I remember watching a show, maybe on PBS, where they showed kids in eastern ky appalachia where their teeth were rotten from drinking Mountain Dew all day. Can't imagine how much worse without flouride.
I had a substitute teacher in the 8th grade whose name was Mr. Twain and yes his first name was Mark. I also worked for a short time with a lad by the name of Joe DiMaggio (no relation).
California should have a law where parents could be fined for giving a name to their offspring that invites shame or ridicule. As my wife has pointed out to others, you're not just naming a child. You're also naming an adult.
Okay, that does it. I was going to refrain from making further commentary on stupid names. Some of the names of my children's classmates are truly unbelievable. For instance, one classmate was named Dayless, because she was born at night. I kid you not.
I taught at a Berkeley middle school for twenty years so I believe you. I've heard a dizzying variety of ridiculous names. Here's one from my school days. I had a classmate from about second grade through high school named Berle Germany. Didn't learn until senior year that his full first name was Berlin.
i just found out that a college dorm friend of ours died from an undiagnosed heart condition at 55. too young ..
we werent that close recently but he figures prominently is all the fun we had a freshmen at Clark Kerr. i saw him about a year ago at another dorm friend's house when i was visiting Portland OR.
nice. my cousin from Evanston stayed over one night, we cooked at home and stayed up late chatting about stuff.
she works as a consultant to foundations that are looking to oppose Project 2025 and the Trump agenda. sadly, she painted a very bleak picture in the next 1-3 yrs if something doesnt stop/change the current state of affairs.
thinks that free/fair elections in 2 and 4 yrs are highly unlikely.
Pogacar crushed everyone AGAIN on the hardest hill of the day and seemingly rode to an easy victory. the effort of course was not easy. It just seemed like he rode away from everyone else as if they were standing still, no different than a few days ago.
at home, Liege wafels were eaten and thoroughly enjoyed.
this was the 4th of the 5 monuments and the last of the spring classics. the 5th and final monument is in the fall, the Tour of Lombardia, and very poetically nicknamed the "race of the falling leaves" after the 3 grand tours in the summer.
now the cycling season transitions to stage races and grand tours (not one day races). the Giro d'Italiia which is my favorite of the 3 grand tours starts May 9 (i think) and is a 3 wk race all up and down Italy.
FYI > Giro d'Italia in May, Tour de France in July, Vuelta a Espana in Sep.
The blatant lawlessness of the deportations to foreign countries is absolutely shocking. I know it is in the news, but honestly not enough. It really is a sea change from the USA as the bedrock rule of law country in the world to something more like communist China where the laws are enforced and broken arbitrarily and cruelly by the party in power. I know the tariff stuff is really bad, too, but this is really the worst of the worst
Yup, it is the worst of the worst. And all in service to a "leader" who's running a huge con/grift. The phrase "selective enforcement" comes to mind, but that's only sugarcoating it. This is really trashy totalitarianism of the worst sort. The tipping point towards gulags and death squads isn't very far off.
I mean are we not there? The prison in El Sal is a foreign gulag. The US govt is totally indifferent to whether you die there; they have washed their hands of it by shipping you there. Their stated defense is that they can’t do anything even in cases of mistakes bc it is a foreign country not under our jurisdiction. So that means they can pick up literally anyone and ship them there to die and oh well if it’s a mistake then golly jee don’t you understand you have to break some eggs to make an omelet? Truly incredible
I think we are there when it comes to gulags. The only thing remaining is the widespread use of detention camps in a set of remote locations, which will call to mind the phrase "getting sent to Siberia".
July 2nd should be a red letter day for the American Health. Apparently, there is a Federal Law that requires a 60 day cooling off period from when RFK fired everyone and put in his own people + the Health Secy needs to appear before Congress, which is already scheduled. So on July 2nd, RFK Jr will essentially have carte blanche to do whatever he wants.
We have a contact high up in the Health Department. This person says there will be announcement this Thursday celebrating 100 days of his presidency. The guess is that he's going to tighten bans on trans people as a way of showboating how much winning he's doing.
