shadowkat: (Default)
Should go to bed. I bought a "Hand's Off" T-Shirt, but it won't arrive until Monday. Along with a compost bin, a new bag, and a light.

Some news?

* The Tariff thing resulted in Billionaires losing $208 Billion today because of the Tariffs, and Tech shareholders losing 3.5 trillion yesterday.

excerpt )

The Biggest Billionaire lost 3.5 Trillion

The Value of All S&P 500 Companies dropped 3.3 Trillion since Trump took office )

* The The US Dollar Has Lost It's Currency Value and is Diving

* Hip-Hop is Shaking Up Politics in Senegal

Read more... )

* The US was forced to admit they deported the wrong guy to a harsh prison in El Salvadore.. But they say, they will do nothing to get him back. It's just his tough luck, and his wife and little kids' tough luck. Go HERE.

* The Wall Street Journal reports on the MAGA Backlash arriving...and that it may be shorter termed than it thought
Read more... )

* NY Landmarks Lit Pink White and Blue for Transgender Day of Visibility

*A federal judge in Rhode Island froze a Trump administration plan to cut more than $11 billion in public health grants to state and local health departments that Congress allocated during the pandemic.

* Wealthy Americans have a death rates on par with poor Europeans. Some wealthy Europeans have death rates 35% lower than the richest Americans. The findings are a stark reminder that even the wealthiest Americans are not shielded from the systemic issues in the US contributing to lower life expectancy.

*Democratic senators call for privacy act reform in response to DOGE take over. As Elon Musk’s DOGE continues to slash through the federal government, Democrats in the US Senate are calling for an update to 1974 legislation to restrict government use of personal data and introduce new penalties, including prison time, for violations.

*If you find yourself in Reykjavik, you might want to go to the Icelandic Phallological Museum. Located in the city's Hafnartorg district, the museum can be found in a relatively modern-looking office block.

*The FDA has approved a new medication to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women and girls aged 12 or older. It is the first in a new class of oral antibiotics approved for this condition in nearly 30 years. UTIs are common bladder infections and 30% may face recurring infections. Treating these recurrences can be challenging when standard antibiotics fail due to antibiotic resistance, highlighting the need for new treatment options. The drug, known as gepotidacin but sold under the name Blujepa, works in a unique way by blocking two key enzymes that bacteria need to grow and multiply. This dual-targeted action makes it harder for bacteria to develop resistance quickly, providing a promising option for treating infections that may no longer respond to standard antibiotics.
the rest )
shadowkat: (WTF)
Checked the stock market just now (9:30 pm) and the Market dove. Everything is down, by about 3,000 dollars, possibly more for some.

Small wonder. The Doofus decided to impose tariffs on literally every non-US owned land mass on the planet, with the possible exception Canada (the Senate fought back on that, so it was paused) and maybe Russia, including unoccupied land masses. Well, unoccupied by humans at any rate. Yes, my friends, the Doofus actually imposed Tariffs on New Zealand and Australian Puffins and Penguins, along with those in Antarctica.
Read more... )
Sometimes I don't know whether to punch something, stomp my feet, bang my head against a wall, yell, scream, laugh, or cry or all of the above? I'm not sure anyone else does either.


***

I cancelled the tech appointment with Optimum, mainly because sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. And I was afraid that on the day they came out, it would be working, and they'd charge me. They were threatening to do so, if everything worked.

Better idea - is to just cancel the cable and the landline, which barely work and go full internet. And that way - if I continue to have issues with the internet - I can easily switch to another provider.

Meanwhile it was announced by Super that the building now has to do composting. At first we all had to get our own little bins and put it in a bin in the basement, then it was changed - so that we just need to put the scraps in bags and bring them to the bin in the basement. (NYC passed a law in which everyone has to compost and do curbside composting.)

****

Before I go to bed...

Sony has decided to do Four Beatles Bio-Pics, Directed by Sam Mendes

The cast was announced today.

"Sony‘s long-awaited Beatles movie biopic plans are finally coming together.

