Apple iCloud Down -- June 2, 2020

Re-posting.

Right on cue: see #14 in the original post. That was posted yesterday, June 1, 2029. This evening, June 2, 2020, link here:

Need I say more?

Original Post

 

Note: in a long note like this there will be typographical and content errors. I will correct them later when I find them. 

Disclaimer: this is not an investment site.  Do not make any investment, financial, career, travel, job, or relationship decisions based on what you read here or think you may have read here.

AAPL: when I last checked in with AAPL some months ago, AAPL was flirting with a $1-trillion-valuation. After the lock down and meltdown, I sort of lost track, and lost interest. Last week I started checking in on the market again. I was surprised to see that AAPL's valuation is now up to $1.3 trillion. I was more surprised that it was Microsoft that was at the same valuation.

Today: I see AAPL finished up about $4/share, up about 1.25%, and holding that gain after hours.

High school students on their way to college this autumn and computers.

I bring this up because I assume some readers have high school students heading off to college this autumn.

If so, I assume the subject of a new computer will come up in conversation.

Here is my advice. This and $0.69 will get you a cup of senior coffee at McDonald's.

1. Every college student will need a laptop computer.

2. A tablet, as an additional mobile device, is optional, but no matter what you are told, a tablet with detachable keyboard is no substitute for a laptop computer.

3. The make (Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, Samsung, Google Chrome) is up to the student, not the parent.

Mobile devices are an extension of the student's personality. That settles the discussion regarding which make to buy. 

The upfront price differential between a Mac and a non-Mac may seem significant, but over the course of the lifetime of the use of the mobile device, that differential will go away. No "manufacturer" beats Apple for integrating desktop computers, laptops, tablets, smart phones, headphones / ear pods. Period. Dot.

4. If your student opts for a non-Mac, that's fine. But quit reading here; the rest has to do with Apple. Except for one point: if at all possible, avoid the Google Chrome: its association with elementary schools is too strong.

5. If your student wants an Apple product, the next question is which one.

6. The only laptop a college student should consider, regardless of the amount of money one wants to spend or is able to spend, is the MacBook Air. They do not need the MacBook Pro. If they say they do, I would like to hear their reasoning -- again, this has to do with college, not extracurricular activities.

7. The only real question when it comes to the MacBook Air: which base model product to buy: the $999 model or the $1,299 model. If money is no object, buy the $1,299 model. If money is an issue, the $999-model is just fine.

8. With either model one can upgrade to a) more memory (RAM); b) more storage (solid state); or, c) both.

9. If money is not an issue, upgrade both the memory and the storage.

10. If money is a minor issue, upgrade memory. It is easy to find external, and perhaps less expensive, storage down the road, if necessary.

11.  If money is a significant issue, there is no need whatsoever to upgrade either memory or storage.

12. Buy a case for the laptop; if money is an issue, one can find inexpensive alternatives.

13. AppleCare? I can't make a recommendation. That is 100% personal preference. I have never bought AppleCare (I bought my first Apple computer in 1984, and have bought not less than a dozen Apple computers over the years) and I have never had a problem. I believe Apple has a full 90-day warranty and some type of one-year warranty but I've long forgotten.

14. It is incredibly easy to get the MacBook Air up and running.

The only question that deserves some thought is whether to "automatically" save all data on the iCloud. If you check that box, you will find that the "free" storage is incredibly limited and one will have to buy additional (pretty much unlimited) storage for 99 cents/month. I have no problem with that. I have other issues with iCloud but the monthly subscription cost is not one of them. I do not use iCloud.

15. I don't subscribe to Apple's streaming music service but I would recommend doing so if the student wants it. The student will end up subscribing to some streaming music service at some point; if there is no preference, I would assume Apple makes most sense.

16. Printer: buy a very inexpensive inkjet printer at Walmart.

Once the student becomes familiar with the computer and if the printer ends up not meeting one's need, one can buy a laser printer. I think HP inkjet printers can still be found for about $69. Printer ink is incredibly expensive but whether that necessitates a laser printer or not depends on the student's needs which won't be known for a few months when going to college for the first time. I assume most students will eventually migrate to a laser printer.

