Best Wishes for a Happy, Healthy, Safe, Prosperous, and Politically Better New Year

Every New Year's day for the past several years, we have brought you a gift from Playing for Change of a few minutes to just sit back, listen, and enjoy the good feeling. That gift appears below as Gift 1. Gift 2 is also a Playing for Change release, brought to our attention several years ago by a reader. Gift 3 is just a favorite song of ours, best played at high volume and most enjoyed by dancing along with it, which has been featured on this blog a few times. Enjoy! To tie a bow on the year's music, here is a listing of the Best Songs of 2025 according to the failing NYT.

Obviously, things did not turn out on the political front as sane people wished they would have. Let's hope  that this country will repudiate and recover from the malignant forces that have invaded our body politic. While the Supreme Court and Congress have abdicated the roles the Founders and the constitution had set for them, it is still possible that the incompetence of the administration will lead to its demise and prevent it from achieving its anti-democratic, selfish, self-centered, anti-scientific, mean-spirited, nihilistic, narcissistic, misogynistic, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic, corrupt, dangerous, and greed-driven goals. For all of us who would like to return to the America we knew, we bring you Gift 4 from a Ukrainian living in Santa Barbara. And, finally, in the spirit of unbridled optimism (e.g., that the Eagles will return to the Super Bowl where they belong and the Phillies to the World Series where they belong), Gift 5 celebrates having emerged from the winter solstice yet again, and is a fitting song to herald any new beginning.  

Gift 1

Gift 2

Gift 3

Gift 4

Gift 5

[EOP]

Hulu Is Ending

Disney will be folding Hulu into Disney+ and Hulu will no longer be available as a separate streaming source. It's not clear when that date will come, but it will be in 2026. So, start binging your Hulu stuff. Or get ready to pay more.

[EOP]

Microsoft Power Toys

Microsoft Power Toys is a free tool-kit app that adds a ton of advanced functionality to Windows 11. It serves as a one-stop solution for adding many useful features to the operating system—features that previously required installing dedicated, third-party apps. Now, what puzzles me is why these features aren’t integrated into the OS by default—but fortunately, you can easily install the app from the Microsoft Store and set it up in seconds. The app unlocks a massive collection of tools, and I’d strongly recommend that you explore all of them to see what’s possible. 

[EOP]

Portmaster (for the Security Conscious)

Portmaster is a free, open-source application firewall that monitors the network traffic of a specific app and can even block it from internet access. If you recently downloaded an app you don’t fully trust, Portmaster can check if it’s connecting to the internet, which servers it’s talking to, and block its internet access entirely if something looks fishy. Of course, you can grant the app limited internet access by blocking specific connections while allowing everything else. Beyond app-level network control, Portmaster can actively block trackers while you browse the web. It also includes a robust filter list that’ll prevent you from accidentally visiting any known malicious website or even NSFW content.

[EOP]

Caution re the Medical Bot

The AI bots have infused themselves into all aspects of the medical world. The problem is there remains one gaping flaw with the bots, and that is, "they" have not figured out how to program a bot to say, and the bots have not figured out how to say, "I don't know the answer," or even, "I'm sorry, Dave, I can't do  that." As a result, there is a percentage of wrong answers when the bot supplies an answer despite actually not knowing the answer. In addition, where the input has a mistake or gap of some kind, the bot more often than not will supply a wrong answer. Here are two instances where relying on the bot can be a serious mistake: (i) Asking the bot (through a browser search or whatever) to do a diagnosis or to do a treatment recommendation; and (ii) relying on the answer one gets to a question to one's provider through their portal. As to (i), no elaboration would seem needed--that's what doctors are there to do, and there could be a day when the bot can replace them, that day has not come. As to (ii), unless you are certain the doctor reviewed the answer before it was sent to you, the answer you get could be so far out in left field even Del Ennis couldn't find it. By way of example, recently, my portal's bot said that, where doctor A ordered tests A, B, C, D and doctor B ordered tests A, B, E, F, that would require two pokes at the lab, which was not true. That the portal response is purportedly signed by the doctor does not mean the doctor actually saw it.

[EOP]

Variable Speed Pool Pumps

Variable speed pool pumps (or at least two-speed) are required in Arizona and in other states for new installations or replacements of pumps 1 horsepower or greater, aligning with federal regulations that phased out single-speed models for efficiency. While your old pump is grandfathered in, if it breaks, you must replace it with an energy-efficient, multi-speed unit. But here's the really good news: variable speed pool pumps offer substantial energy savings, often 70-90% less than single-speed pumps, significantly cutting electricity costs, with many owners seeing payback in 1-2 years by running at lower, more efficient speeds for longer periods. Savings can be hundreds of dollars annually, recouping the higher upfront cost, and potentially enhanced by utility rebates, while also providing better filtration and quieter operation. In addition, unlike older pumps needing a separate timer, these newer pumps are programmable and include a "quick clean" button so that when chemicals are added, you don't need a separate timer setting to turn off the pump.

PS: SRP offered pool pump rebates in the past, but does not any longer.

[EOP]

Another Reason to Book STRs Through Local Agencies

In addition to all the over reasons we have set out here to book STRs through a local agency if possible, instead of through VRBO or Airbnb, is that, it often is possible (if you ask) to have the rental payment spread out in several payments instead of having to pay 100% upfront at the time of booking. Particularly where the rental fee is substantial, it's nice to be earning interest on the money instead of letting someone else earn it.

[EOP]

Do's and Dont's When Cooking Pasta

This cnet article  explains why or why not, when it comes to cooking pasta, to: add salt and olive oil, leave the pot lid on or off,  drain until dry, run cooked pasta under water, and more.

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Goodbye June (2025 Movie on Netflix)

Goodbye June tells the story of a group of fractured siblings and their father who must come together when an unexpected turn in their mother's health thrusts them into chaos as they navigate messy family dynamics in the face of potential loss. But their quick-witted mother June, played by Helen Mirren, orchestrates her decline on her own terms--with biting humor, blunt honesty, and a lot of love. If you like that kind of movie, they say this is a decent movie. If you don't, or just don't like watching dysfunctional, unpleasant people no matter how they or the movie might turn out at the end, you might stop watching it early on, and not look back.

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Chrome Settings to Keep Websites From Being Intrusive

This article will walk you through the easy settings to make in Chrome to stop pop-ups, notifications, redirects, and automatic downloads. 

[EOP]

Work Around Gmail 15 GB Storage Limit

If you are running up against the 15 GB free storage limit in Gmail, before paying for extra storage, take a look at this easy work around as explained in this cnet arrticle. In short, it will show you how to set up a new Gmail account (there is no limit on how many you can set up), and then storing your emails there.

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Flu Cases on the Rise

As this AR article reports, it's a bad flu season, and flu cases are on the rise across the country, and it names the states where the rise is most prominent, including NY, Maryland, and New Mexico. Some tips are included to reduce the chance of getting the flu, and it's not too late to get vaccinated.

[EOP]

Higher Restaurant Prices Don't Mean Higher Profits

Everyone who eats out at restaurants sees that they are paying more than they had been. But, as this WSJ article explains, that does not mean the restaurants are making more money or even doing well. The article focuses on a high-end Chicago steak house where a $500 tab for a party of 4 yielded a $25 profit for the restaurant. Makes you think: Salad instead of beef. Healthier too.

[EOP]

Delta One: Cheap Way to Get Lie-Flight Seats

Delta One are Delta's name for its Airbus A330-300 planes with all lie-flat seats that Delta uses primarily for international flights. But, during certain times, those planes might be used for domestic travel. When they are, you can buy a ticket at economy prices and enjoy lie-flat luxury. Just be sure it's a Delta One denominated flight.

[EOP] 

Friendship (2024 Movie on HBO/MAX)

My guess is that Friendship is supposed to be a very deep, touching, and insightful movie about friendship. Maybe that all becomes clear during the final third of the movie, but when it comes to the first two thirds, not so much. Rather, it's a story, actually not a story but a series of non-linear events, about various characters, a few of whom are appealing, but most of whom are not. There's a lot of 4-letter words, the point of which is a bit lost on some audience members. It might have included many attempts at humor, but only a couple hit. In short, don't trust me on this one. It could be beyond my intellectual ambit.

