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Michael Mitchell

@michaelponders.com.web.brid.gy

Personal blog by Michael Mitchell 🌉 bridged from https://michaelponders.com/ on the web: https://fed.brid.gy/web/michaelponders.com

3 Followers  |  0 Following  |  166 Posts  |  Joined: 21.08.2025  |  2.4364

Latest posts by michaelponders.com.web.brid.gy on Bluesky

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Comparing Notes on Retirement Planning _“Corfu, The Beauty of Cape Drastis” by Maria Rosaria Sannino, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. Envisioning retirement as serene as this secluded coastal paradise, where every day feels like a vacation._ I was reading my RSS reader BazQux the other day and came across a post by rscottjones about retirement planning. With approximately 8 years until my own retirement, I've started planning too. I found his approach very interesting. I like reading what other people are thinking and comparing ideas. Since he shared his and his wife's general plans, I thought I'd share mine to help organize my own thinking. My situation is different from his. It's just me, and I'm helping my elderly parents right now. I'll probably stay where I am for the foreseeable future. Once they're both gone, though, I'll need to reassess. I'm not particularly close to my brother or sister, or to my nieces and nephews (though that's not for lack of trying on my part). Part of me would love to move somewhere less hot, humid, and hurricane-prone. But another part wants to stay in Florida. Contrary to popular belief, Florida is very expensive. Yes, the weather is good most of the time, but the costs add up quickly. Health insurance, home insurance, and car insurance are all expensive here. If I could afford it and had the energy, I'd explore living abroad. My dream list includes Malta, Corfu, Crete, England (particularly St. Ives and the southern coast), Brazil, Hawaii, Uruguay, Argentina, or the Azores. Most of these are unrealistic due to language barriers or cost. England might be possible despite the expense, since there's no language barrier. Realistically, I'll probably move within Florida to a villa or condo, though I haven't decided on a location yet. Given my medical conditions, staying where I am (just downsizing to a villa or condo) makes the most sense. I do have travel plans, though. I had a passport but let it expire. I've never been out of the country, and I want to change that. I'd like to visit those countries I mentioned, plus Poland and Israel. If I did leave Florida, I've been looking at staying on the East Coast. I've thought seriously about West Virginia, Virginia, or Delaware. Within Florida, my top choices would be Gainesville, Ocala, Orlando/Celebration, or Sebring. In any event, unless something drastic changes, I plan to stay independent. I don't want to go to an independent or assisted living facility. I'm striving to make sure that whatever I choose, I'll be debt-free and settled. I plan on keeping busy with several things I enjoy, especially the homelab stuff. I want my Plex server completed except for new titles, and the rest of my major digital projects finished so I can just maintain things and experiment with new ideas. That way when I get back from travels, I can upload all those wonderful memories. What's up first on my international travel plans? I think it will be Corfu. Ever since watching the series The Durrells, I've wanted to go there. Wherever I end up living, it needs to be ready so I can age in place. I definitely won't be relying on family once my parents are gone. So while my plans aren't as concrete and in motion as RScottJones's, I do have an outline and some concepts that need firming up. Having read his post, at least now I know I'm thinking about the right questions.
30.11.2025 02:43 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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📺 Watched Season 5 of Slow Horses (2022) ⚠️ **SPOILER WARNING:** MILD SPOILERS **My Rating:** ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5 stars) **Episodes:** 6 | **Aired:** September 2025 - October 2025 * * * ### Season Overview I've just finished watching Season 5 of Slow Horses on Apple TV, with Gary Oldman delivering another stellar performance. The season was fairly average, not particularly memorable but not disappointing either. It would be intriguing to see a season focused on a younger Lamb and his fall to Slough House, providing a fresh narrative arc. My typical concerns with streaming series persist here: the six-episode format felt too brief, resembling a mini-series more than a traditional season. Moreover, the wait for the next installment could be lengthy, based on previous patterns. This product uses the TMDb API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDb.
23.11.2025 04:09 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Two Pis, many plans, limited focus _An engineer lost in thought, surrounded by a maze of circuits and the glow of futuristic interfaces._ Lately, I’ve been swamped with projects and short on energy to tackle them, partly because of my worsening eyesight. I have glaucoma, but thankfully no loss of vision. My treatment includes twice-yearly eye pressure checks and nightly latanoprost. Even so, my glasses prescription seems to need constant updates, and I’ve always had a lot of floaters. My ophthalmologist reassures me that the floaters and eye pressure are fine, but my vision keeps changing, which is frustrating. After a recent visit to an optometrist for new glasses (an immediate improvement at first), I quickly found myself struggling again. It’s baffling how fast my eyesight shifts. This ongoing vision issue is a big reason I’m putting off other projects. Other medical concerns, like my heart health, are actually improving. I have two SunFounder Pis to build, a few minor tasks, and I’m refining my blog and social-event posting software. I expect these projects to be fully functional soon, and I’ll update my blog as they progress. Despite having plenty to work on, my motivation is flagging.
