Want to save the Earth? Then don’t buy that shiny new iPhone - John Naughton - The Guardian
a 2018 Canadian university study estimated that building a new smartphone – and specifically, mining the rare materials inside them – accounts for 85% to 95% of the device’s total CO2 emissions for two years.
Interesting, I guess the same can be applied to other items and companies.
ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights is one hell of a game, even though I haven’t been much of a souls-like games fan, or much of an explorer, like much if not all metroidvanias are. And even though I can put the game down for a few days, once I pick it up, I’m playing hours. Yes, it can be a little frustrating, you do die a lot, like a lot and yet, it can be a fun game. I am currently both discouraged and motivated, I know it does sound contradictory, but it’s true. I’m at a point where I know I need some skills in order to progress, skills I have no idea how or where to get them. At the moment, my focus is to explore all the areas in, blue? Most red dots are the places they for whatever reason, probably the lack of specific skills, I cannot access.
This is an “old” screenshot, I have completed some areas and there’s more to do.
I’d love to see the company die in a fire, a virtual nuclear explosion that caused such a cataclysmic event to occur no data, on any Facebook server, could be recovered. And by some miracle the entire catalog of Facebook source code magically disappeared.
That’d be super-awesome
Screw it! I think I am just going to go for it.
I want to say, ever since the pandemic started, I have been struggling with fitness, among other things. But for the sake of the argument (or conversation) let us just stick to fitnesses. I have been on and off, trying to do many own things, failing at it then saying,
I need a gym.
Then I drop the idea because, CORONA. A month or so I go, I decided I needed to man-up, and go to the gym. Well, I did, I got a membership at a local gym. In the first moth, I probably went for 2 weeks or more. Not too bad, I mean yeah, the objective/idea was to go at least 4 to 5 times a week.
Anyway, las night I went, it was a bad workout, I’ve got to admit, but an in all it was decent. Especially since I have not been for a week now. Twenty minutes into my workout, I had a little bit of anxiety.
This place, isn’t the cleanest looking place. Where are the disinfecting wipes? What, they are all out? Oh gosh, I touched my face. Did I clean this kettlebell?
I felt so, so unsafe. Yes, I am vaccinated, I have some level of “protection”. But what about the other people? I don’t see other cleaning or disinfecting after themselves. I know I do and did. Furthermore, because of all of this, I only stay on the same side of the gym. I only use a limited number of equipment. I truly don’t dare to venture out and use the machines.
Today, I was having a conversation with my coworker, the main topic was not stopping going to the gym but maybe go to a different location. Because let’s be honest, my current gym, does not inspire confidence and cleanliness, like at all. All my other options were way out of my way. If I had all the time in the world, sure, but I don’t.
So, that brought us to the conclusion, back to an idea I had in my head for a long while. Just set up my own home gym.
When I come to see, all I need are a kettlebell, a pull-up bar, and maybe, but not required, a squat rack setup. That is it! I’ve got the space, which is my garage, and I know what I need to do. Also, having a home setup might entice my wife to workout too.
There are options, some equipment is not that expensive. In fact, there is a local store called, Play it again Sports, where people sell or trade their equipment, and then you can buy said equipment for much cheaper. I will be really honest, I had no idea this store existed. If there is one piece of equipment that might cost me serious money, that’d would be a rower. I love the rower, I prefer it way more than a treadmill or any other cardio-like machine.
My only concern is that I am very impatient, and I’d like to have everything all setup and done by yesterday! So, that would be my one thing I need to watch out for. Apart from that, I am excited.
Another new Macintosh phone OS release. With that comes a whole lot of application updates. I have removed my beta certificate — for now — to download the official software, obviously. And yet, as I do with every major software release, I would be, most likely, restore my phone and start fresh.
Why would I do such?
Because both why not and hate myself laughing-out-loud.
Happy iOS 15th y’all
Today was a very eventful, fun and festive Saturday. First off, Marley, she had a haircut scheduled, and she was thrilled about it. She wouldn’t stop asking and talking all week, and even this morning. She was pleased with her new haircut, and we all made a new friend.
After hairdo, to the grandma’s. We took the girls to grandma’s house for a very overdue date between the lady and I. I cannot remember the last time we had a date or a day out without the girls. We went for lunch. The part that I was more excited about, besides been alone with Annie, was that I had my side of the booth to myself! No Luna, or Marley, no diaper bag, just me!!!
We stopped at the local Lush store for some fancy, and very overpriced, bath bombs. I always have fun going there, if I’m being honest. We got a few things for the girls (Annie, Marley, and Luna).
