Java Zen:Thinking Out Loud Monday, 2025.11.17 
Water does not overcome because it yields. It overcomes because it is
relentless. It perseveres and does not give up. It is constant. Rock can block
water. Rock can even hold water in a lake for thousands of years. Why can't the
yielding overcome the hard then? Because it cannot move. It cannot work its
magic of being relentless.

Just as water must be able to express its true nature in a relentless way, so
too must we simultaneously and relentlessly express our true natures if we are
to be successful in life. Otherwise, we will find ourselves hemmed in by the
hard walls of reality, and we will never be able to break through.

But how do we acquire such perseverance? We start small. As drops.

		Deng Ming-Dao, "365 Tao - Daily Meditations", #349

2008.04.28

FedEx Road Show

Turns out, FedEx has both “tracking numbers” and “tour numbers.” Tracking numbers are those which show you where your package is as it moves from Point A to Point B, where presumably you are at Point B. For example, a recent purchase of mine was shipped from the vendor in two separate packages. Using the FedEx “tracking number”, we see the trace of Package One’s journey from Point A (the vendor) to Point B (me):

Nicely done, FedEx. “Tour numbers,” however, show your package’s progress from Point A to all points in between Point A and you. Using the FedEx “tour number” shows a different trace for Package Two:

Package Two went from Columbia, MO, through Denver (I missed the opportunity to wave as it went by), on to Salt Lake City and then back to Denver. What fun! Problem is, there’s no way to know what kind of number you have. Not so nicely done, FedEx.

Well, I hope Package Two enjoyed it’s visit to Salt Lake City.

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