Network Overload

[hrj]

 I don't know if it was genuine network overload or just the vagaries of trying to do video calls to other continents. Usually when I'm recording podcast interviews, I opt for voice-only if it's overseas. And now that I'm using Zencastr rather than Skype, it's voice only by nature. But I had a Skype chat set up with hawkwing_lb and her lovely wife and since the whole purpose was socializing as to be "face to face" we opted for video...and managed more time with frozen connections than actually chatting. We're going for zoom next time. There may be a whole compare-and-contrast with different channels eventually. Though distance is hardly the only factor. I had freeze-up and lag problems chatting with threadwalker on Google hangouts and we're practically spitting distance of each other. (But don't spit; that's not good social distancing!)

I think I've gotten bored with posting detailed food updates. And I found myself starting to be oppressed by the target of having an Estates ingredient in every meal. Life is hard enough at the moment without making up new rules that stop being fun. I may mention special meals, but today I did my Civic Duty and ordered Chinese takeout from GrubHub, which will last me a couple of dinners.

Today was supposed to be the memorial service for my dragonboat club's founder and lead coach. He'd scheduled and planned the day during his last weeks (stomach cancer). The in-person memorial has, of course, been postponed, but my email was full of people posting pictures and memories. What a rough time for his family with all the rest of this on top of losing him. And of course the international dragonboat meet that many of the club were planing to go to has been cancelled. I'm not part of the group that goes to races so I haven't paid attention to whether there are plans to postpone with the same sponsors and participating clubs. Like Worldcon, the hosting group changes every year so it may simply mean starting the qualifying process again from scratch for the next venue.

I finished sorting through the clutter from the top of the computer desk finally. Much got thrown away. I have a small box of perfectly good accessories for devices I no longer have. I probably should just throw most of it, too. Power packs for iPhone connections that got phased out two formats ago. My favorite style of iPhone case--still in the original packaging--for a previous model, because I liked the case so much I bought two. Touch-screen-sensitive gloves to keep your hands warm while you're working you're texting...hah! Not like you can have any sort of precision that way. I didn't take the time to check whether the Wacom tablet can still talk to my Mac, just put it away for later consideration. And I didn't deal with the contents of the three drawers full of connecting cables and charge packs and external storage devices I can't talk to any more. I have my limits.

I started the next stage of sorting out the spices: opening each bottle and sniffing to see if I could tell what it was. (Some labels are legible, some aren't.) If I couldn't tell, it gets thrown. That may cut things down to a manageable level, though then I'll have lots of color-coded jars all clean and washed and empty. I have something of a container fetish. I love having neatly organized little identical containers. I need to get over it.

Schroedinger (the "shy" cat) decided to get really loving this morning while I was sitting in the recliner. I almost thought she was going to settle into my lap at one point, but the closest she came (after lots and lots of head-butting) was to sit beside me on the extended foot-rest.

Comments

[hrj]

SDD17: temperature = 97.4. No excursions off the property. (I'm such a creature of habit that if it isn't a workday, I don't do a lunchtime bike ride. I also worry that the rec path will be more crowded on a weekend.) Took a handoff of delivery food with no direct contact. Followed my standard (twice now!) protocol of depackaging onto my own plates/containers with multiple handwashings. I know that restaurant take-out is just as safe as groceries, but the ritual is comforting.

[evil_macaroni]

I've started a minor home re-org and purge as well. I think something about spending so much time at home, with chaos and fear all around inspires the urge to control one's own environment. Letting go of unwanted items helps make one's space more comforting, I guess.
Working from home at my desk really brought it home that I don't need the retired desktop computer that's been collecting dust on my desk since 2011. I'll be getting rid of a ton of unwanted stuff, if this goes on.
When I get finished with my Great Freezer Purge project, I'll be making more of an effort to order out regularly. Or at least until Passover comes ...

[hrj]

I had a major epiphany back a decade or so ago when I realized that I didn't need a desktop machine because I didn't ever *use* the desktop machine. And syncing files between that and the laptop was annoying.

[hawkwing_lb]

I had similar problems trying to Skype another (local) friend, but Google Talk worked there as an alternative. It's a hell of a thing, technology.

[hrj]

As you mentioned this morning, different systems seem to be responding with different levels of robustness to the increased traffic.

[hawkwing_lb]

I do sometimes wonder about the logistics.