Carnivorous Pig Attack Cafe

9 There's a cool old street car in Kyoto that goes out to Arashiyama (suburban area with lots of temples and places of interest). Nagasaki also has old street cars, in fine shape of course, with photos of them in their historic locations (usually other major cities)

Source tells me tourism from Chy-nah is down substantially in Japan. Hope it's true. Not because Chinese, but because sheer numbers.

Last time I was in Kyoto (November a few years ago), the place was so packed with Chinese visitors that you had trouble even getting on a local train. Not good.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 17, 2026 07:30 PM (U/Byj)

10 Puppy wants to be near his mom

Posted by: Skip at April 17, 2026 07:31 PM (Ia/+0)

11
Spring baths for our old dogs in the kennel, Dutchess, Dan and Sonny.

It was a melancholy job. They're 10 years old and, while courageous and willing, are clearly on the decline. They can no longer jump in the tub or on a table. They wheeze with the effort. They shake in the tub and have difficulty holding themselves up on the table. They want to try but their bodies are no longer up to it.

We have lost Finn in January and Val in March. I fear the time of the other two two boys is months and not years.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at April 17, 2026 07:31 PM (tgvbd)

12 Woohoo, Ben Had!

Posted by: Piper at April 17, 2026 07:32 PM (p4NUW)

13 I am the Shadout Mapes, I hope all is well in your world. So good to say hello.

Posted by: Ben Had at April 17, 2026 07:32 PM (yAteE)

14 5 Ben Had, I’ll take a rum and root beer, please.

Posted by: Bulg at April 17, 2026 07:32 PM (77rzZ)

15 Last time I was in Kyoto (November a few years ago), the place was so packed with Chinese visitors that you had trouble even getting on a local train. Not good.
Posted by: rhomboid

Pro move: go to Kanazawa instead. It's on the eastern seaboard, not as big or culturally important but a more preserved cultural center. Never touched by the war and they've only had a Shinkansen connection since 2008-ish.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at April 17, 2026 07:33 PM (diia5)

16 Highly recommend Nagasaki to visit. Very mellow vibe, slower pace (as exemplified by the ambling street cars, which reminded me of Lisbon), nice setting. Some Chinese influence on local cuisine is evident. Hope to rent a place and spend serious time there some day.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 17, 2026 07:33 PM (U/Byj)

17 eerr, cough, WESTERN seaboard.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at April 17, 2026 07:34 PM (diia5)

18 Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at April 17, 2026 07:29 PM

Did you watch TJM's rant on the Dune movies?

Posted by: Skip at April 17, 2026 07:34 PM (Ia/+0)

19 A beautiful day and life is good. Drinks are on me.
Posted by: Ben Had

Bloody Mary please.

Posted by: Tuna at April 17, 2026 07:34 PM (lJ0H4)

20 Berserker Panda reminds me of the typical commie when they don't get their way by trying to destroy other's property.

Posted by: Beartooth at April 17, 2026 07:34 PM (tYGL3)

21 Ben Had, totally blessed. Hope you are also doing well.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at April 17, 2026 07:35 PM (eOFY+)

22 Piper, I was thinking about the incentive you bring to so many lives. Much respect.

Posted by: Ben Had at April 17, 2026 07:35 PM (yAteE)

23 That's how Mister Woo trains his pigs. Gotta start 'em early.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes. at April 17, 2026 07:35 PM (kpS4V)

24

Hey diddle diddle
The cat and the fiddle
Piggy in the middle

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at April 17, 2026 07:35 PM (Cqx++)

25 That spotted piglet spends a few months in the wild and he want be so gentle chewing on you.

Posted by: Eromero at April 17, 2026 07:35 PM (LHPAg)

26 {{{Ben Had}}}

I'll buy you your drink of choice.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at April 17, 2026 07:35 PM (u82oZ)

27 Bulg, 2 ice cubes ok?

Posted by: Ben Had at April 17, 2026 07:36 PM (yAteE)

28 Tuna, what garnish would you like? I some bacon BloodyvMary mix on hand.

Posted by: Ben Had at April 17, 2026 07:37 PM (yAteE)

29 I'll have a Stoli and Robitussin.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at April 17, 2026 07:38 PM (RIvkX)

30 The owner trying to start a cat fight...bad owner!

Posted by: Chairman LMAO at April 17, 2026 07:38 PM (cWLG3)

31 weft, now that there is a high-quality tip. Will check it out.

Of course Kyoto was on the no-bomb list too (well, actually, it pretty much *was* the no-bomb "list").

Kyoto's great but have started to develop a preference for Japan's lesser-known places and small towns.

weft I believe you lived in Fukuoka for a bit. One time there we took the train out to Tachiarai for the military museum. Museum was great, and trip was interesting in its own right. Had to switch trains in this small town.

Last trip rented a car and drove most of southeast/central Kyushu, and our interest in off-beaten-path and smaller places was reinforced.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 17, 2026 07:39 PM (U/Byj)

32 Tuna, what garnish would you like? I some bacon BloodyvMary mix on hand.
Posted by: Ben Had

A nice stalk of celery and a squeeze of lime. Thank you.

Posted by: Tuna at April 17, 2026 07:39 PM (lJ0H4)

33 I left work after lunch today - had to get a ride because my vertigo (or whatever the hell this is) kicked in and there was no way I could work or drive. It seems to have settled down after some meclizine and a nap. I've never had balance problems or motion sickness in my life, so this is a new - and unwanted - experience.

Posted by: PabloD at April 17, 2026 07:39 PM (zUFRX)

34
And Rosalind and Puff went to the vet this morning for their annual exam and shots. Roz is returning to California next month.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at April 17, 2026 07:39 PM (tgvbd)

35 SanFranpsycho, I can just give you a shot of zylazine instead.

Posted by: Ben Had at April 17, 2026 07:39 PM (yAteE)

36 27 Perfect!

Posted by: Bulg at April 17, 2026 07:40 PM (77rzZ)

37 1 Chicken taco time!
Posted by: Piper at April 17, 2026 07:25 PM (p4NUW)
---
Carnitas!

Posted by: Chairman LMAO at April 17, 2026 07:40 PM (cWLG3)

38 NaCly, dearest. You bring me joy and that is more than enough.

Posted by: Ben Had at April 17, 2026 07:42 PM (yAteE)

39 16 Highly recommend Nagasaki to visit. Very mellow vibe, slower pace (as exemplified by the ambling street cars, which reminded me of Lisbon), nice setting. Some Chinese influence on local cuisine is evident. Hope to rent a place and spend serious time there some day.
Posted by: rhomboid at April 17, 2026 07:33 PM (U/Byj)
-----

Spent a week in Hiroshima a few years back. Gotta admit it's a little strange walking through the Peace Park (hypocenter of the detonation) as an American just a few short decades on, but it's a cool little town now. Take the train over to Miyajima for the day. Mazda factory tour is fun.
There's also a really really cool Irish bar downtown that's a big spot for American expats. Run by an actual Mick and he swears he has the freshest Guinness in Japan.

Posted by: ballistic at April 17, 2026 07:42 PM (oqH4h)

40 Hey, Piper!

Posted by: Bulg at April 17, 2026 07:43 PM (77rzZ)

41 Puppy mocks a poor turtle. Bad puppy.

Yikes, a gravel driveway...were they that itchy?

Posted by: t-bird at April 17, 2026 07:43 PM (+Tpk4)

42 NYPost: "Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe announce they’re splitting up in shocker."

Oh noes! The entirety of my next 5 minutes of life are in turmoil.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at April 17, 2026 07:44 PM (wAogl)

43 The velociraptor and side kick are crashed out together on the dog bed next to my desk. They had a busy day of barking at the mailman, Squirrels, crows and the kid carrying a bass walking home from school. They'll be up soon expecting treats.

