The Venture Capitalist and the Start-up Lemonade Stand

(Header photo by Djamel: @djame_l)

Disclaimer – I greatly respect the many impressive and successful venture capitalists investing in startups producing real products and fulfilling genuine product needs. I applaud the entrepreneurs who are creating these new companies, as well as the VCs who fund them. They are important, and I regret that there are so many charlatans and carnival barkers making a mockery of the process of steering capital to business start-ups.

But I have spent way too much time - including a few wasted years in my own career - around people cosplaying the start-up lifestyle, and watching incubators get all excited about the latest “Carbon-Neutral Doggie Waymo” or, God help us all, yet another time-sucking software product to help companies monitor employees’ goals and “engagement.”

With that said, Chris Bakke had a hilarious tweet recently about taking his child’s lemonade stand to venture capitalists. I particularly like how he got “AI” into the name of the “lemonAIde” business.

It's spring break and my son started a lemonade stand. I asked him how much lemonade he sold in the last hour.
"$3" he said. I told him, "Here's $20 for one glass of lemonade. In one hour I'm going to come back and buy a lemonade for $1,000. You're going to take that $1,000/hr revenue - multiply it by 24 hours - then multiply it by 365 days, and tell VCs, 'I have $8.76M in run rate revenue with 99.9% net margins, and 100% of our latest cohort of customers have expanded revenue with us. You're also changing the name of your lemonade stand to 'lemon(AI)de' and incorporating it as a C Corp"
My son was holding back tears.
I said, "Doesn't it feel good to be a millionaire, bud?" He said, "Dad I'm 4 and I don't know what any of these words are."
I said, "Welcome to life as a tech CEO - neither do I" and drove away.

It's spring break and my son started a lemonade stand.

I asked him how much lemonade he sold in the last hour.

"$3" he said.

I told him, "Here's $20 for one glass of lemonade. In one hour I'm going to come back and buy a lemonade for $1,000. You're going to take that…
— Chris Bakke (@ChrisJBakke) April 18, 2025

There were some pretty funny responses too, including the following:

“Forbes five under five.”

“Can I tokenize this business and sell LEMON token on the blockchain? Will split proceeds 70/30.”

“Wait until he realizes his allowance is paid in vested equity.”

“Is there a way to secretly dilute the solution and sugar content of the lemonade to maximize return to investors? What if you set up your shop in a Third World nation with less regulatory oversight?”

“I could have sworn Jim Cramer was just raving about this company!”

For those of you missing Ace’s evening Cafe and feeling that I’m out of my wheelhouse, please know that I’m bootstrapping my way through his absence, dealing with an aggressive burn rate, and knowing full well that vultures at the accelerator are ready to come in with an elevator pitch if any of you think I’m dishing out nothing but vaporware.

[buck.throckmorton at protonmail dot com]

Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at 07:34 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 This is pure gold — a hilarious but painfully accurate satire of the start-up world today. 😂 Hats off to Chris Bakke for distilling the madness of VC culture into a lemonade stand. Between inflated projections, buzzword branding, and equity games, it’s no wonder four-year-olds (and some CEOs) have no idea what's happening! Thank you for sharing this — it's both a much-needed laugh and a sharp reminder of how detached startup theater can become from real value creation.

Posted by: alwadifa at April 28, 2025 07:36 PM (ZRTw2)

2 No offense, but I already miss Ace.

Posted by: toddg at April 28, 2025 07:39 PM (ceFtv)

3 What was born any minute? Again?

Posted by: Deplorable Minion at April 28, 2025 07:45 PM (QSrLX)

4 Reminiscent of a satirical proposal during the dot-com boom that you simply set up a business that gives away $20 bills over the internet.

The burn rate would be a lot less than most of the companies that imploded, and since it is An Internet Company, your stock valuation would go to the Moon.

Profit? Who needs profit?

Posted by: The ARC of History! at April 28, 2025 07:50 PM (xTIDn)

5 I hesitate to comment until "Bitcoin Fixes Everything" guy weighs in.

Posted by: wth at April 28, 2025 07:50 PM (v0R5T)

6 toddg. You're opinion, I believe the cobs are doing great.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at April 28, 2025 07:50 PM (2NHgQ)

7 AI is big boondoggle. There, I said it.

Posted by: wth at April 28, 2025 07:51 PM (v0R5T)

8 Hey CBD

Child Scratches Rothko Painting Worth $56 Million in 'Unguarded Moment' at Museum

“The painting Grey, Orange on Maroon, No. 8 by Mark Rothko has sustained superficial damage after a child touched the painting when it was on display," the museum said in a statement to PEOPLE. "As a result, small scratches are visible in the unvarnished paint layer in the lower part of the painting."

Scratch n Sniff

Posted by: rhennigantx at April 28, 2025 07:51 PM (gbOdA)

9 The museum added, "Conservation expertise has been sought in the Netherlands and abroad. We are currently researching the next steps for the treatment of the painting. We expect that the work will be able to be shown again in the future."

The child was executed at daybreak; no blindfold or cigarette.

Posted by: rhennigantx at April 28, 2025 07:52 PM (gbOdA)

10 Any if our Canadian friends around? How can your libs have fewer votes and be leading in projected seats?

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at April 28, 2025 07:53 PM (2NHgQ)

11 Parents are quite distraught

over the loss of painting.

Posted by: rhennigantx at April 28, 2025 07:53 PM (gbOdA)

12 - @2
You already miss ace?
Buck is the best this place has.
KT about a 2 length 2nd.
The rest are sucking wind on the backstretch.
Except for everyone's favorite, tyrant wannabe whose just now entering the first turn.
The wind has died down some. Might be able to add to yesterday's crappie harvest.
Leofb

Posted by: TeeJ at April 28, 2025 07:53 PM (aQv/P)

13 so that was a false Cafe thread

I'm just spinning wheels til Avalanche @ Stars Game 5, 7:30pm MDT

2 days ago Avs put a 4-0 beatdown on Dallas to even things at 2-2

Posted by: Don Black at April 28, 2025 07:54 PM (AOsQT)

14 “Child Scratches Rothko Painting Worth $56 Million in 'Unguarded Moment' at Museum”

Probably improved it

Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at April 28, 2025 07:55 PM (5I9Uj)

15 How can your libs have fewer votes and be leading in projected seats?

That also happened in the last two Canadian elections.

The ridings that hate the Liberals really, really hate the Liberals, so they build up big anti-Liberal vote margins.

Curiously, Trudeau was never deemed illegitimate because his party got fewer votes than the Opposition.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at April 28, 2025 07:57 PM (xTIDn)

16 AI will make Caturday a national holiday and clutter the internet with volumes of kitten centerfolds.

Posted by: Rev Wishbone at April 28, 2025 07:59 PM (fY84s)

17 Justin Castreaux is definitely illegitmate.

Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:01 PM (4Tc50)

18 Wow, a lot of bitchin' goin' on here at the HQ today.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at April 28, 2025 08:01 PM (mH6SG)

19 Crazed PBS bag (medium well done) lady crashes Bob Ross display at Le Louvre, adds bushes to cheers of American in cheap berets smoking Gauloises.

Posted by: rhennigantx at April 28, 2025 08:04 PM (gbOdA)

20 Any if our Canadian friends around? How can your libs have fewer votes and be leading in projected seats?
Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at April 28, 2025 07:53 PM (2NHgQ)

Instead of leading seat A by 1000 votes and seat B by 1000 votes and losing seat C by 400 votes, You lead A, B, and C by 100 votes each.

Posted by: Oldcat at April 28, 2025 08:04 PM (n7h9X)

21 How did Jim Cramer's pick on Sears Holding work out?

Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:05 PM (4Tc50)

22 FFFFFF

Breaking911
@Breaking911 1m
BREAKING: 4 dead, 6 hospitalized after driver plows car into a daycare in Chatham, Illinois

Posted by: weft cut-loop at April 28, 2025 08:06 PM (mlg/3)

23 Nah, Kid just needs to proove to the FDA that the high sugar content will increase obesity, diabetes, and lower testosterone...

and they will call it a vaccine and make it mandatory to buy.... netting billions for big Lemon-ma

Posted by: Romeo13 at April 28, 2025 08:06 PM (QAkQ3)

24 21 How did Jim Cramer's pick on Sears Holding work out?
Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:05 PM (4Tc50)

My first real job was hey boy at Sear Automotive.

I worked for the black dudes.

