154 Comments

Tumblr

Expand full comment

The hubris of offending the internet porn gods did them in

Expand full comment
author

Old, used, and out of commission to be honest

Expand full comment

I know this feeling, unfortunately......

Expand full comment

What's Tumblr? Bought by Yahoo! that was a death sentence.

Expand full comment

Fox also killed MySpace after acquiring it for $580 million. I know the largest shareholder. He tried to argue that it was really worth $20 billion. He was kicked out because the VC's wanted an exit at a time when there was a dearth of exits.

Expand full comment

Today in Omicron

Expand full comment

My kid’s high school (95%+vaccinated) stopped sending out exposure alerts because everybody in every class was getting exposed. “Just assume your kid was exposed”.

Expand full comment

All the optimism I had for the return of live music is slowly going away. I've been sadly deleting events out of my calendar that I've lost track of who and when I was supposed to see them. Fortunately Sunday's show is still a go.

Expand full comment

There was a story in the Chronicle yesterday saying sewage analysis shows Omicron already peaked. Here’s hoping the decline is as rapid as the rise!

Expand full comment

In Boston right? We aren't there yet.

Expand full comment

Yeah, I'd actually be pretty optimistic that we'll be on the other side of this by next month.

Expand full comment

I wanted to get burgers with my kids last night at their favorite burger place in Burlingame (Maverick Jack’s) and discovered it was shuttered by Corona for a week

Expand full comment

Same happened to me Monday. I went to go get pizza at our favorite pizza place and they had a sign up saying they would be closed for a week.

Expand full comment

Last weekend, I heard a couple grumbling, "Did they make coffee illegal?" before they walked into Mollie Stone's and harangue the barista inside about the Starbucks and Peets in the neighborhood being closed. Ugh.

Expand full comment

I didn't realize that is what had gone into The Depot. There's another location (Jack's Prime) in Belmont in El Camino if that ever happens again. Love their burgers, and especially their shakes!

Expand full comment

Yes, we are fans of the shakes!

Expand full comment
author

SCU up to 441 cases this quarter and its only week 2. Add on that the biggest frat party of the year was last weekend and this could be ugly.

Expand full comment

This version really does spread like wildfire - my daughter’s college got half the campus boostered in December & there were 50 cases the next week. She’s somewhat apprehensive about what happens when people start rolling back in next week

Expand full comment

Our Crumbling Democracy

Expand full comment
Jan 14, 2022·edited Jan 14, 2022Liked by SGBear

Sinema is a worse threat than omicron. When I worked in publishing a lifetime ago, she was one of the authors I worked with. She fancied herself as a McCain style maverick, but with a progressive bent. She definitely had stars in her eyes from the beginning, but I don't think anyone would have predicted she'd consistently work to undermine her own party.

Expand full comment

I just don't understand what she's doing. She's not helping her own political career, and she's not furthering any of the goals she claims to support. It's bizarre.

Expand full comment

A combination of neurosis and ego. She has always fancied herself as being able to cross the aisle early on, and has taken that to the extreme to the detriment to society, her voters and potentially her own career. At the end of day, she uses that to stand out from her counterparts, not to support a common good or the will of her voters, but to elevate her own profile.

Expand full comment

She may achieve the rare politician trifecta of losing the left, never having gained the right, and not winning the middle.

Expand full comment

I think she thinks people in Arizona are delighted when their pols do stuff that enrages the “Washington establishment“ regardless of whether that stuff makes any sense when standing on its own. She is crazy, but not wrong about that bit

Expand full comment

she's what happens if a David Brooks or Tom Friedman column became sentient and went in search of a non-existent centrist wave

Expand full comment

How to run down three nebbishes in 22 words, one sentence.

Expand full comment

😆

Expand full comment

Ouch

Expand full comment

Unfortunately her term is not up until 2025.

Expand full comment

Right, that's just it. Raising her own profile would be one thing, but she raises it to create a negative image with her own supporters, without any positive change from those who voted against her. She's just getting attention in order to get attention, not even to accomplish anything. It's wild.

