I saw a bluebird in my yard, and it made me very happy, not only because it's beautiful but also because it's an insectivore. I've been investing in my new-build landscaping for over three years. When they built my house, the builders bulldozed my beautiful lot's trees and replaced it with sand, laid sod on it, and then planted builder-grade trees and shrubs in semi-random spots. Twice a year, I've been top dressing with pure compost on my lawn and putting a crap ton of mulch elsewhere. I shouldn't be this chuffed about seeing a common bluebird, but I am.
HAG joined me for a basement workout this weekend. we rode bikes near Mont St Michel (on Zwift). a short little interval workout, 3x10min, at a reasonable pace.
the good thing is that on Zwift each person can pedal at their own pace and rate and you can still ride together.
This is the pizza dough recipe I've been using for maybe a year now. It's a biga method that is similar to making a starter, with half the flour with very little yeast and have it ferment overnight. Then mix up the rest of the flour and incorporate both together. Then portion up the dough balls and have them slow rise in the fridge for 1-2 nights. Last month I bought a pizza proofing box which makes proofing easier.
we order flour from Amazon. the latest shipment exploded on us and it was quite the disaster. my wife called asking if she should be worried about some Anthrax-like white powder oozing out a package.
Also my simple sauce is just a can of San Marzano tomatoes, some olive oil (I just put some in until I'm happy, maybe just less than 1/4 cup?), and crushed garlic. Then small boil and turn it down to simmer. Stop when you're happy with the thickness of the sauce. Then throw in some basil. A nice sweetish sauce.
After dropping a tenth inning walk-off loss to the San Francisco Giants, the Athletics finished off the series today at Oracle Park. Today’s game closed the books on this weekend’s MLB Rivalry Series.
Heliot Ramos’s red-hot May continued on Sunday with another 2-hit, 2-RBI game on a day when hits and runs were at a premium. The San Francisco Giants found a way to eke out another close victory on just five hits with Ramos driving in the winning run late in the 8th, securing the weekend series sweep over the Athletics.
The Dodgers now a carry a sub .500 record against AL West teams this year, as they were swept at home by the Angels and losing the series finale by a 6-4 final score. It is the first time the Angels have swept the Dodgers on the road since the 2019 season.
Pres Joe Biden has an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has already metastitized to his bones. He is measuring his options, but general consensus is that the prognosis is grim.
First of all, best wishes to his family in a difficult time.
Secondly, how likely is it that he didn't already know something about this while he was still trying to run for a second term? Maybe it wasn't this advanced yet but it seems likely his doctors knew something.
My dad had exact same Gleason score of 9, and due to family history, had been checking his PSA score every 6-8 months- his PSA # and tumor grew like crazy in a 7 month period. My dad didn’t have any other symptoms other than a little bit of pee problem. While Biden likely has other health issues going on, I find it highly doubtful that this cancer was some kind of hidden thing they let linger on purpose. After some immediate aggressive treatment, my dad has been cancer-free for several years (he was fortunate to just barely not have spread of cancer beyond prostate). No way someone like Biden avoids possible life saving treatment if they actually caught this earlier.
THE LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE
I saw a bluebird in my yard, and it made me very happy, not only because it's beautiful but also because it's an insectivore. I've been investing in my new-build landscaping for over three years. When they built my house, the builders bulldozed my beautiful lot's trees and replaced it with sand, laid sod on it, and then planted builder-grade trees and shrubs in semi-random spots. Twice a year, I've been top dressing with pure compost on my lawn and putting a crap ton of mulch elsewhere. I shouldn't be this chuffed about seeing a common bluebird, but I am.
A home remedy that you swear works
Spoonful of peanut butter for hiccups. It. Works. Every. Time.
Raw apple cider vinegar mixed with honey for sore throats.
bike ride
HAG joined me for a basement workout this weekend. we rode bikes near Mont St Michel (on Zwift). a short little interval workout, 3x10min, at a reasonable pace.
the good thing is that on Zwift each person can pedal at their own pace and rate and you can still ride together.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9BXpgaxds9BpgCDi9
Mondays are the hardest days for cycling fans .. rest day at the Giro d'Italia today.
racing resumes tomorrow w/ an individual time trial that will go a long way to determining who are the top contenders.
yesterday .. Isaac del Toro tamed the white roads of Tuscany to make history as the first Mexican to wear the pink jersey at the Giro d’Italia.
https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/giro-ditalia/isaac-del-toro-uae-mexican-might-win-giro-ditalia/
pizza
HAG just left for home after being here 5-6 days. we had a good pizza making effort on Sat night and bunch of people over.
HAG can tell you all about his new dough recipe. from an eating standpoint, they were the best homemade pizzas we have had yet.
