The Namib Desert desert geology consists of sand seas near the coast, while gravel plains and scattered mountain outcrops occur further inland. The sand dunes, some of which are 300 meters (980 ft) high and span 32 kilometers (20 mi) long, are the second-largest in the world after the Badain Jaran Desert dunes in China. Temperatures along the coast are stable and generally range between 9–20 °C (48–68 °F) annually, while temperatures further inland are variable—summer daytime temperatures can exceed 45 °C (113 °F) while nights can be freezing.
I hope they're able to accomplish that timing, but I am deeply skeptical. It's 15 minutes from Paddington to LHR nonstop. Add in 13 stops on the way to Canary Wharf and 38 minutes seems incredibly ambitious.
Mrs Slug has taken to feeding crows. The reason for this is simple. Our two resident felines are rather good hunters, including small birds (up to the size of robins) and rodents. They will not mess with larger birds like crows, though.
At first, Mrs Slug put out food in the backyard on an outdoor table that was easily visible from the neighbor's alleyway garage and the ornamental trellis on top of the fence separating our properties. This developed a problem, however. Tigger (our dachshund mix), loves to bark at crows. He also wants to chase them off. He'll bark at them from inside the house (he can see them from vantage points in the Living Room) or if he's out on the back porch or in the yard. He chases them just as he would a squirrel.
So, Mrs Slug found a new feeding spot for the crows closer to the street and away from Tigger's sight. The crows have, apparently, taken to being fed in the new location. More peace, less woofing.
Ever since I learned about how well crows recognize and remember people, I've kinda wanted to make friends with some local ones. What does she feed them?
Cat food. Apparently, it goes over real well with the crows.
I've read that meat is favored by crows, but I'm not sure if this will be true with our experience. Mrs Slug gave out liver treats (Charlie Bear liver treats for dogs). Some crows liked it, others didn't touch it.
I may try some cat food and dog food, although I'll have to devise a way to keep it away from the squirrels. For the past week there's been a batch of crows feasting on toads in the pond next to my house, so we'll see how tempting cat/dog food is...
I'm kind of wondering about fruit, though. Every November we leave about a dozen or so persimmons near the top of our persimmon tree for birds to scavenge; the fruit is too far to reach even with the persimmon picking tool we have. We have had *many* crows fly to that tree. Most, if not all, feed on the leftover persimmons.
Pravda accidentally published Russian MoD figure that 9,861 soldiers have been killed and 16,153 injured. The article was later removed. Ironically, "Pravda" means "truth" or "justice" in Russian.
Hawkeye Pierce would disagree. To Hawkeye, war is worse than hell.
FR. MULCAHY: How is that, Hawkeye?
HAWKEYE: Tell me, Father, who goes to hell?
MULCAHY: Sinners, I believe.
HAWKEYE: Exactly. In hell, there are no inncoent bystanders. But in war, innocent bystanders are included, some of them children. War is worse than hell, Father.
It's been a little less than a month and Russia is already at 5% KIA rate and 12.5% casualty rate using "contractors". When conscripts show up, they are going to get killed at an even faster rate.
"They make a desert and call it peace" Tacitus, Agricola 30.4
Speaking of the Romans' method of conquest. Putting words in the mouth of a Gallic chieftain.. There will be nothing but death and destruction in this war.
made the first pulled pork on the Traeger yesterday. Turned out pretty well. But now I have several pounds of leftover smoked pork that I need to incorporate into some recipes.
Finished The Gilded Age - liked it much more than I thought I would. One flaw that kind irked me (because it was so obvious) - since they had a Black character, they had to have an obvious racist character - but only one! Nobody else!
The missus and I started Abbott Elementary last night. As a former public school teacher it gives me PTSD. Enjoying it nonetheless. Thanks to those who mentioned here.
It's weird to have an ensemble sitcom that seems so fully formed right out of the gate (usually they take a little time to find themselves), but this one was.
Talk about overnight changes in the college sports landscape....To quote Ferris Bueller: “Life Moves Pretty Fast. If You Don't Stop And Look Around Once In A While, You Could Miss It."
I happened to catch that portion on tv this morning. She's responded quite well to some bizarre questions and accusations during today's hearing. Around noon I was listening as a senator (I don't remember which one) asked an oddball series of leading questions trying to bait Jackson into saying that she doesn't think the Supreme Court had the authority to establish marriage equality. She handled that clumsily strewn minefield quite well.
