patrick.net

Patrick says

I think you should return and order, and just have cash on you. Over and over.

Please email me the name of that cafe. Maybe I'll do it.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/6yGLnru69Gjr9dTPA

Philz Coffee. That's the place.

I'm also annoyed by places that FORCE you to use a computer to order through a 3rd party and won't let you just call them up. There's a great Indo-Chinese place I used to get food from all the time, but they started doing this, now I only get food from them rarely. They accept cash (even give a discount for it), but I can't order with cash.

@richwicks I literally cannot open that link without doing a ton of work, because I have multiple layers of blocking of all Google domains on my computers.

Could you just email me the name? Sorry for the trouble.

I agree about not patronizing places that won't answer the phone.

Patrick says

I literally cannot open that link without doing a ton of work, because I have multiple layers of blocking of all Google domains on my computers.

Could you just email me the name? Sorry for the trouble.

I agree about not patronizing places that won't answer the phone.

@Patrick

Philz Coffee
125 S Frances St,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086

You can open it with TOR with Brave. The TOR connection bypasses everything on your computer, including DNS. I assume you have /etc/hosts (or the equivalent under APPLE - ugh) setup. I have Facebook and Twitter blocked on my machine, on the RARE occasion I want to see anything on those sites, I use TOR and I have several virtual machines as well which don't access my /etc/hosts file.

I tried with Brave's TOR gateway, but it hanged for about a minute, so I gave up.

I block all Google domains with /etc/hosts and Little Snitch, and some other firewall thing I set up so long ago I can't remember how it works.

Patrick says

I tried with Brave's TOR gateway, but it hanged for about a minute, so I gave up.

I did as well. What I just discovered is you have to open up the TOR connection FIRST, then copy and paste the URL. It's a bug in Brave, apparently.

Patrick says

I block all Google domains with /etc/hosts and Little Snitch, and some other firewall thing I set up so long ago I can't remember how it works.

Eventually you need to upgrade.

I run Linux and the last disaster on my computer required me to reboot based off from a USB drive to unscramble my root partition disk (I have a swappable root drive disk), and I was shocked to find out that all the OSes I had on my flash drives were out of date and programs to check the drive wouldn't run, I couldn't visit MOST websites, because the certificate had expired, and I spent hours trying to find a site, so I could download a new OS, that so I could burn a new USB, so I could boot off from that, to just do an fsck on my root drive.

Now I keep a flash drive that I update about once a year. I'm kind of abusing my system, in that my root drive is now ancient, like 7 years old, and well beyond its expected life expectancy. My power supply is near failure as well. Always buy Seagate. As long as the motherboard configuration doesn't change though, this is my final case.

FSCK works pretty well now. Before, it was a cry in the sky to please fix the system, now it's nearly 100%. It has VASTLY improved in the last 20 years. Basically, my system wouldn't reboot because I had a bunch of scrambled files on /tmp, and who cares about that? The partition is wiped on bootup anyhow. Sometimes the level of paranoia and safety of Linux is a detriment.

When your machine becomes "unusable", I highly suggest just installing Linux on it. I run KDE Neon, also known as Kubuntu. Get a version that is "LTS" - Long Term Support. If you don't, you're a beta tester. My OS is probably at least 5 years old now. I'm getting to the point I need to reinstall...

Heard the Vegas casino hacks are more widespread than they're letting on. A lot of the functions of the Casinos are inoperable due to pushing everything to SW, and no manual backups. But we should totally embrace a fully digital society because not being able to do anything is SO fucking convenient!

https://twitter.com/WallStreetSilv/status/1706538481135104245

https://twitter.com/WallStreetSilv/status/1706538481135104245

A pizza joint across the street from where I work has a sign on the register "Non-cash transactions are subject to a 4% surcharge." I'm the only one paying cash; everyone else - zoomers, welfare queens, libtards - they don't care and will eat the 4%.

The Northeast is fucked, as well as both left coasts. That's why I rent, so I can get the fuck out in a hurry when things go sideways.

Yes, I've always been a fan of the mobility that renting affords.

https://www.cashisfreedom.uk/

JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN AGAINST A PROGRAMMABLE DIGITAL CURRENCY

We're raising public awareness about the UK Government's plan to bring in a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), and get rid of cash eventually.
Find out how you can stop it and help the campaign.

Patrick says

Yes, I've always been a fan of the mobility that renting affords.

The landlord says the same and then you're fucked and forced to move when they sell. Happened to me. Never again. Worked out, but I'm not at the mercy of another man (or woman) decision to take a house out from under me. And yes, I get property taxes, but if your landlord doesn't pay those you're in the same boat even if you've been paying rent. I'd rather have control.

