I don’t know if this really matters but I’m 76 years old so I grew up completely obsessed with the Beatles and the Stones the Who and on the poetic side, Bob Dylan. The point is I love a lot of what  they now call classic rock… I’m sorry isn’t that an oxymoron??? Anyway you know you’re old when they’re featuring your music on PBS specials… but the reason i’m commenting here is because you guys are just playing great… I caught you on David Letterman and I’m so glad David Letterman caught you… and I’m thrilled that your dad supported you and encouraged you to pursue music because you’ve got the gift you’ve got the way you’ve got the voice and you’ve got some great songs… I’m also glad that you worked in the service industry because most of us did and I believe it’s a good way to develop a little empathy for what other people are going through and sometimes they never get a chance to switch careers into something pretty spectacular… but you guys did it and I’m glad you did it and it’s just ironic because I’ve been listening to your music lately. Well, maybe it’s not ironic maybe it’s algorithms because YouTube knows what I’m doing before I do it. Anyway, best of luck to y’all.

Hard wordle

 While ADIEU is a popular starting word for Wordle, there are several alternatives that might be considered better, especially for 'hard' mode:

1. TRACE is currently considered the best starting word by WordleBot, the New York Times' AI tool for Wordle[7]. It's rated 99/100 for skill and contains common letters that can be easily reused in subsequent guesses.

2. SLATE was previously recommended by WordleBot and is still considered an excellent choice[3]. It uses common letters and can provide valuable information for follow-up guesses.

3. CRANE is another top-rated word by WordleBot, also scoring 99/100[3]. It includes common consonants and vowels, making it versatile for hard mode.

4. SALET, though less common, was determined by MIT researchers to be the best starting word, performing 1% better than SLATE in narrowing down options[3].

5. STARE is recommended by some of the Tom's Guide team, as it uses common letters in frequent positions (S is the most common first letter, A the most common third letter, and E the most common fifth letter in Wordle answers)[1].

These words are generally considered better than ADIEU because they use more common letters, potentially providing more useful information for subsequent guesses in hard mode. However, the effectiveness of a starting word can vary depending on the specific puzzle and personal strategy.

Citations:

[1] https://www.tomsguide.com/news/best-wordle-start-words

[2] https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/best-tips-and-starting-words-for-wordle/

[3] https://www.techradar.com/how-to/wordle-best-starting-word

[4] https://prowritingaid.com/best-wordle-starting-words

[5] https://mashable.com/article/best-wordle-starting-word

[6] https://wordfinder.yourdictionary.com/blog/the-best-first-words-to-play-in-wordle-and-why/

[7] https://www.techradar.com/computing/websites-apps/wordle-has-a-new-best-start-word-but-i-won-t-be-using-it

[8] https://www.gamespot.com/articles/wordle-best-starting-words-to-use-and-other-game-tips/1100-6499460/

 The Sermon on the Mount is a collection of teachings by Jesus Christ found in the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 5-7[1]. Here are some key passages from the sermon:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."[2][6]

Jesus also taught:

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."[4][5]

The sermon also includes teachings on prayer, fasting, and not worrying about material possessions:

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"[4]

These teachings emphasize spiritual values, moral conduct, and trust in God's providence.

Citations:

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sermon_on_the_Mount

[2] http://www.age-of-the-sage.org/the-sermon-on-the-mount.html

[3] https://sacred-texts.com/bib/csj/csj017.htm

[4] https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/sermononthemount.html

[5] https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.5.1-20.KJV

[6] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5-7&version=NIV

[7] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5-7&version=ESV

[8] https://discipleshipdevelopment.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-sermon-on-the-mount-1.pdf

The 23rd Psalm

 "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:1-6

My YouTube channel

 https://youtube.com/@peteandtesstube?si=wrDbt-K5Zk0kBIUd

Donald Trump Sentenced to 'Unconditional Discharge' for His Felonies

https://people.com/donald-trump-sentenced-unconditional-discharge-manhattan-criminal-case-8770111

Pete

GM's EV Sales Surge

https://www.perplexity.ai/page/gm-s-ev-sales-surge-xQDThn_UQ4Cwvc5z14JL7A

GM's electric vehicle (EV) sales surged dramatically in 2024, with a 125% increase in the fourth quarter and a 50% rise for the full year, totaling 114,432 EVs sold[1]. This robust growth propelled GM to become the second-largest EV seller in the U.S. in the latter half of 2024, nearly doubling its market share to around 12% by the fourth quarter[1]. Key drivers of this success included:

* The Chevrolet Equinox EV, which quickly became one of the top five best-selling EVs in the U.S.[1]
* Strong sales of other models like the Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer EV, and GMC Hummer EV[1]
* A diverse EV portfolio ranging from $35,000 to over $300,000, catering to a wide range of consumers[2]
* The introduction of new models such as the Cadillac Escalade IQ and GMC Sierra EV[1]

This impressive EV performance contributed to GM's overall 4% increase in U.S. sales for 2024, reaching 2.7 million vehicles – its highest total since 2019[3]. The company's success in the EV market, combined with its strong performance in traditional vehicle segments, has positioned GM as a formidable competitor in the evolving automotive landscape.

