Weekly Report #39 - Initial Encounter with COVID-19, Past Emotions, and Regained Desire to Share

Preface#

This article is a record and reflection of my life from May 1, 2023, to May 20, 2023.

When I typed the line above, I realized that I had procrastinated for three weeks. During this period, many interesting things happened, but it seems that my desire to share is gradually diminishing. I only jot down some fragmented thoughts in Logseq. Every time I try to organize them, I find myself at a loss. So I didn't force myself and stagnated. However, I have gradually recovered since last week, but I became busy again due to an upcoming project. Now it's already the weekend without me realizing it.

Interestingly, after surviving the pandemic for three years and becoming one of the rare people around me who haven't been infected, I got it this time. I had a fever of 39.5 degrees Celsius over the weekend and even thought it was just a minor cold. It wasn't until Monday when I had recovered that I decided to take an antigen test, and sure enough, it showed positive. However, overall, it was a mild case. I had a fever for a day, and my sore throat lasted only a day. I gradually recovered, and it can be considered a quick recovery from COVID.

Therefore, this weekend is a moment when everything is getting better. Most of the project requirements have been completed, giving me some time to catch my breath. I have just recovered from COVID, which serves as a warning to my body. I have also removed the stitches after sterilization and regained my lively nature. I have also started to restore my normal input and output frequency.

During the May Day holiday, I went to Chengdu to participate in an event and met some friends. After a rushed trip, I went to Xi'an for leisure travel and met my long-lost college roommate. We finally fulfilled our promise after several years, but we almost got stuck at the airport due to the surge of people returning to work. There were many interesting things as well.

Old Friends and Past Emotions#

I have a roommate. Although we were only classmates in the first year of college (he later changed majors and left), we have been in touch until now. The number of people I can define as friends has gradually decreased, so he is particularly precious to me. We agreed to meet in his hometown, Xining, during college. After several years, I have traveled to several cities, and he has settled in Xi'an for work. After years of not seeing each other, I took the opportunity of the May Day holiday to visit Xi'an. It can't be considered as a tourist trip, just drinking and chatting, just like old times.

In my impression, he was rebellious and cynical. Through frequent chats or phone calls, the familiarity remained even after a long absence. Besides the boring daily work, he still insists on running, playing the guitar, and reading. He still despises and dislikes worldly things but lives his life according to his own path, with a touch of gentleness.

meet_with_ledi

Since it was my first time in Xi'an, although it was the May Day holiday, I still went to popular tourist attractions like the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, albeit in a hurry. When I was still enthusiastic about photography, I would always bring my camera wherever I went and take more pictures. After the trip, I would edit and share them. However, due to the pandemic in recent years, this enthusiasm has gradually faded away. Even if I bring my camera on trips these past two years, I often can't take many photos. It seems that neither natural nor cultural landscapes can truly attract me, leaving behind more casual group photos.

memories_in_t5

There are also many unorganized photos and video materials lying in my hard drive. Most of them have become outdated due to the passage of time and are scattered in some folders as part of my memories. I still remember that before my birthday in 2021, I took some videos because many things happened. I wanted to share and record those events as a birthday summary video. But in the end, I didn't organize those materials and didn't even leave any text.

It wasn't until 2022 when I started recording again. In the blink of an eye, a year has passed. Maybe because it's a similar moment, I have recently had trouble sleeping and inevitably browsed through some traces. Sometimes, during a chat with a friend, I suddenly say, "It's been a whole year already," feeling emotional. When I recently wanted to write something, I often worried that I would continue to write about those somewhat depressing emotions, which, although true, made me feel exhausted.

Upon careful consideration, I have made some changes in this past year, getting closer to the person I want to become, to varying degrees. I have gained some freedom in both work and daily life, getting closer to life itself. Although I still procrastinate from time to time, I have recorded many of my thoughts and insights and thought more about myself. I have learned some things I wanted to learn and explored and practiced more of my ideas. I have also experienced some interesting things with the company of friends, avoiding being immersed in my own world like last year.

Everything seems to be gradually improving, and things that cannot be changed will eventually require determination to move on. That's how I comfort myself.

Fortunately, things have been going well recently, both in work and life. There have been some positive signals, and I have gradually discovered the return of my desire to share and create. After a brief review, I realized that there are many things I want to do and should do. Due to various reasons, many of them have been put aside, but now I am picking them up one by one.

Interesting Things and Objects#

GitHub Copilot Chat#

github_copilot_chat_use

Recently, I have become highly dependent on AI-assisted programming, mainly using ChatGPT and the GitHub Copilot plugin. Recently, the Copilot Chat beta has been approved, and I plan to switch and try it out.

Regarding ChatGPT Plus, apart from some issues with billing, I will probably have to figure out a solution after the subscription expires. Maybe I can try renewing it using US gift cards. It's really a hassle.

VS Code#

eva_vscode_theme

Also, because I have been using VS Code (despite being criticized by JetBrains enthusiasts in the team), I discovered this EVA theme through a tweet by DIYGod. It gives me an inexplicable boost in coding power, and it feels like there are fewer bugs. Indeed, beauty is the ultimate productivity.

For my program launcher, I have been using both Alfred and Raycast. I'm used to Alfred and have purchased a Mega Supporter license, but I'm also envious of Raycast's plugin ecosystem.

raycast_vscode

raycast_vscode_recent_project

Recently, I discovered that Raycast can configure many plugin features through global shortcuts. Since I often need to open different VS Code projects, I configured the "Open with VS Code" and "Recent Projects" functions to Option + . and Option + , respectively. I have become highly dependent on them.

Input#

Although most interesting inputs are automatically synchronized in the "Yu's Life" Telegram channel, I will still select some to list here. It feels more like a newsletter.

Articles#

Videos#

Here are some interesting videos I have watched:

Podcasts#

Here are some interesting podcasts I have listened to:

No.28 - Blockchain, Blogging Platform, Front-end Learning, and Life Insights with DIYGOD, the Creator of xlog.app

Anime#

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Entertainment District Arc: It started to get exciting from the third episode. Currently watching.
My Senpai is Annoying: It's really cute. Currently watching.
Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei (The Tatami Galaxy): I've heard about it for a long time, but I watched it intermittently. It has a visual and stylistic resemblance to the Monogatari series. The recurring setting, the interpretation of unknown possibilities, even now, still feels fresh. I often think that I am also trapped in a four-and-a-half tatami mat space and don't know when I will have the courage to break free.
Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken (That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime): Just marking it. It's a classic rewatch. The animation quality is top-notch.