He is such an embarrassing and spineless puss. Has one move - personal attack/threat whenever criticized. No ability to take accountability ever for anything, or even to respond on the merits to any criticism. Just such an unbelievably bad example for our country’s youth, especially the young men.
I can’t think of a more fitting end to the San Francisco Giants 17-game stretch than Heliot Ramos’s walk-off Little League homer on Sunday.
Not quite on par with the athleticism of Angel Pagan’s a dozen years ago — and certainly not as “clean” — but that final trip around the bases on Sunday will go down in club history as unparalleled in its goofiness. A delirious scramble of unexpected twists, of over-the-shoulder turns, of dirty pants and scraped knees and out-of-breath belly flops ending at home. Finally, it was over. The game, the series, the marathon set of four different cities playing five different teams — Ramos took a well-deserved moment sprawled out over the plate to quietly find his breath through the hiccups of laughter before the mob descended.
It's also notable that the NL West is probably the most competitive division in MLB right now.
The teams in 1st through 3rd places in the NL West (Giants, Dodgers, and Padres) have no more than 11 losses. In the rest of MLB, only 3 other teams (the Yankees, the Tigers, and the Mets) out of 25 other teams have no more than 11 losses.
Granted, it's still early in the season yet, so it will probably change. But only one other division (AL West) has 2 teams chasing the leader within 1.5 games of 1st.
The Athletics walked off the Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon in Sacramento as second baseman Luis Urias launched a game-ending two-run home run to give the team the victory, the team’s second walk off win this home stand. The win puts the Athletics back at the .500 mark as they prepare to embark on a six-game trip across the country. Great vibes before hitting the road!
Nats walked them off twice in the series. Friday night with a runner on first and a 3-2 count the runner was going and a ground ball up the middle was deflected by the second baseman into short center. Runner came all the way around.
The Dodgers fell behind before they even batted, again, then had to scramble for an impromptu bullpen game after another Tyler Glasnow injury. But Andy Pages and the offense were up to the task in a 9-2 win over the Pirates on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.
BERKELEY – The California softball team (32-18, 8-13 ACC) earned a shutout victory against No. 14 Virginia Tech (39-8, 17-4), 4-0, Sunday in the final game at Levine-Fricke Field.
LOS ANGELES – The No. 4 California women's water polo team ambushed No. 2 USC with a dominant first half then held on during a defensive struggle after halftime for a pivotal 13-12 victory in the Third Place Game of the MPSF Tournament on Sunday at UCLA's Spieker Aquatic Center.
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The California baseball team got the tying run to third base in the top of the ninth inning before falling 6-5 to Notre Dame (24-17, 10-14 ACC) on Sunday at Frank Eck Stadium in the finale of a three-game series swept by the Irish.
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – California's run in its inaugural ACC Men's Golf Championship came to an end with a 1-3-1 loss to No. 9 Florida State in the match play quarterfinals Sunday morning at The Club at Olde Stone.
The Golden Bears – who earned the No. 6 seed in match play after advancing through three rounds of stroke play with a 2-under-par 862 (287-284-291) as the tournament's 12th seed – battled the third-seeded Seminoles until the end, taking three individual matches through 17 holes, including a hard-fought 2UP loss by freshman Ziqin (Eric) Zhou against Luke Clanton, the No. 4-ranked golfer in the country.
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The California men's golf team finished tied for sixth place in 2025 ACC Championship stroke play and punched its ticket to the match play quarterfinals Saturday at The Club at Olde Stone.
Cal – which entered the conference tournament as the 12th seed – ended stroke play at 2-under-par 862 (287-284-291) and earned the sixth seed in match play, where it will face third-seeded and ninth-ranked (Scoreboard) Florida State in the quarterfinals at 6:20 a.m. PT Sunday.
SEATTLE – The No. 9 California women's rowing team V8+ put up a good fight but ultimately was unable to retain the Simpson Cup against No. 3 Washington at the Montlake Cut in Seattle on Saturday morning as the Huskies held off the Golden Bears.
