Is anybody else a middle child here?

IAMGROOT comments on Feb 6, 2018:

Eldest of 3 here. Sibs are 5 and 7 years younger.

Do you have any bumper stickers on your car?

IAMGROOT comments on Feb 6, 2018:

Space Travel On Earth

Horrible Cards - Love and Valentine's Day Cards by The Oatmeal

IAMGROOT comments on Feb 6, 2018:

All I've got here is LOL! Hi-Larious! Thanks!

If your life were a story, who would be the antagonist?

IAMGROOT comments on Feb 6, 2018:

It's too damn early for me to contemplate this. LOL!

My favorite Winter Olympics sport is Short Tracking speed skating.

IAMGROOT comments on Feb 5, 2018:

Curling. JUST KIDDING!! LOL! I like speed-skating too. Short Track, wasn't that what Apollo Ono did? That's ok, but I prefer the longer ones more. I also enjoy down hill skiing and think ski-jumping is pretty cool. The image of "the agony of defeat" in that ad that Jim McKay voiced over many years ago is burned into my brain. It was of a ski-jumper crashing and burning on the jump ramp (not the Olympics, but I believe was part of an Olympic ad, or possibly an ad for ABC's Wide World of Sports (see video link): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKEDD1i4oGk

Hello there

IAMGROOT comments on Feb 5, 2018:

Howdy, CA neighbor. Welcome!

Are you good at small talk?

IAMGROOT comments on Feb 5, 2018:

I'm like you. Unless I'm interested in the person, it's work to make small-talk. I go through this with my co-workers, with whom I have virtually nothing in-common.

What types of things do you take note of and recall easily?

IAMGROOT comments on Feb 5, 2018:

First what I DON'T; Names! When someone is introduced to me I am so unfocused on it you could ask me again 5 minutes later and I couldn't tell you. What I can recall fairly well, is content from films and TV shows. You know, the important stuff. =]

If you could change your legal name easily and for free, would you? If so, to what?

IAMGROOT comments on Feb 5, 2018:

That's a good question. I have never liked my first or middle names. When I asked my dad why they chose what they chose he told me "because we liked the way it sounded." If I could easily change it, I honestly would have to put some thought into it because I never have before. Dirk Diggler maybe? LOL! IDK.

What’s your most favorite and least favorite sport?

IAMGROOT comments on Feb 5, 2018:

Sounds like you're referring to spectator sports. I'm not much of a spectator, but when the 49ers are winning, I enjoy watching them. The Superbowl held no interest for me at all. I like Baseball, but it is so slow it's also not a good spectator sport. Basketball would have to be my least favorite. There is plenty of action, but the games are often decided in the last quarter, so why bother watching the first three? LOL! See, not a fan. Now as for sports I personally enjoy; bowling, swimming, skiing (but it's been some time since I actually did that), and "working out." For me, working out is a regimen I have done for years involving cardio, resistance training (weights and machines), and some floor exercises.

Has anyone watched Altered Carbon, on Netflix?

IAMGROOT comments on Feb 4, 2018:

Watching it. I think it's pretty good. Better than Electric Dreams (and I realize they are not that comparable).

How do ya’ll cope with an office job?

IAMGROOT comments on Feb 2, 2018:

On a daily basis! LOL! I'm a stateworker in CA and have been fortunate enough for most of my tenure here to occupy a cubicle with windows. The view ain't great, but it's better than nothing. Even with that, I have personalized my cubicle with lots of pictures of my kids (my daughter is a performing arts nut (age 16) and I have pics of her in all of her roles, plus some other pictures and misc items I have received as gifts, including several Star Trek holiday tree ornaments (complete with sound!). You could also install a personalized desktop background (wallpaper) on your PC if it's permitted. Hope that helps.

Black Mirror Show blows my mind.

IAMGROOT comments on Feb 2, 2018:

I doubt I'd watch it. Love that show tho. Recently watched S2. Wish there were more episodes. Those are short seasons. Electric Dreams isn't bad either (Philip K. Dick sci-fi).

