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[2004-05-19 17:14:00] - Freaks and Geeks -Paul

[2004-05-19 17:14:00] - mel: awww, can't we be typical too? ^_^ -dave

[2004-05-19 17:14:00] - paul: my mom actually has threatened to set me up with some people as a joke. apparently, news that I graduated spread like wildfire in our community and some parents have already talked to my mom about setting something up *gulp* - vinnie

[2004-05-19 17:14:00] - Dave: Yeah, I guess it isn't as silly as it first appeared. -Paul

[2004-05-19 17:14:00] - vinnie: Are your parents pretty traditional indians? If so, ask them. In NOVA, usually it's the parents that plan these huge things in order to hookup all the kids -dave

[2004-05-19 17:13:00] - paul: it is a little silly, but it seems like a common strategy among the typical male college age population.  Which I don't think you guys fit into.  You're not typical.  -mel

[2004-05-19 17:13:00] - Mel: Strange that they seemed to know you well but still had those expectations of you. -Paul

[2004-05-19 17:12:00] - paul: Ahh, well tons of guys will do it. Like one of Dewey's parties, he'll invite girls and tell them to bring all their friends -dave

[2004-05-19 17:12:00] - dave: I've never heard of an Indian equivalent of this... - vinnie

[2004-05-19 17:12:00] - Dave: I'm sure Japanese do too. -Paul

[2004-05-19 17:12:00] - dave: yes, that's a good description.  I think the problem was just a different set of expectations.  I hung out with these guys a lot in college and so i thought it would be like old times again.  They were generically inviting girls to their bbq.  So our expectations clashed.  -mel

[2004-05-19 17:12:00] - I should use the current title as a threat against people I don't like. - pierce

[2004-05-19 17:12:00] - Dave: Motivation behind why they would invite a girl along just to either bring other girls or flirt. I guess it's understandable, but it seems silly. -Paul

[2004-05-19 17:11:00] - vinnie: I believe Indians do. I know for a fact that Koreans, Vietnamese, and Chinese do -dave

[2004-05-19 17:11:00] - Vinnie: Shouldn't you be able to get an arranged marriage pretty easy? -Paul

[2004-05-19 17:11:00] - paul: motivation behind what? the BBQ? The reason the guys got bitter? -dave

[2004-05-19 17:11:00] - Hell hath no fury like a man with his expectations unmet. -Paul

[2004-05-19 17:10:00] - dave: yes, the asian population at Caltech was really networked and had these types of events too.  -mel

[2004-05-19 17:10:00] - dave: do I count as asian? if so, just point in the right direction... - vinnie

[2004-05-19 17:09:00] - mel: mmm, guys can be pretty horrible sometimes when their expectations aren't met -dave

[2004-05-19 17:09:00] - Mel: That's really weird. I guess I understand the problem now, but I still don't entirely understand the motivation behind it. -Paul

[2004-05-19 17:08:00] - mel: hehe, asians have these annual massive get-togethers that are like specifically designed to try to hook up all the kids. I've never been, but I've always been vastly amused by the presence of them -dave

[2004-05-19 17:08:00] - Vinnie: I imagine a great many people (not just men) were like that at VT. -Paul

[2004-05-19 17:08:00] - Paul: it wasn't even quite hooking up that they wanted.  But I was definitely not invited there as a friend.  i think there was an expectation that I at least flirt.  I know this souds funny.  But its really what happened.  the bbq went from good to bad very quickly.  -mel

[2004-05-19 17:08:00] - Mel: Right, I can understand that. Although it's funny that people who want to hook up have trouble finding people to hook up with while people looking for friends have trouble finding people who just want to be friends. -Paul

[2004-05-19 17:07:00] - I met a few guys at Tech (our Tech) like Mel described. only interested in talking to girls if it led to relationships or preferably, sex - vinnie

