84 Comments
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Watchya drinking? Waddya rather be drinking?

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Water. Negroni!

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Iced tea, as per usual. I am content.

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Lo Carb/Sugar Monster Energy Drink

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Coffee.

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I was ordered of coffee (by a doctor) a few years ago and have to settle for tea in the morning. Only occasionally miss the beans.

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It's the caffeine content, isn't it?

Years ago, I cut back on my morning dose and limited my daily intake to my morning cup (which is about 8-9 oz.). I enjoy coffee too much to totally give up the beans. But I'll cut back in hopes of being able to enjoy it longer.

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Yup. I'm prone to hellacious anxiety and panic attacks (due to faulty body chemistry). Caffeine can set it off.

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Oy. I would drop caffeine like a hot potato, too.

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Coffee, good coffee.

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No 1 loves the beans from Red Whale based in San Rafael. He also loves the Trail Coffee dark roast. Used to be able to get it from Safeway but they no longer carry it. They've got some shops in Stockton but I can't find it locally.

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one of my recent favorites is from Jittery Joe's in Athens GA .. great for those of us who are also cycling fanatics like the people who run the place

https://jitteryjoes.com/collections/coffee/products/tour-de-force?variant=41287290189

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That was the one I swapped with you for No 1, correct? I think I gave you one of his Red Whales. I need to ask him how it was.

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Water. I very rarely have coffee and don't drink because I have some Asian flush.

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mornings usually start w/ a couple espresso drinks. usually a cortado which is about 2oz of espresso and 2oz of milk.

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May 23, 2023·edited May 23, 2023

last night's experimental cocktail was a gin and tonic variant ...

2x gin, 1x sake, 2x tonic

might try something along those lines again today.

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Lap

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land

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i have been close, within 200 km, but not made it up that far north yet.

Skellefteå, Sweden is the farthest north i have been at 64°45′N

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PRO

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Americans send something else radioactive to Japan, this time damaging Yokohama

https://defector.com/heartwarming-trevor-bauer-is-getting-lit-up-in-japan

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SFGate does a post-mortem of Madison Bumgarner. TL:DR: He couldn't sustain his career because he might have been an uncoachable red-ass.

https://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/madison-bumgarner-twilight-ugly-dbacks-18112908.php

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Tom Brady ownage of the Raiders apparently continues into his retirement

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/37709945/tom-brady-reaches-agreement-buy-ownership-stake-raiders

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A's broadcaster Glen Kuiper's suspension has been upgraded to termination. This continues the theme of burning everything related to the A's to the ground.

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May 23, 2023·edited May 23, 2023Author

The all-time worst ERA for a pitcher that qualified was 7.71. The fourth worst was Jose Lima at 6.99 in 2005. The 2023 Oakland A's team ERA is now 7.02.

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Ugh.

I took a look at the Oakland A's pitching stats page on mlb.com. It is ugly, very ugly. It's so ugly, if I was trying to determine starters based on innings pitched vs. game appearances, you might be able to pick out only two or three starters. No one has a complete game, and more than half of the save opportunities were wasted.

Ugh, indeed.

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I've read a couple of things about it, but in no detail.

Seems he was referencing the Negro Leagues. And either called it the N***er Leagues – which likes, WTF?!?...how was he not fired on the spot – or he used the word Negro, but slurred it and it sounded like N***er, in which case, okay...not sure why he'd slur that, uh, slur. But does he have a history of racism, where the assumption is that he dropped an N-Bomb?

Is there any world where it was just a mistake?

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May 23, 2023·edited May 23, 2023

I do think it was an honest mistake…almost like he’d had a couple of belts before going on air. The Kuiper family is pretty solid…I have a hard time believing Glen uses such terms casually in life, or maybe I just don’t want to believe it.

According to NBC Sports, he was fired after an internal review…maybe alcohol was in fact involved…who knows. It just seems so out of character. It wasn’t a hot mic incident like Thom Brenneman.

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Here's the clip. [NSFW]

https://twitter.com/mmmadWORLDDD/status/1660772660798685184

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Good, zero tolerance for the use of that slur. It might have been a mistake or “accident” but the way he said it, with his whole gut and the way it just rolls off the tongue makes me feel like he has used that word enough to be comfortable to just say it like he did.

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Given the context, it seems unlikely he intended to use a slur there. He's praising the Negro League Museum.

