cellio | Reading

More than a month since I last updated this journal. Aack! I didn't even get around to making a note on February 29th, that rare day.

The covid is long gone and I am back in the swing of things. Which is good, because I have a feature article due next Monday. Double aack!

Still enjoying the Blue and Green Cottage. The temperatures have been jerking up and down, but I am starting to get eager to plant herbs in the various five-gallon buckets that my landlady and landlord have been using as pots. Maybe even some veggies. Their semi-feral (spayed) cat, Peaches, patrols the property, so I'm not as worried about squirrels raiding our edibles.

Some good fortune dropped into my lap last week. On my 2007 trip to Hawaii I bought a $10 ukulele, but it turned out to be no better than a toy. I mean, it goes out of tune as soon as you let go of the tuning peg, before you even get a chance to play a chord. Still, I had hope, so the last time my church held a fundraising auction, I bid on some uke lessons and won them, and then I told the woman who offered the lessons that I didn't have a decent instrument to learn on. Fast forward to last Wednesday, when the woman sent me an email that someone had given a new ukulele to her uke group, and it was mine, free, if I wanted it. HELL YES!!! It seems to be of a decent quality for a beginner instrument and comes with a nylon bag, extra strings, etc. So as soon as I finish this feature article, guess what I'll be doing.... :-)

(P.S. On Thursday I'll be "six months to Medicare." Can't wait. Friday will be the 20th anniversary of my firing by the Frosty Lady and the Marathon Man. That publication was bought and sold a couple of times and no longer exists.)

shewhomust

Happy birthday,

durham_rambler!

In a properly organised world, we would be spending today going out and having fun. In this world, the fun we had planned is not open on a Tuesday, so we will do that tomorrow instead - before D. arrives for a few days. Today is grey and damp. Maybe tomorrow will be brighter...

Meanwhile, remembering last summer - not actually a very sunny day, but Culross Palace brings its own sunshineL

madfilkentist

Tomorrow evening at 8 PM EDT, on my Twitch channel, I'll provide live accompaniment for the 1925 silent film The Lost World, preceded by the early animated film Gertie the Dinosaur. Come for the dinosaurs and stay for the music! Or maybe it's the other way around.

mdlbear

So this morning as part of transitioning to non-binary, I got my first-ever body piercings. Three pretty little platinum helices. I am amused.

Of course, nobody but my radiology team will ever see them -- they're in my prostate. But that counts, right?

It was a lot less painful than the biopsy, which was kind of surprising. Well, except for the part where I was supposed to have a full bladder going in -- they use it as a landmark. Ouch!

I had a nice conversation with Dr. H, starting with the observation that my birthday is Wednesday. I will quote directly from her visit notes:

[mdlbear] is a very pleasant 76 year old male who presents for fiducial marker placement.
[...]
He plans to celebrate his upcoming birthday with family over Chinese food and chocolate cake.

I mentioned that I was probably going to have ma po tofu.

Current Mood: amused
Current Location: The Rainbow Caravan's South End in Seattle

minoanmiss

( You're about to view content that the journal owner has advised should be viewed with discretion. )

Current Mood: peaceful

aethgazette_feed

Posted by aethgazette

https://aethelmearcgazette.com/2024/03/11/court-report-white-hart-as-58/

https://aethelmearcgazette.com/?p=36080

Here begins the Report of the Court of Gareth and Juliana, King and Queen of Æthelmearc at White Hart in the Shire of Port Oasis, March 2 AS 58, jorundr hinn rotinn, Silver Buccle Herald, reporting with the assistance of Angelino the Bookmaker.

In the Morning.

Their Majesties summoned Baron Cunedda Kell. Cunedda answered Their Majesties’ question that he was ready to contemplate the question that had been asked of him, but first he divested himself of his lands that he might sit vigil unburdened. Their Majesties called for the Order of the Pelican and sent Cunedda away with them to seek their counsel.

Court Suspended.

In the evening.

Their Majesties called for Lady Nea Kimball and sacrificed her to the youth of the Kingdom with the toy chest.

Their Majesties invited all newcomers present to come forward. They gifted them mugs as a token of welcome to the Society.

