Last month one night, someone was pouring salt at the base of a tree. That kills the roots, in a similar way that tasting too much salt can burn the tongue, so I asked what they were doing... They were a bit stunned anyone bothered to ask, and they said many different things to avoid the question and try and get me to leave.

1/2 #CambridgeMA

not entirely surprised but also sad that the #CambridgeMA #Boston fast #vegan/#vegetarian #restaurant chain #Clover is going under (is that enough hashtags?). Last day is tomorrow from what I've seen

Did a little walk from Central Square over the Harvard Bridge, down Commonwealth Ave under the trees through the Garden, over to Charles St in Beacon Hill then caught the T at MGH back to Central.

It’s a nice day out.

#Boston #CambridgeMA

In #CambridgeMA, someone set out some free computer programming and CS books today, including a few "bibles".

It's beside the Broadway sidewalk, in front of Joan Lorentz Park and the main public library.

I grabbed two #Rust books and CLR 3e, temporarily. Let me know if you want to pick them up after I reread.

(Blandy 2e is good, and I already own it as an ebook, but a paper reread is nice sometimes too.)

(But that coding interview book is one of the most awful books ever published.)

2026 Call for Proposals is LIVE: https://bsidescambridgema.org/call-for-proposals-2026/

Submission deadline: July 20, 2026

True to form, we are still not interested in profiteering or enclosure.

Come talk to your people about what it means to be people in this strange world.

#infosec #cybersecurity #cambridgeMA #somervilleMA #bsides

Call for Proposals 2026 – BSides CambridgeMA

What's up freaks? (affectionate)

We're back for another year!

BSides CambridgeMA 2026
Sunday, October 25, 2026 | 0830 - 1330
The Center for Arts at the Armory
191 Highland Avenue, Somerville MA

#infosec #cybersecurity #cambridgeMA #somervilleMA #bsides

Our dishwasher (a Kenmore Elite circa 2010) accumulates a lot of scale, which I have never been able to to clean effectively. I scrub the filter every few weeks, but there is so much silt in the filter & drain zone that I can't easily reach, so it immediately re-coats the filter. I'm amazed it drains at all, and that our dishes and glassware seem to come out clean! Although we do pre-wash everything that goes in.

White vinegar (and a lot of elbow grease) works best to clean the filter itself. Will it work to run the washer with white vinegar? I'm afraid that would damage the already-old gaskets. Is there a more reliable & safe approach?

Many #CambridgeMA residents and businesses blame the municipal water for ruining appliances. Hardness is around 70 ppm Ca & Mg, which I believe makes it slightly to moderately hard. (I know I should flush our hot water heater tank more often.)

#HomeRepair #appliances #WaterChemistry

"To escape criticism: do nothing, say nothing, be nothing." - Elbert Hubbard #Cambridge #Massachusetts #CambridgeMA #QuoteOfTheDay #MemorialDayWeekend #SaturdayMorning