Day 214 of Year 2
Oct. 16th, 2021 05:38 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkatStorm appears to be slowly moving in along with cold front. Although not doing a lot at the moment.
Otherwise it was sunny and mostly clear today. I made a trip to the hardware store, and snagged another milkshake from Carvel.
Mother is living vicariously through my brother and niece. Well actually both my parents appear to be. So am I, I think.
Mother: Your niece got a nose ring.
Me: Why?
Mother: It's trending? I don't know. Apparently her parents said no when she was in the States, so she waited until she got to London, and got one other there. Your brother doesn't get it, since she gets nosebleeds the same way she does.
Me: She's like her parents, she'll do whatever the in thing is, particularly if your parents are opposed to it...and even if it makes no sense. The appeal of nose rings continues to be lost on me.
Mother: it's not a ring around her nose - it's an earring in the nose -
Me: I know what it is, I've seen a lot of them. I don't get the appeal, looks uncomfortable and painful, and considering I barely wear earrings. She has multiple ear piercings. I feel like an oddity - I don't do things just because they look cool or are in.
Mother: No, you are like me.
Me: Well, it's worth noting that nose rings weren't exactly ever in for my generation. They didn't become popular until the 21st Century or well into it. And mainly for those ten to twelve or more years younger. Although I've seen a few folks my age doing it.
My brother is building windows for his barn. He's decided he has to install 40 windows.
ME: 40?
Mother: Yes, that's the number he needs for the side of his barn.
ME: But wouldn't it make more sense just to do a few big ones?
Mother: Not according to your brother. He needs it for insulation.
Me: I get it, I do. But, I'm trying to envision this.. I've seen his barn. The side with the screen that would require windows for better insulation is facing North, the rest doesn't have screens, just walls.
See Barn below.
Eh, I looked over more photos, and he has a point. There's more window and screens than I remembered.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to get up the gumption to recaulk my top and enamel the bottom of it. I do have the supplies now, well for the most part at any rate. Also got insulation for the windows, will get more. I have horribly insulated windows.
**
Okay this is getting out of hand, I've had a lot of cousins come down with COVID now. Two of which were vaccinated. One of the vaccinated died of it, granted he was in his 80s and immune compromised.
See? This why I'm still taking precautions.
I need to set up the booster, but I'm kind of holding off to see if I can get it through nutty agency.
**
Finished Baking Impossible - the last challenge was a suspension bridge that required a boat to go beneath it, and a car over the top, plus weights. After I finished watching it, the thought occurred to me that that is a lot of "food waste" right there. What do these reality shows do with all the foods cooked on them? Do they give them to the crew? And for shows like Baking Impossible - do they just go to waste? Because I don't see anyone eating a cake that has been demolished and fallen on the floor, or epoxy made of modeling chocolate, sausage casings, and ramen noodles.
Watching these shows makes me realize how wasteful our society currently is, and how ungrateful. I mean it would be one thing if there weren't a lot of folks in every country around the world starving to death, but there aren't. There's one scene in Maid that is painful to watch - where the maid, whose not eaten all day long, and has hardly any money for food, is told by a woman who is getting her house cleaned out prior to showcasing it for sale - to clean out the fridge and throw "everything" out. The fridge is filled with unspoiled, and good food. A cake. Fruit bowl. Milk, etc. To the brim. And this poor woman who hasn't eaten well in days, and is counting every penny is asked to throw away good food, expensive food, without blinking.
So, I'm thinking as I'm watching these reality baking series - wow just think how many people could be feed with the supplies on these shows. They should do reality baking and cooking shows - where the contestants feed orphanages, or homeless shelters.
***
My difficulty with my writing career - is I'm not good at promoting it or setting up websites that can promote it. I don't even know where to begin.
I'm like my father - I can write, but I can't promote or sell. I remember in college, an art teacher grousing about the problem with the art world is the really good and talented artists had no business sense and couldn't promote themselves effectively (see Van Gough) while the not so great ones, or mediocre artists could (see Andy Warhol). This is true of writing as well, J K Rowling is not a great writer nor is Jim Grishom, but both knew how to market themselves. Yet, there are millions of lovely and interesting writers out there that don't.
