Wow.
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) December 1, 2023
Incredible story told by Mitchell Robsinon’s high school coach Butch Stockton.
Stockton explains his wife passed away in September and that Robinson visited her every day she was in the hospital.
At the funeral, Mitch said he’d invite Butch to live with him in NY.… pic.twitter.com/X58kVnl2iX
Thursday, November 30, 2023
NY Knick Mitchell Robinson’s high school coach told a wonderful story about Robinson
Today's news and jokes
That is the eeriest ending to a weather forecast I’ve ever seen. pic.twitter.com/DkVlEOOjY9
— Andy (@alreadytaken74) November 29, 2023
Move over La Sombrita, here are what new bus shelters for Los Angeles will look like
It is our job as the current generation of leaders in Los Angeles to continue to transform our current public-right-of-way to be a place of resiliency where Angelenos can take refuge from the elements and where our lungs can breathe. pic.twitter.com/5QvU1TXTtR
— Councilmember Nithya Raman (@cd4losangeles) November 30, 2023
San Fernando Sun:
The $2.5 million funding will allow for the construction of 3,000 bus shelters throughout LA, including 400 in the Northeast San Fernando Valley, and the implementation of cool pavement on street segments in the valley. These shelters will have several features, including a canopy, a display panel for city announcements and emergency broadcasts, real-time bus arrival information, lighting for enhanced visibility and accessibility features such as push-to-talk buttons and wheelchair-friendly spaces.
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
"Major League Pickleball asks players to take 40% pay cut"
CNBC:
The league’s proposal asks players to reduce their number of annual work days from 200 to 120 and indicates it would cut their salaries proportionally.“You would be free to monetize the other 245 days on the annual calendar any way you choose - with 100% of any earnings on those days going to you,” the email reads.
When Daniel Ellsberg told Henry Kissinger about the damage having access to high-level secrets would do to his mind
Lots of well deserved remembrances of Ellsberg’s heroism today. I’ll just post my favorite passage from his incredible memoir, Secrets. He’s telling Henry Kissinger (who as many have noted is somehow still alive) what access to truly secret information can do to a person’s mind. pic.twitter.com/Cfne68ouIk
— Andy Greenberg (@agreenberg at the other places) (@a_greenberg) June 16, 2023
Secrets: A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers is available at Amazon and the Internet Archive.
Rudy Rucker posted a free electronic version of the classic cyberpunk anthology Mirrorshades
He'd previously posted the contents online, but has now posted epub and mobi versions.
Today's news and jokes
The knockouts in the latest UFC game are easily the most realistic. Stop complaining about tiny imperfections. #UFC5 pic.twitter.com/UO6blpQ90R
— Mixed Marshal Art (@MixedMarshalArt) November 25, 2023
The episode of the podcast Win-Win with gambler Haralabos Voulgaris is very good
He talks about everything from his father's gambling, the worker's comp he got for a grisly injury that jumpstarted his career as a gambler, and his current effort to elevate a soccer team to La Liga.
"Chinese rocket that slammed onto Moon likely carrying mysterious undisclosed payload"
The rocket's behavior and nature of the crater it created indicate something mysterious was attached to it, and China denies that it was even their rocket.
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Mark Cuban sold a majority share in the Dallas Mavericks apparently in the hopes it will lead to legalized gambling in Texas
A partnership with Las Vegas Sands Corp., furthermore, would bring significant real-estate and casino-gaming expertise to the Mavericks’ organization that he openly lacks and covets. Cuban, who turned 65 in July, has been saying for years that he hopes to someday build a new arena in Dallas with a casino attached — provided gambling is eventually legalized in Texas.
Cuban specifically told The Dallas Morning News last December: “My goal, and we’d partner with Las Vegas Sands, is when we build a new arena, it’ll be in the middle of a resort and casino. That’s the mission.”
Dallas Morning News in January:
As of the first week of the 2023 session, Las Vegas Sands had brought on at least 63 lobbyists, more than any other company or entity. They’ve pledged to pay their lobbyists up to $5.9 million this year, according to data from the Texas Ethics Commission. Other gaming interests are also investing in lobbyists, the data shows, including sports betting sites like DraftKings and FanDuel and other destination resort companies like MGM Resorts.
Expanding gambling in Texas, especially the push to allow several major casino-resort developments, is a high-stakes issue not just because it would create a new revenue stream for the state, but also because it could be a game changer in terms of tourism and economic development.
