So, my pickup died on me. Saturday evening, after having driven back from Sonoma County I was at a Costco gas station. I was in line to get gas, so I turned off the engine. The line began to move and I tried to turn it over - it cranked but it would not start. Did this about a dozen more times. Folks tried to help me (which was heartening, but embarrassing at the same time). The battery was fine, but it just would not start.
Long story, short: I got it towed home, and about an hour afterwards, I decided to see if maybe it might start. It did start. On the first try.
It's a 25 year old vehicle. I am increasingly frustrated by its little quirks. Mrs Slug and I decided to replace it not with another pickup, but with an SUV; a later model to what we already have (2005 Honda CR-V). I will drive the older CR-V, she will drive the newer (but used) 2021 CR-V.
Returned from Europe this weekend. Luggage has not made it home yet. I've literally had nightmares about luggage not showing up. It's a terrible feeling when it actually happens. Mainly the helplessness of it. Supposedly the airline is on it (we were one of many whose luggage didn't show) and we should be re-united soon.
The United app tracks luggage so anytime I have to change planes, I check to make sure my bags made it onto the next flight. This doesn't always work when the flight is a partner airline.
What do they do these days? I've had lost baggage delivered to me, other times I had to return to the airport to get it. Both incidents were many years ago.
The one time we had it lost they delivered. But that was also early 80s.
Oh I think that No 2's luggage didn't make the transfer one time SW to OAK. I think they did deliver it now that I think about it. That was right before Covid in 2019.
there is some requisite amount of complaining and hand wringing that you can do to get them to do more and shoulder more of the cost and inconvenience. at least that is my experience.
The San Francisco Giants closed out their three-game series with the Don’t-Call-Us-Sacramento A’s on Sunday and winning the series was a breeze. A stiff wind blew in from left field at Sutter Health Park, but that didn’t stop Luis Arraez and Harrison Bader from hitting home runs out to right, the last one for a grand slam, in a 10-1 Giants win.
The Dodgers did not forget how they fared against the Angels last year. This year, the Dodgers are returning the favor as they completed the sweep of the Angels on Sunday behind Roki Sasaki’s finest start at the big league level, taking the finale 10-1.
I got lucky because my first guess gave away the solution. There was only one possibility after the initial guess. I tied the WordleBot today, because WordleBot's first guess is routinely the same as my first guess.
Apparently, you and I used the same word for the initial guess. Did you also have a moment, in seeing the results of the first guess, where you thought, "what else could the solution be?" I was startled by that.
I thought of a candidate word right away. But there have been so many incidents when I’ve said I should have known that word. I expected there were other possibilities that I just wasn’t seeing. Happy to be wrong about that.
argh ... You had two words to pick from and you chose the wrong one. That’s a bummer, but you’ve narrowed it down to one possible solution. You should solve the puzzle on your next turn.
i knew the little slither of the country inside the other country. i just forgot about the country itself.
there was a time when i knew all 54 African countries on a map. need to practice that skill again.
once upon a time, at work on Friday afternoons we would print out a blank map of Africa (or another continent) and fill out as many countries as we could remember.
Maybe not surprisingly, the average person would get 2 right in Africa - and these were all high-achieving, mostly Ivy League-educated finance people.
not sure what today will be like since we are driving up to VT around dinner time. this weekend we went to a fun place in NYC called Mission Ceviche that has particularly good Pisco sours and Peruvian food.
So, my pickup died on me. Saturday evening, after having driven back from Sonoma County I was at a Costco gas station. I was in line to get gas, so I turned off the engine. The line began to move and I tried to turn it over - it cranked but it would not start. Did this about a dozen more times. Folks tried to help me (which was heartening, but embarrassing at the same time). The battery was fine, but it just would not start.
Long story, short: I got it towed home, and about an hour afterwards, I decided to see if maybe it might start. It did start. On the first try.
It's a 25 year old vehicle. I am increasingly frustrated by its little quirks. Mrs Slug and I decided to replace it not with another pickup, but with an SUV; a later model to what we already have (2005 Honda CR-V). I will drive the older CR-V, she will drive the newer (but used) 2021 CR-V.
Returned from Europe this weekend. Luggage has not made it home yet. I've literally had nightmares about luggage not showing up. It's a terrible feeling when it actually happens. Mainly the helplessness of it. Supposedly the airline is on it (we were one of many whose luggage didn't show) and we should be re-united soon.
Your luggage is having its own happy sojourn. Until you meet again.
Update. They just delivered one of the suitcases. Would have been nice to get both. Now half of our anxiety is relieved
The United app tracks luggage so anytime I have to change planes, I check to make sure my bags made it onto the next flight. This doesn't always work when the flight is a partner airline.
What do they do these days? I've had lost baggage delivered to me, other times I had to return to the airport to get it. Both incidents were many years ago.
