Tek is not a convicted felon

Politics ∪ tech ∪ security ∪ privacy ∪ O_o

One-time EFF Tech Trivia champion.

Sysop of Free Radical.

I blog about this at https://blog.freeradical.zone/.

Very approachable. Bring treats.

Public Key

npub13e30hnrpg768tslwwjveafaazctk7ghf9va2se2k4ygr8cj24veshclhjj

NIP-05 Address

tek_at_freeradical.zone@mostr.pub

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsguchme3s50dr4c0h8fxv75773v9m0yt5jkw4gv4t2jypnuf92kvcpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0wd68ytnsw43qzxrhwden5te0wfjkccte9ehx7umhdpjhyefwvdhk6glp5d2

Publishing to

relay.mostr.pub

relay.noswhere.com

Author Public Key

npub13e30hnrpg768tslwwjveafaazctk7ghf9va2se2k4ygr8cj24veshclhjj

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Last Notes

2024-11-19 02:34:16

Got my Meshtastic roof radio fully online now.
https://nfts.freeradical.zone/media_attachments/files/113/507/280/671/951/268/original/e000a8484d4425e3.jpeg

2024-11-17 04:29:36

We're dog sitting a chihuahua. I just had this conversation with their kitchen spybot:
Me: Dingus, Monday morning at 8AM, play "I Want a Dog" by Pet Shop Boys.
Spy: OK. Would you like me to make that your default alarm tone?
Me: ...yes!
Mrs Tek: LOL
Don't leave me alone with your electronics.

2024-10-03 17:54:35

The upcoming election is largely a referendum on Trump, to be sure. But don’t forget that if he won, we’d be one hamberder away from President Vance. An old man with that diet and lack of exercise isn’t going to be around forever.

2024-09-17 19:23:08

Release v4.3.0-beta.2 · mastodon/mastodon https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/releases/tag/v4.3.0-beta.2
You a Mastodon admin? I highly recommend reading these release notes. A *lot* of stuff is changing and it’s not going to be a trivial “build and restart” upgrade.

2024-09-16 15:10:12

Over breakfast Tek Jr mentioned this really weird short story they're reading that I might also like. Seems they stumbled across "I Have no Mouth, and I Must Scream".
"It starts off really creepy, Dad!" Buckle your seatbelt, my child.

2024-09-13 05:21:47

Tek Jr just showed me the TI-30XS MultiView calculator they have at school and I viscerally hate it. I can’t explain why. Something about the curved screen corners and white cutout for the weird arrow button and the haunted solar cell just physically repulses me. This is so odd. I don’t have a habit of being creeped out by innocuous electronics.
https://nfts.freeradical.zone/media_attachments/files/113/128/564/611/701/223/original/c7e2c28235513e96.jpeg

2024-09-13 00:46:22

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Also, it warms my heart to imagine medical device execs suddenly facing price competition. Why are devices so expensive? “Because they can be, fuck you. What are you gonna do, not hear? LOL.”
And now they have to defend to would-be buyers why their stuff is an order of magnitude more expensive than the new options.
I love it.

2024-09-13 00:37:39

FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-first-over-counter-hearing-aid-software
Newer AirPods Pro with recent software updates are now FDA certified hearing aids. This is astounding and wonderful. No, they’re probably not as great as high quality hearing aids fitted by a trained professional. They also cost $250, not $2500, making them far more affordable.
I hope this is the first of many such certifications.

2024-09-08 00:38:02

The #Huskers are trouncing Colorado. What is even happening? I love it.

2024-09-08 00:14:08

It’s an Aperol spritz kind of afternoon.
https://nfts.freeradical.zone/media_attachments/files/113/099/043/528/122/689/original/d718271d62261d4d.jpg

2024-09-06 01:19:56

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@npub1tsz…jl0n I really do believe that’s right. I’m not a sucker like all those _other_, less _knowledgeable_ people. Also, I feel compelled to open my mouth and demonstrate this for everyone within earshot.

