Notebook --------------------------------------------------------------------- Going Bohemian (a work in progress) NOTE: Includes learning creative ways to "do with less." README: Life circumstances may vary so please choose mindfully. Fri Jun 12 2026 ALSO: Should one have among their group of friends, A/V enthusiasts and/or one should be likewise, how about arranging for something on the order of an "A/v Borrowing/lending cooperative" for borrowing, lending and sharing optical media? Optical media because the streaming services seem to be getting increasingly Draconian about users' sharing login IDs and passwords. Wed Jun 10 2026 Those anticipating a subscription diet may wish to consult with a local public library and its online public access catalog (OPAC) for subscription-free access to books (print, audio- or e-book), magazines (print or online), movies and/or TV series (DVD or streaming). The are public libraries which provide access to lots of online content such th e likes of auddiobooks, ebooks and magazines, streaming music and video ... all available for what it takes to acquire a local public library account and library borrowing card. There is a library version of Kindle or Nook by the name of Libby, from which one can search for and check out ebooks and audio books. Kanopy is a public institution streaming service featuring lots of "hidden gems" and an impressive collection of Criterion selections. It might surprise a public library cardholder to find documentaries, feature films, and series once only available from streaming services and now available optical media or public institutinal streaming services, serving a person well not to throw out their Blu-Ray or DVD player. Let this post finish with a shameless shoutout to the Internet Archive at www.archive org for providing access to an amazing collection of content, many of which are classic examples of genres and time periods and others among the "hidden gems" one might not have known about. Tue Jun 9 2026 Prominent among the obvious is to delete social media accounts and join online communities that exist in plain-text environments. Prominent among the props go to those who deleted their social media accounts and especially to those who never opened any. Abondon the smart phone for a feature one and smart watch for a simple unconnected digital one. Invest in a 2nd hand "turn-key" (ready to use, with input and output peripherials) desktop PC, from a trustworthy recycler or reseller. When the proprietary operating system software is no longer supported, try an open source alternative. Debian is a personal favorite. For systems that include a shell or terminal application, learn how to operate and maintain one's own from the command-line. When it's time to replace the WiFi router, please do so with a gigabit Ethernet port switch and "go hardwired." Begin and continue, a gentle journey away from mass consumer culture. "Subscription dieting" for streaming audio and video services. Let the premier or prime buyer subscriptions expire and don't renew. Give locally-owned and operated retail businesses more consideration. Make a mental inventory of one's possessions based on relevance. Look for opportunities to "do with less" something that isn't essential. Create "a Bohemian Laundry" where a load of laundry can drip or hang dry in a breeze or sunlight. Laundered items will last longer. When and were possible, recycle, repair, repurpose, or reuse things. Adopt an appearance or look that doesn't seek lots of attention. Where opportunities present themselves to walk, ride a pedal bicycle or public transit to get to and from employment, please do so. Seek order in the chaos of modern life and find peace from within. Mindfulness can lead to creative thinking and making ethical choices. Empathy is a set of combined skills to be learned and practiced. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Bohemian District The Look Deliberate Drabness A tidy inner-city, mid-century working-class hamlet, as if it were announcing, "Nothing to see here. Please move along." The softness of the mint greens, off whites, taupe exteriors and trim present themselves to be of a drab, institutional quality and feel. as if the neighborhood and its residents want to hide in plain sight. The Tour Boyd Avenue is lined with narrow two-story clapboard and stucco buildings. Businesses, professional and retail spaces occupy the first floor, with single-occupancy residential spaces in the second. Informal exceptions are made for business owner/operators and LGBT couples, which are genuinely appreciated by both of these. At the center are two mid-century single-room apartment buildings, built in response to the need for short-term rental accommodations during the glory days of the petroleum refining industry. The Bungalow and the Haney are corner to corner of each other, on opposite sides of Boyd, both completely renovated and modernized. North-side Drive was developed in the 1960s in response likewise, with several blocks of tidy side-by-side duplexes and starter family homes. Little has changed, save for newer siding, windows, trim and Aluminum roofing. No longer operating at full available capacity, refineries and tank farms can still be seen in the background. East-side Drive is mostly an old shopping strip with a 2nd-hand bookstore and bicycle shop that are all that