I got an email from a Giants ticket guy asking me if I was interested in participating in any special events such as a private event with Bruce Bochy or other special package and discounts. I wondered if I should use AI to write a reply that while I have tickets for the last series of the year (Dodgers), that I'm a Dodgers fan and am not interested. Can AI write something that isn't harsh and lets him down easy?
(I'm guessing he doesn't care). Instead I just wrote that I've got tickets for the last series and an not interested in events for fans.
you could. this is one of the use cases that a lot of people take advantage of if they find themselves 1) not sure how to phrase or write a thing 2) dont have time to write something that is otherwise pretty standard
i thought for a while gmail or messages was giving suggestions for replies. not GenAI ones, but simpler ones like "no thanks"
almost certainly AI generated the email that you got and AI will be reading the response you send. so i wouldnt stress too much about hurting AI's feelings.
Los Angeles-based private equity firm Freeman Spogli & Co. is in the process of buying Philz Coffee for $145 million, according to documents shared with stockholders and obtained by Mission Local.
Philz board members, which include former CEO Phil Jaber and his son, Jacob Jaber; representatives from investment firms Summit Partners and TPG Growth; and CEO Mahesh Sadarangani will receive payouts or bonuses from the deal.
Those who hold common stock, like employees who bought stock during or after their years at the company, will see their stock canceled under the terms of the agreement, making those investments effectively worthless.
is there some intel on the 2 best starting words for Quordle. i used one of my 3 Wordle starting words (same as Wordlebot now) and then i usually just go random.
as for scheduling, A's play Mets at Citi Field right after the series w/ Yankees. i guess it is good for managing travel. would be better for me if the games were later in the season when it was not so cold.
i'll see if can make it to the game on Sun afternoon game at 100p. depends on when the out of town guests leave.
The San Jose Sharks fell to Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers tonight, putting a serious crimp in the Sharks’ hopes for a potential trip to the playoffs. McDavid did what big players do in games like these, he put the team on his back and carried them over the finish line. Number 97 factored into all five goals in the Oilers’ 5-2 win over the Sharks and registered a hat trick.
What a horrible game to go to. Should've gone on Mon. I saw tickets were in the mid 30s last week. Showed all sorts of rows still for sale. Prices kept going up and up. I guess I didn't notice that the rows don't show available tickets. Could just be 1 or 2 tickets left. I guess it's the seller posting all the tickets in the row. I Wonder if it's the Sharks taking advantage of seatgeek trying to sell the tickets.
Things were very different in 2013. Barry Zito was completing a wildly successful eight-year contract with the San Francisco Giants. America was falling in love with a prehistoric family called The Croods and an up-and-coming rapper from the Pacific Northwest named Macklemore. Anthony Weiner was running for mayor and Toronto mayor Rob Ford (R.I.P.) was smoking crack. It was also the last year the Philadelphia Phillies won a series in San Francisco.
The Dodgers were on the verge of ending their first road trip undefeated, but the Blue Jays rallied against the bullpen for three unanswered runs to avoid being swept as the Dodgers fell 4-3.
AI Musings
I got an email from a Giants ticket guy asking me if I was interested in participating in any special events such as a private event with Bruce Bochy or other special package and discounts. I wondered if I should use AI to write a reply that while I have tickets for the last series of the year (Dodgers), that I'm a Dodgers fan and am not interested. Can AI write something that isn't harsh and lets him down easy?
(I'm guessing he doesn't care). Instead I just wrote that I've got tickets for the last series and an not interested in events for fans.
I should've put GBBR and confused him.
semi-not related .. i heard of a funny year-end eval type story w/ AI.
employee - writes self eval
AI - turns self eval into 3 bullet points for manager
AI - turns 3 bullet points in the more text for manager so it is not just 3 bullet points
manager - reads AI generated text
presumably the feedback from manager followed a similar path.
you could. this is one of the use cases that a lot of people take advantage of if they find themselves 1) not sure how to phrase or write a thing 2) dont have time to write something that is otherwise pretty standard
i thought for a while gmail or messages was giving suggestions for replies. not GenAI ones, but simpler ones like "no thanks"
almost certainly AI generated the email that you got and AI will be reading the response you send. so i wouldnt stress too much about hurting AI's feelings.
DBD Finance
Philz Coffee close to closing deal to sell to private equity firm for $145 million
https://missionlocal.org/2025/07/philz-coffee-private-equity-sell/
Los Angeles-based private equity firm Freeman Spogli & Co. is in the process of buying Philz Coffee for $145 million, according to documents shared with stockholders and obtained by Mission Local.
Philz board members, which include former CEO Phil Jaber and his son, Jacob Jaber; representatives from investment firms Summit Partners and TPG Growth; and CEO Mahesh Sadarangani will receive payouts or bonuses from the deal.
Those who hold common stock, like employees who bought stock during or after their years at the company, will see their stock canceled under the terms of the agreement, making those investments effectively worthless.
The worst part is the employees lose all stock they purchased. Probably most under some sort of ESOP.
seems kinda crappy for employees and CEO behavior
i wonder if the plan is to go nationwide w/ Philz?
on hand i would like to see Philz coffee nearby. on the other, i cant imagine NY'ers standing in line for so long!
The one time you took me to Philz I did not like the coffee. Granted I'm not a coffee person, but all the different syrups and stuff seemed wrong.
I like the iced mint mojito coffee.
but the coffee you actually like is dumped w/ sugar and chocolate and stuff!
i like Philz for the fun stuff as well as a solid cup of black coffee. it is not too many places where i order "sweet and creamy" as my go to drink.
