G+ Migration Blog

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Lols. https://twitter.com/buffalobills/status/947647838741237760 https://twitter.com/buffalobills/status/947647838741237760

Oh, man. Making the playoffs combined with NYE. There are gonna be a lot of loud, drunk, rowdy people out tonight, minus whatever temperatures, or not. http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/12/buffalo-bills-2017-playoffs-bills-mafia-longest-drought http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/12/buffalo-bills-2017-playoffs-bills-mafia-longest-drought

May 2018 be all we each hope, wish, and dream. I'm tired of having sucky years for so many people, so many in a row. Be excellent to each other and party on, dudes.

- locked - You know, I don't know what is going on with my mother, but she is being particularly malignant. I stupidly tried to suggest something nice to do last night and she managed to twist it into some kind of referendum about her and her issues, and be really nasty about it, too. I'm shocked that my dad and I are deeply depressed. She's probably depressed, too, but she gets nasty and attacks people. I am so tired of her.

The cold is canceling New Year's, sort of. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/canada-150-new-years-cancelled-ottawa-1.4467186 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/canada-150-new-years-cancelled-ottawa-1.4467186

The link with the real info, if you want it, is the first one. I just liked the headline on the second one better. P.S. Knowing how many sparrows seem to live in the terminal at DTW, I wonder if this happens a lot but they catch the birds so we don't hear about it. http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2017/12/31/bird-flies-into-cockpit-forces-delta-flight-to-turn-around.html https://www.rt.com/usa/414689-delta-flight-bird-land/ https://www.rt.com/usa/414689-delta-flight-bird-land/

Lorigo is a piece of work. He's trying to politicize this as a Conservative/GOP versus Democrat thing. If one of Lorigo's people was being investigated they'd be telling people not to jump to conclusions and let the investigation take its course, presumption of innocence, etc. Not one of his statements has said anything about the fact that Dirschberger may have raped a subordinate, about abuse of power, about harassment. Not one. He could care less that there's a living, breathing woman somewhere who was raped. http://news.wbfo.org/post/erie-county-social-services-commissioner-abruptly-forced-resign http://news.wbfo.org/post/erie-county-social-services-commissioner-abruptly-forced-resign

This is pretty creepy, actually. It's a crappy area of Toronto, so maybe that part is good, if the development doesn't only favor the affluent. It's still creepy levels of data collection, though. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/29/world/canada/google-toronto-city-future.html https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/29/world/canada/google-toronto-city-future.html

Fun sky times. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/sky-watch-january-is-packed-with-action/2017/12/30/d9621528-ecab-11e7-b698-91d4e35920a3_story.html?utm_term=.a0d0807da91b https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/sky-watch-january-is-packed-with-action/2017/12/30/d9621528-ecab-11e7-b698-91d4e35920a3_story.html?utm_term=.a0d0807da91b

The real question is who will be appointed, if anyone, to serve on the council going forward. (The council was reauthorized, so it exists. They could either simply appoint no one and effectively eliminate it that way, or they could get a list of homophobes, drug industry insiders, evangelical abstinence promoters and the sorts of people they've appointed to other posts under this administration. Qualified in a sort of mirror universe kind of way.) https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/30/us/politics/trump-aids-council.html https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/30/us/politics/trump-aids-council.html

Definitely with the gigo people. I can't tell you how many studies and ideas have been generated, not to mention entire academic publishing careers, on trolling databases. It's a great first step - if you have decent data. The problem is even with decent data we see all sorts of quick let's jump on a bandwagon responses, that cost loads of money, and if anyone even bothers to check, often end up with no benefit, and sometimes even harm. I've even had lengthy conversations with people who have discussed the issue of the databases in health and research that store the information themselves - their structure, maintenance, utilization, etc. Honestly, mostly people think it's a magic, truth-telling spreadsheet. And you really don't want to see the quality of how most people handle their spreadsheets they use to record/collate info intended to end up in a database. Meanwhile, I can't believe we're still mishandling blood draws and tissue samples that we use ...

Right on, man. Groovy. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/12/30/571979573/a-1960s-hippie-clinic-in-san-francisco-inspired-a-medical-philosophy https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/12/30/571979573/a-1960s-hippie-clinic-in-san-francisco-inspired-a-medical-philosophy

It's a little dusty. https://www.npr.org/2017/12/28/573844426/confined-by-leprosy-but-open-to-the-world-remembering-ambassador-mr-pete https://www.npr.org/2017/12/28/573844426/confined-by-leprosy-but-open-to-the-world-remembering-ambassador-mr-pete

Sad for their family. I wonder who will take up the lead on her activism. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/30/574514217/erica-garner-who-became-an-activist-after-her-fathers-death-dies https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/30/574514217/erica-garner-who-became-an-activist-after-her-fathers-death-dies

They're watching us. https://qz.com/1167856/the-frilled-giant-pacific-octopus-is-a-new-species-of-cephalopod-discovered-in-2017/ https://qz.com/1167856/the-frilled-giant-pacific-octopus-is-a-new-species-of-cephalopod-discovered-in-2017/

Moar Tiffany. This time, a whole church he designed (the inside of) in Bath, NY. http://www.bathfirstpres.org/announcements--upcoming-events.html Not your typical Tiffany, but very impressive.

