Netflix released this quick binge-able 7 episode series called The Queen’s Gambit. It’s based off a 1983 novel also by the same name “The Queen’s Gambit.” The series follows the chess prodigy Beth Harmon as a kid in an orphanage to becoming a Chess Grand Master. I wasn’t really impressed at the start of the show. The pacing of exploring Harmon’s past was slow. And although I know how to play chess, I was wondering how they were going to make “chess exciting for the viewers.” Watching through the episodes, the build up of excitement was purposely portrayed through the move anticipation, facial expressions and actions of the opponents during the chess matches. The actors/actresses made up for the lack of detail and intricacies of chess. Slowly, I started to root for Harmon winning each match and conquering her demons (drug usage, alcohol and self destructive behavior). The chess matches in the 2nd to last and last episodes were amazing because the producers managed to create the “championship game tension” that shows not only the importance of Harmon’s victory. Along the way, I also started admiring the costume designs of Harmon. At the very end, the all white outfit was a spectacular way to showcase not only Harmon winning but also as the Queen atop of the chess field.
December’s Angels Cup comes from Luminous Coffee. The beans are from the Tarrazu region in Costa Rica. Reading about this region, the beans from this area sound like they’re the best of Costa Rica. I received two bags of see through plastic containing the beans. The design is pretty interesting and definitely “luminous.”
The aroma from the beans are amazing. When I open the bag, I am greeted by this fruity and yogurt aroma. Making my latte, an intense aroma of berries and fruits lingers in the air after I press the espresso slurry out of the AeroPress. With the first sip, I tasted berries and a rich chocolate milk flavor. A nutty after taste emerges after a few more sips that changes the flavor to a rich earthy chocolaty almost fermented flavor. I find that I can’t use too much hot water or it ends up diluting the flavor a bit.
America prides itself on its democratic traditions and peaceful transfer of power. But it takes just one person in power to upend any semblance of respect and tradition of the Presidency and America’s democratic ideals. Are Americans not ashamed of these actions? Are Americans not worried about this abuse? If you aren’t ashamed or worried about the un-democratic abuse of presidential powers, then you are absolutely an un-American citizen.
For you… the un-American, go back and learn about US history but from an immigrant’s or a minority’s perspective.
For you… the un-American, go back and learn about the US government and what the founding father’s tried to imagine.
For you… the un-American, go back an learn about Constitution, the rights of citizens and civic duty.
For you… the un-American, go back and learn the true value of freedom.
November’s Trade Coffee (yes I’m late in posting) comes from Red Bay Coffee Roasters. The beans are from Mbeya, Tanzania. I don’t think I’ve had the opportunity to taste any beans from Tanzania. So this bag will be a new experience. I also haven’t had too many medium-dark roast beans as well too. I also found out that the Angels Cup subscription sends me light roast coffee. I’ve updated that to medium roast and perhaps in a few months change to dark roast.
The initial aroma opening this bag was amazing. Fruity, nutty, and a strong roasted aroma filled the room. I literally kept smelling the beans for a full minute. The aroma from the ground beans had more of a fruity and nutty aroma. Making my latte, the first sip was delicious. I was shocked at the berry, chocolate and roasted nut(?) flavors. The lingering roasted nutty aftertaste tied all the flavors together at the back of the tongue. Each sip added to the berry flavors making this latte very enjoyable for the morning. I haven’t enjoyed a latte that wow’d me in quite some time.
With my most recent Kickstarter (KS) pledge to support this coffee campaign, I started wondering how many of my pledges were successful, how many of the pledges were cancelled, how many of the success eventually released product, and how many of the pledges were unsuccessful (for whatever reason).
KS Categories
# of KS campaigns
Notes
Participated
135
Pledged, and received product
111
45 pledges for wallets
Pledged, but did not receive
11
Of the 11… 7 campaigns will probably send their product. 2 are computer games that are still in beta stage. 1 campaign just gave up. 1 campaign is having production issues and I’m pretty sure will not be able to fulfill their pledge
Pledged, but did not reach goal
9
All 9 of these either failed to reach their funding goal or were cancelled by the creator. 5 of these were for wallets
Pledged, and I cancelled later
2
Of these 2, one ended up successfully pledged with product. The other was a wallet that failed to reach the funding goal
I started Kickstarting campaigns back in 2012. Looking back at my pledging habits, I’ve concluded that around 75% of the products I’ve received have either been donated away, broken or are currently taking up space in a storage box somewhere. The other 25% have been either consumables (4 coffee campaigns), items that I am actively using at least once a week, or items where there is a specific use for. The one item that I use the most are titanium chopsticks.
