HETTY

Tag: Wisdom

  • 1997!

    If you could relive one year of your life, which one would it be?

    So I have been thinking about my past, and there has been years I don’t want to do over again, but there were bright spots in those years. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t be alive to be answer this prompt. 1985, 1991, 2009, 2015, and 2020. 2020 should be obvious why it was a bad year, although I did take a 12 day fun trip to Las Vegas and I didn’t get COVID.

    There are years I do want to relive, even though work stress and lack of a romantic relationship were common themes. 1994, 2008, 2012, 2017, and last year were good years relatively. There was still crappy moments, but enough was going on where I could cope well enough. I did have relationships and was in a better mood.

    I think I should single out 1997 though. I was 23-24 years old, was in the United States Air Force, and was stationed in the United Kingdom for over 2 years. Some Americans are lucky to be able to afford to spend a week vacation in the UK, but I was very lucky to be in the country long enough to go to London several times. And from 1996 to 1998 was one of the best times to be in the UK and London. And I was young enough to enjoy it.

    London is one of the best cities for nightlife, and I was able to go to London once or twice a month for the weekends. BritPop, UK Speed Garage, and French House music were popular in the country at the time. I went to dance clubs and concert venues to see the local acts. Not huge international performers, but big enough bands and performers that played on BBC Radio regularly. Most times I went alone, but other times with coworkers and I had fun.
    I did see some of the famous landmarks while in London. I wish that I had a better camera back then to be able to take photos, but at least I saw Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, and the Riverwalk near Thames. London as a city has one of the richest cultures and histories.

    I drank the local pints at pubs, and I got into Stout beers like Guinness and Beamish. I still like those beers, and I have them when they are available, and I can afford them. Maybe it’s not a good thing to have been drinking more heavily, but don’t regret it.

    More importantly, I had friends. Most of the friends I did have were military and civilian coworkers at the dining hall I mostly worked at on base. But we worked well together, and we would hang out at times after work. Sometimes to rent videos to watch together, or play video games. Austin Powers was released around that time, and we enjoyed that and even understood some of the references specific to British culture.
    It’s strange that I mostly hanged out with women, but they were good people.

    Oh, it gets better! Cuz I also had temporary duty in other countries like Denmark and Spain. The deployments were mostly NATO training exercises for one or two weeks, but I appreciated going to other countries that I probably wouldn’t be able to afford to go to otherwise.

    So last year, I had a layover at a London airport after spending over 3 months in Tirana Albania. It was for 8 hours, and I was very tempted skip the next flight to spend 3 days there to enjoy the nightlife and see how the country changed over 30 years. I decided against it cuz of cost, but I hope to be able to afford to go to London again. Even if it’s for 2 days or so.

  • I Watch Less TV and Cable Now.

    I Watch Less TV and Cable Now.

    What’s something you do completely differently from how you were raised?

    This is probably the biggest difference in my life now. Growing up in the 70s and 80s, I lived in a 2 television household. One TV was a smaller portable black and white television that I often watched in the kitchen or in my bedroom with my 2 brothers. The other color television stayed in the living room. It was too heavy for my brothers and I to carry it. Indeed, the television likely required 2 people to carry the television, or one very fit person with a strong back.

    So growing up, I watched a lot of TV shows and sometimes syndicated movies on broadcast networks. I saw some of the classic series over the years, and then some shows that may last one or 2 seasons.

    My family also invested in premium cable television and later a VCR device and video game consoles. Atari, HBO, and a Nintendo console. Even more time in front of the television. Probably a good fraction of my life was in front of the TV watching some of the theatrical movies, some made for cable series, playing the early more primitive video games. I was entertained enough back then.

    I still love some shows, like I’m still a big Simpsons fan. But over the past 10 years, I started to drift away from watching so much television.

    Maybe streaming services have a lot to do with that, having a laptop and smartphone changed my viewing habits even more. I replaced one screen for another.

    I don’t know exactly why my viewing habits changed. I think I became wiser and more experienced, and became more familiar with the tropes and cliches of TV series. Like I can’t really tolerate laugh tracks on sitcoms any more, cuz some of the jokes on shows aren’t that funny. Other times, television shows like dramas reference real life events, such as real life crimes. I can read about the unsanitized real life events online instead.

