Let it snow! Update 7-12-2020

COVID

Victorians no longer need to wear a mask at cafes and restaurants. Wait….I don’t think I’ve seen anyone visiting cafe / restaurants with mask on. Mask no longer need to be worn at work in the office. You can wear one if you are concerned about social distancing. So 2 things, #1 – From all the stories I’ve been hearing, no one has been wearing mask in any office, and #2 – I’m not sure anyone is worried about social distancing with zero cases in Victoria. So nothing has really changed.

For the rest of Australia, there are 13 active cases in Queensland, 13 in WA., 13 in NT, so nothing really. So, no cases at all on a grand scale of thing. Some Germans have escaped, whom are probably negative for COVID. The WHO wants everyone to have a vaccination passport. “Australia’s technology capability and contact tracing systems are world-leading” …..BAhahahah….that’s good marketing spin there.

There is increasing anecdotal evidence of long term COVID effects that affects some people. National Geographic says the lack of data for the pfizer vaccine is concerning. I still think it’s a pump and dump by the CEO – Release a headline, sell stocks. Good thing we are getting the poms to be the guinea pigs. We don’t know what the long term affects are of the vaccine, it takes years to determine that. And it still needs numbers and peer review. It feels like bureaucrats are rushing to approve a vaccine for use ahead of due process to make up for the damage that’s been done to the economy due to lockdown.

Lots of expats are stuck in Australia. If tickets remain at an expensive $10k per ticket, it would mean the next flight out of Australia is going to be a permanent relocation. Or maybe some people will move to the country side. The Grampians wants people to permanently relocate there. Here’s some things to think about. Health care and education is not as good out in the Australian country side. Additionally they have been banning hiking and rock climbing at some locations so it makes it less appealing. Also you are further away from the airport without fast transport. So driving hours to the airport is going to be a pain. This is something I would hope self driving cars will fix one day.

The world is at 18,717,688 active cases and 1,536,657 total deceased. Since our small businesses are being devastated, there is something they can learn from a small roasted mochi seller in japan that has survived more than 1000 years.

Here’s some interesting stats

Prince Harry (whom I loath to report on, but bear with me, this one is worth it!) has said the COVID-19 is what we get for messing with “Mother Nature”…and someone has commented “otherwise known as Elizabeth II” …hahaha

Markets and Economics

Pomp had Raoul Pal on again, I’m always interesting in what he’s thoughts are on how the macro environment is going, he is basically 100% in bitcoin and crypto now. But it’s less about what he is doing in crypto that I’m interested in, I’m more interested in the thought process. MicroStrategy has added to its bitcoin position with approximately 2,574 bitcoins for $50mil in cash in according with it’s Treasury Reserve Policy at an average price of 19,427 USD per bitcoin. Which is the top of the market basically to show you the conviction that they have. Bitcoin is trading at 19,000 USD or 25.3k AUD.

You may have heard that the US want crypto wallets to the KYC. Here’s the rebuke of that potential legislation, it feels like legislators don’t understand how technology works.

I find Canadian politics funny. The finance minister in Canada wants to ideas on how the government can act to unlock your saving as pre-loaded stimulus. In other words they want to steal your savings. I’m sure it’s going to be like that in all western countries, except most won’t be as transparent.

Update on all thing about Aus house prices being propped up, and super etc. Also how much super should i have at my age. For those not in Australia, super is basically the Australian pension system, which a percentage of your pay doesn’t hit your bank account but goes into a separate account that you can take out when the government deems it’s ok to do so. It’s compulsory, and when they raise that compulsory percentage, it means even less money hits your bank account for daily living expenses for those who are struggling. There is no easy solution to that situation.

You shouldn’t be paying more than 1.10 for petrol. I’ve noticed in more well off suburb petrol price is at 1.49, and less well off suburb it’s been consistently at 1.06ish.

Other Stuff

Arecibo Radio telescope has collapsed in Puerto Rico. If you watched James Bond – GoldenEye, it was featured in that movie.

How to photograph the international space station.

Don’t let your child do anything that makes you dislike them.

This is kind of fun problem solving if you into circuitry or programming at a machine level.

I found my former kung fu teachers on YouTube. Years and years ago I enjoyed some Wing Chun kung fu before it got the attention of being in movies. Classes was mainly taught by Anne Pang, who is a very small statures lady that I wouldn’t want to pick on in a dark alley. They also taught Lung Ying (dragon form). If you met any of the people I trained with you would have never guessed they could defend themselves which is a lesson of don’t judge a book by it’s cover and I definitely wouldn’t want to pick a random fight with anyone I don’t know. Anyway, it’s interesting to note Barry and Anne are Chris Pang’s parents. Chris Pang is the guy from Crazy Rich Asian (I haven’t seen that movie yet), but I did enjoy watching him in Crouching Tiger as Flying Blade.

Since it’s December and Xmas soon, here’s some Xmas related images for your enjoyment.

2020 in reindeer