Heathen Joe

I have a Chromebook which has AntiX core Linux installed on it. For the most part, it suits my purposes. It's a command line environment--no GUI. I've tried installing distro's with a window manager, but I kept getting frustrated with how long it would take to boot up, or it would hang when starting up.

The web bowser was the worst. On a fresh install, it would be good enough (starting within 15 to 30 seconds). It wasn't great, but what can you expect from a cheap budget Chromebook? With time, however, the browser would start maxing out the CPU and everything would come to a screeching halt. This is after subsequent boot ups.

I kept getting irritated with things like these. I just wanted to turn it on and start typing, which is why I settled on just using AntiX core. Obviously, I added a better network manager, instead of using Ceni, and some other things to make life a little easier. It boots up within 40 seconds and shuts down in less than a second or two. In a way, it's the perfect minimalistic word processor with WiFi support. However, I do use it for more than just typing.

This is where the pain starts creeping in --I use it, also, to surf Gemini space and some html sites. I use lynx for the html sites, and amfora for the Gemini sites. Every once in a while, sometimes more often than I like, I'll see a post on BBS or some capsule which has links to html sites. Amfora doesn't allow me to use lynx as a browser (I've tried configuring it), and of course I can't see any images posted. This is also the case when I ssh into a pubnix, and come across similar posts on their forums. It leaves me wanting a better setup.

I don't intend to change anything, however. If I really want to follow those links, I have a Thinkpad with LMDE7 installed. With it, I'm able to access any links or view images presented to me on the servers or Gemini space. The reason I have this Chromebook is because it (#1) was free, and it has a battery life ranging from 4 to 7 hours. My Thinkpad can only last an hour and a half(if that much.) Also, the minimalistic environment is perfect for distraction-free writing.

Every once in a while, I'm going to be tempted to install something like MX Linux with XFCE or fluxbox. I need to remind myself that I already have a laptop that serves the purpose the Chromebook can't fill. And, if I'm tempted to install a GUI-based distro, maybe I should reevaluate what I'm doing and get back to work.

-j

Perhaps I should name this blog "How to never get things done."

I have so many lofty plans, and in the end nothing really changes. But, I will fear not! As long as I'm breathing I will continue to strive to do better. I guess this page will be a home (of sorts) to document my upcomming successes, and also, my very few failures. I'm going to work on scrimba a little more diligently. I need to structure my time better. However I choose to do these things, I'm going to strive to keep it simple --so no getting to know emacs anymore.

That's all for now. A little tip: If you're feeling kind of crappy, do something nice for someone else. It may be a selfish act, but besides feeling good about yourself, someone else has something to be gratefull for in this hell-hole place of a world.

-j

The Devil's pet hamster

I've been enrolled in a Scrimba.com course since February. I was doing the work for a couple of weeks, but then I lost interest in it. I felt, and still do from time to time, like I shouldn't bother with it at my age(51). I wasn't even sure what I was trying to accomplish.

I realize, now, my age wasn't the main reason I quit. It also wasn't the political climate in the US, though it did, and still does, affect my mental health. The main culprit was always me.

I may go into more detail with this later, but, for now, I'll just say I have a "loser" mentality. I may have some lofty dreams sometimes, but when I hit some obstacle, I almost always withdraw and say "I guess it wasn't meant to be." I rarely pursue anything with determination and drive. I'm not saying this to belittle myself. I just noticed it more after visiting my brother. The way each of us went through life has been night and day. We both started out at the same level (I may have had more of an opportunity being in the Army), yet he has achieved more in his life than I ever will. He approaches challenges with the mindset of "there's got to be a way around this." I don't look at life that way at all. I understand the concept, but my natural reactions and behaviors take over and I don't try to take any more actions to overcome most things.

I want to get past this self-destructive behavior.

I'm back to working on my Scrimba course now.

Let's see what I can really accomplish.

-j

Just like the "drawer-of-good-intentions" in the fridge, I've neglected this page. I've promised myself to do something with it, and I've continuously let myself down.

The last several months have affected me in the worst possible way. With everything going on in the US, my desire to pursue any personal interest or hobby has fizzled away. I don't care much to do anything. I hope this step, here, is a baby-step to get out of this rut. I do want to go work out in the gym again, learn Spanish, and learn more about web-development. I want to tinker with stuff and learn something new.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do next, but I'm committing myself into taking some action to "get back on track."

I need this. There's are several things that will negatively affect me in the near future, and I need something to strive for, to get past them.

I hope everyone out there tries to remain open-minded, have a little patience with other people, and never allow their neighbors to be treated as disposable and/or irrelevant.

-j