samhexum

Why not? I've been on an impossible diet forever.

Sixteen-year-old center fielder Jasson Dominguez, perhaps the most highly regarded prospect from Latin America in a decade, signed with the New York Yankees on Tuesday morning in a deal that includes a $5.1 million bonus. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Dominguez is a powerful switch-hitter with top-end speed and a well-regarded throwing arm -- a classic five-tool player. Dominguez will not be eligible to play games until next season but will immediately join the Yankees' top echelon of prospects. The team's devotion of nearly 95% of its bonus pool to one player -- the Yankees have just shy of $5.4 million to spend in their fixed international free-agent pool -- shows their regard for Dominguez. The sentiment is shared around the industry. When the Yankees became favorites to sign Dominguez, other teams -- including the Texas Rangers,Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Angels -- lamented the loss of the chance at a player whom evaluators believe will be a star. Since he arrived at the academy of trainer Ivan Noboa as a 13-year-old, Dominguez has stood out for his developed physique and ability to hit balls far. Scouts took to calling him El Marciano, or The Martian, because they said there was no way he was from this world. In addition to his $5.1 million bonus, Dominguez will receive $250,000 in potential scholarship money from the Yankees should he choose to further his education.

"back in the day" WHAT singular day are you talking about? I want the date, day of the week, time, temperature, etc., if you're going to be that specific.

THE WANDERING PUSSY VIXEN (that's what female foxes are called) Arctic fox astounds scientists by trekking 2,176 miles in 76 days - from Norway to Canada Logging nearly 30 miles per day, an Arctic fox has trekked from the Svalbard Islands in Norway to Inuit territory in the northern reaches of Canada, astounding scientists. That’s 2,176 miles in 76 days. The young female had been tracked via a GPS device installed by researchers at the Polar Institute in Norway, releasing her into the wild in March 2018, BBC News said. Twenty-one days later she had reached Greenland, about 940 miles from her starting point. A mere 76 days after she left Svalbard, the fox was found on Ellesmere Island in Nunavut, Canada. Her speed across the Greenland ice sheets was especially noteworthy. The fox trotted 96 miles a day across that country, said the findings, which were published in the Polar Research Journal. At 1.4 times speedier than the pace of an adult male Arctic fox tracked in Alaska, this fox logged the “fastest movement rate ever recorded for this species,” the report said. The Arctic fox is a fluffy, white, dark-eyed creature weighing between 6.5 and 17 pounds, according to National Geographic. Its head and body can run from 18 to 26.75 inches, its tail to 13.75. Their round, compact bodies not only make them resemble compact wads of fur but also give them less surface area, meaning less exposure to their cold habitat’s temperatures, according to Defenders of Wildlife. The same goes for their short muzzles, ears and legs, combined with their thick, deep fur – including on their paws, which enables them to walk on snow and ice, Defenders of Wildlife says. Even with all that insulation and adaptation, this fox had moxie. While the Arctic fox tends to migrate in the winter to forage, this one had gone way beyond the norm, “crossing extensive stretches of sea ice and glaciers,” the Norwegian Polar Institute’s Eva Fuglei told New Scientist. “We couldn’t believe our eyes at first,” study co-author Fuglei told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK. “We thought perhaps it was dead, or had been carried there on a boat, but there were no boats in the area. We were quite thunderstruck.”

Terry Crews: ‘White Chicks 2’ is happening and my pecs are ready Terry Crews keeps his dancing pecs on point for “White Chicks.” The “America’s Got Talent” host and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” co-star confirmed Sunday on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” that he and co-star/screenwriter Shawn Wayans are in talks about a second installment to the 2004 cult comedy. “You know what, I actually got with Shawn, and he was like man we doing it, we getting it going,” Crews said in response to a “WWHL” caller’s question about a possible sequel. (Yes, the former pro football player turned sexual harassment activist also competed in a game in which he answered host Cohen’s trivia questions by his flexing his pecs “yes” and “no.”) June marked the 15-year anniversary of the comedy, in which Shawn and Marlon Wayans played dishonored FBI agents who’ve gone undercover as “White Chicks” to protect a pair of hotel heiresses — whom Bravolebrity Nene Leakes once said bore a striking resemblance to Kim Zolciak. Crews co-starred as the scene-stealing Latrell Spencer, a pro basketball player who falls in love with Marlon. “I’ve stayed in shape just for that movie,” Crews says. “I’ve been working out for 15 years so we could do ‘White Chicks 2,’ y’all.”

