Editorials from Theslowlane

Europe means well, but still suffers from climate change, as in the good guy finishes last.

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 17:56:57 +0000

I often hear that third world countries suffer more from climate change that is caused by first world countries. Still, all that shaming of first world countries doesn't seem to move the needle toward transformational change.

Meanwhile many, in third world countries, are struggling to build first world economies, including the mistakes that the first world has made. Conservative religious values that push procreation versus alternative lifestyles were prevalent in the first world of the 1950s. They are still being promoted in much of the third world.

Automobile based transportation systems are still being built in much of the world. Even where people, in the third world, do better than USA for use of public transit, many still say they would rather drive if only they could afford a car.

Military spending, as a large percent of national budgets, is huge in many poor countries. Yes, the US tops the list in total military budget, but as a percent of GDP it's down in the list. There are wars all over the world, including a civil war within Sudan that is often under the radar of US media.

Europe has done a good job with public transit, alternative energy and social freedoms, yet due to climate change being a worldwide problem, it may be suffering more than just about any other part of the world. I think of the phrase, "the good guy finishes last."

Still, it seems like just about everyone, in the world, wants to progress toward prosperous, technological societies. European countries offer some good examples of greener societies that are still considered livable and prosperous.

China seems to be doing well in making a green transition, though it's not such a shining example of human rights.

The US still has great innovations happening in many corners, but the right wing mentality, controlling our government, is pushing the other way. I think the right wing mindset is rebelling against criticism of our consumptive economy.

Vacant lot in Fountain District on Meridian.

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 22:48:43 +0000

Bellingham is still quite spread out with quite a bit of vacant land. Still, the land is very expensive these days.

I remember, when I was in college, I did a project where I ranked cities and towns in Washington State by size of land area versus population. Bellingham had a lot of land compared to its number of people while Pullman, where I grew up, was a lot more compact. That was in the 1970s.

Bellingham is infilling more now. Pullman is compact due to it being a university town with lots of dorms and apartments.

My experiment with an AI assisted cartoon.

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 03:48:46 +0000

I have some ideas for cartoon punchlines, but not much skill in drawing. So, I tried out AI to draw a cartoon based on one of my ideas.

Here is what I got. Not bad, but I added a few things and altered the layout a bit using my old graphics program called Neopaint. AI generated what's in black while I added what's in red.

Then I ask, "how much power does it take to generate this image?" It takes about as much a it takes to charge a smartphone. More than just asking a simple question as image generation takes more power. Video generation takes much more power.

Really, not that much except that so many people are using AI, that's a lot of smartphones charging. Still not a lot compared to heating and cooling a home or driving a car; my favorite nemesis.

Bicycle touring in my retirement years, but not as much as during my great vacations while at work.

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 17:41:16 +0000

For a few years, I've had some arthritis in just one ancle. It bothers me some while walking, but not while bicycling. Bicycling is still my means of transportation and it still feels good. These days, there are more wildfires effecting areas I used to do long tours in.

Another situation, in my retirement years, is prostate cancer. I have a mild case of that which is treatable. It's serious enough so treatment is recommended, but still only in one area. I'm getting radiation treatment. A 28 weekday schedule of treatments from late July to the end of August.

There was a time when mid to late summer was prime bike touring season for me. Not anymore. Smokey late summer is when my treatments are happening this year.

Typical smoke pattern with Western Washington sometimes under morning clouds while much of the rest of the country seems to be burning.

This map was before the big Spokane fires. Today, because of that and other fires in places like Okanogan plus British Columbia, the smoke and fires are even worse. I'm okay riding through some smoke, but crossing Eastern Washington is another story.

Mid to late summer travel isn't that appealing. Climate change and the increasing amount of traffic on highways creates a new normal. Yes, bike paths are improving, but many rural areas don't have them. Cities, like Bellingham and Seattle area become more appealing by comparison.