Posted by: Beartooth at April 17, 2026 07:44 PM (tYGL3)

44 37 1 Chicken taco time!
Posted by: Piper at April 17, 2026 07:25 PM (p4NUW)
---
Carnitas!
Posted by: Chairman LMAO at April

That definitely sounds better, but it’s just me and the kiddo so I went easy. 😂

Posted by: Piper at April 17, 2026 07:44 PM (p4NUW)

45 Pro tip. If your going to pick up a turtle make sure you have the head pointing towards you.

Posted by: Ben Had at April 17, 2026 07:45 PM (yAteE)

46 Look at the back paws of that baby roo. That middle claw is not friendly.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 17, 2026 07:45 PM (viF8m)

47 Hi, Bulg!

Posted by: Piper at April 17, 2026 07:45 PM (p4NUW)

48
"Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe announce they’re splitting up in shocker."

__________

Shocker? What's the divorce rate for lesbian couples? Something like 70%?

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at April 17, 2026 07:46 PM (tgvbd)

49 Bulg pointed out earlier today that bat videos are a wonderful and welcome addition to the Café.

I must say, I couldn't agree with him more.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at April 17, 2026 07:46 PM (0sNs1)

50 Shocker? What's the divorce rate for lesbian couples? Something like 70%?
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at April 17, 2026 07:46 PM (tgvbd)
-----
It's high as well as the domestic violence rate. Turns out women don't actually like other women. Shocker.

Posted by: ballistic at April 17, 2026 07:47 PM (oqH4h)

51 Duncanthrax, in your honor it was International Bat appreciation day.

Posted by: Ben Had at April 17, 2026 07:47 PM (yAteE)

52 weft I believe you lived in Fukuoka for a bit. One time there we took the train out to Tachiarai for the military museum. Museum was great, and trip was interesting in its own right. Had to switch trains in this small town.

Last trip rented a car and drove most of southeast/central Kyushu, and our interest in off-beaten-path and smaller places was reinforced.
Posted by: rhomboid

Yes, sir. I never made it past like Kumamoto in Kyushu because I wanted to see as much of the country like Kansai, etc, but Kyushu is a great place. Weird to think that Japan has a lot of surfing spots in places like south Kyushu, but they do.

Also, one recommendation for Japan professionals; Shikoku, the smaller island. It is like the lost island of Japan. We only did a short tour just for udon shops, but I think bikers would enjoy just a 3-day tour cruising and stopping at small inns.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at April 17, 2026 07:48 PM (diia5)

53 I once referred to piglets as "bacon-flavored puppies." My animal-loving kiddo did not appreciate that. Gotta admit, they are cute.

Posted by: PabloD at April 17, 2026 07:48 PM (zUFRX)

54 Pro tip. If you're going to pick up a turtle make sure you have the head pointing towards you.
Posted by: Ben Had at April 17, 2026 07:45 PM

Unless, of course, you're male, skinny-dipping, and it's a snapping turtle. 🐢

Posted by: Duncanthrax at April 17, 2026 07:49 PM (0sNs1)

55 Did you watch TJM's rant on the Dune movies?
Posted by: Skip at April 17, 2026 07:34 PM (Ia/+0)

Yep. Interesting. Not enough about cleaning worm scat off of carpets, though...

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at April 17, 2026 07:49 PM (eOFY+)

56 Hiroshima's good for the okonomiyaki too. Very pretty green city. If so inclined take the short train trip over to Kure for lots of naval history.

As for "peace" museum, have to bring up again what a good friend told his foreign ministry guide during a speaking tour (trade issues) when asked, after they exited the museum, what he thought. "I guess you'll never attack us again".

Posted by: rhomboid at April 17, 2026 07:49 PM (U/Byj)

57 Pardon my ignorance but aren't all pigs carnivorous?

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at April 17, 2026 07:50 PM (+HNx/)

58 Unless, of course, you're male, skinny-dipping, and it's a snapping turtle. 🐢
Posted by: Duncanthrax

Matt Drudge ran a story once about some fish in whose mouth a man's testes would perfectly fit.
That's what gave me pause that Drudge might not be all that into girls.

Posted by: gKWVE at April 17, 2026 07:50 PM (gKWVE)

59
Re Voyager 1 from the last thread. On Feb 14, 1990 at 05:22 UTC, Voyager 1 turned its cameras off for the final time, after turning around and taking these final photos:

https://is.gd/uTQzLm

That included the iconic Pale Blue Dot. The Erf was just one pixel.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at April 17, 2026 07:51 PM (w6EFb)

60 Chris Rock and I both love the 'Tussin.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at April 17, 2026 07:51 PM (RIvkX)

61 Duncanthrax, you can keep them at arms length to avoid a bite but they can pee a mile.

Posted by: Ben Had at April 17, 2026 07:51 PM (yAteE)

62 14 5 Ben Had, I’ll take a rum and root beer, please.

---------

Good thing she didn't offer alcoholic bomb pops.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at April 17, 2026 07:52 PM (+HNx/)

63 . Turns out women don't actually like other women. Shocker.
Posted by: ballistic at April 17, 2026

Hmmm. I think friends versus a relationship are 2 different dynamics. I adore my friends.

Posted by: Piper at April 17, 2026 07:53 PM (p4NUW)

64 weft our long-standing plan is to drive Shikoku. As you know, whole place is low-key and not much visited by gaijin, compared to most areas.

Fun fact: Operation Olympic included a feint towards Shikoku, demonstrating intent to make landings there as well as Kyushu.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 17, 2026 07:53 PM (U/Byj)

65 Thanks. Ralphy was getting out of the car and his front legs kind of gave out a bit. He's still full of life and makes it upstairs fine.

I just stabilize him going downstairs now. Almost 15. I'll keep him happy. Depressed. Going to bed early. Maybe a horror movie.

Good night. Thanks.

Posted by: Stateless - He ain't heavy, he's my dog. Old, but full of life. at April 17, 2026 07:53 PM (Sco7b)

66 Lately I am thinking that I may seriously need to go and spend a year in Japan.

jus' sayin' ...

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 17, 2026 07:54 PM (VyBeY)

67 * hands Cicero a glassof my special lethal cream*

Posted by: Ben Had at April 17, 2026 07:54 PM (yAteE)

68 56 Hiroshima's good for the okonomiyaki too.

Man I am now mad at you for bringing this up!

I ate my weight in okonomiyaki while I was there and it's just such a specific thing that basically doesn't exist in the US. Ugh.

Posted by: ballistic at April 17, 2026 07:54 PM (oqH4h)

69 *gulp*

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at April 17, 2026 07:55 PM (+HNx/)

70 Duncanthrax, in your honor it was International Bat appreciation day.
Posted by: Ben Had at April 17, 2026 07:47 PM

Thank you!
That this isn't far more widely celebrated and appreciated can only be due to the malevolent and mephitic influence of Big Penguin. Sad!!!

Posted by: Duncanthrax at April 17, 2026 07:55 PM (0sNs1)

71 okonomiyaki - cabbage pancake. Im not sure we are stopping in Hiroshima next year but if we do I may just try that.
I’m just thrilled we will have a day in Kyoto - super exctited.

Posted by: SnailRacer at April 17, 2026 07:56 PM (GwDCI)

72 Hmmm. I think friends versus a relationship are 2 different dynamics. I adore my friends.
Posted by: Piper at April 17, 2026 07:53 PM (p4NUW)
----
Heh. I think it's more the living together thing.

Posted by: ballistic at April 17, 2026 07:56 PM (oqH4h)

73 Trying to save all the Japan tips. I have been remarkably blessed in the number of places I have been, but I have not been to Japan. It is the number 1 spot for our next big vacation. Just not sure when. I hope soon!

Posted by: Piper at April 17, 2026 07:57 PM (p4NUW)

74 "okonomiyaki"

see, that's what I mean!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 17, 2026 07:57 PM (VyBeY)

75 Buffalo wings, french fries, pizza, burger, fried chicken, steak. I know I am missing a few.

Posted by: runner at April 17, 2026 07:58 PM (GD0B3)

76 71 okonomiyaki - cabbage pancake.

