Topic_Shakur

I'm beginning to suspect a 'True Crime' has occurred to my study group partner. My suspect list starts with, Howard Kremer.

Eh hem...here we go again. Mailing Topics mugs and T-shirts to study groups 'all the time'? I guess 'we' don't qualify? Excuse me, I need to enter my subconscious for a moment. Ok...wow...that was intense. With guest David Wain, I anticipated a bit more 'purvey' such as in the 'Technology' ep, though, I'm not disappointed with the amount supplied. There was really SO much of this topic covered comparative to the previous two, that it makes me wonder if this was another one of those 'Mike's Study Group Hidden Challenge' eps.

Subconscious, live...here we go! Which is very on point with my fellow EFTSG member's unexplained absence. Is it just my subconscious, is 'he' still live? Hmmm...I hope this ep with shed some light on all of this.

Mmmmhmmm....riveting...yes! I wasn't quite sure where you were going with the following. Not only do I share this peeve, I also share the opinion of the MANY EFTSG Reader Mail PM's I received this past weekend who all praise your bravery and forthrightness! So courageous. If our 20% was a combination lock, I would say I just heard the second...click...click...!

Ah, yes...the pudding skin delicacy. A fine treat, once carefully crafted with love by my dear Uncle Lennox, until corporate greed turned his simple gift into a multi-billion dollar industry that pushed him over the edge...literally. We will still gather at the sidewalk where poor Lennox and his charitable desires coagulated. * Corporate greed = Pet Peeve I hear and agree with what you are saying about this topic and the consequences. It certainly presents a quandary. If we 'do' engage, we stand to chance a reputation degeneration, but if we 'do not', are we doing ourselves, the study group and the M's all a disservice by not pushing through that pudding skin to our allotted intellectual dessert?

Wow, yes! Illuminating view! There really did seem to be an unusual amount of chowder and not so much of the salty broth we've all come to expect from Topics. I would hope at this point in their careers as performers, the jitters would be gone. Although, one could hypothesize that this canned cranberry sauce they served us was a backup plan for if the audience was not a particularly perspicacious one, which clearly was the case. * Sound of canned cranberry sauce sliding out of said can = pet peeve It seems they've left us no choice but to dig our studious spoons into that congealed oily surface and hope that it yields the fine salty 20% golden bouillon beneath.

Right, right....of course, this begs the question, what if the pet's name was in fact 'Peeve'? For instance, "Why yes, this is my pet, Peeve." Well, I was about to concur until I read the following...and now I'm urging all those in or near Coconino County to take up on the wonderful and rewarding hobby of mosquito farming! "After an unusually dry spring, one of God’s most irritating creatures has taken to Flagstaff’s skies with a vengeance, thanks to the onset of monsoon season. Coconino County officials say they haven’t noticed an unusual level of mosquito activity, but in localized pockets across Flagstaff, residents say they are being eaten alive. - Courtesy ERIC BETZ, Arizona Daily Sun Staff Reporter" * Has walking dead visual after reading, "eaten alive" I'm always suspect of the aforementioned 'coy' nature of these two, especially when it comes to topics that they seem to go through with ease. Meaning, did they truly reach their 80%, or was this just another tease for us to discover that they nearly broke through the gelatinous layer that forms on a Topic chowder left sitting too long?

You are so right, I found myself doing the same. And how about a round of applause for the M's for acknowledging the distraction, yet being so professional in the way they were able to block it out and deliver another intellectual gem! Bravo! Yes, and I think it should be noted that Paul was an invited 'guest', not an observer like the attending San Fran Group (who really should know the rules/no rules/funny/ok, motto, if they are any kind of true TSG). And, within that white noise laughter was some very rich broth that they missed out on, so really, I guess the joke is on them. In fact, I'm having quite the belly laugh to myself about that! Once again, I must agree. They were certainly NO San Fransisco treat! And as it stands now, their conduct has landed them right on my 'pet peeves' list. But, just as the M's did, I feel it's our duty to push past the distractions and really get to the meat of this chunky chowder!

Hmm, right. You make a very profound point there. So enriching! A group, yes...as this latest ep mentions right out of the gates in some depth, is being of two or more figures forming a complete unit in a composition. Two or more...but I'll like to unpack that a bit and say that I feel there seems to be 'more' emphasis...on the 'more', in that definition. More links on that proverbial chain that my fellow EFTSG member has mentioned so eloquently. So, it would be safe to say that recruitment is currently going on for those who can share an enlightened look with these topics...and can follow the rules. Which, of course...there aren't any. But, there are strict guidelines. Just like any Topics study group you may have been in, or are currently a part of. I like to think of it as, "the 24/7 study group for when you're away from your physical study group®". What an ep we have here folks, we're being treated to a live show! This could do quite well, as 'Doug Loves Movies, etc.' has really taken off in the live realm. (not to cross pod-inate) I feel I should mention that it seems that by no accident they are in SF, perhaps to study up a bit more on trolleys in their downtime? As I listen to this, the first things that jump out at me are, I'm not sure what all the laughter is about? I mean, I know it's fine, but it just seems to be a bit misdirected. As I've not heard anything 'funny' happen, yet there's laughter. Perhaps it's the nerves of being a first time Topics audience. And I have to admit, when I learned it was live, I couldn't help but to feel somewhat certain that it would've ended up being 'somewhere' in Arizona, but what a pleasant surprise. And now back to the show for me!

