A Flock of Trouble...

Lots of good discussion taking place on both sides of the aisle about the (ab)use of the growing number of Flock camera systems nationwide, their implications for privacy, and significant legal concerns. Saw this last night and smiled - it seems the Maker Space people have started expressing their own opinions, and willingness to "help" the company out in this hot season: https://makerworld.com/en/models/3107766-flock-sock-flock-camera-cover?from=recommend#profileId-3503858

Obligatory Furlough Post

Presented without further commentary...

Pets and Wards

Dogs are active barriers. Warning the home of interlopers, or even the hint of a perceived threat... Crows and the like are alarms... teasing of concerns but as often wrong as not. Do not discard their counsel, but neither take as flawless... Others who speak may give tidbits or truths.... But Cat... oh, Cat. Fickle. Stubborn. Unpredictable. Wanders the house as soon as sets a lap. Yet - should Cat give warning, even the wisest in the craft pays heed....

Large Cats and Dinosaurs

I've noticed that many large cats lack the self-awareness that they are large, or the impact it causes. Not that they don't have spatial awareness, or that they're necessarily clumsy. Rather, that in their kitty-mind they're still "smaller", and thus interact with the world as such. Whether that means knocking things off a shelf as they navigate a path, driving the breath from a human when leaping onto a lap, or just the resounding shock when they flop to a side - each is met with a somewhat befuddled look of "How did that happen?" For years, I've somewhat amusedly pictured many dinosaurs the same way. A herd of apatosaurs walking along, trees and boulders randomly scattered behind them, as they obliviously leave a trail of destruction in their path.

Latest from Germany

As Tam has stated numerous times, Europe has the ability to go from "friendly to jackboots" in about .5 seconds. Germany might be close to that cusp again - AfD, the second most popular political party in the nation, has just released a new campaign music video. Which consists of dancing, smiling, blonde-haired and blue-eyed pilots and flight crew partying to a remix soundtrack with lyrics consisting of "we're sending them all away, all away," and so forth, while other shots show Middle Eastern men being flown on planes out of the country to cheering crowds (and crying leftists interspersed). You think some folks are blatant on our side of the pond... things may be getting spicy over there.

Star Wars Thought

It's long established canon that Vader has some measure of external monitoriing and controls on his "suit". And, in a bit of stuff I won't argue, we can equally see from Episode 3 that he has a means of internal biomechanical control over some functions a la the 1984 Terminator drop down menus. Which implies, somewhere in the Empire is a job code for "Sith Lord Bio Suit Technician" who helps with all this. Leading to the following two random thoughts" " My Lord, you must hydrate more. And, your heavy metal and tritium levels are far too high..." *cringing knowing the rebuff that is about to come.* and "Well, we're just going to turn it off and turn it on again, Lord Vader. You'll lose about 5 minutes, but a hard reboot always helps."

Gratitude and Perspectives

Sometimes people suck. They annoy you. Do something irritating, or worse antagonistic. We're all quick vent about it, often for days. Sometimes - more often than the first, actually - they are decent, and generous, and downright amazing, even when they don't have to be. For example, a customer service call I just had where someone went over and above on not just the initial issue (which was not their fault at all, but a procedural double-check), but another thing where he went over and above, even without having to. Celebrate and talk about the people and places who stand out, more than the ones that bother you. If we all worked on that - myself, most of all - maybe it would help our perspectives.

DC Traffic

For those not familiar, there are two speed limits in the DC Beltway area: "Yeah, like people are going that slow," or "Hah, as if traffic would ever move that fast."

Show me your references

Look. I work for .gov. And, I'm the first to admit we are a hot mess. BUT - start sharing stories about "thousands of bodies in the trees;" "Body bags on order," "recovery efforts shut down," and so on. Show me your work. The federal government can fuck up a wet dream, zero debate. But, we're in the era where EVERYONE has a camera in their pocket, 24/7. If the evidence was there, it would be out. Natural disasters suck, by definition. Don't make them worse with RUMINT.

Time (keeping) in Retrograde

I like tech. I like convenience. This isn't anything new - I still remember working on a TRS-80 and a Zenith microcomputer in the 80's learning this "personal computer" stuff. So, no surprise, I've had a smartwatch. Super convenient. Preview messages. Check the weather. See appointments. So on, and so on, and so on. Except. Well, it started bothering me. Sure, it's great on the commute to see a text from my wife and be able to respond. Or to preview an email and decide how important it is. But, it was also intrusive. Texts at dinner buzzing on my wrist, driving the dopamine hit to "Just see what it says." Random moments at night, some notification that I had to determine whether or not was worthy of my attention. Spam calls hitting another piece of tech as I navigated my day. Not to mention, the times at work I can't have it on, given the spaces I'm in - so, then, what's the point, if I don't even have the tool? All this to say, about three weeks ago I pulled out the analog option. Dive watch, rated deeper than I ever intentionally plan to go again. GMT hand so I can keep my family's time zone visible even when I'm a world away. No bells. No whistles. No messages, previews, or vibrations. So far? It's been positive. I like being able to just look and see the uncluttered "it's this time". I certainly don't miss the digital intrustions. There's been moments of "phantom pain," and some times I'm like "Ugh, it would be nice to just..." - but, so far, the good outweighs the bad. Not selling off the smart watch yet. But, six months from now? Time will tell.

