calimac

I've been playing ukulele for years now, but never really felt like I knew how to play. But I just had an experience that really changed the way I feel about it. Back when The Talented Mr. Ripley first came out, I learned the words to "Tu Vuò Fa' L' Americano", and then I forgot about it for a long time. Today S. mentioned the song and I discovered I still remembered the words, so I pulled up the ukulele chords. To my surprise, I was able to play a passable version with literally five minutes!

brithistorian

Yesterday was L.'s 21st birthday. And of course everyone else was wiped out by flares in their various illnesses. Fortunately, birthdays in our house are low-key affairs: The birthday person gets to choose where we order food from and what movie/show we watch, and then we have cake and ice cream. Yesterday that meant ordering delivery from Burger King and watching Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (which was extremely cheesy and entertaining).

Fortunately, L. has tried alcohol and decided she doesn't like it, so she wasn't missing out by not going out for her first legal drink yesterday, but I still wish her birthday could have been better.

oursin

I initially saw this because somebody on Facebook posted the video: Boyfriend proposed during the marathon she trained 6 months for, and in the list of Inappropriate Times and Places to Propose, while she is actually running a marathon is very near the top, right? it's bad enough for bloke to be waiting with ring and maybe flowers at the finish line (for many observers, marathon proposals are about men stealing the spotlight).

Run, girl, run.

***

To revert to that discussion about The Right Sort of Jawline and Breathing Properly the other day, TIL that mouth taping is (still) A Thing, and Canadian researchers say there’s no evidence that mouth taping has any health benefits and warn that it could actually be harmful for people with sleep apnea.

***

Since I see this is dated 2020, I may have posted it before: but hey, let's hear it for C18th women scholars of Anglo-Saxon Elizabeth Elstob, Old English scholar, and the Harleian Library. I think I want to know more about her years in the household of Margaret Cavendish Bentinck (1715–1785), duchess of Portland, who I know better through her connection with Mrs Delany of the botanically accurate embroidery and collages of flowers.

***

I like this report on the 'Discovery of Original Magna Carta' because it's actually attentive to the amount of actual work that goes into 'discovering', from the first, 'aha! that looks like it might be' to the final confirmation.

andrewducker

1. I am so sick and tired of "AI": (tags:ai )
2. How do we know mRNA vaccines are safe and effective? An explainer: (tags:vaccines safety research viaKenny )
3. Reminder that you cannot trust anything that you see or hear.: (tags:ai video )
4. Why elephants have low cancer rates and what it means for humans: (tags:elephants cancer )

lsanderson

Judge rules White House violated order by deporting migrants to South Sudan
Eight people apparently deported as their lawyers say the migrants are at ‘risk of harm’ and that there is ‘no clarity’
Maya Yang and Maanvi Singh
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/21/trump-deportations-south-sudan

DoJ moves to cancel police reform deals with Minneapolis and Louisville
Trump officials seek to dismiss Biden-era consent decrees reached after deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor
Rachel Leingang and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/21/justice-department-settlement-minneapolis-louisville

Alan Turing papers saved from shredder could fetch £150,000
Documents including signed copy of 1938 PhD dissertation to be auctioned after they were nearly thrown out
Jamie Grierson
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/may/21/alan-turing-papers-saved-from-shredder-could-fetch-150000

A huge Democratic victory in Omaha offers a lesson for the party
Katrina vanden Heuvel
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/21/omaha-election-win-democrats-lessons-john-ewing-jr

Australia approves new drug to treat early Alzheimer’s disease
Kisunla is first new treatment registered by TGA in 25 years but could cost patients more than $80,000 and less than one in five will be eligible
Natasha May Medical reporter
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/22/australia-approves-donanemab-kisunla-new-drug-treat-early-alzheimers-disease

Winners, resigners, guest dogs and royal losers – take the Thursday quiz
Questions on general knowledge and topical trivia, plus a few jokes, every Thursday. How will you fare?
Martin Belam
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/may/22/the-guardian-thursday-quiz-general-knowledge-topical-news-trivia-211

andrewducker

Companies that email you "Your parcel is on the way!", but it turns out that actually they've just reserved a tracking number and aren't physically sending anything for another day or two.

conuly

but Paramount Plus won't cooperate at all. So I finally convinced E to watch some Prodigy with me!

Man, I really love that theme song. Also, I'm gonna just say, maybe it's because it's aimed at a younger audience but this show does the best technobabble - just enough to explain, not enough to confuse or bore.

**********

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kevin_standlee

I updated the Santa Clara in 2027 Westercon Bid announcement post to include links to the filing documents from SPSF's bid.

