Malady579

Artemis II's four astronauts have officially gone where no one has gone before, setting on Monday a new distance-from-Earth record for human spaceflight.

Why it matters: Artemis II broke Apollo 13's 248,655-mile record, set over 55 years ago on that ill-fated ship's emergency flight home.

• Upon crossing that mark, Artemis II mission commander Reid Wiseman named a lunar crater "Carroll," after his wife who passed away from cancer in 2020.

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Driving the news: The lunar quartet has further to go yet.

• They'll reach their maximum distance (252,760 miles) just after 7 p.m. ET tonight.

What's next: The crew is starting their seven-hour lunar orbit and observation period this afternoon. (Watch live.)

• At 6:44 p.m. ET, the crew will enter an expected 40-minute radio blackout on the dark side of the Moon.
• They will later witness a solar eclipse, with the Moon blocking the Sun from their perspective.

Also planned: A chance to shoot a new version of "Earthrise" — perhaps the Apollo era's most famous photo not taken on the Moon itself.

What they're saying: Apollo 8 and 13's Jim Lovell, in a message to the Artemis II crew recorded before his 2015 death: "Welcome to my old neighborhood!"

• "It's a historic day and I know how busy you'll be, but don't forget to enjoy the view."

Go deeper... PHOTO: See Earth from Artemis II's POV

alabasteritaiaia:

tockae:

Major update from Gävle: Goat down.

Cause: wind?

Gävlebocken har blåst omkull

Wikipedia says it’s official: the goat has been sacrificed!

We intentionally ruined cutting boards to test four oil or wax products to fix them

CR tested four popular cutting board oils and creams, and one stood out.

By Lisa Fogarty

Of all the kitchen products you use, nothing takes a beating quite like your cutting board. Many of us use our boards daily for food preparation, forcing them to succumb to the constant battering of bread knives or chef’s knife wounds made from slicing and dicing vegetables and meat. For a tool that can take so much abuse, it’s surprising to discover how improper maintenance—like keeping it soaked in water for too long or washing it in the dishwasher—can quickly destroy a good-quality wooden cutting board.

Using a cutting board oil regularly (depending on how often you use and wash your board) can help preserve its surface, prevent cracks and other wear and tear, and extend its life. After putting four John Boos wooden cutting boards through the wringer (we washed them several times in a dishwasher, soaked them in water, and chopped numerous veggies on them), CR applied four popular oils and creams to each one to determine which products worked the best. 

The ones we used were either a food-safe mineral-oil-based oil or a cream with beeswax as its key ingredient. We didn’t find considerable differences among them, with one exception. There’s just one cutting board maintenance kit that we thought was the only one you’ll ever need. (It even comes with a sturdy and pretty fabulous applicator.)

John Boos Oil and Cream Kit for Maintenance and Care

Consider John Boos a one-stop shop for keeping your cutting board in tip-top shape. The product costs significantly more than the other options here, but you’ll also get a greater selection of included products. The cutting board that received an application of Boos Block oil and cream in our tests came out smoother and even richer in color than the others. 

Instead of giving you one oil or cream, like the other manufacturers, John Boos provides a 16-ounce bottle of “mystery oil” with a flip-top cap applicator that’s formulated with mineral, linseed, and orange oils (though I wouldn’t say it has a particular scent) and a 5-ounce jar of cream made from beeswax and mineral oil. The best part is that it also comes with an applicator featuring a high-quality wooden handle, making it much easier to apply the oil and cream, buff it, and then reapply the applicator’s cover to keep everything neat and mess-free. I found that the applicator also allowed a little oil or cream to go a very long way; 1 teaspoon of each covered half the board. The products are also certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), indicating that the company adheres to the strict standards and procedures established by this third-party organization.

The right side shows the board after one coat of oil and one of cream.

Photo: Consumer Reports

But invest in this kit only if you’re willing to put a little more effort into maintaining your board because it’s a two-step process. You apply the oil first, allow it to dry overnight, and then apply the cream and let it dry overnight. All of the other products I tested required at least two or three applications, so I wound up waiting two or three days for all the boards to undergo their maintenance treatment. Boos just delivered better results. My board was dry, smooth, and glossy the next day, and it repelled water beautifully.

Other Cutting Board Oils and Creams We Tested

There’s nothing wrong with the other products we tested on wooden cutting boards; they would work in a pinch. But the results we saw from Boos Block were superior.

Clapham’s Beeswax Salad Bowl Finish

This beeswax-based cream comes in a small container without an applicator. You can apply it to a clean board (or other wooden surfaces, such as bowls and toys) with your fingers or a soft cloth. I chose the latter, and found it far more difficult than the Boos to scoop up enough on my microfiber cloth to apply to the board and buff it. The Boos Block cream comes in a container that’s simple to access, and I became spoiled applying it because it spread the oil and cream so much more effectively.

Clapham’s brought out a nice, richer color in this cutting board, but it didn’t leave the surface quite as smooth or polished as the one treated with the John Boos kit.

Photo: Consumer Reports

The cream dried well overnight, but the cutting board was still rough and didn’t repel water well the next day, so I thought it could use another coating of cream. I applied a second one, allowed it to dry overnight, and surveyed the results the following morning. The half of the board that was polished looked visibly better, but it didn’t have the sheen and depth of color that the Boos kit delivered. It also still felt rough. Clapham’s doesn’t claim to have NSF certification.

