Blog History
2025
August
- 29 - iTunes is Dead
- 29 - Tailscale and Windows Subsystem for Linux
- 28 - Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin
- 28 - Toll-Free SMS Tech Service
- 27 - Meta Glasses Interview
- 26 - Sous Vide Inside Skirt Steak
2024
December
October
- 07 - OpenVPN Setup Guide
August
- 23 - Uncle's PC attacked
July
May
2023
May
April
Full Page Blog
iTunes is Dead
Wasn't really till recently I needed to sync something over to my iPhone from my windows pc.
I had noticed iTunes no longer recognized my phone and thought that was a bit strange.
Come to find out, they made a new Apple Devices app for iPhone.
Took away the only way to load audio books to iBooks. Was very unfortunate and sad.
There is a bright lining to this.
They at least opened up your ability to load anything you want on the iPhone using icloud drive.
I did end up getting what I needed on my iPhone, just a sign of the times.
Side note, I saw this image on Vivaldi browser and it made me chuckle. It's apt for this situation. A developer with a sense a humor it seems. See alpha and beta stuff released for chromium they call canary. In coal mines, the miners use to carry around canaries as they would be the first to die, as a sign of trouble.
It is only fitting that untested stuff be called a canary build as the testers of such applications are akin to canaries... letting their systems hit the toxic bug infested crap before the rest of us can touch it.
Tailscale and Windows Subsystem for Linux
I don't know what happened but my TailScale exit node stopped working all the sudden for my home network traffic.
Didn't matter what I tried. Connected to the TailScale network, couldn't get internet on it.
I narrowed it down to flakey ICS and have a feeling if I just setup a Network adapter specifically for NAT, I could have bypassed ICS and got it working.
Decided to try Windows Subsystem for Linux and installed Debian.
Setup NAT on Debian and ip forwarding then installed Tailscale and advertised as an exit node.
Worked like a charm, my business IP is forwarded properly no matter where I am and I feel this will be the most reliable way to make my exit node never goes down.
Added WSL to a scheduled task so that it would reload with tailscale scan upon reboot.
Next step will be to eventually build a small linux server to host Tailscale, this website and my Plex server.
Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin
First foray into sous vide tenderloin I would have to say was a complete success. It was actually not dry and very juicy.
Not very difficult to make and I love that you can actually leave it cooking for up to 4 hours before having to worry about it turning into mushy “mashed potato” texture.
Thoroughly cooked piece of meat and all thanks to the Anova Precision Sous Vide Circulator. The wonders of modern technology that something so simple looking can keep water at a constant 145°F. Could be that I'm easily impressed, but the temperature never dropped below that number.
Pork Loin Sous Vide – 2 Hour Plan Recipe
- Temp: 145°F (63°C) → USDA safe, juicy, no pink.
- Time: 2 hours → That’s enough for this size pork loin to be pasteurized and cooked through.
Steps
- Bag it up (already marinated, no need for extras unless you want pepper or oil).
- Cook at 145°F for 2 hours.
- Pull from the bag, pat dry, then sear in a hot skillet for 30–60 sec per side for crust.
- Rest ~5 min, slice, and serve.
Keep Warm Window
After 2 hours, you can safely hold it in the water bath up to 4 hours total at 145°F. So if you start it exactly 2 hours before you’d like to eat, you’ll have a 2-hour buffer where it’ll stay juicy without going mushy.
👉 This way, you’ll hit perfect doneness at 2 hours, and if your guests are a little late, you’ve got wiggle room.
Dinner Timeline (with Sides)
T-30 min (Now)
- Leave the pork in the sous vide until you’re ready to sear (keeps it hot, won’t overcook in the next 30 min).
- Get your instant mashed potato ingredients measured and ready (water, milk, butter). Don’t start cooking yet — they cook fast and are best served right away.
- Wash and trim your asparagus.
T-20 min
- Take pork out of the sous vide bag and pat it very dry with paper towels.
- Let it rest on a plate while you prep the pan — drying it now gives you a better sear.
- Season asparagus lightly (olive oil, salt, pepper, maybe garlic if you like).
T-15 min
- Heat your cast iron skillet on medium-high heat until it’s just starting to smoke.
- Start boiling water for your mashed potatoes (but don’t add the flakes yet).
T-12 min
- Sear the pork loin first: add oil/butter to the skillet, sear pork on all sides (30–60 sec per side) until golden brown. Remove to a cutting board, tent with foil.
- This gives you a flavorful pan base for the asparagus.
T-8 min
- Lower heat slightly, toss in asparagus to sauté in the same cast iron (2–4 min, depending on thickness).
- Add a squeeze of lemon at the end for brightness.
T-5 min
- Make the instant mashed potatoes: remove boiling water from heat, stir in potato flakes, butter, milk/cream, and seasoning. This takes only 2–3 minutes.
T-2 min
- Slice the pork into medallions.
