Sunday Overnight Open Thread - December 28, 2025 [Doof]

Howdy Hordelings! Welcome to the Sunday night ONT - Last one of 2025. Appreciate you stopping by tonight. You have choices in how to end your weekend. Even if you chose not to decide how to end your weekend, you still would have made a choice.

Nick Shirley Does Journalism

A young man in a hoodie with an iphone. Doing old school reporting. Finding facts. Following the trail. Remember when "The News" used to do that?

He has done the media's job better than they do. His video or excerpts from it have nearly 100 million views. The story can't be ignored.

Long video. Well worth the time. Nick's full 42 minute video here.

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Modern day journalism

Modern day journalism school

Old school construction technology still has applicability. Crumbling Bridge Near Alpine Replaced In Days With WWII ‘Erector Set’ Tech

The bridge carrying traffic over the Salt River on County Road 104 near Alpine, Wyoming, doesn't look like something born of battlefield necessity.

It's a single-lane, 130-foot span of galvanized steel, functional and utilitarian, the kind of structure motorists cross without a second thought.

But according to Eugene Sobecki, director of national sales and military business development for Acrow — the New Jersey-based company that designed and supplied it — this modular bridge that was recently put up is a direct descendant of one of World War II's most consequential engineering innovations: the Bailey Bridge.

Cool story. Check out the whole thing.

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Has our Wednesday ONT host been to Chile? 160-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Footprints Discovered in Chile

The paleontologists identified a total of five track-bearing levels within the Majala Formation in the Quebrada Huatacondo area of Chile.

The footprints were produced by theropod and sauropod dinosaurs approximately 160 million years ago, during the Late Jurassic epoch.

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Street art is kewl!

Check out more!
Made You Smile (9 Photos)

Found Street Art Cleverly Using Its Surroundings (12 Photos)

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Booze news. The real reason 7 major distilleries filed for bankruptcy in 2025 as fewer Americans are drinking than ever

The alcohol industry has been hit with multiple bankruptcy filings, with A.M. Scott Distillery, a distillery in Troy, Ohio, following six other major distilleries seeking bankruptcy protection, according to USA TODAY.

Another filing came in August with Luca Mariano Distillery, located in Danville, Kentucky. Before that, two distilleries, JJ Pfister Distilling Co. of Sacramento, California and Devils River Distillery of San Antonio, Texas filed in May.

House Spirits Distillery of Portland, Oregon, filed for bankruptcy in April.

Two more companies declared bankruptcy in March: Boston Harbor Distillery of Boston, Massachusetts, and Lee Spirits Co. of Monument, Colorado.

Headline says "major distillers", but those all seem like smaller craft distillers to me. Regardless, the industry is definitely going through changing times. Consumer demand is changing and tariffs are also a factor. Is the bourbon boom of the early 21st century over? Perhaps. I do know that I'm seeing a lot more stuff on shelves lately that for a long time was less widely available.

'Ette Couture (Courtesy of Piper)

It's that time of the week - when we turn the ONT over to our good friend Piper for a bit. Here's this week's fashion pr0n.

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Sparkle into 2026: The Hottest Holiday Party and NYE Outfit Trends for the Festive Finale

As we tuck away that cozy Christmas glow and set our sights on the grand finale—New Year's Eve—it's time to dial up the glamour just a bit. We're sending 2025 off in style and welcoming 2026 with open arms. The trends this season are all about celebrating: shimmering sequins, luxurious velvet in rich jewel tones, sleek metallics, and plush faux fur accents. Whether you're heading to a glamorous cocktail party, hosting a cozy gathering at home, or dancing the night away, these looks will have you ringing in the new year looking effortlessly chic.

1. Sequin Season in Full Swing
Sequins are the star of NYE, catching every light as midnight approaches. Go all-out with a head-to-toe mini dress or keep it easy with a sequined top paired with tailored pants—pure celebration, no fuss required.

