Underwhelming

 

In the film "Stand By Me", there is a dramatic scene where the boys are crossing the bridge, when halfway through that, the train is coming & they're panicking, the train whistle is blowing, they're facing certain death! The caption simply reads:

[Choo]

It's not only underwhelming for the tension created by the scene, it's also fucking hilarious.
 

The Enchilada Song

♪ If you like Enchiladas
A little Pollo & some beans ♫

#MisheardLyrics 

Lineage Mint

 

The last couple of weeks have culminated in blowing away my Windows 10 partition on my PC; and also updating Lineage OS on my Pixel 5. 

I've used Linux off and on the last 30 years, most recently settling on Linux Mint. It was a pleasant experience compared to some hairy installs I've had in the past - however, most distros have come a long way since the late 90s to be fair, not just those based on Ubuntu or Debian.

The Pixel 5 situation was a bit of a chore, since the Updater still doesn't handle upgrades between Android versions yet. So I hunkered down with the documents and made sure I understood the steps, since I really needed this phone to JUST WORK. I'm happy to report it's now on Android 14 AOSP/Lineage OS 21, with the MINDTHEGapps package included.

It's been an interesting sort of long open source week-end. I don't think I'd enjoy doing this every week, but it's been rewarding.

Airpods

Apple's Air Pods are getting a "hearing aid" mode - however, before you get too excited - this is for mild to moderate hearing loss, not severe (like I have). My units are way more powerful than puny ear buds - they have to be.

ARS Technica link: 

Civilization

"Late stage capitalism" is the phrase used to describe the current situation in our "civilized" society.  I disagree, there's little that's civilized about it.

Allowing people to suffer from disease and famine & shrugging it off as "they did it to themselves", or "lazy" is NOT civilized - in fact it's barbaric.

Stripping the planet of resources in the name of profit is irresponsible.

We are in a crappy timeline and the people to blame are the 1%, not immigrants or the commonwealth.

Hawkeye

 

My wife & I began watching "Hawkeye" - they've finally written in that Barton is supposed to be #deaf.

Linux Mint

 

I was busy last night - blew away Windows 10 and installed Linux Mint like I'd been threatening to do for the last while. I was happy to learn - with all of my backing up - was able to save this wonderful photo from a friend. It matches a dark desktop theme beautifully.

The Joneses

A man wearing a pair of lounge pants, patterned with dollar bills.

I  decided to downsize my phone data plan, because according to Google, my Pixel software updates were up. A perfectly functioning phone would now face software obsolescence. This didn't sit well with me, considering it only 3 had years of support. I installed LineageOS on the device and loved it, initially. Banking apps wouldn't open without a workaround, because jail breaking also breaks Google's "Safety Net". When it came time to upgrade to the next version, I would have to reinstall again, rather than simply upgrade. I finally decided "enough is enough" and I'm going the de-stressing route.

I'm returning all of my phone duties to an actual PHONE. I can't afford to keep upgrading every couple of years, or 3 years. Yes, I know the newer Pixels have 5 or more years of software updates, however I feel I am "done" with the form factor. I have a tablet for the other things, and I am eyeing an 8-inch screen as my next choice - partly influenced by my love of my old Kobo e-reader. I might begin researching genuine cameras again.

Don't bother trying to keep up with the Joneses - unless they're the ones paying your bills.

Meditate On That

Perhaps I actually should start meditation again. Shit going on in the world is making me too emotional sometimes to think straight. I'm speaking out of pain, instead of light.

I have nothing against enlightenment, after all, but I have every problem with dogma.