    But also maybe I spent too many days coming home from work or school, and ended up watching television or playing video games alone for hours. Not always, cuz I will still watch television with others, but it’s often sport games or a show or movie I’m not that invested in. I think my attention span dwindled over time. I have other interests now.

    So TL;DR version. I grew up in a 2 TV set household watching a lot of television and I eventually drifted away from that to the point where I barely watch any TV or cable programs. I’ll read online articles, go on social media, or play more simple video games on my smartphone.

  • A Lucky Find (Part 2)

    A Lucky Find (Part 2)

    What’s the best thing you’ve ever found randomly on the street?

    Sometimes I find money in the street, but it doesn’t happen as often as I’d like. I already wrote an essay/ short story about a time I found 50$ decades ago and was able to afford to go to a state fair. But there’s been other incidents where I was lucky and found money.

    Around 2011, I was working a different part time job as a dishwasher and still struggling (I was fired from that telemarketing pledge job in 2004 after 3 months), I was riding my bicycle at night from work  and again found money. This time 30$ laying in the grass. A 20$ and a 10$ , not in a wallet. Again, I picked it up cuz I desperately needed it. I spent that 30$ on food and the cheapest brand of cigarettes I could get. I was grateful at the time.

    But another incident was when I was more stable living on disability pensions and took a solo trip to Las Vegas. I was more comfortable, and had more leeway with my spending. It was my second time in Las Vegas, and I went in 2020 during the COVID pandemic.

    I actually didn’t gamble much during my 2 trips to Las Vegas. Maybe 125$ total, but between the 2 trips I won over 400$ playing penny slots. I take risks, but relatively low risks. I was grateful to have won money at all.

    Anyways, I was walking back from a convenience store, and saw a small object shining in the sun. Curious, I stopped and looked closer. It appears to be a coin of some type in a small transparent plastic case. I picked it up. It looked like a small gold bullion with an imprinted buffalo and some printing. Huh.

    It took me a month of online research to find out what it was. It’s not solid or 24 carat gold, but rather a gold plated copper bullion. Not much gold, not worth much money. Maybe worth 6 or 7$. It contains roughly 5 milligrams of 24 carat gold.

    I still have it, cuz it’s not really worth much. However, if I get really desperate again, I could try to sell it. It did take me a month of online research to identify the coin and it’s actual value. If I was desperate enough to be shady, and could find a specific kind of buyer……..🤔

  • My Talk Therapist Pulled Through

    What’s the kindest thing someone has ever done for you?

    I really had to think about this prompt, cuz acts of kindness towards me seem to be rare, or at least hard to recall outside of my own family. But I’m a disabled US veteran, and I needed help back in 2011. I was able to get it at a VA hospital thanks to the medical staff.

    So back in 2011, I was in bad shape, but I didn’t want to admit it. I wanted to “pull myself by my own bootstraps” even though I was underemployed, had student loan debt I was afraid that I couldn’t repay without great difficulty, had and currently have severe depression and a good level of anxiety.

    I smoke heavily, toked and drank with what little money I had. I had to be hospitalized for mental health issues once before, and I didn’t want to be hospitalized again. I’ll figure it out, I thought, even though I was homeless again. I couldn’t make rent for a studio apartment.

    I ended up at a veterans group home, and I started to see a psychologist I’ll call Dr. Sandra. Her first name, but I’ll withhold her last name. A blonde middle aged woman. Over time, I would talk through my problems. I had a lot. I sometimes was harassed and bullied at work and school. I had deaths in the family. I struggled to find and keep jobs, after my time in the service. I have physical, psychological, and it later turned out neurological disabilities.

    I found out that I’m neurodiverse, but the medical staff didn’t notice it until I gradually noticed patterns, did some reading, and brought it up to the doctors. After group therapy sessions and medical tests, it turns out that I had several diagnoses, including hearing impairment and a type of autism.

