215 Comments
author

Witcher

Expand full comment
author

Netflix will launch a four episode prequel to the Witcher, which will star Michelle Yeo as an Elf. December 25th, 2022.

https://twitter.com/witchernetflix/status/1575902276904189952

Expand full comment

Should be lunch!

OOps I meant fun!

Expand full comment
author

Netflix season 3 of Witcher: summer 2023

https://twitter.com/witchernetflix/status/1573737532361252865

Expand full comment
author

CD Projekt Red announces three more Witcher games.

https://twitter.com/CDPROJEKTRED/status/1577317901903843334

Expand full comment
author

Google Pixel 7 specs leaked.

[looks at Pixel 4a] *sigh*

https://www.tomsguide.com/news/major-google-pixel-7-camera-upgrades-just-got-tipped

Expand full comment

I've got the Pixel 3 and have been waiting for the 7 so that I can start getting updates again. I don't care about a nicer camera and want a smaller device but I'll probably just end up getting the 7. I don't like the larger size. I would consider the 6A (No 2 has one) but I do like the wireless charging that the Pixel 3 has so I'll probably just end up getting a 7.

The best phone I never had was the Nexus 5. That was a great phone.

Expand full comment
author

I just saw yesterday that the 6a was on sale for $350 (Amazon, and a few other places). I'm glad to see they're dropping in price already.

That said, I'm perfectly content to hold onto my 3a until it dies.

Expand full comment

End of July Google offered a $300 trade-in value for his 3a. So I bought the 6a for 450 and got 300 back after I sent his 3a in so the 6a costed me only 150. It seems like a fine phone. One thing we noticed driving cross country was that there were places in the middle of the country where I got some LTE but he didn't switch from 5G to LTE. Not sure why. Probably something I'll have to look at.

Expand full comment

I've got the pixel 6

Expand full comment

I've got a Pixel 4a right now, but I'm scheduled to get a Pixel 6a in February as a Google Fi customer. I've been paying $15/month for the last 19 months, so I'll have paid $360 for the Pixel 6a when I do get it. Part of that monthly charge is also a protection plan for my current phone.

Expand full comment

I have seen that that is deeply discounted right now. I have heard there are some issues with it, like the fingerprint unlock is very unreliable. I was hoping some of those issues would be resolved in the 7.

Expand full comment

I have the 6 Pro (got it in February after waiting an eternity for units to be available). Never had the REALLY bad fingerprint reader experience people claimed (my Samsung was worse) but a recent update seemed to help. Clearing the screen smudges makes a huge difference.

My biggest issue is a recent dip in battery life that I can't diagnose (which is apparently being addressed in a update). Camera may be best in class, though.

Hard to say if the 7 is a big upgrade since the biggest change is at the chip level. Some think Google made an unforced error in deprecating the 6 too soon. Others think they're managing expectations for the 7. Hard to know because Google does weird things.

Expand full comment

I got mine for $850 plus tax in July. I might upgrade to the 7 but will probably wait until the 8 is released

Expand full comment

One big reason I want to switch from the 3 is that I'm no longer getting security updates. So I guess I need to decide do I go with the 7, or just stick with the 3. Or if the reviews for the 7 aren't great then maybe I buy a cheap 6 and wait for the 8.

Expand full comment
author

EU says everyone has to adopt USB-C. Suck it, Apple.

https://techxplore.com/news/2022-10-eu-lawmakers-impose-charger-smartphones.html

Expand full comment

Could you imagine if Apple just said, FU to the EU? No more new iPhones/iPads for you.

Expand full comment

I read the article and I guess I was a little surprised that wired data transfer speeds were really an issue.

Expand full comment

Fuck the EU though. It is just naked protectionism disguised as some kind altruistic do-gooding.

Expand full comment

Is it really? The facts cited in the article seem to argue otherwise.

