Yes, sad about him and about Robin Williams too.

Have you ever tried just boiling up some spaghetti noodles, and pouring salad dressing over them? I prefer the Italian types but people who like creamy dressings - ranch, etc - might find it works for them too. As far as "cooking" goes, it's very easy. About like heating a can of soup, but it feels like more of a meal.

lemme preface this by saying I think what a person does with their own body is their right, and no one can presume to dictate how anyone else should live or die (sex changes, cosmetic surgery, abortion as well as suicide). That said, I think it's extremely shoddy to kill yourself and leave behind a young, confused child who will now be permanently scarred. Bourdain had an 11 year old daughter. Kate Spade had a 13 year old daughter. And neither of these suicidal parents can hide behind the excuse of not being able to take care of their kids because they were stinking rich and successful. Other demons? Sure but if you're a parent you need to suck it up and accept you prime responsibility to the life you created, before you head for the escape hatch. The children are the ones who have my deepest sympathy and respect.

@Knixon said:

Yes, sad about him and about Robin Williams too.

Have you ever tried just boiling up some spaghetti noodles, and pouring salad dressing over them? I prefer the Italian types but people who like creamy dressings - ranch, etc - might find it works for them too. As far as "cooking" goes, it's very easy. About like heating a can of soup, but it feels like more of a meal.

Generally have them plain with butter--but, not above trying something different. Drenched in Italian dressing, I can envision them tasting like pasta salad--but, without all the work.

@rooprect said:

lemme preface this by saying I think what a person does with their own body is their right, and no one can presume to dictate how anyone else should live or die (sex changes, cosmetic surgery, abortion as well as suicide). That said, I think it's extremely shoddy to kill yourself and leave behind a young, confused child who will now be permanently scarred. Bourdain had an 11 year old daughter. Kate Spade had a 13 year old daughter. And neither of these suicidal parents can hide behind the excuse of not being able to take care of their kids because they were stinking rich and successful. Other demons? Sure but if you're a parent you need to suck it up and accept you prime responsibility to the life you created, before you head for the escape hatch. The children are the ones who have my deepest sympathy and respect.

Can't help but feel for those left behind--especially children. But, I'm of the mind that people who kills themselves have suck up all they can.

@FormerlyKnownAs said:

@rooprect said:

lemme preface this by saying I think what a person does with their own body is their right, and no one can presume to dictate how anyone else should live or die (sex changes, cosmetic surgery, abortion as well as suicide). That said, I think it's extremely shoddy to kill yourself and leave behind a young, confused child who will now be permanently scarred. Bourdain had an 11 year old daughter. Kate Spade had a 13 year old daughter. And neither of these suicidal parents can hide behind the excuse of not being able to take care of their kids because they were stinking rich and successful. Other demons? Sure but if you're a parent you need to suck it up and accept you prime responsibility to the life you created, before you head for the escape hatch. The children are the ones who have my deepest sympathy and respect.

Can't help but feel for those left behind--especially children. But, I'm of the mind that people who kills themselves have suck up all they can.

True dat, I was just sorta ranting on behalf of the children. But I agree when it gets that bad, suicide isn't really a choice so much as an outcome. People in that zone probably experience such tunnel vision that they don't even think of how their action will destroy their kids' lives. It's just a bad situation all around.

@FormerlyKnownAs said:

@Knixon said:

Yes, sad about him and about Robin Williams too.

Have you ever tried just boiling up some spaghetti noodles, and pouring salad dressing over them? I prefer the Italian types but people who like creamy dressings - ranch, etc - might find it works for them too. As far as "cooking" goes, it's very easy. About like heating a can of soup, but it feels like more of a meal.

Generally have them plain with butter--but, not above trying something different. Drenched in Italian dressing, I can envision them tasting like pasta salad--but, without all the work.

That would be especially true if done with elbow macaroni, or spiral, or wagon-wheels or whatever. But I don't have those around. I always have (thin) spaghetti, and Italian salad dressings.

It could also be fancied up some with grated parmesan, and other things that might be on hand.