Back when I was working, I cherished my long vacations and leaves absence for bike tours. My custodial job, at YMCA, was low stress and nice people to work with. Still, it was a bit monotonous. I'm glad I did a lot of that bike travel during my working years. I still plan to do some, depending on circumstances and the weather.

So far, the treatments are going well and the cancer is curable.

There are so many fun and social things to do in Bellingham that being on the road is less appealing. I'd miss something for sure. We can't clone ourselves.

I live within one and a half miles of Peace Health Saint Joe's Hospital campus where I get the treatments. I usually ride through Cornwall Park.

Biking to the clinic. Each day's treatment just takes a few minutes.

Part of a nice stainglass art piece at the clinic.

See some of my photo memories from bike touring as well as local rides

If I lived in Michigan, after the Senate primary election.

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 04:54:15 +0000

Whether far to the left, or moderate, I would still vote Democrat as Democrats just about all vote, in Congress, to curb Trump nearly running everything by dictatorial means, such as executive order.

Too bad the far left does win in primaries due to the danger of Republican's far right more likely winning in the general under those circumstances. There are lots of disagreements over things like support for Israel that can fracture a party, but one Senator is only one voice. All the Democratic voices should stand together to put limits on Trump's executive power at least.

Would a state income tax make it harder for the Seahawk's to recruit top players?

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 04:38:34 +0000

I'm for higher taxes on the rich, but I realize that there are consequences to everything which effect the masses of voters. We can't "have it all." For instance, high taxes on high incomes might make it harder for the Seahawks football team to recruit top players. An income tax might make our state less competitive in that arena, but what do we really value?

I value things like good parks and schools more. I value safe bike paths more than just having a winning team that people just watch on TV.

What are your priorities, winning teams owned by billionaires or good local parks?

Harder to deny the drought effects of climate change than just the few degree temperature rise.

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:25:28 +0000

Wildfires are getting a lot worse in recent years. The summer dry season is getting longer in many regions. More droughts and in other areas more floods.

I think this effect from climate change is more noticeable than just the few degrees of temperature rise.

Bicycling on sidewalk is sometimes safer. There are often more pedestrians on the street than on the sidewalk in our car dominated culture.

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 14:45:51 +0000

In some places it seems safer to bike carefully on the sidewalk. I prefer the street, if there is a space for bikes, but sometimes the sidewalk is safer.

I prefer the street, or road if it has a shoulder.

There's often more pedestrians in the street by parked cars than on the sidewalk. It can be easier to see a pedestrian on the sidewalk than when they are darting out between parked cars on the street, not to mention sudden door openings. I tend to go slow in this type of area.

It seems like almost one out of every 4 cars is backing out when there is nose in parking. Bikes can be squished between backing cars and moving traffic.

Often one has to go to the sidewalk to push the walk button for activating the stoplight. It can be hard for the system to detect a bike on the street.

When making a 90 degree turn, I prefer not using turn lanes, but crossing, one street at a time, to each corner. I'm not in a hurry.

Lots of people walk on trails that are for mixed use. Not that much different than sidewalks. A speedlimit is the best way to keep things safe (if it's followed). This is also the best way to regulate electric bicycles. It's easier to have a speedlimit than to try and figure out what type of motor qualifies for trail use. Motorized wheelchair? How about handicap access? Skateboard? What type of motor does the bike have? How much of it is pedal assist.

I'm in favor of motorized bikes, though I don't yet feel I need one myself. They increase use of bicycling due to their extreme popularity. Almost half the bikes I see, these days, are the motor assisted pedal bikes. Much of US culture is too fast. I prefer life in the slow lane; the name of my blog.

Sign I saw a few years back in downtown Moscow, Idaho.

Shop online or shop local through Bellingham traffic trying stores that all sell the same thing, not what you need if it's too specialized.

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 06:13:19 +0000

Crazy map of my errands today. I was enjoying it anyway. I was looking for a new kind of battery, but ended up ordering it from Amazon. Local stores don't have it.