And the Angels are paying for that greatness... and paying... and paying... and...

Mookie Betts meets his distant relative, Meghan Markle LONDON — Mookie Betts met one of his relatives for the first time before the Red Sox and Yankees played at London Stadium on Saturday. It was Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and they shared a hug. It all came about because of a Globe story published on May 7, 2018, that revealed Betts and Markle are distantly related. Jim McNiff, an amateur genealogist from Burlington, Mass., discovered the link between Betts and actress Meghan Markle, who was engaged to Prince Harry at the time. It went back to ancestors 150 years ago in Alabama. They also had a connection via a 1920 marriage between Betts’s great uncle and Markle’s great-great aunt. Betts found the story amusing at the time and wondered if he might meet Markle when the Sox played in London. It actually happened. The royal couple visited both teams in their clubhouses before the Yankees beat the Red Sox, 17-13. “I didn’t know she was coming. I knew [Prince Harry] was coming,” Betts said. “I told her about the story and she laughed and gave me a hug. She didn’t know about it. They probably didn’t believe it.” But McNiff has the proof, tracing their family trees back for generations. “It’s pretty cool it happened,” Betts said. “I didn’t think I’d ever meet her, but I did.” Both teams presented the royals with a gift for their first child, 7-week-old Archie. He now has a Red Sox onesie and a Yankees onesie.

