December 2014 – Postcards

Charlie Brooker: Daily Mail Dumbogeddon

December 30, 2014December 30, 2014 No Comments

I don’t read Charlie Brooker often enough, I quite enjoy his rather sharp commentaries. This is an old one, but appeared in my twitter stream earlier. The ‘dumbogeddon’ is the ironic responses of some Daily Mail commenters to an article suggesting that stupid people hold right-wing opinions to feel ‘safe’. It’s his description of the […]

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Space

The Cliffs of Comet Churyumov Gerasimenko

December 27, 2014 No Comments

I can’t stop looking at this photograph. These kilometre high cliffs are part of the nucleus of the comet 67P/Churyumov Gerasimenko, as observed by the Rosetta spacecraft. I think it’s because I didn’t expect to see such details on a comet – plains, cliffs, boulders… it’s like earth, but very alien. There’s something awe-inspiring about […]

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Life People

“May your days be merry and bright, And may all your christmases be white”

December 26, 2014December 26, 2014 No Comments

This is terribly poignant. The ghost of Christmas Future will hang around our table this year. As we decorate the tree, open our presents and sit down for lunch, I will not be the only one imagining what these same rituals will be like next December when I am no longer there. This is my […]

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Cycling Moving Pictures

A driving instructor & a cycle trainer explain why cyclists ride in the middle of the road

December 26, 2014 No Comments

This is a great video. It’s directed at driving instructors in the UK, but the explanations of primary & secondary road position, awareness and ‘Right of Way’ are excellent and really anyone who drives or cycles should watch.

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Cycling

Protecting yourself – tips on defensive cycling

December 22, 2014 No Comments

While you can’t beat proper infrastructure for cycling, both for safety and enjoyment (it’s no fun wondering if that revving car coming up from behind has seen you or not), knowing how to cycle defensively will help keep you safe. Bikeradar has some tips on staying safe, and some good points on the general safety […]

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History Military Oddities

The Story of How NORAD’s Santa Tracker Began

December 20, 2014 No Comments

Lovely little interview in the NPR that explains the story of how the Santa Tracker came to be. Terri remembers her dad had two phones on his desk, including a red one. “Only a four-star general at the Pentagon and my dad had the number,” she says. “This was the ’50s, this was the Cold […]

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Cycling Environment Government The Inter-Department Co-Ordination Board

National Roads Authority drives through national climate policy

December 18, 2014 No Comments

Tsk.. In 2009 the Department of Transport published Smarter Travel – A New Transport Policy for Ireland 2009 -2020. This policy document includes targets to ensure that by 2020 the total kilometres travelled by the national car fleet does not exceed 2009 levels, and that workplace single-car commuting travel reduces to 45% (from around 65% […]

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Films Oddities Politics

This video does not exist.

December 17, 2014March 25, 2015 No Comments

A collection of soundbites from the last few years, protests, politicians, the good, the bad and P. Flynn to boot. Via Ireland | This video does not exist. – YouTube.

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Bits & Bobs Humour Oddities Society

Being Yourself

December 17, 2014January 12, 2015 No Comments

society: be yourself society: no not like that — no (@tbhjuststop) December 17, 2014

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Space

The Potsdam Gravity Potato

December 15, 2014 No Comments

A gravity map of the earth, revealing some interesting high and low gravity areas that give it the look of a spud. Hence, The Potsdam Gravity Potato, via APOD.

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Who?

Murf

Charlie Brooker: Daily Mail Dumbogeddon

The Cliffs of Comet Churyumov Gerasimenko

“May your days be merry and bright, And may all your christmases be white”

A driving instructor & a cycle trainer explain why cyclists ride in the middle of the road

Protecting yourself – tips on defensive cycling

The Story of How NORAD’s Santa Tracker Began

National Roads Authority drives through national climate policy

This video does not exist.

Being Yourself

The Potsdam Gravity Potato

Month: December 2014