Their Majesties gave leave to the autocrat THLady Máirin Ó Nialláin to discuss the tournaments held this day. The victor of the Defender of the White Hart (fencing) is Don Salvador de la Torres. The victor in the Yeoman of the White Hart (archery) is Songtui Bataar Sogdo. The inner as the Artisan of the White Hart (arts & sciences) Lady Elinor Walden. The populace choice for Arts & Science Lady Kismira Rothiem. The Champion of the White Hart (heavy weapons) Sir Tristan Sexwulf. The thrown weapons Champion Baron Magnus de Lyons. The Lord and Lady of the White Hart Baroness Rosheen O’Faye and Baron Gunther Grunbaum.

Their Majesties called for Morgan. Morgan though a youth helps where they can. They guard and retain, among other things. This led Their Majesties to induct them into the Order of the Silver Buccle. Scroll by Christina Mary Lowe with words by Chahagan Duras.

Their Majesties called for Lord Kalen Karuson. Kalen is a youth always on the move. He guards, fences, and retains. For this, Their Majesties awarded him the Æthelmearc Award of Excellence. Scroll by Arden Scot.

Their Majesties called for Lady Brienne the Scorned. Brienne is passionate about recruitment. She is always looking for better ways to get people involved in the Society. For this, Their Majesties named her the Second Principal of the Order of Distinction for Newcomer Liaison. Scroll illuminated by Juliana Delamere, with calligraphy by Urraca Beatriz Botelho, and words by Angelino the Bookmaker.

Their Majesties called for Lady Mary Thomas. She is prolific with fiber arts, she teaches those who want to learn, and has taken on the role of local Arts and Sciences Minister. For these, Their Majesties named her a Companion of the Sycamore. Scroll by Kolfina Jodisdottir with words by Kolfina Jodisdottir and Po Silvertop.

Their Majesties summoned Lord Luca da Cola. They spoke of his neverending courtesy and helpfulness. For this, Their Majesties named him a Companion of the Cornelian. Scroll illuminated by Caleb Reynolds and Juliana Delamere, with calligraphy by Gwen Cook, and words by Daecez of the Dark Horde.

Their Majesties called THLady Ylaire Sainte Claire through the ether. They spoke of how Ylaire is willing to give up her days to make sure a scroll is ready at the last moment. For this, they awarded her an Iron Quill. The Combat scribe of the day was Amalie Reinardt. The actual scroll that was misplaced but found before Court was by Christina Mary Lowe with words by Chahagan Duras.

Their Majesties called for Lady Ascillia Attebroke. They spoke of how she had helped over the course of multiple reigns and how she organizes things to make it better for the whole Kingdom. For this, They named her a Baroness of Their Court and Granted her Arms. Scroll by Caleb Reynolds.

Their Majesties summoned THLord Tiberious Hostilious Malous. He had also been helpful over multiple reigns, coordinating the Queen’s Guard, and moving many things. For this, They named him a Baron of Their Court. Scroll by Gesa Wellenstein with words by Po Silvertop.

Their Majesties called for Baron Cunedda Kell. They confirmed his intention to continue. Then They heard words from a Member of the Order of the Chivalry Sir Tristen Sexwulf, a Member of the Order of the Laurel Llewelyn ap Tiernon, Members of the Order of Defense Maisterin Fredeburg von Katzenellenbogen and Master Clewin Kupferhelbelinc, a Royal Peer Duke Malcolm Duncan MacEoghainn, a Member of the Order of the Rose Countess Caryl Olesdatter, a Jewel of Æthlemarc Countess Marguerite Louise de la Marche, and a Member of the Order of the Pelican Count Ruslan Novgorodcev. Pleased with these words and with the support of the Order of the Pelican, Their Majesties bestowed Cunedda with the Ancestral Pelican Medallion of the Kingdom of Æthelmearc, a Household Medallion, a Personal Medallion, a Cloak, a Cloak Clasp, and a Hat of Maintenance. Their Majesties took Cunedda’s Oath of Service and named him a Magister of the Pelican. Scroll in progress by Shirin of Susa, promissory scroll illuminated by Birna en Kira, with Calligraphy by Amalie Reinhardt, and Words by Maria Christina de Cordoba.

Their Majesties invited anyone who had completed the pilgrimage to come forth to receive their pilgrimage token.

Her Majesty named THLady Máirin Ó Nialláin and Baroness Sigrid Schreiber as her inspirations for the day and awarded them both Golden Escarbuncles.

The scribes, wordsmiths, and regalia wrights were invited to come forward to take something from the scribal goodie box.

His Majesty spoke of the upcoming journey to Gulf Wars and invited all to join him at the Viking Deed.

