Seeking Help For Trek + Comics Writers
May. 2nd, 2025 09:27 amI've been reminded over on TrekBBS that there's ongoing medical fundraisers for two writers whose work on comic books and on Star Trek I've enjoyed reading and re-reading over the decades.
Mike W. Barr
Peter A. David
Mike W. Barr
Peter A. David
Making Sense of Myself
Apr. 18th, 2025 08:52 pmOne more piece falling into place, maybe.
https://thinkingautismguide.com/2024/05/what-makes-a-home-feel-safe-for-autistic-people.html
https://thinkingautismguide.com/2024/05/what-makes-a-home-feel-safe-for-autistic-people.html
Financial Complications
Feb. 2nd, 2025 01:55 pmI am wondering after today...what happens to the banking connections. The main credit card companies operating in Canada are American-based. I have one of those. All our major banks - including the one I deal with - now have American operations. The Boston Bruins operate out of a rink with the Toronto-Dominion Bank brand all over it.
Checking In - 30 January 2025
Jan. 30th, 2025 07:24 amThe next few days are going to be a bit of a roller-coaster ride in terms of local temperature and precipitation. As I type this, it's -26ºC and it's going to see-saw between there and up to +3ºC over the next week. Snow, maybe rain, too. Yes, I'm bundling up for my morning walk before work.
I had to get a wax build-up in my left ear cleared out last night. That got me out of the house for a bit in a way that wasn't visitation-related.
Another year around Sol over and done for me.
More later.
I had to get a wax build-up in my left ear cleared out last night. That got me out of the house for a bit in a way that wasn't visitation-related.
Another year around Sol over and done for me.
More later.
Checking In - 28 Jan 2025
Jan. 28th, 2025 07:34 amI just self-tested again, and I still seem to be avoiding/delaying my second COVID-19 infection. So that's good news.
I'm scheduled to be laid off because end-of-contract on March 14th. This will have been a personal best at 15 months' steady work. That should improve the odds of being (re)hired somewhat.
The science-fiction club Zoom meeting last night fizzled due to various issues, so we're going to try again in two weeks.
I'm up to working on four map projects with the Tranquility Press fanfic collective.
More later.
I'm scheduled to be laid off because end-of-contract on March 14th. This will have been a personal best at 15 months' steady work. That should improve the odds of being (re)hired somewhat.
The science-fiction club Zoom meeting last night fizzled due to various issues, so we're going to try again in two weeks.
I'm up to working on four map projects with the Tranquility Press fanfic collective.
More later.
So I'm looking at this item about Trump wanting Canadian water resources for California...and then, over to this item at the Guardian about Pete Hegseth's writings...
No, I can't afford to move. And I live in eastern Ottawa.
No, I can't afford to move. And I live in eastern Ottawa.
Jacket Shopping 2024
Nov. 18th, 2024 10:31 pmTrying to shop for a 4XL winter jacket for myself without travelling too far out of my neighbourhood. My current jacket is about 10 years old, and the design works for my brain. Trouble is that retailers have their own ideas about what I should be able to buy these days.
No buttons in front, zippered pockets...these are features to my brain, not design errors.
Looking for recommendations, not financial support.
No buttons in front, zippered pockets...these are features to my brain, not design errors.
Looking for recommendations, not financial support.
Medical Stuff - Mid-October 2024
Oct. 18th, 2024 08:23 pmDental checkup is done. No new work expected between now and May next year, by which point I expect to be signed up to the federal dental care insurance plan. Pre-paying for my dental care through my taxes will be somewhat easier than out-of-pocket payments, I expect.
What else?
Tomorrow, I get COVID vaccine dose # 9. I would like to have Novovax(?) for that, but Canada's not getting any of the newest formulation. I am unclear as to why none was ordered. So are a lot of other Canadians.
Also, I am getting my influenza vaccination in the same appointment. May as well, right?
What else?
Tomorrow, I get COVID vaccine dose # 9. I would like to have Novovax(?) for that, but Canada's not getting any of the newest formulation. I am unclear as to why none was ordered. So are a lot of other Canadians.
Also, I am getting my influenza vaccination in the same appointment. May as well, right?
The logic of Stephen Harper and Donald Trump is at work here. If you make sure that you can't look for it, you won't find it. If you don't find it, it doesn't exist as a problem. If it doesn't exist as a problem, it doesn't have to be solved.