True, but not flavored. Either Mocha (I know it's chocolate flavored) or Latte with Oat milk and some raw sugar.
there used to be a few locations in DC that i enjoyed. those closed a few years ago as well.
That sucks that your stocks become worthless. They should be paid a share of the payout.
Shark
Jerry Tarkanian
I was always amused by his sideline antics and mopping his head
Greg Norman
Unfortunately most known for coming up just short in the Masters several times, though he did win a couple of British Opens!
That picture reminded me of dissecting sharks in high school.
WIFI
it seems that mobile coverage has gotten good enough that people dont ask for the WIFI password when they come to your house anymore.
i still prefer WIFI if i know it is there. of course half the people dont even know the WIFI password in their own house.
all our passwords are Cal themed for fun.
I enjoy creative network names (like “FBI Surveillance Van”)
Political stuff goes here
Word(le) Games
Quordle
🙂 Daily Quordle 1536
6️⃣9️⃣
8️⃣7️⃣
m-w.com/games/quordle/
7 is probably as good as i have ever done. it helps when you get one of them on the 3rd try.
🙂 Daily Quordle 1536
5️⃣7️⃣
6️⃣3️⃣
m-w.com/games/quordle/
I'm not sure what my best is. I do have my 2 starting words so I would guess if I were lucky I'd do 6. But probably 7 like you.
is there some intel on the 2 best starting words for Quordle. i used one of my 3 Wordle starting words (same as Wordlebot now) and then i usually just go random.
I do as well. I have 3 if I really strike out on my first 2, which I did today.
🙂 Daily Quordle 1536
7️⃣9️⃣
6️⃣8️⃣
m-w.com/games/quordle/
First time. Thanks for pointing this out.
Wordle 1,755 4/6*
⬛⬛🟨⬛🟨
⬛🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟨🟨🟨🟨⬛
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
WordleBot
Skill 63/99
Luck 69/99
6, not great. low luck and low skill
Wordle 1,755 6/6*
⬛🟨🟨⬛⬛
⬛⬛⬛🟨🟨
🟩🟩⬛⬛⬛
🟩🟩⬛⬛⬛
🟩🟩🟩⬛🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
WordleBot
Skill 66/99
Luck 43/99
at least i crushed the Thu crossword rather easily
Wordle 1,755 5/6
⬜🟨🟨⬜🟨
⬜⬜🟨🟨🟨
⬜🟩🟨🟩⬜
🟩🟩⬜🟩🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
WordleBot
Skill 69/99
Luck 50/99
Also low skill and low luck. :(
Wordle 1,755 5/6
⬜🟨🟨⬜🟨
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟩🟨
🟩🟩⬜🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
WordleBot
Skill 56/99
Luck 53/99
Bleah!
Connections
Puzzle #1033
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪
PRO
A's pitcher had a no hitter through 7.1 vs the Yankees in a 1-0 game and just gave up a hit. Now he needs a DP to get out of it.
looks like he got 2 K's (?). A's still up 1-0
Nice. BOO Yankees!
A's win 1-0.
thats 2 close 1-run games that A's won in late innings off a first place team!
Draymond about to punch someone in the dick
https://x.com/BleacherReport/status/2041373134348062985
A's beat Yankees last night on a top of 9th sac fly after getting a couple people on base.
go to see after losing a late lead the night before
as for scheduling, A's play Mets at Citi Field right after the series w/ Yankees. i guess it is good for managing travel. would be better for me if the games were later in the season when it was not so cold.
i'll see if can make it to the game on Sun afternoon game at 100p. depends on when the out of town guests leave.
Quick bites: McDavid, Oilers stymie Sharks (lose 5-2)
https://www.fearthefin.com/quick-bites-mcdavid-oilers-stymie-sharks/
The San Jose Sharks fell to Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers tonight, putting a serious crimp in the Sharks’ hopes for a potential trip to the playoffs. McDavid did what big players do in games like these, he put the team on his back and carried them over the finish line. Number 97 factored into all five goals in the Oilers’ 5-2 win over the Sharks and registered a hat trick.
What a horrible game to go to. Should've gone on Mon. I saw tickets were in the mid 30s last week. Showed all sorts of rows still for sale. Prices kept going up and up. I guess I didn't notice that the rows don't show available tickets. Could just be 1 or 2 tickets left. I guess it's the seller posting all the tickets in the row. I Wonder if it's the Sharks taking advantage of seatgeek trying to sell the tickets.
Giants shut out Phillies again to take series
https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/san-francisco-giants-scores-standings/104863/giants-shut-out-phillies-again-to-take-series
Things were very different in 2013. Barry Zito was completing a wildly successful eight-year contract with the San Francisco Giants. America was falling in love with a prehistoric family called The Croods and an up-and-coming rapper from the Pacific Northwest named Macklemore. Anthony Weiner was running for mayor and Toronto mayor Rob Ford (R.I.P.) was smoking crack. It was also the last year the Philadelphia Phillies won a series in San Francisco.
Well, that was an unexpected result.
Dodgers end road trip on a whimper, fall to Blue Jays 4-3
https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-scores-standings/113095/dodgers-blue-jays-game-recap
The Dodgers were on the verge of ending their first road trip undefeated, but the Blue Jays rallied against the bullpen for three unanswered runs to avoid being swept as the Dodgers fell 4-3.
Cal
Go Bears!!!