An hour from now I'll be
An hour from now I'll be interviewing for a master's program I would love to get into and have been thinking about for years... I am so nervous. Wish me all the luck in the world!
Its early and I have butterflies in my stomach. I want today to
go well. All the gangs have designated places to be around the Central
campus. Our attack will occur soon after the start of the wrestling
tournament. The gang leaders have agreed that we will only use the
force necessary to get the Hulk and his goons to leave Central. I am
keeping my fingers crossed that the violence doesnt escalate into
something ugly. I dont want to see anyone seriously injured,
especially those that are on our side.
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Matt has sent word that he has received our plans. He had a
few suggestions that might make the take-over a little easier. The Hulk
has scheduled a wrestling match for tomorrow morning. The Hulk and
most of his goons will be present in the gym for the event. Having
everyone at the Central campus in the same location of the school will
make our attack easier. I am holding a final strategy meeting this
evening with the allied gang leaders.
Matt has made allies inside the Central campus among several
of the current residence that do not like the Hulks style of leadership.
This is good news. Allies inside will make the battle a little easier. I
am keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly and that
any injuries acquired will be minor.
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"hold onto your steering wheel, because theres a carbon cloud looming over your joyride
Excerpts from the of a on the verge of breakdown Week8:
Jag piggar upp mig med att titta p ett gammalt foto som jag bde tog och publicerade 1999, frn San Diego frestllande en sprvagn med desitination Tijuana (eller iaf till grnsen).
Bilden finns med text p den hr sidan, upplagd 13 maj 1999:
I've just started reading William L. Shirer's Berlin Diary, and I can recommend it (so far)
Shirer was a foreign correspondent (for a US paper) in Berlin, and this covers the period 1934-1940.
Sure, it's easy to find historical parallels (because you can cherry-pick), but blimey this is a sobering read.
We don't have any great orators today (like Hitler was, according to Shirer). But then again, people's sensibility has deteriorated so much that fascism might no longer require them.
Booker prizewinner Bernardine Evaristo applauds photographer Ingrid Pollard
The business of BasquiatTaylor Swift's beau produces new documentary while Gagosian shows LA works
The show to see in Venice with your bosom buddy
DiaryThe Birth of Venus in bottle topscourtesy of Bottlecelli
Met with the gang leaders and shared the notes from Matt. The
atmosphere in this meeting was calmer than the previous one. The
gang leaders shared their thoughts on how to proceed toward getting
rid of the Hulk and his goons. Everyone agreed that the Hulk was a
nuisance. The longer he stayed in town the stronger he was going to
get. We have all decided to band together in a show of force. A lot of
violence is expected. I gave the gang leaders the opportunity to back
out of the conflict if they found the risk was to great. No one withdrew his
or her gang. I will send a courier to inform Matt on how we plan to
proceed.
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"where some friends did sup there // and we with them // and late went home //
Pepys has smuggled a poem into this entry.
Interesting: The oldest millennials will turn 60 in 2040. I wonder what the world will look like then All the men that began to grow bushy beards in the teens will be all gray. It will look like ancient Greece, but mid-21st century. (I love anachronisms!)
Sheriff Pete and Tony retrieved another note from Matt.
Not everyone is happy with the way the Hulk runs the Central
Campus. This is a good thing. Matt got in an argument this morning
with someone trying to take his breakfast. The bully was trying to
prove to his pals that he was big and tough. Matt won the argument
after a knock down fight.
Matt made some friends. One in particular, a girl named Hemy.
She said that there are people at Central that do not like the Hulk or his
goons. The Hulk and his inner circle have most of the people who live
at Central afraid. Food and a place to sleep seem to be the strongest
reasons why people stay. Others stay because they enjoy the wrestling
tournaments and that way of life. Central reminds me of the stories I
heard when I was young about the gladiators. The guards force people
to fight as the Hulk and his goons watch. Matt said there are 10 goons
in the Hulks inter circle.
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Sheriff Pete and Tony crept through the shadows of the Central Campus, their steps muffled by the thick layer of dust that coated the ground. They exchanged wary glances as they approached the designated note drop, a dimly lit alley behind one of the crumbling buildings.
Tony reached out a hand, snagging a crumpled piece of paper from beneath a loose brick. Another note from Matt, he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Sheriff Pete unfolded the note, his eyes scanning the hastily scrawled words. Seems like our boys been busy, he remarked, a frown creasing his brow.
Not everyone is happy with the way the Hulk runs the Central Campus, Tony read aloud, his voice tinged with apprehension. This is a good thing.
Sheriff Pete nodded in agreement. Sounds like Matts stirring up some trouble.
The note continued, detailing Matts encounter with a breakfast-stealing bully that very morning. Tonys eyes widened as he read about the knock-down fight that ensued, his admiration for Matt growing with each word.