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Wiper Blade Choices Before It Snows

There are three choices one has when it comes to wiper blades and snow. As this article explains, there are pros and cons to raising wiper blades before it snows, and pros and cons to not raising wiper blades before it those. There is a third option not mentioned: Get out of a climate where it snows and move to Phoenix. As my friend Karl said, you have nothing to lose but your chains.

[EOP]

Risk When Re-Gifting

There's nothing wrong with re-gifting, and there's economic and social benefit in doing so. One thing to remember though is from whom you received any particular gift so that you don't re-gift that gift to the person who gave it to you. It happens more than you think. Also, be sure to open any gift before re-gifting it to be sure there is no card in it. That happens more than you think as well, including to a certain 11yo who trusted his mother, before giving him the gift to give to his friend, not realizing it was  re-gift in which she failed to remove the birthday card his Aunt Elsie had put when gifting to him, which he didn't find out about until they became roommates their senior year in college.

[EOP]

Why to Bet on China

America became the dominant economic force and power in the world in large part because of its investments in science and letting the market pick winners when it comes to goods and services. With Trump 2.0 rejecting science on all fronts and shutting down investments in scientific research and development, and businesses acquiescing willingly to the pay-to-play rules that autocrats such as Trump demand and enrich themselves on, as night follows day, we will MAGA for sure, i.e., Make America Go Awol. China is no democracy. Its congress has no more power or stomach than ours does to stand up to dictatorial impulses. But, it is hell-bent on being science-based and not falling into the autocratic pay-to-play trap.

PS: When the new Fed Chair is appointed, and it becomes clear that ends the independence of the Fed, the markets around the world, and maybe even here, will take note.

[EOP]

Materialists (2025 Movie on HBO/MAX and Hulu)

As you might guess from the title, Materialists poses the question as old as humankind: Which matters more--money or love. I shall not disclose how the film answers the question. What I can say is that, despite some plot holes and dragging at times, it's not the worst movie ever even if it's not memorable. Dakota Johnson turns in a performance that is a delight to watch, especially in the first third of the film where she demonstrates an indefatigable keen awareness of the human psyche and how to understand and handle herself and other people. It's a shame that this most engaging aspect of the film did not carry through. Still, there was thoughtful dialogue that atoned in part for the film's shortcomings. 

[EOP]

The Case Against Certain Third-Party Software Programs

This XDA article makes strong arguments why one should avoid thir-party anti-virus programs, driver update programs, and performance boosters and cleaners.

[EOP]

Nuanced View on the Effect of Tariffs

From a letter to the WSJ: "Economists never claimed that tariffs immediately or inevitably cause inflation We’ve long acknowledged that their effect on prices is complicated. The first reason for that is the substitution effect: When tariffs raise the relative price of imports, consumers often shift their spending toward other goods. Some import prices may even fall, particularly if demand dries up. The net effect, then, is ambiguous. The second factor is the income effect. Higher import costs give consumers less bang for their buck. If iPhone prices double because of tariffs, for instance, consumers enjoy less real income. Tighter budgets mean consumers have less to spend on other goods. Moral of the story: If you’re looking solely at the inflation rate to see the effects of tariffs, you likely won’t find it. In a vacuum, the levies cause a onetime jump in an economy’s price level but not a continuous rise in its growth rate. What happens after that depends on how policymakers respond. In any case, tariffs’ most predictable and immediate effects are sputtering growth and declining consumer welfare. Ask yourself: Doesn’t that resonate with your experience over the past nine months?"

[EOP]

Stages of Brain Aging

As this WSJ article reports, a new study show that the brain goes through five distinct stages between birth and death. Scientists identified the average ages—9, 32, 66 and 83—when the pattern of connections inside our brains shift. The adolescence phase, they discovered, lasts until age 32. The brain then enters a period of stability until early aging begins at 66. The study could help explain why brain-related conditions arise at certain ages and provide a better road map to understanding healthy aging.

[EOP]

Tip re Recipe Adaptation

We learned of two separate events by two different people living in two different states who did not communicate with each other on this matter. One of them made 3 coffee cakes as called for by the recipe, when all that was needed was 1 coffee cake. The other declined to make chocolate chip cookies because the recipe called to make 60 cookies and they didn't want more than 20 cookies. Here's the tip (which was met with much appreciation because it had never occurred to them): If you want to make a smaller batch than is called for by the recipe (e.g., you want to make 1/3 of what the recipe calls for), use only a proportionate amount of each ingredient (in this instance, by 1/3).

[EOP]

Mac vs Windows

If you're debating between buying a Mac or a Windows computer, this XDA article might help inform your decision. Spoiler alert: It prefers Windows. In general, it finds Windows more intuitive and customizable, akin to what many commentators find comparing iOS to Android.

[EOP]

The Best You Can (2025 Movie on Netflix)

If you're up for a movie that makes no pretense of wanting to do everything it can to tug on all your heart strings, then The Best You Can is for you. But you will not be fooled into thinking it's a better movie than it is, even staring Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, who are married to each other IRL. Spoiler Alert: In case you miss the point of the movie, or if you want to skip the movie and get to the point, it's wrapped up in a short denouement "monologue" near the end. Let me sum it up our view this way, when it comes to telling the two distinct stories that the writers, producers, and directors set out to tell, this is not the best they could.

[EOP]

Filtering Searches on VRBO

One can have the reviews on VRBO listed from lowest to highest, which makes it really easy to quickly see the reviews you really want to see--which are the negative ones. That function might or might not be available on other STR listing sites, but it's something to look for.

[EOP]

Increasing Housing Supply Through Mortgage Portability

Millions of owners are locked in place by ultralow mortgages they can’t afford to surrender. With more than half of borrowers holding rates at or below 4%, even modest moves require doubling interest cost. The result: suppressed inventory, weak mobility and a market frozen despite demand. A practical solution would be to allow homeowners with mortgages guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac to transfer their existing loans to new primary residences of equal or greater value. Mortgage portability exists in Canada and parts of Europe. Borrowers keep the same balance, term and rate, subject to underwriting and appraisal. Any price difference can be financed separately at market rates. Because Fannie and Freddie already hold the credit risk, such a program wouldn’t disrupt mortgage-backed securities or cost taxpayers. It would immediately unlock listings, improve labor mobility and ease price pressure without collapsing home values.

[EOP]

Tipping Annoyances

Tipping has become a national nightmare. You have to be careful that your cash tips into a tip jar are not missed by the proprietor. The rules for no taxes on tipping are opaque, providing little guidance to enable one to adjust accordingly. And you have to be steadfast in not over-tipping when they're watching you tip.

[EOP]

A Time for Bravery (2025 Movie on Netflix)

A Time for Bravery is a refreshing twist on this kind of crime, cop-buddy, guy-buddy, mystery story. It's fast paced and full of twists and turns that keep you on your toes or confused or both. It's quite fun. Yeah, it's a bit silly as all movies of this genre are--requiring some suspension of reality. But it's well-written, well-acted, sweet, and endearing.

[EOP]

Added Benefit If Trump's Snared by the Epstein Files

If Trump just continues to decline in popularity and at some goes away, that will be a welcome event. But, if it can be shown that he did do any of the things the Epstein file disclosures are pointing to, and he is thrown out of office in disgrace, we also will be able to undo all the naming and re-naming he has done in his unquenchable egomaniacal thirst. Put another way, we can de-trump him.

[EOP]

Why and How to Us Alias Gmail Addresses

Creating alias Gmail addresses is easy, and there are some occasions where you might want to do so. This article explains their use and how to create them instantly.

[EOP]

The Reality Masked by Government Reports on GDP and Inflation

As this LA Times article explains, the rosy numbers put out by the federal government on GDP, spending, and inflation are not any indication, much less a confirmation, of the success of Trumponomics. A close examination of the GDP figures underscores the narrow basis driving economic growth in recent months — it's essentially the product of robust spending by wealthy consumers and massive corporate investments in AI technology. For middle- and lower-income Americans, the economic present and future don't look anywhere as sunny as the numbers would suggest. The highest-earning 10% of households now account for nearly half of all consumer spending, according to Moody's Analytics. That's the highest level since the data began to be collected in the 1980s, when the rich accounted for only about one-third of spending.

[EOP]

PCs, Phones, and Other Electronics Expected to Rise in Price Next Year

The WSJ, cnet, and others say that prices for electronics of all kinds likely will rise next year both because of tariffs setting in and chips (especially memory chips) being subject to increased demand to meet AI needs, putting a strain on the ability to supply them. It's that darn supply and demand thing.

