Stories of life 04/21/23 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Gopher is interesting, like so many other public or semi-public or seemingly-public spaces. People write about whatever they want. Some choose technical topics, others political. It makes sense, and it's wild-westish, and I like it. I really enjoy the stories I find, about the lives people live. Perhaps there are better places to find such stories, like in biographies or on the www. But gopher is more fun than both. And more chaotic, perhaps more real, perhaps not. The text, terminal, campy line breaking, all make it better. Real-life interactions are better, most of the time. Honestly though, some of the best Stories of Life that I encounter are from old people that no one is listening to. Circumstances have connected me with old people (and I call them old people with all the love and respect my soul is capable, honestly) from an early age. A family friend's mother was in a rest home (as they called them back then), and he couldn't visit her regularly, so my mom went, and she dragged me along. My grandmother lived with us for most of my youth. And then when I was around 30, I was thrust into associations with much older people, men in particular. It was around that time, in my early 30's, that I really started to appreciate the old people in my life a lot more. And to recognize how amazing and valuable their stories were. That was about 15 years ago or so, if anyone is counting. But, I really wanted to talk about Gopher, and what it means for me personally. I like to share stories. Not because I think anyone has or should have any great interest in them, but because in telling them they come alive in my mind again. And that's a pleasant feeling. Well, most of the time. And even when it's not pleasant, it's useful. So, there you have it. My little story about why I like to share life stories on Gopher. Even mundane daily activities are stories, for what they're worth. Perhaps they'll never appeal to the people who prefer to post about programming, but maybe they will. After all, I like to read about programming, and I can't stand living in my stories all the time, so perhaps other people like the variety as well? Ultimately, it just doesn't matter, because we write on gopher not to please others, but for the pleasure of writing. Oh, it feels good to stretch my neck. Off-topic, I know. I'm in an early meeting where I am not really a part of the meeting, and my thoughts are tired. While I'm off topic, here's one more story as to why I'm tired. I have two friends who are, in essence, prisoners. One is out on bail, the other is on house arrest. Everyone should have such people in the mix of their friendships. Yesterday I went to visit one of those friends, and stayed too long. Still had to get up at the same time this morning. But visiting those in prison (even if they're not locked up inside an actual prison currently or yet) is an act of human kindness. Because prisoners are humans. Shocking, I know, and maybe some of you think I'm stupid for saying it. It's obvious, right? But we dehumanize at the drop of a hat in the modern age. We shouldn't. I was glad to visit him, give him a hug, play a board game, and do what little I could to lift him up for a bit. Man, I'm bad at ending gopher posts. Plus, this meeting isn't over yet, and if I let this post go, what will I have? I'll have to focus my energy on looking interested, or on not falling asleep. But, I can only impose on you for so long. And so, I'll say goodbye for now. Thanks for being a part of my story, gopher.