| Demesne of a brain's contents (Whatever they may be.) |
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| Ah... |
[26 May 2012|01:31pm] |
N) 'Four', if remembered correctly, is more or less the maximum number of objects that can be recognised at a glance. There may also be significance in grouping of other entities.
In a five-person group, each person only has to contemplate four others. To put it another way, each person can be fully occupied contemplating five others.
A three-person group may automatically try to expand to meet the emptiness felt by its members--the feeling that one is capable of, but isn't, interacting with two more entities.
...and then seven is too many to keep track of simultaneously... and eight, for some reason, really easily deadlocks (because there are so many ways to split it evenly?).
---
Now curious about the eight-entity concept. How many ways can one in fact split it?
Start with the assumption that a certain person is on one side. It then becomes 7*6*5, 210. 210 different ways that the group can become equally divided for 8 people, compared to just 3 ways for 4 people. ...hmm, and 20 ways for 6 people. Is a 6 person group 6-7 times more likely than a 4 person group to become split? (Is an 8 person group 10.5 more likely to become split than a 6 person group, and 63-73.5 more likely than a 4 person group?)
If it were that simple, then a 10-person group would be even worse. Probably something else involved... hrmm. Interesting.
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| Hmm. |
[22 May 2012|04:12pm] |
N) For the first time in our memory, bird guano has fallen on us. It may even have been from a crow.
In retrospect, compared to the normal mental image, it was relatively spectacular (in means, not visually). We were waiting at a pedestrian crossing and then experienced the familiar experience of a gutter or overhang suddenly releasing a moderate scattering of water all at once.
First oddness: It hadn't rained for a long time.
Second oddness: We were, upon looking, in fact quite far from the building corner.
Third oddness: Upon looking at the ground, the ground was not mildly soaked with water, and instead the only liquidish bits were several patches of bird guano.
At this point we went to the nearest public restroom and wiped off the two (only two!) instances which had fallen on our cardigan and hair respectively. Checking afterwards, this turns out to have been the exact correct thing to do (compared to waiting for it to dry).
We have now washed our hair, and the cardigan will be washed in the next few days.
*contemplates crows' omnivorous diet*
Unrelated: Bank experiments are ongoing and we must wake at an earlyish time tomorrow for the sake of a certain thing.
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| Un. |
[20 May 2012|11:35pm] |
N) If in 2D one circle is surrounded by six circles for a total of seven, then in 3D one sphere is surrounded by 14 spheres for a total of 15.
From one perspective, a horizontal six and two diagonal sixes with the end-points shared.
From another, two sixes and two capping end points.
In any case, take the one-surrounded-by-six pattern and stick a square of four above and below.
This might be wrong, but seems sound.
And it would probably have been quicker to look this up directly, but just woken up and somehow feels easier to just think it through groggily. --and then, once woken up, just write it down and do something else.
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| Morality is subjective, not inherent... |
[19 May 2012|06:48am] |
N) Result of copulating with a species which never sees its offspring after they're born: "Even though your offspring were born completely correctly and with no problems, you feel intense pain/sadness/depression at not being with them afterwards? Mammals are so strange."
...not that such copulation would be productive in reality, granted...
Worth remembering that the basics of morality that people feel strongest about are often chemical programming that represents a default behaviour-modification program rather than an underlying moral truth of the universe (of which there are none).
As an incidental general note, it is bitterly amusing to witness instances (real as well as fictional) when a person operating solely on emotion for morality 'gives up' on someone who backs up all conclusions with solid reasons.
"It's impossible to talk with this person who gives good reasons for these unacceptable conclusions." Isn't that just because you can't give good reasons for your own and just don't want to recognise your own wrongness..?
*sigh* *yawn*
People who take their own rightness as a given without even seeming to be aware of the possibility of self-doubt can be very, very irritating. Rather than being hurt by them, shall we try to pity them instead? Hmm.
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| The financial situation is secure. |
[16 May 2012|06:36am] |
B) Everything is being recorded and has been allocated with buffers in place.
In-wallet week's-worth backup. In-account month's-worth backup. Another week's-worth in a different account for minor allocation adjustments, and a larger pool to draw on in a different bank entirely. A building society, actually.
