I'm calling myself out and then wandering away

November 9, 2005 4:23 AM

My latest FPP might raise a few eyebrows and get called out here on MetaTalk. I just wanted to say here first therefore that I've left a trailing empty link at the post's conclusion on purpose. Yeah, I looked at the guidelines and I don't think this breaks the rules. And yes I have a legitimate reason for leaving the empty link, although I want to wait before disclosing what that is here on MetaTalk. I am doing this for the better of MeFi members however.
posted by sjvilla79 to MetaFilter-related at 4:23 AM (100 comments total)

what are you talking about?
posted by andrew cooke at 4:27 AM on November 9, 2005

I will post that in a moment.
posted by sjvilla79 at 4:32 AM on November 9, 2005

I think he's talking about this:

<a href="#" id="RSS:User_ID=23667">

I await with giddy anticipation for an explanation of this blatant flounting of the sacred rules.
posted by chrismear at 4:33 AM on November 9, 2005

Er...what?
posted by Orange Goblin at 4:34 AM on November 9, 2005

MYSTERIOUS!
posted by Ryvar at 4:34 AM on November 9, 2005

You know what gets on my nerves? When someone posts a MeTa thread with "more inside" (implied here) and it's not prepared ahead of time, so you have to wait ten minutes for the explanation and end up with jokers saying things like "Where's the more inside, yuk, yuk?". (It's the non-preparedness that gets on my nerves, not the jokers.)

It's an almost entirely pointless empty link that you can't go back and edit later with the child text of "…" (an ellipsis character, not three periods). The explanation is probably going to be something about tracking contributions or making a killfile through the ID in the link, but considering that it depends on 1) people using it, and 2) people being honest and not using someone else's ID, I'm going to preemptively call this a bad idea.

But for some reason we get a FPP implementing the bad idea and a MeTa thread saying that it has an explanation (which might end up being better than I expect, I'll admit that), and we have to sit here twiddling our thumbs saying pithy things while we wait.. for some reason.

I don't know why I'm so exasperated by this.
posted by Plutor at 4:51 AM on November 9, 2005

I'm just trembling with excitement.

You know that if you want userinformation in your feed you can use the ATOM one right?
posted by sebas at 4:55 AM on November 9, 2005

This explanatory post is going to take me some time to write and I really need to go to bed. Those following Ask MeFi will know that some funky stuff happened to me last night and I seriously need to get an early night in. Sorry to leave you hanging. Will explain all come morning. Hopefully the powers that be will give me a chance to do this. The smart cookies here will probably figure out what I'm talking about anyway. After all, it's a remarkably simple concept. Night.
posted by sjvilla79 at 4:56 AM on November 9, 2005

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

HA!
posted by quonsar at 5:00 AM on November 9, 2005

So you're saying it's the drugs that did it?
posted by Plutor at 5:01 AM on November 9, 2005

*posts attention whore image macro*
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:02 AM on November 9, 2005

I don't know why I'm so exasperated by this.

I'll take "because you're an idiot" for $1000, Alex.
posted by crunchland at 5:02 AM on November 9, 2005

flout

and sjvilla, couldn't you could just use and empty link or
<a href="">&nbsp;</a>
to be less conspicuous on the web. It looks like an aid to automation which wouldn't need to be seen.

Of course you can't answer though, because you need to go for your walk.
Rest, I meant. To sleep.
posted by NinjaPirate at 5:04 AM on November 9, 2005

Goddamit, I know that. I even double-checked it in the dictionary. Stupid HURF DURF butter fingers.
posted by chrismear at 5:10 AM on November 9, 2005

NinjaPirate, I will answer that before going to bed. I just didn't think of it.
posted by sjvilla79 at 5:13 AM on November 9, 2005

The only thing vaguely mysterious about that post (to me) was that BMX skateboard-thing's site appeared completely black and empty in Firefox.

Like staring into the ABYSS...but more boring.
posted by tpl1212 at 5:14 AM on November 9, 2005

Heard Today at the Metafilter Prayer Breakfast: "Jesus Christ, please come back to smite sjvilla79 from this site. He means well, Son of God, but that's what "the guy" said before he nailed you to the Cross."
posted by gsb at 5:14 AM on November 9, 2005

Do I need to drink more tea before I understand this thread? I feel like I'm having a dream about this or something.
posted by selfnoise at 5:28 AM on November 9, 2005

You forgot a few: ">... ">... ">...
posted by boaz at 5:29 AM on November 9, 2005

WTF is going on here? Does anyone know? Seriously.
posted by OmieWise at 5:29 AM on November 9, 2005

Damn, too early. Can't even make links properly.
posted by boaz at 5:30 AM on November 9, 2005

I am doing this for the better of MeFi members however.

