Althouse: At the Snowman Café...

February 19, 2020

At the Snowman Café...

7D3A1D4B-0212-4F93-B41B-709ED8577D8F_1_201_a

... you can talk about anything.

79 comments:

Kay said...: Did you make these?; 2/19/20, 1:45 PM
Ann Althouse said...: @Kay No, it's not our house.

These are really large snowmen, btw.

The house is the Sigma Phi frat house, designed by Louis Sullivan. I have a post, here, showing some of the inside of the unusual place.; 2/19/20, 1:46 PM
Lucid-Ideas said...: Welp, the date is set for the wedding. Saturday, May 23rd, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Most of my relatives will be coming down and her 'crew' is supposedly going to go past 500+ people. Her dad is a retired Brazilian Army Colonel and friend of Bolsanaro, so it's going to be quite the shindig, definitely making news there (hell, maybe even here).

I've never been married before. I have no idea what to expect. We're pretty different in age too. I'm 37 and she's 29. Am I making a giant mistake? Should we elope? Is the institution of marriage even valid anymore in 'the current year'?

As the date approaches I'm legitimately going to start entertaining the weirdest suggestions I'm sure of it. Combat is less stressful than this.; 2/19/20, 1:49 PM
Nonapod said...: Should they not be Snowpeople? Or snowfolk? Or, according to Bloomberg, "Snow Its"?; 2/19/20, 1:59 PM
narciso said...: congrats lucid,; 2/19/20, 2:01 PM
Kai Akker said...: the date is set

Good luck! My palms were starting to perspire just reading those details.... !

But the institution of marriage is highly valid. Enjoy.; 2/19/20, 2:15 PM
tcrosse said...: Too bad Louis Sullivan never got to design any Federal buildings. It would be appropriate for them to be in an indigenous American style rather than a Palladian take-off on the classical.; 2/19/20, 2:18 PM
Ken B said...: Lucid
Good luck and congratulations.
Advice? Ask Inga for advice. Then do the opposite.; 2/19/20, 2:20 PM
Kai Akker said...: I came here to say that it might be a great idea to be selling stock here. Not selling for a few weeks, not even for a few months, necessarily. For years. Many valuation measures are the highest they have ever been and the stock market is certainly in a state of extreme bliss.; 2/19/20, 2:20 PM
tcrosse said...: "If you marry, you will regret it; if you do not marry, you will also regret it; if you marry or if you do not marry, you will regret both; whether you marry or you do not marry, you will regret both. " - Kierkegaard.; 2/19/20, 2:22 PM
Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...: did you mean "snow-people"? )or People of Snow?)

...or are they Jewish?; 2/19/20, 2:26 PM
BarrySanders20 said...: I will not presume the gender and call those snowmen. But they are very white and lack diversity. Just like the democrats on stage!

Lucid, you will love Brazil and the people. I cant image how big that party will be. The dancing will be unforgettable. Just go with the flow - this is for her. You get to leave with the bride at the end, so you both win.; 2/19/20, 2:32 PM
Lucid-Ideas said...: @tcrosse

"If you marry, you will regret it; if you do not marry, you will also regret it; if you marry or if you do not marry, you will regret both; whether you marry or you do not marry, you will regret both. " - Kierkegaard."

That is far and away the most endearing and elegant way of telling me 'I'm fucked' that anyone has ever told me. Thank you. Leave it to a German philosopher to tell me how colossally screwed I am.

At least she has great boobs...gotta keep positive.; 2/19/20, 2:33 PM
Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...: @Lucid
Congrats!
if she has good Prepper/SHTF, firearms skills

...you'll be fine...have fun . actually!; 2/19/20, 2:37 PM
Big Mike said...: @Althouse, thanks for the link, but who is the hot blonde?; 2/19/20, 2:39 PM
Lucid-Ideas said...: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Brazilians

People don't realize just how many German-Brazilians there are, especially in the South, in Brazil. Everyone knows who Giselle Bundchen is, but she's the tip of the iceberg of phenomenally beautiful Latin hotties that are Latin in language only. I highly recommend, although I'm biased;)

@Ingachuck'stoothlessARM, yes she's very well trained. I know because I'm her teacher.; 2/19/20, 2:43 PM
walter said...: Snowmyn; 2/19/20, 2:45 PM
BarrySanders20 said...: 'I came here to say that it might be a great idea to be selling stock here.'

