(Warning: there may be a writer's embellishment at the end of this post.) Saw a cardiologist yesterday. He said that due to my having atrial fibrillation I will need a pacemaker. Overall I'm in excellent health and continue to workout regularly. Procedure sounds simple enough and will only sideline me from work for a couple of days. Having looked at the results of the Zio Patch I wore and the EKG they did the doctor asked if I'd had prolonged exposure to Cal football. I said, many decades worth. The cardiologist told me that Cal football is a leading cause of cardiovascular abnormalities in the greater Bay Area. Please take note of this.
No heart attack. They found it after I reported having heart flutters then wore a Zio patch for two weeks. Have never had a major health issue (physical that is, mental a different story) and this doesn't seem that big a deal either.
If Cal football hasn't killed me yet, it may never.
Heather Mitts, who in her day could have reasonably been described as an uncompromising defender. Hilarious disconnect between "little old me" personal affect and crunching tackles.
on the soccer theme: Kasper Schmeichel, son of former Man U legend Peter, and mainstay of Leicester for many years until moving to Nice this summer.
Colin Hendry, former Scotland player who is every bit as pale as you might hope; he was part of the Scotland team that played in DC as a warm up to the 98 World Cup and was heard to say afterward if he'd been on holiday, he'd have kept his family in the hotel because it was dangerously hot (it was *maybe* 90), he looked like you could have fried an egg on his forehead for the entire game)
He's only played one game for Fulham but João Palhinha is going to make so many PL attacking midfielders and forwards regret coming forward. He might also lead the PL in yellow cards by the end of the season. He's going to be so good.
The Netflix documentary, Trainwreck: Woodstock '99, is intense. One thing that was clear to me is that the promoters had no idea what kind of crowds would be attracted to the headlining bands. If you're going to have Korn, Limp Bizkit, Rage Against the Machine, and Metallica, it's not going to be three days of peace and love. Wow, what an absolute shit show.
Having been an adolescent and coming of age in the 90's, my bias tends to think that we've culturally devolved since then.. a steady decline since the heights of the golden age of hip hop and grunge music. Scenes like that are a good reminder that people are just people, no matter the decade.
I can't really give a good summary without extensively recapping the article. But Kroner mentions that Commissioner George Kliavkoff believes that negotiations will take months with both traditional (TV and cable?) and non-traditional carriers (streaming?).
If that's true, there's plenty of time in which all of the remaining Pac-12 schools could find themselves going to other conferences.
In this P12, I'm betting on talent...I'm thinking Sonny Dykes' Cal teams, but with 4 and 5* HS AA's on the defensive side. They don't have a CFP Championship D, but definitely enough talent to win at Rice Eccols over a Utah team that lost some key pieces...should help them secure the P12 South at least.
There will be moments of razzle-dazzle but it's unrealistic to expect an almost completely new team to be genuinely competitive the first year... although I'd be entertained watching the Oklahoma fans trying to cope.
I expect they will be genuinely competitive, but probably not consistently competitive, for the obvious reasons with so much that is new being thrown together. Which will lead to the usual round of USC-bashing at times, which will be just as unrealistic as CFP Playoff expectations in Lincoln year 1 will be.
I know you're snakebite from the Helton years, DCT, ;-) but they've got the best offense money can buy...in the era of College Football free agency, maybe it's not too much to ask to be genuinely competitive the first year with 4 potential All-Americans at the skill positions joining the program...
I am definitely in "show me" mode here. Look, don't get me wrong, I started at SC in '88 and over that time there have been a lot of good teams as well as a couple of stinkers, so I'm not trying to play "oh poor us," the quality of the players makes a huge difference. I'm just being realistic (I think) about the limitations of integrating players and scheme over spring and summer camp when half the team is new. They should be competitive in conference but I'm not going to get foolish expectations about what would happen if they ran into any of last year's top 5 - 8 in a bowl game.
Sure, but let's say Willams/Dye/Addison/M.Wms/Brenden Rice all gel and form a formidable O behind an OL stacked with future NFL Draft picks...which is very possible...unless the D is catastrophic (i.e. like Andy Buh/Art Kaufman bad), I think 9-3 is definitely in play...that team is going to score on anyone, which gives them a chance.
DOJ has charged Shahram Poursafi, a member of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard, in a plot to assassinate John Bolton in relation for the killing of Qasem Soleimani by drone. Poursafi is at large somewhere outside the US.
Interesting - the security outside his house reappeared after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but I couldn't figure out why since it's not like he's working for the Biden administration. This makes more sense.
