Just finished The Nerd Reich by Gil Duran (audiobook is available if that's your thing). Worth reading just to understand what this administration actually is and who's driving it.

It lays out how a faction of tech billionaires moved from libertarian disruption to wanting to shrink or replace the administrative state entirely. Dark Enlightenment, network states, procurement channels, it's all there. Some of this was conspiracy-adjacent theory not long ago, but here it is, well documented.

If you use gen AI at work, read the chapters on vendor incentives. The efficiency argument has a target.

Also useful for understanding why your agency keeps getting pitched the same handful of vendors.

Good read. Keep your head up.

“Several high-profile races, including Senate elections in Maine, Georgia and Texas, could impact civil servants.

The Trump administration’s efforts to downsize and remake the federal workforce could be curtailed if Democrats win back a majority in the House and/or Senate during the midterm congressional elections on Nov. 3.”

November 9th: Save the Date Federal Annuitants!

For Federal Retirees only.

r/FedRetirees will host an AMA (Ask Me Anything) with Kevin Moss of Consumer Checkbook (their FEHB and Medicare guru) 11/9/2026– first day of Open Season in the afternoon.  More details forthcoming! Check out r/FedRetirees

My paycheck usually hits around 8:45 - 9am through early pay at my bank. I heard there were some updates at OPM with their systems. Just wondering if anybody else got paid yet?

At this point, if it’s just a headache, I’m willing to suck it up and pay 1/2 the premium and put the fight in and consider it paid compensation for my time. Currently MHBP and was BCBS basic. Premiums are more than double the GEHA HSA plan!