How fortuitous

I've had three delightful instances of 'luck' in the past few days and I feel like I should thank the Powers That Be.

First, I went to the store the other day, which was a miserably hot walk (fortunately only a few blocks) and when I got to the checkout I couldn't find my debit card anywhere. So I had to abandon my groceries and walk back home in the hopes that my card turned up. Which it didn't, but I also forgot to trace my steps part of the way. Not that I was very hopeful of finding it en route. But it also wasn't in my house. Well, I grabbed my credit card, decided I'd probably have to cancel the debit card, and trekked back to the store, still in the miserable heat. And what do you know, as I walked past the dairy section, I spied something red on the ground, just the size of a debit card, kind of kicked under the overhang of the cooler. I was talking to my brother at the time, and was delighted to report that I had found my debit card. Hooray!

Then, that night, which was a holiday out where I live, I convinced myself to go up the hill and watch the fireworks. Mostly because I wanted to get a picture of fireworks, or at least see if I could. But when I got there, I was really not in the mood. I was tired, I didn't want to stay up late, I didn't want to set up my camera, I just didn't want to be there. Also, I couldn't see any fireworks that were worth trying to photograph. Well, I reminded myself that this would not be the last time I would ever see fireworks and I didn't have to be there if I didn't want to be, and left. I headed down the hill and when I got to the top of Main Street, I had the perfect view of the fireworks. So, I busted out my camera, right there on the street corner, and spent maybe 10 to 15 minutes getting some firework shots. Which wouldn't have happened if I hadn't felt like going home.

Maybe not the most scenic view, but a clear view, and a fairly close one.

Finally, on Wednesday, I had an appointment to be at at 6:00. I was going to stay late to print off a project I was working on, but got caught in conversation with a co-worker and by the time I finished the project, I was running late (as in, I had 3 minutes to get to my appointment. Which wasn't far, but not close enough to be there in 3 minutes). I got out of the building and was going to text to let them know I'd be a tad late, and they had moved the appointment to 6:15! And then I realized I'd left my keys in the building. Which was locked. And I can never remember the number for security, who would be able to let me in. But just as I got to the building, someone was coming out and they kindly held the door for me (even though we really shouldn't because of security. Thankfully, she'd been in my shoes, and knew I worked there!). So I got my keys and wasn't late and then the gal I had the appointment with fed me and my friend dinner! And gave me leftovers!! 

So, a lot of nice little blessings this week, and I'm really grateful because I was feeling really stressed out when the week started. Thanks, Powers That Be!

Algorithms don't get me

I am going on record to say I am not sold on algorithms. Try as I might, they just don't seem to understand me.

For example, Netflix. I tell it which recommendations I don't like, it can't seem to figure out that one of the key criteria is that I have no interest in shows rated TV-MA. Same with Amazon Video. It can't seem to figure out that Rated R doesn't figure into my interests.

Then there's the rest of Amazon. Why does it think that when I've just bought a new pair of sneakers, I want to buy another pair of new sneakers? I'm sure there are some people who do that, but not the majority of us.

And then there is Google's attempt to provide me news. For some reason, it thinks that having read the first story published about Prince Louis' christening, I then want to read every other story with the same content that gets published for the next week. It also can't seem to figure out that when I say I have no interest in the Kardashians, I really have no interest in them. None. I don't care who is publishing it. And how have they not figured out I have no ties to University of Arkansas Pine Bluffs? I've told them multiple times that I'm not interested in stories from them, but they keep popping up UAPB stories. And how can they not figure out, after I dismiss every story about abs, pecs, toning, HIIT, and every other fitness trend on earth, I'm not interested in any physical fitness stories. From any source.

Yeah. Algorithms really don't know me at all. And it's not that I haven't put in the time. I think they just aren't trying hard enough. I've definitely done my work in this relationship but now I think it's time to break up. So, algorithms? we're done.

Suggestion

Dear Online Print Newspeople,

I know you have a lot going on right now and have your hands full with disgruntled customers, so I hate to add to your load of complaints. However, I think mine is pretty simple to take care of. It's quite fixable.

For reasons beyond our control, a lot of news is happening in the form of tweets. And I get it. You get your quotes where they are being published. My complaint has to do with the practice of including the text of the tweet in the article AND including a screenshot of the just-quoted tweet.

Isn't this overkill? I can see how you might consider the screenshot to be an "image" and not text. But guess what? It's an image of text! No one is studying it for its visual value. We're reading it. And getting annoyed that it is exactly what we just read. Why does the tweet need to be typed into the article itself and included as a screenshot? I'm literate; if I can read the one, I can read the other. No value add. The screenshot just becomes an annoying obstacle preventing me from moving on in the story.

Like I say, I know you have a lot of other, and larger, concerns. But, most of those can't be easily fixed. This one? Easy peasy. It's a quick win. And can't we all use one of those?

All the best.

Me

Tick

So, it's not the most amazing photo, but I have ALWAYS* wanted to get a photograph of lightning. And, after standing around doing continuous shooting for about 1000 photos, I did it. Again, it isn't professional quality or anything, but I am kind of thrilled.

And here are a few others just for fun.

I completely blame the sunset for making me late getting to bed. 

*Always being since I got into photography, so maybe few years?

One sweet day

I read today that it is Chocolate Day. Now personally, I'm not sure when it isn't chocolate day, but I guess that since today is officially the day, you gotta go along with it and eat some chocolate. Now, I partook by getting a chocolate mousse dome from a local restaurant. Basically, chocolate cake with chocolate mousse and the whole thing dipped in chocolate. Pretty darn good way to get your chocolate intake, as far as chocolate goes.

Anyway, I hope you had some chocolate and that it was tasty. Because chocolate day deserves to be observed.