samhexum

COVID-19 no longer a top cause of US death — here’s what’s replaced it You invited the whole neighborhood over for a cook-out, didn't you?

Nicole Gelinas Don't romanticize Europe's unreliable high-speed rail With Paris closed this vacation season for the Olympics, what could be more fun for a train-lover like me than riding Europe’s reliable high-speed trains across the rest of the continent? Instead of enjoying spontaneous, easy travel, though, I’m getting an education. It turns out, one reason high-speed rail “works” in Europe is that its customers will put up with inconvenience and uncertainty that Americans would never tolerate. Germany’s Deutsche Bahn ICE — intercity express — trains seemed like a great place to start: The country has several cities a few hours away from each other, and a short ride from other European capitals as well. And the Germans must apply their world-famous precision to DB, the largest global railway, no? The German system, more than three decades old, rivals France’s high-speed lines for global status among railfans. The first ICE trip I take — a two-hour jaunt from Brussels to Cologne — goes well enough, although not without an ominous sign: It’s 10 minutes late departing and a few minutes late arriving, with no explanation. It’s most unlike the Japanese train company that, a few years ago, apologized for departing a few seconds early. But what should have been a four-hour journey from Cologne to Hamburg is a katastrophe. We arrive at the station and check the departure board; our train is nowhere to be found. It finally pops up, listed as about to leave five minutes late, and then 10 minutes late, and then 15 minutes late. Good thing I splurged the extra $60 or so for the first-class carriage, to relax in the DB Lounge for a bit. (That, and not sitting on top of strangers, is the only benefit you get in first class.) But no — the lounge is being “fixed,” replaced by a temporary lounge in a separate building that’s a 10-minute walk from the station. Unlike New York’s Penn Station, DB offers no waiting-room seating for passengers who wisely haven’t paid for the closed lounge, so you just stand around in the heat and noise. Finally, we get going. But the on-board screen — with no acknowledgement by train staff — informs us that our arrival will be 20 minutes late. Then 30. Then 40. Then an hour and five minutes. Then two hours. Then close to 2½ hours. A four-hour trip has turned into a nearly seven-hour odyssey. The only thing we get for this, the on-board café manager informs us, is free water. Not the chilled bubbly water that costs $4, but a warm box of water. Worse, the train silently takes on a mind of its own. It skips an important stop, causing people to miss a Berlin connection. It adds suburban stops, making us later. It terminates short of its scheduled final stop, so people heading there must find alternative transit. The strangest part is that nobody on board questions any of this. If Amtrak’s four-hour Acela train from New York to Boston were to run nearly three hours late — and, in decades of regular Acela trips, I’ve never had such an experience — passengers would demand an explanation. Why is the train delayed? Broken track, operator shortage, weather, sick passenger . . . give us a reason. But the weather has been perfect for days, and not a single reason is proffered. People accept this tardiness and diversion as normal. Yet a delayed, rerouted train is better than no train. Part of the fun of a rail-based vacation is that you don’t have to plan; when you’ve seen enough of one city, book passage to the next one. Nope: For three days straight, all trains from Hamburg to Denmark’s Copenhagen are booked. Our various legs of the journey also demonstrate that efficient, cheap rail travel requires packing people into cramped, uncomfortable spaces, to a degree that’s uncommon at home. Eurostar from London to Brussels crowds its ticketed passengers into a sweltering waiting room with inadequate seats (at least there are seats). An hour-long commuter-rail trip from Brussels to the medieval Belgian town of Bruges I had dinner there one night in 1990 is mostly spent standing in unventilated heat. Passengers open windows for DIY ventilation, so it’s also deafening. Things are no better in Italy, the European newspapers report, with vacationers complaining of long delays and crowding. Long-distance rail has its place in the transportation system, of course, in both Europe and the United States. Acela service has improved East Coast travel, for example. But high-speed rail is never going to rival the car for flexibility and cost on medium-length trips, or the plane for speed and cost on longer ones. If you’re able-bodied and non-elderly, and don’t have children to attend to, relying on rail may be a bemusing adventure. But it’s easy to see why most Europeans take summer trips by air (54%) and car (28%); only 10% rely on rails. Unless two seats open up on a train from Hamburg to Copenhagen soonish, I’ll be joining them. Nicole Gelinas is a contributing editor to the Manhattan Institute’s City Journal. 911 has been changed.wav crapfest.wav Here Comes Trouble.wav oh shit.wav Sorry...try something else.wav toilet flush.wav you're doing it wrong.wav