I realized this today when I was envying a friends web site, it was so beautifully done. She does do coding for a living, and designs stuff like that, as do my brother and sister in law. (And no I wouldn't feel right or comfortable asking any of them for help. We're not that close.)
***
Mark Hamil made me laugh on Twitter..
Mark Hamill (MarBactrian camel)
hamillhimself
· Oct 15
Not sure how to feel about so many people suggesting I be shot into space.Rocket
LOL!
It still makes me laugh.
He apparently doesn't want to be shot into space in the giant penis. While I do find it fitting that Shatner was shot into space in a giant penis, because...of course the actor portraying James T. Kirk would be.
***
Oh and...
Neil Gaiman keeps informing/arguing with his twitter feed regarding Sandman's release date on Netflix. It's not being released this fall, they just finished filming it. It takes a while to put all the music, SFX, and other crap in. It's kind of amusing really.
I find him charming as well.
Replying toneilhimself
Fans: “Why won’t anyone
tell us if Sandman is coming out this year?”
Neil Gaiman: “It is not coming out this year.”
Fans: “Why must they keep us in suspense!”
LOL!
He also keeps fighting with fans over the casting. Honestly folks, if the writer is approving the casting - then I'd go with it. I want to see what is in his head, not what is in your heads. I feel the same about fanfic in a way - I'm more interested in the creator of the characters take on the story than a random fan's take. Unless - I'm looking for something specific that the creator won't give me, and a random fan does - I'll go for the fanfic. Or I get obsessed with a pairing, trope, or character and want to see all the angles or takes on it, then fanfic.
**
COVID? I'm debating ignoring it, and taking a trip somewhere by myself to a spa in upstate NY. Also, have more or less decided to see Dune in the movie theater, even if I have to drag myself to it, and deal with the craziness.
I just have to figure out which theater to go to. I may research it out.
**
Allergies are making me nuts. It's fall, hello.
Today, I had chestnut flour pancakes with raspberries in them, bacon, a little melted butter and maple syrup. Also for lunch? Chicken and cheese quesidillas with blue corn chips and salsa. And a cold brew ice cream milk shake.
**
Random Photo of the Day..
Sleepy kitty..
Otherwise it was sunny and mostly clear today. I made a trip to the hardware store, and snagged another milkshake from Carvel.
Mother is living vicariously through my brother and niece. Well actually both my parents appear to be. So am I, I think.
Mother: Your niece got a nose ring.
Me: Why?
Mother: It's trending? I don't know. Apparently her parents said no when she was in the States, so she waited until she got to London, and got one other there. Your brother doesn't get it, since she gets nosebleeds the same way she does.
Me: She's like her parents, she'll do whatever the in thing is, particularly if your parents are opposed to it...and even if it makes no sense. The appeal of nose rings continues to be lost on me.
Mother: it's not a ring around her nose - it's an earring in the nose -
Me: I know what it is, I've seen a lot of them. I don't get the appeal, looks uncomfortable and painful, and considering I barely wear earrings. She has multiple ear piercings. I feel like an oddity - I don't do things just because they look cool or are in.
Mother: No, you are like me.
Me: Well, it's worth noting that nose rings weren't exactly ever in for my generation. They didn't become popular until the 21st Century or well into it. And mainly for those ten to twelve or more years younger. Although I've seen a few folks my age doing it.
My brother is building windows for his barn. He's decided he has to install 40 windows.
ME: 40?
Mother: Yes, that's the number he needs for the side of his barn.
ME: But wouldn't it make more sense just to do a few big ones?
Mother: Not according to your brother. He needs it for insulation.
Me: I get it, I do. But, I'm trying to envision this.. I've seen his barn. The side with the screen that would require windows for better insulation is facing North, the rest doesn't have screens, just walls.
