Now this this would be a Zoom meeting I’d enjoy deeply.
Category: Cool Stuff On The Internet
Things that interest me, inspired me, made me laugh, or taught me something.
A Little Joyful Noise For Your Saturday
This baby’s joyful laughter delighted greatly. I hope it brings you delight as well.
Whatever bad news you may have been encountering or reading, I guarantee this will make you smile, if not laugh loudly. And the world will suddenly seem ok. pic.twitter.com/XDddsYDP72
— The Feel Good Page ❤️ (@akkitwts) November 14, 2020
Windows Programmer Calculator
It may be because I’m still pretty new at this whole programming/coding thing, but I was pretty stoked to discover this feature within the built-in calculator that comes with Windows 10 (it might be part of older versions of Windows. I just don’t know). I’ve built Excel sheets for these conversions to check my work. This is actually easier and less clunky. Sure, I can do these manually, and I’m getting better at doing so in my head, but it’s good to have the ability to check my work easily.
Along with this, a friend of mine let me know about HiPer Calculator for Android phones. I look forward to trying it out. I downloaded the free version, but there is a “Pro” version for $3.49. I’ll see how the free one works. Trying to be frugal and all that.
Do you have any tools that you love and recommend to an up-and-coming developer? I’d really love to hear about them. Leave a comment!
Danny Elfman’s Creepy New Song “Happy”, Just In Time For Halloween
I’m a fan of much of Danny Elfman’s work. Oingo Boingo and The Nightmare Before Christmas only touch the surface. Reading in Nerdist that he released a new pop song made my morning wonderful. Perfectly creepy vibe for the days before Halloween. Check it out below! (caveat: there are a fair number of NSFW words).
Also, as tomorrow’s Halloween, check out my “An Atypical Halloween” playlist. You will NOT find Monster Mash there! I try to keep things trope-free.
Balmorhea’s Masollan
I discovered Balmorhea a few years ago but only came across “Masollan” recently (earlier this year). I’ve become very fond of it. The instrumentation is exquisite. Electric guitar and bass with drums, violin, cello, and upright bass? I find it delightful. The ethereal way the melody floats above the harmony vibrates within my soul.
Featured image created with Adobe Spark, font: AcuminPro-Thin. I wanted a sepia styled, warm summer’s day vibe. I hope I pulled that off.
Some Positive Energy For Your Saturday
In this age of rage and horror, I offer a few counterpoints of kindness and beauty.
she gets excited when it's time to put on her chair pic.twitter.com/UwLDyVWRWr
— Life on Earth (@planetpng) October 13, 2020
Cat Realizes She Has Ears! pic.twitter.com/CAdUFAXdKp
— Life on Earth (@planetpng) October 14, 2020
Giant Whitetail Buck pic.twitter.com/LIWac5tX00
— Life on Earth (@planetpng) October 17, 2020
That video makes me think of this character from Princess Mononoke.
A Soup Of Chat Systems
I can SO relate to this xkcd comic right now.
I’ve dealt with this a lot over the years. In 2020 this has seriously challenged me. I do try to make sure my contact list has notes about that, my system is…incomplete.
Being a good networker (which is, really, being a good friend) involves respecting people’s preferences. I have friends who HATE Facebook, or Twitter, or are not on Instagram, or who are only on Instagram, or who loathe email…we can continue on with this. Little notes go a long way with this. But it requires time, which is on the rare side right now.
Nice Weather For Ducks: Today’s Musical Interlude
Looking like it will be a damp and dreary day. A lovely day for ducks, methinks. Which often makes me think of this song by the British electro-pop duo, Lemon Jelly.
I do find the song delightfully charming. I’m deeply grateful to John Richards at KEXP for introducing me to this song, along with so many other great ones.
The Worst Things Ever Said To Grievers
I just read 64 of the Worst Things Ever Said to a Griever. Yeah, brings out awful memories. My personal worst: after my mom died, and evangelical type told me that if I’d prayed right, she would have been healed. I don’t remember my response, but I doubt it was pretty or polite. However, I expect I was so stunned that I remained silent. Most importantly, I remember this decades later. It deeply tainted my relationship with evangelical Christians.
Reading through the list, I see that most of these “worst” are very self-centered. Stepping out of your ego and seeking compassion are the best ways to be a decent human being.
Fortunately, these bloggers have created 64 of the Best Things Ever Said to a Griever. It’s not hard to be kind.
So, folks, simply be awesome to each other.
Grace Hopper, Lord of Cobol
I’m a fan of Dr. Admiral Hopper. Funny, with all my years of enjoying Battlestar Galactica and Dr. Hopper, I’m surprised that I never connected “Cobol”, Dr. Hopper and the Lords of Cobol.
So, here’s a bit of fun whipped out in Photoshop.
Below is a brief history of Cobol. A critically important programming language.