Skills Acquisition

Know or Use Cramming more information into someone’s head does not help them communicate with another human beings later on down the track. Adults usually have a huge passive wealth of knowledge not just about L2 (the second language, in this case English), but also about L1 (one’s primary language). So, what is the purposeContinue reading “Skills Acquisition”

Love Story

Silence of Contempt In many ways, Japan is an exquisite example of how an economy goes up and comes down. There are many who may believe that capitalism and consumerism present the only way forward, yet despite the many brilliant and amazing advances generated by competitiveness, there’s never a free lunch. The production and transportContinue reading “Love Story”

Energy Use Reduction

Over the past few weeks, I’ve watched a few more updating videos about how we are responding to climate change and CO2 production. Sadly, it seems the richest and wealthiest are not actually reducing either, but are actually continuing to increase both. I made a few decisions since then to further reduce my energy consumption:Continue reading “Energy Use Reduction”

Sunday Update 2

’Twas a clear breeze which came with the glowing light of dawnAnd the gulls’ calls brought a rising hopeThe crew slowly began wakingTo assess the damage. Rigging had been rent,And sails tornYet my masts still stand strongAnd my prow still holds tight. ‘Ahoy! Land ahoy!’Cries rise from them allRiding over cresting waveWe glimpse the horizon’sContinue reading “Sunday Update 2”

What I Hate About MBP

Very little, actually. I would much prefer a Retina Display on my Macbook Pro, but this 2011 model covers all of my non-gaming, every day needs. If you have an old Mac which is a little slow, simply put in an SSD. Check out ifixit.com to check your specific Mac model and how easy orContinue reading “What I Hate About MBP”

Sunday Update 1

‘Twas a dark and stormy nightFog and sleet infesting the atmosphereSails tearing from the riggingAnd mutineers lurking in the hull. Battered by these insalubrious ethersWeakened by these vindictive soulsI forge forwardOver towering crest and yawning trough. My treasures safe in the holdMy bow impregnableAnd though my deck be treacherous with iceMy rudder steers us true.Continue reading “Sunday Update 1”

Emergence

I close my eyes and the people vanish. The train continues to rumble and clatter, the crossings sounding as we pass roads. The wheels make the same comforting rhythm despite being on seamless tracks. The perfectly modulated voice continues to warn of doors opening and closing, and to give the stops along the route.  IsContinue reading “Emergence”

Ipac Mro Zagic…?

Err, iPad Pro with Zagg Keyboard and Apple Magic Trackpad 2 Using a 2011 MacBook Pro and a 2015 12.9 iPad Pro side-by-side really highlights just how far the iPad has failed to come, and what ‘usage scenario’ means. Over the past forty years, the way we interact with computers has changed very little, andContinue reading “Ipac Mro Zagic…?”