The book came out around 1998, so it might have invented the idea of cryptocurrency.
After I read it, I discussed it with another fellow. He told me that he’d shown one passage to his wife, an astrophysics student. She showed it to her professor, who told her that this was advanced math.
If you haven’t read it, ‘Cryptonomicon’ by Neal Stephenson sounds like it would be your kind of book. The story alternates between the grandfather, who helped protect the Enigma secret from the Nazis, to the grandson, who is trying to start an online bank. There is hidden treasure, heroic US Marines, mysterious wizards, and tooth extractions.
First book is Jade City. I like that it’s set in a 1950’s tech world with the magic being only one part of the greater story. Crime, politics, family drama; it’s the Godfather with super powers.
To Your Scattered Bodies Go… by Philip Jose Farmer. Everyone who ever lived wakes up on the banks of The River.
Chocolate covered espresso beans. Think peanut M&M’s with a caffeine center. The only candy I’ve ever heard of that can actually cause a medical emergency.
Actual Police Headquarters at One Police Plaza is/was about a mile away from Ground Zero. The store shown was being used as the onsite HQ for the rescue/recovery effort.
It’s funny. They are all referred to by their last names [Dr. McCoy, Mr. Scott, Ensign Chekov] but people always assume that ‘Uhura’ is her first name.
Children under 5 get a giant Christmas card, the kind the whole office is supposed to sign. Little kids never get mail, so you’ll make their Christmas. Give parents cash to get whatever the kid actually needs.
Children 5 to 10 get a GI Joe or a Barbie. Doesn’t matter if the kid likes that toy, what matters is that they can trade it in the school yard. It’s like sending someone in jail a carton of Newports.
Ages 10 to 20 get cash.
Over 20 gets a nice bottle of booze. Even if they don’t drink, they can regift it easily.
[off topic] From ‘Cheers’ Same and Woody are discussing music. Sam says that sometimes he’ll rock out to the real old time rock and roll; the Marvelettes; the Four Tops; The Temptations. He asks Woody if he’s ever heard of any of them. Woddy says no, but sometimes his Mom would have him listen to Devo.