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Post by mrw on Mar 7, 2007 3:04:41 GMT
Experimental thread for non-GC general discussion. There's been some good arguments given for having an "off-topic" thread like this, so I'm going to go out on a limb and create it. If Tom or my2k don't feel it's appropriate, then I assume they will happily delete it.  So until then, happy posting! |
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Post by owl on Mar 7, 2007 3:58:20 GMT
Yay! Okay, here's a question that I kinda need to know the answer to, and I figure you guys are knowledgable, maybe you know.
Are there walruses in Iceland? And if there are not, is this because they could not survive there? If someone imported Walruses, would they be able to live there?
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Post by mrw on Mar 7, 2007 6:59:37 GMT
Walrii? Do you dwell in Iceland? Do you wish to procure a walrus? See Gunnerkrigg Walrus Depot for all your Walrus needs. Shipping not included. Monogramming available for no extra charge.
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neal
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Post by neal on Mar 7, 2007 8:24:46 GMT
Oh my goodness, Walrus monogramming! How... terrifying.
I am now considering the decorative and commercial uses of a walrus. Sofa? Backhoe! Rototiller! Lawn Ornament! Salesperson Deterrent! The possibilites are endless!
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Post by fjodor on Mar 7, 2007 9:02:45 GMT
When in need of a walrus, ask the Eggmen....
Try Greenland. Walrus paradise.
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Post by Yin on Mar 7, 2007 10:01:13 GMT
If a walrus is monogrammed by a monogramming machine in a forest when there is nobody around, does either it or the machine make a sound?
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Post by UbiquitousDragon on Mar 7, 2007 16:44:45 GMT
Yes. Because the walrus'll hear it  |
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Post by Uglyhead on Mar 7, 2007 21:34:20 GMT
Unless it is a deaf walrus. Or a dead walrus.
If you're monogramming an animal, it is the humane thing to do to use a dead one. But if you really must use a live one, please utilize proper anesthesia.
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Post by owl on Mar 8, 2007 1:23:21 GMT
Greenland, reeeally. What's the climate like in Greenland? Cold, yes?
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Post by rastarogue on Mar 8, 2007 2:10:07 GMT
generally cold, mainly covered in ice, with the northern part of it inside of the arctic circle.
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Anon
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Post by Anon on Mar 8, 2007 4:25:30 GMT
Although I personally have a general dislike for Wikipedia, it can, on occasion, be your friend. |
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aidan
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Post by aidan on Mar 8, 2007 6:08:22 GMT
Are there walruses in Iceland? And if there are not, is this because they could not survive there? If someone imported Walruses, would they be able to live there? Returning to the original question, it looks like there are not walruses (it is not a latin -derived word, so I prefer to use the standard plural, rather than the "ii" plural) in Iceland. The range of the Atlantic walrus extends south to the latitude of Iceland in other places, but apparently not to Iceland. Since there aren't really all that many Atlantic walruses in general, my guess would be there used to be walruses around Iceland, but over a thousand years of relatively dense population (for the latitude), has killed them off in the immediate vicinity. So, yeah, they could probably survive there, as long as they can find enough undisturbed habitat. The Animal Diversity Web is often my first stop in looking up zoological matters, and has more information on the habits of walruses. The walrus has one of my favorite linnean names: Odobenus, "I walk on my teeth". |
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neal
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Post by neal on Mar 8, 2007 7:52:12 GMT
It is easy to remember the climate of Greenland. You just have to remember that Greenland is icy and Iceland is green. Mostly because the vikings wanted to screw with us.
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Post by Yin on Mar 8, 2007 9:10:26 GMT
Screwing with us was better than screwing us, though.
