Purslane is a weed that's ubiquitous, delicious, and nutritious!
Jennifer Sandlin / 11:25 am PT Thu Aug 29, 2024
purslane salad. photo: Jennifer Sandlin
Have you ever eaten purslane? If you've never tried it, you should! Not only is it delicious and nutritious, but it's also free if you can find some growing near you! What's purslane, you ask? Hunt Gather Cook explains:
Primarily we are talking about Portulaca oleracea, a low-growing, succulent annual native to… well, that is not entirely clear. Purslane grows all over the world, and there is ample evidence that native groups here in America were enjoying it long before Columbus showed up. There are a number of purslane cousins, all in the portulaca genus. Purslane grows in every state of both the United States and Mexico, as well as every Canadian province that borders the US. Across the rest of the world, it generally likes warmer places, but a cultivated variety that has gone native in my yard is from seed from Germany, of all places.
It's been popular as food and medicine forever. Again, Hunt Gather Cook:
Basically every culture that has a system of writing has been writing about eating this common weed as long as they've had writing. And those cultures with no written language have passed on the knowledge for millennia. Most every native group had a use for purslane, either as a green thing in the pot, a salad herb or as medicine. Pliny the Elder, whom most people know of more as a beer than as a 2000-year-old Roman philosopher, wrote highly of purslane, as did the Greek Theophrastus, a protege of Aristotle.
A friend who grows beautiful plants in her gorgeous garden recently asked if I wanted some purslane, and I jumped at the chance to try it again, as it had been years since I first sampled it. I remember having it in a salad over a decade ago and loving its slightly peppery taste and its crunchy texture that had just a touch of "slimy-ness" to it—think very mild okra or nopal cactus. I happen to love both okra and nopal, so I absolutely loved purslane when I first tried it and was excited to have some more.
I washed it all and separated the edible leaves and small stems from the larger ones that I didn't want to eat, and improvised a salad from things I had in my fridge. In a large bowl with the purslane, I tossed in a few sliced green garlic-stuffed olives, a handful of truffle-infused marcona almonds from Trader Joe's, and half of an English cucumber, roughly chopped. I added a couple of tablespoons of cilantro-lime-yogurt dressing, and voila – an absolutely scrumptious purslane salad!
Purslane is not just delicious, though; it's also very nutritious. Outdoor Apothecary calls it "one of Mother Nature's wild superfoods." Outdoor Apothecary goes on to describe some of its nutritional offerings:
Purslane has more omega-3 fatty acids than any other leafy vegetable, including kale.
Purslane has seven times more beta carotene than carrots.
Purslane is an excellent source of Vitamin A (44% of RDA) – one of the highest among leafy greens.
It boasts the highest levels of vitamin E of any leafy green analyzed.
It is packed with glutathione and other antioxidants, as well as iron.
The leaves are notably rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health and may help support a healthy immune system.
I highly recommend you try some purslane! Hunt Gather Cook warns, though, that it contains small amounts of oxalic acid, like sorrel and rhubarb, so you probably shouldn't eat it if you are prone to kidney stones. Foraged Foodie also warns that you should be very careful in foraging for purslane because you could accidentally encounter poisonous spurges from the Euphorbia genus—and you definitely don't want to eat those. Foraged Foodie provides a guide (with helpful photos) to identifying edible purslane and poisonous spurges and hints to tell them apart, including the following:
If you break the stem of purslane, there is NO sticky white liquid (called latex), Purslane may be a little sticky, but it will be clear, not white. However, small the latex on small spurge plants can be very hard to notice and/or dry up quickly, so make sure to use ALL identification points.
Consult with an expert before eating whatever you find on the ground, please! But when you do get your hands on some purslane, find some recipes online (I found lots with a quick search) and enjoy! I'd love to know your thoughts about it!
Previously:
• Short documentary about urban foragers in Chicago
Scammers are putting fake QR codes on parking meters in California
Ellsworth Toohey / 11:18 am PT Thu Aug 29, 2024
Boing Boing/Midjourney
According to ABC LA News, scammers have affixed counterfeit QR codes to parking meters, making them appear as legitimate links to pay for parking. Vance Ingmanson, a victim of the scam, recounted how he scanned a QR code while parking in San Clemente. The code directed him to a website that appeared to be authentic, where he entered his credit card information. Shortly after, his credit card company contacted him about unauthorized charges.
From ABC LA:
"We punched in the URL. The URL – the first five on the Google search were fakes," he recalled. "It was a scam. It has the logo. It says 'passport parking.'"
Ingmanson was trying to park his car. A few minutes later he knew something was wrong.
