i used to play in my younger days but have not played much until now. i recently signed up w/ chess.com. i am enjoying the rapid ratings and the 10 min matches. seems like a good way to get better without the real long games.
plus there is always some random person around the world that they can pair you w/ at your level, so it is just the right level of competition. the teaching and suggestion engine is quite good too. you can review your games and see where you messed up and have suggestions on what you could have done better.
assuming it is all machine-learning driven, it is done pretty well.
i dont have any particular skill in this department but a friend came over yesterday and gifted me a new coffee cup that she made for me to drink my morning cortado.
I regularly go to Roosevelt Island in the Potomac for a walk or as part of a run. It has a tidal marsh that is visited by great blue herons and white egrets. An occasional green heron also shows up. This morning I saw only one blue heron, but also a half dozen deer, three turkeys, and a small red fox.
Mets overcome a 2-0 hole as Pete Alonso hit a top-of-the-ninth go-ahead 3-run dinger off Brewers' closer Devin Williams to win the NLWC 4-2 and face the Phillies.
that was fun to watch being a local and a Mets fan. after watching them come back against the Braves earlier in the week, i was still hopeful down 2-0 in the ninth.
it was a pretty tight 0-0 game until the 7th inning when the Brewers got on the board w/ back-to-back solo HRs.
got tix for game 3 at Citi Field next Tue. oddly parking passes seem to be more expensive than the seats. not sure what is going on in the secondary market.
Falcons win a thrilling 36-30 game in OT versus the Bucs as Cousins goes 42/58 for 509 and 4 TDs and 1 INT, Yonghoe sends it to OT with a 52 yarder with no time left, winning the coin toss, and then KhaDarel Hodge spinning out of a tackle and then using speed/fresh legs to outsprint four gassed TB in a seam in the zone
TIBURON – California men's tennis veterans Carl Emil Overbeck and Theo Dean won in the Tiburon Challenger doubles quarterfinals Thursday to advance to the semifinals of the ATP Challenger.
The Golden Bears beat Kody Pearson and Joshua Sheehy 6-2, 7-6(5), with the Bears posting a 5-0 advantage in aces and collecting 75% of their first-serve points.
BERKELEY – A furious comeback by the California men's soccer team – which had trailed Louisville 3-1 and for a few minutes played down a man – resulted in a 3-3 tie with the Cardinals on a sweltering Thursday afternoon at Edwards Stadium. Senior Arik Duncan scored a brace for Cal, while junior midfielder Gaku Nishimura netted the equalizer in the 74th minute, when – after a second red card – the teams were playing 10 vs. 10.
A new year. A new conference. New eyes – more eyes – on the California Golden Bears.
Jen Malcom bears the spotlight with a grin that is not quite sheepish (she's worked too hard and accomplished too much for that) but one that acknowledges the enormity of the task ahead of her. This is only her first season at Cal, her first head-coaching gig, and the Bears face a schedule full of unfamiliar faces and extended travel.
No. Scoring on a turnover (like a pick 6 or a fumble return) requires that the scoring defensive team has the skills and athleticism necessary to (1) make or force the turnover and (2) actually turn it into a TD. I disagree that it is a "gift" or even a "contribution" by the scored upon offensive team.
Remember Tina Peters - the 69 year old county election official in Mesa Colorado who used her position to access voting equipment and give it to associates of the My Pillow guy? She was sentenced to nine years in prison. The judge put her on blast at her sentencing.
Nevada state politician - including past State Treasurer and current GOP state fundraising chairwoman - is ironically convicted for using $70k raised for a statue of a fallen police officer on plastic surgery, her daughter's wedding, and rent.
Eminem announces he's going to be a grandpa via a touching new music video "Temporary", which features Skylar Grey. Hard to believe that Hailee, his daughter and subject of many of his older songs and the video "Mockingbird" is going to be a mom. Now I feel old.
anyone else play Chess?
i used to play in my younger days but have not played much until now. i recently signed up w/ chess.com. i am enjoying the rapid ratings and the 10 min matches. seems like a good way to get better without the real long games.
plus there is always some random person around the world that they can pair you w/ at your level, so it is just the right level of competition. the teaching and suggestion engine is quite good too. you can review your games and see where you messed up and have suggestions on what you could have done better.
assuming it is all machine-learning driven, it is done pretty well.
Pottery
i dont have any particular skill in this department but a friend came over yesterday and gifted me a new coffee cup that she made for me to drink my morning cortado.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Q5j4gVAfaNZiwFx6A
I adore gifts like this. I love that you can literally see she left her mark and that you can't help but think of her when you see it.
Wading water birds
I regularly go to Roosevelt Island in the Potomac for a walk or as part of a run. It has a tidal marsh that is visited by great blue herons and white egrets. An occasional green heron also shows up. This morning I saw only one blue heron, but also a half dozen deer, three turkeys, and a small red fox.