[2004-05-19 17:07:00] - Paul: very funny.    well it wasn't a hooking up party.  I'm trying describe this as best as I can in a short amount of time and space.  That was a cheap shot.  -mel

[2004-05-19 17:06:00] - Paul: I'm not necessarily trying to be one of the guys, especially not in any sort of fake way.  but I didn't go to the bbq to hook up with anyone.  And I didn't realize I was responsible for the entire female representation. -mel

[2004-05-19 17:06:00] - I guess I don't go to enough "hooking people up" parties -Paul

[2004-05-19 17:05:00] - Mel: Ah, ok. I understand now. I didn't understand that it was supposed to be for hooking people up. -Paul

[2004-05-19 17:05:00] - Mel: That's interesting, because I think I've observed something different. It seems to me that the people I hang out with tend to be bitter if there are NO females around at all, but are perfectly fine if there are any around. -Paul

[2004-05-19 17:05:00] - Paul: I think the point is that the bbq's purpose wasn't a gathering of friends.  It was to facilittate potential hookups.  And it turns out the guys were hoping I'd bring other girls who were my friends.  So they were disappointed.  Does that make sense?  -mel

[2004-05-19 17:03:00] - Paul: I can't say I totally understand myself, just that I've consistently observed this.  Its hard to describe because i don't have enough space here.  But my experience at Caltech has been that if there arenb't enough girls at a gathering or if the girls aren't interested in possible hooking up/relationship, the guys get bitter quickly.  -mel

[2004-05-19 17:03:00] - Of course, I'm still not sure what the problem was in the previous story so maybe I should just shut my mouth. -paul

[2004-05-19 17:02:00] - So I think part of the problem lies with women too, because they don't want to be treated differently (so they say) but I think they would be horrified if we treated them like a male friend. -Paul

[2004-05-19 17:01:00] - Pierce: I think to an extent the problem is that men aren't sure how to act around women because on one hand they realize they should act different (no burping, dirty jokes, etc) but on the other hand, sometimes women are just trying to be one of the guys. -Paul

[2004-05-19 17:00:00] - pierce: which is vastly amusing since other times women can get all upset because you don't think they're attractive -dave

[2004-05-19 16:59:00] - Mel and Dave: Oh no, I'm not getting into this. -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:59:00] - At least for me, and I've gathered that it's the case for most men. - pierce

[2004-05-19 16:59:00] - Mel: yeah, it's unfortunate.  I blame men (seriously).  It's just physically hard to interact with women, especially attractive women, without thinking about their attractiveness fairly consistently. - pierce

[2004-05-19 16:59:00] - I'm confused, why was there a problem with there being only one female? -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:59:00] - paul: well, this is probably because you don't generally have that much interaction with them, yes? -dave

[2004-05-19 16:58:00] - dave: I know.  I seriously wish it didn't.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:58:00] - Paul: well where do most of your conversations with women take place?  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:58:00] - mel: yeah, that sucks. But unfortunately you're right, it almost always does matter -dave

[2004-05-19 16:57:00] - Dave: Maybe it's just me then, because I don't think I know ANY woman that I feel would be complimented more than being creeped out by me calling her beautiful. -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:56:00] - pierce: well it was fun at first but got bitter quickly and only then did I realize I was the only female and that this was probably causing some problems.  The guys started souding bitter and I eventually left because it was no fun.  It reminded me that yes, it does matter that I'm his friend AND a girl.  I can't be just his friend.  Too bad.  -me

[2004-05-19 16:56:00] - Paul: I don't think it's that they only want to be told by a select few, but rather that they only want to be told when it's contextual.  They don't want us to be thinking about how beautiful they are all the time, instead of their personality or what they're talking about. - pierce

[2004-05-19 16:56:00] - paul: But I think you're right that most guys would be crude about it and hence the girls would not want to hear it from them / in that way -dave

[2004-05-19 16:56:00] - oh god, I just laughed out loud at that title! - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:55:00] - pierce: sometimes I forget that gender is such a big deal.  Like I went to this bbq the other day that a friend of mine from Tech had.  he was a good friend and a fellow EE and so i was excited about hanging out with old friends, eating some meat, and drinking some beer.

