J.P.

Valve Off.

I need to turn off the valve on the social media fire hose for the weekend. I’m fine with photos and videos, as long as they’re not politically bent, but the writing and the words and the outrage and the clutching of the pearls and the extreme language? I need a break.

I definitely need a break.

I’m going to attempt to step away from social media for the entirety of this weekend. I don’t know if I’ll be successful, but I’m going to give it a whirl.

I’ll still write here on the blog. I’ll still make videos and share photos. But reading a stream of consciousness in the form of micro blogs and short blurps of words from members of various communities? Pass.

My mind needs to rest. My brain needs to relax. And after that I will be ready for the next fight.

Wind.

I love windy days. I love the movement across the landscape. I love the motion of the trees. I love the clouds marching across the sky. And I love the feeling of the wind, no matter how strong, moving over my body. It is such an awesome feeling.

I love the wind.

Think (Un)Different.

The circle is complete. With the introduction of Apple’s Macintosh back in January 1984, Apple introduced Mac to the world with their famous “1984” ad. The ad aired during the SuperBowl.

In the historic ad, amongst all the drone like humans, dressed in grey and black, staring at a large screen with an ominous face, a young, energetic runner dressed in colorful clothing comes running down the aisle and throws a sledgehammer at the screen, smashing the image.

At the time, Apple was rebelling against the establishment and the established and introducing a new way of using computers to the personal computing market.

Yesterday, users of Apple Maps in the United States witnessed Apple’s latest step in conforming to the wishes of Trump. The Gulf of Mexico is now labeled the “Gulf of America”.

The disappointments from Apple will continue until everyone is completely disappointed.

Anyone want to wager that Apple will not release an Apple Watch Pride Month watch band this year?

It began with Tim Cook’s enthusiastic tweets to Trump in November, continued with Tim’s personal monetary contribution to Trump’s Inaugural Fund, and his participation in the event last month.

Apple has successfully completed their complete 180. Apple is now just one of the folks sitting in the audience, staring at the big screen, because after all, according to SCOTUS, corporations are people too.

Great work, Apple. (slow clap)

Now, what about that runner? Well, I’m typing this entry on my Linux laptop. Released in 2018 and no longer supported by Microsoft, this Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 runs Linux like it’s brand new out of the gate. I would use my Lenovo ThinkPad from the early 2010s running Linux but I didn’t want to show off at the moment.

Take a pause, take a moment, and do some research before you buy the Next Big Thing, whether it be a laptop, or a phone, or a tablet. There are plenty of options out there.

You can choose to not sit in the audience and just watch the drab, grey world from your assigned seat.

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Video: Fantastic Views to Maverick Springs.

There are plenty of fantastic views along the Green Mountain Trail in the Santa Catalina Mountains near Mount Lemmon in Tucson, Arizona. Join me on my hike as I explore the Green Mountain and Maverick Springs Trails, and take in the wonderful sights of this beautiful area of the American Southwest.

Sunrise.

On Tuesday mornings I get up a little earlier than usual so I can take the garbage can to the street curb. Every other week I take the recycling bin as well. I don’t do this the night before because we have feisty javelinas in the neighborhood that like to snoop through our garbage.

The neighbors are not spared by the javelinas, either.

Getting up early at this time of year affords me the beauty of the first glimpses of the sunrise. It’s a good way to start the day.

Stupidity.

Welp, this will certainly make eggs more affordable.

Dumb asses fall for it every time. By the way, it’s the Gulf of Mexico.

Google has sucked for decades and they just keep getting worse.