A FEW THIS AND THATS

I yesterday featured China's really big parade.  Here are some highlights. 

Today, a few this and thats entering the weekend.  About those Trump tariffs, here is one summary.  Countries with the largest trade deficits.  From the New York Times this morning.  China is #1.

The National Football League begins today:

• Opening tonight:  8:20 EDT, NBC, Cowboys at Eagles.
• The tomorrow night, Friday:  8 PM EDT, You Tube, Chiefs at Chargers.
• This game is being played in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
• How do you watch a game on You Tube?  Click on this site.
• The full schedule this weekend.

• 
  Hawaii's home team, because of QB Tua Tagovailoa, has become the Miami Dolphins.  They play the Baltimore Colts at 7AM on CBS, our local time.
• The Monday night game on ESPN is at 8:15PM EDT, Vikings at Bears.
• I decided not to have any NFL fantasy teams this year, mostly because I'll be away on two trips in October, November, December and January.
• 
  Super Bowl LX will be on February 8, Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California.  
• Half-time show?  Not selected yet, but it well could be Taylor Swift.  BTS?  Google AI Overview says:

Yes, there is a chance BTS could perform at the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show. Billboard has listed BTS as one of their top picks for the event, with their return to full activity scheduled for spring 2026 after completing their military service, which aligns perfectly with the February Super Bowl.

• 
  Want to attend?  Click on this.
• Touchdown Club.
• One ticket.
• Pregame hospitality.
• Tailgate fare with open bar.
• Live musical entertainent.
• NFL Legend appearances.
• Instagram-able photo opportunities.
• $6,925.
• Playmakers Club.
• Ticket with Premium Club Level Seating.
• Club level all-inclusive hospitality.
• Chef-curated menu and top self bar.
• NFL Legend appearances.
• VIP restrooms.
• $6,925.
• 50-yard line, plus the above services....call for pricing.
• By the way, you must know that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are officially engaged.

The U.S. Tennis Open concludes this weekend, with the Women's Singles Final at 4PM EDT on Saturday, followed by the Men's Singles Final on Sunday, also at 4PM, on Sunday.  All matches on ESPN.

• 
  Women's first semi-final match, Jessica Pegula (USA) vs last year's champ, Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) at 1PM ET today.  The women's side has been complicated by the resurgence of Naomi Osaka (Japan), seeded #23, playing Amanda Anisimova (USA), who upset Iga Swiatek.  The two played in the Wimbledon Finals in July, with Switek demolishing Anisimova, 6-0, 6-0 in less than an hour.  Osaka vs Animisova match will be on ESPN at 2:10PM EDT, also today.  But maybe not, and could start at 2:30PM.  Very confusing.
• 
  Men's semifinal:  Novak Djokovic (Serbia) vs Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) at 3PM EDT on Friday, with Jannik Sinner (Italy) vs Felix Auger-Aiassime (Canada) following at 7PM.  Sinner is the favorite to win it all.

The top series on Netlix today is Wednesday, now into Season 2, Rotten Tomatoes 78/80, with at #2, My Life with the Walter Boys, RT 54/66, while the top two films are The Thursday Murder Club, RT 77/54, and KPop Demon Hunter, RT 98/99:  Animated with infectious energy and vibrant colors, KPop Demon Hunters is jaunty family entertainment with a terrific soundtrack to boot.  But it's animated.

On Amazon Prime, the top two series are The Summer I Turned Pretty, now into Season 3, RT 75/63, and The Terminal List:  Dark Wolf, RT 73/83, while the top two films are The Map That Leads to You, RT 36/59, and The Pickup, RT 25/36.

• Nothing much.
• I actually watched the brand new The Pickup.  And it wasn't that bad.  Eddie Murray as a cash truck security guard.

• 
  Coincidentally, last night I also saw Wrath of Man, a 2021 film starring Jason Statham, a cash truck security guard.  Rotten Tomatoes 68/90.  The 90 score was about right, if you can tolerate gore and killings and stuff like that.  These two films are about as different as you can get with the same setting.
• Yes, a double-bill on Prime, with your own popcorn and drinks, might make for a terrific weekend night.

Hurricane Kiko was up to 145 MPH earlier, but has already weakened to 130 MPH, and expected to lose hurricane strength before approaching the Big Island of Hawaii, then Maui, on Tuesday, September 9.

Further in the East Pacific, Tropical Storm Lorena will soon attain hurricane strength, but is expected to weaken and mosey through the west coast of Baja.

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