- Plate pork with asparagus on the side. Scoop mashed potatoes. Optionally drizzle reduced bag juices over pork.
✅ Results
- Pork is hot and rested when sliced.
- Asparagus is bright and not soggy.
- Mashed potatoes are fresh and creamy.
Toll-Free SMS Tech Service
So AT&T did away with their Email To SMS gateway which isn't that great.
I was using it for my calendar reminders and ok…. it was awful… But it gave people the ability to send SMS messages to a phone number if you knew what provider they used.
I can see why they did away with it as I am sure there is so much spam that went out through it.
So I decided to build my own service through JAC Comptuer Services hosted on this greenguitarist.com server.
The platform I decided to with was Twilio.com.
Let me tell you there was a learning curve. about $50.00 later, I learned the hardway that it is practically impossible to pas A2P DLC10 registration for a local phone number.
This is not Twilio.com's fault as this is just regulation put in place thanks to all the spammers out there that made it hard for someone like me to use it for legitimate reasons.
So failing for the 4th time, even after getting a EIN number through the government… I noticed toll-free numbers are not required to do A2P DLC10 registration.
They instead have their own separate process.
Needless to say, I was slightly agititated that I didn't notice before, but hey, you live and you learn.
So here goes try number 5 but with a toll-free number now.
May the internet gods balance out this nightmare and let me get this idea off the ground.
Meta Glasses Interview
I had an interview at my job where the applicant answered my assessment questions with super textbook responses.
Too good to be true… Then I noticed his glasses. They had very small inconspicuous cameras on both the left and right side.
I thought to myself… those are smart glasses… possibly meta glasses.
This fella was probably using ChatGPT or Meta AI to listen to my questions and tell him how he should answer.
He also didn't use the mouse and keyboard to show me some of the things I was asking him, he was just blurting out the perfect answers.
I decided to throw him a question that might trip up the glasses if he was using ChatGPT to respond.
The question was, “How would you find how many hops it would take to get to an IP address?”.
His answer was 4 hops…. which makes absolutely no sense. The correct answer is TraceRT in command prompt.
He also answered some other questions with weird answers that made no sense.
Needless to say, it was a way to cheat an interview.
I looked up the glasses and sure enough, they definitely were the Meta Glasses
Sous Vide Inside Skirt Steak
Decided to try sous vide after hearing about it from a co-worker.
The idea that you can have a perfectly cooked steak at whatever temp you want, every time, was just too alluring for me to pass up.
Just kosher salt and pepper on both sides. Used a ziplock bag and used the water on the outside to displace the air.
Probably one of the best steaks I have ever made. So wonderfully scrumptious
Inside Skirt Steak — Sous Vide (Salt & Pepper Only)
Cut: Inside skirt steak (beef) Method: Sous vide → hot sear → slice against the grain Best doneness: Medium-rare
Time & Temperature
| Doneness | Temp | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medium-rare | 129°F / 54°C | 2–3 hrs | Juicy, tender, steak-like (recommended) |
| Medium | 135°F / 57°C | 2–3 hrs | Slightly firmer |
| Shred style *(optional)* | 155°F / 68°C | 8–10 hrs | For taco/meat shredding texture |
Tip: Skirt is thin—avoid going past ~4 hrs at steak temps or it can get too soft.
Ingredients
- 1–2 lb inside skirt steak
- Kosher salt (about ½ tsp per lb)
- Coarse black pepper (to taste)
- Neutral high-smoke oil (avocado/peanut) for searing
- Optional: 1–2 Tbsp butter for finishing
Equipment
- Anova Precision Cooker 3.0 + container & lid
- Heavy-duty freezer bag(s) or vacuum bag
- Cast-iron or heavy stainless skillet, tongs, paper towels
Prep
- Trim any silver skin. Pat steak dry thoroughly.
- Season both sides generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Bag the steak (single layer). Use water-displacement if not vacuum-sealing. Remove as much air as possible.
Cook
- Preheat bath to your target temp (*129°F / 54°C recommended*).
- Submerge bag; clip so it stays fully under.
- Cook 2–3 hours. (Skirt cooks through quickly due to thickness.)
Optional: Chill for Later (Ice Bath)
- Keep sealed; chill in 50/50 ice + water for 20–30 min.
- Refrigerate 3–4 days or freeze up to a few months.
- Reheat sealed in sous vide at cooking temp (~45–60 min from fridge; 1.5–2.5 hrs from frozen), then proceed to finish.
Finish (Sear)
- Remove from bag; pat very dry (crust needs dry surface).
- Preheat skillet until ripping hot. Add thin film of oil.
- Sear 30–45 sec per side (and quick kisses on edges) to form a deep brown crust.
- Optional: Add butter at the end; baste 15–20 sec.
- Rest 5 minutes.
Slice & Serve
- Identify the long muscle fibers and slice *across* the grain into thin strips (bias cut works great).
