Principled Man

The price of a Wendy’s Frosty could soon fluctuate throughout the day as the chain looks to introduce Uber-like surge pricing on its menu. The practice, known as “dynamic pricing,” will begin testing in 2025, Wendy’s recently revealed in an earnings call. It’s part of a $20 million investment in new digital menu boards at its US restaurants that enable them to change prices depending on demand. Few details were released about the change, but Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner said the new menus will let the fast food chain test “more enhanced features like dynamic pricing and day-part offerings along with AI-enabled menu changes and suggestive selling.” “We expect our digital menu boards will drive immediate benefits to order accuracy, improve crew experience and sales growth from upselling and consistent merchandising execution,” Tanner said on the call. ***************************************************************************************************************** Wendy, I've just dumped you. Of course, I hardly ever stop by to see you, so you won't miss me.

While he and his wife worked in close quarters at their Houston home, Tyler Loudon often overheard her conversations — even the confidential ones, according to court filings. In some of those discussions, it was mentioned that BP, the multinational oil company Loudon’s wife worked for, planned to acquire a large truck-stop operator, authorities said. Knowing this information, Loudon bought tens of thousands of shares in stock in TravelCenters of America, officials alleged. When the deal was announced in February 2023, Loudon liquidated his shares to make $1.76 million, authorities said. Throughout that year, Loudon and his wife often worked in home offices within 20 feet of each other and could hear each other’s discussions, according to the complaint. In December 2022, the couple traveled to Rome, where Loudon’s wife regularly worked on the acquisition and discussed the deal while Loudon was seated nearby — a habit that continued after they returned to the United States and through the acquisition announcement, the complaint said. On Thursday, federal prosecutors announced that Loudon, 41, had pleaded guilty to securities fraud. Loudon, who faces up to five years in prison, will forfeit the $1.76 million he made from the confidential information, authorities said. Peter Zeidenberg, Loudon’s attorney, told The Washington Post that his client “made a terrible mistake in judgment, regrets it greatly, and he’s taken responsibility for it.” Loudon’s wife, who was a mergers and acquisitions manager for BP, was unaware that Loudon had relied on her work information to buy shares of stock, according to a complaint the Securities and Exchange Commission filed against Loudon.....

Members of the NFL competition committee and league leaders met here Sunday and discussed potential major modifications to the kickoff. Participants emerged from the approximately four-hour meeting with growing conviction that the committee might propose significant changes by which the NFL could implement a version of the XFL kickoff model as soon as next season. The NFL’s consideration of the XFL kickoff alignment, or something resembling it, means the kicker would line up in roughly the traditional spot on the field to kick the ball. The other members of the kicking team would begin the play lined up far down the field, perhaps only five yards from the blockers for the receiving team. That would attempt to reduce the space and speed elements of the kickoff that result in such violent collisions and frequent injuries.

One Mirror Too Many - The Black Crowes

My wife used to fart when she was nervous....she used to fart in her sleep..... (Sean Maguire)

Researchers in London are suggesting that taking Viagra is linked with better mental health. It means that men are finally working smarter - not harder.

The Brewers' favorite son, Brandon Woodruff, won't be pitching this year, but the team still signed him to a 2-year deal. They have Faith. If Woodruff makes a successful comeback, he'll be a lock for the Brewers' Wall of Honor.

Pineapple on pizza is GREAT. I put extra pineapple and bacon on those "Hawaiian" style pizzas. Underwear wedgies

I had my wiener dog fixed. A week later, she got out but returned the next morning. All was well. Two months after that, she had two puppies! Amazed, I wrote a story about it: Two Dachshunds in One: A Spayed Oddity

My walk to the bar takes 5 minutes but my walk home takes 30 minutes. The difference is staggering.

Ransomware thugs LockBit got busted by an 11-nation task force. From today's article in The Washington Post: In 2022, LockBit issued an apology after it said its ransomware was used to target a children’s hospital. It offered the hospital a decryptor to unlock its systems — and reportedly issued policy guidance that banned criminals from using its software in attacks “where damage to the files could lead to death.” BRILLIANT! Criminals banning criminals from criminal activities....

You do NOT bring lemonade to a power washer fight......SMH.....

I left two items at my local grocery store’s self-checkout last night. This morning, I went there and asked if anyone had reported the items. Sure enough, they did! The service counter people keep records of left behind items. It’s the little things in Life…..

It’s A-OK. I don’t use it as much as I should! Sunspots should be frequent this year.

Kirk Gibson: Bo knows baseball. Jim Everett: Bo knows football. Michael Jordan: Bo knows basketball, too. John McEnroe: Bo knows tennis? John Benoit: Bo knows running! Wayne Gretsky [skates up to the camera]: NO.

Here is a better view of Phobos, from two years ago:

Mr. Potato Head - just passing by..... https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/solar-eclipse-mars-captured-new-images-107208376

Cruise ship passenger: This is a great all-you-can-eat dinner layout, and the salad bar is huge! Is there any type of lettuce I should avoid? Server: Well, I'd steer clear of the iceberg.

Jon Stewart returned to The Daily Show, and he spoke his mind.

Cut to the Chase

Remembering my first PC monitor screen way back when, which was about 12" or so. I moved up to 15" (flat screen!), then 17", then 22"..... Today, I just hooked up a 32" Samsung 1080p TV, which was in a back room and collecting dust. It's big and bright! My eyes!!!

Anyone care to start a I'm Not Watching The Super Bowl and You Can't Make Me! thread?

Wednesday commences a very sacred season. To honor it, I'm giving up picking my belly button for lint.