Linx Fest!

Something of a blogging hiatus; no real reason, just busy, and then I get tired (even though I sleep late and wake up early), and then... repeat.  Alas.  But here we are...  Anyways, today I made the second turkey of the season; this one was the 14-pounder.  I have to admit, it was... a bit harder to handle.  My soup pot was full for the brining, and while one would think that six more pounds isn't that heavier, when it is going into a hot oven, or coming out on a hot baking tray... anyways, I think I did it perfectly again -- moist, juicy, perfectly cooked, etc.  I polished off a drumstick today, and it was heavenly.  There is a lot more bird there, and I don't think I will eat it all, so it will be frozen.  And turkey chili, after turkey soup.  I should almost do this throughout the year...  I was busy at work and could not make cranberries, but tomorrow is another day, there is a long weekend, etc.  Rah.

Victorian diary-writers kicked off our age of self-optimisation | Aeon Essays

Interesting; I have always thought I should keep a diary (I mean, I do, here, but...); indeed, as a student of history, I should have kept one, as one of the best ways to look at the world is to see it through the prism of someone who lived in it.  And, a printed, hard, literal source... well, that is the primary of primary sources.  I am part of the problem!

Is This Man the Hardest-Working Art Thief in History? - The Atavist Magazine
Also interesting, and if you think about it... the perfect crime, and the perfect group of victims.  Odd to think how little punishment they received, and how little of the loot was recovered.  I realize the police are busy, but...if you think about it, the only way the punishments should not have been more severe would have been if the stuff was recovered.  

Las Vegas is in trouble Everyone has a theory about why. Now I do, too.
Having been to Vegas somewhat recently, I think this is exactly correct; people will go and spend, but there are those who will go and not spend, and eventually not spend at all.  Also, I am not surprised that PE is getting involved, because if you have a group of people who will spend no matter what... well, why not seek to maximize your revenues from them?

How close can East and West get in Nicea? - by Ed. Condon
Um...ok?  I guess this is fine to be nice to pagans, but once we start admitting that their crappy religions are equal to the majesty of the Roman Church, we are just shitting the bed here.

‘Democrats are going to come to regret this’: After Epstein vote, Trump ready to attack - POLITICO
I will believe this when I see it?  I mean, yes, we should be going after Dems for this (and everything else), and in some ways the Donald is the perfect man to do this.  Of course, even if we do do it, will it stick?  Probably not. Very annoying but certainly not surprising.