remain on one side of Boyd Avenue, with a animal clinic residing in the space of a former convenience store on the other. As the neighborhood is well-suited for cycling and walking, the shop does lot of business with the residents. West-side Drive comprises mostly empty foundations and parking lot space where businesses once were, now used for event parking, staging for film industry tractor-trailers, and a favorite location for neighborhood line-dance parties on weekends. We're pretty sure the owners don't mind as we've been line-dancing there for over two decades. Avoiding Gentrification Capitol Town is too new to be "hip" or historical and too inconvenient for most urbanites. The living spaces are small, properties are mixed-use, streets too narrow with very little off-street parking. A prospective resident would really have to want to live in this utilitarian utopia for a minority that is essentially creative-class. Given its proximity to a state capitol complex, the infrastructure is more dependable and robust than it would be with most areas of the city.Given the age, size and purpose of its original development during the mid-century, there's not enough available infrastructure capacity for further commercial or residential development. There is a large LGBT community here that compromises all age cohorts and groups with more than a few who'd rather we'd not be the "in place" to live for the mainstream population, real estate developers, and affluencers. No homeowners' association (HOA) exists for this neighborhood and residents would rather not have one. We're on the inside, very private and quiet. We like to keep to ourselves and with our neighbors. Many artistic, creative, and performing arts persons are just this way. We are Bohemian in the ways we creatively exist within the boundaries and limitations of a decidedly drab, tiny, older, once working class neighborhood. Tue Mar 31 2026 - Notes on Tornado Alerts Public information in my own words Given a very specific set of weather conditions, a tornado can spin up just about anywhere. In the U.S., there are four common types of alerts. These are as follows: 1. Tornado Watch Have a plan. A tornado watch means local weather conditions are possible for the formation of the kind of severe thunderstorms that are capable of producing tornadoes. Meteorologists' call them "mesocyclones" and they're often referred to in the media as "super-cells." Mobile device weather alert apps and weather alert radios should have notifications turned "on" and kept nearby in case a warning is broadcast. A tornado can spin up quickly and track at a high rate of speed, so there won't be much time to act on a warning. A safe place to go during a warning should be identified and made ready of occupancy. A basement, storm cellar, or reinforced concrete safe area are the best places but otherwise, a windowless interior space on the lowest floor will be the next option. As low-income, manufactured or mobile homes are especially vulnerable to wind events, residents in these should take extra care in making arrangements to evacuate to a sturdy building if a warning is broadcast. Not doing so can be potentially deadly. 2. Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Pay particular attention. A PDS means that conditions mentioned above are not just possible but are nearly certain to occur. Live local weather media sources should be sought and kept active on screens and speakers. Residents in the area may wish to alter their activities accordingly. Along with the near-certainty of tornadoes, these will likely be more numerous and more violent. The area may also experience a outbreak, with multiple tornadoes on the ground at any moment. This is why particular attention to this kind of alert is needed. 3. Tornado Warning Take Cover now! A radar-indicated or spotter-confirmed tornado is present or imminent. Go to that designated safe area immediately and stay there. Debris will be airborne and become high-velocity projectiles. Stay way from doors, especially stay away from windows and garage doors. Cover with blankets, pillows, a mattress if such can be done, staying as low as possible. Cover heads with hands or wear a helmet if one that fits is available. Wearing sturdy gloves and footwear are good ideas if occupants need to evacuate a damaged building. 4. Tornado Emergency A rare event. A particularly violent tornado is tracking towards a densely populated area or a strong one is tracking towards a particularly vulnerable area in terms of the construction of the buildings. This kind of event includes an imminent threat to life and property. Unless a reinforced concrete safe area is available, taking shelter above ground is not recommended and should only be done as a measure of last resort. It only takes one of these rare events to scour an entire block of homes right down to their foundations. Wed Mar 11 2026 - Remodel Debacle It's been a week and a half since the remodeling of my bathroom began, which is still not done and the person doing the remodeling claims that the landlords don't want to pay him. The past week and a half, I've been shuffled back and forth to and from Airbnb units, due to existing bookings, miscommunications and a weekend visit by a landlord's sister. Those two were advised multiple times by multiple persons that Apt. 3 needed a lot of work. Where I've