21st
December
2020
When the sunlight comes through the tunnel at Newgrange, the Winter Solstice is happening. At least, according to a video feed on YouTube that I checked (albeit twenty-four hours late). For those that attach seasonal shift to the length of the day, I guess it makes sense. We live in Canada, and there’s not much adherence to such details. Outside, a driving rain (so, no snow). And when I sent a photo of the magic tree to son #2, he noticed only one detail: we have no snow, and he does.
Read the rest of this entry »
posted in environment |
20th
December
2020
Outside my windows, I can see trees. Different each from the other; all part of our world where birds and bunnies take shelter. As we move into that season where some trees must be sacrificed to a seasonal tradition, we have found an alternative. years ago, we decided to forego the “natural” and tie into the “artificial”. Yes, we have a tree-in-a-box, thank you very much.
Read the rest of this entry »
posted in environment, pets |
19th
December
2020
Lockdown hasn’t been wonderful for those involved in live music. Besides putting a dent in the money tube, it goes against everything a performer wants out of life. Audience, applause, etc. However, some are reaching out to the world, and if you know where to look, there are still concerts available.
Read the rest of this entry »
posted in health, music |
18th
December
2020
Another day, complete. Which one was it? Friday? Huh. The “seven days in a week” doesn’t really apply, any more. I’ve gone to the more compact model: yesterday, today, tomorrow. Covers all the important details, I think.
Read the rest of this entry »
posted in environment |
17th
December
2020
How about that? Make enough noise (in earshot of the general public) and politicians can change their course. In the case of the largest railway museum, in Newfoundland, it seems to have worked. Several weeks ago, the word leaked out that the city council in St. John’s had decided to “re-purpose” the space used by a wonderful museum. One with steady visitors, dynamic exhibits, the whole rail yard. Fortunately, the community reacted, and with enough negative press, the council has decided (as of yesterday) to put together a business plan that actually makes sense. Bravo!
Read the rest of this entry »
posted in history |
16th
December
2020
The new car went for its first visit to the dealership, this afternoon. Apparently all went well.
Read the rest of this entry »
posted in economy, health |
15th
December
2020
After spending twenty minutes completing some sort of online order form, which promises to make me richer due to a class action lawsuit, I pressed return. Oh, right; seems that we all paid too much for our operating systems, back when, and if I can wait until 2022, someone will send me a cheque: around $45, as a reward for my attention to details. You can use Google to find out when the various iterations of MS-DOS were released; it was a long time ago.
Read the rest of this entry »
posted in computing, history |
14th
December
2020
On the next math exam, expect the following question:
“If a container of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats weighing 900 grams falls 1 meter (due to gravity), onto a solid surface, how much of a mess will it make? Assume that the container has a lid, albeit poorly fitting.”
Read the rest of this entry »
posted in politics, science |
13th
December
2020
I live in a part of the world that has adopted placenames from elsewhere. In particular, Great Britain. When I hear of local communities like Kensington or Hampton, I don’t associate them with palaces. At least, I didn’t; after watching a documentary from PBS, some of that has changed.
Read the rest of this entry »
posted in history |
12th
December
2020
The moment when you realize that noise-cancelling headphones are a tool to be valued beyond all others; when the soundtrack of your life has derailed.
Read the rest of this entry »
posted in environment |
