And in other unrelated news, some guy didn’t get saved on American Idol. Tune in next week for more stress. But that’s not what brings us together, now is it? This is Budget Day. Wherein the guy with the new shoes (albeit with ugly logos painted on the heels) promises to spend all the money we give him, and more. That’s the definition of a deficit.
posted in politics | Comments Off on When a deficit seems normal | 265 words
Just learned about an exercise (in frustration) that beats the average jigsaw puzzle. In Germany, a museum has a set of stone reliefs that were damaged during the war. Stone reliefs, heated and cooled until the rock fragmented. Somebody saw fit to gather the pebbles into boxes for storage, and somebody else realized that with some careful assembly… well, think Lego without the regular forms. Careful glue and thought could result in recognizable forms. Could.
posted in computing, environment | Comments Off on Salting, or peppering, with nickel | 272 words
It would be so easy to spend some money right now and solve a slew of silly stumbling blocks in my day to day life. Yes, computing blocks. Are there other kinds?
posted in technology | Comments Off on Wish I had some new gear | 258 words
Watching the battle of words (not wits) between a prominent federal politician and a prominent provincial politician. Two views of the same thing, supposedly. One believes that natural resources should be used for the good of the people. The other believes that those same natural resources should be used for the good of some people. What a difference one word makes.
posted in food, politics | Comments Off on Sauer-sausages and a heli-con | 259 words
(It is) hard to please everyone. The decision of CBC to postpone Republic of Doyle with figure skating leaves me perplexed. Isn’t there some late night spot, say just before dawn, when watching people turn in circles and jump is appropriate? I’ll have to keep my patience in check for another seven days.
posted in economy | Comments Off on Rows and rows of chaos | 263 words
Starting to hit my stride with this online course workload. Up early, on a weekend. Fed the dog (no choice in that matter) and then settled down to this week’s set of video lectures and multiple choice quiz opportunities. The content is interesting, properly presented and I’d really like to do something practical with my new knowledge. Soon.
posted in media, music | Comments Off on Got to get a git | 258 words
Some headlines make me pause. Things like “Police Officer Injured In Anti-police Brutality Protest”. Try and sort that one out, while distracted.
posted in humour | Comments Off on Hopeless headlines | 272 words
Perhaps living in a non-bargaining economy is a good thing. My ability to beat down the price of stuff is not advanced. Example: saw something on a local used item site. Asked if the price listed was firm. An affirmative answer stopped me. On to the next item, (if and) when it comes into view. Not good, in a world where people actually want to argue about the price of stuff. A retailer’s dream, I am, I am.
posted in economy | Comments Off on Inability to barter | 276 words
One day. That’s all it took to destroy (yet another) dream of our local emperor. He had it all worked out; the invitation to Rome, as a special guest at the coronation of another head of state who had once worked in HIS city. And then the smoke turned white.
posted in education | Comments Off on Famous gull on smoke patrol | 251 words
Did my share of recycling at work today. With an order of fifty new laptops, the packing materials are impressive, in volume. After I packed an empty carton full with several hundred plastic bags, and convinced the bundle to stay closed long enough to use the taper, I noticed that the box weighed in close to equal to one of the laptops. Not counting the huge pile of foam spacers, and the crushed down cardboard. There has to be a better way. And not styro peanuts, either.
posted in environment | Comments Off on Round one smoke is (always) black | 255 words