[EOP]

Auto-Connect VPN on Public Networks

I don't use a VPN but some people do, especially when connecting to public wi-fi networks. This cnet article  walks you through how to have one's VPN network connect automatically when on a public network so you won't have to remember any password or go through toggling to do so.

[EOP]

Merry Xmas to All

From Ezra Klein: The Trump Vibe Shift Is Dead

From Handel: For Unto Us a Son Is Born

From the Beatles: Here Comes the Sun

From Melissa Etheridge: A New Thought for Xmas

PS: After reading my screed on the benefits of the grinch stealing Xmas, Roland Fryer wrote a piece that explains why gift-giving is economically suboptimal and inefficient, and an example of what he calls expensive-signaling. But then, he concludes as follows: "Gift giving is one of the few domains in which society knowingly chooses to run a market inefficiently. We tolerate misallocation because we are purchasing something other than objects: reassurance, attention, belonging—a ritualized way of saying you matter to me and I am willing to incur a cost to prove it. This year my eyes will still roll a little as the wrapping paper flies. The economist in me will still long for an elegant transfer mechanism. But as the morning unfolds and my kids clutch whatever odd, half-expected items Santa delivered, I’ll be reminded why the world is too sane to do optimal gift-giving. Efficiency isn’t the only good. Sometimes 'waste' is the price of wonder."

[EOP]

PC Manager

PC Manager is a free app from Windows that provides seamless storage clean-up, efficient file management, and a host of other powerful features designed to keep your PC running smoothly.

[EOP]

Don't Be Fooled by the GDP Number

GDP was just reported as growing by 4.3% in the last quarter, blowing past estimates. It will be cheered by Trump. He will not mention that the biggest component of that growth was expenditures on health care. No more need be said in terms of what might be coming in the next quarter.

[EOP]

Non-US Airlines Are Better

Don't even think about booking on a US carrier for international travel until you've checked the alternatives on non-US airlines flying to and from your destination. Although it doesn't cover all airlines, as this Travel + Leisure article illustrates, you might just find an airline that offers lie-flat or near-lie-flat seating at economy class fares. We also know of one example where SAS made first-class seating available at below its economy class fare, and will still can't figure out how a semi-loyal reader scored those seats on a flight to Oslo, where they forgot to visit the Munch Museum and see The Scream.

[EOP]

The Pessimistic View on the Economy and Markets

This Finbold summary sets out the view of noted economist Komal Sri-Kumar who sees the "worst crisis in 50 years" coming in 2026, with stagflation (i.e., inflation plus a recession) and a steepening yield curve (i.e., long term bond rates rising with mortgage rates following). He goes on to discuss what assets should do well (namely, precious metals and real estate).

[EOP]

Enabling Developer Options on Android Phones to Make Things Faster

You can enable or disable a few settings to make your phone feel faster, including Developer options to change the animation speed. To enable Developer options, go to Settings > About phone > Tap on Software information > and then tap your Build number seven times. This should enable the Developer options, so you can now access different animation scale settings. Now, go to the Drawing section within Developer options and scroll down until you find the Window animation scale. Tap on it and set the animation to 0.5x, so apps and window pop-ups run faster. You can also adjust the Transition animation scale to minimize the speed of moving between home screen panels and within apps. Plus, minimize the Animator duration scale to make opening and closing apps, unlocking the phone, and other general UI animations snappier.

[EOP]

PS re Power Saver Mode

A recent post suggested turning on your phone's "Power Saver Mode" to extend its battery life. My phone is a Samsung Galaxy S10e which I bought on eBay in 2021. It still works fine, and is as fast as it was the day it came out of the box. I set it to stop charging at 85% (another recommendation set out in this blog), and have no issue with its lasting all day. But I've been amazed how much slower the battery level drops since turning on "Power Saver Mode." It's quite breathtaking. And none of the phone's functions have slowed down or degraded in the least. So, give it a shot. As my friend Karl said, you have nothing to lose but your chains.

[EOP]

USB-C Charger Versatility

Especially with newer devices, a USB-C laptop charger (which is how virtually all laptops are now charged) can also be used to charge a smartphone. Nice to know, especially when you're traveling.

[EOP]

How to Succeed in the NFL

Success in the NFL (this year especially) is a function of having 4 of 5 top-tier: owners, general managers, coaches, left-tackles, and quarterbacks. Everything else will fall in line. Look at the teams that are leading their conferences, and already are in the playoffs or likely will be, and you will see the truth and power of this observation. Put another way, it's not running backs, wide-receivers, tight-ends, kickers, the rest of the O-line, the defensive personnel, or special teams that separate the successful teams from the flops.

PS: Although no one asked or cares, the ingredients for success at the college level are totally different.

[EOP]

Reason to Celebrate Trump 2.0 Inanities

When Trump and his crew are attending to naming things, re-naming things, changing fonts, re-hanging and re-captioning portraits, and such, we should rejoice: It means less time is being spent on destroying our democracy, befouling the environment, stealing tax-payer money, committing war crimes, undoing alliances, and putting the economy in peril. 

[EOP]

Efficient Way to Hang Socks to Dry

We trust that all readers, and everyone else, dry their clothes out in the sun rather than putting them in an electric or gas dryer. It's one of the ways we keep our carbon footprint so small and our utility bills so low. When it comes to socks, if you hang them in pairs clipped at the toe end, when they are dry, you can bond/wrap each pair together before taking them off the line, which makes them easier to transport and faster to take down off the line and store.

[EOP]

Triple Screen Laptop

The Monduo 14-inch Pro Duo Monitor gives you the ability to travel with 3 screens nested with your laptop. This cnet article gives it a favorable review and at $750 it's what you would pay for a single monitor laptop. The problem is it weighs about 4 pounds which most of us, who pride ourselves on packing light, don't want to be schlepping.

[EOP]

PS re Amazon Giving Rebates on Price Drops

I didn't realize Amazon would give rebates for recent (within 1 week) price drops until I saw a post on this on this blog. In the last 3 days, I've asked for 2 such rebates and gotten them within 3 minutes through Help/Something Else/Chat. They weren't trivial, amounting to over $16. I cannot imagine how much money I have left on the table in ignorance of Amazon's policy on the matter. But now I put a price alert on anything I buy on Amazon. Is this a great country, or what?

[EOP]

TD Catch Arguably One for the Ages

On the last play of the first half, this reception was first called an incomplete pass, with a penalty flag thrown, then called a catch, and then a TD. It's worth seeing again in a slightly different way.

[EOP]

Extending Battery Life of Earbuds

This cnet article identifies the setting changes one might make to extend the battery life of earbuds, including: turning off ANC, transparency, pulse monitoring, fitness tracking, spatial audio, live translation, and sound equalization (EQ); keeping the volume below 40%; and choosing a lower quality codec.

[EOP]

Rockettes

If you haven't seen the Rockettes lately, you are missing something inspirational. Here is a nice look-back at the Rockettes first 100 years. 

[EOP]

Why Cashmere Is the Best Fabric for Travel

I thought everyone opted for cashmere for their traveling clothes. Surprisingly, indeed shockingly, apparently not. They should. Cashmere is exceptionally soft, lightweight, and provides superior warmth (up to 8x wool) while remaining breathable, making it ideal for luxurious, temperature-regulating garments that feel great directly on the skin, resist odors, and maintain shape, with high-quality pieces lasting for years with proper care. Its ultra-fine fibers (around 14-19 microns) create a buttery, silky feel, making it itch-free and perfect for sensitive skin, unlike coarser wools. It traps heat effectively, keeping you warm in cold weather without the bulk, often cited as 3 to 8 times warmer than sheep's wool. The fibers naturally wick moisture and adapt to temperature changes, keeping you cool when warm and warm when cool. Despite its warmth, cashmere garments are surprisingly light, providing comfort and flexibility. High-quality cashmere, when cared for, is long-lasting, resists wrinkles, and holds its shape well over time. It naturally resists unpleasant odors, requiring less frequent washing.

