Microblog

(…) One study [allows] us to infer that you inherit some politeness from your parents partly through your genes, but more through how you were brought up. This also implies that you can become more polite with good influences and by cultivating positive habits.

Researchers (…) showed that being polite to others raises happiness and lowers anger. (…) Being impolite is more like scratching at your poison-ivy rash. Giving in to the urge makes things worse.

(…) I see politeness as today’s punk rock because it so transgresses the spirit of our times. And like punk rock, when you empower yourself with politeness, you feel exhilarated. It is the ultimate exercise in freedom: the freedom to be the person I want to be in the face of a cultural tyranny.

[≠]

A person with a floral-patterned mask featuring smiling flowers is illustrated above a text about the power of politeness by Arthur C. Brooks.

8/7/25 →

…because the American audience had not seen the original, they believed they were seeing something for the first time. Even though it already existed.

(…) To me, Baohaus and the gua bao was a vehicle to tell a story about where my family was from, but you could only say so much through a restaurant.

(…) if there’s one thing I learned the past decade it’s that perhaps the immigrant story was actually best told in a kitchen where the line is immediate, direct, and physically digestible.

[≠] | Feeding the Culture With Baos and Mixtapes

8/7/25 →

Misogyny in women’s sports — like in society – is often subtle. However, in this instance, the message being sent by the people throwing these sex toys on the courts is loud and clear.

[≠]

8/7/25 →

Daily Walkoff ⚾️ Orioles #342

“The Real MVPs”
🟢🟡⚪️🟡
🟢🟢🟢🟢🚀

8/6/25 →

Our Parisian/home staycation continues…

Today started with a homemade brunch, before a visit to the Great Mosque of Paris, a delicious lunch, and a walk across town!

Stumbled upon the memorial of the November 13th, 2015 terrorist attacks — a stunning, well-designed square across City Hall

A breakfast setup with a plate of food and a glass of coffee on a table, featuring items like Tabasco sauce and seasoning. A quiet urban street lined with parked cars and scooters offers a view of a tall, ornate building in the background under a partly cloudy sky. A spacious, ornate courtyard features tall arches, decorative columns, and a central fountain. A lush garden with a central fountain is framed by an ornate archway and vibrant greenery. A woman stands near a decorative fountain surrounded by vibrant pink flowers and intricate architecture. A meal featuring a dish with octopus and garnishes is served on a white table alongside glasses of water and wine, with a person in the background. A street with classic European architecture leads to a grand domed building under a clear blue sky. A grand architectural scene features historic buildings with tall columns under a clear blue sky, alongside parked cars and a few people strolling nearby. A street market stall under large trees displays various art prints, books, and postcards on a sunny day. A hand is holding a cup of iced coffee in front of a stroller, where a child is sitting and eating. A simple storefront sign featuring a drawing of a hand is mounted on the corner of a building with blue and beige accents. A historic building with ornate architecture is surrounded by a lush garden and trees, with people walking and relaxing.

8/6/25 →

More holiday shenanigans

A cup of coffee sits on a patterned table outside near a grand building with a clock tower. A man wearing a floral shirt is seated on a couch, interacting with a young child standing beside a marble table with items on it. An adult and a child are walking on a decorative floor in an ornate room with large windows. A person is taking a photo of their reflection in a mirrored table with two cups of coffee on it. A man is helping a young child at a playground with a play structure nearby, while other people and trees are in the background. Appetizing flatbreads topped with vegetables are served on a table alongside two red drinks. A rooftop terrace features a closed umbrella, potted plants, and wrought-iron furniture, overlooking a cityscape under a clear blue sky.

8/6/25 →

Daily Walkoff ⚾️ Orioles #341

⚪️⚪️🟡⚪️⚫️
🟡🟡🟡🟡⚫️
🟢🟢🟢🟢🚀

8/6/25 →

Connections: Sports Edition
Puzzle #317
🟡🟡🟡🟡
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🟢🟢🟢🟢
🟣🟣🟣🟣

8/5/25 →

🎥 Dìdi (弟弟) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🛹

Wow this really took me back!

