Trying to turn a 49 year old long-term office worker into a heating and air conditioning repair technician? When I also have a work history in IT including coding and have an open source software product with downloads from over 150 countries? Seems odd to me.
Went along with for a bit as was convinced for a bit was a way to get back on my feet financially. But realize there may be grim things involved and talk on Lost in Commentary where also discuss, after American slavery.
Was fun riding around in a service truck for a bit, will admit.
Of course now also still working on how to make money. But also learned, be more careful in finding help.
They smiled so nicely too.
Now 50 do not have time for anything but help that really helps. Have reached half a century. Deserve to take better care of myself and should know better.
Will aim to do better.
James Harris
Friday, January 03, 2020
Friday, October 18, 2019
One human species? Yeah.
The urge to group humans by those who invented race was not just about delusions of their own superiority, was also about an easier handle.
Like in the United States for American slaveowners, group punishment required group identification.
But is like with the label Asian as used in my country. To an American racist, if you have some people from China, some people from South Korea, North Korea and Japan in the same room? They are to THAT racist all SIMPLY Asians.
And said person may make various claims about them as a group, as if their nationalities were irrelevant. But also if they are subordinate in some way, like are employees at same company? That racist might talk of a group policy--towards Asians.
So is also a way to lower the importance of human difference. Like by claiming that frictions for historical reasons between Koreans, Chinese and Japanese are irrelevant for that person, an American racist can in effect claim that such things are tiny in comparison to a perceived greater dominance.
Does give me problems will admit, as various titles for groupings in the US have shifted finally to Black for many, or African American. But for Black folks who go visit the African continent, can be jolting have heard: In a place where your skin color does not supposedly provide any grouping at all.
Being dark skinned in Africa? Why would that be considered a race indicator?
Of course race is a social construct, and we can trace out why was constructed, but does not change continuing impacts. Like slave masters also wanted to be able to whip their slaves for punishment, but whipping an adult, never whipped? That person can go into shock and die. A solution might brutally use to prepare for the shock? -- Beat children to get them ready for the whip as adults. Was myself beaten with a leather belt by my father so brutally at 6 years old, my legs were bleeding. Slavery ended over 150 years ago. We have to face these things though.
Talk more on my blog Lost in Commentary: Facing the legacy of American slavery
So why not talk these things? I find the subject fascinating even though can be distressing. But one of the weird things about racists is the belief that they had awesome ancestors which makes them awesome too. So have noticed this insistence as if the history of American slavery somehow diminishes my ability. It does not.
Have talked some on my blog Seriously Commercial: Greek slaves would have laughed
People can have all kinds of wild ideas: especially when people wish to diminish or dominate others. But what YOU believe? Is still really up to you. I say that to also say: no excuses.
In our times the web lets truth flow freely. So you can read up on humanity, and learn how we are one species. You know, if you're actually curious, you know, about being human.
James Harris
Like in the United States for American slaveowners, group punishment required group identification.
But is like with the label Asian as used in my country. To an American racist, if you have some people from China, some people from South Korea, North Korea and Japan in the same room? They are to THAT racist all SIMPLY Asians.
And said person may make various claims about them as a group, as if their nationalities were irrelevant. But also if they are subordinate in some way, like are employees at same company? That racist might talk of a group policy--towards Asians.
So is also a way to lower the importance of human difference. Like by claiming that frictions for historical reasons between Koreans, Chinese and Japanese are irrelevant for that person, an American racist can in effect claim that such things are tiny in comparison to a perceived greater dominance.
Does give me problems will admit, as various titles for groupings in the US have shifted finally to Black for many, or African American. But for Black folks who go visit the African continent, can be jolting have heard: In a place where your skin color does not supposedly provide any grouping at all.
Being dark skinned in Africa? Why would that be considered a race indicator?
