Bitcoin

Trying to find a GPU to run some tests at work.  Went over to Fry’s at lunch and the shelves were bare.  I asked one of the sales clerks what was up.  He just said “bitcoin”.

20180423_142135.jpg

The Uncovering

A mailing from the Boston Review today contained an essay from Junot Diaz.  I started to read it and quickly realized it was the better part of a decade old.  It focused on the 2011 earthquake in Haiti, near Diaz’s homeland of the Dominican Republic.  It also touched on other recent disasters, Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and Fukushima in Japan.

The root of the word “apocalypse” is ancient Greek for “uncovering” (or “revelation”).  Diaz explores what is revealed in these disasters.

Apocalypse

JUNOT DÍAZ

Peace, Love and BBQ

Driving back to Austin from College Station we like to stop in Elgin at Southside Market and get some BBQ.  The line was long, and we waited almost 20 minutes to get to the counter to place our order.  We usually get a lot of stuff, bring it home and eat it for a few days.  Brisket, turkey, baked potato with brisket.  I saw a sign that said Beef Ribs, Saturday and Sunday day only.  The price listed was per pound, and I inquired how big a beef rib was, by weight.   The lady behind the counter grabbed a dinosaur sized piece of meat and bone, tossed it on the scale.  $35. Seemed like a lot, I dithered, and realized people in line were staring at me.  I turned to the guy in front of me and said “can’t pass that up”.  He nodded.  We added the beef rib to the list.  Ate a bit when we got home and it was delicious.  Cheap at twice the price.

One other thing struck me waiting in line.  All sorts of people.  Old, young, black, white, Latino and Asian. People coming from church, soccer games or just passing through.  A real slice of America.  Almost as impressive as that beef rib.

 

#deleteFacebook, Lucky 7777 and Brunch

Been busy with the new job this week.  Noticed some momentum on the #deleteFacebook movement.  Of course, selling your personal information has always been Facebook’s business model.  The larger problem is that people aren’t just using this information to sell you consumer products, but also using it to sell you political ideologies.  This seems to be happening to the exclusion other factual information.  I’m not interested, thank you, and hence this blog.  Also had my odometer turn lucky 7777, with a temperature of 70F.  Wish I was sitting in front of a slot machine for that one.  And a nice breakfast for the whole family this morning.