Meet Veronika, the tool-using cow Veronika uses sticks to scratch herself, suggesting scientists have underestimated cow cognition.

I have never sensed any great intelligence in my interactions with cows over the years. Tasty? Yes. Smart? No. Apparently I just haven't been meeting the right cows! arstechnica.com/science/2026...

A new friend from Spain left me a voice message on Signal--first one I've ever gotten. He's sweet and I love his accent and it was short, so I enjoyed it. But ... I can't help but thing of this as the reanimation of a most-hated "feature" -- theoatmeal.com/comics/rip_v...

NEWSFLASH: US renews sanctions waiver for Russian oil Late on Friday night – apparently to escape public notice – the Trump administration reversed their pledge, renewing lapsed sanctions waivers for Russian oil.

Ripley: "You know, Burke, I don't know which species is worse. You don't see them fucking each other over for a goddamn percentage" -- Or a goddamn poll. Trump betrays EU, Ukraine while otherwise-despicable Iran fought on to support proxy groups in Lebanon. www.counteroffensive.news/p/newsflash-...

QVC Group in Chester County files for bankruptcy The West Chester-based company plans to continue operating and intends to emerge from bankruptcy within 90 days.

whyy.org/articles/qvc... — O Fortuna, velut Luna, statu variabilis! QVC moved into the Commodore building during their ascent, after C= had imploded and vacated the former Hallmark card factory. Who will inhabit it next, and are there still any loose mouse balls to be found?

Madrid in Pictures, March 2026 My first day in Madrid was a mixed bag, but the rest of the trip was spectacular. I "planned" this trip on the heels of coming back from South America; there were no extensive checklists or well-researched itineraries. The flight wasn't terrible--there were no Juan Valdez Exxon coffee spills or screaming children. The airport was a bit of a maze and the passport system was down, so I got stamped after the wait and made my way to the Metro.

Various things (and persons) kept me from posting regularly during my recent trip to Madrid, so here's a semi-random look at my trip. The TL;DR? Madrid is probably now Plan A.

Pride festivities relocate to Benjamin Franklin Parkway this June - Philadelphia Gay News The upcoming Pride festival and resource fair on June 7 will move to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for 2026.

Good Thing Bad Thing? Pride/Outfest last year were packed even with more streets blocked off, but BFP is huge. I don't want Pride to look small, but I also don't want to feel like fleeing after 15 minutes shoulder2shoulder. PLEASE GO. VISIBILITY MATTERS MORE NOW THAN EVER. epgn.com/2026/04/14/p...

In today's headlines: East Village institution Veselka is bringing back its 24/7 service starting April 17.

From the article: “I think the perverse pride is a Philly thing. We see places outside of Philadelphia where technologies are vandalized like crazy.” Perverse pride? I love my city so much, couldn't be prouder! The only thing better would be a video of Gritty pleasuring himself on one.

Will Philly ever get over the hitchBot incident? Or will it SURPASS it with new, creative ways to abuse these obnoxious autonomous sidewalk hazards? Pardon me, I'm going to go make some popcorn. -- billypenn.com/2026/04/09/u...

Mark your calendars!

Chicken accomplished! AND I noticed another fowl afoot nearby: The Lucky Duck, coming soon to the Rivermark. www.luckyduckphl.com

Delaware high and calm, Ben Franklin bathed in purple

No strolling Race Street Pier Park at this hour! Maybe I'll walk up to Spring Garden for some gas station fried chicken. Can't sleep because a new possible future won't let me, not without a little exertion and something crispy-crunchy at least!

Uruguay 2026: Buenos Aires Steals the Show I can live in Montevideo, but I want to live in Buenos Aires. The ferry from Colonia docked in Microcentro, a district of skyscrapers and busy streets that reminded me of Canary Wharf. Both ways, the ferry was packed with dozens of cars and hundreds of people--so packed that I never got a window seat. The terminal and immediate urban landscape made up for it.

Uruguay 2026: Buenos Aires Steals the Show

I can live in Montevideo, but I want to live in Buenos Aires. The ferry from Colonia docked in Microcentro, a district of skyscrapers and busy streets that reminded me of Canary Wharf. Both ways, the ferry was packed with dozens of cars and hundreds of…

14:00 and RTM was too packed for my San Kee lunch haul---no seats, not even any standing room at their counter! The hotel across from Criminal Court has a few restaurants, a coffee shop, and plenty of free seating. I never realized any of this was even here! Plus a typewriter display!