Of course race is a social construct, and we can trace out why was constructed, but does not change continuing impacts. Like slave masters also wanted to be able to whip their slaves for punishment, but whipping an adult, never whipped? That person can go into shock and die. A solution might brutally use to prepare for the shock? -- Beat children to get them ready for the whip as adults. Was myself beaten with a leather belt by my father so brutally at 6 years old, my legs were bleeding. Slavery ended over 150 years ago. We have to face these things though.
Talk more on my blog Lost in Commentary: Facing the legacy of American slavery
So why not talk these things? I find the subject fascinating even though can be distressing. But one of the weird things about racists is the belief that they had awesome ancestors which makes them awesome too. So have noticed this insistence as if the history of American slavery somehow diminishes my ability. It does not.
Have talked some on my blog Seriously Commercial: Greek slaves would have laughed
People can have all kinds of wild ideas: especially when people wish to diminish or dominate others. But what YOU believe? Is still really up to you. I say that to also say: no excuses.
In our times the web lets truth flow freely. So you can read up on humanity, and learn how we are one species. You know, if you're actually curious, you know, about being human.
James Harris
Wednesday, October 02, 2019
Rebooting Star Wars
Was very excited for new movies in one of the most influential sci-fantasy arenas, where the start of course was in 1977 with Star Wars: Episode IV which was a mysterious start in and of itself.
There were eventually prequels by George Lucas, and then quiet, until control was sold to Disney, and renewed movies arrived with great box office success.
But am concerned they missed a few things, and figured would, as a fan, help them out, while not getting in the way of the latest effort.
Is a fun challenge: can I write a better angle, and not lose what has been done?
Yup. Is easy too.
Whenever Disney gets tired of mucking around, the reboot-sequel has a start with a young girl, who of course vaguely looks like the adult Rey. She also looks poor and is an orphan, but we watch her learning some basic gymnastics, showing a bizarre adeptness. Next we watch as she is with other orphan children and outcasts--scavenging. Inquisitive she is a great scavenger, and of course in one such quest for tossed away useful items, she finds something odd.
We recognize is a somewhat battered lightsaber, and she stares into it, while aimlessly hitting buttons on it. And THANKFULLY it is inoperative, but she pockets it. Now shift to older Rey, who is paying with hard earned cash for lessons in something or other, related to devices.
Then we find her tinkering with the lightsaber, and in time, it flickers. And now she has a clue what it is, and eventually gets a weak beam. Soon she is swooping it around with a familiar sound. Then we watch her dancing gracefully with it, and doing gymnastic moves....
Rey is scavenging again. Now she is a teenager, and is harder, but adult actor could be de-aged? She finds a small ball, familiar to people from the original movie. Now she is an adept engineer, and quickly repairing it, it floats...and soon zaps her! She quickly figures it out, and we watch her with her now stronger lightsaber going through more sophisticated moves.
Then finally we are with adult Rey, at age of first new movie, and she looks that way now, so should be ok. And after a brilliant practice session with the ball, where she is clearly adept, she suddenly lifts a hand and the ball flies across the room, sticks to the wall where it struggles a bit. Rey stares at back of her hand in surprise, then flicks downward quickly. The ball switches off and drops. She now holds her lightsaber up vertically and her concentration is clearly visible on her face. Her left hand she takes away, and then concentrates more, and slowly pulls away her right, and the light saber is steady, in mid air....
Suddenly we are on a space vessel looking at Kylo Ren, who is unconscious in something like a hospital bed, moaning and sweating. What I'd like is his father Han Solo standing over him looking concerned. But Harrison Ford wanted out which is why character was killed. I can easily resurrect him, but ok, his uncle is standing over him.
He has been called to the ship, as Kylo was finally found. Desperate for Jedi powers he had first gone on a quest to find the mythical and well-hidden Luke Skywalker. But failed. Which simply made him even more desperate for powers of his own. As he tried various things with little success. His mother Princess Leia tried to counsel and comfort him to no avail. He had no interest in the life she could give him. And then tragically she died.
