Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

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RTotD: Once A LEGO Fan, Always A LEGO Fan

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On January 15, 2019

In General Cogitation, Random Cogitations

Lego has a very humble origin story. They began with a carpenter in Denmark in 1932; The Lego Group formed in 1934 and they have been producing the iconic interlocking bricks since 1949. Of course that was long before I was born. Regardless, Lego is a timeless toy that is spanning generations. I grew up on Lego and now my kids are growing up on Lego. The funny thing is, even as an adult I still collect Lego sets. I have many friends that still collect Lego sets. So once you’re a Lego fan, you’re always a Lego fan.

Obviously as an adult in his late 30’s, I’m not constructing Lego sets for the purpose of post-construction entertainment. The sets I collect are mostly Star Wars themed and they sit on a shelf for display. The task of assembling is a perfect way to relieve stress and collect my thoughts. It has also become something I do with my daughter on the weekends.

Lego is clearly something you never outgrow; even as you age you just learn to appreciate them differently. There has to be a study out there that proves building Lego sets has some kind of positive cognitive impact. If there isn’t one, then someone should start one. When “adulting” has you in a death spiral, I’m glad Lego is there to straighten you out.

The things that go through my mind when I’m alone with nothing but my thoughts for entertainment is dangerous. Some might even say eccentric. Consider this your warning about today’s Random Thought of the Day

 

RTotD: Sage Fatherly Advice

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On February 13, 2018

In Random Cogitations

During my recent run, I was really pushing myself mentally to keep from slowing to a walk. I read about several running tricks to help push through that urge to slow down. Pump your arms more, pick landmarks to reach, occupy your mind and focus less on the distance. It was thinking about distance that made me think of some advice my dad once gave me a long time ago. I was your typical blue-collar youth, meaning yard work was a regular chore. I remember one particular day I was raking the back yard. The task felt daunting. I would randomly stop and stare at how much of the yard remained. Apparently my dad noticed this so, being a seasoned landscaper, he came out and gave me some advice. He said:

Stop focusing on how much you still have left to do. Only focus on what you’re doing now and it will go a lot faster.

He was right, as parents usually are, and that advice stuck with me. It’s sage advice for anything you are doing in life and another trick I use when I’m pushing myself to make it “just one more block” before slowing down.

The things that go through my mind when I’m alone with nothing but my thoughts for entertainment is dangerous. Some might even say eccentric. Consider this your warning about today’s Random Thought of the Day

 

RTotD: I’m Always Writing Code (In My Head)

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On September 14, 2017

In Random Cogitations

Today’s Random thought is probably more pertinent to a specific group of people. Particularly to those who work in IT related fields. I call it a curse of professionalism that we can never turn our brains off. In my case, and it’s possibly true for others, I solve many a coding conundrums when I’m not sitting at the computer. I often have moments of clarity while out on a jog (which is the most recent of my epiphanies); I even solve problems while walking back to my car just after leaving work.

Our subconscious solves problems because our minds are distracted or when we are feeling relaxed. Apparently it’s called “incubating the problem” and it’s because our subconscious continues to solve problems long after we stop working on it. Of course the most annoying thing is that I am rarely near a computer when I solve the problem. It then becomes an exercise in memory retention. This also often happens to me when I’m in a completely unrelated conversation. I have been known to stop mid-sentence with a light bulb above my head. I think, probably the most unusual place this happens to me is while I am taking a shower.

How often does this happen to you? Where is the most unusual place it’s happened to you?

The things that go through my mind when I’m alone with nothing but my thoughts for entertainment is dangerous. Some might even say eccentric. Consider this your warning about today’s Random Thought of the Day

 

RTotD: There’s A Stranger In My Pool

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On June 19, 2017

In Random Cogitations

So I was out for a jog on a rather warm day; therefore I’m alone with my thoughts, again. We all know that no good can come from that. I am drenched in sweat after 3 miles when its 85 degrees and humid. On the final leg of my run through my neighborhood I think to myself “a jump in a pool right now would feel amazing!”. Then I begin to wonder …

Imagine you are just sitting in your house, facing your backyard with a sparkling swimming pool. Perhaps you are watching TV or just enjoying a book when you notice this sweaty guy walk into your backyard and just fall into your pool like a shot stormtrooper. It would be an interesting story to tell at the next holiday gathering. Or it would be a great story to tell how you met if both of you were single. Honestly, I don’t know what I would do. I would probably go out and see if the person were all right (and to make sure they’re not dead). I watch way too many crime dramas and would not want some poor shooting victim or some poisoned sod falling dead into my pool.