Going by bicycle. Bellingham is mostly bicycle friendly, but some retail areas are more car-centric. Riding on sidewalk to avoid traffic in some areas. Beautiful day.

There's plenty of stores sprawling out in different areas and lots of traffic. No wonder people shop on Amazon. I tried to shop local, but eventually let my fingers do the walking, as the old ad for the Yellow Pages went; fingers on my computer keyboard.

Nice day to be out riding around the city. Some of this map shows other errands, but most is the battery search.

This new type of battery is a standard AA rechargeable battery, but it turns out it has to be a new kind of battery; lithium ion rechargeables with their own special charger.

Most rechargeable batteries are metal hydride and it turns out they provide lower than 1.5 volts. I have a new HD radio that needs the steady 1.5 volt current from each of it's 3 batteries. Not 1.2 volts, which most standard rechargeable batteries provide. The radio turns off in protest if the voltage is too low.

The new type of battery offers a more reliable 1.5 volts till it shuts off and asks for a recharge. It's the digital age.

HD radios can pick up the digital signals from some stations that offer more than one program on their signal; like CBU HD 1, Vancouver, BC or CBU HD 2.

Radio interests me and isn't that expensive. Most people just rely on their phones now for all of this, but I still use radios. It can give the phone battery a rest.

As Google traced my routes. I forgot to turn on Bikeometer app, but Google's got me covered. Lower GPS sampling rate, however.

Hardware Sales is a good store, but they don't have it, yet at least.

I also tried Best Buy, at north end. Bought some because I forgot my glasses to see the fine print. They were the wrong kind so I took them back adding to my miles. No wonder I seldom use a gym.

Then tried a specialty battery store in a different area before going back home and ordering online.

Clear cool day with view of Mount Baker over retail parking lots. We haven't yet been hit with hot weather or wildfire smoke. - yet at least.

Can US society become more nimble for transformational change and remain less authoritarian?

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 21:46:38 +0000

China's economy is going green at a fast pace. Things are turning around from the time when it's large population pushed it toward high coal consumption. Now it's leading the world in renewable energy and electric vehicle development.

In some ways, a less democratic society has the ability to be more nimble at making transformational change. Populism and process can hamper transitions in USA due to various forms of NIMBYism.

Still, I like USA's freedom of speech for innovation. It's just that people, in USA, lookout too much for narrow self interests, versus the big picture. People lack patience and they often fear change.

We can't "have it all," but we can do it better, even in a democracy - that is if we are still a democracy.

The Second Amendment can be stretched too far. How about drones?

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 14:00:05 +0000

The Second Amendment of USA's Constitution, about the right to keep and bear arms, was written long ago when guns were a lot different than today.

These days drones are becoming weapons of war, in the Russia Ukraine conflict as well as the Middle East. Is it likely that interpretations of the Second Amendment could be stretched toward the right to keep and bear drones?

Yes, I guess there isn't the right to keep and bear bombs, but where do we draw the lines? Certain drones could just be sophisticated guns if not including a bomb, I guess. There are so many kinds of powerful guns these days, compared to the 1700s when the Constitution was written, that the original intent has been stretched anyway.

Lust for wealth and retribution are major factors driving Trump politics. Plus there are a few slightly better motivations for it's rise.

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:59:16 +0000

It seems like two major things drive the Trump movement. A lust for wealth and prosperity and the desire for retribution. Getting back at one's perceived enemies.

There are other somewhat more positive, but less prominent things. Some folks feel that he's an out of the box innovator. His candidness may be refreshing, compared to normal politicians. Quite a few people are frustrated with "process," regulation and the slow pace of progress. There's a desire to "just get it done." Reliance on simple answers and sound bytes in a society that seems to lack patience.

Yes, our large complex society is gridlocked with the demands from contradicting interests among the public.

The traditional left also has it's desire to increase or maintain the material standard of living, plus there is also resentment among many people's who feel they have been shafted by others, so to speak.