He had then gone completely unhinged and now ready for anyone who could train him, he finally found a dark adept. Despite his parents, and his upbringing, he agreed to training in the Dark Side of the Force.
We get a flashback, where a scene like Luke in the cave plays out, but is more involved. Kylo's darkest fears and rage consume him in a twisted fantasy where he kills his own father. He also has Rey in them, who he has never met, and yup, am handling every prior just like that.
But these details have not been revealed. Kylo's uncle (would still like Han Solo) is standing over him as he mumbles Rey, Rey, Rey...over and over. And his uncle turns to the nurse and asks: Who is Rey? Nurse shrugs.
Cut to the famous scroll of lettering going off into the distance where much I just talked is explained.
Kylo has been recovered from a Sith Lord, and there are questions about what to do with him. While Rey is visible to beings strong in the Force, but where are the Jedi? So can't just toss that into it. And the script is how their path collides. How they confront the Sith Lord who wants his apprentice Kylo back.
And there is a bigger threat to the galaxy that will test them both to their limits.
Pull in all the other characters easily, from here.
Ok. Been working at this for twenty minutes and raring to do something else. So yeah, notice here Rey is less mysteriously powerful. She is a natural adept, called by the Force, and trained by the Force--the Force seeks balance. Why her? A mystery it is. But is not about her parents. They were nobodies.
There must be a different answer.
Ok, Disney can do their thing. Whatever they do, can handle it. Reboots? Are easy.
Ok will edit this thing like usual. Realized there was one more key piece.
Further into the movie we see Rey striding confidently with Kylo beside her. He has been babbling about the dreams he had and how real it all seems. Rey has been patient, but she suddenly stops.
Forget those dreams my new padawan. You were heading into the Dark Side. Such dreams are meant to be forgotten...if you would travel with me, that is.
What can he say?
James Harris
There were eventually prequels by George Lucas, and then quiet, until control was sold to Disney, and renewed movies arrived with great box office success.
But am concerned they missed a few things, and figured would, as a fan, help them out, while not getting in the way of the latest effort.
Is a fun challenge: can I write a better angle, and not lose what has been done?
Yup. Is easy too.
Whenever Disney gets tired of mucking around, the reboot-sequel has a start with a young girl, who of course vaguely looks like the adult Rey. She also looks poor and is an orphan, but we watch her learning some basic gymnastics, showing a bizarre adeptness. Next we watch as she is with other orphan children and outcasts--scavenging. Inquisitive she is a great scavenger, and of course in one such quest for tossed away useful items, she finds something odd.
We recognize is a somewhat battered lightsaber, and she stares into it, while aimlessly hitting buttons on it. And THANKFULLY it is inoperative, but she pockets it. Now shift to older Rey, who is paying with hard earned cash for lessons in something or other, related to devices.
Then we find her tinkering with the lightsaber, and in time, it flickers. And now she has a clue what it is, and eventually gets a weak beam. Soon she is swooping it around with a familiar sound. Then we watch her dancing gracefully with it, and doing gymnastic moves....
Rey is scavenging again. Now she is a teenager, and is harder, but adult actor could be de-aged? She finds a small ball, familiar to people from the original movie. Now she is an adept engineer, and quickly repairing it, it floats...and soon zaps her! She quickly figures it out, and we watch her with her now stronger lightsaber going through more sophisticated moves.
Then finally we are with adult Rey, at age of first new movie, and she looks that way now, so should be ok. And after a brilliant practice session with the ball, where she is clearly adept, she suddenly lifts a hand and the ball flies across the room, sticks to the wall where it struggles a bit. Rey stares at back of her hand in surprise, then flicks downward quickly. The ball switches off and drops. She now holds her lightsaber up vertically and her concentration is clearly visible on her face. Her left hand she takes away, and then concentrates more, and slowly pulls away her right, and the light saber is steady, in mid air....
