Instant Bullets Blog Sep 12, 2026

*People should sleep well tonight because tomorrow somebody is doing something stupid. It's not going to be you.

*A restaurant posted the sign for the customers.

*austerity: a set of political and economic policies implemented by a government to reduce its budget deficit.

*Three Years Of Therapy In 60 Seconds. Click Instagram video devin.the.one. Your parents did their best. Also, your parents screwed up.

*1 Corinthians 13:13. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

*Three Historic Bubbles Burst. A brief explanation of the 1637. The Tulip Bubble or Tulip Mania occurred in Holland in Winter 1636-1637. The price of the rare tulip bulbs collapsed in Feb 1637. A futures market emerged where buyers and sellers signed contracts to purchase bulbs while growing in the ground. The contracts traded multiple times a day without the physical flowers ever changing hands. The panic began when buyers didn't show up at a Haarlem auction in Feb 1637 because buyers refused to honor the high priced future contracts.

*The 2026-2027 NBA regular season schedule was delayed because free agent LeBron James delayed signing a contract with a new team. The new team James plays influenced the schedule from the opening week to Christmas Day. James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.

James got the league by the balls. No pun intended. Money was the talking point. Also, life is unfair. Some teams get a schedule with fewer national broadcasts and marquee games.

*How To Draw A Wolf. Step 1: Draw a circle. Step 2: Add some details. The pic depicts how boot camp classes are taught; for example, programming, medical, and financial investments.

*A slow day is a good day. The life wisdom applies to many instances.

*If you're over age 35 moving to a new residence, then hire movers. You're friends are too old. Nobody wants a back injury for pizza and beer. Further, movers are professional. They know the techniques to carry boxes and furniture.

*Another restaurant posted the sign for the customers.

*The Cover-Up Is Worse Than The Crime. Hide a mistake or lying destroys trust. There can be additional penalties. Don't conceal. Don't suppress. Don't whitewash to make crimes or scandals look acceptable. Don't disguise the true nature of something. Watergate is a top example. The San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York is a recent example. York pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools for soliciting $160 in a prostitution sting operation in Youngstown, OH. The tool was his phone used to solicit a prostitute.

*Collateral fault is indirect fault. Second party fault. Somebody must pay the price. The cost or the punishment must be administered even though the first party is not present anymore.

*MOR Music TV. I watched music videos on late night in 1994. Viewers could buy the album by calling the toll-free phone number like buying on the Home Shopping Network.

I remember these musical artists: Enya, Sophie B. Hawkins, Bonnie Raitt, ABBA, Yanni, Kitaro, John Tesh, Blues Traveler, Roy Orbison, and Enigma.

*Riddle. An apartment tenant lives on the eighth floor. He takes the elevator from the eighth floor to the first floor to exit. Hours pass. The tenant enters the apartment on the first floor. He takes the elevator from the first floor to the sixth floor. He walks the stairs from the sixth floor to the eighth floor. Why does he take the stairs from the sixth floor to the eighth floor?

The answer is the tenant is too short to press the eighth floor button in the elevator. He's tall enough to press the sixth floor button.

*I'm the stronger person. I'm strong now. I forgave you before you apologized. It's too late to apologize because I already forgave you.

*Need a problem solved? Go to the person in charge such as a manger, director, vice-president, commander, or CEO. Ask the person for a decision. The decision is no. Problem solved.

*Dessert Charcuterie Board Suggestion. Graham cookies, Oreo cookies, chocolate, peanut butter cups, mint candies, marshmallows, strawberries, and nuts.

*A Conversation Starter. Ask the following question: What rule do you want to change?

*Do we have a gentlemen's agreement? It's like we have a Godfather offer.

*capacious: big enough to contain a large quantity

*epitome: highly representative example of a type, class, or characteristic

*oxymoron: a phrase in which two words of contradictory meaning are used together for special effect. For example, wise fool and legal murder.

Shelter In-Place COVID-19 Blog August 2026

California issued shelter in-place orders on Tue Mar 17, 2020. I have been logging the highlights and lowlights. Aug was the slowest month in years. Aug was another month I spent more days out of the house. COVID-19 politics were the headlines.

Thur Aug 6. The Senate Homeland Security And Government Affairs Committee voted along party lines to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt. Fauci refused to testify about the US Government response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The referral was sent to the Justice Department. The department decides whether to charge Fauci with federal contempt charges. The maximum sentence is one year in prison.

Sun Aug 9. Shopped at Nob Hill. Ate lunch at Mitsuwa.

Mon Aug 10. Senators Ron Johnson (R-WN) and Rand Paul (R-KY) released texts from Fauci's former government phone regarding vaccine safety for pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci said there was no risk for pregnant women at any trimester. However, he said there could be miscarriages in the first trimester after the second dose. Pregnant women were not included in vaccine trials.

Thur Aug 13. Wasterwater data showed COVID-19 rates were increasing in the Bay Area. Positive test rates were increasing. A new variant was discovered called Cicada. The Cicada showed more mutations.

Ran errands at Toyota-Stevens Creek and Lucky first thing in the morning.

Sun Aug 16. Shopped at Nob Hill.

Mon Aug 17. The Center For Disease Control (CDC) reported COVID-19 cases increased in the USA. The overall activity was low nationwide. The rates were increasing rapidly. The concentration was the Southern and Western states; in particular, Texas and California.

The XFG.1.1 was the dominant strain accounting for 22%-40% of all cases in Jul 2026. 15% of the cases were the BA.3.2 or Cicada variant.

Wed Aug 19. Former senior adviser at the National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases David Morens pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to hide federal records during the COVID-19 pandemic. Morens was a senior adviser from 2006 to 2022. The records were related to coronavirus grant funding and the COVID-19 virus origins.

Fri Aug 21. Shopped at Costco. More people wore masks.

Sat Aug 22. Family lunch at Peking Delight.

Mon Aug 24. Dropped off my car at S&K Auto Services for repairs. Shopped at Costco Business Center.

Tue Aug 25. Picked up my car at S&K Auto Services for repairs. Visited the library. Got gas at Chevron.

Wed Aug 26. Car maintenance at Firestone.

Thur Aug 27. The Food And Drug Administration (FDA) approved the latest COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and Bio N Tech. The mRNA vaccine targets the LP.8.1 strain. The vaccine is for adults 65 and older. The vaccine is also for people ages 5 to 64 with an underlying condition.

The FDA also approved the latest Moderna mRNA vaccine Spikevax. The vaccine is for adults 65 and older. The vaccine is also for people ages 6 months to 64 with an underlying condition. The mNexspike vaccine is approved for adults 65 and older. The vaccine is also for people age 12 to 64 with an underlying condition. The two Moderna targets the XFG subvariant of the JN.1 strain.

And the FDA approved the Novavax vaccine Nuvaxovid. The vaccine is a protein-based vaccine targeting the JN.1 strain. The vaccine is for adults 65 and older. The vaccine is also for people age 12 to 64 with an underlying condition.

All vaccines are available in Sept 2026.

The CDC said the XFG.1.1 was the dominate strain as of early Jul 2026.

Fri Aug 28. Ran errands at Tai Pan Dim Sum, Lion Market, and Smart & Final first thing in the morning. The afternoon errands were Bank Of America and Target. I was the only customer wearing a mask.

Throwback Blog: Work Sat Jan 10, 2015

Blogger's Note: Throwback blogs are blogs from my past. I start posting past blogs reflecting what I wrote. It's like my "A Second Look" blogs for which I give myself feedback.