This is genuinely disturbing. A 10-year veteran that has done a good job, and has been actually willing to work into the middle of the field, ousted by an extremist, who stands a good chance of defeating the democrat that won the district primary handily. Washington throws all candidates from all parties together in their primary, and the top 2 advance. Because there was only 1 "credible" democrat, she won handily, but the sum total of the several Republicans easily out-numbers the democrat populace in this district.
Interestingly, there was a lot of democratic support for the extremist because the thought is he is more beatable than the incumbent, who would have been untouchable in the general election. If this backfires, and it certainly might, the result will be a lurch for the worse as a result of a desperate attempt to try to pull off a swing.
I "get" the strategy. One of the most famous examples in history was the 1972 presidential election. Nixon actually wanted George McGovern to be the Democratic nominee. Nixon figured that his strongest possible opponent in '72 would have been Edmund Muskie, and he may have been right.
I do not support this strategy, though. This has the potential to backfire, badly. The consequences of this strategy could be disastrous to the American republic.
Another example of usually unrealistic thinking that I've seen a lot lately, where people, individually or in a group, come to some value/position goal, but then take actions highly likely to work against their interests and objectives.
More details on the Mar a Lago raid. It was a follow up from a request by the National Archives to Trump's lawyers for stuff TFG when he left office. Trump negotiated for a year and eventually returned 15 boxes. Archives knew what it was still missing, so they seized about 10 boxes when Trump wasn't home.
[WaPo, paywall]. An excellent article about what this might mean. Paraphrasing: seizing sitting Congressmen's phones is a big deal and requires a massive amount of probable cause, which means they probably got dirt on him from all the other seizures that were happening as the DOJ seeks to prosecute Trump for J6
Donald J. Trump declined to answer questions from the New York state attorney general’s office on Wednesday, a stunning gamble in a high-stakes legal interview that is likely to determine the course of a civil investigation into his company’s business practices.
I would love to hear from an actual lawyer, but isn't it that pleading the Fifth in a civil case is different than a criminal case. It is my understanding that in a criminal case, self-incrimination protection is broad. It is also my understanding that protection by pleading the fifth in CIVIL cases like this is narrow. You do not have the right to remain silent. You cannot plead the fifth to avoid unseemly discovery of evidence. You can plead the fifth if you face IMMINENT CRIMINAL PROSECUTION if you say it and the pleading of the Fifth CAN be held against you
Quebec City is fantastic-- tons of walking with purpose, in a limited area, great food, feels like you are in Europe but no ocean crossing time. Old town feels magical, the town sponsored walking tour was great. Funicular, historic battle ground you can dive into the details or just admire from above. We got an affordable apartment, but there is a great old giant hotel that would also be a great home base. There are wineries and a beautiful waterfall a short drive away.
Like 150 x. Honestly, losing the credit cards were the worst part because I couldn't splurge on anything and had to budget my daily expenses against a quickly dwindling cash supply (I had a bunch of cash in my luggage - mainly Chinese RMB - so I had to also find a place that would exchange RMB for Euros - it ended up being at a terrible rate). Nowadays I would be able to use thee cards on my iPhone to pay for things.
CAL
Go Bears!!!
(Warning: there may be a writer's embellishment at the end of this post.) Saw a cardiologist yesterday. He said that due to my having atrial fibrillation I will need a pacemaker. Overall I'm in excellent health and continue to workout regularly. Procedure sounds simple enough and will only sideline me from work for a couple of days. Having looked at the results of the Zio Patch I wore and the EKG they did the doctor asked if I'd had prolonged exposure to Cal football. I said, many decades worth. The cardiologist told me that Cal football is a leading cause of cardiovascular abnormalities in the greater Bay Area. Please take note of this.
Glad they have a reasonable plan to address your heart condition. Too bad there isn't a corresponding solution for Cal football.
Glad you're in good health overall :)
I gather that you haven't had a heart attack (although spectating Cal football is a known cardiac stressor). How did they find the a-fib?
No heart attack. They found it after I reported having heart flutters then wore a Zio patch for two weeks. Have never had a major health issue (physical that is, mental a different story) and this doesn't seem that big a deal either.
If Cal football hasn't killed me yet, it may never.
It can ALWAYS get worse.
Heh. Glad to gear that you are healthy.
HAHAHAHA - oh man, what a meanie!
SHE BLINDED ME WITH...
