KeithMukai
Keith Mukai

SeedSigner lead dev. Bitcoin Core dev (barely). Specter Desktop contributor. python-nostr, rana, NIP-26.

Public Key

npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2

NIP-05 Address

Profile Code

nprofile1qqs9kr5d5m7lhfnrqwrfpvmay9kcx3dxy0xr8cg34lg0ww8dw7ftc4qpzfmhxue69uhk7enxvd5xz6tw9ec82cspzpmhxue69uhkummnw3ezuamfdejsz9mhwden5te0ve5kcar9wghxummnw3ezuamfdejs5tvujf

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offchain.pub

nostr.wine

filter.nostr.wine

Author Public Key

npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2

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Last Notes

2026-02-21 19:43:38 UTC

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I had previously had surgery on the other side for a torn labrum. For that shoulder I did 6 months of rehab before surgery and it was all just wasted time.
The pain this time was so sharp and stabby that there was just no way that rehab was going to make any kind of a difference.
The surgeon's default course of action was physical therapy, but I explained the same thing to him and he just kind of nodded and said, "yeah, it does feel like we're going to end up at surgery anyway." So it didn't take much convincing.

2026-02-21 18:16:25 UTC

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Mine started out with random unexpected stabbing pain when throwing that arm around. And then when hanging, it would feel like that shoulder was pulling out by a millimeter or so no matter how hard I shrugged against it. And then it just got consistently worse with much worse pain. Started feeling like an ice pic was being jammed in there when exerting force above my head or trying to reach behind my back.
I should've done this a year ago. Wasted time getting out of shape.

2026-02-21 17:54:30 UTC

Successful shoulder surgery yesterday!
https://i.nostr.build/sjSMRGm0PqGaFVIS.jpg
Surgeon wasn't sure what he'd find. Thankfully there was more repairing to do than he had expected. I didn't want to wake up and have him say, "eh, didn't see much, not sure how much it'll help."
So, cool, got a bunch fixed.
https://i.nostr.build/eGuLWEYu9BugxWUm.jpg
Means the recovery will be longer. 6wks in the sling. No driving (👀). 6mo rehab. But it'll be worth it if I can hang from a bar again, tumble again, umm... wash my back again...
And so far no terrible pain, but the nerve block is still wearing off so the pain is steadily increasing.
Probably going to avoid writing any new @nprofile…acnq PRs until I'm off the narcotics!
Can't say that @nprofile…6nw5 is being extra caring, but she's always a good snuggler so we're getting in good pass-out-from-morphine nap time.
https://i.nostr.build/ZPL4oDuaHAe8nYpb.jpg

2026-02-21 17:28:58 UTC

Best crappy handstand I could do the day before my shoulder surgery. Was a good reinforcement for me for why the surgery was necessary; the limitations I've had the last 12-18mo are NOT acceptable!
(can't do a good handstand if you can't fully open your shoulder angle. Can't adjust the handstand if you can't exert much force through the front of your delts)
https://v.nostr.build/9DY7w7UvnTZ4UIz7.mp4

2026-02-15 16:33:00 UTC

I've always been annoyed by Debian's version naming. My first encounters with it were in the "Stretch" and "Buster" eras. Which was the more recent one and which was being phased out?
When you search for compatible binaries, libraries, etc, you have to specifically search by name: We're currently in a "Bookworm" vs "Bullseye" era. Which do I need? And the repetition of the "B" names makes it even harder to remember which is which.
(note to self: Bookworm... except in the older setups that need Bullseye... 😭)
But I never thought to ask what the naming convention was.
https://blossom.primal.net/2ba146010ce55307c6cc6eed7c6dde342a350000a94b69bcf332deb32c169edc.png
https://blossom.primal.net/5a00f3d6cf9452591eba8383ab4c62d8a52c3bb6cd26e9d0842fe4a4df6220dd.png
https://blossom.primal.net/b92d892e0e9808a17853b1ea588a714633b8f41eac67db6ccf94517afb0c4ab7.png
Fuck, I kind of love that.
But as cute as it may be, VERSION NUMBERS WILL ALWAYS BE MORE USER-FRIENDLY!!!

2026-02-13 21:18:28 UTC

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I take your point and don't necessarily disagree with any of it (yes, even "pedantic"; that's fair).
I try to be open and honest about everything: good or bad. I said "I consider it rude", "I would have been mildly annoyed", and "[this] aggravates me." Statements of fact.
But why is it (or a softer version) even worth saying? We have ONE maintainer and he is stretched very thin (full-time normie job, young family). He's our most valuable resource. And we can only move forward at his pace.
So it's aggravating in a stupidly ironic way: the more that people impatiently ask for his attention to pull him different directions, the SLOWER things go for everyone.
As for a lack of gratitude: this episode taken in isolation, sure. I get that and that hurts to hear.
But I think people who know the project well will paint you a vastly different picture.

2026-02-13 18:47:03 UTC

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So I'm confused. You agreed that the "@" mentions were "unnecessary" and said "I understand" the criticism.
But you seem to suggest otherwise in your joking response above.
https://blossom.primal.net/9690ef7ad1bfac31fa09b3aefce5ff3fb2dfcdeb2db95230ccb4122090a33dfa.png
I usually try to balance harsher critiques with still being constructive and taking the discussion seriously. But it's hard. When you're annoyed, the last thing you want to be is helpful and constructive. And yet...
https://blossom.primal.net/6c6a8f30b9458b7cb72f220876b28c2173e345888b8385e7dad49b3f42f26519.png
https://blossom.primal.net/94df8a90203eeb376eafad4aa1a8dd1663d8da097536102569a5892b52ba81af.png
...and now after the subsequent follow-ups, the PR is much stronger and in a good position to keep moving forward.
So, ngl, it felt really shitty to see this.
Back to being constructive: it did make me think that we should update the PR template with more guidance about our preferred etiquette.

2026-02-13 18:13:34 UTC

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Last summer we had a wave of new Summer of Bitcoin students vying to contribute to the project. Most had never contributed to an open source project before and were a giant challenge to our limited volunteer resources.
Guidelines and rules of conduct had to be established to keep all of us sane. Same applies here.
Tell me where I overstepped in my critique above.

