Saying "I love you" by accident

Have you ever said "I love you" by accident? I mean, I'm sure I've said it unwisely too, but I was thinking of through a verbal slip. I think I have twice. (1) hanging up the phone when talking to one of my best friends (male), and automatically signing off as if I were talking to my significant other or mother. (2) I remember something similar of mentally slipping at primary school and addressing one of the teachers as if they were mum, although I can't remember what I said (conveniently, she didn't hear). But I just imagine what drama could have ensued if I were in a work of fiction :)

Running a vorkosigan roleplaying adventure

It would obviously make much more sense to use a system I'm already familiar with, but the ones I _am_ familiar with just don't seem appropriate.

There is a (very good) GURPS Vorkosigan setting, which actually has some feedback from Lois, at least on the images of the characters, which are much much more evocative than anything else I've seen (even if they're not exactly how I saw them), and probably other things as well. It took ages to publish, but this was apparently actually _not_ anyone's fault, but due to GURPS 4.0 and some other things, and the author and Jackson (?) tried really hard to get it finished and into print, and it obviously shows a lot of attention to detail.

( Read more... )

( Sample characters (Minor spoilers) )

Obvious jokes directed to cyclists

Last month I posted a rant/essay about how to make predictable jokes, how to use them as social grease, and how to make them obnoxiously pushy. This morning, I was wheeling my bike, and someone helpfully called out "you know, you're supposed to ride it, not push it". I actually stopped to ask if he genuinely thought I hadn't noticed that.

I mean, I get that if it's incongruous, you want to point it out. If you see someone carrying a donkey, you very probably are unable to help yourself saying "it's supposed to be the other way round", even if you know intellectually that there is probably a reason they're doing that.

But seriously, have you never seen someone pushing a bike before? I mean:

* I had just put my mobile away. Cycling while talking on a phone is contra-indicated, but pushing is ok
* I was at an awkward junction, where it might make sense to cross on foot rather than go all the way round Mitcham's corner
* I was two feet away from some bike racks
* I have previously pushed my bike for at least a little way if it's had a puncture, or even if I just feel tired.

I admit I don't see someone pushing a bike _that_ often. But surely it can't be a surprise?