January 21st, 2025
Teach me to "Newsletter"?
NEWS
Trump announces 500B$ in AI infrastructure investments, private sector. See more at CNBC.
Executive Actions: Prez Trump signed numerous executive orders and initiated the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization and Paris Climate Treaty.
Pardons Issued: In his first day back in office, President Trump granted pardons to a mass conglomerate of dudes convicted of crimes related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
South Korean President Arrested: South Korean investigators arrested impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over insurrection allegations a few days ago. Having personally lived in South Korea for a time, this is…big yikes.
Marburg Virus Outbreak in Tanzania: The World Health Organization reports a suspected outbreak of the Marburg virus in Tanzania, resulting in eight deaths. What is the “Marburg Virus” you ask? I have no idea. Literally no clue.
U.S. TikTok Ban Suspended: President Trump issued an executive order to suspend the U.S. TikTok ban, though its permanence remains uncertain. Looks like all you creators out there still have time to figure your lives out.
Ohio State Wins College Football Championship: Ohio State defeated Notre Dame 34-23 to clinch the college football championship. I don’t really care about football at all but, you can use that information to try to identify with your male co-workers and make conversation.
Gulf of Mexico may be re-named the “Gulf of America” …. nice.
MONEY
• S&P 500: The Index ticked up a TAD bit, about 0.9%
• Dow Jones Industrial Average: My guy Dow Jones is showing about a 1.2% increase.
• Amazon, Nvidia, tick upwards, and Apple (sOn of A!) is down 4%
Netflix shot UP about 13%.
Market Influences
• Presidential Actions are affecting things- but it doesn’t seem like anything mass frenzy-like : Prez Trump signed executive orders overhauling border, energy, and diversity policies. He held off on immediately introducing new tariffs but announced plans for tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports starting February 1. Allegedly.
• Corporate Earnings: Investors are anticipating earnings reports this week, with Netflix and United Airlines among the companies scheduled to release their results.
I did not buy anything today, waiting to see how things settle out.
If I were to do anything, I’d likely just buy a share or two of VOO. Boring. I know. But most things did not beat the S&P last year.
I like VONG, VUG, and VOOG (growth ETF’s) for this coming year for a variety of reasons we can get into more next time.
LISTEN UP!
Podcasting is my favorite.
“The Startup Ideas Podcast” Episode 193, Jan 20th - “This AI Writing Hack Made Him Millions
- This is one that I appreciated and enjoyed as a writer. While AI is a hot topic, Nicolas Cole does a great job of walking us through how to use it as a tool- not a replacement for great creative BS that we spew all over the world.
“Money Wise” Ep 30, Dec 10th 2024. “Re-Run: Why someone worth 150m liquid only spends 5k monthly”
- I listened to Sam interview this guy for a second time, and I have to say- it’s fascinating as heeeell.
BUSINESS & WRITING
As I navigate this whole new world of news lettering to you 2 individual people (hi wife!), I’m attempting to leverage all the technology I can to make this venture doable in my own life.
Publishing daily or even weekly, can be a big pain in the ass for people with regular day jobs. Lives. Better things to do.
So in the meantime, I am looking for ways to not only write about shit I already think about and do all the time anyway - but also leverage things like platform choice, and mobile creation.
Hopefully, my brain resonates with your brain and all of that stuffs.
I’ll keep you posted and let you know when I’m inevitably over it. Right now, I can generate a post like the one you’re reading now as in time now right now - in about 45 minutes. No one has that kind of time. I need to figure out how to get this done and not hate it, as much as I hate all of you. :)
THE GOOD STUFF
Trash TV
My wife and I watched the Pilot Episode of ABC’s “High Potential” - it’s available on Hulu as well. I’m not totally sold- but it reminds me of a classic hard boiled who dun it with a twist. This gurl has an IQ of like a bazillion. Casting seemed to go well.
*UPDATE* - it was slightly average to slightly below average. I want to turn on SHARK TANK instead. (I’m in the middle of Season 7 again. Glorious.)
What’s for dinner?
Tonight my wife is making loaded potato soup and homemade focaccia bread. It’s cold outside and it might snow. Sooo, here ya go.
Loaded Potato Soup Recipe that I found on the internet and likely not what she is actually making but I didn’t feel like asking for the actual thing and no one is going to read this.
Ingredientz
• 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 4 slices of bacon, chopped
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional toppings: Chopped green onions, extra shredded cheese, crumbled bacon
Instructionalz:
1. Cook the bacon dawg: In a large pot, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside on a paper towel.
2. Sautéy aromatics: In the same pot, sauté the onion and garlic in the bacon grease until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Make a rouxy (a roux? roo?): Push the onions to the side of the pot, add butter, and melt it. Sprinkle in the flour and stir constantly to make a paste. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
4. Add liquidity: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, milk, and heavy cream. Stir until smooth and slightly thickened.
5. Cook damn potatoes: Add the diced potatoes to the pot and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender.
6. Blend the soup (optional): For a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to blend some of the soup, or mash some potatoes with a fork.
7. Add cheese and sour cream: Stir in the shredded cheese and sour cream until melted and fully incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve and garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with crispy bacon, extra cheese, green onions, or your favorite toppings.
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Always,
-Unprofessional