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The Power Four => Big Ten => Topic started by: 847badgerfan on January 02, 2026, 11:38:13 AM

Title: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 02, 2026, 11:38:13 AM
Happy New Year to all. 2026 is shaping up to be a nice year for our family. Lots of travel plans, grandkids visits, boating, less working for me, and more focus on health.

We leave for Cabo on Monday, and then to visit my MiL in PHX for a few very long days. Maybe I'll get sick. Anyway, it's on the list so it needs to be done. Other than that, lots to look forward to in the coming months.

New Orleans is next, at the end of February. 

Looking at a cruise sometime in July or August - destination unknown as of now. 

I don't make New Years resolutions. Do any of you?

Got something for ya.

Planet Fitness Offering Convenient New Two-Week Membership For New Year's | Babylon Bee (https://babylonbee.com/news/planet-fitness-offering-convenient-new-two-week-membership-for-new-years?utm_source=The Babylon Bee)
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: MarqHusker on January 02, 2026, 12:06:26 PM
Made plans for our 20th Anniversary (w kids this time)  back to Maui.   I will also resolve to losing my Aarp card when it arrives. 
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on January 02, 2026, 03:32:37 PM
Happy New Year to all. 2026 is shaping up to be a nice year for our family. Lots of travel plans, grandkids visits, boating, less working for me, and more focus on health.

We leave for Cabo on Monday, and then to visit my MiL in PHX for a few very long days. Maybe I'll get sick. Anyway, it's on the list so it needs to be done. Other than that, lots to look forward to in the coming months.

New Orleans is next, at the end of February.

Looking at a cruise sometime in July or August - destination unknown as of now.

I don't make New Years resolutions. Do any of you?

Got something for ya.

Planet Fitness Offering Convenient New Two-Week Membership For New Year's | Babylon Bee (https://babylonbee.com/news/planet-fitness-offering-convenient-new-two-week-membership-for-new-years?utm_source=The Babylon Bee)
We need to have dinner, at one of those fancy pants joints you find.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: utee94 on January 02, 2026, 04:46:04 PM
We need to have dinner, at one of those fancy pants joints you find.
And Richie Rich badgerfan is buying!!!
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on January 02, 2026, 11:36:30 PM
I leave Texas Monday morning for Missouri, then home to the great white north.

I'll start wondering about 26 when I get to the end of March, the deep freeze ends and the golf course opens
until then it's just survival mode - stay warm and drink heavily 

Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: Honestbuckeye on January 03, 2026, 08:02:51 AM
Hope for 26 to be good.  

Should be the year of retirement. Was already planning to do it, but they asked me to stay and help them with some important things and they made it worth my while.  

going to become a grandpa if all goes according to plan   
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: MrNubbz on January 03, 2026, 08:07:16 AM
I leave Texas Monday morning for Missouri, then home to the great white north.

I'll start wondering about 26 when I get to the end of March, the deep freeze ends and the golf course opens
until then it's just survival mode - stay warm and drink heavily
In these parts it been white since around turkey day and below normal temps.Be sending it your way
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: bayareabadger on January 03, 2026, 08:22:55 AM
Feeling like the year I finally buy a house.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on January 03, 2026, 09:25:19 AM
In these parts it been white since around turkey day and below normal temps.Be sending it your way
good luck with that, Pilgrim
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: CatsbyAZ on January 22, 2026, 12:12:04 PM
Seen in Westwood the other night:

(https://i.imgur.com/wACLLG6.jpeg)
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: Cincydawg on January 22, 2026, 12:12:44 PM
I'm making potato leek soup today.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: utee94 on January 22, 2026, 12:17:19 PM
We're about to have our 1.5 days of "winter" here this weekend.  My menu for the event includes a big pot of Texas red chili, an Irish stew, and my mom's old vintage 70s Betty Crocker-style lasagna.  We'll also have plenty of hot chocolate, s'mores, red wine, and bourbon to fill in the gaps.

Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on January 22, 2026, 01:05:39 PM
Barefoot Contessa's Baked Shrimp Scampi is on the menu tonight

I don't have the shallot, parsley leaves, lemon zest, or lemon juice but it will be close enough
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: ELA on January 22, 2026, 01:07:49 PM
Seen in Westwood the other night:

(https://i.imgur.com/wACLLG6.jpeg)
(https://preview.redd.it/whats-your-opinion-on-pc-principal-v0-eakf3p8iahdd1.png?auto=webp&s=885590bd6d3adc6e8c60f64a9bde566c2050952e)
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 22, 2026, 01:12:26 PM
Barefoot Contessa's Baked Shrimp Scampi is on the menu tonight

I don't have the shallot, parsley leaves, lemon zest, or lemon juice but it will be close enough
That's a lot of missing key parts.

Do you have the shrimp?
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: utee94 on January 22, 2026, 01:15:12 PM
He'll just substitute beef for the shrimp, onion for the shallots, salt and pepper for the parsley, carrots and celery for the lemon zest and lemon juice, and potatoes for the pasta.

Beef stew is close to shrimp scampi, right?

Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: ELA on January 22, 2026, 01:18:55 PM
Just add beans, and call it chili

:57:
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on January 22, 2026, 01:19:20 PM
That's a lot of missing key parts.

Do you have the shrimp?
I do have the shrimp, olive oil, white wine, kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, unsalted butter, garlic (4 cloves), sub onion for the shallot, rosemary leaf, red pepper flakes, egg yolk, & panko breadcrumbs

I don't need no stinkin lemon
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 22, 2026, 01:36:20 PM
Lemon is vital for shrimp scampi.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: MrNubbz on January 22, 2026, 01:38:12 PM
That's a lot of missing key parts.

Do you have the shrimp?
Ya well he forgets a lot of strokes when he has the score card also - so bare with him
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on January 22, 2026, 01:40:08 PM
What the Hell is a scampi anyway? 
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: MrNubbz on January 22, 2026, 01:45:53 PM
Just add beans, and call it chili

:57:
Speaking of which that's what I'm making 1st thing upon rolling out of the rack tomorrow
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: MarqHusker on January 22, 2026, 01:46:31 PM
gotta be an Italian word for crustacean I would think
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on January 22, 2026, 01:52:09 PM
(https://img.ifunny.co/images/ee7ed1e466d64e733e1b91b94fabe3f0cb669bf7fe01d8751f32f6921383a07f_1.jpg)
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: utee94 on January 22, 2026, 02:06:32 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/m4W6OqA.png)
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 22, 2026, 02:38:24 PM
What the Hell is a scampi anyway?
Italian for tiny lobster (langostinos) or prawns. Also is used as a name for a dish prepared with those, in olive oil, qith S&P, garlic, white wine and seasoned with parmesan and lemon juice.

Take it to the cookbook thread?
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on January 22, 2026, 03:12:13 PM
take it up with www.food.com/recipe/barefoot-contessas-baked-shrimp-scampi
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: Cincydawg on January 22, 2026, 04:52:12 PM
Kosher salt is a waste of money for cooking uses.  It’s not even kosher.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on January 22, 2026, 05:02:36 PM
but, it's coarser 
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 22, 2026, 05:04:14 PM
Kosher salt is a waste of money for cooking uses.  It’s not even kosher.
Better let Alton Brown know about this. And me. It's all we use.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: Cincydawg on January 23, 2026, 11:06:52 AM
Kosher salt is specifically intended to exsanguinate meat.  That's why it's formed into platelets with a larger surface area.  In terms of taste, it's just table salt.

I know folks claim it tastes different, but chemically, it's 99.99% the same as normal table salt, just in a different form.  

Waste of money in my view.  So are all the other "sea salts" and whatnot.  My wife begs to differ.  It's all primarily sodiuim chloride and that aspect dominates the taste.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on January 23, 2026, 11:43:28 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/WKRnYBT.png)
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: CatsbyAZ on February 04, 2026, 10:52:03 AM
Checking on the new minor conference alignments out west...

(https://i.imgur.com/140AIq7.png)

...and I won't be the only one to notice something in particular about the restocked Pac 12:

(https://i.imgur.com/6Qadwr8.png)
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on February 04, 2026, 11:03:13 AM
All "state" schools, and Unlv is goofy for staying in the MWC. 
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: MrNubbz on February 04, 2026, 11:50:44 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/WKRnYBT.png)
well sure but that's just low hanging fruit for a click - in reality he's a light weight .They wouldn't even think of it with you/94/Bwarb/me or rest of those here afflicted with the thirst
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 04, 2026, 12:03:31 PM

All "state" schools, and Unlv is goofy for staying in the MWC.

