Recent content on game, game. repeat.
I am an LLM Garbage in, garbage out What news I consume Fox or MSNBC or Al Jazeera What books The Bible Or the writings of the Marquis De Sade Or both Everything I take in Alters the weights in my brain MAGA or the Radical Left My Uber driver said this My mom said that I watched an Instagram Reel A friend forwarded to me I asked Claude a question I read a Wikipedia entry I saw an Amazon review:…
Yes way each way is another 2x the ways multiply, so if you do all of them really well that’s 2^9 = 512x versus doing none of them at all = 1x productivity = value creation, e.g. growth rate, mission progress, KPIs Survivor bias sounds ridiculous until you consider… 1% of companies make it to year 1 1% of THOSE make it to year 5 aka 1 in 10,000 make it to year 5 most companies fail…
AI solves the first 80% of a lot of problems for almost free and then the last 20% takes 10x vs what it would have if you had hand coded the whole project. AI lovers and AI haters talk past each other, because the lovers either make more money by convincing people of AI’s awesomeness, or they are staying within the 80%, while the haters try using AI to solve a whole problem, see that it…
Bad leaders choose the wrong goal or fail to choose one at all. Their group ends up worse off. Divisive leaders optimize for a subgroup and the ‘in’ group is more happy, the ‘out’ group is less happy. They are playing a zero-sum game. Selfish leaders are an extreme of the divisive leader–the selfish leader IS the ‘in’ group. Good leaders choose a goal…
Finally got around to trying out NixOS. This is the way. :) I’ve used Chef, Ansible, shell scripts, manually cowboy sysadmin knob twiddling, CloudFormation, Terraform and other means of wrangling the computers and software I manage and code > manual but NixOS takes it to the next level with a declarative > imperative approach to configuring a Linux box. It’s not all roses. I’m…
Makes 2 servings. 100 grams Swiss cheese, shredded 100 grams Gruyere cheese, shredded 1 tsp cornstarch 1 garlic clove, peeled 0.25 cup dry white wine 1 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp cherry brandy 0.25 tsp dry mustard tiny pinch of nutmeg 1 small, round loaf of sourdough bread In a small bowl, coat the cheeses with cornstarch and set aside. Rub the inside of an induction compatible pot with the garlic,…
Been using Homebrew forever and its awesome. Google should totally give him a job . Recently I thought I’d see what the fuss over Nix is all about though. My needs are simple: I want to install and uninstall software on my Mac. It would be nice to have a list of apps I use that I can check into git if I feel like it, but that’s just a nice-to-have. First I tried out vanilla nix (the…
Makes 8 servings. Pudding 0.66 cup golden raisins 5 teaspoons dark rum 0.75 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons light brown sugar 0.13 teaspoon ground cinnamon 14 ounces challah bread, cut into 0.75-inch cubes 9 large egg yolks 4 teaspoons vanilla extract 0.75 teaspoon salt 2.5 cups heavy cream 2.5 cups milk 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted Combine raisins and rum in small bowl. Microwave…
Makes 16 servings. Base 3 cups whole milk 2 cups heavy cream 6 large egg yolks 1 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon 8 ounces (1 package) room temperature cream cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes Combine cream and milk in double boiler. Heat, stirring occassionally, until mixture is steaming steadily, about 10 minutes, 175 F. While cream mixture heats, in…
Makes 4 servings. Hash Browns 1 large russet potato avocado oil spray Wash potato. Shred potato using a coarse shredder . Place shredded potato on a clean kitchen towel and twist to squeeze out moisture. Spray a toaster-oven sized baking sheet with avocado oil. Spread potato across baking sheet. Move toaster over rack to middle position. Broil potato in toaster oven for 15 minutes. Corned Beef…
Makes 8 servings. 3 ripe avocados 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 0.25 teaspoon salt Add 1 avocado to a bowl and mash it with a fork. Add lime juice and salt to bowl and mix together. Chop remaining avocados into big chunks. Add them to the bowl and mix everything together. Serve.