- Serve as steak, fajitas, tacos, bowls, or salads. Season to taste with finishing salt.
Notes & Tips
- Skirt varies in thickness—thicker pieces lean toward 3 hrs, thinner toward 2 hrs.
- If the bag floats, add a weight or re-bag; floating = trapped air.
- Save bag juices; reduce in a pan for a quick sauce if desired.
- Food safety: Chill hot meat quickly (ice bath) before storing; avoid leaving in the 40–130°F / 4–54°C range for long.
sous_vide beef steak inside_skirt salt_pepper anova
Weekly Cleaning and Clutter Management Schedule
This plan is designed to help you maintain a cleaner, more clutter-free home without feeling overwhelmed. It breaks tasks into manageable daily chunks, includes room-specific focus days, and provides a structured way to tackle clutter.
Daily Routine (15–20 minutes)
Each day includes two key tasks:
- Quick Kitchen Reset (Morning or Evening):
- Do dishes
- Wipe down counters
- Take out trash
- Time limit: 10–15 minutes max.
- Clutter Box Cleanup:
- Spend 5–10 minutes sorting or putting away items from any clutter box.
- Focus on one box or just a few items at a time—small progress adds up.
Weekly Breakdown
Each day focuses on one key area of your home. Tasks are limited to 20–30 minutes to keep them manageable.
Monday – *Kitchen Part 1*
- Focus: Clear counters and clean the sink.
- Tasks:
- Do dishes
- Wipe down counters
- Clean the sink
- Time limit: 20–30 minutes.
Tuesday – *Bedroom Reset*
- Focus: Tidy up and declutter the bedroom.
- Tasks:
- Make the bed
- Gather clutter into a box
- Put away a few items
- Optional: Quick sweep or vacuum.
- Time limit: 15–20 minutes.
Wednesday – *Kitchen Part 2*
- Focus: Appliances, stove, and floors.
- Tasks:
- Wipe down the stove
- Spot-clean appliances
- Sweep and mop the floor
- Time limit: 20–30 minutes.
Thursday – *Bathroom Quick Clean*
- Focus: Surfaces and tidying.
- Tasks:
- Wipe down the sink, toilet, and counters
- Replace towels
- Tidy up surfaces
- Time limit: 15 minutes.
Friday – *Living Room Reset*
- Focus: Declutter and organize the living room.
- Tasks:
- Clear clutter from surfaces
- Straighten up seating
- Quick sweep or vacuum
- Time limit: 15–20 minutes.
Saturday – *Den Declutter & Bedroom Part 2*
- Focus: Clear clutter from the den and further tidy the bedroom.
- Tasks:
- Den Clutter (20 minutes):
- Focus on one category (e.g., papers, books, tools).
- Sort into: Keep, Trash, Donate, or Relocate.
- Bedroom Clutter (10 minutes):
- Put away items from the clutter box.
- Time limit: 30 minutes total.
Sunday – *Rest Day or Catch-Up*
- If you missed any tasks during the week, use this day to catch up.
- If everything is on track, enjoy a well-deserved rest day!
Clutter Box Cleanup Schedule
To manage clutter efficiently, follow this plan:
- Daily:
- Spend 5–10 minutes sorting items from any clutter box.
- Focus on progress, not perfection—just a few items at a time.
- Weekly Focus:
- Use Saturday’s declutter session to clear specific boxes:
- Den Clutter: Focus on one category or area.
- Bedroom Clutter: Put away clothes or other items.
- Monthly Goal:
- By the end of each month, aim to empty or dramatically reduce clutter in one room’s box.
Tips for Staying Motivated
- Timers are key:
- Set 15–30 minute timers and stop when the timer goes off.
- This prevents burnout and keeps tasks manageable.
- Start small:
- Focus on small wins each day rather than perfection.
- Keep tools ready:
- Have a basket with wipes, sprays, and trash bags ready for quick cleaning sessions.
- One Box Rule:
- Place clutter into boxes as you clean and tackle them during your scheduled cleanup times.
- Make it enjoyable:
- Play music, a podcast, or a favorite show while you clean.
Summary of Daily and Weekly Routine
- Daily:
- Quick kitchen reset (10–15 minutes)
- Clutter box cleanup (5–10 minutes)
- Weekly Focus:
- Monday: Kitchen Part 1
- Tuesday: Bedroom Reset
- Wednesday: Kitchen Part 2
- Thursday: Bathroom Quick Clean
- Friday: Living Room Reset
- Saturday: Den Declutter & Bedroom Part 2
- Sunday: Rest Day or Catch-Up
By following this schedule, you’ll maintain steady progress, reduce clutter, and keep your home cleaner without getting overwhelmed.
OpenVPN Setup Guide
I have reached a milestone!!! I figured out how to setup a VPN to my home computer, which allows me do access my local network.
