tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14524016672675232322024-03-17T15:29:16.932-07:00Let's Make Some Art, DammitStephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.comBlogger3646125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-70125055693346638992024-03-17T15:28:00.001-07:002024-03-17T15:28:45.766-07:00Canada Goose<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53593216987_bca753d1a2_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>March 17, 2024. We went out to the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary today for a short walk in the rain and snow pellets to take photos of birds. Even with the big lens, it's still pretty hard to do. Other than that, today was a work day. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pDRffx">https://flic.kr/p/2pDRffx</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-76466773056420611912024-03-15T18:23:00.001-07:002024-03-15T18:23:05.814-07:00Feleena's<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53590672740_0da6bfc71e_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>March 13, 2024. This is a decoration inside Feleena's, a Mexican restaurant across from the bike shop. They had to drill out the broken bit of extender in order to fit my bike pedals back in. I also paid a visit to an accountant to get started on taxes. I ended up booking time off today as a personal day to get this done (though it could just as easily have been called a mental health day). <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pDCcWd">https://flic.kr/p/2pDCcWd</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-39577694425378100152024-03-15T18:13:00.001-07:002024-03-15T18:13:33.854-07:00Stranded<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53590418033_e5ecc94c3e_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>March 12, 2024. This is a spot alongside a road a shade under 10 km away from home. It's where I was stranded when the pedal on my bicycle broke off and went flying. It wasn't the pedal that broke, it was just an extender. Took a taxi home. Still - even a 10 km bike ride helped my spirits improve. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pDAUdH">https://flic.kr/p/2pDAUdH</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-41049402887290227952024-03-15T17:53:00.001-07:002024-03-15T17:53:02.387-07:00Helmets<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53590190231_42bae5e87d_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>March 11, 2024. A stack of mini batting helmets that were filled with ice cream at a Blue Jays game. Watching or listening to spring training games is one of my favourite parts of the season. Today was another day with struggling productivity, but in the evening, after some email back and forth, I tweaked the website I was working on and maybe - just maybe - fixed it. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pDzJv6">https://flic.kr/p/2pDzJv6</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-59529193697339719552024-03-15T17:43:00.001-07:002024-03-15T17:43:49.454-07:00Cardinals<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53590178106_f2367d7c2a_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>March 10, 2024. Snow. Even worse than the day before. We didn't even hike because of the weather. I did a little bit of work. But still spent most of it playing video games. No cycling, obviously. The cardinals were nice though. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pDzEU3">https://flic.kr/p/2pDzEU3</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-41044384391427330512024-03-15T17:28:00.001-07:002024-03-15T17:28:07.944-07:00Woodpecker<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53590484474_39ef8c1467_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>March 9, 2024. Rain. No biking today. A quick photo of a woodpecker on the feeder, that's my creativity for the day. Spent the Saturday playing video games even though I should be fixing a website. Not that people are actually using the website. Despair. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pDBeYf">https://flic.kr/p/2pDBeYf</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-53413951784163556742024-03-15T17:23:00.001-07:002024-03-15T17:23:14.147-07:00Crab Apple<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53590600225_453483c2a7_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>March 8, 2024. The crab apple tree in the evening light in the back yard. This time of year it doesn't take much to send my emotions spinning; in this case it was an issue with a website that sent me into despair. So here I ham now uploading this photo a week late. Still not 100% out of it, but I feel like this tree - hanging on, but still covered in lichen. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pDBQnX">https://flic.kr/p/2pDBQnX</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-28704787391826006092024-03-07T16:34:00.001-08:002024-03-07T16:34:04.916-08:00March<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53574499150_522cba57d3_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>March 7, 2024. Blackboard at the Starbucks near the office. Zipped in for a quick lunchtime coffee. Today was mostly focused on meetings around AI ethics. It's been a tough few days for me, like I can't really get on track. The back-and-forth weather doesn't help. Work doesn't help. Changing the clocks (as noted on the blackboard) definitely doesn't help. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pCcj6d">https://flic.kr/p/2pCcj6d</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-44355345023883446102024-03-06T18:38:00.001-08:002024-03-06T18:38:17.421-08:00Jar<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53572764699_1bdc7d8e63_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>March 6, 2024. I bought this in a hotel in Bogota in 2008 or so. Now it sits in my office and I enjoy the memories. It was kind of a down day today, so I put aside anything that resembles work and wrote an article 'On the Sentiment of Rationality'. