I'll fetch my mother-in-law on you. You won't have a chance.
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$50!!?!?! Are you kidding me??? You could eat at McDonald's for a small fraction of that!
Red Stateler wrote:
$50!!?!?! Are you kidding me??? You could eat at McDonald's for a small fraction of that!
Only if I never wanted her to agree to go out with me again ;P
If you decide to become a software engineer, you are signing up to have a 1/2" piece of silicon tell you exactly how stupid you really are for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week Zac
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leckey wrote:
Then why don't I feel better about myself?
Because it never actually works, but people do it anyway.
leckey wrote:
First, what 'ludicrous arguments?' Second, you don't accept anyone's arguments if they are not in line with yours. You don't even want to listen. I can't think of a time you said, "Yes, that's a good point..." You once told me you are an absolutist (and since history pages only go back 4 pages I can't get it so don't ask for it but you said it). You've even said you're always right.
Of course I don't accept them and neither do I have to. And I consider myself right because I'll switch positions on something if I discover it's wrong. However, you're excessively concerned by the fact that I refuse to accept your position on various issues as valid in any way.
leckey wrote:
Sweetie, I'm a girl. You haven't even seen My Wrath.
I'll fetch my mother-in-law on you. You won't have a chance.
Red Stateler wrote:
I'll fetch my mother-in-law on you. You won't have a chance.
Okay children ... back to your neutral corners or I will have to send you to your rooms! :sigh:
If you decide to become a software engineer, you are signing up to have a 1/2" piece of silicon tell you exactly how stupid you really are for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week Zac
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leckey wrote:
The only thing is I get angry at people who waste their money in such ways. That money could go to Katrina victims, Darfur victims, cancer research...but no. You think buying a piece of leather that cost no more than $20 to make is what will make her happy.
Please...Do you own a computer? Do you own a house? Do you own nothing? This isn't about charity and neither was your original post. It was about seeking an opportunity to call me and my wife (whom you've never met...you don't even know her name) "materialistic". It was about criticising anybody who owns something expensive as a "poser" (presumably to reassure yourself that they're not wealthier than you). It was about expressing your better understanding of the "meaning of Christmas" through personal insults. Now you're further trying to lift yourself in your eyes by claiming your original vitriolic post was actually about your respect for charity and the huge transgression against it that buying a purse does.
leckey wrote:
It's more than a lot. It's ridiculous. It's a month's mortgage. It's 3 of my car payments. It's the amount that could help Darfur refugees. It could buy supplies for katrina victims.
Three of YOUR car payments? And yet you claim this isn't about you? It's about Darfur refugess? It's about Katrina Victims who are already taken care of by my taxes? I won't discuss the specifics of my charitable contributions, but chances are they outdo yours. I also am not moved to give money to random charities in order to make myself feel less wretched for having a good life after watching the news. This is all very transparent. You don't like me because I value traditional morality, so you wish ill things on me...Someone you've never met. It eats you up inside that somebody you hate so much would spend 3 of YOUR car payments on a purse for his wife. Now, after your ridiculous tirade, you're attempting to write it off as my apparent lack of respect for Darfur refugees. Yeah...OK...
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leckey wrote:
Harsh? He's on here every day spewing how everyone who differs in opinion from himself must be nothing more that an idiot. What's sad is no matter how anyone tries to get him to even LOOK at another perspective (not persuade, just look) he's like a little kid with his fingers in his ears screaming, "NOOOOOOOOOO!"
Well, harsh in that I was trying to keep this thread flame-free ;P Only had limited success with that, but I guess I can't expect too much in that regard.
leckey wrote:
My female opinion on holiday gifts? Give something that means something. Take a scrapbooking course and do a nice photo of you and your honey and do a scrapbooking page and put it in a frame/shadowbox. Clean her entire house/apartment. Or hire someone to do it. (Even I hate scrubbing the bathtub.) Give her a 'coupon' that she can redeem for a day of nothing but what she wants to do and you can't complain. Even if she shops for five hours and then goes to the zoo. Write down how you felt the first time you met, or kissed.
See, my problem isn't so much that I don't know what to get her, its that we haven't been seeing each other long enough to do the types of things you mention. Even if we had started seeing each other before my birthday, it would be easier. Since we have only been seeing each other for a few weeks ... hence the problem.
leckey wrote:
The amount of money spent does not equate with your amount of love. Gifts are nice but at the end of the day they don't love you back.
While I completely agree with this, and I'm generally pretty good with gift giving, but this situation is a little different. It is MUCH too soon to say "love" ... we are still in the "get to know you ... really like you" phase.
If you decide to become a software engineer, you are signing up to have a 1/2" piece of silicon tell you exactly how stupid you really are for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week Zac
Zac Howland wrote:
Well, harsh in that I was trying to keep this thread flame-free
Well, you did pick the SB rather than the Lounge. Or were you looking for spicy gift suggestions? ;)
The evolution of the human genome is too important to be left to chance.
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Red Stateler wrote:
You don't like me because I value traditional morality,
No, we don't like you because you're an ass about your traditional morality.
The evolution of the human genome is too important to be left to chance.
Whereas you're just an ass.