The Mystery Deepens

 

   You've probably heard about the metal monolith left in the Utah desert earlier this month. State wildlife officials stumbled across it whilst doing an airborne big horn sheep count. Officials believe it had been there for some time. And while they tried to keep the location secret, internet sleuths managed to find out where it was, and started flocking to the site, despite requests not to do so.

   Over the weekend, officials say, it was removed, leaving this:

   Just a stone cairn marking the spot where it stood. No one knows who removed it. State officials deny taking it down, so my guess is the people who first put it up also took it down.

   What purpose it served, how they managed to get it to the remote part of the desert, and why, are all questions that remain unanswered. Whoever was responsible may decide to come forward in the future. I kind of hope they don't. We all need an imponderable every now and then.

TTFN

I Did Not Need This

    Especially Monday morning. I woke up at what I thought was my usual time (about 03:15), rolled over, hit the alarm, went into the bathroom for my morning ablutions, and then to my office to get dressed (I do that so as not to disturb my wife by having to turn on the light). As I was getting dressed, I noticed the little clock I keep by my computer monitor. It read 02:20.

   Thinking it was wrong, I crept back into the bedroom to check my clock. 02:20. What to do? Leave for the office anyway and get a big jump on the day, or go back to bed and try and sleep for the extra hour. I opted to go back to bed. And while I did get to sleep, it wasn't for the hour I wanted. Normally, I don't take a nap in the afternoon, for fear of not sleeping at night. Today, though. I think I might just lay down for an hour.

TTFN

Apologies

    I know, it's been a while. October 30th, top be exact, since I last posted anything. The reason is very simple. A family member is dealing with health problems I will not divulge here, or anywhere. But that has meant I've been away all last week, and for a few odd other days as well. And due to the nature of the problem, there will be other days I'll be M.I.A.

   But, I'm back at it again now, and should be for the foreseeable future. Touch wood.

TTFN

Happy Hallowe'en!

    As mentioned yesterday, come hell, high water or COVID, I was going to continue the tradition and dress up for Hallowe'en. This year, it's a mash-up. I decided to come as a Scot-stralian from Perth, since there are cities the same name in both Scotland and Australia.

 The didgeridoo is doing double-duty this year, as a stand-alone instrument, and a drone from a very large set of bagpipes.

   I also brought along my pet corona-viper. He loves sanitizing wipes, but had a problem putting on his coughey filter, which, since he has no hands or ears, I had to tape on him to make him compliant

   Happy Hallowe'en!

TTFN

The Tradition Will Continue

    After humming and hawing over whether or not to put something together for Hallowe'en and wear it to work, I've decided I will. Part of the rationale behind it was COVID. I think most of us are heartily sick and tired of hearing about it. I know I am, and I have to deal with stories surrounding the pandemic 8 hours a day. So, to break the monotony, I will be dressing up in something. I've still got lost of gear from Hallowe'en's past, so coming up with something shouldn't be too hard. I have a few ideas I'm kicking around.

   As usual, and since Hallowe'en is on a Saturday this year, all will be revealed tomorrow.

TTFN

Made The Switch

    We've had a few skiffs of snow recently, with colder than normal temperatures as well. That means winter is well on the way, and with it, the annual switch from my 3-season radials to the winter skins. I'd had a reminder from the shop I deal with (they also store my other tires for a cost), but had put it off. In fact, when I did call, they were booking well in advance.

   Seems I wasn't the only procrastinator. Sitting in the shop waiting for my car to be done, quite a few calls came in from people looking to do the same. They were told the earliest possible say was November 17th. Nearly 3 weeks away! Even though milder weather is in store next week (highs near 10 Celsius), I'm glad I got it done.

 

TTFN

Hackers Must Try Harder

    I say that, because this was in my "junk" folder this morning. Yes, I have edited our email address.

OF­FI­CE 365

N­o­ti­fi­ca­ti­on pa­ss­wo­rd u­pd­at­e

Account information : xxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxbroadcasting.com 

Yo­ur pa­s­s-wo­rd ex­pi­re­s - 10/20/2020 1:11 PM

<https://surveynuts.com/surveys/take?id=209988&c=8816136209DJPD> U­S­E CU­R­RE­NT PA­SS­WO­RD

© 2020 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

   If you are going to try and scam a room full of professional skeptics, you might want to try just a bit harder. Maybe with the corporate logo? Just sayin'.

TTFN