I Don't Know Where To Put This, But...

[SubGod22]

This will be interesting to follow. I believe that I've heard that most companies that have done this have not seen any fall in productivity and have better worker engagement as people feel a better work/life balance. Hell, I've often said I'd be willing to work the same amount of hours, but over four days instead of five if given the opportunity. I have worked for companies that offered some of this over the summer months, but I think it was an every other week option. But that was the job that was working me to death and I didn't have time for that as I was already working a ton of OT just to meet deadlines.

Two Hundred UK Companies Sign Up for Permanent Four-Day Working Week

A group of 200 UK businesses and charities have signed a pledge that company work weeks will be shortened to 4 days without a loss in pay

Including marketing and advertisement; tech, it, and software; and charity groups as well, the companies employ more than 5,000 people.

Organized by the 4 Day Week Foundation, it follows something less than a trend but more than a fad in which a mixture of employees and executives believe that a happier, more balanced workforce is key to driving productivity.

That balance, they would argue, can be achieved by far more people through the reduction of the 5-day work week to a 4-day one.

“[With] 50% more free time, a four-day week gives people the freedom to live happier, more fulfilling lives,” Joe Royle, the foundation’s campaign director, told the Guardian.

“As hundreds of British companies and one local council have already shown, a four-day week with no loss of pay can be a win-win for both workers and employers.”

This sentiment isn’t shared by all workplaces, but market competition should demonstrate over time whether or not firms that implement unorthodox work hours are in fact as productive or more so than traditional ones.

Economics says that with all else being equal, if enjoying more free time leads to greater employee retention and motivation, then these 4-day work week firms will begin to out-complete the old ones, which in turn will be forced to adapt or risk losing market share.

I currently work within an industry where it would be difficult to implement this, though in my current role I could probably do it without issue. But the company as a whole is involved in large scale construction and guys in the field are working five or six days a week and those in the office that are directly involved in said jobs need to be available and around to deal with anything that would arise and need to be dealt with on a managerial level.

[SubGod22]

Oldest Woman in China Reaches 124 with Pumpkin Lard Porridge and a Positive Outlook

A Chinese woman recently celebrated her 124th Birthday, according to local civic documentation.

Crediting her longevity to a “love of lard” and an optimistic personality, her big day was celebrated on January 1st in her home of Nanchong city amid a horde of relatives.

Whether or not Qiu Chaishi really was born in 1901, she can recount her childhood growing up during the Qing Dynasty, the last royal dynasty in Chinese history which began in 1644 and ended in 1911.

Her family says she is still witty and articulate, despite losing a bit of eyesight after she turned 100. Chaishi currently enjoys the company of family members 5 generations from herself, living with her 60-year-old granddaughter Taohua.

In her youth, she was famed for her sharp accounting skills and physical strength that allowed her to work the plow and stack stones. Even as a ‘dodecagenarian,’ she can walk up and down stairs, light fires, feed geese, and cook.

Speaking with South China Morning Post, her relatives explain how Chaishi has always kept a disciplined routine: eating three meals a day, walking after each one, and going to sleep at 8 p.m.

Her favorite meal is pumpkin porridge with a spoon of lard on top, though on the doctor’s orders, she’s apparently cut back on the lard.

By age 40 she had 4 children, but her husband died suddenly and she was left to raise the kids alone. At 70, her son died of an illness and her daughter remarried, leaving a granddaughter whom Chaishi raised herself. Later, her granddaughter’s husband also died, and the two resigned the company of men to live together in a rural house in Nanchong, Sichuan Province.

“My siblings, husband, and son passed away long ago. The King of Hell must have forgotten about me!” Chaishi joked.

[SubGod22]

New console ready to take on the gaming market, with a twist.

The Nex Game Console Is Perfect Gift for Parents Who Have Concerns About Traditional Gaming

Need a late gift idea? A new video game console is flying off the shelves by offering an alternative to parents worried about gaming’s effects on their children.