Some of the panels are missing, but most of the President's House display about Washington's slaves had been restored. Today at least, our history--good and bad--will not be erased.

Uruguay 2026: First Impressions I arrived in Montevideo Friday morning half-covered in coffee. The breakfast service came with a side of turbulence while I was precariously balancing too much on a floppy tray. Even the exit seats on a 787 are tight by my standards--not my favorite plane generally and now very specifically. My Exxon Juan Valdez moment aside, air travel is becoming less of a misery from recent practice.

Uruguay 2026: First Impressions

I arrived in Montevideo Friday morning half-covered in coffee. The breakfast service came with a side of turbulence while I was precariously balancing too much on a floppy tray. Even the exit seats on a 787 are tight by my standards--not my favorite plane generally…

Filmstrip-style collage about Uruguay and Montevideo: Uruguayan flag, aerial city view, Palacio Salvo, chivito sandwich close-up, and a map of Uruguay highlighting Montevideo.

I'm leaving for Montevideo, Uruguay, in a few days--a combination of recreation and reconnaissance. With Lisbon/Portugal off the list, it's time to explore the safe, stable, progressive, LGBT-friendly alternative in the Americas. The longest Carnivale on the continent awaits!

Sixty-One Years

One year ago, I was a few days into my first trip to Berlin; it was what I expected and more, a great way to face another Big Oh while checking the "Berlin Before Sixty" box with a day to spare. It was a welcome distraction from politics back home--mostly. The Stazi Museum seemed…

WordPress.com evolving into D.I.Y. Substack? Evolving is hard. So is free AI image creation. Long story short, I told a bunch of friends I was going to create a Google Groups email newsletter to be less horrible about never communicating. Two months later (ahem), I got around to responding to the responders. I used Google Groups to run a condo committee (mumble mumble) years ago. When I logged in, the group was still there.

WordPress.com evolving into D.I.Y. Substack?

Evolving is hard. So is free AI image creation. Long story short, I told a bunch of friends I was going to create a Google Groups email newsletter to be less horrible about never communicating. Two months later (ahem), I got around to responding to the…

Groundhog Day Meaning

xkcd.com/3202/

'It's a damn shame': Park Service crews dismantle President’s House exhibit on slavery Members of the National Park Service removed signage around the President’s House historic site on Independence Mall on Thursday afternoon.

“It’s history, you know,” said Juan Suarez, a Delaware County resident who was visiting President’s House with his family. “The fact that they are going to erase this — this is outrageous.”

The Best Way To Cook Bacon? | Techniquely with Lan Lam YouTube video by America's Test Kitchen

I regret not panic-buying multiple pounds of bacon because this woman is insane, but I support insanity that lets me fry a whole pound of bacon in a skillet at once: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDBS...

Staten Island bathroom wins major architectural award The American Institute of Architects New York honors innovative design in the city — including toilets.

Since adding The Onion back to RSS, my fun new pastime is guessing what is real and what is satire. I was wrong about this one! Staten Island bathroom wins major architectural award
gothamist.com/arts-enterta...

Adam & The Ants - Physical (You're So) [Audio] YouTube video by AdamAntVEVO

Like everybody in the comments, I had no idea this was a cover, and I am happy to live in a world with both the Adam Ant and NIN versions. -- youtu.be/BzDG3uer1SA?...

Mamdani Rides Train to Work a Day After His Inauguration YouTube video by Bloomberg Television

Mamdani's skills as a politician on full display as he takes the subway to work. And yes, that rider had a great beard. And yes, that might be why I clicked on the video. -- youtu.be/N5iO5a95LxY?...

That's how I feel about my emergency appendectomy.

Somebody take note:

A quick reminder during this busy travel season to know your rights as a passenger. Please be kind, be safe, and have a great holiday season!

Philly’s Rube Goldberg machine contest will be revived by Pig Iron Theatre The Philadelphia Contraption Contest went dormant during the pandemic. It took an experimental theater company to bring it back.

RELEASE THE CONTRAPTIONS! -- whyy.org/articles/phi...