"I put in my credit card number," he said. "[My wife's] credit card company, about two minutes after I put in my information, called her and said 'We have unauthorized charges here.'"
In Redondo Beach, city officials discovered approximately 150 parking meters along the Esplanade and Riviera Village area with fake QR codes. The fraudulent codes were found either next to or covering legitimate payment options like ParkMobile or PayByPhone.
Here's the FTC's advice:
If you see a QR code in an unexpected place, inspect the URL before you open it. If it looks like a URL you recognize, make sure it's not spoofed — look for misspellings or a switched letter.
Don't scan a QR code in an email or text message you weren't expecting — especially if it urges you to act immediately. If you think the message is legitimate, use a phone number or website you know is real to contact the company.
Protect your phone and accounts. Update your phone's OS to protect against hackers and protect your online accounts with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.
Previously:
• Stamping Chinese banknotes with censorship-busting QR codes
• Hidden pint-glass QR code is only visible when filled with Guinness
Unsavory JD Vance is "booed" even by the friendly firefighters in Boston (video)
Carla Sinclair / 11:01 am PT Thu Aug 29, 2024
Image: JD Vance; C-Span
JD Vance is a stinker, and everyone knows it. In fact, he's considered to be one of the most unpopular U.S. vice presidential picks over the last 100 years — even more unpopular than Sarah Palin!
So, although amusing, it's no surprise that even the (normally friendly) firefighters in Boston booed their hearts out when Vance greeted them on stage today for a labor union speech.
"Sounds like we got some fans and some haters…" the Trump sidekick said to the International Association of Fire Fighters. But nope, sorry Bub. If you listen to the clip below, there's no sounds of "fans" in the room. (See video below, posted by Aaron Rupar.)
Previously: CSPAN caption savagely murders J.D. Vance
Scientists determine which paper makes the worst paper cuts
Gail Sherman / 10:23 am PT Thu Aug 29, 2024
British newspapers. Photo: Lenscap Photography / Shutterstock
Dot matrix paper is as dangerous as it is outdated.
In a study entitled Competition between slicing and buckling, which underlies the erratic nature of paper cuts, physicists have determined the type of papers most likely to give you paper cuts.
To test the cutting ability of different types of paper, the researchers used ballistics gelatin as a stand-in for skin. They then attempted to cut the gelatin using multiple types of paper. They noted the sturdiness and thickness of the paper, and the angles that were involved when cutting occurred.
Of particular note is how they produced the paper cuts since, as Ke Huy Quan's Waymond pointed out in the masterpiece Everything Everywhere All At Once, "Paper cuts only happen when you aren't trying."
The researchers also noted that some papers, such as those used in dot-matrix printers, are exceptionally good at cutting. They proved this to be the case by connecting a small piece of it to a scalpel and using the results as a "papermachete." They found their little knife was capable of slicing through vegetable skin and even some meats.
The study determined that there is a "remarkably complex relationship between cutting, geometry, and material properties," but also found that a thickness of 65 microns produced the most effective cuts.
Previously: What can you cut with paper?
US Army objects as Republicans use fallen US soldiers as props
Jason Weisberger / 10:13 am PT Thu Aug 29, 2024
Image: Bumble Dee/shutterstock.com
The US Army has issued a stinging rebuke of the Trump team's lies about filming campaign propaganda at Arlington National Cemetary, as news surfaces that Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson pulled strings to get them access.
US Armed Servicepeople are nothing but props to the Republican party. The Trump campaign has made a lot of noise, but it is clear they knew they were not supposed to turn a memorial into a photo opportunity, but that is the only reason they went to Arlington. The US Army is making it clear the Trump team knew what they were about when they dishonored gravesites.
"Participants in the August 26th ceremony and the subsequent Section 60 visit were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds. An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside," the Army spokesperson said in the statement on Thursday. Section 60 is an area in the cemetery largely reserved for the graves of those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked. ANC is a national shrine to the honored dead of the Armed Forces, and its dedicated staff will continue to ensure public ceremonies are conducted with the dignity and respect the nation's fallen deserve," the statement said.
It is also clear Arlington National Cemetary wasn't going to allow fallen soldiers to be used in campaign materials, until Speaker of the House "MAGA" Mike Johnson intervened on Trump's behalf.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson had to intervene to get former President Donald Trump into Arlington National Cemetery for the third anniversary of the Afghanistan withdrawal with Gold Star families, a family told the Daily Caller.
