Tuesday Overnight Open Thread - July 15, 2025 [scampydog]

Good evening and welcome to the Tuesday ONT - cheaper than a weekly therapy session. Jump into the comments for some fun after you have skimmed, perused, or read the content.

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Speaking of therapy sessions, hiking is a great way to keep the brain refreshed. Plenty to explore in the 50 states - things you cannot see by vehicle. Roads less traveled - not your overpopulated adventures. Away from the people/masses, and unplugged.

Got a favorite hike or hiking story? Foods - what do you pack? Gear? Blisters and bad decisions? Views that took your breath away?

Up top picture is the Manitou Incline. Or as some call it, "The Last Known Photo of the Whereabouts of a Moron."

2,768 stairs
2,000 vertical feet of elevation gain
70,000+ visitors annually
.88 miles
45% average grade
68% steepest grade
Summit elevation of 8,500 feet

*****

A much easier hike is the Myrtle Tree Trail outside of Gold Beach, OR home of the largest known Myrtle tree in the state.

myrtle trees are incredibly beautiful. https://t.co/ObknfQFuNi pic.twitter.com/PP4UC68NhI
— dæ/\mon (@minasofia5) April 22, 2020

Some very nice photography at this link. Top section of the post covers the Shrader trail before getting to the Myrtle Beach hike.

This trail was even shorter than the Old Growth Trail at just half a mile out and back. It climbed to Oregon’s largest known myrtle tree.

*****

We have some guest photography and hiking notes from our AoSHQ friend and regular commenter, Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan(ARiK)

The first photo is the locally famous 'Bridge to Nowhere' located above Azusa Canyon in the Angeles National Forest. This is an 'out and back' hike - meaning you hike the same trail out as going in, along the San Gabriel River, with multiple stream crossings, especially in spring when there's some snowmelt (sometimes) from up in the mountains. There was a gold strike in this area in pioneer days and even today you might see amateur miners trying to sluice out some placer gold from the stream. Total distance is about 10 miles with around 1000 feet elevation gain. There's plenty of shade but still this hike is better in spring or fall than mid-summer. The structure on the bridge is a bungee jumping operation, in case hiking in the back country isn't risky enough by itself. I took the bridge picture in 2016, so I don't know if the bungee jumping is still there. Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan

Second photo is not Southern Utah, but Red Rock Canyon located in Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park in Lake Forest, Ca. Literally right in my own backyard amidst the urban sprawl that constitutes L.A.-Orange County. Another out and back hike, an easy 5 miles or so round trip with a few hundred feet elevation gain, with shade mostly but hot in the summer. You share this trail with the mountain bikers so stay alert. This is also mountain lion country but I've only seen deer on this trail. I consider this an 'urban hike.' Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan

Hiking safely is its own topic but to me the most important things are staying hydrated and sun protection. Bring more water than you think you'll need and wear loose clothing. Be sure to eat a good breakfast before starting out. Get a good pair of hiking boots, wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and at least one trekking pole. I've found using a pole aids enormously with stability and endurance.
As always, proper planning and training helps. The All Trails app has information about distance, elevation gain and conditions on the trail. There are also guidebooks available for various parks and regions. REI is usually a good resource for gear and local information. See link below for the 'Ten Essentials.' The National Park Service, the BSA, and REI all have suggested lists.
My last comment, I've met any number of nice people 'on the trails.' In over ten years of doing this regularly, I don't think I've had a bad experience. Do your part by keeping within your performance limits so you're not holding the group back, and of course, stay away from the usual 'touchy' conversation subjects. Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan

Ten Essentials

Big ONT thank you to ARiK for jumping in with some content!

*****

Well now... just a cool $22 million has gone missing. Like a speck of lint that goes unnoticed?

Jacksonville Jaguars employee embezzles $22 million.

Patel's fraudulent transactions began in September 2019 and continued until he was fired by the Jaguars in February 2023. He used the proceeds of this scheme, in whole or part, to place bets with online gambling websites, to purchase a condominium in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, to pay for personal travel for himself and friends (including chartering private jets and booking luxury hotels and private rental residences), to acquire a new Tesla Model 3 sedan and Nissan pickup truck, to pay a criminal defense law firm, and to purchase cryptocurrency, non-fungible tokens, electronics, sports memorabilia, a country club membership, spa treatments, concert and sporting event tickets, home furnishings, and luxury wrist watches. Patel did not report any of this illicit income on his tax returns.

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Best life advice? Sure, let's do it. Teen years, was intimidated by an older person - their intellect. The advice I received, "He is as full of sh*t as anyone you'll meet." Which is akin to the old standby: pants on one leg at a time. Work related: "If the percentages work, it does not matter how big or small the numbers are. Focus on the percentages."

How about the Horde? Best or fun life advice?

Amusing More like a meme collection.

Update: Hat Tip to RickZ

*****

Microwave Drone Zappers? With a name like Leonidas? I guess we will see soon enough.

MIT Technology Review

The US armed forces are now hunting for a solution—and they want it fast. Every branch of the service and a host of defense tech startups are testing out new weapons that promise to disable drones en masse. There are drones that slam into other drones like battering rams; drones that shoot out nets to ensnare quadcopter propellers; precision-guided Gatling guns that simply shoot drones out of the sky; electronic approaches, like GPS jammers and direct hacking tools; and lasers that melt holes clear through a target’s side.
Then there are the microwaves: high-powered electronic devices that push out kilowatts of power to zap the circuits of a drone as if it were the tinfoil you forgot to take off your leftovers when you heated them up.

Another take on the system.

Although the H2O prototype was tested against marine attacks, the company has already delivered a prototype weapon to the U.S. Army to counter airborne attacks. According to Wargofchik, the Army has received four Leonidas-derived, semi-fixed systems “to support the Indirect Fire Protection Capability—High-Power Microwave (IFPC-HPM) program.” Those directed energy weapons are undergoing additional testing at Combatant Commands.

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A bit of Tuesday evening music.

We'll open with the bluesy hit from Dion. The Wanderer. I don't think he was singing about hiking.

Fruit Bats and their Humbug Mountain song? Sure, it's the ONT. 1:07 mark is worth a chuckle.

Through the Woods by the Okee Dokee Brothers.

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This ONT brought to you by: Poor choices on the golf course.

As shown in this video shared to Golf Reddit, local golfers from all around Alberta came to pay their respects to the adversaries who fought and fell there, disappearing beneath the waves. What has become of sh*tfaced David and Canadian Goliath? Only the golf gods can say, but whatever their fates, we humble pilgrims would be wise to heed them.

*****

Send Insult Bandages and a Mystery Mischief Box to the new email: scampydoggo@atomicmail.io Proton email address is inaccessible.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 10:00 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Tuesday exists because without it, Monday would be followed by Wednesday.

Posted by: mindful webworker - soy muy estupido gringo at July 15, 2025 10:00 PM (+kBwA)

2 Trying for top 10...

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at July 15, 2025 10:00 PM (O7YUW)

3 2

Posted by: Admiral Spinebender at July 15, 2025 10:00 PM (hftn9)

4 Meow

Posted by: Lurking Cheshirecat at July 15, 2025 10:00 PM (w3u3d)

5 first

Posted by: LRob in OK, Moron and Lunatic at July 15, 2025 10:01 PM (ha1wR)

6 top pic:

Stairway from heaven?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 15, 2025 10:01 PM (0eaVi)

7 Hey, where all da white wimmen at?

Posted by: Sheriff Bart at July 15, 2025 10:03 PM (JkO4W)

8 Rocket music is terrible.

T -7

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 15, 2025 10:04 PM (blT2t)

9 A dog with a full bladder would have trouble with that top pic. So many tress to pee on, so little time.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at July 15, 2025 10:04 PM (S/Y4j)

10 What tomfoolery is this? It's the ONT and I am still awake.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 15, 2025 10:05 PM (HFcKg)

11 Ain't No Mountain High Enough - good song. Nice to hear MiladyJo singing along with it.

Now go edit out the &list… part of the URL on that link, m'kay?

Posted by: mindful webworker - for the children at July 15, 2025 10:05 PM (+kBwA)

12 Jacksonville Jaguars employee embezzles $22 million.

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I want a job where I wouldn't notice that $22 million disappeared.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at July 15, 2025 10:05 PM (JkO4W)

13 What tomfoolery is this? It's the ONT and I am still awake.
Posted by: Ben Had at July 15, 2025 10:05 PM (HFcKg)

Sun's still out.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 15, 2025 10:05 PM (0eaVi)

14 >>>sh*tfaced David

should have dumbass tattooed across his forehead.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 15, 2025 10:05 PM (blT2t)

15 Patel did not report any of this illicit income on his tax returns.

That requires the special 1099-BZLR form. The paperwork sucks.

Posted by: gKWVE at July 15, 2025 10:06 PM (gKWVE)

16 Gear? Blisters and bad decisions?

I swear by Injinji socks and Altra Lone Peak trail runners for hiking.

Posted by: Bert G at July 15, 2025 10:06 PM (VARTN)

17 Stairway from heaven?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 15, 2025 10:01 PM (0eaVi)

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Where's that confounded bridge?

Posted by: Robert Plant at July 15, 2025 10:06 PM (JkO4W)

18 A much easier hike is the Myrtle Tree Trail outside of Gold Beach, OR home of the largest known Myrtle tree in the state.

When a Myrtle tree dies, is it covered in crepe?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 15, 2025 10:06 PM (0eaVi)

19 Can see where tonight's going from here.
Gonna' get a tall drink for this one.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 15, 2025 10:07 PM (blT2t)

20 Not much hiking, but I went to the Mississippi Headwaters this morning. Little kids splashing in the river, literally walking across the river, water up to their tiny knees and thighs.

Then drove down past the Twin Cities, and marveled at the size of the river, where it becomes lakes. Where I am now, in Iowa, the river is wide, but it splits. Over here on this side it's more marshy, with an island in between, with houses and boats moored.

From here on to St. Louis, to visit family.

Posted by: BurtTC at July 15, 2025 10:08 PM (kW2zO)

21 @12

>>I want a job where I wouldn't notice that $22 million disappeared

Well, someone noticed, hence the story.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at July 15, 2025 10:08 PM (XV/Pl)

22 They're showing the grey screen of death.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 15, 2025 10:08 PM (blT2t)

23 Tuesday exists because without it, Monday would be followed by Wednesday.
Posted by: mindful webworker - soy muy estupido gringo at July 15, 2025 10:00 PM

Whoa.

Posted by: Mind. Blown. at July 15, 2025 10:09 PM (jc0TO)

24 I always found it rather amusing that Dion sang both The Wanderer and Runaround Sue

Posted by: No One of Consequence at July 15, 2025 10:09 PM (OGOaV)

25 Not much hiking, but I went to the Mississippi Headwaters this morning.

Posted by: BurtTC at July 15, 2025 10:08 PM (kW2zO)

I went to the headwaters today, too. I felt a little flushed afterwards.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 15, 2025 10:09 PM (0eaVi)

26 12 Jacksonville Jaguars employee embezzles $22 million.

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I want a job where I wouldn't notice that $22 million disappeared.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at July 15, 2025 10:05 PM (JkO4W)

I remember a story where an assistant to a Goldman Sachs partner stole $30 million from her boss' bank account before he noticed the money was missing.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at July 15, 2025 10:10 PM (9EwTD)

27 The way to embezzle big is to be in accounts payable, where you can create bogus vendors and write them big checks.

Posted by: toby928 at July 15, 2025 10:10 PM (jc0TO)

28 "Myrtle" was a word we used when we broke wind.

