2024 Year In Review

The five nominations and its explanations for the moment of the year.

1. Analytics Research Technology. I self-trained. I passed my classes for data analysis or data science. The classes were from YouTube videos, online education, books, and articles. I blogged the graduation Self Job Training Graduation Analytics Research Technology on Apr 19, 2024.

2. Black Mesa. A fan-made remake of Half-Life. It's the video game nomination for 2024. It's the only video game I played.

3. Gym. I worked out at the gym for the first time since the global pandemic.

4. Discretionary Spending In Check. A 2018 moment nominee. I minimized discretionary spending. For example, one music CD, Steam's annual sale selected video games $1.50 or cheaper, and DVDs at public library sales. Most bare necessities purchased on sale.

5. Taiwanese Mahjong. I learned how to play Taiwanese style. I know Hong Kong and Japanese or Riichi.

Explanation: I completed my like senior year in college with a fake degree in Analytics Research Technology. The consistent and productive job training paid off. Forget the video game, gym, and mahjong. Too trivial. I could continue working out at home. A mini home gym and a full size gym were no comparisons. Keeping my expenses in check was worth mentioning given prices have been increasing. Make everything last as long as possible.

There were multiple setbacks in my physical training. One setback was sickness in July. Another setback was left calf pain solved by wearing a calf compression sleeve. I must jog with a knee brace on my right leg.

What Won: Analytics Research Technology.

What Should Have Won: Analytics Research Technology.

My Thoughts On The Winning Moment: Job training won because I completed the self training. The endgame was accomplished. The post graduate training continues today with Excel, Python, HTML, and WordPress. However, as of the blog post, WordPress is postponed indefinitely. I don't know the replacement. JavaScript is fulfilled satisfactory.

2024 Letter Grade: B-. 2023 year ended fantastic. 2024 year ended subpar. 2023 and 2024 balanced out. 2024 was boring. I could have done a better job making the boring awesome. There were no rewards for morale victories. No payouts for the process. There were setbacks. Results matter. The conclusion received attention. The conclusion was disappointing.

On the other hand, the little wisdoms and the wisdom reminders continue. I continue not taking life for granted. I seek new life skills to learn. I drill existing life skills to remember.

Past Moments Of The Years And Its Letter Grades

2023: Physical fitness. Grade B+.
2022: Wallstreet Bets. Grade B.
2021: Wallstreet Bets. Grade B.
2020: First responders, doctors, nurses, and hospital staff. Grade B.
2019: Consistent gym workouts. Grade C+.
2018: Consistent gym workouts. Grade C-.
2017: O'Connor Hospital. Grade D.
2016: Steve Jobs' biography by Walter Isaacson. Grade F.

Car Maintenance Is Expensive

Expenses must be paid to maintain a person's automobile. Filling up gas in a car is not car maintenance. The engine must be maintained. Change the car's motor oil. Replace a dead battery. Install new spark plugs. Check the air filter is clean. Inspect the belts must be tight without cracks.

Interior maintenance is important. Nobody wants to sit in a car full of trash. Exterior maintenance is important. Protect the car's paint from the sun with wax and sealants. Tire air pressure, headlight restoration, break lights functioning, and clean outside mirrors are additional examples.

Everything Else Maintenance

Car maintenance leads to life maintenance. Life maintenance costs add up. Some of the bare necessities are soap, clothes, toothpaste, towels, bedsheets, cups, light bulbs, haircuts, and laundry detergent. Insurances, utilities, cell phone services, relationships, and job skills are more examples of maintenance. A person can cheapen his or her maintenance. A person gets what he or she pays for himself or herself. A life wisdom is a person saves a dime ends up spending a dollar.

Time is also a maintenance expense. Time is required for physical fitness, learning new skills, and sleep.

Chaos is the result without maintenance.

