Netflix’s Dirty Money

Netflix has this fascinating documentary called Dirty Money that describes in detail some of the ways Americans cheat other Americans.  The show is in season 2 and episode 5 about Guardianships absolutely sickens my stomach. The greed of individuals who are “managing” the estate of people knows no bounds and then using the court systems to “enforce/force” the older population into such an arrangement.  

I have to admire the older population who have been responsible and managed to amass a significant amount of wealth.  They worked, saved and managed to finally live a comfortable life including a bright retirement future with little need to worry about finances.  They are still in good health and have sharp, lucid mind.  Many of them are more than capable of living alone with perhaps a person to check on them every day/few days.  Truly a person able to enjoy their golden years with little monetary worries is something to admire.

When it comes to guardianships, I understand why there is a need for it.  There will be times when people are unable to make decisions let alone take care of themselves.  Yet from the documentary, there seems to be a system that seeks to take advantage of the court system to strip the elderly of the right to have a voice in the matter while assigning them to people who’ll manage the assets for a percentage of the total assets.  Not only that, the management could have special kickback relationships with other companies who provide services to the elderly that end up charging exorbitant prices.  Free reign over a person’s financials with no checks and no balances… egads…

3 Star Breakfast

As the 1 week mark passes on COVID19’s shelter in place, I had some organically home grown avocados given to me from a family friend who bartered avocados for a pint of those hand sanitizer.

I swear though…. we’ll all be social media moguls after Shelter in Place is lifted.

Minimizing COVID-19 spread

In just a matter of a few days, after Bay Area’s announcement, LA County and LA City has also initiated similar “Safer at Home” order.  LA also has a website that provides advice and information for residents.  Shortly after, California also issued a similar “Stay at Home” order as well.

So… what is “Safer/Stay at Home”? Vogue has an article you can read.  It’s fairly informative and very California-centric.  Let’s all do our part to minimize the effects of spreading COVID-19.

 

On a lighter note, if you work from home and use Zoom or similar teleconferencing software:

Zoom

More COVID-19/Coronavirus info

I recently stumbled upon a very informative YouTube video that talks about this blog post that talks about COVID-19/Coronavirus spread.  It’s worth a read… and since you’re probably working from home… might as well spend some time reading right?

Greater Goods Coffee Roaster

February’s Angels Cup comes from Greater Goods Coffee Roaster.  The beans are from Ethiopia’s Guji region which I’ve had the pleasure of tasting from various different roasters.  Each roaster tends to roast the beans differently imparting a slightly different flavor profile.  Greater Goods is no different.

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Opening the bag, I’m greeted with a very floral aroma.  It’s one of the most floral smells ever that lingers in the nose.  After mixing the beans a bit though, a subtle toffee aroma emerges with the floral smell.  Once I grind it, the aroma transforms into this nutty earthy smell.

Making my latte and with the first sip, I taste blueberry/blackberry flavors intermingling with this citrus-y aroma.  The flavor gradually morphs into a subtle sweet chocolate milk after the latte coats my tongue.

WP Statistics…

When I log into WordPress, the default page I see is the statistics page… Logging in today, I see this map of China.  And it got me thinking if any of my posts are being censored.  There would be no way for me to know is there…

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But I also started to wonder what the breakdown of total visits since this website was started on WordPress.

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Now that’s interesting… Hong Kong is its own little entry.  The “renegade” province of Taiwan isn’t represented.  Based on the map of countries that WP has below, it seems like people are clicking from around the world.  That’s pretty cool.Capture11.JPG

LA Chinese Food Culture

I recently stumbled upon this fascinating article and recorded interview of four Asian-Americans and their thoughts about the evolving LA Chinese food culture.  I think it’s great to read and they even have a “podcast” that you could list too.  The sound quality from the audience questions could be better though.

Manzanita Roasting Company

This bag of coffee beans is technically the January Angels Cup delivery.  It’s from Manzanita Roasting Company which is located down in San Diego.  The beans themselves are from Costa Rica.  Coffee00062

When I first opened the bag, I got a strong whiff of that greek yogurt/earthy aroma. It’s similar to the Angels Cup geisha beans from before.  I can’t seem to describe it any way else.  Until I find a better descriptor, yogurt-like aroma is what I’ll have to stick with.

Making my latte, that same aroma was even more intense with the first sip.  But disappears with each subsequent sip.   The chocolaty, nutty flavor emerges after that first sip.  This flavor evolves into a subtle berry after taste that lingers on the tongue.  

Netflix’s Love is Blind

I understand the premise of Netflix’s Love is Blind show. But man… through the use of TV magic, it feels like the “singles” are bonding really fast.  Although I think it’s possible to understand a person within a few days of non-face to face interactions, the real challenge comes from the future face to face interactions.  How much of how their initial connection is pure adrenaline/oxytocin rushing through their systems?

As the episodes go on, they start showing a lot of  very common real world situations.  They all seem to reveal some very personal situations…

  • Self sabotage of self.
  • Not being supported after an abortion
  • Insecurity of  age gaps in relationship
  • Abandonment issues

This show has a lot to take in.