I haven't noticed a significant difference in my electric bill, but I only have one month to compare it against and the next one I'm assuming will have a small bump due to X-mas lights. I don't have a fast charger yet, just the ~5 miles per hour trickle charging and I do a lot of my big charges (+70mi) at Tesla Supercharger stations which is typically $5-$11 at the station depending on the time of day ($.25-$.39 per kW). I have noticed I am typically getting about 170 of the expected 200mi range, but I have a lead foot with the car because it is so much faster than all of my previous cars.
Pretty pissed off that, after 253 days of no COVID, Taiwan has a new case. A pilot (from NZ of all places) had COVID symptoms, but took no precautionary measures (including the basic mask-wearing) and gallivanted around Taiwan spreading pestilence.
Fairly niche, but I'm going to explain why this is hilarious to me. Taiwan's Minister of Health and Welfare is Chen Shih-Chung 陳時中. Shih chung sounds like clock 時鐘 in Mandarin. So, this tweeter just called him "Clock Chen." IT'S SO PERFECT!
Iowa suspends football activity due to an increase in Covid cases. The Hawkeyes still hope to be able to play in the Music City Bowl. If not, that would open an opportunity for a major upgrade of an opening for UAB. It's looking like bowl season will be as much of a scheduling zoo as the latter part of the regular season was. The only surprise would be if anyone is surprised by that.
Other than the bowls with Pac-12 teams, I have a hard time caring about any of these. Especially the playoffs--the discrepancy between the top three teams (Alabama, Clemson, anOSU) and everyone else has grown so large in recent years that I've lost all interested in watching the same teams in the playoff every year.
That said, I'm sure I'll put some bowls on for background noise while doing housework or something.
Apparently bowl games started yesterday? I caught a few minutes of Appalachian State beating down North Texas (who had a 4-5 record and had no business playing in a bowl) on Coastal Carolina's weird turquoise field.
Admittedly I don't watch much video, either streaming or on DVR. I did see some of the Crown episodes, then there was The Ottomans (historical docudrama on Netflix as well).
Started listening to Honeymoon by Beach Bunny (I like it, not a million miles removed from Best Coast), as well as Kitchen Sink by Nadine Shah and Mordechai by Khruangbin (not finished but promising in both cases). I also randomly remembered the classic "Sesame's Treet" by Smart E's which led me to a compilation album called "Pure Rave - The Very Best of Old School Vol 1" - good for listening while doing paperwork etc.
I've got "Untitled (Black Is)" by Sault and "Duma" by Duma lined up next.
Another trip down memory lane: "Dress" and "Sheela-na-gig" from PJ Harvey's first album are still bangers.
Because I'm a little too good at absorbing stress / anxiety there have been points in These Uncertain Times when I've realized that I'm manifesting it without realizing - I was barely listening to any music for months. But the plus side is that I'm catching up now.
music has pulled me through. lots and lots of zoning out with spotify running in the background to active listening, and even paying for a few live streams
Watching "Industry" on HBO, way soapier than I thought it would be, assumed it would be more about the industry.
Continuing:
Halt & Catch Fire, which I think is great 17/19, but the wife thinks Lee Pace's character reminds her too much of Don Draper from Mad Men, but I disagree.
Jane the Virgin, which is 17/19
Mix of comedies: Big Mouth, On My Block, Community, Shitt's Creek.
Re: Halt & Catch Fire, I think the Mad Men/Don Draper comparisons were fair in the first season, but the show and its characters change a lot after that.
Community - My son's pick. Very funny. We're in the middle of season 2 right now.
NeXt - Love this show on Fox by the people who made 24. Season ends tonight, but I thought I read that it was not picked up for a second season. Too bad if that's true.
Brainstorm - Re-watching this one from the mid-1980s with Christopher Walken, Natalie Wood (in her final role) and Louise Fletcher (aka Nurse Ratched). Super cool concept about scientists who develop a technology that allows them to record and play back a person's mental experiences, including what they see, taste and feel. The most fascinating part for me is when Fletcher's character records her own death and Walken plays it back.
Funny, though I think the people making the show are well aware of it being an episodic formula show (like the A-Team or something) and are just trying to make it the best version of that.
Yeah, you'd think that would be the best way. Or in some cases, do you really have to use the original characters? Like, is Rogue One really improved by Grand Moff Tarkin being the guy? It could be some other Imperial official and you've got basically the same movie.
I also watched Scott Frank's previous project, Godless, from 2017. Started and couldn't get into it when it was first out....gave it a second chance and really enjoyed it, as I have more time now with the stay at home....solid western, and Michelle Dockery is a treasure.
