Latest Health News & Other Items

  I saw an opthamologist a short while back. My prescription has changed slightly since my eye exam about a year ago. I don't need to upgrade my glasses just yet but I might upgrade my prescription sunglasses prior to Gen Con. Both eyes are exhibiting the early stages of cataract development. This could mean cataract surgery in about 10 to 15 years. The opthamologist also noticed that I had a weirdly twisted artery near the optic nerve of my left eye and recommended that I see a retinologist. After dilating my eyes and taking some scans and pictures, the retinologist said that it was a vascular loop and, other than looking weird, was nothing to worry about.
  My tumor markers came back negative for the third time in a row. The CT scan of my pelvic and abdominal regions showed that my organs are functioning properly. Things are looking bright on the health front.
  Plans for this year's Gen Con are proceeding better than expected. I've been making large payments on my credit card while putting as little as possible on it. I have more than enough room on it to cover my hotel bill and gas. Between my Simple and Serve accounts, I have a little over $1,000.00 put aside to buy stuff at the convention and eat. I'm going to try to add another $200.00 to the total before August. I want to get some of the Doctor books Cubicle 7 is publishing for the Doctor Who RPG plus get a copy of the revised The One Ring rule book and Bree supplement. I'm also going to see if anyone is selling the gargantuan Orcus miniature my friend TJ told me about. It will go nicely with my gargantuan blue and black dragon, colossal red dragon, balrog and Great Cthulhu miniatures.
  I've recently purchased a lifetime VPN (virtual private network) subscription from VPN Unlimited. I found out from the iDrop newsletter that they were offering these subscriptions for a limited time at 92% below the normal price. The offer was too good to pass up. PC Magazine gave VPN Unlimited 4.5 out of 5 stars. I'm including some VPN related YouTube videos to provide you with further information.

Apple vs. the FBI

  There has been an ongoing court battle between Apple and the FBI regarding San Bernadino shooter, Syed Rizwan Farook's iPhone. The FBI wants access to the iPhone's contents but can't get it due to the encryption software embedded in the iOS. Ten wrong password entries and the contents of the phone will be erased. Thus the FBI has been pressuring Apple to create a workaround or backdoor in order to bypass the iPhone's security features. Apple refuses to do this because they say it would compromise the security of their customers' iPhones and iPads. The FBI has also threatened to compel Apple to hand over its iOS source code and signature so they can create their own security compromised iOS software.
  I agree with Apple on this issue. The government has demonstrated an almost obsessive desire to collect information and they hate any form of encryption they can't crack like PGP (Pretty Good Privacy). A recent Journal Times article cites examples of how the government, when granted extended powers, can quickly use those powers to trample upon our basic rights. The government wants the inch so they can eventually take the mile.