11th
October
2009
Proof that the cream rises to the top in entertainment: this evening my son spent far too much time discovering Monty Python skits via YouTube. Why, back in my day, we had to wait for the local television station to broadcast them, once a week. Kids have it too easy. At least he’s showing good taste. He could have decided to look for Red Foxx monologues.
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posted in economy |
6th
October
2009
Free software is wonderful. Imagine finding the perfect tool for your task, and not having to leave money on the table for license fees. Go GNU, etc. Except that for those who have to live in a world with Windows, there’s a dirty little secret. More and more companies are monetizing their gift to the world, by signing deals with the dark side.
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posted in computing, economy |
27th
September
2009
Unable to let yesterday’s scenery alone, I convinced a friend to come and see if things were as they had seemed. That is, we went back to the local photography trade show today. At least the admission price was within our budget.
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posted in economy, technology |
24th
September
2009
Blind faith. Great rock band, terrible social concept.
The local school system is slowly giving up on the idea of making religion a cornerstone of curriculum, and the foundations are rocking. This province never does anything quickly, so we’ve been a decade in the process, with gradual deconfessionalization (what a word) and the introduction of a course that paints a stick figure portrayal of what IS religion. This week, the provincial council of bishops spoke out (yet again) with the demand that the course be revised and revamped.
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posted in economy, education |
20th
September
2009
Ah, the wonder of the five and dime. Try that line on your children and they’ll be convinced that you’ve come in via time travel, but the same hodge podge and degree of quality is still out there. Locally we refer to such bazaars as the Dollarama; your local label will vary. Sometimes, the best solution is the cheap one.
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posted in economy, ham radio |
31st
August
2009
Reading the news is enough to give one a case of apoplexy. Whatever that is. Particularly news dealing with the inability of governments to protect anything other than business and big money. Apoplexy, without apology.
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posted in economy |
26th
August
2009
Mark my words. Software piracy is a terrible thing to behold. Worse, still; the reactions of certain larger corporations who believe that their rights have been slighted.
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posted in computing, economy |
20th
August
2009
Perhaps it was something I ate. I spent the day with this strange impulse to go and buy a guitar. Not that I know how to play one (well, OK, I can pick at it and annoy others), thus no reason to actually lay cash on a countertop. What I’d really like to do is build a guitar: cut down a tree, dry the boards in my basement, learn the craft of the luthier. Maybe even wind my own strings. The whole package, rather than a cash and carry bargain. The urge is passing, as the darkness thickens. Good thing.
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posted in economy, food |
21st
July
2009
I had a flashback to one of those interminable high school literature classes this afternoon. No Shakie here; we were reading fine, local, Canadian short stories by Stephen Leacock. I should add that my high school had a love/hate relationship with some of his other works, so the inclusion of My Financial Career made perfect sense.
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posted in economy, humour |
6th
July
2009
Times are tough. How tough, asks the wit in the peanut gallery? Well, … Radio Vatican will begin airing advertisements to cover the costs of their broadcasts.
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posted in economy, media |
