We Make The Same Mistakes Twice

You may not make the same mistakes twice. You may learn from your mistakes. Good. You're a mature adult. The other people make the same mistakes twice, three times, or more. It's an example there are idiots in the world. The world makes the same mistakes infinitely. Watch the evening news. Read the newspaper. Read a current events magazine. Read a sports magazine. Read a business magazine. Read an entertainment magazine. The mistakes are the same: politicians lie, cheat, and steal; divorces; domestic violence; gun crimes; alcoholics; addictions; drunk driving, hoarding; murders; debts; and much more.

It's okay to make mistakes. Make intelligent mistakes. Don't repeat the same mistakes infinitely.

Update On A Past Blog

Let's review six management lessons in five minutes from the blog Five Minute Management Course written on Jan 12, 2010. A priest and a nun, a genie, and a turkey and a bull's droppings are some of lessons they teach.

People Succeeded At Being Unsuccessful

I search the word "success" for books on Amazon resulting in over 60,000 results. I search the word "success" for books on Barnes & Noble resulting in 33,988 results. I search the word "success" for books on Half Price Books resulting in 999+ results. I take 5% of all the results because "success" is applied to other book titles such as success in computers, success in business, success in repairing cars, success in cooking, success in parenting, etc. There are 3,000 success books on Amazon, 1,699 success books on Barnes & Noble, and 50 success books on Half Price Books.

There are thousands of books on how to be successful. These published books are the successful books. Which successful books are truly the successful books? Which successful books are the top sellers out of the published books? My guess is 1% or less. There are thousands more books on how to be successful not successful. These books are not published. These books failed. The authors are unsuccessful.

Today's blog is another reminder life is zero-sum. The world is zero-sum. People enter. Few wins. Many loses. Everybody can't win. There is one champion. Sometimes people lose through no fault of their own. It's life. Blame bad luck. Blame bad timing. Blame life.

2021 Year In Review

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

1. Black Friday 2021. I reminded myself wait to buy and stock up on bare necessities on Black Friday. Many of my bare necessities were at Black Friday sale prices. Buying on Black Friday was a good approach to minimize expenses.

2. Final Fantasy VII. I completed my second Final Fantasy video game.

3. Harry Potter. I reread Harry Potter two more times. The third time I read backwards from Year 7 to Year 1. Year 7 replaces Year 5 as my favorite Harry Potter book.

4. Job training. I combined Excel, Power Point, and dashboards in one day. I added R and R-Studio training on Sat mornings. I reduced the number of training days from six to five per week. The sixth day on Thurs is not necessarily a day off. The sixth day is life training outside job training.

5. Physical fitness. My physical fitness is four days a week consistently. Good health is maintained.

6. Summer Sabbatical in Oct. I corrected the 2007 Summer Sabbatical in Oct. I also corrected the retail rotation. I wrote a blog on Dec 13, 2021 titled I Corrected My Retail Rotation.

7. Wallstreet Bets. I learned more about Wall Street and financial investments in 2021 than in the past decades and the classes when I was a student at San Jose State University and De Anza College.

Explanation: No moment of the year for the small moments Black Friday 2021 and Final Fantasy VII. Final Fantasy VII is a revolutionary classic RPG all gamers must play. Rereading Harry Potter two more times was fantastic especially noting what I missed the first time I read it. I felt like I prepare myself for a trivia contest. Trivia was not a moment of the year. Solid recognitions to job training and physical fitness because I was consistent and productive. I also improved and changed learning new job skills and adding physical workouts. My longest daily jog is 4.5 miles as of the blog post. The Summer Sabbatical was a desperate break. I corrected how I should take a sabbatical and how I should prioritize my daily responsibilities. Wallstreet Bets caught my attention in Jan 2021. I could add financial education to the learning new job skills and adding physical workouts mentality.

What Won: Wallstreet Bets.

What Should Have Won: Wallstreet Bets.

My Thoughts On The Winning Moment: No brainer. All the financial education I learned in college was a joke. Regardless, all investors including professionals and amateurs must learn the basics. Thank you Google, Reddit, Yahoo Finance, and YouTube for providing sources to learn deeper.

