Part 1, T+58 -- January 3, 2019

Nonsense: it's either nonsense, or I'm missing something.

In the process of trying to sort out some Bakken data, I went to "oil reserves in Saudi Arabia." The site obviously has not been meaningfully updated in quite some time. It appears most recent data stretches back to George Bush II. On top of that, I can't even make sense of the math. "Cut and paste" from the site:

The proven oil reserves in Saudi Arabia are the 2nd largest in the world, estimated to be 268 billion barrels including 2.5 billion bbls in the Saudi–Kuwaiti neutral zone.

Diplomatic cables leaked during the United States diplomatic cables leak in 2011 revealed that Sadad Ibrahim Al Husseini, former vice president of Saudi Arabia's oil monopoly Saudi Aramco, warned the US that the oil reserves in Saudi Arabia might in fact be 40% (300 billion barrels) lower than claimed.

Note: a "Gbbl" is one billion bbls.

So, in the very first statement at the wiki site, we're told that Saudi's reserves are estimated to be 268 billion bbls. Near the end of the site, we are told that reserves might be 40% (300 billion barrels) lower than claimed. What?

Sidebar poll: the current poll at the sidebar, which has been up for weeks, asked what was the most important data point in the December, 2018, director's cut which posted October, 2018, data. No one was able to provide the correct answer. LOL. Here it is:

Yes, the most important data point in the December, 2018, director's cut was the level of permitting in October, 2018. Getting ready for spring drilling with 183 permits issued in October, 2018. Permitting drives the level of activity in any US oil patch, and one needs to remember that the Bakken (in some people's minds) is maturing, that all the "good" sites have been drilled. The data certainly suggests otherwise. Oil companies don't drill wells to lose money. And they don't drill wells in the Bakken without permits. The "Director's Cuts" are archived here.

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Belk Coupon: 25% Off All Store Items (With Exceptions)

These are the exceptions (in red), and it is very small print on the coupon itself:

Coupon valid all day and must be presented to your sales associate at the time of purchase. Valid on purchases made at Belk stores or online at belk.com with your Belk Rewards Card January 3, 2019. All Belk Rewards Card purchases are subject to credit approval.

Excludes Red Dot, Clearance, Earlybirds, Night Owls, Doorbusters, Bonus Buys, Super Buys, Everyday Values, 2 for pricing, Adidas, Alegria, Allen Edmonds, Baby Gear, Bed Stu, beauty purchase with purchase offers, better & designer intimates, Birkenstock, Brahmin, Breville, Brighton, Casio, Chanel, COH Man, Coach handbags, Columbia, Corso Como shoes, cosmetics/fragrances, Dansko, designer, bridge and contemporary sportswear and dresses, designer sunglasses, Diane von Furstenberg, Diesel watches, Donald Pliner shoes, Eileen Fisher, Eileen Fisher Systems, Ella Moss, fine jewelry watches and service plans, Fitbit, Fossil & Fossil Q watches, Free People, Frye handbags, Grayer's, Herend, Hobo, Hunter Boots, Hurley, Instant Pot, J Slides, Jack Rogers, Jo Malone, Johnston & Murphy, Jones Collection, Kate Spade accessories, handbags, outerwear, shoes and sleepwear; Kenneth Cole shoes, Kork Ease, Kors Studio, La Mer, Levi's, Lilly Pulitzer, lucy, LXR & Co. licensed department, Marc Jacobs watches, Melissa & Doug, Michael Kors, Miss Me, Nike, Orthaheel/Vionic, OTBT, Patricia Nash, Puma, RedHot by Spanx, Roan, Sail to Sable, Seven For All Mankind, Skagen, smart home department, Sole Society, Sorel, Southern Proper, Spanx, Spartina 449, Sperry Gold Cup, Superga, Tailor Vintage, TOMS shoes, Tumi, Trina Turk apparel, Ugg, Under Armour, Vera Bradley, Versus watches, Victorinox, Vietri, Vince Camuto handbags, Vineyard Vines, Vintage 1946, Vitamix, Wusthof, non-merchandise depts., leased depts., salon services and Belk gift cards. Also excluded online: Juliska, Sam Edelman, shoes by Born, Frye and Minnetonka Moccasin, Tommy Bahama men's apparel, and watches by Adidas, DKNY, Garmin and Guess. Not valid on prior purchases, special orders or trunk shows.

Cannot be redeemed for cash, credit or refund, or used in combination with any other discount, coupon offer or online gift card redemption. 

Just one of the reasons why I don't shop at Belk on a regular basis.