Then we went to the movie theater. We watched Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. What an outstanding movie, we loved every minute of it. I am not sure if it was the emotions of being out to the teacher again and the movie, but I was at the edge of my seat a few time, cheering and being excited. We haven’t been to the cinema since Rise of the Skywalker. Luckily, we were at the VIP area, there was reared any people around us, at all, so we felt safe.
After the movie, a pit stop to the local Boise Coop for some cans of fancy beers. Picked up the underaged ones, pit stop and the grocery store for some chicken and bread, yup lazy dinner.
Once home, we hear a knock on the door, our neighbor. We are under wind advisory, there’s a lot of wind and dust. Turns out, our canopy thingy, got lifted by the wind gusts and flew over our neighbor’s yard. So, I went over and with his help, we, quite literally, toss it back over the fence. Sadly, when it flew over, it took some damaged and some parts did break.
On better news, we got a package from my mom.
Very interesting sour beers there, some coffe and sweet plantains, as well some things for Luna and Marley.
Now time to relax and enjoy some beers.
This morning I had decided to add some vanilla extract to my coffee. Well, it does not taste horrible but is almost as if I am having a vanilla coffee-flavored cigar. Good thing I like cigars, I guess. I did point out to Annie that I wasn't fond of our current coffee grounds. Which we have been buying for a long while. This was an attempt to make it slightly better. I hope I am not turning into a coffee snob, I would dislike that very much.
How do all do it?
Today we found ourselves in a situation where the immediate course of action, was sending out an email. Well, more like we had a conversation, concluded that we should reach out Marley’s teacher via email and thus, my wife started composing such email. When I realized, she was using Apple’s Notes application to draft it. That made me think. Where would I draft an email?
I don’t write long form emails very often, even for work. Most of my emails are two to three sentences and data. If it were me composing this email, I think, I would use my text editor just like I’d use it for a post, such as this. Especially Ulysses. In fact, my wife handed me her phone to read over the email before sending it. What did I do? I copied the text, sent it to myself, copied the text, pasted in Ulysses, and rand its revision mode feature. Made all the suggested and necessary corrections, copied the text, and texted it back to my wife. Then she proceeded to copy the text, pasted back to the email app thingy.
Voilà
The moral of the story? Get Ulysses installed on all the wife’s devices. 😎
I have been an iPhone user since the iPhone 4. Ever since I have been engulfed in the Apple ecosystem and its tech-fan-culture. I have upgraded to the latest iPhone every single year ever since. Like I always felt compelled to do so, like it was my duty as a nerd.
In the last few years, the urge to upgrade every year has gone down a bit. Thinking back, it was always about FOMO, and not because the upgrade to the device itself, bright any substantial benefits. It was about me having the same toys the podcasters I was listening to had, for example. The same toy my friends in my nerdy-chat had.
By not having their latest and greatest, I wasn’t honoring my nerd badge.
On September 13th, 2019, Rene Ritchie tweeted (or at least that’s the day its on my DayOne entry)
Never let anyone, certainly not the internet, shame you about your technology choices. If you get something cheaper to save money, or you get the most expensive, you’re still every bit as nerdy and savvy. No one else knows your business or gets to judge your choices. Do you.
I still remember these words on every Apple event ever since.
Yesterday, for me, was another Tuesday. Yes, I was aware of the event, but I did not watch it or made any efforts to. Of course, I peaked at the internet. And for the first time I can say with confidence — I’m good.
I currently have an iPhone 12 mini, and this is probably my favorite iPhone since the iPhone 4s, followed by the iPhone XS. And I am good, if I see myself “upgrading” it would be to the iPhone 13 mini and I don’t feel like I need to do that now. At least not in the foreseeable future.
I did like the new Apple Watch and the iPad Mini but, I am good for a while.
Well, would you look at that? I am fucking growing up you all.
Happy new iPhone day!
Today there is another — like every year — Apple event, and a new shinny thing will be announced. Sigh! After a few years, it’s hard to care to even try to keep up. Like make sure I don’t miss it, I need to know what’s new. In recent years, I have seemed to care more about WWDC, I am not sure why. Perhaps is because it’s new software that’s will work with whatever device I have on hand as long as it’s somewhat recent.
Anyway, I am sure I will hear and read all about it whether I want to or not…
Stay classy, have a cookie, and enjoy.
Found what it looks like a fun and festive kettlebell work out by the one and only, Juan Leija
The goal is to build power for an extended
period so grab 2 kettlebells that are heavy
enough to challenge you with the weight and that you can move fast.