With no in-app purchases, violence, or online interactions, and all available titles accessible immediately through an annual subscription, the Nex Playground addresses every concern a parent might have.

For more than 30 years, the Nintendo consoles, the Sony Playstation, and the Microsoft Xbox have ruled the console gaming space. The only alternative of any marketable value since the collapse of Sega and Atari consoles has been PC gaming, but given that the Nex Playground has sold 100,000 consoles when pre-order was limited to just 5,000, it’s fair to say there’s a new kid on the console block.

Reminiscent of the Nintendo Wii, all the games on the Nex Playground involve body motion capture, such as sport movements, dancing, or pretending to cut pieces of fruit in half in the introductory title Fruit Ninja.

Again, on the theme of addressing parents’ concerns with gaming, this aspect of the Nex addresses both video game addiction and lack of exercise; you can’t play a game for five hours if it is moderately exhausting.

Reviewers writing for Business Insider got a hold of the console, and report that their kids of all ages loved it. They sent the consoles back to prevent a conflict of interest.

At the moment, Nex features more than 40 games, all of which are available for a subscription of $89 a year. This may seem a major hangup for the “subscription fatigue” in the modern consumer, but it’s actually much less than most parents will spend on different titles, each of which will cost between $40 and $70, in a single year.

Sounds like it's off to a decent start based on interest, but it will be interesting to see how they maintain. It's cool that the reasonably priced subscription gets you access to everything, but there are also a relatively limited number of titles and they're not all going to be appealing. But maybe there's enough to keep kids/family engaged and active.

Not having an online component can be a pro or con depending on how you look at it. Like myself, I have pretty much no desire to play against strangers when it comes to gaming, though there have been exceptions to that rule for a couple of games in my life. However, I've always enjoyed being able to link up online and play with/against friends or family in a number of games. This console will only let you play with friends if they're physically in the room with you. Not necessarily a con, but can be a bit problematic at least at times.

I know XBOX has at least experimented in the past with selling an attachment for games that are motion capture but I'm not sure if that really caught on or if it's still in existence. I'm sure the PlayStation probably tried the same at some point.

[WstateU]

My wife got an autographed Chiefs jersey as part of her Christmas today. I am looking for recommendations on having it framed. Has anyone had jerseys framed locally by someone you would recommend? I prefer to stay local if I can, but mainly I want a quality job. Any help is greatly appreciated.

I’d recommend Hobby Lobby.

[SHOXAAC]

$200-$300 gets your shorts framed. Who would have thought!

I just showed my wife this. Quote “Not in your wildest dreams!” Ok then…pass the chips please.

[SHOXAAC]

I had a pair of Graham Hatch's shorts framed several years ago by Michaels and thought they did a pretty good job. Even with a significant coupon it was still a couple of hundred dollars.

$200-$300 gets your shorts framed. Who would have thought!

[Ta Town Shocker]

I had a pair of Graham Hatch's shorts framed several years ago by Michaels and thought they did a pretty good job. Even with a significant coupon it was still a couple of hundred dollars.

[ShockerDropOut]

My wife got an autographed Chiefs jersey as part of her Christmas today. I am looking for recommendations on having it framed. Has anyone had jerseys framed locally by someone you would recommend? I prefer to stay local if I can, but mainly I want a quality job. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[SubGod22]

Childhood me is excited over this news.

PR Newswire - CHI-CHI's^TM Restaurants Set for Comeback After Two Decades

ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 20 years after closing the last CHI-CHI'S™ restaurant location, the popular Mexican restaurant chain is set to make a comeback thanks to a new agreement with Hormel Foods, owner of CHI-CHI'S™ trademarks. The deal grants Michael McDermott, son of CHI-CHI'S™ founder, use of the CHI-CHI'S™ name on physical restaurant locations which are expected to open in 2025.



The backstory
Founded by restaurateur Marno McDermott and former Green Bay Packers player Max McGee in 1975, the CHI-CHI'S™ restaurant chain grew rapidly during the late 20th century, reaching more than 200 locations nationwide. However, a series of ownership changes eventually led to the chain's closure in 2004.

