Tiens-toi a tes rêves
The comedy site McSweeney's delivers the goods again, this time in the form of Nihilistic Password Security Questions. Whilst they are funny and grim, the second one really caught my attention: "In what year did you abandon your dreams?" It struck me on several levels, at least partially because I know that I haven't abandoned my dreams. Abandonment is a curse of course because it almost guarantees failure (the exception being a fortunate accident). Dreams, of course, can start vague and uncertain inspired by a human interest (love, emancipation, etc), but then must develop and solidify into practical tasks. In the process of doing so, one determines which are too fantastic, that require too many resources, and in which case they can be narrowed down to something very specific. I once expressed a vague dream of "helping to heal the world" in some undefined fashion. But in the past few months, re-awakened whilst I visiting Adelaide, I found a very specific and practical environmental engineering project that could contribute to satisfying the vague dream once expressed. It started as a single-page document ("Project Brief") and now is some twenty pages of examples of current technologies ("Project Initiation Document"), and I'm discussing it with the right people. I give credit to Adam B., who took absolutely no time to work out exactly what I planning to do; now that's a sign of insight and intuition. There's probably a dozen of you out there who know exactly what I'm up to.
At home, I must confess I am finding this snap Melbourne lockdown a little more difficult than it should. I suspect there is a lack of oxytocin, compounding on various life challenges. Nevertheless, this weekend experienced no less than three video-conference meetings. Saturday morning was a meeting with a new friend, Tina, a Canberra teacher who, albeit with a love of high literature, has progressed their teaching from tertiary, to secondary, and now to primary school level in their quest to avoid interfering bureaucrats. That evening was an alternative to planned gathering around the fire with Holly C., Luke M., Lousia G., Troy, John M., and Tabitha B. Very happy that Holly reminded me to check out a couple of well-designed online tests based for lifetraps and Young's schemas. It is perhaps not too surprising to discover that "emotional deprivation", "unrelenting standards", and "self-sacrifice" feature heavily in my results. Finally, with a planned birthday gathering cancelled multiple times, Amanda C., Dave M., and I caught up with Denny C., who has been such a good and true friend for so many years. Conversation on the evening ranged on matters of speculative fiction, music, and gaming which we all share some interest in. It would be great in the future for all these gatherings to be in person. Alas, such is the nature of The Plague. We will get through this. "All who, while unable to be saints but refusing to bow down to pestilences, strive their utmost to be healers." (Albert Camus, The Plague) This entry was originally posted at https://tcpip.dreamwidth.org/318062.html.
At home, I must confess I am finding this snap Melbourne lockdown a little more difficult than it should. I suspect there is a lack of oxytocin, compounding on various life challenges. Nevertheless, this weekend experienced no less than three video-conference meetings. Saturday morning was a meeting with a new friend, Tina, a Canberra teacher who, albeit with a love of high literature, has progressed their teaching from tertiary, to secondary, and now to primary school level in their quest to avoid interfering bureaucrats. That evening was an alternative to planned gathering around the fire with Holly C., Luke M., Lousia G., Troy, John M., and Tabitha B. Very happy that Holly reminded me to check out a couple of well-designed online tests based for lifetraps and Young's schemas. It is perhaps not too surprising to discover that "emotional deprivation", "unrelenting standards", and "self-sacrifice" feature heavily in my results. Finally, with a planned birthday gathering cancelled multiple times, Amanda C., Dave M., and I caught up with Denny C., who has been such a good and true friend for so many years. Conversation on the evening ranged on matters of speculative fiction, music, and gaming which we all share some interest in. It would be great in the future for all these gatherings to be in person. Alas, such is the nature of The Plague. We will get through this. "All who, while unable to be saints but refusing to bow down to pestilences, strive their utmost to be healers." (Albert Camus, The Plague) This entry was originally posted at https://tcpip.dreamwidth.org/318062.html.