Sorry, guys, I just Myrtled.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, I Have Become Comfortably Lame at July 15, 2025 10:10 PM (0aYVJ)

29 22 million? Piker . A government employee embezzled 100 million.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 15, 2025 10:10 PM (HFcKg)

30 When I watched the golf course video, I said to myself that guy knows how to throw a punch. Later on he shows he knows how to throw a body, too.

Hockey players, man. Don't mess with them.

Posted by: RickZ at July 15, 2025 10:11 PM (gKDq2)

31 Woo hoo. Final four. 😺

Posted by: Lurking Cheshirecat at July 15, 2025 10:11 PM (w3u3d)

32 >Best or fun life advice?

Never make the same mistake twice.

Posted by: Gus Fring at July 15, 2025 10:11 PM (i0F8b)

33 Now go edit out the &list… part of the URL on that link, m'kay?
Posted by: mindful webworker - for the children at July 15, 2025 10:05
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Updated. See you can teach an old dog...nevermind. Thanks mindful.

Posted by: scampydog at July 15, 2025 10:11 PM (41CYW)

34 Hockey players, man. Don't mess with them.
Posted by: RickZ at July 15, 2025 10:11 PM (gKDq2)

Better believe it.

Posted by: The Hanson Brothers at July 15, 2025 10:12 PM (0eaVi)

35 I want a job where I wouldn't notice that $22 million disappeared.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at July 15, 2025 10:05 PM (JkO4W)

We're right here.

Posted by: The Department of Defense at July 15, 2025 10:12 PM (gKDq2)

36 I recall as a yoot (8?) climbing some 'mountain' and getting to the top, where getting to the top, the 'adventurous' could climb rocks for an even higher view - looked like instant death to me. Not sure the exact mountain but pretty sure it was in TN or NC

Posted by: a dude in MI at July 15, 2025 10:12 PM (+I6Y/)

37 24 I always found it rather amusing that Dion sang both The Wanderer and Runaround Sue
Posted by: No One of Consequence at July 15, 2025 10:09 PM (OGOaV)

---------

Roundheel Rhonda and Slattern Sally just never took off in the same way.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at July 15, 2025 10:12 PM (JkO4W)

38 I recall as a yoot (8?) climbing some 'mountain' and getting to the top, where getting to the top, the 'adventurous' could climb rocks for an even higher view - looked like instant death to me. Not sure the exact mountain but pretty sure it was in TN or NC
Posted by: a dude in MI at July 15, 2025 10:12 PM (+I6Y/)

So, a hillock.

Posted by: The Rocky Mountains at July 15, 2025 10:13 PM (0eaVi)

39 29 22 million? Piker . A government employee embezzled 100 million.
Posted by: Ben Had at July 15, 2025 10:10 PM (HFcKg)

Seen. And raised:

Lithuanian national Evaldas Rimasauskas orchestrated the infamous fraud in which he impersonated Quanta Computer—a Taiwanese hardware supplier—and convinced Google and Meta (Facebook) to wire payments to his fake company. Between 2013 and 2015, he sent forged contracts, emails, invoices, and even stamped letters to finance departments, tricking them into transferring roughly $23 million from Google and about $100 million from Meta.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at July 15, 2025 10:13 PM (9EwTD)

40 Hockey players, man. Don't mess with them.
Posted by: RickZ at July 15, 2025 10:11 PM (gKDq2)
-----

Better believe it.
Posted by: The Hanson Brothers at July 15, 2025 10:12 PM (0eaVi)

Still one of the greatest sports movies of all time.

Posted by: RickZ at July 15, 2025 10:14 PM (gKDq2)

41 The way to embezzle big is to be in accounts payable, where you can create bogus vendors and write them big checks.
Posted by: toby928

Exactly. Which is why at one place I worked (over 500 storerooms in 12 states) we only paid vendors based on Material Receipts from the SRs, not Invoices from the vendors. Now of course, you still had to match the MR to a PO but it helped to hold the line against theft.

BUT, nothing is foolproof - thieves are crafty.

Posted by: Tonypete at July 15, 2025 10:15 PM (cYBz/)

42 27 The way to embezzle big is to be in accounts payable, where you can create bogus vendors and write them big checks.
Posted by: toby928 at July 15, 2025 10:10 PM (jc0TO)

---------

Cue Mark Knopfler's Postcards From Paraguay

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at July 15, 2025 10:15 PM (JkO4W)

43 Slattern Sally

Went out with her - but only once.

Posted by: LRob in OK, Moron and Lunatic at July 15, 2025 10:16 PM (ha1wR)

44 So, a hillock.
Posted by: The Rocky Mountains at July 15, 2025 10:13 PM (0eaVi)

I still do that to my Arizona friends. They say "I hiked that mountain," and my response is always "You mean hill?"

Posted by: BurtTC at July 15, 2025 10:16 PM (kW2zO)

45 Best life rules. 4. Never pass up anything good.
At my age that'd be whipped cream in my mocha.
3. Always carry a lighter.
2, Always carry a pocket knife.
1. Which I learned by watching other fools.
Never date a stripper.

Posted by: Winston AKA Pops at July 15, 2025 10:16 PM (EgLGT)

46
Damn, it was foggy at Vandenberg -- couldn't see a damn thing.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at July 15, 2025 10:16 PM (w6EFb)

47 BUT, nothing is foolproof - thieves are crafty.
Posted by: Tonypete at July 15, 2025 10:15 PM

and inside thieves are the craftiest.

Posted by: toby928 at July 15, 2025 10:16 PM (jc0TO)

48 Thanks for a very girthy Tuesday Night ONT, scampydog!

Loved the sign about Yoga and the Downward Dog position!

Posted by: Legally Sufficient at July 15, 2025 10:16 PM (kB9dk)

49 Another launch in about 3 hours

GO! - SpaceX - Falcon 9 - Project Kuiper (KF-01) - SLC-40 - Cape Canaveral SFS

Launch Time: 2:18 a.m. EDT (0618 UTC, 08:18 CEST)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvUpLlJAOR0

Posted by: Joyenz at July 15, 2025 10:16 PM (sPQoU)

50 re embezzlement: in the case of the Colorado Rockies, all the players are in on that game

Posted by: gKWVE at July 15, 2025 10:16 PM (gKWVE)

51
Good job, Scampington!

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 15, 2025 10:17 PM (HZi96)

52 I did not know that dandy golf fight happened in Alberta. I must lead a sheltered life. The course in question is half-way between Red Deer and Sylvan Lake. I used to drive that road quite often, as it lay on my preferred route home from working wellsite up around Edson. When I hit Sylvan lake, I was under 2 hours from home.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 15, 2025 10:17 PM (5Djh4)

53 Did a lot of hiking, especially in New England, until the heart slowed me down and the broken back and neck stopped me.
I have a hiking stick I've had since the mid seventies, pulled it out of the feed pile next to a beaver damn. All the bark whittled off by said beavers one hungry winter.
I've hiked in the high thirties something of the high forties something of four thousand plus feet mountains in NE. I gave my AMC booklet with my times marked to daughter #2 while she was working on her ChemE masters at MIT, and she proceeded to beat them all. The weekend before graduation, I drove her to the last two trailheads needed to complete them. She took my hiking stick with her. I was more touched than I thought I'd be.

Posted by: From about That Time at July 15, 2025 10:17 PM (n4GiU)

54 Evenin' Horde. Lounging in bed at rehab. Tired of my life being disrupted so many ways. Clinging to faith God will bring me through.

I want to go home.

I want one to go to.

This shit sucks.

Posted by: Brother Tim sez at July 15, 2025 10:17 PM (N3+8y)

55 Never date a stripper.

Which I learned after that one date with SS . . . . .

Posted by: LRob in OK, Moron and Lunatic at July 15, 2025 10:17 PM (ha1wR)

56 My wife runs a junk shop as a profitable hobby. She routinely charges obscene markups, and holds stuff too long before marking them down to simply giant markups. I always advised her to stop doing that.

I finally got through to her when I said "only think about the margin. Most legitimate businesses are happy if they make an 8-10% margin. Drug dealers risk death or prison for an 80-100% margin. If you're getting 300%, then be happy and don't worry about not getting 500%."

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at July 15, 2025 10:17 PM (BI5O2)

57 So, a hillock.
Posted by: The Rocky Mountains at July 15, 2025 10:13 PM (0eaVi)

Listen up, you young whippersnapper! One day you'll be worn down, too.

Posted by: The Appalachian Mountains at July 15, 2025 10:18 PM (gKDq2)

58 re embezzlement: in the case of the Colorado Rockies, all the players are in on that game
Posted by: gKWVE at July 15, 2025 10:16 PM (gKWVE)

Was gonna say something similar about the Jax Jags.

Whatever they're paying their players, it's theft.

Posted by: BurtTC at July 15, 2025 10:18 PM (kW2zO)

59 @29

>>22 million? Piker . A government employee embezzled 100 million.

Well, that requires having access to billions of dollars to go unnoticed for a while.

The average size of a project I work on is around 25 million, which would allow me if I was so inclined, to expropriate 10's of thousands range, within the labor or materials budgets.

Equipment budgets are pretty much impossible to jigger with.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at July 15, 2025 10:18 PM (XV/Pl)

60 Good evening Horde. Thanks Doggo! Nice ONT!

Never made it out for the hike to the bridge to nowhere, but can confirm that the nearby Rt. 39 is an acceptable road for driving with enthusiasm.

Posted by: TRex - past my bedtime at July 15, 2025 10:19 PM (QATj/)

61 It's been a few years since I've seen the Manitou incline. But I don't remember the steps being as even as they look in the picture. They must have done some major work on it.

Posted by: Florida Peasant at July 15, 2025 10:19 PM (Lo97M)

62 Updated. See you can teach an old dog...nevermind. Thanks mindful.
Posted by: scampydog

A responsive COB. Astonishing. You must be new here.

(Just kidding, other old COBs. Just kidding.)

Posted by: mindful webworker - and so it goes at July 15, 2025 10:20 PM (+kBwA)

63 Postcards From Paraguay - an ode to embezzling

https://youtu.be/aGsorhfUxiU?si=6Y-7aK4otFOt4cQB

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at July 15, 2025 10:20 PM (hY4dx)

64 Elon has at least one thing he can laugh about - all the way to the bank.

In the next week, one of the Falcon 9 rockets will launch Kuiper satellites, for a competitor to StarLink. SpaceX gets the launch for the Amazon subsidiary.

I'm sure Jeff Bezos would prefer to use his own Blue Origin rockets, but they can't do it. They're still working on building the second orbital rocket. I don't remember whether they've launched the first.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at July 15, 2025 10:20 PM (S/Y4j)

65 Never made it out for the hike to the bridge to nowhere, but can confirm that the nearby Rt. 39 is an acceptable road for driving with enthusiasm.
Posted by: TRex - past my bedtime at July 15, 2025 10:19
-----------
How far does your steering wheel telescope? Good evening, Dino.

Posted by: scampydog at July 15, 2025 10:20 PM (41CYW)

66 I finally got through to her when I said "only think about the margin. Most legitimate businesses are happy if they make an 8-10% margin. Drug dealers risk death or prison for an 80-100% margin. If you're getting 300%, then be happy and don't worry about not getting 500%."
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at July 15, 2025 10:17 PM (BI5O2)

Yeesh! Now I'm wondering why there aren't more murders in the junk shop racket.