25.10.2025 04:44 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Finished reading: Did the Resurrection Happen . . . Really? by Josh McDowell 📚

Good book and a good series. I learned a lot from the series. That is the important part.

21.10.2025 01:38 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Space: 1999 at 50 I don't typically blog about every anniversary or special date. However, I have a soft spot for "this day in history" and similar themes. Yet, some memories from my youth, like Space: 1999, truly resonate with me. Watching it on Saturday afternoons or evenings, I always thought it was an incredible show. I even bought the 30-year complete edition on DVD. For those unfamiliar with this classic series, here are the key facts: - Premiere Date (UK): September 4, 1975 - Premiere Date (US): Aired in syndication starting September 1975, with some stations airing it in prime time - Final Episode First Aired: November 12, 1977 (varying by region through 1978) - Total Number of Episodes: 48 - Number of Series (Seasons): 2 - Year One: 24 episodes (1975–1976) - Year Two: 24 episodes (1976–1977) - US Broadcast Notes: The series was syndicated in the US, meaning it aired on various local stations rather than a single national network. Episode order varied widely between regions, sometimes mixing Year One and Year Two randomly Being a passionate sci-fi enthusiast, I love series like Star Trek, Star Wars, Space: 1999, Lost in Space in all its forms, and Forbidden Planet with Robby the Robot. These series are woven into the fond memories of my younger days. I've also witnessed many of the futuristic technologies depicted in these shows come to life. I stumbled upon a YouTube video recently: and discovered that it's the 50th anniversary of Space: 1999, one of my all-time favorite sci-fi series. I felt compelled to celebrate this occasion and reflect on its impact on my life. While the show may not hold up perfectly today, with some episodes feeling a bit quirky, I still long for one of their communicators, the Commlock or Eagles for my personal collection. Happy 50th Anniversary, Space: 1999. I'm not sure if any of the original cast are around, but if you are, thanks for the show and the memories. This milestone reminds me that great science fiction doesn't just entertain; it inspires generations and becomes part of who we are. Here's to the show that made us look up at the moon and wonder what could be.
19.10.2025 15:48 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Trivial Trials, and Tribulations _In a game where health and strategy collide, every move counts, and the stakes are personal._ Well, I have been officially out of Camzyos for over a week. I finally got it after calling the insurance every day for a week and being told something different. It started out that the ECHO hadn't been uploaded to their portal. Message to doctor on MyChart. Sent it to the wrong cardiologist. I have 3: a cardiologist, a HOCM specialist, and an electrophysiologist. So forgive me for picking the wrong one. The message still got to where it needed to go. Didn't matter anyways, as the insurance then found another thing they didn't like on Wednesday. They didn't like the dosage the doctor ordered because they didn't think it needed to be increased because of the ECHO. So they had to reach out to the doctor. Again, another message in MyChart, same thread that I was told I messaged the wrong office. Again, got to where it needed to go. At least they are all looking at the same messages. Finally called the Specialty Pharmacy again and finally got to the end this time. This has put me out of pocket for the rest of the year. Got my medicine on Friday. Every month this is an ordeal. I work in the healthcare industry and we really need an overhaul, especially with insurance companies. There is this whole administrative layer upon layer upon layer that drives the cost up. That was one thing this past week. I have been stressed for the last couple of weeks. That was one issue of many all trivial to the casual observer. The other is I potentially have jury duty on Tuesday. I won't know for sure until Monday afternoon. If I am not canceled, I have to show up on Tuesday. I hate jury duty. I understand it is a civic duty, but I feel that the jurors are on trial. All the questions they ask, and you are sitting in a room full of strangers and having to listen to their stories and then explain yourself. However, I just received news this Monday afternoon, as I'm writing this post, that I do NOT have to report. Yes!😀 Then the icing on the cake: I added another platform to my blog poster project and it broke my whole system. After getting Write.as working flawlessly, I also had to add security, and that added problems. You'd think the AI would know how to do this. But after a day and a half, I got the program to about 95% and a lot of bugs squashed. So I now have Write.as/Snap.as, Blogger/Cloudflare R2 object storage hooked up. AI seems to be brilliant at times and then stinky at others. I have relied more and more on Claude and have thought about canceling my ChatGPT subscription ever since they released GPT-5. From my perspective, it seems dumber, just like when Google went from Bard to Gemini. I thought Bard was the best until Gemini ruined that for me, and the same for GPT-5. I don't care about the personality. I just want reliable and truthful responses. Well, that is an update on my trivial trials this week. Hopefully this next week will be brighter and less stressful, and it will be if they cancel my jury service. I am taking the whole day off Friday because I have another ECHO for this new dose.
14.10.2025 02:24 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Watched: The Hunters 🍿
⭐⭐ Old movie first time I have seen it. Didn’t hold up to time.