This is the pizza dough recipe I've been using for maybe a year now. It's a biga method that is similar to making a starter, with half the flour with very little yeast and have it ferment overnight. Then mix up the rest of the flour and incorporate both together. Then portion up the dough balls and have them slow rise in the fridge for 1-2 nights. Last month I bought a pizza proofing box which makes proofing easier.
https://www.thechoppingblock.com/blog/the-best-homemade-pizza-ive-ever-made
[Bookmarked] I start my baking class in the fall. I'll probably be able to make this at home under the cover of "oh, it's for school".
Make sure you use Type 00 flour. I use Caputo's that I get from Molinari and Sons in the city.
we order flour from Amazon. the latest shipment exploded on us and it was quite the disaster. my wife called asking if she should be worried about some Anthrax-like white powder oozing out a package.
Also my simple sauce is just a can of San Marzano tomatoes, some olive oil (I just put some in until I'm happy, maybe just less than 1/4 cup?), and crushed garlic. Then small boil and turn it down to simmer. Stop when you're happy with the thickness of the sauce. Then throw in some basil. A nice sweetish sauce.
SOAP
PRO
OKC beat down the Nuggests in game 7.
Knicks beat the Celtics 4-2 on Friday. Jaylen Brown played with a partially torn MCL(?)
A’s lose another close one, 3-2 to the Giants
https://www.athleticsnation.com/2025/5/18/24432791/athletics-drop-another-close-one-3-2
After dropping a tenth inning walk-off loss to the San Francisco Giants, the Athletics finished off the series today at Oracle Park. Today’s game closed the books on this weekend’s MLB Rivalry Series.
Ramos bookends 3-2 win
https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2025/5/18/24432828/san-francisco-giants-5-18-2025-recap-heliot-ramos-athletics-mlb-scores
Heliot Ramos’s red-hot May continued on Sunday with another 2-hit, 2-RBI game on a day when hits and runs were at a premium. The San Francisco Giants found a way to eke out another close victory on just five hits with Ramos driving in the winning run late in the 8th, securing the weekend series sweep over the Athletics.
Dodgers can’t stop the bleeding, swept by Angels at home
https://www.truebluela.com/2025/5/18/24432700/dodgers-angels-game-recap
The Dodgers now a carry a sub .500 record against AL West teams this year, as they were swept at home by the Angels and losing the series finale by a 6-4 final score. It is the first time the Angels have swept the Dodgers on the road since the 2019 season.
This is a new one. The intentional balk.
https://www.mlb.com/news/kenley-jansen-intentional-balk-shohei-ohtani
Kenley did this while he was on the Dodgers, even before they added pitchcom. He didn't like the runner on 2nd relaying signs to the batter.
Phillies closer Jose Alvarado suspended 80 games for testing positive for an exogenous testosterone that is not produced naturally by the male body.
https://www.reuters.com/sports/phillies-closer-jose-alvarado-suspended-80-games-2025-05-18/
How much for milk?
https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2025/05/bill-belichick-explains-how-5000-milk-kept-peace-between-antonio-brown-tom-brady.html
DeShaun Watson has made... now hear me out... a questionable personal decision.
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/cleveland-browns/news/browns-deshaun-watson-decision-achilles-tear-shedeur-sanders-draft-pick/8852d267434cc1394eebe6e3
CAL
GO BEARS!
POLITICS
Pres Joe Biden has an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has already metastitized to his bones. He is measuring his options, but general consensus is that the prognosis is grim.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donald-trump-response-joe-biden-cancer-diagnosis_n_682a453fe4b0e8ed0bc2fa74
Zero chance Trump wrote this
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donald-trump-response-joe-biden-cancer-diagnosis_n_682a453fe4b0e8ed0bc2fa74
First of all, best wishes to his family in a difficult time.
Secondly, how likely is it that he didn't already know something about this while he was still trying to run for a second term? Maybe it wasn't this advanced yet but it seems likely his doctors knew something.
My dad had exact same Gleason score of 9, and due to family history, had been checking his PSA score every 6-8 months- his PSA # and tumor grew like crazy in a 7 month period. My dad didn’t have any other symptoms other than a little bit of pee problem. While Biden likely has other health issues going on, I find it highly doubtful that this cancer was some kind of hidden thing they let linger on purpose. After some immediate aggressive treatment, my dad has been cancer-free for several years (he was fortunate to just barely not have spread of cancer beyond prostate). No way someone like Biden avoids possible life saving treatment if they actually caught this earlier.
Yeah I've looked more into this and concluded that it is possible he didn't know.
Still shouldn't have tried for reelection, but can't assume this was part of it.
SHE BLINDED ME WITH...
DBD STREET JOURNAL
US loses AAA bond rating. i suppose it was always going to happen w/ ever increasing spending and borrowing.
in this regard there is no difference between the parties anymore, just disagreement on what the spending should be.
Somehow, this will be Biden's or Obama's fault
ELSEWHERE IN COLLEGE
DBD AV CLUB