I just finished the seven-ish Seven-of-Nine Voyager episodes recommended by @macgenie to prepare for the Picard premiere. I missed much of the original run so most were new to me. Very good stuff! micro.welltempered.net/2019/12/2…

I’m listening to this newly-purchased used LP while doing related reading. Crazy: The actor who played the oldest boy in the Star Trek episode Miri, Michael J Pollard, is the same man who came up with the title to the amazing song and album, The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys.

“If there is any hope for the long term success of democracy, it will be if people agree to listen to and try to understand their political opponents rather than simply seeking to crush them.” Major Andrew J. Olmsted

Andy was the first combat casualty of 2008.

A downside to keeping an Apple Watch activity streak going is apparently 1160 > 1163. Hopefully it’ll get a math tutor before long.

What’s in your washing machine?

The washer stopped draining yesterday, following a stuffed-animal-style pillow leaking some of its filling. After some research I decided to pull things apart. Turns out washers have a drain trap, sometimes called a “coin trap,” to catch stuff that gets into the narrow space between the rotating tub and frame. That way, coins and other such things won’t get into the motor. Holy cow. The loot:

7 quarters 11 dimes 10 pennies 2 nails 2 screws Two hair pins 7 bobby pins 1 Bic-style pen refill

And of course the pillow filling, which was wedged behind the motor impeller preventing it from spinning.

All has been removed, and everything is draining properly. Now who wants to put my clean clothes away for me? I can pay you in $2.95 in incredibly dirty money…

At a talk with Randall Munroe, the XKCD web comic guy. He’s talking about his new book, How To.

I just gave my PDFKit talk at 360iDev. Slides and sample code at github.com/mitchcohe…

Achievement unlocked: Used a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose. No injuries nor serious damage. The extinguisher powder knows how to travel though, on almost all surfaces throughout the house. Time to clean!

One small step (err, bike pedal?) for a man, one giant streak for all mankind…

Got the multigrain bun, so it’s healthy.

I bought this in 1986. Planning to re-read this weekend, and see if we got it right.

I’m not a big opera person, but I’ve always loved Akhnaten by Philip Glass. The Met in NYC is doing a production this November, and tickets went on sale today. Insta-buy. (And holy cow, Met tickets aren’t cheap so hopefully I made a reasonable decision…)

The cute pin I got for spending a little more for the ticket. Totally worth it, if only for the semi-quiet spot to chat with others while the radio(?) songs filled the air. No hiding during the show, of course!

The traditional Social Media Moment with @jamesdempsey and the Breakpoints. A great show near WWDC, and fundraiser for App Camp For Girls.

I’m moderating a local candidates’ debate tonight. I have a tux and an American flag bow tie. I’m thinking I shouldn’t, as the candidates should be the center of attention. But I could be convinced otherwise…

I updated my LinkedIn profile today. Doing so gave me no insight into why I should care, or even why it exists. People I know love it so I know I’m missing something. To my eyes and brain it’s like Facebook, just a little bit worse.

Today’s Boston Marathon surprise (as an annual spectator): The large number of runners with AirPods. Mine fit great, but unsure I’d trust them in sweaty ears for 26.2 miles.

I’m hoping Mueller’s report was written half each in iambic pentameter and limerick verse.

Guess when I’m supposed to be on a plane to warm weather?

After doing the snowblower thing I spent 20 minutes looking for lost AirPods in the snow, using Find my iPhone. Sound was omnipresent but varied with wind and traffic noise. Map had me and the AirPods jumping all over distance-wise. Finally found them, loose in my pocket (with the rubber tether I use to keep them “safe”) right where I’d put them. Guess my fingers were too numb when I first looked. Ack…

My ClassKit/Schoolwork talk at August’s 360iDev is now online at vimeo.com/310848851… Code and related details at github.com/mitchcohe… .

Found two old Apple Store gift cards yesterday. The newer of the two has instructions on adding to Passbook. The older is copyright 2006. Hoping the latter is still valid. If so, I’ll buy myself a present!

A quote I wrote to myself for a Mac IIcx, circa 1989. List price $7069. Usual retail discount at the time was 10-12%. I worked at a dealer, so I could buy at dealer cost - 50% off. I didn’t buy this one; I got a IIci a year later, through an Apple SPIFF program.

“Hey Siri, play NPR news” turns out to be a great HomePod command when prepping a quick meal. Plays the most recent hourly news, then stops.

Ran across this book at the library. Rather odd, but worth the read.