They weren't invited to the new PAC. They took Texas State instead (dumb).

The PAC should now take UNLV, USAFA, UNM and Wyoming.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: MrNubbz on February 04, 2026, 12:07:25 PM
HUH? think you clicked the wrong quote there 847,i did it this morning so
(https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NYAdXg0ABtTHcF1iC1yTt6BP_f-j45EU0N2SsNSvm8HHGDKafEbu5JR5hC1dP1T1RpWkW4pNxT4FDtjpXge-KQAx0KmpAgsh8GSK9fgAvmqfXd7zk2KyrsdLOe_Xw5i=s0-d-e1-ft#https://media.tenor.com/images/e4ae71099eeeccdaaf1495af637ac4c7/tenor.gif)        
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on February 04, 2026, 12:56:48 PM
They weren't invited to the new PAC. They took Texas State instead (dumb).

The PAC should now take UNLV, USAFA, UNM and Wyoming.
UNLV has declined the invitation to join the Pac-12, opting instead to remain in the Mountain West conference. This decision was made after careful consideration and is expected to leave the Pac-12 with only seven members, which is one short of the NCAA's minimum requirement for conference recognition. UNLV is believed to have accepted a significant retention package from the Mountain West, which includes a cash payment of up to $25 million and other concessions. (https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=86148217e4ec64b91d8ace6a355a50b411969df8cbe39d90b067aeb6d9e46e64JmltdHM9MTc3MDE2MzIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=075505e7-0a29-69f8-28e0-10e10bf0684e&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly92ZWdhc2VuZXdzLmNvbS91bmx2LWRlY2xpbmVzLXBhYy0xMi1pbnZpdGF0aW9uLXN0YXlzLWluLW1vdW50YWluLXdlc3Q&ntb=1)
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 04, 2026, 01:05:17 PM
I know folks claim it tastes different, but chemically, it's 99.99% the same as normal table salt, just in a different form.  

Well, humans and chimps have 98.8% similarity in their DNA, but that last little bit really makes a difference.  
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on February 04, 2026, 02:22:20 PM
the best ape is the gibbon. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbg5aXk7sTw
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 05, 2026, 09:22:06 AM
UNLV has declined the invitation to join the Pac-12, opting instead to remain in the Mountain West conference. This decision was made after careful consideration and is expected to leave the Pac-12 with only seven members, which is one short of the NCAA's minimum requirement for conference recognition. UNLV is believed to have accepted a significant retention package from the Mountain West, which includes a cash payment of up to $25 million and other concessions. (https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=86148217e4ec64b91d8ace6a355a50b411969df8cbe39d90b067aeb6d9e46e64JmltdHM9MTc3MDE2MzIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=075505e7-0a29-69f8-28e0-10e10bf0684e&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly92ZWdhc2VuZXdzLmNvbS91bmx2LWRlY2xpbmVzLXBhYy0xMi1pbnZpdGF0aW9uLXN0YXlzLWluLW1vdW50YWluLXdlc3Q&ntb=1)
Interesting. Thanks for the correction. I could have sworn that I read that there was no invite due to gambling stuff.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 05, 2026, 09:25:09 AM
The PAC needs to invite USC, UCLA, Udub and Oregon. 
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on February 05, 2026, 10:27:16 AM
immediately!
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: Wildcat4E on February 05, 2026, 11:31:31 AM
The PAC needs to invite USC, UCLA, Udub and Oregon.
While we're at it, lets just go back to the alignment of all conferences in 1996.

You may aks "why that random date"....first year of the Big XII, and 4 members of that conference won National Titles over the 15 years from 1990-2005, our dear departed brethren Cornboys with 3.  

We're all old as dirt, but make the argument that things are better now.  Purely in $ to the schools, but, for fans?  

Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 05, 2026, 12:26:19 PM
I'd be good with 1990.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on February 05, 2026, 12:27:14 PM
nah, the Big 12 was too large - killed the annual battle of the Big Reds

1995

Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: utee94 on February 05, 2026, 12:28:36 PM
nah, the Big 12 was too large - killed the annual battle of the Big Reds

1995


Nah Arkansas belongs in the SWC, and Penn State belongs with the Eastern Independents.