[EOP]

The Problem With Predictions

This article from TheStreet describes the thinking of one analyst who believes the crypto market is headed towards a crash similar to the Wall Street crash of 1929. Bitcoin's zoom this year from $85K to $125 only to come back to $87K certainly spooks many people. But, when Alan Greenspan was asked whether anyone warned him of the financial crash coming in 2008, he said, in effect, of course there was. And as he elaborated, he had knowledgeable predictions that a boom was coming and every other conceivable outcome from a crash to more record highs. Bottom-line: No one knows. Underscoring the problem, as Warren Buffet said, you don't know who is swimming naked until the tide goes out.

[EOP]

Can and Does AI Enable Merchants to Discriminate re Pricing

Yes, with AI, merchants know what you might be willing to spend for something and will price accordingly. This goes for airline seats, where you might be charged more than someone else looking to book the same seat at the same time. Is there anything you can do about? Alas, not really. Sorry. That said: Don't worry, be happy.

[EOP]

Suppose the Grinch Stole Xmas

If the grinch actually stole Xmas, here is some of the fallout: much electricity would be saved; recycle bins would not be filled with wrapping paper and tape that cannot be recycled; much money would not be spent on gifts that end up in junk yards; suicides would be down; millions of trees would not be cut down; pollution from jet and car travel would be reduced; the air would not be filled with Xmas carols; sappy Xmas movies would not be made or have to be sat through; and people who cared about their weight would not be inundated with baked goods. All that said, there is still such a thing as a good Xmas carol album as well as, properly cast, a creche scene that is quite something.

[EOP]

Catch of the Century

This is being called the catch of the century. I don't know if that's correct. But it's a pretty good catch.

[EOP]

Another Cautionary Note re Product Reviews

This intriguing piece by Christopher Mimms explains that, on the internet, fake reviews might be a problem, but real reviews are also an issue. This helps explain why we’re so often steered toward cheap but highly rated goods online, and why they so often appear atop algorithmically generated lists. Through a feedback loop involving both the preferences of algorithms and our own spending biases, we are pulled toward a sea of mediocrity and might miss some real gems that cost more. The core of the problem: People are harsher critics of more expensive items.

[EOP]

PS re Abuse of Disability Accommodations

The responses to our stated position on and what remedial actions to take for the parking and flight abuses of disability accommodations have been thunderously approved by readers. And some additional thoughtful and appropriate remedial actions have been suggested by a loyal reader, including (edited for space and content): (i) asking the authorities to deputize me and give me a stack of blank tickets so I can apprehend and fine all the miscreants I come across; and (ii) shoot hot tar balls or indelible paint at the cars of offenders or the offenders themselves. 

[EOP]

Lessons From Modern Parenthood

This piece by Rahm Immanuel, entitled "Lessons From Modern Parenthood," is very sweet. He very much appears to be running for president in 2028, and might be the strongest candidate, and the person best able to right the good ship lollipop.

[EOP]

Amazon Tips

Amazon Visa Credit Card: If you don't have one, get one. It has no annual fee, and gets you 5% off on all Amazon and Whole Foods purchases and 1%-3% on other stuff. Here's the bonus: You'll get a $250 Amazon gift card for enrolling.

Shop Amazon without logging in: Amazon sometimes inflates the prices for Prime members to make up for benefits like free two-day shipping. To see if you could get a lower price, find the item you want while logged in, then in a separate browser or in incognito mode, search again for the item while logged out. If it’s lower, add it to your cart and then log in to snag the better price.

Save on Prime membership with Amazon Family: You can add up to two adults, four teens, and four children to a single Prime membership. While you don’t have to live in the same household to link accounts, you do have to share payment methods.

Check out Amazon’s daily deals site Woot: You can find great savings on everything from electronics to apparel to home goods, with discounts ranging as high as 96% off! Plus, Prime members get free standard shipping on all purchases.

Find great savings through Amazon Resale:  You can find quality pre-owned, used, and open-box products for a fraction of the new price. All items are carefully inspected and labeled, plus are covered under Amazon’s return policy for added peace of mind.

Check out sample products: You can try something new for cheap (sometimes even free) before committing to the full size. Just enter “Prime Samples” into the search bar, and you can find samples for pantry, health, and beauty items.

Get a refund if the price drops for an item you purchased within the last week: Contact Amazon support to claim your refund, but note this only works for items sold and shipped directly by Amazon. Amazon will track the price for any item you bought--all you need to do is click on the "Add to Price Alert" button and you will be notified if the price changes.

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Quick Look for Windows

QuickLook is a free, open-source Windows utility that brings macOS-style spacebar previews, letting you instantly view images, videos, documents, and more from File Explorer without opening their full applications.

[EOP]

Abuse of Disability Accommodations

It is infuriating to see a car, without the appropriate license plate or hanging notice, parked in a space reserved for those with disabilities. We have checked with our ethics specialist who says to do as follows: (i) wait for the driver to appear and then give them the business; and (ii) unless they have some justifiable excuse, key the offending car. As the WSJ reports, a similar outrage has been growing on so-called "miracle flights" populated by people touched with "Jetway Jesus," i.e., they board the plane by wheelchair ahead of everyone else, and exit walking with no difficulty. Again, we have checked with our ethics specialist who says to do as follows: Upon exiting the plane, catch up to them in the lounge and knee-cap them so that there will be no in-flight conversion on future flights. As a courtesy, be sure to tell them to have the appropriate license plate or hanging notice if they intend to park in a disability space.

[EOP]

Monitorian (Monitor Brightness Control)

Monitorian is a lightweight Windows utility that lets you quickly adjust brightness and contrast for multiple internal and external monitors (which many people with laptops have connected to their laptops) simultaneously or individually, with optional advanced hotkey and command-line controls via subscription.

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OpenAI: From "Code Red" to Give Me Another $100B

Fewer than 3 weeks ago, OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman told employees that the company was declaring a “code red” effort to improve the quality of ChatGPT to beat back the growing threat from Google, and delaying other products as a result. Altman said OpenAI had more work to do on the day-to-day experience of its chatbot, including improving personalization features for users, increasing its speed and reliability, and allowing it to answer a wider range of questions. The companywide memo is the most decisive indication yet of the pressure OpenAI is facing from competitors that have narrowed the startup’s lead in the AI race. Of particular concern to Altman is Google, which released a new version of its Gemini AI model last month that surpassed OpenAI’s models on industry benchmark tests and sent the search giant’s stock soaring. Well, that was then. Now, as the WSJ reports, OpenAI, which is privately held, is seeking to raise $100 billion to pay for ambitious growth plans in a market that has cooled recently on the artificial-intelligence boom. Who said there's any concern about an AI bubble?

[EOP]

Glary Utilities

Glary Utilities is a free program that has many utilities including various "cleaning" functions. It will tell you how long it took your computer to boot up and gives you an easy way to stop or delay background programs from loading on start up to give you a faster boot up. But, one of the most useful functions is that it tells you, without you having to do anything, if there is an update available for any program or app on your system, including Chrome. This function alone makes Glary Utilities a must-have program.

PS: There's a paid version of Glary Utilities, which does not appear to offer any advantage over the free version.

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Two Tips re Costco

It is the best of stores, it is the worst of stores, it is where it is wise to shop, it is where it is foolish to shop, it is the epoch center of belief, it is the epoch center of incredulity, it is heaven during the season of light, it is hell during the season of darkness, it is the spring of hope, it is the winter of despair. In a word, it is Costco. Much of the stuff is of superb quality at excellent prices. But shopping in the warehouses is a miserable experience from the moment you try to find a parking space until you drive off, and the limitations of shopping online are aggravating to say the least. Its return policies on electronics are unmatchable and fantastic, but its customer service in every other way is lacking. And don't even think about asking their butcher to cut a brisket in half for you. That said, here are two tips:

Tip 1:  If you buy the Executive level membership, you will get to shop starting at 9 am while those with non-Executive level memberships cannot start shopping until 10 am. You won't find the warehouse empty at 9:05 am, but parking is easy and there is no wait at self-checkout. 

Tip 2: You need an Executive level card to get in at 9 am, which must be scanned and accepted by a machine. But the card could be yours or anyone else's ... all the  machine knows is that it is an Executive level card. And while you need to scan that card again at check-out, you can pay with any credit card. So, here's the tip: You and a friend can go 50/50 on an Executive level membership thus having the cost, that membership will allow for two cards (the enrollee and the spouse), you each take one card, and you each can get into the warehouse at 9 am (the scanner does not "look" at the picture on the card). Online shopping for member-only items might be a little tricky, but it's doable. I've run this by our ethics specialist, and it's deemed to be just fine.