Makes 2 servings. 1 pound (1 piece) cap steak , tied and frozen 1 tablespoon Montreal Steak Seasoning Sprinkle half the seasoning on the bottom of a small pan. Place cap steak in pan. Sprinkle remaining seasoning on top. Move oven rack to middle position. Put pan into oven. Set oven to 250 F. Cook for 35 minutes. Flip steak. Cook for another 25 minutes. Take the steak out of the oven and let it…
Makes 8 servings. Sauce 250g fresh horseradish or 2 tablespoons from a new bottle of St. Elmo 4 tablespoons sour cream 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce Grate horseradish into a bowl. Add sour cream and Worcestershire to the bowl. Mix together. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to serve. Roast 4 pounds rib roast , bone removed, fat trimmed off, and tied 8 ounces (1 bar) unsalted…
Makes 4 servings. 250g (1 package) eel , cooked, frozen, and covered in unagi sauce 1 cup of mixed rice , dry water Add rice to rice cooker. Fill rice cooker with water, up to the ‘1’ line. Set the rice cooker to ‘brown rice’ and push the ‘start’ button. Remove frozen eel from package and place on toaster-oven sized baking sheet. Squeeze as much of the unagi…
Makes 8 servings. Eat it on its own or over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 4 cups fresh strawberries 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons sugar 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Mix sugar, vinegar, and pepper in a large bowl. Wash strawberries, cut off stems, and slice into thick pieces. Toss strawberries with vinegar mixture. Serve. Adapted from a recipe at The Food Network .
Makes 6 servings. 1.5 pounds sea bass , skin off 2 tablespoons red miso 1 tablespoon sake 1 tablespoon mirin 2 teaspoons soy sauce 2 teaspoons grated ginger 1 tablespoon sugar Mix all ingredients, except the fish, in a sealable glass container. Add fish to the container and spoon marinade over the top. Seal container and marinate fish in refrigerator overnight. Place fish on a baking sheet. Pour…
Makes 8 servings. 1 spaghetti squash 1 large onion 0.25 cup butter 0.5 cup sour cream 2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese paprika salt pepper Cut squash lengthwise and remove seeds. Place cut side down in a pot with 2 inches of water. Cover and boil for 20 minutes. After cooked, remove squash from shell with fork and reserve spaghetti-like strands. Chop onion and sauté in butter until transparent.…
Makes 1 serving. 2 shots Grand Marnier 1 shot lemon juice 1 ice cube sugar Sugared Glass Rub lemon along rim of cocktail glass. Dip rim of cocktail glass in plate of sugar. Drink Add ice cube to Yeti Rambler. Squeeze a lemon and pour through strainer into a shot glass to measure. Add lemon juice to rambler. Add Grand Marnier to rambler. Close lid. Shake for 30 seconds. Pour into sugared glass.…
Makes 8 servings. 16 ounces (1 can) Rosarita Traditional refried beans 0.5 cup Knudsen sour cream (full fat) 1 cup Tillamook medium cheddar cheese 0.5 cup Pace Picante (original, mild) salsa 14 ounces (1 bag) Casa Sanchez tortilla chips (thick & crispy) Spread beans across the bottom of a 9" pie plate. Layer sour cream on top, then layer on salsa, then cheese. Cover with plastic wrap and…
Makes 8 servings. 1 ham hock 16 ounces (1 package) black eye peas 4 cups white rice Defart the Beans Before cooking the beans, soak overnight in water. Throw out water. Repeat. Make the Stew Add ham hock to a large pot. Add black eye peas. Fill pot with water until ham hock is covered. Simmer for 4 hours. Make rice. Serve stew over rice.
Makes 6 servings. 6 eggs 4 tablespoons Best Foods mayonnaise 2 teaspoons Grey Poupon mustard 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon smoked paprika Heat on high heat until water is boiling. Carefully place eggs into the boiling water. Putting the eggs after the water the water is boiling, rather than before, is the key to making them easy to peel. Boil for 13 minutes. Drain water. Cover eggs in…
Makes 8 servings. 100 grams starter 375 grams water 500 grams bread flour 10 grams salt Add starter to a large bowl. Add 350 grams water. Mix starter and water together using a spatula. Add flour. Mix using hands. Scrape hands clean. Wait 30 minutes. Add 25 grams water and 10 grams salt. Mix using hands. Wait 30 minutes. Rinse hands in water to get them wet. Fold dough 3 times. Repeat for 6 hours,…
Makes about 15 cookies. 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 1.5 cups bread flour 5 tablespoons brewers yeast 3 tablespoons ground flaxseed 0.5 teaspoon baking powder 0.5 teaspoon baking soda 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon 0.25 teaspoon salt 12 tablespoons organic unsalted butter 4 tablespoons unrefined organic virgin coconut oil 1.5 cups organic brown sugar 1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk 2 teaspoons…
Makes 2 servings. 1 cup (5 ounces) all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon sugar 0.5 teaspoon baking powder 0.25 teaspoon baking soda 0.25 teaspoon salt 1 cup buttermilk 3 tablespoons sour cream 1 large egg 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled avocado oil spray Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in medium bowl. In second medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk,…