I still tend to lean left, but negativity infects the entire political debate.

The right wing seems to be better, much of the time, at marketing the politics of resentment.

Community wealth versus private wealth.

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:31:57 +0000

I've never had that much interest in accumulating personal wealth even though I'm not in poverty.

My interest is more in community wealth, the buildings, parks, bike lanes and so forth.

Some community wealth is privately owned which is okay also. Even the wealth of billionaires, if it's serving the community; such as the buildings of a business. I have little interest in the fancy private homes, however.

On bike trips down the California Coast, I camped in San Simeon State Park a few times, but I never bothered to take the time to go up the hill to the Hearst Castle. That's the opulent mansion of the historic Hearst Family. It's now a museum and tourist attraction.

The big mansion I never bothered to visit at San Simeon.

Along south part of Big Sur Highway.

I'm headed down Highway 1 in San Simeon area 2006.

Ragged Point eatery. A place to buy food after the long Big Sur Road through mountains along the sea. One day's ride from Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park to San Simeon.

A beach near San Simeon.

A few photos from other trips in that part of the California Coast.

Big Sur in 2003, but then I had a camera with a date stamp that I never bothered to set. It stamped everything with 1994.

The kind of private property that's not open to the public. I took this for effect. A mansion view along 25 Mile Drive outside Monterey. 2003.

Bixby Bridge in Big Sur Area.

My friend Rick Segreda who joined me during my 2003 bicycle trip down the coast. Posing in a pedestrian tunnel crossing under the highway.

Riding bikes to shoebox-sized apartments can still be a prosperous vision of the future.

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 17:39:44 +0000

Some Trump supporters might think my vision of the future is riding bikes to shoebox-sized apartments and eating crickets, to quote a DOT spokesperson interviewed on NPR.

Except for the crickets, some of that is correct, but my vision of the future also involves chatting with AI, following the news from space telescopes. Biking around town following the progress of construction projects. Enjoying the sight of new construction. Looking forward to technological breakthroughs like hydrogen fusion. Having lots of friends who are millionaires (these days, just being a homeowner can mean being a millionaire).

I've experienced riding in a Rivian all electric truck, it was fun and interesting. I've also been on all electric buses and the Skytrain in Vancouver, BC. I look forward to the days of safer, self driving cars. Among my favorite travel destinations are the observation floors of tall skyscrapers.

Part of my view from observation deck of Columbia Tower in 2025 during a transit / bike trip to Seattle.

My vision of the future seems bright and prosperous to me. I still find biking a friendly way to follow the construction sites and serendipitously meet up with friends along the way. It's a more interesting way to stay in shape than working out in a gym.

As bike information is being removed from Trump's Department of Transportation, a DOT spokesperson told NPR in an emailed statement, "This is a common sense approach despite the Left's belief that everyone should ride a bike to their shoebox-sized apartment to eat crickets to achieve a phony climate agenda." <

If the vote is close gerrymandering will likely keep Republicans and Trump running national government.

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:15:50 +0000

I hope for nearly a landslide vote for Democrats this November. If it's a close vote, I fear that gerrymandering will maintain Republican and Trump's total control of the national government.

Maybe Republicans should advocate an income tax increase to pay for their war.

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 03:38:41 +0000

The Defense (or the War) Department wants more more money due to the war with Iran and spreading to other areas. I wonder when and if Republicans would ever say that there needs to be an increase in income taxes? People sacrificed during WWII when they thought that was necessary.

I remember the phrase "Guns and butter" during the the Vietnam War.

Learning more about the development of Salish Landing Park than just peeking past the trees along South Bay Trail.

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 16:40:25 +0000

Progress is being made turning an old landfill into Salish Landing Park. It will take 3 years as a lot of work has to be done. The process was being explained during a kayak tour. I didn't kayak, but met them at a their rest stop in Boulevard Park. There was a discussion about what steps are being taken to develop the new park. The process is interesting.

From South Bay Trail, one can see lots of work being done. the view is through the trees.