    Anyways, Dr. Sandra encouraged me to file for disability benefits, she listened to what I had to say and offered advice to problems I had, and she taught group sessions with other veterans that gave better life skills than what I had before. I had to file a appeals claim after my disability case was denied the first time, and she wrote a letter to social security administration listing the various disabilities I’ve had, and why I can’t work full time anymore.

    I was approved for disability pensions. A modest income, but it is more than my income during my working life. Yes, even more than when I was active duty. I’m grateful that I met Dr. Sandra, and she gave me help and a listening ear for when I needed it.

    Do I still have problems and worries? Oh yes. But I’m able to cope better, I volunteer, donate, and help people when I can, and I have better problem solving abilities than before. And I have changed over time. I’m not as passive as I tried to be before, but I have learned that it’s ok to walk away if some issue is stressing me out. It’s ok to quit a job or school due to stress, end a toxic relationship, and failure can make one think of alternatives if something isn’t working out.

    I also read some books that Dr. Sandra recommended, and I got into the current version of the BBC show Sherlock because she is a fan. Which I actually liked.

    I have a better life now, thanks to the medical staff at the Veterans Administration hospital and Dr. Sandra.

  • Retirement

    If the salary was the same, what job would you be doing right now and why?

    Retirement. Why work if you don’t have to? You can do what you want. Sleep 14 hours a day even. There’s gonna be more automation in the future, so it’s gonna be harder to find good paying jobs.

    However, if I had to work, I’d choose sex worker. Legalized and decriminalized, of course. And women only. That’s a sweet deal.

  • The Dead Artist Club: 11 Iconic Artists

    The Dead Artist Club: 11 Iconic Artists

    “The Dead Artist Club” is a playful or informal term sometimes used to refer to famous artists who have passed away but whose work continues to inspire and influence the art world. Here’s a list of some iconic members of this “club”:

    – **Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519)** – Renaissance master known for the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.

    – **Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890)** – Post-Impressionist known for Starry Night and his vibrant use of color.

    – **Frida Kahlo (1907–1954)** – Mexican painter celebrated for her powerful self-portraits and exploration of identity.

    – **Pablo Picasso (1881–1973)** – Cubist pioneer and prolific artist with works like Guernica and Les Demoiselles d’Avignon.

    – **Claude Monet (1840–1926)** – Founder of Impressionism, famous for his water lilies and light-filled landscapes.

    – **Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564)** – Sculptor, painter, and architect best known for the Sistine Chapel ceiling and David.

    – **Edgar Degas (1834–1917)** – Impressionist painter renowned for his depictions of dancers and everyday life.

    – **Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669)** – Dutch master celebrated for his portraits and use of chiaroscuro (light and shadow).

    – **Salvador Dalí (1904–1989)** – Surrealist icon famous for dreamlike, bizarre imagery such as The Persistence of Memory.

    – ** Jackson Pollock (1912–1956): Abstract expressionist known for his drip paintings.

    – **Georgia O’Keeffe (1887–1986): American modernist painter known for her large-scale flower paintings and depictions of the Southwest.

    These artists, though no longer with us, have left an indelible mark on the art world and continue to inspire countless creatives today.

  • A Lucky Find

    What’s the weirdest coincidence you’ve ever experienced?

    So over 20 years ago I was really struggling. I was a college student studying for an associates degree (Ha!) and working part-time as a telemarketer doing pledge drives for uniformed services like police and firefighters. It wasn’t a good job- the best thing about it was it offered flexible shifts. As long as an employee worked a day or night shift, and the employee was at a cubicle making phone calls and making pledge quotas, things were good.

    So money was tight. Around the summer time, there was the State Fair that I wanted to go to, but probably couldn’t afford. It probably cost at least 30$ just to enter the fair, see some the sights and be among the crowd, and maybe get a cheap meal. To go on the carnival rides, a person needed at least 50$.

    I wasn’t making my pledge quotas one day, so I was sent home early. I was riding my bike back home, when I saw something familiar on the ground near a strip mall parking lot. I stopped the bike and looked closer. It was money. 50$- two 20$ bills and a 10$. It wasn’t in a wallet, it was money laying on the ground near the curb.