17. Printer: make sure the printer is wi-fi enabled.

18. Apple computers won't play Blu-Ray DVDs. Don't ask. It's a huge irritant for me, but I assume most students will stream their movies and not buy DVDs.

19. You will need to get a dongle for your new Apple computer. Your son or daughter can explain a dongle to you; if not, the Apple associate will.

20. Maybe more later, but I need to go pick up Sophia.

21. Oh, one more thing. Smart phone? If money is an issue, one choice: the new SE. 

Update On A Bruin Hokanson Well In Ellisville -- June 2, 2020

The well:

• 20723, 279, Bruin/HRC/Petro-Hunt, Hokanson 158-99-32D-29-1H, Ellisvilel/wildcat;  t11/11; cum 154K 4/20; 

Recent production:

Pool	Date	Days	BBLS Oil	Runs	BBLS Water	MCF Prod	MCF Sold	Vent/Flare
BAKKEN	4-2020	4	152	260	225	300	149	0
BAKKEN	3-2020	31	1258	1416	1805	2072	841	60
BAKKEN	2-2020	29	1264	1049	1908	1651	551	4
BAKKEN	1-2020	2	0	0	250	76	0	0
BAKKEN	12-2019	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
BAKKEN	11-2019	3	33	0	53	132	21	0
BAKKEN	10-2019	31	725	1153	1302	1900	113	617
BAKKEN	9-2019	30	1108	735	1935	2853	277	1448
BAKKEN	8-2019	29	1151	1176	2085	2224	128	1015

The graphic:

Notes From All Over -- Late Afternoon Edition -- June 2, 2020

Disclaimer: this is not an investment site.  Do not make any investment, financial, job, career, travel, or relationship decisions based on what you read here or think you may have read here.

MSFT vs AAPL, link here.

Software giant Microsoft could reach a market capitalization of $2 trillion in two years thanks to its cloud-computing growth, a Wall Street analyst said Tuesday.

The prediction comes a day after another analyst said Apple could hit the same market value in four years. Microsoft stock rose on Tuesday.

In a note to clients, Wells Fargo Securities analyst Philip Winslow said he envisions Microsoft hitting a market value of $2.2 trillion in two years. That's a level greater than Italy's gross domestic product in 2019, he noted.

That market cap would translate to a Microsoft stock price of 283, he said. Microsoft's current market cap is about $1.4 trillion, or roughly the same as Apple's value. On Monday, Evercore ISI predicted that Apple will reach a $2 trillion market cap in the next four years.

Teres Major -- Nothing About The Bakken -- June 2, 2020

And so we move on to grilling again.

This is all started with a note from a long-time reader who shared with me her experiences with teres major, a very inexpensive cut of beef that, as she says, is a "kissin' cousin" to filet mignon.

I had long forgotten "teres major.' Vaguely from my days in human anatomy did it come back. But I had to look it up again.

It's a relatively small muscle in the human shoulder. It is best seen when standing behind the human specimen. The teres major helps stabilize the humeral head in the glenoid cavity -- helps keep the upper arm from dislocating from the shoulder which can be seen in acrobats and swimmers. It helps rotate the upper arm towards the chest and helps draw the upper arm toward the chest. When the arm is raised above the head, the teres major brings the arm down, and can help extend the lowered arm backwards.

Teres is Latin for "rounded, cylindrical," but also polished, smooth. A "terete" muscle has a smooth, circular cross-section, commonly, more or less, a tapering muscle.

Beef teres major is not going to be found at your typical grocer but specialty butcher shops may have it. The reader says she prepares it like she prepares prime rib. It's a nice alternative to rib-eye and less expensive the filet mignon: medium rare with a good crust.

By the way, a digression. There are those who feel filet mignon is over-rated; it is very, very tasty, of course, but being so tender it doesn't have the "chewiness" factor that many beef lovers enjoy.That was nice to read some years ago; I now no longer feel the "need" to order filet mignon to impress anyone.