Today's throwback blog is titled Work Sat Jan 10, 2015 written on Jan 10, 2015. I was a Data Entry Specialist contractor at a tech company making network servers. I supported a Senior Quality Reliability Engineer. I share my thoughts remembering the time in bullet format.

*I didn't take any vacation time during my six months. I worked on Dec 26, 2014. The company was closed on Dec 24-25, 2014.

*I never ate frozen hash browns for breakfast after my contractor was satisfied thereafter.

*I could have purchased a Calm Radio lifetime subscription for $300.00. I didn't pay because I thought Calm Radio goes out of business. Calm Radio still exists.

*A mistake I vowed never to repeat was waking up late. I must sleep early on the night before I work the next day.

*The language tone convinced me today I was unprofessional. Nobody cared about my commute. The commute text sounded like I complained too much. However, my job was data entry. The job was unexciting.

*The co-worker who was fired didn't know the Excel VLOOKUP function. Only God knew how she was hired. The interview process is more sales pitch or selling oneself and less knowledge and experience. My intuition tells me today's interview system incompetent workers are hired even though the interview exams should eliminate the unqualified candidates.

I forgot to mention security was present during the firing.

*"I met with the SAP administrator for a meeting explaining the SAP export problems. He explained he must follow a procedure including submitting an IT ticket and informing his management. I anticipated a long wait for the SAP enhancements. I'm required to test the enhancements in the development side."

There were procedures. Procedures were procedures. There were rules. Rules were rules. His department didn't revolve around my SAP export problems. I waited.

*". . . there are too many job openings in today's tough job market requiring too much experience. Many job openings don't require lots of experience."

There are too few job openings in today's tough job market requiring too much experience. I still believe many of the few job openings require little experience.

Wed Dec 31: I ate Safeway bagels for the first time working at the company. I purchased frozen hash browns for New Year's Day breakfast. I stored the hash browns in the coffee room freezer.

The audit continued today. Be slow. Be calm. I listened to music from calmradio.com. I checked my Facebook from time to time before lunch.

Thur Jan 1, 2015: Happy New Year. Company was closed.

Fri Jan 2: I arrived to work at 8:45am. I forgot to shave. The building was dead. I was ready to upload the audits from one of the vendors. It should be a smooth export to the SAP database. I spoke too soon. There were problems with the upload and there was a minor error on the interposer template. I emailed the SAP administrator documenting the problems with screenshots. I troubleshooted and corrected the interposer template. I listened to podcasts throughout the day. I listen to more podcasts and less music at work.

The cafeteria closed minutes after I ordered chicken tenders. One out of three stations and the salad bar were open.

Mon Jan 5: I experienced trouble waking up. I was ready physically. I wasn't ready mentally. My mind needed more rest. It was worth the additional rest waking up at 7am instead of 6am. I arrived to work at 9am.

I ate my granola bar in the coffee room. I small talked with the engineer I don't know his name from another department. The conversations included movies and our Christmas holiday.

I saw facility workers installing two cigarette receptacles at the court yard walking to the cafeteria.

My engineer emailed me more RMAs from another vendor to enter in the SAP database. The additional RMAs and the SAP export problems gave me optimism my contract is extended beyond four months.

Tue Jan 6: Another 9am-6pm workday. I was ready physically. I wasn't ready mentally. My mind needed more rest. The morning commute took 30 minutes. I experienced my first red light after El Camino Real. My prior morning commutes the intersections between El Camion Real and before my left turn were 100% green lights.

A co-worker was fired in my work area. It was the first time I was present during a firing. My past company firings I was informed after the employee exited the building. I gave her the extension cord I borrowed and I gave her my contact information. Other co-workers gave her their contact information. She was escorted by someone in human resources. A facilities worker pushed a cart to assist in taking her belongings. The three workers exited using the service elevator.

I met with the SAP administrator for a meeting explaining the SAP export problems. He explained he must follow a procedure including submitting an IT ticket and informing his management. I anticipated a long wait for the SAP enhancements. I'm required to test the enhancements in the development side.

My evening commute took 24 minutes. It was the first time my evening commute was shorter than my morning commute.

Wed Jan 7: Another 30 minute morning commute. I woke up at 7am for the third time in a row. I was awake mentally. I was still tired physically. I went to bed earlier last night. I must be adjusting from my holiday sleep schedule. I contemplated skipping the gym. No skip. I worked out at the company's gym.

Another worker entered the elevator area 3-5 seconds before me arriving to work. He held the elevator door open when I entered the elevator area. My thanks. I pay it forward the next time I'm ahead of another worker entering the elevator area.

Thur Jan 8: I was motivated to wake up at 6am because I want a 20 minute or less morning commute. Today's commute was 17 minutes.

My engineer told me more background story on the RMAs missing data points. He said the problems with the RMA data and the server component database existed before he started at the company. I thought about his story minutes after I sat at my cubicle. I realized why some job openings require lots of experience. One reason is the successful candidate must solve problems on day one. I'm guessing my engineer was hired because he has the experience to solve problems in quality control. On the other hand, there are too many job openings in today's tough job market requiring too much experience. Many job openings don't require lots of experience.

I exited the building at 5:15pm. There was still daylight. Daylight is getting longer.

Fri Jan 9: I continued with the audits. I continued listening to podcasts. I continued listening to KNBR 680AM at 3pm. There's no timetable when I complete the audits in full.

My engineer went home early because he had an appointment. He worked at home for the rest of the day.

Slow Down The Weekdays

Many people say they want the week to end quickly on Mondays. They want Saturday tomorrow. Many people change their desire on Saturday. They want the weekend to end slowly. They want another Saturday tomorrow. These people must change their desire from quickly to slowly on Monday.

Today's Information Age life is too fast. There is too much every day. We want more time. We need more time. More time is impossible. There is always 24 hours a day. No more. No less. Planet Earth can't rotate slower.

People must say they want the week to flow slowly. Take a deep breath. Be patient. Take your time. Do everything one at a time. No need to run to complete one responsibility. Walk to complete all responsibilities. Repeat on weekends. If people slow down and choose their responsibilities wisely, then stress levels decrease.

I Forgot The Pic On Apr 20, 2025

Blogger's Note: May is pic month. I'm catching up posting pics from my smart phone. Enjoy!

The gratuity debate continues indefinitely. Eye protection is important. I forgot the SD card broke pic for Apr 20, 2025. Life moves forward in heaven and in hell. People need to sleep more. Teamwork overrated? Smart phones at the restaurant table in 2014 and present. Coke is back at Costco. Support Pokemon books at the library.

Shelter In-Place COVID-19 Blog November 2025

California issued shelter in-place orders on Tue Mar 17, 2020. I have been logging the highlights and lowlights. November continued the slow down. I was a little more happier again. Slow news for the COVID-19 events.

Sat Nov 1. Take out donuts at Dunkin. Shopped at Costco.

Tue Nov 4. I voted. Shopped at Target and Costco. Ran errands at the bank. Visited Gamers Heaven Bay Area.

Sat Nov 8. Watched Indiana Hoosiers at Penn State Nittany Lions from the 11:00 in the 4th quarter.

Mon Nov 10. Shopped at Costco and Lucky. More Costco employees wore masks.

Tue Nov 11. Smog checked my car. Errands at Costco, Chevron, and Books, Inc. Ate a quick lunch at Starbird.

Sat Nov 15. West Valley Library book sale.

Wed Nov 19. Ran errands at Target and AAA.