The “Catfish” host, 39, posted an Instagram on Saturday with details about the accident, in which he broke his neck, and photos of his brutal injuries. He explained that on Monday he was on his bike heading to his son’s school to pick him up when a crash with a truck occurred. “I broke my neck,” he continued. “C5 and C6 to be exact. Stable fractures. I’m not paralyzed. My hands were a question mark there for a minute but the human body is incredible and so are HUMANS.” https://nypost.com/2024/08/11/entertainment/nev-schulman-reveals-injuries-after-breaking-his-neck-in-bike-accide

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Dear Abby: I am a retiree with diabetes and heart trouble. My husband is disabled. I’m his sole caregiver when I have the energy to do it. Our adult daughter lives with us and works full time in the medical field on weekends. She does practically nothing around the house. The real problem is, we have four dogs. Two of them are large. All four spend a lot of time in the house. The youngest is a puppy that already weighs 50 pounds. She’s uncontrollable — jumping, biting, scratching my arms with her claws and barking. I’ve been a dog owner my entire life, and I have never seen another one behave like this. I was against getting the puppy but was outvoted by my husband and daughter. Of course, as soon as the novelty wore off, it became my responsibility to feed her, clean up her house-training messes and take care of her. I have begged my daughter to get her trained as she promised, but she always has an excuse. Abby, I am exhausted! I’m ready to say, “It’s the dog or me,” but I have nowhere else to go. My husband is barely mobile and is often confined to his bed. We had home health care last year, but that ended when Medicare would no longer pay. I can barely take care of him and do everything that must be done. The dog is just too much. Help! — Overwhelmed in Texas Dear Overwhelmed: I know you are exhausted, but enough is enough. For the sake of your own health, summon the strength to assert yourself. Is your daughter paying for her food and rent? If not, give her a list of chores you expect her to do — including starting dog-training classes with the animal she insisted become a member of the household. If she refuses, contact an animal rescue group to find it a new home. Then follow through. P.S. A large, undisciplined dog could cause you or your husband to trip and fall, and the result could be catastrophic. If your daughter decides to leave, she can take her canine wrecking ball with her. Problem solved. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN SUCH AN OBVIOUS SOLUTION… KILL THE BITCH, AND AFTERWARD, GIVE THE DOG AWAY. DEAR ABBY: I have a question about invitation etiquette. I want to invite family members and friends I haven’t seen or spoken with in a long time to my children’s birthday parties and special events like baptisms. However, I do not want to seem like I am soliciting gifts or money. I have heard that it is improper to request “no gifts” on the invitation because that assumes gifts would be given. What is proper etiquette for this? I want to see my family members, but I don’t want to offend them. — COME CELEBRATE IN NEW YORK DEAR CELEBRATE: I can’t see how family members who are invited to a child’s birthday party would be offended. If they want to attend, fine. If they can’t, so be it. However, children’s birthday parties do require some sort of gift, and it shouldn’t be a hardship to provide something. Relatives and friends whose children are invited to the party will automatically bring a gift. WHATEVER YOU DO, YOU WILL END UP A PARIAH… KIDS’ BIRTHDAY PARTIES ARE A HELLISH TRAP FOR PARENTS VIS-A-VIS GIFTS.

For the record, I think Alyson Hannigan would make a great Bette Midler in the role, though not such a great Whoopi Goldberg.

