Que nos quiten lo bailao ← FREE KRAUT!

Que nos quiten lo bailao 286

Just wanted to throw a change-up here. I’ve been interviewed for my company’s newsletter, because I run a photo contest at Keysight, where employees submit their photographs and monthly winners are crowned. They asked me about the contest, about my roots in photography and in the end I was asked to pick some of the favorite pictures I shot and explain a bit how they came to light, which I wanted o share with you.

It’s totally irrelevant in a historic moment like the one we’re at, but perhaps a welcome breather for you too, before we go back to the impending apocalypse. The title is a saying in Spanish, loosely translating to “they can’t take away what we have already danced”. That’s the feeling I get with many of my favorite photographs and the stories behind them.

Anyway, dump away!


Sailing into Antarctica was the pinnacle of my sailing career. I had already crossed the Atlantic and had many thousand offshore miles behind me, but there is nothing like Drake Channel. There is an old sailing adage – below the 40th parallel there is no law, below 50th there is no God. We faced both the rage of Force 10 winds and the calm of (hopefully) eternal ice. Once in Antarctica, we moved mostly by motor, as we needed to make quick maneuvers, which enabled me to have an unobstructed view from the mast, hoping for a frame like this. It came, but not before I spent more than an hour up there waiting, confirming the fact that Antarctica is, indeed, very cold.


The first time I spent some time in the Amani Children’s Home in Moshi, Tanzania I was in Africa on a dare. A teammate challenged me to join him in climbing Kilimanjaro, which I managed even after he pulled out of the expedition. As with every peak I climb, I forged a bond with the Mountain, but an even deeper one with all the beautiful people of Amani, both the resilient children and selfless caregivers. While technically trivial, this picture manages to capture the moment with its full range of emotions – hope, responsibility, weariness.


Imagine Cool Runnings, only in Croatia instead of Jamaica. These four daredevils from the Dalmatian coast where it basically never snows or freezes, in the suits they borrowed from the skiing team, with helmets that appear collected from Craigslist and already on their third borrowed bobsleigh (they crashed the first two Italians had lent them) are about to tumble down one of the world’s fastest and most dangerous tracks with speeds approaching 100 mph. Good news, they all survived.

To take a picture like this you have to have good nerves, a strong back,? and good reflexes, as you have to lean over the ice edge, hook your feet so you don’t fall over and then get out of there before it’s too late?.


If it weren’t for Keysight, I probably never would have taken this picture. While on a business trip to AMC, I flew over to Sumatera for a weekend and traveled deep into the jungle to experience all kinds of amazing nature and wildlife. It was one of those occasions where I often thought to myself that a compact camera would actually be much better than my 20-pound photo backpack, as every single step I took in those three days was either a steep uphill or a steep downhill one, it was hot and humid and I was exhausted. It didn’t help that a house I found to stay the night hosted a Saturday live concert right below my bedroom. But then, a single look into this beauty’s eyes made it all worth it.


I spent about a month roaming through Gobi Desert with a friend. We went on horses, camels, and with an old Toyota, pitching our tent in the middle of nowhere every night. We had a rock collapse on us while climbing, we had a tense standoff with a pack of wild dogs, but we also met a few really nice people. This little girl’s grandfather shot a marmot in our honor and insisted that we get all the fat parts along with the cubes of fried butter to prepare us for the winter. This little beauty already had a couple of those behind her, her skin showing what it takes to survive temperatures of 20-30 degrees below zero.


I grew up on an island and did a lot of freediving as a teenager. That came in handy when I went snorkeling with the whale sharks off the coast of Mafia Island in Eastern Africa. Still trying to keep pace with those magnificent creatures proved to be a very tough task and I’m glad I got a few decent shots at all.


For a Croatian Skiing Team, this is a historic photo. On it, Ivica Kostelic is on his way to winning the first-ever World Championship medal in speed disciplines (Super-G) in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in 2011. For me, it’s one of the favorites because of all the levels of difficulty to make it.

Many don’t realize it, but ski photographers have to go down the same slopes as the world best skiers. These are some of the world’s most difficult ones, with the added factor that on the race day they are turned into pure ice. We don’t carry poles, but instead a 40-pound backpack, so getting to our workplace is already a challenge. We have to be at our places about an hour before the race starts which is plenty of time for our fingers to freeze before we need them for split second timing on the shutter. I went for an additional challenge here and shot this using panning (moving the camera during the shot alongside the racer to make him look still and give the background a motion blur). I was also a bit lucky, managing to freeze him completely in the air and to capture the look of determination.


I was already in Uganda writing a story about their Little League baseball team when I decided to travel cross-country to the border with Rwanda and DR Congo to experience first-hand one of only 800 Mountain Gorillas remaining in the world. Getting across Uganda in an old car is a highly recommendable experience, yet nothing like the awe you feel in the presence of one of these magnificent creatures. The combination of brute physical strength and the gentle, warm, human-like eyes is haunting.

Because survival is insufficient

286 thoughts on “Que nos quiten lo bailao

  1. elcroata Jan 13,2021 8:29 am

    Because survival is insufficient
  2. andeux Jan 13,2021 9:16 am

    Good use of the “rhesus macaques” tag.
    And nice photos.

    TINSTAAFK
    • Future Ed Jan 13,2021 9:24 am || Up

      yes, they are great. and I recognized most of them

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  3. Future Ed Jan 13,2021 9:23 am

    av bait

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Glorious Mundy Jan 13,2021 9:34 am || Up

      I am admittedly not a comic book guy, but I have come to assume that the Punisher logo = white supremacist or dangerous vigilante or something. I saw a truck with a giant one on its hood last week in Alameda and it sent a chill down my spine. I’m surprised that Disney hasn’t done more (or anything?) to protect its trademark.

      • AV Jan 13,2021 9:55 am || Up

        you put that on, you’re a righteous vigilante fighting for good no matter the odds, adversary, or rules you break.

        that’s why cops wear them.

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • AV Jan 13,2021 9:53 am || Up

      me?

      i don’t get it?

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • Future Ed Jan 13,2021 10:16 am || Up

        bowling. He runs a bowling alley. He is a white power guy. I was told, that the thing we should do with white supremacists is take them…bowling.

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
        • AV Jan 13,2021 11:02 am || Up

          ohhhhhhhhhhhhh.

          but not till he gets a haircut.

          *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  4. elcroata Jan 13,2021 9:43 am

    Jim Jordan asserting that the USA is the greatest country in the history of the world. I’m not even sure it’s in the Top 5

    Because survival is insufficient
    • Future Ed Jan 13,2021 10:17 am || Up

      white supremacy is a hell of a drug

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Glorious Mundy Jan 13,2021 11:51 am || Up

      He and his ilk don’t even believe that. They never stop complaining about how awful it is here. It’s been that way roughly since Obama took office, for some mysterious reason.

  5. elcroata Jan 13,2021 9:49 am

    I hadn’t seen the asshole’s McClintock’s facemask before. Also, claiming that by prosecuting Trump USA would turn to be a banana republic…

    Because survival is insufficient
    • vignette17 Jan 13,2021 11:27 am || Up

      Hey Tom McClintock! That’s my representative. Isn’t he great? Oh the joys of living in the Sacramento suburbs.

  6. elcroata Jan 13,2021 10:11 am

    Holly FK, Jeff Van Drew outfit!

    Because survival is insufficient
  7. Glorious Mundy Jan 13,2021 11:41 am

    Torn between weeping at the vast majority of the House R caucus beclowning themselves again for Trump, and feeling encouraged that at least half a dozen of them are voting to impeach him.

