timewarp

I received my ballot a week ago and I couldn't bring myself to fill it out yet. I'm scared of another Trump presidency if that is what happens, but I can't keep supporting Democrats that have become what they claim to hate. I know if I vote for her that I'm sending a message that they can keep using the same playbook to move closer to fascism and corporatocracy.

They use their influence & power to eliminate opposition, and their donor money to astroturf social media. They censor other voices online, and spread lies about other people (Jill Stein) without evidence. They gaslight and claim you're fascist for telling the truth and blame others for their mistakes. They'll use your money to pay for genocide while turning a blind eye to help themselves, but make a thousand excused why they can't help you.

They don't deserve to win. Trump will be bad and I'm scared about what will happen if he wins, but you and I are not to blame. All they had to do was be truthful, transparent, empathetic and genuine—but their lust for power got in the way.

This is an unpopular opinion, and I get why – people crave a scapegoat. CrowdStrike undeniably pushed a faulty update demanding a low-level fix (booting into recovery). However, this incident lays bare the fragility of corporate IT, particularly for companies entrusted with vast amounts of sensitive personal information.

Robust disaster recovery plans, including automated processes to remotely reboot and remediate thousands of machines, aren't revolutionary. They're basic hygiene, especially when considering the potential consequences of a breach. Yet, this incident highlights a systemic failure across many organizations. While CrowdStrike erred, the real culprit is a culture of shortcuts and misplaced priorities within corporate IT.

Too often, companies throw millions at vendor contracts, lured by flashy promises and neglecting the due diligence necessary to ensure those solutions truly fit their needs. This is exacerbated by a corporate culture where CEOs, vice presidents, and managers are often more easily swayed by vendor kickbacks, gifts, and lavish trips than by investing in innovative ideas with measurable outcomes.

This misguided approach not only results in bloated IT budgets but also leaves companies vulnerable to precisely the kind of disruptions caused by the CrowdStrike incident. When decision-makers prioritize personal gain over the long-term health and security of their IT infrastructure, it's ultimately the customers and their data that suffer.

About a month ago I got a notification that my subscription had been refunded and then another email that my account was terminated:

You are receiving this email because we have identified suspicious activity on your account. In order to protect our platform, we have refunded and canceled your subscription. You will no longer have access to ChatGPT Plus service.

This was after using the service for two months. I emailed and sent them a message almost immediately since I could prove my identity, but they haven't responded back in almost a month. Their customer support appears to be non-existent.

I keep wanting to sign back up, but I'm still pissed about it. I'm guessing it is because I used a virtual card when I signed up and they don't stay active for very long so I have to create a new one for each month of service. Usually I just get a failed payment notification and update my payment info with a new one which pulls from my bank account.

It sucks not being able to use the service though because it was so helpful at helping with programming tasks and Bard isn't nearly as good. Has anyone had any luck getting through to support?

Glad to see some improvement. I still don't trust the department, but they're making progress.

Such a tragic incident! Glad to see the police wearing body cams though.

Summer Fest’s Picnic in the Park is back for its second year!

Saturday, July 1, 2023
11 am – 8 pm
Fort Vancouver Historic Reserve

The Fort Vancouver National Site will be filled with celebration and fun with a full day of activities for families and people of all ages.

Free and open to all, Picnic in the Park will feature two stages with live music and entertainment, games on the lawn, magicians, face painting and fun for the whole family.

Bring a picnic or purchase tasty food from local vendors, along with beer and cider tastings for those 21 and over in the beer garden.

Muse has a special place in my heart for their anthemic-style and spot on lyrics. This song is about rising up against the system and fighting back.

This song reminds me of the users out there just trying to bring us down and take our spirit. Don't let them! Set boundaries and keep the wolves away.

This song is about facing poverty and the abuse of corporations. It motivates me to keep going forward and strive for a better future.

This song is about struggles and hardship. It reminds me of the challenges many people face and that I must never forget the individual.