FamilyInsanity.wav flattery will get you anywhere.wav Get off the computer.wav self-destruct button.wav Thank you, precious!.wav That's the way I like it.wav toodle-oo.wav

Dear Abby: I am 43, and I have been talking to this guy for seven months. We agree that we aren’t dating, and we are best friends with benefits. But it seems as though we spend all our time together and that we are basically dating, but without the title. How do I get this commitment-phobe to realize we should be together without actually telling him? It would scare him off. — Lacking Status in New Jersey Dear Lacking SLUT: To you, the relationship you have with this guy seems like dating. To him, it’s friends with benefits. Nothing will change unless the two of you can have an honest conversation. If his way of handling it is to head for the hills — after seven months — then he really isn’t what you’re looking for. Sorry. WHY WOULD HE BUY THE COW WHEN HE CAN GET THE MILK FOR FREE? Dear Abby: I have a woman friend I take out to lunch every once in a while. I often pay the check. When she goes back home to her husband, he’s upset that she didn’t bring something back for him. He tells my friend, “It’s what partners do.” Abby, these people are not without food or the means to get it. Neither one is starving, and he doesn’t bring back anything for her when he goes out. What are your thoughts on this? — Not Buying for Two Dear Not Buying: The next time you take this friend to lunch, if she asks to order something for her husband, tell her it’s fine with you, but his portion of the check will be on HER. P.S. And if “that’s what partners do” for each other, it shouldn’t be a one-way street. What a manipulator! WTF? LET HER ORDER SOMETHING FOR HIM, THEN WHEN SHE’S NOT LOOKING, PUT LAXATIVES AND/OR RAT POISON IN IT. Dear Abby: I am the mother of a daughter, “Rebecca,” I placed for adoption when I was a teenager. Long story short, we have reunited. We not only have a wonderful relationship, but I have a great relationship with Rebecca’s adoptive mom, and my husband and children (with my husband) all have an open and caring relationship with her. Fast-forward to my recent visit with Rebecca. She and I were out, and we ran into a friend of hers. She introduced me by saying, “This is Sally, my birth mother.” I had no problem with it and received a warm reception from her friend (who, I think, did have some “backstory” knowledge). However, my later thoughts led me here: If the situation would be reversed, and I would be introducing her to someone, what do I say? There’s NO term for our “status.” I think of her as my daughter, but most people who have known me and my husband for 30 years or so don’t know I had a child as a teenager. I love Rebecca, who is 50 now. Why isn’t there a term to describe who she is to me (without long explanations)? I feel like this relationship needs a term, too. — Reunited in Louisiana Dear Reunited: Try this on for size: When you introduce your daughter to someone who hasn’t met her before, say, “I’d like you to meet THE PROOF THAT I WAS A TRAMP AS A TEENAGER, my oldest daughter, Rebecca.”

Geez, @BOZO T CLOWN, why not write that Billy Beane was going to play the role? Caryn Johnson

Farmers carve ‘Peanuts’ comic characters in corn mazes nationwide to celebrate 75th anniversary Maize mazes!

I'm making the most of my Walmart+ 30 day free trial and have gotten 10 boxes delivered from my nearest superstore, which really isn't so near, over the course of 3 grocery deliveries. That'll hold me for a bit because I tend to binge-buy, get tired of and ignore, then eventually get back into things I have a hard time getting or an opportunity to get a lot of cheaply.