Posted by: rhennigantx at April 28, 2025 08:06 PM (gbOdA)

25 100% sustainable electricity = 100% darkness.

Never before have some many, spent so much, on electricity, to read by whale oil.

Posted by: rhennigantx at April 28, 2025 08:09 PM (gbOdA)

26 I worked in Sears briefly. Women's clothing.

Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:09 PM (4Tc50)

27 This is but one of many examples of our bullshit based economy.

Posted by: It's nearly all fake and ghey at April 28, 2025 08:09 PM (TbWk/)

28 Profit? Who needs profit?
Posted by: The ARC of History!

Watch it, heathen !!!

Posted by: Ezekiel Drybones at April 28, 2025 08:10 PM (tcomi)

29 I worked in Sears briefly. Women's clothing.
Posted by: Boss Moss

Did you insist on putting the lotion in the basket?

Posted by: weft cut-loop at April 28, 2025 08:10 PM (mlg/3)

30 No. The price they paid for most of those dresses they sold was between $5 -$20 back in 1992.

Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:13 PM (4Tc50)

31 My first job was paper boy at 11. It was an afternoon paper, which don't exist anymore, I think.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory, red heifer owner at April 28, 2025 08:14 PM (2sdmh)

32 Oldcat. Thanks, even though you used math on the blog.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at April 28, 2025 08:15 PM (2NHgQ)

33
Rothko Painting Worth $56 Million

Says who?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at April 28, 2025 08:15 PM (DQdHi)

34 Parliaments suck.

Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:16 PM (4Tc50)

35 Your lemonade stand IPO will be much more attractive to investors with a splash of moonshine.

Posted by: Rev Wishbone at April 28, 2025 08:16 PM (fY84s)

36 Nothing about the massive blackout in all of Spain and Portugal, + parts of France?

hmmmm

No cause yet, but Portugal govt. numpties are trying to blame it on "extreme atmospheric temperature fluctuations."

Yeah, right. Which only affected their grid.

Wild oscillations of power load in seconds, leading to fast-cascading shutdown. Will be interesting to see if they do an actual investigation, like the massive regional blackout from NYC to Toronto in 2003. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeast_blackout_of_2003

Posted by: Beverly at April 28, 2025 08:18 PM (Epeb0)

37 No. The price they paid for most of those dresses they sold was between $5 -$20 back in 1992.
Posted by: Boss Moss

No s. I worked for a 'international' company and we had to do scavage clothes for another company to remake what was apparently popular at the time. Chicks wear weird stuff.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at April 28, 2025 08:18 PM (mlg/3)

38 Child Scratches Rothko Painting Worth $56 Million in 'Unguarded Moment' at Museum
==

Child was trying to enrich the painting with his lived experience!

Posted by: runner at April 28, 2025 08:20 PM (g47mK)

39 Wild oscillations of power load in seconds, leading to fast-cascading shutdown. Will be interesting to see if they do an actual investigation
Posted by: Beverly

We'll get an idea when the ONT does the "Guinness Book" segment. See who tried to snag the record for "most simultaneous Tesla chargings" or "most simultaneous Sybian orgasms."

Posted by: mikeski at April 28, 2025 08:21 PM (DgGvY)

40 I WOULD LIKE TO INVEST IN THIS THREAD NOW

Posted by: Throck Buckmorton, CFO GlobalMiklosFunds at April 28, 2025 08:25 PM (IKhKt)

41 Soft lines seems to work with a 300% markup. I think that is why Walmart Clearance usually stops at 75% off or so.

Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:25 PM (4Tc50)

42 You already miss ace?
Buck is the best this place has.
KT about a 2 length 2nd.
The rest are sucking wind on the backstretch.
Except for everyone's favorite, tyrant wannabe whose

==

would you like some cheese...with that whiiiiiine ??

Posted by: runner at April 28, 2025 08:26 PM (g47mK)

43 Rothko Painting Worth $56 Million

Says who?
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr.

Meh

It's no Rothko

Posted by: Art Forgery Expert Miklos at April 28, 2025 08:27 PM (IKhKt)

44 Hey! Where all da hot penguins at?

Posted by: Guy who loves penguins at April 28, 2025 08:28 PM (vFG9F)

45 Is Rothko famous?

Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:29 PM (4Tc50)

46 Good one, Buck. But all of yours are. Especially enjoy the EV eviscerations.

Speaking of which, Iberian power outage. Of course I have nothing to offer on that, though the predominance of "alternative" generation at the time of the outage (78% non-reliable sources) would have to be at least suggestive.

One analysis I read boiled down to: real (my word) generation sources (coal, oil/gas, nuke, hydro when reservoirs are up) have "inertia" built into the system, in that they can deal with changes in demand/supply while maintaining frequencies etc (power grid is comparable to a water grid). With such a small % of the baseload being generated by such sources, any kind of major change/disruption can lead to imbalances, frequency variations = collapse.

As one wag noted, yesterday's Twitter immigration law experts surely will transform today into power grid experts, so we've got that going for us.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 28, 2025 08:30 PM (1m82a)

47 Read that Spain had 78% renewables online when the crash occurred, and that older bulkier turbines and generators had a lot of inertia built in that could get them through a rough patch. But solar and wind don’t have any of that, and it looks like a cascading failure can sweep the entire system easily in those circumstances.

Posted by: Tom Servo at April 28, 2025 08:31 PM (QULmo)

48 Is Rothko famous?
Posted by: Boss Moss

His name is splattered across the artistic landscape.

Posted by: Percy "Miklos" Dovetonsils, Aesthete at April 28, 2025 08:31 PM (IKhKt)

49 Ah Rhomboid, we’ve been reading the same analysis!

Posted by: Tom Servo at April 28, 2025 08:32 PM (QULmo)

50 Rothko Painting Worth $56 Million

Says who?
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at April 28, 2025 08:15 PM (DQdHi)

I'd give 5 bucks for it to use as a drip catcher under my Studebaker.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 28, 2025 08:33 PM (8zz6B)

51 Could the last one out of Europe turn the lights off? Nevetmind.

Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:34 PM (4Tc50)

52 What’s fun is thinking about all the good enviros in Spain running to the atm to try to get some money to charge their EV cars and cell phones.

Posted by: Tom Servo at April 28, 2025 08:35 PM (QULmo)

53 Speaking of another Musk company, a third person was implanted with the neuralink. The guy has ALS and can’t speak and can only move his eyes. Now according to him the implant allows an AI program to speak in his voice . Seems pretty amazing.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at April 28, 2025 08:35 PM (VofaG)

54 ATMs run on electricity.

Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:36 PM (4Tc50)

55 Now according to him the implant allows an AI program to speak in his voice . Seems pretty amazing.“

How do you know it’s him and not the AI?

Posted by: Tom Servo at April 28, 2025 08:36 PM (QULmo)

56 Read that Spain had 78% renewables online when the crash occurred, and that older bulkier turbines and generators had a lot of inertia built in that could get them through a rough patch. But solar and wind don’t have any of that, and it looks like a cascading failure can sweep the entire system easily in those circumstances.
Posted by: Tom Servo

Gimme a minute, my shocked face is in the dryer.

Posted by: mikeski at April 28, 2025 08:36 PM (DgGvY)

57 Spain is much into wind farms. I guess it's been a thing since Don Quixote...

Posted by: runner at April 28, 2025 08:36 PM (g47mK)

58 @BillMelugin "California Democrat state senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas has introduced SB560, a bill that would decriminalize welfare fraud below an amount of $25,000. It would also prohibit prosecutions for attempted welfare fraud and would prohibit someone from being charged w/ perjury if they are subject to prosecution for welfare fraud."

Cripes.

Posted by: Peel gp A Grape at April 28, 2025 08:37 PM (GaW1s)

59 What in tar nay shun is going on here??

Posted by: AlaBAMA at April 28, 2025 08:37 PM (gMWM2)

60
54 ATMs run on electricity.
Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:36 PM (4Tc50)

Heh heh heh…

Posted by: Tom Servo at April 28, 2025 08:37 PM (QULmo)

61 If you want to roll your eyes take a look at the world’s richest artist alive today. One of them , Choe , a former graffiti artist was paid in Facebook stock to paint a mural at their headquarters. The stock is worth over 150 million today.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at April 28, 2025 08:37 PM (VofaG)

62 Serves them right for tilting at windmills.

Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:37 PM (4Tc50)

63 Tom Servo, probably. Of course there's also the question of what "event" or anomaly would have caused conditions for which "renewable" generation generally lacks coping mechanisms. These are numerous and range from the mundane to the exotic and nefarious (russki cyber-attack, anyone?).