Expand full comment

I think they'll survive.

and we can all enjoy Progress by Consortium

Expand full comment
author

RIP Loretta Lynn

https://twitter.com/AP/status/1577304618673086465

Expand full comment
Oct 4, 2022·edited Oct 4, 2022

Country music Icon

Expand full comment

on the one hand, it was a good long life; on the other, damn.

Expand full comment
author

Lux + Humble

Expand full comment

Luxury = a degree from The University of California

Humble = being a fan of The University of California football and mens basketball

Expand full comment

Genius

Expand full comment

Oh, that is mean!

Expand full comment
author

What's for breakfast?

Expand full comment

Sausage and egg breakfast sandwich, which I didn't microwave long enough.

Expand full comment

I had a sausage mcmuffin w/egg and a hash brown at BWI at some ungodly hour this morning.

Expand full comment

Ungodly hour is in the alarm clock of the sleepy.

Expand full comment
author

Hopefully your flight wasn't delayed by our endless deluge of rain

Expand full comment

It really was dumping around 6AM after threatening a deluge all weekend. But no, we took off on time, landed 45 minutes early, I had an empty seat next to me, we parked at the first gate at T3 -- it was a blessed flight.

Expand full comment

where's the unlike icon ;-)

Expand full comment
author

It's apple season, so honeycrisp (best apple, no question) slices with peanut butter

Expand full comment

Ambrosia > Honeycrisp.

I like Cosmic Crisp too but sometimes they are bitter.

Expand full comment

Agree that honeycrisps are the best. Though I discovered Sugar Bees end of last year. Crispy and taste a lot like honeycrisps. Turns out they're a honeycrisp crossed with another apple.

Expand full comment

Cosmic Crisp is good too, but agree w you guys - honeycrisp is king

Expand full comment

Three lines of coke, a few shots of whiskey and a can of SpaghettiOs.

Expand full comment

Breakfast…of…Champions

Expand full comment

So old school.

Expand full comment

Man, so fancy for y'all. If it's cool, 3 black coffees, no sugar or milk, two very small chocolates, one small bowl of oatmeal.

Oh well.

Expand full comment

What is for breakfast: Me making three lunches for my daughters because it is bean burrito day and that is the one school lunch thing they won’t eat. Ah well!

Expand full comment

There were some apple cider donuts from Costco that had been around for a few days...somebody had to eat them.

Expand full comment
author

Apple cider donuts are a precious commodity in this house at this time of year

Expand full comment

Got some last weekend at Red Apple House(?) near Arnold. Yum!

Expand full comment

With the weather we've been having it also feels like hard apple cider time too.

Expand full comment

4 poached eggs, coffee. Not that anyone asked, but poaching 4 eggs is easy-peasy when you have an Instant Pot.

Expand full comment
author

How do you do it? One cup water, 1 minute time?

Expand full comment
Oct 4, 2022·edited Oct 4, 2022

I'll hit the highlights and allow the reader to fill in the gaps -

WATER: One (1) cup

EQUIPMENT: Use a rack to provide spacing from the bottom of the liner and place on the rack silicone egg mold or cups (available at https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Egg-Bites-Molds-Accessories/dp/B077QP8WP2/ref=asc_df_B077QP8WP2/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198087151093&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7579116594702343977&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032063&hvtargid=pla-393209250898&psc=1) EDIT: I spray my egg mold or cups with canola oil (PAM cooking spray or equivalent).

TIME: Depending on egg size, 5 to 6 minutes (medium or large eggs 5 minutes; extra large or jumbo eggs 6 minutes). The Egg setting on the Instant Pot is pre-set for 5 minutes; it can be adjusted for 6 minutes if desired.

PLATING: I quickly lift the egg mold out and place it on the counter next to the Instant Pot; it is rather hot. Take a plate or a platter, turn it upside down and place over the egg mold where the poached eggs are. Grasp the edge of the egg mold with your fingertips while clamping down the plate/platter with your thumbs and flip it over. You will probably have to gently squeeze the flipped up underside of the mold to release the eggs.

