Neither CIA or FBI could be politically motivated, right???

The one town that wants a data center. Atlantic gift link: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/2026/08/jay-maine-wants-data-center/688043/?gift=L2aql4Qoi09z50oHv3jcce27MJsiW0jW8v85CoHkbjQ&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share

It feels like it's been quite tumultuous. Lot's of things breaking this year. The hot water heater, the washing machine, the kitchen faucet. Still don't have a new washing machine but expect to go shopping soon. The hot water heater is fixed. Turned out to be a relatively easy fix, but I tripped myself up by breaking a cardinal rule of troubleshooting: Never change more than one thing at a time when trying to get to the bottom of a problem! I know only too well from years of programming. Anyway, we had a power surge (I believe) after which the heater only produced luke warm water. I decided, after a week or so, to open it up myself, remove the insulation cover and press the reset button. Unfortunately, I also messed around with the temp dial at the same time, thinking maybe it just needed a bit of coercing. But the problem wasn't fixed, still nothing but luke. A few weeks later I was down doing laundry, saw the temp dial and thought I might as well try turning it in the other direction. The hot water came back after that! All it originally needed was a reset and if I hadn't bothered with the temp dial (I had turned it down), it would have worked. The washing machine--only 3 years old--is dead. Never getting a washing machine with electronics ever again. I have one of those long neck kitchen faucets and it sprung a leak right in the crook of the thing last week. I think the metal was weakened by my calcium heavy water. Dunno. I tried to install a new one myself, but the old one was installed by a professional and he tightened those plastic flanges so tight that nothing I do can budge them. So plumber is coming Thursday to install new faucet, fix a leaking pipe downstairs, and advise me what to do about all the plumbing that surrounds the defunct oil burner. Maybe I can get rid of it. Lot's of copper piping through this house. I didn't do anything with the garden this year. That's OK, maybe I needed a break. The positive news is that lots of things are getting fixed! Finally, I had a contractor here is morning. I've been trying all summer to get someone to tackle some exterior issues on the house. He had some a good ideas, has called me with a quote that is less than I expected, and he can probably start end-of-week.

@jon-nyc He really does look like the same Churchill we recognize from his adult photos. Sans the cigar and brandy, of course.

Dream

I love cream in my coffee so it looks like 5/6. Toast 4, buttered to the edges please. Steak also about 4 (at least cooked) I'm attempting to substitute fish for meat as much as possible.

After hearing my wife strum chords, I first got a flamenco guitar and a comprehensive teach yourself book which I can't find (this was from living in Spain and hearing it and fado in Lisboa in 1984. Soon realised lessons were needed for the technique, it was way beyond adult beginner. Then inspired by Andrés Segovia and David Qualey playing, I got a classical guitar, and a year later a steel strung parlour size folk style. Used terrific books by Frederick Noad mostly, Solo Guitar Playing vols 1 & 2. And attempted some from The Romantic Guitar by Carlos Bonell. And Qualey's music. I realised two things. After decades playing piano my fingers bend only like a piano player, guitarists fingers bend the other way too (the way your teacher stops you doing as a child). Lessons and a lot of concentrated time to learn the various keyboard positions are needed. I got to chapter 11 in the Noad book, this level: [image: 1785771486859-7564.jpg]

So confident, so brave!

@admin @axtremus Thanks so much!

Nobody here but us egos.

[image: 1785719255641-img_3548.jpeg]

This is quite exciting. An internal version of Astra, OpenAI’s next major model family, solved 10 major open problems in mathematics, quantum complexity, and theoretical computer science. https://x.com/polynoamial/status/2083467194663571701?s=46

A friend married a guy whose middle name was Pucci. He was called Pussy.

Surprised. Black voters are among the most homophobic.

[image: f37e5e10-8cf4-11f1-a7ab-8b30adf0800a.png.webp]

Ancient mammoth remains and a Nazi shipwreck: Europe’s shrinking rivers reveal past relics https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/31/climate/shrinking-rivers-reveal-past-relics-in-europe?iid=cnn_buildContentRecirc_end_recirc&recs_exp=up-next-article-end&tenant_id=related.en

I am going to take up yelling at clouds. Thank you, Steve.