Random Thoughts Thread

[trinacriabob]

Dog person here ... but I've got a weak spot for black cats

[trinacriabob]

Quick 3 minute video ... so majestic to see her in her element, at work, and seeing the inscription "United States ... New York" on her stern.

Video - 3 minutes - here

I really felt that NYC could have given her a home, as a tourist venue in a berth or park-like extension on the Hudson, somewhere close to Lower Manhattan, where it would have been very easy to walk over there from Battery Park City on by using the subway.

They're prepping her in Mobile, Alabama.  I wanted to see the ship in Philly, but didn't know about it leaving, so I didn't make it.  I will try to get to Mobile, if I'm on the Panhandle or down south, before she leaves again.

[trinacriabob]

Not so great news:

TSA does NOT recommend powering up your devices via USB at major airports nor connecting to the free airport wi-fi ... at least that's how I read it.

That will take some work to plan around that.

[Drew Dowdell]

On 5/31/2025 at 3:23 PM, trinacriabob said:

Not so great news:

TSA does NOT recommend powering up your devices via USB at major airports nor connecting to the free airport wi-fi ... at least that's how I read it.

That will take some work to plan around that.

Well, some nuance.

1. Use your own charging brick, or buy a USB data blocker (USB A Data Blocker) - (USB C Data Blocker) * we get a small commission if you purchase through these links at no cost to you.

2. Use the free airport wifi, but don't do anything financial on it OR subscribe to a credible VPN service for your phone.  No hacker is going to care if they get your C&G password.

These rules apply just about anywhere, not just when flying.  Hotels, coffee shops, restaurants, your car dealership service center waiting room, etc.   The taco bell near me has been remodeled to have USB ports, workstations, and free wifi, and those are every bit as insecure as an airport, just lower traffic.

[trinacriabob]

Thanks, @Drew Dowdell

I do have the charging brick.  I will be using it more.

I just surf at airports.  I'm off wi-fi if I decide to go onto a financial site or similar.

[trinacriabob]

Every now and then, I look at parts of 007 movies on YouTube to LMAO.   They hit their peak a while back.  I have not seen any of the Daniel Craig ones.  I must have burned out in terms of fandom.  Even though I haven't seen any of Craig ones, I thought he was an off pick to play 007.

It's almost confirmed, if not already confirmed, that the role will go to Henry Cavill.  I think they should have kept looking.  I'm sure there are a lot of qualified actors to play James Bond and they should have always been at work zeroing in on Ian Fleming's description of the main character.  I'm getting sick of the unbridled PC-ness whereby one of the actors on the short list was a Black actor.  If he is nothing like the James Bond alluded to in Ian Fleming's novels, he should not have been considered just because we are in the 2020s.

 

[A Horse With No Name]

On 5/29/2025 at 6:47 PM, trinacriabob said:

Dog person here ... but I've got a weak spot for black cats

I do also, and they often remain un homed because folks have a bias against them. 

22 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Well, some nuance.

1. Use your own charging brick, or buy a USB data blocker (USB A Data Blocker) - (USB C Data Blocker) * we get a small commission if you purchase through these links at no cost to you.

2. Use the free airport wifi, but don't do anything financial on it OR subscribe to a credible VPN service for your phone.  No hacker is going to care if they get your C&G password.

These rules apply just about anywhere, not just when flying.  Hotels, coffee shops, restaurants, your car dealership service center waiting room, etc.   The taco bell near me has been remodeled to have USB ports, workstations, and free wifi, and those are every bit as insecure as an airport, just lower traffic.

See, this kills my excuse for all of my irrational posts here. "Obviously I was hacked!"

Goodbye Cavalier!

 

An excellent video on the downfall of Southwest Airlines. Everything on this channel is well researched and enjoyable IMHO. 

 

[trinacriabob]

Do people really go to answer the door naked if they see that it's the Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons at the door?

[trinacriabob]

8 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

I do also, and they often remain un homed because folks have a bias against them. 

I read that and it's really too bad.  Some of them have great goofy personalities that shine through.  The only cat we had when I was a kid was a black female and she had a great personality.