As we move into the future, the opportunities of being watch, recorded, and listen to are constantly increased. Phone mics can be activated remotely, webcams can be used to spy, and digital assistants are always listening, learning, and getting to know our preferences.
Are we ever alone?
Does it alter what you would do if no one was watching?
January is the diet month. The month many people resolve to lose that extra weight. The month to start the year to make a difference.
But how to diet?
Some say low carb. Others high carb. Again others say high protein, or low protein, or moderate protein.
Some say red food, some say green.
You see, if you start to read about diets, you’ll find they all work and at the same time, none of them do.
If you’re one of the many hoping to make this year the year to diet your way to a new you. Good luck.
I am one of those who belong to that new religion of Instant Pot.
I love watching Infomercials, especially for music collections and cooking devices. The pressure cooker show sold me completely and I put it on my goal list to add this device to my collection.
I may be gullible but I’m also really cheap. I hate to spend money, mostly because I generally have none to spend. It’s a great combination actually, cuts down on the clutter, but I recognized a good idea when I saw one.
The featured pressure cooker may have been great in principle, but was it the best one. It’s very important to get the best bang for the buck! After hours of searching, researching, watching videos, and watching eBay and Amazon, I finally settled on an 8 quart Instant Pot brand pressure cooker.
I didn’t realize until after my purchase that it had such a cult following, but its faithful brought a lot of information to the table. I could learn to cook anything. And I did. And I am continuing to grow as a member of this new religion.
Like in most belief systems, there would come a trial of my faith. Popcorn.
The videos made it look so simple. Put the oil in. Put the popcorn in. Start the movie and snuggle up on the couch with my sweetie and listen to her shower me with praise of how perfect the popcorn tasted. Alas, it didn’t work. I had way more not popped kernels than popped and a distinct burnt smell throughout the house.
Again I tried and failed.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Had I been duped? Back to YT university I went.
A hack they call it. A simple way to manipulate a device for a better result. There in the scriptures of visual revelation a video appeared in my search. I tried it. It worked. My wife loved me again, at least my popcorn anyway.
The solution was simple; put a quarter under the pot and over the temperature sensor. This little act attenuates the reading and leaves the heating element on for a longer period of time.
Is it safe? I’m sure. Is it recommended? Probably not. Did it work? Yes!
From car repairs, to conspiracy theories, to unlocking cooking secrets; I am a faithful student of You Tube University. I only wish they gave out degrees to put on my resume.
As the current version of a federal government shutdown continues, I would think there would be some important issues. I guess some things are more important to others than to me.
I grew up believing the less government the better, and I still feel that way. And shutdowns on occasion seem like a good idea really. Maybe we can learn that all these services actually cost something and we can rethink what we pay for. Somethings may be good, some bad.
Apparently, according to the news casts, bathrooms at public parks are the biggest issue. Barring “emergency situations” can we not as a people hold it a little. #1 is a little tough to manage but can we not control #2 a little better than leaving it behind to a point the parks need to be shut down?
Do we really need the government to be our potty master?
Hey kids,
I’ve got my lazy moments. At the time of this writing, I’m sitting in my chair with my feet up, with the TV on, and sipping raspberry tea.
Of course, this is following a near 14 hour shift.
I have my lazy moments and maybe I’m slow in getting my next book finished; but if you need something, if you need me, if there’s something that needs to be done; I’m there.
I don’t know what it is that makes one person willing to work and another willing to let others do it. I don’t understand a person that is willing to stand back and watch someone else do something they could do but won’t, or concede that someone can out work them, or willing to be the served upon.
It frustrating to see it. It’s aggravating to watch lazy. But deep down I’m glad as hell I’m not one of those people.
Hey kids!
Today was the first paid holiday of the year. I worked. I figured I can always use some extra money. It surprises me how many people pass the opportunity.
Last October, I laid my motorcycle down on a rainy ride home from work. The bike was a total loss. So today I put the equivalent amount of the money I earned today down on another motorcycle.