All of this reminds me of the incident 10 years back or so, in which a Spanish academic (a real economist, I think) did an analysis of Spain's emerging "green" economy, and found (of course) that it was going to be one that impoverished the place, net/net. Employment, incomes, etc. Forget details but the witch was burned (he was fired or something). An early example of the Authoritarian Jihad Against Reality and Critical Thinking which is now more/less consuming western societies.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 28, 2025 08:37 PM (1m82a)

64 FUN FACT

Solar electricity is heavily subsidized, even in sunny Spain.

It was noticed that solar farms there were sending power in the middle of the night. Opportunity, means, and motive.

People were operating towed diesel generators at the solar farms at night, a profitable scam because of high rates for "solar".

Posted by: Miklos recalls this at April 28, 2025 08:37 PM (IKhKt)

65 FUN FACT

Solar electricity is heavily subsidized, even in sunny Spain.

It was noticed that solar farms there were sending power in the middle of the night. Opportunity, means, and motive.

People were operating towed diesel generators at the solar farms at night, a profitable scam because of high rates for "solar".

Posted by: Miklos recalls this at April 28, 2025 08:38 PM (IKhKt)

66
Is Rothko famous?
Posted by: Boss Moss

More like infamous.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at April 28, 2025 08:38 PM (63Dwl)

67 Back from the hospital. The procedure went well, but I probably need to to the ER tonight. My bladder is full, but I can’t release it. Sorry if TMI. The anesthesia shut everything down in the lower abdomen so my brain isn’t getting the signal to let go. If I can’t micturate in the next 40 minutes or so I will get in touch with my deacon who lives about 5 minutes drive from me to take me to the ER. If so, catheterization would seem to be called for. That’s what they did before they let me go home earlier this evening. “This is going to be uncomfortable,” the nurse said, winning understatement of the year. If I can’t let it out soon, I’ll have to go and get it out by other means. I sincerely pray that I will achieve the desired result in the next 30 minutes or so. Thank you for all your prayers heretofore. If you would, could you pray for me once more? Again sorry if TMI.

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at April 28, 2025 08:38 PM (7q0v1)

68 Wind power is Spain's main source of energy. Think on that.."With more than 30,000 MW of accumulated power, wind energy has been the first source of electricity generation in Spain in 2023, exceeding 24% demand coverage..."

Posted by: runner at April 28, 2025 08:39 PM (g47mK)

69 Hi Mr. Barrel

Remember me?

Posted by: Miklos hopes that pint of rye is still there at April 28, 2025 08:39 PM (IKhKt)

70 My deacon called. We’re heading to the ER. Thank you all your prayers.

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at April 28, 2025 08:39 PM (7q0v1)

71
California Democrat state senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas has introduced SB560, a bill that would decriminalize welfare fraud below an amount of $25,000.

_________

And what Lola wants, Lola gets.

Howabout decriminalizing tax evasion below $25,000?

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at April 28, 2025 08:39 PM (QnmlO)

72 68 Wind power is Spain's main source of energy. Think on that.."With more than 30,000 MW of accumulated power, wind energy has been the first source of electricity generation in Spain in 2023, exceeding 24% demand coverage..."
Posted by: runner at April 28, 2025 08:39 PM (g47mK)

You can't fix stupid.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at April 28, 2025 08:40 PM (gMWM2)

73 Tom Servo, probably. Of course there's also the question of what "event" or anomaly would have caused conditions for which "renewable" generation generally lacks coping mechanisms. These are numerous and range from the mundane to the exotic and nefarious (russki cyber-attack, anyone?).

All of this reminds me of the incident 10 years back or so, in which a Spanish academic (a real economist, I think) did an analysis of Spain's emerging "green" economy, and found (of course) that it was going to be one that impoverished the place, net/net. Employment, incomes, etc. Forget details but the witch was burned (he was fired or something). An early example of the Authoritarian Jihad Against Reality and Critical Thinking which is now more/less consuming western societies.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 28, 2025 08:40 PM (1m82a)

74 Now according to him the implant allows an AI program to speak in his voice . Seems pretty amazing.“

How do you know it’s him and not the AI?
Posted by: Tom Servo at April 28, 2025 08:36 PM (QULmo)

He can still communicate the old way if needed. Unless he’s in on a scam. The AI though does help him answer questions with options that it comes up with.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at April 28, 2025 08:40 PM (VofaG)

75 And what Lola wants, Lola gets.

==

Lola was the devil...just saying

Posted by: runner at April 28, 2025 08:40 PM (g47mK)

76 Who needs power on windless days or at night?

Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:41 PM (4Tc50)

77
California Democrat state senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas has introduced SB560, a bill that would decriminalize welfare fraud below an amount of $25,000.

The cuevas on that woman!

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at April 28, 2025 08:41 PM (63Dwl)

78 77 Ha!

Posted by: Peel gp A Grape at April 28, 2025 08:42 PM (GaW1s)

79 You can't fix stupid.

==

I blame 36 years of Caudillo.

Posted by: runner at April 28, 2025 08:42 PM (g47mK)

80 I'd give 5 bucks for it to use as a drip catcher under my Studebaker.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon

I....I wish the Stud the best

Posted by: the Wretched Panhard at April 28, 2025 08:42 PM (IKhKt)

81 77
California Democrat state senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas has introduced SB560, a bill that would decriminalize welfare fraud below an amount of $25,000.

The cuevas on that woman!
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at April 28, 2025 08:41 PM (63Dwl)

She knows her constituents.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at April 28, 2025 08:42 PM (gMWM2)

82 I could do without lights but if the AC goes down mid summer I would be very uncomfortable from the heat just coming off Mrs fd. I've got a few solar panels and maybe we could air condition a closet or something.

I did some tests and a little window unit will pull about 500 watts running. You don't need a whole bunch of solar panels just to run that on a sunny day, but if you want to charge batteries too you need twice as many panels. Now we are talking 10-100watt panels, and batteries. It start to get expensive to air condition a closet like that.

Posted by: fd at April 28, 2025 08:42 PM (vFG9F)

83 Good luck, Nemo.

Posted by: Aetius451AD workphone bot at April 28, 2025 08:43 PM (KhH9E)

84 I sincerely pray that I will achieve the desired result in the next 30 minutes or so. Thank you for all your prayers heretofore. If you would, could you pray for me once more? Again sorry if TMI.
Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at April 28, 2025 08:38 PM (7q0v1)

Could we rush you a Jane Fonda toilet target?

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 28, 2025 08:43 PM (8zz6B)

85 My deacon called. We’re heading to the ER. Thank you all your prayers.
Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit

You have

Posted by: Miklos at April 28, 2025 08:43 PM (IKhKt)

86 Like the no prosecution for shoplifting under $750. How’d that work out?

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at April 28, 2025 08:43 PM (VofaG)

87 I would be very uncomfortable from the heat just coming off Mrs fd

==

you need to pack her in Ice !

Posted by: runner at April 28, 2025 08:43 PM (g47mK)

88 I actually saw that CA bill introduced to decriminalize welfare fraud up to $25K.

Words like "unbelievable" and "astonishing" of course ceased being adequate a few years back.

Remember that the disastrous, idiotic, indefensible law about decriminalizing larceny below $1K *was passed by vote of voters in a referendum, with the support of many sheriffs and other LE*. And the high-speed rail debacle, also approved by voters. This latest absurdity is top-down (if it passes), but CA voters like voters everywhere are to blame for what happens, and doesn't happen (even taking election fraud into account).

Posted by: rhomboid at April 28, 2025 08:44 PM (1m82a)

89 36 Nothing about the massive blackout in all of Spain and Portugal, + parts of France?
............................
LoL 🤣

Posted by: Net Zero at April 28, 2025 08:44 PM (sAmhv)

90 Like the no prosecution for shoplifting under $750. How’d that work out?
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at April 28, 2025 08:43 PM

Took a long time and some yuge pants to hit that limit at the dollar store.

Posted by: Minnfidel at April 28, 2025 08:45 PM (4p0Xq)

91 you need to pack her in Ice !
Posted by: runner

We provide that for free

Posted by: Kidneys R Us at April 28, 2025 08:45 PM (IKhKt)

92 They have these magic black rocks that will generate power on windless days and at night.

Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:45 PM (4Tc50)

93 Took a long time and some yuge pants to hit that limit at the dollar store.
Posted by: Minnfidel at April 28, 2025 08:45 PM (4p0Xq)

Was it per visit or day or what?