    • andeux Jan 13,2021 11:50 am || Up

      Half a dozen out of 200ish.
      And they need to get something like 16 out of 50 in the senate? I still don’t know what to make of the claim that McConnell is in favor. Seems like a trap.

      TINSTAAFK
      • Glorious Mundy Jan 13,2021 11:53 am || Up

        I lean toward he leaked it to make it seem like he is throwing Trump over, even though he isn’t going to actually do a thing to act on it. He’s basically throwing the trial in Schumer’s lap, and probably will end up saying “Biden is president now, whatever.”

        • Glorious Mundy Jan 13,2021 3:16 pm || Up

          Got to 10. Shouts to the guy who voted with the objectors even after the attack and with the impeachers a week later. Quite a journey.

  8. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 13,2021 12:05 pm

    ec these photos are beautiful, and the best life you’ve lived so far to put yourself in these positions is inspirational. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • elcroata Jan 13,2021 12:18 pm || Up

      Thanks, FSU!

      I’m a little weary of posting too much lately, but I’m not allowed to do any sports due to COVID-19 restrictions, and I’m going a bit crazy. So glad you liked them and the stories behind them!

      Because survival is insufficient
      • elcroata Jan 13,2021 12:24 pm || Up

        Not too weary, though, heh. Here’s another one…

        I got a lot of comments after the newsletter came out. most of them in a vein of “how blessed is your life and how lucky to have all these opportunities”. I don’t disagree and I didn’t want to kill the mood with stories about other parts of my life, but even for the pictures above – I think sometimes the work behind the scenes to make them happen goes unappreciated.

        So, here’s another little story about how the bob-sleigh picture came to be.

        My little cousin, Natko Zrncic Dim (god luck pronouncing that), was one of the medal contenders in the Vancouver Olympics. There was no way in hell I was not gonna be there. At the time, I was already taking pictures of the Croatian Ski team for a couple of years, but the problem was that all of Croatia was given two photographers accreditations for the Games. That problem got solved when people realized what it would cost to send a journalist to Vancouver. It was crazy – roadside motels that usually charged $30-$50 a night were suddenly sold out at a price of $500 a night, and every other price spiked accordingly.
        So, one problem solved – I could get accredited, as everybody else balked. New problem arose, I couldn’t afford it.

        I tried everything – hotels and motels far out, private accommodation, ships docked in Vancouver harbor, camping sites. Nothing that I could afford without selling at least six or seven kidneys. Finally, I realized that RV rentals in the USA had normal prices, unlike their Canadian counterparts. Also, there was a camping site in the woods outside of Whistler, that they tried to build for the Games but didn’t manage to do it in time.

        So, I rented a RV in Seattle (size of a fucking house) and drove it across the border, up the winding and snowy roads of Whistler to a clearing in the forest some 20 miles away from all the venues, where a good-hearted lady was happy to get some money although they never finished building the site. She had a dog, Blackie. Blackie, she told me, was very important, because his barking kept the bears away. Well, most of the times, it did.

        Every time I went to shoot a race, I had to walk five miles through the woods to the main road, in my ski boots, with my skis on my shoulder, my 40-pound backpack on my back, with a headtorch so I could see where I was going and then wave wildly so the media bus would stop and pick me up, full of people who never quite understood where I appeared from. Then in the night, the same walk back, hoping that Blackie had a good day.

        Because survival is insufficient
        • Future Ed Jan 13,2021 12:31 pm || Up

          Honestly, I was thinking about how much work it would take to get to all those situations. The planning, the training, the travel.

          You know you have to start planning your 50 year circumnavigation soon.

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
        • 5Aces Jan 13,2021 4:08 pm || Up

          I can understand a man of action like you being weary of just typing. But know that you could send out a story an hour and I would read every one of them. And I dont think I am alone.

          Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
      • Glorious Mundy Jan 13,2021 12:28 pm || Up

        I will take all the posts you can give me. Just hook them to my veins.

        The photos are, indeed, fantastic. The bobsled one is especially great.

        • elcroata Jan 13,2021 12:38 pm || Up

          I saw that one in the offices of Croatian Olympic Committee, about two meters wide. It did look pretty cool

          Because survival is insufficient
  9. Future Ed Jan 13,2021 12:14 pm

    the republicans seem to like boo black women that go long

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • ptbnl Jan 13,2021 12:18 pm || Up

      To them, a black woman starting is going too long.

      If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
  10. Glorious Mundy Jan 13,2021 2:12 pm
  11. AV Jan 13,2021 2:48 pm

    who’s this little guy wearing pele’s shirt??

    *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • AV Jan 13,2021 2:52 pm || Up

      he really really looks like a guest little leaguer.

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • AV Jan 13,2021 3:30 pm || Up

        he can score like a fucker tho.

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  12. Future Ed Jan 13,2021 6:32 pm

    I mean, it’s just a formality, but nice to see it’s official.

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 13,2021 6:42 pm || Up

      This makes me irrationally happy.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • Future Ed Jan 13,2021 8:05 pm || Up

        its also funny that the white house counsel is saying he wont represent trump in impeachment II. thinking about it, he ain’t gonna pay anyone and has very limited access to cash. only the crazy’s will do it.

        I think we are about to see him liquidate all assets and offshore them, guiliani et al are surely owed something, it’s a campaign violation if its an in kind contribution, he will get some kind of judgement in his favor if he sues.

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
        • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 13,2021 8:17 pm || Up

          The $200M they raised after Nov 3 will help. Maybe he’s so tarnished now that no one will pay him to be their talking head, but I dunno, the media is famously forgiving that way. Oliver North and Mark Fuhrman both got gigs.

          "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • elcroata Jan 14,2021 8:30 am || Up

      LOL

      Because survival is insufficient
  13. Glorious Mundy Jan 14,2021 9:13 am
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 14,2021 9:26 am || Up

      I don’t see the problem here, years of British costume dramas have taught me that you never let the servants use the upstairs facilities. Make ’em shit in a ditch in the yard.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • ptbnl Jan 14,2021 9:31 am || Up

        It was indeed a basement apartment next door.

        If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
  14. Glorious Mundy Jan 14,2021 10:01 am

    Yay?

    • andeux Jan 14,2021 10:54 am || Up

      16-year-olds dude. Or maybe 17 by now. We sure do like our lottery tickets.

      TINSTAAFK
      • Glorious Mundy Jan 14,2021 11:15 am || Up

        That’s what I love about these international prospects, man. We get older, they stay the same age.

  15. Future Ed Jan 14,2021 10:44 am

    “Hello nice FBI Lady”

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 14,2021 11:04 am || Up

      If you call them nice they HAVE to tell you if they actually aren’t.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Glorious Mundy Jan 14,2021 11:20 am || Up

      /Jerry Lewis voice

  16. andeux Jan 14,2021 10:54 am

    TINSTAAFK
    • Future Ed Jan 14,2021 11:26 am || Up

      You doubted Forst was serious about fielding a playoff caliber team

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • elcroata Jan 14,2021 11:33 am || Up

      I find the term “in exchange for cash considerations” hilarious. I imagine that’s how Trump buys things, then he reconsiders and there is no cash.

      Because survival is insufficient
      • Glorious Mundy Jan 14,2021 11:38 am || Up

        It also suggests that Forst is going to show up with a briefcase full of bills when picking up the player.

    • Soaker Jan 14,2021 3:19 pm || Up

      Moving letters all around and substituting every sound gives us a “Nil Turkey”. Looking through his career, which is extensive at the minor league level, he delivers nearly all of Diekman’s bases on balls without the pesky K’s.

      Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
  17. AV Jan 14,2021 11:12 am

    omg. phrenology is back.

    *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • Glorious Mundy Jan 14,2021 11:51 am || Up

      New Andrew Sullivan newsletter dropped?

