Pasjoli? C’etait Vraiment Pas Jolie

It was truly not pretty.

At $200 a head, I would have expected better service.

The food truly was immaculate. And the wine pairing was amazing.

But I found the help to be a bit far too familiar.

If I were Michelin in Los Angeles, I’d think twice about renewing their one macaroon rating.

The food was divine. But I found their waitstaff unamusing in their efforts to solicit a larger gratuity.

So, three stars pour le cuisine; but no Michelin biscuits, I’d say.

Better luck next time.

After all, it was supposed to be my birthday dinner.

Tisk, tisk. You have hurt my feelings and I am inconsolable.

Alphabet Tests WeWork Business Model

“Google tells employees to share desks as it looks to cut costs” – TechSpot

TechSpot reports it has seen an internal memo announcing a company-wide cost-saving measure in the form of sharing desk space areas. My first reaction was “WTF”, so I was pleased to see that the article began with this very exclamation as its lede.

“The desk-sharing initiative suggests Google isn’t finished with its money-saving measures just yet,” states the article.

On deeper consideration, I don’t think it’s quite as big of a deal as I had originally. Aware of its generous remote-work policies, it makes a lot more sense to me. And it has to be bad for morale for those who are actually in the office. Seeing dust gather on empty desks and cobwebs grow in unoccupied  offices is kind of a bummer. Especially if that employee has staked out valuable real estate.

Of course, it’s also a cost-saving measure. I’m sure there was already a certain degree of “cube swapping” going on. Maybe it got out of control? Who knows?

The bigger takeaway for me is this: why isn’t there any spin control on this yet? 

Source: Google tells employees to share desks as it looks to cut costs | TechSpot

“Not fair, is potato” – Russia, responds to US tanks heading to Ukraine

Well that escalated quickly.

It is obvious that Washington is purposefully trying to inflict a strategic defeat on us.

It took just one day for the Russian government to call foul after the U.S. announced it was considering sending American main battle tanks to help Ukraine defend itself from its invasion.

I realize it’s highly unlikely that we’ll ever see tank battles between these two adversaries, but I’m glad to see the playing field is getting a little closer to true level.

Of course, this is also more gasoline poured on the hot garbage cum dumpster fire that is the current state of Russia’s foreign relations. If only we could free the hell out of those people.

It seems North Korea has just tested its first solid-propellant ICBM.

Source: Russia fumes NATO ‘trying to inflict defeat on us’ after tanks sent to Ukraine

Abrams Tanks May Be Heading for Ukraine

Courtesy of the Third Infantry Division (@3rd_Infantry)
Main battle tank from the 3rd Infantry Division

Looks like actual tank battles lie ahead. And in Europe, too.

It’s unknown how many tanks would be approved.

That’s a big step forward. I guess the U.S. is not going to wait for Germany to figure out what they want to do. That’s too bad too, because I was curious to see how the Leopard II faired in action.

Source: In reversal, US poised to approve Abrams tanks for Ukraine | AP News