space | Piss and Moan

Space fatigue

Posted on March 15, 2021 by backuphill

Photo by Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas on Pexels.com

Space is not endless, at least not in the “out of this world” sense.

We humans like to collect stuff. Some of it is useful, some not so useful. Some of it is because of nostalgia, memories, sentimental value, or whatever and then sometimes it’s just because it’s cool. Whatever the reason we collect stuff, there is always a tipping point that each of us reaches.

“Where am I going to put this?”

Space, especially in a small-ish house, comes at a premium. There is only so much space. You can only rearrange it so many times before you just don’t have any options left. You can stuff it full (hoarders?) or you can try to maintain a balance, but for every single thing that comes into the house there has to be a space for it to go.

Why do we have a hard time letting go of things? What is it about an item that makes us keep them for whatever weird reason it is? Why do we even store things for other people (kids, relatives, friends) when we don’t have space for ourselves?

A tipping point has been reached here.

There can be no more things brought home without giving up ground on something that no longer has a useful purpose, or is used more than a couple times a year. There just can’t be more. It’s hard to say, “No,” to someone or even myself but there is this fatigue that becomes too great for trying to make things “work” or “fit.”

This space is either going to be the final frontier with manageable things, or it’s time to explore different worlds and expand this universe.

Rover

Posted on February 18, 2021 by backuphill

NASA has done it again. They have pulled off a scientific and technological feat that is astounding, really. I watched the thing unfold and the landing appears to have gone flawlessly, even though the actual testing of this event was theoretical and computer modeling.

That’s all pretty cool stuff. But it raises some questions for me.

The first one has to do with the way it is powered.

It isn’t solar this time. It’s basically a small nuclear reactor. So, if there is technology to use this kind of thing in space and if there is technology to use something even bigger on our military naval vessels, why aren’t we using this technology to power our homes? Our schools? Our hospitals, stadiums, cities, our cars, etc? Why not? Wouldn’t it be better than the options we have now?

The second question comes back to the “search for life.”

Proof of life only has to be a single cell microbe of something. It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as they can define it as “living.” Of course it would be hailed as an incredible scientific discovery and lauded for all time. It will raise other questions too.

What gets me on this one is that a small single cell microbe will declared as “living” but a human embryos and fetuses are still seen as “not living.” Human, multicellular organisms on earth aren’t considered life by a bunch of people up here on this ball of dirt, thus they don’t see any problem with destroying that life. How wrong and misguided is that? It astounds me.

Anyway, a robot on another planet (again) is pretty cool. I am sure it will help answer some questions, but not all of them.

Word up

Posted on January 11, 2021 by backuphill

I didn’t know this word existed and I actually thought maybe I was making it up, until I Googled it. So much for being original…

Manctuary.

What is that? Well, it is basically another way to discribe a “man cave.” Urban Dictionary had a good definition, of course, but I think it really goes beyond the man cave.

I guess I see a man cave as something a bit less sophisticated and more about being loud and using tools and working on some sort of automobile. I know that isn’t probably the best description or working idea, but that is how I see it in my head. I see it more of a cross between an auto-shop and a bar, which I am sure is appealing to a lot of guys. But not me.

I see a manctuary as something a little more on the “den” (3) or “study” (3) side.

I don’t think a manctuary has to all high brow (high-back leather chairs, smoking jackets, monocles, etc.) but I think it can include some class. It should be, however, a place a man can go for some solitude. Space. A place to enjoy time away from others, pursuing things he enjoys, highlighting his collection of things he is proud of, and the like.

All this to say, I need a manctuary. No, I desire a manctuary.

Whatever the case, I want a space to call my own. Sure, the garage is a place of refuge to some degree. But my garage is more a place of storage than a place to hang out. It isn’t a place I seek to go, other than when I really need a place to get away. It isn’t built for comfort or cozy. It doesn’t have all the amenities of a manctuary. It doesn’t say “this is my space” like a manctuary would.

Am I being selfish? Do I really NEED a place such as this? Do guys REALLY need this kind of space?

What do you think? Any of my readers out there have anything like what I am describing, man cave or manctuary? How did you make it happen? Did you regret it once you had it?

Dust much?

Posted on November 7, 2018 by backuphill

Photo by Sebastian Voortman on Pexels.com

Who the hell is supposed to dust around here?

Anyone else have this problem? You know, the one where you wake up one day and there seems to be a layer of dust on everything?

At work, there is a cleaning crew and I would assume they are supposed to dust, but apparently not. I can understand not dusting the inner portions of shelving and whatnot, I don’t expect that every nook and cranny be dusted. But do you think you could maybe run a cloth across the top of the book shelf once in a while? I mean, serious, it doesn’t have anything on top of it!

Seriously folks, there is enough dust on top of the shelf to qualify as an indoor, organic planter.

I’ll take care of my home, but I don’t expect to have to do it at work too.