sømand

Thanks for the kind music recommendations earlier — genuinely some great finds. It even sparked a chat with my manager today about how the mass‑market music scene in Canada acted as a gatekeeper for so long, shaping what people heard and what stayed hidden. Funny how a few good tracks can open up a whole conversation about culture and access.

Did you know? In traditional maritime terms, usually cordage more than 1 inch in diameter or circumference is called a "rope," while anything smaller could be cord, string or twine. Fibers are twisted or braided to keep it together and hold a greater load of tension. Rope is one of humankind's earliest inventions, long before the wheel.

From a facebook post I took from a local boatbuilder, and TIL.

In light of the recent shenanigans involving Denmark, though a photo from when I lived there for a few years. The entrance to the Carlsberg brewery in Copenhagen and a certain frozen statue.

A muddy, unseasonably warm day can feel strangely heavy. The wind pushes across the yard like it’s in a hurry to leave, and the soft ground seems tired of holding on to winter. With the temperature climbing to 7 °C, the last scraps of snow are slipping away, shrinking into nothing by evening. There’s something a little lonely about watching them go, as if the season is fading before it ever really had a chance to settle in.

I had completely forgotten about this old workaround until today, and honestly, it's a lifesaver in my loud office workplace. Since my iPhone doesn't allow me to charge and listen simultaneously without a bulky dongle, I finally remembered I can just tether it to my computer via a USB cable. By opening iTunes, I can access my entire library of 2,000+ tracks directly from the phone while it stays at 100% battery.

The real winner in this setup is my Etymotic IEMs. In our noisy workspace, their passive isolation provides an epic level of noise reduction. It's actually more effective than active noise cancellation (ANC) because it blocks out office chatter and high-frequency sounds.

I'm finally back in my high-fidelity bubble.

It's disheartening to see the current folk scene in my hometown faltering. I'm feeling vaguely annoyed by these new releases that seem to lack both musical depth and lyrical wit. We have such an incredible legacy of artists here; the raw talent exists, yet the output feels uninspired. I truly hope our local songwriters rediscover their creative edge soon.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) has today resumed shortwave radio broadcasts into Iran following the imposition of an internet blackout by the Islamic Republic. Working with several commercial vendors, RFE/RL’s Persian-language service Radio Farda is once again providing an alternative to state-controlled media. Radio Farda reaches 6.5 million Iranians inside the country each week across digital platforms.

For no reason, thought I’d share this old school means of getting around internet blocks. Never underestimate the ability to get information when you have a cheap Chinese radio and a bunch of AA batteries.

Old school cool brass sign for Norway's telecom provider in Bergen.

A pot of Japanese curry simmered on the stove tonight, but I switched things up and used fresh haddock instead of the usual meat. It turned out warm, comforting, and a little unexpected — exactly the kind of simple supper that makes a cold evening feel better.

3c and walking a nearby beach. Trés beaux maintenant.