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I was enjoying the Happy Gilmore sequel last night when all of a sudden I heard BoyGeeding yell for me, “Dad! Come here!” Immediately, I got up from the couch and headed to his room, where I found he had set out a chair for me, his Xbox booted up to start a new game of Madden, and his arm stretched out to me with a controller in his hand.

I told the boy that I was in the middle of watching a movie and would be back in an hour, and that next time he should schedule time with me to play games with him ahead of time. Heck no, I did no such thing! I smiled, sat down, and said, “Let’s do this, it’s been a while!”

A woman at my church, who I suspect is in her early to mid-seventies, mentioned that her father recently died. He was 102 years old and had been married to her mother for 77 years.

Kinda strange we haven’t had a 100-degree day yet this summer, but that will change this week.

Missionaries using secret audio devices to evangelise Brazil’s isolated peoples

Missionary groups are using audio devices in protected territories of the rainforest to attract and evangelise isolated or recently contacted Indigenous people in the Amazon. A joint investigation by the Guardian and Brazilian newspaper O Globo reveals that solar-powered devices reciting biblical messages in Portuguese and Spanish have appeared among members of the Korubo people in the Javari valley, near the Brazil-Peru border.

50 pounds of dynamite found in an abandoned school bus

Authorities in Alaska had to remove 50 pounds of dynamite found in an old school bus Wednesday, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Anchorage office.

Agents said the dynamite was at least 20 years old and its location near the highway made it unsafe to try to detonate the explosives there.

Great poster for the upcoming Coyote vs ACME movie due out a year from now. Here’s the premise: “After every product made by the Acme Corporation has backfired on Wile E. Coyote in his pursuit of the Road Runner, down-and-out billboard human attorney Kevin Avery represents Coyote in a lawsuit against Acme. ”

Here’s an article about it, along with a courtroom still that cracked me up.

US Sen. John Cornyn calls for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ facility in Texas

Cornyn made the comments in reference to a new immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades that’s surrounded by swamps filled with alligators. The remote location is meant to deter illegal immigration.

Florida officials built the facility in just a few days, using heavy duty tents, trailers and temporary buildings. Right now, it can hold 3,000 people. Florida officials hope to expand it to be able to house 5,000.

Supporters say it’s a cost-effective way to carry out President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda.

Students build new ‘hybrid drone’ — watch it fly in the air and then seamlessly dive underwater

This is pretty cool and I can see it being used for a lot of search and rescue and military purposes. However, upon researching this, I discovered that the Chinese had already displayed this technology years ago. That kinda took the wind out of my sails.

A couple of articles about members of the political party that prides itself on family values, but are caught doing things that contradict that message.

Texas GOP Rep. Giovanni Capriglione admits affair, denies abortion allegations

A conservative news site published an interview with a woman who alleges a 17-year affair with the Southlake representative, who said this week he wouldn’t seek reelection.

Far-right Oklahoma schools head Ryan Walters had nude women on TV during meeting

An executive session of the Oklahoma State Board of Education was interrupted when images of naked women were seen on a television screen in the office of state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, where the session was held, two board members told The Oklahoman.

Carson said the images caught her eye during the meeting. “And I was like, ‘Those are naked women,’” she said. “And then I was like, ‘No, wait a minute. Those aren’t naked, surely those aren’t naked women. Something is playing a trick on my eye. Maybe they just have on tan body suits. … This is just really bizarre.’

“I saw them just walking across the screen, and I’m like, ‘no.” I’m sorry I even have to use this language, but I’m like, ‘Those are her nipples.’ And then I’m like, ‘That’s pubic hair.’ What in the world am I watching? I didn’t watch a second longer. … I was so disturbed by it, I was like, ‘What is on your TV?’ I was very stern, like I’d been a mother or a classroom teacher. And I said, ‘What am I watching? Turn it off now!’”

Want to Shop According to Your Values? Little Blue Cart Can Help

Kate Marsh Lord and Erin Fangmann came up with a solution: In 2025, they founded Little Blue Cart, a directory that connects customers with progressive, small businesses (and yes, that includes services as well as products)

Marry me.

she totally deserves an oscar

pic.twitter.com/szhewMZcCr

— Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) July 27, 2025

Great mindset. Too many of us choose not to be free.