Hawley is depraved. Honestly. Depraved and without moral conscience. Really makes me think he is also mentally ill. And yet, he's a United States Senator.
Niners won't cut Jimmy G. is the thing...they've always valued him more than other teams, and will keep him around until he can pass a physical and throw...so right before training camps...but by then all the QB spots will be taken and they'll be stuck with him, because a team that thinks he is worth 2 2nd rounders when a former MVP just went for a 3rd will not just cut him for nothing, especially after they've already missed the chance to spend his $$$ to sign FA's and help the team win NOW, as it's built for. He'll go to camp, compete with Trey, and the locker room loves him so he'll probably get the job and the Niners will have a total and complete mess on their hands of their own doing and they'll go 9-8 next year.
Lynch has completely bungled this whole thing, though Garoppolo and Don Yee dropping the shoulder injury and surgery on everyone right before the league year started didn't do them any favors. But now, you've screwed yourselves completely because you have a team that's literally on the edge of doing great things, and you've allowed the QB position to F everything up.
Commit to Jimmy, and use the 2021 & 2022 1st round picks you traded for Trey to help Jimmy win.
Or commit to Trey, and use the $25.5M in cap space to help him win.
But they're passive and inept, and will commit to neither, and watch as they lose their own key FA's and the good ones sign with contenders. Front office malpractice.
Considering that Rams won the Super Bowl, I guess it was worth it. If they lost in the Super Bowl, I would have said "well they went to the Super Bowl with Goff too"
Broncos obviously don't know what they are doing with John Elway's math skills.
the Dead trees and DeadVlei (marsh) look like an amazing thing to see, although i am not sure i am making a special journey for it
The remaining skeletons of the trees, which are believed to have died 600–700 years ago (ca. 1340-1430), are now black because the intense sun has scorched them. Though not petrified, the wood does not decompose because it is so dry.
Canary Wharf to Heathrow in 38 minutes. Yes, please.
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/crossrail-london-2022-launch/index.html
not my favorite part of London, but i did spend a good amount of time in Canary Wharf during finance career days. it was FAR from everything.
I hope they're able to accomplish that timing, but I am deeply skeptical. It's 15 minutes from Paddington to LHR nonstop. Add in 13 stops on the way to Canary Wharf and 38 minutes seems incredibly ambitious.
Today in Corvid news...
Mrs Slug has taken to feeding crows. The reason for this is simple. Our two resident felines are rather good hunters, including small birds (up to the size of robins) and rodents. They will not mess with larger birds like crows, though.
At first, Mrs Slug put out food in the backyard on an outdoor table that was easily visible from the neighbor's alleyway garage and the ornamental trellis on top of the fence separating our properties. This developed a problem, however. Tigger (our dachshund mix), loves to bark at crows. He also wants to chase them off. He'll bark at them from inside the house (he can see them from vantage points in the Living Room) or if he's out on the back porch or in the yard. He chases them just as he would a squirrel.
So, Mrs Slug found a new feeding spot for the crows closer to the street and away from Tigger's sight. The crows have, apparently, taken to being fed in the new location. More peace, less woofing.
Ever since I learned about how well crows recognize and remember people, I've kinda wanted to make friends with some local ones. What does she feed them?
Cat food. Apparently, it goes over real well with the crows.
I've read that meat is favored by crows, but I'm not sure if this will be true with our experience. Mrs Slug gave out liver treats (Charlie Bear liver treats for dogs). Some crows liked it, others didn't touch it.
I may try some cat food and dog food, although I'll have to devise a way to keep it away from the squirrels. For the past week there's been a batch of crows feasting on toads in the pond next to my house, so we'll see how tempting cat/dog food is...
Gives new meaning to the phrase Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.
I'm kind of wondering about fruit, though. Every November we leave about a dozen or so persimmons near the top of our persimmon tree for birds to scavenge; the fruit is too far to reach even with the persimmon picking tool we have. We have had *many* crows fly to that tree. Most, if not all, feed on the leftover persimmons.
Tigger has murder on his mind.
Clever. Very clever.
That has yet to happen, although we have read about such cases.