…
"When Darin and Kelly contacted me, I was furious to hear their request to have President Trump join them to commemorate the anniversary of Taylor's death was being stymied, along with several of the other family members of U.S. servicemembers killed at Abbey Gate. I immediately asked what I could do to help and reached out to Speaker Johnson to see what he could do. Thankfully, Speaker Johnson and his team acted quickly and were able to get the situation resolved. But something like this should never have happened. Gold Star families have already suffered enough," McCaul told the Caller.
Previously:
• At Arlington, Trump's team continues to disrespect veterans
Shohei Ohtani's dog Decoy steals the show with the first pitch
Jason Weisberger / 9:45 am PT Thu Aug 29, 2024
Los Angeles Dodger Shohei Ohtani's dog Decoy threw out the first pitch on a special night when the two were immortalized in bobblehead fashion.
Fans lined up, hoping to grab one of the bobbleheads, as the stadium filled up, and Ohtani's dog took the mound. The annual Puppy Bowl, held concurrently with the Super Bowl, is the only sporting event I can regularly expect to watch. Adding dogs to sporting events might get me interested.
"I was really impressed that that dog was already that trained," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "I guess if it's Shohei's dog then nothing should be that surprising."
The duo were immortalized on a golden bobblehead for the game, sparking those massive lines.
"It was a really special night," Ohtani told reporters, translated from Japanese. "I hope to buy some special snack for [Decoy]."
Previously:
• Take your dog on a 'sniff walk'
Black mold, flies and roaches, rancid smells: No wonder Boar's Head caused a listeria outbreak!
Carla Sinclair / 9:35 am PT Thu Aug 29, 2024
Image: NYC Neo / shutterstock.com
Contaminated Boar's Head deli meat was recalled last month after it caused a listeria outbreak that killed at least nine people and sent 57 others to the hospital. And surfaced reports by U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors now tell us what went wrong: black mold, rancid smells, insects from flies to roaches, and persistent leaks including "ample amounts of blood in puddles on the floor."
And these delightful findings, all discovered in a Boar's Head plant in Virginia, weren't just a one-off — they were repeatedly reported over the last year by the USDA, but ignored.
For instance: "A black mold-like substance was seen throughout the room at the wall/concrete junction. As well as some caulking around brick/metal," inspectors of the plant wrote back in January, according to CBS News. Inspectors also found "a green algal growth…dripping over product being held."
In February, inspectors found leaks all over the place, some leaving blood-tainted puddles. When workers tried to mop them up, the leaks reportedly reappeared within 10 seconds.
And in July, inspectors found "Small flying gnat like insects were observed crawling on the walls and flying around the room. The room's walls had heavy meat buildup."
These are just some of the examples given in the CBS report.
From CBS News:
Records released by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service to CBS News through a Freedom of Information Act request tally 69 records of "noncompliances" flagged by the agency over the past year at the Jarratt plant.
In July, federal inspectors found what looked to be mold and mildew around the hand washing sinks for the workers tasked with meats that are supposed to be ready to eat.
Mold was also found building up outside of steel vats used by the plant, previous records show, as well as in holding coolers between the site's smokehouses. …
A number of records also flag sightings of insects in and around deli meats at the plant, including one instance that prompted the agency to tag more than 980 pounds of ham in a smokehouse hallway to be "retained" for an investigation.
In June, another record flagged concerns over flies going in and out of "vats of pickle" left by Boar's Head in a room.
Other parts of the facility were also found to have bugs, including what looked to be "ants traveling down the wall," as well as a beetle and a cockroach.
"This is the largest listeriosis outbreak since the 2011 outbreak linked to cantaloupe," said the CDC of the Boar's Head listeria outbreak, which has hit 18 states. The listeria-related deaths occurred in South Carolina, Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico and New York.
And yet, it wasn't until July — when the outbreak hit — that the Virginia Boar's Head plant finally suspended operations to clean up the filth. And "it's unclear whether Boar's Head will face any penalties by the USDA for the repeat issues."
Previously: Trader Joe's issues third product recall of the week
Homeowners Association issues cease-and-desist over children playing sports in grassy field
Allan Rose Hill / 9:29 am PT Thu Aug 29, 2024
image: maxim ibragimov/Shutterstock
It would seem that the suburban Creekhaven community in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina would be a quiet, bucolic place to raise a family. But things are getting crazy in Creekhaven. After school, the young children there are gathering in a grassy field on the cul-de-sac to play sports.
"This is absolutely not an organized sport. The only thing organized about it is these 5,6,7,8-year-old's saying, 'Hey you want to go play football?' That's about as organized as it gets," resident Camila Denshuick told WMBF.
Some residents are unhappy about this riotous activity and have pushed the Homeowners Association to issue a cease-and-desist to the children's parents.