I went to rebalance the 401k portfolio yesterday and had trouble selecting admiral share funds (lower expenses) to move rebalanced funds into, so ended up just selling about 75% in that retirement account. I now have a lot sitting in money market funds for first time ever. Will wait a few weeks before reinvesting. Maybe I miss a few percentage points on the upswing on these funds. Wife and I still have 75% of overall invested funds in stocks. Market seems to want a reason to correct, but great numbers (jobs, earnings) justifies the higher climb.; 2/19/20, 2:45 PM
Nichevo said...: The house is the Sigma Phi frat house, designed by Louis Sullivan.

That's "fraternity," not "frat." You wouldn't call your country a cunt would you?; 2/19/20, 2:47 PM
Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...: @Lucid
we figgered!
when you posted ways to avoid thermal imaging, we knew the deal ;-); 2/19/20, 2:50 PM
narciso said...: there have been some funds, like the fidelity contrafund, which have not chosen to sell off in a knee jerk method,; 2/19/20, 2:52 PM
Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 2/19/20, 2:55 PM
jaydub said...: "Leave it to a German philosopher to tell me how colossally screwed I am."

Søren Kierkegaard was Danish, not German. They taught us that at Burlington College before Jane Sanders ran it into bankruptcy. But, yeah, you're still screwed; 2/19/20, 3:12 PM
Maillard Reactionary said...: Lucid-Ideas: Just keep in mind that the key to a successful marriage is compromise: If you want to do one thing, and your wife wants to do another, you compromise and do what your wife wants.

No guarantees that that will help, though.

Good luck and all happiness anyway!; 2/19/20, 3:12 PM
Anne in Rockwall, TX said...: Mazel Tov Lucid! Brazil is a wonderful place. Hope you love beef, because I've never had any better, anywhere.; 2/19/20, 3:24 PM
Maillard Reactionary said...: Kai Akker: In B-school they tell you that trying to time the market is a mug's game, but I get where you're coming from.

During the dot-com bubble in the early-mid '90s, the market was also arguably very overvalued. At that time, it seemed to be largely driven by overly optimistic expectations about the tech stocks (not only didn't you need any profits to go public, you didn't even need any revenue). Today the market seems to be pricing in expectations of an extended period of prosperity with the government's boot off its neck.

FWIW, during the dot-com bubble, I overcame my B-school reluctance and sold about a third of our S&P 500 fund and waited for the market to correct, which it did in a year or so. I then bought back in at a discount. That was my sole experience in market timing. Again, I wouldn't recommend doing this except in extreme cases.

Today I'm staying in, but being retired we're only 50% in stocks these days, so our exposure is that much less. YMMV.; 2/19/20, 3:25 PM
Anne in Rockwall, TX said...: On a more somber note. The eye doc says it looks like I may never get sight back in my left eye. Right now just shadows and blurs.

Be careful not to sit too close to the steering wheel, the air bag blast is frigging dangerous.

And the drunk that plowed into me is not only not insured, but not a legal resident of the United States. A Columbian that snuck across the border two years ago.

Sometimes the only thing you can do is cry.; 2/19/20, 3:28 PM
Michael K said...: I have married the same woman twice.