Workout
Will try this tonight and see how I fair.
Earlier today, I had an impulsive idea. Well, I did it. I went to a local vidjia games store and did the trade in. I was actually very surprised at how much in-store credit I got.
If I had taken cash, it would have been about $200.00 less. As expected, they didn’t have a PlayStation 5 in-stock, but they did say they would hunt one down for me. I have no hurry, it’ll take whatever it will. Now, it’s just a matter of waiting.
I’m doing something out of sheer impulsiveness. I am currently resetting both of my main gaming consoles, my PlayStation 4 and Xbox One S. The plan, is to take these two along with _almost_every game I physically own on both of these, and some Nintendo Switch games to a local gaming store. The hope is to get enough credit to buy a PlayStation 5.
Will I be able to pay in full with the treads-in? I doubt it, but still, it should be enough to down the cost of the new console. Will it be readily available? Also doubt it. I’m sure my options would be both get cash or in-store credit. I’m certain if I opt for credit, I might get more. Also, if I choose credit and a console is not immediately available, I would not mind to just keep the store credit until a console is available.
Apple App Store must change practices following court ruling in Epic trial - The Washington Post
In a long awaited decision, a federal judge has ordered Apple to substantially alter its business model, forcing Apple to allow its developers to “steer” customers away from Apple’s payment processing service, which collects a 30 percent fee on most digital transactions.
😐
Today I got one of those emails were the only response that came to mind was,
I hope your samples are floating in the Golf!
I understand we all have deadlines, but also we need to be considerate of other’s situations. I don’t know, but this person’s demand felt insensitive to me.
A hurricane 🌀 just went through Luisiana recently!!! They are sort of fucked up at the moment.
// in my best Genie’s 🧞♂️ voice //
Do you know what a hurricane is? Have you gone through one? Do you know the damage they can cause? And all of a sudden, you don’t care and just want your data? I don’t think so. Not right now! You’re not getting your wishes, so SIT DOWN!
I miss reading comic books, I miss going to my local comic books shop and browse the new releases section. Buy some issues, just to then re-buying digitally, unless they include the code for the digital copy. I haven’t read anything in a long time. I am even subscribed to ComiXology Unlimited still, and yet, I don’t barrow and read anything.
Even if I can’t make it to my local store, I should at least take advantage of this subscription and pick some fun and interesting books. Reading something new could be fun and also a little daunting, especially when it is an ongoing series. It can be hard to know where to jump in without being too lost. Perhaps this is a reason why I fear of jumping back in on something like The Batman books or JL, even Marvel.
There are some books I would definitely re-visit, like Jason Aaron’s first run of God of Thunder, The Court of Owls by Snyder and Greg Capullo, even East of West from Image Comics, which I never finished. Perhaps I should pick up something that had recently started.
Needless to say, I got many options, just need to find, or rather, make time for it.
After almost a week and a half hiatus, I dragged myself out to the gym last night. Every part of me was yelling at me. Why, why are we going?
I need to get back into my groove, stop been lazy, stop finding cheap excuses, and get moving. I had no plan whatsoever, I just knew I needed to be there regardless. As it often happens, I had a bad idea for a workout. I mean, it sounded good, on paper.
I knew I wanted to hit cardio more than anything else. So, I came up with the following;
Then repeat, but switching kettlebell movements each set. Kettlebell swings, Cleans, Press, Clean-press, Snatches, double handed swings, etc…
Complete as many as possible
I only did 6 sets total
The goal is to get up to 10 sets and perhaps cutdown the resting time.
For the past few nights, or maybe weeks, I really haven’t been sleeping well enough.
I am yet to pinpoint the true reason for it. Occasionally, I have one of the kids to blame, but that is not always the case. Too much in my mind? Stress? Also find myself doom-scrolling Twitter and Instagram quite a lot. Looking for what? I don’t know. I often wonder if I should quit these social media platforms — again — just to see if that makes a difference. It is not necessarily because I dislike them or inset-any-other-social-media-issue-here. It is more about how much time I consume while when I should just go to sleep. I have no control, I just scroll, especially when I feel like I am not tired enough yet. Then, 2 hours later, I’m still scrolling.
That’s one thing. Second, I have skipped the gym Monday and Tuesday of this week so far, and the entire last week. There always a suitable excuse, and mostly because I didn’t sleep the night before, and I am tired. I am back at the mentality of, eh, don’t feel like it, I’m not going. Not even the attempt of dragging myself to the gym. I am kind of hating myself a bit, well, not hate, more like disappointed. I feel irresponsible and undisciplined and should be doing better.
