The Agents of F.L.A.S.K.

[Harp]

Did you know that The Baconian theory of Shakespeare authorship holds that Sir Francis Bacon, philosopher, essayist and scientist, wrote the plays which were publicly attributed to William Shakespeare? Thus the plays were credited to Shakespeare, who was merely a front to shield the identity of Bacon.
Conspiratorial theorists were alive and well in the 16th & 17th centuries.

Shakespeare's singular genius was solely his and his alone. Unsurpassed majestic beauty, heart,
soul, mind all the Bard, enigma though he remains. I believe he must have been a soldier once,
his prose gives much and reveals even more to any discerning reader. Except of course Oscar Wilde,
wit extraordinaire whom cast jealous rage toward the Globe and too my lady fair Elizabeth Barrett
Browning, poetess of my heart. Wildean venom also directed at Whitman, like Henry James but while
I tolerate Oscar's faults and foibles because of his talent, I detest James.

 

[Zombie_61]

New study supposedly confirms that gravity/tides/moon phases do indeed effect human behavior. In my family, it was a sort of folk myth that one of our siblings went a little bat sh$t crazy whenever there was a full moon. Could it be true after all? My sister in law who fancies herself a “hedge witch” would say “of course it’s true. My potions work best during a full moon (or no moon, depending.)”

https://www.studyfinds.org/sun-and-moon-impact-behavior/

Everyone I've ever known who worked in the Emergency Room in a hospital has told me their wildest (and usually busiest) nights were/are when the moon is full. They had no idea why it was/is that way, but they always dreaded working those nights.

 

[GHT]

A decade or so past, this cute little brunette and professional acquaintance claimed she was a witch, with duly enrolled dues paying membership in a real Wicca no less; and, coincidentally possessed a very high sexual drive, which she believed to be a curse of some witchcraft lineage.

Witches with a high sex drive? I always wondered why witches sat on the broom handle instead of fitting a saddle! You live and learn.
The witch is, as if you didn't know, from the brush of the talented Gil Elvgren.

 

[Harp]

A resemblance I see.

 

[Tiki Tom]

Oh, sure. It’s all fun and games —until one of them comes swerving at you.
Then, quite sensibly, you bring it to your wife’s attention. And the Mrs responds: “Oh, yes. I saw her careening across traffic lanes about five miles ago. What took you so long? And, BTW, don’t even think about it.”
But of course, being a red blooded male, you momentarily luxuriate in the thought of standing right in front of that out of control 18 wheeler. A self destructive urge, to be sure.

 

[Tiki Tom]

Figure the odds!
I was disappointed that the article doesn’t mention the odds against playing the Lotto and winning big on four separate occasions.

https://www.news.com.au/world/ameri...m/news-story/31dd3cc389cdd31337d162945f1ee630

But never mind that, the odds are probably even steeper against your getting hit by lightning seven times during your life.

https://www.iflscience.com/editors-...-lightning-on-7-separate-occasions-and-lived/

what gives? True, the standard argument is that “with trillions of things happening in the world every hour, it’s inevitable that some things will happen that appear to be spooky due to their extreme unlikelihood.” In other words: With so many things happening, weird coincidences are inevitable.

What is luck? I know people who follow certain rituals because they think they will bring them luck. Others carry charms. Some note that they are lucky on certain days of the month. Lucky clothing is worn by some. Does your karma influence your luck? Do angels intercede and blow on your dice?

Any other true examples of people defying extremely long odds? Any fun theories on why some people are so lucky? Any tips for those seeking to beat the odds?

 

[Harp]

Figure the odds!
What is luck? I know people who follow certain rituals because they think they will bring them luck. Others carry charms. Some note that they are lucky on certain days of the month. Lucky clothing is worn by some. Does your karma influence your luck? Do angels intercede and blow on your dice?

Any other true examples of people defying extremely long odds? Any fun theories on why some people are so lucky? Any tips for those seeking to beat the odds?

I methodically analyze a thoroughbred graded stakes race, perform bore-to-butteplate handicap,
and listen to my gut instinct. Pegasus and The Saudi Cup await around the corner.

 

[GHT]

I methodically analyze a thoroughbred graded stakes race, perform bore-to-butteplate handicap,
and listen to my gut instinct. Pegasus and The Saudi Cup await around the corner.

You need a serious talk with your gut instinct!

 

[Harp]

You need a serious talk with your gut instinct!

American thoroughbred graded stakes are subject to empirical data collection, said data being
put to exacting rigorous analysis; yet instinctual lessons hard learned at track betting drive home the
importance of subjective consideration.

As a professional, I have learned to listen to my gut instinct which has proved profitable.

Foreign horses entered domestic graded stakes are problematic although if the trainer
is known such as Aidan O'Brien it helps with handicapping. But as a rule the English, Irish,
French, and Saudi horses are too often a blank sheet stranger to American pros.

 

[Tiki Tom]

Harp, you might have some insights into this mystery: Why have so many horses died at Santa Anita racetrack in recent years? A whopping 37 horses died there in 2019 and the count has been at least 20 in each of the following two years. Is this unusual? Or is this par for the course at a major racetrack? I haven’t the slightest knowledge in this area. One theory is the inappropriate use of hormone injections. Really? I’m assuming that is illegal. But I really don’t know.
I have very pleasant memories of going to Santa Anita with my father when I was a kid. So, yeah, I like the atmosphere. I’ve been noticing articles about the mysterious horse deaths there for some time.

https://en.as.com/en/2021/12/07/other_sports/1638855620_335149.html

 

[Harp]

I touched upon this earlier today in another thread. Backstretch word, public domain knowledge,
news, and some speculative cast is that a certain CEO of the Stronach Corp ordered the ponies
ridden hard, inhumanely so. Perhaps drugs were used, but the resultant deaths pointed a finger
at this CEO whom I will not name.