Sorry not sorry art world, you need to deal with your issues, too. And yes, issues of exploitation are real. Also, it's stupid to refuse to provide extensive context for a piece of art. Museums do it all the time. In fact, without it, much of art at least loses complexity, at most becomes meaningless. This article references the WaPo article on the same topic. Having read that article, as well, I will say that it gives lots of context and it completely misses the point, coming across to me as defending a pedophile because art. We absolutely need to reconsider the display and context of abusive and exploitative art. And just because it got labeled art doesn't mean it wasn't abusive or exploitative. Just for added association not causation fun, I have to wonder if the notable difference in tone and approach of the NYT vs WaPo articles have anything to do with the fact that a woman wrote the one in the Times while a man wrote the other one. For the record, I see nothing to sug...

I mean, if you're going to cherry pick ... https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/12/29/its-feels-colder-in-parts-of-canada-than-on-mars/?utm_term=.29266e82945d https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/12/29/its-feels-colder-in-parts-of-canada-than-on-mars/?utm_term=.29266e82945d

Decent explanation for all. https://qz.com/1168343/the-difference-between-weather-and-climate-after-donald-trumps-misleading-tweet/ https://qz.com/1168343/the-difference-between-weather-and-climate-after-donald-trumps-misleading-tweet/

Meanwhile, about those vultpex ... Meet the previously created cut glass lynx.

I saw some more Tiffany today, but there's a lot of pics that need annotating so have some of the chandeliers I saw in the meantime.

Gross. http://www.newsweek.com/metoo-microsoft-amazon-trafficking-prostitution-sex-silicon-valley-755611 http://www.newsweek.com/metoo-microsoft-amazon-trafficking-prostitution-sex-silicon-valley-755611

Today, I went and saw some Tiffany windows. I didn't get to see the one behind the altar because that one is completely inside the building and the back-lighting wasn't on. The others are all on outer walls, so you can see them with natural light. The techniques the Tiffany studio developed and used were very innovative and really fascinating up close. http://christchurchhornell.org/stainedglass2.html

From the weekend - rime ice and snow berries.

Poor Erie, PA. We know the feels.

Couldn't quite manage to get a pic of this one flat on, but it's got really cool hexagonal growth plates.

I really do wish that whatever was going on with the weather systems that prevents them from predicting the weather accurately more than 24 hours ahead would settle the heck down, already. The ski resorts will be thrilled with over 3 feet of snow. If anyone can get in or out of them. Up until last night/this morning, we weren't supposed to get any snow on xmas at all. Surprise!

For John Novak - it's true. Christmas music is bad for you. http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2017/11/08/christmas-music-too-early-mental-health/ http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2017/11/08/christmas-music-too-early-mental-health/

My brother is a control freak who is somehow managing to both bully and spoil his child. God forbid the kid should cry or whine or have a tantrum about anything. He's also incredibly adept at making it clear that my parents are both stupid idiots who know nothing about children. Not to mention the way he treats his wife. Who may have had something to do with popping out the kid. But she's probably stupid, too. #happyholidays

Sucker bet they're still voting for him, though. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/22/business/economy/trump-steel-industry-layoffs.html?action=click&contentCollection=us&module=NextInCollection&region=Footer&pgtype=article&version=newsevent&rref=collection%2Fnews-event%2Fdonald-trump-white-house https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/22/business/economy/trump-steel-industry-layoffs.html?action=click&contentCollection=us&module=NextInCollection&region=Footer&pgtype=article&version=newsevent&rref=collection/news-event/donald-trump-white-house

My brother just said, "They're pink. That's why he thinks they're for women," while discussing mittens and my 3 year old nephew looking at them. I will note that the adult said it, not the kid. Guess what the kid's reaction then was to the mittens. Yep. And people just can't imagine where kids get their ideas about gender. I should note that there was a little bro ha-ha that went with the commentary from my brother. Maybe I should buy him this book: http://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/great-science-reads-for-the-holidays-1.4457050/rethinking-testosterone-the-scientific-case-that-undermines-male-power-1.4457142 http://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/great-science-reads-for-the-holidays-1.4457050/rethinking-testosterone-the-scientific-case-that-undermines-male-power-1.4457142