Kinda ominous, innit?
posted by cortex at 5:38 AM on November 9, 2005

I have no sodding idea either, OmieWise.

Boaz - hee hee!
posted by jack_mo at 5:41 AM on November 9, 2005

We could all flag the post while he/she sleeps ;)
posted by terrapin at 5:42 AM on November 9, 2005

It's gonna take quite an explanation to move sjvilla79 out of the knucklehead column. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised, but I'm not counting on it.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 5:47 AM on November 9, 2005

I am doing this for the better of MeFi members however.

Thank god, cause god knows we could use the help.
posted by R. Mutt at 6:02 AM on November 9, 2005

The three posts (this one, the askme, and the FPP) all add up to a troubling little constellation. I hope sjvilla is better for a good sleep.
posted by OmieWise at 6:07 AM on November 9, 2005

I await explanation! Satisfy me!
posted by Quartermass at 6:08 AM on November 9, 2005

I have been in contact with Jessamyn via email and am aware that I've totally gone the wrong way about this. I apologised to Jessamyn for being a dick and now I'm apologising here. Again, I'll explain myself later on in the day. It'll be the anti-climax of the year. Promise.
posted by sjvilla79 at 6:08 AM on November 9, 2005

Plutor - i didn't think it was a more inside thing; i thought it was referring to the mefi post. but i couldn't see an empty link there. now i realise that the final elipsis of that post is a different link (the one chrismear quotes).

fwiw.
posted by andrew cooke at 6:14 AM on November 9, 2005

*yawns*
*bangs nakedly on door*
posted by Floydd at 6:16 AM on November 9, 2005

"my first impression of the StreetSurfer is that it's lame . . . But of course I think this thing appeared via paid placement on Beyond Tomorrow. I thought MeFi would be a good place for it" sjvilla79

So, let's recap. You found something that you think is lame, and that you acknowledge was part of an infomercial (what else would you call paying for time on a TV channel?) and you immediately thought to post it MeFi? What?

Furthermore, if you have to include an explanatory post (which is just a stupid idea in the first place) you should have it ready when you post the FPP even if you don't want to post it write away. Copy and paste are your friends. This way we don't have to put up with an intermediate post asking us to wait for the explanatory post.

Definitely not the best of the web. Lame bike, lame post.
Flagged.
posted by oddman at 6:21 AM on November 9, 2005

sjvilla79, are you OK? I mean really, I think you've been through a lot in the last 24-48 hours. Really, please get some rest. Talk to your doctor. If need be go to the hospital.

I say this with genuine concern and not an ounce of snarky sarcasm. You've had a rough time. You need to settle down, get some rest or seek professional help rather than what we can give you!

Peace, and good night.
posted by Pollomacho at 6:24 AM on November 9, 2005

Ok, you apologized. In light of that please re-read my previous post in a way that makes me sound like I'm giving good but kind advice to a friend instead of in a way that sounds like I'm chewing you out for being an ass.

There now I feel better. (Isn't it the worst when you get all indignant and put together a biting post only to find the object of your derision apologized already?)
posted by oddman at 6:27 AM on November 9, 2005

Woah. I just realized that sjvilla79 is the nude sleepwalking guy. Yeah, man, you've had a rough couple of days. Seriously, talk to your doctor about the meds as soon as you can, and don't do anything rash. Take some time for yourself, sort out what needs to be sorted out, and we'll welcome you back with open arms.

I didn't think the bike-monstrosity post was so bad.
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:38 AM on November 9, 2005

Huh.

If you hadn't called yourself out, I doubt anyone would have had an issue with your post.
posted by cmonkey at 6:42 AM on November 9, 2005

Wow, uh, OK. Without this preemtive callout, I never would have read the blue post. The only thing that could possibly redeem this is a catastrophic flameout.

(Wishing no harm, of course, to sjvilla79.)
posted by grateful at 6:47 AM on November 9, 2005

The only thing that could possibly redeem this is a catastrophic flameout.

Thats not a helpful comment grateful.
posted by R. Mutt at 6:50 AM on November 9, 2005

My guess is sjvilla meant to make the feature request: "Wouldn't it be nice if the author of the post was somehow indicated in the RSS feed?"

Which sounds like a good idea overall. Oh, and the bike post was fine.
posted by boaz at 6:50 AM on November 9, 2005

I strongly second, with all seriousness, Pollomacho and Faint of Butt.

Seriously. Drop the snark.
posted by odinsdream at 6:53 AM on November 9, 2005

I think we've all learned an important lesson about the dangers of posting while nude and walking and asleep.
posted by soiled cowboy at 6:54 AM on November 9, 2005

Woah. I just realized that sjvilla79 is the nude sleepwalking guy.