A group of four young people are looking towards the camera, with one person in the center wearing a hoodie.

8/5/25 →

Ah yes the only civil war I’m happy to watch from the sidelines…

Two cartoon figures, each holding a giant teacup, are depicted on a news cover about a matcha shortage.

8/5/25 →

Daily Walkoff ⚾️ Orioles #340

“BaseMEN”
⚪️⚪️🟡⚪️⚫️
⚪️🟢🟡🟡
🟢🟢🟢🟢🚀

8/5/25 →

Connections: Sports Edition

Puzzle #316
🟡🟡🟡🟡
🔵🟢🟢🟢
🔵🟢🟢🟢
🟢🟢🟢🟢
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🟣🟣🟣🟣

8/4/25 →

Quiet morning in the neighborhoood.

It was really nice to see kids welcoming my (much younger) daughter and letting her play with them, trying to get her to kick the ball ⚽️

Heartwarming moments 🥰 🥹

A child stands alone on a colorful, outdoor sports court under a clear sky, surrounded by a fence and trees.

8/4/25 →

“The Politics of Fear” :

Trump was, from his formative years, a spoiled bully. (…) “Little Donny” was a pigtail puller, an unruly loudmouth who tormented his teachers and hurled insults and rocks at other kids.

[≠]

8/4/25 →

🏀 🇫🇷 I know it’s just a test, but very much excited to see France 🇫🇷 play against Montenegro 🇲🇪 tonight and check out how this newlook team pairs together… 🏀 #FIBA #EuroBasket

8/4/25 →

Connections: Sports Edition

Puzzle #315: bang bang bang, perfect!

🟢🟢🟢🟢
🟡🟡🟡🟡
🟣🟣🟣🟣
🔵🔵🔵🔵

8/3/25 →

Daily Walkoff ⚾️ Orioles #338

“Roster Roundup”
⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚫️
🟡⚪️🟡🟢
🟢🟢🟢🟢🚀

8/3/25 →

Vacation Day 03: 🧋☕️🍦

#CongCaPhe #Paris

A Cộng Cà Phê coffee shop is situated on the corner of a street with beige buildings in the background. A group of people browse merchandise displayed on wooden shelves, with bags labeled ‘HA NÓI’ and ‘DA NANG’ prominently featured. People are standing in line inside a wooden-themed cafe with shelves displaying various products. A cozy café scene features people sitting at tables, engaging in conversation, with a wall decorated with colorful teapots. A park scene shows people walking and gathering near a large reflective sphere and a Ferris wheel under a partly cloudy sky.

Day 2 of our summer break ☀️🏞️🏙️

8/2/25

Went out to Musée de L’Homme for the exhibition on Wax Textile, and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in fashion, colonialism, ethnography, culture, and global trade.

Then had lunch at Schwartz’s Deli before enjoying the sight, and spending time with some of our friends living close to the Eiffel Tower on Rive Droite.

A vibrant red wall features digital displays with various colorful patterns and the bold word "wax" in the center. A gallery exhibit showcases vibrant, colorful artworks and patterned clothing on mannequins against a white wall. A plate of food featuring a sandwich with pickles, fries, and coleslaw is accompanied by condiments, a glass of beer, and a water bottle on a table. A person is standing on a sidewalk taking a photo of the Eiffel Tower in the distance, surrounded by trees and urban scenery. A chalkboard outside a deli humorously references loss of hope, cash, jobs, and bacon, while a person works inside. Two people are taking a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower on a sunny day.

8/2/25 →

🎥 Marvel’s Thunderbolts* | ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Aka “Thunderbobs: saved by the group hug!”

Letterboxd Screenshot for Marvel’s Thunderbolts movie. A group of intense, diverse characters is gathered under a dark, ominous sky, promoting a film titled ‘Thunderbolts’ directed by Jake Schreier.

8/2/25 →

While AI might change companies and become a valuable tool in various trades, when it comes to telling their stories, brands are increasingly reticent about social media. There’s just too much slop being served (…) Legacy media has an opportunity to be the new media.

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