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The Powerful Who Cowered in 2025

Courtesy of a semi-loyal reader, this piece by Jennifer Rubin, depressing as it is, does a masterful job of painting the corrosive force Trump has had across all facets of this country.

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The NFL's Officiating Problems

You don't need to read this blog to know that the NFL officiating is bad and bad for the game as it increasingly becomes outcome-determinative. Nor is this blog the only one that will tell you that offensive and defensive holding could be called on every play, or that the NFL cannot set out a plain rule that will tell officials, players, and fans what a catch is. All that said, this WSJ piece is an informative discussion of the thought being given to and the limits on improving the quality of the referees, as a new collective bargaining agreement approaches. In the meantime, here is my solution: Get the refs off the field, put them in a booth, assign one offensive player on each down to each ref, and have them focus on that player through a close-up camera with immediate slo-mo replay capability, with one additional ref to call off-sides, too many men on the field, and other such non-contact fouls. No, you don't need 22 refs, because every contact foul involves an offensive and defensive player. Now, here's the real kicker: Because not all games every Sunday happen at the same time, the officials could do two games each and, hence, the total number of officials the NFL would have to hire, train, and support would be about the same as they have now.

[EOP]

Storing Car Keys on Your Phone

Car fobs are extremely expensive now, so don't lose them. If you have a newer car and a newer phone, you can "store" your car keys on your phone, and this Slash Gear article will show you how to do it.

[EOP]

Correction re Eagles Game

A loyal reader pointed out that we erroneously said the Cardinals/Texans game preempted the Eagles/Raiders game on CBS. We apologize for the error and any confusion or consternation it caused. 

[EOP]

Say Goodbye to Seat Guru and Hello to Seat Maps

SeatGuru was the best and my (and everybody's) favorite site for finding the best seats and avoiding bad seats on any flight. TripAdvisor bought it years ago, and over time stopped investing in it, and now has killed it entirely. There are several alternatives including ExpertFlyer and SeatCompare.ai, but my choice now is SeatMaps.

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Microsoft 365 Copilot

This might be the most confusing name in the current lineup of Microsoft apps, and that's saying something. This tool has nothing to do with the Copilot app that's now part of Windows. Instead, it's the old Microsoft Office app, which opens the Microsoft 365 website in a dedicated browser window. If you click any of the app shortcuts there, it opens in your default browser, and if you actually use these apps from the web, you'll do just as well bookmarking a shortcut to office.com.

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Quick Assist

Quick Assist allows you to connect directly to another PC, using remote control software, which means you can see the other person's screen and even make configuration changes -- with their permission, of course. Because the feature is built into Windows and appears in the app listing, you don't need to instruct the other person to do anything except open Quick Assist.

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Question re Data Centers

At the core of the U.S. AI effort is the building out of huge data centers that require enormous amounts of land, electricity, and water. They are expensive to build and to operate, and it takes a long time from the first shoveling to get them online. You might ask yourself why Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon, and the hyper-scalers have no interest in owning or financing data centers. Rather, the development of data centers is being undertaken by "real estate types" who are doing so on a highly leveraged basis through private lending sources. Makes you think.

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What Is a Bitcoin?

I have no idea what a bitcoin is. Here is what the bot says it is: "Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency using blockchain technology for secure, peer-to-peer transactions without banks, acting like "digital gold" with a limited supply (21 million). It works via a public, unchangeable ledger (blockchain), verified by a global network of computers (miners) solving complex math problems, who are rewarded with new Bitcoin for securing the network, making it trustworthy and transparent." I have no clue what that means. I understand what a dollar is, or a euro, or gold, or silver, or copper, or miners, or drillers. I understand how you can own any of those or their proxies (e.g., miners or drillers). I understand how any of them can become valuable or not worth a sou in terms of their relation to currency or how their proxies can become valued entities or go bust. But when it comes to any of that, I have no clue when it comes to bitcoin. That said, this WSJ article provides some insight into bitcoin's retail investor friends.

PS: In sharp contrast to bitcoin is the U.S. penny, which no longer is being minted. The last batch of US pennies sold in 3-coin sets for $16.7 million. So, what I'm doing is being sure I own the last 3 bitcoins that are mined, block-chained, or whatever is done to make them.

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Airlines With the Smallest Seats

This article  lists the airlines where personal space is more of a memory than a guarantee, and why their tight setups keep making the list. They tend to be European budge airlines, so no worries re the major U.S. carriers, none of which made the list.

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Reasons to Open an IRS Account

It is highly recommend that you create an online account with the IRS (at IRS.gov), if you have not already done so. Having an IRS taxpayer account allows you to see what payments you have made, review status of refunds, and securely make quarterly estimates. The IRS is moving towards requiring electronic payments, so creating an account now will leave you prepared.

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The Ref Who Watched Too Much Leave It to Beaver

Courtesy of a loyal reader: This call was made by a ref whose childhood was unduly influenced by this show.

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Does What Trump Says or Does Matter?

Without doubt, Trump is the most vile, dangerous, and destructive person to occupy the presidency. The cruelty, bigotry, racism, and misogyny that spews from him on a daily basis is nauseating. It is difficult, if not impossible, to rank the gravity of his failings and the harms he causes on personal, societal, governmental, and environmental levels. Perhaps, the only conclusions that might be drawn are: (i) He reaches a new low everyday on some front; and (ii) there is not yet, and might never be, the "one" where he has gone too far. In fine, we may never hear the people sing.

[EOP]

Dealing With a Pool or Spa Leak

A pool or spa leak can be horrifying. If decking has to be torn up and replaced, the expense can be substantial. The prices quoted by leak detection companies can vary widely (from $380 or lower to $795 or higher) for essentially the same work. One tech running a dye test might find no leak, which would lead to the conclusion the leak is in a buried line. A different tech running a dye test might find a leak immediately in the skimmer requiring a simple, inexpensive repair. The company that did fabulous service and saved you a fortune with the last leak, might be the company this time that underperformed and would have overcharged. Put in a phrase, dealing with a leak is nerve-wracking, terrifying, and complicated. During the holiday  season, prayer is an appropriate approach for a home owner to deal with the situation. 

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Trump's Tariffs: Where Predictions Were Right, Where Predictions Were Wrong

This WSJ analysis presents an informative overview of the reality of the impact of the tariffs so far in terms of what Trump predicted and economists predicted on: prices, employment, economic growth, manufacturing, balance of grade, and revenue collection. Sadly, but not shockingly, it does not include our predictions which were bulls-eyes on every metric.

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Why the Bond Market Is Nervous

The 10-year Treasury yield jumped to the highest since early September, despite three rate cuts since then. Rate cuts usually draw cheers. Political pressure to keep lowering them could be a triple-whammy for middle class Americans, though. Slashing rates would eat into income on trillions parked in money market funds and could worsen inflation. Meanwhile, longer-term bond owners getting spooked raises the cost of mortgages, corporate debt, and the yields investors use to value companies. The result: a higher cost of living, more expensive housing, and a headwind for stocks. With interest on federal debt over $1 trillion—more than military spending—reducing the average 3.4% yield on marketable debt could be meaningful. Cuts could trim the federal interest bill by hundreds of billions of dollars. Besides squeezing households, though, helping out the Treasury that way today would handcuff the Fed tomorrow since debt will just keep rising: Raising rates with so much short-term debt could imperil federal finances. What, me worry?

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Trump's Poll Numbers Continue to Drop

Among every group including Reps and MAGAtes, on every metric from approval/disapproval to right-track/wrong-track, and in every category of job performance, as is being reported, Trump's numbers continue to slide. It's a sloping line going from the upper left to the lower right from Day One of his second term to the present. And not included is his beyond disgusting remarks about Rob Reiner. We all wish the slope were steeper, but at least it's in the right direction.

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Update Chrome Now

If you haven't updated Chrome in the past week, do so now. To be safe, you need to be running Version 143.0.7499.109/.110 for Windows/Mac, which includes 3 security patches.

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Is AI a Repeat of the Dotcom Bubble?

