A bipartisan group of Oregon lawmakers approved $2.1 million to buy the 92-foot-tall Abiqua Falls after it was put up for sale on Redifin, the previous Benedictine monk owners having put the natural wonder on the market earlier this year. What do you think?
“Also, Freedom Of Information requests can’t apply to burner phones.” Luke and the Panel (Ian MacIntyre and Nile Seguin) talk Trump’s not at all desperate attempt to enlist other countries’ help to clear Strait Of Hormuz, Doug Ford’s plans to eliminate Freedom of Information Requests, and Poilievre’s disastrous St. Paddy’s Day video. Then the Approximately […]
I am proud to announce that we have won the war—the one we’re fighting right now, indefinitely. We have declared victory, which will help morale during the next few years of battle. In fact, we won this war so well that we need about 200 billion of your tax dollars to keep winning it.
Look, we don’t want to waste your money. That’s why we vowed to make this a quick war, and we’ve followed through on that promise. The first hour, it was over. The second hour too. First week, over again. Next week, we’ll be wrapping up. In a couple months, we’ll have finished this war more times than any war has ever been finished before.
Now, 200 billion dollars might sound like a lot of money. And it would be, if we were just winning one war. But when you finish a job, you get paid. If you finish the same job 200 times for a billion a pop, well, you do the math.
Some people have been saying that there was no reason this war needed to happen in the first place. That’s just not true. We were given highly credible intelligence that this war was completely unavoidable from the moment we started it. Others have claimed there was no imminent threat. That’s just naïve. There was an extremely imminent threat that if we attacked, there would then suddenly be a threat.
Other people have been saying that we’re committing war crimes. That’s not true either. If anything, you’re committing war crimes, since this is your money. I haven’t paid a dime. But we’ve finished our war crimes now, the ones that weren’t happening. Those are over. As of tomorrow, you will be paying for incidental violations.
The truth is, this isn’t even a war. It started as a specialized combat operation. Now that we’ve won that specialized combat operation, it’s become a continuation of a full-scale military intervention. We’re very close to turning that intervention into an all-out peacetime campaign, which can actually be very bloody and extremely expensive. When you really think about it, 200 billion dollars is a small price for you all to pay to get us out of this big peace-seeking mess you all already paid for.
One day, when this is all over, which it already is, you’ll look back at our many triumphs and smile, knowing that they’re still happening and that they’ll never end. And when that day comes, which it will every day forever, we won’t have to ask you for your money, because we’ve never had to ask you for your money—we’ll just take it, so we can win an unwinnable war we already won.
Orange Pekoe! Orange Pekoe? Orange Pekoe! Oragen Pekoe? I swear by it! You swear by it? and Lewies says that Phylis says that Sybil once had some Earl Grey at her place, and two out of three were delighted. Well ... I don't go for those exotic teas. #CowboyWho
This is part of a series of seasonal horoscopes inspired by works of art and informed by author Nancy Douthey’s performance and storytelling-based Table Top Tarot. Hear about Douthey’s interest in tarot as a creative future building practice here.
ARIES
Tarot Disassembled
Aries, your ruling planet is Mars; the planet associated with the God of War. With your metals of iron and steel you can forge anything from the fire within. This powerful “spark” is enough fuel to birth the entire Zodiac wheel into existence and this month your energy is met with an earth bound card of advice, The Knight of Pentacles, asking you to direct your power with slower intentional mapping.
You have the strength and mobility of the horse to take you anywhere and, as this earth energy combines with your natural fire, you can navigate with more clarity at a steady pace. This includes having your prepared snacks, water, your phone charger, your sketchbook, some gas money, your journal, and your itinerary printed out and all in one place. Even you seem surprised by your organized readiness as you move in harmony with your environment and your goals.
Dream-balance, place a heavy rock in one hand and then place several smaller rocks in the other hand until you find balance in your own body.
Art experience recommendation: Bowl with Fish, Iran, late 13th – mid-4th century, stone-paste, painted in black under turquoise glaze, 7.9 x 18.7 centimeters. The Hossein Afshar Collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Bowl with Fish, Iran, late 13th – mid-4th century, stone-paste, painted in black under turquoise glaze, 7.9 x 18.7 centimeters. The Hossein Afshar Collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
TAURUS
Tarot Disassembled
Taurus, you are ruled by the planet Venus. If you wanted to memorize the planets associated with the Zodiac, think, “Men are From Mars and Women are From Venus,” and you have the first two signs memorized. Maybe no one was expecting to learn astrology here but let’s do it anyway! Taurus shares Venus with Libra but because it comes first, Taurus is all about the inner world of luxury, think food and drinks and deep earthy nourishment.