Court Closed.

At feast court was reopened.

Their Majesties summoned Baron Ichijo Honen. They spoke of his growing prowess and leadership within the fencing community. They summoned Their Order of the White Scarf and with that order’s support named Ichijo a Companion of the White Scarf.

Court Closed.

https://aethelmearcgazette.com/2024/03/11/court-report-white-hart-as-58/

https://aethelmearcgazette.com/?p=36080

conuly

I mean, they'd absolutely work better* than asking teachers to police this, but I completely get that nobody's going to do it, just like nobody's going to do gun control.

But now I'm invested. It's weird how that works, isn't it? I didn't really care, other than that this was the umpteenth "oh, wow, what can we do about this intractable problem**!" article this month, but now I kinda do!

* Better to stop kids from texting in class. They wouldn't do anything to prevent them from listening to or watching anything they'd previously downloaded. Faraday cages prevent signals from going in or out, but if your cell phone is in your bag and your bag is next to you then the bluetooth signal can get from your phone to your earbud easy-peasy. To stop that you'd need to require kids to put their phones in RFID blocking bags or somesuch. Or you could use a jammer, but all such technology is illegal, has been for nearly 100 years, and comes with a pretty hefty fine and potential jail time. Teachers aren't paid enough for that, and you aren't either.

** Illicit cell phone usage in class. The parental angle was new.

andrewducker

1. Children with lazy eyes at higher risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and other serious health conditions later in life: (tags:disease eyes heart )
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3. Really in-depth look at the past, present and future of Moore's Law: (tags:technology history thefuture cpu processor )
4. Princess of Wales: Kate image withdrawn by four news agencies amid manipulation concerns: (tags:monarchy UK fraud photo )
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7. CaltonHillitus - this chronic condition affects hundreds of photographers.: (tags:photography photos edinburgh )
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$mdlbear: blue fractal bear with text "since 2002" (Default)$

mdlbear

Very mixed week. Three walks, and a lot of cat time, which are always good. Very little singing (and none at FotLR, though I did listen to much of the first two days). OTGH the Lair still smells a bit like smoke despite the C-R box, but it's improving. And I had a lot of trouble with apathy and probably depression. And the Whidbey house still isn't completely cleaned out. And instead of heading up directly, I'm stuck here for about half an hour charging Molly.

I note in passing that the coming week is going to be end-to-end medical appointments, and that Colleen's birthday is Saturday.

Here, have some Heartwarming Moments of Affectionate Felines Taking Care of Their Tiny Human Friends. You're welcome.

( Notes & links, as usual )

Current Mood: not too bad
Current Location: The Rainbow Caravan's North End on Whidbey Island
Current Music: Festival of the Living Rooms

conuly

Don't text your kid at school for no damn reason, folks!

If you want that much daily contact with your child - homeschool!

But on another note, every time I see an article about schools having trouble enforcing no-phone policies I keep thinking this: every teen shoplifter knows you can make a simple faraday cage for your tagged goods by lining a bag with aluminum foil. Then you can smuggle your whatever-it-is past the door and not get stopped with a beep. This same principle is why cell service inside elevators sucks - those things are made of metal and it blocks everything.

So, on that note, it should not be impossible to retrofit your school from top to bottom to make cell service too shitty to be worthwhile... and so long as you're using passive methods then it's all legal! (This may also be an option if you're a teacher in a single classroom and expected to decorate. Who says you can't decorate with metal? Line your classroom with cookie tins, guys! Who doesn't want a shiny classroom that, coincidentally, has the worst cell and wifi service in the state?)

Edit: I just googled, and faraday paints and wallpaper are things you can buy. As always, I believe functional engineering solutions are superior than behavioral ones. If you make it so that kids can't text in class then you will no longer have to spend energy trying to stop them from doing it. So, while this might actually not be feasible for a teacher, any school which is really irritated by this should consider trying to find the funding to redo their paint. In my experience, all schools are badly overdue for a paint job anyway. Shove a metal grid over the windows and you will be good to go.

Monica

Hoo boy, gotta catch up here...

Deferred pleasures

Interesting Links for 12-03-2024

Silent movie tomorrow, March 13

River: Bling

Not a bad day

Court Report: White Hart, AS 58

You know, when I posted my brilliant faraday cage plans I was mostly joking

Interesting Links for 11-03-2024

Done Since 2024-03-03

Oh, ffs.

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