Bag of Randomness for Tuesday, April 23, 2024

  • My grandmother died on this day. I think it was 38 years ago. Don’t pass along any condolences; I’m no longer sad or really have any emotion tied to it. But it was the first death I experienced. And, at the time, I was very sad about it. But as time went by, little by little, I became less attached to it. Granted, I still remember the day every year. I don’t have it marked on the calendar, but it’s always noticeable. But there’s absolutely no more pain. I wonder when I’ll treat that traumatic life event I had several years ago the same way. While I don’t want to wish my time away, it can’t get here soon enough.
  • I had no idea – Yes, There Are Badgers in Texas (and No, They Aren’t Friendly)
  • How someone stacked the odds in their favor to win a $95 million Texas Lottery jackpot
    • Unbeknownst to the millions of players who’d invested their hopes and dreams into the game and its life-changing jackpot, the winner had already been decided. Rook TX appears to have engineered a nearly risk-free — and completely legal — multimillion-dollar payday. And the state of Texas helped.
  • Fast food restaurants are now testing AI in the drive-thru. The evolution of the drive-thru is a bit interesting when you look back at it. It started by ordering at the window, then a speaker box, experimenting with the driver speaking to a worker not on location (often off-shore) via the internet, and now a computer.
  • I’ve been meaning to write about how I’ve been using AI more and more in my life. For instance, I read a short scripture devotional about Simon, who picked up the cross for Jesus, and asked ChatGPT some questions for more insight. It was as if I was speaking to a real person.
    • Keith: Why did Simon of Cyrene carry the cross for Jesus?ChatGPT: According to Christian tradition, Simon of Cyrene was compelled to carry the cross for Jesus as Jesus was struggling to carry it himself on the way to his crucifixion. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke all mention Simon of Cyrene assisting Jesus with the cross. In the context of the story, Jesus was likely physically weakened and exhausted from the beatings and torture he endured prior to his crucifixion, making it difficult for him to carry the cross alone. Simon’s assistance symbolizes the concept of bearing one another’s burdens and acts of kindness towards those in need.

      Keith: Did he feel pressured by the crowd or did it out of the kindness of his heart?

      ChatGPT: The Gospels don’t explicitly mention Simon’s motivation for helping Jesus carry the cross. However, it’s commonly interpreted that Simon was compelled by the Roman soldiers to assist Jesus, likely due to Jesus’s physical weakness and inability to carry the cross on his own. It’s possible that Simon initially felt pressured or forced to help. Still, many interpretations suggest that Simon’s act of carrying the cross ultimately became an act of kindness and compassion, as he willingly took on the burden to assist Jesus in his time of need.

      Keith: What do you mean by compelled?

      ChatGPT: When I say “compelled,” I mean that Simon of Cyrene was likely forced or coerced by the Roman soldiers to help Jesus carry the cross. In the context of the crucifixion scene, it’s commonly understood that Jesus was physically weakened and unable to bear the weight of the cross on his own due to the beatings and torture he endured. As a result, the soldiers likely selected Simon from the crowd and compelled him to assist Jesus in carrying the cross to the site of crucifixion.

      Keith: Why him and not anyone else standing near him or Jesus?

      ChatGPT: The Gospels do not provide explicit reasons why Simon of Cyrene was chosen to help Jesus carry the cross, but there are several possibilities:

      1. Physical Ability: Simon may have appeared physically capable of helping Jesus carry the cross. The soldiers may have observed his strength or stature and selected him based on their perception of his ability to assist.
      2. Proximity: Simon may have been standing near Jesus when the soldiers needed someone to help carry the cross. The soldiers might have chosen the nearest person available to expedite the process.
      3. Roman Authority: The soldiers had the authority to compel individuals to perform tasks, such as carrying burdens, as part of their duties. They likely selected Simon without regard to his personal choice.
      4. Divine Purpose: Some interpretations suggest that Simon’s involvement in carrying the cross may have had symbolic or theological significance, perhaps illustrating the concept of sharing in Jesus’s suffering or fulfilling a prophetic role.

      Overall, while the exact reason for choosing Simon of Cyrene is not explicitly stated in the Gospels, these are some possible factors that may have influenced the soldiers’ decision.

      Keith: Did Simon have a relationship with Jesus prior to this event?

