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Archives
Author Archives: steve
My AI Assistant Has Changed My Life. And it was easy to set up.
A few weeks ago, I set up something that’s quietly changed how I work: a personal AI assistant that runs 24/7 on a small cloud server, remembers everything we’ve discussed, and helps me with projects that span days or weeks. … Continue reading
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Wispr Flow
This is a plug, and I’m sharing a referral link, but you will thank me for it. I have used a lot of apps in my time, and I regularly use AI, but there is one simple app that has … Continue reading
Posted in Books and Writing, Technology
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West Coast Cruise
In October 2025 we took a spur of the moment cruise from Vancouver down to San Diego and back. Since a lot of Canadians are not visiting the US these days it was a good deal. It was the first … Continue reading
Posted in California, Canada, Linda
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Okanagan Valley
Ever since Linda and I discovered wines in the early 1980s, we’ve been passionate about visiting wineries. With our move to Vancouver, BC of course we wanted to explore Bc’s prime wine region of the Okanagan Valley. Our trip was … Continue reading
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Vancouver Michelin Restaurants
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Linda Gets Her Wikipedia Page
I’m please to see that Wikipedia finally has a page devoted to Linda. It’s about time! As WED’s first female engineer she was really a trailblazer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linda_McBride_Alcorn She recently contributed a chapter on her early experiences at WED to my … Continue reading
Posted in Linda, Theme Parks
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Why I Replaced Business Cards with a V1CE Card—And Never Looked Back
If you’ve ever handed someone a paper business card and watched it disappear into their bag (or the recycling bin), you’ll understand why I was looking for a better way to connect. That’s when I discovered the V1CE digital business … Continue reading
Posted in Technology
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Make the IONIQ 5 Perfect!
As I mentioned in a previous post, after driving Teslas for twelve years I’ve upgraded to the Hyundai IONIQ 5, a far superior car. But there are a few things Tesla got right that Hyundai should copy. And fortunately they’re … Continue reading
Posted in Lifestyle, Technology
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Tesla is Toast
You may have seen that Tesla sales in Europe are down 45%, and the US stock is down 8% so far this year. It’s easy to blame these numbers on the fact that most Tesla buyers are exactly the opposite … Continue reading
Posted in Lifestyle, Technology
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Victoria, B.C.
Have I mentioned we’re moving to Canada? The combination of our daughter and her wife living in Vancouver, the politics of the US, and the heat and humidity of Florida have all combined to prod us to make some big … Continue reading
Eclipse 2024
We planned a year in advance for the April 8, 2024 eclipse, with flight reservations and hotel bookings in Austin, Texas, since it was one of the longest duration points. We flew in from Orlando, and Dani and Trish flew … Continue reading
Posted in Arkansas, Dani, Linda, Technology, Travel
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New Zealand
After cancelling several trips to New Zealand over the past few years, Linda finally got her chance to visit on a cruise aboard the Regent Seven Seas Explorer. I had been to New Zealand on a Tauck tour about ten … Continue reading
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Roadtrip: Chicago to Orlando 2023
With Dani and Trish moving to Vancouver, we decided to sell our condo in Chicago. So Linda and I flew to Chicago to cat sit while the girls explored Vancouver for a week, then we loaded up a rental minivan … Continue reading
Europe 2023
For our first post-pandemic trip out of the country, we decided to book a Tauck river cruise on the Danube. It would allow us to visit several cities and countries we hadn’t been to before. To allow us time to … Continue reading
LA to Chicago Road Trip
In June 2022 Dani and I flew to LA and rented and SUV to bring some keepsakes from Grandma Marjorie’s house back to Chicago. We wanted to take our time and visit interesting attractions over a two-week drive. The original … Continue reading
Posted in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Los Angeles, New Mexico, Travel
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AMI Zoom Wine Group Graduation
An In-Person Tasting of Old and Rare Wines # Vintage Wine Locale Value Rating Bordeaux 1 2010 Château Pontet-Canet France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac $224 95 2 2005 Château Lascombes France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux $101 92 3 1995 Dominus Estate Napanook … Continue reading
Posted in Alcorn McBride, Wine
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Alcorn McBride Crossword Puzzle
I made a puzzle!