Tomorrow, I’ll complete the deal and have my new (er) motorcycle by end of week. (Stay tuned for details on that later).
My point? Working this morning and buying the motorcycle had no direct connection. I could’ve done either without the other.
But working this morning, and knowing that the extra money made from the simple sacrifice of giving up some time on a day I would’ve wasted anyway could be used for something I really wanted; it made the down payment technically free.
Always take the OT.
Hey kids!
There have been some bad things this past year. But overall, really; it hasn’t been that bad of a year. Pretty much like the rest of them. And I imagine as well as the ones coming up.
This is not a negative thing. It’s just a thing. The way things are.
I expect big things to happen in 2019. I imagine some bad things will come along as well. But one year from today, it will be declared a good year.
I have a good feeling about it.
Which is as good as anything else.
My uncle, of which I spoke yesterday, passed this morning. Although it wasn’t the most convenient time to take a day off, I decided i was needed to be with my father.
The Yamaha brought me the 140 miles down here and I’ve spent the remainder of my time visiting with my parents. My reboot will have to wait a day.
Post: 4-002
Hey Kids,
The resurrection of the Yamaha has begun.
I removed the front wheel and took it, with the replacement tire, to the shop for pick-up tomorrow. I hate it when I wait until everybody else is also trying to get their bikes ready, I feel like such a fair-weather motorcyclist.
Hopefully I’ll get the new shoes, pass inspection, and be able to pay the registration fee so I can marshall the bicycle event this Saturday.
Most of the other marshals will be from the local BMW riding club. I think I saw a couple of Ducati’s last year, but the Japanese cruisers were sorely misrepresented. In fact only one bike out of the 20-30 marshals was a Harley Davidson. Not that I don’t appreciate it when they are under-represented.
I notice the BMW group dresses differently. They wear real motorcycle gear. It’s very Euro-style and it has become their thing.
The sport bikers wear their tight leather outfits, usually in some bright or highly contrasted color scheme.
But the cruiser group tends to dress trashy. The have their leathers, bandanas, leather, and then put the leather on top of that. It’s like they dress-up each weekend for the SOA convention. Although I’m not opposed to the thug look, I don’t participate very well. I have no chaps, no leaver jacket or vest, and no chains (attached to my wallet or otherwise). I just done my helmet, wear my work boots, and then whatever jacket the weather calls for. Fromm 100 to 10- it’s all the same but the number of layers I wear around my body.
I’m not a biker, per se. I don’t run guns or drugs. I don’t watch for rival colors. And I don’t swear no allegiance to a group, color, or patch. So I don’t try to dress up like I do. I just like to ride my motorcycle. That’s it.
But one of the things that I like about the motorcycling group, is the idea that you can just do your own thing. Dress how you like, ride what fits you, and don’t care at all about your fashion.
I ride a bike. And tomorrow I should be back on my big bike. 1900cc’s to push me down the road as fast and as far as I dare to go.
Want to join me, just pull up and let’s ride. Just don’t call me ahead of time and ask what I’m wearing.
Post 3-151
Hey Kids,
Moving forward with this Phase III idea, I decided that it’s time to kick this new career thing in the butt.
When I made the most progress in the past, it was by establishing a routine; one that I would follow every day. Same time and same place. Occasionally exceptions would arise, but they had to be exceptions and not the rule. The only way to achieve the same place every day, is to make sure I have a place to go to everyday. My desk.
Clearing the writing space.
Over the past months, my desk has become overgrown with mail, books, and parts and pieces of every project, gadget, and idea that I’ve worked on lately. But after a couple of trash bags and the generation of a large pile of items for the thrift store; my desk is cleared. My power cords are ran, the speakers are situated, and the surface awaits the laptop for docking.
Let the work begin!
Oh wait; look at that, it’s already done.
Post 3-147
Mike M Jensen 