Problem is, I cant seem to get ta.key to generate but im not worried about it right now:
Future Update: Tailscale is here, use this instead, not worth the hassle of using anything else or setting up VPN.
OpenVPN Setup on Windows
The instructions below are for setting up OpenVPN on Windows using Command Prompt (CMD) and Windows tools.
Step 1: Download and Install OpenVPN on Windows
- Download OpenVPN: Go to the OpenVPN website and download the OpenVPN installer for Windows.
- Install OpenVPN: Run the installer and make sure to include the TAP network adapter and the EasyRSA tool during the installation.
Step 2: Set Up EasyRSA for Certificate Management on Windows
EasyRSA is used to create the security certificates for your VPN. Here are the instructions for Windows:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
- Click the Start menu, type `cmd`, right-click on Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator.
- Navigate to the EasyRSA folder:
- Type the following in CMD (assuming OpenVPN is installed in the default location):
cd "C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\easy-rsa"
- Initialize the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI):
- Run the following commands in the Command Prompt:
EasyRSA-Start.bat
./easyrsa init-pki
- Build the Certificate Authority (CA):
- Create the Certificate Authority to sign the certificates:
./easyrsa build-ca
- You will be prompted to set a password for the CA and provide details for the certificate (such as country, organization, etc.).
- Generate the Server Certificate and Key:
- Run this command to create the server certificate:
./easyrsa gen-req server nopass
./easyrsa sign-req server server
- Generate Diffie-Hellman Parameters:
- For secure key exchange, run:
./easyrsa gen-dh
- Generate a Client Certificate and Key:
- Create a certificate for your laptop (client):
./easyrsa gen-req client1 nopass
./easyrsa sign-req client client1
- Generate the HMAC Key for TLS Authentication:
- For additional security, create a TLS-auth key (HMAC):
openvpn --genkey --secret ta.key
Step 3: Configure the OpenVPN Server on Windows
Now that you have the necessary certificates and keys, you can configure the OpenVPN server:
- Navigate to the OpenVPN configuration folder:
cd "C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config"
- Create a Server Configuration File (server.ovpn):
- Use Notepad or another text editor to create a file named `server.ovpn` with the following content:
port 1194
proto udp
dev tun
ca ca.crt
cert server.crt
key server.key
dh dh.pem
server 10.8.0.0 255.255.255.0
ifconfig-pool-persist ipp.txt
keepalive 10 120
cipher AES-256-CBC
persist-key
persist-tun
status openvpn-status.log
verb 3
- Copy the certificates:
- Move the following files into the `C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config` folder:
- `ca.crt`
- `server.crt`
- `server.key`
- `dh.pem`
- `ta.key`
Step 4: Enable Port Forwarding on Your Router
- Log into your router: Access your router's settings using its IP address in your browser.
- Set up port forwarding: Forward UDP traffic on port 1194 to your computer’s local IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.x).
Step 5: Set Up the OpenVPN Client on Your Laptop
- Create a Client Configuration File on your laptop:
- Use Notepad to create a file called `client1.ovpn` with the following content:
client
dev tun
proto udp
remote [YourHomeNetworkPublicIP] 1194
resolv-retry infinite
nobind
persist-key
persist-tun
ca ca.crt
cert client1.crt
key client1.key
remote-cert-tls server
cipher AES-256-CBC
verb 3
- Transfer the following files from your home computer to your laptop (via USB or cloud storage):
- `ca.crt`
- `client1.crt`
- `client1.key`
- `ta.key`
- Install OpenVPN Client: Install OpenVPN on your laptop from the OpenVPN download page.
- Import the Client Configuration File: Open the OpenVPN client on your laptop and import the `client1.ovpn` file you created.
Step 6: Test the VPN
- Connect from the Laptop: In the OpenVPN GUI on your laptop, select the client configuration and click Connect.
- Verify Access: Once connected, you should be able to access devices on your home network.
Step 7: Additional Windows Configurations
- Firewall: Ensure that the Windows Firewall or any security software allows VPN connections.
- Dynamic DNS: If your home network's public IP changes regularly, set up Dynamic DNS (DDNS) so you can connect to your home network with a domain name rather than the IP.
Losing Internet Access After Connecting to a VPN
Losing internet access after connecting to a VPN is a common issue, especially when you configure OpenVPN to route all traffic through the VPN (full tunneling). Here are the most common reasons for this issue and how to fix it:
Possible Causes:
- Missing or incorrect NAT configuration on the VPN server: The VPN server is not properly routing traffic from VPN clients to the internet.
- IP forwarding not enabled on the server: The server is not forwarding traffic between the VPN subnet and the external network (your home network).
- DNS issues: The VPN client may not be able to resolve domain names because DNS traffic is not being routed properly.
- Firewall blocking traffic: A firewall on the VPN server may be blocking traffic from the VPN clients.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Ensure IP Forwarding Is Enabled on the VPN Server
The server must forward traffic between the VPN network and the internet.
