3rd
January
2008
The first of the primaries is over, and the official race to get in the race to be president is underway. Between now and November, the candidates will spend enough contribution cash to run a small country. At least it will give the average world citizen something to talk/blog about, and if CNN continues to explain the process, maybe those of us that though democracy was based on the one person one vote ideal will finally understand that it’s all about the money.
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posted in economy |
13th
December
2007
Advances in recording technology leave me in awe. Last evening I was treated to an audio CD of the most recent Led Zeppelin concert, released in an unofficial manner by someone who just happened to be there. Agreed, this is a “bootleg” although what the person had on their feet may have had little to do with the affair, unless the equipment was brought past the (reportedly lax) security strapped to the calf. Instead, the recording studio may have rode inside a shirt pocket.
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posted in technology |
23rd
November
2007
This is a tale of two purchases with some reflection on how we shouldn’t give up the good old model of “retail” just yet. Part of the story is all my fault (for not believing the fine print), and part is a tribute to people who look their customer in the eyes and then decide to go for the satisfaction factor.
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posted in economy |
17th
November
2007
For the spectator (that means me), the only important sports game is the one you are currently watching. By the next day, the vicarious pain is gone, and the statistics are of use to someone else. Therefore, I’ll take this one moment to feel sorry for the Rouge et Or football team, who did not win their playoff game today. I admit it; Halifax did not learn how to play ball today. Mea culpa. The season is over. Let the next one begin. With a team as good as this one, we’ll be back in the headlines in less than twelve months.
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posted in technology |
20th
September
2007
The news should have made the bus stop; instead, it was the usual road construction. After an absence of three decades, the real dollar (dollard?) has come back to daze and confuse us all. To the chagrin of industrial barons and closet economists alike, our currency was (for a brief moment) today at par with the almighty dollar. But, as a famous Peggy once sang, “If that’s all there is, my friend, then let’s keep dancing”.
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posted in economy |
23rd
February
2007
Unexpected question of the day: Dad, could you buy me a metronome? Answer: Sure, how soon do you need one? And off we go on another shopping expedition. Big city evening.
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posted in economy |
3rd
February
2007
Around here, personal computers are like a bag of potato chips; you can’t make due with just one. There was a time when we only had a few working computers. One in CP/M, another in Geos, another in PC-DOS. We didn’t turn them all on at once, although we could have.
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posted in computing |
25th
October
2006
I’m not destined for a career in advertising, it’s clear. I don’t have that quirky sense of distorted reality that the job requires. Usually, I know what I need, and then I find a source, rather than the other way around; not a good target for the advertising mentality.
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posted in economy |
30th
September
2006
We did something new and different today. Without spending months to research the question, we purchased a TV acquisition card for one of the computers, installed same and joined the world of those who have a PVR.
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posted in computing, media |
29th
June
2006
As cities grow, the need for clean water becomes more difficult to supply. Hence, we’re asked to rationalize our use of water, and toilet systems are notoriously wasteful. I’ve seen figures suggesting that upwards of 40% is flushed every day.
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posted in environment |