Howard Cutting Board Oil

The Howard and Thirteen Chefs (below) cutting board oils were so similar that I had trouble telling them—and their results—apart. Both are made from food-safe mineral oil and came in 12-ounce plastic bottles with flip-top cap dispensers, making it simple to dispense the oil. Neither product had an applicator. I applied the oil to a soft microfiber cloth and buffed the board in a circular motion. The Howard Cutting Board Oil absorbed quickly, didn’t smell, and was dry the next morning. But my wooden board still looked dry and rough.

Even after three coats of Howard Cutting Board Oil, the board still showed plenty of wear and tear, and its color remained dull rather than shiny.

Photo: Consumer Reports

Howard recommends applying at least two coats to season a new cutting board, and three to four coats for surfaces over 1.5 inches thick. I applied three coats to the board, waiting 24 hours between each treatment to allow it to dry. The result was a board much smoother than before, but not as smooth or glossy as the results from using Boos Block. Like Clapham, Howard doesn’t claim to have NSF certification.

Thirteen Chefs Mineral Oil

Using a soft microfiber cloth, I applied three coats of USP-grade Thirteen Chefs Mineral Oil to my board, 24 hours apart, but it still looked drier and less glossy than the cutting board that benefited from Boos Block. Despite their similarities, I would recommend Howard Cutting Board Oil over Thirteen Chefs for (perhaps) minor reasons that seem less minor when you consider that Howard costs less. Thirteen Chefs’ front and back peel-on labels were already peeling off considerably before I even used the product. This one doesn’t come with an applicator and, like the others, is odorless. This oil also comes in 8, 64, and 128 fluid-ounce containers.

The product from Thirteen Chefs, like the Howard Cutting Board Oil, gave the board a slight polish after three coats but couldn’t match the results of John Boos. This board separated after several runs through a dishwasher.

Photo: Consumer Reports

How We Tested Cutting Board Oils

Before testing the oils and creams, we put four maple wood cutting boards through three dishwasher cycles, then soaked them in water for 5 hours, and allowed them to dry. Then we chopped vegetables on them using sharp chef’s knives. We intentionally dinged up the wood to determine which product could make the most difference. We used each oil or cream (or, in the case of John Boos, both oil and cream) on half of a board and let it sit for 24 hours. We wiped off any excess and applied drops of water to the oiled side to see whether it was absorbed or beaded up and stayed on the surface. (The latter proved it was oiled enough.) We applied a second or third coat when needed, always waiting 24 hours in between, then did the water test again.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2025, Consumer Reports, Inc.

a-real-human-person-not-fake:

a-real-human-person-not-fake:

a-real-human-person-not-fake:

ms-demeanor:

palant1r:

palant1r:

the virgin loss.jpg versus the chad xkcd Seven Years

Don’t forget the latest version, Ten Years

@vividaway​ Randall Munroe is an internet cartoonist who runs the ‘xkcd’ online comic series, which has run from 2006 up to today, with new comics every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Xkcd isn’t an ongoing story, just a series of funny, wholesome, depressing, or oddly scientifically informative comics.

In 2010, Randall’s fiance was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer. He didn’t share too many details at first, but things tended to bleed into his comics: sometimes funny, sometimes sad.

Often in this time, other cartoonists would write in guest comics for Randall, or he’d put in short filler pieces, to try and fill space while nonstop cancer treatments took up most of his time.

In 2012, he posted a comic called ‘Two Years’, about the time since the diagnosis. It’s the one that hasn’t yet been posted here (although parts of it are included in the other comics), and it commemorates some of the things that had happened in the two years since the diagnosis.

There are representations of Randall and his fiance being together for her treatment, worrying together, traveling the world, and getting married. It’s still depressing, but it’s a lot more hopeful, showing how they’ve still managed to have happy moments together, and things will still get better.

Themes of cancer continued in xkcd, but they increasingly became less about fear and nihilism, and more about hope, or just cool facts related to cancer.

At the top of this post is the comic posted in 2017: Seven Years. In it, Randall and his wife are traveling more, trying to have fun and continue old and new hobbies, with cancer ever-present in the background of it all. At the end, the two of them observe the 2017 solar eclipse, and despite all the uncertainty that comes with the thought of another seven years, agree to watch the 2024 eclipse together too.

There are just about no cancer comics between that one and the most recent comic, the one I posted: Ten Years, written in 2020. It’s by far the most hopeful of the three in the little series: the two of them are happy, they’re playing with rabbits and riding on handcarts and going out hiking and stargazing, together. At the end, Ten Years breaks the format with a conversation in which they talk about how unbelievable it is that it’s been so long, and share their worries as well as their hopes. It even ends on a much more lighthearted joke about immortality.

It’s a good comic. Definitely in my top two comics wherein internet cartoonists express emotions about an illness suffered by their wife.

“The ten-year cancerversary is traditionally the Cursed Artifact Granting Immortality anniversary.” -Randall Munroe.

And now, at long last, Fifteen Years:

naamahdarling:

bogleech:

ethicalhorseslaughter:

catsofyore:

In 1944 a kitten named George (short for General Electric) was saved from drowning by a U.S. Navy crew member. George was then photographed and given a liberty card and detailed health record. Source.

There’s too much going on here

“Skin: can’t see it you worried?”

PLEASE READ the sheet it’s amazing.

norondor:

teathattast:

reblogging this to add that I often think about the old man yaoi mangaka on bluesky who said “the phrase that finally convinced me that the English language is truly beautiful was ‘this shit is so ass’”

mudwerks:

cosmonautroger:

comedic timing

LEGO has officially revealed the highly anticipated Lord of the Rings set with the LEGO Icons Rivendell (10316). Releasing on March 5 for VIPs, the set has 6,167 pieces and will retail for $499.99/€499.99/£429.99/799.99 AUD/669.99 CAD and if you purchase it from March 5-7, you can get the LEGO BrickHeadz Frodo and Gollum (40630) for free.