Gabriel Olds Law & Order: Special Victims Unit S5.E1 When a pregnant woman is kidnapped and carjacked, the squad thinks, at first, that she's the latest victim of a serial rapist, only to realize that she's the victim of an intricate ransom plot. Law & Order S4.E6 While investigating the death of a building superintendent, Briscoe and Logan discover that the victim's teenage son may have been abusing him. The son, however, claims that he was the abuse victim. https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/hollywood-actor-gabriel-olds-charged-7-counts-sexual-assault-accused-using-fame-lure-victims https://ktla.com/news/local-news/hollywood-actor-arrested-amid-allegations-of-violent-sexual-assault/

DEAR ABBY: During my entire 40-year marriage, I have wondered if my husband is bisexual. He met his friend “Ernie” around the same time he met me. My husband has always had female friends as well as Ernie. When he came home late, I’d accuse him of having affairs with his female co-workers. We have stayed together, although there have been a lot of arguments. Years ago, my brother-in-law went golfing with my husband and Ernie. My brother-in-law told me my problem wasn’t another woman — it was a man. When I asked why he thought that, he said my husband and Ernie were in their own little world. He said he wasn’t jealous of their friendship, but it was just his opinion. To cut to the chase, not long ago, my husband and three other friends went on a golf trip. There was a king-size bed in the master bedroom, a second bedroom with two queen-size beds, and a sofa sleeper. I asked my husband about the sleeping arrangements, and he said one slept on the couch, one in the room with two queen beds, and he and Ernie shared the king-size bed. When I asked what the other guys thought about the two of them sleeping in the same bed he yelled, “I don’t care what they thought!” I said, “And it appears you don’t care what your wife thinks either.” My husband has always said, “There isn’t another woman. You know I love you.” He has always denied being bi. He makes me feel like I’m crazy. Please tell me what you think. — FINALLY FED UP IN DELAWARE DEAR FED UP: For two men to share a bed when there is another option is, in my opinion, questionable. Never having met your husband, I hesitate to state whether he is or isn’t cheating on you with Ernie. Being bisexual does not make a person an adulterer. If he were to confirm your suspicion that he is bisexual, would it change your longtime marriage? WHO CARES WHETHER YOUR HUSBAND IS BI? CAN YOU LIVE WITH A MAN WHO IS STUPID ENOUGH TO HAVE TOLD YOU THE TRUTH ABOUT THE SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS? THAT, my friend, is the $64,000 question. DEAR ABBY: I admire your wit and appreciate your candor SUCK UP!, which is why I’m writing to you. I’ve been dating a man for 4 1/2 years. He’s 56; I’m 60. I hope for a life with him, marriage, a place of our own, etc. The only obstacle is his obligation to look after his aging parents and help them stay in their home, which he promised them years ago. At first, I was OK waiting for him to finish with them OFF and looking forward to a time for us. I tried to help. I even moved into his parents’ home with the three of them, as I am a certified home care aide, but his mother was impossible. Even though it was her idea that I move in, it became obvious that she didn’t want my help with anything. She even banned me from “her” kitchen. I spent six months there, sleeping in my own room, separated from my love, because in their world, if you’re not married and you’re having sex, you’re a sinner who’s going to hell. Of course, we were having sex discreetly WHORE!, but apparently not discreetly enough, because his mother was absolutely certain we were having sex in her house against her rules. WHAT RULES DOES SHE HAVE FOR SEX? Abby, it was a nightmare. There was more involved, but I was ultimately turned out of the house with no notice. LONG story short: I don’t know if I can wait much longer for the life with him I want. Who knows how long this will go on. I’m losing faith it will ever work out. What do you advise? — RESTLESS IN WASHINGTON DEAR RESTLESS: You and your boyfriend are adults and entitled to a sex life if you want one. That he allowed his controlling mother to “turn you out of the house with no notice” (!) and couldn’t find the courage to enlighten her that if you left, he would be out of there, too, should have been the wake-up call you needed to move on. Four and a half years has been long enough to wait. If you want the life you describe, your chances will be far better if you continue looking for a man who is available, because this one clearly isn’t. IN OTHER WORDS, KILL THE BITCH AND HER SON! DEAR ABBY: My son married a girl from Taiwan. She’s sweet but very uncultured. I have tried for more than 10 years to get along with her, but it has been very hard. We have nothing in common except my son. She doesn’t cook very often, or clean or do laundry. Her English is terrible. She dresses poorly, has no interest in her home and celebrates no holidays. We are never invited to dinner. We always entertain them. They have no children. Our relationship with our son is strong, but I have grown to dislike her. She does very little for him. Her interest in saving money at the expense of any enjoyment is sad. I don’t know what to do. Help, please. — DISAPPOINTED IN TEXAS DEAR DISAPPOINTED: OK, so she’s not your ideal daughter-in-law. Your son married this woman for a reason. SHE MUST BE A TOTAL FREAK IN BED! The question is, does she make him happy? If the answer is yes, SHE MUST BE A TOTAL FREAK IN BED! devote your energy to focusing on that rather than your negative feelings about her. And when you entertain them, rather than do it grudgingly, remember SHE MUST BE A TOTAL FREAK IN BED! you are doing it for him. (And smile.)

