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Tuesday morning is not time-boxed, as I am waiting for a shipment. Usually, Tuesday morning means taking Air VW the Gray to Portland in slow-moving traffic to Richard’s house. Today, I have a 3D Printer and various devices for tank 3D printing arriving. I went all-in for the Egloo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K 3D Resin printer and the Mercury XS supporting washing and cure station. I added a metal funnel to pour the resin back into the bottle with a built-in screen. I ordered the support items too. Not quite an all-in step, but I bought the leading edge of the vendor I have used.

I spent the morning writing the blog and skipping breakfast. I had a bagel the night before and was not hungry. I sent a postcard to Mom Wild; I write her every day when there is a post. This was a card I found, a watercolor of the slightly older look of Portland before the recent tall buildings—1990s look—in the fun shop, Crafty Wonderland, in Portland, when I was early for the symphony and walking downtown to get some steps and to look for new places.

I showered, dressed in a red T-shirt, and had suspenders to keep my light brown slacks from letting my pants slide too far. I did discover that the extra-long T-shirts would be a good idea with suspenders! Still trying to like these.

Later, in a church Zoom meeting, with the red shirt and suspenders, I was suggested to start on the beard to prepare for the matching red suit for the holidays. I am trying to resist the family tradition of playing St. Nick, but we will see! I am also thinking maybe the Goth folks may need some Winter Solstice support and get an all black suit with many patches, plus tinsel, and give out fortune cookies for the happy dark and weird folks–just a thought, “Happy Winter Solstice and Merry Christmas; May your wishes be granted.”

Returning to Tuesday’s story, the printer arrived, and I had the heavy printer and other boxes carried near the garage. I then disassembled the old Egloo printer, which only works on warm days (something I finally discovered). I moved it out of the way and made room for the new, larger, and improved printer. This new model incorporated all the fixes for issues from previous models over the past five years. I also wanted it before the tariffs catch up with costs. Most importantly, this one includes a resin tank heater and careful watching of the temperature by the printer software.

The 16K is the new one.

Unpacking is stressful; you don’t want to drop or scratch anything, and I am looking for delivery damage. I got the Egloo Saturn Ultra 4 16K out of its box, unpacked it, and carried it to a table (a sewing machine table I use as a work table) without discovering damage or causing any.

The printer screws are all Allen wrench slotted. A sticker on the printing plate said to tighten the screws, and I did. I removed the additional packing and replaced the screws that held the tank in place for shipping with nob screws to allow easy removal of the tank. I soon powered up the printer, and the 24V 6A transformer showed the new higher power requirements. The stepper motors and heaters would require about 12V and 2A alone. The computer would be 3.3 or 1.8 V, and 3.3V for lights and camera. It appears to be single-threaded, meaning it is a microcontroller chip refitted to a custom board. All good. We need to be past the Arduino experimental hardware. I did notice that only one motor runs at a time. Someone learned that the drain is harsh, but when you stop/reverse a motor, there is a reverse power flow (like regenerative braking in an EV or Hybrid) and that power can flow and scrambled signals–doing that with two different motors at the same time could be exciting; I have learned that many times! In old tube radios, the lower DC voltage would be sent with a high AC voltage, and then the AC was filtered out to reduce the amount of copper and connections; wild! The comfort level those 1900s engineers had with various voltage signals intermixed is something you don’t see now.

I spent the afternoon installing the hardware, including the other cleaning and curing stations. I also roasted a chicken with veggies. I find chicken a bit plain, but this can be corrected with more salt (this chicken was not pre-prepared with salt—something to always check). I rubbed Kosher salt inside and under the skin of the breast. It helped. The potatoes, placed under the chicken, did not finish in 90 minutes at 350°F; a few minutes in the microwave completed them.

I got the first print when Corwin stopped by for his package (he still has them delivered to the house) and enjoyed the roasted chicken. He thought it was good. I roasted it for an hour in a pot with the lid off, added a cup of water, covered, and let the steam get everything done for thirty more minutes.

