Welcome to the Daily Bear Dump - a community space where one can talk about anything, but certain topics are already started for your pleasure. Anyhoo… here’s Carrie Underwood at this year’s Grammy Awards quietly shaming us into not skipping leg day.
daughter's school has a two-week spring break. So, Week 1 in Maui (now) and Week 2 in HNL. Making liberal use of TBB's recommended Tropic Sport sunscreen, but my paleness is winning out and I'm still agettin' burnt...espec on my shins
I check explore.org regularly to check out the eagle's nests near my sister's house in Decorah. It also has a couple cams on nests on Santa Cruz Island. Watch for the eagles.
World Travel: one of my tenants wrapped his check in a paper with a list of what to avoid when traveling if one doesn't want food poisoning. The list of places where you might get food poisoning?
I will be celebrating my own version of spring break next week as the lady friend and I head off to Tilburg, NL for Roadburn. I've been trying to make this trip happen for close to 4 years now and it feels like it's finally happening.
fuck that. We have a proper hotel room. I've heard the weather in the Netherlands is wildly unpredictable by past attendees who posted on certain social sites. I've also read they got snow a few days ago. But it's looking like low to mid 60s next week
This is my kid's spring break. We are up in DC visiting colleges. Frankly, I take every opportunity to say the phrase "Foggy Bottom" because I have maturity of an 8 year old.
Spring Break was last week for my kids. Spent a few nights in Sea Ranch, up the California coast, and then an overnight stay in Monterey for the aquarium and a whale watching trip.
My wife and the 17 year old are touring colleges in New England. I did a quick run with our daughter to three colleges in MA back in February, plus me and the missus are not wholly in sync over road trips, so I tapped out of this one. Maybe I’ll go on vacation again someday 🫤
I may have to do something myself - the womenfolk are going to spend the summer in Vermont per usual. The older daughter will almost immediately have to return to college, & the other 2 won’t want to squeeze in a trip before HS resumes, so...
Much appreciated! I’m waiting to see what the rules about outsiders at camp are this summer - last year they barred all visitors & while I kind of missed being in Vermont, I discovered that I didn’t miss driving 1100 miles for a weekend visit or staying at a childrens camp. Also this summer all three of my wife and the girls will be easily reachable by phone so I might make this a permanent change.
This seems like Act I of a middle aged man buddy movie starring Tim Allen. You just need a friend going through a divorce to accompany you and be a vehicle to receive sage life advice from well intentioned stripper and you will have it nailed
The movie "White Men Can't Jump" was released 30 years ago. Yes, 30 years.
The 1992 movie starred Woody Harrelson, Wesley Snipes and Rosie Perez. It's about street basketball and hustling in Venice Beach and Crenshaw in Los Angeles. The late critic Roger Ebert said it was "not simply a basketball movie." It went on to become one of the most beloved sports movies ever.
Director Ron Shelton had sports-movie chops. Prior to "White Men Can't Jump," he wrote and directed "Bull Durham," a movie for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for best original screenplay. He also directed "Cobb," "Tin Cup," and the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary "Jordan Rides the Bus."
Started Slow Horses yesterday and watched the first three episodes. British spy thriller about disgraced MI5 agents working at a paper shuffling office because they screwed up in the field.
Started out slow with a lot of world building but it's ramping up a lot now
yeah, but I went to the premiere at Palace of Fine Arts of the 2nd PotA reboot movie – the one that took place in SF – and he (and Andy Sorkin and the director, etc.) were in the audience. It was uncomfortable watching a mediocre movie with the cast, etc. in the room...
Started WeCrashed and I’m really liking it. Leto and Hathaway are great and just chew up scenes together.
It is fun watching this after finishing The Dropout. Two high profile entrepreneurs that failed for vastly different but similar reasons. Two unicorns that got the Legend treatment of having their horn cutoff.
Feel like I'm getting a head cold with a slight cough. Just took a test (negative) since I came back on Fri from a testing event. It was in a large room and the tables were spaced at least 10 feet apart. And the participant's in each table were probably about 5 feet apart. But only a few people wore masks. So most likely it's just a head cold and I just took some Emergen-C.
Today I'm at a work event and there are about 70 ppl in a large conference room. I have no issue with it but I feel uncomfortable so I put a mask on. I'm the only one wearing it but I don't care I just want to do what's best for my family.
I'm on day 4 of my isolation, very minor symptoms though. I assume the coughing my girlfriend was doing last week was her case of it and now it's my turn.
We have meetings here in SF like that too where few are masked. This despite the spread being “high” in SF per the CDC transmission map. It seems people are looking at the hospital data more but that is such a lagging indicator
After picking it up at work last week, and having a case that is kicking my ass in spite of being triple Pfizered, I'm not sure I will ever again go to work unmasked, or sit in a room with dozens of others.
