mercurynews--2020-08-19--In desert heat, Frankie Montas shows rust in A’s second straight loss to Diamondbacks

After dealing with some back tightness , Frankie Montas returned to the rotation and made his first start in nine days .
Last Thursday ’ s off day allowed the rotation to continue on turn , but that week-long accumulation of rust showed in the Oakland A ’ s 10-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday afternoon in Phoenix .
The Diamondbacks will follow the A ’ s ( 16-8 ) back to Oakland for the final two games of this interleague series .
Montas ’ velocity and movement was there , but he couldn ’ t control any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Montas couldn ’ t survive the second inning , walking four batters with nine earned runs , the most the 27-year-old right-hander has allowed in a single outing in his career .
Nick Ahmed ’ s three-run home run in the first inning put the game away and signaled early Montas ’ outing would be short .
It was the first home run Montas allowed this season .
Kole Calhoun ’ s 431-foot solo blast to start the second inning was the second .
Montas entered his fifth start of the season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among starters in baseball .
For reference , Texas Rangers ’ Lance Lynn leads the league with a 1.11 ERA .
He has a 24.2 strikeout percentage and a 9.9 walk percentage .
He left the mound with two outs in the second inning with a 4.74 ERA .
With a daunting deficit , the A ’ s offense was listless against right-hander Luke Weaver .
They scored one run on Sean Murphy ’ s RBI double and struck out 13 times — six off Weaver , six off reliever Taylor Widener , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t two years ago when Lou Trivino was one of the most dominant set-up guys in baseball .
In 2018 , he held a 2.92 and 1.14 WHIP with 82 strikeouts and 31 walks with that devastating cutter .
Injuries plagued him , doubt crept in and Trivino ’ s mechanics suffered in a dismal 2019 .
With some pressure off now , Trivino is starting to find the Lou Trivino of old .
“ I feel like I ’ m getting back in the form where I know I should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
Granted , he couldn ’ t hold the three runners inherited from Montas in the second inning , allowing three to score on a pair of hits .
But , he thrived again with the bases cleared .
His got five whiffs on his cutter and two strikeouts off his curveball , which looked filthy .
Trivino ’ s not incurred an earned run since Shohei Ohtani ’ s game-tying two-run homer in Anaheim on Aug. 10 .
He ’ s not been perfect , but he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Most of the progress has been mental .
“ I ’ m a big thinker , ” Trivino said on a call with reporters over the weekend .
“ If any of the coaches or guys play with me know , I over think things .
So I ’ ve been more focused on executing pitches and throwing it through the zone instead of thinking mechanics out there .
That ’ s what I ’ ve been working on and now I ’ m seeing results.
” A turning point , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the Seattle Mariners .
It ’ s there that he felt a more consistent release point .
Since then he ’ s started throwing his curveball more and is careful not to “ overexpose ” the cutter that ’ s brought him success in the past .
“ I overexposed it a lot and all I was throwing was two-seam , cutter , two seam , cutter , ” Trivino said .
“ When that cutter isn ’ t elite , last year happens .
Right now I feel like my changeup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can throw my curveball where I want .
I feel like I have a pretty good mix out there.
” So , he ’ s made some strides individually .
But his renewed confidence has yet to reach all corners of his performance .
The trio of inherited runs he allowed Tuesday added on to .286/.333/.643 line and .976 OPS split with runners on .
He ’ s holding runners to a .167/.250/.167 line with a .417 OPS with the bases empty .
Ramón Laureano ’ s four-game suspension for his role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ dugout ended Tuesday .
Other than Laureano , who goes stir crazy off the field , no one was more pleased to see Laureano back in the lineup and out of his office than manager Bob Melvin .
“ He ’ s going crazy , ” Melvin said .
“ It ’ ll be nice to get him back on the field because he spends way too much time in my office right now.
” Melvin has said that “ there isn ’ t enough time in the day ” to feed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desires .
About baseball , about life .
He ’ s often in Melvin ’ s office discussing the books he ’ s reading , or sharing what he ’ s seen on the Internet .
“ It can take up a good portion of your day , ” Melvin said .
The A ’ s managed a 3-1 record without him , but the team will be glad to get their home-run-robbing , .262 average bat back on the field and in the lineup .
Franklin Barreto started the 2020 year — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top choice to take over second base after years waiting in the wings behind veteran additions .
Jorge Mateo ’ s trade to the San Diego Padres seemed to make Barreto ’ s future with the A ’ s even clearer .
But the A ’ s needed a place for Chad Pinder ’ s bat in a platoon with Tony Kemp .
And , though Pinder ’ s value allows Melvin to put him nearly anywhere on the diamond , every other position was full .
Second base was the option .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the field but a handful of times , mostly as a pinch runner .
He ’ s one of the fastest players in the league .
The 24-yer-old hasn ’ t had a start yet , with only four at bats this season .
No hits , no walks , three strikeouts — including one in the at bat he got late in Tuesday ’ s blowout .
• Why the SF Giants might be perfect trade partners for the Oakland A ’ s • COVID Sports Daily : MLB may allow positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rift • A ’ s : Nine-run fifth inning opens up blowout win over Giants • A ’ s pull off another ninth inning comeback with Mark Canha blast “ I do feel bad for him , ” Melvin said in a call with reporters last weekend .
“ Because this kid is a very talented baseball player and has not gotten an opportunity this year at all to this point.
” Barreto even had an eye-opening summer camp following the hiatus .
He said then that he felt more relaxed because he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing time .
But , things changed .
They also stayed the same .
“ Next year will be a really important year for him , ” Melvin said .
“ Because we have to make a decision on him in more of a role , or potentially at some point in time he ’ s not with us .
But there ’ s a lot of talent there .
And given the opportunity to play every day , you ’ d see the talent level come out.
” Barreto ’ s taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a major-leaguer .
Scouts this spring said he has the tools to be a solid contributor , but he hasn ’ t been able to prove himself in opportunities given .
Coaches have said he just needs consistent playing time to prove himself .
Despite some middle infield unclogging , Barreto again finds himself stuck behind a back-up .
He provides some essential depth to this thriving A ’ s team , but he could be moved by the Aug. 31 trade deadline — unless the A ’ s want to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a starting job .
He may get a start against Diamondbacks left-handed starter Alex Young Thursday , but no guarantees .

After dealing with some back tightness, Frankie Montas returned to the rotation to make his first start in nine days. Last Thursday’s off day allowed the rotation to continue on turn, but that week-long accumulation of rust showed in the Oakland A’s 10-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday afternoon in Phoenix.
The Diamondbacks will follow the A’s (16-8) back to Oakland for the final two games of this interleague series. The A’s should hope Montas finds his rhythm on the flight out of the desert.
“He just looked a little amped,” manager Bob Melvin said. “You know, jumping a little bit. At times trying to find the right arm slot. Spiking some balls, hanging some pitches. It was probably a product of not pitching in a while.”
Montas’ velocity and movement was there, but he couldn’t control any of his pitches. With off mechanics, Montas couldn’t survive the second inning, walking four batters with nine earned runs, the most the 27-year-old right-hander has allowed in a single outing in his career.
Nick Ahmed’s three-run home run in the first inning put the game away and signaled early Montas’ outing would be short. It was the first home run Montas allowed this season. Kole Calhoun’s 431-foot solo blast to start the second inning was the second.
Montas entered his fifth start of the season with a 1.57 ERA, the fifth-best among starters in baseball. For reference, Texas Rangers’ Lance Lynn leads the league with a 1.11 ERA. He has a 24.2 strikeout percentage and a 9.9 walk percentage.
He left the mound with two outs in the second inning with a 4.74 ERA.
With a daunting deficit, the A’s offense was listless against right-hander Luke Weaver. They scored one run on Sean Murphy’s RBI double and struck out 13 times — six off Weaver, six off reliever Taylor Widener, one off Yoan Lopez.
Lou Trivino is making 2018-like strides
It wasn’t two years ago when Lou Trivino was one of the most dominant set-up guys in baseball. In 2018, he held a 2.92 and 1.14 WHIP with 82 strikeouts and 31 walks with that devastating cutter.
Injuries plagued him, doubt crept in and Trivino’s mechanics suffered in a dismal 2019. With some pressure off now, Trivino is starting to find the Lou Trivino of old.
“I feel like I’m getting back in the form where I know I should be and was in 2018 and early 2019,” he said.
Granted, he couldn’t hold the three runners inherited from Montas in the second inning, allowing three to score on a pair of hits. But, he thrived again with the bases cleared. His got five whiffs on his cutter and two strikeouts off his curveball, which looked filthy.
Trivino’s not incurred an earned run since Shohei Ohtani’s game-tying two-run homer in Anaheim on Aug. 10. He’s not been perfect, but he’s building off of a rough season. Most of the progress has been mental.
“I’m a big thinker,” Trivino said on a call with reporters over the weekend. “If any of the coaches or guys play with me know, I over think things. So I’ve been more focused on executing pitches and throwing it through the zone instead of thinking mechanics out there. That’s what I’ve been working on and now I’m seeing results.”
A turning point, he said, came in a scoreless outing against the Seattle Mariners. It’s there that he felt a more consistent release point. Since then he’s started throwing his curveball more and is careful not to “overexpose” the cutter that’s brought him success in the past.
“I overexposed it a lot and all I was throwing was two-seam, cutter, two seam, cutter,” Trivino said. “When that cutter isn’t elite, last year happens. Right now I feel like my changeup is really good out of hand. I can throw my curveball where I want. I feel like I have a pretty good mix out there.”
So, he’s made some strides individually. But his renewed confidence has yet to reach all corners of his performance. The trio of inherited runs he allowed Tuesday added on to .286/.333/.643 line and .976 OPS split with runners on. He’s holding runners to a .167/.250/.167 line with a .417 OPS with the bases empty.
Ramón Laureano returns
Ramón Laureano’s four-game suspension for his role in a brawl with the Houston Astros’ dugout ended Tuesday. Other than Laureano, who goes stir crazy off the field, no one was more pleased to see Laureano back in the lineup and out of his office than manager Bob Melvin.
“He’s going crazy,” Melvin said. “It’ll be nice to get him back on the field because he spends way too much time in my office right now.”
Melvin has said that “there isn’t enough time in the day” to feed the curious Laureano all the information he desires. About baseball, about life. He’s often in Melvin’s office discussing the books he’s reading, or sharing what he’s seen on the Internet.
“It can take up a good portion of your day,” Melvin said.
The A’s managed a 3-1 record without him, but the team will be glad to get their home-run-robbing, .262 average bat back on the field and in the lineup.
Will Franklin Barreto get a start?
Franklin Barreto started the 2020 year — way back in February — as a top choice to take over second base after years waiting in the wings behind veteran additions. Jorge Mateo’s trade to the San Diego Padres seemed to make Barreto’s future with the A’s even clearer.
But the A’s needed a place for Chad Pinder’s bat in a platoon with Tony Kemp. And, though Pinder’s value allows Melvin to put him nearly anywhere on the diamond, every other position was full. Second base was the option.
You might’ve seen Barreto on the field but a handful of times, mostly as a pinch runner. He’s one of the fastest players in the league. The 24-yer-old hasn’t had a start yet, with only four at bats this season. No hits, no walks, three strikeouts — including one in the at bat he got late in Tuesday’s blowout.
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Barreto even had an eye-opening summer camp following the hiatus. He said then that he felt more relaxed because he could see a clearer path toward more playing time. But, things changed. They also stayed the same.
“Next year will be a really important year for him,” Melvin said. “Because we have to make a decision on him in more of a role, or potentially at some point in time he’s not with us. But there’s a lot of talent there. And given the opportunity to play every day, you’d see the talent level come out.”
Barreto’s taken 206 total at bats over three seasons as a major-leaguer. Scouts this spring said he has the tools to be a solid contributor, but he hasn’t been able to prove himself in opportunities given. Coaches have said he just needs consistent playing time to prove himself.
Despite some middle infield unclogging, Barreto again finds himself stuck behind a back-up. He provides some essential depth to this thriving A’s team, but he could be moved by the Aug. 31 trade deadline — unless the A’s want to give the second baseman and shortstop another crack at a starting job.
He may get a start against Diamondbacks left-handed starter Alex Young Thursday, but no guarantees.