2024-09-05 17:41:56

Some people just wanna be contrary for the sake of contrariness. Good grief.

2024-09-03 02:45:18

Sweartagod I just watched a dog leap out of a moving car’s window. The driver slammed on her brakes to go back and get it.

2024-08-29 15:13:09

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Meanwhile, their website has the sheer audacity to suggest I can log into it with the CA DMV Wallet app, “no password needed.”
My ass.
This. This right here is why NIST says it’s bad to require password rotation. I guarantee half the Californians using this have passwords like “DmVpassword!5”.
https://nfts.freeradical.zone/media_attachments/files/113/045/955/254/874/643/original/cd1f1f2438e0dcae.png

2024-08-29 15:08:10

Literally every time I open the CA DMV digital drivers license app:
“You need to refresh your license!” Fine.
“To do that, you need to log back into the DMV website!” Alright.
“Your password is expired. You need to update it!” Ugh, really, whatever.
“System Unavailable”. throws phone
Every. Time. If I ever try to use this to board a flight, I’m so sorry for the people behind me in line that day.

2024-08-28 16:09:55

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@npub1k3p…f8yp Who says I’m ganic? Got all the RAM I need for the hacks you can afford. ‘Sides, sounds like you want me to be the ICE here.

2024-08-28 15:25:22

A friend asked me about helping a little with an AWS infra project he’s doing. I replied:
“I've been playing a lot of Cyberpunk 2077 lately so I'll speak that way:
So, choom, you got a nova Terra needs formed?”
I expect him to LOL or to tell me politely, but firmly, to knock that off.

2024-08-27 00:48:19

I found out today that Network Solutions is still out there doing their thing.

2024-08-23 21:49:11

CAKE, "Never There" from the album "Prolonging the Magic (Deluxe Version)": https://song.link/us/i/270055688 #NowPlaying #FediPlay
I need your understanding, I need your love... so much.

2024-08-23 21:13:16

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@npub1a5c…sd39 I think you read it backward. That blocks everything.

2024-08-19 23:58:47

It's time for my company’s annual harassment training, *which I wholeheartedly support*.
I am less enthusiastic about the training website. "Look, we said this is gonna take an hour, and I don't care how quickly you can click through the legal disclaimers, *it's gonna take an hour*.”
https://nfts.freeradical.zone/media_attachments/files/112/991/399/073/610/789/original/b548775cbd09fba4.png

2024-08-19 05:00:07

I’ve played through several of the “Cyberpunk 2077” endings this weekend. I think I’m gonna throw on some “Requiem for a Dream” as a palate cleanser.

2024-08-14 15:30:13

My wife took a vow to put up with me 25 years ago today. Since then, she’s been my ride-or-die best friend through our many grand adventures. We didn’t always know how they’d work out. We’ve always gotten through them together. I know there’s nothing too big for us to face side by side.
Here’s to the next 25, my love, and all the others after that.

2024-08-11 21:38:14

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@npub13ue…70dr It’s probably not *that* risky… but I sure won’t try to talk you out of it. I’ll probably reset/restore my phone when I get home. I used only my password manager to log into things though.

2024-08-11 21:35:40

Heading home from #DefCon? When you’re back in your own place, consider changing any phone or device PINs or passwords that you had to type in public or in view of a camera.

2024-08-11 20:02:33

Mrs Tek got caught up in TSA security theater bullshit by having a water bottle that was less than bone dry, although not by much.
Do you feel safer yet?

2024-08-11 06:08:37

#FRZ and Hackers.town showed up and kicked ass at the EFF Tech Trivia contest at #DefCon. We came in 2nd in the non-bribery category.

2024-08-10 06:15:23

#FRZ is pleased to announce that we’ve exceeded Truth Social’s net profits last quarter by over $16M.

2024-08-10 03:09:37

I commented on a guy’s Dethklok shirt and he got all happy that someone had heard of it.
From his POV: “So there I was wearing my shirt and the only person to mention it was some guy with blue hair wearing a tshirt with a bunch of cats on it.”

