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Posts Tagged ‘Thoughts’

I’m a little too caught up in work to write the piece I was planning for today, so instead we have a free story via Slate’s Future Tense Fiction. It’s long, so save it for when you have time to do a little thinking about the environment, technology, and society.

“Ride,” a new short story about climate change, A.I., and social credit by Linda Nagata, with a non-fictional response by Henry Grabar, a journalist who reports on cities and autonomous vehicles.

Jasmine’s thoughts turned to the boy. He’d claimed he’d met someone on a shared taxi ride, a nameless stranger who’d told him about the Easter egg—a hidden bit of code embedded in the programming controlling the city’s autonomous taxi fleet.

Probably, the boy had been stringing her along. Yet there had been something about him, a sweetness, a rare sincerity that made her want to believe him—and anyway, what was the harm?

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Photo by Alessio Lin on Unsplash

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While you wait, here’s a little something to keep you entertained:

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I’m working today but I’d rather be baking. While in Montreal last week I picked up some sugar cookies. Mediocre, not good, stale cookies. They were, to put it mildly, a disappointment.

I hate disappointment. What do I like? Recipes that are satisfying, easy enough to make whenever I want, and showcase flavor rather than perfection. A little flash doesn’t go amiss, either. 

We’re watching The Great Canadian Baking Show and I am reminded that there are so many interesting things out there to learn. So while I’m looking for the perfect sugar cookie recipe, I may also start building a list of essential* recipes and methods I don’t already know.

And then start baking.

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* My definition of essential will almost certainly differ from yours, but I’m aiming for techniques that can be used in a wide variety of recipes, help build flexibility into both recipes and bakers regardless of skill level, and eschew fiddly for fun. That said, how have I never made a pithivier? Also, buying puff pastry is absolutely acceptable in my book.

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I’m heading into the workshop for the first time in ages. On the menu, bottle stoppers and finding the on switch for my lathe.

Later I’ll get back to reading The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman. Murder, mayhem and complicated septua- and octogenarians come together in a touching, humorous and well-written package. What’s not to love?

If you’re interested, start with book one in the series: The Thursday Murder Club.

Delightful!

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Photo by Austin Ramsey on Unsplash

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“Read books. Care about things. Get excited. Try not to be too down on yourself. Enjoy the ever present game of knowing.”

― Hank Green

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Photo by Joe Ciciarelli on Unsplash

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Love This

From Black Friday 2020, but still relevant. Here’s to staying positive!

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Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

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We had to run over to Montreal this morning. We left in the dark with rain and snow coming down. Miserable weather and some sketchy traffic, but I’ve always loved a road trip. Leaving the known and heading out into the world, who wouldn’t feel like a hobbit on an adventure?

(Also, it’s been ages since I’ve gone anywhere at all, so I’ll take my fun where I can get it:)

We made it into the city and picked up breakfast at a Moroccan bakery. Then our errand, then driving home on mostly rural roads lit by bright sunshine. Fall is a lovely season.

And lucky me, it turns out adventure tastes like chocolate croissants!

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Photo by tabitha turner on Unsplash

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Our creativity is a wild and unexpected bonus from the universe. It’s as if all our gods and angels gathered together and said, “It’s tough down there as a human being, we know. Here—have some delights. 

— Elizabeth Gilbert

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Photo by Javardh on Unsplash

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The microwave crapped out on us last night, again. Fortunately, it looks like it’s the same problem as last time, which means we still have extra spare parts from last time. So I’ll be assisting Mr. Man in another great Appliance Disassembly Rodeo!

Fun, right?

Brief aside: I really dislike throwing away mostly ok items and think the right-to-repair movement is a fine idea. Progress is being made on that front, but there’s still a gap between having the right to fix a thing and having the knowledge and equipment to fix a thing. Mr. Man is mechanically-minded and experienced, and also has pretty much all the tools a person could need (allll the tools!). A lot of people don’t. If you’re one of them, check out online sites for manuals or search for local tool lending libraries. Or make friends with a handy neighbor! (I recommend a smile, beer and/or brownies.)

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(update)

I wrote this yesterday. Since then, we pulled the microwave off the wall and took it apart. It was not, in fact, the same problem as last time. Sadly.

(cut to two hours later)

We have procured what may very well be the last microwave of its kind in Eastern Canada. The floods out West have done absolutely nothing good for already challenged supply chains, so we’re counting ourselves very lucky. It should arrive Thursday.

Fingers crossed!

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Photo by Pat Whelen on Unsplash

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