samhexum

The Star Spangled Banner

Wouldn't it be comforting to know that you'd given much of it away to folks who needed it, thus screwing your ex in the most satisfying way? PM me and I'll send you the pertinent info to arrange a transfer. ? ? ?

I'd survive somehow.

Instacart will lay off its only unionized workers as part of a plan to ax nearly 1,900 employees stationed in supermarkets across the country. The grocery delivery firm employs several thousand shoppers who pack grocery orders at stores for pickup or delivery. That’s unlike the roughly 500,000 independent contractors who pick up items from various locations and deliver them to customers. Instacart revealed plans this week to lay off some 1,877 of those in-store shoppers as part of a shift in how grocery retailers use its services. The affected staffers work at stores that will start using their own employees to fulfill pickup orders placed through Instacart, the company says. Among them are 10 shoppers at a Mariano’s grocery store in Skokie, Illinois, who became the only Instacart employees to join a union last year. Instacart says the cuts had nothing to do with the fact that the workers are unionized. But the move outraged the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents the Mariano’s staffers and has pushed for stronger protections for grocery workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Instacart firing the only unionized workers at the company and destroying the jobs of nearly 2,000 dedicated frontline workers in the middle of this public health crisis, is simply wrong,” Marc Perrone, the union’s international president, said in a statement. The Mariano’s store is one of several owned by supermarket giant Kroger where some 366 Instacart shoppers will be cut as soon as mid-March, according to a Tuesday letter Instacart’s lawyers sent to the UFCW.[/url] The San Francisco-based startup — which is reportedly preparing to go public this year — said the layoffs resulted from retailers’ decisions to fulfill orders with their own workers rather than Instacart’s. But it’s also “significantly more expensive on a cost-per-delivery basis” for Instacart to use in-store shoppers in certain places compared to its full-service contractors, who can both fulfill orders and deliver them rather than picking items up from the store-based workers, lawyer Joseph Santucci said in his letter to the union. Instacart says it will transfer laid-off shoppers to other stores where it has positions open or try to help them get hired by the retailer that runs their current store. Those who are cut will get severance payments ranging from $250 to $750 depending on experience, Santucci wrote. “We know this is an incredibly challenging time for many as we move through the COVID-19 crisis, and we’re doing everything we can to support in-store shoppers through this transition,” Instacart said in a statement.

He made a colossal mistake that almost affected the outcome of the most heartbreaking loss in baseball history: Harvey Haddix went to the mound for what would be his unlucky 13th time. Through 12 innings he had thrown an unbelievably economical 104 pitches. He would throw only 11 more. Mantilla led off the 13th by hitting the ball to Hoak at third. “About a five-hopper,” Haddix said. “Don picked up the ball, looked at it in his glove … and threw it in the dirt. Rocky Nelson couldn’t come up with it. Mathews bunted Mantilla to second base; I walked Aaron intentionally to set up a double play.” Joe Adcock was next. “Hung a slider on the second pitch and he hit it out in right center.” Mantilla scored. Aaron assumed the game was over, stopped, and cut across the infield, causing Adcock to pass him. Aaron eventually went to third and scored in front of Adcock but was ruled out. Adcock was credited with a double instead of a homer. Murtaugh argued that Aaron was called out before Mantilla, who went back to tag up, had crossed the plate. Umpires huddled and ruled Mantilla safe and allowed all three runs. National League President Warren Giles overturned that decision the next day. The final score: Braves 1, Pirates 0. Mantilla explained, “When I crossed the plate I looked up and saw Hank walking across the pitcher’s mound.” Asked if he crossed the plate in time, he said, “It was close! We were lucky to win that game.”

Mine keeps trying to tell me something, but I just can't figure out what...

My inconvenience and annoyance are far more important. If the Olympics didn't exist (NIRVANA!), there'd be no athletes or host countries disappointed.

