Record Player Update
Recovery Challenge
I have been on a quest to build my running capabilities over the past 18 months. I finally succumbed to a second running injury, my left heal in the form of plantar fascitis. It is not fun and it is taking much longer to recover than I had hoped. Luckily I am at the point where I am able to run again, but really should give it a full day of recovery to let my foot bounce back - so to speak.
Tech Independence
This site and how it is hosted is inspired by Derek Sivers. I know of him from his book Anything You Want, which I highly recommend. He gives a very detailed set of instructions for breaking away from the big tech universe and to host your own thing on your own terms. It involves a fair amount of terminal, but I am happy to spend any time I can in the terminal.
The 'Upstairs is Hot' Project
Every summer will be hotter than the last. This is likely due to global climate change and my failing memories. This early summer has already resulted in grumpy teens in their southern rooms. They sit over the garage and one room in particular runs much warmer than everywhere else by about four degrees. The room has an attic access through the closet and a lot of warm air radiates from the attic space.
The Godfather by Mario Puzo
I read part one of The Godfather, but decided to abandon the rest of the book. The movie portrays the book really well, in fact almost exactly. The dialogue is nearly word for word. I think it is a testament to how well both are crafted. This leads me to wonder, why am I even reading the book if I get nothing new out of it? So I decided to move on.
The Illusion of Self
Let us talk about that narrative in your head. The one where you have attributed bad intent by those around you. Everyone conspiring against you. Sorry, you are likely wrong and here is why: Eastern philosophy says there is no “self.” Science agrees
The Philosophy take:
To take it a step further, the implication is that without thought, the self does not, in fact, exist. In the same way that walking only exists while one is walking, the self only exists while there are thoughts about it.
Thinking vs Doing
Back up to my early thirties and I was insufferable in many ways. Home projects were a dread. Being a self-described engineer, any problem I had to solve, I would think of the most efficient series of steps to accomplish what needs to be done. I would let this happen in the background while I went about more exciting distractions. Nothing got done, but it felt like I was doing important planning and design work.
Apple's Augmented Reality
I’m disappointed Apple has gotten into the Augmented Reality business with the announcement of their Vision Pro device. What the world does not need is more digital infused glass dividing us human beings from each other. I was happily satisfied to call the Meta VR headsets a massive lighting of cash on fire experiment that we would all laugh at. With Apple getting into the game though, they bring their brand coolness factor and it’ll launch an entire wave of enthusiasts because we know Apple will do it right.
Going to Bed Hungry
I am a calorie counter by necessity and have been doing so consistently for over three years and for the better part of ten years. If I don’t count calories, I have zero self control. It’s how I keep myself accountable. Now that we are in the warmer months, I’ve been wanting to challenge myself to lose some extra weight, so I’ve been trying to go to bed hungry. Hunger as a sensation will not negatively hurt me and I’m fortunate that it is temporary.
Here vs. There
Everyday I grow much more comfortable with here and think much less about there. Maybe it was the pandemic, or maybe it is my getting older. Here is full of rich detail. Squirrels fighting, birds chirping, trees blowing in the breeze, and ants making their way around me. There is place I have not seen before, but perhaps have thought about, read about, or seen pictures of. There has many of the same things as here - trees, rodents, birds, bugs, etc.