1990

Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on February 05, 2026, 12:33:52 PM
agreed, posted that after Badger's post
I was just stating that the Big 12 was too big
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: utee94 on February 05, 2026, 12:46:01 PM
agreed, posted that after Badger's post
I was just stating that the Big 12 was too big
If superconferences absolutely had to form, then I was good with the B12.  I really liked it in its first incarnation.

I was excited at the time to get to play OU every year as a conference game, and I was especially excited to get to play the Mighty Huskers on a regular basis.  
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 05, 2026, 12:49:48 PM
Nah Arkansas belongs in the SWC, and Penn State belongs with the Eastern Independents.

1990


Have to wonder what might have been if all those Eastern indies listened to JoePa and started a conference, or if Georgetown, St. Johns and Nova voted to accept PSU into the Big East, rather than reject them.

Penn State
Pitt
Syracuse
Boston College
Rutgers
WVU
VT
Miami
South Carolina

Maybe Temple, UConn, Louisville?
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: Wildcat4E on February 05, 2026, 12:50:54 PM
I'm convinced, 1990 it is.

Although I very much enjoyed our games and series with the newcomers.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on February 05, 2026, 12:56:41 PM
If superconferences absolutely had to form, then I was good with the B12.  I really liked it in its first incarnation.

I was excited at the time to get to play OU every year as a conference game, and I was especially excited to get to play the Mighty Huskers on a regular basis. 
yup, you'd have felt just like me if the Sooners would have landed in the north and not played the horns each season
unfortunately, those things happen when conferences get too large
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: utee94 on February 05, 2026, 01:02:20 PM
I'm convinced, 1990 it is.

Although I very much enjoyed our games and series with the newcomers.
Yeah I know you were loving the first 7 or 8 years against the Horns that's for sure.

yup, you'd have felt just like me if the Sooners would have landed in the north and not played the horns each season
unfortunately, those things happen when conferences get too large

Indeed I'd have been pissed to lose the TX-OU rivalry as much as I loathe those dirt-burglars.  The loss of an annual NU-OU rivalry game was one of the chief foundational cracks that existed from the very creation of the B12 conference.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: Wildcat4E on February 05, 2026, 01:12:36 PM
Shall we fire up the Hot Tub Time Machine and go back and fix it? No divisions, and you would have to have 3 every-year rivalry games to satisfy OU--UT, Neb, and oSu.  Seems UT would only need 2.  Gets tougher to designate 3 for all 12, though.  But it would have been worth trying.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on February 05, 2026, 01:29:27 PM
I liked it when there was both the Big East and the SWC. It was only like a one or two year window. 

Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on February 05, 2026, 02:23:28 PM
well, pick a year
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on February 05, 2026, 02:29:47 PM
From Daniel Altman
Author of the High Yield Economics newsletter 

Don't look now, but the five-year return on bitcoin is the same as the five-year return on the S&P 500 and well below the return on gold. Bitcoin has also been a lot more volatile than either of them. If you ask me, it has further to fall.

Let's have a look at the numbers on five-year returns from earlier this morning:

+168% gold
+87% Nikkei 225
+77% bitcoin
+77% S&P 500
+75% DAX
+20% ethereum
+18% Russell 2000

And here's the number of times each one fell 20% from peak to trough during that period (by my count):

0 gold
1 DAX
1 Nikkei 225
2 Russell 2000
2 S&P 500
9 bitcoin
13 ethereum
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 05, 2026, 02:31:16 PM
Crypto is stupid and useless.

#changemymind
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on February 05, 2026, 02:52:02 PM
well, like most things, some folks made some money, some folks lost money on crypto

therefore, some people think it was useful - they are the lucky ones
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: Wildcat4E on February 05, 2026, 03:40:39 PM
well, like most things, some folks made some money, some folks lost money on crypto

therefore, some people think it was useful - they are the lucky ones
There's a formerly local young shyster here that got rich and quit/retired on Bitcoin gains right before I moved to town in 2017. 