Sprinkle with kosher salt after plating (we use our Fiestaware medium platters - https://fiestafactorydirect.com/collections/platters/products/medium-oval-platter-457)

The yolk should still be runny while the egg white has firmed up.

Expand full comment
author

A big bowl of homemade dal and jeera rice.

Expand full comment

plain yogurt with some granola and blueberries.

BTW, I love Bojangles. I wish they had them in the west coast. Had it once or twice the last time I was in Nashville.

Expand full comment

Bojangles is comparable to Popeye’s IMO. That’s the highest praise.

Expand full comment

Honestly, I haven't found anything special about Popeye's. I like Chick Fil-a chicken better than Popeyes. The one time I tried Popeyes spicy chicken sandwich it was terrible (went to the one in Fruitvale Station) and No 3 said the one in Vallejo is much better, so I'll try that again before I decide. But their regular friend chicken is nothing special.

Expand full comment

2 eggs, scrambled, toast, orange juice and coffee.

Expand full comment

caprese omlette. is that a real thing?

eggs, fresh mozzarella, pesto, tomatoes.

i put it in a whole wheat wrap for my daughter for lunch too

Expand full comment

I’m a fan of all things caprese - just a delightful combination

Expand full comment
author

OUR CRUMBLING DEMOCRACY

Expand full comment
Oct 4, 2022·edited Oct 4, 2022

Elon musk signals he will buy Twitter at $54 per share or $44 billion. Morgan Stanley will provide the lion's share of the financing. Probably the onus for debt service will be put on the company while Musk owns the equity. May have to switch to a subscription model. Anyway it will be privately held until it either merges with another entity or goes public again. MS real interest in the deal will be securing a place as the lead book runner for the SpaceX IPO in the future. Trump may get his Twitter voice back scuttling the need for the challenged Truth Social.

Expand full comment

Term sheet might be signed by Friday.

Expand full comment
author

Trump sues CNN for $475m for defamation. Hahahahaha! Good luck with that. CNN should let this go to court and force Trump's lawyers try to build this case.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-sues-cnn-for-defamation/

Expand full comment

[said to Trump and his legal team]: Discovery? You sure you want discovery?

Expand full comment
author

Republicans have 76% higher death rates from Covid than Democrats. You knew that, but here's the science.

https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w30512/w30512.pdf

Expand full comment

We all knew that and I wonder how that might impact elections.

Between Covid, opioid deaths and incarceration, poor healthcare, and suicide/death of despair it seems like the GQP base is dying at a higher rate than the Democratic base

Expand full comment

If Idiocracy taught me anything, the GQP base is reproducing at a far higher rate. They can easily replenish the losses.

Expand full comment

This is sad and probably true.

Expand full comment

Oh for sure. I mean they get married like 10 years younger. I’m used to seeing bachelor/bachelorette parties of like 30 year olds here in SF, but when I visited my brother in NW Arkansas we ran across a few at the bars and they looked just barely 21 (if that). Different world!

Expand full comment

What? I was with the same woman from when I was 21!

Expand full comment
author

Daily Beast reports that allegedly pro-life Herschel Walker paid for an abortion by his girlfriend in 2009. Walker says its a lie and threatens to sue. Daily Beast says that they literally have the word of the woman who had the abortion and the literal receipts so he should feel free to sue.

https://www.npr.org/2022/10/04/1126692026/herschel-walker-rejects-abortion-report-georgia-republican

Expand full comment

I would say this is curtains for the Walker campaign, but then again Trump still managed to win despite his many scandals.

Expand full comment

Eh, without that moron FBI leader at the tame three weeks before the vote, She would have one.

Expand full comment

Probably. And Hillary was a more unpopular figure than Raphael Warnock is. And Trump did not win the popular vote, more like he snuck in on a quirk of the Electoral College. But just saying, you never know.

Expand full comment

And Warnock is a man, so he has that going for him and Hillary is a woman so she had that going against her.