Here is what marked the dotcom bubble on the eve of its bursting: Evaluations of technology companies were really high; such high evaluations were seen as justified because the new technology would deliver faster than usual profit growth; the new technology drove growth in building out the exceedingly expensive fiber-optic cable infrastructure to support new uses, much of which ended up being mothballed or permanently abandoned; the new technology stocks were up while most of the rest of the market was down; big bets were made on small companies with no revenues; leverage was used precipitously by investors to buy into companies and by companies to buy into the technology; and there was much chatter about being in a bubble leading up to its bursting. Of course, until it burst, you could not be sure it was a bubble. That said, if you substitute "data centers" for "fiber-optic cable," there is one big difference now than what happened then: You cannot say AI is a bubble because there's been no burst .... yet.

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Using Your Phone as a Webcam

Laptop webcams generally are of low quality, and inexpensive external webcams aren't much better. Your phone can serve well as a hi-def webcam, and this article will walk you through how to set it up.

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Gemini on Google Maps: A Truly Hands-Free Experience

As part of an update shared last month, Google is adding hands-free capabilities to its Maps app, powered by Gemini. Now, as you're navigating to your destination, you can just say, "Hey, Google," and ask about anything, from the best vegan cafe on your route to the top five attractions in your area. You can even get details about the parking situation at your destination. You can treat it as a friend who is sitting right next to you, who also happens to be a local expert and is very intelligent at the same time. While navigating to a nearby park, I decided to ask Gemini about the best nearby cafe with pastries -- and plenty of parking. It gave me a list of options, and once I settled on one, it rerouted us to get there. Throughout the journey, I also asked Gemini to make a shopping list and add milk, which it did in Google Keep. I also had it add events to my Google Calendar for breakfast and dinner later that week. And I didn't have to touch my phone once. 

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Why Different Wi-Fi Bands Might Matter for Home Use

There are multiple bands of Wi-Fi that are primarily differentiated by their wavelengths. Low-frequency Wi-Fi sends out waves that may be several inches from peak to peak, with a 2.4 GHz wave measuring about five inches. Higher frequencies produce smaller waves, with a 6 GHz frequency measuring about two inches. Shorter waves can transmit more data since they are more frequent, but shorter waves also have a harder time penetrating through walls and other barriers. Because of those trade-offs, not all Wi-Fi is created equal. If you really want to optimize your wireless network usage, you need to consider what frequency is best for each use case. For example, if you have a smart home setup where each of your light bulbs and other IoT devices is connected to the Wi-Fi, it's often best to connect them to your 2.4 GHz band rather than a higher frequency channel. Conversely, your personal devices, such as your phone and laptop, can be better off using the highest frequency you have available. This is because your smart home devices use relatively little data but are spread out across your home, whereas your laptop uses relatively large amounts of data. Longer waves from your 2.4 GHz band will have an easier time reaching your light bulbs and thermostats in every corner of your house, whereas your laptop will benefit from shorter waves that can transmit more data for bingeing Netflix. Moreover, by putting your smart lights on the lower frequency band, you leave more room on the high frequency band for your streaming services.

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The New Yorker Hits the Nail on the Head: Speaking Truth to (Maternal Power) .. Except A's Were a Problem for Some of Us Any How

 

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Removing Windows 11 Bloatware

This PC World article shows the various easy ways one can remove bloatware from Windows 11. After removing superfluous components, Windows starts faster, looks tidier, and does away with many superfluous notifications and advertising content. 

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Best Travel Router Is In Your Pocket

The primary goal of a travel router is to create a private Wi-Fi network within hotels, airports, and other shared locations where public wireless networks are available. But a smartphone can serve as a powerful portable router, and has other advantages. You already own the phone, but would have to buy a travel router, and a router would be one extra thing to schlep. 

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Zerobyte: Free, Easy Backup Automation Tool

If you're looking for a free, easy-to-use backup tool, take a look at this XDA article. It makes a strong case for using Zerobyte.

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Automating Router Reboot

As this article explains, the Keep Connect Automatic Router Rebooter, which cost about $50, acts like any other smart plug, giving you the ability to remotely control power to whatever is plugged into it, but its neatest trick is to monitor your wi-fi connection and trigger a power cycle when it detects a connection loss. The Keep Connect Automatic Router Rebooter does this by regularly polling servers online and listening for a response to make sure that it is connected to the internet. If no response returns, it automatically shuts power off for a predetermined time before turning the power back on and checking again for connectivity. It is especially helpful if you access your home internet when you're away.

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Gen 3 EVs Coming in 2026

This Inside EVs article describes how the newest generation of EVs, some already here and others coming in 2026, are advances in the technology and the experience. Alas, it does not look like they will be lowering prices.

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T-Mobile Fiber Optic Internet

T-Mobile is rolling out its own fiber optic cable for internet. To see if it's available where you are, click on this link. It can be had for as low as $55/month (which includes a $10/month discount for auto-pay and a $10/month discount with a T-Mobile line), a 5-year price-guarantee, and a wi-fi router is included.

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Why Everyone Hates the Heisman Trophy

Here are the names of 12 football players, 6 of whom won the Heisman and 6 of whom didn't win in the same year:

Herschel Walker / George Rogers

Larry Fitzgerald / Jason White    

OJ Simpson / Gary Beban

Marshall Faulk / Gino Torretta

Ndamukong Suh / Mark Ingram

Jim Brown / Paul Horning

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Why Everyone Hates NFL Rules and Officiating

Jason Day's dissection of the so-called catch-rule of the NFL, the meaning of an "act common to the game," the officiating in the recent Ravens/Steeler's game, and the reviews of rulings in that game, brings into sharp focus why the mention of the NFL's rule and officiating raises the ire of everyone who watches NFL football and knows a catch when they see one.

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Why Everyone Hates the Stock Market and Rich People

Not that there are many other choices for where to grow one's nest egg, but everyone knows the stock market is fixed, and most of us are not in on the fix. But wait, there's more, and it's worse than that. As Corrie Driebusch brings to light, the ultrawealthy are able to buy and sell shares of the buzziest private companies via invite-only transactions long before they list their shares on public stock exchanges. That’s created a two-tier market. One tier is a private club of sorts, where a privileged group can obtain shares of companies still in their early growth stages. Everyone else is left with older, slower-growing names. The dynamic is exacerbating the wealth disparity in the U.S., as the growth in the net worth of the richest Americans is far outpacing all other income groups.

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Why Everyone Hates the Must-Have New Toy

Unless you've been living in a cave, you know that the Nex Playground is the toy that’s sold out in America’s biggest retailers and just topped Amazon’s charts on the busiest shopping day of the year. The problem is that it costs $249 and turns your living room into trampoline-ville.

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Why Everyone Hates Human Truck Drivers

When it comes to accidents involving trucks, just like with cars, human-error of the driver usually is the cause. As Christopher Mimms reports, just like with autonomous cars, when it comes to trucks, a self-driving truck is less likely to kill someone than one driven by a human. In 2023, engineers at Aurora, the autonomous-truck software maker, looked at every fatal collision on Interstate 45 between Dallas and Houston from 2018 through 2022. Based on police reports, the team created simulations of every one of those crashes, and then had their AI, known as Aurora Driver, navigate the simulation. The Aurora Driver would have avoided the collision in every event.

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Why Everyone Hates the Arizona Cardinals

1. They stink, and have stunk nearly every year (making the playoffs only 3 times in the last 10 years, and winning only 1 playoff game).

2. They make terrible drafting and personnel decisions.

3. They are badly coached with a head coach who, given his on-air abuse of a player instead of using it as a teaching and modeling moment, has no business being a head coach.

4. The owner is stupid and greedy.

5. Most of their uniform choices are horrible.

But, MOST OF ALL, while the Cardinals have no chance of making the playoffs or salvaging this season in any way, and no one is going to watch them on TV, their game this Sunday against the Texans, which they will lose, will be aired on TV and bump the national broadcast of the Eagles' game. 

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New Themes for Windows Desktop

Microsoft wants to make it easier for you to swiftly personalize your Windows 11 desktop, and to that end, has introduced a curated themes section to the Microsoft Store. There are over 400 themes in total, so knock yourself out. Being a minimalist, I prefer just a solid blue desktop.