Do Everything One At A Time Is A Strength

Slow down. Relax. Take a breath. Forget multi-tasking. Do everything one at a time. Multi-task one at a time. Be productive rationally. Haste makes waste. Quiet down everyone. Stop panicking. Everything is going to be completed one at a time. Hang on for a second. All tasks are completed in time. Be patient.

Update On A Past Blog

The blog Connecting My Dots Backwards written on Oct 13, 2011 the title is misleading. The blog detailed the immediate changes when I realized I must grow up on Sat Oct 4, 2008. Any previous blogs on growing up should reference the Connecting My Dots Backwards blog.

Shelter In-Place COVID-19 Blog October 2025

California issued shelter in-place orders on Tue Mar 17, 2020. I have been logging the highlights and lowlights. The last two weeks of October slowed down. I was a little more happier.

Wed Oct 1. Shopped at Target and Costco.

Fri Oct 3. Shopped at Target and Stevens Creek Toyota.

Mon Oct 6. The Center For Disease Control (CDC) dropped the universal COVID-19 vaccine recommendation. Patients age 6 months and older are recommended to discuss the benefits and risks with their doctor before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC said people under age 65 with underlying conditions benefit the most. People under age 65 with no increased risk for COVID-19 benefit the least. Many insurers cover the cost in 2025 and 2026.

85% of the US adult population received the primary vaccine. 23% of the US adult population received the latest booster. Patients don't need a prescription.

Pfizer and Moderna updated their vaccine for the LP.8.1 strain. The strain dominated the US population in early 2025. Novavax updated their vaccine for the JN.1. LP.8.1 accounted for 3% of the cases as of Sep 27, 2025. The XFG strain is the dominate strain affecting 85% of new cases.

Thur Oct 9. Fastest week while doing little productivity. It was the fastest week of 2025.

Fri Oct 10. President Donald Trump received the COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine at Walter Reed Medical Center. Trump received another physical exam. He received a physical exam in Apr 2025.

Mon Oct 13. Got my COVID-19 booster. First day of rain.

Shopped at Target and O'Reilly Auto.

Wed Oct 15. All 13 Bay Area Public Health Departments recommend the flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines. People age 6 months and older are recommended to get the updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Infants, the elderly, and pregnant women should also get the RSV vaccine.

Sat Oct 18. Neighborhood dumpster day.

Tue Oct 21. Watched a 2025-2026 NBA season opener game. It was the Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers from the 8:00 in the third period to the end.

Thur Oct 23. The MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and the University Of Florida published a preliminary research in Nature. The mRNA COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer or Moderna can extend the lifespan for people with advanced lung or skin cancer while taking immunotherapy drugs. The vaccines improved the immune system to fight tumors.

Tue Oct 28. Shopped at Safeway.

The Green Steno Notebook 9

Blogger's note: There are three consecutive Green Steno Notebook blogs. Today is the first of three.

The picture above is the notebook I acquired on the first day of my new white collar job. I wrote notes during my job training. I wrote other notes, reminders, and knowledge thereafter. I share many of them. Here is the ninth blog.

*Jul 22, 2019. Use a paper towel to remove as much oil off the broil grill before washing. Minimize the chances of a clogged drain.

*Jul 23. Red plastic cups are a kitchen staple.

*Aug 11. Meals contained too much salt. Consumed too much caffeine. Too much adrenaline from today's activities. Combine all three blamed for falling asleep too slowly last night. Playing video games to fall asleep faster last night didn't work.

*Aug 12. adjudicate: to reach a judicial decision on something; to make an official decision.

*Aug 26. The air filter for the home A/C and furnace. The air flows down. The heater is the top. The A/C is the bottom.

Air compressor maintenance. Drain the moisture accumulated inside the tank. Place a towel below the moisture drainage. Recommend wear ear plugs. Turn the red handle below downwards. The towel captures the released moisture. The air compressor filters are black color. Wipe away surface dust. Check oil level at the oil plug near the air filters. Use motor oil. Top level is at the end of the threads or rivets. The copper colored oil can is inside the auto liquids and oil change tools cabinet.

*Aug 31. Left calf sore. I bend my left leg driving after a strenuous physical activity. I should straighten my left leg while driving.

*Sep 7. Sometimes the house is clean when I clean the house. Sometimes the house is dirty when I clean the house. I speculate the windows are open for longer hours. The outside dirt and dust enter the house from the opened windows.

*Sep 20. Forgot my wallet at the gym stationary cycle.

I retrieved my wallet on Sep 21 at 7:05am.

*Sep 23. Purchased a Coke at the supermarket next to the gym. The Coke saved my ass from getting sick.

*Sep 28. I read my personal bible. It was also Steve Jobs day. I read his biography's And One More Thing . . . section. I watched the 60 Minutes interview. I watched the D5 interview with Bill Gates.

*Oct 5. No more protein bars. I don't understand protein bars.

*Oct 6. For Sep 3. If by Bread. A song from the 1970s.

*Oct 10. Begin writing with pencils instead of pens for the Green Steno Notebook. Use both pencils and pens.

*Oct 10. For Oct 1. Air fluff the bathrooms carpets instead of vacuuming. More dust is removed by air.

*Oct 17. A car's battery warning light turned on. Causes can be low battery voltage or alternator stopped charging the battery. The car battery works when the voltage is between 13-14 volts while the engine runs. Replace the battery when the voltage reading is 12 volts or below.

*Oct 19. Use my desk fan to dry the mopped floors faster.

*Oct 21. A channel is missing on the television. Solution is rescan channels.

*Oct 28. I air compress or blast compressed air inside the PSU or Power Supply Unit from my desktop for the first time. Lots of dust removed.

*Nov 3. I felt weak after hiking yesterday. I may have dodged the sickness. Never skip meals. McDonalds is better than nothing.

*Nov 4. Add an empty cup to my daily life items. The daily life items include a can of WD-40, dice, a nickel, and duct tape.

The empty cup is a Bruce Lee wisdom reference. "Emptiness the starting point: In order to taste my cup of water you must first empty your cup. My friend, drop all your preconceived and fixed ideas and be neutral. Do you know why this cup is useful? Because it is empty."

*Nov 7. Use a chopping board to cut bell peppers. I almost cut my left index finger holding the bell paper to save time. I was lazy. I thought of SQL while cutting. Not worth saving time. Use a chopping board.

*Nov 10. My car has disc brakes. Each disk break has two brake pads.

*Nov 14. Create a text file .txt file for a short-term reminder. For example, type "get mail" when I hear the postal worker outside.

*Dec 2. For Nov 24. Warm Belvita tastes good. I toast two pieces of bread. I place Belvita on top of the toast. I read Harry Potter.

*Dec 15. No need to insert my entire hand washing vegetables in a pot full of water. Use my fingers and thumbs only.

*Dec 12. I saw two USPS trucks at Walgreens. I saw two UPS trucks going to the gym.

*Dec 27. Replace the brown color sandals because they hurt my feet with the blue sandals.

*Dec 28. It's the holidays. I play the Harry and Hermione card. I can't concentrate doing homework. I go to sleep. For me, it's take a break job training. Do other productive responsibilities.

*Dec 31. For Dec 29. Use yellow Post-It Notes as appreciation notes. Write "I owe you one beer."

*Jan 6, 2020. Parked in the new Monroe Parking Garage at Valley Fair mall for the first time.

Entered Macys to pay credit card bill. The returns line was long. I looked around. I saw another line for credit card payments. Nobody at the credit card payments line. Paid in seconds.