2024-08-10 02:55:49

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@npub1dl7…yyuj “Oopsie daisy! We didn’t know you meant it for always!”

2024-08-08 04:40:03

Oof. I don't know what happened exactly, but it involved asking a remote Tek Jr to reboot a database server, and them remembering the first "turn it off" part but not the second "turn it back on" bit.

2024-08-08 00:02:26

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@npub1qx0…jq5a For real, this is one of my favorite haunted houses. Amazing, cool, terrifying.

2024-08-07 23:53:13

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@npub1qx0…jq5a I don’t think I could.

2024-08-07 23:50:45

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@npub1uuv…zpxv “Flipper what? Never heard of it. This is my dolphin tamagotchi.”

2024-08-07 23:41:01

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He did it.
(Note: This is *my* door. I had the legal right to open it. Don’t be a fucking creeper.)
https://nfts.freeradical.zone/media_attachments/files/112/923/380/896/765/599/original/51620888114c838b.mp4

2024-08-07 22:44:00

C’mon little buddy, do your thing.
https://nfts.freeradical.zone/media_attachments/files/112/923/156/895/072/216/original/9ed649615a3a01da.mp4

2024-08-07 22:35:10

We made it to Vegas in 1 piece, ate a deliciously unhealthy lunch, checked in early (pro-tip: pay the $15 extra for a room upgrade if given the option), and set up the WiFi router that lets all our devices connect to the Internet at the same time without paying an arm and a leg every day.
It’s been a buy morning. Now we rest, re-caffeinate, and then hit the strip.

2024-08-07 22:05:03

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@npub1vcl…k6t3 Followup:
I LOVE YOU, MAN.
This thing works perfectly. I'm typing this through it, over Wi-Fi, via a WireGuard VPN back to a network I trust.

2024-08-05 00:37:18

RFK Jr. admits in bizarre video that he dumped a dead bear in New York’s Central Park - San Francisco Chronicle https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/rfk-bear-19619347.php
I honestly don’t have anything to add to this.

2024-08-03 23:52:20

Just ran the hardest since getting over a nasty asthma bout. Didn’t get a gold medal; still finished.

2024-08-03 15:51:57

#Wordle 1,141 2/6*
🟨⬛⬛🟨🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
:success:

2024-08-02 16:45:40

Amazon sent me an email about their new “Amazon One” service:
"Amazon One is a fast, free identity service that allows you to pay using only your palm at all Whole Foods Market, Amazon Fresh, and Amazon Go locations. Your Prime member discounts will be automatically applied when you checkout at Whole Foods Market."
I was raised in an evangelical Christian household, as are somewhere around 25% of Americans. I can say with authority that ... https://honeypot.net/2024/08/02/amazon-sent-me.html

2024-08-02 03:01:02

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@npub17nx…u2jx To “…verify that something is listening to this number and at least 1 entity can read it, although we have no way of knowing who.”

2024-08-02 02:12:29

The email: Click here to enhance your account's security with two-factor authentication!
Click.
The website: Please enter your phone number to receive your access code.
Cmd-W.

2024-08-01 23:42:40

Mastodon admins:
A reminder that if you don't periodically run `tootctl media remove`, you're setting money on fire.
See https://docs.joinmastodon.org/admin/tootctl/#media-remove for deets.

2024-08-01 02:45:15

I bought a month of Peacock to watch the Olympics more easily, and they’ve still crapped in with ads. WTF, no. I’m instantly canceling after this.

2024-07-31 15:28:56

Sorry, I woke up with strange sayings falling out of my mouth. I've been annoying Mrs Tek with them all morning. Now it's your turn.
You should see the list of potential usernames I've been throwing at her.

