Ghost of LL

In Russia, there is no separation of church and state. The Russian Orthodox Church is explicitly and emphatically an organ of the Russian government. And its "priests" are government agents who are frequently directly employed by the FSB. So they not only disseminate government propaganda, they also inform on their parishioners (and, in an area like Dagestan, probably on other members of the community). So don't think of a Russian Orthodox priest as akin to a Catholic priest in Austin. He's much more analogous to an imam in Saudi Arabia.

Oh, Jesus--I didn't think it was possible for me to cheer against aggy tonight any more than I already was. But between the prospect of getting Schloss in here countered with the threat of Vitello coaching my team (he may be a great coach, but he's also a fucking tool), I'm going to be cheering for the Vols every much as though it were the Horns out there.

Counterpoint--it's not up to the Turks to impose onto English-speakers a diacritic that is completely foreign to our language. I don't think it's necessary to spell "São Tomé and Príncipe" with all those little squiggles, even though I understand they're proper in Portuguese. It's enough that I address the country as Sao Tome and Principe, which is how it is styled at the United Nations. Perhaps I'd give more of a shit if the Turks would address my country as the United States of America rather than the "ABD." And I understand that they want to call Germany "Almanya," because that's just in keeping with Constantinople's Roman heritage. But unless the Turks are going to start calling Norway "Norge" rather than "Norveç," I'm really kind of uninterested in their histrionics over the deal. Final funny note on all this--the United States Department of State has adopted the "Türkiye" spelling, but also made clear that the pronunciation remains the same. That is, American diplomats don't adopt the overwrought Canadian-ified "Turkey-eh" pronunciation that you heard on the broadcast. And I just personally think that's really funny. edited to add: These days without a morning match to distract me from these little flights of irrelevancy really suck.

Oh, you chocolate-eating watchmakers thought you were going to beat die Mannschaft. But you’ll get an outcome as neutral as your foreign policy.

Holy shit

There it is. Maybe a bit overdue, but definitely not surprising.

Es verdad.

Ok, I’m now strongly cheering for Portugal just because the Turkish fans’ incessant whistling is making me insane.

That would be helpful. From the side angle, I think I agree with the call. But I'm not particularly passionate about it; it's arguable either way. Does the 6-yard box have any meaning when the ball is in play? I think that's the philosophical question at issue here. I think under the black letter of the rule book, but answer is "no." But I think the reality has generally been quite different, with the keeper getting a lot more latitude in the six-yard box than he would, say, at the outer edge of the area.

Good God--absolutely stunning to me that neither of these teams have scored into the 71st minute.

I just got back from a three-week family trip during which I started picking up some of the GenZ lingo from my 15- and 13-year old. My 15-year old was generally pretty chill with it, but the 13-year old was less enthused. Finally one day, she got so frustrated with me that she glowers and says, "Dad, you're so cringe." "Daughter--just remember that today's slay is tomorrow's skibbidy cringe." She sits back, and after a moment's thought just says "frl frl." Frl frl, indeed, my friends.

We stayed there last March on the trip that gave rise to this thread. Unfortunately, I don't have any specific recommendations for restaurants; just recommendations on areas. Just on the other side of the Shimbashi train station (which is about a three block walk from the hotel) is the Shinbashi neighborhood. It's full of little bars, restaurants, and izakayas that are worth checking out. Particularly on a Thursday, when all the salarymen are starting to get their weekend drink on, the place becomes amazing. Otherwise, for breakfast or lunch you definitely have to do the Tsujiki Outer Market, which is just one metro stop away (or a slightly longish walk). Mrs.LL and I did eat at China Blue in the hotel. It was exceptionally good and disappointing all at once. I know that doesn't make any sense. But that was the feel that both Mrs.LL and I came away with.

Yeah, but on a corner here is where you'd really love to have Kane still on the pitch.

I wanted to see that, but I was outvoted by the family, which unanimously wanted to go across the street and see Six. It was good. Probably not my favorite. But I was entertained. Notwithstanding @PenelopeWitherspoon's sage advice, we ended up staying at the Ritz-Carlton in NoMad, and that ended up being a good decision as we ended up at Bazaar afterwards. That's a great place, and I'd definitely go back. All around, a fantastic property that I'd highly recommend.

The Fifth Circuit has stayed the contempt order, holding that the district court likely exceeded its legal authority. https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca5.211751/gov.uscourts.ca5.211751.232.1.pdf

Some real soft calls going the other way.

Yeah, partner—don’t worry about it. I celebrated enough for the both of us.

Don’t tell me what I know and what I don’t know; I know the law!

It’s a champagne and caviar kind of night tonight!

Just as a lawyer—and a pretty fucking drunk one just now—I cannot tell you how vindicated I feel for our entire system, particularly when we have the likes of Sam Alito and Clarence Thomas at the top of it. Proverbs 21:15: “When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.“

I had to credit myself with that extra third to assert my dominance over most of this board.

How is Mrs LL doin? She’s getting all 10 inches tonight. That’s right, boys—Imma gonna fuck her like three times.

Silversea.

My dude—if I manage not to fall overboard tonight, it’ll be a minor miracle. I’m supposed to meet @Pescado_Rojo tomorrow in Cabo for a cocktail. I hope I’m still breathing. Oh, and the Finns on the ship have already come over to congratulate me on the fine functioning of our judicial system. I really like the Finns.

Imagine being on a cruise with all of the alcohol complimentary on a day like this.