How The Evangelical "American Taliban" Became Trump's Lapdogs

IAMGROOT comments on Feb 2, 2018:

Good article. I agree with it. We are living in some scary times, politically and are dangerously close to becoming a theocracy.

At a certain age, should people be re-tested for their ability to drive?

IAMGROOT comments on Feb 2, 2018:

Absolutely! While I totally get how hard it is, especially in the US, where we are so in love with our cars and the freedom they bring, to potentially give that up, your safety, and the safety of others is more important than your personal freedom to drive about. We went through this with my dad. Even at his best, I didn't love riding with him. LOL! He couldn't seem to apply consistent pressure to the gas pedal. We lost him to pancreatic cancer at age 74 so he wasn't that old to begin with, but he declined rapidly in his final few years and his significant other ultimately mailed me the keys to his car to prevent him from driving because he was stuck in his delusion that he had it all under control. I think that more frequent, and harder, vision tests should be done from a certain age. Also, maybe a test in a simulator to test reflexes and awareness. It's discrimination. ANY test is a form of discrimination, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. =]

Ground Hog Day - Why is this still a thing?

IAMGROOT comments on Feb 2, 2018:

No idea why, but I love the film. =]

Do you drive

IAMGROOT comments on Feb 1, 2018:

I'm with you. No patience for stupid drivers.

The year 2030, technologically speaking, what will the world look like?

IAMGROOT comments on Feb 1, 2018:

I think human integration with tech will continue. AIs, of course, are on the rise and are already interacting with us. This will probably progress to a point where it will be difficult to know whether you're dealing with a person or an AI. Sex robots (read about them yet?) are here and will only improve if that business grows. I suspect they will outgrow their role as a sex companion, possibly to a point where they could replace a human partner (weird, huh?). Nano technology is also improving and we will likely see it in medical science, perhaps nanobots in our bloodstreams targeting and destroying cancer and other harmful cells. We'll see continued improvements in consumer electronics like TVs, sound systems, VR/gaming. In transportation (and I posted about this once already) I believe ET3 (Evacuated Tube Transport Technology) and Elon Musk's Hyperloop will become a reality. This will cause a disruption of existing mass transit and cargo transport worldwide. It will be a true paradigm shift that will "shrink" the world by many factors (ET3 claims to be able to achieve speeds of between 4-6K, MPH). Imagine living in LA and commuting to DC, or even HI for work. Cars will still be around, especially in the US, but they will be relegated to "last mile or first mile" leg of a trip. You'll take your car to the Tube Transport complex much as you do to the airport now, but would do so for any significant distance travel. These are a few things I think will happen. Oh, I think that as Humankind learns more and more about the genome, we will learn to manipulate it in order to filter out genetic flaws resulting in longer lifespans and healthier lives. Who knows, the key to biological immortality could be in there someplace. =]

Is it "shallow" to care about looks when it comes to picking a partner?

IAMGROOT comments on Jan 31, 2018:

Despite people who say they are all about what's on the inside, I believe everyone considers appearance to some extent in a partner. Is it shallow? I suppose it can be. Depends. Everyone has an idea of what they find attractive, physically.

Have you ever been told you look like someone famous?

IAMGROOT comments on Jan 31, 2018:

I was told once walking into the Waterworld show at Universal Hollywood that I looked like Dennis Hoppers character, the Deacon.

Do you feel happier after you’ve exercised?

IAMGROOT comments on Jan 31, 2018:

Yep! Feel accomplished and pumped. Nuff said. ?

How many places have you lived?

IAMGROOT comments on Jan 31, 2018:

Military brat here. Born in Wiesbaden, Germany. Lived in Dover Delaware, Germany, Italy, Salem, OR, Sterling, Vs, as a military dependent. Then moved to Redwood City, CA in 1976, graduated HS and enlisted in the AF, then lived in San Angelo, TX, and Frankfurt, Germany. Separated honorably, then back to CA where I have pretty much lived ever since. Been in the Sacramento area 20+ years.

Who is your favorite villain?

