Just about all kinds you'd expect in the woods, orchards, and fields, although it's not quite so remote that there would be wolves, bears or boar (you'd find those in the surrounding mountains). Hawks, owls, woodpeckers, pheasants; mostly harmless snakes ...  moreJust about all kinds you'd expect in the woods, orchards, and fields, although it's not quite so remote that there would be wolves, bears or boar (you'd find those in the surrounding mountains). Hawks, owls, woodpeckers, pheasants; mostly harmless snakes and ticks; few rabbits, but too many foxes. My dog, though always unleashed, is no more a hunter than I am - he'll sniff out the occassional mouse when we go running. Haven't seen any weasels in a long time, nor any living badgers at all, but they leave their tracks, especially in the snow. There isn't any one large body of water nearby (two artificial lakes in the wider area, one of them in an abandoned quarry), yet I couldn't tell you how many brooks, streams, or marshes. Therefore, frog concerts and heron fly-bys. There's a squirrel I see from my window on a daily basis around this time; or, rather, I thought it was always the same until I saw three of them at once...But I wanted to finish with this: deer. Such graceful creatures. They seem like far too ...    less

In and of itself, the transition was simple. I should add that I have roots in neighboring Bosnia (which didn't simplify the process but did speed it up), and already spoke the language. Now, arranging the move, driving the 2000km for a third time in quic...  moreIn and of itself, the transition was simple. I should add that I have roots in neighboring Bosnia (which didn't simplify the process but did speed it up), and already spoke the language. Now, arranging the move, driving the 2000km for a third time in quick succession, building the house, spending the first four months in a dilapidated one... all that was going to be complicated either way, haha. Yet I look back on it fondly. It's been a very long time since I've heard anything at all about Flemish or Walloon independence. I don't think they know what they would've done with Brussels! It has more of a French-language identity anyhow; perhaps Antwerp was meant to be the capital of Flanders. Antwerp, my place of birth, is a place I do not look back on very fondly, despite many friends and some family there. All in all, Belgian politicians must have realized that small is tiny enough.  less

I went through with it; didn't need much motivation (and my mother was always very kind about it!). I wanted something different, in the countryside... Building or buying a modest home like this, with no neighbours within half a mile, would have cost a (n...  moreI went through with it; didn't need much motivation (and my mother was always very kind about it!). I wanted something different, in the countryside... Building or buying a modest home like this, with no neighbours within half a mile, would have cost a (non-existent) fortune back in Belgium. Serbia, on the other hand, probably has too few people.  

Thanks, Ansley! And don't worry, they'll find you. Especially if one of them is "rhythm."

Haha, no, I'm pretty sure that's the rest of us! Quite ironically, I have just become very bad at reading novels... In case you're wondering why: I also catch myself yelling at all these TV shows to "put it in a movie" so I can absorb it in 90 minutes rat...  moreHaha, no, I'm pretty sure that's the rest of us! Quite ironically, I have just become very bad at reading novels... In case you're wondering why: I also catch myself yelling at all these TV shows to "put it in a movie" so I can absorb it in 90 minutes rather than 90 episodes.  

To be honest, I think reconsidering the idea of Ukraine joining NATO might have stopped a whole lot more. But it wouldn't have advantaged the West. And that then makes me believe, in accordance with the virtues of "we'll send weapons and indebt you while ...  moreTo be honest, I think reconsidering the idea of Ukraine joining NATO might have stopped a whole lot more. But it wouldn't have advantaged the West. And that then makes me believe, in accordance with the virtues of "we'll send weapons and indebt you while you go at them," they don't want Putin to be stopped -- not quite yet. Only weakened.  

I suppose that's where the whole basement-thing entered the picture?

That's fair - because you're not a librarian. One of my professors was perplexed to find that most of his students thought Madame Bovary boring. Despite very resounding excerpts I've heard and read from The Brothers Karamazov, I've never been te...  moreThat's fair - because you're not a librarian. One of my professors was perplexed to find that most of his students thought Madame Bovary boring. Despite very resounding excerpts I've heard and read from The Brothers Karamazov, I've never been tempted to pick it up myself.  

I propose we call it misersea, it would be crazier to be the same, no worse than postmarital, and I'll leave that last bit to the experts.

Very fittingly ambiguous... I'm glad you got something out of my bidet!

I slept through a 6 a.m. thunderstorm not too long ago. Why should I want it to wake me up? ;)

Of course not - but I would never react like that to news about more Americans being shot by Americans (whose nation has also been involved in a few military tangles here and there). I'm sorry if it seems like I'm coming at you, especially when we've...  moreOf course not - but I would never react like that to news about more Americans being shot by Americans (whose nation has also been involved in a few military tangles here and there). I'm sorry if it seems like I'm coming at you, especially when we've always had pleasant exchanges. It's just that, the same way I'm opposed to the war, I seem to encounter growing animosity towards Russian people (and to their culture at large) even as they have nothing or little to do with it. Without wanting to spin this into a rant, one absurd example of it is that my mother, a librarian, has to work with colleagues who refuse to touch Dostoevsky's books.  less

Is it "oh, well" because they're Russian citizens? I don't think the war in Ukraine makes it any less horrendous.