[2004-05-19 16:55:00] - paul: Hmmm, I think it depends. Like if it's done in the right way, I would say the they would want to hear it from a majority of guys -dave

[2004-05-19 16:55:00] - Travis: It got him laid. -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:54:00] - travis: -dave

[2004-05-19 16:54:00] - Mel: I agree, but I really think they want to be told they are beautiful only by a select few. My guess is that the average woman only wants to hear about how beautiful she by quite less than half of the men she encounters. -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:53:00] - Awww, I don't like that title. - pierce

[2004-05-19 16:53:00] - dave: i almost pulled out my old joke with a "worked very well, eh?" - travis

[2004-05-19 16:53:00] - yeah, flirting first. I can't imagine it going any other way - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:53:00] - Mel: I'm glad that's a good thing, because it's all I seem to know.  I was never big on the "treating women as objects" scene. - pierce

[2004-05-19 16:53:00] - dave: well genuine is the best way to go.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:53:00] - haha!! Thats an even funnier title.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:53:00] - pierce: well, the funny thing is, I wasn't explicitly trying to flirt, I just really thought the girls had really pretty eyes, so I told them -dave

[2004-05-19 16:52:00] - paul: ok, I just remembered my original point after getting distracted with the titles and then the movie.  my point was that women like to be told that they are beautiful so much, that there is a lot of toleraqnce in the actual manner in which the compliment is delivered.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:52:00] - Dave: I think that kind of behavior only works in movies.  My stance is, there has to be clear flirting in the conversation before you can start in on the smoove moves. - pierce

[2004-05-19 16:51:00] - paul: well, I've only ever complimented eyes twice, but it seemed to work really well both times -dave

[2004-05-19 16:50:00] - pierce: well it sounds like you treat women like people.  which is definitely a good thing.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:50:00] - pierce: well I think it depends, like you can be talking about something totally different, then pause and kinda look at their face intently a little bit, and then say it -dave

[2004-05-19 16:50:00] - "Hi, how are you? I was wondering if you could ithinkyouarereallybeautiful tell me where the metro station is." -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:50:00] - pierce: haha!  have you tried it?  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:50:00] - P.S. I have weird conversations with women, apparently. - pierce

[2004-05-19 16:50:00] - mel: yeah, spy type movie. If you've ever read any of Ludlum's books, it's very vintage Ludlum -dave

[2004-05-19 16:50:00] - dave: cool, I will rent it.  That was my worry too about Matt Damon.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:49:00] - Dave: I think there has to be at least a little conversational context.  You can't just be talking about wiring diagrams or foreign policy and abruptly transition into beautiful eyes. - pierce

[2004-05-19 16:49:00] - Dave: Heh, I don't know if I necessarily agree. But then again, I'm basing this off imagining me doing it. I could easily see somebody infinitely smoother than I pulling it off perfectly. -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:49:00] - paul: yes.  You have to put in the middle of the conversation, so it seems natural and not stalker-ish.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:49:00] - mel: I wasn't sure at all if Matt Damon would be good as an action figure, but he turned out to be really great -dave

[2004-05-19 16:48:00] - dave: cool.  Its a spy type movie, right?  I like those.  I would like to be a spy.  except not really, I just like to imagine it.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:48:00] - Dave: So you gotta stumble through an awkward sentence or two first? -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:48:00] - paul: like strike up a conversation, and then in the middle of it somewhere, just be like, you know, you have really beautiful eyes -dave

[2004-05-19 16:48:00] - ha, got it - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:48:00] - paul: I think the key about complimenting females is (like I think mel said) to not have it just be the first thing you say -dave