2024-07-30 23:08:25

Nero, "Promises" from the album "Welcome Reality (Deluxe Version)": https://song.link/us/i/1440803189 #NowPlaying #FediPlay

2024-07-29 23:14:18

99% of the time it's easy and gratifying to be a Mastodon moderator. Someone's being an ass? Let me introduce you to the banhammer!
There are zero freedom of speech considerations here. The ass can still speak all they want. Limiting or silencing them doesn’t stop that. We're exercising our freedom not to listen.

2024-07-29 16:16:36

Truck owners/fans: is there any reason why someone would buy a Cybertruck over an F-150 Lightning? The Lightning seems more practical in every way.
(I'm not considering buying either. I'm genuinely curious about the appeal of it.)

2024-07-29 04:48:07

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@npub13ue…70dr That seems kinda plausible.

2024-07-29 04:37:48

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@npub13ue…70dr Yep. And he was also willing to go right into a crowded office impersonating a phone repairman to hack their network in plain sight. That earns some respect.

2024-07-29 04:35:45

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@npub13ue…70dr I didn’t think they thought he was annoying. Goofball, sure, but also genius in his own ways and super quick to understand the implications of quickly changing conditions.

2024-07-29 03:06:16

Who is your favorite role in cinema, and why is it Cereal Killer?

2024-07-28 01:37:21

Frequent travelers, what’s a good way to share Internet connections in hotel rooms that charge by the MAC? Devices:
- Macbook
- iPhones
- Nintendo Switch
If I'm gonna be stuck paying a bullshit "resort fee”, I'm going to check my email on more than one computer without paying even more and I’m gonna feel A-OK about it.

2024-07-27 20:49:41

So tell me about this dressage thing.
Well, a horse walks around.
Really fast?
No, just walking.
That’s it?
No, sometimes it stops for a little while.
It stops?
Yeah. Then walks backward.
Far?
No, just a little bit. Then it walks forward again.
Are you messing with me?
Nope.

2024-07-25 21:11:58

Keeva became ill in the last week. I took her to the vet expecting she’d need some medicine and TLC. Instead we got some very bad news.
Our sweet girl – verifiably the best pup ever – is going to sleep tomorrow. She’ll be surrounded by a heartbroken family who loves her very much and will help her rest as comfortably as possible.
Goodbye, sweetie. I’ll miss you forever.
https://nfts.freeradical.zone/media_attachments/files/112/849/185/541/542/798/original/1a2b8244e5db9b8f.jpg

2024-07-25 17:21:31

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Our sweet girl is going to sleep tomorrow morning with her family gathered around her and telling her how much she’s loved.

2024-07-24 16:25:10

My sweet little pup is laying snuggled into a soft blanket next to me on the couch. She's struggling to breathe, successfully so far but with a lot of effort. She's had a few doses of antibiotics. I kind of think maybe she's improving, but it's hard to be objective and avoid wishful thinking.
We've decided to give it another day. If she's getting significantly better tomorrow, whew. If not… I can't let my good girl suffer.
And yes, I'm sobbing like a baby.

2024-07-24 14:33:01

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@npub1f9h…8hqa I still play the free web version with a pop up blocker. The second I can’t play for free, that’s that.

2024-07-23 18:37:20

Keeva is the best dog there ever was. This is a known fact.
https://nfts.freeradical.zone/media_attachments/files/112/837/252/879/387/067/original/1c5d2d2bdb6aa2ce.jpeg

2024-07-23 18:34:47

The vet just gave us news no one who loves their pet ever wants to hear.
I am heartbroken.

2024-07-22 00:14:01

I like Biden. I supported Biden. I support Biden. I’m not glad to see him withdraw. I am glad that *a* decision has been made.
And now that the DNC is going to run someone else, I’m going to support that person. Even without knowing who it is, I am absolutely certain I’ll prefer them to the GOP candidate.
I’m sure there will be some things I dislike. Don't care. I’m bummed that Biden retired like this. Don't care. Any plausible new candidate is still getting my support.

