A Quiet Summer of Reflection and Data Analysis

The summer has turned out to be unexpectedly subdued for me. Following a minor motorcycle incident, my shoulder has taken on more strain than it can handle, resulting in an AC joint separation classified as Rockwood Grade 4. For the next couple of weeks, I will be in a Gilchrist bandage, gradually easing back into my routine. This means no tennis or golf for the entire summer!

Thanks to the flexibility of working from home, I'm still available to my employer. However, life has certainly slowed down. This unexpected downtime has given me the opportunity to process raw data from the remote observatory of the VdS (see Astronomy -> Remote Observatory of the VdS). There are some exciting materials waiting on the drive!

Additionally, I find myself with time to ponder some political thoughts. In the aftermath of the overly blue European elections, one can't help but wonder who continues to support these questionable activities. It seems that the eastern regions are increasingly leaning blue. While I won’t label everyone as extremists, as some have done, there are certainly common traits among this demographic: dissatisfaction, complaining, envy, and a lack of constructive solutions. This isn't merely a stereotype; it's a sad reality. Do they not realize how their attitudes affect them? Is their daily demeanor always sour? It seems unnecessarily exhausting. Interestingly, some can still cheer "foreigners out!" with a smile, as long as their wealthy parents cover the steep entry fees. Ironically, these are often the most privileged—those who unjustly blame foreigners for their perceived lack of success, mistakenly believing that their wealth would increase if others weren't receiving support. I genuinely wish these individuals could experience life under an AfD government—just not in Germany.