Mitchell Report

A personal blog for Michael Mitchell

Close-up selfie of a middle-aged man with short gray hair and light skin, wearing rectangular black-framed glasses. The photo is taken from a low angle, capturing the lower half of his face prominently, including his nose, mouth, and chin, with a neutral expression. He is wearing a dark blue shirt. The background shows an indoor setting with a ceiling featuring beige panels and long, bright fluorescent lights arranged in parallel lines. Additional ceiling elements include white square tiles and air vents. The lighting is bright and evenly distributed.

Me with my glasses for the last time full time pre-surgery.

I just shared good news about my heart journey, and now I can finally share another medical milestone for 2026: my cataract surgeries are done and my vision is back.

For the last couple of years, my sight kept slipping, no matter how many times I got new prescriptions from the ophthalmologist or optometrist. A new prescription might clear things up for a few months, then the blurriness would come back. I found myself contorting my face and doing all kinds of facial tricks just to see. It was soul-sapping. Anyone who knows me knows I don't get depressed easily. At 57, I've had low moments before, but nothing like this. The vision loss pushed me into a prolonged low spell. I stopped wanting to read and lost enthusiasm for work, except as a way to pay bills. Even blogging suffered. After my most prolific year in 2025, I barely posted because I literally couldn't see well enough.

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A middle-aged man with dark hair and glasses sits at a wooden desk in a warmly lit room, looking thoughtfully at a paper he holds with both hands. The paper features a red heart with a white heartbeat line and a green upward trending graph. He wears a blue button-up shirt. On the desk in front of him is an open notebook with handwritten notes and a black pen resting on it. To his right is a tall glass of iced tea with a lime wedge on the rim. To his left, a small potted plant and a framed sign read "Grateful Stronger Moving Forward" with a small red heart at the bottom. Behind him on the wall is a framed picture of a red heart with a heartbeat line and the words "Progress Patience Purpose." A laptop on a side table displays a similar graph. Books titled "The Healing Heart" and "A Path to Wellness" are stacked near the window, through which sunlight filters, casting a warm glow. The overall atmosphere is calm and reflective.

A man reflects with quiet satisfaction as he reviews positive echo results, surrounded by reminders of gratitude, strength, and progress in a warm, sunlit room.

I wanted to share a long-overdue health update about what has happened this year and why I can finally talk about it. I recently had my second Camzyos cardiology echo and doctor’s visit of the year. I normally go every six months, and this visit gave me my best numbers yet.

On Camzyos, my obstruction is much better controlled. My echo looked fantastic, so I included a table below comparing my results before and after starting Camzyos.

When I first started Camzyos, I was not getting my refills consistently because of REMS requirements and the timing of my echoes and doctor’s visits. This created gaps in treatment. Once my refills became consistent and those delays stopped, the treatment began working much better.

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⚠️ SPOILER WARNING: FULL SPOILERS

A man with light skin, short messy brown hair, and a beard is floating in a space-like environment, viewed through a circular window or porthole. He wears a white T-shirt with red trim on the collar and sleeves, featuring two crossed checkered flags and the text "HORSE SHOE BLIND" printed on it. His glasses are hanging off the collar of his shirt. The background is dark with blue and orange glowing lights, resembling stars or distant city lights. The man looks upward with a slightly open mouth and wide eyes, conveying surprise or concern. At the bottom center of the image is the title text "PROJECT HAIL MARY" in white, with stylized letters including a triangle replacing the letter "A" in "HAIL" and "MARY." The overall tone is dramatic and sci-fi.

In “Project Hail Mary” (2026), a lone astronaut awakens to an uncertain mission, fighting for humanity's survival amid the vastness of space and the unknown.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5 stars)

Okay, first thing: overall, it wasn't a bad movie. The pacing drags at the beginning, and several scenes could have been explained more clearly or cut shorter. The second half and the ending are much stronger. The first half felt slow, and the premise is kind of stupid, but the story between the two main characters at the end is the best part.

Ryan Gosling was okay in this movie. The film was definitely too long. It's a so-so movie and not worth buying, but I'm glad it's included with my Prime subscription since it gave me something different to watch.