No wonder stores want nothing to do with California. It's the Barbary States. Except not profitable.

Posted by: Aetius451AD workphone bot at April 28, 2025 08:46 PM (KhH9E)

94 I know there will be other things to worry about come the burning times, but I do think about stuff like that.

Posted by: fd at April 28, 2025 08:47 PM (vFG9F)

95 They have these magic black rocks that will generate power on windless days and at night.
Posted by: Boss Moss

Only Moslems are allowed to approach the Black Rock

Posted by: Mullah Miklos, freelance Mahdi at April 28, 2025 08:47 PM (IKhKt)

96 California Democrat state senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas has introduced SB560, a bill that would decriminalize welfare fraud below an amount of $25,000.

_________

And what Lola wants, Lola gets.

Howabout decriminalizing tax evasion below $25,000?
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at April 28, 2025 08:39 PM (QnmlO)

If that bill is made law, every CA taxpayer needs to attempt to do 24,000 worth of welfare fraud. Crash the system, no penalties attach.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 28, 2025 08:47 PM (8zz6B)

97 They have these magic black rocks that will generate power on windless days and at night.
Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:45 PM (4Tc50)

If you get enough of the right silvery metal together and then introduce another, almost exact same silvery metal, it will generate heat on cold or hot days, rain or shine. It's hard NOT to get it to produce heat.

Posted by: Aetius451AD workphone bot at April 28, 2025 08:48 PM (KhH9E)

98 Rothko Painting Worth $56 Million

Says who?
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at April 28, 2025 08:15 PM

Well it's no Hunter BIden!

Posted by: Minnfidel at April 28, 2025 08:48 PM (4p0Xq)

99 That happened to me when I had my knee surgery in college. The nurse asked me if I had urinated and I said no why? She explained and told me what they would have to do if I haven’t. I begged her to give me another 30 minutes. She agreed but unfortunately it was not to be.

Holy Palomino. I swear that tube was6 foot long and thick as a hot dog. At least that’s what I saw.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at April 28, 2025 08:49 PM (VofaG)

100 Like the no prosecution for shoplifting under $750. How’d that work out?
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at April 28, 2025 08:43 PM (VofaG)

it was 950 IIRC

Posted by: Oldcat at April 28, 2025 08:50 PM (n7h9X)

101 "It's hard NOT to get it to produce heat."

My favorite is the version that produces LOTS of heat - and blast. And prompt and persistent radiation (well, depends on the design).

Posted by: rhomboid at April 28, 2025 08:50 PM (1m82a)

102 I kind of wished we had played Nemo the sound of running water.

Posted by: Aetius451AD workphone bot at April 28, 2025 08:50 PM (KhH9E)

103 102 I kind of wished we had played Nemo the sound of running water.

Posted by: Aetius451AD workphone bot at April 28, 2025 08:50 PM (KhH9E

Put his hand in a bowl of warm water

Posted by: AlaBAMA at April 28, 2025 08:51 PM (gMWM2)

104 “Of course there's also the question of what "event" or anomaly would have caused conditions for which "renewable" generation generally lacks coping mechanisms. These are numerous and range from the mundane to the exotic and nefarious (russki cyber-attack, anyone?).”

Most people, especially the decision makers, have gotten into the lazy habit of assuming that old systems are robust and failure resistant, all systems will naturally be that way. They’ve completely forgotten the concept of design margin, which Wretchard the Cat used to write about . When your design margin is healthy, a lot of stuff can go on all the time and you’ll never notice. When your design margin is zero, a bird landing on the wrong line can knock the entire grid down.

Posted by: Tom Servo at April 28, 2025 08:51 PM (QULmo)

105 Like I told the urologist for a kidney stone 'you seem like a nice guy, doc- but I'd prefer not to have you go spelunking up my dick with a camera crew.'

Posted by: Aetius451AD workphone bot at April 28, 2025 08:51 PM (KhH9E)

106 Cobloggers are subbing for Ace and doing it in a remarkably smooth manner. Really nice job, guys.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at April 28, 2025 08:52 PM (hKoQL)

107 "California Democrat state senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas "

Lola Smallwood? That has got to be a tranny name.

Posted by: fd at April 28, 2025 08:52 PM (vFG9F)

108 No centered posts yet.

Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:52 PM (4Tc50)

109 Lola Smallwood? That has got to be a tranny name.
Posted by: fd

"She was a showgirl!"

Posted by: Tonypete at April 28, 2025 08:53 PM (vKNmo)

110 Are you going to offer an IPO on the hq while ace is away?

I'm in!

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at April 28, 2025 08:53 PM (WL2lA)

111 "She was a showgirl!"
Posted by: Tonypete at April 28, 2025 08:53 PM (vKNmo)

Copa Cabana. Someone cuff TP.

Posted by: Aetius451AD workphone bot at April 28, 2025 08:54 PM (KhH9E)

112 it was 950 IIRC
Posted by: Oldcat at April 28, 2025 08:50 PM (n7h9X)

You recall correctly. Thanks for the correction.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at April 28, 2025 08:54 PM (VofaG)

113 The event could merely be a lack of wind.

Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:54 PM (4Tc50)

114 The event could merely be a lack of wind.
Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:54 PM (4Tc50)

So, you're saying it was the Jews?

Posted by: Aetius451AD workphone bot at April 28, 2025 08:55 PM (KhH9E)

115 “Is there a way to secretly dilute the solution and sugar content of the lemonade to maximize return to investors? What if you set up your shop in a Third World nation with less regulatory oversight?”

Out: When life gives you lemons...

In: When Anuj really needs to whiz and there are no toilets

Posted by: Some Moron at April 28, 2025 08:55 PM (t0Rmr)

116 Lola Smallwood? That has got to be a tranny name.
Posted by: fd at April 28, 2025 08:52 PM (vFG9F)

She succeeded Karen Bass. All you need to know.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 28, 2025 08:55 PM (8zz6B)

117 Like I told the urologist for a kidney stone 'you seem like a nice guy, doc- but I'd prefer not to have you go spelunking up my dick with a camera crew.'
Posted by: Aetius451AD workphone bot at April 28, 2025 08:51 PM (KhH9E)

I was asleep when they did that. But again unfortunately I was wide awake when they removed the stent. It also was 6 foot long and thick as a hot dog.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at April 28, 2025 08:56 PM (VofaG)

118 "California Democrat state senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas "

Lola Smallwood? That has got to be a tranny name.

I googled her and she looks like a woman...

...who stuck a fork in a power outlet.

Posted by: 18-1 at April 28, 2025 08:56 PM (t0Rmr)

119 a bill that would decriminalize welfare fraud below an amount of $25,000

-

Boy, that's telling, isn't it?

Posted by: Boron Cobbie - Satisfy your male boss, ignore your husband's desires at April 28, 2025 08:57 PM (6A9ML)

120 Give up oxalates.

Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:57 PM (4Tc50)

121 California Democrat state senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas has introduced SB560, a bill that would decriminalize welfare fraud below an amount of $25,000

Let me guess, the small print is $25k...per fake name

Posted by: 18-1 at April 28, 2025 08:57 PM (t0Rmr)

122 120 Ask pharmacist for generic yakalates.

Posted by: Peel gp A Grape at April 28, 2025 08:59 PM (GaW1s)

123 Give up oxalates.
Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:57 PM (4Tc50)

I miss cashews and dark chocolate. Luckily I hate beets.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at April 28, 2025 08:59 PM (VofaG)

124 Is there a way to secretly dilute the solution and sugar content of the lemonade to maximize return to investors?

-

Ah, I see we're very close to discussing store-bought honey.

(also the honey "harvested" at a really big, really fancy touristy type destination home owned by the Vanderbilts IIRC in Asheville, NC. Allegedly)

Posted by: Boron Cobbie - Satisfy your male boss, ignore your husband's desires at April 28, 2025 08:59 PM (6A9ML)

125
Are you going to offer an IPO on the hq while ace is away?

_________

Just wait until Ace brings in McKinsey for a strategic review. There's gonna be a lot fewer commenters and those left are going to have to work 80 hours a week. Growth will come from a merger with Instapundit. Ed Driscoll will be in charge of the Art Thread.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at April 28, 2025 09:00 PM (QnmlO)

126 Friend of mine is in Spain as we speak and he reports power still out. Cell service is up, but data service is limited. At 1AM his time, he was able to communicate and check for news. No broadcast or internet, and when the rest of the country wakes up, cell data will be overwhelmed.

It's funny how the RRHOF inductees have gotten more press than this. Funny as in, not surprising...

Posted by: Joe Kidd at April 28, 2025 09:00 PM (bA75n)

127 120 Give up oxalates.

Posted by: Boss Moss at April 28, 2025 08:57 PM (4Tc50)

I gave up oxalates in the 90s. Wicked hangover.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at April 28, 2025 09:00 PM (gMWM2)

128 Praying for you, Nemo.

Posted by: IrishEi at April 28, 2025 09:01 PM (3ImbR)

129 Good thing Jamón ibérico does not need refrigeration, amirite ?

Posted by: runner at April 28, 2025 09:01 PM (g47mK)

130 Give up oxalates.

-

This was me.

The doctor laughed when I told him I'd lost 12 or so pounds by moving away from chips and other salty snacks and eating a handful of cashews and such for the craving.

"You would think it's a healthy alternative, but here you are."

Posted by: Boron Cobbie - Satisfy your male boss, ignore your husband's desires at April 28, 2025 09:01 PM (6A9ML)

131 Oxalnines > Oxalates

Posted by: Peel gp A Grape at April 28, 2025 09:02 PM (GaW1s)

132 Let’s get those nuke power plants built. Texas should have at least four. We have two now.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at April 28, 2025 09:02 PM (VofaG)

133 Wait, why can't everyone that bought the Ford Lightnings just plug in and power their communities?

Posted by: Boron Cobbie - Satisfy your male boss, ignore your husband's desires at April 28, 2025 09:02 PM (6A9ML)

134
Wait, why can't everyone that bought the Ford Lightnings just plug in and power their communities?
Posted by: Boron Cobbie - Satisfy your male boss, ignore your husband's desires at April 28, 2025 09:02 PM (6A9ML)

__________

Maybe they can slave off one of their nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Oh, wait...

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at April 28, 2025 09:04 PM (QnmlO)

135 Ah, yes. "when life hands you lemons" from House of Usher

"roses are out, Lemons are in"

youtu.be/rIK-q6JoOeU

Posted by: Kindltot at April 28, 2025 09:06 PM (D7oie)

136 apparently that country up north had an election of some sort

Posted by: runner at April 28, 2025 09:06 PM (g47mK)

137 I wonder if Spain has natural gas in most of their homes. If the power goes out in my neighborhood I’ll have to wear my range ear wear as the noise from all the Generacs would be unbearable.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at April 28, 2025 09:07 PM (VofaG)

138 If one of our major urban shitholes loses power, how long before it becomes Mad Max? Three days?

"Bu-bu-bu-but I voted for Obama!"
"Yeah, last three guys said the same thing."

Posted by: Venn Diagram This, Suckah at April 28, 2025 09:07 PM (qUkBO)

139 Paul Chambers:
youtube.com/watch?v=6nElqdB9fJI

Posted by: Peel gp A Grape at April 28, 2025 09:07 PM (GaW1s)

140 Maybe they can slave off one of their nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Oh, wait...
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at April 28, 2025 09:04 PM (QnmlO)

Portland OR was powered by one of the pre-war Aircraft Carriers after some disaster. Warships used to be huge powerplants relative to their size.

Posted by: Oldcat at April 28, 2025 09:07 PM (n7h9X)

141 The press doesn't want to report my success in Europe?

LoL!!

Glorious Net Zero future, yo!

LoL!!

Posted by: Net Zero at April 28, 2025 09:07 PM (sAmhv)

142 I'm guessing the russkis are going to lay on extra air defense pretty thick for May 9 (Victory Day parade). This will be the 4th parade since the festivities with Ukeistan began, but drone capabilities seem to have advanced quite a bit in that time. Putin's proposed ceasefire for that day could be seen as a clever subtle appeal to the common heritage from the Great Patriotic War*, but also maybe is more practical.

Always enjoy watching the coverage of May 9. Sadly, as here, the number of surviving WWII vets has dwindled dramatically. And Putin's guests have become more boring (former Soviet republic bosses, mostly) - my favorite year was when Bibi and the Serbian PM (now embattled) sat either side of Vlad.

And there's usually a subtle dig in Vlad's remarks. One recent year he singled out Marshal Vatutin in his speech - a prodigy in the war who was .... assassinated by Uke nationalists, in his prime.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 28, 2025 09:07 PM (1m82a)

143 Now according to him the implant allows an AI program to speak in his voice . Seems pretty amazing.“

How do you know it’s him and not the AI?
Posted by: Tom Servo

I have no your mouth, and I must scream.

Posted by: seven-fingered AI girl at April 28, 2025 09:08 PM (DgGvY)

144 If one of our major urban shitholes loses power, how long before it becomes Mad Max? Three days?

"Bu-bu-bu-but I voted for Obama!"
"Yeah, last three guys said the same thing."
Posted by: Venn Diagram This, Suckah at April 28, 2025 09:07 PM (qUkBO)

Houston lost power for more than a few days more than once. I say it would take a few weeks.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at April 28, 2025 09:09 PM (VofaG)

145 A US nuke carrier powered part of Indonesia affected in a tsunami back in the 90s (?).

Posted by: rhomboid at April 28, 2025 09:10 PM (1m82a)

146 Current science believes that over half of the oxalates in your urine is actually produced by your body, so a super low oxadate diet isn't recommended expect in individuals with high levels of oxadate in their urine.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at April 28, 2025 09:10 PM (gMWM2)

147 apparently that country up north had an election of some sort
Posted by: runner at April 28, 2025 09:06 PM (g47mK)

Still ongoing. Polls close in 2 hours.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 28, 2025 09:10 PM (8zz6B)

148 Call Oxadate to meet eager oxen in *your* area!

Posted by: Peel gp A Grape at April 28, 2025 09:11 PM (GaW1s)

149 I see the maniacs have taken over the asylum. Kind of refreshing actually.

Posted by: Ruthless at April 28, 2025 09:11 PM (yKrV7)

150 If one of our major urban shitholes loses power, how long before it becomes Mad Max? Three days?

"Bu-bu-bu-but I voted for Obama!"
"Yeah, last three guys said the same thing."
Posted by: Venn Diagram This, Suckah at April 28, 2025 09:07 PM (qUkBO)

Houston lost power for more than a few days more than once. I say it would take a few weeks.
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at April 28, 2025 09:09 PM (VofaG)

When I lived in Chicago in the 90s there was a heatwave and a power outage and over 700 people died. Not so much from crime, but lots of old folks in the city would not open their windows and died.

Next year it happened again and very few died. Response was better - peeps taken to malls with AC etc but most of the susceptible population were killed the first year.

Posted by: Oldcat at April 28, 2025 09:12 PM (n7h9X)

151 Let's hope the Great Canadian Trucker Revolt woke those Canucks up.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at April 28, 2025 09:12 PM (gMWM2)

152 If one of our major urban shitholes loses power, how long before it becomes Mad Max? Three days?

-

We don't have to wonder. I'm old enough to remember New Orleans during Katrina. There was literal cannibalism before it had even stopped raining.

Posted by: Boron Cobbie - Satisfy your male boss, ignore your husband's desires at April 28, 2025 09:13 PM (6A9ML)

153 "Next year it happened again and very few died."

The most susceptible were already dead for a year.

Posted by: Peel gp A Grape at April 28, 2025 09:13 PM (GaW1s)

154 And we won't have to wait weeks (or days) to find out Canuckistan election results. Amazing. Hand counts, no electronics (or even mechanicals).

Shocking and sad to imagine people will vote for more of the ruinous misrule that has so degraded a great country.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 28, 2025 09:13 PM (1m82a)

155 Call Oxadate to meet eager oxen in *your* area!
Posted by: Peel gp A Grape

Do we hafta talk about the cow-philic guy again?

Posted by: mikeski at April 28, 2025 09:13 PM (DgGvY)

156 I didn’t get my first kidney stone until I was 62. Mine was more about not hydrating properly during my sporting activities. I thought I was doing good using sports hydrating tablets instead of Gatorade but I should have also been drinking an equal amount of just water. All the minerals in the hydrating tablets weren’t being flushed out.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at April 28, 2025 09:14 PM (VofaG)

157 I'm guessing the russkis are going to lay on extra air defense pretty thick for May 9 (Victory Day parade). This will be the 4th parade since the festivities with Ukeistan began, but drone capabilities seem to have advanced quite a bit in that time.