He ain’t wrong. pic.twitter.com/5ckDSwbq5V

— Johnny (@j00ny369T) July 19, 2025

I’m not having much success in my job search. Whatever I’ve been doing hasn’t been working, so I overhauled my approach. Although the government reports job growth, my particular field is oversaturated with candidates. At least that’s what others have shared. Luckily, I finally have a real interview scheduled for the first of next week. But before, I have to take an assessment. I struggle with assessments, and this one will take approximately 2.5 hours.

I have to hand it to TMZ; of all media, to respect the wishes of Malcolm-Jamal Warner. You know they have the resources to easily out them.

This article illustrates the extent to which he went to keep his family out of the spotlight.

I’m surprised this story didn’t get much coverage. I made the unfortunate decision to watch the video, which I don’t think is included in the article. That had to hurt, and my heart goes out to everyone who has to clean up that mess, because somebody has to do.

Passengers on board a plane at Milan Bergamo Airport have described the horrifying scenes after a man took his own life by jumping into the jet’s engine.

As Batman and Superman Near the Public Domain, DC Announces a Major Anniversary Event

As many Batman and Superman fans know, along with opportunistic creatives and entrepreneurs, DC Comics is set to lose copyright to two of its most iconic and defining characters. The Man of Steel will enter the public domain in 2034, followed by the Dark Knight in 2035. Other major figures such as Wonder Woman, the Joker, and more are expected to follow shortly after.

Once these characters become public domain, anyone, including companies like Marvel, will be able to use them freely without fear of legal consequences. Rather than worrying about having to share these heroes with the world, DC is choosing to embrace the moment as a celebration.

What may be most exciting about this announcement is that it signals a decade-long anniversary event. Each following year is expected to focus on the next decade in DC’s publishing history. For example, the 2026 booth will showcase 1945 to 1955, the 2027 booth will cover 1955 to 1965, and so on. The celebration is set to conclude in 2034 by highlighting the current era, from 2025 to 2035.

That’s pretty cool of DC to lean into this. Launching this ten-year celebration, they aren’t just counting down the days until it loses exclusive rights to characters. Instead, it is using the opportunity to honor the origins of these heroes and the profound impact they have had on popular culture. And it’s also worth noting that

While these characters will enter the public domain, it’s only the first iteration of the characters. So, that would be the Superman who couldn’t fly but was just “super” strong, run faster than a speeding bullet, and could jump tall buildings in a single bound. And for Batman, it would be the one who wore purple gloves and used a gun. You would not be able to use the modern Batman or Superman.

I don’t know how many times I’ve told myself that Trump couldn’t have said something stupider than before. And to think, we put this guy back in office. Was no other member of the Republican Party better? And if the argument is that he’s hyperbolic, this goes way beyond that context.

Trump’s brags about drug prices are “mathematically impossible”

In a reception with members of Congress on Tuesday, Trump spoke about lowering drug prices for Americans at a time when cuts to programs like Medicaid are on the horizon.

In doing so, Trump promised some truly staggering figures.

“We will have reduced drug prices by 1000%, by 1,100%, 1,200%, 1,300%, 1,400%, 700%, 600%. Not 30% or 40% or 50%. But numbers likes of which you’ve never even dreamed of.”

“We’re gonna get the drug prices down,” Trump said. “Not 30% or 40%, which would be great. Not 50% or 60%. No, we’re gonna get them down 1,000%, 600%, 500%, 1,500%. Numbers that are not even thought to be achievable.”

3 North Texas Suburbs Ranked Among the Wealthiest in United States

I’m sure these are of no surprise to you; however, Highland Park isn’t on the list because it has less than 3,500 roofs.

• Neighboring enclave University Park, however, did make the list as Dallas’ highest-ranked suburb and sixth-wealthiest suburb overall. 
• Following University Park’s placement is Southlake, clinching spot No. 7 on the list. Southlake’s annual household income is on par with University Park’s — $382,520 — and is growing by the year.
• Colleyville, Texas, long the little brother of Southlake, made the list for the first time this year. The average household income sits at $265,831, and as of May of this year, the average home was valued at $923,032.

Hershey to increase candy prices by double digits as cocoa costs rise

The price change will be a “low double-digit increase” and affect products across the company’s confection portfolio, according to a Hershey spokesperson.

“This change is not related to tariffs or trade policies,” the spokesperson said in a statement to CBS News. “It reflects the reality of rising ingredient costs including the unprecedented cost of cocoa.”

