Open Thread - Thurs 23 Jun 2022 - Just Some Fluff

Just Some Fluff:

Our phone/internet/etc service went down for a day yesterday. It was weird not having internet or phone service. Thanks Century(c)link! I couldn't do my usual prep for this Open Thread. Therefore, I'm going to babble a bit about cell phones, computers, games. Just a note, I met my husband while playing an old computer game (a Mud) in the early '90's: I like me some computer games!

Back in February or March I got myself a new cell phone. My old cell phone was about 8 or more years old. I never used it much, except to communicate with the family, younger folk and my husband via text messages. Ohh, and to learn languages. Duolingo! I wuv you! I didn't make phone calls, didn't surf the web, didn't shop online, didn't do anything on the phone but text and learn languages (here's the android app for Duolingo). I've a computer, I'll use that for everything else, thank you!

Duo sez 'Learn some Languages'!

So, this new phone I got recently. It came loaded with a program to access games from google play store. I was just checking out all the apps preloaded on the phone, deleting almost all of them, when I happened across one of the games. 'Hmmm, Woodoku, what's that?'

And that was it. I was lost, gone from the real world. So was my husband when he discovered it on his new phone. I found a version of the game, one of many, which works through web-browers on computers (WoodBlockPuzzle). I've spent hours a day playing this damn game, for weeks on end. My high score took over week to accomplish, playing the game every time I might have, ohh opened a book or a webpage for diversion or learning, until I finally lost. Gah! I was relieved to lose!

Wood Block Puzzle: One of the simpler woodoku type games.

Now Woodoku has been replaced in my mind, I'm sad, or something, to say with, err..., jigsaw puzzles. Puzzles on the phone, puzzles on my computer through the browser. I've had to limit myself to one a day or it's all I'd do!

Because I use firefox and adblock plus and noscript, I get no commercials on the games on my computer. On the phone, I get some, but I've picked a jigsaw puzzle program (Jigsawscapes) which only shows the commercials before you start the game, and after it's finished. So, no interruptions!

Jigsaw Explorer: You can set the number of pieces (and, by extension, the time it will take to finish the puzzle), this example has only a few pieces

The games serve(d?) a purpose. They blank my mind, and help keep the depression that can happen in my current world at bay. They also quiet my mind, like reading does, before bed. Why aren't I reading? Because I've got this damned boring book I swore I'd finish, and I can't bring myself to do so. I think I need to let myself break that silly rule and choose a new book to read!

I hope, now that it's finally getting sunny and warm (like over 65, thank you) here, I can get this kind of relaxation the way I've done for years, by being outside and in nature; doing gardening, reading outside in the shade under the apple trees, etc. I'm actually getting a work tan again. It's only about two months too late! And if I'm not reading in the shade, I could be playing a jigsaw puzzle there on my laptop!

What do you use for diversion and to empty your mind of thoughts? I'm interested to know, because, apparently I'm in need of a blank mind lately!

So, thanks for reading and here's the open thread - and remember, everything is interesting if you dive deep enough, so tell us about where you're diving!

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Sima's picture

Good day everyone! I am sitting here, enjoying the cold, listening to the early bird neighborly rooster crow. No, I don't mind it at all. It's almost light enough to see outside. I guess I'll continue working on this paper I'm writing (about computer analysis of roman forts... woot!) after I sleep, get up, do gardening, errands in town, more gardening, food for the hubby, dog, cats, goats, chickens, whatever, more gardening (maybe) and then... paper. Ohh and jigsaw puzzle!

What are you all up to? What's grabbing your attention?

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If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so

Lookout's picture

Watched a bear stroll by the house this morning. A fairly rare event that is becoming more common as the bear population on the mountain grows. It looked like a large male. They are the reason we quit feeding the birds. They climb the trees and swat down the feeder. Took awhile to figure it out. I thought it was a raccoon or some other critter.

As to relaxing and entertainment, I'm lucky to play music and so does my partner. It has been a lifetime of entertainment, community, and creativity. It was the weirdest part of COVID for us...no festivals, gigs, gatherings, and so on. Sure is nice to have things normalize and have more opportunities to play and socialize.

As to games, we're old school occasionally playing scrabble and/or cribbage. Well, thanks for the OT and happy gardening!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Sima's picture

@Lookout
I have to admit, I've only seen one doing that here. It was early morning, I was looking out the window at the cows in the field across from mine. There was this really weird cow, didn't look right... wait, it's a bear! It jumped over the fence and down the embankment and lazily crossed the road. Other than that, the only evidence I get is the copious bear skat when the bramble berries are ripening.

Bears don't mess with the copious amount of bird feeders we have here. I don't know why, maybe the feeders are too out in the open, or something? In fact, it's usually other birds, like hawks and eagles, which mess with the feeders. Or huge flocks of redwinged blackbirds or starlings... we've had to get feeders with cages around them, which let in the little birds but not the bigger blackbirds and starlings. Those wait on the ground for the little birds to drop stuff!

Music is a godsend! I envy you being able to play. Once, I could play the guitar and the electric bass, but... I haven't practices in years. I used to go out to gigs all the time, but as I've gotten older, the trip to Seattle sucks :(.

I've started moving all my vinyl to computer. It's very relaxing to do so, I think music is still in my soul, even if I can't play anymore.

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4 users have voted.

If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so

which seems to help get the brain focused. The jigsaw sudoku format is my favorite.
Sometimes do an old solitaire game on the 'puter, but it is paper and pen with the
sudoku.

Prep for an OT is usually done the morning of, (tend to awaken before dawn anyway), therefore the noted lack of engaging content. On these occasions, will skip the puzzle. I would be happy to hand over the Wednesday edition to anyone wanting to give it a try ...

