Head Tale

Friday Fun Link – Crocheted Dog Hats

Life goals ??pic.twitter.com/8r7rGP66fm

— Pastor Alex (@PastorAlexLove) November 14, 2022

¶ Posted 18 November 2022 § Animals § Charlie Echo § FridayFunLink § Humour ‡ Comments (0) °

Throwback Thursday – #tbt – CW: Possible Butt Crack (April 2013)

Our neighbour sent us this photo, taken from her kitchen window, of me trying to fit more stuff into our recycling bin at our old house. Also probably an OH&S violation…

¶ Posted 17 November 2022 § Humour § MemoryLane § Photo § ThrowbackThursday ‡ Comments (0) °

Some Covid Updates

Hard to believe that two and a half years into the Covid pandemic, I’m debating whether to make a round-up of recent news and observations a weekly feature on this blog.

Why Are Hospitals Overwhelmed (Spoiler: Lots of Reasons)

Why are hospitals in Edmonton/Alberta so overwhelmed?

I am going to turn to the data for a second.

— Kyra Markov (@KmarkovCTV) November 15, 2022

It’s *Really* Bad…

When someone like me, who has worked for 20 years in extremely busy emergency departments, says that we have never seen this many sick patients with viral infections before, please listen. This tsunami of illness is NOT typical and is the worst I have ever experienced.

— Chuck Wurster (@ChuckWurster) November 15, 2022

Really really bad…

I just learned that ~ 40% of students at my kids elementary school were reported absent on November 7. Are we able to get stats for student absences in Regina Public Schools more broadly right now? #yqr @RegPublicSchool

— Vanessa Mathews (@vanessakmathews) November 15, 2022

Like, really really really bad….

https://www.twitter.com/JillReann/status/1592642279650791424

So yeah, you should probably wear a mask…maybe…if you want…or whatever, could be too late too.

Shahab said he advises people to wear masks, but noted that a school mandate for masks may not help.https://t.co/b0jtKK0F3A

— Global Regina (@GlobalRegina) November 15, 2022

I haven’t been perfect. I like to go to restaurants. Concerts. Movies. Go on trips. Hang out with people who I don’t share DNA with.

But I’m trying really hard to wear a mask where and when I can – at work. In meetings. In stores. In crowded spaces.

https://www.twitter.com/whosthatguurrrl/status/1592264575449436162

Because it is very possible that Covid is FUCKING ALL OF US UP more than most people realise.

And as an atheist, it’s sort of weirdly funny that mask-wearing has become like some science-based Pascal’s Wager for me.

This same logical framework can be applied to the controversy over whether or not to wear a mask. If you choose to wear a mask and it turns out you are right about the importance of mask-wearing, you have potentially limited the exposure of countless people to COVID-19 and have saved innumerable lives. If it turns out that you are wrong, and masks do not slow the spread of COVID-19, then all you have risked is some mild discomfort, a risk which is infinitesimally small when compared to the value of a human life. On the other hand, if you choose not to wear a mask, and you are wrong, then you have potentially exposed everyone you have come in contact with to a dangerous virus, risking their lives and the lives of everyone they interact with. If you are right, however, all you will have gained is the satisfaction of being correct, a reward which pales in comparison to the potential risk to human life. When examined under the logical framework of Pascal’s Wager, the only bet that makes sense is to wear a mask.

¶ Posted 15 November 2022 § Jobs § Library § News § Politics § Sad § Wisdom ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged: Covid, education, health, science

Music Monday – “We didn’t come here on the Mayflower/We came on a ship in a blood red moon/We come in the age’s most uncertain hour/And sing an American tune”

I recently replied to a question on Twitter asking “Who is the most poetic lyricist in music?” by saying I wasn’t sure but Paul Simon is the only one I studied in high school poetry class so…

On that note, this is a powerful new take on one of his classics, where he doesn’t sing a word, that will put shivers up your back (or at least it did for mine!)