I was thinking answerPool or answerBasin, but... answerBidet. 
With the period, because it's definitive. (Also, "answer" now suddenly strikes me as a weird-looking word.)

Think themselves the smartest.

That is absolutely a story worth sharing :) So she realized you had drunk her beer (from both glasses, I presume, so the difference would be less noticeable) and chose not to say anything about it?

No sabía que tenemos tantos hispanohablantes :) Buen esfuerzo, Slartibartrápido.

Haha, true of all genders. Now, I wouldn't want you to give the answer away yet, but I am curious as to what it is - especially since you've remembered it for... what, 15 years? ;)If I had another guess, I would say: someone who always carries an extra he...  moreHaha, true of all genders. Now, I wouldn't want you to give the answer away yet, but I am curious as to what it is - especially since you've remembered it for... what, 15 years? ;)If I had another guess, I would say: someone who always carries an extra helmet for you on his motorbike.  

So much for not giving away your weakness!

Non-smelly feet.

Jaimie? I'm sorry, Jaimie!

Hey, Randy - so I was eating baked potatoes the other night, right, and one of the slices is longer than the others. So I bend it in half with my fork (it's not so crispy that it would snap), put a bit of sour cream in between these newly-formed buns (as ...  moreHey, Randy - so I was eating baked potatoes the other night, right, and one of the slices is longer than the others. So I bend it in half with my fork (it's not so crispy that it would snap), put a bit of sour cream in between these newly-formed buns (as we are wont to do; no subtext intended), and realize it's now like a warm potato-cheese sandwich. A very good one, at that. Then I wonder: "what kind of food (that one would usually like) would not taste good in a sandwich? Perhaps I should pose the question to the Mug?" However, to proceed with that would have been to intrude on the territory of a certain resident expert, which is why I write this kindly and respectfully to request that you do the honours, assuming the query has not already been formulated and concluded. Yours truly,-- --Oh, and no, no rules or restrictions. But I could never imagine telling my parents much about what little dating I might muster (mmm mustard), or introducing a girl to either of them. Even today, I'd find it less than comf...    less

I'm not sure. People probably pick up more from movies and other media than they know. Is all of it good -- well, to that I do have the answer ;)

"Some flies are just too awesome for the wall."EDIT: Ugh, supposed to be a reply to Not Sure, about acquiring social skills from movies.

No doubt the two of you must have had many rockin' good times together. And, for what it may be worth, you have my sympathies as well. Whatever happens, I hope you let her know there is a stranger in middle-of-nowhere Serbia thinking of you both.

I'd prefer it if anyone so inclined did it in the turbine.

D. Is it difficult for some people to sleep like that - on one's side with the legs slightly pulled up? That's my preference in any scenario.

What - what was that? ... So weird, everybody... I could've sworn somebody was trying to reach out just now...

Agreed, and likewise :)

I'm starting to worry that someday, one of us Muggers is going to unearth a diary in an abandoned Victorian orphanage, containing every word this "Jaimie" supposedly wrote here.

And you don't find that the least bit suspicious??

As what?

Uhm... is anyone else incapable of seeing when Jaimie last had an update? You see that blank comment wall too, right?

That's a personal choice - you don't have to snout it around.

Hey, is that Rosie? THE Rosie?? I confess I'm worried about climate change. Most of the other things, we've unfortunately seen before, and I don't believe nuclear war is going to happen in the near future.But what I'm concerned about is that those wh...  moreHey, is that Rosie? THE Rosie?? I confess I'm worried about climate change. Most of the other things, we've unfortunately seen before, and I don't believe nuclear war is going to happen in the near future.But what I'm concerned about is that those who pollute and take advantage of this planet the most will be busy saving their own hides while the rest of us duke it out. We should be more united right now.  

I don't think I would... But you should probably go! Your ghost-hosts will feel more offended if the tea goes cold.Seriously, I'm sure it'll be fine. You could call your friend and tell them how you feel, without having to make a decision just yet.

Your phrasing suggests it's about a sandwich someone else made for me. I have never raised the slightest of complaints with people bringing me food. Now, if I'm buying the bread, it's possible one heel won't make it home.

I've never been on Experience Project either, but I appreciate it. Even though there are often complaints here about the small number of active members, whenever someone brings up EP - no no, we're all right.

I'm not sure what counts as a meme, but this is something you could probably encounter on the Mug regardless:

Now that you mention it: according to her logs, it was somewhere between your 7:04 post and tilde n° 45989.

Well, I hope it's good. What if it's an accurate observation?

I'm unsure, but I think "Subscribe Topic" (below the question) should have the same function. Not that I'm trying to get in the way of messing with Randy! How about another smile?

That would have been my bet - Cosmic or Element. Thanks, Welby :)

I hope someone recalls; would like to see it myself. Do you remember whose question it was?

I want to apologize - it's a marvel of a site.

I'm trying to figure out who misunderstood whom! This exchange took place almost exactly a year ago - and what do we have to show for it ;)

That's a great story haha, but I have to ask: why did you turn off the bedroom light before grabbing your cat?