He spends his days smoking weed and generally wasting his life.  I'd like to try that deal out, but, really, what the hell good is his life now?
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on February 05, 2026, 03:47:39 PM
I'd find another or other ways to waste my life

I'm sure others would have their opinions

I suppose local young shyster thinks he's living his best life, maybe not
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 05, 2026, 04:02:48 PM
I'm not saying it's not a way that some people could get rich. There are a lot of stupid and useless things that have made people rich. 


(https://i.imgur.com/4J4FtTL.png)

I'm saying it's stupid and useless. Crypto serves no legitimate purpose. 
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on February 05, 2026, 05:35:21 PM

Athletes on the podium at the Winter Olympics in Italy this month will be awarded the most expensive medals in the history of the Games, thanks to soaring precious metals prices.

More than 700 gold, silver and bronze medals will be presented to the world’s top winter sports athletes taking part in events from skiing and ice hockey to figure skating and curling.

And while the sentimental value is immeasurable, in pure cash terms, those medals will be worth more than ever before. Since the Olympic Games in Paris in July 2024, the spot prices of gold and silver have skyrocketed some 107% and 200%, respectively, according to FactSet data.

Those eye-popping gains mean that, based on the metals prices alone, gold medals are now worth around $2,300, more than double their value at the Paris Olympics. Second-place silver medals are worth almost $1,400, or three times their value two years ago.

Demand from retail investors has partly driven silver’s surge. Gold prices climbed after major central banks added to their reserves and investors rushed to buy the traditional safe-haven asset amid global political turmoil.

Winners will receive medals crafted from recycled metal by the Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute. But not all that glitters is, in fact, gold.

In a gold medal, only six grams out of a total of 506 grams (16 troy ounces) is pure gold. The rest is made from silver. Bronze medals are made from copper and, at a weight of 420 grams (15 ounces), are worth only about $5.60 a piece, according to data published by the event organizers. (A troy ounce is around 10% heavier than a regular ounce.)

Olympic gold medals have not been made from pure gold since the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden, according to London-based auction house Baldwin’s. The value of those medals, which weighed just 26 grams, would have been less than $20 based on the gold price at the time. Adjusted for U.S. Consumer Price Inflation, the figure is closer to $530 in today’s terms.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on February 05, 2026, 10:49:07 PM


I'm saying it's stupid and useless. Crypto serves no legitimate purpose.
Neither does art or music, but...
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: SFBadger96 on February 06, 2026, 05:54:30 PM
Does crypto soothe the savage beast? Music and other art forms do. The human brain is fascinating.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on February 06, 2026, 06:54:23 PM
What genre soothes a hungry bear exactly?
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: utee94 on February 07, 2026, 12:11:45 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abndI1X4zuo&t=4s
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on February 07, 2026, 10:54:26 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/Z9bZwSV.png)
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 07, 2026, 10:57:00 AM
This fits pretty well.

(https://i.imgur.com/Bz83cS1.png)
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on February 07, 2026, 11:08:02 AM
good spot for the iowan residents
do they have weekend getaway homes there?
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 07, 2026, 11:41:31 AM
Where?
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on February 07, 2026, 11:54:01 AM
south of the gays partying and east of the irate cyclists, north of the DePauligans
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: CatsbyAZ on February 07, 2026, 12:46:50 PM
There's a formerly local young shyster here that got rich and quit/retired on Bitcoin gains right before I moved to town in 2017.
He spends his days smoking weed and generally wasting his life.  I'd like to try that deal out, but, really, what the hell good is his life now?

I'd find another or other ways to waste my life

I’ve seen this with one of my Scottsdale friends (early 30s). His six-figure crypto profits netted him enough to make payments on a new BMW M5 ($130k) but not enough to trade up from his apartment to a +$1M house common to north Scottsdale. After his crypto cash-out, he’s much more of a spender than a saver/investor. He wears luxury fashion accessories like Tom Ford sunglasses ($800), gets laser skin resurfacing for his face ($1200 per biannual treatment), places sports bets on FanDuel, and takes weekend golfing trips to Palm Springs.

To his credit he kept his job as a Finance Specialist at a Pheonix area auto-dealership, where he processes all the leasing, insurance, and registration paperwork for new car buyers. It’s dependable income ($70k?), but not enough to make payments on the BMW without the crypto top-off. And keeping his job is more of a credit to his Dad (mid-60s) who stepped in and convinced him to stay in the workforce after talking him through how living solely off what was left of his one-time crypto windfall would only last another year or two. Then what?