Looks like our boy knows how to hold his own, Tony said, a proud smile playing at his lips.
Sheriff Pete grunted in approval. That he does.
But it wasnt just Matts fighting skills that were making waves. He had made some unexpected allies, including a girl named Hemy who shared a similar disdain for the Hulk and his cronies.
Hemy says there are people at Central who do not like the Hulk or his goons, Tony relayed, his voice tinged with excitement. Seems like Matts finding himself a little rebellion.
Sheriff Pete nodded thoughtfully. The Hulk and his inner circle may have most of the people here afraid, but theres strength in numbers.
The note painted a grim picture of life at Central, where fear and survival were the driving forces keeping its inhabitants in line. But amidst the oppression, there were those who found solace in the wrestling tournaments and the camaraderie they provided.
Central reminds me of the stories I heard when I was young about the gladiators, Tony mused, his mind drifting to tales of ancient battles and valiant warriors. The guards force people to fight as the Hulk and his goons watch.
Sheriff Petes jaw clenched at the thought of innocent lives being manipulated for the entertainment of others. We need to put an end to this, he declared, his resolve firm.
Tony nodded in agreement. And we will. But first, we finish the takeover plan.
As they folded the note and tucked it safely into their pockets, they made a silent vow to bring an end to the tyranny of the Hulk and his inner circle, no matter the cost.
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4/2/1980: Andy Warhol meets Pope John Paul II in St. Peters Square. They finally took us in to our seats with the rest of the 5,000 people and a nun screamed out, Youre Andy Warhol! Can I have your autograph . . . Then I had to sign five more autographs for other nuns. And I just get so nervous at church...And then the pope came out, he was on a gold car, he did the rounds, and then finally he got up and gave a speech against divorce in seven different languages...That took three hours.
Madie trudged through the bustling market plaza, her eyes scanning the rows of tables in search of a new pair of shoes. Her current ones were on their last legs, the soles worn thin and the seams threatening to give way with each step.
But finding a replacement pair proved to be more difficult than she had anticipated. None of the shoes she tried on seemed to fit quite right, and the ones that did were in even worse condition than her own.
With a frustrated sigh, Madie resigned herself to the fact that she would have to make do with her worn-out shoes for a little while longer. As she made her way through the crowd, she couldnt help but overhear snippets of conversation about the Central Bobcatsthe notorious gang of troublemakers who ruled the Central High School campus with an iron fist.
Her heart sank as she listened to tales of their latest exploits, their reign of terror spreading far beyond the confines of the school grounds. Madie had never been one to back down from a challenge, but the thought of crossing paths with the infamous Hulk sent a shiver down her spine.
Hes so evil, one voice whispered, sending a chill down Madies spine. They say its because of his father, always beating on him whenever he lost a tournament.
Madie frowned, her mind racing with questions. Was it true that the Hulks cruelty stemmed from a lifetime of abuse Or was it simply a rumor spread by frightened townsfolk desperate to make sense of his reign of terror
One thing was for certainthere was no denying the darkness that lurked within the Hulks heart. His actions spoke louder than any words, his enjoyment of others pain a chilling testament to his ruthless nature.
As Madie continued her search for shoes, a sense of unease settled over her. The Central Bobcats may have ruled the school with fear and intimidation, but Madie refused to let their reign go unchallenged. She may not have been afraid of much, but the Hulk was a force to be reckoned withone that she wasnt sure she was ready to face.
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Tony, Matt, Jonas, and Madie huddled together behind the rusted remains of a forgotten playground, their voices hushed as they discussed their plan.
We need to find a spot where we can pass messages without anyone noticing, Tony said, his brow furrowed in concentration.
Jonas nodded in agreement. Somewhere easily accessible but out of sight.
Central High School Campus sprawled before them, a maze of crumbling buildings and overgrown pathways. It was a stark contrast to their familiar Bear Country High School.
Definitely not as cozy as our old school, Madie remarked, her eyes scanning the desolate landscape.
Tony chuckled. No kidding. But well make do.
They set off, weaving their way through the deserted corridors of Central. Despite its size, they soon discovered that there were pockets of emptiness scattered throughout the campus, hidden from prying eyes.
Looks like the guards stick to the main areas, Matt observed, ducking behind a row of abandoned lockers.
Jonas nodded. That works in our favor.
After what felt like hours of exploration, they stumbled upon the perfect spota secluded courtyard tucked away behind the art building. It was overgrown with ivy and littered with fallen leaves, but it offered the privacy they desperately needed.
This is it, Tony declared, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.
Madie nodded in agreement. Its perfect.
With their secret spot secured, they set to work devising a system for passing messages back and forth. They agreed on a series of signals and codes, ensuring that their communications would remain undetected by the watchful eyes of the guards.