From Show Me Your Mumu:

For more budget friendly picks, look for sequin skirts or tops or tops at Lulus or Amazon under $100

2. Velvet in Rich Jewel Tones
Velvet has been everywhere this holiday season, offering that plush, sophisticated touch as a lovely alternative to sparkle. Deep burgundy, emerald green, and sapphire blue feel luxurious. A velvet blazer over a slip dress is festive and timeless.

From around the web (inspired by The Knot and Savvy Southern Chic):

For affordable elegance, Quince has some beautiful pieces that won't stretch your budget.

3. Metallic Magic
Silver, gold, and bronze metallics bring that sense of prosperity and bright beginnings—perfect for welcoming 2026. Go bold with a metallic slip dress or keep it casual with a shimmering top over jeans.

From Who What Wear vibes:

Budget-friendly picks: Zara and H&M have gorgeous metallic-thread tops right now.

4. Faux Fur Accents for Winter Drama
A faux fur-trimmed coat or jacket adds instant elegance and a touch of old-Hollywood glamour—plus it keeps you warm moving from chilly outdoors to festive indoors.

Options with that Marie Claire glamour:

Budget-friendly versions are easy to find all over Amazon.

Outfit Formulas for Every Plan
• Glam Cocktail Party: Sequin or metallic mini dress + strappy heels + minimalist earrings.
• Upscale Dinner: Velvet midi in emerald or burgundy + faux fur stole + pointed boots.
• Cozy Home Gathering: Metallic top + darker jeans + velvet blazer + comfy flats.
• Dance-All-Night Vibes: Thigh-slit sequin dress + over-the-knee boots + bold red lip

Versatile Picks That Last Beyond NYE
The best part of these trends? They're truly investment-worthy. A metallic blouse works beautifully with denim for winter brunches, and a jewel-tone velvet piece will carry you through events in 2026. Mix affordable finds from H&M or Zara with your classic staples for glamour that feels just right. Here's to closing out 2025 on a high note and stepping into 2026 with confidence and a little sparkle. What will you be wearing to toast the new year, y'all?

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Thanks, Piper! Your weekly fashion segment has been a great addition to the Sunday ONT this year. Thank you for answering the Horde's call to bring back a weekly fashion segment here to the pages of AOSHQ. You do an outstanding job, and I think the late great Oregon Muse would be proud!

DJ Doof - Guess The Theme

Let's do one a bit more challenging tonight. Difficulty level 4 out of 5.

What's the common thread / common meaning / common leitmotif?

If you want a few more that fit the theme:

Here's one

Here's another one

Here's yet another one

Weekly commenter stats for week of 12-28-2025

AoSHQ Commenter Statistics:
Number of posts: 86
Number of comments: 19710
Number of unique hashes: 1655

Top 10 commenters:
1 [591 comments] 'Sponge - F*ck Cancer' [83.95 posts/day]
2 [374 comments] 'Bulg'
3 [334 comments] 'Arbiter of Beauty And Taste!'
4 [291 comments] 'Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ '
5 [287 comments] 'Quarter Twenty '
6 [268 comments] 'BurtTC'
7 [257 comments] 'JQ'
8 [249 comments] 'Skip '
9 [239 comments] 'Boss Moss'
10 [226 comments] 'Its Go Time Donald '

Top 10 sockpuppeteers:
1 [325 names] 'Arbiter of Beauty And Taste!' [46.16 unique names/day]
2 [188 names] 'Quarter Twenty '
3 [74 names] 'Official Novdu Informations'
4 [66 names] 'Call it yellow fever, I don't care'
5 [57 names] 'Randolph Duke'
6 [41 names] 'Duncanthrax'
7 [39 names] 'The Grateful - Acta Non Verba'
8 [33 names] 'Count de Monet'
9 [26 names] 'mindful webworker - did Tensor read Muse posts?'
10 [25 names] 'mikeski'

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posted by Open Blogger at 10:00 PM

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