Yes, let us all worldwide keep this tradition alive on this website of greeting each other around the world as the different time zones announce the holidays – it starts with Tez in New Zealand I believe.
Please share you stories too – many are interested – and so different worldwide on this global web site.
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If interested I offer the following – if not, the good old delete key – no issue with me ever.
Our situation SE PA USA – three major storms from August to October + earthquake but nothing like Tez in NZ and other parts of the world, like Japan.
We were “ground zero” in our area – the worst ! Just ask for internet references for more info.
First day of winter yesterday was very warm and humid / rainy – for us temperatures in 60’s F not C, all very unusual for this time of year – global warming ???
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Today was also the last day of the plumber, but have had an electrician, roofer, etc. for all damage – worst in 40 years we have lived in our so rural area. But as far as I know, no deaths or injuries ! Many inconveniences – no power for over a week – could not leave live electric wires in driveway - flushing toilets with 5 gallon buckets of melted snow gets old fast, using a BBQ to warm your food outside, sleeping / reading / listening to radio, etc. is boring, but all you can do. I have not been “camping” since my college days 50 + years ago – but that was then and this is now – much older and appreciate some comforts of life.
Good news, “new generators “ – all of our neighbors have them – limited, but hey, you can at least have some of the comforts of a normal life, not all, but some. Plus lot less damage of property.
So enjoy ! We all have much to be thankful for in so many ways.
I offer this for “ perspective / context “ – all part of my decades of science, technology and society [STS] research – so we can try to do better in the future, if possible, but we have to continue to try. We do what we can and together may make a difference in some way.
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One of our family members is back from Iraq safely from being in the air force !
I am sure many others on this site have similar situations with some still in hostile areas.
Thank you for their service and thank you to the families for all they do.
They are doing a service to our country, as controversial as it may be.
Freedom is not free !
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My now almost 90 year old uncle was at Pearl Harbor – 70th anniversary this year – he went back once and had too – his comment was compared to 9/11 – at least we could see the smiling faces of the attackers, not like 9/11 when you could not.
Notice I did not say Japanese – have had many friends who where – now we start to get into very some very difficult and complex areas.
Also note “ computing “ and radar was just getting started back then – check it out – Google !
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Also a “good” Catholic priest I knew well in my academic career at a Catholic college, there may not be many, was the chaplain in the Air Force. He and another officer got in the military car to break the news to the family. In as stern face, he said it was “ very
rough !” But he did it for any good he could do for the family, who knew only too well when that car pulled up to their home what it meant. It could be just one of so many accidents or it could be …………………..!
So how does this relate to our hobby computing ?
Well, as many know, families can thru the internet actually see / hear their military family members far away globally and interact in “ real time “ with them as if they were in the same room, especially the kids, who so miss their mothers and dads.
Then the military car pulls up the next day !
But at least thru computing they had the chance to …………………………
Some sobering thoughts for those who take the holidays for granted. Some cannot.
So enjoy and let us keep our vintage computing hobby going for whatever good we can do for anyone who wants it.
All the best and hope you have a great 2012 !
Statistically as a scientist, good times should now prevail for many years – we have been over the worst , for now.
I am leaving my “ soapbox “ now. Who is next ?
Frank.