As they finalized their plans, a sense of determination washed over them. Despite the challenges ahead, they knew that as long as they had each other, they could face anything Central High School threw their way.
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A message was sent to me from Matt sent a message to me. He is inside the Central campus, and it sounds as if he is doing fine. His letter read,
Madie, I hope everyone is doing fine, especially my brother Jonas, tell him Im sorry about the eye, I lost my balance on the last blow. Oh, and tell him my chin will recover in the next day or two. I have access to most of the Central campus, but a couple of the areas are heavily guarded. Good news, tell Tony I know where the Runt is, I saw him earlier today. He is a slave. I havent had the chance to talk to him. The slaves are kept under guard, except when they are needed to work. I am certain the other lost boys are here as well. Wrestling seems to be very big here on the Central campus. People are continuously challenging each other to duals. I have been able to avoid being challenged because I am currently not considered a threat. Probably, because I am not interested in making rank. The higher the rank the more privileges you have and the better food you eat. I hope to be home soon Matt.
So that was his letter.
Madie
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I spent the weekend doing maintenance work on angular-datatables library.
1. Upgrade to DataTables v2 (released last month).
2. Replace rollup and other gunk with ng-packagr for prod builds.
These are leftovers from original angularjs migration and they were a mess to deal with.
It was fun but exhausting at the end. Happy it all worked out though
PR will be raised once Im confident.
I have such a headache. Probably stress. The preparation for
the naming ceremony is going well. Casey is getting so excited and the
baby seems to be thriving. Casey is also doing well. Plans for the
festival also continues. We have had several responses from several of
the local gangs who wish to participate. The same gangs come year
after year. I cant wait we need some diversion, some fun. My brain is
tired. What else can I tell you Oh, I know, Jonas is climbing the
walls. We still have not heard from Matt since he defected over to the
Central Bobcats. I hope he is safe and not taking any unnecessary
chances.
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Sometimes it's just an angry day, has been so for centuries
2024.03.31
2024.03.29
Maya stood before her group of volunteers, a sense of purpose radiating from her as she prepared to guide them through the process of canning green beans.
Alright, everyone, Maya began, her voice steady and confident. Canning green beans isnt too complicated, but its important to follow each step carefully to ensure the food stays safe to eat.
Madie watched from the sidelines, her admiration for Maya growing with each passing moment. She had never realized the extent of Mayas knowledge and resourcefulness, nor the hidden treasures within Bear Country.
First, Maya continued, we need to prepare the beans. Make sure theyre washed and trimmed, removing any blemishes or tough ends.
The volunteers nodded, listening intently as Maya demonstrated the process. Madie couldnt help but marvel at Mayas expertise. She had been eating the food grown and preserved by the Agriculture Club without ever truly understanding the effort and skill behind it.
Once the beans are ready, Maya instructed, well blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes to preserve their color and texture.
Madie listened intently at Mayas instructions. She didnt want to make a mistake in the process.
After blanching, Maya continued, well pack the beans tightly into sterilized jars, leaving a little space at the top. Then, well cover them with boiling water and seal the jars tightly.
Madie listened to Maya, suddenly realizing just how much she had underestimated the members of the Agriculture Club. They were not just residents of Bear Country they were heroes, keeping their community fed and thriving in the face of adversity.
Finally, Maya concluded, well process the jars in a boiling water bath for the specified time to kill any bacteria and ensure the beans stay fresh.
Madie nodded in understanding, grateful for Mayas expertise and leadership. As the she and the other volunteers set to work, Madie couldnt help but feel a sense of hope for the future of Bear Country High School.
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Jake, Maya, and Ethan surveyed the sorry state of their crops at the back of Bear Country High School. The bug infestation was getting worse by the day, and they knew they needed all the help they could get from their fellow residents to rescue as much food as possible.
Maya, the determined and organized leader of the Agriculture Club, gathered the four volunteers who had shown up to help. She divided the tasks efficiently, assigning each person to a specific area of the garden.
Alright, Tommy, youre on pest control duty, Maya instructed, pointing to a tall, lanky boy with a determined look in his eyes. Samantha, you and Joey focus on weeding out the dead plants and put everything in the compost bins. And Emily, youll help Ethan with collecting the fruits and vegetables that can be used.
Ethan, the practical and caring member of the group, chimed in, Remember to drink water and take breaks when you need them. But we cant afford to dawdle. If we dont save as many plants as possible, well be trading with other gangs just to avoid starving.
Jake, the resourceful and thoughtful one, distributed the few sets of gloves they had salvaged from the schools storage rooms. Make sure to return these at the end of your shift, he reminded everyone. Other people will need them too.
Maya added, her voice firm but kind, And dont forget about canning. We need to preserve as much of the harvest as we can. Well start in the evening, and we still need volunteers. Spread the word, and Ill put up a message on the admin hall bulletin board.
