I decided to do some learning this morning with NGINX. For those not in the know, NGINX is a web and proxy server. I use it strictly as a proxy and it’s very powerful for that purpose. At any rate, I discovered that it can do more than simply proxy web connections and thought that this is something I would do.

A proxy is a much more secure way of exposing a service to the internet than doing it at the network level since you don’t have to poke a hole in your firewall. I’ve been chasing a bad actor that seems intent on crashing my blog on occasion but I haven’t been able to pin down the offending IP address. I’m hoping that by proxying the connections I can stop this offender cold in their tracks.

I host my own blog so I can retain tighter control over my own data and the service itself. With that comes responsibility for everything. I don’t mind periodically checking WordPress to see if anything got corrupted as it is all part of the sysadmin game. So now, not only am I proxying all of my web stuff, I am also proxying SSH.

Unfortunately, I am feeling a bit down today and my brain is telling me that I am a fool. I feel like I have missed too many opportunities. I am wondering if I am even worthy of new ones. At the same time I write this, the rational side of me knows I’m whining and doing little to nothing about it. Yes, I am a mess but at least it is living or so I keep telling myself.

I want to come up with some more business ideas and value propositions … Ugh! I am using the financial bros lingo now. Well, at least I am thinking of ways to become more entrepreneurial for whatever that is worth. Yesterday, I accidentally nuked the virtual server that I spent time spinning up for my business so I think I will spend the morning fixing that.

Why does it seem like life today is really a series of troubleshooting steps all around!? It seems like my life is moving from mini-crisis to mini-crisis. I wish I could just live and thrive for a change. Wishing does not make anything happen. I both want and need to be a more “take action” kind of person. That also involves learning to take a 30,000 foot look at life instead of being mired in the tiny minutiae.

Today I am in need of a relaxed day and I will take it. I just don’t want to think at all. I want to shut my brain down. Hell, even my brain does not really want to think at the moment. So be it! A day where I shutdown then.

I’m feeling in sour spirits this morning because I’m sick of the system being rigged in favor of the wealthy, the people who need it least. I feel like my life has been reduced to some AI algorithm. I don’t know if I feel sad or simply resigned. I don’t really know but I’m tired of having to settle for survival. Is it wrong to ask or want to at least thrive minimally? The question is rhetorical but you get my drift.

I made it into work on time. My supervisor was 20 minutes late but I would’ve gotten yelled at had it been me. I’m sick of the double standard. I wish I didn’t feel so sour-assed right now. I know I’m screaming into the void but I guess I feel some relief.

It’s getting harder and harder to live. I’m just growing more and more exhausted; just spent like the last dollar in my pocket.

Despite the sun shinning I am feeling very gloomy. I had a quick conversation with my brother and learned that my mom is not doing well. Her Alzheimer’s has progressed to the point where it is neither safe nor advisable for her to be alone. She needs round-the-clock care and it’s sad because she is such a good and beautiful soul. She’s done a lot of good in her life and does not deserve this kind of ending. I am angry that nothing bad happens to the Trumps, Musks, and Mike Johnsons of the world.

I am trying to accomplish a few things today but struggling because I feel so sad and down about the entire state of the world. I really want to run and hide; to become a child again. I feel like I never made the transition to adulthood very well. My feeling is not incorrect because I did not, in effect, make the transition. I am struggling to understand what is being thrown at me right now. I am overstimulated, reached the point of exhaustion, and left with grasping at straws to create some kind of life.

I hope that maybe the day will get better and happier somehow. I know I’ve a couple of stops to make on the way home. I don’t really mind though. I need to pick up some champagne for tonight for Valentines Day. I also want to see if Walgreens has some things that I need. Spending today with my beloved Denisse should be good. She’s a wonderful person; my angel sent to watch over me.

At least I got some thoughts out of my head that were swirling around. That always helps. I did get my small business virtual server set up. The operating system I should say is setup. I still need to move emails and files to it but I’ll get there.

I’m having a better day today than I’ve had all week, and ironically, it’s Friday, February 13th. I got a late start on blogging but I guess I don’t have all that much to say. I did have a nice discussion with Denisse this morning.

Last night, on a whim driven by the state of misery I was in, I explored the possibility of buying an electric car to use for Uber. I was surprised to find that it is very feasible and would be less expensive than renting a car weekly. I talked with Denisse and she seemed on board with the idea.

I just need to crunch the numbers to see if they will work out in my favor. I really don’t know what to find and how to plan this. I’ll just have to employ some of my newfound skills with a spreadsheet. I’ve discovered that some of this financial planning is not as difficult or overwhelming as it seems. This doesn’t mean I won’t use a professional financial planner one day soon but I am good for the time being.