On Linux:
- Enable IP forwarding by modifying the system configuration:
- Open the file `/etc/sysctl.conf`:
sudo nano /etc/sysctl.conf
- Find the line:
#net.ipv4.ip_forward = 1
- Remove the `#` (uncomment the line) and save the file, or add the line if it doesn't exist:
net.ipv4.ip_forward = 1
- Apply the changes:
sudo sysctl -p
On Windows:
- Ensure that the Routing and Remote Access feature is enabled in Windows to allow IP forwarding.
- Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings.
- Right-click on the OpenVPN TAP Adapter, select Properties, and then go to the Sharing tab.
- Ensure Internet Connection Sharing is enabled and the correct network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) is selected for sharing.
2. Set Up NAT (Network Address Translation) on the VPN Server
If NAT isn't properly set up, traffic won't be routed to the internet from the VPN clients. This is common in full tunneling setups.
On Linux:
- Run the following command to set up NAT, replacing `eth0` with your internet-facing interface:
sudo iptables -t nat -A POSTROUTING -s 10.8.0.0/24 -o eth0 -j MASQUERADE
- `10.8.0.0/24` is the default OpenVPN subnet (adjust if you're using a different subnet).
- `eth0` is your internet-facing network interface (this could also be `wlan0` if using Wi-Fi).
- Make sure the rule persists after reboot:
sudo iptables-save > /etc/iptables/rules.v4
On Windows:
- Enable Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) between your internet-facing adapter (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and the OpenVPN TAP adapter:
- Right-click on your main network adapter (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), select Properties, then go to the Sharing tab.
- Select Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection and choose the OpenVPN TAP adapter from the dropdown.
3. Verify the DNS Configuration on the Client
Sometimes, even if traffic is being routed through the VPN, the DNS settings may not be configured properly, preventing domain names from being resolved (for example, if you can access websites by IP but not by domain name).
* Ensure DNS Servers Are Pushed from the Server:
In your server configuration file (`server.ovpn` or `server.conf`), make sure DNS servers are being pushed to the clients. Add the following lines if they are missing: <code> push "dhcp-option DNS 8.8.8.8" # Google's DNS push "dhcp-option DNS 8.8.4.4" # Secondary DNS </code>
* Modify the Client Configuration (`client.ovpn`):
In your client configuration file (`client.ovpn`), ensure DNS settings are configured correctly: <code> dhcp-option DNS 8.8.8.8 # Google DNS dhcp-option DNS 8.8.4.4 </code>
* Reconnect the client and verify if the DNS issues are resolved.
4. Test and Verify Routing
After implementing these fixes, reconnect to the VPN and test if the internet connection is working:
- Check your external IP: Visit WhatIsMyIP.com and verify that the IP address shown is your home network’s public IP (indicating that all traffic is routed through the VPN).
- Ping a website:
Open Command Prompt (on Windows) or a terminal (on macOS/Linux) and type:
<code> ping google.com </code> * If you can ping the domain, DNS is working correctly. * If the ping succeeds with an IP address but fails with a domain name, DNS may still be misconfigured. * **Check the routing table (optional)**: On Windows, open Command Prompt and type: <code> route print </code> On Linux/macOS, use: <code> netstat -rn </code> Ensure that the default gateway (`0.0.0.0`) is pointing to the VPN interface (`10.8.0.1` or similar).
5. Check Firewall Rules
If the above solutions don’t work, verify that firewalls on both the server and the client are not blocking the VPN traffic.
On the VPN server:
- Ensure the firewall is not blocking outbound traffic from the VPN subnet (`10.8.0.0/24` by default).
- On Linux, check iptables rules to ensure traffic from the VPN interface is allowed.
On the client machine:
- Check if the local firewall (e.g., Windows Defender Firewall) is blocking VPN traffic.
Conclusion
To fix the issue where you lose internet connectivity after connecting to the VPN:
- Enable IP forwarding on the VPN server.
- Set up NAT to route VPN client traffic to the internet.
- Push DNS settings from the server and configure them on the client.
- Test the internet connection and verify the routing table.
Let me know if you'd like more detailed help with any of the steps!
Uncle's PC attacked
I get a call from my Uncle and he tells me that his PC is going crazy this morning.
It is saying his PC has been infected.
He calls the number and somehow this guy gets on his PC just to turn the alarm off.
Then of course his emails no longer download and he cannot go to any website at all.
I get remoted on and find its a proxy error. So I check his proxy settings and what do you know…
Someone turned the proxy server on and set the proxy IP address to http://0.0.0.0.0.0
I am suprised I could even get on the PC.
They live in Maine so definitely would not have been easy to see exactly what was causing the problem if I could not remote in.
Whoever does this stuff, I am sure there is a special place in the 8th circle of hell just for you.
May the vultures feed upon your face and defecate pieces of you into the ocean.
