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The New Coffee Room

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  3. Mildly interesting

Mildly interesting

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  • jon-nycJ Online
    jon-nycJ Online
    jon-nyc
    wrote last edited by jon-nyc
    #2636

    Even though it was first grown and discovered in Ethiopia, coffee’s global spread began in Yemen, through the port of Mokha.

    In Mokha, some people mixed roasted coffee with milk. And there came “mocha”.

    Thank you for your attention to this matter.

    1 Reply Last reply
    • MikM Offline
      MikM Offline
      Mik
      wrote last edited by
      #2637

      65 years ago, 1960, Meet the cast of The Flintstones: Left to right: Bea Benaderet as the voice of Betty Rubble, Jean Vander Pyl as the voice of Wilma Flintstone, Alan Reed as the voice of Fred Flintstone, and Mel Blanc as the voice of Barney Rubble and Dino. Together they brought life to the modern stone age family.

      alt text

      "The intelligent man who is proud of his intelligence is like the condemned man who is proud of his large cell." Simone Weil

      1 Reply Last reply
      • jon-nycJ Online
        jon-nycJ Online
        jon-nyc
        wrote last edited by
        #2638

        They sort of look the parts.

        Thank you for your attention to this matter.

        1 Reply Last reply
        • MikM Offline
          MikM Offline
          Mik
          wrote last edited by
          #2639

          No redhead.

          "The intelligent man who is proud of his intelligence is like the condemned man who is proud of his large cell." Simone Weil

          1 Reply Last reply
          • Tom-KT Offline
            Tom-KT Offline
            Tom-K
            wrote last edited by
            #2640

            Jean Vander Pyl--IHT

            Flushing the toilet is like practicing the piano; you just cannot go too long without doing it.--Axtremus

            1 Reply Last reply
            • jon-nycJ Online
              jon-nycJ Online
              jon-nyc
              wrote last edited by
              #2641

              Who wouldn’t? Especially when you close your eyes and it’s Betty Rubble talking dirty to you.

              Thank you for your attention to this matter.

              1 Reply Last reply
              • MikM Offline
                MikM Offline
                Mik
                wrote last edited by
                #2642

                I take that back. She IS a redhead!

                "The intelligent man who is proud of his intelligence is like the condemned man who is proud of his large cell." Simone Weil

                1 Reply Last reply
                • HoraceH Horace

                  My local police department posts these sorts of updates to their page every month. It's impressive how much effort they make to be likeable.