The set showcases a number of scenes that were set in Rivendell such as the Council Ring, the gazebo/bridge area where the Hobbits start their journey, and Frodo’s room at the end of the saga. It also has a whopping 15 minifigures including the Fellowship of the Ring (Gandalf the Grey, Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Merriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck, Peregrin “Pippin” Took, Legolas, Gimli, Boromir, and Aragorn). There’s also minifigures of Elrond, Arwen, Bilbo Baggins, two additional elves, and a dwarf (Gloin).

REVEALED: LEGO ICONS THE LORD OF THE RINGS: RIVENDELL, THE ONE LEGO SET TO RULE THEM ALL

7th February 2023: The LEGO Group, in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, today announced the much-anticipated LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell set, inspired by the award-winning film adaptations. This highly detailed, 6,167 piece set features the iconic Elven stronghold from Middle-earth and comes complete with 15 minifigures.

Home to the house of Elrond, Rivendell is a key location in Middle-earth and events of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, as the place where the Fellowship was formed and the quest to destroy the One Ring began.

The LEGO The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell set

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The post LEGO Icons Lord of the Rings Rivendell (10316) Officially Announced appeared first on The Brick Fan.

photo of a cat in profile, wearing chainmail and a winged helmet, captioned "Brunnhilde"


photo of a cat facing the camera, wearing chainmail and a winged helmet, captioned "Brunnhilde"


tweet transcribed below

patrickredactedbrewer:

OUTSTANDING NEWS for fans of Brünnhilde!

[Text ID: Tweet from @LibraryOfCongress reading “One of the most beloved free-to-use photos in the Library’s collection is of Brünnhilde, for obvious reasons. We’re happy to report that 2023 comes with a freshly digitized photograph of Brünnhilde from another angle.”]

James Lovelock—creator of the Gaia theory positing that the Earth and everything on it is part of a single organism—died on Tuesday at 103-years-old. A pioneering ecologist, Lovelock's research had a significant impact on current thinking around climate change, fossil fuels, and pollution. — Read the rest

Automotive giant Ford is shoring up its battery supply chain — partly by importing lower-cost, iron-based batteries popular in China — as it sprints to increase electric vehicle production.

Why it matters: Employing cheaper, safer and more durable iron batteries could accelerate demand for mass-market electric vehicles (EVs), and help automakers sidestep nickel and cobalt supply problems that have been driving up EV prices.

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The big picture: Carmakers' plans to shift away from gasoline-powered vehicles won't succeed unless they can secure reliable battery supplies. But with raw materials in short supply — and sourced primarily in Asia — the battery race is turning into a fierce geopolitical competition.

Driving the news: Ford said Thursday it had lined up enough batteries to meet its short-term goal of producing 600,000 EVs annually by 2023, up dramatically from the 27,140 battery-powered cars it sold in the U.S. last year.

• The company, which is spending $50 billion to expand its EV lineup, also said it was 70% to its goal of securing enough batteries to produce 2 million EVs annually by 2026.
• Ford announced a slew of supplier deals and partnerships — including contracts to buy raw materials directly from mining companies, as other automakers have done.

Details: One way Ford intends to meet its EV targets: adding a second type of battery chemistry to its lineup called lithium iron phosphate (LFP), alongside its existing nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) chemistry.

• It will initially import LFP battery packs from China's Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL) for its Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning pickup, starting next year.
• But Ford also wants to produce LFP batteries in North America, and plans to open a 40-GWh LFP cell factory by 2026. (That's in addition to three previously announced battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky.)

Between the lines: Iron and phosphorous are abundant, which is why LFP cells cost at least 30% less than today's nickel- and cobalt-based batteries, Sam Abuelsamid, principal analyst at Guidehouse Insights, explains in Forbes.

• LFP batteries are also more durable, lasting up to 1 million miles, per CATL.
• And they're less likely to catch fire because the chemistry is more stable.

Yes, but: LFP batteries pack 30% less energy than similarly-sized nickel-rich batteries, which translates into shorter driving range.

• This isn't a huge issue in China because buyers there care more about price and durability than driving range.
• But Americans, who aspire to take long road trips, want longer-range EVs capable of going 300 miles or more between charges.
• Instead of installing a larger battery to meet their range expectations, carmakers can squeeze more LFP cells into battery packs by redesigning their module structure, per Abuelsamid.

What to watch: Tesla increasingly uses cobalt-free LFP batteries in its entry-level vehicles, and it's expected Ford and others will too.

• Meanwhile, nickel-based batteries will be used for pricier performance cars.

What they're saying: "We know that the battery material cost is where the war will be won in the short term," said Lisa Drake, vice president of EV industrialization for Ford's Model e division.

LEGO has officially revealed the next LEGO Ideas set with Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night (21333). Releasing on May 25 for VIPs and The Museum of Modern Art members, the set has 2,316 pieces and will retail for $169.99/£149.99/€169.99/259.99 AUD/219.99 CAD. The build features the iconic Vincent van Gogh painting from 1889 in a 3D layout that can be displayed standing or hung on a wall. The set will also include a minifigure of Vincent van Gogh as well.

LEGO® IDEAS THE STARRY NIGHT SET – PRESS RELEASE

REIMAGINE VINCENT VAN GOGH’S ICONIC PAINTING WITH THE NEW LEGO IDEAS STARRY NIGHT SET

17th May, 2022: In tribute to Vincent van Gogh’s famous painting, the LEGO Group has revealed the LEGO® Ideas The Starry Night set. This beautiful set was designed by Truman Cheng, a 25-year old Hong Kong based LEGO fan, through a submission on the LEGO Ideas platform, and has been created in conjunction with The Museum of Modern Art in New York.

