Brain functions

Found out that my nervous system works like a wadi. If I learn something new then the pathways for that knowledge are created and deepened depending on the time working with this topic. But if I stop using that knowledge then also the connections "dry out". But there are still there and if I reactivate them after some time it is very easy and fast to learn that knowledge again. So nothing is ever forgotten. Good to know :)

Mai-Sachme, "Wadi Shab in Oman"; Some rights reserved. Source: Wikimedia Commons 

Note to self (21)

Need to declare official war on pigeons. Cleaned the balcony last weekend (couldn't imagine it could look like this -.-) and coming back from work today I saw that they left some gifts for me...

Counterstrike measures:

• buy statue of raven
• buy water pistol
• buy netting

Note to self (19)

Interesting statement from a 57-year old lady that I overheard while having lunch:

"It's good to be old, because if you are not, it means that you are dead"

Very optimistic view of life, I like that :D

Note to self (18)

Don't eat chips in public. People could start to stare when they see how I always lick off the paprika spice...

Note to self (14)

Sometimes I feel like a butterfly, hopping from one interesting flower to another :)

Angelika Wolter, "Farbenprächtig"; Some rights reserved. Quelle: www.piqs.de 

Note to self (13)

Doesn't matter how high the IQ is, using mailing lists correctly is even too difficult for members of Mensa (not the first time happening actually).

Example:

Person 1 opens a topic (a bit off topic on that mailing list actually)

Person 2,3 and 4 respond (to all of course -.-): "Hey, I would be interested, too."

Persons 5+n discuss a bit (shame on me, at the beginning I just responded to Person 1, but when all were interested I responded to all, at least just one mail ...)

Person x asks to discuss in a different mailing list

Person x+1 keeps discussing

Person x+2 asks to discuss in a different mailing list

*popcorn*

Note to self (12)

Life is like a big candy shop and every possible experience are the candies. And I have a sweet tooth, I want to taste all of them :)

Note to self (10)

Need to bring lineal next time for checking.

Note to self (9)

Need to take bus when raining. Brakes that screech so badly that they can be heard in 5 km distance are so painful.

NikoDa, "Have-A-Break"; Some rights reserved. Quelle: www.piqs.de 

Note to self (8)

I get the funny idea that in some horror movies Pesto is used to imitate alien slime, puke or other disgusting stuff. At least you can be sure that nobody will taste from your food.

Note to self (7)

Just thought about buying a Kindle. But I would still hold a book in my hand meanwhile, just for the tactile sensation of flipping through the pages. Just when I am alone, though, because it drives other people crazy if I do that for hours :)

Sometimes...

This weekend there was a great demonstration against capitalism in Frankfurt (Main). I understand that the financial sector has great power and therefore needs to be regulated and watched. What I don't understand is how beating a policeman into coma helps solving the problem. It seems like kids thinking: This doesn't work, so I break it.

Well, maybe these people should think about improving or changing the system, but being just against something without a real solution has never led to anything.

Sometimes I wish I had a microphone that sounds directly into the heads of the people to make them understand that.

Note to self (6)

Disinfect hands after pressing elevator buttons. 

I have just seen a man that blew his nose into a handkerchief and pressed a button with it (of course the side he blew into...). There things you definitely don't want to know -.-'

Note to self (4)

File a complaint to God for assembling for body wrongly. Instead of giving me a right hand, I was given another left...

Trial and Error

Little things from the daily life can teach us a lot about ourselves.

First the not working bicycle tyre inflator. It was working actually, but you have to know that you have to pull out something from its magic hat (Picture 1) and then attach this "string" to where the air is coming out (Picture 2). Well, I remember having that thing in my hand one time and I thought I broke something and pushed it in again. Fortunately I didn't throw it away... But again that just shows me that I need to try the things and I am not good at intuitively seeing what is meant for what. Normally it's okay that way, because as I hate failure I just try and try and try :). But if I can't see the last step, it's no good. But the salesman in the bicycle store was nice enough to not smirk (or reveal his thoughts...) and just showed me.

Well, the other thing was the dynamo. There was breaking off (actually more like springing) the plastic part that is connected to the tyre. At first I didn't realise, but after 20 meters I was wondering why there was no light (in my defense: I also use battery-driven lights!) and saw that there was something missing. I remembered that plopping noise and drove back. Fortunately I found it and put it on again (irkh, black hands...). Moving the bike 3 centimeters and it fell off again. Great! 3 weeks old bike and it's falling apart. Well, I drove home that way without the dynamo lights and tried it at home... Well, again seeing is learning! The problem was that I drove the bike backwards and therefore that part sprung away.

Well, so actually all is fine, but again I see my deficite that I am more a trial-error-learner than just by thinking and intuitively knowing. I find that kind of reflexions important for oneself, because understanding oneself is the first step in understanding the others. Also it helps when working together with others and you get frustrated, because you can't follow the theoratical explanations of your counterpart. Just ask nicely to see the excel file, an example calculation or a presentation with an overview. 99% of the people will understand.

And knowing you best technique to learn can also help in your studies. If you need to understand and learn a complex mathematical model, just use excel and calculate some example, experiment, play. I found that for me the best way to get into these things.

And although I will still have my difficulties with technology every experience adds to my database of possible mistakes that I can avoid next time. That makes me feel like a rat in an experimental labyrinth though...

~ The difference between failure and success is doing a thing nearly right and doing it exactly right ~
(by Edward Simmons)

Note to self (3)

Try the bicycle tyre inflator before needing it!

Although, one could suppose that an air-pump delivered together with the new bike should fit onto the valve...

Edit: Problem solved - see here

Note to self (2)

§1 Part-baked baguettes are not meant to be prepared in the microwave.
§2 If you refuse to accept §1 do not try to eat the baguette as it is not properly baked.
§3 If you refuse to accept §2 do not go to the fitness center afterwards.
§4 If you refuse to accept §3 do not make sit-ups.
§5 If you refuse to accept §4 vomiting will be inevitable.

Thank god I stopped at §4...