SKYSCRAPER LIVE and MAN ON WIRE

I have been away for more than two months, and after a few days, finally was ready to turn to my streaming channels.  As you know, I have just about all the top ones, most for free because I live at 15 Craigside.  Read the details about how many, etc.  So anyway, I saw this article about Skyscraper Live on Netflix, and thought I'd watch this film.  I got more details from Google AI:

Yes, 

Skyscraper Live

 is currently available to stream on Netflix. The high-stakes event, which originally aired live on Saturday, January 24, 2026, follows legendary climber Alex Honnold as he free solos the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan without any ropes or safety equipment. 

Key details about the program:  Availability: After the live broadcast concluded, an edited version was added to the Netflix library for on-demand viewing.

• 
  Content: The special documents Honnold's ascent of the 1,667-foot tower, capturing every moment in real-time.

• 
  Performance: It quickly became one of the most-viewed shows on the platform, reaching No. 3 on Netflix's Global Top 10 TV list shortly after its release.
• 

  Additional Viewing: Honnold's Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo is also currently available on Netflix if you want to see his famous climb of El Capitan. 

Would you like to know more about the behind-the-scenes preparation or the specific challenges Honnold faced while climbing Taipei 101?

About this film:

• Too early for any Rotten Tomatoes ratings.
• That Variety review provides more details.
• Another Variety article indicated that Alex Honnold was paid less than $1 million--Why So Little?  Oops, you need to subscribe to read this one.
• Google AI said around $500,000.  
• Another source interviewed him.

Ahead of the event, Honnold told The New York Times that he had wanted to climb the Taipei 101 basically because it was there, explaining that it’s hard to get legal permission to climb a famous building. But he was also paid “an embarrassing amount” to do so for Netflix.

“Actually, if you put it in the context of mainstream sports, it’s an embarrassingly small amount,” he said, thinking back on his first answer. “You know, Major League Baseball players get like $170 million contracts. Like, someone you haven’t even heard of and that nobody cares about.”

• 
  However, this was a long-time dream for him, and he said he likely would have done the climb for free, if given the chance.
• He was a civil engineering student at Cal-Berkeley in 2003, but quit just to go mountain climbing.
• Said he was a nobody and not a particularly good climber compared to others.

• 
  However, he gained mainstream recognition after his 2008 free solo of Zion National Park's Northwest Face of Half Dome, which was featured in the film Alone on the Wall.
• Seven years ago he climbed El Capitan in Yosemite National Park to become the first free-solo climber to ascend the Freerider grade.
• Solo means not anything...ropes, parachute. etc.  He falls, he dies.
• The New York Times described it as "one of the great athletic feats of any kind, ever."
• I watched the film because I was in the El Capitan eating club at Stanford.

• 
  If you already saw Free Solo, his 2018 documentary by National Geographic, (the climb occurred in 2017) you too will be tempted to watch this new incredible achievement.  You can see the entire 1 hour 40 minute movie by clicking on that link.  Especially because Rotten Tomatoes gave it 97/93 ratings.  And you should, for he won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature in the 91st Academy Awards.

In some ways, Skyscraper Live reminds me of Man on Wire, a 2008 documentary film chronicling Philippe Petit's 1974 high-wire walk between the Twin Towers of New York's World Trade Center.

• No one can ever do that again because both towers fell on 9/11/2001.
• The title of the film is taken from the police report that led to the arrest (but later release) of Petit.

• 
  Honnold was 40 years old when he took 1 hr 31 min 34 sec to climb up 1667 feet.  Petit was 24, and took 45 minutes to walk eight times each a distance from 131 to 140 feet at a height of 1,350 to 1,368 feet.  Oh, he also danced, lay down on the wired and saluted watchers from a kneeling position.  He quit only because it began to rain.  There was considerable appreciation for what he accomplished that the authorities dropped formal charges and he was given a lifetime pass to the Twin Towers' observation desk.

• 
  Film also won Best Documentary Oscar.
• Earlier, Petit gained fame for his unauthorized highwire walks between the towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris inn 1971 and the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1973.
• In 1984 came a half-hour documentary, High Wire, featuring music from Philip Glass's Glassworks.
• There is a film about his walk, The Walk in 2015 starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Petit, directed by Robert Zemeckis.  Rotten Tomatoes:  83/77.

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COVID IS BACK!

 As written by Alan Smith, from biglaps:  

COVID Is Likely Back with Current High Levels in These States: Check If One of Them Is Yours

The Centers for Disease Control can determine if any viruses are circulating and spreading various locations by testing sewage water.  Thirteen states in particular show very high COVID activity.

