Geoff > Status Update

Stop talking about politics, this thread is about heavy metal and its subgenres now.

Niklas wrote: "Stop talking about politics, this thread is about heavy metal and its subgenres now."

I'm totally fine with that

GUYS GUYS GUYS HEY the unemployment rate is down to a decade-low 4.4% but but but here's the thing! During the last 8 years I was told over and over again that these improvements in unemployment were TOTALLY FAKE but now that Donald J mo' fuckin' TRUMP is in office I just got a BIG 'OL HUNCH they're suddenly REAL! Tell me what to believe! Descend upon me, oh wisdom of HANNITY and guide my beliefs!

Geoff wrote: "GUYS GUYS GUYS HEY the unemployment rate is down to a decade-low 4.4% but but but here's the thing! During the last 8 years I was told over and over again that these improvements in unemployment we..."


Geoff....it's got to be because Trump is a fucking genius!! There is no other possibility!! He's the ma!! No one in the previous terms xould have ever done that!!

He's crazy... like a fox! He's cunning... like a snake! He's intrepid... like a duck in heat! He's bold... like a feral boar! He's strong... like a mystified rhinoceros! He's angry... like a nest of wasps poked by a stick! He's tricky... like a chameleon blending into a Camaro flame! He's fast... like a sparrow going after a fallen Triscuit! He's brilliant... like a water strider spanning an oil slick! He's hairy... like a million peach skins grafted onto an obese baboon! He's smart... like an ibex riding the metro! He's audacious... like an earthworm taking the SATs! He's got plans... like a horse made out of margarine! He's open-hearted... like a blobfish on a trampoline! He's winning and winning... like a pod of dolphins on a zeppelin to the moon!!

Geoff wrote: "He's crazy... like a fox! He's cunning... like a snake! He's intrepid... like a duck in heat! He's bold... like a feral boar! He's strong... like a mystified rhinoceros! He's angry... like a nest o..."

Haha!!

Although....not sure all of these are accurate....methinks "idiot" covers it all best!!

And the question still remains...what are his plans?!?!

Depends on what kind of cake you're eating when the report comes out.

Ian wrote: "Depends on what kind of cake you're eating when the report comes out."

I'd like the most chocolatey cake I can get!!! :)
Please

Christopher wrote: "I think some of you should maybe get out a bit, there's one or two here that seem to have an unhealthy relationship with the keyboard. Get out, see the city/country wherever the hell you live, stop..."

I was trying to be more friendly-esque and joking toward you, Christopher, but seems you're just a dick. You're the one who came over here being an asshole and confrontational, I didn't roll into your universe trolling and saying stupid, ignorant, unfounded, ill-educated shit about things I haven't a clue about. You did. You know nothing about me or anyone else posting on this thread, so fuck off, mate.

Geoff wrote: "Oh sweet baby jeebus you can't make this shit up

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn...."

This means if this bill ever gets to him he will not sign it; instead he will then ask for Universal Health Care, and then two days later he will want no health care.

Niklas wrote: "You need more old skool death metal in your life. None of this fancy new melodic stuff. "

Okay now. Let's get back to origins ::
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-ZH-...
[just going with the whole album]

Christopher wrote: " I have to wonder what some of you do, job wise."

Should I get nervous when you start to have fantasies about us?

Christopher wrote: "I think some of you should maybe get out a bit, there's one or two here that seem to have an unhealthy relationship with the keyboard. Get out, see the city/country wherever the hell you live, stop..."

Hey Christopher,
Let me present an anecdotal reality of why healthcare is so contentious while I reveal probably a bit too much personal information. I suffer from severe, chronic migraines. From 2008-2012, before ACA/Obamacare, I did not have healthcare and could not get healthcare--I made too much money for the social safety net and too little to afford pricey individual plans, and it was the unfortunate period of time when USA was hemorrhaging jobs while I was equipped with a useless, freshly-minted, no-experience BA degree. I also had pre-existing conditions, ie. migraines, that meant, even if I could afford coverage, they could deny paying for any medical costs associated with those ailments.

