I Used To

 I kept a journal at several times in my life. It was encouraged when I was young. And when I was serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I kept a journal during my stay in the psych ward and for a few months after. I haven't kept a journal in some time, now, but I think about it.

Saturday, I put up lights on our house for Christmas and set up the artificial tree we use. I put lights on that, too. It took me a couple of tries on the outdoor lights. We have a bunch of strings of lights, and they don't all match. I checked a few strings, and found they didn't work. I threw them out. Then I put up strings, starting by the front door, where the outdoor outlet is. But I noticed the lights on one side were not the same color as the lights on the other side. Both just plain lights, not colored lights, but one was more white and the other more yellow. One also had three bulbs at each spot and the other just one. So I searched out another string that matched the one-bulb set because I couldn't find any more three-bulb strings. That was a few trips up and down the ladder.

Now it feels warm and cozy in the house, with Christmas lights up. I haven't actually looked at the lights from outside. I fear they may be a bit underwhelming.

There is value in keeping records, including journals and such. It's just that I enjoy other things in my life currently and I don't want to distract from those things. I'm reading at least three books, and have a list of others I'd like to read. I have a project from a gift I received a year or two ago that I have barely started. And I watch TV with Liz and Sharon each evening. I could journal during the evening. TV is easier.

The algorithms haven't challenged me lately. Or maybe ever. I still see no sign of cleverness or plan or intelligence in ads and other offerings related to the algorithms. If I keep a journal, that may be adding to the body of data and information the algorithms use, but until they learn, if that is possible, to use such information to improve themselves or at least their performance, I see no reason to fear or even acknowledge them.

But maybe I'll write a bit more to keep a record of reality from my point of view. I may want to revisit that someday.