I enjoyed Lovecraft Country but I lost momentum with watching it and still haven't watched the final 2 episodes, which have been sitting on my DVR for a couple months now. I enjoyed the show, but it started feeling pretty scattered after a few episodes.
Love, Death + Robots [Netflix]: anthem of short films, kinda like an updated take on the movie Heavy Metal. Binged and really enjoyed them. (17/19). Really dug "The Secret War", "Lucky 13", and "The Witness"
Altered Carbon [Netflix]: (15/19) Watched 2 episodes and was like meh. Picked it back up again and was hooked on the style and gradual layering of complex story arcs. Very good job on the cyberpunk genre.
Down to Earth with Zac Efron [Netflix]: (6/19) Interesting topics, but far, far too many reaction shots of Zac. He has made himself the center of the show rather than the stories. All these topics have been done far better by others. The example, there is a Lima episode that is done way better by "Chef's Table"
The Social Dilemma [Netflix] (incomplete grade). Tech has good and bad side, especially social media. This upset me so much that I only watched half of episode 1. It did, however make me think how I can make the DBD topics more positive and fun rather than just another doomscroll event.
The Chef Show (15/19, Netflix). What makes this tick is that John Favreau is not a chef, so he asks a lot of questions, makes mistakes, and chefs open up to him in a humble/informative way that they don't do in other formats. If you're a foodie, there are some serious a-ha moments in here.
Fireplace for your home [Netflix 19/19]. Just logs burning. This gets a surprising amount of playtime in my house.
The Social Dilemma is an example where I think the message of the film is interesting and worthwhile but I don't think the film itself is all that good.
My older daughter watched some episodes of Down to Earth and was unimpressed. She finds Mr Efron unappealing, expressed with her standard description of "creepy" which she uses for pretty much everything that in some way discomfits her.
L, D, + R is great and I can’t wait for Netflix to drop a new anthem.
I loved Altered Carbon, Netflix even produced a anime movie that I enjoyed. I am bummed that Netflix cancelled Altered Carbon after the second season. They should have at least given it a third season so it would try to wrap up some of the storylines.
Durant looks as good as ever (Kyrie is also back in top form). Warriors currently getting their asses kicked, but they are sorely missing Draymond on D. I doubt they'll be above a six seed and wouldn't be surprised if they miss the playoffs all together with the West currently bloated with talent. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Nets in the top three seeds in the East either.
Amazing what happens when you inexplicably start platooning your most dynamic offensive player in Chase Claypool. Pittsburgh 0-3 since half of Claypool's snaps have gone to James Washington and Ray Ray McCloud....hmmmm.
This one's for Scoots and DCT: https://twitter.com/khankfarza/status/1341391148837982212?s=20
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
pqtm
calculating electric car charging costs
I haven't noticed a significant difference in my electric bill, but I only have one month to compare it against and the next one I'm assuming will have a small bump due to X-mas lights. I don't have a fast charger yet, just the ~5 miles per hour trickle charging and I do a lot of my big charges (+70mi) at Tesla Supercharger stations which is typically $5-$11 at the station depending on the time of day ($.25-$.39 per kW). I have noticed I am typically getting about 170 of the expected 200mi range, but I have a lead foot with the car because it is so much faster than all of my previous cars.
we are considering getting the Volvo plug in hybrid.
trying to estimate how much charging costs are.
the car only has a 19 miles pure electric range.
it appears that most of the savings is in higher gas mileage (54 vs 24 mph)
but i know that electricity isnt free
i can, of course, multiply a lot of thing together, but not sure what all the factors are
My brother has one of these (the S90). He hasn't noticed a significant difference in their energy bill.
I have read that charging is the equivalent of $1-1.50 per gallon of gasoline.
well good thing i can only go 19 miles!
This just landed in my inbox--did one of you buy it for me!?!?!? https://www.instagram.com/p/B_shO_XnYWb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Update: it was Kod!
Job opening: Social justice lawyer in Salt Lake City area
https://www.ksl.com/article/50070658/brand-new-aclu-of-utah-attorney-fired-gun-at-car-with-his-kids-inside-police-say
good lord.
Today in Covid
Pretty pissed off that, after 253 days of no COVID, Taiwan has a new case. A pilot (from NZ of all places) had COVID symptoms, but took no precautionary measures (including the basic mask-wearing) and gallivanted around Taiwan spreading pestilence.