Good luck, Lucid.; 2/19/20, 3:32 PM
narciso said...: sorry to hear that annie c,; 2/19/20, 3:33 PM
Howard said...: I'm very sorry Annie C. That sucks.; 2/19/20, 3:44 PM
Ann Althouse said...: I’m sorry to hear that, Annie.; 2/19/20, 3:46 PM
Howard said...: Lucid: congrats young man. With all your talk about American women, the choice of a German Brazilian bride from a substantial family sounds like you're jumping out of the frying pan into an inferno. Fear not it's the best thing in life, especially with a bride who can kick ass and take names. I hope you guys have lots of Little Bambinos running around soon. Everybody needs pure joy and true love I hope you have it all.; 2/19/20, 3:49 PM
tcrosse said...: I have married the same woman twice.

So did Richard Burton.; 2/19/20, 3:51 PM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: Congratulations Lucid. Marriage is certainly worthwhile no matter what era. What to expect? Wow that is a hard question to answer. Have you already been cohabiting...living in sin :-). Then not much different. If not..compromise and communication are the key. Be sure to put the toilet seat down. (joking...sort of)

The very best is when you marry your lover AND your best friend all wrapped up in the same person.; 2/19/20, 4:03 PM
Bay Area Guy said...: Congrats, Lucid!

As the date approaches I'm legitimately going to start entertaining the weirdest suggestions I'm sure of it. Combat is less stressful than this.

Well, now that you mention it, I've never been to Brazil, so you might wanna start inviting anonymous members of the Commentariat to the festivities to reduce your stress....

I wish I was 37 again. My 30s were a great bleeping decade.

Again, Congrats! -- despite the chaos, it will all work out!; 2/19/20, 4:11 PM
FullMoon said...: On a more somber note. The eye doc says it looks like I may never get sight back in my left eye. Right now just shadows and blurs.

Be careful not to sit too close to the steering wheel, the air bag blast is frigging dangerous.

We have cars that talk to us,auto adjust seats and mirrors for different drivers, cameras in reverse , tell us when a tire is low, when to change oil, blue tooth, remote start, climate control, heated seats, low fuel warning self adjusting suspensions , average mpg, fuel left in tank, range before re fueling and more.
How f'n hard can it be to create and include programable adjustable pedals?

Maybe a class action suit would provide incentive. Remember, it was early air bags decapitating and killing children that forced requirement of kids sitting in back seat until growing to a certain size.; 2/19/20, 4:15 PM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: Annie. I'm so sorry to hear that. The doctor say 'may'. Let's hope he is just hedging. Time will tell.

I sincerely wish you well.; 2/19/20, 4:20 PM
Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...: Annie C
we have the crew praying for you
maybe a recovery like Ryan's-- in God's hands

https://t.co/IE6HmohjqF?amp=1; 2/19/20, 4:21 PM
FullMoon said...: What to expect? You will feel different but not exactly know why.
When around people living together for a long time, I always find a way to ask if they are waiting for someone better to come along and marry. Worked twice, so far.; 2/19/20, 4:22 PM
Lucid-Ideas said...: I'm very familiar with the country, and I've been there at least 20+ times. We met about a year and half ago, and most of the travel has been during this period, although I've been there a few times before this for work (defense related...Latin America buys a lot of our weapons). My Portuguese is ok but still needs work. Luckily her English (and German, and Japanese, and French....yep, all of them) is very good.

@Michael K, you've really married the same woman twice? And you're still sane? Really?

@Dust Bunny Queen, I'm pretty convinced that she's only marrying me for the sex and my toned Ranger body. I think we're friends but she probably is just using me for sex, and if she wants me as something more it will grow with time.; 2/19/20, 4:26 PM
Seeing Red said...: —2/19/20, 1:46 PM
Blogger Lucid-Ideas said...
Welp, the date is set for the wedding. Saturday, May 23rd, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Most of my relatives will be coming down and her 'crew' is supposedly going to go past 500+ people. Her dad is a retired Brazilian Army Colonel and friend of Bolsanaro, so it's going to be quite the shindig, definitely making news there (hell, maybe even here).

I've never been married before. I have no idea what to expect. We're pretty different in age too. I'm 37 and she's 29. Am I making a giant mistake? Should we elope? Is the institution of marriage even valid anymore in 'the current year'?