In the battle for the Simpson Cup between the Cal and Washington V8+ boats, it was even after the first 20 strokes before Cal was able to take a one-seat lead at 500 meters. Washington, however, responded and took a two-seat lead over the second 500 meters. The Huskies' momentum continued and they went ahead nearly bow to stern with 500 meters left and reclaimed the Simpson Cup in a time of 6:33.279.
SEATTLE – The battle between the No. 1 California men's rowing team and No. 2 Washington for the rights to the Schoch Cup proved to be worth the hype as it came down to the last stroke at the Montlake Cut in Seattle on Saturday morning. Ultimately the Huskies' V8+ was able to squeeze ahead on its last stroke to finish just .3 seconds ahead of the Bears and earn the right to keep the Schoch Cup. The Bears' 4V8+ and freshmen 8+ came away with the sole wins on the day.
this was ok. it seemed a little contrived that ex-Roman heir to the throne would become a prisoner-of-war-turned-gladiator.
reminded me a little of Top Gun Maverick in trying really hard to connect the dots to an old movie that did really well. Top Gun probably pulled it off a bit better.
IMO the problem is that the lead actor is all wrong for the role. I've liked Paul Mescal in other stuff, but he comes across as more of an "emo sad boy" type than a stoic action lead like a Gladiator movie needs.
SHE BLINDED ME WITH...
Q: What happens when you stop flouridating water?
A: More tooth decay. For example, 18% more kids with tooth decay in second grade
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/fluoride-drinking-water-dental-health
i had a my first cavity in 20+ yrs filled today. i'm blaming the lack of flouride!
I remember watching a show, maybe on PBS, where they showed kids in eastern ky appalachia where their teeth were rotten from drinking Mountain Dew all day. Can't imagine how much worse without flouride.
SOMEONE YOU KNEW OR KNOW WITH AN INTERESTING REAL NAME
Fucky Ting Tang
Hitler Wong
Regina Wong (pronounced Ruh JIY nuh)
If "Hitler" was a given name, I'd give it back. This is just child abuse.
Tyrone Knots, known to his friends as Ty. High school.
i actually know someone name Dave Smith. we are good friends.
he introduces himself as "mister average name"
In childhood I knew both Elizabeth Taylor and Julie Andrews.
More recently Max Vigilante. Such a great name.
My mom knew twins- Candy and Sugar Kane.
I had a substitute teacher in the 8th grade whose name was Mr. Twain and yes his first name was Mark. I also worked for a short time with a lad by the name of Joe DiMaggio (no relation).
Also I once had a student whose name was Quo Vadis Henderson.
I wonder where he went.
[Lurch groan].gif
She.
California should have a law where parents could be fined for giving a name to their offspring that invites shame or ridicule. As my wife has pointed out to others, you're not just naming a child. You're also naming an adult.
Speaking of which I also knew of a student whose first name was Burkina Faso. Don't know what people called her for short. BF? Burky?
Okay, that does it. I was going to refrain from making further commentary on stupid names. Some of the names of my children's classmates are truly unbelievable. For instance, one classmate was named Dayless, because she was born at night. I kid you not.
I taught at a Berkeley middle school for twenty years so I believe you. I've heard a dizzying variety of ridiculous names. Here's one from my school days. I had a classmate from about second grade through high school named Berle Germany. Didn't learn until senior year that his full first name was Berlin.
HOW WAS YOUR WEEKEND?
Decidedly mixed.
My neighbor/friend died from cancer. His passing was not peaceful.
On the other hand, I had a nice dinner at a very nice restaurant on Sunday.
Cancer sucks- I’m sorry for your loss.
i just found out that a college dorm friend of ours died from an undiagnosed heart condition at 55. too young ..
we werent that close recently but he figures prominently is all the fun we had a freshmen at Clark Kerr. i saw him about a year ago at another dorm friend's house when i was visiting Portland OR.