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pC3quT">https://flic.kr/p/2pC3quT</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-82462661820448558942024-03-05T17:28:00.001-08:002024-03-05T17:28:27.067-08:00Kona Sutra<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53569477512_b5fa0ac30a_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>March 5, 2024. This is the new bicycle; I've been out on it a couple of times now. Though it was a beautiful day today I had to skip a day because of an abrasion caused by the leather Brooks saddle. It needs to be oiled and broken in, maybe not the thing I want to be doing for my first rides of the year. The bike itself fits me perfectly, the saddle especially, and it feels solid as a rock when I ride it. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pBKzkf">https://flic.kr/p/2pBKzkf</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-59795046923691149052024-03-04T17:43:00.001-08:002024-03-04T17:43:22.558-08:00Birch<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53568798715_7ea43d7707_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>March 3, 2024. Our walk today took us to Pine Grove forest. It's still showing the effects of the derecho a couple years ago, and it looks like they removed a lot of the downed trees over the winter. We listened to the Blue Jays lose another spring training game. Relaxed day overall, with an evening spent playing video games. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pBG6xR">https://flic.kr/p/2pBG6xR</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-2518679610143714792024-03-02T16:33:00.001-08:002024-03-02T16:33:23.592-08:00Dow's Lake<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53563961801_9454f47c6b_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>March 2, 2024. The frozen surface of Dow's lake with a sheen of meltwater on it. This was a view as I took an 11 km ride on my new bicycle today. First ride of the year, first ride on the new bike. The bike exceeded my expectations, and though it was cold and still icy, the ride was a great start to the year. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pBgiGM">https://flic.kr/p/2pBgiGM</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-43195504001816927972024-03-02T09:53:00.001-08:002024-03-02T09:53:57.139-08:00CN6200<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53563782110_a55ee06e7a_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>March 1, 2024. This is CN6200, a train (obviously) on display in front of the Museum of Science and Technology in Ottawa, now for some reason called Ingenium. It was my absolute favourite museum when I was a kid, though I haven't been back since it was closed and then redeveloped a few years ago. I miss the old Atlas rocket that used to be in front, but it was deteriorating in the weather. I was just nearby getting a nice bike rack fitted for my car - I paid more, but it will pay for itself protecting both the bikes and the car from damage. This I did during my lunch break working from the office in Ottawa, where I spent the day working on a presentation we're doing for the Canadian Association of Research Ethics Boards in a few months (I'm doing it with other people so I can't just leave it to the last minute like normal). <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pBfohE">https://flic.kr/p/2pBfohE</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-49172978199131191992024-03-02T09:38:00.001-08:002024-03-02T09:38:07.961-08:00Dart Trophy<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53562465127_07aa5ce2fc_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>February 29, 2024. This is from the Edmonton Interpub Dart League (South Central Division), winter 92-93. We finished in 4th place. The trophy has been broken several times and repaired (you can see the tape holding it together). It's from a time when I took darts pretty seriously and was pretty good (though not nearly as good as the really good players). Today was a pretty relaxed day, with no looming deadlines for stuff, which is a nice change. On the other hand, the power went out in the high winds in early evening and was out all night. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pB8CN4">https://flic.kr/p/2pB8CN4</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-90327647265236454332024-02-28T16:33:00.001-08:002024-02-28T16:33:59.119-08:00Feleena's<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558738108_0d4cd01462_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>February 28, 2024. This is artwork on the front of Feleena's, a Mexican restaurant on Bank Street. It's across the street from the bike shop. I was there in the afternoon after spending the morning and lunch hour preparing then delivering my seminar on open online learning. Late afternoon featured record warm temperatures then huge dark clouds and a thunderstorm. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pANwT7">https://flic.kr/p/2pANwT7</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-34191495353380564332024-02-28T05:27:00.001-08:002024-02-28T05:27:58.318-08:00Salmon<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557776844_59970fafac_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>February 27, 2024. This is the illustration on a wooden box of smoked salmon I bought ages ago and which now decorates my office. Honestly, I bought it for thr artwork, not the fish. It's as distinctive as it gets. Today was a work at-home day with a meeting and time spent working on my presentation on open online learning for tomorrow. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pAHB8A">https://flic.kr/p/2pAHB8A</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-47295954399329153602024-02-26T16:28:00.001-08:002024-02-26T16:28:43.726-08:00Snowfall<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53554562266_37837e2c9e_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>February 26, 2024. I saw this out the window first thing this morning and snapped a photo before it went away. And it did go away, and there was no snow after 7:45. Tough day today, lots of work to do, especially on the Agora project before work and in the evening, but also a good amount of work on my day job, plus a gruelling visit to the dentist, 1.5 hours in the chair. Ugh. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pAr8xQ">https://flic.kr/p/2pAr8xQ</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-50129003855164841812024-02-25T14:28:00.001-08:002024-02-25T14:28:38.699-08:00Larose Forest<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53551224667_a66e9399d3_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>February 25, 2024. Some very tall spruce trees in Larose Forest west, just north of Limoges. We were there for a 5 km snowshoe hike this afternoon. Probably the last snowshoeing of the year. Ball game was on. Fixed an emergency issue on the Agora website. Listening to some alternative electropop music. All is well; still waiting for spring. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pA92p2">https://flic.kr/p/2pA92p2</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-11822653780907579542024-02-23T16:43:00.001-08:002024-02-23T16:43:30.367-08:00Bunny<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53548506320_e7c1612c70_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>February 23, 2024. This is a chocolate easter bunny, I know, I'm jumping the gun on the holiday a bit, but, chocolate. Meetings today, and I wrote a blog post rebutting the objections to AI in education. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pzU6jY">https://flic.kr/p/2pzU6jY</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-51508071768566986792024-02-22T17:33:00.001-08:002024-02-22T17:33:47.496-08:00Fish<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53546205471_2bbf724b8f_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>February 22, 2024. These fish decorate the parking garage in the Glebe, which is where I went over lunch to look at a bicycle, a 56 cm that will fit me properly. I was pretty happy with the fit and put down the money. Also, I finally finished my literature review on context, which is a load off. Also watched the first spring training game of the year (which L.A. started by scoring 8 runs in the first inning, bleah). <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pzGina">https://flic.kr/p/2pzGina</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-65272567614780308712024-02-21T18:53:00.001-08:002024-02-21T18:53:28.553-08:00Time<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53544367136_1a89edc104_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>February 21, 2024. Wen t to the dentist this morning and while it was all OK it sort of set me off for the rest of the day. I got a little work in but nothing like what I wanted to do. It's like I'm passing time waiting for winter to be over. I see some people about a bicycle tomorrow, and after that the first ballgame of the spring will be on (Blue Jays start Saturday). <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pzwSTJ">https://flic.kr/p/2pzwSTJ</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-39731747376995506292024-02-20T13:58:00.001-08:002024-02-20T13:58:28.827-08:00Tracks<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53542076723_3772765995_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>February 20, 2024. Where the tracks cross the side road, just outside town, as seen on my daily walk. It wasn't quite as dark as depicted here but I wanted to emphasize the clouds and the afternoon sunset. Today was another full day working on my literature review; it's almost done and really is in the process of final crafting. Four days till the first spring training ball game. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pzk92R">https://flic.kr/p/2pzk92R</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-35095813110012630232024-02-19T18:28:00.001-08:002024-02-19T18:28:20.589-08:00Art<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53540423688_f6e25c6af5_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>February 19, 2024. This is a close-up of some wall art we bought at an auction a number of years ago. But mostly it's me testing how closely I can shoot using my 50mm lens. Worked from the home office today, mostly on the lit review, partially on some tech. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pzbEDf">https://flic.kr/p/2pzbEDf</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-82213405329373285222024-02-18T13:03:00.001-08:002024-02-18T13:03:22.001-08:00Forest Snow<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53537664153_b66bab4cd4_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>February 18 2024. It was snowing in the forest today where we went snowshoeing, a bit more than 4 km. Not too cold but snowy and blowy. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pyWwk4">https://flic.kr/p/2pyWwk4</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452401667267523232.post-75432314106296710952024-02-17T17:13:00.001-08:002024-02-17T17:13:21.996-08:00Woodpecker<img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53535837128_e3bf3a2b38_b.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>February 17, 2024. This guy worked itself into the cage and spent a long time working on the feed cylinder, enough time to allow me to take this shot with the telephoto. It could be better; I shot at an angle through the hazy window by hand, but it's still pretty nice. I had other plans for today, but there was a No Man's Sky expedition to play, and even though they're 5 weeks long, I like to finish them (and live-stream the video) in the first weekend. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2pyMadC">https://flic.kr/p/2pyMadC</a></div>
Stephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.com0