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#review #movies

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A historical painting depicting a large crowd gathered on a city street, centered around the Liberty Bell, which is mounted on a wooden frame and prominently displayed in the middle of the street. The bell is large, bronze, and cracked, symbolizing American independence. Above the bell, a bald eagle with wings fully spread soars majestically, emphasizing patriotism. The street is lined with brick buildings adorned with red, white, and blue bunting and American flags. People of various ages and attire, including men in hats and women in dresses, stand on both sides of the street, some waving small American flags. In the background, a tall church steeple rises against a cloudy sky, adding depth and historical context to the scene. The overall atmosphere is solemn and celebratory, reflecting a moment of national pride.

Celebrating 250 years of freedom and unity with fireworks lighting up the night sky above the U.S. Capitol, as the American flag proudly waves in honor of the nation’s milestone birthday.

Happy 250th birthday, United States of America!

What a strange moment to mark a birthday, given everything going on in the world. Even so, I believe the U.S. has done enormous good and has served as a beacon for the world since at least World War I, if not sooner.

I remember being about 7 years old in 1976, during the last major milestone, America’s 200th birthday. My aunt, uncle, and cousins lived in Lakeland. I was staying with them, and we went to the train yard in Lakeland to see the Freedom Train. It did not stop in Lakeland until December 1976, but I still remember it.

Now it is the 250th anniversary, and this year just feels different. It should be a big celebration, and I hope it is. For all our problems, this is still one of the best countries in the world, and possibly the best.

We will probably stumble at times. When we do, I hope we correct course and keep moving forward, becoming stronger and truer to the ideals that brought us into being. No kings, no queens, no nobility. Our representative government endures. I believe it can be even stronger over the next 250 years.

So happy birthday, America. Let’s keep driving forward. And to my fellow citizens, enjoy the day and celebrate responsibly.



Related Post from last year and still stands true too: Happy 249th Birthday to the United States of America 🇺🇸

#currentevents #history #USA

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A watercolor painting depicts a serene rural scene with a blue car driving down a two-lane road toward a small town in the distance. The road curves gently to the left, flanked by grassy fields and scattered bushes. On the left side, there is a utility pole and a streetlamp near a red-roofed building partially visible. In the background, a prominent clock tower with a pointed roof stands among other historic buildings, including one with a large dome and columns. To the right, a modern glass building and a few bicycles parked near trees are visible. The sky is bright with soft, fluffy clouds and a few birds flying. Two people walk along a path near the town, adding a peaceful, community feel to the scene. The overall atmosphere is calm and picturesque.

Celebrating 70 years of USF's rich history and vibrant campus life, where tradition meets innovation under the open skies.

As you get older, anniversaries and milestones hit you differently. I don't know why. I don't regret anything in my life, but I do feel nostalgic sometimes. The other day, driving to work, I learned that the University of South Florida is celebrating 70 years this year. That surprised me, because the first founding class attended in 1960, so the 70th anniversary is actually a few years off.

I attended USF from 1987 to 1990. I didn't graduate; I would have had about two years left. 1991 would have been my graduation year, but I was taking it nice and slow. Most people were taking five years, so 1992 would have been my year if I had stayed on track. What would have been my degree? Hold your chair and keep seated, but it would have been Music Education with a minor in Florida History.

Money ran out, I was loaned out, and I decided to join the workforce. Funny enough, I never moved very far from USF. I now work at a non-profit hospital on the USF campus, so for almost my entire adult life I've been connected to the university in one way or another. Technically I guess I can't call myself an alum, but in every other sense I am one.

Here's to USF, 70 years, and all the good you've brought to the community. Go Bulls! 🤘

#history #local #personal

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Star Trek: Outposts Unknown - Official Announcement Trailer - IGN

Star Trek: Outposts Unknown – Official Announcement Trailer – IGN To boldly go… and build in Star Trek: Outposts Unknown. Check out the Star Trek: Outposts Unknown announcement trailer for this upcoming narrative-driven outpost builder game set in the Star Trek universe. Build complex research facilities through the mysterious X’Lehari System. Explore strange new worlds, guide your crew through dangerous encounters, and uncover a cosmic force threatening all life in the system. Set alongside the era of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, your journey will take you across hostile environments, abandoned ships, ancient ruins, and a fragile civilization in desperate need of aid. Star Trek: Outposts Unknown will be available on PC. A demo is out now on Steam.

— @video-game-and-movie-trailers-ign on mastodon via Video Game and Movie Trailers

This looks very interesting. I will be following this closely.

