To Hell and Back

Immediately following the spectacle known as Christmas, we launched down the road for yet another visit to Arkansas and good company.  We had hoped the weather would be better than it ultimately turned out.  However, the cold front reached further south than it was supposed to have, leaving us with a cloudy and chilly 7° C weekend.  It is a good thing that is nearly perfect weather for hiking about and discovering new places.

Hell Creek Natural Area has been quietly waiting on the to-do list for quite some time now. Timing is everything for this spot.  Excessive undergrowth and reports of a militarized tick population generally prohibit access from March through October.  Click the title above to read more.  It was a good, quiet journey.  There are not many folks out on the trail at this time of year.

While lingering about, a return visit to Woolly Hollow enabled solid exercise though more calm and quiet forest.  A bear bellowed in the distance at one point along this hike.  Each attempt to record the racket failed.  It was as if the beast knew of the effort through some sort of game cam of its own.  I departed empty-handed, since there seemed no solid reason to stick around to learn more of proximity.

The courthouse consistently greeted us each evening in its best display.  New lights bordering the windows caused them to stand out brighter than ever.  The only thing missing from the scene, a light blanket of snow. We had left that at home, to clean up after itself, and it was due to be gone before we returned.

T-Mobile Installs Spamware on Devices

App Selector On Android: What It Is (And How To Disable It) (slashgear.com)

I did not want this installed. I did not ask for this to be installed.  It does not permit me to disable notifications.  It is annoying the hell out of me, recommending apps that I would never be interested in.  What is the point?

This article helped me figure out how to shut it down permanently, though the steps are not exactly right.  It refuses to permit uninstall of the app.

Here's my mod on the process:

- Settings

- Apps

- Find App

- Force Stop

- Disable App

- Roll back Updates

Magically, the app is gone now, along with its evil twin sister AppManager.

Go figure.

This is what T-Mobile says about this spamware / spyware / malware that it likes to add during setup >  T-Mobile AppManager & AppSelector | T-Mobile Support

A Map Shaper

My new favorite GeoJSON editor that just enabled me to have another layer in a Power BI Azure map (and make it look how I want) without going through a lot of hoops.

https://mapshaper.org/

This one is nice too, but you can't add attributes for all points all at once.

https://geojson.io/

Just Habits and a Template

Rarely read these listicles.  This one was pretty straightforward though and gave me a new template for writing here.  We'll see if it sticks ... click the image to read the entire story.

"Journal when you feel like you need to. And try to clarify your thoughts: 

What is bothering me right now? 

Why am I stressed or have anxiety about? 

What am I feeling good about? 

What am I feeling grateful for right now? 

How I am feeling lately? 

The purpose is to understand you better and process feelings and emotions."

Power Automate Desktop Date Conversion

Put together a little Date Conversion template for Power Automate Desktop that I need to save out.  Copy/paste the quote block areas and you are on your way.

Date Conversions

DateTime.GetCurrentDateTime.Local DateTimeFormat: DateTime.DateTimeFormat.DateAndTime CurrentDateTime=> CurrentDateTime

Text.ConvertDateTimeToText.FromCustomDateTime DateTime: CurrentDateTime CustomFormat: $'''MM/dd/yyyy''' Result=> CDT_Formatted

DateTime.Add DateTime: CurrentDateTime TimeToAdd: -1 TimeUnit: DateTime.TimeUnit.Days ResultedDate=> CDTminus1

Text.ConvertDateTimeToText.FromCustomDateTime DateTime: CDTminus1 CustomFormat: $'''MM/dd/yyyy''' Result=> CDTminus1_Formatted

Text.ConvertDateTimeToText.FromCustomDateTime DateTime: CurrentDateTime CustomFormat: $'''MM/01/yyyy''' Result=> FirstDayCurrentMonth

Text.ConvertDateTimeToText.FromCustomDateTime DateTime: CurrentDateTime CustomFormat: $'''01/01/yyyy''' Result=> FirstDayCurrentYear

Text.ConvertDateTimeToText.FromCustomDateTime DateTime: CurrentDateTime CustomFormat: $'''12/31/yyyy''' Result=> LastDayCurrentYear