2024-07-21 04:51:49

I dusted off an older Raspberry Pi 4 to play with. Now I remember how glacially, painfully slow microSD cards are. This thing feels nearly unusable after being spoiled by its twin with an SSD.
If you use a Raspberry Pi for anything more than occasional goofing around, get an SSD. It makes it a new computer.

2024-07-18 15:46:56

Another day, another vendor wants to give me a Nintendo Switch if I sit through their presentation.
My dad once sat through a timeshare presentation to get a free ceiling fan. I learned from his mistake.

2024-07-16 22:42:33

Frankie Goes to Hollywood, "Relax" from the album "Welcome to the Pleasuredome": https://song.link/us/i/1365569655 #NowPlaying #FediPlay
I don't wanna hear a word about how dirty today's music is from anyone who ever bobbed their head to this. See also: Soft Cell's "Sex Dwarf", Wham!'s "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go", or anything by Prince.

2024-07-16 22:34:49

Skrillex, "First of the Year (Equinox)" from the album "More Monsters and Sprites": https://song.link/us/i/444335388 #NowPlaying #FediPlay
I love Skrillex, fight me

2024-07-16 05:59:41

Finished reading: Norse Mythology: The Illustrated Edition by Neil Gaiman 📚
The gods are mad. https://micro.blog/books/9781324089407

2024-07-14 01:15:56

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@npub1tsz…jl0n Try it. It’s delicious, and more malty than bitter.

2024-07-14 01:14:32

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For dessert, a Dragon’s Milk bourbon barrel-aged stout.

2024-07-14 00:37:03

I have an herb and Parmesan tilapia in the oven, along with twice baked potatoes and cheese stuffed mushrooms. The squash is almost finished sautéing in dill butter.

2024-07-13 19:03:54

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@npub1car…y9zx If any such person is reading this, I’d sure appreciate their input!

2024-07-13 18:59:58

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@npub1car…y9zx Drawing a better crowd is outside my skills. Hmm. What else would make a good background?

2024-07-13 17:22:31

#FRZ gang, it’s sticker time again. I kinda suck at graphic design and this time I'm leaning toward keeping it simple. This is the direction I was thinking. Opinions?
https://nfts.freeradical.zone/media_attachments/files/112/780/335/417/860/820/original/a74e335cbb626e2f.png

2024-07-12 23:01:42

httpareacodes https://dougsillars.github.io/httpareacodes/
Someone mapped 3-digit web server error codes to phone number area codes. I grew up in Expectation Failed. Why they gotta call me out like that?
https://nfts.freeradical.zone/media_attachments/files/112/776/006/977/326/530/original/adf1cd0b5212684a.jpeg

2024-07-12 19:33:44

Coworker: “Too bad we can’t possibly make this docker container any smaller.”
I’ve been successfully nerd sniped.

2024-07-11 05:39:32

So the warriors at Valhalla feast on roast pig and mead every day?
There’s going to be so much gout at Ragnarök.

2024-07-10 21:38:48

Hack the Planet.
https://nfts.freeradical.zone/media_attachments/files/112/764/356/410/552/801/original/52a648d853bc294c.jpg

2024-07-05 21:10:46

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...and we're back. There are so many fewer random cables strewn about the floor now. #FRZ

2024-07-05 20:04:47

Heya #FRZ gang, the new rack's power setup arrived a day early. I'm going to be turning things off soon for a few minutes to rearrange power cords. This’ll be a lot shorter than the last outage, though.

2024-07-03 00:14:48

PG&E ad on TV: Look at all the amazing things we're doing to protect our power lines!
Also PG&E: If it gets warm we're going to turn off your power because we can't cope with this weather we have literally every year.

2024-07-02 23:38:52

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@npub17nx…u2jx I see a lot of options on eBay though. As long as they’re not damaged, they don’t really wear out.

2024-07-02 23:36:06

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@npub17nx…u2jx It was really like that: “hey, I don’t want to move this to my new place. You want it?”