"They have a coach, they have whistles, they have tents, they have water and they've taken over the circle," resident Patti Wolfe told WMBF. "It's so great to see the kids outside, but these people they push it from 10 to now 30 people, next it will be 40. Then it'll be more tents, more whistles, I'm worried about what our circle is going to turn into."
"Before you know it the Carolina Panthers will be playing here," added another neighbor.
Why the outrage? Neighbor Karl Eversmeyer suggests it could go back to the complainers' own childhoods: "This might be it, they sucked at sports when they were kids."
Previously:
• New HOA to define and enforce 'Patriotism'
• John Oliver explains one of America's most evil institutions: The HOA
• America's worst homeowners association is, of course, in Florida
America's history of slavery ruins U.Va campus tour for a Republican
Jason Weisberger / 9:24 am PT Thu Aug 29, 2024
At a time when America's conservative movement has lined up behind an adjudicated rapist for President, it seems odd that this Republican appointee to the University of Virginia's board of visitors would have a problem with describing Thomas Jefferson as a slaveholder and rapist.
Folks have been unhappy with Virginia Gov. Youngkin's appointee, Bert Ellis, to the U.Va Board of Visitors, but that didn't stop the University from capitulating to his weird demands. The University Guide Service, a student-run organization that offers campus tours, has been suspended from running admissions or historical tours. Why? Because Ellis, via an Alumni group "preserving the legacy" of Thomas Jefferson, doesn't want history accurately reflected.
"The justification for these suspensions is based on the Administration's view that UGS is failing to fulfill its delegated functions, particularly in terms of reliability and tour quality," the statement reads. "Our own accountability measures — including tour feedback solicited from all admissions tour visitors — suggest that this is an incomplete view of our tours."
The Jefferson Council, an alumni group whose stated goals are to promote a culture of civil dialogue at the University and preserve Jefferson's legacy, has historically criticized the Guide Service for inserting "radical views" and "inflammatory opinions" into its tours.
In 2022, the Jefferson Council's co-founder and former president Bert Ellis was appointed to the Board of Visitors. Both before and after his appointment to the Board, Ellis has consistently been a vocal critic of the Guide Service for the content of its tours.
"The University Guides now seem intent on 'contextualizing' Mr. Jefferson as a slave holder and rapist, and to completely undermine his part of the Founding of America and our University," Ellis said in a 2021 article published to the Jefferson Council's website.
At a time when conservatives are demanding schools maintain the names of traitors and that statues of traitors are not pulled down, why does this guy have a problem with Jefferson's history? I'd think he would want the University Guides telling the story for all the wrong reasons.
Previously:
• Charlottesville removes Confederate statues
Marvel's new "Aliens vs Avengers" comic is fun
Thom Dunn / 9:22 am PT Thu Aug 29, 2024
Image: Amazon
Marvel Comics just released the first issue of its new Aliens vs Avengers miniseries—which, as the name suggests, is a complete unnecessary cash grab of two iconic Intellectual Properties mashed up together for the sake of brand synergy. These types of comics have always existed; they're usually fine if perfectly utilitarian and functional.
But for some reason, Marvel decided to commit to Aliens vs Avengers, hiring acclaimed comic writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Esad Ribíc to create something that feels surprisingly exhilarating. The two previously worked together on Marvel's 2015 Secret Wars crossover, and Hickman, in particular, is typically known as Marvel's go-to guy for Big Ideas, such as his brilliant 2019 refresh/reboot of the X-Men franchise and his recent (albeit short-lived) cosmic G.O.D.S. epic.
Aliens vs Avengers isn't exactly a mind-bending conceptual comic like some of those other series. But it is a lot of fun. It's a continuity-free story that's set several decades into the future. The Shi'ar Empire (one of the Marvel Universe's go-to imperial extraterrestrial races) start experimenting with xenomorphs to achieve military superiority. As such, they run a few experiments with the eponymous aliens, including one on Planet Earth—which swiftly wipes out most of the population. The surviving humans are huddled together in a single city, protected by an elderly Hulk and Captain Marvel, along with the Miles Morales Spider-Man, and Valeria Richards, the daughter of Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman. (A mysterious Mr. Weyland is also bankrolling this scrappy crew of Avengers because of Brand Synergy, though I'm curious to see what Hickman & Ribíc do with this.)
