Random thoughts that are pointless and too dumb to say anywhere else thread: 2019

[Samurai Bucky]

I been in Montreal the last few days and I must say their cuisine is surprisingly good. I don't know how they do to it but the McDonald's filet-o-fish tastes exactly like those in the US. Burger King's Whopper is almost identical. The Subway I went to. You couldn't tell it was Canadian at all. I can't wait to try the Montreal Taco Bell tomorrow.

 

I'm just going to assume you are joking...how is the poutine?

Merveilleux!!!!????

[SeaBass]

I been in Montreal the last few days and I must say their cuisine is surprisingly good. I don't know how they do to it but the McDonald's filet-o-fish tastes exactly like those in the US. Burger King's Whopper is almost identical. The Subway I went to. You couldn't tell it was Canadian at all. I can't wait to try the Montreal Taco Bell tomorrow.

My inner foodie wants to visit Montreal now. Le Crunchwrap Supreme, monsieur, s'il vous plait.

[Jimbo]

I been in Montreal the last few days and I must say their cuisine is surprisingly good. I don't know how they do to it but the McDonald's filet-o-fish tastes exactly like those in the US. Burger King's Whopper is almost identical. The Subway I went to. You couldn't tell it was Canadian at all. I can't wait to try the Montreal Taco Bell tomorrow.

 

I'm just going to assume you are joking...how is the poutine?

 

Just say that nothing outside Montreal matches their poutine. Similar to finding a brat outside of Wisconsin.

[GAME05]

I used to edit travel guides and it always seemed like being in Montreal during the week of their Grand Prix was pretty much the most exciting place to be on earth. A ton of things to do in that city with an exciting French-English mix. The most "Europe" of any city in North America.

[nodakfan17]

It’s really easy to bash kids for taking out student loans to earn fine arts degrees. Then you realize how much free joy a sitcom on TV or a song on the radio bring and it makes you glad some people are willing to take that risk.

[stalton]

It’s really easy to bash kids for taking out student loans to earn fine arts degrees. Then you realize how much free joy a sitcom on TV or a song on the radio bring and it makes you glad some people are willing to take that risk.

 

I seriously considered majoring in music (along with Mechanical Engineering) but multiple people in the music world told me that it wasnt worth it if I couldn't devote my life to it and even then it would be a crapshoot. Now that there's 10+ years between me and my graduation, I do play the what if game and wondered what Id be doing now if I went the music route.

[nate82]

It’s really easy to bash kids for taking out student loans to earn fine arts degrees. Then you realize how much free joy a sitcom on TV or a song on the radio bring and it makes you glad some people are willing to take that risk.

 

I don't think a degree is needed to make a sitcom or to write a song. I still believe college is pushed way too much especially for things you don't need a degree for.

 

Do you really need to go to school for 4-years to paint a picture? Do you really need to go to school to write a novel? Even going to school for business is iffy to me. A lot of people have been successful and have not gone to college or have dropped out.

 

College has just become way too expensive compared to what you actually get from it.

[nodakfan17]

It’s really easy to bash kids for taking out student loans to earn fine arts degrees. Then you realize how much free joy a sitcom on TV or a song on the radio bring and it makes you glad some people are willing to take that risk.

 

I don't think a degree is needed to make a sitcom or to write a song. I still believe college is pushed way too much especially for things you don't need a degree for.

Totally agree, but that’s an entirely different discussion.

 

I’m a fairly plain vanilla guy, and while I’m happy to have carved out a pretty decent existence by avoiding risks, our world is better because others embrace the challenge. Respect.

[Thurston Fluff]

It’s really easy to bash kids for taking out student loans to earn fine arts degrees. Then you realize how much free joy a sitcom on TV or a song on the radio bring and it makes you glad some people are willing to take that risk.

 

I seriously considered majoring in music (along with Mechanical Engineering) but multiple people in the music world told me that it wasnt worth it if I couldn't devote my life to it and even then it would be a crapshoot. Now that there's 10+ years between me and my graduation, I do play the what if game and wondered what Id be doing now if I went the music route.

 

I went into college to be a teacher and came out committed to doing comedy in some capacity. Then I met my wife who used her Sociology and business degree to be a balloon artist. So I did little comedy sketches for money around the valley and she did balloon art. Together we carved out a niche and have sustained ourselves for the last 30 years. While I wouldn't change a thing I also sometimes wonder what it would be like to have a normal job. What I do know is I would have more money and a better retirement plan had we both worked normal jobs.

[homer]

It’s really easy to bash kids for taking out student loans to earn fine arts degrees. Then you realize how much free joy a sitcom on TV or a song on the radio bring and it makes you glad some people are willing to take that risk.

 

I don't think a degree is needed to make a sitcom or to write a song. I still believe college is pushed way too much especially for things you don't need a degree for.

 

Do you really need to go to school for 4-years to paint a picture? Do you really need to go to school to write a novel? Even going to school for business is iffy to me. A lot of people have been successful and have not gone to college or have dropped out.