[2004-05-19 16:47:00] - I liked The Bourne Identity a lot. - pierce

[2004-05-19 16:47:00] - vinnie: ok.  I never saw it and I meant to.  wondering whether to rent it.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:47:00] - ": - *" -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:47:00] - - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:47:00] - mel: Bourne Identity was great! personal opinion tho -dave

[2004-05-19 16:47:00] - - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:47:00] - Mel: I didn't like it, but I think I was the only one that didn't. -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:47:00] - Yes, I like this title. - pierce

[2004-05-19 16:47:00] - wow, how do you do kissy face?/  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:47:00] - mel: it was alright. a little underwhelming I would say. I think we had a big disagreement about when it came out - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:47:00] - : - x  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:46:00] -

[2004-05-19 16:46:00] - damn, what's the kissy face one? - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:46:00] - : *

[2004-05-19 16:45:00] -

[2004-05-19 16:45:00] - was the Bourne Identity good?  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:45:00] - -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:43:00] - Paul: ah, a real personal situation??  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:42:00] - Very well, at Pierce's request, I shall not share any personal stories of myself. -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:42:00] - - pierce

[2004-05-19 16:41:00] - pierce: the current title subject is you.    -mel

[2004-05-19 16:41:00] - Paul: probably.  I don't think I want to get into a battle like that.  You can always change some variables to come up with a toally different outcome.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:41:00] - Paul: don't change the subject, I like the current one. - pierce

[2004-05-19 16:40:00] - Mel: I'll bet I can come up with a personal situation where it would've been a bad idea for each personal situation you give in which it's a good idea. -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:39:00] - it should be a movie.  I can see the title "The Pierce Next Door" playing with romantic music in the background.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:39:00] - ok, that might be going too far - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:38:00] - mel: indeed! - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:38:00] - Mel: for the record, not only do I not mind your personal experiences or think that your recounting them makes you crazy, but I encourage you to share them because I usually find them very interesting. - pierce

[2004-05-19 16:38:00] - aww.  thats cute.  the Pierce Next Door...  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:37:00] - vinnie: and its funnier because its anonymous.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:37:00] - vinnie: haha, I know, I love the title feature.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:36:00] - *titles*

[2004-05-19 16:36:00] - paul: it's not always a good thing, definitely.  but I think it can be a good thing more often than you think.  a similar situation just happened to me sunday.  but I'm starting to think that if I post any more real life stories about my personal expereinces, you guys will think I'm crazy.  Like the home remodeling story.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:36:00] - hahaha, the title are too much - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:35:00] - although, feel free to think you have a secret admirer too - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:35:00] - pierce: lisa posted here less than a month ago, so yes - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:35:00] - pierce: you probably have a secret admirer.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:35:00] - Man, I wish that title was directed towards me... - pierce

[2004-05-19 16:34:00] - Vinnie: was that who you were talking about? - pierce

[2004-05-19 16:34:00] - Paul: Oh yeah.  But I didn't remember, so my statement was accurate. - pierce

[2004-05-19 16:33:00] - Pierce: Lisa has posted here in the past month I think, when we were talking about cars I think? -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:33:00] - Vinnie: That was directed to you. - pierce

[2004-05-19 16:33:00] - Mel: Especially if you emphasize the "kinda". -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:33:00] - Wait, who on this message board would actually call me beautiful?  I don't remember the last time Lisa posted here, but is that who you mean?  Or do I have a secret admirer? - pierce

[2004-05-19 16:32:00] - pierce will still think it's for him, sadly - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:32:00] - Mel: Very true, but I think the original point was that "a guy telling a girl she's beautiful is always a Good Thing" was false. And I also think that those conversations are not equally spread among the male population. -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:32:00] - almost as much as saying "i don't hate you" to mean "i like you" - travis

[2004-05-19 16:32:00] - "oh wait, maybe it's not my purse?" - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:31:00] - vinnie: haha!!  maybe Pierce won't think this one is directed towards him.    -mel