I broke the chess piece trying to get it off the print plate—a familiar issue. I will be more careful now. I used my cleaning and curing stations, and they were wonderful. I can repair the figure. Corwin headed out.

I realized I could also use the cleaning station to clean my tools. Excellent. Next, I downloaded an Eiffel Tower STL and combined it with an STL of my custom figure. I used the new software supplied to create a goo file. Egloo now has its own control language, goo. I put that on a memory stick, the printer came with one, and the rook chess piece goo file on it, and printed it.

Disaster! The print pooled and poisoned the resin with floating bits. F**k. I cleaned up the printer and then cleaned the tools and protective glasses. I use masks and gloves for this work. I filtered the resin with my new funnel and cleaned the tank. I re-created my goo with supports and lying Carter on the side (Corwin’s recommendation). I started, and the printer said the resin was still poisoned. I refiltered it and found a bit still stuck to the tank. I wiped out the tank. I reset it, and again the printer said the resin was poisoned.

I had to stop and enjoy the church council meeting. This was a Zoom meeting, and while not as fast-moving as I wished, it was without controversy and fast for Methodists. A replacement sign for the smaller sign was discussed, and a design was offered. It was not loved, but it did not cause any strong reaction to not replacing the sign. It was agreed in principle.

With the meeting over, I will miss the next one. I returned to the printer. As I suspected, the problem cleared. The alcohol I used to clean the printer had not completely dried, causing the fault. I started the print and checked it a few hours later, and it was perfect from what I could see. The base of the Eiffel Tower stuck to the printing plate with the supports. Carter’s figure, now sideways and covered in supports, was forming.

By 10, I was tired and dragging. I went to bed, soon slept, and woke twice to prove hydration.

Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

 

 

My doctor’s nurse replied that they had received my message via myChart and that we would connect on Thursday at my already scheduled appointment. The frozen face, a recurrence of Bell’s Palsy, is not worse and seems to be fading. There is no sign of stroke.

Monday started with me dragging a bit. Monday is like my Saturday; I seldom have plans, and everyone still working is busy returning to work. I do laundry on Mondays. I have, like this Monday, found a symphony in Portland. I checked, and the Oregon Symphony is stopping Monday concerts after this season and offering a limited set of concerts on Thursday. I had noticed that 1/3 or more of the seats were empty at Monday’s concerts.

I had no electronic ticket for today’s symphony and had to call the ticket folks to fix this. They were mailing it to me, which meant it would arrive a few days after the concert. Hmmm. The ticket folks printed another ticket and placed it in will-call for me. They informed me they had new software and a new website, which was not a joy to work with. I had them delete, as I had no option for this online, the old phone numbers, as the software kept sending approval codes to numbers I don’t use.

I looked at a package for next year, as the symphony is playing a lot of its best hits next year. I know that the Oregon Symphony and other institutions have many empty seats, as the next generation of folks are not buying season tickets, and at $900 a person for all concerts in the upper balcony, it is a lot of money. At least for this concert, only the cheap seats were left. The dress circle appeared full.

I wrote the blog until afternoon, having risen later, 8ish, and then wrote the blog slowly while also writing a card to Mom Wild. I send Mom Wild a card or postcard every day the mail picks up. I have to get the card out in the mailbox before 9. Our mail now comes early.

After yesterday’s EMT adventure, I was going slow and being careful. There was no sign of a stroke, and I did not bite my left side cheek while eating today. However, I did sneeze often, as it is Spring in Oregon. I believe the robust pollen on these sunny mornings in Oregon has caused some inflammation and brought back Bell’s Palsy.

By 1, I was dressed and decided that with yesterday’s adventures, it was best to get out of the house and be with folks. I drove to the local Happy Panda (not the chain Panda Express, but our local place) and had my usual Orange Chicken, a yummy caloric disaster of sweet sauce over battered and deep-fried chicken breast. It comes, for lunch, with a cup of hot and sour soup, a scoop of white rice, and a spring roll. I used to go there with Michelle and Michael when we all worked together. I thought of them as I ate my usual.

