Nearly... 🤣 maybe next time!!

The swallows are not getting any faster, but *I am* 😆

Of course, I have a long way to go, but I am very pleased with my progress in just a few days, significant improvements all round 👍

#Birds #Photography

Katie Ledecky wins 1500m free at swim worlds on 15-year streak, breaks ties with Phelps, Lochte
https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/katie-ledecky-swimming-world-championships-1500-freestyle?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

Posted into Top Stories in Sports @top-stories-in-sports-thenewsdesk

Katie Ledecky wins 1500m free at swim worlds on 15-year streak, breaks ties with Phelps, Lochte

Katie Ledecky won her sixth world title in the 1500m freestyle.

^{Nick Zaccardi (NBC Sports)}

Canadian weapons parts are still be sent to Israel investigation finds. How shameful.We need to pay attention to the actions of our own government #Canada and not get distracted by the southern shitshow.

cbc.ca/news/politics/arms-ammu…

Woke up to find that a main gigabit feeder cable had failed. This took considerable time to diagnose. It took much longer to switch to a 100Mb backup circuit that I left in place when I installed the 1G, on the theory that it could indeed be a backup but would likely never be needed.

Now all these years later, bringing up that circuit had the feeling of the direct line between the two planets fighting a computer-directed "virtual war" in the original Star Trek episode "Taste of Armageddon". Yeah, there's a line, but it hasn't been used in centuries.

This is a bit last-minute, but here's a nice line-up of over 70 books you can grab for free in exchange for your email addy.

That's 70 books of fantasy and science-fiction that are not romance - subplots are allowed, but none of that sweet, icky love, okay?

Check it out here:

books.bookfunnel.com/fantasyju…

This is your chance to try a new author with no regrets! But hurry, this goes away on the 31st.

#FreeBooks
#Fantasy
#SciFi
@bookstodon

Why not recognize the Palestinian state AND demand a ceasefire?
journa.host/@samlitzinger/1149…

Sam Litzinger

2025-07-29 17:14:10

Starmer says UK will recognize Palestinian state unless Israel agrees ceasefire, ends Gaza suffering

apnews.com/article/starmer-rec…

Google rolling out Video Overviews in NotebookLM
https://9to5google.com/2025/07/29/notebooklm-video-overviews/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

Posted into All Stories @all-stories-9to5google

Google rolling out Video Overviews in NotebookLM

As teased at I/O 2025 in May, NotebookLM is adding Video Overviews to complement the popular audio podcasts. 

^{Abner Li (9to5Google)}

so, it sounds like the NYU killer took the wrong elevator and shot a Blackrock exec.

. . . Shame.

Exclusive: A group of congressional Democrats wants to ban for-profit corporations from forming and using political action committees.

axios.com/2025/07/29/mark-kell…

The best deal in Google TV hardware now throws in Apple TV+ for free
https://9to5google.com/2025/07/29/walmart-onn-4k-plus-google-tv-apple-tv-promo/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

Posted into All Stories @all-stories-9to5google

The best deal in Google TV hardware now throws in Apple TV+ for free

Walmart’s Onn 4K Plus was already the most affordable and best value in Google TV hardware, and now the retailer...

^{Ben Schoon (9to5Google)}

New server, new account!

hissquiet = minmoonuh

I’ll follow folks back when I have a minute. gonna delete this post later

Diddy’s Lawyers File Motion Seeking Pre-Sentencing Release From Prison
https://www.thewrap.com/diddy-trial-lawyers-file-motion-pre-sentencing-prison-release/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

Posted into Top Stories in Celeb @top-stories-in-celeb-thenewsdesk

Diddy's Lawyers File Motion for Pre-Sentencing Prison Release

Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial lawyers have filed a new motion seeking his pre-sentencing release from federal detainment.

^{Alex Welch (TheWrap)}

Five Strangely Fascinating Moments From a Weird Baseball Summer Monday
https://www.si.com/mlb/five-strangely-fascinating-moments-from-a-weird-baseball-summer-monday?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

Posted into Top Stories in Sports @top-stories-in-sports-thenewsdesk

Five Strangely Fascinating Moments From a Weird Baseball Summer Monday

From amazing catches to getting stung by a bee, here’s what you missed from the baseball diamond Monday night.

^{Tyler Lauletta (Sports Illustrated)}

OpenAI launches Study Mode in ChatGPT

techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/open…

OpenAI launches Study Mode in ChatGPT | TechCrunch

OpenAI's Study Mode aims to help students develop their own critical thinking skills, rather than just giving answers.

^{Maxwell Zeff (TechCrunch)}

"Patch why are you watching Andor so many times."

