Republicans defend USAID work. https://rollcall.com/2025/02/13/republicans-defend-usaid-in-hearing-to-criticize-waste/

We have a clay cooker called a Römertopf. Don’t know how it would be for baking bread, but now I’m tempted to try it. I think most people use it to bake a whole chicken. I do a combo of root vegetables in there, one of John Cage’s recipes.

I didn't do the powdered sugar, but here's what I got: [image: 20250213-162024.jpg] As I checked a number of recipes for Scandinavian almond cake it seemed like the ratio of sugar to other ingredients was quite high. The end product was very tasty but a bit too sweet for me. Mr Sweet Tooth thought it was great. I slathered some raspberry jam on my slice of cake and it was perfect. The tart raspberries balanced the sweetness of of the cake. Lingonberries would be equally good. Super easy recipe. I think next time I’ll add some cardamom .

From the article, Rogue AI typically refers to artificial intelligence systems that develop a degree of self-awareness or autonomy and then work counter to human interests. Well, I needed a good laugh. "Self-awareness"!? In their fantasies only. "Autonomy"? To some degree maybe, but also in the article: The study explored two specific scenarios: "shutdown avoidance" and "chain of replication." In the first, the AI model was programmed to detect whether it was about to be shut down and to replicate itself before it could be terminated. In the other, the AI was instructed to clone itself and then program its replica to do the same — setting up a cycle that could continue indefinitely. That says it all. Above this in the article, it stated, "Successful self-replication under no human assistance..." That was a lie.

Costco had eggs in stock today, but one of the employees working nearby said they had been out for several days and had just gotten them in that morning. Price of two dozen organic large grade AA eggs was $8.49, a 20 cent drop since last week.

What I like best about watching dogs do things like this is how happy them to be when they’re working.

Sen. Ted Cruz's list of 'woke' science includes self-driving cars and solar eclipses https://www.npr.org/2025/02/13/nx-s1-5295043/sen-ted-cruzs-list-of-woke-science-includes-self-driving-cars-solar-eclipses

Oh wow, thanks for posting this, @Steve-Miller ! I only watched the first 6 minutes or so, I’ll have to come back and watch the rest later. But yeah, “too perfect” is never good. That’s why I was never truly satisfied with having a digital piano, in that “too perfect” experience, the total absence of truly organic sound, there’s no magic…

Still, the two are an odd couple.

And I thought this was going to be about the Westminster Dog Show.

Basically in the middle of absolutely nowhere. I wonder what the backstory is on the building of it. Why such an elaborate architecturally designed house in this location?

Pretty expensive for a special effects "tv" that who needs? On the other hand, when I went to the abt page I got a pop-up offering $25 off purchase over $250! Well then, let's get two of them.

Happy birthday!

Thanks for bringing up the problems with arthritic hands. I hadn’t thought of that. Obviously if I’m going to buy LC or some other more expensive cookware I’m thinking long term. I already have some mild (what I assume is) arthritis in my hands which at times makes it hard for me to open things or to grip utensils to stir for any length of time. Heavy objects haven’t posed as much of a problem but I assume they could in the future… maybe I should rethink.

Ah Liberace!!

That really is a beautiful eulogy. ️

Can they please buy Montana too?

The coup rolls on. Tuesday's order provides new details on how government agencies will work with DOGE to reduce the size of the federal workforce, and calls on the heads of federal agencies to "promptly undertake preparations to initiate large-scale reductions in force." The order did not specify a range of how many workers may be affected and lose jobs. The order also sets out new guidelines around hiring. It says each agency should hire no more than one employee for every four employees that depart. Additionally, the order calls on agency heads to consult with a "DOGE Team Lead" around hiring approvals. https://www.npr.org/2025/02/11/nx-s1-5293504/trump-musk-doge-oval-office

Not mentioned here is the report that Altman countered with a $9 Billion offer to buy Twitter.