I’ve been a “collector of names” for decades now. I was reared to believe that it was important to know who was related to who; just in case, you know. My father wasn’t much help in all of this, but my mother remains a goldmine of tidbits, covering half of the country and more. Ergo, it’s a genetic trait.
posted in genealogy | Comments Off on Aimlessly rooting around | 361 words
Sometimes a second look at an idea allows me to see exactly what I should have noticed the first time around (but didn’t). Today, a prime example came from the Bluetooth adaptor that I’d put away about a year ago. Then, I had the goal of attaching a tiny headset in order to Skype with friends. I never felt comfortable with it hanging off my ear, so when a proper handset came along, the little USB device was filed for the future.
posted in computing | Comments Off on Linking diverse technologies | 378 words
We all wish we had a bigger hole in the fence from time to time. Some way to see what is going on over there. A higher vantage point, or better binoculars. A walk around the block (with the dog as distractive camouflage), to find out what’s new in the neighbourhood. Nosy? For sure.
posted in technology | Comments Off on Virtual hole in the fence | 337 words
In my life as a Windows user, I’ve learned that sometimes there will be problems. Not every day, because that would certify me as a masochist. Still, even with caution and safety harnesses and protective software up the yin-yang, there will be stormy moments. I’ve spent two evenings doing battle with a trojan/spyware infestation, and it meant that this was not a labour-free weekend.
posted in computing | Comments Off on Which is more painful, the illness or the cure? | 311 words
The first symptom was a line of pale splotches down the length of the body. In fact, the only symptom. Did I mention it was the body of the letter? There, that’s a relief. No strange medical report this time. In fact, the only sick part was my imagined pocket book shock, as we can’t afford to buy a new laser printer right now.
posted in technology | Comments Off on One more recycled tale | 312 words
From a missed delivery, due to son #3 going for a haircut (and looking years younger as a result), to a drive across town to see my friends at Purolator while listening to the opening music from Romeo and Juliet (still moves my spirit, forty years after the release), all signs pointed to a retrograde motion theme for today. The latest laptop in our home computing centre has arrived, and the choice has been made. We’re remaining as a Vista-free zone. The new machine, nicknamed Canary due to its saffron skin, will lose the factory load and be assimilated.
posted in computing | Comments Off on When mature software is a better choice | 625 words
It’s probably illegal, immoral and fattening, but I have a new junk food to recommend to the discerning shopper. Someone in the office was down to New England during the holidays and came back via York Beach in Maine. I’ve never been there; without the help of Google Maps I’d be able to propose the general direction, nothing more. However, this is one place that might be worth a visit sometime during an upcoming summer vacation.
posted in health | Comments Off on Sweet temptations | 239 words
We’re online, the Laptop Twins, fraternal, not identical. We have taken over the place (the ATC lobby), pulled up chairs and beaten the validation wizard. All is well in the city.
posted in travel | Comments Off on All the comforts of home | 264 words
Today I discovered that I may have invented a new word.
Somewhere along the way to here, I picked up a synonym for “disproportionate”, and although not given to superlatives, the word remained on the shelf, available for use should the occasion present itself. Yesterday, while writhing writing about the excesses of our last vice-regal representative, I put the word on the tabletop (a visualization of the editing process) and decided to check the spelling… that is to say, I decided to Google for it. Imagine my surprise when only one reference came back. In the land of Google, it’s a bit like quoting pi, but going a few digits too far. Not impossible, but statistically relevant.
posted in media | Comments Off on Self-referenced | 307 words
Recently the chatter at work turned to pets, in particular those we had at earlier points in our lives. The various dogs and cats are mundane, but one person had been fortunate enough to have had a “walk on the wild side”. A skunk, when such things were allowed by the municipality, and a raccoon. One tale involved allowing the masked marauder out after a winter in the house. Gone for an afternoon, and then a scratching at the door. Himself was home, and he’d brought five more friends along to the party.
posted in computing, media | Comments Off on One more way to be distracted (and distracting) | 322 words