The one bright spot is that this person live tweets the daily press conference in English: https://twitter.com/alth0u/status/1341255683874832385
Fairly niche, but I'm going to explain why this is hilarious to me. Taiwan's Minister of Health and Welfare is Chen Shih-Chung 陳時中. Shih chung sounds like clock 時鐘 in Mandarin. So, this tweeter just called him "Clock Chen." IT'S SO PERFECT!
this might be the most 2020 of 2020 tweets
?
oops
https://twitter.com/jjmacnab/status/1341411178522750979?s=20
jfc.
Elsewhere in college
Iowa suspends football activity due to an increase in Covid cases. The Hawkeyes still hope to be able to play in the Music City Bowl. If not, that would open an opportunity for a major upgrade of an opening for UAB. It's looking like bowl season will be as much of a scheduling zoo as the latter part of the regular season was. The only surprise would be if anyone is surprised by that.
South Carolina, which was 2-8, is dropping out of their bowl invite due to Covid-19 cases, not on the team, but in the coaching staff.
Bowl games and season were largely a joke before Covid, now they are cheap slapstick comedy status. I hope Covid helps thin the number of bowl games.
Tell that to the UAB players, who, now that this game has been cancelled for lack of an opponent, have lost a half dozen games due to the virus.
The entire offensive side of the staff, including analysts and graduate assistants, are all out.
Florida gets lightly punished for past recruiting violations
https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/florida-football-program-violated-ncaa-recruiting-rules
Army (8-2) to replace Tenn (3-7) in Liberty Bowl vs. WVU (5-4).
https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1341178766790373377
This rights a major wrong.
2020 Bowl Games, A-Z
https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ranking-the-2020-college-football-bowl-games-28-1-sugar-cotton-boca-raton-among-major-highlights/
Other than the bowls with Pac-12 teams, I have a hard time caring about any of these. Especially the playoffs--the discrepancy between the top three teams (Alabama, Clemson, anOSU) and everyone else has grown so large in recent years that I've lost all interested in watching the same teams in the playoff every year.
That said, I'm sure I'll put some bowls on for background noise while doing housework or something.
the only intriguing pre- NYD match-up is Colorado-Texas. The rest of the games are straight trash.
I agree and that is mostly because I always enjoyed watching Texas and Colorado play each other while on the Big 12.
CFB is a perfect representation of the growing wealth/equality gap of our society.
I agree with you. Seeing the same teams year after year has grown old.
Apparently bowl games started yesterday? I caught a few minutes of Appalachian State beating down North Texas (who had a 4-5 record and had no business playing in a bowl) on Coastal Carolina's weird turquoise field.
What's for dinner?
Tonight? Don't know, last night slow roasted pork shoulder tacos with home made Mole (big production) and black beans on the side.
Baby back ribs with a sweet garlic rub with veggies and maybe potatoes.
I'll be eating tamales for the foreseeable future. We made a small batch on sunday
I miss Christmastime tamales. We'll probably have to resort to making our own, since good Mexican food is rare around here.
It is tamale time.
there's a sex joke in there somewhere
Char siu pork loin, done the lazy way (pour jar of a storebought marinade on pork loin 2 days ago, roast in oven tonight).
Eggs, sausage, onion, spinach mix known as Joe's Special
DBD AV Club
Admittedly I don't watch much video, either streaming or on DVR. I did see some of the Crown episodes, then there was The Ottomans (historical docudrama on Netflix as well).
Started listening to Honeymoon by Beach Bunny (I like it, not a million miles removed from Best Coast), as well as Kitchen Sink by Nadine Shah and Mordechai by Khruangbin (not finished but promising in both cases). I also randomly remembered the classic "Sesame's Treet" by Smart E's which led me to a compilation album called "Pure Rave - The Very Best of Old School Vol 1" - good for listening while doing paperwork etc.
I've got "Untitled (Black Is)" by Sault and "Duma" by Duma lined up next.
Another trip down memory lane: "Dress" and "Sheela-na-gig" from PJ Harvey's first album are still bangers.
Funny, I like Best Coast until something switches in my brain and then I hate them.
Until the next time.
There were so many great albums released this year.
A list would be appreciated - you can leave out Swedish Death Metal and the ilk.
Sweden had a down year, but Finland really stepped it up
anyhoo, in lieu of the non- traditional g.oso musical tastes, I'd offer up the following
Crippled Black Phoenix- Ellengaest
All Them Witches- Nothing as the Ideal
Zeal & Ardor- Wake of a Nation
Ulver- Flowers of Evil
Nothing- the Great Dismal
pg.lost- Oscillate
The Ocean- Phanerozoic II
Dool- Summerland
Perfume Genius- Set My Heart on Fire Immediately
Run the Jewels- IV
Poppy- I Disagree
Phoebe Bridgers- Punisher
Thanks! I'll check out the ones I don't know (which is most).