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yeah, that's weird...he's speaking positively about the museum, but it DOES sound like the N-Word. It's slurred, and as noted below, maybe it's alcohol slurring. Which was the cause of the firing; not the actually word?

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Most reporting seems to indicate it was the use of the word, and the club's statement doesn't add any more context. But who knows?

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A’s drop first game of series to Mariners 11-2

https://www.athleticsnation.com/2023/5/22/23733646/as-drop-first-game-of-series-to-mariners-11-2

Oakland dropped their fifth straight game this evening, falling to Seattle by a final of 11-2.

It was ugly and early in this one. Muller served up a quick 2-run home run in the bottom of the first inning, then allowed a 3-run shot in the second. It was a 5-0 disadvantage with the A’s yet to even record a hit against Seattle ace Luis Castillo. Oakland got their first hit on a leadoff Shea Langeliers double in the third but stranded him.

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Take that, Carlos!

https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2023/5/22/23733853/mlb-final-giants-twins-michael-conforto-carlos-correa

Four batters into the game, there were four runs on the board.

Michael Conforto’s 3-run homer against Minnesota Twins starter Bailey Ober on the 17th pitch of the game proved to be the deciding swing in the San Francisco Giants 4-1 win in against their former shortstop, Carlos Correa.

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J.D. Martinez, Freddie Freeman power Dodgers’ comeback win over Braves

https://www.truebluela.com/2023/5/22/23733156/jd-martinez-freddie-freeman-home-runs-dodgers-comeback-bullpen

The Dodgers tailed 4-0 after one inning, but J.D. Martinez and Freddie Freeman powered Los Angeles to an 8-6 win over the Braves in what felt like the opener of a playoff series on Monday night at Truist Park in Atlanta.

J.D. Martinez homered twice, part of a career-high-tying four hits, and scored three runs. It was his first multi-hit game since returning from missing 15 games with back tightness.

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Lakers lose. ended up watching this last night despite the lack of suspense in the series.

Lebron started off hot but looked tired and partially injured near the end.

should be a good NBA finals matchup Denver-Miami even if it lacks historical rivalries or fan bases.

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As a Lakers fan, frustrating loss - up 15 at half, but unable to hold on to any of it during the 3rd qtr. Lakers at least played well as 7th against #1 in 3 out of 4 games.

Oh well.

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Suck it Lebron

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I was on the phone with my sister during the game. She would agree with you. I was surprised at the venom she had for him.

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My kids say I have an irrational hatred for both he and Harden.

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May 23, 2023·edited May 23, 2023

He flops, yet refuses to acknowledge that he does...it’s a joke. And he takes cheap shots on the defensive end, with bumps and pushes, including the one on Wiggins in Game 5. I don’t hate him, but I think that’s chicken schitt.

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but...but...he's so much bigger and stronger?!?!

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Mostly I'm sick of all the coverage he gets. It's ridiculous. You can't go to ESPN.com without a story about LeBron burping, or parking his car or sighing or picking up a pencil for someone. It's been worse since he's been on the Lakers because we get saturated with coverage of every move they make whether while they're NBA champions or in last place.

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i think i used to dislike LeBron more. i have mellowed my dislike for him over time as he seems to be less self-centered.

but i also had a new appreciation of LeBron after seeing him play in person once (game 1 of NBA Finals vs Warriors in 2018). he is pretty amazing to watch. nearly unguard-able, bigger and stronger and faster than almost everyone. if he had a good solid team around like Jordan, he would have even more records than he has.

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May 23, 2023·edited May 23, 2023

The thing about LeBron's teams is that since he left Miami he's basically gotten to build his own teams. Every franchise he plays for gets major LeBron input about personnel. So if the teams haven't been good enough that's partially on him.

But anyway, I don't dislike LeBron. Since the infamous Decision, he's basically been a model citizen. The media coverage is not his fault, other than just being such a generationally great player; those guys will always get that kind of coverage. That said, I also don't need to see him win another ring. He's good.

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After the Dodgers uninvite the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the the Angels Angels invite the Sisters. Then the Dodgers reinvite them. Drag nuns - so hot right now.

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/l-a-dodgers-apologize-reinvite-lgbtq-nun-group-to-pride-night/

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I live in the Castro, so see the Sisters fairly often. Even (hide your children) eating brunch.