Update On A Past Blog

I wrote two past blogs on maintenance. The first blog is Routine Car Maintenance At The Gas Station written on Apr 30, 2014. I wrote quick car maintenance checks while the car is being filled up with gas such as check the oil amount, check the tires for damage, and check the coolant level. The second blog is Maintenance Is Important As Innovating Infinitely written on Nov 6, 2016. I shared some of my life maintenances including a clean household, job training, physical fitness, and keeping myself clean and groomed. I admit maintenance can be boring; however, my life is in chaos without maintenance.

Something To Remember Album By Madonna Cover

Something To Remember by Madonna was a CD I listened regularly during my Spring Semester 1997 at San Jose State University. CD music saved the semester. It helped me complete my homework and study for exams. It was the first time listening to music helped me concentrate. I desired quietness for all my school work beforehand.

Something To Remember is a compilation album released by Maverick Records on Nov 3, 1995. The songs were her softer songs. You'll See, One More Chance, and I Want You are three new songs. My favorites songs are Take A Bow, Crazy For You, This Used To Be My Playground, and Rain.

I like the back cover. It's attractive, sexy, and intelligent. The Wikipedia Something To Remember stated the CD covers "showed Madonna looking 'deliciously cosmopolitan' as she wore a tight-fit white cocktail attire, while the back cover artwork is predominantly more playful."

Women's Clothing

The first two pics summarize women's clothing. The third pic is types of necklines.

Here is a summary of selected women's clothes worn on top:

*blazer: a tailored jacket which is part of a suit worn for business or casual.
*blouse: a loose-fitting upper garment.
*bodysuit: a one piece form-fitting garment which covers the torso and the crotch.
*cape: a sleeveless garment draped over the shoulders.
*cardigan: a knitted garment with an open front fastened with buttons or a zipper.
*crop top: sleeveless short ending above the waist to expose the waist or the abdomen.
*halter top: sleeveless secured around the neck and leaves the back bare.
*hoodie: a sweatshirt with a hood. Sometimes include a front pocket and drawstrings.
*parka: a coat with a fur-lined hood.
*polo: a collared short sleeve or long sleeve shirt with a buttoned placket.
*shrug: short and lightweight which covers the shoulders and upper arms leaving the torso exposed.
*tank top: sleeveless with wide armholes and a low neckline.
*trench coat: long and waterproof coat with a belt. Double breasted front.
*tube top: strapless fitted around the torso held by elastic.
*tunic: long and loose which extends to the hips and worn with pants or leggings on the bottom.
*vest: a sleeveless garment which covers the upper body.

Here is a summary of selected women's dresses:

*A-line: fitted at the hips widening towards the hem with the shape of a capital letter A.
*ball gown: floor-length and formal for proms and galas.
*bodycon: tight-fitted made from stretchy material designed to hug every curve. Bodycon is short for body conscious.
*cocktail: suitable for semi-formal to formal occasions. Typically knee-length. Can be a little shorter or little longer in length.
*halter: features a halter neck style of a strap tied behind the neck instead of over the shoulders.
*maxi: a floor or ankle-length fitted on the top part and loose flowing on the bottom part.
*mermaid: fitted which flares out the knees to resemble a mermaid's tail.
*midi: a balance of modesty and style which ends at the mid-calf.
*mini: short length which ends above the knee.
*peasant: loose fitting with a gathered waist and sleeves.
*sheath: form-fitting with a defined waist skimming the body from the shoulders to the hips.
*shift: short and sleeveless dress hanging or falling loosely from the shoulders. No waist definition.
*shirt: resembles a slip. Made from silky fabric which can be worn alone or layered.
*slip: similar to an underslip or petticoat cut on the bias with spaghetti straps.
*sun: made from lightweight fabric with a loose fit.
*wrap: a front closure produced by looping one side over the other and knotting the connecting waist ties or fastening buttons. Creates a V-neckline.

