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I have multiple computers in my house, a couple desktops and a couple laptops which I use normally. I also have a file server, and a couple other servers for various things. I have a couple IP cameras which are isolated from the rest of the network, but don't really have any “Internet of Things” things. In other words, no network-enabled light bulbs. I do have some things controlled by X10 controllers connected to one computer, but no commercial embedded IoT.

Having a file server, as well as an LDAP directory to sync UIDs and GIDs, I have the makings of an infrastructure you might use in some sort of organization, not for one person. This is convenient when it comes to things like NFS or making backups, but there is a degree of overkill here.

It is kind of a hobby that happens to be useful. Things get frustrating as they often do with computers, but I don't mind being in control. Granted, a big part of maintaining sanity has been getting things to work simply and reliably, so that most of the time I'm not trying to fix things. Sometimes it's inevitable, of course.

Time moves a lot quicker these days, it seems. When I was in high school, a friend (who was about the age I am now) pointed out that when you're younger, a week is much longer in relation to your life than it is when you get older. I can relate to that now, since weeks seem to fly by a lot quicker than they did back then.

On one hand, I still have plenty of ideas and projects I want to attack. Things for the house, life goals, and projects, electrical, musical, etc., that I want to attack. It's actually still quite easy for me to think of things to put on the mental queue. On the other hand, after a long work day, it's nice to just settle down after dinner and watch Star Trek with a cat on one's lap. I fit chores in here and there, and work on little things, but when in that state it's hard to think about the loftier goals.

Finishing something, getting some kind of milestone, keeps me going. Even if it's nothing huge, just getting some kind of finished product is a great motivator. And at least I can say I made it part of the way.

Today there is a total solar eclipse across North America. I traveled to be with family in the path of totality, and... It's cloudy. This is too bad, since I was hoping to see some of the eclipse itself (through glasses), and yesterday was actually pretty clear. People have come a long way to this area as well. Different parts of the path are clear, but this is just what we risk in April in this area.

On the other hand, it should still be interesting in an hour when we actually get totality, since of course even with the clouds there's still some sunlight. It might actually be kind of interesting.

This is sort of a once-in-a-lifetime thing, not necessarily the eclipse itself but just coming through this area. I'm not the biggest space nerd, but it's a neat natural phenomenon that you may as well try to witness.

I've been up tonight watching some old Star Trek TNG episodes. I'm working my way through all seven seasons. I used to watch them with my family back in the 90s, but didn't really remember much of it.

Now it's late. It's peaceful here at night, and the sky is beautiful when it's clear out. There's light pollution, but not too much.

So I'm off to bed.

I don't always have something to write about, but I try to do it now and then because it feels good. I try to have something to say, to put down, but I like to keep it brief. I'm mainly thinking of this place.

I've always treated this as something a little more formal than microblogging, in the way of Mastodon. Yet not quite as involved as something I would publish on my Wordpress site. But part of me feels like I should just give one of them up – this place or Wordpress – and focus on one.

I actually don't think I will do that. I've decided that it's a decision I should make when I actually know what will work out, and I don't think I'm there quite yet. I do like that this is federated, and lightweight.