Advice to my Children
When my kids were growing up and struggling with the realities of life, I gave them three “rules” to remember:
- There will always be someone smarter than you
- There will always be someone richer than you
- There will always be someone better looking than you
Looking back, I realize that this advice may not be typical and could actually hurt their ego some, but it is true. And I found that it helped keep them grounded and focused on what abilities they had and not worry about others so much. These “rules” typically came up when they would come home from school and be frustrated by something or some person.
Johnny’s family has a brand new BMW, why do we have that?
Stevie got an “A” on the test - I tried so hard but only got a “B”
or my favorite Lisa is so pretty. Everyone loves her
We would talk about such things, and I would try to get then to realize that worrying about other people is, in the end, a never ending, losing game. Just worry about yourself and be grateful for your abilities and what you have. Because there will always be someone in the world with “more” of whatever you want - money, smarts, looks, etc… I still think this is good advice for everyone, not just kids. But kids seem to benefit the most of this ego check.
I came to these rules sometime in college. I had a successful high school career - top of my class academically, played sports, had a good group of close friends - but things changed in college. I went to a very good school and everyone there was successful, smart, good looking, and funny. It was quite the ego check for me. I thought I was smart, but there were people there that I would classify as geniuses.They never studied (I knew because I lived with them), took the same classes as me, but just “got it” academically. Gifted.
Same with athletics. I was a good athelete, but so was just about everyone there. And many were just naturals and better at everything athletic. Many were charasmatic, natural leaders too - people you wanted to be around and listen too.
I realized after a year or two at college that there was always someone “better” at everything. Didn’t matter what it was. Always someone better. I also noticed that it was rare that people displayed multiples of these amazing characteristics; no one had all of them. These people had doubts and questioned themselves and their abilities too. And the realization that no one was perfect or “had it all”, coupled with knowing that even these people doubted themselves, brought a sense of peace. No more worries about trying to outdo everyone and everything. Just be yourself, be comfortable with who you are, and do the best you can. It will all be alright.
I still remind my children (now adults) of these rules when they get frustrated by life. Its what Dads do. Keep them happy and grounded. And I can say that I am very proud of the adults my children have become.
Dune 2
Saw Dune 2 with the Mrs. yesterday. Not bad. Better than Dune 1 from a few years ago.
Likes: cast well for the most part (see dislikes). Followed the original story fairly closely, but not as much detail of course. The Bene Gesserit - what is not to like. Although I already knew the story from reading the book a few years ago, I thought it flowed better in Dune 2, than Dune 1. Wife - who didn’t know the story - agreed.
Dislikes: I thought Christopher Waken was an odd choice as emperor. Not at all what I imagined he looked like from the book. And I don’t think cast well (although I generally love Walken - besides Deer Hunter, see him in At Close Range if you can.). Also, didn’t care that it didn’t end. I like movies that end, and although this was a good stopping point, I wanted it over.
Overall, I recommend it. And see it in the theatre if you can. nothing like the big screen and surround sound to get you into the story.
Foundation
Been watching Foundation on Apple TV Season 1. Pretty good. Started strong in my opinion, but getting hard to follow later in season 1. All the reviews say that season 2 is better. I am ust trying to get to season 2 with the wife. She is still holding on even though not sci-fi fan. I think I can get her there. It would be no fun watching season 2 on my own.
I read the orginal Asmov trilogy many many years ago. Back in high school … when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. And, frankly, I dont remeber much about them - except that they were original, a solid and good story, and had lots and lots of math. I also think the original trilogy spanned many many years - 1000 or so if I recall. So I am wondering how many seasons this might be. My guess is that the number of seasons is directly related to the popularity of the show, not the length of the source material.
The casting and acting so far have been good. Day and Hari and particularly well cast. Gaal too, but I am still on the fence with Salvor. Story is complex and I don’t remember so many religious themes and overtones in the original novels. But again, it was the Jurassic period, so memories fade.