Here is a summary of selected women's clothes worn on bottom:

*capri: a style of pants longer than shorts and shorter than trousers. Or pants end below the knee or mid-calf. Worn in spring or summer.
*cargo: long pockets on the sides originally designed for utility and storage.
*culotte: knee-length pants or mid-calf pants to resemble a skirt.
*harem: baggy and long pants caught in at the ankle.
*jeans: made from denim. The pants are made in a variety of cuts such as skinny, bootcut, and straight-leg.
*jeggings: leggings resemble tight denim jeans. Made from stretch denim or denim-like fabric.
*leggings: skin-tight and stretchy pants made from a blend of lycra, nylon, cotton, or polyester. Used for exercise or casual wear.
*palazzo: long trousers cut with a loose, wide leg. Made of light and flowing fabric.
*shorts: a bottom clothes which covers from the waist to the thighs or just below.
*skirts: a bottom clothes which hang from the waist and cover all or part of the legs. There are many types of skirts such as pencil, maxi, and miniskirts.

Here is a summary of selected women's footwear:

*ballet flats: flat shoes shaped like ballet shoes.
*espadrilles: casual and flat short-heeled shoes or high-heeled shoes originating in the Pyrenees.
*flats: thin heels or no heels.
*heels: shoes which elevate the heel of the wearer's foot significantly higher than the toes. Types include stilettos, wedges, and pumps.
*loafers: slip-on shoes with a moccasin top and wide.
*mules: backless and often closed-toed.
*oxfords: leather shoes with a low heel.
*wedges: solid heel from the back to the middle or front to provide stability.

Here is a summary of selected women's underwear:

*bikini: a style of panties with moderate coverage and low-rise.
*boyshort: a style of panties with a low waist and cover the hips.
*bra: an undergarment which supports the breasts. Bras are made in many styles such as sports, push-up, and balconette.
*briefs: a style of panties with full coverage. In other words, "granny panties."
*bustier: a form-fitting garment to push up the bust and shape the waist.
*camisole: sleeveless undergarment which covers the top part of the body worn under sheer tops. Can be worn as sleepwear.
*chemise: loose and sleeveless worn as sleepwear or lingerie.
*corset: a tight undergarment to cinch the waist and give the body an hourglass shape.
*garter belt: a belt worn around the waist to hold up stockings.
*G-string: a style of panties like thongs with minimum overall coverage.
*panties: underwear.
*slips: a thin, often silky garment worn under dresses or skirts to prevent them from clinging to the body or to add a layer of modesty. Helps dresses hang smoothly.
*teddy: a one-piece garment that combines the features of a camisole and panties.
*thong: a style of panties with minimal back coverage and reduced visible panty lines.

Sources including from pics for which there's no source: Women's Clothes Vocabulary from Promova and Women's Clothes and Accessories Items Names in English from Ilmish.

Driving Home Safely Fast

Blogger's Note: All drivers must obey traffic laws. All drivers must drive safely. No recklessness. Automobiles and trucks must be running in good operational condition.

I fully understand why some drivers speed on long road trips. Drivers speed 10 miles over the speed limit. Drivers speed 15 miles over the speed limit. Drivers speed 20 miles over the speed limit. The driving conditions favor higher driving speeds. The favorable conditions include no traffic, flat roads, straight-away highway, and no rain.

The faster driving speed purpose is arrive at the destination as quick as possible. The clock is close to midnight. Get home quick. It's unnecessary to stay on the road longer. The quicker the party arrives home, the quicker everyone sleeps. The gas milage is great because of the favorable freeway conditions. Any other driving habits to increase the gas milage is negligible. Time is prioritized over the extra one more mile a gallon.

Update On A Past Blog

I correct the blog Green Tea and Coke Don't Mix written on Feb 4, 2006. I blamed drinking green tea and Coke for keeping me awake. I slept around 4:30am. The correct reasons why I had trouble sleeping were too much hype, too much excitement, and too much happiness. My brain was overdosed on dopamine.