Sideshow Bob, also known as Robin Lopez, will sign with the Milwaukee Bucks, to back up brother Brook... but don't expect them to live together-- their pussies don't get along. From when Brook played in Brooklyn & Robin played with the Knicks in 2015: NBA twins can’t live together because their cats hate each other The Knicks’ new 7-foot center, Robin Lopez, has harsh words about his twin brother, Brook, who plays for the crosstown competition. More specifically, he’s trash-talking his sibling’s pet. “Brook’s cat is very two-faced,” Robin tells The Post. “Everybody loves Brook’s cat. To everybody’s face, he’s such a nice cat. And it may sound like I’m joking, but I am dead serious. He acts like a lazy, sweet cat when everybody is looking. But when their heads turn, he’ll try to chase after [my cat] Edward. The second I lay eyes on him, he’ll act like, ‘I’m a cherub. I’m innocent.’ I’m not buying it.” In fact, the brothers don’t live together because of their felines: Brook’s kitty Poupin — French for “chubby” — and Robin’s majestically monikered Prince Edward Zephyr. (Each cat has his own Instagram account, naturally.) When the Knicks signed Robin to a four-year deal worth $54 million in July, Brook thought about opening up his West New York, NJ, townhouse. “It might be permissible for him to live in my residence,” Brook told the YES Network at the time. “I am thinking sublet — maybe the basement, or a little cupboard under the stairs a la Harry Potter.” But the 27-year-olds, who are identical save for Robin’s Sideshow Bob hairdo, ultimately decided against rooming together. (Robin landed in Westchester, near the Knicks’ practice facility.) “We thought about it,” Brook tells The Post. “But the cats really wouldn’t get along. They just wouldn’t allow it.” Born in Southern California to Deborah Ledford and now-estranged father Heriberto Lopez, a Cuban baseball player, the twins are the youngest of four boys. They were raised in Fresno by their mom, who was an elite swimmer, and began playing hoops as kids — looking up to their older brother Alex, who played at the University of Washington. Robin and Brook were recruited by Stanford (where Robin reportedly dated golfer Michelle Wie) and, during their sophomore seasons, their squad reached the Sweet Sixteen. The siblings opted to leave school early for the NBA, and both were first-round draft picks in 2008. The Nets selected Brook, while Robin was scooped up by the Phoenix Suns (he later played for the New Orleans Hornets as well as the Trail Blazers). Unlike other ballers, these two aren’t chasing VIP tables at Avenue or flaunting flashy wardrobes — though Robin did don the costume of Doc Brown from “Back to the Future” at New York Comic Con in October. The brothers unabashedly love comic books and, according to a NY Times profile, would frequently squeeze their extra-tall frames into a college pal’s compact SUV to hitch rides to the comic-book store. While at Stanford, they once famously ditched practice for a day of fun at Disneyland. As children, their interest in comic books was nurtured by their grandmother, who provided the boys with endless art supplies and a room in her home to draw and paint. Now Brook and Robin are collaborating on a number of projects, including a video game and superhero television pilots. The pair agree that living in the same area again has been great for their relationship. The avid baseball fans were able to attend the World Series at Citi Field together, and they regularly meet for dinner. (As for double dates, Robin says he’s “not single,” while Brook has no comment on his relationship status.) “[Robin and I] got to hang out a week ago, so we just ordered Outback [steakhouse]. It was all four brothers. We were able to sit in my room and watch TV and chill,” says Brook, who this summer signed a $60 million deal to continue his now seven-year tenure with the Nets. He insists that even though he and Robin are identical twins, they have their differences. “Robin is the exaggerated version of me. He’s more of a cartoon character. He’s known for his mascot beatings, too,” says Brook of his brother’s notable WWE-esque feuds with NBA mascots. Robin’s spree started in 2013 when he jokingly brawled with Detroit’s equine mascot Hooper after the horse donned a look-alike wig and, since then, he’s been involved in numerous other playful attacks, leading to demonstrations faux-protesting his “violence.” Their mom, who is in town for Thanksgiving, will be here for the big game, too. “She tries to stay neutral,” says Robin. “Whatever team’s arena she’s in, she tries to wear that jersey. And she will wear the other team’s hat.” Come tipoff, the pair has no trouble putting aside their goofy chatter. In fact, they don’t speak at all. “It’s just the way it is. We’re out there for business,” insists Brook, who isn’t feeling the heat of being the visiting team. http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2461839/sideshow_robin_lopez.jpg

Freddie Won!

The Biebs shut out the Orioles over 8 innings today, with no walks & 11 strikeouts. The O's had won both of the previous games by 13-0, so this outing may have been a bit more impressive than the previous one.

Well, THAT was fun!

Yes, same name. And am one of about 10 still participating to a forum set up by rlyons as Atkol was dying that not many people found their way to.

Mom shocked to be left deaf from pregnancy due to rare condition A UK mom-of-two says she couldn’t hear her baby girl cry when she was born, due to a rare condition that caused her to lose her hearing during her pregnancy. Kate Llewellyn-Waters, 42, said she suffers from a genetic defect known as otosclerosis, which resulted in her losing 60 percent of hearing while carrying her first child, Beatrix, in 2013. “After having a C-section, I began to panic as I couldn’t hear Beatrix crying but she was crying, I was just deaf,” Llewellyn-Waters said. The rare condition is the result of pregnancy hormones causing bones in the ear to grow and fuse together, which blocks sound from properly traveling to the brain. “I noticed the initial loss during my first pregnancy when I entered the third trimester, but I didn’t quite make the connection,” Llewellyn-Waters said. Doctors told her that she could undergo surgery, but she decided against the procedure because of the risks involved. “There is an operation available, but it can go wrong and lead to complete deafness,” the mom said. During her second pregnancy, Llewellyn-Waters lost another 10 percent of hearing, leaving her 70 percent deaf, she said. She said she had to rely on reading lips but now has hearing aids that have helped improve her situation. “My children have learned they need to be more patient as I can’t always hear them, although my hearing aids are fantastic,” Llewellyn-Waters said. Doctors have warned her that if she were to have a third child she could completely lose her hearing. “I could go totally deaf if I had a third child, but I don’t regret for one moment having children,” the mom said. “I definitely won’t be having a third though.”