What really makes the comic stand out is the way the story demonstrates just how powerful the xenomorphs are. Plenty of lip service is given in both the Aliens films and the real-world Xenomorphs, which are some "perfect species." In practice, this typically means watching them eviscerate a new set of characters we don't care about. In Aliens vs Avengers, however, Hickman and Ribíc create a controlled scenario that exploits the lifecycle of the xenomorph in a way that makes them essentially unstoppable, deftly illustrating just how efficient these creatures are. The fact that we get to see them completely overwhelm a bunch of super-powered characters that we're already familiar with adds to the power of this demonstration while also giving readers an immediate emotional investment.
For this reason, you don't actually have to care about Spider-Man or the Hulk, and even if they are brutally murdered on the page, you still know that the characters themselves will continue to exist.
For now—for what it is—the debut issue of Aliens vs Avengers made me squee with genuine delight on more than one occasion. It also made me viscerally understand just how "cleverly designed" the xenomorphs really are as a "perfect species." Sure, it's still an IP cash grab for brand synergy. But at least it's a damn good one.
7-Eleven is lying to you about the Japanese Egg Salad sandwich coming to America
Mark Frauenfelder / 9:12 am PT Thu Aug 29, 2024
A 7-Eleven near Mount Fuji (Terence Toh Chin Eng/shutterstock.com)
Recently, 7-Eleven in the United States announced it was bringing the famous $2 Japanese 7-Eleven egg salad sandwich to the United States. Fans of the creamy tamago sando were guardedly excited.
Here's how Foodie.com describes the Japanese treat:
A 7-Eleven egg salad sando is all about soft, fluffy, and gooey goodness. Bite into it, and you won't find any contrasting crunchy textures or distracting flavors; instead, the egg takes centerstage. Everything about the sandwich makes you marvel at the filling, with the only contrast coming from the slight chewiness of the Japanese milk bread (called shokupan). The filling isn't just chopped-up boiled eggs mixed with mayo. Instead, the yolks and mayo are mashed into a rich paste with chunks of cooked egg white for some bite. The creaminess of the eggs is not interrupted by a kick of mustard either. Instead, the tanginess comes from the mayonnaise. Made using egg yolks (as opposed to most commercial brands that also use whites), rich Kewpie mayo complements eggs much better than the regular variety.
But Jeremy Jacobwitz, a popular food TikToker shares a harsh truth with Americans in a TikTok video: the U.S. version of 7-Eleven's Japanese Egg Salad Sando is a lie.
"I love the Japanese egg salad sandos," he says. "I literally have merch with the Japanese egg salad sandos on it because I love them so much."
And when I started getting all the DMs from all you guys and seeing all these posts about the egg salad sandos coming to 7-Eleven, I was skeptical. And now, we've seen what they look like, and I promise you, these are not the Japanese egg salad sandos.
He goes on to point out the stark disparities between the two versions:
Bread: "Let's talk about the bread. Yes, they're using milk bread, but it is way too thick, it doesn't look squishy enough, and they left the crusts on. Absolutely not."
Ingredients: "When you look at the actual ingredients of the egg salad itself, it is the same exact egg salad that they [U.S. 7-Elevens] have been using. I mean, reduced -fat mayo? Absolutely not. How do you not use Kewpie? Dijon mustard? Absolutely not. One of the little secrets of the egg salad in Japan is that there's sugar in it [which isn't in the U.S. version]."
Appearance: The Japanese version is two thin layers of crustless bread with a thick layer of egg salad. The U.S. version has thick crusty slices of bread and a thin layer of egg salad. "So this isn't even closer to what the egg salad itself is supposed to taste like. It's too much bread, it's too much egg salad, it's not even the right consistency, everything is off. I"
He concludes, "7 -Eleven, if you want to bring the actual Japanese egg salad sandos to America, I will be the first one online to eat them. Till then, stop lying to us."
'Nuff said!
Previously:
• Man so angry with 7-11 he starts his own store and calls it 6-12
88-year-old woman survived being lost in the woods by drinking rainwater and befriending a fox
Allan Rose Hill / 9:03 am PT Thu Aug 29, 2024
Image: Stanislav Duben / Shutterstock.com
Giuseppina Bardelli, 88, was foraging for mushrooms near her Italian village of Maccagno con Pino e Veddasca when she realized she was lost. Disoriented, she fell, breaking ribs and tearing a lung. Her son who was with her on the hike until they got separated called authorities who launched a search-and-rescue operation. Four days later, they found Bardelli.
"She drank rainwater that she found in puddles," her other son Roberto said. "At night she slept under trees, using vegetation to cover herself."
She found comfort in a friendship she developed with a fox.
"The fox approached her several times. They sort of became friends. And every evening she recited the rosary. She knew that every day could be her last."
Bardelli is currently recovering in a hospital. No word on, um, what the fox said.