Posted by: BurtTC at July 15, 2025 10:21 PM (kW2zO)

67 Posted by: Brother Tim sez at July 15, 2025 10:17 PM (N3+8y)

Hang tough, Brother. You got this.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, I Have Become Comfortably Lame at July 15, 2025 10:21 PM (0aYVJ)

68 Hiking story: we were heading in to our favorite overnight campsite when we met a group of kids coming out who told us they had been going there for ten years. I thought that's not possible, I've been going here for ten years. But when I thought about it, we had been going there for twenty years.

Time and life are strange.

Evening all

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 15, 2025 10:21 PM (PcTds)

69 Yay, Orange Chicken Day ONT!

Posted by: Blanco Basura -Z28.310 at July 15, 2025 10:21 PM (ojCLR)

70 49 Another launch in about 3 hours

GO! - SpaceX - Falcon 9 - Project Kuiper (KF-01) - SLC-40 - Cape Canaveral SFS

Launch Time: 2:18 a.m. EDT (0618 UTC, 08:18 CEST)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvUpLlJAOR0
Posted by: Joyenz at July 15, 2025 10:16 PM (sPQoU)

Thank you so much for continuing your father's work here.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at July 15, 2025 10:22 PM (9EwTD)

71 Most legitimate businesses are happy if they make an 8-10% margin. Drug dealers risk death or prison for an 80-100% margin. If you're getting 300%, then be happy and don't worry about not getting 500%."
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at July 15, 2025 10:17 PM (BI5O2)

I bet she loved finding out she's making more profit percentage than a drug dealer. Dust has a totally different meaning.

Posted by: RickZ at July 15, 2025 10:22 PM (gKDq2)

72 Yay, Orange Chicken Day ONT!
Posted by: Blanco Basura -Z28.310 at July 15, 2025 10:21 PM (ojCLR)
---
Dang it! I ran out of orange paint!

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 15, 2025 10:23 PM (IBQGV)

73 65 How far does your steering wheel telescope?

Posted by: scampydog at July 15, 2025 10:20 PM
***
Just far enough. Reaching the pedals can be a challenge though... Maybe I should shop for cars where Fred and Barney shop.

Posted by: TRex - past my bedtime at July 15, 2025 10:24 PM (QATj/)

74 Sorry I'm late, my exterminator cancelled on me so I was looking for an aardvark on E-Bay.

Posted by: tankdemon at July 15, 2025 10:24 PM (5yDrz)

75 We'll be taking our cat Purrcy back to the vet tomorrow. He just lies in one spot in the bathroom and doesn't get up for water, food, or to go potty. He's just urinating where he is sleeping.

I did pick him up to check his legs, and he can stand and walk, but after just a few steps, he starts breathing hard and then just lies down again. I haven't seen any fresh blood from his mouth today, and he is still grooming himself.

Please keep Purrcy in your prayers.

[Link to cat fund: https://t.co/iS8XTjbmSR]

Posted by: Joyenz at July 15, 2025 10:24 PM (sPQoU)

76 Yay, Orange Chicken Day ONT!
Posted by: Blanco Basura -Z28.310 at July 15, 2025 10:21 PM (ojCLR)
---
Dang it! I ran out of orange paint!
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 15, 2025 10:23 PM (IBQGV)

Try blueberry paint!

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at July 15, 2025 10:24 PM (S/Y4j)

77 . She took my hiking stick with her. I was more touched than I thought I'd be.
Posted by: From about That Time at July 15, 2025 10:17 PM (n4GiU)

Sweet story, thanks for sharing.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 15, 2025 10:25 PM (PcTds)

78 Yay, Orange Chicken Day ONT!
Posted by: Blanco Basura -Z28.310 at July 15, 2025 10:21 PM (ojCLR)
---
Dang it! I ran out of orange paint!
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 15, 2025 10:23 PM (IBQGV)

I wouldn't have knocked over the can if you'd have stopped choking me.

Posted by: Orange Chicken at July 15, 2025 10:25 PM (0eaVi)

79 Road marching Agony and Misery in Ft. Knox kind of took the glamor out of hiking for me.

Posted by: tankdemon at July 15, 2025 10:26 PM (5yDrz)

80 My experience has been, it matters little what footwear or socks are worn if the hike is long enough. That is, if your feet are soft and citified, and after all, a blister is nature’s way of telling you a callous is needed there.

Still, I found author Colin Fletcher’s advice to be helpful in the interim. A blister, or blisters, can ruin the trip. You simply can’t “tough it out”. At the first sign of trouble, stop. I like to tape up blister prone areas beforehand. A small bottle of rubbing alcohol is really nice. A good plan is to stop for about ten minutes for every hour of hiking. Air out those dogs! A fresh pair of socks also helps. If you do get a blister, sterilizing a needle with flame and draining is helpful. Keep the area clean and dry, and apply an antibiotic ointment.

Posted by: Common Tater at July 15, 2025 10:26 PM (usFPI)

81 Though I will say, the Pictured Rocks area along the shores of Lake Superior in the UP was pretty cool back when I was young and had lung capacity.

Posted by: tankdemon at July 15, 2025 10:29 PM (5yDrz)

82 Brother Tim sez
---
"Since he clings to me in love, I will save him"

I sympathize and remind you of God's Love.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 15, 2025 10:30 PM (PcTds)

83 A sad note on hiking safety - just days ago, a good friend from my youth, in his 60’s now, was hiking with his family in the Rockies in Colorado. Somehow (don’t know the details) he slipped and bounced down a nearly vertical 100’ rock slope. Had to be airlifted out; broke his pelvis, a leg, 13 ribs, and some facial bones. He’ll live, but he’ll never be the same again.

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 15, 2025 10:31 PM (I5+UQ)

84 I've got to the point where I can hike down to the gate and back. Not quite half a mile. If I pace myself. I stay hydrated and wear a hat. Getting stronger, gradually.

Walking with Daisy Dog means a slower pace, as she has to stop and sniff everything along the way.

Posted by: mindful webworker - there and back again at July 15, 2025 10:31 PM (+kBwA)

85 74 Sorry I'm late, my exterminator cancelled on me so I was looking for an aardvark on E-Bay.

Posted by: tankdemon at July 15, 2025 10:24 PM
***
Curious - what's the going rate for an aardvark these days? Do aardvarks with more miles cost less?

Posted by: TRex - aardvark neophyte at July 15, 2025 10:31 PM (QATj/)

86 When I was a little kid, I thought Antique stores were run by couples who had Old Stuff they needed to get rid of. It never occurred to me they would be searching for more old stuff to sell. I figured the inventory would (hopefully) go down, and one fine day, that very last antique desk would get sold, and they could retire or whatever.

Posted by: Common Tater at July 15, 2025 10:31 PM (usFPI)

87 Two camping stories I’ll de-lurk to tell. The summer before my senior year of high school my parents took me on a camping trip around Michigan. We camped next to Lakes Huron, Superior, and Michigan. Did some nice hiking in the UP.

As an adult, my wife and me, our two kids, brother-in-law, and 4 niblings went camping in Indiana. I pulled our tent out to set it up—and realized the poles were in our garage, in Texas. One nephew had brought rope, so strung the tent between two trees. Amazing hiking on that trip.

Posted by: QED Texan at July 15, 2025 10:33 PM (fveCG)

88 Walking with Daisy Dog means a slower pace, as she has to stop and sniff everything along the way.
Posted by: mindful webworker - there and back again at July 15, 2025 10:31 PM
----------
Ah yes, the sniff interrogation.

Posted by: scampydog at July 15, 2025 10:33 PM (41CYW)

89 Curious - what's the going rate for an aardvark these days? Do aardvarks with more miles cost less?
Posted by: TRex - aardvark neophyte at July 15, 2025 10:31 PM

The undercoating is where they stick it to you.

Posted by: toby928 at July 15, 2025 10:34 PM (jc0TO)

90 Posted by: Tom Servo at July 15, 2025 10:31 PM (I5+UQ)

I am glad your friend will survive. I hope he has some good drugs right now for the pain.

Posted by: Joyenz at July 15, 2025 10:35 PM (sPQoU)

91 Sorry I'm late, my exterminator cancelled on me so I was looking for an aardvark on E-Bay.
Posted by: tankdemon

The hard part about shopping for aardvarks on E-Bay is all the people selling zithers and ziggurats and zebrafish who list them as aardvarks just to get to the top of the search lists.

Posted by: mikeski at July 15, 2025 10:35 PM (DgGvY)

92 and never take your aardvark to the dealer for service. Seek out an independent.

Posted by: toby928 at July 15, 2025 10:36 PM (jc0TO)

93 Where's the handrail?

Posted by: Count de Monet at July 15, 2025 10:36 PM (wVcYX)

94 I hiked the Tucker Ravine up to the very top of Mt. Washington in my spry days. I seem to recall it was late June. At the top, the temp. was in the high 50s. Winds were pushing 40mph...with some gusts that moved you around a bit.

The funny thing was we felt like we accomplished something monumental. It's not an easy (or safe hike). But, at the top there were a bunch if kids and elderly that just had a nice leisurely ride up the mountain in a cog railroad car with snacks. The bastards.

Posted by: Orson at July 15, 2025 10:36 PM (dIske)

95 Looking at the 45 Hilarious Pieces of Life Advice memes, I must say, # 11 could be THE ONT Meme.

Posted by: RickZ at July 15, 2025 10:37 PM (gKDq2)

96 Be Prepared.

Posted by: Boy Scout (old school) at July 15, 2025 10:37 PM (i0F8b)

97 Yay, Orange Chicken Day ONT!
Posted by: Blanco Basura

Had that for dinner yesternight. Doesn't work so well on tacos.

Posted by: mindful webworker - Poulet orange, with mashed potatoes at July 15, 2025 10:38 PM (+kBwA)

98 Looking at the 45 Hilarious Pieces of Life Advice memes, I must say, # 11 could be THE ONT Meme.
Posted by: RickZ at July 15, 2025 10:37 PM

#7 DID surprise me.

Posted by: toby928 at July 15, 2025 10:39 PM (jc0TO)

99 A sad note on hiking safety - just days ago, a good friend from my youth, in his 60’s now, was hiking with his family in the Rockies in Colorado. Somehow (don’t know the details) he slipped and bounced down a nearly vertical 100’ rock slope. Had to be airlifted out; broke his pelvis, a leg, 13 ribs, and some facial bones. He’ll live, but he’ll never be the same again.
Posted by: Tom Servo at July 15, 2025 10:31 PM (I5+UQ)

I can relate. Tell him to hang tough.

Posted by: Zombie Evel Knievel at July 15, 2025 10:39 PM (wVcYX)

100 Though I will say, the Pictured Rocks area along the shores of Lake Superior in the UP was pretty cool back when I was young and had lung capacity.
Posted by: tankdemon
+++
That's a great hike. Probably at least eight miles to chapel rock and back. Easier to take a boat out of Munising.

Posted by: Florida Peasant at July 15, 2025 10:41 PM (Lo97M)

101 Angel's Landing. Zion National Park. I did it when I was young. I would not do it when I am now old.

Posted by: Ex Rex Reeder at July 15, 2025 10:41 PM (MZ+PY)

102 Be Prepared.
Posted by: Boy Scout (old school) at July 15, 2025 10:37 PM (i0F8b)

Word.

