Author Archives: dichroic

confessions

Posted on January 14, 2016 by dichroic

I. I never heard of the Thin White Duke before this week. I mean Ziggy Stardust yes; the brilliant creator of Space Oddity and heroes yes; one of very few Boomer musicians who was still making good new music by … Continue reading →

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trading in, trading up

Posted on January 13, 2016 by dichroic

Amazon has a cool promotion going on; you can trade in an old Kindle and get a giftcard for $5 to $35, depending on model and condition, plus an extra $20 that can only be used to the purchase of … Continue reading →

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far above the Moon

Posted on January 11, 2016 by dichroic

The way I feel about David Bowie was best expressed by a former officemate of mine: “Ikoon is er niet meer”. Idiomatically, that’s “An icon is gone”, but I think it sounds better in the literal Dutch: “Icon is there … Continue reading →

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I don’t think step tracking is supposed to be complicated…

Posted on January 6, 2016 by dichroic

I don’t think I’ve mentioned this, but I gave up wearing my Misfit Shine activity tracker, or rather it gave up on me. It popped out of its wristband – the rubber one it came with, not one of the … Continue reading →

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if Pepys could have it his way, why can’t I?

Posted on January 5, 2016 by dichroic

They keep talking about revolutions in publishing – e-books, print on demand, and so on – but I think what I want is for it to revive an older capability. MUCH older. I would like to be able to just … Continue reading →

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The halfway point

Posted on December 27, 2015 by dichroic

I’m just a little bit over halfway through my end-of-year vacation – I’ve got the rest of this week and the weekend, and then I’m back to work on Monday. There’s a really painful moment in every vacation from work, … Continue reading →

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almost ready and on tenterhooks

Posted on December 18, 2015 by dichroic

Things I did yesterday: Worked a full day Erged 14 km and completed this year’s Concept 2 Holiday Challenge Paid a bill Medicated two cats Cooked a tasty Chicken Francese (A new recipe for me. Recipe note: I do recommend … Continue reading →

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How to be Jewish – in 1846 London

Posted on December 14, 2015 by dichroic

I found something fascinating today: The Jewish Manual: Practical Information In Jewish And Modern Cookery With a Collection of Valuable Recipes & Hints Relating to the Toilette, written by Judith Cohen Montefiore, and published in 1846. Judith was the wife … Continue reading →

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Dear Simon

Posted on December 13, 2015 by dichroic

Dear Simon Winchester, I know you know your history better than that. I also know you know you’re writing for people who don’t. Therefore, please do not oversimplify to the point of inanity. Thanks, Me I’ve liked several of Winchester’s … Continue reading →

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Chanukah poem – peace in contradiction

Posted on December 9, 2015 by dichroic

I think this year’s Chanukah poem came out a little more bellicose than I was intending, so may need some explanation. I don’t actually mind may of the ways that Chanukah has grown due to being close to Christmas, because … Continue reading →

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