Left: clear plastic jar filled with black rods (wires) with glass beads on them through which the distinctive reddish color of oxidized copper is visible. Right: another jar, filled with coppery-colored rods (wires) with glass beads on them, the color in the beads matches the ones on the left.

Decades ago, I saw a surplus store selling these, marked as "silicon monodes". Years later, I found the jar on the left, but they had turned black? I was rather disappointed, as I figured I'd never see more. But apparently past me was a "buy two of them" sort, as I found a second, intact jar.

Phone camera app should start fast. Easy to activate shutter button (even with a knuckle). No confusing mode screen if you miss. Take the photo quickly, no "please hold your camera still" when you already are. Most important: don't tell me you took a picture when you actually didn't!

I think "skeleton" comes from Greek roots, but it's a weird ending for Latin, so I'd have guessed fourth or fifth declension.

I appreciate your explaining not only the difference in what they are, but also how they're used. It seems like hay would be nicer to use in mattresses, but I don't know if people would opt for comfort or using something that's less useful elsewhere.

For some, however, the matter is not entirely settled. Japan still claims one peak on Carroll Crater (as the sun hits it first in some circumstances), the United States claims certain particular rocks, and Placido Domingo is the honorary custodian of part of the Sea of Tranquility.

The court battles leading up to this were epic. For a while, Chad claimed it, then Ecuador (on the premise that as an equatorial nation, they were "closest"). Then Russia (as they had crash landed some junk there). After a storied catered dinner and stirring speeches, it was ceded to Albania.

Huh, I'd always thought of inkjet prints as water soluble and I had (wrongly?) assumed these were water slide decals.

Whoops, wanted to comment on your very nice looking mobile airline steps. Those decals really look good. I have an old Alps thermal printer, not sure if it has enough resolution to make decals with that level of detail.

Example of 9V battery as size reference to a collection of small CRTs and televisions. Left to right: 24mm or so diagonal CRT (with deflection yoke) out of a camcorder viewfinder, small TV with 40mm CRT, with a matching bare CRT atop it, slide-on magnifier accessory for small TV, 2" CRT (with deflection yoke), 3" CRT (with deflection yoke), 9V battery as scale reference, Sony Watchman side gun CRT TV, 5" color CRT TV.

I've kind of settled on a 9V (PP3) battery as a scale reference, as I imagine they're well known and pretty much the same around the globe.

From Mystery in Space #73, by DC comics, February 1960, the "Answer Man of Space!" story. Evan Wright (the Answer Man) created by Julius Schwartz and Gardner Fox, story by Gardner Fox, art by Carmine Infantino, inked by Joe Giella.

When I was a kid, I found a comic book at a relative's house, and enjoyed the tale of the Answer Man tackling a problem involving ancient robots on a planetoid and how to activate an interstellar weapon. I rather identified with one panel about how he was "always reading".

Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that outsmarts even smart headphones - Škoda Storyboard Pedestrians wearing headphones are exposed to an increased risk of accidents. In an effort to reduce collisions with cyclists, Škoda Auto, in collaboration with scientists, introduces an innovative bi...

Škoda did some fascinating research on how to make bicycle bells that can be heard even through noise cancelling headphones. Better yet, they're making the results freely available to promote pedestrian safety.

www.skoda-storyboard.com/en/skoda-wor...

To quote Monty Python: "Alsø alsø wik".

I like to keep my nails filed, and prefer the Revlon files, they use manufacturing techniques to give long lasting, effective files. I prefer the "professional" length ones, which allow smooth, continuous motion, like a violin bow. Now only the unsatisfying "compact" ones are available.

Because the conservatively run public utilities commissions that set the rates will cheerfully steal from you to fund their data centers. But the state of Georgia has shown that it's possible to elect reasonable people to the commissions and implement fair billing.

I'm at a friend's house, helping assemble Ikea furniture and the screwdriver just isn't engaging well. Taking a closer look, I realize the Ikea screws aren't the Philips screws I expected, but Pozidriv screws. While I have Pozidriv screwdrivers, it hadn't occurred to me to bring them with me.

When I saw the caption, I first thought Ann B. Davis (of Love That Bob fame).

I remember trying to hack my way through the Russian version and suddenly I was completely mystified. I finally realized the text was French, in Cyrillic. I didn't expect that. Side note: some of that snark reminds of of Thorne Smith, especially his book Night Life of the Gods.

Wordle 1,742 2/6

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It's also the sort of series that's good to watch with friends. Which only shows one stream, even if several people are watching, even if all those people have subscriptions too.

As I posted recently, I did not expect such a cerebral and complex book to make a good transition to the screen. However, I was blown away with how well it worked, for both those who had read the book and those who are new to the story.

I'm still getting "your car's factory warranty is about to expire." Um, my car is eighteen years old with over 200k miles. There is no warranty. I'm not about to buy your scammy coverage either.

When I was a kid, I had horrible nightmares. After a while, I realized they dealt with subjects I avoided thinking about while awake, so they apparently leaked out while I was asleep, and less in control. So I started intentionally thinking on them. It worked, nightmares are rare for me now.

Andy Weir's book Hail Mary is a great read, but it's complex, conceptual, cerebral, subtle, and hard science enough that I didn't think it could make an effective transition to film. However, the film version (just out) is amazing, whether or not you've read the book.

Printed text on a citation: "Auth. Transportation Article, Section 26-301, 26-302, & 26-303 (Annotated Code of MD). Brunswick City Code of Ordinance, Chap. 6) If you desire to stand trial for this offense, you must notify the Brunswick Police Dept. at east [sic] five (5) days prior to the payment date shown on this citation. You must also notify the Brunswick Police Dept. at 811 West Potomac Street Brunswick, MD 21716, if you desire the presence of the Officer who issued this citation at the trial. If the Officer is not present at the trial, the citation shall be prima facie evidence of the matters set forth herein." The final sentence is highlighted.

Yo, City of Brunswick, that provision violates the Sixth Amendment guarantee of the Right to Face your Accuser. Also, you misspelled "least". Also also, requiring a sketchy app to pay for parking is driving business from your town. Some people don't have smartphones or want their info stolen.

They apparently drilled a bunch of cores out of a road near me. Neat groups of 6 holes, like a six-pack had melted its way into the asphalt. No idea why.

Also, if you laugh for 16 hours crooked, you can heal a crooked bone!

SkyNet could do it in ten days. TEN DAYS. Vote SkyNet!

Bluetooth audio devices go through their supported protocols, and agree on "surround sound speaker".
One is a car, and the other is a phone.
Are you the stereo?
Yes.
I am also the stereo.
What is your speaker position?
Wat.
(default to left rear)
What is your speaker distance?
Wat.
Ringing!
Wat.

Stuxnet was a much better approach.

My first guess was Mandalorian...