Bing/Microsoft Rewards: How Did i Do?

i was wondering how much i spent on digital video games in the past several years.  That got me thinking about offsets - how much value did i get from Bing/Microsoft Rewards in that same time frame (in digital gift cards).  These are Xbox and AMZN gift cards (Xbox cards being a slightly better deal). My current Bing streak is 359 days (though it might really be longer than that)

This is for 2020-22 (it does look like point opportunities are decreasing). The number may surprise or underwhelm you.  Much of the time, i had Game Pass Ultimate. Xbox + Bing gives you more "points" (the 10-week 2,500 bonus is nice).  i did get some points for purchases on Xbox.

2020: $251

2021: $234.25

2022: $225 (so far, should be able to get another $10 card)

i suspect that without Game Pass (though doing some Xbox weekly/daily stuff), it would be around the $170-$185 range a year (AMZN $5 or $10 cards only). 

My Conservative Manifesto Rewrite Part XII: Population and Immigration

Immigration and Population

Introduction

Here is where i ditch the slightly decent persona.  Let's make a couple of things immediately clear

1. i view population increase as a net negative that does more harm than good
2. i am ok with open borders for economic activity, but definitely not for immigration

Immigration: The Melting Pot Fallacy

The US seems to be mired in a utopian fantasy that diversity and open borders are a net benefit.  In the past the "melting pot" policy served the US, as it needed more workers for the economic engine.  However, in those days it was largely assimilation rather than what you see now (close to self-segregating balkanization).  

My Conservative Manifesto Rewrite Part XI: Foreign Policy

 Foreign Policy

Introduction

So, what should the focus and purpose of US policy be?  Foreign policy is a complicated issue that involves both military and economic interests.  There are numerous real-world subtleties i will ignore here. 

Spoiler: there should be no militaristic imperialism and/or interventionism.  There should be no bowing down to foreign entities (like the UN). 

Happy Halloween

This is a little late (but still on the night of Halloween).  Unless i say, won a lottery, this day felt like a waste. i dressed up like a homicidal maniac (as Wednesday Addams said "they look just like everyone else") - which is to say not at all.

For some reason Halloween this year didn't feel like Halloween.  Maybe it was due to the previously abnormally dry weather, or that the leaves haven't all changed colors and fallen off yet.  i haven't even decorated for Xmas yet - the tree is up, but nothing else. The candy, i'm up for - if only Butterfinger wouldn't have ruined the recipe and their peanut butter cups were still a thing.

There weren't even any virgin sacrifices this year.  Maybe the state of the world as it is downplays the horror of a slasher flick (are the victims in those the lucky ones).  i didn't watch all my horror movies or Halloween TV episodes (i really need to do a list someday). 

No i don't have much faith in the future (however much of one is left for me).  Things are poised to go from bad to near apocalyptic. 

i guess as you get a little more experienced, nothing gives you the sense of wonder and joy you used to get when you were younger.  Xmas has stopped feeling like it used to years ago. Maybe if i had someone to live through vicariously.