Inconvenient Annoyances

The blizzard is happening 3 November? That's the weekend before this term's draft assessment submission (I'm doing an MSc in my spare time, LOL), so it's unlikely. Were I a more-efficient person, I could conceivably plan ahead, but between work and various associated ephemera in October -- on-site at a symposium in Vienna, an industry competition (why my company chose me when there are proper humans available, we will never know), co-planning the team day murder mystery -- I will probably need that weekend to write and/or curl into a ball with the cats. Although I AM tempted by a couple museums in Bristol.

Tempted?
https://www.ssgreatbritain.org/


It's only the ship that changed the world!

Isambard Kingdom Brunel FTW

The only one, huh? 

The only one, huh? 

I almost forgot about the boat Thor Hamsterdahl used to explore Polynesia : The Kon Squeeky

Nothing like playing Christmas tunes in September. I actually couldn't stop giggling last night.  But only 8 weeks of practice left, so needs must. 

I'm sitting here in a Santa suit - ready!

I almost forgot about the boat Thor Hamsterdahl used to explore Polynesia : The Kon Squeeky

Hahah. Yes.
That is where Thor got her penchant for eating Tiki Huts.
The Daughter has now got in her stash a "build a replica model" kit of a viking longship.  Cute photo opportunities are on the horizon.

Tempted?
https://www.ssgreatbritain.org/


It's only the ship that changed the world!

Isambard Kingdom Brunel FTW

YES, and do you know WHY I'm tempted? Besides the obvious fact that I am HMS Seahorse.

I recently read A Thread Across the Ocean (which is absolutely brilliant, everyone read it) about the laying of the Transatlantic communication cable and all the attempts and all the innovative engineering they had to do and all the money they absolutely spunked up the wall in the process ... and who shows up but IKB HIMSELF! With his SS Great Eastern! Tryna lay some telegraph cables! And it finally worked! (Not to mention, using that ship also meant they were able to go back afterwards and salvage one of the old cables, which was like, WHEW, we can recycle all that copper.) It was roller-coaster AF.

So what I'm saying is that I'm straight-up HERE for any IKB ship, and I can't believe you went direct-hit on my weak spot, Jimbo.

I recently read A Thread Across the Ocean (which is absolutely brilliant, everyone read it) about the laying of the Transatlantic communication cable and all the attempts and all the innovative engineering they had to do and all the money they absolutely spunked up the wall in the process ... and who shows up but IKB HIMSELF! With his SS Great Eastern! Tryna lay some telegraph cables! And it finally worked! (Not to mention, using that ship also meant they were able to go back afterwards and salvage one of the old cables, which was like, WHEW, we can recycle all that copper.) It was roller-coaster AF.

That sounds like a brilliant read!!!

I recently read A Thread Across the Ocean (which is absolutely brilliant, everyone read it) about the laying of the Transatlantic communication cable ...

One of my favorite things is the cable hut on the beach at Porthcurno in Cornwall where the transatlantic cables came ashore. The idea that you can stand there looking at one end of a cable that goes under the sand, under the sea for 2,000 miles, and connects to North America fills my nerdy soul with happiness.

p.s. Thanks for the book recommendation, HMS Seahorse. There doesn't appear to be a kindle version available, so I'm going to have to read a printed version, like a caveman.

One of my favorite things is the cable hut on the beach at Porthcurno in Cornwall where the transatlantic cables came ashore. The idea that you can stand there looking at one end of a cable that goes under the sand, under the sea for 2,000 miles, and connects to North America fills my nerdy soul with happiness.

p.s. Thanks for the book recommendation, HMS Seahorse. There doesn't appear to be a kindle version available, so I'm going to have to read a printed version, like a caveman.

Imagine -- in an instant, you go from two months to send news to under an hour! Just like that! It's almost too much to conceive. (I suppose for we GenXers, it's a bit like going from no internet to internet? But that was such a progressive thing, it's not really the same.)

A Thread also has some stuff about the later Transpacific cables, and they are just massive. There's just SO MUCH to know in the world, and it's all very exciting.

Oh, that book sounds great.  It's on my list as well. 

HMS Seahorse, you'll be glad to hear that the SS Great Britain was fully kitted out with a full sailing rig which was actually used more often than the steam engines.  And if you go around back you can climb all over some of the masts and rigging that didn't end up back on the boat for whatever reason.  Just lying there.

The Great Virgin Debacle continues yet another day.

Technician came out last night (an absolute legend) and was troubleshooting for two hours.  He cleaned the connections, he checked the cabinet, he connected his router, he checked the cables outside, he unplugged the neighbors' cables because they were piggy-backed to ours as a result of their lazy BT technician ("Why are they connected to your line?!  This should not be on your property!"), he replaced the splitter, he hung up on "Tom" in Bangladesh, he replaced the router...

Finally, he left at 8pm.  And still we are internetless.

It was interesting to note that Virgin technicians have just as much trouble with the call centers as we do.

Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion to, "Are They Still With Virgin, or Have They Switched to BT?!"

ETA And of course as soon as I post this and plug the router back in after leaving it in time-out for a few minutes, things appear to be working.  Happy days!

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BT sucks too.  I hate them.  Just an FYI.

BT sucks too.  I hate them.  Just an FYI.

That's what I hear.  Our choices are fairly limited though.   Luckily our connection issue last night was a more widespread problem (16 others affected) and it now seems to be resolved!

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Virgin is far worse than BT in terms of customer service imo. If I never have to deal with Virgin again, it'll be too soon!