      • AV Jan 14,2021 12:17 pm || Up
        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
        • elcroata Jan 14,2021 12:35 pm || Up

          Crazy. Also, what’s with the umlaut in coordination?

          […]appear to be members of militia groups, acting with a degree of coördination[…]

          […]looming threat of further coördinated violence […]

          Because survival is insufficient
          • Glorious Mundy Jan 14,2021 12:36 pm || Up

            New Yorker style guide quirk.

            • elcroata Jan 14,2021 12:46 pm || Up

              Indeed

              We do change our style from time to time. My predecessor (and the former keeper of the comma shaker) told me that she used to pester the style editor, Hobie Weekes, who had been at the magazine since 1928, to get rid of the diaeresis. She found it fussy. She said that once, in the elevator, he told her he was on the verge of changing that style and would be sending out a memo soon. And then he died.

              Because survival is insufficient
          • andeux Jan 14,2021 12:39 pm || Up

            Diaeresis.

            TINSTAAFK
    • andeux Jan 14,2021 11:53 am || Up
      TINSTAAFK
      • AV Jan 14,2021 12:25 pm || Up

        i have twitter blocked during work hours but that handle is from vineland and i’m so intrigued. come on, 6 pm!

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
        • andeux Jan 14,2021 12:38 pm || Up

          It is. But you already follow that account (me).
          It was just a comment from 5 years ago about a tech startup that was re-inventing phrenology.

          TINSTAAFK
          • AV Jan 14,2021 12:47 pm || Up

            lol. i never noticed.

            *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
            • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 14,2021 12:49 pm || Up

              If I recall correctly andeux used to be Glorious Mundy on Twitter, confusing many several.

              "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
              • AV Jan 14,2021 12:55 pm || Up

                there’s triads of us.

                TRIADS!

                *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
              • Soaker Jan 14,2021 3:15 pm || Up

                It was about the seventh or eighth time I got confused about it that andeux finally threw up his hands and switched.

                Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
                • Glorious Mundy Jan 14,2021 3:18 pm || Up

                  uh…my bad. sorry about that.

                • andeux Jan 14,2021 4:11 pm || Up

                  I blame the japanese guy who took @andeux before I got there.

                  TINSTAAFK
                • AV Jan 14,2021 5:51 pm || Up

                  @therealandeux

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • ptbnl Jan 14,2021 5:59 pm || Up

                  andeuxactual

                  If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 14,2021 12:02 pm || Up

      I assume you’re referring to the new Nature article, also summarized here. From the abstract:

      Political orientation was correctly classified in 72% of liberal–conservative face pairs, remarkably better than chance (50%), human accuracy (55%), or one afforded by a 100-item personality questionnaire (66%).

      I remain skeptical. My brothers and I share very similar facial characteristics and very different political ones.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • elcroata Jan 14,2021 12:15 pm || Up

        From the way I read it, they are not analyzing people, they are analyzing photographs of people. So, not facial characteristics, but facial expressions.

        “Head orientation and emotional expression stood out: Liberals tended to face the camera more directly, were more likely to express surprise, and less likely to express disgust,” Kosinski wrote in author’s notes for the paper.

        Because survival is insufficient
      • colin Jan 14,2021 12:34 pm || Up

        In the abstract they first report 72% accuracy, but then say “Accuracy remained high (69%) even when controlling for age, gender, and ethnicity.” I guess 69% is not so different from 72% but any number that doesn’t control for age, gender, and ethnicity is total garbage, given how strongly those three things correlate with political orientation.

  18. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 14,2021 11:49 am

    I don’t know about the rest of you but I think I’ve heard more than enough about Mitch McConnell whipping members.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  19. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 14,2021 12:48 pm

    Maybe the rest of you real futbol fans knew this, but I did not. Long read from Defector on the definitive photo of Maradona’s Hand of God and how the credit was taken away from the guy who took it.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • elcroata Jan 14,2021 10:31 pm || Up

      It was a fascinating read, thanks for sharing it! Fuck Bob Thomas!

      When I shot ski races there were always agencies there. Getty, AFP, Zoom… Sometimes, a free-lancer would have a unique photo, mostly if it was a fall or hooking a gate, that the agency photographers didn’t have. If the skier involved was famous enough, and preferably American (Lindsey Vonn, Bode Miller) the photograph could be sold on the spot to Getty for something like $500. They would keep the photographer credit, though.

      Because survival is insufficient
  20. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 14,2021 6:38 pm

    I’m watching the Sharks season debut, up 1-0 early vs the Coyotes. They have fans in the stands in Arizona, which has the worst current COVID infection rate in the US right now, by far.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  21. Glorious Mundy Jan 15,2021 9:42 am

    These people. I swear to god.

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 15,2021 10:09 am || Up

      Turns out that the rightist who calls himself Baked Alaska attended knowing he was COVID positive, streamed himself and numerous co-conspirators live inside the capitol (all maskless of course), and because he hasn’t been arrested yet is now being accused by his fellow fascists of snitching to the FBI.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • Glorious Mundy Jan 16,2021 9:44 am || Up

        Well now he’s arrested.

      • Glorious Mundy Jan 27,2021 2:15 pm || Up

        Hmm

        Federal prosecutors accused Douglass Mackey, 31, of coordinating with co-conspirators to spread memes on Twitter falsely claiming that Hillary Clinton’s supporters could vote by sending a text message to a specific phone number.

        The co-conspirators were not named in the complaint, but one of them was Anthime Gionet, a far-right media personality known as “Baked Alaska,” who was arrested after participating in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to a person briefed on the investigation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation.

    • Future Ed Jan 15,2021 11:12 am || Up

      She was the one that was so economically anxious she flew to DC in a private jet with another couple.

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • Glorious Mundy Jan 15,2021 7:22 pm || Up

        • Future Ed Jan 15,2021 7:32 pm || Up

          Privilege hath no fury like a realtor charged with trespassing

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
        • ptbnl Jan 15,2021 7:47 pm || Up

          What’s most extraordinary is her expectation that Trump cares about *her* in the slightest.

          If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
          • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 15,2021 8:38 pm || Up

            Trump could go full heel and pardon all the rioters. But he appears to have become aware, finally, of how badly this is destroying his assets.

            "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  22. Future Ed Jan 15,2021 11:29 am

    Not gonna search for the willie brown discussions, so here you go. Good thing the Chron fought against Prop 8 to keep him on the payroll

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 15,2021 11:33 am || Up

      I agree that Willie’s column was an ethical quagmire which seemed dubious for a staid outlet like the Chron. I also made a point of reading it every week.

      With him and Matier gone the value from my Sunday newsprint delivery edition is rapidly vanishing. WIll probably convert to online only soon, or try out the East Bay Times instead.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • Soaker Jan 15,2021 1:16 pm || Up

        I saw this on Slusser’s Twitter feed (before I deleted that from my bookmarks) and was thinking, who does still work there anyway?

        Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
        • Glorious Mundy Jan 15,2021 1:32 pm || Up

          The top editor, who really did a lot to improve the paper, left last year, and they are obviously trying to go younger/cheaper now. Like FSU, I’m thinking hard about dropping the physical paper if it starts to feel noticeably thinner, because it sure ain’t cheap.

          • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 1,2021 10:35 am || Up

            Yesterday was Matier’s final column, and today I cancelled the Sunday delivery. There’s just not much value left from a Sunday paper without informative columnists and with Slusser covering the other guys.

            First time in at least 25 years I haven’t had some kind of physical newsprint subscription. I have saved up several weeks worth for starting charcoal.

