bakiwop
ope...a life / serial.27
2025.09.23 :: ope

Wrote up the visit to Dee Wright Observatory.

Also got the following previously written write ups up:




2025.09.24 :: deep.thought.42

Cure hiccups by getting a glass of water and a pen or pencil. Place the pen or pencil inside your mouth and lightly bite down on it. Drink the glass of water.




2025.09.29 :: ope

I wonder what Ignaz Semmelweis, the physician in 1800s Hungary who was shunned, mocked, fired, beaten, suffered a nervous breakdown, and killed for suggesting healthcare workers should wash their hands to reduce postpartum mortalities that were three times higher than midwives (who did wash their hands), would think of this comic found in a doctor's examination room?

Cartoon depicting a superhero telling people to wash their hands to fight infection.




2025.09.29 :: deep.thought.42

People are a torment.




2025.09.30 :: ope

My wife is very into hockey (she's from Minnesota, dontchaknow) and just told me this: Minnesota Wild sign Kirill Kaprizov to richest deal in NHL history: $136 million over 8 years.

My first thought? I'm not sure I would trade 8 years of my life for $136 million.

Which just goes to show what a dumbass I am.

My instincts tell me to say no (and I don't seem to be paying attention to the more logical parts of my brain (which is, usually, par for the course)).

Just colossal dumbassery on my part.

But no matter which way I look at it, if my current job - and let me tell you I have a pretty plum gig - offered me $136 million to stay for eight more years? I'd say no.1

It just feels wrong.

It doesn't matter that I would still be below retirement age at the end of the 8 year contract and could retire early. It doesn't matter that I would make roughly $136 million more dollars for 8 years of work than if I worked those same 8 years at my current (with step increases) salary. It doesn't matter that I would be lucky - oh so very lucky - to be able to keep my job for the next 8 years at all.

None of that matters.

What seems to matter? I don't know. But good for Kaprizov. He seems smarter than me. And richer. Younger. More athletic. Probably nicer. And? And my wife is very happy that he'll be playing for the Wild.


1My wife, god bless her, would soon set me straight, though.




2025.10.01 :: earworm

Federal Funding by Cake.




2025.10.01-b :: library

Library Creepy Caller Census




2025.10.02 :: deep.thought.42

On being peaceful.

A part of keeping "peace" means stopping violence. Nazism is an inherently violent ideology. Organizing under Nazi ideology is an act of preparation for mass violence. Stopping Nazi's is done in the name of peace. Sometimes when people are violent, you have to use violence to stop them, in the name of peace. Just like we did in World War 2. If you don't want to face violence, do not wield violence. If you want to claim nonviolence, do not advocate an ideology that is inherently violent

On being tolerant.

There is no paradox of tolerance in the first place.

The paradox is resolved by treating tolerance not as a moral precept (something that is done because doing otherwise makes you a bad person, something that must always be done) but as a contract or treaty (something that is reciprocal, the benefits of which you are not obligated to afford to those who do not reciprocally offer those same benefits to you and others in return.) Treaties/contracts come with restrictions which signatories are obligated to follow, and benefits those signatories receive in return.

Those who refuse to tolerate others who are not impeding anyones rights are not entitled to our tolerance.




2025.10.05 :: mn

Raspberry Island was once home to curling rinks, a Navy training center, even an R.E.M. concert

St. Paul’s Raspberry Island has been reinvented again and again.

In the 1890s, it was a popular spot to take a dip in the Mississippi River in summer and home to curling rinks in winter.

Later, it was the site of a U.S. Navy training base. Its historic boat club housed a series of nightclubs with colorful names: Tugboat Annie’s, Golden Garter, River Serpent.

It became an outdoor concert venue, hosting bands like R.E.M. and Aerosmith before spending a sad stretch of years as a parking lot.

Today, the tiny 2-acre island underneath the Wabasha Street Bridge is a park, planted with ornamental grasses and small oak trees.




2025.10.06 :: mn

Minneapolis Mayor Says Remote Work Turns You Into a Loser. Minneapolis Mayor Frey says comment that remote workers would turn into "losers" was a joke

'We were shocked': Gov. Walz orders state workers to return to the office. Also in the article: Mayor Melvin Carter is pushing for St. Paul’s city employees to return to their offices, announcing last fall that staff would be expected to be at their desks at least three days per week starting April 1.




2025.10.07 :: yard

The moon, she follows me.




2025.10.08 :: di.nota

EFF: Opt Out October: Daily Tips to Protect Your Privacy and Security

Trying to take control of your online privacy can feel like a full-time job. But if you break it up into small tasks and take on one project at a time it makes the process of protecting your privacy much easier. This month we’re going to do just that. For the month of October, we’ll update this post with new tips every weekday that show various ways you can opt yourself out of the ways tech giants surveil you.



caveat lector