10th
September
2012
Media tidbits
Some have a long range view; others, not so much. Case in point: companies that think putting a QR code on a tombstone makes sense.
posted in humour | Comments Off on Media tidbits | 255 words
TubaOrNotTuba
Media tidbits
9th
September
2012
Recalitrant grills and a whole lot of history
This afternoon, the cycle racing was out of Montreal. Not exactly Tour de France, although some of the same players were in the saddle. What caught my eye was the wonderful way that a flat tire gets changed in under a minute. If we could extend that service to “the rest of us”, cycling would take off!. Do the math: how many bicycles are sidelined for weeks, after a flat, in the average household? Now, you understand.
posted in history | Comments Off on Recalitrant grills and a whole lot of history | 260 words
8th
September
2012
Tread with care
We had really good club sandwiches for lunch. Not big news in a world context, but these sandwiches contained properly bacon (hence the name bacon, and not fryon), some BBQ chicken, fresh tomato from a local garden, mayo with olive oil… need I continue? The local restaurants aren’t going to match that sort of fare any time soon.
posted in education, Wx | Comments Off on Tread with care | 274 words
7th
September
2012
The individuality of the dogs in our lives
For the last quarter of a century (going back to the arrival of son #1), I’ve been growing a tree. A virtual one, with leaves that represent people. Yes, genealogy is my addiction. Nothing like making a new link. I’ve gone from tiny pieces of paper, to files stored on diskettes that are now obsolete, to whatever comes along. This evening, I downloaded and configured a simple Android app, and my data has migrated to another platform. Painlessly. In a world where everyone wants their own branded manner of doing things, the family tree people have a standard. Go, GEDCOM, go!
posted in pets | Comments Off on The individuality of the dogs in our lives | 273 words
6th
September
2012
Egress quest
Recently, I have had messages that leave me suspicious. I may be running out of time.
That’s an interpretation, but last weekend my alarm clock stopped, and today it was the turn of my trusty wrist as a pocket watch. No display. Yes, I realize that batteries wear out. I also reflect on the time-tested (excuse the pun) hourglass. Anyhow, I decided to ignore son #2 with his timely suggestion that I just rely on a cellphone display. I’m not there yet.
posted in pets | Comments Off on Egress quest | 271 words
5th
September
2012
A busy night and day after
We’ve had a busy 24 hours, here in the province. Who would have guessed that we’d change the governance (actually, almost everyone) into a minority led by a woman (almost nobody) who would then survive what may have been an attempted assassination. Following a restless night, the current (until tomorrow) prime minister (who lost his seat in the election) has decided to resign, after two decades of public life (actually, he still has a few more days of good food and a chauffered car ahead). As I said, a busy time.
posted in politics | Comments Off on A busy night and day after | 272 words
4th
September
2012
An instant rebate, just for asking
“If present tendencies continue, the prediction is for…”. No, I can’t go there. It’s too early. The numbers are revolving like the balls in a lottery drum, and that’s not reassuring. Too much rides on the result.
posted in politics | Comments Off on An instant rebate, just for asking | 274 words
3rd
September
2012
The futility of my ballot mark
Within one night of the provincial election, I’m still among the undecided. Undecided about which party should have my support. Undecided about the utility of having an election. Undecided about whether or not I should even vote.
posted in politics | Comments Off on The futility of my ballot mark | 296 words
2nd
September
2012
Jobs I’l never have to do (there are many)
After watching a documentary on PBS this afternoon, I’m trying to accept that my life will never include restoring a steam locomotive. And I’m saddened. There was a set of skills required to keep the big iron running that is lost on the current generations. The simple act of aligning the drive wheels…
posted in history, technology | Comments Off on Jobs I’l never have to do (there are many) | 278 words
1st
September
2012
Recycling old technology
The current round of EcoCentre junk stayed on the front step all last night, but nothing disappeared under the cover of darkness. Guess that empty paint cans aren’t valued by anyone. Ditto for the two televisions.
posted in environment, technology | Comments Off on Recycling old technology | 282 words
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