Over the years I’ve tried a number of GorillaPods.
Cheap ones break quickly. Higher quality versions are a bit heavy and bulky.
A salesman at the Camera Store in Calgary recommended this alternative. I love it. Cheaper than a GorillaPod and far more durable. It’s light and compact for travel.
I’m using it with my Elf camera and Vixia camcorder. It wraps around either in their travel cases on my hip.
Click PLAY or watch how it can be used on YouTube. That’s the very similar Octopod.
I’m a library aficionado visiting many around the world every year. My own city — Calgary — has offered some of the crappiest.
The University of Calgary modernized long after I’d finished my degree. I’ve only been there a few times. And the new Calgary Downtown Library will not open until November 2018.
Happily the library most walkable for me has just gone ultra-modern. I love it.
The Riddell Library and Learning Centre (RLLC) opened Sept 7th, 2017.
From treadmill desks to cubbies for catnaps, everything a student needs to feel learning-ready will be available …
Soundproofed project rooms allow users to record, edit and manipulate sound and video to create podcasts, music and media-rich presentations.
Visitors can take a break from research or end the day in the café or fireplace lounge. Group-use rooms will increase from three to 34. The number of student stations (or seats) will nearly triple from 650 to 1,800.
Currently, the library’s holdings include twice as many eBooks as print, and its collection of eJournals outnumbers print journals by about 80 to one. Balancing the collections is a matter of establishing a long-term strategy, says Shepstone. …
THE LIBRARY REIMAGINED
External community members may book Group Rooms in-person at the Service Desk.
I grabbed this one with a view of the Taylor Centre for Performing Arts.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Cool as it is, I actually prefer to work in an empty classroom. With blackboard for brainstorming. Most Universities lock them up when not in use, but MRU leaves them open.
Surprisingly every classroom still has an overhead projector. And they seem to be well used.
related – Rocky Ridge Library at Shane Homes YMCA opened January 15.
Just purchased my second pair of Vargas pants for CAD $55 at MEC.
All my travel clothing needs be light, durable and multi-function.
Give me convenience or give me death.
Too lazy to unzip my hip pack, I prefer quickly pulling cards and cash out of a side leg pocket.
This tiny billfold is perfect. I got it on sale at MEC for CAD $15.
dimensions: 10.5 x 9 cm [4.1” x 3.5”]
weight: 18 g [0.6 oz]
I hate taxis. Uber seems a great alternative. I’m all about the sharing economy.
Once I finally created an account, it worked very well. Payment is all online. Even the tip.
Andrew sent me a link to the kickstarter page of two guys trying to revolutionize backpack design.
I ordered one instantly. $189.93 USD delivered to Canada. (That’s the minimum package. They have other bundles with more accessories.)
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
It arrived in time for Christmas.
I’m happy.
Quality is superb. These guys cut no corners. It includes a TSA lock. Classy touch.
VERY waterproof. VERY durable. … But heavier than I would like.
To save weight I’ll probably cut off the sternum strap as I rarely use it on my other packs.
I immediately went to cut off the duffel back handles (as backpack is my preferred carry) but they are integrated into the design of the shoulder straps.
By mistake they sent me two waist belts.
Nomatic has many other products. I’m assuming all their gear is great.
I got the 3-7 day Travel Pack. Their Backpack is optimized for 1-3 days.
Wirecutter recommends excellent competitors to this bag.
I’d love to be able to roll it through airports. Perhaps I’ll bring along a portable folding Luggage Cart on some trips.
This bag will replace my National Geographic Appalachian 20 Inch Upright Rolling Suitcase which does have wheels.
Again. 🙂
I use Wikipedia dozens of times a day. My most important internet resource.
Here’s the donation page.
Here’s an excellent list weighing the pros and cons of donating to Wikimedia.
What will the most popular news sources of the future look like?
I’m hopeful for the soon to be launched Wikitribune.
People today mostly get their news from TV (not bad) and social media (terrible).
My favourite news source right now is Axios, just 6 months old.
Axios covers 7 areas: politics, tech, media trends, health, science, energy, and future of work (AI, robotics, etc.).
They want to deliver the cleanest, smartest, most efficient and trust-worthy experience for readers and advertisers alike.
It was founded by Mike Allen, former chief political reporter for Politico. I like Politico too, founded in 2007. And Jim VandeHei.
John F. Harris and Jim VandeHei left The Washington Post to become The Politico‘s editor-in-chief and executive editor, respectively.
So … Washington Post begat Politico begat Axios.
If interested, start by signing up for any of the Axios email newsletters.
Rick McCharles 