What is one to do when the proverbial “bad hair day” strikes with a vengeance. The kind of day where you put on a hat, but the hair just sticks out in all directions, and no amount of time in front of a mirror remedies things. Our new government seems to be caught in such a vortex, helped along by a German vacuum cleaner salesman.
posted in politics | Comments Off on One should be leery | 415 words
Should I pat myself on the shoulder or slap myself silly? I’ve done it again, despite dire warnings and attempts by my loved ones to show me the error of my ways. I’ve taken another orphan into my home, to protect it against the fierce “recyclers” and provide shelter for one that should be old enough to take care of itself. In passing, how old do you have to be to get adult status in a modern world?
posted in technology | Comments Off on Making space for another orphan | 366 words
Now that the winter approaches, one effect of the installation of electronic thermostats is evident. Well, it’s not exactly the fault of the thermostats; rather, it may have something to do with my decision to lower room settings at night, when we are all tucked into our beds. There has been an undercurrent of tension, as some people are “complaining that it’s cold”.
posted in pets | Comments Off on Who you gonna call? | 323 words
Part of the shopping process is the search for information. What fun is there when the total time from see to pay can be measured in milliseconds? Instead, I like to stretch out the process, asking questions, reading, testing. Adding the XO laptop to our household is still not a “done deed”, but I’m better informed now than I was a few hours ago.
posted in technology | Comments Off on One laptop, virtually | 313 words
The idea of change (in the computing world) doesn’t “cut it” where I spend my days. Open Source, Open Office, Open Minds (I made up the third one); all are actively discouraged. My own efforts to extend the reach of Firefox and Thunderbird and Gimp and a few others don’t seem to wet much pavement, although MySQL did sneak in through a back door. If these products were harder to use, or less dependable, I could accept it. The truth is stranger than fiction.
posted in computing | Comments Off on Little optimistic notes | 358 words
If you can’t be remembered for what you’ve done (or represented), then be famous for the trophy named in your memory. It certain works for that top of the heap position, the governor-generalship of Canada. I didn’t “know” but I’d long suspected that those sports championships were named for somebody or other. Wikipedia confirmed it, with the section on Sports Trophies Named After Canadian Governors-general which opened my eyes to how some things are more obscure than others. How about that Michener trophy, eh?
posted in environment | Comments Off on Another cup game comes and goes | 365 words
I’ve been shot, but it is barely a flesh wound. Grammar is odd; saying that I am getting a shot is not at all like I’m getting shot, even if both involve a puncture wound. It must be a question of degree. My yearly visit to the family doctor took the requisite four minutes and left me prepared for another winter of not missing work. Quite a deal for the employers of this world.
posted in health | Comments Off on I’ve been shot again | 334 words
This is a tale of two purchases with some reflection on how we shouldn’t give up the good old model of “retail” just yet. Part of the story is all my fault (for not believing the fine print), and part is a tribute to people who look their customer in the eyes and then decide to go for the satisfaction factor.
posted in economy | Comments Off on Differing levels of service | 531 words
A long distance is the one you are forced to travel when you’d rather be doing something else. There, my definition for today. Or, if you like, the explanation of how I spent the greater part of my afternoon.
posted in travel, Wx | Comments Off on Slow snow travel | 454 words
The simplest rationalization is that nobody will notice. It’s just not that important. If someone does say anything, feign ignorance and promise to correct any weakness. Yes, I’m talking about the new and improved web site, which comes with new and improved software that none understand. No matter, by the time anybody else cares, we’ll have it mastered.
posted in computing | Comments Off on Did we (have to) tell anyone? | 226 words