This month dear Taurus you have the Ace of Cups as your card of advice, reminding you that unexpected emotional waters are coming your way this season. You may experience waves of gratitude, peace, and love that all feel completely out of the blue. If you were wondering if the cup was half empty or half full this season, you have enough for a divine party in this overflow of abundance, uplifting the entire world with sharing these moments of hope and happiness.
Dream-cry, in one pocket have a handkerchief, go ahead have it embroidered, or just a couple of tissues will do. In the other pocket, confetti.
Art experience recommendation: Embroidered Panel, Iran, late 16th – early 17th century. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Embroidered Panel, Iran, late 16th – early 17th century. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
GEMINI
Tarot Disassembled
Gemini is ruled by the planet Mercury and the archetype of the messenger. Mercury travels fast around the sun, 88 days to be exact, mirroring your ability to move information at lighting speeds. Your mercurial nature to transform unseen ideas into words and meaning paired with your deep ability for fast, curious and charming communication with anyone that comes your way is an ancient skill you embodied, having worked for all the gods traversing known and unknown realms.
This season, Gemini, you are gifted with The Devil card and indeed, I’ll say it again, the Devil is in the details. For you, dear Gem, these small almost innocent attachments add up…think hours on your phone, french fry orders at any given drive-through or your Amazon “Buy it Now” purchases. Pay attention to your attention and let enough be enough. OR NOT and enjoy the deep satisfaction from the habit that keeps you cozy… Next season…things change. OF COURSE THEY DO!
Dream-focus, close your eyes for two minutes and say nothing.
Art experience recommendation: Barbat Lute, Turkish (Ottoman), late 19th–early 20th century, wood, ebony, ivory, and mother-of-pearl inlay. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Barbat Lute, Turkish (Ottoman), late 19th–early 20th century, wood, ebony, ivory, and mother-of-pearl inlay. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Museum purchase funded by Franci Neely in honor of her son, Andrew Ellingson Beck III
CANCER
Tarot Disassembled
Ruled by the Moon. EVERY Caner knows this! However, it might be overlooked by those closest to you. (I’m softly reminding them now.) Just like the moon, you move in monthly cycles, deeply impacting those in your orbit. (I’m softly reminding you now.) Under this ruler, this silvery light of the moon allows us all to see in the dark, reflecting back the Sun and softening what might seem harsh under the light of day. Your ability to reflect something as intense as the Sun means you might be the actual center of the universe but…the Sun may think otherwise.
This season, Cancer, your card of advice is the Five of Pentacles, say “YES!” See where the beauty can be found and where the music can be heard, and go, dance! Find your way with your moonlight and all your star friends to the places, art, and food that bring you warmth and peace and remind you that the Sun does shine, even at night because of your beautiful reflection.
Note: Hang with a Gemini and they will be sure to get you into a place of more freedom and possibility this season, it might be healing or chaotic enough to remind you that a broken leg is only temporary.
Dream-warmth, let the sun warm your skin until you can feel it and then go inside and splash some cold water on your face. Repeat. Daily.
Art experience recommendation: Frida Kahlo, Naturaleza muerta (Soy de Samuel Fastlicht) [Still Life (I Belong to Samuel Fastlicht)], 1951, oil on masonite. Private collection, on view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Frida Kahlo, “Naturaleza muerta (Soy de Samuel Fastlicht) [Still Life (I Belong to Samuel Fastlicht)],” 1951, oil on masonite
LEO
Tarot Disassembled
Leo is ruled by the Sun. Without you Leo there is no solar system. You are indeed the center. You are the vitality and the heart. Insert lion’s roar here, or feel free to demo and send us your own roar recording! You are the archetype of the father, creator, king. Ra, Helios, Sol, Jesus, the list goes on and on. And as a Leo, I know, you know.