Golf cart rigged to simulate drunk driving goes wild, runs over 5 people at NJ police fair SUCCESS! NYC man torched Verizon van during wild road rage outburst — in front of his young child can you hear me NOW?

ABBA VOYAGE: My brother in law told me that the only video they produced for the album, in which they had the one minute clip of the ABBAtars, was their test run, and Frida never blinks during it. However, during the show, not only do they blink, they sweat. And each of them steps forward and talks to the audience at some point and he thinks AI is being used because it seems like they wait for the audience reaction to die down before they continue speaking.

My brother in law told me the only video they produced for the album, in which they had the one minute clip of the ABBAtars, was their test run, and Frida never blinks during it. However, during the show, not only do they blink, they sweat. And each of them steps forward and talks to the audience at some point and he thinks AI is being used because it seems like they wait for the audience reaction to die down before they continue speaking.

DUDE, DID YOU SEE WHO OUR NEW INTERIM MANAGER IS? He joins my list of managers I would've slept with: Lee Mazzilli, Gabe Kapler, Joe Girardi, Brad Ausmus Reasons to love baseball! Wrestler replied to marylander1940's topic in Legacy Gallery ...Aptly named Grady Sizemore. October 14, 2016 Your most handsome baseball player please... IndyGuy replied to armadillo's topic in Legacy Gallery Grady Sizemore still trips my trigger!! Formerly of the Cleveland Indians... http://intheneutralzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/grady-sizemore-baseball1.jpg September 11, 2014

What's your favorite fast food? CatDaddy replied to samhexum's topic in The Lounge WHATABURGER!!!! It's a Southern thing! “might throw in an Arby’s card” Beancounter replied to RyanDean's topic in The Lounge ... Whataburger (which I love) would be a five-star restaurant there. “might throw in an Arby’s card” + BenjaminNicholas replied to RyanDean's topic in The Lounge I only fuck for Whataburger gift cards What's your favorite fast food? Becket replied to samhexum's topic in The Lounge Whataburger, a Texas staple, is really good. Burgers are a tad better than the other fast food giants. But the service is always so friendly. I like how they come around to your table to offer you ketchup and sauces. And generally the place is really clean. For One Day Only, Whataburger Will Gift Fans a Limited-Edition Birthday Shake for FREE Exclusively Through the Whataburger App While Supplies Last

Apartment space in Queens among most costly in United States: report

https://nypost.com/2024/08/07/us-news/texas-man-hid-explosives-under-toilets-at-local-businesses-that-detonated-when-victims-sat-down/ I've heard of explosive diarrhea before, but…

The Yankees had a moment of silence for Billy Bean tonight. It would've been really awkward if they actually had it for Billy Beane.

Oh Yeah... They brought me an ABBA shopping bag, too.

@BOZO T CLOWN, notice that I wrote ALSO. @purplekow wrote that Billy Beane had died and that he was a good looking former athlete. I corrected him about the deceased and informed him about the other.

Martha was also part of an earlier duo with her friend, Betty Spray. 'Spray & Wash' were very popular on the all-night laundromat circuit for awhile in the 70s. Billy Beane was also a very handsome, intelligent, and talented athlete...