Today, I removed Google Analytics and all other 3rd party components from my humble little blog.
I added them years ago, before I realized how they were being used to track us all over the web.
I don't get enough traffic for it to make much of a difference. But I feel a little better knowing I'm not facilitating their surveillance capitalism anymore.
[Please boost for reach!]
We could really use your help! We are trying to save our car. It's our only means of transportation for a family of 4 in a rural area. I haven't been paid while I'm out sick, and we are down to the wire. Repossession is on the 8th.
It costs us about $35-$40 per day for food and gas. The car payment is $568/mo. We already have $110, but today's living expenses will come out of that. That leaves us with $495 we need to come up with over the next 8 days, which comes out to $62/day.
I know with ChatGPT, suspicions are high lately when people ask for help. I'm happy to chat with people, link to my GitHub account, etc., to show I'm a real person. Just ping me if you need proof. I'll also make an effort to post about each donation so you can see the progress we are making.
I really appreciate everyone. If you can't send money, please boost for reach. Every little bit helps, even a dollar.
Thank you all in advance!
[Please boost for reach!]
The image shows a slide titled "QUOTES FROM ACTUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS" displayed on a projection screen. The slide contains a list of ten quotes, each beginning with a bullet point. The quotes are critical and humorous, describing various employees in a negative light. The text is in black font on a light blue background, with the title in a larger font size. The quotes include phrases such as "Since my last report, this employee has reached rock-bottom and shows signs of starting to dig," "His men would follow him anywhere, but only out of morbid curiosity," and "This employee should go far - and the sooner the better." The overall tone of the slide is satirical, highlighting the harsh and sometimes absurd language used in performance evaluations.
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It's hard to overstate how vanishingly rare it is for a govt, let alone the USG, to demand as part of a settlement with an allegedly criminal or fraudulent corporation, the right to appoint or reject board members and senior executives, or to impose restrictions on its business judgment.
Yet here we have the Skydance deal involving CBS.
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/20…
Skydance deal allows Trump’s FCC to “censor speech” and “silence dissent” on CBS
FCC now has “never-before-seen controls” over a newsroom, commissioner warns.Ashley Belanger (Ars Technica)
myshetland.co.uk/so-many-flowe…
The fields are full of wild flowers. It is glorious.
#Shetland #ShetlandIslands #MyShetland #IcelandicHorse #ShetlandPonies #family #rescue #RescueAnimals #photography #PatterdaleTerrier #sheep #ponies #horses #DailyBlog #MyLife #Scotland #thordale #whitecat #wildflowers #shetlandflowers
So Many Flowers
It was my turn to walk the dogs this morning so I took them over to Clothie, my separate five acre croft, to run around while I pottered about in full anti-midge gear. They were in a terrible biti…My Shetland
Trump to pharma companies: cut prices or be punished
US President Donald Trump told major pharmaceutical firms to lower prices or face punishment, adding pressureEuractiv with AFP (EURACTIV)
like this
Vaccination rates of children in US fall again
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/31/childhood-vaccination-rates/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub
Posted into National politics @national-politics-chicagotribune
No deal for Canada yet to halt tariff increase, as Trump’s deadline looms
U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he had not spoken with Prime Minister Mark Carney, the day before his deadline to increase tariffs on CanadianBYTESEU (Bytes Europe)
Drake officially cancels postponed Australia, New Zealand shows after months of delay
TORONTO — Five months after Drake backed out of concerts in Australia and New Zealand, his fans are set to get their money back.BYTESEU (Bytes Europe)
Peruvian woman who alleges Pope Leo XIV mishandled her sexual abuse case visits Chicago
https://chicago.suntimes.com/religion/2025/07/31/peru-pope-leo-xiv-priest-sexual-abuse?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub
Posted into Chicago Sun-Times @chicago-sun-times-ChicagoSunTimes
Peruvian woman who alleges Pope Leo XIV mishandled her sexual abuse case visits Chicago
Ana María Quispe Díaz of Chiclayo, Peru, says a priest there assaulted her when she was 9 years old.Kaitlin Washburn (Chicago Sun-Times)
The video showcases a white trailer with a distinctive design, branded as "Flying West Coffee Roasters." Initially, the trailer is seen with its roof open, revealing a coffee shop setup inside. A person stands nearby, holding a white bag, as the text "THIS TRAILER TRANSFORMS INTO A COFFEE SHOP" appears on the screen, highlighting the trailer's unique feature. The trailer's roof then closes, displaying the "Flying West Coffee Roasters" logo, with the text "THIS IS CALLED 'THE BOX'" appearing, emphasizing its name. The scene transitions to show the trailer mounted on a flatbed truck, with the text "GO-TO COFFEE SPOT ON WHEELS!" displayed, underscoring its mobility. The video concludes with the trailer fully attached to the truck, ready for transport, while the person remains nearby, holding a white bag. The background features a residential area with trees and a red-roofed building, providing a serene setting for the trailer's transformation and mobility.
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US Journalist Assistance Network - Committee to Protect Journalists
In collaboration with U.S.-based press freedom organizations specializing in digital safety, physical safety, and legal rights, the Committee to Protect Journalists has compiled resources to help journalists in the U.S.Committee to Protect Journalists
‘Really lovely weekend’ for much of NZ
MetService says many parts of New Zealand can expect a "really lovely weekend".BYTESEU (Bytes Europe)
Canada Second Only to Japan in Brits’ Dream Trips
A new survey by UK-based travel company Travelbag reveals that Canada is the second most desired bucket list destination for British travellers in 2025.BYTESEU (Bytes Europe)
We had a visit from twin fawns this morning, and their mom, of course.
#Photography #Wildlife #deer #Fawns
Wow - looks like everyone is having twins this year.
I have a pair of babies in my backyard this summer, from the same mom who had a pair last summer.
Last night I found twins nibbling the bushes here at work: accompanied by their mom, of course.
Apple has now sold three billion iPhones
https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/31/apple-has-now-sold-three-billion-iphones/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub
Posted into Latest TechCrunch Stories @latest-techcrunch-stories-Techcrunch
Apple has now sold three billion iPhones | TechCrunch
The rate of iPhone sales growth has accelerated too.Amanda Silberling (TechCrunch)
Fire sears Staten Island home during lightning storm: ‘Could’ve been worse’
https://www.silive.com/crime-safety/2025/07/fire-sears-staten-island-home-during-lightning-storm-couldve-been-worse.html?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub
Posted into Staten Island News @staten-island-news-SILivedotcom
Fire sears Staten Island home during lightning storm: ‘Could’ve been worse’
Neighbors reported hearing a lightning strike before noticing smoke coming from the Hemlock Lane residence.Shaina McLawrence | smclawrence@siadvance.com (silive)
The image shows a white baby onesie laid flat on a colorful floral-patterned surface. The onesie has short sleeves and snap buttons at the bottom for easy diaper changes. The text on the onesie is printed in bold, black capital letters and reads: "JUST DONE 9 MONTHS INSIDE MY PARENTS ARE NOW SERVING LIFE." The background features large red flowers and green leaves, creating a vibrant contrast with the white onesie.
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Aaron
in reply to Aaron • • •paypal.me/AaronHosford
account.venmo.com/u/Aaron-Hosf…
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Aaron Hosford Geld mit PayPal.Me senden
PayPal.MeAaron
in reply to Aaron • • •This is my GitHub account, as promised, showing I predate LLMs by decades. :)
github.com/hosford42
hosford42 - Overview
GitHub