12.10.2025 18:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Kudos, Connections, and Continued Progress I’ve made more progress on my blog poster program. I’m doing a few minor changes and adding new features before moving on to another service/platform. The images haven’t changed since my last post, so there are no new ones this time. I added a Kudos button to my Write.as custom domain, michaelmitchell.blog. It’s powered by Tinylytics. I’ll probably be adding more features soon and doing some digital gardening along the way. I also updated my Personal Events social media poster project. Streamline your social media management with a versatile platform that allows simultaneous posting across multiple networks. I hope to finish all the refinements and additions by the end of February. I’m taking it slow and thoroughly testing each connection to make sure every post, no matter the content, looks consistent across all platforms. Someday, I know I’ll settle on just one platform. But for now, I’m enjoying the process.
09.10.2025 02:30 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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The Amateur, 2025 - ★★★★★ This was an excellent action thriller. Rami Malek and Laurence Fishburne did a great job and are terrific actors. It is a tense espionage story where the lead relies on his intellect to stay a step ahead
05.10.2025 22:30 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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The Star Trek Computer: My Vision for AI A conductor leads a robotic orchestra aboard a starship, with the USS Enterprise framed through the observation deck windows. _**Computer: Personal log, Stardate: Current.**_ I want AI that resembles two distinct concepts, not the general artificial intelligence (AGI) that others are trying to create. I envision AI to be like the _Star Trek_ computer and helpful robots like Robby the Robot from _Forbidden Planet_ or Sonny from _I, Robot_ , without any violent programming. I also want a robot companion like the one from _Red Planet_. I do not want androids, cyborgs, or anything in between. I have listened to Ed Zitron and read a post from Greg Morris, who think AI systems are merely slop machines and a fad "word salad" generator.1 > I am having to proactively ask others not to send me AI slop to make my life easier. If I am having to rewrite the shallow nonsense that every LLM produces anyway, I might as well just do it myself from scratch. However, I believe AI is useful. I am using these services as **tools** , and you have to look at them that way. I am not a coder, so I use these machines to accomplish what I want. I do not care if the resulting programs are long and "slop," as long as they perform the intended task and pose no security problems. Modern computers and software can easily handle code that is not perfectly efficient. I believe that within five years, AI will have coding mastered and will be able to fix all the "slop code" it might be producing today. Greg Morris's frustration is understandable. He has spent decades building his skills as a designer and communicator, and now he has to deal with people sending him AI-generated "slop" content that he has to rewrite. Ed Zitron raises similar concerns about "slop code," arguing that AI-generated code is unreliable and that LLMs cannot be trusted to do the same thing every time.2 Both critiques are valid, particularly when AI outputs are passed off as professional work or sent to professionals who then have to fix them. However, I am not claiming to be a designer or coder, nor am I sending AI-generated work to professionals. I am using AI to build things for myself that I wouldn't otherwise be able to create or pay to have created. Shows like _Star Wars_ , _Star Trek_ , and _Aliens_ all have AI that is very advanced, yet the technology remains in the background rather than replacing humans entirely. They have androids, synthetics, holograms, hyperspace travel, and computers that navigate across galaxies. But computers do not run everything. Humans fly the ships, make the decisions, and win the battles. The computer in _Star Trek_ is the way I see AI eventually being: always accessible, able to perform any task asked of it, capable of writing flawless code, but humans remain at the heart of technology. Humans will be the conductor and the AI will be the orchestra. This is how I want my AI to be for the future: not replacing humans but supporting us. _**Computer: End Personal log.**_ * * * 1. Greg Morris, _I Did It Myself_ , https://gregmorris.co.uk/2025/09/24/i-did-it-myself.html ↩ 2. Ed Zitron, _The Case Against Generative AI_ , https://www.wheresyoured.at/the-case-against-generative-ai/ ↩
02.10.2025 12:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Long Distance, 2024 - ★½ This was funny but sad at the same time. I would call it a sci-fi comedy that tries to be a serious action movie. The main character has such a bad day that it becomes funny. If you want a mind-numbing movie to pass the time, this is it. The ending was just okay.
28.09.2025 02:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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The Last Rifleman, 2023 - ★★ Watched on Saturday September 27, 2025.
27.09.2025 23:30 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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The Last Rifleman, 2023 - ★★ Watched on Saturday September 27, 2025.