mercurynews--2020-08-19--Cindy McCain will detail her husband’s friendship with Biden

WILMINGTON , Del .
— Cindy McCain is going to bat for Joe Biden , lending her voice to a video set to air during Tuesday night ’ s Democratic National Convention programming focused on Biden ’ s close friendship with her late husband , Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona .
She ’ s just the latest Republican to join in the convention , after a number of notable GOP former elected officials — including former Ohio Gov .
John Kasich — endorsed the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee on Monday night .
It ’ s a continuation of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first night of the convention — an effort to broaden the party ’ s appeal to occasional Republicans and disaffected Trump voters .
In an advance clip from the video shared with The Associated Press , Cindy McCain talks about how Biden , then a Delaware senator , met her husband when John McCain was assigned to be a military aide for him on a trip overseas .
The two became friends , and the families would gather for picnics in the Bidens ’ backyard .
“ They would just sit and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show , sometimes , to watch the two of them , ” she says in the clip .
Cindy McCain is not expected to offer an explicit endorsement , but her involvement in the video is her biggest public show of support yet for Biden ’ s candidacy .
McCain was the 2008 Republican presidential nominee against Democrat Barack Obama , who won the election with Biden as his vice presidential running mate .
Both Cindy McCain and her daughter Meghan have been outspoken critics of President Donald Trump , and the family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump targeted John McCain personally in 2015 , saying the former prisoner of war wasn ’ t a hero “ because he was captured .
I like people who weren ’ t captured.
” McCain later angered Trump with his dramatic thumbs-down vote against repealing President Barack Obama ’ s health care law .
When McCain died on a Saturday in 2018 , the Trump administration lowered the American flag over the White House to half-staff but then raised it by Monday .
After public outcry , the White House flags were again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to McCain ’ s funeral .
Biden consoled Meghan McCain on an appearance on “ The View ” after her father was diagnosed with the cancer that eventually took his life .
She has said Biden often reaches out to her to offer support , after losing his own son Beau to the same cancer in 2015 .
But while Meghan suggested in April she ’ d be voting for Biden , Cindy has pointedly stayed out of the presidential race .
In April of last year , amid rumors that the McCains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Biden , Cindy McCain tweeted that Biden is “ a wonderful man and a dear friend of the McCain family.
” “ However , ” she added at the time , “ I have no intention of getting involved in presidential politics.
” The video on Biden ’ s friendship with McCain is one of a series of short documentaries created by Oscar Award-winning director Davis Guggenheim , who worked on “ An Inconvenient Truth , ” the 2006 documentary on climate change that featured former Vice President Al Gore .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ film focused on Biden ’ s relationship with the Amtrak conductor and workers on the trains he took from Delaware to Washington as senator aired during the convention .

By Alexandra Jaffe | Associated Press
WILMINGTON, Del. — Cindy McCain is going to bat for Joe Biden, lending her voice to a video set to air during Tuesday night’s Democratic National Convention programming focused on Biden’s close friendship with her late husband, Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
She’s just the latest Republican to join in the convention, after a number of notable GOP former elected officials — including former Ohio Gov. John Kasich — endorsed the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee on Monday night. It’s a continuation of a major theme that Democrats have pushed through the first night of the convention — an effort to broaden the party’s appeal to occasional Republicans and disaffected Trump voters.
In an advance clip from the video shared with The Associated Press, Cindy McCain talks about how Biden, then a Delaware senator, met her husband when John McCain was assigned to be a military aide for him on a trip overseas. The two became friends, and the families would gather for picnics in the Bidens’ backyard.
“They would just sit and joke. It was like a comedy show, sometimes, to watch the two of them,” she says in the clip.
Cindy McCain is not expected to offer an explicit endorsement, but her involvement in the video is her biggest public show of support yet for Biden’s candidacy. McCain was the 2008 Republican presidential nominee against Democrat Barack Obama, who won the election with Biden as his vice presidential running mate.
Both Cindy McCain and her daughter Meghan have been outspoken critics of President Donald Trump, and the family is longtime friends with the Bidens. Trump targeted John McCain personally in 2015, saying the former prisoner of war wasn’t a hero “because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.” McCain later angered Trump with his dramatic thumbs-down vote against repealing President Barack Obama’s health care law.
When McCain died on a Saturday in 2018, the Trump administration lowered the American flag over the White House to half-staff but then raised it by Monday. After public outcry, the White House flags were again lowered. Trump wasn’t invite to McCain’s funeral.
Biden consoled Meghan McCain on an appearance on “The View” after her father was diagnosed with the cancer that eventually took his life. She has said Biden often reaches out to her to offer support, after losing his own son Beau to the same cancer in 2015.
But while Meghan suggested in April she’d be voting for Biden, Cindy has pointedly stayed out of the presidential race. In April of last year, amid rumors that the McCains would wade into the election in support of Biden, Cindy McCain tweeted that Biden is “a wonderful man and a dear friend of the McCain family.”
“However,” she added at the time, “I have no intention of getting involved in presidential politics.”
The video on Biden’s friendship with McCain is one of a series of short documentaries created by Oscar Award-winning director Davis Guggenheim, who worked on “An Inconvenient Truth,” the 2006 documentary on climate change that featured former Vice President Al Gore. On Monday night, Guggenheim’s short film focused on Biden’s relationship with the Amtrak conductor and workers on the trains he took from Delaware to Washington as senator aired during the convention.


mercurynews--2020-08-19--Evacuations ordered for fires near San Mateo coast

PESCADERO — Multiple fires burning west of the Skyline Ridge in southern San Mateo County triggered evacuation warnings and orders @ @ @ @ @ , authorities said .
According to a county alert shortly after 5:15 p.m. , smoke @ @ @ @ @ the next three days are likely to affect residents ’ needs to respond quickly , @ @ @ @ @ fire marshal Don Bullard said .
Bullard said an evacuation order had been given for @ @ @ @ @ Park areas west of the ridge .
A social-media post around 5:20 p.m. by the @ @ @ @ @ Fire Prevention added the Pescadero Creek County area , with Butano community area residents ordered @ @ @ @ @ Pescadero High School , 360 Butano Cut-Off .