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Post by mrw on Mar 8, 2007 17:31:23 GMT
walruses (it is not a latin -derived word, so I prefer to use the standard plural, rather than the "ii" plural) The walrus has one of my favorite linnean names: Odobenus, "I walk on my teeth". Actually, my original use of "walrii" was intended as a joke - it makes me giggle when words are mis-pluralized (hmm.. is that even a word?). Sorry for the bad joke. And I totally agree - the linnean name for the walrus is awesome. Hey, Tom's birthday is coming up. Should we send him a monogrammed walrus?  (just kidding) |
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aidan
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Post by aidan on Mar 8, 2007 19:51:00 GMT
Actually, my original use of "walrii" was intended as a joke - it makes me giggle when words are mis-pluralized (hmm.. is that even a word?). Sorry for the bad joke. No need to apologize (to me, anyway), just stating my own preferences. Largely because some people feel the need to insist on the "-ii" plural for anything that ends in "-us". I myself freely alternate between no less than 4 plurals for octopus. And 2 for moose  |
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Post by La Poire on Mar 8, 2007 20:11:46 GMT
A moose, several meece.
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Post by Yin on Mar 8, 2007 22:36:30 GMT
4 plurals? Hm. Octopii, octopusses, octo...pie?
I fold.
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Post by owl on Mar 8, 2007 22:36:36 GMT
Walruses, walruses, walruses! Would walrus shamans have thier own particular symbol that they would monogram on their walruses?
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aidan
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Post by aidan on Mar 9, 2007 2:56:46 GMT
4 plurals? Hm. Octopii, octopusses, octo...pie? I fold. Octopi, octopuses, octopodes (the greek-based pluralization, it's a greek derived word), and octopods (the pluralization of the commonization of Octopoda, the taxon name). |
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Post by rastarogue on Mar 9, 2007 2:59:03 GMT
Moose, meece, mooses, moosen, moosii
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neal
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Post by neal on Mar 9, 2007 4:39:31 GMT
Cactus, Cactii, cactuses, cactodes, cactum! Seriously, I can do this all night (instead of memorizing that Shakespeare piece I'll be performing this weekend)
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Post by mrw on Mar 9, 2007 5:13:06 GMT
Antennae, antennas, antennum, antennii
Right now the Google ads are all about Walruses!
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aoeniac
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Dodecahedron!
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Post by aoeniac on Mar 10, 2007 2:31:35 GMT
The plural of mongoose?
No it's not mongeese. Or mongii. Or mongooses.
It's polygoose!
:P
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Post by Yin on Mar 11, 2007 1:07:44 GMT
Question: If (IF) you saw a tree land in your backyard (or, if you live in an apartment, on your balcony/windowbox/fire escape), what would be the first three things you would do?
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Post by mrw on Mar 11, 2007 1:30:40 GMT
Question: If (IF) you saw a tree land in your backyard (or, if you live in an apartment, on your balcony/windowbox/fire escape), what would be the first three things you would do? What an odd question... did such a thing happen to you? 1) Look up to see if any more are coming. 2) Take a picture. 3) Go check it out. 4) If it's small and not obviously evil, bring it inside. Not too sure on the order of 2 and 3. Curiosity is strong in this one... |
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Post by La Poire on Mar 11, 2007 1:56:08 GMT
By land, do you mean as from falling, or as from flying? If the former, I think I'd first of all check if more were coming, then climb around in it (I'm imagining this as a pretty big tree, lying on its side) because trees are fun to climb. If it had just descended gracefully from the sky as if propelled by some mysterious force, I'd probably try to find out what kind of force that would be. Then climb it – and if it had any fruit, eat the fruit.
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Post by Yin on Mar 11, 2007 2:14:06 GMT
It didn't happen to me, but it would be cool if it had.
I actually meant from flying, but from falling works too.
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Post by La Poire on Mar 11, 2007 14:12:12 GMT
A great tree, oak perhaps, coming straight downward, roots down, at first with speed but slowing as it approaches the ground, like a rocket launch in reverse, landing at last with a slight fwhump sound – that's how I imagine it. But that might just be me. How did you get this idea anyway? Did it happen to a friend of yours, or have you just been gardening while drunk?
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Post by Yin on Mar 12, 2007 2:04:02 GMT
Hee! No, it never happened to me. I was just trying to vary the if a tree falls question.
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