What’s on your mind?

[Scepticalscribe]

Oh I drink plenty of water if drinking.

Always a very good idea, (one glass of water per glass of beer, or wine) and is also the main reason why - after some drinks at night - I can fully function the following day.

But I function a lot better the next day if I stop at three.

Agreed.

That is my magic number, as well, if work demands my full attention the following day.

As for sleeping I rarely get six hours unbroken sleep. It’s nearly 3 am and some noisy guests just woke me up. The joys of stopping in a hotel.

Sorry about your broken, or interrupted, sleep.

Personally, I love staying in a good hotel.

 

[mtbdudex]

Going for a 3 hour Mtb ride in the woods 11am - 2pm EDT today Saturday June 14, 2025. Above picture from 2 days ago.
Peace, mindfulness to all.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

As it is Fathers day weekend, yesterday I had my mom n dad over for dinner. My Dad was born in Maine so grew up eating wild Maine blueberries which for those who have never been, blue berries grow all over the place like weeds lol which is pretty awesome. I remember as a kid for example, picking wild blue berries along the road side when we'd go back and visit. Anyhow, I had a frozen, made in Maine, Maine blueberry pie mailed to us and I baked that off for dessert with some French Vanilla Custard for my Dad. I forgot how small wild blue berries are to cultivated berries you can buy. Anyhow, Kiddos made home made cards and we drew pictures in them for Dad to display on his fridge.

This morning middle and oldest had 8am soccer games. Mom n Dad always come to watch their games. We had odd numbered kids today so I filled out the roster for warm up and practiced with the boys (no biggie as I played soccer through to adulthood - is a favorite sport of mine). Interestingly I actually felt it in my legs a bit afterwards hah Anyhow, that was fun and when we got back, better half made some bacones con huevuos y papitas. Of course I wrapped mine up in a tortilla and had a nice sizable breakfast burrito out of it which was just what the doctor ordered.

Today, Mom n Dad in law are coming down to visit. We set them up in a nice hotel (speaking of hotels) and my Dad in Law has always loved buffets, so we're taking him to one in town that he has wanted to try for the past couple years. Leo my nephew will be along (he lives with them) so the boys will love to see him and they'll be able to play and swim at the hotel pool which is pretty big + grandma will get some time with the littlest 1.5y/o which she adores.

To all the Dads out there being awesome dads, enjoy your well deserved fathers day.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Just back from a very sunny car park where I’ve been working for the day. I’ve just applied some after sun as my neck and leg is very red.

Glad to be home and sleeping in my own bed tonight

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Just back from a very sunny car park where I’ve been working for the day. I’ve just applied some after sun as my neck and leg is very red.

Glad to be home and sleeping in my own bed tonight

Glad you made it home safely.

For my part, I am just back from my local store/off licence; my replenished beer supplies shall be delivered tomorrow.

 

[Clix Pix]

Things on my mind and incorporating a slightly different topic, what I've actually done today......

I spent a short period of this morning shooting, then a somewhat longer period this afternoon reviewing/culling and processing some photos of one of my favorite subjects. Keeps me busy and off the streets!

In addition to that, and the more important thing which really is on-topic by dint of being certainly still on my mind, I have been online a fair amount of time as well, keeping up with local and national events occurring today.

 

[Madonepro]

Stressed, impending doom and I don’t know why, and missing my friends from college. Sorry to be a downer, that’s just what’s on my mind. Oh and I’m eating a maple donut so that’s a positive 🍩

Hey there, hang in. When things are going a little pear-shaped, I love the phrase 'it too shall pass'.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Things on my mind and incorporating a slightly different topic, what I've actually done today......

I spent a short period of this morning shooting, then a somewhat longer period this afternoon reviewing/culling and processing some photos of one of my favorite subjects. Keeps me busy and off the streets!

In addition to that, and the more important thing which really is on-topic by dint of being certainly still on my mind, I have been online a fair amount of time as well, keeping up with local and national events occurring today.

I pretty much avoided the news yesterday as I was busy all day. Some days I find avoiding the news altogether makes for a happier day.

On my mind is dealing with a DIY issue. The coat hanger has come of the wall in the porch again. Left two nasty holes. Real pain to fix. I guess that’s what I’m doing today in between applying more after sun.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Things on my mind and incorporating a slightly different topic, what I've actually done today......

I spent a short period of this morning shooting, then a somewhat longer period this afternoon reviewing/culling and processing some photos of one of my favorite subjects. Keeps me busy and off the streets!

In addition to that, and the more important thing which really is on-topic by dint of being certainly still on my mind, I have been online a fair amount of time as well, keeping up with local and national events occurring today.

I pretty much avoided the news yesterday as I was busy all day. Some days I find avoiding the news altogether makes for a happier day.

On my mind is dealing with a DIY issue. The coat hanger has come of the wall in the porch again. Left two nasty holes. Real pain to fix. I guess that’s what I’m doing today in between applying more after sun.

As some of you know, I am (or have been), something of a political nerd (and this has applied both personally and professionally).

However, yesterday, I didn't read my week-end copy of the FT (delivered to my door every Saturday), and nor - to my shame - did I spend the afternoon or evening engrossed with the unfolding news stories of the day.