Expand full comment

Dems best hope is to primary her with someone like Mark Kelly.

Expand full comment

Just for one day I wish I had the kind of ego these politicians do. Would be nuts.

Expand full comment

DBD Not Financial Advice

Expand full comment

I'm unemployed (as of next Friday) and I just bought a $5k road bike that I won't receive until July. Ask me anything!

Expand full comment

Condolences. The bums lost. My advice is to do what your parents did; get a job, sir. The bums will always lose.

Expand full comment

It's Sandro about the biannle!

Expand full comment
Jan 14, 2022·edited Jan 14, 2022

https://youtu.be/O5epuPMf-7Y

Eh Newellbany? Hahaha ;-)

Expand full comment

Are you interested in a career as a long haul truck driver? Your country needs you!

Expand full comment

Do you have the name of that truck driving school? Truck masters I think it is.

Expand full comment

Lincoln Hawk Long Haulers.

I hope Terence has experience or has been training in arm wrestling.

Expand full comment
Jan 14, 2022·edited Jan 14, 2022

Mother Goose, you pussy.....

Expand full comment

Can't wait for part 2 to come out. I want to watch it in IMAX.

Expand full comment

A classic!

Expand full comment
author

Do you like movies about gladiators?

Expand full comment

Gladiator II is coming up I guess (directed by Ridley Scott). Can't really bring back Maximus as he died. I have heard that he may show up as an apparition seen by Lucius (now grown up) in some capacity.

Expand full comment

I feel like there is room for a studio to zig with new content where others just keep pumping out sequels or film versions of books, comics, etc

Expand full comment

Speaking of Ridley Scott, I heard that the directors cut of Kingdom of Heaven was significantly better than the theatrical cut.

Expand full comment

I have it on DVD (still) - it is better.

Expand full comment

I liked the theatrical cut and I thought the directors cut was better.

Expand full comment
Jan 14, 2022·edited Jan 14, 2022

Agreed. I really enjoyed both...still trying to figure out how Saladin got a chestful of ice in the middle of the desert, tho....

AND speaking of Ridley Scott, I literally just started The Last Duel on HBO MAX...we shall see.....

Expand full comment

I was happy to realize that anyone can become a master swordsmen in 1 day. Thank you, Kingdom of Heaven!

Expand full comment

F-ing SPOILER ALERT, dude....come on...what are you gonna ruin next for us, golden? Titanic???

;-)

Expand full comment

SPOILER ALERT: the iceberg was not compensated for injuries caused by the boat

Expand full comment

There's an iceberg?

Expand full comment
Jan 14, 2022·edited Jan 14, 2022

I can’t remember where but I read a proposed idea about setting Gladiator in the future and one of the Roman gods bringing Maximus back to life. Sounded just crazy enough to work.

Expand full comment

no, no it doesnt

Expand full comment

party pooper. I enjoy stories with the gods messing with people just a little.

Expand full comment

WHHHAAATTTT? What a terrible idea.

Expand full comment

What bike did you get?

Expand full comment

Cervelo Caledonia - it's their endurance bike. I currently ride a 2011 R3 - so hopefully the geometry and character of the bike are similar: the Caledonia is based on the 2011 R3 Mud which was never released to the public but the Cervelo Test Team road it to win Paris-Roubaix. My parents live in the hills of Dublin so my only goal is to not die going up those hills.

Expand full comment
Jan 14, 2022·edited Jan 14, 2022

Should I buy this GeoPro 15TB camper that’s available in San Bernardino county?

Have wanted one for awhile, and it’s finally available...but there are a couple of other expenditures that make more sense....

Expand full comment

yes. Bring it to South Bend

Expand full comment
author

When, where, and what are your plans for moving back?

Expand full comment

Feb (8 to Hong Kong, 23 to the Bay Area), will be at my parents in Dublin until I find gainful employment; either win the lottery or find a job so I am not at my parents for too long.