2026-02-11 23:29:32 UTC

I haven't gotten too deep into AI yet, but is this logo an actual wink to Vonnegut or do the folks there just not read? 🤣
https://blossom.primal.net/38ad1f038faae02e0a1e601f41c4ed7e262d93530a7eb627adbd1d86d1cfe305.jpg
https://blossom.primal.net/30fe867d0a25e8897003ab006e450c8219f132257463400cfc8c69fe7607d8eb.jpg

2026-02-09 19:11:31 UTC

REVERSE SEAR YOUR SALMON!!
The ultimate crispy + buttery smooth combo!
My first time trying it (I usually just saute small single-serving thin filets in a cast iron pan). Amazing results! It's better overall AND easier to cook thicker filets and larger portions.
https://i.nostr.build/uyg60mad7bjpDrfP.jpg
Pre-salt it on both sides. Light coat of high-temp oil (I use avocado).
Oven at a low 325°F. Cook until internal temp hits 135°F. This 1lb cut was about 1.5" thick so it took about 25min. Low and slow keeps it moist.
https://i.nostr.build/7ZvZTmGSqygYPCvm.jpg
You could let it proceed to 145°F and eat it as-is, but low-temp baked salmon just looks horrible. Do the next step!
Prep a blazing hot cast iron pan w/more oil or butter. Just like a steak, sear the shit out of all sides with high heat. Should only take ~30s per side, plus the edges.
https://i.nostr.build/ddHFjOrrGFzJZpWY.jpg
Perfectly juicy on the inside (and, yes, I left the temp probe in and confirmed that the center reached 145°F during the sear). The sear gives it a flavor kick and looks SO MUCH better than baked salmon's gross pastiness.
I then used the leftover oil and the hot cast iron pan to saute broccoli, mixed in some spinach and miso paste at the end.

2026-02-09 15:06:58 UTC

FOURTH book of the year finished last week!
https://i.nostr.build/BZnQjcIVTg8ck9tZ.jpg
HAMNET is a fictional portrayal of Shakespeare's real son who died of the plague. O'Farrell says she couldn't understand how Shakespeare could write "Hamlet" just 4yrs after his Hamnet's death. So she had to explore it.
This opening note explains wtf is up with the weird HamNet vs HamLet thing happening here, which I found maddening upon first hearing about this book:
https://i.nostr.build/IwxCnM37UZ1rogAr.jpg
O'Farrell is a beautiful writer. It's somewhat stream-of-consciousness; a character enters a room and notes each moment that hits their senses: this quality of the light, a faint aroma, etc. O'Farrell is a lovely observer of the world and imbues her main character, Shakespeare's wife, Agnes, with a deep connection to nature.
It took me about 50 pages to get settled in and accustomed to O'Farrell's style. Well worth it. "Lovely" really is the key word here.
https://i.nostr.build/JxiX2AvQiGPMz9RY.jpg
(pretty baller way to open the novel!)
And this really is Agnes' story. The Shakespeare-y-ness of it all is deliberately shrouded; the name Shakespeare is never mentioned and her husband's first name is actually never uttered, either.
Agnes has a kind of magic about her via her deep intuitions. It's lovely and in a horrible way makes the death of her son even more painful. I absolutely can NOT recommend this for anyone who has young children; it's just too steeped in the mother's grief and despair.
https://i.nostr.build/LU0Gr1OjEypBgDhH.jpg
(The book has been adapted into a film that is now winning all the awards)
One critique: the portrayal of Shakespeare as a ne'er-do-well lost dreamer just isn't credible. There's no way he could discover theater in early adulthood and within 4 years write "Hamlet". The works of Shakespeare reflect a life dedicated deeply to the craft from an early age. Simply wandering into his calling later in life is absurd.
At a showing of "Hamlet" he even wonders to himself if his writing is any good. Abso-fucking-lutely absurd to have that kind of doubt when that play is the pinnacle of his skills.
Another: When O'Farrell finally pays off the concept -- how does Hamnet relate to "Hamlet"? -- it's quite disappointing. Cathartic for Agnes but just a too-thin attempt to join the ideas together for anyone who's studied the play. "Hamlet" just isn't how you'd honor your dead 11yr old son.
O'Farrell seems to get unmoored as Agnes is lost in despair. Her narrative stops making much progress and then the final payoff is meh.
But overall, O'Farrell is such a strong writer and Agnes being such a unique, in-tune creature in the world make HAMNET still well worth the read.
---
*(My UCLA Shakespeare prof favored the theory that the Earl of Oxford, Edward de Vere, was really the author of Shakespeare's plays. De Vere had the privilege and deep + broad education that was exceptionally rare at the time that would seem to be a prerequisite for being able to produce those plays. Always made more sense to me)

2026-02-04 17:48:31 UTC

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Yeah, the silver lining of sorts from the earlier stress of dealing with her brain tumor is that it felt so certain at the time that we were going to lose her. So there was a whole anticipatory mourning process to go through. And when the drugs and radiation proved effective, everything changed.
That's why I use the phrase "bonus time".
So I feel a little more prepared for when the day eventually comes, but, yeah, will still be really difficult.

2026-02-04 15:50:31 UTC

Got some AMAZING news yesterday: @nprofile…6nw5's giant golfball-sized brain tumor has "almost completely resolved"!
https://i.nostr.build/gaRolkwfKpwZnCr3.jpg
There is residual meningioma around the outside of her brain, but her doc says she has "an estimated 90% reduction in overall tumor burden"!
https://i.nostr.build/B6UiQhqYvyP6XPQT.jpg
Her pet insurance covered the very expensive radiation therapy to zap the tumor last April. Now 10 months later her doc is thrilled to say that this is probably the best outcome he's ever seen.
She has residual brain damage and will need to stay on her anti-seizure meds. And there's no way to predict if or when the tumor might come charging back.
https://i.nostr.build/tlnmvGP3TgagZBVD.jpg
But for now there's a real chance that she'll live well past her upcoming 8th birthday.
https://i.nostr.build/CQXSgzattT6DInN3.png
She's my first doggie and, as a single guy, my only constant companion. The moment I sit on the couch, she hops up to snuggle. Every time. No creature (dog, human, or otherwise) has ever wanted to spend so much time with me, so consistently. 🤣
https://i.nostr.build/GVeE7zSgK2Fr5wuM.jpg
So glad to get this bonus time with her!
https://i.nostr.build/ISIuKWGQE9GddUNi.jpg

2026-02-01 23:18:26 UTC

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Proxmox and especially PBS.

2026-01-29 21:44:23 UTC

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That's basically where I've landed for now after burning myself out on harder books or "I ought to read this" pressure.
I also just somehow forgot how GOOD a book can be!

2026-01-29 21:41:23 UTC

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Wow, that is a hardcore edition when there's a whole section in the info page just for the font!

2026-01-29 20:53:25 UTC

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I was excited to learn that the TV show ends with... the 6th book? So 7, 8, 9 are all unknown story horizons for me! Hadn't expected that much to be left hanging off the edge.
But also trying to not overcommit my time to just this one series. I'd fallen so far out of any kind of reading habit for so long, but now that I'm reading again I don't want to pigeonhole myself.

2026-01-29 20:41:46 UTC

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For me, the price diff of the pretty hardcover was an easy YES.
https://blossom.primal.net/6ce96c5efdcf30eb775cd64bb67e020a0d4b9c697b5c56dede88191fb3adecfd.png
I've decided that as long as the hardcover edition of a book isn't grossly overpriced, I'll shell out the extra bit for it.