The next time I experience an overdose on dopamine I must distract myself. I must cool down the room. The distraction can be playing video games, watching television, watching movies, listening to music, and/or browsing the internet.

Top Ten Plus Three Equals Top Thirteen Reasons Life Has Always Been Me

"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something--your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life." --Steve Jobs

I've been the correct choice. It was always me. Life has been all me. Everything was me. The self-training paid off. I connect the dots backwards. I made good choices. I did it correctly. I continue making mistakes learning anything new. I continue committing mistakes when I aim high and miss. I achieved mature adulthood at the age of 45. I get it. I understand five years before age 50. I realized all since Sep 2019.

Nobody told me my path to success is correct. Nobody taught me a system. I self-discovered my system. The system is common knowledge and common wisdom: eat healthy, exercise, read books, sleep well, never stop learning, learn from mistakes, always meet new people, minimize watching TV, and ignore anything toxic. I hope timing, luck, chance, and opportunity favors me. Here are the top ten plus three equals top thirteen reasons life has always been me.

13. Be Patient And Go For The Long Run. I thought of the "be patient and go for the long run" when I was a student at San Jose State University. The wisdom was correct. The attitude was correct. The adaption was incorrect. The execution was incorrect. I did it wrong. College life was too much fun and too little learning.

I lived a false sense of getting everything done quickly. It worked in my 20s and early 30s. Somehow my quick life was successful quickly. I didn't have to be patient. I started on something. I completed it quickly.

The patience is back today. I'm doing the "be patient and go for the long run" correctly decades later. Work. Give everything time. Take everything one day at a time. Build a little every day. Add the little accomplishments for the big goals.

12. Talk. Communicate. We have a mouth under the nose and above the chin. If quiet people or introverted people speak up 20% more, then they're going to be happier 20% or more.

People said I talked too much in the past. They didn't explain why. They didn't correct me. My self-discovery was poor self-esteem, seeking attention, nobody teaching me proper social conversations, and being ignorant. All problems fixed today.

11. Steve Jobs. I follow the wisdom of Steve Jobs. I understand the "Stay hungry, stay foolish" wisdom. Trust intuition. Never settle. Be brave making mistakes. We do judge a book by its cover.

"Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact, and that is everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you, and you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own things that other people can use. Um, once you learn that, you'll never be the same again."

10. Adulthood Preview In Ninth Grade. I studied hard. I spent more hours learning. I spent more hours practicing. Grit. I spent more hours exercising. I spent less hours watching television. The hard work paid off with good grades. I felt smart. I felt strong.

My adulthood was established. Hard work. Motivation. Focus. Strength. Intelligence. What about fun? The fun happened afterwards. I accepted the process. I accepted the challenge.

9. R.O.T.C. In High School. I took the U.S. Marines Reserve Officers Training Corps or R.O.T.C. in high school for three years. I learned leadership attributes and leadership skills. I also learned human relations rules.

8. Physical Fitness. I jog two days a week. I strength train two days a week. I'm the most healthiest I've ever been in my life. Exercising is not an excuse to eat unhealthy in moderation; in other words, exercising and eating unhealthy don't cancel. Exercise and eating healthy must be combined.

7. Read More Fiction Books Than Nonfiction Books. I learned more about life reading fiction books. It started in Oct 2008.

6. Clean And Organize. I self-taught myself how to vacuum, mop floors, clean toilets, and organize. Less stress where there is less clutter. More time saved where there is more organization. Routine maintenance is required to keep neatness. Work is required.

5. Take The Initiative. I admit I'm gun-shy when nothing happens. I know my position at the certain place and the certain time. I know my role in a social situation. I stay within my boundaries. Time is up. Action is required. I take the initiative. I'm successful sometimes. I'm not successful sometimes.