But back to teres major.

From the Complete Carnivore:

The teres major is also called the shoulder tender, mock tender or petite tender but I like teres major since it sounds cooler.

This cut comes from the shoulder or chuck of the steer.

When most people think of the chuck they think of a chuck roast or a chuck steak which if a fairly tough cut that has a lot of connective tissue in it. As a result it is usually relegated to pot roast duty and I will say there are few things better than a nice pot roast.

But in the hands of a skilled butcher there are some individual muscles in the chuck that are very tender and flavorful on their own. Most teres major roasts are 12-16 ozs so they are a fairly small cut and it takes the hands of a skilled butcher to extract it from the chuck. This muscle helps connect the shoulder blade to the front shoulder of the steer and lives fairly close to the flat iron. It is called the “mock tender” because it resembles a smaller version of a tenderloin roast which is where the coveted filet mignon comes from. It is second only to the tenderloin when it comes to tenderness but I think it has a much better flavor than a tenderloin or filet.

Online retailers like Snake River Farms will probably be your best bet if you want to try this cut.

So, let's check out Snake River Farms. And then search at that site for teres major. They write:

In a recent unofficial poll of people in our office, the Teres Major was voted “Most Favorite Cut of Beef.”

You might not find the Teres Major at your local grocery store, but it’s well known by butchers, beef insiders and uber-foodies.

It’s an uncommon item because it requires a skillful touch to cut if from the chuck (also known as the shoulder). Like the popular, and more expensive, tenderloin, this is a little used muscle so it is naturally very tender. Each Teres Major is shaped like a small tenderloin roast and can be cooked or grilled whole, then sliced into medallions. It can also be used for upscale kabobs, fajitas or other ethnic dishes. No matter how you prepare it, you’ll be amazed at the tender texture, rich flavor and delicious eating experience.

Pricing at the linked site.

So, it's a long, cylindrical, fairly small, under-used muscle of the steer's shoulder. It is second in tenderness only to the tenderloin. Because of it's long, cylindrical shape, when cut transversely, makes for great small-to-medium sized medallions.

A huge "thank you" to the reader for taking time to introduce me to this cut of meat.

********************************

For The Archives

Later, back on June, 14, 2020, I tracked down two strips of Teres major. Here in north Texas they are called SW Grillers by at least one outlet.

Eighteen minutes, indirect heat, near hot coals. Smaller cut of meat, should have gone with sixteen minute. Pepper and sea salt rub. That was it. I wonder what a bit of butter on the meat before applying salt/pepper would do?

This compares favorably with filet mignon. At the time these photos were taken, filet mignon was selling for $29.99 / pound at the same store where Teres major was selling for $7.99 / pound.

Re-Posting: Most Interesting Data Point All Week? -- June 2, 2020

Most interesting data point all week?

Look at those month-over-month and year-over-year declines. Quite remarkable.

Meanwhile, in the Permian:

**************************************

Sweden Reported No Deaths From Corona Virus, Sunday, May 31, 2020

But then Sweden seldom reports any deaths on Sundays.

A most bizarre virus, to say the least. It observes the Christian Sabbath. 

Meanwhile, "today," with new deaths:

• Sweden jumps to fourth place internationally, reporting 65 new deaths:
• Denmark: 65th place, with no new deaths:
• Norway: in 71st place, with no new deaths;

Of 129 nations worldwide, to be in 4th position with regard to new deaths is quite a feat for a small nation like Sweden.

St Greta? Crickets.

Here's Norway. Be sure to compare the y axis in each chart. The Swedish y axis goes to 200; the Norwegian y axis goes to 20.

I don't know what Norway has done to pretty much eliminate Wuhan flu, but it's quite remarkable.

Two Stories Popping Up Overnight Deserve Attention -- June 2, 2020

First from Rigzone:

Second, from multiple sources, China paying "up" for "sour bbls:

See also, this note.