2026-01-29 20:36:51 UTC

After reading three sci-fi books in a row, it's time to change things up.
Here's my current queue:
https://i.nostr.build/kub0FYFNYVgLGgX3.jpg
Yes, I'm a typical programmer nerd sci-fi geek. But I also studied Literature at UCLA and loved my two Shakespeare classes. The buzz on "Hamnet" is insane and it's a shorter read. And I'd rather read the book first before seeing the film.
Excited to keep working my way through The Expanse series, but a 9-book series is a heavy load. I'll keep them spaced out a bit so I don't go stale.
---
Aside: I haven't read all of Shakespeare's works, but I think Hamlet is the best written while The Tempest is probably my favorite (it's pretty intense to read it as Shakespeare speaking almost directly for himself via Prospero).

2026-01-29 20:21:33 UTC

Finished reading my THIRD book this year!
Leviathan Wakes (The Expanse book 1)
Gorgeous 10th anniversary edition!
https://v.nostr.build/OFbG7Dqw3EZGhOzn.mp4
https://v.nostr.build/RjMfTglPy1nuFYq8.mp4
Loved the TV show but only now getting around to reading the books.
The authors are very good writers. Reading this right after Andy Weir and John Scalzi is a night-and-day difference. Abraham and Franck (aka "James S. A. Corey") are adults who write like they've thoroughly experienced the real world.
The tight pacing caters to short attention spans (they imposed their own target of ~3k words per chapter) but isn't insultingly dumbed down like a Dan Brown novel (he intentionally writes for a ~6th grade reading level).
The chapter structure alternates between the two main characters' POV, giving us a very rich look inside their very different minds.
These are writers who understand people in a deep way that a lot of (most?) sci-fi nerd authors totally lack. Their characters have depth, grit, imperfections, hard-earned wisdom. Dialog and especially their inner thoughts are spot-on. They're not trying to create characters, they're just letting these "real" people speak and act for themselves.
https://i.nostr.build/vpw14ynZdLcYhXx5.jpg
That being said, since I saw the TV show first, I can't say how disorienting or not it might be for completely noob eyes to take in and keep track of the wide variety of characters. I complained that with "Redshirts", an ensemble cast doesn't work in a novel. You'll have to tell me if this succeeds where "Redshirts" failed.
The sci-fi elements are of course fascinating and so richly detailed and well thought out; everything in this first book is foundational to why the TV series was so successful (btw: this book is roughly the first 1.5 seasons).
I did not expect to be this impressed. Read it.

2026-01-29 16:18:37 UTC

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That all being said, your note about engaging via writing is spot-on.
I got to teach "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" to the most advanced AP kids in the high school where I did my student teaching. We would read a few pages each night and their homework was to identify a passage that intrigued them (there is NO shortage of thought-provoking passages in that book!!!).
We'd then spend the first 10 minutes writing a reflection on whatever passage we chose. We'd spend another 5-10 minutes sharing some of those reflections and discussing.
I would write a reflection as well w/each class and then post them to our class website.
It was absolutely amazing.

2026-01-29 16:13:14 UTC

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Plato is a beast to read. If I'm remembering right, the style is to have paragraphs-long winding, complex tangents that take forever to loop back and make a point.
Like you need SO MUCH RAM while you're reading to keep that all in your mental stack before he actually starts using it.
I think of the "Great" books (for whomever's definition or list) like I do the AFI Top 100 Films list. So many of them are on there because they were significant influences on film, BUT... are they actually good / impressive / enjoyable to watch NOW? For so many of them, my answer is: nope nope nope.
It shouldn't be the "Top" film list. It should be the "Most Significant" or "Most Influential" film list.
In the typical American book canon, I have no idea why we make kids read Huck Finn. There are just so many better, richer, and more enjoyable books out there.
When I was going through my UCLA Lit courses, I loved loved loved Jane Austen. But I was also a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gilmore Girls fan (iykyk). Austen was right up my alley. I gave my sister a copy of "Pride & Prejudice" but I told her: If the first paragraph doesn't strike you as funny, put the book down and move on.
This is all a long way to say: I'm skeptical that any list of "great" or must-read "classics" can ever make sense. At best, you could say, "IF X or Y or Z appeal to you, THEN you should check out A or B or C."
"Dune" is one of my favorite books. I'd recommend it to almost no one.

2026-01-28 14:51:34 UTC

Reflection now that I'm actually reading books again:
But first some eye-candy: Third book of the year in progress!
https://i.nostr.build/vpw14ynZdLcYhXx5.jpg
(and what a beauty she is!)
My years-long reading dry spell seems to have been at least partially because the books I was trying to read were just too hard and/or not engaging enough.
I can listen to endless hours of bitcoin podcasts, but it turns out that reading bitcoin books and nonfiction just puts me to sleep.
I also had a snobby resistance to popcorn fare (light entertainment that isn't trying to be Jane Austen).
But now here I am devouring fun sci-fi page-turners.
I also forgot that a book can be as short as a 6-10hr read; it doesn't have to be a weeks-long / months-long slog.
So reading a book can be roughly on par time-wise with watching a TV season. But is more mentally active and, added bonus: less associated with snacking. 😂
My worries about having a pinch of permanent cognitive decline are lessening.
So it's been awesome to rediscover reading. Can recommend.
---
And notably / sadly / redemptively(?), this is coming from a guy who had gone back to school to do UCLA's entire undergrad Lit program. And holds a Master of Education to teach high school English. And taught for two years. 🤷‍♂️

2026-01-22 21:00:40 UTC

Finished a SECOND book this year!
https://blossom.primal.net/77ace166d8bb56705851626420785850b7b0166b8d4f02b7555b37355aa7e33d.jpg
Fun, quick read. Basically a must-read for any Star Trek nerd. It's a riff on some of the more absurd elements of Trek, but it's not trashing on Trek and has its own story to tell .
It's consistently interesting and entertaining, but I think it's a bit oversold as a comedy. Writing comedy is hard and I think maybe most sci-fi nerd authors are just kinda mid when it comes to their sense of humor.
I'm also not convinced that Scalzi is a great writer. He's certainly crafted a fun concept, but the word-by-word execution is just... fine... but not exceptional. He has about two main characters too many and never manages the load of all their weight; pretty much right up to the end I was still struggling to remember who was who. Ensembles work way better on TV.
However, the final coda is lovely and lovingly written. It actually is pretty exceptional (reminded me of Ann Patchett which is an absurd, unexpected compliment to Scalzi).
Overall well worth the short time commitment. It's not a masterpiece, but that's okay.

2026-01-19 18:36:04 UTC

TIL not to touch the exposed contacts of a 24V led strip!
Feels like when you get a strong static electricity shock. Not horrible, but just never encountered that with 12V strips.
I pretty much only learn from experience/mistakes. 🤣 🤷‍♂️
https://blossom.primal.net/2a84805073ef71e0a072e2230e316f2a7e80dfbf791d25c67d491f732b52f112.jpg

2026-01-19 18:32:00 UTC

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💯. I was born in Chicago and football has always been the only pro sport I care about.
I feel great even after the loss last night. Will be a TON of fun the next couple of years!