B.G. on migraines. I think many say they have "migraines" when they have a rough headache. But there is a difference. What I have are real, true migraines that, un-treated by prescription triptans, which cost ~$175 for generics in the USA, will last for at least 1 day, maybe 2, sometimes 3. They are debilitating. They prevent sleep. They are the most excruciating, lightning-hot, pulsating pain you will ever feel in your existence, besides probably childbirth--but, I assume you're male, as am I and we won't experience that. There is no relief. They can occur between one a month to once a week.

The reality for me in 2008-2012 was asking a friend who was a pharmaceutical rep to score me sample packets by the dozens of triptan medications to get me by. When he later left his job for another opportunity and my source of sumatriptan dried up, I was out of luck until, fortunately, in 2012, I was gainfully employed and acquired insurance.

I'm now on a prophylactic medication that helps prevent migraines even happening. I'm also currently utilizing the ACA because in April 2016 I lost my fulltime job and currently work freelance contract gigs as a consultant. Under this new plan, my insurance will become too expensive for me to afford because I have a chronic condition. Without insurance I will not be able to afford my medications to manage my chronic condition. Without the ability to manage my chronic condition, it will become difficult to continue fulltime employment while under insane, excruciating pain from regular migraines, which will be costing me a fortune in medicine because I have no insurance. This is the reality. This is why people are "whinging" about Trump and the Republicans. These policies affect real people, real lives. People will lose their houses, their livelihoods simply by becoming sick. These politicians' actions are inhumane and cruel. It's sickening to watch. And heartbreaking to co-exist with others who voted them in.

Ian wrote: "Christopher wrote: "I think some of you should maybe get out a bit, there's one or two here that seem to have an unhealthy relationship with the keyboard. Get out, see the city/country wherever the..."

So sorry to hear that, Ian. I hope to god this bill dies in the Senate. But, as far as getting through to Christopher, you are probably seeking empathy in the wrong place.

Ok..Geoff and Christopher....play nice now!! :)

Christopher...I have lived in Europe....Engkand actually....and whilst evetything is not perfect, it is certainly much better than here in US. You made a comment earlier (can't remember where) that you guys wait for treatment for a long time. Well..I have news for you....we do the same...and now Trump is trying to fuck us all over. His only concern does truly seem to be the top 1-2% (and himself) of the country..like the rest of us are just annoyances. He talks a good talk...and how he won is beyond me. He can't even keep a business running. You said people from Europe come here for medical treatment....that may be true...but people from here go to Asia for treatmemt too...so...it seems it is all about thr money and who has it.

Geoff...cool your jets too...everyone getting riled up isn't going to solve all our problems..

Chocolate, however can fix anything!!!! :)

Catherine wrote: "Ok..Geoff and Christopher....play nice now!! :)

Christopher...I have lived in Europe....Engkand actually....and whilst evetything is not perfect, it is certainly much better than here in US. You ..."

This thread isn't going to solve any problems. It's a place to vent and to commiserate. I welcome other views, but not when they are presented as Christopher presented his. Nick, Niklas, other opposing voices are totally welcome here. I've come to respect them both. Christopher started out on the wrong foot, and has just stumbled since then. Again, my blocking trigger is mighty itchy these days. He's not blocked yet, but I feel nothing shutting somebody down who's being purposefully confrontational without reasoned arguments. And I'll respond to personal attacks with personal attacks in a heartbeat.

Ian wrote: "Christopher wrote: "I think some of you should maybe get out a bit, there's one or two here that seem to have an unhealthy relationship with the keyboard. Get out, see the city/country wherever the..."



Oh wow! I do know someone (one of my co-workers) who suffers from these too! I feel for you. The fact that we will be fined for being unisured, whilst also being unable to afford insurance is absolutely insane. I think Obama had a good plan...that ultimately was fucked by the Republicans...and all becausw insurance companies and doctors want to become richer....it is a sad state.

