Blog: How to pass AWS

https://digitalcloud.training/2020/04/22/how-to-not-fail-your-aws-certification-exam/

So yeah, stay in the regular with your studies.  Start practice test early.  Try to hammer on things you don't know and figure them out.  All in all some advice I've heard before that was worth hearing again.

Blog: zero to 2 AWS certifications in 30 days

https://medium.com/@johanrin/how-i-went-from-0-to-2-aws-certifications-in-30-days-50838b45f3f1

He studied 4-5 hours a day to achieve his success.

He did this as part of a challenge created by Freecodecamp.

Also, he mentions if you pass the Practioner exam you get a coupon for 50% off your next exam.  I'm looking forward to that.

Blog: A Short history of fedora Linux

https://fedoramagazine.org/fedora-origins-part-01/

I learned that fedora is the upstream version of redhat, a place to try out new features and explore new technologies that later become part of redhat.

Also, the logo, which looks something like facebook's, has been around for quite a while.

Blog: Citylab on cheap boring ways to make transportation cheaper

https://www.citylab.com/perspective/2020/03/transportation-solutions-public-transit-bus-train-bike-parking/607471/
A few things I learned from the four points made in the article.

Bus shelters help people perceive shorter wait times, perception drives behavior.

Sidewalks and intersection improvements make walking more attractive and funnel commuters into other modes

my favorite phrase "catalyze mode shift"

let bikes on trains and subways

well considering that many US cities don't have trains or subways, this isn't really a big issue to me.  but maybe the cities that do have these services account for a large share of cyclists?

Anyway, they need to talk about money, how can this save money!  But instead they need to talk about perception, and compare apples to oranges, the USA to Utrecht.  I'm convinced, but I already was.  Maybe hearts and minds, I can't be sure.

Blog: What is DevOps

https://aws.amazon.com/devops/what-is-devops/

this amazon blog about devops is kinda markety and slogany but I did learn some things.

i learned about continuous integration and monitoring and logging.

infrastructure as code means you don't have to manually set up server hardware and software, you can just outline in code, let the cloud service do the OS and CPU and config shit.

but yeah a few bits sounds cultish, like taking on so much responsibility that youre doing everything.  save that for the rich people, i have to go home and feed my cats every day.

News: Young Turks unionizes

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/10/union-campaign-that-roiled-the-young-turks-178996

its a leftist news organization, but the boss got mad when staff formed a union.

the boss guy sounds like a narcissist

News: We have enough TP

https://www.npr.org/2020/04/03/826945396/why-are-stores-are-running-low-on-toilet-paper-its-not-just-hoarding

The U.S. makes most of its own TP so we are in luck. But the supply chain is messed up.  Lots of stores don't keep large stocks of toilet paper, and lots of pulp was going to commercial, but businesses are mostly closed.

we have enough TP but not enough to stop panic buying, so there will probably seem like there is a shortage for a while.

News: Austin blocks roads for cars

https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/coronavirus/2020/04/16/austin-blocks-vehicular-traffic-along-portion-of-riverside-drive-as-social-distancing-measure/

a few streets are being blocked to auto traffic, allowing for more pedestrian and cyclist use, and thereby decreasing congestion and contagion at city parks.

awesome.

News: We Have Enough Food

https://www.chron.com/business/article/The-industry-says-we-have-enough-food-Here-s-why-15198929.php

The supply chain is vulnerable.  Lots of big centralized plants that could close if even one worker gets sick.  Also the shift from commercial to retail means a lot of packaging isn't up to standard, but the standards have been lifted.

Anyway things are strained but so far they are OK.

News: Muscadine Grapes

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/09/26/551835327/muscadines-may-be-the-best-grapes-you-ve-never-tasted

I just learned about these and I want to eat some!

How are they different than concord grapes.

Maybe this summer I can snatch a bite.

News: Responsible Day Tripping

https://www.austinchronicle.com/columns/2020-04-10/day-trips-responsible-daytripping/

I was excited by this headline, but actually it tells me to stay home.  I can't drive to go look at things.  If something goes wrong, like an accident or even just running out of gas, then I would have to come into contact with people, and that's what we are trying to avoid right now, any excess social contact.

Ok, I'll stay home but I'm still going on walks.