As the date approaches I'm legitimately going to start entertaining the weirdest suggestions I'm sure of it. Combat is less stressful than this.—

Pfft you have the easy part.

Pick out your tux

Show up

Say “Yes, Dear” for the rest of your life.; 2/19/20, 4:27 PM
Seeing Red said...: And NEVER say yes when she asks you if any body part in a dress makes her look fat.

You’re always beautiful to me.; 2/19/20, 4:28 PM
Seeing Red said...: 32 years this year.

Remember —you are each other’s Sanctuary. Your home is your sanctuary. It’s u2 against the world and your kids because they will try to divide and conquer.; 2/19/20, 4:31 PM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: Lucid @Dust Bunny Queen, I'm pretty convinced that she's only marrying me for the sex and my toned Ranger body. I think we're friends but she probably is just using me for sex

Well, there you go then. You ALREADY have things in common. Useful is a very good thing ;-)

Good start!!!; 2/19/20, 4:33 PM
Seeing Red said...: Oh, Annie. That’s horrible. Prayers.; 2/19/20, 4:34 PM
Anne in Rockwall, TX said...: Thanks for al the prayers and positive thoughts.

Yes, Fullmoon, it would be nice to have adjustable pedals. I have a feeling, in a few days, I will be past sad and into angry. Maybe I can try something then.

I'm already pretty pissed that I got hit by a drunk illegal at high noon in my little lake town.

Think I'll do some searching and see of there are other short people that have been affected by airbags. Adjustable pedals. Seems like a no-brainer.; 2/19/20, 4:38 PM
Inga said...: “Lucid
Good luck and congratulations.
Advice? Ask Inga for advice. Then do the opposite.”

@ Ken B,
Coming from someone who says they’ve never been married and have no children, I’d say Lucid should ask me for marriage advice instead of you. I had a happy marriage, 4 children, now have 5 grandchildren. You have your big mouth.; 2/19/20, 4:46 PM
Anne in Rockwall, TX said...: I might have missed it in the comments but, Lucid, will you two be settling in the States after the wedding? Or perhaps splitting your time?

Wouldn't that be a fabulous life!; 2/19/20, 4:48 PM
Seeing Red said...: Via Rantburg:

ws] A program funded by 2020 presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg is paying the salaries of lawyers who are farmed out to liberal state attorney general offices to pursue climate-based litigation -- a compact critics say amounts to Bloomberg buying state law enforcement employees to advance his preferred political agenda.

The arrangement, which currently pays the salaries of Special Assistant Attorneys General (SAAGs) in 10 Democratic AG offices, is drawing new scrutiny now that Bloomberg is running for president. The New York University School of Law's State Energy & Environmental Impact Center, which was started in 2017 with $5.6 million from Bloomberg's nonprofit, hires mid-career lawyers as "research fellows" before providing them to state AGs where they assist in pursuing "progressive" policy goals through the courts.; 2/19/20, 4:48 PM
BarrySanders20 said...: Annie C - check your own uninsured motorist coverage. That should indemnify for the loss up to the coverage limits for losing an eye. Also, check any accidental coverage (sometimes called AD&D) you might have, esp if you are employed. Many accident policies pay a set indemnity if you lose eyesight in one or both eyes, even if you continue working.; 2/19/20, 4:49 PM
Inga said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 2/19/20, 4:53 PM
Inga said...: “Sometimes the only thing you can do is cry.”

