The Trifecta

I keep seeing more and more indications that I am retired. If so, I cannot complain about the coffee situation in retirement. It is good.

Note for UCC (Ueshima Coffee Company): I am available to test new products. 

20220522

I live in chaos: Thank you, Dell, Intel, Microsoft, Google, Brother employees.

I live on a planet of chaos. It is good and bad. When I need a break from it, I keep my Dell XPS 17 9700 (Windows 11) and Toshiba Qosmio (Windows 8.1) and my US$150 Dell 2-in-1 Chromebook and my Google Pixel 1, Pixel 2, Pixel 4a 5G phones and my Brother DCP-L2550DW laser printer all up to date.

Thank you, Dell, Intel, Microsoft, Google, Brother employees for your technical accuracy. Thank you for your testing. Thank you for following the software development life cycle. On a planet of chaos, we do not have such things, and it is good to take a break in your world. It is good that all my electronic equipment works properly. On a planet of chaos, it is very satisfying indeed.

20220519

One U.S. dollar for a can of pure

UCC strikes again. On some of the hottest and stickiest days, you just can't deal with hot coffee. That's when a can of the pure comes into play. If anybody wants to claim that coffee (caffeine) is not a drug, I beg to differ. 

20220508

Deep into the country

Went way deep into the countryside. This is where the fruit and vegetables come from. Catfish, too, if you're prepped for fishing.

Warning: I am not even aware of all the dangers. I took one fierce ant bite to the toe, but there are plenty of known and unknown critters here. I'm most worried about land leeches. Who knew that leech socks were a real thing?

20220508

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20220508

Nice skies of late

It appears that the rainy season has begun. It also appears that some very nice skies are part of the deal.

20220512

20220506

The "E" button: Now that's a bridge too far!!!

I am guilty as charged of singing the praises of bidet sprayers. But all things in moderation, my friends. All things in moderation.

There is no need for the "E" button shown in the photo below. How to disable it in order to prevent accidental activation? That is the question. I will be nervous every time I hold this controller in my hand.

20220428

Top box fitted: SHAD SH40 Cargo

As planned, I purchased and installed a SHAD SH40 Cargo top box on the toy motorcycle. 

Pros:

• *** Storage for rain gear / set of dry clothes. Crucial during soon-to-arrive rainy season.
  
  
• Storage for expensive helmet, emergency roadside kit, small purchases
  
  
• Safer feeling for passenger if I ever have one (haven't yet)
  
  
• Makes me look even more like a Grab food delivery rider (positive anonymity)

Cons:

• Slightly harder to get on and off bike (but not significantly so)
  
  
• Harder to lane split. Top box is high enough and wide enough that it will hit mirrors.
  
  
• Probable negative effect on aerodynamics/performance. (Haven't rode with it on yet.)
  
  

I recognize that there is plenty of anti-top box sentiment in the motorcycling community. I am one of those who, having had a top box before, will always have a top box. Sorry about the look. It's function over form for me.

20220424

Caught short at Terminal 21: Not a problem.

Sometimes there are those days. I skipped the morning coffee. We went out to do an errand. Then we had an early lunch at the Terminal 21 food court. 

While shopping at the grocery store in the basement, it became painfully evident that there would be no making it home on this day. But a nasty Walmart bathroom experience this was not to be. I am in civilization now. My own stall with floor to ceiling walls. And a toilet that was a techno nerd's delight. The drying feature was an especially nice touch. Well-done!!! 

Thank you Terminal 21. I am your loyal customer.

20220421

20220421

I embrace my job in retirement.

It didn't take long after retirement for me to understand that my primary job is exercise / health. Is it healthy to exercise in a small, air-conditioned gym while Covid is still circulating? I will make no such claim. However, I finally had to do it. 

So grateful that my plantar fasciitis condition has improved to the point where I can get back on the elliptical machine. Be good to your feet, my friends. By that, I mean replace your old shoes with quality shoes in a timely manner. Just like eye glasses, footwear is not something to skimp on. 

20220417

A car is required: Allow me to present the 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.

Coming from a smaller Toyota Yaris rental car, the 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid takes some getting used to as it feels quite big. The air conditioning works great, which might be the most important thing. At any rate, we are very grateful to have it. Still need to get it blessed by the monks for safety.

20220411