I returned home, rewatched the latest Doctor Who, and soon took Air VW the Gray to the nearby MAX station. I did not take my hat, but was dressed in a new out-of-the-package shirt and a blue sweater vest. The new shirts fit (over a new washed T-shirt), and I now use suspenders to hold up my pants. I have not lost enough weight to move to another size, but my belt is not working, meaning I am trying suspenders. I do not like the look, but it is practical.

The MAX was quick, and I was soon at the Library stop. The wind was blowing in Portland, and it was cold. I was happy for the sweater layer and long sleeves. I walked in an increasing spiral, searching for a place for dinner or reading. I brought a book with me, Elric Volume 2. I had found one story I knew and skipped it. I would also skip another story included for reasons I am unsure; it is set in near-modern times.

Rain came. I had not brought an umbrella (I forgot to put one back in the cargo hold). At the same time, I spotted Treebeard’s Taphouse (Don’t be Haste). I entered the young person-filled tap house and spotted a seat in the sun by the window. The place was busy, and the one person running the bar had limited but excellent food, which took five minutes to appear behind the bar. I was concerned that nobody was there for so long, but then I remembered the place’s name. I opened a tab, had a light-ish locally made brew, and a cheese plate. The movie The Hobbit (Part 1, the extended version) was playing with CC and no sound on a screen.

I drank my excellent adult beverage and read. The cheese plate appeared, and while not overflowing with options, it was perfect for dinner for one (or shared with maybe three at the most). My book was still in some non-Elric story that I thought, while interesting, was not what I wanted to read. I tried to enjoy it (I would later abandon it and find an Elric story or at least one in that setting).

I had a smaller second beer, sticking to lighter versions as I did not want to sleep through the concert, and finished the food. It was nearing 6 when the talk for the concert began, and I paid my bill and walked the six blocks back to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

On the way to my seat, I saw the Rose City Brass Quartet playing before the show. I stopped and listened for a while. It was pleasant.

The talk was nice, and then I found my upper balcony cheap seat (not the cheapest, $29 plus fees). The folks behind me had put their stuff on the little bench next to my assigned seat. I decided to take an unsold seat (I knew I was the only person in the row) and not be in front of them.

The music flew by. The orchestra played a piece by the modern composer Derrick Skye, and I will have to find more by this composer. I liked the music, including an electric bass guitar and clapping. Both added to the complexity without overwhelming the flow and excitement in the music. Here is a version for orchestra, recommended.

Pianist Makoto Ozone led in Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin and improvised, improving the concert experience. We all know every note, but now the audience heard rifts on the original. Wonderful! Nearly everyone was standing and cheering after the piece concluded.

After the intermission, two more pieces were played. While Scherzo Fantastique looked fun for the conductor and the sound was terrific, I thought it was a bit plain compared to what we had experienced. My mind drifted, and I might have nodded off. The Bartók was atonal for most of the sound, but it was wild, angry, and dark, and showed the conductor and orchestra’s chops. It is not something to listen to while trying to relax.

It was an excellent concert, and even with me nodding off for Josef Suk’s piece, it was worth the experience. I walked back to the MAX with most concertgoers, mostly sporting gray hair like me, but none of them took the MAX. I got on a mostly empty car and, without incident, was soon home.

I read after getting into my PJs and was soon in my blankets, sleeping. I did not wake up, that I remember, but I could recall my dream this morning. It was strange, with me working again at Nike, but at a sporting event. The room we were in was filled with each person’s college team information, ignoring the company affiliation. The playing team’s coach came and appreciated our mixing of teams and our supporting our college teams.

Thanks for reading.

 

Sunday was an exciting day, and I played many roles. I did not finish the blog until the afternoon. I rose around 7:30 as I had plenty of time before the service at 11, but I planned to be there at 10:30 as Dondrea was traveling today and Pastor Ken had a funeral after the service. I had a set of cookies and a large pound cake from Costco in Air VW the Gray, which I purchased yesterday for the funeral. I wrote for a while, showered, shaved, and dressed for church. Grays and blues with a pride tie. I took a more somber tie for the funeral to change after the service.