So, has $500k-$600k in crypto profits bettered my friend? Yes, but only to a showier, superficial degree, and for a limited time.

Notice my friend is making payments on his BMW. With the way credit is used by so many of us Americans to buy into and convey higher status, it’s gotten to the point that when I see others with luxury vehicles, like my coworker driving an Audi Q8 ($85k) or my neighbor driving a Porsche Panamera ($110k), I automatically assume it’s all on credit. And in turn, I find it a mark of refreshing honesty to see my Uncle, an MD, driving his 2014 Ford Taurus (resale $7k) around Marshall Texas.

Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 07, 2026, 01:37:24 PM
south of the gays partying and east of the irate cyclists, north of the DePauligans
It's a good area, not known for being touristy at all.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on February 07, 2026, 01:49:01 PM
I’ve seen this with one of my Scottsdale friends (early 30s). His six-figure crypto profits netted him enough to make payments on a new BMW M5 ($130k) but not enough to trade up from his apartment to a +$1M house common to north Scottsdale. After his crypto cash-out, he’s much more of a spender than a saver/investor. He wears luxury fashion accessories like Tom Ford sunglasses ($800), gets laser skin resurfacing for his face ($1200 per biannual treatment), places sports bets on FanDuel, and takes weekend golfing trips to Palm Springs.
some would say, live your best life in your 30's.  Don't wait until you're older to enjoy your life.

if the guy doesn't live to a ripe old age, it will have been a decent decision\\the sunglasses are pure silliness but, if he enjoys them...........
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on February 08, 2026, 08:18:58 PM
Former Tennessee DE:
Atlanta Falcons (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/atl/atlanta-falcons) linebacker James Pearce Jr (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/5081394/james-pearce-jr)., following what police said was a domestic dispute with WNBA player Rickea Jackson (https://www.espn.com/wnba/player/_/id/4433630/rickea-jackson) that resulted in five felony charges against him, is out of jail after posting bond of $20,500 on Sunday.

Pearce, who finished third in AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting at NFL Honors on Thursday, was arrested Saturday (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47863327/falcons-james-pearce-arrested-florida-battery-charges) in Miami-Dade County on two felony counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and a felony count of aggravated stalking. Other charges include fleeing and eluding police officers and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer -- also felonies -- and a misdemeanor count of resisting an officer without violence to his person.

So I have to ask...why don't we have a better system than someone doing all this just pays $20K and gets out of jail?  
What's the argument FOR this system?

Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: MarqHusker on February 08, 2026, 09:42:38 PM
OAM it's worse than this.  Several large cities,  such as Chicago among many others are 'no cash bail' jurisdictions outside of capital crimes.  Its a joke.   Cash bail apparently is racist.  Unfair , etc etc..

I could fill a page here with felons who have been arrested again for serious felonies while out on low or no bail 
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on February 08, 2026, 10:26:14 PM
I'd like to be taught about how/why money even comes into play.  There's infinite examples of this.  But the idea that if someone has money they go free until trial and if you don't have money, you stay imprisoned seems at odds with what is prudent or just.  
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: MarqHusker on February 08, 2026, 11:18:47 PM
the purpose of bail is to ensure a defendant's appearance in court, (future proceedings as well as trial) and a component designed to protect the public safety, of not just the alleged victims but the public.

my point is no or low cash bail undermines public safety and purpose of bail.    I could walk into any large city tomorrow morning for intake Court and I bet you half the jokers being ushered into Court for arraignment after being arrested over the weekend are also in violation terms and conditions of bail right now from a recent arrest for which they are still pending trail/plea (due to low or no cash bail).

in my humble opinion, this instance of $20,000 is obscenely low relative to the potential penalties the defendant faces, coupled with nature of these crimes and the fact that he is a flight risk here.

If I was back in DAs office, I would have argued for $100,000 cash bail here.  I don't know what the DA argued for but the Judge sets the bail.
for random point of reference, a felony 4th/5th OWI/DUI 'back in my day' we would definitely be pushing $10-$20k cash bail.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on February 08, 2026, 11:27:41 PM
Keeping them in jail would ensure their appearance in court, lol.