Pre-pandemic when my wife was on bed rest I would WFH and then go in just for big meetings so as to create the appearance that I was there more than I was. Now I am scheduling my times in the office to avoid those same meetings, just so my key card stays within firm policy. At least until this wave passes. My kids’ friends and my own friends seem to all be getting sick
Hospitalization is a lagging indicator, but on the other hand if the population is highly vaccinated then even a lot of virus spread theoretically would not seriously impact hospitals.
That is fair. I think certainly for actually shutting stuff down you look at hospital data. But I think for indoor masking it makes sense to look just at transmission
I don't think it was an Eephus. It was super-slow, yes, but it didn't have the high arc of an Eephus, which would drop into the strike zone from a peak of perhaps 15 feet. Dallas Braden kept saying that Phillips was throwing curveballs - they were just much slower than a typical big league curve. And this is the nerdiest baseball thing I've ever typed.
I have been a Chicago Cubs expat for most of my life and kind of enjoy when the local team where I live struggles because then you can go to games for basically nothing. When the Giants stink the trick is to show up and look for guys dressed in business casual; they are always dumping tix, usually for free
They're celebrating the 30-year anniversary this season. It's a fantastic park and such a landmark that I cannot imagine the team leaving any time soon.
I'm waiting for the Dodgers to play in Baltimore, and then hopefully DC or Philly on the same trip and then I'll go. Although I think No 1 will be there one more year then go somewhere else to write. I'll have to check which AL division the NLW plays next year.
They do have a Philly/DC trip next week (I think) but I'm waiting for a game at Camden.
pulled my calf muscle. walked into the court of my gym, and 9 guys instantly turned to look at me. They needed a tenth for full court. They gave me one shot to warm up.
I was a tourist this past weekend in DC. I walked so much. 10 miles on Saturday and then about 6 miles on Sunday before I hurt my knee and couldn't walk anymore. I stayed at the hotel all-day on Monday.
Thinking back, I used to have insanely strong leg muscles - I have a vague recollection of being in a gym on campus and lift more than 600 lbs in a Leg Press Machine - I had never done any lifting at all, just cycling.
I was doing a lot of squats in China before I left. I don't want to join the crappy 24 hour fitness type gyms, but the cross fit gyms seem a bit douchey on their IG and website so I'm a bit vexxed.
i never really thought about legs because i figured those were "good" since i ride a lot. now after doing some strength training for a few months i am realizing that they are "not so good" and there is a lot of room for improvement there that could help the core strength that i badly need.
I figure my run every day is as much leg work as I need. I took a brief rest this morning as I almost got divebombed by a barred owl. A second one came by shortly after so I stopped and watched them both perched on a nearby branch. Pretty cool in the heart of the city.
Any idea if a nest was nearby? I would imagine that coming close to being divebombed by an owl would indicate they think you're encroaching on their territory.
I run that trail about once a week and it's the first time I've seen or heard an owl there. I had the same thought as you and when I looked up the type of owl, it noted that its mating season is right around now.
I have a theory that riding can work your legs well, but you have to ride in a way that does that, and it may not be optimal for, say, completing a road race faster.
Back in my young days, my leg muscle growth was much more responsive than my upper body. Didn't take photos so I have no proof, but no biggee. These days, the whole body is nonresponsive.
My weight lifting now is much less productive than 25 years ago. I used to work out about 1.5 hours every other day and easily gained muscle and tightened the core. Nowadays I maintain tone and add a little size (not very much) but seem to have hit a wall. Plus, I'm still carrying around some Covid weight, too. Kind of frustrating.
Parade Magazine reports on Ali Wong's divorce, but uses a picture of Kodiak instead of her husband https://twitter.com/gerrieyaki/status/1513956221103050764?s=20&t=1r3WqgZnzJyo3saK0J4E9Q
would be a tough marriage to keep going as much as she talked about it (and the way that she it).
Well, he trapped her ass...wonder how much of a payout he gets.
Kod's made it to the big time!
SPRING BREAK
daughter's school has a two-week spring break. So, Week 1 in Maui (now) and Week 2 in HNL. Making liberal use of TBB's recommended Tropic Sport sunscreen, but my paleness is winning out and I'm still agettin' burnt...espec on my shins
Going to Santa Cruz Island F-Su this weekend, as long as the current wind event dies down in time.
I check explore.org regularly to check out the eagle's nests near my sister's house in Decorah. It also has a couple cams on nests on Santa Cruz Island. Watch for the eagles.
