NFT's - Have You Heard About Them?

It's Friday, and a day off for me, so I have computer stuff to do (lots of it), banking and tax stuff to do (lots of it) and a quick run to the grocery store. I also have a chat with Aearwen today instead of our usual Wednesday because ... well, Wednesday with the dryer mess-up and all that entailed was too much of a mess to allow for me to chat. So we're picking up 48 hours later instead. All's good. 

I'm busy looking at new dryers. I have a specific size that it 
can't exceed in order for it to fit into the space we have, but 
so far that shouldn't be a problem. I'd love to get in for under 
$800, but I'm also checking my bank balance to be sure 
I can afford that. Not really making me happy. 

Because I have a ton of computer work that has to be done before our tax appointment on Wednesday, I'm not going to have lots to say today. I know ... you're probably breathing a sigh of relief. LOL

NFT's are a way to own digital items - art, scripts, 
music, etc. I think we've come a long way from 
the days of exchanging a cow for a handful of beans. 

The buzz in the investment world is something called an NFT "Nonfungible Tokens". The term always has me smiling a little bit as I envision a small patch of mushrooms. I ascribe that vision to the Shire and blame Tolkien, but truly, NFT's seem a bit of a fairy-tale themselves. Basically, to quote the New York Times...

An NFT is an asset verified using blockchain technology, in which a network of computers records transactions and gives buyers proof of authenticity and ownership. The current boom is mostly for digital assets, including images, GIFs, songs or videos. Most importantly, NFTs make digital artworks unique, and therefore sellable.

So, clear as mud? Bitcoins already confused me because of their value and the fact that no actual token of value changes hands - no cash, no credit card, just a bleep from one account to another. Now we're selling specific items that aren't physical, and they're apparently worth a lot! 

Want to know what was worth $69.3 million? 
Here's a detail from Beeple's "Everydays -
The First 5000 Days" digital artwork. I'm not 
going to deny the artistry, and I have no idea 
how large/expansive the actual piece is 
(this is a detail), but $69.3 million? Really? 

Beeple's (yes, that's the artist's name aka Mike Winkelmann) digital artwork, "Everydays - The First 5000 Days" just sold for $69.3 million. Obviously we're all in the wrong field of work. I can't even wrap my head around this. I recommend the NYT article (just follow the link). It may not help you understand this latest investment craze, but they explain it far better than I can. 

I don't want the drafty caves and the animal skin clothing, but 
I wouldn't mind a step back into a simpler time either. Things 
are moving so fast now, I'm starting to feel ancient! 

Can we return to the era of cavemen and hunting with spears and fire? Please? It would be so very much simpler in so many ways. But, until we are able to do that, I'll just write in my blog, remain amazed at the world around me, and enjoy catching up with my virtual friends around the world. Have an excellent day. Stay safe, be kind and please wear your mask. I'll be back tomorrow. 

Technology, Finance and a Day Off - How Things Can Combine In My Life

"Franken-Smaug" is getting more and more cranky - harder and harder to start up every morning. My new computer is on its way, and even though I'm dreading the horrid "transfer of data" from one machine to the other, I'll be grateful to get it done and handled. I'll probably grab an ethernet cord from the shop to facilitate transfer since I do have a docking station coming with the new laptop which should have an appropriate plug interface. The new ultra-thin laptops, like the one I purchased, only have USB-C plugs, and sometimes a USB-A and a mini card slot. I honestly don't remember what plugs my new computer has - with the docking station I can make any of them work. 

I'll be so happy when I finally have my new laptop 
in hand. Poor Franken-Smaug just wants to lie down 
for a long, long rest. I don't know if it's the 
motherboard or just the contacts of the power 
button, but he's very unhappy. 

I spent an hour scanning the bank statements last night and getting them sent to my loan officer. It took three emails to get them to her in-box which has a limit of 10 attachments. One of my friends queried "why don't they just check your statements for themselves? They're the bank, after all?" Good question, and one I had also asked. Apparently, it's illegal for anyone to have access to my bank statements outside of a very restricted group of people. We were missing one month's worth of statements during COVID, and the bank supplied copies to us, but that's as much as they're allowed to do. So now you know. 

It's not my first new computer and transfer of data from 
one to another, but it's always fraught with disaster peeking 
from every corner. I'm hoping for a smooth transfer, but 
I'll be moving from a Windows 8 system to a Windows 10 
system and there are bound to be glitches. 

DH is already up (it's 6:00 am). This is not his norm. This is my quiet time, and I'm not super happy sharing the computer room with him, even though he's quiet and playing "Lord of the Rings Online". He can't exist without the television, so instead of my quiet, the television is on with the financial channel spouting their thoughts on what's happened overnight in the nation and world. It's fairly easy to ignore, but I'm going to cut this short, take the trash out to the curb, and make my breakfast. Today will be a knitting day (my other sleeve is on my agenda) so I'll have lots of time to decompress after my morning errands. 