See Barn below.
Eh, I looked over more photos, and he has a point. There's more window and screens than I remembered.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to get up the gumption to recaulk my top and enamel the bottom of it. I do have the supplies now, well for the most part at any rate. Also got insulation for the windows, will get more. I have horribly insulated windows.
**
Okay this is getting out of hand, I've had a lot of cousins come down with COVID now. Two of which were vaccinated. One of the vaccinated died of it, granted he was in his 80s and immune compromised.
See? This why I'm still taking precautions.
I need to set up the booster, but I'm kind of holding off to see if I can get it through nutty agency.
**
Finished Baking Impossible - the last challenge was a suspension bridge that required a boat to go beneath it, and a car over the top, plus weights. After I finished watching it, the thought occurred to me that that is a lot of "food waste" right there. What do these reality shows do with all the foods cooked on them? Do they give them to the crew? And for shows like Baking Impossible - do they just go to waste? Because I don't see anyone eating a cake that has been demolished and fallen on the floor, or epoxy made of modeling chocolate, sausage casings, and ramen noodles.
Watching these shows makes me realize how wasteful our society currently is, and how ungrateful. I mean it would be one thing if there weren't a lot of folks in every country around the world starving to death, but there aren't. There's one scene in Maid that is painful to watch - where the maid, whose not eaten all day long, and has hardly any money for food, is told by a woman who is getting her house cleaned out prior to showcasing it for sale - to clean out the fridge and throw "everything" out. The fridge is filled with unspoiled, and good food. A cake. Fruit bowl. Milk, etc. To the brim. And this poor woman who hasn't eaten well in days, and is counting every penny is asked to throw away good food, expensive food, without blinking.
So, I'm thinking as I'm watching these reality baking series - wow just think how many people could be feed with the supplies on these shows. They should do reality baking and cooking shows - where the contestants feed orphanages, or homeless shelters.
***
My difficulty with my writing career - is I'm not good at promoting it or setting up websites that can promote it. I don't even know where to begin.
I'm like my father - I can write, but I can't promote or sell. I remember in college, an art teacher grousing about the problem with the art world is the really good and talented artists had no business sense and couldn't promote themselves effectively (see Van Gough) while the not so great ones, or mediocre artists could (see Andy Warhol). This is true of writing as well, J K Rowling is not a great writer nor is Jim Grishom, but both knew how to market themselves. Yet, there are millions of lovely and interesting writers out there that don't.
I realized this today when I was envying a friends web site, it was so beautifully done. She does do coding for a living, and designs stuff like that, as do my brother and sister in law. (And no I wouldn't feel right or comfortable asking any of them for help. We're not that close.)
***
Mark Hamil made me laugh on Twitter..
Mark Hamill (MarBactrian camel)
hamillhimself· Oct 15
Not sure how to feel about so many people suggesting I be shot into space.Rocket
LOL!
It still makes me laugh.
He apparently doesn't want to be shot into space in the giant penis. While I do find it fitting that Shatner was shot into space in a giant penis, because...of course the actor portraying James T. Kirk would be.
***
Oh and...
Neil Gaiman keeps informing/arguing with his twitter feed regarding Sandman's release date on Netflix. It's not being released this fall, they just finished filming it. It takes a while to put all the music, SFX, and other crap in. It's kind of amusing really.
I find him charming as well.
Replying to
neilhimselfFans: “Why won’t anyone
tell us if Sandman is coming out this year?”
Neil Gaiman: “It is not coming out this year.”
Fans: “Why must they keep us in suspense!”
LOL!
He also keeps fighting with fans over the casting. Honestly folks, if the writer is approving the casting - then I'd go with it. I want to see what is in his head, not what is in your heads. I feel the same about fanfic in a way - I'm more interested in the creator of the characters take on the story than a random fan's take. Unless - I'm looking for something specific that the creator won't give me, and a random fan does - I'll go for the fanfic. Or I get obsessed with a pairing, trope, or character and want to see all the angles or takes on it, then fanfic.