*in lieu of traditional
Because I'm a little too good at absorbing stress / anxiety there have been points in These Uncertain Times when I've realized that I'm manifesting it without realizing - I was barely listening to any music for months. But the plus side is that I'm catching up now.
music has pulled me through. lots and lots of zoning out with spotify running in the background to active listening, and even paying for a few live streams
I have not been watching anything lately, just you tube videos of random things.
In preparation for season 3 of Cobra kai next month, i recently rewatched the Karate Kid movies
even the horrible one with Hilary Swank? I also haven't watched the new one with Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith.
I stopped at 3. Rumor mill has Chozen, Kumiko, Alli, and Terry Silver all making their way to season 3. Just needed to refresh their back stories.
Yeah I did see Kumiko was going to be on it and I had hear Alli (with an I) was going to be on as well.
Finished the Mandalorian, satisfying I thought.
Watching "Industry" on HBO, way soapier than I thought it would be, assumed it would be more about the industry.
Continuing:
Halt & Catch Fire, which I think is great 17/19, but the wife thinks Lee Pace's character reminds her too much of Don Draper from Mad Men, but I disagree.
Jane the Virgin, which is 17/19
Mix of comedies: Big Mouth, On My Block, Community, Shitt's Creek.
Re: Halt & Catch Fire, I think the Mad Men/Don Draper comparisons were fair in the first season, but the show and its characters change a lot after that.
Mandalorian season 2 >>>>>>>>>>>> Episodes 7, 8, 9
Completely agree, tell a new story, please.
Though I personally love The Last Jedi as a stand-alone movie, as a series I have to agree.
isn't that 6?
6 is Return of the Jedi. 8 is The Last Jedi.
Ah, yes, and I agree, 8 is is the best of bunch 7,8,9.
I need to spend time to binge watch Mandalorian S2. I'm off the rest of the year so I should have plenty of time.
I also have Ted Lasso ready to watch. Going to see how it is the first couple of episodes.
Ted Lasso is pretty good. I'd recommend it. It also doubled my knowledge on soccer.
That's good to hear. Not the double my knowledge on soccer. It'll probably be 10x for me.
After 15 min I just realized it's basically Major League with futbol.
Community - My son's pick. Very funny. We're in the middle of season 2 right now.
NeXt - Love this show on Fox by the people who made 24. Season ends tonight, but I thought I read that it was not picked up for a second season. Too bad if that's true.
Brainstorm - Re-watching this one from the mid-1980s with Christopher Walken, Natalie Wood (in her final role) and Louise Fletcher (aka Nurse Ratched). Super cool concept about scientists who develop a technology that allows them to record and play back a person's mental experiences, including what they see, taste and feel. The most fascinating part for me is when Fletcher's character records her own death and Walken plays it back.
I both love and hate this summary of the Mandalorian https://twitter.com/badtakeblake/status/1336781063469731840?s=20
Funny, though I think the people making the show are well aware of it being an episodic formula show (like the A-Team or something) and are just trying to make it the best version of that.
hahahahahaha - but the show is super well done, doesn't matter.
I both loved and hated the ending; love that the character was there, hated they didn't cast a new actor for the role.
In general I'm not a fan of the CGI recreations. It's just too obvious that it's not really them. As a plot/story point I'm fine with it happening.
Why not just recast?
Yeah, you'd think that would be the best way. Or in some cases, do you really have to use the original characters? Like, is Rogue One really improved by Grand Moff Tarkin being the guy? It could be some other Imperial official and you've got basically the same movie.
there's also no shortage of skinny old English actors if it comes to that. Charles Dance would have been a good replacement Grand Moff Tarkin.
I mean... he ain't wrong
no he isn't
On the other hand, this is marvelous and will save you lots of time watching the Crown https://twitter.com/theferocity/status/1341227309840404481?s=20
I started and am really enjoying the following series:
The Queens Gambit
The Expanse
Lovecraft Country
Queen's Gambit was really solid.
I also watched Scott Frank's previous project, Godless, from 2017. Started and couldn't get into it when it was first out....gave it a second chance and really enjoyed it, as I have more time now with the stay at home....solid western, and Michelle Dockery is a treasure.
might have to put that on my list. i am a big fan of Michelle Dockery
did you watch Good Behavior on TNT. i thought that was hilarious and well done.
