Dolfan in NYC

It's PSH's birthday today, so time to bust out this classic:

So, quick confession here. I'm 48 and I've never owned a car. I am licensed and can drive, but I've actually never bought or owned one in my name. I'm probably grabbing one this weekend (maybe this one?), but a couple of questions for y'all, since I'm assuming I'm the weird one for never having done this before. 1) Own vs. Lease - The car above is nice and decently low mileage, and above all the monthly will be under $400 which is where I'd like it to be. However, they've got a lease incentive with a new car that would come in even cheaper. Since I'm planning to use this to drive around up in the Catskills and back to the city, does it make sense to go for a new leased car or a relatively lightly-used ownership? I know the benefit of leasing is I can change it up for a new one in a couple of years, but aside from my parents leasing their cars, I'm not sure which one is better to do. 2) I know about gap insurance and think it's relatively worthless on a used car, but am I wrong in thinking so? 3) Is an extended warranty worth it? 4) I've got a pre-approval from my bank on a car loan and a pretty good APR, can I use this to leverage the dealership to give me a better rate? I've been told the price may change based on whether or not I use their financing. But I figured if they're offering 8.5% and I've got a 6.5% letter in my hand, it may be worth it? 5) Anything else I should look out for? Bait and switch, new random fees, etc? 6) Last, is there any real difference between AWD and 4WD? Thanks in advance y'all.

Apparently this has something to do with The Daily Beast outing someone during the Rio Games: ...that said, there are like 10 different hook up apps for the athletes and I'll bet they didn't block them all.

The '30 games are going to Provence and Auvergne (or the "French Alps" per the announcement)

… All is quiet on New Year's Day. A world in white gets underway.... So, it's new champ time in AEW as we have a new International Champion in Max Jake Friedman. He defeated Will Ospreay in what portends to be a new long feud that could go on for years! I want to be with you, be with you night and day. Nothing changes on New Year's Day... We did have the unfortunate news also of Skye Blue suffering a legitimate ankle break, which sucks. What does NOT suck in the women's division is Mariah May channeling Anne Baxter (to Toni Storm's Joan Crawford) in their feud. (Even if it unfortunately went over the entire arena's heads... yes, those were "what?" chants.) … Under a blood red sky, a crowd has gathered in black and white. Arms entwined, the chosen few... The newspapers says, says, says it's true! But as for THIS week... it's Blood And Guts time! Teams of five strive to survive! Will YOUR favorite team live, or DIE! Let's find out! (I really forgot how young Bono and the boys are in this... good lord.) Enjoy the week!

Fun final complications, Parisian dancers are refusing to rehearse and are calling a strike due to poor treatment. Also, French pilots have declared a strike for the day of the opening ceremonies.

Adrenaline, in my soul... hey you guys, it's Joe Burrow!

Occasionally here in NYC, you'll see bright colored paper signs taped up to street lamps/posts, indicating they're about to film a TV/show or movie there. Someone recemt;u has been making some absolutely incredible fake versions of them

I had to say, my favorite part of this version of Judgement Day is Carlito having no idea what to do with himself during their introduction. AND being startled by their pyro every time.

https://x.com/otiswwe/status/1815470605145149808

The USOC announced LeBron James will be the US flagbearer during the opening ceremony. It is unclear if this is a reward for beating South Sudan by 1 point on Saturday.

As a cute addendum to this, DraftKings/FanDuel and a couple of the other houses were either limiting bets on a Castellanos homer or simply not taking them at all.

Also of note, yesterday, the newz sites were reporting that Bobby Lashley appears to be done with his WWE run. His contract is almost up and he's by all indications not re-signing.

You, you work all night (all night)! And when you work you don't feel all right! Last week a bunch more things became clear for SummerSlam. Rhea and Liv will be fighting for the title (clearly until Dom betrays Rhea). Cody will take on Solo (clearly until someone big makes his return). And LA Knight will take on Logan Paul for the US Title (and Paul has already grossly started saying Knight is "Low T", which based on his physique I think would be a medical miracle). 'Cuz we will never listen to your rules (no)! We will never do as others do (no)! Next up seems to be the Women's Tag Titles, the IC Belt, and various other sundries. And hell, even NXT is rocking these days as someone keeps appearing whenever you mention his name! (Not B**tlejuice either!) Let's get a party going (let's get a party going)! When it's time to party we will always party hard!!!! Party hard (party hard, party hard, party hard party hard, party hard, party hard party hard, party hard, party hard...) Lots of fun stuff planned for this week, but it sounds like someone may be getting cleared pretty soon! Clobberin' time indeed.... Two weeks til the biggest party in Ohio's history! Enjoy the week!

The NFL is pushing hard to promote flag football as a kid's entry into the padded version of the game. A) because it costs a lot less to the players and B) because well, a concussion is something they don't want to give to a 14 year old.

Tua still does not have his new deal.

This is a 100% precautionary message, but since I've seen it mentioned in... other places... If anyone decides to make a joke and refer to the current Vice President as the "Ugandan Giant", or any variation thereof, it will be your last post on this board.

Shaq Barrett had signed a deal to play in Miami this year, but has decided to retire instead.

NOAH's Naomichi Marufuji will appear at SummerSlam next month. He's currently slated as a "special guest."

I seem to remember Bischoff being furious at Bobby because he didn't even want the thought of Hogan betraying the fans until it happened. But Heenan more than earned that incredulity. A weasel knows a weasel.

Went under the radar this week, but Tampa has approved the new $1.7b ballpark facilities for the Rays.

Let's take the rest of the Hogan/McMahon/White/Kane at the RNC to the Discord, please and thanks.