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Zoom Wine Tasting Videos
(I only recorded sessions where someone couldn’t attend, so this is only about half of them.) 11/2/2020 Vistamar and Crown Point 11/16/2020 McManus and Roblar Petite Sirahs 11/18/2020 Evans Ranch Pinot Noir 2005 and Crozes-Hermitage 2/1/2021 Beckmen and Mollydooker 2/24/2021 … Continue reading
Posted in Alcorn McBride, Wine
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Online Wine Tasting – Monday Part 6
Mondays, beginning September 20 (except October 11) at 6:30pm AaronAlanDaniHunter & KaylaJim & KathyLoren & LarryLorraineMartinMichael & AuroraMike & SusanMindy & NicSteve I’ve tried to arrange the wines so that they become increasingly complex and full-bodied. Please put the week’s … Continue reading
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Road Trip: Pacific Northwest
This was a delightful 12-day trip around Washington State and part of Oregon. Dani and I initially planned it, but I was able to talk Linda into going, too. It was so much fun to have the whole family traveling … Continue reading
Posted in Dani, Dining, Family, Linda, Oregon, Theme Parks, Travel, Washington State
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Road Trip: Orlando to Chicago
In June of 2021 I sold the Lexus Ls460L to Dani and we took a road trip to transfer the car from Orlando to Chicago. It was our first trip since the Pandemic began in March 2020, so we started … Continue reading
Online Wine Tasting – Wednesday Part 6
AaronAlanAlex & LorettaDani & TrishHunter & KaylaLianaLoren & LarryMartinMike & SusanRachel & ChristinaScottSteve I’ve tried to arrange the wines so that they become increasingly complex and full-bodied. Please put the week’s white in your fridge at least 24 hours in … Continue reading
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Online Wine Tasting – Monday Part 5
An eclectic selection of worldwide regions and varietals for the adventurous palate. AlanDani & TrishJim & KathyHunter & KaylaJoeLianaLoren & LarryMartinMindy & NickMike & SusanRachel & ChristinaSteve May 10 Stolpman Vineyards Roussanne 14.99 https://casemates.com/deals/stolpman-vineyards-roussanne May 17 Paolo Scavino Sorriso 13.04 … Continue reading
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Home Meal Kits
During the pandemic rather than visit restaurants, I subscribed to six different meal preparation kits. I enjoyed each, and each had their own strengths. Here is how they compare. Blue Apron is the first kit we tried. Limited customization … Continue reading
Posted in Cooking
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Online Wine Tasting – Wednesday Part 5
AaronAlanAlexDaniJimHunterJoeLianaLorenMikeScottSteve I’ve tried to arrange the wines so that they become increasingly complex and full-bodied. Please put the week’s white in your fridge at least 24 hours in advance. I suggest opening the reds at noon and pouring a glass … Continue reading
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Online Wine Tasting – Monday Part 4 – Steele
This is a chance to try all the common (and some uncommon) varietals from a single producer who makes excellent wines with a light touch, so the varietal characteristics will come through very clearly. Retail on these wines was $238. … Continue reading
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Linda McBride Alcorn Named TEA Master
The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) – the global, nonprofit membership association for the creators of compelling places and experiences – has announced the slate of TEA Masters honorees for 2020. The TEA Masters program celebrates masters of their craft in the … Continue reading
Posted in Linda, Technology, Theme Parks
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Online Wine Tasting – Wednesday Part 4
AaronAlanAlexDaniJimHunterJoeLianaLorenMikeScottSteve I’ve tried to arrange the wines so that they become increasingly complex and full-bodied. Please put the week’s white in your fridge at least 24 hours in advance. I suggest opening the reds at noon and pouring a glass … Continue reading
Posted in Wine
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Online Wine Tasting – Monday Part 3
Since we can’t come to the wine, the wine will have to come to us. Starting November 23, every week we’ll meet on Zoom and chat about the wines. AlanGusHunterJimJoeMartinLianaLorenMikeSteve I’ve tried to arrange the wines so that they become … Continue reading
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