This season, Leo, your card of advice is the Fool Card. THE ZERO! Pack your bags, move, trash all the crap you don’t need, go on the trip, leave the relationship, let go, make that painting, though you don’t make paintings, get the dog (or the cat), make that call you keep thinking about and go on the adventure! Do the thing you don’t want to do and ride the edge into new territories and reinventions, and act on your ideas, climb your mountain. This is your risk card not because you are the fiery Leo but because you are the fiery Leo with all the tools, knowledge, companionship, joy, support, and trust in yourself that got you here! New ideas, new connections, new unknowns, put on that outfit that says, “I can do anything I want,” and do anything you want. Is this more permission for Leos to be more fire this season? YES, burn bright baby!
Dream-scout, friend needs a friend for the show, go. Friend needs to talk? Listen. Friend needs a lighter? Have one. Dog needs a walk? Grab the leash. Neighbor needs a flower? Deliver. Picnic needs more water and a bottle of wine? Bring your cooler!
Art experience recommendation: Frida Kahlo, Dos Mujeres (Salvadora y Herminia) [Two Women (Salvadora y Herminia)], 1928, oil on canvas. On view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Frida Kahlo, “Dos Mujeres (Salvadora y Herminia) [Two Women (Salvadora y Herminia)],” 1928, oil on canvas
VIRGO
Tarot Disassembled
Virgo traditionally shares the ruler of Mercury with Gemini. This second sign brings more of the grounded aspects of Mercury, through their ability to navigate complex systems, think weaving, crafts, labor, and service.
Virgo can also be associated with the Asteroid Belt, think about that scene in Star Wars where they are navigating all floating debris, this idea is a great metaphor that echoes Virgo’s ability to analyze, separate, and reassemble fragmented systems into flow states, all the while diving head-on into the turbulence.
With your grounded earth energy, Virgo, this season you will be navigating with your card of advice, the Three of Wands. This fire card assures that whatever decisions you need to make, they will be made. Your ability to braid all the information from this three into a clear direction plays up your Virgo qualities with an added bonus of fire energy to bring action. This third wand may just be the walking stick you need for your next adventure or new goal. Delay will not be your friend this season; make a move and prepare to ride new waves.
Dream-surf, allow the wind to inform your movement. The wind is everything. Follow. Listen. Move.
Art experience recommendation: Frida Kahlo, Sketch for Retrato de Luther Burbank [Portrait of Luther Burbank], 1931, graphite on paper. Colection Juan Rafael Coronel Rivera. On view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
Frida Kahlo, “Portrait of Luther Burbank,” 1931, oil on panel. Museo Dolores Olmedo
LIBRA
Tarot Disassembled
Libra is also ruled by Venus, and shared with Taurus. Libra is the expression of Venus in relationship and how beauty, harmony, and values find balance and are expressed in community and society at large. This reflects in the scale, the one sign that is represented by an inanimate object and observes relational positions. This sign can help positions find balance and common ground and bring outside perspectives. Libras are all probably in hiding this season…like unicorns.
This season, Libra, if this finds you, your laying low is meeting momentum, a dreamy horse arrives to bring you and your emotional stability to the people around you. With your card of advice, the Knight of Cups, you are a natural for this position, following your heart and bringing balance in all your relationships. Who knew!? Fire, Water, Earth, Wind. Your balance this season has reached Knight anointing levels with an ability to navigate slippery terrain. Be sure to keep a water bottle on you to take some cool soothing sips when things get heated. Slow and steady wins this race.
Dream-thirst. Try it! Talk to the water. Say something about beauty or love. Drink. Repeat Daily.
Art experience recommendation: Alfredo Arreguin, Images of Kahlo, 1977, oil on canvas. On view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Alfredo Arreguín, “Images of Kahlo,” 1977, oil on canvas
SCORPIO
Tarot Disassembled
Scorpio traditionally shares Mars with Aries but Scorpio’s modern ruler is Pluto. This deep outer planet’s placement in the solar system holds the shared qualities of Scorpio’s dark mystery, of death and transformation. During the darkness of winter, Scorpio asks each of us to go on the journey to the deep within or to chill by the fire and contemplate. Being the slowest moving planet, (orbiting the Sun every 248 years) Pluto takes us the furthest away in time and space, bringing us to the edge of what is known.