The three-dimensional set reimagines Vincent van Gogh’s renowned 1889 painting in LEGO form, with strong emphasis on the artist’s striking brush strokes and colour choice. Inspired by the view from his window at the Monastery of Saint-Paul de Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy, France, where the artist spent twelve months, The Starry Night is one of the world’s most well-known post-impressionist works and has been a visitor favourite at MoMA since it first arrived in 1935.

Art lovers can swap paint palettes for LEGO bricks and re-create one of the world’s

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The post LEGO Ideas The Starry Night (21333) Officially Announced appeared first on The Brick Fan.

If a proposal passes, Spanish Millenials may finally get the opportunity to move out of their childhood bedrooms. A housing bill announced on Tuesday includes a program to pay young people aged 18-35 €250 per month ($290 USD) to move into their own place. — Read the rest

The Clockwork Solar System by ChrisOrchard is the latest project to achieve 10,000 supporters on LEGO Ideas. The 3,000 piece build is a fully functional clock that shows the orbits of various planets with the timing over 99.8% accurate to other planets.

The project now joins Land Ahoy, Terrariums, Great Coral Reef, Hyrule Castle 30th Anniversary, and Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Avatar Returns as the ones to reach the Third 2021 Review Stage.

The post LEGO Ideas Clockwork Solar System Achieves 10,000 Supporters appeared first on The Brick Fan.

LEGO has officially announced its next LEGO Harry Potter exclusive set with the Hogwarts Icons Collectors’ Edition (76391). Releasing on September 2, the set has 3,010 pieces and will retail for $249.99.

The set features Hedwig as the centerpiece but it also includes a number of other Hogwarts related items including Harry’s glasses and wand, a chocolate frog, Tom Riddle’s diary, the Golden Snitch, a school scarf, and a potions tray with five potions such as Asphdel, Gillyweed, Polyjuice Potion, Infusion of Wormwood, and Felix Felicis. Also in the set are three exclusive golden minifigures of Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall and Rubeus Hagrid with a stand featuring the chocolate frog card box. Finally, there’s a Hogwarts acceptance letter from Professor McGonagall.

LEGO HARRY POTTER HOGWARTS ICONS COLLECTORS’ EDITION CELEBRATES TWO DECADES OF WIZARDING WORLD LEGO MAGIC

The LEGO Group is celebrating 20 years of LEGO Harry Potter with the reveal of the LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Icons Collectors’ Edition, an intricate display model and a perfect homage to the fan-favourite Wizarding World.

The detailed new set follows the adventures of Harry Potter and his friends, capturing some of the most iconic characters and moments in one, single stunning model. The set also includes several famous artifacts found in the Wizarding World over the last two decades.

Sitting proudly at the centre of the set is Harry’s loyal owl, Hedwig, clutching the infamous Hogwarts letter. Fans will also find Harry’s wand and glasses, a chocolate frog, a potions tray including five potion bottles and ingredients, as well

… Continue

The post LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Icons Collectors’ Edition (76391) Officially Announced appeared first on The Brick Fan.

Anti-maskers in Spain beware – using public transportation without a mask will get you nowhere. Not with passengers like the one on the train below, who didn't put up with any guff from a man who thought he could bend the country's mask rules by riding a train without a face covering. — Read the rest

A Map of Middle-Earth by Artem Biziaev is the latest project to achieve 10,000 supporters on LEGO Ideas. The map features all of the key locations from The Lord of the Rings trilogy and microfigures of the main characters as well as a minifigure of J. R. R. Tolkien.

The project now joins The Shire, the Hobbithole of Frodo and Bilbo Baggins, Among Us: The Skeld Detailed Map, The Office, Castle of Lord Afol and the Black Knights, The X-Files: I Want to Believe, The House of Chocolate, The Simpsons – The Krusty Burger, Asterix and Obelix, 4½-Litre 1927-31 Bentley ‘Blower’, Scania Next Generation S730, The Karate Kid “Wax On, Wax Off”, Hyrule Castle (The Legend of Zelda), Metroid: Samus Aran’s Gunship, NASA’s SLS & Artemis, Lego Bookends, Animal Crossing: New Horizons Paradise, Claus Toys, Baba Yaga, The Castle of Brickwood Forest, A Nice Day at the Farm, The Forth Bridge, The Sewing Workshop, The King’s Castle, The Nightmare Before Christmas – Halloween Town, Train Bookends, The Polar Express, The Trulli of Alberobello, Jazz Quartet, and My LEGO Totoro (Feat. Cat Bus), as the ones to reach the First 2021 Review Stage.

Ted Cruz's vacation to Mexico was cut short, so Mexico was brought to his Houston home on Sunday afternoon in the form of a live mariachi band. A big chef's kiss to the folks behind this brilliant stunt!

Their statement:

We are concerned patriots who felt terrible that Ted had to cancel the vacation that he so richly deserved, so we wanted to show him how much he is loved.

— Read the rest

The reason is more endearing than you’d believe! Erin Askeland, Animal Health and Behavior Consultant for Camp Bow Wow shared with Popsugar that there are different reasons as to why cats would choose to lie at the edge of the bed or on their owners’ feet. The reasons are based on instinct, such as for security and safety purposes. When a cat goes to sleep, Askeland answers, they are aware of their vulnerability, so they would prefer to sleep at the foot of the bed for security: 

"The foot of the bed also provides a quicker escape, which is part of a cat's instincts, whereas at the head of the bed or even within the blankets, that escape route is not as clear. Often the foot of a bed is semi-centered in a room, so it not only gives the cat a perch and view from higher up, [and a] comfy place to sprawl, but also the ability to move in any direction quickly as needed."