Expand full comment

True, that. I'd make an observation about Warnock's skin color, but it probably has no real bearing in the race. People who were turned off by his skin color weren't going to vote for him anyway.

Expand full comment
author
author

I heard this morning on NPR that his son had criticized him on twitter. Seeing the tweets now, I think they understated just a bit...

Expand full comment

I think on Reddit I saw a screen shot of this post and then someone replied "Wait until after the election" or something like that.

Expand full comment

Two things:

1. He needs to see a therapist and get help.

2. He isn’t wrong.

Expand full comment
author

The Onion has filed an Amicus Brief with the Supreme Court for free speech via parody. The filing itself is gold.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/03/politics/the-onion-novak-supreme-court/index.html

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23117545-the-onion-amicus-brief

Expand full comment
author

The first page had my attention at "Kevin Riley"

Expand full comment
Oct 4, 2022·edited Oct 4, 2022

Pedantry without being pedantic. [chef's kiss]

Expand full comment

The Onion, truly one of our national treasures

Expand full comment

Election officials confront a new problem: Whether they can trust their own poll workers

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/04/poll-workers-sow-doubt-midterms-00060103

Expand full comment
author

Yom Tov

Expand full comment
author

Elsewhere in college

Expand full comment
author

How will he and his family survive?

Expand full comment

McIntosh: “We can’t pay you $16.5 million. You have to live with $11 million.”

Chryst: “ok”

Expand full comment
author

Cal Poly will get a new football facility thanks to John Madden's estate.

https://twitter.com/FOS/status/1577289100649955329

Expand full comment

I wonder if it will be close to Spanos Stadium. There is some open space near the stadium. Not sure how controversial it would be to build there or even if that's the intended spot.

Expand full comment

My dream is to retire on the coast near SLO

Expand full comment
author

OC Mike Sanford named interim HC at Colorado. Both Cal and CU have a bye week.

https://www.greeleytribune.com/2022/10/03/mike-sanford-eager-to-lead-colorado-football-program/

Expand full comment
Oct 4, 2022·edited Oct 4, 2022

Scary game.

Not sure why folks think we’re just going to go into Folsom Field, at Boulder altitude, and steamroll this team (tho early Tedford teams would do just that…Wilcox, not so much). Colorado has played a challenging schedule, and this could be their one chance at a win, like U of A last year…

Now you’ve got an interim HC who knows offense, with a young QB in McCown that has shown flashes, off a BYE. Add in Wilcox’s inability to field a functional offense, along with his road W/L record…this game has the makings of an absolute dogfight.

Expand full comment
author

This Colorado team is one of the worst teams in recent Pac-10/12 history, and that's saying something. A loss to them would necessitate an immediate scorched earth response: fire Musgrave, fire Wilcox, fire Knowlton. And fire Mark Fox just to be safe.

Expand full comment
Oct 4, 2022·edited Oct 4, 2022

Well. last years Arizona team was awful - probably worse than this Buffs team, which has played a nightmare schedule, and we lost to them, so there’s that…U of A was historically dreadful and we made their season, unfortunately. ;-)

Should’ve won that game, even with the COVID BS…bitter still.

I think you’d actually find plenty of support for the scorched earth response, even WITH a win in Boulder!

;-)

Expand full comment

I think we will win but it will be close.

Expand full comment

Close!?!?!?! That ain't right AT ALL. We need to crush them by at least 21. Minimum.

Expand full comment

Oh we will win and we will blow them out 20-13.

Expand full comment
Oct 4, 2022·edited Oct 4, 2022

I tend to agree, as the alternative is just too painful. That said, the level of confidence by many on this board for a coach that is, what, 2-16 (??) outside of the state of CA seems misguided....

Expand full comment

A loss would lead to an existential crisis for Cal fans as it would mean we dropped 2 games to the last placed team in sequential years. NO EXIT by J.P. Sarte

Expand full comment

Well, it would definitely lead to a crisis for those that think Wilcox is the answer.