                  Fulshear Police Department Crime Report
                  June 22 – July 17, 2025
                  Between June 22 and July 17, 2025, the Fulshear Police Department responded to 649 calls for service.
                  What is a ‘Call for Service’?
                  If you contact us because something seems wrong, odd, loud, alarming, broken, missing, barking, or even mooing, you’ve made a Call for Service. This includes everything from traffic accidents and animal complaints to house watches, suspicious activity, alarm calls, porch pirates, and overly ambitious solicitors.
                  Need Help?
                  Here’s How to Reach Us:
                  Emergencies or in-progress incidents: Dial 911
                  Non-emergency dispatch: Call 281-341-4665 #1 or 281-346-2202 #1.
                  Please don't be confused when the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office answers the phone, they are the ones who will dispatch a Fulshear officer to your location.
                  Administrative line (Mon–Fri): 281-346-8888 (Note: We do not dispatch from this number)
                  And no, we don’t dispatch through Facebook. Please call us.
                  Noteworthy Incidents:
                  Snoozing and Boozing at HEB
                  Officers observed a male asleep in a parked vehicle at the Cross Creek HEB, showing signs of intoxication including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and the odor of alcohol, and after confirming his impaired condition, placed him in custody for Public Intoxication and transported him to jail without incident.
                  Ford, Fail, Felony
                  A reckless driver in a gray Ford F-150—caught chasing a black SUV, nearly causing a crash, slurring, reeking of alcohol, unsteady, with vomit in the car and booze in the door—failed sobriety tests and got himself arrested for DWI.
                  Wrong Turn, Right Arrest
                  Pulled over in Fulshear for an improper turn, a driver was arrested after officers discovered active Florida warrants for Fleeing, Reckless Driving, and Street Takeovers and Stunt Driving—proving one wrong turn can really catch up with you.
                  Soliciting, Scooting, and Substances
                  After trying to sell a product door-to-door and ramming our officer with his scooter, a man who refused to ID himself was arrested for soliciting, failing to identify, and possessing controlled substances without a prescription, ending his sales pitch in jail instead of a commission check.
                  Dealer’s Detour into a Daycare Zone
                  A driver with expired dealer tags ended up busted in a Fulshear drug-free zone near a daycare after voluntarily admitting he had illegal and non-prescibed drugs, leading to the discovery of cocaine, ecstasy, Xanax, hydrocodone, marijuana, codeine, and even Viagra, earning him a stack of felony charges and a ride to jail.
                  Wrong Way, No Way Out
                  A driver going the wrong way on FM 1093 blamed it on unfamiliar roads and a little wine, but after refusing to sign a citation, despite officers' warnings, he earned himself a ride to jail instead of home.
                  Too Fast, Too Curious, Too Young
                  A shoeless teen doing 77 in a 50 with no license, a broken radar detector, bloodshot eyes, beer in the backseat, and vape in the console got cited for DUI-Minor and released to Dad after admitting he'd downed “three to four” drinks and planned to share the rest with his brothers.
                  Wrong Way, Weed, and a UFC Wannabe
                  A wrong-way driver on FM 1093, smelling of weed and booze, stumbled through sobriety tests, thought he was in Pearland, hid marijuana in his jeans, and capped it all off by threatening to elbow an officer, earning himself a list of charges and a ride to jail.
                  Lost, Lit, and Lights Out
                  After cruising in the wrong direction with a broken brake light, slurred speech, glassy eyes, and no clue where he was or where he was going, a disoriented driver failed sobriety tests, nodded off in the patrol car, and was booked for DWI.
                  Knife, Fear, and a Ruined Family Fight
                  After a drunken argument turned threatening, a man wielded a chef’s knife to scare his wife, prompting her and their son to barricade themselves and call 911, landing him in jail for terroristic threat against a family member.
                  Tequila, Turnaround, and Totally Lost
                  A woman parked at a Fulshear park with a cup of tequila, slurred speech, and no clue she wasn’t in Cleveland, TX, was arrested for public intoxication, proving once again that alcohol mixes well with everything except good decisions.
                  Challenger Full of Red Flags
                  Pulled over around 3AM for speeding and lane violations, a Dodge Challenger packed with gloves, masks, and a gun led to the arrest of a convicted felon for unlawful possession of a firearm, raising plenty of questions about what he was up to. (That's what we call a clue.)
                  Booms, Busts, and a Bit of Restraint
                  Although many got away with it—proving the old adage, “there’s never a cop around when you need one”—Fulshear officers still issued 12 citations for fireworks violations during the Fourth of July, doing their best to enforce the ordinance; and for the first time in a long time, the city saw a noticeable drop in complaints, a testament to residents largely respecting the law and celebrating responsibly.
                  Quick Stats:
                  Animal Calls (4): From baby gators to loose dogs going for a stroll without their owners. One pesky gator gave a churchgoer quite the fright by hiding under their car after service.
                  Alarm Calls (43): All false. We check them all anyway, but some system maintenance can save you a visit and keep us on the streets.
                  Traffic Accidents (18): Two involved injuries, none were life-threatening.
                  Assist Other Agencies (27): We help when needed, especially near city boundaries. In urgent situations, such as in-progress crimes, medical emergencies, or major traffic accidents, your officers may respond to calls just outside city limits if they’re the closest available unit. This ensures help arrives as quickly as possible until the appropriate agency with jurisdiction can take over.
                  House Watches (160): Out of town? Let us keep an eye on your home- Request One Here: https://www.fulsheartexas.gov/.../vacation-watch-program
                  Final Thoughts:
                  Even with this level of activity, Fulshear remains one of the safest cities in America. That doesn’t happen by accident, it’s thanks to a strong partnership between our residents, our officers, and a healthy dose of good old-fashioned Texas sense.
                  We believe in accountability, second chances, and clear communication. That’s why we share what’s happening with honesty, transparency, and the occasional chuckle.
                  Growth comes with challenges, but with your support, we’ll continue to keep this community safe.
                  As always, thank you for your continued support, we have your back, and we know you have ours.

                  markM Offline
                  markM Offline
                  mark
                  wrote last edited by
                  #2643

                  @Horace said in Mildly interesting:

                  My local police department posts these sorts of updates to their page every month. It's impressive how much effort they make to be likeable.


