Not the Italians specifically. If you draw a horizontal line across where the island juts out toward Brooklyn, that runs along I-278. Roughly north of there is “north shore” and it just so happens that that is the area more aligned with the rest of the city. More minorities, more creatives, more older. funky and interesting neighborhoods. (That’s where I live,) South Shore is more conservative, suburban, MAGA, Trumpy. Most of the Republicans voted for Cuomo (brown color), a dem running as an independent, out of fear of Mamdani. They even abandoned the Republican Curtis Sliwa, because he didn’t have a chance in a 3-way race.

A buddy of mine is a big climber and has done 5 of the 7 summits including Everest. He did Mt Whitney once (with another friend of mine) but never thought to start at the basin.

@AdagioM said in It’s a Human Service I suppose: I’m afraid to click that link. The pop up ads that would result! It works with an ad blocker. You should still fear the link though.

Tangy Braised Chickpeas from Smitten Kitchen. Like brisket without the brisket. Mushrooms and carrots star here! [image: 1764028924136-img_2084.jpeg]

Very nice! 20 ft. tall? Yikes! The tallest one I’ve ever seen might have been 6’ tall.

Just ordered a few bottles for Christmas presents. Might be hard to find soon. Thanks!

Corsetry was one of my favourite classes in theatre school! I have only made three start to finish - one for me and two for costumes for shows. The way we were instructed to make them in theatre school (which didn’t use interfacing, but instead four layers of muslin sewn together with very closely spaced parallel lines over the entire garment, except for the channels for the boning. At the time, we used metal boning that were cut to size then dipped in a highly toxic substance to smooth and dull the sharp ends of the metal. Now, some home sewers use heavy duty zip ties as an inexpensive substitute for boning for lighter corsets, but you can also buy plastic boning. Metal is still used for more rigid corsets.

My dad works for a motorcycle dealership that used to be a licensed HD dealer. The dealership has been around since the 60s. However, a few years ago HD pulled their dealership license because they gave a dealership to a big shiny new showroom that was closer to a small city and right off the highway so easier to get to. The dealership my dad works for is back of beyond, and definitely isn’t shiny and new. But they do have a great reputation and sell bikes to customers from literally all over the world. So now they sell used HD that they buy from people all over North America. The business is still doing well, it’s just changed the business model a bit. However, I know that this idea of closing down small shops that have been around forever but who don’t have the big fancy glassed in showrooms hasn’t only hit the shop near us. It’s been a common practise over the past decade or so. Maybe it isn’t working out as well as they’d like?

@Steve-Miller said in Trump Mobile: Seriously doubt it will happen. Well it's not going well so far... The Trump Mobile phone is nowhere to be found after months of delay Trump Mobile has posted conflicting photos of the phone and scrubbed mention of its “Made in the USA” promise. https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/trump-mobile-phone-customers-left-waiting-months-delay-rcna245035

The revenge campaign is never-ending. Probably looking for mortgage fraud. The Department of Defense on Monday said it is launching a "thorough review" into Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, citing "serious allegations of misconduct." The announcement comes days after President Donald Trump accused Kelly and other Democratic lawmakers of "seditious behavior" for a video in which they said that U.S. service members could refuse illegal orders. In a statement posted to X, the Department of Defense said it "received serious allegations of misconduct" against Kelly, who is a retired U.S. Navy captain. "In accordance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 U.S.C. § 688, and other applicable regulations, a thorough review of these allegations has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures. This matter will be handled in compliance with military law, ensuring due process and impartiality. Further official comments will be limited, to preserve the integrity of the proceedings," the statement read. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/pentagon-launching-review-democratic-sen-mark-kelly/story?id=127827953

Federal judge dismisses indictments against Letitia James and James Comey, saying Lindsey Halligan appointment was unlawful. Prosecutors who work under Halligan argued Attorney General Pam Bondi has full authority to appoint whomever she wants to the position as long as they are qualified, and that the 120-day period serves as a sort of check-in system for those interim US Attorneys appointed. “The implications of a contrary conclusion are extraordinary,” Currie wrote of the Halligan appointment. “It would mean the Government could send any private citizen off the street — attorney or not — into the grand jury room to secure an indictment so long as the Attorney General gives her approval after the fact. That cannot be the law. “ https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/24/politics/james-comey-letitia-james-indictments-dismissed

I got "the cans" yesterday. It's going to take me a few days or weeks to evaluate them. I will. My first impression is they are more "metallic" at the high end than expected and lack warmth, but like I said I need to spend more time listening to different genres of music at different volumes. The build quality is excellent, much better than the past. The cord isn't two fused wires wrapped in plastic. It's two wires wrapped in medium weight, tightly braided cord. The cord doesn't get tangled up. There's foam under the piece that goes over your head. The ear piece adjustments, up and down, are stronger and more precise (very '50's), and although the $50 cushions moving the drivers away from the ears would have been better, the $20 version is a good improvement. This is my first XR 80. I've owned a series of XR 60's my adult life. They used to be $69.99 and moved to $79.99. Now they're $99.99. These were $124.99. I'm curious to know if there's any qualitative difference the sound. It might be impossible to reach a conclusion because I assume technology has improved. Grado is known for its midrange with neither the bass nor the highs having over-emphasis. One interesting thing I noticed is they advertise and have always they're a long time family company in Brooklyn but the actual packaging says Statin Island. Maybe they established a Statin Island factory?

Honestly though I think she just figured she'd lose her primary and might as well quit before being fired. Better for her career.

But then you just get exercise and how-to-eat-right advice from ChatGPT anyway.

At least he's still talking about federal debts and deficits.

I think they’re famous for sets of nesting glass bowls too. I have such a set, but they’re knockoffs because I didn’t know any better at the time.

These are those.