Thanks for the OT!

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Sima's picture

@QMS
I've done that for years. Didn't, and probably still don't officially, even know what sudoku was/is, until I happened across this woodoku game. And I don't think it's real sudoku, but who knows? It's relaxing and mind numbing. I think that's what's needed at times.

As for prepping for an OT... I tend to do it in very early morning, or late at night as it were for me, as well. I just tend to do it two days early, so I can make sure I'm not writing complete crap. Wink As for your OT's, I always find them engaging! I wish mine were such, but sometimes I just can't muster a topic that is interesting. Hope someone can help out on Wednesdays soon!

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If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so

thanks for the OT Sima. I hope to make it back to comment later but I wanted to drop this here just because it's interesting:

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Sima's picture

@randtntx
I was reading about this strike last night, cheering it on. I know it makes trouble for the people using the rail and for shipping, but that is the POINT. When I first moved to Britain, it was in the early Thatcher years. Gods, I hate(d) that woman. That's from living in the NE of the country and watching her destroy the jobs (coal, ship building, etc) that were there, and take out the unions. We students, who had little invested in the strike system (at that time) because we weren't working yet, would come out every afternoon or weekend and take placards, etc, and go march with the strikers.

So thanks so much for this! I Lynch was right on, I loved how he quietly, and politely, hit the news idiots right in the face with reality...

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4 users have voted.

If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so

@Sima , I'm late to the party. Things are hectic in my life for quite a while now so I don't get a chance to comment much here but I have been enjoying your OT's. This morning I'm the chauffeur for 2 doctor visits for family members so I'm off and running. Just wanted to stop by and say thanks and yes, that Lynch guy. Three cheers. Smile

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Sima's picture

@randtntx
That's me almost all the time. Hope the chauffuering when ok. I've been having to do much the same for my older family members recently, so I sure understand. Have a great weekend!

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1 user has voted.

If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so

enhydra lutris's picture

pit for a while, my wife got me started. We've both been playing computer games since tetris or before and for a while binged on things like Commander Keen, Duke Nukem, Castle Wolfenstein and all like that. She also got me hooked on Hidden City. I also play a lot of suduko. I play electronically, using Hokodu on my PC and some opther program I can't recall (by Branium, iirc) on my tablet.

I read a bit but not as much as I should, I have a huge backlog. Prepping my OTs eats up a fair amount of time, even though I keep intending to reduce the number of events, people and videos, but never seem to do so. There's also the yard and garden during daytime, and cooking and baking.

I sort of keep a journal/activity log, mostly oriented toward maintaining my health and such.

finally, I spend some time here, reading and commenting and sometimes harrassing specific pre-chosen victims.

be well and have a good one

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Sima's picture

@enhydra lutris
I think my husband and I will get out of this jigsaw pit... someday. Smile Heck, I've even got my mother playing on her phone. She does nothing on her phone, well, up until now!

I stopped playing multi user computer games when they went visual. I loved the games, like Zork, which had to be read. Multi user, but no images, just words. The images put me off, for some reason. I want to decide what that orc looks like, after reading the description, I don't want to see the artists' rendition. I'm weird that way, for sure. So after the games became image oriented, I sort of got bored. I like the activity journal too. I might start up with that.

My reading backlog is enormous too. I was keeping record of what I was reading, trying for a book a week, and then keeping a long list of reading accomplished to revel over. But Covid killed that. I dunno why.

Thanks for the ideas, oh, and the great OTs you write. I really enjoy them!!! Hope you have/had a good day!

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4 users have voted.

If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so

I never played games much. I do not recall ever playing a game on a computer.
But I used to bet on horse races. In that respect, I was a gamer.
It is expected to be 100 deg. for the next 3 days, so the weekend will suck for anything outside. But Tuesday, get this: 91 deg.! Where are my long johns?
If it were not for the internet, I would never have run across my husband. Boards and blogs are for sharing ideas, making cyber pals, and many become friends or more, for all your life.
I had pals come in to do their wills. The guy was born on the same day as I. Man, he insists that is why we are so close, and I insist our day of birth was a bad day.
Clients later in the day, once again for wills, moved to Texas to get the hell out of NY. One of them said he had never been to NYC! I told him I saw what I wanted to see of NYC in the 80s, never ever had a desire to go back.
The younger one experienced the crooked cop thing more than once, sold out and left for Texas. The elder one heard the Cuomo expose' about the elderly in nursing homes during that Alpha COVID phase. He immediately sold his Rochester home to his daughter, packed up, moved to a tiny Texas town, will get a few cattle, enjoy his remaining days on his ranchette, confident he will not be murdered by the Governor. I loved sharing Texas mind-set with them. We will be friends forever!
I am fairly sure they found me on the internet.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Sima's picture

@on the cusp
I dunno why I never did that... maybe was in the wrong areas when I was young or something.

We are gonna have a hot streak as well, but, it's PacNW style. So high 70s. Hahahaha. And hopefully, no humidity. I can't imagine 100's. I would melt into a puddle of cursing goo. When I was younger and lived in Philly (but I was raised in dry heat in CA), I would spend all day during the hot and humid summer in the bathtub WITH MY CAT. He couldn't stand the wet heat either, so he'd rest on my stomach and dip himself into the cool water as needed. We read books then, laptops were just being born!

As for NY, and NYC, bleh. When I lived in Philly I was told, often, to go visit NYC I'd love it. I hated it. I didn't even want to stop at the airport on my way to Europe, or whatever. I dunno why, but I love Philly and hate NYC. The state of NY is ok, but not the damned city.

Your part of Texas sounds wonderful, just wonderful. I'm glad others are finding that out too!

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3 users have voted.

If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so