Ben's Journal

While browsing the YouTube API , I came across a section on captions and it hit me: if I could slurp down a video's subtitles, I...

I recently kicked off a nano-sized AWS server to run a cron job . Out of the box, the server doesn't support sending email. ...

On a flight from New York City's LaGuardia to Washington's Reagan Airport I captured some photos of this curious sight: ...

This is part 3 of a 3 part series on building an enhanced notification system when I have an unread urgent email. Part 1 describ...

I want my phone's background to automatically update to a dramatic looking image when there's an urgent email in my inbox ...

The Problem Some people find it difficult to unplug from their day job while on vacation. Not me. When we travel, I quickly transit...

Last week I updated the packages that power my local emacs config by running: M-x package-refresh-contents M-x list-packages ...

On my run tonight, what appeared to be a normal sunset turned into a first for me: a sun pillar : This effect is create by millio...

[Composed 8/29/2025] Thanks Mom and Dad! A couple of years ago we found the pefect answer to one of my parent's FAQs: what...

[Composed 8/28/2025] Finding a Seat We had a delightful walk to the US Open grounds this morning, with the weather cooperating a...