This is the first time since 2019 (when there were two bids on the ballot at the Layton Westercon/NASFiC) that there have been any bids listed on the ballot. There was a double postponement, followed by a cancellation, Tonopah, another cancellation (both of which meant that year's Westercon happened at Loscon), then a couple of years with Direct Awards by the Business Meeting, then at Salt Lake City we had a filed write-in bid. This year finally breaks that string, even though it did take Kayla realizing that she and the SPSF folks were talking past each other and got things straightened out.

Current Mood: accomplished
Current Location: Fernley, Nevada

conuly

The clowns running the FDA have proposed restricting access to covid vaccines, to people over 65 or who have certain medical conditions. There's a public docket for comments on the proposal.

Your Local Epidemiologist has a good post about the proposal, including that the people suggesting this know that nobody is going to do the placebo-controlled tests of new boosters they want to require.

Possible talking points include:

Families and caregivers wouldn't be eligible for the vaccine, even if they share a household, unlike the current UK recommendations.

Doctors, dentists, and other medical staff wouldn't be eligible either.

My own comment included that the reason I'd still be eligible for the vaccine is a lung problem caused by covid.

Seriously, this is just exhausting.

redbird

thisfinecrew)

calimac

Two of these from my childhood happened to pop into mind almost simultaneously.

1. When my parents first played for me the original cast recording of 1776 (a musical they'd seen in the theater, and bought the record of partly because they knew I'd be interested in the history), I heard the opening song, "Sit Down, John," and turned to my mother in puzzlement and asked, "What does '40-S' mean?" Huh? "Well, he keeps singing that: FOR-ty ess, FOR-ty ess." It was "Vote yes: VOTE-uh yes, VOTE-uh yes."

2. I saw a singing group on tv billed as "Tony Orlando and Dawn." There were three of them: a man in the middle and a woman on either side. I figured that one woman was Toni (I hadn't seen the name written), the man was Orlando, and the other woman was Dawn. Realistic believable given names, right?

oursin

What I read

Finished The Life Revamp - okay, not mind-blowing?

Having another bout of lower-back misery, re-reads of KJ Charles, Any Old Diamonds (Lilywhite Boys, #1) (2019), Gilded Cage (Lilywhite Boys, #2) (2019) and Masters in This Hall (Lilywhite Boys, #3) (2022). Still querying the understanding of the divorce law at the time.... (there seems to be an assumption at one point that spouse in prison was grounds??).

On the go

Started Upton Sinclair, Dragon's Teeth (Lanny Budd, #3) (1942). This is the one with spiritualism taken in the serious experimental fashion of the times along with New Thought, besides the whole international political situation. Also, spot-on fashions in child-rearing, though I don't think Truby King was actually name-checked over the strict 4-hour feeding regimen!

Set to one side as Vivian Shaw, Strange New World (Dr Greta Helsing, #4) came out yesterday.

Still dipping into Melissa Scott, Scenes from the City.

Still working on the book for review, which is rather dense: excellent work but not exactly light reading.

Up next

Should get to Anthony Powell, Casanova's Chinese Restaurant (1960) in preparation for online discussion group.

Discovered that there is a new work by Gail Godwin, Getting to Know Death: A meditation (2024), a memoir generated by a serious accident at the age of 85.

Still have not got round to latest Literary Review.

lsanderson

Tribal cannabis dispensaries to open across Minnesota with White Earth Nation tribal-state compact
Melissa Olson
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/05/20/cannabis-dispensaries-now-allowed-off-tribal-lands-in-minnesota

Revealed: UnitedHealth secretly paid nursing homes to reduce hospital transfers
A Guardian investigation finds insurer quietly paid facilities that helped it gain Medicare enrollees and reduce hospitalizations. Whistleblowers allege harm to residents
George Joseph
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/21/unitedhealth-nursing-homes-payments-hospital-transfers

Moderna withdraws application for US approval of combined flu-Covid shot
After talks with Food and Drug Administration, company plans to resubmit vaccine application later this year
Reuters
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/21/moderna-withdraws-application-combined-flu-covid-vaccine

FDA says it will limit access to Covid-19 boosters for Americans under 65
Critics say shift will negatively affect people who are not high risk but want to be vaccinated against the disease
Lauren Gambino and Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/20/fda-limits-covid-19-boosters

A moment that changed me: I thought I’d never fit in in rural France – until a revelation at the boulangerie
I’d spent 10 years trying to be more like my goat-farming neighbours. What if I stressed my ‘Britishness’ instead?
Ian Moore
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/may/21/a-moment-that-changed-me-i-thought-id-never-fit-in-in-rural-france-until-a-revelation-at-the-boulangerie

Mexican navy says ship’s pilot in deadly bridge crash was from New York
Officials say ship must be operated by specialized harbor pilot as investigation into crash that killed two continues
Cy Neff
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/20/mexico-ship-brooklyn-bridge-new-york-crash

