How's this for precision forecasting?

Winter Storm Jayden Forecast
https://www.weather.com/storms/winter/news/2019-01-26-winter-storm-jayden-forecast-northern-plains-midwest-east-south

Winter Storm Jayden will spread a swath of moderate to heavy snow from the northern Plains into the Midwest and East early next week, with snow showers also possible in parts of the South.

Pretty much everywhere, in other words, except of course the always idyllic West Coast.

No more worries about rising oceans, I guess

New 'tent' makes it possible to camp underwater
National Geographic

The Ocean Space Habitat lets divers nap, eat, and decompress beneath the waves. 

Read the full story

Shared from Apple News

Well, they do say we need to eat less meat

"The Fairfax, Va.-based school is the first campus in the country to incorporate robots into its student dining plan."

How one university changed overnight when it let 25 semiautonomous robots roam its campus - The Washington Post

https://wapo.st/2Dznozw

Ah. Delivering the food.

Things are already crazy enough without this, aren't they?

Man says emotional support alligator helps his depression

Henney said Wally could be 16 feet long one day. Henney says Wally eats chicken wings and shares an indoor plastic pond with a smaller rescue alligator named Scrappy.

https://nyp.st/2UhM05q

But the voodoo, that might work

With voodoo dolls, cookies Saints fans protest missed call

Though lawsuits have been filed by Saints season ticket holders asking a Louisiana court to reverse the results or reschedule the game, experts give the move little chance of success.

http://bit.ly/2UnTC6v

Go Saints

The long and the short of it in books

THE SHORT: Ricochet Joe, by Dean Koontz

A story of horror and quantum physics (or am I being redundant here?). A quick, entertaining read, perfect for a couple of days.

https://amzn.to/2DzDyZq

THE LONG: A  Column of Fire, by Ken Follett

Book 3 of Follett's Kingsbridge series, this lengthy novel covers the war between the Catholic and protestant religions that engulfed England and much of the European continent during the 16th century. Featuring Queens Mary and Elizabeth of England, Mary of Scots, an extensive cast of Henris from France, and the Spanish Armada.

https://amzn.to/2UeRaPt

Let's call the whole thing off

First Valentine's Day without Sweethearts in 153 years leaves candy lovers speechless - ABC News

https://gma.abc/2UiMt7s

Don't forget the birds

Military Carrier Pigeons in the Era of Electronic Warfare - Schneier on Security

https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2019/01/military_carrie.html

I think there's a technical term for this sort of thing…

…and I think it starts with the word "cognitive" and ends with the word "dissonance."

Nearly 1,500 private jets to land at climate change-focused Davos summit

There appears to be a trend towards larger aircraft, with expensive heavy jets the aircraft of choice," Christie said. "This is at least in part due to some of the long distances traveled, but also possibly due to business rivals not wanting to be seen to be outdone by one another." 

https://on.mktw.net/2UdBQ5s

At the CVS today…

…they were selling something called Karma Water. I don't know what Karma Water is, but something to do with healthy. Whereas regular just plain water is merely wet.

Also they had a twofer on potato chips.

OK, I won't keep you guessing. I bought the chips.

How fair is this?

Rain turns to snow during Wednesday morning commute: weather service | Chicago Sun-Times

http://bit.ly/2Dtf446

Meanwhile our snow turns to rain?

Of course in the end everything turns to ice. So maybe it's fair after all.

Today's transit news

There's one way, and then there's another.

Fom NPR:

Tokyo's notoriously crowded metro system is trying to ease the morning commute with soba noodles and tempura.

From StreetsBlogUSA:

Study: Uber and Lyft Caused U.S. Transit Decline

This is a joke, right?

Thousands of Internet connected hot tubs vulnerable to remote attacks

The manufacturer Balboa Water Group has stated that it is currently improving the authentication process of over 1,000 tub owners across the UK and elsewhere. Until an update is released, which might be released by the end of February, users of hot tubs are urged to not use the remote control function.

http://bit.ly/2U9mBKU

Well. Apparently not. But really, who needs an Internet connected tub, and why?

Way, way long ago when I was a Boy Scout (yes, really) a favorite prank was to send newbie campers off to adjoining campsites in quest of dehydrated water. But what about sending somebody next door to borrow encrypted water for your Internet connected tub? Could be a thing. 

But if you thought it was today you'd be right too

Data Privacy Day | US-CERT

January 28

https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/current-activity/2019/01/22/Data-Privacy-Day

You enjoyed your Dunkin' Donuts coffee-flavored lip balm?

KFC debuts gravy-scented candle

According to a KFC spokesman, the "staggeringly nose stimulating" candle will "fill your home with the incredible aroma of KFC gravy."

https://fxn.ws/2UanbZ2

Wait, coffee delivery?

Starbucks partners with Uber Eats to expand coffee delivery

Why would anybody need to ever go out them?

But here's the real puzzle:

Executives say delivery works best in dense urban areas where Uber Eats' delivery fees are lower because of high demand…

Now, I'm hardly an expert on Uber. I've only used it about two times. And I'd be willing to bet there's not an Uber driver within 20 miles of me right now. But I was under the impression that fees for carrying people go up when demand is high. Now it turns out that the fee for carrying coffee goes down? 

I wonder what they charge for carrying a person with a cup of coffee.

https://nyp.st/2U8F6PA

Looks like they were sorta right

18 inches maybe? 20?

At least it hasn't started raining yet, so we are ahead of the game.