52 Comments

I was wondering why only 35 comments when I posted. But I think it's because I (and prob many others) *couldn't* post until recently. Kept getting a "You must be a subscriber" pop-up.

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i was about to complain about the low volume, but Mr Chitwood and I had some nice conversations

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without all the riff riff that usually hangs out here!

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ahh..that makes sense as to why it's been so slow.

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yeah, it was a 1%-er morning here ;-)

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Thanks to whoever fixed it!

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And to that person: now turn on pics & gifs

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DBD AV CLUB

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Watched the first ep of Poker Face. (Can't see more unless I pony up for Peacock.)

It was interesting, but I think I need to quit. For the same reason that I quite S2 of Russian doll.

Which is Natasha Lyonne doing something insanely stupid for the forward-movement of the plot.

In RD, it was leaving the bag of $$ unattended on the subway – I mean, who would do that? especially a New Yorker! – and in PF, it was telling Adrien Brody stuff that she was discovering. I mean, c'mon!

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Daisy Jones and the Six (Amazon Prime) - a tv series following a 1970s rockband, shorthand: Almost Famous as a TV show. It's been ok so far.

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History of the World Part II starts on Hulu today.

Top Chef Season 20 starts on Thursday

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Ep 8 of The Last of Us was f-ing brilliant. One of the finest episodes I’ve seen on TV in some time.

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I agree that it was good, but I don't think it was even the best TLoU (which I'd say was E3 or E5). But as an "advance the plot" vs a "flashback" one, it was great.

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That was one of the episodes I was most looking forward to when they announced the series, and I was pretty concerned that they wouldn't be able to do it justice in a single episode clocking in under an hour. I'm quite relieved that they managed to pull it off so well. But I can't help but have a similar concern (hopefully unfounded) about how the finale is only about 45 minutes...

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Mar 6, 2023·edited Mar 6, 2023

As someone that is completely unfamiliar with the video game, I’m really enjoying the series. To be fair, as a Cal fan of over 40 years, I am a sucker for extinction level event programs, however. So long as Carol Christ cares more for finding Annie the Falcon a mate than she does the success of Cal’s revenue sports, an ELE is likely the only way we’re getting to El Paso for the Sun Bowl….

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Anchorage

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A surprisingly tiny town. I felt like I had seen the whole thing in the span of a morning. Just as well, though, as it left much more time for exploring the wilderness beyond the city.

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we flew in/out of Anchorage as part of a 10 day trip both to the north (Denali) and to the south (Homer and Seward).

there was nothing in particular in Anchorage worth sticking around for. on the other hand, we took to the girls to a state fair for the first time, and that was quite an experience.

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Denali is on the National Park bucket list, HSB...it may involve an extensive period of time spent in Alaska to bang them all out....

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you are trying to hit all the NPs no?

Alaska has some pretty remote ones

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Ya. They’re indelible now, as they say;-)…so no turning back!! I have to hit them all eventually, and certain parks are definitely gonna be toughies…the remote Alaska ones, American Samoa, US Virgin Islands…even Isle Royale is gonna take some work.

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Mar 6, 2023·edited Mar 6, 2023

in my "old age" i find that the NPs, however spectacular, are often extremely crowded and that takes away from the experience quite a bit.

i have been seeking out some of the less crowded national forest areas for hiking trips and such. for example, we went backpacking in the Wind River Range instead of the Tetons. we saw hardly any people, there were no permits or reservations required, and it was easily the best mountain scenery i have ever seen.

https://goo.gl/photos/tCM5n8Q4vYE4QZbz5

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We just did Pinnacles three weeks ago - the West side was fairly uncrowded.

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Mar 6, 2023·edited Mar 6, 2023

US Virgin Islands might be a bit of a process to get to, especially from west coast, but that is a very pleasant vacation. we spent Xmas/NYers there a few years ago.

i have always wanted to go to Isle Royale

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Mar 6, 2023·edited Mar 6, 2023

Ya, that's how I'm gonna have to cross USVINP off the list...Samoa will probably have to be along with Haleakala, which is a bummer because I've been to Maui twice already and missed it...I have a pretty solid routine when I hit the National Parks, as I usually have (a) dog (s) with me and thus my options are really limited. I do a little walking with the pup(s), visit the bookstore for a stamp, postcards, magnets for the niece and nephews, and a NP token, and then hit some photo ops with a good tour by car. Once I hit all the MLB ballparks I needed a new travel hobby! I missed my chance on Isle Royale in 2020 because it was closed for COVID.