Posted by: Scar at July 15, 2025 10:42 PM (zLwRl)

103 Most legitimate businesses are happy if they make an 8-10% margin. Drug dealers risk death or prison for an 80-100% margin. If you're getting 300%, then be happy and don't worry about not getting 500%."
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at July 15, 2025

The average retail gross profit margin is 31%, with a 4 and some change operating profit margin and 3% net profit margin. Luxury is a little more, discount a little less. She is doing great.

Posted by: Piper at July 15, 2025 10:43 PM (pZEOD)

104 Manitou Incline?

Pffffft! Pike's Peak or bust.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 15, 2025 10:44 PM (Wnv9h)

105 Some of the best advice I got from my father was to not go into a business where your profit is measured in pennies per ton.

Posted by: toby928 at July 15, 2025 10:44 PM (jc0TO)

106
I can relate. Tell him to hang tough.
Posted by: Zombie Evel Knievel at July 15, 2025 10:39 PM (wVcYX)

Right on.

Posted by: New Kids on the Block at July 15, 2025 10:45 PM (7j8wJ)

107 88 Walking with Daisy Dog means a slower pace, as she has to stop and sniff everything along the way.
Posted by: mindful webworker - there and back again at July 15, 2025 10:31 PM
----------
Ah yes, the sniff interrogation.
Posted by: scampydog at July

We call this reading the news.

Posted by: Piper at July 15, 2025 10:45 PM (pZEOD)

108
[hmm. let's see...take a hike, or take a nap?]

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc.. at July 15, 2025 10:45 PM (XeU6L)

109 105 Some of the best advice I got from my father was to not go into a business where your profit is measured in pennies per ton.
Posted by: toby928 at July 15, 2025 10:44 PM (jc0TO)

Or penis per ton.

Posted by: Metric F-Ton of Dick at July 15, 2025 10:46 PM (7j8wJ)

110 95 Looking at the 45 Hilarious Pieces of Life Advice memes, I must say, # 11 could be THE ONT Meme.
Posted by: RickZ at July 15, 2025 10:37 PM
------------
Updated.

Posted by: scampydog at July 15, 2025 10:47 PM (41CYW)

111 The Manitou Incline is like the ultimate hike. I've been able to do it twice It's crazy. We've got locals who ascend the incline daily. The last time I was on the incline, I got passed by a guy barefoot who used the incline daily.

Posted by: Shana at July 15, 2025 10:47 PM (C7yuq)

112 105 Some of the best advice I got from my father was to not go into a business where your profit is measured in pennies per ton.
Posted by: toby928 at July 15, 2025 10:44 PM (jc0TO)

----------

Also, never get into arguments with people who buy ink by the barrel.

Posted by: Mark Twain at July 15, 2025 10:47 PM (hY4dx)

113 Looking at that list of advice, I'm not sure about #39. We'd have to ignore TRex, and I don't think that's a good idea.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at July 15, 2025 10:48 PM (S/Y4j)

114 I am sorry, Joyenz. Things have been a rough road for you lately.

Posted by: Piper at July 15, 2025 10:48 PM (pZEOD)

115 109 105 Some of the best advice I got from my father was to not go into a business where your profit is measured in pennies per ton.
Posted by: toby928 at July 15, 2025 10:44 PM (jc0TO)

Or penis per ton.
Posted by: Metric F-Ton of Dick at July 15, 2025 10:46 PM (7j8wJ)

Why not?

Posted by: Lena Dunham at July 15, 2025 10:49 PM (zLwRl)

116 [hmm. let's see...take a hike, or take a nap?]
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc.. at July 15, 2025 10:45 PM (XeU6L)

Hah! I am about to take a nap. Had my Cardiac Perfusion Test today in Red Deer. In hospital from 8:30 to 4:00. I brought along that book you kindly gave me, and got 3/4 of the way through it while awaiting various stages. It definitely made the down time pass rapidly. A gripping story.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 15, 2025 10:49 PM (5Djh4)

117 Yeesh! Now I'm wondering why there aren't more murders in the junk shop racket.
Posted by: BurtTC at July 15, 2025 10:21 PM (kW2zO)

------------------------------------------

Official murders? No. But an inordinate amount of "accidentally crushed by falling inventory" deaths. Make of that what you will.

Posted by: No One of Consequence at July 15, 2025 10:50 PM (OGOaV)

118 113 Looking at that list of advice, I'm not sure about #39. We'd have to ignore TRex, and I don't think that's a good idea.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at July 15, 2025 10:48 PM
***
Well, it does say "interact with reality..."

Posted by: TRex - a friendly dino (mostly) at July 15, 2025 10:50 PM (QATj/)

119 Robert Shaw's best and second best monologues would be from Jaws.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at July 15, 2025 10:51 PM (lhenN)

120 86 When I was a little kid, I thought Antique stores were run by couples who had Old Stuff they needed to get rid of. It never occurred to me they would be searching for more old stuff to sell. I figured the inventory would (hopefully) go down, and one fine day, that very last antique desk would get sold, and they could retire or whatever.
Posted by: Common Tater at July 15, 2025 10:31 PM (usFPI)

Part of our clientele at the Thrift Store are vendors who shop for things for their booths/stores/eBay shops.
Luckily for them, we have a never-ending stream of donations coming in, which are all over the spectrum- from unique things we can put on eBay and stuff that goes on the outside Free shelves or straight into the dumpster.
Working Seasonal Goods at the moment and hovering between Scrooge and Grinch...

Posted by: sal at July 15, 2025 10:51 PM (f+FmA)

121 I think I have to stop watching shark shows. Saijo is being very bitey.

Posted by: Piper at July 15, 2025 10:52 PM (pZEOD)

122 I think I have to stop watching shark shows. Saijo is being very bitey.
Posted by: Piper at July 15, 2025 10:52 PM (pZEOD)

Remora the merrier!

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 15, 2025 10:54 PM (5Djh4)

123 Not parental advice per se, but a useful maxim from my dad:
There is no racial or ethnic group that has a lock on trash.

Posted by: sal at July 15, 2025 10:54 PM (f+FmA)

124 Posted by: Piper at July 15, 2025 10:48 PM (pZEOD)

Thanks Piper.

Posted by: Joyenz at July 15, 2025 10:54 PM (sPQoU)

125 >>DRONES > we will see soon enough. MIT Technology Review
The US armed forces are now hunting for a solution
---

Nets, man, it's nets. Ask G.W. Bush. If it's good enough for mosquitoes it's good enough for drones.
_Deet

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 15, 2025 10:56 PM (blT2t)

126 Funny lesson. Had an owner tell me this once: "The whole regatta is sailing that direction, I can't have you paddling your canoe over there." Was fair, I was 22ish and had all the answers - didn't know what any of the questions were.

Posted by: scampydog at July 15, 2025 10:57 PM (41CYW)

127 Or penis per ton.
Posted by: Metric F-Ton of Dick at July 15, 2025 10:46 PM (7j8wJ)

The deal worked out for me. But don't tell me I didn't work for it. Straight men have to eat a roll of X and a bottle of viagra to lay down pipe to Lena Dunham. Do you know what it's like for a gay dude? Picture digging up the Grand Canyon with a raw bratwurst.

Posted by: That one weird fruit from Fun. at July 15, 2025 10:57 PM (BI5O2)

128
Posted by: Brother Tim sez at July 15, 2025 10:17 PM (N3+8y)

__________

Brother Tim, I dedicated a decade of my Rosary just now to your healing. Hoping that Our Lady was listening.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 15, 2025 10:58 PM (HZi96)

129 Looking at that list of advice, I'm not sure about #39. We'd have to ignore TRex, and I don't think that's a good idea.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at July 15, 2025 10:48 PM
***
Well, it does say "interact with reality..."
Posted by: TRex - a friendly dino (mostly) at July 15, 2025 10:50 PM (QATj/)

Yes, it did. The headline said to ignore the T Rex.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at July 15, 2025 10:59 PM (S/Y4j)

130 Okie Dokie, brother.

https://youtu.be/ylzksv6N_x0?list=RDylzksv6N_x0&t=6

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 15, 2025 11:00 PM (blT2t)

131 I like trees in general.

Thanks for the ONT.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at July 15, 2025 11:02 PM (bss/y)

132 As an adult, my wife and me, our two kids, brother-in-law, and 4 niblings went camping in Indiana. I pulled our tent out to set it up—and realized the poles were in our garage, in Texas. One nephew had brought rope, so strung the tent between two trees. Amazing hiking on that trip.
Posted by: QED Texan at July 15, 2025 10:33 PM (fveCG)

Heh, pulled a similar stunt with Little on an overnight to catch the Persieds one August. Used branches to prop up the tent, which worked..ish...

Posted by: Joe Kidd at July 15, 2025 11:03 PM (bA75n)

133 Recalling about a half-century ago, MiladyJo and I were visiting some acquaintances out in Taos. They convinced us to go hiking the Rio Grande. It was an easy hike for good long ways, and then they said this is where we climb out. Up a steep slope of ragged jagged rocks. I noticed they all had good solid boots. MiladyJo and I came out with shredded, tattered tennis shoes. Thanks, guys.

Posted by: mindful webworker - expect rugged terrain at July 15, 2025 11:04 PM (+kBwA)

134 109
Or penis per ton.
Posted by: Metric F-Ton of Dick at July 15, 2025 10:46 PM (7j8wJ)

Now I am imagining a gigolo who caters to fat women.

You owe me a bottle of brain bleach.

Posted by: tankdemon at July 15, 2025 11:05 PM (5yDrz)

135 131 I like trees in general.

---------

And the shit stirring begins...

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at July 15, 2025 11:06 PM (hY4dx)

136 We take no official side on advice #27.

Posted by: the Neutral Planet at July 15, 2025 11:07 PM (gKWVE)

137 BANG!

Posted by: JML at July 15, 2025 11:08 PM (wFFVS)

138 Not really hiking next week, just walking some nature trails by myself. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, I am going on a vacation! By myself! I will not be on-call for the first time in 8 years. To say I'm looking forward to it is an understatement.

Posted by: pookysgirl, about to go off-grid at July 15, 2025 11:10 PM (Wt5PA)

139 And the shit stirring begins...
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at July 15, 2025 11:06 PM (hY4dx)

Wait, what?

I was referring to the image in the thread with the myrtle tree.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at July 15, 2025 11:11 PM (bss/y)

140 The "Patel of the Jags" saga (above) seems to stand for the proposition that: if you like the Jags' on field product, you're gonna love their front office too.

Posted by: mnw at July 15, 2025 11:11 PM (kd60y)

141 Longfellows’s Evangeline Oak in St Martinville is really cool and I was able to climb it as a kid. It’s still there 55 years later.

Posted by: polynikes at July 15, 2025 11:12 PM (VofaG)

142 Never made it out for the hike to the bridge to nowhere, but can confirm that the nearby Rt. 39 is an acceptable road for driving with enthusiasm.
Posted by: TRex - past my bedtime at July 15, 2025 10:19
-----------
How far does your steering wheel telescope? Good evening, Dino.
Posted by: scampydog
*********
I can vouch that the steering wheel is not an issue, it's that floor petal on the right side...

Posted by: The Grateful at July 15, 2025 11:12 PM (IQ6Gq)

143 Jack Antonoff is a bigshot producer these days. He produces Taylor Swift's albums, and others big productions.

Imagine being the guy working for him. Imagine answering to a guy who got famous by laboring under Lena Dunham's heaving, clammy bulk.

Now, imagine being the man who paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to send his hipster son to NYC to labor under the hipster who labored under that mountain of meat for fame.