What about when the government decides to take your property for reason xyz? What about when you lose your job and can no longer afford your mortgage? What about when government requires you to install metering on your own well, and starts charging you for the water? What about when you're on a fixed retirement income, and property taxes are raised higher than you can afford?

Property rights are a joke in this country, control is an illusion...

BTW, was in the same situation, had rented for over four years when owners decided to sell. We were given priority if we wanted to buy, and plenty of notice. Had no problem finding another place to rent that checked every box. And this is in SoCal, a place with a supposed "housing shortage"...

https://www.coffeeandcovid.com/p/cash-king-monday-march-11-2024-c

Sweden and Norway are getting the right idea. Bloomberg ran a story Friday headlined, “Norway Wants to Strengthen Consumers’ Right to Pay Cash.”

It seems weird to say this, and it’s a sign of how far we’ve come, but Norway is considering new regulations to force vendors to accept cash along with other types of payment. The article also mentioned that Sweden is considering similar rules.

The weird thing is that cash even needs protection. Cash used to be “king.” But nowadays cash looks less like a king and more like a crested snapping turtle or some other odd-looking endangered animal, or maybe like whatever is going on with the British Royal Family. Cash is King ... Charles.

I have been using physical cash more recently, but I'm still not a fan of carrying much on my person or in the bank. Basic savings account that isn't accessible via a card. Good interest rates for a savings account. The rest is invested. I have no interest in having cash sitting around and keep the checking account low on purpose.

I'll take the points and free airfare for at least the last 5 years. Tax free. And the fraud protection. It's kind of a no brainer. I haven't been to a cash only place since my college years. And that was a mafia restaurant, Tufanos by UIC (Chicago). And yes, the mafia still exists in Chicago.

Some of the burrito places around me take only cash, for obvious reasons.

WookieMan says

I have no interest in having cash sitting around and keep the checking account low on purpose.

That's fine until your banks commercial RE portfolio blows up(coming to a bank near you).

Patrick says

I get your take/meme, but QR codes are harmless. Yes I prefer a physical menu. if it's just me. That said I'm a minimalist at heart and can't stand fucking 6 page menus on the table for 5 of us. I assume it's just two of you when you go out to eat generally. With kids it's like a fucking bomb went off on the table before we even get our food or drinks. Constantly moving shit around to have a landing zone for drinks and apps.

Covid changes for a lot of things were gay, but I honestly don't mind using my phone to look at a menu if it's designed well for a phone. Also saves money for the business owner since an app/site is substantially cheaper than printing menus that need constant replacement and/or the menu changes. I'm no greenie gay, but it is better for the environment and business.

What bothers me is that it then forces people to carry a personal tracking device, even just to eat out.

Patrick says

What bothers me is that it then forces people to carry a personal tracking device, even just to eat out.

I get it. I just have given up at this point. I've been using computers and the internet since I was 7(ish) about '90-'91. I'm compromised at this point, don't do anything illegal and all my financial shit is locked down as an adult. Basically all my info is already out there. So I just fuck with data and algorithms.

Google has no clue what to do with me. I love Manatees, Donkeys and Eagles, listen to jam bands, cooking channels, aviation, porn and a whole bunch of other stuff. That's the tip of the iceberg. I understand people and privacy, but it's literally impossible at this point to be hidden. Secure the important stuff and then have some fun.

I lock my wifi with a password, but I'll change the name of it. One neighbor pissed me off bigly. He'd idle his Harley at 6am for 20 minutes every day during open window time of year. Changed my main wifi to "motorcycle micro penis" as the network name. I know he saw it because he came over to my house and tried fixing the situation. So the fucker started walking his bike down the street before turning it on. No voices raised. No physical concern with fighting. Trolling can work.

My wife was pissed as can be. But it fixed a situation that pissed both of us off. Wifi network names are fun and easy if you have a shitty neighbor. Undoubtably a friend will come over and ask for the wifi and see your home network even if 2-3 houses down the block.

What bothers me is I hear scanning those codes exposes a bunch of your data. I always ask for a menu, no place has refused me yet, even in San Diego.

NuttBoxer says

What bothers me is I hear scanning those codes exposes a bunch of your data. I always ask for a menu, no place has refused me yet, even in San Diego.

Airports wouldn't give you a menu during covid. Most of it was just a server coming over once saying you have to use the QR code to order drinks and food and they'll just bring it to you. At one point they didn't even do that and you just had to figure out the system. We traveled extensively during covid because everything was dirt cheap and we didn't care about covid. I saw my fair share of geezers taking issue with it and causing a scene. So it backfire at times.

99% of QR code are just links to a website. You could be right that some are potentially invasive in some manner. I have no clue. But it does make sense to have them. At airports though, I've never seen a person not pull their phone out when sitting at the bar or a table to eat. I think it's more a business decision to reduce employees. Kind of like self check out at grocery stores.