PESCADERO — Multiple fires burning west of the Skyline Ridge in southern San Mateo County triggered evacuation warnings and orders east of town Tuesday evening, authorities said.
According to a county alert shortly after 5:15 p.m., smoke and wind shifts expected over the next three days are likely to affect residents’ needs to respond quickly, Woodside Fire Department’s fire marshal Don Bullard said.
Bullard said an evacuation order had been given for the Loma Mar and Dearborne Park areas west of the ridge. A social-media post around 5:20 p.m. by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention added the Pescadero Creek County area, with Butano community area residents ordered to evacuate and head to Pescadero High School, 360 Butano Cut-Off.
In a statement, Cal Fire officials said the fires, called the CZU August Lightning Complex, had grown to about 1,000 acres with zero percent containment as of 5:45 p.m.
By 7:30 p.m., Cal Fire expanded its evacuation orders, telling residents along Waterman Gap Loop, Upper 236, Boulder Creek Golf Course, Heartwood Hill, Lodge Road, the communities of Little Basin and Kings Highway, Lower and Upper China Grade, Lower Jamison Creek, Gallon Heights, the Fallen Leaf neighborhood and Foxglove Lane to leave south along Highway 236 toward Boulder Creek before getting onto Highway 9 south to Santa Cruz. Residents along Saratoga Toll Road, San Lorenzo Park, Riverside Grove-Community of Teilh Drive and Wildwood Road were to evacuate north on Highway 9 toward Santa Clara County.
Within the hour, smoke drifting north began lowering air quality across the Peninsula and into San Francisco, with social-media posts mentioning the presence of ash and other particulates. On the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s live air-quality chart, a sensor in Redwood City spiked upward from 4 to 5 p.m., and law-enforcement agencies sent advisories passing along an updated county alert about drifting smoke.
By 7:45 p.m., heavy smoke was draped over Menlo Park, where scores of residents were dining outdoors at street and sidewalk tables on Santa Cruz Avenue. Minutes later the cloud drifted south and east along Highway 101 to cover the hangars at Moffett Field and points south.
“Smoke is moving into Palo Alto and surrounding communities from multiple large fires burning in Santa Cruz County, and a major fire burning in San Mateo County. There is no fire in Palo Alto currently,” Palo Alto police said in an e-mailed alert shortly after 7:50 p.m. that recommended residents close their windows and limit outdoor activity.
NEW: Evacuation Center set up at Pescadero High School https://t.co/4g1guMMFBH — CAL FIRE CZU (@CALFIRECZU) August 18, 2020
Brush fire triggers more evacuations for San Mateo County residents in Loma Mar / Dearborn Park area and Pescadero Creek County Park area. An evacuation center has been setup at Pescadero High School. #lightningcomplexfires https://t.co/auXCHFuWik — County of San Mateo (@sanmateoco) August 19, 2020
San Mateo County: We have a new tool to aid in evacuations! This application was built for a day like today. Please familiarize yourself with it.https://t.co/pF1s0coWVE — CAL FIRE CZU (@CALFIRECZU) August 19, 2020
Heads up #SF, especially by Ocean Beach, Lands End, Sunset, Richmond District— noticed tiny ashes all over my car & windowsill as of 6:05pm. Closing windows. My guess, ashes are from San Mateo County #fire, near Pescadero, Loma Mar. Be careful😷 — Elaine Leung (@ElaineLeung4) August 19, 2020
Staff writer Linda Zavoral contributed to this report. Check back for updates. Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.


mercurynews--2020-08-19--‘Deadhaus Sonata’ has ambition to create a ‘Dungeon & Dragons’ experience via streaming

“ Deadhaus Sonata ” is a free-to-play game with big ambitions .
The way creator Denis Dyack talks about the project , it borders on Peter Molyneux territory .
It ’ s a risky proposition but one with equally high rewards .
The project that he envisions uses the cloud to create a game that ’ s persistent and participatory .
It ’ s a throwback — way back — to the ancient Greeks .
Dyack said plays in that era had crowd interaction , and in the same way , he wants crowds in livestreams to take part in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Deadhaus Sonata ” allows the audience to elect a dungeon master , and that person can open doors and set traps for the streamer .
What ’ s even more interesting is that the audience can take on roles within that session .
For example , they can be a shopkeeper in the town and sell the character items .
Dyack expands that idea to other tertiary characters .
In essence , the audience can play roles in the streamers game that would normally be programmed as background character .
Instead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role play as a quest giver or another nonplayable character .
Going beyond that microlevel interaction , players can call for elections and change the persistent universe by asking viewers to vote on a proposal .
Dyack gave an example with revenants , one of the major factions .
A player can offer up buff to all revenants and that bonus can go on for a week .
Other players will be alerted and they can encourage their followers to approve or reject the major gameplay change .
That ’ s one part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sonata.
” The other is the concept of ages , towns and nations .
Dyack said the “ Diablo ” -esque game takes place in a metaverse in which players are the monsters .
More specifically , they are undead , vampires and other creatures that go bump in the night .
Because of that , they ’ re effectively immortal in a world full of mortal beings .
That brings up the idea of ages .
Dyack said that “ Deadhaus Sonata ” will go through these epochs .
The first age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each successive one will build on changes that players make .
He said towns can be built , houses can be established , countries can be formed .
With each age , that history folds into the lore , and players leave their own mythology behind .
Items crafted during the first age will grow in power over time so by the 10th age , Dyack said a simple ring can become an uber powerful item .
Because “ Deadhaus Sonata ” is expected to rely on players to build much of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ Eve Online.
” Dyack admits there is an influence there , but he said it ’ s more nuanced than at .
“ It ’ s a combination of ‘ EVE ’ and SCP , ” he said , referring to the web-based collaborative fiction project .
Think of it as a fictional Wikipedia , where writers add to the mythology .
Dyack says he wants to harness the power of the players to create a story better than anyone could think alone .
He brought up the example of why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as good in the later seasons .
He admits that without much ending novel-based source material to draw from , the TV series suffered , but he pointed out that it was also partly because a cottage industry focused on plot analysis and theories sprung up from the universe that George R.R .
Martin created .
It generated so many awesome ideas , Dyack said , that the shows writers and Martin himself couldn ’ t create anything more compelling .
• Here ’ s Fortnite ’ s cheeky response to being dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apple vs Epic Games is a bigger conflict than any console war • 7 incredible Bay Area things to do this weekend , Aug. 14-16 • Turtle Beach ’ s Gen 2 Stealth 600 and Stealth 700 headsets have eye on next-gen consoles • Tony Hawk and Chipotle team up to give away demo of new game and free burritos In the same way , his team is laying the foundation for the “ Deadhaus Sonata ” lore , but he is hoping that the players will add the content .
The success @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dyack ’ s game can generate traction within a community .
If it catches on , then “ Deadhaus Sonata ” can be a revolutionary game that broadens the appeal of a “ Dungeons & Dragons ” -style gameplay to a wider audience .
The fact that the Genvid technology doesn ’ t require much investment is another factor going for it .
The problem comes with moderating the chat and figuring out how the community interacts with streamers .
Dyack suggested a level system that rewards participants who are great dungeon masters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still deep in the works .
Players will have a chance to experience “ Deadhaus Sonata ” next year when it arrives on PC .
A console version will follow .

“Deadhaus Sonata” is a free-to-play game with big ambitions. The way creator Denis Dyack talks about the project, it borders on Peter Molyneux territory. It’s a risky proposition but one with equally high rewards.
The project that he envisions uses the cloud to create a game that’s persistent and participatory. It’s a throwback — way back — to the ancient Greeks. Dyack said plays in that era had crowd interaction, and in the same way, he wants crowds in livestreams to take part in the game.
Using Genvid technology, “Deadhaus Sonata” allows the audience to elect a dungeon master, and that person can open doors and set traps for the streamer. What’s even more interesting is that the audience can take on roles within that session. For example, they can be a shopkeeper in the town and sell the character items.
Dyack expands that idea to other tertiary characters. In essence, the audience can play roles in the streamers game that would normally be programmed as background character. Instead of canned responses, a crowd member could role play as a quest giver or another nonplayable character.
Going beyond that microlevel interaction, players can call for elections and change the persistent universe by asking viewers to vote on a proposal. Dyack gave an example with revenants, one of the major factions. A player can offer up buff to all revenants and that bonus can go on for a week. Other players will be alerted and they can encourage their followers to approve or reject the major gameplay change.
That’s one part of the persistent aspect of “Deadhaus Sonata.” The other is the concept of ages, towns and nations. Dyack said the “Diablo”-esque game takes place in a metaverse in which players are the monsters. More specifically, they are undead, vampires and other creatures that go bump in the night. Because of that, they’re effectively immortal in a world full of mortal beings.
That brings up the idea of ages. Dyack said that “Deadhaus Sonata” will go through these epochs. The first age will start when the game launches and each successive one will build on changes that players make. He said towns can be built, houses can be established, countries can be formed. With each age, that history folds into the lore, and players leave their own mythology behind. Items crafted during the first age will grow in power over time so by the 10th age, Dyack said a simple ring can become an uber powerful item.
Because “Deadhaus Sonata” is expected to rely on players to build much of its story, the project will be compared to “Eve Online.” Dyack admits there is an influence there, but he said it’s more nuanced than at. “It’s a combination of ‘EVE’ and SCP,” he said, referring to the web-based collaborative fiction project. Think of it as a fictional Wikipedia, where writers add to the mythology.
Dyack says he wants to harness the power of the players to create a story better than anyone could think alone. He brought up the example of why “Game of Thrones” was never as good in the later seasons. He admits that without much ending novel-based source material to draw from, the TV series suffered, but he pointed out that it was also partly because a cottage industry focused on plot analysis and theories sprung up from the universe that George R.R. Martin created. It generated so many awesome ideas, Dyack said, that the shows writers and Martin himself couldn’t create anything more compelling.
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What to play: ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ will keep gamers busy during August Entertainment | ‘First Descendant’ crossplay beta delayed until September but will be open to all In the same way, his team is laying the foundation for the “Deadhaus Sonata” lore, but he is hoping that the players will add the content. The success of that vision will depend on whether Dyack’s game can generate traction within a community. If it catches on, then “Deadhaus Sonata” can be a revolutionary game that broadens the appeal of a “Dungeons & Dragons”-style gameplay to a wider audience.
The fact that the Genvid technology doesn’t require much investment is another factor going for it. The problem comes with moderating the chat and figuring out how the community interacts with streamers. Dyack suggested a level system that rewards participants who are great dungeon masters or NPCs, but the game is still deep in the works.
Players will have a chance to experience “Deadhaus Sonata” next year when it arrives on PC. A console version will follow.


