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Comment on The Shut List by Kevin S. Forsyth

Kevin S. Forsyth — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 14:21:50 +0000

You’re welcome to your opinions, but you are absolutely wrong to claim that statement isn’t in error. As I quoted, and as you apparently misread, the book states that the SS-20 missile was part of the NATO armory. Fact-checking or copy-editing, an error is an error.

Comment on The Shut List by John

John — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:16:23 +0000

This is one of the most petty, unimportant, self-indulging rants I’ve ever read. That last error you mention isn’t even an error, and if it was it would be a fact-checking error, not a copyediting error. The sentence says that the team developed forerunners of the SS-20 missiles, not the SS-20 missiles. Nothing is preventing this from being correct. Sometimes weapons developed by one country or group end up being used against them by another group. That’s an important an interesting and true thing.

Comment on A fresh look at a familiar friend by Kevin S. Forsyth

Kevin S. Forsyth — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:15:57 +0000

I assume you meant “like Harold”, not Richard. You make a very good point; I hadn’t noticed Harold’s actions, but his being the “husband betrayed” certainly is another credible motivation for his shoe purchase. Thank you for that added dimension.

I redacted a lengthy dialogue quotation in your comment because, in the midst of it, “SARAH: Looks like a [??] on the right” doesn’t quite answer the question of what she said to make Sam scowl.

Comment on A fresh look at a familiar friend by Hello, Film Buff

Hello, Film Buff — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 01:52:25 +0000

…an unsolicited “devil’s advocate” question for you: do you think [Harold]‘s buying and putting out Richard’s shoes is his subtle reminder to Karen & Sam that although out of sight, Richard should not be out of mind? Remember Harold’s look of concern from the doorway when Sam says to Karen “you know, if we had gotten married, we’re be doing this together.” It comes right after Harold tells us about Sarah/Alex affair… Notice from the beginning how much the director always shoots Harold watching Sarah closely from behind… as if he is shadowing her…. These would be the actions of a husband betrayed by his wife’s extramarital affairs… like Richard.

Comment on À bientôt, Vancouver, it’s been fun — what we saw of you by WingsWest

WingsWest — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:29:19 +0000

I am DUMBFOUNDED at NBC for this. The Olympics is a sporting event. Yet we have to watch garbage just to see a few select highlights of tape delayed sports!!
The worst part is that their decision ruined the chance to watch the Olympics with my 6 yr old son and 8 yr old daughter. Despite being inspired by Shaun White or Joannie Rochet, they cannot watch them perform because NBC only shows the event at 11:00pm and they have to go to bed for school!! Unbelievable!!
NBC, you BLEW it!! Your coverage stunk up the place!!!

Comment on The best (subtextual) ad of Super Bowl XLIV by Kevin S. Forsyth

Kevin S. Forsyth — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:50:52 +0000

You’re right, of course — I just couldn’t resist the pun about whole cloth. Not that it explains anything, but when I wrote that I was thinking of Athena springing fully formed from the head of Zeus.

I also can’t resist you plugging your site here, since your plug includes 1) pro-monkey levity, 2) a Wal-Mart dis, and 3) a great screen name. By the way, your pregnant sock monkey reminds me of a comment I once made to a Slashdot poll on who would win in a battle between ninjas, pirates, robots, and monkeys:

Ninjas require years and years of training.
Pirates, sooner or later, will turn on themselves and succumb to infighting.
Robots are like laptops, it all comes down to battery maintenance.
But monkeys can always make MORE MONKEYS!

Here’s wishing you many more monkeys.

Comment on The best (subtextual) ad of Super Bowl XLIV by atomic grandma

atomic grandma — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:51:43 +0000

I have to clear up false statements you made about sock monkeys. They are Not made out of “whole cloth” unless they are the fake ones from Walmart. They are made from real socks with a red heel. When the socks are cut and stitched together one red heel becomes their butt and the other red heel becomes their mouth. (Fake Walmart monkeys have no red butt and were never a sock).

I love these bad boys and they indeed can be trouble makers although they have never caused any bodily injury.

One more correction. Sock monkeys do have “mothers”. I have “birthed” many over the last few decades. I even have a pregnant sock monkey in my home at this very moment.

Its good to hear your positive words about sock monkeys and hope they continue to get the positive publicity they deserve.

Comment on A follow-up (The Big Chill) by Jen

Jen — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:02:41 +0000

I always thought she was saying, “John Barras RO-tipton” so I never was able to find a reference. Thank God for your mention, otherwise this would bother me for another 10 years!

Comment on PrairyErth by William Least Heat-Moon by A deep map of Eastport « Torch Lake Views

A deep map of Eastport « Torch Lake Views — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:19:13 +0000

[...] (For those of you who would like to read more about PrairyErth and its deep map, I recommend Kevin Forsyth’s review.) [...]

Comment on A plumbing saga by Kevin S. Forsyth

Kevin S. Forsyth — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:17:21 +0000

Thanks to all for the comments (which got misplaced in a system upgrade and now, some two years later, are finally seeing the light of day). I’m happy to report the boiler is still cooking away reliably. Again, it must be said: nothing beats two-pipe hot water heating!

The continuous-firing problem, as I somewhat tersely explained above, is due to some weird electronics interfacing between the control unit at the boiler and the thermostat upstairs. It’s easy to replicate by powering up the boiler control unit while the thermostat is sending an “ON” signal. Which just means that each autumn I make sure the thermostat is off, then turn on the power to the boiler control unit, then turn the thermostat on. Piece of cake.

All in all, in spite of the satisfaction I got from solving this problem myself, I have to agree with everybody who said I should have called a professional. There’s a little equation one should always keep in mind: “time equals money”. Licensed plumbers are expensive, sure. But what price can one put on the peace of mind that comes from knowing the job has been done right?