[2004-05-19 16:31:00] - you're kinda hot could definitely be viewed as an insult.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:31:00] - why, thank you, mboard! *holds up purse* - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:31:00] - Travis: That's so 80s. Now-a-days, people hand out roses to girls they like and ask them "Will you accept this rose?" -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:31:00] - Paul: well less than half is still a significant amount of conversations.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:31:00] - vinnie: only because you're sticking that "kinda" in there, it should be "totally" - travis

[2004-05-19 16:30:00] - ah, that was a good movie though - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:30:00] - vinnie: definitely.  thats funny.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:30:00] - CD with "in your eyes" burned on it from start to finish - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:30:00] - haha

[2004-05-19 16:29:00] - you mean I should stop using 'you're kinda hot' as a come-on? damn - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:29:00] - i think i'll just start carrying around a boombox and hold it over my head whenever i see a girl i like - travis

[2004-05-19 16:29:00] - Mel: Right, so I think my point has now been proven. -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:28:00] - Travis: Right, and they have to kiss too. Star wipe, and cut! -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:28:00] - paul: yes, less than half.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:28:00] - Mel: Doesn't have to be a number, but don't you think it's probably less than half? -paul

[2004-05-19 16:28:00] - travis:  yes, definitely.  Anything spesific is better than something general.  because it comes off as something believeable.  But I was just saying in my comment that I though beautiful was better than hot.  Not really that its the ideal thing to say in that situation.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:28:00] - paul: don't forget the girl has to get teary-eyed - travis

[2004-05-19 16:27:00] - straight outta 'girl next door' - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:27:00] - paul:  haha.  I like the music playing.  nice touch.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:27:00] - i think it would also be less awkward if such a general phrase wasn't used, like compliment a specific, "safe" feature like her hair or clothes, just seems like that's more natural sounding than the "you're beautful" proclamation - travis

[2004-05-19 16:26:00] - Paul: well I don't really have a number. -mel

[2004-05-19 16:26:00] - Vinnie: Yeah, the guy says the girl is really beautiful and the romantic music plays and she gets all flattered and says "Oh, that's so sweet". And they live happily ever after. -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:25:00] - yeah, that totally reminded me of a TV moment - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:24:00] - Travis: It might work in TV. -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:23:00] - I mean, I think it's the same way that guys say they want women to approach them and ask them out when they really don't realize that they really only want like 10% of the female population asking them out. I think women only really want 10% of the male population saying they are beautiful. -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:23:00] - travis: because the conversation most likely already got awkward.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:23:00] - travis: ok good point.  In the situation described in paul's journal, it probably wouldn't work.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:22:00] - Mel: Right, but what percentage of guys you know would you say you have ever engaged in a casual, flirtatous conversation with? -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:21:00] - i mean, i took it as a joke that someone would suggest doing that anyway - travis

[2004-05-19 16:21:00] - mel: so then in the situation posed in paul's journal, it wouldn't be a good idea to finish the fumbled sentence with "i think you're beautiful" because that's really out of the context of the situation - travis

[2004-05-19 16:19:00] - if interest would be somewhat inappropriate, its creepy.  if the guy is much older, or your boss, or your friend's husband (those are random examples).  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:18:00] - Paul + Travis: well i think they key is the context in which a guy makes a statement like that.  At the workplace and out of the blue would be creepy.  but in many other situations it wouldn't be.  Particularly in a siuation where you are already engaged in a casual, flirtatous conversation with the girl.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:17:00] - Mel: One of you has too much of an ego and the other doesn't have enough of one. -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:15:00] - Paul: yes, only Pierce and I had skewed reactions,    -mel

[2004-05-19 16:15:00] - vinnie:  everything causes cancer.  even cancer causes cancer in lab rats.  ~a

[2004-05-19 16:12:00] - vinnie: it's obviously just a ruse to sell more of that purple pill that stops acid reflux disease - travis