-------

Ehh....cabbage pancake doesn't begin to do it justice. It's greater than the sum of its parts. Pairs well with an Asahi Super Dry.

Posted by: ballistic at April 17, 2026 07:58 PM (oqH4h)

77 Fun fact: Operation Olympic included a feint towards Shikoku, demonstrating intent to make landings there as well as Kyushu.
Posted by: rhomboid

Yeah, but somehow I don't think the Imperials would have bought that. It'd be like Germany planning an attack on rural Alabama.
"Ok, yer here. Now what?"

Posted by: weft cut-loop at April 17, 2026 07:58 PM (diia5)

78 Just tryin to recall that ONT puzzle.

Posted by: runner at April 17, 2026 07:59 PM (GD0B3)

79 Mrs. F. informs that AOC has refused to endorse Saikat Chakrabarti to succeed Pelosi. This is important because he is her former chief of staff. He uses her and Bernie in his ads. She kind of owes the endorsement to him which means Pelosi got to her.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at April 17, 2026 08:00 PM (RIvkX)

80 With 158 yen/$, there's no better time to indulge any interest in visiting Japan. I've been there when it's half that. Japan has been one of the most expensive countries in the world for decades. Current exchange rate takes considerable sting out of it.

Last time - which was after our little idiotic hyper-inflation episode and restaurant inflation that predates The Great Idiocy - we noticed how restaurants were *less* expensive expensive than here. And apples/oranges etc.,but restaurant experience in Japan (in typical small places) not available here at any price.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 17, 2026 08:00 PM (U/Byj)

81 Posted by: ballistic at April 17, 2026 07:58 PM
Asahi Super Dry - I’ll make a not in my trip book. Thanks!

Posted by: SnailRacer at April 17, 2026 08:01 PM (GwDCI)

82 Lately I am thinking that I may seriously need to go and spend a year in Japan.

jus' sayin' ...
Posted by: sock_rat_eez

DO EEET. Just get out of Tokyo as soon as possible. Again, I highly recommend Kanazawa, it's like, in a small fashion, Kyoto without the crowds... at least it was 10 years ago. Caveat emptor.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at April 17, 2026 08:02 PM (diia5)

83 A couple of weeks ago X changed some things that made a lot of Japanese posts show up in peoples feeds instead of a steady diet of Paki and Indian (dot). People were amazed about the Japanese. It turns out that Japanese and Americans really like each other.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at April 17, 2026 08:02 PM (cxFcK)

84 Never had any desire to go to Japan, yet might be safest country to visit now

Posted by: Skip at April 17, 2026 08:03 PM (Ia/+0)

85 82, 83, 84, yes, all of these!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 17, 2026 08:05 PM (VyBeY)

86 Ha, Asahi Super Dry is pretty much my beer of choice when in Japan. Dang all this Japan talk has me hankerin' for ramen or kushi-katsu at those places in Osaka.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 17, 2026 08:05 PM (U/Byj)

87 THEY PROMISED ME A CROW CAFE!!

Posted by: Max Power at April 17, 2026 08:06 PM (q177U)

88 𝐍𝐢𝐨𝐡 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐠 🇮🇷 ✡︎
@NiohBerg
I'm almost 100% this is what's happening.

One regime figure had a meltdown and then deleted his X account. Others are calling for Araghchi to be impeached.

Ghalibaf is calling all of Trump's posts lies.

Regimi twitter in absolute shambles.

𝐍𝐢𝐨𝐡 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐠 🇮🇷 ✡︎
@NiohBerg
I think Trump's strategy right now is to loudly declare that the IR has agreed to everything, then lean back and watch them tear each other apart in confusion and fingerpointing.
3:45 PM · Apr 17, 2026
====

This checks out.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at April 17, 2026 08:07 PM (RIvkX)

89 Mrs. F. informs that AOC has refused to endorse Saikat Chakrabarti to succeed Pelosi. This is important because he is her former chief of staff. He uses her and Bernie in his ads. She kind of owes the endorsement to him which means Pelosi got to her.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at April 17, 2026 08:00 PM

And who does Pelosi work for?

Posted by: Big Penguin at April 17, 2026 08:07 PM (mdf2D)

90 Tousi covered all of this today.

Posted by: Ben Had at April 17, 2026 08:08 PM (yAteE)

91 Never had any desire to go to Japan, yet might be safest country to visit now
Posted by: Skip

I used to want to visit Japan, even kinda admired it until I read a bunch of books about the Pacific War (which, let's be honest, they never fully or properly apologized for.) Then, I thought, nah.

Their birthrate is terrible but with this rekindled warrior ethos (which I welcome) I foresee households with seven children.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at April 17, 2026 08:09 PM (cxFcK)

92 sock_rat, do as weft says. You can't go wrong in Japan. There's a fair amount of weirdness, but all of it good-weirdness (little plastic wrappers for your wet umbrellas when you come into a store out of the - frequent - rain? really?)

Posted by: rhomboid at April 17, 2026 08:10 PM (U/Byj)

93 Ha, Asahi Super Dry is pretty much my beer of choice when in Japan. Dang all this Japan talk has me hankerin' for ramen or kushi-katsu at those places in Osaka.
Posted by: rhomboid

Ginga Kogen Beer. Kyushu craft brew since the '90s.
If you can't find it, I like Yebisu. The name has a cool background.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at April 17, 2026 08:10 PM (diia5)

94 Duncanthrax, you can keep them at arms length to avoid a bite but they can pee a mile.
Posted by: Ben Had at April 17, 2026 07:51 PM

Due to hearing several sad stories told in a high-pitched voice, I've established a personal policy not to skinny-dip in waters that may be snapping turtle habitat.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at April 17, 2026 08:10 PM (0sNs1)

95 Japanese better get busy

Posted by: Skip at April 17, 2026 08:13 PM (Ia/+0)

96 I am going to shove all the Shiba puppies in my pockets and bring them home. You will hear about it on the news.

Posted by: Piper at April 17, 2026 08:13 PM (pZEOD)

97 beats all hell out of what we get for weirdness here, amirite?

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 17, 2026 08:14 PM (VyBeY)

98 Yep, Yebisu another favorite. Hadn't head of Ginga Kogen (but now I have!).

We did some shochu tasting down in central Kyushu last trip, which was great - again, more rural area, small towns, sort of like wine travel when Sonoma was sleepy and great (80s/early 90s) or central coast, in part, to this day.

Still haven't done any sake tasting. Lots of booze tourism to be had in Japan.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 17, 2026 08:14 PM (U/Byj)

99 96 I am going to shove all the Shiba puppies in my pockets and bring them home. You will hear about it on the news.
Posted by: Piper at April 17, 2026 08:13 PM (pZEOD)

The Morons here will advise you the puppies belong in sweaters.

Posted by: tcn in AK at April 17, 2026 08:15 PM (DwqWV)

100 Go Piper! moar doge!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 17, 2026 08:15 PM (VyBeY)

101 Big Penguin's attempt to establish a "LGBTP Day" has so far raised little enthusiasm with the LGBT community. Calls for penguins to get their own day have also met with opposition, although a proposed "Mephitic Monday" has gained traction in many major cities, such as New York City, Boston, and Muncie Indiana.

Posted by: Penguin Facts at April 17, 2026 08:17 PM (vFG9F)

102 100 Go Piper! moar doge!
Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 17, 2026 08

Shibas are the worst dogs ever, but are so cute in their badness. I figure I already have one, what’s a few more?

Posted by: Piper at April 17, 2026 08:17 PM (pZEOD)

103 If I had *any* home-building skills or background (OK, I can fix lots of stuff, but couldn't build it) I'd be all over the program in Japan where abandoned houses, usually rural, are essentially free. I have the "consular" conditions to make it happen, but sadly not the plumbing, electricity, and building skills.

And yep those abandoned houses are one artifact of the low birth rate (rural-urban migration another factor).

