Rick's b.log - 2025/03/12
It is the 13th of March 2025 You are 18.117.132.37, pleased to meet you!

Moving forward

I don't really 'do' small talk. I prefer discussions with substance rather than exercising a word quota for the sake of it. Which means that, yes, these sorts of discussions may include politics, gender, and religion - the big social taboos. But to my mind they're only taboo because some people feel uncomfortable discussing such things, and because some people are unable to discuss without wanting to resort to violence. Why? Is their world view so fragile that they can't cope with it being challenged? Please, feel free to challenge my world view. I think that I am correct in my opinions, but if you can offer a more convincing argument (or, frankly, any argument at all that makes Trump make sense ☺) then go for it.

As for my tendency to wander to the point where I might never get around to making the point I was trying to make - sorry, that's how my mind works. If it annoys you, just imagine spending fifty years with a mind that is that easily sidetracked and has a special level of snark reserved just for itself when it screws up. That's how I am and that's how it is. There are people who like everything in life lined up and regimented, and there are people who are a real-life definition of entropy.

And you know what? I like that. If everybody was the same then life would suck and be boring.

For those who have popped up on the forum or sent an email to offer some kind words, thank you.

And for those who couldn't resist getting a few extra digs in or call me an "obnoxious prick", give it up - you've won - I've left.

Sitting in front of Zap programming takes time. Writing stuff takes time. And if I'm teaching myself or making an article/tutorial, possibly inspired by something on the forum, it takes time. These past couple of days have given me time. Time for some reflection.

As such, all of my RISC OS projects are now on pause. I'm going to have a hard think about what I want to do going forward. Should I start playing with microcontrollers? Should I do something more real-world? Like make/build/create/craft something? It's not as if I have any special talents or a teacher. But, then, nobody taught me to program. I just sort of figured it out.
But what I've currently been doing - is this really what I want from life?

Along the way I have had the pleasure of the virtual acquaintance of some wonderful and interesting people. If you are such a person and am reading this, please do stay in touch!
Thank you, once again, to all of those who made it special. You know who you are. ♥️

Happy Birthday Mom!

Here's a photo of her taken twelve years ago in 2013. Mom was often "making clothing", sometimes by sewing but quite often by crochet. I'm not sure what's going on here, but she is sitting out in the potager on a hot August day under the shade of the oak. The hazelnut in the background (on the left there) has recently died. I think it might have been a victim of that burning hot summer.

Mom in the potager (in 2013).

Not a day goes by... 😢

Your comments:

A tree-dwelling mammal, 13th March 2025, 01:03

Rick - when you get past 50, you're entitled to be an 'obnoxious prick'. Turn it back on the idiots that called you that, own it, and make some humour out of it. How about using the moniker "Obnoxious Rick" (see what I did there!), just to get one over on whoever the idiot was who tried trolling you on your own blog?    To everyone else reading these comments: I've known Rick for almost 30 years now, back from the Fidonet days. And I'd defend his right to be Rick. That's all I'm saying. I know we only met in person once, but that doesn't minimise anything.    I also met Rick's mum (I refuse to use the American spelling!) once, many years ago. She was awesome. Sadly missed. I know I never really mentioned it, but wasn't sure how to bring it up.