Recipe: Making waffles with oats

https://www.forksoverknives.com/recipes/vegan-breakfast/easy-oat-waffles/#gs.3qux01

This recipe is simple and straightforward, but you need a blender.  So that means extra dishes to wash.  But, it is vegan, and not oily.  I just wonder if it would be too starchy, or if the oatmeal would taste uncooked.

https://www.makingthymeforhealth.com/vegan-gluten-free-oat-flour-waffles/

this waffle has more ingredients and the post has more pictures.  Still looks pretty good, but I'd prefer something simpler.  Good inspiration, though.

Recipe: Grits Waffles

Looking to make something savory with no sugar added.   I'd already tried putting some cheese and hominy in my waffle iron.  It was pretty good, although it got soggy pretty quickly.

These recipes call for quick cook grits, bacon, and cheese.

https://bettyskitchen.us/allpdf/CheddarCheeseandBaconWaffledGrits.pdf

Betty does a good job with her website, her cookbook, and her video.  I really like the look of this recipe.  Perhaps I'll post a review of it after I try it.

https://www.austin360.com/entertainment/20161012/recipe-of-the-week-savory-grits-waffles-from-the-up-south-cookbook

This recipe is more like making waffle batter with grits.  I don't know if I will try it, but it is inspiring.  I might even check out the cookbook this came from.  I just did, it looks pretty good, and is very cheap on amazon.

Obit: Hunter Mansion

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48308953/william-dunlap-hunter-obit-august-17/

Found out about this old house outside of town.  This is the obituary for the owner.  I've never read an obit so poetic, and vague.  I wonder how many people attended, and what the other songs they sang.

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48308953/william-dunlap-hunter-obit-august-17/

Says he had a third wife here, but there's no indication on his tombstone about being married.  I wonder if he was involved in polygamy or something else taboo.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33620546/william-dunlap-hunter/photo

I also read about the owner's son.  He was business professor at UT, and has a scholarship, full ride, every year.  Nice.
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/statesman/obituary.aspx?n=charles-wilson-hackett&pid=1593528

Blog: Looking for some party games for SNES

http://rvgfanatic.com/wordpress/index.php/snes-party-games/
I found this list of party games, man there are a lot.  Not too many racing games, though.  Well anyway there were plenty of games I've never heard of before, several of them published only in Japan.

http://rvgfanatic.com/wordpress/index.php/battle-cross/

I am excited about a game called battlecross.  Its like bomberman meets mario kart, apparently.

Recipe: 3 Ingredient Energy Bars

https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-easy-3-ingredient-energy-bars-at-home-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-184306

this recipe is really simple: equal parts dates, dried fruit, and almonds

i tried it with pecans, also.  very nice.

i did some dried cherry apricot, and some raisin ones

i also added allspice to one

in total i made 4 kinds.  i should have labeled them because i can't remember exactly what went in them

i might top them with some citrus zest, or maybe some grape nuts.

Info: Crested Caracaras

https://txtbba.tamu.edu/species-accounts/crested-caracara/

So I heard these birds are currently in Austin.  We don't see them normally, but now isn't a normal time.  Many people are staying at home to avoid getting sick during the pandemic.  And so certain wildlife has returned, including the crested carcara, which I'd never heard of before.

It is a raptor, and it looks quite unique.

It has the call of video game lobster hands.

I like it a lot.

News: Louis Theroux on Tiger King

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a32049049/louis-theroux-tiger-king/

I learned that Louis made his own docu with some of he people featured in tiger king.  He liked the guy, but still thinks animal rights are important.  I might watch Louis Theroux's video.

News: A to M

suddenly i was wondering if ass to mouth was gross and unhygenic and it turns out that if you eat your own poop it isnt likely to get you sick.  that still gross, though.  and it probably smells.

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/7xd99d/how-dirty-is-going-ass-to-mouth

News: Stimulus Checks

https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/coronavirus-stimulus-check-questions-answers-2020-4

I learned some things from this.  But mostly I learned that you can't count on the government. 

It could take five months for people to get their checks.  Yuck.

At least they happen automatically.

Blog: Foreigners in America

https://delacortereview.org/2020/03/10/waiting-to-be-blessed/

This guy from another country ends up moving in with an American man that has all sorts of problems, yet the American man persists in his optimism.

