Survived!

I have managed to live through another Xmas.

Howard Schmidt has been appointed by Obama to be his Cyber Tzar. Others who have been offered the job have turned it down as it has much responsibility with little real power. Wikipedia says that in 1997, Schmidt joined Microsoft, as the director of information security, chief information security officer (CISO), and chief security officer (CSO). He was the co-founder of the (un)Trustworthy Computing Security Strategies Group.

It is unclear what this will actually mean - it's a nothing job but the appointment could signal even more restrictions of our use of media and ability to produce creative works. Specifically, this could signal the direction that will be taken in international treaties like ACTA. Gotta keep an eye on this.

I predict that this stuff will get worse before it gets better.

I've been spending my time in the continued appreciation of Outrageous Fortune. There is a lot of food mentioned on the show with varying appreciation - probably enough for a cookbook. Cheryl's famous fish pie, I know, is already published in the West Family Album, but there is also Kelsie's Eggplant Thing anh her Spicey Chicken Thing; Van and Munta's Seafood medly (paua and "pipis"); Pascalles fish pie; Ray Judd's multi-kai hangi, and so on. It would probably be possible to create a special westie-style dish appropriate for each of the characters. I'm collecting recipes. Here's one for a US/French fish pie. I'd probably use capers though.