2016 Summer August 18 2016

73 degrees this morning, walk 35:53 minutes

Reading the other day about how marketing companies, hiring companies, employers (and of course, the government), could misuse data from “activity trackers”.  

Apparently by using algorithms, they feel they can forecast by your pulse rate, blood pressure, etc. a tendency for violence, what kind of job you will do, honesty etc.  

I am beginning to think algorithms are becoming grossly misused and even abusive.  They are prone to human errors and misrepresentation and, especially, jumping to wrong conclusion based on skimpy or incomplete evidence.

Even the blood pressure devices that operate on algorithms can be completely off at times (when they retake your blood pressure using a usual blood pressure device).

To think that someone could make hiring decisions, decide how long or if someone is jailed, or other important decisions based on incomplete and possibly flawed studies is really scary  It is becoming a short-cut for decisions.  And that is all it is, an attempt to be lazy and let an “algorithm” decide for you.  

For some reason, we have been getting a lot more fraud type proposals (win a free trip, etc.) and I wonder if some algorithm isn’t being used that somehow we are tapped as susceptible  to fraud type proposals.   (Probably age, although it could be location or whatever also, or maybe even where we shop).

Sometimes, I think I will go to all cash purchases or something but then I think, “do I really care if “they” (meaning anyone from marketers to the “government”) really know anything about me” anyway.  As long as it’s not illegal or whatever, I really don’t care, except it seems to lead to nutty e-mails and phone calls, even to weird ads on my iPhone.

I began to realize how much time I spend deleting (unread) unwanted e-mails and it really makes me angry that companies and organizations actually  have the gall to waste my time.

Kind of like the phone call I get occasionally from “Microsoft” telling me “Windows control” has noticed something about my “windows” that needs repair.  I used to tell them “I don’t use Windows” before hanging up, now I just hang up. 

Anyway, back to algorithms, I think even Google and other search engines have indicated the potential for abuse and misuse of algorithms, if nothing else by allowing advertisers to pay for higher “hits” (or whatever they call them).  

Listening to the book on Tesla, I was surprised to hear of the “electrical shows” they put on, where thousands of people could come to watch an electric show, frequently including electric passing through his body and lighting up to things as simple (now) as a light bulb lighting up from across the room.

It actually sounds like they were a lot more advanced than I realized.  They really sound more and more like the 70’s and 80’s computer wizards, with the experimentation, learning from each other, and then the rush to make money by lawsuits over patents etc.  

The moon has been wonderful over the last few days.  Last night, and this morning, it is shining brightly in the sky, with clouds occasionally obscuring it, or at least acting as a decorating type of activity.

Right now, the light clouds are moving past the moon, as the full moon shines.  It is even now (almost 50 years later) to realize that persons from earth have walked on the moon

That’s it for now, Thursday, August 18, 2016.

2016 Summer August 17 Wednesday

71 degrees this morning, walk 36:15 minutes

Thinking this morning about aging.  It is something I don’t think of a lot, since it is going to happen no matter what I do, but I do try to think about realizing the effects, both good and bad, of growing older.  

There are a multitude of considerations.  

I think some of the effects are the cultural felting that 50 is somehow the start of “old age”, which of course it isn’t any more.  I don’t think there is any specific  age, it depends on the individual, but age 50 is a lot different than 75. 

I remember when I was a teenager, I’d read about how I “should” feel certain ways and I didn’t.  Sometimes I think I tried to accommodate how I “should” feel, but I soon learned that cultural expectations don’t always apply to individuals, and “experts” aren’t right.

I can think of many instances where the “expert” opinion changed completely over the years, so I have learned not to be too concerned about expectations of what I “should” do or how I “should” feel at any age.  

That doesn’t mean I’m not aware of the limitations of aging, but it is a gradual thing.  The worst part is some of what you have to give up and the best part is also what you can give up!

Anyway, I don’t dwell on it and I’m not sure how I got off on this subject today, I certainly didn’t intend to, and I haven’t even really thought a lot about it.

Probably the worst aspect of aging, is the general perception of other people (even people the same age) about what you “should” do or “shouldn’t” do or should or shouldn’t “be”.  

Of course, what has really angered and disappointed me is this general impression that older people are no longer creative etc. and can only do certain tasks or the general feeling that older people have so many limitations we don’t have.

A subject I really can’t do much about, except I speak from experience!  