DH is excellent with financial stuff, where I get 
confused and rather frustrated. I've learned a lot 
over the years watching the markets and listening 
to them all day, but I'm no expert. He, on the other 
hand, can hold his own. 

Have a wonderful Wednesday. Stay safe, be kind and please wear your mask. I'll be back tomorrow. 

Mercury Retrograde - We're Old Fashioned and That's Not All Bad

Today, Mercury is retrograde, and remains that way until Election Day. Ooof! It's not something unheard of, it happens three times a year. But this time we're also starting out with Mars retrograde as well. That, plus the fact that it will end with Mercury in Gemini, adding unforeseen mishaps, seems par for our course these days. But, as one report I read states, retrogrades are good for the three R's - Review, Reflect and Reassess, which is something we all benefit from. Also, apparently on Election Day, Mercury will be in Libra, and having those balancing scales will push for balance and fair mindedness. 

Mercury Retrograde offers a lot of opportunities to 
look at your life and change parts you think need to 
be altered. It's a chance to effect change. I suspect 
that by voting, we're also trying to accomplish 
change, so having Mercury Retrograde until 
the Election seems somewhat apt. 

The last time we had a Zodiacal read like this was in the 2000 election, when Al Gore won by votes, but George Bush took office. I'm hoping we won't have a repeat, but in this year of discontent, COVID, and battles over ballots and voting procedures, anything is possible. All I can say is I trust in our resilience as a people, and as a nation. I have to have faith in something, so it might as well be that. 

I'm not much of a believer in Astrology, never had a 
time of birth to be able to use for my own star charts. 
But I've followed it on and off for most of my life 
because it's fun, and the stars and planets are beautiful. 
It's no wonder our ancient ancestors came up with 
astrology when faced with the beauty and vastness 
of the Milky Way. 

Chickie and Chickie Mama are refinancing their home, getting a much better interest rate and in the long run it will save them some good money. But, it's a bit of a pain because I have to fill out various forms for their new mortgage and of course, the bank wanted everything immediately. Immediately doesn't enter my wheelhouse. They sent me an email on Friday, I responded saying they'll probably have everything by Wednesday the 14th. They phoned me at the shop yesterday, and I told them the exact same thing. I'm not rushing this. I'll probably be able to scan things in tonight and send them along, but no ... not busting my butt for this. 

I'll get the information to them, but their problem is that 
we keep our records hand-written - very low tech. That's 
too bad. I'm not going to change a system that works 
just to make a bank I'm not doing business with happy. 
My own bank and accountant have no problem with 
how we keep our records. 

Apparently the problem is that we don't use a payroll service for Chickie's paychecks, so her pay stubs don't have YTD numbers on them. Well, no. I'm a great believer in "If it's not broken, don't fix it", and even when I had several employees, hand typing their paychecks was just fine. We keep hand-written ledgers, we don't have our financial records on any computers, and we do things by hand - the old fashioned way. It works just fine for us. 

I'm a busy bee, aren't you? Of course you are! 
All of us have things on our daily agendas, and 
we do things as they crop up, to the best of our 
ability. That's how it should be. Have a 
wonderful and busy day. 

When I had my Mall of America shop, I did the payroll in Quick Books so that I could issue the checks easily, but I had a larger staff and more junk to keep track of. Once I closed my other stores, we were able to go back to the "old way" and it works just fine. I guess I'm just old fashioned that way, but I'm OK with the way I handle my business.  On that note, I'm out of here. Have an excellent Tuesday, be kind, stay safe and please wear your mask. I'll be back tomorrow. 

Dancing - Exercise and Joy

With perfect timing, my new leotard, tights and dance shoes arrived via Amazon yesterday at the shop. I've already pulled them into the laundry and they're drying on hangers right now. I found my weight-lifting gloves, so my hands won't slip off the barre like last week, and my new portable DVD player is charged up and working. I think I'm ready to tackle my Fluidity workout once again. It's my hope that I do a bit better with the exercises today than I did last week, having had some experience with the program and the equipment. If I do, then I can start working it into my morning routine 3-4 times a week which will make me very happy. 

My old leotard was toast, so I ordered a new
short-sleeved leotard and tights similar to
this, but in a deep wine color. I also bought a
set of full soled dance shoes. That should let
me move freely during exercise, but not slip
on the mat. My weight lifting gloves of
old will keep my sweaty hands from slipping
on the barre. 

My trip to see my podiatrist yesterday was very successful. I'm cleared to go for any activity, only ordered to pull back if I feel any pain. That includes pointing and flexing my foot in dance moves, so I'm very pleased. Again ... we'll see how I do in today's barre workout - LOL. 

I'm absolutely relieved that the County Small Business Relief
Fund application was accepted and that we'll get funding
through it. I'll breathe a bit easier when the funds are in
my bank account. 

