newsletter
Burns After Reading: Volume 5
I learn there is less distinction between poetry and music than I'd imagined, watch Christmas movies, and dream about flying airplanes.
Jason Burns
IT Superhero. I like to learn things, write them down, and occasionally share with others.
Technology
Debian 13 Trixie Upgrade
One Weird Trick to make Linux distro upgrades easy on your critical services. Upgrading from Debian 12 to 13 on a Docker host.
newsletter
Burns After Reading: Volume 4
I discuss updating Debian and all the TV shows I've watched instead of reading books or writing blogs.
Technology
Air-Gapped Cyber Resilient Infrastructure
During Nutanix .NEXT 2025 in Washington, DC, I had the honor of presenting a main stage demo to ~4,000 attendees. I can write a bit more about what it took to get this demo ready, but for now I'm just happy to share that the presentation is
automation
Bliss Alta Motionblinds Home Assistant Integration
Do you have a Bliss Automation - Alta Window Fashions roller shade or other device that you'd like to add into Home Assistant? Then this is the place for you! Background Part of de-Amazon-ing my house, or "un-Bezo-ing?", "de-Jeff-ing?" is to control all my
Media
Home of the Brave
Sometimes I drive around the country and talk to people. There's no law against it. * Scott Carrier, "Home of the Brave - The End of the World", Feb. 2015 These two short sentences stopped me dead in my tracks. I had to wonder, "Who is
Technology
Nested YAML Frontmatter for Obsidian Book Notes
The author spends 3,000 words changing 3 lines to remove nested YAML frontmatter. Along the way, he learns the value of writing down the process and fact checking AI.
Technology
Can you quit Vim?
The note taking application Obsidian makes me nearly spit my coffee out with a fun pop-up message about exiting Vim.
Media
Money Makes the World Go Round
Weakened Friends - Spew I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Maybe you would like the live version after the album version.
Quotes
Shakespeare in the Park
A visit to Durham Central Park slaps me in the face with a Shakespeare quote about wealth that I can't forget.
Technology
Procrastination via Optimization (Yak Shaving)
Procrastination via endless optimization of my work environment. Otherwise known as Yak Shaving. Learn how my workstation config evolved.
Family
Suddenly, a letter
A handwritten letter offering advice appears out of the blue exactly when it's needed most. The response is delayed by a mischievous foe.