@rooprect said:

lemme preface this by saying I think what a person does with their own body is their right, and no one can presume to dictate how anyone else should live or die (sex changes, cosmetic surgery, abortion as well as suicide). That said, I think it's extremely shoddy to kill yourself and leave behind a young, confused child who will now be permanently scarred. Bourdain had an 11 year old daughter. Kate Spade had a 13 year old daughter. And neither of these suicidal parents can hide behind the excuse of not being able to take care of their kids because they were stinking rich and successful. Other demons? Sure but if you're a parent you need to suck it up and accept you prime responsibility to the life you created, before you head for the escape hatch. The children are the ones who have my deepest sympathy and respect.

Overall, nicely done. But get back to me when you can prove that an unborn baby is not a separate person.

@FormerlyKnownAs said:

Anthony Bourdain (June 25, 1956-June 8, 2018)

"You go out there and show the best story you can as best you can. If it's interesting to you, hopefully it's interesting to others. If you don't make television like that, it's pandering." - Bourdain

A man who loved his work—and it showed.

Although my go-to meal is shaken from a box into a large bowl and then covered with milk; must confess that food/cooking/travel shows are my guilt-pleasure.

R.I.P.

Interesting article in the a.m. paper (NYDailyNews - 06/09/18)...

Citing info. from the 'Centers for Disease Control and Prevention', states that since 1999 suicide rates have increased in every state except Nevada.

Lowest: Delaware - under 6%

Highest : North Dakota - over 57% (Can't even wrap my head around that number.)

Yes, I heard a report the other day that of the top causes of death, in the US anyway, only 3 have actually increased in recent years: Alzheimer's, suicide, and opioid abuse (which could at least partly be included under suicide). And that the white suicide rate is now double that of blacks and Hispanics.

But a suicide rate of 57%? I can't believe that. More than half of all people in North Dakota kill themselves? Baloney.

I guess you meant it's increased by 57%, but that wasn't entirely clear from your context.

North Dakota has experienced an economic boom from oil drilling and other things. That could put a lot of stress on borderline-stable people.

@FormerlyKnownAs said:

Anthony Bourdain (June 25, 1956-June 8, 2018)

"You go out there and show the best story you can as best you can. If it's interesting to you, hopefully it's interesting to others. If you don't make television like that, it's pandering." - Bourdain

A man who loved his work—and it showed.

Although my go-to meal is shaken from a box into a large bowl and then covered with milk; must confess that food/cooking/travel shows are my guilt-pleasure.

R.I.P.

This one really hit me. R.I.P

Don't even really know how to react, just deeply saddened.

@Knixon said:

@rooprect said:

lemme preface this by saying I think what a person does with their own body is their right, and no one can presume to dictate how anyone else should live or die (sex changes, cosmetic surgery, abortion as well as suicide). That said, I think it's extremely shoddy to kill yourself and leave behind a young, confused child who will now be permanently scarred. Bourdain had an 11 year old daughter. Kate Spade had a 13 year old daughter. And neither of these suicidal parents can hide behind the excuse of not being able to take care of their kids because they were stinking rich and successful. Other demons? Sure but if you're a parent you need to suck it up and accept you prime responsibility to the life you created, before you head for the escape hatch. The children are the ones who have my deepest sympathy and respect.

Overall, nicely done. But get back to me when you can prove that an unborn baby is not a separate person.

You don't wanna start an abortion debate with me. Because I'm the most open minded debater who ever existed, and it'll probably end with us both grabbing a beer. I wholly admit that the moment of life is the tremendous grey area. Much like discussions of who/what God is, there is no absolute answer but what each of us believes in our hearts. Me personally, I don't think an organism is "alive" until it can thrive independently of its parent (for example, I don't think an apple on a tree is a separate organism, but once the seeds start sprouting roots and it can thrive on its own, then yes it's another apple tree). Just my thoughts, but I totally respect anyone who believes life starts earlier and can discuss their point logically. It's the close-minded whackos on both sides who are trouble.

*I should add that, by the above definition, if a fetus is in its late stage of development, where it could be removed by c-section and survive on its own, then yes, it is a separate living organism.

You overlook the fact that it is genetically different - separate - from the mother, right from the start? A fetus is only half genetically the mother. Also, "comparing apples to oranges" is bad enough, but comparing apples to people? Or even other animals? And even if an apple were to be genetically different from the tree - which seems unlikely - it's still just an apple.