            "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
            • Soaker Feb 1,2021 11:17 am || Up

              Isn’t the East Bay Express still around? That was my go-to when I needed to protect something for a Superglueing or painting project or the like.

              The last time I bought a dead-tree edition regularly was as a daily BART commuter. The company relocated to an industrial park far from a BART station in 2003, I had to start driving every day (which I despised) and I haven’t bought a physical newspaper more than a handful of times since then.

              Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
              • 5Aces Feb 1,2021 11:37 am || Up

                Since moving down south I have only bought the paper for Black Friday ads-so maybe 2x a year. This last year the Thanksgiving paper was about the size of what a normal weekday used to be including ads. I really think I will not buy another one unless a team wins the championship.

                Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
            • andeux Feb 1,2021 4:25 pm || Up

              TINSTAAFK
              • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 1,2021 4:50 pm || Up

                Thank goodness I didn;t cancel the online subscription. Otherwise I would have missed this article by a short sportswriter listing nine all-time greats who were also short, by way of flattering the now retired short Pedroia.

                "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  23. Future Ed Jan 15,2021 11:53 am

    Two years ago I would have been a little sad, Happy with the GIDPs and pop ups, but a little sad

    Not so much anymore

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  24. batgirl Jan 15,2021 12:06 pm

    These photos are AMAZING. So with that gorilla, how close were you? Very majestic.

    • elcroata Jan 15,2021 1:55 pm || Up

      Thanks so much!

      Very close. In the moment when the photo was taken probably some 10 feet, but there were moments when we were closer. And as I love storytelling, here goes…

      I got up very early and joined a group of rangers who had a basic idea where the gorillas would be. Turns out, mountain gorillas have a pretty periodic diet, so those in the know can tell what kind of vegetation they will be after and make educated guesses where to go to. This is pretty important, as you can advance only very slowly through very thick vegetation and have to cut your way quite often (it’s not called “Impenetrable forest” for nothing). So after some five or six hours we managed to come very close to them. Of course, they saw us before we saw them and what happens then is that they climb the trees and observe.

      So we basically just stood there for a while and then the silverback slowly came down one of the trees and started just casually strolling among us. Basically marking the territory and establishing dominance. Not that there was any doubt, mind you. I later saw him snap a banana tree as thick as a leg in half using just one arm (interesting side note – they do that and suck the juices from the core for fun). During that time you sort of just stand there and look to the ground, kind of like when your mother rants after you got in a fight or something. Once that is done, the whole family (there were 18 of them in Habinanya family, the one I met) comes down and basically treat you like air.

      I was instructed by the rangers to keep my distance and I did, the best I could. I never came to closer than 15 feet which was what we were aiming for in terms of distance, but they often came towards me and there was no place to go. At one point one of the adult females passed so close by that we basically brushed. I was with them for only one hour, both because we still had a long way to walk to the camp and because the rangers want to limit the exposure to humans, so they stay alert, as there are many poachers there (as the matter of fact, we had a gunfire standoff with them a couple of days later).

      Because survival is insufficient
      • vignette17 Jan 15,2021 2:30 pm || Up

        Incredible. So what is your countries visited total these days? Since you obviously have the hardest one, I’m assuming you’ve checked off every continent.

        What’s the top three activities recommendations in those travels?

        • elcroata Jan 15,2021 10:04 pm || Up

          I did do all seven continents, with the last one (Australia) the part of our wedding anniversary trip that took us to meet some of the FKers while we stayed with Ed in SF.

          I think the country count is just above 60. Of course, it helps that I now get to count 6-7 (not sure how Kosovo is doing in the terms of international recognition these days) in the territory of former Yugoslavia alone. Europe definitely drives the count upwards, and I’m sure I could pick some 30 of those 60 countries whose combined area is smaller than that of the US.

          I’m a sucker for nature and for seeing the animals in their own natural habitat, so if I had to pick three, it would probably be penguins everything in Antarctica, whale-sharks in Mafia and gorillas in the Impenetrable Forest, as each of these is just a surreal, awe-inspiring experience of appreciation of both their majesty and our own insignificance.

          If I had to mix it up a little, I’d add the Trans-Siberian. It’s almost meditative in its slowness, but not because the train itself is slow. One gets to appreciate the vastness of the land, where the train moves basically without stopping for almost a week and you see the same birches over and over again.

          Because survival is insufficient
          • AV Jan 16,2021 12:00 pm || Up

            i have an aunt who’s been to the 7 continents. she was funny. odd funny. she is still married to a very feminine husband, which makes sense because she’s very masculine. and she wouldn’t travel with him but with another somewhat masculine woman. not sure what their identities would be now-a-days, but, same side of the family, 1 generation lower, i have a cousin who grew up a boy but, after a long marriage and 2 adopted sons, transitioned in her 60s to the lady she is today.

            aaaanyway, i thought she was a master traveller, explorer of culture. so when i saw her in ’95 i asked her, how do you do it, what’s the secret?

            her story: first thing, don’t eat the local food. (exactly where my jaw dropped. i was like, you’ve been to china, japan, ethiopia… no local food??) coffee, tea, sure, but not the food—unless it’s italy. her sister was a nun in rome. what you do is take a small suitcase, something you can run with. pack it with saltines and tuna cans. a jar of something sweet. and 1 change of clothes for temperature. (she loves her muu-muus.) then as you eat your suitcase empty, you buy local crafts or knicknacks. and you go on excursions but never so far you can’t get back to your hotel in a cab.

            the only place this makes sense to me is antartica. i kept asking about specific places and what rad things she’d seen. she kept going, nope, just stayed downtown or with friends.

            *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
            • elcroata Jan 16,2021 12:19 pm || Up

              Haha, che personaggio!

              Because survival is insufficient
              • AV Jan 16,2021 12:34 pm || Up

                she is. she’s also the family historian and keeper of the written tree.

                i should call her.

                *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
            • Glorious Mundy Jan 16,2021 12:24 pm || Up

              My MIL is like that on the eating thing. Traveled all over the world on a tanker ship with her husband. Japan, the Middle East, Mexico. Brought back tons of tchotchkes, tried almost none of the food.

              • elcroata Jan 16,2021 12:37 pm || Up

                My MIL (TIL “MIL”) is celebrating 50th wedding anniversary today. She and my FIL used to travel a lot throughout Europe as their daughters were small. They were on a budget so mostly slept in tents on campsites and cooked for themselves, but would always plan for a couple of dinners in local restaurants, pubs and such. Didn’t (and still don’t) understand shit of any foreign language. So it was always just randomly choosing stuff from the menu and then just going with it.

                Because survival is insufficient
              • AV Jan 16,2021 12:41 pm || Up

                latin americans, not always as adventurous as you’d think!

                *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
          • vignette17 Jan 18,2021 2:53 pm || Up

            Bucket list updated! I know you were asking for some travel tips for Australia/NZ way back when, but I’m pretty sure that’s the only part of the world I have you beat. If you do go back, I have a couple things to heartily recommend.

            I think the other adventure I eventually might want to do is cage diving with great whites. There are a couple of companies offering out of SF that I considered a year ago. Then the little one came along, and he probably should be a teensy bit older before going on that adventure. That said, the whale sharks probably have your adrenaline spiking anyways and at least you don’t have those pesky bars in the way.

            • elcroata Jan 18,2021 10:25 pm || Up

              I’ll let you know! Thanks! I did spent some 5 weeks in NZ, but as far as Australia goes, I can’t really say I’ve been there, just in Sydney for a week or so. So many things to do there…

              Because survival is insufficient
          • colin Jan 18,2021 7:20 pm || Up

            I need a ruling — does New Zealand count for continent Australia? What about layovers in the Sydney and Melbourne airports (and a quick plane change in Brisbane)? I have never been to Africa though…

            • elcroata Jan 18,2021 10:26 pm || Up

              I’d say yes on the first one and no on the second, but that’s just my $.02

              Because survival is insufficient
              • ptbnl Jan 19,2021 12:52 pm || Up

                Agreed.