“American Tune” – Rhiannon Giddens with Paul Simon

¶ Posted 14 November 2022 § MemoryLane § MusicMonday § PopCulture § United States § Video ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged: history, music, unitedstates

Secular Sunday – The Positions Modern Religious Republicans Hold Are, Quite Literally, 100% Incorrect

Think about it. They look at the world through the lens of a religion that is clearly a fantasy. Virtually all their decisions are made looking through that lens. Consequently, virtually all of their beliefs, opinions and decisions are objectively wrong. They reject science in favor of their “faith”, so vaccines are from the Devil, it’s god who healed their cancer, etc. etc. They think morality comes from their book, so beating children is good, and slavery can be explained away, etc. They have so twisted Jesus’ supposed message that they truly believe that they shouldn’t have to help their fellow man or contribute to our society. They feel that their beliefs are so sacred that not only should they be able to impose them on others, but we shouldn’t even be allowed to criticize them. They really, actually believe that two gay guys getting married somewhere somehow affects them negatively in some way (How is never rationally explained). They’ve somehow convinced themselves that Jesus would agree that more guns will solve our gun problem in this country. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. I’m probably overlooking something, but I honestly can’t think of even one of their positions that is based in rational, scientific thought.

I don’t see how this is fixable. At least 40% of our population might as well be living in the Dark Ages. They actually believe that magic will solve our problems, and they are teaching their kids that too.

TLDR: Religious Americans hold views based on magic rather than reality, and are therefore almost completely wrong on most issues.

EDIT: I am referring to religious Republican VOTERS, not the politicians, who I think we can agree have different motivations. (via Reddit)

¶ Posted 13 November 2022 § News § Politics § SecularSunday § United States § Wisdom ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged: atheism, education, history, science, unitedstates

Saturday Snap – Some Old Friends Return

Time to get out the bird seed…

¶ Posted 12 November 2022 § Animals § Photo § SaturdaySnap ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged: science, weather

Friday Fun Link – Paid Twitter Verified Accounts Running Amok

"I'm gonna be blunt here: Elon Musk is running Twitter into the ground…and it's the best Twitter's ever been." @trevornoah pic.twitter.com/COQ3V0q06b

— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) November 11, 2022

After paying the rather insane sum of $44 billion for Twitter, Elon Musk had to make his money back somehow.

Unfortunately, doing away with the site’s Verified program which gave a Blue Check Mark to any account that met certain criteria which, in turn, helped ensure accuracy and fairness, was replaced by a new plan that allowed anybody who paid $8/month to get a Verified checkmark.

Of course, pranksters immediately began using their newly purchased “Verified” status to spoof major corporations, politicians, and other public figures.

The verified brand situation is getting out of control. Quick thread of twitter blue brands, and brands who might be pissed off at Elon right about now. pic.twitter.com/bZ9PSqZKtf

— Read Let This Radicalize You (@JoshuaPHilll) November 11, 2022

Plus there’s worries that this site, which is a de facto “town square” for the world might crash completely.

It’s basically a massive shit show at this point (and am I complete idiot as I’m seriously thinking of throwing a bit of money into Twitter shares?!?)

¶ Posted 11 November 2022 § FridayFunLink § Humour § Internet § News § Politics § PopCulture § Technology ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged: economics, history, language, twitter

Throwback Thursday – #tbt – Dancing in the Rain (August 2012)

¶ Posted 10 November 2022 § MemoryLane § Pace § Saskatchewan § ThrowbackThursday ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged: cute, holiday, saskatchewan

The World Is Nuts (aka What’s Keeping Me Sane These Days?)

One of the questions I answer in my annual “End of Year” meme questionnaire is “What kept you sane this year?”

It’s a bit early but it’s been a rough year (and a very rough month) for a variety of reasons I may or may not expand on someday. But anyhow, I thought I’d post a list of a few things keeping me sane these days…

1. Charlie Echo
Especially when he’s not chewing everything in sight!

2. Drinking (Then Giving Up Drinking)
I’m not completely booze free but can count on one hand the number of drinks I’ve had since the end of August. (Future blog post? ” Jason Rates Non-Alcoholic Dad Beers.”) Better for my waistline, better for my wallet and better for my worldview.

3. My Family
Being part of the sandwich generation has all kinds of challenges and stresses (another potential future blog post could be about a recent week-long experience with our crumbling healthcare system) but hanging out with this group makes it all worthwhile!

4. Conversations With Friends
Having long conversations with people who are in similar circumstances – whether that’s having the same “sandwich generation” issues or the challenges of working in the world of Covid to simply exchanging tips on raising pets – does so much to make you realise you’re not alone in this crazy world.