    So of course I picked it up and put it in my pocket. And the next day, I went to the state fair. I had enough for the entry fee, a combo meal, and enough tickets to go on 3 or 4 carnival rides. I spent about 3 hours at the fair, and I was grateful that I was able to go after all. I had a little money left over even.

    Things could have been different. There were different variables, like it could have been a windy day, someone didn’t drop that money, I wouldn’t have been at that location at that time cuz I was still at work. Maybe someone else could have found that money instead. I still think about that, or who did drop that money.

    Anyways, I remember this moment cuz I was grateful to have had a good day, found that money when I needed it, and I wish that I could find larger amounts of money more often.

  • Super Mario World

    Which fictional world would be the most fun to vacation in?

    There were good reasons why I played those Super Mario games so often growing up. They helped me cope with the pressures of school and/or work, the loss of a parent, and the existential pains of puberty.

    I saw the 90s live action movie version of Super Mario brothers, and I still think it’s terrible. I was like, what the hell is this? I saw it once, and never again. Even some of the cast thought the movie was shitty.  No, I would never want to live in such a world.

    However, I saw the CGI version of Super Mario, and that was a much better movie. The creators got the tone and visuals right, and it was a fun movie. The Nostalgia was there.

    I’ll get around to seeing the sequel eventually (streaming most likely), but yes it’s a fun, colorful, and quirky world, with a more cartoonish and simple version of good vs evil.

    Plus, there’s magic mushrooms with special powers, Tanooki suits that are capable of flight, and dinosaurs still exist.

    “Hedonism World” doesn’t exist in fiction, as far as I know, so I’ll take the fun, thrills, and joy of Super Mario World as a vacation location.

  • I’m with Stupid⬅️↖️⬆️↗️➡️↙️⬇️↘️

    If you had to get a tattoo right now, what would it be and why?

    I have never gotten a tattoo, and I see no reason why to get one now. Plus, I can’t afford a good tattoo now.

    Oh, I would talk about getting one over the years, and there has been phases where I wanted different types of tattoos.

    I wanted a tattoo of the Tao symbol, cuz it sort of fits my life philosophy (not quite, but close). Then a tattoo of Icarus with his wings falling down to Earth. I’m a fan of Led Zeppelin, and I thought the band logo would look cool.

    Now though? The phrase “I’m with Stupid.” surrounded by arrows pointing in all directions. I really don’t care much about tattoos at all, but hey it’s a sort of funny tattoo, and it shows my current contempt and apathy with many people.

    I don’t care where the tattoo would be. Maybe my right arm just in case the tattoo gets infected somehow and the arm needs amputation.

    Hey, you asked.

  • No country does Halloween better than the US.

    No country does Halloween better than the US.

    What’s a cultural tradition from your country that you love?

    Halloween is my favorite holiday. I even prefer Halloween over Christmas. Why is that? It can be fun, and there’s at times there’s true creativity by the celebrants, young and old. I’ve seen some truly impressive costumes and home decorations over the years, and many crap costumes. I like to dress up myself at times, even in my 50s. I tend to wear costumes with masks.

    Right around Halloween time, horror movies of various quality are released, there’s at times Halloween themed TV show episodes. Who doesn’t love the Simpsons Treehouse of Horror episodes?

    There’s the treats, of course. I tend to munch on chocolate snacks more often around Halloween season.

    This past year, I “celebrated” Halloween by going out to bars and clubs in Porto Portugal, and I was disappointed. Most of the costumes were lame and low quality. I was seeing several Christian monk costumes, hardly any scary or “fun” costumes. Definitely nothing impressive.

    Millions if not billions of dollars are spent annually in the US on Halloween decorations, costumes, media content, snacks, and while there’s plenty of scary costumes, some costumes display a good sense of humor.

    I’m probably too old for Halloween celebrations now, but I’m probably one of those people who could carry the blue Halloween trick or treat bucket with me. To me, Halloween is one of the few annual events that’s fun and I’m more sociable. I have yet to go to a Comic-Con event, but I’m definitely the type of person those events are made for.