What would you do, if that neighbor were you?

The things that go through my mind when I’m alone with nothing but my thoughts for entertainment is dangerous. Some might even say eccentric. Consider this your warning about today’s Random Thought of the Day

 

Stuck with Proverbial Writer’s Block, Again!

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On February 20, 2017

In General Cogitation

Proverbial Writer's BlockThe recent pace at which I have been publishing new blog posts is appallingly slower. Ideas and “other cortical experiences” are evading my consciousness. I am stuck with the proverbial writer’s block! I will admit that certain events, IRL, have been taking more of my attention. When you are trying to sustain a family, those events take immediate priority. I will not talk about politics so anything that is considered a “political hot topic” or “current event” will never be a subject I will write about. My views do not necessarily align with others. I prefer my readers find this site a sanctuary from political pontificating and mudslinging.

The obvious lack of frequent posts is not the product of laziness. I simply haven’t been able to find something that warrants a post. It’s very unfortunate when I experience these mental blocks because writing is a very helpful cognitive exercise. It really helps me to organize my thoughts and vent my frustrations (just look up any post in the “fulmination” category). Organizing my thoughts helps to draw more logical conclusions, therefore improving problem solving; a skill very valuable to my job.

A Strategy to Overcome Writer’s Block?

How does one overcome writer’s block?? I am trying to think back to when I have had to overcome writer’s block in the past. Perhaps now is the time to start researching ways to improve my blog posts. While I do enjoy writing about the books that I have read, I don’t think I am very good at it. Maybe I will start researching tips and suggestions for writing better book reviews. I really don’t feel like I am providing the authors or their books any justice. It’s time to start channeling those 20-year-old Honors English classes so that I can provide an honest and comprehensive review.

Another theory I have to combat the proverbial writer’s block is to review my existing posts. Perhaps there are some posts that require a follow-up or I can start writing more posts in a specific category. There is always the potential for creating new categories, essentially expanding the scope of topics (while continuing to refrain from politics). I may try to rekindle some old post categories, for example I haven’t written an MMO Times post in nearly a year. I thought I was providing an update for other gamer friends and it turns out it was helping me keep up with gaming news.

If there is anyone out there that is reading this perhaps take a moment and answer one or more of these questions (in the comments):

  • What do you do to overcome writer’s block?
  • In which category would you like me to write more posts?
  • Do you have any suggestions for a new category of posts?

/cheers

minions_icon

I could accomplish so much more if I only had minions!

 

For the Love of Writing

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On August 26, 2015

In General Cogitation

Minion-reading-iconI don’t know how to describe what it is about writing that I enjoy – I can’t seem to find the words (hah!). There is something elusive and cathartic about putting “pen to paper” (err.. “text to screen”?) I’ve sometimes wondered if there is a career out there that would allow me to just write, besides writing a book. I don’t have the imagination to write a book. I doubt I can be creative enough to keep a reader’s attention for 300+ pages (although I seemed to have a knack for creative writing back in Honors English in high school). If I had the literary and mental capacity to constantly be writing, I would. I just don’t have enough complete thoughts in my head to do that. Also, I know I make way to many grammar errors.

I think that is why I enjoy this blog so much. It allows me to filter out my thoughts into (hopefully) cohesive posts. I think I have read somewhere that sometimes simply writing essentially helps organize your brain. It’s a form of cortical defragmenting. They also say that if you are an aspiring writer that you should write for an hour at least once a day, it doesn’t matter what you write about, just as long as you write something. It will help to organize your thoughts and hone your skills. As I said before, I’m not really “book writing material” but the exercise has helped me on a daily basis to problem solve and write more robust code.

There was a time when I considered applying for a blog writer position with Massively (back before AOL pulled the rug out from under them and who is now Massively Overpowered). They were looking for a Star Wars columnist to blog about everything Star Wars and Star Wars MMO games. This was clearly something that seemed right up my alley considering how much of a Star Wars nerd I am and how much I enjoy playing MMOs. I almost wrote a sample to submit but talked myself out of it because I felt there are far more gifted writers out there that deserved less competition (not that I would have been any competition at all). I think Larry Everett does a fantastic job with the Hyperspace Beacon column so I’m glad he’s doing it and not me.

Maybe one day, if/when I get out of programming, I may find some way of monetizing my thoughts and words. Until then blogging will be my outlet and everything geek and gaming will be my muse. Thanks for reading.

/cheers

minion_keboard_smI could get so much more accomplished if I only had minions!

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