Another reason as to why these feline creatures would decide to sleep at their owner’s feet is both sweet and honestly, self-serving: 

"While cats may be independent creatures, they are keen on who provides for them and are still quite social. They are aware of who puts down their food, water, and treats, who plays with them, and who gives them attention, so they will seek out that person (or persons) to be near and offer affection in return, or appease you so you continue providing for them," she said, which I thought was a sweet — though appropriately self-serving — notion.

However, Erin completely brought me back to earth with her last note, which for sure tracks: "Cats may also use you simply for your heat! This may be why some cats will move to your head or body during the night and then return to the foot of the bed. As your own body's temperature changes, your cat may move to warmer (or cooler) spots depending on their own needs."

Image via Popsugar 

The playground staple known as the giant stride rose in popularity with playgrounds themselves around the turn of the 20th century. It was simply a sturdy pole with a wheel on top, from which hung ropes or chains for children to grab and ride. It was called the giant stride because the centripetal force of the circle allowed a child to take giant strides in their steps.   

It was the most thrilling thing that had ever existed on a playground, before or since. In the words of Canadian history writer Anita May Draper, “those who’ve taken a spin on this ride agree it’s the most exciting one of all.” Denver Post columnist Jack Kisling once eulogized the apparatus as “mad fun.” When Iowa’s Quad-City Times canvassed its older readers for memories of the thing in 1991, they received a torrent of positive mail, with one woman even citing it as evidence that growing up during the Great Depression was “more fun.”

But it came at a ghastly cost: cracked skulls, shattered limbs, horrific lacerations and dead or permanently maimed children. In an age of radium toothpaste, lead-paint baby toys and decorating Christmas trees with asbestos, even this pleasure was deemed too dangerous for the world’s children. This is the forgotten story of the giant stride, the most notorious piece of playground equipment in history.

The effort to remove giant strides from playgrounds began in the 1920s, but the structures lingered on for decades here and there. Read about the hazardous giant stride at the National Post. -via Fark

(Image source: Library of Congress)

Huskies are known to be stubborn when told to come inside on a nice (as in cold) snowy day, but this dog actually argues – like a young child. He whines, with as close to a "noooooo!" as he can get, and even shakes his head back and forth. — Read the rest

A few of you have messaged in about a neat item from We Love What You Build called the Periodic Table of the LEGO Colors. Featuring 70 different colors in 12 different pieces, the table also tells you the official LEGO names of the colors as well as the BrickLink names and ID. In addition, it also tells you when each particular color was used. It sells for $39.99 and its measurements are 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.6 in / 40 x 30 x 1.5 cm.

LEGO will have a brand new theme for the 18+ line with the Botanical Collection and we have some official images of two sets coming out of Polish shop Bonito. These two sets will focus on the adult builders some realistic plant builds.

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Flower Bouquet (10280) – 756 pieces

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Bonsai Tree (10281) – 878 pieces

The post LEGO Botanical Collection 2021 Sets Revealed appeared first on The Brick Fan.

Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site.

The coronavirus pandemic has slowed auto development and production, but manufacturers’ plans to introduce electric vehicles (EVs) continue unabated. A record number of almost 100 pure electric EV models are set to debut by the end of 2024.

On the menu are cars, and an increasing number of SUVs and pickups, along with a broader array of plug-in hybrid models, which can run on mostly electric power for stretch before a gasoline engine kicks in and operates the vehicle more like a traditional hybrid.

The rollout of new EV and plug-in hybrid models across different segments is good news for consumers looking for an alternative-fuel vehicle that will fit their needs.

Here’s a rundown of some of the models that are most worth watching over the next couple of years. The list is alphabetical by automaker. Prices are estimates in most cases. 

Audi Q4 E-Tron

Audi will expand the E-Tron nameplate later this year with the Q4 E-Tron. A close relative of the Volkswagen ID.4, Audi’s compact electric SUV will be built on the Volkswagen MEB modular electric vehicle platform. Based on its size, the Q4 E-Tron will compete with the likes of the Tesla Model Y and Volvo XC40 Recharge. Audi has not yet announced the Q4 E-Tron’s driving range, which is the distance a vehicle can go between charges or fueling. The current range estimate for the Q4 E-Tron is 280 miles, but it is based on EU test standards, which are more optimistic than the U.S. ones. That is considerably less than the Model Y.
Cost: $45,000
On sale: Late 2021

Audi E-Tron GT

Audi's new flagship, the E-Tron GT, shares the electric vehicle architecture that underpins the Porsche Taycan, an EV that also falls under the aegis of Volkswagen Group, one of the world's largest automakers. The E-Tron GT features a layout and electric powertrain similar to the Taycan, but the styling and infotainment system are distinctively Audi. All E-Tron GT models will feature all-wheel drive. In performance-oriented RS trim, combined output from the front and rear motors is 637-horsepower, which Audi says is capable of launching the car from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 155 mph. EPA range estimates are not yet available for the E-Tron GT, but Audi's estimates are 238 miles for the base model and 231 miles for the RS.
Cost: $99,900
On sale: Summer 2021

BMW i4

The new BMW i4 is a conventional-looking EV that broadens the appeal of BMW’s electric offerings. There are two versions available. The eDrive40, with 335 hp and rear-wheel drive, is estimated to have a range of 300 miles. The all-wheel drive M50 with a maximum of 536 hp promises sports-car performance and 0-to-60-mph acceleration in under 4 seconds, but a lower range of 245 miles. It’s probably no coincidence that those acceleration numbers are similar to Tesla’s Model 3, a rival. With high-power 200-kW DC charging, available only in public venues, the i4 can gain up to 90 miles of range in just 10 minutes. Standard active safety systems include FCW, AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, LDW, and LKA.
Cost: $55,000-$66,000
On sale: Early 2022

Learn more about the BMW i4.

