Mike Zabel
4.3K posts


Wait that SEAL who transitioned turned around and detransed? TIL



SCO leaders arrive in style A lineup of black luxury cars on full display at the summit

Just received some additional details about Team USA/illness at the meet. From a second hand source, but a reliable one, and if any of it is true, then USA Swimming absolutely owes the public some pretty significant explanations.

The Russians claim that this “Velez-10.DR” is a strike FPV with a radio homing system targeting the emitters of Ukrainian tactical EW jammers. A 4-element antenna array is apparently on the front of the cylinder.




The Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul 🇹🇷 does indeed house a remarkable collection of massive swords, including some of Hungarian origin dating back to the 14th Century AD. It's widely noted that among these impressive blades, there is one particularly large Hungarian two-handed sword that measures around 270cm (approximately 8 feet 10 inches) in length. This immense size often sparks curiosity about how such a weapon could have been wielded in battle. However, as many experts and enthusiasts point out, these extraordinarily large swords were most likely ceremonial or parade swords, rather than functional combat weapons. Swords of such immense length and weight (with some weighing 14-15 kg) would be incredibly unwieldy and impractical for actual fighting, especially in the close-quarters combat typical of the medieval period. Instead, they were likely used for: Display of wealth and power: Such elaborate and oversized weapons would have been a clear symbol of the owner's status, wealth, and martial prowess, even if only for show. Ceremonial purposes: They might have been carried in parades, processions, or other formal events to impress observers. Demonstration of a smith's skill: Crafting such a large and well-balanced (for its size) sword would have been a significant achievement for a swordsmith. The presence of these Hungarian swords in the Topkapi Palace Museum is also a fascinating historical artifact in itself, reflecting the complex relationship and military engagements between the Hungarian Kingdom and the Ottoman Empire during the late medieval and early modern periods. Many such treasures would have entered the Ottoman collections as war trophies or diplomatic gifts. It's truly awe-inspiring to see these historical artifacts and imagine the contexts in which they were created and displayed. #drthehistories




Today, After almost 18 months in command, the coffee pot died. It served thousands of cups of coffee, often making 3-5 pots a day. It will be missed. Luckily, we have a secondary pot on standby.