Expand full comment
author

Things are not good at SMU

https://twitter.com/JoeJHoyt/status/1577012423210323968

Expand full comment

I never burned my redshirt in case you guys are wondering 😀

Expand full comment

I don't like the transfer portal

Expand full comment

I saw that story. Dykes kind of left them holding the bag. I wonder where he is off to next?

Expand full comment

Seems like Dykes might be off to the Big12 title game.

Expand full comment

Maybe.

It appears he has learned from his past sins of omission, e.g. not having a real defensive coordinator on staff.

Expand full comment

It looks that way so far, though we also saw Sonny teams get off to hot starts and then fade down the stretch, so let's see what happens.

Expand full comment

And his offense is much more balanced.

Expand full comment
author

Pro

Expand full comment
author

[The Athletic] Warriors to release Mac McClung.

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1577002555652984832

Expand full comment

Interesting. I thought he had the inside track to the last roster spot. I remember his HS video when he torched one of the Louisville HS teams after their coach told him he was going to Georgetown to sit on the bench.

Expand full comment

Can he play defense?

Expand full comment

I don't know. I haven't seen enough of him to say one way or the other. I would think he has the quickness to, but will he work at it?

Expand full comment

He's certainly got some hops...tough roster to crack tho.

Expand full comment
author
Oct 4, 2022·edited Oct 4, 2022Author

Something tells me he'll land on his feet.

Expand full comment

Next supermodel up.

Expand full comment
author

Albert Pujols surpasses Babe Ruth for all-time RBI leader despite the former not having the caloric benefit of hot dogs and bourbon/ginger ale.

https://sports.yahoo.com/albert-pujol-passes-babe-ruth-on-all-time-rbi-list-with-home-run-no-703-004855460.html

Expand full comment

But all the benefits of PEDs.

Expand full comment
author

Tell me if you've heard this story before. A player gets concussed. He has a 2 minute chat with a trainer and then goes back in despite the concussion. He is later removed.

https://twitter.com/ECloskyWTSP/status/1576793929688952833

Expand full comment
author

He did it! A new homerun record. No, not that guy. It's Munetaka Murakami breaking Sadaharu Oh single-season home run record.

https://twitter.com/lovelovemarines/status/1576902530524938241

Expand full comment

I remember hearing stories as non-Japanese players approached the record, they wouldn't get a ball to hit or get intentionally walked.

Expand full comment

I think that happened before in the 80s with Randy Bass (54) and in 2000s with Alex Cabrera (55) and Tuffy Rhodes (55). Bass was before my time but I remember when Cabrera and Rhodes were both going for 55, and there were a lot of walks late in the season. No manager instructed their pitchers to walk them, but the pitchers kinda got the message, but they still allowed them to hit 55 at least.

Balentin hit 60 homeruns in 2010s, so they did let face him outright.

Expand full comment

People say that, but is such a nasty slant. No pitcher wants to be in the record books for that kind of thing, no matter the race of the batter. Who is pitching to Judge right now?

Expand full comment

Texas has been pitching to him the last couple games. 0-3 today.

Expand full comment

I saw his 2nd AB. Looks like he's cheating FB and looking to pull the ball. The 2nd pitch was a hanging slider that he swung like it was a FB. Wonder if the pressure is getting to him a bit. Today and tomorrow are his last chances.

Expand full comment

Outwardly he seems loose and relaxed, but I have to guess he's feeling pressed. He's been getting lots of love from crowds on the road.

Expand full comment

mlb channel just recognized him.

Expand full comment

Actually the record is 60 home runs by Wladimir Balentien a few years ago, also a Yakult Swallow.

Expand full comment
author

Tony LaRussa no longer has the heart to coach baseball, retires.

https://sports.yahoo.com/hall-of-fame-manager-tony-la-russa-chicago-white-sox-st-louis-cardinals-mlb-211245994.html

Expand full comment

It was a dogschitt hire at the time.

