The current provincial campaign has been a budget bluster from start to finish (please, let it finish!). Each group out-promising to outspend the other. Each group just a little bit better able to put the finger on the pulse of our needs. Not nearly enough cash to do the job properly, but if there were just a few pennies more, miracles would happen.
posted in politics | Comments Off on With a few pennies more | 231 words
The local newspapers today carried (to extremes) a story that is comical in some ways. A group of tourists visited a “cabane à sucre”; a restaurant that has a menu based on maple syrup, pancakes fried in lard, beans, bacon, pea soup, crispy bacon. Pigs and sugar for the rest of us.
posted in economy | Comments Off on The client is always right, right? | 225 words
Today, with only a few days of delay due to various software issues, we completed the largest payroll in our history. I’m proud to have been part of such an endeavour, because we all like to be paid, don’t we. Still, any time the “envelope” reaches seven figures deserves a tiny celebration. So here goes: Whoopee!
posted in computing, economy | Comments Off on Just an old-fashioned transfer | 256 words
The election has begun. The advance polls are open today, wherein those who detest standing in line with a group of strangers on “the real day” can show up a week early and mark a ballot form. I guess that anyone who goes early does not count among the undecided in the various polls, which currently show the three major parties (provincially) running a dead heat. I am decided, and I have made my choice.
posted in politics | Comments Off on Among equals, anything is possible | 244 words
For the majority (overwhelming) of my fellow citizens, the 17th of March has a St. Patrick connection that is firmly focused on the weather. Yes, the idea of green beer and shamrocks holds a visual aspect, but the reality comes back to one thing; the storm. Be it just before or after, this is the last big moment of winter.
posted in Wx | Comments Off on Traditionally stormy | 283 words
Just one more proof that I am older, if not any wiser, is that I no longer jump to attention when someone shouts out that it’s “party time”. There was a time that I couldn’t have resisted such an appeal. I even had a particular style of literary occasion named in my honour; and it was an honour. Thank you to all who participated; you know who you are.
posted in environment | Comments Off on Sociable measures | 263 words
Ever watch TV when they show a series of time-lapse photos? You know, stuff like flowers opening, or a building going up, or cars at night? Inspirational photography, because it demonstrates that if you stand in one place long enough, something will happen.
posted in environment, media | Comments Off on Time lapsed photography | 332 words
Although I haven’t seen any palm trees nearby, or sensed that the glaciers are melting in the neighbourhood, I agree that it’s time to be a little more rational in my use of energy. I am one small bean in a larger pot of chili, but there is a body of scientific knowledge that reassures me my efforts, at least, won’t hurt.
posted in economy | Comments Off on I’m on the conservation bandwagon | 264 words
There, the evening’s entertainment is over. Might as well get some warm milk and head off to bed. The provincial campaign debate with three of the better than two dozen political parties on the floor has just ended. Yawn… I’m very sleepy.
posted in politics | Comments Off on No debate possible | 169 words
One of those concepts that seems to escape the average computer user is that some jobs are better done by hand. Even if someone else routinely uses their system to do a mundane task does NOT mean that the rest of the world should follow their example.
posted in computing | Comments Off on Commercially convenient | 295 words