OFFS. I'm pretty sure I've said there are reasons some women are trapped by this culture, too, but wow. What a blatant example of how that goes wrong. Lemme just rephrase a little something. Replace 'sexual harassment' with 'rapist' and then try to be an unskilled intermediator in your version of restorative justice. Right. Edit: I should note that if this is part of her working through her own assault issues, this is still not the way to do it. https://www.bustle.com/p/mika-brzezinski-asked-sexual-harassment-victims-to-hear-out-their-harassers-thats-so-wrong-7675741 https://www.bustle.com/p/mika-brzezinski-asked-sexual-harassment-victims-to-hear-out-their-harassers-thats-so-wrong-7675741

Interesting and edumacational. Blackamoors are still a thriving industry, with the United States as their no. 1 importer. (In fact, the figurines are especially popular in Texas and Connecticut https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2015/july/awam-amkpa-on-blackamoors-at-la-pietra.html https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2015/july/awam-amkpa-on-blackamoors-at-la-pietra.html

Javan Warty Pig. Seriously judgmental naming. Pretty sure they do not have warts. Probably bumps. Javan Bumpy Pig? http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-42433938 http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-42433938

Is this always how military commanders talk to troops, regardless of an open state of war? http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/12/23/theres-war-coming-marine-corps-general-warns-us-troops.html http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/12/23/theres-war-coming-marine-corps-general-warns-us-troops.html

I can't even with this. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/12/22/trumps-ambassador-to-the-netherlands-just-got-caught-lying-about-the-dutch/?utm_term=.bda55834e28c https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/12/22/trumps-ambassador-to-the-netherlands-just-got-caught-lying-about-the-dutch/?utm_term=.bda55834e28c

Call me cynical, but is anyone seriously surprised that people involved with a high profile, big money beauty pageant (no, it's not a scholarship pageant) consider women and treat them as pieces of not fully human meat? https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/22/business/miss-america-emails-sam-haskell.html?&moduleDetail=section-news-0&action=click&contentCollection=Media&region=Footer&module=MoreInSection&version=WhatsNext&contentID=WhatsNext&pgtype=article https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/22/business/miss-america-emails-sam-haskell.html?&moduleDetail=section-news-0&action=click&contentCollection=Media&region=Footer&module=MoreInSection&version=WhatsNext&contentID=WhatsNext&pgtype=article

"Wintry Mix" lamest euphemism for the worst weather.

G+ is warning me that I have posted pornographic content. I'd really love to know what it's thinking, since there isn't a single thing even remotely misinterpretable as such on here.

It is amazing how much more my mother and brother know about my life than I do. Truly mind boggling.

In the spirit of Christmas Lights, I give you Capilano Canyon, which is north of Vancouver, and northwest of North Vancouver. It's a little touristy, but presumably that's how the family that owns the land can afford to maintain the trails and suspension bridge and various treetops rope walkways and that see-through hang off the side of the ravine walkway. Every year they do a big light display. Parts of it have music, or animated lights that change. Once it gets full dark, you are walking on rope walkways in the trees and on a suspension bridge lit only by the Xmas lights. It's pretty cool. They are a little crazy, though, because some of the trees they light are on the edge of a ravine and many of them are huge - some of them are supposed to be over 100 feet tall. Anyway, it's definitely a Christmas light display. https://photos.app.goo.gl/rkdJBBMactDIvezs2

This is cool. http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/19/entertainment/tom-hanks-gives-typewriter-to-massachusetts-family/index.html http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/19/entertainment/tom-hanks-gives-typewriter-to-massachusetts-family/index.html

I'm guessing there's a whole history and culture and other stuff behind this story. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/21/norway-orders-reindeer-slaughter-days-christmas/ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/21/norway-orders-reindeer-slaughter-days-christmas/

“It is exhausting that Muslim women’s voices and our bodies are reduced to proxy battlefields by the demonizers and defenders of Muslim men,” Mona Eltahawy wrote in The New York Times. “Neither side cares about women. They are concerned only with one another.” Caught in the middle, the voices of those affected by sexual violence risk being further suppressed. https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/12/tariq-ramadan-metoo/548642/ https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/12/tariq-ramadan-metoo/548642/

I find this review amusingly sarcastic. The first few comments are pretty much expected and awful and mostly make the writer's point. Oh, and it's full of spoilers. http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/star-wars-last-jedi-john-boyega-daisy-ridley-pc-culture-backlash-rotten-tomatoes-a8122146.html http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/star-wars-last-jedi-john-boyega-daisy-ridley-pc-culture-backlash-rotten-tomatoes-a8122146.html

Well, that sucks. Also, this is the most ignorant thing I've ever heard: “They belong in their natural habitat, in the wild,” he said. “I think we’re taking them out of, sort of, nature’s course and putting them into situations where they’re being used for entertainment.” Dude. They're a natural reservoir for this herpes virus. You know, in the wild . Yes, it's much more likely that there would be an outbreak when animals are in closer conditions than presumably occur in the wild, but it happens. An overly optimistic estimate is 50/50 that these Ibex would be healthy and happy if they'd been left in the wild. "Nature's course" is not so nice. They're also an endangered species, well, one step from, and zoos are probably one of the few places that might be able to help preserve the species. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-los-angeles-zoo-goats-20171221-story.html http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-los-angeles-zoo-goats-20171221-stor...