Dead James Bond movie extra was targeted on Grindr: prosecutors An extra on the James Bond movie “Skyfall” was murdered using date-rape drug GHB by a serial thief who targeted his victims on Grindr, a UK court heard on Tuesday. Eric Michels, 54, was found dead of an overdose at his home in southwest London on Aug. 18, after being drugged by 25-year-old Gerald Matovu the night before, prosecutors claimed in a hearing at the Old Bailey, according to the BBC. After administering the fatal dose of the party drug with a syringe, Matovu snapped photos of Michels’ bank card and driver’s licence and swiped his Macbook, cellphone and other belongings, prosecutors say. Matovu and another man, 23-year-old Brandon Dunbar, are on trial for allegedly drugging Michels and 11 other men they met on gay dating apps like Grindr in order to rob them. Matovu has pleaded not guilty to murder. Dunbar isn’t charged with killing Michels, but with using his card a day later to buy an Xbox and other fraud. Michels, who briefly appeared in the 2012 Bond film, was also a businessman and father of three, according to the report. He divorced his wife in 2010 after coming out as gay. Gay dating app Jack’d to pay $240K for exposing users’ nude photos Jack’d, a popular gay hookup and dating app that left users’ nude photos exposed, has agreed to pay $240,000 to New York state and amp up security in an agreement with the state Attorney General’s office, officials announced Friday. The app, which is run by parent company Online Buddies Inc., allows users to share the explicit photos discreetly with others on the app who they selected. But due to a security flaw, those racy photos — as well as personal and location data — became accessible to anyone using the internet. Users had the option of uploading photos either publicly or privately. But it was revealed that both options were being sent to the same server leaving them open to anyone using the app. What’s worse, AG Letitia James says, the security problem was made known to the company in February 2018 — but it didn’t fix the flaw until a year later. And of the some 7,000 users of the app in New York, nearly 4,000 of those people had uploaded private photos, approximately 2,000 of which were nude images, James said. “This app put users’ sensitive information and private photos at risk of exposure and the company didn’t do anything about it for a full year just so that they could continue to make a profit,” James said in a statement. The company’s new CEO Adam Segel said, “Online Buddies became aware of a potential security flaw in the Jack’d app that was corrected earlier this year. We apologize to our users for this flaw.” “With new leadership and stronger security measures in place, Jack’d users can continue to rely on the security of their personal data. We greatly value all of our Jack’d users throughout the world and wish all in our community a happy and healthy pride,” Segel added.

what was your name there?

FUN FACTS: The game was three minutes short of the longest 9-inning game in history, also Yankees-Red Sox, during which I did an hour and 51 minutes on the stationary bike at the gym, which came during the brief stretch in which I was physically fit. Edwin Encarnacion of the Yanks started the season playing for Seattle. Seattle began their season playing the A’s in Tokyo. So he is now the first man to play major league baseball on 3 continents in one year.

They attended and met the teams before the game. The Yankees presented the Duke and Duchess of Sussex with pinstripes for Baby Archie.

Well, the largest crowd to see a baseball game in 2019 came out in steamy London (87 degrees) and they got a football score, 17-13, the highest-scoring game this year. The 2000th game between the Yanks & Bosox was their second-highest scoring ever. The Yanks exploded out of the box, knocking out the Sox’ starter after 7 batters. 6-0 Yanks. Then the Red Sox came up. It took them eight batters to return the favor. 6-6. It was the first time in the majors in 30 years that each team had scored at least 6 in the first. The Yanks built it to 17-6, then held on for the win. And, since it’s the 2019 Yankees, of course they suffered another big injury (Luke Voit), a few days after Giancarlo Stanton (who’d been back for 6 games, after missing 2 1/2 months) hurt his knee; he won’t be back until August. So much for having the offense back together. At least by winning 12 of 13, they’re up 7 on Tampa (8 in the loss column) and 10 on Boston (11 in the loss column). Now watch tomorrow be 0-0 after 9 innings. NOT!