27.09.2025 23:30 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
My Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Update I went to the doctors on Friday, hopefully for the last of the required three ECHOs I need while on my medication called Camzyos (you may have seen the commercials on TV for it). I have been on 5mg since June for my Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, and I am oversimplifying here, but the results have been mixed. On the positive side, it has helped significantly. My numbers have definitely improved, not only on my LVOT obstruction (how much oxygenated blood gets out of my heart) but also on my ejection fraction. My shortness of breath during exertion or regular activities is completely gone. However, there are concerning side effects. My fatigue is still there, if not a little worse, and my heart rate is consistently fast with tachycardia episodes. Your heart should slow down during sleep, but mine stays at 75-90 beats per minute or higher all night long, and I can feel it constantly. This is not AFib (an irregular fast heartbeat) but rather a fast, rhythmic beat. The doctor reviewed my previous Holter monitor readings and saw the tachycardia episodes and abnormal beats firsthand. He decided I need to be put on Verapamil to address these short runs of tachycardia and the SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia) and VT (Ventricular Tachycardia) abnormal beats I experience. There was also other news from my cardiac MRI done last week, though they are not sure how to interpret it yet. Both radiologists who read my MRI need to provide clarification on quantifying my heart scarring. The report only stated "diffuse LGE" (Late Gadolinium Enhancement), which on its own is concerning, but they need a specific number to determine if I need an implantable ICD device to prevent sudden episodes of Ventricular Fibrillation (VFib), which anyone who has watched medical shows knows is the reason for Code Blues at hospitals. The treatment protocol is complicated. I cannot start Verapamil immediately because Camzyos has a REMS protocol (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies). Camzyos can cause heart failure if not properly monitored, though this is reversible by stopping the medication. The protocol requires cutting the Camzyos dose in half when starting Verapamil, but my doctors do not want to do that in my case because that reduced dose would probably be ineffective. Instead, they are increasing my dose to 10mg and monitoring how I respond for two to three weeks with another ECHO (which are painless and no problem to do). Then they will add Verapamil, which will require cutting my Camzyos dose in half, allowing me to benefit from both medications. They must proceed this way because concurrent use of both drugs can potentially lower ejection fraction and cause heart failure, so they have to take it slowly. So much for my hoped-for six-month reprieve from ECHOs. I now have another one scheduled for next month, plus visits with my cardiologist, the HCM medication specialist cardiologist, and my electrophysiologist. All of these appointments just happen to be converging next month due to their regular yearly or six-month checkup schedules, in addition to this newly added ECHO.
27.09.2025 21:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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That "Something Wonderful" I was working on Late-night coding with multiple blogs open, in a Hopper-inspired scene of focus and isolation. I posted a vague toot recently saying I was working on "something wonderful." Time to explain what that actually means. I got tired of manually posting the same content to multiple blogs, so I'm building a Python program that does it for me. The problem is simple: I have several blogs across different platforms, both free and paid. Each one has its own quirky web editor, and none of them talk to each other well. Micro.blog hosts my main site, but I want to publish everywhere at once without copying and pasting or relying on unreliable RSS feeds. I already built a Python program for cross-posting to social media that works well enough. Now I'm building something similar for blogs, running on my Raspberry Pi. Eventually I'll connect both programs into a proper POSSE setup (Publish on your Own Site, Syndicate Elsewhere). Since I'm not a software developer, I use AI to help write code. I took QBasic and intro Python courses years ago, which is just enough knowledge to get me into trouble. Claude and ChatGPT do most of the heavy lifting, though they each have their own frustrations. Claude starts strong but goes off track. ChatGPT focuses too narrowly on specific modules. It's like having coding assistants with different personalities and attention spans. Here's where the project stands: The Manual Poster handles social media and is nearly complete. You can see the interface for creating posts and selecting which platforms to publish to. Manual Post interface for creating and scheduling posts across platforms. The Blog Poster is still in alpha. The dashboard shows system status and recent posts, while the creation interface handles titles, content, tags, and publishing options across multiple blog platforms. Dashboard view showing service status, database health, and recent posts. Create New Post screen with fields for title, content, tags, and publishing options. It’s rough around the edges, but it’s starting to solve the actual problem I have. No more copying and pasting the same post five times. That’s the “something wonderful” I was being vague about.
27.09.2025 03:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
📺 This Week's TV Watchlist **From Disney+/Hulu:** 🎬 **Alien: Earth** – Season 1, Episodes 1-7 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ _May contain spoilers_ The show and its cast are excellent. Although it began somewhat slowly with necessary background information, it proved worthwhile. I eagerly anticipate the next episode and season. 🎬 **DVD:** 🎬 **Grantchester** – Season 10, Episodes 1-8 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ _May contain spoilers_ I consistently enjoy this series. The British excel at producing TV series and entertainment, often surpassing American productions, which tend to be more inconsistent. This series improves with each season and never seems to run out of creative ideas. While I will be disappointed when Season 11 concludes the series, I acknowledge that all shows must eventually end. 🎬
24.09.2025 00:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Tired of AI Spam Calls Offering Loans _🚨 AI voice cloning + robocall scams are rising—don’t fall for fake loan calls!_ For nearly a month now, I've been getting a phone call almost every day from numbers all over the U.S., numbers I don't recognize at all. I've only answered twice: the first time it was a female voice, and the second time a male voice. Both were obviously AI-generated, pitching some kind of personal loan. If I don't answer, they leave a voicemail instead. I started blocking some of the numbers, but stopped once I realized they're clearly spoofed and completely random. Here's the most recent voicemail recording: Your browser doesn't support the audio element. Download MP3 The good news is that the FCC has unanimously approved a Declaratory Ruling that recognizes calls made with AI-generated voices are “artificial” under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) FCC Makes AI-Generated Voices in Robocalls Illegal | Federal Communications Commission, making calls using voice cloning technologies illegal unless a consumer had expressly given their consent to receive the call FCC: AI-Generated Robocalls Illegal Under the TCPA. You can report them at FCC Complaints where filing a consumer complaint helps contribute to federal enforcement and consumer protection efforts on a national scale. I really wish the FTC and FCC would crack down harder on this, and I think the carriers should be doing more, too. Especially since they have these laws at their disposal. I know it is frustrating me to no end. I guess it could be worse, like getting more than one call a day.
