May 1, 2019

North Korea gives weather forecasts a makeover

North Korean newscasters are known among South Koreans for their stiff, overly formal demeanor and militaristic way of talking, and weather forecasts are no different. However, the state-operated Korean Central Television (KCTV) network has introduced a friendlier, more viewer-friendly format to its weather forecasts. While North Korean weather forecasters used to remain planted at their desks and simply read off the weather report in robotic fashion, they now stand in front of the green screen and gesture as their South Korean and Western counterparts. The change in format was officially made on Apr. 27.

http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/892135.html

May 1, 2019

Crown Prince Naruhito ascends the Chrysanthemum Throne

Japan has a new emperor. On April 30, 2019 Emperor Akihito officially resigned the throne and May 1 (today), the crown prince Naruhito has become emperor. The Imperial Era will now change from Heisei to Reiwa.
The change happens during 'Golden Week'. During Golden Week, many people travel. Because of the succession, the period has been lengthened to 10 days.
Many people here in Japan have chosen to add the start of the new era to their travel plans, with a trip to the Izumo Grand Shrine, a Shinto shrine in Shimane Prefecture associated with the royal family, to celebrate the end of the Heisei Era and beginning of Reiwa.

Family all went to the Izumo Grand Shrine -- I have work. Oh well

April 28, 2019

April 29, Showa Day (Shouwa no Hi), the Beginning of Golden Week

Today is Showa Day and the kids have the day off, so do most adults.
The purpose of Shouwa no Hi is to contemplate the important events of the 20th century and its significance.
More specifically, the date and week mark reflection on the Showa era (1926-1989) which was governed by the late Emperor Hirohito.
During the reign of Emperor Hirohito (1926-89), Japan's history was extremely dynamic: Second Sino-Japanese War, WW II, coup attempts, the rebuilding of the economy, etc

April 18, 2019

Sending out a Thank You to Those Posting in Support

I have sent a few DU mails out to people in the various Democrats 2020 that have been working to keep us informed of what their preferred candidate has been doing
Thanks to everyone who keeps us informed and an extra special thanks to those out there who are telling us why we should support the candidate they've gotten behind
Thanks to everyone and good luck to all

April 18, 2019

'Not what you expect in Doncaster': suspected piranhas found in lake

Late on Monday night, a reporter at the Doncaster Free Press received an unusual phone call. A piranha, one of the world’s fiercest predators normally found stalking the waters of the Amazon basin, had apparently been discovered in a lake in Doncaster.

There were dramatic rumours of ducks being massacred and other wildlife being torn to shreds by the razor-toothed fish in the freezing waters of Martinwells Lake.

Too late to be an April Fools’ Day prank, the story seemed so far-fetched that many locals simply confined it to the territory of urban legends and demanded further proof.

Incredibly, photographs have begun to emerge of a couple of fish that look just like the South American predator. It is thought they may have been pets, which an owner then released into the water when they became too big.

link
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/apr/17/not-what-you-expect-in-doncaster-suspected-piranhas-found-in-uk-lake

April 16, 2019

Ran into a Notre Dame Conspiracy Nut on line

Convinced the fire was set by Muslims and that this was France's 9/11.
He mentioned those lunatics Pam Gellar and Richard Spencer as sources
I told that person "I find it quite convenient that they tweeted so quickly after the fire. It was almost as if they knew the fire was going to happen."
That person told me I was irresponsible for making that kind of accusation
I told that person "Right back at you."

April 16, 2019

The spacecraft from Lost in Space was more expensive than the Enterprise (TV)

That was because we saw all of the ship on Lost in Space, while we got only a portion of the Enterprise
The Lost in Space craft cost 350k to build.

I found this interesting

April 15, 2019

Tokyo 2020 medals to be made from discarded smartphones and laptops

All medals at next summer’s Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo will be made from recycled electronic waste, including discarded smartphones, digital cameras and other handheld games and laptops, organizers revealed on Friday.

Officials said they expect to collect enough obsolete electronic devices by the end of March to extract the amount of gold, silver and bronze that will be required to manufacture all the medals that will be awarded next year.

The organizing committee said municipal authorities had already collected 47,488 tons of junked devices by November, roughly 19 months after the project was launched with targets of 30.3kg of gold, 4,100kg of silver and 2,700kg of bronze.

snip

The concept has been implemented in previous Olympics, most recently at Rio 2016, where an estimated 30% of the silver and bronze medals were wrought from recycled materials. But organizers noted the current project will mark the first time citizens have been proactively involved with the donation of consumer electronics.

link
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/feb/08/olympics-medals-recycled-gadgets-electronic-waste

April 8, 2019

Arkansas: The Worst Place to Rent in America

Arkansas is one of the worst places to be a renter in America. It is the only state in the US where tenants are treated as criminals for paying rent late and landlords are not required by law to maintain their properties. Its failure-to-vacate law lets landlords give tenants a 10-day eviction notice if they are even one day overdue. Tenants who can't or won't leave within that span face fines for every day they remain on the property and up to 90 days in jail.

This is scandalous. It should be illegal.

April 8, 2019

Chris Davis now 0 for 23 and has gone 44 straight at bats with nothing

Davis went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts on Sunday's 15-3 loss. He is 0-for-23 with 13 strikeouts this season and is hitless in 44 at-bats since last Sept. 14.
Davis is two away of the record for consecutive hitless at-bats by a position player - Eugenio Valdez Dodgers 2011
Davis one away from Bill Bergen (1909), Dave Campbell (1973) and Craig Counsell (also 2011)

Dave Campbell's futility is unique in that it extended through two separate teams: San Diego and St Louis