*shudders*

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at July 15, 2025 11:13 PM (BI5O2)

144 How about the Horde? Best or fun life advice?

Never half ass it. —— my Dad

Posted by: polynikes at July 15, 2025 11:15 PM (VofaG)

145 Imagine being the guy working for him. Imagine answering to a guy who got famous by laboring under Lena Dunham's heaving, clammy bulk.

Now, imagine being the man who paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to send his hipster son to NYC to labor under the hipster who labored under that mountain of meat for fame.

*shudders*
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice
-------------
Damnit, YD. I was daydreaming about ribs, brisket, and golf. Now I gotta start over again.

Posted by: scampydog at July 15, 2025 11:16 PM (41CYW)

146 Read the two articles about anti-drone warfare. One thought occurred to me. For defending ships at sea, and possibly some fixed land bases, high-pressure water cannons might be of some use. The water "monitors" formerly used in hydraulic gold mining could throw a powerful jet of water for a thousand feet or more, hitting with enough force to break up compacted gravel. A stream like that would absolutely knock even fairly large drones out of the sky by simply battering them. On a naval ship at sea, the "ammo" is right there, in an inexhaustible supply. All you need is a powerful pump and some directable nozzles. A military installation on land could do this, too, if located near a respectable body of water.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 15, 2025 11:20 PM (Wzbdb)

147 142 I can vouch that the steering wheel is not an issue, it's that floor pedal on the right side...

Posted by: The Grateful at July 15, 2025 11:12 PM
***
If you leave it on the floor, you'll always know where to find it.

Posted by: TRex - no souvenirs, please at July 15, 2025 11:22 PM (QATj/)

148 Never half ass it. —— my Dad
Posted by: polynikes
-----------
Someone posted here 5 or so years ago - paraphrasing: We only do full ass here.

Posted by: scampydog at July 15, 2025 11:23 PM (41CYW)

149
Brit Hume, now what? It's going to be hard for Republicans to keep the White House in 2028 just because of "cycles" and Trump being a lame duck? Ha, the most reckless lame duck I've ever seen.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at July 15, 2025 11:23 PM (HL/Ld)

150
Set aside how fat and ugly Dunham is for the moment. Just think of how stupid and crazy and nasty and talentless she is. If I were Jack Antonoff, there wouldn't be enough Taylor Swift money to bury my shame.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at July 15, 2025 11:26 PM (BI5O2)

151 Sports played by robots is good for a laugh.

Robots go head-to-head and show off their martial arts 'skills' https://mol.im/a/14909319

Posted by: Joyenz at July 15, 2025 11:27 PM (sPQoU)

152 Damn, it was foggy at Vandenberg -- couldn't see a damn thing.
Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley

I saw Foggy at Vandenberg open for Rainbow at the Bottom of the Hill in 1988.

Posted by: Dark Litigator at July 15, 2025 11:27 PM (KAi1n)

153 Well, almost 9:30 here, and I am becoming sleepy. I was up at 0630, so scarcely surprising. Going to call it a night. Later, Horde.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 15, 2025 11:28 PM (Wzbdb)

154 150
Set aside how fat and ugly Dunham is for the moment

-------

Damn. And I wanted to reflect on that for a while.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at July 15, 2025 11:28 PM (hY4dx)

155 I usually check back in the morning to read the comments after I check out of the ONT. Aside from occasional arguers and shit-stirrers, the late-late crowd looks like some great regular folks having a lot of fun. I'm gonna miss that again tonight, but I hope the discussions are enjoyable for y'all. Meanwhile, it's dreamland time.

G'nite, y'all. Sweet dreams.
https://youtu.be/HnqtGjHJjs8

Posted by: mindful webworker - it's all real at July 15, 2025 11:30 PM (+kBwA)

156 If Tom Wolfe and Franz Kafka got together, they still couldn't concoct a fictional high-society goblin as grotesque as the real Lena Dunham.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at July 15, 2025 11:31 PM (BI5O2)

157 Zuckerberg goes all in Superintelligence:

"We're also going to invest hundreds of billions of dollars into compute to build superintelligence. We have the capital from our business to do this."

-1GW+ Supercluster incoming called "Prometheus", 2026

-Hyperion 5GW next few years
-------------------------------------------

Musk wants to leave this world.
Zuckerberg wants to rule it.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 15, 2025 11:31 PM (blT2t)

158 Don't take any SS prisoners. Pretty sure pronouns inquires were skipped over.

https://www.youtube.com
/shorts/qb5VXNbxaEQ

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convicitions at July 15, 2025 11:33 PM (NXz8h)

159 This headlong rush into AI will end badly.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at July 15, 2025 11:34 PM (hY4dx)

160 Too bad the dims only have quasi-communists and race hucksters to offer. At least throw in a rapist!

Posted by: Unkaren at July 15, 2025 11:35 PM (J4BK5)

161 Memorable advice:

Don't mess with old pros. (Mickey Spillane)

Half of success in life is just showing up. (Woody Allen)

65-yr-old men* who marry 30-something women deserve what they get. (Joan Rivers)

*attention: Bill Belichick

Posted by: mnw at July 15, 2025 11:37 PM (kd60y)

162 159 This headlong rush into AI will end badly.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at July 15, 2025 11:34 PM
-----------
Been chatting a lot with some Gen Z's about AI. Big - mess, need to organize thoughts. Their perspective is interesting. Have some stuff in draft - kinda weak sauce, however.

Posted by: scampydog at July 15, 2025 11:37 PM (41CYW)

163 Just gave out some advice.
Pay yourself first. 10%.

Posted by: Reforger at July 15, 2025 11:38 PM (lPvx2)

164 Hah! I am about to take a nap. Had my Cardiac Perfusion Test today in Red Deer. In hospital from 8:30 to 4:00. I brought along that book you kindly gave me, and got 3/4 of the way through it while awaiting various stages. It definitely made the down time pass rapidly. A gripping story.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 15, 2025 10:49 PM (5Djh4)

That's a new one on me. Thought I'd had them all. Had an Echocardiogram today and they slapped a Holter monitor on for good measure.

Hope your test results are good.

Posted by: javems at July 15, 2025 11:38 PM (8I4hW)

165 Stairway to Stardom Episode (1983). Public Access TV at its finest. This show ran in NYC for 20 years. You have been warned: it is addictive.

https://youtu.be/RptowF3kh-E

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convicitions at July 15, 2025 11:41 PM (NXz8h)

166 Thanks for sharing your thoughts mindful, I am glad you are getting some walking in.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 15, 2025 11:41 PM (PcTds)

167 Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 15, 2025 10:49 PM (5Djh4)

That's a new one on me. Thought I'd had them all. Had an Echocardiogram today and they slapped a Holter monitor on for good measure.

Hope your test results are good.

Posted by: javems at J

I second that thought for the both of you.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 15, 2025 11:44 PM (PcTds)

168 addendum to 161:

Always pay the $2. (former boss)

Posted by: mnw at July 15, 2025 11:44 PM (kd60y)

169 Yo, Doggo!!

Howdy to the resta youse too!

Posted by: Doof at July 15, 2025 11:45 PM (iXcUx)

170 Been chatting a lot with some Gen Z's about AI. Big - mess, need to organize thoughts. Their perspective is interesting. Have some stuff in draft - kinda weak sauce, however.
Posted by: scampydog at July

Sounds interesting to me. I've found it helpful for medical, historical, and theological answers.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 15, 2025 11:46 PM (PcTds)

171 Aim small , miss small - Captain Benjamin Martin

Posted by: polynikes at July 15, 2025 11:46 PM (VofaG)

172 Dooooooof!!!!

Posted by: scampydog at July 15, 2025 11:46 PM (41CYW)

173 All Star Game tied after nine. Home run tie breaker is the silliest thing ever.

Posted by: Cosda at July 15, 2025 11:48 PM (KslJA)

174 All Star Game tied after nine. Home run tie breaker is the silliest thing ever.
Posted by: Cosda at July 15, 2025 11:48 PM (KslJA)

Just after having the home run contest decided by a measurement.

Posted by: polynikes at July 15, 2025 11:49 PM (VofaG)

175 Just after having the home run contest decided by a measurement.
Posted by: polynikes
------------
Paolo steps into the batter's box.

Posted by: scampydog at July 15, 2025 11:50 PM (41CYW)

176 I second that thought for the both of you.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 15, 2025 11:44 PM (PcTds)

Thanks. Bed time for me as well.

Posted by: javems at July 15, 2025 11:51 PM (8I4hW)

177 All Star Game tied after nine. Home run tie breaker is the silliest thing ever.
Posted by: Cosda at July 15, 2025 11:48 PM (KslJA)

Give them hockey sticks and have a shootout!

Posted by: Doof at July 15, 2025 11:52 PM (iXcUx)

178 Damn, it was foggy at Vandenberg -- couldn't see a damn thing.
Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley

From my vantage point, about 100 miles south, it was clear. The sun's position allowed for a faint contrail from the first stage. No sonic boom from the returning boosters. I think there's another one tomorrow...

Posted by: Joe Kidd at July 15, 2025 11:52 PM (bA75n)

179 I like trees in general.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at July 15, 2025 11:02 PM (bss/y)

Those Oaks are just too lofty, and they grab up all the light.

Posted by: the Maples at July 15, 2025 11:53 PM (JnKSx)

180 I could do Dunham-I hit for distance!

Posted by: Paolo at July 15, 2025 11:54 PM (J4BK5)

181 Carnak:

Answer: "The Pro Bowl Game."

Question: "Is there anything more tedious than the All Star Game?"

Posted by: mnw at July 15, 2025 11:55 PM (kd60y)

182
Those Oaks are just too lofty, and they grab up all the light.
Posted by: the Maples

You need the great equalizer.

Posted by: Hatchet, ax and Mamdani at July 15, 2025 11:56 PM (63Dwl)

183 In honor of Jay Guevara (sp?), I think he would approve of the ending of this years all-star game. Not perfect. But better than 2002. RIP Jay.

Posted by: Turn 2 at July 15, 2025 11:57 PM (CyFyf)

184 181 Carnak:

Answer: "The Pro Bowl Game."

Question: "Is there anything more tedious than the All Star Game?"

Posted by: mnw
--------------
Silly stuff in our brains. This is stuck in mine with the Amazing Carnac: Catch 22... What does Bob Uecker do with 100 pitches.

Posted by: scampydog at July 15, 2025 11:57 PM (41CYW)

185 All Star Game tied after nine. Home run tie breaker is the silliest thing ever.
Posted by: Cosda

Is there a proper name for that race where you put the bat on the ground, barrel-down, put your forehead on the knob (shut up), spin yourself around the bat several times, and then try to run a race in a straight line?

DDG says it's just called "dizzy bat," but that seems too correct.

Doing that would be the silliest thing ever. But only slightly more so.

And I would endorse breaking the All Star Game tie that way.

Posted by: mikeski at July 15, 2025 11:58 PM (DgGvY)

186 Silly stuff in our brains. This is stuck in mine with the Amazing Carnac: Catch 22... What does Bob Uecker do with 100 pitches.
Posted by: scampydog

"Sis boom bah" is still the all-time winner. Carson couldn't stop laughing at his own joke.

Posted by: mikeski at July 15, 2025 11:59 PM (DgGvY)

187 Best or fun life advice?

No matter how thin you slice it, it's still baloney.

