Lurker's Corner

Sweet young thing: (prolonged apologia for why there isn't a corruption problem in Russia just because the West says there is)
Me: Starting from "the Russian oligarchs began life as the Russian Mafiya," rethink the history of the Russian Federation since 1989 and get back to me.
Sweet young thing: (sputters)
Me: Also, get off of my lawn.

According to an individual on FaceBook who was responding to my "yay vaccines!" post, anyway. Apparently good nutrition, hygeine and less crowded living conditions were taking care of infectious diseases all on their own. I didn't read far enough into the article to get to the actual "self" portion of self-limiting because my tolerance for casual disdain for lives saved by vaccines is absolutely limited, but here's the link:

https://childhealthsafety.wordpress.com/graphs/

Edited to add:
Evil part of my brain: (endless giggling)
Me: I'm afraid to ask...
Evil part of my brain: The number of antivaxers old enough to be rolling the dice on shingles! (giggling resumes)

...can you be a hipster?

I say ye nay, as hipsters are but economically disadvantaged Yuppies with their shabby chic. We Yuppies may have suffered from monochromatic suits and 80s hair, but we otherwise looked pretty sharp and no power in the 'verse could outspend us.

My Gen X coworker is now working a theory about "this generation's Kerouacs" or something.

Them: He was really old.
Me: (dryly) Like 40, or even 45?
Them: OMG not like that! Like, 30!

Is it okay now?

So, there are people downstairs in the lobby discounting smartwatches to the employee masses. This was discussed briefly in today's huddle and a 30-something came Very Close to Death when he allowed as how his eyes are too old for a smartwatch. mumblemumbleWHIPPERSNAPPER

Then it struck me. I am not the target market for smartwatches. Most Baby Boom eyes are too old for itty bitty screens, hence the "phablet" or 6" phone that doubles as a tablet. This is so much worse than watching the first Jolt Cola commercial in my late 30s and realizing it was likely to be aimed at Generation X because technology! That I am too old for! ZOMG!

Well, it was either panic about my age or rant about astigmatism making progressive contact lenses impossible for me, which would likely derail into a pro-vax discussion because it's entirely possible I'm astigmatic because I had chickenpox, for which there was no vaccine when I was a wee lurkr. So, you're welcome. ;)

Then I read a post about using the soundtrack of a video game to focus on studying because the music is meant to keep you engaged (or entrained, if you want to get sinister about it.)

S.O.B. Not only did it work, but the soundtrack to Skyrim is actually kind of pretty.

...would eventually result in a bride shortage? WHO?

(raises hand)

China needs millions of brides

Apparently, having a girl about 18 years ago would have been a blue chip investment.

So, I got sassed by a Millennial for being a patronizing Baby Boomer. "When is the Baby Boom going to stop patronizing..."

Short answer? NEVER, YOU SLACKERS. Partly because we're assholes who suck all of the oxygen out of the generations around us & that's how we roll and partly because:

1. SLACKITVISM. We didn't have that option. You kids and your social media! If we wanted to get things done, we picked up a sign and risked fire hoses at least and Kent State at worst.

2. Speaking of getting things done, by this point in the Boom, we'd gotten 18 year olds the right to vote, made activating the Selective Service System (do you know what that even is without looking it up on your smart phone? Actually, boys probably do; sorry) the single least popular thing a politician could even contemplate so you'd have a choice about getting your narrow asses shot off in a stupid war, oh yeah! ended a stupid war and speaking of choice? fixed it so a coat hanger was something you hung up your coat with or used to unlock a car that had your keys in it.

You're welcome.

So, yeah. You Millennials are probably going to get patronized by the Boomers until we draw our final breaths.

At least it isn't the Greatest Generation riding your asses. That was no fun at all.