Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Apr 17, 2024 10:46:57 GMT -8
My thoughts exactly, although there are plenty of occasions for peace and quiet in the forest, in a field, on the water, etc. But mountains seem to hold a special place in the literature and history of hermits, sages, saints, and mystical experiences. Moses got the tablets from on top of the mountain, etc.
Nearer to God? Maybe, although I think geographically that distance is meaningless in that regard. But the height still does seem to have some meaning. We're not only generally away from it all (as we could be in the forest or in a boat on a lake). We are also above it all. We see further, literally, and maybe that feeds and facilities other ways of perceiving further. It seems to be the way things are.
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Post by kungfuzu on Apr 17, 2024 12:29:34 GMT -8
Perhaps it is that mountains are majestic, in a way which a lake, meadow or plain are not. Mountains are imposing. They make one acknowledge one's size in the scheme of things. Deserts seem to be the nearest to mountains as regards promoting mystical experience. A mountain in the desert would seem to be the best combination. Oh, wait. Mt. Sinai.
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
Posts: 11,047
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Post by Brad Nelson on Apr 18, 2024 7:31:58 GMT -8
Rollerderby-on-Ice is all set for their 2024 playoffs. The only surprises to me are that the New Jersey Devils did not anywhere match their success from last year. They seemed to be a definite up-and-comer but had a mediocre season and missed the playoffs.
Also, the Seattle Kraken last year beat the defending champion Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs. I think that playing in the sissy-named "Climate Pledge Arena" has a lot to do with sapping their testosterone. Whatever the cause, they also had a mediocre season after looking like an up-and-comer.
The defending champion Vegas Gold Knights had an up-and-down season. They were flirting with missing the playoffs altogether, but will either be 3rd place in the Pacific Division or the second wild card spot in the Western Conference – depending upon whether or not they beat the Anaheim Ducks tonight.
There have been several teams that have made great runs, not least of which is the Edmonton Oilers who started disastrously – fired their coach – and then soon went on a 16 or 17 game winning streak, falling just one game short of setting an all-time record for a winning streak. That streak was broken by the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Nashville Predators went on a tear in February and part of March. They cooled off some after that, although they made the playoffs. The Panthers, who lost to Vegas in the finals last year, have been consistently strong all year, but also hit a similar hot streak and also have since cooled off a little.
Vancouver was the elite team for a while. They came out of nowhere and indeed are winners of the Pacific Division. Are they for real? I wonder how far they will go in the playoffs. They could be a one-hit wonder.
The Winnipeg Jets had a hot streak in December and also cooled off since. But they're also in the playoffs. You could say the same for the Maple Leafs. They're in the playoffs but finished with four straight losses.
A couple teams that look particularly dangerous are the Carolina Hurricanes (2nd in the Metropolitan Division) and the Colorado Avalanche (3rd in the Central). I think either team is battle-hardened and could certainly be there in the conference finals.
Flying a bit under the radar are the Dallas Stars, who have the second best record in the NHL. I wouldn't count them out. I expect Vancouver to fade, but I think Dallas will be a tough opponent in the playoffs.
That leaves the elephant(s) in the living room: The Boston Bruins set a record last year for the best record ever. They finished 2nd behind the Panthers this year in the Atlantic Division. They have arguably the best pair of goaltenders, a solid defense, and good offensive power. Will this be their year?
The other elephant is the Vegas Golden Knights. They started the season extremely strong and then became mediocrity incarnate. Whether due to injury or attitude, I don't know. But I do sense they had/have an attitude problem. However, they have recently gotten healthy and finished the season relatively strong. If they get good goaltending, they will be tough for any team to beat.
That third elephant is the New York Rangers. They had the best record in the NHL (one point above the Dallas Stars). They are not necessarily flashy. But I think they have a solidity and consistency above that of any other team. They also have an amazing record of come-from-behind wins. These guys don't quit. They have solid defense, good scoring power, and good goaltending. To me, they are the favorite to win it all.
And I expect them to face the Edmonton Oilers in the finals. But we'll see. This second season, the playoffs, is a long one and anything could happen.
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Post by kungfuzu on Apr 19, 2024 11:30:48 GMT -8
A very interesting interview of Pavel Durov (founder and owner of Telegram) by Tucker Carlson. This guy is thirty-nine years old. Compare him to Zuckerberg or Bezos. He actually looks and acts human.
Carlson is going back to the old journalism where important and interesting people were asked serious questions. What a refreshing break from the Kardashians and other such trash. All governments are trying to control information
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Post by kungfuzu on Apr 20, 2024 16:46:58 GMT -8
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Post by kungfuzu on Apr 22, 2024 8:59:02 GMT -8
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
Posts: 11,047
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Post by Brad Nelson on Apr 27, 2024 12:48:09 GMT -8
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