Posted by: Deatht�ngue at July 15, 2025 11:59 PM (JnKSx)

188 Mark Knopfler shares a life lesson..

http://tiny.cc/yfhp001

Posted by: Joe Kidd at July 16, 2025 12:01 AM (bA75n)

189 174 All Star Game tied after nine. Home run tie breaker is the silliest thing ever.
Posted by: Cosda at July 15, 2025 11:48 PM (KslJA)

Just after having the home run contest decided by a measurement.
Posted by: polynikes at July 15, 2025 11:49 PM (VofaG)

wow, there are people who still care about this?

Posted by: Romeo13 at July 16, 2025 12:02 AM (mP0Kj)

190 I could do Dunham
Posted by: Paolo at July 15, 2025 11:54

So... I can only assume that you are destitute and willing to do literally anything to underwrite your toddler's chemotherapy.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at July 16, 2025 12:05 AM (BI5O2)

191
When the live feed for the launch came up, the camera couldn't see anything but fog. When the thing lifted off, you still couldn't see anything but diffuse yellow light. They switch to a cam on the booster soon thereafter, and that cleared up when it got high. You could see clouds everywhere underneath on both stage cams.

When the booster came back down, it was quite soupy underneath, but the cams on the landing drone had decent seeing. Still foggy.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at July 16, 2025 12:06 AM (w6EFb)

192 Lena Dunham's preferred lubricant is shortening. Her idea of foreplay is ringing the dinner bell and having her prodigious labia repeatedly slapped with a spatula. She sweats beef broth during sex. Lying with her is like making love to a musk ox on a trampoline. It's a lard tsunami of peril and fear.

Posted by: Metric F-Ton of Dick at July 16, 2025 12:07 AM (8vyLI)

193 Haven't played with AI at all but have co-worker who tries various flavors quite often. Says some will outright lie to you and/or make stuff up. Most accurate/credible if you severely restrict its sources when answering questions.
... So best use so far is glorified word search but do not trust it to give you the Cliffnotes, nevermind Schaum Outline.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at July 16, 2025 12:08 AM (/lPRQ)

194 Just gave out some advice.
Pay yourself first. 10%.
Posted by: Reforger at July 15, 2025 11:38 PM

My parents had similar. All their lives they saved 10% and gave 10%, off the top, and then tried to live off the remainder. They called it paying yourself and paying your dues.

Posted by: toby928 at July 16, 2025 12:08 AM (jc0TO)

195 Greetings Everyone...

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at July 16, 2025 12:08 AM (QGaXH)

196 The Mamdani of The Grand Canyon State lost the DEM primary tonight, for an open seat in Congress.

Narrowly. THIS time anyway.

Posted by: mnw at July 16, 2025 12:09 AM (kd60y)

197 Advice:
-"Don't take the picture if you don't want your mama to see it." -an old friend, on the subject of sexting
-"The first rule of life is that you can do anything you want to- once. Then you have to suffer the consequences." -My parents
-"The second rule of life: never ask a question you don't actually want the answer to." -My parents
-"You are capable of more than you think you are." -Me to my children

Posted by: Nerd Herd at July 16, 2025 12:12 AM (6nQni)

198 No time now. Maybe l8r.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at July 16, 2025 12:12 AM (iFUK4)

199 "And I would endorse breaking the All Star Game tie that way.
Posted by: mikeski"
*********
Tonight proved that the NL is better at coach pitch than the AL.

Posted by: Cosda at July 16, 2025 12:12 AM (KslJA)

200 Good evening, ARiK. Thanks again for jumping in with the pictures and hiking content.

Posted by: scampydog at July 16, 2025 12:13 AM (41CYW)

201 192 Lena Dunham's preferred lubricant is shortening. Her idea of foreplay is ringing the dinner bell and having her prodigious labia repeatedly slapped with a spatula. She sweats beef broth during sex. Lying with her is like making love to a musk ox on a trampoline. It's a lard tsunami of peril and fear.
Posted by: Metric F-Ton of Dick at July 16, 2025 12:07 AM (8vyLI)
Used but applicable...After sex, Lena smokes a ham

Posted by: a dude in MI at July 16, 2025 12:14 AM (+I6Y/)

202 A gripping story.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon
--------

The moral of the story: Do not lightly enter the Merchant Marine.

Last night's ONT featured some heavy seas...further evidence. In the book, the commentary that the weather was so bad that they could not see the bow of the ship, made an impression on me. I've been at sea in dense fog, that was bad enough.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc.. at July 16, 2025 12:14 AM (XeU6L)

203 Some history I forgot to add in the Bridge to Nowhere paragraph - the bridge is a remnant of several failed attempts in the early 1900's to build roads into the Angeles Forest. Massive rainstorms and floods in the 1930s washed out most of the construction. To get to the bridge you hike five miles in from the trail head with washed out remnants of road along the way.

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at July 16, 2025 12:15 AM (QGaXH)

204 200 Good evening, ARiK. Thanks again for jumping in with the pictures and hiking content.
Posted by: scampydog at July 16, 2025 12:13 AM (41CYW)

I enjoyed sharing with the group.

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at July 16, 2025 12:18 AM (QGaXH)

205 AI will start trading Bitcoin. Then the murders will start.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at July 16, 2025 12:19 AM (kuWOS)

206 Is launching a rocket in the fog something new? Even as a sort of space aficionado, I can't recall that being done before. Used to be you scrubbed the launch if too many fluffy clouds arose six hours before scheduled liftoff, or the sacrificial duck's entrails contained no liver.

If this is a new development, congratulations to SpaceX for yet again making steps, however small, to turn spaceflight into something much more akin to routine air travel.

If not, pretend this post contains a novel witticism about Ace's travails on the forest moon of Endor.

Posted by: far cry at July 16, 2025 12:20 AM (JnKSx)

207 How about the Horde? Best or fun life advice?

Can't call it a night without quoting my father.
Let the tool do the work.

Posted by: From about That Time at July 16, 2025 12:22 AM (n4GiU)

208 125 >>DRONES > we will see soon enough. MIT Technology Review
The US armed forces are now hunting for a solution
---

Nets, man, it's nets. Ask G.W. Bush. If it's good enough for mosquitoes it's good enough for drones.
_Deet
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 15, 2025 10:56 PM (blT2t)

Weren't they using nets held aloft by blimps for defense early in WWII in Britain? Or am I mis-remembering?

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at July 16, 2025 12:23 AM (QGaXH)

209 Nets are being tried - a drone carrying a net is supposed to intercept an attack drone, firing a small net at it. The idea is to foul one of the propellers so it falls.

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 16, 2025 12:28 AM (I5+UQ)

210 A gripping story.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon
------

Not the Book Thread, and I'm not wearing pants, but the book AOP references is

'Until the Sea Shall Free Them: Life, Death, And Survival In The Merchant Marine'

Of the thirty-four men aboard, Cusick was one of only three to survive. Forty foot waves, sub-zero winds.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc.. at July 16, 2025 12:28 AM (XeU6L)

211 Can't call it a night without quoting my father.
Let the tool do the work.
Posted by: From about That Time
-----

From my dad:

'Play your cards close to your vest'

'Never telegraph your punches'

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc.. at July 16, 2025 12:30 AM (XeU6L)

212
Fog is a regular thing at Vandenberg, and there have been many foggy launches there going back decades. Fog, and even light drizzle is not much of problem. Heavy rain is, as well as lightning and icing conditions high up.

Now, for manned missions, the weather criteria is much stricter. Heavy fog would be a no-go, I think. The abort modes require good visibility at all points under the trajectory to orbit.

So, you won't see any manned launches in heavy fog, but unmanned have been launching in fog for a long time.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at July 16, 2025 12:35 AM (w6EFb)

213 Can't call it a night without quoting my father.
Let the tool do the work.
Posted by: From about That Time
----
From my dad:
'Play your cards close to your vest'

'Never telegraph your punches'
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc.. at July 16, 2025 12:30 AM (XeU6L)
***********"
"You are judged by the company you keep"
and
"Don't tell your mother ----", (lol)

Posted by: The Grateful at July 16, 2025 12:37 AM (QUQey)

214 My thoughts on AI - it will have an impact, but it’s also being oversold. It’s going to eliminate quite a few professional level jobs, no doubt. Writing proposals, all kinds of business transactions- no reason most of those can’t be done by AI with a human reviewer.

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 16, 2025 12:40 AM (I5+UQ)

215 The California Senate has passed SB 549, granting LA County authority to purchase fire‑destroyed lots for minimal cost and convert them into low‑income housing, directly contradicting Gavin Newsom’s previous assurance to homeowners that such government‑driven property conversions wouldn’t happen.

_@RichardGrenell . 11h

. @GavinNewsom lied again

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 16, 2025 12:40 AM (blT2t)

216 Father-in-law whenever he sees a kid in or near the street while driving - "Where there's one, there's two."

Posted by: ... at July 16, 2025 12:40 AM (E0p3T)

217 Last launch reminder. I'm headed off. Goodnight all.

GO! - SpaceX - Falcon 9 - Project Kuiper (KF-01) - SLC-40 - Cape Canaveral SFS

Launch Date: July 16, 2025
Launch Time: 2:18 a.m. EDT (0618 UTC, 08:18 CEST)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvUpLlJAOR0

Posted by: Joyenz at July 16, 2025 12:41 AM (sPQoU)

218 Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at July 16, 2025 12:35 AM (w6EFb)

Thanks for the clarification, publius.

In conclusion, my imaginary joke about Ewoks and IKEA drills was pretty awesome.

Posted by: far cry at July 16, 2025 12:41 AM (JnKSx)

219 'Keep it between the ditches, rubber side down'

Posted by: a dude in MI at July 16, 2025 12:43 AM (+I6Y/)

220 Mike Engleman🇺🇲@RealHickory . 4h

What's up with this insane weather?

6-8 inches of rain out of nowhere, flooding, almost every day somewhere in the country.

It's probably Cloud Seeding! STOP IT, you rotten bastards!

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 16, 2025 12:44 AM (blT2t)

221 Nets are being tried - a drone carrying a net is supposed to intercept an attack drone, firing a small net at it. The idea is to foul one of the propellers so it falls.
Posted by: Tom Servo

I am betting on very small fast and cheap drones as countermeasure to smaller offensive drones (not Reapers).
Collide with anything in the immediate AO that registers as hostile drone. Open them up like a barrel of monkeys.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at July 16, 2025 12:45 AM (/lPRQ)

222 @NicoleShanahan

The EPA says it plans to release information on geoengineering. I’ll be sharing what I’ve learned from a whistleblower as well

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 16, 2025 12:46 AM (blT2t)

223 Thanks Mike for the book reference. I thought the first part of the title sounded very poetic. As I searched for it, I found, and was reminded of one of my favorite poems.

"And Jesus was a sailor When he walked upon the water And he spent a long time watching From his lonely wooden tower And when he knew for certain Only drowning men could see him He said "All men will be sailors then Until the sea shall free them"

I most appreciate"long time watching from his lonely wooden tower" and, well I guess I could just retype the whole thing.

I imagine most of you know that is a part of Suzanne by Cohen.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 16, 2025 12:46 AM (PcTds)

224 Father-in-law whenever he sees a kid in or near the street while driving - "Where there's one, there's two."
---
That's what I say when I see a deer.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 16, 2025 12:47 AM (PcTds)

225
Another thing is SpaceX has picked up the cadence of launches, and so we get to see more unmanned launches where fog is not a problem.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at July 16, 2025 12:47 AM (w6EFb)

226 @NicoleShanahan

The EPA says it plans to release information on geoengineering. I’ll be sharing what I’ve learned from a whistleblower as well

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others

Pics, Nicole, share pics.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at July 16, 2025 12:49 AM (/lPRQ)

227 It's probably Cloud Seeding! STOP IT, you rotten bastards!
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 16, 2025 12:44 AM (blT2t)

Keep seeing that...is that an ongoing thing? Chemtrails? Alienz?