On another front, also good news. My store has been awarded one of the County Small Business Relief Fund grants. It's for $10,000. I'll read through the documents carefully today and scan, e-sign, and submit the final bits they are asking for tonight, and then we'll be set. I'll breathe a bit of a sigh of relief once the funds are in my account. It's been really hard, opening again. I'm relieved that we're open and we are bringing in some customers, but our sales volumes are down more than 50% pre-COVID dollars and we can't survive on that for long. This grant will give us a bit more time and that's a true blessing. 

On that note, I'm hungry. I'm going to go upstairs, make my morning oatmeal and tea, and start my day. Since DH harvested another pint of fresh raspberries yesterday, I might treat myself to some of the berries on my oatmeal. Heaven ... whoot!!!! Have a truly wonderful day, enjoy one thing to the maximum today, and be kind. I'll be back tomorrow. 

Summer is Here in the Frozen Northlands

Memorial Day has passed, Summer is officially started in the Frozen Northlands, and it's cold-ish, rainy, and semi-shut down due to Covid-19, so ... the new normal. Today DH will be wrangling with the instructions and worksheets for our PPP repayment. If we can fill it out properly, we'll owe interest on the amount we borrowed, but no principal. If we fill it in incorrectly, or if the premise of what we had originally filled out was incorrect, we may owe more than that. I don't regret having tried for the PPP loan, it was the only thing that allowed us to reopen a week ago with everything still in place, including employees. The paperwork for the repayment, however, is a nightmare and DH already has enough grey hair. 

DH has been tearing his hair out (not literally)
trying to fill out the paperwork for the
PPP loan repayment forms. They're a mess!

The two-day weekend was a delight, though. The weather was perfect on Sunday, and we spent hours outdoors enjoying it. On Monday the weather was a bit less pleasant, but still nice enough to go outside for a while, and DH grilled dinner outside - very good! So, here in the Frozen Northlands, Summer is officially here. I know there is such a thing as a calendar, but here, Summer extends from Memorial Day until Labor Day. 

I generally enjoy summer, although the heat waves can be
rather beastly. Still, it's really nice to put the snow blower
and shovels away until after Halloween. 

My friend Sharon wrote a marvelous poem about how we'll all be missing the State Fair this year. I'll ask her permission and if she allows, I'll post it to my blog this week. It was a wonderful read. 

So, on that note, I'm off to grab my breakfast and head off to the shop. It may not be exciting, but that's OK. It's nice to be back to a schedule, even if I am still walking with crutches most of the time. Have an excellent Tuesday and I'll be back tomorrow. 

The Roller Coaster of our Lives (Project Runway Tomorrow)

No Project Runway photos yet, so I'll post the results tomorrow. 

DH is horribly depressed - the financial markets are tanking in the wake of COVID-19 - he can't pull himself away from the financial markets on television, although they are awash in a sea of red. I guess I'm the opposite of him - I haven't checked my accounts at all. The last time I checked, about a week ago or so, I had lost a chunk of value in my accessible account, the one I started with my inheritance money after Mom died, and I haven't checked my IRA retirement account yet. Still, even though we're bleeding money, there's really not a lot we can do at this point except strap in for the ride. 

We're on a roller coaster ride right now. We're strapped in and
have no real control over where we are going, just know were're
eventually going to end up back at the beginning with shaky legs
and the experience of a lifetime. Hang on for the ride! 

Of course, I have to think back to my parents and grandparent's generations and the world financial collapse of the late 1920's into the Great Depression of the 1930's. Those were hard times - people papering their walls with money that had suddenly become worthless. A wheelbarrow of money would buy a loaf of bread. We're not at that point now, and we're in much better shape than many - we own our house, we have money in the bank, and we really don't need to pay for much. We're lucky. Still, it's a worry at the back of the mind. 

These are scary times. Combine COVID-19 with the collapse of the
financial markets and the recipe for disaster has been put together.
The misinformation being distributed, and the lack of the Federal
government to get their act together might spell the end of Trump.
I guess we'll see come November, but right now it's a cluster-___k. 

So as we all hunker down and try to avoid public contact, I'm grateful for electronic contact. If we had to self-isolate completely, I suspect I'd go crazy. I'm still going to the gym (at least until they decide that attendance is too dangerous), and swimming is excellent - the chlorine in the water is there to kill germs. Voila! I'm swimming today and tomorrow - LOL (of course, Friday and Saturday in the water is my normal schedule). 

Disney has closed the Orlando, Florida and the Anaheim, California
parks in the USA, as well as their Paris park. I think they were also
considering closing their Shanghai park and their Cruise line. The
closures are short-term - initially for the long weekend, but I think they'll
be closed for longer than three days. 

So stay safe. When Disney closes its parks, you know there's something serious going on, so just be careful, sanitize regularly, and don't panic. It won't be easy, but we'll all get through this, with a little help from our cyber-friends. Have a wonderful Friday and with luck my Project Runway review will be able to post tomorrow.