14.09.2025 21:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Planet Money's Toilet Talk _From pay toilets to high-tech pods—two eras of public convenience._ This has been on my mind lately. I was listening to the Planet Money Podcast and caught an episode about why it’s so hard to find a public toilet. It made me think of London. I’ve never been, but I watch a YouTube channel called London City Walks, which often films around Horse Guards Parade. The host strolls through the area, narrates what he sees, and points out that this busy tourist spot barely has any public toilets, except a few in the Underground. I never gave it much thought here in the US, except when I go out. I usually try not to use public restrooms because they’re often dirty. Even at Disney, where attendants work almost full time, the bathrooms still get overcrowded, though you can sometimes find a quieter one that stays clean and stocked. Going to shopping malls, restaurants, or in rare cases gas stations, I hate using the bathrooms. They’re usually in rough shape. That’s what came to mind while listening to this episode. It wasn’t life-changing or anything, but it was a nice break from all the politics and tariff talk. I actually learned a lot about why we don’t have pay toilets anymore and why they disappeared. In Europe and Japan they have pay toilets that are really impressive. Some of them are self-cleaning units you can find almost anywhere. When no one’s inside they’re transparent, but once you enter and pay, the glass turns opaque for privacy. When you leave, the entire space is automatically disinfected and reset for the next person. I thought to myself, "In some places I'd actually use that!" So why doesn't London do this? It seems like a win-win. If you get a chance, check out the Planet Money episode. It’s about 24 minutes long and worth a listen. I didn’t link to the self-cleaning toilets because I honestly can’t remember where I first watched or heard about them, but I know they’re common in Japan and parts of Europe. It was just interesting to learn why pay toilets went away here and how they continue to exist in other parts of the world.
14.09.2025 00:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
📺 This TV Week’s Watchlist 🎬 **Star Trek: Strange New Worlds** – Season 3, Episodes 5-10 (Season Finale) ⭐⭐⭐ _May contain spoilers!_ This season was a mixed bag. I believe this series has great potential, but I question the structure and plot of some episodes this season. For instance, the season finale should have been a two-parter, episodes 8 and 9, with episode 10 serving as a proper season close-out. Alternatively, if they wanted to maintain its current position, they could have extended the season to 12 episodes, making this story arc a two-parter, episodes 10 and 11, then having a proper close-out as episode 12 as a look back over the season and what to look forward to. I struggle to understand this new streaming series format of producing only 8 or 10 episodes for the entire year, a point I have raised and complained about in past posts. TV series, when they were broadcast over the air or on cable, typically produced 20 to 24 episodes that aired from September through May, followed by summer reruns. The new streaming era, however, is characterized by shorter seasons with a year or more between new seasons. Returning to the season finale, it felt rushed and anticlimactic. So a mixed bag this year. Hoping Season 4 will be better and more true to the series as it hopefully concludes handing off to Star Trek The Original Series. 🎬
12.09.2025 03:35 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Is This the Wake-Up Call We Need? The assassination of Charlie Kirk today is a tragic reminder that political violence is never the solution. It only creates deeper divides and encourages an “us versus them” mentality that is actively harming our society. The proper place to resolve political differences is at the ballot box and through civil debate. This destructive rhetoric and division is not new. It has been encouraged for years and has been festering over time. The current environment reinforces a dangerous dynamic that threatens our democratic institutions. I have said this before, and I will say it again: politics is just one aspect of life, but its current state is consuming our nation. Politicians on both sides have not helped by trying to one-up the other party in order to stay in power, and it is a disservice to the public they serve. Government employees take an oath to uphold, defend, and protect the Constitution of the United States. Part of that oath means doing what is right for the principles of our republic, not what is right for a specific party. The Constitution was written to allow people to live with representation and dignity. The tragic loss of life, from both public figures and private citizens, should be a wake-up call for everyone to dial back the rhetoric. The nation is like a kettle beginning to whistle loudly. Starting from the President down, we all need to take a collective breath, pause, and step back from the cliff. There will inevitably be a call to address the issue of gun violence. While the Second Amendment is a foundational part of our nation, a right to bear arms must be balanced with the need for public safety. Many Americans, regardless of party, agree on common-sense measures like universal background checks and red flag laws. This is not about eliminating all guns, but about preventing them from falling into the wrong hands. Arguments that an outright ban would be ineffective miss the opportunity to find solutions that can save lives without infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens. Look at England as an example. They have very strict gun laws, yet still struggle with knife crime, showing that banning one type of weapon does not eliminate violence. The loss of life is always a tragedy, no matter who the victim is. My hope is that we can finally learn from this moment before more lives are lost and that we all step back from the edge before we all fall off the cliff.