2024-07-02 23:22:12

Long time back, a friend who was moving gave me his short server rack. It sat sad, lonely, and empty in a forgotten closet until yesterday. I finally have enough random electronic stuff strewn about the living room that it’s time to mount it all up.
So this is my life now. A server rack in the room where my kids play. It’s come to this.

2024-07-01 18:17:05

S.F. becomes first California city to miss its housing goals. The impact will be massive - San Francisco Chronicle https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/s-f-housing-goals-19545405.php
> The majority of housing projects in San Francisco will now be eligible for over-the-counter approval, thanks to the activation of a new state law that eliminates the city’s famously contentious land-use battles and cuts the average time frame for approvals from two years to under six months.
Most excellent. SF NIMBYs reach the “find out” stage.

2024-07-01 17:57:52

That job you applied for might not exist. Here’s what’s behind a boom in “ghost jobs.” - CBS News:
"Fake job ads are proliferating online, with more companies admitting to posting realistic-looking job openings that don’t actually exist.
“Hiring managers are largely on board with the practice. Seven in 10 said they believe it’s morally acceptable”…"
…to lie. Any company doing this is wholly ... https://honeypot.net/2024/07/01/that-job-you.html

2024-07-01 16:07:12

The Supreme Court voted 6-3 that President Biden has absolute immunity to protect the elections and the country should there be another attempted coup this year.

2024-06-28 18:59:19

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@npub1ph6…6qyn Firewalla Gold Pro pre-release.

2024-06-28 18:57:41

The 10Gbit router is in the mail! 🎉

2024-06-28 14:20:20

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@npub13wm…ugad It makes total sense to *prefer* calling ahead. If they don’t take walk-ins at all, that’s just a plain doctor’s office. We were a little miffed.

2024-06-27 23:34:38

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@npub1ph6…6qyn “We've gotta wrap this up before Golden Corral starts charging the full price buffet.”

2024-06-27 22:51:10

I don't know what will happen at tonight's US presidential debate. I do know that the green room will have trays of toffees and those little individually wrapped candies that look like strawberries, and that the after party includes warm cookies airings of "Matlock.

2024-06-26 20:58:35

Slack said they’ll start deleting old data from free workspaces. While I understand why people are frustrated, you can’t trust your data to someone else’s server. If it’s important to you, keep a copy somewhere under your control.
It might be inconvenient to self-host something like Mattermost, but perhaps not as much as having a company delete all your data. https://slack.com/intl/en-gb/help/articles/29414264463635-Updates-to-message-and-file-history-on-free-workspaces

2024-06-26 17:49:44

A weekend project I forgot to mention.
Sometimes you've just gotta get your retro on.
https://nfts.freeradical.zone/media_attachments/files/112/684/183/119/373/235/original/e78ad8b6417a23bf.png

2024-06-24 20:46:54

The pattern matching on this shirt pocket makes me smile every time I see it.
https://nfts.freeradical.zone/media_attachments/files/112/673/555/341/485/030/original/972bd6d8e5f0f1e7.jpg

2024-06-23 14:54:09

#Wordle 1,100 5/6*
⬛⬛⬛⬛🟩
⬛⬛⬛⬛🟩
⬛🟨🟨⬛🟩
🟩🟩🟨🟨🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

2024-06-22 18:57:03

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@npub1tsz…jl0n However good it looks, it tasted better. I could have that daily until my arteries gave out.

2024-06-22 16:00:59

Crab cake Benedict, Red House Cafe, Pacific Grove, California.
https://nfts.freeradical.zone/media_attachments/files/112/661/106/477/459/110/original/3592a9c2b5370cbc.jpg

2024-06-21 16:52:49

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@npub1q7p…q35v I pronounced it that way, too. Ahh, the joys of learning words from books and never hearing someone pronounce them in real life.
(I still think eye-DEM-poh-tent sounds better than the "right" way.)

2024-06-21 03:48:06

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@npub1ph6…6qyn Pairs well with Hercules graphics.