This season, Scorpio, you may find yourself continuing to labor and build on top of your well-established foundation for your future, this endeavor has been years in the making. The card of advice for you is the Ten of Wands, fire energy from your dear Sagittarius neighbor giving you the push to keep going with all the responsibility you have taken on with dreaming big. Build! AND ask for help! Reach out. You are not alone. With this fire and water combo you may want to cook up a big soup and regroup with friends and family just to keep going! The finish line is in sight!
Dream-rest, take a deep breath in and out. Expand your lungs just like you expand your experiences. Go deep. Repeat.
Art experience recommendation: Frida Kahlo, Sin esperanza, 1945, oil on canvas, 11 x 14 inches. On view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Frida Kahlo, “Sin esperanza,” 1945, oil on canvas, 11 x 14 inches
SAGITTARIUS
Tarot Disassembled
Sagittarius, you are ruled by the planet Jupiter, the wise and benevolent, a gas giant that expands just like that of Saggittarius’ desire for growth and freedom and the space to shoot all your arrows. Like Jupiter, you are the seeker of truth through traveling to distant lands, reading endlessly, and asking yourself the questions that ignite the seeker within and following the heart to find what else is out there.
With your fire and gas this season, Sagittarius, your card of advice is the Justice card, aiding you in your truth seeking abilities and asking you to slow down. Weigh your options and make the choice through balance, consideration, and aligning with your values. Your aim here is vital to this season’s success. This choice will have a significant outcome so be sure it is one that serves you best down the road, however you decide, this season it looks like you are ALL IN.
Dream-ping-pong, let your mind see a fork in the road and just drift to the right or the left, letting the other side completely disappear to feel into this choice, this road. Do it for five minutes. Then go back and pick the other side and go down that road for five minutes. Pick one.
Art experience recommendation: Barbara Carrasco, Frida, tu y yo, (Frida, You and Me), 1991
Barbara Carrasco, “Frida, tu y yo, (Frida, You and Me),” 1991
CAPRICORN
Tarot Disassembled
Ruled by the wise father of time, Saturn is our long-term planning and cosmic clock. Commonly heard as a “Saturn return,” this framework represents an approximate 30-year cycle (the amount of time it takes Saturn to travel around the Sun) as this planet aligns with our natural maturing process (O-30, 30-60, 60-90). Saturn’s placement lives on the edge of what can be seen, and the planet sets boundaries with its rings. A boundary that positions us to be in “reality.” These are our natural limitations, asking if we will be able to take the leap of faith into the unknown and to confront our fears.
The Four of Pentacles, Capricorn, is asking you where you might be holding on too tight. You have the clear, grounded, resources to make the leap, and it might be time to trust that gut and let go of what you are hanging on to.
This season, give yourself a moment of lightness where you lay down, stretch out, and enjoy the feeling of being free in your own body. Hit that gym, buy that house, rent the studio, and get that hair cut. Let go!
Dream-bubbles, get a bubble blower this season, and with a deep breath, aim and watch the magic of bubbles move with the current of the air. Repeat daily for a week. Be delighted.
Art experience recommendation: Ana Mendieta, Untitled, Silueta Series, Mexico, 1976
Ana Mendieta, “Untitled, Silueta Series, Mexico,” 1976
AQUARIUS
Tarot Disassembled
Aquarius shared the ruler of Saturn with Capricorn until 1781 when Uranus was discovered. If you were wondering how to get to the unknown, find an Aquarius and they will take you. Full of innovation and radical abilities to take the leap out of comfort and find their way in the dark into the future. Aquarius carries the wisdom of Capriron and sets themselves free.
This season, Aquarius, your card of advice is the Ace of Swords, so go ahead and trust all that air! You will find you have more clarity this season with unexpected ease. Clear communications give you more flow this season, and your ability to clear out the clutter is at an all time high. Use with wind energy to get it moving. This mountain you have been climbing is starting to feel like a stroll.
Dream-climb, with your imagination see yourself at the top of the mountain. Celebrate this climb, your new perspective, and this spectacular view.
Art experience recommendation: Frida Kahlo, La flor de la vida (The Flower of Life), 1944. On view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Frida Kahlo, “La flor de la vida [The Flower of Life],” 1944
PISCES
Tarot Disassembled
Like many of our planets, Pisces once shared Jupiter with Sagittarius and yet is now ruled by Neptune since it was discovered in 1846 (by accident). This God of the Sea is in perfect harmony with the vast world of Pisces’ oceanianic depth. Pisces, like Neptune, you carry the trident to calm the waters, stir the storms, and navigate the ever-moving waters that could so easily lull us into a dream.