Was MC for a celebration at The Finnish Hall in Berkeley it was for Vappu which is the Finnish version of May Day. That was fun.
nice. my cousin from Evanston stayed over one night, we cooked at home and stayed up late chatting about stuff.
she works as a consultant to foundations that are looking to oppose Project 2025 and the Trump agenda. sadly, she painted a very bleak picture in the next 1-3 yrs if something doesnt stop/change the current state of affairs.
thinks that free/fair elections in 2 and 4 yrs are highly unlikely.
THE LIGHTER SIDE
Liege-Bastogne-Liege
Pogacar crushed everyone AGAIN on the hardest hill of the day and seemingly rode to an easy victory. the effort of course was not easy. It just seemed like he rode away from everyone else as if they were standing still, no different than a few days ago.
at home, Liege wafels were eaten and thoroughly enjoyed.
this was the 4th of the 5 monuments and the last of the spring classics. the 5th and final monument is in the fall, the Tour of Lombardia, and very poetically nicknamed the "race of the falling leaves" after the 3 grand tours in the summer.
now the cycling season transitions to stage races and grand tours (not one day races). the Giro d'Italiia which is my favorite of the 3 grand tours starts May 9 (i think) and is a 3 wk race all up and down Italy.
FYI > Giro d'Italia in May, Tour de France in July, Vuelta a Espana in Sep.
POLITICS
Three US citizens deported
https://franknez.com/3-children-who-are-us-citizens-1-with-cancer-now-deported/
The blatant lawlessness of the deportations to foreign countries is absolutely shocking. I know it is in the news, but honestly not enough. It really is a sea change from the USA as the bedrock rule of law country in the world to something more like communist China where the laws are enforced and broken arbitrarily and cruelly by the party in power. I know the tariff stuff is really bad, too, but this is really the worst of the worst
Yup, it is the worst of the worst. And all in service to a "leader" who's running a huge con/grift. The phrase "selective enforcement" comes to mind, but that's only sugarcoating it. This is really trashy totalitarianism of the worst sort. The tipping point towards gulags and death squads isn't very far off.
I mean are we not there? The prison in El Sal is a foreign gulag. The US govt is totally indifferent to whether you die there; they have washed their hands of it by shipping you there. Their stated defense is that they can’t do anything even in cases of mistakes bc it is a foreign country not under our jurisdiction. So that means they can pick up literally anyone and ship them there to die and oh well if it’s a mistake then golly jee don’t you understand you have to break some eggs to make an omelet? Truly incredible
I think we are there when it comes to gulags. The only thing remaining is the widespread use of detention camps in a set of remote locations, which will call to mind the phrase "getting sent to Siberia".
Trump removes Indigenous Peoples Day in favor of it exclusively being Columbus Day.
https://apnews.com/article/trump-columbus-indigenous-peoples-day-biden-ee34f1873a9af8ea85ac732b9edf82fc
I know this isn't original but....f*ck that guy.
Because Columbus has such a strong tie to the U.S.
Italian Americans will like this as a fair number of them view Columbus Day as basically like an Italian American heritage day
July 2nd should be a red letter day for the American Health. Apparently, there is a Federal Law that requires a 60 day cooling off period from when RFK fired everyone and put in his own people + the Health Secy needs to appear before Congress, which is already scheduled. So on July 2nd, RFK Jr will essentially have carte blanche to do whatever he wants.
We have a contact high up in the Health Department. This person says there will be announcement this Thursday celebrating 100 days of his presidency. The guess is that he's going to tighten bans on trans people as a way of showboating how much winning he's doing.
Trump demands an investigation into who shit in his pants
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-demands-investigations-negative-approval-rating-polls-2064949
He is such an embarrassing and spineless puss. Has one move - personal attack/threat whenever criticized. No ability to take accountability ever for anything, or even to respond on the merits to any criticism. Just such an unbelievably bad example for our country’s youth, especially the young men.
I'm more worried about the number of people who look at Trump and decide they want that to lead this country.
PRO
The Egyptians and Lions have made a pact this year
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/i-will-die-for-you-lions-draft-pick-ahmed-hassanein-gets-emotional-on-call-with-coach-dan-campbell/
Another walk-off in a totally normal and expected fashion
https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2025/4/27/24419119/san-francisco-giants-4-27-2025-recap-heliot-ramos-walk-off-rangers-mlb-scores
I can’t think of a more fitting end to the San Francisco Giants 17-game stretch than Heliot Ramos’s walk-off Little League homer on Sunday.