Posted by: a dude in MI at July 16, 2025 12:50 AM (+I6Y/)

228 Father-in-law whenever he sees a kid in or near the street while driving - "Where there's one, there's two."
---
That's what I say when I see a deer.
Posted by: AmericanKestrel
==

But it is the third deer that will total your car.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at July 16, 2025 12:51 AM (/lPRQ)

229 Pics, Nicole, share pics.
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at July 16, 2025 12:49 AM (/lPRQ)

The eternal plea of AoSHQ.

Posted by: far cry at July 16, 2025 12:51 AM (JnKSx)

230
I imagine most of you know that is a part of Suzanne by Cohen.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel
------

Never have read that, until now. Thanks.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc.. at July 16, 2025 12:51 AM (XeU6L)

231 WWI they're still using horses and bolt action rifles. Then the machine gun is introduced and it becomes a meat grinder. Flat on their feet know one knows what to do.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 16, 2025 12:52 AM (blT2t)

232 Nicole, vocal tolerance required.

https://tinyurl.com/3jxhyafj

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 16, 2025 12:55 AM (blT2t)

233 Braenyard - you are trying to bring out my inner conspiracy theorist, aren't you?

Ok *adjusts hat* *clears throat*

Weather altering methods exist and are being used for nefarious purposes, likely by those who want significantly decrease the world's population.

And for additional depth: I thought the weather events mentioned in Revelation were actions of God angry at man's pride, now I wonder if the weather events are manmade.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 16, 2025 12:57 AM (PcTds)

234 MSNBC Contributor Implies Violence Against ICE Agents is Justified: ‘Lawful Right of Self-Defense’ (VIDEO)
- GWP

==

What a shit stirrer.
Vast majority of illegal aliens know what to do if caught - enjoy the ride home and try to come back later. They know they won't be doing life at hard labor.
Unless the shit stirrers get into their heads...

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at July 16, 2025 12:59 AM (/lPRQ)

235 But it is the third deer that will total your car.
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at July 16, 2025 12:51 AM (/lPRQ)

The Third Deer is a cinematic classic, a taut noir masterpiece from director (and star) Orson Welles, which will enthrall, shock and thrill you from the opening credits to the final gut-wrenching scene.

Posted by: Siskel N. Ebert at July 16, 2025 01:00 AM (JnKSx)

236 It can be lunch time but more thirsty than hungry

Posted by: Skip at July 16, 2025 01:01 AM (kjAqU)

237 219 'Keep it between the ditches, rubber side down'
Posted by: a dude in MI
------------
For every 1 mile of road, there are 2 miles of ditch.

Posted by: scampydog at July 16, 2025 01:01 AM (41CYW)

238 Nicole, vocal tolerance required.

https://tinyurl.com/3jxhyafj
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others

===

How did she get the 'old bitty' voice down pat?
Needs some voice training to get more of a "Me luv you long time" twain.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at July 16, 2025 01:03 AM (/lPRQ)

239 The Election Commission of India has removed 3.5 million fake and illegal voters from just one state “Bihar”.

Seriously? 3.5 million illegals in one state. There are still 35 more to go. Let that sink in.
------------

It is close to Bangladesh that is or has always been a troublesome muslim influence.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 16, 2025 01:04 AM (blT2t)

240 Yeah but when did someone notice millions gone?
18? 19? 20? 21?

Posted by: Skip at July 16, 2025 01:04 AM (kjAqU)

241 Im requesting rain for the entire W. Michigan area. Dry as cork around here

Posted by: a dude in MI at July 16, 2025 01:04 AM (+I6Y/)

242 https://tinyurl.com/4scu56ub

Link is to document regarding Shanahan's information.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 16, 2025 01:08 AM (PcTds)

243 It's the vocal fry.

Posted by: Dark Litigator at July 16, 2025 01:08 AM (KAi1n)

244 I like the sound of Nicole's voice. Tulsi 's too.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 16, 2025 01:10 AM (PcTds)

245 My radar is pinging badly. Just me though yeah

Posted by: ... at July 16, 2025 01:11 AM (E0p3T)

246
Those on the edge of your seats about how fast the earth has been spinning lately, here's the latest figures from IERS (it takes a few days for the measurements to settle down and for later data to get the error bars down):
Day DUT1(s) (DUT1 err) LOD(ms) (err)
7 5 0.0456410 0.0000175 -0.8280 0.0114
7 6 0.0465994 0.0000187 -1.0838 0.0129
7 7 0.0477861 0.0000189 -1.2722 0.0131
7 8 0.0490917 0.0000183 -1.3044 0.0134
7 9 0.0503968 0.0000189 -1.3424 0.0153
710 0.0517728 0.0000245 -1.3695 0.0147
711 0.0530713 0.0000225 -1.2032 0.0165
712 0.0541640 0.0000221 -0.9912 0.0157
713 0.0550251 0.0000218 -0.6933 0.0156
714 0.0555221 0.0000221 -0.3098 0.0153

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at July 16, 2025 01:12 AM (w6EFb)

247 246
Those on the edge of your seats about how fast the earth has been spinning lately, here's the latest figures from IERS (it takes a few days for the measurements to settle down and for later data to get the error bars down):
Day DUT1(s) (DUT1 err) LOD(ms) (err)
7 5 0.0456410 0.0000175 -0.8280 0.0114
7 6 0.0465994 0.0000187 -1.0838 0.0129
7 7 0.0477861 0.0000189 -1.2722 0.0131
7 8 0.0490917 0.0000183 -1.3044 0.0134
7 9 0.0503968 0.0000189 -1.3424 0.0153
710 0.0517728 0.0000245 -1.3695 0.0147
711 0.0530713 0.0000225 -1.2032 0.0165
712 0.0541640 0.0000221 -0.9912 0.0157
713 0.0550251 0.0000218 -0.6933 0.0156
714 0.0555221 0.0000221 -0.3098 0.0153
Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb)
------------
Damn you, publius! Homework.

Posted by: scampydog at July 16, 2025 01:13 AM (41CYW)

248
The Mamdani of The Grand Canyon State lost the DEM primary tonight, for an open seat in Congress.

Narrowly. THIS time anyway.
Posted by: mnw

==============

The one that Adelita Grijalva won? (pause to shake fist at la dinastía)

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at July 16, 2025 01:15 AM (HL/Ld)

249
DUT1 is UT1 - UTC, the difference between "astronomical time" and UTC. LOD is the excessive length of the mean solar day given in ms. Negative means faster.

You can see the Erf is slowing down from the high on 7/10. Note, the UT1 got ahead of UTC by 10 ms in 9 days. The earth is on a little tear.

And all in all, the trends are negative leap second needed by 2029.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at July 16, 2025 01:15 AM (w6EFb)

250 It's the vocal fry.
Posted by: Dark Litigator at July 16, 2025 01:08 AM (KAi1n)

I was impressed that she was able to just about completely ratchet down the uptalk, though.

Posted by: far cry at July 16, 2025 01:16 AM (JnKSx)

251 242 https://tinyurl.com/4scu56ub

Link is to document regarding Shanahan's information.
Posted by: AmericanKestrel
-----------

Thank's, couldn't make it work.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 16, 2025 01:22 AM (blT2t)

252 219 'Keep it between the ditches, rubber side down'
Posted by: a dude in MI

That was the entire contents of my father's lesson to me on driving, except he said keep the shiny side up.

Then he added a codicil once I started: grind 'em till they fit.

Thanks a lot, Dad.

Posted by: tcn in AK at July 16, 2025 01:23 AM (1Gsou)

253 Got here late as usual and now I am yawning up a storm. I need to get up early so I wish you all sweet dreams.

Posted by: Debby Doberman Schultz at July 16, 2025 01:24 AM (0nHVk)

254 Thanks again to ARiK for hopping in for some content. Sleepy time here, Horde. G'night.

Posted by: scampydog at July 16, 2025 01:25 AM (41CYW)

255 Thank's, couldn't make it work.
Posted by: Braenyard -
---
Sorry. It is pinned at the top of her x page.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 16, 2025 01:26 AM (PcTds)

256 Hi/bye, Debby!

Sweet dreams to you, too.

Posted by: JQ at July 16, 2025 01:26 AM (rdVOm)

257 Good night Debby

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 16, 2025 01:27 AM (PcTds)

258 G'night, Doggo. Thanks for this excellent ONT!

(still perusing the content...got here late)

Posted by: JQ at July 16, 2025 01:27 AM (rdVOm)

259 Goodnight to you too scampy

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 16, 2025 01:28 AM (PcTds)

260
If you want to see these IERS files, the USNO mirrors them, and they update every day at 16:00Z here:
https://tinyurl.com/ywypes2a

finals200A.daily is the file you want. The data is in Fortran formatted I/O column format, and the readme files explain all the columns.

At any rate, the earth was spinning fast enough over the last 9 days that UT1 got head of Zulu by 10ms. It's slowing back down, but another fast date will be around July 22nd, and then Aug. 5th.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at July 16, 2025 01:28 AM (w6EFb)

261 Then he added a codicil once I started: grind 'em till they fit.

Thanks a lot, Dad.
Posted by: tcn in AK at July 16, 2025 01:23 AM (1Gsou)

Lol ... in one of the early episodes of Gold Rush last season, Parker's trying to shift his SHERP tundra bus into gear, and his mine boss compadre Tyson advises him to "grind it 'till you find it".

Posted by: far cry at July 16, 2025 01:30 AM (JnKSx)

262 "Grind 'em 'til they fit" LOL!

Clutch went out on car, decades ago... it was an 'import' and we were living in Hawaii at the time, so had to special order replacement. Took almost a month to arrive!

Meanwhile, needed to drive it.

Once you get the feel for it, there's *no* grind. (Just don't try to shift into 1st or reverse unless you're at a complete stop.)

Posted by: JQ at July 16, 2025 01:33 AM (rdVOm)

263 Had an Echocardiogram today and they slapped a Holter monitor on for good measure.
Posted by: javems
------- I
The Holter is annoying. Difficult to sleep. Sorta like one of those CPAP thingamajigs. The echocardiogram is easy, but if they decide they need more info, you get the transesophageal version. Difficult to handle, unless you're a pr0n star who's been practicing.

Posted by: buddhaha at July 16, 2025 01:35 AM (n3kHr)

264 Will no one rid me of this troublesome Murkowski?

Posted by: tcn in AK at July 16, 2025 01:35 AM (1Gsou)

265 Raining...again. This stuff must be tracking NW of Publius.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at July 16, 2025 01:37 AM (XeU6L)

266 >> Raining...again. This stuff must be tracking NW of Publius.

I see it. Blow some down here. Pretty please. I was still hopeful, but the latest forecast nixed anything for the rest of the night down here.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at July 16, 2025 01:39 AM (w6EFb)

267 Those on the edge of your seats about how fast the earth has been spinning lately, here's the latest figures from IERS

I recall watching that one Superman movie as a kid where (spoiler alert), he decides to fly around the planet backwards, and that reverses time and allows Supe to save the day. I remember thinking "that makes sense".

Says a lot about seven-year-olds, and Hollywood screenwriters.

Posted by: far cry at July 16, 2025 01:42 AM (JnKSx)

268 Will no one rid me of this troublesome Murkowski?
Posted by: tcn in AK
--------

Wish we could help-- that bitch is f'ing things up for the rest of us too!