The other day, I was changing a light bulb, which included some antics.  I was thinking I used to think of people my age doing this as ‘they ought to consider their limitations”!

Not my exact words, but I do need to avoid the thinking (that happens at any age by the way) of “it won’t happen to me” and “I’m a special exception”!  etc.

It is easy to fall into the trap of “miracle thinking” and denial of reality. As a speaker once said, “De Nile isn’t just a river in Egypt”!

Of course, I think I need to consider that, as the saying goes, “Life is a journey, not a destination”, and all stages of age are part of the journey. I just need to enjoy and experience  the journey and perhaps not self-analyze if I am meeting the expectations of each stage.

That is why I don’t worry about “wasting” time when I sit on the patio and enjoy the early morning or enjoy my walks.  “Wasting” time is a matter of opinion, and it took me a long time to realize that.

As I have mentioned before, I think “balance” is important in life.

Wonderful weather the last few days and today.  I like hot weather, but I also certainly enjoy the 70 degree mornings and the coolish evenings.  I don’t enjoy it much colder than that, but I will enjoy the moment!

That’s it for now, Wednesday, August 17, 2016.

2016 Summer August 16 Tuesday

70 degrees this morning, walk 35:50 minutes

Continuing to listen to the book about Nikola Tesla.  It is interesting (and rather disgusting) to see how the inventions he made and he himself got shoved into the background.  

This is one of those books I would like to read the physical book (or at least an E-book), so I can really understand the nuances of the different actions going on at the time.  

I switched my book to my iPhone after the Kindle Fire flopped.  It works a lot better, but still stopped once this morning.  May have been I accidentally hit a button and stopped it, but it still shouldn’t have happened. The overall operation is significantly better than the Kindle. 

I recently read an article where the discussion centered on whether it was “cheating” to listen to book rather than actually read it. 

In this case, it involved reading book for a “book club” discussion group, so maybe the discussion has some merit in that sense.  

Otherwise, I think the time you save in listing to information you may not otherwise have is hardly “cheating”, I think it is just using technology to your benefit. 

Considering just how much time I spend walking, I probably easily listen to 4 hours a week, just on my walk.  That is a lot of information I wouldn’t have otherwise, even if my mind wanders occasionally.  

I am always surprised at how little of technology I use, including computer programs, iPhone apps, and even our car.

Last night someone pulled out in front of me (no reason either, there was no one in back of me).  Just to express my displeasure, I honked.  When I hit the horn, I also hit some other parts of the steering wheel and was amazed what I could find out by “talking” to the car!  (Such things as the weather, changing the stations, etc.)  On the other hand, I can do all of that fairly easily without have to mess with the verbal commands etc.

Generally I have found that it is nice to have the technology available, but until I have a use for it, there really isn’t any reason for me to attempt to learn it.  If I am going to use it, I will learn it, if I’m not, it is a waste of time to learn it.  

Of course, sometimes I have to dig a little deep to find out what is available and if I have a use for it.  

I remember I first realized that with Excel.  I tried to learn it, and thought I did, but I didn’t really have a use for it.  When I realized I could prepare a City budget on it, I quickly learned it and was amazed how “easy” it was to learn when I had a specific use for it!

That may be one reason I have a difficult time with “Evernote”.  Until I actually have a use for it that the “learning time” encountered provides more benefit than just continuing my present way, I won’t use it or at least use i too the fullest extent.  

Probably “Apple notes”  (the free app with any Apple product, or at least the iPhone, iPad and computers) is probably the most valuable app or program I use.  It is simple and beats any app which is supposed to “enhance it”.  

There actually is a little learning curve with the “Apple Notes”.  I didn’t realize for a time the value of using “folders”, so I have a mess of notes that I really don’t have  organized well.  I do it right now, but I eventually will have to go back and reorganize my notes into the proper folders.  

Of course, if I’m not careful, I’ll have so many folders….. etc.  

That’s it for now, Tuesday, August 16, 2016.

2016 Summer August 15 Monday

2016 Summer August 15 Monday

71 degrees this morning, walk 36:15 miles

Listening to a book about Nikola Tesla, who competed and cooperated with Edison, Westinghouse etc.

What is really interesting is to compare it to the current period or especially the 80’s and 90’s with the development of the personal computer market.  Big money backed various inventions, there was a lot of “vaporware” and lies and cheating or stealing were part of the game.  