Meanwhile, the initialisation of a Japanese bank account is taking longer than suspected, but once it opens there will be two weeks' worth in there which was the initial deposit, as well as the possibility of a more favourable exchange rate--one way or another--which would allow recalculation and more room to breathe.
*flitting visualisation of oxygen-breathing fish*
The amount for each week is known and will be obtained at the start of that week. Frugality will allow local measurable increases while the opposite will impose only local consequences.
N) ...two days without dessert, say... not so bad maybe if thought of in a similar context to that Horizon character who sacrificed dessert for power?
M) I'd rather sacrifice the meat portion for power. *dry* But yes--even assuming constant efforts towards frugality, it means a lot to be able to see the full magnitude in either direction of spending choices. Thank you, B.
Edit: N) --and the bank card we were waiting for just arrived. *relieved manic laughter*
B) *pleased*
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| Hoh... |
[15 May 2012|06:51am] |
N) ...connection between Date Masamune and Sendai...
Worth keeping in mind if we ever move south from the largest city in the Hokkaidou region to the largest city in the Touhoku region.
Speaking of which, worth a slight comparison. ...Sendai significantly smaller, as well as somewhat behind subway-wise though scheduled to catch up. Not of great interest, then, combining the presumably-greater heat with the smaller location.
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| Hmm. |
[15 May 2012|05:55am] |
N) At the moment, breakfast and lunch are tasty meals which we have because we know we will regret it later if we don't.
This is definitely preferable to the alternative, specifically the most horrific one of missing breakfast and being so crazed with hunger when it comes time for lunch that we buy far more than we can in fact eat in one sitting.
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| Hmm. |
[14 May 2012|01:11pm] |
N) To a certain extent, it may be ineffective to seek someone out and try to talk with that person solely for the sake of talking with that person and forming a bond.
More relevantly, it may be ineffective to do things with people solely for the sake of forming a bond through doing those things.
More effective presumably is to do things with others that one enjoys doing, and ideally would still do even if alone.
Bonds can then be formed alongside that, with mutual enjoyment infectious and supporting.
This is a point which tends to be left out of the description of 'do things with people' which treats such solely as a means to an end while leaving out the important aspects.
Without inherent enjoyment of the activity to focus on and be boosted by, interaction-for-the-sake-of-interaction can become awkward and forced. Doom.
Presumably 'Places not visited before' are good, but 'Events' are also particularly appropriate due to their rareness and thus near-inherent interestingness. --This is an interesting possible argument for why not to have a festival atmosphere constantly. (Not that the matter is decided.)
For other times, 'normal enjoyable activities' are presumably sufficient... hmm.
A little tricky when most things one willingly does are solitary activities. Hrmm.
Amusing to call the things we do 'solitary activities', but in terms of logistics and involvement of yet others that's effectively what they are. Hrm.
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| Ahh. |
[14 May 2012|11:52am] |
N) When came back from the last meal of the day, turned gown inside-out and then wore it.
The same area as the last time this circumstance took place (without turning it inside-out) is similarly cold. From this I learn this sensation with this timing to be (at least greatly) due to evaporation and not wetness.
That or somehow both sides have become sodden, but that's... *touches* --eh? I /thought/ it was implausible, but...
....
...we definitely need to get a while-drying gown...
*adjusts position*
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| *joy* |
[14 May 2012|06:42am] |
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N) Several wonderful things have happened. We are incredibly happy right now.
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| ...That's a point. |
[13 May 2012|09:26am] |
N) Review advised regarding impression tied hair gives when the part below the tie is at least twice as long as the part above the tie.
For simplicity (?), let's treat 'the part above the tie' as equally 'the vertical distance from the tie to the top of the head'.
This could change certain things. Not only visual impression, but also logistical convenience. Hmm.
In other news, today was a wonderful day!
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| Recognition as 'same'. |
[12 May 2012|06:55pm] |
M) That's what it comes down to. It's accurate, but misleading, to speak of humans recognising other existences as human.
In war, different tribes cast each other as alien... the significant difference there is that each has an internal society with its own 'normality', though the same normality-sustaining tendency to decry all outsiders to be inhuman remains.