Expand full comment

Was a real headslapper

Expand full comment
author

So they're going to create a winter atmosphere in the desert. What's wrong with real winter?

Expand full comment

A's beat the Angels 5-4 in extras.

Ohtani is pitching on Wed. Tickets are pretty cheap. $18 with fees.

Expand full comment

Oh well.

Expand full comment

8 parts boringness + 1 part wildness = still a loss

https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2022/10/3/23386492/giants-padres-recap-sean-hjelle-joc-pederson

Through seven and a half innings on Monday night, the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres played about the least eventful baseball game you could possibly design. Like, seriously uneventful.

The only note I had of eventfulness was Joey Bart throwing out a runner at third with no outs to help smother a Padresian rally.

Through those seven and a half innings there were just seven hits. They were all singles. There were no runs.

Expand full comment

Tony Gonsolin returns, Dodgers offense quiet again in loss to Rockies

https://www.truebluela.com/2022/10/3/23386490/tony-gonsolin-returns-dodgers-bullpen-good-offense-nap-time

What began as a welcome return for Tony Gonsolin ended up a showcase for a Dodgers bullpen that held the Rockies to just one run in eight innings. But that one run proved enough in Colorado’s 2-1 win over Los Angeles on Monday night at Dodger Stadium.

Eight Dodgers relievers were used, and didn’t allow a run until the ninth when Brusdar Graterol allowed hits to the UCLA duo of Sean Bouchard and Michael Toglia, the latter driving in the former with a two-out single in the ninth. In addition to the ninth-inning single, Bouchard doubled twice, giving him four doubles in the last two games.

Those two hits in the ninth made a winner out of another UCLA product, Jake Bird, who pitched two scoreless innings for the Rockies.

Expand full comment
author

Durham Bulls are back-to-back AAA National Champs, beating the Las Vegas Aces 10-6 on the road. AAA does single-game playoffs and only 4 teams go to the playoffs. The Bulls beat Nashville 13-0 in the Division championship before going to Las Vegas.

https://www.milb.com/reno/news/aces-fall-to-bulls-10-6-in-triple-a-national-championship-game

Expand full comment
author

The 49ers take advantage of the Rams' weak O-line and lack of WR depth, win 24-9. Speed was also a factor as the Defense was rugged, Deebo evaded the entire Rams team, Jeff Wilson hit a seam at a billion mph, and Hufanga timed a sweet pick-six.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401437761

Expand full comment

Really a good thing SF retained Jimmy G.

Expand full comment
author

Felt like watching a repeat of the Cal game.

Expand full comment

Yeah, not so much because Garoppolo is so amazing - but that so great players on the forward and defense that makes them "solid" if Garoppolo is decent in that game.

Expand full comment
Oct 4, 2022·edited Oct 4, 2022

The defense is excellent and there is enough talent at the skill positions that the offense should at least be average to above-average if Jimmy can play decently. That's the formula for winning.

And in fairness, Jimmy G probably "should" have led them to more points in this game. Kittle had a foot on the line on a TD pass and Gould missed a field goal. This game could have been 31-9.

Expand full comment

So Jimmy G is the Trent Dilfer of the 9ers?

Expand full comment

Not sure the Niners' running game is good enough to replicate that 2000 Ravens team. So Jimmy will have to make more throws than Trent did.

Expand full comment
Oct 4, 2022·edited Oct 4, 2022

And avoid the mistakes. Dilfer had a better running game (his totals in the 4 playoff games were comical compared to todays pass-happy game), but he took care of the football...1 turnover in 4 playoff games.

When Jimmy is taking care of the football, they can beat anyone, at least in the NFC...look at last week in Denver - they still should've won that game, DESPITE his 3 TO's.

Eventually he's gonna have to make big plays if they're to win the Super Bowl v. an AFC team with a good QB...but they can win in the NFC, provided he doesn't give the ball to the other team.