With a nod from Maya, the volunteers dispersed, ready to tackle their assigned tasks and spread the word about the upcoming canning session. Despite the challenges they faced, Jake, Maya, and Ethan remained determined to save their crops and ensure the survival of their community at Bear Country High School.
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of a Dutch Pixy (Friday, March 29th, 2024)
TLDR tried to be active until my spoons were gone... Then I just relaxed...
My alarm woke me and I would have liked a wee bit more sleep. But hey ho, let's get up and do my things. The scales weren't too bad but they weren't very nice either. The weather was 7C and dry for now. I got dressed, prepared Arwen's meat and I took my meds. Walkies with Arwen and then she got her food and snack before I left for the gym.
The Smith Machine area was busy, again... So I did my best on the other machines. Then I spend 20+2 minutes on the cross-trainer before hitting the bike for 30+5. A nice massage after that and I left for home again. As it slowly started to rain some, I kept my gym clothes on. They would not be too warm when I would wear my rain pants and water resistant jacket. But first I had some brekky. Then Arwen and I headed out for walkies. The weather kept going from wet to dry to drizzle to wet. Very annoying. Plus there was some wind so handling the umbrella was a small challenge at times. When we got home, I washed up and changed.
Then I rode my bike for a while. But... I'd forgotten to start my exercise, so after about half an hour I discovered that I had no data on it . Unfortunately this happens more often, I'm just daft at times. So after a nice ride I had some food. Then Arwen wanted to go out again. I wanted a smaller walk but she took me into the other direction. So we went the bigger route, again! After that, Arwen relaxed a bit and so did I.
I did feel a tad restless in my head. So I got to the treadmill for a walk. Before I knew it, I had walked over 10k! I fixed some food and then I walked Arwen again. I fed her and then I rode my bike a while. After that... Arwen and I crashed on the couch for some relaxing...
Then it was time to get ready for bed again. I prepared everything for the next day. Took my meds, brushed my teeth and I walked Arwen again. I didn't read too long until I dozed off... I woke twice for the loo and then because if noise outside. It was almost time for my alarm. It sounded like a helicopter circling over our neighborhood.
So I got up and the scales weren't too bad. My sleep score was 93. It was 9C with a slight drizzle. I got dressed and prepared everything. Arwen and I had walkies and while she was eating, I headed for the gym.
The weekend had begun!
In 2004 , I started a blog. I wrote in my diary for three years straight. I self published two books. I have the only copies. I am restoring the blog. Meet me at
2024.03.28
Here's an entry for the Mastodon self-hosting
I started self-hosting my Mastodon instance in April 2022, almost two years ago.
As some of you will know, I'm running the software, storage and database on a RaspberryPi 4, in part (still) from the SD card.
I've detailed some of my setup here:
Somewhat alarmingly (but inevitably) I now see my SD card is 95% full. This means I will soon have to do something, otherwise my instance will break.
To be continued...
Jonas limped back to Bear Country. He didnt say a lot when
he got back. I cleaned up his wounds and made him something to eat.
He didnt eat much. I am not sure if it was because of his physical
injuries or because of the mental anguish I am sure he feels. The whole
thing was just incredibly sad. I find it hard to think about one without
the other. Matt and Jonas have always done everything together.
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Another layout trying to match the colours to the washi tape. X) Not sure if I've succeeded, but it was fun! :chickadee:
There are days and then there are days. Matt and Jonas fought
at the plaza today. It was awful. Both boys were injured. They both
had bloody lips, cuts and bruises. A couple of venders are going to
have to rebuild after Matt and Jonas crashed thru their kiosks.
It didnt take long for a crowd to develop. People began to cheer for one or the
other. It always annoys me that people encourage fights. You would
think that the proper thing to do would be to stop the fight but not in
this town.
Any way, as the fight grew in intensity a couple of the Hulks goons from the Central campus arrived. They just stood back and watched. I am not surprised. The fight ended as Matt pinned Jonas to the pavement. Some words exchanged that I would rather not repeat. Then Matt released Jonas and stood up. Jonas struggled to his feet. He yelled at his brother that they were no longer brothers. I wanted to cry.
After the show, the crowd dispersed as quickly as it formed except for the Central goons. They were interested in Matt. I wasnt close enough to hear the conversation, but Matt left with the enemy.
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"... where Sir Williams both and my Lady Batten, and her two daughters, and other company, were a great deal of mirth."
I love the way grammar gets meaningfully stretched in Pepys.
The "both" should be before "Sir Williams", but putting it between the two names makes us marvel that they were both present --- it turns a pedantic listing device into poetry. The sentence then continues with two comma'd "and" additions, making us sense the merry crowd.