@Bernard said in Pete’s take: "Affordability." Period. It worked in the election a few weeks ago in 3 disparate locations. +1

The little Italian market I popped into yesterday had DiCecco at $4/lb. The proprietor said next week it will be $8. On the other hand, today I was in my usual Key Foods supermarket and DiCecco was on sale at 2 packages for $5. I bought two but may go back for more. Lately it’s been $3.79/lb. there.

Very interesting. In Hawaii, part of Maui (a large piece of land, actually) is a sanctuary for native plants and animals. There are experts who have catalogued every every type of bird to the point they know when there are only a few of one type left and when a type (species?-- I'm not sure) goes extinct. It's very intense.

Thanks, Mark!

Maybe they still call it “beer” merely for marketing; something like this may not “stand out” at all if it’s marketed as mere “hard liquor.”

I just finished The Time Traveller’s Passport (only available on Audible). It’s a collection of six short stories all related to time travel. I picked it up because one of my favourite authors (John Scalzi) wrote the first story. I absolutely loved three, liked two, and hated (DNF) one. Not bad for a short story collection!

I am not convinced that the various RF-protective sleeves/fabric/wallets etc. actually work as advertised. I'd say, after you get your product, test it -- put your tap-to-pay card if your product, then try to scan it at a tap-to-pay terminal and see if it still works.

@Steve-Miller said in US missing people with 'certain talents': Seems to me Melania came over on an H1B visa. Not sure what her skills might be. Melanie came over to the U.S. first with a tourist visa, then later she obtained an H1-B visa, then later an E1-B visa before she became a U.S. citizen. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-43256318

@jon-nyc said in GOP plan in Utah backfires: Im wondering if, to the extend the Latino swing to Ds this year endures, if Texas might get bitten in the ass by their new gerrymander. That would be glorious. I have seen speculation to that effect. In order to increase the number of red-leaning districts in Texas the GOP has had to split off some voters from red districts, making them only pink, in order to turn existing blue-leaning districts pink as well. In a wave election the GOP could lose both of 'em.

Like this one. https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/kitchen-sink-cookies/ Or maybe just salt like this one: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019152-salted-chocolate-chunk-shortbread-cookies?smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share Or this one https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/salty-sweet-butter-pecan-cookies-recipe

I keep mine in my small sling/ belly bag but I need something else too. I've lost three phones in six months. It's hell when it happens.

@Steve-Miller That is a Grand Grill (not an upright)

Exactly! You can always put more on, but there’s a limit to how much you can take off…

This NYTimes review is coming out on the 16th, but is up in pixel form now ... https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/arts/television/ken-burns-the-american-revolution-documentary.html?searchResultPosition=2

I thought the child of the UK upper class would need (I'm using the word loosely) a nanny. Tutor? Impossible. I didn't read the article but it seems these people are grasping.

I'm a Congregationalist so I don't qualify. I will say one thing. "Lament" was a good word choice.

I know a few that have joined the SoundsGood choirs. It appears to be just in the Chicago area. All levels welcome and they even have a group for memory-care singers. It is getting lots of seniors to sing again! https://soundsgoodchoir.org/about/

Over the legality or lack thereof is more to the point.

AI is seriously flawed and seriously dangerous if they cannot control it. Some FB influencers posted fake news about the UPS crash, concerning people who were supposedly on board. The guy over at Pilot Debrief decided to see if it was true and AI said it was true citing the fake posts on FB as proof. That is totally unacceptable. And I've encountered sheer stupidity coming from AI. It will only ever be a benefit if it is licensed out for use with strict controls on who can be licensed and how it is used.