And there's usually a subtle dig in Vlad's remarks. One recent year he singled out Marshal Vatutin in his speech - a prodigy in the war who was .... assassinated by Uke nationalists, in his prime.
Posted by: rhomboid at April 28, 2025 09:07 PM (1m82a)

Russia has been advancing pretty steadily, they probable are due for a rest to build up their supply lines and such.

Posted by: Oldcat at April 28, 2025 09:15 PM (n7h9X)

158 Now according to him the implant allows an AI program to speak in his voice . Seems pretty amazing.“

How do you know it’s him and not the AI?
Posted by: Tom Servo
===

Some guy in India is actually on-line listening in and responding in (almost) real time.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at April 28, 2025 09:15 PM (/lPRQ)

159 The trailer park boys up North are 15 minutes away from picking their next dickweed of a leader.

Posted by: Lincolntf at April 28, 2025 09:16 PM (2cS/G)

160 Nani? Baka scalpers.

I am in sticker shock at prices sellers on eBay are asking for merchandise from the Masamune Shirow Exhibition that will run until August.

Acrylic stands for $60? T-shirts for $90+? What are these people smoking?

Posted by: Anna Puma at April 28, 2025 09:16 PM (6/+5Z)

161 "The most susceptible were already dead for a year."

Called the "dry tinder" factor in evaluating public health emergencies, epidemics, etc. Sweden, Euro capital of grenade attacks, famously did very little "mitigation" during The Great Idiocy. Their excess death numbers compare just fine with those who waged their wars on science and common sense. Factoring in "dry tinder" factor (different Euro countries had varying flu mortality the previous few years, which is of course normal), they did fine.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 28, 2025 09:17 PM (1m82a)

162 Posted by: Anna Puma at April 28, 2025 09:16 PM (6/+5Z)

Are you upset that Mega lottery ticket went up to $5 ?

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at April 28, 2025 09:17 PM (VofaG)

163 139 taro cross channel picks really good albums and plays them on his fancy-shmancy turntable. I'm half deaf, and even I can hear the 60Hz hum on the thing. He needs to fix that.

Posted by: Peel gp A Grape at April 28, 2025 09:18 PM (GaW1s)

164 Not sure if I want the Conservatives (such as they are) or Carney to win and West Canada to bolt.

Posted by: Oldcat at April 28, 2025 09:18 PM (n7h9X)

165 If Ukes keep resisting , with encouragement from European "friends", Russia might take Narva back...

Posted by: runner at April 28, 2025 09:19 PM (g47mK)

166 Got to chime in here. I invested in a local (to Boston) pickleball club startup. There are two locations now with a third coming later this year.

I like to think of myself as pretty good in business and having a strong street sense, if not formal training. I understand about nothing the guys who have raised the money say. It sounds exactly like all of this, which is to say....Greek.

If the club grows and is successful I will profit (I think), and if it fails I lose only what I put in. Anything in between, which is how the quarterly reports read, is impossible to understand.

Thanks for posting this: it rings so true!

Posted by: Lex at April 28, 2025 09:20 PM (MYYw0)

167 Are you upset that Mega lottery ticket went up to $5 ?

Stopped buying Mega tickets. That is $40 per month saved.

Posted by: Anna Puma at April 28, 2025 09:20 PM (6/+5Z)

168 I just want the Cons in Canada to win as an eff-you to the media talking about how the USA is hated up there.

Posted by: Lincolntf at April 28, 2025 09:20 PM (2cS/G)

169 90% of Narva are ethnic Russians..they might as well !

Posted by: runner at April 28, 2025 09:20 PM (g47mK)

170 Are you upset that Mega lottery ticket went up to $5 ?

Stopped buying Mega tickets. That is $40 per month saved.
Posted by: Anna Puma at April 28, 2025 09:20 PM (6/+5Z)

But that’s crazy right? I’m thinking a lot of people won’t be buying them any more.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at April 28, 2025 09:22 PM (VofaG)

171 Oldcat, how about "Gletscherkrieg" (glacier war) instead of "blitzkrieg" for Russia's war in Ukraine? It's an adaptation to their capabilities and the adversary and the circumstances of course, but it probably aligns with their objectives. Have long figured they'd stop once they had the administrative lines of Donetsk/Lugansk + an artillery buffer zone. They're getting there, but at current pace would take longer than available if any kind of deal occurs soon.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 28, 2025 09:22 PM (1m82a)

172 "But that’s crazy right? I’m thinking a lot of people won’t be buying them any more."

They only need to keep the 20% of suckers who buy 80% of the tickets.

Posted by: Peel gp A Grape at April 28, 2025 09:24 PM (GaW1s)

173 But that’s crazy right? I’m thinking a lot of people won’t be buying them any more.
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth

-

I initially thought that, but then I realized a lot of the people buying them also do things like pay Uber Eats $20 to have a $5 Biggie Bag from Wendy's carried three blocks to their house.

So yeah, they'll probably still sell.

Posted by: Boron Cobbie - Satisfy your male boss, ignore your husband's desires at April 28, 2025 09:25 PM (6A9ML)

174 @Lex We play pickleball in Mass. when we are up there. But we play at public/privately owned courts (like inside a gated community or residents park). Is your operation commercial?

Posted by: Lincolntf at April 28, 2025 09:25 PM (2cS/G)

175 If Ukes keep resisting , with encouragement from European "friends", Russia might take Narva back...
Posted by: runner at April 28, 2025 09:19 PM (g47mK)

That made me laugh, tho the Baltics are being insanely belligerent with nothing to back it up.

Posted by: Oldcat at April 28, 2025 09:26 PM (n7h9X)

176 At my local bodega, they have a player who does so much business there that they let him behind the counter to operate the console himself.

Then there's the lady who comes in daily with a stack of plays for everybody in her retirement home, holds up the line for half an hour.

F'n slot joints EVERYWHERE.

Posted by: Peel gp A Grape at April 28, 2025 09:26 PM (GaW1s)

177 They probably will still sell but I won't until we are talking something like a billion dollar jackpot.

Jacking the price from $2 to $5 is nuts. If Powerball follows suit, they are done also.

Posted by: Anna Puma at April 28, 2025 09:27 PM (6/+5Z)

178

I would like to amend an old business proposal.

Previously, it was that (where legal) pizza delivery should include pot.

Now add lottery tickets.

Posted by: Miklos gonna be Rich at April 28, 2025 09:27 PM (IKhKt)

179 174...Yes...go to Boston Pickle Club when you are in the area. Two clubs at the moment. One in Hyde Park and one in Norwell. Non-members can play. All indoor, all year round. That's the way pickleball is headed as folks in New England discover playing in pristine indoor conditions are favorable to dealing with rain, wind, sun, cracks on courts, leaves, neighbors complaining etc.

Posted by: Lex at April 28, 2025 09:28 PM (MYYw0)

180 I initially thought that, but then I realized a lot of the people buying them also do things like pay Uber Eats $20 to have a $5 Biggie Bag from Wendy's carried three blocks to their house.

So yeah, they'll probably still sell.
Posted by: Boron Cobbie - Satisfy your male boss, ignore your husband's desires at April 28, 2025 09:25 PM (6A9ML)

On that subject , what I don’t understand is why don’t those restaurants , including fast food joints , use the pizza/Chinese food delivery model.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at April 28, 2025 09:28 PM (VofaG)

181 Canada early results in 2 minutes and counting...

Posted by: Lincolntf at April 28, 2025 09:29 PM (2cS/G)

182 LOL
In November, at least 1,000 sailors and marines will come to Texas during Fleet Week for the first time in their 250 years of service to explore and interact with the public. https://abc13.com/16247674/

Montrose gonna be lit!

Posted by: rickb223 at April 28, 2025 09:29 PM (9/IXG)

183 @Lex, cool, we'll be at the Cape and in Concord this summer, might make a detour.

Posted by: Lincolntf at April 28, 2025 09:30 PM (2cS/G)

184 They probably will still sell but I won't until we are talking something like a billion dollar jackpot.

Pretty close - 220 million to 1 to hit. So maybe 1.1 Billion ? Sure - taxes and a split pot probability.

