Why Would I Write

  • The Magic of Layers

    The Magic of Layers

    It has been two weeks since my initial post about the Vortex Core, and I’m pleased to say that things have improved a lot for me. I’m hitting at least 70 wpm when I don’t have to type too many symbols. I decided that the default layout was not the best for me so I made some changes that have made life much easier for me.

    First up, I noticed that I was only hitting the space bar with my right thumb. Since the right space bar was mostly untouched, it made sense to rebind it to something useful. The right space bar is now my Fn key. I moved the directional arrows to Fn + WASD, and I changed the default Fn key to ‘. I put volume up and down on Fn + Q or Z. Page Up and Page Down are now Fn + L or ;. Home and End are now Fn + O or P. My brackets are now on Fn + Del or Fn + Backspace. Fn + X or C is Ctrl + Left or Ctrl + Right.

    I noticed the improvements immediately. Using the Core was so much more pleasant after the adjustments I made. I still can’t type numbers without looking at the keys, but I don’t hesitate so much anymore when hitting Fn + Tab to get 1. $, %, ^ and & still require me to look at the keyboard, but I can hit ? with muscle memory more than 50% of the time.

    I’m sure there’s a lot more I can reprogram to be more efficient but this is working for me so far. I also read that there’s a Vortex Core layout editor available online that allows me to rebind every single key on the keyboard, so I’ll be looking in to that in the future.

    I’m still in love with the form factor of the keyboard. It slips easily into this soft case I have, which takes like 2 seconds to pack, and it allows me to bring it with me everywhere I go. I’m waiting for my magnetic USB cables to arrive from China so the Core’s port won’t be damaged due to my frequent plugging and unplugging.

    I’ve already replaced two keycaps (Esc and Enter) since I’ve already got those keys memorized (`~ and =+). I can’t wait to get everything in my head so I can go ahead with a full replacement of the keycaps.

    Speaking of keycaps, there’s a set that I’ve been eyeing for some time now and I’m trying to decide if I should pull the trigger. They look so damn good. Just picture them on a HHKB layout 60% Kreygasm.

    Anyway, I think this post concludes my successful transition to 40%. I’m really happy I stuck with the keyboard and managed to get over the initial hurdles of using something this tiny. In the future, I’d definitely be keen on picking up more 40% boards but for now I’m content (even though the MagicForce 48 running on massdrop now looks quite tempting haha). I haven’t used my Anne Pro or AK33 in a while, I wonder if I’ll have issues going back to them next time.

    Also, MX Browns aren’t a bad switch. Sorry, just had to put it out there because I don’t think they deserve the hate they get.

  • Kill The House Lights

    So, for the past few days I’ve been busy with the death of a family member and I’ve learned a few things from the experience.

    Crying is contagious. Holding back tears could be a sport, like tickling competitions.

    Wakes and funeral services aren’t cheap. I’m not kidding when I say that it can cost as much as a car to have one of these events (probably due to the provider our family used, I’m sure there are cheaper alternatives out there). It might just be me, but I can’t begin to fathom why people would spend so much on someone who will have no idea what goes on after they have departed from this world. Sure, it’s a sign of respect and all that jazz, but honestly, I still believe in not having a funeral. All the money spent could have been put towards many other things that people can actually appreciate, but hey – it’s not my money so I don’t get a say. I mean for goodness sake, you buy a nice box to put a body in – just to incinerate it a few days later. And people chide me for smoking cigarettes. At least I get some enjoyment out of it.

    Did you know that the only difference between a casket and a coffin is in the design of the box? I thought they were interchangeable words. I had to google it to find out.

    I thought it was pretty morbid showing my grandpa where grandma’s urn would be stored. Hers took up half of the storage area and his urn is supposed to be placed in the other half. I wonder if he even understood what had happened and what was going on. He didn’t say anything about it. He also tried to shift gears and pull the hand brake while I was driving him home. I stopped him from doing it, of course. Would have been a messy sight if anything happened.

    Trying to recruit people to join your religion during a wake is a dick move. I don’t care if that’s your mission in life as a pastor, but there’s a time and place for everything and hijacking a mourning ceremony for brownie points is not the way to go. I’m glad nobody came forward that night. Nobody comes to these events to be converted, it’s not some MLM free training bullshit event. Idiot.

    And while we’re on the topic of conversions, how are deathbed conversions acceptable? I honestly don’t understand. People who are desperate to survive will say and agree to anything if they think it gives them a chance to live. It’s like telling a criminal to confess to a crime so he will be given a lighter sentence – and then sentencing him to a lifetime in prison anyway because he confessed. Why do religions even accept conversions under such circumstances? Isn’t it as valid as information given under duress? It may or may not be honest, there’s no way to tell. Just let people be. Is it so hard to let someone live their remaining days out without trying to get them to believe in your higher power?

    Rest in peace, grandma.

  • Rock Problems

    Over the years, I’ve seen many people come and go but nobody has ever caught my attention like her. Like a moth to a lantern, I can’t help but watch her from where I stand. It’s always the same spot, the bench under the tree. That’s where she eats her sandwiches during lunch time, drinks her coffee and smokes her cigarettes. Always alone, as though she prefers the company of my gaze to anybody else – at least that’s what I tell myself.

    I’d go over to say hi, if only my feet didn’t feel like I had concrete filled boots on. I’ve been told that I had a heart of stone but if anyone could chisel through it, it would be her. I don’t know her name, or anything about her but I would love to. I’d find out what she likes, and surprise her every time we meet. I’d be the best boyfriend and eventually husband. I wonder if she feels the same way about me.

    Would she like larger-sized guys? Someone who could tower over her and protect her from harm. I was strong enough to crush any foe that would stand in my way. As far as I knew, I was cut from the same cloth as mountains. While I hadn’t lost a fight in the past, this battle for her to notice me will probably be my inaugural defeat.

    It’s Friday evening. I see her leaving the office, walking away from me. It’ll be another lonely weekend. But that’s okay. I’ll see her in another two days. Maybe next week I’ll be able to tell her hello, and how much I am in love with her. For now, I’ll stay here, dutifully guarding this pond.

    Writing Prompt from Reddit: You’ve fallen in love with a girl, only problem is, you are a statue