(MSN)
Previously:
• Boy lost in woods for three days says a bear looked after him
• Florida police rescue 5-year-old missing girl found in Florida swamp after wandering into woods (video)
Stephen King spurs Elon Musk to play the fool
Jason Weisberger / 8:48 am PT Thu Aug 29, 2024
Elon Musk
Elon Musk loves making a fool of himself whenever Stephen King tweets at him.
Stephen King triggers Elon Musk in a weird, ongoing social media battle. It is unclear why Musk thinks responding to one of the best-selling authors of all time's legitimate observations with weird sexualized jokes is the right move. Still, it seems Musk is playing 92-dimensional chess here, but is he winning? King complains about real things, and Musk is just an immature clown.
Previously:
• Stephen King on writing
Wells Fargo worker dies at desk, goes unnoticed for 4 Days
Jennifer Sandlin / 8:48 am PT Thu Aug 29, 2024
Wells Fargo Worker Dies at Desk, Unnoticed for 4 Days
This is a tragic and terrible event. On August 16 at 7 a.m., a 60-year-old woman named Denise Prudhomme clocked into her job at a Wells Fargo corporate office in Tempe, Arizona. Four days later, on August 20, building security found her at her desk, unresponsive, and called Tempe Police, who confirmed her death.
Tempe Police are currently investigating the incident but told local Phoenix area 12News that they do not believe the death is suspicious.
12News interviewed another employee who works at that same Wells Fargo office who shared her perspective about the "troubling" situation:
"It's really heartbreaking and I'm thinking, 'What if I were just sitting there?'" a worker said. "No one would check on me?" . . .
"Her boss had emailed her, he didn't receive a response, so they went to check where she sits and that's how they found her," the worker said . . .
"To hear she's been sitting at the desk like that would make me feel sick," the worker said. "And nobody did anything. That's how she spent her last moments." . . . "I'm just wondering why they didn't formally address employees about it?" the employee said.
Wells Fargo released a statement to 12News:
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague at our Tempe office. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones during this difficult time. Counselors, through our Employee Assistance Consulting service, are available to support our employees. We are fully cooperating with the Tempe Police Department in their investigation and will direct all further questions to them."
Previously:
• 24 hours later, ANOTHER massive Wells Fargo fraud scandal
Source of famed Wow! signal likely found
Gail Sherman / 8:07 am PT Thu Aug 29, 2024
On August 15, 1977, Ohio State University's Big Ear radio telescope detected a strong narrowband signal. Upon reviewing the results, Astronomer Jerry R. Ehman wrote, "Wow!" and circled "6EQUJ5" on the printout. The letters indicated intensity, with the "U indicating an intensity 30 standard deviations above background noise. The observatory's director subsequently described the signal as "highly suggestive of extraterrestrial origin" in a letter to Carl Sagan. The signal was never observed again, and astrophysicists have been hunting for an explanation ever since.
A team from the Planetary Habitability Laboratory at the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo thinks they have found the answer, and unfortunately, it's not aliens.
The research proposes that the Wow! Signal may have been caused by a unique astrophysical event: the sudden brightening of a cold hydrogen cloud due to stimulated emission from a transient strong radiation source, such as a magnetar flare or a soft gamma repeater (SGR). These rare events might cause hydrogen clouds to momentarily shine much brighter, potentially explaining the fleeting nature of the Wow! Signal.
This hypothesis not only accounts for the unique characteristics of the Wow! Signal but also highlights a new source of false positives in the search for extraterrestrial technosignatures. "Our study suggests that the Wow! Signal was likely the first recorded instance of maser-like emission of the hydrogen line," added Méndez. This hypothesis may redefine our understanding of such signals and guide future searches for extraterrestrial life.
So, just normal space stuff, not a signal from other life forms, but the search continues…
Previously: Pentagon review finds no evidence of aliens or related cover-ups
New full-color hardcover Elfquest collection coming from Dark Horse Comics
Rob Beschizza / 6:52 am PT Thu Aug 29, 2024
The new covers. Images: Dark Horse Comics
Classic fantasy series Elfquest will soon be available in glorious, full color hardcover editions covering the entirety of the original 1978-1985 run.