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Favorite pork

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I doubt it’s the most traditional preparation but I have made and enjoyed this recipe many times: https://smittenkitchen.com/2011/11/homesick-texan-carnitas/

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1. Cantonese char siu - have to be loyal to my roots

2. Filipino lechon

3. Mexican carnitas

4. Spanish jamon

5. American bacon

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Similar roots: Char siu can be quite good. On the other hand, I think lop cheong is just OK.

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Yes to well prepared char siu. I used to be a big fan of lop cheong but these days I can pass, but it's still a must have for sticky rice!

One add to the lists: Tyrolean speck

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There are so many great contenders but a perfectly smoked pulled pork is hard to top

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this is a trick question .. all versions can be amazing in their own way.

i particularly like guanciale - an Italian cured meat product prepared from pork jowl or cheeks.

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Roasted shoulder

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OUR CRUMBLING DEMOCRACY

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ELSEWHERE IN COLLEGE

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Liberty missed the tournament and will have to watch quietly in the corner, as I believe is their preference

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Unable to produce a tear for this news.

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PRO

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Formula 1 mostly picks up where it left off last season: dominant Red Bull, off-pace Mercedes, and a Ferrari team that simply cannot build a reliable car. Fernando Alonso's second-half surge leading to a podium finish for Aston Martin was a pleasant surprise though.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/fernando-alonso-kept-me-from-falling-asleep-during-the-2023-bahrain-f1-gp

The 2023 Bahrain Formula 1 GP looked as if was just going to be a continuation of last year. Red Bull's 2022 world champion Max Verstappen started in pole position as always and never looked back, cruising to an easy win. It looked almost exactly like every race from 2022 and every non-Red Bull fan had every excuse to fall asleep. However, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso decided to wake everyone up by absolutely steeling the show in the second half of the race to secure a podium finish.

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As a Hamilton fan, starting to follow the sport in 2021 feels rather like becoming a Cal fan in 2006…

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Derek Carr close to deal with Saints

https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/03/06/new-orleans-saints-closing-in-signing-derek-carr

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This is somewhat puzzling…don’t dislike Carr, but is he THAT much of an upgrade over Andy Dalton to justify that deal? He’s paid like a franchise QB, but is he?

Maybe bump Chris Olave up in fantasy drafts…

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CAL

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Mar 6, 2023·edited Mar 6, 2023

Could Teri McKeever be Knowlton's downfall?

https://swimswam.com/cal-implementing-additional-steps-after-firing-teri-mckeever/

Cal is implementing additional steps in the wake of an eight-month investigation that resulted in head coach Teri McKeever’s firing on Jan. 31.

A Cal spokesperson told the Southern California News Group (SCNG) that he could neither confirm nor deny whether those steps included investigating athletic director Jim Knowlton and executive associate athletic director Jennifer Simon-O’Neill.

“While we won’t confirm that an investigation is ongoing nor will we contest or challenge any reporting that suggests as much,” assistant vice chancellor Dan Mogulof said. “Here is what we can say at this point in time about matters related to the prior coaching of the swim team: In mid-February, after carefully reviewing and considering the investigative report concerning Coach McKeever, campus leadership directed that appropriate follow-on steps be taken. These steps include addressing matters that were outside of the scope of the investigation of Coach McKeever. These steps are currently being implemented.”

AND

According to Scott Reid of the OC Register, Cal officials including Knowlton, Simon-O’Neill, and former athletic director Sandy Barbour received more than 30 complaints from Cal swimmers or parents accusing McKeever of bullying dating back to 2010. McKeever is godmother to one of Simon-O’Neill’s children.

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Mar 7, 2023·edited Mar 7, 2023

Without seeing the report it's just impossible to know how much hot water Knowlton or Simon-O'Neill is in. Even then, I doubt it would be apparent. But it seems to me if you have a chapter (~100 pages) devoted to past complaints of abuse against McKeever that has been fully redacted/excised from view at the request of the client (campus administration), then the scope of the inquiry has blown up. It makes me wonder who knew about the complaints and when.

This could get very, very messy. Or not, depending on how it is handled.

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Hopefully. Though he’s not going anywhere in the next month, so he’ll likely get the MBBHire.

OTOH, if his job is in trouble, do Administrators even let him make the hire? Maybe we get 1 more year of Fox? Bwahahaha (resigned, maniacal laugh) ;-)

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Go Bears!!!

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With a 4.45 40 yard dash time, 22 reps on the bench press, and good shuttle time and vertical leap, Daniel Scott may have turned himself into a top 100 draft prospect. The last of the original "Takers."

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He figures to be a solid pro.

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So far he has interviewed with the Chiefs and 49ers.

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