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Christmas Gift List We Can All Agree On

Many people would prefer that the Xmas season not be dominated by gorging on gift buying. Many would prefer to see gifting, especially where adults are the recipients, be done by proxy to charitable donations (truly, not a George Costanza's Human Fund approach) or giving of experiences. But, people of those views have been and likely will continue to fight a losing battle. That said, the biggest gift we could all be given is that Trump goes away. In the meantime, we can relish the one continuing gift--his continued losing favor. Specifically, Trump has been dealt another polling blow ahead of Christmas, as a new survey from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that rising financial strain is causing Americans to cut back on non-essential spending (Xmas gifting?) and put off big-ticket item purchases ahead of the holiday season. The poll also revealed that only 31 percent of Americans approve of how Trump is handling the economy.

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Why the Birthright Citizenship Case Will Tell Us If the Supreme Court Has Gone Completely Off the Rails

It is a cardinal judicial principal that, if a case can be decided on statutory grounds, and those statutes are constitutional, then the court is to do decide it on statutory grounds. In the birthright citizenship case, Trump's executive order runs afoul of at least two congressional statutes which Trump does not challenge as unconstitutional. Rather, his argument is that the 14th amendment applies only to descendants of slaves. Are you with me so far? If so, then you will see that there is no need for the court, and it would be judicial heresy for the court, to decide the 14th amendment issue raised by Trump, i.e., the court should be addressing the statutes first, and since they are unchallenged and control, end of case. Put another way, congress has the power to make laws defining citizenship, it has done so at least twice--case over. Thus, if the court sides with Trump, it will mean  the corruption of this court is complete and unapologetic, as I fear it is, and will have put itself in the running as being deemed the most irremediable harm Trump will have done to our democracy.

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Durant's Is Reopening December 17

Durant's is a storied Phoenix steak-house restaurant. Among other historical events of note, it was the de facto campaign headquarters for the 1972 Dem candidate for Congress, a lawyer named Jack E. Brown. Fortunately for the many people whose livelihood ended up depending on the law firm Mr. Brown founded, he lost that election. McGovern lost his bid for the presidency that same year, notwithstanding the Herculean volunteer effort on his behalf by a kid who ended up under the tutelage of Mr. Brown. All that said, you might be able to infer or deduce from Durant's menu why we will not be having many meals there. Another deterrent is their dress code: "[T]o maintain an enjoyable environment for all of our guests, athletic wear (with the exception of sweatshirts), excessively revealing clothing, and exposed undergarments will not be permitted. We prefer no printed t-shirts. sweatshirts, hats or visors, and always appreciate collared shirts and/or sports coats. Please dress as your always elegant selves."

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Another Way Amazon Helps

I realize there are some people who think Amazon is evil and is in a pitched battle against brick-and-mortar stores. Putting aside the ability of brick-and-mortar stores to reach customers through Amazon, brick-and-mortar stores are looking to Amazon technology to save them. Stores are estimated to lose $47.8 billion to retail theft in 2025; projections indicate shoplifting could cost retailers over $55 billion in 2028. In 2023, there were 1.15 million reported cases of shoplifting nationwide, the highest rate since 2019. The average shoplifting incident cost retailers $461.86 in 2020. In short, shoplifting leads to higher prices and lower profits for stores, making their business vulnerable. Amazon's "Just Walk Out Shopping" technology is now available to all retailers, and many, including many large ones are starting to adopt it. This article in TheStreet explains.

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Let's Hope the Dems Do Not Fold Again

With the ACA subsidies about to expire, and the Reps looking weaker at the polls, and Trump's approval ratings continuing to drop, the Reps are going to vote to extend those ACA subsidies on a temporary basis to have them stay in place beyond the 2026 elections. The Dems had Trump and the Reps on the ropes with the government shut-down and let them escape. No one would be surprised if the Dems fold again. But high hopes, pie in the sky hopes, spring eternal.

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Bimini

American Airlines just announced non-stop flights from Miami to Bimini. It’s the closest Bahamian island to the U.S., but it has always carried an outsized place in the Caribbean imagination — a strip of land where writers (including Hemingway), activists (including MLK), fishermen, and wanderers have all left their mark. December to April is its prime season, so it makes for a wonderful family-Xmas, let's all head for the beach, getaway location.

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Air Fryer: Better Way to Do Hard Boiled Eggs

It's just come to our attention that some people are still boiling eggs in water. As this cnet article explains, making hard boiled eggs is a task better done in an air fryer. It's faster, easier, less messy, less prone to breakage, saves water, and produces tastier eggs. So, when it comes to hard boiled eggs, either do what I do which is avoid them, or stop being a schmohawk and do them in your air fryer.

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Correcting Your Misunderstanding of What Makes for a Great College Football Team

If you think you have  a clue as to what it takes to turn-around a college football program, and have it rise to the top, think again, and read this WSJ article.

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Reasons to Consider Using a Professional Travel Advisor Like Fora

As a travel writer, I've always taken pride in handling every detail of my trips solo. I've spent years unearthing hidden boutique hotels, interviewing travel experts, and helping readers craft itineraries packed with under-the-radar experiences — all in a day's work. But for my last trip, I turned to a travel advisor — something I never thought I'd do, especially given my experience and AI expertise. To get started, I reached out to travel agency Fora, and was connected with one of their advisors. Though the one I ended up working with didn't charge for her services, each advisor sets their own rates. I loved how personalized the process was. I appreciated that she welcomed feedback, taking the time to explain why certain spots suited our travel style and why some of my initial "must-stay" picks might actually fall flat. For example, she gently steered us away from a more traditional property near the main tourist sights and instead proposed a modern, design-forward hotel in a different neighborhood that might better match our vibe. Our advisor also helped me avoid my usual habit of overplanning each day by suggesting a more thoughtful and realistic day-by-day approach, so we wouldn't feel rushed or exhausted before dinner. Plus, she tailored the itinerary to our budget, allowing us to skip pricier experiences, while still enjoying thoughtful alternatives.

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Cleaning Cast Iron Cookware

This cnet article is a treasure trove of tips for keeping cast iron cookware looking like new and for cleaning cast iron cookware that has not been kept looking like new.

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Clearing Windows Cache (Good Practice to Free Up Storage Space and Speed Up Browsing)

To clear your PC's location cache:

1. Hit the Start menu and click "Settings"

2. Click "Privacy and Security"

3. Scroll down to the section titled "Location history" and click "Clear"

To flush the DNS cache: 

1. Press the Windows key + R to bring up the Run command window

2. In the Run command prompt, type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter

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Public USB Charging Stations Are Safe

Contrary to a lot of babble, as this cnet article explains, despite warnings from the FBI and FCC, there are no publicly documented cases of juice jacking in the wild largely because modern devices already block the classic attack path. Most phones force the user to approve data access, and many public ports only supply power, which stops the attack before it starts. Security researchers describe the same reality. The risk exists on paper, but the practical threat to ordinary travelers is minimal. Juice jacking survives as more of a cautionary idea than a problem anyone is actually dealing with. That said, and because of the dearth of charging outlets in many airports and other public facilities, I prefer to carry a charger (mine is Qi-enabled, very thin, and very light).

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Implication of Walmart's Moving From the NYSE to the NASDAQ

The Nasdaq-100 index (which the QQQ and QQQM ETFs track) specifically includes the 100 largest non-financial companies listed exclusively on the Nasdaq exchange. By moving its listing from the NYSE to the Nasdaq on December 9, 2025, Walmart meets this primary criterion. Walmart is now positioned for potential inclusion during the annual or any special rebalancing of the Nasdaq-100 index. Analysts widely expect its inclusion due to its massive market capitalization. If Walmart is added to the Nasdaq-100, index-tracking funds like the QQQ ETFs will automatically become buyers of its stock to align their holdings with the index's composition. This process is expected to drive significant passive investment inflows into Walmart's stock. 

PS: The Mag 7 is the label given to the seven dominant U.S. tech companies, namely, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet (Google), Nvidia, Meta Platforms, and Tesla (I've never quite understood Tesla's inclusion, but it's there). An interesting related question is whether Walmart (whose move to the NASDAQ is intended to reflect its increasing tech orientation) will replace any company in the Mag 7, or whether it will be added to form the Mag 8, or neither. 

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Take-Aways Monday Night Football

1. MNF is on way too late ... no one should have to stay up till 10 pm to watch a game.

2. As Steve Young told me, ball security is job security in the NFL. No one should have to watch a MNF game to see that maxim play out.