Sorry to hear that Annie. I’ve been legally blind in my left eye since the day I was born. It’s not stopped me from doing anything, driving, eduction, job as a nurse, raising a family etc etc. I do calligraphy, pen and ink drawings, sketching, sewing, knitting, crocheting, reading, it hasn’t stopped me from doing what I please. I understand it will take some time for your brain become accustomed to being monocular. I wish you well.; 2/19/20, 4:56 PM
Marc in Eugene said...: Ambassador Richard Grenell to be named DNI, according to the Times. While I can never keep track of all of those acronymic agencies, this is bound to be a good thing, I imagine. While one remains steadfastly opposed to so-called same-sex 'marriage' and etc etc etc and etc, this surely must make it a tad more difficult for Mr Trump's opponents to make him out to be the ordinary 'GOP homophobic bigot'. "First openly gay cabinet member".; 2/19/20, 5:04 PM
Seeing Red said...: This is the correct decision and they’re lucky tge Queen didn’t make them change their title to Mr. & Mrs. Windsor:

Following lengthy and complex talks, the Queen and senior officials are believed to have agreed it is no longer tenable for the couple to keep the word 'royal' in their 'branding'.; 2/19/20, 5:04 PM
Marc in Eugene said...: On the other hand, Mr Grenell may be a secret adept of the worst sort of statism. No idea.; 2/19/20, 5:05 PM
Mark said...: Yeah, I'll watch.

A bit. But part two of The Menagerie is on tonight.; 2/19/20, 5:29 PM
wildswan said...: Lucid
You'll have great time, that's how Brazil is. Maybe have some answers ready about children and sons. "That is as God wills" is good. "Her daughters would be so beautiful" is good.; 2/19/20, 5:32 PM
narciso said...: well we saw how important that post was, with the song in dance with sue Gordon, which blocked Radcliffe from being selected, grenell wanted Europe to look out for it's own self interest which It can't recognize,; 2/19/20, 5:33 PM
narciso said...: and covid 19 seems to have landed in iran,; 2/19/20, 5:36 PM
narciso said...: oh wait; 2/19/20, 5:40 PM
effinayright said...: Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...
did you mean "snow-people"? )or People of Snow?)

...or are they Jewish?

**********************

It's very clear to me that they are God's Frozen People.; 2/19/20, 5:43 PM
BUMBLE BEE said...: Congrats Lucid... You probably heard that marriage is the sure-fire way to cure nymphomania...
30 years + ... it's a myth!

Annie... Keep the faith, bodies really are magical. Healing is the state of mind to keep.; 2/19/20, 5:54 PM
Lucid-Ideas said...: @Annie C

I'm sorry to hear about you eye. I sincerely hope they can do something and that the worst case scenario doesn't materialize.

To answer your question, we will be in USA full time. She is a permanent resident and works here. That said we will of course go back and forth frequently, but home will be the USA. She has indicated that she might try to get her parents up here, both to have family closer (free babysitting) and also because Brazil is sadly becoming too dangerous, especially if you're white.; 2/19/20, 5:56 PM
Bill, Republic of Texas said...: Sorry to hear Annie. Contact a good (not tv) personal injury attorney and see if you have a suit against the car manufacturer. There is no excuse for an airbag to cause devastating injuries.

Lucid -- congrats. When I was leaving and working in Ukraine, I dated (and almost married) a Ukrainian who's dad was former KGB colonial and g-dad was a high ranking Soviet judge. It's difficult for an outsider to break into a powerful family. Good luck!

You’re always beautiful to me.

God don't say that. You might as well tell her she has a good personality! Tell her "you look beautiful."; 2/19/20, 6:15 PM
FullMoon said...: Most Common Types of Auto Airbag Injuries | Consumer ...
Injuries associated with airbag deployment | Emergency ...
Most Common Airbag Related Injuries and Safety Tips
Airbags Kill More Kids Than School Shootings; 2/19/20, 6:16 PM
Bill, Republic of Texas said...: Excellent wholelottasplainin'!; 2/19/20, 6:18 PM
Anne in Rockwall, TX said...: Inga, thank you!

I was super worried about driving, but I've put that off 'cause I'm scared of driving right now. I'm keeping hope,though.

But the fact that you have made it monocular gives me hope.

I understand that I will not be able to measure distances as easily, but then again, I've been told that this --------- is eight inches for years, so...