[2004-05-19 16:12:00] - So basically only Pierce thought it was directed solely at him, and only Mel thought it was directed solely at somebody else? -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:11:00] - mel: so how does one avoid the creepiness factor? - travis

[2004-05-19 16:11:00] - Mel: Clearly I can't know for sure since I'm not a female, but I really think most women would be uncomfortable if any male but special ones told them they were beautiful. -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:10:00] - no, since it's his board, I imagine it in adrian's voice *swoon* - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:10:00] - Paul: no idea...  I couldn't figure it out but that didn't make me doubt my conclusion that wasn't me.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:10:00] - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3727613.stm good thing I've stopped drinking soda... - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:09:00] - vinnie: hmmm, as long as the mboard isn't using the HAL voice, i'm fine with your solution - travis

[2004-05-19 16:08:00] - paul: yup, and vinnie was on the same wavelength with me to complete my joke - travis

[2004-05-19 16:08:00] - Mel: Well, I posted it more as a joke that wasn't directed at any one person but I wonder who you thought it was directed at then. -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:07:00] - why would anyone assume it was for them? except maybe pierce, who has someone on this board that would actually say it to him. I like to pretend it's the mboard saying it to each of us - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:05:00] - i said, *dusts off hands* - vinnie

[2004-05-19 16:05:00] - Travis: Thus, it is now solved. It was always there. -Paul

[2004-05-19 16:05:00] - Paul: well why would it be?  I just started posting on the message board recently.  By the way, I just caught up on your journal's comments.  And I think that the creepiness factor can be avoided without too much difficulty.  But thats my opinion.  -mel

[2004-05-19 16:02:00] - vinnie: but it was never missing, it was always up there - travis

[2004-05-19 16:02:00] - Mel: Aw, that's pretty sad. Why didn't you think it was directed at you? -paul

[2004-05-19 16:01:00] - pierce: haha.  it is funny.  I saw the title and wondered who it was directed to.  But I assumed it was not myself.    -mel

[2004-05-19 16:00:00] - and that solves the mystery of the missing title *dusts off hands* - vinnie

[2004-05-19 15:55:00] - vinnie: the comments paul and pierce posted to paul's journal - travis

[2004-05-19 15:54:00] - Vinnie: Read my journal lately? -Paul

[2004-05-19 15:53:00] - travis: why? (I'm missing the joke) - vinnie

[2004-05-19 15:49:00] - if i was a female i'd be very creeped out by whoever posted that title - travis

[2004-05-19 15:42:00] - Dave: Not necessarily. I don't think people go out and intentionally drive X mph over the speed limit. I think they just naturally drive whatever speed feels natural. So if we set the speed limit to 100mph, I don't think everyone is going to be driving 110mph. -Paul

[2004-05-19 15:40:00] - god, for a second there, I didn't realize the title had changed - vinnie

[2004-05-19 15:40:00] - pierce: raising the time might be worse. Like if you raised speed limits by 10 mph because everyone drives +10mph anyways, then people would just drive +10 above the new limit -dave

[2004-05-19 15:39:00] - Pierce: Probably, but it's understandable. -Paul

[2004-05-19 15:38:00] - umm, actually don't answer that. - pierce

[2004-05-19 15:37:00] - okay, is it pathetic that I read the title and felt genuinely flattered for a second? - pierce

[2004-05-19 15:29:00] - Tell people the truth, if they decide to push it, that's their fault. It's better than exaggerating, and forcing them to guess. - aaron

[2004-05-19 15:26:00] - pierce: I think if you gave them a realistic number, like "one second behind", it might be more beneficial overall - aaron

[2004-05-19 15:25:00] - The end result being a safer road with fewer accidents and probably less traffic caused by "clumping". - pierce

[2004-05-19 15:25:00] - aaron: I'm saying two things: new drivers won't literally go three seconds behind, but they might be more cautious; and more advanced drivers can safely cut down that distance even further. - pierce