Welcome to My TED Talk

Just got back from a 23 hour return flight from overseas, no complaints there, honestly. Rather, I had to point out to one of the leaders over in our "International Office" that this was the sixth successful, well-received, and "we'd like more" workshop I'd done for them in just the past few years on a total of five of the seven continents. And, that, thereby, I would be updating my bio shortly to state "World-renowned speaker". I mean, that's how it works, right?

I think we fought a revolution over crap like this?

So, there's a bit of a kerfluffle going on in Merry Olde England at the moment, over a numer of issues. Whatever. I'm in the camp of "the whole point of 1776 and after is for me not to care about the U.K.". Including the royal family, et al. But, apparently, one of the police commissioners on that side of the pond has opined that they may very well seek to charge, extradite, and convict Americans (and others) who make social media posts of which the powers-that-be do not approve. Hurumph. First off, you appear to have greatly overestimated your capabilities, good sir. Secondly, reference the above revolution, you may feel free to pack sand. Thirdly, as said in another moment, molon labe (bring it on, in the modern vernacular)...

Dad Joke

Since my offspring refused to appreciate it, I will share here for even more mockery :D See, there's this grumpy woman who lives on the edge of the city. She mixes up potions and medicines for the locals, and is well-known. Of course, she's also overly-nosy and judgemental about her neighbors and those passing through. Townsfolk call her the Apotha-Karen...

Cultural Differences

If nothing else does, the near-ubiquitous presence of heated toilet seats argues for a superiority of Asian culture.

Time and Place

OK, for folks everywhere. Unless your genitalia are literally on fire, there is not a single converastion we may be having which requires you to continue/initiate/return a phone call while you are performing private bodily functions. I promise, whatever I have, it can wait til you are done. Seriously. Those of you doing it on speaker phones in public restrooms are even worse. Stop that crap. *NOTE* If your genitalia actually ARE on fire, please call someone more experienced and equipped to deal with such issues than myself, for both our sakes.

Decorum

There are times to be neat, polite, prim, and all that fancy stuff. A proper chili dog should make a mess when you eat it. This is not up for debate.

Veteran's Day

Going to change up the message a bit this year. Thank YOU. For the opportunity to let me serve something greater than myself. For the chance to be alongside some of the best men and women I've ever met, in good times and bad. For teaching me skills and discipline which are still with me today. For allowing me to travel the world, and realize how similar we all are. For challenging me in ways I never expected, and rewarding me in ways I still am learning. I'm humbled to have played my own, small part. Thank you to my nation for the chance.

Pondering Moments

Not sure where this memory popped up from. But, When you're young and impressionable, and you put a bird down in a grid square in the middle of nowhere, and a few guys in a mix of clothes get on for a ride - it leaves a mark on you. A time later, when you're one of the guys getting on that bird, it leaves a different mark.

Current Terror Events. And Canada needs a F-ing clue.

I can't write everything I'm feeling or thinking right now. It's too fresh. Too raw. I literally know people affected by this, much less the general horrors involved. I won't comment on history of the region, grievances on either side, or anything else. It's not black and white overall, particularly for those who only understand the world through 30-second sound bites. I will say this, without reservation, equivocation, or remorse. Particularly directed at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and the spineless minions who feel things are "nuanced". Let me help you out. If you believe that beheading babies, killing children and families in their beds, kidnapping and gang-raping women just for being on the other side, and taking civilian hostages to deter retalation after your attacks is somehow "justified", then you are a terrorist. Not anything else. Not some noble resistance or freedom fighter. You have abandoned all pretenses of humanity, and anyone excusing such actions is either stupid or complicit. Similarly, those happily engaged in sharing the digital trophies of such events, or holding rallies to celebrate these acts has openly stated their belief that barbaric horrors are perfectly fine against the "right" victims. Similarly, to the ass-hat in Ottawa who never met a dictator he didn't like - I'm fortunate enough to live in the United States, so I can still freely say such things, rather than face your ever-growing attempts to stifle online dissent, identify those who don't agree with you, and otherwise implement your draconian rules. No, I'm not very happy with humanity or the world right now. I just ask God to show mercy on those he can, and grant peace to those left behind.

A Travel Tidbit

So, there I was on one of the flights last week, doing things, going places and all that. And, as happens sometimes, there's a bit of a kerfluffle amongst the flight attendants, and a few minutes later the lead comes on the intercom to inquire if there are any doctors, nurses, or the like onboard to assist a passenger? They find a couple of folks & moments later the group is towards the back of the plane helping sort things out. At which point, the woman in the seat next to me pings her call button. When the flight attendant arrives, she informs her in a very solemn manner that not only is she a trained accupressure therapist, but she's also skilled in aromatherapy in case that would be be of any assistance with what's going on... I swear, I'm not making this up. Folks, I'm all for alternative medicine, and you-do-you-boo. But, maybe keep in mind the "when and where" of things. You may rest assured, if I'm having an incident at 38,000 feet severe enough to ask for help, I want someone able to do a whole lot more than balance my chakras. And, the passenger was fine in the end.