  • The Wild Robot

    The Wild Robot

    What’s the last movie that made you cry?

    I didn’t actually cry (more burnt out than tough or macho), but yes I did feel the tears coming on. I saw the movie on an international flight to Europe. It’s a classic bittersweet movie, and I look forward to watching whatever sequels and possibly getting around to reading the books. I highly recommend the wonderful movie for those who haven’t seen it yet.

  • The Great War

    If you could erase one event from history, what would it be?

    I’m a student of history, not a professional or expert. But to me, the Great War (aka World War 1) should be erased from history/not have happened.

    From what I understand of the war, it was mostly European conflict, over 17 million people died, mainly from poison gas, disease, and other terrible weapons, and in a complex chaotic way further down in time led to World War 2, The Russian Revolutions, and even more deaths, destruction, and terrible weapons (“Der Führer” and Winston Churchill were both Great War veterans, as an example).

    With more time and research I could prove my case better. But I think the repercussions from that war can still be felt over 100 years later.

  • How To Start a Fire

    How To Start a Fire

    Making a fire without matches or a lighter is a valuable skill, especially in survival situations. Here are some effective methods to start a fire using natural materials and simple tools:

    1. **Friction-Based Methods**
    – *Bow Drill:* Create a bow with a flexible stick and string, use a spindle (a straight, dry stick) and a fireboard (a flat piece of wood with a notch). Rub the spindle rapidly against the fireboard using the bow to generate heat and create an ember. Transfer the ember to tinder and blow gently to ignite a flame.
    – *Hand Drill:* Similar to the bow drill but using just your hands to spin the spindle against the fireboard. Requires dry, soft woods and patience.

    2. **Spark-Based Methods**
    – *Flint and Steel:* Strike a piece of steel against flint rock to produce sparks. Direct the sparks onto char cloth or dry tinder to start a fire.
    – *Firesteel (Ferrocerium rod):* Scrape the rod with a metal striker to produce hot sparks that ignite tinder.

    3. **Lens-Based Methods**
    – *Magnifying Glass or Lens:* Use sunlight focused through a magnifying glass, eyeglasses, or even a clear plastic bag filled with water to concentrate sunlight onto tinder until it ignites.

    4. **Battery and Steel Wool:**
    – Touch fine steel wool to both terminals of a battery. The steel wool will heat up and ignite. Transfer the flame carefully to tinder.

    **Tips for Success:**
    – Use dry, fine tinder like dry grass, leaves, bark fibers, or cotton.
    – Prepare kindling and fuel wood in advance to keep the fire going once it starts.
    – Practice fire safety and ensure your fire is completely extinguished before leaving the area.

    With patience and the right materials, you can start a fire without matches or a lighter!

  • 16 Great Quotes about Artificial Intelligence

    16 Great Quotes about Artificial Intelligence

    Here are some famous quotes about Artificial Intelligence from notable figures  that capture its promise, challenges, and impact:

    1. “The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race.” — Stephen Hawking

    2. “Artificial intelligence is the new electricity.” — Andrew Ng

    3. “The question is not whether intelligent machines can have any emotions, but whether machines can be intelligent without any emotions.” — Marvin Minsky

    4. “Some people call this artificial intelligence, but the reality is this technology will enhance us. So instead of artificial intelligence, I think we’ll augment our intelligence.” — Ginni Rometty

    5. “AI is about replacing human decision making with more sophisticated technologies.” — Dave Waters

    6. “The key to artificial intelligence has always been the representation.” — Jeff Hawkins

    7. “Success in creating effective AI could be the biggest event in the history of our civilization. Unfortunately, it might also be the last.” — Stephen Hawking

    8. “The question of whether a computer can think is no more interesting than the question of whether a submarine can swim.” — Edsger W. Dijkstra

    9. “Artificial intelligence is the future, not only for Russia, but for all humankind. It comes with colossal opportunities, but also threats that are difficult to predict.” — Vladimir Putin

    10. “The real question is, when will we draft an artificial intelligence bill of rights? What will that consist of? And who will get to decide that?” — Gray Scott

    11. “Our intelligence is what makes us human, and AI is an extension of that quality.” — Yann LeCun

    12. “The pace of progress in artificial intelligence is incredibly fast.” — Elon Musk

    13. “By far, the greatest danger of Artificial Intelligence is that people conclude too early that they understand it.” — Eliezer Yudkowsky

    14. “Machines take me by surprise with great frequency.” — Alan Turing

    15. “AI is likely to be either the best or worst thing to happen to humanity.” — Elon Musk

    These quotes offer perspectives from leading thinkers on the transformative power and ethical considerations of AI.

