Quick update on Life, the Universe and Everything, and notably a 'fuck-you' to Apple.
So after dropping my lovely Pixel Android phone once too often, I was forced to procure a new one but inpecunity got in the way. Thanks to the generosity of one of my friends (thanks, Will) I do have a rather lovely-looking Apple iPhone 11, yet I am unable to use THE PHONE THAT I OWN because I have to create an Apple ID. The process has been…troublesome, let us just say, and after two whole days of trying, I have finally ragequit. This lovely (and expensive!) phone will have to remain a paperweight until I stop seeing the message "Your account could not be created at this time". I can't send texts, install software or respond to incoming texts until that message goes away, and it's frustrating beyond belief. It isn't simply a case of being resentful of change, though there is an element of that, it's that the process is designed to lock people into a system that is not of any benefit to me. i do not desire an Apple account, I see no need for one, I deeply despise this whole bloody process; it's one reason I am using Linux rather than Windows on my lappy. I want freedom of choice on any system I own, and I long ago watched Microsoft going down the path that was leading to the same kind of walled garden as Apple.
For now I am limited to communicating by email, a situation that leaves me deeply unhappy; asynchronous communication is hard for me, as for many people. And I'm old and reluctant to change; I've grown accustomed to Signal Messenger and text messages] and it's long been my preferred means of communicating with the people in my life. Apple and my phone know someone has sent me a text; i know this because i get notifications but it won't let me read the damned messages. Infuriating. seriously, my killer applications for smartphone are maps and signal. Were it not for that I'd get me a dumb phone.
it will pass in time, i know that. but meantime, if I've not been in touch, that is the reason. if anyone knows of a way out of this bloody spiral, please let me know, but for now, enough. Update: after three days, i can now mak and receive calls. if you need to, ask for my number.
In other news, i have sadly been 'let go' at the farmers' market. The farm is struggling to stay above water financially, a consequence of the financial uncertainty hitting restaurant businesses and all the slowness means I'm not needed just now. I very much hope it's temporary; even buying groceries this week has only been possible through the kindness of friends. I long to work again; apart from the money I miss the social aspect of the market, miss the people in my village. They kept me going, sane for the years of Christine's cancer, and keep me sane during this period of anxiety and stress. i miss them.
Healthwise I'm pretty stable. I continue to recover from heart surgery. the scars have healed nicely and my chest is knit together again, though i still have issues with twisting and reaching as things still feel tight as my intercostal muscles recovery from the insult they had during open heart surgery. heart is still going, I'd say I'm at about 90% just now, after six months. it can only get better from here, right? Please light a candle for me, send out healing thoughts and prayers.
On E2 I've been busily writing, largely about computer-related things, and one coffee writeup, though i have ideas for another couple of coffee-related things. Watch this space. I'm also reading a lot of philosophy in an attempt to stay sane in a crazy world, but it's not enough. The way the carousel is spinning, i feel sick and want to get off. i need a hug if anyone has surplus to spare.
xclip -o | wc -w
603
ddate | cowsay -f tux
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/ Today is Prickle-Prickle, the 18th day \
\ of Confusion in the YOLD 3191 /
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