World Travel: one of my tenants wrapped his check in a paper with a list of what to avoid when traveling if one doesn't want food poisoning. The list of places where you might get food poisoning?
Asia
Middle East
Africa
Mexico
Central & South America
Look, I was trying to help. Don't shame me for that!
how is the hiking going?
Since ski season seems mostly over, it's going again. Sadly the green hills in the east bay are also mostly over for the year.
around here it's not quite done! I see some wild turkeys on my runs though. (Tri Valley)
yep, lots of those around. Also, the wild pigs out on ebmud trails are a bit unnerving
That person probably uses the phrase "you people" a few times a week
It was a medical advisory
North America
Europe
Going to Ojai on Sunday to spend the week with six gal pals celebrating the 25th anniversary of our book group.
You feeling better?
Not yet. Started Paxlovid last night so hopefully soon?
Gotta get better before Ojai!
I learned where Ojai was from the Bionic Woman. Jamie Sommers was from Ojai.
If the Paxlovid doesn’t work, the healing energies of the universal energy waves of Ojai will, just need the right crystals
That is really cool. Do you get together regularly? The older I get the more I realize that you need to create your own rituals
We get together once a month, but we are also a regular friend group so I see most of them more often than that.
Went to La Paz, Mexico for the first time. I loved it and will definitely go back.
went to a great beach there about 10 years ago. shallow water and could snorkel amongst a lot of very cute fugu (like there's any other kind)
currently in Vancouver touring UBC. driving to Seattle today to check out UW next 2 days.
I will be celebrating my own version of spring break next week as the lady friend and I head off to Tilburg, NL for Roadburn. I've been trying to make this trip happen for close to 4 years now and it feels like it's finally happening.
https://roadburn.com/line-up/
That looks really cool. So you sleep in a tent at it?
fuck that. We have a proper hotel room. I've heard the weather in the Netherlands is wildly unpredictable by past attendees who posted on certain social sites. I've also read they got snow a few days ago. But it's looking like low to mid 60s next week
All of that sounds fine for tent sleeping.
what you did there, I see it.
As a former resident I can confirm you’re making the right decision re: weather readiness.
I've also heard it referred to as the San Francisco of Europe in terms of weather
Well it’s not very warm in the summer so maybe?
"proper" hotel room makes you sound British.
well, it's dutch, and if you've ever been there you would know what they consider a hotel room
I stayed at a Hotel Ibis at the airport. The bathroom was super small and it seemed more like a hotel room that should've been by the hour.
Only been in the airport there, never out in the country. Wife has been, and she didn't like the Dutch.
Hah ok! I looked on the website and thought it seemed cool but I am too damn old to sleep in a tent beside a bunch of Euro granolas.
and Portland OR
Visited my son in Santa Monica. Just wrapping up his MBA (he's 22) and has a job lined up at a private equity firm.
This is my kid's spring break. We are up in DC visiting colleges. Frankly, I take every opportunity to say the phrase "Foggy Bottom" because I have maturity of an 8 year old.
Ask them about the mold problems
It's a lovely week to visit. Everything is in bloom and the weather is delightful this week. On the other hand, the pollen-pocalypse is underway...
Spring Break was last week for my kids. Spent a few nights in Sea Ranch, up the California coast, and then an overnight stay in Monterey for the aquarium and a whale watching trip.
My wife and the 17 year old are touring colleges in New England. I did a quick run with our daughter to three colleges in MA back in February, plus me and the missus are not wholly in sync over road trips, so I tapped out of this one. Maybe I’ll go on vacation again someday 🫤
Sounds like your vacation should be right now.
I may have to do something myself - the womenfolk are going to spend the summer in Vermont per usual. The older daughter will almost immediately have to return to college, & the other 2 won’t want to squeeze in a trip before HS resumes, so...
DCT - One of those times when you're blowing through Albany on your way to VT hit me up for a drink.
Much appreciated! I’m waiting to see what the rules about outsiders at camp are this summer - last year they barred all visitors & while I kind of missed being in Vermont, I discovered that I didn’t miss driving 1100 miles for a weekend visit or staying at a childrens camp. Also this summer all three of my wife and the girls will be easily reachable by phone so I might make this a permanent change.
Temporary bachelordom can be luxurious.
TIme to rent the HOT HATCH
The hottest of hatches
Fiat Arbath or Peugeot 205Gti incoming
This seems like Act I of a middle aged man buddy movie starring Tim Allen. You just need a friend going through a divorce to accompany you and be a vehicle to receive sage life advice from well intentioned stripper and you will have it nailed
Btw I saw the movie She’s in Portland this weekend which is along those lines. You guys seen?