Expand full comment

This is the kind of game you can win with Jimmy - he plays turnover-free football, with very few penalties. They stayed ahead of the sticks, and out of 3rd and long plays v Aaron Donald, and he was able to avoid the devastating mistakes that he’s known for.

With this D, that formula can work, at least until he faces a Mahomes/Josh Allen/Lamar/Herbert…then he’s gonna have to avoid the mistakes AND make big throws.

But this is the best D in football.

Expand full comment

True, close.

Expand full comment
author

Wouldn’t do that if I were a player—seems like a great way to get hit with a frivolous lawsuit.

Expand full comment

I gotta question the dude's decision to do a gender reveal on the 50-yard line of a Monday Night Football game...

Apparently it's a girl ;-) ;-)

Expand full comment
author

Cal

Expand full comment
author

Long time Cal professor John Clauser shares the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics for quantum mechanics. He lives in Walnut Creek. Twist should be proud.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2022/10/04/nobel-prize-physics/

Expand full comment

Can we hire him to run a quantum offense? We'd be the only FBS team with a Nobel Laureate on staff.

Expand full comment

Quantum throwing mechanics

Expand full comment

I think that's just called play action.

Expand full comment

Schrodinger's handoff.

Expand full comment

Cal football trivia fun fact. Sponsored by Tower Records.

(Today’s trivia was inspired by Saturday’s performance against the Cougs.)

Between 1915 (when Cal made the permanent switch from rugby to football) though 1952 the Golden Bears had twenty-six winning seasons, nine losing seasons and three seasons in which they finished at .500. They also had fifteen seasons in which they won or tied for the conference title, went to the Rose Bowl or finished with only one loss. In the sixty-nine years since, the Bears have had twenty-four winning seasons thirty-six losing seasons and nine seasons in which they finished at .500. They’ve had three seasons in which they won or tied for the conference title (’58, ’75, ’06) and two others in which they finished in the top ten (’91 and ’04). They have had zero seasons with one or no defeats and only the ’91 and ’04 teams managed less than three losses.

Cal trivia fun fact appears on DBD every Tuesday and Thursday during the football season.

Expand full comment

I miss Tower Records. But there’s a couple good record shops in Madison so I frequent those now.

Expand full comment

Tower Cafe, at the site of the original Tower drugstore where it all began, has a very nice breakfast/brunch. The store across the street (which wasn't the first) recently got demolished with a new housing development in the works (I think the developer may be a Cal grad).

If you're ever in Tokyo, the Shibuya Tower Records is large and vibrant. Feels like a flagship store in its heydey. There was some sort of girl group concert happening when I went and there's also a poster of Russ Solomon.

Expand full comment

Tower Records? Not my top record show at any time - 3 or 4 I liked better in Berkeley - but not those f-holes at Rasputin Music.

Expand full comment

I lived at Bay and Hyde for 5 years in the late-90's and into the aughts, just up the street from the Tower Records at Columbus/Bay...back in those days, I'd wake up early and go get Ticketmaster tickets from the booth in the center of the shop. Got great seats to a few Bridge School Benefits, including like 3rd row seats the year the Niners beat the Jets in OT on the 96-yarder by Garrison Hearst. I remember watching the end in the club at Shoreline....

Man, good times.

Expand full comment

There is a Towerrecords.com which sells vinyl, CDs, etc. Somebody bought the brand and re-launched it.

Expand full comment

Wait, Cal football can haz excellence?

Expand full comment

Those facts are kind of disturbing. So it's basically unusual to not have a losing season.

Expand full comment

Since 1952, yes.

Also evidence that the biggest thing holding back the football team is the administration. When the administration is indifferent at best to the fortunes of the football program, you'll get results that are, at best, mediocre.

Expand full comment

That's precisely what I was hoping would come across with these stats.

Expand full comment

The corollary I'm suggesting is that if the administration were more than just pro forma supportive, the football program would have better results.