Suddenly we are on a space vessel looking at Kylo Ren, who is unconscious in something like a hospital bed, moaning and sweating. What I'd like is his father Han Solo standing over him looking concerned. But Harrison Ford wanted out which is why character was killed. I can easily resurrect him, but ok, his uncle is standing over him.
He has been called to the ship, as Kylo was finally found. Desperate for Jedi powers he had first gone on a quest to find the mythical and well-hidden Luke Skywalker. But failed. Which simply made him even more desperate for powers of his own. As he tried various things with little success. His mother Princess Leia tried to counsel and comfort him to no avail. He had no interest in the life she could give him. And then tragically she died.
He had then gone completely unhinged and now ready for anyone who could train him, he finally found a dark adept. Despite his parents, and his upbringing, he agreed to training in the Dark Side of the Force.
We get a flashback, where a scene like Luke in the cave plays out, but is more involved. Kylo's darkest fears and rage consume him in a twisted fantasy where he kills his own father. He also has Rey in them, who he has never met, and yup, am handling every prior just like that.
But these details have not been revealed. Kylo's uncle (would still like Han Solo) is standing over him as he mumbles Rey, Rey, Rey...over and over. And his uncle turns to the nurse and asks: Who is Rey? Nurse shrugs.
Cut to the famous scroll of lettering going off into the distance where much I just talked is explained.
Kylo has been recovered from a Sith Lord, and there are questions about what to do with him. While Rey is visible to beings strong in the Force, but where are the Jedi? So can't just toss that into it. And the script is how their path collides. How they confront the Sith Lord who wants his apprentice Kylo back.
And there is a bigger threat to the galaxy that will test them both to their limits.
Pull in all the other characters easily, from here.
Ok. Been working at this for twenty minutes and raring to do something else. So yeah, notice here Rey is less mysteriously powerful. She is a natural adept, called by the Force, and trained by the Force--the Force seeks balance. Why her? A mystery it is. But is not about her parents. They were nobodies.
There must be a different answer.
Ok, Disney can do their thing. Whatever they do, can handle it. Reboots? Are easy.
Ok will edit this thing like usual. Realized there was one more key piece.
Further into the movie we see Rey striding confidently with Kylo beside her. He has been babbling about the dreams he had and how real it all seems. Rey has been patient, but she suddenly stops.
Forget those dreams my new padawan. You were heading into the Dark Side. Such dreams are meant to be forgotten...if you would travel with me, that is.
What can he say?
James Harris
Monday, August 26, 2019
Writing: coding and songwriting considered
Have begun to appreciate more some of my own products, where is just about time. Like have been grateful that open source gave me an opportunity to put up a software product--with few worries.
So with open source you have code which is freely seen, and with open source licenses people can download and use legally--if they follow those rules. (Of course may also download and use illegally by violating those rules.) And I've had an open source software product called Class Viewer which is over 15 years old now. And so far this year has downloads from over 90 countries according to web stats at SourceForge where it is hosted.
Is such a new thing. There was no way when I wrote this little app for help with software development and shared, could realize how exactly would have most effect for me as this signature thing which consistently brings global attention. Is an entirely new thing and perspective on power of sharing ideas, like an open source software project. So yeah, is one of those emergent things of the 21st century with the arrival of the web.
But put songwriting in the title of this post as, to me? Songs are open source writing too.
Routinely have found myself now checking song lyrics on the web, glad they're available. As can be a bit tricky. You think you heard one thing, but maybe was something different. OR has been a bit of time since heard a song, and want to quote a lyric correctly.
But those same songs are NOT free, of course. Just because you can get the lyrics, and am sure the music for some copyrighted song, does NOT mean you can start using it commercially yourself.
Now for a divergence. Here is a link to a song am considering might finish. Who knows if I ever will, and occurs to me putting up ideas for a song not even fully written? Could make it easy to STEAL but am not worried for some reason.