Not good. https://gizmodo.com/brutal-fungal-disease-could-threaten-snakes-on-a-global-1821502563 https://gizmodo.com/brutal-fungal-disease-could-threaten-snakes-on-a-global-1821502563

This is no way to run a railroad. Oyster shucking? A duel? No, Virginia will pull a name from a film canister to settle tied election (I love the little remark that shows up with this link but not in the article: What’s a film canister? Generation Z asks. ) https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/oyster-shucking-a-duel-no-virginia-will-pull-a-name-from-a-film-canister-to-settle-key-election/2017/12/21/fffe8594-e671-11e7-ab50-621fe0588340_story.html?utm_term=.d54ad7f0b9fa https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/oyster-shucking-a-duel-no-virginia-will-pull-a-name-from-a-film-canister-to-settle-key-election/2017/12/21/fffe8594-e671-11e7-ab50-621fe0588340_story.html?utm_term=.d54ad7f0b9fa

Apparently, at least some Republicans in the Tennessee state government have a problem with this and are going to waste taxpayer money on an investigation into possibly illegal actions. Because the removal of racist statues is the most important thing they could be spending time and money on. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/12/21/memphis-to-jefferson-davis-na-na-na-na-hey-hey-goodbye/?utm_term=.f34ebd6229a0 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/12/21/memphis-to-jefferson-davis-na-na-na-na-hey-hey-goodbye/?utm_term=.f34ebd6229a0

This is from when I went to see The Movie. This is why I went to this particular showing, as well. This is the nerd movie theater around here, and they made a point of having stuff going on Saturday as well as Thursday of opening weekend. Sadly, I did not record the working BB-8 that one of the Fan Force had made and was rolling around visiting and 'chatting' with people. The, I presume, magnets were having some issues, though, and if anything jarred the poor little droid his head came off. It went right back on, though. I apologize for my potato selfie, but the Storm Trooper looks great! The second picture is the young lady who eventually won the kids' costume contest - Jingle all the Way Jedi, with her candy cane light saber (pic does not do justice) and her dad, Darthy Claus. They were so excited when I asked if I could take their picture. It was pretty awesome. Last one is the trading card I was given by Dyngus Fett, aka Po'laka Mandalorian. When I was talking to he...

Oh, crap, they're here is probably not the reaction you're supposed to have about the relatives coming for the holiday. I have been ingesting a lot of antacid already this whole week in anticipation. I wish there were magic hallucinogens that would create no noticeable change in behavior but would make me not hate everything and everyone. I mean, make it look like I didn't. Fuck. Edit: Correction. FUCK.

“It is unfortunate that Local 1 seems determined to inconvenience travelers despite our continued progress at the bargaining table,” HMSHost said in a statement. Isn't it terrible? #sarcasm http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-ohare-restaurant-strike-20171222-story.html http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-ohare-restaurant-strike-20171222-story.html

I have to wonder if the alt-right employs people full time to find things over which to create outrage. This is a totally obscure piece of musicology, sociology, anthropology research about someone who can make a researched case that "Jingle Bells" came out of and was popularized through the minstrel show tradition in this country. Yes, the minstrel show tradition that means blackface because black people couldn't perform in public and were caricatured all over the culture, just as much in the north as the south. It exploited stereotypes and racist tropes for entertainment and it made a lot of money. For white people. The paper is pretty good and interesting, if you want to learn a bit about pre-civil war culture. Also, "Jingle Bells" is a north vs south thing historically because the person who is supposed to have written it was a northerner who ended up in Savannah. It's a thing, apparently. Meanwhile, the researcher is being attacked and trolled. "It...

They never taught us about this part of WWI. I mean, hey, it was all about Europe, right? Not. I wonder if there are any interesting scholarly texts about the war in the rest of the world in English. https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2017-12-21/turkish-president-calls-uae-minister-impertinent-in-ottoman-looting-row https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2017-12-21/turkish-president-calls-uae-minister-impertinent-in-ottoman-looting-row

I mean, the whole video clip is interesting, but the bit from a few seconds after the 5 minute mark is as presented. Brokaw quietly points out facts in response to being asked about Trump's tweet. For somebody like Brokaw, that's a pretty blunt statement. https://www.rawstory.com/2017/12/were-at-war-here-tom-brokaw-slams-fox-news-jihad-against-democracy-and-the-rule-of-law/ https://www.rawstory.com/2017/12/were-at-war-here-tom-brokaw-slams-fox-news-jihad-against-democracy-and-the-rule-of-law/

Yikes. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/19/arts/ta-nehisi-coates-deletes-twitter-account-cornel-west.html https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/19/arts/ta-nehisi-coates-deletes-twitter-account-cornel-west.html

These women will never feel safe if he's in the office. Fact. Other thoughts: I do not know how other forms of criminal behavior are handled, since you don't need to be convicted for your employer to find your behavior unacceptable. If you want to treat this like an addiction that affected job performance, where someone can get treatment, maybe you let them keep their job. Would you let an employee who hit on all the other employees' little kids at the Christmas party because they were drunk stick around? Why is it ok if they do this to other adults? Lots of people get drunk, they don't all maul people, even though our society has clearly made this a top 10 acceptable excuse for predatory behavior. I'm also beginning to think that maybe we need to treat every report of harassment as a criminal act. Iirc misdemeanor battery does not require intent to harm, just non-consensual intent to touch in a way that is harmful or offensive. Presumably that harm or offense is de...