With the Page of Pentacles as your card of advice, Pisces, your natural desire to expand will be able to materialize into grounded long-term efforts. In other words, plant those seeds. What do you want to grow this season and harvest the next? You can start anything new and get the results you want if you stay with it. Pick something that will take your attention and your devotion.
Dream-egg. Visualize a floating egg. Give it a color. See a bright light creating a beautiful silhouette that you can’t totally make out. See the egg start to crack wide open, bringing you a beautiful gift. This gift is just for you.
Art experience recommendation: Frida Kahlo, Moises (Moses), 1945, oil on masonite. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Frida Kahlo, “Moises (Moses),” 1945, oil on masonite. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
WASHINGTON—Determined to help their father bring down high prices by single-handedly boosting the nation’s fuel supply, a dirt-covered Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. reportedly attempted Friday to siphon gasoline from the ground. “I’m gonna slurp some gas out of this hole, and then while I’m spitting the gas into the bucket, you slurp up some of your own,” said Donald Jr., who, as he positioned himself facedown in a shallow trench dug into the White House South Lawn, asserted that this back-and-forth rotation system would set off “a real gusher” after just a few mouthfuls of suction. “You just gotta be careful, because once we get this thing going, the gas is gonna shoot out with a ton of pressure. If you swallow too much of it, you have to barf it out immediately, okay? And then, after Dad takes what he needs to help the economy, you and I can start filling these empty two-liter bottles so he’ll have backup gas if he ever needs it.” At press time, sources reported that Eric Trump was unconscious after forgetting to breathe for five minutes straight with his face in the mud.
NEW YORK—Pulling the plug on the religion in light of a newly released video featuring church member Taylor Frankie Paul, ABC announced Friday it was canceling Mormonism. “After reviewing this disturbing footage, we have made the decision not to move forward with the Mormon faith,” read a statement from parent company Disney Entertainment Television that shocked fans of the long-running Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “We understand this last-minute decision may throw a wrench into your Sunday plans. However, our focus is on supporting authorities in their investigation of this church.” At press time, ABC confirmed Mormonism would be temporarily replaced with Shakerism.
The government’s surprise announcement lacked key details, leading some to doubt if the project can secure equipment, permits and room on the grid any time soon.
By Kathiann M. Kowalski, Canary Media
This story was originally published by Canary Media.
The days are numbered for the Krogers at 239 W 20th St, Houston, TX 77008, and 6060 FM 2920, Spring, TX 77379. These two stores will close permanently in the next few weeks as part of a larger round of closings that have put multiple stores across the country on the chopping block this year. The primary cause of these closures is likely a mismatch between rent increases and store sales. In a recent article, ...
I was still ill when i drew this, but fortunately I’d worked it all out when I was writing it. All I had to do was spend the morning at a buffet. So many new friends to meet there.
The city produces 5% of the nation’s refined products like gas and jet fuel, and experts say a serious water shortage could force production down and push fuel prices up even further.
County commissioners approved a worker consultations policy that allows their employees to enlist labor organizations to help advocate for improved pay and working conditions.
On Friday's show: We get updates on a battle over immigration enforcement playing out at city hall and the county's vote on the expansion plan for Ben Taub Hospital. Plus we talk about hockey culture in our city ahead of the annual Hockey Day in Houston event Saturday.
In brief: Houston is going to be doing some heavy flirting with 90 degrees beginning today and continuing into next week. That’s it. That’s the summary.
If you are Very Online or even if you’re not, surely you’ve seen someone post their memories of the 90s in the latest viral trend. Well, we may once again find out what we were like in the 90s for the first sustained period since October.
Flirting with the 90s, a Houston story. (Weather Bell)
Today through Monday
Not a lot to say here. There could be some late night or early morning fog each day, but otherwise it looks clear, with nothing worse than some passing high clouds at times. Temperatures will warm into the mid or upper-80s today, upper 80s to near 90 tomorrow and Sunday, and perhaps near 90 again Monday with a slight chance of slightly drier air.
