Paul Wiedel
@pwiedel.bsky.social
I try to care about important things the most.
Life seems long, then life seems short.
What's important to me: helping others, improving myself, and enjoying enjoyable moments.
Writing and designing software solutions is how I earn a living.
Life seems long, then life seems short.
What's important to me: helping others, improving myself, and enjoying enjoyable moments.
Writing and designing software solutions is how I earn a living.
We saw Primary Trust at the Guthrie Theatre last night.
It is a wonderful play. The actors are fantastic. Great set and production.
I appreciate how the story was presented to the audience. It is a positive presentation of a person's life struggles.
It is a wonderful play. The actors are fantastic. Great set and production.
I appreciate how the story was presented to the audience. It is a positive presentation of a person's life struggles.
October 22, 2025 at 2:41 PM
We saw Primary Trust at the Guthrie Theatre last night.
It is a wonderful play. The actors are fantastic. Great set and production.
I appreciate how the story was presented to the audience. It is a positive presentation of a person's life struggles.
It is a wonderful play. The actors are fantastic. Great set and production.
I appreciate how the story was presented to the audience. It is a positive presentation of a person's life struggles.
I'm considering dropping Amazon Prime.
I'm not sure that I see a ton of value in the service anymore.
Free two-day shipping isn't a huge draw to me. If I want/need something urgently, I'll pay for fast shipping/go and get it.
I'm not sure that I see a ton of value in the service anymore.
Free two-day shipping isn't a huge draw to me. If I want/need something urgently, I'll pay for fast shipping/go and get it.
August 3, 2025 at 11:22 AM
I'm considering dropping Amazon Prime.
I'm not sure that I see a ton of value in the service anymore.
Free two-day shipping isn't a huge draw to me. If I want/need something urgently, I'll pay for fast shipping/go and get it.
I'm not sure that I see a ton of value in the service anymore.
Free two-day shipping isn't a huge draw to me. If I want/need something urgently, I'll pay for fast shipping/go and get it.
Just had a thought.
I wonder how much longer dryers are lasting because people carry less pocket change these days.
I wonder how much longer dryers are lasting because people carry less pocket change these days.
May 12, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Just had a thought.
I wonder how much longer dryers are lasting because people carry less pocket change these days.
I wonder how much longer dryers are lasting because people carry less pocket change these days.
We just received word that my dog's lab results are clean.
It took almost six days to get the results back.
Had they not, it would have meant an aggressive stage 4 cancer.
He's been cancer free for 2 or so years.
It was hard to think about the coming months.
He's getting a lot of treats.
It took almost six days to get the results back.
Had they not, it would have meant an aggressive stage 4 cancer.
He's been cancer free for 2 or so years.
It was hard to think about the coming months.
He's getting a lot of treats.
April 14, 2025 at 7:21 PM
We just received word that my dog's lab results are clean.
It took almost six days to get the results back.
Had they not, it would have meant an aggressive stage 4 cancer.
He's been cancer free for 2 or so years.
It was hard to think about the coming months.
He's getting a lot of treats.
It took almost six days to get the results back.
Had they not, it would have meant an aggressive stage 4 cancer.
He's been cancer free for 2 or so years.
It was hard to think about the coming months.
He's getting a lot of treats.
I wish people would stop saying that tariffs are going to kill jobs.
That's not true.
There are going to be tremendous growth opportunities for aspiring smugglers.
That's not true.
There are going to be tremendous growth opportunities for aspiring smugglers.
April 12, 2025 at 4:23 PM
I wish people would stop saying that tariffs are going to kill jobs.
That's not true.
There are going to be tremendous growth opportunities for aspiring smugglers.
That's not true.
There are going to be tremendous growth opportunities for aspiring smugglers.
pi day just doesn't seem the same this year.
It's not like it was back in 1592. Back then, they'd celebrate with some delicious apple pie at 6:53 and 58 seconds.
That was really special back then.
It's not like it was back in 1592. Back then, they'd celebrate with some delicious apple pie at 6:53 and 58 seconds.
That was really special back then.
March 14, 2025 at 3:30 PM
pi day just doesn't seem the same this year.
It's not like it was back in 1592. Back then, they'd celebrate with some delicious apple pie at 6:53 and 58 seconds.