Happy Solstice, everybody! https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/science/winter-solstice-december-21.html https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/science/winter-solstice-december-21.html

Why does this concluding sentence not surprise me? “We heard from many, many people, ‘I didn’t actually read the research, but here’s what I thought about it,’” he said. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/19/arts/design/holocaust-museum-syria-study.html?ribbon-ad-idx=5&rref=world/middleeast&module=Ribbon&version=context&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Middle%20East&pgtype=article https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/19/arts/design/holocaust-museum-syria-study.html?ribbon-ad-idx=5&rref=world/middleeast&module=Ribbon&version=context&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Middle+East&pgtype=article

What could possibly go wrong? https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/world/middleeast/trump-threatens-to-end-american-aid-were-watching-those-votes-at-the-un.html https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/world/middleeast/trump-threatens-to-end-american-aid-were-watching-those-votes-at-the-un.html

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW ??? https://gizmodo.com/the-worlds-loudest-fish-is-now-a-victim-of-its-own-uniq-1821434120 https://gizmodo.com/the-worlds-loudest-fish-is-now-a-victim-of-its-own-uniq-1821434120

** Trigger Warnings ** - institutional abuse, of every kind, of children Apparently, it's really hard to say, "I'm sorry." Also, it seems like institutional abuse of children was rampant through the 50's, 60's, etc., especially in places that claimed they had any sort of religious inspiration or association. P.S. Saying people weren't trained to deal with children is BS. Most people aren't trained. Somehow, they manage not to be abusive horrors. P.P.S. One can find many abusers who selectively abuse some people and not others. One can also find lots of abuse victims who will say nice things about their abusers. It's part of what happens. That doesn't make them nice people who should have buildings named after them. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/20/texas-cal-farleys-boys-ranch-stories https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/20/texas-cal-farleys-boys-ranch-stories

Gettin' a little gray in the pouch, there! https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/2548/Australia-039-s-Oldest-Wombat-Celebrates-Her-31st-Birthday-With-Cake https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/2548/Australia-039-s-Oldest-Wombat-Celebrates-Her-31st-Birthday-With-Cake

I can't even blame dust for this. The late @carrieffisher's dog Gary just watched #TheLastJedi ! He sat on Fisher's former assistant's lap during the film. She said his ears perked up every time she was on screen ❤️@starwars @ABC7 http://pic.twitter.com/2rCCGIi6Al_ — Veronica Miracle (@ABC7Veronica) December 15, 2017 https://twitter.com/ABC7Veronica/status/941533853511909376/video/1 https://twitter.com/ABC7Veronica/status/941533853511909376/video/1

Totally digging this xmas tree: https://www.sunnyskyz.com/happy-pictures/2351/Couple-turns-ugly-Christmas-tree-into-039-Oscarmas-039- https://www.sunnyskyz.com/happy-pictures/2351/Couple-turns-ugly-Christmas-tree-into-039-Oscarmas-039-

Finally saw Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and would not recommend. 1) A main character is a kid who's abused his whole life into adulthood, and then you murder him? Wtf? And no, whether the idea that he was supposed to survive is a retcon because they figure there's still money in the franchise or it was planned it's still bull because in this movie, he's murdered and it's rationalized and justified and everybody walks away all smug (except Newt and friends). 2) JK Rowling must really hate America and Americans, because she made it very clear that their answer to everything is to kill it. Not even her racist Ministry of Magic did that, although you can certainly argue the ethics of locking people up and essentially torturing them to death if they were stuck in Azkaban long enough. The only people who committed murder in her British world were the Nazi psychopath equivalents, aka Deatheaters. 3) She really did not serve her female characters at all well in...