2021 Letter Grade: B. Three consecutive good years 2019-2021. 2010-2012 was the last time I lived three consecutive good years. There was neither financial rewards nor employment income given I'm unemployed long-term. I hope the 2021 gains pay off in the future. The COVID-19 global pandemic survival mentality continues.

Past Moments Of The Years And Its Letter Grades

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.

I Give The Reader Permission To Write Something, Anything

Write a blog. Write a story. Write a journal entry. Write a diary entry. Write a one page something. Here is an idea to write something: write anything. Writing is doing something, anything. I give the reader permission to write. Think freely. Write. Go to dictionary.com to find a random word to spark a writing topic. Here are random words here: moon, green, water, United States Of America, swimming, tree, slam, saw, electricity, cook, bargain, lucky, space, and eagle.

Consciously Aware My Mind Is Focused On The Flow

I played the go with the flow card on Tue Mar 15, 2022. Going with the flow is a common life wisdom. Don't fight the flow. Don't go against the flow. I explain what happened. I woke up two times late Mon night and early Tue morning because my body was either too hot or too cold. My body fails adapting rapid changes in temperatures colder or warmer. I woke up one hour late. A webscraping Python program I wrote months ago stopped working in the afternoon. I rewrote the program successfully which took longer than I anticipated. If the program worked, then I spent the time practicing and reviewing Excel, PowerPoint, and Dashboards planned for the day.

Household errands laundry, dishes, garbage, and cooking were completed. I job searched. I checked most of my emails. On the other hand, I ate lunch and dinner late because I rewrote the Python code. I didn't exercise because I was too tired; moreover, my right hip was sore for which I planned a modified exercise routine. Timing was perfect if I exercised last night since I spent less time. I didn't read my book. I mention the spills, drops, and bumps for the blog. All of the above is ancient history today. The world doesn't care. The reader doesn't care. There is no reason to be angry. There is no reason to carry a Tue Mar 15, 2022 grudge. I didn't count the number of bad lucks.

Going with the flow was the correct call. One thing led to another. Live and let live. There were no emergencies. There were no priorities. There were no penalties. I didn't get fined. I didn't get a reprimand. Sometimes the flow stinks. Accept the day being crappy. Move on.

Update On A Past Blog

Today's blog is a reminder and a refresher of recent blogs going with the flow. The blogs are Paradise Lowered written on Feb 27, 2022 and I Corrected My Retail Rotation written on Dec 13, 2021.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law giving universities more time to consider the environmental impact when adding more students on Mon Mar 14, 2022. The law means the blog I wrote on Mar 6, 2022 3,050 High School Seniors Lose the same 3,050 students attend classes at U.C. Berkeley for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Single Pissed Off Human

There are people who remain single for the rest of their lives. Their faces show it. Their behavior displays it. Their communication is obvious. Their physical appearance confirms it. No maturity. No professionalism. These single people are pissed off. These single people are mad. I speak on behalf of the world. The world doesn't care.

There are exceptions. Two pissed off people can get married. An angry person matches with another angry person. Another exception is two useless people can get married. A useless person matches with another useless person. I'm not friends with an angry couple or a useless couple.

An Old Fuck Is Not Sexy

Old fuckers are unsexy. They apply to men and to women. Brains are sexy; however, desire is more important than knowledge. Confidence is sexy. Physical fitness is attractive. Financial stability is relaxing. Good sleep is youthfulness. Stories are ice breakers. Friendships are moment generators. Old fuckers are angry. Don't be an old fuck either single or in a relationship.

Stop the self-pity. Get to work. People 18 or over are adults. Schools aren't responsible to teach never stop learning attitude. Most parents fail to teach their children life is an infinite school. Pissed off sons and daughters forgive your parents. Correct their mistakes. Seek new adventures. Experience new experiences. Never stop innovating life. Fortunately, I learn the lessons myself before I became old.

Jerry Seinfeld is correct. He said 90% of the population is undatable. People increase their chances being datable by relaxing and by being useful. People acting and behaving desperate rarely works.

3,050 High School Seniors Lose

The California State Supreme Court ordered the University Of California, Berkeley (Cal) undergraduate enrollment numbers at the 2020-2021 academic year which is 42,347 students for the upcoming 2022-2023 academic year on Mar 3, 2022. A proposed faculty housing and classroom construction project is suspended. Cal accepts 3,050 fewer students for the 2022-2023 academic year. A neighborhood group Save Berkely Neighborhoods sued Cal for failing to address additional housing, worsening homelessness, increasing traffic, and louder noise. Cal plans to find other ways to enroll the 3,050 students. Cal prioritizes state residents for the 2022 fall in-person undergraduate enrollment and transfer students.