Posted by: rhomboid at April 17, 2026 08:17 PM (U/Byj)

104 Oh crap.

Howie Mandell is hosting a canadian version of 'The Price is Right.'

It could be great without all the canadians.

Posted by: Stateless - He ain't heavy, he's my dog. Old, but full of life. at April 17, 2026 08:18 PM (Sco7b)

105 >>beats all hell out of what we get for weirdness here, amirite?

I, myself, am kinda weird.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 17, 2026 08:19 PM (viF8m)

106 That turtle is saying, "Oh sure, go ahead, mock me. But someday you will get within range of my beak. Then you wont be laughing anymore." These things live to be 100+ years old. You know they can hold grudges.

Posted by: GWB at April 17, 2026 08:21 PM (jZqxK)

107 >>beats all hell out of what we get for weirdness here, amirite?

I, myself, am kinda weird.
Posted by: JackStraw at April 17, 2026 08:19 PM

I, myself, am strange and unusual.

Posted by: Lydia Dietz at April 17, 2026 08:21 PM (0sNs1)

108 Aren't those Japanese houses just made out of paper and bamboo? Seems cheap enough to fix. Just run down to Rowes for materials.

Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026 08:21 PM (vFG9F)

109 Both puppy and baby could probably stand to cut back on second breakfast.

Posted by: GWB at April 17, 2026 08:23 PM (jZqxK)

110
Shocker? What's the divorce rate for lesbian couples? Something like 70%?
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at April 17, 2026 07:46 PM (tgvbd)

The other 30% end in starvation when no one can decide where to eat.

Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at April 17, 2026 08:23 PM (w/O5Q)

111 Trump's Fog of Peace is really quite hilarious for those accustomed to the usual boring public pronouncements during armed conflicts.

Never has the advice to ignore almost everything everyone is saying and focus only on events and results been more appropriate.

Won't mind if it continues (and would bet at least 10,000,000 rials that in fact much or all of the purpose here is to extend the timeline to let the blockade and financial squeeze bite and internal turmoil to ripen over yonder).

Posted by: rhomboid at April 17, 2026 08:23 PM (U/Byj)

112 I'm back from dinner, a place called Sam's Southern Eatery. Unpretentious but comfortable, okay burger, good fries for $7.99.

Ghostbusters is on one of the many DirecTV channels here in the hotel, so I'm catching the last 45 minutes of it. Still a classic.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 17, 2026 08:24 PM (0SlUx)

113
Holy years later! I was just tuned in to Jesse Watters and I heard him name "the guided missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta, named after a Marine who threw himself on a grenade in Iraq."

I attended a Memorial Day ceremony at the (embattled) Soledad Cross yeeeears ago where one of Peralta's buddies gave one of the best military speeches I've ever heard. They wanted him to get the Medal of Honor, but the chain denied it and award him the Navy Cross. DAMN I was impressed with Peralta's buddies. Not so much his family, which snarled that if he was white...
Anyway, I'm glad someone named a destroyer after him. RIP, Sergeant Peralta.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at April 17, 2026 08:25 PM (n7rxJ)

114 Where are you, Wolfus?

Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026 08:26 PM (vFG9F)

115
Mrs. F. informs that AOC has refused to endorse Saikat Chakrabarti to succeed Pelosi. This is important because he is her former chief of staff. He uses her and Bernie in his ads. She kind of owes the endorsement to him which means Pelosi got to her.
Posted by: San Franpsycho

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

Who is Pelosi's choice? That Weiner monster?

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at April 17, 2026 08:27 PM (n7rxJ)

116 Correcting some misinformation that seems to have spread here, while Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird have announced that they have split after almost ten years together, they were not married.

They met at a photoshoot for the 2016 Rio Olympics, and got engaged in October 2020, but never tied the knot.

Posted by: AoSHQ Celebrity News Bureau and Rumour Centre at April 17, 2026 08:27 PM (0sNs1)

117 103, even for gaijin?

in-ter-es-ting ...

*imagines moving into something out of My Friend Totoro ... )

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 17, 2026 08:28 PM (VyBeY)

118 >>I, myself, am strange and unusual.
Posted by: Lydia Dietz

Bangs chest, points at you.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 17, 2026 08:28 PM (viF8m)

119 Aren't those Japanese houses just made out of paper and bamboo? Seems cheap enough to fix. Just run down to Rowes for materials.
Posted by: fd

Depends on what house you're talking about. The traditional houses are a kind of timber framed wattle-and-daub type structures with interlocking joints for a roofing base. ... I'm outside my ken so look up the 100's of youtube vids for the details.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at April 17, 2026 08:30 PM (diia5)

120 The thing that has always puzzled me about my big black cat Stirling is that he seemed fearless and ultra-confident when we first met him, when I brought him home, and for months afterward. Then, his first New Year's Eve -- not on July 4, but Dec. 31 -- the sound of fireworks sent him into a tizzy and he hid under the bed. Still does hide at the sound of fireworks on those two days, even though they are outside and in the distance.

Little Dagny is not fazed by any of it.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 17, 2026 08:30 PM (0SlUx)

121 >>>Baby lamb tries to make friends with the piglets.

It's all in the caption. I would've went with:
Lamb Bullies Litter of Piglets

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at April 17, 2026 08:32 PM (syz1S)

122 Blonde Morticia, the fact that the cross was "embattled" was one of the first big head-shaking moments here for me. It started when I was elsewhere. Incredible.

The USS Michael Murphy was in the news last week when it transited the Strait along with another DDG. Murphy of course was a central figure in the true story on which "Lone Survivor" is based.

In the little entryway between two sets of glass doors down at the SEALs HQ in Coronado, there are a handful of photos on the wall. Murphy's is one. When SEALs retire they often use this space to ask a senior officer for "permission to go ashore" as part of their exit ritual.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 17, 2026 08:33 PM (U/Byj)

123 seriously, airfare to Japan around $300? that's nuts.

but that's what metacrawler is telling me ... I must investigate ...

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 17, 2026 08:34 PM (VyBeY)

124 Where are you, Wolfus?
Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026

***
In exciting urban -- or maybe it's suburban -- Pine Bluff, AR. I put in eight and a half smooth but tiring hours on the drive up. Tomorrow, I head north, west, and north again through MO to the little town of Fort Scott, KS. On Sunday, west and north to Salina.

Since I didn't nap this afternoon, I'm hoping I'll fall right to sleep later and stay asleep until breakfast time. Which I get as part of the room charge here.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 17, 2026 08:34 PM (0SlUx)

125 "The Way Of The Drunken Panda" would have been a good Jackie Chan movie.

Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026 08:37 PM (vFG9F)

126 seriously, airfare to Japan around $300? that's nuts.

but that's what metacrawler is telling me ... I must investigate ...

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 17, 2026 08:34 PM (VyBeY)

Wow. That must be from the west coast. We are looking at going next year from TX. Expect tix to be much more than that.

Posted by: BarelyScaryMary at April 17, 2026 08:37 PM (cS3Fw)

127 It is a dark and stormy night.
Rain beats the windows.
Dogs whimper, and tornado sirens howl...

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at April 17, 2026 08:38 PM (S/Y4j)

128 That poor turtle dragging his balls in the gravel make me cringe. Can't they tuck them away?

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at April 17, 2026 08:38 PM (Fbc0I)

129 Aren't those Japanese houses just made out of paper and bamboo? Seems cheap enough to fix. Just run down to Rowes for materials.
Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026 08:21 PM

ISWYDT.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at April 17, 2026 08:38 PM (0sNs1)

130 >>>Baby wants to make sure mom keeps it fair.

That is one fat-faced baby.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at April 17, 2026 08:39 PM (syz1S)

131 That poor turtle dragging his balls in the gravel make me cringe. Can't they tuck them away?
Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at April 17, 2026 08:38 PM

Not such a big deal when they're Himmler-sized.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at April 17, 2026 08:40 PM (0sNs1)

132 I know you are not there for that, but Arkansas has some interesting geology.

Are you keeping a diary of your trip? Maybe you'll get some story ideas. Travels With Wolfus, from the viewpoint of a cat?

Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026 08:40 PM (vFG9F)

133 reminded me of Milton Lee Olive Park (sort of) in my old 'hood in chicago ... he, too, jumped on a grenade and saved his buddies, back in Vietnam days.

Honor to the memory of the brave.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 17, 2026 08:40 PM (VyBeY)

134 Decoy Voice has a YouTube video up explaining Johnny Somali's new prison life.

Since it is only six months, looks like menial labour like gardening is in his future.

Prison cells are small and from 4 to 8 are put in each. Sleeping spots are assigned, the new guy sleeps next to the toilet.

Wake-up is at 6am. And end of workday is 5pm.

Posted by: Anna Puma at April 17, 2026 08:40 PM (2GVsD)

135 "the new guy sleeps next to the toilet."

Awesome! That is so convenient. They are so nice to the new guy.

Posted by: Unsuspecting new guy at April 17, 2026 08:42 PM (vFG9F)

136 Have a Safe trip Wolfus

Posted by: Skip at April 17, 2026 08:43 PM (Ia/+0)

137 135 "the new guy sleeps next to the toilet."

Awesome! That is so convenient. They are so nice to the new guy.
Posted by: Unsuspecting new guy at April 17, 2026 08:42 PM (vFG9F)

He gets the honor of using his toothbrush to clean it daily, right?

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at April 17, 2026 08:44 PM (S/Y4j)

138 just a little park on the lakeshore by the central filtration plant, with a big plaque.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 17, 2026 08:44 PM (VyBeY)

139 "the new guy sleeps next to the toilet."

Awesome! That is so convenient. They are so nice to the new guy.
Posted by: Unsuspecting new guy at April 17, 2026 08:42 PM

You just have to hope penguins aren't your cellies.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at April 17, 2026 08:45 PM (0sNs1)

140
Posted by: rhomboid at April 17, 2026 08:33 PM (U/Byj)

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

You see those portraits and names everywhere on military installations, some of them going back to WW2. You're attending a buffet or passing through, and behind every one of those calm faces is a story of a life and a death in combat that could stop you dead for hours.

I went up to that guy who gave the speech for Peralta and shook his hand.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at April 17, 2026 08:45 PM (n7rxJ)

141 I know you are not there for that, but Arkansas has some interesting geology.

Are you keeping a diary of your trip? Maybe you'll get some story ideas. Travels With Wolfus, from the viewpoint of a cat?
Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026

***
I might see some hints of that geology as I drive up through the NW corner of the state tomorrow. The trouble is that when you're hustling along at 70 on an interstate, and focusing on getting to your hotel, it's hard to enjoy anything else.

Fortunately for the cats, they aren't with me! If I decide to buy a home in Salina or nearby, when I drive up as part of the actual move, I'll have them in their carriers in the back of the car, but not until then.

I've brought along Larry McMurtry's 2000 travel book Roads, where he makes one- or two-day road trips along the major interstates and some of the old Federal highways, and records his reactions to the towns he passes through.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 17, 2026 08:45 PM (0SlUx)

142 Lame canadian 'Price is Right.'

Here's a tip jerkwads. It's freaking canada. Whatever you think the price is - double it.

Some lady, who got TWO chips to use on Plinko, just won $100!
Big Mac AND fries! Sweet.

Posted by: Stateless - He ain't heavy, he's my dog. Old, but full of life. at April 17, 2026 08:47 PM (Sco7b)

143 Apparently, President Trump has said there are 'very interesting' findings in top secret government UFO files, and that they'll be released 'very soon'.

A distraction from the Epstein files?

Posted by: Duncanthrax at April 17, 2026 08:47 PM (0sNs1)

144 naah, just PDT doing all the damage he can, while he can ... a.k.a. what I voted for!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 17, 2026 08:48 PM (VyBeY)

145 Eric Swallowswell is the love-child of ET and Taylor Lorenz?

Posted by: Anna Puma at April 17, 2026 08:48 PM (2GVsD)

146 The cats miss you Wolfus!
Enjoy the trip.

Posted by: Stateless - He ain't heavy, he's my dog. Old, but full of life. at April 17, 2026 08:48 PM (Sco7b)

147 Until Gort shows up in a silver saucer on the White House lawn I ain't believing squit.

Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026 08:50 PM (vFG9F)

148 who could prove differently, Anna? LOL!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 17, 2026 08:50 PM (VyBeY)

149 IF his new friends are nice, he'll just use the toothbrush on the toilet. They may use him to clean the head.

Posted by: Anna Puma at April 17, 2026 08:50 PM (2GVsD)

150
seriously, airfare to Japan around $300? that's nuts.

but that's what metacrawler is telling me ... I must investigate ...
Posted by: sock_rat_eez

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

Sometimes it happens. Years ago I read about a particular play I wanted to see in London, and just for kicks I looked up airfare. There was a flight that was like $300 round-trip from the west coast. OMG! I looked up accommodations, transportation, ticket prices, I was all SET -- then I proceeded with the ticket purchase, and once all the Osama bin Laden fees (airport taxes, these fees, those charges) were added, it cost about $1000. So much for my attempt to support art and associated businesses.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at April 17, 2026 08:51 PM (n7rxJ)

151 The story could be about what the cats do while Wolfus is gone.

Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026 08:51 PM (vFG9F)

152 The carnivorous pig is tasting her for later, when he gets to about 200 lbs. Watch out!

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at April 17, 2026 08:52 PM (Fbc0I)

153 The cats miss you Wolfus!
Enjoy the trip.
Posted by: Stateless - He ain't heavy, he's my dog. Old, but full of life. at April 17, 2026

***
They're getting fussed over and fed treats by Miss Linda. By the time I get back they'll have forgotten who I am.

An exaggeration. Linda's black cat Marie-Antoinette hadn't seen me in two years when she arrived by air freight in Denver. But she knew me and climbed right in my lap when we got home. My current two are almost as smart.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 17, 2026 08:53 PM (0SlUx)

154 Patrick Stewart & Ian McKellen doing Waiting for Godot?

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 17, 2026 08:54 PM (VyBeY)

155 The story could be about what the cats do while Wolfus is gone.
Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026

***
Probably smoking my pipes, or at the least snuffling tobacco as if it were catnip.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 17, 2026 08:54 PM (0SlUx)

156 1000 $ still sounds cheap; I was expecting 3 to 5 ...

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 17, 2026 08:55 PM (VyBeY)

157 "Patrick Stewart & Ian McKellen doing Waiting for Godot?
Posted by: sock_rat_eez"

Stewart plays Stirling, of course. Maybe make it a musical.

Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026 08:55 PM (vFG9F)

158 Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 17, 2026 08:53 P

Awww. Snowflake slept inside 6 hours today when I took Ralphy to get his meds.

Left her in charge of the house.

'Price is Right' Canada. Trips to Cuba and Jamaica. No vehicles in the final. There was a message. "Previously recorded. Travelling conditions may have changed." Lol.

Posted by: Stateless - He ain't heavy, he's my dog. Old, but full of life. at April 17, 2026 08:59 PM (Sco7b)

159 ""Apparently, President Trump has said there are 'very interesting' findings in top secret government UFO files, and that they'll be released 'very soon'. ""

Schiff's head is a Dyson Sphere?

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at April 17, 2026 09:00 PM (snZF9)

160 Schiff's head is a Dyson Sphere?
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at April 17, 2026 09:00 PM (snZF9)
---
It's the only thing that can contain his ego.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 17, 2026 09:02 PM (gnNyN)

161
What if Epstein is in the UFO files?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at April 17, 2026 09:02 PM (Cqx++)

162 I wish they had Star Trek transporters because I hate all modes of travel. It's mostly about my impatience and personality to complete a task asap.

It drives me crazy that I have a vehicle that can go 130mph and they limit me to 65mph under threat of arrest and fines

Posted by: Harry Vandenburg at April 17, 2026 09:02 PM (0cOSz)

163 >>1000 $ still sounds cheap; I was expecting 3 to 5 ...

