2024! I’m almost glad to see the back of 2023 but have little expectation of good news and I’m finding it hard to be optimistic. Is there anyone still reading The Skeptical Zone that can suggest something that could happen that might help me regain a bit of that lost optimism?
Nonetheless, Happy New Year to everyone.
Too many “that”s. 🙄
Today, for a change, I’m going to try not to criticize you.
Can you tell me, and others, what were your happy moments of 2023?
A powerful king asks his wise men to create a ring that will make him happy when he is sad. After some deliberation the sages hand him a simple ring with the words “This too shall pass” etched on it. — Persian fable
Zachriel,
You made me Google. Happy New Year, Zachriel.
Well, one thing happened to me in June. I fell backwards and banged my head on concrete. There was no lasting effect other than a personality change. I discovered my feminine side. My wife was overcome. Unfortunately the effect has worn off a bit. I’m now careful to maintain a safe distance if she is carrying a skillet or similar blunt instrument.
I successfully cancelled Netflix. Major accomplishment.
Then got a gift card for another year.
Marina Hyde (Guardian columnist)
Jesus Alan! I wouldn’t like to scare you at the threshold of the new year but my brother’s boss fell backwards on the airport moving walkway and had a serious brain bleed.
I’m glad you are fine.
BTW: I recall your wife is a chef, right?
I don’t have very good predictions for the new year, I’m afraid.
I know the excess deaths seen in most countries around the world will continue.
I hope they subside.
I also know most governments will continue to blame the excess deaths on long-covid caused by dead particles called viruses.
I also predict that the governments will have to find more excuses to explain the skyrocketing cases of heart disease, cancer and other diseases, especially among the young.
I can predict the excuses they will use, but I don’t want to repeat myself.
Someone once asked:
“What do you do when there is no way out?
When there is way out, you find a deeper way in”
This is going to continue in 2024…I’m sorry to say that…
Thanks. I take it your brother’s boss made it through. A couple of months ago, an acquaintance of my wife, recently moved to the area after retiring as an air traffic controller in UK, was found unconscious at the foot of her stairs. She had suffered a haemorrhage and died a week later.
Correct.
Well, then, life is good!
I stopped commenting at UD. Only three more addictions to conquer.
Hi Alan,
Happy New Year! Here’s a video from The Infographics Show that might cheer you up:
Why 2024 Will Be The Best Year Ever
A Happy New Year to J-Mac, Zachriel, Acartia and petrushka, also. Cheers.
It is…but some humans make it not as enjoyable…
What’s the climate like in the winter where you live, if you don’t mind asking?
I have retired long time ago but I’m thinking about moving, at least for a few months of the Canadian winter, somewhere else. I love skiing though but I would like to spend most of the winter somewhere else. I love snow and my backyard looks amazing with the snow covering the many trees and my deck. I love just sitting in my sunroom and watch the nature at its best.
However, the pains of not so old age are making me to reconsider…
Any recommendations?
I have recently gone to the Canary Islands, as we do regularly. On the plane, approaching the airport, most to my pains disappeared. Is it even scientifically possible to explain? I doubt it… my wife and my kids agree. I hadn’t played tennis for few months but because of my conditions, but it was not problem there…
Less predictable than it used to be. Older locals remember winter being the month of February, with enough sharp frosts to keep the vines clear of bugs. So short and sharp. But, while we have had a few overnight ground frosts this year, air temperature has only just gonebelow 0°C on a couple of nights. We also seem to be in a trend of lower annual rainfall which is presenting a longterm issue. Vines are, to some extent, drought resistant but some producers are switching to olives and even truffle-inoculated oaks.
On the good side, humidity is generally low, and this keeps the mosquito population low in high summer.
My brother lives in northern Ontario and usually spends winter snowbirding in Mexico. Suits him but doesn’t appeal to me. Pickleball?
I moved to France 22 years ago when UK was in the EU and there were little in the way of formalities. So in one way it was easy. But things change. I wouldn’t presume to recommend a particular country to anyone but I think there are several points to consider. I’m fully in the French medical system and the health care is excellent here. Quality of medical care would be a priority if I were thinking of moving elsewhere. A reasonable level of political stability, and economic and social equality would also matter to me. I’ve always wanted to see Japan but I think that must now remain a pipe-dream. Climate and culture matter too so there is no ideal choice.
My daughter lived on the island of Jersey for a couple of years but ultimately found island life claustrophobic. I find England too small and crowded now on my rare visits.
Real life intervenes. Will pick up on other comments when I have more time.
We’re having our first real snow of the season. A month later than expected. But temperatures are lower than last year.
Having a weather station and being able to access things like monthly averages from year to year is a real eye opener.
Unfortunately, what it reveals is the futility of extrapolating.
Alan Fox,
Thanks Alan.
I have been living all over the world my entire life. Last thing I wanna do is to learn another language, if I were to move. I know few.
My wife and I are leaning towards the Canary Islands for snow snowbirding mainly because of the climate.
Our joint issues go away even when we are on the plane coming in for the landing lol