31st
January
2006
Sometimes a visit to the archives will lead to new discoveries. Today, given that the place was almost empty due to a schedule shift, I had a chance to sit down to one of the computer terminals. I found that a database of all marriages in the province during the last 80 years is available; I found myself, some of my neighbours, my old college roommate. Birthdates, marriage data, all there for the taking.
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posted in genealogy |
30th
January
2006
How is it that, with each election, we tolerate that the signs on our utility poles last long after the thrill of the polls has gone? No matter the level, the various candidates show great logistical ability in getting “their” spots adorned, sometimes even in anticipation (there are no sign police to ensure the laws are followed). But, once all the counting and cheering/weeping is over, those same signs seem to take on a life of their own. Nobody wants them. The teams have all (it would seem) disbanded, and the cleanup is left to Mother Nature. Isn’t she busy enough without that added on?
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posted in politics |
29th
January
2006
I live with a family that has become very dependent on our ‘net status; this evening a storm centred about three hundred kilometres to the west of here has made the connectivity very intermittent, and those around me are not reacting well to the ‘disconnect/queue to reconnect model’ used by the World of Warcraft servers.
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posted in computing |
28th
January
2006
The more you seek, the more you’ll find. My efforts to find photos relating to my lifetime are no longer limited to dusty boxes of snapshots. More and more, the Internet is giving up content that I can add to my own database. Kind of like a time machine, when you think about it, except that the travel can be done when I want, from my home.
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posted in genealogy |
27th
January
2006
The digital photo world contains many surprises; take the EXIF standard as an example. The newer cameras embed a whole set of data in every exposure, that allow a computer to later display the details on date and time, photo resolution, exposure and lens details and other odd bits that photographers have always espoused as good technique, if only one had a secretary along to record the details as the world was captured.
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posted in media |
26th
January
2006
Today in the office, someone mentioned the days of correcting your text on a typewriter, which brought back a flood of related memories.
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posted in media |
25th
January
2006
The staff was convened and told “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”. As a motivational speech, the world didn’t change direction, nor did we. The collection of aphorisms from www.demotivators.com (owned by Despair Inc.) are relevant and insightful. No non-sequiturs here. Move along now.
I did something completely uncharacteristic today. All the way home on the bus I discussed politics with my seat-mate. Given that I’ve spent the last two decades with a self-imposed vow of silence, I am surprised with me.
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posted in genealogy |
24th
January
2006
Just last week, the staff were told that our DG was leaving. No reasons given. New DG in place. Today, the staff was told that there will be a(nother) new DG in place in two weeks time. No reason given. Don’t ask questions, just deal with it. Change is good, right?
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posted in genealogy |
23rd
January
2006
In today’s international press, an article stated that this is the most depressing date of the year. Lack of sunlight, bills from the holiday season, an election (here in Canada), lack of resolve for those who formulated intents for the new year. And we had to make the choice to have our dog put down.
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posted in pets |
22nd
January
2006
We awoke this morning to a sick dog, with signs of blood at both ends. The trip to the emergency clinic took place, and by mid-afternoon the expertise of veterinary science informed us that the dog had a malfunctioning immune system; insufficient white-blood corpuscles.
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posted in media, pets |