I wonder if my mother would read this if I showed it to her? California should just chill out, dudes. https://www.popsci.com/cell-phone-cancer-public-health-california https://www.popsci.com/cell-phone-cancer-public-health-california

Oh, lulz. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201712/easy-ways-tell-whether-you-re-inadvertent-narcissist https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201712/easy-ways-tell-whether-you-re-inadvertent-narcissist

I gotta ask. Are these all BSL-4 labs? Because if you are making them more dangerous on purpose, then you are moving at least some of them from a BSL-3 to a BSL-4 until proven otherwise. Especially if this involves animals. Aside from anything else, the researchers themselves probably want to be kept safe from this kind of nastiness. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/12/19/571744856/nih-lifts-ban-on-research-that-could-make-deadly-viruses-stronger https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/12/19/571744856/nih-lifts-ban-on-research-that-could-make-deadly-viruses-stronger

We're still doing this? Give us your information so we can protect your information? Because we should trust companies who need to make money but give us stuff for free to have such great respect for our privacy and such amazing security that they will never get hacked or misuse the information without easy, obvious, very clear to the plebes options to protect ourselves? I'm a tad suspicious. https://gizmodo.com/facebook-wants-your-face-and-youll-probably-let-them-ha-1821428981 https://gizmodo.com/facebook-wants-your-face-and-youll-probably-let-them-ha-1821428981

Oh, well, if it was just one of those Obama things. https://apnews.com/5e95880b6f39476597ff930e2b70d4b6 https://apnews.com/5e95880b6f39476597ff930e2b70d4b6

Something non-sucky in the midst of so much suckiness. (He's possibly done more than just this one meal.) http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/19/us/rob-lowe-thomas-firefighters-trnd/index.html http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/19/us/rob-lowe-thomas-firefighters-trnd/index.html

So, heard a few minutes of NPR and they were talking about and to people of the religious persuasion who signed or helped write or whatever, they were being spokespersons, for these things called the Nashville Statement and the Boston Declaration. Of course this made me go read them. Oh, boy. The main part of what I heard on the radio involved the Nashville spokesperson claiming that this wasn't all about homosexuality - which engenders harshly mocking laughter now that I have read said document - and some stuff about how they were a separate community or something and just regulating themselves. I wish I could remember the exact word, but it basically comes out sounding like he's claiming they're some cloistered order, or a group like the Amish or something who keep themselves essentially separate from the world. Which, if true, ok fine. You make up the rules for your tiny, separate little universe. Just for you, though, 'cuz you're not part of the larger world. On...

To not hog someone else's thread ... Hey, Jessica Musinski Star Wars spoiler space upcoming . . . .. . . . . ... . .. . . . . .. How is Leia a retconned Mary Sue? And, as I said, unless you disliked it because poc and wimmin, which I doubt is why you didn't like it, you totally aren't those people. But now I want to know why you didn't like it :)

Some of these were in another post, but there are some truly memeable pics, here. I can't decide if the turtle one should be 'talk to the hand' or 'bye, felicia!' #otteryay http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/42365981/the-funniest-wildlife-photos-of-2017-are-here-and-youll-love-them http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/42365981/the-funniest-wildlife-photos-of-2017-are-here-and-youll-love-them

These people have to know the truly frightening game they are playing. But I'm sure they will all, GOP elected officials included, deny any culpability if they manage to stir up the extreme elements of their base into actual violence against the government or their fellow citizens. They're shouting 'Fire!' in a crowded theater and nobody is stopping them. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/12/18/a-coup-in-america-fox-news-escalates-anti-mueller-rhetoric/?utm_term=.ef602ec38148 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/12/18/a-coup-in-america-fox-news-escalates-anti-mueller-rhetoric/?utm_term=.ef602ec38148

I see a bunch of things here in what Smiley is reported to have said. Smiley also copped to having several consensual relationships with people working on his show Lack of understanding or denial of the inequitable power relationship of being the boss and the star. Also, an awful lot of men seem to think every relationship they've had is consensual. To say this reflects a lack of understanding of consent, not to mention privilege, is a gross understatement. I understand that there are extra issues here because he is black (see his "angry black man" comment). However, he's a powerful, successful man and that gives him power. I wonder, in fact, if being a successful black man doesn't give him more power in a certain microcosm. Meanwhile, if you are a powerful person, you do not have to tell people they have to sleep with you. This is an issue that runs through the culture. Yes, some people are probably more vulnerable or enculturated, and some people will be less...

The closer it gets, the more I am dreading this weekend.

Heh. https://www.sunnyskyz.com/happy-pictures/2349/Someone-guessed-what-he-039-s-getting-for-Christmas https://www.sunnyskyz.com/happy-pictures/2349/Someone-guessed-what-he-039-s-getting-for-Christmas

Also a good article about something I liked about Last Jedi. Also ALL SPOILERS. https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-last-jedi-holdo-defense/

I am ok with this article. It is ALL SPOILERS. So I blocked the picture. https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/12/star-wars-last-jedi-laura-dern-admiral-holdo-listen-to-women

Apropos of nothing, I really like "Scrooged". If nothing else, Carol Kane is the most insane Ghost of Christmas Present, ever. She is actually frightening.

