Published on: 2021-12-08
My answers to:
Christina's 5 questions for December 2021
1. How far in advance do you like to start planning things?
I don't actually like planning in advance. It makes me feel kinda burdened, like I'm committing myself to doing something I might regret down the line. I do, however, enjoy planning as the first step in a larger scheme. But it has to happen already I already started working on the project. That way it's less about limiting my future options and more about puzzling out how to achieve immediate goals.
2. What do you hope happens in 2022?
I hope we make some meaningful steps in combating climate change. Last two years have been turbulent to say the least, with COVID pandemic on a global level and a couple of earthquakes on a local level. I'd really like all the anxiety and worry about them to pass and for things to "get back to normal". But on some level I have already accepted there's no getting back, not entirely. Just like there are buildings in the old town that have been irrevocably damaged and will need to be taken down, there are things we've lost to COVID as well. And here I don't mean exclusively people's lives, I also include the carefree existence and social interactions of those of us who survive. We'll probably never be completely rid of COVID. Coming to terms with this is difficult, and I'm certainly not all the way there. But if I try to apply the same thinking to climate change, if I start thinking about our current trajectory and what will be irrevocably lost to it... It's on a whole different level. I really hope we make some meaningful steps in combating climate change.
3. What challenges have you recently overcome?
Let's give this one a more positive spin! I've recently published Starfish, my Gemini browser, on the elementary AppCenter. This was kind of a challenge for me, as it involved learning about Gemini protocol, GTK toolkit, Vala language and Linux app development in general. It also took a lot of time form me; I might have gotten a bit obsessed over it towards the end there. But now that it's done, and the app is up, I feel real proud of it. Sure, there's a ton of things I'd like to improve or add to it. And sure, I still might get to bunch of that stuff over time. But it feels nice to have a release version out.
4. Seasonal traditions you're most excited about
I am a sucker for autumn. I love the browning of the leaves, the sunsets that come earlier, the morning frost. I love the chestnut season, and I love a chance to wear my coat. I enjoy even the boring autumn rains that get me into a melancholy mood. Strangely, it is autumn that I associate with new beginnings.
5. Are you good at directions and maps?
Not great, not terrible. I started from a position of complete disorientation, but have been gradually improving over the years. These days I rely on Google maps, so it's not really a challenge. But few years back when roaming wasn't a thing I could find my way around a foreign city with a paper map. Not all the turns I'd take were correct, but I'd eventually get to my destination. And I can navigate stuff like subways relatively well.
Whoa, this was fun. Took a bit of a dark turn at the beginning, but overall I enjoyed answering these questions! I haven't been posting here as much as I'd like lately, so I appreciate the wiring prompts. So thank you Christina for posting the questions! And also thanks to all the folks who have (or will) submit their answers. Reading your posts makes me feel a sense of kinship that's rare on today's internet.