I know the request was to keep pushing these topics, but I think we may have pushed this tug too far! It looks like we should both be living up to your avatar's stance, and watch over our shoulders. We've already made beef with the FTGs, and as much as I too feel the untimely demise of 'snacks' could've easily derailed this latest topic...crossing over the tracks of rival pods, are you crazy?! Or maybe...we're just crazy enough to chain ourselves until we get the truth!

Well played. I do believe we are pushing past the 20% now, just as requested! Perhaps it would've been more aptly titled: "Mary Jane, Munchies, and Mikes"

Hmmm, right. So interesting! Are you asking who funded the First Transcontinental Railways? Because I know you know who funded that. We've had many a discussion on this subject. But for those reading, I'll do my best to elaborate. I believe the massive amount of capital investment (over $100,000,000 in 1860 dollars) needed to build the railroad was obtained by selling government guaranteed bonds (granted per mile of completed track) and railroad company bonds and stock to interested private investors. While the train is certainly a fast source of transportation, it does seem to be in decline, as noted by the steady removal of the once thriving railroad tracks and subsequent transformation to walking paths. Well, after a heavy soul searching, mind expanding and investigatory retreat this past weekend, which incidentally landing me near Coconino County, it now seems so clear to me that M2 blatantly excluded what very well could be the last 20%, Tractor Trailers! Which, I might add, completes the Trilogy of, "Trains, Trolleys, and Trailers", the lost ep.

Well, you said it my friend, they are most certainly coy. So much so, that it would be foolish to completely believe this supposed 'lost ep' even exists! Though I do admire your train of thought there. What disception, intrigue and mystery this topic has delivered! Let us not get as trollied as the FTGs do, or let M2 tug us off of the tracks like a derailed train and remain focused on the topic(s) at hand. (trollied: Totally wasted/inebriated/intoxicated) This reminds me of the 'trolley problem', which was a moral paradox first posed by Phillipa Foot in her 1967 paper, "Abortion and the Doctrine of Double Effect," and later expanded by Judith Jarvis Thomson. Far from solving the dilemma, the trolley problem launched a wave of further investigation into the philosophical quandary it raises. And it's still being debated today. Sound familiar? Further investigation (FTGs), philosophical quandaries (Topics)...and the plot thickens!

Yes, these gaudy grannies look to be nothing but pure representations of wicked behaviors. Shame on you grannies, shame on you. I would NOT recommend accepting a Werther's original from anyone in their faction! There is a small chance that more images may leak. However, my sources say the risk is overwhelming, as the meetings are heavily fortified with 'hurrycane' commandos. Yes, it is that serious. I believe this touches very strongly on a point that has been made several times in recent Topics eps. Which is, when study groups reach the 20%, do not stop there and dive into other topics. Well FTGs, we choose you! Now, on to your brilliant compendium. Hmm...mmmhmmm...what a titillating dissolution that is. So interesting. What I find particularly most interesting, and possibly equally suspect, is that while your superb detective investigation has indeed linked each of the three topics, it did so out of context to the heavily contested topic title. Which begs the question, does this render your research destitute, OR, does this make it even more valid since both Mikes disputed the title order and even claim to have a 'lost ep' recorded? And perhaps the title of said 'lost ep' could be, "Tugboats, Trolleys, and Trains"? Hmmm, indeed.

Stop, hold the train! An anonymous member of an Arizona sister study group to my own Pittsburgh Chapter has provided the following. Please, do not ask for any more details than that. I think it's safe to say that in 'this' case, a picture tells far more than a thousand words!

Well, I think it's safe to say that there is some sort of link to the FTGs. I don't claim to know what it is, but I'll be monitoring this one very closely to see how it develops. I appreciate your attempts at a mention, but, I'm glad they didn't...we wouldn't want to slump over to the FTGs level anyway! At this point, I can only conclude that they are abusing their Topics Senior Discount. Typical. And for the record, I've worked at Retirement Homes and 3 hours is nothing to boast about. Meaning '80%' of this 3 hour braggadocio could simply be the time it takes them to arrive and depart. Ok, forgive me, back to the topic. You really make a fascinating point here, truly fascinating once again. So, by your logic, it could be said that the Mikes are both 'on' track (MIB = Train, Sho = Trolley), and we, the tugboats, are pulling all the weight on this topic and expected to push to the finish?

