21st
December
2010
Learning by approximation… my way.
For some years now, I’ve had a small web server that runs on my laptop, and that serves as a learning tool. No public access (usually) and my data sets are of no particular value to anyone (but me). If the whole thing crashes, no lives will be lost. But I really dislike the way that small gestures have large effects, in the world of WAMP.
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posted in computing |
20th
December
2010
Headlight envy. Almost catchy enough to serve as the moniker for a great rock band, or at least their second album. Who knew that it would become a character flaw at my age?
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posted in humour |
19th
December
2010
How perfectly Canadian. With less than a week to go to “the holidays”, the question across the nation is “will it be white”. No racial context here; the question has to do with accumulated precipitation, and if you haven’t got any then you are “green”. Again, no environmental bonus points for this one.
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posted in Wx |
18th
December
2010
The lone long distant runner. The lighthouse keeper. The guy in the fire watch tower. All able to face the rest of today, tomorrow without the crutch of another human voice for distraction. I could go for that.
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posted in environment |
17th
December
2010
The head of the Van Owe (a big winter game festival held almost one year ago on the other coast) is very proud. To quote from a CBC website article: “The operating budget resulted in neither a surplus nor a deficit”. Before your next burst of applause, please try to interpret what that actually means.
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posted in economy |
16th
December
2010
It’s only when you run into the neophytes that you realize how the professionals in on-line sales have really perfected their craft. Believe me.
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posted in economy |
15th
December
2010
Run for the hills. Or as a second plan, build on a hilltop.
Right now, the waters are high. In river valleys, along the coast. In parts of Quebec and eastern Canada, we’re seeing flooding like “not in my lifetime” to hear some residents. Clips of waves washing cottage windows along the shore of the Bay of Chaleur. Whole sections of small towns in southern New Brunswick, forced to swap the family car for someone’s boat. Not ordinary.
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posted in media |
14th
December
2010
Is there a greed gene? Is that the explanation for the unprofessional, self-serving behaviour of the political class? Well, I’m glad I don’t have that one among my list.
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posted in politics |
13th
December
2010
After a brief stop on one of the documentary channels, I’m convinced that a bird’s eye view is cool! One word, no need to seek a synonym.
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posted in pets |
12th
December
2010
How do you get from singing Irish ballads to making public commentary on the economic situation in the land of the Celtic Tiger? In Canada, it’s an easy road.
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posted in economy, history |