mercurynews--2020-08-19--Ecuador: Chinese vessels near Galapagos silenced trackers

GUAYAQUIL , Ecuador – Ecuador ’ s armed forces said on Tuesday that dozens of vessels from a predominantly Chinese fishing fleet that is operating near the Galapagos Islands have turned off tracking systems to prevent monitoring of their activities .
Of around 325 ships still fishing in the waters near the ecologically sensitive Galapagos , 149 have at some point in recent months cut off communications , Navy Commander , Rear Admiral Darwin Jarrin told reporters .
Some had also changed the vessels ’ names to avoid supervision , he said .
“ In this period , 149 ships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we know the name of the ships , ” Jarrin said during a press conference .
He declined to identify the vessels .
The complaint comes as the South American nation is seeking to prevent unsustainable fishing off its coast while also avoiding a confrontation with China , its largest financier and a major market for its shrimp export business .
A representative of the Chinese embassy declined to comment .
Ecuador says the fleet has not entered its territorial waters .
But environmentalists say this type of fishing allows vessels to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travels in the waters between the Galapagos and the mainland .
“ It is a breach ( of protocol ) on the high seas , because they do not want us to know what they are doing and the activities they carry out , ” said Defense Minister Oswaldo Jarrin .
He said turning off satellite equipment violated rules created by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations ( RFMOs ) , a group of international agencies that promote sustainable fishing .
The New Zealand-based South Pacific RFMO , one of the organizations that provides guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment .
Since 2017 , the Chinese fishing fleet has arrived in the summer months to the outskirts of the Galapagos protected area , attracted by marine species such as the giant squid or the hammerhead shark , the latter of which is threatened species .
China has promised a “ zero tolerance ” policy toward illegal fishing , and it has authorized the Andean country to supervise the vessels .
It has also proposed a fishing moratorium in the area near the Galapagos between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually leave the area before that period begins .

By Yuri Garcia | Reuters
GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador – Ecuador’s armed forces said on Tuesday that dozens of vessels from a predominantly Chinese fishing fleet that is operating near the Galapagos Islands have turned off tracking systems to prevent monitoring of their activities.
Of around 325 ships still fishing in the waters near the ecologically sensitive Galapagos, 149 have at some point in recent months cut off communications, Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Darwin Jarrin told reporters.
Some had also changed the vessels’ names to avoid supervision, he said.
“In this period, 149 ships have turned off their satellite systems … we know the name of the ships,” Jarrin said during a press conference. He declined to identify the vessels.
The complaint comes as the South American nation is seeking to prevent unsustainable fishing off its coast while also avoiding a confrontation with China, its largest financier and a major market for its shrimp export business.
A representative of the Chinese embassy declined to comment.
Ecuador says the fleet has not entered its territorial waters. But environmentalists say this type of fishing allows vessels to take advantage of the abundant marine wildlife that travels in the waters between the Galapagos and the mainland.
“It is a breach (of protocol) on the high seas, because they do not want us to know what they are doing and the activities they carry out,” said Defense Minister Oswaldo Jarrin.
He said turning off satellite equipment violated rules created by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), a group of international agencies that promote sustainable fishing.
The New Zealand-based South Pacific RFMO, one of the organizations that provides guidance on fishing practices in the area, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Since 2017, the Chinese fishing fleet has arrived in the summer months to the outskirts of the Galapagos protected area, attracted by marine species such as the giant squid or the hammerhead shark, the latter of which is threatened species.
China has promised a “zero tolerance” policy toward illegal fishing, and it has authorized the Andean country to supervise the vessels.
It has also proposed a fishing moratorium in the area near the Galapagos between September and November, though the fleets usually leave the area before that period begins.


mercurynews--2020-08-18--Comedian’s tweet about Brock Turner and the RNC ‘not funny,’ Stanford professor says

A comedian ’ s Twitter joke about Brock Turner speaking at the Republican National Convention went viral Tuesday , but it was slammed by a Stanford University law professor and other advocates for sexual assault survivors for being insensitive and “ triggering ” to survivors .
Turner is the former Stanford student who was convicted in 2016 of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman long known as “ Emily Doe.
” But his crime apparently became material for political satire by Jena Friedman , a standup comedian , writer and actress known for “ Palm Springs ” and “ The Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party of President Donald Trump by tweeting early Tuesday , “ BREAKING NEWS : Brock Turner , Stanford Student Athlete Who Assaulted Unconscious Woman , Will Speak At RNC.
” By Tuesday , Turner ’ s name was a top trending topic on Twitter , with a number of people thinking the tweet might be true and retweeting it .
But as it became apparent it was a joke , users on one side of the political divide saw it as a reference to the multiple sexual harassment and assault allegations against Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side of the divide pointed out the former President Bill Clinton was speaking Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention .
Clinton was impeached following his affair with intern Monica Lewinksy .
Both he and Trump have been in the news over the past year for their respective friendships with the late accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein .
Another group expressed concern that any joke about Turner ’ s crime is in poor taste .
That includes Stanford professor Michele Dauber , who was the driving force behind the controversial and ultimately successful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge who handed down what many felt was a disturbingly soft sentence of six months in jail to Turner .
Dauber replied to Friedman ’ s joke : “ That is not funny if it ’ s a joke.
” Someone with the handle @ AVALANCHE_Girls replied to Dauber : “ Thank you .
This ‘ joke ’ is really triggering to survivors.
” “ This isn ’ t okay — as a joke or otherwise , ” added Adrienne Lawrence , an attorney and author .
“ As a woman of color @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gross .
Bye , Jena.
” “ This is… deplorable , ” added a user named Holly Marie Gibbs .
“ Imagine being the victim of this horrific assault & having to relive your trauma publicly ( again ) because some ass on Twitter decided to reduce your experience to a ‘ joke ’ to get likes .
No , seriously , imagine it .
You clearly didn ’ t before tweeting this.
” It ’ s not known if Chanel Miller was offended .
She ’ s the woman Turner sexually assaulted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The powerful victim impact statement Miller wrote for Turner ’ s sentencing went viral in 2016 and helped fuel the modern iteration of the Me Too movement .
The UC-Santa Barbara graduate came forward and identified herself in her 2019 memoir , “ Know My Name.
” Dauber was among those who praised her decision to come forward , saying it would shine new light on campus rape and how powerful institutions handle such cases .
Dauber ’ s criticism of Friedman ’ s tweet , and similar comments from others , provoked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said people shouldn ’ t be so offended by what was intended to be “ benign ” political humor .
“ Ok .
At some point people need to take accountability for themselves , ” tweeted @ IngloriousBaxter .
“ If a tweet as benign as this can destroy someone they need to step off the internet and invest in some serious self care.
” Around the time Friedman posted her Brock Turner tweet , she also caustically joked about “ the Bat Who Gave The World Covid ” speaking at the RNC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” would be speaking .
By Tuesday afternoon , Friedman stepped in to defend the “ satire ” of her Brock Turner tweet .
In another tweet , she addressed criticism from people on the right , saying that some Republicans are “ more upset with my tweet ” than with Trump being president after he was accused of rape by author E. Jean Carroll .
She also took aim at Democrats for giving Clinton a platform after he , too , has been accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct .
Friedman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afternoon with the comment , “ You ’ ve all lost your minds .
”

A comedian’s Twitter joke about Brock Turner speaking at the Republican National Convention went viral Tuesday, but it was slammed by a Stanford University law professor and other advocates for sexual assault survivors for being insensitive and “triggering” to survivors.
Turner is the former Stanford student who was convicted in 2016 of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman long known as “Emily Doe.” But his crime apparently became material for political satire by Jena Friedman, a standup comedian, writer and actress known for “Palm Springs” and “The Daily Show.”
Friedman took aim at the party of President Donald Trump by tweeting early Tuesday, “BREAKING NEWS: Brock Turner, Stanford Student Athlete Who Assaulted Unconscious Woman, Will Speak At RNC.”
BREAKING NEWS: Brock Turner, Stanford Student Athlete Who Assaulted Unconscious Woman, Will Speak At RNC. — Jena Friedman (@JenaFriedman) August 18, 2020
By Tuesday, Turner’s name was a top trending topic on Twitter, with a number of people thinking the tweet might be true and retweeting it.
But as it became apparent it was a joke, users on one side of the political divide saw it as a reference to the multiple sexual harassment and assault allegations against Trump. Meanwhile, those on the other side of the divide pointed out the former President Bill Clinton was speaking Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention. Clinton was impeached following his affair with intern Monica Lewinksy. Both he and Trump have been in the news over the past year for their respective friendships with the late accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Another group expressed concern that any joke about Turner’s crime is in poor taste. That includes Stanford professor Michele Dauber, who was the driving force behind the controversial and ultimately successful campaign to recall Aaron Persky, the judge who handed down what many felt was a disturbingly soft sentence of six months in jail to Turner.
Dauber replied to Friedman’s joke: “That is not funny if it’s a joke.”
Someone with the handle @AVALANCHE_Girls replied to Dauber: “Thank you. This ‘joke’ is really triggering to survivors.”
“This isn’t okay — as a joke or otherwise,” added Adrienne Lawrence, an attorney and author. “As a woman of color, this post is (expletive) gross. Bye, Jena.”
“This is… deplorable,” added a user named Holly Marie Gibbs. “Imagine being the victim of this horrific assault & having to relive your trauma publicly (again) because some ass on Twitter decided to reduce your experience to a ‘joke’ to get likes. No, seriously, imagine it. You clearly didn’t before tweeting this.”
It’s not known if Chanel Miller was offended. She’s the woman Turner sexually assaulted on the Stanford campus in 2015. The powerful victim impact statement Miller wrote for Turner’s sentencing went viral in 2016 and helped fuel the modern iteration of the Me Too movement. The UC-Santa Barbara graduate came forward and identified herself in her 2019 memoir, “Know My Name.” Dauber was among those who praised her decision to come forward, saying it would shine new light on campus rape and how powerful institutions handle such cases.
Dauber’s criticism of Friedman’s tweet, and similar comments from others, provoked yet another subset of views that basically said people shouldn’t be so offended by what was intended to be “benign” political humor.
“Ok. At some point people need to take accountability for themselves,” tweeted @IngloriousBaxter. “If a tweet as benign as this can destroy someone they need to step off the internet and invest in some serious self care.”
Around the time Friedman posted her Brock Turner tweet, she also caustically joked about “the Bat Who Gave The World Covid” speaking at the RNC, and wondered “which mass shooter” would be speaking.
By Tuesday afternoon, Friedman stepped in to defend the “satire” of her Brock Turner tweet.
I don’t want to get kicked off twitter for other people not understanding satire. — Jena Friedman (@JenaFriedman) August 18, 2020
In another tweet, she addressed criticism from people on the right, saying that some Republicans are “more upset with my tweet” than with Trump being president after he was accused of rape by author E. Jean Carroll. She also took aim at Democrats for giving Clinton a platform after he, too, has been accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct.
Friedman ended her string of tweets late Tuesday afternoon with the comment, “You’ve all lost your minds.”