Las Vegas "Casino operator stocks with major exposure to Macau fell sharply Tuesday...as China eyes tougher regulations"
Here's a dire explanation for the surge in respiratory-related hospitalizations in China
James Palmer for Foreign Policy:
Hospitals in China are filling up with patients as respiratory illnesses surge among children, stoking fears among China’s neighbors. But the current outbreaks do not appear to be a new virus. Instead, they reflect three factors: a young population that lacks exposure to common viruses thanks to years of lockdowns, recurrent COVID-19 infections, and the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, which are leading to rising pneumonia figures.
...
Their unwillingness to share details about the outbreaks is also because antibiotic resistance is embarrassing for China, which has long been aware of the problem but has done little to successfully combat it. Antibiotics are widely prescribed over the counter in China, leading people to use them at much higher rates than in the United States (where antibiotic prescription rates are already quite high). Antibiotics are also given in large quantities to livestock.
These are the comics I picked up at massive discounts from Amazon's sale
These are good deals on comics I either enjoyed, but wanted in a more convenient format, or have been meaning to try for years:
Plastic Man: Rubber Banded - The Deluxe Edition is $4.99 for 480 pages
Deathblow (1993-1996): Deluxe Edition is $1.99 for 292 pages
Seven Soldiers of Victory: Book One and Book Two are $1.99 each (both are 380 pages)
Solo: The Deluxe Edition is $3.99 for 604 pages
We're looking at the Dark Knight's back, right?
This is this years is the dress black or gold then.
— Matt Ferguson (@Cakes_Comics) November 28, 2023
Is Frank Miller’s Batman front or back facing?
(My preference is front facing, but it does work both ways.) pic.twitter.com/ahgkJBOmmV
Like we're Robin, following Batman as he leaps off a roof?
Today's news and jokes
"And then every player on the ice has a 10-minute misconduct" 😂🔊 pic.twitter.com/K3M78EdO29
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) November 28, 2023
Plane flying between a full moon and clouds looks like a skyshark
@dwyerontiktok When your house and a nearly full moon are in the flight path. #delta #flighttracker #nightsky #fullmoon ♬ original sound - Erin Dwyer
Related, some beautiful photos of the northern lights:
Flew through the Arctic circle well north of #Iceland last night and I must say this is the best light show we’ve gotten this season so far, but it’s early still… #AuroraBorealis #NorthernLights #aviation #B747 #QueenOfTheSkies #pilot #airlinepilot #Flightdeck pic.twitter.com/yYmi8wdO1g
— @miami_rick ✈️🐾🇺🇸 (@miami_rick) November 26, 2023
A deep dive into the cookies that Cookie Monster eats on Sesame Street
Admit it. You've wondered it. You've spent nights achingly questioning life's biggest mysteries, one of them being what the heck is Cookie Monster eating?
— Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) November 27, 2023
I did an investigation on your behalf. You're welcome. https://t.co/O8mVVnfbEX pic.twitter.com/PbPjZIbiJT
NYT:
“If he eats the cookie, and it only breaks into two pieces if it’s too hard, it’s just not funny,” he said. “It looks almost painful. But if he eats a cookie and it explodes into a hundred crumbs, that’s where the comedy comes from.”
[The baker] has perfected a recipe that is “thin enough that it’ll explode into a hundred crumbs,” [the puppeteer] said. “But it’s not too thin that it’ll break in my hand when I’m holding it.”
Monday, November 27, 2023
Today's news and jokes
No poor pets allowed… #spotted pic.twitter.com/GBgojAbXxl
— Edward Lawrence (@EP_Lawrence) November 18, 2023
Neal Stephenson's novel "Anathem" is a thrilling, pulpy page turner
A 2008 novel with a cover, description, and first few 100 pages seemingly designed to discourage most people, even his fans, from reading it. It seems like it's going to be hundreds of pages of monks debating string theory and other concepts in excruciatingly dull detail.
But I recently reread it, found it thrilling, and flew through the 1,000 pages. Yes, the monks debate string theory and other concepts in excruciating detail. But they do so while having one thrilling adventure after another, culminating in....
Spoilers for a novel that came out in 2008 below:
25% off everything in stock at Entertainment Earth
That includes the already massively discounted Ultimates. CYBER25 for the 25% off, and free shipping if you spend $39 in the USA.