Expand full comment

he has been threatening to move back for a decade...

Expand full comment

And will the road bike be involved in getting there?

Expand full comment

Because of all the delays, despite my having paid for it, the bike will not be in my possession until July right now

Expand full comment
author

Taking you to Vegas for more responsible spending habits

Expand full comment

There you go. I once won $2,500 on the slots at the Wynn. One five dollar bet paid off. I do not make a habit of visiting Vegas, though.

Expand full comment

DBD Test Kitchen

Expand full comment

White bean soup, very hearty, paired with a 2005 Rioja.

Expand full comment

I have not had anything to drink since Xmas day and am wondering if I just go the full month as I have never done the dry January thing before.

I measure my life in coffee spoons…

Expand full comment

DBD AV Club

Expand full comment

On Scootie’s rec, I read We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker. Great book, was both well paced and had characters that really drew you in. Thanks for the rec!

Expand full comment
Jan 14, 2022Liked by BentPawn

So... reading you nerds discussing "Shaka when the walls fell" etc, I decided to watch Darmok. I tried to interest the family in watching - but I got replies of "TNG is turgid" (wife) "I rather watch Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" (daughter) - so I watched by myself.

Unfortunately (maybe) I read this article first:

https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/06/star-trek-tng-and-the-limits-of-language-shaka-when-the-walls-fell/372107/ which was pretty interesting, and in the end, MORE interesting than the show.

So I'd give it 17/19 for Sci-Fi concept, it was an novel idea, but only 12/19 as entertainment, that show was always talky and bloated with more characters than it needed.

Expand full comment
author

Nice find. That was an excellent article. I now want to go down a linguistics rabbit hole.

Expand full comment

Hell yeah!!!

'Justified' reboot with Timothy Olyphant set in Detroit

https://twitter.com/TVLine/status/1482019727274913794?s=20

Expand full comment

Awesome!

Expand full comment
Jan 14, 2022·edited Jan 14, 2022

My favorite Olyphant character remains his turn as Kelly in The Girl Next Door....classic...Raylon Givens is also fantastic.

Expand full comment

Please tell me Walton Goggins is coming back. Raylon Givens is great, but Boyd Crowder is one of my all time favorite t.v. antagonists.

Expand full comment

Pro

Expand full comment
Jan 14, 2022·edited Jan 14, 2022

Do Cowboys beat the 49ers this weekend?

Expand full comment

I want to say the Niners, but at this point it's starting to feel to me like people are underestimating the Cowboys. They have the best point differential in the NFC. They're actually #1 in DVOA by advanced metrics.

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/nfl/team-efficiency/2021/regular

I do think there's an argument that the metrics are inflated by them running up the score several times against their weaker opponents (including the last week against Philly's backups), but the stats guys would also say that a lot of blowouts tends to be predictive.

Expand full comment
Jan 14, 2022·edited Jan 14, 2022

I agree, sy...I’ve been firmly in the Niners camp since the Sun win at SoFi bc I think it’s a bad matchup for Dallas, who seems a titch overrated IMHO. And to be fair, hanging 50 on a dogschitt WFT (all respect to Riverboat Ron) and a Philly team resting its starters doesn’t move the needle much when in between you lose @ home to a reeling Arizona team that ran all over you & harried Dak w/ strong D-line pressure...incidentally, the Niners main strengths.

I do think the Niners win, but Garoppolo is still Garoppolo, and that Niner secondary is pretty thin. DAL could get pressure with DeMarcus, Gregory, & Parsons, and Jimmy could easily hand this game to the Cowpokes and it’s sayonara.

When a team starts getting the betting momentum like the Niners are, maybe Dallas becomes the play after all...at the end of day, he’s still Jimmy Garoppolo....

