Home
Left Handed Seashells
- Details
- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Ideas & Questions
- Hits: 2111
Seashells, like people, exhibit right and left symmetries. (In people this is obvious as right and left handedness).
Before the great Permian extinction 90% of Nautalis fossils were "left handed". Now 90% of seashells exhibit a "right handed" symmetry, certain shells with a left based symmetry are highly prized by collectors. Why did this change? And what survival value, if any, does this provide?
Curious and Curioser
- Details
- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Link of the day
- Hits: 2249
An interesting link to experiment with today - best done before you fall asleep; turn off the lights and watch the screen create your dream. . .
http://www.solaas.com.ar/dreamlines/
Art Ideas
- Details
- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Link of the day
- Hits: 2358
Being something of a closeted artist myself I thought I'd share some of my sources of inspiration. No Raphael, Van Goghs or Picasso's here, rather the kind of Ordinary art we all can afford. 3 Links today - in no particular order: http://www.thriftstoreart.com/, http://www.museumofbadart.org/ and finally this: The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations' Millennium General Assembly. Of course there's lots more, but this is only the "link of the day" and I don't want to spoil you.
More rants on Shaw
- Details
- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Who's Your ISP?
- Hits: 2617
I've returned to Calgary, following a rather dismal end to an extraordinary relationship and far too much mundane baggage. And, having found a place, am now in desperate need of an ISP. . .who shall I call? Well, again, with the monopoly, it's Shaw. And somehow I am persuaded, bamboozled, not only into accepting their internet service, but their new digital phone service as well.
I should know better. I do know better, what was I thinking?
So it's August 1st when I call, a long weekend, they'll be able to come on August the 5th to get me set up. All set up; with their digital phone as well, special introductory price, a terrific new phone number, how does life get better? It doesn't. I'm booked into a 4 hour slot - 8:00 - 12:00, on Tuesday morning. How lucky is that?
By 12:30 on Tuesday I realize how lucky I am. The installer hasn't showed - possibly one of the commonest of Shaw stories, and I set off to find a phone to call them. . . .
The Customer Service Rep, after the mandatory 15 minute wait, advises me that I'm correct, the installer hasn't showed up, but she'll have him there in 10 minutes.
"Is there a number we can call you at?"
This is a bit of irony, apparently to get anything done you need a phone. Even to get a phone. I explain that I don't have a phone yet; there is no number they can call me at; I am no longer at home, can she please have the installer return this evening. . .
She will call me back.
After an hour waiting I call back, they've booked a technician to return in a week. I explain that this is not appropriate, am put on hold, eventually negotiating a return between 5:00 and 9:00 PM.
By the time I return home there is one of the SHAW 'sorry we missed you' signs hanging from the door.
Page 1078 of 1080