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Entry tags:
Small victories
Hi! My whole family is stressed right now. Not gonna lie.
I learned that 2 of my 3 sewing machines (serger and cover stitch) won't function here, because they don't support EU voltage (220V 50Hz). I could try using a step-down transformer, but 110V at 50Hz seems dodgy, because the motors rely on the AC frequency for timing.
Do I give up, and sell these on eBay-dot-U.S., then ship them back to the States?? I dunno. This expensive dilemma didn't cross my mind when I shipped the machines here; I "assumed" the voltage discrepancy would be a "solved problem".
Today we rented a car, and drove our dog to her first Dutch veterinarian appointment! This was our first time driving in the Netherlands. It was sheer terror. We prepared by watching instructional YouTube videos, and I still almost ran into a bicyclist who ignored his "shark teeth" marking (indicating he should have yielded to me). Cyclists are crazy here.
But this entry isn't about the ongoing, relentless negativity and hardship, which defines my waking life, as I stumble through a nightmare where everything is subtly different, and the language is incomprehensible to me! ... No. This is an entry about little wins.
I made a website. Tomorrow is my appointment to officially register my new business: Visible Technology
The site was thrown together quickly, as a fun excuse to relearn shader language, and lean into my core strength (which is making trippy visuals, lol). If you squint at the pixels, you will see discontinuities! The "visible" text is generated by a shader, it's a rad unoptimized mess.
I love the 80s color scheme, by way of early-2000s pseudo-raytracing, however: Next version will be interactive, with a different look and feel. Maybe.
Also, I plan to gain 50 pounds! Here's how:
Vla is basically drinkable pudding. It comes in a variety of flavors! Guys, my waistline is in real danger.
I know the Netherlands has a reputation for subpar food, but we're happy with the national offerings so far. Netherlands cuisine revolves around snacks. Typical meal: I stuff my face with a sausage pastry roll (with curry ketchup inside), or a mini steak pie, then wash it down with fresh tomato soup, arugula salad with spicy mango dressing, then dessert is a cup of malted hops-flavored vla (which tastes like coffee ice cream). Maybe not the most "elevated" culinary """experience""" but I enjoy it. The food is all secretly snacks. I have found my slice of heaven :P
Also we're gaining confidence with the e-bikes. Our longest ride was to another town (Aalsmeer), to check out an incredible vintage resale warehouse, where dying brands liquidate their stock. Normally I wouldn't link to Instagram, but their account conveys the vibe pretty well: https://www.instagram.com/gideonitaliaander/
Small language wins! In a discussion about socializing our dog, I suggested we take her to the "hondenspeel".
But I said it without thinking, like it was a normal word. I knew honden (dogs), and I was shocked that my brain had figured out speel (play), because we live near a speeltuin (playground).
So it turns out, I missed a syllable! The complete word is hondenspeelveld (rough translation: "dogs play field", or dog park). But still. I PAT MYSELF ON THE BACK NOW. Good progress, me.
Also I've memorized enough words to shop at Dutch fabric sites. But I still doubt I could pronounce the words correctly!
More to come! Tomorrow I'll have "a company" again, and I think our Portland house will be listed for sale. Goede nacht (good night)!
I learned that 2 of my 3 sewing machines (serger and cover stitch) won't function here, because they don't support EU voltage (220V 50Hz). I could try using a step-down transformer, but 110V at 50Hz seems dodgy, because the motors rely on the AC frequency for timing.
Do I give up, and sell these on eBay-dot-U.S., then ship them back to the States?? I dunno. This expensive dilemma didn't cross my mind when I shipped the machines here; I "assumed" the voltage discrepancy would be a "solved problem".
Today we rented a car, and drove our dog to her first Dutch veterinarian appointment! This was our first time driving in the Netherlands. It was sheer terror. We prepared by watching instructional YouTube videos, and I still almost ran into a bicyclist who ignored his "shark teeth" marking (indicating he should have yielded to me). Cyclists are crazy here.
But this entry isn't about the ongoing, relentless negativity and hardship, which defines my waking life, as I stumble through a nightmare where everything is subtly different, and the language is incomprehensible to me! ... No. This is an entry about little wins.
I made a website. Tomorrow is my appointment to officially register my new business: Visible Technology
The site was thrown together quickly, as a fun excuse to relearn shader language, and lean into my core strength (which is making trippy visuals, lol). If you squint at the pixels, you will see discontinuities! The "visible" text is generated by a shader, it's a rad unoptimized mess.
I love the 80s color scheme, by way of early-2000s pseudo-raytracing, however: Next version will be interactive, with a different look and feel. Maybe.
Also, I plan to gain 50 pounds! Here's how:
Vla is basically drinkable pudding. It comes in a variety of flavors! Guys, my waistline is in real danger.
I know the Netherlands has a reputation for subpar food, but we're happy with the national offerings so far. Netherlands cuisine revolves around snacks. Typical meal: I stuff my face with a sausage pastry roll (with curry ketchup inside), or a mini steak pie, then wash it down with fresh tomato soup, arugula salad with spicy mango dressing, then dessert is a cup of malted hops-flavored vla (which tastes like coffee ice cream). Maybe not the most "elevated" culinary """experience""" but I enjoy it. The food is all secretly snacks. I have found my slice of heaven :P
Also we're gaining confidence with the e-bikes. Our longest ride was to another town (Aalsmeer), to check out an incredible vintage resale warehouse, where dying brands liquidate their stock. Normally I wouldn't link to Instagram, but their account conveys the vibe pretty well: https://www.instagram.com/gideonitaliaander/
Small language wins! In a discussion about socializing our dog, I suggested we take her to the "hondenspeel".
But I said it without thinking, like it was a normal word. I knew honden (dogs), and I was shocked that my brain had figured out speel (play), because we live near a speeltuin (playground).
So it turns out, I missed a syllable! The complete word is hondenspeelveld (rough translation: "dogs play field", or dog park). But still. I PAT MYSELF ON THE BACK NOW. Good progress, me.
Also I've memorized enough words to shop at Dutch fabric sites. But I still doubt I could pronounce the words correctly!
More to come! Tomorrow I'll have "a company" again, and I think our Portland house will be listed for sale. Goede nacht (good night)!
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