I took a nap this afternoon between work and dinner. I could probably go to be now and fall asleep right away, but then I’d be awake at 4 am. I’m yawning as I write this.
Last week Audible released an audio adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman. I think I’ll listen to some of that while I water the azaleas in the front yard.
Being informed is a virtue. It helps us make better decisions and encourages us to take action.
Getting hooked on an endless scroll of media inputs is not the same as being informed. There’s long been a business model of urgent news (“man bites dog!”), but now it’s been leveraged, amplified and optimized to suck people in for hours at a time. And division is much easier to sell than progress.
If it’s not helping you take action to make things better, what’s it for?
I’ve decided to buy a new laptop. My MacBook Pro (which I’m typing on now) is eight years old and has been showing signs of wear. One of the fans has stopped working. The built-in WiFi has become unreliable. (It has a bad connection. I’ve seen it when I’ve opened the case to do repairs and upgrades. I likely caused it during one of those forays.) I’ve replaced the power cord and adapter three times, and the most recent replacement (this year) appears to have a short in the cord already.
All of those problems can be fixed. I can order a new fan. (You may recall that I already did that, but had to return it because the supplier sent the wrong part. I’ll probably reorder one soon.) I got a USB WiFi adapter for less than $20 that solved the connectivity problem. The power cord works as long as I keep it in a certain position, but it’ll die eventually. But as I mentioned, I’ve replaced power cords before and I can replace them again.
The deciding factor, though was Apple’s announcement that it was no longer supporting my model. That means replacement parts will be harder to come by, but more importantly (to me, anyway), no more macOS upgrades. Apple releases a new version of its Mac operating system every year, and the companies that create the applications I use the most typically release new versions of those apps that require the latest macOS version.
Yes, I could stay where I am. I could forgo the new macOS and app features, continue fixing my hardware, and get along fine. But at some point you have to move on. Eventually this laptop will have a hardware failure that will be too expensive to repair; probably sooner rather than later. As much as I love it, I need to replace it.
I can keep using it for other tasks. I do that with older computers quite a bit. I have a 2008 MacBook that I still use to transfer video from VCRs and camcorders. I can find a use for this one. But its time as my personal laptop is coming to a close, and I have mixed feelings about that. That’s a topic for another day, though.
A place on the internet where all we travel hungry fools share our ‘window views’ to help each other feel a little bit better till we can (responsibly) explore our beautiful planet again.
Strange day. Woke up to find out that John Lewis had passed away. It’s my maternal grandfather’s 100th birthday. He died twenty years ago. Yard work and PPP loan applications. Online grocery shopping. Hoping for some rain so I don’t have to water the droopy azaleas. Need to fold some laundry and get something for dinner. Life goes on.
Stay healthy and safe.
Two from Rex Chapman
Probably fake, but still funny.
Probably real, and impressive.
Two from Super 70s Sports
Thank You
Song of the Day
Son, I am able,” she said “Though you scare me.” “Watch” Said I. “Beloved,” I said “Watch me scare you, though” Said she, “Able am I, Son”
Busy day today. Lots of budget planning at work and PPP loan application work for church. Only one meeting on my calendar tomorrow. Software deploy over the weekend. Hoping nothing blows up.
1 of 7 FRM:Fred Janssen SUBJ:CONTACT THE COURIER MSG:IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF YOUR TOTAL FUND OF $7.5 MILLION US DOLLARS
I am Agent Frederick (Con’t) 2 of 7 Janssen,an INTERPOL Special Agent and this is to inform you that I was sent to secure the release of your fund which has now been (Con’t) 3 of 7 credited into an ATM Card by the issuing bank. This decision was taken to assist you secure your fund safely and prevent you from dealing (Con’t) 4 of 7 with internet scammers who may claim to be in possesion of your money. The bank has now handed over your package to Topchrono Courier (Con’t) 5 of 7 and you have to send them details now for the delivery;
Your Full names………………. Address……………………… Telephon More?
Got my car back today. I almost feel whole again. I got the replacement fan for my MacBook Pro yesterday. I ordered a left side fan. They sent a right side fan. Back it went. Rae should be back soon with takeout dinner from Local Republic. Then I need to get ready for a church board meeting tomorrow night.
Stay healthy and safe.
Today’s Quote
I have a hard time picturing what it looks like, this new time. I have gone out fully garbed and bemasked to pick up takeout, which I then wash in a river like a raccoon before eating it. I try to excise horror beyond that which is genuinely required, sand it down, but there’s a lot of pretty normal stuff I consider completely beyond comprehension now and I think there’s going to be a lag between when things are Okay Actually and when I Feel Like Things Are Okay. Personal fitness isn’t a priority or even an interest for me anymore generally, I’ve had a lot of weird intellectual lifts the last few years, but I think I need to emphasize health right now just so I can see the science fiction this generation creates.
My doctor says my finger is much better. My arm? Not so much. I’m not having any pain and my range of motion has returned, but the fracture is still there. I have to keep wearing my sling, not lift anything, and go back in four weeks. If it’s not making progress in a month I’m tempted to ask him to put me in a cast and be done with it. Save me from myself.
We had another fun D&D session today. The adventure plot is thickening. Maybe I’ll do a summary of game events to date in a separate post. For now I’m chilling. It’s nice out tonight.
I go to the doctor tomorrow afternoon for a fracture update. My arm feels pretty normal and my finger is approaching that state. Hopefully I can stop taping my little finger to my ring finger. There’s a fingers crossed pun in there somewhere.