The story primarily concerns the development of the Alternating Current electrical system as opposed to the Direct Current system, with Tesla developing one of, if not the first the first workable AC systems.  Again sometimes with promised results that frequently did not actually arrive for years.

There is some gruesome stores about the development of the electric chair, including electrocuting animals etc by all concerned and the electrocution of the first criminal (although the objective was reached it was not really a success which I will not go into).  

The marketing of different devices haven’t appeared to change in 140 years or so, the promises etc. are still more than the results  etc.  

While I understand the concept of AC vs. DC, I  really don’t have any idea how it actually works.  My mind just doesn’t think that way.  

It seems to be the norm that all major advances seem to occur with several inventors, frequently working independently, discover the same thing.  It is almost like it is in the air and ready to be invented.  

To some degree, that is probably true, that science makes certain inventions or advances and that sets the basis for sudden major advances.

Haven’t had a lot of dreams lately, but they  recently started again.  I had several yesterday but only noted one.  It is so strange I almost didn’t write it down.

8-14-16 Dream

Dreamed Aliene and I were in an old  house.  

Apparently, we had just recently moved

The part I remember,  I keep looking for the breakfast cereal. I looked all over, but couldn’t find it.  The kitchen had one of those big old fashioned cupboards (not built in).

I looked in one cupboard and there was a dirt floor and I thought I saw a frog.  

I closed the door, grabbed a broom and opened the door again. the figure now looked like a mouse.

When I looked again, it looked like a cat.

I was still looking for cereal and couldn’t find it.

Three men came in, wanting to see me about “auditorium “  plans. 

I told them I didn’t know anything about it, that I had just started  a few months ago.

They looked at me suspiciously and then talked among themselves.   

They mentioned how crooked  the current mayor is (in Tennessee) etc. and they insisted he had told them the plans were ready.

I woke up.  It took me a while to realize it was only a dream.

That’s it for now, Monday August 15, 2016. 

2016 Summer August 14 Sunday

2016 Summer August 14 Sunday

68 degrees this morning, walk 35;13 minutes 

Thought it may be too “cool” to sit out on the patio this morning at 68 degrees!  Of course it is fine, but I can really feel the coolness in the air this morning.  

The hint of the fall and winter coming.  

About a year ago (in August) Aliene and I developed a fit of coughing.  I had it sporadically ever since, but Aliene is developing it again this year, almost exactly a year later.  We really thought the whooping cough shot had something to do with it last year.  

I have increased Vitamin D3, drink hot lemon juice etc., all of which help a little, sometimes the lemon juice helps a lot, at least in the short term. 

I mention the cool air  because cold air really brings out the coughing in me when I exercise, which I believe they term “exercised induced asthma”.  

I used to be able to control it with a “puff” type inhaler. Then, for whatever reason, the FDA required a change in the type of inhaler which is about 10 times more expensive and doesn’t work.  

I understand it was supposed to be an “environmental” decision, but only one company can make the type of inhaler that the FDC required so of course they jacked the price up.  I hardly think the change made a bit of difference in the environment.  

Probably someone with the FDA got rich off of it as well as the drug company.   

Anyway, ever since then I haven’t been able to control the “exercise induced asthma” near as well, except by covering my mouth and nose when I am exercising.  Somehow, the air is warmed before it reaches my lungs or wherever it goes and I avoid the exercise induced asthma.  

Temperatures like today are the worst because it is too warm to wear something over my mouth (at least without looking like an old west outlaw) and just cold enough it induces coughing.  

I have also found that being directly in the way of air conditioning or even a ceiling fan (depending on the temperature) can cause the same problem.

Anyway, I”m not complaining (except about the FDA and the stupid and costly decision to require a new type of inhaler), there are a lot worse things.  It does effect my exercise though, especially bicycling.

I thought about trying to buy the old type from Canada etc., but it probably isn’t worth the trouble.  

I am seeing a Doctor this week (vaguely related to the coughing) and I will ask about some alternatives to the inhaler that doesn’t work.  

I believe I will find out if the CPAP (sleep) machine is working or not.  It uploads all of the data on the internet and he can review that.  

One important thing about keeping this journal or blog is that I can go back and look at past events. While I actually don’t go back too often, I think it is important.

I started a journal in about 1987, and so it will be 30 years coming up next year.  Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), I kept many of the early years on a “Leading Edge” Word Processor (which was on computer discs) and I don’t think ether the word processor or the discs are around anymore.  