Hmmm... Well, I for one was first really under the impression that they covered WELL over the 80% goal and was somewhat astonished to discover that they feel there is still a lot to complete? Though, I'm not one to derail a train from a challenge! However, it MUST be noted that not only did the 'Flagstaff Topics Grannies', or FTG, get yet ANOTHER plug, Sho just had to mention their 3 hour study group sessions. And a topic like trolleys? Are they now purposely catering to the strong suits of the FTG's era? More like troglodytes!!!! Deep breath...ok, I'm calmed. It'll take me a minute here, please excuse me. I apologize for the outburst. Ok...well, after listening to the latest ep a dozen or so more times today, I guess maybe there are a 'few' holes they missed that we could touch upon. Most notably regarding the, uh...tugboats, trains and trolleys parts.

And...here we go fellow EFTSG'rs! "Tugboats, Trains, and Trolleys"

Ding, ding, ding...I wholeheartedly agree! Such a great first week for the EFTSG, so great. This has been, for me, an enriching experience that I won't soon forget and I look forward to conquering our next topic! I will use common sense, and expect it to be another 'touchy' one!

I'm going to need a moment myself. To taste IS to touch. Wow, riveting! I believe it was Thomas Acquinas, a thirteenth century philosopher and theologian for those reading, who said, "the common sense was that aspect of human thinking that took input from the five physical senses and formed a full, integrated concept." Now, I may be paraphrasing there a bit so please forgive me if it's not exact. However, this opens up what very well could be yet another sense. Or even more, the possibility that M&M were trying to throw us off by saying the other one, meaning 'taste', when they actually meant, the culmination of all. Hmmm.

That's fascinating stuff right there. I can really see how that would be troubling. But I must say, I think we need to be careful, as we could VERY easily get diverted down a path of kale tales and this would not get us any closer to our 20% goal. And really, that's why we're all here. I would like it to be noted that I was actually defending the vegetarian's taste in my previous contribution to our percentage requirement. In fact, if you will recall, I went as far as to call these folks who dispute your choice of food, 'naysayers'. Now I'm not one for the use of the blue language and it ended up causing me quite a restless tossing and turning night, whilst feeling...distasteful. I don't know how many times I logged back in through the night to edit my verbiage choice to something less boorish, however, I came to the conclusion that if it lands on the screen, then...that's ok. Rules < No Rules But, to say that I would assume vegetarians only eat fake meat...well, that stings a bit. How could I, or even you, possibly speak for the entire vegetarian community? Perhaps there is someone out there who strictly does only eat fake meat? There's something to chew on. Listen, I'm certain that you prepare a wonderful kale dish, especially if it's anything like your homemade hummus and pitas, and perhaps with your culinary background we can all one day be enchanted to the vegan side when the Earwolf Forum Topics Study Group (EFTSG) is held at your fine abode. And I want to thank you for not bringing up my abs, as just like kale, it could really get us off track. So let's see if I can steer this back on topic. Hmmmm...mmmmm.....hmph....wow. You’ll have to excuse me for a moment. Ok, I'm back. I actually had to leave the computer for a bit to think about this one. I mean, the dirt, not tasty/tasty, the crusts, it was all A LOT to swallow. But I happen to know a lot about this particular subject. And the answer is, no…pie crusts should ‘not’ have more soil in them. Well, let me be more specific. Pie crusts that already have the average amount of soil in them should not have more soil added to them. However, if a pie crust is perhaps a knock off brand, maybe a ‘best yet’ or even a 'great value' pie crust that doesn’t have the expected average amount of soil, then yes…yes, absolutely there should be more added, but no more than the standard amount. Just be sure to check the labels is I think the point here. I’m sure we all knew the kid who ate dirt on the playgrounds… Oh, which reminds me, “CORPSEFUCKER SHITLORD”, which is a term I’m not familiar with, I must admit. I’m not sure the origin, perhaps Latin or is this a product? If I can just perhaps maybe jump onto Hug’s proverbial wagon here for a moment, while the veggie joke was indeed a very well constructed belly laugh, I have to say that a great point was brought up there about the rules and the no rules. Just in this very post I mention how I found myself struggling with that very same thing, so I can understand the difficulty. But, I believe the bigger difficulty is finishing our share of this topic as we do not want to taste defeat. Please let it be known that I ‘do’ accept your apology and it is SO greatly appreciated. So, to get this train back on the tracks, allow me hit your senses with these two questions to gnaw on. Does food taste the same to you, as it does me? And can you really taste a rainbow as the Skittles company advert slogan claims?