Linking to tweets by GP and occasional CBC News commentator Dr. Iris Gorfinkel:
https://x.com/DrGorfinkel/status/1841225759681364201
https://x.com/DrGorfinkel/status/1841285113486671877
Linking to tweets by GP and occasional CBC News commentator Dr. Iris Gorfinkel:
https://x.com/DrGorfinkel/status/1841225759681364201
https://x.com/DrGorfinkel/status/1841285113486671877
Can-Con 2024
Oct. 1st, 2024 07:20 amOnce again, I will not be attending Can-Con in person this year. This is due to my continuing efforts to reduce my risk of COVID-19 reinfection and the consequences of it for me and other people.
Even if Can-Con went back from "recommended" to "required" on its masking policy, OC Transpo isn't even being allowed to bother one way or the other. As the public transit system is my main way of getting around Ottawa, and Can-Con is something I want, rather than need, to attend, it's one more thing I will forego.
I'm sorry about this.
Even if Can-Con went back from "recommended" to "required" on its masking policy, OC Transpo isn't even being allowed to bother one way or the other. As the public transit system is my main way of getting around Ottawa, and Can-Con is something I want, rather than need, to attend, it's one more thing I will forego.
I'm sorry about this.
As regards today's op-ed cartoon by Greg Perry...
Whatever his own opinion, the family he depicted have a legitimate reason for a long, loud cry of frustration: COVID-19 is still very much part of the picture. So long as we don't require masking up properly and good air-cleaning measures in our workplaces - including public transit to and from those spaces - and our various levels of government are not dealing with the pandemic still in progress in the proper ways otherwise, SARS-CoV-2 and its medical consequences will still plague us. Socially, economically, in every way possible. The vaccines we have are still not enough in and of themselves to end the pandemic.
Therefore, Dads and kids everywhere have every right to keep crying.
Whatever his own opinion, the family he depicted have a legitimate reason for a long, loud cry of frustration: COVID-19 is still very much part of the picture. So long as we don't require masking up properly and good air-cleaning measures in our workplaces - including public transit to and from those spaces - and our various levels of government are not dealing with the pandemic still in progress in the proper ways otherwise, SARS-CoV-2 and its medical consequences will still plague us. Socially, economically, in every way possible. The vaccines we have are still not enough in and of themselves to end the pandemic.
Therefore, Dads and kids everywhere have every right to keep crying.
Checking In - 5 August 2024
Aug. 5th, 2024 10:49 pmLong weekend is over. Going back to work on the remote job in the morning. I have a process knowledge test at 10 AM.
Oh, the report on the shoulder x-rays came back earlier in the weekend. No problems they could detect with that equipment in the shoulder joints. Probably soft-tissue stuff, like pinching nerves and blood vessels.
OH well...
Oh, the report on the shoulder x-rays came back earlier in the weekend. No problems they could detect with that equipment in the shoulder joints. Probably soft-tissue stuff, like pinching nerves and blood vessels.
OH well...
DIsability Pride Month
Jul. 29th, 2024 07:43 pmI get reminded that it's this month - July - just as it's ending.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disability_Pride_Month
Not feeling great about that for a number of reasons, some of which we've discussed here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disability_Pride_Month
Not feeling great about that for a number of reasons, some of which we've discussed here.
Broken Chair
Jun. 4th, 2024 09:27 pmI had a chair problem start on Sunday: two of the wheel assemblies in my office chair just snapped right under me. Bought the chair barely half a year ago because the older office chair was starting to lean a bit to one side.
Bought the chair from Jysk barely half a year ago because the older office chair was starting to lean a bit to one side.
In theory, I could find replacement parts and install them myself. I don't think I can find the right part(s), though. Not fast enough. The chair that broke is a Snertinge from Jysk. Bought it six months ago. I'm currently down to two options from Staples:
1) Serta Brinkley
2) Staples Turcotte Luxura
Recommendations, anyone?
Bought the chair from Jysk barely half a year ago because the older office chair was starting to lean a bit to one side.
In theory, I could find replacement parts and install them myself. I don't think I can find the right part(s), though. Not fast enough. The chair that broke is a Snertinge from Jysk. Bought it six months ago. I'm currently down to two options from Staples:
1) Serta Brinkley
2) Staples Turcotte Luxura
Recommendations, anyone?