Director Sam Mendes took the stage at CinemaCon in Las Vegas to reveal the cast for the features and said that all four films are set for theatrical release in April 2028. The surprising plans to make four films — one for each member of the famed band — were first announced last year.

Drumroll, please: Mendes also brought the cast onstage. Set to star in the films are Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr. Each of the four movies will focus on one of the members of the Fab Four. "

[I've only heard of Barry Keoghan.]

I didn't know this was in the works? Why is it in the works? Well, I guess if they've done Elvis, Bob Dylan, and Elton John, it was the Beatles turn eventually?

But we already have multiple documentaries on the Beatles, plus various movies? Although, you could say the same thing about Elvis and Elton John?

" “We’re not just making one film about the Beatles — we’re making four,” Mendes said. “Perhaps this is a chance to understand them a little more deeply.”
Read more... )

So...he's adding four films, not just one, four to the oodles of other films on the Beatles? Honestly if you are a big fan of the Beatles, you could at some point do nothing but watch and listen to the Beatles for years. They could even have a streaming service devoted to them at some point.
shadowkat: (Default)
Covid

Between COVID and the merger, my poor little work place has been decimated.
Read more... )

Safety Meeting From Doom

Breaking Bad is a bit of a hoot. Considering he looks like a deranged screech owl this kind of makes sense. Imagine Walter White mixed with a Screech Owl, and a scraggily beard by way of Dumbledore, and you've got Breaking Bad.

Breaking Bad lead it. Of course. It's gotten more entertaining since he took over from Boss (who avoided it like the plague) and Jay (who took it too seriously).

BB: Stress..well they have all of this stuff about dealing with and suffering from stress. But stress is kind of relative. I mean we're not primitive cultures hiding from wild boar that are hunting us down. Now that's stress.
BYT (Bright Young Thing Manager): Yes, but we do suffer stress. This is a stressful environment.
BB: Well that is true - we have an insane management and a crazy agency that feels the need to stress us all out ...but I choose to take the philosophical approach to all of this. It's temporary. It won't last for long. Sooner or later the sun will explode or die, and the earth will go out with it, killing all of us.
BYT: In short we're dead, and won't care?
BB: Pretty much. It helps to keep things in perspective.
BYT: Well, on that incredibly depressing note..

[I shared this with mother, who cackled.)

***

Face Book

Mother's Cousin: Which pill would you choose? The Red Pill - you get to relive your entire life from the age of 6 onwards, knowing everything you know now OR the blue pill - you get 10 Million Dollars.

Most of the people responded, including cousin with the Red Pill.

Me: The Blue Pill. I've watched one too many time traveling science fiction stories that explored this very concept. (Including the X-men comics.) None of them ended well. And they explored it from every angle imaginable. Plus, call me crazy, but I really don't want to relive my life, it wasn't that entertaining the first go-around. I can do stuff with $10 Million, like buy a condo in NY (near the park, with a balcony, and a washer/dryer, and elevator and doorman, and pool and exercise room, and mail room, and dishwasher), and retire in comfort. Heck, I'd be happy with $2 Million. Seriously you have to be a trust fund baby or have a million to buy a home in this town.

Cousin who is retired and rich, probably doesn't care about the money. This is one of those memes that depends on a) whether you are rich, b) how old you are - cousin is in his late 70s, c) whether you've watched or read any time traveling sci-fi in your lifetime that explored this topic every which way imaginable.

**

I told mother, I'm languishing. I'm not exactly depressed, I'm just...

**

Former Minister decided as a former economics major (how he an economics major ended up becoming a Unitarian Minister...I've no clue), that this isn't inflation this is greed and the result of capitalism.

Eh, no, it's a little bit of both. But I decided not to try to explain that to a Unitarian Minister, socialist, former economist - on FB (aka social media).

The reason prices are escalating across the board is the pandemic. The Pandemic shut down various supply lines - resulting in various items being either delayed or no longer shipped at all. So, you are building a house, you need certain materials to complete the foundation - those materials have been delayed and there's a limited supply as a result - this delays your house being built, which in turn means you are renting longer...