In discussing these new editions, the Pinis said "We envy everyone who is discovering—or rediscovering—ElfQuest in this gorgeous new full-color Dark Horse incarnation for the first time. ElfQuest is classic yet refreshingly surprising in the way it tosses traditional fantasy clichés out on their pointed ears. The quest of the title—a search for identity, for home, for family—though decades in the telling—is today more contemporary, relevant…and needed…than ever. From forest to mountain, from desert to frozen waste, you're in for one hell of a howling good thrill-ride." Elfquest remains a beloved series amongst fans of fantasy comics and early indie comics. The series tells the adventures of elfin chief Cutter and the Wolfriders – a tribe of feral, forest-dwelling elves allied with wolves – as they seek to find their true place in a dangerous world. It's a story about inclusiveness, self-discovery, finding community and overcoming the forces of bigotry and hate—all wrapped in a visually stunning high-fantasy adventure. Wendy Pini's artwork blends Eastern and Western artistic conventions into a new and unique style. ElfQuest has been called "the first American manga."
Here's Dark Horse's press release, with more details. Go pre-order the first two books in the collection right now: Book 1: Fire and Flight and Book 2: The Forbidden Grove [Amazon]
Previously:
• Elfquest animated series in the works
• ElfQuest and the secret history
• Creating a font from a classic comic
• The Weird of Wendy Pini
Site lists cheap used mini PCs on eBay
Rob Beschizza / 6:09 am PT Thu Aug 29, 2024
refurbished lenovo thinkcentre
Low Cost Mini PCs is an automatically-curated list of cheap, used Lenovo Tinies, Dell Micros and the like on eBay, presented in the perfectly functional format of Diskprices. Web brutalism!
Find the best deals for mini PCs on eBay. With many of them entering the used market, this tool helps find the cheapest ones based on your needs. Prices are updated a few times per hour.
The hidden pain point of these are the big ol' power bricks, usually about half the size and weight of the actual computer. It would be neat if the site had options for listing the few models with integrated power supplies or those which accept juice over USB-C (and can therefore be powered by displays.)
CSPAN caption savagely murders J.D. Vance
Rob Beschizza / 4:42 am PT Thu Aug 29, 2024
J.D. Vance in North Carolina
Speaking in Asheboro, North Carolina, Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance said something deserving of a round of applause—applause for one, from one. Whoever was captioning at CSPAN felt obliged to specify that only a single member of the audience was clapping at that specific moment. J.D. can perhaps console himself with the thought that at least there were two hands clapping.
It's a better result, all the same, than he got in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he sought to explain the embarassing "altercation" between Trump staffers and an official at Arlington National Cemetary only to mix up The Beatles and the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Previously:
• More of JD Vance denigrating childless women (audio)
• JD Vance's ugly, disrespectful debate challenge
• Wired took a look at JD Vance's Venmo friends list
Celebrity lawyer Tom Girardi stole millions from clients
Rob Beschizza / 4:36 am PT Thu Aug 29, 2024
Girardi in The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Tom Girardi, 85, stole millions from his clients—some of whom were as famous as he. Already disbarred, Girardi was found guilty of embezzlement yesterday by jurors in California.
After a 13-day trial and less than a full day of deliberations, the federal jury in Los Angeles found the 85-year-old Girardi guilty of four counts of wire fraud. Girardi is the estranged husband of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Erika Jayne and appeared on the show himself dozens of times between 2015 and 2020. He was once among the most prominent lawyers in the nation, often representing victims of major disasters against powerful companies. One lawsuit against California's Pacific Gas and Electric utility led to a $333 million settlement and was portrayed in the 2000 Julia Roberts film "Erin Brockovich."
He claimed to be a figurehead for his company—another executive there is also facing trial—but the evidence proved otherwise.
Prosecutors played jurors voicemails in which Girardi gave a litany of false reasons why money that a court had awarded could not be paid, including tax and debt obligations and judge authorizations. He frequently told them, "Don't be mad at me."
Sentencing is in December. ABC News says he faces 80 years imprisonment: an exaggeration for two notable reasons, one more satisfying than the other.
Skills trees for makers
Rob Beschizza / 4:26 am PT Thu Aug 29, 2024
Maker Skill Trees
Maker Skill Trees publishes RPG-style skill trees for all sorts of hobbies, crafts and disciplines: useful for motivating learners or satisfying the experienced. There's dozens of them at the repo and they're released under a Creative Commons license.
Maker Skill Trees are printable templates that can guide and track hands-on skill progression. Colour in the boxes as you go and get inspired to try new things. This repository is always growing and aims to include a large variety of skills, see full list below. Everyone's journey is different and you can interpret the goals flexibly. Not everything needs to be completed. Print your own in A4 or A3 size.
Each skill tree has 73 skill or experience hexagonal tiles, ordered in a spectrum of basic skills at the bottom to more advanced skills at the top. This includes 5 set your own goal tiles for you to tailor to your own interests. Under the templates section, there's also a smaller Mini Skill Tree template with only 40 tiles.
