jdshaffer

"If only you could see what I've seen with your eyes..." -- R.B. grin

Reminds me of the "Black Adder" episode where he meet the pompous inventor of the Dictionary and purposely sets about using made up words just to annoy him.

"I shall return interfrastically!"

(Relevant Clip Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOSYiT2iG08)

(blank look) But this one goes to 11...

I have the opposite problem here in Japan. I can listen and speak pretty well, even in meetings, but written stuff kills me because of all the kanji...

I started writing all the "really want to share this" items down in a diary. It was difficult at first, then got easier, then the urge grew less and less. (YMMV)

The few animators I have known personally said the hours were grueling, the pay was so so, and they all wanted to move up to "Technical Director" or "Lighting Director" as soon as possible. (And I think most of them did.) Though I'm not sure if they quit the industry entirely after that.

There appear to be several options, but here is one just as an example:

https://www.macincloud.com/

And yet most kids here (Japan) go to school nearly every day -- some classes on alternating Saturdays and have mandatory "club activities" nearly EVERY day including Saturdays and Sundays. Seems a bit of a mixed message going on...

Ah! Backups have always been by worry. What simple app are you using for the "save as TXT" backups?

English teacher here, working in Japan teaching English as a Foreign Language.

I would LOVE to use free textbooks and older books. I try to do so as much as possible. But the real problem (for me at least), is how can I get a copy for all of my students? I can't afford to print them all a copy of old stuff, and after about 5-10 years, the publishers stop printing the older books!

I came across this problem big time this school year -- planned on using a book I love and have been using for 10 years old to be told last minute it's now OUT OF PRINT. (It was in print just 6 months ago). sigh

Old is OK in many places, but only if you can get 50-100 copies of it each semester / year...

I'm glad you shared it. I found it interesting and somewhat inspiring. Thank you!

I'm curious -- do you find a lot of unsavory activity using "Little Snitch", or is it almost all fair-and-square?

I ask out of honest curiosity. I tinkered with LS a year ago or so, but it made me wonder just how many bad-actors are really out there.

Cheers!

Pretty much here in Japan the houses ARE considered disposable -- at least if you go to buy a house or build a house you quickly realize that the big chunk of money is for the land and even though building your house will be expensive, it'll be worth nearly nothing when/if you go to sell it. (That's why I've hesitated to buy a house here...)

I guess it depends on where you live. I've been in Japan about 20+ years... in the "countryside" I never saw them being built, but here in Shizuoka you see them a lot. Personally, I'd never waste my money on them... the one's I've seen use really cheap materials for walls and doors. I could probably fall THROUGH a door if I tripped...

Thanks for sharing this. I've been pondering getting a Boox Nova 3 in the near future (mostly because it has the yellow backlight and ends up being only $5 more than a Kindle Oasis (where I live)... and then I get the benefit of all the additional features. :-)

This one is being called an aftershock of the 2011 large earthquake. Not sure if that makes much difference in what happens next, though...

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it! (And sorry for the way delayed response... I went to bed shortly after posting.)

I'm terrible at scripting, but I'm curious how you handled that. Do you mind sharing the script you created?

Except finances. :-)

I picked this up on Steam as well. Definitely a fun way to relax and spend a few minutes. Really well designed and implemented!

CQ field day, CQ field day!

Did the same thing when I was about 13... that was a blast -- camping in a big field with a bunch of other hams... Great memory! -- KA3TMV

Hmm... accurate point. There are several items in his "not in the Bible" list that are most definitely mentioned, several times!

I work in academia and get mild burnout twice a year (after the semester ends). I have actually found Churchill's advice on overcoming burnout quite helpful -- in short, find several real (physical) hobbies like painting or gardening.

Here are some excellent quotes from Churchill's small book "Painting as a Pasttime":

Painting as a Pastime by Winston Churchill

The tired part of the mind can be rested and strengthen, not merely by rest, but by using other parts.

It is no use saying to the tired 'mental muscles' – if one: such an expression – 'I will give you a good rest,' 'I will go for a long walk,' or 'I will lie down and think of nothing.' The mind keeps busy just the same. If it has been weighing and measuring, it goes on weighing and measuring. If it has been worrying, it goes on worrying. It is only when new cells are called into activity, when new stars become the lords of ascendant, that relief, repose, refreshment are afforded.

To be really happy and really safe, one ought to have at least two or three hobbies, and they must all be real.

The need of an alternative outlook, of a change of atmosphere, of a diversion of effort, is essential.

The most common form of diversion is reading.

'What shall I do with all my books?' was the question; and the answer, 'Read them,' sobered the questioner. But if you cannot read them, at any rate handle them and, as it were, fondle them. Peer into them. Let them fall open where they will. Read on from the first sentence that arrests the eye. Then turn to another. Make a voyage of discovery, taking soundings of uncharted seas. Set them back on their shelves with your own hands.

Since change is an essential element in diversion of all kinds, it is naturally more restful and refreshing to read in a different language from that in which one's ordinary daily work is done. To have a second language at your disposal, even if you only know it enough to read it with pleasure, is a sensible advantage.

To restore psychic equilibrium we should call into use those parts of the mind which direct both eye and hand. Many men have found great advantage in practicing a handicraft for pleasure.

But best of all and easiest to procure are sketching and painting in all their forms.

We must not be too ambitious. We cannot aspire to masterpieces. We may content ourselves with a joyride in the paint-box.

This just makes me happy. I always love seeing people help others. :-)

Actually the pressure is a bit on the reverse... if you call off sick for anything less that super-ill, it looks like you're not committed, and your boss and co-workers will not think that favorably of you.

Even at the university I work at, as a teacher, there's a subtle pressure not to call in sick or miss meetings or take a day off. I can only imagine how much STRONGER that peer-pressure is in an office setting.

Not sure if the universities will close, unless things get much worse. The universities here are already on Spring Break -- the semester / year ended at the start of February and the new school year won't start until the beginning of April. So, it's most likely they universities will just stay as they are and wait and see.

IF things get worse, I'm not sure what the universities will do here.

No, I simply mean it would have been nice last week to let the schools know he's considering cancelling schools. By making this a sudden announcement he's caught all the schools on the hop, you might say. Today (Friday) is the one and only day left to wrap up the school year (school years end in March and start in April here). So final exams will be cancelled, maybe graduation ceremonies will be cancelled, students have to empty out their desks (they don't have lockers here).

Basically, teachers and students have to finish up the school year TODAY, with no advanced warning or time to plan.

So, I completely agree with Abe-san's desire to curb the spread of the virus, but being in the education system myself (and having 3 kids affected by his decision), a bit of an advanced warning would have GREATLY helped the schools, the kids, and the parents.

shrug But as I said, it's just my thoughts and hopes and desires as a father being affected by it! :-)

Japanese Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20200227/k10012304751000.ht...

Announced just about an hour ago, taking the country here (Japan) by surprise. Most JHS and HS are in the middle of final exams, and public High School entrance exams are next week. (Most university entrance exams are just finishing, though).

A hopefully good move, but might have been nicer to have given teachers and students more time to prepare (i.e., announce it a week earlier, perhaps?).

shrug Just my $0.02

I'm in Shizuoka, only about an hour "south" on the bullet train, and I have the same experience here. People don't seem any more proactive about this than they are already for the flu (many wear masks already at this time of year to avoid flu and allergies while there are still plenty who do not).

There's a bit of "anxious hesitation" in the air, but apparently not enough (yet?) to warrant more direct prevention...