4th September 2008

Perhaps with a better key

Anyone who uses a tool wishes they had something that is of better quality. The musician, who wants a new horn/bow/didjeridu. The carpenter, who lusts after one of those Japanese handsaws that are on display at Lee Valley. The writer, wanting a sharper penknife to cut a finer quill (it could happen). The computer geek that wants a “better mouse”. Let’s accept that classier tools make happier craftsmen.

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posted in technology | Comments Off on Perhaps with a better key | 297 words

20th May 2008

Stress levels at the line

Without any reason to cross an international border, I’m always a little bemused by some of the things that I hear about. You know, the coffeemachine/watercooler stories about how things went for someone else as they crossed through that zone of turbulent weather. The hot/cold divide where thunder storms are likely to develop. The special place where the Canucks are armed with clipboards and the Yanks with automatic rifles. Is the border a line between cultures, a line of defence, or a place to pay yet another round of taxes to governments with deep pockets? It seems to depend on the day of the week.

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posted in economy, travel | Comments Off on Stress levels at the line | 505 words

5th May 2008

In the wrong place at the wrong time

Now that I go to bed early (because waking up is hard to do), I’ve had to swear off late-night TV. No more monologues from the triumvirate, or goofy walk-ons from the cinematic butterflies that have a new movie to flog. Except that once in a while, sleep remains elusive and I’ll find the two remotes needed to get a picture up on the wall above our bed. Like last night, when I stumbled across a documentary.

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posted in history, politics | Comments Off on In the wrong place at the wrong time | 463 words

20th October 2007

Jumping to conclusions

In some ways, it is a pity that humans depend so heavily on visual clues for our socialization. The clothes we wear do “make the man” in terms of our contact with others. We live in a world that tries to convince us to alter our appearance; hair colour, clothing styles, even the shoes we wear.

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posted in education | Comments Off on Jumping to conclusions | 283 words

30th September 2007

Blame it on the math department

I have to be impressed with the blatant ability of the Canadian retailer to protect a vested position. This afternoon, Rex invited callers to bear witness. An opportunity to let others know how things have changed in the new monetary model known as “looney at par”. The program turned out as a reaffirmation of my personal experience. The only profit from a stronger dollar is a stronger profit margin.

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posted in economy | Comments Off on Blame it on the math department | 497 words

8th August 2007

Incomplete transaction

“Building” the computer you want is good. I’ve done a few over the years, usually on top of the kitchen table (for workspace) or on top of the kitchen stove (for the overhead lighting). Even a combination of the two when the last screw hole seemed to be hiding from me. Saving money also helps in the rationalization of the whole thing. Doing so, online, virtually, has been less of a resounding success.

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posted in computing | Comments Off on Incomplete transaction | 443 words

13th January 2007

Whether it’s nice someplace else

With the rest of the family out of the house for the evening, it was time to try something new. We don’t have a home theatre, which is why the Happy Gang went to the local cinema. I, on the other hand, have a radio which tunes in CBC and the Randy Bachman show. Guess who gets more value for their dollar?

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posted in computing | Comments Off on Whether it’s nice someplace else | 311 words

26th December 2006

Fear of a stampede

I should know better, at my age. There are no real Boxing Day bargains, especially when the prices are published for all to see. For days now, the intrepid shoppers have been planning their strategies, armed with fast cars and cell phones. I am no more than a witness without much money.

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posted in economy, Wx | Comments Off on Fear of a stampede | 515 words

29th September 2006

The Five R’s

  • REFUSE to purchase environmentally burdensome materials
  • REDUCE waste materials
  • REUSE waste material without processing
  • REFORM waste material
  • RECYCLE waste material as new resources

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posted in environment | Comments Off on The Five R’s | 233 words

20th February 2006

Proof in the printing

Today seemed to involve printers. The kind that attaches to your computer in one way or another, and that gives (un)satisfactory results.

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posted in computing, economy | Comments Off on Proof in the printing | 290 words

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