friendica (DFRN) - Link to source
All things being equal, the Memorandum of Understanding marks no victory for the United States. It is no “major win” for the United States, much less an act of “unconditional surrender” by Iran. Instead, it confirms the Trump administration’s faulty planning and management of the war, and its bungled diplomacy to end it. It is a stopgap measure, a face-saving solution. It averts capitulation and conceals humiliation. It provides political cover for a strategic retreat. In other words, it serves all the functions of the Paris Agreement, the progeny of a lost war.
warontherocks.com/from-vietnam…

From Vietnam to Iran: Wartime Diplomacy and Secret Deals

Wars rarely end in a single act of diplomacy. More often, they pass through a succession of ceasefires, frameworks, understandings, as well as provisional
Pierre Asselin (War on the Rocks)

friendica (DFRN) - Link to source

0002 Taking Small Steps

I’ve decided to add a number to my posts titles just to see how public I can be. I don’t want to spam the server too much, but I also don’t want to occupy the space if I have nothing to say. It’s a way for me to know if I should have a blog at all.

Speaking of which, after my first post I actually got spooked seeing that someone read it and reacted (・_・;). Even though my IF "game" isn’t complete yet, I am already scared of people judging it. I wager most creative minds are haunted by the phantom “I am afraid to disappoint others” to the point that their creations either remain hidden or unrealised forever.

Well, I let myself dwell on that fear for a moment too long, and then I decided to ignore it ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ. It will never go away for me, but that doesn't mean I should just give up on everything. Usually, to motivate myself I look at other creators that I follow, the ones that continue working on their projects no matter what. And their immortal advice is "write/work even just a little every day", it doesn't have to be perfect, all it needs to be is an attempt at making progress. I think they are right, it's the small steps that make a difference in the end.

friendica (DFRN) - Link to source

Per the HR employee evaluation website, on average I spend 25% of my week in technical or project management meetings. I spend another 20% trying to translate waterfall designs and deadlines provided by customers into tiny chunk tasks, each representing "a day's work", while I have to learn a new project management tool (or new interface to an old tool) every six months. I actually accomplish something productive for about 20 hours a week, all said and done.

Because we're "Agile"...

reshared this

friendica (DFRN) - Link to source
youtube.com/watch?v=tgbNymZ7vq…
:ittle high I am little low
Open your eyes, look up to the skies and seeeeee...
And anywhere the wind blows it does not matter to mee

Bohemian Rhapsody | Muppet Music Video | The Muppets

The Muppets' Musical Gang is back at it with their rendition of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody!Subscribe for all new videos from The Muppets! ► http://www.youtube...
The Muppets (YouTube)

friendica (DFRN) - Link to source
"You did that on purpose!"
"What did I do?"
"You named that table!"
"It's a perfectly fine name!"
"You didn't have to suggest that name. You know Jim is a religious nut!"
"Look, 'Boolean Flag Translation Table' was just unwieldy. It had to be shortened."
"You named it '[B-Trans]' on purpose to cause trouble. Then you started using it like a verb, and telling Jim he 'should B-Trans... that data'!"
"We use all kinds of identifiers as verbs as a shorthand!"
"Which you knew when you planned this!"
"I really have no idea what you are talking about..."

reshared this

friendica (DFRN) - Link to source

youtube.com/watch?v=Rr8ljRgcJN…

Verse 1 (paraphrased meaning): The singer takes on the role of a controlling dance instructor he wants to lead the dance, insists everyone let themselves be "controlled" a little, and promises to show them how it's done "correctly." He describes forming a nice round dance where "freedom plays on all the violins," music comes "out of the White House," and "Mickey Mouse stands in front of Paris."
Verse 2 (paraphrased meaning): He claims to know useful steps and to protect his followers from missteps; anyone who doesn't want to dance "doesn't yet know that he'll have to dance." He'll show them the direction "Santa Claus comes to Africa," and again "Mickey Mouse stands in front of Paris."
Coca~Cola, somebody's war

Rammstein - Amerika (Official 4K Video)

Order the album: https://ramm.st/ReiseReise✚ Website: http://www.rammstein.com✚ RammsteinShop: http://shop.rammstein.de✚ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/...
Rammstein Official (YouTube)

friendica (DFRN) - Link to source
hormuzstraitmonitor.com/blog/d…

The Deal That Finally Held: What's In It, What's Missing, and What Happens Next

After 106 days, six collapsed ceasefires, and a global energy crisis, Iran and the US have reached an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Here is what the deal contains, what it defers, and why this one may finally hold.
Hormuz Strait Monitor

friendica (DFRN) - Link to source
Rapid pays off but gives little points..
lichess.org/ofW5EirF/black
10 mins is about speed and blunders with a plan in the mind, regardless as long you acquired more points than opponent you just play it out.
The 30 mins I win mostly

Rapid Chess • MarioVerbicaroNeto vs masterplan8

MarioVerbicaroNeto (762) played masterplan8 (716) in a rated Rapid (10+0) game of chess. masterplan8 won by checkmate after 30 moves. Click to replay, analyse, and discuss the game!
lichess.org
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