For TBB: Someone at the Arlington County government is either a Buckeye or has a sense of humor.
https://twitter.com/ArlingtonDES/status/1505979986569838597
hehe
UKRAINE/RUSSIA
Pravda accidentally published Russian MoD figure that 9,861 soldiers have been killed and 16,153 injured. The article was later removed. Ironically, "Pravda" means "truth" or "justice" in Russian.
https://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/russia-accidentally-reveals-10000-soldiers-have-been-killed-as-biden-warns-putin-considering-chemical-weapons-41472840.html
doesnt include the losses incurred by the Wagner Group mercs. Estimate almost 5k more killed there according to a different source
Fittingly the war flag of the Confederation of Luhansk and Donetsk is this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Novorossiya#/media/File:War_flag_of_Novorussia.svg
Russia is calling up 130,000 conscripts next week. Newly trained kids being sent to the front. War is hell.
Hawkeye Pierce would disagree. To Hawkeye, war is worse than hell.
FR. MULCAHY: How is that, Hawkeye?
HAWKEYE: Tell me, Father, who goes to hell?
MULCAHY: Sinners, I believe.
HAWKEYE: Exactly. In hell, there are no inncoent bystanders. But in war, innocent bystanders are included, some of them children. War is worse than hell, Father.
It's been a little less than a month and Russia is already at 5% KIA rate and 12.5% casualty rate using "contractors". When conscripts show up, they are going to get killed at an even faster rate.
"They make a desert and call it peace" Tacitus, Agricola 30.4
Speaking of the Romans' method of conquest. Putting words in the mouth of a Gallic chieftain.. There will be nothing but death and destruction in this war.
TODAY IN COVID
We are out of vaccine funds after <5 year olds and 4th booster for immunocompromised. Congress will need to pony up, or it's on you/insurance.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/21/politics/covid-funding-biden-administration/index.html
this can only end well
DBD COOKING ACADEMY
I thought it was the DBD COOKIE ACADEMY and I was all 👀 🍪 🍪 🍪
made the first pulled pork on the Traeger yesterday. Turned out pretty well. But now I have several pounds of leftover smoked pork that I need to incorporate into some recipes.
Having a crock pot pork shoulder roast this eve. Usually the leftovers are turned into fried rice a day or two later.
Turned out really good!
fried rice is a good call
thiking I'll make some tacos with it too
Tacos are a good idea. We have pork belly tacos from time to time.
We've also made soup with leftover pulled pork or pork belly leftovers. Pork belly is especially savory in a soup.
DBD AV CLUB
Finished The Gilded Age - liked it much more than I thought I would. One flaw that kind irked me (because it was so obvious) - since they had a Black character, they had to have an obvious racist character - but only one! Nobody else!
The missus and I started Abbott Elementary last night. As a former public school teacher it gives me PTSD. Enjoying it nonetheless. Thanks to those who mentioned here.
It's weird to have an ensemble sitcom that seems so fully formed right out of the gate (usually they take a little time to find themselves), but this one was.
I don't know what that is.
Ahh
ELSEWHERE IN COLLEGE
Dennis Gates hired by Missouri, replacing Cuonzo Martin
https://missouri.rivals.com/news/mizzou-officially-hires-dennis-gates-as-next-basketball-coach
Are you effing kidding me?
https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/college-football/5-star-2023-cfb-recruit-reportedly-lands-8-million-nil-deal-media-fans-react/
Talk about overnight changes in the college sports landscape....To quote Ferris Bueller: “Life Moves Pretty Fast. If You Don't Stop And Look Around Once In A While, You Could Miss It."
USC inside WR coach stepping away for medical reasons
https://mobile.twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB/status/1506105370833391621
Vandy rebrands. I like it.
https://brand.vanderbilt.edu/athletics/#athletics-vs
No 1: Lol at this new Vanderbilt logo
No 2: It's the laziest thing possible
It's a gold Villanova V
Actually even the Villanova V is better
No 3: I think I could've done that in MS Paint
Others are less thrilled: https://www.anchorofgold.com/platform/amp/2022/3/22/22991152/vanderbilt-drops-new-logo-and-everyone-hates-it
IMO the V inside the star was a really unique logo and this feels generic.
I also preferred their academic oak-leaf V to the generic beveled V they’ve moved to.
Thank you for reminding me of what Vandy's logo had been, but the fact that I couldn't recall on my own tells me that they were ripe for a rebranding.