BMW iX

The iX is BMW’s new electric flagship SUV. Designed from scratch and a showcase for the automaker’s latest tech, it’s nothing like any BMW we’ve seen before considering its massive grille, squared-off steering wheel, and wraparound floating touch screen. According to BMW, the iX will have 500 hp and employ two motors to give it AWD capability, and it will sprint from 0-62 mph in under 5 seconds. Range is claimed to be 300 miles, and it can add 75 miles of charge in 10 minutes of DC fast charging. Charging from empty on 240 volt will take 11 hours, which is par for the course.
Cost: $80,000-$100,000 EST
On sale: Early 2022

Cadillac Lyriq

The Cadillac Lyriq showcases next-generation styling for the brand and introduces a new modular electric platform. It is roughly the length and width of the Cadillac XT6 SUV. However, the Lyriq has a much different profile, being 6 inches lower in height and riding on a 9-inch-longer wheelbase. The dominant feature in the cabin is a curved 33-inch LED display that stretches from the instrument panel all the way to where the infotainment screen is traditionally placed. This builds on the presentation found in the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, which has a 38-inch curved OLED display. The initial Lyriq is a 340-hp, rear-drive model with a 100-kWh battery—a combination that the automaker estimates is good for at least 300 miles of range. Production starts in early 2022 at the Spring Hill, Tenn., facility. GM has pledged a $2 billion investment in that factory to support electric vehicle production. In addition, the company is spending $2.3 billion on a new battery manufacturing plant in the same town, as part of a joint effort with LG Energy Solution.
Cost: $59,990
On sale: Early 2023

Learn more about the Cadillac Lyriq.

Chevrolet Bolt EUV

The Bolt EUV, a new small front-wheel-drive SUV, is built on the same platform as the freshened 2022 Bolt EV. It features clean and uncluttered styling. The EUV is more than 6 inches longer than the hatchback model, has a longer wheelbase, and more legroom for rear passengers. Both the Bolt EV and EUV share the same 200-hp electric motor that drives the front wheels. EPA range estimate for the EUV is 247 miles on a full charge. The instrument panel features a multicolor instrument display and a large center stack touch screen, along with a smattering of buttons and switches. Active safety features including FCW, AEB with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist with lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a following distance indicator come standard. Super Cruise, the driver assist technology that allows hands-free driving as long as the driver pays attention to the road ahead, is available.
Cost: $33,995-$43,495
On sale: Summer 2021

Learn more about the Chevrolet Bolt and Bolt EUV.

Ford F-150 Lightning

The Lightning name returns on an electrified F-150 crewcab truck with prodigious power and strong work capabilities. On sale in spring 2022, this pickup is offered in two power configurations, with 426  and 563 hp. The standard-range battery promises 230 miles of range, and the extended-range battery is projected to provide up to 300 miles. Among the benefits for going electric is a large front trunk that can hold two sets of golf clubs. Further, the F-150 Lightning boasts up to a 2,000-pound payload capacity (standard range) and 10,000-pound tow capacity (extended range). Power plugs in the “frunk” and bed add to the truck’s versatility. And familiar innovations carry over from the regular F-150, such as foldaway gear selector and deeply reclining seats. The Ford Co-Pilot 360 2.0 suite is standard, with FCW, AEB with pedestrian detection, BSW, lane keeping assist, parking obstruction warning, and rear automatic braking.
Cost: $40,000-$90,000
On sale: Spring 2022

Learn more about the Ford F-150 Lightning.

Genesis GV60

Genesis has unveiled its first electric vehicle, based off a platform shared with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. Details will be released as its production date draws closer. 

On sale: 2022

GMC Hummer EV

The Hummer badge was once antithetical to alternative fuels, representing hulking, gas-guzzling SUVs inspired by military vehicles. But the all-new, electric Hummer EV SUV and pickup truck promise to be both green and off-road ready, with gratuitous power and sports-car-quick acceleration. The nameplate's revival is led by the five-seat, four-door pickup truck. Its 5-foot pickup bed features a power tonneau cover and multifunction tailgate. Both vehicles have removable glass roof panels to create an open-air driving experience. Among their tricks are the ability to "crab walk," or move diagonally; up to 18 cameras for negotiating trails; and available Super Cruise driver assistance. The Hummer EV pickup truck launches in 2022 with the pricey, full-featured Edition 1 boasting 1,000 hp and promising 350+ miles of range. The SUV follows a year later, with top output being about 830 hp. Over the following two years, other less expensive versions of each will be offered with reduced power and range.
Cost: $79,995 to $112,595
On sale: Early 2022

Learn more about the GMC Hummer EV.