Instead, I spent much of the day enthralled with a new (well, relatively new - I hadn't done a deep dive until yesterday) French cooking site (French Cooking Academy) - it was absolutely fascinating, as well as reading about such interesting stuff as Japanese culture, knives, jeans, cuisine, design.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Today, I am sitting, sipping coffee - awaiting a delivery of beer - and am also taking the time to carefully (and comprehensively) read some news stories.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Not up to much today. Not one of my favourite days of the year. Also tired from yesterday.
Despite it being warm, I don’t feel especially so. I’ve put some trousers and a thin jumper on. Probably a bit out of sorts.

Mrs AFB is doing some good prep. Earlier she did a bit of gardening. Not much after the 2 hours of watering.

I suspect if we don’t go for a walk this afternoon I’ll probably doze off.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Not up to much today. Not one of my favourite days of the year. Also tired from yesterday.

Yes, I can well imagine.

That sort of day - along with the previous day's travel and overnight - can easily tire you out.

Despite it being warm, I don’t feel especially so. I’ve put some trousers and a thin jumper on. Probably a bit out of sorts.

Mrs AFB is doing some good prep. Earlier she did a bit of gardening. Not much after the 2 hours of watering.

I suspect if we don’t go for a walk this afternoon I’ll probably doze off.

It is not as warm as you think it might be, or, as the time of year suggests that it might be.

Outside, it is only 17-18C (63-65F); that is not - well, not to my mind - t-shirt and shorts weather.

Earlier, I had to put a light woollen sweater (jumper) on over my t-shirt, which I had optimistically donned, thinking it warmer than it actually was - but a quick glance outside confirmed that anyone I saw was wearing a light fleece, or a jacket, or a light jumper - nobody was solely attired in shorts and t-shirt.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well I was ‘blessed’ with always looking older than I was. So I used to drink at the pub from 14. I used to help myself to my dads beers he kept in the shed from a much younger age.

As an adolescent, Decent Brother looked older than he was, - and dressed accordingly, smart, fitted, fashionable drainpipe trousers - one pair was even pinstripe, - a camel coat, elegant brown brogues - he was something of a mod for a few years - (whereas Other Brother and I tended to look younger), and his adolescence was more like yours; he had no problem gaining entry to pubs from the time he was 16 (not that this was announced to our parents - though they were a lot less strict with him - he is the youngest, but looks - even now - quite a bit older - than they had been with Other Brother and I).

However, Other Brother and I - particularly Other Brother who looked like a kid well into his early 20s - were still questioned when we were legal.....

 

[Scepticalscribe]

My beer has arrived, - delivered by the owner of the place who went to school with my brother and whom I know quite well - but instead of discussing breweries, wines, vintages, we ended up (his preference) discussing some of what is currently happening in the world.

Okay, we discussed how to deal with mosquitoes, as well, as they seem to love the pair of us.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Got up, put my beagle out in the back yard and drank a cup of coffee. Went back outside and discovered my beagle Turbo the Destroyer pulled all the cushions off my patio furniture - Put that back on. My garden bed watering system is connected to my lawn sprinkler system and dialed down the timing on that right now to 3 times a week, SO with that, engineered a bypass from the lawn watering system and connected into the perimeter watering system which is a more constant daily watering which my young vegetable plants need. Discovered that my beagle ate my bag of starter top soil. Dumped what remained into a couple holes in the garden bed that my Beagle decided to dig and subsequently took two of my zucchini plants with it. While not welcome, it is an acceptable loss I suppose as I have 4 others. She is only about a year old, so still a puppy but now ostly full sized lol.

My middle kiddo wanted to give me a fathers day gift, so I convinced him to straighten his room which he did (with a little help). I have since, consumed 3 additional cups while opening a few fathers day gifts from my lovely wife (a 50spf UV shirt for fishing and swimming) and a lovely fragrance from my favorite Men's Fragrance company Creed - Absolutely welcomed as I just ran out lol. My better half also got me a new flag for the front yard which I have hung up and looks great.

Now I'm waiting on breakfast which should arrive shortly.

I built a modest HTML web v1 website as an extension of my retro computing, gaming and digital photography hobbies. I have been thinking about how I can integrate a simple catalog ... say like an excel spread sheet that I can update on the back end and would show as a pane on the website. That and I am considering puting a neat sound file onto my website. Maybe something like a different spinning hard drive sound as one travels to each page.

I spent alot of time in the pool yesterday with my boys and my nephew swimming and playing keep away, so am definitely red despite sunscreen so am looking to do things inside today. I am very happy that my oldest and youngest got my wife's Mediterranean sun loving olive toned complexion. They never get red, just develope this beautiful bronze-y complexion. My middle kiddo is blessed with my own pasty, fair British Isles/Northern Germany/Scandinavian genetics and as such, gets red as a lobster in no time. Poor guy but luckily I did a better job with him than myself and got him lathered up with sunscreen so he survived aside from a spot on the tips of his ears and I think he rubbed some off his now, so a little rudolph action going on there.