Go for it. The cheapest and best education available is travel. And the best part is it's fun.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 17, 2026 09:03 PM (viF8m)

164 Life may or may not exist on other planets. As for ETs visiting here, if one lands in my back yard I'll field dress it and let you know if it tastes like chicken.

Posted by: PabloD at April 17, 2026 09:04 PM (zUFRX)

165 I wish they had Star Trek transporters because I hate all modes of travel. It's mostly about my impatience and personality to complete a task asap.

It drives me crazy that I have a vehicle that can go 130mph and they limit me to 65mph under threat of arrest and fines

Posted by: Harry Vandenburg at April 17, 2026 09:02 PM (0cOSz)

Yeah that sucks. Turns a 1 day road trip into a 2 day trip.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at April 17, 2026 09:04 PM (snZF9)

166 >>>Apparently, President Trump has said there are 'very interesting' findings in top secret government UFO files, and that they'll be released 'very soon'.

>Tucker was abducted and anally probed by the grey 'Jews' and now he's hellbent on sending them to the camps.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at April 17, 2026 09:06 PM (Fbc0I)

167 Wake-up is at 6am. And end of workday is 5pm.
Posted by: Anna Puma at April 17, 2026 08:40 PM (2GVsD)

The wake-up for the orphanage my wife visits if 5am, so the kids can get ready and eat before going to school

Posted by: Kindltot at April 17, 2026 09:07 PM (rbvCR)

168 Evening, Horde...how goes it?

We interrupt the Carnivorous Pig Attack Cafe with an important Sunday Morning Book Thread Update.

I'm just about to start the final novel in F. Paul Wilson's Secret History of the World. It's taken nearly 30 books to get to this point.

Although the heroes have managed to stymie the villain to some degree, his final plan still reaches fruition, initiating a global Change that threatens to overwhelm the planet with the Otherness, the inimical cosmic entity that *hates* humanity.

But it's always darkest just before the dawn.

We now return you to your regular carnivorous pig shenanigans.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 17, 2026 09:08 PM (gnNyN)

169 I’m watching Targets on TCM. A lot of firearms in that flick.

Posted by: Bulg at April 17, 2026 09:09 PM (77rzZ)

170 I wish they had Star Trek transporters because I hate all modes of travel. It's mostly about my impatience and personality to complete a task asap.

It drives me crazy that I have a vehicle that can go 130mph and they limit me to 65mph under threat of arrest and fines

Posted by: Harry Vandenburg at April 17, 2026 09:02 PM (0cOSz)

Yeah that sucks. Turns a 1 day road trip into a 2 day trip.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at April 17, 2026

***
On the other hand, as Larry Niven once pointed out, we are the only species on Earth that can begin to deal with jet lag. The travel speeds of today, car or plane, would seem like magic to our ancestors of the 19th and earlier centuries.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 17, 2026 09:09 PM (0SlUx)

171 Although the heroes have managed to stymie the villain to some degree, his final plan still reaches fruition, initiating a global Change that threatens to overwhelm the planet with the Otherness, the inimical cosmic entity that *hates* humanity.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 17, 2026 09:08 PM (gnNyN)

So....democrats.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at April 17, 2026 09:10 PM (snZF9)

172 >>Yeah that sucks. Turns a 1 day road trip into a 2 day trip.

Endless argument between sailors and power boaters. The journey or the destination.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 17, 2026 09:10 PM (viF8m)

173 So....democrats.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at April 17, 2026 09:10 PM (snZF9)
----
Well, not quite that bad.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 17, 2026 09:11 PM (gnNyN)

174 >> wish they had Star Trek transporters

I signed aboard this ship to practice medicine, not to have my atoms scattered back and forth across space by that gadget.

Posted by: Dr. Bones McCoy at April 17, 2026 09:12 PM (w6EFb)

175 On the other hand, as Larry Niven once pointed out, we are the only species on Earth that can begin to deal with jet lag. The travel speeds of today, car or plane, would seem like magic to our ancestors of the 19th and earlier centuries.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 17, 2026 09:09 PM (0SlUx)

At the same time the primitives were better adapted to wtaching paint dry on their trips. "weeza goin to californeee, I recon we be getting there by next winter"

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at April 17, 2026 09:12 PM (snZF9)

176 175: Well getting off the wagon and walking a mile or two to get a break from the rough ride, then setting up camp, lighting a fire to cook, getting the stock that was pulling the wagon fed for the night etc etc helped ease the boredom.

Posted by: PaleRider at April 17, 2026 09:16 PM (+89TD)

177
With the Artemis II mission, I've been getting Moon fever (lunacy?) and Apollo nostalgia again, reliving some early childhood thrills.

One thing that has pissed me off is the Moon hoax conspiracy stuff. One of things these Big Dummies go on about is how did the lunar rover fit inside the LM.

Well, that was some engineering. Modern computer graphics and CAD and all that allows for stuff like this starting at 10:40 in:

https://is.gd/urU3D5

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at April 17, 2026 09:18 PM (w6EFb)

178 speaking of which I have to go feed my pampered modern stock.

Posted by: PaleRider at April 17, 2026 09:19 PM (+89TD)

179 >> wish they had Star Trek transporters

I signed aboard this ship to practice medicine, not to have my atoms scattered back and forth across space by that gadget.

Posted by: Dr. Bones McCoy at April 17, 2026 09:12 PM (w6EFb)

If it was that easy. I once read a book about the physics of star trek, especially the transporter. Yeah we won't see that for a million years if ever. He said the hard drive storage needed just to store the human "pattern", the X Y and Z axis of all atoms and electrons and their state was insane. He said using floppy disks, the stack of floppy disks would be a stack that would stretch 2/3 the way across our galaxy. Forget the power requirements, that was even more insane.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at April 17, 2026 09:20 PM (snZF9)

180 Chakrabarti is more to AOC than a former chief of staff. He was the money behind Justice Democrats. He picked her off the street and bankrolled her. Refusing to endorse him is a real betrayal. She'd be blowing salesmen in a bar somewhere if not for him.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at April 17, 2026 09:21 PM (BI5O2)

181 FDR pulled Henry Stimson out of retirement to be the Secretary of War during World War II, he was in his mid 70s at the time. Pentagon planners had suggested Kyoto as one of the possible targets for the Atomic bomb or “Gadget” as itt was called, but Stimson nixxed that, he had lived there and was aware of its special significance as the ancient capitol. I’ll not argue the Army Air Forces were great humanitarians or anything like that, they just wanted the War Is Over asap. Rounding up 1,000,000 troops for the invasion was still scheduled for 1 October 1945 …. And if Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Tarawa, Guadalcanal were any guide it was going to be a long war, sometime ending in mid 1946. Maybe.

Posted by: Common Tater at April 17, 2026 09:22 PM (uywL/)

182 >>Yeah that sucks. Turns a 1 day road trip into a 2 day trip.

Endless argument between sailors and power boaters. The journey or the destination.
Posted by: JackStraw at April 17, 2026 09:10 PM (viF8m)

Motorboaters will tell you the journey *is* the destination.

Posted by: Methos at April 17, 2026 09:23 PM (vSvIl)

183 Speaking of animals...
Watching Jumanji 2, I caught the symbolism of Jefferson "Seaplane " MacDonough riding Bethany (horse) hard.
Or maybe it's the second(or maybe third) French 75.

Posted by: Diogenes at April 17, 2026 09:23 PM (2WIwB)

184 > With the Artemis II mission, I've been getting Moon fever (lunacy?) and Apollo nostalgia again, reliving some early childhood thrills.