UNCE UNCE
DBD AV CLUB
'White Men Can't Jump' at 30: Sneakers, bets and stories from an all-time sports movie
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33691781/white-men-jump-30-sneakers-bets-stories-all-sports-movie
The movie "White Men Can't Jump" was released 30 years ago. Yes, 30 years.
The 1992 movie starred Woody Harrelson, Wesley Snipes and Rosie Perez. It's about street basketball and hustling in Venice Beach and Crenshaw in Los Angeles. The late critic Roger Ebert said it was "not simply a basketball movie." It went on to become one of the most beloved sports movies ever.
Director Ron Shelton had sports-movie chops. Prior to "White Men Can't Jump," he wrote and directed "Bull Durham," a movie for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for best original screenplay. He also directed "Cobb," "Tin Cup," and the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary "Jordan Rides the Bus."
And they're doing a remake of it with Jack Harlow playing the Woody Harrelson role.
Started Slow Horses yesterday and watched the first three episodes. British spy thriller about disgraced MI5 agents working at a paper shuffling office because they screwed up in the field.
Started out slow with a lot of world building but it's ramping up a lot now
(It's on Apple TV+)
watched the first ep (maybe two). enjoyable. will be catching up sometime during this spring break trip.
Episode 3 is really where it takes off!
Gary Oldman is one of the finer actors around.
yeah, but I went to the premiere at Palace of Fine Arts of the 2nd PotA reboot movie – the one that took place in SF – and he (and Andy Sorkin and the director, etc.) were in the audience. It was uncomfortable watching a mediocre movie with the cast, etc. in the room...
I'm enjoying it.
Started WeCrashed and I’m really liking it. Leto and Hathaway are great and just chew up scenes together.
It is fun watching this after finishing The Dropout. Two high profile entrepreneurs that failed for vastly different but similar reasons. Two unicorns that got the Legend treatment of having their horn cutoff.
I heard it wasn't worth it...maybe I'll try it
OUR RICKETY REPUBLIC
How a Trump ally got his unfounded voting-machine audit push in front of federal cyber agency
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/12/trump-ally-arizona-voting-machine-audit-00024444
TODAY IN LA RONA
Feel like I'm getting a head cold with a slight cough. Just took a test (negative) since I came back on Fri from a testing event. It was in a large room and the tables were spaced at least 10 feet apart. And the participant's in each table were probably about 5 feet apart. But only a few people wore masks. So most likely it's just a head cold and I just took some Emergen-C.
Today I'm at a work event and there are about 70 ppl in a large conference room. I have no issue with it but I feel uncomfortable so I put a mask on. I'm the only one wearing it but I don't care I just want to do what's best for my family.
I'm on day 4 of my isolation, very minor symptoms though. I assume the coughing my girlfriend was doing last week was her case of it and now it's my turn.
FYI that cough doesn't really go away once you're clear
Seems reasonable to me.
We have meetings here in SF like that too where few are masked. This despite the spread being “high” in SF per the CDC transmission map. It seems people are looking at the hospital data more but that is such a lagging indicator
After picking it up at work last week, and having a case that is kicking my ass in spite of being triple Pfizered, I'm not sure I will ever again go to work unmasked, or sit in a room with dozens of others.
Pre-pandemic when my wife was on bed rest I would WFH and then go in just for big meetings so as to create the appearance that I was there more than I was. Now I am scheduling my times in the office to avoid those same meetings, just so my key card stays within firm policy. At least until this wave passes. My kids’ friends and my own friends seem to all be getting sick
I'd change churches if yours stinks.
Hospitalization is a lagging indicator, but on the other hand if the population is highly vaccinated then even a lot of virus spread theoretically would not seriously impact hospitals.
https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/San-Francisco-Bay-Area-COVID-rate-California-17061932.php
That is fair. I think certainly for actually shutting stuff down you look at hospital data. But I think for indoor masking it makes sense to look just at transmission
In the Midwest, btw.
More unis in DC area revert to mask mandates.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/04/11/american-george-washington-reinstate-mask-mandates/
I think Philly just restarted mask mandates for indoor events. No 1 said that UPenn has had mask mandates indoors for classes the whole time.
I think they’re still wearing masks for indoor classes at Vassar, although of course there are still localized clusters - hard to avoid really.
CAL
[Security guard at the National Gallery of Arts] "You go to school there?" (☝️ At my Cal cap)
[Me] "Yes, sir"
[Guard] "You know Rhett Hall?"
[Me] "Defensive lineman, early 90s"
[G] "You alright."
I sometimes have a Cal cap on when I go there. Good thing it's never been noticed because I would have failed the quiz.