The postponed 2020 Olympics may be cancelled altogether, as Japan is now considering applying for the next open year in 2032. I loathe the constant commercials, coverage on sports programs, & interruptions to TV schedules that come every four years for sports I couldn't care less about. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/japan-looks-for-a-way-out-of-tokyo-olympics-because-of-virus-lf868xfnd

'voter fraud' and 'stole the election' (apologies for putting something political here, but these will be the most overused and empty words for the rest of the 21st century)

He was on SVU last night and had gray/brown hair cut very short and it looked awful. It sure has been for me. ?

County where you primarily grew up I'll let you know when it happens Birth decade '60s Best looking celebrity guy you've ever seen The only male celeb I can ever remember seeing is fairly unattractive singer/actor Gary Morris at a luggage carousel at the Helsinki airport... and the only reason I saw him was that my (former) friend noticed him. Favorite Broadway musical Dreamgirls (don't remember seeing any others other than the abysmal Jerome Robbins' Boredway) Favorite sport Baseball Worst movie you've ever saw A tie between Blade Runner, Down and Out In Beverly Hills, & Close Encounters of the Worst Kind Would you ever consider running for public office? Much to the chagrin of the American people... NO FUCKING WAY

Age 86

Allison Janney may be an Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy winner, but she recently had a co-star struggle with the idea of kissing her for a scene. The 61-year-old Mom star revealed that while the sitcom is filming, the cast and crew are tested regularly for COVID-19. "I get tested almost seven to eight times a week dependent upon whether or not I'm going to be doing kissing scenes," Janney shared on Thursday's Jimmy Kimmel Live. But she added that even before the global pandemic, she had some unusual kissing scene requests. "Even before COVID I had a scene partner who I had to kiss with and he was such a germaphobe he would put Neosporin on his lips and ask me to put it on mine too before he would kiss me," Janney said. Noting that she didn't know whether Neosporin actually prevented germs from spreading or not, Janney added, "I took it very personally though. Where does he think I put my mouth? It kind of unnerved me, but, you know, people are germaphobes." After Kimmel guessed it was noted germaphobe Howie Mandel, Janney laughed, replying, "No, it was not Howie Mandel. I will not say who it was."

Considering what a great life you have, 25 years is a long time to hold a grudge against a 13/14 year old to the point of being happy over his tragic death. ? Did anyone interesting play him in any of the films made about Gacy? I thought you were going to say 'of tutus' or 'of cat toys' or something similarly butch. So now he just bullies people spiritually ? ?Were they BIG Cocky boys?

French health honchos are urging citizens to say au revoir to cotton masks because they simply aren’t effective enough against new, potentially more contagious variants of COVID-19. Instead, France’s health advisory council has recommend that single-use surgical masks should be worn. Experts here agree — and tell The Post it’s an important time to consider upgrading your mask choice. One homegrown mutation of the virus, dubbed 20C-US, is believed to be responsible for up to 50 percent of all US cases — hitting the Midwest the hardest, researchers said earlier this month. Those findings come a day after scientists at Ohio State University said they discovered a different strain of the COVID-19 virus — which carries a mutation similar to the UK strain. “As we progress in this pandemic, we are coming to the realization that no, not all masks are the same,” said Dr. Martin Cohen, assistant chair and teaching professor in the University of Washington’s Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences. In the spring, he conducted crude aerosol experiments on masking materials to find suitable substitutes in the absence of personal protective equipment (PPE). So which ones are the best? Here’s a look at which masks hold up in 2021 as scientists learn more about the increasingly mutating virus. N95s “The gold standard are obviously the N95 masks, regardless of the COVID strain,” said Dr. Rajesh Mohan, a New Jersey-based cardiologist and author of “COVIDslayers: How We Can Win! and What Really Went Wrong? A Physician Leader’s Experiences From the Frontlines.” It was also found to be the best mask in a comprehensive review of masks by Duke University researchers over the summer. It was the most effective of the bunch on the study’s logarithmic scale. Surgical masks Surgical masks, if replaced often, are the second-most effective type of mask to use in 2021. Those single-use surgical masks are also a good standby, and considerably more comfortable than the face-conforming N95s. “The next best thing is surgical masks,” Mohan said. “If people wore them, there would be about 70 percent decrease in infection.” The Duke researchers also found it to be the second-most effective variety, ranging from 0 to 0.1 in terms of the particles spread from speaking while wearing one. KN95s or KF94s Aaron Collins, a Minnesota-based mechanical engineer, who wrote his master’s thesis on the science of aerosols and calls himself a “citizen scientist,” has been reviewing masks on his YouTube channel since August. Collins turned his bathroom into a makeshift lab, using an aerosol generator to pump out tiny particles of salt and water. A condensation particle counter counts how many particles are in the air and how many are in the mask Collins is currently testing. He compares the number of particles inside the mask with the number outside of it, which helps him determine its effectiveness. His best bets, he found after his research, are protective masks such as KF94s, KN95s or N95s. “N95s are obviously the best, because it seals to the face, but the disadvantage is that it is secured with a headband which can destroy your scalp.” In his research, he has found that KF94 masks range from 90 to 99% protection, while KN95 masks also perform well, but they have more variation in quality. He advises against buying masks on eBay or Amazon because there are bootleg versions floating around. “The marketplace is still an issue. Scammers still have a massive amount of inventory out there.” Instead, he suggests buying from two companies: New Jersey-based importer, Be Healthy USA and Bona Fide Masks. Double masks Two masks really are better than one as new variants of the coronavirus are found to be more contagious than previous variants. Ever since November, when New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick wore two masks after his quarterback Cam Newton tested positive for COVID-19, questions have swirled whether doubling up is the best course of action. “If your first line of protection is not significant, like a scarf, you can put on another layer,” said Mohan. Other researchers second that sentiment, saying a cloth mask and surgical mask make for an effective pairing. “Obviously, the more layers you have of fibers between one person’s mouth and the other’s, there is less risk of spreading infection. But it could be diminishing the benefit, as far as the ability to breathe,” said Mohan. “The idea is that it should be snugly fit without making you uncomfortable.”