Price increases typically take around 90 days to take effect, although the timeframe varies by retailer, the spokesperson added.

What a shame such an article could be put together. I’m not saying the Observer shouldn’t have written this, I’m just sad enough of this stuff happens that such an article can be written about it.

Trouble in the Sanctuary: The Biggest North Texas Church Scandals

It’s such a sad trip down memory lane being reminded of names like Walker Railey and Robert Tilton. But I was surprised my former classmate Matt Chandler made the list.

France has recently garnered attention for its experimental wind energy technologies, which are bladeless and silent. Pilot projects of these vortex generators have been unveiled on the Normandy wind plateau in France, with additional rollouts in rural areas.  The core principle is vortex-induced vibration — a phenomenon that occurs when wind passes by cylindrical structures, causing them to oscillate. These movements are then transformed into usable electricity using alternators.  While innovative, these devices do not match the output of traditional turbines and are best suited for small-scale applications or as a complement to solar energy.

Here are a few articles about it:

• Engineers have unveiled one of the most elegant energy systems on the Normandy wind plateau, a wind turbine without blades
• “They Make No Sound at All”: Bladeless Wind Turbines Get Radical Redesign That Delivers Silent Power With Stunning Efficiency

I don’t pay much attention to the WNBA, but this was pretty sweet.

Napheesa Collier what the hell.One handed catch and finish while being held in traffic, in one swift motion.wowzers…

— Jonah Maves (@hunchojman.bsky.social) 2025-07-23T18:45:03.650Z

This bird is impressive. It’s one thing for him to find a stick and try to use it as a tool, but what puts him on a whole other level is his patience and tenacity in experimenting with different sticks. Incredible.

https://bsky.app/profile/petsunited.bsky.social/post/3lunawxmec22s

Could you imagine an elementary school music teacher doing this in the Eighties? Surely, Ozzy saw this before he passed away, and how heartwarming it must have been for him to see how society had adopted and accepted him over the years.

Every school needs a well funded music program. Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” xylophone-style… pic.twitter.com/5DogLFqsmu

— Melisa (@melisamusl) June 8, 2025

Sports Illustrated now has an entire page dedicated to the off-field lives of athletes; think fashion, who they’re dating, where they vacation, the ridiculous mansions they buy, and their side hustles. It’s basically part GQ, part TMZ, but with a sports twist. It’s not bad, just different. I suppose this is where sports fandom is headed. We don’t just watch games anymore; we want to see what’s in their closet and which mansion they’re remodeling.

Back in the day, we just wanted to read how our favorite team or players prepared for their opponents or what was going through their minds as they competed, not what kind of artisanal tequila he invested in or the new fashion company his wife started. Times have changed, and I suppose we now consume sports differently. However, it’s nice to see SI adapt and continue to survive, rather than fade away like Sears or Montgomery Ward.

Somewhat related, do we want sports announcers making crude comments for impressionable young fans of the WNBA?

ESPN host Elle Duncan raises eyebrows with crude joke during WNBA All-Star Game

“We hope it gets a little bit more competitive. Because like a girls’ trip to Cancun, right now, there’s no D.” Elle Duncan sums up the first half of the WNBA All-Star Game.

I’ve really started to enjoy a lot of fan-made Star Wars content using AI. There’s still work to be done to make it more realistic, but it’s interesting to consider the potential. I can picture Mark Hamill signing away his younger likeness rights to be used, allowing fans to see some of Luke’s adventures post-Return of the Jedi.

Skywalker Stories – Creating AI Star Wars shorts for the fans!

3 Dallas Influencers Make Time’s Top 100 Creators – Three Dallas content creators were named among the most influential. Should there have been more?

We have foodie Keith Lee, Kombucha Girl Brittany Broski, and Quenlin Blackwell. I’m an old man, I turn 50 in less than 40 days, I don’t know any of these people.

I used to search for God in thunder and miracles, then I noticed Him in the steadiness of my breath and the kindness of a stranger.

The Chinese built the world’s first oil tanker that uses wind sail propulsion for a UK company. 

The ship is equipped with three rigid WindWings sails developed by BAR Technologies, which can intelligently adjust their angle and curvature to optimise aerodynamic performance and enhance energy efficiency, as well as reduce carbon emissions. The rigid sail technology used in these ships will save about 1.5 tonnes of fuel per wing per day, and reduce around 6 tonnes of CO2 emissions per wing daily when operating on standard international routes.