The one time we had it lost they delivered. But that was also early 80s.
Oh I think that No 2's luggage didn't make the transfer one time SW to OAK. I think they did deliver it now that I think about it. That was right before Covid in 2019.
recently, when i got disconnected from my luggage in Rome they delivered the bag eventually to my younger child's dorm room!
there is some requisite amount of complaining and hand wringing that you can do to get them to do more and shoulder more of the cost and inconvenience. at least that is my experience.
Ask for the supervisor!
Small consolation, but at least it was on the return leg.
sending good baggage juju your way!
Cal
Go Bears!!!
PRO
Win-wind situation: Giants blow away A’s
Giants bust wind-filled game open with Harriosn Bader grand slam in six-run 8th
https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/san-francisco-giants-scores-standings/106750/win-wind-situation-giants-blow-away-as
The San Francisco Giants closed out their three-game series with the Don’t-Call-Us-Sacramento A’s on Sunday and winning the series was a breeze. A stiff wind blew in from left field at Sutter Health Park, but that didn’t stop Luis Arraez and Harrison Bader from hitting home runs out to right, the last one for a grand slam, in a 10-1 Giants win.
Roki Sasaki’s breakout performance helps Dodgers sweep Angels
https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-scores-standings/116092/dodgers-angels-game-recap
The Dodgers did not forget how they fared against the Angels last year. This year, the Dodgers are returning the favor as they completed the sweep of the Angels on Sunday behind Roki Sasaki’s finest start at the big league level, taking the finale 10-1.
Ex-Cal golfers didn’t do so well this weekend. Ex-Cal QB did a little better for himself. NIL money?
Cavs roll on the road in game 7. face Knicks in East Finals starting tomorrow.
West Finals start tonight.
Word(le) Games
Wordle 1,794 2/6
⬜🟨🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
WordleBot
Skill 99/99
Luck 99/99
I will NEVER replicate that score.
I got lucky because my first guess gave away the solution. There was only one possibility after the initial guess. I tied the WordleBot today, because WordleBot's first guess is routinely the same as my first guess.
Me too!
Apparently, you and I used the same word for the initial guess. Did you also have a moment, in seeing the results of the first guess, where you thought, "what else could the solution be?" I was startled by that.
I thought of a candidate word right away. But there have been so many incidents when I’ve said I should have known that word. I expected there were other possibilities that I just wasn’t seeing. Happy to be wrong about that.
Quordle
🙂 Daily Quordle 1575
5️⃣4️⃣
7️⃣6️⃣
m-w.com/games/quordle/
Wordle 1,794 3/6*
⬛🟨🟩⬛⬛
⬛🟨🟩⬛🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
WordleBot
Skill 96/99
Luck 77/99
Wordle 1,794 2/6
⬜🟨🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
WordleBot
Skill 99/99
Luck 99/99
Woohoo! Been ages since I had a 2.
99 on both!!
amazing
argh ... You had two words to pick from and you chose the wrong one. That’s a bummer, but you’ve narrowed it down to one possible solution. You should solve the puzzle on your next turn.
Wordle 1,794 4/6*
⬛🟨🟩⬛⬛
🟩⬛🟩⬛⬛
🟩🟩🟩⬛⬛
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
WordleBot
Skill 95/99
Luck 62/99
Worldle
i knew the little slither of the country inside the other country. i just forgot about the country itself.
there was a time when i knew all 54 African countries on a map. need to practice that skill again.
once upon a time, at work on Friday afternoons we would print out a blank map of Africa (or another continent) and fill out as many countries as we could remember.
Maybe not surprisingly, the average person would get 2 right in Africa - and these were all high-achieving, mostly Ivy League-educated finance people.
#Worldle #1578 (18.05.2026) X/6 (99%)
🔥 Current Win Streak: 0 days
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟨↗️
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜↖️
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜↖️
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟨⬆️
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟨↖️
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜⬅️
https://worldle.teuteuf.fr/share
Eating out
We ate out every night in Europe which I really enjoyed. But it's nice to be back and enjoy the wife's cooking again.
not sure what today will be like since we are driving up to VT around dinner time. this weekend we went to a fun place in NYC called Mission Ceviche that has particularly good Pisco sours and Peruvian food.
I posted this yesterday, but I’m re-posting so people can read it tomorrow!
Asian version of Who's on First by Loylee comedy
Dodgers won the World Series and have a lot of Asian Players!
Yes, a lot of Asian players, like Hu's on first, Xi's on second, and Wat's on third.
Who's on first?
Yes, Hu's on first.
...
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVpifpQDpVm/?igsh=M3M0cjFzeW01MTJk
Oh, the 18th…this is for tomorrow! ;-)
i had a dream that that i messed up the posting time/date of the Monday post. turns out it was real.
Sunday, huh?