There's even a checklist of skills yet-to-do: blacksmithing, ceramics, jewelry among them.
JD Vance becomes laughingstock when he mixes up slain American soldiers with the Beatles (video)
Carla Sinclair / 6:20 pm PT Wed Aug 28, 2024
Image: JD Vance / C-SPAN
JD Vance once again became the laughingstock of the internets when he slammed Kamala Harris for using a teleprompter — then proceeded to mix up 13 slain American soldiers with the Beatles.
"Ma'am, I don't need a teleprompter — I've actually got thoughts in my head, unlike Kamala Harris," Trump's unpopular running mate shouted at a campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania today.
But those so-called thoughts of his got tangled into a helter skelter mess 10 minutes later, when he referred to Kabul's Abbey Gate — where an ISIS bomber killed 13 Americans and more than 100 innocent Afghanistans — as Abbey Road. "There's verifiable evidence that the families of these poor people who had their loved ones die three years ago at Abbey Road. They had …" (See video below, posted by Ron Filipkowski.)
Although Vance later corrected himself, that didn't stop the rush of album cover memes and online guffaws at at his expense. "Need help identifying these suspects in the Afghanistan attack," Xitted one commenter, along with an image of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr crossing London's Abbey Road.
"What happened at 'Abbey Road' was a disgrace!" quipped another, showing an animated version of the Beatles strutting across the famed road.
"RIP to all those we lost here. Never forget," said a third, displaying a distorted and deserted Abbey Road with not a one Beatle in sight. And there is much more merriment to be had where this came from. (See these examples below.)
Sometimes weird comes in handy when you need a good laugh!
Previously: More weird ideas from JD Vance about women
Nevada politician Robert Telles found guilty of murdering journalist
Rob Beschizza / 3:26 pm PT Wed Aug 28, 2024
Happy Telles (left, official portrait) and Sad Telles (right, Clark County Detention Center)
Robert Telles, 47, was Clark County public administrator until losing the 2022 Democratic Party primary. He blamed stories written about him by the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Jeff German. So he murdered German, a crime for which he was convicted today in a Nevada courtroom.
During trial, prosecutors presented the jury with DNA evidence found under Mr German's fingernails that they said belonged to Telles – who had pleaded not guilty. A jury of 12 returned a guilty verdict on Wednesday, after deliberating for two days. Telles, who was elected Clark County public administrator in 2018, sat blank faced in court on Wednesday as the judge called in the jury.
Telles was sunk by a good old-fashioned plethora of evidence: not only the DNA under German's fingernails, but clothing seen in security footage was found cut up in his home, other video showed his car near the crime scene, and then there were those campaign-killing stories in the paper.
One alleged that Telles had an "inappropriate" relationship with a member of his staff, and several others alleged hostile behaviour in his Las Vegas office.
A statement from Gleen Cook, executive editor of the Review-Journal: "Jeff was killed for doing the kind of work in which he took great pride: His reporting held an elected official accountable for bad behavior and empowered voters to choose someone else for the job."
Sigourney Weaver cast in The Mandalorian and Grogu
Gail Sherman / 12:40 pm PT Wed Aug 28, 2024
Image: Denis Makarenko/shutterstock.com
After killing many Aliens, Sigourney Weaver has been cast next to one of the cutest.
In a wide-ranging interview with Deadline about her body of work and her upcoming Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival, Sigourney Weaver drops some huge news:
DEADLINE: And the next movie you're going to film?
WEAVER: I'm playing a role in The Mandalorian & Grogu [which will be directed by Jon Favreau]. I got to meet Grogu for the first time the other day. I'm filming that before I go to London for The Tempest at the end of the year.
She doesn't mention being brought to tears like Werner Herzog, but I bet meeting Grogu is emotional for anyone. Weaver declines to give any more details, which is unsurprising given how the House of Mouse feels about keeping secrets. With her previous roles in Ghostbusters, Avatar, and as badass childless cat lady Ripley in the Alien franchise, adding Star Wars to her resumé locks in her status as a goddess of sci-fi.
The future of Star Wars on television is uncertain beyond season two of Andor and the upcoming Skeleton Crew show, so any news about live-action Star Wars is welcome. A clip was shown to attendees at D23, but details about the Mandalorian and Grogu have been light, other than a planned release date of May 22, 2026.
Side note: I would love to see Sigourney Weaver and Harrison Ford work together again, so can we get her in the MCU, somehow?
Publishers note: Baby Yoda.
Previously: This game of 'Operation' makes no sense but Grogu!