I'm repeating common life knowledge. I'm reminding myself and I'm reminding my readers. Life is not fair. Accept it. Blame life. Blame the system. Blame bad luck. Blame bad timing. Life has winners. Life has losers. The losses are greater than the wins, and there are more losses and less wins as long as the number of opportunities remain unchanged. Blame scarcity.

Did the 3,050 students earn Cal's acceptance? Yes. Did the 3,050 students deserve Cal's acceptance? No. Did the 3,050 students fail? No. Thousands of high school seniors worked hard to go to college. Many applied. Few accepted. Nobody deserves everything in life. Nobody is entitled. There are a few exceptions. Who said person A deserves this and that? Who said person B deserves this and that? Who said person ZZZ deserves this and that? Destiny, life, karma, an act of God, and the powers that be assign deserving fortunes to people.

Update On A Past Blog

I wrote similar blogs. The blog Too Many People written on Jul 15, 2019 was about 44 out of 5,000 applications won an affordable apartment unit lottery. There Are Losers For Every Winner blog written on Dec 8, 2018 was about one team wins the championship and the rest of the teams lose. Also, the world is a zero-sum.

Shelter In-Place COVID-19 Blog February 2022

California issued shelter in-place orders on Tue Mar 17, 2020. I have been logging the highlights and lowlights. COVID-19 headlines continued more states and cities are easing pandemic restrictions. The Russian invasion Ukraine dominated all headlines thereafter. Feb was another slow pace month.

Tue Feb 1. I shopped at Smart & Final and Safeway the first thing in the morning.

Wed Feb 2. Shopped at Costco. The parking lot closest to the gas station was renovating. More beer and wine in stock. Less tables for bakery goods.

COVID-19 daily cases dropped in the Bay Area.

Fri Feb 4. 900,000 deaths recorded in the US.

Contra Costa County lifted mask mandates for fully vaccinated people in indoor businesses. The exceptions were hospitals, senior care facilities, and indoor events with 500 or more people. These events people were required to be fully vaccinated or a recent negative test.

The Center For Disease Control (CDC) published data analyzing the coronavirus appears in the country's wastewater. Some of the virus gets flushed down the toilet into the wastewater system. The wastewater can be tested like the same test to detect the virus from nasal swabs. It's an early warning a city is experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases.

Sat Feb 5. Sonoma County lifted indoor restrictions imposed on Jan 10. Local cases and hospitalizations were declining from the omicron peak. Restrictions were indoor gatherings 50 people or greater and outdoor gatherings 100 people or greater prohibited. The lift started on Fri Feb 11.

80,688 deaths in CA which was the highest in the US. CA was ranked 38th in deaths per capita. State hospitalizations 12,135 as of today compared to 22,000 at the peak in Jan. 2,300 ICU cases as of today compared to 4,600 at the peak in Jan. 37,000 cases in the last seven-day average. 120,000 cases in the peak seven-day average in Jan.

A friend who tested positive for COVID-19 said she experienced loss of taste, brain fog, headaches, and fatigue. These are symptoms of potential long haulers. She is the first person I know with long haul symptoms.

Mon Feb 7. New Jersey ended school mask mandates effective Mar 7. School districts can continue their own mask mandates. School districts are prohibited to ban people wearing masks. Connecticut ended school mask mandates on Feb 28.

Wed Feb 9. Santa Clara County Libraries provided free N95 masks and free COVID-19 tests for the next four days. The service was a drive thru. Each vehicle was handed four tests.

Truckers protested Canada's measure requiring all US truckers entering Canada to be fully vaccinated at the US and Canada border crossings. The protest has lasted for ten days. Trucks couldn't complete their deliveries.

CA Governor Gavin Newsom signed the COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave act into law. The law is retroactive to Jan 1 and expires Sep 30. The law included $6.1 billion in tax relief, tax credits, and grants for small businesses affected by the pandemic. Employees can access up to 80 hours of paid sick leave to quarantine, care for a COVID-19 family member, and get a COVID-19 vaccine shot. The law applies to small businesses employing 26 or greater workers.