Pete

AMZCHEF 8-IN-1 Milk Frother and Steamer

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLLPJRTV?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

I make my Keurig coffee every morning and I always use half-and-half so once I put the half-and-half in the coffee, it cools it down quite a bit so I always pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Even though that’s not a big deal, I started looking into these frothing machines , and I found this particular one to be a very handsome and high-quality appliance. Now I can make my coffee and hot cream simultaneously and mix them together in a variety of ways that are interesting and always delicious. I’ve also made hot chocolate along with the cappuccino, and I’ve added a little Crown Royal and Kahlúa into the mix. I think the possibilities are as far reaching as your imagination and taste buds will permit. I have also discovered it has a self cleaning capability as far as just mixing in plain hot water in between uses. I’ve had a lot of fun with it so far and I look forward to using it basically every day.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLLPJRTV?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Constellation energy stock

https://www.perplexity.ai/search/new?q=pending&newFrontendContextUUID=01fa0fb9-747c-4794-b323-4360de8fd79f&_rsc=1csqs

Based on the information provided in the search results, 79 companies in the Nasdaq 100 are also included in the S&P 500[6]. This significant overlap demonstrates that despite the Nasdaq 100 being known as a tech-heavy index, it shares many components with the broader S&P 500.

This overlap is noteworthy for several reasons:

1. Representation: It indicates that a large portion of the Nasdaq 100 companies are considered significant enough to be included in the S&P 500, which aims to represent the broader U.S. stock market.

2. Influence: The performance of these 79 overlapping companies can have a substantial impact on both indices simultaneously.

3. Diversification: For investors, this overlap means that holding both indices may not provide as much diversification as one might initially assume.

4. Tech Sector Weight: Given that many of the overlapping companies are likely to be in the technology sector, it underscores the growing importance of tech stocks in the overall market.

It's important to note that while there is significant overlap, the Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500 still have distinct characteristics:

- The Nasdaq 100 excludes financial companies, while the S&P 500 includes them.
- The Nasdaq 100 is more concentrated, with only 100 stocks compared to the S&P 500's approximately 500 components.
- The weighting and selection criteria for the two indices differ, which can lead to performance variations despite the overlap in constituents.

This overlap highlights the importance of understanding index compositions when making investment decisions or analyzing market trends.

Citations:
[1] https://www.etmoney.com/learn/stocks/nasdaq-100-versus-sp-500-which-index-is-better-for-investing-in-the-us/
[2] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/p-500-nasdaq-100-jointly-201804848.html
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_S&P_500_companies
[4] https://www.morningstar.com/news/marketwatch/20241212248/upcoming-nasdaq-100-changes-could-boost-the-stocks-of-these-11-companies
[5] https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/20/trillions-depend-on-whos-in-and-whos-out-of-updated-sp-500-nasdaq-100.html
[6] https://endlessmetrics.substack.com/p/stock-overlap-of-the-major-indices
[7] https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/docs/NDX-vs-SPX_2%20pager.pdf
[8] https://www.nasdaq.com/solutions/nasdaq-100/companies

Pete

Constellation energy stock

https://www.constellationenergy.com/?_gl=1*12txll7*_gcl_au*MTA5MDc0NDAxOS4xNzM2MTgzODQ0 

Fortune 500

https://www.slickcharts.com/sp500

Nasdaq 100

The recent $1 billion deal with the U.S. government significantly impacts Constellation Energy's future growth in several ways:

1. Financial Stability: The 10-year, $840 million contract to supply over 1 million megawatt-hours of electricity annually provides Constellation with a stable, long-term revenue stream[1][3]. This financial security allows the company to plan and invest in future growth initiatives with confidence.

2. Capacity Expansion: The deal enables Constellation to fund upgrades to its nuclear fleet, adding approximately 135 megawatts of capacity[1]. This increased capacity will enhance the company's ability to meet growing energy demands and potentially secure additional contracts in the future.

3. Market Position: By securing this landmark deal, Constellation strengthens its position as a leading provider of clean, emissions-free energy in the United States[2]. This enhanced reputation could lead to more contracts with both government and private sector clients.

4. Innovation and Efficiency: The $172 million contract for energy efficiency upgrades at federal facilities allows Constellation to showcase its expertise in energy conservation and sustainability[2][5]. This experience could open up new business opportunities in the growing market for energy efficiency solutions.

5. Nuclear Energy Validation: The deal represents a significant shift in the perception of nuclear energy, with the U.S. government joining major corporations like Microsoft in supporting nuclear power as a clean energy source[1][3]. This validation could lead to increased demand for Constellation's nuclear energy services.

6. Relicensing and Asset Longevity: The contract supports Constellation's efforts to relicense and extend the operational life of its nuclear assets[3]. This extension of asset lifespans contributes to the company's long-term growth prospects and market value.

7. Stock Performance: The announcement of the deal led to a significant surge in Constellation's stock price, with shares jumping by as much as 7.6%[1][3]. This positive market reaction could improve the company's ability to raise capital for future growth initiatives.

By securing this major government contract, Constellation Energy has positioned itself for substantial future growth in the clean energy sector, with improved financial stability, expanded capacity, and enhanced market recognition.

Citations:
[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/constellation-energy-signs-1-billion-154619525.html
[2] https://carboncredits.com/constellation-secures-groundbreaking-1-billion-clean-nuclear-energy-deal-with-federal-government/
[3] https://www.investopedia.com/constellation-energy-stock-jumps-on-usd1-billion-in-deals-with-federal-government-nuclear-power-8768305
[4] https://www.energytech.com/home/article/55252682/federal-gsa-investing-in-nuclear-energy-through-840m-supply-deal-with-constellation
[5] https://www.utilitydive.com/news/constellation-new-energy-gsa-ink-procurement-deal-emissions-free-power-federal-buildings/736443/
[6] https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/constellation-secures-1-bln-contracts-supply-us-government-with-nuclear-power-2025-01-02/
[7] https://www.investors.com/news/nuclear-government-contract-constellation-energy-sp-500-positive-for-future-deals/
[8] https://www.inc.com/reuters/constellation-inks-1-billion-nuclear-power-deal/91102179
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/new?q=pending&newFrontendContextUUID=01fa0fb9-747c-4794-b323-4360de8fd79f&_rsc=1csqs

Pete

 Dexter