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Thank you to everyone who has been contributing links to articles & other content in the Comments section of each day's "Conversation." If you're missing the comments, you're missing some vital links.

The Ledes

Thursday, April 25, 2024

CNN: “The US economy cooled more than expected in the first quarter of the year, but remained healthy by historical standards. Economic growth has slowed steadily over the past 12 months, which bodes well for lower interest rates, but the Federal Reserve has made it clear it’s in no rush to cut rates.”

The Wires
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The Washington Post offers tips on how to keep your EV battery running in frigid temperatures. The link at the end of this graf is supposed to be a "gift link" (from me, Marie Burns, the giftor!), meaning that non-subscribers can read the article. Hope it works: https://wapo.st/3u8Z705

"Countless studies have shown that people who spend less time in nature die younger and suffer higher rates of mental and physical ailments." So this Washington Post page allows you to check your own area to see how good your access to nature is.

Marie: If you don't like birthing stories, don't watch this video. But I thought it was pretty sweet -- and funny:

If you like Larry David, you may find this interview enjoyable:


Tracy Chapman & Luke Combs at the 2024 Grammy Awards. Allison Hope comments in a CNN opinion piece:

~~~ Here's Chapman singing "Fast Car" at the Oakland Coliseum in December 1988. ~~~

~~~ Here's the full 2024 Grammy winner's list, via CBS.

He Shot the Messenger. Washington Post: “The Messenger is shutting down immediately, the news site’s founder told employees in an email Wednesday, marking the abrupt demise of one of the stranger and more expensive recent experiments in digital media. In his email, Jimmy Finkelstein said he was 'personally devastated' to announce that he had failed in a last-ditch effort to raise more money for the site, saying that he had been fundraising as recently as the night before. Finkelstein said the site, which launched last year with outsize ambitions and a mammoth $50 million budget, would close 'effective immediately.' The New York Times first reported the site’s closure late Wednesday afternoon, appearing to catch many staffers off-guard, including editor in chief Dan Wakeford. As employees read the news story, the internal work chat service Slack erupted in what one employee called 'pandemonium.'... Minutes later, as staffers read Finkelstein’s email, its message was underscored as they were forcibly logged out of their Slack accounts. Former Messenger reporter Jim LaPorta posted on social media that employees would not receive health care or severance.”

Washington Post: “The last known location of 'Portrait of Fräulein Lieser' by world-renowned Austrian artist Gustav Klimt was in Vienna in the mid-1920s. The vivid painting featuring a young woman was listed as property of a 'Mrs Lieser' — believed to be Henriette Lieser, who was deported and killed by the Nazis. The only remaining record of the work was a black and white photograph from 1925, around the time it was last exhibited, which was kept in the archives of the Austrian National Library. Now, almost 100 years later, this painting by one of the world’s most famous modernist artists is on display and up for sale — having been rediscovered in what the auction house has hailed as a sensational find.... It is unclear which member of the Lieser family is depicted in the piece[.]”

~~~ Marie: I don't know if this podcast will update automatically, or if I have to do it manually. In any event, both you and I can find the latest update of the published episodes here. The episodes begin with ads, but you can fast-forward through them.

Contact Marie

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Page Links
Friday
Jun202014

The Longest Day

Today is the summer solstice, but Friday was probably the longest day for me. Here's what went wrong.

Reality Chex went down.

My gmail account went down.

My Twitter account went down.

My debit card has "unusual activity" on it, so I can't use it.

The movers showed up -- a surprise -- & left a lot of stuff strewn about the yard, which I have to shlep into the basement tomorrow. I can barely move through the house because it's full of boxes.

My back went out.

My Damned Cat (that's her name) disappeared.

Usually I can only manage three things going wrong at once. For some reason I'm doing okay today. I guess none of these things is too terrible or too unexpected. Life is complicated.

Comments Off

Reader Comments (6)

CW,
When your day was done, I hope you rested with a beverage of your choice, found a comfy place for your back, rested.
Murphy sure hung around you Friday.
Hope My Damned Cat shows up tomorrow. It'll be loaded with fleas... sigh...

May I ask the region you are moving to?

Hoping it is in one of The Enlightened States of the Union.
Maybe tomorrow will be better.
mae finch

June 21, 2014 | Unregistered Commentermae finch

Jeebus, Marie! I am so sorry (plagiarizing Judith Viorst) to hear about your "terrible, awful, horrible, very bad day!" Give me the word and I will fly down to Florida to hunt for My Damned Cat and help you do some wonderful back exercises! With my icky back, I will not be able to help you lift boxes though.

I get the idea that you are one of the self-sufficient women (like moi) who thinks she has to do everything herself. Well, you do not! You already do the work of 10 women, and you need some competent helpers to get you outta your home and on the road--AFTER you have found My Damned Cat, of course. Like Mae Finch, I wonder where you are moving---and hope it is a lovely BLUE state! Or at least very purple!

Yes, life is complicated, but your loyal fans are worried about you!

June 21, 2014 | Unregistered CommenterKate Madison

You are an amazing woman! You appear to be––once again––operating solo and although I don't understand how you do it all I admire your tenacity and obviously your strength except now your back is out. We here on RC would gladly forego our daily bread and let you re-group for as long as you have to. You need to take care of yourself. As for MDC, I understand that they can sense a move and for some reason leave themselves. In my case it's happened twice. Good luck with that and with everything else––it's a blessing you have s sense of humor.

June 21, 2014 | Unregistered CommenterPD Pepe

CW,
I was wondering (only half seriously) if the "null" I was getting for the RC site was a Walker/Christie/RGA show of displeasure for all of the coverage yesterday. I could even imagine them going after the gmail, Twitter, and debit card. Far more believable than shutting down traffic lanes.

But getting the movers to show up early? I don't think they have that kind of pull.

I know first-hand the frustration of hiring professional movers who don't do as good a job as you do. My recommendation (which you already know) is to safeguard the important stuff, then plant yourself in a prime location with a clipboard and supervise, supervise, supervise.

Best wishes!

June 21, 2014 | Unregistered CommenterNiskyGuy

Ouof! The once in a blue moon SNAFU-fecta!
The good news, following such a day of Murphy's Law on steroids, is that everything else will look like UP from there!

June 21, 2014 | Unregistered CommenterMAG

Friday the 13th came on the 20th. It happens. New digs must be in the northern clime (few basements in the southland). Glad things seem to be settling down and returning to predictability.

June 21, 2014 | Unregistered CommenterJames Singer
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