PRO
ESPN reports that Terry Francona will unretire and coach the Reds
Mets overcome a 2-0 hole as Pete Alonso hit a top-of-the-ninth go-ahead 3-run dinger off Brewers' closer Devin Williams to win the NLWC 4-2 and face the Phillies.
https://www.espn.com/mlb/playbyplay/_/gameId/401701011
Devin Williams was tipping his pitches.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7z8aaZ7gIk
Jomboy is often light entertainment, but that's actually really neat analysis
that was fun to watch being a local and a Mets fan. after watching them come back against the Braves earlier in the week, i was still hopeful down 2-0 in the ninth.
it was a pretty tight 0-0 game until the 7th inning when the Brewers got on the board w/ back-to-back solo HRs.
got tix for game 3 at Citi Field next Tue. oddly parking passes seem to be more expensive than the seats. not sure what is going on in the secondary market.
That was exactly why the Mets need to write a check and resign the Polar Bear, whos'e contract expires, if they are serious about competing.
Falcons win a thrilling 36-30 game in OT versus the Bucs as Cousins goes 42/58 for 509 and 4 TDs and 1 INT, Yonghoe sends it to OT with a 52 yarder with no time left, winning the coin toss, and then KhaDarel Hodge spinning out of a tackle and then using speed/fresh legs to outsprint four gassed TB in a seam in the zone
https://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore/_/gameId/401671815
The Savannah Bananas are going on tour next year, essentially taking their Globetrottersesque schtick on the road
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/41595625/savannah-bananas-visit-3-football-18-mlb-stadiums-25
I think this year they visited mostly minor league stadiums. I put my name on the waiting list for tickets around here and didn't get them.
they look a lot like Oakland A's
CAL
[MTEN] Dean, Overbeck Reach Doubles Semifinals In Tiburon
https://calbears.com/news/2024/10/3/mens-tennis-dean-overbeck-reach-doubles-semifinals-in-tiburon.aspx
TIBURON – California men's tennis veterans Carl Emil Overbeck and Theo Dean won in the Tiburon Challenger doubles quarterfinals Thursday to advance to the semifinals of the ATP Challenger.
The Golden Bears beat Kody Pearson and Joshua Sheehy 6-2, 7-6(5), with the Bears posting a 5-0 advantage in aces and collecting 75% of their first-serve points.
[MSOC] Cal Rally Ends In 3-3 Tie With Louisville
https://calbears.com/news/2024/10/3/mens-soccer-cal-rally-ends-in-3-3-tie-with-louisville.aspx
BERKELEY – A furious comeback by the California men's soccer team – which had trailed Louisville 3-1 and for a few minutes played down a man – resulted in a 3-3 tie with the Cardinals on a sweltering Thursday afternoon at Edwards Stadium. Senior Arik Duncan scored a brace for Cal, while junior midfielder Gaku Nishimura netted the equalizer in the 74th minute, when – after a second red card – the teams were playing 10 vs. 10.
[VB] Unwavering Determination
https://calbears.com/news/2024/10/3/volleyball-unwavering-determination.aspx
A new year. A new conference. New eyes – more eyes – on the California Golden Bears.
Jen Malcom bears the spotlight with a grin that is not quite sheepish (she's worked too hard and accomplished too much for that) but one that acknowledges the enormity of the task ahead of her. This is only her first season at Cal, her first head-coaching gig, and the Bears face a schedule full of unfamiliar faces and extended travel.
Score prediction: When the total points in Saturday's contest are added together California will have contributed a larger share than their opponents.
Do pick-6s and turnovers in scoring position count as a contribution to the total by the team that committed the gifting?
No. Scoring on a turnover (like a pick 6 or a fumble return) requires that the scoring defensive team has the skills and athleticism necessary to (1) make or force the turnover and (2) actually turn it into a TD. I disagree that it is a "gift" or even a "contribution" by the scored upon offensive team.
I'd call those sacrifices rather than contributions, but maybe we need a lawyer.
Go Bears!!!
OUR CRUMBLING DEMOCRACY
Remember Tina Peters - the 69 year old county election official in Mesa Colorado who used her position to access voting equipment and give it to associates of the My Pillow guy? She was sentenced to nine years in prison. The judge put her on blast at her sentencing.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr75mpkm7nro
Seems that FAFO applies here.
Nevada state politician - including past State Treasurer and current GOP state fundraising chairwoman - is ironically convicted for using $70k raised for a statue of a fallen police officer on plastic surgery, her daughter's wedding, and rent.
https://apnews.com/article/republican-michele-fiore-guilty-wire-fraud-nevada-5844d79dacf0bfd6b43d36e03eb6cd95
Dockworkers strike is over thanks to a bit of pressure from Biden, Labor Secretary Julie Sue, and Transport Sec Buttigieg
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/03/port-strike-ends-defusing-a-political-time-bomb-00182455
DBD AV CLUB
Eminem announces he's going to be a grandpa via a touching new music video "Temporary", which features Skylar Grey. Hard to believe that Hailee, his daughter and subject of many of his older songs and the video "Mockingbird" is going to be a mom. Now I feel old.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaK9Wi5ho0o
If you haven't already check out the documentary about Dan Rather (it's called "Rather") on Netflix.
ELSEWHERE IN COLLEGE
This is a thing of glory and beauty. All Hail Big Red. I wonder if Cal can put our Dark Lord's goofy mug on the side of a helmet.
https://twitter.com/WKUFootball/status/1841891408145494162
This was awesome. We need to put Oski's head on the helmets.
😂😂😂
Sorry, it made me laugh.
[listening... stops chewing gum]
https://twitter.com/GokusBarbell/status/1841532620452057412
phrasing!