Things That Make You Go... WTF?

[Comfortably Numb]

We don't seem to have discussed Kevin Spacey's in-character video defence...

What on earth was the logic?

Must say, good or bad, the man can really act.

That's for sure... Must be a candidate for one of the most bizarre from 2018...?

 

[maximus otter]

Question being: WTF is that seemingly crawling underneath the bridge?

I’m suspicious.

We’re looking at traffic, then suddenly and for no apparent reason the camera pans about 150 degrees and snaps onto the bridge. We see a convincing-looking WTF? brachiating along the underside of said bridge. The microphone is live as we hear traffic noise, yet not a word from the cameraman. Where is the Ukrainian for “What the hell is that?”

Also, why does the cameraman make no attempt to zoom in on the unknown?

maximus otter

 

[maximus otter]

He didn't use a concealed camera. He used his phone.

The mechanism isn’t relevant. It’s the fact that he felt it appropriate to set up a (presumably covert) recording device in advance.

maximus otter

 

[Coal]

Also, why does the cameraman make no attempt to zoom in on the unknown?

When he does zoom in, it's clearly a person.

 

[Comfortably Numb]

The same can be said for many of your blind postings of photos / videos with no comment explaining what they're supposed to be or where you found them.

The reply to James was straightforward - link doesn't appear to reference the story and would be really interested in seeing it.

James duly explained and resolved the query...

"...many of your blind postings of photos / videos with no comment...".

I don't understand your grievance.

There is next to nothing I ever bring up which hasn't been considered beforehand.

Please elaborate, in case I'm (quite possibly), missing something here.

 

[Comfortably Numb]

I’m suspicious.

We’re looking at traffic, then suddenly and for no apparent reason the camera pans about 150 degrees and snaps onto the bridge. We see a convincing-looking WTF? brachiating along the underside of said bridge. The microphone is live as we hear traffic noise, yet not a word from the cameraman. Where is the Ukrainian for “What the hell is that?”

Also, why does the cameraman make no attempt to zoom in on the unknown?

maximus otter

Is this possibly related?

Attributed as, 'Weird creature under the bridge (VFX test)'...

 

[Yithian]

Is this possibly related?

Attributed as, 'Weird creature under the bridge (VFX test)'...

Bloody hell, that's awful.

It's labelled CGI.

 

[Austin Popper]

I think it's just a parkour/free climber person doing their stuff,

I was thinking Stupid Human Tricks.

Not that I've *ahem* everdoneanythinglikethat.

 

[sherbetbizarre]

The mechanism isn’t relevant. It’s the fact that he felt it appropriate to set up a (presumably covert) recording device in advance.

maximus otter

It was his phone. On the Snap Chat app. Nothing would have needed to be set up in advance.

 

[Yithian]

I post in this thread not because I can't understand it, but rather because this idea came completely from out of nowhere as far as I'm concerned. It seems the MoD is actively considering a return 'East of Suez' with a possible new military base in 'South East Asia' and another somewhere in the Caribbean. Presumably the former will be in Singapore or Brunei and designed to support the Aussies as a balwark against Chinese expansion (need to justify the expense of those nice new carriers).

As to what use we have in geo-strategic terms for a base in the Americas, I have no earthly idea! Ascension covers South America (just about), Cyprus covers the Middle-East and Diego Garcia gives access to the Subcontinent.

It's not quite the Empire Strikes Back and it's a bit mad, but I'm fascinated as to what this could herald (hopefully increased Anglosphere relations).

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-uk-military-bases-caribbean-far-east-eu-global-player-a8703816.html

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1064972/Brexit-news-UK-EU-Gavin-Williamson-military-british-army

 

[Mythopoeika]

It's probably a recognition that the UK needs to guard its assets more, what with China and Russia starting to become more pushy.

 

[ramonmercado]

It's probably a recognition that the UK needs to guard its assets more, what with China and Russia starting to become more pushy.

If it really means to do so then it would involve a massive increase in personnel, Navy, RAF and Royal Marines most likely.

 

[ramonmercado]

If it really means to do so then it would involve a massive increase in personnel, Navy, RAF and Royal Marines most likely.

Marines being more flexible and adaptable than Army.

 

[Yithian]

Marines being more flexible and adaptable than Army.

Tell that to 16 Air Assault Brigade.

 

[ramonmercado]

Tell that to 16 Air Assault Brigade.

I'm off to see them right now!

 

[Coal]

I'm off to see them right now!

Don't forget to impress upon them that only fairies have wings.

 

[ramonmercado]

Don't forget to impress upon them that only fairies have wings.

I've just noticed that the Brigade includes a Battalion of Gurkhas, they might not appreciate the humour.

 

[Austin Popper]

Don't forget to impress upon them that only fairies have wings.

That might even get you an invitation for a ride.

Don't accept the ride.

 

[ramonmercado]

And now the Foreign Office, they won't protect you against cat burglars or Polish Vampirellas.

Questions about vampires in Poland and vegetarian sausages are among the most bizarre phone calls made to consular staff, the Foreign Office has said.

It has compiled the strangest calls from Britons abroad in 2018 in a bid to remind people its helpline is meant to be used in an emergency. It received more than 330,000 calls from people asking for help. One person in the Netherlands had just watched the film Braveheart and called to ask questions about the plot. Someone in the Canary Islands requested the Foreign Office persuade his hotel to give him a different room after a stray cat had "broken into" his current one and peed on his bed.

