Vintage timepieces

Posted on by

Favorite author William Gibson is reported to have a passion for vintage timepieces and used them as a plot element in “All Tomorrow’s Parties.” [ChatGPT summarizes]

  1. The novel features a character named Silencio who is
    searching for a specific antique watch – a LeCoultre “Futurematic”
    with a black dial and wind reserve indicator.
  2. Silencio has detailed knowledge about this watch, including its
    serial number, bid history, and auction status.
  3. The watch serves as a plot device that allows Silencio to track
    down one of the main characters, Harwood.
  4. There’s a scene near the end of the book involving a nanotech
    watch repair machine, which is described as a novelty. This
    ties into themes of emerging technology.
  5. Gibson himself had a fascination with vintage mechanical
    watches, particularly military-issue watches from WWII and post-
    war era. He was drawn to their functional designs
    disconnected from fashion or status.
  6. While not specifically about antique watches, the novel
    explores themes of obsolescence and the relationship between
    humans and machines, which could relate to mechanical
    watches as “heritage devices” in a high-tech future.

An antique LeCoultre watch serves as a key plot element for tracking a character, and watches more broadly tie into the novel’s themes of technology and obsolescence.

Apple Watch

Posted on by

It’s been a long time since I wore a wristwatch (the word even feels odd). I’m pretty sure I was wearing one that day in November 2008 when I purchased my first iPhone. And probably for a while after that. But with the phone always at hand (so to speak) the watch became… unnecessary. So, sixteen years since I depended on a wristwatch to tell me the time.

The first Apple Watch was released on April 24, 2015. Not quite ten years ago. And while I’ve purchased most of the devices Apple has come up with over the years, I never took the plunge for an Apple Watch. Until this morning.

This post is something of a warning. As I become familiar with the many features of the Apple Watch I’ll be sharing my experiences here. 

Only those of a certain age will remember the entertainment role played by newspaper comics. And how impossibly futuristic Dick Tracy’s “2-way wrist radio” seemed.

Atheists and anti-theists

Posted on by

The distinction between atheist and anti-theist lies in their attitudes toward belief in God or gods.

Atheist. An atheist is someone who simply does not believe in the existence of a God or gods. Atheism is about a lack of belief, and it can range from passive non-belief to active disbelief, but it does not necessarily imply opposition to religion itself or to religious beliefs.

Anti-theist. An anti-theist, on the other hand, goes a step further. In addition to not believing in God or gods, an anti-theist actively opposes religion and religious belief. This stance often arises from the view that religion is harmful or detrimental to individuals or society. Anti-theists may be outspoken critics of religious institutions and practices, viewing them as misleading or morally problematic.

So, while all anti-theists are atheists, not all atheists are anti-theists.

Answer from ChatGPT

“Spanked that ass”

Posted on by

A few of my favorite comments on last night’s debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump:

“The debate was like watching a sad old man at thanksgiving dinner blather nonsensically as the host fed him and served the guests and entertained everyone and made him a plate of leftovers and put him in a van back home.”

“the vice president “spanked that ass” and Trump looked “small” and “beaten” and “pissed.”

“there’s nothing worse than a pissed bigot on stage with a woman he can’t control” — Michael Steele

One less possum. One less groundhog. One less armadillo.

Posted on by

Trapped or killed to date: (1) armadillo, (1) possum, (1) groundhog. Forget that cuddly woodchuck in the Bill Murray movie. This thing was nasty.

Update 9/10/24: Riley got antsy last night so Barb took her out on a leash where they flushed a BFA (big fucking armadillo). She called me and I grabbed the .12 gauge. Boom.

One less armadillo

Posted on by

If you live near the woods you’re gonna have critters. Deer, turkeys, rabbits, squirrels. But for the last few months armadillos and possums have been roaming around in the wee hours. I think I hit an armadillo last week based on the dead animal smell that lingered for a  few days. The armadillos can do a lot of damage to a yard, flower bed… even the foundation of your house. And they can give you leprosy. Kelly Wildlife Control trapped one a couple of nights ago (photo above).

And we have a big groundhog terrorizing the neighborhood (Groundhog burrows can undermine building foundations). He’s got a burrow under the deck of the Annex but has so far avoided the traps.