Kia EV6

The Kia EV6 is the brand’s first car designed from the ground up to be electric. Sized like a Ford Mustang Mach-E, the EV6 crossover promises to be the first in a series of upcoming EV models. The EV6 will be offered in a number of powertrain configurations, with rear- and all-wheel-drive versions, and several motor combinations. Acceleration is said to be as swift as 3.5 seconds 0 to 60 mph. The EV6 is compatible with 400- and 800-volt fast charging stations in public places, enabling the car to go from 10 to 80 percent charge in 18 minutes. A neat feature: The EV6 is capable of powering other equipment or serving as an emergency power source for your home. A comprehensive suite of active safety features, including FCW, AEB with pedestrian detection, BSW, RCTW, lane keeping assistance, and a driver attention monitor, will be offered.
Cost: $45,000-$55,000
On sale: Late 2021

Lucid Air

A large, sleek, all-wheel-drive sedan designed to compete with ultraluxury models such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Tesla Model S, the Lucid Air will eventually be available in a few formats. The first to arrive will be the most expensive one—a 1,080-hp dual-motor sedan with a $169,000 price. Less powerful versions will arrive later, including a 800-hp dual-motor model and a couple of single-motor models with either 480 or 620 hp. The car, its batteries, and the 900-volt electric architecture were engineered in-house, and have already been tested and proved on Formula E cars. Lucid says the base model will have more than 400 miles of range, with a proprietary charging system that makes it possible to add 300 miles of range in 20 minutes using a DC fast charger. An SUV based on the Air is expected to follow.
Cost: $77,400 to $170,000
On sale: Late 2021

Learn more about the Lucid Air.

Nissan Ariya

The Ariya will be Nissan’s first electric SUV when it goes on sale in the U.S. in late 2021. The compact SUV has a starting price around $40,000. There will be standard- and long-range battery versions and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. Front-drive versions make 215 hp, with the dual-motor AWD models producing 389 hp. The front-wheel-drive model equipped with the long-range battery will have an estimated driving range of up to 300 miles. The cabin has a large, horizontal display screen that serves as both the instrument cluster and the infotainment system. The Ariya will have wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Standard driver assistance features include FCW, AEB with pedestrian detection, BSW, RCTW, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams.
Cost: $40,000 to $50,000
On sale: Late 2021

Learn more about the Nissan Ariya.

Porsche Macan EV

The Macan was Porsche’s entrée into the popular compact SUV segment and quickly proved to be a best-seller. A battery electric version will accompany its gasoline-powered counterpart, albeit on a different, EV-specific platform co-developed by Audi and Porsche. The Macan EV will use the same 800-volt electric architecture that’s now in the Taycan electric sedan. (Current Macan GTS shown.)
Cost: $75,000
On sale: 2022

Rivian R1T and R1S

The R1T is an all-electric pickup scheduled to beat Tesla’s Cybertruck to the market by two years. It has a promised range of up to 400 miles, up to 750 hp, and 11,000 pounds of towing capacity. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph is claimed to be 3 seconds. It also has a transverse tunnel between the bed and the cab for storage. The R1S is a three-row luxury SUV version. Rivian is the rare tech startup that has attracted heavy-duty investors, including Amazon, Ford, and Cox Automotive. Unlike other EV companies that have faded like vaporware, Rivian may have the ability to sop up some of the pent-up demand for an electric pickup while Tesla is still developing its Cybertruck concept.
Cost: $67,500 to $77,500
On sale: June 2021 (R1T) and August 2021 (R1S)

Learn more about the Rivian R1T and R1S.

Subaru Solterra

Subaru has announced its entrance into the EV market in 2022 with an all-electric SUV called the Solterra. Subaru faithful have been waiting with bated breath for news of the automaker’s plans to go electric as other automakers, one after another, have signaled their intent. Details are scant—mirroring other automakers’ announcements of upcoming EVs—but Subaru said the Solterra was developed as part of a joint venture between itself and Toyota, and will be built in Japan and China on Toyota’s new dedicated all-electric vehicle platform, known as e-TNGA. Subaru calls it the e-Subaru platform.

Learn more about the Subaru Solterra.

 

Tesla Cybertruck

The Tesla Cybertruck is an upcoming all-electric pickup. Aside from its one-of-a-kind angular experiment of a truck, the design replaces the traditional truck frame with a hard stainless steel "exoskeleton," similar to airplane design, and extra-strong glass for the windows. Tesla announced a base price of under $40,000, but we would take that with a grain of salt, based on the company's record of frequent price hikes. The truck will come in three variations, with battery ranges of 250, 350, and 500 miles. The top-end version promises acceleration of 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, combined with the ability to tow 14,000 pounds. The prototype is expected to evolve, and decrease in size slightly.
Price: $39,900-$69,900
On sale: Available for preorder now. Delivery estimated to be late 2022 at the earliest.

Learn more about the Tesla Cybertruck.

Toyota bZ4X

Toyota said in April 2021 that it is developing an SUV in partnership with Subaru based on a new dedicated all-electric vehicle platform, known as e-TNGA. Dubbed bZ4X, the new EV will incorporate Subaru’s deep experience developing all-wheel-drive systems. Toyota says the bZ4X will fall under its Toyota bZ—“beyond zero,” a reference to zero emissions—brand umbrella, which includes six other bZ models to be introduced by 2025. Both automakers are withholding further details on their upcoming SUVs until closer to production. 

Volvo C40 Recharge

Based on the XC40 SUV, the C40 Recharge combines the ride height of an SUV with just the cargo space of a hatchback car. In addition to the scrunched rear roofline, Volvo says the C40 is “lower and sleeker” than the XC40 recharge. The C40 also has a slightly different front end, a totally new rear view, and a leather-free interior. Like the XC40 Recharge and the Polestar 2 model with long range and all-wheel drive, the C40 will have a dual-motor setup and 78-kWh battery, and an estimated range over 200 miles.
Price: $58,750
On sale: Fall 2021

Learn more about the Volvo C40 Recharge. 