2026-01-16 20:07:36 UTC

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Ha, unfortunately the most exciting part of Bears games is the last 5 minutes or so of a 2.5hr game!

2026-01-16 17:42:04 UTC

It's both awesome and completely ridiculous that Chicago Bears fans have to actually think about how they're going to survive the conditions at the game.
That being said, if they win, the cold will be a huge part of it.
So, good for the Bears, people shouldn't have to live this way! 🤣
https://blossom.primal.net/a9406e8e782cb650ba42e632cea6e7109c65d92821e2c65fe8f4d325ac639b74.png
https://blossom.primal.net/9544fd634bbaa3d3fc0846a5c3571113691ae9e6ae71e131ada3d63f35e76490.jpg

2026-01-11 05:53:23 UTC

@nprofile…s847 is enjoying the peace after all the screaming tonight.
Fun fact: her name means "bear" in Japanese. But she hates football!
Violent movies, big explosions, she's right there next to me on the couch. But when football is on, she's outta there! 😂
https://blossom.primal.net/78dcb0b84dd03abe901fbeda1af559731eddca5878e393bde9694de6f6b0de72.jpg

2026-01-09 13:48:31 UTC

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Oof, I definitely don't have the attention span for that! I think the longest book I've finished was the ~2000 page(?) longer edition of "The Stand". And that was back in high school.
"Project Hail Mary" was probably a ~6-8hr read over the course of a week. 🤣

2026-01-09 13:44:00 UTC

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Yeah, I really enjoyed The Martian as well.
Weir is such an oddball writer in terms of his skill set. Aside from excelling at building his plots and solutions around real or plausible-enough science, his strengths as a writer are... meh?
But the end results so far (his 2nd book, "Artemis" is the weakest of the three, but also enjoyable enough) are still overall pretty great. It's just so weird to read a book and have 20% of my brain note, "Yeah, he's not an amazing writer" while the other 80% is thoroughly enjoying it.

2026-01-08 20:37:18 UTC

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Ug, my AP Lit teacher and all my UCLA profs are crying out right now that I can't even write the book's actual title correctly: It's "Project Hail Mary".
https://blossom.primal.net/cf16edc895fd34f5591c448502fd568f2e098d8a63741575d1cc0951c0e0048b.webp

2026-01-08 20:35:38 UTC

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Protagonist from roughly our-ish time frame wakes up with no memory. On a spaceship. Nearly at the end of a trip to another star (like, wut, he knows we don't have the tech for that). He slowly recalls that our sun is inexplicably dimming which will basically end life on Earth in a matter of decades. But why the heck is he way outside of our solar system and how tf is that even possible?
Obv dude has to figure out what his mission was and somehow save our sun.

2026-01-08 20:29:50 UTC

I actually read an entire book! First time in YEARS!
Pretty sad, considering that once upon a time I completed UCLA's entire undergrad Literature curriculum. Or way back in high school in AP English Lit we tore through a novel a week! 👀🤯
https://blossom.primal.net/893c70bce1da23d42725662db242d6534cb4b5b69fdd94224650c3ce59bac1c8.jpg
The last book I finished might've been The Bitcoin Standard or Popper's "Digital Gold". Focusing on nonfiction and narrowing to mostly just bitcoin books is likely a huge part of my nonexistent reading pace.
Aside from being fiction, I wonder if "Hail Mary" being told in the first person also helped combat my bad attention span. Third person: you're being told what's happening. First person, you're inside someone's thoughts and part of your brain receives it as if it was happening to you ("Ouch, that hurt!" vs "he burned his finger").
---
Quick review:
"Hail Mary" is pretty engaging (good job starting *in medias res*) with chapter length tailored to short attention spans (🙋‍♂️). Never gets to "omg I can't put this down" intensity but obv kept me hooked enough to enjoy coming back to it each day.
As is usual with Andy Weir, real-world science is baked into the story's bones. Though as it gets more speculative, it can seem a bit disappointingly simplistic. Something like the movie "Arrival" spends all of its focus on solving ONE really complex problem, but Weir's protagonist too easily overcomes what should be a number of near-impossible barriers.
I forgot that Weir is just never as funny as he thinks he is, or perhaps more favorably: his characters have a pretty lame, predictable 4-out-of-10 sense of humor. His protagonists also never talk or think like a normal person and the "it's 'cause I'm a super science nerd" excuse can only take him so far.
But the story is well told, pretty cool and interesting from a sci-fi perspective, moves fast, and never gets boring. The protagonist isn't as annoying as I'm making him sound and he gets a lot more accessible (and even funny!) after his disorienting beginning.
Critiquer gotta critique, but I really enjoyed it.
Recommended for sci-fi nerds who can ease up a bit and take in a nerdy-but-not-super-nerdy story.

2025-11-22 13:59:19 UTC

Yikes, that's a bad ngu.
Too much travel the last few months. But pretty uneven 2025 in general. Looking forward to staying home for a while and getting back to some discipline.
12-13% is my usual comfortable target. Pretty easy to get there without doing anything extreme.
https://blossom.primal.net/05e59c11d61cf113f1d560c2665f03732d22d67039d8ee9752320d2d02ca6f87.png

2025-11-19 23:57:10 UTC

Tried to tell @nprofile…h24a not to look at the bitcoin price but she looked anyway.
Hodling her and our sats. Everything will be okay.
https://blossom.primal.net/345cb256083a93cf281f59a066c6801509d051ec859b4a90b798a8535312c4ae.jpg

2025-11-11 07:11:57 UTC

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💯

2025-11-10 23:35:39 UTC

Plane landed safely in Panama City, but seeing this while boarding did give me a few doubts.
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/cdb7e9cd2a68fe6731a6bb54f573f8f74cd775dce61960efd05c1c76ba2533f8.jpg
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/fe07e458df92a1c07672c342e8f72a4b08e76809612548baad5a7b325369bdd1.jpg

2025-11-10 23:29:57 UTC

Wha...?
(no, I don't actually want to know)
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/2e9005cc232fabd276650c342be0ee0d19a9ff86269a0d29942122308905ac65.jpg

2025-11-09 12:24:45 UTC

Chilling in a cafe in São Paulo* and just as I'm about to leave, the opening riff to Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out" starts playing.
Had to stay the extra ~4 minutes. Of course. So f'n catchy.
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/9cb5336fb6cba46a225e3f280dd7a5fb752529052ff848daee26121d60064d12.jpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ijk4j-r7qPA
---
*(yes, that's Japanese text; huge Japanese community here)

2025-11-06 02:16:31 UTC

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I have never tried Fedi, but I am a fan of their efforts!