Not quite on par with the athleticism of Angel Pagan’s a dozen years ago — and certainly not as “clean” — but that final trip around the bases on Sunday will go down in club history as unparalleled in its goofiness. A delirious scramble of unexpected twists, of over-the-shoulder turns, of dirty pants and scraped knees and out-of-breath belly flops ending at home. Finally, it was over. The game, the series, the marathon set of four different cities playing five different teams — Ramos took a well-deserved moment sprawled out over the plate to quietly find his breath through the hiccups of laughter before the mob descended.
Who won? DO YOU MEAN THE NL WEST LEADING SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS?
https://www.mlb.com/standings/
tied w/ Mets (surprisingly) for best record in MLB so far.
It's also notable that the NL West is probably the most competitive division in MLB right now.
The teams in 1st through 3rd places in the NL West (Giants, Dodgers, and Padres) have no more than 11 losses. In the rest of MLB, only 3 other teams (the Yankees, the Tigers, and the Mets) out of 25 other teams have no more than 11 losses.
Granted, it's still early in the season yet, so it will probably change. But only one other division (AL West) has 2 teams chasing the leader within 1.5 games of 1st.
Link for the lazy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0NdhOOUGnM
Athletics Walk Off White Sox 3-2
https://www.athleticsnation.com/2025/4/27/24418829/athletics-walk-off-white-sox-3-2
The Athletics walked off the Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon in Sacramento as second baseman Luis Urias launched a game-ending two-run home run to give the team the victory, the team’s second walk off win this home stand. The win puts the Athletics back at the .500 mark as they prepare to embark on a six-game trip across the country. Great vibes before hitting the road!
Mets lose in bottom on 9th on a walk off throwing error by Alonso to the pitcher at 1B.
Mets were up 6-0 early. they had 7-6 lead going into top of ninth when they could have extended the lead but didnt. Nats scored 2 in the 9th to win it
Nats walked them off twice in the series. Friday night with a runner on first and a 3-2 count the runner was going and a ground ball up the middle was deflected by the second baseman into short center. Runner came all the way around.
Andy Pages leads Dodgers offensive outburst to take series vs. Pirates
https://www.truebluela.com/2025/4/27/24418568/andy-pages-dodgers-offense-ben-casparius-yoendrys-gomez
The Dodgers fell behind before they even batted, again, then had to scramble for an impromptu bullpen game after another Tyler Glasnow injury. But Andy Pages and the offense were up to the task in a 9-2 win over the Pirates on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.
ELSEWHERE IN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
CAL
Go Bears!!!
We've got a new offensive center
https://x.com/dharley04/status/1916897961872642328?s=46
Presumptive starting ILB Hunter Barth is in the portal
https://x.com/hunter_barth_/status/1916907808869712026
Fingers crossed, but I think this is actually a sign that we got a good ILB through the portal.
[SB] Cal Upsets No. 14 Virginia Tech To Close Home Slate
https://calbears.com/news/2025/4/27/softball-cal-upsets-no-14-virginia-tech-to-close-home-slate.aspx
BERKELEY – The California softball team (32-18, 8-13 ACC) earned a shutout victory against No. 14 Virginia Tech (39-8, 17-4), 4-0, Sunday in the final game at Levine-Fricke Field.
[WPOLO] No. 4 Bears Oust No. 2 USC At MPSF Tournament
https://calbears.com/news/2025/4/27/womens-water-polo-no-4-bears-oust-no-2-usc-at-mpsf-tournament.aspx
LOS ANGELES – The No. 4 California women's water polo team ambushed No. 2 USC with a dominant first half then held on during a defensive struggle after halftime for a pivotal 13-12 victory in the Third Place Game of the MPSF Tournament on Sunday at UCLA's Spieker Aquatic Center.