Eventually the city plans to put up a sign explaining things and possibly trim some trees for a better view.

Like a vapor barrier, the toxic landfill is being covered in a thick permanent cap. More rocks and soil will be put on top with the park built above that.

Thousands of pages of documents explains things. Lots of agencies are working on this, including the State Department of Ecology.

I read about the kayak trip and ask AI if there was any way to learn from the trip without a kayak. AI explained that a rest stop and information session was planned on shore at Boulevard Park along the way.

Kayakers on their way along the shore from the Boating Center in Fairhaven District past Boulevard Park and then up to the new Salish Landing site.

Passing Bellingham's famous little island made out of tin flakes tossed out from a cannery that was there long ago.

On way back to boating Center the kayakers stopped at Boulevard Park for a lunch break and information session.

Lots of questions were answered.

Here is the containment cap seen from the railroad crossing at Warf Street and the end of Corwall Avenue. I went there later in the day.

View from the north entrance. Site is not open to public. It will take nearly 3 years to build, monitor and open as a park. The park will be larger than Boulevard Park.

It takes patience to wait through this long process. It might be like the building of a cathedral in the Middle Ages, only not as long. Some Cathedrals took hundreds of years to build.

Is pride sinful? The sinful concept is more likely arrogance.

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 16:25:27 +0000

Some religious people think of pride as being a sin. I got to thinking that people get the concepts of pride and arrogance mixed up. Some of my conversations with AI indicate that other writers have similar thinking.

Arrogance, the thinking you're better than others, looking down on others is more the concept that is problematic.

Definitions of words can vary over time and when translated between languages, such as from ancient scriptural writings until today.

Self righteousness can be related to arrogance. Someone who refuses to consider another opinion often thinking they are always right is self righteous.

Humbleness is more a virtue. Scientists often admit that an old theory they had was wrong when tested against better evidence. There's the term "back to the drawing board."

As for the name of the pride parades, the word pride may seem "in your face" to some people, but it is different than arrogance.

Other words that relate to the concept are acceptance and gratitude. There is acceptance that one is okay and one's life has been okay.

Another concept that seems lacking in modern society is gratitude. Having gratitude for what we have and acceptance of who we are can bring peace of mind.

Detached homes bring detached cars.

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:42:24 +0000

It seems like the biggest hurdle, for electric vehicles, is the battery. It's still better than gasoline, but it has its problems of cost, chemicals, weight and so forth.

Battery technology can improve, but in the meantime I still like Seattle's electric buses that run from overhead wires connected to the power grid. No need for the battery. Yes, the bus has to be attached to a wire system. Eventually, private cars could be attached to a road based charging system, so I read.

Still, I got to thinking about the concept of attached, versus detached. Attached trolly buses are more economically viable in areas where there are less detached single family homes. This relates to density.

Detached homes are usually less efficient for heating and cooling as well. Detached homes lead to more detached vehicles. I connect the dots.

The Pride Parades are becoming about acceptance of a broad spectrum of lifestyles

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:38:36 +0000

I think that pride parades have evolved over the years. At the historic roots are in the LGBTAQ rights movements, but the concept of acceptance can be broad. It's called the Bellingham Pride Parade, or sometimes called Pride In Bellingham. Acceptance of a broad spectrum of lifestyles, sexual orientations, races, national origins, and so forth. Some people might feel that the original seed has been watered down, but it is turning into a nice message of acceptance. There are parts of the world where people fight over these things. Here we celebrate many flags of many colors.

Following my bliss path didn't bring high wealth, but it was an authentic path to happiness.

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 06:03:45 +0000

After college, I did gardening jobs and custodial work to pay the bills. Work was mellow and non stressful. I wasn't qualified for most higher end professional jobs.

I also wrote and did a lot of self publishing thinking, at first, that the experience would look good on a resume. It never got me into so called "professional work," but it was what I wanted to do all along. Now that I'm retired, I'm still doing it.

