The Microwave, and Geek Speak

There are 2 things I wanted to mention today. First off, I sometimes wonder- am I the only person who, oh maybe 1 out of every 4 or 5 times I use the microwave, if I look at the numbers as it's getting close to zero, suddenly pretend it's a time-bomb about to go off and start melodramatically fake-running in slo-mo away from the kitchen...?

Secondly, an interesting phenomenon that I only recently noticed. Computer people almost NEVER use the word "computer" when talking about computers to each other. We have a variety of euphemisms like "machine," "box," "system," etc. In certain instances we may refer to the computer by its canonical hostname (if it's a well-known system), its model or type (e.g. "my G4" or "that T31 over there-"), or even more generic terms that nevertheless are more specific than "computer" (e.g. "my desktop," "his tablet-PC," or "your Mac"). I can't ever remember referring to a computer as a computer unless I was talking to somebody who didn't know anything about computers.

I wonder if this kind of phenomenon is observable in most fields. Like, do chefs never use the word "food"? I imagine that lawn maintenance people might have an entire vocabulary of colorful slang words to describe grass. Maybe accountants never use the word "money" (I bet they don't- they probably have a whole bunch of fancy words).

Cancer

I've been thinking about this awhile, and I decided to finally post something about it. First off, cancer sux. Secondly , I think it epitomizes human physical imperfection.

It strikes indiscriminately. Sure, if you do everything wrong (ie, smoke, drink excessively, sunbathe, etc) you increase your risk. But you can do everything wrong and still not get it. Or you can do everything "right" and get it. Like my aunt. Must be one of the healthiest ppl I know, up until now. Never saw her drink more than a glass of wine in an evening. Never touched a cigarette or any form of recreational drugs in her life. Had a healthful diet, reasonable amount of exercise, rest, etc. Why her?

The answer, of course, is that she's human. Struggling with imperfection like everyone else. I am reminded of Paul's words at Romans 7:14-23, where he talks about his struggle with wrong desires. To me, cancer is like a physical manifestation of that struggle. It's your own body, turned against itself. No matter that 95% of the cells in your body are humming along, minding their own business, working for the greater good, that damn 5% of rebels are screwing everything up for your whole body and making everyone who loves you suffer.

My aunt is closer to me than any other relatives outside my immediate family. She has taught me so many things. She taught me how to play piano, how to read music. She taught me about hospitality, kindness, and love. Now she's teaching me how to suffer selflessly- with dignity and grace. This is not fair. We need the new system, asap.

~L