Humans are able to recognise those like them as human, and can be unable to recognise those unlike them as human, even if they're actually human in all major senses of the word.
...uncanny valley... that 'recognition as non-human' for something which at first glance sees human (since it in fact is...) resonates more disturbingly and noticeably--
who's writing this? Irritating. Well, the continuation first.
--resonates more disturbingly and noticeably than the everyday recognition of humans as humans or the recognition of clearly non-humans as non-humans.
The phenomenon consists of a mistake, but that probably-unfortunate phenomenon is real.
So.
People exclude that which they do not know. Those that humans call gods, or youkai... tales as stories or from unusual experiences...
Live by and in the group, live by preventing contact with that which is outside the group. Learn to treat those outside as significant things, to fear and revere and treat with respect or exterminate but never to take lightly, never to become _familiar_ with, kami or yashin just a matter of appeal or seal...
In Sherlock Holmes stories, it's natural that one empathises with Sherlock and aspires to be like him in that role, rather than identifying with Watson who has to have everything explained. For those who like old action movies, who would want to be the mentally-challenged throwaway sidekick rather than be Bond?
In stories about humans and non-humans, the non-humans are often the most natural to identify with. Wasurenagumo is a rare example of a strongly pleasant ending in this regard.
Things that humans are not meant to wot of. Non-humans. The line separating day and night.
Mentally speaking, it's been clear for a long time on which side I stand.
Not, let it be said, that that means I presently have the power to unite all outsiders under my rule instead of being eaten by them. This is a disadvantage of lacking 'normality': the 'safety' of it goes down, which means it is advantageous to stay below the radar and be overlooked.
When people pay attention to you, they notice quickly that something's wrong even if they have no idea what or how they're noticing. First, though, they have to pay attention. People can be wonderfully conveniently apathetic. In the first place, to pay attention to whether you're human or not, on some level they have to care...
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| Ah. |
[12 May 2012|12:25pm] |
N) All the appropriate experience for twisting a spoon into a cake at the precise angle for greatest penetration does not help when you're holding the convex/concave sides backwards.
(Well, perhaps it might help a little in terms of handle grip...)
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| Hmm. |
[12 May 2012|06:21am] |
N) Just realised that the sleeve which is a little concerning when this dressing gown is turned inside-out is in fact on the opposite side when worn normallly. Hrm.
Relatedly, there's the (more or less) normal amount of euphoria that comes from a fairly-thorough body- and hair-cleaning. The hair, as predictable, takes up the greatest time and attention and store-bought substances, which is amusing or perhaps fitting given that it's the non-ambulatory part of the process.
...yes, ambulatory hair would be awesome. At the very least, imagine being able to apply conditioner and then in the space of a few seconds undo all knots simultaneously (and straighten)... alternatively, being able to automatically prevent knots as they start to form would also be very good. Perhaps if one could do so near-reflexively, to the same extent that fingers, feet, lungs et cetera aren't thought about while they're controlled. Hmmm.
This prompts thoughts about other things which, if they were incorporated into a person's constant daily activities, would become practically automatic... rather, the process itself. Not necessarily very useful, but interesting to think about subjectively-speaking.
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| Hah-hah-hah. |
[10 May 2012|12:39pm] |
M) I find myself charmed by the moment in which the opponent switchs from trying to overcome one to trying to get away from one.
The prey, giving up on defeating the spider, finds itself unable to even extricate itself from the web... and the emotions which swiftly follow...
This line of thought was prompted by watching a cake eaten with chopsticks. The chopsticks were gotten free without disaster (though it falling off an edge was narrowly avoided, and would have displeased me had it occurred) in the end, though.
In any case--hm.
When the other is an opponent, the failure to get free must also be delicious. However, in this instance, I was charmed by the 'switch' alone: that tactic change of giving up on the original objective and switching to trying to just successfully retreat.
Note the difference between this and switching from objective-accomplishing to retreating, when there are no problems with retreating. That moment when the haze lifts and the chill sets in that the opponent (that is, you) has closed ranks behind them... ah-hah-heh... ah-hah-hah-hah-hah!
*smiles*
Life is not perfect, but it is yet very, very good.