But at 1.1billion you won't care. I wouldn't.

Posted by: Fast Eddie Felson at April 28, 2025 09:31 PM (McYvC)

185 Get Skip's ass out of bed. No one knows how to call Nood except Skip.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at April 28, 2025 09:31 PM (l0E4F)

186 Oldcat, how about "Gletscherkrieg" (glacier war) instead of "blitzkrieg" for Russia's war in Ukraine?”

I think “scheissekrieg” fits that war better than anything.

Posted by: Tom Servo at April 28, 2025 09:31 PM (QULmo)

187 You could surreptitiously use less sugar by adding a cheap artificial sweetener, particularly petroleum-based, then wait for RFK to find you out.

Posted by: Ciampino - Chinese saccharine at April 28, 2025 09:31 PM (sPQoU)

188 Damn, inflation got the lottery too?

Used to get two tickets for 5 bucks. Now it's only one.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at April 28, 2025 09:32 PM (gMWM2)

189 Get Skip's ass out of bed. No one knows how to call Nood except Skip.
Posted by: Braenyard

IT'S A SCHOOL NIGHT

Posted by: Auntie Miklos at April 28, 2025 09:32 PM (IKhKt)

190 When I lived in Chicago in the 90s there was a heatwave and a power outage and over 700 people died. Not so much from crime, but lots of old folks in the city would not open their windows and died.

1995. There wasn't a power outage. The victims didn't have air conditioning. Five days of >90 highs and > 75 lows with dewpoints in the 80s

Posted by: Chuck C at April 28, 2025 09:32 PM (D0HYP)

191 I would like to amend an old business proposal.

Previously, it was that (where legal) pizza delivery should include pot.

Now add lottery tickets.
Posted by: Miklos gonna be Rich

__

I have a substantial sum to invest as seed or franchise money if the opportunity arises.

Posted by: Boron Cobbie - Satisfy your male boss, ignore your husband's desires at April 28, 2025 09:32 PM (6A9ML)

192 Scheisskreig could describe the Democrats war against Trump.

Posted by: Anna Puma at April 28, 2025 09:32 PM (6/+5Z)

193 Oldcat, how about "Gletscherkrieg" (glacier war) instead of "blitzkrieg" for Russia's war in Ukraine? It's an adaptation to their capabilities and the adversary and the circumstances of course, but it probably aligns with their objectives. Have long figured they'd stop once they had the administrative lines of Donetsk/Lugansk + an artillery buffer zone. They're getting there, but at current pace would take longer than available if any kind of deal occurs soon.
Posted by: rhomboid at April 28, 2025 09:22 PM (1m82a)

Its not too much different in speed than WWI in the East, but like that war the issue was technology outstripping the means of battle. This time it is a huge spike in observation and targeting. Troops are far more dispersed to make them not worth a pricey drone or missile. A big concentration of tanks can be hit and hurt. These days a tactic is just to drive down a road for a km, get out and dig in on the sides of the road (usually forested somewhat). In some places they use 4 wheelers bikes to zip there before anyone can react. Fast and cheap.

Once dug in, they can widen the penetration, dig in more, and then advance. Ukraine has little offense pwr.

Posted by: Oldcat at April 28, 2025 09:32 PM (n7h9X)

194 Watching CBS National News. Holy shit.

These people want folks to believe we are on the verge of starvation and homelessness.

Wow.

Posted by: nurse ratched at April 28, 2025 09:32 PM (mT+6a)

195 Posted by: rickb223 at April 28, 2025 09:29 PM (9/IXG)

It’s not going to be a pretty sight. The gentleman’s clubs will be rocking . I predict a lot of arrests.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at April 28, 2025 09:32 PM (VofaG)

196 Stopped buying Mega tickets. That is $40 per month saved.
Posted by: Anna Puma at April 28, 2025 09:20 PM (6/+5Z)

Neko Cat girl wants more models and statues?

Posted by: Aetius451AD workphone bot at April 28, 2025 09:33 PM (zZu0s)

197 194 Watching CBS National News. Holy shit.

These people want folks to believe we are on the verge of starvation and homelessness.

Wow.
Posted by: nurse ratched at April 28, 2025 09:32 PM (mT+6a

I think the doom and gloom model of the news is on its last legs.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at April 28, 2025 09:34 PM (gMWM2)

198 Navy sez F-18 plunked in the Red Sea fell off *the hangar deck*? Presumably it (and the tug it took with it) were on the elevator? Can't see how this could happen anywhere else on that deck.

In any case, current score on F-18 scoreboard is Houthis 0/US 2. We shot one down, and lost another into the drink.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 28, 2025 09:34 PM (1m82a)

199 185 Get Skip's ass out of bed. No one knows how to call Nood except Skip.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at April 28, 2025 09:31 PM (l0E4F)
----
Plus he's always got coffee going and it smells delicious early in the morning.

Posted by: Ciampino - we are all foolish at April 28, 2025 09:34 PM (sPQoU)

200 183...nice. I'd say the Hyde Park location is about 30 minutes from Concord without traffic. Norwell is on the way to the Cape. The third location was going to be Plymouth so it would have been gold for you. Now they are switching to a third location in the Waltham/Burlington/Woburn area. Hope you get to check one of the current locations out!

Posted by: Lex at April 28, 2025 09:34 PM (MYYw0)

201 oldcat, I 've heard some rumblings about Narva lately -mainly "Estonia plans to establish a military base in the town of Narva, located directly on the border with Russia, Estonian Defense Forces Chief of the General Staff Major General Vahur Karus said on April 23." Nothing provocative about that at all..especially from a (lame and stupid) member of NATO !

Posted by: runner at April 28, 2025 09:35 PM (g47mK)

202 Damn.

I lasted four minutes into the Broadway. Jeepers. I hate the MSM.

Posted by: nurse ratched at April 28, 2025 09:35 PM (mT+6a)

203 *broadcast

Posted by: nurse ratched at April 28, 2025 09:35 PM (mT+6a)

204 They are axing for it.

Posted by: runner at April 28, 2025 09:36 PM (g47mK)

205 @Lex, I have made a mental note of it. Thanks.

Posted by: Lincolntf at April 28, 2025 09:36 PM (2cS/G)

206 Neko Cat girl wants more models and statues?

Hai! Just bought as a pre-order for $100 a 1/48 HKM Boston III. First run of kit comes with nose weight, metal landing gear, and a poster.

Seller is in Australia. Kit comes out in a couple days. Will see.

Posted by: Anna Puma at April 28, 2025 09:36 PM (6/+5Z)

207 *broadcast
Posted by: nurse ratched

Does The View count as a Broad cast?

Posted by: Miklos inquires at April 28, 2025 09:37 PM (IKhKt)

208 >>>In November, at least 1,000 sailors and marines will come to Texas during Fleet Week for the first time in their 250 years of service to explore and interact with the public. https://abc13.com/16247674/

Montrose gonna be lit!
Posted by: rickb223
----

How many of those ships will transit the Panama Canal?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at April 28, 2025 09:37 PM (l0E4F)

209 Spain friend reports power in his area came back 30 minutes ago..

Posted by: Joe Kidd at April 28, 2025 09:37 PM (bA75n)

210 I miss legal online poker. I was making $75 a year, a fine return for 500 hours annual effort. There was a nightly no-rake MMT for $0.25 buy-in that attracted thousands of maniacs, who go all in on every hand. They knocked each other out so quickly, all I had to do was fold every hand to get to the money. Nets a small but steady yield.

Posted by: Peel gp A Grape at April 28, 2025 09:38 PM (GaW1s)

211 Oldcat, yep. From "mosquito logistics" to overall mosquito warfare. Small units, small advances, just one gigantic small formation exercise replicated across dozens of locations. Kind of funny when one compares it with the doctrine and preparation of the predecessor state: the most massive armored formations in history and massive offensive thrusts.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 28, 2025 09:38 PM (1m82a)

212 The Spew?

Harpy-cast.

Posted by: Anna Puma at April 28, 2025 09:38 PM (6/+5Z)

213 I was dating a girl who was a social worker in Lincoln Park, Chicago during the summer of 95. She lost a lot of clients that year.

But the sex was epic.

Posted by: Big Fat Meanie at April 28, 2025 09:39 PM (qwx/I)

214 8

Child Scratches Rothko Painting Worth $56 Million in 'Unguarded Moment' at Museum

Posted by: rhennigantx at April 28, 2025 07:51 PM (gbOdA)
----
How can they tell it's scratched and that it's a painting?