been living for twenty years was in an "as is" condition when I moved in. Fri Feb 20 2026 - My Life as a Cat I've the personality of a temperamental house-cat that'll curl up underneath the toilet tank and just dare someone to try to pick me up. Trained as a child to be a dancer, I have an awareness - consciousness - sense of space much like that of most cats and I use it, too. As if I might have been a cat in a former life, humans are often spatially avoided in both public and private, even those I like and care for. I would say, "The more I like someone, the more space I give them." Equally so with privacy, I am intensely so and will go out of my way to respect and protect the privacy of others, not a bad way to be. A difficult one to "get to know," I can be trusted not to divulge or repeat anything sensitive or personal about those patient enough to wait for me to learn how to be at ease with their presence. I am grateful to have an intuitive sensibility for avoiding undesirable places, persons or situations. There are certain sights, sounds, smells, and "Feelings" that get my attention more so than others, like the expression in someones eyes, the way someone walks, the way they talk, or the atmospherics of a place or space. Lastly, it's no accident I have a rapport with most domestic felines. No cat chow, kitty nibbles, or feline treats needed, I let them be themselves and they keep me company, as if I were part of their clowder (herd of cats). I know how to respect them and they seem to appreciate it, rewarding me with their trust. I insist on being worthy of that. Fri Feb 6 2026 - I Went Away I went away to where I'd like to stay. Where I once belonged has since gone. Tue Jan 13 2026 - A Letter to Someone The show's over. The network cancelled it. The last act was that homophobic slur - overheard by the staff - you uttered to a friend who bought your cocktails for you and don't think for one minute anyone will believe it was the alcohol talking. You used that slur in a locally-owned and operated restaurant that is a favorite for a diverse clientele who consider it a safe place for them to frequent, something the owners very much wish for it to be. Those two created this establishment literally "on their own dime and on their own time." Both figuratively put their hearts and souls into it and gave this place a soul of it's own ... a beautiful soul at that. Let it be said your behavior was tolerated ... even entertained and indulged. It cannot be said that such will be the case in the future and for the future of a safe place to frequent, I hope that it isn't. I remember somewhere previously where such behavior was tolerated, where you were considered something along the lines of "the joke of the neighborhood." The joke - your schtick - isn't funny anymore. If one - or both - of the owners would have overhead you as did members of the staff, you'd have been told to leave, possibly banned and no one would have blamed either of them, especially patrons and staff. I wish you health and sobriety. Given yours, I don't think you should be consuming alcoholic beverages to begin with. I also wish you redemption for your past and recent behavior. You can redeem these if you choose. - Robert Thu Jan 8 2026 - Student Loan Forgiveness When a former US president began a student loan forgiveness program for (nearly universally underpaid in this country) teachers, El Gringo Grande and his mongers figuratively threw adult toddler temper tantrums. Lately, those who use a certain Alphabet platform to consume video content claim they witness recruiting advertisements for ICE agents, promising student loan forgiveness as part of the compensation package. Wed Dec 10 2025 - Circle of Life None of us will live forever. Would any of us want to? Tue Nov CST 2025 - Gentrification and Segregation Much of the opposition to a recently failed tax imitative came from three areas of gentrification and segregation, collectively known as "the White Homeland." Hundreds of municipal employees are likely to be laid-off and may lose their jobs permanently as a reduction or elimination of services will become imminent. Residens from those areas might find themselves cordially disliked and prominently unwelcome in Downtown, Spanish Town, and just about anywhere in the Metro region. Mon Nov 17 2025 - Conversations with SDFers I'm overhearing grads and undergrads around campus and at coffee shops declaring their next phone will be a brick, feature or flip one. Who knows? The aforementioned may return as a fashion item and it becomes fashionable to be a smartphone refusenik. That'll put we SDFers "ahead of the curve" as it were. Tue Nov 11 2025 - 11:45 AM Home Football Game this Saturday Please plan accordingly, not only for the day of the game but also for the Friday before. Ork mischief is to be expected on both days. Fri Nov 7 2025 - Island in a Cesspool This neighborhood is an island of eclectic diversity in a cesspool of segregationist stupidity where subdivisions try to incorporate away in the maintenance of segregation for themselves. Any urban planner worth their credentials will tell you this is not a sustainable practice. It is suburban sprawl of the worst kind and municipalities do not have the revenue for it. Thu Nov 6 2025 - To Be Nurturing and Supportive To be nurturing and supportive to another is as good for one who does the