*Jan 11. West Valley Library Book Sale. More books specialty priced. Highest price was $5.

*Jan 27. No unsafe driving. Night driving on southbound 880 near the 29th Avenue exit. Sudden lane change from second lane to first lane. Don't do it again. Change lanes earlier to avoid sudden changes.

*Jan 29. Old desktop weigh 34.2 pounds. New desktop weigh 29.8 pounds. 4.4 pounds lighter.

Dell laptop 7 pounds and 3 ounces. HP Compaq laptop 6 pounds and 2 ounces. HP Spectre laptop 4 pounds and 11 ounces.

*Feb 2. I forgot to turn on the surround sound for Super Bowl LIV. Dad turned it on.

*Feb 4. A mouth with lots of saliva is a sign of good health, said my dentist.

*Feb 24. The car engine hoses are special made. Take the broken hose to an auto store. Tell the store the car make and model. The auto shop sells the replacement hose.

*Mar 6. Don't eat tomatoes on a physical workout day.

*Mar 23. There is a significant difference between one teaspoon and one tablespoon.

*Apr 8. Seinfeld episode titled The Old Man in Season 4. Foreplay suggestion: forbidden pleasure.

*Apr 10. My mom favors higher prices when she purchases New York steak on sale. The pieces are better cuts.

*Apr 22. My parents rescued a lost cockatiel.

*Apr 27. Bank checks are valid for six months.

*Apr 29. Classic radio station KDFC consecutively played the E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Main Theme by John Williams and Four Seasons-Spring by Antonio Vivaldi. The E.T. song was my ringtone. The Four Seasons-Spring was my connecting receive phone call song.

*Apr 30. There is a difference between steelhead fish and salmon fish. Reminder. Always look at the label.

*May 8. Add panty hose to my survival backpack.

*May 10. Add nonlubricated condoms to my survival backpack. Bright colors are a plus.

*May 17. Stopped eating oatmeal.

*May 18. For May 16. Begin replacing cups to brush teeth weekly.

*May 29. A procedure to drain the hot water heater to prolong the lifespan. Lower the temperature. Connect the hose. Drain water inside a bucket to remove as much sentiment as possible. Use multiple buckets. Point the hose down. The hose is along the side of the bucket to minimize splash.

*Jun 1. Begin cleaning rice by leaving the water in the rice bowl for a minimum of 30 minutes. Minium 60 minutes is better.

*Jun 15. Local newspaper bill is $350.00 for six months. Four days of newspaper delivery. Household choose no renewing.

*Jun 19. Last day of newspaper is Jan 9, 2021.

*Jul 20. Add empty coffee can and matches to the wisdom items. Include two dice, teapot, nickel, dust tape, painter's tape, and WD-40. Reference entry dates Dec 15, 2018, Dec 16, 2018, and May 19, 2019.

*Jul 24. Went back to use shaving gel when I shave for the second twice against the grain.

*Jul 24. Solved a Grandmaster level in Microsoft Solitare.

*Aug 6. Add a rock hammer. Reference Instant Bullets blog Mar 15, 2020. WD-40, nickel, duct tape, blue painter's tape, teapot, coffee pot, matches, and dice.

*Aug 10. The car's parking brake is located at the rear wheels. Not both front wheels and rear wheels.

*Aug 14. Wash the three bathroom carpets. Quick wash setting. Spin cycle extra fast. Air dry in the backyard on top of buckets. Best on a hot day.

*Aug 14. High temperature 103 degrees.

*Aug 19. Searched for a movie on IMDb. The search criteria was IMDb Most Popular Water Storage Movies and TV Shows. Movie I found is Badlands 2005.

*Aug 24. Best must-have products under $100: some female products better than male products for men; some male products better than female products for women; Shop Vac; step ladder; king size blanket for a queen size bed; and safety razors.

Wrong Stress

I remember I took a nap at my first job after I graduated from San Jose State University. I was a Research Analyst in a commercial real estate company. The job title was misleading. My job consisted of 90% data entry and 10% analysis. I took a nap because I was stressed out. The stress was neither good nor bad. The stress was menial, repetitive, and boring data entry.

The jobs after working in commercial real estate were legitimate stress. Quick timelines. Bad management; although, management was bad in commercial real estate, too. Poor instructions. Last minute changes. Delays beyond my control.

Stress is relative. Stress is a perspective. The best people minimize stress such as the common knowledge eat healthy, exercise, and sleep for eight hours. I admit I failed minimizing stress. Lessons learned afterwards.

Today's workplace is fast paced. Today's workplace never slows down. More knowledge, more technical skills, and more responsibilities are required for most occupations. The workplace decades ago was kiddie pace compared to today.

A Garden

My dad and I assisted a family friend with routine garden maintenance. Mowed the lawn. Removed weeds. A lawn mower cut the grass. A weed wacker trimmed the grass edges. A metal rake, shovel, clippers, and loopers were tools to remove weeds. These tools existed at least a century. The front yard is maintained. The front yard is beautiful. Peace is created taking a break from today's Information Age. Effective time spent outdoors. The life lessons gardening are patience, take it one at a time, and breathe.

Star Wars Episodes IV-VI On Wait And Patience

Here are selected dialogue quotes from Star Wars IV, V, and VI with "wait" or "patience" from iMDB Internet Movie Database. A common life wisdom is patience. Star Wars can teach waiting.

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

Darth Vader: [as Obi-Wan finds him and ignites lightsaber] I've been waiting for you, Obi-Wan. We meet again at last. The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner. Now I am the master.
Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi: Only a master of evil, Darth.
[fights Vader]
Darth Vader: Your powers are weak, old man.
Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi: You can't win, Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.
[fights more]
Darth Vader: You should not have come back.
[fights more]
Luke: [Obi-Wan spots him and allows himself to be killed] NO!
[stormtroopers shoot at him]

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

[Luke has just encountered Yoda. Yoda is pretending to be senile to test Luke's patience; R2-D2 watches as Yoda plays with a little flashlight-like lamp. Already impatient, Luke tries to take the lamp away from Yoda]
Yoda: Mine! Or I'll help you not.
Luke: I don't want your help. I want my lamp back. I need it to get out of this slimy mudhole.
Yoda: [insulted; as he speaks, R2-D2 opens a side door and extends a pair of pinchers and grabs hold of the lamp and tries to pull the lamp away from Yoda] Mudhole? Slimy? MY home, is this!
Yoda: [startled] Wha?
Luke: [Yoda and R2-D2 start a tug-of-war with the lamp; R2 beeping and humming protestingly] R2, let him have it. [Yoda grabs his cane and starts whacking R2-D2 repeatedly with it]
Yoda: [as he is whacking R2] Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!
Luke: [firmly] *R2!* [R2 relents, sinking his pinchers into his metallic body. Yoda uses his cane to close the side door for R2-D2's pinchers]

Luke: How far away is Yoda? Will it take us long to get there?
Yoda: Not far. Yoda not far. Patience. Soon you will be with him.

Yoda: Why wish you become Jedi?
Luke: Well, mostly because of my father, I guess.
Yoda: Ahh . . . father. Powerful Jedi was he. Powerful Jedi.
Luke: [suspicious] Oh, come on! How can you know my father? You don't even know who I am. Oh, I don't even know what I'm doing here! We're wasting our time!
Yoda: [Looking away from Luke] I cannot teach him. The boy has no patience.
Obi-Wan: [voice-over] He will learn patience.
Yoda: Much anger in him . . . like his father.
Obi-Wan: [voice] Was I any different when you taught me?