mercurynews--2020-08-19--Berlin terrorist attack: Man runs over motorcyclists

BERLIN ( AP ) — An Iraqi-born man deliberately drove his car into motorcycles along a stretch of Berlin highway , leaving at least one person in life-threatening condition in what German officials said Wednesday was a terror attack .
“ According to the current state of our investigation we assume this was an Islamist-motivated attack , ” Berlin ’ s senator for the interior , Andreas Geisel , said .
“ A religiously motivated background can not be excluded.
” Six people were injured , three of them severely , when the 30-year-old man allegedly drove into several vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening , Berlin prosecutors and police said in a joint statement .
The crashes at three different locations happened during rush hour on the BAB100 highway shortly before 7 p.m. local time and led to a complete closure of one of the main traffic arteries of Berlin .
Investigators did not reveal the man ’ s identity , as is customary in Germany ; local media identified the suspect as Sarmad D. He is being investigated for three cases of attempted murder .
There were also indications that the man had mental health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspect was possibly suffering from psychological problems does not make this issue any easier , ” Geisel said .
“ If personal problems mix with religiously loaded ideas , this can lead to uncontrollable acts — yesterday ’ s events have shown in a very painful way how vulnerable our society is.
” Prosecutor Martin Steltner told reporters they were investigating if the suspect was linked to any terrorist group or if other people were involved in the attack but had not found any indications of that yet .
However , investigators were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had possible contacts with other extremists , Steltner added .
The suspect , who was driving a black Opel Astra , stopped on the highway after the third crash and put an old ammunition box on the roof of his car , claiming it had explosives inside , the statement said .
Several media reported that the man shouted “ allahu akbar ” or “ God is great ” as he got out of his car .
The Bild daily reported that he also shouted : “ Nobody gets closer , or you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rolled out a prayer carpet and started praying , daily paper Tagesspiegel reported .
A police officer of Arabic immigrant background then approached the man , talked to him in Arabic , pulled him away from the car and detained him , the paper reported .
According to Tagesspiegel , the man is known to Berlin police .
He was born in Baghdad in 1990 and lived in a refugee home in Berlin .
In 2018 , he was detained for injuring others and taken to a mental institution for a short time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the suspect allegedly made references to his plans on Facebook before the attack .
He posted photos of the car that he later used in the attack , as well as religious writings , it said .
After the man was detained , hundreds of people stuck on the highway nearby were led away from their cars .
Specialists opened the box with a strong jet of water but found only tools inside .
Among the three severely injured people , one is in life-threatening condition with severe head and back injuries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a firefighter going home from work .
“ If a car intentionally targets motorcycles , they don ’ t have a chance , ” Geisel said .
The suspect first hit a car on the highway in the Wilmersdorf neighborhood , then drove into a motorcyclist , leaving him behind with life-threatening injuries .
He hit a second person on a motor scooter , and eventually used his car to push a third motorcyclist into the front of another car , prosecutor Steltner said .
The suspect finally got out of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Tempelhof district .
The incident led to long traffic jams Tuesday evening .
The people who were led away from the site where the suspect was detained and others who were stuck on the highway for hours were getting support from the German Red Cross , the Berlin fire department tweeted Tuesday night .

By KIRSTEN GRIESHABER Associated Press
BERLIN (AP) — An Iraqi-born man deliberately drove his car into motorcycles along a stretch of Berlin highway, leaving at least one person in life-threatening condition in what German officials said Wednesday was a terror attack.
“According to the current state of our investigation we assume this was an Islamist-motivated attack,” Berlin’s senator for the interior, Andreas Geisel, said. “A religiously motivated background cannot be excluded.”
Six people were injured, three of them severely, when the 30-year-old man allegedly drove into several vehicles, intentionally hitting motorcycles, on Tuesday evening, Berlin prosecutors and police said in a joint statement.
The crashes at three different locations happened during rush hour on the BAB100 highway shortly before 7 p.m. local time and led to a complete closure of one of the main traffic arteries of Berlin.
Investigators did not reveal the man’s identity, as is customary in Germany; local media identified the suspect as Sarmad D. He is being investigated for three cases of attempted murder.
There were also indications that the man had mental health issues.
“The fact that the suspect was possibly suffering from psychological problems does not make this issue any easier,” Geisel said. “If personal problems mix with religiously loaded ideas, this can lead to uncontrollable acts — yesterday’s events have shown in a very painful way how vulnerable our society is.”
Prosecutor Martin Steltner told reporters they were investigating if the suspect was linked to any terrorist group or if other people were involved in the attack but had not found any indications of that yet.
However, investigators were looking into tips that the man may had possible contacts with other extremists, Steltner added.
The suspect, who was driving a black Opel Astra, stopped on the highway after the third crash and put an old ammunition box on the roof of his car, claiming it had explosives inside, the statement said.
Several media reported that the man shouted “allahu akbar” or “God is great” as he got out of his car. The Bild daily reported that he also shouted: “Nobody gets closer, or you will all die.”
The suspect then rolled out a prayer carpet and started praying, daily paper Tagesspiegel reported. A police officer of Arabic immigrant background then approached the man, talked to him in Arabic, pulled him away from the car and detained him, the paper reported.
According to Tagesspiegel, the man is known to Berlin police. He was born in Baghdad in 1990 and lived in a refugee home in Berlin. In 2018, he was detained for injuring others and taken to a mental institution for a short time, Tagesspiegel reported.
Dpa reported that the suspect allegedly made references to his plans on Facebook before the attack. He posted photos of the car that he later used in the attack, as well as religious writings, it said.
After the man was detained, hundreds of people stuck on the highway nearby were led away from their cars. Specialists opened the box with a strong jet of water but found only tools inside.
Among the three severely injured people, one is in life-threatening condition with severe head and back injuries, Steltner said. One of the three was a firefighter going home from work.
“If a car intentionally targets motorcycles, they don’t have a chance,” Geisel said.
The suspect first hit a car on the highway in the Wilmersdorf neighborhood, then drove into a motorcyclist, leaving him behind with life-threatening injuries. He hit a second person on a motor scooter, and eventually used his car to push a third motorcyclist into the front of another car, prosecutor Steltner said. The suspect finally got out of his car near the Alboinstrasse exit in Berlin’s Tempelhof district.
The incident led to long traffic jams Tuesday evening. The people who were led away from the site where the suspect was detained and others who were stuck on the highway for hours were getting support from the German Red Cross, the Berlin fire department tweeted Tuesday night.


mercurynews--2020-08-19--SF Giants Gameday Podcast: Can the Giants use a blowout win as a springboard?

