9th
November
2015
In today’s mail, a long await key. Finally, I can open that enigmatic beige box that sits by the corner of the house! Not so mysterious, actually; I was there when our generator was installed, but I feel that it’s mine, when I can look inside and admire the machinery. And see the control panel. We’ve been protected for over 820 hours, already.
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posted in technology |
5th
November
2015
This afternoon, I had to spend some time “renewing” metal hardware. The antenna project, for those who need to know. Several dozen small bolts and nuts, placed outside about six years back. Not one of them worth keeping. Corrosion happens, but this was a return to dust. From now on, when I see artefacts in a museum, I’ll have a whole new sense of respect for the original manufacturer.
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posted in ham radio, politics, technology |
2nd
November
2015
An unexpected poke from the past, today; scrolling through a local history book and spotting a familiar face… from when I was seven years old. I wonder if I’d have the same “recognition factor”.
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posted in humour, technology |
25th
October
2015
It might be the cooling air, outside. Or the sudden availability of pre-packaged “stew veggies”, but the call has gone out to prepare for winter. A sudden interest in canning, rather than simply buying stuff in cans. A desire to plug in the basement freezer and “chill”. Maybe some oversized meal preps, to give us something to put in the freezer beyond extra electrical charges.
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posted in food, technology |
18th
October
2015
Sometime after one in the morning. I’m awake, reading and waiting. On schedule, the house goes dark, and within fifteen seconds the lights came back up. As a background theme, the roar of a two cylinder motor. Our generator has passed its test; by extension, we’re now “autonomous”, as long as I keep the pair of propane tanks filled. A lot of planning and research went into this, and the only secret was the final price (yes, higher than I had hoped). Part of the package.
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posted in technology |
15th
October
2015
Evidence that the justice system does rule correctly, on occasion: In the UK, a High Court judge has ruled that Contract Bridge is NOT a sport. I knew that; in high school, we had to dress appropriately for physical education classes. The various, and genuine, sports were presented, sequentially and seasonally. Even the trampoline. The only card game that ever offered physical activity was that ongoing euchre circle in the cafeteria (woe be to he who disturbed the players).
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posted in food, technology |
11th
October
2015
Time to rest and reflect, while I give thanks. The prep for tomorrow’s meal is done, a day early. Not having to anticipate a sprint to get things ready is worth noting.
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posted in food, politics, technology |
7th
October
2015
We’ve recently moved from a large city to a place in the country. Part of the attraction, for the family, is the ability to learn new skills. Including, it seems, growing some of our own food. As a friend puts it, feeding your neighbours, meaning the various small animals that live close by. Rabbits, in familiar terms.
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posted in technology |
6th
October
2015
That wasn’t someone asking questions. My very first “hearing” of an owl, in the trees just off to the side of the house. Much too dark to actually spot the bird, but there was no doubt; I heard it call, pretty much the whole time that the dog was leading me around. Cool!
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posted in technology |
23rd
September
2015
Somewhere between sea and sky, a hovering, buzzing machine. Hard at work (sic), mapping a sector of environmentally fragile territory with a camera. All is good… until the battery fails. Suddenly, the sea wins the contest.
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posted in politics, technology |