Book cover for "Goblin Market and Other Poems"
Book Cover of the Day: pic.twitter.com/8zxJpAsTsO
— Rachel Deering (@DeeringRachel) November 18, 2023
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Excellent deal on the pocket-sized Zendure Portable Charger
It's $27.99 after the listed coupon (listed for $69.99). I own one and just ordered another to keep or give as a gift. Quick enough charging to keep my ipad on 10% running while someone was playing games on it.
Today's news and jokes
Also this one, based on the logo from an old German crime book publisher pic.twitter.com/4Yo6gWll2s
— Steven Sheil (@SSheil) November 11, 2023
Saturday, November 25, 2023
New Humble Bundle features solo tabletop RPGs
Looking to take an RPG ruleset for a spin, but can’t manage to convince your friends to try a new system? This bundle of solo adventure modules by the specialists at Parts Per Million is exactly what you’ve been looking for! Included in the bundle are dozens of adventures written specifically for a variety of RPGs, from well-known indies like Blades in the Dark and Dungeon Crawl Classics, to cult favorites like Stars Without Number and Lancer. And if your tastes run to the old school, you’ll also find plenty of solo adventures tailored for good old fashioned OSR-style play.
Today's news and jokes
Seeing Napoleon with my dad the way it was intended, in the weird local theater where they are storing a bunch of chairs and drywall in the front half of the theater. pic.twitter.com/MVIULqSsss
— Chris Person (@Papapishu) November 24, 2023
i cant stop laughing at this. the image of ridley scott slowly sliding a tiny paper hat onto a picture of joaquin phoenix and GASPING https://t.co/ZTbgYB3DDo
— raina douris (@RahRahRaina) November 21, 2023
Our notes on Napoleon pic.twitter.com/9vpch4t745
— rachel (@rachelmillman) November 22, 2023
I've always felt that most press junkets have lacked a "Huey, Dewey and Louie" vibe https://t.co/lrZlMDV86E
— frank zeppo (noah) (@NoahPasternak) November 23, 2023
Friday, November 24, 2023
New Humble Bundle is the Black Friday Score: The Walking Dead and More
Starts at $1 for The Walking Dead Season 1 game. (There are several non-Walking Dead games, too.)
The award winning Blade Runner starter set is 48% off
The starter set is 48% off, $25.99 at Amazon.
(Winners of best cartography and best design respectively at the 2023 Ennie Awards.)
Today's news and jokes
my childhood chinese takeout was called “Wok 22” but every time they shut down for health/fire/tax reasons it would reopen under a new name and I just checked and they’re on “Wok 28” https://t.co/UH80tvE1iT pic.twitter.com/sOMRXaEx3S
— Kane 謝凱堯 (@kane) November 22, 2023
The treasure hunters that stole from an octopus
the book is “the underworld” by susan casey, it is about exploring the deep sea and is the same person who wrote this https://t.co/FdTZOMfJXQ
— ak 🍉🔻 (@aries_menace) November 19, 2023
(Amazon link.)
Adidas sneakers and packaging inspired by the designer's grandmother's floral couch (including slipcover)
@welcometoreggieville Unheardof X Adidas Rivalry Low Grandmas Couch Sneak Peek. Full Review Coming Soon. #unheardof #adidasrivalry #grandmascouch #youtube #sneakerreview #theycallmemcfly #alliownisreggie #iamthehardestworkingmaninshoetainment ♬ original sound - McFly
Here's the 100-year-old grandmother herself unboxing and modeling the "Grandma's Couch" Unheardof x Adidas Rivalry Lo (and talking about the designer's arrest):
@complex_sneakers Here's a 100-year-old grandma unboxing the sneakers she inspired. @Unheardof x Adidas Rivalry Lo releasing Nov. 4. #adidas #grandma #fyp #fashion #couch #floral #unboxing ♬ original sound - Complex Sneakers
Thursday, November 23, 2023
Lost in Cult is giving away an issue of their deluxe video game magazine Lock-On
Download it here (and check out their other deals).
New Humble Bundle features the very fun scifi page turner "Old Man's War" for $1
It's the John Scalzi collection. I also enjoyed "The Ghost Brigades" in the second tier.
If you missed it, there's also a Humble Bundle featuring art books, including $1 for an art book dedicated to Isle of Dogs.