I arrived after the previous service; we rented out the church sanctuary and other rooms to another church, which was finishing up. I carried in the cookies and cake (and a tie). I ushered for the service and was busy, as some folks needed help. I greeted the folks who came early for the funeral while our Methodist service was still running. I offered them chairs in the back and coffee.

I cannot recount much of the service except that I borrowed a lighter, looked for a candle lighter (an old school long brass pole-like thing), and calmly walked to the altar while the music was playing from our Praise Band. I lit the candles without flashing the lighter and tried to look like an acolyte. The older members who knew this was a kid’s job smiled at me as I walked back, trying to look serious. I will have to find one of the old school brass candle lighters!

Pastor Ken’s words, those I can recall as I was busy seating folks and helping others with various issues (it is best to keep those events silent, as there are others to tell), were about community and that we should be about helping people and know, despite the pressures for social media and right-wing Christian groups, it is not about demanding fulfiing our own desires or fears, but about the usual things: Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for the sick of body and mind, and building a community of sharing.

I was busy (and the 2AM bedtime was having me live off of adrenaline, which will explain the EMT adventure later). I worked with Pastor Ken and the family for the funeral to get things arranged, and we were able to flow from the church service, coffee time, and then to a 12:30 service. I ushered again. Two pews full of Masons, most in dark suits and the usual metals, name tags, and polite manners they are known for, would finish the service with a short Masonic memory of a departed brother. Ken started the funeral, and I directed people to pews, bathrooms, coffee, and got some water for some.

It was a funeral, in a word, kind, and it went off without any issues. There were no failed mics or procedural missteps. The couple, Winn and Byron, remembered, and I ushered and watched. Cake and cookies were offered after, along with juice and coffee.

I headed out once they left after 2. The family seemed to want to just linger. I believe they had not seen each other often and knew they would soon all be headed home once they left the church. I remember the same feeling at Susie’s service in Michigan. Linda and I had to catch a plane; we were the first to leave. I waited until nearly 2 before turning off the lights, and they then headed on.

Next, I headed to the nearby Red Robin in the EV. They had a sign that they had an equipment failure and were serving a limited menu. I asked, and it did include their spicy chicken breast platter (lower calories, too), but no fries were available. It was perfect for me, stuffed with cookies, coffee, and pound cake. I sat at the bar, and Coda served me; he remembered me. I had a Sam Adams beer and enjoyed the platter and salad.

I paid and walked out. In the Red Robin lobby, an older woman was sitting there. I had seen her earlier and asked her if she was OK. She was locked out of her car and waiting for help. She was fine, but did accept a Coke with ice that I got from the bartender (no charge). She thanked me and said she was fine. The folks at Red Robin were also watching her; I took her word and left. She had a phone and it was charged.

I was feeling a bit off and took the EV home. My face had frozen, and my eye was not blinking correctly. I had either a relapse of Bell’s Palsy from the brain surgery a year ago or something much worse. I chatted with Deborah and then called 911. After all my experiences with strokes, getting help there by myself was prudent. Soon, the fire department and ambulance arrived. They checked me out and said I had no visible signs of a stroke. They left, and I was feeling better–not likely a stroke. Indeed, it was more likely leftovers from brain tumor surgery–funny how those words would not usually be reassuring. Furthermore, after cancer, diabetes, and a brain tumor–a little Bell’s Palsy seems minor.

I suspect an MRI and/or just anti-virals and anti-inflammation drugs are in my future. This did not start until allergy season.

Aside: I sent a note to my doc today. I already have an appointment for Thursday.

I contacted Matt, and he arranged for Karyn to pick me up (it’s best not to drive). Soon, I was not alone. I was able to speak, think, and play Dungeons and Dragons. Definitely not a stroke.

With various superpowers granted from various D&D-themed deities, we finally destroyed Vecna. It was a hard fight, but the villain did not block my high-level cleric’s healing spell. That allowed us to pile on damage and finish this. This was about a two-year campaign of multiple materials. We were able to carry our space-faring character to this multi-universe saving story.