As we come into week two of Marley’s kindergarten adventures, today was the first day parents were not allowed to wait for the kids outside the classroom. We are supposed to wait for them across the street from the school.
More than Marley having to cross the street, I was more worried about her staying waiting for me by the classroom and not moving from there or not following instructions. Some parents just went and got their kids. I stood and waited. Trust your kid, trust their system. After all, they have been practicing this.
Eventually, Marley’s class started moving along with their teacher and started crossing. As they are getting closer, I noticed, they are all in line holding a rope.
Like cattle 🐮😅🥰
I haven’t been blogging for long, perhaps since 2016 or so, and it’s my favorite thing to do. I have gone through many stages. At first, I wanted to be — unknown to myself at the time — a brand. I wanted to write and blog like the blogs I was reading at the time, most of them — if not all of them — tech related.
It took me a while to find my own voice and inspiration. My blog, is a digital diary, a personal blog. I share more than opinions or personal reviews of whatever, or news. It is almost, if not entirely, my second brain. I pour out all my feelings, snippets of my life, photos, the things I like. I write about anything and everything that it’s in my head.
I still do enjoy the occasional tech blogs, but I do enjoy personal blogs more. Likewise, I still look up to those blogs and people that once, inspired me to this, instead of all my writing living in a journal app. And @Manton for creating the perfect space for me to do so.
Blogging fucking rocks!
There are many privileges and fun things about being a dad, specially a dad of two beautiful girls. One of them, is to do their hairs. Today I was the designated beautician.
beau·ti·cian
/byo͞oˈtiSHən/
noun: beautician; plural noun: beauticians
A person whose job is to do hairstyling, manicures, and other beauty treatments.
A simple substitute might change a habit.
Instead of a snack, brush your teeth.
Instead of a nap, go for a walk.
Instead of a nasty tweet or cutting remark, write it down in a private notebook.
Instead of the elevator, take the stairs.
Instead of doomscrolling, send someone a nice note.
Instead of an angry email, make a phone call.
Instead of a purchase seeking joy, consider a donation…
I have been slacking off this week. I have not been to the gym a single day this week. Bad Gaby, bad bad, bad. If anything, I did some stretches exercises and a mile and a half walk yesterday, and that’s about it. Food wise, well, okay at best, could have done better choices, I think.
Can’t let this go for too long, or I’ll get lazy again. Perhaps I shall do an unscheduled gym visit over the weekend, or sometime at home. It is finally not-so-hot anymore to do outdoorsy workouts if I don’t feel like driving to the gym.
IN OTHER NEWS
Micro.blog to Day One export worked, as far as I can tell. For some reason, mine took about two days.
You think vaccines don’t fucking work? Oh, fuck off into the trash, you attention-seeking fuckworm-faced shitbutt. This isn’t even a point worth discussing, you fuck-o-rama fuck-stival of ignorance. Vaccines got rid of smallpox and polio and all the other disgusting diseases that used to kill off little fucks like you en masse. Your relatives got fucking vaccinated and let you live, and now here you are signing up to be killed by a fucking disease against which there is a ninety-nine-percent effective vaccine. You fucking moron. Go in the fucking ocean and fuck a piranha. Fuck. Fuck that. Fuck you. Get vaccinated.
🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
I have been using Glass now a week or so pass my trial, and I didn’t even think about whether to let it renew or not, it was — for me — a no briner. I enjoy it, I do dedicate time to it, definitely not the same amount as I would spend in other places like Micro.blog but enough to make it worth its subscription.
I have posted many of my favorite photos. I have gotten good feedback on some of them, or may have just started a conversation. Yesterday, though, I found myself conflicted about posting a particular photo. I thought it was interesting. I asked myself. Is this photo worthy of Glass?”
It was only for a split second, but the question came regardless. It’s like asking yourself. Is this task too mundane for my fancy task manager? Does that make sense?
If, you are wondering, here is the photo in question,
By all accounts, I like this photo and for a split second I though, this is too ‘childish’ for Glass. Glass is for professional photos, yo!
This made me think, if this is a question that will pop up in my head every time, when using Glass specifically, then something is wrong. Probably me by having this made-up vision of what Glass is or should be. I am certain that I am probably not the only one using the service with perhaps the same issues.
I don’t know, just a thought.
Now, if you all excuse me, I need to head out to pick up Marley from school, and with her scooter.