I would go back to the island for my gal. 

The NYS wallet was created for COVID. It's called NYS Wallet Excelsior Pass. It is government issued because it has the NYS emblem on it. I downloaded it from Google Play, entered my name and birthday and it told me when I had the vaccine. I confirmed and it serves as ID. I guess any place that gives the vaccine reports it to a central database. 

Years, ago when I coted. I'd go tell someone my name, they'd pull out a piece of paper in a loose-leaf binder which had my signature the last 20+ times I voted. I'd sign and vote. At some point the city started sending you a piece of paper with your district on it, as many people didn't know and would stand in the wrong line or go to the wrong address. Eventually it became a card, which you could show so you don't need to spell your name.

Some 6-7 years ago, iPads replaced the loose-leaf binders (so sad) and they could scan your cardboard card to check if you are registered and in the right place. You sign the Ipad. I think putting it on the phone just eliminates the need to carry the card. 

As you pack to head home, you have space remaining for one book. Is it the history of the magical place or a cookbook from it?

I think I’d take the history book. Good to know I was not beheaded 

That’s interesting the state wallet and history of your voter card. I don’t think Oregon did anything like the during the pandemic. I moved there in 2004 and everything was vote by mail  then already. Maybe that’s why? I think it’s a good idea to have a photo of important necessary documents on the phone, such as passport, vaccine card, and whatever else. I just have them all in notes so they are very easy access. Your nostalgia for the previous system of the binder and papers resonates with me. In spite of the convenience of a lot of the technology I use, I still miss some things being more old school. Just seemed more personal maybe…

When you go back to the first Island to get the girl (that you didn’t know very well at first and who was kind of annoying) tells you she’s fallen in love with you and wants to spend the rest of her days on the Island with just you and she won’t leave either way. Do you stay with her or leave alone? 

I think I would leave alone. 

Maybe regarding voting. Historically you had to prove you had a reason to vote by mail in NY. Basically, you were out of town. Primary voting is going on now for two weeks. Seems like overkill.

Assuming both were safe, would you rather go in a submarine or get sent up Virgin Galactic space? 

Great, I’m not beheaded, you’re not in love with some annoying gal, and we are off of the island and on to new adventures! I’d say things are great for us Paul! 
 

I’d take the space trip. Not sure why but I might feel a bit less claustrophobic in that than the submarine. Plus I’ve always wanted to see the Earth from space with my own eyes. 
 

Would you pay $250,000 for the trip or not? 
 

Sorry..,that’s a bit of a cop out choice, and perhaps sounds a bit morbid and judgmental after this past weeks events. I’m trying to wrap my mind around the Greece Coastguard watching 500 people drown whilst we spent millions trying to rescue 5… maybe I’d be better off spiritually back on that island 

I wouldn't pay $250k for either the sub or what is currently a space trip. If I had the money, I'd pay it for a real space trip. A few miles up is not space to me. Maybe I'd pay it for a sub with Jacque Cousteau's grandson. 

Greece may figure rescuing boats just encourages more people to try it. And watching France burn doesn't help. 

For the holiday, do you prefer crosette or brocade fireworks. I didn't know they had all sorts of names. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1lk0n7zHrg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgENWFiFxAs

After boring you with an explanation of the NYS Wallet, I received this text yesterday. 

As of July 28, 2023, the Excelsior Pass Plus (EPP) and the NYS Wallet Apps will no longer be available. Following the reduced demand for access to digital COVID-19 test and vaccine records and the official end of the COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11, 2023, the NYS Wallet will be discontinued.

Oy. Yes, the world has its wobbles…. It’s funny cause it’s really not that complicated in my mind. 
Very cool the different names for fireworks! I didn’t know that either. I’ve always named them “the pow” ones or the “the spirally ones”, etc. Out of these two I like brocade. Also I LOVED watching Jacques Cousteau shows as a kid! 

Seems there would be other handy uses for a digital wallet than showing your vaccine card. Maybe costs too much to maintain the database? 
 

Since it’s the 4th… Hot Dogs or Hamburgers on the grill? 

For the 4th I'll take hotdogs. Though I rarely eat them. 

Ketchup or mustard on your dogs?

Yes, NYS writes New York is dedicated to continuing its digital journey,?with more passes, licenses and records to come!

I'd think drivers or any type of license. Anything you need a card for. Google Wallet takes assorted loyalty cards and most anything. Those things aren't the most official but beats carrying cards. A passport is already high tech so I guess that can be digitalized. A phone can die but I don't think that is more likely than losing stuff. I think a phone is harder to lose than small cards especially with people constantly using them. 

I was traveling some years ago, showed my license and as I took my stuff from my bell, laptop, shoes from the bin I didn't know where my license was. So annoyed, looked for an hour. Checked on how I would get home (it was domestic, United said just come early. It's not uncommon). But when I went to sleep that night, I found the license in my shoe. I guess I dropped in in the bin, it went into a shoe, so narrow I didn't notice it. 

Pretty funny. Felt stupid but it is funny. 

Sorry I’ve been MIA for a bit…

I like ketchup and mustard both! Relish and onions too!

Thats a funny story Paul. I’m sure you were relieved for it to turn up  There are some new things with passports now. I always do this digital facial recognition thing going through the airport. It can create long lines as most folks don’t know how to use it yet. You put your passport in some thingy and stand in front of this camera and it scans your face. I’m on the short side and it seems to take a few tries, lol. Folks in the Netherlands have some sort of digital mark or something they have on their wrist now for ID and to pay for stuff. Kind of creepy if you ask me…I’m sure we will be there soon too. Maybe not…Americans seems more skeptical of these kinds of things by nature…. ? I only take a carry on anymore. Can do 4 weeks from one carry on. I’m proud of that fact! Can’t believe all the crap people haul abroad for a week or 10 day trip . But that also means I gotta drag it through these littLe Photo Booth stops and some of the airports it’s not a big space. 
 

Aisle or window seat preference on a plane

Aisle. 

For me ketchup on burgers and mustard on hotdogs. 

I don't think I've seen the facial recognition. I'll need to look next time I fly. Facial recognition popped up at the Whole Foods checkout. Not sure exactly what it does but I see a picture of myself while in the self-service checkout. I guess to stop shop lifting, not sure how. But it is a bit creepy seeing myself. 

Compared to your friends, are you likely to arrive at the airport too early, or too late?

Probably too early these days.

Hi Paul!

I’ve been MIA again. Still a non smoker though! How’s things over there for you? 
 

Pay extra for upgraded seats on a long flight or no?