Yoda: Stopped they must be; on this all depends. Only a fully trained Jedi Knight, with the Force as his ally, will conquer Vader and his Emperor. If you end your training now - if you choose the quick and easy path as Vader did - you will become an agent of evil.
Obi-Wan: Patience.
Luke: And sacrifice Han and Leia?
Yoda: If you honor what they fight for? Yes.
Obi-Wan: If you choose to face Vader, you will do it alone. I cannot interfere.
Luke: I understand. R2? Fire up the converters.
Obi-Wan: Luke! Don't give in to hate. That leads to the Dark Side.
Yoda: Strong is Vader. Mind what you have learned. Save you it can.
Luke: I will. And I'll return, I promise.

Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi

[Aboard the Death Star, The Emperor's shuttle is greeted by hundreds of Imperial troops and officers. As the last of six red-robed Royal Guards exit the shuttle, both Darth Vader and Moff Jerjerrod kneel in reverence at the foot of the boarding ramp as the Emperor himself emerges]
The Emperor: Rise, my friend.
Darth Vader: The Death Star will be completed on schedule.
The Emperor: You've done well, Lord Vader. And now I sense you wish to continue your search for young Skywalker.
Darth Vader: Yes, my Master.
The Emperor: Patience, my friend. In time, he will seek you out, and when he does, you must bring him before me. He has grown strong. Only together can we turn him to the Dark Side of the Force.
Darth Vader: As you wish.
The Emperor: Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen.

Shelter In-Place COVID-19 Blog March 2025

California issued shelter in-place orders on Tue Mar 17, 2020. I have been logging the highlights and lowlights. Five years ago the world shut down. The media reported the five year anniversary with minimal headline coverage. The COVID-19 Mar 2025 blog is the shortest blog. Another slow month from the first day to the last day.

Wed Mar 12. Shopped at Costco and O'Reilly. Got gas at Chevron.

Sun Mar 16. Five years ago to the day it was the last day before CA shut down due to the global pandemic.

Mon Mar 17. Five years ago to the day CA shut down due to the global pandemic. It was 1,826 days ago. Lives changed forever.

Wed Mar 19. Ran errands at the post office and Costco.

Tue Mar 25. The Center For Disease Control (CDC) took back $11.4 billion in funds for COVID-19. The funds were supposed to fund state health departments, community health departments, nongovernment organizations, and international organizations. The Department Of Health And Human Services said the COVID-19 pandemic is over. The $11.4 billion is transferred to President Donald Trump's Make America Healthy Again.

The federal public health emergency ended May 11, 2023. 1.2 million people died in the United States from COVID-19. Hundreds of people die every week from COVID-19. Long COVID-19 symptoms continue.

Fri Mar 28. Shopped at Safeway first thing in the morning.

Update On A Past Blog

I wrote my first shelter in-place blog Shelter In-Place COVID-19 Blog 1 written on Jun 2, 2020. All shelter in-place blogs thereafter are monthly blogs.

Throwback Blog: A Second Look At 2010

Blogger's Note: Throwback blogs are blogs from my past. I start posting past blogs reflecting what I wrote. It's like my "A Second Look" blogs for which I give myself feedback.

Today's throwback blog is titled A Second Look At 2010 written on May 13, 2011. Today's blog started A Second Look blogs for which the title is somewhat self-explanatory. I looked at the previous year's blogs. They were not year-end reviews. I commented myself. I provided feedback to myself.

I second looked at my 2010, 2011, and 2012 blog years six months later in its next year. The six months later was changed to 12 months later thereafter. My year-end reviews started with the blog A Brief 2005 Year In Review And Not Jinxing 2006 written on Dec 23, 2005. I brought them back starting with Moment Of The Years written on Jan 14, 2016 which briefly reviewed years 1998-2015. The previous individual year-end reviews were written two or three months on its next year which started with 2016 Year In Review. Is 2016 or 2007 The Worst Year Of My Life? written on Feb 5, 2017. There are no new year's resolutions blogs.

Today's throwback blog is my second A Second Look. My first throwback blog A Second Look was Throwback Blog: A Second Look At 2015 written on Apr 28, 2024. Today's throwback blog is different. I take a third look at the nine blogs. I write my Second Feedback below the Link. I edit when appropriate.

A Second Look At 2010
Friday May 13, 2011

I'm taking a second look at my 2010 blogs to provide comments and feedback. Was I correct? Was I wrong? OMG, I wrote that--what was I thinking? Was it true? Did it happen? For the record, this blog is not a 2010 review. I don't believe in [year-end] reviews and new [year's] resolutions. I believe a person should evaluate and critique their lives daily and make changes immediately.

My goal is to learn from my mistakes, reinforce my lessons, remind myself my moments, and rethink again. I gathered all my 2010 blogs including my weekly De Anza blogs, read them, and posted my self-evaluation. I included the title, date, blog summary, and feedback. The link is provided to read the original blog entry.

Blog title: The State Of My Life
Date: Feb 25
Summary: I wrote there was a moment I felt depressed and out of control. Regardless, life continues day by day. There is no time to sulk. Do anything to regain control of your life and get out of being depressed.
Feedback: OMG, I wrote that! I must have been depressed to blog something depressing and sad in Feb. I remember from 2000-2004, March had always been my depressing month. I hope my Feb 2011 is not depressing. Given it's May 2011, March 2011 was a bad month. Hence, I continue to experience depressing days. We're human.
Link: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/state-of-my-life.html
Second Feedback: It's normal to feel depressed. Don't use depression as an excuse to stop living life. If you feel better, then solve problems.

Blog title: De Anza Week Mar 22 2010
Date: Mar 26
Summary: I wrote my highlights for Winter '10 quarter at De Anza. I blogged my mistakes which were I didn't drop singing class and I should have stopped attending free salsa lessons.
Feedback: Continuing singing class was the worse choice I made in De Anza to date. The class failed to meet my expectations. The instructor lost her voice for three weeks. We had classes the instructor didn't feel like teaching.

I attended free salsa lessons too many times. It took too much time away for other important activities. There were times when one must stop his/her obligations. I had to stop attending the salsa lessons. Too much to do and, yes, gym was important to stay in shape.
Link: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/de-anza-week-mar-22-2010.html
Second Feedback: Two life lessons worth reminding. First lesson: Quit when something is not working out. Second lesson: prioritize. It's okay to keep the foot on the accelerator. There are times the foot must be let go; otherwise, the engine overheats.

Blog title: How to Build a Lasting Relationship
Date: Apr 15
Summary: Zig Ziglar wrote an article how to build long term relationships. The point was, "Compromise is not denying right and wrong; it's admitting that both sides can have some right and both sides can have some wrong."
Feedback: Reading the article made me think about my guilty conscious indirectly related to the article. I fear that one mistake jeopardizes my relationship with my family and friends. The little mistakes are not a problem. I should know that we're human and we make mistakes big and small. I should also know that almost all mistakes don't lead to an immediate break up. I never experienced any breakup from a mistake I made.

On second thought, yes, I experienced a breakup. I was in 8th grade. It was the summer before I started my freshmen year in high school. I went on a date with my friend's ex-girlfriend. My friend and I started high school. He never spoke to me throughout our four years. I was in 8th grade and I was immature for a 13 year kid.
Link: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-build-lasting-relationship.html
Second Feedback: Compromise is required for strong human relationships. On the other hand, don't be taken advantaged. Some humans don't get along with other humans. Nobody gets along with everybody.