Expand full comment

the Cowboys are pretty spectacular in failing come playoff time in the last 2 decades

Expand full comment
Jan 14, 2022·edited Jan 14, 2022

I agree, the Cowboys find interesting/frustrating ways to lose. But, who are you rooting for, given your proximity to Dallas, have you become a Cowboy fan?

Expand full comment

Yes

Expand full comment

They certainly can. depends if it's good or medium Jimmy vs bad Jimmy.

Expand full comment

Yes

Expand full comment
author

Na na naaaaa naaaaaa. Na naa NAAAA NAAAAAAA. Hey, hey, hey. GOODBYEEEEEEE.

https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/33062826/novak-djokovic-faces-deportation-australia-revokes-visa-again

Expand full comment

Is Klay Thompson ruining the Warriors? My column . . .

Expand full comment

The Draymond injury sure doesn’t help.

Expand full comment
Jan 14, 2022Liked by SGBear

Hahahaha with that attitude you’re going straight to the top of ESPN!

Expand full comment

Other College

Expand full comment

Oregon RB Travis Dye in the portal

https://twitter.com/RivalsPortal/status/1482039726077104142?s=20

Expand full comment

So who's not in the portal???

Expand full comment

Is Dye a 7 year senior now? It seems like he was originally recruited by Chip Kelly.

Expand full comment

Your remembering his older brother Troy, whos'e Oregon career ended after the 2020 season.

Expand full comment

This is a significant development, even within the context of a lot of significant developments this year. It looks like a shopping trip though, as he hasn't ruled out a return, or deciding to leave cfb for the next level. Kind of like basketball players declaring for the draft, as much to gauge interest as to necessarily actually go anywhere.

Expand full comment
author

Bru McCoy in portal for the third time. The #1 ATH recruit from 2019 to leave the Trojans.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/33060271/usc-trojans-receiver-bru-mccoy-enters-transfer-portal-third

Expand full comment

SC just picked up a couple of transfer defensive linemen which hopefully should be helpful

Expand full comment

Wonder if he gets a P5 spot? My guess he goes to some non P5 school, maybe even FCS, languishes in football purgatory, then goes pro and does really well and makes many millions.

Expand full comment

Farewell, Bru, we hardly knew ye

Expand full comment

This guy must have some great credit card miles perks by now

Expand full comment
author

Santa Clara attendance policy in the time of omicron linked below, first game at home in a month versus provisional #1 Gonzaga on Saturday with 25% capacity among other things.

https://www.santaclarabroncos.com/general/2021-22/releases/20220112j33za1

Expand full comment

Cal

Expand full comment

Go Bears!!!

Expand full comment
author

Would anybody be interested in more transfer portal QB's or WR's?

Expand full comment

I previously mentioned my nephew who played OL for ARC transferring to UTEP this spring. My other nephew played for ARC and transferred to SDSU a few years (now in CFL). The nephew that played for SDSU, who transferred before the portal existed, had many more FBS offers to transfer than the nephew that just transferred to UTEP. Their father believes that the transfer portal has reduced P5 interest in Juco kids. I don't have the acumen to judge talent, so I don't know if the difference is one of talent or whether the transfer portal has displaced the opportunities for Juco kids. They also play different positions so not sure if that played into it. My nephew who went to SDU played defense end while the nephew going to UTEP plays OL.

Expand full comment

Get Dart and then close the portal. We don’t want to risk leaving it open, causing a rift in the space-time continuum and causing the Enterprise C to not help the Klingons on Narendra III.

Expand full comment

I see it more like the ring in Expanse - mysterious passageway to new lands that both creates and destroys

Expand full comment

Dart ain't coming to Cal. He's down to Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and your boy Sonny at TCU.

Expand full comment

My boy Sonny, with Dart and the institutional support of TCU could win the Big 12.

Expand full comment

Especially with Texas and OU off to the SEC... the B12 is ripe for new blood....

Expand full comment

TCU is going to be junk next year. All their good players who didn't graduate are transferring out

Expand full comment

How the F do you let Zach Evans go 51 yards up the gut with under :20 left in the half....I'm still disgusted.