Text.ConvertDateTimeToText.FromCustomDateTime DateTime: CurrentDateTime CustomFormat: $'''MM''' Result=> ThisMonth_MM

Text.ConvertDateTimeToText.FromCustomDateTime DateTime: CurrentDateTime CustomFormat: $'''yyyy''' Result=> ThisYear_yyyy

# End Day Last Month = First Day This Month - 1 day

DateTime.Add DateTime: FirstDayCurrentMonth TimeToAdd: -1 TimeUnit: DateTime.TimeUnit.Days ResultedDate=> EndDayLastMonth

# First Day Last Month = First Day This Month - 1 month

DateTime.Add DateTime: FirstDayCurrentMonth TimeToAdd: -1 TimeUnit: DateTime.TimeUnit.Months ResultedDate=> FirstDayLastMonth

Artificial Not Intelligence

 

If it takes this much to train folks how to use AI, then you can probably drop the "I."  There is no intelligence, it is all just artificial.

Me Maui from Moana

Apparently, I am Maui from Moana, according to a colleague that spends her spare brain cycles equating folks with Disney characters.  She explained this to me today, and when I said I would have to watch the movie for the first time, she sent the video along.

New Faucets

This made for a fun day. Snake & Rooter did the work, as the tub faucets were above my pay grade and desperately needed repaired or replaced prior to the coming re-glazing.  The whole matter cost just under $600.  We probably got took, or not.  It is hard to say these days.  The supervisor did need to come back and fix a few things.  

Just after the installers left, I ran water in the sink and instantly confronted a leaking drain.  The diverter leaked when it was turned from the shower to the tub position; only about 3 drops, which they blamed on craftsmanship.  Their supervisor repaired both without much amusement on his face.  

Later, we discovered that the access panel was not put back correctly either.  Removing it, the subfloor appeared damp also.  It may just be leftovers.  There does not appear to be anything leaking.

It was only small fiasco that took most of the day, and I was a little disappointed that things were left as they were.  That sink drain did not just suddenly decide to leak.  Somebody forgot to check functionality.  Shame on me.

East to Glow, West to Snow

Out on the road again, the first encounter with the bizarre occurred just east of Carrollton. It is unlikely we would have even stumbled on that had I not been ignoring the map in favor of memory that turned out not so good.

The original intent had been to pass along US-24, then MO-41 through Arrow Rock.  Instead, we missed the right turn in Richmond and ended staring down the World's Largest Pecan in Brunswick.  We were nearly trapped into shopping too, but it turned out only a momentary distraction.

The opportunity to drop in and have a look at Pinnacle Youth Park, just north of Columbia.  A brief examination of the site found it dryer than had been noted on previous occasions, but no less interesting. 

After lunch, we launched straight into the St Louis area, pausing briefly to check on some family land.  Unfortunately, they had draped so many lights over the area as to make it impossible to view anything beyond the front gate.

That only left our plans for the evening, beginning with the Missouri Botancial Garden, which accessing proved to be an adventure of its very own.  It was not awful and the visit to Garden Glow, quite a fun little experience.  

The next morning ended up in St Charles for their annual Christmas Traditions.  It was kind of half surprise and half "well, of course" and an interesting little experience in the home of the first capital of the state of Missouri.

We had to get out of there fairly early, pausing in Rocheport, just as the sun began to disappear behind the snowstorm clouds that we were headed for in Kansas City.  The day had been near perfect weather, but was about to be ruined, as we finally arrived in town to much higher precipitation levels than had been predicted.

Pane Switcher is a Pain

The X in the pane switcher within Power BI is huge pain in the neck!  

I find myself constantly opening things that I have inadvertently closed. 

The user experience would feel better if the option were to simply collapse the pane only.

What exactly is the use case for closing a pane versus collapsing anyhow?  It is not memory hog.  Closing it does not appear to offer any benefit except enabling users to have to click twice more time to get to open again.

The current user experience for this is backwards.

Two clicks to collapse, click again to re-open; and, one click to close, with two Clicks to re-open.

I recommend one clicks to collapse, click again to re-open; and, two clicks to close, and two clicks to re-open.

That is, unless you can somehow make it so that there is ever only one click, like getting rid of close altogether.

