My great uncle immigrated to the USA in grade school and really took to baseball as a way of assimilating to US culture. He became very good, and was the starting center fielder on his high school team that made the city championship game in Chicago, which in those days was played at Wrigley Field. His baseballing nickname was “Ace” though few called him that outside of that context. Many decades later, at his funeral, all these guys from high school team showed up, telling stories about “Ace.” Was really cool
Was my nickname in college for a few years. it was so commonly used that I had a roommate (not to mention a few friends) who didn't know my real first name.
we have a local one in town. the people are always very helpful and nice and i only go to Home Depot as a last resort where there is literally no one to help or ask questions.
I completely agree. Our local Ace started as the neighborhood local hardware store before it became affiliated with Ace. The people there are WAAAAYYYY more knowledgeable about stuff than HD or Lowes (I'm pretty sure the plumbing dept. guy is actually a retired plumber). The only problem with Ace is that it tends to be more expensive than the big box places, but they also have lots of specialty items that you can't find anywhere else.
Expending MAX EFFORT to not lose my mind, as I’m currently in the 5th Grade promotion ceremony/celebration in San Diego for Sis Chitwood’s twin spawn. Sigh. They just read all the students names for the certificate presentation and accompanying photo op, and now comes the slide show from the 6 years all these little maggots were at this school.
I had the same thing for my nephew last Fri. Didn't seem as bad. About 80 students and the whole ceremony took about 1.5 hours. But still seemed to take a long time.
It’s been the subject of much discussion in the Chitwood family…Pa Chitwood doesn’t understand the concept of a 5th Grade “graduation” so decided not to make the trip from AZ…that did NOT go over well with Sis Chitwood. Hmmm.
not saying i know the answer or have a firm opinion. one thought i had is that in certain more privileged circles we expect our kids to graduate HS and go to college, so a 5th grade graduation seems blah.
if you are from a background where those things are not guaranteed, i wonder if it is a good thing to celebrate these academic milestones as a way to encourage more.
conversely, i appreciate that it creates an aura of achievement that does not translate into a lot in the real world.
raising children .. only about a year left before younger child leaves for college. i figure that everything else can wait. in some ideal world i would be concentrating more on the new job in quantum computing because this is a pivotal moment in time. the world will almost certainly be fine w/o me.
personally, i am trying to get back into some semblance of my previous bike riding self where i used to train 5-6 days a week. it is much harder to get motivated now that all the riding is indoors. still, i am finding new ways to love riding w/o actually getting anywhere except spinning the wheels in the basement.
I used to run outdoors but now mostly run on treadmill as it’s easier on joints and easier to fit in. I kind of like it better actually as I just use that time to watch sports or movies.
I spend a certain amount of time on my nonelectric curve treadmill. Just started watching youtube videos to walk or run by. So far one jog around a Swiss lake, another walk along an Hawaiian coastline. Novelty hasn't worn off yet.
After the right flank of the GOP torpedoed a bipartisan bill to secure the Southern border, Biden announces an EO that suspend asylum interviews and expediently deport illegal crossers
Polling and human psychology are fascinating. YouGov poll shows that GOP respondents who were okay with a felon being President went from 17% to 58% over the course of 60 days.
New Jersey GOP votes for establishment Bashaw over MAGA Glassner. Bashaw will now face Andy Kim (D) in the general election for US Senate. Kim has a single digit lead in the latest poll.
Judge Cannon - the judge in the most serious of the charges against TFG - expands hearing on a challenge of the validity of the appointment of Jack Smith.
Yohannes was born in Virginia, but her family moved to the Netherlands when she was 10. She signed with Dutch club Ajax as a 15-year-old and last fall became the youngest player to start a UEFA Women's Champions League group stage match.
BAD BATCH, Disney (15+/19) -- finally finished watching the end of the final season (3).
this is the one about a bunch of misfit clones that become good guys in the Star Wars universe. it was getting a little repetitive after a while even though it was fun and entertaining. Omega, who was super annoying to start, became more grown up and less so.
ACE
My great uncle immigrated to the USA in grade school and really took to baseball as a way of assimilating to US culture. He became very good, and was the starting center fielder on his high school team that made the city championship game in Chicago, which in those days was played at Wrigley Field. His baseballing nickname was “Ace” though few called him that outside of that context. Many decades later, at his funeral, all these guys from high school team showed up, telling stories about “Ace.” Was really cool
Was my nickname in college for a few years. it was so commonly used that I had a roommate (not to mention a few friends) who didn't know my real first name.
Hardware is a good thing ..
we have a local one in town. the people are always very helpful and nice and i only go to Home Depot as a last resort where there is literally no one to help or ask questions.
I completely agree. Our local Ace started as the neighborhood local hardware store before it became affiliated with Ace. The people there are WAAAAYYYY more knowledgeable about stuff than HD or Lowes (I'm pretty sure the plumbing dept. guy is actually a retired plumber). The only problem with Ace is that it tends to be more expensive than the big box places, but they also have lots of specialty items that you can't find anywhere else.
EFFORT
Teaching middle school for 20 years required effort. It was rewarding and fun but it's not a job where you can mail it in.
Expending MAX EFFORT to not lose my mind, as I’m currently in the 5th Grade promotion ceremony/celebration in San Diego for Sis Chitwood’s twin spawn. Sigh. They just read all the students names for the certificate presentation and accompanying photo op, and now comes the slide show from the 6 years all these little maggots were at this school.
Serenity now;-)
I had the same thing for my nephew last Fri. Didn't seem as bad. About 80 students and the whole ceremony took about 1.5 hours. But still seemed to take a long time.
Not necessary for 5th grade.