11.09.2025 02:58 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Working on something wonderful I am working on something wonderful in Python 🐍. It’s a slow process, but I’m making progress 🚀. At this rate, it won’t be ready until the end of the year 📅. I don’t want to reveal it until it’s finished and working 🔒.
09.09.2025 02:30 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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10 Years of World of Warships Joined World of Warships on July 2, 2015 I’ve been playing _World of Warships_ , a free-to-play naval combat game focused mainly on ships from World War II with some from earlier and later eras. It’s my most-played game, and I’ve been with it since the very beginning. I first started on July 2, 2015, the first day of the open beta, just before the official launch that September. For me, the game is a way to relax. I usually stick to co-op battles against bots, since random battles with other players often get too competitive and sometimes rude. I don’t play for competition. I play to unwind and enjoy myself. I’d like to thank Wargaming.net and wish them many more years of success. They publish other games too, but _World of Warships_ is the one I’ve enjoyed most. Happy Anniversary to _World of Warships_ and Wargaming.net, and thanks for the free premium ships I’ve received so far during this big anniversary celebration.
06.09.2025 18:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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To Feature Image or Not Choosing a feature image — a quiet desk, a laptop, and blank cards waiting to be filled. I have been debating lately whether feature images are a good idea. I think they are, because I am a very visual person. Even though I often read materials without pictures, an image grabs my attention and interest first. I first discovered feature images when I started learning WordPress. The feature image option was one of the only parts of WordPress I liked, even though I struggled with the block editor. The challenge was always finding the right image. Now, with AI, I can usually get about 95 percent of the way there. I have received some pushback about using AI images in my posts (usually only the feature image is AI). I really do not care much about the criticism, but some of the feedback has been trollish, and that is not acceptable. I use AI images the same way I would use WordPress premade content or any other service’s ready-made material. I am not taking away a person’s creativity or business, because if I did not use AI or premade assets, I simply would not use feature images at all. To me, using AI imagery is a way to be efficient with my resources, especially since I am already using and paying for the service for other things. Overall, it is the most cost-effective option. So, do you like feature images? Do you use them? What guides your decision about whether to include them or not? I would love to hear from you, as long as it is in a respectful way. I will always respond respectfully, whether I agree with your position or not.
01.09.2025 00:08 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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A Week of Exhaustion, Frustration, and Hope Quiet golden-hour read with tea and tech in tow. My week has been hectic with work and being off Camzyos for over a week now.“Why are you off your Camzyos? I thought it was helping.”Yes, it has helped. I have felt better. I am not energized and still fatigued, but I have been able to do things without feeling like I was going to pass out from exertion. The specialty pharmacy would not fill the prescription without every box checked. My doctor’s office also failed to upload my latest ECHO. The pharmacy never contacted me, simply put the prescription on hold, and left me in the dark. I had to reach out myself to find out what was happening. On Friday the medicine finally shipped. Will I get it today? Who knows. I was told Thursday, then Friday. I am also cutting back on my use of hashtags in social media posts. Lately I have gotten trolls and some nasty responses. I do not mind opposite or contrary views, but the tone was uncalled for. Hashtags used to be a good way to find people talking about the same things. Unfortunately, hashtag hijacking has become common, and I do not want to feed that beast. As the week closed, I was glad to spend time pondering more relaxing things and holding on to hope that the Supreme Court will keep intact two rulings that struck down parts of Trump’s tariffs. These tariffs have been the largest tax increase in my lifetime and have driven prices higher while keeping inflation stubborn. If the Appeals Court and Trade Court decisions are upheld, the choice will fall to Congress. Either they bail Trump out by raising taxes, or they do nothing. I doubt they want to admit the tariffs were harmful and amounted to tax increases. Inflationary pressure could finally ease, with the side benefit of giving Trump a well-deserved kick in the pants.