  • Politicians are anti science and education

    What’s a conspiracy theory you actually find believable?

    I’m American, of course.  I believe that most if not all politicians are anti science and anti-education, cuz an ignorant population is easier to control, manipulate, and exploit. Like there has been great strides in science and engineering in recent decades, but the average citizen wouldn’t be able to know how it’s possible. An example is the smartphone. I have one on my hand right now, but I only have a general idea how they work. If I took one apart, I wouldn’t know how all of the different components and programs work together to make a functional machine.

    Oh, there’s educational institutions like colleges and trade schools. They aren’t free or even affordable, and the skills and lessons taught at public schools tend to be more limited. There has been numerous cuts to public education for decades, to the point where many students and educators are demoralized and ignorant about various things. Many students couldn’t be able to identify various countries on a map, and have limited mathematical ability.

    Libraries can be free resources for knowledge, and there’s hundreds of libraries of various quality in the US and globally. In the US though, there’s a list of banned books cuz they have content that is considered disputable by certain political groups (too “woke” or “obscene.”)

    So certain outdated concepts and misinformation are promoted in the media by politicians and influencers instead of innovative ideas and philosophy. There’s various distractions and noise. Some important voices are drowned out in favor of louder more charismatic voices.

    So the average adult citizen reads at a 6th grade level, and more celebrities and athletes are more famous and well to do than most scientists, engineers, philosophers and writers. Most Americans would know who Taylor Swift Lebron James is than HL Mencken or Marie Curie, as an example.

    There’s also one International Space Station instead of several space stations in orbit. Still no moon bases from any country.  Many scientists and researchers have to apply for grants yearly to get funding.

    Maybe I’m not explaining myself well, but I think there is already several solutions possible to numerous world problems, better ways of doing things, and yet there doesn’t seem to be a public will or funding to solve them, cuz of politicians leading in bad faith. So social problems remain unchanged and in some cases are worsening.

  • Ooo, Me, Me!

    What’s a thing you were completely obsessed with as a kid?

    Hey, I’ll answer. Since it turns out that I have an autistic spectrum disorder, yes I developed obsessions, especially as a kid.

    I grew up in 1980s, with it’s several classic science fiction movies that are now a part of pop culture, I developed an obsession with robots and future tech. It got to the point where I wanted to work in the robotics field, most likely as a technician.

    The bad news is that I never worked in that field, although I do have an IT related degree. The good news is I have a robotics hobby, and I sometimes come up with interesting designs.

    I became obsessed with Leonardo Da Vinci as a kid. I know quite a bit about his life, art, and his dabbling in architecture and engineering. That’s something I mostly kept to myself over the years, but I was able to visit the Leonardo Da Vinci Science and Technology Museum in Milan recently.

    I liked some of the 80s music, and even some of the current music I listen to has that 80s influence, or samples music from the 1980s. Michael Jackson, Prince, The Gap Band, Alexander O’Neal, and so on.

    I had a healthy obsession (maybe unhealthy, since it affected my grades) with video games in the 1980s, I had video game consoles over the years, and I would argue that playing video games helped me survive a rough childhood. I since cooled down from playing video games, at least until a Holodeck technology becomes real.

    I had numerous Transformers toys (again robots), and I was obsessed with the supernatural and paranormal. Yes, I read about aliens and UFOs, ghosts, the cryptids like the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot. I later became a skeptic and atheist. Funny how that turned out.

    On the bad side, I had an obsession with infectious diseases like Rabies and then HIV. I had a phase where I was washing my hands several times a day because of anxiety of getting sick. I outgrown that phase though.