I suspect that most would agree that collapse should be the primary action and not close.  If nothing else, give me a collapse button!  I should not have to click twice to collapse the pane out of the way.

. . .

Re: Share your thoughts on the new On-Object Inter... - Page 34 - Microsoft Fabric Community

Unicorns and Privacy

 

"When a candidate is curious, it suggests genuine engagement with your company and interest beyond a paycheck. Curiosity is a great way to predict if a candidate will be willing to learn and grow in their position as well."

“Unicorns” are curious — and hiring managers love curiosity - Big Think

While generally true, I think they put on blinders at the end.  Some folks display their curiosity through observation more than questioning. Additionally, a candidate may have already satisfied much of their curiosity about a firm and a role by the time they get to the hiring manager, eradicating any curiosity about either, resulting in few or no questions.

The story also suggests, 

"Tips for cultivating curiosity at work:

1) Give time and budget to team members who want to learn more about a particular subject or skill. 

2) When challenges come up, practice asking questions before throwing out solutions.

3) Take time to get to know your team members on a more personal level by offering optional team lunches and other experiences.

The first is obvious or should be to anyone with a mind to business.  The second is little strange.  My philosophy is to always ask questions before throwing out solutions.  Lastly, it is important to remember that some team members value their privacy above all else.  Don't push it.

Let the Season of Eating Begin

Got a little award today and posted to LinkedIn, one of the last surviving social media networks, for me.  There is a little more freedom to simply posting here though, which is what this blog appears to be slowly transitioning towards.

The whole affair took place at one of the ballrooms at Argosy Casino today, just beyond this wonderfully tall tree, lit warmly welcome the season of eating.  The associated cheesecake was delicious accompaniment.

Chinquapin Day Trip

Heading south to the Pineville area of Missouri, I stumbled on some long-lost family.

There was also this odd little structure that I am still puzzled over.

I also discovered that bulls are very short and hairy in these parts.

Additionally, I was to beware of Google shortcuts.  I don't usually mind, but this really was an unnecessary and unrequested diversion.  It was good kicking up a little dust though.

The purpose of the excursion is documented in the following story.

The journey back was entirely uneventful.

It is about all that the Interstate is good for.

Glowing Orange

Out on my walk today, I stumbled upon this glowing apparition standing streetside.

Future Death

I asked the new "co-pilot" to create me an image of future death and this is what it came up with.

Long Exposure Silver Tone Testing

A few tests with a longer exposure raw file on the Samsung S23, processed using Adobe Photoshop Express Basic Silver.  These are 30 second exposures at ISO 400, after dark, about 8 pm above the 39th parallel.  The above is looking northwesterly, while the shot below is staring straight up.

  

Stories from Vegas

Made it out to Las Vegas for the first time since I was probably 5 years old.  To be perfectly honest, it may very well be the last trip to that world.  I was not all the impressed.  If you do not gamble or drink excessively, what exactly is there for you?

A lot of conferences are held there though, which is what got us into this mess.  Hyland Software and then Microsoft.  Most of the photos are relegated to my other site, in multiple articles.

power platform conferencing (phocas.net)

vegas forum pub quiz (phocas.net)

carly rae jepsen and microsoft (phocas.net)

vegas casino royale style (phocas.net)

thursday mat franco (phocas.net)

a freemont street experience (phocas.net)

closing out at omnia (phocas.net)

cosmopolitan meadows art (phocas.net)

Microsoft lets Everyone edit Everything

When sharing from Microsoft OneDrive, the image above is what it continually defaults to.

There is only one problem, "People in your organization with the link can edit."

Who thought this was a good idea?

The things that I share within my organization are typically shared with very specific people.

I do not want to share these things with the entire organization!

This needs changed.  It is hidden.  It is not obvious.  It creates the potential for disaster with personally identifiable information.

Why should I have to continually click that link to change it to "People I Specify?"

West Chicago and Back

The latest collection of stories comes from a brief encounter with part of the west Chicago suburbs, to include East Dundee, Hoffman Estates, and Schaumburg.  No adventuring occurred beyond that, except on the return trip.