                In the context of “visiting all 7 continents” all land has to be counted as being part of one of the 7, so New Zealand is part of Australasia and Oceania.

                The second one is more complicated – how long does a layover have to be before it counts as a visit? Waiting in Christchurch for a plane to McMurdo is a layover of sorts, but often long enough to count as a visit. And do you have to do anything as a visitor or does it count to have spent 2 weeks stuck in a hotel room in quarantine.

                If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
                • vignette17 Jan 19,2021 1:49 pm || Up

                  I think my ruling would be you have to do two things: eat a meal outside of an airport and spend a night. I technically could count China for this rule where I spent a one-night stay while flying to South Korea the next day, but it sure feels like cheating. Maybe it’s the classic “I know it when I see it.”

                  As for New Zealand, it counts (reluctantly).

                • elcroata Jan 19,2021 10:09 pm || Up

                  How about three months?

                  Because survival is insufficient
                • ptbnl Jan 19,2021 11:15 pm || Up

                  Pish – he didn’t even leave the country, let alone the continent.

                  If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
                • colin Jan 20,2021 6:49 am || Up

                  Even in pre-COVID days, the trip to Antarctica involved a minimum two nights in Christchurch on the way down… and that would frequently extend to three, four, five nights depending on weather and aircraft malfunctions.

      • colin Jan 15,2021 7:57 pm || Up

        I have a cousin who lives in Kigali. Her husband is involved with gorilla tours (I’m not sure if he works for the national park or if he is a guide with a private company). I would really love to see that some day.

        • elcroata Jan 15,2021 9:46 pm || Up

          Do it. You will feel the awe long after you have forgotten all the effort put into it.

          Because survival is insufficient
          • colin Jan 23,2021 7:18 pm || Up

            Update: my cousin, her husband, and their baby are coming back to the States to visit her parents. I am interested to hear what a Rwandan thinks about Rochester, MN, in February.

      • batgirl Jan 16,2021 3:21 pm || Up

        Thanks for telling the story. My absolute favorite travel always involves animals, so I love hearing your adventures. More adventurous than mine, for sure. My new goal post covid is to go back to Africa for some elephant time.

        • elcroata Jan 17,2021 9:25 am || Up

          Here’s one for you, then

          Not a close up, but I liked the sky at the moment.

          Because survival is insufficient
  25. AV Jan 15,2021 1:39 pm

    welp, that explains the VD.

    *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  26. Glorious Mundy Jan 15,2021 1:51 pm

    Today.

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 15,2021 3:15 pm || Up

      He’s totally learned his lesson this time.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • andeux Jan 15,2021 3:37 pm || Up

      The exposed notes thing seems to be happening a lot. Are they doing it on purpose?

      TINSTAAFK
      • Future Ed Jan 15,2021 4:29 pm || Up

        These people are not practiced and extremely dumb. I believe if it were on purpose, it would be more explicit

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
  27. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 15,2021 5:10 pm

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Future Ed Jan 15,2021 5:36 pm || Up

      Every american has the right to (bankruptcy) protection

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  28. elcroata Jan 15,2021 10:56 pm

    The Bills are the only home team to be the underdog, according to the FPI

    Because survival is insufficient
    • Soaker Jan 16,2021 9:51 am || Up

      It’s disappointing that we have games in Green Bay, Buffalo and Kansas City on January 16-17 and not a single snow or ice bowl in the bunch.

      Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
  29. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 16,2021 10:44 am

    There’s one sport (and maybe only one) where Bruce Jenkins is worth reading: surfing. Great profile of Peter Mel, legend of Mavericks, in an epic season, who just maybe caught the best wave ever there.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • AV Jan 16,2021 11:38 am || Up

      i’d trade my care for that ride.

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • sslinger Jan 16,2021 12:35 pm || Up

      I’m not the Jenkins hater that most of y’all are (I reserve my bile for Ostler), and totally agree that his surfing stories are great. I also like that he appreciates tennis and writes some good pieces about it and the people in the game.

  30. AV Jan 16,2021 12:09 pm
    *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • Future Ed Jan 16,2021 6:24 pm || Up

      there is no time for that

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  31. elcroata Jan 16,2021 12:33 pm

    Because survival is insufficient
    • batgirl Jan 16,2021 3:20 pm || Up

      Oh my god.

      • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 16,2021 3:35 pm || Up

        They may be evil but they aren’t geniuses.

        The truck he tried to drive into the secure zone had sticker which said “If they come for your guns, give ‘em your bullets first.”

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  32. Glorious Mundy Jan 16,2021 5:56 pm

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 16,2021 6:12 pm || Up

      This is weird, this is for the city-owned half of the site, which the A’s also have a bid to purchase. So he’s seemingly competing with the team. Or he’s a kind of team-friendly locally-connected option meant to contrast vs the team-unfriendly locally-connected groups who’ve expressed interest.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • andeux Jan 16,2021 6:12 pm || Up

      Stewart did not specify partners or other investors in his bid; he said that ultimately “there would be more for the kind of project we’d like to do — for that we’d need some big backing.”

      Sounds … aspirational.

      TINSTAAFK
      • Glorious Mundy Jan 16,2021 6:44 pm || Up

        “The bid is in and I need to turn in the vision, put the plans for the property on paper for the city to consider it properly,” Stewart said. “At some point I need to prove the financials, but that’s not a problem.”

        Yeah.

  33. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 16,2021 6:49 pm

    Well, I’ve seen less entertaining 3-3 first halfs. And though it’s no Ice Bowl, Soaker’s getting a nice howling wind off Lake Erie.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • andeux Jan 16,2021 6:56 pm || Up

      The swirling winds of Rich [as it will always be to me] Stadium.
      Guys have been open on long passes a couple times. Allen needs to hit one of them, even in the wind. And/or do a little better on converting 3rd-and-short, which is usually a strength with Diggs and Beasley.
      The defense has been great, but Jackson always scares me.

      TINSTAAFK
    • andeux Jan 16,2021 7:10 pm || Up

      Great drive to open the 2nd half.

      TINSTAAFK
    • doctorK Jan 16,2021 7:31 pm || Up

      That was a bit of a momentum shift.

  34. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 16,2021 8:17 pm

    Hooray Bills!

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • andeux Jan 16,2021 8:19 pm || Up

      WOOHOO!

      TINSTAAFK
    • andeux Jan 16,2021 8:25 pm || Up

      Now to delete all my 2018-2019 Josh Allen takes.

      TINSTAAFK
    • elcroata Jan 17,2021 8:43 am || Up

      Hey-o!

      Just seen the game, nice Sunday afternoon present!

      Because survival is insufficient
  35. batgirl Jan 17,2021 11:59 am

    EC did you see this twitter thread?

    • elcroata Jan 17,2021 12:07 pm || Up

      YES! Absolutely adorable (and some a bit nerve-wrecking, like the whole crew running away from the bear)

      Because survival is insufficient
      • batgirl Jan 17,2021 12:10 pm || Up

        I really love the ones where it looks like the animal is looking through the lens to snap a photo!

      • AV Jan 17,2021 12:24 pm || Up

        i’m worried about the woman kissing a rodent!

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • colin Jan 18,2021 7:32 pm || Up

        27 is pretty intense

  36. elcroata Jan 17,2021 12:55 pm

    Statistical milestones!

    Just a bit more than a year ago there were only five members of the exclusive FK 100/10,000 Club (100 posts, 10,000 comments).

