unexpected – Page 4 – GAME, WORK, GAME, EAT, SLEEP, GAME

December 31, 2018January 4, 2019

7 Days offline

I observed the ultimate demonstration of digital dependence as an amazingly high number of end users gripped tightly to their mobile device despite high latency expensive satellite internet or no connection at all.

80% of their Apps probably failed but the camera functions still made it feasible to carry their digital brick to beaches, waterfalls, swimming pools, to the dinner table or watching an iguana.

Being off-the-grid is only enjoyable if you actually expect and plan for it. Even basic tasks like typing a letter suddenly become a big deal if you rely on cloud solutions.

Observed behaviour

Feeling dumber without a search engine
Frustration with limited access to your data
Feeling alone without access to voice services
Panicky feelings without access to banking

December 17, 2018December 18, 2018

/cryptic

It’s been a couple of months since checking on my OMNI mining account and oh no, their SSL certificate is invalid.

If a Crypto company cannot deal with a simple Secure sockets layer (SSL) certificate for their own website then it’s time to worry.

I contacted my sponsor….too be continue.

….turns out the provider just set up a new domain, lawd knows why but it’s up and running. My crypto mining balance is still crap though.

November 30, 2018

Easy to buy, hard to ditch (30 min+ wait time)

Strategically, providers make it inconvenient to leave their service. I was on hold for over 30 mins to my current provider to get a Porting Authorization Code (PAC). Naturally, this triggers feelings of anxiety and annoyance.

Similarities to being trapped in a marriage even when the emotional bond is broken, the legal side is like a gun to the head.

Even if relationships had a “do not enter” sign we would still dive headlong into Love oblivious of the dangers we are putting ourselves in.

October 27, 2018October 27, 2018

Hamilton Level [Completed]

I literally ignored the Broadway play, Hamilton, when it hit London 19 months ago.

I had a clue about what this Hip Hop Opera would be like and the blend of US History into a Rap musical with its reputation of selling out at £100 a ticket every night was very intriguing.

Could it really be that good?

Best Birthday present EVER

From the opening curtain, I was captivated by the songs, the set, the laughs, the costumes, the romantic bits and the tragedy. By the 46^th song, my hands were swollen from clapping so hard. Sheer musical genius and a brilliant London Theatre night out. The USA history sent me back to my times living in Washington DC, I honestly didn’t see myself being back in Europe but it just wasn’t meant to be. If you can’t make it in DC during the Obama Years then it’s time just to be a tourist.

Completing Hamilton in Co-op mode was a high-end pleasure so now I treat myself by re-living the night with the soundtrack. At the same time, I solo killed my final Hunter for The Division Phoenix Shield. Took multiple 1-hour attempts and then I finally cornered the bastard thanks to the Global Event modifier and a crafted Custom M44 rifle with a 12x scope.

October 23, 2018October 23, 2018

Layer 1: Pings of Death

A simple issue, run down to the local electrical or gadget store and pick up a USB-C to lightning cable or 3ft Ethernet cable. 48 hours later I still can’t find a retail outlet that actually sells these things or have stock. Amongst the numerous mobile phone stores, there are very few outlets that sell critical cables, of course, I could have ordered it online and or visited one of the large superstores.

I really miss great stores like RadioShack and Tandy in the US and the UK’s Maplin who ceased trading this year. Moreover, I miss the knowledgeable staff and geek advisors, nowadays independent stores have little or no stock outside the standard USB cable and are pretty clueless about technology.

Who sent the Ping of Death to local gadget stores?… Was it not profitable? Were the staff overheads too high? Was the turnover too slow?….and what will replace them? The need is still there and grows constantly as we ponder a thousand questions when things go wrong.

..but Dr Google will probably know the answer, whoops I can’t get Google to load…..help me, somebody.

Hidden cables…only available online nowadays

May 22, 2018May 22, 2018

Walk in the Park

Game release timing is always critical. I’m very picky with when I buy a title as the marketing hype from AAA studios is often a punch in the face. Indie titles are a bit more honest but often lack the wow factor. Funny thing is that I’m really enjoying indie title HellBlade.

I sidestepped the travesty of No Man’s Sky but still curious and would probably buy the full game for $20 or so but definitely not for the current $60. I added two low commitment titles that were not on my buy list but pleasantly interesting with a tempting price drop to $5 from $20, Firewatch and Inside.

Mafia III (released July 2016) is also down to $16 from $40 but the timing is not right and the drop indicates a possible freebie later this year for PS4 Plus members as they try to boost sales.