That explains a lot.
posted by caddis at 7:01 AM on November 9, 2005

Is he up yet or what? FFS, this post better be blinding if it's longer than an email to jess and his second post here.
posted by bonaldi at 7:09 AM on November 9, 2005

(unlikely he's up - very late at night here in Oz)....be thinking another 6 or more hours.
posted by peacay at 7:17 AM on November 9, 2005

stavrosthewonderchicken won this thread way back up there...
posted by benzo8 at 7:31 AM on November 9, 2005

Woah. I just realized that sjvilla79 is the nude sleepwalking guy.

That explains a lot.

It does, really. He's having some serious medication side effects, the guy is not doing so well right now. Let him sleep it off and get the help he needs and then you guys can rip him apart.
posted by Pollomacho at 7:37 AM on November 9, 2005

bonaldi writes "Is he up yet or what?"

With any luck he just went to sleep. His last posts here were only a bit ago.
posted by OmieWise at 7:55 AM on November 9, 2005

With any luck he just went to sleep. His last posts here were only a bit ago.

Unless he's nude sleep-posting.

Er, sorry. Hope you feel better in the morning, sjvilla79.
posted by jack_mo at 8:30 AM on November 9, 2005

Man, I was totally sitting here trying to come up with something crushingly witty and cruel to say about this thread, and then the guy goes and apologizes.

*kicks dirt* maaaaannnn.
posted by shmegegge at 9:12 AM on November 9, 2005

Erm, posts' authors aren't displayed in the RSS feed? I can see them in Safari -- is it because of my psychic powers?
posted by aaronetc at 9:24 AM on November 9, 2005

Erm, posts' authors aren't displayed in the RSS feed? I can see them in Safari -- is it because of my psychic powers?

I have a confession to make; I don't actually use the RSS feed. I just downloaded it, didn't see 'em and left it at that.

Update: Hmm, looking more closely, they seem to be in the Atom feed but not the RSS feed.
posted by boaz at 9:44 AM on November 9, 2005

So seeing as how this thread really accomplishes nothing and the poster acknowledges that he's sorry for it -- can we close it or deleted it?
posted by geoff. at 9:58 AM on November 9, 2005

geoff.:"So seeing as how this thread really accomplishes nothing and the poster acknowledges that he's sorry for it -- can we close it or deleted it?"

Please, for the love of God, no. Close it, but don't delete it. This is the most entertaining thing in meTa in months, and sjvilla will probably think so, too, once he gets some sleep.
posted by koeselitz at 10:06 AM on November 9, 2005

...and he ought to get a chance at least to explain what he was trying to do coherently.
posted by koeselitz at 10:07 AM on November 9, 2005

We must not close this thread until his secret is revealed. Wake up man!
posted by knave at 10:34 AM on November 9, 2005

Closing it now might just result in a new thread opening up once sj wakes up. At least wait until he/she posts again, then close it.
posted by odinsdream at 10:51 AM on November 9, 2005

C'mon, some Ozzie needs to run over to his house and wake him up to tell us NOW!
posted by klangklangston at 10:52 AM on November 9, 2005

i smell drug-induced disorientation. this is an aroma i am intimately acquainted with.
posted by quonsar at 11:00 AM on November 9, 2005

and don't do anything rash.

Huh?
posted by Rash at 11:12 AM on November 9, 2005

Get a fuckin job.
posted by Pretty_Generic at 11:24 AM on November 9, 2005

I wonder if made the FPP in the nude.
posted by FieldingGoodney at 12:11 PM on November 9, 2005

Is Godot here yet?
posted by brain_drain at 12:14 PM on November 9, 2005

Hey, at least you weren't riding one of those lame bikes naked.
posted by Joeforking at 12:30 PM on November 9, 2005

brain_drain, You find it tedious?

I ask myself is there anything I can do in my turn for these honest fellows who are having such a dull, dull time.
posted by GuyZero at 12:36 PM on November 9, 2005

i don't remember if i posted in this thread or not but anyway its lol
posted by naxosaxur at 12:49 PM on November 9, 2005

Oh man, sorry I'm late. The L train was crazy today. Does anyone need any help? Wait, why is everybody standing around?
posted by hellbient at 12:52 PM on November 9, 2005

Surprise!!! (Happy engagement, hellbient.)
posted by nobody at 12:59 PM on November 9, 2005

I cannot believe I'm checking this post for the fourth time today. I know he should be asleep (and I hope it's a nice and uneventful night for him) but I can't help myself.
posted by oddman at 12:59 PM on November 9, 2005

Has it been a moment yet?
posted by kirkaracha at 1:01 PM on November 9, 2005

This Murelax drug sounds pretty cool...anyone know where I can score some?
posted by rocket88 at 1:04 PM on November 9, 2005

This is so rude what this guy has done. I absolutely cannot believe how inconsiderate, thoughless and self-absorbed he is to make a thread and then say "I'm going to bed I'll tell you later". He needs to learn some manners. What an egocentric idiot!
posted by mokey at 1:10 PM on November 9, 2005

Oh man, sorry I'm late. The L train was crazy today.