I did go back to paper in the early 1990’s (for whatever reason) before  going completely internet, probably about ten years ago.  I’ll have to check on that.

However, in a lot of ways, probably keeping it is the important thing for me. 

That’s it for now, Sunday, August 14, 2016.

2016 Summer August 13 Saturday

75 degrees this morning, Walk 35:36 miles

Well, 75 degrees is definitely cooler than 85 degrees (yesterday)!  That seems logical, but I am surprised at the difference.  

Listened to music this morning  on my walk rather than a book, since I haven’t gotten a book ready.  I enjoyed the music, but felt like I was wasting time by not listening to a book!  

I believe the battery on on of my iPod Shuffles is going out. After ten years I shouldn’t be surprised, or maybe I should be surprised after ten years since it is like the battery would never go out!

I’lll reset it and see.   I haven’t used it of awhile.  

Wasting time is a relative term. I never have figured out for sure what “wasting” time is, although I expect I know it when I do it!

Speaking of “balance” the other day, I think “wasting” time is a matter of balance.  No matter what, you can’t work or do self improvement all the time (or at least it isn’t efficient to do so!).  

First you have to decide what is “self improvement” and what are you trying to improve to!  It isn’t always obvious.  

Of course “balance” would indicate you have some “down” time, adequate sleep, social time etc  as well as play time.  

Probably the problem with an over emphasis on self-improvement or achieving  goal is that you may lose sight what life is all about.  Not that I know what life is all about anyway!

Probably a “balance” life is needed to really determine what is important to you in life so you can set goals in all phases of your life (or not, depending on how you feel about goals!)

Technology has certainly changed.  I can remember when access to the internet was through AOL (or whatever) and you waited forever for access and everything was so slow. 

However, you didn’t mind because that is all that was available.  Now that we are used to super fast and efficient internet connections and access and fast browsing etc., it is hard to believe what we used to consider “progress”.

I heard the question at Toastmasters the other day about what were the modern day “Wonders of the World”.  

I would say the smartphone probably created as much social changes as anything, with television and the car right up there with it.  Of course, the Internet, the interstate system etc. stand right up there there also.  

One of the major changes I have observed over the past few years is the change from telephone/postal letters to E-mail and now to texting.  

One of the problems with that  is that e-mail demands more rapid response than a letter or even a phone call, and the expectation with texting is that you will respond almost immediately, like a personal conversation  

Of course, you don’t have to do that, but I think it is expected that a very rapid response will be made to a text.  

Glad the weekend is here.  It is supposed to be somewhat cooler.  

Soon Labor Day will be here, it seems like Summer just started!  

That’s it for now, Saturday, August 13, 2016.

2016 Summer August 12 Friday

85 degrees this morning, Walk 36:13 minutes

Some time ago, I purchased a $50 “Amazon Fire” figuring it would have a newer system that may download audible books easier.  It does download the books easier, but it is, like many Amazon branded products, a piece of junk that is designed more to peddle more junk they sell and advertising than in producing a decent product.

About the third day on my walk, the story suddenly jumped to another book and then quit all together!  While it is difficult to walk and mess around with it, all I could get was advertising junk.  So much for  Amazon branded devices and products!  

I have always been a little surprised (and dismayed) at some of the junk they sell. (Phone cases that don’t work etc. and just absolute junk earphones and plugs etc. I learned early don’t buy unless it is a brand name product and  I should have known better than to waste any money (even if is just $50)  on an Amazon branded product.  

I was rather horrified to read yesterday about another product I don’t buy, Samsung  Apparently in the early days, a lot of their workers developed leukemia cancer from working with the toxic chemicals etc.  Instead of trying to help, Samsung (and the Korean government) are hiding behind “trade secrets” .  In many cases the workers are in their twenties and go bankrupt from medical expenses. 

Actually, whenI say “early days”, I am talking about 2006 to 2012, but there is strong evidence that the toxic chemicals continue to be used, created cancer and other medical ruble's for the workers.  

I have never had a Samsung product that worked much longer than the guarantee period and haven’t had a Samsung product since about 2002 (knowingly anyway).  

If the story about the toxic workplaces are even reasonably true (and a quick review of the internet indicates it has been a known problem for years), I certainly would not have any Samsung products in my house.  

If they don’t care about their workers, they probably don’t care about their customers so who knows how dangerous some of their products are.