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| (Kiri)Mochi: |
[08 May 2012|02:09pm] |
N) Fresh mochi is soft and glutinous and delicious, but is only available on certain special (infrequent) holidays.
Chilled kirimochi is somewhat too hard, jaw-wise.
Room temperature kirimochi is too sawdusty to enjoy on a prolonged basis.
Liquid-treated kirimochi might be delicious, but the necessary preparation is unfortunately far too much work. (Trying to avoid investing in a private set of kitchen equipment, though that could still happen eventually. ...A rice cooker is particularly tempting. However, there's a huge one at breakfast and supper, and if there were enough motivation to get a private rice cooker there would be more than enough to get a bentou box and reuseable chopsticks, both of which would have to be washed frequently. No waste disposal chute either, for that matter, just special plastic bags which can't take water... muu.)
Toasted kirimochi seems to be the best option, eating-wise. 'Toasting' does not so much toast the outside as soften (..melt?) the inside. Marshmallows come to mind, only less to no gelatine or whatever fat is put in those things.
The one issue encountered so far: Anything we put under them does not exact melt, but in any case becomes incredibly hot and takes on the shape of the turntable. (Using a multi-function microwave oven for toasting.)
May have to just rely on {the turntable's cleanliness} and {the kirimochi's persistent outside dryness} and put them on there without a base.
There remains the issue that it's harder to carry them back as hot as they are like that--ah! We can just take a base, but not put it in, andj ust carry it back like a tray... yes. Yes, this is acceptable. *smiles*
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| Ah... hah-hah. |
[07 May 2012|11:36am] |
N) Fifth week. Wow. Right on the dot, practically.
We're going to be operating at lower than normal parameters for a little while.
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| *pleased* |
[06 May 2012|11:59pm] |
N) Have managed to get ourselves showered _in the morning_, specifically very early in the morning before our other obligations, rather than in the evening or afternoon. This is worth, at the very least, a warm glow of achievement.
Setting aside possible desirable long-term benefits (such as having a twice-weekly morning shower), we get to start the day and the week clean, without even having had a night of sleeping in a bed directly thereafter.
...The nearer the shower to the start of the week, the less uncomfortable we will be by the time for the next shower...
Ultimately, thirty minutes to dry, dress, eat and leave. On the one hand, this is short; on the other hand, this is doable and much better conditions than had been feared. (Speaking of which, must temporarily move clock to bathroom in future.)
Having one dressing gown, have begun regularly turning it inside-out for after-shower drying purposes. This was admittedly an uncertain course of action to start with, regarding possible chair effects. Should still aim to get another gown-thing at some point.
Yellowness on the cuff of a certain inside sleeve doesn't seem to have come out in the wash, annoyingly, despite being turned inside out for it. Grr.
Twenty-five minutes left. The fifteen minute mark is the next absolute deadline. By then, certainly, dryness should be acceptable.
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| *laughter* |
[06 May 2012|04:16pm] |
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N) [quote] That the Paxistas are permitted to exist, both within and without the Empire, speaks to the Ministry of Internal Order's tolerance, mercy, and fondness for carefully-monitored honeypot traps. [/quote]
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| Amusing. |
[05 May 2012|03:02am] |
N) There is no sheet, only the self and the duvet. Result of a warm night: waking to find the bed unconsciously arranged with legs bare, upper part mostly bare, and with duvet across one's stomach only (more or less).
There's probably valid reasoning behind it, such as allowing heat loss through the extremities while keeping the core warm. In any case, significantly amused to observe this pose which has been witnessed in fiction many times.
--
A vaguely-related note: There is a significant difference between 'I'm too uncomfortable to sleep like this' and 'Oh no, someone else is sleeping like that, I have to wake that person in order to stop it'. As with several things, the eagerness to equate 'is uncomfortable' with 'must cause you to come down with a cold' is annoying. ...Now remembering the various attributions regarding malary symptoms before malaria was well understood. Annoyingness regarding human certainty and moral high-horsing regarding things which were effectively made up...
Of course, must always keep one's own lack of certainty regarding anything in mind. All is to be doubted. This is reasonable. All except, perhaps, there is thought thus something exists...
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