Expand full comment

Smart play.

Do we think talented QBs with NFL aspirations see the Musgrave approach to the Wilcox offensive philosophy & head elsewhere?

Expand full comment

I would love to be able to see what a stud-like gamer QB with a lively arm could actually do in Musgrave's system. He appeared to tailor things to Garbers understandably. I'm also wondering if we need a new receivers coach, unfortunately, as much as I want to root for Toler. (i.e. why do they rarely have any separation, or is that a QB/timing and/or system issue too)

Expand full comment
Jan 14, 2022·edited Jan 14, 2022

Probably a little of both, though our O on the whole lacks speed....Trevon Clark could get loose on a GO route, but other than that, I think Crawford and Remigio just didn't have the speed to really separate...and Garbers' noodle arm and aversion to throwing downfield didn't really help.

I also don't think the route tree under Musgrave is incredibly detailed, tho I could be mistaken.

I am very intersted in seeing what the O looks like with a new QB next year, tho given the performances of players NOT named Chase Garbers at the position the last 3+ seasons, I'm doubtful Cal works it's way out of the bottom 1/3rd for P12 O's in '22....hope I'm wrong.

Expand full comment

Maybe a top end QB but no WRs needed IMO unless it is someone you dont say no to. Desperately need OL and depending on what Scott does, possibly a safety

Expand full comment

OL depth needed badly

Expand full comment

This

Expand full comment
Jan 14, 2022·edited Jan 14, 2022

Maybe. It seems like an amazing number of kids are entering the portal. Both of Stanford's two top running backs are transferring, kind of a blow to Ron Gould.

Expand full comment

and without graduating. I wonder what Shaw's excuse will be this time.

Expand full comment

I wonder about the institutional will over there. They seem to be pivoting away from sports a bit, maybe due to some combo of Varsity Blue and CTE. The whole cancellation of sports programs thing was weird given their overall financial picture and their jock sniffing history

Expand full comment

Maybe they figured donations would go down after the College Admissions Scandal?

Expand full comment

So they're pivoting to donations for grad school spots

Expand full comment

It was about reallocating a capped number of admissions into another political tower, not $s.

Expand full comment

What do you mean by that exactly?

Expand full comment

It’s even wilder than I thought it would be. I expected a lot of backups to shuffle around but seeing starters transfer is bit shocking

Expand full comment
Jan 14, 2022·edited Jan 14, 2022

Free agency, baby. Plus it allows kids to be recruited a 2nd time...who doesn’t want to feel wanted? The numbers are staggering tho.

Expand full comment

CFB is now seeing the same free agency free for all that has been the way of life for a number of years now in AAU/elite basketball (and we have seen the effect that has had on college hoops), and tournament/showcase softball and of late baseball. It was less common in football where the system and nature of the game made plug and play roster management a little harder to implement, but its becoming the way of the world.

Expand full comment

Given that I delete every single recruiter e-mail that comes in the moment I see them, not everyone wants to be recruited.

Expand full comment

Hah yep. Every such call / email just describes the same job I already have but at some other firm where I would need to start over, re-establish myself just to do the same thing I am already doing. No thanks

Expand full comment

Or a fresh start. I wonder how many transfers have lost their HC or position coach and are moving in for that reason. How many graduated and are moving on. How many just said f it and are leaving.

Expand full comment

a lot are being processed by the school they're at. "We thought you'd be better but...transfer out or you'll scholie will be dropped." A lot of times, that happens but to help them move on, the school will find a destination through their coaching network. "Hey Joe, you need a DB? I got a guy that would be a good fit for you..." That shit happens all the time

Expand full comment

Or even to combat personal unhappiness. Many non-athletic transfers are just unhappy kids looking for a fresh start

Expand full comment

Jones was highly recruited out of O'Dowd, never really did that much at Furd, maybe he needs a fresh start.

Expand full comment
author

Looks to me like they had an offensive collapse against UW

Expand full comment