nurturing and supporting as it is for the one who is being nurtured and supported. Mon Oct 27 2025 - In Conversation With SDFers It was an old-school dial-in "hobby board" run by the then manager of a nearby Tower Records Store. Among the original topics were independent and underground music. Once Criterion and Sundance selections became available on VHS, arthouse and independant movies were added. That was around late eighties to very early nineties. Wed Oct 22 2025 - David Brooks' Quote Writers are beggars to tell other beggars where to find bread. - David Brooks Mon Oct 6 2025 - Homecoming Hullabaloo Local folks migh want to stay clear of my alma mater and current employer until this Sunday coming. There's a homecoming football game with kickoff scheduled at 6:45 PM CST and the campus homecoming hullabaloo has already started. Gameday, I'd say avoid anywhere south of I-10 and/or west of Acadian Thwy. / Stanford Ave. Favorite public places to celebrate life with friends and neighbors will likely be rank and rife with the inbred inebriate purple and goldsters. Mon Sep 8 2025 - My Irregular Upbringing ... for which it might be said, "puts the 'fun' into 'dysfunctional.'" A performing-arts family in a soon-to-be post-industrial wasteland means that while not at a job, performance, rehearsal or training, we would be hiding in plain sight. Performing-arts scholarships demand good grades, better performances and we were kept busy keeping up with both. Now we're visible and then we aren't. Blink and you'll miss us. Before I was ten years old, I could read and follow music, take critique and direction from a choreographer and artistic director. In fact, we took that from a lot of people. An adolescent or child learns very early how to pay careful attention, follow choreography/direction/instruction and do exactly as they are told, and in a hurry at that. Affordable and safe neighborhoods were the Bohemian, Garden or Historic districts ... until these became popular with the status-seekers, putting the rent beyond our means. Once the status-seekers find out for themselves how inconvenient it is to live there, how small the spaces are and that off-street parking is a contradiction in terms, they leave. In keeping with the stereotype, we did live out of trunks and footlockers. Where there's a seamstress around, we get to wear modified costumes, toned-down for street wear. Having been required to move from the Bohemian district to the Garden district and then to the Historic district, we also lived out of makeup kits, milk crates and restaurant pans. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Sun Sep 7 2025 - The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50 years old today and one of the most important films of my - rather irregular - coming of age. ~ Let's do the time warp together! ~ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Thu Aug 28 2025 - Overflow Housing We're in the first week of classes for the Fall Semester. Undergraguate Admissions once again accepted more first-time freshmen than there would be on-campus housing. This time, it would be thousands. Those who find themselves in "overflow housing" are re-housed in shabby apartment buildings around the campus. Always the more expensive option, this latest round of housing musical chairs found itself locally newsworthy. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Tue Aug 5 2025 - underneath the doom loop east of downtown & the capitol complex west of the old warehouse district now called downtown east underneath the doom loop un-aged by circumstances lost to the capitol city is where I live --------------------------------------------------------------------- Mon Jul 28 2025 - Competent but not Exceptional I'm not exceptionally competent. I try to be more proficient at it. Not an empath (there is no such thing) but working on empathy skills. Should I wish to be exceptional at anything, it would be mindfulness. Preferably, I wish not to be exceptional in any way shape or meaning. As most human beings are, I am unique but wish not to be exceptional. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Sat Jul 26 2025 - Team Wired for Headphones I tried using wireless headphones for a while and while they're nice for walking around the living space while listening to audiobooks, music or podcasts, there are some distinct advantages for going back to "Team Wired." These include - but are not limited to - the following. Better sound quality relative to cost. Especially noticable when using the USB versions and the cost of a relatively decent set of wireless headphones would allow one to purchase a superb set of wired ones. No battery or connection issues. No annoying boops and beeps during disconnection and reconnection or embarassing public situations when playing favorite music to find out the headphones are disconnected. Easier to reach inline controls. Much more convenient for pen or pencil note-taking while listening to or viewing course lectures when the listener or viewer can pause the playback to write something down. Easier to use inline microphone. Equally so more convenient for voice memos and quieter conversations with more privacy given to the other that one is conversing with in public places and spaces. --------------------------------------------------------------------- SDF Public Access UNIX System .. est. 1987