Thank God I rarely if ever get sick.. I wish I xould help you out...

Geoff wrote: "Catherine wrote: "Ok..Geoff and Christopher....play nice now!! :)

Christopher...I have lived in Europe....Engkand actually....and whilst evetything is not perfect, it is certainly much better tha..."


I understand the frustration. Sometimes people just don't understand.
On a lighter note.....go have a nice big piece of chocolate cake...word on the street is it makes the world go round...at least that is what a counted cross stitch I have says. ;)

And smile...smiling is good for your health

(By the way, I suffered from migraines until my early twenties, when I changed my diet to almost totally vegetarian. I'm still not 100% vegetarian, but eat meat rather rarely, and I try to source it well too, make sure it's not pumped full of chemicals, but the switch pretty much ended my migraines. But before that, I would be out for a day or days in excruciating pain and at times near-blindness... it happened numerous times a year... I would never wish that pain on anyone ever, so I feel for you Ian and hope you the best...)

Catherine wrote: "And smile...smiling is good for your health"

It might not seem it from the books I read and the posts here, but I am a very cheery and pleasant person to be around. I think I'm even charmingly funny, attractive in an interesting way if not traditionally handsome, intelligent, a good conversationalist on a wide variety of subjects, a good host, an attentive lover, and above all, humble.

Geoff wrote: "(By the way, I suffered from migraines until my early twenties, when I changed my diet to almost totally vegetarian. I'm still not 100% vegetarian, but eat meat rather rarely, and I try to source i..."

Mine have a host of environmental (air pressure/humidity/rapid air changes) and psychological triggers. My gf is veg, so I tend to eat a low-meat diet, and ethically-sourced when I do. Thanks for the kind notes, guys.

But more than empathy, my overarching point was the minutia of the detail gets lost on how these factors build up. It's not that the bill sweeps healthcare out from under peoples' feet, which is what it sometimes sounds like. The Republicans aren't voting to literally take away care. They're voting in a policy-structure that systematically will oppress those who rely on it, which is so much more devious and cruel.

Ian wrote: "Geoff wrote: "(By the way, I suffered from migraines until my early twenties, when I changed my diet to almost totally vegetarian. I'm still not 100% vegetarian, but eat meat rather rarely, and I t..."

Exactly. Health care will still be there, it will just be more expensive, less accessible, and out of reach for those who need help with it the most. Make Health Care Cruel Again. Also, it is essentially a scam to give tax breaks to the super-rich.

Geoff wrote: "Ian wrote: "Geoff wrote: "(By the way, I suffered from migraines until my early twenties, when I changed my diet to almost totally vegetarian. I'm still not 100% vegetarian, but eat meat rather rar..."

Yeah...there it is!! Those who do not have the capacity to pay outright for their healthcare....getting good healthcare and a tax break!!

Geoff: consider who you are arguing with before expending too much energy, my friend

Ian: I am sorry, buddy. Look previously to see that I'm shit out of luck as well. I am with you in Rockfield.

Catherine: enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_q9H...

Nathan and Niklas: at this far remove, can you still appreciate Venom--at least objectively?

Christopher wrote: "OK, I am sorry for sending Geoff farther into his breakdown, to tell the truth I nearly never said another thing until I saw Geoff was still commenting on me 40 comments and 20 hours later, so bein..."

("clip notes" is 'Cliff's Notes'--a small, yellow and black pamphlet/book that is a summary of another, real book's contents for people who don't want to read. No silly, snarky bullshit intended. Just letting you know for the future)

I'm quite sure that Ian would be able to do just that very thing without rancor. Ian?

Christopher wrote: "Cody wrote: "Christopher wrote: "OK, I am sorry for sending Geoff farther into his breakdown, to tell the truth I nearly never said another thing until I saw Geoff was still commenting on me 40 com..."

No worries, and thanks for taking it in the spirit it was intended.

Christopher wrote: "OK, I am sorry for sending Geoff farther into his breakdown, to tell the truth I nearly never said another thing until I saw Geoff was still commenting on me 40 comments and 20 hours later, so bein..."