Fucking Ohio (and Indiana and North Dakota). This is 100% about abortion. http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/14/health/ohio-down-syndrome-abortion-bill/index.html http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/14/health/ohio-down-syndrome-abortion-bill/index.html

Sigh. MSNBC host Chris Matthews was accused of inappropriate jokes and comments about a female employee in 1999 and the woman was paid separation compensation, a spokesperson for the cable network confirmed Saturday. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/msnbc-s-chris-matthews-was-reprimanded-over-comments-about-woman-n830471 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/msnbc-s-chris-matthews-was-reprimanded-over-comments-about-woman-n830471

Glad I am not traveling today. http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/17/us/atlanta-airport-power-outage/index.html http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/17/us/atlanta-airport-power-outage/index.html

Some thoughts about that movie that are not total recapitulations of all the other posts on Last Jedi ... S P O I L E R S N O T H I N G B U T S P O I L E R S e t c . I will see this again. For one thing, so I can try not to be distracted by constantly thinking oh, that's from this Star Wars movie, that's from that Star Wars movie, oh, that's like Rogue One, that's kind of Harry Potter, how The Matrix of them, etc. For real. This just spontaneously happened all the time. Wimmin. Wimmin were, like, important and stuff. And actual people. Who rescued their own damn selves. Granted there was some dying going on in there. Shout out to Frank Oz. Who may be starting to look a little like Yoda? I do want to say that it's nice to see somebody give Adam Driver some room to act, because he does a great job of angsty, tormented, teen aged, rebellious, know it all, man child. Like, they actually do things like put their fist through a wall in a fit of pique at their frustration...

Caveat: the full text isn't out, this was just an announcement about some speech or document that is going to be released. Thus, there might be missing context. Nevertheless ... The pope said: "You shouldn't fall into the 'sins of communication:' disinformation, or giving just one side, calumny that is sensationalized, or defamation, looking for things that are old news and have been dealt with and bringing them to light today." You mean, like, idk, sexual harassment and abuse? Maybe inside the Church, nevermind outside of it? You seem to have the wrong end of the stick, here. your holiness. Just for fun, lets add that whole Jesus' crucifixion story. Let's see: - giving just one side? check. - calumny that is sensationalized? check. - or defamation? check. - looking for things that are old news and have been dealt with? check - bringing them to light today? oh, constantly and repeatedly. Where's the Roman government account of this, or the multi-s...

For various and sundry reasons, just gonna put this right here: I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God. ... foreign AND DOMESTIC ... There is no office or position in this country that is above the law.

The movie - SEE EET.

Snowflake cluster from yesterday. It's hard to tell, but I think some of the flakes are getting rime, which suggests specific weather conditions.

Well, I guess we're getting snow all day today. And it's colder than predicted. I mean, it's only a little confusing with the weather reports being correct to within a 24 hour period.

How very understated: The civil service professionals who work in government are obligated to serve not only elected officials like the president, but also the Constitution and the law. As a result, officials who expect these agencies to respond to their wishes may find their actions puzzling and unresponsive. In today's edition of #shocking, the FBI is among the most conservative of government institutions. It's very interesting to see what breaks down as perceived conservative versus liberal institutions. It's consistent with the research that has suggested people who are focused on security and protection and threat tend more conservative. Also, Trump and crew are wrong, news at 11. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/12/16/president-trump-claims-the-fbi-is-tainted-and-its-reputation-in-tatters-this-graph-shows-hes-wrong/?utm_term=.f7f7a6a04935 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/12/16/president-trump-claims-the-fbi-is-tainted-and-...

Have a larger puppy: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/opKg3fyqWt4/hqdefault.jpg

Some experiments definitely fall under the heading: just because you can doesn't mean you should. Poor puppy is so tiny. https://weheartit.com/entry/142893779 https://weheartit.com/entry/142893779

In re: Dinosaurs and Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqxfwpJdyb8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqxfwpJdyb8

No comment. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trent-franks-rescinded-my-internship-when-i-wouldnt-come-to-his-house/2017/12/15/7972ed14-e1ba-11e7-bbd0-9dfb2e37492a_story.html?tid=hybrid_collaborative_3_na&utm_term=.6d2a11b040ac https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trent-franks-rescinded-my-internship-when-i-wouldnt-come-to-his-house/2017/12/15/7972ed14-e1ba-11e7-bbd0-9dfb2e37492a_story.html?tid=hybrid_collaborative_3_na&utm_term=.6d2a11b040ac

There's been multiple of these across Canada. http://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/gymnastics/brubaker-gymnastics-canada-sexual-offences-1.4452217 http://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/gymnastics/brubaker-gymnastics-canada-sexual-offences-1.4452217

Two sides of the issue. https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/12/15/571149102/stop-hating-on-ed-sheerans-fundraising-ad-say-critics https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/12/opinion/sheeran-radiaid-volunteer-africa.html?_r=0 https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/12/15/571149102/stop-hating-on-ed-sheerans-fundraising-ad-say-critics

Not unreasonable content, but it is galling to read: ... women understand the difference between flirtation and harassment. "The main thing this cultural and social moment of talking about sexual harassment should give us is that men should begin to understand this as well," she says. Begin?!? Why don't they understand this already? How hard is it? Why is it the women understand but the poor remedial males need help to catch up? Women understand the difference because we're threatened and diminished all the damn time. How about men just stop that nonsense and understand that they are not entitled to our attention or our time? Maybe they could even conceive of us as equally valid and powerful human beings? Or would that be too big a shock to their delicate male system? Harrumph. Also, the office romance, esp as portrayed by Hollywood and Harlequin is inherently about an unequal power relationship where it's always doing the woman a Cinderella favor. When they decid...