**
COVID? I'm debating ignoring it, and taking a trip somewhere by myself to a spa in upstate NY. Also, have more or less decided to see Dune in the movie theater, even if I have to drag myself to it, and deal with the craziness.
I just have to figure out which theater to go to. I may research it out.
**
Allergies are making me nuts. It's fall, hello.
Today, I had chestnut flour pancakes with raspberries in them, bacon, a little melted butter and maple syrup. Also for lunch? Chicken and cheese quesidillas with blue corn chips and salsa. And a cold brew ice cream milk shake.
**
Random Photo of the Day..
Sleepy kitty..
no subject
Date: 2021-10-17 12:06 am (UTC)Yeah, I know web stuff decently -- I've worked on multiple web apps professionally, even now, and volunteer in a non-profit's website working group -- yet my own website? https://www.ixod.org/home/mark/ -- yeah, I suck at pretty self-promotion! And, given the copyright range at the bottom, it's the product of many years' work. (-:
no subject
Date: 2021-10-17 02:54 am (UTC)Now, that was reassuring, thanks.
Hmmm...
It may just be a personality thing? Some folks like to design things, my sisterinlaw and brother are designers. I've little patience for it. I didn't design my journal page on DW - I just grabbed a free, easy to read template, with a nice color scheme and stuck with it. There's no bells and whistles involved. And my word press site? Same.
I'm that way about my apartment as well - I'm beyond minimalist. I have a few things, but not much. And I refuse to spend money on decor.
The whole marketing, branding, design, and promotional bit has always been lost on me. I'm an artist, and artistic, but designer not so much.
I also wonder at what point the pandemic becomes not a lot worse than it's going to be long-term anyway. Clearly not yet but, still, eventually I do start want to start living again, and waiting even longer will come with diminishing returns.
I'm clearly struggling with the whole thing. My cousin, who is fully vaccinated - since March no less, just contracted COVID. He posted about it on FB. Apparently he'd gone to a poker bowl tournament last weekend and picked up his daughter from the airport. They are both in quarantine now. My guess is the poker bowl. (I keep having cousins come down with this thing. And I had something very similar to it in November of 2019, I do not want that again. Took six months to get past whatever it was - and it may have been COVID for all I know.)
The truth is - it's not going away, and we'll probably have to have booster shots for COVID much like Flu shots once a year to keep it at bay.
Sooner or later, I've got to go back to doing things outside of working, writing, walking about my neighborhood, running errands, doctors appointments, and stuff at home.
Wales wants to see SIX really badly now. (My fault, she'd not heard of it until I said I wanted to see it.) More than she wants to hang out in a park. Can't say I blame her. But I'd rather start with the park and gradually move to the crowded Broadway theater experience with people onstage spitting as they are singing.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-17 01:54 pm (UTC)If I have time, I will try to make software look nice but that's as much about clarity and I'm not particular about the detail, too many UIs (including Apple's) can look pretty but be confusing to use so I wonder if they misapplied effort. If I can simply make use of some third-party thing with an attractive default theme, that's good enough for me. I enjoy the functional stuff and am better at it.
Were my house not a disaster of a million repair jobs, such that I'd been able to settle in, I might have turned my attention to that I do like the occasional Persian rug or whatever, in a medieval castle I'd have probably liked the tapestries they put up on the walls back then, these days I'd probably put up some pictures, I have a landscape painted by my grandfather's friend and the occasional print of a painting catches my eye. Something like John William Waterhouse's maybe isn't something to be lived with but Lyonel Feininger's might be, but more likely I'd just opt for photos of places that meant something to me. I am not much into interior decoration though, I don't mind if furniture's some mismatched, often I am happy to remember how I came by it. Even here, after all the moves, while it doesn't quite match the coffee table I have, nor the kitchen, I am happy to have the dining table that my parents used. A past coffee table I bought for $5 from a yard sale near Boston, somehow that recollection attaches me to it enough.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-17 02:19 am (UTC)