I know that as a parent of a 7-yo, my main concern is drag nuns. Not school shootings or anything a freedom-y as that.

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Especially drag nuns whose purpose is to do good for the less fortunate. I'm getting the vapors just thinking about it.

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Yankees will pay Aaron Hicks $30m to not play for them.

https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1659976403251519493

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DBD AV CLUB

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I think this was mentioned last week, but Jury Duty on Prime...errrr, FreeVee :-/

It's very good (17/19, partially based on being a fresh concept). Could make it 10/19, based on it being on FreeVee. I don't know what the free-tier Hulu or Netflix is like – and I don't want to sound like a 1%-er – but man...the $3/month saved can't make up for having to deal with the commercials. Especially if one watches a lot. And I pay for Prime, so why do they have to put this on their crap sub-streamer?

A couple of eps to go. Trying to figure out how they kept Ronald thinking that the case was legit for like 16 days. And how the others didn't break character. Or how they filled 8 hours a day of filming. I guess they could pretend to be filming others and let Ronald do his thing for a few hours? But the trial days? Seems that they'd need to be doing something for 6 hours...

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I watched the whole thing. It's pretty amusing, though yeah it feels a little bit cheap in the presentation, probably because of FreeVee.

I think they do just have the other actors rest when they're not in a room with Ronald.

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But Ronald is on screen for like 20 minutes per day...what's he doing with there rest of his time.

And that's a real courthouse. How'd they get permission to pull this stunt there?

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Some of this is revealed in the final episode, so I don't want to spoil. But while he's only "on screen" for 20 minutes, that's after editing. They have to stage a full fake trial so there must be hours and hours of footage from which to get those 20 minutes, during which everyone in Ronald's orbit has to stay in character.

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yeah, that's my point...there's so much other stuff that they have to do to keep this ruse alive. pretty incredible!

I have two more eps to go. hope to finish tonight. after the (probably) 82-minute Ted Lasso

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Watched Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse with No 2 last week (14/19). It's the animated one with the comic book look and feel. Not a superhero movie person but I kind of enjoyed it. I liked the way the animation was done.

Also watched Guardians of the Galaxy 3 (13/19) with No 2 and 3 a couple of weekends ago. I liked it for the same reason I liked GOTG2 which was the sarcastic dialog. Still not interested in watching any of the other superhero movies.

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OUR CRUMBLING DEMOCRACY

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CAL

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We've added another QB via the portal though I've seen nothing about it except for this tweet https://twitter.com/CalRivals/status/1660841879355953153?s=20

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May 23, 2023·edited May 23, 2023Author

The graphics and lack of official press makes me think that he is a walk-on. Two years to play two. He was a previously offered a PWO in 2021.

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Now on the Cal SI page. So it's probably a done deal

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he is a PWO and is related to Vic Bottari in some way apparently

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So doesn't cost us a schollie. Perhaps our 4th string QB. Last time Cal had a Bottari they won the Rose Bowl.

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...and a co-national championship. Thunder Team.

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Quite a good omen

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[MTEN] Kikuchi Ends Cal Career In NCAA Singles

https://calbears.com/news/2023/5/22/mens-tennis-kikuchi-ends-cal-career-in-ncaa-singles.aspx

ORLANDO, Fla. – The longest tenured member of the California men's tennis team, Yuta Kikuchi ended his long college career with a loss to TCU's Jake Fearnley in the opening round of 64 in the NCAA Singles Championship on Monday at the USTA National Campus. Kikuchi, ranked 27th, fell to the 21st-ranked Fearnley, 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-4.

"He's a good player," Kikuchi said. "I had some momentum, he had some momentum and I finally lost. But I fought hard and gave it my best. Every member of the team was cheering me on – they watched online – and I got so many messages in the group chat. That was very emotional for me."

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[WTEN] Alsola Falls In NCAA Singles

https://calbears.com/news/2023/5/22/womens-tennis-alsola-falls-in-ncaa-singles.aspx

ORLANDO, Fla. –Jessica Alsola of the California women's tennis team, ranked 55th, fell to Georgia's third-ranked and third-seeded Lea Ma, 6-4 4-6, 6-4, on Monday in the first round of the NCAA Singles Championship at the USTA National Campus.