• The five highest levels of COVID is now Ohio, South Dakota, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Nebraska.
• The next 8 are Montana, Maine, Arkansas, West Virginia, Michigan, New Hampshire, Kansas and Indiana.

Whew, Hawaii is not included.  In March, we  begin another adventure through Las Vegas, Denver, Memphi, so that we can catch an American Cruise Line ship to New Orleans, then New York City, where we will board a Viking ship to Toronto, rail to Vancouver, and get back home to Honolulu.  Don't see any state on the above two lists.  Whew.  However, COVID has a way of suddenly appearing, so we'll need to be careful.  Especially as people from those listed states travel to Las Vegas, board cruise ships and so on.

In any case, especially if you are vulnerable, like being old or with pre-conditions.  Get vaccinated.  Now!  I asked Google AI:

Yes, you can still get vaccinated for COVID-19. The CDC recommends the updated 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 6 months and older to protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Vaccination is highly recommended, particularly for those 65 and older, those at high risk, or those who have never been vaccinated. 

• Availability: Updated vaccines are available and recommended for nearly everyone.
• Eligibility: Recommended for people ages 6 months and older, including those who have previously had COVID-19 or received prior vaccines.
• 
  Protection: Vaccine effectiveness decreases over time, making it important to get the current formula. 

You can check with local pharmacies, doctor's offices, or public health clinics to find the vaccine. 

Further:

Who should get it?

The CDC recommends vaccination for everyone ages 6 months and older, with a particular emphasis on those at higher risk: 

• Adults 65 and older: This group is specifically recommended to receive the updated vaccine.
• Individuals at high risk: This includes people with underlying medical conditions (like heart disease, diabetes, or obesity), pregnant individuals, and those who are immunocompromised.
• General population: Healthy children and adults under 65 are also eligible, though the CDC suggests "shared clinical decision-making," meaning you may want to discuss it with your healthcare provider. 

Where to get vaccinated

Vaccines are widely available across the United States. You can find locations near you by: 

• Searching on Vaccines.gov.
• Visiting major pharmacy websites like Walgreens, CVS, or Walmart.
• Contacting your local health department or primary care doctor. 

Cost and Coverage

• Insured: Most private health insurance, Medicare (Part B), and Medicaid plans cover the vaccine at no cost.
• Uninsured: You may still be able to find free vaccines through state or local health department programs or HRSA-supported health centers.
• Children: The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides no-cost vaccines to eligible children. 

In addition to getting vaccinated, wear a face mask when going out to crowded places.  Keep your home well  ventilated.  Closed warm spaces make viruses spread faster and thrive.

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THE MILANO-CORTINA 2026 WINTER OLYMPICS

But first, something more about gold, a metal I featured yesterday in this blog.  Well, after hitting an all-time high of $5,594.82/ounce, settled at $5,149.99/oz, 4% lower today.  However, spot prices still up 19% for January and 3.6% this week.

I should add that silver is also jumping high, then similarly dropping 6% to $108.84/ounce, after reaching $121.64/oz.  This metal has surged more than 50% this year.  Finally, platinum, too, is following the same path, hitting a record high of $2,918.80/oz on Monday, then falling 1.7% to $2,650/oz.

We are 10 days to the start of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy. Everything you need to know about these Olympics:

• Will run from February 6 through 22.
• Venues will include Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Valtellina, Val di Fiemme and Anterselva.
• Remember that Italy is 6 hours ahead of New York, 9 hours from Los Angeles and 11 hours from Honolulu.
• 
  Opening Ceremony.
• February 6.
• Milano San Siro Olympic Stadium.
• But like all Olympics to complete the full schedule, some events will occur before this beginning.

• 
  There will be two Olympic cauldrons:  Milano, at the Arco della Pace, and in the mountain town of of Piazza Dibona in Cortina.
• Like in the Summer Olympics, there will be Paralympic Games beginning on March 6, with the closing ceremony on March 15.
• 47% of the participants are women, a record high.
• The Closing Ceremony on February 22 will feature ballet star Roberto Bolle at the Arena  di Verona.

How to watch the events on TV and streaming.

• NBC, Peacock, and other NBC channels.
• Opening ceremonies on NBC and Peacock at 2PM ET for three hours.

• 
  Will feature 500 musicians and more than 1400 costumes.
• Performers will include Andrea Bocelli, Mariah Carey, Lang Lang, Cecilia Bartoli, Sabrina Impacciatore and others.
• General admission tickets range from $300 to $2400.
• Hospitality packages range from $1000 to $10,600.