Electric Cars 101

Electric cars are bringing some of the biggest changes the auto industry has seen in years. On the “Consumer 101” TV show, Consumer Reports expert Jake Fisher explains to host Jack Rico why these vehicles might not be as newfangled as you think.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2021, Consumer Reports, Inc.

Nick Brett somehow managed to thread the needle in this brilliant shot from the last indoor Bowls championship in Paris. The red team had effectively blocked him from a shot that would hit the yellow jack in the center. It's worth watching the relaxing first three minutes for context, but if you want to skip to the money shot, it's here.

To understand how difficult this is, he rolled his bowl between the two red bowls furthest left in the cluster below, hitting the small yellow jack without touching either red bowl.

Image: YouTube / Canadian Bowler

Australian comedian Greg Larsen posted a challenge on Twitter: give him the name of someone who is universally agreed upon to be evil, and he'll figure out how Fox News or Ben Shapiro or any other Right Wing pundit would defend them.

The results are bleakly hilarious, if not painfully accurate. Here are a few of my favorites:

So now we are just poisoning people we don't like? Sure he was young and when you're a teen you do some rebellious stuff but boys will be boys. Does that mean we poison them? Any teen who rides a skateboard or wears a backwards cap now should be poisoned?

— Greg Larsen (@gregmlarsen) August 31, 2020

Literally just made a nice gold ring and a leftist mob wanted to destroy him because they were jealous of his hard work and felt they were entitled. HE EVEN GAVE RINGS TO MEN AND DWARVES BUT THAT WASN'T ENOUGH THE LEFTISTS WANTED HIS TOO! Socialism is a disease.

— Greg Larsen (@gregmlarsen) September 1, 2020

Literally the hardest working virus in 2020. Creating healthcare work, bringing people together, and by every measurable standard a raging success in the virus world but that doesn't fit the leftist narrative of "success = evil"

— Greg Larsen (@gregmlarsen) August 31, 2020

Killed way less people than the common cold, so we should get all hysterical about it? More people die per year of car accidents. Are cars evil? Should we ban cars? Oh wait banning cars means lefties can't drive to pot parties so guess leftists get to decide who lives and dies

— Greg Larsen (@gregmlarsen) September 1, 2020

Everything the "west" does is evil by default according to leftists. They hate freedom, democracy, and think everything western is somehow "wicked"

— Greg Larsen (@gregmlarsen) September 1, 2020

Ask yourself what Mario is doing that Bowser needs to take the princess away? We've only ever heard one side of it in the MSM but it looks to me like Bowser is doing everything he can to protect princess peach from two vicious brothers who are nothing more than antifa thugs.

— Greg Larsen (@gregmlarsen) August 31, 2020

Show me literally one photo, one piece of footage, literally anything of Kim Jong Un killing anyone, or doing anything bad to anyone. I'll wait.

— Greg Larsen (@gregmlarsen) August 31, 2020

Is it a crime? What law has he broken? Show me the page in the lawbook. So he had the foresight to see an opportunity and worked hard to get to where he is and now wacky socialists want to tear down the whole system and forcibly redistribute the dip?

— Greg Larsen (@gregmlarsen) September 1, 2020

A 9-year test in Norway found that painting just one wind turbine blade black can decrease birds deaths by about 72%. Via Ars Technica:

At the Smøla wind farm, regular checks of four particular wind turbines—each 70m tall with three 40m-long blades—found six white-tailed eagle carcasses between 2006 and 2013. In total, the four turbines killed 18 birds that flew into the blades over those six years, along with five willow ptarmigans that are known to collide with the turbine towers rather than the blades. (Another four turbines selected as a control group were responsible for seven bird deaths, excluding willow ptarmigans, over the same timeframe.)

And so, in 2013, each of the four turbines in the test group had a single blade painted black. In the three years that followed, only six birds were found dead due to striking their turbine blades. By comparison, 18 bird deaths were recorded by the four control wind turbines—a 71.9-percent reduction in the annual fatality rate.

Image: Pixabay

As someone who spent years needing the assistance of a wheel chair, seeing these miniatures made me very happy. It's wonderful to think of special needs kids (and adults) being able to see characters they can relate to, whether they choose to roleplay that way or not. I love the attention to detail in the designs of the wheel chairs.

The minis are available as downloadable STL files for 3D printing or as resin/metal casts. 25% of the sales of these minis goes to support work with the physically challenged.

H/t Richard Gould

Images: Product photography

I recently saw a Lack Rack—an inexpensive Ikea Lack table put to use rackmounting servers—and now I keep running into them. Pictured above is Paul Curry's £5 example, replete with vinyl wood texture.

They need little explanation: Ikea makes a cheap little table whose legs are exactly 19" wide and (barely) sturdy enough to accept screws and the weight of most rackmount equipment. (I wouldn't chance a loaded Apple Rac in it). Here's an orphaned photo posted to reddit featuring a typical example:

Eth0 entertains a specification and offers a fantastic IKEA-style manial for the Lack Rack. The most notable recommendation: use cavity screws to increase the load-bearing strength of the mostly-hollow legs if you're putting in machines more than 5cm down from the tabletop.

Its low-cost and perfect fit are great for mounting up to 8 U of 19" hardware, such as switches (see below), or perhaps other 19" gear. It's very easy to assemble, and thanks to the design, they are stable enough to hold (for example) 19" switches and you can put your bottle of Club-Mate on top! Multi-shiny LackRack can also be painted to your specific preferences and the airflow is unprecedented!

And of course the tabletop is perfect for placing a monitor or laptop, like the one in Frank Denneman's lab:

A little finish goes a long way:

Things sometimes get quite out of hand.