Go Bears!!!
PRO
Giants 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position, lose to Padres
https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2022/4/11/23021383/mlb-recaps-san-francisco-giants-san-diego-padres
The A's Sheldon Neuse hits improbable grand slam on a slow Eephus pitch from a Tampa position player. A's shock Rays 13-2.
https://www.mlb.com/video/brett-phillips-in-play-run-s-to-sheldon-neuse
What is an Eephus pitch? Here 'ya go:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eephus_pitch
I don't think it was an Eephus. It was super-slow, yes, but it didn't have the high arc of an Eephus, which would drop into the strike zone from a peak of perhaps 15 feet. Dallas Braden kept saying that Phillips was throwing curveballs - they were just much slower than a typical big league curve. And this is the nerdiest baseball thing I've ever typed.
The Rays' loss and Baltimore's win have eliminated MLB's last undefeated and winless teams
Between the Nats and the O's I'm afraid it's going to be a long year for baseball in the DMV.
Ticket prices will be in the single digits by the time the A's visit in September
I have been a Chicago Cubs expat for most of my life and kind of enjoy when the local team where I live struggles because then you can go to games for basically nothing. When the Giants stink the trick is to show up and look for guys dressed in business casual; they are always dumping tix, usually for free
Yet another reason to root against the Giants!
Camden is a great park
Camden is a gem...I like the new correction, too - moving the left field fence back a bit.
Nicest park around tho NOT named Wrigley or Fenway: PNC Park in Pittsburgh...beautiful
They're celebrating the 30-year anniversary this season. It's a fantastic park and such a landmark that I cannot imagine the team leaving any time soon.
I'm waiting for the Dodgers to play in Baltimore, and then hopefully DC or Philly on the same trip and then I'll go. Although I think No 1 will be there one more year then go somewhere else to write. I'll have to check which AL division the NLW plays next year.
They do have a Philly/DC trip next week (I think) but I'm waiting for a game at Camden.
Dbacks are in DC later this month. The Post had a full page ad at the back of the sports section yesterday pushing $10 field level seats.
You might as well take advantage
LEG DAY
pulled my calf muscle. walked into the court of my gym, and 9 guys instantly turned to look at me. They needed a tenth for full court. They gave me one shot to warm up.
I was a tourist this past weekend in DC. I walked so much. 10 miles on Saturday and then about 6 miles on Sunday before I hurt my knee and couldn't walk anymore. I stayed at the hotel all-day on Monday.
Thinking back, I used to have insanely strong leg muscles - I have a vague recollection of being in a gym on campus and lift more than 600 lbs in a Leg Press Machine - I had never done any lifting at all, just cycling.
I was doing a lot of squats in China before I left. I don't want to join the crappy 24 hour fitness type gyms, but the cross fit gyms seem a bit douchey on their IG and website so I'm a bit vexxed.
Go full bay area and join a climbing gym
Pacific Pipe, just down the street.
I like that one
Oh hey, you're here.
I was due for my once every 6 months drive by :)
join a combat sport gym. There are some that do jiujitsu, muay thai, and/or boxing, or a combo thereof.
I tried ringfit for a while. Pets kept jumping on me.
everyday is leg day
Makes me think of the Lego Batman song where he says he never skips leg day. Will Arnett is so perfect as his voice
i never really thought about legs because i figured those were "good" since i ride a lot. now after doing some strength training for a few months i am realizing that they are "not so good" and there is a lot of room for improvement there that could help the core strength that i badly need.
I figure my run every day is as much leg work as I need. I took a brief rest this morning as I almost got divebombed by a barred owl. A second one came by shortly after so I stopped and watched them both perched on a nearby branch. Pretty cool in the heart of the city.
Any idea if a nest was nearby? I would imagine that coming close to being divebombed by an owl would indicate they think you're encroaching on their territory.
I run that trail about once a week and it's the first time I've seen or heard an owl there. I had the same thought as you and when I looked up the type of owl, it noted that its mating season is right around now.
I have a theory that riding can work your legs well, but you have to ride in a way that does that, and it may not be optimal for, say, completing a road race faster.
Back in my young days, my leg muscle growth was much more responsive than my upper body. Didn't take photos so I have no proof, but no biggee. These days, the whole body is nonresponsive.
My weight lifting now is much less productive than 25 years ago. I used to work out about 1.5 hours every other day and easily gained muscle and tightened the core. Nowadays I maintain tone and add a little size (not very much) but seem to have hit a wall. Plus, I'm still carrying around some Covid weight, too. Kind of frustrating.
Isn't everyday leg day?
not if you're bedridden
Dark man, dark
Nah, that's if you're blind.