Urals: one source has Urals up 5.05%; up $1.75, at $36.40 but recently that source has appeared to have some variances from other sources. Whatever. With regard to the Urals we started to see this movement last week. Now this from twitter, yesterday -- link here:

A Lot Of Work Is Left To Be Done In The Bakken -- Random Note -- June 2, 2020

Updating wells yesterday, I was again struck by all the work that is left to be done in the Bakken.

In the screen shots below, look at:

• all the white area;
• all the wells on "DRL" or "CONF" status;
• the fields: these are all Tier 1 fields in the Bakken and only beginning to be fully developed.

Wuhan Flu: The Michigan Update -- June 2, 2020

One month ago, May 2, 2020, I said I would look in again on Michigan's experience with Wuhan flu. The state seems "out of control" on this issue and the governor seems to be seen as a bit "nutty" by any number of observers, so I thought it would be interesting to see where Michigan is with regard to Wuhan flu a month later.

So, here we go.

Apparently, within the last 24 - 48 hours, the governor abruptly lifted the state's lockdown orders, but will still require social distancing, masks, etc. The headline suggests Michigan is coming in line with the rest of the nation.

On May 2, 2020, I ranked the top ten states based on new deaths in 24 hours on a per capita basis. Michigan was ranked fourth. One month later, Michigan ranked eighth in number of new deaths in 24 hours on a per capita basis.

This is just a snapshot, one 24-hour period, comparing May 2, 2020, with June 2, 2020 (I'm using "yesterday" results because results for "today" won't be posted until tomorrow):

Deaths - May 2, 2020	State population in 100K	New Deaths Over Past 24 Hours	Total Deaths	% new deaths in this state vs top 11 states	% total deaths in this state vs top 11 states	Total Deaths/100K population	Total Deaths/100K as Precent Among Top 11 States	New Deaths/Million Populaton
NJ	90	204	7742	15.86%	14%	86.02	14%	23
CT	40	97	2436	7.54%	4%	60.90	4%	24
MA	70	130	3846	10.11%	7%	54.94	7%	19
MI	100	154	4020	11.98%	7%	40.20	7%	15
NY	200	299	24368	23.25%	45%	121.84	45%	15
PA	130	125	2776	9.72%	5%	21.35	5%	10
IL	130	102	2559	7.93%	5%	19.68	5%	8
LA	40	23	1993	1.79%	4%	49.83	4%	6
FL	220	50	1364	3.89%	3%	6.20	3%	2
CA	400	77	2188	5.99%	4%	5.47	4%	2
TX	300	25	874	1.94%	2%	2.91	2%	1
Deaths - June 2, 2020	State population in 100K	New Deaths Over Past 24 Hours	Total Deaths	% new deaths in this state vs top 11 states	% total deaths in this state vs top 11 states	Total Deaths/100K population	Total Deaths/100K as Precent Among Top 11 States	New Deaths/Million Populaton
MA	70	189	7035	36.14%	9%	100.50	9%	27
NY	200	70	29968	13.38%	39%	149.84	39%	4
OH	120	52	2214	9.94%	3%	18.45	3%	4
CA	400	47	4287	8.99%	6%	10.72	6%	1
GA	106	36	2089	6.88%	3%	19.71	3%	3
MI	100	25	5516	4.78%	7%	55.16	7%	3
IL	130	22	5412	4.21%	7%	41.63	7%	2
NJ	90	21	11732	4.02%	15%	130.36	15%	2
IA	30	21	556	4.02%	1%	18.53	1%	7
PA	130	20	5598	3.82%	7%	43.06	7%	2
MD	60	20	2552	3.82%	3%	42.53	3%	3

Massachusetts is an outlier; it had a huge spike yesterday. It reported 189 deaths overnight and corrected for population that is a huge jump. When one sees a huge jump like this, one wonders if it is reporting anomaly. Was this for the weekend? Later: this looks like an anomaly. Looking at Massachusetts data one day later, Massachusetts drops well down the list.