Blog title: The Year Was 2007
Date: May 17
Summary: I blogged how 2007 is the worse year in my life. I wrote [a] Q&A as if I was interviewed by 60 minutes.
Feedback: Lol, I wrote a similar blog titled "2007 Was Actually A Bad Year" on Mon Oct 13, 2008. Click to read it: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/2007-was-actually-bad-year.html.
Link: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/year-was-2007.html
Second Feedback: 2016 is the worst year of my life. Read the blog 2016 Year In Review. Is 2016 or 2007 The Worst Year Of My Life? written on Feb 5, 2017.

Blog title: Bruce Lee Is The Man
Date: Oct 8
Summary: I paralleled Bruce Lee's philosophy with some of my top 30 blogs.
Feedback: I posted this blog to review Bruce Lee's famous quotes and how they match my top 30 blogs. Lee quoted he never reach achievement and "learning is boundless." I posted blogs reiterating that quote.

Side note: To view my top 30 blogs, click to read it: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/300.html.
Link: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/bruce-lee-is-man.html
Second Feedback: I wrote more Bruce Lee quotes in the Bruce Lee Was The Man Revisited blog on Nov 4, 2019. These quotes are from the movie Enter The Dragon.

Blog title: De Anza Week Oct 25, 2010
Date: Oct 28
Summary: I mentioned many students eat out instead of eating at home to save time and save money (arguable, eating out is cheaper).
Feedback: I looked at the nutrition information for a McDonald's Big Mac. That burger is fattening a frozen pizza is healthier. I promised myself I never eat a Big Mac for the rest of my life.
Link: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/de-anza-week-oct-25-2010.html
Second Feedback: I broke the promise in 2011.

Blog title: Why I Think The San Francisco Giants Won The World Series
Date: Nov 5
Summary: I shared my thoughts why the San Francisco Giants won the 2010 World Series. It was all action.
Feedback: Manager Bud Black from the San Diego Padres won manager of the year which he deserved. Bruce Bochy outmanaged Texas Rangers' Ron Washington. Good luck to the 2011 San Francisco Giants defending their world championship. The team must seek better actions to win the World Series.
Link: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/why-i-think-san-francisco-giants-won.html
Second Feedback: The Giants won two more championships in 2012 and 2014.

Blog title: De Anza Week Dec 6, 2010
Date: Dec 15
Summary: I wrote Fall '10 quarter was a bad quarter.
Feedback: Fall '10 really wasn't a bad quarter. Winter '10 was worse than Fall '10. Winter '11 is now the worse quarter.
Link: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/de-anza-week-dec-6-2010.html
Second Feedback: I change the feedback. The Fall 2010 and the Winter 2010 quarters were good.

Blog title: Happy Life
Date: Dec 21
Summary: Happy people earn their happiness working hard, doing better, innovating and improving indefinitely, and living life. The happiness becomes real. Innovate infinitely for a happy life.
Feedback: If there are awards for best blogs, Happy Life blog is a final nominee. The blog reminds me never take life for granted. Happy life is not for people who sit on the sofa watching TV. Happy life is not for people who play video games 24/7 and given shelter, food, and clothing from someone else.
Link: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/happy-life.html
Second Feedback: Happy Life is an all-time top blog. It's still true today.

Blame Life For Too Much

Today's blog is an update on a past blog.

Update On A Past Blog

I want to remind most people there is too much to do. If your head is still in your ass, then I inform you, "Welcome to the Information Age." Boredom is impossible.

We can choose wisely to eliminate some too much to do. Be courageous. Do something new. Strengthen leisure activities. Maximize intelligent leisure such as exercising and reading books. Minimize zombie leisure such as playing video games. Choose more sleep and remove watching a TV series. Eat healthier foods. Avoid junk foods. Exchange time on social media for time on job training. It's ironic work must be completed for a happier life in work, rest, and play.

Here are selected past blogs reviewing and reminding life is making most people do too much. Don't blame yourselves. However, we can choose the best way to live life daily minimizing stress.

The cynical blog and the pessimistic blog Scarcity For Real Or There Is Too Little written on Jul 19, 2020 repeats what I wrote above. There are 24 hours a day. In particular, more money, more time, more work, more costs, more training, more experience, and more education are required to complete responsibilities, projects, events, goals, and successes. Further, there are too many people. There are too few opportunities. More people are unsuccessful through no fault of their own.

I wrote the blog Too Much Hurrying And Too Much To Do on Apr 19, 2020. "The new generation believes today is the normal pace. The old generation believes today is faster than their younger years. . . . There is more automation. Do it quick is accepted. There are more choices. We must think fast to choose. We don't want to do more. [Yet, we] must do more most of the time."

I wrote the blog Global Fatigue on Apr 19, 2019 saying people are tired because there is too much to do.

People don't take care of themselves ruin their lives and the people around them. I remind people to take care from head to toe and inside and outside from the blog Today I Want To Talk About Taking Care Of Yourself written on Oct 28, 2018. I said the following on stress: Stressed out people forget who they are. Stressed out people become weaker, think slower, lose patience, self-esteem becomes poor, and spend more money on processed foods. They fail to take time to take care of their bodies. No self-responsibility. No self-respect.

I calculated the arithmetic it's possible a parent has Three Hours Of Me Time Weekdays written on Feb 8, 2013. The hours between 7pm and 10pm are the me time. I didn't factor time to cook meals for their children and taking care of the body such as brushing teeth and showering. The parent doesn't sleep eight hours a night. The blog is still true today. The blog passes the test of time.

Make The Choice To Be Fast Or Be Slow

Blogger's Note: May is pic month. I'm catching up posting pics from my smart phone. Enjoy!

Think fast. Think slow. Businesses close fast. See beauty slowly. Learn simple automobile maintenance slow. Japanese goods conveniently fast. Japanese anime in the past slow. Japanese anime in the present fast.

Update On A Past Blog

O.J. Simpson past away on Apr 10, 2024 due to prostate cancer at the age of 76. The football hall of fame player was acquitted for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman on Oct 3, 1995. I remember the day Simpson and his friend Al Cowlings drove in a white Ford Bronco chased by Los Angeles Police on Jun 17, 1994. I was watching the San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs at Candlestick Park. I add the day to my Top Ten Plus Six Equals Top Sixteen Moments Never On A Top Ten Before blogged on Jan 11, 2024.

A Second Look At 2022

It's the time I look back at my 2022 blogs to give myself feedback. The goals delaying one year are relearning from my mistakes, reinforcing my lessons, reminding myself my moments, refreshing acquired knowledge, rediscovering new wisdom, correcting errant blogs, and sharing changes. The ten blogs are also the 2022 best blogs.

1. Can I Be Overqualified?
Date: Mon Jan 10
Summary: My college educations, past experiences, and current job training disqualifies me for job openings.
Feedback: All jobs except my second company on the job training was required. The training included the commercial real estate market, SAP, Salesforce, and a proprietary online sales transaction system.

Some hiring managers and recruiters ignore me because they anticipate I master the job in six months. I become bored afterwards. I think back to my past jobs. I mastered the basics in six months. I fully mastered the job in one year. I became Wally from the Dilbert comics.

Almost all career counselors, professional career consultants, and college job placement centers their information is outdated. The best source for job information is job searching. Read the job descriptions. Read the job requirements.

My job training is currently in the endgame; in other words, there's nothing more to learn. New skills to learn are planned.

2. Boring Can Save Your Ass
Date: Wed Jan 12
Summary: Complete the boring responsibilities.
Feedback: Patience is required to complete the long assignments. The work can be tedious. The job is completed. Goals accomplished.

