the iMentor

Hints & rants

This weB-LOG is about the musing of a technical consultant. It is the iMentor's thoughts on technology and the human condition.

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Author: Rick Thues

Cleanup

January 20, 2023 Uncategorized 2 Comments
Episode #729 January 21, 2023 The first and last step of any project is cleanup.       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qErSHVGZLc When a project is finished the most critical step occurs immediately after admiring the completed product. That critical step is cleanup. Pick up tools. Trash or store offal and unused materials. Sweep, wipe, vacuum and otherwise clean the workspace. Cleanup is essential for starting the next project. I have sometimes approached my work bench with an idea and a clipboard only to find a sawdust covered surface littered with tools. It dampens my motivation for action. There is likely some cleanup...
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Uncommon Kindness

January 10, 2023 Uncategorized 5 Comments
Episode #728. January 14, 2023 The following is a true story from my book, “Skydivers Know Why Birds Sing.” It is truly a story of sacrifice, heroism and uncommon kindness.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFHC6t13hi0 Heros… In 2004 Paula went to Thailand with the skydiving World Team. Their goal was to set a world record for the largest freefall formation. The plan was to connect 400 skydivers in freefall. The event was at the invitation of the King of Thailand. One of the conditions of the invitation is that the World Team combine with Thai skydivers to perform a 672 person demonstration jump...
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Einstein’s God

January 3, 2023 Uncategorized 2 Comments
Episode #727 January 7, 2023 I have long thought of myself as an agnostic. I am not an atheist because I believe in life, the universe and everything. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xbqe_GajtQ “I believe in Spinoza's God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with fates and actions of human beings.” —Albert Einstein, replying to a telegram from Rabbi Goldstein After reading the thoughts of Dutch philosopher, Baruch Spinoza, I may be a Spinozaist. The following “poem” is an anonymous summery of Spinoza’s philosophy of God. It also summarizes the best of what...
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Uncommon Sense

December 29, 2022 Uncategorized No Comments
Episode #726 December 31, 2022 Common sense is less common than its name. Something common is only a majority opinion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7SnbKS4YAQ Modern opinion has been torn apart by politicians, social media and tribal stubbornness. Common sense has been delegated to the two corners of a perverse yin and yang of belief. Yin: “No you aren’t!”  Yang: “Yes I am!” In the absence of critical thinking there can be no common sense. The truth is hidden between the lines of social rants, bigotry and ignorance. In spite of the availability of all knowledge on the Internet, social platform algorithms box us...
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Miracle on 34th Street

December 20, 2022 Uncategorized 3 Comments
Episode #725 December 24, 2022 I am a sucker for some movies. “My Friend Flicka” always makes me cry. I cheer for Lassie when she is searching for Timmy. I was totally overcome the other day when I watched “Miracle on 34th Street.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOrnUquxtwA You probably know the plot of “Miracle on 34th Street.” A kind old bearded man, Kris Kringle, believes himself to be Santa Claus. His pet project is to spark imagination into the minds of Doris Walker and her daughter Susan. He feels that Christmas has become commercialized. Convincing the mother and daughter of his identity will...
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Ash Dive

December 13, 2022 Uncategorized 3 Comments
Episode #724 December 17, 2022 This last week skydivers performed three ash dives at the drop zone I frequent.      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH2w6Oxx0kQ An ash dive is where skydivers release the ashes of departed friends in free fall. I was privileged to be on one of these jumps so that I could make one last skydive with my friend. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-UNW0u2Jvs Ash dives, like funerals, are not for the dead. They are for the living. We share memories of our friends, meet relatives and friends outside our circle and celebrate a life. The three deaths were not skydiving accidents. They were from...
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