Notes from a Hired Pen: Wandering back

Readers!

My time in Italy is coming to a close, and while I’ve had an experience, I am very much looking forward to being back in my house, and, most importantly, with my dog.

I was vague on when I was returning because I wasn’t exactly sure. It is going to be earlier than I planned though. I’m homesick, yes, but at the end of my mom’s visit here, we both got food poising. That was my “that’s enough” moment, and I moved up my flight so I’ll be home next week.

I’ll probably have more to say when I’m not so weary, but until then, here’s a story on how the AI/Business Insider story is much bigger than originally reported. Guess going all in on AI bit them in the butt, huh?

 

Recent Bylines

“Is Your Bank Overspending on Tech?” Independent Banker

“Addressing Operational Pain Points with Regtech,” Independent Banker

“Talent Trends in 2025 so far: Training, AI and Diversity,” HR Dive

“Why cyber risk lurks in legacy tech,” CIO Dive

 

What I’m Reading

• The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand. I admit that I had gotten tired of Hilderbrand books set in the jet set in Nantucket, but English language books are limited here, and why not. Surprise! This crime thriller (ish) was good! I didn’t guess what happened until right before the big reveal.
• Death in August by Marco Vichi. Vichi is a popular Italian crime novelists here, and this is the first in his Inspector Bordelli series, which starts in 1963. Unlike the book above, I guessed what happened half way through. It wasn’t my favorite, but it wasn’t a bad way to pass the time on a train.
• Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan. Like his best known book Crazy Rich Asians, this is about people with  a lot of money, and how they view the rest of the world, including people with similar wealth and “normal” people. Is it kind of silly? Yes. Did I enjoy reading it by a beach on the Adriatic Sea and a pool? Also yes.

What I’m Watching

• Thursday Murder Club. This adaption of the first of the Thursday Murder Club books was almost perfect — except for one change that would be a huge spoiler even if you didn’t read the book and just wanted to watch the movie. I have a feeling about how they’re going to get around the change if they make a sequel (which I imagine they will). This also seemed very expensive for a direct to streaming release, but what do I know.
• Wild Wild Country. I am very late to this 2018 docuseries about an Indian Guru and his cult who tried to take over a Wasco County, Oregon. Some of what they did was jaw dropping, as was the people who continue to insist they did nothing wrong.
• Unknown Number: The High School Catfish. A teenager and her boyfriend start getting a series of absoultely unhinged texts from an unknown person. Who is it? I appear to be as shocked by this whole thing as everyone else. I’m flabbergasted that someone would do this.

 

Nail Polish of the Week

None. Food poisoning sucks. Do not recommend in any circumstances, but especially not in a another country.

 

Until next time!

Jen A. Miller (she/her)

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