 

College has just become way too expensive compared to what you actually get from it.

 

True but it's still a risk to pursue a career in the arts with or without college. That's one of those things you almost have to do when you're in your 20's before you are off the parents insurance and before you get married/have kids. I went back to school in my mid 30's but I was single and only beholden to myself. If you have a family, bills, etc. it can seem impossible. Not always, but I totally get people not being able to do it after a certain point.

[GAME05]

I've always seen it that your college Major should be one where the focus is on making money and having a stable career; and the college Minor should be for exploring hobbies and just taking up something you'd enjoy. So if you minor in acting and want to give it a shot after college you'll have had the education but also something to fall back on if it doesn't work out.

 

A big problem I had in undergraduate school is that I wasn't prepared for what the real world and the real aspects of the work would be like. The professors hadn't worked in the field in 20+ years and lived on theory, not practicality. College kids are so idealistic and dream so big, and I don't think there's necessarily anything wrong with tamping that down a little bit. I'm a fan of a required 300-level course dedicated to studying the real-life economics and practicalities of the student's chosen career field, as well as required interviews with entry-level type folks in the field. As it is, universities already require a phy-ed course, but you'd think a career course would be more practical.

[nate82]

I've always seen it that your college Major should be one where the focus is on making money and having a stable career; and the college Minor should be for exploring hobbies and just taking up something you'd enjoy. So if you minor in acting and want to give it a shot after college you'll have had the education but also something to fall back on if it doesn't work out.

 

A big problem I had in undergraduate school is that I wasn't prepared for what the real world and the real aspects of the work would be like. The professors hadn't worked in the field in 20+ years and lived on theory, not practicality. College kids are so idealistic and dream so big, and I don't think there's necessarily anything wrong with tamping that down a little bit. I'm a fan of a required 300-level course dedicated to studying the real-life economics and practicalities of the student's chosen career field, as well as required interviews with entry-level type folks in the field. As it is, universities already require a phy-ed course, but you'd think a career course would be more practical.

 

More English literature and some women's studies is probably needed more. I still can't figure out why anyone who wants to become an accountant would need to take either of those courses.

 

Though taking a course on general economics wouldn't be a bad idea. When I went to high school we had the general life class. Some things are outdated now but people in high school really need to learn about credit scores and how they impact their life. Also budgeting and how to use credit or loans. There is no such thing as good debt I wish that lie would die already.

[owbc]

Major doesn't matter much and many undergraduate students should be guided to study whatever they find interesting. And the whole pushing kids (even young children) to think about a job/career thing is ridiculous. For many people they should probably show up at university with an open mind and take a diverse array of classes that they find interesting.

 

As someone who works at a university and has taught/TAed some classes recently, the biggest issue I see is lack of student motivation. Students just going through the motions because college is the next logical step toward a career. Then they burn out and/or get hammered with bad grades and a low GPA and are screwed. Yeah there are a couple careers like engineering, comp sci, and pre-med where you have to be on top of things and need to decide early. But even many of those students end up getting rejected/dropping out and falling into one of the less-competitive majors where they are then at a disadvantage.

 

A bachelor's barely gets you a job these days (even in STEM) and graduate programs don't really care what your undergraduate major is if you have an excellent resume. If you are motivated to pursue an advanced degree you probably ended up deciding on some major related to that. If you want to be a geologist or oceanographer you definitely don't need to study that in undergrad. And even then a ton of people are doing super-specialized 5-7 year STEM PhDs and subsequently ending up in an entirely different career after graduating. All of those tech products that you are using are developed in part by people who studied geology/astronomy/etc. in grad school. I know several of them.

[nate82]

In the tech field it is less about education or a degree than it is about can you do the job or not. There are some specific jobs that require a degree but a majority of the jobs that require some basic coding you can get away with not having a degree.

 

If you can learn a language like PHP, JAVA, or Python you are set for a job in the tech field with or without a degree.

[LouisEly]

It’s really easy to bash kids for taking out student loans to earn fine arts degrees. Then you realize how much free joy a sitcom on TV or a song on the radio bring and it makes you glad some people are willing to take that risk.

 

I seriously considered majoring in music (along with Mechanical Engineering) but multiple people in the music world told me that it wasnt worth it if I couldn't devote my life to it and even then it would be a crapshoot. Now that there's 10+ years between me and my graduation, I do play the what if game and wondered what Id be doing now if I went the music route.

I have a very close friend who is in the music industry. He went to Nashville ~20 years ago, and when networking into the industry he was told, "If you want to be in the music industry, learn how to hang drywall."

 

The music industry has been rocked by the internet. Now, 95% of the money is earned by 5% of the performers. If you're not one of the teenage "it" singers or early/mid 20's bands that are chosen by the record companies to be the next big thing, you don't make squat. If you haven't made it by the age of 25, you probably won't (with some exception, namely Country or EDM). It used to be that you toured to support an album; now you come out with an album to try to support a tour. Tours are the only way you make money now.