AI tool that is both a boon and an existential threat to visual arts
https://newatlas.com/computers/dall-e-2-ai-art/
Steven Seagal
Wanna-be martial-artists now acting as Russian spokesman in Ukraine. Of course.
https://news.yahoo.com/steven-seagal-appears-ukraine-serving-223943451.html
Blonde player
Two favorite blonde Cal RBs are John Tuggle and Pat Laird.
Kevin Moen, I think.
Ronnie Bass
Sunshine!!
He's from *California*
Joe Roth
Alex Morgan
https://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/696922/1460582.jpeg
Zach Johnson, Gabe Seimeniec, Matt Anderson, Spencer Ladner
Uh, I can't address this.
Heather Mitts, who in her day could have reasonably been described as an uncompromising defender. Hilarious disconnect between "little old me" personal affect and crunching tackles.
on the soccer theme: Kasper Schmeichel, son of former Man U legend Peter, and mainstay of Leicester for many years until moving to Nice this summer.
Colin Hendry, former Scotland player who is every bit as pale as you might hope; he was part of the Scotland team that played in DC as a warm up to the 98 World Cup and was heard to say afterward if he'd been on holiday, he'd have kept his family in the hotel because it was dangerously hot (it was *maybe* 90), he looked like you could have fried an egg on his forehead for the entire game)
He's only played one game for Fulham but João Palhinha is going to make so many PL attacking midfielders and forwards regret coming forward. He might also lead the PL in yellow cards by the end of the season. He's going to be so good.
I think the last time I saw Francisco Lindor he was blonde.
DBD AV Club
The Netflix documentary, Trainwreck: Woodstock '99, is intense. One thing that was clear to me is that the promoters had no idea what kind of crowds would be attracted to the headlining bands. If you're going to have Korn, Limp Bizkit, Rage Against the Machine, and Metallica, it's not going to be three days of peace and love. Wow, what an absolute shit show.
The other thing I got from it is the promoters still refuse to accept responsibility. That was abundantly clear.
Having been an adolescent and coming of age in the 90's, my bias tends to think that we've culturally devolved since then.. a steady decline since the heights of the golden age of hip hop and grunge music. Scenes like that are a good reminder that people are just people, no matter the decade.
Elsewhere in college
Wake Forest's star QB is out for an extended period due to a non-football medical issue. Shame. He is pretty good.
https://www.reddit.com/r/CFB/comments/wkvuge/adelson_wake_forest_just_announced_starting_qb/
Steve Kroner (sfchronicle.com) has an analysis about what the B1G's media rights deal means for the Pac-12 -
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/college/article/How-Big-Ten-s-media-rights-deal-could-benefit-17363152.php
I can't really give a good summary without extensively recapping the article. But Kroner mentions that Commissioner George Kliavkoff believes that negotiations will take months with both traditional (TV and cable?) and non-traditional carriers (streaming?).
If that's true, there's plenty of time in which all of the remaining Pac-12 schools could find themselves going to other conferences.
SC: Mediocrity or a Return to Glory?
Caleb Williams ready to face pressure head on as USC attempts to engineer historic one-year turnaround
https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/caleb-williams-ready-to-face-pressure-head-on-as-usc-attempts-to-engineer-historic-one-year-turnaround/
An embarrassment of talent vs. impossibly high expectations. Something has to give.
In this P12, I'm betting on talent...I'm thinking Sonny Dykes' Cal teams, but with 4 and 5* HS AA's on the defensive side. They don't have a CFP Championship D, but definitely enough talent to win at Rice Eccols over a Utah team that lost some key pieces...should help them secure the P12 South at least.
There will be moments of razzle-dazzle but it's unrealistic to expect an almost completely new team to be genuinely competitive the first year... although I'd be entertained watching the Oklahoma fans trying to cope.
I expect they will be genuinely competitive, but probably not consistently competitive, for the obvious reasons with so much that is new being thrown together. Which will lead to the usual round of USC-bashing at times, which will be just as unrealistic as CFP Playoff expectations in Lincoln year 1 will be.
I know you're snakebite from the Helton years, DCT, ;-) but they've got the best offense money can buy...in the era of College Football free agency, maybe it's not too much to ask to be genuinely competitive the first year with 4 potential All-Americans at the skill positions joining the program...
I am definitely in "show me" mode here. Look, don't get me wrong, I started at SC in '88 and over that time there have been a lot of good teams as well as a couple of stinkers, so I'm not trying to play "oh poor us," the quality of the players makes a huge difference. I'm just being realistic (I think) about the limitations of integrating players and scheme over spring and summer camp when half the team is new. They should be competitive in conference but I'm not going to get foolish expectations about what would happen if they ran into any of last year's top 5 - 8 in a bowl game.