The person or people connects the dots backwards. Reverse engineer the process. They're not boring thinking back. The boring process wasn't boring. The formula is pressure and time.

3. Life Is Good Because It's Predictable And Certain
Date: Thur Jan 20
Summary: People are relaxed and secured because the knowns are clear and present.
Feedback: Bombshells were fired. It has been a long time since the bombs were launched. Most bombshells were planned. 2023 was good bombshells fired and bad bombshells fired for family members and friends. Personally, the safeties on my bombshell devices are removed. I don't know when the bombshells explode.

4. Accuse Slackers Accurately Because You Also Waste Time
Date: Sat Jan 29
Summary: Everyone is slacking off. Everyone.
Feedback: It takes another distraction to disengage the present distraction to go back to work. For instance, I'm on my phone watching a random YouTube video. Somebody walks in the room. I disengage watching a random YouTube video. I go back to my responsibility. Negate a distraction with another distraction.

The Information Age is also the Distraction Age.

5. Stop And Smell The Roses And Read Your Receipt
Date: Thur Feb 3
Summary: Slow down.
Feedback: I remember the moment when I shop at a grocery store from time to time. I also remember the moment when I feel rushed. I say to myself, "Hold on. One at a time." I realize the older I age, the more I say the sentence to myself.

6. I've Been Doing Everything Correct Mostly
Date: Thur Apr 12
Summary: I realized decades later I was mostly correct.
Feedback: I reiterate the sentences, "Nobody told me I have been walking the correct paths. I have stronger confidence I'm earning my successes correctly. I tell myself everything has been well. I tell myself I'm correct."

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. Don't be a nice person. Be a good person.

7. Dear Abby Advice On Blind Love, Guilt Trip, And Truce On Wedding Day
Date: Fri Apr 22
Summary: Dear Abby hits the home run on three advice for an abusive girlfriend, a physically dependent boyfriend, and an alcoholic soon-to-be daughter in-law.
Feedback: I add one comment for both abusive girlfriend and daughter in-law. Give it time. Be patient. The chances the couples stay together are slim. Life returns to normal in time. Life returns to a relaxing state soon. Furthermore, there is a tolerance limit for his fiancee's drinking problem.

8. I Got Stuff Done Because I Didn't Play Video Games
Date: Wed Jun 29
Summary: A rare day I become bored because I caught up.
Feedback: The blog title and the blog content don't make sense. The first paragraph is being bored because I completed all responsibilities. The second paragraph is playing video games. I was confusing the first paragraph and the second paragraph. I take the blog back.

The full disclosure is I played another classic video game Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo all night on Jun 28, 2022 and Jun 29, 2022. I slept in the early morning. It was a miracle I finished all priorities and responsibilities. I stopped playing Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo on Jul 2, 2022. The priorities and responsibilities continue to motivate me minimizing playing video games.

9. Grading My Past Years On A Curve
Date: Sun Jul 17
Summary: I raised the letter grades from 1998 to 2021.
Feedback: I forgot about the blog. Good. There should be no curve grading in real life. I take the blog back.

10. No Mulligan, No Do-Over, No Second Chance Going Back To San Jose State University
Date: Sat Nov 19
Summary: I didn't want a mulligan when I attended San Jose State University.
Feedback: I take the title back. Yes Mulligan, Yes Do-Over, Yes Second Chance Going Back To San Jose State University. There is one simple reason. The semesters, the classes, the majors, the student services, and the extracurricular activities are irrelevant. The do-over is grow up; in other words, earn it. I take the blog back.

The following blogs are honorable mentions: We Make The Same Mistakes Twice and Too Much Distractions.

Rename Past Blogs Titles Because The Original Title Are Incorrect Or Misleading

I rename 26 past blogs because the title is deceptive. The title doesn't explain the blog content. The title relating to the text makes no sense. 15 of the 26 or 58.70% blogs are between 2007 and 2009. 18 of the 26 or 69.2% blogs are between 2007 and 2010. Four blogs reference cooking. Three blogs reference taking life for granted. Technically speaking, these past blogs are updates on a past blog.

Update On A Past Blog

Original Title: Free Bird
Date Written: Apr 15, 2007
Renamed Title: Cooking Solves The Problem Being Stressed And Do Something Solves The Problem Being Bored
Explanation: I posted two life tips still valid today. The first tip is cooking destresses a person. Cooking is an activity to take a break. Cooking minimizes eating processed foods. The second tip is avoid being bored doing something out of the ordinary. For instance, I became sick in Apr 2022. I relaxed such as catching up writing blogs, watching old DVDs, and listening to old CDs to recover.

Further, I wrote, "Do something, anything, . . ." which became a life motto when I realized I must grow up on Sat Oct 4, 2008.

Original Title: A Lesson On Life Yesterday
Date Written: May 5, 2007
Renamed Title: Practice Personal Responsibility
Explanation: I learned personal responsibility on my second month working at Cisco. Nobody was going to help me with my assignments. I was responsible to learn what I didn't know. Asking for help was the last resort.

Original Title: A Moment Being Selfish
Date Written: Jul 12, 2007
Renamed Title: My Dream Home
Explanation: I thought how I live life owning a home. I cook my meals, park my car in the garage, and invite friends and family for social activities. The last paragraph is true today: . . . I think about the millions of people who can't afford a home. It's sad, yet life is unfair.

Original Title: Something New To Me
Date Written: Aug 6, 2007
Renamed Title: People Thanking Me Is New To Me
Explanation: The first time in my life people thanked me. The first time in my life people helped me. The first time in my life people appreciated my presence. Beforehand, I thank other people, I helped other people, and I appreciated other people.

Original Title: One Lunch Day In 2000
Date Written: Aug 9, 2007
Renamed Title: I Saw A Homeless Person One Lunch Day In 2000
Explanation: The specific lunch day I saw a homeless person with a sign saying all hope is loss. I should have purchased a sandwich for the homeless person.

Original Title: A 12 Year Mistake
Date Written: Aug 12, 2007
Renamed Title: Making No New Friends Was A 12 Year Mistake
Explanation: The renamed title is self-explanatory. I failed to make new friends from college to beginning cosplaying at anime conventions.

Original Title: I Wake Up, Now What
Date Written: Jan 5, 2008
Renamed Title: What Am I Doing In My Life?
Explanation: The renamed title is self-explanatory. I questioned how I lived my present life. I worked at Cisco, I lived at home with my parents, I watched anime, I worked out at the gym, and I read books. Marriage and moving out of the house were afterthoughts.

Original Title: Runners Stop And Walk
Date Written: May 31, 2008
Renamed Title: Run To Get One Done Or Walk To Get Them All Done
Explanation: Physical fitness is irrelevant. I paraphrase the last paragraph: Two choices. The first choice is run completing tasks hastily increasing the chances for errors. The second choice is walk completing tasks one at a time decreasing the chances for errors.

Original Title: Straight From My Gut
Date Written: Oct 18, 2008
Renamed Title: Straight From My Gut Trust Intuition
Explanation: I realized my intuition helped me through fearful moments. I realized my intuition saved me from tough situations.

Original Title: Point A to Point B. Where's Point C, D, E, F, G, . . .
Date Written: Oct 26, 2008
Renamed Title: Don't Take Life For Granted
Explanation: I shared past moments I took life for granted. Never stop improving. Never stop learning. Never stop innovating. Innovate infinitely.