After five consecutive discouraging losses , the San Francisco Giants picked up a much-needed blowout win over the Angels on Tuesday in Anaheim .
Seven of the team ’ s nine batters recorded at least one hit while a struggling bullpen combined for five innings of one-run ball to capture an 8-2 win .
The Giants emerged from a nightmare with one of their best performances of the season and will return to Oracle Park with a chance to split and potentially win a four-game home-and-home set against the Angels .
Right-hander Shaun Anderson had trouble with his command in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run he allowed was an improvement for a Giants team that had watched Trevor Gott blow three consecutive save opportunities in heartbreaking fashion .
Manager Gabe Kapler and several Giants players have reiterated their confidence in the club ’ s overall potential in recent days , noting how well the team competed on Friday and Saturday against a red-hot Oakland A ’ s club .
Veterans including first baseman Brandon Belt said they would remain optimistic because of the way the team ’ s offense has performed in recent days and while no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a surprise playoff run , a solid lineup should help the club turn its fortunes .
Can the Giants use Tuesday ’ s win as a springboard to more success in the coming days ?
The schedule doesn ’ t get any easier , but it is possible the club ’ s worst days are behind it .
SF Giants Gameday : Listen to the Bay Area News Group ’ s daily San Francisco Giants podcast , hosted by our beat reporter Kerry Crowley .
We give you an all-access look at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gabe Kapler and your favorite Giants players plus the latest analysis on every move during an unprecedented season .
We Need Your Support !
Several Giants articles will remain free every 30 days – and I ’ ve launched a free newsletter and podcast that come Monday-Friday – but for access to all of my coverage you ’ ll need to subscribe to MercuryNews.com or EastBayTimes.com .
Click here for our latest Mercury News offer and here for the latest East Bay Times offer .
Thank you !
— Kerry Crowley

After five consecutive discouraging losses, the San Francisco Giants picked up a much-needed blowout win over the Angels on Tuesday in Anaheim.
Seven of the team’s nine batters recorded at least one hit while a struggling bullpen combined for five innings of one-run ball to capture an 8-2 win.
The Giants emerged from a nightmare with one of their best performances of the season and will return to Oracle Park with a chance to split and potentially win a four-game home-and-home set against the Angels. Right-hander Shaun Anderson had trouble with his command in the ninth inning, but the one run he allowed was an improvement for a Giants team that had watched Trevor Gott blow three consecutive save opportunities in heartbreaking fashion.
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Can the Giants use Tuesday’s win as a springboard to more success in the coming days? The schedule doesn’t get any easier, but it is possible the club’s worst days are behind it.
SF Giants Gameday: Listen to the Bay Area News Group’s daily San Francisco Giants podcast, hosted by our beat reporter Kerry Crowley. We give you an all-access look at the 2020 regular season with soundbites from manager Gabe Kapler and your favorite Giants players plus the latest analysis on every move during an unprecedented season.
We Need Your Support!
Several Giants articles will remain free every 30 days – and I’ve launched a free newsletter and podcast that come Monday-Friday – but for access to all of my coverage you’ll need to subscribe to MercuryNews.com or EastBayTimes.com. Click here for our latest Mercury News offer and here for the latest East Bay Times offer. Thank you! — Kerry Crowley


mercurynews--2020-08-19--Power-packed 49ers rookie Javon Kinlaw says ‘just because I’m big, it doesn’t mean anything’

Javon Kinlaw ’ s size is the first thing his 49ers teammates bring up whenever asked about this year ’ s top draft pick .
His power could be his ultimate claim — and path — to fame .
“ The thing for me to get better at right now is just power rushes , ” Kinlaw said .
“ Because I have a lot of power , and when I use it the right way , it can be deadly.
” “ Once I feel I ’ ve got some of those rushes in the bag , then I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rushes , ” Kinlaw added .
Eh , leave the finesse moves to others .
Kinlaw ’ s power is indeed what the 49ers need most at the 3-technique as he replaces DeForest Buckner ( traded to the Indianapolis Colts ) .
Left guard Laken Tomlinson is proving a great test for Kinlaw ’ s strength in their one-on-one matchups .
“ The other day , he wore me out , ” Kinlaw said .
“ I ’ m used to playing bully ball in college , but it ’ s like everybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re playing with good pad level .
I ’ m running off the ball and his head is below my sternum.
” Kinlaw made sure to thank Tomlinson for his daily improvement and instructions about body recovery , such as hopping in cold and hot tubs .
“ He ’ s just a specimen , ” Tomlinson said of Kinlaw last week before practices began .
Kinlaw ( 6-foot-5 , 319 pounds ) wears Buckner ’ s old No .
99 and fills out the jersey more , which is hard to fathom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stature .
Teammates agree .
Nick Bosa and Jerick McKinnon both referred to Kinlaw as one of the biggest humans they ’ ve ever seen , McKinnon pointing to “ a bigger upper body , a big lower body , big quads .
Everything on him is just big.
” Born 10 pounds , 8 ounces on Oct. 3 , 1997 in Washington D.C. , Kinlaw is used to casting a big shadow .
“ I ’ ve probably all my life been the biggest guy .
So that ’ s nothing new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honestly , coming in , I thought I ’ d be like another guy .
Then I look around and , dang , I ’ m the biggest .
“ But just because I ’ m big , it doesn ’ t mean anything .
Everybody ’ s strong and big , so it ’ s all about technique for me now.
” Kinlaw appreciates how energetic , defensive line coach Kris Kocurek has vaulted him into the first-string defense from Day 1 .
The Bay Area ’ s heat wave is nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Columbia , South Carolina , but he acknowledged that the weather surprised him , and he responded well to cool-down towels from trainers between drills Tuesday .
“ He showed a lot of explosive movements through individual drills in the first 10 days , and he is a very large human being , very powerful man , ” defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said .
“ He just needs to continue to grind and lean on the veterans in that room and continue to get better every day.
” Kinlaw said of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lying if I thought it was good .
But I ’ m making improvements , that ’ s the main thing .
… I knew it was going to be faster , stronger and I ’ d be fatigued .
I knew I was going to have to work on pad level and hand placement .
I knew I didn ’ t have best craft .
So nothing ’ s really caught me by surprise.
” • With receiver corps thin , Jimmy Garorppolo rebuilding his trust in Dante Pettis • Five takeaways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bosa somehow looks even stronger than ROY campaign

Javon Kinlaw’s size is the first thing his 49ers teammates bring up whenever asked about this year’s top draft pick.
His power could be his ultimate claim — and path — to fame.
“The thing for me to get better at right now is just power rushes,” Kinlaw said. “Because I have a lot of power, and when I use it the right way, it can be deadly.”
Deadly.
Oh. My.
“Once I feel I’ve got some of those rushes in the bag, then I’ll transition over to more finesse rushes,” Kinlaw added.
Eh, leave the finesse moves to others. Kinlaw’s power is indeed what the 49ers need most at the 3-technique as he replaces DeForest Buckner (traded to the Indianapolis Colts).
Left guard Laken Tomlinson is proving a great test for Kinlaw’s strength in their one-on-one matchups.
“The other day, he wore me out,” Kinlaw said. “I’m used to playing bully ball in college, but it’s like everybody here is strong and then they’re playing with good pad level. I’m running off the ball and his head is below my sternum.”
Kinlaw made sure to thank Tomlinson for his daily improvement and instructions about body recovery, such as hopping in cold and hot tubs.
“He’s just a specimen,” Tomlinson said of Kinlaw last week before practices began.
Kinlaw (6-foot-5, 319 pounds) wears Buckner’s old No. 99 and fills out the jersey more, which is hard to fathom considering Buckner’s 6-foot-7, 295-pound stature. Teammates agree.
Nick Bosa and Jerick McKinnon both referred to Kinlaw as one of the biggest humans they’ve ever seen, McKinnon pointing to “a bigger upper body, a big lower body, big quads. Everything on him is just big.”
Born 10 pounds, 8 ounces on Oct. 3, 1997 in Washington D.C., Kinlaw is used to casting a big shadow.
“I’ve probably all my life been the biggest guy. So that’s nothing new,” Kinlaw said. “But honestly, coming in, I thought I’d be like another guy. Then I look around and, dang, I’m the biggest.
“But just because I’m big, it doesn’t mean anything. Everybody’s strong and big, so it’s all about technique for me now.”
Kinlaw appreciates how energetic, defensive line coach Kris Kocurek has vaulted him into the first-string defense from Day 1. The Bay Area’s heat wave is nothing compared to Kinlaw’s college days in Columbia, South Carolina, but he acknowledged that the weather surprised him, and he responded well to cool-down towels from trainers between drills Tuesday.
“He showed a lot of explosive movements through individual drills in the first 10 days, and he is a very large human being, very powerful man,” defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said. “He just needs to continue to grind and lean on the veterans in that room and continue to get better every day.”


Bridge: Aug. 19, 2020

“ I know you won ’ t talk about your former job , ” I said to Cy the Cynic , “ but at least tell me why you quit.
” “ My paycheck had more deductions than a Sherlock Holmes novel , ” Cy said morosely .
Cy plays in my club ’ s penny game , and his take-home pay would be greater if he credited his opponents with logical play .
As declarer at today ’ s four spades , Cy took dummy ’ s A-K of hearts to discard a club .
He next led a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took the king and led a high heart .
The Cynic ruffed and led the ace and queen of trumps .
East won and led a diamond , and Cy … finessed with his queen .
West produced the king , and East got a diamond at the end for down one .
Cy missed a deduction .
If East had the king of diamonds , he would never have given Cy a chance to take a winning finesse .
East would have exited safely with a trump or club .
Since East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diamond finesse , Cy must not try it .
He should take the ace , draw trumps and lead a low diamond .
You hold : S 7 4 2 H Q J 10 6 5 D K J C K 10 8 .
Your partner opens one diamond , you respond one heart , he bids two clubs and you return to two diamonds .
Partner next bids two hearts .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : Your two-diamond “ false preference ” showed at most 10 points , and partner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance for game .
His two hearts says he remains interested .
Since your hand is an absolute maximum , bid four hearts .
Partner may hold 8 , K 9 4 , A Q 10 6 5 , A Q 7 2 .