I am on episode 6 right now, just a few more to the end of season 1. I will most likely take a quick break after season 1 before I start season 2, especially since it is getting much better reviews. And I also see that season 3 is coming in 2025.
There is ton of great TV out there now. Take advantage of this golden age. Who knows how long it will last.
Starting Anew ....
Here we go again. Starting again with the blogging on micro.blog.
Good news: Its a restart and a new day.
Bad news: Its a restart of the same old day
Looking back at this blog (moved from @rcjackson) this “restart” is a recurring theme. I suspect I am not the only one with this problem. On again off again. I have been consistent in blogging, just not consistent on a platform. Well, I am feed up with just about everything big tech. Never trusted Facebook. And FB ruined what joy I got out of Instagram. Google is no better than Facebook. Had to call into a business Google Meet meeting today and couldn’t log in unless I used my Google account. Why? Twitter was my last refuge, but even that now sucks.
I just want to post and maybe learn a thing or two from others occasionally. Why is that so hard? It shouldn’t be. It didn’t used to be.
I suspect this is just a cry for the independent web - a nightingales song that will get me singing once again.
Well, let’s sing away!
Rucking ....
Managed to “ruck” 8 miles this am in preparation for my [hike] (https://rcj.life/training-for-through-hike) this summer. Rucking is walking with a backpack and weights.
Did 7 miles last weekend on the Florida Trail, pic below…
I guess I still don’t get it. I have been a paid subscriber for many years, and it just never seems to work for me. I am not sure why. I keep trying, but the interface seems …. hard. Whatever. I will keep trying, but not sure that it should be this hard.
I will gladly accept or be directed to any resources to help me. It is not for lack of trying
For over a decade I have really despised Facebook. Its hard to like a company that you can’t trust. And you most definitely can’t trust Facebook. They suck up every data point on your life to sell and exploit. They give you basically zero control and obfuscate the limited controls they give you.
They are just not nice people.
So why am I returning?
First, its limited. I do get some value out of the network and relationships Fakebook helps me maintain. that is a plus. A plus that may even outweigh the minuses.
Second, I am getting too old. I value my privacy legitimately, but I have been getting grumpy about it. I dont want to be grumpy - at least that is what my wife tells me. And she is a lot smarter than me.
So I will give Fakebook a second (or third) chance. Slowly at first, but maybe more. Maybe. And I promise to never forget what FB really is - a giant data collection machine that needs you users more than you need it. But for now, I will use it - on my terms.
Started watching Bloodline today. It’s a few years old now - on Netflix - but not bad so far. Both my wife and I are on the fence a few episodes in - her more than me. We will see where it lands.
Well… my Micro.blog annual subscription automatically renewed today. So i guess that means i will have to try it out and give it another go. I did sign up for Twitter Blue and have thus far been … unimpressed.
See if this is any better.
Like a Phoenix
This blog is rising from the dead - yet again. I have blogged and not blogged. Stop and go for many many years. I have tried many different platforms:
- Wordpress
- Joomla
- Typepad
- Posthaven
- Micro.blog
to name a few. Many of the platform names I can’t remember anymore. And this doesn’t include “social media blogging” like Facebook, instagram, Twitter, etc…
Consistently Inconsistent
There have been two things constant in my blogging journey.
One, I like to do it. I keep coming back to blogging. Don’t know why, but I do.
Two, I suck at it. I have tried long form blogging, micro blogging, interactive blogging, photo blogging, … you name I just am never sure where I am going with it. I get disenchanted and move on. I start with a catapult launch, then flame out as soon as I clear the deck. Crash and Burn, Mav… crash and burn.
And Now For Something Completely Different
So what will I do differently this time? What will change?