 

My friends who are in the music industry have been moderately successful. My friend referenced above I've seen play at an awards show in LA and in a venue in NYC, and if you're a fan of the Bob & Tom show he was a founder of their favorite band and played at their birthday parties and at the Super Bowl in Indianapolis. Billy Ray Cyrus has recorded in his studio. He hasn't made a lot of money from that. My other friend has been more financially successful, but because he is one of the best guitar techs in the industry and has toured with a who's who of has-been rock and country stars including Def Leppard and Shania Twain.

 

It kind of is a crapshoot, with fairly long odds. Best odds are to be behind the scenes, or as a song writer selling songs to the record companies who choose which next big thing band to give those songs to. (They don't like singer-songwriters. They make much more money when they choose who gets the good songs.)

[Thurston Fluff]

There are a lot of entertainers one level down from the stars. I know of several who have carved out livings on cruise line circuits, studio musicians and stand up comedy. There is also a huge market for private events where most people, myself included, make a decent portion of our living from. The whole entertainment industry is largely made up of small time entertainers finding a niche in narrow geographical locations. Not all of them are large metropolitan areas either.

Speaking of entertainers, if anyone happens to be in Los Angeles a guy by the name of Alex Rabe does stand up there. He grew up in Black Creek. So if you're in LA sometime help support a local guy and check out his show.

[DHonks]

So when stores slice turkey in the deli, where is the dark meat? Cold cut turkey is so boring and bland...where's the good stuff?

[Thurston Fluff]

It's national tell a joke day today. So here are a few.

 

I think I'm still pretty athletic for my age. Then again I think Marylin Monroe looks pretty good for her state of decomposition.

 

Ear, nose, and throat specialists must be for doctors who couldn't make up their mind.#theleastspecializedspecialty

 

I bought a couple Faberge eggs. Worst omelet I ever had.

[stalton]

I cant decide if I like McDonalds coffee or not. When I'm out it's cheap, but they tend to overroast their beans, in my opinion. What's everybody's goto coffee when they aren't at home?

[nate82]

I cant decide if I like McDonalds coffee or not. When I'm out it's cheap, but they tend to overroast their beans, in my opinion. What's everybody's goto coffee when they aren't at home?

 

I hate coffee.

[nodakfan17]

I cant decide if I like McDonalds coffee or not. When I'm out it's cheap, but they tend to overroast their beans, in my opinion. What's everybody's goto coffee when they aren't at home?

Kwik Trip

[OldSchoolSnapper]

It’s really easy to bash kids for taking out student loans to earn fine arts degrees. Then you realize how much free joy a sitcom on TV or a song on the radio bring and it makes you glad some people are willing to take that risk.

 

I don't think a degree is needed to make a sitcom or to write a song. I still believe college is pushed way too much especially for things you don't need a degree for.

 

Do you really need to go to school for 4-years to paint a picture? Do you really need to go to school to write a novel? Even going to school for business is iffy to me. A lot of people have been successful and have not gone to college or have dropped out.

 

College has just become way too expensive compared to what you actually get from it.

 

All of what you're saying is true, but people really romanticize not needing college to do arts careers. The fact is that most of the people doing this stuff on the big stage went through strenuous educational training. It's extremely hard to break in to entertainment without that training, just because of the networking capabilities of those schools. I have family in acting in SoCal and music in Nashville, and they all went to big time music/entertainment colleges. Bruno Mars doesn't need college, but the team of 500 people packaging his brand usually do. Other careers won't even bother talking to somebody who didn't go to portfolio/theater school. People do succeed without that pedigree, but it is enormously helpful if you can get it. They do provide training, but really the value is in the network. The costs are high and college is pushed way too hard, but there is still a huge value if you can make it work. And really, the debt someone accumulates getting a decent state degree is sometimes the cost of a car. Over a lifetime, it still usually isn't significant enough that not going is better - for most.

[TURBO]

I cant decide if I like McDonalds coffee or not. When I'm out it's cheap, but they tend to overroast their beans, in my opinion. What's everybody's goto coffee when they aren't at home?

 

I hate coffee.

 

Believe it or not, and most people do not, I have never tasted coffee, not even one sip.

 

It just seems like an addiction I'd rather avoid. I've seen what it does to people who can't go on another moment in life without it, so I have always stayed away.

 

The importance that people place on getting "their coffee" is kind of sad in so many ways.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I never had any until either until I got married. She was always drinking it, now I really enjoy it. I can only have one cup though or I get the shakes.

[pitchleague]

I cant decide if I like McDonalds coffee or not. When I'm out it's cheap, but they tend to overroast their beans, in my opinion. What's everybody's goto coffee when they aren't at home?

 

I hate coffee.

 

Believe it or not, and most people do not, I have never tasted coffee, not even one sip.

 

It just seems like an addiction I'd rather avoid. I've seen what it does to people who can't go on another moment in life without it, so I have always stayed away.

 

The importance that people place on getting "their coffee" is kind of sad in so many ways.

 

 

Huh. I thought that I was the only one! Glad to see another person like me.