30th
June
2009
Part of the pleasure of getting up early is the serenade of the birds. Around here, we have a number of enthusiastic doves, a small communal chorus of robins and the occasional grackle (who can imitate the others when at a loss for new material). In other places (yes Charlottetown, we have heard your cry all the way up here), crows provide the morning wakeup. In certain rural areas, the cocky rooster or the meandering gander are ready to sound off at any opportunity. Birds, as close to nature as it gets here in the big city.
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posted in music, science |
29th
June
2009
The thirst is strong. I want to go back to the Dell well and drink from the newest flavour: Netbook. I mean, can one really have too many personal computers?
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posted in computing |
28th
June
2009
Call it a question of perspective. CBC announced that during November next the country will have a visit from Chuck ‘n The Missus. That is my new high water mark for a slow news day.
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posted in media |
27th
June
2009
Imagine being locked in your car for a full day. Imagine, further, that your musical choice is limited to one artist. Well, obviously there are those who have considered the idea. Some odd results of a search on one of the larger bittorrent sites; all other music has been pushed out of view, in order to pay a posthumous tribute to “the Michael”. Think about that. No other music in view for the last two days.
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posted in media |
26th
June
2009
Forty days and nights; in Judeo-Christian context it often defines a period of waiting or wandering. In my world, it defines the length of a summer on the Island. My latest project involves researching (and perhaps writing about) fifteen different summers. No sense taking on something small, right?
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posted in education, history |
25th
June
2009
I think that I’m going to fire my answering service. Earlier this month, there was the call from the hospital with an appointment time. I got the time; only the date was missing. Minor detail, if you want to present yourself and wait in line, day after day. This week, a call came in from the bicycle shop concerning parts for my roof rack. The message, as I received it, was that the parts were in. What the shop said was that the parts had been ordered. Minor detail, again. Except that when I arrived at the shop, people spent time trying to find out if someone had misfiled the alleged shipment. The answering service now has two strikes and the pitcher is a mean one.
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posted in media |
24th
June
2009
Smack in the middle of the week, a holiday. A Class One, close all the stores and reduce the city to a shadow of its activity level sort of holiday. In passing, due to the odd rules of government, we get another one in the middle of next week, albeit not so restrictive against commerce. For today, at least, the weather is superb. All warmed up and no place to go, although the pool is now clean; aseptic in comparison with a month ago.
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posted in environment, food |
23rd
June
2009
Finally, an understanding medical study. It would appear that my rarely seen toes are a sign of health. I’m sure that there will be rebuttal within weeks, but for now I’m basking in my newfound chances of living just a little bit longer. The idea of a diet will remain just that; an idea.
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posted in ham radio, politics |
22nd
June
2009
When the final slide comes up on the screen, will it have been shot with Kodachrome? The odds are good; photographers have depended on Kodak’s best colour film for nigh on seventy-five years now. After today, we’ll just have to settle for second best.
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posted in technology |
21st
June
2009
A little fantasy goes a long way, in the world of the TV producer. This evening, CTV has begun telecasting another purchase from BBC. Merlin comes with the kind of budget a CanCon production can only dream about, along with a palette of new talent mixed with old. Unfortunately, the story has been painted with brushstrokes best used in a cheap cartoon. The family has already voted after the first hour. No magic will save this one.
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posted in history |
