Dear online merchants, "your item has shipped" is NOT synonymous with "shipping label created". Please cease claiming the former when you mean the latter.

Those are the same answer though.

Appliances are weird. Our 15-year-old dryer's light hasn't worked for 10 years but today it came on like it's been working the entire time.

This tracks. Seriously, who would name their own country "Ancient Greece"?

Turns out it wasn't today (Monday) either.

I saw several news stories that said civilian employees of the Dept. of Defense would get paid today (Sunday). It didn't happen. So we're still crossing our fingers until the un-shutdown government can get its ducks in a row.

Not "soon". Already been happening for months.

That's better than my town's library, which is known for being in the "bad" part of town, and has full time cops with metal detectors at the door.

In 1993, I got a speeding ticket for 60 in a 40-mph zone. Still waiting on my presidential pardon.

I get that progressives are upset over the "deal" some senators made. On the other hand, thousands of hard-working govt employees are going without paychecks (incl my household), and we can't hold out forever, hoping for a better deal that the GOP will never make.

I don't think I really understood bicycle gear ratios and why "24 speed!" is just a marketing gimmick until I counted the teeth on my bike's sprockets and made this handy graph. (Upper left is fastest downhill; lower right is easiest uphill.)

Why do reporters/editors keep pushing irrelevant CEO opinions on us? If the CEO has an opinion, she can vote like the rest of us.

Don't worry, I won't cross the picket line. (True story: it was trying Starbucks coffee 20+ years ago that inspired me to buy a cheap coffee maker and supermarket grounds.)

*reads the news* My brain: Maybe Skynet was the good guy this whole time.

Further evidence that the U.S. is not a functional nation. I live in a place where the government doesn't even know how to keep itself running.

I had no idea this was a "flop". When it came out, my friends and I saw it multiple times and thought it was the best sci-fi movie in years. So much "news" since then makes me say "just like in that movie Strange Days."

Unfortunately it's under the Paramount umbrella, and I'm not giving them any money for the foreseeable future.

Maybe they meant to say "American popular music", and meant to add "I've made no effort whatsoever to listen to good music lately."

Looking for a fitness tracking app, I spent hours sifting thru "free" (but you have to pay) apps, apps that only track some things, apps that need your email/location in order to function, and apps that didn't work at all. Turns out the best fitness tracking app is already on my PC: a spreadsheet.

I registered a 32% decrease in stress and an 8% increase in money when I quit flying altogether. Life isn't perfect, but that part, at least, is better now.

Day 830-something of wishing I'd seen Band-Maid live in Austin when they were last in the Western Hemisphere (2023).

I don't always go to CVS, but when I do, they give me a 28+ inch long receipt for three items.

I'm not at all surprised at the speedy shutdown of public discourse by the side that complained loudest about "cancel culture". But I am surprised at how many adults forgot to self-censor. apnews.com/article/dowd...

Not that this site's "Discover" feed has ever played to my interests, but it's been down for me all morning, both on the app and in my PC browser.

Every day is a good day to make sure your child's phone has parental controls installed, and that they don't have access to your credit card(s). japantoday.com/category/nat...

Quite an interesting read, from someone I only knew of previously as "that guy who dresses up as a green pawn".

I stopped because of the assigned seating. Previously, if the person next to me was an antisocial jackass, I would simply move to another seat, but that's no longer an option.

Watching the #fide (#chess) livestreams of an international tournament, and I'm embarrassed on their behalf. Chess CAN be a spectator sport, but it looks like they went out of their way to make it as boring as possible.

After all these years, I still don't understand why people (1) create an image file, (2) type words in the image, (3) save file, (4) upload file to social media. Wouldn't it be easier just to type the same words on social media?

Can't wait to dig into this. #rfkuang #novel (First I'll finish my current read, "Sense And Sensibility".)

On the other hand, I recently learned it's free to stop handing my money to one of the world's worst people. Very satisfying.

I'm beginning to suspect that VPN companies are behind all these "age verification" laws. Because no one else can possibly benefit from the new legal restrictions.

Me: I just need the PC for a few minutes. Windows: Not so fast. It is, coincidentally, time for another update. Me: Can I use it later? Windows: Coincidentally, there will be more updates ready at exactly that time.

Saw someone upbraiding someone else for having a hobby while the world is on fire, and, my friends: 1. The world is ever on fire, this is today's conflagration; 2. If you don't find time for rest and joy the fire will consume you; 3. Don't let people shame you for being an entire human.

I read a TON of these "Big Three" in the 1980s and '90s (especially Heinlein), but to *require* them for new readers? Definitely not. Even as a (white male) teen in the '80s, I was uncomfortable with the White Male domination in their stories. Let people read what they want.

Just listened to 天下五剣 by Hagane again, and I'm astounded at how enjoyable Japanese rock and metal is, relative to what I can find in the U.S. With #BandMaid, #Nek!, and #Hagane, among others, my musical needs are finally met.

I don't know what the "manosphere" is, but it sounds eerily devoid of kindness and beauty.

Congratulations to 19-year-old 🇮🇳 Divya on winning the 2025 FIDE Women's World Cup, $50,000, and the Grandmaster title! 🏆 🎉 🏆

The entire tournament was fascinating. I'm excited for this younger generation of #chess masters, especially the women from India like Divya Deshmukh.

I've been enjoying the finals of the Women's World Cup ( #chess ), with #India guaranteed the win, and wondering what it would take to make chess that popular in the U.S. Maybe it would help if we valued cerebral interests as much as sports or wealth?

I recently read "Rebel Queen", a memoir from one of the most well-known woman chess players of all time, and here's my short review/impressions: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgH6... #chess #susanpolgar #bookreview

Post your favorite Doctor Who. Wrong answers only.

A few years ago, I would have been inclined to agree. But then I realized I was only being exposed to American music. I'm grateful that the internet expanded my perspective to include the awesome music around the world.

NPR: "All of this is completely normal and not worrisome in any way. Yay, we're journalisming!"

Had the beach mostly to ourselves for a couple of hours. Very nice. #Galveston

I certainly came here looking for a "curated experience" (echo chamber). If I need an opposing point of view, well, there's my entire extended family, neighbors, nearly everyone on the news, and of course my entire local and state government (Texas).

I tried the free version a few years ago, and immediately uninstalled grammarly. Looks like it's getting worse. I have no idea why anyone would pay for such a low quality app.

What a strange story. Nothing is "complicated" or "divisive" about removing your nasty outdoor shoes as you enter a home. (I'm always a bit startled when other people DON'T do it, but it's still not complicated.) www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

The cool thing about extended power outages is I get to show my kids how people lived in the olden times. "Switch to 5G", I told them. "The wifi won't work when the power's out." #Texas #oncor

Just listened to Hagane's new album "Top Of The Tower" and I think it's their best so far. Such a pleasure to listen to. #Jmetal #Jrock