Realistically, I expect their are Samsung parts in almost anything, but at least I won’t buy anything with the Samsung name on it  

85 degrees is approaching being hot even with cooling breezes!  Actually, it’s not bad at all. I am sitting on the patio, but it is still reasonably pleasant.

We got our water bill yesterday, it was amazingly high.  I have to think that all of the people who just waste water are forcing the City to buy high priced “peak” water and so are running all of our water bills up.  I am just appalled at the wasted water I see on my early morning walk and bike ride.

Supposedly, there is permanent “odd even” rationing on lawn watering, but obviously it isn’t enforced.  

We have gradually gone to almost all LED lighting, at least the lights that are used very often.  While of course with Air Conditioning you don’t really know how much it is saving, I know when we first started, the electrical use went down substantially even with just going to LED’s on some outside lightning and high use areas.  

On course, in my opinion, a major advantage of the LED lights are that they last for a long period.  (I don’t really expect the 22 years promised etc., but at least it will be longer than six months or so!) They also seem to put out a brighter light.

Of course, the estimated life is based on 3 hours per day use or something like that.  I wish companies would be more realistic and just say “1000 use hours” (or whatever it is, instead of “22 years at 3 hours per day!”.  

I doubt that that will ever happen.

That’s it for now, Friday, August 12, 2016.

2016 Summer August 11 Thursday

84 degrees this morning, Walk 35:05 minutes 

Again, it almost seems cool here on the patio, in spite of the 84 degree temperature.  Of course, that is with no sun and a light cooling breeze.  Still, it always surprises me at how cool it seems. 

I remember as a child sleeping outside (this was long before we even thought of getting air conditioning and I don’t even remember any fans etc.)  

We would sleep outside in the cooling breeze, usually with the dog.  

I always grew up thinking dogs and cats hated each other.  Our dog would chase the cats (we probably had 25 cats, remember this was a farm, all from one cat who stopped by one day, if I remember correctly).  

The dog would absolutely always chase the cats, so it was a surprise to me when I saw dogs and cats actually get along!

Even in the heat, I can feel the coming Fall and Winter, especially as the days shorten.  

I should say as the daylight of the day shortens, but somehow it doesn’t sound the same.  I understand the daylight is already over 40 minutes less than it was at the height of Summer!

I am still battling with “stuff” and how or if to get rid of it  I know I have t-shirts, coats and hats I will never wear, and yet it is difficult to “cut the cord” and give it away.  I try to think that it (hopefully) will be used by someone.  

Of course, there is also all of the small (and large) items you accumulate.  

I don’t really know how you can come to attach memories to an inanimate object, where the object represents a pleasurable experience or time, but I do, and that is what makes it so hard to get rid of stuff.

Actually, we have disposed of a lot of items the past three years, and I have been trying to “use” items and see if I really need to keep them.

Of course, all of the pens, notebooks, note pads, etc. I have accumulated over the years, I am now using in my job, so that is good.  I feel like they are being used for their intended purpose!

I am trying to deliberately use different t-shirts and hats and find he ones I really like.  

Oddly enough, sometimes I find it hard to use something that I picked up someplace.  An obvious example is t-shirts and hats I keep for the “right time” to wear  I am trying to convince myself the “right time” is now!

I always wear a bandanna when I walk and bike (actually two when I bike), at least in the summer.  (in the Winter I wear a warm hat and neck warmer of some sort).  

Anyway, I have several “advertising” bandannas and one i got at the CMA Fest.  It was so hard to wear them for the first time!  

Not that I will ever need to buy another bandanna.  They rarely wear out, (probably losing them is the biggest problem).  I did buy about a dozen bandannas from some company on Amazon.  they were the “bright green” type (not the “safety yellow” color, which I was looking for), but they are starting (and actually started shortly after I got them) to fray at the edges.  Even then, they will literally last forever, at least as far as I am concerned.

The “regular” bandannas are amazingly sturdy.  One or two are starting to fade a little, but in a way that just makes them more comfortable.  No fraying or holes etc.  

Knowing that I will probably have to live with something for the rest of my life has made me very cautious about buying anything!  I try to think if i “really” want or need an item, not just one more “thing” I have to take care of and worth about where to put it etc.

Such are my thoughts in the early morning, but I really have gotten cautious about anything that is not consumed or wears out in a relatively short period of time!

That’s it for now, Thursday, August 11, 2016