                  Fulshear Police Department Crime Report
                  June 22 – July 17, 2025
                  Between June 22 and July 17, 2025, the Fulshear Police Department responded to 649 calls for service.
                  What is a ‘Call for Service’?
                  If you contact us because something seems wrong, odd, loud, alarming, broken, missing, barking, or even mooing, you’ve made a Call for Service. This includes everything from traffic accidents and animal complaints to house watches, suspicious activity, alarm calls, porch pirates, and overly ambitious solicitors.
                  Need Help?
                  Here’s How to Reach Us:
                  Emergencies or in-progress incidents: Dial 911
                  Non-emergency dispatch: Call 281-341-4665 #1 or 281-346-2202 #1.
                  Please don't be confused when the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office answers the phone, they are the ones who will dispatch a Fulshear officer to your location.
                  Administrative line (Mon–Fri): 281-346-8888 (Note: We do not dispatch from this number)
                  And no, we don’t dispatch through Facebook. Please call us.
                  Noteworthy Incidents:
                  Snoozing and Boozing at HEB
                  Officers observed a male asleep in a parked vehicle at the Cross Creek HEB, showing signs of intoxication including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and the odor of alcohol, and after confirming his impaired condition, placed him in custody for Public Intoxication and transported him to jail without incident.
                  Ford, Fail, Felony
                  A reckless driver in a gray Ford F-150—caught chasing a black SUV, nearly causing a crash, slurring, reeking of alcohol, unsteady, with vomit in the car and booze in the door—failed sobriety tests and got himself arrested for DWI.
                  Wrong Turn, Right Arrest
                  Pulled over in Fulshear for an improper turn, a driver was arrested after officers discovered active Florida warrants for Fleeing, Reckless Driving, and Street Takeovers and Stunt Driving—proving one wrong turn can really catch up with you.
                  Soliciting, Scooting, and Substances
                  After trying to sell a product door-to-door and ramming our officer with his scooter, a man who refused to ID himself was arrested for soliciting, failing to identify, and possessing controlled substances without a prescription, ending his sales pitch in jail instead of a commission check.
                  Dealer’s Detour into a Daycare Zone
                  A driver with expired dealer tags ended up busted in a Fulshear drug-free zone near a daycare after voluntarily admitting he had illegal and non-prescibed drugs, leading to the discovery of cocaine, ecstasy, Xanax, hydrocodone, marijuana, codeine, and even Viagra, earning him a stack of felony charges and a ride to jail.
                  Wrong Way, No Way Out
                  A driver going the wrong way on FM 1093 blamed it on unfamiliar roads and a little wine, but after refusing to sign a citation, despite officers' warnings, he earned himself a ride to jail instead of home.
                  Too Fast, Too Curious, Too Young
                  A shoeless teen doing 77 in a 50 with no license, a broken radar detector, bloodshot eyes, beer in the backseat, and vape in the console got cited for DUI-Minor and released to Dad after admitting he'd downed “three to four” drinks and planned to share the rest with his brothers.
                  Wrong Way, Weed, and a UFC Wannabe
                  A wrong-way driver on FM 1093, smelling of weed and booze, stumbled through sobriety tests, thought he was in Pearland, hid marijuana in his jeans, and capped it all off by threatening to elbow an officer, earning himself a list of charges and a ride to jail.
                  Lost, Lit, and Lights Out
                  After cruising in the wrong direction with a broken brake light, slurred speech, glassy eyes, and no clue where he was or where he was going, a disoriented driver failed sobriety tests, nodded off in the patrol car, and was booked for DWI.
                  Knife, Fear, and a Ruined Family Fight
                  After a drunken argument turned threatening, a man wielded a chef’s knife to scare his wife, prompting her and their son to barricade themselves and call 911, landing him in jail for terroristic threat against a family member.
                  Tequila, Turnaround, and Totally Lost
                  A woman parked at a Fulshear park with a cup of tequila, slurred speech, and no clue she wasn’t in Cleveland, TX, was arrested for public intoxication, proving once again that alcohol mixes well with everything except good decisions.
                  Challenger Full of Red Flags
                  Pulled over around 3AM for speeding and lane violations, a Dodge Challenger packed with gloves, masks, and a gun led to the arrest of a convicted felon for unlawful possession of a firearm, raising plenty of questions about what he was up to. (That's what we call a clue.)
                  Booms, Busts, and a Bit of Restraint
                  Although many got away with it—proving the old adage, “there’s never a cop around when you need one”—Fulshear officers still issued 12 citations for fireworks violations during the Fourth of July, doing their best to enforce the ordinance; and for the first time in a long time, the city saw a noticeable drop in complaints, a testament to residents largely respecting the law and celebrating responsibly.
                  Quick Stats:
                  Animal Calls (4): From baby gators to loose dogs going for a stroll without their owners. One pesky gator gave a churchgoer quite the fright by hiding under their car after service.
                  Alarm Calls (43): All false. We check them all anyway, but some system maintenance can save you a visit and keep us on the streets.
                  Traffic Accidents (18): Two involved injuries, none were life-threatening.
                  Assist Other Agencies (27): We help when needed, especially near city boundaries. In urgent situations, such as in-progress crimes, medical emergencies, or major traffic accidents, your officers may respond to calls just outside city limits if they’re the closest available unit. This ensures help arrives as quickly as possible until the appropriate agency with jurisdiction can take over.
                  House Watches (160): Out of town? Let us keep an eye on your home- Request One Here: https://www.fulsheartexas.gov/.../vacation-watch-program
                  Final Thoughts:
                  Even with this level of activity, Fulshear remains one of the safest cities in America. That doesn’t happen by accident, it’s thanks to a strong partnership between our residents, our officers, and a healthy dose of good old-fashioned Texas sense.
                  We believe in accountability, second chances, and clear communication. That’s why we share what’s happening with honesty, transparency, and the occasional chuckle.
                  Growth comes with challenges, but with your support, we’ll continue to keep this community safe.
                  As always, thank you for your continued support, we have your back, and we know you have ours.