So how has the L train been on the weekends?
posted by R. Mutt at 1:12 PM on November 9, 2005

Three threads actually, in all three color choices.
posted by CunningLinguist at 1:13 PM on November 9, 2005

Hey thanks nobody.
I think I saw you the other day...crossing the street or something. So, how's it going? I'm fine. Yup, juust fine.

Oh, what's this? It's a veggie slim jim. Want one? I think there's a bunch in that bowl over there.
posted by hellbient at 1:13 PM on November 9, 2005

Bloody shit-cakes. At least when I post on drugs I have the consideration to at least attempt to be somewhere along the line to being vaguely humorous. I think.
posted by i_cola at 1:14 PM on November 9, 2005

Metatalk: Bloody shit-cakes.

Have you- SHUT THAT BLOODY BOUZOUKI UP!
posted by unixrat at 1:17 PM on November 9, 2005

I bet his next post shows up in MeFiProjects.
posted by R. Mutt at 1:27 PM on November 9, 2005

R. Mutt - On the scale of "Extremely Helpful" to "Not at all Helpful", I find your comment moderately helpful.
posted by grateful at 1:29 PM on November 9, 2005

We try, grateful, we try.
posted by R. Mutt at 1:36 PM on November 9, 2005

Instant classic.
posted by scarabic at 2:08 PM on November 9, 2005

This is so rude what this guy has done. I absolutely cannot believe how inconsiderate...

Shush, you spanker monkey.

Hey, you lost an "N". You might want to fix that. Maybe a little crazy glue or something...
posted by loquacious at 2:17 PM on November 9, 2005

A buddy of mine came-to naked in a fountain one afternoon. Only it was a cop who was waking him up. And he didn't post about it on the internets.

They sent him to a psych ward for three months.
posted by cmonkey at 2:54 PM on November 9, 2005

posted by hellbient at 3:04 PM on November 9, 2005

What's this about?
posted by barnone at 3:29 PM on November 9, 2005

I don't get it. Maybe I should be flouncing or flaunting or something.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 3:34 PM on November 9, 2005

I heart crazy people.
posted by five fresh fish at 3:36 PM on November 9, 2005

Is this seat taken? What time does the show start? Have you checked out the merch table yet? I'm seriously thinking of picking up one of those "I posted on Murelax and all I got was this lousy MeTa" t-shirts.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 3:41 PM on November 9, 2005

MetaFilter: WTF is going on here? Does anyone know? Seriously.
posted by kirkaracha at 3:45 PM on November 9, 2005

No.

Hey, you're standing in my drink. Get out.
posted by loquacious at 3:52 PM on November 9, 2005

Look at this! I think I'll just stand here for a moment and see if anything happens.....

(Very best Pee Wee Herman imitation) La la la. La la la. La la laaa la la.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 4:20 PM on November 9, 2005

Has anyone seen this yet?
I hear it's pretty anti-climaxtical.

Hello, excuse me, there's a freaking line here. Oh, you've been here for 35 minutes? Well I've been here all day, little duckling...um, you're stepping on my sleeping bag?...oh, and by the way, that's quite the inferior sjvilla costume. You're not even naked for one.
posted by hellbient at 4:23 PM on November 9, 2005

Man, who could have guessed Vader was Luke's father!
posted by cortex at 4:29 PM on November 9, 2005

It's a beautiful day in Melbourne. sjv's probably gone to the beach or something.
posted by nomis at 5:03 PM on November 9, 2005

MetaTalk: Come for the callouts, stay for the randomness.
posted by euphorb at 5:12 PM on November 9, 2005

Oh, what's this? It's a veggie slim jim.

the very idea is a crime against all that is good.
posted by jonmc at 5:12 PM on November 9, 2005

Can we put a lien on this thread in his absence? If so, and if that's the correct term, and if it's all square with the law, I'm going to start building a hotel. That's where the money is.
posted by underer at 5:15 PM on November 9, 2005

Is this conceptual art?
posted by Miko at 5:29 PM on November 9, 2005

posted by Hat Maui at 5:31 PM on November 9, 2005

Hey sjvilla79, I'm in Melbourne, if you need anything my email's in my profile. I have some, er, experience in these matters.
posted by Bdave at 5:49 PM on November 9, 2005

I think this has been random enough for a while
posted by mathowie at 6:10 PM on November 9, 2005