Well, I think me. I have been blogging for all the wrong reasons: to build an audience, to get follows, to interact with people, whatever. It’s always been for other reasons besides the real reason I want to do it. For me. Now I am pulling my own Ricky Bobby and blogging only because I want to. I am going to post whatever the f**k I want (pardon the profanity - not a big fan of it in persuasive writing). I will interact with anyone I feel like (or no one) and won’t feel pressure to do so.
This is me. And if you don’t like it, don’t read it. Period. I, me personally, want to keep a record of what I am doing when the mood strikes me. I do have things to say now and then, and I am going to say them.
A New Blogging “Platform”
Surprise, surprise. I am starting this new journey on a new platform. And it is about as simple of a platform as can be - there is no platform. You post a bunch of text or related files and it makes a blog from them. No prep other than the files; no configuring, nothing. Simply write and post. And you always have a backup because they are your files on your system.
Perfect!
Enter the Blot
The new system is called “Blot.im”. I know, terrible name, but I would rather it work for me than have a good name. It’s kind of under the radar, which I like, but it is also a one man shop apparently, which I don’t like. Risky. But so it goes. I will have a back up of whatever I post anyway and can do something different if this doesn’t work.
A New Writing Platform Too!
While I am trying out new platforms, I might as well switch up my writing platform too. Recently, I make the commitment to switch from Mac to Linux (much more on this later). And although I am happy with the switch and will not be leaving Linux anytime soon, I have to keep using my Mac at work and will be continuing to use my iPhone too. So no matter what, my ties to the Apple ecosystem remain.
It’s been tough to find a decent cross platform or Dropbox-based text editor and writing app. I was using Editorial - which is great - but it has not been updated in a while and is developed by a one man shot who has lost interest. I have watched this movie before, and it doesn’t end well for me. I also use Drafts, but there is no Dropbox integration. It’s iCloud only.
EnTer iAWriter
I am switching from Editorial and Drafts on iOS to iAWriter. Another dumb name. This post should be titled the “Dumb Name Restart,” not Blog Restart. Anyway, I am not sure why it’s named this, but there must be a reason .. there must be. Regardless, it works great so far. Works well with Dropbox. Good and easy to use Markdown shortcuts. Can easily type on my iPad and it’s not useless on my iPhone. There is no Linux app, however, and it uses iCloud as its base storage, but those are not dealbreakers. Dropbox is supported well, and through Dropbox, I can move documents from to and from my Linux or Mac systems and files.
A New Day
Here is to new beginnings. One thing I have learned in my advancing age: the sun rises every day and with it comes the change to start anew. Today is that day. A new day. Time to settle down and just be me.
Love and Be Loved.
Day 17: Hold (courtesy of Master and Commander - what a fantasic movie)
Does anyone have any significant experience with Tiddlywiki?
I am considering giving it a serious trial run for personal knowledge management.
Spring Flowers . . .
My micro.blog has been screwed up for some time. Not sure what is going on, but I did change themes. I am prett sure that is it. Unisiatleed and reinstlled a new one. Hopefully it will fix.
Dogwood at the Front Gate
“The way to get your account unfrozen is to stop being part of the blockade and occupation,” she added.
- Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Monday, Fenruary 21, 2022
Lesson: Stay away from banks in general and Canadian banks in particluar.
Very scary stuff.
Foxlore by Rebecca Green. She’s wearing a crown…like the queen she is.
Watching the Disney + Hamilton. What a great show! I forgot how good the music is.
An enjoyable way to spend an evening.
From the Harlem Renaissance. Amazing painting. Jumps out at you. And timely, both this month and at the time it was painted. Its a painting of an incredibly talented African American singer, depicted by an incredibly talented African American woman artist at the height of her creative power.
From Daily Art. I continue to love that app….
Reacher on Amazon Prime is excellent. Havent finshed season one yet, but it keeps you guessing. Will write a full review after I finish the season. Season One is based on Lee Child’s first Reacher book ( i think there are 20 or so). I read it a long time ago, and I think they chnaged the story a litte. My memory fails me though. Getting old is no fun.
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