• A man checking whether there were vampires in Poland because a woman he met online had asked what blood type he was before they met for their first date
• Another man requesting the Foreign Office speak to a massage parlour in Bangkok on his behalf, as he fell asleep during a massage and felt he shouldn't have to pay for it
• A caller in New Delhi asking what time the British High Commission opened, as he'd heard it sold vegetarian sausages and he wanted to buy some

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-46710432

 

[GingerTabby]

I worked in Canada's foreign ministry for a number of years, but thankfully never on the consular assistance line. A colleague who worked in the minister's registry would occasionally receive odd telephone calls from members of the public. She told me a fellow who lived in rural Alberta once phoned her because he was concerned that a patch of land near his home was being used as a UFO landing strip. He wanted to put a stop to it but he wasn't sure who to contact. My colleague said her gut feeling was that this fellow was just a disturbed individual rather than a crank trying to wind her up. She gently explained to him that the ministry's mandate was international affairs, not interstellar ones. She also told him this was a transportation issue that fell under provincial jurisdiction and, after some digging, she provided him with a telephone number in the Alberta Ministry of Transportation. He thanked her for the information and said he would contact them. No doubt staff at the ministry in Edmonton were less than thrilled to receive this referral.

 

[Yithian]

I worked in Canada's foreign ministry for a number of years, but thankfully never on the consular assistance line. A colleague who worked in the minister's registry would occasionally receive odd telephone calls from members of the public. She told me a fellow who lived in rural Alberta once phoned her because he was concerned that a patch of land near his home was being used as a UFO landing strip. He wanted to put a stop to it but he wasn't sure who to contact. My colleague said her gut feeling was that this fellow was just a disturbed individual rather than a crank trying to wind her up. She gently explained to him that the ministry's mandate was international affairs, not interstellar ones. She also told him this was a transportation issue that fell under provincial jurisdiction and, after some digging, she provided him with a telephone number in the Alberta Ministry of Transportation. He thanked her for the information and said he would contact them. No doubt staff at the ministry in Edmonton were less than thrilled to receive this referral.

I have mixed feelings about the British consular services overseas. Each experience of passing through their services has been smooth and timely. New passport, registering marriage, registering a birth: all done professionally.

My complaint is that they seem to have reconfigured their offices solely to deal with business/investment and the promotion of UK education. These things are important (I wholly agree), but there are more important services. It used to be the case that long-term overseas residents would register with the embassy to receive important updates; on attempting to update my contact details a number of years back I was told that they no longer retain lists and I should monitor the FCO website and the embassy Twitter account.

I'm a low-demand expat. If I am seeking advice or assistance from the British Embassy, it is perfectly possible that a catastrophe of a sufficient magnititude to threaten Internet access has occurred. I also question the wisdom of relying on a private company with its own political interests for vital government communications.

How about just keep a list of names and numbers in case? Is the bookshelf dangerously overcrowded?

I won't start on passport costs. That's down to the FCO.

 

[JamesWhitehead]

Another one from History's Dumpster blog. It has also appeared on Reddit and Pinterest.

Trying to verify whether it actually exists in China or anywhere except the internet brings up graphic descriptions of vulva issues!





To confuse the issue, Yantai is a real Chinese wine-producer but the name has been used fraudulently on toxic whisky, which contains methanol!

 

[escargot]

Another one from History's Dumpster blog. It has also appeared on Reddit and Pinterest.

Trying to verify whether it actually exists in China or anywhere except the internet brings up graphic descriptions of vulva issues!

View attachment 13917



To confuse the issue, Yantai is a real Chinese wine-producer but their name has been used fraudulently on toxic whisky, which contains methanol!

It's named after what happens if you drink it.

 

[JamesWhitehead]

I was thinking Old Crotch Whisky but sometimes it's best not to think at all!

 

[Xanatic*]

I just saw a clip of the new mayor of Sheffield. In t-shirt and backwards baseball cap, talking about playing the Imperial March at his inauguration. Is that what politics is like now?

 

[ramonmercado]

I just saw a clip of the new mayor of Sheffield. In t-shirt and backwards baseball cap, talking about playing the Imperial March at his inauguration. Is that what politics is like now?

Well you are talking about Sheffield ...

 

[Comfortably Numb]

I was thinking Stupid Human Tricks.

Not that I've *ahem* everdoneanythinglikethat.

Maybe a 'forerunner' to this?

https://m.epictv.com/media/podcast/...rainian-bridge-jump-|-on-the-edge-ep-1/275402

 

[Kryptonite]

It's named after what happens if you drink it.

It would be great if all alcoholic drinks were named after what happens when you drink them.
"I'll have a pint of Wake Up With A Headache And A Horrible Sense of Dread, please. Oh, and a Shit Yourself On A Night Bus too, thanks".

 

[Austin Popper]

It would be great if all alcoholic drinks were named after what happens when you drink them.
"I'll have a pint of Wake Up With A Headache And A Horrible Sense of Dread, please. Oh, and a Shit Yourself On A Night Bus too, thanks".

I'll have an I'll Never Drink Tequila Again, and my friend would like one of those Something Brushes Up Against Your Shoulder And It's The Floor, please.

 

[Comfortably Numb]

It would be great if all alcoholic drinks were named after what happens when you drink them.
"I'll have a pint of Wake Up With A Headache And A Horrible Sense of Dread, please. Oh, and a Shit Yourself On A Night Bus too, thanks".

Already on sale and a scourge in Scotland, mate, albeit the Monks absolve themselves of any responsibility...

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/buckfast-monks-rake-record-88m-9456590