Sure, but let's say Willams/Dye/Addison/M.Wms/Brenden Rice all gel and form a formidable O behind an OL stacked with future NFL Draft picks...which is very possible...unless the D is catastrophic (i.e. like Andy Buh/Art Kaufman bad), I think 9-3 is definitely in play...that team is going to score on anyone, which gives them a chance.
You'd take that ya?
OUR CRUMBLING DEMOCRACY
DOJ has charged Shahram Poursafi, a member of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard, in a plot to assassinate John Bolton in relation for the killing of Qasem Soleimani by drone. Poursafi is at large somewhere outside the US.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/08/10/bolton-iran-assassination-plot/
Interesting - the security outside his house reappeared after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but I couldn't figure out why since it's not like he's working for the Biden administration. This makes more sense.
Another of the 10 Republicans who impeached Trump has fallen as Rep-Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) concedes primary race.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3584805-pro-impeachment-republican-herrera-beutler-concedes-in-house-race/
This is genuinely disturbing. A 10-year veteran that has done a good job, and has been actually willing to work into the middle of the field, ousted by an extremist, who stands a good chance of defeating the democrat that won the district primary handily. Washington throws all candidates from all parties together in their primary, and the top 2 advance. Because there was only 1 "credible" democrat, she won handily, but the sum total of the several Republicans easily out-numbers the democrat populace in this district.
Interestingly, there was a lot of democratic support for the extremist because the thought is he is more beatable than the incumbent, who would have been untouchable in the general election. If this backfires, and it certainly might, the result will be a lurch for the worse as a result of a desperate attempt to try to pull off a swing.
I agree with your take. I go further: the DCCC strategy is fucking irresponsible. It's playing with fire.
Is it any wonder that voters are fed up with both parties?
It is scary but I understand why the Democrats are doing what they are doing as it makes sense in a zero sum elections that we run.
I "get" the strategy. One of the most famous examples in history was the 1972 presidential election. Nixon actually wanted George McGovern to be the Democratic nominee. Nixon figured that his strongest possible opponent in '72 would have been Edmund Muskie, and he may have been right.
I do not support this strategy, though. This has the potential to backfire, badly. The consequences of this strategy could be disastrous to the American republic.
Another example of usually unrealistic thinking that I've seen a lot lately, where people, individually or in a group, come to some value/position goal, but then take actions highly likely to work against their interests and objectives.
"could be disastrous to the American republic."
Have been. See: "Trump, Donald J."
It could be worse. That's what I mean.
CBS claims J6 is investigating whether private Trump pardons exist. If they exist, we're going to be in blue-sky territory over their legality.
https://twitter.com/costareports/status/1557098994492444672
More details on the Mar a Lago raid. It was a follow up from a request by the National Archives to Trump's lawyers for stuff TFG when he left office. Trump negotiated for a year and eventually returned 15 boxes. Archives knew what it was still missing, so they seized about 10 boxes when Trump wasn't home.
FBI seize Rep. Scott Perry 's (R-PA) phone
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/08/09/fbi-seize-gop-scott-perrys-phone-00050737
[WaPo, paywall]. An excellent article about what this might mean. Paraphrasing: seizing sitting Congressmen's phones is a big deal and requires a massive amount of probable cause, which means they probably got dirt on him from all the other seizures that were happening as the DOJ seeks to prosecute Trump for J6
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/08/10/scott-perry-phone-seized-trump-explained/
Schumer goes on offense, forcing GOP Senators to (re)vote against popular things - this time it is a cap on insulin
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/3594003-schumer-senate-will-vote-again-on-35-insulin-cap-after-gop-blocked-it/
Trump says he claimed the Fifth Amendment in NY investigation. I'm sure no one else will remember this:
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-quote-about-fifth-amendment-resurfaces-allies-use-it-jan-6-panel-1660741
Guilty guy that takes the 5th:
Donald J. Trump declined to answer questions from the New York state attorney general’s office on Wednesday, a stunning gamble in a high-stakes legal interview that is likely to determine the course of a civil investigation into his company’s business practices.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/08/10/nyregion/trump-testimony-investigation-news
Guilty like a mobster.
