WEIRD NEWS has no host!

[MADem]

If no one else wants to do it, I will!

[immoderate]

1. Will it be MORE or LESS weird?

And why doesn't "weird" follow the "i" before "e" rule? That's also weird.

Well, host away!

--imm

[MADem]

2. Hee hee--I have no idea!

This is becoming my favorite group, even if the failure to follow the I-E paradigm is, well, a bit ... weird! I think it deserves a caretaker, not that there's likely to be a lot of contention; but ya never know. With the elections around the corner, I think someone ought to be on troll watch, if nothing else!

[immoderate]

3. My spell checker gets the credit. I went "WTF?"

I can't wait to see the rules. And the inevitable spin-offs: Too Weird for WN (Group) and maybe the Not Quite Weird Enough (Group) (but too weird for anyplace else.)

And thanks for volunteering.


--imm

[Dr. Strange]

4. I think there should be a more formal process.

Specifically, anyone wishing to host needs to tell this group something weird about themselves. If said fact is deemed weird enough, then they "win" the honored mantel of host.

The group should also come up with an SOP, probably written in Klingon or Esperanto.

[MADem]

5. That's cool! Who speaks Klingon or Esperanto? Is there a Google Esperanto translator?

Hmmm...weird thing about me? I have an entirely undeserved reputation for bravery among a very small segment of Asian gentlemen.

I ate fugu (blowfish) prepared by a chef from Hiroshima.

Quite boldly, too! Went for seconds! Total badass, pronounced it quite delicious! Yum!

The people I was with (senior Japanese military and diplomatic personnel) thought I had stones of steel!

Thing is...I didn't realize the shit was poisonous and could kill you if improperly prepared.

I didn't find out until some time after the fancy dinner, but I never told on myself!


Are you interested in hosting? Do you have a weird story?

[Curmudgeoness]

6. Stones of steel----or stupid?

Ignorance is bliss, isn't it? That is a really funny story. Uh, didn't you get an idea that something was up when all the rest of them refused to eat it-----and they will eat all kinds of crazy things!

Why don't you start a thread asking for volunteers to host or nominations and get it pinned at the top for a week? I think that every group should have a host, even if there is no expectation of problems---just in case.

I will have no problem with you hosting if you are interested. You can get superpowers! How cool is that?!?!

[MADem]

7. I couldn't speak Japanese to save my ass!

I was in a Geisha House (and no, they aren't sleazy, it's a very honored and ancient tradition, even if the music isn't initially music to one's ears...it does grow on ya, though) and I had a Geisha as my translator and she was delightful but not really up to the task. She was telling me that the fish was powerful and a bunch of other similar words, but not POISONOUS. Here I'm thinking she's trying to sweetly suggest it's Viagra with Scales or something (of course, this was before Viagra existed--I guess you might say "Spanish Fly" or "Rhinocerous Horn" or something like that). This was way before the days of computers, too-- and no one had a dictionary--it was all point and play charades. Life would have been very different if I could have whipped out a tablet and gotten to a translation program!

I thought they were all being polite--what did I know? I was still learning "the ways" and trying like hell to be agreeable and not do anything that would screw our friendly relations. I did end up with a lot of "cred" as a consequence of that very interesting evening, though! I guess they think that's a gutsy thing to do, to take that risk. I should have thought something was up when the Lead Dog at the table kept assuring everyone that the chef was one of the best in the world for this sort of thing. Here I'm thinking it was just the overall complexity of the meal he was talking about--and it was one helluva feed--but he was talking about getting all the poison out and not killing the diners!

Skinner told me to start this thread about hosting, so I did--there are no hosts so there's no way to pin. I will come by and keep kicking it up, though--I can usually find weird news in my perusals around the web.

I don't think there will really be much of a need to "superpower" this place. It's mostly good-natured fun and the occasional "Can you BELIEVE that!!!" I do think there should be someone here minding the store, though, just in case some GOP trolls decide that "Weird News" includes crap touting the GOP candidates or praising their agendas!

[Curmudgeoness]

8. Thanks for the story, you made me laugh...

and that is usually why I come to Weird News anyways.

You would be a fine host. (I made a type of "hose" but caught it in time. LOL)

[MADem]

9. Thanks--I'd try not to 'hose' it up! nt

[Dr. Strange]

10. No, I'm already hosting in the other weird group (i.e. the Lounge).

Your blowfish story shows that you are more than qualified to lead this ragtag group.

However, we'd like to have input on your selections for the monthly potlucks. Just to be safe.

[MADem]

11. Hmmmm....potlucks! I have a few standby "go-to" selections that have yet to kill anyone and get

decent reviews:

I learned to make lasagna from an Italian family! It's good and fattening!

