Odds And Ends -- Nothing About The Bakken -- July 12, 2022

The Sports Page 

Scotland: only three Americans have been made honorary citizens of Scotland. Two of them are/were golfers. One of the two is still with us and will be presented with that honor later today. [It appears it is happening now: 9:00 a.m. CT, July 12, 2022.]

Can anyone name the third America to be named an honorary Scot? As far as I know, although he did a lot of things, and is one of Charlie Munger's favorite personalities, this individual never golfed.

The 17th hole.

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The Nature Page 

Swainson's hawks: I first noticed these hawks several years ago and have blogged about them periodically since then. This is one link, from July 18, 2022.

I've noticed them for thee past several weeks this summer, soaring over eastern Euless, TX, probably in the relatively open area (lots of open fields) between DFW and Euless/Grapevine, TX. They soar too high too get any photos.

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The Apple Page

Today:

• first M2 MacBook Air orders begin shipping ahead of July 15 launch; link here;
• MacBook Air models being shipped directly from China
• orders have sold out
• most configurations are now shipping out ni late July and beyond
• price starting at $1,199 -- for those paying attention this is an incredible price
• Apple's Mac shipments grew in 2Q22 amid continued worldwide PC shipment decline; link here;
• Apple shipped an estimated 6.4 million Macs during the quarter, up from 5.8 million in year-ago quarter;
• = 9.3 percent year-over-year growth
• Apple number four vendor but holy mackerel, Apple lags worldwide PC sales
• we've discussed this often -- but many years ago
• most amazing (I hope folks are paying attention):

Mac shipments were up despite severe supply constraints that saw some MacBook Pro models delayed for multiple weeks or even months, and Apple was the only vendor to see positive growth.

All other PC vendors saw a decline in shipments during the quarter due to supply chain issues.

Yesterday: Link here.

Two of the above four articles linked here:

• why the iPhone will fail, engadget, Chris Ullrich, June 27, 2007;
• five reasons not to buy an iPhone, TheStreet, Brett Arends, June 29, 2007;

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Starbucks

Starbucks will close five Seattle stores and one in Everett (home of Microsoft):

• high crime rates
• broad initiative to boost security at the cafes
• there may be more to this story, but yet, it's all about safety, but maybe not for the reason we're being told; 

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WWW-iii

Tracked here. 

Recommended reading: Carl von Clausewitz.

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EVs

In the news;

• GOEV soars: share price could double today.
• RIVN: planning hundreds of layoffs; CEO says company has grown too fast;
  
• BYD: Buffett getting ready to sell his entire position? There's talk.
• BYD: outselling and outperforming Tesal; link here; already behind a paywall; 

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Volleyball

This was removed from another site for copyright reasons. Owned by The [London] Guardian.

Link here.

As of 8:48 a.m. CT, July 12, 2022:

• 650 views Jul 12, 2022.
  

The US beach volleyball team kept the ball in play with an incredible display of defensive skill against Ecuador at the Beach Volleyball World Championships. Despite numerous shots that should have won their opposition the point, Sara Hughes threw herself around the court, denying Ecuador the chance for celebration. Footage courtesy of Volleyball World.