Posted by: JQ at July 16, 2025 01:42 AM (rdVOm)

269 testimony from a 1974 hearing before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Oceans and the International Environment, where lawmakers addressed the pressing need for an international treaty to ban the use of environmental and geophysical modification as “weapons of war.”

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 16, 2025 01:42 AM (blT2t)

270 Posted by: QED Texan at July 15, 2025 10:33 PM (fveCG)

Heh, pulled a similar stunt with Little on an overnight to catch the Persieds one August. Used branches to prop up the tent, which worked..ish...
Posted by: Joe Kidd at July 15, 2025 11:03 PM (bA75n)

Ish. Yes. Only a couple of nights. Mrs. QED’s tent limit.

Posted by: QED Texan at July 16, 2025 01:47 AM (fveCG)

271 268 Will no one rid me of this troublesome Murkowski?
Posted by: tcn in AK
--------

Wish we could help-- that bitch is f'ing things up for the rest of us too!
Posted by: JQ
----

Mr. One Trick Pony Paul could have traded his snit vote eliminating Murcowski's ultra perks and been thanked as a team player but noo he has his principles.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 16, 2025 01:54 AM (blT2t)

272 62,000 miles per hour and our hair's not even blowing.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 16, 2025 01:57 AM (blT2t)

273 >> 62,000 miles per hour and our hair's not even blowing.

You talking about earth's orbital speed? That's 66,600 mph roughly. The Flat-earther use this as evidence the heliocentric model is a Satanic plot to corrupt humanity.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at July 16, 2025 02:01 AM (w6EFb)

274 Based Jane Doh 🇺🇸✝️ retweeted
Glenn [I'm not nuts I'm eccentric] Beck@glennbeck

“Let me just remind you, USAID was a CIA front,” says Glenn Beck. “This is the group of people that started color revolutions all over the world, which is how to topple a nation.”

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 16, 2025 02:01 AM (blT2t)

275 My brain is currently overloaded. Got too much sh!t going on in my life, plus the politics getting on my nerves...

Saw a meme- actually just a phrase, what fits perfectly:
"My desire to be well-informed is currently at odds with my desire to remain sane."

On the plus side, no-help fambly finally hit the road today. Love 'em, but.... YAY!

Posted by: JQ at July 16, 2025 02:07 AM (rdVOm)

276 273 >> 62,000 miles per hour and our hair's not even blowing.

You talking about earth's orbital speed? That's 66,600 mph roughly. The Flat-earther use this as evidence the heliocentric model is a Satanic plot to corrupt humanity.
Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb)
-----------------------

Phil Robertson used it in an illustration that there is a God.
Who else could have us flying through the universe at 66,000 mph with us not a hair out of place?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 16, 2025 02:10 AM (blT2t)

277 >>>On the plus side, no-help fambly finally hit the road today. Love 'em, but.... YAY!
Posted by: JQ at July
----------

So, tomorrow is dig the leak day?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 16, 2025 02:11 AM (blT2t)

278 So, tomorrow is dig the leak day?
Posted by: Braenyard

Ugh... probably not. I'm up too late to be worth a damn before it gets too hot tomorrow.

Posted by: JQ at July 16, 2025 02:14 AM (rdVOm)

279
This is interesting: a Grand Canyon impact theory:
https://tinyurl.com/yvqgj8ft

Meteor Crater in Arizona is dated to 56 KYA, and that time lines up with some interesting stuff in the Canyon.

The theory is the impact of that caused a landslide that damned up the Colorado River, allowing a lake to form. That damn eventually broke down, producing some massive flooding that further carved out the Canyon.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at July 16, 2025 02:15 AM (w6EFb)

280 Best advice I can give is watch your step especially when going down any unfamiliar stairs and hold on to the handrail. Six months ago, Mr L fell down some stairs at a friend's house. He ruptured the quad tendon on the right leg. Surgery, brace, and four months of rehab just to be able to bend his leg again. Praise God he didn't crack his skull open. And no drinking involved! Just not paying attention. It was an interesting six months.

Posted by: Mrs. Leggy at July 16, 2025 02:17 AM (dyL4B)

281 Oh, and I forgot to call 8-1-1 yesterday, and need to wait for them to mark (places that really don't matter in this case) so I don't get "in trouble" if I hit some other BS that's out there....

Posted by: JQ at July 16, 2025 02:18 AM (rdVOm)

282
The ultimate, non-verbal, definitive opinion of Yoko Ono in the world.

https://tinyurl.com/5n963nvp

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 16, 2025 02:18 AM (blT2t)

283 At least now, I can shut the damned water off & go stay at Dad's place without having to share the place with:

A drunk
His spoiled brat kid
His elderly, non-housebroken dog

Posted by: JQ at July 16, 2025 02:21 AM (rdVOm)

284
The Sun is moving around the center of the galaxy at about 500,000 mph. Now, the Milky Way itself has a "peculiar velocity" (relative to the local Hubble flow) of around 1.2M mph.

Add it all up (vector wise) and the earth is moving through space relative to the Hubble flow "rest frame" at around 1.7M mph.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at July 16, 2025 02:23 AM (w6EFb)

285 Alaska got swindled in that pick 3 candidates and who gets the most votes wins

Posted by: Skip at July 16, 2025 02:28 AM (kjAqU)

286
Incidentally, around the summer solstice, the earth's orbital velocity vector has the biggest parallel component to the sun's own galactic velocity. So, we are now at a maximum of earth's speed relative to the Hubble "rest frame".

Call it 1.77M mph.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at July 16, 2025 02:28 AM (w6EFb)

287 Alaska got swindled in that pick 3 candidates and who gets the most votes wins
Posted by: Skip
--------

Yeah. "Ranked choice" voting. And they tried to rescind it, but didn't, last fall.

Better luck next time!

Posted by: JQ at July 16, 2025 02:30 AM (rdVOm)

288 A Washington–New Delhi Alliance Is a Perfect Storm Against China, For India

In 2024, dozens of major companies, including Dell, HP, Intel, Samsung, LG Electronics, Nike, Hasbro, Blizzard Entertainment, Stanley Black & Decker, and many more, have already relocated their factories to India or plan to do so in the near future.

That trend isn’t likely to change, either. According to a 2024 survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in China, 45 percent of U.S. companies in China have initiated plans to diversify their suppliers outside of China, while 38 percent are considering doing so. The writing is on the Great Wall of China: the trade gap is widening, not narrowing. Their days of leading the world in manufacturing and the strategic clout that comes with it are on their way out.

IIn the meantime, to Beijing’s great concern, India is strategically pivoting to fill that widening gap by expanding its trading relationships with the United States. The United States is equally intentional in steering trade away from China and toward India.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 16, 2025 02:30 AM (blT2t)

289 Sleep cometh, yall have a good evening. 'night.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 16, 2025 02:32 AM (blT2t)

290 Good night, Braenyard.

Posted by: JQ at July 16, 2025 02:33 AM (rdVOm)

291 I'm so glad that power and cable aren't buried here!

Landline phone is buried, but isn't in the path of 'waterline in question'

There IS a buried power line from house to shop, but hubby & I installed it ourselves, so I remember it's general location-- can see exit/entry and guess the line between, anyway.

Posted by: JQ at July 16, 2025 02:44 AM (rdVOm)

292 Phil Robertson used it in an illustration that there is a God.
Who else could have us flying through the universe at 66,000 mph with us not a hair out of place?

Posted by: Braenyard
------

It's all just an accident.

Posted by: Atheists everywhere at July 16, 2025 02:44 AM (XeU6L)

293 Landline phone is my main reason for waiting on 8-1-1 location service.

Major expense, if I were to hit *that*!

But again, I'm pretty sure it's FAR from where I need to dig.

Posted by: JQ at July 16, 2025 02:46 AM (rdVOm)

294 100% not AI generated. Caitlyn Clark discussing Angel Reese.

https://is.gd/JNzzHf

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at July 16, 2025 02:55 AM (NXz8h)

295 Does any know where the love of God goes when AoSHq gets too sleepy?

Posted by: Skip at July 16, 2025 03:32 AM (+qU29)

296 Or at least Miklos filling up thread space

Posted by: Pete Bog at July 16, 2025 03:38 AM (hPgrk)

297 I more day to go, wish this head cold and sinus issues would start going away

Posted by: Skip at July 16, 2025 03:43 AM (+qU29)

298 83 A sad note on hiking safety - just days ago, a good friend from my youth, in his 60’s now, was hiking with his family in the Rockies in Colorado. Somehow (don’t know the details) he slipped and bounced down a nearly vertical 100’ rock slope. Had to be airlifted out; broke his pelvis, a leg, 13 ribs, and some facial bones. He’ll live, but he’ll never be the same again.
Posted by: Tom Servo at July 15, 2025 10:31 PM (I5+UQ)

Very sad.

Posted by: m at July 16, 2025 03:51 AM (aURVT)

299 299

Posted by: m at July 16, 2025 03:52 AM (aURVT)

300 300

Posted by: m at July 16, 2025 03:52 AM (aURVT)

301 m even younger people need to be extremely careful. Certainly could just be a loose rock or something.

Posted by: Skip at July 16, 2025 03:59 AM (+qU29)

302 Does any know where the love of God goes when AoSHq gets too sleepy? Posted by: Skip

Abilene, Texas. Keeps a hardware store there.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at July 16, 2025 03:59 AM (NXz8h)

303 I need to try and get a decent amount of sleep.
Have a great morning everyone

Posted by: Skip at July 16, 2025 04:00 AM (+qU29)

304 138 Not really hiking next week, just walking some nature trails by myself. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, I am going on a vacation! By myself! I will not be on-call for the first time in 8 years. To say I'm looking forward to it is an understatement.
Posted by: pookysgirl, about to go off-grid at July 15, 2025 11:10 PM (Wt5PA)

That sounds like a hike!

Posted by: m at July 16, 2025 04:13 AM (aURVT)

305 84 I've got to the point where I can hike down to the gate and back. Not quite half a mile. If I pace myself. I stay hydrated and wear a hat. Getting stronger, gradually.

Walking with Daisy Dog means a slower pace, as she has to stop and sniff everything along the way.
Posted by: mindful webworker - there and back again at July 15, 2025 10:31 PM (+kBwA)

And this sounds like a hike, too!

Posted by: m at July 16, 2025 04:19 AM (aURVT)

306 53 Did a lot of hiking, especially in New England, until the heart slowed me down and the broken back and neck stopped me.
I have a hiking stick I've had since the mid seventies, pulled it out of the feed pile next to a beaver damn. All the bark whittled off by said beavers one hungry winter.
I've hiked in the high thirties something of the high forties something of four thousand plus feet mountains in NE. I gave my AMC booklet with my times marked to daughter #2 while she was working on her ChemE masters at MIT, and she proceeded to beat them all. The weekend before graduation, I drove her to the last two trailheads needed to complete them. She took my hiking stick with her. I was more touched than I thought I'd be.
Posted by: From about That Time at July 15, 2025 10:17 PM (n4GiU)

Thank you for this super-great story.

Posted by: m at July 16, 2025 04:24 AM (aURVT)

307 Pixy's up!

Posted by: m at July 16, 2025 04:36 AM (aURVT)

308 Best life advice came from The Church of the Sub-Genius: Fuck ‘em if they can’t take a joke.

Posted by: HammerDog at July 16, 2025 05:41 AM (hrMAo)

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