[2004-05-19 15:21:00] - aaron: but what percentage of those are new drivers? - pierce

[2004-05-19 15:21:00] - I think it also had a thing near the end where goofy was essentially driving on a mobius strip of a highway, and kept stopping at the same pretzel stand asking for directions. - pierce

[2004-05-19 15:20:00] - pierce: When only 500 cars can fit on the section of the beltway between the Toll Road and 395, because everybody is following at too great a distance, I think maybe people just need to cuddle up and drive a little closer. Think Minority Report at 70 mPh - aaron

[2004-05-19 15:20:00] - aaron: well yes, there's such a thing as too much caution, but I don't think telling new drivers "stay far away from the car in front of you" qualifies. - pierce

[2004-05-19 15:19:00] - Did anyone else ever see the instructional driving video with goofy as a kid?  I don't remember much about it except that it had a demonstration of how long it takes you to mentally react to an obstacle, and how far you'll go before being able to stop if you're going at highway speeds. - pierce

[2004-05-19 15:19:00] - "quaternions are hypercomplex numbers used to represent spatial rotations in three dimensions" HEHE -dave

[2004-05-19 15:19:00] - pierce: I used to slow down at green lights "to err on the side of caution". Isn't there such a thing as too much caution? - aaron

[2004-05-19 15:18:00] - Dave: True enough, but it's almost the same. -Paul

[2004-05-19 15:17:00] - Dave: No, the statements were unrelated. -Paul

[2004-05-19 15:17:00] - paul: actually, if there is gravel or sand, you're not really squealing tires, you're just spitting up gravel or sand, hehe -dave

[2004-05-19 15:17:00] - aaron: yeah, three second may be a bit much but it's not like the new drivers are going to actually count... I'd rather they just use it as a general suggestion to err on the side of caution. - pierce

[2004-05-19 15:16:00] - paul: you're a cautious driver <shocked expression> -dave

[2004-05-19 15:15:00] - Heh... I tried to use google to convert 8 m/s/s into english, and I came up with "64423.7652 miles per hour²".  Freaked the hell out of me until I realized that an hour is a long interval. - pierce

[2004-05-19 15:15:00] - actually, more important than all three put together is positional limits.  no tailgating: p > .2ft * p` + 10ft.  ~a

[2004-05-19 15:14:00] - pierce: Three seconds is a REALLY long distance.  Think 1/20 of a mile. Maybe if you were driving a 747, and the car in front of you turned into a sack of lead, and the earth stopped rotating, you might need that much aaron to stop - aaron

[2004-05-19 15:14:00] - Dave: Squealing tires can happen even for the most cautious of drivers, though. I know it's happened to me a couple of times just because I was stopped on some sand. -Paul

[2004-05-19 15:13:00] - aaron:  i also hate it when the car in front of me quickly changes the amount it's speeding up by.  i.e. they should also post change of acceleration limits (p```).  ~a

[2004-05-19 15:12:00] - paul: besides, if you really want just acceleration, squealing tires is bad, since your friction coefficient is much worse -dave

[2004-05-19 15:11:00] - Aaron: yeah, but if it holds no force of law (including whether it could be used as part of a reckless ticket, which I realize isn't clear), then I don't have a problem with it.  I'd rather all the new drivers in drivers' ed do that, at least at first. - pierce

[2004-05-19 15:11:00] - They should post acceleration limits with speed limits. "p` < 60m/h, p`` < 8m/s/s" - aaron

[2004-05-19 15:11:00] - paul: nope, never been stupid enough to do it with a cop there -dave

[2004-05-19 15:10:00] - Dave: Know this from personal experience? -Paul

[2004-05-19 15:08:00] - especially if two cars side by side are drag racing and doing it -dave

[2004-05-19 15:08:00] - pierce: It's a guideline, but it's still stupid, unrealistic, and will cause traffic jams if anybody listens to it - aaron