                  649 calls per month? That's a very small system. It is pretty cool of them to post this information every month. Our smallest 9-1-1 center handles 300+ calls per day. The largest handles 3,500-4,500 per day.

                  I met a 9-1-1 director from Brazil about 20 years ago or more at a national convention. She told me that her center handles 70,000 calls per day. That's an insane call volume.

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  • jon-nycJ jon-nyc

                    Not to me it isn’t. You’re just so vulnerable. The slightest contact can be fatal, especially if you fall toward the road

                    KlausK Offline
                    KlausK Offline
                    Klaus
                    wrote last edited by
                    #2644

                    @jon-nyc said in Mildly interesting:

                    Not to me it isn’t. You’re just so vulnerable. The slightest contact can be fatal, especially if you fall toward the road

                    I assume the numbers are US specific. I wonder what they are in countries with good bike infrastructure, like The Netherlands.

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    • MikM Offline
                      MikM Offline
                      Mik
                      wrote last edited by
                      #2645

                      IMG_5134.jpeg

                      In the late 1960s, a simple toy whistle from a cereal box unlocked a world of free long-distance calls, leading to a revolution in telecommunications. 📞

                      This story begins with a man named John Draper, who would later become famous in tech circles as “Captain Crunch.” He was a key figure in a community of early hackers known as “phone phreaks.”

                      While Draper didn't make the initial discovery, he popularized it. A friend told him that a toy whistle given away in boxes of Cap'n Crunch cereal could produce a perfect 2600-hertz tone.

                      This specific tone was a security key for the AT&T phone network. When played into a phone receiver, it tricked the system into thinking a long-distance call had ended, opening up the line for new routing commands.

