Reality is Suspended - Temporarily

Once upon a time, someone mentioned how irritating it is when movies or television shows add sound effects to on-screen computer simulations.  As actors type, or as something new appears on their monitors, these sounds begin to chime, bong, whoosh, ding, beep, and well, all sorts of creative audio signals that apparently are needed to communicate to the audience that the computer was DOING something.

My friend does not find himself alone when mentioning this apparently widespread annoyance. A quote from Mashable prophetically states, 

“There is a reason why our computers don’t make those sounds. Because no one would buy a computer that acts like that.”

Tom Makes Me Think

TOM (SOLOS) – Season 1, Episode 2

Tom has leukemia and his demise is fast approaching. He’s spent $30k to buy Tom-2, a robot that will take over his life on earth after he passes.  He doesn’t want his wife to be alone. He wants his family to feel comfortable, almost like he has never left. Such is Tom's goal in this sci-fi video.

It's the Job's Fault

I am betting that no matter what you do, no matter where you do it, no matter who you report to or what tasks you’re scheduled to complete, you have at some point in time uttered the words, “I hate my job.”  (Note:  I am just talking about you, of course.  Depending on who is reading this, let me make it perfectly clear that I have NEVER said that! – no, really!)

You might then:

• Decide to retaliate by doing only the bare minimum work as defined by you.  You might use words like, “It’s not my job”, or “I’m not getting paid to do that, or even, “I punch in at 8 and punch out at 5 – exactly 5, not a minute later.”
• Decide to tweak your resume’ and begin the process of leaving.  You’ll hold on because you need the paycheck but continue working in a state of resentment, bitterness, and mistrust.  Clearly, you are under-appreciated.  It’s obvious to everyone that people have no respect for you or what you do. The grass is greener . . .
• Decide to be grateful as so many have no source of income.  You suddenly remember that Covid-19 has disrupted millions of lives.  People who were dedicated and productive employees (or contractors, or business owners) were pushed out of the work-force through no fault of their own.  You bite-the-bullet and buckle down ‘working until something better comes along’.  You stay invisible but do little to change the circumstances.

You can easily see that in each case, the choice is yours.  You are in control and you have options – just pick one.

God's Waze

I never knew how to fold up a map.  Once used, it just never looked the same.  It immediately became nearly unusable after being exposed to my hands. Such a mess.

But many years ago, AAA found a better way!  They created the TripTik Travel Planner.  This little tool was amazing and worth the price of membership! You submitted (by mail) the information outlining the trip you were planning; Origination point, Waypoints, Destination and Dates. Within a week or so, you would receive an 4"x 8" spiral-bound map red-lining your route.  Start at the top and flip the page when you get to the bottom.  No folding required.  And even better, the return directions were included!

I don't use TripTik Travel Planners anymore.  There is something better called GPS.  And I use it every day.  The app on my phone is called WAZE.  It's amazing - and free!  I have learned to follow the directions given because, it seems, that any time I decide I know best, I find that I do not.

Maybe Blame This One on Heat-stroke

The dewpoint right now is 59!

After what seems like months (probably only weeks, but still…) where a dewpoint of 70 degrees held the position of low-point baseline and where approaching 80 degrees was considered normal, the windows are now open and I can breathe again!

Thank you Tropical Depression Gordon, I guess. The welcome cooler temperatures are also bringing a good deal of precipitation, but that’s a story for another day.

So, why did my thoughts turn to skiing!

That’s right, like in ‘snow’ skiing!  (I guess I must have been hotter than I thought!)

I haven’t been skiing for years.  I think the last time was a trip to Afton Alps in Minnesota (is that still around?) with my daughter.  It was a good day, but it was, I admit, forced.  It was a guilt trip induced by my child with the words, “If you were a ski-instructor, how come you’ve never taken me skiing, dad?”  (Perhaps I should consider therapy to help answer her question.  Why didn’t I?)

Well, we went skiing and had a great time - but I wasn’t very good any more.