dtoher - Network

So much for the bit of sunshine this morning (needed sunglasses for my commute).Back to the dreary rain.

So much for the bit of sunshine this morning (needed sunglasses for my commute).
Back to the dreary rain.

Unfortunately I could see this coming. Many being made redundant and those remaining have even worse workloads. UK academia will have even...

Unfortunately I could see this coming. Many being made redundant and those remaining have even worse workloads.
UK academia will have even more burnout and people leaving for better opportunities.
The UK university system had been world class, how long it will survive death by a thousand cuts remains to be seen. Lots of politically tough decisions need to be made to make the system sustainable (for staff, students and financially).
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0k5n0k101lo
#UK #University #academia

As the long process of unpacking moving boxes continues, I have realised that I used my 'Danish cookies' tin for storing Christmas...

As the long process of unpacking moving boxes continues, I have realised that I used my 'Danish cookies' tin for storing Christmas lights instead of the more traditional sewing supplies. Perhaps because I have too much sewing stuff.

My sewing machine has a new home at least.

Can already hear the wind starting to pick up in Cork.Got the official text message to say that the office is shut completely tomorrow...

Can already hear the wind starting to pick up in Cork.
Got the official text message to say that the office is shut completely tomorrow (everyone with power and internet is to work from home).

#StormÉowyn

The train is now being sent back due problems with numerous level crossings. The only reliable information updates are being provided from...

The train is now being sent back due problems with numerous level crossings. The only reliable information updates are being provided from the Irish Rail twitter account (more than on board in the quiet carriage)... even if they embedded tweets onto the Irish rail site as an easy update option not requiring an active twitter account it would be an improvement.

Of course, they have given an update on twitter (which is why I can't abandon it completely).No update on the website, or on the train,...

Of course, they have given an update on twitter (which is why I can't abandon it completely).

No update on the website, or on the train, so twitter is only source of speedy reliable updates for Irish Rail.

It would be nice to get an update on when the train will leave. Already 15 minutes late with no announcements. Lots of space on the train,...

It would be nice to get an update on when the train will leave. Already 15 minutes late with no announcements.

Lots of space on the train, so everyone is comfortable, but lack of information is one thing that dissuades people from using public transport.

Travelling back to Cork. Given the weather am glad that I planned on letting the train take the strain!The Heuston station piano is getting...

Travelling back to Cork. Given the weather am glad that I planned on letting the train take the strain!
The Heuston station piano is getting a workout (by someone who can play, although now seems to be practising some unfamiliar pieces).
Intercity stations (big and small) are lovely places for public pianos - I even enjoy when little uns are given it a go.

Although I assume that this lost balloon may have triggered some tears.

Happy New Year's Eve #mastodaoine Remember that if you are photographing receipts to claim tax back on revenue.ie then each file can be...

Happy New Year's Eve #mastodaoine

Remember that if you are photographing receipts to claim tax back on revenue.ie then each file can be no more than 2MB.

This can be tricky on newer phones (my samsung has a min file size of 16MB using the default camera app), but there are apps that allow you more control over the resolution captured (and this is a lot better than having to resize all your images afterwards!)

Enjoying letting the train take the strain on my way home for Christmas...One of the consequences of now living in Ireland is that I have...

Enjoying letting the train take the strain on my way home for Christmas...

One of the consequences of now living in Ireland is that I have left it to Christmas Eve to travel, the latest ever that I have left it (but with a release going out yesterday I didn't want to be travelling yesterday and have been doing work on my house so I can move in properly in the new year).

Here's hoping that the Luas isn't too chaotic.

The #ChristmasBMJ edition is out.When I was still in academia it was a useful source of silly teaching examples (of study design / analysis...

The #ChristmasBMJ edition is out.

When I was still in academia it was a useful source of silly teaching examples (of study design / analysis approaches)

This year's feature is on the hidden health risks of Disney Princesses.
https://www.bmj.com/content/387/bmj.q2497

My all time favourite may be the comparison of commuting times cycling to work on a carbon frame v steel frame bike
https://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c6801

Or this valuable study on the survival times of chocolates on medical wards.
https://www.bmj.com/content/347/bmj.f7198

My top 5 podcasts in 2024. (I've deliberately cropped out my listening time stats, they are well down on the last few years, but still...