Houston Rodeo Forecast
Hard to believe that we’re coming to the end of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo this weekend. Temperatures should fall rather quickly from the 80s into the 70s this evening and Sunday evening. It will be hot tomorrow, with upper-80s to near 90 degrees so if you are attending, just keep that in mind and make sure to stay hydrated, preferably with water if you’ll be doing any of the outside attractions.
Tuesday through Thursday
Even if we manage to cool down some on Sunday night or Monday, we will quickly bounce back well into the 80s next week. And yes, we will flirt with a chance of 90 degrees every day it appears. Blind Melon’s “No Rain” (1992) is a nice companion soundtrack next week.
Rainfall forecast maps but make it a 90s movie. Pulp Fiction (1994)
Later next week
Can we get a cold front next weekend? That’s the question. There are strong signs within model data that we may see a brief cooldown next Saturday and Sunday (think highs in the 70s or low 80s). Right now, it does not appear that any kind of cold front will come with meaningful rainfall but we may at least get to enjoy some slightly less May-like weather for a few days. Stay tuned.
A year ago this week, Ruben Ray Martinez, a 23-year-old American citizen, was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Texas. While the Department of Homeland Security says Martinez intentionally rammed his vehicle into an agent, recently released body cam footage calls that narrative into question. Geoff Bennett spoke with Rachel Reyes, Ruben Martinez's mother, and her attorney, Charles Stam.
1. Is it out of touch to expect student workers to check their email?
I work at a fairly small college, and I’m noticing that more and more students aren’t checking or responding to their email regularly. Some of my colleagues say that they have to text the students in order to get a response. I really don’t want to do that unless it’s a time-sensitive situation.
My instinct is to tell the students (the ones who work for me anyway) that email is still a really normal business tool and they need to get used to it because it will be part of their professional lives for a while to come. But I also recognize that I’ve worked here for almost 15 years, and norms may have changed. So is email still as widely used as I think it is? Or am I out of touch?
Email is still widely used at work. You are not out of touch about this — or at least you’re not as long as you have told these students that your office uses email to communicate and they are expected to check it with at least X frequency and respond within Y timeframe. It’s true that students aren’t still using email in their personal lives the way students before them did, and so you do need to spell out what you expect — but after that, it’s reasonable to expect them to do it, although you might need to reinforce it with a few reminders.
For what it’s worth, though — even if email weren’t still widely used at work, you could still require them to use it if you needed to; employers require employees to use specific communication tools all the time (whether it’s email or Slack or Teams or on and on). But you can certainly point out to them that this will be something they’ll need to get used to for future jobs as well.
2. Should I tell my manager that a vendor was rude to me?
I work for a tiny retail store (Store A) that is owned by a larger chain of similar stores (Chain B), which is itself owned by an even larger chain of stores (Chain C). It’s ridiculously fiddly to get things approved or fixed because we have to jump through so many hoops. We get a lot of promises from the big bosses that never come to fruition. It’s frustrating for us, but my manager is an angel and no-nonsense and fields a lot of higher-up stuff for us.
She’s on (a deserved!) vacation at the moment and today I answered a phone call from a vendor. He told me that Chain C hasn’t paid any of our bills to his business since August. I was shocked and kind of exclaimed and laughed and said, “Oh that’s ridiculous, I’m so sorry–” and he cut me off and told me that it wasn’t funny and that it needed to be fixed.
I’m autistic and often laugh in inappropriate situations as a reflex when I’m surprised or confused. I wasn’t laughing at him; it was more of an exasperated reflex because of course Chain C hasn’t paid that bill, they never pay anything on time! I apologized and tried to explain to him that Store A doesn’t get answers from Chain C when we need things, let alone when they owe people money, and he cut me off again abruptly saying again that it’s not funny and how unprofessional we are and that he needs to be paid.
I understand that his business is losing money because of something that Chain C is doing, and that must be so much more frustrating than it is for me as an employee, but I can’t stop thinking about him! Because of my autism I don’t know if I’m taking this more personally than I should, but the vendor was so rude to me over something that I have absolutely no control over.
My manager is in constant communication with Chain B and Chain C trying to get them to actually do the things they’re supposed to do but we’re at the bottom of their priorities. It sucks, but we literally could not be doing more than we already are to get things fixed; it’s all above our heads.