      ChatGPT: The Gospels do not provide explicit information about whether Simon of Cyrene had a preexisting relationship with Jesus prior to assisting him with the cross. It’s possible that Simon was just a bystander or a pilgrim who happened to be in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’s crucifixion. However, some traditions and interpretations suggest that Simon may have later become a follower of Jesus or had a deeper spiritual connection as a result of his involvement in this significant event. Still, such details are not provided in the biblical accounts.

  • Australia news – Hospital staff plead with bite victims to stop bringing snakes to emergency departments
    • I was surprised to learn that the snake identity is not needed for treatment.
  • Probably a bad idea – RFK Jr.: ‘I’m gonna put the entire US budget on blockchain’
    • Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he wants to put the “U.S. budget on blockchain,” a ledger of transactions typically associated with bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
  • Non-Florida news – Man who won primary election while charged with murder convicted on lesser charge
    • A central Indiana man who won a primary election for a township board position while charged with killing his estranged wife has been found guilty of the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter.
  • Most in the West wouldn’t think the hermit nation would be intelligent or technically advanced enough to do such stuff – U.S. Studios May Have Unwittingly Used North Korean Animators: Report
    • According to a report, U.S. animation studios may have unknowingly had work on their projects outsourced to illustrators and graphic designers in North Korea. Drawings for an upcoming season of Invincible, an Amazon Prime Video show, and other work that appears to be for the forthcoming Max series Iyanu: Child of Wonder were found in a trove of documents found by American researchers on a computer server located in North Korea
  • This was an interesting Twitter thread. I included a pic of some of his results.

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Bag of Randomness for Monday, April 22, 2024

  • I like this photo of Elvis because it looks like he’s tweeting or sending a text. Here’s a thought. A hundred, heck, maybe fifty years from now, if texting is still a thing, people will probably mistakenly think Elvis lived during the time when smartphones were common. For instance, can you tell me if P.T. Barnum ever used the telephone? Most of you probably couldn’t without a little research, but Barnum died in 1891, just a few years before the widespread adoption of the telephone. But here’s another funny thought. Fifty years from now, someone may write a book report about Elvis and the Beatles. That student may think that Elvis and Paul McCartney exchanged text messages at some point. Yet, only McCartney lived long enough for text messaging to be commonplace in society.
  • Taylor Swift continues to impress, but I’m looking at it from another angle. She released a 31-song album. That’s enough for new music for three separate albums. She could have easily released them separately at different times and raked in triple the profits. But she didn’t. She really did a nice thing for her fans. It’s just about as nice as when U2 gave away a free album. Blame Apple for not making it easy to remove the album from their devices.
  • Supporters of former President Trump are upset that he’s on trial and it’s entirely politically motivated. But it looks like it will do nothing but put him back in the White House, so they’ll look back at it as a mixed blessing.
  • Russia’s War Against Evangelicals
    • After they beat Azat Azatyan so bad blood came out of his ears; after they sent electric shocks up his genitals; after they wacked him with pipes and truncheons, the Russians began to interrogate him about his faith. “When did you become a Baptist? When did you become an American spy?” Azat tried to explain that in Ukraine there was freedom of religion, you could just choose your faith. But his torturers saw the world the same way as their predecessors at the KGB did: an American church is just a front for the American state.
  • The biggest problem with college football is that the length of games is too long; this will make them longer, but at least they aren’t going to squeeze in more commercials. – College Football Adds Two-Minute Warning, Helmet Communication for 2024 Season
    • The two-minute warnings will come at the end of the second and fourth quarters just like in NFL games. Unlike the pro game, those stoppages will not add additional TV timeouts. It will be an open spot for a media timeout if necessary, but will not add another slot for a break.
  • I can understand a comedy club adding gratuity if food or drinks were ordered, but for apparral, 20% at $36? That’s nuts.
  • This is cute and all, but why did Bally choose not to tag the player, Jarrett Allen? He’s in every shot, and if he didn’t instigate it, this pregame routine would have never happened.
    https://twitter.com/BallySportsCLE/status/1781699751164920207

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Bag of Randomness for Friday, April 19, 2025