We next started on the new campaign, Quests from the Infinite Staircase. This is premade material, and Matt, our DM, was gifted the Beadle and Grims set to play this material. This is a premium experience, and Matt uses his own physical setup. He has the best toys.

We started on our way; details cannot be shared, but we played to our strengths. This time, we were a sneak-and-run group. We avoided risky battles and overcame a few items with careful planning and contingencies. We are back to the first level and have reached the second level of the adventure without loss.

Scott took me home. Despite having a burger at Matt’s (thanks, M@), I made a bagel with cream cheese for a snack. After ensuring coffee in the morning, I went to bed and quickly fell asleep. I woke up with leg cramps and proof of hydration. I managed to sleep in on Monday.

I am feeling much better now.

Thanks for reading!

 

 

I woke at 7ish, rolled over, and rose thirty minutes later. A pot of brewed coffee was waiting for me, as I had assembled the coffee the night before and put the dishes in the dishwasher, but it was nearly empty, and I did not run it. I spent most of the morning writing the blog, talking to Deborah, and doing my usual online tasks.

After I showered, shaved, and dressed, I tried something new. I put on suspenders under my sweater vest. I picked a brown silk-like tie from some forgotten wedding. I figured a chocolate-colored tie would fit the “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” play at a local middle school. Z was playing Willy Wonka for the first time.

I boarded Air VW the Gray and stopped by Safeway, where I got flowers (they have the best—always fresh) and a box of chocolates for Z. I planned to stop for lunch on my way to the middle school on the other side of Beaverton and into the start of the West Hills near Beaverton (technically Portland and details here).

I stopped by a local place I had visited once for an Asian-styled rice bowl, but it was closed and being rebuilt as a new place, also Asian-style. McDonald’s provided lunch with their newish crunchy chicken strips. I had that with fries and a Diet Coke. I could eat it while driving. I arrived earlier than I planned.

Dondrea was already in line for the show. I forgot cash for the ticket, but Dondrea covered me. We numbered ten folks! Time went by fast, and soon the show started. Their new mics worked, and we could hear most lines and singing. Z’s position included telling the story; Z was on stage for most of the show.

Willy Wonka’s part includes singing high and low notes, all slowly voiced. Z handled them well and was moving while she sang. The new mics helped. Instead of many props, much of the show required imagination, which I thought fit well with the source material. The material also gave solos to many characters besides Wonka and Charlie; I thought it an excellent middle school choice for a talented group.

The school had an outbreak of flu, and hundreds of kids were out last week. The play was moved to Saturday, and today was Dondrea’s only chance to see it; she is traveling on Sunday until mid-next week. It was excellent, and the cast shone brightly.

After that, I got home, dropped the tie, and quickly warmed up some leftover Jambalaya. It was still good, but big pieces of meat would have made it a better meal. Next time! I then jumped back into Air VW the Gray, recrossed Beaverton, and headed into Portland. I arrived only a few minutes before 6.

We did a teach, and it went on for a while. Legendary Academy was a heavy game thick with errata for this first (and likely only) printing—it was an abandoned Kickstarter completed by others. The theme was a training sandbox for legendary heroes and villains. I played Robin Hood. Richard was King Arthur, Kathleen was the sorceress Morgan, and Chris was Paul Bunyan, and also the score order (I came in last with 100 points). I tried to follow, but I was not enjoying all the rules, and Richard was a bit frustrated with me and let me know. This distracted me from my play, and I made a few more mistakes. Your turn involves using your deck and then a ‘class’ to do more deck building (and pruning) from a skill tree of cards. Each character had different skill and special powers.

I thought it was OK, but at first, I felt it dragged and was a poor choice for four players. With the game ending, with me a few points below Chris, we chatted briefly and then headed home. Kathleen had a car now, so I drove directly home. I was in bed before 2 and fell immediately asleep.

Thanks for reading.

I slowly started Friday. Coffee, locally roasted and ground, was already brewed, which helped get me going. I quickly wrote a card to Mom Wild and got that in the mailbox in my robe and slippers to make the morning delivery. Mail here now comes at 9ish.

