WTF-Beta

"Classroom excellence" ha! His big idea for improving test scores for the Chicago public schools when I worked there was to exclude as many low-performing students as possible from even taking the tests...

Lots of damage around the city - I've seen videos of trees down, things flying off buildings and even multiple windows broken out on some high rises. Tornado sirens must have gone off because I can see on the group chat from our building that people were wondering if they should head out to the hall or down to the basement. (When every Midwesterner knows that's the time to go out or up on the roof and see how bad it really is outside!!)

We are out of town so missing it all.

We are about a 20 minute walk from the current stadium. It gets busy when the Bears are in town so locals learn how to either dodge the crowds or join 'em. The stadium also gets used for concerts and soccer matches (until the new soccer stadium is finished. They just started on that - yup, still in the neighborhood!)
There is a Pokemon Go festival this weekend in the park - summertime is always busy around here!

I'll believe it when I see the construction. Yes, it's all about the money. Let another state pay...
(but I still think this is just another move on the chessboard)

Probably unique to any presidential center is a Public Library branch included in the building.

Your comment about deciding "how bad I feel" to take a pill describes this morning perfectly... In the midst of another cluster, but so glad there is something that can put it on the back burner for the day.

Nice local write-up

https://www.wbez.org/architecture/2026/06/02/museum-tower-obama-presidential-center-maligned-signature-building-worthy-consideration

"The center, with its companion buildings, plaza and redesigned park space, is among the best urban spaces in the city, maybe second only to Millennium Park."

I've driven by it during construction on my way to U Chicago. It wasn't until very recently that I read the design was supposed to represent hands (mitts) with fingers pointing up that it started to make a bit more sense. We will tour sometime..

Wow, great work!

Skimming through, the main difference measured seems to be the acceleration of the hammer just before escapement - that moment when the key disengages from the hammer and it is free to continue on to the string without any connection to the finger. We are talking about the last little bit of motion - around 1/16", though often wider on many pianos.

So not just speed, but how much that speed is changing right before it releases to the string.

Interesting stuff! (I think this showed up on one of the tech forums when first published)

Ugh. So tough on family members.

Jeni's darkest chocolate is our fav. Just a few spoonfuls is enough.

Next they will be working for this administration heading up consumer safety or something like that...

Nice!

Looks like a piece even I could learn...

I've played the prelude in C from WTC my whole tuning career - well enough apparently for clients to ask if I play anywhere? That and a few snippets from other pieces are my "check the tuning" at the end of an appointment. When asked, I joke that "you've heard everything I know!" While I have plenty of musical training in bassoon and voice, my piano skills are limited.

Behind the curtain, pressure will be applied. Threats made. Videos referenced... I won't be surprised if Chas is right.

Coming up with new materials for bone healing and joint replacements:

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20260518-bone-is-a-wonder-material-ai-is-helping-scientists-mimic-it

"New materials designed by artificial intelligence promise to provide stronger hip replacements and improve how fractures heal."

Wow, the irony...

May you find joy in this year!

Seems obvious the court is broken and no longer acting independently to fairly interpret laws. What's your suggested fix?