** The Bulletin ** September 30, 2023
Hello, it’s me,
It has been a week. I got sick with a cold on Wednesday, since I can never escape some sort of illness around this time of year. (I can hear my best friend yelling “COME ON, AGAIN?!” from all the way over here since this is like the fourth time I’ve been sick this year. Sigh.) I’m starting to feel better, but I’ve still got some of that residual crap in my system—given the quick turnaround, I’m almost certain this is the common cold.
Coming up on the horizon: a couple things, actually!
Not too long from now, I’ll be packing my things and going on a little adventure completely by myself for the first time ever. Obviously, that’s a huge deal and is something I never could’ve imagined doing, but here we are! It’s happening! While I’m not going to be discussing where exactly I’m heading until the date comes, let’s say it’s very exciting, to say the least! Expect photos of the scenery and/or New York City (I have a bit of a layover there). I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t completely and utterly nervous, but it’s going to be a fun trip and I can’t wait.
Also, just a quick note: my mom — the absolutely talented woman behind Theodessa Designs (please go follow her on Facebook, she makes really lovely things!!) — is going to be at the Apple Barn’s Autumnfest (they’re located at 604 US Route 7 S, Bennington, VT) with her crafts/jewelry from 11am-6pm tomorrow (Saturday, October 1st, 2023). If I’m feeling less icky, I will try and be there with her, but I don’t want to make any promises. I’ll also announce this particular thing on socials after I send this to folks so that more people know about it.
Also, since I have a habit of (mostly) sending these out on Saturdays, I will also let you know that my mom has another show coming up next weekend as well — October 7th, 2023, my mom will be at the Walter A. Wood Tractor and Agricultural Show in Hoosick Falls, NY from 9am-4pm. In addition to the show, the annual Cow Plop will take place at the Athletic Field (just left off of Griffin Ave., near Castle Park; additional parking is available on Barton Ave., too, but it’s a bit of a walk across the field to the vendors). The tractor show itself primarily takes place on Main Street, but there are also some vendors up at the Athletic Field alongside the Cow Plop. You can get more information on the show’s Facebook Page.
Now, without further ado… here’s the rest of the newsletter that you’ve come to expect from me!
Things I found across the net
As is tradition, here are some links to some interesting things I’ve found on the internet. They may or may not be interesting to you. I don’t know.
Apple has officially made a statement on the iPhone 15 Pro overheating saga—in short: it’s a software issue, and will be addressed in an update to iOS 17 soon.
Discord experienced an “oopsie!” when its DDoS protection service, Cloudflare, started blocking people from the service yesterday. The cause? “[U]nusual traffic spikes that lead to users being temporary blocked“.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are getting new physical releases that include BOTH of its DLC expansions; it launches on November 3rd for $95 (USD) each.
The US House and Senate finally passed H.R. 5860, which averts a government shutdown originally scheduled for 12:01am Eastern on October 1st. The bill itself is rather interesting, if you’d like to give it a read. (Thanks to CNN for getting this up on DocumentCloud)
Twitter (or as Elon Musk calls it, “X”, the worst name for an app ever) is still the only place that New York City’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) posts service updates. Why? No idea. But Manhattan Borough President Mark D. Levine called for an end on the company’s “info monopoly” on Threads yesterday. (Frankly, I agree with him.)
Speak of that cursed app, its CEO Linda Yaccarino (formerly of NBCUniversal’s advertising department) had no idea that Elon Musk said the app would be going fully paid. She actually completely failed that entire interview at Code, where she came across as a really strange figure, uncertain and woefully uninformed (an example of which is in the previous sentence.) She went on to say that both her and Elon “talk about everything” but given the fact that she seemed confused by the interviewer’s question about “X” going paid—well, it’s safe to say that might not be true…
I don’t know why or how The Pokémon Company hasn’t learned their lesson, but the Pokémon x Van Gogh collaboration was a complete and utter failure. Here’s a great write-up from The Verge’s Charles Pulliam-Moore on the whole thing! (Of course, there were scalpers, so it was bound to be miserable.)
Here’s Michael MJD — fellow content creator — with the history of the i-Opener, the computer that cost just $99 USD for you in the late 1990s, but cost the company millions due to the fact that with a simple modification—you could run any OS you wanted. Windows, Linux, you name it—it could probably run it. And if that wasn’t enough, here’s the follow up where Michael shows exactly that — Windows 98 running right on the thing.
And finally, ConcernedApe shared some details on Stardew Valley’s upcoming version 1.6 update! GamingOnLinux recaps them here.
Strike Funds
SAG-AFTRA is still on strike—UAW just went on strike—which means a lot of people are out of work. Instead of scabbing or crossing a picket line, please give to people in need if you are able! I’ve compiled a list below of funds I’ve independently verified are legitimate. Thank you!
[Also, if you know of a fund that I should add to this list, please send me an email!]
GoFundMe for Sean Mason — ineligible for the Entertainment Community Fund due to affiliation with IATSE Local B-192 (which is classified as a “Theme Park” union); donations will help with rent, keeping a roof over his head for the holidays.
SAG-AFTRA Foundation — Helps SAG-AFTRA members urgently in need of financial and other assistance.
Entertainment Community Fund — the fund previously mentioned, which helps folks in the broader entertainment sector stay afloat while work stops.
UNITE Here Local 11 Strike Mutual Aid Fund — For members in Los Angeles who need assistance as the union works out deals with their hotels.
One day longer, one day stronger.
Well… that’s about it for tonight’s edition. Thanks for reading all of this. I’m so excited for everything that’s coming up in the next few weeks! Enjoy the week ahead, folks! And I hope to see you at my mom’s craft shows. I should be at most of them, depending on my illness.
All the best,
—Slade
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