OUR CRUMBLING DEMOCRACY
Judge KBJ responds to Sen. White Power Hawley (BA Stanfurd '02) allegations that she went light on child predators and she crushes it.
https://www.mediaite.com/news/watch-judge-ketanji-brown-jackson-gives-forceful-response-to-hawley-accusation-she-endangers-children/
I happened to catch that portion on tv this morning. She's responded quite well to some bizarre questions and accusations during today's hearing. Around noon I was listening as a senator (I don't remember which one) asked an oddball series of leading questions trying to bait Jackson into saying that she doesn't think the Supreme Court had the authority to establish marriage equality. She handled that clumsily strewn minefield quite well.
Hawley is depraved. Honestly. Depraved and without moral conscience. Really makes me think he is also mentally ill. And yet, he's a United States Senator.
Mentally ill? Yes, all politicians you disagree with are mentally ill.
I disagree with Mitch McConnell and I don't think he's mentally ill.
On the other hand, McConnell may be evil. [raised eyebrow emoji]
furd grad. All is explained
if only demonstrated qualifications and reasoning were valued in politics :(
PRO
Falcons trade Matt Ryan to Colts for a third rounder, sign Mariota. I guess it's two years of rebuilding for the Falcons.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33564735/sources-indianapolis-colts-acquire-qb-matt-ryan-atlanta-falcons-third-round-pick
So the 49ers are going to be left with Jimmy G's contract, aren't they?
Niners and Browns are about to get stuck with Jimmy G and Baker. Seems like they are going to have to cut them.
Niners won't cut Jimmy G. is the thing...they've always valued him more than other teams, and will keep him around until he can pass a physical and throw...so right before training camps...but by then all the QB spots will be taken and they'll be stuck with him, because a team that thinks he is worth 2 2nd rounders when a former MVP just went for a 3rd will not just cut him for nothing, especially after they've already missed the chance to spend his $$$ to sign FA's and help the team win NOW, as it's built for. He'll go to camp, compete with Trey, and the locker room loves him so he'll probably get the job and the Niners will have a total and complete mess on their hands of their own doing and they'll go 9-8 next year.
Lynch has completely bungled this whole thing, though Garoppolo and Don Yee dropping the shoulder injury and surgery on everyone right before the league year started didn't do them any favors. But now, you've screwed yourselves completely because you have a team that's literally on the edge of doing great things, and you've allowed the QB position to F everything up.
Commit to Jimmy, and use the 2021 & 2022 1st round picks you traded for Trey to help Jimmy win.
Or commit to Trey, and use the $25.5M in cap space to help him win.
But they're passive and inept, and will commit to neither, and watch as they lose their own key FA's and the good ones sign with contenders. Front office malpractice.
That's a bargain considering what Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford cost.
I mean...Matt Ryan sooooooooo
Yeah, but maybe half their value at least.
he is 200 years old but also, Wilson and Stafford went for wayyyy too much.
Considering that Rams won the Super Bowl, I guess it was worth it. If they lost in the Super Bowl, I would have said "well they went to the Super Bowl with Goff too"
Broncos obviously don't know what they are doing with John Elway's math skills.
It's not like they won because of Stafford though.
Yankees: Cheaters
https://brobible.com/sports/article/yankees-sign-stealing-scandal-court-ruling/
Maybe Manfred will be ousted for trying to cover this up to protect the Yankees
CAL
Go Bears!
Desert
Spent most of last week in Palm Springs. I could see living there 6 months/year.
my cousin recently got appointed the Swedish ambassador to Qatar. despite being a small country surrounded by water, it is mostly desert.
just in time for the World Cup. Well done, HSB cousin, well done
i am thinking i should go visit. the Swedish colors are more like the Bruins as opposed to the Golden Bear.
Namibia
That photo looks like it came from that Top Gear episode.
An interesting, though impractical NYT Mag piece from this past summer about traveling to Namibia's Skeleton Coast: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/17/travel/namibia-skeleton-coast-road-trip.html
Some amazing surfing there I've heard
sometimes a NYT reporter/writer will go somewhere on their own and write something of a travelogue. this seems like that.
i have a friend who is a NYT reporter in Beijing and he writes stuff that like
https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/06/travel/06explorer.html
The first thing I thought of was Michael Jackson's visit there in the late 90's and a picture of him kissing a baby held by the Namibian president.
the Dead trees and DeadVlei (marsh) look like an amazing thing to see, although i am not sure i am making a special journey for it
The remaining skeletons of the trees, which are believed to have died 600–700 years ago (ca. 1340-1430), are now black because the intense sun has scorched them. Though not petrified, the wood does not decompose because it is so dry.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadvlei