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James
27-10-2009, 03:53 PM
Why is the Friday morning ride called the Norman?

Is it because Vikings were Nordic?
Is it because a Viking is a "Man o' the North"?
Is it because there was a cyclist (to whom Simon or Jaimie has a sentimental attachment) called Norman?
Is there, in fact, a rational explanation for this otherwise cryptic name for our beloved Friday morning jaunt?
j_young_80
27-10-2009, 03:55 PM
This is a sore point James, I actually wanted it called the "tete De La Norse", a far better name but I was shouted down by these ingrates.
SimonD
27-10-2009, 03:58 PM
Have you ever seen our club banner? It was sponsored by life be in it and actually has a picture of Norm.

Join the Vikings and you too can look like this!
http://www.lifebeinitnt.org/images/img-norm.jpg
James
27-10-2009, 04:06 PM
Could have compromised and called it "tete de la Norm". Fits better with l'enfer du ouest.

I'd forgotten about life be in it and Norm. That is a good answer and has made my day.

(even if the other name was better).
SimonD
27-10-2009, 04:24 PM
(even if the other name was better).
Try not to encourage him, James, as he can get a bit over excited and we might have another "incident".
bosworth*
27-10-2009, 04:41 PM
Due to my repeated Carl Sagan Rubbish, The Maxx has banned me for 2 hours. Each time I post the words Carl Sagan, or things of a similar ilk - this doubles - so next time it's 4 hours, then 8, then 16 etc


lol
Mer*
27-10-2009, 09:28 PM
So it's just a coincidence that the Quiz on ABC local radio is also called the Norman? I thought there was a connection somewhere. Or did they copy us...?
lovetoride
27-10-2009, 11:38 PM
Sorry, ABC Norman quiz has been going for nearly 10 years I reckon.
Driver
28-10-2009, 07:08 AM
What does V-man look like? >>

102
j_young_80
28-10-2009, 08:31 AM
Wow, that's an unfortunate cartoon, not one for the kiddies - is he punching him fair in the date?
Adam
28-10-2009, 09:18 AM
is he punching him fair in the date?

Now I'm really afraid!
SimonD
28-10-2009, 09:34 AM
So it's just a coincidence that the Quiz on ABC local radio is also called the Norman? I thought there was a connection somewhere. Or did they copy us...?

I think that was just one more tick in the pro-Norman column, according to some. Although, IMHO, the quiz is possibly the most tedious and useless time-filler that the ABC has put its name to.
James
28-10-2009, 04:09 PM
Alright- new question.

WTF is with this Carl Sagan thing?
Wasn't he an astro-physicist or something?
Why does bosworth love him so?
Hoops
28-10-2009, 04:12 PM
Why was James invisible on the last forum but has taken a shining to the new format?
James
28-10-2009, 04:16 PM
the new one appeals to my sense of style.

the old one was a bit naff.
j_young_80
28-10-2009, 04:19 PM
It's the Carbon background that does it.

I don't know where he's come from either but I like him!
Hoops
28-10-2009, 04:34 PM
I don't know where he's come from either but I like him!

Better value than Boz.
James
28-10-2009, 04:43 PM
Is it the turtle-neck that does it for you boz? I can't see the appeal myself...
tt40
28-10-2009, 04:47 PM
Alright- new question.

WTF is with this Carl Sagan thing?
Wasn't he an astro-physicist or something?
Why does bosworth love him so?

Here's one of my favourites (along with the whole SETI thing - try to imagine the effect when some silicon-based life-form pranks Earth and asks us to call back)...

In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.

Carl Sagan, 1987 CSICOP Keynote Address
Startrek
28-10-2009, 04:55 PM
So are you to a fan of Carl Sagan ? .
tt40
28-10-2009, 05:09 PM
So are you to a fan of Carl Sagan ? .

like, fully
Startrek
28-10-2009, 05:13 PM
I always knew there was something special about you:)
Bean
28-10-2009, 08:00 PM
Here's the skinny.

I think I've been credited with the name Norman for the Friday bunch and it was inspire both by the fact that we are Vikings (Normans) and by the ABC quiz by the same name. The quiz got its name from listeners calling in to give it a name during James O'Laughlin's time on the radio, sometime in the last 3 years (not 10 or so). I liked the fact that the name was so rediculously random but had a nice little Viking link.

I also like Carl Sagan and his rational approach to the world around him, and am a scientist who regularly admits fault and changes his mind.

Happy?
Mer*
28-10-2009, 11:43 PM
A bit of everything, nice.

And Simon, I'm a bit addicted to the quiz. I'm not sure if that makes me a nerd or a nana.
tt40
29-10-2009, 09:10 AM
And you, Lee!
bosworth*
29-10-2009, 11:16 AM
So are you to a fan of Carl Sagan ? .

Everyone is a fan of Carl Sagan.

Some people just don't know it yet.
Hoops
29-10-2009, 11:18 AM
Hey, instead of boring us all to tears and killing our cred. Why not move over to the Carl forums and discuss it with people who care?

http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=2355
RobF
29-10-2009, 11:49 AM
The Normans were French.
_ABC_
29-10-2009, 12:05 PM
The Normans were French.
Yes, but they descended from Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of mostly Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normans
RobF
29-10-2009, 12:18 PM
I defer to your superior research.
Bean
29-10-2009, 12:30 PM
Yes, the Normans got their name from the fact that they are from the North!
RobF
29-10-2009, 12:33 PM
I think the best I can hope for is that my claim was correct but largely incomplete. 3/10.
James
29-10-2009, 12:45 PM
As anyone who has read "Asterix and the Normans" would know, the Gauls (not all Gauls) got done over by the Vikings too!