    I’m happy to say that I don’t have either disease, as far as I know. I suppose I got more educated about viruses because I was afraid of getting sick with such diseases. I never got COVID, and in fact helped in a small way in the creation of the mRNA vaccines.

    So obsessions can be a good thing, if channeled properly.

  • Free from pain and fear, money no obstacle

    If you had to describe your ideal life, what would it look like?

    I think the title is self explantory, but I will elaborate. I wish that I could have an easier life than I do now. I still worry about making ends meet month to month, although I’m more comfortable than I have been before. And I live with a fair amount of anxiety and fear, especially about my health and the future. My ideal life would be to be able to do whatever I wanted (within reason), and I wouldn’t be afraid of the consequences. Like loss, harm, or failure.

    Like before I started my HETTY blog, I had an idea for a certain style of cookbook. It was gonna be postmodern, but I’m afraid of saying more than that vague description. But I have no connections in the publishing industry, there’s already a lot of cookbooks published, and maybe the specific style I wanted to write the cookbook in wouldn’t land with the public, and it would later end up in the bargain bin. So after some thought, early efforts, and worry, I didn’t write anything substantial.

    If I was more secure financially and socially, I would have probably written the cookbook, without the fear of failure. I would be willing to take more risks.

    There’s also been times where I have been too timid to ask certain women out on dates throughout my life. Again, the fear of failure and possibly of harm. Also times where I was afraid of speaking up when it could be required. Cuz I’m sometimes afraid of saying the wrong thing at inappropriate moments. So I clam up more often than not.

    So that ideal life remains a fantasy so far. I still have ideas and aspirations, so maybe I can luck out someday and get to a place where I can take more reasonable risks. But I would like to be free from pain, fear, and be more financially comfortable.

  • HL Mencken: 14 Great Quotes

    HL Mencken: 14 Great Quotes

    Henry Louis Mencken (1880-1956) was one of the greatest journalists, essayists, and cultural cititics of the 20th Century. Here are some of the best quotes by H.L. Mencken, along with their sources:

    1. **”For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.”***Source:* Often attributed to Mencken; appears in various writings but exact origin is uncertain.

    2. **”The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out for himself.”***Source:* *The American Mercury*, 1926.

    3. **”Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.”***Source:* *Notes on Democracy*, 1926.

    4. **”Puritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.”***Source:* Attributed in various works; exact source uncertain but reflects Mencken’s critiques of morality.

    5. **”No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.”***Source:* *The American Mercury*, 1920s.

    6. **”Nobody ever lost a dollar by underestimating the taste of the American public.”***Source:* Similar in theme to above; from Mencken’s critiques of popular culture.

    7. **”The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.”***Source:* *In Defense of Women*, 1918.

    8. **”On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”***Source:* *The American Mercury*, 1920.

    9. **”The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule it.”***Source:* From Mencken’s commentary on social movements, particularly in *The American Mercury*.

    10. **”In every man under thirty there is a lawless anarchist, and in every man over thirty there is a conformist coward.”***Source:* From Mencken’s *A Mencken Chrestomathy* (1949).

    11. “An idealist is a person who helps other people to be prosperous.”— Source: From Mencken’s writings on social criticism and human nature.

    12. **”It is the dull man who is always sure, and the sure man who is always dull.”***Source:* From *The American Mercury*, December 1925.

    13. **”The education of a man is never completed until he dies.”***Source:* Paraphrased from Mencken’s writings on education and lifelong learning.

    14. **”Every decent man is ashamed of the government he lives under.”***Source:* From *The American Mercury*, 1925.

    These quotes showcase Mencken’s sharp wit and often cynical view of politics, society, and human nature. For full context, many are found in his essays and articles published primarily in *The American Mercury* magazine during the 1920s.

  • The World Needs Misfits

    What advice would you give to your teenage self?

    Oh, I would have to make a list of the things I would tell my younger self. But I’ll start with changing the mindset about loneliness. Being alone can be an advantage in some ways , and I developed in such a way that I can tolerate isolation better than others. Maybe not try so hard to make friends and date. It will happen in time with less pressure.