I wrote the blog until after 10. I also did some doom scrolling and read my emails (most are deleted, and I keep sending out unsubscribes, especially Trump/Vance emails I never requested). I also tried to order tickets for Monday for Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue from the Oregon Symphony. The account still has my Nike phone number and provides no means to update them. I will have to call support, but I did not get back to that in time. I updated Quicken, discovered I missed a few corrections over the last few days, and fixed them. I like Quicken to be close to the balances, as you can imagine, dear reader.

With the blog in place, I put on Elsbeth and reheated some jambalaya for lunch for a big pan in the frig. The spices had evened out a bit, and because it was not too spicy, the hot spices, which do not fade, I learned in my cooking class, did not overwhelm the reheated version. I could add heat in each bowl, and that worked for me. The spices were multifaceted, and I thought it good, but I missed the smoky flavor of New Orleans and the spicy meat.

I did not care for this Elsbeth with a helpful bartender who murders for his customers in the name of justice. A fury that makes perfect and expensive drinks (he only charges those who can afford them) in his own bar in Manhattan. It sounds like my kind of story–something I would write, but I did not like the manipulative and creepy nature of the murderer; it was a bit too real. I stopped watching it and finished it later.

My afternoon game fell in. This was with a new gamer, who I suspect was less interested. Instead, I took Air VW the Gray to McMinnville’s UFO Festival. I had not been since the first one opened after the pandemic (with Susie trying out the travel wheelchair we used on planes and NYC later–it needed a pillow, we learned there). Navigation took me over the mountains instead of the highways, and it was a wild ride on curves in the hills in the passes. I read 1200+ feet for Champoeg. The EV got a 1% charge on the downside of Chapoeg!

The wine country, passes, and farmland were lovely, and postcard pictures were available the whole ride. The EV handled well; on one curve, I took it faster than I find comfortable, and the VW perfectly stuck to the road. I was happy, though, to have dry pavement! I arrived sooner than I expected. I had Nav set to just McMinnville, and I drove right through. I turned around, found the Old Town, and parked in free parking at the Methodist Church (they have a sign for free parking)–they did have some reserved parking for staff, too.

I walked into the Festival about thirty minutes before it started. It was relaxed and not that busy. Main street was not shut down, with vendor tents (it is Oregon) on each side street. They closed one block of side streets. I saw a tow truck pulling in to remove an unfortunate driver who left their minivan in the way despite the signs.

I walked the town and checked out the vendors. I found a metal hanging that would look great at the peak of the house. I will need Corwin or Jeff to install it. I had them hold it for me while I walked the show.

There were no bathrooms. How odd? I walked to the McMenamins Hotel Oregon, the center of the Festival, and where all the UFO talks were held, got a seat at the bar, ordered, and then used their facilities. My beer did not show. Their Ruby keg blew, and I ordered a Hammerhead with some fries. That showed (my beer appeared after the fries). While I waited, I went to the front desk, bought a T-shirt (XL, going with tighter and smaller), and some postcards to send to Mom Wild. My first little bag.

With a beer and some food, I was ready to return to the vendors. I met some authors when they were setting up. I bought one book from the three. The Norse fiction had got my attention, but the other younger author had a pile of different books with a sign that got me to get a book: Three Words: Gay, Space, Wizard. How could I resist that? The other author, thinner books, which interested me more, and mixed horror and magic–again, something I like. All books were signed and fit in the little bag.

I stopped in an art gallery, and a digital artist had a picture of a rabbit and a dragon having tea, which got my attention. I liked it, and it was not AI-generated. The price, nearly $200, stopped me. The shop was by an oil painter, and I liked his stuff, but I would not want it for my walls. I saw that the artist I liked, Andy Kerr, had a shop nearby at Artemis Fox Studio (the print is on their website when I write this, but art shops come and go), but I did not think it was open.

I wondered more and did not realize I was headed into these studios until I saw the identical prints! I met Andy upstairs and bought an 8×10 print from the artist for $45. Another bag was required, as my other bag was too small. I put my email on his list, but Mr. Keer said I would not hear from him often. He made it clear he was not a social media personality.