3. If a QB's passer rating for a game would be higher if he spiked every snap than what his passer rating was for a MNF game, which is the case for this past MNF game, no one should be subjected to watching it.

4. If that same QB is responsible for 5 turnovers, don't get me started.

5. If that same QB is responsible for 2 turnovers on the same play, by first throwing an INT, and then recovering a fumble on the runback, and then fumbling, don't get me started.

6. If a team would have won the game had its QB thrown only 3 INTs, instead of the number he threw, no one should be subjected to watching such a game. 

7. If a supposed all-pro elite wide receiver gripes that he's not targeted enough, then he should not be allowed to appear on MNF to drop two passes, one leading to an INT and the other in the end zone.

8. The NFL is kidding itself if it thinks a single play that has an INT, followed by a fumble, followed by another fumble is entertaining.

9. If a team cannot pass the football and cannot run the football, they shouldn't be allowed  to be in a MNF game.

10. If a team cannot pass the football and cannot run the football, you don't need to watch a Super Bowl MVP QB and a season MVP RB to see the problem on MNF, or listen to blather by commentators and talking heads. Just look at the personnel populating the O-line, and compare them to the personnel who populated its Super Bowl O-line of the year before.

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Where's the Lawsuit to Stop Trump's Spending Tariff Money

Trump has announced that he is going to come to the aid of farmers by subsidizing them to the tune of $12 billion. This is not money that Congress has appropriated or authorized. According to Trump, it will come from revenues collected through his tariffs. In essence, then, Trump has imposed a tax on businesses, under the guise of a tariff, and usurped the one power the constitution gives to Congress and denies to the president, namely, the power to levy taxes and authorize expenditures. Although we no longer can expect or even hope the Supreme Court to do the right thing, there at least should be a legal challenge.

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EV vs ICE Cost Comparison for "Filling Up the Tank"

While it's complicated and depends on several factors (including climate), this article analyzes the cost of fueling a Subaru Outback vs an EV (I won't mention the brand). Generally speaking, the Subaru's monthly fuel cost will be double that of the EV.

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Cash vs Buffer Funds

This WSJ article addresses the question of how one might stay safe, i.e., protect  one's portfolio, when the market gets exuberant. Market timing is not the answer. Buffer funds might not be so great either. Cash, even in a declining short-term interest rate environment, is the simplest way and, as the article suggests, might be the best.

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Minimizing Taxes on Investments

This piece by Louis Braham explains the new ways to minimize taxes on your investments, and why it's important to do so now.

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The Asset (2025 6EP Series on Netflix)

Being in a drought for a good series, we reached out in desperation to a source of dubious credibility with a spotty record so we were leery when The Asset was the recommendation. But, if EP1 typifies the quality of the series, we look forward to the next 5 EPs. It's a gripping story about Agent Tea who infiltrates a criminal gang, befriending Ashley, the girlfriend of ringleader Miran, and then, witnessing Ashley's stark reality, is torn between her mission and a desire to help her escape Miran's control. All that said, we are sincerely grateful for and appreciative of the recommendation.

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AI: The Energy Monster

I pride myself on my small carbon footprint, which everyone says is the smallest they've ever seen. In that context, here is why I don't use AI as my default search tool: An AI bot search uses significantly more power than a traditional Google search, often 10 to 20 times more energy per query, because it involves complex AI model calculations (like GPUs/ASICs) versus Google's database lookups, though Google's integrated AI responses aim for efficiency by using pre-generated parts to bridge this gap. A simple Google search is around 0.3 Wh (watt-hours), while a ChatGPT query can be 3 Wh or more, with major impacts on data center energy and water use as AI adoption grows. 

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Let's Start Taxing College Football

The historical justification for not taxing the income of college teams was that the players were students. Jettison that pretense, and the net income should be taxed. The university as a whole may be tax-exempt, but why should its profit-making football program be? Even if net football revenue is used to support educational programs, hardly the norm, tax should be imposed on unrelated business income. The taxable sum would be reduced by program expenses, including compensation for coaches and athletes, but these programs still make money. Think about broadcast revenue. The tax liability wouldn’t be trivial. Another concern: Suppose someone makes a “contribution” to a university to support a revenue-generating sports team. An alum recently donated $50 million to Stanford football, and T. Boone Pickens gave huge amounts to Oklahoma State. A check might be made out to a generally tax-exempt educational institution, but if a “donation” is directly supporting an unrelated trade or business, there's no justification for a deductible charitable contribution.

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Caution re Fake Online Stores

Fraudsters are using AI to create 'perfect' knockoff shopping websites. They steal product photos, generate realistic reviews, and even copy customer-support pages from real retailers. The sites may look flawless, but the URL gives it away — an extra dash, an added word, or an unusual domain like '.shop' instead of '.com' is often the only clue.

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How Commodities Can Buoy 60/40 Portfolios

This WSJ article has an informative discussion comparing the effect of devoting 5%, 10%, or 20% of one's investment portfolio to commodities, as compared to a pure 60/40 stock/bond portfolio.

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The Roses (2025 Movie on Hulu and Prime)

The Roses is supposedly an updated version of The War of the Roses. Maybe so. But it's not good. The dialogue, which likely tracts the script, is amateurish at best and not the way people speak. As a result, the audience couldn't care less about the characters or the story or what happens. And the cast does not compare to the cast of The War of the Roses. In all events, Two for the Road is a better movie than either of them if you like the theme of a what should be a perfect marriage not going so well.

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Always Check Amazon

If you find an item you want to buy on a website other than Amazon, before buying it through the website you found it on, check to see if that item is available on Amazon. If so, it could be 10% or more cheaper, not including free shipping, and not including the 5% discount for using the Amazon Prime credit card, and you get the easy return policy of Amazon and its other benefits. Or, be a schmohawk. 

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Jay Kelly's Lesson on Trusting Reviews

The review of Jay Kelly in yesterday's post accurately summarized with the word "blah" what all thinking, responsible, attuned, smart film critics think of the movie. Here is how it is described by the WSJ ("Perfection all the way through"), LA Times ("A fully-formed knockout"), and New York Magazine ("George Clooney delivers the performance of a lifetime"). So the next time you see a glowing STR or product review, remember this cautionary note.

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Removing App Bloatware From Windows Computers

The reason to uninstall bloatware apps is to boost device performance, free up storage, extend battery life, and improve security by removing hidden background processes, vulnerabilities, and potential data collection, leading to a cleaner, faster, and safer digital experience. These unwanted pre-installed programs clutter your device, consume resources, and can even display intrusive ads. Click on Start/Settings/Apps/Installed Apps and all the apps installed on you computer will be listed. Any one you want to uninstall can be uninstalled with 2 clicks, starting with a click on the 3 dots. 

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Fire TV Remote Short-Cuts

I no longer have to use a Fire Stick to get the stuff I want to stream, and I'm glad to be rid of it. But, if you are still using a Fire Stick, you'll want to look at this ZD Net article to see the 11 neat things you can do with it to enhance your viewing experience, including: Understanding the hidden shortcuts unlock menus, resets, and fixes; using button combos for quick reboots and resets; and accessing tools, settings, and accessibility in seconds.

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Google Illuminate

Google Illuminate makes academic and technical papers less intimidating by converting them into podcast-style audio conversations. After you feed it a research paper, Illuminate produces a conversation between two synthetic voices that explains the paper’s ideas in plain language. The experience feels a bit like listening to two experts break things down on a commute-friendly podcast. For those who learn better by listening or lack the time to read a PDF, Illuminate provides access to information that often seems restricted by academic jargon. To try Google Illuminate website (linked above) and sign in with your Gmail account. Click Sign in to start generating or join the waitlist. After you’re in, using it is straightforward. Click Start Generating, paste a URL to the paper or article you want to learn about, or search for a topic you’re curious about. Illuminate will pull relevant sources for you. Then you choose your audio dialogue style, usually a conversational format with two voices, and click Generate. A few moments later, your custom audio explainer is ready to play.

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Jay Kelly (2025 Movie on Netflix)

Like other people, I watched Jay Kelly because George Clooney was in it and who doesn't love George Clooney and admire his acting gifts. Unfortunately, everyone I know who has seen the movie, whether or not they made it all the way through, came away with the same reaction (although not everyone can be this articulate): Bah. Mildly interesting because of the star power, but ultimately too long, self indulgent, and aimless.

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