Making It Up As I Go Along #412

Could our summer be wiped out by a volcano?

The volcano in Iceland continues to spew ash into the atmosphere. Planes are unable to cross the Atlantic, and Europe is suddenly thrown back half a century when it comes to travel.

Today I heard airlines are losing $200 million every day since the eruption began. Could a carrier be lost by this? Could business end for an airline due to volcanic activity?

Some make out quite well with this. A cab driver, to be specific. Monty Python’s John Cleese, having been stranded in Oslo, paid $5500 for a 15 hour cab ride to Brussels.

It seems unlikely that this eruption will bring us to a year with no summer. Most eruptions that spew enough sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere to cause temperature change do it closer to the equator. But just the fact that such things are being discussed makes you realize how little control people have in the grand scheme of things.

One isolated volcano in the high north erupts and millions of travel schedules are disrupted... summer may vanish... and John Cleese made a cabbie’s year.


Could my death end up comical?

I was at the Keg with Geoff this week and began to choke on a piece of steak. I remember chewing on a big piece of meat and it made it’s way to the back of my throat. I decided, if it’s there, I may as well swallow. It got halfway down.

So I figured a little extra swallowing would finish it off. Geoff continues to talk as I work on it... but then he sees my face putting in the effort... and breathing stops.

And at that moment I wondered “am I going to die on the floor of the Keg?”

I wonder this without panic but more of a “huh, how about that?” feel.

Geoff asks if I’m alright just as I cough the meat back into my mouth. Nobody else noticed anything and I finish the chewing job as we chuckle about my near miss.


Could technology be less bi-polar?

This week my laptop drove me crazy. All smooth for a while... then the laptop wouldn’t recognize my iPod Touch. After hours of reading and fiddling, I got that straight. Victory.

The next day, while adding CD’s to my iPod, the CD/DVD drive dies... seemingly for good. Victory is fleeting I guess.

Times like this, I long for the 1970s from a technology standpoint. When television watching was an exercise... change the channel?... get up and walk over there. It was a family bonding experience. You turn the channel... no, I did it last time, it’s your turn... well, this show isn’t so bad I guess.

When telephone calls meant you going from where you are in the house to the one telephone on the kitchen wall. And if you aren’t home, all the caller gets is a constant ring.

When questions about world topics meant a trip to the bookshelf encyclopedia set rather than google.

Of course, as I wrote this section, I got an e-mail from my father in Newfoundland... and I instantly got the highlights of his week. And I’m listening to Bob Dylan on a record player while my HD TV is showing the Jays game in the background.

So perhaps it’s not so much technology being bi-polar... but I am.



MONDAY...
— Physio and work have returned to life. Physio was easier to get back in to. Work was somewhat slow going.

TUESDAY...
— Computer/iPod issues. I can’t sync my Touch to the laptop today. Tried all sorts of things both before and after work. I hate computers sometimes.
— Meet Geoff at the Keg for supper. It means working until 1:00 tonight and I almost choke on a piece of steak... but it’s still a good time with Riggs.
— Just before giving up for bed... well past 3:00 AM... I got it! Apple’s website gave me instructions to follow for such a problem... and success. Thank goodness. So tiring.

WEDNESDAY...
— Physio is a bit rough. Ratcheting up the work.
— Work is... is... in need of another vacation. Three days back and stupidity is the only word... the only one.

THURSDAY...
— Hate the laptop again... looks like the DVD/CD drive is dead. I can still use the computer fine enough but it looks like no more CD’s getting loaded onto my iPod Touch until something is done. Of course, with 3000 songs on now, I’m not hurting too badly... just nothing new for a while.
— Work goes from stupidity to foolishness. A step up but hardly paradise.
— Canucks and Habs both do good in the playoffs tonight... I watch the Montreal OT from work and the Canuck game on PVR when I get home. Goosebumps with the atmosphere in Vancouver.

FRIDAY...
— Work is calmer today... but ready for the weekend. Physio before work is alright too.
— No more Greek on Wheels. It was downright bad tonight and three of us had stomach issues after eating it.

SATURDAY...
— Some TV during the day and then out to supper with Karl. He buys me a birthday meal at Patty’s Pub. Or Paddy’s... I always mix it up.
— Habs game is annoying. Big lead and then they play with an afraid to lose attitude in the third... and... lose. Still, if told they’d win one of two in Washington, I’d take it. But I think they’ll regret this missed opportunity.