Lazy Panda still open

azy Panda Pan Asian is still open! Phew.

The other week Rianne was a bit startled by what seemed to be a shut down local eatery, where we had brought family members and where we often celebrated special occasions.

Upon closer look, it was only closed for that day, as usual.

We don’t eat “out” all that often (taking out food from home is another matter). When we do, we’re loyalists who stick to what we know to be reliably good.

Sadly, many restaurants shut down in recent years. We’ve lost track.

Gettint cold, sun low

‘ve just slept in the sun, maybe for the last time (for this year), as it rapidly gets cold(er) and if clouds cover the sun, then it is too much to bear for a long time. Eyes shut, with music on, it’s all turning into a rather deep sleep. Within seconds, not minutes. Controlling a Discman is easy without seeing anything (mechanical buttons).

Somehow it feels increasingly certain this was the last for the year.

In some sense, “goodbye, 2026.”

2013

e recently decided to go on a diet to shed of extra weight. In wintertime it’s not too bad to have more ‘padding’, but it’s generally healthy to have no spare fats.

We’re gradually getting older (like everybody else) and keeping conscious of fitness is critical for a lifetime of happiness, not physical hardships.

We recently began going to the park twice a week. It’s good exercise and it helps the birds there. The stadium nearby improved a lot, so it’s also a pleasant journey.

Can we reach our weight goals by year’s end? Stay tuned.

Where did time go?

wo more months before we have December, hence Christmas and the whole lot. I still remember last Christmas like it was only several months ago.

The old sayings about time passing by faster when you’re having fun (or conversely, time moving slowly when you suffer or feel bored) seem true.

I bet 2030 is just around the corner. I struggle to accept COVID-19 started 7 years ago. Yes, 7 years.

Good news

oday we have a productive day.

Some years ago in IRC someone called me “badass” (I took that as a compliment) for how I had been covering abuse and corruption in the technical world. Today I published this long article about the EPO and there’s more to come. The EPO’s reply? Nothing, nada, zilch.

They refuse to respond to any queries. They’re secretive and corrupt.

Aside from that, we got good health news today (sorry if slow to publish blog posts so far today!) and I’ve made someone a card, will do articles soonish.

I think this day is a memorable one in a positive way.

Dishwashing liquid

month ago I began my search for some dishwashing gel (wash-up liquid) in large quantity because we had run out. A vendor who has that large (“wholesale”) item said he had lost the key to a storage container and therefore would have to break it with help from his nephew or son-in-law. He forgot to bring that today and said he would bring it next Sunday. Last weekend I decided to glue decent old shoes, repairing them as best as I can (about 7 pairs we like). Superglue exposure (by air) is unhealthy, so I needed to do this carefully and quickly. I finished 5 tubes in about 15 minutes.

A month earlier I had a runny nose for 3 days due to work that involved a lot of dust. I then decided not to do a second pass brushing the floor (outside) + roof sides, as health is more important than visuals outdoors.

Over time I’ve met people who prioritised looks/visuals over their personal health. They operated on the wrong assumption/s that if they look good, they will also be healthy. In reality, the opposite is typically true, or health leads to persistent good looks, unlike butchering (‘plastic’ ‘surgery’).

I no longer compromise my health to appease people or to make something look better (temporarily).

We studied this in University (Abraham Harold Maslow’s hierarchy of needs)

think that happiness is elusive for those who delay it (“I’ll find it when I retire” or “this weekend I’ll party hard, play hard”) or those who seek gratification by conflating money (or purchases) with joy while hating their jobs but compensating for that with salaries. If people work 40 hours a week (more or less), that latter activity can be the opposite of happiness, last a long time, and persist mentally before and after work.

They say “do what you like, money will come” (or pursue your hobby, make it profitable some way or another in the future).

To me, basics of happiness begin with the Maslow model and can be further simplified like this: get enough sleep any time you’re tired, eat well (enjoy it, don’t rush), find romance/companionship (that latter may mean pets/wildlife too, not just kids), do exercise or relax (e.g. spa) for physical/mental health. Work enough, don’t overdo it. It’s possible you spend too much if you need to work too much. And if you work too much, you’ll hate work and maybe wish to fall asleep in it (or underperform).