And extra.

However begin with this:

WELL, THAT WAS FAST

SQNS, urged right here two weeks in the past at $2.37, introduced yesterday it had agreed to be acquired at $3.03. As I kind, it’s jumped to $2.80, an 18% acquire. For many who maintain till the deal closes “within the first quarter,” a promised 28% acquire. I’m inclined to carry for the complete $3.03 (and the dream somebody may bid it higher); however you by no means know what snag may crater the deal and put us again to sq. one, so it’s your name.

APE is taking longer. Instructed right here at $1.05 9 months in the past, it’s the digital twin of AMC. But after I regarded yesterday mid-day, AMC — buoyed by the $1.5 billion success of the Barbenheimer films — was up 30 cents to $5.23 . . . whereas APE was down 8 cents to $1.72.

By the shut, AMC was up solely 19 cents and APE down solely 2 cents. However it’s nonetheless nuts. Upon their conversion, each 100 APE shares will develop into 88 AMC shares. So APE ought to commerce at 88% the value of AMC — not yesterday’s 33%.

On the distant probability you personal AMC, since you like the corporate’s prospects, sell instantly and purchase APE as a substitute.

NOBODY’S PERFECT

There may be a lot to laud about Anthony Fauci, particularly his work a long time in the past with HIV-AIDS; however I’m one who has lengthy believed that — after the primary few very scary months of COVID earlier than we knew something — we should always have tried a lot tougher to open faculties . . . whereas making lodging for these at severe danger . . . simply as we managed to maintain grocery shops open and UPS delivering. The injury we’ve performed to thousands and thousands of youngsters is gigantic.

And I’ve all the time been a bit nervous about the best way Dr. Fauci dismissed the chance that COVID originated within the Wuhan lab he had a hand in funding. On that time, this text may very well be described as damning.

THE THUNDERBOLT KID

When you grew up within the Fifties, as Invoice Bryson did, learn it or, higher nonetheless, let him learn it to you. Enormous enjoyable.

OK, now:

TWO PLAYS I LOVE BUT HAVEN’T SEEN

Sweat was beneficial by a pal. I had forgotten completely till it arrived — had no clue what it was about (and even, really, which pal had beneficial it) — however dove in. As talked about every week or two in the past, I used to be gob-smacked. And in the identical manner it’s typically true “the e-book was higher than the film,” so, it appears to me, studying Sweat might be higher than seeing it. That manner, you will have all of the time you need to pause and suppose as you go. To not point out the time and cash saved not having to purchase tickets and fly someplace to see it (most not too long ago, Detroit this previous June).

The Unintended Loss of life of an Anarchist I learn as an eBook on my cellphone. I used to be not about to fly over to London to see it, although it’s getting standing ovations each night time. I used to be simply curious to see what I had considerably reluctantly invested in. Having now learn it, all I’ll inform you is that (a) I might have invested with gusto, had I really learn it; and (b) it’s a 1970 Italian masterpiece splendidly up to date and relocated. So sharp, so humorous, so creative. Attempt to know nothing about it. Simply begin studying.

And eventually (aside from the BONUS CARTOON that follows):

REFILLING YOUR UNREFILLABLE PEPPER GRINDER

I hate waste, as long-time readers know, so — trivial although it’s — throwing out the now-empty disposable pepper mill somebody had introduced initially of the summer time made me loopy final week. I do know: We’re in mid-coup! The planet is burning up! Who has time to fret about this?!

Apparently, I do.

I fished it again out of the trash and tried to suppose what instruments I might need mendacity round to make the world a greater place.

A wrench? Pliers? The sting of a screwdriver?

Actually, the instrument that did the trick is named YouTube.

I typed in just a few phrases and — presto:

Learn how to Open Pepper Grinders from the Grocery store

Extra superb nonetheless — “Helpful Andy” being the final moniker anybody who is aware of me would apply — I adopted the directions and it labored.

Don’t say I by no means gave you something.

BONUS CARTOON

Editors Observe: This text was initially printed on August eighth, 2023 on andrewtobias.com, syndicated with permission.

Andrew Tobias

Andrew Tobias is the creator of The Solely Funding Information You’ll Ever Want.

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