Guess we're going to have to insist on documentation of pasture raised chickens, since free range and cage free mean nothing and they're going to mean even less. I mean, the people trying to raise animals in line with non-industrial and generally healthier for us and the animals methods that have been used throughout time prior to the hegemony of giant industrial agri-business are asking for regulation. Largely because the largest "organic" producers are screwing the smaller. Yeah, the GOP and Trump LOVE the small, family farmers and small businesses. P.S. I love how it looks like that person in the picture is watching the chicken to see if it makes any sudden moves. Don't lose eye contact. Don't even blink! https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/12/15/571187112/trump-administration-moves-to-kill-rules-for-organic-eggs https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/12/15/571187112/trump-administration-moves-to-kill-rules-for-organic-eggs

One small step for women. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/15/us/politics/obamacare-birth-control-trump.html https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/15/us/politics/obamacare-birth-control-trump.html

#awkward https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/12/the-weaponization-of-awkwardness/548291/ https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/12/the-weaponization-of-awkwardness/548291/

Today needs the cutest darn dog ever. https://www.boredpanda.com/rescue-dog-restaurants-food-instagram-popeyethefoodie/ https://www.boredpanda.com/rescue-dog-restaurants-food-instagram-popeyethefoodie/

Oh, Matt. Bless your heart. You really do not get it. https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/matt-damon-theres-a-spectrum-in-sexual-misconduct-scandals-w514152 https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/matt-damon-theres-a-spectrum-in-sexual-misconduct-scandals-w514152

Gee, isn't that the point of hazing ("indignities and depravities")? Other not surprising findings: 1) Administrators weren't bothered by reports the way they should have been. 2) Powerful alums who were part of the Greek system used influence to prevent changes. 3) Penn is hardly the only place where all of this is a problem. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/15/571059617/grand-jury-report-on-penn-state-hazing-finds-indignities-and-depravities https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/15/571059617/grand-jury-report-on-penn-state-hazing-finds-indignities-and-depravities

I gather this is awkward. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/15/us/politics/matthew-petersen-senator-kennedy.html https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/15/us/politics/matthew-petersen-senator-kennedy.html

Here's a sucker bet: Flake, Collins, and Lee will all vote for the bill, no matter what's in it. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/15/us/politics/republican-tax-bill.html https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/15/us/politics/republican-tax-bill.html

Hm, doesn't sound as unfamiliar as it should. http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-china-blog-42305137 http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-china-blog-42305137

Normally, I'd be all good on the management being personal. In this case, I'm not so impressed. http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/364994-zinke-reprimanded-park-head-after-climate-tweets http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/364994-zinke-reprimanded-park-head-after-climate-tweets

Offs, people. It's not geocaching and it's not the military. It is hugely egotistical and redolent of aristocrats handing out little tokens of their favor. Try spending the money (in this specific case) to help keep National Parks open, instead. http://coinsblog.ws/2017/10/interior-secretary-zinke-has-his-own-challenge-coin.html http://coinsblog.ws/2017/10/interior-secretary-zinke-has-his-own-challenge-coin.html

Have fun with that collective bargaining. Oh, right, nevermind. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/12/14/worker-friendly-rule-overturned-nlrb/954187001/ https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/12/14/worker-friendly-rule-overturned-nlrb/954187001/

I cannot understand how my parents ever got married, let alone have stayed married for 50 years. They do not think, at all, in similar ways, nor do they communicate in remotely similar fashion. I have no idea how they ever ended up together. Pro tip: do not ever end up in the middle of the two of them with anything to do with computers or dealing with security and other fun things on line. There are no drugs good enough for this experience.

I am weak. I decided that I could not deal with standing outside for at least an hour in temperatures attempting to reach single digits just to see the first, best showing of The Last Jedi earlier tonight. It is supposed to be all the way up into the 20's Saturday, so I will probably go then. The second round of official festivities is supposed to happen at that time, so it will not be a totally silly thing to do. I mean, I could have gone to a conventional theater and not had to freeze outside, but they will not have the local Troops there, and I much prefer to support the local geek theater, which is a restored true old fashioned neighborhood theater so the money stays in the community. The parking will be a disaster 'cuz it's in the city and they suck at plowing, but if I go early enough I should be able to find someplace I can park that's not too far away. Meanwhile, I shall avoid spoilers.