“One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn’t exist…..Without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist”
― Stephen Hawking
https://meanderingpassage.com//wp-content/uploads/images/2020/07/EBM-20160319121958.jpg
There’s not a photo or image in my library that I believe is as good as it gets. However, at some point, I’ll decide some are okay to share either here or somewhere else. It’s a mystery what goes into the decision whether an image is good enough? I wish there were a universal formula, but it’s a personal decision and an act of acceptance. I’ve passed over this photo a number of times but kept coming back to it. This time I thought it was okay.
In a prior life, when I was designing systems and programming, I often worked a two-step process. I’d quickly create, program, and debug a system to meet the user’s requirements. Once it was working, it was turned over to users. Then as time allowed, I’d go back studying ways to improve the code and efficiency. After testing, the improved parts quietly replaced the live system with the users being only aware of faster or smoother operations.
It’s not about trying to reach perfection, competition against anyone else, or pleasing anyone else. It’s about working at a level you’re capable of…at least part of the time. Even when doing a job around the house, I’ll finish and usually honestly state I’m not completely satisfied with the results. We’re hardest on ourselves. You’d think that if you were going to cut anyone some slack, it would be yourself.
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I’ve recently been working on the Meandering Passage web site. More to do with under the hood changes and site performance than changing or improving the design. For me, this kind of work is therapeutic as it organizes and centers my thinking processes.
Pagespeed and Yslow scores were pretty bad ( C / D) to begin with, but after changing my caching software, removing the Jetpack Plugin, replacing the homepage slideshow plugin, and a few other adjustments, it’s reached the performance scores you see here.
I’m pleased, but I’m not completely satisfied with the results. ;-)
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The arch photo was made while staying at Goulding Monument Valley RV Park, Oljato-Monument Valley, UT, in 2016. Immediately behind the RV Park was a small butte with a short trail where I’d often walk Maggie. There was a turning around point on the path where things got more difficult. One day I hiked the trail without Maggie and continued up and along this harder part of the trail. On the backside of the butte, I came across Goulding Arch. I couldn’t capture the whole arch in the photo because I didn’t have a wider lens with me, and backing up would have included a fall of some distance. As a side note, while at this RV park there was a dust storm which blew clouds of red dust everywhere, and to the day we sold that RV, there was red dust wedged into the cracks and crevices that we couldn’t get out. Good memories of good times.
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I hope everyone is doing well.
A post verging on Wabi-sabi, Earl. Perfection, as Hawkins hinted, is a human mental construct with no place in reality. Sanity may well depend on one’s ability to accept the transience and imperfection of things; so take care Earl, those performance scores look pretty “perfect” to me ;)
Yes, the art of transience and imperfection. I would say I know it well but perhaps more accurately it knows me well. Since perfection doesn’t exist one must rethink the often-used term “perfectly sane” and smile at the irony when our current US president calls so many of his actions perfect. No concerns about those performance scores but concerns about my sanity might be another matter entirely. Take care Cedric and have a good weekend. :-)
Great Hawking quote, and I agree 100%. Nice job on the GT Metrix. I once was aiming for A scores, but read from so many web optimization designers that the scores don’t matter so much as TTFB and your page load time. I know getting rid of Jetpack helps, but I like some of its features so I just take the hit.
I like the leading in arch way in the photo.
Thanks, Mark, and I understand you’re home now? Wonderful news! The whole web performance and priorities are such a can of worms. I’ve seen recommendations you’ve mentioned that say focus on TTFB and load time but then I just also saw a Cloudflare article claiming TTFB was inconsequential. Haha, the good news was that as the scores on GT Matrix improved there was a corresponding reduction in TTFB and page load times.
Be well and have a good weekend.
Yes home now. Some follow ups to do.
Maybe a new normal to adapt to.
I hear ya on the “advice.” No
Matter, you have the great scores overall. Congrats on getting there.
Wonderful, Mark! I know you’re happy to be home. Haha, as someone with more than a few years on you…I’m discovering even under the best of circumstances, adapting to new normals becomes the new normal. ;-)
Thanks, again and best wishes!
I’ve heard it said we are perfectly imperfect. Fits me.
I encountered a sand storm at the Great Sand Dunes National Park a few years ago. I could feel the finest dust settling on my face and everything else. I still have sand embedded in the tent.
I’m not one to worry much about my website, just want it to function, period.
Certainly, that imperfect part fits me well, Monte. During this pandemic, with its downtime, I enjoy working with the web site. You journal, I code. ;-)
Enjoy your weekend!