    1. Name the FKer who joined them in December of 2019
    2. Name another FKer who joined the same club last November
    3. Name yet another FKer who projects to become only the third member of the FK 30,000 Comments Club later this month

    Because survival is insufficient
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 17,2021 5:32 pm || Up

      My memory would need to be able to distinguish last week from last year from last decade. Instead I have a pleasant nostalgic mush of all of you saying wonderful things all of the time while the A’s either totally suck or are Series-bound.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • andeux Jan 17,2021 5:37 pm || Up

        I cheated to look up which members of the larger spends-too-much-time-on-FK club were in which categories.
        There is an 8th member of the 100/10000 club, split over two different user ids (one of them just below the threshold by itself). That one is a little easier to guess.

        TINSTAAFK
        • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 17,2021 6:00 pm || Up

          8th member: over but low.

          "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
        • Soaker Jan 17,2021 9:25 pm || Up

          I didn’t think I would be in this “club” based on lack of posts, not comments, but the Game Thread posts do add up over 12 seasons. I think I’ve tried to take more than my share of the East Coast 4 p.m. starts because I’m home for some of those when most are at work (before WFH).

          It appears that I admitted one of the members of the club as well. (Edit: actually that was andeux.)

          Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
          • Soaker Jan 17,2021 9:46 pm || Up

            Looking back at that linked thread, which has almost 1000 comments: the A’s traded Andrew Bailey and Ryan Sweeney to the Red Sox that day for Josh Reddick, Miles Head and Raul Alcantara, nobody liked the trade, and simultaneously Toonces evidently did something which must have caused one of the last big exoduses from AN to FK.

            Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
            • Future Ed Jan 17,2021 10:55 pm || Up

              I mean, we knew already but damn 2015

              I have $5. No I don\'t.
            • 5Aces Jan 18,2021 8:44 am || Up

              I like grover saying how obviously Schlong wont help us contend in 2012.

              Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • 5Aces Jan 18,2021 8:41 am || Up

      Is there an exclusive lounge like the SNL 5 timers club? If so maybe I need to adjust my posting game to become our Jonah Hill. (He really hosted SNL 5 times?)

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  37. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 17,2021 6:00 pm

    This Saints-Bucs game is close and tense and well-played and I still can’t bring myself to care the slightest about who wins.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • andeux Jan 17,2021 6:21 pm || Up

      Same. Brady (+Gronk +AB) vs. Brees. Yuck.

      TINSTAAFK
    • andeux Jan 17,2021 6:33 pm || Up

      I can’t know what horrors the sports gods have in store, but making the SB and then losing to Brady/Gronk seems like a pretty plausible worst-case scenario.

      TINSTAAFK
      • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 17,2021 7:33 pm || Up

        That would fit the profile. At least it can’t be an NFC East team.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • Soaker Jan 17,2021 9:00 pm || Up

        I’m thinking bigger, what the politics gods have in store. Tom Brady: next GOP President.

        Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
  38. Future Ed Jan 17,2021 6:41 pm

    “I will keep my right to bear arms, my vehicle is an extension of my home in regard to constitutional law, I have a right to have those firearms in my car.”

    Someone hasn’t been keeping up with the news, let alone 4th amendment jurisprudence.

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  39. elcroata Jan 18,2021 6:36 am

    With Harden trade to the Nets, Deshaun Watson asking for one (and probably getting it) and Springer being linked to the Mets and the Blue Jays, it’s possible that the city of Houston loses $100m/yr worth of stars in under a month, each one form a different major sport, each one among 20 best in the league* and the best player in town**. This must be a first of its kind, if it happens, right?

    * In case of Springer, counting hitters only
    ** Also in case of Springer, that’s quite a stretch, but he’s not that far off

    Because survival is insufficient
    • vignette17 Jan 18,2021 2:46 pm || Up

      Couldn’t happen to a better set of fans*.

      *Texans possibly excluded.

    • elcroata Jan 19,2021 10:14 pm || Up

      Because survival is insufficient
  40. elcroata Jan 18,2021 10:24 pm

    Greetings from the future, where the last full day of Trump presidency has just started

    Because survival is insufficient
  41. elcroata Jan 18,2021 11:34 pm
    Because survival is insufficient
  42. Glorious Mundy Jan 19,2021 9:22 am

    The Mets really love hiring people to management roles that they have to fire before their first spring training.

  43. Glorious Mundy Jan 19,2021 12:54 pm

    • ptbnl Jan 19,2021 1:00 pm || Up

      PERNA admitted that at one point he become frustrated, and, using a metal pole, tapped on a window of the Capitol building.

      I’m sure that’s exactly as it happened.

      If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
      • Glorious Mundy Jan 19,2021 1:08 pm || Up

        ‘Cause I’m tap tap tapping on the glass, I’m breaking through a window…

    • AV Jan 19,2021 8:26 pm || Up

      )
      )
      ) asking for myself
      )
      )

      is there a style guide for legal typing?

      why are the indents so deep? and given that halfsie on ¶3, this typist is hitting two tabs?

      related, double spaces after periods.

      no really, are there legal rules or do firms just have a house style or is it just make it look antiquatedly formal by hook or by crook?

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • Future Ed Jan 19,2021 9:36 pm || Up

        hot take: I like double spaces after periods.

        There is something called “the blue book” that is the style guide. Have been told that judges will reject briefs that deviate from that, but have never seen that in practice, because it’s all so stupid. I regularly ignore it all. Well, most of it.

        So I couldn’t tell you about the indentations

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
  44. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 19,2021 1:44 pm

    Goddamnit Feinstein just retire already. You can’t drape yourself in the grand decorum and collegiality of the Senate and act like Hawley and Cruz were just pursuing legitimate lines of inquiry when that is clearly not true.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Soaker Jan 19,2021 5:24 pm || Up

      She’s starting to remind me of watching Strom Thurmond during the televised Clarence Thomas-Anita Hill hearings.

      Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
    • batgirl Jan 20,2021 3:25 pm || Up

      Aside from the obvious decline and other annoying shit, what continues to baffle me is why do these people want to work so damn long. You’re loaded, you’re old. Jeez, just retire and enjoy your damn golden years.

  45. Soaker Jan 19,2021 5:11 pm

    Don Sutton…no! He had a nice season for an A’s team that was near the bottom between the spectacular but brief Billy Martin era and the more sustained success of the Bash Brothers/La Russa years.

    Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 19,2021 6:34 pm || Up

      I’m a big fan of A’s era Sutton’s gray curls, as an early gray myself.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  46. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 19,2021 8:30 pm

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  47. elcroata Jan 19,2021 10:21 pm

    Debuting tonight (well, for me)

    Because survival is insufficient
  48. andeux Jan 19,2021 11:42 pm

    TINSTAAFK
    • colin Jan 20,2021 6:47 am || Up

      A fellow Tamalpais High class of 1998-er

      • andeux Jan 20,2021 8:59 am || Up

        Given the people involved this is 100% a straight cash transaction.
        But there’s also a pretty good chance that Levandowski finds a way to stiff him on the payment.

        TINSTAAFK
        • Future Ed Jan 20,2021 9:21 am || Up

          You guys know Rudy is not being paid by trump, but he is getting paid by pardonees, yeah?

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Glorious Mundy Jan 20,2021 10:05 am || Up

      The list of last-minute pardons is thoroughly gross. Corrupt politicians, rich and connected white-collar criminals, political cronies, and recidivist rappers.

      • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 20,2021 10:09 am || Up

        It is truly despicable, and as Ed suggests, also surely transactionally corrupt.

