< Notes...

When the girl tells me she is stressed, and had a mental breakdown, it truly hurts my heart—that feeling one gets, as if someone was squeezing it. It upsets, worries me so much! Why will there be things for which we feel so impotent to do anything?

Pet peeve #19657: using relatives when referring to conclusives. “It looks like it is happening” rather than “It is happening”. “It looks like the firewall is allowing connections” rather than “The firewall allows connections”. It is not alledged when just is. Duck!

On The Past Is Not True written by Derek, I liked this a lot, because if you give it a thought you will know it is oh-so-true.

“We think of the past like it’s a physical fact - like it’s real. But the past is what we call our memory and stories about it. Imperfect memories, and stories built on one interpretation of incomplete information. That’s “the past”.”

➝ Via Hacker News.

I have a general antipathy for the indented paragraphs writing style (that is, first line of each paragraph is indented). I truly dislike it, and very much prefer—and exclusively use—a block format.

It is not just that I don’t like it visually, it goes beyond that. I find the style hard to read. Maybe it is just the way my brain is wired.

Picking nuts out a bag without looking is better than placing then in a bowl. When you pick them from the bag, you get a random assortment. On the other hand, having them in a bowl tempts you to discriminate, and hand-pick what you like—which will, irremediably, result in waste.

Some words about happiness that resonated for me this morning:

It is this note timestamp, and I am going to sleep. I have been going to bed each day, for the last few weeks, past 01:30, and waking up at 06:00. It has now caught up with me. Youngster no more.

For those who use “fine” often—when refering to issues with software, for example, “it works fine”, or “it’s fine!”—a sentence I read, don’t remember where (and I paraphrase): “Fine is far from good, and nowhere near great.”

Came across this, and though it sounds nice, and comes across as altruistic, it is naïve. Maybe it is the pedantic in me, but my impact to the world is the same as the impact of a single ant: null. I understand the feeling, though, and I, myself, try to be as caring and considerate as possible, nevertheless.

Today is one of those where I wake up, and think—in stumped disbelief—“Hell, I am 0x37! How did this happen?!” Saying that time is flying is an understatement we often casually mention. It truly is!

The news that National Geographic is beginning to shut down, pretty much, is a bad one. I mean, it is not going offline per se, but it is getting mighty close to do it.

“In case of rapture, this car will be unmanned”, read the sticky on the SUV in front of me yesterday. That stroke me as very careless, irresponsible, and negligent.

A friend, and colleague asked me “How are you?”. In the US that is used often as a polite way to say hello. I replied “Could be better, but also could be worse. So I will not complain. I am how I am supposed to be.” It came to mind quickly, as I remembered Gandalf’s reply to Frodo’s “You are late!” — “A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.”

The Guardian is banning all advertising that relates to gambling. That is the right thing to do!

The Guardian has announced a global ban on gambling advertising, arguing it is unethical to take money from services that can lead to “addiction and financial ruin.”

Old people often state claims that are simply a repeat of generations before them, which are then taken as a true fact written in stone. Alcohol consumption, like “a glass of red wine each day is good for you” is one of them. The truth is, “no amount of alcohol is good for your health”.

“Our results show that the safest level of drinking is none,” the report states. “This level is in conflict with most health guidelines, which espouse health benefits associated with consuming up to two drinks per day.”

More on this, a bit more recent. Bottom line, don’t.

Skynet looms on the nearby horizon. Time to see “Terminator” again!

“I think if this technology goes wrong, it can go quite wrong,” Mr. Altman told the Senate subcommittee. “We want to work with the government to prevent that from happening.”

Everything in life can be a waste of time. Waste of time is a philosophical expression.

Feeling disappointed at my fellow human beings. Not all, of course. Though obvious, it is worth noting. And so, I will postpone going to sleep until I feel a bit better, or that melatonin I just took kicks in.

“Everyone wants a foldable phone, but most of us can’t afford one yet”, a headline on CNN. No, I don’t want one. Pff!

Precisely how I feel without the cursing. If I want to play, stare at the clouds, walk around and smell flowers (or whatever!); there is never time wasted. It is my time. I will pick how to use it.

If everything were to happen the way you want it, wouldn’t it be boring? It would be nice, though, if it happened at least once…

I am experiencing a time blend. That is, days are seemingly mashing together, and I am temporarily losing the notion of time. Not a good feeling, and it is driving those around me slightly nuts.

I have never been good at writing. Short babbles? Yes. Writing, no so much. I think—and this is just me thinking, while avoiding folding the mountain of clothes waiting for me in the living room—it is time to put collantes.us to rest.

“Nobody should ever attempt to take the chocolate out of Willy Wonka! Ever!” before adding “For me, it is sacrosanct. It’s our history, it’s our cultural heritage. I do not believe in censorship in that way.” — Steven Spielberg

I believe there are certain things (and I siding with Spielberg) that we must leave, as a semi-permanent reminder of past stupidities, cruelties, etc. We can change who we are, but must never forget who we were.