Looking closer at my history, many of the pledges were focused on finding “perfect wallet” replacement. Of the 45 successful pledges, I ended up using only 4 of the wallets on any consistent basis. Through constant pledging and receiving wallets, I’ve come to realize what features that I like in a wallet: slim (10 bills max), max 3-4 card slots, no wider than a phone width for easy one hand transport phone/wallet bundle. To be clear, the perfect wallet does exist. It’s a magic wallet that I had purchased over 20 years ago from one of those credit card promotions. The ribbons that held the magic wallet together were taut and slowly loosened over time allowing the wallet to effectively hold the cash. The construction of this wallet was also extremely good. Over a 20 year period, I used 2 of these wallets to a point where the stitching started to fray and fall off. Looking at magic wallets on the market, I find that many of these contemporary wallets were made out of elastic bands which is not sufficient to hold cash in and are horribly constructed that they break after 1-2 months of usage. Currently, I’ve settled on my current slim bifold wallet.
I think overall I’ve become much more selective on campaigns that I support. Many of the recent campaigns have rewards where I have a clear picture of how I would use the product. Looking at the five most recent products received, they consisted of Columbian coffee beans, valet tray box, travel mugs, wallet and Purto Rican coffee beans. Of the campaigns where I’m waiting receipt of products, they will be Nicaragua coffee beans, hand sanitizer, calf stretching tool, pocket knife and eco-friendly hairbrush.
Nowadays, I try to be more mindful of the items that I have and look to only buy items where I know there will be an immediate use for. I’ve been downsizing significantly where I’ve ended up with a collection of empty storage boxes that used to store some of the junk I kept.
A third Kickstarter from Julian Kimmel popped up on my feed last night. I’ve been impressed with their Puerto Rico and Columbian beans that were also from Kickstarter. I already made my pledge for 3 bags of beans. The Kickstarter campaign ends around the 27NOV2020. So if you’re interested in supporting local farmers, consider pledging on this Kickstarter.
I recently learned of a new economics term of “Rent Seeking.” Searching on Wikipedia or Investopedia will give you an pretty detailed definition. For the common person, think of rent seeking as the ability to maintain (or even increase wealth) through existing methods of obtaining wealth while not providing others the ability to obtain wealth.
I realized that the rent seeking concept is more widespread and commonly practiced outside of economics. If the term is generalized even further to situations where person will “protect” what they have by implementing rules. Using the generalized term, situations related to condos and home owner associations could also be classified as rent seeking. Listening to the rationales of condo owners arguing in favor of rental unit restriction is pretty infuriating. Some of the reasoning were related to their current experience of renters, the apparent drop in property value due to renters, and potential future inability to refinance. That sounds like rent seeking to me. I never understood why some people are very adamant about issues that limit others but after learning this term it makes perfect sense to me now.
Another area I see generalized rent seeking is in these voter suppression laws. With voter suppression, politicians create superfluous rules and processes that generally makes it harder for ordinary citizens to vote. Rules such as ID laws or voter purges or even mail-in ballot restrictions further discourages voters who already may have a difficult time getting to the polls due to socio-economic reasons. In the end, the rules benefit a small population of voters relatively easy access and a lower level of entry to voting. These rules end up benefitting the politician such that the politician only needs to “please” these small voter blocs. How is this democratic if only a small voter bloc can dictate the rules to govern and affect the lives of the general population? Because it’s not.
November’s Angels Cup comes from Queen City Coffee Roaster. I’m happy they sent a small sticker but it’s difficult to peel it off the backing! These beans are from Ethiopia’s Yirgacheffe region.
Opening the bag, I’m greeted with a wonderful floral and fruity aroma. What stands out to me is the intensity of the fruity berry smells. Making my latte, I’m greeted with a pleasant nutty and berry taste. The after taste also coats my mouth with this milk chocolate taste. The consistency of the latte and the beans really showcases just how good Yirgacheffe Ethiopian beans are.
Welcome folks to the Biden Administration
The AP has projected Biden as the Pennsylvania winner
Now it's time for a new age of decency, conciliation
Yet why is Trump still whining about fake election results?
And why aren't Republicans repudiating such shameful theatrics?
"Shut up Trump. Go back to playing golf." is all his allies needs to say....
At 8:30am PST on 07NOV2020, the Associated Press (AP) officially declared Biden is projected to win for Pennsylvania and the state’s 20 electoral votes. With those 20 votes, the AP is also projecting Biden to be the 46th President of the United States of America as PA pushes Biden past the required 270 electoral votes. It’s now a 230pm PST.
A Guy and His Thoughts... 