Brand new Macbook Air M2 15 Inch 16 GB
I found that I liked the Intel Macbook Air 2019 13 inch laptop.
It was enough to give the new M2 Macbook Air a shot. I was very suprised when I tried one out at the Apple store, to find that I liked the 15 inch size as well.
The only thing I wish was that they kept the very slip slanted build fo the intel 2019 version.
The first thing I noticed was when I opened the Macbook, it instantly turned on without me pressing any buttons.
The speed to get to the OS surpasses any x64 laptop I have tried.
I originally looked into possibly buying the Asus Zenbook 14, with its Ultra I7 which was suppose to get around 12 to 14 hours of battery life.
Being a life long user of Windows, I have to say, the familiarity was what has held me to it.
The only side effect is that Microsoft has not gotten down the whole standby thing, meaning I cant put the laptop in my bag and have it actually maintain battery life for very long.
This might change with the ARM version of Windows 11 laptops, but I just can't say those really make me excited.
This brings me to the battery life of this 15 inch Macbook Air. I could not believe that I used my unit for 2 hours and only lost 2 percent of battery life.
That is some sort of hoodoo for sure because I had never seen that before.
Few days later, I left the laptop in a new laptop bag that I purchased and I am amazed to say that it only lost 6 percent battery life while not in operation.
This unheard of for me.
I also got an excellent green leather sleeve that is designed specifically for this laptop.
Of course it is green 
The laptop build quality easily surpases any X64 based laptop I have ever used. The all metal body feels very premium.
The keyboard is also a joy to use, with a very nice travel and very professional feeling touch. I actually can type a lot faster on this, it is almost like they did a lot of research to make sure that it types the way it does.
The touch pad is also one of the best I have ever used and it is the largest one I have seen as well. Glass touchpads are amazing.
The screen is gorgeous and the body is so slim, even though it is larger than the 13 inch older version, it still has a smaller footprint than most x64 laptops.
I ended up getting the 16 gig version with 256 gigs of SSD space. I have to say I did hesitate with the size of the HD, but after using this, I have no regrets. Definitely and excellent purchase even not understanding how the operating system works, I do enjoy it. I also didn't mind missing the 10 key because that would have increased the size of the unit. I guess if I really needed one I could purchase a 10 key add on.
I did end up installing Windows 11 Arm with free Fusion Pro from Vmware, since Broadcom bought them out.
I feel like it runs better than an intel based laptop though I could not install SQL Server 2014.
Wasn't meant to work with Arm CPUs. There is suppose to be a way to install SQL with docker but decided Microsoft RDP would do the trick running from Mac.
Another thing I miss is being able to RDP into my laptop. Macs use VNC which is ok but requires installation of another software for microsoft and doesnt support clipboard copying.
There is a software called Nuords that installed RDP capability to the laptop and works really well except that sleep mode causes problems.
Laptop has to be open or a program called Amphetamine has to installed to prevent the laptop from going to sleep and I dont like that idea.
So VNC it is and it works for the most part, can even access the laptop remotely if I ever need to in a pinch. Just have to plug the laptop in which I prefer to have the laptop with me.
Overall, I will check back when I have used the laptop more and give additional input on it as a Windows user.
Learning Python Again
I went ahead and purchased the http://www.greenguitarist.com domain.
This site now lives on my server at home.
I attempted to install my own mail server but gave up as it would not work.
Emails came through to the server but I could not get the server to deliver the emails to anyone.
All this to say, I plan on learning piece by piece all the methods to python that I can get my hands on.
I want to immerse myself in python as I have already build a few programs to help my job.
The programs are housed under one name, RSWQueueBot.
All the programs live here:
They all work, but I want to be able to understand more intricate details of the langauge and build other fun things that will help me throughout my job process.
Side note, I have to work on The Closet in Dubai right now to figure out a quickbooks issue. I am hoping that everything is intact on my end, but we will have to see what happens here. I have also started going full speed ahead on help.resaleworld.com and finding problematic articles for my techs to fix. NARTS is right around the corner and I oddly am not full of anxiety... I should be.
If you don't check reviews on hotels, you will get suckered...
The trip to Washington DC was absolutely wonderful.
This was the first vacation I planned basically where we were going to stay, plane tickets on arrival and deperature… Naturally some things did not go as planned.
To start off… I got duped by the Hotel listed on Priceline. So the first 3 hours of our arrival was not ideal.
Behold… Hotel Pentagon… The following pictures of what looks to be a wonderful place inside of Arlington, VA:
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Needless to say, what we got was roaches living in the bathroom, loud as hell pipes in the walls, not a King sized bed like what was reserved, pool in absolute shambles, free breakfast area gone…
I could go on but needless to say, it was not a hotel. I couldn't even classify it as a low rent motel.
So, on the phone with Priceline I went, 1 super-visor later and a long wait after being told no refunds, we got a refund.