McDermott, who has built his career in the restaurant industry with brands like Kona Grill and Rojo Mexican Grill, is determined to honor his family's legacy by combining the classic CHI-CHI'S™ restaurant experience with modern influences.

"I still have fond memories of growing up in the CHI-CHI'S™ restaurants that my father built throughout their time, instilling in me the passion and determination to pursue my own career in the restaurant industry," said Michael McDermott, founder of CHI-CHI'S™ Restaurants, LLC, the new company formed to revive CHI-CHI'S™ Restaurants. "We have seen the impact our restaurant has had on individuals and families across the country and believe there is a strong opportunity to bring the brand back in a way that resonates with today's consumer – an updated dining experience with the same great taste and Mexican flavor."

Keep the legacy alive
Although there has not been a CHI-CHI'S™ restaurant in the United States in 20 years, McDermott believes the brand holds a special place in the hearts of those who remember its heyday and remains popular among consumers nationwide who enjoy its packaged salsas, tortillas, and seasonings, which will continue to be available as new restaurant locations open.

Chi-Chi's was a family favorite growing up. I'm not sure when Wichita lost theirs, but I know when we had family come to town we usually ended up there at some point.

I can't recall specifics on what I would get or what I loved most about it, but I remember it being a big deal for us and visiting family and I remember really enjoying it.

KWCH - Chi-Chi's Mexican restaurants to return after closing 20 years ago

A Mexican restaurant chain that closed two decades ago is making a comeback.

Chi-Chi’s restaurants will be reopening locations next year.

A deal has been struck between Hormel Foods, the current owner of the Chi-Chi’s trademark, and Michael McDermott, son of the chain’s co-founder, to use the name and reopen the restaurants.

“I still have fond memories of growing up in the Chi-Chi’s restaurants that my father built throughout their time, instilling in me the passion and determination to pursue my own career in the restaurant industry,” McDermott said.

[WstateU]

Worth reading…

A little late, but I received this proclamation in a Thanksgiving card last week; thought it was worth sharing and a nice reminder of the holiday we celebrate…

Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789

https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-04-02-0091

[WstateU]

Deer-dog puppies…

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCFpvD1gfHs/?igsh=MTg3MW51dXRoajZv

[WuDrWu]

I can't take ANY more Jardiance commercials with a slight change in the style of their song/jingle. This is at least the 4th version, if not the 5th or 6th. ENOUGH.

We've all heard the story. It's DEAD. There's nothing left to tell.

[pinstripers]

I was in basic training in Tacoma at the time.

[WuDrWu]

In the I don't know where to put this category......


I'm sure most if not all of us have heard about DB Cooper. The never identified hijacker.


I was today years old when I learned the story of Richard Floyd McCoy Jr. A convicted Vietnam Vet who bore a striking resemblance to descriptions of DBC. Mr. McCoy was convicted of hijacking a plane in a similar manner. Getting a 500K ransom and eventually parachuting out of the plane over Utah. He was captured a few days later with $499,970 of cash in his apartment at the time.

He was sentenced to 45 years. He escaped Federal Prison less that 2 years later and after a couple of months, was shot dead when he returned to a house where he and his accomplice were residing. FBI agents had tracked him and were awaiting his return. McCoy fired on the agent, missing him, and the agent returned fire, killing McCoy. His partner in the escape was caught shortly thereafter and unharmed.

McCoy was never cleared by the FBI from possibly being DBC but the case was closed in the mid 2010s. McCoy was either a brilliant copycat or he was in fact DBC.


There appears to be a recent finding of parachutes that are similar, if not matching, ones provided to Cooper before he disappeared. The parachutes in question were discovered in the possession of the McCoy family.

Amazing how much lore surrounds Cooper, even to this day, yet this story seems mostly untold. At least it was the first I've heard of it, and I have always been interested in the Cooper case.

[Kung Wu]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_ozG...J3NGx5cXFvOA==