@daniel Well, I'm very French. My family came over from France in the late 16th Century to Canada. All four of my grandparents were born in French speaking Canada. I only knew my paternal grandmother and she spoke only French (except for a small amount of English, which I never heard her speak), and my maternal grandfather, who like my parents, was bilingual. I spoke only French until I was 6. Our surname (Dauphinais) is meaningful in France (the Dauphin = heir to the throne) and there are several locations in France bearing some form or another of the name. (When I visited Paris, I stayed at Place Dauphine). None of this necessarily indicates a relationship to our family, though. It was common back then, when immigrating to Canada, to take a new surname--often related to where the family emmigrated from. There is a Dauphine region (south eastern France). But who knows? It is, at the moment, lost to history. But it does make me feel a little bit connected to France. During COVID lockdown, I got hooked on Chateau Diaries with Stephanie Jarvis. Her chateau, Chateau de La Lande, is in the Creuse department. Her channel led me to vlogs of other ex-pats from England renovating properties in Normandy, Bordeaux, and Creuse. These vloggers showed me day-to-day living in France and I'm hooked. They celebrate food, they don't have to worry about healthcare, their education is very affordable, and it's beautiful in the countryside.

I just can't get enthusiastic for any of it, and I feel as it's The Olympics I ought to. Seen bits of skiing, shooting, and then there's the curling . Not even the jumping or ice hockey. None of it. Am I getting old, or is it because they're wrapped up in five layers and it seems impersonal? It's been more like watching darts, or snooker.

Snow for the next four days. Pity, all of the snow from the last couple of storms has melted.

@wtg Yeah, mine too. It should be covered by snow by tomorrow, but once everything thaws out, I need to get after them early.

@Rontuner said in What happens to a car when…: All of the fobs (so far) that I've used have a hidden mechanical key that slides out. I've had to use mine a couple of times. Remind me to tell the story of how I lost my new Audi's key in the sand on a remote Hawaii Island beach. Or don't. Lol.

The V&A was one of my favourite places in London! I would be interested to visit the storehouse!!

Sarah's reputation has taken a severe nosedive too. Who even knew that was possible?

Casio, Arabic numerals, white dial, AND the least expensive and classic digital. I always have these two watches. The digital's alarm goes off at 11:56 p.m. for no particular reason. I just let it. Hacking this watch is complicated and can take me up to 2 hrs with my poor vision. It's worth owning. It's definitely worth wearing. I just don't care enough to go through what's needed to set it. It's also on military time. I think the time is close to accurate.

The people behind the tariff lawsuit. A NY wine importer: https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/21/business/vos-selections-trump-tariffs-lawsuit-risk-takers An Illinois educational toy company : https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/vernon-hills-illinois-toy-company-supreme-court-ruling-trump-tariffs/

Doing well. I have one more PT appt that I missed due to an emergency trip to Philly. I have full range of motion and then some. Pretty sure I am right back to where it was before surgery but it might actually bend more than a couple of degrees over baseline. Hyperextension to 3 degrees which is about what a biological knee does. Still swollen and a little sore and stiff at times but overall I am pleased with the outcome so far.

Hammond would be better than Gary. Closer and nicer. Gary is the only place I refused a gig because of where the IT building was and the lack of security in the parking lot. I would have had to carry at work. No thanks.

Not a bit suprised. In my opinion, too many Americans are still just blaming one person for this mess we've unleashed on the world. It goes way deeper than that.

@Daniel as if there is only 1 std out there too! smh My rule of thumb during the "scourge" was to ASSUME that people were HIV positive and contagious and DIDN'T KNOW IT, which took the judgement out of things. Didn't get laid much but oh well.