Ben
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May. 2nd, 2008
08:23 pm - Attack of the Small World Syndrome
Is the Universe trying to tell me something?
First, I read an article in the Sunday Globe's real estate section about a house for sale. The pictures of the house look familiar to me. It looks a lot like a house that belonged to friends of my parents. So it's possible I was in that house 30 years ago. I can't remember their names, but I remembered the name of their daughter, Bathsheba (she's roughly my age).
I asked my parents if they remembered who I was talking about. They did, so I was, I was able to search online to find their address. It turns out I was close, but not quite correct. The house I remembered is around the corner from the house that's for sale. So there's a reason why the house looked familiar to me. Both houses were built at the same time, by the same company, and they are both surrounded by the same type of tall pine trees.
Then a few days later, I read an article about an upcoming art exhibit in Boston with the theme of mathematics in art. One of the artists is Bathsheba, the same person who, prior to a few days ago, I haven't thought about in 30 years.
Apr. 1st, 2008
02:30 am - New Gmail Feature
Here's a cool new feature for gmail that was announced today:
http://mail.google.com/mail/help/customtime/index.html
"New! Gmail Custom Time(TM)
Ever wish you could go back in time and send that crucial email that could have changed everything -- if only it hadn't slipped your mind? Gmail can now help you with those missed deadlines, missed birthdays and missed opportunities."
I find it very appropriate and timely.
Mar. 15th, 2008
12:13 pm - Lunacon Observation
Saturday at Noon and there are people in the hallway waiting for a Torah reading, loudly discussing Ecclestone vs Tenent as Dr. Who? It must be an SF convention.
Feb. 18th, 2008
06:48 pm - Advice
When your wife says "I want a pony", sometimes you should be prepared to take her seriously.
Feb. 7th, 2008
03:08 am
Given that many of my friends (myself included) are in this age range, I thought they might find this of interest.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7213387.stm
Depression risk 'highest in 40s'
Life may begin at 40, but research suggests that 44 is the age at which we are most vulnerable to depression.
Data analysis on two million people from 80 countries found a remarkably consistent pattern around the world.
The risk of depression was lowest in younger and older people, with the middle-aged years associated with the highest risk for both men and women.
[...]
The actual paper can be found
here (163KB pdf) or
here.
I was surprised to find out that both authors are economists, not psychologists.
Feb. 5th, 2008
11:40 am - Storing Dreams
Last night (or perhaps this morning), I had an interesting dream.
I went to look at an old warehouse or mill building that was for sale somewhere north of Boston (Haverhill?). It was a large building with multiple floors, and a rectangular footprint. While looking at the building, I bumped into a couple of friends who were also looking at the building (I think they were Mike Patton and Hobbit). The building seemed to be in good shape, but was rather dusty from age and disuse.
While we were wandering around the building, I suggested that instead of bidding against each other, we should pool our money and buy it together. Each of us would end up with two floors of the building to use or rent out.
It seems like a cool idea, but it was just a dream.
Jan. 3rd, 2008
09:23 pm - Economist Recycling
I recently spent some expiring frequent flyer miles on a subscription to The Economist magazine. Instead of recycling it by tossing it in the recycling bin, I wondered if someone in the local area would like to read the magazines when we're done with them?
If you've never read the magazine, their website is: http://www.economist.com/
Dec. 17th, 2007
12:52 am - Baby, It's Cold Outside
I'm only half done shoveling out the driveway (I decided to wait until after it finished snowing). At least now Ann get easily get her car out of the driveway in the morning. It's cold out there, but by the time I came in, I was sweating from the shoveling (I wish we had a couple of enterprising teenagers in the neighborhood).
On a related note, I think I finally figured out why it seems colder this year than last year when I'm sitting at my computer. I no longer have a large space heater at my desk. This summer I replaced my 19" CRT with a LCD monitor.
Oct. 9th, 2007
01:52 pm - Apple Tasting Notes - 2007
Anne's favorites are Gala and Braeburn
Not much sweetness in the Shamrock apple -- Iago
PeterO - Gala is my favorite in the supermarket. Mutsu is very nice, but could use a bit more sweetness. Wolf River is too mushy. "??" is just bad.
Spencer is a little more tart than Shamrock -- Iago
Wolf River - grainy, almost pear-like -- Iago
Laurie likes Honeycrisp, Mutsu, Spenser, Braeburn, Early Pippin
Honey Crisp - Right amount of sweetness -- Iago
Crab Apples - Sawdust taste - Iago
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/classic/thinking.gif)
contemplative
Oct. 7th, 2007
12:01 am - Meme: Two Tickets to Paradise
What Do You Have To Say? - Two Tickets to Paradise
If you won two free round-trip plane tickets anywhere in the world, where would you go and who would you bring?
( My answer )
Sep. 19th, 2007
01:46 pm - Jolly Rocket Flag
My artistic endeavor for Talk Like A Pirate Day
( Feedback wanted )Aug. 16th, 2007
10:03 pm - Buzz Buzz Thump!
What goes "buzz buzz snap crackle THUMP!"
( Answer )
Until things quiet down, I'm planning on going to sleep by midnight on "school nights."
Aug. 8th, 2007
Jul. 29th, 2007
08:43 pm - Who Was That Masked Beaver?
I don't normally repost news articles to LJ, but this one I had to share.
Beaver Sparks Armed Police Response
( Read more... )Jul. 27th, 2007
01:10 pm - Too Much Travel
Normally, I don't do that much traveling, other than going into Boston/Camberville, but last weekend I went to NY for a "camping" trip. After a day's rest at home, I went to Vermont to my parents' house on Tuesday. On Wednesday I drove to Montreal with my father to help him with some stuff. Thursday, I drove back to Vermont, and then after dinner I drove back home (I decided I'd rather sleep in my own bed with Ann, than another night in a strange bed alone).
Next week, I fly to San Diego with Ann for family reunion (her father's mother's side of the family).
So that's three trips (three states (four if you count NH, but I didn't stop), and another country) in three weeks. I enjoy traveling, but that's too much, in that short of a period.
p.s. If you're going to be a lot of traveling, a GPS is a useful thing to have.
Jul. 3rd, 2007
12:55 pm - Apple Notes
Here are the long awaited notes from Last Fall's Apple Tasting Party.
(we plan to have another apple tasting party this Fall)
( Notes )
And a quote from the party, scribbled on the page:
"But first I want you to squeeze this frog."Jun. 25th, 2007
Jun. 17th, 2007
Jun. 7th, 2007
07:14 pm - Turkey in the Straw
I think I have a turkey nesting next to my barn.
She's been in the same spot for at least a week.
Does anyone know how long it takes a turkey to hatch her eggs? And how long after they hatch, they leave the nest?
Jun. 4th, 2007
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