If you go north/west, the eclipse will take place a bit higher over the horizon. If you go to the eastern part/coast of Spain, it will be very low to the horizon, which would maybe suck inland but might be cool over the ocean.

If you are in the path of totality, go find a spot early on and just kind of hang out - bring snacks and water and a book. If you aren’t familiar with the area, download a map on your phone because the cell network might be slammed with people. Don’t look at the sun without solar glasses until totality. The moon takes a while to move in front of the sun and the light level gradually drops, but you won’t notice it until probably 90% of the sun is covered. Once totality occurs, you can look at the eclipse with the naked eye.

It is beautiful and indescribable and I was profoundly moved when I watched the 2017 eclipse. I will watch the upcoming one, provided the clouds don’t cover it.

Once the eclipse is over, prepare to wait for traffic. It might be a while to get out because so many people go to such a small area.

I fucking hate Aptos. It makes my work emails (Outlook) look “quirky” and that is NOT what is needed.

I had the unpleasant experience of being in a group that applied SCRUM to research. Yes, the work involved software implementation, but research is largely antithetical to SCRUM. Yes, you need good research practices but a key aspect is that you don’t know where you will end up. The stand up meetings became 30 minutes twice a week. Arrrg.

And, you know, boil the water. Or bring chlorine tablets or a water filter.

So glowy!

I’m fucked.

Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. This could have the makings of constructive dismissal. Relocate to a place with vastly different legal protections or be fired? Hmm. Since it also would possibly disproportionately affect female employees, I wonder if some discrimination could also come in to play?

Not a lawyer, just spitballing ideas.

Seems like the analysis is starting from the hypothesis that the BBC is biased, while a better scientific inquiry is “IS the BBC biased”.

I’m not Christian, so I honestly wish we had more “happy holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”. I celebrate the solstice. But I still do a tree and a big dinner and have a gathering on the 25th as part of the season, so it’s all good.

I got a Caldera spa in their mid range line. It is 240V, 5 person, with a salt system and a cover lifter. It cost about $12k USD all told. I love it, but DEFINITELY get the salt system for chlorinating. It would be much more of a pain in the ass without it. As it is, I still love the thing and use it regularly. I check the water chemistry about every five days and it’s super simple to maintain. If I have a party and we are in for extended periods I have to add chlorine daily for a few days but that’s it.

Lot of Republican governors of states that signed a letter urging this subsidy to be renewed. Seriously, broadband subsidies for rural areas should be renewed.

Thanks!

I can’t believe I wasted five minutes of my life on that hell. Whoever constructed that is an evil genius.

I disagree with the instance’s philosophy. I think “be nice” leads to a lot of unintended consequences and echo chambering. Edit to add: One of the Seven Tenets of The Satanic Temple is: “The freedoms of others should be respected, including the freedom to offend. To willfully and unjustly encroach upon the freedoms of another is to forgo one’s own.”. I don’t go out of my way to troll; however, I feel that Beehaw’s instance philosophy does not align with the idea that we have the freedom to offend with our own opinions.

Conversely, I am not LGBTQ+ and I don’t need to be in their space. They get to deal with normies all the time in everyday life.

Thanks for the reminder!

Beehaw, actually. It’s a space for LGBTQ+++ people and I don’t need to be in their space. Edit: I also completely disagree with their philosophy, so it’s better for everyone if we keep ourselves separated.

Although not an extreme ultralight backpacker, I follow those principles for what I take with me and I like to move fast in the high mountains. I don’t go to take photos, I go for the experience, but good photos are a plus. I can get some great photos with my phone at this point, though it certainly isn’t the same as a DSLR camera. My phone has my maps for navigation and my books for reading in camp as well. It’s waterproof and resilient and weighs very little. It is extremely convenient for use - put in pocket, take out when needed.

Regarding the camera, I do a lot of backpacking and my phone is my only camera. Upgrading to appreciably better camera tech is something I will do. Example (Pixel 6 phone):

You should educate yourself about GenIV reactors (designs, supply chains, costs…) before you embarrass yourself.