31.08.2025 03:30 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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When Police Lights Stay On: Law Enforcement Cruise Mode I live in Hillsborough County, Florida. Within the last few months, our Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) and at least one other local agency have been using what they call _cruise mode_ with their emergency lights. This is creating a lot of confusion for motorists, myself included. In this mode, the emergency lights are steady and static while the deputy drives normally. The problem is you cannot tell if they want you to move over, pull over, or simply let them pass with priority. Traditionally, emergency lights flash, sometimes with sirens, which signals drivers how to respond. The issue is especially acute when a patrol car is directly behind you or approaching an intersection in front of you. I’ve been in both of these situations, and each time I was unsure how to react. Apparently, HCSO received enough questions, complaints, and inquiries that local news media began covering the issue. At least one couple was involved in a serious accident linked to confusion over this policy. * ABC Action News Tampa Bay (WFTS) report documents one such accident. * FOX 13 Tampa Bay report explains the reasoning behind the new lighting mode. One key issue is that HCSO did not widely publicize this change until after they had already begun using it. Nor did they hold any public hearings, request public input, or take comments about this non-statutory change. Florida law is clear about when emergency lights may be used and when emergency vehicles may claim special driving privileges: * **§316.2397(3)(c)** Authorized emergency vehicles may operate emergency lights and sirens in an emergency. Online Sunshine * **§316.072(5)(a)** , a driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may claim special privileges when responding to an emergency call, transporting organs or surgical teams for transplant, pursuing a suspect, or responding to a fire alarm. The driver **“may exercise the privileges set forth in this section, but subject to the conditions herein stated.”** Online Sunshine * The privileges in **§316.072(5)(b)** include parking or standing as needed, carefully proceeding past a red or stop after slowing, exceeding speed limits without endangering life or property, and disregarding movement or turning regulations without endangering life or property. Online Sunshine * **§316.072(5)(c)** requires “due regard for the safety of all persons” and does not protect a driver from reckless disregard. Online Sunshine * Separately, **§316.126(3)** says that when an emergency vehicle is en route to an existing emergency, it must warn other traffic by an audible signal or a visible signal using displayed blue or red lights, and otherwise proceed consistent with the traffic laws. Online Sunshine The statute does not appear to authorize steady, non-flashing lights while the vehicle is driving normally. Cruise mode is also not mentioned in the Florida Driver’s Handbook, leaving motorists with no official guidance on how to respond: > Emergency Vehicles: Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to law enforcement vehicles, fire engines, and other emergency vehicles using sirens or flashing lights. Pull over to the closest edge of the roadway immediately and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed. Do not block intersections.1 This confusion is not theoretical. I experienced it first-hand a couple of months ago. A deputy was driving behind me with cruise lights on, and I had no idea if he wanted me to move over or not. He did not try to pass, so I continued driving normally through heavy traffic. Another example happened just the other morning on the University of South Florida campus. A USF Police vehicle was coming the opposite way with static emergency lights on. It was 6:25 a.m. and still dark, so the lights were especially bright. I had a green turn arrow but hesitated because I did not know if he intended to proceed through the intersection. After three or four seconds, I realized he wasn’t moving, so I made my left turn. Even though I already knew about cruise mode, I was still uncertain. If the law only permits these lights to be used in flashing emergency mode and requires officers to obey traffic laws otherwise, then this static always-on mode while on routine patrol does not appear to be supported by statute. It also creates unnecessary confusion, especially in a state with a large elderly population who do not need added uncertainty behind the wheel. In addition, tourists and residents from other parts of Florida where agencies do not use cruise mode face even more confusion. I understand the goal is to deter crime, discourage traffic violations, and increase visibility, but in practice cruise mode is causing more confusion and risk than it prevents. 1 Page 84 Official Florida Driver License Handbook as issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles 2025 Edition
28.08.2025 17:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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When Police Lights Stay On: Law Enforcement Cruise Mode I live in Hillsborough County, Florida. Within the last few months, our Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) and at least one other local agency have been using what they call _cruise mode_ with their emergency lights. This is creating a lot of confusion for motorists, myself included. In this mode, the emergency lights are steady and static while the deputy drives normally. The problem is you cannot tell if they want you to move over, pull over, or simply let them pass with priority. Traditionally, emergency lights flash, sometimes with sirens, which signals drivers how to respond. The issue is especially acute when a patrol car is directly behind you or approaching an intersection in front of you. I’ve been in both of these situations, and each time I was unsure how to react. Apparently, HCSO received enough questions, complaints, and inquiries that local news media began covering the issue. At least one couple was involved in a serious accident linked to confusion over this policy. * ABC Action News Tampa Bay (WFTS) report documents one such accident. * FOX 13 Tampa Bay report explains the reasoning behind the new lighting mode. One key issue is that HCSO did not widely publicize this change until after they had already begun using it. Nor did they hold any public hearings, request public input, or take comments about this non-statutory change. Florida law is clear about when emergency lights may be used and when emergency vehicles may claim special driving privileges: * **§316.2397(3)(c)** Authorized emergency vehicles may operate emergency lights and sirens in an emergency. Online Sunshine * **§316.072(5)(a)** , a driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may claim special privileges when responding to an emergency call, transporting organs or surgical teams for transplant, pursuing a suspect, or responding to a fire alarm. The driver **“may exercise the privileges set forth in this section, but subject to the conditions herein stated.”