If it's a freedom/innocent until proven guilty thing, then a speedy court date would work.  Except it's all bogged down and takes forever because of horseshit lawyers and such (correct me if I'm wrong).

I'd like a sort of reset to have punishments actually served fully and no plea deals unless it helps capture someone higher up the food chain.
You know, the law.

Crazy talk, I'm sure.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: MarqHusker on February 08, 2026, 11:46:42 PM
6th amendment rights for speedy trial.  it isn't defined (at federal level) but there's a SCOTUS case (Barker) that lays out the four factors which are evaluated.

I can tell you from experience in WI how it is defined.   If Defendant demands one,  State must provide an in-custody defendant with his/her probable cause ('prelim' hearing/ or issue an Indictment (grand juries are rare in WI), within ten days of the assertion of the right.   Further, if he/she is indeed 'held' over for a trial, the defendant has a right to the trail within 90 days felony case (60 if this were a misdemeanor).  The States vary,  some are tighter 30/60 felony.

when the defendant is not in custody,  you'll rarely see a defendant aggressively assert speedy trial rights.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on February 09, 2026, 08:58:12 AM
how about the business of bail bondsman?

10-15%?
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on February 09, 2026, 06:28:07 PM
Miami DL Bryan Pata's murder case is just now going to trial.  He was killed in 2006.

Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on February 09, 2026, 10:16:34 PM
was he out on bail for 20 years?
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 10, 2026, 08:49:02 AM
No. He's been dead for 20 years.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: SFBadger96 on February 13, 2026, 04:19:37 PM
How about these betting/game rigging allegations about the Cleveland Guardians; anyone been following?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7045239/2026/02/13/emmanuel-clase-guardians-rigging-pitches-postseason-betting-scandal/?campaign=16898665&source=athletic_breaking_targeted_email&userId=11887993

Seems pretty bad for Clase and Ortiz.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on February 13, 2026, 04:20:36 PM
I hope it's bad for them

kicked out of the league bad
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 13, 2026, 04:25:24 PM
Nail them to the wall.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 13, 2026, 04:56:30 PM
Nail them to the wall.
While I agree, I think this is just one more sign of the times... 

We've brought this on ourselves, and sports is just going to be collateral damage. There's so much gambling in the country that I don't know how we're going to be able to contain this crap...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVj2yVVHUdo
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on February 13, 2026, 05:02:52 PM
It's gotta be the aps. I've never once seen prop bets at a casino. 
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on February 13, 2026, 05:07:37 PM
smart phones are evil
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on February 13, 2026, 07:03:50 PM
Some crazy % of men under 25 bet on the regular.  It's normal for them.  
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on February 13, 2026, 10:54:25 PM
a small % of college athletes tried it for a while
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: MrNubbz on February 14, 2026, 08:33:48 AM

I hope it's bad for them

kicked out of the league bad
Nail them to the wall.
When can we go after congress 1st? Instead of the Martha Stewarts/Lori Loughlin and her husband/these guys? These are entertainers not Gov't Officials - I'd buy tickets to watch the neck tie party Pelosi and her ilk would be swinging at
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on February 14, 2026, 08:55:39 AM
the political cesspool thread is down below.....
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: Cincydawg on February 14, 2026, 11:54:34 AM
My wife and I chatted about the size of the casino on the cruise ship, it's also of course centrally located, takes up about a third of the ship on one level (out of 16 levels).  It's closed while in port of course, but when cruising the one arms are almost packed.  You can use your cruise key card to play.  (I think you need cash to play BJ).  

I guess you can win big playing, and it happens, I know they tailored the payoffs precisely to garner interest.  I don't really understand playing a machine who spits out randomness with zero control.  Humans like gambling even after losing consistently over time I surmise.  I think they recall their wins and bury their losses.
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: CatsbyAZ on February 14, 2026, 12:16:16 PM
After it was weird enough for Northern Illinois to leave the MAC for the stripped down Mountain West, now Sacramento State is pulling out all the stops to join the MAC:

https://twitter.com/RossDellenger/status/2022379289820147998
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: FearlessF on February 14, 2026, 03:24:06 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/CQgjCti.png)
Title: Re: 2026 Offseason Stream of Consciousness
Post by: ELA on February 20, 2026, 10:54:41 PM
https://twitter.com/i/status/2024600952758816808