I would love to hear from an actual lawyer, but isn't it that pleading the Fifth in a civil case is different than a criminal case. It is my understanding that in a criminal case, self-incrimination protection is broad. It is also my understanding that protection by pleading the fifth in CIVIL cases like this is narrow. You do not have the right to remain silent. You cannot plead the fifth to avoid unseemly discovery of evidence. You can plead the fifth if you face IMMINENT CRIMINAL PROSECUTION if you say it and the pleading of the Fifth CAN be held against you
AP answered my question.
https://apnews.com/article/what-does-pleading-the-fifth-mean-0d24abd45972cd80f82f95e4a8eec225
It can be held against you in a civil case.
"The mob takes the Fifth. If you're innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?"
- Donald J. Trump (September 2016)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKIDxTaWYyI&t=1112s
"When you're attacking FBI agents because you're under criminal investigation, you're losing," Sarah Huckabee Sanders
PRO
Tigers fire GM Avila
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34380590/al-avila-vice-president-general-manager-detroit-tigers
Ohhhhh dammit, Frank Gore.
https://www.tmz.com/2022/08/10/frank-gore-dragged-naked-woman-across-hallway-by-hair-cops-say/
Ohhhhh dammit, Marshawn.
https://www.tmz.com/2022/08/09/marshawn-lynch-car-missing-flat-tires-dui-arrest/
oh no. at least no one was injured.
that left front rim isn't resting on the tarmac as claimed in the article, it's not there at all - he somehow broke the rim off the spokes 😬
Yikes
Judge to Bonesaw Tour players: "No, you can't play in the FedEx Cup. You made your bed, now lay in it."
https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/34375643/federal-judge-rejects-bid-three-liv-golfers-compete-fedex-cup-playoffs
When Curt Schilling accuses you of being a bad bad guy, you should probably take a deep look at yourself.
https://twitter.com/gehrig38/status/1556788005267988480
Either:
Spider-Man pointing
OR
Heartbreaking, the worst person you know made a good point
Denver Broncos sold to some family from Arkansas
https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/09/sport/denver-broncos-sold-to-walmart-family-group/index.html
That clearly doesn't know a lick about football....
Commissioner Goodle....
Jordan Alvarez's at-bat gets the Jomboy treatment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0gZ9sU9n7U
Browns' All-Pro returner Jakeem Grant out for season
https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/08/09/browns-fear-all-pro-kick-returner-jakeem-grant-tore-achilles-per-report
Ohtani gets 10th win and 25th HR.
That guy gets a lot of pub, but I STILL think he doesn't get the amount he deserves. Man that guy is something special!
Seeking suggestions: Where should I go on vacation in September or October?
-around 1 week
-I like to eat things (but don't eat land animals)
-I enjoy walking (if I'm close to food)
-I'm bad at nature
-I'm no longer a grad student but am also not a ballista
Strong US dollar = go abroad
Iceland, Amalfi coast, Netherlands/Belgium, Sydney, Japan
All five locations have great walking without being hard-core nature parks, have great seafood traditions, and have a week worth of stuff to enjoy.
:)
Japan is still closed to tourists
I could pretend to be part of MoriBear's family...
Paris
The Tri-Valley!
(How about Mexico City?)
Domestic: Seattle/Vancouver, South Bend (September only), Charleston, San Diego (sorry if you live in any of these places).
International: Lisbon
Haha I enjoy the qualifiers
Hawaii, Amsterdam, Madrid, Quebec City, San Miguel
Quebec City is fantastic-- tons of walking with purpose, in a limited area, great food, feels like you are in Europe but no ocean crossing time. Old town feels magical, the town sponsored walking tour was great. Funicular, historic battle ground you can dive into the details or just admire from above. We got an affordable apartment, but there is a great old giant hotel that would also be a great home base. There are wineries and a beautiful waterfall a short drive away.
I'd chose Barcelona over Madrid, although Madrid is nice as well, seafood is better in Barcelona.
Absolutely. Madrid is a large generic, fairly pleasant city. You could be anywhere. Barcelona is unique.
Good to know. I've never been to either but would love to someday
I had my wallet stolen in Barcelona. It was hot and touristy and crowded.
Madrid had one of the best museums I've ever been to, I had the best meal of my trip in Madrid and my wallet did not get stolen.
I preferred Barcelona by like 10x over Madrid.
If you didn't get wallet stolen, how much better is Barcelona over Madrid?
Like 150 x. Honestly, losing the credit cards were the worst part because I couldn't splurge on anything and had to budget my daily expenses against a quickly dwindling cash supply (I had a bunch of cash in my luggage - mainly Chinese RMB - so I had to also find a place that would exchange RMB for Euros - it ended up being at a terrible rate). Nowadays I would be able to use thee cards on my iPhone to pay for things.
Good list!