Ok..I'll try..but I may have it all wrong too...lol

So..Obamacare was originally (and I use the term loosely) supposed to be a form of socialised healthcare system. This would cut out insurance companies (at least somewhat, if not totally) and doctors would be forced to cut costs...therein lies the problem..all those rich people would lose out in becoming richer at our expense. Of course, Obamacare was not perfect...there certainly was wiggle room...but he was trying. Now...Trump seems only to be concerned with the money factor. Of course he is....he has money squirreled away in tax havens and now gets free healthcare on our dime. He doesn't care about us. Sadly..the Republican party is all about spending money...mostly on war...Trump talks a good game...saying he wants to bring things home...like jobs...etc...whilst in the same breath..he is sending more and more troops out ( possibly to be killed in action)...action which we have no business being involved in.

So..back to the healthcare....all he is concermed about is that he and his cronies have healthcare (and those 1-2% of super-rich) who could actually afford to pay cash for said healthcare. Plus they probably have "pre-existing" problems covered as well...which, again is a crock....because how can you possibly control when you get aome major health problem?

Christopher wrote: "If you could also explain why some had a problem with it and other not. I understood it as Obamacare gave people like Ian, basic health care at a reasonable cost but for reasons I don't understand, some people needed to pay more for the same coverage and this pissed many off."

It's not a simple answer. But basically, healthcare is a political hockeypuck that has become so loaded that if it had a D next to it, tribalism ensues, and vice-versa.

Pros of ACA/Obamacare: covered millions of Americans for the first time. Something known as "pre-exisiting conditions" ie. if you had cancer and changed insurance and got cancer again, your insurance could boot you or just not pay for your care, were gotten rid of. Insurance could no longer discriminate based on prior conditions, they had to pay if you were sick, that was it. Kids can stay on their parents' insurance until they're 26. Closed a gap between state-funded healthcare and subsidized healthcare, basically, if you don't make a certain amount of money, you get discounted health insurance premiums, making it much more affordable--important to know Republicans really hate that this was a huge tax cut for the poor.

Cons (some of these are arguable): Mandate--some see this as a violation of civil liberties to force the citizens to purchase a private product or face an annual fine (a tax levied and collected by the IRS). The mandate is a required piece in order to ensure enough money is in the pool to pay for all the sick people, in other words, you need enough young and healthy to pay for the old and sick. The costs--there's no cost-regulating body for medical expenses, so costs are out of hand in the US, premiums do explode in certain areas, and are inconsistent, leading to an inconsistent experience state-to-state.

There are also further issues with state-to-state adoption where some states created their own healthcare exchanges and accepted federal dollars, while other states refused this money and did nothing to build an infrastructure, to the detriment of its people. So the experience has been sloppy and inconsistent.

I would like to see single-payer actually debated and considered. Trump even talked like he wanted single-payer through the primaries and election, but he seems to lack many convictions, so I don't hold much hope he'll stay true to any of those healthcare promises. Personally, I don't think a healthcare system built on the profit-motive can truly function universally for all citizens as a right, but I also believe healthcare is a right. I think even fiscal conservative types should come to this conclusion too because even when poor people w/o healthcare wind up in the emergency room and skip out on their bill, everyone else still foots the bill through increased costs across the board.

Cody wrote: "Nathan and Niklas: at this far remove, can you still appreciate Venom--at least objectively?."

Yes. Objectively may be the only way to appreciate them ::
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAIco...

Christopher wrote: "OK, I am sorry for sending Geoff farther into his breakdown, to tell the truth I nearly never said another thing until I saw Geoff was still commenting on me 40 comments and 20 hours later, so bein..."

Christopher, I linked to an article from the Washington Post covering everything you just asked about at the beginning of this health care discussion. If you had read any of this thread at all before jumping in and mouthing off, you would know this. And now you expect us to do your homework for you? Your first message here personally insulted us and then encouraged violence, and you have been consistently confrontational since then, and now you think we owe you respect? You are one selfish piece of work, man.

