We’ve long supported what we believed in, even with the little money we had

Listening to football (radio/park nearby) costs nothing

t’s easy to take. It’s easy to tell someone, “what makes you happy? What are you taking? (Drugs, medication etc.)

What about giving? How about sharing with others?

That too gives joy, contentment, the memorable blissful moments, fulfillment, happiness.

Last year we gave our money to defend Free software.

This year we give our life and labour to feed the animal kingdom.

It’s about giving, not taking.

The birds’ looks today were gratitude enough.

I think that a society driven by extreme forms of capitalism relies on consumption (“consumerism” makes it sound like a religion), which means people are trained psychologically to take, to hoard, to collect; the notion of giving away or sharing (e.g. better salaries for one’s employees) is portrayed as foolish.

In the Free software movement, we strive to commend people who share while condemning those who work for greedy monopolists. We don’t show much respect to people based on affluence. It indicates a desire to hoard rather than true, objective achievements or professional accomplishments.

In academia, likewise, what counts most is publications, not job titles or salary.

Recent: Now… a Word From Our Sponsor

HE match is about to begin and seeing the above photo shows how football became all about sponsors – to the point where they tell people what to drink and eat based on which company pays.

It is ridiculous. Rianne will have a laugh though.

Notice how they even had the drinks “face the camera” to show the letters and logo in full.

Hard matches ahead (LFC, then PSG)

am so pleased today, almost ecstatic and in very good mood, having found another large sack of premium seeds for the birds. I got it for a special price again .

We now have enough of those seeds to last until Christmastime and the birds will be delighted. They’re crazy about this stuff, unlike the bread so many people give them (it’s not healthy and actively discouraged).

There’s a match here today (last match until mid-October when Paris Saint-Germain, now a serial European Champion, comes to play here), so we plan to cross the stadium and visit the park where the birds wait. After that we’ll relax and prepare for another week of GNU/Linux links – it is the third day of our 15^th year as a married couple and feeding/watching birds is already a joyful hobby of ours, sort of like pensioners (who cares about stereotypes of age).

Next year, if our application is successful, we wish to go to the Court of Appeal and set the record straight. We’re just a couple that shares news, the only people we upset are slaves of monopolies, working for those monopolies like a Kapo. One day they’ll come to accept they just got used by those monopolies, then inevitably discarded, as always.

A Kapo (or catspaw) is still just a Kapo.

A Kapo does not wish to think of himself as just another Nazi.

Arsenal absolutely smashed to pieces today

know the match is not over, but Arsenal is finally not winning (losing big even).

After Brighton’s good cup performance it is beating the champions.

ManCity can now go top with a comfortable 3-point lead and cushy goal difference.

Long break between the last September 2026 match, then comes a really hard match in Anfield (October 2026)

do not look forward to the LFC match as it might be the first match for Enzo not to win. Thankfully, we’re more than 3 weeks away from that, owing to a long break. The players could use a recess.

The next match (Sunday) is here and we plan – weather permitting – to visit the park again. It’s our day to relax and the weather is expected to be cooperative.

Today we received our energy bill and I think it is our lowest in years, it’s under 70 pounds! I keep hearing from couples that pay over 200 per month, especially during winters. I attribute this to energy efficiency and a lack of nonsensical, energy-wasting gadgets. The laptops are configured to snooze when unattended and it probably helps a lot. High-voltage ‘gadgets’ (home appliances) are a luxury except a few.

In terms of expenses, we still enjoy football and need not pay for it. We can see summaries and live updates online, I can see the stadium from my desk (while seated) and hear the audience chanting when there’s a goal, booing, a near miss/hit, or penalty awarded. Sometimes it can even wake me up (if the window is open).

I think we’ve learned and got accustomed to living a simple life.

Life’s simplicity if the secret to happiness.

Way to start a special day

nother win for Enzo some hours ago, a perfect winning streak so far this season, and new talent found in the process. Quoting BBC: <>em>”Samba was prolific in City’s under-18 side last season and those impressive performances led to him being promoted to the first-team set-up by new manager Enzo Maresca this summer.” (Video of highlights)

Sunderland is next.

I woke up around midnight to try to publish a lot before we leave the home.

EFL Cup

think we might go to the park after all, as it’s sunny unlike what the forecast said. Tonight, next to the park, Manchester City plays its first cup match for this season and Enzo’s first with this club.

Next week marks 23 years since I started my Ph.D. program. That decision I made (to turn down a job offer from London) has aged well. This year is very rewarding and productive. I still have lots of time for sports.