31st March 2008

The hacking disease has returned

How many times have you taken something useful and made it “more useful”? That’s not really the question I want to ask. Rather, how many times have you set out with good intentions, made something useful work less well along the slippery road to success? That’s what separates those of us with inquisitive minds and less than perfect skills from the genii of the world.

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posted in computing | Comments Off on The hacking disease has returned | 357 words

30th March 2008

Smell the coffee

Reading through the various newspapers that now have a porch on that Internet Highway often leads me to think about how good life is at home. Today an editorial that tried to compare the two big kids on the Canadian coffee bench (you know, Timmy and that Starbuck fellow from away) helped to reassure me; my daily cuppa is “just fine”.

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posted in health, pets | Comments Off on Smell the coffee | 576 words

29th March 2008

Don’t worry, all your snow is safe with us

In passing, the month of March is leaving with tiny footsteps, again. We are so happy. As for the snow supplies; don’t worry, our warehouse is ready for any eventuality.

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posted in computing, Wx | Comments Off on Don’t worry, all your snow is safe with us | 300 words

28th March 2008

Me and the postal person

I felt like I hit the parcel jackpot this afternoon. After picking up a cylinder containing fifteen pairs of scissors at work (destined for a group of scrapbooking students that I’ll never meet), I got home to my trusty Superbox to find even more booty.

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posted in economy | Comments Off on Me and the postal person | 308 words

27th March 2008

I’m proud of the new arrival

The term gestation period is one with many levels of meaning. A middle school biology teacher will use the comparative approach; a squirrel is shorter than an elephant. A parent-to-be will recalculate the elapsed time, again and again, praying for insight and foresight. And then there is the analogical usage, where the period spent waiting for something to be completed will be so labelled.

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posted in computing, technology | Comments Off on I’m proud of the new arrival | 283 words

26th March 2008

A fish story

While the rest of the city is in a state of posttraumatic stress over the bellicose version of hockey that happens when the local hockey club goes “on the road”, I look for amusement in other sections of the local newspaper. And no, not the “funnies”.

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posted in media | Comments Off on A fish story | 378 words

25th March 2008

Originally, it seemed easy

Sometimes I should have my hands encased in big fluffy mittens that would keep me from doing stupid things. I’m sure they’re available wherever fine hand covers are sold, and I firmly resolve to go shopping for a pair at the next available occasion. Tonight, I will try to undo what every good computer user does eventually. You see, I too scrap software systems.

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posted in computing | Comments Off on Originally, it seemed easy | 322 words

24th March 2008

Such dexterity

I’ve been held in sequestration for almost four days now, due to an unforeseen juxtaposition of a major holiday weekend and the arrival of the latest and best of Wiifare. Since late Friday afternoon, my aural environment has entered a time warp; rock and roll guitar at it’s best. I now am the audience of a family of guitar heros.

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posted in computing, music | Comments Off on Such dexterity | 282 words

23rd March 2008

Where did the fever to learn get off to?

This afternoon I received an email from a friend’s progeny, looking for information on where to take a particular training course on the Island, and it struck me that time is doing some sort of surreal warpspeed thing. The last time I’d had a personal interest in that course was thirty years ago. My own children weren’t even “on the radar”.

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posted in education | Comments Off on Where did the fever to learn get off to? | 291 words

22nd March 2008

Saving a pot of soup

There is a challenge to any cook in using unknown ingredients. Variation in texture, flavour, colour; any or all of the above, for those who seek a multiple choice question in life. My decision to make an impulse purchase has led to the longest soupmaking session of my career in the family kitchen. Pea soup; the ultimate in haute cuisine.

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posted in health | Comments Off on Saving a pot of soup | 453 words

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