The Volume technology was used to shoot some of Superman’s flying sequences in the film. pic.twitter.com/ZV4AxF28yQ

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 20, 2025

Bill O’Reilly lost his fastball. Embarassingly corrected on live television last week.

I think of the first couple of lines from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song when it comes to my life and the start of Trump’s second term. Due to his administration, I was laid off twice from two different government contracting jobs. I found out last night my nighttime routine will now be changing, and I have no doubt he’s behind it.Longtime readers know I love late-night television. Some people love sitcoms, others enjoy soap operas, and I prefer late-night television. It all started with watching Carson with my dad, then my brother introduced me to Letterman. Dave’s first Late Show on CBS happened on my birthday in 1993. In college, I embraced Conan and later witnessed Jay Leno stab him in the back; watched Kimmel grow into a decent host after Ted Koppel left Nightline, and then fell in love with Comedy Central’s The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. When Stewart left and Letterman retired, it really was no longer part of my routine. But when the mother of my children decided to break up our family, I found a lot of comfort returning to those shows. They became a part of my nightly routine. I record them all, and will often watch and compare each show’s monologue the next day, either through the DVR or by use of their YouTube channels. In particular, I started to embrace Stephen Colbert. He struggled at first, but over time, he not only overtook The Tonight Show but also won Emmys and a Peabody for his show. The most recent ratings from Nielsen show Colbert as winning his timeslot, with about 2.417 million viewers across 41 new episodes. It also said his late-night show was the only one to gain viewers so far this year.

Paramount, which is the parent company of CBS, just settled a bogus lawsuit with President Trump for $16 million. They have been trying to complete an $8 billion merger with a company called Skydance, which requires the approval of Trump’s FCC. Trump has been shaking down media companies, such as Paramount and ABC (owned by Disney), telling them they would only receive government approvals if they settled with him or enriched him personally, like contributing to his future presidential library. Colbert has been scorching Trump and rightfully called out the cowardice of ABC and CBS.

Last night, Colbert shockingly announced that it plans to end his “Late Show” after the next TV season. In other words, his show will only be around for ten more months. It really doesn’t make any sense from the normal business logic of television. Stephen Colbert has the highest-rated late-night television program. He beats his competitors. He’s been going at it for 10 years, and frankly, he’s been on a hot streak lately. So, by the business logic of television, normally, he would be in a very safe spot. Almost everybody is connecting this to the Paramount settlement from two weeks ago. He who controls the media controls the opinions of the masses. He who controls the opinions of the masses controls the world. This is a phrase that has been on my mind a lot lately. The phrase is often associated with the use of propaganda and censorship in totalitarian regimes, like Nazi Germany and fascist Italy.

Congrats to Stephen Colbert for never bending the knee.

While listening to the Musers podcast, a Hilton commercial featuring Paris Hilton played. I’m not sure why, but I debated in my head whether she was paid for it or not. Of course, she should get paid for her work, but the hotel company is what gave her such a privileged life, if anything, she owes the company free work. For you local folks, I’m sure Rick Stacy doesn’t pay himself for the commercials he makes. But I bet Clay Cooley’s kids probably get paid for making commercials for the family business.

I conducted some research on Conrad Hilton, Paris’s great-grandfather, who founded the hotel chain. After serving only one term in the first New Mexico legislature (1912-1916), he purchased his first hotel in Cisco, Texas, to capitalize on the oil boom. His first luxury Hilton Hotel was built in 1925 in Dallas. In 1963, he privately published his book Inspirations of an Innkeeper. Only 312 copies were published, but the book has been digitized and is online. He related himself to the innkeeper of the first Christmas. As a matter of fact, his gravestone, which is just north of Love Field in Dallas, has “Christmas is Forever” inscribed. I find it interesting that he resided in a 61‐room mansion in Bel‐Air and a home in Palm Springs, but is buried in a Catholic cemetery in Dallas, with his father and brother, both of whom preceeded him in death.

A few more things about their new podcast. It’s a lot different than the show; it’s more reflective and emotional. And, while I think it was an accident, it was the first time I heard one of the guys mention Gordon’s daughter to him. Gordon usually avoids any talk about his dating life or romantic life, and especially his children, and the guys typically make sure to avoid it as well.

Cinema. In its purest form pic.twitter.com/KLVpX5sxfx

— OldTimeHardball (@OleTimeHardball) July 13, 2025