As we move further into the age of the web I do think some naive notions have collapsed. Like what if I had code for sale, where code was open? Think no one would pay? Like maybe you'd think no one would pay for a song...ok, you know better there.
What if some legitimate business entity considered using my code, which they could just copy off the web, without paying me? And I found out? Would they remain a legitimate business entity? Nope.
That would be theft. So yeah, there might be people stealing your code, but they're nasty people anyway, who if you knew were so capable, would you want to do business with them anyway, even if they had the money?
I would not.
Am willing to predict that in time, the business relationship and business trust are going to gain a LOT more value. And if you get caught stealing? In the age of the web? That can get known all over the world with a quickness. And you could find yourself having to do business in different circles.
We're not there yet though, but can imagine. And yeah, wouldn't want to do business with ANYONE capable of just stealing code from me, just because they could.
Just like wouldn't want to do business with anyone who would steal a song of mine, if could actually finish one which was a hit. Kind of like that example as of course is kind of outlandish.
But yeah, songwriting does involve some people who write for a paycheck. Am guessing now maybe more with jingles for commercials? But also the world of songwriting is also a much bigger landscape.
So why not same for lots of other kinds of writing? Maybe the future is there.
And you might have coders, who write for a paycheck, but others who own their code which is open and they sell use, or also I guess, coders also who still write some closed code for some buyer.
But yeah, as contemplate being able to be known all over the world with just ONE thing? (Have other global things too though will add.) Where mattered was open? Am so glad is mine, you know? Where yeah, do realize feel like songwriters might just understand.
James Harris
So with open source you have code which is freely seen, and with open source licenses people can download and use legally--if they follow those rules. (Of course may also download and use illegally by violating those rules.) And I've had an open source software product called Class Viewer which is over 15 years old now. And so far this year has downloads from over 90 countries according to web stats at SourceForge where it is hosted.
Is such a new thing. There was no way when I wrote this little app for help with software development and shared, could realize how exactly would have most effect for me as this signature thing which consistently brings global attention. Is an entirely new thing and perspective on power of sharing ideas, like an open source software project. So yeah, is one of those emergent things of the 21st century with the arrival of the web.
But put songwriting in the title of this post as, to me? Songs are open source writing too.
Routinely have found myself now checking song lyrics on the web, glad they're available. As can be a bit tricky. You think you heard one thing, but maybe was something different. OR has been a bit of time since heard a song, and want to quote a lyric correctly.
But those same songs are NOT free, of course. Just because you can get the lyrics, and am sure the music for some copyrighted song, does NOT mean you can start using it commercially yourself.
Now for a divergence. Here is a link to a song am considering might finish. Who knows if I ever will, and occurs to me putting up ideas for a song not even fully written? Could make it easy to STEAL but am not worried for some reason.
As we move further into the age of the web I do think some naive notions have collapsed. Like what if I had code for sale, where code was open? Think no one would pay? Like maybe you'd think no one would pay for a song...ok, you know better there.
What if some legitimate business entity considered using my code, which they could just copy off the web, without paying me? And I found out? Would they remain a legitimate business entity? Nope.
That would be theft. So yeah, there might be people stealing your code, but they're nasty people anyway, who if you knew were so capable, would you want to do business with them anyway, even if they had the money?
I would not.
Am willing to predict that in time, the business relationship and business trust are going to gain a LOT more value. And if you get caught stealing? In the age of the web? That can get known all over the world with a quickness. And you could find yourself having to do business in different circles.
We're not there yet though, but can imagine. And yeah, wouldn't want to do business with ANYONE capable of just stealing code from me, just because they could.
Just like wouldn't want to do business with anyone who would steal a song of mine, if could actually finish one which was a hit. Kind of like that example as of course is kind of outlandish.
But yeah, songwriting does involve some people who write for a paycheck. Am guessing now maybe more with jingles for commercials? But also the world of songwriting is also a much bigger landscape.
So why not same for lots of other kinds of writing? Maybe the future is there.