Well, I don't know that I can say I'm quite ready to quench my appetite with a 3D hemorrhoid doughnut, but hey, I'm not here to crush your futuristic dreams! I got a little silly there, and I DO apologize for my digression. I realize the rules/no rules moniker, but, we're just starting to gain some ground on this massive topic they've left us with, so...I'll dig my spoon in and have a taste of this surface we're just scratching. I should start off by thanking you for providing a sort of 'word form' Xanax to me and all of those I've contacted about the cake photos. Such a relief! And I have to say, I'm SO glad that I'm not the only who noticed this TWICE repeated shout out to the 'Topics Grannies'. I mean, listen, I'm sure they're a wonderful group of ladies, but I think we've all seen the lengths the Grannies will go to for airtime time and time again, and it's best that they get called out on it, that's all. No rules, but...ladies, please...guidelines and etiquette for goodness sake. At their age, they really should know better. Ok, I'm starting to get cast out again, so I'll reel it back in. But I do thank you for addressing this. When I think of taste, I don't really think about it at all. Like MIB, I too have an amazing 6 pack and am so thankful for him previously discussing his and inadvertently making me feel better about my own amazing abs. I'm not so self conscious at the gym anymore when I'm doing my 1500 crunches a day. Yes, 500 more than MIB, but I'm not here to brag about how many more crunches I do...or about my glorious abdominal region. Hmm, I seem to have gotten a little side tracked thinking about my abs...oh yes, my point, my point is that I pretty much eat the same bland things every day. I no longer eat food for the taste, simply for it's benefits to my abs. So for me, the blander the better. You could say that I hope I 'don't' taste it. Which no doubt lessens the amount of senses I'm using in that regard. You mention your hankering for the taste of blood and cakes, which of course have animal fats, eggs (if you're that strict), etc., in them, and it almost seems as though your vegetarian ways are being challenged by your own senses? Maybe you could open up that travel bag a bit and spread the contents on the hotel bed for us? I've had tofurkey, and while it's hard for me to say I've enjoyed it, I certainly wouldn't be as crass as to say that those who do, lack taste! Which, I should point out, I'm once again not using the word 'taste' there in a topical 'topics' sense, but perhaps as more of an adjective. Lest anyone get confused. I brought up the aforementioned because in my extensive studies and worldly travels, I've actually heard of vegetarians in some regions being accused of having no taste. I know, right? As a vegetarian yourself, would you concur that using one's senses could disprove this? Meaning, if perhaps having one of these veggie naysayers getting their beaks wet by 'tasting' a veggie hotdog, it could dissuade them from making such unrooted accusations.

You make such a great point there with the 20% challenge, really great. And speaking of points, at one point I mistakenly thought that MIB was going to segway from glue smelling, to eating paste and thus covering the sense of taste. But, it wasn't to be. I have to say, though, my sensory system became overloaded after hearing the seemingly obligatory shout out to the 'Topics Grannies'. I mean, right at the top of the podcast. Sure, worthy of a chuckle indeed, but, I don't know that it warranted a full shout out. And I'll be honest, it took a minute for me to get reeled back in. To be clear, when you mentioned doughnuts, you were referring to the hemorrhoid pillows, correct? Because yes, they are absolutely delightful to caress. However, I'm fairly certain that I wouldn't 'taste' one! I really like what you said about how "Pictures can look tasty even though they are not edible.", you are so right, you really shouldn't eat them. But...this doesn't apply also to the cakes that have pictures imprinted on them too, does it? Because as it stands now, I've definitely eaten those cakes, and I have to say...they 'taste' delicious. You seem to know so much about pictures and not eating them...I mean, am I now in danger? And it wasn't just myself who had the cake, I'm talking children as well, in fact, whole families were enjoying it together. I'm hoping you can maybe open that box of knowledge up a little more and share a slice?

I'm pleased to be here in the newly established 'forum study group', hello members and future members. And as Hug says, "You already know the rules". Which is so interesting. And to unpack that just a little bit for new members of this group, it's been agreed that chains will be implemented if/when needed. It looks like M&M have fed our minds a lot to swallow once again, perhaps they heard your suggestion of two a week, Hug? And nice to see you've brought your homemade hummus and pitas, how palatable! This will surely be a treat as I also endulge my brain's appetite in these latest eps.

Wow, so insightful! Yes! It does seem like it's an 'us against the topics' kind of scenario they've thrown us in. And perhaps the least they could do is give us a plug of some sort? Yet another great 'topic' of poignant interest, further supporting the 2 shows a week notion, I might add. I will now resign my posting in 'this' thread, and move to the newly created 'forum study group' thread at the following link: http://forum.earwolf...cs-study-group/