Not for the worst of the the things I listed above…
No, because the reservation was wrong and we got two twins when they didn't have a King sized bed available from being reserved for 3 months.
Boggles my mind that after advertising such a shit-hole, they were saying we couldn't get refunded.
I still ended up going through priceline on the phone to get a hotel, which I will add is a pretty nice expierence if you have never tried it.
Ended up booking the Washington-Hilton which I had absolutely no regrets doing despite the larger price per day.
We took an uber inside of Washington DC to the Hilton and when we walked through the roundabout door… felt like we truly began our vacation.
It was from that moment on, I knew from that moment forward, me and the wife were going to have an absolute blast.
Now this, is a real hotel:
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Hotel staff was absolutely lovely, concierge helped us get tickets for everything, they even got us a lovely tour of the National Mall in Washington DC.
I will from now on, be a Hilton fan.
Side note… I have to mention the lamps the have in the room.
The lamps are amazing… they have these crystaline squares that run up and down the lamp and you can rotate them in any configuration you want.
I must have them, they are perfection embodied:
Running Up That Hill
Planning a special trip can be difficult. I wanted to do something special for the wife this year and decided to take her to Washington DC.
This was mainly for one reason that I really got lucky on. Her favorite band Placebo is playing on May 2nd.
They never play in the United States and are almost exclusively in Europe.
I am looking forward to both hearing them play and to making it happen for my wife to see them live for the first time. Something she has been telling me she has wanted to do for a while.
Flight of the Navigator
Originally, I was planning on flying to Europe but there were too many obstacles to get over to make that happen.
Placebo being in Washington DC ended up being serendipitous.
I plan to do all of the navigation, getting us from Point A to Point B and listing out places where we can go, letting the wife pick to her heart's content.
Offering my opinion anytime she can't decide.
Couple of places I saw that looked interesting before the big concert were the following:
- The Smithsonian Museum
- The Washington Memorial
- The Lincoln Memorial
- The White House
- The National Mall
- National Gallery of Art
- Smithsonian's National Zoo (She saw it on the very first episode of Blacklist we rewatched… talk about good taste.)
- Library of Congress
- Ford's Theatre
- Union market
- National Portrait Gallery
- Eastern Market
- The Vietnam memorial
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier up in Arlington
No doubt we will not be able to see it all but I plan to do the best I can.
Death and Taxes
Decided it was time to do taxes the day before tax day.
I don't mind paying taxes, it is just the process of doing them yourself can be kind of monotonous and uninteresting.
I calculate my personal taxes at about three months in and have come up with a process where I come out even on my end.
Re-evaluate in the middle of the year to see if I need to add more to what the government takes out.
There are some pretty good tax calculators that can help you do this but it is best to wait after they have been updated with the current year's approximate tax rate.
I have heard people around me talk about how much they hate paying taxes or that the government is ripping them off.
Just what would happen if we did not have taxes? Chaos? Anarchy?
(Side note: Dallas has awful roads due to not being funded as well as other states… I wonder where that money comes from X_X)
I am curious if anyone has ever done an in-depth analysis on how much of our everyday life is affected by stuff taxes pay for.
Well look no further! Here is mine:
Government is necessary in order for a society to function. Taxes are an important source of revenue for governments. Here are a few things a government use tax collected for:
- To fund government programs and services:
Taxes are used to fund a wide range of government programs and services, such as education, healthcare, national defense, law enforcement, infrastructure, and social welfare programs. - To promote economic stability and growth:
Governments can use taxes to influence the economy by promoting certain industries or activities and discouraging others.
Taxes can also be used to address economic inequality by redistributing wealth through programs like social security or progressive tax systems. - To provide for public goods:
Some goods and services, such as national defense or public parks, benefit everyone in society but may not be provided by the private sector.
Taxes are used to fund these public goods. - To support the democratic process:
Taxes are used to fund elections and maintain the institutions of government that are necessary for democracy to function properly.
Overall, we can conclude that taxes are an essential component of modern society and are necessary.
The kicker is, the specific tax policies and systems used can vary widely across countries and can have different impacts on individuals and society as a whole.
It is an imperfect system yes, but perfection is unattainable, so society must make due with what it can.
Jonathan Corona
Technology Enthusiast
Moments lost in time... like tears in the rain
I started this blog on my Protoss Pylon server from a simple thought.
Everyone only has a finite amount of time they are given.
Watching a simple movie about the Day of the dead, I see a majestic and magnificent digital representation of a people's vision of the after-life.
One where we can see our living loved ones after death, until no one is left to remember us from which we move on to the next phase of our existence.
I believe the continual doubt of what comes after death gives us purpose in life.
Personally, I would love to live forever, see where humanity goes. That's one sad thing about passing on… There is a chance one may never find out what happens.
See the wonders we come up with next as a species. See if each new generation can strive to do better and find new ways to keep our planet healthy.
A way to live forever is obviously not possible, so from a matter of perspective…. my perspective…. here is the next best thing.