That was really special back then.
It's not like it was back in 1592. Back then, they'd celebrate with some delicious apple pie at 6:53 and 58 seconds.
That was really special back then.
I've talked it over with my wife and our dog.
We ultimately decided that the time is not right for me to run for the open US Senate seat for MN in 2026.
Thank you to everyone who didn't know I was briefly thinking about it, and might have offered words of support.
It means a lot to me.
We ultimately decided that the time is not right for me to run for the open US Senate seat for MN in 2026.
Thank you to everyone who didn't know I was briefly thinking about it, and might have offered words of support.
It means a lot to me.
February 26, 2025 at 1:56 PM
I've talked it over with my wife and our dog.
We ultimately decided that the time is not right for me to run for the open US Senate seat for MN in 2026.
Thank you to everyone who didn't know I was briefly thinking about it, and might have offered words of support.
It means a lot to me.
We ultimately decided that the time is not right for me to run for the open US Senate seat for MN in 2026.
Thank you to everyone who didn't know I was briefly thinking about it, and might have offered words of support.
It means a lot to me.
I'm going to try and trademark "The Big Game".
People will no longer use that term when they are talking about the NFL championship game without the express written consent of the NFL.
People will no longer use that term when they are talking about the NFL championship game without the express written consent of the NFL.
February 7, 2025 at 9:29 PM
I'm going to try and trademark "The Big Game".
People will no longer use that term when they are talking about the NFL championship game without the express written consent of the NFL.
People will no longer use that term when they are talking about the NFL championship game without the express written consent of the NFL.
My refrigerator has this beeping alarm that will sound if the door is open too long.
Everyone in my household loves it.
I love that it provides a warning that we're wasting electricity by letting warm air into the refrigerator.
Everyone else, I think, loves to listen to it play for a while.
Everyone in my household loves it.
I love that it provides a warning that we're wasting electricity by letting warm air into the refrigerator.
Everyone else, I think, loves to listen to it play for a while.
February 7, 2025 at 12:45 AM
My refrigerator has this beeping alarm that will sound if the door is open too long.
Everyone in my household loves it.
I love that it provides a warning that we're wasting electricity by letting warm air into the refrigerator.
Everyone else, I think, loves to listen to it play for a while.
Everyone in my household loves it.
I love that it provides a warning that we're wasting electricity by letting warm air into the refrigerator.
Everyone else, I think, loves to listen to it play for a while.
Got a call at the office, 20 years ago.
"Hey Paul. Thanks for letting us stay. One thing. I noticed there was some water on your kitchen floor."
"Oh, could you shut off the water?"
"No, we're on the road now."
That was one of my least favorite conversations.
I drove quickly.
"Hey Paul. Thanks for letting us stay. One thing. I noticed there was some water on your kitchen floor."
"Oh, could you shut off the water?"
"No, we're on the road now."
That was one of my least favorite conversations.
I drove quickly.
January 20, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Got a call at the office, 20 years ago.
"Hey Paul. Thanks for letting us stay. One thing. I noticed there was some water on your kitchen floor."
"Oh, could you shut off the water?"
"No, we're on the road now."
That was one of my least favorite conversations.
I drove quickly.
"Hey Paul. Thanks for letting us stay. One thing. I noticed there was some water on your kitchen floor."
"Oh, could you shut off the water?"
"No, we're on the road now."
That was one of my least favorite conversations.
I drove quickly.
I picked up durian snacks at Costco yesterday.
The last time I tried durian was at a friend's wedding.
My memory of it was that it was momentarily tasty, then a foul stench overpowered the taste.
I wish I had tried to pinch my nose while eating it.
This time, I didn't let the stench ruin it.
The last time I tried durian was at a friend's wedding.
My memory of it was that it was momentarily tasty, then a foul stench overpowered the taste.
I wish I had tried to pinch my nose while eating it.
This time, I didn't let the stench ruin it.
January 10, 2025 at 9:11 PM
I picked up durian snacks at Costco yesterday.
The last time I tried durian was at a friend's wedding.
My memory of it was that it was momentarily tasty, then a foul stench overpowered the taste.
I wish I had tried to pinch my nose while eating it.
This time, I didn't let the stench ruin it.
The last time I tried durian was at a friend's wedding.
