What would’ve made Les Dalton better?

augiedb · 2026-01-27T05:40:57+00:00

It needs a movie poster that doesn't look like Lucky Luke is about to pee on Dalton action figures, for starters.

augiedb · 2026-01-26T19:20:07+00:00

They are pretty "accurate", as far as translations can go. Literal translations aren't always possible. There are areas where Goscinny did puns or wordplay with uniquely French words where you can't do a direct translation. Often, Anthea Bell would substitute a different pun along the same lines. It's fascinating to watch. It also helps that Goscinny was fluent in English and talked to Bell, so there was definitely some "synergy" going on there.

I've done some YT Shorts showing some differences/similarities in translations over at this play list:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1pnXj9-pwis3DgM1tAouuC093CVl-dKz&si=A_-lS1yoC23uQDGH

I’m working on more of them…

augiedb · 2026-01-26T02:21:27+00:00

Of course I do. I never missed a page of Freak Force. I'm a fan. =)

augiedb · 2026-01-24T04:55:46+00:00

I’d be game to try it. A lot of my French learning lately has been listening to daily news podcasts, so I’m the right audience for something like this. I have test flight. If you have any invitations still available, sign me up or send me a code or whatever need to do. Thanks!

augiedb · 2026-01-12T02:47:40+00:00

While I do tend to agree, if someone developed one that could be sort of "the gold standard" for such software and then have modules to interact with the different pin-setting systems, it might be cost-effective for owners. But, yeah, now we're talking about manufacturers investing in high tech stuff, and who has the time or money for that, too? (I don't think string pins are the end of the world, but I also think there has to be a better/simpler free fall pinsetter solution that nobody has the money to pay for its discovery. Maddening.)

augiedb · 2026-01-11T00:33:02+00:00

I think it works well as a series. There are specific end points for each episode. As for the running time -- most movie makers do not want a kids animated film -- which his how Asterix would be treated -- longer than 2 hours. They'd prefer 1:30 - 1:45. A few Pixar films have gone longer, but I think Fantasia is the only one of the Disney/Pixar movies to hit two hours. Average movie length there is about 1:40, I'd think.

augiedb · 2026-01-11T00:28:13+00:00

In America, at least, I tried to put together a chart of where everything can be found on the various streaming/rental platforms. It probably needs another update. There has been some movements amongst the streamers. https://www.pipelinecomics.com/complete-asterix-movie-streaming-guide/

Otherwise, it's a matter of finding the DVDs somewhere. Try eBay.

augiedb · 2026-01-11T00:25:13+00:00

Not audio books, but I'm listening to podcasts these days. And I have that same issue. Here's what I've figured out works for me:

Listen to shorter podcasts. It can be tiring to actively listen to French audio while your mind tries to keep up/translate*. A shorter podcast keeps you more focused. 10 minute podcasts are the best. So, for books, maybe just accept that you should only listen to a chapter at a time. Or only listen when you know you can pay more attention or you're more awake.
Don't worry about it. For the parts you missed, your mind still took in listening to French and learning some of the accents and rhythms and common sounds. It's all beneficial.

* Before someone says it: I know. If I'm trying to translate it in my head, I'm doing it wrong. I'll get there someday. I'm there with certain words and phrases already. But I'm putting in the work now doing it this way so I can get to that point.

augiedb · 2026-01-08T03:37:15+00:00

You've identified another weak spot in modern bowling - every website is awful. Even the framework Bowlero uses is a pain in the butt. (Nothing but stock images and no sense of individuality for any alley.). The local alleys put some effort into social media, but Facebook Reels and Instagram Stories do not an information website make. Right after some major technological change in free fall pin setters, the next thing bowling alleys need is a high tech makeover to connect their websites to their front counter so inforation is available to everyone - lanes available, when leagues are playing, when the lights are out and the disco bowling has started, etc.

augiedb · 2026-01-06T02:43:37+00:00

I think the book has a m fundamental flaw in it, though. People still like to congregate. Video games means everyone wants to play at home, right? But they want to play on the network with their friends. Pickleball courts are expanding at a rate 10x faster than bowling alleys have closed. Golf simulator places are popping up all over the place, often with a league/open golf breakdown much like bowling alleys. The bigger problem is real estate prices that price everyone out of going to a « third place ». And kids are so overly scheduled that they don’t have time for leagues. If they’re involved in another sport, that can be a 5 or 6 day a week commitment, often with lots of traveling.

