Blog

Short blog posts, journal entries, and random thoughts. Topics include a mix of personal and the world at large. 

A waste of money

Some would think it perverse the second inauguration of President Trump is the same day as the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. I would think it’s a shame because people now have to follow the inauguration ceremonies while not at work. If you’re going to hate watch (or love watch) something, you might as well get paid for it, right? It sure was a wild time at work four years ago watching the January 6th riots.

But since it’s a holiday, I’ve no desire to watch the Presidential inauguration - no matter who it is. Unlike a monarchial coronation, the swearing in of new American President happens every four years (until Trump ends that practice, certain folks on the hard Left would say). It’s difficult for me to pay attention when the occurrence is not uncommon. I certainly cannot imagine myself spending thousands of dollars to fly to Washington D.C. - to attend an inauguration (in typically freezing January weather). I sure as hell hope I never develop that degree of parasocial relationship with anybody.

(I’m a fan of Taylor Swift’s music, but never fanatical to point of dropping thousands on overpriced concert tickets.)

Parasocial relationships can indeed be quite lucrative. Taylor Swift actively cultivates a special connection with her fans. Twitch streamers rely on directly interacting with people on chat. Legions of young and attractive women earn a living on OnlyFans by dangling a tantalizing false promise to lonely men. When your favorite Youtuber gets (verbally) attacked, their fans are at the ready with the pitchforks; their messiah can do no wrong.

The position you want to be on that equation is the creator side, the person offering the value. The consumer side is only going to be separating with their money. Like the people who flew to D.C. for President Trump’s inauguration, only to find that it’s changed to indoors due to weather (therefore, not open to the public). There’s no refunds on plane tickets and hotel bookings!

Aston Martin music.

MLK 2021

Happy MLK day! For those of us in education, MLK day marks the unofficial beginning of the Spring semester. Of course, this year is unlike any other year. We’ve been living in a Groundhog Day-like simulation since the start of the pandemic (Difficult to believe we are only two months away from the one year anniversary of that). The turn of the semesters hasn’t really changed how we work, especially those that don’t have to physically go to campus. Every day is the same, and so is the work.

It won’t be normal until a sizable amount of people are vaccinated. I sure hope the incoming Biden administration does a far better job at distribution. Though the departing Trump administration have set a very low bar. I think the aim should be this: to be able to properly reopen by the Summer months.

In the meantime I’m obviously not going anywhere. Even on such a nice weekend when it is unseasonably warm and dry. It’s relatively safe to be outside and in the sun, right? I saw lots of cars parked alongside the roads near the Pacific Ocean, so lots of people have the same idea. The new mutant strain of COVID is giving me pause, however. Best to stay home until I myself get the vaccine needle.

As I said last week, my best fried caught the coronavirus, and is struggling mightily with the many symptoms. Thankfully, it’s not bad enough for an ICU trip, but it’s not any version of what you would call fun. He hasn’t even got the energy to watch the football games yesterday, which is quite severe for a rabid sports fan like him. Again, it could be worse, but it’s going to be a struggle until the symptoms pass. It’s been a solid two weeks already.

Suffice it to say, I’m not taking any undue risks until vaccination.

It’s just another day of sun.

The Ohana Floor

Yesterday was Martin Luther King Day, and as a public employee, I was lucky to have the day off. Not so fortunate is one of my friend who works in the private sector: she definitely did not get a three-day weekend. It was just as well, because that friend happens to work at Salesforce, and through her I can gain access to the observation deck - 61st floor - of the shiny new Salesforce Tower. The free Monday yesterday was the perfect opportunity to finally make the visit since the tower opened for business, because a bunch of us had the day-off, and she didn’t.

Honestly, I was surprised the observation deck of the tallest building in San Francisco is not open to the general public. The gleaming towers in other cities usually offer a chance - often times for a fee - for the public to go high up and see the respective city from a totally contrasting perspective. Most famous of towers has to be the Empire State Building in New York City. I guess Salesforce can’t be bothered to take the public’s cash: it’s too busy raking in the money from its “day job”. Besides, having the masses of people queuing to go up would interfere with the coming and goings of actual employees.

Therefore, to have the privilege to go up to the 61st floor - “The Ohana Floor” - one must know a Salesforce employee. And I’m really happy that I do, because the views up there at the highest point in San Francisco is expectedly spectacular, truly a perspective you cannot get anywhere else. On a day when Karl the Fog takes a break from blanketing the city, you can see as far as the Golden Gate Bridge and the western end. To have such a view to enjoy while slowly eating our lunch was an absolute highlight of yesterday. There’s also coffee and tea on offer; gratis, of course.

I have to say it’s somewhat of a shame that not everyone can have the experience of going up to the top of Salesforce Tower. A private company can do what it wants, obviously, so find yourself a friend who works there. Preferably someone who can defer about four hours of work on a Monday to hang out. Thank you, Hannah!

I’m very high.