I was looking at the stars just now. They inspired Whitman to think about miracles (in contrast to the astronomer’s lecture — a lesson to anyone about to give a presentation). I wouldn’t go that far, but they sure are purty. It is easy to see how humans have found comfort in the skies. And [...]
I am not a happy camper. It is now 3:30 and I have just managed to get my new Ubuntu installation up and running. I should never have started the installation, but based on my experience with the previous version of Ubuntu, I thought it would be quick and easy. Apparently, I have not learned [...]
This morning someone (you know who you are) said that what I write here is insightful. (Actually, the person wrote it, so I know she didn’t mean “inciteful”.) I apologize deeply. It is not my intention to purvey insight — this is really therapy as much as anything else. I do not usually think much [...]
Wikipedia is a wonderful thing. In a few brief moments I have acquired (temporarily) a lot of background knowledge, just enough so that I don’t make a complete fool of myself below. I find that the big W is often stimulating; I start to think along new lines as my opinion tries to realign itself [...]
It seems the fires are abating. And last week someone returned me garbage bin. Things are looking up. For the first time I can actually dimly make out a mountain pass leading up to and over the summit of the alpine range of my workload. There are some considerable foothills that need to be crossed [...]
Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice. From what I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire. Until now the summer fires have been far away, except for those that were burning in Stellenbosch. Since this is my “off” semester, I spend as little time as possible [...]
Back from a weekend at the seaside. I always take a lot of work along, but I never do any of it. Most of my time is spent watching satellite TV and this time I was told that the TV is broken. Unfortunately, from a work point of view, my mother managed to fix it, [...]
I can’t write much. Earlier this evening I felt the onset of a what I think is a cluster headache, and by now it has reached full force. Unlike migraines, there seems to be little one can do to avert them. At least, I haven’t found the silver bullet. Worse still, I don’t really know what [...]
I’ve been thinking about how Google will one day be out-googled. Here I’m using the verb “to google” in its ancient (up to about 2002) sense to mean outdoing the competition, completely taking over the market. For example, “The new internet startup googled their established rivals.” Google (or perhaps I should say “Google Pure”) is used [...]
Spurred on by TM’s comment and a little thought I would like to present: “Untitled”, a work in progress. Now, this is just an outline; you’ll have fill in the details yourselves. We start in 19th century England. Jane Austen storyline. Acting somewhat over the top. Very Victorian and melodramatic. Abruptly the action stops and [...]