Makes 8 servings. Pastry Boats 0.66 cup water 5 tablespoons butter 0.5 teaspoon salt 0.66 cup all-purpose flour 3 eggs In a 2-quart pan, combine the water, butter, and salt. Quickly bring to a boil, stirring to melt butter. Add flour all at once, remove pan from heat, and beat ingredients with a wire whip until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until mixture is smooth and glossy. Spoon into 4…
Makes 12 servings. 16 ounces (2 boxes) Zwieback crackers or plain biscotti 1.5 cup sugar 1 cup unsalted butter 32 ounces (4 bars) Philedelphia cream cheese 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons vanilla extract 8 eggs 2 cup evaporated milk or light cream or half & half Take eggs, cheese, and butter out of the fridge 20 minutes before starting (makes eggs froth more for a fluffier…
Makes 12 servings. Filling 0.5 pound shrimp 1 teaspoon dry sherry 0.5 teaspoon cornstarch 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs 4 tablespoons avocado oil 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon sugar 1 pound (mung) bean sprouts 2 cups celery 5 stalks green onion Mix shrimp with sherry, cornstarch and 0.5 teaspoon salt. Stir fry for 1 minute then set aside. If chicken is used, stir…
Makes 12 servings. 12 ounces (1 package) fresh cranberries 1 orange 1 apple 1 cup sugar Add all ingredients to blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into a bowl and refrigerate until ready to eat. Serve.
Makes 8 servings. 1 medium onion 1 celery stalk 1 carrot 2 garlic cloves 2 tablespoons avocado oil 1.5 pounds yellow peppers 0.75 pound potatoes 3 cups water or chicken stock 1 tablespoon sea salt 1 small hot red pepper or 1 pinch chili pepper flakes Chop onion, celery, carrot, and garlic. Add to 4-quart heavy-bottomed pot. Drizzle with oil, stir to coat over low heat for 10 minutes or until…
Makes 1 serving. 1 frozen Impossible Burger patty 1 brioche burger bun 1 thick slice of Tillamook medium cheddar 1 slice of sweet onion 1 slice of heirloom tomato 0.5 avocado Toast bun and set aside. Cut slices of cheese, onion, and tomato and set aside. Slice avocado into 0.125 inch thick pieces and set aside. Set oven to broil at ‘HI’ temperature. Wait 5 minutes for it to warm up.…
Makes 8 servings. 14 ounces (1 can) diced tomatoes (do not drain) 1 cup water 5 garlic cloves 1 tablespoon minced ginger 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon paprika 2 teaspoons garam masala 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon salt 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter 1 cup heavy cream or whole coconut milk 1 tablespoon…
Makes 4 servings. Dressing 0.5 cup peanut oil 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil 3 teaspoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons seasoned rice wine vinegar 2 tablespoons honey 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper Add all ingredients to a mason jar and seal. Shake well. Refrigerate until ready to use. Salad 10 ounces Trader Joes organic shredded kale 0.25 cup fresh cilantro 0.25…
Makes 4 servings. Less-Wet Cucumbers 4 Persian cucumbers (aka cocktail cucumbers) 2 tablespoons salt Trim the cucumbers and cut into 0.5-inch thick pieces. Place in a small bowl. Sprinkle with salt and toss well to coat. Allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Rinse off salt mixture and pat dry. Marinade 2 tablespoons honey 3 tablespoons rice vinegar 2 tablespoons mirin 2 teaspoons…
Makes 4 servings. 1 rinsed, frozen, halved, rack of Swift Premium Pork Loin Backribs from Costco water BBQ sauce Place ribs in Instant Pot. Fill with water until ribs are covered. Set Instant Pot to ‘Meat’ setting, 25 minutes, and press start. Release pressure, open pot, and transfer ribs to a baking sheet with a rack. Slather ribs with BBQ sauce. Set oven broiler to ‘hi’.…
Makes 8 servings. Graham Cracker Crust 10 whole graham crackers, broken into 1-inch pieces 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled 3 tablespoons sugar Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 F. Process graham cracker pieces in food processor to fine, even crumbs, about 30 seconds. Sprinkle melted butter and sugar over crumbs and pulse to incorporate, about 5 pulses.…
Makes 8 servings. Butter Crust 1 tablespoon sour cream or 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar 3 tablespoons ice water 1.25 cups pastry flour 1.5 teaspoons sugar 0.5 teaspoons salt 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, frozen, cut into 0.25 inch cubes Mix sour cream and ice water in a bowl until combined. Process flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor until combined, about 5 seconds. Add butter and pulse…
Makes 2 servings. 5 ounces baby arugula 1 cup cherry tomotoes 1 ripe avocado 1 tablespoon Terrapin Ridge Farms ginger miso dressing Add arugula to a large salad bowl. Remove pit from avocado and scoop a tablespoon at a time into bowl. Cut tomotoes in half and add to bowl. Drizzle dressing over salad. Toss the salad. Serve immediately.