French police recruitment advertisement looks like a Rainbow Six character select screen
🇫🇷 This is a real police recruitment effort in France, Call of Duty style… pic.twitter.com/G3YQ2QmwLM
— Jake Hanrahan (@Jake_Hanrahan) November 23, 2023
(I couldn't find this anywhere else)
*Previously: "Power Antoinette" is a novel and manga about Marie Antoinette gaining the physique of a powerlifter
The reveal of the new multi-faith area at the Bristol Airport is like they're parodying themselves
This week, we have opened a new multi-faith area in the free waiting zone.
— Bristol Airport (@BristolAirport) November 23, 2023
Located just off the Silver Zone roundabout, the new area provides customers with a private space to reflect and pray whilst waiting to collect friends, family or loved ones. pic.twitter.com/tgIusF1tIJ
*Previously: Zavareh Multi-Faith Temple for power plant workers in Iran
Today's news and jokes
Them: Don't talk about gerrymandering during Thanksgiving
— The Redistrict Network (@RedistrictNet) November 22, 2023
Me: pic.twitter.com/5ZRSVywfbD
Myanmar authorities "handed over 31,000 telecom fraud suspects to China"
More than 100,000 people engage in telecom fraud each day in at least 1,000 scam centers in Myanmar
There's much more lurid detail in this article by the "United States Institute of Peace" from a few weeks ago:
Myanmar’s military has lost control of substantial sections of the country’s border with China in recent days, as forces fighting the coup regime coordinate their attacks in an unprecedented way. The immediate aim of the combined offensive was to shut down lucrative criminal activity in enclaves along the Chinese frontier that are run by military-sponsored border guard forces. Significantly, in doing so, the insurgents took advantage of China’s recent efforts to stifle scams run from the enclaves that target Chinese citizens. This could mark a turning point in the national struggle against military rule, one that would pose serious new challenges to the anti-coup leadership, the international community and Myanmar’s neighbors.
...
Since May, China has sent Myanmar’s generals a clear message: It is unacceptable to harbor forced-labor scam syndicates in Myanmar that traffic hundreds of thousands of people from around the world and steal and launder billions of dollars a month from a global population of victims. Beijing insisted that the military control its border guard forces (BGFs) hosting the scam enclaves. The junta didn’t just ignore China’s demands. It stood by as the BGF in Karen state doubled down with public accolades for its blatantly criminal activity on the Thai border, and the BGF in Kokang, fathered by coup leader Min Aung Hlaing as part of a 2009 military operation, ramped up its criminal operations right on China’s doorstep.
Over the summer, China raised the stakes by giving the Chinese media and film industry a green light to dramatize the chaos in Myanmar with popular films illuminating the fate of Chinese nationals who ended up in one of the thousands of forced-labor scam compounds now lining Myanmar’s borders. The films — “No More Bets,” “Tainted Love” and “Lost in the Stars” — have netted more than $1 billion at the box office
And the BBC posted more background:
Under [the four families] the remote, impoverished backwater of Laukkaing was transformed into a rowdy casino hub of gaudy high-rise towers and seedy red-light districts.
...
Initially developed to take advantage of Chinese demand for gambling, which is illegal in China and many other neighbouring countries, Laukkaing's casinos evolved into a lucrative front for money laundering, trafficking and in particular for dozens of scam centres.
...
More than 100,000 foreign nationals, many of them Chinese, were estimated to have been lured to these scam centres, where they were effectively imprisoned and forced to work
...
In the early hours of the morning of 20 October, a group of scam workers was being transferred from Crouching Tiger Villa, probably in anticipation of a move against the scam centre by the Chinese police.
A number of workers, reported to be between 50 and 100, tried to escape, and the scam centre guards opened fire, killing several. Some accounts say there were undercover Chinese police officers among the dead.
That prompted a strongly-worded letter from the local government office in the neighbouring Chinese province - and the announcement of arrest warrants by the Chinese police
The Poker Face episode "Escape From Shit Mountain" is terrific
I disliked just about everything in the first episode, but gave this another chance after seeing the (as it turns out, very accurate) tweet below:
I finally watched ESCAPE FROM SHIT MOUNTAIN (from POKER FACE) and it's the closest Rian Johnson's come to psychological horror, layering pure dread over Joseph Gordon Levitt's best performance in years with genuinely chilling imagery. One of the best things Johnson's ever done. pic.twitter.com/kT7qZjIiqq
— Brendan Hodges (@metaplexmovies) November 21, 2023
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
The Wirecutter's pick for best portable charger is 20% off
The Belkin BoostCharge Plus 10k includes built-in lightning and USB C cables and is on sale at Amazon.
(The Wirecutter's other picks.)
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