My memory of it was that it was momentarily tasty, then a foul stench overpowered the taste.
I wish I had tried to pinch my nose while eating it.
This time, I didn't let the stench ruin it.
I'd like to see this as a regularly used follow up question to all GOP politicians: "What does Mr. Musk think of this?"
e.g., "President Trump is considering new tariffs on imported Circus Peanuts."
"Has he spoken to Mr. Musk about this? Has Mr. Musk shared his opinion?"
e.g., "President Trump is considering new tariffs on imported Circus Peanuts."
"Has he spoken to Mr. Musk about this? Has Mr. Musk shared his opinion?"
December 22, 2024 at 12:55 PM
I'd like to see this as a regularly used follow up question to all GOP politicians: "What does Mr. Musk think of this?"
e.g., "President Trump is considering new tariffs on imported Circus Peanuts."
"Has he spoken to Mr. Musk about this? Has Mr. Musk shared his opinion?"
e.g., "President Trump is considering new tariffs on imported Circus Peanuts."
"Has he spoken to Mr. Musk about this? Has Mr. Musk shared his opinion?"
Found out a friend who I'd lost touch with passed away a couple years ago.
We used to work together and talk all the time.
She was great at what she did.
Then we didn't work together.
We had been in sporadic contact since.
The last email she said we should get lunch.
We never did.
RIP
We used to work together and talk all the time.
She was great at what she did.
Then we didn't work together.
We had been in sporadic contact since.
The last email she said we should get lunch.
We never did.
RIP
December 19, 2024 at 7:51 PM
Found out a friend who I'd lost touch with passed away a couple years ago.
We used to work together and talk all the time.
She was great at what she did.
Then we didn't work together.
We had been in sporadic contact since.
The last email she said we should get lunch.
We never did.
RIP
We used to work together and talk all the time.
She was great at what she did.
Then we didn't work together.
We had been in sporadic contact since.
The last email she said we should get lunch.
We never did.
RIP
The MN winter started my seasonal fitness plan today.
We had 2 inches of snow last night. We're expecting another 2 inches today.
I try to shovel my driveway and one of our neighbor's without using a snow blower.
It's a nice way to work some cardio into the day.
We had 2 inches of snow last night. We're expecting another 2 inches today.
I try to shovel my driveway and one of our neighbor's without using a snow blower.
It's a nice way to work some cardio into the day.
December 19, 2024 at 1:31 PM
The MN winter started my seasonal fitness plan today.
We had 2 inches of snow last night. We're expecting another 2 inches today.
I try to shovel my driveway and one of our neighbor's without using a snow blower.
It's a nice way to work some cardio into the day.
We had 2 inches of snow last night. We're expecting another 2 inches today.
I try to shovel my driveway and one of our neighbor's without using a snow blower.
It's a nice way to work some cardio into the day.
I picked up a Macbook in anticipation of tariffs.
My old one, is exhibiting its age. I probably would have bought one this year, or the next anyway.
Still, I wonder if I'm going to look back at this and wonder if this is an inadequate measure for what's ahead, or if it is overreacting.
My old one, is exhibiting its age. I probably would have bought one this year, or the next anyway.
Still, I wonder if I'm going to look back at this and wonder if this is an inadequate measure for what's ahead, or if it is overreacting.
December 5, 2024 at 11:29 AM
I picked up a Macbook in anticipation of tariffs.
My old one, is exhibiting its age. I probably would have bought one this year, or the next anyway.
Still, I wonder if I'm going to look back at this and wonder if this is an inadequate measure for what's ahead, or if it is overreacting.
My old one, is exhibiting its age. I probably would have bought one this year, or the next anyway.
Still, I wonder if I'm going to look back at this and wonder if this is an inadequate measure for what's ahead, or if it is overreacting.
Drove through Wisconsin to get to Thanksgiving in IL again this year.
My favorite part about driving through Wisconsin is to stop at any gas station and get amazing cheese curds and beef sticks. It can be a glorious place.
My favorite part about driving through Wisconsin is to stop at any gas station and get amazing cheese curds and beef sticks. It can be a glorious place.
December 1, 2024 at 10:59 PM
Drove through Wisconsin to get to Thanksgiving in IL again this year.