I like this story because it is well written and interesting, and because it reminds me that I am a repat.

News: I was addicted to adderall for a decade

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/caseyschwartzauthor/adderall-addiction-college-attention-a-love-story

I didn't realize this was a post cut from a book.  It seems well written, yet it ends quite abruptly.  I don't really wonder what happens next.

I hope she is OK.

I did not learn why she was addicted.  I don't think she knows.

News: Burglars steal 10k of lumber in 3 minutes

https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/burglars-steal-more-than-10k-in-lumber-from-south-austin-construction-site

Looks like they know what they are doing. Pulling in, loading up, and heading out.  They even use the same truck. 

Brazen

News: New Union Movements

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/photo-booth/the-faces-of-a-new-union-movement

Well yeah it looks like there are some small new unions.  Mostly young people? Spread all around the country?  Ok, not too bad.  A pretty good collection of many different occurrences.

News: Peace Corps Breaks Ties With China

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/03/16/the-peace-corps-breaks-ties-with-china

This guy reads a writes.  And has some juice for the story.  Doesn't point too many fingers, but you can see his slant.  Some dipshits fucked stuff up.  People in charge don't deserve they power they wield.

Some fun stuff about international relations.

News: Explaining Copyright Broke Youtube's Copyright System

https://www.law.nyu.edu/centers/engelberg/news/2020-03-04-youtube-takedown

Some lawyers used examples of youtube copyright in a video explaining copyright on youtube, then their video got taken down for copyright violations.  It was only through a personal connections that they got their video restored.

Most people don't have the ability to un-strike their videos.

News: Restaurants and Margins

https://thecounter.org/why-restaurants-are-closing-nyc-los-angeles/

this piece covers a lot of topics about restaurants and talks to a lot of different people.  however, it seems like los angeles and new york city are the only two places in the country.

it was a fun, long read, though.

News: The Global Pursuit of a Fugitive Ship

https://www.hakaimagazine.com/features/catch-me-if-you-can/

This story is actually fun to read.  I learned a lot about ships and oceans. 

But yeah, basically one small group of people is determined to fish illegally, and they succeed for a really long time in doing just that.

News: Italy extends lockdown to entire nation

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51810673

So yeah this was 20 days ago.  Feels like things have moved on a lot since then.  I've been in quarantine for some time.  I've lost track of how things are going in Italy and Iran.  And yeah, the last half of the article is about people stuck in prison during this time.  They're very vulnerable.  I don't know what the state of things is in Italy's prisons, but I wouldn't be surprised if conditions are worse in the USA.

News: Us Captain fired

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52145230

So this guy is in charge of an aircraft carrier and a bunch of people are sick, and he wants people taken off the boat.  His boss says no, so he writes a letter and gets it published in a newspaper. 

Insubordination, and gets fired.

I can't tell who is right, but it seems like the captain is.

News: 50 inspiring works

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/mar/29/inspiring-culture-50-works-that-changed-our-critics-lives

I haven't gone through all the categories, but the architecture, music, tv and dance parts are fun and interesting, with things i'd never seen before but that i'd like to see more of.

Blog: How to build a berm

https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-build-berm-4160528

So yeah, you build a pile of fill and put the topsoil on top.  Drainage is an issue.  Sometimes these are to block wind, or for privacy, or to raise up cool plants more towards eye level so they can be enjoyed.

News: Southerners more likely to die of covid19

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/04/coronavirus-unique-threat-south-young-people/609241/

So this seems like scare mongering a bit.  People in the south are unhealthy, and unhealthy people are more likely to die of covid 19.

But yeah, southern states spend little on public health, have opted out of extending medicare to lower income people, and suffer from weak leadership.

So, I learned some things and my beliefs were reinforced as well.

Blog: This Guy Studies the History of War

https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-mega-wars-that-shaped-world-history/

He uses a lot of guarded language, quotes, and information, to write things about war.  My emotional response is terror.  He breezily describes the end of the world in many different ways.

However, I learned about new empires, revolutionaries, and other parts of human history.  So, that was neato.

News: Canada has a separatist movement in Alberta

https://thewalrus.ca/the-new-separatists/

The plains feel disaffected.  I knew this but didn't really understand.

There might be a wexit.