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One Thing I've Learned

One Thing I've Learned

@debbieohi.com

Things I've learned, from inconsequential to practical to bigger-picture. Also see: Debbieohi.com/links

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20Posts
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Italian Progrock: Great workmusic to drown out noisy neighbours
Sep 18, 2026
Everyone has their own preference for work music. Some writer friends prefer silence. If I'm writing, I can't listen to any music that has English lyrics because I get too distracted. If I'm illustrating, anything is fine. And when I'm trying to write in a rented apartment when it sounds like someone in the apartment directly above my office is hammering and drilling (drilling into my brain), I find that my usual mellow atmospheric music doesn't cut it. I pull out the big guns, e.g. Italian prog...
3
8
workproductivity
Taking the "what advice would I give my younger self" exercise a step further
Sep 15, 2026
What would advice would my future self give me now? And will I take that advice? It's always an interesting exercise to answer the question: I would tell my younger self a LOT of things, though I'm not sure how much of it I'd pay attention to (shut up, old lady! you don't know what you're talking about etc).
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lifeaging
Before I invest time in learning a new app, I look under the hood
Sep 13, 2026
I used to be much more spontaneous in jumping into new apps because they just looked too cool or useful or amazing. Now I tend to be more cautious and try to look under the hood first. Why? Because I've been burned way too often, spending a lot of energy and time learning how to use an app and integrate it into my life....only to have the developer abandon it after just a short time, find out that it doesn't live up to the shiny window dressing, find out that the company is just luring in as man...
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1
tech
Sometimes it's better to be kind than prove I'm right
Sep 9, 2026
On being kind to yourself as well to the other person
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1
mental healthrelationships
Take the time to verify "facts" before sharing
Sep 6, 2026
And why I no longer believe that covering banana stems makes bananas last longer
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1
foodsocial media
I use Handbrake for converting my WAV video files to MP4
Sep 4, 2026
Open-source video transcoder available for Linux, Mac, and Windows.
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techapps
By embracing multiple formats, I can read more books
Sep 2, 2026
Also, physical limitations helped me learn how NOT to be a format snob.
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1
physical healthhobbies
There is no magic shortcut. You need to do the work.
Sep 1, 2026
I have learned that pushing through the tough bits often helps me build skills that will come in handy for other projects or goals...including perseverance when I make mistakes or missteps.
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worklife
A "sprue" is the cardboard sheet from which you punch out game pieces
Aug 31, 2026
Also has meanings in model-making, cooking/gardening, manufacturing, and medicine!
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3
language
Be fully present. The "last time" won't announce itself.
Aug 19, 2026
When you are with someone you care about, be fully present. Don't multitask, don't be thinking ahead about other things you need to do. Give them and the moment your full attention.
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2
liferelationships
Don't let envy fester
Aug 2, 2026
Acknowledge it but then MOVE ON
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1
mental healthwork
Don't go into a romantic relationship expecting the other person to change.
Jul 30, 2026
Great advice from our friends who were married 50+ years
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relationshipslife