Expand full comment

Yes, and when we had our most sustained period of winning (Tedford) was at a time when it looked like the administration was actually going to commit to resources (stadium rebuild, new athletic center). Of course, that didn't last. And we also eventually learned that they weren't committing THAT much to supporting the athletes (see the bad APR scores).

Expand full comment

I think that the administration was forced into supporting the stadium rebuild and the new athletic center by Tedford's success from '02 through '08.

Sandy Barbour was hired for the express purpose of getting the stadium renovated. Further, the administration was going to have to make a decision about Cal Memorial eventually because it was so seismically poor and the West Side was just an absolute cluster.

If Tedford hadn't been successful, I'm not sure Cal would have continued to play football games at Cal Memorial. I think it's possible that, like UCLA, football games would have moved off campus and the Oakland Coliseum would have been the most likely venue. Cal Memorial as it was in 2010 was simply unacceptable: it has multiple safety problems and it was unattractive to many users. It needed a huge overhaul, which it received.

Expand full comment

a 3 letter word for 42 across on NYT crossword today

clue = Golden Bears' sch.

Expand full comment

I smiled when I saw that.

Expand full comment

Go Bears!!!

Expand full comment

As we approach midweek it will be interesting to see if there are any personnel moves or will it be crickets?

Expand full comment

Bet on the crickets.

Expand full comment

It’s 1-5 were hearing Wilcox lip service

Expand full comment

I doubt it

Expand full comment

Cal falls out of the bowl projections after Wazzu loss

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/bowls/predictions/

Expand full comment

My dreams of a Sun Bowl are officially dead.

Expand full comment
Oct 4, 2022·edited Oct 4, 2022

I’m not willing to give up on New Year’s Eve day in chilly El Paso until we’re mathematically eliminated…or at least until we lose at Folsom Field next week, a distinct possibility despite the Buffs 0-5 record.

Arizona W was huge…at Colorado is gigantic…Stanford immense. Looking inept on the Palouse, tho completely expected given the ‘21 Wazzu game, was nonetheless disheartening.

The way Wilcox battles Oregon, tho, it’s not completely outside the realm of possibility we stun them…Nix is beatable. Chance Nolan is too. Maybe we get one of those Oregon games.

Penix, Caleb Williams & DTR tho are gonna blow us out…but all we need is 6 to be in play for El Paso…

UPDATE: Nevermind...even if were bowl eligible, there is basically zero chance that we get the Sun.

Expand full comment

You guys...to sleep, perchance to dream

Expand full comment

Wilcox tends to play UW tough too, and they seem to have benefited from an unexpectedly soft schedule.

Expand full comment

Yeah, it's not clear how good UW actually is.

Expand full comment
Oct 4, 2022·edited Oct 4, 2022

Usually I would agree, but I fear Penix is going to destroy us...we don't have the pass rush this year. I am a Penix fan - dude is good, especially if you give him time.

UCLA could get major pressure with their front 4, and dropped 7 back in coverage. We can't do that.

Expand full comment

Dislike!!

Expand full comment

We're going to have to claw our way back into bowl contention.

Expand full comment

I don’t even remember what the PAC 12 bowl tie ins are anymore.

Expand full comment
Oct 4, 2022·edited Oct 4, 2022

We're going to Bowljangles to get those caviar biscuits!

Expand full comment
Oct 4, 2022·edited Oct 4, 2022

Rose....then, in no particular order but based on geography & matchups....

– Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl vs Mountain West

– San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl vs ACC

– SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl vs SEC

– Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl vs ACC

– Valero Alamo Bowl vs Big 12

Plus P12 teams are eligible for the Armed Services, First Responder, and Gasparilla.

The new rule that there is no real pecking order for the bowls means the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl will remain JUST as elusive, if not MORE, as the Rose...which f-ing sucks. I'm suddenly crestfallen.

Expand full comment

Cal gets go to Albany Bowl

https://images.app.goo.gl/2kQVVbzTtZ7MF25L6

Expand full comment

Conference champion goes to Tecmo Bowl

Expand full comment