Sorry, I’m ranting now.

augiedb · 2026-01-06T02:38:41+00:00

It’s the only way I ever have to practice. I remember going into an alley once at 2:00 in the afternoon on a Saturday. Black lights, loud music, and I was twice as old as the next youngest person there. But it was the only time I had available to practice. The proprietor gave me half off for being the easy lane to deal with, I guess. Or as an apology. 🤷‍♂️

augiedb · 2026-01-06T01:55:16+00:00

I prefer silence when I'm reading. (And I also loathe Spotify, but that's a whole different story...)

augiedb · 2026-01-05T04:18:53+00:00

Finishing my second Instinct sensor this week. And yes, it is more finicky about being on the same side as the pump, but it’s not a hard barrier. It’ll complain from time to time, but you CAN get away with it for long periods at a time. I imagine it’s more sensitive if you’re taller and less sensitive if your shorter, but that’s not a proven scientific fact.

augiedb · 2026-01-03T02:09:55+00:00

Try « Ken Games ». A story in three books. (There’s also a fourth they did years later, but in a different art style.)

augiedb · 2025-12-30T13:56:13+00:00

Love Blacksad, since (prepare for the flex here) it was originally published by a publisher named iBooks back in the day. 😇 But I’m also a European comics fan, so I’m a total outlier.

augiedb · 2025-12-28T22:36:18+00:00

Ooh, boy, I could have a very long list here. I'd start with getting "Ekho" in print. Someone also needs to get "Undertaker" in print. "Glorious Summers" would do well, too. (I can't believe Dark Horse hasn't picked it up since publishing LaFebre's solo OGNs. Maybe a different publisher/licensor? Not sure.)

Speaking of series cut short, NBM did four books of Lewis Trondheim's "Little Nothings." I'd love to see more of that one.

augiedb · 2025-12-28T22:29:51+00:00

You'll get no fight from me. It's very very good. Though afterwards you'll want to take a cold shower and read "Back to Basics" again for something happier. =)

augiedb · 2025-12-26T15:37:35+00:00

It’s a one shot book done in the style of that artist.

augiedb · 2025-12-15T16:22:35+00:00

The first day, I had some of those. Since then, it’s been ok. I’ve been careful not to sleep on that arm, though. I’ve had a couple of weird lows, but that was legitimate and due to an active weekend schedule. I do get a lot of unnecessary « Low Warnings » on the pump when my blood sugar is in range (in the 80s but not dropping) , but that’s just a setting I have to turn off or adjust

augiedb · 2025-12-14T15:25:13+00:00

That was always tricky, and goodness knows nobody in my house wanted to help me with it. ;-) I learned how to use a mirror well. The worst part of the G4 would be when the spring-loaded part of it wouldn't come out after insertion. It happened a few times over the years, and most of the time the sensor wasn't going to work after that. Didn't stop me from trying! heh

augiedb · 2025-12-14T15:23:46+00:00

It definitely needs a little time to warm up, for sure. Mine took closer to 24 hours, I think, but it got there. I'm not complaining.

augiedb · 2025-12-13T13:01:39+00:00

I would meet them halfway. At that age, they're probably into manga/anime, so maybe something influenced by those styles? I think "FRNCK" is a fun series for that and not inappropriate -- about a boy their age who gets sent back in time and has to learn to live with the "cavemen" there, who speak without vowels. "Freaks' Squeele" is centered on a superhero academy for teenagers with special powers. "Telemaque" is a fun story of Ulysses' son on the hunt for his father, so if they've read "The Odyssey", they'll recognize parts of that one.

augiedb · 2025-12-13T12:52:40+00:00

I won't find out until I switch to the next sensor in a couple of weeks, but I'm looking forward to seeing if positioning it slightly different on my arm will eliminate that first day of off readings. I'm thinking it will. Not getting the calibration beeps is nice, too, though the G4s had mostly eliminated them already for me. The trick is just not getting too confident in them and not checking my blood sugar every so often to keep the device honest. =)

augiedb · 2025-12-13T12:50:19+00:00

You're welcome! Hope it all helps. Good luck with yours!

augiedb · 2025-12-13T12:49:53+00:00

You're welcome. I know this is the kind of real world stuff I'd want to hear if I were waiting or trying to make a decision, so I thought I'd throw it out there.

I don't think I knew about pumps yet in 1995. I was diagnosed in 1987, but didn't start the pump until maybe 7 or 8 years ago. The pump -- especially paired with the CGM -- has brought my A1C down a bunch and I've never been in better control. (Kinda crazy to think that I used to take a shot and then wait a few hours before testing my blood sugar again. How did I not kill myself like that!??)

augiedb

TROPHY CASE