The more I sit down to think about the system, the more I remain convinced that it is rigged to benefit the select few. But like all systems designed by human beings, there are flaws that can be exploited. The key is knowledge-seeking. How do I use their system to benefit me? This is a good question everyone working for a living should ask. I don’t necessarily mind working. I do, however, mind being exploited. This is driving me to seek out better opportunities for myself and Denisse.

The world is very confusing for autistic people. I’m on the spectrum and I battle with understanding my place in the world because I’ve never mastered the fine art of balance. My thinking is very black and white and I don’t deal well with ambiguity. I’m confused and tired. The world is a loud place.

It feels like I have to scream into the void and I still never get heard. I never made the transition into adulthood very well. I know I’m not the only one. I’m left feeling like I should not be suffering because I’m a good person. Why do utter vacuous shit birds like Donald Trump and Elon Musk not suffer?! I’m sick of the unfairness.

My mom is also really going downhill fast. The Alzheimer’s is progressing very quickly. I can feel and see her suffering badly. I don’t want her to live like this. Alzheimer’s is a cruel disease.

The title pretty much sums it up. I’m done! I’ve had it up to here with how difficult it is to live in the United States. I guess I’m learning how difficult AI makes things for the working class. AI benefits the billionaire class and large corporations. It makes doing business very difficult if you’re just plebeian.

AI makes it easier for the wealthy and corporations to charge money for a service they’re not actually providing. AI makes it easier for the wealthy to basically steal more money from us. I feel like a victim and I’ve had enough of being one. I advocate stealing back what was stolen from us.

I’m going to fuck around at work and collect my paycheck. I’m not going to do crap to help anyone. Let them send me home! I don’t care anymore and it’s relieving. I’m just going to do what benefits me and my family. I’m done being a people-pleaser. You don’t like me? Wipe your ass with sandpaper for all I care.

Every decision I make must be to benefit myself and my family. If you are asking me to do something that won’t provide an actual financial benefit to me, then the answer is, “No thank you. But good luck with that.” 🤣 I’m laughing and feeling free at the same time. Freedom is knowing what you’re worth and not accepting less than that. I’m starting to realize my worth.

I’m surprised that I am actually feeling good today. Yes, I do have to go to work but I’m oddly okay with it. I cannot really explain the good feeling but I definitely won’t bemoan it. Instead, I’m just going to ride it out and hope it lasts all day.

Some of this good feeling has got to be related to restarting the use of THC. Nothing else seems to work but I want to be very careful and not overuse. I also have to make a plan for Saturday. I want to work on my business and be ready for the coming week.

I’ll park my happy ass at the North Wilmington Branch Library for a couple of hours on Saturday and be as productive as I can. I would like to work on the technology side of business.

Yet here we are in the United States where everything and everyone is seen as a business transaction. I don’t like it but I don’t have the power to fight city hall. Instead, I’m going to make decisions that best benefit myself and Denisse.

My manager asked me to work a 10a-4p shift. I took a very powerful moment to decide carefully if this is what I really want and will it benefit me. I needed to make up money I lost yesterday due to the Uber debacle. A quick calculation with transit costs revealed that I would make up what I lost with a little extra so I agreed. I used to just agree to help out because I am, by nature, a people pleaser so this was a huge step in taking back my power.

I like being more careful in my decision making and I like considering the needs of me and my family first. Being a people pleaser caused me to be easily taken advantage of in corporate. People pleasing ate away at my mental health like acid chews through metals.

I plan to give Uber another try on Monday. I’ve got what I think is a solid plan but I’m going to have all of my i’s dotted and t’s crossed. For now, I have 23.5 hours until my next security guard shift. The plan is to relax and spend quality time with my baby girl.

Despite yesterday’s Uber debacle, I feel surprisingly good. My boss offered me a reasonable shift so I can make up some of the money I lost yesterday. In business, everything will always be a learning experience. Now I know and I am no longer beating myself up. Plus, this shift will only be 6 hours so it’s very doable.

In a weird sort of way, I am okay with paying out of pocket for the first week’s rental. It relieves some pressure on me and will allow me to learn. I recovered remarkably well from yesterday. I dare say I am proud of being able to ground myself and get going again.

I have to think of some goals for today. I wish I could have my laptop but I guess some asshats complained so I can’t bring it in any longer. I feel weirdly optimistic. I don’t know if it is misplaced but I will roll with it.

I know some goals that I would like to work on today. I know that Uber is really only going to be my gateway into self-employment. It’s not something for the long term. I see myself more of offering services or doing IT career training.