The New Coffee Room

@89th said in What else is new?:

@brenda said in What else is new?:

@89th
I LOVE YOUR ARBORVITAE ARBOR!! That is too cool.

Here is a pic from yesterday, I haven't pruned it this year but you get the idea of how the arch has grown in quite nicely, lol!

compared to 2021:

Some updated pics for @brenda after finally finishing the arborvitae trimming. I have to stand near the top of an 8-foot ladder then stretch with my 6-foot extension hedger to give these fellas a haircut at the top. I think they'd grow to 20-30 feet if I let them! They are about 15 feet tall as we speak now. My 2 year old is hanging onto the fence... in the afternoon the light comes in from behind and it really glows, which is nice in autumn with the colorful leaves in the background.

Next Spring's project is to re-set the flagstone and river rock pathway, don't think it's been touched in 20 years.

Also found this fella today nearby:

@Horace said in David Brooks on Trump voters:

@89th said in David Brooks on Trump voters:

I immediately thought of @Mik and @LuFins-Dad here

What were they wearing?

Funny thing...

Hey I posted in an online forum multiple times that I was against the abrupt shuttering of USAID, so I did my part. I don't even wear a cape!

Actually not a bad idea. Unfortunately I just bought an iPhone so my heroism will have to wait until 2027.

Personally I'm glad I'm unable to see videos of the people who have died and will die due to the abrupt removal of USAID support. Seeing 4K videos of them would make it much harder to me to be ok with the devastating impact of an abrupt withdrawal instead of a prudent adjustment with planning involved. The earth was overpopulated anyway!

Makes sense, and for some reason, I immediately thought of @Mik and @LuFins-Dad here, among others of course. The link should work without needing to log into Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOnYrhED8c4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Don't forget 4.5 million kids under the age of 5 dead by 2030 due to the US AID cut. Not saying reform wasn't needed perhaps, but if wea re talking about policies and their preventions...

I would've stayed with the 12, but with the kiddos being young and seeing how great the latest camera (including zoom, video, etc...) is, I wanted to improve the videos I have of the kids, especially with a few trips coming up. That being said, the 12's camera is still fantastic.

Side note, we are going to get a landline. Ugh, guess it's not really the copper connection kind, but VoIP. Anyway, want to teach the kiddos basic phone manners, and also give them a way to call us or a neighbor if they need something and we are away. Of course now that I did a google search about it, I'm getting all sorts of stories about how there's a trend of getting landlines again for kids instead of any form of a smart phone.

Ha... in the past I also passed on the Apple Care by itself, but the "upgrade every 12 months" piece seems interesting. I guess it's not needed if I keep the phone for 5 years and don't pay monthly, maybe I'll change my mind in 24 months.

I have an iPhone 12, it works fine but is starting to show its age. Just ordered the 17 and in the past I would always just buy the phone outright, but this time I'm doing the monthly plan where (I think?) you can upgrade to the latest model after 12 months, and also get Apple Care (repair and loss coverage). Over 24 months it's like $250 extra, but seems like a good deal. Guess I'll continue my 5-year streak of no screen protectors or case!

@Mik said in Uh oh:

Ooopsie. Hoisted on his own petard...again.

Ha, good line

"...they're assaulting officers... that's the conduct we're trying to stop."

Lots of answers here. Planned it for a week. Was gay and dating his male (transgender turning into a girl) roommate, turned liberal, didn’t like Charlie’s “hate”. Mostly concerned about getting to his rifle before the cops could find it.

https://www.the-sun.com/news/15198463/charlie-kirk-tyler-robinson-state-charges/

Boom goes the dynamite

Can't believe he was 89 years old, too.

I think I posted here that I re-watched The Natural a few months ago, I have to say it's probably the most beautifully filmed movie I've ever come across. The cinematography is an absolute masterclass.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/movies/robert-redford-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.mU8.r74k.bah4mXuw4195&smid=url-share

Not wrong! This is just the QQQ (basically tracks the top 100 nasdaq non-financial companies, I think?) vs the S&P.

Sure puts the bed phrase "I'm not a robot!" remark in context.

Dammit.... the doc was faster AND wittier than me.