"I haven't enjoyed a' Star Wars property since the Phantom Menace came out andt his honestly feels more like Star Wars than Return of the Jedi did."

Penn State has 2 early candidates for college football’s defensive player of the year
https://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/2025/07/penn-state-has-2-early-candidates-for-college-footballs-defensive-player-of-the-year.html?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

Posted into Penn State Football News from PennLive.com @penn-state-football-news-from-pennlive-com-PennLivedotcom

Penn State has 2 early candidates for college football’s defensive player of the year

Zane Durant has been a popular name this offseason, but the other Nittany Lion is finally getting some deserved praise.

^{Max Ralph | mralph@pennlive.com (pennlive)}

#WritersCoffeeClub 29Jul—How happy or bittersweet are your endings?

It's not a spoiler to say that the ending of The Way of the Wielder series will be a happy one. I've been telling readers that from the start.

But each individual book's ending...

Book one: a little bittersweet
Book two: traumatic AF
Book three: happy
Book four: HEA

I write romantic fantasy, and IMO the characters involved in that should have a HEA or happy for now, even if other aspects of the plot do not.

Nominations pileup has Senate Republicans threatening rules changes
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/07/29/congress/senate-nominations-rules-changes-00481796?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

Posted into Congress @congress-politico

Witnesses and data say malnutrition-related deaths in Gaza have shot up | AP News

apnews.com/article/gaza-starva…

Sketch of person of interest released after couple killed while hiking
https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/sketch-person-interest-released-after-couple-killed-hiking-124176929?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

Posted into News @news-abc

Video Sketch of person of interest released after couple killed while hiking

Arkansas State Police released a composite sketch of a man seen in Devil's Den State Park on Saturday, the day of the killings.

^{ABC News}

Netanyahu considers plan to annex territories in Gaza if no ceasefire: Sources
https://abcnews.go.com/International/video/netanyahu-considers-plan-annex-territories-gaza-ceasefire-sources-124178566?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

Posted into News @news-abc

Video Netanyahu considers plan to annex territories in Gaza if no ceasefire: Sources

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering a plan to annex territories in Gaza, two sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.

^{ABC News}

Netflix’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ Series Reveals First Look at the Bennet Sisters, Rounds Out Cast With Rufus Sewell, Louis Partridge, Rhea Norwood and More
https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/netflix-pride-and-prejudice-first-look-full-cast-revealed-1236472819/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

Posted into Top Stories in Celeb @top-stories-in-celeb-thenewsdesk

Netflix's 'Pride and Prejudice' First Look, Full Cast Revealed

Netflix has unveiled a first look and the supporting cast for its upcoming 'Pride and Prejudice' limited series, which is currently in production.

^{Jack Dunn (Variety)}

#MonsterdonAlert

Sunday, August 3, 2025, 8PM CT (1AM Monday UTC)

IT'S #MONSTERDON

we will be watching

The Raven (1963)

"Magician Erasmus Craven (Vincent Price) is still deeply depressed two years after the death of his beloved wife, Lenore (Hazel Court). One day, he's visited by Adolphus Bedlo (Peter Lorre), who has been transformed into a raven after losing a duel to Dr. Scarabus (Boris Karloff), an evil wizard. After Craven transforms Bedlo back into a human, Bedlo claims to have seen Lenore's ghost at Scarabus' castle, prompting the two to head to Scarabus' castle to seek Craven's lost love."

youtube.com/watch?v=PvngX_-K-N…

The Raven Official Trailer #1 - Vincent Price Movie (1963) HD

Subscribe to TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/sxaw6hSubscribe to COMING SOON: http://bit.ly/H2vZUnSubscribe to CLASSIC TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/1u43jDeLike us on FACEB...

^YouTube

There's not enough paint in the world to paint all the dicks it would take to make NE Going street (my neighborhood East/West bike boulevard) a smooth ride. Every type of pavement imaginable was used in different stretches of it and it's all thrashed. It would be one long giant dick only visible from the air.
#Portland #biketooter

oregonlive.com/portland/2025/0…

A crude pothole graffiti tactic got Portland’s attention. Please don’t copy it, officials say

Nearby apartment dwellers had a bird's eye view of the graphic murals.

^{Sami Edge | The Oregonian/OregonLive (oregonlive)}

If you want to see the rules on any Mastodon server:

1. Go to its website (you don't need to log in or be a member)
2. If you're on a phone click ☰ and then "About" at bottom of menu, on a computer click the "About" link next to server's name in bottom left corner
3. Scroll down to the section marked "Server Rules" and click on it to open it

This can be really useful if you're looking for a server to join or move to, as you can see how seriously the admin takes moderation.

#FediTips #Mastodon