General update (omitting most of the whines I hope)

[altivo]

I didn't post much last month, mostly because I was alternating between being too busy and censoring my own inclinations to complain about stuff. So you were spared whines about the kids' summer reading program at work, which we all hate but it's one of those things you "have to do"; and about the craziness of IRC, which isn't really that crazy but in fact follows predictable lines of human behavior; and about the stupidity of hackers and virus writers who can't seem to find anything more productive to do with their time.

Then there's the short-sightedness of the people who create those meme quizzes... (I flunked several last month because they required an answer to multiple choice questions and didn't offer a "none of the above" choice.)

Still short of rain here, though we got a couple of showers earlier this week. Tess is out in the pasture happily munching what grass has managed to grow, and there was actual dew this morning which is good for her hooves. They tend to dry out and crack easily.

I created an account on FurAffinity and started uploading some of my drawings and stories but the next day the site was trashed by a hacker. Hopefully they'll come back before long. The childishness of the complaints and discussions that followed this incident is a fine example of what is wrong about the "furry community" though. The word that comes to mind is immature. Can you say that? I thought you could. ;P

So, between the rush to close out and report on one grant fund at work and a rush to complete application for a second; a major distraction created by my partner's sudden development of a sensitivity to bee stings only after working with bees for several years; a little minor drama over an IRC channel that I thankfully no longer have any responsibility for; and the usual chores and summer rush around the farm... I've been a bit quieter than usual. But things are still OK if not perfect.

Hoped to see the Mercury-Venus-Saturn conjunction last weekend, but it was of course too cloudy here every night. Thanks to dakhun for posting his photos. :) I'm looking forward to the view of Mars this summer. There's some very exaggerated stuff circulating on the net that claims Mars will be as large in the sky as the full moon (not so) but it is true that we will be at the closest to it that the Earth has been for at least 5000 years. I'm dusting off the telescope to look for those "canals". :) And no, I will not be looking for flashes of light or approaching space capsules.

The extremely dry spring here has meant that there are almost no mosquitoes. On the face of it, that seems good. But then you think about other things that actually depend on mosquitoes. I haven't seen a bat yet, for instance, and that's unusual. We do seem to have dragonflies, but this may mean that next year we won't. The barn swallows have still raised a brood of four (or five, hard to count) in their usual spot in the horsebarn. I think mosquitoes are typically a major component of their diet, but perhaps we still have enough other insects. Flies are starting to appear in abundance, which should help the diurnal insectivores but not necessarily the nocturnals like the bats.

Oh, and in furry news, for those who want to laugh now: Looking toward Midwest FurFest this fall, I am ordering fur fabric today for my first attempt at a fursuit. More news as it develops in that area.

Comments

[lobowolf.livejournal.com]

Well, I think the general atmosphere of the 'net is one of immaturity. People get their rocks off by destroying other people's work and trashing them because they can hide behind their keyboard. And then when the're confronted, it's always the "Hey dude, it's just the Interweb...chill out!" There are a lot of people out in cyberspace that should go back to the 8th grade and learn some manners.

We've had a wet spring...in fact, wet doesn't even begin to describe it. What's your address? I'll FedEx you a few million mosquitoes so it'll seem like normal

I'll be looking forward to meeting you at Midwest!

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Well, I think the general atmosphere of the 'net is one of immaturity.

Yep. certainly looks that way to a geezer like me. :) I'll take a pass on the mosquitoes, thanks. Maybe I should send you some of these baby swallows. Sounds like you could keep 'em fed at least.

I'll take you up on meeting at MFF, though. Glad to hear that you'll be there.

[drelonek.livejournal.com]

The internet is stupid business.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Mmm, the internet is BIG business. The stupidity comes from the user population I think.

I didn't see you post the results of your job interview. Did I miss it or are you still waiting?

[drelonek.livejournal.com]

I was mildly making fun of the SA/Troll-culture catchphrase "serious business" they they like to doll out when you get even mildly annoyed by them acting like childish asses, and I saw plenty of times during the whole FA hacking thing. I mean, not that hacking a site is bad, right? It's just having fun. Honest.

Anyway, as for my interview, I've posted nothing because I've heard nothing. My grandma spoke with her boss or former boss or boss of a boss or something that she's friends with and said they had several qualified people apply, and they had more experience and such than me, so they'll likely be given a go/trial first. So, dunno. We'll see.