• 
  Primetime encore presentations on NBC at 8PM ET, and streamed on Peacock.
• Savannah Guthrie of the Today show will cohost the opening ceremony with NBC Sports' Terry Gannon.
• Shaun White will provide commentary for the Parade of Nations.
• Mike Tirico will provide remote coverage of the Opening Ceremony from California.
• I asked Google AI who are the Gold Medal favorites:

Top 2026 Winter Olympic Gold Medal Favorites:

• Snowboarding: right, Chloe Kim (USA) is the heavy favorite for her third straight halfpipe gold.
• Figure Skating: Ilia Malinin (USA), the "Quad God," is the favorite in men's singles, along with ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates (USA).

• 
  Alpine Skiing: Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) enters as the top contender in slalom and giant slalom, while 41-year-old comeback star Lindsey Vonn (USA) is also competing. Eileen Gu (China) is expected to dominate in freestyle skiing halfpipe and slopestyle.
• Speed Skating: Jordan Stolz (USA) is favored for multiple medals, while Erin Jackson (USA) seeks to defend her 500m title.
• 
  Freestyle Skiing: Alex Hall (USA) (slopestyle) and Mikael Kingsbury (Canada)(moguls) are top contenders.
• Bobsled: Francesco Friedrich (Germany) aims for a historic fifth gold.
• Ski Jumping: Kobayashi Ryoyu (Japan) is a top contender in the large hill.
• Hockey: Marie-Philip Poulin (Canada) leads the charge in women's hockey. 

• 
  Yahoo Sports:
• Picked 10 Americans who should win medals.  In these games, it's okay to be patriotic.
• Five most compelling events. 
• Figure skating?  Read this.
• Men and Women Hockey Teams should both win medals.
• According to Google AI:

For the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Norway is heavily favored to lead the total medal count, with approximately 73% probability, followed by Germany (15%) and the United States (13%). Other top contenders expected to secure high medal counts include France, Japan, and Canada. Official medal standings will commence after events begin in February 2026. 

2026 Medal Predictions 

Rank Country         Gold All Medals

#1      Norway            22     69

#2      Germany         22      60

#3      Netherlands    20      45

#4      USA                19      50

#5       Canada          15      57

Source: Predicted 2026 Winter Olympic Games Medal Tally - Topend Sports

Here is a Time magazine article on The Cost of Attending the 2026 Olympic Games.

• In late January, round trip flights between JFK Airport in New York to the Milan Malpensa Airport a few days before February 4 was only $440.
• The games are spread out over nearly 8500 square miles, so where you stay will depend on what you will want to see.
• Average room rates in Milan around February have doubled to around $600.  Did not say for one night. But....
• An Airbnb in Milan for three can  cost $2000 for five nights, or $129/person/night.
• Around 1.5 million tickets have been put on sale
• Start at $35/ticket for the average event, but half the availability costs more than $119/ticket.
• Most expensive are for the closing ceremony in the Verona Arena.  About $3500/seat, although the men's hockey final ticket ranged from $520 to $1600.
• My recommendation?  Stay home and watch these events on TV in warm comfort for free.

To end, a downer.  As of 27January2026, the Doomsday Clock is now at 85 seconds to midnight, the closest to doomsday ever.  

Founded in 1945 by Albert Einstein, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and University of Chicago scientists who helped develop the first atomic weapons in the Manhattan Project, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists created the Doomsday Clock two years later, using the imagery of apocalypse (midnight) and the contemporary idiom of nuclear explosion (countdown to zero) to convey threats to humanity and the planet. The Doomsday Clock is set every year by the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board in consultation with its Board of Sponsors, which includes eight Nobel laureates. The Clock has become a universally recognized indicator of the world’s vulnerability to global catastrophe caused by man-made technologies.

That article describes we are so close to doom.  However, at the end, the authors offer hope for the future if:

• The United States and Russia can resume dialogue about limiting their nuclear arsenals. All nuclear-armed states can avoid destabilizing investments in missile defense and observe the existing moratorium on explosive nuclear testing.
• Through both multilateral agreements and national regulations, the international community can take all feasible steps to prevent the creation of mirror life and cooperate on meaningful measures to reduce the prospect that AI be used to create biological threats.
• 
  The United States Congress can repudiate President Trump’s war on renewable energy, instead providing incentives and investments that will enable rapid reduction in fossil fuel use.
• The United States, Russia, and China can engage in bilateral and multilateral dialogue on meaningful guidelines regarding the incorporation of artificial intelligence in their militaries, particularly in nuclear command and control systems.

By the way, also on NBC.

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