    Save money as much as possible. I fell for the materialistic creed, and thought that I would always be fairly comfortable financially. There were definitely lean times in my life, and there may be more in the future. So try to be more frugal.

    Study engineering in university. I wouldn’t say that I have a talent in engineering, more like a general interest that could have developed further with formal schooling. Maybe I could have worked as in robotics, materials science, or even in artificial intelligence. There’s more opportunities for engineers than the other fields I studied.

    Don’t smoke or toke, no matter how stressed or upset you get. I developed bad habits in my late teens and twenties, mainly cuz I don’t cope with stress well. I didn’t know that those habits would cause more stress and difficulty over time, plus I would be able to save money if I didn’t develop those habits. I didn’t fully understand how a mind could be addicted to substances.

    Read more science and philosophy. I read a lot, but the stuff I was reading as a teenager is different than what I read now. I would recommend Bertrand Russell, Arthur Schopenhaur, Albert Camus, and maybe some other ones, since their works would help me understand the world better, and help me cope with problems I would have throughout my life. I could have developed a different mentality.

    Walk more, and be more creative. I still love music, but I can barely play. I could have developed my music skill more, maybe using studio software. And walking and biking seem to exercise that I can tolerate. Paint, draw, and write, maybe some opportunities would come up.

  • The Observer

    If there were a biography about you, what would the title be?

    I had to think about this prompt question for awhile, but The Observer is probably the best title for a biography I could come up with. Maybe if I’m ever worthy of someone writing my biography, the author can think of a better one. But it’s a safe yet honest title.

    I’m not famous or infamous (yet), and as much as I’d like to be remarkable somehow, I’m likely unremarkable in every way. I have a certain skill set that’s probably outdated in the 21st century, but what I do best no matter what is observe.

    I’m an introvert, although I sometimes wish that I wasn’t. I can be quiet, and passive to a fault. And I’m alone most of the time, although I do attempt to be social. However, I observe people and see mostly mundane behavior, although there were moments where I saw violent or unusual behavior from a distance.

    I observe animals, wild or domesticated, doing their own things, I observe the daily life of cities and towns, cars passing, people walking, sometimes with pets, children, or companions. I detect stimuli through whatever functional senses I have left. I see debris and garbage around, and I’ll pick it up and dump it if I’m in the mood. And I observe whatever scenery I’m around when I’m outside. I’ll observe nature do its thing, but I have been in various environments and climates. Deserts, temperate forests, mountainous regions, larger cities, beaches, tropical areas, and green fields.

    Oh, I’ve been on the outskirts of historical events or situations at times, but not as any of the main “actors”. Again, just observing the good, bad, and neutral among people, places and things.

    Sometimes I’ll write about it or photo/video record it. So far, it hasn’t led to anything special or lucrative. And based on prior evidence, I doubt that it lead to anything special in the future. I could be wrong though. Here’s hoping!

  • 17 Bertrand Russell Quotes

    17 Bertrand Russell Quotes

    Here are some of the best and most thought-provoking quotes by the philosopher and mathematician Bertrand Russell:

    1. “The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.”

    2. “To fear love is to fear life, and those who fear life are already three parts dead.”

    3. “The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.”

    4. “Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.”

    5. “War does not determine who is right — only who is left.”

    6. “The secret of happiness is this: let your interests be as wide as possible, and let your reactions to the things and persons that interest you be as far as possible friendly rather than hostile.”

    7. “Science is what you know, philosophy is what you don’t know.”

    9. “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.”

    10. “The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”

    11. “Men are born ignorant, not stupid; they are made stupid by education.”

    12. “The secret to happiness is to face the fact that the world is horrible.”

    13. “No one gossips about other people’s secret virtues.”

    14. “The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation.”

    15. “To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.”

    16. “Religion is something left over from the infancy of our intelligence, it will fade away as we adopt reason and science as our guidelines.”

    17. “One is often told that it is a very wrong thing to attack religion, because religion makes men virtuous. So I am told; I have not noticed it.”