I had driven by Source Farms and almost stopped, but I did not have a cooler in the car. They were in a vendor tent, and I learned from Jake, whom I bumped into at the Festival, that they run a few stores on Main Street, including a nearby taphouse. I forgot that Jake and some other folks from Nike now live in McMinnville. I signed up for their newsletter and bought a jar of pickles from them. I took all my goodies, picked up my metal item, and loaded my third bag as I walked back. I loaded them in the cargo hold of Air VW the Gray.

I returned for some food because I felt a bit off (all beer and carbs were a poor mix for me). I ordered jambalaya, a $8 sample in a cup, to try a local version. Large bits of spicy sausage, and while not too drenched in heat, the heat was more than I had cooked with–NOLA cooking classes said to let folks add it. The rice had the same chalky problem mine had. Overall, the jambalaya had a one-dimensional flavor profile, just heat. Specifically, I could not taste the spices and veggies over the heat. Mine was better, but the heavy chunks of meat added much to my enjoyment and made me forgive the faults. I will remember to use larger chunks and more meat.

Jake and I chatted while he walked his dog and looked at the Festival. We talked about mutual friends and the layoffs at Nike last week. He, who is still working at Nike, gave me more details. Like many corporate changes, it seemed senseless and misguided. Instead of working on new services and products (this is my opinion), I think they cut expenses and outsourced more technology—the usual corporate decline and ruin, but so easy to look good to leadership and put on a spreadsheet and PowerPoint slides.

I said goodnight to Jake because I didn’t want to take the EV over the mountains in the dark and rain. It was still sunny—time to get back. This time, I found the correct setting on my AirPlay to run my book on AI. This made the trip easy, though I did do the usual passes with their curves and lack of guardrails, not to spoil the lovely view (an assumption on my part).

Scott recommended this book, Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI, which I listened to on my way to LA. I am about 2/3 done and started it up again. It took me a while to reconnect to the concepts explained earlier (that was six weeks ago), but I soon was following along. 

The book is, I think, a bit alarmist, but I think it is on target. The main thrust is that AI is already with us, will not disappear, and we have a problem. The United States has allowed corporations to use information (many, including the NYT, claim they raided copyrighted works) to create tools such as AI and other intelligent software. The US further grants that these tech companies cannot be held accountable for their correctness or, in most cases, safety. People are primarily unable to understand AI, and government laws are outdated. There is nothing to protect us from the impact of AI and software. This, then, more alarmist I think, creates scenarios, according to the book, where AI becomes an unregulated yet controlling force over humans and allows, with a lack of transparency, corruption. I am not sure the author Yuval Noah Harari (and others) is wrong.

I would contend there have been false prophets, snake-oil salesmen, and financial cons since the first caveman bought his cave for a few skins for reasons he/she later could not understand. In my experience growing up in a family that sold stuff, humans always enjoyed a good sale. And the best con is the one that the salesperson believes in; both are victims. Granddad always sold the best TV on the market, and he could tell you why (even if he did not understand the words).

I made a salad for a light dinner and then enjoyed some cake. I watched more Elsbeth episodes. Again, I stopped halfway on the next one, which was about murder in a fashion show. I thought it was less believable, and the internal storyline was a bit dark.  Instead, I watched the finish of the season for Andor on Disney+. It was three episodes, and I watched them back to back and was disappointed as each ended. I was leaning in my chair as each resolved various outstanding plot issues. It was very dark, with even the Imperial folks getting hurt. I thought the message from these shows was that the rebellion was unstoppable, as the repression of the Empire impacted everyone (including the repressors) and could not be everywhere all the time. I liked it.

I read for a while after making the bed. The laundry for Friday was two loads, one of which was sheets. I put on the sheets from the linen closet and will fold the others and put them away soon. I was asleep by midnight, woke at 2 and three. The rain was heavy and gurgling in the downspouts. I got up, put on a coat over my PJs, checked the house, and climbed into bed slightly damply (my slippers kept my feet dry). I slept until my alarm.

Thanks for reading!