Michael Kohlman

🙄 Eclectic and Occasionally Heretical CIO

✌️ Inaugural Gen X'er

🤨 INFJ

🙃 Frequently /S

📢 Talks about #photography, #infosec, #leadership, #technology, #diversityintech, #publicservice, #publictransportation, and well, other stuff.

🤔 Favorites and Boosts Don't Always Imply 100% Agreement, But a Thought or Conversation Worthy of Consideration.

🌞 Currently Hanging Around Monterey, California

😵 Posts Generally Expire at 1 Year

😎 And Personal Opinions are Most Definitely My Own...

VERIFIED: https://kohlman.org
Friendica (General): https://friendica.world/profile/norombasic/
Friendica (Photography): https://friendica.world/profile/imagesbymek

Public Key

npub1wse2slr9nwpf59gvqzjtqak0npw8sclz6njs2g6cfqk2juk5mafsmpv56d

NIP-05 Address

[email protected]

Profile Code

nprofile1qqs8gv4g03jehq56z5xqpf9swm8eshrcv03dfeg9ydvyst9fwt2d75cppamhxue69uhkummnw3ezumt0d5q3gamnwvaz7tmjv4kxz7fwv3sk6atn9e5k7qzswaf

Publishing to

nostr.mom

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub1wse2slr9nwpf59gvqzjtqak0npw8sclz6njs2g6cfqk2juk5mafsmpv56d

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Published at

2026-07-19T04:49:19Z

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Event JSON

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Last Notes

2026-04-12 17:30:00 GMT

RE: https://mastodon.world/@NoRomBasic/116139781192872962
😵 Looks like Enrich9945 has knocked me out of the top spot over the weekend...
🥳 Congratulations! The really cool thing is everyone on Fedihosting Foundation servers win as well!
🤔 Any others think that they can knock me out of the #2 position???
#note1pvz…qndv

2026-02-27 00:33:42 GMT

Posting about something I am honestly embarrassed about:
For some time now I have been the #1 public donor for the org that provides Mastodon.world and many other Fediverse sites
All I am doing is a small monthly "subscription" for a service I tremendously value
I should not even be in the Top 10...
If we want the Fediverse to survive, people NEED to support it
So... Knock me off that Leaderboard folks... I am challenging you to show some love to @npub1p8n…m9p7 and @npub1n9s…26n0
https://ko-fi.com/fhfworld

2026-01-18 19:26:01 GMT

FYI - R.T. Rybak was mayor of Minneapolis from 2002 to 2014:
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/115/917/729/356/561/746/original/a4ac85402f99fba2.png

2026-01-17 00:05:14 GMT

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FYI:
https://www.ksbw.com/article/central-coast-state-parks-free-entry-mlk-day/70026953

2026-01-17 00:03:00 GMT

RE: https://mastodon.world/@NoRomBasic/114807572019677224
The National Park System removed the free admission for MLK day this year (Trump's birthday has been added in its place).
You know who IS offering a free day this Monday? More than 200 California State Parks:
#note1ylh…supu

2026-01-07 00:27:37 GMT

As a CIO in a Public Service Role, more than a few statements hit home here:
https://civilla.org/stories/courage-and-humanity

2025-12-28 00:43:03 GMT

Point Reyes National Seashore tonight.
Was too late to walk the Lighthouse steps.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/115/794/412/014/030/324/original/f70a4db02637960a.jpg

2025-12-23 22:23:04 GMT

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Another:
American Herring Gull, stalking new Harbor Seal Mom and Pup, hoping for an after birth meal.
Hopkins Beach Rookery, Pacific Grove, California
April 19th, 2025
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/115/771/216/384/926/524/original/10b43e90cdfe5f63.jpg

2025-12-23 22:20:12 GMT

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Okay...
An American Herring Gull, Hoping For A Snack, poses for the camera at the Snack Shack in Lovers Point, Pacific Grove, California.
May 10th, 2025.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/115/771/205/481/777/397/original/6a8c199ebea53dd2.jpg

2025-11-22 19:34:30 GMT

Launch Time:
Great Egrets are So Freakin' Cool. Between their beautifully white plumage and bodies that should be gangly as all-get-out, but are somehow amazingly graceful in action, they are one of my favorite birds here around Monterey Bay and Elkhorn Slough.
Caught this one a few weeks back, just as they were launching the air, complete with small droplets of water coming off their legs as they powered themselves into fight.
#Photography #WildlifePhotography #GreatEgret #Birds #MontereyBay
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/115/594/986/498/409/551/original/2c07858db27dead5.jpg