Congratulations to those few kids who survive until their 11th birthday achieve
It’s been the subject of much discussion in the Chitwood family…Pa Chitwood doesn’t understand the concept of a 5th Grade “graduation” so decided not to make the trip from AZ…that did NOT go over well with Sis Chitwood. Hmmm.
I don't recall that my elementary school even had such a ceremony. Did such a thing exist in the 60s?
We did have one in junior high, but nobody in my family came.
I don’t remember anything from 5th grade in the mid-80’s either. We had an 8th grade/middle school one back in ‘88 tho…
HS and college...full stop!
I say that having a 2nd grade kid, so I'm gonna get sucked into these things :-/
not saying i know the answer or have a firm opinion. one thought i had is that in certain more privileged circles we expect our kids to graduate HS and go to college, so a 5th grade graduation seems blah.
if you are from a background where those things are not guaranteed, i wonder if it is a good thing to celebrate these academic milestones as a way to encourage more.
conversely, i appreciate that it creates an aura of achievement that does not translate into a lot in the real world.
It’s more just the celebration. These are sharp kids and are going to college eventually.
raising children .. only about a year left before younger child leaves for college. i figure that everything else can wait. in some ideal world i would be concentrating more on the new job in quantum computing because this is a pivotal moment in time. the world will almost certainly be fine w/o me.
personally, i am trying to get back into some semblance of my previous bike riding self where i used to train 5-6 days a week. it is much harder to get motivated now that all the riding is indoors. still, i am finding new ways to love riding w/o actually getting anywhere except spinning the wheels in the basement.
I used to run outdoors but now mostly run on treadmill as it’s easier on joints and easier to fit in. I kind of like it better actually as I just use that time to watch sports or movies.
I spend a certain amount of time on my nonelectric curve treadmill. Just started watching youtube videos to walk or run by. So far one jog around a Swiss lake, another walk along an Hawaiian coastline. Novelty hasn't worn off yet.
OUR CRUMBLING DEMOCRACY
Furd protestors occupy and damage president’s office, are arrested. Good content for their TikTok feeds!
https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/stanford-palestine-protest-president-19496489.php
Some of the graffiti they left —
https://x.com/tab_delete/status/1798374380432720162
And a pic of them at president’s office —
https://x.com/JCAndersonNYC/status/1798378401813905846
IMO they would have been more fearsome had they spray painted “Go Bears” everywhere and wore blue and gold instead of keffiyehs. Just saying!
The UK welcomes the Chuck Buck today
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/cn00294xx4xo
After the right flank of the GOP torpedoed a bipartisan bill to secure the Southern border, Biden announces an EO that suspend asylum interviews and expediently deport illegal crossers
https://thehill.com/latino/4702539-biden-executive-order-asylum-southern-border-immigration/
Polling and human psychology are fascinating. YouGov poll shows that GOP respondents who were okay with a felon being President went from 17% to 58% over the course of 60 days.
https://today.yougov.com/politics/articles/49617-opinion-change-post-trump-hush-money-guilty-verdict
She seems nice.
https://www.mediaite.com/politics/house-republican-faces-ethics-committee-probe-over-abuse-rage-and-general-toxicity-in-the-workplace/
New Jersey GOP votes for establishment Bashaw over MAGA Glassner. Bashaw will now face Andy Kim (D) in the general election for US Senate. Kim has a single digit lead in the latest poll.
https://newjerseymonitor.com/2024/06/04/curtis-bashaw-defeats-trump-endorsed-candidate-to-win-gop-senate-nod/
Judge Cannon - the judge in the most serious of the charges against TFG - expands hearing on a challenge of the validity of the appointment of Jack Smith.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/04/politics/cannon-trump-special-counsel-hearing/index.html
PRO
Lily Yohannes, 16, nets first goal in USWNT win over South Korea
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/40281398/lily-yohannes-16-nets-first-goal-uswnt-win-south-korea
Yohannes was born in Virginia, but her family moved to the Netherlands when she was 10. She signed with Dutch club Ajax as a 15-year-old and last fall became the youngest player to start a UEFA Women's Champions League group stage match.
Simone Biles wins her ninth US gymnastics championship and will almost certainly assure her return to the Olympics in Paris
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2024/06/02/simone-biles-us-gymnastics-championships-live-results/73920585007/
Man City: "Those financial rules [looks up and to the right] that we totally didn't break are so unfair that we're suing you"
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/crggez4w209o
Have they tried calling in a high-pitched voice, patting the floor, and offering a small treat?
https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-new-stadium-proposal-49fbfcc162dfbcf3790aa14c2763fd97
Yeaaaaah. That's not happening.
https://www.si.com/nfl/panthers/news/why-the-2024-carolina-panthers-will-make-the-playoffs
CAL
Go Bears!!!
ELSEWHERE IN COLLEGE
ACC rivals - had a quick conversation w/ an FSU student yesterday who had no idea Cal/Stanford were joining the ACC.
i suspect that is true for most students at most ACC schools.
Probably not a sports fan. I bet most fans knew Cal/Furd were joining.
they were. plays tennis for FSU
they said they would start caring if we beat them at anything important!
People are going to be surprised about a lot of stuff when they look at the college conference standings next season.
DBD AV CLUB
Ent wins Tree of the Year award
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jun/05/new-zealand-tree-of-the-year-winner-walking-tree-rata
BAD BATCH, Disney (15+/19) -- finally finished watching the end of the final season (3).
this is the one about a bunch of misfit clones that become good guys in the Star Wars universe. it was getting a little repetitive after a while even though it was fun and entertaining. Omega, who was super annoying to start, became more grown up and less so.