2025-11-06 01:59:41 UTC

BREAKING: There are banana vending machines in São Paulo! 👀🤯
https://i.nostr.build/eqYrabSBdlDXfKuS.jpg

2025-10-03 14:57:44 UTC

Find yourself a girl who looks at you like @nprofile…hvc5 looks at bread.
https://i.nostr.build/x2JI3vbeiPbL8JrG.jpg https://i.nostr.build/syo4Ao4CSWdA6n8q.jpg

2025-09-28 15:15:59 UTC

Laundry day for @nprofile…6nw5 is always kind of hilarious.
When she's at home she always has a toy in her mouth. So pretty quickly they all reek of dog saliva. 🤢
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/bd552c9e89b23d766679025a1c7b7ff36185448e535f8002781a65239087d23b.jpg
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/60ef0ffc46e7b6ea25f6e9ffa3c670b3e88d752c90e2c80dad75898927d166df.jpg
---
Bonus: Kuma with her croissant overlooking Nashville last week!
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/ad763f1d5c2ee4bfd6ae2e95234f297812a4e62b3e1a7aa75fd12479075ad5ac.jpg

2025-09-22 00:35:39 UTC

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Been a rough couple of years. I mean, decades, really.

2025-09-22 00:15:43 UTC

Really f'n fun to watch a Chicago Bears game at a hardcore Bears bar in Nashville!
Crowd thinned out a bit as, unusually for the Bears, the game was well in hand by the time the 3rd quarter ended.
https://v.nostr.build/3qAn0oC2xoeGwtfp.mp4 https://v.nostr.build/proxy2JxDCnZxaZY.mp4 https://v.nostr.build/In6OUZhjSVQW3ude.mp4

2025-09-21 18:53:22 UTC

Gorgeous hiking at the Narrows of the Harpeth river trails with @nprofile…hvc5, just outside of Nashville.
https://i.nostr.build/F7xVYK0LAgwg9SVx.jpg https://i.nostr.build/WeX3oNjtLIw8tPCd.jpg https://i.nostr.build/h07Te59qAWMXFern.jpg https://i.nostr.build/ISIuKWGQE9GddUNi.jpg

2025-09-21 18:48:13 UTC

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Ha, true, true.

2025-09-21 18:47:27 UTC

@nprofile…hvc5 being weird.
https://i.nostr.build/bVL2t5BxdddxPvjS.jpg

2025-09-21 18:46:19 UTC

Ha, ungovernable hikers in Tennessee.
https://i.nostr.build/ZcnEWIkWpFieCUON.jpg

2025-09-20 05:49:15 UTC

@nprofile…dxer earning @nprofile…wjcm some sats in @nprofile…dzke's LN-supercharged Mario Kart game!
Gaming is better with Lightning!
https://v.nostr.build/JE3a6JKfneWZ2Guc.mp4
At @nprofile…lcjp's "Imagine If" conf.

2025-09-18 22:10:03 UTC

"Friends, Romans, Bitcoiners, lend me your ears!"
@nprofile…hvc5 holding court at @nprofile…lw26.
https://i.nostr.build/7Qr9nEKypDXapJf9.jpg

2025-09-06 20:32:11 UTC

I'm grateful that dog vomit doesn't smell.

2025-09-06 14:30:12 UTC

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Not the ones they're pushing.
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/4d2db29a9d7153a11fe1019c04ce4d5e2d7fd28b672d5dbd0eded947bf27b733.png
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/be7bdf7f71336537390731fcbd595dfe5e2a3f302a2939f5e0d49d0627b759d7.png

2025-09-06 14:29:20 UTC

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Second: see what Corallo said: the "sp1" addr conflict had already been pointed out to them months ago. Fast forward to today and they're blasting out promos to get people to create their own "sp1" spark addrs.
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/4d2db29a9d7153a11fe1019c04ce4d5e2d7fd28b672d5dbd0eded947bf27b733.png
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/be7bdf7f71336537390731fcbd595dfe5e2a3f302a2939f5e0d49d0627b759d7.png

2025-09-06 14:24:51 UTC

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First, I'm a nobody. Best I can do is articulate the issue and hope that maybe some of the few bigger voices that might cross paths with me will take it on.
Oh, holy cow:
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/11b2948c2a7d0fa9f421799355b5fedf6cdd58fa6221f37fd9e2fcb1c0f1885b.png
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/aaf8e1eb3659530615ba670862b90b724337819be40ba0207655b3de35649bb6.png
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/eeee206769623950659df6e1f3a86ac44ebdd80acf63813af049144ec1b2bebc.png

2025-09-06 14:00:21 UTC

The best reason to stay on twitter is to be able to name and shame bad actors.
This is serious bullshit. Lightspark needs to move the fuck off of "sp1" addrs.
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/4a32fa44f541a61ba30c2e32b3d204be32bbc620d881aa127232331df1319c4d.png
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/d4047623e4415a9184026234b25bb38b740d9423bf3bed447aee8f27c08598fd.png
https://v.nostr.build/Cf6ewBCvhdk5ZbLT.mp4

2025-09-05 18:38:32 UTC

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I did a print (9hrs!) but my NACS adapter has a fatter ring that prevents it from latching on the little nub in there.
I found a 3d model of a NACS plug. So I'll try to modify it to add the fatter ring that mine has and then see if I can use it to subtract the necessary space from this wall mount.

2025-09-05 18:14:44 UTC

Holy cow, this is gorgeous AND so intimidating!
Fusion 360 tutorials, here I come.
(that's a 3d model for a Tesla/NACS charging plug holder)
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/2452049cdb7d8a4fc33308eabef80c0638f906e9fcb96d1dee0ed295193d0ebb.png

2025-08-22 14:25:36 UTC

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Yeah, one of the great things about SeedSigner is that it really breaks the normal hardware wallet mindset where people think "this device IS my bitcoin!!"
I thought that way for years.
The key / mnemonic is everything. The device is indeed secondary. Disposable. Just a tool. Load the seed into a SeedSigner or buy any new hardware wallet and load it in there.
Note that you can also use a SeedSigner to create as many new keys as you want. Being able to create and use an infinite number of keys makes it a great tool to screw around and try to set up your own multisig. Screw things up along the way, toss those keys, start again, do it better, do some test txs, build confidence, toss the whole setup, do it again from scratch, build more confidence, then build the "real" setup, etc.

2025-08-21 21:15:04 UTC

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Most places that sell single Pi Zero boards include an option to ship with the gpio headers already soldered on as a $1 upcharge. Def worth it for most people.
This particular build uses a diff approach to attaching the headers, thus is only possible if you do it yourself.
Think of it as:
* SeedSigner 101: pay the $1 for the presoldered headers.
* SeedSigner 401 / grad level: Advanced (optional) techniques.
To your second question: Everything SeedSigner does is totally standards-based: bip39 mnemonics and passphrases, standard derivation paths, etc. And the one unique thing we have -- the SeedQR format -- is already adopted by wallet software (Sparrow, not sure what else) and other hardware wallets (Jade, FD Passport, Specter DIY, Krux).
So, yes, anything done in SeedSigner can be taken elsewhere (e.g. load it all as a hot wallet in Sparrow instead and sign the same txs). And vice versa: Any mnemonic created elsewhere (e.g. Ledger, Coldcard, etc) can be used in a SeedSigner.