[BASE] Cal Takes Notre Dame To The Wire In 6-5 Loss
https://calbears.com/news/2025/4/27/baseball-cal-takes-notre-dame-to-the-wire-in-6-5-loss.aspx
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The California baseball team got the tying run to third base in the top of the ninth inning before falling 6-5 to Notre Dame (24-17, 10-14 ACC) on Sunday at Frank Eck Stadium in the finale of a three-game series swept by the Irish.
[MGOLF] Cal Bested By Florida State In ACC Quarterfinals
https://calbears.com/news/2025/4/27/mens-golf-cal-bested-by-florida-state-in-acc-quarterfinals.aspx
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – California's run in its inaugural ACC Men's Golf Championship came to an end with a 1-3-1 loss to No. 9 Florida State in the match play quarterfinals Sunday morning at The Club at Olde Stone.
The Golden Bears – who earned the No. 6 seed in match play after advancing through three rounds of stroke play with a 2-under-par 862 (287-284-291) as the tournament's 12th seed – battled the third-seeded Seminoles until the end, taking three individual matches through 17 holes, including a hard-fought 2UP loss by freshman Ziqin (Eric) Zhou against Luke Clanton, the No. 4-ranked golfer in the country.
[MGOLF] Bears Advance To ACC Championship Match Play
https://calbears.com/news/2025/4/26/mens-golf-bears-advance-to-acc-championship-match-play.aspx
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The California men's golf team finished tied for sixth place in 2025 ACC Championship stroke play and punched its ticket to the match play quarterfinals Saturday at The Club at Olde Stone.
Cal – which entered the conference tournament as the 12th seed – ended stroke play at 2-under-par 862 (287-284-291) and earned the sixth seed in match play, where it will face third-seeded and ninth-ranked (Scoreboard) Florida State in the quarterfinals at 6:20 a.m. PT Sunday.
[WROW] No. 9 Cal Loses Simpson Cup To No. 3 Washington
https://calbears.com/news/2025/4/26/womens-rowing-no-9-cal-loses-simpson-cup-to-no-3-washington.aspx
SEATTLE – The No. 9 California women's rowing team V8+ put up a good fight but ultimately was unable to retain the Simpson Cup against No. 3 Washington at the Montlake Cut in Seattle on Saturday morning as the Huskies held off the Golden Bears.
In the battle for the Simpson Cup between the Cal and Washington V8+ boats, it was even after the first 20 strokes before Cal was able to take a one-seat lead at 500 meters. Washington, however, responded and took a two-seat lead over the second 500 meters. The Huskies' momentum continued and they went ahead nearly bow to stern with 500 meters left and reclaimed the Simpson Cup in a time of 6:33.279.
[MROW] No. 1 Cal Edged By No. 2 Washington
https://calbears.com/news/2025/4/26/mens-rowing-no-1-cal-edged-out-by-no-2-washington.aspx
SEATTLE – The battle between the No. 1 California men's rowing team and No. 2 Washington for the rights to the Schoch Cup proved to be worth the hype as it came down to the last stroke at the Montlake Cut in Seattle on Saturday morning. Ultimately the Huskies' V8+ was able to squeeze ahead on its last stroke to finish just .3 seconds ahead of the Bears and earn the right to keep the Schoch Cup. The Bears' 4V8+ and freshmen 8+ came away with the sole wins on the day.
Women's basketball team adds a 6'6" transfer from South Carolina, Sakima Walker. https://www.instagram.com/p/DI6_Cw2vneN/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=272470ec-9b47-471b-b4d8-fe7ed58717c5
DBD AV CLUB
Gladiator II - 13/19
this was ok. it seemed a little contrived that ex-Roman heir to the throne would become a prisoner-of-war-turned-gladiator.
reminded me a little of Top Gun Maverick in trying really hard to connect the dots to an old movie that did really well. Top Gun probably pulled it off a bit better.
IMO the problem is that the lead actor is all wrong for the role. I've liked Paul Mescal in other stuff, but he comes across as more of an "emo sad boy" type than a stoic action lead like a Gladiator movie needs.