My favorite part about driving through Wisconsin is to stop at any gas station and get amazing cheese curds and beef sticks. It can be a glorious place.
My favorite part about driving through Wisconsin is to stop at any gas station and get amazing cheese curds and beef sticks. It can be a glorious place.
One of my tricks as a developer working in an agile environment was to focus on 2 things:
1. Design story solutions around how to test it. I'd think 'how do I demonstrate that this is correct'. Get the tester involved with the solution early.
2. Watch the backlog and prepare for the upcoming work.
1. Design story solutions around how to test it. I'd think 'how do I demonstrate that this is correct'. Get the tester involved with the solution early.
2. Watch the backlog and prepare for the upcoming work.
November 26, 2024 at 11:31 AM
One of my tricks as a developer working in an agile environment was to focus on 2 things:
1. Design story solutions around how to test it. I'd think 'how do I demonstrate that this is correct'. Get the tester involved with the solution early.
2. Watch the backlog and prepare for the upcoming work.
1. Design story solutions around how to test it. I'd think 'how do I demonstrate that this is correct'. Get the tester involved with the solution early.
2. Watch the backlog and prepare for the upcoming work.
Here's a picture of Orlando not caring that there's a huge stag nearby.
November 15, 2024 at 12:46 AM
Here's a picture of Orlando not caring that there's a huge stag nearby.
Just deactivated my Twitter account.
I hadn't posted in months.
There wasn't much joy for me there.
I hope this place is close to how I remember the good days on Twitter.
I hadn't posted in months.
There wasn't much joy for me there.
I hope this place is close to how I remember the good days on Twitter.
November 9, 2024 at 12:00 AM
Just deactivated my Twitter account.
I hadn't posted in months.
There wasn't much joy for me there.
I hope this place is close to how I remember the good days on Twitter.
I hadn't posted in months.
There wasn't much joy for me there.
I hope this place is close to how I remember the good days on Twitter.
This is something I learned consuming social media.
When I see content that makes me mad, I do my best not to react.
Instead, I try to understand what it is that is producing that reaction.
I also try to evaluate whether I really care about it. Usually, I don't.
I think I've grown from doing this.
When I see content that makes me mad, I do my best not to react.
Instead, I try to understand what it is that is producing that reaction.
I also try to evaluate whether I really care about it. Usually, I don't.
I think I've grown from doing this.
October 12, 2024 at 11:35 AM
This is something I learned consuming social media.
When I see content that makes me mad, I do my best not to react.
Instead, I try to understand what it is that is producing that reaction.
I also try to evaluate whether I really care about it. Usually, I don't.
I think I've grown from doing this.
When I see content that makes me mad, I do my best not to react.
Instead, I try to understand what it is that is producing that reaction.
I also try to evaluate whether I really care about it. Usually, I don't.
I think I've grown from doing this.
Deficiency in character or competency will override a disagreement on policy.
If I can't have faith that an elected official will competently and faithfully fulfill their duties, what does it matter if I agree with them on policy?
If I can't have faith that an elected official will competently and faithfully fulfill their duties, what does it matter if I agree with them on policy?
October 12, 2024 at 11:18 AM
Deficiency in character or competency will override a disagreement on policy.
If I can't have faith that an elected official will competently and faithfully fulfill their duties, what does it matter if I agree with them on policy?
If I can't have faith that an elected official will competently and faithfully fulfill their duties, what does it matter if I agree with them on policy?
When deciding on a candidate to vote for, there are two things I consider: policy and character.
If a candidate's policy is in line with my beliefs, I'll probably vote for them.
However, if one candidate's character is not becoming, I'll vote for their opponent. Policy doesn't matter then.
If a candidate's policy is in line with my beliefs, I'll probably vote for them.
However, if one candidate's character is not becoming, I'll vote for their opponent. Policy doesn't matter then.
October 12, 2024 at 11:13 AM
When deciding on a candidate to vote for, there are two things I consider: policy and character.
If a candidate's policy is in line with my beliefs, I'll probably vote for them.
However, if one candidate's character is not becoming, I'll vote for their opponent. Policy doesn't matter then.
If a candidate's policy is in line with my beliefs, I'll probably vote for them.
However, if one candidate's character is not becoming, I'll vote for their opponent. Policy doesn't matter then.