And you might have coders, who write for a paycheck, but others who own their code which is open and they sell use, or also I guess, coders also who still write some closed code for some buyer.
But yeah, as contemplate being able to be known all over the world with just ONE thing? (Have other global things too though will add.) Where mattered was open? Am so glad is mine, you know? Where yeah, do realize feel like songwriters might just understand.
James Harris
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Changing an ending for mood reasons
Have talked about mood and story before, and in a previous post did an alternate ending for the recent Battlestar Galactica reboot. And am wary of such things as wish to be respectful of the original and powerful creative work. But also am endlessly wanting better in entertainment, and think can help.
Am going to change yet another ending, and with this one need to put warnings up front. The original deals with suicide and not surprisingly, am going to remove the literality of suicide here with an alternate ending.
So am going to re-interpret 13 Reasons Why and is an ongoing series, so am even more hesitant. But also am just giving some opinions here. Does not make them right. And I don't think they're wrong, but is my opinion.
The original story is about a young woman who commits suicide and there are tapes that explain why. Where to me, in a literary work, death is rarely actual death.
When writers use death in their writing it can be about LOTS of things, where that comes across in the writing.
When goes to a visual work with moving pictures, often in my opinion, death is taken literally which wrecks the ending.
In considering the character Hannah, she confronts the reality of how badly people have treated her. Imagines confronting them through protagonists who step through a process. And in accepting the need and right to challenge them: ends her prior too compliant self.
So alternate ending with an obvious plot device for a VISUAL not needed for the book: She wakes up screaming and drenched in sweat. She pauses for a moment pondering the nightmare.
She gets up, and reaches for her tape recorder. And begins recording. Fade to black.
So with the alternate ending, we have a character development. The point then is she has learned she needs to stand up to these people, and confront them. And ending insinuates in THIS case, she will be her own advocate. But also nonetheless leaves viewers hanging.
(Oh yeah, highly recommend standing up for yourself when people treat you badly.)
Ok, so my own interpretation where in this case read about the show as have NOT watched it, is that the mood is actually about standing up for yourself and confronting people who behave badly towards you. Ok. But if character is actually DEAD then is meaningless. But if is a literary device implying she has killed that too timid self, makes more sense, to me.
And there will leave it.
James Harris
Am going to change yet another ending, and with this one need to put warnings up front. The original deals with suicide and not surprisingly, am going to remove the literality of suicide here with an alternate ending.
So am going to re-interpret 13 Reasons Why and is an ongoing series, so am even more hesitant. But also am just giving some opinions here. Does not make them right. And I don't think they're wrong, but is my opinion.
The original story is about a young woman who commits suicide and there are tapes that explain why. Where to me, in a literary work, death is rarely actual death.
When writers use death in their writing it can be about LOTS of things, where that comes across in the writing.
When goes to a visual work with moving pictures, often in my opinion, death is taken literally which wrecks the ending.
In considering the character Hannah, she confronts the reality of how badly people have treated her. Imagines confronting them through protagonists who step through a process. And in accepting the need and right to challenge them: ends her prior too compliant self.
So alternate ending with an obvious plot device for a VISUAL not needed for the book: She wakes up screaming and drenched in sweat. She pauses for a moment pondering the nightmare.
She gets up, and reaches for her tape recorder. And begins recording. Fade to black.
So with the alternate ending, we have a character development. The point then is she has learned she needs to stand up to these people, and confront them. And ending insinuates in THIS case, she will be her own advocate. But also nonetheless leaves viewers hanging.
(Oh yeah, highly recommend standing up for yourself when people treat you badly.)
Ok, so my own interpretation where in this case read about the show as have NOT watched it, is that the mood is actually about standing up for yourself and confronting people who behave badly towards you. Ok. But if character is actually DEAD then is meaningless. But if is a literary device implying she has killed that too timid self, makes more sense, to me.
And there will leave it.
James Harris
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