Amateur archaeologists unearth winged goddess at Hadrian’s Wall
Exclusive: Married volunteer diggers discover stone relief at site of Roman fort Vindolanda in Northumberland
Dalya Alberge
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/may/21/amateur-archaeologists-unearth-winged-goddess-hadrians-wall-vindolanda-victory

Lilo & Stitch review – Disney’s latest unnecessary remake is a monstrosity
The studio’s new attempt to generate more money from the same property hits an instant roadblock in ghastly misfire
Jesse Hassenger
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/may/20/lilo-stitch-review-disney

What to do if you can’t get into your Facebook or Instagram account
How to prove your identity after your account gets hacked and how to improve security for the future
Samuel Gibbs Consumer technology editor
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/may/21/what-to-do-get-into-facebook-instagram-hacked-security

Finland is obsessed with saunas, but are they any good for you?
Erika Benke
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250520-are-saunas-and-cold-plunges-good-for-your-health

Only the shiniest and bestest:
Kristi Noem incorrectly defines 'habeas corpus' in Senate hearing
https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/ce8113z7k17o

sartorias

I've been snowed by various loads of stuff, including reading subs for Viable Paradise's workshop in October. My reading has been sporadic, and usually language-related. Like, I'm making my glacial way through a really good biography of Liselotte von her Pfalz, which is in German. I'm reading French comics, and so on and so on.

But! When I lumber this old bod out for daily steps, I listen to audiobooks. I've been making my way through T. Kingfisher's stories, and enjoyed them, but took a break for a real delight called RAVENMASTER, by Christopher Skaife. He wrote about his job as Ravenmaster at the Tower of London.

I'm sure the printed book is just fine--it's vigorously written, full of all kinds of facts as well as legends, etc, and sprinkled with humor. But I highly recommend the audio book, which he narrated. He has a great voice, which adds to the sheer delight. I wish it was longer.

OK, back to work trying to crawl back into my twelve-year-old headspace so I can finish a project that has been hanging fire for too many years.

andrewducker

1. Avenge yourself on the icebergs that sunk you in Titanic Re-Christened: Maiden Vengeance: (tags:stupidity games titanic review )
2. UK Suspends Trade Talks With Israel Over 'Abominable' Situation In Gaza: (tags:uk israel gaza )
3. What happened to American manufacturing is not unusual - here's what experts says helps: (tags:manufacturing economics )
4. Chicago Sun-Times prints summer reading list full of fake books: (tags:newspapers ai OhForFucksSake )
5. How many carers does it take to afford a flat? The answer is Labour's big problem: (tags:economics labour care precariousness migration )
6. The Hive - a glorious piece of art in Kew Gargens: (tags:bees art gardens viaKenny )
7. Flying dinosaur fossil with intact feathers reveals how first birds took flight: (tags:birds dinosaurs flight fossils paleontology )
8. The Default-Parent Problem (I am delighted that both school and nursery have now mostly learnt to call me first): (tags:parenting sexism society )
9. Israeli MP Yair Golan hits out at own country for 'killing babies as a hobby': (tags:Israel genocide )
10. The mayfly's lifecycle: a fascinating, fleeting story: (tags:life insects )

cmcmck

They are late 13th and early 14th century.

Large parts of the walls are walkable as there is a guard walk.

So many great views up there!

Looking towards a higher stretch of the wall from a stretch near the castle.

( More pics )

Current Mood: photographical
Current Location: 'ereabouts

oursin

Happy birthday,

lotesse and

nilchance!

redbird

I just bought a membership in this year's Wiscon, which is entirely online, so I don't have to worry about energy levels, or covid risk, and all I'm paying for is the con, not airline tickets and a hotel room and all.

brithistorian

Kanye West was supposed to have a concert in Korea at the end of this month, but after he released a song called "Heil Hitler" on VE Day, his concert was canceled and — perhaps even more devastating — sales of his merch were stopped. Hopefully we'll see more of this sort of thing going forward.

conuly

We're pretty clear on the cause, she got tangled up in some vines, and we've washed her foot carefully with soap and water. We'll wash all of her later and maybe soak her foot with some epsom salt, that should help. Well, I mean, the bath will just make her smell better, but the soak should help. I really, really don't want to go to the vet this week if I can avoid it, but if the swelling won't go down we may have to.

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calimac

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Page generated May. 22nd, 2025 06:14 pm

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Wow! I feel really good about that!

Big day yesterday

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Interesting Links for 22-05-2025

2025.05.22

Today's annoyance

We've been trying to go back and watch the sad episode with the future drone

Westercon Bid Update

PSA, text taken from thisfinecrew

proposed restrictions on covid vaccines

things I didn't get

Wednesday it has been allegedly going to rain, but no sign of it yet

2025.05.21

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Interesting Links for 21-05-2025

Conwy town walls

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Wiscon

Someone in South Korea made a good choice

Moonpie's foot is swollen

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May 2025

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