[2004-05-19 15:07:00] - yeah, like if you pop your clutch when a light turns green and really start laying down some rubber, then decent chance a cop will pull you over -dave

[2004-05-19 15:07:00] - Vinnie: Yeah, I remember reading that drugs were found in some car and the cops found it when they pulled somebody over for accelerating too rapidly. It was a semi-big court case regarding whether or not cops needed a good reason to pull people over. -Paul

[2004-05-19 15:04:00] - accelerate too quickly? jeez - vinnie

[2004-05-19 15:03:00] - i think it has to do with that facist "smooth operator" program that they've been touting on the radio. - mig

[2004-05-19 15:02:00] - paul:  i seem to recall that mr. lindo got a ticket for accelerating too fast. - mig

[2004-05-19 15:00:00] - Not sure if this is a factor in VA, but I know that somewhere cops don't even really need a reason to pull you over other than potentially reckless driving. So if you accelerate too quickly out of a red light or follow a car too closely or forget to use your turn signal, you could be pulled over. -Paul

[2004-05-19 14:59:00] - but yes i think it's mostly a guideline. - mig

[2004-05-19 14:58:00] - pierce:  not a law per se, but they could possibly use that against you as a factor for giving you a reckless ticket, mayhaps. - mig

[2004-05-19 14:57:00] - Aaron: is that a law, though, or just a guideline? - pierce

[2004-05-19 14:57:00] - Therefore at 60 mph, you should follow no closer than 264 feet (88 yards) behind the car in front of you - aaron

[2004-05-19 14:56:00] - Aaron: that's fine, because in most of the traffic around here you're approximately <INF> seconds behind the car in front of you. - pierce

[2004-05-19 14:56:00] - http://www.google.com/search?q=60+miles+per+hour+in+feet+per+second - aaron

[2004-05-19 14:55:00] - mig: I remember learning in driver's education, you should never follow any closer than 3 seconds behind another car. - aaron

[2004-05-19 14:54:00] - paul:  i know.  what's really infuriating about the preachiness though is that they're just using it as an excuse to steal money from people. - mig

[2004-05-19 14:53:00] - aaron:  i remember hearing in traffic school that there are so many nit-picky driving laws that the average virginian is breaking one traffic law once every four seconds. - mig

[2004-05-19 14:46:00] - mig: Did you ever read in VA, it's reckless driving if you don't use your turn signal? VA is just the state for wacky frivolous automotive safety laws - aaron

[2004-05-19 14:44:00] - Mig: I know, the government is becoming more preachy than lots of religions. -Paul

[2004-05-19 14:36:00] - grrrr, these click it or ticket seat belt commercials piss me off. - mig

[2004-05-19 14:34:00] - does not compute? - tictactoe

[2004-05-19 14:34:00] - .|.|O|O..|.|.

[2004-05-19 14:33:00] - .|.|X|X|X|.|. - I win

[2004-05-19 14:25:00] - .|.|..|O|..|.|. - tictactoe

[2004-05-19 13:56:00] - Who me?  -- metro

[2004-05-19 13:53:00] - Dave: No, I've never been there before. I might try a test drive there sometime this weekend if I can find the time. -Paul

[2004-05-19 13:52:00] - yeah, if i had to take the metro to work i'd definitely just take the whole day off. - mig

[2004-05-19 13:51:00] - paul: you been to the place you're going to interview at before? if you're really worried and havent, I would advice driving there a day before or walking there if you're going to take the metro. That way you won't get lost when you go for the interview -dave

[2004-05-19 13:48:00] - Mel + Dave: Thanks, I think I might decide to take the day off because I don't want to have to worry about something going wrong (I'm looking at you, metro). -paul

[2004-05-19 13:48:00] - http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/news/stories/20040518/localnews/445629.html Minority rules in sexual politics -paul

[2004-05-19 13:46:00] - http://www.ifeminists.net/introduction/editorials/2004/0512roberts.html Misbehaving Women, Chivalry Justice -Paul

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