To cover herself, the Santa Anita track was blamed, a trainer accused of drugging hounded out,
a big much ado about jockey whip usage, anything to avoid the truth ensued.

The Pegasus collapsed. Once heralded as the richest purse race in the world held at another
Stronach track, Gulf Stream Park in Florida utterly fell in prestige. Many owners pulled out,
others like Bob Baffert whose barn is located at Santa Anita had to keep a horse in the race
for the sake of barn politics but the damage was done. When asked my bet preferences after
the race had been upended I simply advised betting on Baffert and Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien.
The Saudi Cup had tendered the Pegasus top three entrants immediate qualification however
this offer was summarily revoked. The Pegasus $9,000,000 dirt track purse dropped to
$3,000,000---still substantial but not world wide top dollar.

Bob Baffert, face of the sport, has been accused of doping. His vaunted reputation is gone.
And the Stronach Corp is rebuilding Pegasus, adding fillie and mare turf races and biding time.

But the damage to the sport has been done.

 

[Tiki Tom]

More proof that faeries are real. Several pages back, this thread discussed the merits of a fairy sighting in Iceland. Well, here is some additional solid evidence caught by a doorbell cam. Goes right along with the witches we were discussing earlier.

 

[Harp]

More proof that faeries are real. Several pages back, this thread discussed the merits of a fairy sighting in Iceland. Well, here is some additional solid evidence caught by a doorbell cam. Goes right along with the witches we were discussing earlier.

To ward off faeries-and-Leprechauns simply carry a pat of butter in your left pocket and toss salt
over left shoulder. Faeries and Leprechauns be out in force Halloween and the Feast of All Souls
the next day. Salt so they cannot sneak up on ye and butter to stop Leprechaun soul steal.
Sure as a shamrock's thrice and green, a Leprechaun can snatch a soul quick like a fly and hock
it down Hades save any writ deed conveyance to His Excellency the Prince of Lawyers
Lucifer. Now, for a lovely brunette witch with coven wicca no less and admitted libidinous curse
who commands nocturnal attendance her chamber to 'sate my sexual needs' do run. Fast.

 

[Tiki Tom]

Zombie, are you familiar with this publication? (Desert Oracle, strange tales of the desert southwest)

https://www.amazon.com/Desert-Oracle-Strange-American-Southwest/dp/0374139687/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1F6SI08XIVVJI&keywords=Desert+Oracle+ken&qid=1643333826&sprefix=desert+oracle+ken+,specialty-aps,193&sr=8-1

When I was a kid, growing up in Southern California, my dad used to love to take us camping and exploring in the Mojave Desert. Along the way, he’d tell us far fetched stories about lost gold mines, cowboys and pterodactyls, shape-shifting creatures of Native American legend, feral camels, etc, etc. I wish this publication would have been around back then. Dad would have loved it. I’m glad to learn that someone has embraced the offbeat stories of the desert and is writing about them.

 

[Zombie_61]

Zombie, are you familiar with this publication? (Desert Oracle, strange tales of the desert southwest)...

No, I've never even heard of it before. I think they missed a step though; "Strange Tales of the American Desert Southwest: Volume 1" would have been a better title than "Desert Oracle". Still, it's getting favorable reviews so I could be wrong.

 

[GHT]

Now, for a lovely brunette witch with coven wicca no less and admitted libidinous curse
who commands nocturnal attendance her chamber to 'sate my sexual needs' do run. Fast.

She's actually a brunette but the blonde hex hasn't worn off yet.
Her phone number comes at a price.

 

[Harp]

View attachment 398404
She's actually a brunette but the blonde hex hasn't worn off yet.
Her phone number comes at a price.

Charge my Foyles bar tab. ....so, bye the bye a few bits and bobs...the carpet and curtains don't match?

 

[Harp]

American thoroughbred graded stakes are subject to empirical data collection, said data being
put to exacting rigorous analysis; yet instinctual lessons hard learned at track betting drive home the
importance of subjective consideration.

As a professional, I have learned to listen to my gut instinct which has proved profitable.

Foreign horses entered domestic graded stakes are problematic although if the trainer
is known such as Aidan O'Brien it helps with handicapping. But as a rule the English, Irish,
French, and Saudi horses are too often a blank sheet stranger to American pros.

I neglected South American horses, omission faulted meself for not mentioning earlier.
If Argentine thoroughbreds have any American domestic track tenure some Beyer speed record
and race results will be available. Unfortunately, a bit thumbnail sketch isn't much track rake read.

 

[GHT]

Charge my Foyles bar tab. ....so, bye the bye a few bits and bobs...the carpet and curtains don't match?

Did the BBC's Quiz show, The Weakest Link, ever get screened elsewhere? The BBC's presenter was a lady name of Ann Robinson, she was as tough as old boots and came across as hard nosed and feisty. It was all for show of course, then one day she got her come uppance. Mocking a contestant's hair, she asked him: "Is that your natural hair colour?" "Yes Ma'am," he replied, "the carpet matches the drapes." She lost it big time, it was hilarious.

 

[Harp]

Ann Robinson. Some time back a BBC quiz show featured by several entertainment/news programs
here, and I recall this lady was very attractive. Smart as a whip too.

Definitely my kind of witch.