                      This allowed a user with the right knowledge to make free calls anywhere in the world, essentially seizing control of the trunk lines that connected cities and countries.

                      Draper took the concept further. He created a device known as a “blue box,” an electronic gadget that could generate a wide range of tones to manipulate the phone network in even more complex ways.

                      This community of phreaks, including future tech giants like Apple’s founders Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs, explored the vast, unseen infrastructure of the global phone system. 🥣

                      Their actions, while illegal, exposed major security flaws and forced telecommunication companies to build more secure digital networks, ushering in a new era of technology.

                      Sources: Wikipedia, IFL Science, Chaintech Network#PhonePhreaking #TelecomRevolution #HackerHistory

                      "The intelligent man who is proud of his intelligence is like the condemned man who is proud of his large cell." Simone Weil

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      • MikM Offline
                        MikM Offline
                        Mik
                        wrote last edited by
                        #2646

                        image.png

                        In 1952, London witnessed one of the most daring and extraordinary stunts in its history. Albert Gunter, a bus driver for the London Transport system, pulled off an unbelievable feat that would leave the city in awe. On a seemingly ordinary day, Gunter drove his double-decker bus straight toward Tower Bridge, but instead of stopping, he jumped the bus over the open bascule with 20 passengers on board.

                        The incident occurred when the drawbridge, designed to allow ships to pass along the Thames, was raised for a vessel. Rather than waiting or taking another route, Gunter made a split-second decision that defied all logic and safety. Remarkably, everyone on board survived the leap unscathed. The bus landed safely on the other side, and passengers were reported to be stunned but unharmed.

                        This audacious act became an instant legend, illustrating not only human courage but also the spirit of quick thinking and bold action in moments of crisis. While authorities investigated and safety measures were reinforced after the stunt, the event captured the imagination of Londoners and newspapers alike. Stories of Gunter’s bravery, or recklessness, depending on perspective, were recounted for decades as a symbol of daring adventure amidst the everyday routines of city life.

                        The bus jump over Tower Bridge remains one of the most astonishing public transport incidents in history, blending elements of risk, skill, and sheer nerve. It’s a reminder that sometimes extraordinary stories can happen in the most ordinary settings, turning a routine commute into a historic event that people would talk about for generations.

                        Fun Fact: Tower Bridge, completed in 1894, is one of London’s most iconic landmarks and was designed with a bascule system specifically to allow tall ships to pass along the Thames, making Gunter’s leap all the more incredible given the bridge’s engineering.

                        #HistoricalFacts #HistoryFacts #UKHistory #TimeTravel #DidYouKnow #TowerBridge #LondonHistory #DaringActs #BusDriverStunts #ExtraordinaryEvents

                        "The intelligent man who is proud of his intelligence is like the condemned man who is proud of his large cell." Simone Weil

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        • jon-nycJ Online
                          jon-nycJ Online
                          jon-nyc
                          wrote last edited by
                          #2647

                          But is the picture real? Even London didn’t have video cameras everywhere back in 1952

                          Thank you for your attention to this matter.

                          MikM 1 Reply Last reply
                          • AxtremusA Away
                            AxtremusA Away
                            Axtremus
                            wrote last edited by
                            #2648

                            China live streams its military parade:

                            Link to video

                            As PSA: expects propaganda, think critically.

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            • MikM Offline
                              MikM Offline
                              Mik
                              wrote last edited by
                              #2649

                              One tinpot dictator after another.

                              "The intelligent man who is proud of his intelligence is like the condemned man who is proud of his large cell." Simone Weil

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              • jon-nycJ jon-nyc

                                But is the picture real? Even London didn’t have video cameras everywhere back in 1952

                                MikM Offline
                                MikM Offline
                                Mik
                                wrote last edited by
                                #2650

                                @jon-nyc said in Mildly interesting:

                                But is the picture real? Even London didn’t have video cameras everywhere back in 1952

                                I'm sure it's not.

                                "The intelligent man who is proud of his intelligence is like the condemned man who is proud of his large cell." Simone Weil

                                1 Reply Last reply
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