@Knixon said:

You overlook the fact that it is genetically different - separate - from the mother, right from the start? A fetus is only half genetically the mother. Also, "comparing apples to oranges" is bad enough, but comparing apples to people? Or even other animals? And even if an apple were to be genetically different from the tree - which seems unlikely - it's still just an apple.

We're talking about lifeforms, so any comparison to a lifeform is logically valid, correct? (If you disagree then we have absolutely no common ground and should end discussion right here)

But if we do have common ground in the basic acceptance of what a lifeform is, then let's proceed. I'll grant you that DNA is organic matter and can thus be broadly classified as living material. But much like the inchoate organic matter they recently found on Mars, I don't class it as a living organism because it's not thriving, growing or showing any activity.

Back to the analogy which I'm sticking by, an apple tree begins as an inanimate seed. If you think a seed sitting in an Apple hanging on a tree is alive (after all it too has unique genetic material) or a seed in a feed store bin is alive that's fine, and we could have a fascinating discussion on that. But if you think a seed is inactive organic material as I do, then surely you see the rationale that a human "seed" is not yet a human. Of course if you are defending the rights of sperms and eggs, I won't argue (and I'm not being sarcastic either, sperms are in fact living organisms by my definition). So I would put the question to any anti-abortion person: is a seed, a sperm and a chicken egg a living thing? That would clear up inconsistencies.

@Knixon said:

Yes, I heard a report the other day that of the top causes of death, in the US anyway, only 3 have actually increased in recent years: Alzheimer's, suicide, and opioid abuse (which could at least partly be included under suicide). And that the white suicide rate is now double that of blacks and Hispanics.

But a suicide rate of 57%? I can't believe that. More than half of all people in North Dakota kill themselves? Baloney.

I guess you meant it's increased by 57%, but that wasn't entirely clear from your context.

North Dakota has experienced an economic boom from oil drilling and other things. That could put a lot of stress on borderline-stable people.

Stop playing!

@rooprect said:

@Knixon said:

You overlook the fact that it is genetically different - separate - from the mother, right from the start? A fetus is only half genetically the mother. Also, "comparing apples to oranges" is bad enough, but comparing apples to people? Or even other animals? And even if an apple were to be genetically different from the tree - which seems unlikely - it's still just an apple.

We're talking about lifeforms, so any comparison to a lifeform is logically valid, correct? (If you disagree then we have absolutely no common ground and should end discussion right here)

But if we do have common ground in the basic acceptance of what a lifeform is, then let's proceed. I'll grant you that DNA is organic matter and can thus be broadly classified as living material. But much like the inchoate organic matter they recently found on Mars, I don't class it as a living organism because it's not thriving, growing or showing any activity.

Back to the analogy which I'm sticking by, an apple tree begins as an inanimate seed. If you think a seed sitting in an Apple hanging on a tree is alive (after all it too has unique genetic material) or a seed in a feed store bin is alive that's fine, and we could have a fascinating discussion on that. But if you think a seed is inactive organic material as I do, then surely you see the rationale that a human "seed" is not yet a human. Of course if you are defending the rights of sperms and eggs, I won't argue (and I'm not being sarcastic either, sperms are in fact living organisms by my definition). So I would put the question to any anti-abortion person: is a seed, a sperm and a chicken egg a living thing? That would clear up inconsistencies.

Not all chicken eggs are fertilized. But if it is, then it is - or at least soon will be - a separate living thing.

You did know that, right?

Sperm alone do not grow into people, nor do unfertilized human (female) eggs. (Or chicken sperm, for that matter.)

You did know that too, right?

Also, a pretty common/standard definition of "organism" includes the ability to reproduce. A sperm alone, or an egg alone - human or chicken - do not reproduce, and hence are not separate organisms. Sperm are not (re)produced by other sperm, and eggs are not (re)produced by other eggs. Eggs and sperm are just the mechanism by which the larger actual organisms - people - reproduce.

But a fertilized egg - human or chicken - does become a separate and genetically distinct organism. That neither is capable of reproducing right away, does not change that.