Laugh!!! Please clap.; 2/19/20, 6:22 PM
Lucid-Ideas said...: In Brazil, telling your wife her dress makes her butt look big is a compliment. They love big butts, as do I. I cannot lie.

We are after all talking about one of the world's capitals for plastic surgery. Thiccc, with 3 c's.; 2/19/20, 6:22 PM
Bruce Hayden said...: My thoughts on timing the market is that we have a recession due.normally, we would be through the recession by now and into the recovery, but Obama and the Dems dragged out the recovery significantly keeping unemployment high etc, in order to loot the recovery funds being squandered by the feds. Normally, I would expect Trump to be able to prop up the economy and the stock market through the election. But the Wohan Coronavirus is likely to screw up economies around the world and companies like Apple are already seeing supply issues from their Chinese suppliers. I think that is going to get worse, before it gets better.; 2/19/20, 6:22 PM
Basten said...: I lived there for three years. Just as nice inside.; 2/19/20, 6:30 PM
Inga said...: “I understand that I will not be able to measure distances as easily, but then again, I've been told that this --------- is eight inches for years,”

LOL! As for depth perception, I really don’t know if I have less depth perception than binocular people. I was great at backing up and parallel parking, go figure. Nowadays with the great technology backing up and parallel parking is no problem. I did get flummoxed when they gave you those glasses for 3D movies back in the day. When I draw I have no problems creating depth in the objects I draw. I think it’s great that you still have light vision and can see large shapes, I have that too. It’ll be ok.; 2/19/20, 6:32 PM
The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...: My wife is eight years younger than me. It's a nice gap-not different generations yet she still has fewer miles than I do. Though it kind of creeps me out that when I was a horny 15 year-old, she was a sweet 7 year-old. Good thing we weren't dating.; 2/19/20, 6:48 PM
gilbar said...: folks at the federalist look into tax returns and show that folks like Bill Kristol have been Proven to Paid Prostitutes for the Democrat party, for a LONG TIME.

Based On Tax Filings, Bill Kristol’s Been A Democrat For Years

So, As we ALL know; Many of the commenters here are Also, paid agents for the democrats.
Since Bill's whoring is out in the open now; will the local ho's admit it too?; 2/19/20, 6:51 PM
Mark said...: So, as I was saying . . .

The beings on Talos IV were evil, and there was good reason for Capt. Pike to not want to spend the rest of his life there.

He would not really be freed from his beeping chair there. Rather, he would be reduced to a kind of Matrix existence. Everything would be an illusion, a complete fantasy land. But he wouldn't really be living that way.; 2/19/20, 7:08 PM
Wa St Blogger said...: Laugh!!! Please clap.

Haha! Humor helps the trials be more manageable.

I have 2 adopted daughters with vision issues. One is legally blind in one eye and is only correctable to 20/100 (marginally) in the other and has nystagmus. The other one has no right eye at all. They function quite well. Most don't know my first is visually impaired at all, but if you paid attention you could see signs.

My point is that Inga is right, you can function at a very high level. My guess is that the challenge will be adjusting to a new normal and overcoming decades of habit and conditioning.; 2/19/20, 7:15 PM
narciso said...: The talosians were more like mentats, close to the singularity, their mental poeers could alter the perception of reality.; 2/19/20, 7:18 PM
PluralThumb said...: Geesh, blast from the past.
I've smoked some really good marijuana with Gisele Bundchen. This was about 20 years ago. She had a place in front of Washington Square Park in New York City. I don't quite recall that time as I think I was being tested by my 'girlfriend' at the time. There was another model friend. Some confusion but ultimately, Gisele treated me like family. Much respect.; 2/19/20, 8:45 PM
rhhardin said...: ESL spam from "Yahoo"

Your account has been held for your protection. Please click SECURE now and follow the instruction. If you fail to do this with in 24hrs, Your account will be permanent blocked.; 2/20/20, 4:39 AM
Rusty said...: I'm sorry Annie C. I truly am.; 2/20/20, 6:06 AM