1 in 8 COVID survivors still have symptoms 2 years after infection, researchers say

This is one big reason I’m still careful when COVID case numbers rise. Fortunately around here masking is still acceptable. (But how long will we even know the numbers, with CDC being gutted?)

People are using Google’s new AI model to remove watermarks from images

Whether Google tweaks this particular feature or not, watermarking is effectively dead. AI models that don’t care about copyright are unstoppable at this point.

Trump says he’ll speak to Putin Tuesday

Trump says

We are already talking about that, dividing up certain assets.

Anyone else reminded of that time when Hitler and Stalin decided to divide up certain assets of Poland?

Scientists Say NIH Officials Told Them To Scrub mRNA References on Grants

Because sure, why shouldn’t we ignore a technology that has already saved millions of lives.

I wish the mainstream press would just start referring to RFK Jr. as a baby killer, because he is.

VC Aileen Lee highlights how the broader investor exodus is worsening woes for unicorn companies

When the VC General Partners stop showing up to unicorn Board meetings, it’s probably time to kiss that investment good-bye.

Surgeon and Professor Is Deported to Lebanon Despite a Judge’s Order

So now we have a professional who was in the US on an H1-B visa refused re-entry and deported. I don’t know WTF Homeland Security thinks it’s doing, but it’s clearly just ignoring the courts as it pleases.

Just upgraded 6 ethernet switches from 1 gigabit to 2.5 gigabit.

Discussion of the absurdity of living in a house with six ethernet switches will be postponed for another day.

Trump administration deports hundreds of migrants, despite judge’s order stopping removal

I’m sad but not surprised about this. I have no particular liking for criminals (if that’s who these migrants were), but I am in favor of the rule of law. Due process means due process for everyone.

“Red Mushrooms”

I’m honestly not sure how I got this shot - flash misfire maybe. But I like the way it turned out, noise and all.

Olympus TG6, Ultimaxx .43x Wide Angle Lens, f/14, 1/100s, ISO 1600. Along the Eula Ridge Trail.

This gaming mouse has a striking skeletonized design and hot-swap batteries

Trimming grams from a mouse struck me as silly. And then I thought about how often I’d backpacked with a quilt and tarp to save the weight of a sleeping bag and tent.

Finished reading: Rogues in Hell 📚

14th book in a complex shared-world series featuring (mostly) historical figures in a bizarre & funny conglomeration of hells from across various cultures and faiths. I enjoy the series, but if you start at this point you’ll be completely lost.

Life in the tower: Who controls Seattle’s drawbridges?

Who knew that drawbridge operators need to check their blind spot before raising the bridge? Not me.

Federal judge halts deportations after Trump invokes Alien Enemies Act

He also ordered planes in the air heading for Venezuela to turn around and come back. I fear this will be the order the administration chooses to ignore.

Trump invokes wartime law to target Venezuelan gang and speed up deportations

This appears to be not even remotely legal: we’re not at war with Venezuela, and we can’t be at war with a gang. That’s not how anything works. Analysis from the Brennan Center.

And speaking of Amazon idiocy…they sent me an email telling me my deleted seller account was reactivated at my request (no such request was sent) followed by another email demanding copies of my government-issued ID and a new credit card. Further evidence it’s time to get unamazoned.

“Walking into Spring”

Olympus E-M10 IV, M.Zuiko 14-42 kit lens @ 14mm, f/9, 1/30s, ISO 400. Hardesty Trail, the same day there was a foot of snow 3000 feet higher.

Software Development Job Postings on Indeed in the United States

Absolutely cratered since the post-pandemic highs. So much for any stray thought I might have had about unretiring.

Donald Trump, In DOJ Speech, Calls CNN And MSNBC “Illegal” For Reporting Negatively On Him

I need to start figuring out which non-US news sources to follow. It seems pretty clear that the intent is to stamp out free press in the US. Of course, once we get the “Great Wall of the US” internet blocks, it won’t be possible to get independent news anyhow.