Part of me thinks I should tell my manager about the call when she’s back but leave out the vendor being rude. Another part of me wants her no-nonsense side to tell him to direct his anger at the people who are actually screwing him over. We deal with his company frequently and it would upset me if I had to just continue communicating with him knowing how rude he was. I’ve been in retail for over a decade now and I’m used to customers being rude, but it’s shaken me that another business we work closely with could be so harsh with me. Do I tell my manager? Should I just try and shake it off?
His reaction doesn’t sound outrageous to me! He’s justifiably frustrated that he hasn’t been paid since August, and when you laughed that likely sounded to him like you weren’t taking it seriously. I get that you were laughing more in disgust about what Chain C is doing, but that wouldn’t necessarily be clear to someone who doesn’t know you and doesn’t have that context and who is already understandably upset. He’s presumably doing business with your store, Store A, and shouldn’t need to care about the intricacies of how Store A’s bills get paid — just that he gets the money that Store A owes him. And while I get why you feel like he should direct his anger at the people actually responsible, you are representing Store A, regardless of what power you do (or more accurately, don’t) have in this situation.
It doesn’t sound like he was abusive; he just told you it wasn’t funny … which it’s not, and while I know your laugh didn’t mean “this is funny,” it’s pretty common for someone to interpret a laugh as a light-heartedness that wasn’t well-matched with the situation he’s in.
You should definitely tell your manager when she’s back that this vendor is upset, but your focus should be about him being frustrated that he still hasn’t been paid, not that he was rude — because for the reasons above it doesn’t really sound like he was!
3. Informal references and “character assassination”
I recently joined the management team of a company, and we are in the process of hiring for a number of positions. A few candidates have worked with past colleagues, though not under me directly. When I told my new team members that I’d be happy to reach out to my network and get the inside scoop on these potential new hires, I was informed that under no circumstance should I do so. We are to confine our reference checks to just the names shared by the job candidates. If we were to talk to someone who wasn’t an official reference and learn negative information that persuaded us away from hiring a candidate, we could be sued for “character assassination.”
Is this true? Can we really only talk to official references? And if so, does that mean that references are basically worthless? Of course an applicant is only going to provide the names of people who will speak well of them. But that can mean that someone with a history of racism or sexual harassment or other problematic behaviors basically has a level playing field with other candidates walking into an interview. When it comes to hiring, experience has taught me that an applicant’s past behavior and work habits are a good indicator of future performance. Having to confine ourselves to resumes, interviews, and sanctioned work references curbs our ability to make informed hiring decisions. So should organizations basically throw reference checks out the window? If a peer happens to mention an applicant was let go for poor performance, should I shut them down and try to forget I ever heard that information?
No, this is not true, at least if you’re in the U.S. It’s perfectly legal to check any references you want, whether they are supplied by the candidate or not, and you are allowed to factor what they tell you into your hiring decision as long you’re not basing it on information about their race, religion, disability, or other protected characteristics.
Your team’s stance is especially weird because they’re implying that your company could be in trouble for “character assassination” (by which they probably mean defamation) when the company wouldn’t be the party “assassinating their character” in this situation; if anyone were on shaky legal ground in this line of thinking, it would be the reference themselves — but they’re not, because U.S. law is clear that providing honest and accurate references is legal.
My very small company doesn’t have its own handbook. When the company was started, however, we were given the handbook of another (larger) company. The clear implication was that the handbook applied to our company, but no one has so much as mentioned the handbook in the 15 years of my company’s existence.
I ask mostly as a hypothetical exercise. There are some sections in the handbook that some current employees could probably be found in violation of (these would not be actual legal matters, just procedural things spelled out in the handbook). But there are entire sections in the handbook that spell out obligations of the company that have been completely ignored. If the company fired an employee on the basis of a handbook violation, would that employee possibly have a legal leg to stand on by countering that the company’s failure to uphold its own handbook-defined obligations negates the handbook altogether? Given how U.S. employment law always seems to work, I’m guessing not. But I’m interested in your take.
It depends on the specifics and it can vary by state, but in many cases courts have ruled that promises made in employee handbooks may be contractual promises, particularly when an employer writes that it “will” or “shall” take a particular action (as opposed to “may” or “can”). But again, it varies based on the exact circumstances — and either way it’s probably moot here since this is a handbook that belonged to another company and hasn’t been mentioned in the 15 years since.