2025-08-20 21:34:06 UTC

YO, this slim @nprofile…j292 build is so f'n sexy!
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/f05070b70b6729ea1f309f82cf574c0b50dad99dd02aad870c945c98b0168038.jpg
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/6b68a3219b197ec63d3230e865eb627714019af9edfa3b79f6d746b8f12da53f.jpg
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/beda9e390d8710846937b272dd2a326d2cca9024f9438844f2947a6f4f3d5518.jpg
Really hard to appreciate it in photos. It's so much nicer!
https://v.nostr.build/CGxmMTLMsWd2WgJA.mp4
---
Video tutorial:
Step 1:
* 2x20 header pins
* soldering iron
* wire snips
* empty proto board
You're going to have put in a little more effort to solder the gpio headers on. But it's not terrible.
https://v.nostr.build/APljWlgK5uGpYiIO.mp4
---
Step 2: Solder!
ps - Pi Zeros are only sold in bulk WITHOUT the headers soldered on. Anyone who thinks you can make mad profits by selling preassembled @nprofile…gdpe hardware is OUT OF THEIR F'N MINDS.
This is 8x speed. Yeah, with practice I could get faster. But still. GTFO.
https://v.nostr.build/eq0NlFssSWq6DxTv.mp4
---
Step 3: Inspect your work.
Hey, look, something went wrong. Because of course!
Pro tip: I did the soldering with an old broken display hat, not knowing if the heat or anything else might screw it up (I think that loose pin was due to a flaw in the old hat's connector).
https://v.nostr.build/RR8R1TU6SFl747Gx.mp4
---
Step 4: Inspect again, trim solder cones.
Off camera I did find one more bad solder (the pin came loose) that I had to repair.
https://v.nostr.build/mEucqDCqAQvrnB2a.mp4
---
Step 5: Final assembly, boot up and test!
https://v.nostr.build/pnwVV1Gx7dQZFj61.mp4

2025-08-16 17:44:45 UTC

I'm in a coffee shop that somehow has an infinite remix of this song. It is NOT just the song playing on repeat. It's literally never ending.
The grating, wavy, derivative chorus (it wants to be Mazzy Starr and Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn" all at once) just keeps returning and returning for like 10min so far.
Absolute torture. This is hell.
https://i.nostr.build/ikt7SbGV2nloOnX1.jpg

2025-08-12 18:06:19 UTC

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I should set up something at home that can pull from many relays but is my only connection when I'm on the go. I'm sure some local relay like that must exist, ya?

2025-08-12 08:20:27 UTC

Step 1: Buy a 3gb eSIM for travel to Riga.
Step 2: Meet lots of European Bitcoiners and follow them on nostr.
Step 3: Get warnings about data usage.
Step 4: Cry.
Step 5: Top up eSIM so I don't run out on my last day.
wtf.
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/bba673e8dedcff710ae1c8a64cc90f23c2f5b638e09c823d7191eb1763b99341.png

2025-08-11 15:22:41 UTC

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STILL on the boat! https://i.nostr.build/HJ0FsL2UqilciuP8.jpg

2025-07-10 17:43:24 UTC

Kind of a glass half empty / glass half full situation.
Was searching the house to see if I had a cooler bag to bring cold stuff with me to Bitdevs tonight.
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/81987c73fc0b9a2ea19ef4274045ad5929841de3fb230bb5e9cb434b140699c9.jpg

2025-07-10 17:40:44 UTC

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Glad the tool was useful!
You should be able to just click on my profile in any nostr client that supports zaps. It's just linked up to my Wallet of Satoshi address either way. Or maybe if your client gives you an option to zap this response?

2025-07-07 16:11:24 UTC

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M1 MacBook Pro. Basically stays a bit warm all the time with its memory meter in the yellow. Occasionally I kill tabs that are hogging a lot of RAM to alleviate the pressure, but it always drifts back into yellow.

2025-07-07 16:05:36 UTC

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AWESOME!! Y cambiaste el idioma a español?
Usando la cellular para muestralo(?) en la tele es genius!

2025-07-07 16:00:05 UTC

I have 78 browser tabs open.
This is not an exaggeration.

2025-07-02 00:43:55 UTC

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It's just like the existing Waveshare display hat (same connector, similar button layout) but obv bigger. Also it has a wider aspect ratio (320x240) instead of the current square screen. The v0.8.6 release accounts for the wider screen layout.
SeedSigner (the man) worked on the design and created a new enclosure for it. The first round of sales will help him recoup the cost of getting the boards made. After that I believe the plan is to open source the design.

2025-07-01 23:44:07 UTC

Verifying that my reproducible build hashes for @nprofile…fhyu v0.8.6 match the hashes for the release images posted on github.
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/e51cc2b97c36697afc3c08232b5cffe107de52f54e9c62172269939e0d4cb550.png
https://npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2.blossom.band/c108eeb71a7608cacbd19fa028cce461def8548ddc5f814a7024557463be9b7d.png
#nevent1q…0p6l

2025-06-21 00:52:55 UTC

Suggests that unhealthy soap exists.
Does it? https://i.nostr.build/jZfrYJIIxfBgQbkB.jpg

2025-05-23 09:23:14 UTC

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🔥🔥🔥🔥!!!
What's the what here:
1.) Simple display brightness control has been on the TO-DO list forever. Kind of embarrassing that we / I never made it a priority, to be honest.
2.) @nprofile…08wd is running the @nprofile…w6hy code on an off-the-shelf board that is NOT a Raspberry Pi Zero! His work to broaden SeedSigner out to different hardware is a HUGE step in the right direction to reduce our biggest centralization chokepoint: relying on a single manufacturer.
Follow @nprofile…08wd and support his R&D with lots of zaps!!!
#nevent1q…jflg

2025-05-04 20:23:58 UTC

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We've intentionally avoided concepts that include a battery since a key promise SeedSigner makes is that nothing survives in memory after you unplug it. But if the power source is hidden within the enclosure, this is less trivially verifiable.
A built in battery doesn't necessarily break the security model but it muddies the water. When you explain how a SeedSigner works and what guarantees it makes, you just don't want a bunch of asterisks and caveats. Security isn't simple, but where the story can be simple and somewhat(?) foolproof, it should remain so.

2025-05-04 20:15:03 UTC

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We did what we could to attack the tumor. But it's a delayed effect; it was irradiated but it still takes about 2 months for it to start shrinking. Her chances look good of making it that far. Hopefully that buys her 18-24 months. And then at some point the tumor starts growing again and the clock starts running out for her.
So it's great to have her basically back to normal right now, but we just have to remember to appreciate this phase, knowing that we have no guarantees about how long it might last.