My top 5 podcasts in 2024. (I've deliberately cropped out my listening time stats, they are well down on the last few years, but still in the order of days not hours!)
1. Knowledge Fight
2. Behind the Bastards
3. Slate News
4. In Moscow's Shadows
5. Lions led by Donkeys

This year, new job means my listening patterns have shifted towards some podcasts that are more commuting length.

Still snowing in Cork, although it is easing. Glad to be in a position to work from home if needed.Wouldn't fancy being on the roads...

Still snowing in Cork, although it is easing. Glad to be in a position to work from home if needed.

Wouldn't fancy being on the roads (not a chance of the track up to my current home being cleared or treated and snow tires/chains for once every few years is excessive!)

#sneachta

The uprooting of old teams is (almost) unthinkable in Europe - when Wimbledon FC moved to Milton Keynes the uproar was real.I hope that we...

The uprooting of old teams is (almost) unthinkable in Europe - when Wimbledon FC moved to Milton Keynes the uproar was real.

I hope that we never see this in Ireland - where the GAA is even more embedded to place.

Realistically only likely with League of Ireland. I know that Shamrock Rovers moving to Tallaght wasn't without controversy, but they spent decades without a home venue, and stayed in Dublin.

Sports teams without a local connection are often soulless.

(2/2)

This is a lovely piece on the last game in the Oakland Coliseum of the #OaklandAs https://youtu.be/s4fONKsuY54 An ode to the fans, not only...

This is a lovely piece on the last game in the Oakland Coliseum of the #OaklandAs

https://youtu.be/s4fONKsuY54

An ode to the fans, not only of the As but also of the game.

It is part of a series of pieces providing a commentary on the horrible influence that this billionaire working with a corrupt system (a system that allows teams ignore the importance of place and tradition) has on sport in the US.

(1/2)

A reminder to anyone newly arrived:#Welcome to Mastodon.It's different from other platforms, so adjust accordingly. You need to interact...

A reminder to anyone newly arrived:

#Welcome to Mastodon.

It's different from other platforms, so adjust accordingly. You need to interact with people to start getting your home feed active. Following hashtags is a great way to expand out your feed with what you are interested in & hence find new accounts to follow.

This is a useful resource: https://fedi.tips/

It may take a while to find your home server. Treat your first one as a nice rental while you get to know the area!
#NewHere

Twitter/ X continued meltdownAre the various mastodon server admins and mods having to adopt the brace position again for a new round of...

Twitter/ X continued meltdown

Are the various mastodon server admins and mods having to adopt the brace position again for a new round of arrivals from the hellsite given the proposed changes to essentially turn block into mute (blocked users still able to view content)?

Or are those who are only now thinking about alternative platforms mainly going to bluesky (there's reports of blue sky struggling with extra load)?

And it's off:The European Tram Driver Championships livestream is on.https://www.youtube.com/live/0nWeSxnFALo #tram

And it's off:
The European Tram Driver Championships livestream is on.
https://www.youtube.com/live/0nWeSxnFALo #tram

Heads up: tomorrow 14 September at 11(am) Frankfurt time will see the start of the European Tram Driver Championships.The English language...

Heads up: tomorrow 14 September at 11(am) Frankfurt time will see the start of the European Tram Driver Championships.
The English language livestream will be here: https://www.youtube.com/live/0nWeSxnFALo
If you are wondering what's all that about then the Tim Traveller gives a little preview
https://youtu.be/h5Y-_5QtOjI
#tram

Blast from the #EJC past. Jugglers have voted at the general assembly to go back to #Ptuj for #EJC2026 (the site will be higher up than the...

Blast from the #EJC past. Jugglers have voted at the general assembly to go back to #Ptuj for #EJC2026 (the site will be higher up than the last time!)