Been on this planet for a bit now; still trying to figure it out.

What keeps me informed, amused, or up at night: climate and the environment, news and journalism, human evolution and ancient history, politics, wildlife, photography, cycling, piano, guitar, español, français.  Oh, and a sucker for bad puns.

Coordinates: Ottawa, Canada
TABLA: Rosa

Last Notes

I’ve heard them being referred to as pervy specs.
A privacy nightmare. Apparently there have already been cases of the glasses recording credit card transactions in which they can record the card number and the PIN being punched.
https://gizmodo.com/popular-bars-and-restaurants-are-banning-smart-glasses-2000796435

2026-08-11 17:25:52 UTC

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Interesting that they emphasize smoke from Canadian wildfires, but only near the bottom of the article do they mention the fires burning in Washington and Oregon.

2026-07-23 13:11:41 UTC

This will surely make it to the next edition of Great Canadian Quotes.
https://assets.ottawa.place/media_attachments/files/116/969/458/742/959/904/original/ac3706a5a4a5b716.jpeg

2026-07-20 12:16:36 UTC

#ClimateCrisis #climate #wildfires
https://assets.ottawa.place/media_attachments/files/116/952/255/259/382/948/original/4234d7129efe2643.jpeg

2026-07-20 02:22:23 UTC

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Seem to be a fair number all along the west coast of North and South America.

2026-07-16 15:42:06 UTC

Just for fun, what if we juxtaposed a map of current wildfires with the route of Canada’s proposed eastern pipeline from Alberta to Sarnia?
#wildfires #canada #pipelines #fossilfuels
https://assets.ottawa.place/media_attachments/files/116/930/414/074/660/701/original/eee41e183f4ab9a4.png

2026-07-15 12:25:06 UTC

Current wildfires, Canada. Interactive map.
https://cwfis.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/en/interactive-map?selectedDate=2026-06-26&layerIds=public%3Acwfif_national_activefires%2Cpublic%3Am3polygons%2Cpublic%3Afwi&_gl=1*1f7jiy5*_ga*MTg2MjIwMzUxMy4xNzg0MTE3ODgy*_ga_C2N57Y7DX5*czE3ODQxMTc4ODEkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODQxMTc4ODEkajYwJGwwJGgw #canada #wildfires
https://assets.ottawa.place/media_attachments/files/116/923/977/035/234/277/original/27784e271e780a9a.png

2026-07-14 13:32:35 UTC

Odd that the sky has a yellowish pallor this morning even though the air quality index remains reasonably low at 3. (Ottawa).

2026-07-13 16:25:21 UTC

“This is not a computer model. It's not a forecast. It's not a simulation of what might happen decades from now. These are direct observations from satellites, ships and ocean buoys measuring the temperature of the tropical Pacific Ocean.
This is reality unfolding now before our eyes.”
#climatechange #climate #elnino
https://www.lyrebirddreaming.com/post/the-graph-that-should-be-front-page-news
https://assets.ottawa.place/media_attachments/files/116/913/597/193/328/398/original/5018b5415362afba.jpeg

2026-06-11 16:49:51 UTC

I’ll see your entendre.
And double it.

2026-06-06 19:36:54 UTC

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Done!

2026-06-03 12:22:49 UTC

https://assets.ottawa.place/media_attachments/files/116/686/151/075/728/214/original/07d711dc49371864.jpeg

2026-05-31 11:44:04 UTC

When was the last time you got a hand-written letter from a company not only apologizing but setting things right?
Top-notch customer service is still alive. And the company is Canadian.
(source: Reddit)
https://assets.ottawa.place/media_attachments/files/116/669/011/832/665/866/original/1b0575fe332deb6e.jpeg

2026-05-20 12:11:01 UTC

A CTV news investigation found 17 cases of baggage tag switching at Pesrson Airport, Toronto, where tags from your checked luggage are placed on another suitcase containing drugs.
If you are concerned about the practice, the CTV article offers a few security tips:
• ⁠Take photos and videos of your bag at the airport. Document what your luggage looks like before you hand it over.
• ⁠Take a photo or video of your bag being weighed. That can help confirm the original weight of your luggage in case anything is added after check-in.
• ⁠Make sure your bag tag is securely attached. Before your bag disappears onto the conveyor belt, check that the tag is properly fastened and clearly visible.
• ⁠Keep a record of your baggage receipt. Do not throw out the small sticker or baggage claim receipt until your trip is over and your luggage is safely back in your possession.
• ⁠Use a luggage tracker. Several victims told W5 that tracking devices helped show where their real bags had gone.
• ⁠Take a photo of the bag tag itself. Make sure the tag number, destination and passenger name are visible.
https://assets.ottawa.place/media_attachments/files/116/606/832/331/542/831/original/8f24a9103d97f38a.png

2026-05-13 14:34:15 UTC

Be honest. Absurdism is your favourite.
#philosophy
https://assets.ottawa.place/media_attachments/files/116/567/759/371/472/217/original/f32bdc95d4af5286.png

2026-04-21 12:11:47 UTC

Should Canada join the EU?
Fifty-seven percent of us Canadians say ‘yes’.
#cdnpoli #canada #eu
https://nanos.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-3031-Globe-March-Populated-report-EU.pdf
https://assets.ottawa.place/media_attachments/files/116/442/628/288/719/837/original/19e51b0a89cc29ca.jpeg

2026-04-20 11:36:46 UTC

There are currently 56 wars or armed conflicts worldwide, according to The World Now.
Since 2010, the number of conflicts involving states has almost doubled, and the total number of deaths has increased fivefold.
https://www.the-world-now.com/current-wars

2026-04-06 13:28:50 UTC

!
YELLOW ALERT
———————
Huge solar spill recorded over #ottawa this morning!
Take all necessary precautions.
And have a great day!