2025-05-04 18:06:04 UTC

@nprofile…n07f had an awesome 7th bday party! She DEVOURED her doggo bday cake!
https://v.nostr.build/gjwYNJFC2iSbkHgL.mp4
https://i.nostr.build/HHG0dFPajsLAxfSw.jpg
#dogstr

2025-05-04 17:57:52 UTC

ORANGE TULIP GOOD.
Spotted on today's walk with @nprofile…n07f.
https://i.nostr.build/vUReRJUVXQ8cnAT4.jpg

2025-04-27 17:43:38 UTC

Gorgeous day for @nprofile…n07f to enjoy a walk!
https://i.nostr.build/gAFejyAlpLiG5i1X.jpg
Still too early to know if the radiation treatments will yield any effect on her brain tumor. But the lack of any further bad signs so far is itself a good sign!
#dogstr #cancer

2025-04-24 15:14:57 UTC

So 2+ yrs ago at #nostrica I demoed an experimental branch of @nprofile…w6hy that integrated a bunch of fun nostr functionality. That branch was NEVER intended to make it into a real release.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZQnUHQLOd4&list=PLoF4_lt35vblvCZUAjKARSGGRAPnQP3I8&index=1
I'm finally revisiting that work now, but this time with the goal of getting some limited functionality into an actual release!
JUST focusing on leveraging SeedSigner's bring-your-own-entropy seed creation for generating a new nostr nsec/npub. #nip06
https://i.nostr.build/SEmMmnFYzmZ2mxLP.png
https://i.nostr.build/NEAAXnjP13tzCUBf.png
https://i.nostr.build/b6epiwtpAH6ZSR1L.png
https://i.nostr.build/prJpnFRSZVWrF2Pr.png
https://i.nostr.build/KjFgkM6i2wwhFK68.png
https://i.nostr.build/vk34G8k9usmKP4Ud.png
The flow would then end with displaying the nostr key as a QR code to be read into something like @nprofile…mrpz.
If you think this belongs in an upcoming SeedSigner release, comment in the PR!
https://github.com/SeedSigner/seedsigner/pull/744

2025-04-16 14:21:38 UTC

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Ha, typo. Obv it was 2,580 miles. But it sure FELT like an order of magnitude more!

2025-04-16 14:11:32 UTC

@nprofile…n07f 's radiation therapy is:
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 100%
🎉🔥❤️🐶
2,5080 miles‼️ 👀 of driving since this ordeal began on March 9th. All the trips back and forth from home to the hospital, to my sister's so she could watch Kuma while I drove back out to coach gymnastics, back to my sister's, back home...
For perspective, Chicago to LA is only 2k miles.
The radiation oncologist took this pic to celebrate completing the 2.5 week treatment!
https://i.nostr.build/oa049WR1cmwIi2cD.jpg
She is completely stoned OUT OF HER MIND from the final round of anesthesia plus the tranquilizers (gabapentin + trazadone). 🤣😵‍💫
The radiation therapy takes a few weeks to start affecting the tumor. The docs are very optimistic that it'll be effective. But still a risk that the tumor keeps growing in the meantime and we run out of time.
If we get through the next 6-8 weeks, we can start feeling more confident about her longer-term prognosis. Being a relatively young dog (7yrs) for having such a tumor, she's a rare candidate for follow-up treatment if things go well for the next 6-12 months.
#dogstr

2025-04-13 19:11:31 UTC

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Good appetite, as always! The prednisone makes her hungrier and her eating schedule had to be shifted to 8am / 8pm to coincide with meds. She had been used to my sched of ~11am / 6pm. So she spends more of her waking hours hungry. ☹️

2025-04-13 16:14:26 UTC

@nprofile…jhyu's radiation therapy is now at:
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜️⬜️ 80%
~1000 miles driven thus far, ~32hrs of Chicago traffic.
Her leg veins weren't having it this week. So instead they put in a central line IV catheter.
https://i.nostr.build/VfMQwuyX5lYhu4UU.jpg
So now I have to flush the catheters 3x a day to make sure no clots develop. It's FREAKY: I have to inject saline STRAIGHT INTO HER JUGULAR!!!! 👀🤢😫
https://i.nostr.build/RlSgZnhHNOFvVd2S.jpg
It's a pretty safe procedure; apparently it would take 1ml+ of air to cause an embolism and I'm fussing to get rid of bubbles that are like 1/1000th that size.
But it's still stressful and gross and kind of disturbing to think about. At least Kuma doesn't seem to care and she's happy to get a treat after!
The hospital staff has been so sweet and continues to be wonderful.
https://i.nostr.build/GjmnLcKnw3xn4ZjV.jpg
https://i.nostr.build/ptMbCnn5CDZcy8Ih.jpg
https://i.nostr.build/K4dDMKHVmR8XMcAP.png
After Tuesday she's done, catheters come out, most of the meds ramp down.

2025-04-08 18:38:28 UTC

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After the turn onto Milwaukee, the rows of storefronts look like they used to be a big shopping district (I was born in the city but really grew up as a suburban kid so never knew the city well). There were some vacancies and just seemed to me like the same inevitable physical retail decline, though not at the totally sad disrepair / crumbling state yet.

2025-04-08 15:07:27 UTC

If you do the math, Google is estimating that I'd be crawling at 11mph for the last half hour of this drive through Chicago rush hour traffic.
https://i.nostr.build/3JPnLr2qd3WCNM8n.png
Spoiler alert: It took LONGER than estimated.

2025-04-07 17:51:56 UTC

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Ya, but I need Chicago weather to cooperate!! It's turned nearly winter-y again!
https://m.primal.net/QHfN.png

2025-04-07 17:45:18 UTC

@nprofile…n07f 's radiation therapy is now at:
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 50%
The goal is to fry the tumor's DNA to kill a lot of it off without doing too much collateral damage to other brain tissue.
https://i.nostr.build/WdRHn1upzcckpU7i.jpg
Each day I have to drive about 125 miles over 7 trips, shuttling back and forth throughout the day. 3.5-4hrs in the car thanks to Chicago traffic 😭🤬. Four days straight last week. Another four days this week. Exhausting.
The first day was the worst for Kuma since she was very heavily sedated (procedure requires full anesthesia each day) and was super groggy the rest of the day. Then at 8pm she has to take tranquilizer pills to pre-load her for the next morning's procedure. So really no chance to get back on solid mental footing.
But they tweaked the sedation level and she came out much more alert the following three days. Feels much better to see her being mostly back to her usual self each afternoon.
I've also been chatting with a lot of the other random pet parents at the #cancer center. The impromptu commiseration really helps. And always wonderful to meet their #doggos!
And of course she's getting lots of treats!
https://i.nostr.build/4ec5UFmWhnvqgyvm.jpg
Look at how clever this girls is! Holding the plastic peanut butter jar between her forelegs!
#dogstr

2025-04-05 22:26:53 UTC

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When I give @nprofile…v07f a bit of salmon, she'll step forward and lick my knee. It's consistent enough that I've taken it to mean, "Thank you!"