I can also make Puerto Rican rice-n-beans that disappear pretty fast.

I can bring along a ghormeh sabzi (it's a Persian stew with a lot of spices, served with rice--it looks like grass clippings but it tastes really good) if that's the "theme!"

I have a family member who can do fried chicken that will make you cry. It's good. Also, a mac-n-cheese that is beyond heavenly.

I don't mind being the one to "bring the salad" if that's what's gotta happen. Not my favorite to bring, but hey, I'm a team player!

I will also bring the appetizers if that's what people would like--a meat platter full of meatballs, chicken on a stick, prosciutto and melon, or a "Middle Eastern platter" full of hummus, stuffed grape leaves, pita, and other goodies, or a vegetable platter with the usual stuff, and maybe a bunch of "mini-capreses"--little mozzarella balls and grape tomatoes on a toothpick (pain in the ass to make but they go quick). I have a family source for truly superior deviled eggs (I don't make 'em myself because I'm just lacking in patience, but a small bribe and I can cough up a few dozen for a party!).

If you want me to bring desserts I will take the lazy way and go to a quality bakery, but I will bring cakes, cookies, pies or cupcakes (or all of the forementioned) ...AND ice cream (because I like ice cream, and ya gotta have ice cream).

I'm also open to suggestions--if anyone has an idea, if I can't make it, I'll find someone in the house who can!

If the people bringing food are Rachel Ray, Emeril LaGassi, Wolfgang Puck, and Paula Dean, well, I'm happy to bring the paper plates, cups, and forks/knives/spoons and napkins. Are we serving libations? I can bring along wine and beer, or even do the pedestrian workplace "soda assortment" if that's what it takes to get the party started.

We used to do a lot of potlucks in places where I worked--it seemed like we were always looking for an excuse for a party. Monthly birthday party, monthly farewell party (we had a lot of turnover owing to our line of work), and every so often, we'd have one for some other reason or no reason at all. That's one thing I miss, being retired!

[Initech]

12. I'll volunteer - if there's one thing I love it's weird news!

[MADem]

13. Cool!

I guess we have to get a bunch of people to agree and then send the results to Skinner.

[surrealAmerican]

14. Is there a problem with being hostless?

I have no particular objection to you hosting, but why do we need a host?

[MADem]

15. The place has been peaceful up to now...

....but we are just months away from the "silly season" when we will--if history repeats--see an influx of rabid and aggressive trolls.

I have a proprietary affection for WN, I really don't care if someone else wants to do it, or if we have a bunch of hosts here, I would simply like to make sure that crap that might not be immediately noticed doesn't muck up the works.

[MADem]

16. Kicking for visibility and comment....! nt

[NYC_SKP]

17. My vote for you is in the mix.

Swear to goddess that you'll never exclude me, and that if you need a co=host, you'll ask me.

Those two conditions and I'm YOURS!

[MADem]

18. Sounds like a plan--I think most of us here are happy sorts.

I don't think there will be much need to have a heavy hand--it's more of a guardian on the ramparts kind of thing!

[MADem]

19. Kicking for a bit more comment, if anyone is inclined...nt

[William769]

20. I will gladly support you as the host.

You have my vote MADem.

[Ruby the Liberal]

21. You have my vote.

And subscribed.

[Number23]

22. You're weird and wonderfully wise. Sounds like a perfect fit for this group!

[libodem]

23. I'll vote for you

I like wierd news.

[MADem]

24. Thanks! nt

[UnrepentantLiberal]

25. Shouldn't Weird News have a weird election?

[MADem]

26. Well, we have no polling feature, so we're doing it this way.

Skinner said to gather opinion and send it on to him.

It's kind of sloppy, but it follows along with what the other groups have done.

Are you interested in being a host?

[UnrepentantLiberal]

27. Sure.

Can I make weird proclamations?

[MADem]

28. Naaah, the whole idea is to keep an eye on the joint so that trolls don't mess it up.

There's no issue now, but one can't help but notice the uptick in BS artists as we get closer to General Election country!

[UnrepentantLiberal]

29. Just kidding.

I'd be happy to keep an eye on the group.

[MADem]

30. Good enough. I'll give this a few more days for people to chime in and then send it to Skinner for

him to do with as he will.

[UnrepentantLiberal]

31. Cool.

I like reading this forum anyway.

[Dead_Parrot]

32. I'll vote for "all of the above"

[MADem]

33. Sounds like a plan--good idea! nt

[Ruby the Liberal]

34. I think you have consensus to post

I'll have to check this forum daily.

[MADem]

35. This is a happening place, in its own weird way! nt

[MADem]

36. One last kick for comment. nt

[Little Star]

37. You have my vote!