And sure they can track if it is scanned. The ones I've used for my goofy fliers doesn't give any info on the person that scans it. I like the tech to be honest, but I also don't give a shit about privacy. To each their own. It's easier than typing in a website on a phone if I'm out and about. Hell if I had my choice I'd haul around my 27" iMac. I can't stand phones, laptops and tablets to do anything.

NuttBoxer says

What bothers me is I hear scanning those codes exposes a bunch of your data. I always ask for a menu, no place has refused me yet, even in San Diego.

I don't see how scanning can expose your data. You are just basically scanning the QR code to get a website that contains the menu.

This can be tied to your phone of course, that you were there and perhaps even what you ordered

You shouldn't store important information on your phone. There is no security on it.

https://slaynews.com/news/wef-98-central-banks-ready-usher-in-cashless-society/

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has boasted that 98 percent of all central banks have now agreed to advance the unelected globalist organization’s “cashless society” agenda.

The WEF has revealed that most of the world’s central banks have been preparing to eliminate physical money and are now ready to make the switch to “digital cash.”

The revelation was made in a new white paper from the WEF which declares that nations around the world will soon be forced to adopt a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in place of traditional money.

Always use cash. And when they outlaw cash, use silver by weight.

Patrick says

Always use cash. And when they outlaw cash, use silver by weight.

When they outlaw cash, silver will not be useful. The solution metal is more like lead.

HeadSet says

Patrick says

Always use cash. And when they outlaw cash, use silver by weight.

When they outlaw cash, silver will not be useful. The solution metal is more like lead.

They won't outlaw cash. Government never stops spending. Wiki but this is a basic topic. You think armored trucks handling the cash will go away? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armored_car_(valuables) That's an entire industry, poof, gone. Domino effect.

You think restaurants won't take cash? The illegal sitting outside Home Depot won't take or use cash? Computers are abundant, but not everyone has one. Cash ain't going anywhere in our lifetimes. I rarely use it. A whole hell of a lot harder to dispute a cash sale on say a car repair that got fucked up versus a CC. Plus I get paid to use the CC tax free.

Cash has its benefits for certain things. I just don't like lugging it with me and fumbling with it at every transaction. You're tracked regardless of using either cash or credit.

https://nakedemperor.substack.com/p/todays-must-reads-24-april-2024-non

Bank Withdrawal Access Denied To Thousands in Australia As Customers Forced To Move 500 Miles To Get Cash. A group of banking customers in Australia are feeling the repercussions of a shift toward a cashless society, according to a new report. 4,500 residents living in the town of Kununurra are now facing a 500 mile journey to the closest bank, reports Yahoo Finance. The town, located in Western Australia, used to have brick-and-mortar branches and ATMs for Commonwealth Bank (CBA), NAB and Westpac. But all three banks have now left, citing reasons like staffing and security, amid an industry-wide trend of reducing physical locations.

Patrick says

But all three banks have now left, citing reasons like staffing and security, amid an industry-wide trend of reducing physical locations.

3 banks for 4,500 residents is obscene. We get by just fine with 1 for us and our two neighboring towns. About 5k residents. And clearly it sounds like they're in the middle of nowhere. I don't really think this is a cashless society scenario. More logistics than anything of keep and moving cash to the region.

If I was 20-30 miles from a bank I'd go cashless. That's what it's like in my area. I just am lucky enough to have a bank in town.

https://slaynews.com/news/wef-banker-gloats-using-covid-usher-100-digital-global-cashless-society/

A powerful central banker has gloated to his fellow World Economic Forum (WEF) members that the Covid pandemic has helped globalists usher in a global “cashless society.”

Central Bank of Bahrain governor Khalid Humaidan discussed plans for eliminating physical cash while speaking at the WEF’s “Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy Development” on Sunday.

During a panel discussion, titled “Open Forum: The Digital Currencies’ Opportunity in the Middle East,” Humaidan told WEF elites that the goal of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) is to replace cash with “100% digital” payments.

He revealed that the pandemic helped to rapidly advance that goal.

The wealth in the system isn't the worthless paper, it's me and you. Withdraw your participation and resources(mainly time, labor), and it falls like a ton of bricks.

Maybe we should look at the homeless as protestors against the Federal Reserve's counterfeiting operation!

Customers furious as restaurants are now adding a brand new charge to bills - and some claim it should be ILLEGAL
A new surcharge is creeping on to restaurant bills and infuriating customers
The new fee is neither a tax, tip or credit card fee but to help with 'rising costs'
One critic fumed: 'This should actually be illegal'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/budgeting/article-13400157/restaurants-new-bill-surcharge-customers-furious-illegal.html

that crab toast must be some bad ass toast