Slightly Off KIlter

Normal is overrated

  • Weekly Wrap-up 2005_09

    The weather, once again, has been variable, but mostly clear. The weekend was lovely and blue. We (finally) went for a walk along the new section of trail nearest our development. We've been for walks but simply hadn't tried out the new section before this. It was a nice walk and we saw a mule… Continue reading

  • Giant Cranes Clear Bridge

    At 12:50 this morning With only five feet to spare, two mammoth cranes weighing 1,500 tons squeezed their way under the Bay Bridge (above) on Saturday. Traffic to the span was completely halted. Huge cranes clear Bay Bridge by 5 feet on trip to Oakland, SF Charonicle, Saturday, March 5 Rich and I had our… Continue reading

  • Treasures 2005_09

    "Life … is haphazard and full of beauties which I try to catch as they fly by, for who knows whether any of them will ever return?" — Margot Fonteyn Treasures are positive things that strike my fancy, that make me feel happy or thankful or interested. Treasures are memories encapsulated in just a few… Continue reading

  • Balmy Toads

    Some software developers use combinations of dictionary words as registration codes. I have a lot of software from one such developer. I recently registered a new application with them. I think this code is the best yet: balmy toads It's simply delightful! I can add that to my set; I also have: dangerous room  … Continue reading

  • The Value of Keeping Records

    Some number of years ago, Rich went to a talk. He remembers the subject; it impressed him. I remember him coming home and telling me all about the talk.. He doesn't, unfortunately, recall the name of the speaker, the date, the title of the talk, or the location. Also unfortunately, the topic doesn't Google well.**… Continue reading

  • Weekly Wrap-up 2005_08

    The weather was variable. There were some sunny days, intermixed with a lot of rain! That's Spring in the Bay Area. Monday was a Bank Holiday (as they say everywhere in the World but here). Hoorah! A three-day weekend followed by a four-day week. We went out to brunch; I took a nap. It rained… Continue reading

  • Tech Support – No Thinking Required

    There’s an old joke: The Software people will tell you it’s a Hardware problem. The Hardware people will tell you it’s a Software problem. If all else fails, both will blame the Network. Today’s modern “Tech Support” seems to reduce this to one easily-remembered primary rule: It’s not our problem. The job description for many… Continue reading

  • Treasures 2005_08

    "Life … is haphazard and full of beauties which I try to catch as they fly by, for who knows whether any of them will ever return?" — Margot Fonteyn Treasures are positive things that strike my fancy, that make me feel happy or thankful or interested. Treasures are memories encapsulated in just a few… Continue reading

  • More Fun With Spam

    From a real spam I got today. I could probably enter it in some free verse contest… Toward, self his help tell. White run king natural. Ride, such still help. Written paper, clock. These family, quick. True before, melody industry bat cost. Million up paint picture laugh appear. Century he tone call star. Though so… Continue reading

  • “Blog People”

    You may have heard about Michael Gorman’s recent diatribe against weblogs and the people who write them (posted in Library Journal, Feb. 15, 2005). It’s distinctly uncomplimentary. A blog is a species of interactive electronic diary by means of which the unpublishable, untrammeled by editors or the rules of grammar, can communicate their thoughts via… Continue reading