My first priority was saying what I wanted to say, rather than figuring out what sells. Without a family, pets, or a car to support, there wasn't that much pressure to make lots of money. I also found niches with affordable rent.

Zuanich Point Park memorial takes a hit, but gets restored.

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 05:57:04 +0000

Where I go for Saturday's silent disco dance brings memories of fun, calming bay views and sunsets. Now there's social media posts that the memorial, at Zuanich Point Park for those lost at sea, was badly vandalized with paint. It's being cleaned and restored.

Fortunately the granite is hard to vandalize permanently, but restoration comes at cost in dollars and time.

I haven't paid much attention to that sculpture as it quietly watches over the park. It's hard to imagine why someone would want to do that except out of meanness.

Memorial being cleaned and restored from the paint dump.

North side of I-5 in Bellingham where the boxstores are is like a trip in itself.

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 05:35:16 +0000

One slightly arthritic ankle has bothered me for years while dancing and walking, but not while biking. A doctor recommended remidy is new shoes, better arch support and so forth.

Bike traveling to the north side of I-5 in Bellingham where the boxstores are is like a trip in itself. Improving bike access has allowed me to avoid the rat race.

Selfi at Big 5 where I noticed floor tile almost looks like the official colors of WWU. "Back the blue."

Freshly painted bike lanes along James Street north of I-5.

A bike / pedestrian path being built on north into the King Mountain Neighborhood pushing improvements farther north.

To go between sprawling parking lots, one often has to improvise, but look at the flowers in the vacant lot accoss the street!

Amazing, this field of flowers.

Looking east.

It's near a bike path by Whatcom Community College.

I ate at the northside branch of Bellingham Food Coop.

Showing off the meal I had.

Artistic bike racks at the Coops in Cordata and Downtown were made by the HUB bicycle Collective.

What much of the boxstore neighborhood looks like.

Bellingham has been called the "Tijuana of Canada."

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 05:13:08 +0000

Some people notice empty storefronts in downtown Bellingham. I remember when I came here for college, I was amazed how many stores Bellingham had compared to my hometown of Pullman.

Bellingham was not that much bigger than Pullman, but it seemed to have many times more stores. Then someone said it's supported by Canadian shoppers. Yes, at one point, during my college years I read that around half of the dollars, supporting Bellingham businesses, were Canadian. That figure varies over the years due to exchange rates and so forth. Today, many Canadians are staying home due to dislike of Trump.

During the 1980s, I remember one national TV network (maybe CBS) doing a feature on cross border shopping. It called Bellingham the "Tijuana of Canada."

It does seem like there is a lot of floorspace devoted to retail, compared to how much the local population can spend.

Property values and rents have gotten so high that they squeeze out other spending. Today, retailing is also competing with online shopping.

Years ago, when Georgia Pacific Pulp Mill and other factories closed taking away many family wage jobs, I wondered if retailing would take a hit. Those big industries brought outside money into the local area by selling products that were used all over the world.

Some of that loss was more than made up with retirement dollars. Lots of people moving to this area bringing their retirement incomes and home equity with them.

A few years ago, I jokingly said that Bellingham's economy is based on home equity loans.

Yes, it does seem like there still is lots of floorspace devoted to retail with the downtown and all the outlying districts as well as the mall. This is a problem in many American cities.

Pullman, where I grew up, has a lot more shopping now than it did during my high school years before the development of Bishop Boulevard. Bishop is to Pullman what Meridian is to Bellingham.

I tend to only use Facebook from a desktop. Not while distracted on the go.

noreply@blogger.com (Theslowlane Robert Ashworth) — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 15:06:24 +0000

I basically only use Facebook from a desktop computer. It's not that I don't want it on my phone, but it seems to always come up in Spanish on my phone. I tried to fix that once and English came back for a while. Then it went to Spanish again.

I don't multitask and use Facebook on the go anyway. I like to focus on deeper thinking so I prefer a desktop in my quiet apartment.