Random Learnings #47
Czechoslovakia first came into existence at the conclusion of World War I and the collapse of the Austria-Hungarian Empire. The new country immediately needed to create a working government, establish…
Tipping Sleight of Hand
I can't you how many times I've seen this: your check arrives with suggested tips - for your convenience, of course! The recommended tip is based on a percentage of…
Death of a Tree
Our neighbor's tree has not had a good summer. The left-most branch cracked during a storm, dropping its canopy on their porch roof and slightly breaking a window, loud enough…
Unexplained Career Trajectory
Technical recruiters and their firm are a mixed bag, to say the least. For ever recruiter who listens to their client and submits only qualified, viable candidates, (too) many tech…
No Tips, Everyone!
The US tipping culture has, no pun intended, tipped over. At restaurants you're expected to tip 20-25% - and watch out for those pre-printed amounts, which often include taxes or…
Random Learnings #46
"A Peasant Leaving His Landlord on Yuriev Day" by Sergei V. Ivanov I thought that Russian serfs were essentially slaves - a belief supported by many English-language references - but…