I've had the blessing over the last few months to read a lot more than I usually do, and I was delighted to find enjoyment in so many of the things I read. In addition to a few books, I've enjoyed various news sites, blogs and online versions of magazines. In early June, I read... Continue Reading →
Friending and Following (and being followed)
http://www.newyorker.com/science/maria-konnikova/social-media-affect-math-dunbar-number-friendships https://medium.com/treatises-on-a-modern-world/the-friend-and-the-follower-1b16ab6bda78 Every now and then I go through my various social media lists and pare back the numbers. I read about the Dunbar number a few years ago, in the book The Tipping Point, and have always found it intriguing that my own number - of FB friends, the social media equivalent of Dunbar... Continue Reading →
Oscar Picks 2015
This is a crossover post from my other blog, where I write brief reviews about all the movies I see (which is a lot - 146 in 2014). Tomorrow night is Oscar night, a formerly sacrosanct day for us that has waned in significance in recent years due to the out-of-this-world cost of seeing a... Continue Reading →
Lists of 2014
Things that irritated me: Rob Ford (a repeat offender) Christy Clark (ditto) Ice bucket challenge Jian Ghomeshi Greenpeace Things that inspired me: Chris Hadfield My aunt, for getting through and over DLBCL Humans of New York Sergeant at Arms Kevin Vickers #illridewithyou Things that amused me: Hadfields' "In Canada" Jimmy Fallon's lip sync contests Facebook... Continue Reading →
More than a few of my favourite things
Inspired by a friend's post and chat about things with meaning, I've been thinking about our need for things. Beyond the modern-day needs for owning stuff and consuming conspicuously, there is a need for people to have specific things that have meaning beyond their utility. Like icons or totems, these things become imbued with special... Continue Reading →
Lists of 2013
I enjoyed doing this a few years ago, so I'll try it again as a conclusion for 2013.Things that irritated me:Rob Ford (a repeat offender)Christy Clark (ditto)Canada PostThe Liberal Parties (both of them)White poppy campaignInsomniaPets on planesMike DuffyThings that inspired me:Malala YousafzaiPope FrancisShane KoyczanMy goddaughter Freya, and her wonderful momBlackfishChris HadfieldThings that amused me:Churchill polar... Continue Reading →
Four uncommon terms commonly heard in Manitoba, and four other ones
A friend sent me a copy of this recent tidbit from Macleans, and it is so error-ridden I feel compelled to speak out. #2 - Jam busters are filled with jam (hence the name), and are also usually coated with granulated sugar rather than powdered sugar, and are therefore quite distinct from the jelly doughnut.... Continue Reading →
Lists of 2011
The first of a few lists this year, I think. Next time will be movies, tv, etc. but first some more general items. Things that irritated me: The Occupy movement, especially in Vancouver Smart meters Susan Anton Stanley Cup riots Rob Ford The Velluvial matrix Donald Trump Christy Clark Things that inspired me: Jack Layton's... Continue Reading →
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