Ian wrote: "Christopher wrote: "If you could also explain why some had a problem with it and other not. I understood it as Obamacare gave people like Ian, basic health care at a reasonable cost but for reasons..."


Ian...you said it much better than I. No surprise there..I always ramble.

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Niklas wrote: "You need more old skool death metal in your life. None of this fancy new melodic stuff. "

Okay now. Let's get back to origins ::
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-ZH-...
[just go..."

Now you're speaking my language, friend.

Cody wrote: "Nathan and Niklas: at this far remove, can you still appreciate Venom--at least objectively?"

Absolutely.

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Cody wrote: "Nathan and Niklas: at this far remove, can you still appreciate Venom--at least objectively?."

Yes. Objectively may be the only way to appreciate them ::
https://www.youtube.com/watch..."

Oh, c'mon! They were great at the time!

Hey Geoff....I sometimes jump into things before looking.....Actually...I do it a lot.

Breathe... :) I am having some much needed chocolate milk.

Catherine wrote: "Hey Geoff....I sometimes jump into things before looking.....Actually...I do it a lot.

Breathe... :) I am having some much needed chocolate milk."

Do you work for Big Chocolate? Diabetes is a real concern. Take it easy on that stuff.

Niklas wrote: "Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Niklas wrote: "You need more old skool death metal in your life. None of this fancy new melodic stuff. "

Okay now. Let's get back to origins ::
https://www.youtube.com/watch?..."

Yes to Death. But they were quite a way down the road from Venom as far as origins. Anyone up for Nuclear Assault, considering the thread we're on?

Cody wrote: "Catherine wrote: "Hey Geoff....I sometimes jump into things before looking.....Actually...I do it a lot.

Breathe... :) I am having some much needed chocolate milk."

Do you work for Big Chocolate..."

Haha! No.... hey...didn't you know!? Chocolate is it's own food group now!! I live on it...if only I coukd have an iv drip.!!! lol

Geoff wrote: "And now you expect us to do your homework for you? "

Christopher, it puzzles me why you're even asking the question, it's not funny making people spend time explaining to you in good faith. Just google it. Lots of credible sources out there. Given how much you've commented, it's just 9 more letters to type "ACA vs AHCA". Here, click this -
http://www.latimes.com/projects/la-na...

Cody wrote: "Yes to Death. But they were quite a way down the road from Venom as far as origins. Anyone up for Nuclear Assault, considering the thread we're on? "

I think I have one of their vinyls. Good stuff.

Alfred wrote: "Geoff wrote: "And now you expect us to do your homework for you? "

Christopher, it puzzles me why you're even asking the question, it's not funny making people spend time explaining to you in good..."

In good faith: maybe he wants to be able to ask questions/interact about it as news sources have left him confused. I dunno. Sometimes you gotta take the high road, as Ian and Geoff both did.

Cody....I have an incredibly "sweet" sweet tooth....

However..I do eat my veg and fruit too...and I drink H2O. I used to drink a lot of soda...but now that is a rarity.
Diabetes is rampant here....and yes sugar is not good in excess... but then nothing is good in excess...as they say.."everything in moderation"

Niklas wrote: "Cody wrote: "Yes to Death. But they were quite a way down the road from Venom as far as origins. Anyone up for Nuclear Assault, considering the thread we're on? "

I think I have one of their vinyl..."

You know who was a real game-changer for me in the late, late 80's? For whatever reason, Deicide.

And I know this is the equivalent of saying that your favorite book is Catcher in the Rye or something, but Slayer was untouchable from Haunting the Chapel-South of Heaven for my teenaged self.

Alfred wrote: "Cody: Yeah, you're right. I've become skeptical through and through during this process. Can't tell sometimes when someone is discussing in earnest v.s. just playing on goodwill. My apologies. I go..."

Good man,

I am the reactionary KING (well, Geoff actually), so please no apologies. His absence now does look suspicious, I admit. We'll see. Faith in mankind and all that jazz-fusion. It's casual Friday: put your feet up. Mostly talking about Metal and chocolate now.