Much like Prince Charles and Food Network’s “Pioneer Woman,” Taco Bell has successfully moved into the popular side-hustle of innkeeping. Reservations for the 70-plus rooms at Taco Bell’s pop-up hotel officially called “The Bell: A Taco Bell Hotel and Resort,” sold out in only two minutes after becoming available on Thursday, Taco Bell has officially confirmed. Marisa Thalberg, the Taco Bell global chief brand officer, described it as “one of the best expressions” of Taco Bell “fandom” the company has ever seen, per a statement obtained by USA Today. “We would like to extend a big ‘thank you’ for those who have come along on this journey with us and even though The Bell is sold out, we’ll have more to share on exclusive merchandise, food and more in the coming weeks so those unable to score a room can still experience the fun from home,” Thalberg stated. Taco Bell had originally announced plans for The Bell in May, promising Taco Bell-themed rooms and activities — as well as “Bell’hops and Baja Blasts, fire sauce and sauce packet floaties” — at the site of the temporary Palm Springs location. “Every element of the property will bring to life the Taco Bell brand and lifestyle — from guest rooms, the pool and outdoor bar, to a twist on the standard hotel amenities (Taco Bell breakfast in bed anyone?)” teased a subsequent press release, issued in June. Taco Bell had also shared a sneak peek at the inside of The Bell earlier this month, warning that reservations were expected to “full up fast” once booking was made available on Thursday, June 27. The hotel will officially open to guest on Aug. 8 and only for a limited time through Aug. 12. A message posted to Taco Bell’s website indeed confirms that rooms, which started at $169 per night, are no longer available. But don’t start crying into your chalupas just yet — Taco Bell claims fans can “still be part of the experience from home” by signing up for updates and possible merchandise from the Taco Bell hotel. In the meantime, maybe the Pioneer Woman still has rooms?

The London series between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox will feature a giant mascot race with a British spin. Winston Churchill, Freddie Mercury, King Henry VIII and the Loch Ness Monster will race around the warning track at London Stadium. The four were chosen by fans who voted on four categories of notable Brits -- cultural icons, legends, historical figures and monarchs. Mercury beat out William Shakespeare and John Lennon in the voting. Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, will attend Saturday's opener and will accompany competitors from the Invictus Games onto the field to throw out the first pitch. The Kingdom Choir, which stole the show at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, will perform the national anthem on Saturday. About 1,500 invited fans attended batting practice Friday. Movie director Spike Lee walked around in foul territory, while the grounds crew performed to the Village People's "YMCA," as they do in the Bronx. Delaware North, the stadium food contractor, brought over George Raub, a 39-year-old from Georgia, to teach staff how to hawk food in the stands. "It's all about showmanship and bringing them outside of their shell," Raub said. "Joked a little bit: If they've ever wanted to be a West End actor here in London, this is their chance to really showcase their skills." Players from both teams relished being able to do some sightseeing around the city without being recognized. Yankees slugger Aaron Judge said he walked near the London Eye and reliever Chad Green toured the Churchill War Rooms under the streets of Westminster. Boston outfielder Mookie Betts played golf and ate with his family at Borough Market, while Rick Porcello and Red Sox teammate Brandon Workman went to Camden Market, Shoreditch and Piccadilly Circus. "I was actually walking near the London Eye yesterday, and I ran into a couple people that had the Yankee hat on," Judge said. "They had no idea who I was or anything. I said this is all right. 'I'm Aaron, great to meet you.'" Boston manager Alex Cora and Yankees counterpart Aaron Boone went to Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard, and Cora visited Kensington Palace. A gala was scheduled for the Tower of London.