Have you made a decision yet? Maybe if @jjkrkwood had read it, it would make his decision easier. ????

When this enterprising teen got a job at a Georgia Kroger, he got right to work – scamming nearly $1 million from the store during the two weeks he worked there, according to police. Police in Gwinnett County said 19-year-old Tre Brown scammed more than $980,000 from the Duluth, Georgia, grocery store where he worked in December and January. Brown created more than 40 returns for non-existent items and put them on credit cards, police said. The returns ranged in price from $75 to more than $87,000. Do they sell solid-gold produce?!?!? He used the money to buy two vehicles, clothes, shoes and guns, according to police. The scam was so brazen that it caught the attention of corporate Kroger employees. They contacted the police department after noticing the fraudulent transactions. Brown is facing a charge of theft by taking. Police said Brown totaled one of the vehicles he bought with the money before he was arrested, but “a large sum of the money” was returned after his arrest.

I know I always need to look at the caption when I see a picture of either, just to know which one it is. Michelle Pfeiffer will star as Betty Ford in Showtime’s upcoming anthology series, “The First Lady.” Set in the White House, the political drama is a look at America through the eyes of various first ladies. Season 1 will focus on Eleanor Roosevelt and Michelle Obama, in addition to Betty Ford. Pfeiffer, 62, is known for a wide range of roles in films including the classic “Scarface,” as well as “Batman Returns,” “Dangerous Liaisons” and recent films such as “Murder on the Orient Express” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp.” Since she’s known for her signature blond locks and Ford had a short brunette coif, they’ll have to work some Hollywood magic for a resemblance. Ford was the first lady from 1974 to 1977 while her husband Gerald Ford was president, and her most famous legacy is speaking candidly about substance abuse — later founding the famous Betty Ford Center, post-White House — and raising awareness to various social causes such as breast cancer, abortion rights and equal pay. Pfeiffer will join Viola Davis, who will play Michelle Obama. Casting has not been announced for Eleanor Roosevelt. Charlize Theron? “The First Lady” does not yet have a premiere date.

He went on to star in several movies and a Netflix show called Cobra Kai with his secret-lover Daniel-San.

I know you've all been on the edge of your seats awaiting the resolution of this high drama. Alas, I had to get something notarized at a bank today and was told that there is no way to cash or deposit the check. ???