There is a website called called The Wayback Machine that has been archiving websites since 1996.
Sites that you can no longer view, you can simply search for and walk down memory lane.
Prime example, is that site archived from 1996.
Note the 1996 presidential election archive from all the way back then still referenced on the site.
I owned a business called Tobias Computer Services that was operating around 2008.
The business went away when I got a job that required me to be full time. That started my true career in the Software Industry.
My company site died shortly after that happened… but The Wayback machine archived the site so you can see it today.
Here's to this blog being archived and seen hopefully 2000 years from now… People looking at this site within that era, that came from technology that might as well be from cave men in comparison.
This one's for you space man… whenever and wherever you are. Hope you get a good chuckle from a guy that's been dead a long time now.
AT&T Fiber direct to the house... dreams can come true
I received AT&T fiber a few months ago. As someone who started out trying to download .mp3 files at 2.30 Kbps on a 56K modem over a phone line… this was like accomplishing the impossible.
I remember playing the original Counter-Strike, learning to type in the dark, getting that dreaded phone call that would drop the modem just at the end of a match.
Tech has come a long way since those days.
So why not build a wiki server where I can post my thoughts?
Keep myself sane as I commit some of my daily events to the digital landscape that is the internet.
Of course, this is just one blog of many, others of which are more accessible due to not being on a dynamic dns domain.
Yesterday, 4/14/2023, I spent at least 3 or 4 hours attempting to adapt a template I built at my job.
Due to it being out of date, I could not get it to work properly on this server. Uses .Less files instead of .css files which is difficult to get working on a Windows server.
The server that hosts what I built at work, is Linux.
I am of course a Windows guy… might have dabbled in MacOS a bit, but just have Windows too ingrained in my mind to switch to something else.
Out of curiosity, I decided to consult the fabled new ChatGPT to see what it thought about the situation.
For being the first time using it, I was very excited about it's response as it was pretty close to diagnosing my issue the way I did.
I really do believe ChatGPT is going to be very special in the future and was fortunate that the CEO of the company I work for spotted it before it ever became big.
Amazing technology! Also here is an apt picture:
So after seeing the benefits of going to the latest version of Dokuwiki, I decided to start from scratch and use the bootstrap3 template rather then the mikio template. Picked a theme, might customize it later, but the colors are decent and easy to read and perfect for a blog / aggregation site.
After setting up all the usual plugins I have accumulated over the years, I moved on to working on my gravatar signature icon.
Surprisingly… this works differently than on the older wiki I built, required an email rather than a username.
Was an unfortunate amount of time spent trying to figure that out, but it is working now.
Redshirts audiobook by John Scalzi
Decided to pick up this book based on a suggestion from my audible account (if you are reading this Juana, my love, thank you for my books) since I loved The Hail Mary Project and The Bobiverse series.
Also, I have been watching Star Trek: The Next Generation and am on Season 5. Love the series, glad I get to watch it for the first time.
The book is about these crew members on a star ship called The Intrepid. The main protagonist of the book becomes it's newest crew member and things are not what they appear. The regular crew acts very strangely when ever a member of the bridge crew comes anywhere near them. Very bad and unexplainable things happen to people around them. There is even a secret statistic floating around the ship showing the chances of someone being maimed or killed if they go on an away mission with any of them.
For example, one of the bridge crew always has stuff blowing up around them, meaning they are a veritable death trap.
Someone is always guaranteed to die on an away mission when he is commanding, so all the regular crew do their best not to be picked when he is on the roster.
The interesting thing is, even though the regular crew die, the bridge crew always survive.
Depending on which ship bridge leader is on the mission, when one crew member dies, all the rest have to do is stick with him and they will live. Even becomes a funny useful tactic later in the book as they use a bridge crew member to their advantage since the laws of physics seem to change postively around them.
Finished this book, definitely recommend it as a fun read.
There is even some added irony in that Will Wheaton narrates (he plays Wesley Crusher who wears a Redshirt on Star Trek: The Next Generation).
Old Man's War by John Scalzi
When I finished Redshirts, I decided to ask ChatGPT bot what books it would recommend based on the audiobook.
The bot did not disappoint, it recommended Old Man's War.
I have not finished this one but I have found it hard to stop listening to.
It is about a future society where when you turn age 75 you are given the choice to join the space military.
They offer you the ability to see the stars and even somehow manage to make you young by enhancing you.
Haven't gotten far enough to know what this is, but it sounds interesting.
When you decide to join, you are officially dead on earth and can never come back.
They give you 3 days to make sure it is what you want to do and even help you distribute your assets among your family.
I can only imagine some shenanigans will ensue as no one who signs up knows exactly how they are enhanced or what is in store for them.
Sounds lucrative, I think if I turned 75 and was alone, I would take the deal.
After all, we are made of star stuff.
Jonathan Corona
Technology Enthusiast