Yeah this immediately came to mind for me https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oppau_explosion

Sounds like something an edgy 11-year-old would come up with

I thought The Departed gave us Leo's career-best performance imo, along with Blood Diamond (which came out the same year).

The only way to Baltimore!

I agree Baltimore is way more than the Inner Harbor, and I'm also verrrrry conscious of how natives are rightfully sensitive about visitors who refuse to wander outside of that area. I more did my writeup for travelers who might be checking the city out for the first time.

Oh nice, been to Baltimore a million times and never stopped at either. Thanks!

I'm doing like my 37th rewatch and just came across Final Grades again. What a gut punch it is.

Ooh thanks for the suggestion. We did a tour of much of coastal New England last summer and both of us were really stunned by how much we enjoyed Rhode Island. Feel like it's an often overlooked destination.

Middle Ground, S3E11 of The Wire

Got one more then! Place claiming to be America's oldest restaurant is also in Newport. We had dinner there and it's definitely not just a gimmick. Little pricey but very good: https://whitehorsenewport.com/

Yoooo check out The Mooring at Sayers Wharf. Try the scallop chowder and the lobster claws from the raw bar. Place is so unbelievably good.

Don't even know where to begin. The entire Inner Harbor is jam-packed with cool stuff to do. The Aquarium is easily the most impressive I've ever been to. There are a bunch of old naval vessels docked there that you can tour. Harborplace Mall is right next to an ice rink. A few other personal favorite dining spots include Azumi sushi, the Thames Street Oyster Bar, and the James Joyce Irish Pub.

Spent my 40th birthday in the neighborhood last year, I love it so much. Monk's is easily one of my favorite bars on earth

Old Ebbitt Grill ftw

People are either gonna call me nuts or make several pithy references to The Wire, but honestly, Baltimore. A REALLY nice harborfront hotel room can be had for barely $100 a night and there is wonderful shopping and dining. I highly recommend La Tavola in Little Italy (try the bechamel lasagna, it's life-changing) and Max's Taphouse in Fells Point (100+ draft beers).

Khyber Pass is the shit. Love their popcorn and biscuits.

So glad you liked. She's a real gem.

You've got a few options!

...if you'd like to check out a novel, The Left Hand of Darkness was my first, and what got me hooked, personally. I followed that with The Lathe of Heaven.

...if you'd like to check out some of her short stories, which are stellar, I'd suggest The Unreal and the Real, a big collection.

...if you'd like to check out an essay of hers you can read in a few minutes, enjoy! https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/myl/IntroducingMyself.html

...and if you liked that essay, two of my favorite collections of hers are No Time to Spare and Words are My Matter.

I work a white-collar job with loads of college-educated folks who read a lot in their free time, and have only been met with blank stares just about every time I have ever recommended her. It baffles me, too.

I preach the gospel of Ursula le Guin to absolutely anyone who will listen, she's one of my five favorite writers but definitely the least well-known out of all of them.

Relevant username if I ever saw one haha

If you're not into him yet, check out the work of Ralph Steadman!

I live in the Cliffwood section of Aberdeen and frequent Matawan shops and restaurants constantly. Don't have kids but have heard very good things about the school system. I like the area because it's affordable and so quintessentially Jersey. Quick access to both the beach and NYC. Wonderful dining scene. No real complaints tbh.

Believe it or not, Biden won Clinton by a couple hundred votes in 2020.

NAILED Final Jeopardy last night, hell yeah