Now, in my minds pantry, I am inventing the process for Lava Chicken for my 5 year old who has been singing the La-la-la-Lavaaaaaa Ch-ch-ch-Chickeeeeeeen song non stop for about a week after seeing the Minecraft movie last week.

 

[VitoBotta]

My wife and daughters went to a fun park today while I stayed at home as I had some work to do. They left the car at the station since they needed to take a train to get to the fun park. When they came back, they realized that someone had been in the car because the passenger seat on the front was moved, and one light was on. There was nothing to steal in the car, and luckily there was no damage of any kind, but I am really surprised because we live in a very quiet and peaceful area nearby Helsinki where people don't usually think about crime generally speaking.

 

[rm5]

My wife and daughters went to a fun park today while I stayed at home as I had some work to do. They left the car at the station since they needed to take a train to get to the fun park. When they came back, they realized that someone had been in the car because the passenger seat on the front was moved, and one light was on. There was nothing to steal in the car, and luckily there was no damage of any kind, but I am really surprised because we live in a very quiet and peaceful area nearby Helsinki where people don't usually think about crime generally speaking.

That's unfortunate. I'm glad nothing was stolen. My hometown is a VERY dangerous place for car theft. It's a huge problem, and always has been. Being a city of over a million people though, I'm not entirely surprised. I'm back for the summer, and I've had to remember to lock things up. That is not the case in my college town--which yes, it's significantly smaller, but still has a much lower crime rate.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Folks n their sticky fingers. Someone rifled through my wife’s car a few weeks back. Didn’t get anything outside of some ibuprofen lol . I guess they had a headache.

 

[VitoBotta]

That's unfortunate. I'm glad nothing was stolen. My hometown is a VERY dangerous place for car theft. It's a huge problem, and always has been. Being a city of over a million people though, I'm not entirely surprised. I'm back for the summer, and I've had to remember to lock things up. That is not the case in my college town--which yes, it's significantly smaller, but still has a much lower crime rate.

Ouch, sorry to hear that. Something like someone breaking into a car is like big news.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

In recent days, I have been very struck by the large number of youngsters (teens, mostly) I have seen walking (weaving) around (on nice, sunny, summer days, - or, at least dry days - in cities, or other places where there is plenty to do), with their nose almost glued to a mobile phone (cell phone, smart phone), completely, utterly and totally oblivious to their surroundings.

Now, I get (well, sort of, 'get', as in understand) the addictive and compulsive nature of mobile phones, but surely, it is possible to consult the devices - if you must - when you sit down, or, refrain from consulting the devices until you sit down - ring-fence time to check them - or, simply stand still, and stare at them, if you really must pay attention to the wretched things.

 

[decafjava]

Ahh yes, this is the generation of our students and younger (and older - even much older - to be honest). Our students aren't too bad most of the time.

 

[Apple fanboy]

In recent days, I have been very struck by the large number of youngsters (teens, mostly) I have seen walking (weaving) around (on nice, sunny, summer days, - or, at least dry days - in cities, or other places where there is plenty to do), with their nose almost glued to a mobile phone (cell phone, smart phone), completely, utterly and totally oblivious to their surroundings.

Now, I get (well sort of 'get', as in understand) the addictive and compulsive nature of mobile phones, but surely, it is possible to consult the devices - if you must - when you sit down, or, refrian from consulting the devices until you sit down - ring-fence time to check them - or, simply stand still, and stare at them, if you really must pay attention to the wretched things.

Not sure which is worse. Those or the people that use their speaker phone and hold it out like a tray in front of their face as they walk along.
Why do they think the phone has a mike one end and a speaker the other? Sort of same distance your ear is from your mouth?

 

[decafjava]

Not sure which is worse. Those or the people that use their speaker phone and hold it out like a tray in front of their face as they walk along.
Why do they think the phone has a mike one end and a speaker the other? Sort of same distance your ear is from your mouth?

I know people who do that because they are worried about the effects of radio emissions on the brain. Even if it annoys neighbours or colleagues.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Ahh yes, this is the generation of our students and younger (and older - even much older - to be honest). Our students aren't too bad most of the time.

Not sure which is worse. Those or the people that use their speaker phone and hold it out like a tray in front of their face as they walk along.
Why do they think the phone has a mike one end and a speaker the other? Sort of same distance your ear is from your mouth?

These people had their noses almost glued to those phones, so close were they to the damned devices, as they wove their way around, walking crookedly - utterly oblivious to their surroundings, completely impervious to what was happening around them, - that's fine at home, but, when you are out and about? - but glued, affixed, cemented to those wretched phones.

If you must consult the phone regularly, why not wait until you can take time to do so - while sitting, having a coffee, or a juice, or simply sitting or standing somewhere - instead of weaving drunkenly, phone clutched close to your face?

These kids weren't just looking at the phones - they were so focussed that their noses were almost touching the wretched things that they clutched so possessively.

I find it utterly incomprehensible.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I know people who do that because they are worried about the effects of radio emissions on the brain. Even if it annoys neighbours or colleagues.

I always use my AirPod’s 2 or QC35’s when on the phone. Not because I’m worried about radio waves. Just more convenient.