One thing that has pissed me off is the Moon hoax conspiracy stuff. One of things these Big Dummies go on about is how did the lunar rover fit inside the LM.
--------------
IIRC... it was folded up. And pretty basic, in terms of "transportation." Once described as two folding lawn chairs with wheels and a battery.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 17, 2026 09:24 PM (AkEZC)

185 Stsrted watching a flat earth video that Artemis rocket was all faked and no people were on it. More to read the comments

Posted by: Skip at April 17, 2026 09:24 PM (Ia/+0)

186 Panda Berserker Rage!

_________________________

That panda was doing an interpretive dance that defines the Left's strategy for America's future.

Posted by: Orson at April 17, 2026 09:25 PM (dIske)

187 The thing about transporters is you die every time you go thru that thing. After that you are just copies of copies.

Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026 09:26 PM (vFG9F)

188 Stsrted watching a flat earth video that Artemis rocket was all faked and no people were on it. More to read the comments
Posted by: Skip at April 17, 2026 09:24 PM (Ia/+0)
----
SciManDan has been having an absolute blast humiliating the flat earthers who are skeptical of the Artemis II mission.

Some of those videos he shares are hilarious.

But also sad because these people will *never* adjust their thinking.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 17, 2026 09:27 PM (gnNyN)

189 Until Gort shows up in a silver saucer on the White House lawn I ain't believing squit.
Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026 08:50 PM (vFG9F)

Gort! Klato brada nikto.

Posted by: Diogenes at April 17, 2026 09:27 PM (2WIwB)

190
Yeah, a ST style transporter is pretty much impossible. Warp Drive may be as well, but I'd think that was more likely than transporters.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at April 17, 2026 09:28 PM (w6EFb)

191 Welp, I'm up out of the basement after the fourth tornado warning this week, worst I can remember.

Here's the most terrifying tornado video evah! This was filmed 12 miles southeast of my house, on April 9 2015:
youtube.com/watch?v=s0c27Twu__o

Posted by: gp at April 17, 2026 09:28 PM (N8ZBc)

192 You would need a quantum computer to make the transporter copies. It's not going to be a bit by bit kind of thing.

I always wondered what happens to the soul? Is it there in the copy?

Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026 09:28 PM (vFG9F)

193
He said the hard drive storage needed just to store the human "pattern", the X Y and Z axis of all atoms and electrons and their state was insane.

Have you seen the price of RAM lately?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at April 17, 2026 09:29 PM (Cqx++)

194 The thing about transporters is you die every time you go thru that thing. After that you are just copies of copies.
Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026

***
There is a novella (and later a novel) about matter transmitters by Algis Budrys, Rogue Moon, that deals with that.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 17, 2026 09:29 PM (0SlUx)

195 I was stationed in South Korea.

What I heard, you really don’t want to serve time in the genuine Korean prisons. Maybe they feed you something but … you better have money, or family that still cares about you, or you’ll get very very hungry.

Posted by: Common Tater at April 17, 2026 09:29 PM (uywL/)

196 But also sad because these people will *never* adjust their thinking.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel

Unless their jobs and/or families and/our peers depend on their adjusting their thinking, they won't.

Posted by: gKWVE at April 17, 2026 09:29 PM (gKWVE)

197 Well getting off the wagon and walking a mile or two to get a break from the rough ride, then setting up camp, lighting a fire to cook, getting the stock that was pulling the wagon fed for the night etc etc helped ease the boredom.

Dysentery and snakebites were always good for a lot of laughs.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 17, 2026 09:29 PM (Riz8t)

198 The transporter was a money saving idea, no need to film shuttle landings.

Posted by: steevy at April 17, 2026 09:30 PM (YwEeS)

199 If it was that easy. I once read a book about the physics of star trek, especially the transporter. Yeah we won't see that for a million years if ever. He said the hard drive storage needed just to store the human "pattern", the X Y and Z axis of all atoms and electrons and their state was insane. He said using floppy disks, the stack of floppy disks would be a stack that would stretch 2/3 the way across our galaxy. Forget the power requirements, that was even more insane.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division
---------

At the turn of the season I took a course in DOS.
Prof said that Windoz would never make it/keep its promise of performance because it was impossible to manufacture enough memory to do the job.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at April 17, 2026 09:30 PM (P+D9B)

200 There is a novella (and later a novel) about matter transmitters by Algis Budrys, Rogue Moon, that deals with that.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 17, 2026 09:29 PM (0SlUx)
----
Wil McCarthy has played around with this idea as well. He'll have a transporter spit out multiple copies across the solar system and then they can be "reintegrated"--combining their experiences--into a single copy later.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 17, 2026 09:31 PM (gnNyN)

201 Just saw this x post from Captain Whitebread timestamped a few minutes ago

@CapnWhitebread
Back In ICU again. Took a turn for the worse. 50 percent chance I lose a leg. Please pray.

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at April 17, 2026 09:31 PM (GhIJO)

202 >>Motorboaters will tell you the journey *is* the destination.

I'm surrounded by perverts.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 17, 2026 09:31 PM (viF8m)

203 On the same note 70% of the promised/expected power (nuclear) generation is not going to happen.

on earth

They are taking their power needs elsewhere.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at April 17, 2026 09:32 PM (P+D9B)

204 Dysentery and snakebites were always good for a lot of laughs.
Posted by: Archimedes at April 17, 2026 09:29 PM (Riz8t)
But not at the same time.

Posted by: Eromero at April 17, 2026 09:32 PM (LHPAg)

205 200 There is a novella (and later a novel) about matter transmitters by Algis Budrys, Rogue Moon, that deals with that.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius,

That sound ms do familiar - I might have read that as a kid

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at April 17, 2026 09:33 PM (LmPA0)

206 @CapnWhitebread
Back In ICU again. Took a turn for the worse. 50 percent chance I lose a leg. Please pray.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at April 17, 2026 09:31 PM (GhIJO)

Prayers sent. Thank you for letting us know.
Ughhh.

Posted by: Stateless - He ain't heavy, he's my dog. Old, but full of life. at April 17, 2026 09:33 PM (Sco7b)

207 >>Motorboaters will tell you the journey *is* the destination.

I'm surrounded by perverts.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 17, 2026 09:31 PM (viF8m)
----
The comments on the Art Threads should have been your first clue.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 17, 2026 09:34 PM (gnNyN)

208 So if you get beamed halfway across the galaxy, does your soul go along for the ride?

Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026 09:34 PM (vFG9F)

209 Thanks vmom

Posted by: Skip at April 17, 2026 09:35 PM (Ia/+0)

210 "Have you seen the price of RAM lately?"

I have. I bought an 8GB RPi 5 on Nov 1 for $88. Today, five months later, it sells for $200.

Posted by: gp at April 17, 2026 09:35 PM (N8ZBc)

211 202 >>Motorboaters will tell you the journey *is* the destination.

I'm surrounded by perverts.

Posted by: JackStraw
--

Going to buy a skinny barge and a bunch of slaves.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at April 17, 2026 09:36 PM (P+D9B)

212 Endless argument between sailors and power boaters. The journey or the destination.
Posted by: JackStraw at April 17, 2026 09:10 PM (viF8m)

Motorboaters will tell you the journey *is* the destination.

Posted by: Methos at April 17, 2026 09:23 PM (vSvIl)

Well you sure as fuck can't argue about the scenery. I saw water. I saw water too. Well I saw water and 2 clouds, well I saw water and 6 clouds.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at April 17, 2026 09:37 PM (snZF9)

213 Looked up Rogue Moon - nope, haven't read it.

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at April 17, 2026 09:37 PM (LmPA0)

214 Evening, Cafe-goers, and Ace.

Well, the belt and idler I ordered for my '08 Suburban was not the main serpentine belt, but the A/C belt - which had not failed. But I changed it anyway, and the old idler has a noisy bearing, so it was time. And it's located behind the main belt, so prudent to change it while I could. Done deal.

And I had a NEW belt hanging on the wall in the shop, which appears to be the right replacement for the main serpentine belt. I found good used ribbed idler wheel in my road box, and got it installed. Seems to run OK, but a little whippy on the long unsupported run, as though it might lack tension. But at least I can drive the damned thing. New belt and idlers on order.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 17, 2026 09:37 PM (utfVc)

215 >> Some of those videos he shares are hilarious.