4. Self-job Training. The blog Self Job Training Graduation Analytics Research Technology written on Apr 19, 2024 explains everything. I passed the classes for data analysis or data science. YouTube videos, online education, books, articles, and online posts are my learning sources.

3. Be A Good Person. I'm getting stronger, smarter, kinder, and wiser. I'm not a nice guy. I'm a good guy. I continue catching up what I missed in the past. I'm experiencing new experiences. I'm seeking new adventures.

2. Desire Is More Important Than Knowledge. Practice, practice, learn from my mistakes, improve, progress, practice, practice, practice, . . . . "I will" is more important than "I know." The knowledge follows motivation doing something, anything. The rewards follow motivation when responsibilities are completed.

1. Growing Up. Sat Oct 4, 2008 changed my life forever. It was time to grow up. No more immaturity. No more taking life for granted. I'm responsible for my life.

Update On A Past Blog

I reference the blogs for today's blog on Update On A Past Blog.

*I Made Good Choices After All written on Jan 17, 2025. People said I did it wrong. I made mistakes. The logic was illogical. People didn't follow me. They wanted it their way. My thought process was nonsense. My actions were insincere. Ignore Raymond Mar. Connect the dots backwards. Hindsight is 20/20. I did it correctly.

*Unlearn To Be Better And Unlearn The Incorrect written on Jan 7, 2024. Forgive the past. Unlearn the past. Correct the incorrect. Retrain. Relearn.

*I Correct Be Patient And Go For The Long Run written on Dec 16, 2023. Take my time. I was irresponsible then. I'm responsible now.

*I've Been Doing Everything Correct Mostly written on Apr 12, 2022. The Shawshank Redemption was released on Oct 14, 1994. The movie is currently number 1 on IMDb's Top Rated Movie. If you didn't watch the movie, then watch the movie alone.

*Top Ten I Get It Now written on Nov 21, 2020. I listed ten life concepts, wisdoms, and lessons I understand.

*My High School Freshmen Year Was My First Taste Of Responsible Adulthood written on Jun 6, 2020. See number 10.

*I Choose Raymond Mar Today written on Apr 9, 2020. I realized yesterday's Raymond Mar was not the real Raymond Mar when he made mistakes. The people who believed the yesterday's Raymond Mar was the fake Raymond Mar. The present Raymond Mar is the true Raymond Mar.

*Going Up Or Getting Better Am I? written on Sep 8, 2019. Is my life getting better or getting worse? Is my life going up or going down? Honestly speaking, I'm one step closer to become a genius.

*When Is An Adult An Adult? written on Sep 17, 2017. It's a judgment call. Time will tell everything I'm doing today to live independently tomorrow is successful.

*Top Ten I Was Correct When I Was Young written on Jun 9, 2016. I was told wrong because nobody reinforced my good moments, nobody encouraged me to continue my good successes, and/or people were jealous of my accomplishments. Or it could have been me. I quit reinforcing my good moments to do better. I took my good successes for granted. I was a people pleaser stopping when I was told to stop to make other people happy.

*I Did It Right written on Nov 14, 2013. We experience bad days, bad moments, and bad luck. We can't control everything 24 hours a day. The end of the day we continue moving forward hoping for the best.

Buy Time At Restaurants

There are many purposes for the restaurant retail industry. Customers buy meals. Customers meet other customers for social events. Customers support businesses. I focus today's blog customers buy time. Also, customers buy human energy. Customers use the buying time for other priorities instead of cooking meals, eating processed microwave food, or eating frozen food. Customers use the human energy for other priorities instead of cooking meals, eating processed microwave food, or eating frozen food. Customers complete the other higher priorities or lower priorities. Examples of higher priorities are work projects, work reports, job training, physical exercise, raising children, and sleep. Examples of lower priorities are watching television, catching up with social media, and playing video games.

The restaurants provide a big service in today's Information Age. The service is more important today compared to past generations. The restaurants convenience may be too good for some people which can lead to bad healthy habits. Use discretion.