“I know you won’t talk about your former job,” I said to Cy the Cynic, “but at least tell me why you quit.”
“My paycheck had more deductions than a Sherlock Holmes novel,” Cy said morosely.
Cy plays in my club’s penny game, and his take-home pay would be greater if he credited his opponents with logical play. As declarer at today’s four spades, Cy took dummy’s A-K of hearts to discard a club. He next led a club to his queen, and West took the king and led a high heart.
FINESSE
The Cynic ruffed and led the ace and queen of trumps. East won and led a diamond, and Cy … finessed with his queen. West produced the king, and East got a diamond at the end for down one.
Cy missed a deduction. If East had the king of diamonds, he would never have given Cy a chance to take a winning finesse. East would have exited safely with a trump or club. Since East is willing for Cy to try a diamond finesse, Cy must not try it. He should take the ace, draw trumps and lead a low diamond.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S 7 4 2 H Q J 10 6 5 D K J C K 10 8. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart, he bids two clubs and you return to two diamonds. Partner next bids two hearts. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your two-diamond “false preference” showed at most 10 points, and partner would have quit if he saw no chance for game. His two hearts says he remains interested. Since your hand is an absolute maximum, bid four hearts. Partner may hold 8, K 9 4, A Q 10 6 5, A Q 7 2.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S 5
H A K 4 2
D 7 5 4 2
C 7 6 4 3
WEST
S 7 4 2
H Q J 10 6 5
D K J
C K 10 8
EAST
S K 8 3
H 9 8 7
D 10 9 8 6
C J 9 2
SOUTH
S A Q J 10 9 6
H 3
D A Q 3
C A Q 5
South West North East
1 S Pass 1 NT Pass
4 S All Pass
Opening lead — H Q
(C)2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.


Word Game: Aug. 19, 2020

Can you find 34 or more words in ASTHMATIC ?
The list will be published tomorrow .
YESTERDAY ’ S @ @ @ @ @ lest lice lilt lisle list isle islet istle sect sell sill silt site slice slit @ @ @ @ @ till To purchase the Word Game book , visit WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for @ @ @ @ @ last !
1 .
Words must be of four or more letters .
2 .
@ @ @ @ @ by the addition of “ s , ” such as “ bats ” or “ @ @ @ @ @ allowed .
3 .
Additional words made by adding a “ d ” or an @ @ @ @ @ be used .
For example , if “ bake ” is used , “ baked @ @ @ @ @ are not allowed , but “ bake ” and “ baking ” are admissible .
@ @ @ @ @ slang words , or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — ASTHMATIC (ASTHMATIC: az-MAT-ik: Having asthma, a chronic respiratory disease.)
Average mark 25 words
Time limit 40 minutes
Can you find 34 or more words in ASTHMATIC? The list will be published tomorrow.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — CELLIST cell cite lest lice lilt lisle list isle islet istle sect sell
sill silt site slice slit stile still telic tell tile till
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-08-19--Horoscopes Aug. 19, 2020: John Stamos, a positive attitude will enhance your life

Happy Birthday : Rethink your strategy , make adjustments and proceed .
Acceptance and compromise will be essential if you want to achieve what you set out to do this year .
If you pay attention to detail and are willing to do the work yourself , satisfaction with life and all you accomplish will turn out to be worthwhile rewards .
A positive attitude will enhance your life .
Your numbers are 10 , 12 , 17 , 21 , 24 , 37 , 46 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Stay focused on what ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a difference to the way your plans unfold .
Don ’ t let a change someone makes throw you off guard .
Offer others the same freedom you expect in return .
3 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : Make change happen .
If you want something , go after it wholeheartedly .
Less talk and more action will be your ticket to a better future .
Use your imagination , and you ’ ll come up with an innovative way to get ahead .
5 stars GEMINI ( May 21-June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing .
Put your plans in motion , and you will improve your lifestyle , home environment and relationships with the people who matter to you most .
Refuse to let someone from your past stand in your way .
4 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : You won ’ t have to stand alone if you are willing to compromise .
Don ’ t let stubbornness be an issue .
Keep the peace , and you will get more than you expect in the end .
A personal change will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : Gather information concerning something you want to achieve .
Keep an open mind , and you will discover a way to overcome anything that might get in your way .
Dedication and determination will set you apart from any competition you encounter .
3 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : You ’ ll come up with a host of good ideas .
Before you share your intentions , test your plans .
Perfection will make the difference to the response you receive when trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone you love .
3 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Don ’ t let what ’ s going on around you disrupt your day .
Act according to what will benefit you and your loved ones .
Consider a change at home or to your financial well-being rationally if you want to come out on top .
3 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Run the show instead of letting someone else take over .
Make suggestions that will appease anyone who may try to oppose you .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ support from fence sitters waiting for someone to make the first move .
Romance is favored .
4 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Keep your emotions out of the equation .
Discuss matters rationally , and offer solutions that will improve your home life and your relationship with those you love .
An unexpected lifestyle change is heading your way .
Prepare to make adjustments without making a fuss .
2 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : Be the one to take action .
Don ’ t sit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Focus on taking advantage of an opportunity that will safeguard you from the economic fallout .
Consider home improvements , moves and cutting your overhead .
Romance is encouraged .
5 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Change only what ’ s necessary .
Your best response to someone putting demands on you is to step back and observe .
Choose intelligence over pleasing others .
Take charge of your life , and refuse to let someone dictate what you can do .
3 stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are experiencing .
Make personal improvements that boost your confidence and attract compliments .
Dealing with problems that the seniors or children in your life face will bring you closer to a solution .
Romance is favored .
3 stars Birthday Baby : You are precise , smart and persistent .
You are entertaining and friendly .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Christina Perri, 34; Matthew Perry, 51; John Stamos, 57; Bill Clinton, 74.
Happy Birthday: Rethink your strategy, make adjustments and proceed. Acceptance and compromise will be essential if you want to achieve what you set out to do this year. If you pay attention to detail and are willing to do the work yourself, satisfaction with life and all you accomplish will turn out to be worthwhile rewards. A positive attitude will enhance your life. Your numbers are 10, 12, 17, 21, 24, 37, 46.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Stay focused on what’s important and the people who can make a difference to the way your plans unfold. Don’t let a change someone makes throw you off guard. Offer others the same freedom you expect in return. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Make change happen. If you want something, go after it wholeheartedly. Less talk and more action will be your ticket to a better future. Use your imagination, and you’ll come up with an innovative way to get ahead. 5 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Stop worrying and start doing. Put your plans in motion, and you will improve your lifestyle, home environment and relationships with the people who matter to you most. Refuse to let someone from your past stand in your way. 4 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): You won’t have to stand alone if you are willing to compromise. Don’t let stubbornness be an issue. Keep the peace, and you will get more than you expect in the end. A personal change will lift your spirits. 3 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Gather information concerning something you want to achieve. Keep an open mind, and you will discover a way to overcome anything that might get in your way. Dedication and determination will set you apart from any competition you encounter. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You’ll come up with a host of good ideas. Before you share your intentions, test your plans. Perfection will make the difference to the response you receive when trying to gain support. Celebrate your achievements with someone you love. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Don’t let what’s going on around you disrupt your day. Act according to what will benefit you and your loved ones. Consider a change at home or to your financial well-being rationally if you want to come out on top. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Run the show instead of letting someone else take over. Make suggestions that will appease anyone who may try to oppose you. Act passionately, and you will win support from fence sitters waiting for someone to make the first move. Romance is favored. 4 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Keep your emotions out of the equation. Discuss matters rationally, and offer solutions that will improve your home life and your relationship with those you love. An unexpected lifestyle change is heading your way. Prepare to make adjustments without making a fuss. 2 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Be the one to take action. Don’t sit around waiting to see how others respond. Focus on taking advantage of an opportunity that will safeguard you from the economic fallout. Consider home improvements, moves and cutting your overhead. Romance is encouraged. 5 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Change only what’s necessary. Your best response to someone putting demands on you is to step back and observe. Choose intelligence over pleasing others. Take charge of your life, and refuse to let someone dictate what you can do. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Pay attention to what others are experiencing. Make personal improvements that boost your confidence and attract compliments. Dealing with problems that the seniors or children in your life face will bring you closer to a solution. Romance is favored. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are precise, smart and persistent. You are entertaining and friendly.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


mercurynews--2020-08-19--Ask Amy: I’m angry that the hostess didn’t tell me who this man was

