@wtg wow!! That’s a lot of drama, and a lot of noise, to then still be able to have that morning coffee. I’m not confident we would have the same positive experience here!

It’s shocking how many people (and seemingly those who can least afford it) already behave this way. I’ve heard many people talk about how with their plan plan they “get to upgrade in one more year” or whatever. The implication being as soon as they’ve paid off one phone they “get to” buy another one. Having said that the component cost increase is quite real. Strange though because we generally expect consumer electronics to be relentlessly driven down in cost over time. I buy my phones outright from the Apple Store. Hopefully memory gets cheaper by the time I need to replace Mayla’s, she’s a bit of an instagram queen and needs the max memory on hers.

I see even Speed Queen is going to electronic controls on some models, but they still have some with mechanical dials. Like this one: https://www.abt.com/Speed-Queen-Top-Load-Washer-3.2-Cu.-Ft.-in-White-AWN632SP116TW02/p/158384.html

AI bet goes awry: Oracle fires 21,000 employees Oracle laid off ~13% of its staff to fund a $300B computing deal with OpenAI. Now, a credit downgrade and $7B in required power grid guarantees put the massive project in jeopardy. https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/tech-and-start-ups/article-903442 On, Wisconsin!

"Trump Administration Drops Subpoena Demanding List of Jews From Penn" https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/23/us/eeoc-subpoena-penn-jewish-list.html

Guess the piano piece from the first note. Starts easy https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1RDW7oREPT/

it’s a bold to move to make a change into something more creative and fulfilling. Reminds me of the leap of faith I took to become a bank accountant…

1 in 292million ! Euro lottery is 1 in 140 million UK lottery is 1 in 70 million

@AndyD I highly recommend the one about playing the part of a Christmas elf. After watching that video I decided I do believe in Santa. Heck, I'll get the link for it, others might enjoy it as well... Link to video

When it was listing everything he carried with him in his packs all o could think of was “and 4 extra batteries”. That’s a lot of weight. I’m sure the technology has improved a bit but when the boy and I rented e-bikes in Norway and Sweden they barely lasted 5-6 hours even with no extra weight.

Sounds like an opportunity for unintended consequences...

Ha

@wtg said: 549, no signs of letting up. @dolmansaxlil - how bad is it up by you? Sorry - I was in Italy where the air was lovely! However, on the 16th we were at 490 at home so glad I wasn’t there.

Happy Anniversary! Many happy returns of the day!