If it were a currently used handbook, though, the employee in your hypothetical still likely wouldn’t have the sort of recourse you’re talking about. Employers can fire employees for pretty much whatever they want (as long as it’s not for a specifically illegal reason, like discrimination or in retaliation for exercising legally protected rights, such as reporting harassment). It’s possible that the employee could have a completely separate case over the company breaking legally binding promises (again, if the promises in question would qualify as legally binding), but that wouldn’t negate the company’s ability to legally fire them for something else; it would be a separate issue.
MILPITAS, CA—After gradually resigning himself to an evening entirely devoid of physical intimacy, local man Seth Martin observed Friday that his third date with Hinge match Laura Parker was apparently just going to be watching Amélie without any hugs or kisses. “We’re an hour into the movie and Laura hasn’t so much as held my hand or pecked me on the cheek,” Martin told reporters, noting that Parker had sat down at the other end of the couch in which he was sitting. “I’ve tried making eye contact with her at multiple points, but her eyes are firmly glued to the screen. It’s like she doesn’t even notice I’m here. I thought that during the movie’s more emotional moments, like when Amélie returned that guy’s box to him, Laura would come over to my side of the couch and maybe rest her head on my shoulder, but no dice. I guess I’m just going to be watching Amélie skip stones or whatever until it’s time for me to leave.” At press time, Martin had reportedly let himself out of Parker’s apartment after she fell asleep during Amélie’s love scene with romantic interest Nino Quincampoix.
Gas prices are soaring, with the price of crude oil rising above $119 per barrel at one point Thursday. The Onion shares tips for saving money at the pump.
Remove unnecessary weight from your vehicle, such as airbags, doors, and bumpers.
Driving in reverse uses less gas, probably.
Limit braking to weekends.
Make a tank of gas stretch the whole week by cutting it with lentils.
Live in one of the three walkable U.S. cities.
Alternate which kid goes to school each day.
Remember, a gurney rolling downhill is more fuel efficient than an ambulance, and faster too.
Consider switching from a gas-guzzler to a more efficient, environmentally friendly country.
Buy and store as much gas as you can right now before all those other selfish assholes start hoarding it.
WASHINGTON—In a promise to address the pain Americans were feeling at the pump as his war with Iran approached its fourth week, President Donald Trump threatened Friday to launch airstrikes against U.S. gas stations if they did not lower their prices. “These terrible places must stop overcharging Americans every time they put fuel in their car, or I will have no choice but to unleash a massive bombing campaign against them,” Trump said during a White House press briefing, stating that he had already asked the U.S. Navy to send aircraft carriers to regions where American gas stations operate. “Someone told me the price of unleaded gasoline in our country has risen 32% in the past month. Can you believe that? So I have instructed our intelligence community to provide me with a list of targets among the QuikTrips, 7-Elevens, and Kum & Go’s, and Casey’s General Stores responsible for this outrageous situation, and if they do not comply immediately, they will face total destruction.” The president went on to criticize gas stations for raising prices at a time when the nation was engaged in a major military operation overseas, saying there would be no war profiteering on his watch.
LOS ANGELES—Crediting the singer for sharing her unique expertise, actor Ryan Gosling told reporters Friday the story of how he prepared for his role in Project Hail Mary by consulting Katy Perry. “Katy was a tremendous help on set—I couldn’t have played Dr. Ryland Grace without her,” said the 45-year-old actor, who confirmed that the singer and Blue Origin astronaut served as the film’s official aerospace consultant, training with Gosling for weeks to help him learn to properly hold a daisy and sing “What A Wonderful World.” “My performance of a man adrift in space wouldn’t have been nearly as believable if Katy hadn’t been there to answer all my questions. I had so many, and she was so knowledgeable and so patient the whole time. She really helped me get inside the mind of a space explorer.” At press time, Project Hail Mary directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller confirmed that if it weren’t for Perry, they wouldn’t have known to add Lauren Sánchez and Gayle King into the background of the spacecraft for accuracy.
or even if you’re not, surely you’ve seen someone post their memories of the 90s in the latest viral trend. Well, we may once again find out what we were like in the 90s for the first sustained period since October.