Dear Amy : A couple of years ago , an acquaintance of ours hosted a dinner party .
I was only acquainted with half the people there .
The hostess didn ’ t make introductions .
One person present was someone I had met a few times .
( I ’ ll call her “ Jane.
” ) I knew that Jane had a partner , “ Joan , ” whom I had only met once years before .
At the dinner , Jane was sitting next to a man .
At one point I stared across the table because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was Jane ’ s brother , or if Joan was transitioning to male .
I admit that I feel bad for staring , but I was trying to figure out if we had met .
• Ask Amy : He was way out of line , and it shattered our friendship • Ask Amy : If I ’ m ‘ lucky to have a job , ’ why am I miserable ?
• Ask Amy : My in-laws don ’ t realize how horrible they are • Ask Amy : There was no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Ask Amy : She makes me want to scream , but I can ’ t dump her We spoke briefly afterward , and they made no attempt to reintroduce themselves to me .
After they left , the hostess explained that Joan was now “ John ” and how they hate to have to explain themselves or their pronoun , which is “ they.
” I tried to joke : “ I didn ’ t get the memo.
” To which the hostess replied , “ It wasn ’ t my memo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have spared some social awkwardness with one quick sentence privately , like “ Joan is John now , deal with it , ” which would have been fine with me .
I am still angry with the hostess for leaving us floundering as to who was at the party .
What do you think ?
Dear Befuddled : Let us for a moment go back to nursery school .
Have you ever noticed that when children don ’ t know other kids ’ names , they don ’ t talk to them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reason .
Now let ’ s talk about this hostess .
Who invites a bunch of previously unacquainted ( or semi-acquainted ) people to their home and then doesn ’ t introduce ( or re-introduce ) them to each other at the beginning of the evening ?
I mean , if you ’ re going to make a cassoulet , you can certainly make an introduction .
Now onto you .
In the absence of hostess-courtesy , why didn ’ t you introduce yourself to people ?
“ Hi .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can call me Befuddled .
Tell me your name ?
” If the person answers by saying , “ We ’ ve met before ” ( I get this a lot ) , you can say , as I always do , “ Oh , I ’ m so sorry , I ’ ve forgotten that .
Remind me of your name ?
” I agree that it is not the hostess ’ s job to deliver the memo about a guest ’ s gender transition in advance of the party .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to introduce her guests to one another .
If you know someone ’ s name , you don ’ t have to ponder or puzzle over their gender .
Granted , “ John ” is likely a male .
“ Courtney ” might be a man or a woman .
But gender identity doesn ’ t matter , because when you know someone ’ s name , you can just address them by their name , see them as fellow humans , and take it from there .
Dear Amy : I read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am nearly 70 , a U.S. Navy veteran and thanks to the GI bill , have a BS in health and human services .
I was a high school teacher , volunteered at a hospice center , and did in-home assessments for a nonprofit .
With all of the requests from people asking for advice about , “ What do I do when it comes to caring for my loved one ?
” I have done an informal study over my years of experience .
Amy , please advise your readers to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future !
My results show that about 90 percent of the folks that I have interviewed do not have any EOL ( end of life ) plans , i.e.
, DNR or “ Full Code.
” Please advise the family members to talk about how their elders are doing and to review these plans with them , so there is less shock and confusion when the time comes .
Dear Bruce : Just yesterday I was talking to a family member about this very thing !
I will be working on my EOL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ readers to do the same .
Thank you so much for this important reminder .
Dear Amy : Reflecting on the burdens of caregiving , your recent line “ As a liberated caregiver , I would give anything to be annoyed again ” brought me to tears .
My parents drove me crazy during all those years when they were bothering me with their needs .
I miss them so much now that it physically hurts .
Dear Fan : One of the most painful aspects of caregiving elderly loved ones is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end .
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy @ amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy , P.O .
Box 194 , Freeville , NY 13068 .
You can also follow her on Twitter @ askingamy or Facebook .

Dear Amy: A couple of years ago, an acquaintance of ours hosted a dinner party. I was only acquainted with half the people there. The hostess didn’t make introductions.
One person present was someone I had met a few times. (I’ll call her “Jane.”) I knew that Jane had a partner, “Joan,” whom I had only met once years before.
At the dinner, Jane was sitting next to a man.
At one point I stared across the table because I was trying to determine if this was Jane’s brother, or if Joan was transitioning to male.
I admit that I feel bad for staring, but I was trying to figure out if we had met.
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After they left, the hostess explained that Joan was now “John” and how they hate to have to explain themselves or their pronoun, which is “they.”
I tried to joke: “I didn’t get the memo.” To which the hostess replied, “It wasn’t my memo to send.”
I think the hostess could have spared some social awkwardness with one quick sentence privately, like “Joan is John now, deal with it,” which would have been fine with me.
I am still angry with the hostess for leaving us floundering as to who was at the party. What do you think?
Befuddled Guest
Dear Befuddled: Let us for a moment go back to nursery school. Have you ever noticed that when children don’t know other kids’ names, they don’t talk to them?
Names: We have them for a reason.
Now let’s talk about this hostess. Who invites a bunch of previously unacquainted (or semi-acquainted) people to their home and then doesn’t introduce (or re-introduce) them to each other at the beginning of the evening? I mean, if you’re going to make a cassoulet, you can certainly make an introduction.
Now onto you. In the absence of hostess-courtesy, why didn’t you introduce yourself to people? “Hi. I’m Befuddled Guest. But please, you can call me Befuddled. Tell me your name?” If the person answers by saying, “We’ve met before” (I get this a lot), you can say, as I always do, “Oh, I’m so sorry, I’ve forgotten that. Remind me of your name?”
I agree that it is not the hostess’s job to deliver the memo about a guest’s gender transition in advance of the party. It is the hostess’s job to introduce her guests to one another.
If you know someone’s name, you don’t have to ponder or puzzle over their gender. Granted, “John” is likely a male. “Courtney” might be a man or a woman. But gender identity doesn’t matter, because when you know someone’s name, you can just address them by their name, see them as fellow humans, and take it from there.
Dear Amy: I read several advice columns every day. I am nearly 70, a U.S. Navy veteran and thanks to the GI bill, have a BS in health and human services.
I was a high school teacher, volunteered at a hospice center, and did in-home assessments for a nonprofit.
With all of the requests from people asking for advice about, “What do I do when it comes to caring for my loved one?” I have done an informal study over my years of experience.
Amy, please advise your readers to make sure that they have planned for the future! My results show that about 90 percent of the folks that I have interviewed do not have any EOL (end of life) plans, i.e., DNR or “Full Code.”
Please advise the family members to talk about how their elders are doing and to review these plans with them, so there is less shock and confusion when the time comes.
Bruce
Dear Bruce: Just yesterday I was talking to a family member about this very thing! I will be working on my EOL plans in the coming weeks and urge readers to do the same. Thank you so much for this important reminder.
Dear Amy: Reflecting on the burdens of caregiving, your recent line “As a liberated caregiver, I would give anything to be annoyed again” brought me to tears. My parents drove me crazy during all those years when they were bothering me with their needs.
I miss them so much now that it physically hurts.
A Fan
Dear Fan: One of the most painful aspects of caregiving elderly loved ones is that you know how it is going to end.
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.


mercurynews--2020-08-19--Harriette Cole: My young siblings want to live with me, not with our parents

DEAR HARRIETTE : I am 28 years old , and my parents recently divorced and live separately .
My parents have 50-50 custody of my 12- and 14-year-old brother and sister .
I ’ ve noticed how unhappy my siblings are , going back and forth between my parents ’ houses .
They said they can ’ t take the fighting anymore and asked to come and live with me .
I am totally fine with that if it means better living conditions for them , but I ’ m worried about how it will make our parents feel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t live with me , or should I talk to my parents ?
DEAR LOVE MY SIBLINGS : Before you do anything , talk to your parents .
Since your siblings are minors , you can not just take them anyway .
It has to be a coordinated effort .
You should let your parents know how unhappy your siblings are and that they have asked to come live with you .
Suggest this move as an interim stop on their journey .
Since the divorce is fresh and the emotional wounds are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a break from the pain .
Ask your parents to consider their feelings .
Assure them that you will take good care of them during this traumatic period .
• Harriette Cole : My shy roommate now has four virtual boyfriends on a string • Harriette Cole : I regret my decision about the family dog • Harriette Cole : My mom has an offensive person living on her driveway • Miss Manners : He won ’ t take my advice about not being a jerk • Harriette Cole : The worker I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s day care Your parents will need to feel that they will still be connected to the children , or the guilt might get the best of them , Let them know that you will make sure that they see their kids , but that right now they want to be in neutral territory — and you can provide that for them .
DEAR HARRIETTE : My son just graduated from high school and has decided not to enter college this fall .
He wants to get a job and take some time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I want him to have the same education I had so he will have more options in life , but he says school is not for him and that he wants to learn from the world .
I admire his optimism , but skipping college means missing some of those vital world lessons .
Is there anything I can do to change his mind ?
DEAR GET A DEGREE : Given that college is likely to be remote this coming school year , your son may be making a good decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short term .
Rather than pressuring your son to go to college , talk to him about his future .
Find out what he wants to do with his life .
What type of job does he want ?
When he opens up about his plans , ask him to research what his field of interest pays .
He should get a clear picture of his earning potential based upon his interests .
This is the reality check that may help him to determine what type of education he needs to provide for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viable option .
Know that jobs in tech and I.T .
are plentiful these days and can be lucrative .
The educational path for those is often shorter than college , so there are many options to consider .
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS , an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams .
You can send questions to askharriette @ harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication , 1130 Walnut St. , Kansas City , MO 64106 .

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am 28 years old, and my parents recently divorced and live separately. My parents have 50-50 custody of my 12- and 14-year-old brother and sister.
I’ve noticed how unhappy my siblings are, going back and forth between my parents’ houses. They said they can’t take the fighting anymore and asked to come and live with me.
I am totally fine with that if it means better living conditions for them, but I’m worried about how it will make our parents feel. Should I tell them they can’t live with me, or should I talk to my parents?
Love My Siblings
DEAR LOVE MY SIBLINGS: Before you do anything, talk to your parents. Since your siblings are minors, you cannot just take them anyway. It has to be a coordinated effort.
You should let your parents know how unhappy your siblings are and that they have asked to come live with you. Suggest this move as an interim stop on their journey. Since the divorce is fresh and the emotional wounds are still raw, your siblings just want a break from the pain. Ask your parents to consider their feelings. Assure them that you will take good care of them during this traumatic period.
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DEAR HARRIETTE: My son just graduated from high school and has decided not to enter college this fall. He wants to get a job and take some time off.
He is my only child, and I want him to have the same education I had so he will have more options in life, but he says school is not for him and that he wants to learn from the world. I admire his optimism, but skipping college means missing some of those vital world lessons. Is there anything I can do to change his mind?
Get a Degree
DEAR GET A DEGREE: Given that college is likely to be remote this coming school year, your son may be making a good decision for himself — at least in the short term.
Rather than pressuring your son to go to college, talk to him about his future. Find out what he wants to do with his life.
What type of job does he want? When he opens up about his plans, ask him to research what his field of interest pays.
He should get a clear picture of his earning potential based upon his interests. This is the reality check that may help him to determine what type of education he needs to provide for himself. Sometimes vocational school is a viable option. Know that jobs in tech and I.T. are plentiful these days and can be lucrative. The educational path for those is often shorter than college, so there are many options to consider.
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.