Consequences

Well, my savings took a minor hit today.  I ordered a new iPhone.  Not the newest model, instead I plumped for the iPhone 15.  Why not the newer iPhone 16?  Mainly because the iPhone 16 has Apple Intelligence built into it - and I really don't care for AI.  I'm perhaps making a bigger deal of this than necessary, I'm sure you can probably disable all the AI features.  But in addition the iPhone 15 is cheaper, the performance is similar, the features are almost identical, and I don't need the latest advancements found in the iPhone 16.  And you can also blame Trump for the timing of this purchase.  With Trump threatening tariffs on China starting tomorrow, I'm also wary of the potential increase in the cost of electronics.            

Dance

I remember seeing a load of ads for this when I was back in the UK over Christmas, and now I've started seeing them here.

It's probably not the same performance - I imagine they have lots of tours going on simultaneously around the world.  Either way, I still have absolutely zero desire to go and watch it.  I don't find Chinese dance in the least bit interesting or entertaining.  Fun fact - the company that runs these performances is a weird far right religious group that is banned in China because the Chinese government thinks it is an "anti-society cult".  Now that is a lot more interesting than any stupid performance.         

A Snowy Forecast

We have gone through a lengthy stretch of dry and cold weather.  But that is about to change.  We're going to see some precipitation this weekend - including what may be our first snow of the winter.  As is usual for this part of the world, there is a lot of uncertainty over the forecast.  I currently see mixed rain and snow for Friday, snow flurries and snow showers on Saturday (40% chance of snow), occasional snow showers on Sunday (50% chance of snow, snow accumulations less than an inch) and cloudy with a few snow showers on Monday (30% chance of snow).  But it's not so much the snow I'm worried about, it's the very cold ground - just a small amount of snow or freezing rain, could result in icy roads and hazardous driving conditions.  I think I'm going to do some food shopping tomorrow (getting the things I didn't get in Costco), just to stock up in case things go pear-shaped this weekend and beyond.  

Costco Initial Thoughts

Finally made a trip to Costco today.  Only the second time I've ever been in a Costco warehouse in my life, and the first as a member.  And what did I think?  Well, there is no sugar-coating this - I thought it sucked.  Even at 10.15 am on a Tuesday morning (it opened at 10 am), it was packed and parking was a nightmare.  And I don't know whether this is location specific, but there seemed to be an inordinate number of Chinese folks shopping there (there are 3 different Costcos equidistant to where I live, so I suspect I will go to a different one next time.  Whenever that will be.).  And the actual selection of goods it sells was really disappointing.  I went there with the specific aim of getting a couple of items - nothing crazy, stuff like toothpaste and soft drinks.  And they couldn't even deliver on that.  Now I've got to take an unplanned trip to Walmart to actually get what I want.  I think Costco is the type of place where you might go to buy a few specific items.  And if they do stock the items you want, I think they are good value.  But I don't see myself going there very often at all.  And I don't imagine I'm going to renew my membership after a year.  Very underwhelming and very disappointing.  But I will try a different location next time just to see if its any better.          

Graded

I've been on a bit of a tear recently when it comes to padding out my James Bond trading card autograph collection.  Predominantly autographs from little known actors playing minor roles in the various Bond films.  So not spending too much money.  However there are exceptions, such as one of my more recent auction wins:

And I, surprisingly, got this graded autograph card for a great price.  Not cheap, but I reckon I could sell it for double if I wanted to.  Which I don't. 

Greenland

If the people of Greenland want to become part of the US, then I have no problem with Trump's bizarre obsession with taking over Greenland.  But if not, which I suspect is the case, then we must defend the people and the country of Greenland from the US by whatever means necessary - including by force.  And when I see "we", I guess I mean Denmark, which by extension means EU.  So if it kicks of between the US and the EU, then where does the UK stand?  I know where I stand - and it ain't with Trump.  This has nothing to do with "national security", and all to do with Trump's cronies eyeing all of Greenland's natural resources.  Pathetic.  

Pyro

One of the unfortunate consequences of the clear and dry weather we've been having recently is that I am once again getting annoyed by my pyromaniac neighbo(u)r.  And I have no doubt that he is a pyromaniac, because it is not rational for someone to have a fire burning as often as he does.  I don't like seeing all the smoke when I look out of my kitchen window.  I don't like what it does to the environment and to the air quality.  I don't like the fact that, for the most part, it doesn't seem as though the fire is attended (which legally it should be).  I've got this neighbo(u)r's phone number, and I'm almost tempted to ask him directly if he is a pyromaniac.  But I don't think that would go well.