Posted by: Ciampino - we say no at April 28, 2025 09:39 PM (sPQoU)

215 Can you imagine if the media was chaotic neutral? They don’t even need to lean good. Just not evil. And they are evil.

Does “hair on fire!” “Everything is going to shit!” “All citizens are going to be starved and beaten and UNLOVED!” Does this really get more viewers than neutral or encouraging news?

Really?

Posted by: nurse ratched at April 28, 2025 09:40 PM (mT+6a)

216 Miklos!

You know I adore you.

Posted by: nurse ratched at April 28, 2025 09:41 PM (mT+6a)

217 (also the honey "harvested" at a really big, really fancy touristy type destination home owned by the Vanderbilts IIRC in Asheville, NC. Allegedly)
Posted by: Boron Cobbie
--------

Biltmore Estate

Posted by: Cornelius Vanderbilt at April 28, 2025 09:42 PM (XeU6L)

218 Great post, Buck! We get the message.

Posted by: Danimal28 at April 28, 2025 09:42 PM (nT4HF)

219 I miss legal online poker. I was making $75 a year, a fine return for 500 hours annual effort. There was a nightly no-rake MMT for $0.25 buy-in that attracted thousands of maniacs, who go all in on every hand. They knocked each other out so quickly, all I had to do was fold every hand to get to the money. Nets a small but steady yield.
Posted by: Peel gp A Grape

Wow! And to think I could have been doing that instead of working.

Posted by: MkY at April 28, 2025 09:43 PM (cPGH3)

220 Wow! And to think I could have been doing that instead of working.
Posted by: MkY

Begins to do forbidden maths... Hey!

Posted by: MkY at April 28, 2025 09:44 PM (cPGH3)

221 Posted by: runner,
---

Estonia's president was seated next to Trump at the Pope's funeral.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at April 28, 2025 09:44 PM (l0E4F)

222 You could surreptitiously use less sugar by adding a cheap artificial sweetener, particularly petroleum-based, then wait for RFK to find you out.
Posted by: Ciampino - Chinese saccharine at April 28, 2025 09:31 PM (sPQoU)

Paint chips and let them sit overnight. The lead acetate will make it sweeter. List it as "sapa"

Posted by: Kindltot at April 28, 2025 09:45 PM (D7oie)

223 ----
How can they tell it's scratched and that it's a painting?
Posted by: Ciampino -
---------

How can one damage a Rothko painting?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at April 28, 2025 09:47 PM (l0E4F)

224 At the funeral, they were seated alphabetically, using French alphabet - the US is (Les) États-Unis. Estonia is Estonia. And next to them was France.

Posted by: runner at April 28, 2025 09:47 PM (g47mK)

225 Are all local newscasts as retarded as Seattle?

I pray they are not.

Posted by: nurse ratched at April 28, 2025 09:48 PM (mT+6a)

226 what happened to Ace?

Posted by: ALH, Sister Golden Hair at April 28, 2025 09:48 PM (AThW+)

227 226 what happened to Ace?
Posted by: ALH, Sister Golden Hair

He’s taking the week off. All good.

Posted by: nurse ratched at April 28, 2025 09:50 PM (mT+6a)

228 226 what happened to Ace?

Posted by: ALH, Sister Golden Hair

We don't know yet, but something is bound to happen while he's vacationing.

Posted by: davidt at April 28, 2025 09:50 PM (i0F8b)

229 ace is on vacation.

A secure, undisclosed location, apparently.

Half-hoping it's Spain or Portugal, just for the yukks, and the on-scene reporting he'll get to do when he's back. Plus both are nice destinations.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 28, 2025 09:50 PM (1m82a)

230 Estonia's president was seated next to Trump at the Pope's funeral.
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at April 28, 2025 09:44 PM (l0E4F)

-----------

Was it his one chance to finally get his Tallins into PDT?

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at April 28, 2025 09:51 PM (hY4dx)

231 Wow, Ace went on vacation. He must have thousands of PTO hours by now.

Posted by: ALH, Sister Golden Hair at April 28, 2025 09:52 PM (AThW+)

232 210 I miss legal online poker. I was making $75 a year, a fine return for 500 hours annual effort.

---------

Have you looked into collecting aluminum cans at the side of the road? You could probably double your annual take.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at April 28, 2025 09:53 PM (hY4dx)

233 Wow, Ace went on vacation. He must have thousands of PTO hours by now.
Posted by: ALH, Sister Golden Hair

Use or Lose.
And no carry over year to year.

Worse than working for Amazon.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at April 28, 2025 09:54 PM (/lPRQ)

234 @126

>> It's funny how the RRHOF inductees have gotten more press than this. Funny as in, not surprising...

Because Europe is largely unimportant in the grand scheme of things and this is by their own design.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at April 28, 2025 09:55 PM (XV/Pl)

235 Tallin was a beautiful place when I visited (long ago, during Glorious Days of Soviet Power). Old part is an untouched Hansestadt, probably the nicest remaining (though I'm not sure).

Anti-Soviet (= anti-Russian, basically) sentiment was off the charts, open, even sort of scary for American visitors trying not to run afoul of the Organs of State Security.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 28, 2025 09:55 PM (1m82a)

236 Another "dinnado nuffin"
Gunfire at Illinois State University prompts call for public help

https://tinyurl.com/ycyj69s5

Posted by: Ciampino - we say no no no at April 28, 2025 09:55 PM (sPQoU)

237 By the time my stash of aluminum cans fills up and I recycle it, it pays for a tank of propane for the grill.

A sustainable system.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 28, 2025 09:56 PM (1m82a)

238 Worse than working for Amazon.
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher

Amazon>>>>United Healthcare

Posted by: nurse ratched at April 28, 2025 09:58 PM (mT+6a)

239 Canada voting finished in 2 minutes.

Posted by: Lincolntf at April 28, 2025 09:58 PM (2cS/G)

240 237 By the time my stash of aluminum cans fills up and I recycle it, it pays for a tank of propane for the grill.

A sustainable system.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 28, 2025 09:56 PM (1m82a)

Every little bit helps.

Posted by: ALH, Sister Golden Hair at April 28, 2025 09:58 PM (AThW+)

241 Miklos!

You know I adore you.
Posted by: nurse ratched

*presents right cheek*

Posted by: Miklos likes smooches at April 28, 2025 10:02 PM (IKhKt)

242 Amazon>>>>United Healthcare
Posted by: nurse ratched

My impression is that AARP is basically a marketing arm of United Healthcare.

Posted by: Miklos is pretty sure about this at April 28, 2025 10:04 PM (IKhKt)

243 Today's EOs

Enforcing the commonsense English-language requirement for commercial motor vehicle drivers and removing needless regulatory burdens that undermine the working conditions of America’s truck drivers.

Designation of “Sanctuary” Jurisdictions.The Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall notify each sanctuary jurisdiction regarding its defiance of Federal immigration law enforcement and any potential violations of Federal criminal law.
Consequences for Sanctuary Jurisdiction Status will be to identify grants and contracts for cancellation, identify discriminatory situations against American citizens

focusing law enforcement on ending crime, not pursuing harmful, illegal race- and sex-based “equity” policies

Posted by: Kindltot at April 28, 2025 10:06 PM (D7oie)

244 Trump will never be popular again with those sorts of goals

Posted by: Kindltot at April 28, 2025 10:06 PM (D7oie)

245 >>> 194 Watching CBS National News. Holy shit.

These people want folks to believe we are on the verge of starvation and homelessness.

Wow.
Posted by: nurse ratched at April 28, 2025 09:32 PM (mT+6a)

Silly Nurse. Don't you know people only "experience homelessness" when a Republican is President? I bet you even remember Mitch whatshisbucket who once claimed something on the order of a million homeless people die every day.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at April 28, 2025 10:06 PM (Vqx30)

246 He'll Have to Go

youtube.com/watch?v=whxFcO3rFRo

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at April 28, 2025 11:11 PM (l0E4F)

247 >>>My impression is that AARP is basically a marketing arm of United Healthcare.
Posted by: Miklos is pretty sure about this
---

Yes, and the icing on the cake is that combined it's a recruitment arm of the DNC. They will cover people that no other company will cover. The big commies aren't dumb.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at April 28, 2025 11:13 PM (l0E4F)

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