IAMGROOT comments on Jan 30, 2018:

I have to agree with others here who like Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker. His is the darkest, most layered version of the villain. It has no camp at all, unlike Nicholson's, who was a good baddie, but still patterned after the Cesar Romero version from the original Batman TV series, right down to the cackle. LOL! Also agree with others here that Ledger's loss was huge.

How much time per day/week do you spend exercising or engaging in some form of fitness?

IAMGROOT comments on Jan 30, 2018:

I have a workout I have done for years that Involves cardio (30 mins on my elliptical), and resistance training. I try to hit it 4X/wk. Takes about 2 hours. Oh, abs too.

Tattoos

IAMGROOT comments on Jan 29, 2018:

I got my first tat a few years ago. Now have two. One is a custom piece and the other is Groot. (Surprise!). I found my artist by Googling and viewing samples of their work. Found stuff I liked and met with the guy. He did an awesome job of collaborating with me and helping to evolve my idea into something I think is pretty wonderful. I attached a pic of a pic of both which does neither of them justice.

Black and White Films

IAMGROOT comments on Jan 28, 2018:

I think what you're calling terrible and unnatural acting is more of a comparison between the melodramatic acting of that period versus the more realistic portrayals you see today. Many older films are like that, but there are some modern "classics" that are excellent. Schindler's List is B&W. Young Frankenstein is also great. I skimmed the comments and saw the reference to the old Twilight Zone series. An excellent example. I would add some comedies from the 60s as well, such as the Addams Family, The Munsters, The Honeymooners, and The Dick Van Dyke Show.

Do you have a favorite quote?

IAMGROOT comments on Jan 28, 2018:

Poets, Priests, and Politicians have words to thank for their positions - Sting

What are your opinions on prostitution?

IAMGROOT comments on Jan 28, 2018:

Absolutely! Decriminalizing this consensual activity will free police up to go after real criminals. Additionally, it will satisfy the needs of many men who, for whatever reason, are unable or find difficulty getting into a romantic, intimate relationship. Consensual sex among adults is not a crime. Paying for it shouldn't be either.

What TV shows are you currently watching?

IAMGROOT comments on Jan 28, 2018:

In general order of preference; Westworld (far superior to its feature film ancestors), Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, Black Mirror (very quirky and cool), Daredevil, Luke Cage, Agents of Shield (yeah, I'm kind of a Marvel goober). There are more, just can't think of them ATM. I've barely started Stranger Things and have heard good things about it. Tried watching Lost a few times, but although I love JJ Abrams stuff, that show isn't doing it for me. I'm curious about the new Star Trek series, Discovery, but not willing to pay CBS for it.

Beer drinkers

IAMGROOT comments on Jan 28, 2018:

I have really developed a taste for Porters, and have preferred smooth, amber/dark beers for a long time. Don't get IPA-mania at all. Yuck! LOL!

Believing there is no God gives me more room for belief in family, people, love, truth, beauty, sex,...

IAMGROOT comments on Jan 28, 2018:

It also frees you up to believe in yourself. =]

Wine Drinkers

IAMGROOT comments on Jan 27, 2018:

I love a peppery Zin or a nice pinot noir. Have also had some great viognier. Love fruity non-fortified ports too.

I hate when people make the statement where do atheists get their moral code from if not from ...

IAMGROOT comments on Jan 27, 2018:

Right! Everyone has a moral code of some kind, whether it's good or bad.

Good morning everyone! So a friend of mine responded to a pastors video about a black man asking if...

IAMGROOT comments on Jan 27, 2018:

You go girl! I just saw some survey result that indicated the highest percentage of responders (30%) believe religion is the cause of most human conflict. I agree wholeheartedly with that. Religion has caused more pain, suffering and death than anything else in human history. As Hitchens said, "Religion Poisons Everything."

How many of you are still in touch with an ex, someone you had some sort of relationship with or ...

IAMGROOT comments on Jan 27, 2018:

I have two exes. One very recent (within the last two years), the other divorce was many years ago (about 20). Both are in the area and I am in contact with both, partly due to our mutual children (one from each union). It's amicable.