Original Title: How Do They Do It? How Do They Do It?
Date Written: Jun 4, 2009
Renamed Title: Some People Have The Charisma, Good Vibes, And Good Looks
Explanation: There are people who attracts other people to them. I questioned my charisma, good vibes, and good looks.

In particular, one friend attracts people at anime conventions. High school educated, worked in retail, overweight, talked slowly, learns slowly, and a standard geek. I saw him conversing with new groups of people most of the time I saw him. The same friend watched an anime convention masquerade from the side stage because he got a press pass.

Original Title: My Solution To Solve Problems
Date Written: Jun 20, 2009
Renamed Title: Cooking Skill Can Solve Some Problems
Explanation: Cooking may not solve world problems. Cooking can solve some personal problems. One less personal problem is one less problem the world deals with.

Original Title: I'm Keeping The Door Closed
Date Written: Dec 27, 2009
Renamed Title: I Say No To Death
Explanation: I'm not ready to die.

Original Title: Gratitude
Date Written: Dec 28, 2009
Renamed Title: No More Taking Life For Granted
Explanation: Another reminder don't take life for granted.

Original Title: Riding On Bad Luck
Date Written: Dec 31, 2009
Renamed Title: Riding My Car's Tire On Bad Luck
Explanation: I shared past moments I had a flat tire.

Original Title: A Lesson Learned Tonight
Date Written: Feb 2, 2010
Renamed Title: There Are No Guarantees In Life
Explanation: I learned the life lesson when Conan O'Brien agreed to a $45 million settlement to leave "The Tonight Show," with $33 million to O'Brien and the staff receiving $12 million from NBC. The Jay Leno Show and O'Brien hosting The Tonight Show were failures.

Original Title: Dumb and Dumber
Date Written: Mar 28, 2010
Renamed Title: Don't Spend Time With Dumb People
Explanation: You may become dumb if you spend time with dumb people. I repeat, "[Don't] lower yourself to get along with the friend or group. Whether you continue to spend time with the friend or group is another discussion.

Original Title: A Frozen Dinner
Date Written: Jul 9, 2010
Renamed Title: Try Eating New Foods
Explanation: Eating new foods can add a little excitement. Eating a new junk food is approved.

Original Title: 23 Is Too Short
Date Written: Jan 28, 2011
Renamed Title: A Friend Died At Age 23. 23 Is Too Short.
Explanation: A friend died from sickness complications at age 23. I blogged what my life was at age 23.

Original Title: I Know It Lifestyle
Date Written: Dec 9, 2011
Renamed Title: A Dynamic Life Or A Predictable Life
Explanation: There's no right way or wrong way to live life. Either choose a predictable and routine life or a dynamic and "on the fly" life.

Original Title: Ice, Ice, And More Ice, Baby
Date Written: Mar 13, 2013
Renamed Title: Ice Is Important In A Residence
Explanation: Every freezer must have ice.

Original Title: What Is Wrong With This Picture?
Date Written: Apr 4, 2013
Renamed Title: What Is Wrong With The 2003 Raymond Mar In This Picture?
Explanation: This picture refers to me. I critically analyzed my appearance in 2003. The short answer is I looked pathetic.

Original Title: What Happened?
Date Written: Jul 28, 2013
Renamed Title: Connect The Dots Backwards Life From Mar 2007 To Jul 2013
Explanation: I looked back at in my life from Mar 2007 to Jul 2013. There were mistakes including taking life for granted, failing to earn my successes, and being weak. I corrected a few. The mistakes I failed to correct continued to affect me.

Original Title: Frustrating, Adjusting, Taking Action, Changing
Date Written: Aug 13, 2013
Renamed Title: The 2013 San Francisco Giants Adjustments
Explanation: I wrote my opinions how the Giants took action to adjust and to change.

Original Title: Bringing Home Meals
Date Written: Oct 30, 2014
Renamed Title: Meal Preparation Describes A Person Or Family
Explanation: Pay attention to the meals when people meet other people for the first time and families meet other families for the first time inside their residence. The meals are signs how the person or people live their daily lives. People or families who cook are more happier. People or families who don't cook are less happier.

Original Title: There's An A In Overachieving
Date Written: Oct 11, 2020
Renamed Title: The Oakland A's Are Overachievers
Explanation: The professional baseball team lost 10 of its past 11 postseason series on Oct 2020 when the A's lost to the Houston Astros. Management trades its star players at the prime of their careers; in other words, sell high, buy low for which buy low is acquire young baseball talent at low salaries or old veterans at the end of their careers. Ownership is cheap.

I also wrote 1+1+1=3 which is one superstar plus good coaching plus good management or good ownership equals a championship.

A Daily Dose Of Novocain

Today's Information Age we get any information on the internet in seconds. Too much information is available in seconds. Easy access. News feeds are 24/7. Information feeds are 24/7. Social media feeds are 24/7. 98% of all feeds are garbage. Novocain is administered. Useless facts. Useless information. Nothing learned. Nothing improved. Moreover, dissatisfaction increases there is a desire for more information hoping to quell the dissatisfaction. Brain cells are destroyed. My IQ drops. The causality is too much Novocain. The Novocain habit I accidentally miss reading important news, information, and knowledge.

Reading is tiring. Additional mental energy is required to ignore the useless. Additional mental energy is required to stop reading. On the other hand, there are some people with more time on their hands they enjoy the useless. More power to them.

Update On A Past Blog

People who purchased shares from the blog Bet On The Real Raymond Mar Coming Soon written on Oct 4, 2014 should be happy. The stock price went up. Long term investing works. Buy and hold work.

I'm the best choice for many circumstances. I have been the best choice to get the job done. Unfortunately, there were too many barriers. Bad luck. Bad timing. I was told lies. People prevented me from being successful. Misinformation. Bad lessons. All are forgiven. I needed more time. I needed four years and 11 months to be specific. The naive, uncontrollable, and immature person is retired. Be patient.

The Money Adds Up

People rarely think about how much we spend money on everything. Spend some here. Spend some there. Some people in today's post-COVID-19 global pandemic focus most purchases on sale due to inflation. The purchases are discounted with coupons. Money saved. We think quickly the savings add up. The purchases are once in a while such as once a year or once every two months. Money saved. We think quickly these purchases add up slowly. No financial worries.

Critical thinking is required for people to consciously sum all spending. Analysis is required to break down the shock or the surprise we spent X amount on something Y. The money spending adds up quickly. The money spending is higher than guessed. Intuition fails when it comes to budgeting. It's like the end of the work day at the bar scene from one of my favorite movies Wall Street when Bud Fox played by Charlie Sheen asked his dad Carl Fox played by Martin Sheen for money:

Carl Fox: How much you need?
Bud Fox: Can you spare 300? I'll pay you back next month, I promise.
Carl Fox: I don't know if I got that much on me.
Bud Fox: Not in here. Please.
Carl Fox: It adds up. 300 here, 200 there. Your brother . . . . I always say money's something you need in case you don't die tomorrow. . . .

Today's Information Age lifestyle the days end too fast. We spend money too fast. Unfortunately, most of us live normal spending lives after the shock and/or surprise feeling disappears.

Update On A Past Blog

I posted a link where a board gamer spent at least $16,000 on board games at Kickstarter. He regretted it. It adds up. The blog I posted the link is Highlight And Favorite 2017 Tweets written on Dec 29, 2018. The direct links are Kickstarter addict reflects on backing $16,000 worth of board games, regrets everything and An epiphany after 2.5 years backing board games on Kickstarter.