I will put on the list!
I enjoyed Lovecraft Country but I lost momentum with watching it and still haven't watched the final 2 episodes, which have been sitting on my DVR for a couple months now. I enjoyed the show, but it started feeling pretty scattered after a few episodes.
It remained a bit scattered, but I enjoyed a lot of the moments and individual episodes.
The Expanse is great, loved Lovecraft Country, just don't ask me to explain it.
Convinced the writers of Lovecraft Country just made that shit up as they went....
Love, Death + Robots [Netflix]: anthem of short films, kinda like an updated take on the movie Heavy Metal. Binged and really enjoyed them. (17/19). Really dug "The Secret War", "Lucky 13", and "The Witness"
Altered Carbon [Netflix]: (15/19) Watched 2 episodes and was like meh. Picked it back up again and was hooked on the style and gradual layering of complex story arcs. Very good job on the cyberpunk genre.
Down to Earth with Zac Efron [Netflix]: (6/19) Interesting topics, but far, far too many reaction shots of Zac. He has made himself the center of the show rather than the stories. All these topics have been done far better by others. The example, there is a Lima episode that is done way better by "Chef's Table"
The Social Dilemma [Netflix] (incomplete grade). Tech has good and bad side, especially social media. This upset me so much that I only watched half of episode 1. It did, however make me think how I can make the DBD topics more positive and fun rather than just another doomscroll event.
The Chef Show (15/19, Netflix). What makes this tick is that John Favreau is not a chef, so he asks a lot of questions, makes mistakes, and chefs open up to him in a humble/informative way that they don't do in other formats. If you're a foodie, there are some serious a-ha moments in here.
Fireplace for your home [Netflix 19/19]. Just logs burning. This gets a surprising amount of playtime in my house.
The Social Dilemma is an example where I think the message of the film is interesting and worthwhile but I don't think the film itself is all that good.
My older daughter watched some episodes of Down to Earth and was unimpressed. She finds Mr Efron unappealing, expressed with her standard description of "creepy" which she uses for pretty much everything that in some way discomfits her.
L, D, + R is great and I can’t wait for Netflix to drop a new anthem.
I loved Altered Carbon, Netflix even produced a anime movie that I enjoyed. I am bummed that Netflix cancelled Altered Carbon after the second season. They should have at least given it a third season so it would try to wrap up some of the storylines.
OUR CRUMBLING DEMOCRACY
Rural town gives a church temporary permit to be white-only
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/after-permit-approved-whites-only-church-small-minnesota-town-insists-n1251838
Trump Threatens 30-Day Reign of Destruction on his way out...
https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/22/politics/donald-trump-white-house-countdown/index.html
AOC highlights part of the sausage-making process
https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1341145260014100480
PRO
Warriors vs Durant ..
i am sort of excited to watch the Nets-Warriors game tonight.
Durant looks as good as ever (Kyrie is also back in top form). Warriors currently getting their asses kicked, but they are sorely missing Draymond on D. I doubt they'll be above a six seed and wouldn't be surprised if they miss the playoffs all together with the West currently bloated with talent. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Nets in the top three seeds in the East either.
under normal circumstances i would be at this one in-person
NFL = democratic socialism
CFB = unregulated authoritarian capitalism
Bengal Vonn Bell with the great tackle on Steeler's JuJu
https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1341201106295091206/vid/1280x720/VoxvZd_jj6cAiUr4.mp4?tag=13
All the more fitting that it's next to the Bengals' logo on the 50-yard line because JuJu was dancing on it before the game.
That first half was a horror show for the Steelers offense. They picked a terrible time of year to start slumping.
Amazing what happens when you inexplicably start platooning your most dynamic offensive player in Chase Claypool. Pittsburgh 0-3 since half of Claypool's snaps have gone to James Washington and Ray Ray McCloud....hmmmm.
That was a great play.
CAL
Bears Win!!!! 5-4 on the season, won without Bradly and Antechvich.
While it doesn't mean anything definitively, Josh Drayden and Kuony Deng both announced their graduation from Cal via Twitter.
Cam Bynum 1st team All Pac-12 at Corner. Cam Goode 2nd team All-12 at LB.
Go Bears!
Go Bears. Let's beat Seattle U. in men's basketball today. 2pm Pac-12 Network
TIL that Al Grigsby's son is Seattle U's best player. I wonder if Wyking even bothered to recruit him.
Probably not. Anyone Jones recruited was a leftover from Martin.