#opinion #gaming #StarTrek

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⚠️ SPOILER WARNING: MILD SPOILERS

A promotional poster for "Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War" features a large profile of a serious-looking man with short, dark hair and a small cut on his forehead, facing left. Inside the silhouette of his head is a city skyline with a tall skyscraper, likely the Burj Khalifa, indicating a Middle Eastern setting. In front of the profile are three other characters: a middle-aged man with a stern expression and short hair, a woman with blonde hair tied back wearing a dark jacket, and a man with a goatee and mustache wearing a dark jacket, looking off to the right. Below them, there is a faint image of a soldier aiming a rifle amidst smoke and fire, suggesting military action. The title text is prominently displayed at the bottom: "TOM CLANCY'S" in small white letters, "JACK RYAN" in large, bold, white letters, and "GHOST WAR" in smaller, bold, orange letters. The overall color scheme is muted with shades of brown, gray, and blue, conveying a tense, dramatic atmosphere.

Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War (2026) brings intense espionage and action as Jack Ryan and his team navigate a deadly covert conflict in a high-stakes battle for global security.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5 stars)

I agree with the other reviews. I loved the whole cast. John Krasinski does a fantastic job as the lead, and he works well as a replacement for Harrison Ford in this whole new series. The problem was the format: as a movie it felt rushed and the story couldn’t properly develop. This would have benefited from another season or at least a limited one-season run so the characters and plot had time to breathe. The cast gave you everything, they just needed more room to do it.

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#movies #review

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Why Gen X is the real loser generation

Why Gen X is the real loser generation Don’t cry for millennials or Gen Z. Save your pity for those in their 50s

— @daily-reads-TheEconomist on mastodon via Daily Reads

I am a Gen Xer, and I do not consider myself part of a loser generation.

I do think my generation came up during a time when the family was under assault from companies, the economy, and a culture that made it harder and harder for one parent to stay home. I know my mother and father resisted that pressure for as long as they could.

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A colorful illustration of seven diverse people outdoors in a lush green meadow near a calm lake with mountains and trees in the background under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds. The group includes an elderly man with gray hair wearing a flat cap, beige vest, and white shirt, crouching and holding a tablet; a young boy in an orange shirt and blue shorts sitting cross-legged with a laptop; a girl in a green shirt and blue shorts kneeling beside him, also using a laptop; a standing young man in a white shirt and blue pants pointing upward while holding a tablet; a standing woman with dark skin, wearing an orange shirt, blue jeans, and a yellow headscarf, pointing upward with a tablet in her other hand; a young girl with blonde hair wearing headphones, a pink jacket, blue pants, and red sneakers sitting on the grass with a tablet; and a man in a suit and glasses crouching with a tablet. Above them, glowing interconnected dots form the shape of a large light bulb in the sky,

People of all ages and backgrounds come together outdoors, connecting ideas and technology to illuminate the diverse and collaborative nature of AI innovation.

Okay, this will probably sound controversial, but that's not my intent. I'm just sharing my thoughts because AI is everywhere right now, especially on social media and in blog posts.

These views range from fairly neutral:[1] – Manton Reece – Tom Casavant – Paul Thurrott – Richard Campbell

To fairly positive, with the idea that you need to learn or use AI because... – Jim Mitchell – Numeric Citizen – Leo Laporte – Hey Loura – Ricardo Mendes

To more negative views, often focused on whether AI's value proposition can actually justify the money being spent: - Ed Zitron

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Why 1980s Meals Were Always Garnished With Parsley - Food Republic

Why 1980s Meals Were Always Garnished With Parsley – Food Republic

From steak dinners to bowls of soup, 1980s restaurants topped nearly every dish with a sprig of parsley. But why was this garnish so ubiquitous?

— Food Republic (@foodrepublic.bsky.social) on bluesky (source) ___

I saw this Bluesky post come across my timeline because I follow Food Republic, and it got my attention. When I was a kid and teenager, I did not like parsley. But now, in my 50s, I actually do not mind it. I started using it after following some recipes from Chef Jean-Pierre, who has a YouTube channel. It really did make my pot roast pop and helped brighten the dish after a long cooking time.

It is strange to think that this may be why parsley was used so often in the 1970s, when I was growing up.

Parsley signaled sophistication. During the decade, French cuisine was particularly in vogue among American cooks, and the herb served as a marker of European plating habits. Subsequently, a sprig of it functioned as a quick and accessible way to inflect a dash of color and Old World charm.

I just thought this was interesting, especially since I used to really hate parsley. It made me think about how our tastes can change as we get older, and how something we once disliked can become something we appreciate later in life.

#cooking #food

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