Woman charged with letting her cat lounge on front lawn A Utah woman is asking local law enforcement to let sleeping cats lie. Kate Anderson of Murray, a suburb of Salt Lake City, thought something had gone terribly wrong with her orange tabby, Milo, when she was visited by animal control officers. Instead, they handed her a citation — two misdemeanor charges — for allowing her cat to nap in her own front yard. Anderson, who says she considers Milo not just a pet, but part of the family, says he’s allowed to do as he pleases: “He’s got a cat door, so he just comes and goes and is a cat.” This past Monday went much like any other, with Milo seeing himself out to the lawn to relax outdoors. As the furball dozed, someone apparently snapped a photo and reported the so-called crime. When animal control received the report, they went to Anderson’s home and laid down the law. “I just got a ticket for my cat being outside, in my yard,” the befuddled cat mama tells KTSU. “This is a cat who is neutered and micro-chipped and vaccinated, and is not a menace to society.” Anderson summarizes the citation, saying, “That’s telling me I have to call for my court date … for my misdemeanors … of having my cat outside.” She was charged with two Class B misdemeanors: One for having an “animal at large” and another for “not having an animal license attached … Like a fugitive. Like he robbed a bank.” The Murray city ordinance, enacted in 1963, asserts it is illegal for any animal or pet to roam freely outdoors without a leash, even if it’s on property you own: “It is unlawful for the owner or person having charge, care, custody or control of any animal to allow such animal at any time to run at large. The owner or person charged with responsibility of an animal found running loose shall be strictly liable for a violation of this section and for any injury to a person or another animal, or property damage caused by such animal running at large, regardless of the precautions taken to prevent the escape of the animal and regardless of whether the owner or person charged with responsibility knows that the animal is running at large.” This law, Murray officials say, is to ensure the safety of others — so pet owners should provide sufficient warning to neighbors if an animal is “at large.” “I don’t think most people think it is illegal to let your cat outside under any circumstance,” Anderson says, claiming that the law was left conveniently ambiguous to allow officers room for interpretation. “It sounded like the ordinance was kept vague for a reason so if there are strange circumstances, they can do something about that, but this just feels like animal control being out of control,” she says. Anderson and the City Attorney for Murray, G.L. Critchfield, have filed a motion to dismiss the charges, which prosecutors say they will drop. Still, Anderson knows how much Milo likes to spend time outside, and wants to avoid this happening again in the future. “It’s definitely antiquated,” Anderson says. “I think, if anything, there needs to be some kind of addition or amendment to the ordinance excluding felines.” Critchfield doesn’t anticipate the ordinance being amended or wiped from the books anytime soon, but that won’t stop Milo from living his life. Anderson laughs while looking on at her convict kitty, saying, “There he is, back at the scene of the crime.”

Scientists discover fungus that’s turning cicadas into sex addicts A fungus which turns bugs into sex-crazed zombies has been discovered by scientists. Once cicada insects are infected with the Massospora cicadina virus, they will mate until their genitals fall off and they turn into “flying salt shakers of death.” This research was published in the journal Fungal Ecology. Scientists from West Virginia University in the US found that the fungus contained an amphetamine and a psychoactive chemical that caused a similar effect to magic mushrooms. Matt Kasson, a forest pathologist from the Universitysaid: “These psychoactive compounds were just two of less than 1,000 compounds found in these cicadas.” It’s thought that a small fraction of cicadas are infected when they emerge as adults from fungus spores in the soil or on the wings of other insects. This then develops into a full-blown infection that can encourage male hosts to flap their wings more so they attract more males and spread the disease. It also affects the cicada’s brain like a psychoactive drug so they turn into sex-crazed zombies and will not stop breeding until they die. They won’t even be deterred when their bodies start to go moldy and their genitals fall off. The scientists think that some chemicals in the fungus are suppressing the appetites of the infected insects so they think of nothing but sex. This study is important because the way the fungus works and its impact on the brain could aid new pharmaceutical discoveries. “We anticipate these discoveries will foster a renewed interest in early diverging fungi and their pharmacologically important secondary metabolites, which may serve as the next frontier for novel drug discovery,” Kasson said.