@megansmolenyak Fascinating, a great find. Thx. I'll share the link on my Sunday Sparklies Substack post!

Cool cemeteries to ponder over the holiday weekend and put on your to-visit list. #genealogy
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/where-to-wander-2024-cemeteries

@wbpeckham @georgetakei It's really depressing that this is now pretty well normalized. Thought's and prayers go out, it's a member of some 'other' group so not something one of 'us' could ever do. Or a random lone wolf, but still a sufficiently different lone wolf. And never the appropriate time to talk about failures in gun control or lack of proper social supports. I'm in Canada, but still upsets me.

@waldo.net Not sure why they woud do this, but I assume 'ironing out the details' is code for 'ensuring we don't get blamed'.

@georgetakei I'm sure there is at least 1 US site that does nothing but log those shootings every day, but I don't want to look at it.

@Dianora @human3500 Mine (2008 Mazda) came with seat heaters. Nice on really cold days for my elderly butt.

TL:DR - Ottawa webhost recommendations?
Typepad is closing down so after 20 some years my blog will end. To be honest, it's been quiet for a while - I use it rarely, and not a lot of visits. Mostly a SubStack guy now, and other things. Nothing on there I really need to save, but could move it if not too difficult. I have three blogs on the same site, and have URLs to them. There is an export/import process that seems doable, but I would need a local site that could handhold a bit. Suggestions?

Still here, but mostly on SubStack, writing and podcasting.
https://ravensview.substack.com/p/no-more-spotify

@ottaross I think he was punting that down the road, as not a prime issue

@lizl_genealogy I saw Prince of Wales Island (Penang, in Asia) listed as "Prince of Wales, Ireland". Sigh. #genealogy #FamilyHistory #research

If you're wondering who the man in a big yellow cloak is that you're seeing at pictures from the Newcastle count, that's a candidate in my constituency, name of Kim Tate, running as King Teare. He's an independent. Gotta have some oddball candidates keeping politics weird. #UKGE2024

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/meet-king-teare--crown-29442511

Reposting from my SubStack

Not my Circus, Not my Monkeys
Nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy
I’m watching the circus of US politics from my spot up in here in the Canadian cheap seats. But it’s still all under the same tattered tent, so if/when the monkeys bring it all down, it’s on our heads too.

There are three rings. Strutting around the red one is a peacock of a buffoon, caught up in a Gish Gallop tsunami of random phrases, preaching to his Reichstag of ecstatic wild-eyed followers. Nine bobbleheads sit comfortably along the front row, swatched in heavy black robes and gazing unblinking up at their patron.

Slumped in the middle of the blue ring is a sad little pale-faced Pierrot, face downcast, all alone under the single spotlight. There’s an occasional hint of energy, as if the clockwork spring had a bit more left after all, but then it’s back to that thousand-yard stare, then a dejected sag. His fans have stopped cheering. Most are mute in disbelief. Several have discreetly slipped out.

There’s a third ring too, a grey one, with small grey characters. Some shuffle aimlessly about, some wave with a bit of animation to their own tiny crowd, but most seem immobile and translucent.

There is still a scattering of relatively uncommitted fans, gazing from ring to ring to ring, realizing there may be no good choices to be had. Do they want to help break in a new act? As for the rest of the audience, there is no shortage of distractions. High overhead, there’s a troop of monkeys battling in the wires and cables, while dressed in red and blue tunics. Down below, there are dozens of jugglers and clowns and acrobats. There’s even a bear on a bicycle wearing a little red ball cap. He seems to be a big hit with many of the spectators.

Why do we stay in the tent? Do we stay on for a few odd jobs, like cleaning up after the elephants? Do we still scrounge for some day-old hotdogs and stale popcorn? Are we afraid to leave the safety of the tent? Are we just - to mix metaphors - too fascinated by the slow train wreck unfolding before our eyes?

For my geekier friends - using a Markov chain to produce simulated Trump Tweets.
https://filiph.github.io/markov/

I've been doing some podcasts lately - here's a reading I just did of two of my stories from 2012. One is about remembering, the other has a First Nation's twist.
https://open.substack.com/pub/ravensview/p/my-stories-5-i-remember-what-if?r=2xohz&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

I'm adding podcasts to my SubStack now. https://ravensview.substack.com/p/a-christmas-carol

@gemelliz I just double-checked... the entire population of Alberta is only 10-11% the entire population of Canada.

So I'd love to know where Smith's getting this math from.

Headline - Ontario's LTC inspection system fell apart during 1st COVID-19 wave: report
Province conducted no long-term care home inspections in spring of 2020
Response from Ford (I assume). Terrible news.
Liberals left us with a broken system, our hardworking inspectors did the best they could.
We will launch a review and fix the process.
I didn't know about this because, just like for the Greenbelt, I don't micro-manage.
Look at all the money we are spending now to improve Long Term Care.
We will explore using more P3 partnerships to save even more money.
Have I mentioned all the new homes we are building? With finished basements, so you don't have to put your elderly parents in a home.

From CP24 - an interesting article that looks into some of the pros and cons of using this tool. Some good links too. How is your local school board managing this?
------------------------------
Teachers turn to AI to make workload more manageable, chart lesson plans
https://www.cp24.com/news/teachers-turn-to-ai-to-make-workload-more-manageable-chart-lesson-plans-1.6536738

My latest https://open.substack.com/pub/ravensview/p/offsets-are-off-putting?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

COVID immunity
COVID keeps evolving, but so does our immunity. Are we now at a 'stalemate' with this virus?
New study shows 3/4 of Canadians have antibodies from SARS-CoV-2 infections
https://www.cbc.ca/news?cmp=rss