2025-03-30 14:54:59 UTC

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Thanks man, we appreciate it!
And I'm really glad you got a chance to meet her whenever that was, two years ago?
https://i.nostr.build/Kjcwo9g4ltGcQGCL.jpg
Thought I'd have another ~6yrs with her. Then out of nowhere it looked like I might've lost her forever without even knowing anything was wrong. But the steroids worked wonders to temporarily ease the pressure on her brain.
Getting her back, however long or brief this reprieve is, is an incredible gift.
If the radiation therapy is successful, the hope is that it buys her another 18-24mo before the tumor takes over. If we did nothing, she'd only have 2-4mo.
Grateful for pet insurance and bitcoin; they made it possible for me to say yes to MRIs and radiation therapy where other families would have had to say goodbye.
Lining up some awesome bucket list experiences for her. Going swimming in the doggy pool today!
https://i.nostr.build/zkm3EwxBDrFEYfzE.jpg

2025-03-30 14:13:42 UTC

Asked @nprofile…n07f 's neurologist for a copy of her MRI. It's crazy how bad the tumor looks.
This is a horizontal slice through the top of her head. You can just see where her eyes are about to come into view at the top of the pic.
https://i.nostr.build/CSUBOCo0DGJMgQTx.png
The tumor is pretty obvious. It's the half golf ball. The neurologist was also concerned that the meninges surrounding her brain on that whole side were also lighting up (white outline on the tumor side but not the other), either due to inflammation or possibly additional tumor spread.
This second view she's lying upside down facing us, we're moving in through her face in vertical slices. The tear drop features at the top are teeth.
https://i.nostr.build/l6ztM8rGuejp3y8o.png
The golf ball is pushing her brain back and to the side. The good news is that the prednisone calmed down the meninges so the main mass looks to be the only thing we need to worry about.
We start radiation therapy tomorrow to try to kill off most of the tumor and hopefully shrink it a bit.
#dogstr #cancer #tumor #mri

2025-03-30 12:53:26 UTC

Super fatigued the last 3 weeks from managing @nprofile…n07f 's health situation and all of her various medical appointments.
Struggling hard to not be a roadblock for ongoing @nprofile…w6hy dev (my brain has been pretty useless; have had very few quality brain hours available for coding).
And it's the middle of our short high school gymnastics season. I'm still useful as a coach but I've gotten out of all my judging commitments. The last couple of years I've been ranked among the best judges in the state and judged our State Finals. But just not sharp enough right now.
BUT... I am still good for a few short physical exertions. Press handstand is shakier than I'd like, but feels good to be able to find the handstand and mostly lock it in.
https://v.nostr.build/n4bLoE9rYDnssCCW.mp4

2025-03-23 20:45:04 UTC

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Ha, that's amazing!

2025-03-23 20:29:15 UTC

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LiveLikeRoo is also sending her a steak dinner next week! And we still have the doggie pool swim and photo shoot coming up.
I'm definitely going to have to send them a donation for all they've done. The more families they can support, the better.

2025-03-23 20:25:27 UTC

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Thank you!
This phase is temporary, but wonderful nonetheless. The prednisone is reducing the pressure on her brain but the tumor is still there and still growing. If we were to do nothing else, her prognosis would only be another ~2-4 months.
Next week we do the prep to start radiation therapy to zap the tumor to hopefully kill some of it and make it shrink a bit. If successful, she might make it out to more like 18-24mo.

2025-03-23 20:10:12 UTC

I have to ration water to @nprofile…n07f every other hour.
Started wondering what all her slurping looks like from the bowl's perspective...
🤣🤣🤣 omg pyrex cam ftw!!
https://v.nostr.build/K2AkaGsgy57vyZRT.mp4
#dogstr #dogs

2025-03-23 19:52:16 UTC

Oh my! My ridiculous, wonderful troublemaker @nprofile…n07f !
https://i.nostr.build/ypK9XRM9tJT1qzQo.jpg
While in a brief respite from her brain tumor troubles, the prednisone is making her hungrier and thirstier than usual. And so, in a good kind of sign I guess, she's getting back to her old mischievous ways!
She thought it would be a good idea to tear into a bag of flour.
https://i.nostr.build/TwyohyTECPIFacgt.jpg
I joked that she was just cosplaying as my sister's cattle dog!
https://i.nostr.build/WhxqEusBcP3Q1CHT.jpg
https://i.nostr.build/WBGyQqzC2tgnRLqI.jpg
All things considered, it's a hilarious bit of good chaos. Kuma is fine, didn't ingest anything bad or have any digestion issues. Grateful to have another, "guys, remember when...?!" Kuma story in the family.
#dogstr #dogs

2025-03-20 17:42:53 UTC

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@nprofile…n07f update: All things considered, she's doing EXTREMELY WELL!!! ❤️❤️❤️
https://i.nostr.build/LaKmytjLcNPjcV9H.jpg
Over about four days she steadily got her conscious mind back. Lots of eye contact, happy tail, fully interacting with us, regained bladder control (👀), holding toys in her mouth, and just being her loving, joyous self again.
https://v.nostr.build/wmw29S64QttU2c9g.mp4
I was desperately hoping for this. When she was in mindless robot dog mode, it was horrible to think that the real Kuma might be lost to us forever.
It's just a momentary reprieve but at least we have her truly back for at least a little while. Getting the chance to really appreciate her is such a gift. Every moment beyond this point is a bonus win.
https://i.nostr.build/4RHsfaRtAi5sY3JN.jpg
Her very positive response to the prednisone has given the neurologist and radiation therapist enough optimism that we all agree it makes sense to go ahead with radiation therapy.
A directed beam zaps the tumor and hopefully kills a big chunk of it to buy her more time. Successful treatment yields prognosis estimates from 6-18mo to 18-24mo (depends on the tumor type, which we don't actually know).
But it can't get all of the tumor so eventually it re-establishes itself.
It's NOT a cure but getting that much extra time with her would be the best possible outcome given the bad cards we've been dealt.
https://i.nostr.build/VxhYCJ5VZnFYXIbn.jpg
Next steps: Another expensive MRI+CT scan next week to plan for the even more expensive radiation therapy (so far her pet insurance is coming through for us. 🤞). Then it's 10 anesthesia+radiation zap sessions over 2.5wks.
Success obv isn't guaranteed. We'll have a sense if it was effective about 8wks later. But unfortunately many dogs succumb to their tumors before that point is reached; time just runs out on them. But we're happy to give her that fighting chance.
https://i.nostr.build/1WDIGxOUoNOc4SPC.jpg
❤️❤️ Also: ❤️❤️ The pics here all feature gifts she received as part of a cancer care box from LiveLikeRoo.org - the stuffed animals, the blanket, the treats, a ball, a gift certificate, and a (😢) bucket list of fun activity suggestions.
Incredible, wonderful organization that's dedicated to helping families whose pets have cancer. Very niche and, yes, there are certainly bigger tragedies out there, but their warmth right now is an incredible boon.
They're also facilitating some local experiences for us (doggy photo shoot; an indoor pool just for dogs! etc).
I'll be sharing more about them in the future.
#dogstr
#nevent1q…9a79

2025-03-13 16:49:02 UTC

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Evan's story and presence is incredible. Absolutely go to this if you can.