Cody

Cody wrote: "You know who was a real game-changer for me in the late, late 80's? For whatever reason, Deicide."

I never really got into Deicide myself. Slayer however had a huge influence on me as well. I envy you for growing up with the 80s American thrash scene.

Niklas wrote: "Cody wrote: "You know who was a real game-changer for me in the late, late 80's? For whatever reason, Deicide."

I never really got into Deicide myself. Slayer however had a huge influence on me as..."

Thanks, but trust me: being a metal kid in the 80s wasn't the key to social acceptance! Looking back I have no regrets, but it was a lonely existence at the time. It was you (and metal) against the world! One of my favorite memories/concerts was Slayer/Megadeth/Testament in New Mexico. The soon-to-be-HUGE Alice in Chains opened and were booed of the stage. Ha! I also really liked Morbid Angel, Possessed, Cancer, a bunch of others. Still love me some Celtic Frost. Pentagram.

You know who I could never take seriously because of their lyrical content and general mien, but was an absolutely AMAZING live band? Anthrax. Benante is criminally under-looked as an early double-kicker. That guy is a machine.

I live in the same city as Dave Lombardo. I once ended up sitting next to him in a bar during a weekday. We ended up striking up a conversation and bought each other beers for probably 3-hrs. Music or Slayer was never brought up a single time. I am glad to report that my esteemed drummer nonpareil of the 80s was a THOROUGHLY nice guy.

Like I said, "for whatever reason" about Deicide. I haven't listened to them in who knows how long.

Cody wrote: "Thanks, but trust me: being a metal kid in the 80s wasn't the key to social acceptance! Looking back I have no regrets, but it was a lonely existence at the time. It was you (and metal) against the world!..."

I was personally converted by the weird guy at school I was friends with. Alas, being a metalhead STILL isn't the key to social acceptance! I guess we didn't have our parents and media and politicians in as much of a moral outrage as they probably were in the 80s though.

Anthrax was the last of the "big four" I got into as well for the exact same reason. For a long time I always thought Exodus should have replaced them as one of the big four. Never saw them live, but man are they heavy in their own way once you actually listen to them. Among the Living is still one of my favourite albums.

That's a cool story about Lombardo, glad to hear he's a nice guy in person.

Niklas wrote: "Cody wrote: "Thanks, but trust me: being a metal kid in the 80s wasn't the key to social acceptance! Looking back I have no regrets, but it was a lonely existence at the time. It was you (and metal..."

Musically, Anthrax was fucking amazing. Among the Living, Spreading the Disease, some of State of Euphoria, and even Persistence of Time are all great in their own way. It's just the stupid Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and "I'm the Man" shit that got old. But, yeah, they were heavy as shit in their own right. Much more than the Metallicatz ever were. I heard their last album, For All Good Kings, and it sounds as if they are still fighting the good fight.

This one goes out to you and Nathan, in the interest of origins:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKSU1...

EDIT: I LOVED Exodus around the time of Pleasures of the Flesh/Fabulous Disaster

Hey and gotta put a good word in on behalf of '80s Xian Metal. Here's one still spins pretty good ::
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4cnq...

True crust punk for these dark days:
Amebix: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lYEcjcv...

& Tragedy: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9RaxTDC...

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Hey and gotta put a good word in on behalf of '80s Xian Metal. Here's one still spins pretty good ::
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4cnq..."

I'll have to listen to that tonight, after I finally get the work done that I've been avoiding by fucking around on here. As loathe as I am to admit, I was unable to see past my own prejudices all those years ago and ever give Christian Metal a chance. Youthful folly! Hilarious now that I found the two so mutually exclusive, especially in light of ur-gods of all, Sabbath, and their penchant for spreading the word of Christ, a la "After Forever:"

"Could it be you're afraid of what your friends might say
If they knew you believe in God above?
They should realize before they criticize
That God is the only way to love"