Makes 2 servings. 0.25 cups roasted buckwheat aka kasha 1.5 cups water or milk 0.25 cups chia seed 0.25 cups flaxseed 0.5 cups almonds, roasted and unsalted 1 Fuji apple, chopped Pour buckwheat into a large, microwave safe bowl. Add water. Microwave for 5 minutes. Remove from microwave and let buckwheat rest for 5 minutes. Grind flaxseed in a coffee grinder. Add chia seed and ground flaxseed to…
Makes about 2 quarts. Substitute 4 teaspoons vanilla extract for the vanilla beans by adding the vanilla extract after the mixture cools, before putting it in the refrigerator. 2 vanilla beans 3.5 cups heavy cream 2.5 cups whole milk 0.66 cups sugar 0.66 cups light corn syrup 0.5 teaspoons salt 12 large egg yolks 0.33 cups semisweet chocolate 1 teaspoon vegetable oil Cut vanilla beans in half…
Makes about 15 cookies. 3 cups pastry flour 0.5 teaspoon baking soda 0.5 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 sticks (8 ounces or 228 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature 0.5 cups granulated sugar 1.5 cups packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 large eggs or egg whites 1.5 cups semisweet chocolate chips In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In the…
I suspect that if you take a somewhat random group of human beings and ask them to organize themselves in order to allocate work and limited resources, most of the time they will find themselves playing a zero sum game with each other. I call it the +1-1=0 game. The other game to be played is the 1+1=4 game. It’s the game of abundance, of creating a bigger pie, of win-wins that benefit…
Warning: preference-style opinions ahead, e.g. cherry pie is better than apple pie. That said, I’ve used these opinions in anger , so they may be of interest to mangers trying to get ahead with a leader that thinks like I do. Junior: my first loyalty is to the team I lead, my downwards team Senior: my first loyalty is to the team my boss leads, my upwards team Junior: my span of control is how…
Warning: preference-style opinions ahead, e.g. pecan pie is better than apple pie. That said, I’ve used these opinions in anger , so they may be of interest to engineers trying to get ahead with a leader that thinks like I do. Junior: right tool for the job Senior: right ‘enough’ tool for the job, fewer tools better mastered Junior: clever solution Senior: easy to understand solution, even if a…
Speak Up I must speak up in public forums like LinkedIN, Twitter, and Christmas dinner. I’ve been taught that talking politics is impolite. But leaving good ideas unsaid and undefended, and letting bad ideas dominate the conversation and lead to bad decisions is even more impolite. Change My Mind I must listen, learn, and change my mind, which is way harder than defending my beliefs and standing…
Imagine you have a team of 5, a leader plus 4 others. The leader chooses not to contribute ideas, preferring to select from the ideas of his team. The team members are equally persuasive and generate equally good and viable ideas, but the ideas are as opposite/orthogonal/different as they can be. The team has decided to make decisions together and fully commit to those decisions, so all their…
We’ve adopted the Patrick Lencioni stack at Mixbook. We are starting with The Advantage and working our way backwards in order of publication. Turns out companies are made out of human beings. Who knew ?
Next time you get the urge to try out some new tech in production please remember this: 5 years from now, long after you got bored with it, some poor sap is going to be stuck fixing bugs in that new tech code you committed, because no one ever took the time to rip it out, and something in production depends on it. You’ve just introduce tech debt that will most likely be wasting…
An anti-pattern I keep running across is trying to solve tech debt problems by adding a new tool to the stack. It’s like planning to pay off some of your $10K in credit card debt by getting a new card with a $5K limit with a lower interest rate…but then using $1K of it pay down the old card and spending the other $4K on new stuff. Now you’ve got $14K of debt to service. Before…
Its generally thought that the ability to delay your own gratification is correlated with greater success. I buy that. But I think it’s the opposite when dealing with others–giving others what they want right now and you’ll win their support , their dollars , and their vote .
Following updates from Genode and Haiku highlighting their progress towards becoming broadly useful operating systems, I installed them on some real hardware, took them for a spin, and thought about what it would take for them to take over the world…what market position is available and accessible to a potential, future, Genode based OS? So. Would you be interesting in an OS that can say…