  • When I saw Alice Cooper’s quote, I thought it was too good to be true, and someone made it up. I’m wrong. those are his words.
  • I’ve been reading a lot about all the gimmicks NBC plans on using to broadcast the Olympics. This one seems a bit cheap:
    • “The network even plans to deploy five heart-­rate monitors among the parents of athletes. The results will be shown on­screen as moms and dads watch their kids compete — something that test audiences have loved.”
  • Caitlin Clark’s first WNBA game will be in Arlington against the Dallas Wings on May 3rd.
  • I saw some videos of how Real Madrid uses a high-tech underground greenhouse to maintain its pitch (soccer field). They store the pitch in MiddleEarth when it isn’t being used, and it’s kept in perfect condition with fully automated air conditioning, irrigation, mowers, and LED lighting. It really is amazing and puts our stadium to shame. I need to find a documentary about it.

    https://twitter.com/JoePompliano/status/1780953102537138376

  • Scorsese Eyes Frank Sinatra Biopic With Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence
    • Scorsese did the Howard Hughes biopic. Hughes is a huge fascination of mine, and while Scorsese made a great film, I don’t think he and DiCaprio did the man justice. So, I don’t have high hopes that the Sinatra film will do Frank justice, though I bet it will be artsy.
    • A lot of people believe, rightfully, that Ronan Farrow’s father is actually Frank Sinatra and not Woody Allen. What I think Scorsese should do is cast Farrow as Sinatra for some scenes in the film.
  • Now, that’s how you crush a ball.

  • We. Are. Doomed.

Posted in Personal | Comments Off on Bag of Randomness for Friday, April 19, 2025

Bag of Randomness for Tuesday, April 16, 2024

  • Yesterday, Major League Baseball marked the 77th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the sport’s color barrier. His 101-year-old widow attended an event at Citi Field in New York. Jackie died in 1972 at the age of 53, 52 years ago. She has just about lived the total amount of time he was alive as his widow. I may not have phrased that correctly, but I think you understand what I’m trying to convey.
  • Jackie’s grandson, Burso Robinson, threw out the first pitch. That’s an interesting and unique name. I spent a good 20 minutes trying to find an answer, and I found a big bag of nothing. I guess it’s a nickname. This is what an AI search engine told me:
    • Jackie Robinson had three grandchildren through his son, Jackie Robinson Jr., and his daughter, Sharon Robinson. Their names are David Robinson, Jesse Robinson, and Adam Robinson. If you’re referring to another individual named Busro Robinson, I couldn’t find any information about such a person in relation to Jackie Robinson’s family.
  • Each year, several players across the league donate their April 15 gameday salaries to the Players Alliance, which works to promote Black participation at every level of organized baseball and a more diverse future for the sport. I think Ken Griffey Jr. was the first to start this tradition, but I’m too lazy to verify that information. But I know for sure he came up with the idea of all players wearing 42 each year, which is a pretty cool and strongly stated tradition.
  • Here’s an interesting connection I found: Jackie Robinson has a strong connection with musician Carly Simon.
    • In 1952, after the birth of their third child, the Robinsons needed a bigger home. The family was denied homes in NY that were “mysteriously” pulled off the market, and they had trouble viewing any new properties.
    • A reporter asked Rachel Robinson about racial housing practices in the tri-state area, and Carly’s father, Richard, read the article. Along with his wife, they decided to help the Robinsons find a plot of land. The Robinsons purchased a plot in Stamford, CT.
      • Carly’s father, Richard Simon, is the Simon in Simon and Schuster. He went on to co-found the San Diego detective agency, Simon & Simon. Okay, I made that last part up.
      • Everyone on TwitterX thought Carly’s mother, Andrea, was a JFK doppelganger. I totally see it. My mind is totally blown, but not in a JFK kind of way.
    • The house still needed to be built. The Simons offered the Robinsons a place to stay so that Rachel could oversee the building project. The Simons, the Robinsons, and their combined seven children would wind up together for about 18 months.
    • Carly’s brother, Peter, said, “Jackie spent so much time teaching us about baseball. We’d stand out in the backyard, and he’d hit us grounders with a tennis racquet and a tennis ball. He used to whale the ball and hit these towering high flies. We were so into it, especially Carly, who was a true-blue Dodger fan.”
    • In her memoirs, Carly recalled going to Dodgers home games at Ebbets Field, sitting on Pee Wee Reese’s lap in the dugout, and serving as the team’s informal mascot. The team had a special jacket made for her, with “Dodgers” printed on the back and “Carly” on the front.
    • Carly told NPR that Rachel was by her mother’s side when she was dying.
  • The inscription on Jackie Robinson’s grave has me doing some serious reflection.
    • “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives,”
Posted in Personal | Comments Off on Bag of Randomness for Tuesday, April 16, 2024