Another good one is Dave McKeegan. He's a photographer and got into the NASA hoax and flat-earthd debunking.

The flat-earth and space is fake people are just lunatics, but there is a strain of moon-hoaxers that is not that crazy. They just think we didn't have the tech ability to get to the Moon back in the day, and the US govt faked it.

There is a long video of McKeegan, from a while back, that debunks some of the photraphy stuff. There was a group that claimed the Apollo 16 footage was all faked, and done from a massive set constructed out in the desert or something (set would've been the size of several footballs field put together).

He got into the highly technical photographic details to debunk those claims.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at April 17, 2026 09:38 PM (w6EFb)

216 The thing about transporters is you die every time you go thru that thing. After that you are just copies of copies.
Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026 09:26 PM

Why couldn't they just regenerate a red shirt who met their destined fate? All that would be lost is the memory of the time down on the planet.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at April 17, 2026 09:40 PM (0sNs1)

217 >>Well you sure as fuck can't argue about the scenery. I saw water. I saw water too. Well I saw water and 2 clouds, well I saw water and 6 clouds.

I'll just put you down as a power boater. Like Cicero.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 17, 2026 09:40 PM (viF8m)

218 206 @CapnWhitebread
Back In ICU again. Took a turn for the worse. 50 percent chance I lose a leg. Please pray.
---

Asking about you the other day. Prayers, you got 'em.
Suggestion: take 20 min. timeout every day, quiet time and breathing. With every breath in think of the clean healing air coming into your body, think of it circulating through your body collecting crap and as you breath out think of it as expelling the crap. That's jest of it. There are many variations.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at April 17, 2026 09:41 PM (P+D9B)

219 Looked up Rogue Moon - nope, haven't read it.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at April 17, 2026

***
I don't know about the novel, but the novella is in Vol. 2 or 3 of The Science Fiction Hall of Fame. It's imaginative, well-written and -characterized, and features a slam-bang climactic scene on the Moon.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 17, 2026 09:42 PM (0SlUx)

220 "Motorboaters will tell you the journey *is* the destination."

The sea was ___ that day.

Posted by: George Costanza at April 17, 2026 09:42 PM (Q+gd/)

221 "Why couldn't they just regenerate a red shirt who met their destined fate? All that would be lost is the memory of the time down on the planet.
Posted by: Duncanthrax"

I dunno. Why couldn't you just keep a daily backup copy of the entire crew?

Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026 09:45 PM (vFG9F)

222 I'll just put you down as a power boater. Like Cicero.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 17, 2026 09:40 PM (viF8m)

I don't know. I'm not overly thrilled by boats in any case, but I will say there is something cool about being on a big honkin pirate ship with all those sails, and the sound of just the wind. I would think that any time I was on a quite beach in the caribbean and all you hear is water and wind and nothing else.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at April 17, 2026 09:46 PM (snZF9)

223 All you gotta do is watch the 16mm films from the Apollo. Awesome, how do you fake that? In 1968? No way. You gonna get 25 or 50 Astronauts to agree to fake those missions? No way. The Moon rocks are fake too? No way.

Plus it’s all moot anyhow. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter telescope has sufficient resolution to photograph all of the Apollo landing sites. Guess what? They are all there, just where they said they were. Still.

My dad was about the same age as Buzz Aldrin, when he was still alive I asked him “Wanna see Buzz Aldrin punch out a Moon Hoaxer on YouTube?” He wasn’t much into the Internet but he thought that was great. LOL

They tried to get somebody to press charges, and everyone told ‘em to get fucked.

Posted by: Common Tater at April 17, 2026 09:47 PM (gAmkp)

224 >Why couldn't you just keep a daily backup copy of the entire crew?
Posted by: fd
---

and no malware.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at April 17, 2026 09:48 PM (P+D9B)

225 Sailing and surfing share the joy of putting the elements to work for you.

Posted by: davidt at April 17, 2026 09:48 PM (Q+gd/)

226 I dunno. Why couldn't you just keep a daily backup copy of the entire crew?

Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026 09:45 PM (vFG9F)

There was that one star trek TNG episode where Riker's pattern divided somehow and there was now 2 of them.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at April 17, 2026 09:51 PM (snZF9)

227 "putting the elements to work for you."

Some elements are harder workers than others. If you need a real go-getter, hire F. If you just need a clock watcher, Pb is good enough.

Posted by: gp at April 17, 2026 09:52 PM (N8ZBc)

228 I dunno. Why couldn't you just keep a daily backup copy of the entire crew?

Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026 09:45 PM (vFG9F)

There was that one star trek TNG episode where Riker's pattern divided somehow and there was now 2 of them.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at April 17, 2026 09:51 PM (snZF9)
----
Scotty kept himself "alive" for *decades* within the pattern buffer of a ship until he was finally discovered by the crew of Enterprise-D.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 17, 2026 09:52 PM (gnNyN)

229 I've been on the same water in the same weather with both types of boats. What would have been a tooth rattler in a motor boat was flat water in the sail boat.

If you are new to boating and interested, learn to sail. Then if you want to pay a $500+ fuel bill go ahead and get that fiberglass beauty with the 250 Suzie on the transom.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at April 17, 2026 09:54 PM (P+D9B)

230 >> There was that one star trek TNG episode where Riker's pattern divided somehow and there was now 2 of them.

And a DS9 involving Riker #2 where he hijacked the Defiant for the Maquis.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at April 17, 2026 09:54 PM (w6EFb)

231 >>I don't know. I'm not overly thrilled by boats in any case, but I will say there is something cool about being on a big honkin pirate ship with all those sails, and the sound of just the wind. I would think that any time I was on a quite beach in the caribbean and all you hear is water and wind and nothing else.

I've been sailing and power boating all my life. The way some think of space I think of the ocean and traveling on it and I've been blessed to do a lot of it. And to me not only does it never get old, I miss every minute I'm not on it.

And yes, there is something incredible about being on a small beach in the Caribbean that will soothe your soul. But you should bring rum, that will help.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 17, 2026 09:55 PM (viF8m)

232
There was that one star trek TNG episode where Riker's pattern divided somehow and there was now 2 of them.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at April 17, 2026

***
There was a peculiar energy field around the planet they were visiting, and it "closed in" and reflected a copy of Riker back to the planet. The ship, and Riker himself, thought he'd gotten clear. Thus guy down on the planet was stranded for several years until the Enterprise came by and found him.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 17, 2026 09:56 PM (0SlUx)

233 vmom deport deport deport

Hitting my knees for you.

Posted by: Diogenes at April 17, 2026 09:56 PM (2WIwB)

234 And a DS9 involving Riker #2 where he hijacked the Defiant for the Maquis.
Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at April 17, 2026

***
Right; he chose to be known as "Tom" Riker, his middle name, instead of "Will."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 17, 2026 09:57 PM (0SlUx)

235 Kirk got duplicated too but the two copies were incomplete, implying the process involved more than just making a copy.

Posted by: fd at April 17, 2026 10:00 PM (vFG9F)

236 ONT up.

Posted by: From about That Time at April 17, 2026 10:00 PM (sl73Y)

237 I'm having trouble staying awake. Time to slide off to dreamland, I guess.

There's supposed to be rain down in Da Swamp by Saturday night -- which might mean I'll run into that same front during the day tomorrow.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 17, 2026 10:00 PM (0SlUx)

238 Nood ONT

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 17, 2026 10:01 PM (0SlUx)

239 >>>That panda was doing an interpretive dance that defines the Left's strategy for America's future.

Posted by: Orson

>The Panda knows that the way to clean house and the way to spiritual renewal is not to sift thru the detritus, but to clear the baggage.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at April 17, 2026 10:05 PM (Fbc0I)

240 fiberglass beauty with the 250 Suzie on the transom."

I'd prefer the Whaler with three 600hp V12s...

Posted by: man at April 17, 2026 10:05 PM (XuXeR)

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