        That said, in testimony to how low my expectations had sunk, I’m glad the list didn’t also include the MAGA rioters, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Timothy McVeigh.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
        • ptbnl Jan 20,2021 10:55 am || Up

          Any maybe paves the way for an exclusion of pardons for anyone who breaks the law in the service of the President, their businesses, or their campaigns.

          If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
        • Glorious Mundy Jan 21,2021 7:12 am || Up

          The official story on this one already fell apart.

          A person familiar with Barrack who was not authorized to comment publicly told The Times that Zangrillo had not met the prominent trustee, but had tried several avenues to get his help in connection with the college admissions case. Zangrillo was blocked at every turn, the person said.

          There appeared to be other questionable elements in the pardon announcement. The White House said Amber Zangrillo was “currently earning” a 3.9 grade-point average at USC, but a university spokesperson confirmed to The Times that she was not enrolled there.

          And Sean Parker, the tech billionaire and Napster founder, denied playing any role in Zangrillo’s case, despite the White House including him among the supporters.

      • AV Jan 21,2021 11:51 am || Up
        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  49. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 20,2021 8:12 am

    This is already more time I’ve spent watching an inauguration than any previous. Also why is A-Rod there?

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Glorious Mundy Jan 20,2021 11:00 am || Up

      Same reason as Doug Emhoff. Married well.

      • Future Ed Jan 20,2021 11:16 am || Up

        that dude is living the dream. No step kids, gets to do vice presidenty stuff without any work.

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
  50. Glorious Mundy Jan 20,2021 8:47 am

    Following Gaga in a singing performance has to suck.

  51. Glorious Mundy Jan 20,2021 9:15 am

    Garth…Brooks?

    • andeux Jan 20,2021 9:16 am || Up

      He is not very good.

      TINSTAAFK
      • Glorious Mundy Jan 20,2021 9:21 am || Up

        W seems to be a fan.

      • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 20,2021 9:22 am || Up

        It’s hard to sing well-known lyrics while also sending coded Q messages.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Soaker Jan 20,2021 6:19 pm || Up

      I didn’t see it, but “Friends in Low Places” probably would not have been real appropriate.

      Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
  52. Glorious Mundy Jan 20,2021 9:28 am

    That poem was remarkable.

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 20,2021 9:36 am || Up

      Yeah she owned that stage.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • elcroata Jan 20,2021 10:55 am || Up

      That was… wow. Now, that’s America I’m proud to know.

      Because survival is insufficient
    • batgirl Jan 20,2021 3:28 pm || Up

      As someone who has zero affinity for poetry, she absolutely stunned me.

    • AV Jan 20,2021 5:07 pm || Up

      it’s nice how she avoided images that seemingly allude to a trail of dinosaur turds (angelou, 93) simply by not using any imagery at all.

      i mean, amazing reading. but the writing…?

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  53. Future Ed Jan 20,2021 11:17 am

    I like the C span motor bike cam

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  54. mikeA Jan 20,2021 11:29 am

    ” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen>

  55. Glorious Mundy Jan 20,2021 1:38 pm

    The virtual inaugural parade is delightful. A beautiful Rihanna performance on an LA rooftop followed by some kids tapdancing in puffy jackets and earmuffs on a deck in Boone, North Carolina.

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 20,2021 2:20 pm || Up

      I turned it off after a bit with John Stewart and a breakdancing doctor. Even on Huge Sigh Of Relief Day there’s only so much daytime TV I can handle.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  56. andeux Jan 20,2021 9:26 pm

    TINSTAAFK
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 21,2021 8:12 am || Up

      Why Senator Paul, it appears those shoes fit perfectly!

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  57. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 21,2021 1:03 pm

    If you’ll be tuning into a Sharks game soon (next is tomorrow 5pm) be sure to catch our friend Brodie Brazil on the pre/post/intermission desk. He’s used the pandemic break to let his hair go full Spicoli.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Glorious Mundy Jan 21,2021 1:08 pm || Up

      I’ve been enjoying Gregg Popovich’s pandemic hair. He seems to be going for a Christopher Lloyd look.

  58. ptbnl Jan 21,2021 1:19 pm

    The new record for the longest goal scored in footie is 105 yards:

    If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
  59. Future Ed Jan 21,2021 7:16 pm

    The third amendment is really the cornerstone to democracy.

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  60. elcroata Jan 22,2021 8:08 am

    Because survival is insufficient
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 22,2021 9:31 am || Up

      Man, that still gives me goose bumps. I vividly remember watching that on TV from a hotel somewhere during a family road trip (which I learned later was hastily scheduled ahead of my dad being sent to Vietnam).

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • Glorious Mundy Jan 22,2021 9:41 am || Up

        Man, you could build an acclaimed coming-of-age novel about the America in the 70s around the scene described in this comment.

        Side question: Your dad was sent to Vietnam after 1973? That’s an especially raw deal.

        • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 22,2021 10:51 am || Up

          The upside was he spent less than a full year in country. The downside was fleeing via helicopter from the roof of the US embassy as the North Vietnamese took over.

          "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Glorious Mundy Jan 22,2021 10:07 am || Up

      This is brutal. America didn’t deserve him at all.

  61. Glorious Mundy Jan 22,2021 12:11 pm

    Hoping this isn’t as bad as it probably is for hockey and premier league fans.

    • andeux Jan 22,2021 12:33 pm || Up

      Bigger properties, like the NHL, NASCAR and EPL, will move to USA Network while keeping some windows on the broadcast channel [NBC].

      TINSTAAFK
  62. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 22,2021 2:41 pm

    That one lonely pro-Trump protestor seen in DC on Inauguration Day? Turns out he’s a former Golden State Warrior who seems to have drunk deeply of the Qoolaid.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  63. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 22,2021 5:54 pm

    Times and Post with a couple of holy shit stories dropping on a Friday evening.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  64. Future Ed Jan 23,2021 10:13 pm

    This entire thread. (baseball content)

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  65. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 24,2021 12:06 pm

    I have to admit that Rodgers vs Brady is a significant, historic matchup. I would still like Tampa to lose by 50 points.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • elcroata Jan 24,2021 12:22 pm || Up

      Me, too. So, GB will have to score 57 now

      Because survival is insufficient
    • andeux Jan 24,2021 12:24 pm || Up

      TB is an impressive collection of villains (Brady, Gronk, Brown, and Suh). Go Pack!

      TINSTAAFK
    • elcroata Jan 24,2021 1:28 pm || Up

      GB secondary doesn’t feel like you do

      Because survival is insufficient
  66. elcroata Jan 24,2021 12:43 pm

    Because survival is insufficient
  67. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 24,2021 1:28 pm

    Brady is eating the Packers DBs alive.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • andeux Jan 24,2021 2:40 pm || Up

      I honestly don’t know how much of this is just my bias, but I have not been super impressed by Brady recently. Two picks already today (one of them off his receiver’s fingers, but he also had another ball dropped by a wide open defensive back, and one jump ball that his receiver came down with even though it looked like the DB was in better position initially).
      Same thing last week, it seemed like he had several poor throws, but Brees was even worse.

      TINSTAAFK
      • andeux Jan 24,2021 2:42 pm || Up

        Good timing. There’s another one.

        TINSTAAFK
  68. elcroata Jan 24,2021 1:32 pm

    Food with an unfortunate-sounding last two syllables : FALAFEL

    Can someone explain that to me?

    Because survival is insufficient
    • Future Ed Jan 24,2021 1:35 pm || Up

      awful

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • elcroata Jan 24,2021 1:41 pm || Up

        Oh, so that’s how it’s pronounced in the US? Thanks.