2025-10-11 17:22:48 GMT

Egrets are Definitely Cool:
Pacific Grove, California.
September 21, 2025.
#Photography #WildlifePhotography #Wildlife #Birds
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/115/356/672/771/608/354/original/24711f2d2eac8263.jpg

2025-10-01 02:14:31 GMT

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Well, it's official:
"The National Park Service plans to furlough about two-thirds of its employees while keeping parks largely open to visitors during the federal shutdown, according to a contingency plan released Tuesday night."
Again, do our National Park staff a favor, and find other parks to visit during the shutdown.
https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-9-30-2025#00000199-9d11-dce9-abdf-ddb542b90000

2025-09-30 19:08:05 GMT

Earlier this week, a group of former national park superintendents called for the closure of the NPS to visitors in case of a government shutdown.
Regardless of whether that happens or not, I would suggest cutting our embattled Parks Staff a break and stay away from these national treasures during this standoff. The increased pressure on them to maintain any sense of normalcy with a skeleton staff (many of whom will also not likely be getting paid) is too much to ask.
https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-national-parks-burgum-superintendents-trash-b5109ba06f1cb3baef9370f585650136

2025-09-26 14:00:34 GMT

⚖️ “We therefore publish this opinion as a warning,” it continued. “Simply stated, no brief, pleading, motion, or any other paper filed in any court should contain any citations— whether provided by generative AI or any other source—that the attorney responsible for submitting the pleading has not personally read and verified.”
👉 California issues historic fine over lawyer’s ChatGPT fabrications:
https://calmatters.org/economy/technology/2025/09/chatgpt-lawyer-fine-ai-regulation/

2025-09-21 18:05:13 GMT

The Hidden Creek:
#SilentSunday #Photography #LandscapePhotography #BigSur
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/115/243/581/368/134/402/original/35cc25beadec87f4.jpg

2025-09-04 16:33:26 GMT

Mastodon: Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because you know something. What you know, you can't explain. But you feel it. You felt it your entire life. That there's something wrong with the world. You don't know what it is, but it's there. Like a splinter in your mind -- driving you mad. It is this feeling that has brought you here. Do you know what I'm talking about?
#WhatIsTheMastodon #Plushtodon
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/115/146/972/912/985/454/original/cf3a8f9956104b28.jpg

2025-08-26 18:01:35 GMT

- reply

Exactly.
I have it a bit easier on Mastodon than I imagine you do because there are maybe a few dozen people that actually care about the things I post about. My volume levels are lower when I go off on a tangent.
Even so, I have to remind myself sometimes I put myself out here because it is supposed to fill a desire to connect and converse with folks I want to learn from and about.
FWIW going forward I will personally try to like every Mushroom pic you post...

2025-08-26 17:50:45 GMT

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Also, it is just fine to post things that actually are of interest to just yourself.
If you find yourself obsessing about what your followers want, and not what lights you up. It is time to reassess.

2025-08-19 16:07:13 GMT

The Quiet Before the Storm:
#WorldPhotographyDay #WorldPhotographyDay2025 #Photography #LandscapePhotography #PacificOcean #CentralCalifornia #ImagesByMEK
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/115/056/270/444/393/750/original/6372222bcbaee26b.jpg

2025-08-04 01:17:48 GMT

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FYI for U.S. Mastos. Release date for us is 9/23.
I've ordered my copy though...

2025-08-03 16:31:08 GMT

So, interesting aspect of this article is that these are the ages of the people quoted in it:
48
78
83
60
65
Which makes the "kid" here 2 years shy of the half-century mark.
Not picking on older viewpoints, as that would be somewhat hypocritical, but does anyone else find it odd that we are in the midst of one of the most transformative moments in U.S. history, and the demographic who will be living with these changes the longest isn't even part of the conversation?
https://apnews.com/article/ap-poll-democrats-republican-political-parties-d41141f4a0af53c223620af0fc3fc319

2025-07-23 18:30:28 GMT

A Boy and His Dog:
#Selfie #DogsOfMastodon
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/114/903/964/432/228/254/original/bd0daaac6264a80b.jpg