Fri Feb 11. Shopped at Costco during the 3pm hour. The parking lot renovation near the gas station continued. Construction workers controlled traffic at the main intersection.

Sat Feb 12. U.C. Berkeley dropped mask mandates in most indoor classes which starts on Feb 28. Students and faculty must be fully vaccinated and boosted to stop wearing masks.

Sun Feb 13. Shopped at Costco during the 9am hour. It was a busy morning for Super Bowl Sunday. I saw a customer purchase a new TV. Roses and wine were at the front entrance.

I watched the Super Bowl.

Mon Feb 14. San Jose State University and San Francisco State University reopened their campuses for in-person learning.

Police in Windsor, Ontario in Canada arrested protesters blocking the US and Canada border at Ambassador Bridge.

Tue Feb 15. The last day of California's state mask mandated. Counties can issue local mask mandates. Masks are required in schools, public transit, hospitals, and nursing homes. Unvaccinated people must continue wearing masks.

Returned Christmas gifts at REI and Target. Shopped at Smart ;amp Final.

Wed Feb 16. US protestors at US and Canada borders ended their protests.

CA became the first state to announce the "endemic" approach. Gov Newsom's plan is prevention and quick reaction. No mask mandates and shutdowns. Identify surges and variants quickly. Send health care workers to minimize case increases. Supply tests to high-risk areas. Catch false information before it spreads. The definition of endemic is the virus exists while population builds immunity.

Thur Feb 17. No new COVID-19 cases at the Beijing Olympics for the first time. All athletes, team officials, and workers were tested daily.

Sat Feb 19. Scientists from Japan discovered the BA.2 omicron subvariant which spreads faster. It might cause more severe diseases and resist current vaccines. The BA.2 was called the stealth omicron. The World Health Organization (WHO) said BA.2 is 30% more contagious than omicron. BA.2 was detected in 74 countries and 47 US states. The CDC said 4% of Americans were infected with BA.2.

Mon Feb 21. Australia opened its borders to international travelers. Travelers must be fully vaccinated.

Tue Feb 22. The weather was hail and light rain. The last time the Bay Area experienced rain was Sun Jan 9.

Thur Feb 24. The New York City Marathon planned full capacity for 2022. The 2020 was cancelled. The 2021 was held with reduced capacity. Runners must be fully vaccinated. The race is scheduled for Nov 6. A lottery is drawn on Mar 30.

Russia invaded Ukraine.

Fri Feb 25. The CDC released new guidelines for areas where COVID-19 cases are low. There is less focus on positive test rates and more focus on hospitalization rates. Low case areas people can take off their masks. High risk areas masks are advised. Airports, train stations, and bus stations masks must be worn. People who tested positive or show COVID-19 symptoms must wear masks.

Sun Feb 27. 250 million free COVID-19 tests are unclaimed from the Federal Government. President Joe Biden announced each household could request four free tests per household during the omicron surge in Jan. 45 million tests were requested on the first day of availability. The average orders per day is 100,000 as of today.

Mon Feb 28. California announced indoor mask mandate ends on Tue Mar 1 for unvaccinated people. Schools and child care facilities mask mandate ends Sat Mar 12. Oregon and Washington announced the same mask policies. The reason is declining COVID-19 case rates and hospitalization rates along the west coast. Masks are required in health care settings, prisons, homeless shelters, long-term care facilities, and public transportation. Local governments and school districts can enact stricter mask enforcements, rules, and mandates.

Don't Reinvent The Wheel

There's nothing wrong with trying something new. There's nothing wrong with experimenting. Trial and error. Do something different. However, don't innovate too much. Don't do something different just to do something different. The something different may be something the same. Too many people are reinventing the wheel. Sometimes the reinvented wheel is the same wheel. Sometimes the reinvented wheel is worse than the previous wheel. I see new ideas. I read new ideas. Most of the time these new ideas are fads which disappears in time. Most of the new ideas are actually terrible.

Update On A Past Blog

I questioned never stop innovating or innovate infinitely in Questioning ININ on Sep 10, 2006. If it isn't broken, then don't fix it. Fix it or keep it? Innovate or don't innovate? Inventing a new wheel or reinventing the existing wheel? All of the questions are judgement calls.