        Because survival is insufficient
        • elcroata Jan 24,2021 1:44 pm || Up

          I was trying to find similar words in English to show how the “e” is pronounced here, but found this instead. I’m sure you know it.

          Anyway, off to bed. I have training for my tennis coaching next level early tomorrow (online!) and as I will watch the Bills tomorrow afternoon, won’t be coming here until there is nothing to spoil.

          Because survival is insufficient
        • andeux Jan 24,2021 2:06 pm || Up

          Last two syllables are really “law-ful” not “aw-ful” so that is not a great clue.

          TINSTAAFK
        • Future Ed Jan 24,2021 2:30 pm || Up

          As Andeux says, I don’t think the last two syllables are pronounced that way and It would take me 6 letters to get the clue, if what I say is true

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • AV Jan 24,2021 2:09 pm || Up

      i personally don’t believe mid-word syllables can or should begin with a vowel.

      so i’m still waiting to see if this falafel is good, evil, or neutral.

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • andeux Jan 24,2021 2:11 pm || Up

        I think you’re being naïve.

        TINSTAAFK
        • AV Jan 24,2021 2:54 pm || Up

          [takes hiatus]

          *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  69. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 24,2021 3:11 pm

    That was a terrible PI call in Brady’s favor after must worse went uncalled in the first 58 minutes. Also I am ready for Troy Aikman to be fired into the sun.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  70. andeux Jan 24,2021 3:12 pm

    Oof. Officials have been really lax throughout the playoffs, but the jersey stretched about two feet between the receiver and the DB grabbing it was just too much to ignore.

    TINSTAAFK
    • sslinger Jan 24,2021 3:29 pm || Up

      Yeah, that stretched out jersey was the thing. My Packer fan friends are perplexed by the FG decision.

      • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 24,2021 3:40 pm || Up

        Seemed like poor options either way. Go for the unlikely 4th and 10 AND need a 2-point conversion, or cut led to five and need a defensive stand.

        Ultimately GB had 4-5 more chances after getting back within one score and couldn’t cash in any of them. Now Tom fuckin Brady gets to play the Super Bowl at home.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
        • andeux Jan 24,2021 5:18 pm || Up

          The internet commentariat seems to think that one was a terrible call. I’m closer to FSU’s point of view – a close call, pretty unappealing either way.

          OTOH, I think the Bills just massively fked up by kicking a fg from the 2 at the end of the first half. Already behind by quite a bit on the road against a near-unstoppable offense, the only way to win this is to take some risks.

          TINSTAAFK
  71. andeux Jan 24,2021 4:46 pm

    Well, Josh Allen already has 2 or 3 passes dropped by defenders, a couple other off-target throws, and at least one needlessly long sack. Still in it thanks to an early turnover, and the defensive game plan to slow KC down seems reasonable, but they’re going to have to get a lot more going on offense.

    TINSTAAFK
    • andeux Jan 24,2021 5:19 pm || Up

      And maybe I’m being too generous about the defense. KC has scored TDs on 3 out of 4 drives.

      TINSTAAFK
      • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 24,2021 7:25 pm || Up

        Alas.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • Soaker Jan 24,2021 8:29 pm || Up

        Sorry bout that andeux. But KC does have a shot at knocking off the evil Brady, the Bills not so much.

        Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
  72. doctorK Jan 24,2021 4:55 pm

    Geez, if the Superb Owl ends up being Chiefs vs Brady, then the idea that 2021 will be an improvement over 2020 will be a total myth.

    • andeux Jan 25,2021 11:29 am || Up

      From a Raider fan friend:

      The best thing that could happen would be that Brady gets Covid and then the Bucs beat the Chiefs without him

      TINSTAAFK
  73. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 24,2021 6:10 pm

    Apparently Josh Hawley has been apologizing for militias and bigots since he was in middle school.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • doctorK Jan 24,2021 10:20 pm || Up

      Driving south from Iowa to Misery, you could tell where the state line was just by seeing the change in the road conditions – Misery roads suck even worse than in Iowa. The people of that state got what they deserve when they elected this clown (so do the people of Iowa, with Reynolds and Ernst as the prime examples today).

      Also, FK KC.

    • Glorious Mundy Jan 25,2021 11:33 am || Up

      That is really troubling, like the intellectual equivalent of a kid who sets animals on fire.

  74. elcroata Jan 25,2021 9:33 am

    Well, crap. But, at least the Chiefs were clearly better yesterday

    Because survival is insufficient
  75. AV Jan 25,2021 6:03 pm

    pretty much a recruitment video.

    *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  76. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 26,2021 9:01 am
    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  77. Future Ed Jan 26,2021 9:50 am

    Hey guys, I have been reading about things like brad hand being signed, adam ottovino being traded. lindor being traded, Morton, Lynn, quntana finding new homes.

    Baseball seems neat and dynamic, I decided to follow a team. Any suggestions?

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • andeux Jan 26,2021 10:24 am || Up

      I would look for a team that has starting middle infielders.

      TINSTAAFK
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 26,2021 12:11 pm || Up

      It’s important to decide first which of the three team-types fits your fan personality:

      1. Teams with chance to win it all. There are maybe five to eight of those. They are wealthy and evil to varying degrees and everyone else hates them and you too.

      2. Teams who hope to luck into success with young talent and smarts. There are around 15-20 of these. Most are neither talented nor smart. All will ultimately disappoint.

      3. Teams which don’t even pretend to want to win. Perhaps there are 5-8 of these also. They will never disappoint you.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • Future Ed Jan 26,2021 3:45 pm || Up

        I am looking for something local. I would love it if the team was near BART as I am 4 blocks from a station.

        The Giants are close, but something about the colors don’t strike me as correct.

        Wish there was a team like that

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
  78. Glorious Mundy Jan 26,2021 10:57 am

    Is there such a thing as consensual monkey labor?

    • mikeA Jan 26,2021 1:05 pm || Up

      I saw that the other day. They took it away from me at the checkout at Target, and I figured it was some kind of safety recall. It is the best tasting brand by far. Damnit!

    • AV Jan 26,2021 1:57 pm || Up

      shoot.

      so much for my verbatim shakespeare re-write.

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  79. FreeSeatUpgrade Jan 26,2021 12:15 pm

    Even by the standards of the genre this is some batshit craziness from the Oregon GOP: (Cizilla warning)

    * Whereas history tells us that after George Washington appointed Major General Benedict Arnold to command West Point, Arnold conspired to surrender the fort to the British.”
    * “Whereas the ten Republican House members, by voting to impeach President Trump, repeated history by conspiring to surrender our nation to Leftist forces seeking to establish a dictatorship void of all cherished freedoms and liberties.”
    * “Whereas there is growing evidence that the violence at the Capitol was a ‘false flag’ operation designed to discredit President Trump, his supporters, and all conservative Republicans; this provided the sham motivation to impeach President Trump in order to advance the Democrat goal of seizing total power, in a frightening parallel to the February 1933 burning of the German Reichstag.”

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • mikeA Jan 26,2021 2:34 pm || Up

      Any time they go with “you all are the real Nazis” instead of “we are proud Nazis” it’s a small victory.

  80. ptbnl Jan 26,2021 3:41 pm

    So much to read between the 2 lines.

    Authorities soon found that the couple were actually wealthy Vancouver residents who had chartered a private plane to the isolated outpost so that they could get shots intended to protect vulnerable Indigenous elders.

    Canadian media outlets have identified the couple as casino executive Rodney Baker, 55, and his wife, Ekaterina Baker, a 32-year-old actress whose recent credits include the 2020 films “Fatman” and “Chick Fight.”

    If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
    • ptbnl Jan 26,2021 3:52 pm || Up

      Looks like people have already been busy updating her IMDb page.

      If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.

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