Or say you need to paint your walls, and require a specific color - but they are back ordered months - because the paint comes from China, and China is under quarantine...

Inflation happens when demand exceeds supply. I grew up in the 70s, I remember this well.

Sometimes I wonder about folks on social media. Does posting on it too often screw with the brain? (Checks brain - doesn't appear to.)
shadowkat: (warrior emma)
1. What I just finished reading?

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs which was more entertaining than the three books I read, so there's that. But in the urban fantasy genre, it's not quite as well written as Ilona Andrews, Jim Butcher, and Kim Harrison's novels, but it's entertaining. Actually, I think Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series may have ruined me for the urban fantasy genre. No one can touch her.

What I'm reading now?

* Hamilton by Ron Chernow -- which has become a tad controversial due to the fellow historian jealousy factor. They're all jealous that his book got adapted into a hip and revolutionary musical and as a result is getting an insane amount of attention. So they keep poking holes at it.

It's good. Definitely gripping. Considering I'm reading it in much the same fashion I read Margaret Atwood's The Blind Assassin...it may take me six years to finish it. Blind Assassin was only 500 pages and took three years and was not as huge a book. Hamilton has tiny print, is huge, and over 700 pages.

* Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs - unfortunately not much improvement over the previous novel. Lots of summarizing, and expository dialogue. Also, the male characters aren't that distinguishable, and there's hardly any female characters, except in the background or supporting. Women hate Mercy apparently. I think Mercy needs a female friend to talk to. While the book has humor, there's not enough of it. It's making me miss the Kate Daniels series.

This round the mystery is about a sorcerer turned vampire. In Brigg's universe, a sorcerer is basically a wizard who conjures up demons or makes deals with demons, leading to all sorts of mayhem. A vampire sorcerer is well definitely a bad idea. Mercy and company are tasked with helping the vampires find this sorcerer before he turns their town upside down. It's also a bit dicy, because not all the vampires believe the nasty sorcerer exists and think it is just a couple of their own.
Also there's vampire politics involved. And the vampire at the center of the whole thing, an old Italian vampire, named Stefan, has a thing for Mercy.

Apparently every guy in the book has a thing for Mercy. This is a tired trope in urban fantasy.
Only two writers don't do it or so I've found-- Ilona Andrews and Jim Butcher.

I've read that the third book is the best, so will stick it out until at least that book and maybe the fourth or fifth. Don't know yet.

Urban Fantasy is a bit fun, it's basically action/mystery/paranormal with romance. Also most of the writers, with the exception of the male writers, tend to subvert the paranormal and fantasy genres, doing gender flips, and pouncing on the rampant sexism and misogyny and racism that exist in the fantasy and gothic genres. Actually that's the central theme of these books - racism and sexism.

Brigg's books have a bit of Christian focal point. Which makes me miss Ilona Andrews which was decidedly not Christian, a rarity. Almost all the urban fantasy novels are annoyingly Christian mythology, which has been overdone. But, Brigg's does understate it, which is nice.

I'm basically reading them because the writing style is crisp, clear, and often witty. The lead character is relatable and likable, as are the other characters. And the plots are interesting me at the moment.

What I'm reading next?

Most likely another Mercy Thompson book. Because it fits my mood right now. Also I like the characters, particularly Mercy, who is a tough auto mechanic.

2.) Bernie Sanders apparently has promised to turn the US into a country like Denmark, where everyone is happy, lives with less, and pays 60% in income taxes. Considering Denmark is a relatively small country about the size of maybe Rhode Island or half the size of Massachusetts, and has a small population that keeps declining: 5.2M at last count (to put this in context, NYC alone has somewhere between 8.6M - 12M, which is double the number of people that Denmark has), mostly elderly and...is a homogenous population with few immigrants or minorities...good luck with that, Bernie.

Read more... )
Page generated Jun. 18th, 2025 06:04 am
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios