Sunday Stories

Ok, friends. Let's try something new.

Each Sunday, I am going to use this little piece of online real estate to offer up some short items that have caught my eye. They might be funny or serious, useful or just a guilty pleasure. Hope you enjoy!

USB? That's Where They Fight, Right?

Job posting: Cybersecurity Minister.

Qualifications: Smart, experienced, technologically savvy, has used a computer.

Location: Japan.

Meet 68-year old Yoshitaka Sakurada. He's Japan's new Cybersecurity Minister and he is about as qualified for his job as I am to perform open-heart surgery. I take that back. I've at least used a heart.

We learned this week that the man in charge securing the 2020 Tokyo Olympics from cyber attacks has never used a computer in his professional life. There must be a good explanation:

Since I was 25 years old and independent I have instructed my staff and secretaries. I have never used a computer.

Well, that wasn't it.

When a lawmaker asked whether USB drives can be used at nuclear power plants, Sakurada redirected the question to other “experts,” as he did not “know details well.”

Somewhere in Russia, hundreds of hackers just smiled.

Every Vote Counts

We say it often, but it remains true. Whether it's the recounts in Florida, the spoiler-avoiding ranked choice voting in Maine, or absentee and provisional ballots, each vote matters.

In Kentucky, various state House races were decided by just a few votes, including Democrat Jim Glenn's one-vote victory. Fellow Democrats Kathy Hinkle and Cluster Howard won by five and seven votes, respectively. Republican Republican Nancy Tate won her race by six.

And in Buckhorn, a coin flip allowed alcohol to be sold at a state park after an election there ended in a tie. It was at least the third time this year a coin flip had to decide a tied Kentucky election.

Coin flips? Well, I suppose it's better than other solutions we've seen.

Thanksgiving Pie, FTW!

Are you Team Pumpkin or Team Sweet Potato?

I admit to being a card carrying member of both. Is that allowed? I mean, it's more pie, so how can that be bad? Well, this Thanksgiving, I recommend adding a third: Matcha Custard Pie.

I know some people aren't a fan of the green stuff. I can't get enough of it, in pretty much any form. But I had no idea matcha custard pie was a thing until I visited one of the best pie spots in NYC, Four and Twenty Blackbirds. It's amazing. As are pretty much all the pies there.

Good news item #1: You can order Thanksgiving pies from them online. Good news item #2: I found their recipe for the matcha custard pie. Enjoy! And save me a piece, please. #TeamMatcha

Nature Porn

Need a way to unwind after our increasingly stressful days? I recommend scrolling through the fantastic Nature is Amazing Twitter feed. You will thank me.

What caught your eye this week? Let me know in the comments and thanks, as always, for reading.

#30DayWritingContest

(Pie photo: Paola + Murray)