Star Trek: Lavahead

“Star Trek: Picard”

The pilot episode of “Star Trek: Picard” was recently made available for viewing by everyone on YouTube. Visually, the series is quite impressive. Tube programs have “come of age,” but that really isn’t saying much. As with theatrical releases, there is an extremely heavy emphasis on special effects. Nonetheless, the highlight of the episode was when Jean-Luc Picard discovered a new purpose: to find the remaining twin “daughter” of the late Commander Data. When he reflects out loud about his new mission, he summarized his current stagnant situation: “I’m waiting to die.”

Waiting to die ... that is the entire edifice of any “old folks home,” or the whole of the commodified life-style for that matter. When human existence is completely dominated by LCD or OLED screens of varying sizes (e.g., “smartphone,” widescreen tube, notebook computer), then the sublime transition to death is already in progress.

A brief summary of the current state-of-affairs:

1. Gym workouts continue unabated even when tolerating extreme persistent pain. The workouts are probably the only factor that is preventing a lapse into deep demoralization.
2. Geriatric immunizations are continuing, although there has been no solution for the second dose of the shingles vaccine.
3. No attempt has been made to find alternative housing, and the motorhomeless option has yet to be seriously entertained. Relocation is “on the table,” but no destination has been determined.
4. Major austerity policies remain in effect, although most are being accomplished through attrition.
5. The massive hurdy-gurdy video library (HGVL) has been restored on Google® Drive.
6. Section 8 waiting list status has been confirmed, although the maximum asset limit cannot be met.
7. The universal implementation of the Google® Voice VoIP phone number has been completed.

Any other considerations will be posted in updates.

The weather has remained extremely mild with slightly cooler temperatures. Shorts and tank top are still the preferred mode of dress, even though Winter is here. Contrast that with the last two years as reported in Notes.

Addendum: Much to the surprise of local authorities, the flawed annual “point in time” homeless count revealed that there are about 7,000 people who “became homeless” (phrase used by local newspaper) during the last year. The number completely offsets that people who were allegedly placed into permanent housing. The number is most likely underestimated, but confirms the observations in Notes. Although, not specifically mentioned in the article, the new homeless are probably victims of slumlord evictions. The article only hints at the cause with the aforementioned quoted phrase.