2025-07-06 17:55:24 GMT

Not a perfect solution, but for Californians who are mourning the dismantling of our National Park System, keep in mind that our State Parks are fantastic and thriving.
A single visit to many CA State Parks is $10 or less, and the Golden Poppy Pass (highly recommend) is just $125/yr. Free passes for kids and select groups are available as well.
And of course, $$$ spent there are $$$ that stay in California.
These are just some of the experiences my Poppy Pass has given me and Evelia recently:
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/114/807/545/198/080/469/original/2795d3395663db11.jpg

2025-06-14 21:31:52 GMT

- reply

Monterey, California
#NoKings
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/114/683/851/728/428/472/original/21576050bd1c2697.jpg

2025-06-14 21:06:30 GMT

Monterey, California.
#NoKings
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/114/683/751/447/399/645/original/6eefe451da32de45.jpg

2025-04-14 02:04:39 GMT

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My library of Blu-Rays is over 700 at this point, about 165 of which are 4k (Including Top Gun: Maverick, which is on for tonight)
I continue to own and build a physical library for all the reasons you mentioned. On a good TV with a good sound system streaming just cannot match the experience.
Sadly the U.S. is backing away from physical media, so I find myself buying both used and imports more often these days. Fortunately, Asia & Europe still seem to be interested in the format.

2025-04-08 19:22:05 GMT

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TIRED:
Going to Costco and stocking up on bulk Toilet Paper, Coffee, and Canned Goods to avoid the Tariff War
WIRED:
Going to Newegg and purchasing HDDs, Tape Systems, RAM, and Video Cards instead.

2025-04-08 18:55:18 GMT

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Had this conversation today as part of my coming IT budget projections. Hoping for the best of course, but already warning that the hardware side of my budget could get really ugly really quick.
Possible canary moment - I ordered a pair of enterprise hard drives Saturday (got them today). Vendor pulled the SKU on Sunday. Drives were relisted Monday at 30% more.
I think we are going to see a lot of that.

2025-02-25 16:39:43 GMT

“We swore to serve the American people and uphold our oath to the Constitution across presidential administrations,” the 21 staffers wrote in a joint resignation letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press. “However, it has become clear that we can no longer honor those commitments.”
https://apnews.com/article/doge-elon-musk-federal-government-resignations-usds-6b7e9b7022e6d89d69305e9510f2a43c

2025-02-13 00:37:37 GMT

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The hard answer is we keep trying to make these decisions binary (100% no or 100% yes) and they aren't. There is a line that can be crossed where an artist becomes more about their views and actions than their art. When that is combined with an inability to respect others views, Yes, it will push me away from their content as well as their person. For others less radicial, so are my reactions.

2025-02-06 01:05:00 GMT

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1/2
I’ve had similar conversations several times now privately as well. A plurality of U.S. Citizens made a choice back in November to set in motion the things that are happening. To call it a coup is a bit disingenuous.
Did I exercise my right to vote for a different outcome? Yes. Am I appalled at the road we have decided to travel on? Absolutely. Will I try to help our nation course-correct? Within the scope of my influence (which isn’t a lot), all that I can.

2025-02-04 00:13:13 GMT

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Lot of good suggestions so far. One suggestion I have not seen is to take a look at the specific Mastodon instance's Code of Conduct and see if it aligns with your friend's world-view. If it does, give that server a consideration.
Mastodon.world's for example:
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/113/942/722/154/194/130/original/c285150d1e781671.png

2025-01-28 19:15:02 GMT

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I often feel like the old-timer these days but I don't think you can emphasize enough the importance of an easy-to-use and comprehensive "discovery" system for the Fediverse. The success of pioneering platforms such as UseNet, FTP, and (yes) the World-Wide-Web hinged on the early implementation of "directories" such as Archie, JumpStation, and Yahoo.
That vast majority of people don't want to be Geeks. They simply want to be able to easily find, People, Places, and Things.

2025-01-25 00:40:38 GMT

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Dog photo it is:
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/113/886/205/863/383/145/original/a97ac5a0071ad12c.jpg

2024-12-22 03:29:33 GMT

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A few thoughts as an advanced amateur
Your approach isn't a bad one
Lenses are going to end up being your biggest investment, and honestly full-frame digital sensors have gotten so good that the "personality" of those lenses are going to influence your images more than the body
So, lens mount choice (E-mount, F-mount, etc) is probably the most important decision
I settled on Sony (so, E-mount and some used A-mount lenses) Plenty of great recent used bodies work for those

2024-11-20 17:17:13 GMT

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Celebrated my 2nd anniversary of being on Mastodon.world yesterday. No plans to move.
This is the strength of the Fediverse...