• Part 1:  East into Illinois and Wyoming. Wandering across the central plains of Missouri and Illinois
• Part 2:  Pancakes to Pizza - Loitering about northwestern Chicago suburbs
• Part 3:  Fiddlesticks from Norway - Wandering across the northwest Illinois

This is likely the last of this travelogue style of writing.  A recent journey out to the wasteland of Las Vegas set me to thinking that I need to change things up.  

Stay tuned for more ... 

fiddlesticks from norway

A gradual southerly direction through the Chicago ‘burbs on a Sunday is not recommended. However, once out on the road, freedom of movement is like none other.

Eventually escaping the grips of church traffic, rolling fields again quickly unfolded their cache of corn as far as the eye could see. As with the trip out, though headed distinctly west this time, we still managed to land in a decidedly easterly region.

Others found difficulty in landing at all, testified to in this memorial to those that survived the Great Agricultural Crash of the 1980’s. A couple of solid engines and a tail on that craft might have prevented such a disaster, though not likely given the economics of the time.

The planned diversion on the journey stood mostly empty and somewhat beautiful, if one could get past the stench. Matthiessen State Park is clearly suffering the effects of its proximity to the Chicago area. It may host a significant number of waterfalls and stand out as worthy experience but ensure that an external breathing apparatus is available to enjoy any length of time there.

Escaping a stench equitable to that coming from a wastewater treatment plant, few other opportunities for oddities appeared. One man’s junk is forever another man’s treasure, or sculpture.

A pause at Rice Lake found it quiet and peaceful, though near a Miserable and Big Lake. The small space along the highway proved a great place to simply stretch out and observe the decaying remains of an abandoned fishing escape.

A bit further down the road, the Little America Rest Area Bridge, dating from 1875 stood mostly abandoned and knee-deep in the weeds. Uncertain whether this bridge had always held this position, it seems a bit peculiar to bridge an incline in such a fashion as this.

Clouds patrolled the skies with increasing density, pushing the sun further down the horizon, urging a return to higher ground and more expedient crossings near Rushville. The expedition turned north and high-tailed it across IL-101 on advice from navigation systems designed to launch us towards the nearest sustenance.

Upon arrival, most places in Hannibal were already closed for the evening. Taking time to air out grievances along the Mississippi River formulated a plan to capture the sun setting into the surrounding crops at the airport before getting more involved in the search for food. Fiddlestiks Food & Spirits Company welcomed us with a decent meal shortly thereafter.

Launching out across the blackened wasteland of US-36 crossing Missouri left insufficient luminescence to capture anything of significance. Quiet little towns glowed gently along the sides of the road occasionally, and a stream of satellites from the doorstep of Elon Musk sailed across the sky. It all begged a test for the new camera, which produced interesting results that might have been much better atop a tripod. Perhaps, next time.

pankcakes to pizza

The primary objective of the day, a graduation ceremony at an arena in Hoffman Estates, swallowed the morning without haste. What remained, frittered away at Honey Berry Pancakes. We had only just been to Brianna’s earlier in the day. There appear a multitude of these establishments in this area, demonstrating a sincerely strange infatuation for flapjacks.

Part of the crew required respite prior to getting involved with other activities, leaving the other half to wander aimlessly about burning time. A nearby sculpture park offered some amusement before reminding of the hour and a need to investigate points beyond.

Stepping back in time at Elk Grove Village found things closing up for the evening. The planned exploration of the Pioneer Days of this small town, ultimately swallowed by the sprawl of the Chicago metropolitan area, would have to wait for another time.

All was not lost though, the situation enabled discovery of a few odd and ends nearby also frozen in time, standing as unique displays of art in their own right. The local government obviously had some involvement, as well as the public library, though the tiny strip mall remains questionable.

Eventually, rousing from their deep afternoon slumber, a rendezvous with remainder of the crew offered enough time to take in the sights of the Spring Valley Nature Center & Heritage Farm. The shorter components of the team found the Bison’s Bluff Nature Playground most interesting, enabling a little climbing, crawling, jumping, exploring, ultimately working up a good appetite.

An old friend joined the fray just in time to move on with the expedition to gather around the table of the Illuminati. They offered a perfect forum to catch up and reflect on events of the day, while soaking in some excellent Chicago pizza, before retiring for the evening.