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[MROW] No. 1 Cal Officially Entered Into National Championships

https://calbears.com/news/2023/5/22/mens-rowing-no-1-cal-officially-entered-into-national-championships.aspx

BERKELEY – The No. 1 California men's rowing team officially has a spot in the Intercollegiate Racing Association (IRA) National Championships as official selection of schools were recently announced by the IRA. A total of 24 schools will be competing for a national title.

The Golden Bears are looking to repeat as national champions for the first time since 1999-02 when they won four straight titles.

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[BASE] Caleb Lomavita Named Pac-12 Player Of The Week

https://calbears.com/news/2023/5/22/baseball-caleb-lomavita-named-pac-12-player-of-the-week.aspx

BERKELEY – Sophomore catcher Caleb Lomavita has been named the Pac-12 Player of the Week as announced by the conference office on Monday afternoon.

Lomavita led the Bears to a road series win over No. 24 Washington over the weekend by slashing .583/.643/1.667 with five extra-base hits, including four home runs in 12 at-bats. Lomavita now has 15 home runs for the year, which leads the team and is tied for sixth in the Pac-12. The Ewa Beach, Hawaii, native got a crucial nine-run rally started with a solo home run in the sixth inning in game two against the Huskies. He went on to slug three more home runs in the series, two in game two and two more in the 16-11 series-clinching win on Saturday.

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[BASE] Bears Take On Oregon, Stanford In Pac-12 Tournament

https://calbears.com/news/2023/5/22/baseball-bears-take-on-oregon-stanford-in-pac-12-tournament.aspx

BERKELEY – The California baseball team begins postseason play on Tuesday when the Golden Bears take on No. 6 seed Oregon in the opening round of pool play in the Pac-12 Baseball Tournament. The Bears and Ducks will be the third game of the day and are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. PT at Scottsdale Stadium. Cal wraps up pool play Wednesday by taking on No. 1 seed Stanford, which is also scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. PT. Roxy Bernstein and Wes Clements will have the call for both games on Pac-12 Network.

Cal (24-26, 12-18 Pac-12) is coming off an explosive road series victory over No. 24 Washington. The Bears slugged 11 home runs over the weekend and secured their spot in the Pac-12 Tournament with a 16-11 victory over the Huskies on Saturday. Oregon (33-20, 16-14 Pac-12) is fresh off a conference series win over Utah on the road. The Ducks lost eight of their previous nine games before winning Friday and Saturday. Stanford (37-14, 23-7 Pac-12) is coming off a road sweep over Washington State, culminating with a lopsided 15-5 win over the Cougars in the regular season finale.

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[CAF] Making A Difference

https://calbears.com/news/2023/5/22/cal-athletics-fund-making-a-difference.aspx

When Jon Epps was playing baseball and football for Cal back in the early 1960s, he went to the athletic department to secure the services of a tutor who could help him with a tough courseload that included math, physics and chemistry.

Epps was matched with Jerry Siebert, who knew a little something about being an athlete himself.

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Four Bears Earn Prestigious Postgraduate Scholarships

https://calbears.com/news/2023/5/22/athletics-news-four-golden-bears-earn-prestigious-postgraduate-scholarships.aspx

BERKELEY – Four California student-athletes have earned postgraduate scholarships to help them pursue advanced degrees.

Fred Roper of the Golden Bears' men's rowing team and Kaitlyn Turner of the women's rowing team have been awarded the Oscar and Theodore Geballe Postgraduate Scholarship for their combination of excellence in both academics and athletic competition. The award comes with a $10,000 stipend for postgraduate studies.

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[T&F] Bears Head To NCAA West Preliminary

https://calbears.com/news/2023/5/22/track-field-bears-head-to-ncaa-west-preliminary.aspx

BERKELEY – Two weeks after claiming 12 podium spots (and two titles) at the Pac-12 Championships, California track & field is ready to take on an even bigger test as the Golden Bears head to nearby Sacramento for the NCAA West Preliminary. The Golden Bears will send a program-record 36 qualifiers to Hornet Stadium this week, with each athlete hoping to clinch a spot in the NCAA Outdoor Championships by finishing within the top-12 in his or her respective events.

Cal already has one guaranteed competitor moving on to the NCAA Finals in senior Hakim McMorris, who pre-qualified as one of the nation's top 24 decathletes this season. He also made an appearance at last year's championships, as did eight additional Bears on this year's squad

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Go Bears!!!

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ELSEWHERE IN COLLEGE

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Countless inferior schools!

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