Wish we were there with you and not here with him. So many thoughts racing through my mind. How does it feel to have the distance from your home and see what we are all seeing? It seems a foolish question, but what do the local people think of US? Apart from the obvious, what do they see that we don't see? What does their history teach them, that we might learn? (Thank you for sharing your fun. You brighten my dark horizons. Keep it coming, please...)
Fantastic photos. Tha Madeira festivities were great again this year, but it's been unseasonably chilly. There were a LOT of Donald trump floats this year, not particularly flattering. Probably more than the satirical floats about the Portuguese and Madeiran politicians. Thanks for sharing the Loulé experience.
Love reading your updates and sharing the local happenings. Keeping us motivated to make our move! So refreshing to read about a culture that has fun with one another.
Thank you for sharing the article. My concerns related to Bitcoin are two-fold. First, its agnostic untraceability leaves it wide open to criminal enterprises. As the article notes, it has delivered less than 1% of that to date...but Bitcoin is well below 1% of the financial marketplace. Second, I realize as an American I have not experienced the runaway inflation and deflation of 2nd and 3rd world economies...however, the price fluctuation of this market is not indicative of a sound financial market. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/forex/121815/bitcoins-price-history.asp
Hi Nancy. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and the article—it’s clear you’ve given this a lot of consideration. Here a few points that might address your concerns, if you’re open to it.
On the traceability issue, you’re right that Bitcoin’s decentralized nature can make it appealing for illicit use, and that’s a valid worry. However, it’s worth noting that Bitcoin transactions aren’t truly anonymous—they’re pseudonymous. Every transaction is recorded on a public ledger (the blockchain), and with the right tools, law enforcement has actually traced and cracked down on criminal activity in some high-profile cases, like the Silk Road takedown. It’s not perfect, and bad actors will always try to exploit new tech, but traditional cash still dwarfs crypto in untraceable crime—something like 2-5% of global GDP is laundered annually, mostly in dollars. Bitcoin’s share of that is tiny by comparison, even as it grows.
As for price volatility, I totally get why that feels unsettling—those swings can look wild! Part of it comes from Bitcoin still being a young asset, figuring out its place in the world. Gold had crazy ups and downs in its early days as a traded commodity too. Over time, as adoption grows (and it’s still just a fraction of the financial market, like you said), many believe the volatility could settle. Plus, for folks in places with collapsing currencies—like Venezuela or Zimbabwe—Bitcoin’s fluctuations can still feel safer than watching their savings vanish overnight due to hyperinflation. It’s not a one-size-fits-all fix, but it’s been a lifeline for some.
Yes Lucy you are correct...I corrected the post online this morning. Unfortunately, those who are reading an email sent at 6 do not see the correction.
Wish we were there with you and not here with him. So many thoughts racing through my mind. How does it feel to have the distance from your home and see what we are all seeing? It seems a foolish question, but what do the local people think of US? Apart from the obvious, what do they see that we don't see? What does their history teach them, that we might learn? (Thank you for sharing your fun. You brighten my dark horizons. Keep it coming, please...)
Great coverage of Loule floats! As an aside, there's a reason for the word "cry" in crypto currency. Stay well and keep writing.
Fantastic photos. Tha Madeira festivities were great again this year, but it's been unseasonably chilly. There were a LOT of Donald trump floats this year, not particularly flattering. Probably more than the satirical floats about the Portuguese and Madeiran politicians. Thanks for sharing the Loulé experience.
your posts are almost always a welcome respite from the goings on here. thank you.
Love reading your updates and sharing the local happenings. Keeping us motivated to make our move! So refreshing to read about a culture that has fun with one another.
Nanc- I think you meant there will be 4 hours between Portugal and New York until March 30.
You are correct…Thank you! I have corrected the post.
I agree about meme coins, but disagree about bitcoin. This post "The Progressive Case for Bitcoin" opened my eyes that not all these cryptos are the same. https://theprogressivecaseforbitcoin.medium.com/framing-bitcoin-for-progressives-4494b4b8fe9c
Thank you for sharing the article. My concerns related to Bitcoin are two-fold. First, its agnostic untraceability leaves it wide open to criminal enterprises. As the article notes, it has delivered less than 1% of that to date...but Bitcoin is well below 1% of the financial marketplace. Second, I realize as an American I have not experienced the runaway inflation and deflation of 2nd and 3rd world economies...however, the price fluctuation of this market is not indicative of a sound financial market. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/forex/121815/bitcoins-price-history.asp
Hi Nancy. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and the article—it’s clear you’ve given this a lot of consideration. Here a few points that might address your concerns, if you’re open to it.
On the traceability issue, you’re right that Bitcoin’s decentralized nature can make it appealing for illicit use, and that’s a valid worry. However, it’s worth noting that Bitcoin transactions aren’t truly anonymous—they’re pseudonymous. Every transaction is recorded on a public ledger (the blockchain), and with the right tools, law enforcement has actually traced and cracked down on criminal activity in some high-profile cases, like the Silk Road takedown. It’s not perfect, and bad actors will always try to exploit new tech, but traditional cash still dwarfs crypto in untraceable crime—something like 2-5% of global GDP is laundered annually, mostly in dollars. Bitcoin’s share of that is tiny by comparison, even as it grows.
As for price volatility, I totally get why that feels unsettling—those swings can look wild! Part of it comes from Bitcoin still being a young asset, figuring out its place in the world. Gold had crazy ups and downs in its early days as a traded commodity too. Over time, as adoption grows (and it’s still just a fraction of the financial market, like you said), many believe the volatility could settle. Plus, for folks in places with collapsing currencies—like Venezuela or Zimbabwe—Bitcoin’s fluctuations can still feel safer than watching their savings vanish overnight due to hyperinflation. It’s not a one-size-fits-all fix, but it’s been a lifeline for some.
Reference: NYT article on how law enforcement successfully uses the BTC blockchain to find illicit use cases: https://archive.is/RkCgT#selection-1013.0-1013.101
Comfortable in their male skin, these cross-dressing men reminded me of Dirty Edna's! I was so innocent:)
Yes my calling is showing young, protected, upper-class girls the grittier side of life. A night I recall fondly!
Hi Nancy, isn't the time difference 4 hrs not 6, until we go forward end of March? All the best, Lucy
Yes Lucy you are correct...I corrected the post online this morning. Unfortunately, those who are reading an email sent at 6 do not see the correction.