** Online Sunshine * The privileges in **§316.072(5)(b)** include parking or standing as needed, carefully proceeding past a red or stop after slowing, exceeding speed limits without endangering life or property, and disregarding movement or turning regulations without endangering life or property. Online Sunshine * **§316.072(5)(c)** requires “due regard for the safety of all persons” and does not protect a driver from reckless disregard. Online Sunshine * Separately, **§316.126(3)** says that when an emergency vehicle is en route to an existing emergency, it must warn other traffic by an audible signal or a visible signal using displayed blue or red lights, and otherwise proceed consistent with the traffic laws. Online Sunshine The statute does not appear to authorize steady, non-flashing lights while the vehicle is driving normally. Cruise mode is also not mentioned in the Florida Driver’s Handbook, leaving motorists with no official guidance on how to respond: > Emergency Vehicles Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to law enforcement vehicles, fire engines, and other emergency vehicles using sirens or flashing lights. Pull over to the closest edge of the roadway immediately and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed. Do not block intersections.1 This confusion is not theoretical. I experienced it first-hand a couple of months ago. A deputy was driving behind me with cruise lights on, and I had no idea if he wanted me to move over or not. He did not try to pass, so I continued driving normally through heavy traffic. Another example happened just the other morning on the University of South Florida campus. A USF Police vehicle was coming the opposite way with static emergency lights on. It was 6:25 a.m. and still dark, so the lights were especially bright. I had a green turn arrow but hesitated because I did not know if he intended to proceed through the intersection. After three or four seconds, I realized he wasn’t moving, so I made my left turn. Even though I already knew about cruise mode, I was still uncertain. If the law only permits these lights to be used in flashing emergency mode and requires officers to obey traffic laws otherwise, then this static always-on mode while on routine patrol does not appear to be supported by statute. It also creates unnecessary confusion, especially in a state with a large elderly population who do not need added uncertainty behind the wheel. In addition, tourists and residents from other parts of Florida where agencies do not use cruise mode face even more confusion. I understand the goal is to deter crime, discourage traffic violations, and increase visibility, but in practice cruise mode is causing more confusion and risk than it prevents. 1 Page 84 Official Florida Driver License Handbook as issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles 2025 Edition
28.08.2025 17:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Free Streaming TV and Pesky Ads Rainy night comfort: vintage TV, streaming apps, and a glass of iced tea If you’ve been following or reading my blog over the years (and many people probably haven’t), you know I like watching TV. I love Star Trek (all the iterations except TNG) and older shows like _Green Acres_ , _All in the Family_ , _MASH_ , _Bunker’s Place_ , _Barney Miller_ , and British series like _Doc Martin_ , _Grantchester_ , and _Foyle’s War_ , along with many others. I really enjoy how new streaming services like Amazon (MGM), Pluto TV, Tubi TV, and Plex make so much of this content available for free. One of my favorite features is when they turn a show into its own channel. This past weekend it rained the entire time. I watched one movie, but before and after that I mostly had either the Pluto TV _Star Trek: Voyager_ channel or the Amazon MGM _Green Acres_ channel on, unless I was watching regular TV. I also own a lot of DVDs of these shows. I like having the discs because cancel culture seems to get worse every year, and I want to make sure I can always watch the things I enjoy. I’ve been working on digitizing everything I own for archival and backup purposes, though the TV and movie industry doesn’t make that easy (that’s a topic for another post). Normally I don’t care for free streaming services because, like regular TV, they include ads. But since I’m not paying for them, I tolerate it. One category of ads I’ve noticed a lot on Pluto TV is casino-style slot apps. They are heavily promoted. If an adult wants to play those games, that’s their choice, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea to make those ads so visible to impressionable young people, especially young males. It feels like the ads are designed to make gambling seem fun and easy to start. I’m not trying to preach, since I occasionally play the lottery, which is gambling too. But I don’t see lottery ads every single commercial break. The slot ads, on the other hand, sometimes run two at a time, and they even frame the story as if young men are already hooked and stealing to play. That’s just my two cents.
25.08.2025 02:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Deep Cover, 2025 - ★★½ Amazon Video seems to be throwing a lot at the wall hoping something sticks. Heads of State was good and genuinely funny 😂. Deep Cover has its moments too, funny in parts and boosted by a star-studded cast ⭐. But overall it fell short. It wasn’t consistently believable or entertaining, even if a few scenes worked.
24.08.2025 17:30 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Deep Cover, 2025 - ★★½ Amazon Video seems to be throwing a lot at the wall hoping something sticks. Heads of State was good and genuinely funny 😂. Dead Cover has its moments too, funny in parts and boosted by a star-studded cast ⭐. But overall it fell short. It wasn’t consistently believable or entertaining, even if a few scenes worked.
24.08.2025 17:30 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

After Friday’s good news from my cardiologist, I’m celebrating by cooking dinner for my parents and me: Chef Jean-Pierre’s pot roast recipe👨‍🍳🥩🥕🧅🥔. The house already smells amazing 😌🍽️ It’s in the oven and cooking 🔥⏲️. Photos may come later 📸.

23.08.2025 19:30 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0