3rd January 2008

When all else fails, bake a cake or two

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 | Comments Off on When all else fails, bake a cake or two | 354 words

13th December 2007

Sound on the side

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 | Comments Off on Sound on the side | 303 words

23rd November 2007

Differing levels of service

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 | Comments Off on Differing levels of service | 531 words

17th November 2007

The concrete fact

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 | Comments Off on The concrete fact | 371 words

20th September 2007

I feel a bit loonier

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 | 1 Comment | 326 words

23rd February 2007

Ready to set the beat

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 | Comments Off on Ready to set the beat | 352 words

3rd February 2007

And the house moves closer to one in every room

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 | Comments Off on And the house moves closer to one in every room | 247 words

25th October 2006

Catch their attention

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 | Comments Off on Catch their attention | 228 words

30th September 2006

Never have enough televisions

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 | Comments Off on Never have enough televisions | 290 words

29th June 2006

Costly conservation

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 | Comments Off on Costly conservation | 140 words

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